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Amanda and Jenn discuss books about artists, nature, borders and more on this week’s episode of Get Booked.
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The Secret of Snow by Viola Shipman and Who is Maude Dixon by Alexandra Andrews (received by Amanda)
Real Life by Brandon Taylor and In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado (received by Elizabeth)
Questions
- This is a birthday gift recommendation request for my husband:
He likes to read sometimes, but has a hard time staying focused and most books can’t hold his attention long enough for him to finish them. The last time I remember he really liked and finished a book was when he read Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge series, especially the second one (World Without End). It seems to enjoy historical fiction more than other genres, with a great plot and compelling characters. I tried to give him A Gentleman in Moscow, but he found the writing too “flowery” (his words). I also had him try Wolf Hall, but he thought the writing was confusing and couldn’t hold his attention. If anyone can find the perfect book for them, I know you can. Please help me!
-Lindsey
2. I am looking for requests for my boyfriend. I read all the time and have also tried to find books for him. he really randomly liked Frankenstein book in lmao college. but it was also required reading for a science class.
he thinks he would like a “war” book. we also love murder mysteries on TV. I read the maisie dobbs rn series and think he would enjoy it too if it was from a male detective’s perspective! his favorite sport is also baseball if that helps. also a book of 400 pages or less would be good since he hasn’t read in a while! Thanks in advance! I know that’s a tough ask!
-Anna
3. Hello! I loved Once There Were Wolves, Migrations, The Great Alone, Where the Crawdads Sing and All the Light We Cannot See. I really liked the vivid descriptions of nature (beautiful writing!) as well as the science facts about nature and ecosystem services that were included in the stories. Do you have any fictional suggestions for something similar? Thank you very much!!
-Carolina
4. Hello and happy winter!
Thank you for making me feel like I have a book conversation with friends to look forward to every week!
I had a difficult relationship with my father for most of my life and recently decided to completely cut off all contact. I’m looking for books that would give me insight into maintaining my boundaries while staying in touch with my mom and brother. All the books I’ve found on estrangement speak from the side of the parents, not the children. I prefer non-fiction, but I would gladly read a fictional book that showed a distant relationship on the page in a relatively wholesome way.
-Nicole
5. I’m looking for what I would call low-tech science fiction. I recently read the Under the Never Sky series and loved returning to a world of sword fights, battles, horses and clans. I also loved the themes of coming of age, friendship, love stories and the journey to one’s “destiny”. This series is YA but I’m in my twenties so I don’t need YA and I would actually prefer recommendations that weren’t YA but coming of age themes are usually in that genre. So I’m ok with YA as long as it’s high quality. I have a low tolerance for cheese and bad writing. Overall, I want to immerse myself in a new world and accompany great characters on an epic adventure where the characters fulfill their destiny.
-Emilie
6. Hello, I am looking for a book that I can read with my mother as a friend. We love contemporary character-driven fiction set in New York City and would love to read something set in the world of artists – writers, musicians or painters. Please no fantasy or romance. Hope you can help!
-Sonja
7. I am looking for biographies of scientists and academics! Also look for books on Eastern philosophy (ancient and modern) and political science. Thanks for the recommendations in advance. Keep up the good show!
-Glen
Books discussed
Lighting by Eleanor Catton
Afia Atakora’s Conjure Women (cw: slavery and related violence, pregnancy complications, rape)
Shepherd by Catherine Jinks (tw: bad things that happen to animals)
Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden (cw: discussion of suicide, child abuse and rape; drug use on the page)
Maud’s Line by Margaret Verble (tw: suicide, animal harm)
Once Upon A River by Bonnie Jo Campbell (cw: rape, addiction, violence against women and children)
Setting Boundaries, Finding Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
How to Find a Princess and a Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole
Emily St John Mandel’s Station Eleven
The Saga of the Archivist Wasps by Nicole Kornher-Stace
What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt
The Big Man by Kate Christensen
The Fossil Hunter by Shelley Emling
Everyday Ubuntu by Mungi Ngomane
