#157: Darcy’s Aunt is a Dragon

Amanda and Jenn discuss Australian historical fiction, psychopaths, comedic murder mysteries, and more in this week's episode of Get Booked.

This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, Penguin Random House Audio, and So Done by Paula Chase.

Feedback

Just some feedback for Ben’s daughter from episode 155! As someone not *too* far removed from the voracious-child-reader stage can I suggest: Dragonskin Slippers (Jessica Day George), Inkheart (Cornelia Funke), The Ranger’s Apprentice (John Flanagan), the Stravaganza series (Mary Hoffman) and Eragon (Christopher Paolini). Hope some of those are useful, and thank you so much for the podcast - every episode just brightens my week x

--Hannah

Questions

1. First of all, when I found your show it was like a dream come true. I love to read! Second only to my love of reading, is my love of discovering new books and putting them on my to read shelf. I keep telling my husband that I wish I had y’all’s job.

Speaking of my husband, I am recently married and we are getting ready to go on our honeymoon in December. We are heading to Australia! My husband and I have no intention of just laying on the beach and relaxing all honeymoon. That’s not our style. Instead we plan to do plenty of historical tours. My favorite tours are when I already have a little background on the history of a place. I was hoping you guys could recommend some historical fiction novels set in Australia, especially dating back to its early colonial days and possibly some about its Aboriginal population. I do not like nonfiction or pages and pages of descriptions. I can’t wait to hear your recommendations!! Thank you!

--Amelia

2. Hello Ladies! Thanks for answering my previous questions (all those Besses are this Bess) and laughing at my jokes! Very validating! I'm writing to ask for reading recommendations to read over my honeymoon! We're going to an all inclusive resort and I can't wait to just lie around and read :) I'm specifically asking for books that are that tender, heartrending romance where you just want them to be together! Examples include Song of Achilles, Room with a View, Golden Compass Series (Will x Lyra forever). I already own Possession, haven't read it yet -- Way down with pining and angst, I am not really looking for a romance novel, but a literary story where two characters' love is just oh so burny and tender!

Thanks in advance,

--Bess - bride to be

3. Hi, so like you I loved Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho and I am waiting on tenterhooks for the next book in the series. I’m looking for something to filled the Sorcerer to the Crown shaped hole in my heart. I really like both the Regency, the politics, the slow romance and the magic elements of the book. The Regency period is such an interesting time in British history - right on the edge of the modern, but not quite there yet. I don't need the book to have magic, but it is always a plus.

I have already read:

Arabella of Mars by David D. Levine

Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal

Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer

and loved all of them.

--Sidsel

4. I am looking for recommendations for my 11 year old daughter. She would love to read YA, but I think I would like to hold off from the love relationships and more adult themes for a little bit longer. Last year she read "Some Kind of Happiness" by Claire Legrand and said it was written for her. I'm looking for books that are perhaps more mature, but somewhere in between middle grade and YA. Thanks!

--Lauren

5. Hi Amanda and Jenn,

I am listening to Deadly Manners, a dark comedy murder-mystery podcast series I am in love with! It's an old-school style story with modern sensibilities. The plot: there's a dinner party and guests are getting picked off one by one, and Levar Burton narrates. Need I say more? I just finished the next to last episode and am already dreading the void in my life when it's over. Can you recommend some books to fill it? Thanks!

--Alexis

6. I know Halloween just passed but I heard Shelly Laurenston's booklist from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books podcast, one of the things she mentions is psychopaths and I was wondering if you had any recommendations for this. I don't want mystery or thrillers, more like a mind dive into spotting them, try to understand why they do it or facts. Since the holiday are coming up I would like some recommendations as soon as possible please.

--Ash

7. Hi Jenn and Amanda,

I would love to get some recommendations for romance novels that deal with sexual trauma or sexual dysfunction (or that just acknowledge the fact that sex isn't always easy and fun). I'm not fussy about the type of romance (just no paranormal). I realize this may be difficult because romance is supposed to be escapist but I am desperate to see my experience represented.

Thanks so much for your help!

--Joss

Books Discussed

The Monster Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson (tw: homophobia, assault)

Becoming by Michelle Obama obviously

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

My Education by Susan Choi

Heartstone by Elle Katharine White

Gail Carriger

Witchmark by CL Polk

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

Death at Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn

An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten, transl. By Marlaine Delargy

Confessions of a Sociopath by M.E. Thomas

The Anatomy of Evil by Michael Stone (rec’d by Liberty)

Asking For It by Lilah Pace (tw: discussions of/roleplay of rape/sexual assault, violence against women)

Under Her Skin by Adriana Anders, Blank Canvas series, (tw: domestic violence, assault)

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