#173: Heck in a Hand Basket

Amanda and Jenn discuss the Scottish Highlands, books for introverts, Rent read-alikes, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked.

This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, Nurx, and Girls With Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young.

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Feedback

Lion Heart by Fran Seen

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Questions

1. I love the show; it’s fun to hear the really specific things people are looking for and your suggestions are so interesting.

I’m headed in mid-April to Moniack Mhor, a writing center in Inverness-shire, Scotland. I’d love recommendations for books set in Inverness-shire, the town of Inverness, or anywhere else in the Scottish Highlands.

I don’t really like historical fiction, romance (I’m okay with it being part of the plot, but don’t like books where it’s the main thing), science fiction/fantasy, or beautifully written books where not a lot happens.

I’ve read books by Scottish authors Val McDermid, Ian Rankin (and probably most of the Scottish mystery writers) and Muriel Spark.

Any suggestions for contemporary fiction, especially YA, would be amazing.

-Sarah

2. Hi ladies! I’d like help finding a book for a friend or an audiobook recommendation (or both!). She loves books that empower women and have all the best intentions of showing you how to live your best life. She has enjoyed reading You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero, and loved listening to The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein. Anything similar would be great!

-Megan

3. Thank you so much for this wonderful podcast! Longtime listener, first time “requester”… here goes.

I am finally rejoining the dating scene after a painful divorce following almost twenty years of marriage. I am pretty nervous, as things have changed just a bit since I was last on a date! So, I’m hoping you can help me with a romance book recommendation. I am new to the genre and have enjoyed only “The Kiss Quotient” and “The Duchess War”… I identified with the awkwardness of the characters and would love to read more. Would you be able to recommend a romance that I might be able to identify with, given my circumstance? Trying really hard not to feel like I’m the only one!! (Maybe I am?!)

Thank you both so much,

-Jodi

4. I am looking for two sets of books.

The first: historical romance. I like Julia Quinn and pretty much read most of her books. I also like Candace Camp and read some Eloisa James.

My favorite of Julia’s are the Bridgerton series. Can you please suggest historical romance that have Cinderella/fairytale like stories. It would be great if there is witty banter and family dynamics.

Second: I am looking for fantastical/magical sort of books. I loved Harry Potter. Something with wizards or witches could be fun. Also, if it could be a feel good sort of book where there is a happy ending, it would be great.

Thank you so much for your help.

-Maymuna

5. I am looking for a book recommendation to help with being an introvert handling drawn out social situations. I am very introverted but can usually handle social situations that I have some control over or that have a defined start and end time (ie being at work or going out for meals with friends). Drawn out social situations like hosting people at my house for several days are very stressful for me. Last week was really difficult when after having my second child and being postpartum my in-laws stayed with us for a week. Needless to say, I found it to be very stressful on top of the lack of sleep and am worried that I could damage my relationship with my family. Can you recommend any books on how to handle social situations when being introverted? I’ve already read Quiet.

Thanks!

-Stressed Introvert

6. So I recently caught the live performance of Rent on Fox, which is a musical I have loved since childhood and always leaves me wishing there was more. I am so enthralled by ensembles of all-compelling characters and strong friendships, but I mostly get that vibe from TV shows and movies such as The Family Stone, This Is Us, Friends (!), Parenthood, and of course Rent. I’m open to all levels of realism and time periods, but am hoping that you know of any books that reflect the feels from shows like these. Please PLEASE share your secrets!!

-Emily

#HookedOnGetBooked

7. Hi. I love your podcast and I usually don’t have a bit of trouble finding books to read. My TBR Of 560 books on Good Reads certainly attests to that. But… because of a family member, my Uncle Tom and because of a friend’s mother I have a special interest in finding 2 topics I haven’t come across yet. I love non- fiction but I love reading a historical fiction about a topic first. Do you know of any books, a) featuring the Flying Tigers over Burma during WWII and/or b) the flight of the people referred to as White Russians fleeing Russia after the fall of the Tsar. Thanks.

I’m more than happy to just get an email… I’ll still listen to every episode!

-Jill

Books Discussed

Dune by Frank Herbert

Thick by Tressie McMillan Cottom

September by Rosamunde Pilcher

The Sunlight Pilgrims by Jenni Fagan

The Power of Meaning by Emily Esfahani Smith

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

The Day of the Duchess by Sarah Maclean

A Girl Like Her by Talia Hibbert (tw: discussion of domestic violence)

Tessa Dare’s Castles Ever After series (Romancing the Duke #1)

Witchmark by CL Polk

The Awakened Introvert by Arnie Kozak

Post: Life-Changing Books for Introverts

I Thought It Was Just Me by Brené Brown

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (TW self-harm, sexual assault, harm to children)

Holding Still For As Long As Possible by Zoe Whitall

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

The Book of Happiness by Nina Berberova (tw: suicide)

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