Amanda and Jenn discuss more Halloween reads, asexual representation, solo female travelers, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked.

This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s Blind Date with a Book, Sugar Run by Mesha Maren, now in paperback from Algonquin Books, and Playlist: The Rebels and Revolutionaries of Sound by James Rhodes and illustrated by Martin O’Neill.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

FEEDBACK

Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren (rec’d by Nicole)

Carol Goodman’s books: Lake of Dead Languages, Seduction of Water, and Ghost Orchid (rec’d by Laura)

QUESTIONS

1. I’d like to try a steamy romance novel where sex is described. I know very little about this genre and its classification or how to find something I would like. I am currently reading Victoria Dahl’s Taking the Heat but wondering if there are books that don’t use slang for body parts or at least don’t use the word “filthy” to describe sex acts. Is that a thing? I’m intentional with language and I want something more positive. Also, are there romance setups among happily married people? I noticed arranged or forced marriages seems to be a trope, but that really wasn’t what I was after. Maybe what I am looking for is not called a romance novel? Can you recommend a book or even link to help? My searches are not getting me where I want to be.

-Wish I Weren’t Blushing

2. Time Sensitive – Mid-October please

Hello! I’m searching for a book that captures all of the Halloween/fall feelings: chill air, crisp leaves, dark shadows, and just all the pumpkins. I’d love something set around New England during Halloween/autumn in general. Please recommend a novel. I’m open to YA, romance, literary fiction…something with a bit of creep factor without being full blown horror. Books I’ve read like this and loved are Sawkill Girls, The Spellbook of Katrina van Tassel, Devouring Grey, Hocus Pocus, The Hollow/The Haunted, The Children of Night and Nothing series, Practical Magic/Rules of Magic, and The Lantern’s Ember. Please help me find another Halloween book.

-Heather

3. hello! i’ve been craving for some lighthearted witchy reads lately. i’ve read “labyrinth lost” by zoraida córdova, “children of blood and bone” by tomi adeyemi which are great, and have in my tbr pile “the bone witch” and “the heart forger” by rin chupeco. all these titles are pretty dark and, while i love my books that have witches constantly raising the dead, i could really use some bubbly, cute, less ‘everyone is gonna kill me’ witchy reads. (and if you could sprinkle in some lgbt in there, that would be amazing).

-Myra

4. I identify as asexual and don’t often get to see that aspect of myself reflected on the page. I’ve scoured the internet and read everything I could find with ace characters: Let’s Talk About Love, Tash Hearts Tolstoy, The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy to name a few. But the lists are fairly limited. I’m open to books that don’t explicitly use the term “asexual” but that have characters that lend themselves to being read as ace (a favorite of mine is Kaz from Six of Crows, for example). Unfortunately, that’s a very difficult thing to search for. Can you recommend any more books that feature characters I might see myself in? I’m open to any genre. Apologies in advance for the difficult question.

– Teresa

5. Hey!

Love the podcast! I’m graduating from PT school next spring and am considering some solo international travel to celebrate. I’m fairly well-traveled but have never gone on my own so I’m looking for books about solo travel, fiction or non-fiction, particularly by and for women. Does not have to be specific to a certain location as I haven’t decided where I’m going yet (so I wouldn’t turn down recommendations about that, either 🙂 )!

Thanks so much!

-Cassidy

6. I recently read A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles and enjoyed every page of it. Lately I’ve been looking for something similar to read. I really liked the main character’s outlook on life and how he mastered art de vivre. I’d love something that is written as beautifully as this particular book and features a character that knows how to enjoy life (a hedonist if you will).

I’d prefer something contemporary, with lovable characters and I’d rather it didn’t include heavy topics (such as war, assault, etc). I’m fine with murdery stuff though 🙂

My other all time favorite is The Secret History by Donna Tartt, thought I’d mention it to give you a better idea of what kind of writing I enjoy.

Thanks in advance!

Hope you are having a lovely day!

Best,

-Ekaterina

7. I am writing for steampunk book recommendations. I have read most of Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate Series and I’m not sure where to go from there. I read a wide range of genres, alternating between literary fiction, suspense/thriller, fantasy, YA and contemporary fiction. I am open to most anything however shy away from gruesome violent storylines.

Some of my favorite authors are Alexander McCall Smith, Jan Karon, Stephen King and Ann Patchett. The last few books I have enjoyed include The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon, Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones and Someone Else’s Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson.

I really love books that take place in a small town where everyone gets in to each other’s business yet pull together when one of their own is in need of help.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

-Maggie

BOOKS DISCUSSED

The Siren by Tiffany Reisz (TW: rape, grooming, just lots of extremely not ok goings-on with underage people)

The Countess Conspiracy by Courtney Milan (tw: miscarriage)

Rachel Kramer Bussel

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

Hocus Pocus & The All New Sequel by A.W. Jantha

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria

When in Romance episode on asexual characters

A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit

Full Tilt by Dervla Murphy

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert (rec’d by Nikki and Susie)

Gunpowder Alchemy by Jeannie Lin

The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.