Amanda and Vanessa discuss Italian comics, paranormal smut, and more in this week's episode of Get Booked.

This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, Libro.fm and TBR.

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Feedback

None this week!

Questions

1. I was just offered a position as a 4th grade reading/writing teacher starting in the fall. I've been teaching abroad for a while and need good kid-lit recs for my classroom as I'm out of the loop. Picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels are all welcome. I've already got some good ones like Lumberjanes, the Anne of Green Gables graphic novel, and of course Harry Potter. For context, the school is very diverse and has a very high ESL population with students from South Asia, the Middle East/ North Africa, and Central America. Books where kids can see themselves represented and that can cater to different English fluency levels would be amazing. 

Thanks!

-Teaching in America

2. I love historical fiction, it is one of my favorite genres. However, I am running out of books in my tbr that are historical fiction. My favorite eras are Tudor England and the American Civil War. (please no more WW2!) I tend to prefer stories surrounding larger-than-life figures or momentous events in history. But really I am up for anything, so long as I get attached to the characters. Some of my favorites include Wolf Hall, The Killer Angels, and The Help. (I also like historical fantasy and other genre-benders, but I don't need any help finding more of THAT.)

-Katie

3. I hope you two can help! My boyfriend doesn’t read books at all, but that’s my main pastime and he has expressed an interest in trying to read more so we can hang out together and read. The main reason he doesn’t currently read books is because they need to grab him right away or he quickly loses interest, puts the book down, and never picks it back up again. A little about him: he’s an electrical engineer, is super smart, likes to tinker with cars and gadgets, is pretty curious about world events and all sorts of things – he will hear about something and go on an internet deep dive to learn all about it, and he has a great memory. 

So far I have given him Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson and he really likes that one and I have Dark Matter by Blake Crouch and All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai teed up for him because I think he will like the science-y, brain twistiness of both. Any ideas for what else I can give him? And for the record, I am totally fine with him not reading, but he has asked and so, of course, I am glad to oblige him and provide him with reading material! :)

Thanks so much!

-Elizabeth

4. A friend recently invited me travel to Italy this Fall, but I'm not sure if it's in my budget -- Can you help me find a graphic novel set in Italy so I can travel there in my imagination? Some comics/graphic novels/graphic memoirs I've enjoyed recently: Relish by Lucy Knisely, Moonstruck by Grace Ellis et. al., Sweater Weather by Sara Varon, and Lumberjanes 

Thank you!!

-Jess

5. I've been in a serious reading slump and I just need something super fast paced to get me out of it. I really like YA fantasy and romances. Anything with a map is great. I just bought Courting Darkness but haven't started it yet... I love Marissa Meyer and Richelle Mead. Stalking Jack the Ripper... The Dresden files... I read all over the place so basically anything is fine from kid lit to Adult. Love Captain Underpants. 

-Rye

6. Please help with audiobooks for a concussed reader! Hi! I am a voracious reader, and after concussing myself on a freezer 10 days ago, I haven't been allowed to read text. I'm going into withdrawal! 

I am a very eclectic reader, but generally I am more drawn to plot than characters. Humor, particularly snark, is always a plus, as well as just beautiful writing. Authors I love that I am in the mood for are Lois McMaster Bujold (particularly her Vorkosigan series, Cordelia is my favorite character), John Scalzi (particularly the Old Man's War series) and also Laurie R King (particularly her Mary Russell series). For beautiful writing, see China Mieville, though his books are way too complex for my poor brain to follow right now. Speaking of which, easy to follow is important right now! I'm having trouble with that.

-Becca

7. hello ladies, firstly, I love listening to you guys- even when I'm not interested in the books suggested.

I am on break in August for midwinter chill (hehah) and am on the lookout for some fun reads. I have just finished the psy-changeling series (got to support my fellow kiwis!) and Polaris Rising. They are both smutty and fun while still having a good plot. Can you give me any new SSF/smutty suggestions, I feel like I have read all the good ones and they are all the same. Thanks in advance! 

-Shontelle

Books Discussed

Everlasting Nora by Marie Miranda Cruz

Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina

Leading Men by Christopher Castellani

Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee

Lexicon by Max Barry

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

Recursion by Blake Crouch

Catwoman: When in Rome by Jeph Loeb

Today is the Last Day of the Rest of Your Life by Ulli Lust, translated from Austrian by Kim Thompson TW: sexual assault

A Winter’s Promise by Christelle Dabos, transl by Hildegarde Serle

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Finder by Suzanne Palmer

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

Immortals After Dark  by Kresley Cole, shout out to Sarah MacLean’s Fated Mates podcast with Jen Prokop

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

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