6.13 Thoughts, Changes, Book Recommendations

2 Nov

Before we get into the topic of today’s episode, I want to acknowledge that we’ve seen some very sad, upsetting, and challenging events recently, both in Australia and globally. I found I just couldn’t continue with the podcast when the world is in such a dark place, so I went on an unexpected hiatus for a month. This week, I offer The Community Library as a space of connection and warmth. This is not what everyone needs, but it's what I can offer at the moment. This episode is a bunch of overly specific book recommendations: I asked my Instagram followers what sort of books they’re looking to read, and I’ve got some suggestions. I hope you enjoy.

LISTEN: to the episode here

READ: Stuck Up and Stupid written by me and my mum Kate Rice, it’s out now in bookstores across Australia and New Zealand

JOIN: Want to come to a live recording of The Community Library? Tickets to the event on the 14th of November at Glebe Town Hall, Sydney: https://events.humanitix.com/walkerbooksinconversation

CONTRIBUTE: Brand new suggestions page on my website

Episodes mentioned:

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The Books

MYSTERY / THRILLER

When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore – A magical book with the found family trope, set in the past
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde – Fantasy where the protagonist is a powerful person but does not get their love and hence turns evil
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger – A Halloween-themed whimsical murder mystery
The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett – Modern murder mystery but with “Murder, She Wrote” vibes / Cosy mystery but not Christie
In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes – Noir dark thriller that has no gruesome murder it just gets into your head and uncomfy
Passing by Nella Larsen – As above

NON-FICTION

We Are the Weather by Jonathan Safran-Foer – A frighteningly true story that once finished changes you inside
The Battle of Versailles: The Night American Fashion Stumbled into the Spotlight and Made History by Robin Given – A quirky book about history that isn’t long or boring or about the Roman Empire
The Library Book by Susan Orlean – As above
The Great Pretender: The Undercover Mission that Changed Our Understanding of Madness by Susannah Cahalan – A book telling a juicy story while also being educational
Troy: The Siege of Troy Retold by Stephen Fry – As above

LOVE STORIES

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston – A classic book with a unique take on love
Mad About You by Mhairi McFarlane – A book that teaches us the difference between toxic love and healthy love
If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane – A rivals / enemies to lovers book that teaches you an important life lesson

EMOTIONAL STATES

The Waves by Virginia Woolf – A book that captures emotional states as well as Phoebe Bridgers does
The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers –As above
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel – As above
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez – A book that will make you feel a bit empty after reading it, but it’s that good empty
Flush by Virginia Woolf – A book that will make me feel warm and fuzzy but also smarter
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson – A book that’ll break my heart and make it bigger
Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko – As above
Ronia the Robber’s Daughter by Astrid Lindgren – A book to soothe your soul after a busy week
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith – As above
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo – As above
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa – A book that is gentle

SPECIFICS

We All Loved Cowboys by Carol Bensimon – A book that has the same writing style as Sally Rooney / A book that includes relationship and power dynamics like Sally Rooney
Cult Classic by Sloane Crosley – As above
The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake – A book with Shakespearean references
All’s Well by Mona Awad – As above
We Had to Remove This Post by Hanna Bervoets – A book with characters with unique occupations
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy – A book you could read on the bus that would spark good conversations