It appears that several of our SBTB Podcast Patreon Discord are planning for a vacay. In preparation, we’d like to compile some great vacation reading suggestions for the occasion. Sarah: On one memorable vacation, this book gave me an absurd good time: The Very Virile Viking by Sandra Hill Carrie: If you haven’t read The Windflower by Laura London on the beach then you haven’t lived. Lara: During my last holiday, my best friend introduced … Continue reading The Rec League: Vacation Reading→
Hello, everyone! We have another assortment of recommendations. Half of them are recommendations from other people that have been given to me or other members of SBTB. There’s also a poetry collection and a picture book. Have you received any great book recs lately? Let us know in the comments.
This Rec League came in from Liz. Thanks, Liz! I’ve been on a romantic fantasy and sci-fi marathon lately and I’m looking for some recs, please. So, you know how in many fantasy novels, particularly urban/modern fantasy, there’s a lot of MC’s that go through a culture shock, fish out of water, “ZOMG! Vampires and shifters and magic!?!” phase that’s often at the start of a series? I would like the opposite of that. I’m … Continue reading The Rec League: Self-Aware Fantasy Main Characters→
This Rec League comes from Kristin. Thanks, Kristin! My 13 1/2 year old is an an avid reader. She has recently gotten into romance novels and I want to give her options that are body positive and have healthy relationships, but that are also age appropriate for her. Some of her reading history includes all the harry potter books (repeatedly). One of her favs of all time is Blended by Sharon Draper. She has read … Continue reading The Rec League: Romances for Early Teens→
This Rec League is from longtime commenter, Stefanie! It’s a good one: Have you done a rec league for those who like what I’ll call The Shop Around the Corner Trope. I can’t think of what else to call it, since it’s not quite enemies to lovers or friends to lovers. Apparently, I really like this trope whether it is played straight, using the plot points from that original movie, which I watch every Christmas, … Continue reading The Rec League: The Shop Around the Corner→
by Amanda · Feb 2, 2025 at 4:00 am · Comments Off on Get Rec’d with Amanda – Volume 83
Welcome back, everyone! I want to give everyone a little bit of a warning for this one. It’s non-fiction focused (yet again) and half of these recs tap into some very present issues. If you’re not in the right space for these reading suggestions right now, I totally get it. I will probably continue to feature titles that deal with current events because the information perspectives we can get from reading are invaluable. Knowledge is … Continue reading Get Rec’d with Amanda – Volume 83→
This Rec League came from Elle. Thanks, Elle! I feel like I struggle to find what I think of as feminist romances. I would love urban fantasy, paranormal or fantasy romances where the women are powerful and shine just as much as the guy characters. I love a good devoted guy MC too. Shelley Laurenston is the best fit for what I am thinking but I’m sure there are others with interesting takes and characters … Continue reading The Rec League: Feminist Fantasy→
This Rec League is from Jordan. Thanks, Jordan! The Mummy (1999) is one of my favorite movies, and I would love to find more books that match its Action-Adventure-Romance vibes. I’ve read and loved Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase and As You Desire by Connie Brockway. Both of these take place in Egypt, but that is not necessarily a requirement. Settings like the Amazon and Africa could be fun, too! Fantasy/horror twists are also welcome. … Continue reading The Rec League: The Mummy Vibes→
This Rec League was sent in by Mari. Thanks, Mari! I’m having difficulty finding romance reads for those of us ladies who enjoy romances featuring a mature storyline, with older heroines/heroes. Red Feather recently shared a lovely May-December themed novel this month, and it was enjoyable, but if both the heroine and hero were older, that would be an ideal read. I think publishers forget that romance isn’t only for the young. Life doesn’t end … Continue reading The Rec League: Older Couples→
Hello hello! We’re in the holiday season and as a bookseller, my brain always goes to titles that would make for a great gift. I do miss playing matchmaker in a more face to face setting, but the holiday season in retail is also VERY STRESSFUL. I have two fun non-fiction titles (that have gift book potential), plus a collection of essays and a romantasy release that I think missed its window. What great recommendations … Continue reading Get Rec’d with Amanda – Volume 78→
This Rec League came from our own Sarah! It was a tough one: What do you think about a Rec League of escape books: stories, esp romance, that are so absorbing, you disappear into the book for a long while. And the catch is, no one can rec a book they’ve rec’d before? Sarah: Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan, but this is not a cozy kind of fantasy. A young woman with cancer … Continue reading The Rec League: Pure Escapism→
