It's so much fun to codify my personal microgenres. What a fun thought exercise! I think 'stories within stories' is one of my favorites — and 'person travels to their homeland to solve a mystery' is another good one, particularly if the quest is kicked off my a mysterious letter or a treasured object.
Melissa - you always have great recs. Now that you mention it, Did Dave recommend the Last Night at the Lobster on that episode? I have listened to all of them but obviously can't remember all the details. Now I will go back and relisten to that episode. I do like books with in books too- ike The Magpie Murders!!
On your recommendation just finished reading, “Beyond That, The Sea”. Such a refreshing novel! Realistic, romantic, historical and characters that grow with the story.
Can I recommend some books for you? For leprosy, The Last Warner Woman by Kei Miller (https://strongsenseofplace.com/books/the_last_warner_woman_miller/) is AMAZING. I talked about it in our Jamaica episode https://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2023-03-06-jamaica/. It really weaves a spell. And for restaurants, The Family Chao by Lan Samantha Chang is very (very) good — and I loved the offbeat vibe of The Waiter by Matias Faldbakken ( from our restaurants episode (https://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-01-21-restaurant/). (I really genuinely loved all the books in that episode.)
It's so much fun to codify my personal microgenres. What a fun thought exercise! I think 'stories within stories' is one of my favorites — and 'person travels to their homeland to solve a mystery' is another good one, particularly if the quest is kicked off my a mysterious letter or a treasured object.
Finally, I am VERY excited to read Bear.
Melissa - you always have great recs. Now that you mention it, Did Dave recommend the Last Night at the Lobster on that episode? I have listened to all of them but obviously can't remember all the details. Now I will go back and relisten to that episode. I do like books with in books too- ike The Magpie Murders!!
Yes, Dave did recommend Last Night at the Lobster. Oh, what a book! I re-read it recently and was blown away again by that prose.
One of my favorite story-within-story is The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht. OMG. So good.
You might like Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal, The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore (leprosy)
I have read a couple J. Ryan Stradals but hadn't heard of The Second LIfe of Mirielle West. It looks great!! Thanks Carole
On your recommendation just finished reading, “Beyond That, The Sea”. Such a refreshing novel! Realistic, romantic, historical and characters that grow with the story.