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TBR of Doom -- Older Protaganist Edition
🕑 Added 2022-12-05 23:26:23 +0000 UTCRecently I was hand sold a book by a B&N Bookseller that had the premise, "It's like if Sam & Dean's mom from Supernatural had her own series where she fights paranormal creatures" and honestly that was enough for me. The real sell? An older protagonist. Most books that fall into the urban fantasy, romance, paranormal, etc. have characters that are 30 or younger. Which is great, but just like its fun to read younger protags, I love LOVE reading characters that are still out kicking ass even if they're also old enough to order off the Denny's Senior menu, or at least old enough that they can throw out their back just by coughing wrong. (This isn't shade being thrown, but it is an ongoing joke in my household as I think both me and Man Friend have both done this and we're only in our 40s.)
Just like people underestimate young protagonists, they do the same for older ones. There's a certain invisibility to the characters that can be used really creatively--like Miss Marple. I could write a whole essay on what this says about our culture, but instead I'll give you a couple of reading--as well as a viewing!--suggestion.
Dead Before Dying by Schafer--Adult, paranormal mystery. This is the book I was mentioning above. Maureen is a salty, battle-weary delight. Far from perfect in the tradition of the older detective. Fast paced with a paranormal twist.
Killers of a Certain Age--Deanna Raybourn, adult mystery. So this one is on my TBR because my mom grabbed my copy to read first, but I've read a bunch of Raybourn's stuff and have no problem recommending it before I crack into the book. The premise reminds me a bit of the movie Red (which I loved) in that there are a bunch of older assassins trying to retire and some decides they're a liability. My mom gives it two thumbs up, and I can't wait to read it.
Kings of the Wyld by Eames--adult, epic fantasy. This is a book about older mercenaries banding back together for a last adventure. My friend Anje, who is a bookseller at Third Place Books wrote a shelf-talker for it that still makes me laugh. In her words, "This book was a blast, like being part of a D&D campaign if it were co-dm'd by the author Lish McBride and Ben Affleck's character the movie "Extract." It's just good."
The Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett--Adult, fantasy--Pratchett was really good about showing the different sides of aging and wisdom and making you laugh at the same time. The witch characters have long been favorites of mine. Lois McMaster Bujold was also good about this--she has several in the Vorkosigan saga as well as The Curse of Chalion and the sequel Paladin of Souls.
The Broken Earth Trilogy by NK Jemisin--I haven't read this fantasy novel yet, but I've read that the character is in her 40's and honestly, Jemisin is an amazing writer, so I'm cool recommending it unread.
Silver moon by Lundhoff--adult, paranormal romance. So this one has been on my giant TBR for ages and I really need to read it, but a friend recommended it to me (and since she's the romance reviewer for the NY Times and also never steers me wrong) I'm cool with putting it here. It's a werewolf story, but the change (I think) is tied to menopause. Seems to have reviewed well on Ye Olde Internet.
Mrs. Martin's Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan (Historical Romance, Sapphic)--In full disclosure, this is a novella, not a full book. But it's not often in romance that you get a tale of two women in their 60's/70's falling in love and also exacting revenge. I'm 100% here for older women starting some shit.
The Elenium series by David Eddings--Adult, fantasy. So, I've mentioned these on here before. And I want to say Sparhawk is probably just edging into his 40's in the first series, and is a few years older in the second. I've also mentioned before that these books are of their time and you occasionally hit things that haven't aged great. I still love them, even though parts make me wince now, and I have a large issue with the last book in the series. So, your mileage may vary and all that.
TV shows:
My Life is Murder--so this is a cozy mystery series set in Australia and then New Zealand. The main character is a salty (I do love me some salty characters)widow and retired detective that gets talked into looking into cold cases. The best part is Alexa is very much portrayed as a vibrant, attractive woman. But, I mean, it's Lucy Lawless. Who would have the audacity to suggest otherwise?
Queens of Mystery--another cozy mystery, and while it's somewhat centered around the niece, who is a younger detective sergeant, the stories are equally about her aunts, who are all mystery writers. It's funny, quirky and entertaining. I just finished season two and they better have a season three. *Shakes threatening fist*
Third Rock from the Sun--so this one is older, but if you haven't seen it, it's a story about aliens trying to study earth. Joseph-Gordon Levitt's character's funny because he's the oldest alien but gets the youngest body. John Lithgow and Jane Curtain are amazing. It's goofy and slapstick and a joy to watch. It's been awhile, but I hope this one has aged well.
As usual, I'm sure I'm forgetting many worthy titles. If any of you have recommendations, please put them in the comments!
-Lish
Comments
There's "Shift Happens" by T.M. Baumgartner, an urban fantasy which features a 56 year old female social worker as its protagonist. Angela is overworked, has to clean up the messes of her less competent coworkers, but sincerely cares about her shifter clients.
