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@@BookishChas I've not seen Carnival Row, but I love Downton so I feel like I absolutely have to check it out! Regency England is so cozy and comforting. I love how Atwater reimagined it in Half a Soul! I'm honestly so meh about Shadow & Bone...it doesn't impact me the same way as Six of Crows. It's definitely more romance-heavy, but the romance feels a little bit more juvenile...which makes sense for when it was written and that era of YA I think. I'm definitely gonna finish it because I want to formulate my own thoughts after hearing so much about it, but I'd definitely recommend seeing if your library has a copy like I did seeing as I was on the fence too!

@@distilledreads thank you so much! I do think the library is a great idea for that series. If you liked the world of Half a Soul I think you’ll love Carnival Row. It’s a really fun series, and some great actors too such as Orlando Bloom and Jared Harris.

I'm also borrowing Throne of Glass through the library! It's an amazing resource for those books you're not too sure about. I just watched the trailer and I'm not sure how I completely missed this back when it first came out. Definitely adding it to my "to watch" list! Thank you! :)

@@distilledreads you’re most welcome! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂 I’m pretty sure I won’t ever read Throne of Glass. If I do though, I’ll be using my library for it for sure.

@@miyayume_eclectic_dream I'd say you got it spot on! Each book definitely contains it's own story in terms of the romance plotline for our leads, and then there's an overarching story that connects all the books. But Kingfisher also references past events in the later books and reintroduced characters so that each book can stand on its own if you'd like! Especially the first book - it wraps up it's story very nicely and there are a few things left up in the air, but no massive cliffhangers! I would say this kind of changes with Book Three, which does end on a cliffhanger, but then Book Four doesn't really return to that moment. I hope you really enjoy Paladin's Grace and please let me know your thoughts!!! ❤️

@@BookishChas Ouh I saw you posted a review for Nettle & Bone and am planning on watching it this evening! Romance isn't for everyone, I totally get that! I would say that these books are pretty romance-heavy, especially the first one. I feel like the last one wasn't ~as~ romancy, but it's definitely very romance-driven near the beginning. You might be able to skim over some of the romance parts, OR you might enjoy the Clocktaur Wars duology! It's set in the same world and I've been meaning to pick it up since finishing these books!

@@distilledreads ok thank you! I really appreciate you elaborating on that for me. I’ll definitely look into Clocktaur and see what I think. I hope you enjoy my review. 😁

@@BookishChas for sure!! I'd hate to recommend something to someone that I don't think they'd actually enjoy. Fingers crossed you like the sound of Clocktaur! I just watched your review and I loved it!! Catching up on some other videos I've missed now too. 😊🥰

@@distilledreads yay! I’m glad. I’ll let you know about Clocktaur for sure. 😊

@@BookishChas Thank you, Chas! Romance scratches a particular itch in my brain and I love it when a book can have me kicking my feet and squealing! I hope the move went swimmingly and you're having an awesome day too. ❤️

@@distilledreads I totally understand that. The move went very well overall. Glad to have it done with. Now the fun part…unpacking! 😂 Thank you for asking. 😊

@@BookishChas Ouf unpacking feels neverending. I always find there's a box or two that gets stuffed in a closet until the next move. 😅 But I'm so glad it went well overall!

@@distilledreads haha yes we’ve definitely got some boxes that are staying packed. I would personally be happy in a small space with only the essentials, but that doesn’t always work out. My long term goal is to have a a tiny house. 😁

@@gatorgirlgab I've actually not read any of her books! But I've heard a few mixed reviews this week, so now I'm nervous but I'm holding out judgment until my hold comes in. 😅

@@gatorgirlgab I hope you find one you enjoy!! I would 10/10 recommend the margarita - absolutely perfect for a hot summer day. Summer baking also sounds so lovely!! What did you make?

@@BookishChas The cocktail was delicious and you definitely deserve a refreshing drink getting all your packing done in even more extreme heat than I'm experiencing!! I wasn't able to catch the livestream, but I have watch some of the recording and it was so fun seeing your collection of books! I hope it's all going well friend. ❤️🍉

@@distilledreads aww thank you so much! I’m very happy with my little collection. It’s going pretty well actually. We move most of the stuff tomorrow. Thank you for the well wishes. 🤗❤️

@@RekindledReader thank you, Theo 💕 Having little feline companions is so wonderful during those tough times in life. They're little bright spots with their personalities!

@@ajgrant1975 I highly respect the decision to leave one last Kay book on the shelf! I'm hopeful I'll make it through his bibliography this year, but also will be really sad when I no longer have such a stack of unread books by him. I do have Under Heaven on my tbr list! I'm so excited to hear that you love it. Lord of Emperors is still up next for me...I'm hoping to start it this week actually and your comment has me both nervous and incredibly excited. I can't wait to dive in. Fully bucked up. Thank you! 💕

@@BookishChas I'm really excited to read some of her books! I feel like I've had her on my radar for tears and years now haha. Also I will let you know when (not if...) I brave Jonathan Strange. The size is still intimidating me. 😅

@@distilledreads haha sounds good. I’ll look forward to your thoughts on it.

@@BookishChas It was incredibly refreshing! 10/10 would recommend and I think you deserve one! 2024 is going to be my year of Kay hahaha so I'm sure the rest of his titles will pop up in future hauls. I adored Lions, probably my second favourite Kay book so far right after Arbonne. It has some messy and beautiful representation of love, but I was pulled right in and I just love the lyrical way he writes. I did read Leviathan Wakes, but I didn't fall in love with the characters so I haven't picked up the next book yet...definitely want to give it another shot once I whittle my TBR down a little though. 😅

@@distilledreads I totally understand that. The characters in the book do take a little while to warm up to normally. I think what helped me is that I watched the show first so I came to the books with an already established love for the characters. I don’t normally do the show first, but it definitely helped. So glad to hear about Lions of Al Rassan. I’m not bothered at all by messy representations of love, so I’m here for it all.

@@BookishChas I have heard great things about the TV show, so even though it's not something I do either, I might give watching it and then returning to the books a try! Ahh I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Lions when you get the chance to pick it up!

@@distilledreads awesome! I will keep you posted when I get to it. 🙂

Thank you ❤❤

I've since read Prosper's Demon and really, really enjoyed it! If you've read the Murderbot Diaries, it gives off a similar tone, but a little more gruesome haha. I was on the fence with Skyward for so, so long, but when I finally took the plunge I fell in love with it. It's quite different from the Cosmere, but again, if you've read Murderbot, I think you would enjoy it! Murder of Mr. Wickham was also a whole lot of fun - the third book in the series came out recently and I can't wait to pick it up!

@@distilledreads oh that’s cool there’s more Wickham books coming out. I’m glad to hear that the Skyward books are worth trying. I do love Murderbot, so that gives me a good idea. 😁

@@BookishChas Ouh yes, if you like Murderbot I think you'll really enjoy Skyward! There is a little bit of romance in the series, but it's fairly minor and I really love the journey the main character Spensa went on!

@@distilledreads well you sold me. Thank you so much.

My physical unread books have been woefully neglected in favor of the Libby app! It's so handy. Thank you so much. ❤

I didn't really quite how many thoughts I had on the pipeline of fanfiction to traditionally published until I sat down and tried to compile my thoughts! I'm glad you enjoyed. ❤

I'm so glad you enjoyed even though it's a touch unseasonal now. My hope is to make it an annual thing and hopefully I'll have it up on time at the end of this year. 😂 I've really enjoyed what I've read of Levenseller! I read all the Secret Projects and I did love Yumi too, although it was a bit of a slow burn for me. I think it was a fantastic show of what Sanderson can do with romance and that ending got me!! Crooked Kingdom emotionally destroyed me, I'm not going to lie, but it also made me love Kaz and Inej's relationship so much. I hope you've had a fantastic week. 💕

@@distilledreads thank you so much! I have had a fantastic week, yes. 😊 I agree about Yumi. I was impressed how he handled romance, which is iffy for me in books. The ending definitely wowed me. 🙂

I can't thank you enough for such a kind comment. 💕 It was nerve-wracking uploading my first video in so long, but I've missed creating and chatting about books. It felt like it was time. My new little furball is quite vocal, so I'm sure her meows will feature in many more videos to come. 😹 Thank you again, and I hope you have the loveliest day. 💕

@@distilledreads you are most welcome. You were missed. I can imagine it was hard to come back and get into the groove again. You got this, and I believe in you. 🙂 I’ll enjoy the background meows. I’m a cat guy lol.

Thank you so much! That's such a kind compliment and so appreciated. ☺

LOL! My apologies for messing with you, I'm just incredibly behind in my posting. 😅 I'm on the East Coast! New Brunswick - where it's currently gusting upwards of 90km and blustery as heck, so feeling the warmth of the sun is a far distant memory. I hope you didn't get impacted too badly by the recent snow you guys got!

@@distilledreads nah, hardly any snow at all, it melted as it hit the ground, I am from the praries, alberta, been in victoria for 7 yrs, so I have dealt with far worse lol

Hmmm...where is my other comment? Held as “inappropriate”? 🤣🤣😭😭

@@VadaniaSilverscribe Oh NO!!! That's so bizzare!? What's the readathon called?

@@distilledreads Reindeer Readathon and you can sign up till tonight! 😅😅If you are up for a challenge in December, you still have time to sign up! 😍😍

Thank you so much! 😂 I swear it used to have an organizational system, but then I ran out of space and fully leaned into the "eclectic old bookshop" vibes.

The Broken Earth Trilogy is such a good example/recommendation! I can't believe I didn't think to mention it. It's been a few years since I read those books but I really enjoyed them. It's great to hear we share similar opinions though. I will also admit the farm boy trope has been done so many times, but as a big fan of Wheel of Time it does have a soft spot in my heart. I really want to read that comedic fantasy Kill the Farm Boy, which is supposed to play on how overused that trope is!

@@distilledreads oh yes I’ve been wanting to read that one too. 🙂

Thank you so much for the positive vibes! ❤ It was an awful time but I'm finally feeling settled and comfortable in my new apartment, and eager to start finding new little corners to film in! But you can't go wrong with an Old Fashioned! The tricky thing with cocktails is you've always got to have multiple ingredients on hand so I try to stick to the simple ones. 😅 I loved the appearance of your little cat in the last video of yours I watched too! ❤

@@distilledreads I’m so glad to hear your new place is working out. Excited to see your new filming locale. Yeah my cat is so much fun. I love seeing her randomly show up in my videos lol.

@@BookishChas My cat Spencer needs to work on his entrances...anytime he joins a video he just ends up knocking over the camera. 😅 But it's so cute to see a little cat pop up!

Hi! That's fantastic! I was very touched by Theo's recent shoutout, so I love that you clicked along - I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. ❤️ I've been wanted to incorporate "distilled" beverages in with my "distilled" book reviews for months and months now, and finally just decided to take the plunge, so I'm happy it's coming across as fun! I've enjoyed my experience with Islington, still currently making my way through the final book in the Licanius Trilogy, but I loved Warhammer. Definitely a bit graphic and brutal at points, but the character exploration was fantastic. I'm really excited to dive into Gotrek and Felix next.

Love triangle haters, unite!! I'm actually planning on making a video all about my most loathed tropes and - spoiler alert - love triangle is absolutely making that list haha. I love the character development and growth that often comes with enemies-to-lovers or friends-to-lovers for sure. Found family is such a great heartwarming trope too! I love it.

Thank you so much ❤️ I am so glad you got a laugh!!! 😂😂😂 I definitely gave myself one watching my reactions back, and I'm glad you enjoyed Spencer's little cameo!! I might try to make it a regular thing - he loves the camera hahaha.

@@distilledreads I would love to see him regularly! He is doing pretty great in being cute!! 💕

It must have been something in the air!! I swear the month just flew by. I was certain I had a few weeks left...and then suddenly it was the 30th hahaha. I would actually highly recommend the cider and gin combo! It was surprisingly delicious! I would love to try it with a flavoured cider next. I'm really enjoying it so far and so excited to see where Islington takes things! Thank you so very much for such kind words - it truly means so much to me. ❤️ I honestly turned into that dog "this is fine" meme near the end. 😂😂 I had to end with a little clip of Spencer to uplift things slightly!!

Aww!! My kitty cat definitely stole the show in this one - they're such entertaining creatures! And thank you so, so much! I love capturing my thoughts in the moment too, before I can overthink things, even if I get a little incoherent late at night as in the last clips haha. But again, thank you!

I'm from the East Coast of Canada! New Brunswick ☺ I noticed you're also a fellow Canadian!

@@distilledreads Yes friend!! Whooop! 🇨🇦🍁

Thank you very much!! I'm super excited to start filming more and introducing cocktails.

I'm so happy I didn't disappoint you. ❤ We could always go out and see the cows! 😂

Thank you!! I'm excited to finally read it after having it on my radar for so many years! :)

Thank you so much! I'm very excited to dive into it soon!