I think I am the outlier - didn't love or hate The Women, was more of a 3.5 star for me. As usual with Hannah, I find her atmospheric writing to be top notch but her character study lacking. The Women was better than some of her others in character building but only somewhat. That said I honestly felt like I was there in the trenches of Vietnam, and since I was an impressionable child watching it with a child's eyes when it was happening, I found it very interesting to know what really happened there, also surprising how many women were involved. She does her research. Gets the 3.5 stars for that alone. That said she always has to ruin it by throwing the love story in there - wouldn't have even minded that so much if she developed her characters better.
Happy New Year April!! I loved The Women! 😫. I’m not even in to historical fiction or even contemporary fiction. I love thrillers and mysteries but this was one of the best books I’ve ever read. I DNF’d My Dark Vanessa.
Happy New Year! Oh my Dark Vanessa was such a hard book. I can understand walking away from that one for mental health. I loved it but totally understand.
It's fascinating to me how some books resonate with readers and the same books are also panned by others. The Historian was one of my favourite books of 2023. The slow reveal and dark atmosphere suited me perfectly. I am sorry you didn't enjoy it. I have not read any of the others so I will reserve judgement on those.😄
I’ve been a subscriber of yours for a while and I’ve always found that you have similar reading tastes as me. (Example The Dublin Murder Squad by Tana French is one of my all time favorite series!) The Woman in Cabin 10 was my first and only Ruth Ware. I really disliked it and haven’t tried another by her. Now, I’m wondering if I should give one of her other books a go. Any recommendation as where to begin?
One of my least favorites for 2024 was Brandy, You're a Fine Girl (the story based on the famous song from the 70s.) The MC was a totally unlikeable "wench" and the wording was some form of Olde English and slang/jargon. It's a shame because I really like that song. Lol
Happy New Year. Hope you're feeling better. I DNF'd End of Story. I was surprised I didn't connect with the writing even though I liked Woman in the Window.
My bookclub read The Women and i was so frustrated by it. It could have been a powerful book but was undermined by the MC doing everything because of/for a man. It felt like one romantic escapade after another. Im not familiar with the Vietnam War but also wanted to research the part that happened to two of her love interests. It felt a bit realistic to me but I'm not sure if that was actually something that happened often in and after the war.
These are the reasons I say I have no heart. It's not because I hate romance. It's because of books like this where you didn't sign up for a romance and then BAM there it is. Bleeeee...
I dnfed THE HISTORIAN and THE WOMEN too. I finished TWIC10 but didn't think much of it and it put me off Ware for many years. Given that thought the same of 3 books on your list, I will avoid the rest of them. Thanks for sharing.
Interesting video. These are all books that I've looked at and decided weren't for me. My bookclub read The Women but I sat that one out because I don't have time to read books I can tell I won't like. Thank you for confirming my first impressions
I loved The Historian. I read it many years ago. I can’t stand Kristen Hannah but read The Women for my book lub. I agree with your assessment of her writing. No real depth.
Im going to go out on a limb and recommend a couple of books. If you want a story about a battle nurse, The Warm Hand of Ghosts is a beautiful book. There is a fantastic element to it, but it’s not high fantasy by any means. If you want to try another fantasy book with assassins, Graceling is worth a try. It was the first fantasy book I read that I really loved. I’m not typically a huge high fantasy fan.
"Are your favourites on the list?" Lol, yeah, the first one 😂 No worries, I totally understand why it's not for everyone. My worst books of 2024 were Liberty Bar by Georges Simenon and to my great disappointment The Witches of Eastwick. I love the film, but actively disliked the book to the extent that I would not recommend it to those who also love the film and are wishing they could get some more in book form.
@bookishfairygodmother Yeah, and no book is for everyone. I really enjoy watching the worst books videos, they're often quite funny and it's interesting to hear what didn't work for ppl. I have even found books I want to add to my tbr because of the reasons someone else didn't like it!
I loved The Women. I found it compelling to experience the Vietnam War from Womens perspective. A very emotional read for me. The worst book I tried to read was Incidents around the house. I could not get past the kid calling her Dad Daddo. I had to DNF shortly after I started reading it
I'm so glad you like The Women! Every book has a reader! Ah I was wondering why she called him Daddo and it's revealed later in the book. But I understand when little things get frustrating!
@ - I’ll have to look up why she called him Daddo. To admit that little thing bugged me makes me laugh. It seems so trivial and I would stop reading maybe my best read ever because of that. I’ll never know, but like you said every book has its reader
I also DNF’d The Women. Then it started showing up on so many best books of the year lists that I questioned myself. I feel a little better knowing you didn’t care for it.
My worst books in 2024 were definitely: Cursed Bread (similar issues to what you discuss in Big Swiss of trying to be overly intellectual while also saying nothing but make it boring too 😅), Zombie Sharks with metal teeth (this has been the year I’ve realized I likely shouldn’t pick up another Stephen Graham Jones book because I’ve hated everything I’ve read by him 😂), Midnight on Beacon Street (seemed like it was going to be a fun vintage horror inspired book but just ended up being boring), What feasts at night (a super boring sequel that had no pay off)
Oh I'm going to avoid Cursed Bread then. I can't do pompous stuff!! I liked Midnight on Beacon Street but I think it was poorly marketed because it was not horror at all!!!
Happy New Year April! I love your videos and have been subscribed for a long time.
Happy New Year Lisa!! Thank you so much!!!
I think I am the outlier - didn't love or hate The Women, was more of a 3.5 star for me. As usual with Hannah, I find her atmospheric writing to be top notch but her character study lacking. The Women was better than some of her others in character building but only somewhat. That said I honestly felt like I was there in the trenches of Vietnam, and since I was an impressionable child watching it with a child's eyes when it was happening, I found it very interesting to know what really happened there, also surprising how many women were involved. She does her research. Gets the 3.5 stars for that alone. That said she always has to ruin it by throwing the love story in there - wouldn't have even minded that so much if she developed her characters better.
Ha I don’t like the love stuff either! We can agree on that for sure!!
Happy New Year April!! I loved The Women! 😫. I’m not even in to historical fiction or even contemporary fiction. I love thrillers and mysteries but this was one of the best books I’ve ever read. I DNF’d My Dark Vanessa.
Happy New Year! Oh my Dark Vanessa was such a hard book. I can understand walking away from that one for mental health. I loved it but totally understand.
Bright young women was so slow and a real slog so dnf’d. I don’t understand how anyone could enjoy that book 😬
Oh and that was one of my favourite books from last year!! Ha ha! See? There's a book for everyone!
It's fascinating to me how some books resonate with readers and the same books are also panned by others. The Historian was one of my favourite books of 2023. The slow reveal and dark atmosphere suited me perfectly. I am sorry you didn't enjoy it. I have not read any of the others so I will reserve judgement on those.😄
Absolutely! That’s kinda what I love about books. They are always a five star for someone! Just not everybody!
Happy New Year April ! I will be taking Big Swiss off my tbr 😂
You might love it! But if you find pompous stuff a turn off then you'll be glad to take it off your list!!
It was brilliant on audio, my fave of the yr. More for those that like literary fiction.
I’ve been a subscriber of yours for a while and I’ve always found that you have similar reading tastes as me. (Example The Dublin Murder Squad by Tana French is one of my all time favorite series!)
The Woman in Cabin 10 was my first and only Ruth Ware. I really disliked it and haven’t tried another by her. Now, I’m wondering if I should give one of her other books a go. Any recommendation as where to begin?
Thanks Carla! Happy New Year! I really liked The Turn of the Key! I'd start there.
I made myself finish The Women and was extremely disappointed. Great book idea, but missed the mark by far. 😢
Yes that's how I felt too
One of my least favorites for 2024 was Brandy, You're a Fine Girl (the story based on the famous song from the 70s.) The MC was a totally unlikeable "wench" and the wording was some form of Olde English and slang/jargon. It's a shame because I really like that song. Lol
Happy New Year. Hope you're feeling better. I DNF'd End of Story. I was surprised I didn't connect with the writing even though I liked Woman in the Window.
I felt the same way!
Happy New Year! I also did not like The Women. Felt like a soap opera.
It’s not for everyone for sure! Happy New Year!
My bookclub read The Women and i was so frustrated by it. It could have been a powerful book but was undermined by the MC doing everything because of/for a man. It felt like one romantic escapade after another. Im not familiar with the Vietnam War but also wanted to research the part that happened to two of her love interests. It felt a bit realistic to me but I'm not sure if that was actually something that happened often in and after the war.
These are the reasons I say I have no heart. It's not because I hate romance. It's because of books like this where you didn't sign up for a romance and then BAM there it is. Bleeeee...
@@bookishfairygodmother yes! I feel the same way!
The Women was my FAVORITE book of the year!🤪😬😳
I’m so glad!! There’s a reader for every book and that’s a very good thing!!
I dnfed THE HISTORIAN and THE WOMEN too. I finished TWIC10 but didn't think much of it and it put me off Ware for many years. Given that thought the same of 3 books on your list, I will avoid the rest of them. Thanks for sharing.
Glad to help!
Interesting video. These are all books that I've looked at and decided weren't for me. My bookclub read The Women but I sat that one out because I don't have time to read books I can tell I won't like. Thank you for confirming my first impressions
Sometimes you just know yourself!!!
I loved The Historian. I read it many years ago. I can’t stand Kristen Hannah but read The Women for my book lub. I agree with your assessment of her writing. No real depth.
So glad you enjoyed The Historian!
Im going to go out on a limb and recommend a couple of books. If you want a story about a battle nurse, The Warm Hand of Ghosts is a beautiful book. There is a fantastic element to it, but it’s not high fantasy by any means. If you want to try another fantasy book with assassins, Graceling is worth a try. It was the first fantasy book I read that I really loved. I’m not typically a huge high fantasy fan.
Oh I've been curious about The Warm Hand of Ghosts!! Oooooo what is Graceling about? Going to goodreads to find out!
"Are your favourites on the list?" Lol, yeah, the first one 😂 No worries, I totally understand why it's not for everyone.
My worst books of 2024 were Liberty Bar by Georges Simenon and to my great disappointment The Witches of Eastwick. I love the film, but actively disliked the book to the extent that I would not recommend it to those who also love the film and are wishing they could get some more in book form.
Oh no! I was hoping no one would say yes. BUT this just goes to show why books have an audience for everyone.
@bookishfairygodmother Yeah, and no book is for everyone. I really enjoy watching the worst books videos, they're often quite funny and it's interesting to hear what didn't work for ppl. I have even found books I want to add to my tbr because of the reasons someone else didn't like it!
I loved The Women. I found it compelling to experience the Vietnam War from Womens perspective. A very emotional read for me. The worst book I tried to read was Incidents around the house. I could not get past the kid calling her Dad Daddo. I had to DNF shortly after I started reading it
I'm so glad you like The Women! Every book has a reader! Ah I was wondering why she called him Daddo and it's revealed later in the book. But I understand when little things get frustrating!
@ - I’ll have to look up why she called him Daddo. To admit that little thing bugged me makes me laugh. It seems so trivial and I would stop reading maybe my best read ever because of that. I’ll never know, but like you said every book has its reader
I also DNF’d The Women. Then it started showing up on so many best books of the year lists that I questioned myself. I feel a little better knowing you didn’t care for it.
I really hated it! Lol!
My worst books in 2024 were definitely: Cursed Bread (similar issues to what you discuss in Big Swiss of trying to be overly intellectual while also saying nothing but make it boring too 😅), Zombie Sharks with metal teeth (this has been the year I’ve realized I likely shouldn’t pick up another Stephen Graham Jones book because I’ve hated everything I’ve read by him 😂), Midnight on Beacon Street (seemed like it was going to be a fun vintage horror inspired book but just ended up being boring), What feasts at night (a super boring sequel that had no pay off)
Oh I'm going to avoid Cursed Bread then. I can't do pompous stuff!! I liked Midnight on Beacon Street but I think it was poorly marketed because it was not horror at all!!!