I just want to tell you thanks for being YOU! I struggled really hard with Postpartum depression/anxiety after having my baby back in December. I'd lost all hope and interest in doing what I love - most of all, reading. Your videos were the only thing I could bring myself to watch during that hard time, and they gave me hope that I could get back to reading one day. Once I got through the rough time I had plenty of books to read! You don't know me and I don't know you, but we both love books and reading and thats awesome. I'm so grateful for you and your channel. Hope you have a fantastic week!
I had postpartum depression too, it’s no joke. I’m glad you are through that time and I’m blessed that I got to play a small comfort for you 🧡 congrats to your family on your little one!
Cannot WAIT to hear your thoughts on Skin Game. One of my top 3 books in the series, and even better on a reread. You will have tears in your eyes several times in this book; whether sad tears or happy tears, I will not say. PARKOUR!
Kazuo Ishiguro books absolutely stay with you, and you’re right about starting with Klara - it’s a very good one, but it’s not his best, and that probably is a great way to get into a new author. Personally my favourites are The Remains of the Day, An Artist of the Floating World and Never Let Me Go. Nocturnes is a lovely short story collection.
My favorites for the quarter: 1. Perhaps the Stars by Ada Palmer (the finale of Terra Ignota), I never read a series where I had such a hard time picking a favorite. 2. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, you said it better than I could. 3. The Mercy of Gods by James SA Corey, I loved the shift and how different this felt from the Expanse. Excited to see where they go with the rest of the trilogy. Honorable Mentions: Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb Hills of Heather and Bone by KE Andrews
The r/fantasy bingo is always from April to April, you don't have to complete it in 2024, it runs until the end of march next year. (And one full row or column is enough to complete the Bingo by the rules anyway). One more quarter of reading could be enough to fill the card, though the no repeats rule makes it difficult if you're completing series and following up on authors. Some of my favorites from last quarter: -The Will of the Many -Annihilation -Hench -Die Insel der tausend Leuchttürme (German Fantasy) -Möchte die Witwe angesprochen werden, platziert sie auf dem Grab die Gießkanne mit dem Ausguss nach vorne (German Literary fiction) (yes, the title is ridiculous)
Ooh I remember reading Never Let Me Go in English class in high school and loving it - didn't realize it had parallels to Klara and the Sun, I'll have to give that a read!
I read and enjoyed Klara and the Sun but it certainly didnt stick with me quite like you lol, but i do have Never Let Me Go and i should read it 😂 Top books of Q3 for me: 1. The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez 2. Stoner by John Williams 3. Reaper's Gale by Steven Erikson
@@Johanna_reads two particular scenes got me emotional character wise Johanna, but the ending as a whole was a bit messy and one character was done dirty imo :(
Best for me this quarter: 1. A Contract In Sol Forne, sequel to Seasons Of Albadone (Which is my fav so far this year) which I found via Tori Tecken. 2. Doors Of Sleep by Tim Pratt. This was a great surprise with two the best best supporting characters ever. They are so good that when they are absent from the sequel the sequel feels lesser. 3.The Mercy of Gods. I am a tad nervous about Absolution. So you and your Discord have infected me this past year. One Piece, Dresden, and Vandermeer all because of you.
Counting Skin Games you have 3 Novels, 1 short story collection and a novella remaining for Dresden, so unless you skip something or double up you'll be reading into the beginning of next year.
Never let me go its carolyn marie reads' favorite book from that author and she loves him so i hope you like it too! I'm reading shadow of the gods at the moment and it is my 2nd favorite book of this year. And i think you should love it even if i didn't. Orka is just your type of character
The Bright Sword is taking me foreeeeever to read. I also almost DNFd it around the 100 page mark, but decided to stick with it. It's a very up and down book, I feel. You trudge, you hit a high, then you trudge again, hit a high, etc. Hoping it all pays off in the end (still haven't finished it lol). And edit to add my top three of the quarter: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (haunting), Pride and Prejudice, and Educated by Tara Westover.
Merphy, I just noticed on your bookshelf you have the Harry Potter Illustrated Editions. What is your opinion on the art/illustrations? My eyesight is iffy at best sometimes, so the larger font helps.
Hoping you'll try out RA Salvatore Forgotten Realms books at some point. I think you'll enjoy reading about the Drizzt character for the most part. They've been going on 30 years now.
I DNF’ed The Bright Sword as well! I love Arthurian retellings, and the premise on this one was so original and good, but it just didn’t land for me. I realized it was supposed to be very tongue-in-cheek and witty, but I just kept getting bored with it.
I’m all for stopping ANY challenge that isn’t bringing you enjoyment, but just wanted to say that you have until May 2025 to do the r/fantasy bingo. It doesn’t have to be done by the end of the year! 😊
ishiguro is a great writer but klara was SO mid, try his older stuff like never let me go, a pale view of hills or the remains of the day (edit just got to the end of the video i hope you enjoy NLMG!)
I just want to tell you thanks for being YOU! I struggled really hard with Postpartum depression/anxiety after having my baby back in December. I'd lost all hope and interest in doing what I love - most of all, reading. Your videos were the only thing I could bring myself to watch during that hard time, and they gave me hope that I could get back to reading one day. Once I got through the rough time I had plenty of books to read! You don't know me and I don't know you, but we both love books and reading and thats awesome. I'm so grateful for you and your channel. Hope you have a fantastic week!
I had postpartum depression too, it’s no joke. I’m glad you are through that time and I’m blessed that I got to play a small comfort for you 🧡 congrats to your family on your little one!
lol I forgot to make a thumbnail
got it
@@merphynapierreviewsgoals of the quarter. 😂
Cannot WAIT to hear your thoughts on Skin Game. One of my top 3 books in the series, and even better on a reread. You will have tears in your eyes several times in this book; whether sad tears or happy tears, I will not say.
PARKOUR!
This was a great Yearly, um Quarterly, update! :D
I enjoy your distinction of higher rating books ranking lower because another book sticks more with you.
Kazuo Ishiguro books absolutely stay with you, and you’re right about starting with Klara - it’s a very good one, but it’s not his best, and that probably is a great way to get into a new author. Personally my favourites are The Remains of the Day, An Artist of the Floating World and Never Let Me Go. Nocturnes is a lovely short story collection.
Lynn is the best! Everyone should have their own personal Lynn
❤
My favorites for the quarter:
1. Perhaps the Stars by Ada Palmer (the finale of Terra Ignota), I never read a series where I had such a hard time picking a favorite.
2. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, you said it better than I could.
3. The Mercy of Gods by James SA Corey, I loved the shift and how different this felt from the Expanse. Excited to see where they go with the rest of the trilogy.
Honorable Mentions:
Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
Hills of Heather and Bone by KE Andrews
The r/fantasy bingo is always from April to April, you don't have to complete it in 2024, it runs until the end of march next year. (And one full row or column is enough to complete the Bingo by the rules anyway). One more quarter of reading could be enough to fill the card, though the no repeats rule makes it difficult if you're completing series and following up on authors.
Some of my favorites from last quarter:
-The Will of the Many
-Annihilation
-Hench
-Die Insel der tausend Leuchttürme (German Fantasy)
-Möchte die Witwe angesprochen werden, platziert sie auf dem Grab die Gießkanne mit dem Ausguss nach vorne (German Literary fiction) (yes, the title is ridiculous)
Great library. Best wishes with what you choose to read.
Will be anxiously waiting for your reviews on upcoming hxh chapters
Ooh I remember reading Never Let Me Go in English class in high school and loving it - didn't realize it had parallels to Klara and the Sun, I'll have to give that a read!
I read and enjoyed Klara and the Sun but it certainly didnt stick with me quite like you lol, but i do have Never Let Me Go and i should read it 😂
Top books of Q3 for me:
1. The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
2. Stoner by John Williams
3. Reaper's Gale by Steven Erikson
Klara seems to be more mixed for people but I've heard Never Let Me Go is a win for most!
Hooray for Stoner! For me, it ranks much higher than The Spear Cuts Through Water, but I’m happy it made your top 3 for Q3!
Yes to Stoner !!! But Reaper’s Gale was disappointing to me :(
@@gayanegasparyan4137 I struggled through Reaper’s Gale until the last quarter, and then I got so emotional! I understand if that didn’t land though!
@@Johanna_reads two particular scenes got me emotional character wise Johanna, but the ending as a whole was a bit messy and one character was done dirty imo :(
You have to read "The Buried Giant" by Kazou Ishiguro, that one is great! Also very slow, but it's an interesting take on fantasy.
Something similar in idea to the discussion of Klara and the Sun that I just finished is Annie Bot. It’s a quick read and very reflective.
If you like anything about Naomi Novik at all you NEED to read A Deadly Education, it's so mindblowingly good, especially in audio.
Best for me this quarter:
1. A Contract In Sol Forne, sequel to Seasons Of Albadone (Which is my fav so far this year) which I found via Tori Tecken.
2. Doors Of Sleep by Tim Pratt. This was a great surprise with two the best best supporting characters ever. They are so good that when they are absent from the sequel the sequel feels lesser.
3.The Mercy of Gods.
I am a tad nervous about Absolution. So you and your Discord have infected me this past year. One Piece, Dresden, and Vandermeer all because of you.
Counting Skin Games you have 3 Novels, 1 short story collection and a novella remaining for Dresden, so unless you skip something or double up you'll be reading into the beginning of next year.
Never let me go its carolyn marie reads' favorite book from that author and she loves him so i hope you like it too! I'm reading shadow of the gods at the moment and it is my 2nd favorite book of this year. And i think you should love it even if i didn't. Orka is just your type of character
Changes is my number 1 for Dresden, but Skin Game is a close 2nd. And I think that you will really enjoy it as well.
I literally cheered out loud for #1! I feel the same way. 😂❤
I just pre-ordered Friends by Backman , it comes out next yr., I had read all of his books because of you.🙂
I’m so excited for it!
The Bright Sword is taking me foreeeeever to read. I also almost DNFd it around the 100 page mark, but decided to stick with it. It's a very up and down book, I feel. You trudge, you hit a high, then you trudge again, hit a high, etc. Hoping it all pays off in the end (still haven't finished it lol).
And edit to add my top three of the quarter: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (haunting), Pride and Prejudice, and Educated by Tara Westover.
Please let me know if it’s was worth it in the end for you!
@@merphynapierreviews 100%!!!
For the fantasy bingo its till may/april next year so u have time
Merphy, I just noticed on your bookshelf you have the Harry Potter Illustrated Editions. What is your opinion on the art/illustrations? My eyesight is iffy at best sometimes, so the larger font helps.
I think they’re beautiful!
Love your video 😊 which book do you recommend to start reading Stefan Zweig?
Hoping you'll try out RA Salvatore Forgotten Realms books at some point. I think you'll enjoy reading about the Drizzt character for the most part. They've been going on 30 years now.
I DNF’ed The Bright Sword as well! I love Arthurian retellings, and the premise on this one was so original and good, but it just didn’t land for me. I realized it was supposed to be very tongue-in-cheek and witty, but I just kept getting bored with it.
💕💕💕
I’m all for stopping ANY challenge that isn’t bringing you enjoyment, but just wanted to say that you have until May 2025 to do the r/fantasy bingo. It doesn’t have to be done by the end of the year! 😊
Me always checking to see if she read prachett
I'd love to send you an arc of my latest novel. Let me know if you're up for an action-adventure :)
I'm wondering if I can read the 2nd book in the Ambergris trilogy without reading the first one? The length of that first book terrifies me.
Just a Mess has to be the book you read for Opposites Attract book club (Bride)???
you got it 😂
NOICE!!!
❤
Lol Bride was a fun read to me but it's definitely not a book I'd ever recommend to Merphy.
I still haven’t read bride 😅😂
Q3 check mark ❌
Pat on the back ✅
ishiguro is a great writer but klara was SO mid, try his older stuff like never let me go, a pale view of hills or the remains of the day (edit just got to the end of the video i hope you enjoy NLMG!)
I enjoyed Klara a lot more than remains of the day. I had to stop that one half way through and come back a few months later to get through it