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Are used to have to read the whole series more and more the older I get I don’t know where this is that I don’t retain the books as well, but I’m not anxious to read every book sometimes I’ll read the second book, but I guess to go crazy if I didn’t have the whole series and I wasn’t able to read it in order
It’s so great to hear a reviewer speak so eloquently on such difficult topics. The thought and care you give to harsh, yet necessary themes is so incredible. I love hearing your reviews because of how incredibly thoughtful they are! Sending you light during this time of grief and healing 💞 thank you for being willing to continue to share with us even in the darker times.
As someone who has adhd, and seeing how well you annotate and are able to recall the books so well. Gives me hope that if i find an annotation style that works for me i can also do that. I struggle with recalling especially being in school with my textbooks so im hoping to also apply it there as well. Also I just started watching you and I appreciate how detailed your reviews are and how you do your best to remain unbiased and even if you dont agree with the book you still encourage others to read it as everyone is different. I love your energy and it makes me want to take up reading again!
Aw thank you! This is such a kind comment ❤️ I hope you find annotation helps you retain the info you read! I also find it incredibly helpful with keeping my attention and not getting distracted every 15 seconds 😅
Your opening sentence made me giggle because I'm the exact opposite about series; the longer and more detailed, the better! (A la Realm of the Elderlings or Wheel of Time.) I'm so happy you loved the Book 2's as much as you loved the Book 1's !! 💜💜💜
@@PlantBasedBride Realm of the Elderlings (Starts with the Farseer Trilogy - by Robin Hobb) is my all time favorite series; it's Fantasy with a few interesting magic systems. I don't know if it has the kind of representation you look for in books, though. 😭❤ I mostly love it because this Author is highly skilled at character building and storytelling and I'm a sucker for good storytelling. 😄
I absolutely made it to the end, because 3 out of 4 are my most anticipated sequels that I own - in particular, I’m so happy to have added motivation to get to Day of Fallen Night & Parable of the Talents this year. Thank you for such insightful commentary!
I feel like if you havent already, then you NEED to read Five Little Indians by Michelle Good. It will pull at you similarly to the Octavia Butler books, but man oh man, as Canadians, this is important stuff to our nation's history, the atrocities committed against Indigenous people. I also for something much more light hearted, recommend Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater. It's a tale about Merida from Disney's Brave, but her more grown up, and trying to save her family again, but ends up doing a lot of self-discovery along the way. And as I've mentioned in previous comments, anything by Kate Morton, but especially Homecoming and The Forgotten Garden.
I started it a year or two back and had to stop ~30% in because I was in so much distress reading it. Now is probably not a good time either, honestly, because grief has left me in a very vulnerable place, but I will be reading Five Little Indians all the way through eventually ❤️
@@PlantBasedBride that is absolutely fair. It's worth a read, but when you're dealing with fresh grief, now is not the time. I'm so sorry for your loss by the way, I meant to write that in my original comment, but forgot halfway through (fellow ADHD'er here, also with a late-life diagnosis, only this January).
About the Angel's game: I recently found out Andreas Corelli was originally created as the antagonist for one of Zafon's first works (The watcher in the shadows). I suppose he remained fascinated with the character!
I read the Parable of the Sower duology during the pandemic. Your review was just as visceral as my reaction was after reading both books. I want to thank you for expressing your honest thoughts and feelings, especially knowing that they validated mine. Having said that, I believe I’ve really evolved in my reading journey because of the brilliant mind of Octavia E. Butler. I also wish she was still with us today for the exact reasons you mentioned. Of all your reviews I’ve seen (I’m a little new to your channel), this will be my ultimate favorite. Thank you!❤
I absolutely love Parable of the Sower/Parable of the Talents! I read them both this year and couldn't stop talking about the writing and how accurate it feels here in the US. While Octavia E. Butler did predict so many things pretty spot on, I did want to let you know the phrase "Make America Great Again" was actually first used in the 1980's with another presidential candidate at the time (Ronald Reagan). Just thought you might want to know! I love your videos and your take on books, it is so insightful and you definitely help me think about books in a different way. :)
Oh, thank you for that! I guess my dad was busier in the 80s 😂 less time to pay attention to US politics lol I am still deeply impressed by Butler’s ability to project a possible future. I’m so sad she’s no longer with us. I feel like we need her voice more than ever!
so excited for you to read the rest of the cemetery of forgotten books!! i just finished them last week and book 3 recontextualizes so much of books 1& 2, it blew my mind.
looove the extra long video. since all of these were big wins, i’m curious if doing this project will encourage you to try to reach for sequels more often/sooner to finishing book one? i am currently reading shadow of the wind and hadn’t heard a lot of positive things about the other books in the series so never planned on picking them up. but hearing you praise the angels game for all the reason i am currently loving shadow of the wind has me rethinking that. i am so surprised by how funny i’m finding this book, and like you were saying i also had moments when i was laughing out loud. it’s so atmospheric and moody but also genuinely funny?? that’s such a winning combination for me.
Yes, I’m genuinely in awe of how well Zafon is able to balance the dark moodiness and the silly humour! I’m so glad there are more in this series ❤ As far as being more on top of reading sequels - maybe? lol 😂 I think a big factor is my adhd. I get excited about something else and then I forget that book/series exists for the next year or more
I may be 3 weeks late (i've been busy with uni and am only now just catching up on all my bookish content) but I absolutely adored the video. I really think that the addition of songs that seemed to fit the theme of the novels you were reading elevated this to another level. The production was absolutely stunning! Your reviews have definitely interested me in these series so I think I'll have to add them to my TBR now too! ❤
I found you through your bujo videos, but I love your reading content so much as well! I teach English language and literature and I'm so inspired by the titles you've explored here, and I always look forward to hearing your thoughts on the books I've explored with my classes. Here's to many more great reads! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📚❤💔 🥹🥺🤓
Oh wow, thank you! Coming from a teacher that means a lot ❤️ I always loved my English teachers growing up (and they loved me) because I wanted to nerd out on analyzing everything, lol. In another life, I think I would have enjoyed teaching, myself!
I found your channel last week and I am binge watching even your old videos. I am glad to know you had read a few of the books I had read as well, even when we have different feelings about a few of them. I am a new subscriber.
I was debating about picking up A Day Of Fallen Night as I’m normally not a big fan of prequels but your review makes me def want to read it. I’m so happy to hear she hasn’t given up on this world. I do wish it was a sequel to POTOT instead of another prequel but still happy nonetheless. I am sorry to hear about your loss and I hope your support system gives you all the strength you need ❤
A 2-hour long video? Yesss please. 📚 Although I usually read different genres than you, you always make me excited to get back to reading so thank you for that. ☺️
If you want to continue Zafon's series, I would recomend reading them closer to each other or rereading some pasages from the first two books, because the third and fourth books connect a lot of the details and characters of the first two, and somehow clarify the ending of The Angel's Game.
Angel’s Game is on my wishlist, so I enjoyed your take on that title. I skipped spoilers for now, but will save this video & watch the rest after my reading. Thanks for separating those parts for us! I’m about to read book 2 of 4 The Neapolitan novels by Ferrante, since I also bought the full series & don’t want to go too many months between.
Also, I'd be super interested to see you do a video on popular and hyped up books you have no intention to read... Like, I feel I know you have no desire to read ACOTAR (like me), but I want to hear you rip into them, lol.
Haha well I did read the ACOTAR books back when they were first coming out (though I think there have been 2-3 books published since I gave up 😂) so they wouldn’t be entirely new to me! It could be interesting 🤔
A Day of Fallen Night is a prequel actually! So if anyone else is intimidated, you should be okay with ADOFN if you haven't read or don't remember a lot about Priory! Also if you ever pick up Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive, 800-900 pages will be *nothing* because that series is over 1000 pages for each book (which I devoured 2/4 published books lol)
Yes, I mention as I get further into the video that two of them are prequels! They all came out second in the series, chronologically, so I kept calling them sequels for the most part for simplicity's sake ❤️
As someone from Spain is so satisfying to see people around the world enjoy Zafon's books, wich I feel are very integrated in the spanish historical context that people can be not very familiar with. Loved the video!❤
Can you please do a video of your top rated sci fi books? I’ve just got into the genre and are loving it, would be great to have some recommendations ❤
Love your videos Elizabeth! They are just so calming. I've not read any of these books or the series, but I love getting your thoughts and looking at adding them to my TBR. Also, I love your nails! They are always so pretty. Do you have a dedicated nail maintenance routine, and do you paint them yourself. I'm a nail girly as well as book girly, so I notice nails a lot. Lol. 💜💜💜
Hi Elizabeth, I'm Ilaria from Italy. You've inspired me to read The Angel's Game (I've read and loved The Shadow of the Wind but due to the bad reviews for the sequels, I never continued) and Parable of the Sower, so thank you! I watched the video until the end so: 🐈⬛💙📚🌞🌜
I read the parable books back to back while on contract a few years ago. That was a rough week. I felt the same way you did- I absolutely loved them but they are TOUGH to get through. Then I took a deep breath and read a rom com 😂
I JUST started The Angel's Game, MOSTLY because I loved Fermin and I wanted more of his character. I was disappointed that I have to learn about new characters instead of following those I met and fell in love with already... Thank for your review it gives me hope! Also, Octavia E. Buttler is HIGH on my TBR. I need those editions tho!
Epic video Elizabeth. Mad props to you for the sponsored section as well. Can we all just take a minute to appreciate the effort that clearly went into that! I hope they compensated you well for that fine bit of filmiing! Your reaction to the Octavia E. Butler books has me itching to rush out and buy them immediately. I might even get them tomorrow as I got to Scotland's biggest bookshop to chill while I wait to meet my son off the train. Not like my current reading and TBR aren't already huge, but those Parable books sound right up my street. Books that have remained in my brain for years after reading as these clearly will for you would be: 1. A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving 2. Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck 3. The Master and Margarita From the little I know of your reading tastes since we 'met', I'd say started with Owen Meany. It's a friend for life.
First of all, so sorry for your loss. Second, excellent bookish video❤❤. Third, I have just finished my re read of the four books of The cemetery of the forgotten books, and I must say, Angel´s game is perhaps the least favourite of the four. But I really encourage you to finish this series. One of my most favourite Spanish books (I am Spanish😅). And fourth, your cats are just adorable❤❤❤❤ oh I forgot! “Make America great again” was first used by Reagan. Please, dear American friends, correct me if I am wrong. 🙏🏻
Hi Elizabeth im new here and im super impressed and intrigued by your critique in reading and your book journey, sorry to hear about your loss ...stay strong and thanks for the video love ☕
Elizabeth, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope in time the pain can transform into peace. Thank you, your book reviews are always a joy to watch. Your insight, recaps and character analysis are top notch! Take care 🌘💫🔥👨❤️💋👨👸🏾🫀😢❤️🔥
I am so happy to see you enjoy yourself so much ! Never wanted to pick up the priory of the orange tree, you made me very curious. I planned on trying Octavia E Butler, but I'm a little scared of the emotional impact, buddy reading will probably be the way to go, I'll start with Kindred though. I'm intrigued by the other two, looks like I could enjoy it. I am sorry for you loss, my heart goes with you and your family The video was amazing from beginning to end, thanks ! 🇪🇸💕👸🏻🌧 (love the cats as always 😻)
Sending you an infinite amount of hugs, its so difficult to lose people we love. i went through the same this year and i’ve gotten so much comfort from reading books and also watching your channel, your voice is so soothing to listen to and i love the perspectives you bring. I hope you feel a little better but also just know that we all deal with grief differently and its ok to not be okay 🫂 lastly, i was wondering if you would ever be interested in reading more east asian fantasy? there’s a series called heaven officials blessing, its very long but one i finished in a week and its absolutely beautiful, i hope i can put it on your radar. 💫
I will definitely read your Top 2. I own The Priory of the Orange Tree but I have been intimidated by its thickness. You persuaded me to give it a try🧡
Waking up to this video and got straight to knitting and listening, the dramatic music with black cat playtimes was so so cute, I loved these reviews and definitely want to read these soon!
I loved The Shadow of the Wind!! I also need to read the prequel to Priory, I loved Priory so much but it took me a few hundred pages to really get into it so I’m intimidated by the prequel since it might do the same thing.
I am sorry for your loss and thank you for reviewing the books. I have both priory of the orange tree and I was wondering if you feel that reading the prequel first would be a good idea.
Thank you ❤️ hmm, that’s a good question! I think it could work in either direction, honestly. I’m partial to the order I read them in (priory then fallen night) but I don’t think you can go wrong either way!
Please try Realm of the Elderlings. Book one is Assassin's Apprentice. Robin Hobb's writing and character work is incredible, emotionally draining too, but so good. I know you don't like series too much, but the good thing about Hobb's books is they are broken into three trilogies and one quartet. I think you might really enjoy the series.
I've read all of the Shadow of the Wind series and you are really in for a treat. Book 3 is a little slower and pulls at all the strings and hints, guesses and maybes from the first 2 books. Then there's book 4... Book 4 is 800 pages of absolute perfection (IMHO). The whole thing comes together in a masterpiece.
Elizabeth, as always, thank you for such in-depth reviews. You're the best, my tbr hates you 😉. And sending all the hugs in the world and emotional support in this hard time ❤❤ I've read the entire Cemetery of Forgotten Books series by Zafon, and I'm totally obsessed with it - the gorgeous writing, unforgettable characters and the atmosphere painted in books! Such a treat! And such a shame we won't get more book from Zafon 😟 Would you have any recommendations on authors, books which are similar to those from the CoFB series?
@@PlantBasedBride Nice! Very atmospheric (Aphra went over and looked out the window to check for birds, and seeing no birds there was extremely "srsly, Mom wtf" when the sound kept happening)
I loved Priory of the orange tree and I am so happy you gave it a review. I think wolf was the obvious one but don't feel like you have to explain your happiness to anyone like it's an excuse. It is totally okay to be happy your guess was right! I really couldn't put it into words why I loved the book and series so much but I think you said it perfectly. The wholesome story, the intricate relationships and the political stands and how everything was unfolding, the story is just so amazing and the world building really is breathtaking. Thanks for putting this massive video together and I can only assume how long you worked on this alone. I didn't actually know the is gonna be another book in the same universe, I am so so happy now. I can't wait to read more
I have just recently stepped into fantasy type of books. The Priory of the Orange tree was one of my first. I did have some difficulty keeping all the characters/worlds straight but did enjoy it. I literally just got A Day of fallen night from the library and it is sitting here as I listen to you review it.
I may be slightly biased because I read The Angel's Game first, but for me, it vastly surpases The Shadow of the Wind. It's not that I don't like SoW (I've been a fan of every Zafón book I've read so far), but the story itself is more on a predictable side, which means the quality lies mostly in the writing style for me. With The Angel's Game, I was blown away by the plot, the characters and the writing. It's a book I keep coming back to every couple of years, and the emotional impact has never lessened. Also, the conversations between David and Corelli are pure chef's kiss, I've tabbed the hell out of this one 😊 I'd encourage you to continue with the series, it all comes together beautifully, and I guarantee that the things you learn in The Prisoner of Heaven and The Labyrinth of Spirits will flip your perception of the first two books on its head and quite possibly break your heart. But there are few authors out there as skilled as Zafón 💔
I think you would really like the book (series) Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga. It reminded me a lot the Parables, in that we're following a young girl grow in a repressed environment but it's definitely way less violent and emotionally devastating. It is a trilogy, but I've only read the first book so far. It's also Zimbabwean literature!
Wow, what a successful reading project!! How much of The Priory I have to remember before reading the prequel? I feel like I've forgotten so much of it even though I loved the book!
Last week someone in Barcelona underground somebody looked exactly like you! I didnt take a photo because I didnt want to bother whoever that was but the resemblance was uncanny! They even had exact same hair and wore similar nails and jewelry. I nearly went and say hi in the hopes it was you but then I realized it couldnt be you so I stopped myself from being a creep. But just wanted to let you know you have a doppelganger somewhere here. Now, talking about the video: love the clips of your cat keeping you company while you read. From all of these books I read the two book from Carlos Ruiz Zafón, and I wanna read Octavia E.Butler's books :) She is a genius.
I tried to read Parable of the Talents but gave up on it. I liked Parable of the Sower and thus was on Lauren's side. To hear her daughter talk about he like she does really got up my nose. It was interesting to find out that there was a reason for it instead of her just being a brat.
Thank you so much for this video !! Would you recommand reading The Priory of the Orange Tree or A Day of Fallen Night first (since the second one is a prequel) ?
I had such a great experience reading them in publishing order that I’d probably say Priory then Fallen Night, but honestly I don’t think you can go wrong either way!
This is how I found out that The Shadow of the Wind is not a standalone. I just ordered it based on a friend's recommendation. I don't know if I can do four books. I prefer a standalone or maybe a duology. A trilogy is pushing it. Your review is encouraging, though.
I’m someone who could read a book of mundane things that the characters I love do. If it’s a 100 book series of them just going about their daily lives, I’ll devour it.
Since you loved Ocean's Echo (SAME) I highly HIGHLY recommend Prophet by Helen Macdonald and Sin Blache, which is doing a similar relationship dynamic with a gay slowburn epic romance against an earthbound scifi noir backdrop. I've read it twice and it's EVERYTHING ✨️💖👏👏👏💖✨️
I'm so glad you liked TDOFN, it's such a great book 🥰 and I noted all the other series in my wishlist 😊 . . SPOILER THE DAY OF FALLEN NIGHT AND THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE . . . . Canthe or Kalyba is the Witch in the Orange Tree, she's also the white Wyrm in TDOFN and the mother of Galian Berethnet. She's the only character who is alive in both books and I'm really intrigued if she will be in the 3rd installment (probably because she seems to be the one who always set things in motion) 👀
Ok, I thought so! But when I googled it I wasn’t getting the answers I needed so I kept wondering if I was conflating two unrelated characters. That makes a lot of sense 😂❤️
Your video made me realize that the Priory has a sequel 😂 when I read it years ago I believe it was marketed as a book with a self contained story, which is why I read it. Now I need to decide if I want to read the MASSIVE sequel 😭
@@PlantBasedBride I realized that after watching the whole video, and it definitely makes me feel better about picking it up, since I don't remember much from the first one. I do know that I loved it though! ❤
I haven’t even read the first books, so I have nothing smart to say. But I’m so one of those people that just picks someone and is like well I’m obsessed with you and think you’re amazing, we are friends now 😂 Also cat! Sweet sweet baby cat!
Haha people like you are great! Never change ❤️ haha yes Yoda was SO snuggly while I was filming this video. Chewy was almost always just out of frame 😂
It's interesting that you mention the misogyny in Zafon but still gave both books five stars - that's the aspect that made me DNF Shadow of the Wind...
As I mentioned, it felt to me like characterization of a boy/man in the early twentieth century Barcelona rather than the attitude of the author. If I refused to read any book with misogyny I wouldn’t be able to read most classics or even historical fiction.
@@PlantBasedBride Yes, absolutely - it just felt to me in Shadow of the Wind as if it wasn't being presented as a bad attitude for someone to have (which possibly suggested to me that it was coming from the author), but you make a good point, and obviously different people react differently to things in books and have different interpretations. As you say, with reference to not wishing the two books to be the same, it would be a very boring world if everyone was the same! Speaking of historical fiction, I bought my copy of Count of Monte Cristo today and have all my annotation supplies ready!
Well, was able to guess the first two. Am looking forward to read Octavia E. Butler but was advises to start with Kindred... Do you feel the same? My emojis would be: 💔🖤 (for the grief theme and the absolute horror I felt at hearing you speak about MAGA), 💚🌻 (for the hope that lingered atfer all) 🐲📚🚪(for the Samantha Shannon book! 😂). My deepest condolences for your loss. My thoughts are with you. And congrats on such a hefty challenge (and thoroughly successful). 💪
I love all of Zafons books except for the icky writing of women, particularly young teenage women. The 4th book in the series is the worst for it but i love his writing style so much other than that that i always want to forgive it
Thank you to Kitsch for sponsoring this video! Use this link: www.mykitsch.com/plantbasedbride and/or my code PlantBasedBride to get 25% off your first order! Kitsch ships in the US and internationally to over 27 countries 🌎
i can't get over the fact that a brand voluntarily calls itself kitsch 😭😭😭
I’m sorry you lost someone but I’m glad reading helped. That’s one of the beautiful things about books, how unexpectedly supportive they can be.
Thank you 🙏 reading has been healing for me through so many difficult times in life. Books are a haven ❤️
Are used to have to read the whole series more and more the older I get I don’t know where this is that I don’t retain the books as well, but I’m not anxious to read every book sometimes I’ll read the second book, but I guess to go crazy if I didn’t have the whole series and I wasn’t able to read it in order
It’s so great to hear a reviewer speak so eloquently on such difficult topics. The thought and care you give to harsh, yet necessary themes is so incredible. I love hearing your reviews because of how incredibly thoughtful they are! Sending you light during this time of grief and healing 💞 thank you for being willing to continue to share with us even in the darker times.
Oh wow, thank you. This is such a kind comment. I really appreciate it ❤️
Until I can get a black cat of my own, I will live vicariously through these videos where Chewy and Yoda are abound ❤
As someone who has adhd, and seeing how well you annotate and are able to recall the books so well. Gives me hope that if i find an annotation style that works for me i can also do that. I struggle with recalling especially being in school with my textbooks so im hoping to also apply it there as well. Also I just started watching you and I appreciate how detailed your reviews are and how you do your best to remain unbiased and even if you dont agree with the book you still encourage others to read it as everyone is different. I love your energy and it makes me want to take up reading again!
Aw thank you! This is such a kind comment ❤️ I hope you find annotation helps you retain the info you read! I also find it incredibly helpful with keeping my attention and not getting distracted every 15 seconds 😅
Your opening sentence made me giggle because I'm the exact opposite about series; the longer and more detailed, the better! (A la Realm of the Elderlings or Wheel of Time.) I'm so happy you loved the Book 2's as much as you loved the Book 1's !! 💜💜💜
If you have an all time favourite long series I’d love to try reading it (maybe for a video 🤭) ❤️
@@PlantBasedBride Realm of the Elderlings (Starts with the Farseer Trilogy - by Robin Hobb) is my all time favorite series; it's Fantasy with a few interesting magic systems. I don't know if it has the kind of representation you look for in books, though. 😭❤ I mostly love it because this Author is highly skilled at character building and storytelling and I'm a sucker for good storytelling. 😄
Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents changed me. Two of the best books of all time.
Truly. I’ve enjoyed Butler’s work in the past but these are on another level. Just brilliant!
I absolutely made it to the end, because 3 out of 4 are my most anticipated sequels that I own - in particular, I’m so happy to have added motivation to get to Day of Fallen Night & Parable of the Talents this year. Thank you for such insightful commentary!
I am happy to see I am not the only one who cannot read without a reading buddy also having to have my attention. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Haha Yoda was not going to let me read without getting involved, no way, no how 😂
Love love love your book videos, they're so cosy ❤
I feel like if you havent already, then you NEED to read Five Little Indians by Michelle Good. It will pull at you similarly to the Octavia Butler books, but man oh man, as Canadians, this is important stuff to our nation's history, the atrocities committed against Indigenous people. I also for something much more light hearted, recommend Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater. It's a tale about Merida from Disney's Brave, but her more grown up, and trying to save her family again, but ends up doing a lot of self-discovery along the way. And as I've mentioned in previous comments, anything by Kate Morton, but especially Homecoming and The Forgotten Garden.
I started it a year or two back and had to stop ~30% in because I was in so much distress reading it. Now is probably not a good time either, honestly, because grief has left me in a very vulnerable place, but I will be reading Five Little Indians all the way through eventually ❤️
@@PlantBasedBride that is absolutely fair. It's worth a read, but when you're dealing with fresh grief, now is not the time. I'm so sorry for your loss by the way, I meant to write that in my original comment, but forgot halfway through (fellow ADHD'er here, also with a late-life diagnosis, only this January).
@@TheStitchinWitchthank you ❤
About the Angel's game: I recently found out Andreas Corelli was originally created as the antagonist for one of Zafon's first works (The watcher in the shadows). I suppose he remained fascinated with the character!
I read the Parable of the Sower duology during the pandemic. Your review was just as visceral as my reaction was after reading both books. I want to thank you for expressing your honest thoughts and feelings, especially knowing that they validated mine. Having said that, I believe I’ve really evolved in my reading journey because of the brilliant mind of Octavia E. Butler. I also wish she was still with us today for the exact reasons you mentioned. Of all your reviews I’ve seen (I’m a little new to your channel), this will be my ultimate favorite. Thank you!❤
I absolutely love Parable of the Sower/Parable of the Talents! I read them both this year and couldn't stop talking about the writing and how accurate it feels here in the US. While Octavia E. Butler did predict so many things pretty spot on, I did want to let you know the phrase "Make America Great Again" was actually first used in the 1980's with another presidential candidate at the time (Ronald Reagan). Just thought you might want to know! I love your videos and your take on books, it is so insightful and you definitely help me think about books in a different way. :)
Oh, thank you for that! I guess my dad was busier in the 80s 😂 less time to pay attention to US politics lol I am still deeply impressed by Butler’s ability to project a possible future. I’m so sad she’s no longer with us. I feel like we need her voice more than ever!
@@PlantBasedBride I completely agree - I would have loved to have seen her perspective on life and politics now!
so excited for you to read the rest of the cemetery of forgotten books!! i just finished them last week and book 3 recontextualizes so much of books 1& 2, it blew my mind.
I will literally always watch any hours-long video you post ❤
You're the best 🥰
looove the extra long video. since all of these were big wins, i’m curious if doing this project will encourage you to try to reach for sequels more often/sooner to finishing book one? i am currently reading shadow of the wind and hadn’t heard a lot of positive things about the other books in the series so never planned on picking them up. but hearing you praise the angels game for all the reason i am currently loving shadow of the wind has me rethinking that. i am so surprised by how funny i’m finding this book, and like you were saying i also had moments when i was laughing out loud. it’s so atmospheric and moody but also genuinely funny?? that’s such a winning combination for me.
Yes, I’m genuinely in awe of how well Zafon is able to balance the dark moodiness and the silly humour! I’m so glad there are more in this series ❤
As far as being more on top of reading sequels - maybe? lol 😂 I think a big factor is my adhd. I get excited about something else and then I forget that book/series exists for the next year or more
A lonnnnnggggggg video? I’m living, thank you so much ❤
Hope you enjoyed it! 🥰🥰🥰
I may be 3 weeks late (i've been busy with uni and am only now just catching up on all my bookish content) but I absolutely adored the video. I really think that the addition of songs that seemed to fit the theme of the novels you were reading elevated this to another level. The production was absolutely stunning! Your reviews have definitely interested me in these series so I think I'll have to add them to my TBR now too! ❤
Aw thank you! I had fun choosing the music 😂❤️ I hope you enjoy the books/series!
I found you through your bujo videos, but I love your reading content so much as well! I teach English language and literature and I'm so inspired by the titles you've explored here, and I always look forward to hearing your thoughts on the books I've explored with my classes. Here's to many more great reads! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📚❤💔 🥹🥺🤓
Oh wow, thank you! Coming from a teacher that means a lot ❤️ I always loved my English teachers growing up (and they loved me) because I wanted to nerd out on analyzing everything, lol. In another life, I think I would have enjoyed teaching, myself!
I found your channel last week and I am binge watching even your old videos. I am glad to know you had read a few of the books I had read as well, even when we have different feelings about a few of them. I am a new subscriber.
I read the Shadow in the Wind series years ago and absolutely loved it. Glad you enjoyed it, as well
I’m excited to read the rest!
I was debating about picking up A Day Of Fallen Night as I’m normally not a big fan of prequels but your review makes me def want to read it. I’m so happy to hear she hasn’t given up on this world. I do wish it was a sequel to POTOT instead of another prequel but still happy nonetheless. I am sorry to hear about your loss and I hope your support system gives you all the strength you need ❤
The "parable" duology is devastating. I agree with everything you said about them, and would absolutely recommend it to anyone.
A 2-hour long video? Yesss please. 📚
Although I usually read different genres than you, you always make me excited to get back to reading so thank you for that. ☺️
I love that so much! I also watch booktubers who read different genres than me, just to absorb the love of literature and good vibes haha ❤️
recently finished parable of the talents myself, and like the fourth wing review, you knock my own thoughts out of the park in such an eloquent way 😭
If you want to continue Zafon's series, I would recomend reading them closer to each other or rereading some pasages from the first two books, because the third and fourth books connect a lot of the details and characters of the first two, and somehow clarify the ending of The Angel's Game.
Angel’s Game is on my wishlist, so I enjoyed your take on that title. I skipped spoilers for now, but will save this video & watch the rest after my reading. Thanks for separating those parts for us! I’m about to read book 2 of 4 The Neapolitan novels by Ferrante, since I also bought the full series & don’t want to go too many months between.
Also, I'd be super interested to see you do a video on popular and hyped up books you have no intention to read... Like, I feel I know you have no desire to read ACOTAR (like me), but I want to hear you rip into them, lol.
Haha well I did read the ACOTAR books back when they were first coming out (though I think there have been 2-3 books published since I gave up 😂) so they wouldn’t be entirely new to me! It could be interesting 🤔
A Day of Fallen Night is a prequel actually! So if anyone else is intimidated, you should be okay with ADOFN if you haven't read or don't remember a lot about Priory! Also if you ever pick up Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive, 800-900 pages will be *nothing* because that series is over 1000 pages for each book (which I devoured 2/4 published books lol)
Yes, I mention as I get further into the video that two of them are prequels! They all came out second in the series, chronologically, so I kept calling them sequels for the most part for simplicity's sake ❤️
As someone from Spain is so satisfying to see people around the world enjoy Zafon's books, wich I feel are very integrated in the spanish historical context that people can be not very familiar with. Loved the video!❤
I'm so glad you liked Zafon, he's my favorite writer. I love entire Cemetery of Forgotten Books series😊
Can you please do a video of your top rated sci fi books? I’ve just got into the genre and are loving it, would be great to have some recommendations ❤
Loved this idea and inspired to pick up some of these books!!!
Love your videos Elizabeth! They are just so calming. I've not read any of these books or the series, but I love getting your thoughts and looking at adding them to my TBR. Also, I love your nails! They are always so pretty. Do you have a dedicated nail maintenance routine, and do you paint them yourself. I'm a nail girly as well as book girly, so I notice nails a lot. Lol. 💜💜💜
I love your videos. I also put them on when I revise and time my revision in comparison to the video length. I'm a massive fan ❤
Hi Elizabeth, I'm Ilaria from Italy. You've inspired me to read The Angel's Game (I've read and loved The Shadow of the Wind but due to the bad reviews for the sequels, I never continued) and Parable of the Sower, so thank you! I watched the video until the end so: 🐈⬛💙📚🌞🌜
🗂️i can’t find tab markers. This is the closest emoji that embodies this video. I totally loved it though! Thank you for making this video!
I read the parable books back to back while on contract a few years ago. That was a rough week. I felt the same way you did- I absolutely loved them but they are TOUGH to get through. Then I took a deep breath and read a rom com 😂
I JUST started The Angel's Game, MOSTLY because I loved Fermin and I wanted more of his character. I was disappointed that I have to learn about new characters instead of following those I met and fell in love with already... Thank for your review it gives me hope! Also, Octavia E. Buttler is HIGH on my TBR. I need those editions tho!
Epic video Elizabeth. Mad props to you for the sponsored section as well. Can we all just take a minute to appreciate the effort that clearly went into that! I hope they compensated you well for that fine bit of filmiing!
Your reaction to the Octavia E. Butler books has me itching to rush out and buy them immediately. I might even get them tomorrow as I got to Scotland's biggest bookshop to chill while I wait to meet my son off the train. Not like my current reading and TBR aren't already huge, but those Parable books sound right up my street.
Books that have remained in my brain for years after reading as these clearly will for you would be:
1. A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving
2. Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck
3. The Master and Margarita
From the little I know of your reading tastes since we 'met', I'd say started with Owen Meany. It's a friend for life.
First of all, so sorry for your loss. Second, excellent bookish video❤❤. Third, I have just finished my re read of the four books of The cemetery of the forgotten books, and I must say, Angel´s game is perhaps the least favourite of the four. But I really encourage you to finish this series. One of my most favourite Spanish books (I am Spanish😅). And fourth, your cats are just adorable❤❤❤❤ oh I forgot! “Make America great again” was first used by Reagan. Please, dear American friends, correct me if I am wrong. 🙏🏻
Hi Elizabeth im new here and im super impressed and intrigued by your critique in reading and your book journey, sorry to hear about your loss ...stay strong and thanks for the video love ☕
Elizabeth, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope in time the pain can transform into peace. Thank you, your book reviews are always a joy to watch. Your insight, recaps and character analysis are top notch! Take care 🌘💫🔥👨❤️💋👨👸🏾🫀😢❤️🔥
i'm happy this video was such a success for you at a hard time! hope you'll enjoy many more ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ books in the future. sending some love your way ❤
I am so happy to see you enjoy yourself so much !
Never wanted to pick up the priory of the orange tree, you made me very curious.
I planned on trying Octavia E Butler, but I'm a little scared of the emotional impact, buddy reading will probably be the way to go, I'll start with Kindred though.
I'm intrigued by the other two, looks like I could enjoy it.
I am sorry for you loss, my heart goes with you and your family
The video was amazing from beginning to end, thanks ! 🇪🇸💕👸🏻🌧 (love the cats as always 😻)
You have encouraged me to re-read parable and then go on to the sequel 😳🤔🧐🤩
Thank you for verbalizing all my thoughts on the Parables. Deep reads but I almost feel necessary reads for all.
I wholeheartedly agree. I wish it would be read and absorbed by the people who need the message most 😞
I blame you for growing my TBR 😭 (it was going to happen anyways)
Sorry (but also not, because these books are fantastic!!) 😂❤️
Sending you an infinite amount of hugs, its so difficult to lose people we love. i went through the same this year and i’ve gotten so much comfort from reading books and also watching your channel, your voice is so soothing to listen to and i love the perspectives you bring. I hope you feel a little better but also just know that we all deal with grief differently and its ok to not be okay 🫂 lastly, i was wondering if you would ever be interested in reading more east asian fantasy? there’s a series called heaven officials blessing, its very long but one i finished in a week and its absolutely beautiful, i hope i can put it on your radar. 💫
I will definitely read your Top 2. I own The Priory of the Orange Tree but I have been intimidated by its thickness. You persuaded me to give it a try🧡
Waking up to this video and got straight to knitting and listening, the dramatic music with black cat playtimes was so so cute, I loved these reviews and definitely want to read these soon!
She was reenacting one of the epic battles 😂
I loved The Shadow of the Wind!! I also need to read the prequel to Priory, I loved Priory so much but it took me a few hundred pages to really get into it so I’m intimidated by the prequel since it might do the same thing.
I am sorry for your loss and thank you for reviewing the books. I have both priory of the orange tree and I was wondering if you feel that reading the prequel first would be a good idea.
Thank you ❤️ hmm, that’s a good question! I think it could work in either direction, honestly. I’m partial to the order I read them in (priory then fallen night) but I don’t think you can go wrong either way!
That was one crazy commitment. Glad to hear your reviews, even though I haven't read any of even the 1st ones.
Honestly, so worth it. These books were all incredible in their own way!
Ooooh, that was a wonderful video! I want more of these, please!
my guess at your ranking: 1. Parable; 2. Day of fallen night; 3. Ocean's Echo; 4. Angel's game
Please try Realm of the Elderlings. Book one is Assassin's Apprentice. Robin Hobb's writing and character work is incredible, emotionally draining too, but so good. I know you don't like series too much, but the good thing about Hobb's books is they are broken into three trilogies and one quartet. I think you might really enjoy the series.
I've read all of the Shadow of the Wind series and you are really in for a treat. Book 3 is a little slower and pulls at all the strings and hints, guesses and maybes from the first 2 books. Then there's book 4... Book 4 is 800 pages of absolute perfection (IMHO). The whole thing comes together in a masterpiece.
Ok, I am SO excited now!!
Elizabeth, as always, thank you for such in-depth reviews. You're the best, my tbr hates you 😉.
And sending all the hugs in the world and emotional support in this hard time ❤❤
I've read the entire Cemetery of Forgotten Books series by Zafon, and I'm totally obsessed with it - the gorgeous writing, unforgettable characters and the atmosphere painted in books! Such a treat! And such a shame we won't get more book from Zafon 😟
Would you have any recommendations on authors, books which are similar to those from the CoFB series?
Love this video. Also, my cats are DEEPLY suspicious of the "cawing" noises in the music track while you were reading Day of Fallen Night LOLOL
They were actually crows in my backyard while I was reading 😂 I thought they sounded quite good with the music so I kept them in haha
@@PlantBasedBride Nice! Very atmospheric (Aphra went over and looked out the window to check for birds, and seeing no birds there was extremely "srsly, Mom wtf" when the sound kept happening)
I loved Priory of the orange tree and I am so happy you gave it a review. I think wolf was the obvious one but don't feel like you have to explain your happiness to anyone like it's an excuse. It is totally okay to be happy your guess was right! I really couldn't put it into words why I loved the book and series so much but I think you said it perfectly. The wholesome story, the intricate relationships and the political stands and how everything was unfolding, the story is just so amazing and the world building really is breathtaking. Thanks for putting this massive video together and I can only assume how long you worked on this alone. I didn't actually know the is gonna be another book in the same universe, I am so so happy now. I can't wait to read more
I have just recently stepped into fantasy type of books. The Priory of the Orange tree was one of my first. I did have some difficulty keeping all the characters/worlds straight but did enjoy it. I literally just got A Day of fallen night from the library and it is sitting here as I listen to you review it.
I hope you love it! I found the list of characters at the back very useful for the first few chapters ❤️
This was so unbelievably, well put together, thank you so much for this video 💙
Aw thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it ❤️
i haven't read parable of the sower, but the fact that it's set in 2024 is absolutely terrifying
I had such a hard time with Sower while it still being such a good book. I will get to the second one, when I'm strong enough 💪 ❤😭
I may be slightly biased because I read The Angel's Game first, but for me, it vastly surpases The Shadow of the Wind. It's not that I don't like SoW (I've been a fan of every Zafón book I've read so far), but the story itself is more on a predictable side, which means the quality lies mostly in the writing style for me.
With The Angel's Game, I was blown away by the plot, the characters and the writing. It's a book I keep coming back to every couple of years, and the emotional impact has never lessened. Also, the conversations between David and Corelli are pure chef's kiss, I've tabbed the hell out of this one 😊
I'd encourage you to continue with the series, it all comes together beautifully, and I guarantee that the things you learn in The Prisoner of Heaven and The Labyrinth of Spirits will flip your perception of the first two books on its head and quite possibly break your heart. But there are few authors out there as skilled as Zafón 💔
Also, I'd sell a kidney to be able to visit David's house ❤️❤️❤️
I think you would really like the book (series) Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga. It reminded me a lot the Parables, in that we're following a young girl grow in a repressed environment but it's definitely way less violent and emotionally devastating. It is a trilogy, but I've only read the first book so far. It's also Zimbabwean literature!
What a lovely video, I really want A day of fallen night now 🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉 but I need to read the first one 😂
Wow, what a successful reading project!! How much of The Priory I have to remember before reading the prequel? I feel like I've forgotten so much of it even though I loved the book!
I forgot most of it, honestly, and I didn’t feel lost!
Thank you for this video! My TBR just grew! On a side note, what lipstick are you wearing?
Last week someone in Barcelona underground somebody looked exactly like you! I didnt take a photo because I didnt want to bother whoever that was but the resemblance was uncanny! They even had exact same hair and wore similar nails and jewelry. I nearly went and say hi in the hopes it was you but then I realized it couldnt be you so I stopped myself from being a creep. But just wanted to let you know you have a doppelganger somewhere here. Now, talking about the video: love the clips of your cat keeping you company while you read. From all of these books I read the two book from Carlos Ruiz Zafón, and I wanna read Octavia E.Butler's books :) She is a genius.
I tried to read Parable of the Talents but gave up on it. I liked Parable of the Sower and thus was on Lauren's side. To hear her daughter talk about he like she does really got up my nose. It was interesting to find out that there was a reason for it instead of her just being a brat.
Thank you so much for this video !! Would you recommand reading The Priory of the Orange Tree or A Day of Fallen Night first (since the second one is a prequel) ?
I had such a great experience reading them in publishing order that I’d probably say Priory then Fallen Night, but honestly I don’t think you can go wrong either way!
The crow sounds scared me 😭 but longer videos are definitely appreciated!! 📖📔📑
😂 they were in my backyard while I was reading and I just kept them in lol I’m sorry to scare you!
@@PlantBasedBride no worries 😌 I thought it was kinda funny but it definitely surprised me when I heard it first
This is how I found out that The Shadow of the Wind is not a standalone. I just ordered it based on a friend's recommendation. I don't know if I can do four books. I prefer a standalone or maybe a duology. A trilogy is pushing it. Your review is encouraging, though.
At least the first two can definitely be read as standalones! There’s slight overlap but otherwise they’re independent. They’re both fantastic ❤️
@@PlantBasedBride I went ahead and ordered the second book. Thanks for the review.
@@booksandbagsI hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Thank you for sharing these books and your ideas with us.
Always happy to talk your ears off 😂❤️
Yay! Long book video!! :D
*ADOFN SPOILERS* does thrit die or am i misremembering?
I’m someone who could read a book of mundane things that the characters I love do. If it’s a 100 book series of them just going about their daily lives, I’ll devour it.
Since you loved Ocean's Echo (SAME) I highly HIGHLY recommend Prophet by Helen Macdonald and Sin Blache, which is doing a similar relationship dynamic with a gay slowburn epic romance against an earthbound scifi noir backdrop. I've read it twice and it's EVERYTHING ✨️💖👏👏👏💖✨️
Ooooo this sounds so up my alley, thank you for the recommendation!
@@PlantBasedBride You're so welcome! I got one of my book clubs to read it and it gets a ringing endorsement from them as well ✨📖✨
I'm so glad you liked TDOFN, it's such a great book 🥰 and I noted all the other series in my wishlist 😊
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SPOILER THE DAY OF FALLEN NIGHT AND THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE
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Canthe or Kalyba is the Witch in the Orange Tree, she's also the white Wyrm in TDOFN and the mother of Galian Berethnet. She's the only character who is alive in both books and I'm really intrigued if she will be in the 3rd installment (probably because she seems to be the one who always set things in motion) 👀
Ok, I thought so! But when I googled it I wasn’t getting the answers I needed so I kept wondering if I was conflating two unrelated characters. That makes a lot of sense 😂❤️
@@PlantBasedBride I was wondering too during the book so I directly looked at the end of TPOTOT 😂
Your video made me realize that the Priory has a sequel 😂 when I read it years ago I believe it was marketed as a book with a self contained story, which is why I read it. Now I need to decide if I want to read the MASSIVE sequel 😭
It’s actually a prequel 500 years earlier, so definitely not necessary to read unless you want to! I love it, personally ❤️
@@PlantBasedBride I realized that after watching the whole video, and it definitely makes me feel better about picking it up, since I don't remember much from the first one. I do know that I loved it though! ❤
This is soooooo good, I love your videos ☺☺
How long will it take you to read 400 pages?
✨️✨️🤓📚😍😍😍✨️✨️✨️✨️ That was my vibe for the video hahaah 😊
Your cat killed me 🥹
Yoda is such a snuggly girl ❤️
I don't read yet I love all your book reviews 😅
I don’t know if you’ve read The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin but I would love to hear your thoughts on that one if you haven’t read it!
I haven’t even read the first books, so I have nothing smart to say. But I’m so one of those people that just picks someone and is like well I’m obsessed with you and think you’re amazing, we are friends now 😂
Also cat! Sweet sweet baby cat!
Haha people like you are great! Never change ❤️ haha yes Yoda was SO snuggly while I was filming this video. Chewy was almost always just out of frame 😂
It's interesting that you mention the misogyny in Zafon but still gave both books five stars - that's the aspect that made me DNF Shadow of the Wind...
As I mentioned, it felt to me like characterization of a boy/man in the early twentieth century Barcelona rather than the attitude of the author. If I refused to read any book with misogyny I wouldn’t be able to read most classics or even historical fiction.
@@PlantBasedBride Yes, absolutely - it just felt to me in Shadow of the Wind as if it wasn't being presented as a bad attitude for someone to have (which possibly suggested to me that it was coming from the author), but you make a good point, and obviously different people react differently to things in books and have different interpretations. As you say, with reference to not wishing the two books to be the same, it would be a very boring world if everyone was the same! Speaking of historical fiction, I bought my copy of Count of Monte Cristo today and have all my annotation supplies ready!
Well, was able to guess the first two.
Am looking forward to read Octavia E. Butler but was advises to start with Kindred... Do you feel the same?
My emojis would be: 💔🖤 (for the grief theme and the absolute horror I felt at hearing you speak about MAGA), 💚🌻 (for the hope that lingered atfer all) 🐲📚🚪(for the Samantha Shannon book! 😂).
My deepest condolences for your loss. My thoughts are with you.
And congrats on such a hefty challenge (and thoroughly successful). 💪
I’m sending you love❤❤❤
Thank you ❤️
@@PlantBasedBride anytime love🫶
Fellow ADHD here so I have to subscribe.
Welcome! We get distracted and go on tangents but we have fun here 😂❤️
I love all of Zafons books except for the icky writing of women, particularly young teenage women. The 4th book in the series is the worst for it but i love his writing style so much other than that that i always want to forgive it
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