Books #40

[Harlot O'Scara]

Haven't contributed to this thread in ages

Recently finished The Black Bird Oracle, the most recent in the Discovery of Witches series. I really think Deborah Harkness has run out of ideas. Basically nothing happened!

The books have always been just slightly elevated Romantasy (before that was really a term!) but this one honestly feels like it was written for BookTok. Overpraised female protagonist, manufactured romantic drama, cutesy "cosy" setting.

I've looked forward to all the books before but this was such a let down that I might not bother with the next.

 

[QueenBW]

Haven't contributed to this thread in ages

Recently finished The Black Bird Oracle, the most recent in the Discovery of Witches series. I really think Deborah Harkness has run out of ideas. Basically nothing happened!

The books have always been just slightly elevated Romantasy (before that was really a term!) but this one honestly feels like it was written for BookTok. Overpraised female protagonist, manufactured romantic drama, cutesy "cosy" setting.

I've looked forward to all the books before but this was such a let down that I might not bother with the next.

Oh man, this is sad to hear. I've only read the first three but have the fourth and planned on getting this one, but I might just get it from the library when I manage to read the one I'm missing.

 

[SaintLeo]

I finished My Friends by Fredrick Backman last night and loved it. May be controversial in this thread but I think it’s better than the Beartown trilogy. Lots of the same themes - troubled teens in difficult family situations, people trying to find their place in the world - but for me a more satisfying story, so if you’re a Beartown/Backman fan definitely pick it up.

 

[ordinaryjelly]

I just read this book which I picked from the banned books list

Thirteen Reasons Why (didn't realise this was a Netflix series, I will probably watch.) I read this book in less than 24 hours. It deals with suicide and how every little thing has a reaction, the snowball effect. A hard topic to read about, but equally the book is very readable.

I might find a Tudor era book to read now.

 

[Harlot O'Scara]

Oh man, this is sad to hear. I've only read the first three but have the fourth and planned on getting this one, but I might just get it from the library when I manage to read the one I'm missing.

The fourth one is still a good read. This one is clearly just a segue into the final one of this trilogy but it's honestly mostly pointless. It could have been half the length. The characterisation is terrible and inconsistent with previous books.

I did read that Deborah Harkness took a long break from writing while recovering from cancer so that might have affected this book.

 

[Harlot O'Scara]

I might find a Tudor era book to read now.

You might have read these but I'd recommend the Wolf Hall series by Hilary Mantel

Or for something a bit lighter, the Nicholas Shelby books by S W Perry

 

[QueenBW]

The fourth one is still a good read. This one is clearly just a segue into the final one of this trilogy but it's honestly mostly pointless. It could have been half the length. The characterisation is terrible and inconsistent with previous books.

I did read that Deborah Harkness took a long break from writing while recovering from cancer so that might have affected this book.

Yeah, her battle with breast cancer could have affected her experience writing the book and the book as a consequence. The "middle" of the trilogy books can also be kind fo meh, in my experience so I guess this one had a fee things working against it

 

[KerGlr5]

You might have read these but I'd recommend the Wolf Hall series by Hilary Mantel

Or for something a bit lighter, the Nicholas Shelby books by S W Perry

The wolf hall series is brilliant.

I enjoyed Alison Weir’s books if you like the Tudor era, particularly each one based the 6 wives.

 

[Warpaint]

Just read 'Franny and Zooey' by J.D Salinger. Didn't realise he'd even written any other books. I can see why he came a recluse if this was his next effort. Not read Catcher In The Rye for nearly 20 years but doesn't feel like one of those that is in need or a re-read.

 

[ToxicPony]

I finished My Friends by Fredrick Backman last night and loved it. May be controversial in this thread but I think it’s better than the Beartown trilogy. Lots of the same themes - troubled teens in difficult family situations, people trying to find their place in the world - but for me a more satisfying story, so if you’re a Beartown/Backman fan definitely pick it up.

I love basically any Fredrick Backman book. He balances 'serious' with 'uplifting' better than anyone. I'm looking forward to starting My Friends!

The final round of the Goodreads Awards is up for voting. Three of my first round votes got eliminated people have no taste.

 

[LaBlonde]

I finished My Friends by Fredrick Backman last night and loved it. May be controversial in this thread but I think it’s better than the Beartown trilogy. Lots of the same themes - troubled teens in difficult family situations, people trying to find their place in the world - but for me a more satisfying story, so if you’re a Beartown/Backman fan definitely pick it up.

this has just made me buy it

i love beartown (though maybe not the third book in the trilogy so much) but wasn’t sure where to start with his other books. this sounds promising!

 

[SaintLeo]

this has just made me buy it

i love beartown (though maybe not the third book in the trilogy so much) but wasn’t sure where to start with his other books. this sounds promising!

Hope you enjoy it and let us know what you think!

 

[CommentBelow]

I love basically any Fredrick Backman book. He balances 'serious' with 'uplifting' better than anyone. I'm looking forward to starting My Friends!

The final round of the Goodreads Awards is up for voting. Three of my first round votes got eliminated people have no taste.

I can’t remember what I voted for in the first round but was happy to see My Friends and Bury Our Bones had made it through.. altho I am low level irritated Goodreads haven’t given me my ‘Fiction Favs’ challenge bookmark for finishing Wild Dark Shore yesterday so almost didn’t vote in protest 🫣

 

[anniemouse]

same. i’m almost positive most of them are reviews paid for by the publisher too - so are never unbiased. i’ve been burnt way too many times and am still angry they keep pushing the boys of tommen as a romance.

the amount i’ve seen about them only reading dialogue and stuff too. like you say, completely a numbers game (look how much i’ve read this week! look at my book haul! etc)

Definitely! “Look at me sitting in front of my jampacked bookcases of pristine books”

 

[anniemouse]

I refuse to read Freida McFadden on principle because there seems to be a new one every 5 minutes.

Either AI, or a team of ghostwriters. I just can't believe the are well written books. And it just feels like it leans in to the BookTok chasing numbers thing again

I joined a new local book club last week and a few of them said they loved Freida McFadden. I’ll read them for a fast read but I like other books better. At least I kept my mouth closed unlike the lady who said Richard Osman was awful

 

[anniemouse]

I bought the advent book off a tiktok shop and it was a fake. I’ve managed to get a refund but how annoying.

 

[StephenTJackson]

I joined a new local book club last week and a few of them said they loved Freida McFadden. I’ll read them for a fast read but I like other books better. At least I kept my mouth closed unlike the lady who said Richard Osman was awful

Well, imo, she isn't wrong. I just couldn't get on board with Thursday Murder Club at all.

 

[ToxicPony]

I can’t remember what I voted for in the first round but was happy to see My Friends and Bury Our Bones had made it through.. altho I am low level irritated Goodreads haven’t given me my ‘Fiction Favs’ challenge bookmark for finishing Wild Dark Shore yesterday so almost didn’t vote in protest 🫣

I heard a trick for this, if you try going back into the list and selecting a different book as read, add the date, but then delete it from your shelf. That made my bookmark appear for a different list when it glitched.

 

[Tofino]

I bought the advent book off a tiktok shop and it was a fake. I’ve managed to get a refund but how annoying.

Wow how did you know it was a fake? It’s cheaper on Amazon for Black Friday - £11.44. I had to do a second order and return the first as I paid £18 for mine!!

 

[CommentBelow]

I bought the advent book off a tiktok shop and it was a fake. I’ve managed to get a refund but how annoying.

Amazon have it on offer for £11 ish atm.