Do You Want Me To Be Honest Or Do You Want Me To Be Nice? | Reading Vlog

[@jalapenoofjustice4682]

the longer FMA goes, the more you can see just how smart Hughes was. The rest of the cast spends most of the show figuring out a mystery Hughes had mostly pieced together early on

[@britneynicole8903]

Who else absolutely loves her Reading vlogs?! They are so much fun!

[@icedcoffeeandbookss]

I was just gonna comment “I love your reading vlogs!” 😂

[@britneynicole8903]

@@icedcoffeeandbookss What has been your favorite one so far? For me, I cannot choose! They are all soo good!

[@notrixamoris3318]

​@@britneynicole8903 personally I am for the interludes...

[@britneynicole8903]

@@notrixamoris3318 You know something? Whenever she posts a new reading vlog, I always look in the timestamps and watch the interludes first! They are stunning!

[@JAKEBB]

I always crack up at how the intros are cut, they're so funny in context, but out of context in that intro 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😆

[@NaritaZaraki]

I was around when you dropped FMA and my coping was a whole lot of self-talk being like "This is what taste means. Sometimes people don't like the things that you love and that is perfectly okay. Healthy even. You have been in her position with other stories so many times. It's the beauty of the diversity of human beings. This is good. And fine. *It's fine.* VERY FINE." XD

[@Yaziiir]

Hahaha! I wasnt alone! 😂

[@britneynicole8903]

FMA sounds amazing!

[@NaritaZaraki]

@@Yaziiir No, you were not! I'm glad we got to see her give it a second chance and love it! 😁

[@NaritaZaraki]

@@britneynicole8903 It is! It's been one of my absolute favorites for so long. If the snippets you've heard so far pique your interest give it a shot! ☺

[@britneynicole8903]

@@NaritaZaraki I am very interested in checking it out!!

[@HalcyonCinema]

Ngl it broke my heart when you dropped FMA the first time when you just started manga Happy to hear that you're enjoying it. FMA is one of the few shounen manga that actually has a perfect ending

[@carlosdanielcalderonmontoy3723]

I think that the statement "few Shounen have a perfect ending" is a fallacy, I mean, some of the most popular have very controversial endings, but in general? Above 80 %? Mm I don't think so. The more I read Shounen, the more I realize that it is kind of a fallacy🤔

[@demonprincemeliodias6590]

@@carlosdanielcalderonmontoy3723 most of the popular manga has bad ending due to editor messing with writer decision and having to drag the story but less known which don't get axed have really solid endings like Zatch bell.

[@carlosdanielcalderonmontoy3723]

@@demonprincemeliodias6590 indeed, or Claymore or Gintama, etc and so on. The most popular don't represent the entirety of the population. But yeah, the weekly pressure and the things you mentioned are an issue that has ruined very good mangas.

[@HalcyonCinema]

@@carlosdanielcalderonmontoy3723 yeah that's why I said 'the perfect ending' I'm not saying shounen don't have good, average, or bad endings. My specificity was about as close to perfect an ending as can be. With that in mind, very few shounen have a perfect ending. Among recent ones, only Haikyuu comes to mind.

[@britneynicole8903]

I have mentioned this a few times, but when I am trying to read a physical book that I am not seeming to click with, I will get the book on my NOOK and try reading it that way. If I still am struggling to get through it, I will DNF it. That is rare for me. I am not sure if mangas are in e-book formatting, but I would be surprised if they are not, I would try that. I just thought I would put some of my tips in here!

[@Yaziiir]

Yeah.... I absolutely remember WHEN you dropped FMA the first time 😒😒 But shortly after you picked up OP and it overtook your live. Although I REALLY love OP, FMA is one of my top 3 pieces of fiction I ever experienced. And my mind was baffeld that you got obsessed with OP but couldnt finish FMA since I thought it would be a marvellous fit for your taste. But I'm happy it went that way, since on the second go it seems that you even enjoyed the first part way more than before! So no hard feelings 😂

[@notrixamoris3318]

Epic interludes Merphy and the background music is perfect. Also a lot of interludes for Ship of Destiny...oh and my second favourite FMA is Dr. Know. He is a damaged and traumatize man who lives in harsh and bad world of FMA needs a happy ending...and the friend in the flask is my fifth favourite.

[@britneynicole8903]

The interludes are absolutely spectacular. I definitely feel those fall vibes 🍂🧡🍁🧡🍂🧡🍁🧡🍂

[@KP-hc7ug]

I actually really like Roran's perspectives. Yes Eragon is doing more interesting things with greater consequences for the world, but in a fantasy setting filled with dragons and magic, I really enjoyed following a character with no special strengths doing his utmost to keep up through sheer willpower.

[@sebastiantravis9406]

You know what Merphy? FMA is really a one of a kind experience personally. It doesnt feel like a teen like battle shonen. Very mature understated themes and characterization like ones you would find in adult manga (seinens), it does have action but still plenty more quiet character developments. Plus it's one of those rare stories where I genuinely loved every character no matter how ruthlessly cold or forgivingly naive. It got even better when the Author revealed herself as a woman, truly boosted respect that women can and have always been excellent storytellers such as those that kept their disguise for a long time like James Tiptree Jr. (real identity is Alice Bradley Sheldon). Anyways may you overwhelmingly love VAGABOND cause it is peak. Seinen Manga & maybe in the future do also explore Indie US/Euro Comics like: Charles Burns, Terry Moore, David Lapham etc. Happy Readings.

[@britneynicole8903]

Whenever I have hear FMA being described, I get chills!

[@sebastiantravis9406]

@@britneynicole8903 Chills of unfathomable excitement! You should definitely reserve the series for when you find the time and just be completely immersed by the epic rich narrative.

[@britneynicole8903]

@@sebastiantravis9406 I am very excited!

[@Ozgipsy]

So many BookTube people live in such picturesque environments. Absolutely beautiful scenery.

[@EastCoastShorts]

Be pure, be honest, be beautiful.❤

[@d.edwardmeade3683]

I love these vlogs so much!! I love the interludes of scenery and music or montages of Merphy cleaning a room at fast speed or being with her family 😁... then a return back to discussion. It's so creative and flowing!! I so look forward to these!! 👏👏👏👏👍👍👍

[@JAKEBB]

Yo it's been a minute since a caught a merphy video, I know shame on me, it's awesome as always, hope all is well

[@keravnos2231]

These autumn tree shots are amazing!! Literally gives me Skyrim feels

[@britneynicole8903]

The interludes are always so gorgeous! I especially love that Fall look!

[@Ccthesloth]

Very excited to hear what you didn’t love about the ending of live ship traders! Without spoilers I was super not happy with how things ended up with Althea 😵‍💫

[@merphynapierreviews]

ME TOO

[@ethane61306]

Same!

[@Eas697]

If this is the stuff with Paragon, Althea and Kennit while I personally enjoyed (not the right word) it, I completely understand why some people might not be happy with it, as soon as I finished the book I was like, some people won't like that, but I understood what Hobb was going for and appreciated that. Not saying your missing the point, I'm sure you get it, just wondering if that's your issue with it.

[@Ccthesloth]

@@Eas697 I’ll be vague to avoid spoilers but for me I understood the Kennit character arc and the stuff that happens between him and Althea I didn’t like obviously but I get what Hobb was doing there. I just feel like Althea specifically got robbed and was left in a super weird situation in the end. Great series though and I’m sure lots of people are probably fine with her character arc 😊

[@beautifulminutiae]

I loved hearing your Live Ship thoughts! I just finished Assassin’s Apprentice and absolutely loved it. Robin Hobbs’s writing style is 10,000% everything I love. However, everyone keeps telling me that Live Ships is so much better than Farseer, so I can’t wait to get there!

[@Eas697]

Honestly, each series is better than the last imo (other than Rain Wild Chronicles, it's great, but still the weakest of the lot). Not everyone agrees with that though, some think it peaks at Tawny Man, but imo, the conclusion of Fitz and the Fool is unparalleled in the rest of the series.

[@britneynicole8903]

How would you describe her writing style?

[@sylviejeanjean5412]

It really depends on people, my favorite series is the Farseer one, and they're my favorite books of all time !

[@sylviejeanjean5412]

@@britneynicole8903 gorgeous, and so very human ❤️

[@uptown3636]

I love that map backdrop. Perfect for a reading vlog.

[@shadabkhan-ng5xe]

This video hands down had one of the prettiest interludes.

[@henriettel.n9626]

You kind of get the idea of where the characters in liveship goes, but remember that their story does not end here. You will meet them again in later books and then you will know.. they are not perhaps where you thought.. not sure if you will be satisfied with the ending, but you will not know before you have read the last trilogy in the series 😅 so I encourage you to read the fitz books as well since they merge with Fitz story. Perhaps you'll like the next trilogy (the tawny man trilogy) better?😅🤷🏽‍♀️

[@Glokta4]

I read Assassin's Apprentice and didn't like it enough to continue the series. Sounds like this series is much better. I love the interludes, Minnesota is all brown and lifeless now too.

[@MariaMightReadThat]

Completely agree with you about Ship of Destiny falling action. Though I also wasn't a fan of the particular climax direction of one specific character... I'm excited for your discussion with Angela!

[@badfaith4u]

Reading vlogs are awesome. I would prefer honest over nice when it concerns books. 📚📚

[@britneynicole8903]

Totally agree!

[@britneynicole8903]

I love how honest she is.

[@badfaith4u]

@@britneynicole8903 Me too. She is honest in a nice way.

[@britneynicole8903]

@@badfaith4u Agreed! I do not like when other people try to sugarcoat the negative things they do not like about a book. She just comes right out and says it. It makes me trust her opinions wayy more!

[@britneynicole8903]

The title is AWESOME!!

[@thisandthat418]

Yes but Liveship Traders is part of a much bigger picture, you have to read the whole thing to understand the beginning, middle and end, which is why it is crucial to read in the correct order. I hope you continue, I think you will get on better with Fitz now that he is older, he is still frustrating, but you've got to love him, he tries so hard to do the right thing! 🙄

[@nikgokuhil]

Oh you never finished Inheritance cycle, that explains why you remember it fondly. Honestly, the ending didnt do it for me, but then again, I think Roran was the coolest character in the series so we might get to different results Anyway, do try Mushishi too

[@adamborst]

Thanks for the vlogs. I love the partial nature and family interludes are great. It's a nice break in the video.

[@inigomontoya7115]

Was reading Ship of Shadows by Maria Kuzniar with my son. Its about a girl who joins an all female pirate ship. Its a middle grade fantasy nautical pirate story. Its everything that I think Merphy loves so thought I'd recommend it here. Both my son and I really enjoyed it

[@britneynicole8903]

I should check that out!! Thank you for recommending it!

[@inigomontoya7115]

@@britneynicole8903 hope u enjoy it!

[@britneynicole8903]

@@inigomontoya7115 Thank you! I will update as I read it!

[@linogandra3223]

Glad that you enjoyed LST, but I gotta disagree with the falling action. I think Hobb did a great job on setting things up for the future trilogies, although I understand your case, since you disliked the first trilogy and I'm not sure if you'll continue with the series, so taking LST as a single entity I can see how it could be somewhat lacking. I finished the last trilogy recently and it was magnificent, RotE as a whole is definitely among my top 3 series of all time. Hope you finish Farseer someday and give Tawny Man a try, it's just amazing.

[@rachelspencer9456]

If it makes you feel better, I still haven’t finished the Eragon series either. I bought the last book when it came out and it has just been sitting unread on my shelf for the past.....eleven (😱) years. I’ll get to it eventually. I think part of it is that I would need to reread the series again first and I’m a bit worried I won’t love it as much. Not sure I’m ready to let go of those nostalgia feelings yet lol.

[@britneynicole8903]

I hope you feel better soon, girl!

[@ethane61306]

I also skipped Roran’s parts as a kid! I think it was maybe the 3rd time through I actually read those bits. Eragon was just doing much cooler things and I couldn’t wait! Also really looking forward to the discussion on Liveship. Hobb is so good and even though Liveship wasn’t my favorite it was still pretty fantastic.

[@banaa9463]

I loved the Liveship Traders trilogy! Can't wait to watch your discussion of it. I read it a few years ago though so I don't remember what happened in the falling action. Are you going to read all the books in the Realm of the Elderlings? They all come together at the end and it's one of my favorite series.

[@tyriquesmith8850]

Did Merphy get her hair done? Looks amazing in this vlog. Also, she reads so incredibly fast. Or at the very least, she dedicates a lot of time to it. Although maybe that's not as crazy as I think, considering how much manga I can get through in a day.

[@laurakuhlmann1626]

Easily distracted by cats and books is the best summary of my life

[@matheusvmoraes]

Terrific interludes, for sure! I'm currently reading the Discworld books, and started with Small Gods.

[@ejderhaz]

I'm glad you're enjoying FMA now hahha

[@thewitchyreader6131]

Great vlog!

[@lisaashpole8066]

I used to skip Eragon's perspective when I went back to reread Eldest. I found Roran's so much more fun.

[@Floridiansince94]

Love the view!

[@Enigmanaut]

Honest. Every day of the week, and twice on Thursdays

[@britneynicole8903]

I just woke up!! Seeing that you posted made my day! 📚😄

[@LiteratureScienceAlliance]

Yea the falling action of ship of destiny is why that book is my least favorite of the trilogy but it wasn’t bad enough to make me not still love the entire trilogy, really excited to chat about it soon!

[@merphynapierreviews]

Fully agree! We’ll have plenty to talk about!

[@icedcoffeeandbookss]

Loved this. It was so cozy! ❤️ Also, the B Roll 🤩🍂

[@jillrenee1129]

I wasn't disappointed by the falling action at the end of the Liveship Trilogy, but I also don't remember most of it. I read this series 2-3 years ago and I still think about the characters and their arcs, especially Malta and Wintrow. I hope you'll give the second Fitz trilogy a try. I think it's much better than the first. I love it because (1) the magic systems of the Wit and the culture of the witted people gets delved into more (2) the relationships between both Fitz and Nighteyes (the wolf) and between Fitz and the Fool are fascinating to me (3) characters make decisions that make sense due to their circumstances and respective culture in a way that's made me personally think more about someone's background when getting to know/understand them and there's some more I can't say without getting into spoilers.

[@robertcavanaugh6621]

I really enjoyed this video, keep up the great work. 👍

[@timmeyer9191]

Thanks for vid. Any book haul videos coming up?

[@laiaal.3324]

I don't think you'll change your opinion on Roran in book 4, I didn't and I agree with you :) You are making wanna reread the series again too. It's been way too long!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Ok... but you need to go to Tawny Man after... they work together (Fitz and Liveships).

[@puffmaggie]

oooh i gotta pick up that Live Ships series, it sounds fantastic. when you said "pirate king" i was like LIKE LUFFY? and you instantly said not like Luffy hahahah FMA is such a well paced story, its so enjoyable. And it translated sooo well into the Brotherhood adaptation in anime! hope your cold gets better!

[@AseAPS]

Always honest over nice please!

[@maggyfrog]

why does the world think that niceness and honesty are mutually exclusive?

[@alucard347]

Because honesty has been monopolized by brutality and cynicism. We think of niceness and gentleness as signs of weakness and deception, from a cynical perspective that view the world as inherently cruel and unfair. So honesty nowadays is used to hurt people, were as lies are seen as nice things. This let's people hurt you with the truth and feel like a good person by lying and manipulating you.

[@maggyfrog]

@@alucard347 i think it's more of a projection. if you actively choose to be "fake nice", you tend to project that onto other people as well, whereas people who choose to be nice ONLY when it's a genuine sentiment aren't cynical at all about the concept of honesty. honesty is just honesty regardless if you're genuinely nice or genuinely rude. if one associates honesty with rudeness and dishonesty with niceness, that's just plain stupid.

[@Mia_M]

I think the problem is that when it comes to reviews of anything, there’s sort of 3 camps. There are the people who are nice. They avoid discussing the negatives and focus on the positives, which is its own problem when others see their review. Then there are the people who are honest but respectful (which isn’t the same as kind). They explain why they liked didn’t like things without being rude. And then there’s the final camp of reviewers, they might be expressing their honest opinions but in a cruel way that can be insulting to the people who might’ve liked whatever it is or the creator. I think with modern reviewing, we tend to see the first and last more often than the middle. And people tend to assume that those who are nice must be honest and those who aren’t are hateful or bitter, etc.

[@tiffinyvann427]

I love those books 📚

[@michelleannelynne]

honest Merph is always fun ☺️ I always love it when you get oooooh kitty!!! 🐈😺

[@Ms.SpookyNerd]

It's always great to be honest..not everyone as a reader has the same taste as others we are all different..some books that people hated I loved and some books I hated people loved lol 📚☕🌈

[@MagillanicaLouM]

You're honestly nice

[@britneynicole8903]

Who else loves her shirt at 5:30?! 🥹🐈🙀📚🥲 I am such a cat lady!!

[@britneynicole8903]

I have not looked for this yet … but are there movies based on all three Eragon books?

[@sernoddicusthegallant6986]

Whats the song youve used for interludes? I swear Ive heard it before

[@synaesthesia888]

You should take a look at JB's new book, The Booms, it just came out!

[@britneynicole8903]

What is the background music called?

[@kamalfareed1264]

Did merphy make review to hxh new chapter?

[@jimmychurch9588]

Ok, help me out? I didn’t like the farseer books because of how badly they ended for fitz. I have avoided liveship traders because I didn’t want to have another sad ending. Is live ship the same way? Or is there a hopeful ending?

[@tunesmelodia]

I haven't read them, but Ship of Magic sounds really good.

[@floriandolder8111]

Are you familiar with Robin Hobbs' other work? Her books are all very good, albeit downright painful to read at times.

[@britneynicole8903]

@@floriandolder8111 Painful in a good way?

[@floriandolder8111]

@@britneynicole8903 I would say so for sure. The books often focus on negative experiences like abuse, trauma, or grief but the subject matter is handled well and as such "enjoyable" in its own right. There also tends to be a satisfying payoff for many of the characters that have suffered without ever being cheesy. Some stretches can feel like a bit much though, and one specific book prompted 3 out of the 4 people that I got into the series to quit.

[@britneynicole8903]

@@floriandolder8111 I really like books like that that bring up important topics and handle them in a very good way! I am planning on picking up some of her books!

[@floriandolder8111]

@@britneynicole8903 Yeah, you might love them then. Just expect some glacial pacing for the first few books. Also, the reading order for Realm of the Elderlings, the overarching series by Robin Hobb looks like this: 1. Farseer Trilogy 2. Liveship Traders Trilogy 3. Tawny Man Trilogy 4. Rain Wild Chronicles (4 books) 5. Fitz and the Fool Trilogy Starting with, say, Liveship Traders is possible but will spoil you on the earlier books to some degree.

[@paperstars9078]

would you rather have a friend never read the things you think would suit them or would you rather have your friend read the things you don't want them to read, because the'll likely get traumatized and you fear they might not recover?

[@Dougeb7]

I like your shirt, Merphy, but I made the mistake of pairing the phrase "Cats & Books" with a dance mix in my head and it will. not. stop! Not your fault though, haha! Thanks for the video, hope your cold clears up soon!

[@britneynicole8903]

I really need to pick up some Robin Hobb books! Which ones would you guys recommend starting with? 🤔📚

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Assassin's Apprentice.. The beginning

[@britneynicole8903]

@@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD Thank you!! I will put that on my reading list!

[@myrojyn]

I'd prefer it if you undulated between the two

[@shelliingle571]

Merphy, I am glad you love FMA.☺️ One of my favorite mangas. 😊I even love Brotherhood than the original anime.😊 You should try Black Clover and D-Gray Man next. Black Clover have good relationships that you love. D-Gray Man is a classic manga that you could joy.🙂..I don't known why you don't like Rowan. I thought his side story is so cool with him being Anti-hero....I heard some people has mentioned that The Drowned Wood. I think you should like The Bone Houses. I thought The Bone Houses is really good. 🙂

[@SKULLKR3W]

she would hate black clover

[@shelliingle571]

@@SKULLKR3W Oh come. 🙄 probably she will like it,because there's a lot of good elements in that she has mentioned that she likes. I thought it's really good series... Beside, you can't tell someone that don't like the series or not. It's up to them if they like series or not if they will give the series a try.

[@keravnos2231]

Let's review the drowning woods :"......I don't remember anything" 😂. And omfg brisingr was sooo boring for me, I just wanted to get to the good part where he made his sword and more dragon history. AND IT WAS WAAY AT THE END!!

[@britneynicole8903]

I am adding those books to my reading list!

[@keravnos2231]

@@britneynicole8903 the inheritance cycle was my next transition from the Harry potter series. So it will give you that kind of love. Their dragon lore is well thought out and certain characters will keep you hooked onto the series. Absolutely recommend it 10/10 (just so I can geek out with you after youre done reading)

[@britneynicole8903]

@@keravnos2231 I really like dragons, so that sounds so good!

[@keravnos2231]

@@britneynicole8903 great starter to a dragon book, though the book is sort of soft magic system. Are you in the discord? You can tell me when you start eragon 😁

[@britneynicole8903]

@@keravnos2231 I am not in the discord yet, but I am hoping on changing that soon! How do you become a member?

[@smuckfuzzer]

That sounds exactly like the way Robin Hobb ends the Farseer Trilogy.

[@EricMcLuen]

You are not alone with the falling action. I found pretty much the ending of all the story arcs depressing if not putright disturbing. Yet it seems like we were supposed to be happy for at least some of them but I don't know why. Considring the page count dedicated to the consequences of various decisions in the series, virtually none is dedicated for the final resulution. I have only read Assassins Quest. While this series dealt with several spoiled teenagers, at least you got to move around instead of being stuck in the perspective of one.

[@onfaerystories]

I loved watching that vlog, you're so much fun to listen to! 💗 I've tried reading The Assassin's Apprentice last month, and DNFed it at 70% after almost nothing had happened after so many pages and I really didn't care being in Fitz's head anymore. I was shocked because I thought I would love it, but I was bored out of my mind and was literally forcing myself to read on. I even spoiled it for myself to see if it would motivate me to continue on, and it actually didn't. I'm still planning on giving Liveship Traders a chance at some point, and now I wonder if the pacing will kill it for me or not, but just like you, if I care for the world, characters and overall mystery, I usually push on (I did it for the whole of LOTR and man were these two first installments a struggle for me 🥴 Though there were memorable scenes in each parts 👌).

[@Mia_M]

I think it depends on the kind of reader you are. I’ve been really enjoying The Liveship Traders, I’m halfway through Mad Ship. It’s not really slow in that nothing happens, but slow in that there’s a lot of world building. It is character centric and there’s about 7-8 characters that the books focus on. This kind of fantasy isn’t for everyone.

[@ramseyhassan9941]

I am sitting at the edge of my seat for Merphy's take on the new Hunter x Hunter chapters lol

[@JaswiL-_51]

Same

[@daniellehinton9607]

💛💛💛

[@Ozgipsy]

Be deadly honest, “nice” is easy to find.

[@Ppanos423]

Honest

[@BrebearMckae]

💕💕💕

[@thatsci-firogue]

Are you excited for Doctor Who in 2023? I Am!

[@noshei21]

Wait, Ro-Ran? who is that?

[@merphynapierreviews]

How am I supposed to pronounce it?!

[@noshei21]

@@merphynapierreviews Rawr-an

[@chrisalluna6733]

🍁🍂🍁!!! 🙂

[@jonrosenberg4324]

Honest, there's literally no point to a reviewer who is not honest. Hell, if you ever got round to reviewing my novels I'd hope you'd be stringent about their flaws.

[@darrow74]

I always hated roran

[@MariaMightReadThat]

Roran's pov was 10000% the most boring part of the Eragon series. Even Eragon's long travel sections were more entertaining.

[@MariaMightReadThat]

Also the urge to find out how this series ended is what got me back into reading after my 3 year long post-college slump

[@svvv977]

For me I remember being actively satisfied with where everyone ended up in liveship! I actually didnt have that much of a hangover from it because I was so happy for most of them🥹