Everything I Read In March

[@saharshpruthi]

Hope & wish your mother is recovering well. Please take care Merphy.

[@merphynapierreviews]

Thank you! She’s still in the hospital but has gained her speech back and the doctors are happy with her progress so far so we’re very thankful ❤

[@saharshpruthi]

@@merphynapierreviews That's truly wonderful to hear Merphy ♥, I am soo happy to hear she is recovering well. Wishing and praying for her continued improvement and a swift return to full health. Take care, all of you.

[@Realmisskrose]

​@@merphynapierreviewsgood to hear ❤

[@billyalarie929]

Howls moving castle sounds like magical realism. The “castle, STOP doing this thing that shouldn’t happen but is and we’re also not gonna bother wondering about that!”

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

Did you intentionally sort of almost parallel a quote (the "prayer" around the dinner table that was actually speaking to the giant robot outside the window or whatever) from the animated Iron Giant movie with Vin Diesel in it? 🤔👀🤭😁😊 Loll

[@lathspell87]

Look so forward to hearing your thoughts on Small Favor. That is a top 4 Dresden book, for me. Such a freaking fun ride.

[@TheVaultDescendant]

I may have gotten too spoiled on the Terry Pratchett and Dresden Files uploads but I am starting to jones for my next fix lol

[@esteban280889]

im the same with malazan. She was reading Reapers Gale and been no sign of it in months

[@ChaptersWeLove]

I loved Howl's moving castle

[@A._J_.]

Your book review channel works more for me, as i haven't read much fiction for a while. And liking the straight-hair look.

[@c0barsm]

Looking forward to the next diskworld and dresden reviews.

[@Shellyish]

The Tainted Cup sounds really really good. Adding it to my TBR. Love the enthusiasm. ❤ Howl’s is a beautiful movie and strong book. ☺️ Thanks, Merphy!!

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

The Tainted Cup was amazing. Am I the only one that got Attack on Titan vibes from the leviathans? You pretty much nailed it with House of Open Wounds, the way that book opened alone had me dying. Hopefully the Temeraire books pick up for you, they only get crazier as they progress!

[@kurathchibicrystalkitty5146]

If you're open to trying more Diana Wynne Jones, may I recommend some of my favourites: Deep Secret [mind-bendy magic, an empire collapsing, and a hotel that warps reality], The Merlin Conspiracy [magical treason plot, multiple parallel worlds, many different kinds of weird magic, a friendly elephant], Dogsbody [sci-fi with a twist], Fire and Hemlock [tracking a girl's entire childhood as she tries to discover why her memories don't match up, as well as a lot of things that defy description], Eight Days of Luke [fun Norse mythology romp through the days of the week], Homeward Bounders [world-hopping inter-dimensional demon machinations], or Archer's Goon [suburban 'house-under-siege' with wizards who want to take over the world].

[@MusicBlik]

I got "Witch Week" off the shelf randomly several years ago, on the strength of Jones' reputation. It was... alright. I liked the idea of what happens when a portion of the multiverse diverges from something that *should* have been a fixed point in time, but in execution I felt a little lost. It was only *after* I finished that I discovered it was 3rd in a series.

[@kurathchibicrystalkitty5146]

@@MusicBlik I honestly don't like the Chrestomanci series, I feel like they're some of her weakest books [along with A Tale of Time City and The Ogre Downstairs], but most people [which is to say, the tiny amount of people in North America and other places who actually know who she is] seem to recommend that series over her other books.

[@anniek2007]

Seconding homeward bounders and dogsbody 😊

[@MayorDesu]

I have been looking for new books to read after I picked up major interest in Sarah J. Maas's court series. Found you through Jay and the one piece discussions. Just figured out you read a lot of books. Gonna use your reviews as a book discovery channel. Much love and bless!

[@booksandtropes]

Wishing you and your family well❤ I also see Neon Ghost on the shelf! the physical copies look great from what I've seen online! the Wickwire watch sounds awesome!!!!!! adding it to the TBR :)

[@NadiaAbdulrahman-]

It's nice to see you in the bookshelf room again! I feel it's been so long; loved the reading vlogs this month♡

[@maem7462]

Agreed. I do like the outside vibes as well but there is just something so nice abt the bookshelf background

[@Leigh_orange]

Looking forward to your thoughts on Lilac Girls. Honestly, it was the book that got me back into reading as an adult. I haven’t read as much Historical fiction since, but it is heartbreakingly beautiful 💜 sending well wishes your way, and hoping for a positive recovery for your mom.

[@Tim_with_Tomes_and_Tales]

Looks like an amazing month. Over at Mikala Reads youtube channel, she previewed a book that I think might be something you might like. It is called The Botanical Daughter by Noah Medlock. It is a horror story about two Victorian gentlemen and their botanical garden who embark on a Frankenstein-style experiment with unexpected consequences. Anyway, stay safe and happy reading.

[@merphynapierreviews]

Oh I’ll check that out, thank you!

[@Sunlit_Reading]

I'm glad you're continuing the Temeraire series. Book 4 is worth it.

[@caitlyn.m.t9618]

That was actually why I was on the fence about reading A Tainted Cup. There is so much here that I will be interested, and I love earthly horror or plant horror and this leans into it somewhat, but I deeply do not care for investigative mysteries and that is what it seemed to be. Your review though did make me really excited for elements of this book so I may look into it. Also if you want more plant stories, look into Evil Roots: Killer Tales of the Botanical Gothic.

[@BettyHonest]

Howl has been my favorite book since childhood. I read it every year

[@Book_of_Grudges]

Just hangin out lookin forward to the Small Favor Review.

[@billfreeman5914]

I read The Deed of Paksenarrion *years* ago (probably 1992 when the omnibus version first came out) and really enjoyed it. Hope you do too. 🙂❤️

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

19:57 - I find myself wondering if she weighs 600lbs, but isn't very large? Just....heavier?? 🤔🤔👀 (still, you'd think that could be a problem anyhow at least regarding his bed holding her without collapsing?) OR is she perhaps able to change her weight magically all depending on whether she wants to make herself more or less difficult to move? Or is he a very large or heavy man himself too? 🤔 I dunno, I'm kinda curious what I might takeaway from it or not myself if I read it 😁😁😁

[@TomOrange]

I told Johanna the same thing but you should Blindsight by Petter Watts. I feel like it fits in really well with In Ascension and Solaris

[@banaa9463]

Maybe the abrupt ending is because Howl’s Moving Castle is a series? Idk haven't read it yet, but will soon

[@kurathchibicrystalkitty5146]

Yep, there's two more books. Castle in the Air, which is a parody of Arabian Nights, and House of Many Ways, which is more of a direct sequel to Howl.

[@keravnos2231]

Ah nice! Continuing with terry pratchett again. How many discworld books is that for you so far?

[@merphynapierreviews]

I think I’ve read 12 ish

[@keravnos2231]

@@merphynapierreviews triple the amount than I have lol. I may have to restart from book 1 😂, I forgot everything

[@YukiiReads]

Wow ‘in ascension’ sounds like such a melodramatic drag 😅

[@Gl1tch2263]

10:56 Solaris just like my tinder matches

[@monicamoskovics8686]

I have been hearing a lot about the WickWire Watch and wonder if it is horror leaning? ;)

[@Montie-Adkins]

Honestly, I like the throwback lighting.

[@booknerdktree]

You are seriously one of my favorites to listen to & watch, even though I haven’t read the majority of what you read, you are just so engaging. Praying over your mom’s health!

[@merphynapierreviews]

Thank you so much ❤

[@ItsVeeVA]

do you have any interest in anything else by Hayao Miyazaki? Especially if you liked Howls moving castle? you mentioned that you like those Biology settings where plant life is heavily integrated in human society, so maybe you'll enjoy Nausicaä of the Valley of the wind. The Manga, Admittedly isn't as pretty as other mangas of that time, let alone modern Mangas, but It's such a well written Story. There's a movie by Studio Ghibly as well, but it only covers about half of the story

[@daviddarlingauthor]

My latest novel, Edge of Eternity (sequel to Edge of Time - a time travel adventure) is coming out in 28 days. If you'd like an arc, let me know! All the best.

[@KMort]

I'm on book 6 of temeraire, I lost interest 4 books ago. I thought she'd move at least a bit past her own formula but guess not. That's why it's taking me ages to pick up book 6.

[@AlexInASmallTown]

I was good through to the last book (#9?) and even then things seemed to be fine... until it just ended with some major story points left entirely unresolved. There could have been another full book IMO.

[@KMort]

@@AlexInASmallTown yikes, thanks for the heads up

[@edtroll]

Another video. Another check to see if she will go back to terry prachetts guards series instead of not reading the whole thing from the beginning

[@AwkwardBookworm]

I need the tainted cup and I need it now

[@themearkat]

I also read the tainted cup in March. The world was the most interesting part for me, but I thought the protagonist was pretty flat. I do find it poetic that Merphy forgot the protagonist's name, because I also found him forgettable.

[@Haleybug12314]

I’m glad you ended up liking Howl’s Moving Castle! Maybe if I would have actually read it instead of listening to it I would have liked it too😅I’m just not one who doesn’t like things explained in stories, and the audiobook narrator was not the best😅Also, I hope your mom is recovering and you’ve been able to get some rest. Don’t forget to take care of yourself!❤️

[@merphynapierreviews]

Thank you!

[@almogdov]

You are skipping all the way to Jingo? that's a long way ahead in your Pratchett chronicles, though it is quite good. I thought the next one for you was Moving Pictures.

[@Lynn-CA]

Merphy changed tactics again re Discworld and is now going back to reading each series in order rather than chronological

[@almogdov]

@@Lynn-CA Gotcha, thanks for the update. I did hope that somehow she'll reach the later books earlier (like Snuff) so no complaints here.

[@charlesmartin7536]

Temeraire. You put your finger on it, and it doesn't really change throughout the series, dragons are classed as slaves. It keeps being brought up, and continues as-is. One part that felt either contrived, or inconsistent. Laurence is suddenly an aviator, and has the extreme culture shock of encountering the "what works" mindset of the other aviators, completely at odds with strict social, and military, conduct set for army and navy. But whenever he does X which works for Temeraire, he gets slapped around hard, for going against Navy codes... Which he isn't officially a member of anymore since Temeraire chose him... Series is okay, but not Pern... Read once, bragging rights, no reread intended.

[@pendagar449]

TEMERAIRE!!!!!!

[@CombativeRoboGuy]

biology + steampunk is biopunk. That’s what biological tech worlds are classified as in case you want to know.

[@melaniechristina7361]

Fot the algorythm ❤

[@rachelspencer9456]

🧡📚🧡📚🧡📚🧡

[@homeboi4159]

Hey Merphy, just a question. Did you drop Discworld?

[@Lynn-CA]

No, she's still reading but took a break. If you look at her April tbr that she shares in this video you'll see Jingo is on there

[@koboldmartian4063]

I have expressed vehemently about my dislike for Howls Moving Castle the book in the discord lol. I almost DNFed it. I absolutely love the movie though!

[@BrebearMckae]

[@arthurweise2573]

No offense truly, but I don't know why you do these end of month look backs. To me it's like seeing a tv rerun. Nothing that is new or revealing. Sorry if that seems rude. You are imo still the best reviewer I watch. It used to be Daniel Green but he doesn't review too many books of late and he is getting a little too quirky for my taste. Looking forward to your April reviews.

[@dog-earedpages1017]

Some people don’t like longer reviews. A video like this is a nice, succinct way to describe all the books one has read, and essentially let you know what may be worth your time or not. I prefer these videos as they are shorter and to the point. It’s not a rerun, just a different format for reviews in a more compact way.