Everything Is So Good! | Reading Vlog

[@sethhale235]

MONSTER!!! Sorry... got excited there.

[@raswartz]

THE BONEHUNTERS SLAPS

[@guilhermepicolotto8077]

Monster is SOOOOOOOOOO good

[@berserker8884]

Monster and Malazan at the same time! Nothing can beat this! Though it might get overwhelming. Both are demanding reads that require serious effort and attention.

[@bastion4975]

I read Monster about 2 to 3 years ago on a whim. I was surprised at how much it made me invested in the story in the first few chapters despite that the plot takes a while to start. I wouldn't worry too much about the mystery aspect of the story. As people have said, I'd say that the story focuses more on the Thriller aspect than the Mystery. Monster is a story that I like very much and am interested in knowing your thoughts on. I'm sure you'll get a kick out of it.

[@Ryuksgelus]

Monsters dope throughout. That author doesn't really miss. Only remember one section I was somewhat meh with at the time years ago when I first watched it.....just remembered I didn't read it entirely through. Such a fake fan.

[@ponder-c4h]

Monster is an absolute masterpiece. I can't wait for you to reach Kinderheim😢😢😢 omg second hand excitement. Eva Heinneman andd Lunge are my absolute faves

[@philippschmidt80]

Really excited about Dragonball, it sometimes seems simplistic from today's perspective but it inspired so many series and is unbelievably influential to this day and Toriyama draws action like nobody else, his panel work is amazing, he's a phenomenal visual artist.

[@SkurvySkyfloper]

So excited that you and Daniel Greene are reading Monster. Naoki Urasawa is one of my favorite mangaka and it kills me that no one I know will try reading any of his works when within his pages there is SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT! AAAHH!

[@MRBp2024]

Urasawa is a legendary Mangaka. Many great works. Monster is great. 20th Century boys is his best work imo, a manga I'm convinced you will love!!! More so then even Monster!

[@Killerqueen2000]

Monster is his best work quality wise imo but 20thcb is my favourite

[@redd2182]

Omg Monster

[@matheusvmoraes]

After almost 3 years following you Merphy, your comments are a great way of measurement to me about adding a book to my tbr. Once again, the interludes are breathtaking. ✨

[@SouravUldyssian]

Love that you are loving The Bonehunters so far. Just please try to read chapter 7, whenever you reach it in a single sitting. Check the page count of the chapter and plan accordingly.

[@FTUD734]

Thanks for heads up. I'm on 6 now. Guess I'll start 7 tomorrow so I don't have to worry about leaving it unfinished tonight

[@waldo8791]

Chapter 7 is amazing but I wish I hadn’t been hyped for it before reaching the point in the series. I don’t think it’s good to have my expectations set before reading. Still an absolutely amazing chapter, just think it would have absolutely blown me away had I not known before.

[@FTUD734]

Currently reading Bonehunters as well and it's just nice to see characters we know instead of having to figure out who these people are👍

[@a_literarylavender]

as someone who is still 4 years later dumbfounded that anyone can be as similar to me in their opinions and interests, i know i have no option but to order deep as the sky, red as the sea! your vlogs and book recs/thoughts mean everything to me merphy

[@suhailrefaye92]

Imo Bonehunters is where everything starts coming together and making sense. While it's still not completely clear what the endgame is, we understand most of the characters and themes being presented a lot better than previous books. It's such a fun read too.

[@angelaholmes8888]

I did enjoy the bonehunters glad that you are liking it

[@damianboyd9368]

I have started back on The Count of Monte Christopher! It is so good.

[@Cooper9281]

Great vlog! I would love to see a video dedicated to pirate book recommendations, fiction and non-fiction.

[@lucianaetrigan]

Curdle and Telorast! ❤😂 love them!

[@joxerrrrr]

Poor Merphy, trying to guess where Urasawa is going with his story next is a lost battle. You are in for a ride.

[@BrebearMckae]

Ahh so excited to pick up the first book now!! Maybe I’ll try to squeeze it in sooner than I planned. Haha!

[@birtes1825]

I love how all the new releases I'm looking forward to, you're reading and loving them. That's why I'm very excited about your pirate book recommendations video, cause I am also getting more and more invested in pirates again.

[@xSoulShinigamix]

I am so excited for you to start Dragon Ball it is THE shonen manga and while it hasn't aged well in some area's Akira Toriyama's art, and his paneling specifically is some of the best ever. One Piece is the least Battle-y of the popular Battle shonen, and nen in HxH makes every fight unique, so I think reading DBZ will give you a bit better understanding of the rest of the genre. Also the deeper you get into One Piece the busier Oda's panels get, and while I love his art the readability of dragon ball is something I really hope you come to appreciate about the series. I really enjoyed hearing you and Phillip talk about Vinland Saga and how manga as a visual medium is capable of things you can't do in a book, and the visuals are THE reason DBZ is iconic to this day. I think reading Monster alongside DBZ is gonna highlight the difference between Toriyama's paneling and the more standard approach taken in that series. Which still has great artwork and character designs btw, but your eyes are rarely led through the page by just looking at the pictures

[@kurathchibicrystalkitty5146]

I have two book recommendations for you, Merphy! Can't Spell Tea Without Treason and A Pirate's Life For Tea. 😄

[@beans9508]

Just started listening to My Cousin Rachel, I’m only 6 chapters in and I’m loving it. It’s one you read a while back but I love Frenchman’s Creek, so I’ve gotta read/listen to more by Du Maurier! Love your recs Murph!

[@tunesmelodia]

It's fun to watch you get so excited about a book :)

[@Olphas]

I put Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea on my TBR now. My current audio book is Under the Black Flag, which you also recommended a few weeks back, and I'm enjoying it. And thanks to that I know which pirate queen you were talking about!

[@StarUnreal]

Glad to see you're enjoying the Bonehunters. After 5 books of setup, you're finally at the point in Malazan where everything starts coming together. Well, 'everything' in the Malazan sense. So, like, half the things, I guess... Anyway, Monster is great. It also has a quite faithful and good anime adaptation. In the realm of manga, Urusawa is the master of mystery. He's in my top 5 favorite mangaka, and would be at the top if he was better at sticking the landing for his endings. Amazing journeys, but the destinations are usually just 'OK'.

[@cosinev1265]

Don’t worry, Bonehunters gets even better

[@esteban280889]

OMG started bonehunters!!!!!!!

[@nikgokuhil]

I really hope you try Mushishi too

[@AdrianasWonderland]

i love your energy, its so nice to watch to you

[@superbloodwolfmoon2597]

Reading Bone Hunters again. Started it some time ago but wasn’t able to finish. Decided to read it again from the beginning. Everything was going well. Was really enjoying myself. Then I got to the conversation between Cotillion and the dragons and realized how little of it made sense-just like the last time. Yup, I’m definitely reading an Erikson book. It’s so good to be back to Malazan.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

This week I finished: The End of the Watch by J.S. Dawes, Hadrian and the Triumph of Rome by Anthony Everitt, The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare, and One True King (School for Good and Evil: Camelot Years). One DNF, The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley, but this was, I think, because I wasn't in the mood for a slower read. Plus, reviews gave me pause.

[@timspence1469]

Started Bonehunters a while back, just finishing part 2. Been interesting hearing your thoughts on Malazan when the book you are discussing is fresh in my mind.

[@banaa9463]

I'm excited to read Deep as Sky because even though I've never heard of that historical figure you're really invested in, I thought Amina was too fast-paced and action-packed for my taste!

[@SamTheGumMan117]

I see Monster I instantly like 😍 and love those 2 in 1 vols for Monster, but I'm hype to see more discussion about it

[@sierraduhan1010]

I LOVED Deep as the Sky Red as the Sea but I agree it was to short!

[@BooksRebound]

Can you PLEASE dedicate a reading vlog entirely to chapter 7 of rhe Bonehunters? 🙏 That chapter is so crazy. It's like an infamous part of Malazan that everyone can agree is incredible.

[@esteban280889]

Best chapter. But sooo long haha

[@cosinev1265]

I would call you out on the minor spoilers but it’s probably too late

[@BooksRebound]

@@cosinev1265 I think some people's definition of spoilers is way too broad. I minorly spoiled it by saying "chapter 7 is crazy"? That's not even saying something big happens, much less detailing what that something is. Is "You aren't ready for the Succession finale" a spoiler too because it implies something happens

[@emeraldvi7195]

Hi there! I've been a quiet viewer for a couple of month now. But "Deep as the sky, red as the sea" reminded me of one of my absolute favorite books. I can't even explain why I love it so much but it just completely pulled me in. So I thought I'd suggest it. It's "The Pirate Queen" by Diana Norman and might just be the Irish version of the one you just read. Have you ever heard of it? Much Love and greetings from a writer in Germany ❤

[@brickstonesonn9276]

You should read March Comes in Like a Lion sometime. It's a Shogi Manga, but it's really more about the characters & you don't need to know anything about Shogi to understand it. There's a LOT to the characters of the manga, it's really good. It's also got a very unique way of storytelling; the best way I can describe it is, imagine purple prose done through visuals instead of words. It's really good, since this approach works perfectly with it's focus on the characters.

[@m.m4999]

Merph look up Sayyda al Hurra which was another pirate queen

[@maxwellrosa21]

Murphy, now that you are reading the more foundational manga for the genre, I think you may be ready for Berserk. Without question, one of the most influential works to come out of japan in the last century.

[@lorenamesic2323]

Love your reading vlogs!

[@rashkavar]

I definitely feel the same regarding taking time with Malazan books. Just from an emotional impact perspective, and especially the first time read...there are literally parts where I've just had to put the book down and *process* what just happened. (Book 2, Book 3, Book 4 references, the very spoiler averse may wish to skip to the next paragraph if they have not read those books): Kalam and the kids in Deadhouse Gates, several Pannion things in Memories of Ice, Felisin Younger...these books do not pull their punches in the slightest. Add on the layers of complexity in terms of how things are connected and factors about how the world works and...yeah, no, how do people who binge these books understand what's going on by the end? I would not! And I generally consider myself to have a pretty solid reading comprehension.

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea has been on my Master TBR for a bit now.. let's see if I get swayed to hit "move to cart" 😸

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

@@britneynicolewrites I love seafaring and pirate stories! some of the best! hope you like it ☺

[@felipecampos3045]

Monster is amazing 👍

[@KalleVilenius]

Now you be careful with those Monster volumes, the spines make some scary loud CRACKS when you bend them too much.

[@themangastand8475]

Nice thing about monster is the author has 3 others legendary manga to enjoy if you like it. Very uncommon for an author to have 2 popular managa. But this guy has 4

[@sloopgamer1730]

Actually I would say he has 5. One of them is even less popular than the others. Mr. Keaton, Monster, 20CB, Pluto and Billy Bat

[@notvkn]

@@sloopgamer1730 still upset billy bat doesnt have english physicals - master keaton doesnt really count imo since urasawa didnt write it

[@sloopgamer1730]

@@notvkn Lol, really? I have it in germany. Sometimes these whole license debates are just weird

[@notvkn]

@@sloopgamer1730 for some reason I think the americans ruin licensing for england/ english-speakers maybe its just legally more complicated since german/spanish/italian publishers only need to worry about eu law we only just got homunculus for example despite the entire series being out in italian for years

[@iUseDemFrapz]

@@notvkn it’s something to do with Disney and not wanting to be sued for copyright or along those lines

[@julianbecker4351]

I'm exicted for you to discover Dragonball, I think you will like it, espacially the first part (before the Z part of the story)

[@thatsci-firogue]

I took a 6 month break from Malazan after Bonehunters, after not bingeing but reading Deadhouse Gates to Bonehunters over the course of 6 or so months I did need a break. I don't regret taking a break but I do regret it being 6 months. If I could do it over again it would've been 2 or 3 months instead since I strongly believe that break played a big role in me not gelling as well with Reaper's Gale as I have with most of the other Malazan books.

[@esteban280889]

I've had a 5 year gap since TTH. Really need to go back. Just ended up busy where I did no reading for a few years. Started reading again last year so lots of stuff to catch up on.

[@randy21765]

Merphy Napier Just Have to ask are you going to review Dragon Ball by arcs? I really love Dragon Ball i can't wait to see your thoughts on it

[@merphynapierreviews]

at the least, I'll talk about them in the vlogs!

[@notrixamoris3318]

Oh Merphy you were sooo hype in this vlog....mad respect. Also are reading dragon ball dragon ball or DBZ there are kinda different timeline...lastly I see MONSTER as a pyschological thriller more than a murder mystery like most people do.

[@Lynn-CA]

DB first, and then DBZ is the plan

[@notrixamoris3318]

@@Lynn-CA thanks I ask coz its DBZ in the discriptions...

[@bastion4975]

Bro, you're going to confuse her. They are not different timelines. They are both part of the same continuous story. The Volumes in Japan make no differentiation between the two.

[@notrixamoris3318]

@@bastion4975 fair...I guess should have said different era. Is that okay to you???

[@bastion4975]

@@notrixamoris3318 , Yeah. Guess that's alright.

[@bcabello1584]

Johan Liebert hype 🐐💯

[@lucariotube8120]

WAIT HOLD UP PAUSE, YOUR GOING TO START READING DRAGONBALL MANGA! OH, LET'S FREAKING GOOOO!!!

[@WaterdropGirl]

Pirates are so cool I love consuming pirate themed content lol. I hope I get to ask you what your favorite pirate book is sometime You're gorgeous and I love your channel and book recommendations lol, I wish I could be a patron but money is super tight!

[@SilasRNold]

As much as you are enjoying Malazan, I think you should reach out to Erikson about an interview at some point. He seems incredibly open to interacting with his audience, and always comes across as wise and kind.

[@merphynapierreviews]

I'm way too nervous to do that 😂 but you're totally right that he comes off as such an open and kind author!

[@zoulzopan]

Naoki Urosawa greatest work is monster, I wonder if you read his other works would you be disappointed since they're not as good as monster. Not saying the others are bad but Monster is definitely his magnum opus.

[@iUseDemFrapz]

I think anyone who likes monster would like his other works.

[@dens2002]

I'm starting a campaign of harassment that will only cease when you start reading FABLES! (Vertigo comics) ... And I'm not afraid to undulate!

[@nazimelmardi]

Let’s see today’s emotional reaction from Pirate Merph meeting a pirate story. 👀😂

[@gregwillams5463]

If you like Monster. 20th Century Boys is IMHO is even better.

[@rachelspencer9456]

🧡📚🧡📚🧡📚🧡

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

I've only read the first bind up of Monster so far, but I wouldn't say it's a mystery ... we know who is "doing it" and that's the basis of Doctor's dilemma imo.

[@bastion4975]

Yeah, in my comment, I was going to say that it's a mystery, but it's less about who done it and more about how and why things are happening. Then I thought that I sounded pretentious and scratched it. 😅

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

@@bastion4975 so you're saying I sound pretentious 😂 I'm just playin' lol. I agree, yes to me it's about choosing between what we think is right and wrong, and the consequences thereof. I can't wait to read the rest of the volumes!

[@iUseDemFrapz]

There is mystery elements about characters backstories and motivations but I agree it’s really much more of a psychological thriller.

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

@@iUseDemFrapz good point!

[@ratiuvictor9533]

I hope you start with og DragonBall not with Z. og DragonBall is more like an adventure similar with One Piece while Z is more fighting than adventuring

[@Krustenkaese92]

it's honestly insane to me that you're reading Dragonball. I grew up reading and watching it but I'd never recommend it to people nowadays (except maybe as part of a research project or something)

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

That is essentially why she's reading it..

[@ayoolukoga9829]

Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read. Isaiah 34:16

[@Rajon313]

I'm hoping with you, I'll finally see someone be critical of Monster. It gets almost unanimous praise. I found the writer had a huge problem understanding "show, don't tell", especially with the main villain. I also found many characters to be very one note.