Five Star Predictions | Will these books live up to the hype?

[@haeleighroy659]

A Closed and Common Orbit is my favourite of the series so I'm happy to hear you think you're going to love it and also are prepared to follow new characters!

[@maryjohnson6296]

T. Kingfisher and Angela Davis are on my TBR this year (I've not read any of their works before). Last year Juliet Marillier was on that author TBR because of you, I read Dreamer's Pool in December and plan to read the other 2 books in the series this year. I read Once Upon A River last year, I had to switch to the audiobook fairly early on but once I did I quickly became immersed in the story and was able to switch between the audio and the physical book.

[@FaeryLaume]

Whether I read my anticipated five star reads immediately or hold onto them depends on several things. If it's a series or author I'm emotionally attached to, I might buy the book and then put it off for YEARS because I don't want it to be over. Two examples - The Shepherd's Crown by Terry Pratchett and the last book in Catherynne Valente's Fairyland series. Books that I think will be escapist or adventure reading, I typically grab off the library shelf the minute they arrive. Sometimes I save an anticipated read to read in a particular season of the year. And sometimes I have no idea why I put off reading a book I think I will love. Once Upon a River falls into this last category, but fortunately a favorite booktuber is doing a read along for it next month so I'm planning to finally read it in February.

[@JeansThoughts]

Oh I’m exactly the same with beloved authors. I have put off finishing the Discworld books for years because I can’t bear the thought of not having any more to read.

[@wordsofclover]

I read The Dawn Stag by Jules Watson - which is the book set after The White Mare, though i didn't realise it was a series at the time - and I loved it, the writing in it is fab. I must go back and reread it as I think I was only about 16 or so when I read it the first time...so a long time ago XD

[@christinacampbellbooks]

I bought The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet on your recommendation! I'm really looking forward to reading it. I love character driven stories. Oh, I have Once Upon A River on my bookshelves too. I absolutely loved The Thirteenth Tale. It was one of my absolute favourite books of 2020!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

The only one on your list that I have read is Once Upon a River I liked it. The beginning is unforgettable but the rest less so. One of my goals for 2021 is to read one nonfiction book & one translated book each month. In January so far I’ve read Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia Snow by Orhan Pamuk Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson 📚☘️👋🫖☕️📖🦋

[@JustinaStark]

Putting White Mare in TBR! As a die-hard fan of J.Marillier, can't tell you how happy I am each time I find something even remotely similar to her books

[@MagusMarquillin]

I wait on the books I'm excited about; because there's a lot of them, but I also try to foresee the right time - like if an adaptation is coming out, or I have a plan to read and watch other similar topics/themes - I even read books I'm not as excited about because they somehow fit right now. Sometimes my machinations work out, sometimes they fall apart, sometime I worry I'll ever get to books that I look at every day, or that I'm putting high expectations on them - but for now it's more fun then not. Some big ones are: Stephen King's Dark Tower (lots of SK books to read first), the Silmarillion and other Tolkien expansions (been waiting for that one most of my life), and certain esoteric studies where one can dive really deep like Graham Hancock and Joseph Campbell.

[@lornacant2549]

I'm guessing your jumper says So Many Books So Little Time. I love it where'd you get it from?

[@mollyimogen9669]

I am reading Once Upon a River currently after you gifting it me on kindle and I am LOVING it, it’s definitely on track for a five star read for me! So glad you sent it me ❤️❤️❤️

[@theadora1693]

I love T. Kingfisher's horror books sooo much! I hope you enjoy The Hollow Places as much as The Twisted Ones. ❤

[@JeansThoughts]

Me too!!!

[@clairemarge5310]

Every time I watch a video where you mention Marillier my copy of Daughter of the Forest that I bought in 2017/18 curses me! Robin Hobb is a solid 5* author for me - I'm reading her chronologically at the moment and absolutely loving it!

[@imanbell]

I read Once Upon a River last year and I enjoyed it but not to the extent that I was expecting given the reviews it had. It was gorgeously written with an interesting mystery plotline but it was a bit too slow for me. However I know you love beautiful slow paced books so I feel like you would love it! One book I expect to give 5 stars to this year is The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson, the last book in the Misborn trilogy 🤩

[@writtendell]

I always put off books that I expect to give 5 stars. I'm so scarred that I'm wrong that I'd rather keep them unread on my shelf and imagine their beautiful potential. My top 5 books to hopefully give 5 stars are: 1. The Priory of the Orange Tree 2. The Name of the Wind 3. Godsgrave 4. Poppy War 5. The Shadow of the Wind

[@NicholaadelaHaye]

I only gave The Dark Mirror 3 stars and did not continue the series because I did not want to buy them and my library did not had them. Maybe it improves; I also gave Wolfskin 3 stars but 5 starred its sequel Foxmask. I hope you enjoy it. I have added Ariadne and Antigone Rising to my own wishlist!

[@lauraevans6285]

Hamnet is a 5 star prediction for me and im definitely putting it off for some reason 😅 owned it for about 5 months now 😶

[@karenmiddlebrook8215]

I also put off Hamnet. Then loved it, read it in a couple of days and gave it 5 stars. Loved it. My 2020 book of the year

[@KristinKravesBooks]

I love five star prediction videos! I also think Once Upon a River will be five stars. I loved The Thirteenth Tale! So excited to hear your thoughts of Ariadne. One of my most anticipated!

[@FaeryLaume]

Last comment, I promise (probably), the minute you picked up that gorgeous bookcover, I knew I'd probably want to read it. When you said the title was Ariadne, I was certain. On my TBR list.

[@audreyapproved]

The Dark Mirror was wonderful, but I'm also a fan of almost everything Juliet Marillier.... Once Upon A Time was also fantastic. I'm REALLY excited for Ariadne but it isn't out in the US until May!! Also, not related to this video but I recently finished Antigone Rising (which I got as a rec from you) and I LOVED it.

[@audreyapproved]

Oh, I wrote this comment too soon HA, you included Antigone Rising! So good!!

[@freshparchment]

Is it odd/uber nerdy of me that I’m looking forward to reading Ariadne not just for its content, but also so I can contrast it with Kate Lindsey’s album “Arianna” (which features Ariadne’s story as told by three different Baroque composers)?

[@Kellycwrites]

Ah I love watching these and reaction videos to them! Desperate to read Ariadne😍 Antigone Rising sounds so interesting as well!

[@JeansThoughts]

Gimme all the Ancient Greek women goodness aha

[@laurenrodriguez918]

I will be reading Once Upon A River this year too.

[@JeansThoughts]

I hope we both love it!!!

[@rachelmatthews8489]

Me too 🙋🏾‍♀️ Katie from Books & Things is running a readalong 15-28 Feb so I'm hoping that will keep me accountable.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m super intrigued for Once Upon a River. I read The Thirteenth Tale and really liked it about 15 years ago (I’m so old) when it came out and haven’t read her since. I’m going to be reading Bellman and Black this week, so excited and a bit nervous. I’m very excited for Ariadne.

[@JeansThoughts]

I have that one my kindle but I never heard anyone talk about our review it so I’m going to be really intrigued to hear your thoughts!!!

[@SeanMByrne]

I torpedoed Becky Chambers for myself. I read ALWtaSAP a few years ago and absolutely loved it so I pre-ordered ACaCO (twice accidentally) and, again, loved it and pre-ordered RoaSF but didn't get a chance to read it straight away. Last year I decided that I should get to it so I listened to the audiobooks of the first two and didn't enjoy them as much for some reason, then I jumped into the audiobook of #3 and DNF'd it. I was only talking with my fiancée about it and how I think I might just need to physically read Becky Chambers rather than listen to her books for some reason.

[@badgerreads]

I’m hoping to reread the Bridei Chronicles this year! I’ve read them once before but it’s been so long that I remember nothing about them so it will almost be like reading them for the first time! I remember liking the series though! I’ll be very interested what you think of White Mare because I’ve been wanting to read it for the same reason!

[@MioneWeasley545]

omg an Ariadne book??? I need to read, I remember learning about the myth in class and hating Theseus so much, just #justiceforAriadne ! I really want to read Antigone Rising, too.

[@JeansThoughts]

Yas couldn’t agree more 👏

[@lessariel914]

I unhauled White Mare & it’s sequel during lockdown one. I just couldn’t get into it even though the plot sounded good. Wayfarers 2 & 3 are on this years TBR and if they are as good as book 1 I’m predicting I will have a 5 star read.

[@MaijaReads]

I'm the person who puts off their potential 5 star reads 😭😭😭

[@thelibrarybat4254]

Where would you suggest is the best place to start with Juliet Marillier? I've so many good things and I'm sure I'd adore her but not sure if it's best to start with a standalone or a series, and if so, which one?

[@JeansThoughts]

She actually only has one standard and over and over enjoyed it I don’t think it’s as strong as some of her series. If you’re a big YA reader I would suggest wildwood dancing (That’s where I started incidentally and really enjoyed it). Alternatively the second book a ride and also fantastic book to read is daughter of the forest which is where I really fell in love with her work. A couple of friends of mine started reading her after me and started with dreamers pool which they loved and so did I. That one has a bit more a mystery so depending on what you are into those would be my three suggestions!

[@sangeethag5123]

Hi! Just wanted to ask if you've read any books by Karen Maitland? I think you would enjoy them.

[@FaeryLaume]

Oh, and have you read Bellman & Black by Setterfield?

[@JeansThoughts]

No! I do have it on my kindle though I just haven’t heard much about it to be honest so I don’t know what to expect.

[@MagusMarquillin]

Please, I must know, how are you holding that stack of books with one closed fist in the thumbnail? Did you cut and paste the picture, or is someone else supporting it just off screen, or maybe this is some bookish martial art? lol.

[@JeansThoughts]

Aha it’s not a close fist exactly, my hand is cupped round the back spines of the books and my knuckles are helping support the weight. Trust me I can’t do it for long 😂

[@MagusMarquillin]

@@JeansThoughts Sure looks like a lot of weight, and rather teetery!

[@juliettechaplin2685]

I absolutely loved The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, and I was well-prepared for the second book (which I read like a year later): like you I knew it was gonna be mostly different characters and was okay with it. Buuuut... I found the MC super annoying in A Closed and Common Orbit. The world is still wonderful, but I almost DNF the book anyway. I hope you'll have a better reading experience than me!

[@Tarasreadingnook]

I cant do these I think I'd jinx myself

[@myriamlaviolette1119]

Hi Tara 👋

[@Tarasreadingnook]

@@myriamlaviolette1119 heyy 💕💕