June & July Reading Wrap Up (so many great reads!)

[@PlantBasedBride]

Thank you to Ana Luisa for partnering with me on this video ❤️ shop.analuisa.com/sum21-elizabetht I LOVE them, their pieces start at $39, and you can get 20% off with their summer sale! ☀️☀️☀️

[@AleesaTana]

I most recently read The Night Circus and The Starless Sea, both by Erin Morgenstern and enjoyed them immensely, to the point where I'm debating making a bujo theme based on both of them - with The Night Circus being a black-and-white Victorian Era magician's circus, and Starless Sea having some dark academia mixed with fairy tale vibes.

[@PlantBasedBride]

I loved the starless sea! The night circus is actually our book club pick for August and I have high hopes ❤️

[@amara560]

I feel you on the drifting away from YA. I'm also approaching 30 and ever since I turned 25-ish I've been less interested in and more critical of YA novels and protagonists. The YA age range is so big and a lot of it is definitely geared more towards 16-24 year olds (school going age so to speak).

[@PlantBasedBride]

It makes sense but also makes me sad to be growing out of it! I feel like there are certain types of stories that are so under represented in adult fiction that I’ll miss if I stop reading YA.

[@amara560]

@@PlantBasedBride I 100% agree. I'll keep reading them as long as I can :)

[@ginny6485]

I was actually watching your Reading Journal flip through video when I got a notification for this one. Your spreads are so pretty, so much my style. I just feel so inspired ✨♥️

[@PlantBasedBride]

Oh amazing! 🥰 thank you so much ❤️

[@jillypepper_]

Love the new background! 🥰

[@PlantBasedBride]

Thank you! I’m really happy with it 🥰

[@candiceluth6244]

Hi Elizabeth! I’m currently reading way too many books (lol always) but one that is particularly standing out so far is Cantoras by Carolina De Robertis. It’s about a group of women who form friendships and sapphic relationships with one another while escaping to a small isolated ocean village in Uruguay during the dictatorship starting in the 1970s. My description isn’t doing this book any justice, but I’m only a few chapters in and so in love with these women and can’t wait to follow their friendships and love stories! I think it’s going to be a good one!

[@joywarburton5719]

Cantoras may be my favorite book of all time. I hope you enjoyed it!

[@debbief4005]

After your review, I read Priory of the Orange Tree. Oh my, it was so so so good. I really appreciate your reviews and getting to discover new books through your channel. Thank you, Elizabeth!

[@PlantBasedBride]

Isn’t it wonderful? I’m glad you enjoyed it ❤️

[@monicasdesignprocess]

I appreciate your thorough book reviews, including those slides with ratings and info! And thank you for adding timestamps and chapters, it helps to skip around to the books I'm most interested in 😀

[@PlantBasedBride]

I’m so glad you appreciate the effort haha ❤️

[@narwhalmeggy]

I listened to the audiobook of The Dead And The Dark recently and it was excellent! Very well narrated, and very easy to listen to, an easy 5-star YA mystery-thriller in my opinion, I think you'd like it.

[@PlantBasedBride]

Oh interesting! I’ll definitely check it out ❤️

[@sharong7041]

I read the entire Fifth Season series in July based off of your reccomendation and absolutely adored it!

[@PlantBasedBride]

Ahh yay! I’m so glad you liked it ❤️

[@leonie4002]

Just finished reading Priory of the orange tree and loved it too :) I hope there will be a sequel soon

[@PlantBasedBride]

Samantha Shannon said in an interview that she’s working on another book in the world!

[@athenasbibliotheca8099]

I always enjoy your wrap-ups. You are really good at explaining about what you enjoy and dislike in a book without spoiling them. I really appreciate the books cards where you put ratings and content warnings and rep. Then again you always make me add more books to my never ending list of books I want to read. I recently finished reading New Spring by Robert Jordan. I picked it up on a friend's high recommendation. It's the prequel and first book I read of the Wheel of Time series. It did take me awhile to get into it. The author describes everything in great detail, but once I got use to the writing I enjoyed myself. I love the main characters in this story. I am excited to start the next book in the series, and to see where the story takes the characters. I am also a bit nervous though...

[@kewlli-4424]

My 4 and 5 stars reads recently have been Heaven Officials Blessing, Beastars (manga), The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Simon Snow Trilogy, Song of Achilles, The Poet X, All Out, Queer There and Everywhere, and the Flame in The Mist. I just started One Last Stop and I'm already really enjoying it ❤️ and really want to read The Weight of the Stars soon it sounds so good 🤗

[@PlantBasedBride]

Oh a few I’ve read and loved and some I haven’t heard of! I’ll need to check them out ❤️

[@kewlli-4424]

@@PlantBasedBride Heaven Official's Blessing is finally getting officially translated from Chinese to English by the Seven Seas publishing company 🙃 there is also an amazing graphic novel and anime (currently on Netflix) releasing right now 🤗 and Beastars is a Japanese manga that is basically Zootopia, but not for kids, it's pretty weird but very funny to me 😅 (highly do NOT recommend the anime for it)

[@thefairylibrarian3282]

I love the new setup! The bookshelf is so beautiful. I'm currently reading The song of Achilles

[@PlantBasedBride]

Thank you so much! I love that book ❤️

[@away.withthebooks5608]

I can’t wait to get to The Weight of the Stars. I just finished The Wicker King by the same author, which I highly recommend. It was a deeply moving and fascinating story, but the visual aspect of the book gave it an extra dimension. Loved it!

[@PlantBasedBride]

I requested The Wicker King from my library as soon as I finished The Weight of the Stars! I hope you love TWotS as much as I did ❤️❤️❤️

[@spc.aesthetic]

Finished Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman yesterday and it definitely ended up on my favourites of 2021 list!

[@PlantBasedBride]

Oh awesome! I’ve heard so many good things about this book. It’s on my TBR!

[@BexMcInulty]

I couldn't get through House of leaves, I even had trouble getting into it. Everyone who has read it seems to love it and I, too want to love it. But I don't think I'm quite equipped for it. Maybe because English isn't my native language but that has not been a problem for me with other books

[@PlantBasedBride]

I think that’s understandable. It would be a very difficult read if you aren’t a native English speaker! I couldn’t follow it in my second language (French).

[@staserl_owl]

Was waiting for your bookish video so badly! Also, if you loved House of leaves, you would probably also love The Ship of Theseus by V.M. Straka.

[@PlantBasedBride]

Ohhh I’ve never heard of that one! Off to goodreads I go 👀

[@booksandlifewithlaura2143]

I need to read The priory of the orange tree. I have owned the book over a year now.

[@PlantBasedBride]

You really should! It’s amazing ❤️

[@der14750]

I love your opinion on House of Leaves. I have tried to read it many times and keep ending up putting it down and going back to it...but I still haven't finished it This has given me some motivation to keep going. Sometimes the best stories can be a little difficult to get through, and I love knowing its worth it. I love your book videos. Thank you for sharing! ❤️🥰❤️

[@tori_bel]

I don't know if anyone else mentioned this in comments or if you already know this, I kind of skimmed but didn't see it, but the musician Poe's album Haunted has references to House of Leaves. She's Mark's sister and I read that they worked on both pieces around the same time and with one another.

[@PlantBasedBride]

Oh that’s so cool! I hadn’t heard that.

[@tori_bel]

@@PlantBasedBride I was just reading that her other album Hello also references it. Might be something interesting to set the mood for your reread!

[@dawnbish9822]

Just finished A Psalm for the Wild Built and it was wonderful. My only criticism was it was too short. I hope you like it as much as I did. Now, I think I need to reread Priory of the Orange Tree. Thanks for sharing!!

[@PlantBasedBride]

Ahh I’m so excited! I hope you love Priory ❤️

[@meldews]

YAY another wrap up!! I love your bookish videos so much! The past two months my favorite reads were One Last Stop, I Wish You All the Best, and The Black Flamingo! (I’m a big fan of LGBTQ+ contemporary ☺️)

[@PlantBasedBride]

I’m so glad! I love making these videos ❤️ oh nice! I’ve read all three and loved them all 🥰

[@katharness2797]

I am so glad you loved Priory of the Orange tree I’ve spent a year waiting for you to read it!! Hearing you gush about everything I loved makes me so happy!

[@PlantBasedBride]

It was incredible!! Thank you for reminding me to read it so many times 😂❤️

[@yashwinnivijayasekar7348]

hey, do you think it's a good read for someone who's new to fantasy? I've only heard good things about the book but not sure if it's for me.....

[@katharness2797]

@@yashwinnivijayasekar7348 it’s a very large book- I feel like that is most people’s downside of it WhT books have you enjoyed so far in your fantasy journey?

[@yashwinnivijayasekar7348]

@@katharness2797 so sorry for the late reply, I'm not sure if I have favourites but I've read stuff like The Cruel Prince , the GrishaVerse... I usually pickup memoirs and historical fictions so I'm very new to this 😅

[@maleesaweerahennedige3782]

Yay! As always, great book talk Elizabeth!🥰🥰🥰And btw, your new house looks nice and cozy😇 I can listen endlessly to your beautiful voice... Stay safe Elizabeth❤❤❤Waiting for more content!😊

[@PlantBasedBride]

Aw thank you! ❤️

[@innyminny91]

I love Samantha Shannon! Would recommend the Bone Season Series :)

[@PlantBasedBride]

I can’t wait to read it!

[@ryttu3k]

Yay, book videos are back! God I loved To Be Taught If Fortunate and The Galaxy And The Ground Within SO much. And I ADORED A Psalm for the Wild-Built, it legitimately felt like a hug!

[@PlantBasedBride]

They’re so good 😭 I can’t wait to read it!!

[@rosarodriguez8984]

Skipping chapters of your video? Are we crazy? 😍😍😍😍😍😍 I even have a folder in The Storygraph with your name for your recommendations 😂😂 By the way, House of Leaves, reminds me of Ship of Theseus by J.J. Abrams in that “format-wise” is the most crazy book I have ever read, with “handwritten” annotations, postcards, photos, etc…

[@luiiiandmovieee]

My favorite books I highly recommend are: the aeronaut's windlass by Jim Butcher, Odin's child by Siri Pettersen, the mortal instruments by Cassandra Clare. They're fantasy stories with amazing worlds and strong characters

[@PlantBasedBride]

Thank you for the recommendations!

[@stephaniecarter973]

I feel like I’ve been reading the same two books forever!! My TBR is growing so much, thanks by the way, and I’m not catching up. Currently I’m reading (audio) Becoming by Michelle O’Bama and Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland. I hope to finish both soon so I can start a couple more 😂🤣😮

[@PlantBasedBride]

I loved the audiobook of Becoming! And I know the feeling 😂 I have a few books I’m so slow on finishing and my TBR is ever growing!

[@spikedeane9112]

I loved Piranesi by Susannah Clarke and I've been listening to Elixir an original serial from REALM

[@PlantBasedBride]

I can’t wait to read piranesi! It’s been on my list for what feels like forever 😅

[@julzz77]

Thank you so much for these videos, I'll definetly put The Weight of the Stars and The Priory of the Orange Tree on my reading list! I haven't read any fantasy for ages, but you really inspired me to try it once again :) I recently was on vacation for a week and really enjoyed reading Carol (or The Price of Salt) by Patricia Highsmith. It was my first adult book i've read in english and it took me quite long to read even if it was only ca. 200 pages log. But it was so romantic and thrilling at the same time, I really recommend this book!

[@PlantBasedBride]

I’ll have to look it up! I hope you love them both if you pick them up ❤️

[@vickiececcato8149]

I only finished one…this whole year! Ugh! The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss. Reading he second in the series now, the wise man’s fear. Any advice on making time to read? Would love a video or commentary that touches on that 🥰 Do you read multiple books at once, or one at a time?

[@PaNsY2215]

Welcome back! I love and missed your book recommendations! I'm so intrigued by House of leaves! I may try to get it in English and Spanish. I usually read in the original language of the book but it might be worth checking the translation. Such hard work to translate a story like that.

[@PlantBasedBride]

Yes it might be too much work to translate while reading! It was a lot of effort to read in my first language haha. Worth it, though!

[@PaNsY2215]

@@PlantBasedBride oh, I'm fluent in English so I could read it normally. Just thinking how hard it must have been for the profesional translators to do their job with such a complex and layered book!

[@legumesss]

I recently listened to the audiobook of Circe and it was amazing, one of my new favorite books

[@PlantBasedBride]

That was an incredible book/audiobook!

[@catcooke9270]

I’m just about to start The Fifth Season and I’m so looking forward to it!

[@PlantBasedBride]

Ahh so excited for you!

[@teacupthestoryteller]

So happy to see a new bookish video from you again 🥰 you mentioned some great books so my TBR grows again, thank you 😊

[@PlantBasedBride]

I hope you enjoy them! I was so happy to be back talking about books ❤️

[@lilifane]

The way you talked about House of Leaves made me want to reread it immediately (don't have the time this year though). It reminded me of how this book impacted me when I was reading it. I agree so much with everything you said about it. Especially that the reader becomes the 4th story. Woah, that's so true. And although The Priory of the Orange Tree was already on my radar, I bumped it up pretty high on my wishlist because it sounds soooo good the way you described it. I recently read Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir and I REALLY loved it.

[@PlantBasedBride]

Oh Project Hail Mary is on my list! I honestly want to reread them both right away but I have so many other books to get to 😅

[@Nevermoorian_reader]

I relate so much to your feelings on YA. I used to think I liked YA because there were a few books I loved but would pick up and dnf way more books than I actually read/liked. Part of that was cringeworthy romances but another, bigger part that I’ve just come to realize in the last couple of years, is that I don’t like books with immature characters. If the immaturity is written in a believe-able way, I can deal with that but sometimes I think that authors writing middle grade, and more often YA, think they can get away with characters that aren’t fully rounded, are immature or have poor decision making skills because of the audience their books are targeted towards.

[@nicoleXplays]

you’re so pretty bestie

[@PlantBasedBride]

Aw thank you!

[@sem7960]

Definitly reading some of your favorites! I love your content!

[@PlantBasedBride]

I hope you enjoy them! Thank you 🥰

[@amg304]

I had the same thoughts about The Sanatorium, the main character got on my nerves so bad, I couldn't even finish, your review is spot on!

[@PlantBasedBride]

I’m glad I’m not alone! It was so frustrating 😭

[@hipstamom]

Sorry I missed the book chat. I was pleasantly surprised by Priory and gave it 4 stars. So far I've read 92 books. Last year I read 72.

[@PlantBasedBride]

I’m so glad you liked it! You’re on a roll 🙌

[@tootyourflute]

Thanks so much for making these videos, I always really enjoy your book recommendations and reviews so much! I have two VERY strong recommendations of books that i read in the past month and loved and based on what I know from your videos I think you would love them too! The Calculating Stars - first book in the lady astronauts series. Hard sci-fi set in an alternate history where in the early 1950s a meteorite strikes the US capitol, setting off a climate crisis that experts believe will be an extinction event. This sets off a race to colonize Mars and the moon. The main character is a mathematician who works as a computer for the IAC (basically NASA) and also was a pilot during WWII. She fights to get women included in the astronaut corps. I loved the story and the characters and i think you would especially appreciate the relationship between the main character and her husband, who is loving and supportive (and their sexy-talk involves a lot of "rocket launch" innuendos which I thought was cheesy at first until I fell in love with them and their adorable relationship). Also, the main character struggles with anxiety and PTSD, and I thought that the way this was handled was very nuanced and generally well done. The book also does a good job of addressing intersectionality, without turning the main character into a white savior (she screws up a lot in this regard and is realistically ignorant and privileged but learns and grows from her mistakes). I'm reading the second book now and it is also excellent! My second recommendation is The Prince and the Dressmaker, a YA graphic novel romance. A seamstress who aspires to be a costume designer for the ballet gets hired to work for the prince, only the prince has a secret - he likes to wear dresses. The illustration is wonderful with fantastic fashion and Parisian architecture, and the romance is very sweet. The characters, though only 16, were very mature, and i really liked that the obstacle in their relationship was totally believable - they cared about each other but their goals and needs were in direct conflict - rather than manufactured conflict caused by jealousy or miscommunication (why I don't read a lot of romance). Anyway, thank you for recommending Becky Chambers, I read To Be Taught after watching your earlier video where you talked about it, and thought it was great! I can't wait to get my hands on the wayfarers series!

[@Reading_onthefly]

Truly enjoyed this video!! Can’t wait to buy a lot of these books 🤗 how do you get your STATS info? I loved that!

[@PlantBasedBride]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I just gather the info into a spreadsheet and make the graphs/charts in canva ❤️

[@octaviateo]

You're just casually adding books to my TBR/wishlist... 💸📚

[@PlantBasedBride]

🙌

[@robyn8221]

I don’t read horror because I’m a big scaredy-cat. How scary is Book of Leaves? Was that author channeling DFW with the footnotes? I’ve been on an audiobook tear and I’m currently Slow Motion by Dani Shapiro. I’m obsessed. Latest great reads were: Educated, The Beauty in Breaking and The Sound of Gravel. I’m halfway through the physical book The Poet X. Love your channel 🥰

[@PlantBasedBride]

I’d agree with Freddie, it definitely depends on what scares you! I am a scaredy-cat, too, and I was scared but not terrified while reading. I think it would likely be scarier if you struggle with claustrophobia, if that helps!

[@robyn8221]

That helps, thank you. ❤️

[@dayshanussey7062]

For the part about One Last Stop and needing more nuance I wonder if the author actually couldn't add more because at the time the increase in Asian hate arouse the book was possibly already through edits and being printed so they couldn't reflect on the events happening in the present day. Just a thought.

[@kallistoindrani5689]

I am really, really curious about the House of leaves book she mentioned! It seems so strange and cool and the summary sounded like fun. However, English is not my first language and I wonder if I'll be able to understand it all. I do read English books (and fanfics) but it is harder for me, it takes more mental energy then reading in my mother language. Does anyone know if it's manageable for a not English speaking person?

[@PlantBasedBride]

I think I would have struggled to read a book like House of Leaves in my second language (French) but with enough commitment and reading when you’re able to really focus you’d be able to manage it I’m sure!

[@kallistoindrani5689]

@@PlantBasedBride Thank you so much for answering! It just really excited me because of the way you talked about it and then you showed some of the cool pages and I was kinda mind blow :D

[@ACourtofHooksAndBooks]

Do you know if their jewelry are nickel free? I'm allergic and curious

[@PlantBasedBride]

I don’t believe all pieces are but I know they have a section for nickel free options on their site ❤️

[@julia-here]

Omg, I thought I was like.. the only one that gets bored when battles/war/action(?) is super drawn-out and tedious! Haha! My people..

[@PlantBasedBride]

Haha yeah it’s not my thing at all 😅

[@tanyachapman7925]

I thought The Sanitorium was going to be the DNF... one star sounds pretty accurate. It was left in my DNF. I had it as a buddy read with my friend... was not a good choice. I'm glad someone else thought it was horrible too. (my friend did too)

[@PlantBasedBride]

Yeah… it was such a waste of potential!

[@kristarzis]

PRIORY!?!?!!! omg i'm so excited to watch this video B)

[@PlantBasedBride]

I loved it!

[@dodgeremerson]

Shannon is actually working on a Priory-related project! So I'm not sure "stand alone" applies anymore.

[@vataidalma6855]

I also DNF'ed Dial A For Aunties! I felt that the aunties' reaction was so unrealistic that it kept pulling me out of the story. I also thought that the setup was strange and didn't make much sense.

[@PlantBasedBride]

I’m glad I’m not alone 😅

[@andreamagana4757]

Could you share the name of the NXIVM podcast? I recently watched a documentary and was both interested and horrified.

[@PlantBasedBride]

It was Escaping NXIVM by Uncover (a CBC podcast). I thought it was really well done!

[@NancyLiliG]

Adding everything to my list 😂🙈

[@PlantBasedBride]

Haha sorry not sorry 😂

[@veronicatabor4207]

*me getting home for the evening with my Chipotle takeout, put on KZbin, see the hour-long reading video* “Ahhh…yes”

[@PlantBasedBride]

Haha I hope it was good entertainment while you had your dinner! ❤️

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

Curious about how your channel name came to be. 😮😊 Now lets get into the video...

[@PlantBasedBride]

I came back to an old channel/started a blog as I was planning my wedding to talk about the process when you’re trying to keep the event vegan and more eco friendly, so the name came from that! I don’t tend to talk about veganism much on my channel these days (though I am still one) and I have now been married for almost 8 years, so more of a wife than a bride lol

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

@@PlantBasedBride Cute ☺️

[@javiermarcialcespedesberne8575]

Hola, que tal?, como van?, Los mejores y más cordiales Saludos desde puente piedra, lima, Perú, ojalá que puedas venir en algún momento a mi país y que disfrutes mucho de todo por aquí, con la familia y los amigos, felicidades por tus vídeos...

[@artzzzzz......6976]

25 min late i was🤔. But hey i really enjoy your chit chat video, they are just my favourites....

[@PlantBasedBride]

I’m glad you enjoy them! ❤️

[@katsmith8263]

Wow, why do you need all those stats?

[@NancyLiliG]

I assumed those are things that viewers normally ask 🤷🏻‍♀️ It’s pretty cool to track and know what content you’re consuming to be a more intentional reader/ consumer though

[@PlantBasedBride]

It’s mostly to keep track of goals I set at the beginning of the year for reading more diversely, as well as to answer commonly asked questions as Nancy mentioned! ❤️

[@branches_of_activities]

Hii first one here... yay... I love youu....

[@PlantBasedBride]

❤️❤️❤️

[@carcajouse]

God, the "generic he"... In French, we have that concept, and as a non-binary person who uses they in English, it's absolute hell. Generic he + no neutral pronoun suuuucks. On the one hand, I don't want to be the trailblaizer who invents a new word; on the other, THERE IS NO PRE-EXISTING OPTION :( Funnily enough, the option I actually prefer in French is "no pronouns" haha. It's harder, but totally doable to build sentences without pronouns or masculine/feminine words. I don't enforce it but my closest French-speaking friends usually make that effort and it's pretty great! Sounds like I'd really enjoy What's Your Pronoun?, thank you for the review!

[@PlantBasedBride]

No pronouns in French?? My brain is exploding trying to conceptualize how that would work lol gender in French is so intertwined with everything and so complex learning it as a second language. I remember finding it so frustrating when we were first taught that everything had a gender at 7 when I was starting school (in French immersion). I would love to read a book like what’s your pronoun about how this problem is being tackled in French! I might just do some research to see if there’s something like it out there ❤️

[@carcajouse]

​@@PlantBasedBride It's called "langage épicène"! You use neutral-sounding adjectives, or modify the sentence to use nouns instead of gendered adjectives. In practice, it looks like saying "tu as de la chance" instead of "tu es chanceux/tu es chanceuse". It's a totally different way of structuring sentences and I agree, it's not easily accessible if you're not already fluent in French. There is still the concept of gender, in the sense that "chance" is still feminine, but you're no longer applying a feminine or masculine version of the word to a person, if that makes sense? I'd love to read something like that too, but all I've found so far are PDFs explaining how to use langage épicène in official transcripts lol

[@mhr25mhrt]

Verity by Colleen Hoover

[@PlantBasedBride]

I read that one! It wasn’t for me but I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@pavlinazitkova]

💜💜👍👍