Giving In To The Obsession | Feb Wrap Up

[@merphynapierreviews]

Don’t call me out on the fact that I reused that thumbnail because I forgot to make one

[@Glokta4]

New Booktube meta, reusing the same thumbnail each month for monthly video series.

[@gryftkin]

Probably wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't pointed it out :D But then I'm a guy :D

[@JohnSaxon-vw5vi]

Didn’t even notice it about the thumbnail 😂

[@Montie-Adkins]

I'm not paying you $10 a month for you to get all lazy-butt with the thumbnails, young lady. Now CHOP CHOP!

[@Tetheredpencil]

Currently reading the southern reach! Almost done with the second book and what can I say. For me the second book is SO good!

[@GavinReadsItAll]

For a second I was going to say "it isn't even the end of February yet" and then I looked at the calendar and cried

[@vesch5083]

I felt the exact same way about Into the Wild. I read it in college in my young 20s and I hated it because I felt it was turning the protagonist into some sort of hero, and I very much felt his story should be viewed as a serious warning of what can happen when a person is ignorant, sheltered and a bit on the cocky side

[@Yesica1993]

Thank you! I didn't read the book, but I did read a shorter version of the story, I think in OUTSIDE Magazine. (It was years ago.) I remember being so mad at this guy but at the same time doing that desperate thing of mentally wiling him to make different choices... even though I already knew how things would end. For the life of me, I could not understand why he was being portrayed as some sort of hero! It's not like he had an unpredictable accident. This was entirely preventable! He CHOSE to make stupid decisions despite being warned over and over!

[@tastyneck]

I felt the same way. It's so crazy to me that people read this story (and/or watch the film) and don't come away from it as anything but a cautionary tale.

[@markjackson5707]

I agree with your take on Into the Wild. I live in Alaska and there have been a lot of people who have come up here either to try to do what McCandless did or to take a pilgrimage of sorts out to the bus. Lots of those folks were like him and ill prepared for their journey and had to call for a rescue. It got so bad they ended up air lifting the bus out of the wilderness in an effort to keep people from trekking out to it.

[@sarahschreffler5407]

Oh! I Read a fictional book set in Alaska mentioning to tourist idiots and didn't realize THIS was the book behind that.

[@markjackson5707]

@sarahschreffler5407 well it's probably not the only book to inspire people to come up here. But it's definitely one of the more prominent recent ones.

[@Yesica1993]

How insufferable! And SELFISH, putting rescue workers in danger because of YOUR stupidity. How that angers me. People are such morons. I was so disgusted with that fool when I read his story years ago. Why he became famous, I will never know!

[@redsands1001]

I got into an intense argument with a friend in college that he was a bit of a fool who would lead other fools to death and injury. I was being harsh but also teying to talk my not outdoorsy friens out of pulling a mccandless

[@TomOrange]

The annihilation video you did was a lot of fun to watch and made me want to move it up my tbr!

[@bookswithky]

So excited for you to read Howl’s Moving Castle. I loved that book.

[@rivwilson9330]

Love the new camera angle. The lighting is lovely and it looks like the shelves go on and on hehe

[@litlbucky]

Kaiju Preservation Society by Scalzi also starts off during COVID and off putting at first, but story very quickly takes over and such a great fun read

[@puffmaggie]

GASPED when i saw Gideon in the March TBR. i finally read that series this year and i'm still proccessing it lmao. i read Untainted Cup and it was a nice read, i hope you like it!

[@morganstang]

Glad to see The Wickwire Watch on your March TBR!

[@badfaith4u]

I really enjoy your description and analysis of books. 📚

[@sarahschreffler5407]

Howl's Moving Castle is a great book and part of a series that my kids love.

[@lakenzeigler6505]

I read annihilation because of you and it kickstarted my getting back into reading after a bit of a hiatus. That story pulls you in and after I finished it, I still felt it with me so powerfully. Thank you ❤

[@SarahJ70]

You did better than me. I only read one book this month! 😂 but it became my new favorite so everything is fine. (Remains of the Day I highly recommend it)

[@litlbucky]

Picking up Southern Reach this month

[@merphynapierreviews]

can't wait to see hear you think of it!

[@jmund175]

Your stoke for books is always so infectious! I appreciate your well-rounded reviews on stuff you maybe didn't like as much. I put annihilation on hold at the library right away.

[@lissavanhouten6628]

I can understand the yearning to get away from civilization and going into the wilds to connect more with nature, but you still have to be prepared. You have to have camping skills and enough supplies, at least.

[@EmyN]

Into the Sunken City reminds me of the manhwa (korean comic) called Leviathan: Deep Water, it’s spectacular

[@peterepeatepete2845]

Thank you so much for immediately correcting “ bystandard” to bystander. Things like that don’t usually irk me but for some reason that particular one does, along with when people say “for all intensive purposes”.

[@meggamillion2014]

I loved the fiction Small Game. It’s also a survival story on the horror spectrum, it’s short and it’s a little dystopic, but it has some interesting commentary on McCandless !

[@dog-earedpages1017]

I just finished House of Open Wounds! Absolutely adored it, big step up from book one!

[@carolinthegarden6084]

Adrift: 76 Days Lost at Sea by Steven Callahan is a great survival non-fiction.

[@Cujo8600]

I second that.

[@AnnieK-xp1ho]

Howl's Moving Castle is my favorite 😊 so excited for you to read it!!

[@CactussKai]

Currently reading acceptance now and I think i'm loving it even more than the annihilation! The multiple povs are disorientating in the best possible way, and being back in area x after spending a whole novel in the southern reach has only made me more fearful of what will happen. Im only a few chapters in but already im more disturbed than i was in the first book!

[@gryftkin]

Gideon the Ninth is so good! And The Tainted Cup is on my list to read.

[@GrandSol]

The Southern Reach vlog is one of my favorite videos of yours as well, so glad you loved it! P.S. How’s Reaper’s Gale going?

[@merphynapierreviews]

one chapter left!

[@readingwarlock]

I’m taking this as a sign to finally re-read Annihilation and continue with the rest of the trilogy ✨ Vandermeer’s Borne is also great! I’ve only read the first book but it’s one of my all-time favorites! 💚

[@noname3609]

Queen's Gambit is a must watch if you like Chess books,awesome tv series :D

[@8thelfchild585]

Excited for March! Howl is one of my favorites! Plus, I think I read Black Powder War (or maybe that was the book that I only got half through before pausing from the series) and I'm reading Snow White with the Red Hair currently too! You should read Yona of the Dawn. I'm trying to reread and catch up with the series.

[@mattkean1128]

NYRB classics has such a wealth of great books.

[@Tim_with_Tomes_and_Tales]

Looks like March could be an ambitious month of reading. Wyckwire Watch seems to be a booktube darling right now, but I don't know if I can commit to another series. Stay safe, everyone, and happy reading.

[@WaterThePages]

Got Annihilation (and Authortiy) as a birthday present in January, I'd never heard of it, and now comes a glowing endorsement. I need to bump this up on my tbr! 😄

[@nazimelmardi]

Solaris. Interesting. Back to the sci-fi classics. 👏👏Have to check back from 25 years old dust.

[@LarinaValarin]

I love Stefan Zweig! If you're interested in another book by him I'd recommend Fouche, it's about a politician in the French revolution.

[@keravnos2231]

Are we sure this was a Feb wrap up or just another annihilation trilogy dedication video 😂

[@kelleyeasterling]

I just finished Annihilation and wow...can't wait to read the rest!

[@Forever_weird]

I haven’t read “Into the Wild” since high school and I don’t remember liking it all that much h but I didn’t hate it. I definitely just wanted to finish to move on to books I actually wanted to read.

[@sarahschreffler5407]

The cover looks like it is deliberately making you think of Narnia

[@tnegras99]

Really looking forward to Small Favor, One of the upper tier Dresden books. And I 100% predict Merphy will cry and/or lose her shit at the ending

[@billyclabough9835]

Good video.

[@caitlyn.m.t9618]

I had a good reading month too. I read like 13 books, and a lot of them were high ratings. I also read a nonfiction, which is a goal of mine to read more, and plenty of books that I've been looking forward to. I finally read Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo. I read quite a few occult/witchy reads, and it seems I am continuing that this month.

[@thatguy_306]

Nailed why so many Non-Fiction Books and Self Help Books don't appeal to me. I've never been been able to finish Into the Wild. I've been working on Annihilation I'm only at Chapter 3 but it hasn't hooked me yet I am hoping it will if I keep pushing onward.

[@gearoidosullivan356]

I remember when Into the Wild came out and the ensuing discussions about it. I didn't bother reading it because the general consensus from friends was similar to yours. But more particularly, if you are that ill prepared and unwilling to listen to advice, I'm gonna struggle to read a romanticised account of the ensuing failure. There were/are more than enough accounts of heroism, or survival for me to actually spend time reading instead. As St.Patrick's Day is just around the corner, I'll give you an interesting non fiction suggestion from Ireland. There is a book called The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin which chronicles his attempt to recreate the mythical?? Voyage of St Brendan (the navigator) from the west coast of Ireland to North America in the 6th century!! In a leather boat!! Not sure how well the writing style holds up these days, but I remember being utterly fascinated by it when I read it. It also spawned a tv documentary, and a lovely orchestral suite marrying traditional Irish instruments with orchestral arrangements. Tim Severin's follow up book The Sinbad Voyage was a mad story also. A different Irishman, but equally fascinating is the Polar Explorer Tom Crean. For years he was barely known even here in Ireland, until a few famous books about polar exploration and the rivalries of Scott, Shackleton, and Amundsen kinda casually highlight the fact that this one guy, Crean, was part of 2 of the greatest feats of survival and endurance in recent memory. There are a few biographies, but Tom Crean: Unsung Hero of the Scott and Shackleton Antarctic Expeditions is probably the one to go with. He is rightly considered a national hero these days.

[@Yesica1993]

Wow, those books sound amazing! And I'm with you 100% on your first comment. I can't stand when horrible things like this are romanticized. It only motivates other equally stupid people to try it.

[@keravnos2231]

Wow, "And put away childish things" is dark..... Alright another tbr 🤔

[@skyeoak3]

I really liked Into the Wild, but mostly because I read it for an Environmental Ethics class and loved the discussions/writing that came from it. I don’t think the author is fully glorifying McCandless, rather that he sees a lot of his younger self in McCandless and because of that, wants to interrogate why they both did the things they did. That said, the author’s conclusions are far more kind to McCandless than I would have been towards his “master of nature” attitudes. Tldr: I liked Into the Wild but mostly bc of my own countertextual reading/interpretation

[@elisabethtommasi5938]

A book that's really interesting if you read Into the Wild is Chris' sister's "The Wild Truth", in which she gives some more background to the story that she had asked Krakauer not to disclose. It really delves into their (abusive) family life, so it is a pretty tough read. But as far as I remember, it is written beautifully, and I really enjoyed it (except for the abuse and violence, that was incredibly difficult to read).

[@alvarosager9206]

I've been commenting saying that books 2 and 3 in the Southern Reach weren't worth it for me - glad you didn't listen! (if you saw those comments at all 😉) I found the sequels quite tedious (especially the 2nd book, my lord), and thought they lacked the magic of the first book. But I'm glad you liked them more than I did 😁

[@merphynapierreviews]

I agree that they're both a step down! Nothing could touch book one honestly haha, but I still enjoyed them so much!

[@bryanb8691]

Given some of Kraukeurs interviews, I always got the sense he wrote the book that way to elicit the response many are describing here. He always seemed to discuss the protagonists end occurring due to his own hubris and really points out in the interviews I've seen that the way in which McCandless went about was the wrong way to go on this adventure. I really like both books, even though Into Thin Air has some contested perspectives.

[@dailycarolina.]

Did you green-screen your own bookshelves background?

[@mladenkulic446]

I read in Feb Star Wars Han Solo Book 1: The Paradise Snare by Ann C Crispin and listened to the audiobook Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler Book 2 of Philip Marlowe series.

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

I avoid covid novels too, I feel ya

[@stuartgriffin1001]

I loved Annihilation. I need to read the other 2 books in the series.

[@esotericexplorersmartinez493]

excited to hear your thoughts on gideon the ninth

[@dailycarolina.]

2 more Stefan Zweig you should read: _Twenty-Four Hours in the Life of a Woman_ and _Buchmendel_ , they were amazing reads for me. I've been told _Letter from an Unknown Woman_ it's excellent as well, it's on my TBR.

[@dragonrambles]

Have you read Touching the Void? Based on what you said you like, it’s for you.

[@JohnSaxon-vw5vi]

Into the wild I have seen the movie but I now must read the book 📕 and see what I think about it ❤❤❤

[@TysonPJ]

I started Childish things just today.

[@william3723]

You really should read dungeon crawler carl. I would love to hear your opinion about it. I would bet you would be very, and i mean very enthousiastic about it.

[@strawberrylime33]

I'm really interested in researching Jon Krakauer's story and how he died prematurely, sort of a "spark notes" version so I don't have to read a tragic or meandering book.

[@Bings89]

"Accidently" 🤣😂

[@nikkihyson1431]

Your Into The Wild take might be "hot" for some but for me was spot on. A lot of fellow Alaskans think he was a dumbass.

[@daiichikuroslightnovels7293]

I think you would be interested on reading some light novels. The one that I really want to recommend to you is overlord, But I feel like there's other series that I think you'll enjoy. For example, that time I was reincarnated as a slime. It's also a good one right now i'm reading volume two Of the series. I know you read the Manga for ascendants of a bookworm but I also think the light novel series is better in my own opinion. I've read a lot of other light novels. But I thif you're inteinstead on reading them. You'll get into a world wonder and not expecting on what you're gonna get into.

[@Oddthority]

I don't know what you're doing about Pratchett but you only need two of his books to get the most of out him. Night Watch and Small Gods are his most powerful and moving works, and you at your skill level will get two free videos made,, there's that much content to draw from. Audience will love it too I promise

[@notrixamoris3318]

The movie was great...

[@sarahschreffler5407]

Are you reading any eclipse books in honor of the upcoming eclipse? (Are you guys going to get to see it?)

[@alexorsini531]

I totally agree about Into the Wild-I had LOVED Into Thin Air, and as a hiker, I was so excited to read Into the Wild. but his attitude towards his parents and his completely insanely unprepared trip to AK, was just painful to read. Tragic end, and I feel for the parents, but the protagonist was just not someone I could pull for at all. One of the most disappointing books Ive ever read.

[@dancing_joe]

Hi Merphy! I dont know if you have already mentioned this somewhere else, but did you take a break on/stop your read through of the Discworld books?

[@krthompson7519]

Just a break I believe, though I can’t recall which vlog mentioned it. Incredibly nonspecific spoilers in rot13: V guvax vg’f tbbq gvzvat! Fnq gb qrynl gur arkg srj obbxf gung V’z ubarfgyl irel rkpvgrq nobhg, ohg ubcrshyyl vg zrnaf fur’yy or va n serfu senzr bs zvaq sbe fnvq arkg obbxf. :)

[@Lynn-CA]

She did take a break, and has now changed tactics again. Moving forward Merphy will be reading a Discworld book every other month and first up will be to complete the City Watch series. She'll be reading Jingo in April.

[@sicdav1d0ff]

i never read Into The Wild, nor do i want to because the moive was awful

[@RociosLibrary]

Should I read Annihilation if I hated the film??? Is it super different?

[@miandagny]

for the tbr whats the difference between scifi and scfi fi

[@Yesica1993]

McCandless story - Of course they romanticized it. Why would it be controversial to say that? I caught that even in the shorter version of his story that I read. He was a fool who threw away his life for no good reason. That's bad enough. But to make him out to be sort of hero or inspiration had me furious. I sure hope no one has followed in his footsteps and ended up the same way!

[@sarahwilson214]

How do you get through so many books? I'm a mom and work full time and it feels like I never have enough time to read.

[@titaniumtomato7247]

GIDEON THE NINTH LETSSSSSSSSSSSS GO IPZDVnaurbvaieruvnabv I happen to like that series aand think its pretty good If you start reading it and you feel like you have no idea what the world is like, that's ok. The book just implies things and we have to piece it together ourselves. Also there are too many characters in the first book and I literally could not tell them apart.

[@tinustinus571]

"Into the wild" is not about survival at all. I don't remember the book really. I do remember very vividly the movie, the soundtrack, the actor. Merphy, maybe you should watch the movie. the movie is a great movie. once you have watched the movie, tell us if you liked it better.

[@douglashufnagel7424]

I don't know if you had a ton of empathy or sympathy for Candless, but I know that I sure didn't. He got himself killed doing something stupid.

[@andreac4757]

Merphy have you ever read a Narnia book and if so, did you review it?

[@Lynn-CA]

She read LWatW in 2015 and Prince Caspian in 2018 No dedicated reviews for them, but did talk about them in videos

[@andreac4757]

@@Lynn-CA wow thanks! To think the next in the series is the one at sea and she didn't get to it

[@edtroll]

Dang, did merph drop off Prachett? My favorite book series in any fantasy is the guards series of discworld. Seeing her start my favorites then drop them to read the whole thing was a little disappointing, but now I fear she won't even get back to the guard series

[@Lynn-CA]

No, just took a break and has now changed tactics again. Moving forward Merphy will be reading a Discworld book every other month and first up will be to complete the City Watch series. She'll be reading Jingo in April.

[@GentleGiantJason]

Annihilation was probably my least favorite book I read in 2023. Boring. I’m impressed you could reread it

[@mmorgan1980]

I didn't like Into the Wild either.. I have read a couple of his books, and have reached the conclusion that I just don't particularly like Krakauer's writing style.

[@muizmustaf2403]

New camera???

[@bpuryea]

In Too the Wild - The story is one big meh! Christopher died of ungodly amounts of hubris.

[@davidgarces39]

Well... you love some books that romantizise pirate... so.... I haven't read this, but this is similar to what I think when you gash about pirats I'm talking about your criticism about Into the Wild, romantizising this man's decisions

[@gfeazy]

Ugh annialation is terrible

[@HarhusTV-t8r]

Malazan book 7? DNF?

[@Lynn-CA]

Nope, she's nearly finished. One chapter left

[@esteban280889]

@@Lynn-CA thanks I was looking for this too but shock it wasnt on feb or mar list

[@Lynn-CA]

@@esteban280889 She's been reading slowly since the new year