My Last Book Haul of 2024

[@ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

I read The Fortnight in September this past September and it was a real treat. I definitely recommend reading it in early September. 😊

[@kathycurwin3123]

I recommend The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters. Debut novel by a Canadian Indigenous author. About an Indigenous family who travels from Nova Scotia to Maine to pick blueberries every summer. The youngest child goes missing. Told through the voice of her closest sibling and a girl named Norma who lives in Maine. Good family drama.

[@van1296essa]

I read the Hopkins manuscript on Jen’s recommendation too and it was one of my fave books in 2023

[@KitQuirke]

Your description of the way Claire Fuller’s writing is great and her plot ups the anti but can’t deliver is exactly how I felt about The Memory of Animals. I DNFed that one and then read the last 20 pages after my friend told me what happened and it’s ridiculous how she plotted that.

[@rebeccarowe9005]

I remember really enjoying Swimming Lessons when I read it a few years ago (I gave it 4 stars, but upon reflection, might only give it 3.5 now). I enjoyed Unsettled Ground even more (4 stars), but didn't really like The Memory of Animals. I think you'll like Unsettled Ground.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I loved Unsettled Ground. I grew up in a very rural area which was very poor. So I could remember characters like the twins in the book.

[@karenkatz5260]

I love Claire Fuller and her writing. I really enjoyed Unsettled Ground, hope you do too. Happy Christmas and thanks for all the videos this year 💜

[@karenmoore4430]

Hi Mercedes I loved Unsettled Ground and Memory of Animals. Merry Christmasxx

[@soyonpak4270]

Looking forward to your thoughts on Unsettled Ground. While I found The Memory of Animals very readable/enjoyable, the last third of the book felt quite rushed. Wasn't sure if it was due to bad editing or, as you described it, her tendency to up the ante only to have the ending fizzle out.

[@Juultje11111]

I'm currently reading The Paper Palace which has been on my tbr since you raved about it, and on my shelf for about as long. Trying not to beat myself up over leaving it for so long because i absolutely adore it!!! It is devastating, but so well done. Once i finish this i'll be heading into some comfort reads: rereading a favoute non-fiction on audio, a christmas romance for christmas day, and a massive moody historical fiction book for the rest of the year. Excited to hear about the last of your 5 star predictions! Happy holidays :)

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Service is very good. It’s almost like hearing a story that happened to someone close to you if not yourself.

[@dorotheafinan2419]

I agree with you that certain stories are not for everyone. I read Shirley Jackson’s short story The Lottery about five years ago and am still haunted and horrified by it. I’ve read all the Clare Fullers and I think she tries too hard to create slightly obsessive and fixated relationships. And unless you like that the books do not deliver. Have you read This is Happiness by Niall Williams. It is the kind of book you want to give to everyone and it is the ultimate small town setting. A very worthwhile read. Happy Christmas and thanks for your very engaging videos.

[@alphabuild6904]

I too have read Mhairi McFarlane's Don't you forget about me, Last Night and Mad about you and enjoyed them very much. I love the complex and mature relationships and everything else around it. I noticed that the audiobooks are really great too, I remember certain voices and characters vividly 😍 I will get to Between us and You belong with me hopefully very soon. Since I enjoyed Unsettled Ground so much, I have got Bitter Orange, Our endless numbered days and The Memory of Animals sitting on my shelf now. So they will be on my tbr for 2025 for sure 👍 Merry Christmas to you 🎄🎁📚

[@laurakuhlmann1626]

I adored "The Memory of Animals" I felt it kept growing and growing and growing. Warning though that it takes place during a pandemic

[@jenniferlovesbooks]

'it was me' 😂🤣 I loved The Fortnight in September but not read anything else by the author so I'll look out for the one you mentioned 😊

[@KayAmpersand]

Agree with the other commenters that She’s Always Hungry was not too graphic. There is some body horror but mainly sci-fi, which lessened it for me. Of course, this is all subjective so having Jonny who knows you best read them for you is a good idea. I loved Unsettled Ground -was so angry at the mother the whole time 😂

[@clarepotter7584]

Alison Uttley's writing is great, a great time to read it.

[@judybrown1624]

I have a TBR every month so that I don't spend time deciding what to read next. This month because I was on a road trip early in the month, I underestimated what I had time to read. I'm going to finish my TBR at least 3 days early. I'm already fretting over what to read! I'm working through a huge anthology of Irish SS, so maybe I'll make a dent in those. Or some Christmas stories. 🤷‍♀️

[@bebebrownsdollhaul6444]

How I love your videos and recommendations. I just started what is called the first Native American contemporary romance-You might be intrigued by this book: The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava. Thanks for your videos.

[@stuartreynolds4915]

The Hopkins Manuscript is a record of the Moon crashing into the Earth by a man who isn’t that intelligent and it’s his interpretation of what happened. It’s an easy read and very enjoyable! Lynn

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Have you read An Exaltation of Larks by Suanne Laquer? It’s part of a triology. I’ve only read a sample but I was intrigued. Happy Christmas Mercedes ( Nollaig Shona Duit ☘️👋🍀)

[@myfaaaavevideos]

I loved She’s always Hungry, I didn’t think it was that bad, more gross than horrifying and I think the descriptions in Penance were worse as they were more grounded in reality. But I have quite a strong stomach for those things, there are some cracking stories in there though, so I would try the one’s that don’t hit your triggers. Little Schitaly (I think it’s called) is hilarious ❤

[@joyceredman2136]

Imagine how the world today would react to The Hopkins Manuscript as you read it for the first time.

[@velmavlogs7693]

The Eliza Clark is really not that bad. I felt the content warnings are more of a contemporary culture move, rather than a necessity. To my shame, it’s made me feel rather old and irrelevant. I feel she’s a better novel writer, I loved Penance, but short stories are often more of a stretch for me. I read it only last month, and struggle to recall any.

[@judybrown1624]

Excellent idea to have Johnny read the warnings. I always feel the warnings spoil the story.

[@lenamoo5082]

Honestly I felt the warnings for she’s always hungry were more to hype it up, it was very tame in my opinion, very YA. I don’t think she’s written anything as good as Boy Parts. 😬