Reading Wrap Up May 2024

[@kimtherrien8643]

If you want to watch a good adaptation of Persuasion, I highly recommend the 1995 version with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds. They are mature and subtle but you can see all the emotions on their faces. The character of Mary is a hoot!

[@libraryunbounded]

Oh, I am definitely watching this! Thank you so much, Kim! ❤️

[@Stargazerlost]

Such a fascinating selection of books! I can’t wait to hear about your June reads. I struggled with the Starless Sea as well; I was more invested in the story within the story and struggled to follow the actual plot. Poirot sounds like so much fun. I love the 1990s show, so I should follow your lead and start reading them too.

[@libraryunbounded]

Thank you so much! 😊 Yes, indeed! When the book started with the underground hidden library I was quite intrigued and then the banal university gatherings and minutia deflated me very quickly. I think you'll enjoy the Poirot books. But to be honest, her Miss Marple series is also an awesome one and super cosy! Some books I even like better than the Poirot ones!

[@Evendale12]

Always a good day when there's a new video from you! 😊 My favorite book that I read in May was 'The Empress of Salt and Fortune' by Nghi Vo. It was so good that I continued to read all 5 books in the series that are out at the moment. They're all novella's, so they're a quick read. I enjoyed them all, but the first one is definitely my favorite 😊

[@libraryunbounded]

That is so kind of you! 💖 Oh, it's always so great when you find a series that can capture you like this! 😊✨

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

So many books and so little time! Best wishes to you and what you choose to read. I hope you get some great stories.

[@libraryunbounded]

Thank you so much for the kind words, sir! ✨

[@JAKandtheBookStack]

I love the variety in your reading month! I’m reading the Poirot books too! I felt the same way as Poirot Investigated, I don’t like short story collections in general

[@libraryunbounded]

Thank you so much, Jak! ❤️ Indeed, short fiction just isn't for everyone. How many Poirot books have you read? And which one is your favorite? It's so nice to have someone also read them! ✨

[@sirmanguy]

Short story Masterpieces with a Twist Ending watching you from the shelf all year: 🧍

[@libraryunbounded]

😂😭 I know. And it wouldn't even take that long to read. I read 30 tomes since it came up first... I simply didn't pick it up is all. 🤷‍♀️

[@amandabrow]

Your editing is amazing

[@libraryunbounded]

Oh, thank you so much, Amanda! You are too kind! 💖

[@writtenbyash]

Thank you! You are too kind! 🌟 Hope you enjoy the rest of the Fables series, so I can hear your thoughts on my favs. 🤗 Do you have a favorite character yet, or is it too soon to say? And good job listing all of the illustrators. (Tell me you had a glass of water after that. Whew! 😅) There are so many artists, and it shows too! You'll noticed slight changes or entirely different styles in the artwork with some of the volumes, but most of it blends well together in my opinion (as far as I know because I have yet to finish the whole series myself lol). What video games do you like to play? I'm not a big gamer, but I've been obsessed over a few. It's been years since I've played any, and I kind of miss playing them.

[@libraryunbounded]

It's a bit early, but I think naturally I gravitated towards Snow White and the Wolf, being that they were the main characters (I kind of want them to get together, but knowing how these graphic novel peoples operate, one of them will probably end up being a psychopath 😂). I did have a glass of water! It's an insane list, but I didn't think it would be fair to skip them - the art style is really important for this medium. I didn't notice any particular difference of style in vol.1 so far. I remember reading Sandman: Preludes and & Nocturnes and the style was all over the place - started really nice and by the last issue became really basic and devoid of detail. Well, with video games, just like with books, I am all over the place. My all time favorite is Heroes of Might and Magic III (yes, that was developed by in 1999, and I'd still call it my all time favorite). But I prefer to play the In the Wake of Gods fanmade expansion. Some others are Diablo (I like a good dark hack'n'slash) and Zelda: Breath of the Wild (I came to the Zelda franchise rather late).

[@writtenbyash]

​@@libraryunboundedOh yes, some stories turn out that way, but sometimes that can be a fun twist. 🤣 Snow & Bigby Wolf are my favorites as well. But don't worry, my lips are sealed.🤭 As for the art style, I didn't see anything too different until I read volumes 5 and 6. Some of the character designs were way off and didn't make any sense for the scenes while there was another technique that was just too bland, not detailed enough. Personally, I like more realistic looking designs even if they are in cartoon form. But thankfully the style changes were only for a couple of chapters within the volume(s), so it reverted back to the original style soon after. That tends to happen with some series, though. One chapter of a graphic novel is completely done by one artist while the rest of the issues/chapters are drawn and colored by other artists. So the styles can vary throughout. And yes, Sandman is a perfect example of that. I actually have to get back to that series. I've only read the first three volumes. I've heard that Diablo is pretty fun, but I haven't played it myself. I also haven't played Zelda: Breath of Wind, but I've watched other people play it, and it seems fun as well. My first video game as a kid was Zelda: Ocarina of Time when it came out back in 1998. I loved that game; when I wasn't doing side quests, I was riding on Epona (the horse) making up my own storylines. LOL I've never heard of Heroes of Might and Magic, but I just did a quick Google search and that looks interesting. Love the medieval theme! I used to play the typical fantasy/open world rpgs: Fable 2 & 3 (not to be confused with the graphic novel series; it's a completely different world/universe. lol.), Skyrim, Dragon Age: Inquisition, and Witcher 3. I love the exploring aspect as well as the hackin' & slashin'.😆 Fun stuff!

[@libraryunbounded]

@@writtenbyash oh, yes! I love it when my favorites turn out to be the villains (don't know what that says about me and refuse to examine it further 😂). It makes sense about the art. I just wish they would maintain consistency. Because to me, it's like switching the writing style of a novel midway - it's uncanny and pulls me out of the world. Oh, Diablo is a staple, if you like horror games. And if you don't, you can always try Diablo 3 - not scary, just eerie and the art style is more fantasy-like. A lot of core Diablo fans hate it but I personally found it to be a lot of fun. HoMM is really good - based on chess (though very far from it as is), there's a lot to consider and you have so many choices - both of faction and of actual hero. Then you have pay attention to the actions you can do, the resources, the moves across the map. Strategy through and through. Not to mention, it has custom map builder, so the adventure can be different every time. I have played a single campaign for months (back in the day when I actually had the energy to spare). Oh, you have played so great ones!

[@writtenbyash]

​@@libraryunboundedI agree! It's so frustrating when you're reading something really good and they switch the artwork halfway through, especially if it's mediocre in comparison to the original. With Fables, it's actually pretty consistent throughout (as far as I know. I'm only about halfway through the series; there are 22 volumes and that doesn't even include the spinoffs!). I've only had those minor complaints that I mentioned in my previous comment. But they normally feature a separate short story in each volume and that's usually in a different style, which doesn't bother me too much because the short stories are usually just at the very beginning or the end (and not during the main story) from what I've seen so far. So hopefully the series will hold up for you. I mean, one of my favorites is Vol. 6, Homelands, and I still gave it a full 5 star rating despite not caring for the change of artwork in the first issue. Diablo sounds like something I would like! I've surprisingly never played a horror themed game before even though I love horror. lol. It comes second or third to fantasy as one of my favorite genres (along with the classics), but I've always liked darkly themed subjects regardless of the genre. Anything with a edge, really. And Heroes of Might and Magic seems like a game my boyfriend would play. He's obsessed with Civilization, which is similar I think. I'll have to mention it to him! ⚔🏰♟

[@AlvrodBooks]

This is the first video I see of you and, first, what a great variety of reads. Second, your voice is so nice, the enunciation so great and soothing. Hopefully I'll reach that level soon in my videos

[@libraryunbounded]

Indeed, it is a mixed bag every time 😂 Oh, that is so kind of you! Thank you so much for the lovely words! ❤️

[@shaykininmybooks]

Can’t wait to move onto The Great Hunt!

[@libraryunbounded]

Oh, I think you'll love it, Shay! At least I hope you will 😊📚

[@thisnerdylife6305]

I felt the same way about The Starless Sea. I've read it twice now and I still have very little idea about what the book was trying to do or what the story was about. (And The Night Circus was one of my favorite books 🤷‍♀️)

[@libraryunbounded]

Well, that is not very encouraging 😅 But I admire your persistence - reading it twice is not a small feat! 👏📚

[@thisnerdylife6305]

@@libraryunbounded 🤣 To be honest when I started reading it the second time I didn't even remember I had read it the first ... That's how little sank in. I was listening to the audio book and thinking to myself, "This sounds vaguely familiar." Lo and behold I go to my Goodreads account and I had already read and rated the book... 🤷‍♀️🤣

[@libraryunbounded]

@@thisnerdylife6305 LOL 🤣 OMG, this is hilarious! I don't think this has ever happened to me (mostly because I obsessively track everything I read) but it happens to my mom constantly 😅 And I actually think it's kind of funny. Now I'm no longer sure I want to try it a second time 😂

[@starlasell5698]

❤📚❤️ You had a great month of reading! I got the whole Dresden Files series at a library book sale. I need to start!! I also need to pick up my copy of Lock Every Door, even though I enjoyed The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. 😅😅 I read the Book of Tea duology. It was a fun way to start the warmer months.

[@libraryunbounded]

Thank you, Starla - I truly did 😊💖 Oh, you are so lucky to have library sales there! And the whole series too?! I'll bankrupt myself to get all 19 books 😂 The Death of Mrs. Westaway wasn't all bad. But The It Girl just pissed me off 😅 Oh, I've seen book one many times (from the Book of Tea duology that is), but the cover gave me the vibes that it wouldn't be for me. What do you think?

[@starlasell5698]

@libraryunbounded OMG, I thought there were only nine in the series!!! 😲😅😅😅 I didn't like The It Girl either! Woman in Cabin 10 was okay, and I still have One by One and In a Dark, Dark Wood on my shelves. The Book of Tea was very YA, but fast paced, lots of action, and I liked the characters. But...I haven't seen you read anything really like it, I don't think. I'm currently reading The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton.

[@libraryunbounded]

@@starlasell5698 yeah, Butcher has written a lot! 😂 Yeah, I've heard good things by The Woman in Cabin 10 but honestly, I think the author just isn't for me. There are plenty of others to enjoy. :) I will probably skip The Book of Tea then. Thank you for the heads up. ❤

[@starlasell5698]

@libraryunbounded You bet! Happy reading!! 🤗❤️📚❤️

[@thefairylibrarian3282]

The Sigma Force series is on my tbr. Until now, i've never heard anyone talk about it. I finished The Tainted Cup earlier today. I thought the start was a little too fast paced for me, but i really enjoyed it by the end

[@libraryunbounded]

Oh, I do hope you enjoy Sigma Force. It is quite a bit of fun and in my opinion, James Rollins is a great action-adventure writer. Yeah, The Tainted Cup starts quite quickly. I personally would've preferred a bit more set up as well.

[@RDsLibrary]

I completely agree with your thoughts about Lock Every Door. It's his second best book, for me, but he can be hit or miss (anything from 2 to 5 stars). I didn't know he was the 'anti Ruth Ware' :) I enjoyed The Turn of the Key by her, but a couple of others less so. I also really enjoyed The Tainted Cup. I just checked your excellent review and thought the same. The politics, bio-engineering and Leviathans offer a lot of possibilities for the next book, and I loved the two MCs and their interaction, though the mystery could have been a bit more complex and had more clues that lent themselves to reader deduction rather than worldbuilding revelation. I like Poirot but haven't read Poirot Investigates. I read some Miss Marple short stories and felt very much the same way as you - they lack the depth of the full length books because there's just not enough time to establish motives or set up clues. I'll have to check out James Rollins when the adventure mood comes calling. I read the whole of The Starless Sea and have no idea what it was trying to do :) But I loved it. I got wrapped up in the mystery and setting, though it's one of those vibe dependent books I could easily have disliked another day. Thanks for all your well explained thoughts on these. My faves in May were Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz (mystery), This Charming Man by C.K. McDonnell (urban fantasy comedy) and Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (historical).

[@libraryunbounded]

Thank you for the lovely comment! 💖 It sounds like you read some great books in May!

[@leticiamcs7]

Me seeing you DNF my favorite book 😂 😢

[@libraryunbounded]

Oh, but it was not the book, Leticia. It was me. I can see the potential there, I was just so overwhelmed in May and totally not in the headspace for it. You know, one of my favorite books is The Little Prince and the first time I read it, I thought it was a pile of nonsense (which is hilarious considering it is technically classified as literary nonsense...). But I just needed to pick it at the right moment and when I did - it hit me like a train. I suspect it might be the case here too. It's why I put it down for now 😊

[@justynajusty]

I enjoyed The Dresden Files. The series is a fun time. I tried The Starless Sea, I DNFed it too. I couldn't get into the writing and story telling.

[@libraryunbounded]

I am so happy to hear that, Justyna! (about the Dresden Files that is) ❤️ I am loving it and I think it's such fun time. But I have seen quite a few ladies here on booktube dislike it because of the reasons I mentioned, so I thought it might be proper to mention them. Yeah, I am quite baffled by The Starless Sea. Even though I like allegorical, borderline nonsensical, stories. I will try it again though - with this sort of reads mood is paramount.

[@justynajusty]

@libraryunbounded I completely understand why some ladies might not like it. The beauty of options, lol. I do believe some books need to be read at the right time. I did like the author's other book, The Night Circus, but of course, it doesn't mean that we will like all of the stories that an author writes. 😀

[@wolfme4030]

Being an adult, I actually consider the Skyward series my favourite of all time. Admittedly I haven’t read Defending Elysium, the prequel or Defiant yet. Whilst the Skyward Flight novellas do have some good information about the main series and are still enjoyable, they do suffer from some very common YA tropes.

[@libraryunbounded]

I am glad I'm not the only adult to like it 😊 I also haven't read the novellas yet. Should I read them before Defiant?

[@wolfme4030]

@@libraryunbounded The novellas Skyward Flight is set in between Starsight and Cytonic so technically you should have already read them. Defending Elysium is a prequel to the first Skyward book but was published after so I don’t think it matters really. Don’t worry though, I’m glad I read SF but it’s just not the best in the series for me personally. You may love them.

[@bibi_shmibi]

woohooo first comment! Im now a child apparently ♥ excellent job tho

[@libraryunbounded]

You sure are cute enough 😂 Thanks, Bibi ❤️