Starting 2024 Off Right | January 2024 Reading Wrap Up

A good overall month for books to start off 2024... but also some interesting reading experiences...
00:00 - Fancy New Stats
07:18 - Book Superlatives
PATREON: / bookslikewhoa
or Join the channel!
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Books Mentioned (all links are affiliated):
TO WOO AND TO WED by Martha Waters - amzn.to/3sKDS4l
THE TAINTED CUP by Robert Jackson Bennett - amzn.to/492EBxo
JADE WAR by Fonda Lee - amzn.to/3iRJbpK
THE PAPER MENAGERIE & OTHER STORIES by Ken Liu - amzn.to/3e0bJi0
THE MARY SHELLEY CLUB by Goldy Moldavsky - amzn.to/3SnhEOx
THE ANTIQUE HUNTER’S GUIDE TO MURDER by CL Miller - amzn.to/47OvaR5
THE MIDSUMMER BRIDE by Kati Wilde - amzn.to/3gxkHVu
Palestine by Joe Sacco (ISBN: 9781560974321)
POVERTY BY AMERICA by Matthew Desmond - amzn.to/42sWIKH
ONCE MORE WITH FEELING by Nora Roberts - amzn.to/3OvkaB5
THE FURY by Alex Michaelides - amzn.to/493b3zO
GARLIC & THE VAMPIRE by Bree Paulsen - amzn.to/3Ow29ml
SWORDHEART by T Kingfisher - amzn.to/3HBUGhl
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Any video on my channel is reflective solely of my opinion and is for entertainment purposes only. Any copyrighted materials or excerpts are for "fair use" for such purposes as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. (Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976)

[@alisonacton227]

Sarkis' whining line about "decadent southern trade routes" had my snorting for awhile. And then my kids wanted to know what was so funny but it wasn't really easy to explain and I just love Kingfisher's banter in general. All the Paladin books are great too, enjoy them!

[@kaortega1120]

We could never hate you, Maura --- Love seeing what you have read, enjoyed, disappointed you etc - Always a good time!

[@shannonquinn]

I bought Ali's spreadsheet and absolutely LOVE it! I made a few revisions and additions to it, but it saved me so much time to buy it. I am 100% a stats nerd and not ashamed to admit it. 😂 I even enjoyed filling in the series tracker. Lol

[@TiffReadsBooks]

I loved Swordheart and I am not a romance lover! The friendship with Halla and Zale was perfect. I loved Zale's enthusiasm for Halla's incessant questions 😂

[@bookslikewhoa]

Omg yes Zale & Halla had amazing friend chemistry!

[@TiffReadsBooks]

@@bookslikewhoa I would read a novella of Halla and Zale just hanging out 😂

[@ribbonquest]

Garlic and the Vampire is so sweet. 😊

[@scotthacker2265]

Loved the spreadsheets.

[@anne-marie339]

I love The Paper Menagerie - his short stories just work for me. I also highly recommend Levar Burton's reading of the titular story from his podcast - it's how I first was introduced to Ken Liu back in 2018ish

[@katherineeaster5799]

I want to read The Fury, but it really sounds like The Glass Onion, which I didn't love, but thought it was entertaining. If you're going into T Kingfisher's back stock, I would recommend the Clocktaur Wars duology. I thought it was a great group of misfits working towards a common goal series. I also love the use of tattoos in the story.

[@doloresofcourse]

"The Fury" was my January albatross. I suffered through to the end. Foley and Feeney and Alex Michaelides are all in the bad box for me.

[@JessTalkingBooks]

Swordheart is a top 2023 read for me. The heart, romance, and friendships really worked so hard. And I loved how the White Rat later got its own series. I need to buy a copy. I'm pretty sure at some point when I get a lot of cash, I will have a nothing but T Kingfisher shelf.

[@bookslikewhoa]

T Kingfisher really is a GOAT

[@JessTalkingBooks]

@@bookslikewhoa I feel so silly for not reading it years and years ago when my husband first brought her up. He even bought me a book. In the Smashwords days.

[@kerryw.7009]

I did, in fact, NOT know Mila Vane writes as Kati Wilde - bless you for sharing this! I've been wanting to read more of hers!!

[@CarlyUTube]

I waited to see what people would say about The Fury before I brought it. Now I’m starting to think he is a one book wonder with The Silent Patient. Thanks for saving me money❤

[@lilyc7922]

I read Alperton Angels and I LOVED it!!! So glad you recommended pre ordering :)

[@tawnyman]

I read Garlic and the Vampire in January too and it was probably my favorite read of the month! It was so sweet and I already want to reread it. Swordheart has now been pushed up my tbr.

[@bookslikewhoa]

it really is so so sweet

[@arlissbunny]

I follow The Book Castle and she has been singing the praises of Garlic since it came out. You pushed me over the edge. Ordered.

[@bookslikewhoa]

You won't regret it - such a lovely, cozy little book 🥰

[@tropicaltuna]

That sheet is so cool! Regarding the map... I'd pick a spot that's big, and that you don't think other books you read will be set (Alaska? Greenland?) and set all your other world fantasy there. So it can still be shown!

[@bjminton2698]

The Tainted Cup sounds good. Thank you! Love your spreadsheet! My best read in January was The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay. It's beautifully written with an historical fiction feel, but set in a imaginary country. I recommend it to people who think they don't like fantasy but who enjoy literary fiction. My worst read was Masters of Death by Blake. I read about 30% of it before I DNFd it. Too silly for me. I enjoyed Atlas Six more, but it wasn't really my cup of tea either, so Blake is no longer in my pile of possibilities. Thank you for your reviews! After 4 months of waiting, The Last Devil to Die has become available. I'm about 30% through and it's wonderful!!

[@bookslikewhoa]

Yay I'm so glad it was worth the wait! Brace yourself for devastation! 😅

[@bjminton2698]

​@@bookslikewhoa Oh my! The sobbing... Such a good book.

[@tarek8576]

26:53 Spot on about Lucy Foley. I have fell for the trap over three books, though for me it’s less about the writing (which is bearable) and more about the story telling. I feel like she belongs in the Ryan Murphy school of storytelling, in the sense that she is very stylized and has engrossing beginning, but cannot land a story. Most recent bizarre read for me was the Paris Apartment.

[@WildeBookGarden]

ooh, intrigued by The Tainted Cup. I'm also not automatically sold on a Holmes/Watson thing but I like the sound of everything else YAY I'm so glad you enjoyed Garlic!! it's one of my faves. I really wasn't a fan of Swordheart, partly because I read it very late in my T. Kingfisher reading experience so I kept thinking about versions of these characters / stories she's done much better - but I really liked the Clockwork duology and I am still very excited for the Paladin books

[@Marydoes.]

Vlogs are my fav to watch so bring em on!

[@JoshsBookishVoyage]

Omg I love these stats 🤩

[@marisagettas]

Took a few from your video for my TBR!! ❤

[@cortiees]

Love the new spreadsheet. I'm totally going to get this!

[@lizbennet8553]

Thanks for introducing “The Tainted Cup”!! Because of your review, I read it and enjoyed it very much! 😊

[@bookslikewhoa]

I'm so glad that you enjoyed it!!

[@maureenstokowski5848]

Mara love your videos! Your spreadsheet was extremely impressive! I am such a novice with Excel …

[@caitcoy]

So glad you loved Garlic and the Vampire and Swordheart! Agree on the middle of Swordheart, it dragged for me a bit but the romance and banter were so cute. And excited for more vlogs!

[@zombieprincess82]

I have The Tainted Cup to read this month, so glad to hear you enjoyed it, I'm looking forward to diving in to it. Great wrap-up 😊

[@allgirlreview433]

Love the spreadsheet. Off to find it. :-)

[@Marie45610]

The Garlic Duology is so cute! I read the sequel last year. I won the first book in a giveaway a couple of years ago.

[@tyleachwatkins6726]

I’ve added Garlic and the Vampire and the Tainted Cup to my TBR!

[@anikamercier2651]

Girl I was sweating for you on Jade War too. 😂

[@00moon]

I loved Garlic and the vampire! I've read the sequel too, Garlic and the witch. It's a very cute series!

[@brigittemccray8330]

I read Garlic & the Vampire last week because I saw your review on Goodreads, and it was such a joy. 💕

[@bookslikewhoa]

yay I love to hear that!! 🥰

[@outi3852]

I read Swordheart recently, and loved it! I found the scientific experiments absolutely hilarious 😂

[@bookslikewhoa]

omg for real!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

0:53 YES TO SPREADSHEETS

[@suestrano1452]

Swordheart is my favorite TKingfisher so far:) I’m going to check out Garlic

[@CadenaDanger]

I found Garlic through Jen Campbell's channel - read them both on Libby. So cute!

[@KaylasBestie]

Mara? If I could reach through the screen and hug u, I would. Thank you SOOOO much regarding THE FURY. Because of this book (snd piggybacking off of something u said), the author is the 1st person to be added to a list of authors I will not be reading no matter how good the synopsis! Like you, the locked room is my favorite trope, and if you can't pull that off .... To those who enjoyed the book, kudos to you. As for me? Nah, I'm good. Take care and have a good one!!

[@k4hdr5]

Was glad to see you reviewed Tainted Cup…was wondering. What is going on with Tessa Dare??

[@KristinKravesBooks]

Garlic and the Vampire is truly the cutest thing ever! Carrot 😍😍😍

[@bookslikewhoa]

SO CUTE

[@SloanePaoPow]

Whenever you bring out your stats, I always think of "The 2 types of booktubers" video by Mancarryingthing. You're definitely the first kind 😂

[@lusalma5404]

I had to DFN Jade City last month, mostly because I am having SADS and I suspected someone I would like would die. I may give it another try in e-book vs. audio later.

[@Nixreads]

I read Jade City and decided not to continue with the series😅 felt like I was the only one who didn’t like it enough to keep going

[@ohladysamantha]

Garlic and the Vampire is so lovely!!! I want to hug and hold little Garlic close!!!

[@bookslikewhoa]

She's such a sweetie!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I miss the Highland Himbos Discourse.

[@andrewf7732]

Usually we have similar tastes when it comes to mysteries but I liked The Fury. I completely understand how the writing style can be off putting, though. I acknowledged that in my Goodreads review. I did the audiobook and I thought the narrator did a great job. The performance of the audio narrator can definitely offset pretentious or overwrought writing I’ve found. I DnF’d Everyone on the train is a suspect because I couldn’t with the writing style, though that series is really popular. That’s too bad about Jade War. Writing style is extremely important to me and is often why I DNF a book early. I really don’t want to know what you hated about the writing because I don’t want my love for Fonda Lee to be ruined 😂

[@bookslikewhoa]

A good audiobook performance can definitely make a huge difference - I'm glad you liked it better than I did!

[@heth300]

I have 'The Fury', but I haven't read it yet. I'm afraid that I won't like as well as I thought I would. Your review of it makes me even more hesitant to read it.

[@deirdrebeecher3508]

Loved Swordheart but agree there is a lag in the middle. My book of the month was Poor Things by Alaisdair Grey I fell into it like Alice down the rabbithole. Very weird but very good. My most frustrating book of the month was The Golden Spoon. I am sick of people jumping on the band wagon of cosy and not bringing any warmth to their characters.

[@HotMessRn]

I LOATHED the Fury. And none of the twists matter because he’s just kidding. Like literally they’re disclosed and then, psych! Just kidding.

[@AshleyRebecca]

Do you sell your spreadsheet? It’s amazing!

[@ilovebubbles7320]

Amazing spreadsheet! Do you count how many hours a day/week reading you spend?

[@bookslikewhoa]

Nope, never been something I tracked (though I could I guess do the math on the averages)

[@a.l.reedsbooks]

Relief falls over me for disliking The Fury. I'm not alone!

[@abbiel7566]

The Fury was AWFUL and the ending made me want to throw the book across the room. I regret pushing through, but it’s worth googling the ending just for the cosmic eye roll you’ll experience 😂😂😂

[@bookslikewhoa]

I may have to do that!

[@sassycatz4470]

I didn't know about your love of story lines involving antiques. I don't think you've read it yet, but Nora Roberts' Hidden Riches features a plot involving antiques.

[@bookslikewhoa]

Ooo something to look forward to!

[@giantcupofcoffee]

Our Crooked Hearts is a great 90s teen witch romp, if you want more like The Mary Shelley Club. Garlic and The Vampire majorly triggered my anxiety, which is something that happens a lot with anxiety representation, especially middle grade and YA. Authors want to help but just hit all my triggers. 😕

[@nakeychels]

I’ll have to pick that up! I bought the Mary Shelley Club as soon as mara’s previous video mentioned it.

[@bookslikewhoa]

Aw, I hate to hear that! But I'm glad you know your triggers and when to walk away

[@elizabethreads0312]

The meta -ness / the unreliable narrator combination did not work for me in “The Fury”. The new release thriller that did work for me was “The Heiress” by Rachel Hawkins. It was a solid 4 star read and fun time.

[@heabooktubes]

If you liked Swordheart I can’t imagine you aren’t going to absolutely adore the entire Saint of Steel series. ♥️♥️♥️

[@JessTalkingBooks]

Yeesss. They're so fun! I love how different each couple is. And their strengths and weaknesses.

[@heabooktubes]

@@JessTalkingBooks oh my god yes. I haven’t read Paladin’s Faith yet (I’m literally saving it for my birthday.) but I adored the first three and am so excited to get to it.

[@JessTalkingBooks]

@@heabooktubes I'm waiting for the audiobook. I think Paladin's Strength is my fave. I love the universe she's built for the series. I want more of Swordheart stories too. There's a few left.

[@heabooktubes]

@@JessTalkingBooks ugh that one was so good. Genius really.

[@JessTalkingBooks]

@@heabooktubes gave Mummy vibes, honestly. The adventure journey made me so excited to hear more. I loved the way Clara was treated by others in the community.

[@arafisms]

☕️ ☕️ ☕️

[@sweeteliz]

Yup, I also DNF'd The Fury. I hated the melodrama/domestic drama... and the pretentious narrator and his engagement with the reader annoyed me super quickly. I won't be picking up another Alex Michealides book. Is The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon on your radar for this year, Mara? I only just started it but I am really loving the writing ... a great follow up to the stinker Michaelides experience!

[@DaisyMooster]

Oh no...this is on my shelf....🤦🏼‍♀️

[@bookslikewhoa]

Noted!

[@tarek8576]

I just spent my monthly Audible credit on The Fury. Noooooo

[@meljstephan]

I'm obvs very behind on videos. I'm interested in Poverty By America, but I've never been able to read Evicted, as someone with trauma history from having my childhood home foreclosed out from under my family. It's just a little too much for me

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Quote of the Day: “The writing is driving me batty.”

[@CM-qj2lp]

❤📚

[@arlissbunny]

Dang! I preordered Antique Hunter’s Guide and between you and Meg it’s not looking good. 😕 And you didn’t like Jade War!!!!! Fi! Fi on you, I say!! LOL. I look forward to seeing the vlog. Even when I disagree you always make me think. 😊

[@bookslikewhoa]

I hope you get on with it better than we did! I hate that I didn't like it, especially since it is a debut

[@viktoriabazyk8193]

i'm a little confused about the white rat reading order. do i have to start with clockwork boys, then read swordheart, then the paladin books? or it doesn't matter? i thought swordheart is a standalone but you say some things are left unresolved🤔

[@bookslikewhoa]

Swordheart is a standalone but there are "world things" that I hope get resolved in other books. I think you can read the Clockwork Boys duology on their own or Swordheart as a standalone, but I believe the Paladin books need to be read in order. To read them all, I think it goes Clockwork Boys duology, Swordheart, & then Paladin series

[@greymyers4087]

I have such mixed feelings about Ken Liu’s writing. Every collection has a few stories that are just five star amazing. but then there are stories that just really do not work for me, like the library/reading one in the Paper Menagerie. I just didn’t think it was a complete story. it was just a concept, and that does not work for me.

[@bookslikewhoa]

there's definitely variation in the quality of the stories, I agree

[@Nicole-dh3um]

I love the Green Bone Saga so it's too bad you didn't enjoy Jade War as much. I really disliked The Silent Patient so I've been avoiding Alex Michaelides from the beginning and after reading the ridiculous Daisy Darker, Alice Feeny went straight onto my No list as well. I did like a couple of Lucy Foley's books, even though the characters are all terrible people. I can watch a review criticizing them and think "oh yeah that's fair" but I still liked them.

[@bookslikewhoa]

Yeah, I think The Silent Patient is his best so far, so if you didn't like that, no need to try more!

[@LiteratureScienceAlliance]

Jade War is probably my least favorite of the trilogy if that helps 😅 although not sure Jade Legacy will fix it for you

[@bookslikewhoa]

You'll see my thoughts soon (please don't hate me when you do 😅)

[@natasagajic1061]

I really enjoyed Swordheart (I adored Hala's & rat priest's friendship)... until the very last part. I found the third act conflict to be forced and unreasonable, which has sadly soured my enjoyment of the story a lot 😑 Having read 5 T. Kingfishers's stories so far (Nettle & Bone, Swordheart, Thornhedge, A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking and Minor Mage) I have come to the realization that how T Kingfisher writes romance just doesn't work for me. Take the romance out and keep the delightful banter and her middle grade/ya stuff knocks it out of the park for me! So now I'm looking forward to her any and every new middle grade/ya release 😊

[@bookslikewhoa]

I can definitely see that - it's an approach to romance that I haven't seen many places so it's a strong flavor to either enjoy or not enjoy

[@lindafletcher1628]

Glad to see someone else who is not so fond of the Green Bone saga.

[@aprilhutchens2105]

I'm a huge Stan of The Silent Patient. Easily top ten all time. However, I, too, am abandoning Alex Michaelides. The Maidens was terrible, and The Fury was just absolute hot dog water. I, unfortunately, did not dnf it and slogged through every boring miserable page.

[@bookslikewhoa]

Yeah, I really liked TSP but maidens & fury were both Not It for me

[@thefairylibrarian3282]

I don't fully disagree on Jade War. I still liked it, but it is my least favorite of the series and i was a little disappointed

[@desireemclaughlin1455]

Alex Michaelides is so disappointing. I LOVED The Silent Patient but heartily disliked The Maidens. I almost picked The Fury as my BOTM, but I wanted to see how other people were responding to it. It sounds like it’s not for me. Super pretentious books give me the ick.

[@aprilhutchens2105]

I agree on ALL points.

[@bookslikewhoa]

I almost didn't select it, but he lured me in with the synopsis :/

[@desireemclaughlin1455]

@@bookslikewhoa Tricksy

[@rossb6739]

Mara you’re breaking my heart with Greenbone 💔 I’ve literally unsubscribed from people for not liking Greenbone. I can’t do that with you because you’re my favorite booktuber, but I think I need a stand in the rain forlornly moment to cope

[@leximor]

I always appreciate the fungi warnings 🥲

[@stardustmemory000083]

Reading Alperton Angels now and thoroughly enjoying it--thanks for the recommendation! Also read Kemper Donovan's debut mystery novel, which *gasp* is an actual mystery, albeit a tad clunky at times with the internal thoughts of the female protagonist.

[@bookslikewhoa]

I'm so glad you enjoyed Alperton Angels! I'm hopefully it gains its audience