WORST to BEST book of the year so far (2024)

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quick reviews for every book i read so far in 2024, ranked from worst to best! for my doing, i've read a lot of books the past 6 months, most of them mediocre, but i'm still very excited to share my thoughts with you :)
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Hi! My name is Leonie and I am a 25 year old girl from the Netherlands who loves talking about books! From YA to non-fiction to classics, I read it all (although fantasy will always be my fave).
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[@mcedwards]

Can I just say that you are glowing. The hair, the jewelry, the cute dress and nails...I aspire to be this pretty and put together looking lol.

[@Aashbard01]

Mate, me too!! 🤗💕 I am in awe of my fav KZbinrs' looks, I wonder what they use on their skin!! 🤗💕 Girl! You're so gorgeous, Leo is but so are you! 🤗💕

[@whoatemychocolate]

It's also just like... Leo has such a fun personal style? I keep thinking I want to make my style more cottage-core or whatever, but then I just end up putting on a tshirt because I can't be bothered. I aspire to Leo's level of style.

[@mcedwards]

@@whoatemychocolate same. I buy cute clothes, I just rarely wear them.

[@hannahwest4143]

I came to say the exact same thing! I’m still so obsessed with Leo’s haircut. It fits her so,so well!

[@hashimabbas6896]

flirting way is very casual 😭

[@liminalspaces2660]

Putting Ali Hazelwood above Dostoyevsky is one hell of a power move

[@Pandazillaaa]

It really isn't because ali is literally just a generic romance author like danielle steele who literally nobody's going to care about in like 30 years while dostoyevskys dostoyevsky. And btw imo the stuff she writes is utterly low quality too. She writes the most generic cookie cutter characters with the most generic plots and the actual romance is cookie cutter too. But everything she writes is a instant new York bestseller just because of booktok and corporate publishers.

[@tariqabdullah7044]

putting any of these "authors" over Dostoevsky should be a crime.

[@pixie-bo6wi]

Dostoevoskys writing and character are more enjoyable then any hazelnut u cannot stand people who read shallow books I forgot her channel was one until I saw ur comment now I'm gonna click off this video

[@chrysoula5226]

guys she is not ranking the author's writing ability she is ranking her enjoyment of the books chill out

[@Pandazillaaa]

@@chrysoula5226 i know I'm just saying it's not a real power move.

[@faithsreadingthings]

Omg no the fantasy’s you make before you fall asleep at night is most definitely me😂😂😂

[@schuemchen]

Yes, we all have those. 🤭

[@SmileForever92]

Same. I was hoping I wasn't the only one who did this

[@RE-xv9fp]

I was this way too and it had been a part of me so much that I would never believe it would end. But after a certain age it ens. Atleast for me. Around the age 27-28

[@Galaxia7]

What? That's how I build all od my stories to write

[@matthewthompson0]

'The Hidden Truths Of Wealth by Oliver Mercer' is a must read for everyone

[@anirlarchivist]

erin morgenstern is such a "no plot just vibes" author and i am here for every single second. as for book recommendations, I really enjoyed "The Poisons We Drink" by Bethany Baptiste - it's a very raw story of a witch who brews illegal love potions. The magic system is brutal and the whole story is incredibly grounded, an exploration of hate and prejudice in America. One of my favourite parts of the book was its exploration of family, specifically sisterhood. It's gritty and does not shy away from exploring its topics in detail. I really recommend it.

[@ErinWilson-qr6fl]

It’s so assuring to hear you say that you forgot most of what happened in a book you enjoyed! I feel so self conscious when talking about books with friends and they’re able to remember all these specific details and quotes and I’m just barely hanging into remembering the order of events! I have to read a book two or three times and annotate the heck out of it to remember specific quotes 😂

[@SmileForever92]

Same!!

[@princesslilyfromtheisleoft2649]

Hey Leonie, I love your videos! My favorite book I’ve read so far this year has been Hour of The Witch by Chris Bohjalian. I think you might enjoy it. It’s set in Boston in the year 1662 and is about a young woman named Mary who has an older and abusive husband who she’s trying to divorce. However, while trying to tell the village how her husband treats her she ends up being accused of witchcraft by her servant who fancies her husband. So basically, the whole book is about her trying to get away from her husband while also saving her name and convincing the village that she’s not a witch. It’s not for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. It has a well written female protagonist, a gripping story, the characters are pretty flushed out, the premise is interesting, there’s mystery and romance, it’s well written, and the perfect book if you have any interest in the Salem witch trials. Hope that helps! More awesome books to come!

[@eliza.the.earthling]

Added to my TBR!

[@bluebluebearrry469]

reminds me of slewfoot a bit

[@liminalspaces2660]

Saying "grand, immortal beings...like Howl's Moving Castle vibes " is really funny when you remember Howl is canonically just a melodramatic 27-year-old who reminisces about his Welsh rugby days and quotes Hamlet 💀💀💀

[@user-pd2kt2fw4l]

I know right 😁 that’s why Howl is the best

[@falcongirly]

Anyone else trying to focus on the content of the video but getting distracted cause Leonie is just that pretty?

[@robiu013]

main reason i'm here. i hardly read. in fact, i actually can't read.

[@e_umon]

same bro, I be listening to her and getting hypnotized

[@moviefiendz]

I once tried to unsubscribe her and I ended up coming back its inevitable

[@hannahstrashcan]

Can confirm reading a Psalm for the Wild Built will send you into a spiral of sci-fi/fantasy coziness like you’ve never seen before.

[@lm4757]

Some book recs that I think you will enjoy and will take you out of a reading slump!!! - five broken blades - gideon the ninth - evocation - the warm hands of ghosts - under the whispering door I hope you love them!!!!!

[@heartnoemie]

gideon the ninth was sososo gooood that ENDING omg

[@jennyl.8184]

Yes, Gideon!!

[@Thegirlwiththebooks-]

Watching aesthetically pleasing forest-fairy/gremlin book videos while eating plums and hiding in my gremlin/forest-fairy bookish room is such a vibe. P.s. I recommend Equinox by David Towsey to EVERYONE, it has teeth growing in eye sockets, horror/fantasy and old German town vibes (and also mansions overgrown with ivy) Just putting that out there ;)

[@dianapreisser2146]

Sounds like a total vibe. Will add that book to my list.

[@giorgia.m]

Oh I love this!!! I read Juniper & Thorn and I’ve been looking for something like it so I’ll give this a go!! Thank you 🖤

[@Thegirlwiththebooks-]

@@giorgia.m I’ve been wanting to read Juniper & Thorn for a long time! It sounds so amazing honestly.

[@Sollulu]

My girl is GLOWING oh my god

[@isabellakrapf7435]

I thought I was the only one who disliked powerless, I was so confused by the high Goodreads rating for this one

[@urieommarang]

It's so baaaaaadd.

[@jessicaellison7095]

Same I am an avid hater of this book. Lol. I was so let down and don’t understand the hype.

[@Kim-cf6di]

well for starters it has great tropes and interesting plot and people can kind of see the relevance with hunger games so thats why most ppl are obsessed with it

[@rebeccad4927]

I hate this book. Like, BURNING hatred.

[@angelikcakes8814]

Can you guys explain why its bad😭 i was bout to buy it

[@honorbound1337]

WAIT WAIT IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO MAKES UP STORIES AS A WAY TO GO TO SLEEP? LET"S GO

[@enes4124]

Hey, just wanted to say since I discovered your channel you inspire my reading. Whenever I need new book recommendations, I visit a video of yours and look around. Thank you for existing.

[@maite.figueroa7291]

My favorite books this year have been A river enchanted by Rebecca Ross and The wind up bird chronicle by Haruki Murakami❤ such amazing books, totally recommend them💛💛💛

[@imfromneverland3692]

I dont know if you’ve heard about Christa Wolf’s “Medea” (“Medea. Stimmen” in German). It’s a retelling from the nineties and within its plot there are topics about women being considered witches, about colonial thoughts and racism and about making women scapegoats of society’s problems. I’m not German so I read it in Spanish and the translation is very good. The one in English is okay, but it is possible that if there’s a dutch version it is better translated. Margaret Atwood has talked about this novel and overall I think you’d like it 👀 It’s also like 200 pages with multiple perspectives of people shitting on / defending Medea. One of my fave books, not very well known, really think you’d enjoy it :)

[@lindsaynelson8137]

I gave up on The Starless Sea about a hundred pages in because the "just vibes" aspect wasn't working for me (though I loved The Night Circus, go figure), but so glad you liked it! Favorite read so far this year has been What My Bones Know, which is pretty grim but also gripping reading. Even if your own family situation is nowhere near as dark as the author's was the book is still a really enlightening look at how abuse can shape people's personalities (and how difficult it is to break out of the habits that people develop as a way to cope with the abuse).

[@Tania.atlasinajar]

Hoping to see Perfume as a top 5 haven't stopped thinking about it since your cozy FUN 24 hr readathon with your friends. 😂 📚 also can't wait to see the moving vlog content and everyone's fave books list in the comments (this is where I pull out libby, goodreads, and my notes app) 😅🗒

[@magicivy]

Okay, so here are my favorite books of the year so far: • Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel • Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed • Blackouts by Justin Torres

[@Tania.atlasinajar]

@@magicivy taking notes ivy, they all seem great! thanks!🥰

[@unavezms8167]

My favorite this year is probably A good land by Nada Awar Jarrar. The Layla's parents moved to Australia because of the war in Lebanon. Layla contemplates doing the same. Except after a while everyone understood the war isn't gonna end anytime soon. Many of Lebanese refugees born abroad have grown up without ever seeing their homeland. Book was published in 2006. At some point Layla wonders that it feels like they don't have a homeland anymore and her bf points out that this sentiment is well-known among the Palestinians who also might never see their homeland peaceful. I remember the scene where they went to deliver drinking water to refugees during short ceasefire. Every member of the crew knew they might not come back. They barely managed it. Refugees in questin don't have enough water to drink yet alone wash themselves.

[@raevynwoods9403]

I have two recommendations for you: - The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison. About the fourth, half-blood son of the elven emperor who suddenly finds himself the new emperor as his father and brothers unexpectedly die. It's the most wholesome book I've ever read. It's about the main character finding his place at the court he was not raised in, in a role he was not trained for, and with people who do not want him there. It's about him learning to leave behind his abusive childhood. It sounds like Game of Thrones material but it's the opposite. It's wholesome and heartwarming and I reread it every year. Very character focused, the worldbuilding is present but definitely not the focus of the story. The sequels are also amazing. - The Earthsea books by Ursula le Guin. I know you've read some of her sci-fi, but she also has an amazing fantasy series. Full of flawed characters, interesting magic systems, a dragon or two. It feels so very human.

[@shay-car]

The Goblin Emperor sounds like a good one!

[@ShirleyxLandewee]

Great video. I just knew your favorite book so far this year was going to be Perfume. My favorite so far. : - Bunny - Mona Awad - Accidentally Amy - Lynn Painter - My Policeman - Bethan Roberts - Conversations with friends - Sally Rooney - Billy Summers - Stephen King Butter honey pig bread - Francessa Ekwuyasi - The pumpkin spice Cafe - Laurie Gilmore - The hedge witch of Foxhall- Anna Bright - The last love song - Kalie Holford - Bloom - Kevin Panetta - Emily wilde's encyclopaedia of faeries- Heather Fawcett - I had that same dream again - Yoru Sumino - Hate Mail - Donna Marchetti Not in love - Ali Hazelwood

[@heartnoemie]

omg i LOVED bunny!

[@magicivy]

The last time I was this early, I was being born! I love your videos, and feel so lucky to click with only 96 views. You always rec books no one else does, and I love your thoughtfulness and humor. 😊❤

[@user-pd8lc3ow6x]

Haha 😅that first line 😂

[@luasganzerla]

I read the duology of One Dark Window because of you. And I really enjoyed so much! One of the few good books I've read this year that is not a rereading.

[@iickie_bloop8813]

is it really good?? Is the plot good?? I'm a picky fantasy reader and found books like the night circus lowkey boring but I really wanted to read this 😭😭 i loved books like cruel prince and hunger games thoo

[@luasganzerla]

@@iickie_bloop8813 it's not revolutionary like hunger games, but I really enjoyed the plot. The second book is incredible. I think you should definitely give it a try!

[@iickie_bloop8813]

@@luasganzerla ohh okayy tysm for the review!!!!

[@marisophi]

'sexy vampires gothic vibes, this should have been a new favorite book' LEONIE!!! have you watched the interview with the vampire tv show????? it's to die for and knowing you're a hannibal girlie i think you'd totally get into it!!!!

[@willchar13]

wait omg leonie is a hannibal fan?

[@marisophi]

@@willchar13 yeah! she's mentioned it a couple of times in the past, tho i dont remember which vids exactly

[@AdaraBalabusta]

My favorite novels this year have been _Ink Blood Sister Scribe_ by Emma Torzs, _ As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow_ by Zoulfa Katouh, _Out of the Ashes_ by Kara Thomas, and _A Touch of Darkness_ by Scarlett St. Clair. I am re-reading _Middlemarch_ by George Eliot right now. Happy reading, all. ❤

[@inasmjidi6319]

As long as the lemon trees grow is such an amazing book, it deserves a lot more hype than it gets, it made me fall in love with historical fiction and learn about the Syrian civil war, I'm glad you loved it!

[@caidienburger3508]

Seeing how much you loved One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns, I really highly recommend Hannah Whitten's For the Wolf and For the Throne. It's a wonderful duology about two royal sisters and their situations in life between one being the heir to the kingdom and the other fated to be a religious sacrifice. I don't wanna give too much away but they both have amazingly well done themes and the stories and romances contained in them are just perfectly done in my opinion. And seeing how much of my tbr comes from your channel with so many absolute bangers I think you might also enjoy this duology.

[@lilalitaa]

Im so happy you loved the Parfume aswell, it’s one of my favorite books of all time simply because it’s so descriptive, such a weird but awesome read

[@Aashbard01]

Hi Leo!! Nice to see you again! I love the way you talk about your favorite books, your passion is so infectious!!🥰💕🤗🙏 Congrats on the move!! 🤗🤗

[@toineraguse911]

Hey, I am from Germany and I really like your videos. I also read your top book, "Perfume," and I can relate so much. My top book this year is "Pet Sematary." I am a big Stephen King fan, and if you enjoyed the weird vibe of "Perfume," I recommend you my top pick.

[@depressedpotatoes_999]

I just wanted to say that your videos always make my day better and yesterday my grandmother passed away. Im so glad to have found a new video from you. In all your videos you seem organized, cheerful, and friendly! I really appreciate what you and other youtubers do, thank you Leonie❤

[@baihelair]

your enthusiasm for one dark window convinced me to buy it and i must say i’m really enjoying it so far!!!

[@snehapradhan5591]

Man the vibessss in these videos are top notch!!!! ❤

[@Victoria-ee2nb]

Thank you, Leonie , for uploading this video now❤ I just kinda broke up with my bf and it was so hard enjoying things lately... but your videos make me happy and satisfied

[@skye7874]

the hype for one dark window is SO real i ADOREEE elm and ione im so sad i finished the series

[@aleksandrakonovalova1252]

I've read the Daevabad trilogy this year and so genuienly fell in love with this story that I wanna recommend it for EVERYBODY. The first book "The city of brass" by Shennon Chakraborty. Its just a chef kiss in every aspect. Arabic centered fantasy with amazing political lore, its an adventure AND a world building AND characters. At some point you just have an unstopable wish to hug everybody, even though they do awfully wrong things. Highly recommend for you, Leonie🤲✨

[@Aurama35]

So I actually discovered one of my new favorite books from BTM, and it's called "A Fate Inked in Blood." It is literally so good I would definitely recommend checking it out!

[@Runealin]

i have to say i absolutely love how you incororated those speech patterns into your own speech while talking about wordslut i thought it was really clever 🙏

[@HaniaMalik680]

My fav was we hunt the flame, you should try it! One of my favs!

[@potat8089]

It is 46 minutes past midnight here in the UK but I notice I have missed your upload and so I must watch it now hehe.

[@meg0739]

I always use these videos as a book recommendation list because you have such good taste haha

[@raeslibrary]

my favorite book i've read so far this year was 'they can't kill us till they kill us' by hanif abdurraqib but 'enter ghost' by isabella hammad is a close second!!!!

[@pati351]

I looooved "Notes on an execution" - That was my favourite book of this year so far!

[@HowCaseySeesIt]

My favorite book of the year so far is the Blackthorn and Grim series by Juliet Marillier. It’s a historical fantasy with a slow burn romance and it’s so GOOD. I loved your list and hope to read some of these soon!

[@MrultiPaul]

5:14 No we all do that. I think. I hope.

[@mirtyllpratpal245]

I’d recommend The Women by Kristin Hannah. It wrecked me and lifted me up at the same time. Main topic is women during and after the Vietnam war. If you’d read something lighter, The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren.

[@absinthe9512]

I was watching some old content of yours because I was in the mood for one of your videos, and boom you upload! My favorite book of this year is A sweet sting of salt by Rose Sutherland - not sure it'd be your cup of tea, but the characters stayed with me long after I finished the book. Also, I read Less is more by Jason Hickel, a non-fiction book on degrowth that basically blew my mind. Also, This is how you lose the time war is a fucking amazing book, love that you loved it!

[@hollycormack5385]

This encouraged me to look over my year in reading. My two five star books so far were A Study is Drowning my Ava Reid. Which I"m certain is on your TBR if you haven't read it already and The Crimson Moth/Heartless Hunter (it has a UK name and a US name) by Kristen Ciccarelli which was the best enemies to lovers I"ve ever read.

[@unavezms8167]

I really wish we could read full fairy tale in the study in drowning.

[@badfaith4u]

I loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna and Funny Story by Emily Henry this year.

[@irinaashikhmina1137]

Started reading the labyrinth of the spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafon this month and fell in love with it instantly. Now I’m committed to the entire series…

[@positevly_breathing]

wake up leonie posted rahhhhh!!!!!!!

[@melyandres_]

Some of my faves this year, in no particular order: 1. What you are looking for is in the library - Michiko Aoyama 2. Young Hag and the Witches’ Quest - Isabel Greenberg 3. The Idiot - Elif Batuman 4. The Copenhagen Trilogy - Tove Ditlevsen 5. The Dragon Reborn (The Wheel of Time Series, Book 3) - Robert Jordan

[@miriagomes6266]

My favorite books of the year so far: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, The Genius Friend by Elena Ferrante, The Gospel According to Jesus Christ by Saramago and All About Love by bell hooks 💛💛

[@strawberryorange3755]

Isn't it my brilliant friend, though?

[@oresamateru]

Your confusion about how u enjoyed Bride is kinda funny for some reason 🤣

[@anna2731]

My favourite books this year are: Dangerous liaisons by Pierre-Ambroise-François Choderlos de Laclos and The hautin of hill house by sherly jackson

[@AdaraBalabusta]

Those are two of my all-time favorites! ❤

[@chibha96]

I appreciate your review style, Leonie. It's hard to read books in the digital era considering our attention span is short and social media has become the norm. I'm a creative professional but I am getting back into reading for personal reasons. I find the content of these books unique and fun even if I don't relate to the themes from a deeper perspective. The hardest book to understand was by Leigh Burdogo. Also, I went to a local bookstore in my city and found piles of his books kept in a seperate discount section. A fun fact - I glanced at some of these books as an alternative means for my academic English reading comprehension in IELTS Academic and GRE General test preparation instead of relying on mainstream preparation materials.

[@blueowl07]

The Murderbot Diaries have been AMAZING in terms of getting me out of a reading slump!

[@jennyl.8184]

YES they're the perfect mix of fast and emotional!

[@shellkay]

Love how you pitch the books as: read this if…don’t read this if… very unique & refreshing (+ often funny) way to get the point across without retelling the synopsis!!

[@Person-zc1yv]

‘This is How You Lose the Time War’ probably rewired my brain, that book is incredible. This year my favorite reads are ‘A River Enchanted’ and ‘The Mirror Visitor’ quartet. If you’re down to commit to 4 books, I highlyyyyy recommend The Mirror Visitor. I read them in January and haven’t stopped thinking about them since.

[@izzyeis5752]

i read way less than i want to so i literally just read - emma (jane austen, really liked it) - piranesi (susanna clarke, loved that) and started on - mansfield park (jane austen, LET ME GET AT THEM!! LET ME GET AT THEM!! mrs norris, it's on sight) and - ein system, so schön, dass es dich blendet (amanda svensson, it's. something. definitely a book. absurd, abstract?? idk man) but i did order alice oseman (enjoyed loveless, got radio silence and i was born for this) and sally rooney (normal people) so i hope i'll like those. and no i absolutely do not have enough unread books on my shelf to last me a lifetime at this rate, thank you for asking.

[@neaofunknown1033]

A recommendation I have is “House of salt and sorrows”by Erin A. Craig. It sounds generic and looks bad (the cover is so bland and generic) but like aaaahhhh I spead through it in 2 days and its so gothic and exciting and it felt like watching a movie!! Think like big old dresses and walking through long corridors lit by candlelight looking for ghosts. A mansion on an island with 12 sisters, dying one by one… It’s both a ghost story and a murder mystery and a romance and at times it was pretty scary!

[@BookNerd-js9sl]

My favorite book so far this year is Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender. It’s a queer new adult romance book about two actors who get cast in a movie together. It was really sweet and also had good mental health representation. It was definitely messy but than again, whose life isn’t? I haven’t seen a lot of people read/review it yet so I’d recommend it to anyone who thinks it sounds interesting.

[@thisisnotausernameXD]

I'm almost done with the Jasmine Throne and it's been quite good so far. Those who like Uprooted would enjoy the strange forest/plant superpowers theme but it also has more political intrigue. How to lose the time war is the best book I've read this year so far but I have been in a slump anyway, mostly re-reading 'comfort' books. I read this last year but I dont see it talked about much: Blood over Bright Haven. If you like Full-metal Alchemist manga/anime, this is the book equivalent of it. I wish I could find more books like it tbh.

[@marcsolerbages4548]

I started reading the blackwater series and it's awesome! A mystery novel combined with a touch of fantasy, super cool

[@dacheesecat6976]

If you are looking for new books to get out of your reading slump, I highly recommend Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, which is a very cozy novella and just overall a very comforting read. Another is The Tainted Cup, which I would describe as a magical murder mystery, where the main character is an assistant to this detective and he has a perfect memory, while the detective becomes a suspicious person herself

[@blumina99]

I am so happy, that you rated the perfume 5/5. 🤩 It is one of my favorite books of all times and is so well written (I am german, so I cannot speak for the translations) My book lists has grown so much thanks to finding you last year. That is turning out to be quite a problem since I only read about 18-24 books a year. But i couldn't be more thankful for a problem like that 🥰

[@TerezaK23]

The horror of realization that you enjoyed the knotting bits. 😂 Loved that moment. 😂 My fav reads so far this year definitely include: The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared - Jonas Jonasson and Homecoming - Yaa Gyasi Currently reading The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson and so far it's a fun easy read (a bit shallow in some aspects) but it really flows nicely and I hope it finishes off strong!

[@cvbattum]

If you wanna continue on your scifi and linguistics track, read A Memory Called Empire and the sequel A Desolation Called Peace. Fantastic series and I loved the recurring theme of language use (not to mention two great plots, a genuinely interesting romance, some serious social commentary on imperialism, and interesting worldbuilding)

[@nafishachowdhury999]

The best book that I have read so far this year are two. 1) The book Thief & 2) Life as we knew it. I loved both of the reading experience and the story. Also have 2 favorite manga that I will also recommend 1) Monster 2) The girl from the other side. I read both of the manga early on this year and they have been a highlight in my life so far. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did :)))

[@sesandivayanija2028]

I'm a huge fan of your videos and tbh, the only BookTube channel I am excited to watch! Also, I have a recommendation to you. The duology, "Sands of Arawiya" by Hafsah Faizal. This book is inspired by ancient Arabia. Even though this is the 1st book I've read that is set in the desert, I , I kind of loved it. Hope you'll read this duology and do a review video! I would love to know what you think about this book. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@bookloverbookreviews3251]

Hi Leonie. Loving your critique of books. It sounds like I enjoyed The Familiar more than you did (it featured in my Best Books of 2024 so far video) but our experience with This Is How You Lose The Time War which I was lucky enough to read back in 2019 pre-release sounds very similar. It sure is a special novel, smashing the glass ceiling for thought-provoking fiction. The reader is constantly being challenged; challenged to break out of stereotypical thought patterns and open their mind to possibilities not yet considered. And, the tantalising exchange of wit and metaphor-filled letters -- loved the intellectual romantic suspense!

[@lotsoflovedisha727]

why are your videos always so cozy 🥹

[@emilymoss5312]

It seems I have a few. I'm having a sublime reading year. My 5 star reads so far this year are: The Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien) Emily Wildes Map of Otherlands (Heather Fawcett) Before the Coffee gets Cold (Toshikazu Kawaguchi) Lore Olympics Volume 1 (Rachel Smythe) A Study in Drowning (Ava Reid) Bonjour Tristesse (Françoise Sagan) The Stolen Heir (Holly Black) The Last Tale of the Flower Bride (Roshani Chokshi) Funny Story (Emily Henry) Milk and Honey (Rupi Kaur) Home body (Rupi Kaur) Sincerity (Carol Ann Duffy) The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (Beatrix Potter) The Sun and Her Flowers (Rupi Kaur) Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things (Amanda Lovelace) Emperor of Rome(Mary Beard) In Memoriam (Alice Winn) Medea (Rosie Hewlett) Carmilla (J. Sheridan Le Fanu) Juniper and Thorn (Ava Reid) Home (Julie Andrews) Homework (Julie Andrews) Deep Cuts (Joe Clark, Kyle Higgins) The Secret History (Donna Tart) Writing that out, that now feels excessive an maybe I'm too liberal with the 5 stars 😂. In all honesty, my most recommended if you were to read 2 from the list would be In Memoriam (I want the exact copy of the same book again please! I could read this 500 times) and Deep Cuts (a graphic novel taking you through the history of jazz).

[@mikyuna9535]

I just read the Scythe Trilogy, definitely recommend for amazing world building!

[@somebody-dv8fr]

Just got this is how you lose the time war glad to hear your positive review on it😂

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

The only problem with watching other book tube channels is that it only increases the tbr! Happy reading.

[@ashleybaum6180]

The best books I've read this year are An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green and The Husbands by Holly Gramazio.

[@Icedragon248]

I read Perfume this year as well. I loved it, it's also 5 stars for me. I picked it up cause I watched the movie as a teen (don't really remember much, but I remembered how weird the premise was), love love love the book. Please read it if you have even a slight inkling that you might like it. Also the cover art is superb.

[@_theacuee]

YES ONE DARK WINDOW AND TWO TWISTED CROWNSS!! i just finished reading them and omygod i was so immersed in both books and the writing is just so good I LOVE IT SMMM

[@noaaa7]

So far my favourite books of the year are: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, This American Ex-Wife by Lyz Lenz and Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu.

[@farahelsaid4364]

you should start witch atelier manga , it is not a book , I know , but it is soooo good , the art , the characters , the magic system , the world building , it is gonna have an anime adaptation next year , the vibes is also good but it is not cozy , it is fun and many important themes are discussed , one of my favorite mangas of all time

[@terroricedtea]

Literaly the only reason Ive read One Dark Window is because i knew you've read it and I genuinly haven't expected to love it so much.

[@tracysweatt5401]

Not a fiction book, but such an incredibly well-written book that I absolutely believe will touch your heart... Sy Montgomery's book Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell. It may give you a whole new perspective on turtles, but if nothing else I believe you'll have a new reason to love, respect, and care for these amazing animals.

[@mikinikito]

The best book I read this year is definitely Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson!! So beautifully written! Seriously recommend 🥰

[@gamineglass]

The Starless Sea and This is how you lose the Time War are probably my favorite books of the past two years. I’m guessing our tastes don’t vibe but keep up the good work!

[@rosemary709]

all my favourites of this year so far were polish books with no translations, but I will recommend one of my all time favourites because I yearn to see you make a video about: please, please, please, read the witcher saga, it's literally got everything, it's got the drama, the romance and the comedy, it's so, SO GOOD

[@rileydauber5699]

I just finished reading the husbands by holly gramazio and really enjoyed it! It’s about a woman who’s attic produces husbands, even though she’s never been married

[@tvnet222]

The Long Way To A Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers was my favorite book so far this year! Cozy scifi has a gentle chokehold on me :)

[@arih1154]

I think White Nights more than unrequited love is centered around themes of lonliness and alineation which is why I enjoyed it so much

[@angyananas]

My favourite book I've read in 2024 so far is "The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle". So cool, I can't imagine how someone could think and write such an intricate and mindblowing story!

[@user-sb8bw9rx1f]

Last year I read a trilogy called Scythe by Neal Shusterman it’s a dystopian sci-fi. It’s not really a romance but it’s so good

[@jaquefurt]

Before starting the video, I have to say: You look so beautiful! Happy, comfortable with yourself, idk how to explain. As for the books, I love these videos of favorites!! Chaos seems very interesting, and I really want to read at least 10 that you mentioned 🥹

[@Zer0.th0ughts]

You should absolutely read "the salt grows heavy" by cassandra khaw, it's very weird and fairytale-esque and it's about a mermaid and a plague doctor stumbling across a cult (its a little on the gory side just so you know)

[@karliope]

I read Perfum for German class in High School and I'm still thinking about it so often years later. My favorite book so far this year has to be Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll.

[@michelleizoco]

First of all, you look AMAZING. Summer is treating you wonderfully and love that top/dress on you. Love the reviews and added a few of the books you mentioned to my TBR.

[@lorenabulhoes1231]

Amazing video, as always ❤ Perfume is adapted as a movie (I remember watching when I was a teenager, and I don’t recall if it was a new release, but I’m 27 so is a 12 years old movie, at minimum). I didn’t read the book, so I can’t tell you if it is a good adaptation, but the final scene is there. And it’s FULLY there, if I’m remembering correctly.

[@user-rx7sj9sq9c]

I recommend reading a book written in the style of Agatha Christie Murder at Glosford Hall By Charlotte Wells. A little-known author, but the book is written according to all the canons of the golden traditional detective story

[@Nicki13Lover]

I just finished "Heartless Hunter" from February's BotM that was way better than I expected, I'm actually excited for the sequel to come out!

[@cajuinimigo]

if you're in your sci-fi era, i'd recommend a book of short stories called "a catalogue for the end of humanity" by tim hickson, also known for his youtube channel "hello future me". tim's prose is very beautiful and extremely touching and i promise you "two robots at the end of the world" will get you in the feels and out of your reading slump :)