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

[@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.

[@hannahlibb]

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.

[@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!!

[@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

[@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.

[@matthewthompson0]

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

[@OnlyViralNEWS-fg1ku]

Find the book titled Guide to Financial Bombs, you'll learn all the money attraction techniques there. Trust me on this

[@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

[@ghostiebunny]

Oh! I've been meaning to read that!

[@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

[@TheIndigo1child]

Um no, not really because I'm not shallow and think with my brain and not my crotch.

[@falcongirly]

@@TheIndigo1child buddy, I could not be more ace. Appreciating in a purely aesthetic way, and I have a lot of literary tastes in common with Leonie which is why I follow her, her being pretty is secondary. I was just commenting on how in this particular video I was mesmerised by how good she looks

[@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 ;)

[@dianasbooknook]

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.

[@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!!!!!

[@t4ke.m3.t0.church]

gideon the ninth was sososo gooood that ENDING omg

[@jennyl.8184]

Yes, Gideon!!

[@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.

[@Sollulu]

My girl is GLOWING oh my god

[@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 😂

[@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 💀💀💀

[@СимонКсавьер]

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

[@Michael_Saidon9988]

it's kinda crazy how nobody's talking about the forbidden ebook on Morlest called Guide to Financial Bombs

[@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!🥰

[@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!

[@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

[@t4ke.m3.t0.church]

omg i LOVED bunny!

[@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

[@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!!!!

[@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 :)

[@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💛💛💛

[@missurmeaning]

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

[@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.

[@honorbound1337]

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

[@CharlotteRossiter]

I have never met someone else who does this 😭😭

[@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.

[@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

[@Cloudy9891x]

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❤

[@blackk_rose_]

I LOVE how you keep saying "read this if you like x and don't read this if you don't like x". That's so helpful!

[@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!! 🤗🤗

[@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

[@snehapradhan5591]

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

[@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 🥰

[@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.

[@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

[@manudv6167]

Hey Leo! I love your videos! I’ve read the Dark Window because you recommended it and I’m now with The Familiar. I’ve read plenty of books this year (56 so far) and here’s ones I’ve loved: - A man called Ove - The will of the many - A gentleman in Moscow - Hello Beautiful - The bookshop in the Corner (a little corny but loved it anyways haha) - Babel

[@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.

[@baihelair]

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

[@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 🙏

[@badfaith4u]

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

[@HaniaMalik680]

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

[@pati351]

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

[@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!

[@positevly_breathing]

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

[@skye7874]

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

[@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.

[@francescalee2497]

I also loved Becky Chambers’ Wayfarer series for cosy sci-fi.

[@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!

[@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!

[@meg0739]

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

[@cristina4366]

My recommendations for you: - Olive Kitteridge (I think you would love this) - Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow (loved it and healed with it)

[@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!

[@katelynnlopez9622]

I just watched this video and your 2023 ranking video and got 17 books added to my TBR!!!! Holy crap I love your videos, thank you☺️

[@tanyaroberts919]

One dark Window is such a vibe! I really enjoyed it!

[@lyndi_wi]

I‘m happy to hear you enjoyed Perfume so much. I‘m from Germany and have read the book multiple times throughout my life and it is one of my all time favorite books! So weird and beautifully written.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!!

[@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…

[@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! ❤

[@lotsoflovedisha727]

why are your videos always so cozy 🥹

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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).

[@spudrina]

I think you'd love The Tainted Cup! It's like a lush biopunk Sherlock Holmes meets the kaiju part of Pacific Rim, and the audiobook was really well done

[@emmakgill]

I loved that book when I read it earlier this year! 😊

[@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.

[@marcsolerbages4548]

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

[@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?

[@bobsherwood3542]

I just stumbled onto this video, loving the subject of books and you speak with such enthusiasm! Thank you :)

[@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🤲✨

[@CrissysCozyCorner]

I agree! The Shepherds King duology was great! Perfume sounds interesting! I love being disturbed 😂

[@Sarah-gn2sl]

I am always so happy, when you upload :D My favorite book of the year was probably Morning Star by Pierce Brown, the third book in the Red Rising Trilogy. Though maybe I find Golden Son just as good. I gave both of those 5 stars (I’d give 6 if possible). While I had some some issues with the writing in the first book, I absolutely adored it in the second and third. I thought about giving a short description about the plot, but I don’t think it would do that story justice. If you love stories about revenge and justice and the hardships it brings with it to be able to reach that, if you love stories with characters that feel real and you’ll miss once it is over, if you love amazing plot twists and reveals, gut wrenching battles and conflicts, characters with huge character development, stories that have developments of deep friendships and just as deep archenemies you should read the red rising trilogy :)

[@HaniaMalik680]

The Queen has uploaded! Love you

[@mikinikito]

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

[@ЕкатеринаЛема]

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

[@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 🥹

[@luckychonk9527]

Hey Leonnie! Since youre a dutchie I'd love to hear your thoughts on Earth of Mankind. It's about dutch colonialism over Indonesia. Im indonesian and its considered a classic of our literature. Would love to hear your perspective on it!

[@Cloudberry-fp9rc]

Thank you for the video. my favourite books of the year so far: Olivia Atwater's Half a Soul, cute lil fantasy story that also manages to offer good criticism on regency era and the romantizising of regency era Ben Ehrenreich's - The Way to the Spring, good start for educating oneself on what's happening in Palestine Natsu Miyashita's The Forest of Wool an Steel, peak Japanese slice of life about a piano tuner and the lessons he learns on his journey This Arab Is Queer - a collection of memoirs and stories from 18 queer Arab writers, incredibly well written by all writers presented Kim Bo-Young's collection I'm Waiting For You and Other Stories, sci-fi, the first and last story are connected and form a beautiful love story, middle stories are bit more difficult with a lot of philosophy, but enjoyable nevertheless

[@nyssazo-el185]

I love this video. I also loved this is how you lose the time war but my favorite this year was "the girl who fell beneath the sea" by axie oh. It was just so atmospheric and the storytelling was amazing. One of my favorite books of all time

[@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. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@AyezasAfterword]

I definitely need to pick up one dark window. It’s been sitting on my tbr for too long!

[@lizl9027]

I am OBSESSED with the Encyclopedia of Faeries! Such a great, fun book.

[@violaivy]

My favourite books so far this year: Godkiller by Hannah Kaner: I thought this was a very interesting take on a traditional fantasy, and a good example on how to create a world with inclusivity while still feeling fantasy and keeping with the inner logic of the world. One of the pov characters is the god of white lies who looks like a creepy bunny, there's also a retired knight who is now a baker. The idea of the gods who live/lived among humans is fascinating and the world was described vividly and well as the food. Finally a fantasy book with food I would actually eat. :D The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennet: A murder mystery set in a very unique fantasy world (plant based magic/science, leviathans) and the characters are cool too and memorable. It's also funny but dark. This is such a breath of fresh air in fantasy and I can't stop thinking about it. I also enjoyed T Kingfisher's What moves the dead & What feasts at night. My fave books by her are still The Hollow Places and A House with good Bones.

[@mikyuna9535]

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

[@gbnas]

the only purple house in town and half a soul are very cute cozy fantasies (the first one is modern fantasy!) and remarkably bright creatures was really good!

[@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.

[@jackienolan9142]

Leonie!!! I love watching your book reviews! A good suggestion for you to read: Reckless by Cornelia Funke. It’s a series. So fun to read!

[@_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

[@Galaxia7]

20:20 omg I had to read this one for school in high school! It was... interesting lol (read it in French)

[@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

[@alinegreen7266]

Oh I loved Perfume so much as well when I read it a couple years ago🤫☺ It was a hell of a ride and just so disturbing, but in a good way! One of my favourite reads this year are the "Six crimson canes"-dilogy together with the prequel "Her radiant curse" by Elisabeth Lim. Just recently I finished "The red palace" by June Hur and loved it so much! Even though its a childrens fantasy, I really enjoyed "Howl's moving castle" by Diane Wynne Jones. I also really enjoyed "Check&Mate" by Ali Hazelwood, which is very surprising for me, since I haven`t read romance at all in the last couple years and after finishing this one I started to read more romance again. Then a couple german books which aren`t translated (yet) such as Elisabeth Herrmanns "Der Teegarten" or Kira Licht`s "A Spark of Time -Rendezvouz auf der Titanic". I hope your move will be smooth without a lot of stress for you🥰

[@maddies8867]

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy has been my favourite book this year. Can’t stop thinking about it! Highly recommend

[@michellemachesney1487]

ooh i’ve given two books ive read 4 stars this year! Cover Story by Rachel Lacey & Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian! Both took a bit of time to really get into for me but once I was in, I was hooked and enjoyed reading them enough for 4 stars! Another book I read I gave 5 stars but it was already a book I had partially read previously. Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall was a 5 star read on its own for me but he was able to republish it with an additional story called Chasing the Light which I also gave 5 stars and enjoyed it even more! Both stories are from two different characters pov so it was really lovely to be able to read another perspective and have the entire story feel more complete in that way. i love your videos❤ wishing you well with your house move❤

[@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!

[@miri4776]

Hands down my favorite book so far this year has been ‘Yumi and the Nightmare Painter’ by Brandon Sanderson. I first read Mistborn because of your recommendation and now I am an absolute Sanderson fan!! 😍 I cannot recommend standalone books from last year enough

[@bumblemee5661]

i've had a pretty good reading year so far and am so happy about it :) my favorite so far is graphic novel "snapdragon". i loved every single thing about it!! the cover, the art style, the story and especially the characters. can only recommend reading it for people who want a heartfelt story with witchy vibes.