I recommended Know My Name on the original list thing and was feeling unsure about recommending it without being able to have a full conversation about the content. I've recommended that book to pretty much everybody but always talk to them about what is vs what isn't in the book, how the book discusses the subject matter, how it may make them feel. I work as a social worker with the local SVU and this book was so so important and impactful to me as a professional, especially, so I've mostly passed it on to other people in my professional circle. It's definitely one that I always recommend with the caveat that it's not going to be right for everyone at any given time. I'm glad that you used your best judgements on when to read that one. Seeing your emotion reminded me that we should all be paying attention to how and why we recommend books.
Your explanation of how Know My Name and Chanel Miller’s story and it’s impact on you had me welling up with tears. I think that her story was that moment for many people. ❤️
Things I loved in this video: 1. The graphic design of the tournament boards. 2. Your home is cozy and gorgeous. The archways, ohmygoodness. 3. How refined this vlog is. The flow? Progression? Editing was well done. 4. Your diverse reading taste. 5. Your post-reading book thoughts. Eloquent wrap-ups. 6. OMG you sang Belle's song. I've been a subscriber for a few months now. Plus, I've seen your participation in various liveshows. You are becoming one of my favourite BookTubers. The way you think about the world and the topics you are willing to cover. You balance moments of lightheartedness with moments of serious & sensitive discussions incredibly well. You're doing great, keep going. 👍👍
Interestingly, I have read all of these books! Seeing you get emotional about Know My Name made me tear up! Brought it all back for me. Chanel Miller is incredible. The Travelling Cat Chronicles and The Bear and the Nightingale are two of my favourites, so it was fun to hear your thoughts on them! I hated the ending of The Turn of the Key but can see why she chose to go in that direction. I loved this idea for a vlog!
I really liked Blood Sugar -- but despite marketing, you can't go into it expecting a thriller! I can't remember what I voted for but I also really loved A Psalm for the Wild-Built.. save it for a rainy day when you are feeling blue and need a hug.
I was the one who put the Master and Margarita into the running, I'm so pleased that it made it past it's first round at least! I'd highly highly recommend it, it's a Russian classic of magical realism, and is kind of a retelling of Faust set in the Soviet Union. It's got a bunch of things to say about religion and government oppression and the endurance of literature in times of censorship! It's also got a man sized cat that drinks vodka and shoots a tommy gun. If you do read it, the translation to go with is the one by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky! Love the video as always, I've been busy lately and am catching up on your backlog ❤
This was a great lesson on wanting someone to read something you personally loved (Know My Name), and to hear and accept that they don't want to read it for reasons, even though you think they'll love it. Of course, I'm glad to hear that you did end up reading it and like it, but whew! the disappointment of hearing you didn't want to! Also, that LOOK you gave the camera near the end of the travelling cat chronicles LOL🤣
Very true - the reason I included it at all was that I was willing to read it if people really wanted me too, but I definitely would have nixed it from the mix if I was 100% not OK with reading it
Here me out, but please feel free to ignore me Mara I'll still love you lol. But for a reading vlog idea, because of what you studied in University and how you're feeling about religion at the moment, I recommend: • "Go tell it on the Mountain" by James Baldwin • "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker • "More Than my Scars" by Kechi Okwuchi • "I'm Still Here" by Austin Channing Brown • "Transcendent Kingdom" by Yaa Gyasi • "The Secret Life of Church Ladies" by Deesha Philyaw Are all black books and I think are great in terms how they tackle issues of queerness, feminism, and racism in a religious way, but in a way that's not centered around whiteness. I guess I would love to hear your opinions based on who you are as a person talking about these books in a vlog. 🙈
I just finished The Secret Lives of Church Ladies and I LOVED it! It made me want to read more short story collections. Also Know My Name is the only memoir I've read multiple times because of how much it has effected me
Agreed, Bear and the Nightingale is weirdly paced. I did not expect the horrors and I loved it, I don't like reading horror at all but this book worked. I was so happy to learn that Katherine has a middle grade horror series, I hope she continues with that genre. The first book is the coldest though, the second on is still wintery but mostly in the city and it turns to spring soon.
The Death of Mrs. Westaway is my favorite Ruth Ware and I think you might like it too because it *feels* like a closed circle mystery (although if I remember correctly it's not).
Since I'm a romance reader, the only book I've read of all those in your bracket was Seven Days in June. It is definitely a literary romance dealing with tough topics that may be triggering for some. Warnings for drug and alcohol abuse, a touch of sexual exploitation, and a main character dealing with a chronic illness that is not sugar coated. That being said, it had it's humorous moments as well and is well worth reading.
This was SO interesting! Thank you!! For future reference, The Cask is one of the most twisty mysteries I have ever read. I just stumbled across it this year and it turned me into a pretzel. Matt Rees’ The Collaborator of Bethleham is captivating on many levels. Rees was the Time Magazine Jerusalem correspondent for years and the experiences and friendships he made with Palestinians are everywhere through this book. Death of a Red Heroine is another mystery that takes the reader deep into another culture, the PRC in this case. Intricate mystery and fascinating read. And, as I have mentioned before, as a progressive, The Deficit Myth will blow your mind and could not possibly be more relevant. …like your TBR isn’t full enough already. 😂
Normally I don’t read YA, but I wonder if you would like Hunted by Meagan Spooner. It’s a Beauty and the Beast (which I also like) retelling. I was surprised that I enjoyed it.
I was really pulling for Know My Name and I’m glad it won. It’s definitely very emotional and difficult to read but so worth it. Glad you felt the same!
I loved The travelli g cat chroni les. I don't really read these kind of books, I'm not an overly sensitive person, I don't show feelings easily but this books just caught so good how a cat may think. It was just so nice to read.
Ok hear me out, The Turn of the Key terrified me to my core!! It's kinda silly because it's not gory or straight up horror ( have an explanation/review of this book on case someone is curious) the reason is: I couldn't seperate this fro.The Haunting of Bly Manor, which is also a Henry James retelling! Hands down the most a book scared me! 😅 I really dislike short story collection but WOW Secret Lives of Church Ladies completely changed my mind! I'll definitely have to read Know My Name now!
This was a great video! And I'm happy that you liked the bear and the nightingale. I also enjoyed the winternight trilogy With regards to the religious aspect of the book, in Russia, up to around the Russian revolution, Christianity and the pagen beliefs coexisted with no problems. Happy reading 📚
so many great books!! the turn of the key was the first thriller i ever read, the bear and the nightingale trilogy was the main fantasy series that got me back into reading and the travelling cat chronicles has made me cry more than any other book lol! i definitely need to read Know My Name!
Two cats, lots of books, a cozy reading nook... the dream. I'm happy that you have them. I think I forgot to comment the last time, I love your succulent cushion.
By the way, The Wizard and the Crow is a fairly dense literary fantasy deeply rooted in Kenyan politics and post-colonial history. Helene from Books by Leynes has a really great in-depth review that covers a lot of the nuances of the story. I'll link it in another comment in case the link sets off a spam filter. It's definitely different from more genre fantasy so keep that in mind if you ever pick it up.
My first read of Bear and the Nightingale was 4 stars but on reread it was the one I ended up liking the most. Its also one of a handful of series both Liene and I like 😂
Oh, man, I love Neil Gaiman, but I could not make it through "American Gods" (after about a dozen attempts); I would definitely have leaned "Neverwhere" on that one. But I guess it's moot anyway. But I've been curious about "Turn of the Key" because I love "Turn of the Screw" and I've never tried Ruth Ware, so glad to hear you mostly enjoyed it.
bear & nightingale: spoiler...ish?... when I read that, I just remember feeling like she had this Mulan montage of skills training for battle, but then in the fight like used none of it, and I was like "why'd I read those 100 pages?!" like if Mulan learning martial arts, bo staff, rocket firing, sword fighting... and then busts out a medieval flail to actually fight, and ur like... wait what?!
Oh I'm glad the travelling cat chronicles won! I remember suggesting it after seeing several booktubers crying over it and being a cat parent myself I wanted to hear your opinion about the story. I also suggested the blue castle which is a book that's so underrated but has one of the most fun heroines I've ever read in a classic. It's the perfect book to pick up if you're ever feeling "blue". LOL I would still totally recommend it to you!
Loved this Bracket Vlog! Love that you read Know My Name after already being emotionally wrecked by Mormon Stories Pod Cast! The LBTQ Policies of the Mormon Church are what pushed me to investigate the truth claims. Thanks for your review on Cat Chronicles, I've actually been putting off reading it until I had the band width. Love that you had to go love on your kitties after reading it ;)
As I don't tend to pick up general fiction I hadn't had The Traveling Cat Chronicles on my radar, but it's there now. 🙀 I enjoyed the Ruth Ware book although she can be a mixed bag for me. I think you'd like Death of Ms. Westaway. I was rooting for American Gods. 🤣 But, I love Gaiman almost as much as I do Robin Hobb and Ilona Andrews. So I've read all the things and watched all the shows/movies. I may be a scoche biased.🤔 But probably not, because he's a genius and his writing is incredible. (Totally unbiased opinion, as you can see 😉)
ahem, it‘s me again. confession time: i just made „kissy noises“ when marple (or hastings?) looked straight into the camera. 😻 my cat commented this action with the side eye of all side eyes… 🙄🐾🐾
hi mara! a question, if i may: your videos used to be (almost) ad free and the last few have had multiple ads. in this video i am on minute 9:37 and have had already 5 ad breaks (2 of them which i couldn‘t skip). is youtube playing up? or have you chosen to add more ads, which is of course your prerogative? i‘m asking because i see ad breaks in videos of people who‘ve up until now never had them or at the most only in the beginning. has anybody else noticed that, too? 🤔 ok, back to watching the video. 🎥
Know My Name is not what I want to read. I read fun books now that I'm older. When I was younger, I thought I should be well read. Not anymore, and I love it!
Heartless is Really popular, as a wholesome slice of life comics enjoyer I was interested but the author's views re: non white/ non English queer media+ the fandom really soured me to it :/
Know my name is not a book I could possibly read. I do not read depressing books, as life wherever is too depressing anyway. We would all have better mental health if we read books that are uplifting to the spirit, nt that drag us down to the depths of despair.
Neverwhere is Gaiman's first "real" book, and it definitely feels dated, IMO; it wouldn't have won against American Gods, no way 😁 I've read American Gods many times, and it's generally well-loved.
I really just did not enjoy Know My Name, and that’s scary to say as far as sensitivity and subject matter. I think it’s an important book that wasn’t written very well and took an interesting (not in a good way) direction. I’ve been disappointed by memoirs as of late. Even Jennette McCurdy’s book fell flat for me in the writing.
I recommended Know My Name on the original list thing and was feeling unsure about recommending it without being able to have a full conversation about the content. I've recommended that book to pretty much everybody but always talk to them about what is vs what isn't in the book, how the book discusses the subject matter, how it may make them feel. I work as a social worker with the local SVU and this book was so so important and impactful to me as a professional, especially, so I've mostly passed it on to other people in my professional circle. It's definitely one that I always recommend with the caveat that it's not going to be right for everyone at any given time. I'm glad that you used your best judgements on when to read that one. Seeing your emotion reminded me that we should all be paying attention to how and why we recommend books.
Hearing Mara sing even one line from the intro to Beauty and the Beast is what I needed this afternoon 😂
Actual Disney princess status
Your explanation of how Know My Name and Chanel Miller’s story and it’s impact on you had me welling up with tears. I think that her story was that moment for many people. ❤️
Her words were so powerful
Things I loved in this video:
1. The graphic design of the tournament boards.
2. Your home is cozy and gorgeous. The archways, ohmygoodness.
3. How refined this vlog is. The flow? Progression? Editing was well done.
4. Your diverse reading taste.
5. Your post-reading book thoughts. Eloquent wrap-ups.
6. OMG you sang Belle's song.
I've been a subscriber for a few months now. Plus, I've seen your participation in various liveshows.
You are becoming one of my favourite BookTubers. The way you think about the world and the topics you are willing to cover.
You balance moments of lightheartedness with moments of serious & sensitive discussions incredibly well.
You're doing great, keep going. 👍👍
Aw, thank you so so much! This was a favorite of mine to put together, so I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🙏
Interestingly, I have read all of these books!
Seeing you get emotional about Know My Name made me tear up! Brought it all back for me. Chanel Miller is incredible.
The Travelling Cat Chronicles and The Bear and the Nightingale are two of my favourites, so it was fun to hear your thoughts on them!
I hated the ending of The Turn of the Key but can see why she chose to go in that direction.
I loved this idea for a vlog!
Glad you enjoyed!!
I really liked Blood Sugar -- but despite marketing, you can't go into it expecting a thriller! I can't remember what I voted for but I also really loved A Psalm for the Wild-Built.. save it for a rainy day when you are feeling blue and need a hug.
I think I will get to it eventually! Especially since it’s short
I was the one who put the Master and Margarita into the running, I'm so pleased that it made it past it's first round at least! I'd highly highly recommend it, it's a Russian classic of magical realism, and is kind of a retelling of Faust set in the Soviet Union. It's got a bunch of things to say about religion and government oppression and the endurance of literature in times of censorship! It's also got a man sized cat that drinks vodka and shoots a tommy gun. If you do read it, the translation to go with is the one by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky! Love the video as always, I've been busy lately and am catching up on your backlog ❤
I loved The Winternight Trilogy…will reread in winter..it’s great!
This was a great lesson on wanting someone to read something you personally loved (Know My Name), and to hear and accept that they don't want to read it for reasons, even though you think they'll love it. Of course, I'm glad to hear that you did end up reading it and like it, but whew! the disappointment of hearing you didn't want to! Also, that LOOK you gave the camera near the end of the travelling cat chronicles LOL🤣
Very true - the reason I included it at all was that I was willing to read it if people really wanted me too, but I definitely would have nixed it from the mix if I was 100% not OK with reading it
Here me out, but please feel free to ignore me Mara I'll still love you lol. But for a reading vlog idea, because of what you studied in University and how you're feeling about religion at the moment, I recommend:
• "Go tell it on the Mountain" by James Baldwin
• "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker
• "More Than my Scars" by Kechi Okwuchi
• "I'm Still Here" by Austin Channing Brown
• "Transcendent Kingdom" by Yaa Gyasi
• "The Secret Life of Church Ladies" by Deesha Philyaw
Are all black books and I think are great in terms how they tackle issues of queerness, feminism, and racism in a religious way, but in a way that's not centered around whiteness. I guess I would love to hear your opinions based on who you are as a person talking about these books in a vlog. 🙈
Oh man, Know my name was so painful but so healing at the same time. Makes me cry just thinking about it
That's how I felt as well. I didn't think I'd ever be ready for it but just went for it and it's exactly what I needed!
I just finished The Secret Lives of Church Ladies and I LOVED it! It made me want to read more short story collections.
Also Know My Name is the only memoir I've read multiple times because of how much it has effected me
Loved this! Would for sure like to see another version. 😊
Mara singing ‘Bonjour/Good Day’ was fabulous!
Saaame
I liked the format of this video with the live reading reactions in the middle. :)
Agreed, Bear and the Nightingale is weirdly paced. I did not expect the horrors and I loved it, I don't like reading horror at all but this book worked. I was so happy to learn that Katherine has a middle grade horror series, I hope she continues with that genre. The first book is the coldest though, the second on is still wintery but mostly in the city and it turns to spring soon.
The Death of Mrs. Westaway is my favorite Ruth Ware and I think you might like it too because it *feels* like a closed circle mystery (although if I remember correctly it's not).
I'm excited for it!!
Since I'm a romance reader, the only book I've read of all those in your bracket was Seven Days in June. It is definitely a literary romance dealing with tough topics that may be triggering for some. Warnings for drug and alcohol abuse, a touch of sexual exploitation, and a main character dealing with a chronic illness that is not sugar coated. That being said, it had it's humorous moments as well and is well worth reading.
Good to know!!
This was SO interesting! Thank you!!
For future reference, The Cask is one of the most twisty mysteries I have ever read. I just stumbled across it this year and it turned me into a pretzel. Matt Rees’ The Collaborator of Bethleham is captivating on many levels. Rees was the Time Magazine Jerusalem correspondent for years and the experiences and friendships he made with Palestinians are everywhere through this book. Death of a Red Heroine is another mystery that takes the reader deep into another culture, the PRC in this case. Intricate mystery and fascinating read. And, as I have mentioned before, as a progressive, The Deficit Myth will blow your mind and could not possibly be more relevant. …like your TBR isn’t full enough already. 😂
Oh interesting, I'll have to look more into The Cask!
Normally I don’t read YA, but I wonder if you would like Hunted by Meagan Spooner. It’s a Beauty and the Beast (which I also like) retelling. I was surprised that I enjoyed it.
I was really pulling for Know My Name and I’m glad it won. It’s definitely very emotional and difficult to read but so worth it. Glad you felt the same!
It was definitely worth it!
I loved The travelli g cat chroni les. I don't really read these kind of books, I'm not an overly sensitive person, I don't show feelings easily but this books just caught so good how a cat may think. It was just so nice to read.
Ok hear me out, The Turn of the Key terrified me to my core!! It's kinda silly because it's not gory or straight up horror ( have an explanation/review of this book on case someone is curious) the reason is: I couldn't seperate this fro.The Haunting of Bly Manor, which is also a Henry James retelling! Hands down the most a book scared me! 😅
I really dislike short story collection but WOW Secret Lives of Church Ladies completely changed my mind!
I'll definitely have to read Know My Name now!
This was a great video! And I'm happy that you liked the bear and the nightingale. I also enjoyed the winternight trilogy
With regards to the religious aspect of the book, in Russia, up to around the Russian revolution, Christianity and the pagen beliefs coexisted with no problems.
Happy reading 📚
I feel proud that Mara’s fan base chose well. We need you to enter the realm of ‘Heartstopper’.
I really liked The Traveling Cat 🐈 Chronicles. I wanted to keep petting my sweet kitty 🐈⬛ boy while reading it.
so many great books!! the turn of the key was the first thriller i ever read, the bear and the nightingale trilogy was the main fantasy series that got me back into reading and the travelling cat chronicles has made me cry more than any other book lol! i definitely need to read Know My Name!
I am so highly jealous of your gorgeous editions of the Winternight trilogy - I tried to find a set, but had to settle for the boring normal one :D
Two cats, lots of books, a cozy reading nook... the dream. I'm happy that you have them. I think I forgot to comment the last time, I love your succulent cushion.
Thank you! I wasn't sure how I felt about them once they arrived but I'm enjoying them more and more the longer I have them
I read and loved Know My Name as an ebook. It was one of the best books I read in the past year. Glad you liked it!
It's so good!
‘A Bit of a Reviewski’ made me chuckle 😂
I would love to see a series vote - which series should you start next year
ooo that's a fun idea!
By the way, The Wizard and the Crow is a fairly dense literary fantasy deeply rooted in Kenyan politics and post-colonial history. Helene from Books by Leynes has a really great in-depth review that covers a lot of the nuances of the story. I'll link it in another comment in case the link sets off a spam filter. It's definitely different from more genre fantasy so keep that in mind if you ever pick it up.
Good to know! I'm hoping I'll get there at some point
The 3 books chosen (not the Sci-Fi one) were exactly what I’d pick out for you.
My first read of Bear and the Nightingale was 4 stars but on reread it was the one I ended up liking the most. Its also one of a handful of series both Liene and I like 😂
A rare treasure indeed! :D
Let the tournament begin. Waiting for the “Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?” Moment lol
Oh, man, I love Neil Gaiman, but I could not make it through "American Gods" (after about a dozen attempts); I would definitely have leaned "Neverwhere" on that one. But I guess it's moot anyway. But I've been curious about "Turn of the Key" because I love "Turn of the Screw" and I've never tried Ruth Ware, so glad to hear you mostly enjoyed it.
I'm still holding onto hopes of you reading the Heartstopper series. They are so heartwarming and happy! 😭
bear & nightingale: spoiler...ish?...
when I read that, I just remember feeling like she had this Mulan montage of skills training for battle, but then in the fight like used none of it, and I was like "why'd I read those 100 pages?!" like if Mulan learning martial arts, bo staff, rocket firing, sword fighting... and then busts out a medieval flail to actually fight, and ur like... wait what?!
I would love ‘Heartstopper’ taking over the charts as much as you let Marple affect the Tripod.
Love this concept! I’m excited to watch 😊
Hope you like it!
Your vlog projects are always so good!
Thank you!!
I haven't read any Robin Hobb yet but I'm curious about the cat POV -- which book is that in?
It’s in the Tawny Man trilogy
Love your vlogs and all your projects!
Thank you so much!
Oh I'm glad the travelling cat chronicles won! I remember suggesting it after seeing several booktubers crying over it and being a cat parent myself I wanted to hear your opinion about the story.
I also suggested the blue castle which is a book that's so underrated but has one of the most fun heroines I've ever read in a classic. It's the perfect book to pick up if you're ever feeling "blue". LOL I would still totally recommend it to you!
It's definitely on my radar now after this tournament!
Loved this Bracket Vlog! Love that you read Know My Name after already being emotionally wrecked by Mormon Stories Pod Cast! The LBTQ Policies of the Mormon Church are what pushed me to investigate the truth claims. Thanks for your review on Cat Chronicles, I've actually been putting off reading it until I had the band width. Love that you had to go love on your kitties after reading it ;)
I did have to get some snuggles in - gotta love the while they're here!
Definitely want to read Know My Name now.
It's really wonderful if hard
As I don't tend to pick up general fiction I hadn't had The Traveling Cat Chronicles on my radar, but it's there now. 🙀 I enjoyed the Ruth Ware book although she can be a mixed bag for me. I think you'd like Death of Ms. Westaway. I was rooting for American Gods. 🤣 But, I love Gaiman almost as much as I do Robin Hobb and Ilona Andrews. So I've read all the things and watched all the shows/movies. I may be a scoche biased.🤔 But probably not, because he's a genius and his writing is incredible. (Totally unbiased opinion, as you can see 😉)
I will definitely get to American Gods eventually - I've heard too many comps to The Library at Mount Char to avoid it
ahem, it‘s me again.
confession time: i just made „kissy noises“ when marple (or hastings?) looked straight into the camera. 😻
my cat commented this action with the side eye of all side eyes… 🙄🐾🐾
SO many great books!
I know!! very lucky
I'm curious about Robin Hobb's cat POV book. What is the title of the book?
It’s in the Tawny Man trilogy
@@bookslikewhoa thank you so much!
I wish we could all go beyond the screen and comfort Mara as they read ‘Know My Name’.
hi mara!
a question, if i may: your videos used to be (almost) ad free and the last few have had multiple ads. in this video i am on minute 9:37 and have had already 5 ad breaks (2 of them which i couldn‘t skip).
is youtube playing up? or have you chosen to add more ads, which is of course your prerogative?
i‘m asking because i see ad breaks in videos of people who‘ve up until now never had them or at the most only in the beginning. has anybody else noticed that, too? 🤔
ok, back to watching the video. 🎥
I just let it autoplace, but you're right, there's a bunch in this one for some reason, so I took some out!
I've tried American Gods four times and always DNF. I consider Gaiman one of my favorite authors, but I just can't get into it.
Know My Name is not what I want to read. I read fun books now that I'm older. When I was younger, I thought I should be well read. Not anymore, and I love it!
Very understandable, it is a tough read
Heartless is Really popular, as a wholesome slice of life comics enjoyer I was interested but the author's views re: non white/ non English queer media+ the fandom really soured me to it :/
Know my name is not a book I could possibly read. I do not read depressing books, as life wherever is too depressing anyway. We would all have better mental health if we read books that are uplifting to the spirit, nt that drag us down to the depths of despair.
‘The Traveling Cat Chronicles’ was absolutely delightful. I liked the illustrations in the copy that I possess. The main cat is an iconic diva.
Neverwhere is Gaiman's first "real" book, and it definitely feels dated, IMO; it wouldn't have won against American Gods, no way 😁 I've read American Gods many times, and it's generally well-loved.
It's one I definitely plan to get to someday
Lol without context it just looks like Twilight is categorized as non fiction 💀
LOL it is - don't you know about the real life vampires sweeping the nation??
@@bookslikewhoa 😂😂😂
📕📕😍📚📚🏳️🌈👍👌🏾
Oh no, Bear and the Nightingale does not have a good audiobook IMO! Nervous to see how that goes...
Whew, I ended up doing the ebook!
@@bookslikewhoa definitely for the best! I'm glad this was so successful.
I really just did not enjoy Know My Name, and that’s scary to say as far as sensitivity and subject matter. I think it’s an important book that wasn’t written very well and took an interesting (not in a good way) direction. I’ve been disappointed by memoirs as of late. Even Jennette McCurdy’s book fell flat for me in the writing.