I had read 18 out of the 20 when it was announced, so definitely pushed to finish the last two. Our opinions differ slightly. Overall, I do think most are meh. The ones in the middle can really all be interchangeable. But if I were to rank them from worst to best, it would be: The Teacher (ugh! so much ugh! my only 1 star of the year) The Last One At The Wedding The Return of Ellie Black (I actively hated the ending) The Midnight Feast The Night We Lost Him Society of Lies The Boyfriend The Heiress House of Glass Home Is Where the Bodies Are Listen for the Lie Middle of the Night Not What She Seems The Mystery Guest (where I start to actively like the books) How to Solve Your Own Murder The God of the Woods Darling Girls We Solve Murders First Lie Wins All the Colors of the Dark
I’m so excited you did this-I already love your GR Choice awards predictions and reactions content and the ones you have read in the category. But it was so fun to have your thoughts on all 20 books this year!! I have read the top ten and 100% agree I’m crossing my fingers The Teacher doesn’t win, I found it dreadful. Anything else winning I’d be okay with even though I do have my favorites, along with some others I didn’t think were as good.
I’m really glad you enjoyed All the Colors of the Dark! I had similar underwhelmed thoughts and feelings with The God of the Woods, so I was very hesitant to pick up All the Colors of the Dark since many reviewers compare the two. I’ll definitely have to give it a shot now, thanks for all the effort you put into this!
I wasn’t planning to read All the Colors but like others I’m inspired by your video to try! I also didn’t like God of the Woods- DNF’d about 1/3 of the way in
Frieda McFadden books are like Lifetime Movies... are they cheesy and entertaining? Yes! Will they win Academy Awards ? Nope.. Will I continue to read her when I just want a quick pick me up in a book ? 100% Yes!
Wow, you read them all! Love your reviews, we have similar tastes and I find I usually agree with them. I started All the Colors of the Dark earlier this year but knew I wouldn't get to the end before it was due back at the library, but I loved the beginning enough that I bought it. I hope to get to it in the next few months.
Someone I work with raved about All The Colors of the Dark when it came out and i've been meaning to pick it up since. With your review I sincerly look forward to reading it. Also with The Maid series, which I personally adore, I do recognize that it doesn't do anything groundbreaking and since you are so in Molly's head the entire time if you don't connect with her character it can just be a meh mystery. Congrats on reading the top 20! That's huge and I'd love to do that one day!
This was such a great video! Very impressive you were able to read all 20- I feel the same way about Freida. Definitely going to check out some of these that sound great- and thankful to you for reading some of them so I don’t have to! haha😂
If you watch Chris Whitaker’s interviews, the book makes so much sense… he’s been through a lot, yet, he came out on top and his prize was a beautiful soul he now shares with us. I wanted to read the book from the moment I had my “aha moment” during one of his interviews. Thanks for the video!
✨ Underrated Gems You Can't Miss! ✨ If you're looking for thrilling reads that keep you on the edge of your seat, these books by Lily Joy are a must-read: 📖 1. Fragment of Fears: A Novel A suspenseful tale that delves deep into mysteries you won't see coming! 📖 2. The Shadow of Calloway: A Suspenseful Psychological Thriller A gripping story that plays with your mind and keeps you guessing until the end. 📖 3. The Unseen: Shadows of Deceit (The Unseen: A Suspense Thriller Series Book 1) Unravel secrets and suspense in this edge-of-your-seat thriller. 📖 4. When Trust Breaks: A Gripping Psychological Thriller Dive into a whirlwind of betrayal, trust, and heart-pounding twists. These books are criminally underrated, and trust me, once you pick them up, you won’t be able to put them down. Don’t miss out-give these a read and experience the magic for yourself!
I don’t read a ton of mystery thrillers but of the three on the list 1) I loved First Lie Wins, 2) I liked How to Solve Your Own Murder, and 3) I was okay with We Solve Murders. I read all of The Thursday Murder Club books and found them way better than “We Solve …”. I did like the characters and I do like Osman’s writing style so I’ll continue the series to see if it gets better.
Ok gotta check out all the colors of the dark. I would love a video on what books you felt should’ve made the list but didn’t cuz they weren’t as popular
Wow great job at reading all of these. Actually I really enjoyed the teacher I voted for that I hope it wins. I also rated the Riley and Jenna low so disappointing. And I didn’t see the hype in the two lie books. Darling girls was good and how to solve your murder. I dnfed the midnight feast and the heiress is a soft dnf might still pick it up
I have read 11 of these! 🤩🤩🤩 I couldn't even read The Teacher! It was just so gross! Usually I love her books but I'm glad I didn't read it after your review! I love how we are so similar in taste! I felt the exact same about almost all of these books! So glad I found your channel!!
I was so mad at myself for wasting time reading The Teacher when there are so many other good books. That being said yes I will read The Boyfriend. 😆 I think I'm ready now to the tackle All The Colors in the Dark after hearing your review.
I wanna read All the colors of the dark but I'm scared, especially because it made you cry! I read 5 of the nominees, I think, and DNFed God of the woods. Thank you for the hard work reading all these books.
The god of the woods (which I hated about as much as you hate the teacher) also made me side eye All the colors of the dark… now I’m thinking I should give it a chance.
I don’t pay any attention to Goodreads - it’s so subjective, and much of the hype will be contrived through marketing, rather than because of the quality of the writing.
While I admire the dedication it takes to read an entire category, it greatly offsets (in the wrong direction) the amount of diverse reading that gets done. This is a big problem with challenges that people do and bookclubs as well. Just a thought.
Loved the ending of The Last one at the Wedding 😊. His other book didn’t have transphobia in it. The parents forced a child to assume another gender after kidnapping them
I very much admire your dedication in reading ALL 20 of them!
my goodness, my thoughts exactly.
After listening to your review, I can’t wait to read All the Colors of the Dark. Your enthusiasm as peaked my curiosity. Thank you Ashley!
Hope you enjoy it!!
I had read 18 out of the 20 when it was announced, so definitely pushed to finish the last two. Our opinions differ slightly. Overall, I do think most are meh. The ones in the middle can really all be interchangeable. But if I were to rank them from worst to best, it would be:
The Teacher (ugh! so much ugh! my only 1 star of the year)
The Last One At The Wedding
The Return of Ellie Black (I actively hated the ending)
The Midnight Feast
The Night We Lost Him
Society of Lies
The Boyfriend
The Heiress
House of Glass
Home Is Where the Bodies Are
Listen for the Lie
Middle of the Night
Not What She Seems
The Mystery Guest (where I start to actively like the books)
How to Solve Your Own Murder
The God of the Woods
Darling Girls
We Solve Murders
First Lie Wins
All the Colors of the Dark
Glad we agree on the teacher at least 😂
Ahh I’m so glad you loved Colors!! Fantastic video☺️
I’m so excited you did this-I already love your GR Choice awards predictions and reactions content and the ones you have read in the category. But it was so fun to have your thoughts on all 20 books this year!!
I have read the top ten and 100% agree I’m crossing my fingers The Teacher doesn’t win, I found it dreadful. Anything else winning I’d be okay with even though I do have my favorites, along with some others I didn’t think were as good.
Wow! 🤩 I hope you’re not in a reading slump now!!! You’re a champion 🎉
I’m actually so energized after this, I love checking off a to do list 😂
I’m really glad you enjoyed All the Colors of the Dark! I had similar underwhelmed thoughts and feelings with The God of the Woods, so I was very hesitant to pick up All the Colors of the Dark since many reviewers compare the two. I’ll definitely have to give it a shot now, thanks for all the effort you put into this!
Bless you for your service 🫡👏
Happy to report for duty 🫡
This was such a fun video! Thank you so much for doing it
I loved the Teacher!!!
I always love your vlogs and I ALWAYS add so many to my TBR because of you LOL! :)
I would love it if you’d review my sister’s mystery, May the Wolf Die. It was just listed on NY Times best crime fiction for 2024!
Listen for the Lie is one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to. Several narrators and they put sound effects in for the podcast episodes.
I love your reviews sm!!
Knowing Julia Whelan narrated something definitely makes me more interested in any book
I wasn’t planning to read All the Colors but like others I’m inspired by your video to try! I also didn’t like God of the Woods- DNF’d about 1/3 of the way in
Frieda McFadden books are like Lifetime Movies... are they cheesy and entertaining? Yes! Will they win Academy Awards ? Nope.. Will I continue to read her when I just want a quick pick me up in a book ? 100% Yes!
Thx for validating my feelings about The night we lost him!!!
Wow, you read them all! Love your reviews, we have similar tastes and I find I usually agree with them. I started All the Colors of the Dark earlier this year but knew I wouldn't get to the end before it was due back at the library, but I loved the beginning enough that I bought it. I hope to get to it in the next few months.
Someone I work with raved about All The Colors of the Dark when it came out and i've been meaning to pick it up since. With your review I sincerly look forward to reading it. Also with The Maid series, which I personally adore, I do recognize that it doesn't do anything groundbreaking and since you are so in Molly's head the entire time if you don't connect with her character it can just be a meh mystery. Congrats on reading the top 20! That's huge and I'd love to do that one day!
This was such a great video! Very impressive you were able to read all 20- I feel the same way about Freida. Definitely going to check out some of these that sound great- and thankful to you for reading some of them so I don’t have to! haha😂
I really enjoyed Darling Girls and Ellie Black.
If you watch Chris Whitaker’s interviews, the book makes so much sense… he’s been through a lot, yet, he came out on top and his prize was a beautiful soul he now shares with us.
I wanted to read the book from the moment I had my “aha moment” during one of his interviews.
Thanks for the video!
Thank you! Great analysis and helpful
I despised The Teacher and actually liked The Boyfriend. It actually tricked me so good I was shocked
Queen!!!! 🎉
✨ Underrated Gems You Can't Miss! ✨
If you're looking for thrilling reads that keep you on the edge of your seat, these books by Lily Joy are a must-read:
📖 1. Fragment of Fears: A Novel
A suspenseful tale that delves deep into mysteries you won't see coming!
📖 2. The Shadow of Calloway: A Suspenseful Psychological Thriller
A gripping story that plays with your mind and keeps you guessing until the end.
📖 3. The Unseen: Shadows of Deceit (The Unseen: A Suspense Thriller Series Book 1)
Unravel secrets and suspense in this edge-of-your-seat thriller.
📖 4. When Trust Breaks: A Gripping Psychological Thriller
Dive into a whirlwind of betrayal, trust, and heart-pounding twists.
These books are criminally underrated, and trust me, once you pick them up, you won’t be able to put them down. Don’t miss out-give these a read and experience the magic for yourself!
Great video! Kudos for reading all 20📚. I've read 8. Glad you loved All the Colors too. Think you might like We Begin at the End by same author.
I don’t read a ton of mystery thrillers but of the three on the list 1) I loved First Lie Wins, 2) I liked How to Solve Your Own Murder, and 3) I was okay with We Solve Murders. I read all of The Thursday Murder Club books and found them way better than “We Solve …”. I did like the characters and I do like Osman’s writing style so I’ll continue the series to see if it gets better.
Soooo glad I just ordered All the Colors of the Dark during the Black Friday sales now 🥰🥰
Ok gotta check out all the colors of the dark. I would love a video on what books you felt should’ve made the list but didn’t cuz they weren’t as popular
One minute in I'm SO PUMPED
There were a lot of duds for you but atleast you saved the best for last👀👏🏽👏🏽
omg you are fast!!
Wow great job at reading all of these. Actually I really enjoyed the teacher I voted for that I hope it wins. I also rated the Riley and Jenna low so disappointing. And I didn’t see the hype in the two lie books. Darling girls was good and how to solve your murder. I dnfed the midnight feast and the heiress is a soft dnf might still pick it up
Everand Tip for finding out what % you’ve read click SAVED at the bottom of the screen & then click the HISTORY tab & it will show you your % 😊
I have read 11 of these! 🤩🤩🤩 I couldn't even read The Teacher! It was just so gross! Usually I love her books but I'm glad I didn't read it after your review! I love how we are so similar in taste! I felt the exact same about almost all of these books! So glad I found your channel!!
I was so mad at myself for wasting time reading The Teacher when there are so many other good books. That being said yes I will read The Boyfriend. 😆 I think I'm ready now to the tackle All The Colors in the Dark after hearing your review.
The Boyfriend was really good!!! Her books are always about revenge and I love it when people get what they deserve! That's why I loved the teacher!
I loved return of Ellie black 🥹
I know you said you weren't interested but the 3rd Maid is already out and it's only 128 pages. Super quick read.
I love this
I wanna read All the colors of the dark but I'm scared, especially because it made you cry! I read 5 of the nominees, I think, and DNFed God of the woods.
Thank you for the hard work reading all these books.
I almost DNF'ed The God of the Woods but kept thinking it had to get better based on how popular it was. It didn't.
@LaLaLonna I stopped doing that to myself. There are too many books in the world, I will find something that I'll enjoy.
Each round I voted between We Solve Murder & How to solve your own murder.
I’m going with We Solve by Richard Osman.
Thx for the video !
I have only ever listened to Frieda on audio never physically read them and I have overall always enjoyed them. That has to be the secret lol
The god of the woods (which I hated about as much as you hate the teacher) also made me side eye All the colors of the dark… now I’m thinking I should give it a chance.
They did say Molly was divergent.
I don’t pay any attention to Goodreads - it’s so subjective, and much of the hype will be contrived through marketing, rather than because of the quality of the writing.
While I admire the dedication it takes to read an entire category, it greatly offsets (in the wrong direction) the amount of diverse reading that gets done. This is a big problem with challenges that people do and bookclubs as well. Just a thought.
Ok I had to stop watching this video coz I realized, there were too many spoilers!
Loved the ending of The Last one at the Wedding 😊. His other book didn’t have transphobia in it. The parents forced a child to assume another gender after kidnapping them
One of the arguments of transphobes is that parents are forcing their children to change their gender. So it's pretty transphobic.