I REMEMBER WHAT I MISSED: The Wishing Game was disqualified because Meg Schaffer is a pseudonym for TIFFANY REISZ, who has been writing forever. When I found out that TIFFANY REISZ wrote this book, my mind was a wee bit blown... and then the weird age gap stuff suddenly made sense 😬☠
Thanks for summarizing why the SMP boycott/influencer shut-out is happening again here. It's a good reminder that it was SMP's flippant response to a genuine concern that was a big part of the problem here. Also I too am a scaredy cat but the way you described The September House made me want to know more so I guess I'm putting that on hold at the library and I'll be back to watch the rest of the section after I watch it.
As someone who's been on a horror / thriller kick, I immediately put The September House on hold when you talked about it. It definitely seems right up my alley.
the debut category is so difficult for me to vote on bc i’ve rarely read most of the books in the list (i don’t read new releases frequently), and because they’re often of such wildly different genres. i appreciated hearing your take on the ones you read!
I have never been such a fan of someone I disagree with so much ! lol Thank you for providing honest, articulate reviews. I have watched enough of your content on tiktok to know I needed more so I came to youtube. I have decided you and I are quite opposite in our tastes and criteria for good/bad reads, but I enjoy your content and find it refreshing! I'm currently looking to diversify my tbr so I'll be sifting thru your videos for recs :)
It's so funny to hear you say 'more data will not be collected' and then immediately say it might be, because my first thought was that you are the type who would collect more data on this! And I would be happy to watch you analyze it.
I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself and Monstrilio are two of my top favorite books of the year, I was sad they didn't make it to the next round (but surprised they made it to the top 20 honestly)
I read Exoskeletons and, man, MY EMOTIONS. I'll talk about it in a different wrap-up. I didn't get to Monstrilio, but I do have it now, so I'll read it soon!
As an adoptee (adopted as a teenager), I was also uncomfortabe with some of the adoption rep. The foster care rep was blatantly inaccurate as well. It's been a long time since I read The Wishing Game, so I can't recall any specifics unfortunately.
wonderful reviews as always! the thematic elements of The September House sound so interesting. I'm not sure that specific book would be for me but I am intrigued by what the author writes in the future!
I usually find the debut category the most interesting of the Goodreads awards however I never agree with the winner…. I do still anticipate the list to find a couple of different books to add to my library queue 😊 My favorite this year was The Collected Regrets of Clover.
I am actually really glad I ended up with the debut category in this project! I feel like I always get a mix of books and nothing too far in a series. I liked Clover! I'll wrap it up in another video. ❤
Thanks Mari, that was helpful in making my TBR smaller, which I am not mad about in any way! And thanks for pointing out who to watch for when they publish new works ❤
who knew you'd get such a controversial category with the disqualification shenanigans!!!?? Thanks for this project yet again - I'm in the middle of Kitty Karr and enjoying it so far. A few of these are on my radar as well.
I love that you broke down the how of the Goodreads Choice Nominees. #1 bc if really does expose how they're stoll making decisions behind the scenes and #2 bc I'm a nosy bitch. I'm gon a have to rewatch this w a notepad when it comes time to do this again 😅
love your reviews, you always make such good observations. Thanks also for sticking to the boycott, it's really important and I hope it has a positive impact
I loved the September house, it made me laugh and it scared me. It wasn’t perfect but I appreciated it for what it was, I’m excited to try more by that author 💕
I can’t always get into videos with a bunch of reviews but I really enjoyed this one! As a nerd who loves spreadsheets your method for trying to find the top books was so fun to see!
I read it when I was trying to read the top 20 so I will definitely talk more about it in another video. I think I may even have clips already filmed of reading that and I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself.
I felt exactly the same about Kitty Karr! **SPOILER** I honestly feel like the present timeline was only there in order to make Kitty’s Blackness a mystery and for you to be shocked when you found out she was Black and related to the girls - which I could see myself enjoying, I guess. But it was just so obvious from the start that, if that was the intention, it failed miserably at that. I did REALLY like it though, and gave it 4 stars too!
Your thoughts on the Bandit Queens are why I have a hard time with reading stuff that claims to be progressive - you often have to read through like 350 pages of the characters being bigoted before they ~change for the better, and the authors rarely adequately correct the previous descriptions given by the bigoted characters. I remember The Wishing Game came out literally a month after I started seeing some stuff about the dark side of adoption on tiktok, and I think it’s interesting to consider that timing. There’s no way that Meg/Tiffany could have predicted how that particular discourse would emerge in the gap between final edits and publication, and I also don’t think that discourse has even migrated outside of tiktok yet. Like it’s important as a reader to have that info in mind but I have a hard time criticizing the author for bad timing and not being plugged into tiktok.
Thanks for sticking to the boycott. When I read I don't usually pay attention to the publisher, but I also tend to read academic history so that is easy.
I also don't usually pay attention, but this year I've been tracking publishers on my personal spreadsheet. And of course, now with the boycott, I'm looking everything up.
I had feelings about "The Bandit Queens." I couldn't help but think that all the characters sounded like white people from America most of the times. Then I realized that the author is raised in the US and it made sense. I prefer stories written by people who actually lived in the place they are writing about, rather than a white-translated story.
I read ink blood and really liked it in the beginning but then it took awhile to finish and it was kind of underwhelming in the second half? I think this author may be one to follow though because maybe it's just a debut thing.
@@mynameismarines predictable is totally the word. I suppose there was supposed to be more intrigue but I kind of figured it out immediately. I still enjoyed the story but it could be crafted better as you described in the video.
Too bad that Maame is from St. Martin's Press because it was my favorite of that list. I feel vindicated that you found Kitty Karr to be disappointing. I wanted to like it so much. I love the cover and the subject is so interesting and hasn't been written about much. But I found it to be tedious.
There is a link in the description to sign the petition for the boycott against St. Martin's Press! Check it out ❤
I REMEMBER WHAT I MISSED: The Wishing Game was disqualified because Meg Schaffer is a pseudonym for TIFFANY REISZ, who has been writing forever. When I found out that TIFFANY REISZ wrote this book, my mind was a wee bit blown... and then the weird age gap stuff suddenly made sense 😬☠
That’s a Tiffany Reisz book!!??!! I need a moment…
@@marisagettas THATS WHAT I’m SAYING!! Could not compute.
Oh my god
Thanks for summarizing why the SMP boycott/influencer shut-out is happening again here. It's a good reminder that it was SMP's flippant response to a genuine concern that was a big part of the problem here.
Also I too am a scaredy cat but the way you described The September House made me want to know more so I guess I'm putting that on hold at the library and I'll be back to watch the rest of the section after I watch it.
As someone who's been on a horror / thriller kick, I immediately put The September House on hold when you talked about it. It definitely seems right up my alley.
the debut category is so difficult for me to vote on bc i’ve rarely read most of the books in the list (i don’t read new releases frequently), and because they’re often of such wildly different genres. i appreciated hearing your take on the ones you read!
It does make it a pretty good category for this project, though! I feel like I'm getting such a good and interesting mix of work .
I have never been such a fan of someone I disagree with so much ! lol Thank you for providing honest, articulate reviews. I have watched enough of your content on tiktok to know I needed more so I came to youtube. I have decided you and I are quite opposite in our tastes and criteria for good/bad reads, but I enjoy your content and find it refreshing! I'm currently looking to diversify my tbr so I'll be sifting thru your videos for recs :)
It's so funny to hear you say 'more data will not be collected' and then immediately say it might be, because my first thought was that you are the type who would collect more data on this! And I would be happy to watch you analyze it.
I know, I couldn't even fool myself for a second lmao
I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself and Monstrilio are two of my top favorite books of the year, I was sad they didn't make it to the next round (but surprised they made it to the top 20 honestly)
I read Exoskeletons and, man, MY EMOTIONS. I'll talk about it in a different wrap-up. I didn't get to Monstrilio, but I do have it now, so I'll read it soon!
As an adoptee (adopted as a teenager), I was also uncomfortabe with some of the adoption rep. The foster care rep was blatantly inaccurate as well. It's been a long time since I read The Wishing Game, so I can't recall any specifics unfortunately.
"I promise you that as a Virgo" laid me out
wonderful reviews as always! the thematic elements of The September House sound so interesting. I'm not sure that specific book would be for me but I am intrigued by what the author writes in the future!
I usually find the debut category the most interesting of the Goodreads awards however I never agree with the winner…. I do still anticipate the list to find a couple of different books to add to my library queue 😊 My favorite this year was The Collected Regrets of Clover.
I am actually really glad I ended up with the debut category in this project! I feel like I always get a mix of books and nothing too far in a series. I liked Clover! I'll wrap it up in another video. ❤
I usually loved the Poetry section because it collates all the releases I haven't heard about elsewhere 😢
I'm adding Did You Hear About Kitty Karr to my to be read list.
I was really rooting for ink blood sister scribe, its not a new fave but it was a pleasant surprise for me!
I don't think I was over how slow it felt to me! But all the other elements were pretty good.
1:02 I laugh every time 😂😂😂 you always got something going on 😂😂😂😂
Really enjoy your indepth analysis of all these books 🎉🎉
I love your reviews. So thorough and thoughtful. Looking For Jane sounds the most interesting to me, I might request it from the library.
Thanks Mari, that was helpful in making my TBR smaller, which I am not mad about in any way! And thanks for pointing out who to watch for when they publish new works ❤
Thank you for watching! ❤
I am very excited that you all did another collaboration. It will give me hours of entertainment this coming week!
I love doing these so much!
who knew you'd get such a controversial category with the disqualification shenanigans!!!?? Thanks for this project yet again - I'm in the middle of Kitty Karr and enjoying it so far. A few of these are on my radar as well.
I know! When I saw the note on the winners, I was like WHAT A DANG MINUTE. And finding out that Meg Shaffer is Tiffany Reisz blew my mind.
I love that you broke down the how of the Goodreads Choice Nominees. #1 bc if really does expose how they're stoll making decisions behind the scenes and #2 bc I'm a nosy bitch. I'm gon a have to rewatch this w a notepad when it comes time to do this again 😅
love your reviews, you always make such good observations. Thanks also for sticking to the boycott, it's really important and I hope it has a positive impact
Thank you! And agreed! There is a petition we are sending to SMP, linked in the description, if you haven't signed it already ❤
14:16 oh my god your shelves are so beautiful with the golden lighting
I loved the September house, it made me laugh and it scared me. It wasn’t perfect but I appreciated it for what it was, I’m excited to try more by that author 💕
Yes! I also laughed and was spooked. It was impressive that the author managed both well.
I can’t always get into videos with a bunch of reviews but I really enjoyed this one! As a nerd who loves spreadsheets your method for trying to find the top books was so fun to see!
Thank you! Glad you appreciated my nonsense formulas lmao ❤
Definitely adding The September House to my list!!
I was so looking forward to this video! Love your reviews as always!
I’m bummed Sharkheart didn’t make it further, I would have loved to hear your thoughts on it! One of the most unique and moving books I’ve ever read.
I read it when I was trying to read the top 20 so I will definitely talk more about it in another video. I think I may even have clips already filmed of reading that and I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself.
I’d love your review of “all this could be different” by Sarah Thankam Mathews (also a debut novel)…I thought it was beautifully written
I felt exactly the same about Kitty Karr! **SPOILER**
I honestly feel like the present timeline was only there in order to make Kitty’s Blackness a mystery and for you to be shocked when you found out she was Black and related to the girls - which I could see myself enjoying, I guess. But it was just so obvious from the start that, if that was the intention, it failed miserably at that. I did REALLY like it though, and gave it 4 stars too!
Shout out to my fave debut of the year: Andy and the Extroverts by Jessica Foster. It is YA romance summer camp fun with great characters
Your thoughts on the Bandit Queens are why I have a hard time with reading stuff that claims to be progressive - you often have to read through like 350 pages of the characters being bigoted before they ~change for the better, and the authors rarely adequately correct the previous descriptions given by the bigoted characters.
I remember The Wishing Game came out literally a month after I started seeing some stuff about the dark side of adoption on tiktok, and I think it’s interesting to consider that timing. There’s no way that Meg/Tiffany could have predicted how that particular discourse would emerge in the gap between final edits and publication, and I also don’t think that discourse has even migrated outside of tiktok yet. Like it’s important as a reader to have that info in mind but I have a hard time criticizing the author for bad timing and not being plugged into tiktok.
omg im so looking forward to watching this yesss!!!!!!
Monstrilio had a boost in popularity right before the voting opened. That’s definitely having an effect.
The fact that Weyward won TWICE 😭 yes I’m upset
I have no intention of reading probably any of these books but I'm here anyway. Thanks.
Thank you for watching!
Great video ❤
Thanks for sticking to the boycott. When I read I don't usually pay attention to the publisher, but I also tend to read academic history so that is easy.
I also don't usually pay attention, but this year I've been tracking publishers on my personal spreadsheet. And of course, now with the boycott, I'm looking everything up.
I've been waiting for this video!!
Great video!
I had feelings about "The Bandit Queens." I couldn't help but think that all the characters sounded like white people from America most of the times. Then I realized that the author is raised in the US and it made sense. I prefer stories written by people who actually lived in the place they are writing about, rather than a white-translated story.
I haven't heard one single good reaction on booktube towards Weyward so I have no idea how it won.
Someone out there likes it, but it isn't me lol
It was terrible. The cover was pretty, and that is probably my only positive from the experience.
Cover is lovely...but I still dnf'd it 🙃
I love your voice
Thank you ❤
I read ink blood and really liked it in the beginning but then it took awhile to finish and it was kind of underwhelming in the second half? I think this author may be one to follow though because maybe it's just a debut thing.
I agree! I found the first half slow and the second half predictable, but the premise and ideas were great, so I'd definitely try Torsz again!
@@mynameismarines predictable is totally the word. I suppose there was supposed to be more intrigue but I kind of figured it out immediately. I still enjoyed the story but it could be crafted better as you described in the video.
Too bad that Maame is from St. Martin's Press because it was my favorite of that list. I feel vindicated that you found Kitty Karr to be disappointing. I wanted to like it so much. I love the cover and the subject is so interesting and hasn't been written about much. But I found it to be tedious.
I have so much to say about Maame too! Hopefully, it'll stick with me for whenever SMP decides to get themselves together.
I did not know that Tiffany Reiz was Meg Schaffer 😱
ME EITHER. I was shocked, honey.
I can't believe you didn't read Monstrillo for this video 😭😭😭
I was busy conducting a mass layoff 😩