Love this video concept, Alice. I've had The Miniaturist on my radar for a long time now. So great to hear you enjoyed it. I've just added The Gracekeepers to my TBR. It sounds right up my street ☺
The Essex Serpent is one of my favourites! Maybe because I had zero expectations going into it. I stumbled upon a copy in a second hand bookshop, the cover, blurb and first pages convinced me the story had me enamoured. I tend to enjoy books that are more character driven and play with the suggestion and mystery of something otherworldly, instead of it being there. After this video I might pick up the Miniaturist. The cover and premise call out to me every time but I always put the book back when I come across it in a shop.
I had forgotten about Stranger Weather in Tokyo but now I want to read it. I loved The Essex Serpent too. As for The Kings of Sports, I remember seeing another YTuber saying the book was overwritten and she read a couple of sentences, which actually, if I remember, didn't make any sense.. She didn't care (neither do I) about the despicable characters, she just criticized the writing and nonsense. So I never picked it up. As for The Mitfords, I actually read two books written by one of the sisters, but I also read the Mitford Murderers, and it was probably before because, as you did, I just read it as a cosy mystery and liked it. Then I found out that each of her book was based on an actual crime that took place in England.
Oh when you told the story of Strange Weather in Tokyo, I recognized a similar story. I just realized that her book was adapted by Jiro Taniguchi into a graphic book - I loved that book - such a beautiful story. 😉
Hi Alice, I’m wondering if you have read The Elegance of the Hedgehog? With your love of language, I think you will really enjoy it. It’s definitely a slow burn, a found family and love story. I adored it!
I love this idea because art is such a perspective thing. And horror, speculative fiction, sci-fi seems to get some of the HARDEST critics and things get missed. WEIRD BOOKS ARE THE BEST.
I’m reading the Mitford series right now. The author consistently includes all kinds of period detail and I love that. The author wrote the companion non-fiction books on the history of Downton Abbey. The author is related to Julian Fellows so she is well suited to write in the period. Her publisher pitched the idea of using the Mitfords to tie the series together which was interesting to me.
Thank you Alice, you always bring original books to us. The miniaturist is on my TBR since a long time. I love those kind of very atmospherique books, and I understand why it can be for a specific type of readers. I love to read books that are not like others. thanks again !
I actually liked both Mitford Murders (I also did not really know much about the family), and the Miniaturist. Bunny is on my TBR as well, good to know you liked it!
Very interesting. If I come across a book that seems interesting I always quickly check the ratings and I must admit that it puts me off a little when the rating is really low. I feel that translated books generally have a lower rating. Books like that are originally probably not catered to a US/UK audience and not everybody likes books that are out of their comfort zone. Looking at my shelves this is confirmed. Lowish rated books are Dutch titles I've read and some other books translated from ao German, Spanish, Swedish, Japanese and French. So this reminds me, I should read more translated fiction, because I like to be surprised. I will definitely pick up Strange Weather in Tokyo.
I have Bunny! 🐇 hope to get to it this year. Another (horror) book I have that some have said is similar vibes is The Honeys 🍯 Should be reading that this month or next. 🐝
First off, what glorious covers some of those books have!! Swoon! I am guilty of sometimes being put off by lower ratings on GR. I have several of these on my TBR, so feel good about that. My bigger issue is reading highly rated books and even some prize winners and either thoroughly disliking them or feeling very 2-3 star about them. Have you done a video on highly rated books that you found disappointing?
So, I tend to pay little attention to goodreads ratings, mostly because how people rate is so subjective. For me, 3 stars means a book is good, I enjoyed it. For some people, 3 stars is a low rating and means they didn't really like it (which I find odd because 3 out of 5 is over 50%). But anyway, the same star rating seems to mean wildly different things to different people. I also thought that by "low rated" you might mean books with 1 or 2 stars average rating but I think all the books you mentioned have over 3 stars as a rating which I think is reasonably good! I might look on goodreads to see if other people I have taste in common with have rated it or reviewd it, but that's probably it. I prefer Storygraph as you can rate things as 3.25 stars, 3.75 stars, etc, which gives it a bit more nuance. But also I think these pages are only used by a certain type of person - someone on the internet, for a start, and probably users of social media. So there are probably lots of opinions on these books not included. Which is a long-winded way of saying I mostly ignore ratings! I enjoyed this video very much though as nice to see books that aren't talked about. I also loved The Gracekeepers! I also think marketing has a lot to do with how a book is received. If the marketing/cover people are good, the book finds the readers who will love it. Sometimes I read books and dislike them and it's because the book just isn't my thing, and if it had been marketed differently I would never have picked it up.
A lot of people (myself included) have an issue with the Essex Serpent because the two main characters “became close” while the male one has a sick wife. Yeah, it is a literary book, not a romance, but we are still invited by the narrative to root for those two and, well, I can’t.
Greetings from Scotland. Like you, I really enjoyed The Mitford Murders and have since bought the whole series! 😊 I was wondering if you have read any of the Raven and Fisher books by husband and wife team, Ambrose Parry? The Way of All Flesh is the first in the series set in Edinburgh in the 1840's. It's a murder mystery surrounding midwifery malpractice. Most enjoyable. 😊
Love this video concept, Alice. I've had The Miniaturist on my radar for a long time now. So great to hear you enjoyed it. I've just added The Gracekeepers to my TBR. It sounds right up my street ☺
The Essex Serpent is one of my favourites! Maybe because I had zero expectations going into it. I stumbled upon a copy in a second hand bookshop, the cover, blurb and first pages convinced me the story had me enamoured. I tend to enjoy books that are more character driven and play with the suggestion and mystery of something otherworldly, instead of it being there. After this video I might pick up the Miniaturist. The cover and premise call out to me every time but I always put the book back when I come across it in a shop.
I am going to give some of these a try even though no one is talking about them and they are very low in their score
A mid week upload! What a nice surprise 😊
:D
❤📚❤️...absolutely LOVED hearing about books not being talked about by every single BookTuber...even though I LOVE all my BookTube girls!! 😊
Agreed!!! Sometimes it feels like a hive mind in RUclips land!! It’s so refreshing to hear about books that are outside that hive 🥳
I had forgotten about Stranger Weather in Tokyo but now I want to read it. I loved The Essex Serpent too. As for The Kings of Sports, I remember seeing another YTuber saying the book was overwritten and she read a couple of sentences, which actually, if I remember, didn't make any sense.. She didn't care (neither do I) about the despicable characters, she just criticized the writing and nonsense. So I never picked it up. As for The Mitfords, I actually read two books written by one of the sisters, but I also read the Mitford Murderers, and it was probably before because, as you did, I just read it as a cosy mystery and liked it. Then I found out that each of her book was based on an actual crime that took place in England.
Great video! I thought Bunny was un-put-downable!
totally agree about Bunny! I've had the virago book of witches on my tbr for a long time as well. It's so nice to get rec's off the beaten path 🥰
Strange Weather in Tokyo has been on my tbr for ever. I did see the low ratings and put it off. Nice to see it talked about.
Oh when you told the story of Strange Weather in Tokyo, I recognized a similar story. I just realized that her book was adapted by Jiro Taniguchi into a graphic book - I loved that book - such a beautiful story. 😉
I’m one who DNFed Essex Serpent. Also did not appreciate Bunny. I will try Mitford Murders and You Should Have Left. Good video!!
Hi Alice,
I’m wondering if you have read The Elegance of the Hedgehog? With your love of language, I think you will really enjoy it. It’s definitely a slow burn, a found family and love story. I adored it!
I haven't read it but heard great things :D
I loved the Essex Serpent. Was the first historical fiction novel I enjoyed after quite some time. The writing was so good.
I love this idea because art is such a perspective thing. And horror, speculative fiction, sci-fi seems to get some of the HARDEST critics and things get missed. WEIRD BOOKS ARE THE BEST.
Added The Mitford Murders to my TBR based on your recommendation!
I’m reading the Mitford series right now. The author consistently includes all kinds of period detail and I love that. The author wrote the companion non-fiction books on the history of Downton Abbey. The author is related to Julian Fellows so she is well suited to write in the period. Her publisher pitched the idea of using the Mitfords to tie the series together which was interesting to me.
Thank you Alice, you always bring original books to us. The miniaturist is on my TBR since a long time. I love those kind of very atmospherique books, and I understand why it can be for a specific type of readers. I love to read books that are not like others. thanks again !
Wow. Need more videos like this
I actually liked both Mitford Murders (I also did not really know much about the family), and the Miniaturist. Bunny is on my TBR as well, good to know you liked it!
Very interesting. If I come across a book that seems interesting I always quickly check the ratings and I must admit that it puts me off a little when the rating is really low.
I feel that translated books generally have a lower rating. Books like that are originally probably not catered to a US/UK audience and not everybody likes books that are out of their comfort zone. Looking at my shelves this is confirmed. Lowish rated books are Dutch titles I've read and some other books translated from ao German, Spanish, Swedish, Japanese and French.
So this reminds me, I should read more translated fiction, because I like to be surprised. I will definitely pick up Strange Weather in Tokyo.
Great idea for a video! Genius!
I have Bunny! 🐇 hope to get to it this year. Another (horror) book I have that some have said is similar vibes is The Honeys 🍯 Should be reading that this month or next. 🐝
First off, what glorious covers some of those books have!! Swoon! I am guilty of sometimes being put off by lower ratings on GR. I have several of these on my TBR, so feel good about that. My bigger issue is reading highly rated books and even some prize winners and either thoroughly disliking them or feeling very 2-3 star about them. Have you done a video on highly rated books that you found disappointing?
Thank you! :D I haven't done a video like that but maybe I should! It happens to me every once in a while too xD
Love this idea!
So, I tend to pay little attention to goodreads ratings, mostly because how people rate is so subjective. For me, 3 stars means a book is good, I enjoyed it. For some people, 3 stars is a low rating and means they didn't really like it (which I find odd because 3 out of 5 is over 50%). But anyway, the same star rating seems to mean wildly different things to different people.
I also thought that by "low rated" you might mean books with 1 or 2 stars average rating but I think all the books you mentioned have over 3 stars as a rating which I think is reasonably good!
I might look on goodreads to see if other people I have taste in common with have rated it or reviewd it, but that's probably it. I prefer Storygraph as you can rate things as 3.25 stars, 3.75 stars, etc, which gives it a bit more nuance. But also I think these pages are only used by a certain type of person - someone on the internet, for a start, and probably users of social media. So there are probably lots of opinions on these books not included.
Which is a long-winded way of saying I mostly ignore ratings!
I enjoyed this video very much though as nice to see books that aren't talked about. I also loved The Gracekeepers!
I also think marketing has a lot to do with how a book is received. If the marketing/cover people are good, the book finds the readers who will love it. Sometimes I read books and dislike them and it's because the book just isn't my thing, and if it had been marketed differently I would never have picked it up.
Yes, love these reflections! :D
A lot of people (myself included) have an issue with the Essex Serpent because the two main characters “became close” while the male one has a sick wife. Yeah, it is a literary book, not a romance, but we are still invited by the narrative to root for those two and, well, I can’t.
How boring life would be if everyone liked/disliked the same books! It certainly wouldn’t make BookTube the delight that it is.
Veeeery true! :D
Greetings from Scotland. Like you, I really enjoyed The Mitford Murders and have since bought the whole series! 😊
I was wondering if you have read any of the Raven and Fisher books by husband and wife team, Ambrose Parry? The Way of All Flesh is the first in the series set in Edinburgh in the 1840's. It's a murder mystery surrounding midwifery malpractice. Most enjoyable. 😊
I haven't read that series but it sounds great, I'll have to add it to my TBR :D
Hei, elsker boken den hemmelige historien , er midt i del to, tror du er min faktiske booktookangel?