Reading Wrap Up | March 2021

Books mentioned:

An Illusion of Thieves by Cate Glass
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Luster by Raven Leilani
The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex
A Knock at Midnight by Brittany K Barnett
The Beadworkers by Beth Piatote
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M Danforth

If you fancy it you can -

[OhioEddieBlack]

Thank you for reviewing The Lamplighters. Your reviews are particularly helpful because you don't make a bunch of vague positive comments or general "I didn't like it" statements. I really appreciate how you really specifically say what you liked or disliked about the books you review.

[Anna-whzn]

I picked up Plain Bad Heroines on your suggestion and I'm loving it. I'm more than half way through and even though I'm anticipating a weak ending, it will still go into my list for one of my favourite books this year. It's a fabulous story.

[hmrishel]

I agree that plain bad heroines had a weak ending. I was expecting so much more from the strong beginning. I also think it was longer than it really needed to be. But I adored all of the footnotes. The humor in them was the highlight of the book for me.

[ThatsSoPoe]

I've got The Beadworkers on my TBR, so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it so much!

[booksandpizza]

I felt the same towards the first chunk of Luster, the “romance” was very uncomfortable to witness but the second part sort of saved the book for me especially because I didn’t know at all where it was going (I hadn’t read the blurb) and I overall enjoyed her writing style a lot!

[alba]

I've just finised Plain Bad Heroines and I agree with what you say. In particular with the contemporary timeline, it did feel like it ended a bit abruptly? Like it was headed towards a main event of horror but then it wasn't? I did like how different their ending was from the one in the past timeline. I think I didn't mind that the ending was, as you say, weak because the rest of it was brilliant and I did love the narrator.

[elizabethtan]

Always really enjoy your videos Mercedes! you’re one of the only booktubers whose videos I watch till the end. Always excited to hear your very well-thought out, and well-rounded opinions on books you’ve read.
Will be adding Beadworkers and A Knock at Midnight to my list. Saving Plain Bad Heroines to dig into on my annual leave :)

[brandyfox]

I too loved A Knock At Midnight. The Sun Does Shine is my favorite book on the subject of unjust incarceration. Highly recommend.

[lyndsayreads]

I completely agree about the violence in Luster! It was so jarring and very uncomfortable to read and made it difficult for me to enjoy. So I ended up falling in the middle of enjoyment as well! A Knock at Midnight sounds really interesting so I may have to try to get my hands on that one! I can't decide if I want to read Plain Bad Heroines. It's gotten such mixed reviews and every time I hear someone talk about it, I feel like I change my mind. Great wrap-up! Looking forward to your fantasy wrap-up as well! :)

[Emmie]

Will definitely be adding Lamplighters and Plain Bad Heroines to the TBR!

[UKLeonie]

Legendborn got 5*, got to be one of my favs for the year so far.

[pastorytime]

A knock at midnight sounds so good. Good job on the PBH description! Such a fun buddy read! Xx Siân xx

[TutankhamunReads]

I have got the Lamplighters ready to read on audiobook, it sounds so good. I found it on the foyles blog

[justemefa]

Legendborn is or has been on literally everyone’s TBR and I’ve heard only good things about it. I’m waiting to hear your thoughts on it

[ChrisDailyReading]

Plain Bad Heroines sounds really interesting

[karengolden]

Thank you for your reviews of these books. The Lamplighters sounded really great but I’m not sure I’ll read it now that I’ve heard you’re review . I love your book shelving can I ask where you got it from please?

[hayleyc]

I read The Lamplighters and felt similar to yourself but you articulated it better.

[KittyAndTheBooks]

I am still very excited for Plain Bad Heroines, it sounds very interesting and sometimes I am fine with weird endings. :D

[rubyhanmer]

Your frustration with A Knock at Midnight about Obama is similar to how I felt about his most recent memoir. I wish he’d talked more about any things he thought he’d made the wrong decision on but it was all very focused on his own triumphs or struggling against other people who were wrong

[morningdewacademic]

Comments on A Knock at Midnight: Yes, our laws and the justice system here in the US are truly messed up in so many ways. I feel many of these criminals need to be given community service and put into drug rehabs; however, they should also take responsibility for their crimes and stop blaming everything on race, it's not always a race issue (at times, yes, but not always). Be an adult, own up to the crime you committed and do the time, although I do believe they should be put in rehab vs. a jail/prison.

These are really some good books, I'm definitely going to get the one about the lighthouses as that really intrigues me because we don't have this anymore and yes, people did live at and work the lighthouses years ago. Thanks for sharing these books!