Hope & wish your mother is recovering well. Please take care Merphy.

Howls moving castle sounds like magical realism. The “castle, STOP doing this thing that shouldn’t happen but is and we’re also not gonna bother wondering about that!”

Look so forward to hearing your thoughts on Small Favor. That is a top 4 Dresden book, for me. Such a freaking fun ride.

I loved Howl's moving castle

I may have gotten too spoiled on the Terry Pratchett and Dresden Files uploads but I am starting to jones for my next fix lol

The Tainted Cup sounds really really good. Adding it to my TBR. Love the enthusiasm. ❤ Howl’s is a beautiful movie and strong book. ☺️ Thanks, Merphy!!

Howl has been my favorite book since childhood. I read it every year

Your book review channel works more for me, as i haven't read much fiction for a while. And liking the straight-hair look.

Looking forward to the next diskworld and dresden reviews.

The Tainted Cup was amazing. Am I the only one that got Attack on Titan vibes from the leviathans? You pretty much nailed it with House of Open Wounds, the way that book opened alone had me dying. Hopefully the Temeraire books pick up for you, they only get crazier as they progress!

Wishing you and your family well❤ I also see Neon Ghost on the shelf! the physical copies look great from what I've seen online! the Wickwire watch sounds awesome!!!!!! adding it to the TBR :)

It's nice to see you in the bookshelf room again! I feel it's been so long; loved the reading vlogs this month♡

Looking forward to your thoughts on Lilac Girls. Honestly, it was the book that got me back into reading as an adult. I haven’t read as much Historical fiction since, but it is heartbreakingly beautiful 💜 sending well wishes your way, and hoping for a positive recovery for your mom.

If you're open to trying more Diana Wynne Jones, may I recommend some of my favourites: Deep Secret [mind-bendy magic, an empire collapsing, and a hotel that warps reality], The Merlin Conspiracy [magical treason plot, multiple parallel worlds, many different kinds of weird magic, a friendly elephant], Dogsbody [sci-fi with a twist], Fire and Hemlock [tracking a girl's entire childhood as she tries to discover why her memories don't match up, as well as a lot of things that defy description], Eight Days of Luke [fun Norse mythology romp through the days of the week], Homeward Bounders [world-hopping inter-dimensional demon machinations], or Archer's Goon [suburban 'house-under-siege' with wizards who want to take over the world].

Just hangin out lookin forward to the Small Favor Review.

Looks like an amazing month. Over at Mikala Reads youtube channel, she previewed a book that I think might be something you might like. It is called The Botanical Daughter by Noah Medlock. It is a horror story about two Victorian gentlemen and their botanical garden who embark on a Frankenstein-style experiment with unexpected consequences. Anyway, stay safe and happy reading.

10:56 Solaris just like my tinder matches

I'm glad you're continuing the Temeraire series. Book 4 is worth it.

I read The Deed of Paksenarrion *years* ago (probably 1992 when the omnibus version first came out) and really enjoyed it. Hope you do too. 🙂❤️

I told Johanna the same thing but you should Blindsight by Petter Watts. I feel like it fits in really well with In Ascension and Solaris

That was actually why I was on the fence about reading A Tainted Cup. There is so much here that I will be interested, and I love earthly horror or plant horror and this leans into it somewhat, but I deeply do not care for investigative mysteries and that is what it seemed to be. Your review though did make me really excited for elements of this book so I may look into it. Also if you want more plant stories, look into Evil Roots: Killer Tales of the Botanical Gothic.

I have been hearing a lot about the WickWire Watch and wonder if it is horror leaning? ;)

Wow ‘in ascension’ sounds like such a melodramatic drag 😅

I need the tainted cup and I need it now

Honestly, I like the throwback lighting.

Maybe the abrupt ending is because Howl’s Moving Castle is a series? Idk haven't read it yet, but will soon

My latest novel, Edge of Eternity (sequel to Edge of Time - a time travel adventure) is coming out in 28 days. If you'd like an arc, let me know! All the best.

You are seriously one of my favorites to listen to & watch, even though I haven’t read the majority of what you read, you are just so engaging. Praying over your mom’s health!

Ah nice! Continuing with terry pratchett again. How many discworld books is that for you so far?

Another video. Another check to see if she will go back to terry prachetts guards series instead of not reading the whole thing from the beginning

do you have any interest in anything else by Hayao Miyazaki? Especially if you liked Howls moving castle? you mentioned that you like those Biology settings where plant life is heavily integrated in human society, so maybe you'll enjoy Nausicaä of the Valley of the wind. The Manga, Admittedly isn't as pretty as other mangas of that time, let alone modern Mangas, but It's such a well written Story. There's a movie by Studio Ghibly as well, but it only covers about half of the story

I'm on book 6 of temeraire, I lost interest 4 books ago. I thought she'd move at least a bit past her own formula but guess not. That's why it's taking me ages to pick up book 6.

Hey Merphy, just a question. Did you drop Discworld?

19:57 - I find myself wondering if she weighs 600lbs, but isn't very large? Just....heavier?? 🤔🤔👀 (still, you'd think that could be a problem anyhow at least regarding his bed holding her without collapsing?) OR is she perhaps able to change her weight magically all depending on whether she wants to make herself more or less difficult to move? Or is he a very large or heavy man himself too? 🤔 I dunno, I'm kinda curious what I might takeaway from it or not myself if I read it 😁😁😁

You are skipping all the way to Jingo? that's a long way ahead in your Pratchett chronicles, though it is quite good. I thought the next one for you was Moving Pictures.

I also read the tainted cup in March. The world was the most interesting part for me, but I thought the protagonist was pretty flat. I do find it poetic that Merphy forgot the protagonist's name, because I also found him forgettable.

Fot the algorythm ❤

I’m glad you ended up liking Howl’s Moving Castle! Maybe if I would have actually read it instead of listening to it I would have liked it too😅I’m just not one who doesn’t like things explained in stories, and the audiobook narrator was not the best😅Also, I hope your mom is recovering and you’ve been able to get some rest. Don’t forget to take care of yourself!❤️

TEMERAIRE!!!!!!

Temeraire. You put your finger on it, and it doesn't really change throughout the series, dragons are classed as slaves. It keeps being brought up, and continues as-is. One part that felt either contrived, or inconsistent. Laurence is suddenly an aviator, and has the extreme culture shock of encountering the "what works" mindset of the other aviators, completely at odds with strict social, and military, conduct set for army and navy. But whenever he does X which works for Temeraire, he gets slapped around hard, for going against Navy codes... Which he isn't officially a member of anymore since Temeraire chose him... Series is okay, but not Pern... Read once, bragging rights, no reread intended.

biology + steampunk is biopunk. That’s what biological tech worlds are classified as in case you want to know.

🧡📚🧡📚🧡📚🧡

I have expressed vehemently about my dislike for Howls Moving Castle the book in the discord lol. I almost DNFed it. I absolutely love the movie though!

No offense truly, but I don't know why you do these end of month look backs. To me it's like seeing a tv rerun. Nothing that is new or revealing. Sorry if that seems rude. You are imo still the best reviewer I watch. It used to be Daniel Green but he doesn't review too many books of late and he is getting a little too quirky for my taste. Looking forward to your April reviews.