That's a very good point about closeted characters that I hadn't thought of. Something I will definitely need to keep in mind in my work. I've heard wonderful things about Young Mungo, yet I've never felt terribly drawn to it. Reasons to Stay Alive sounds like a great, important read. I used to have a real hard time with intrusive thoughts, and it seemed like anytime I felt any negative emotion it was followed by an endless refrain of "I wanna ***". One thing that really helped me through those thoughts was that when I became aware of them I'd tell myself "NO!" and then try to identify what I was really feeling, so that I could change the refrain from "I wanna ***" to "I'm tired and in pain and wish I were at home right now" or something like that. I've not read any Alexis Hall yet, but I'm pretty apprehensive after some trans opinions I heard about Lady for a Duke. Still want to read it for myself though so I can form my own opinion. I have been struggling with my reading and booktubing this month. Only getting around to recording my July Wrap Up tomorrow, and it is not up to par. I'm really happy with the video I have coming out tomorrow though, discussing Sister Souljah's The Coldest Winter Ever and whether or not it should be considered the Great American Novel. Last night though I started reading a poetry/essay collection called Ceremonies by Essex Hemphill, and wow I am loving it! The past few months I've been sticking really strictly to TBRs, even though I'm by nature a moodreader. So picking up this book on a whim has been refreshing and just what I needed to get back into the groove!

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I am glad you took something from the debate but can't claim it as an original thought of my own - Jesse from Bowties and Books really helped me think about that aspect of representation more! And fair - sometimes books sound good but we still aren't drawn to them for ourselves for different reasons. Intrusive thoughts take a lot of power to evade and break free from, so I admire your strength and for being able to push through that

Yes! I don't like when anyone pressures someone to come out, or gets mad at them for their process. Not everyone is ready to come out. Not everyone has a safe space to come out, be it at home, work, school, where you live. I couldn't go forth with the Bone Season series. The main character also confused me and I hated the love interest scenario that was borderline abusive. I've never read any of the lesser known Bronte works. I now have a strong need to re-read the Anne of Green Gables series. I put the Oracle Code on my TBR.

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

Exactly! Characters should be allowed to take their time. I think I am going to stop the bone season series here with the first book. It was such a confusing first one! I hope you enjoy oracle code :)

Heh, even though I know that pun-titles are super common in foodie romance (and foodie mystery), but "Donut Fall in Love" just has me giggling! 😂 I would never have expected it to have a serious side like you described!

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

As soon as I heard the title I knew I definitely wanted to read it. I love a good pun 🧡

26:42 - love that you are quoting Herculeus, makes total sense!

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

Couldn't resist :D

@ChattieTheMadChatter

Жыл бұрын

@@OliviasCatastrophe 😆

Yay for Donut Fall in Love!!! I can't wait for the sequel either. I'm actually in the middle of Jackie Lau's newest release (Her Unexpected Roommate) right now and loving it. She's very much my style of romance author.

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I am so looking forward to it! And I will definitely venture into more of her romance too. Ooh, and if you like Jackie Lau I think you could enjoy The Stand-in by Lily Chu. Similar vibes 🍂

@ThatsSoPoe

Жыл бұрын

@@OliviasCatastrophe Oh, thanks for the recommendation!

Great wrap up lovely. I really enjoyed Reasons To Stay Alive and I liked Notes On A Nervous Planet even more! Really need to get to The Comfort Book!

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

Notes on a nervous planet is my favourite nonfiction of his as well! 🍂 I hope you'll like the comfort book!

I think I’ll ask my library to get “Donut fall in love” because I need to read it and clearly lots of people need to read it! Thanks for another great video!

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

It is such a delightfully sweet read! I hope you enjoy it 🍂

Enjoyed hearing your thoughts on all of these, Olivia. Shame to hear that The Bone Season was just okay. I'll knock that one of my radar! ☺

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

As someone who doesn't read a lot of fantasy, I think that would be better for you! Thanks for watching 🍂

7:32 - Love you review of Hades and Persephone. Hear great things about these, but you have me very interested in picking them up especially with women supporting women themes💜📚

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

It does it in a very sweet way. I couldn't recommend Lore Olympus more 🍂

@ChattieTheMadChatter

Жыл бұрын

@@OliviasCatastrophe ...Olivia's stamp of approval is all I need to add a book to my list 👍😆...I am imagining your stamp of approval involving a teacup with a pen or quill instead of a teaspoon (like an old library rubber stamp) 😆💜📚

your review of Only on the Weekends is so thoughtful, I think you said everything so well! love the romance in the Anne series! 💞 I need to reread those first few books - I don't like the last half of the series and I think that's coloring my view of the earlier ones "looks at pages hungrily" 😂 Oof Learwife does not sound like one for me either! ahhh I just spotted A Darkness at the Door behind you! 💞 love your hair / earrings / top combo!

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

Thank you - I was really trying my hardest to explain my thoughts best I could with that one. I really can't wait to see the romance in Anne of green gables bloom fully (maybe in the next book!) I was so disappointed by learwife. And yes, I do want to try the series that goes with a darkness at the door at some point. Thank you, Cara 🍂

Lear wife is still sitting on my “paused” shelf. I’m very tempted to shuffle it over to the dnf section after you and Scott both say it gets no better. SUCH a disappointment. Great concept STUNNING cover. Dismal.

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I hate to say this but you might be better off shuffling it over there... >.> I love the cover forever and ever 🍂

donut fall in love sounds so sweet and i really want to read it! you make it sound incredible. i also must finally get to young mungo, i've heard nothing but great things!

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

It was so cute and heartwarming 🍂 And yes, definitely recommend young mungo as well!

Great wrap up! Haven’t read any of these but definitely want too 💛

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

Happy I could put some of these on your radar ^.^

You make Young Mungo sound really good; I may have to pick it up! The last book I read and enjoyed was Said the Crow by Ellen Taylor. It's a contemporary Gothic novella with loads of atmosphere and madness and some ambiguity to make the reader ponder things!

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

It's a beautifully written story and I definitely recommend it. Ooh, love me some gothic reads and ones that leave you thinking afterwards. I've really been in the mood for them lately 🍂

Every book is improved by doughnuts! Also, every doughnut is improved by books, this is a good marriage. I didn't like Gilbert much either, actually for that point I wasn't much of a fan of Helen either. I think about Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre and wonder if she meant to make the characters unlikeable but wasn't clear or if she wanted them likeable and didn't do a good job.

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I agree. More doughnut and book combinations are a must 🍂 Something about the Brontes and unlikeable male characters for sure... In Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights I feel like the unlikeable/likeable boundaries are clearer (or maybe that's personal opinion) but here it seemed truly indistinguishable.

0:35 - Noooooooo you were so hyped for this!

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I am so gutted that I didn't like it :'(

@ChattieTheMadChatter

Жыл бұрын

@@OliviasCatastrophe ☹️😢💜

19:45 - really interesting to hear your thoughts on Tennant, I can understand your points. I did not enjoy the bookend of Gilbert Markham writing to his friend. I know they love a book as a letter in this period, but it felt pretty personal and weird to cement a friendship by sharing a secret. I did not root for Gilbert itially I thought he was stuck up, but I did really enjoy Helen self-righteous and all, so when he was taking her side I began to like him. I was very intrigued by the three parts and found the mystery of how she got from A to B interesting rather than seeing it as a spoiler. It's one of my fave classics as I love Helen's journey and you are so spot on with the message. Anne blows my mind that she wrote this when she did and Charlotte disapproved of her having written it, thinking she had gone too far!💜📚

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I actually didn't spend too much time thinking about the letter format because as you said - it's mostly just at the beginning and then briefly looped around to at the end. But it is such an intimate story to be telling in such a way to someone else. I am glad you were able to like Helen as a character and could warm up to Gilbert through her! I think most people liked seeing the A to B as well. It might be a personal gripe on my own account. Ooh yes, the whole afterward talking about how Charlotte reacted was interesting to say the least!!

@ChattieTheMadChatter

Жыл бұрын

@@OliviasCatastrophe yes, really makes me want to pick up some Bronte biography/ history stuff. 💜📚

I hadn't heard of How to Bang a Billionaire but now I want to read it!

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

It's a very fun series :D 🧡

It's been a long time since I tried The Bone Season but you're really expressing my feelings on it perfectly! Lots of bits that were cool but I didn't buy into so many of the emotional/character details 😅 Also such a shame about the Dean Atta book!! 😥

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

Oh I'm so glad I'm not the only one who felt that way about the bone season 🙈 Epically sad about not liking the dean atta but oh well, on to the next!

4:59 - I have not come across this in my reading yet, I'm not own voices, but think you make really good points about closeted characters. Fir example I love how it was handled in hearstopper with the very different relationships Charlie had, one where he was used and one where it was very healthy understanding about relationship self discovery and identify at the individuals own pace. 📚💜

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I think heartstopper handled it masterfully for all the reasons why you mentioned!

@ChattieTheMadChatter

Жыл бұрын

@@OliviasCatastrophe Alice Oseman is a genius - have your read Loveless? Again fantastic healthy relationship messages she does so well. I really want to read all her work.📚💜

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

@@ChattieTheMadChatter I haven't read loveless! The only other one of hers I have read so far is solitaire, which I also really liked. But I do want to try more of hers at some point ^.^

@ChattieTheMadChatter

Жыл бұрын

@@OliviasCatastrophe ooooh in that case...I highly recommend Loveless...they talk about Shakespeare! 😉

Aww that you didn't like Only on the Weekends. I'll avoid it, with both you and another of my friend's really not liking it, I will avoid it. What a shame. Yes I remember Jesse talking about closeted characters. Yay that you liked Lore Olympus volume 2! I have it on my wishlist. Glad you liked Young Mungo. Glad you liked Reasons to Stay Alive, I did too. Yay for Anne of Avonlea. Donut Fall in Love sounds like a great read. Yay for your Alexis Hall re-reads! Aww that Learwife was a disappointment. Ugh for characters saying they'll do one thing and then doing the opposite! Yay for accurate wheelchair representation in The Oracle Code.

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I think you wouldn't like only on the weekends much either... Lore Olympus 2 is such a good continuation in the series. Donut Fall in Love was truly such a heartwarming book. 🍂

Young Mungo sounds really similar to Shuggie Bain. I'm glad you enjoyed your Alexis Hall re-read. It's always so nice to go back to favorites. The Oracle Code sounds great! The last book I read and enjoyed was Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors. xoxo

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I've been told there are a lot of similarities, which is why I am now also really looking forward to when I get around to shuggie bain. I agree, favourites can be so comforting. I've been seeing lots of love around for cleopatra and frankenstein 🍂

I'll read Lore Olympus soon and I have a strong feeling I'm gonna love it too 😊

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I hope you do enjoy it too 🍂

Oh I loved Black Flamingo too. I’m sad to hear Only On the Weekends wasn’t as good!

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

The Black Flamingo is top-notch! This... was something else :(

20:17 YES!!!!! I love sharing Anne-ish thoughts about the natural beauty of the World with my Mum. We use the phrase "I was very Anneish today" 💜💕💜🏞

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I love that you two share that phrase between each other! I'll often tell my mum it was quite 'tragical' or 'romantical''

@ChattieTheMadChatter

Жыл бұрын

@@OliviasCatastrophe he he he yes! "Tragical" is such a great Anne word 💜📚

Lore Of Olympus is calling to me… oh man The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was a miss I am Sad to hear this, it’s on my TBR

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

Ooh I think you could really like Lore Olympus in particular! 🍂 Hopefully you'll like the tenant of wildfell hall more than me - most of the cohosts did

Okay I need to pick up some Alexis Hall romance asap!

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

YES YES YES I recommend starting with Glitterland by Alexis Hall :D

I need to read Donut Fall in Love :- D Last book I really enjoyed was Love in Colour :- )

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

It's such a sweet book! I want to read Love in Color at some point too 🍂

I’ve been wanting to read a bit more stuff that leans into the literary side of things. Would you recommend Young Mungo for someone who hasn’t read a lot in that genre/style?

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I actually wouldn't! I think I wouldn't because of the fact that it also has the speech dialect written into it, and that could take away from the literary-ness of everything if you haven't been in the genre too much lately. Hmm... I think I would recommend Her Body and Other Parties for short stories which are like literary bites into the genre with some gothic elements to them. I'd also recommend Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies for something sad but beautiful.

2:54...I can add the dots up, I recall you talking about not liking that aspect in books as it makes you uncomfortable and I agree. So in the context of the book I think I know. From the premise I did not think this would be a me story as I don't enjoy love triangles (the drama is stressful for me! 😆) despite Black Flamingo being one of my favourite books! Thanks for confirming 👍 so sad it did not live up to your bookish hopes and dreams though ☹️ sad times.

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

Yes, that was a big element for why I didn't like it, and it did the love triangle in the opposite way to how I like it done. I can understand why you didn't like that trope. But I shall always remember the black flamingo fondly 🍂

@ChattieTheMadChatter

Жыл бұрын

@@OliviasCatastrophe The Black Flamingo will always be a favourite of mine. Hopefully his 3rd book will be better suited for our tastes and hit the spots. 💜📚

I will never read the first book so what's the spoiler? 👀 I just bought the first volume of Lore Olympus and I'm so excited to get to it!! Coming for the MC of The Bone Season 💀💀 Donut Fall in Love sounds so cute 😭😭

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

Lots and lots of cheating unfortunately 😭 ahh you're going to read lore olympus!! I hope you enjoy it 🧡

I am so scared to read Only on the Weekends since I heard many people being disappointed. The Bone Season has been sitting on my shelves for so long. Hopefully one day I can give it a try and see if it is worth to keep for me. I really want to read Reasons to Stay Alive. It might be hard to read but also help at the same time.

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I hope you might be able to like it more? But I did really struggle with it as well :/ Hopefully you'll be able to kick the bone season off your tbr shelf soon too. It had been on mine for years as well. I can see why a lot of people appreciated reasons to stay alive now 😇

@horror-sickness

Жыл бұрын

@@OliviasCatastrophe I think I might wait a bit to read Only on the Weekends because I reently read the Black Flamingo and I would compare them too much.

21:25 - what Anne of Green Gables did you grow up with? My Mum grew up with Kim Brayden as Anne and we found an old DVD of Anne of Avonlea - loved her as Anne!

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

It was Megan Follows as Anne for me 🍂 I love that you get to rewatch your childhood one again!

@ChattieTheMadChatter

Жыл бұрын

@@OliviasCatastrophe thanks going to look thst one up 💜📚

The last book I read and enjoyed was probably The Score by Elle Kennedy because I’m on an Elle Kennedy kick right now. Lol

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I need to read some elle kennedy asap truly, her books sound so good.

💛💛💛

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

🍂🍂🍂

Only on the Weekends was a letdown for me as well sadly😔

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I'm glad I'm not the only one, but I am sorry it didn't work for you either :'(

💜💜

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I thought The Bone Season was pretty good, but I really started struggling with the sequel and have just never continued the series.

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

Okay in that case, I think I will take what I've got and quit the series here...

I've not heard anything good about Only on the Weekend so I think I'm gunna skip that one. A big disappointment after I heard so much good about Black Flamingo! Paige is definitely unlikeable and the love interest is super confusing in the first book, although I'm so proud of you for reading it! Honestly? The Mime Order is probably the poorest book of the series so I wouldn't recommend you continuing. We've discussed Reasons to Stay Alive before but I'm glad you were able to enjoy the book. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall sounds very interesting but I'm not sure if it's going on my list. I've been debating whether to carry on with the Anne of Green Gables books and I think you'll be in the "yes" camp! No surprise there was a Shakespearean book again, but disappointing that it was boring and seems to have misogyny baked through it in the female hate. The Oracle Code sounds super interesting! I really don't know much about DC, but especially with Simone saying the wheelchair rep is good? Definitely makes me more intrigued! 13 books is so impressive! My last finished read was The Final Strife which was absolutely amazing

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I think it would be a good idea to skip only on the weekend and just read the black flamingo instead - could be a good audiobook listen for you if you haven't already read it! I think I am going to stop here with the bone season series after all. And correct, I'm in the yes camp for continuing with the anne of green gables series! I think you don't need to know much about DC to be able to appreciate the oracle code for what it is ^.^

@AbiofPellinor

Жыл бұрын

@@OliviasCatastrophe I’ll keep Black Flamingo in my radar then, and stopping the Bone Season makes sense for you. I hope you continue to enjoy Anne of Green Gabels!

I'm very interested in reading Only on the Weekends now. I wonder how I will read it, as an LGBTQ+ person who's been in the LGBTQ+ "culture" here for quite a few years.

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

I am so curious to know what you will think! I think I'd also like to see some Black LGBTQ+ ownvoices reviews if I can find them, because I wonder how they will feel about the closeted representation as I know for that community it often has a lot to do with safety too...

@LunaciaBooks

Жыл бұрын

@@OliviasCatastrophe Yes, I would love that too! If you find some, feel free to send me the link!

💛💛💛

@OliviasCatastrophe

Жыл бұрын

🖤🖤🖤