all the books I read in november (new fav read of the year!) | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

November was a struggle with a reading slump, but the books ranged from captivating and unique to brutal and confusing.

Key Insights

• 🙈 Madeline Miller has a skill for reimagining well-known tales and humanizing characters, as seen in "Circe."
• 🥰 "The Spear That Cuts Through Water" offers an immersive and unique storytelling experience, blending love, adventure, and oral storytelling elements.
• 🪄 "The Wishing Game" balances romance and fantasy in a turn-of-the-century historical setting with magic and alchemy.
• 💍 "The Library at Mount Char" is a bizarre and violent book that keeps readers engaged with its unpredictability and fascinating characters.
• ❓ "Best Served Cold" explores the complexities of revenge and violence, challenging readers' sense of morality.
• 👨‍🏫 "The Hexologist" showcases the author's cleverness and imagination in creating a world with different schools of magic and an intriguing royal mystery.

Transcript

Read and summarize the transcript of this video on Glasp Reader (beta).

Questions & Answers

Q: How does "Circe" by Madeline Miller reframe and reinterpret the well-known tale of Circe?

"Circe" explores Circe's life as an immortal witch, her soft spot for humans, and her journey for connection, humanizing her character and offering a different perspective on the Greek myths.

Q: What makes "The Spear That Cuts Through Water" by Simon Jimenez a unique reading experience?

The book combines intricate storytelling with a love story and adventure, creating a multi-layered experience that captures the essence of oral storytelling.

Q: How does "The Wishing Game" by Meg Schafer balance its romantic and fantasy elements?

The book combines a romantic fantasy setting with alchemy and a competition, exploring the themes of connection and finding love in a turn-of-the-century historical world.

Q: What makes "The Library at Mount Char" by Scott Hawkins a bizarre and compelling read?

The book is filled with strange and absurd elements, relentless violence, and fascinating characters, creating a unique reading experience that keeps readers guessing.

Q: How does "Best Served Cold" by Joe Abercrombie explore the themes of revenge and violence?

The book delves into the corruption of revenge, toxic relationships, and the cycle of violence, challenging readers' sense of morality and showcasing complex character dynamics.

Q: What makes "The Hexologist" by Josiah Bancroft a clever and imaginative read?

The book combines clever dialogue, a whimsical world with different schools of magic, and an intriguing royal mystery, showcasing the author's skill in creating imaginative stories.

Q: How does "He Who Drowned the World" by Shelley Parker Chan continue the compelling character dynamics and historical setting of the first book?

The book builds upon the compelling character dynamics from the first book and explores themes of war, identity, love, and betrayal in 14th century China.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The first book discussed is "Circe" by Madeline Miller, a reimagining of the myth of Circe, who seeks connection and a different life than other immortals.

• "The Spear That Cuts Through Water" by Simon Jimenez is a favorite fantasy read of the year that combines action, adventure, and love in an intricate storytelling experience.

• "A Far Wilder Magic" by Alison Saft is described as romantic fantasy meets Full Metal Alchemist fanfiction, set in a world with magic and alchemy.

• "The Wishing Game" by Meg Schafer is a charming cozy read set in a turn-of-the-century historical setting with magic and alchemy.

• "The Library at Mount Char" by Scott Hawkins is a bizarre and violent book that is both disturbing and compelling.

• "Best Served Cold" by Joe Abercrombie is a brutal standalone novel about revenge, with complex characters and a thought-provoking exploration of violence.

• "The Hexologist" by Josiah Bancroft is a clever and imaginative book set in a world with magic and hexology, following private detectives tasked with solving a royal mystery.

• "He Who Drowned the World" by Shelley Parker Chan is a highly anticipated sequel set in 14th century China, featuring a rebellion and compelling character dynamics.