What I'm Currently Reading | June 2018

TL;DR

The content discusses the reviewer's thoughts on three books they are currently reading: "Daughter of the Forest" by Juliet Marillier, "Boating for Beginners" by Jeanette Winterson, and "Brick Lane" by Monica Ali. The reviewer expresses enjoyment and engagement with "Daughter of the Forest" and "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," but feels detached and unsure about "Boating for Beginners" and "Brick Lane."

Transcript

hi guys so I'm here today to do a currently reading video I'm reading a real mishmash of stuff which I have a mishmash of thoughts about so I'm just gonna jump straight in and tell you about what I'm reading it so the book I am pretty sure I'm gonna finish first its daughter of the forest by Juliet marília so this is my second book by this author I... Read More

Key Insights

• ✋ "Daughter of the Forest" offers engaging world-building, character development, and a mix of high fantasy and dark themes.
• 🚣 "Boating for Beginners" by Jeanette Winterson falls short of the reviewer's expectations, with moments that feel disconnected and odd.
• ✍️ "Brick Lane" by Monica Ali showcases skillful writing but leaves the reviewer feeling detached and unable to fully engage with the story.
• ☺️ The audiobook version of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" narrated by Stephen Fry provides a calming and relaxing experience for the reviewer.
• 🤗 The reviewer is open to recommendations for more fantasy novels similar to Juliet Marillier's works.
• 🫠 The reviewer is participating in a read-along for "Brick Lane" and invites others to share their thoughts on the book.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can you provide a brief overview of "Daughter of the Forest"?

"Daughter of the Forest" is a fantasy novel set in medieval Ireland and Britain, following Sorcha, a young Irish girl who faces challenges and turmoil after her father marries a sorceress. The book combines elements of magic, a beautifully developed world, and explores darker themes, including sexual assault.

Q: How does the reviewer feel about "Boating for Beginners" by Jeanette Winterson?

The reviewer finds "Boating for Beginners" to be a strange and wacky book, but not necessarily in a cohesive way. While the concept is interesting, the oddness of the story and moments that don't seem to work well make it hard to fully appreciate.

Q: What are some of the reviewer's impressions of "Brick Lane" by Monica Ali?

The reviewer acknowledges the skill and important themes tackled in "Brick Lane," but feels detached from the story. They mention feeling held at a distance and not fully absorbed in the protagonist's experiences, which affects their overall enjoyment.

Q: How does the reviewer describe their experience listening to the audiobook of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"?

The reviewer expresses their enjoyment of listening to the audiobook of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," narrated by Stephen Fry. They find Fry's narration calming and soothing, making it a comforting and relaxing experience. They also mention their familiarity with the story, as they have consumed it in various formats before.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The reviewer is enjoying reading "Daughter of the Forest," a fantasy novel set in medieval Ireland and Britain, with engaging world-building and character development.

• "Boating for Beginners" by Jeanette Winterson is a comical retelling of the book of Genesis but seems odd and less captivating compared to the author's other works.

• "Brick Lane" by Monica Ali, though skillfully written, leaves the reviewer feeling detached and unable to fully immerse themselves in the story.