March 2020 Wrap Up | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Reviews of various books read in March, including mysteries, nonfiction, and romances.

Key Insights

• ❓ "Magpie Murders" is a highly recommended mystery with clever bookish references.
• 👾 "Still Life" may not appeal to readers who prefer faster-paced mysteries, but it captures a small-town atmosphere well.
• 🙂 "Spook" by Mary Roach may only appeal to readers who enjoy lighter, more casual books that dabble in various topics.
• 👻 "Ghost of the Tsunami" is a haunting book, but its organization can be confusing.
• 🫒 "The Earl Not Taken" is a period romance that may not live up to its misleading premise.
• 🖤 "Dr. Mutter's Marvels" is a fascinating biography of an innovative surgeon, although it lacks the gruesome details of "The Butchering Art."
• ☠️ "Skeleton Keys" provides an interesting cultural and archeological look at bones but may leave readers craving more biological content.
• ❤️‍🔥 "Little Fires Everywhere" falls short with unrealistic moments and lack of subtlety.

Transcript

hi guys I live here here today to talk to you about the books I read in March twenty twenty per usual I'm going to start off by talking about all those books that I have not previously discussed in depth elsewhere beginning with the two books I read for March mystery Madness the first of those two was magpie murders by Anthony Horowitz this has bee... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What makes "Magpie Murders" by Anthony Horowitz a recommended mystery?

"Magpie Murders" is highly recommended due to its bookish references, clever plot, and ingeniously crafted mystery within a mystery. The reviewer was immediately sucked into the story and praises the author's creativity.

Q: Why did the reviewer not enjoy "Still Life" by Louise Penny?

The reviewer found "Still Life" to be slow-paced and disliked how everything came together at the end, which they thought was absurd. The reviewer also mentions that others have mentioned the series takes a few books to hit its stride, and they are unsure if they have the patience to continue.

Q: How did the reviewer feel about "Spook" by Mary Roach?

The reviewer was not a fan of "Spook" and thought it was just okay. They mention that they do not understand the point of most of Mary Roach's books and prefer more in-depth reads. However, they do note that the book gives a fair shake to the reincarnation idea.

Q: What is the main criticism of "Ghost of the Tsunami" by Richard Lloyd Perry?

The main criticism of "Ghost of the Tsunami" is its confusing organization. The reviewer suggests that the discussion about what happened during the tsunami itself should have started the book, rather than being sandwiched between sections about the events at the school.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "Magpie Murders" by Anthony Horowitz: A clever and bookish mystery within a mystery, filled with book references and highly recommended.

• "Still Life" by Louise Penny: A slow-paced mystery set in a small Canadian town, with mixed reviews on the overall story and ending.

• "Spook" by Mary Roach: A look at the science behind the afterlife and paranormal, with the reviewer finding it just okay.

• "Ghost of the Tsunami" by Richard Lloyd Perry: A heartbreaking book about the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, with some issues regarding its organization.

• "The Earl Not Taken" by AS Venice: A period romance misleading in its premise, but still enjoyable and fun to read.

• "Dr. Mutter's Marvels" by Kristen O'Keefe Abdo: A biography of innovative surgeon Thomas Dent Mutter, compared to "The Butchering Art" by Lindsay Fitzharris but with less gruesome details.

• "Skeleton Keys" by Riley Black: A book about bones, focusing more on the cultural and archeological aspects rather than the biological side.

• "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng: A suburban drama with unrealistic moments and lack of subtlety, leading to a three-star rating.

• "The Map Thief" by Michael Blanding: A true crime book about a map dealer stealing from Yale's University Library, with interesting side information about maps.