THINGS I LOVE IN BOOKS | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In this video, the speaker discusses specific elements they enjoy in books, including stories being told as stories, murder mysteries told in reverse, intimate relationships between characters, unreliable narrators, survival in the wild, villain protagonists, nonsensical stories, and retellings.

Key Insights

• 🫠 The speaker enjoys reading stories that are told as stories, as it adds to their enjoyment and provides a nostalgic feeling.
• 🥺 Murder mysteries that follow a reverse narrative structure intrigue the speaker, allowing them to uncover the events leading to a known murder or death.
• 👥 Books that focus on a small group of characters and their relationships provide a deep character study, which the speaker finds fascinating.
• 😮 Unreliable narrators captivate the speaker, as they enjoy the challenge of figuring out the truth and being surprised by unexpected twists.
• 😚 Survival stories in the wilderness pique the speaker's interest, possibly due to their fear of being lost in such an environment themselves.
• 🦹 The speaker has a fondness for villain protagonists, appreciating their compelling and complex nature.
• 🙂 Nonsensical stories offer a fun and light-hearted reading experience for the speaker, where logic and reason take a backseat to imagination.

Transcript

hello and welcome my name is Starla and in today's video I'm going to be talking to you about some specific things that I love to see and read in books now I saw Lala over at books and Lala do this video and I just thought it was so cool and fun and such a great way to get to know her reading style and her reading preferences I think of doing somet... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is an example of a book that tells a story within a story, similar to "The Princess Bride"?

"Interview with the Vampire" by Anne Rice is a great example of a book told as a story within a story. The main character, Louis, recounts his life story to a reporter, making the reader feel like they are listening to a personal account.

Q: Can you recommend a murder mystery book that follows a reverse narrative structure?

"The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides is a gripping thriller that starts with a woman murdering her husband. As the story progresses, we are taken back in time to understand how the events unfolded, keeping the reader hooked till the end.

Q: Are there any young adult books that feature an unreliable narrator?

Yes, "Throne of Glass" series by Sarah J. Maas is a popular young adult fantasy series. The main character, Celaena Sardothien, is an assassin with a complex backstory, and the reader is often left wondering about her true motives and actions.

Q: What is an example of a book that explores survival in the wild?

"The Martian" by Andy Weir is a thrilling science fiction novel in which an astronaut is left stranded on Mars and must use his knowledge and resourcefulness to survive. It's a book that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Q: Can you suggest a book with a villain as the protagonist?

"Vicious" by V.E. Schwab is a fantastic example of a book with a villain protagonist. It follows two former friends turned enemies with extraordinary abilities who seek revenge on each other, blurring the lines between right and wrong.

Q: Are there any nonsensical stories that you enjoy?

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll is a classic example of a nonsensical story. It takes readers on a whimsical journey filled with strange characters and events, where logic and reality are often questioned.

Q: What retellings do you recommend?

"Girls Made of Snow and Glass" by Melissa Bashardoust is an excellent retelling of Snow White and the Evil Queen, exploring their complex relationship. Another recommendation is "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" by Brigid Kemmerer, which offers a unique take on the Beauty and the Beast tale.

Q: Are there any retellings that you didn't enjoy?

"Forests of a Thousand Lanterns" by Julie C. Dao is a retelling of the Evil Queen, but it didn't resonate with me. Similarly, "Once and Future" by Amy Rose Capetta and Corey McCarthy is a retelling of King Arthur, but it didn't capture my interest.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker enjoys stories that are told as stories, where the plot is being narrated to the reader, such as in "The Princess Bride" or "Interview with the Vampire."

• They appreciate murder mysteries that start with a known murder or death and then work backwards to reveal the events that led to it, citing examples like "If We Were Villains" and "The Secret History."

• The speaker is drawn to books that focus on a small group of characters and their intimate relationships, providing a deep character study, like in "If We Were Villains" and "An American Marriage."