A NEW FAVORITE BOOK?! | October 2022 Wrap Up

TL;DR

In her October reading wrap-up, the content creator discusses the fiction and non-fiction books she read, including "Hester" by Lori Liko Albanese, "Sirens and Muses" by Antonia Angris, "Acts of Violet" by Margarita Montemore, and "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson. She also reviews non-fiction books such as "The Fisherman and the Dragon" by Kirk Wallace Johnson, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot, "Breathless" by David Quammen, and two books on bats.

Transcript

hi guys Olive here here today to talk to you about the reading that I did in October 2022. I'm posting this wrap up a little bit early this month so that I can dedicate the entire month of November to non-fiction because it is about to be non-fiction November I am so excited but before I dive into all of the non-fiction content that I have planned ... Read More

Key Insights

• #️⃣ "Hester" by Lori Liko Albanese provides a unique perspective on the character of Hester Prynne in "The Scarlet Letter" but suffers from an overwhelming number of plotlines.
• ✍️ "Sirens and Muses" by Antonia Angris is a captivating book with stunning writing and complex characters, leaving room for reader interpretation.
• 💝 "Acts of Violet" by Margarita Montemore offers an enjoyable atmosphere and backstory, but the late introduction of an explanation and unnecessary elements weaken the overall experience.
• 🫠 "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot is a must-read, providing a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of Henrietta Lacks' life, the impact of her cells, and ethical considerations.
• ❣️ "Breathless" by David Quammen delves into the science behind the COVID-19 pandemic, but may be heavy on scientific content for some readers.
• 🙈 Books on bats, "The Secret Lives of Bats" by Merlin Tuttle and "Flying Blind" by Don Mitchell, offer delightful and engaging insights into these fascinating creatures.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the premise of "Hester" by Lori Liko Albanese?

"Hester" is a historical fiction novel set in the late 19th century that imagines a muse behind the character of Hester Prynne in "The Scarlet Letter." The main character, Isabelle, experiences synesthesia and becomes intertwined with people in Salem, Massachusetts, including Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Q: Why did the content creator feel the back half of "Hester" became tiring?

The content creator found the back half of "Hester" overwhelming due to the author trying to juggle too many plotlines. The inclusion of numerous threads and the lack of focus detracted from the overall reading experience.

Q: What did the content creator appreciate about "Sirens and Muses" by Antonia Angris?

The content creator loved "Sirens and Muses," finding it electric and one of the best books she's read in a long time. The writing was stunning, the characters were deeply flawed, and the book left room for interpretation, allowing readers to fill in the blanks.

Q: What criticism did the content creator have regarding "Acts of Violet" by Margarita Montemore?

While the content creator enjoyed the atmosphere and backstories in "Acts of Violet," she was disappointed with the late introduction of an explanation for a character's sleepwalking and the inclusion of unnecessary woo-woo elements. Overall, she felt the author's previous novel was a stronger package.

Q: How does the content creator feel about "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot?

The content creator highly recommends "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." She found it fascinating and appreciated the thorough exploration of Henrietta Lacks' life, the impact of her cells, and the ethics surrounding their use.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The content creator read an extensive list of fiction books in October, including "Hester" by Lori Liko Albanese, "Sirens and Muses" by Antonia Angris, "Acts of Violet" by Margarita Montemore, and "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson.

• She also delved into non-fiction with books such as "The Fisherman and the Dragon" by Kirk Wallace Johnson, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot, "Breathless" by David Quammen, and two books on bats.

• The content creator highly recommends "Sirens and Muses" and "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," while expressing mixed feelings about "Hester," "Acts of Violet," and "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."