Mark As Read

3.12 Part 2 Nightbane by Alex Aster 


In Part 2, Nightbane, we get the aftermath of the curse breaking. I was really expecting this to be a love triangle a la Hunger Games (Peeta/ Gale/ Katniss) but it really wasn't. That is definitely a factor, but instead of seeing Grim and Oro fight over Isla for the whole book, there are two parallel timelines following Grim and Isla a year ago when they first met and Oro and Isla now. There were tons of twist and turns plus a cliff hanger that has me itching for the third book to come out. 

You will definitely need to listen to Part 1 for all of the context here! 

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3.12 Part 1 Lightlark by Alex Aster 

Lightlark begins with Hunger Games vibes and a contest that takes place every 100 years between the rulers of the different magical realms. The prize? Breaking the curse that effects everyone and gaining power. The cost? Killing one of the other rules and as a result their entire realm. Isla is one of the youngest rulers and she has a secret - she was born without powers. So how will she survive the contest and save her people? 

I originally planned to discuss both Lightlark and the sequel, Nightbane in one episode. But, I had so much to say about Lightlark that I decided to break it up. Nightbane will get its own episode as Part 2 next week.  

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If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our YouTube channel or listen here as always. Plus, check out our substack for other books to read, quick reviews, and book thoughts.

3.11The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang

I have been waiting for a new release by Kate Quinn to do an episode since I started this podcast. Kate Quinn is an absolutely fabulous historical fiction writer (the best in the business if you ask me) and I have wanted to share my first reactions to one of her books with you. She always manages to add twists, turns, and surprises that are so fascinating. In this book, she teams up with Janie Chang to explore San Francisco in 1906 right before the earthquake and fire. This was a new time period for me, but I absolutely loved this story and I hope you do too. 

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If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our YouTube channel or listen here as always. Plus, check out our substack for other books to read, quick reviews, and book thoughts.

3.10 Part 2 Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

For our Part 2 of our second Throne of Glass episode, we are discussing Heir of Fire. After finishing it, I am standing by my decision to read The Assassin's Blade first. I talk all about that in addition to all of the action that takes place in this book. So far, this is my favorite book of the series! What is your preferred reading order for the series?

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If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our YouTube channel or listen here as always. Plus, check out our substack for other books to read, quick reviews, and book thoughts.

3.10 Part 1 The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

For our second Throne of Glass episode, I decided to break it up so for Part 1, we are discussing The Assassin's Blade. I know there is a lot of contention about the order of the series and we dive deep into that as well as the novellas in this episode and then will discuss Heir of Fire in Part 2! What is your preferred reading order for the series?

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If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our YouTube channel or listen here as always. Plus, check out our substack for other books to read, quick reviews, and book thoughts.

3.9 Non-Fiction Review

I love non-fiction so much, but I know it can be hard to get into. Every season, we will have one non-fiction review episode where I give you a short overview of some of the non-fiction books I have read and enjoyed lately. Then, if any sound good, you can explore those instead of having to sift through all of the non-fiction out there! This review will include 5 books I have read plus 5 non-fiction books I'm looking forward to reading. Check out the newsletter for all of the info on the books I'm looking forward to reading. 

1. Maladies of Empire: How Colonialism, Slavery, and War Transformed Medicine by Jim Downs
2. Fashion Victims: The Dangers of Dress Past and Present by Alison Matthews David
3. Our Unfinished March: The Violent Past and Imperiled Future of the Vote. A History, A Crisis, A Plan by Eric Holder with Sam Koppelman
4. The Radium Girls: the Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore
5. Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick 

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If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our YouTube channel or listen here as always. Plus, check out our substack for other books to read, quick reviews, and book thoughts.

3.8 A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

For me, A Discovery of Witches is like the better, more adult version of Twilight that will keep you coming back time and time again. This is the first of four books, although the fifth is coming out later this year. It is fantasy with a little spice set in modern day. The female main character, Diana is an historian of alchemy and a witch who stumbles upon a bewitched book that draws the attention of all creatures, witches, vampires, and daemons alike. There is love, action, intrigue, and you will honestly fall in love with these characters and the story. I can't wait for you to read this. 

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If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our YouTube channel or listen here as always. Plus, check out our substack for other books to read, quick reviews, and book thoughts.

3.7 The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick

Unusually for me, The Messy Lives of Book People was a very conflicting book. On the one hand, I loved the story line of Liv trying to finish the book of her favorite author under mysterious circumstances and how Patrick tied all of the story lines together in the end. On the other hand, some of the characters, specifically Jake, were absolutely infuriating and made me want to stop reading. What do you think about this book and how did it make you feel?

Plus, since this episode was a week late, there is bonus content! I read a short novella that is part of a larger fantasy world called Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent and I'm absolutely obsessed. We will definitely be reading the larger series in the future!

For more, subscribe to our newsletter and check out our website and become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support.

If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our YouTube channel or listen here as always. Plus, check out our substack for other books to read, quick reviews, and book thoughts.

3.6 Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

We will ultimately be reading the entire SJM universe, but we are working our way through the Throne of Glass series this season. There are debates about what order you should read these in, but I'm falling Maas' instructions and starting with Throne of Glass and reading Assassin's Blade later in the series. This week, we talked about all of my thoughts, reactions, and theories from both Throne of Glass and the second book, Crown of Midnight. There are lots of spoilers so don't listen if you haven't read the books yet and we will see you in a few episodes for the next two books!

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support.

If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our YouTube channel or listen here as always. Plus, check out our substack for other books to read, quick reviews, and book thoughts.

3.5 The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allain

The Ladies Rewrite the Rules is a cute and fluffy Georgian period novel where a poorer second son has published a directory of all of the single women and widows with fortunes in London. Based on a real publication, the ladies find out about their inclusion and decide to use it to their advantage. This is the perfect novel for those craving a little Jane Austen or looking for Bridgerton vibes without the spice. It is light and fun and sweet and will leave you with a smile on your face. You can get your own copy here.

For more, subscribe to our newsletter and check out our website!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-as-read--5660703/support.

If you want to watch this episode, you now can on our YouTube channel or listen here as always. Plus, check out our substack for other books to read, quick reviews, and book thoughts.