I read 110 books in a year, here's which ones you should read.

Haley Pham Vlogs
31 Dec 202224:58
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video transcript details an avid reader's journey through a year of diverse book genres, from young adult fantasy to adult romance and mystery thrillers. The reviewer shares their candid opinions, highlighting their favorites, the surprises, and the disappointments, offering a rich tapestry of literary experiences and recommendations that span across 110 books.

Takeaways
  • πŸ“š The speaker read 110 books this year, a significant increase from the previous year's 69 books.
  • πŸ€” The speaker's book reviews are often harsh due to the need to quickly go through a large number of books.
  • 🌟 'The Cruel Prince' by Holly Black received a three-star rating from the speaker, while 'The Wicked King' and 'The Queen of Nothing' were highly enjoyed.
  • πŸ“– 'Throne of Glass' by Sarah J. Maas showed improvement in writing style and became more enjoyable for the speaker as the series progressed.
  • πŸŽ“ February was the speaker's best reading month, with 'Today Tonight Tomorrow' by Rachel Lynn Solomon and 'The Selection' series being highlights.
  • 🌈 'Summer I Turned Pretty' series by Jenny Han was a favorite, with the speaker giving the second book five stars for its summer vibes.
  • πŸ•΅οΈβ€β™€οΈ The speaker enjoyed thrillers, especially 'The Hunting Wives' by May Cobb and 'The House Across the Lake' by Riley Sager.
  • πŸŽ‰ 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' series by Sarah J. Maas was a standout, with the speaker rating the third book 'A Court of Wings and Ruin' as their favorite.
  • πŸ“š The speaker's least favorite book of the year was 'The Atlas Paradox' by Olivi Blake, which was disappointing compared to its predecessor.
  • πŸŽ„ 'Once Upon A Broken Heart' and 'The Ballad of Never After' by Stephanie Garber were the speaker's top picks for the end of the year, praising their magic and romance.
  • πŸ’¬ The speaker encourages viewers to stay interested in books and promises to continue making book content in the future.
Q & A
  • How many books did the speaker read in their first full year of being obsessed with reading as an adult?

    -The speaker read 110 books in their first full year of being obsessed with reading as an adult.

  • What is the genre of the book 'The Cruel Prince' by Holly Black?

    -The genre of 'The Cruel Prince' by Holly Black is young adult fantasy.

  • Which book did the speaker rate as one of their favorite books of the year and why?

    -The speaker rated 'The Wicked King' by Holly Black as one of their favorite books of the year because of the unique subplot of romance, specifically the enemies-to-lovers theme.

  • How did the speaker feel about the book 'Throne of Glass' by Sarah J. Maas initially, and how did their opinion change?

    -Initially, the speaker was put off by the excessive use of exclamation marks in 'Throne of Glass' by Sarah J. Maas. However, their opinion changed as they noted an improvement in the author's writing style as the series progressed.

  • What was the speaker's overall impression of the 'Red Queen' series by Victoria Aveyard?

    -The speaker was not particularly impressed with the first book of the 'Red Queen' series, giving it three stars. However, they found the series to be action-packed and enjoyed the characters, leading them to plan to finish the series in 2023.

  • Which book series did the speaker discover due to its popularity on book talk and what was their reaction to it?

    -The speaker discovered the 'Red Queen' series by Victoria Aveyard due to its popularity on book talk. They did not particularly enjoy the first book, giving it three stars, but acknowledged its popularity and their intention to continue the series.

  • What was the speaker's experience with the 'Shatter Me' series by Tahmira Mafi?

    -The speaker initially did not enjoy the first book of the 'Shatter Me' series by Tahmira Mafi, finding it sad due to the world the characters live in. However, their opinion improved with the second book 'Unravel Me', which they found action-packed and gave four stars. They highly enjoyed the third book 'Ignite Me', giving it five stars and reading it in one sitting.

  • How did the speaker describe their experience with 'I'll Give You the Sun' by Jandy Nelson?

    -The speaker described 'I'll Give You the Sun' by Jandy Nelson as a book that made them feel like a little teenage girl while reading, with a strong emphasis on the summer vibes of the book.

  • Which book did the speaker read due to its interesting cover and what was their opinion of it?

    -The speaker read 'It Only Happens in the Movies' by Holly Bourne due to its interesting cover. However, they did not enjoy the book very much, giving it three stars.

  • What was the speaker's reaction to 'The Paris Apartment' by Lucy Foley?

    -The speaker found 'The Paris Apartment' by Lucy Foley to have aspects they really liked and some they didn't, making it hard for them to rate. They initially gave it four stars, but later revised their opinion to three and a half stars.

  • Which author's writing style did the speaker find to be very lyrical and magical?

    -The speaker found Stephanie Garber's writing style to be very lyrical and magical, especially in the 'Caraval' series.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ“š Book Review Odyssey: A Year in Reading

The video script details a year-long journey through 110 books, showcasing the narrator's passion for reading that began in June of the previous year. The books are reviewed month by month, with genres ranging from young adult fantasy to mystery and romance. Notable mentions include 'The Cruel Prince' series by Holly Black, 'Throne of Glass' by Sarah J. Maas, and 'The Selection' series by Kiera Cass. The narrator's reviews are candid, often harsh due to the vast number of books reviewed, but aim to provide insight into each book's genre and whether they are worth reading.

05:01
🌟 February Favorites and Beach Reads

The narrator shares their February reading experience, highlighting 'Tonight, Tonight' by Rachel Lynn Solomon and 'Alex, Approximately' by Jen Bennett as standout young adult romances. The month also included a reread of 'The Selection' series by Kiera Cass, which still resonated with the narrator. 'Unravel Me' from the 'Shatter Me' series by Tahmira Mafi and 'Ignite Me' received high praise for their action and romance. The month ended with 'Summer I Turned Pretty' by Jenny Han, a series that the narrator loved for its summer vibes.

10:01
πŸ“š Diverse Reads of March and April

March and April's reading list includes a mix of genres, from the young adult romance 'Better Than the Movies' by Lynn Painter to the dystopian 'Legend' by Marie Lu. The narrator also delves into the 'Summer of Broken Rules' by K.L. Walther, which they highly recommend. April's reading is marked by 'The Romantics' by Leah Conan, 'Caraval' by Stephanie Garber, and 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens, which received mixed reviews. The narrator also mentions '99 Days' by Katie Cotugno and 'It Only Happens in the Movies' by Holly Bourne, highlighting the variety of their reading choices.

15:03
🌈 Varied Reads and Thrilling Discoveries

The narrator's reading journey in May and June is characterized by a variety of genres, including mystery, romance, and literary fiction. May's highlights include 'Reminders of Him' by Colleen Hoover and 'One of Us Is Lying' by Karen M. McManus. June is marked by a focus on summery beach reads like 'Winter in Paradise' by Elin Hilderbrand and 'The Rest of the Story' by Sarah Dessen. The narrator also steps out of their comfort zone with a memoir, 'Everything I Know About Love' by Dolly Alderton, and shares their love for 'The Do-Over' by Lynn Painter and 'Mary Jane' by Jessica Anya Blau.

20:04
πŸ“š Thrilling Adventures and Fantasy Escapades

July and August's reading list is a thrilling adventure, with the narrator diving into the world of thrillers and fantasy. July is dedicated to suspenseful reads like 'The Hunting Wives' by May Cobb and 'Every Last Secret' by Alex Tour. The narrator also explores 'My Summer Darlings' by Elodie Nowell and 'The House Across the Lake' by Riley Sager, which becomes one of their favorite books of the year. August brings a mix of romance and fantasy, with 'These Twisted Bonds' by Lexi Ryan and 'The Bodyguard' by Catherine Center. The narrator also revisits the 'Shatter Me' series and explores 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien, ending the month with a diverse selection of reads.

πŸŽƒ Spooky Reads and Year-End Favorites

The narrator's final months of reading are filled with a mix of genres, from the thrilling 'Final Girls' by Riley Sager to the fantasy 'Shadow and Bone' by Leigh Bardugo. September includes the famous 'Court of Thorns and Roses' series by Sarah J. Maas, which the narrator highly enjoyed. October brings a blend of mystery and historical fiction, with 'The Final Gambit' by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card. November and December are marked by a return to favorite authors like Colleen Hoover and the discovery of new favorites like 'Once Upon A Broken Heart' and 'The Ballad of Never After' by Stephanie Garber. The narrator ends the year with a call to action for viewers to stay interested in books and promises more content in the coming year.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Reading Obsession
The term 'Reading Obsession' refers to a strong and passionate interest in reading books. In the context of the video, the speaker has developed an obsession with reading as an adult, starting in June of the previous year and reading a significant number of books in the following year. This obsession is evident in the speaker's enthusiasm for discussing the books and their willingness to share detailed reviews and personal ratings.
πŸ’‘Book Reviews
Book reviews are critical evaluations of books, often including a summary of the content, an assessment of the writing style, and the reviewer's personal opinions. In the video, the speaker provides book reviews for a large number of books they have read throughout the year, sharing their ratings and recommendations with the audience.
πŸ’‘Genres
Genres are categories of literature that define the style and content of a book. In the video, the speaker organizes the books they've read by genre, which helps the audience understand the type of content they can expect from each book. This is important for readers who prefer certain types of stories or writing styles.
πŸ’‘Romance Subplots
A romance subplot is a secondary storyline in a book that focuses on romantic relationships between characters. In the context of the video, the speaker often highlights the presence and quality of romance subplots in the books they review, as this is a significant aspect that contributes to their enjoyment and recommendation of the books.
πŸ’‘Personal Ratings
Personal ratings are individual assessments of a book's quality, typically on a numerical scale. In the video, the speaker provides their own star ratings for each book, which reflect their personal opinions and experiences with the books. These ratings are subjective and based on the speaker's preferences and criteria for evaluating books.
πŸ’‘Reading Preferences
Reading preferences refer to the specific types of books or genres that a reader enjoys. In the video, the speaker discusses their evolving reading preferences, such as initially being out of their comfort zone with young adult fantasy but eventually developing a fondness for it.
πŸ’‘Narrative Style
Narrative style refers to the way a story is told, including the author's use of language, sentence structure, and point of view. In the video, the speaker comments on the narrative style of various books, which influences their reading experience and overall impression of the books.
πŸ’‘Series Continuation
Series continuation refers to the decision to read subsequent books in a series after enjoying the initial installments. In the video, the speaker discusses their intention to continue reading various book series, indicating their investment in the stories and characters.
πŸ’‘Book Recommendations
Book recommendations are suggestions of books that a reader believes others will enjoy based on shared interests or the perceived quality of the work. In the video, the speaker provides numerous book recommendations, often accompanied by reasons for their suggestions, such as unique plot elements or standout features.
πŸ’‘Reading Experience
Reading experience refers to the personal journey and emotions a reader goes through while engaging with a book. In the video, the speaker shares their reading experiences, including the emotions they felt and the impact the books had on them, which provides insight into their connection with the literature.
Highlights

The reviewer read 69 books in their first half-year of adult reading and 110 books in the following year.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black was a three-star read, initially disappointing the reviewer.

Wicked King by Holly Black became one of the reviewer's favorite books of the year due to its unique romance subplot.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave was a one-sit read, recommended for those who want a gripping mystery.

Throne of Glass series showed improvement in writing style, with the second book, Crown of Midnight, being particularly enjoyable.

February was the best reading month for the reviewer, with Today, Tonight, Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon standing out.

The Selection series by Kiera Cass was reread with the same amount of enjoyment as in middle school, driven by nostalgia.

Unravel Me from the Shatter Me series had a significant romance subplot and action, earning four stars.

Dial A for Aunties by Jessie Q. Sutanto was a hit for its blend of cozy mystery, comedy, and romance, receiving five stars.

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter was the favorite book of the year, a standout young adult romance.

The reviewer's experience with Legend by Marie Lu was positive, but did not lead to a desire to finish the series.

The 56 by K.L. Walther was a summery young adult romance that left a lasting impression, rated five stars.

The reviewer found The Romantics by Leah Cohen to be a mixed bag, with a unique narrative voice but an overall flat story.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber was a magical circus-themed book that did not live up to expectations, rated three stars.

The memoir Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton was entertaining and felt like a gossip session, rated three and a half stars.

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter was a favorite, receiving five stars and a special mention in the acknowledgments.

The guest list by Lucy Foley was a thrilling read that sparked the reviewer's interest in thrillers, rated four and a half stars.

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager was a standout thriller, rated six stars (equivalent to five stars), and highly recommended.

The Shatter Me series improved for the reviewer with Unravel Me and Restore Me, both receiving high ratings.

The Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas was a favorite, with the third book being the best of the series.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card was a standout science fiction read, rated five stars.

The Atlas Paradox by Olivi Blake, a sequel to a favorite book, was disappointing, rated three stars.

Once Upon A Broken Heart and The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber were exceptional reads to end the year, both rated highly and loved by the reviewer.

Transcripts
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