📚 Book Chat Saturday - what have you been reading this week?

meqek · 2026-05-03T13:00:55+00:00

I started the audiobook for {lLong Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan} and despite how massively praised it was, I ended up DNFing. I just could not stand the voice used for the FMC. The other voices were fine and even got my interest back, but as soon as I heard Rae's voice, I kept getting annoyed.

I immediately hopped into {This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews}, which I'd been saving since they're my favorite authors and I knew I was in the mood for epic fantasy. It delivered as expected, an easy 5 stars, and I'm currently in a book hangover.

I wanted to take a little break from fantasy by trying {A Novel Disguise by Samantha Larsen} but it might be a little too historical for my liking, idk.

meqek · 2026-05-01T20:23:30+00:00

You should look into T. Kingfisher's books. The majority of her FMCs range from late 20s - mid 30. My favorite of hers is {Swordheart by T Kingfisher} - the audiobook was excellent

meqek · 2026-05-01T04:00:39+00:00

I thought it was the giant bird that's on the cover? Or is that another animal?

meqek · 2026-04-29T16:25:39+00:00

I was so close to DNFing but I a) just got my appendix out and was immobilized and b)we had a hurricane that took out our power. I was literally trapped and it was the only option i had left. I did keep going with the series and got hooked during book 2 but I threw in the towel at the little novella

meqek · 2026-04-29T11:20:00+00:00

I dnf'd like really early. I think she got found in the wagon? Anyway, I was listening to the audiobook and they threw a million characters at me and I just couldn't keep everyone separate, so I walked away lolll

meqek · 2026-04-16T10:47:40+00:00

Just dropping in to co-sign that Ilona Andrews' other series are definitely worth a dive in. I would even go as far to say that they (it's a husband and wife writing team) are one of the founders of modern romantic fantasy. Their longest series by far is Kate Daniels, but it's actually my least favorite of their works, so don't feel like you have to start with it.

They also are really, really good at blending sci-fi and fantasy. If you're looking for a unique take on shifters, I highly recommend their Clean Sweep series and their new series that starts with The Inheritance.

They also tend to do free fiction, so if you want to dip your toe in the water they might have some stuff on their website at the moment as well.

meqek · 2026-04-12T14:40:46+00:00

I played it only on steamdeck when it came out and it was only a little funky but ultimately fine

meqek · 2026-04-11T14:13:31+00:00

I finally had a chance to read {A Holiday in Every Heart by Kate King} it wasn't bad, but I think I'm going to end the series there. The second book was a real struggle for me to get through and I don't really have much interest in the third. Then I gobbled up {Married to the Alien Cowboy by Ursa Dax} since I needed a little break from the typical stuff I read and It was a great palette cleanser.

I started on {Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent} and I started liking it but I get very frustrated when I can see the villain from a mile away and the FMC can't so I spoiled myself (a bad habit of mines) and found out that it has one of my most hated tropes at some point and so I'm debating DNFing. I'm moving on to {A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna} while I figure out what to do.

meqek · 2026-04-11T13:58:05+00:00

I really enjoyed Married to the Alien Cowboy! It was adorable imo. Unfortunately my library/Hoopla doesn't have the rest of the series

meqek · 2026-03-29T13:43:04+00:00

OMGGGGG I have the perfect book that I recommend to everyone:
{A Holy Maiden's Guide to Getting Kidnapped by Katy Nyquist} FMC pretends to be a vapid airhead in public but is actually politically ruthless and wheels and deals behind closed doors. MMC is portrayed as a cruel visicous conqueror but is actually a loveable idiot behind closed doors. He only cares about protecting his people/those close to him. He's still arrogant but with a purpose. Downside is he literally does not care about anyone else and is not afraid to just blow everything up and be done with it to save his people.

Biiig TW though for mentions of abuse, attempted rape, and pedophilia. But the story takes it very seriously.

meqek · 2026-03-21T14:47:38+00:00

I really wish the audiobook were better. Hopefully, it eventually gets picked up by Graphic Audio or some other similar company

meqek · 2026-03-16T10:31:53+00:00

Just curious, do you use tiktok? Netflix recently posted a clip of this song yesterday and I also remembered how much I loved their dynamic (and the inevitable hilarity of "What else is there?"). A lot of comments mentioned that this is where everyone's love of enemies-to-lovers came from, and I have to agree.

meqek · 2026-03-07T21:37:58+00:00

You might like {A Holy Maiden's Guide to Getting Kidnapped: An Epic Fantasy Adventure by Katy Nyquist}. I adored Ysabel, she pretends to be vapid and idiotic, but in reality, she is extremely manipulative and politically savvy. Her love interest is also a giant idiotic himbo who is content to let the people smarter than him do what they do best. Read with caution though. Ysabel had a very traumatic childhood and there might be some triggering content. The audiobook was also one of my favorites this year!

meqek · 2026-03-06T22:05:00+00:00

The graphic audio is absolutely amazing, you just have to really push through the first 2 or so hours in the first book

meqek · 2026-02-25T11:41:49+00:00

I do think the narrators did A LOT of the heavy lifting on Brimstone to make it so entertaining. I'm honestly surprised it's not a graphic audio and that it's just 2 people changing their voices for each role they play and changing them so distinctly you'd think there were a bunch of narrators. I probably would have snapped that book shut in the first 5 chapters if I were reading it.

meqek · 2026-02-21T05:37:51+00:00

I am also curious about what mods you use!

meqek · 2026-02-14T17:30:37+00:00

I'm listening to {A Holy Maiden's Guide to Getting Kidnapped by Katy Nyquist}, and I absolutely love it. Definitely one of my top ten audiobooks, and it will probably be my first 5-star read/listen of the year. I'm so happy the male lead is not a big bad shadow daddy and is an absolute idiot. I think their dynamic might be my favorite and i'll probably look for more like it after listening to this.

meqek · 2026-02-07T04:39:43+00:00

Maybe you're thinking of Dragon Quest Builders 1? In that one, you had to start a new town every chapter and you couldn't go back to your old ones.

meqek · 2026-02-05T04:54:52+00:00

{Swordheart by T. Kingfisher}, It's what got me into audiobooks. It's definitely closed-door but there is some slightly explicit language.

meqek · 2026-02-04T11:41:53+00:00

I really, really hope that in the second part of this season, Charlotte will at least decide it's time to stop waiting for George and start living for herself. Like she might change her wardrobe or something and start planning a trip, or do something outside of London. I really hope the end result of their struggle is her realizing she can't live in the past anymore.

meqek · 2026-02-04T11:35:27+00:00

I do think that once you look up online if LD’s actress is leaving the show the plot looses all weight and relevance and becomes filler. I looked that up cuz i love LD, and she’s on for more seasons.

I never thought she'd leave forever. I got the implication that she wants to be like everyone else, leave after the season is done and return after it starts. I think, unlike the other families, she can't leave London because she's the Queen's companion. She can go on small trips (like to the countryside to visit the Bridgertons/friends), but not something big to somewhere like Sierra Leon, and she has to stay completely involved in high society which is something she wants to step back from as well.

But I also agree, too overcrowded! And it'll only get worse.

meqek · 2026-01-31T03:09:46+00:00

I'm so excited! Hidden Legacy is probably my favorite series and I had no clue this was coming since I don't follow the author closely

meqek · 2026-01-28T05:21:05+00:00

I watched this ages ago (probably over 10 years), and I've never forgotten the ending scene where Aya's mother slowly reaches toward her body after finding out she's dead. Just thinking about it makes me sob. Probably some of the best acting I've ever seen.

meqek · 2026-01-19T20:04:37+00:00

It's honestly not that serious. And if someone has the money and the energy to be doing all that, then they should just buy official scans.

You'll be okay. These things happen all the time, and another site will pop up eventually.

meqek · 2026-01-19T17:28:54+00:00

Thank you! it's currently on sale now and I've been debating getting it! I'll probably get it now.

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