Some of the books I’ve read so far were my anticipated reads of 2024. But I just couldn’t enjoy them as much as I’d been hoping to. I honestly don’t know what’s going on.
So I’m taking this time to reminisce about a few stellar 5-star reads from the past several years.
00:00 Reading Update 02:28 Animal Farm 03:42 The Song of Achilles 05:35 A Face Like Glass 07:34 In Order To Live 08:43 Heroine 10:26 The Turn of The Key 10:41 The Palace of Illusions 10:57 Goat Days 11:06 My Lady Jane
Know any books like these that you think I might love to read? Do share your recommendations!
It's an empowering twist to the myth of Persephone! I am ready to dive into a Greek mythology book, especially one that is a TOME! ^^
👉 How to participate in the giveaway?
1. Join our Discord community - discord.gg/QQP4QpBY 2. Comment and let me know why you want to read this book. 3. Share this giveaway with your friends (send the video, tag your friends, etc.) 4. DM me (separately) on Discord to show that you've spread word about the book & giveaway.
I will confirm your giveaway entry through DM and pick 3 winners who'll each receive a SIGNED paperback copy of Girl Goddess Queen. 😍😍
This giveaway ends on Sunday, 6th August at 1 pm IST, and is only for those who live in India. Results will be announced on Sunday evening itself. Please stay tuned.
Good luck! And Happy Reading!
Audiobook - https://rb.gy/tms2s Kindle eBook - amzn.to/3OFelBoIN CONVERSATION WITH NAZNEEN AHMED PATHAK | CITY OF STOLEN MAGIC | 2023 INDIAN FANTASY BOOK TO READMeera Nair2023-07-29 | It's time for the FIRST EVER author chat for our Lost in Stories book club!
Say hello to Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, author of City of Stolen Magic. COSM is an Indian fantasy novel set in 1855 during the British colonial era. It chronicles the story of Chompa as she grapples with her magical abilities and is sent on an adventurous journey across borders when her mother is kidnapped by the Company.
I hope you enjoy reading the book. Send some love the author's way and tag #lostinstoriesbookclub in your social posts.
Nazneen's Instagram Page - https://rb.gy/nj3er
Get your copy of City of Stolen Magic - amzn.to/3OzjeMk
00:00 Intro 01:52 About City of Stolen Magic 05:02 Historical Themes 11:26 Magic System 16:11 Multi-Cultural Identities 22:00 Chompa's Storyline 25:15 This Or That Game Segment 28:00 Favourite Scene To Write 31:31 Section Illustrations 34:00 Concluding Thoughts
Comment and let us know what you liked the most about reading City of Stolen Magic.ANNOUNCEMENT + FANTASY BOOK GIVEAWAY!Meera Nair2023-07-05 | Hey, everyone!
HOW have you been? I have been reading barely a couple of books the last few months. And I miss chatting with all of you about my reads.
So, I have a super fun announcement to make!
*drumroll*
I am hosting a book club in collaboration with Penguin Random House where each month we read one book and discuss it together. There are going to be giveaways and author interviews too! ARE YOU EXCITED OR WHAT?! :D
Our first group read is City of Stolen Magic by Nazneen Ahmed Pathak. This is a historical fantasy fiction set in India in the 1850s.
For the giveaway - There'll be 5 winners who each get a copy of City of Stolen Magic. Here's how you can participate:
1. Tell me in the comments why you are eager to read City of Stolen Magic. 2. Share this giveaway with at least 3 other people (tag your friends on the Instagram post, share this video on WhatsApp, etc.) 3. DM or email me to show that you've done the above and I will confirm your giveaway participation.
This giveaway ends on 7th July at 11:30pm. It is only for those who live in India.
The winners will be announced on 9th July, and they'll receive their giveaway prize from Penguin Random House.
You'll have ample time to read the book and join the month-end discussion with everyone.
If you have any questions, please feel free to comment. I can't wait to get started!
00:00 Intro 00:35 Food & Book Shopping 02:13 General Update 04:00 The Satapur Moonstone Update 1 05:18 Money Heist Korea Update 1 08:33 The Satapur Moonstone Update 2 09:34 Book Haul 17:27 Bookish Photoshoot 17:57 Money Heist Korea Update 2 19:51 The Satapur Moonstone Update 3 21:19 Outro 1 21:31 Money Heist Korea Update 3
SOCIALS: Blog - https://thelifestories.blog/ Instagram - instagram.com/ahavenoftomes Twitter - twitter.com/meera5495 Goodreads - bit.ly/2A88EaT Facebook - facebook.com/meeranair05I READ A FANTASY BOOK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 3+ MONTHS! House of Earth and Blood Reading VlogMeera Nair2022-03-27 | Did you enjoy reading Crescent City book 1? Here's me sharing my thoughts on House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas.
I hope you enjoy watching this reading vlog!
00:00 Intro 02:33 Reading + Initial Thoughts on Part 1 08:36 Day 2 + Thoughts on Characters 13:34 Part 3.5 Wrap Up 17:09 Day 3 20:57 Part 4 Wrap Up 22:28 Concluding Thoughts
INDIAN BOOKTUBER SPOTLIGHT: I Read 3 Books Recommended by Ankur Warikoo [Book Tales By Pritha] - youtu.be/2mzLxcC64_c
Apart from my top 10 reads of this year, here are a few other books that I really enjoyed reading and would definitely recommend to you! On this list are mystery books, contemporary novels, historical fiction books & more.
00:00 Intro 01:13 The Carpet Weaver 03:02 One Last Stop 05:06 Mirrorland 07:10 The Maidens 09:26 Frenchman’s Creek 11:11 Malibu Rising 13:11 Project Hail Mary 15:37 Local Woman Missing 17:24 Outro
*There are detailed reviews of all books mentioned in this video on my blog. Link below.
INDIAN BOOKTUBER SPOTLIGHT: House of Hollow is AMAZING!! [Tunnel of Books] - youtu.be/lsG6XXBD2rs
00:00:00 Intro 00:03:55 A gist of the book 00:04:35 Quick review (no-spoilers) 00:18:56 Main discussion (spoiler-filled) Experience reading sci-fi 00:42:28 Are the scientific explanations overwhelming? 00:56:24 Flashback narrative structure 01:08:38 Favourite & least favourite characters 01:30:36 Sci-fi tropes 01:40:35 Giveaway quiz
Here are 4 books that have peculiar plots or storylines. I love reading such stories that go beyond the realm of regular mysteries and suspense. If you have any similar recommendations for me, please let me know! :)
(AFFILIATE LINKS) BOOKS MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO: One by One by Ruth Ware - amzn.to/3jH90cr The Guest List by Lucy Foley - amzn.to/3yqSi6Z One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus - amzn.to/3Ae2AYN And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie - amzn.to/3lDULaH All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban - amzn.to/3CmEHjt The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley - amzn.to/3fvuJTa
INDIAN BOOKTUBER SPOTLIGHT: How To Stay Focused While Reading [Read Travel Become]- youtu.be/emL0hmb0TWQ
SOCIALS: Instagram- instagram.com/ahavenoftomes Twitter- twitter.com/meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaT Facebook- facebook.com/meeranair05DISCUSSION & REVIEW OF THE SHINING BY STEPHEN KING | #BookboundClub LIVE SHOWMeera Nair2021-07-31 | Join us for this #BookboundClub discussion where we talk to our heart's content about our 2nd group read - The Shining by Stephen King! There's a fun #giveaway at the end, so stick around to win a HARDCOVER copy of The Maidens by Alex Michaelides.
00:00 Intro 05:31 Horror Movie Book Tag 48:58 The Shining Readalong Giveaway Prize 52:40 Horror Genre Discussion
SOCIALS: Instagram- instagram.com/ahavenoftomes Twitter- twitter.com/meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaT Facebook- facebook.com/meeranair05LOCK THE BOX BANGALORE SALE UNBOXING PT. 3 | 2021 BOOK HAULMeera Nair2021-07-02 | Are you eagerly looking forward to buying books online from the Lock the Box sale? In this video, I'm unboxing the 3rd box I got from the Bangalore LTB sale that took place in Jan-Feb 2021. There's a good mix of dystopian, historical fictions, and classics in this one.
Disclaimer: This book haul was filmed earlier this year.
Indian BookTuber Spotlight: Reading 7 Romance Books in One Day [The Bookish Nook]- youtu.be/bUtC20yuM7w
0:00 Intro 1:17 LGBT Historical Fiction 2:05 Contemporary Short Stories 2:48 Fantasy Fiction 3:50 Memoir 4:40 Women's Fiction
SOCIALS: Instagram- instagram.com/ahavenoftomes Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaT Facebook- facebook.com/meeranair05WHERE TO BUY CHEAP BOOKS ONLINE IN INDIA? | LOCK THE BOX SALE UNBOXING PART 2Meera Nair2021-04-06 | Are you looking to buy secondhand books at good prices & great quality? Watch this unboxing video to know whether Bookchor should be your go-to store for all things books in India!
Indian BookTuber Spotlight: 10 book recommendations for teenagers [Wise with Grace]- youtu.be/0xdLvL1XQWQ
Instagram- instagram.com/ahavenoftomes Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaT Facebook- facebook.com/meeranair05BOOKCHOR BOOK HAUL | LOCK THE BOX BANGALORE SALE UNBOXING PART 1Meera Nair2021-03-05 | Trust us, readers, to find a way to buy books even when we can't visit offline sales! I'm so glad that BookChor organised this Lock The Box online event.
This is part 1 of 3 videos, where I talk about the amazing books I managed to get - historical fictions, classics, paranormal fictions, thrillers & more!
Indian BookTuber Spotlight: Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag [Bookshot]- youtu.be/0Ruy5fFxwNc
Indian BookTuber Spotlight: Empire of Gold Reading Vlog [Pretty Little Bibliophile]- youtu.be/Q7gEgxKxKPs
SOCIALS: Instagram- instagram.com/ahavenoftomes Twitter- twitter.com/meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaT Facebook- facebook.com/meeranair05A SUITABLE BOY BY VIKRAM SETH | WEEKEND READING VLOGMeera Nair2020-08-19 | In this reading vlog, I talk about the A Suitable Boy book and also share my thoughts on the BBC miniseries to help you decide whether you'd like to read and/or watch it.
Who is your favourite character from the book? And did you like how they were represented in the TV show?
Indian BookTuber Spotlight: On Book Minimalism [Jyotsna's Bookscapades]- youtu.be/XBLPzTaMI6Q
SOCIALS: Instagram- instagram.com/ahavenoftomes Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaT Facebook- facebook.com/meeranair05GOAT DAYS BY BENYAMIN IS A MUST-READ INDIAN CONTEMPORARY FICTIONMeera Nair2020-08-11 | Originally titled Aadujeevitham, the Malayalam novel by Benyamin was translated into English. In this video, I review the book, Goat Days, and talk about the themes that are prevalent in the narrative.
What did you think of the storytelling in this book?
Indian BookTuber Spotlight: 7 Books About Books [My Book Nook]- youtu.be/cyuFublOFeU
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaT Facebook- facebook.com/meeranair05REVIEWING AN INDIAN BOOKTUBERS SHORT STORY COLLECTION | NONET BY @TheMelodramaticBookwormMeera Nair2020-08-04 | In this video, I talk about what I liked and didn't about Sonali Dabade's short story collection, Nonet. It is an immersive book that displays a range of themes and genres, while giving us a glimpse of characters from all walks of life.
What is the one thing you look for in a short story collection?
Indian BookTuber Spotlight: Reader Shaming Has Got To Stop [The Melodramatic Bookworm]- youtu.be/-d8SOtnkvqc
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaT Facebook- facebook.com/meeranair05STAY AT HOME BOOK TAGMeera Nair2020-06-19 | In this stay at home-themed book tag, I talk about my guilty pleasure read, self-care habit, hyped books, and more!
What is your opinion about having to stay at home?
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaT3 ASIAN BOOKS TO READ THIS MONSOON | ASIAN READATHON WRAP UPMeera Nair2020-06-16 | If you've been looking for an Asian novel to read, this video might come in handy. In this Asian Readathon wrap up, I talk about 3 titles I read in May.
0:00 Reading Choices & Participating in the Asian Readathon 1:13 Middle Grade Fiction 3:18 Indian Mystery Novel 6:09 Adult Contemporary Fiction
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTSHOULD HAVENFALL BE YOUR NEXT READ?Meera Nair2020-06-12 | In this video, I talk about a fantasy book, Havenfall by Sara Holland. If you can't decide whether to read it or not, let me help you make up your mind.
Are there any fantasy series you would recommend to me?
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTSTORIES OF US BY BOBBY SACHDEVA | BOOK REVIEWMeera Nair2020-06-10 | Bobby Sachdeva's Stories of Us is a short story collection that provides food for thought. In the span of 2-7 pages, each of these stories sheds light on human vices and virtues.
There's a lot you can take away from these stories. If you've read it, comment and let me know which was your favourite story.
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTAM I REALLY GOING TO READ ALL THESE BOOKS IN JUNE? | THE OLYMPIC GAMES TBRMeera Nair2020-06-05 | Anyone from #TeamApollo here?
I am so excited to be participating in the Olympic Games Readathon. This is honestly one of the best readathons I've heard of. Take a look at Ishi's announcement video: youtu.be/0ETUce-ypo4
Here are the co-hosts: Ally: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ-u... Nicole: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfat... Sasha: youtube.com/c/thewildSasha
The number of books I am supposed to be reading in June is no joke! But let's hope for the best, huh?
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTI READ MYSTERY & ADVENTURE BOOKS FOR DRAMAQUEENATHON | MARCH WRAP UPMeera Nair2020-06-02 | These books either had some element of surprise or revolved around extraordinary themes. And so, March was a satisfying reading month.
In this monthly wrap up video, I share my thoughts on 4 titles worth checking out.
Let me know what recent reads you have been enjoying?
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTHOW I SPENT MY 25TH BIRTHDAY AT HOME DURING LOCKDOWNMeera Nair2020-04-07 | The current lockdown due to COVID-19 has been hard on many people. I am grateful to say that, even if I couldn't celebrate my 25th birthday the way I had planned to, I had the luxury of staying home and staying safe.
This is my birthday vlog, in which I also talk about Havenfall by Sara Holland, a newly released YA fantasy fiction.
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTCHOOSING DRAMATIC TITLES FOR MY DRAMAQUEENATHON TBRMeera Nair2020-02-28 | Trying my hand at participating in readathons yet again! This one is quite chill and I just might be able to pull it off!
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTJANUARY WRAP UP & READING GOALS UPDATE |Meera Nair2020-02-25 | I may have set a lot of reading goals for 2020, but I DID NOT make sufficient progress in Jan. In this video, I talk about the titles I read and how I've been doing so far with my reading plans for the year.
If you feel like buying books, you could use my Amazon Affiliate link: amzn.to/32nweLu
What has been your favorite read of 2020 till now?
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaT10 REASONS TO PICK UP THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETYMeera Nair2020-01-25 | I've had this book lying on my bookshelf for ages and stupid me, I only thought of picking it up now! Don't make the mistake I did of procrastinating, because The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society deserves ALL your immediate attention!
Those of you who have read it will surely (no?) mirror my enthusiasm. So help me persuade the others to read this gem of a historical fiction, okay?
If you'd like to buy the book using my Amazon Affiliate link: amzn.to/38E70dy
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTRAPID FIRE BOOK TAGMeera Nair2020-01-21 | Speaking at the speed of light about my book format preferences, favorite genres, favorite book to TV adaptation and more!
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTATTACHMENTS BY RAINBOW ROWELL | BOOK REVIEWMeera Nair2020-01-17 | While the premise of this novel is not anything like the other romance contemporaries I've heard of or read, it has some really childish and annoying characters! Here's a semi-rant review of Attachments by Rainbow Rowell.
If you've enjoyed this book, please share your thoughts in the comments!
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTWORST BOOKS OF 2019Meera Nair2020-01-14 | I should've stopped reading these books the moment I realized they were going to be no good. But oh well, I didn't. So here we are!
This video also includes a couple of titles I DNF-ed in 2019. Did you dnf any book last year?
Connect With Me on:
Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTLAST BOOK HAUL OF 2019Meera Nair2020-01-10 | Got a few more books in December 2019 (no surprises there!) and these were such a steal! One of them is my giveaway prize from Sonali and Moumita.
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTSLYTHERIN 2020 BULLET JOURNAL SETUP | SLYTHERIN HOUSE PLANNERMeera Nair2020-01-07 | I am so proud of how my 2020 bullet journal looks! If you want to set up your own Hogwarts House-themed journal, watch this video for some ideas and tag me in your social media posts :)
If you want to buy a basic notebook for bullet journaling, you could use my Amazon Affiliate link: amzn.to/304x9PJ
Connect With Me on:
Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTYOUTUBE CHANNEL & READING GOALS 2020Meera Nair2020-01-03 | As usual, I'm aiming high with these goals and plans for the new year! In this video, I talk about some changes I want to introduce on my channel and what reading plans I have for 2020.
What is one of your goals for the new year?
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaT19 BOOKS I LOVED READING IN 2019 | BEST BOOKS OF 2019Meera Nair2019-12-31 | In this video, I share with you some of my #FavouriteBooksof2019 that I would definitely recommend to all of you.
If you're looking to buy any book, you could use my Amazon Affiliate link: amzn.to/2ZEUUxz
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTPRIDE AND PREJUDICE, BOOK MAIL & BULLET JOURNAL SETUP | READING VLOGMeera Nair2019-12-13 | This is my vlog of re-reading Pride and Prejudice, starting with the setup for my 2020 bullet journal and opening some book mail. Grab some snacks and join me, as I share my thoughts about this classic novel by Jane Austen.
If you'd like to buy a copy of Pride and Prejudice for yourself, use my Amazon Affiliate link? amzn.to/2QOoDSn
For more bookish content, visit: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTMY WORST READING MONTH EVER! | NOVEMBER WRAP UPMeera Nair2019-12-04 | Last month, I barely got any reading done! In this video, I talk about my thoughts on the couple of books that I did manage to finish reading in November 2019.
Connect With Me on: Instagram- @meeranair05 Twitter- @meera5495 Goodreads- bit.ly/2A88EaTALL ABOUT MY BOOK BUYING HABITS | THE BOUJEE BOOKTUBER TAGMeera Nair2019-11-29 | In this video, I talk about where I buy books from, how much do I spend in a month on books and my general book-buying preferences.