Your compassion tangent was 🫶🏻💯 “why can’t we just be compassionate to other humans BECAUSE they’re other humans?” Exactly! The best part of reading books is building empathy, and I wish everyone thought like that. 💖
As soon as you started talking about compassion for stranger I thought of the rape culture reference of saying “what if it was your sister, mother etc” like it has to be of consequence to you and your life for it to matter and then you said it yourself. You always speak about books with empathy and grace and it’s why you’re so beloved🩷
Girl I know you love thinking of a specific way to build a tbr and you can overthink things, I don’t really care about the theme, I just like hearing about book recs and your ideas about books ❤️
It was so fun to see your response to 'It Came From the Closet' b/c I picture it as a book for academics in the pop culture space... I wondered how it would read to someone reading for pleasure instead of study. You made me want to read it too!
I think Stina Leicht is a sci-fi author you could like. Loki's Ring was so good. Also Becky Chambers writes cozy sci-fi and you might love The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.
I loved your thought and insight on Hunger ! Your kindness and energy shines through ! ❤ I personally loved that book. Roxanne was so vulnerable about her life experience that the assault was a bit triggering but also some things I needed to hear. Some validation.
I enjoyed the conversations you were having toward the end! I often get overwhelmed with everything happening in the world (usually when I've been scrolling on social media for too long) and feel helpless, like there's just so much work that needs to be done. But then I remember the conversations I've had with my therapist. And she says that helping starts in the home and in your community. She will ask what sorts of things I've done for my loved ones or what my interactions with strangers have been like. Have I volunteered in my community? It may seem small, but you gotta start somewhere. And when people are treated with compassion and understanding, they're more likely to treat others that way too. Side note: Idk if you've read Artemis by Andy Weir, or maybe you DNF'd it. I love the idea of you doing a 2.5 video to find more authors to choose from for the third video, but I wanted to mention it in case it's helpful!
I can't wait to get my hands on It Came From the Closet! I'm queer and horror is my 'feels like home' genre, so this couldn't be more made for me. (The rainbow tags were such a cute touch, too!)
Loved this. I think if you were trying to “salvage” the concept you definitely succeeded. I wanted to pop in with a quick recommendation for an essay collection, ‘What my Mother and I Don’t Talk About’. It’s edited by Michele Filgate and contains an essay by Carmen Maria Machado. Her essay has stuck with me for years, as her work tends to.
I really appreciate your comments about Hunger. I am a similar size to what RG was when she wrote the book and while her experiences are not all the same experiences I've had, so much of it was relatable in many ways. Your words on kindness and putting yourself in other peoples' shoes are so important. And it's so easy! It's so encouraging and validating for a thin friend to research seating options before choosing a restaurant to go to with a fat friend (look for sturdy chairs without arms) and it's so easy for someone to take accessibility into consideration more readily when hanging out with a disabled person. It takes very little effort to make marginalized people feel welcome.
I'm not sure when you put down Time is a Mother but I really recommend skipping the first part of poems and reading the second to fourth parts if you weren't vibing with it. I put it down when reading that first part but when I picked it back up and persevered with the other three parts, I was rewarded with some of the best poems I've ever read and a 5* book despite not loving the first part.
I don’t think you need to worry about it being redundant to read authors you’ve already read in this season of third time’s the charm. We’ll love it either way!
I love Carmen Maria Machado, but I’ve never heard of that essay collection! However, her short story collection and her memoir are some of my favorite books! I can’t wait for her new short story collection! I’ve heard good things about AN UNKINDNESS OF GHOSTS by River Solomon as well!
Hearing your review of Hunger makes me want to reread it! I read it many years ago and don’t think I fully appreciated it since it is just her experience and not really meant to teach anything. It’s a great test of empathy to hear/read someone’s story and not expect to gain something for yourself.
I thought of doing a video similar to this series of yours but I broke my brain trying to work out what books to read and then gave up (for now anyway). lol so I feel your pain.
I just read An Unkindness of Ghosts last week! It felt quite heavy as a read, but I did love it. The roleplaying stuff that you mentioned also stood out to me (it feels like there's a lot of transness in that book) and it's a lot about performance - masking to appear allistic, performance of gender, stifling authenticity to keep people (basically slaves) boxed in these rigid roles, very connected to how race 'science' also influenced the changing of gender roles in colonial times, ideals of beauty and so on. I have read The Deep and loved, now I only have to read Sorrowland, but I think I can already consider Rivers Solomon as one of my favorite authors. I have the same story with Sara Gran, honestly, after The Book of the Most Precious Substance, she became a favorite anyway.
I got It came from the closet for my Birthday - now I'm even more excited to get to it! (Side note: I loved Night Sky with Exit Wounds, but didn't get along with Time is a Mother either...)
i have a feeling you would love simon jiminez's books esp his debut, its also scifi, deals with time, queer bipoc mcs, amazing writing & characters are so well done
As a fat woman, Hunger was incredibly touching to me because it helped me see that some of what I've experienced isn't just in my head. I know there's danger in sounding chambers, but it was nice just to feel like, "Oh, you go through that, too? I'm not insane?"
Video idea: listen to audio books narrated by Bonhi Turpin that you would have never picked up if they weren’t narrated by Bonhi Turpin. See if that influences your rating? (Bonhi Turpin is one of my favorite narrators, too.)
how is it that you talking about Roxanne Gay writing about her size is what led me to realize that for years i’ve thought Roxanne Gay and Gloria Steinem were the same person. and how?? such different women 😂
I think nearly (truly nearly, but not all) of the criticism of Hunger is rooted in rampant fatphobia. When I read it I didn't LOVE it but it was simply because of the length and the amount of repetition, which I didn't care for. However, the experiences that she was writing about were beginning to touch on fat liberation--which is something that Roxane Gay (in my opinion) has not fully taken up. So the reader pushback at the lack of anti-fat moralizing in her memoir and her reflections on her body and embodied experiences was not shocking, but was disappointing. It makes it clear that a lot of people are not ready for actual fat liberation literture and theory, which is so so frustrating! Thanks for bringing up the beauty and importance of Hunger not centering some sort of anti-fat "success story"!
How exciting, a Kayla video where I have read all the books included! These were all 4-5 stars for me! I'm too sensitive to watch horror so I've never seen a single movie included in It Came From the Closet, but I still loved it! But it was definitely a bad idea to read it before bed because I ended up googling a lot of the movies and scaring myself lol 😂 An Unkindness of Ghosts was a 5 star for me, it was so unique! I had not read a lot of scifi at the time, but even now with a lot of experience with the genre I think it stands out particularly with the neurodivergence and trans rep. And now I really want to reread it!
if anyone is looking for a more academic essay collection on horror I've been working my way through dread of difference since last fall. it's not as easy to get through but it's been really engaging
Wasn't third time's the charm about reading a book from an author you have read twice from and didn't really love and finding a favourite in there. This is so off the rails lol but I love it
Omg! I just saw you have „Scream all night“ on your bookshelf. But you have not rated it on Goodreads? Can you tell me your rating? It is my absolute favourite book. 😅 (our taste normally doesn’t align, so it is okay if you rated it low. 🙈 you’re still my favorite bookyoutuber ❤️)
39 minutes of kayla overthinking her video concept and me just being happy she posted 🥲
Your compassion tangent was 🫶🏻💯 “why can’t we just be compassionate to other humans BECAUSE they’re other humans?” Exactly! The best part of reading books is building empathy, and I wish everyone thought like that. 💖
Yes! I totally agree
The look on your son's face when you panned to him when Pink was playing made me laugh a lot.
Lol same 😂😂
As soon as you started talking about compassion for stranger I thought of the rape culture reference of saying “what if it was your sister, mother etc” like it has to be of consequence to you and your life for it to matter and then you said it yourself. You always speak about books with empathy and grace and it’s why you’re so beloved🩷
Girl I know you love thinking of a specific way to build a tbr and you can overthink things, I don’t really care about the theme, I just like hearing about book recs and your ideas about books ❤️
It was so fun to see your response to 'It Came From the Closet' b/c I picture it as a book for academics in the pop culture space... I wondered how it would read to someone reading for pleasure instead of study. You made me want to read it too!
As an academic in the pop culture space: YES 😂
Lol same 😅
I think Stina Leicht is a sci-fi author you could like. Loki's Ring was so good. Also Becky Chambers writes cozy sci-fi and you might love The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.
I just loved this. Thank you for trying to salvage this vlog in soooo many different ways
5:45 Don't want to pressure you, but I loveee this idea!
Kayla posts and I come running haha. I've been binging the closet unhaul over the weekend because it's my comfort watch.
I loved your thought and insight on Hunger ! Your kindness and energy shines through ! ❤
I personally loved that book. Roxanne was so vulnerable about her life experience that the assault was a bit triggering but also some things I needed to hear. Some validation.
I got 'It Came From the Closet' from the library and I'm excited to dive in!
That horror essay collection sounds great. Adding it to my list, absolutely LOVE Carmen Maria Machado...can't wait for her to release something else.
so appreciative of everything you said in relation to hunger. so correct and so well-spoken.
I enjoyed the conversations you were having toward the end! I often get overwhelmed with everything happening in the world (usually when I've been scrolling on social media for too long) and feel helpless, like there's just so much work that needs to be done. But then I remember the conversations I've had with my therapist. And she says that helping starts in the home and in your community. She will ask what sorts of things I've done for my loved ones or what my interactions with strangers have been like. Have I volunteered in my community? It may seem small, but you gotta start somewhere. And when people are treated with compassion and understanding, they're more likely to treat others that way too.
Side note: Idk if you've read Artemis by Andy Weir, or maybe you DNF'd it. I love the idea of you doing a 2.5 video to find more authors to choose from for the third video, but I wanted to mention it in case it's helpful!
I can't wait to get my hands on It Came From the Closet! I'm queer and horror is my 'feels like home' genre, so this couldn't be more made for me. (The rainbow tags were such a cute touch, too!)
Loved this. I think if you were trying to “salvage” the concept you definitely succeeded. I wanted to pop in with a quick recommendation for an essay collection, ‘What my Mother and I Don’t Talk About’. It’s edited by Michele Filgate and contains an essay by Carmen Maria Machado. Her essay has stuck with me for years, as her work tends to.
Loved hearing your thoughts on Hunger and what that made you think of. Thanks so much for sharing. 💚
I really appreciate your comments about Hunger. I am a similar size to what RG was when she wrote the book and while her experiences are not all the same experiences I've had, so much of it was relatable in many ways. Your words on kindness and putting yourself in other peoples' shoes are so important. And it's so easy! It's so encouraging and validating for a thin friend to research seating options before choosing a restaurant to go to with a fat friend (look for sturdy chairs without arms) and it's so easy for someone to take accessibility into consideration more readily when hanging out with a disabled person. It takes very little effort to make marginalized people feel welcome.
No better day for a new Kayla video than my birthday! Such a good present!
Happy birthday 🎂🎉🎂! Hope it's a good one!
Also… I really like the idea of the 2.5 episode !!!! Lol
I'm not sure when you put down Time is a Mother but I really recommend skipping the first part of poems and reading the second to fourth parts if you weren't vibing with it. I put it down when reading that first part but when I picked it back up and persevered with the other three parts, I was rewarded with some of the best poems I've ever read and a 5* book despite not loving the first part.
I don’t think you need to worry about it being redundant to read authors you’ve already read in this season of third time’s the charm. We’ll love it either way!
it's wild to hear kayla mention in my skin/dans ma peau, a perfect movie but one that i never thought i'd hear in this channel haha.
I love Carmen Maria Machado, but I’ve never heard of that essay collection! However, her short story collection and her memoir are some of my favorite books! I can’t wait for her new short story collection! I’ve heard good things about AN UNKINDNESS OF GHOSTS by River Solomon as well!
22:40 Straight hair Kayla really confused me for a second xD
The take away from this video is that I defo need to buy It Came from the Closet.
I wanna read It Came From the Closet now!! I’d never heard of it before this vlog 🤗
Super tips are so good😍 I use them for my classroom all the time
Hearing your review of Hunger makes me want to reread it! I read it many years ago and don’t think I fully appreciated it since it is just her experience and not really meant to teach anything. It’s a great test of empathy to hear/read someone’s story and not expect to gain something for yourself.
I love your opinion on the hunger and the conversation around it, I can’t wait to pick it up!
Re: Time is a Mother, I like Ocean Vuong’s narrative poems best! Some feel like they’re going over my head
honestly proud of myself that i wasn't awake when this was uploaded 😂I'd love to see a three times the charm 2.5 video though!
I thought of doing a video similar to this series of yours but I broke my brain trying to work out what books to read and then gave up (for now anyway). lol so I feel your pain.
I just read An Unkindness of Ghosts last week! It felt quite heavy as a read, but I did love it. The roleplaying stuff that you mentioned also stood out to me (it feels like there's a lot of transness in that book) and it's a lot about performance - masking to appear allistic, performance of gender, stifling authenticity to keep people (basically slaves) boxed in these rigid roles, very connected to how race 'science' also influenced the changing of gender roles in colonial times, ideals of beauty and so on. I have read The Deep and loved, now I only have to read Sorrowland, but I think I can already consider Rivers Solomon as one of my favorite authors. I have the same story with Sara Gran, honestly, after The Book of the Most Precious Substance, she became a favorite anyway.
Loved your discussion at the end!! Such valid points ❤
I got It came from the closet for my Birthday - now I'm even more excited to get to it!
(Side note: I loved Night Sky with Exit Wounds, but didn't get along with Time is a Mother either...)
ahhh love third times a charm series! 🎉
i have a feeling you would love simon jiminez's books esp his debut, its also scifi, deals with time, queer bipoc mcs, amazing writing & characters are so well done
It’s not a waste of a 5 star because you got to read something you loved!
If you are still interested in billy ray belcourt I’d recommend “NDN coping mechanisms” I really loved it!
As a fat woman, Hunger was incredibly touching to me because it helped me see that some of what I've experienced isn't just in my head. I know there's danger in sounding chambers, but it was nice just to feel like, "Oh, you go through that, too? I'm not insane?"
I picked up An Unkindness of Ghosts a few months ago but haven’t started it yet, but it might be my next read!
Im addicted to this channel
omg another amazing vlog! 💖
you reviewing it came from the closet made me wanna start writing essays
Video idea: listen to audio books narrated by Bonhi Turpin that you would have never picked up if they weren’t narrated by Bonhi Turpin. See if that influences your rating? (Bonhi Turpin is one of my favorite narrators, too.)
In between! Just because I wanna see another set of 3rd times a charm lol
as someone who LOVED bad feminist i really need to get to hunger soon!
I can’t wait for your limited edition 2nd times a charm 😊
I think that you might like Ayiti by Roxane Gay. It is a mixed collection based around themes of being part of the Haitian diaspora.
Your sweater makes me want to re-read Half a Soul. Love hanging out with you in the evenings eating takeout in my bed.
i'd love to hear your thoughts on roxane gay's difficult women someday!
Yay another vlog 😍🍿
loved this vlog so I guess I love chaos 😂🤪😈
how is it that you talking about Roxanne Gay writing about her size is what led me to realize that for years i’ve thought Roxanne Gay and Gloria Steinem were the same person. and how?? such different women 😂
I think nearly (truly nearly, but not all) of the criticism of Hunger is rooted in rampant fatphobia. When I read it I didn't LOVE it but it was simply because of the length and the amount of repetition, which I didn't care for. However, the experiences that she was writing about were beginning to touch on fat liberation--which is something that Roxane Gay (in my opinion) has not fully taken up. So the reader pushback at the lack of anti-fat moralizing in her memoir and her reflections on her body and embodied experiences was not shocking, but was disappointing. It makes it clear that a lot of people are not ready for actual fat liberation literture and theory, which is so so frustrating! Thanks for bringing up the beauty and importance of Hunger not centering some sort of anti-fat "success story"!
Happy belated birthday, Rob.
Please read Difficult Women! It is SO good ❤
How exciting, a Kayla video where I have read all the books included! These were all 4-5 stars for me!
I'm too sensitive to watch horror so I've never seen a single movie included in It Came From the Closet, but I still loved it! But it was definitely a bad idea to read it before bed because I ended up googling a lot of the movies and scaring myself lol 😂
An Unkindness of Ghosts was a 5 star for me, it was so unique! I had not read a lot of scifi at the time, but even now with a lot of experience with the genre I think it stands out particularly with the neurodivergence and trans rep. And now I really want to reread it!
if anyone is looking for a more academic essay collection on horror I've been working my way through dread of difference since last fall. it's not as easy to get through but it's been really engaging
Hi good morning happy Monday morning and happy summer day and I loved your channel and your vlogs is amazing, New Subscriber
yesss 🤍
uff, i'm very interested in it came from the closet now!
Have you seen Bones and All? It’s a horror movie that’s a queer analogy so thought you might like it
❤❤❤
I’ve had Hunger on my TBR FOREVER
Wasn't third time's the charm about reading a book from an author you have read twice from and didn't really love and finding a favourite in there. This is so off the rails lol but I love it
that was the first season
Nineteen Claws was a huge disappointment for me. It was just bad. I gave it 2 stars. Such a bummer cause I loved Tender Is The Flesh
Omg! I just saw you have „Scream all night“ on your bookshelf. But you have not rated it on Goodreads? Can you tell me your rating? It is my absolute favourite book. 😅 (our taste normally doesn’t align, so it is okay if you rated it low. 🙈 you’re still my favorite bookyoutuber ❤️)
you looso cute in braids
Hello from British Columbia Canada
🇨🇦👍🖖🖐❤👌🎅🖼🎪🎠🖌🌻🎨🚲
P R O M O S M 😎
Why do you always have the best clothes? 🤔 Off topic, I know.
so firts!!