5 star reads, tricky novels & BIG books ⭐️ FEBRUARY WRAP-UP
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- Опубліковано 13 чер 2024
- mostly a love letter to Italo Calvino :') the books I read this month were just WOW I LOVE READING
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0:00 If on a winter's night a traveler
17:06 Sweet Bean Paste
20:20 Senlin Ascends
25:57 Cat Diary
26:53 Agents of the Four Seasons
27:53 The Inheritance Games
29:06 Conspicuous Consumption
30:06 Count of Monte Cristo
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As a silent reader of the book club (joined but never comment) I have to say I am absolutely thankful that you chose If on a winter's night a traveler. It was such a delight to read, even though it was kinda tricky. Sad to see people dropping it but I get it. I hope this monthly pick is good too
💙💙 so glad it spoke to you!
@@emmiereads, all books end. Perhaps the book about books ending as you don't expect are the same as books that end abruptly or unsatisfactorily. Like life.
In the present we have not finished.
Well now there is only one "Bible" (this means book) made up of many books for interestingly enough the idea of books all being the part of one story is in that sense true.
I tried to find "If on a winter's night, a Traveler" but couldn't find it, but it sounds as if it might be worth it. I have given up on books last month as I only read two and then quit. Or have I? I guess the story might go on.
TOP FORTY-FIVE (45) BOOKS, and I don't add the book that is by many authors from various times and places, as it can't be compared to the list below.
0) "The Holy Bible: King James Version" copyright 1967
1) "The Insulted and Humiliated" by Fyodor Dostoevsky
2) "Verbal Behavior" by Dr. B. F. Skinner
3) "Resurrection" by Leo Tolstoy
4) "The Idiot" by Fyodor Dostoevsky
5) "Fathers and Sons" by Ivan Turgenev
6) Myth Adventures - series by Robert Asprin
7) The Chronicles of Narnia - series by C. S. Lewis
8) "Vilette" by Charlotte Brontë
9) "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy
10) "A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
11) "Smoke" by Ivan Turgenev
12) "Chesapeake" by James A. Michener
13) "Poland" by James A. Michener
14) "Roots" by Alex Haley
15) The Silmarillion - The Hobbit, or there and back again - The Lord of the Rings - Middle Earth stories by J. R. R. Tolkien
16) "Even If This Love Disappears Tonight" by Misaki Ichijo
17) "Childhood, Boyhood" by Leo Tolstoy
18) Foundation Series - Isaac Asimov
19) "Eugene Onegin" by Alexander Pushkin
20) "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky
21) "Paris 1919: six months that changed the world" by Margaret MacMillian
22) "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" by Anne Brontë
23) "Virgin Soil" by Ivan Turgenev
24) "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
25) The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn - by Mark Twain
26) Old Mother West Wind series - wildlife series by Thornton Burgess
27) "Microbe Hunters" by Paul de Kruif
28) "Cancer Ward" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
29) "Teacher Man" by Frank McCourt
30) "Demons" by Fyodor Dostoevsky
31) "Kon Tiki" by Thor Heyerdahl
32) "The Complete Poems of Anne Bronte" by Anne Brontë
33) "From Beirut to Jerusalem" by Thomas Friedman
34) "The Berdine Un-Theory of Evolution: and Other Scientific Studies Including Hunting, Fishing, and Sex" by William C. Berdine
35) "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair
36) "Caribbean" by James A. Michener
37) "Hawaii" by James A. Michener
38) "The Painted Bird" by Jerzy Kosiński
39) "Interview with the Vampire" by Anne Rice
40) "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
41) "Torrents of Spring" by Ivan Turgenev
42) "Mere Christianity" by C. S. Lewis
43) "Emma" by Jane Austen
44) "In the First Circle" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
45) The Beatrix Potter books - animal story series by Beatrix Potter
@@ReligionOfSacrificeI keep meaning to read Michener but haven't done it yet
Emma, I have been following your channel for a while now, and the way you talked about "if on a winter's night a traveller" reminded me why you are, in fact, my favourite booktuber. The way you have the ability to talk bout these books in such a passionate way is so enduring and relatable. Because I love books but don't really have anyone in my life that shares the same kind of passion so it's very nice to see you yapping (as you call it) 😂 about these things, and for me to relate to it. Keep it up!
Emma, the dress! The necklace! You're glowing! 💫
Thank you love!!
Hi emmie, i’m a literature student in Italy and I just had a course on “Se una notte d’inverno un viaggiatore” by Calvino. It’s a huge turning point for our Italian literate history. I definitely recommend more of his work, probably starting by “invisible cities” or “the castle of crossed destinies”, which have in common the combinatory structure. If you want to go for a sweet but dense read I definitely recommend “The baron on the trees”, an absolute classic. Cavino is HUGE here, he also has published several collections of essays which I find to be very interesting, mostly for a book-enthusiast as I am. I’m really glad you liked him🫶🏼 hoping you continue this journey
I wish you had a podcast❤ I could listen to your soothing voice all day❤
+10000000000 please have a podcast
Oh absolutely
I love the way you talk! I've always thought this, but in this video you explained the plot of If On a Winter's Night a Traveler in such a clear way, even though I'd say it isn't clear at all. The way you expressed such complex ideas in a way that was really easy to get is really astonishing to me.
P.S. you look stunning
I loved how you can see and hear how excited she is in this video! That spark when someone tells you their favorite book is always amazing
The way you convey your thoughts about the book of Italo Calvino, huge brain, emma. You made it understandable even I, who would have read it, must have difficulty describing such a book like that but you do it effortlessly and with so much passion. I love this bookish part of you.
I loved Senlin Ascends, and the sequel Arm Of The Sphinx has some incredibly well realised female characters that left me genuinely in tears. An all time favourite. As for the series as a whole...
...yeah, it's definitely Steampunk. The 2nd book is more clearly so, with heist and swashbuckling elements that I really enjoyed. The 3rd book gets more surreal and focuses in the internal politics. A fascinating series and a favourite of mine.
The way you captured the act of reading was so beautiful and adequate and you couldn't have described it better
I stuck it out till the end for If On A Winter’s Night A Traveler and I’m so glad I did. Truly a love letter to reading/literature/life and it was so funny too. Shout out to our fallen soldiers🫡 I don’t blame them this one was tough. Hopefully they join us again in March
Re: If on a winter's night a traveller and the computational process of reading:
I work in qualitative research, mostly doing interviews with people to understand their life experiences. We have a software that we use for analysis (it doesn't do the analysis for you, it's more of a management software). The program has a function where you can quantify the number of times words came up, list them in order of most or least used, etc. But it isn't frequently used by us qualitative researchers! By doing this, you're stripping the words of all context, meaning, and depth. You might even be missing the most important point - maybe a word is only used once or twice, but with its use you gain a transformational insight of some sort. It applies so much to reading too. ❤
I loved Calvino contrasting the computational style of reading with the author-character's views on writing. It gave me a chance to nerd out a little on theory (phenomenology yesssss), perspective, and process.
I loved the book but found it an immese slog 😂 I noticed a lot of themes about the voyeurism of reading too!
Started Nervous Conditions yesterday and loving it so far!
Loved the Count of Monte Cristo, so glad y'all did it as it also gave me motivation to read it
Oh my God, you finally did it!
I've been waiting for you to read The Count of Monte Cristo ever since I started watching your channel like 3 or 4 years ago! Many times I've asked you to, as well 😅
Definitely my favorite book of all time!
Yes!!!!! It was so worth it:’)
@@emmiereads I'm so glad you liked it!! Your stamp of approval gives me great satisfaction 😁
Every time I see that you have posted, I genuinely get so happy
this made me smile :') I'm so glad
Girl I have never even heard of "If On a Winter's Night a Traveler" but the way you described it makes it sound like a journey I desperately need to have.
I’ve started the count of monte cristo today and I’m only on chapter 4, but the way there is so much sass I’m screaming💀💀
I love Books of Babel! And if you continue with the series, I think you will, too! The second book is much more dynamic and we start to follow other POVs (I love all of them), and while the plot and themes may seem haphazardly woven now, it will all click as you learn more about the tower and the painting. At least read on till you meet Byron (half robot half deer butler, he's in the second book, and I think you'll adore him😀). PS: If one a winter's night... is one of my favorite books of all time
I personally really liked Senlin Ascends as it's very different from anything I've read before and so well written. I'm currently reading the third book in the series and it's safe to say it's becoming a new favourite! From the second book on we get more POVs and the female characters especially are SO WELL WRITTEN! Which is pretty rare for a male author in my experience. I also looove the friendships that are formed in the second book 💛
I was annoyed with myself that I'm only 58 pages into If On a Winters Night (because capitalism) but now I'm glad. What a great review, Emma; I have a much better grip now on what I'm reading - and loving. Seriously, if you decide to teach literature you're already one of the best professors I've ever had, and my university was excellent.
The structuralism in the first book is astonishing!❤
I also gave the inheritance games three stars, had the same exact feelings as you! I was planning on not continuing the series but my sister (who LOVED it) begged me to read the second book, and I’m so glad I did. Wayyyy more “puzzle-y” and interesting. Highly recommend you continue the series!
ahh i think i need to read if on a winters night a traveler now!! i am so obsessed with the idea that the reader of a book is in conversation with the author and creating the story alongside them and playing an active part
Incredible Calvino analysis! You truly outdid yourself in this one.
32:57 “You don’t even have to read; this book reads itself” The PERFECT way to put it!!!
I saw a video about the difficulties of language translation, and at some point, he said something like how all art created is an imperfect translation of the creation in our minds. Your feelings about If on a Winter's Night a Traveler reminded me of that video I watched a while back due to how much your thoughts lined up with his. I'm not sure if that book is for me, though. Having a book filled with unfinished stories would drive me batty. You never know. Maybe I'll get an urge to read it one day.
My library of If on a winter's night a traveler only came in today so it will be a March read for me instead, your review made me even more excited!
Ahhh have the best time, it’s a wild one😂
hi emma, i love channel so so much and wanted to suggest an idea: a video on writing. your tips to write better creative and formal content and maybe some lessons you learned about writing throughout your degree. i know this would be something different for your channel, but a lot of us who like to write would appreciate your tips🥰 i also think it would be great if you could publish your essays in a blog or something - i would love to read your work!
Ever since I saw you got If On a Winter's Night I've checked your channel to see if you've read it yet! I feel so vindicated that you loved it so much. One of the most important books in my life.. it is truly special. I recently got to read it with my book club which included a friend I was in love with.. you can imagine the meta-ness of that! Hearing you talk about it helped me gain an even deeper appreciation. Never be afraid of rambling about any book
Calvino truly is one of a kind, his love and devotion to literature, storytelling and art really shines through and in all of his works! I'm so glad you read and enjoyed "If on a winter's night", it's one of my favorite books as well and an amazing love letter to reading. I've been following your channel for a while and now I want to join your bookclub if nothing else, for the community and to see everyone's thoughts about the books. What a wonderful project and cozy corner you created, thank you so much for sharing it with us
welp your verbal love letter to "If on a winter's night a traveler" got me. I ordered it, very intrigued and fascinated to read. I do love books that interrogate the ideas and philosophies behind art and literature and separating the piece itself from the one who interacts with it. Also interested in the concept of the "void" as you mentioned it and how this book handles that. Thank you for bringing this to my attention!!
As for the rest of the books...this is one of the first times I think you've read a fairly niche book that is actually one I've already read! Senlin Ascends....oh that book. I hesitate to know if you'll like the rest of the series or not, because I actually enjoyed the first book. Didn't know it was steampunk, and the main character didn't bother me as much as he evidently bothered you, but I thought it was well written and fascinating. Some true moments of horror in the book and I thought it was a thoughtful read. But the rest of the series...at least for me, just weren't that great. I found myself bored by the last few books, although I did read them just for the sake of it. Creativity seemed to plummet in the last couple and the characters turned into caricatures. My own opinion, take it for what it's worth. If you do read the rest of the series, I'd be interested to know your thoughts, but I wouldn't recommend. So many better books out there, so many books that are better written.
Got my cat. Snuggling up to hear your thoughts on The Count of Monte Cristo. Dyyyyyyying to hear it ❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊
I’m glad I didn’t get a chance to read If On A Winter’s Night yet. I think I’ll appreciate/understand it better having watched your analysis of it.
The way you talk about books is brilliant, it always makes me so excited to get back to reading
Listening you talk about If on a winter's night a traveler just made me want to read it so much! It's been on my list forever, but you talking about how we create meaning to language just put it on priority! Also: have you read Invisible Cities? Also by Calvino and it SCREAMS Emma!! I've read for the first time in high school and it's one of those books that it's just a jewel, a pearl, a cherished artefact.
no, but i'm still watching you talk about that first book and you already had me sold at the beginning but WOW!!! the way you talked about language and expression and communication while talking about this book was truly really beautiful, i'm actually amazed. wow. i'll definitely be reading that one. love love love your videos and how you express yourself and them!
the way you talked about 'if on a winter's night a traveler' was completely immersive! I connected so much with how you speak about language, and the difference between our human communication vs literatures interconnected world. definitely going to give that one a read when I know I have time to really sit with it :)
I see a couple of people have recommended The Baron in the Trees, and I totally agree. It's been so long ago that I read it, but it still feels so lovely.
I didn’t love if on a winter’s night a traveler, but hearing you talk about it made me like it a bit more! Maybe that’s just because I love you and trust your taste better than my own lol
I absolutely loved If On A Winter’s Night… thank you Emma for introducing me to Italo Calvino!
I'm so excited to watch this! Your videos give me so much comfort. I've been dealing with PCS for the past 1.5 years and seeing how far you've come with your concussion and channel just give me a lot of hope :'') ❤
Oh lovely I’m so sorry to hear that, I’m sending you so much love I know how hard it is - it’s been a long time of recovery but I’m so glad this space gives you hope, it does get so much better❤
Thank you so so much for recommending If On A Winter's Night A Traveller. I'm reading it now and I have a feeling this is going to be among the best books I've ever read ❤❤❤
I never would have finished "If on a Winter's Night..." without your recommendation and the accountability of the book club. I took some notes, caught some of the ideas you mentioned, but would need to reread to get more. What a great feeling of accomplishment to persist to the end.
I interpret the cut off novels as a metaphor for life. We cant read further into our lives than where we currently are. And i think it really captures the frustration of the unknown of the future. Our lives are stories but we never get the whole of our own story.
Calvino is one of my all-time favorite authors, and If on a winter's night... is one of my favorites of his. I just reread it in December and yes, all the stars. 🥰
i was so shocked to see people not liking if on a winter's night but THANK YOU becauee i found out that i like books of that genre it was so fun to overwork the brain that way
The way you describe Count of Monte Cristo is literally perfect. It is a god damn story.
I AM SO EXCITED AND HAPPY THAT YOU HAVE READ AND LOVED THE COUNT!!! sorry for screaming but i am very passionate about it
DONT BE SORRY I LOVED IT!!!!!
I love the way you talk about Calvino's book! I just finished it tonight and it absolutely blew me away... that said, the Japanese novel (On the carpet of leaves illuminated by the moon) certainly raised my, uh, eyebrows, haha. I mean, I get it, but man did it feel like some manga stuff there, haha. Japan was a very apt setting, I suppose.
It was odd to me, at first, that the word "void" stuck out to you so much, because I didn't notice the use of that word at all until after I watched this video, when I was more than half way though the book. It definitely is a strong theme though, I agree now. I'm not sure if it is quite as strong in the first half, if I just never noticed it, but the last third of the book is where it really gets interesting, I think, and the void comes back over and over.
Thanks for your review and your thoughts. It really is a masterpiece, and not something I'll ever forget. May we all find the book we're searching for :) Cheers!
i'm so glad i got the chance to read the count of monte cristo! don't think i would have picked it up otherwise and its a new favourite for me ❤
Your talk about language and the void is so interesting it honestly makes me want to read the book. (It also reminds me of an episode of monument mythos, which is a alternate reality horror series on UA-cam, in which aliens take away human writing and language. It’s shown through typos at first, then it’s sentences that don’t make sense, until it’s completely gone.)
I'm so happy you read my favorite book! As a proud italian i would absolutely recommend you all the others calvino books❤
Your comments on Winter’s Night were super helpful because it did in fact break my brain a little bit 😂 I liked it, but I felt very lost most of the time!
Wanted to lay down with a cozy video about books, ended up asking myself the deep questions about life and oneself
yessssss i love the count of monte cristo love!! that book has lived in my heart since i read it last year. it was such a wild ride. i highly recommend reading the three musketeers translation that lawrence ellsworth did. it's fabulous!
The count of monte cristo is one of my favourite books!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, it was really inspiring to listen to!!
Oh wow yea If on a winter's night a traveler is amazing! I remember finishing it and being absolutely spell-bound and then seeing somebody somewhere (probably reddit) say that they were convinced that Calvino wrote this as a result of writer's block, which is something I've since come to consider as being canon
Great wrap up. Loving your dress. Definitely screams Springtime 🍄🌈🫖📚☕🌷
I love this book. I read it in Italian. Your discussion was thought provoking. I only want to add how funny it is-at least I thought so. Especially
the very beginning, which works to draw you in.
I absolutely loved "If on a Winter's night a traveler'". Many parts I didn't understand and it was confusing in parts but I keep thinking about it and I think it's one of those books you need to re-read a few times at different stages of your life.
I think the mainstream consciousness did itself a great disservice by thinking of the void as some dark, unproductive and lonely place. I simply see it as the building blocks of everything. As you said, faith is a prerequisite for making meaning. But oftentimes, our fear of nothingness prevents us from feeling that faith. I think the antidote to this fear is playfulness. An empty, cold field of snow is quite possibly one of the loneliest scenes imaginable. But it only takes one child making a snow angel or building a snowman to turn it into a scene of wonder and joy.
Are you familiar with the character Kirby? Despite what all the lore nerds are saying, I think that this character is actually a representation of the void. He can swallow up everything around him and take their form + copy their powers, showing us that we’re all connected through the void. I wish more people would think of the void this way so that conversations around it can be more fun and not so dreary/depressing.
But you have such a vibrant way of talking about everything, even the void. I really enjoyed that discussion and it made me think! I still need to finish this book so sorry if I’m not making any sense
I'm so happy you love count of monte cristo one of my favorite all time book I read it every year
Got Count of Monte Cristo on the tbr list. Best wishes with what you are reading. I hope they bring you joy.
I love steampunk, and will check out Senlin Ascends, for those who love the genre I highly recommend Terminal World by Alastair Reynold. One of the best world building books I have ever read. Obsessed with all his works, really.
I cheered when the kitty leaped over the stack of books :)
Monte cristo was such an adventure! I Don't know if anything will top it this year already! Excited for the fully discussion!
If On A Winter's Night a Traveler gave me strong Series of Unfortunate Events vibes. I enjoyed it immensely. Good choice, Emma! And a nice way to spend my lunchbreak today! :-)
I'm behind with the tomes and still have about 300 pages to go with the Count, but I'm already dreading the end.. I don't want this to be over!! I never expected loving this book so much, and I put off starting it, because I was so intimidated by it, but I can honestly say that I don't know the last time I was this engrossed in a story. And with a classic no less! Truly amazing, I don't know how Dumas did it, but what an achievement!!
I had to read Italo Calvino for my Masters degree. If was so good and so infuriating at the same time🤯
"If on a winter's night a traveler" sounds so incredibly intriguing. I have to pick it up now!
Just bought Calvino. Thanks for the review.
i haven’t personally read senlin ascends, but for a book on language as it relates to the tower of babel that is dark academia-centric, i highly recommend babel by rebecca f kuang !!!
i need to read Calvino's if on a winter's night as traveler, it sounds so intriguing!!
I haven't read all of Calvino's books, but The Baron in the Trees is my favorite by far. Would highly recommend, 5/5
Woah the count of Monte Cristo, it's one of those thick books on my shelves that I never dared to approach. This might be a sign to finally pick it up though. Same for Middlemarch-
Lovely as always Emma!
I'm so glad you loved If on a Winter's Night a Traveler. One of my favorites! You might like some of Calvino's other books, too - I'm very fond of The Nonexistent Knight and The Cloven Viscount.
The Library by Bella Osborne was my fav of the month.
100% agree on before the coffee gets cold
You must read “what we see when we read” x Peter Mendelsund! It gets at very similar ideas. It’s a graphic novel (?) /graphic non-fiction? I can’t say whether it is as profound as “if on a winter’s night” but they are certainly speaking on the same topic. Worth a read since it is so quick!
I started the Count of Monte and was just reading a bit every day. Then at the beginning of February, I was finishing my assigned pages for the day and I hit the "SHIT, EDMUND DANTES IS COMING FOR YOU" around the 600 page mark and I literally could not stop reading. Finished the whole thing three days later and fought sleep every night to keep reading as much as possible. I can't wait to hear you and Carolyn discuss it!
omgggg emmie posted yippieeee
I love hearing your take on Calvino's novel. I read it with the bookclub and was one that didn't appreciate the book in the end. However as much as I didn't like it, it's a book I keep thinking back to and discussing with others.
well, I guess I have to read If on a winter’s night a traveller now :D this sounds so intriguing!
I finally need to read If on a winter's night a traveler omg
The Count of Monte Cristo was a 5 star for me too!!! Amazing. Sublime. Breathtaking.
I've never heard anybody else say that about Before the Coffee Gets Cold! I felt the same way and dnf'd but it's such a short book I didn't know whether to continue or not but I just couldn't😅
Your review of If on a winter's night a traveler was superb. Well done Emma! I am so happy that you loved The Count of Montecristo, it is my absolute favourite book. I reread it last year and noticed so many details that wow Dumas really did a good job. I was wondering... How did you feel about reading the chapters set in Italy now that you have visited those places?
Hi Emma! Was wondering if you could make a video of how you prepare to read for 24hrs. I want to do a personal read a thon myself and any advice is appreciated!! Hugs! 😊❤💚
Oh hell yeah, I’ve been hoping you’d read Monte Christo for years now. It’s one of my absolute favorites. Also, the relatively explicit lesbian relationship?? Wonderful.
Also your videos finally pushed me to read War and Peace. Only about 45% of the way in, but loving it!
Right? I was like oh my god Dumas is he really doing this? And he was:’) And wow congrats!!! How are you liking it?
@@emmiereads oh yeah, war and peace fucks severely!! I was afraid there’d be a lot of complex historical context but it’s been alright so far.
the comments on calvino's novel reminded me of an old literature blog (where I was first introduced to Calvino btw), and I remember them using the phrase "spermatikos logos" (greek for "|the Word as seed"/ "the seeding Word").
I read Perfume: The Story of a Murder as my favourite read of the month. It was a reread, and I didn't enjoy it as much of the second time through, but still, it was a book that really got me thinking about the world if a different way from my usual understanding.
I'm very behind on the around the world book club. Still on Like Water For Chocolate (yes, you're right... 8 book clubs is too much), but I'm going to read If on a Winter's Night a Traveler, and your description of it makes me think so much of my son's difficulties trying to communicate as an autistic, epileptic boy. Seizures constantly disrupt him. Words can't come. He needs so much assistance with communication. We can never fully understand him. We guess based upon experience what he needs. That's really true for all of us.
Most Favorite Read Oh My Goodness, Is The Count of Monte Cristo, I Didn't Expect This Book Would Get into Me As Much as it Did But I Found myself Saying Out Loud(So Loud my Family Members Looked at me To See if I was Okay) WHAT?! And OH NO! Often. All Time Favorite Book: 5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Thank You So Much for Picking This Book For The GOT Bookclub😊👍👍📚
I am yet to finish monte Cristo but loving the journey with so far. Unfortunately been busy with academics to find time everyday for this book
I recently read Regrettably I'm about to cause trouble and The Inheritance Games because of your recs and loved both!! ❤
Now I think I'm gonna start The Count of Monte Cristo!!!
Oh my, I read The Count of Montecristo a couple of years ago in a couple of weeks and it was SO ABSOLUTELY FUN! I have been craving a book with the same pacing, adventure, addictive-ness, but I haven't found it yet. Uuuuugh I am kind of about to reread it now
I really want to read it but the actual description on the back of the book or on the StoryGraph does not sound interesting at all! But then people describe it all the time like you did and I’m like…okay maybe it’ll slap?!
@oliverharris60 yes, honestly, before starting it I was dubious as well. It didn't seem interesting, intriguing or anything like that. But oh boy, is the writing and the storyline addicting! You should just give it a try! Because it is astonishing!
I didn't read a lot in February but ✨Divine Rivals✨ was soo good...
It's so crazy that I end up reading a lot of the same books at the same time as you do, even before you announce that you're reading it, which just blows my mind. Last time we read Emily Wilde at the same time and now it was Sweet Bean Paste. I also gave it 3 stars and I share your thoughts when it comes to the sentimentality of the book, it definitely is a little bit too sweet at times which gives it an unrealistic vibe. My thoughts when reading it were that it didn't feel as "Japanese" as I expected it to be, if that makes sense lol. Sharing feelings directly isn't really something that the Japanese culture is known for and I thought that aspect of the book is a little bit too "western", which was unexpected.
We are our own void. Oh my! Is this the reason why we are so afraid of this "void" in our lives? Are we just afraid of being alone with ourselves?
I love this channel!
hi there! if you want to look more into language and its limits, you should read about John Locke's theories on it. I've just studied him in school, and it was very thought provoking!