John's Book Giving Guide for the Holidays!

[@bbyfcetm]

I could listen to John talk about books forever. I could listen to John talk forever.

[@ozlem4923]

same

[@elizabethoshea9186]

+Hunter Holder if you like books- try Percy Jackson. they re spectacular

[@untappedinkwell]

+Hunter Holder In some project for awesome streams he reads from his novels or things he's working on and gosh, his narrator voice could put me to sleep, it's that great.

[@smhdpt12]

I verbal orgasm people give this guy is nauseating.

[@PheOfTheFae]

Does he read his own books on audio?

[@tryingtoputitintowords]

My new goal is now to have a home library so large I lose books when it's not properly catalogued.

[@redwolf6808]

^^

[@aimeeaikins2990]

I second that motion.

[@greg.sym.4115]

It's not all it's cracked up to be. Finding books is hard, mainly because I keep getting distracted by all the other books.

[@therealdrag0]

+Amanda Gray To each their own. I read more than anyone I know, but I find keeping a library a bit masturbatory. Pleasure should be in the content and ideas not the ownership or display of books.

[@truboo4268]

+therealdrag0 For me, the pleasure in personal libraries is looking at a huge shelf of books and knowing 'Yes, I have read ALL of these'. Though I agree, the books' content comes first to the books' display.

[@vlogbrothers]

Many of you are asking why I'm harsh on Ayn Rand in this video. I discussed this at length a while back on my tumblr: fishingboatproceeds.tumblr.com/post/33368505026/why-i-hate-atlas-shrugged-with-a-white-hot-passion (Note: I might be wrong about any of this. I am often wrong.)

[@Nictator42]

+vlogbrothers Don't worry John, you're not the only one that thinks Ayn Rand is a loony.
At least she isn't as bad as L. Ron Hubbard.

[@doctormo]

+vlogbrothers Ayn Rand - The typhoid Mary of Meme Encephalopathy

[@Twilord_]

+vlogbrothers Your reasoning for recommending books... including the biases... is why I give my peers games.

[@Extiary]

+vlogbrothers I can agree with you that Atlas Shrugged is a poor excuse for literature and that Objectivism is mostly a series of excuses for being a narcissistic Asshat, but I don't find The Fountainhead nearly as bad. Peter Keating and Howard Roark are compelling characters in a story that, unlike Atlas Shrugged, is actually an interesting and realistic portrayal of how people interact with each other. It does a good job of outlining the few good points of Objectivism, like how it's wrong to screw over others to further your own gain, and even more wrong to seek revenge for getting screwed over, and it tunes down some of the dumber parts, like the whole 'charity is bad' mentality. I thoroughly enjoyed it up until the rape scene, at which point I was so disgusted I nearly stopped reading.
If anyone wants an enjoyable experience with the philosophy, just play Bioshock.

[@loxjvh]

+vlogbrothers The only good thing to come of Atlas Shrugged: Bioshock.

[@Calicido]

Pls make this an annual thing

[@Kaalyn_HOW]

+Calicido Bi-annual would be even better. Summer reads and christmas suggestions :D

[@saxgirl93]

+OurPeanutGallerie Weekly?

[@tusenbensen334]

+saxgirl93 lets say daily

[@ZachBrannigan]

+saxgirl93 - Weekly would give us too many books in too little time.
It would be hard to compile a "best of the month" since it is incredibly likely that you are not going to read all of the month's big releases, create structured opinions, and then share them with UA-cam.
Annual works best.

[@kimberlykeating]

+Calicido Or Quarterly

[@lightquest2]

BOOKS ARE THE GREATEST GIFTS EVER!!

[@elizabethoshea9186]

+BoneStudios15 try Percy Jackson. I think it is the best book ever.

[@lightquest2]

Elizabeth O'Shea I started the first book in 5th grade but I wasn't able to finish it, I want to read the series though!! I heard it's really good!

[@carmenpacheco4283]

yas BOOKS ARE AMAZING

[@MrInvisibleJ]

+Elizabeth O'Shea Have you seen Riordan's new series, Magnus Chase? It has vikings.

[@macao2810]

I like movies

[@nonplayerfox8117]

Thank you for including Mary Oliver. She is such a beautiful poet, and I think everyone should try reading her works at least once. "Wild Geese" is a gorgeous poem that I think everyone can appreciate.

[@afrojoe5585]

Just so y'all know, I LOVE it when you do book recommendations. It brightens up my day even more so than a regular vlogbrothers video :)

[@ozlem4923]

I love that you get so excited about books

[@Julia-qp2hh]

+Özlem Isci Books are awesome :D

[@unixone7558]

+Özlem Isci Is it strange that I love and hate videos like this: I love them because BOOKS, but I hate them at the same time because....ahhhhh more books I've never heard of. I will never read every book ever written. Then again, that was probably unlikely, seeing as nearly 130 million books have been published (about 30 million in English)

[@serc_]

+Unix One
It's the most pessmistic thing you think of this video.

[@unixone7558]

Sercan Yiğit I was mostly being sarcastic, sorry if that doesn't translate.

[@serc_]

+Unix One
No sarcasm there. It sounds very direct to me.

[@TheOriginalEviltech]

Paper towns was a nice book... It makes you imagine and dream and at the end rubs the reality of normality and... Dangit! I really need to learn more elaborate English words to express myself... It's really deep, even though it really isn't... It builds unrealistic expectations while letting you know they are unrealistic, but keeping that ember of hope for their realization alive till the end. And in the end - a glass of water in the face! But not a hot or cold glass of water, just the wet, plain, tasteless water that is real life most of the time... It's deep, i loved it! Thanks John!

[@vlogbrothers]

+Eviltech That's a very generous review of the book, and you got what I hoped readers would from it, so thank you! -John

[@indubitablyzara]

+Eviltech What an excellent description of Paper Towns!

[@carolinea3906]

Yes! This is why I both loved and hated it, and I couldn't figure out why until now. Spot on.

[@AES97]

The whole story was all build up to this magical ending that Q thinks is going to happen. your never think it be something so real. Life dont always what you site it out to be. "a glass of water in your face" is exactly what it felt like to me too. I was almost upset at margo. like no. go say you love my poor baby Q he worked for this. but that was never going happen.

[@EpicJellyCake]

+Adri Below I agree. I liked Margo (sort of, I still think she is kind of terrible due to the ending) but the movie totally ruined her for me. ):

[@therealkaspar]

For the fans of John Green's work, I recommend I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson.

[@juststeveschannel]

+TheKaspar95 AGREE!

[@striga3810]

So so so so so so so good

[@VictoriaFaye09]

+TheKaspar95 Literally changed my life. An amazing novel about family and love and forgiveness.

[@dance31115]

+TheKaspar95 the way that book is written is also so so artistic it appeals to so many different audiences

[@lindseywalsh]

Thanks for the suggestion. Added to my goodreads for later.

[@arushiseth3979]

the imponderable joy of discussing books with all you fellow nerdfighters is so great!! it gives a feeling of someplace you belong.With a large group of friends who don't value reading and also the physical act of holding a book and everything that follows I thank my stars everyday for such a gr8 community. as an 18 year old a large part of my personality has been shaped by books as well as nerdfighteria &that makes me so proud.thank you all for making me realize how cool it is to dwell on your nerd interests.i know this too will get lost in the sea of comments but to whoever that's reading.thank you....DFTBA!

[@jerryyan24]

I am currently reading "A Little Life," and god... is it sad... I only heard about this book because of this video recommendation, and it is simultaneously the most wonderful gift and the most gut-wrenching horrible curse. I somehow feel obligated to get through even though the book is tearing me apart at every turn in the most awful way. No fiction has ever had such a strong emotional impact on me. It is the most depressing and most meaningful reading experience I've had in a very long time, and whenever I open it up again, I become so completely immersed in the story that it's hard to do or think about anything else. John, for all of these reasons, your recommendation has not steered me wrong, but I will also curse you forever for this particular recommendation.

[@Zimoria]

I hope Hank gets Boot and Shoe

[@untappedinkwell]

+Zimoria Me too. Also I hope he reviews it in a vlogbrothers video.

[@abbeynickerson759]

I hope Hank reads various children's books like "Boot and Shoe" and reviews them.

[@alannar.8701]

+Abbey Nickerson John should give serious reviews to silly children's books. As he is a well-respected author who is also a dad, it seems like the logical thing for him to do.

[@thebermudaI]

+Abbey Nickerson That is such a cute and good idea.

[@clotildevivier8650]

+Alanna R. But children's books don't have to be silly... In my experience. I know great ones.

[@FieldMarshalFry]

ANYTHING by Terry Pratchett or Neil Gaiman, or if your into comics Hellblazer, all of it

[@minimooster7258]

I agre

[@superwild1]

+Field Marshal Fry Yup.

[@saxgirl93]

+Field Marshal Fry Or you could read something by BOTH of them and read Good Omens. :D

[@greg.sym.4115]

Especially Good Omens, by Terry Pratchett AND Neil Gaiman.

[@unixone7558]

+Field Marshal Fry I tried reading American gods, it's soooo long and soooo dense. I end up putting it down and picking it back up about a week later.

[@ChaoticChevy]

Books and CD's are the loves of my life. Itunes and ebooks are fine I guess but i really enjoy tangible things. Because to me, they're not just holding art, they're displaying it from the covers, and when someone walks into a person's room and reads off book and album titles, i think they learn what that person is about.

[@nancyb3488]

I love LOVE Boot and Shoe! Marla Frazee came to my children's school and gave a great presentation about the development of Boot and Shoe and another of her wonderful books: Rollercoaster. I was so glad I sat in on that author visit, because she is fantastic!

[@kyfitch4453]

I literally bought all books. Thank you.

[@vlogbrothers]

+Kyla Wilson Wow! Let us know what you think of them as you go. -John

[@kyfitch4453]

+vlogbrothers Of course! Thanks for actually replying too... Wow :D

[@nenamtz6156]

Update ?

[@Nim-ish]

@@nenamtz6156 Lol even i wanted an update litterally 5 years later

[@emilycaragay1720]

I absolutely love getting book recommendations from John.

[@Nerdfighter21]

I can feeeeel the thought and care and love that went into this video and choosing these particular books and the words to say about them and I am genuinely moved by it.

[@shermainetan7306]

John is so sweet to mention his son's favourite books at the end! Dad of the year!

[@laurenpictor5038]

Speak is one of my all time favorite books and really helped me through a hard time, so I would recommend it to anyone. I also love any Sarah Dessen book and have the entire collection in my bookshelf. Great choices, John!

[@laurenpictor5038]

Also, my favorite book of Sarah Dessen's is Dreamland. While fictional, it opens your eyes to how abusive relationships can turn out and is an amazing novel.

[@ettuaslumiere]

Just once I wish you'd recommend a book that I've already read, so I can feel like I'm somewhat accomplished in my reading.

[@megan847]

Another reason why I love John Green: he gives book recommendations. Add that to making learning enjoyable, encouraging me to be nerdy and enthusiastic, and for gracing the world with his lovely books. ILY John :)

[@laurlovesliterature]

I always appreciate getting books as gifts so much. I love when people will give me a book and tell me "I really think you're gonna love this." and the book ends up changing my life. The greatest gift you can give is knowledge, and books hold so much knowledge and love, they are always my favorites during the holiday season.
Happy December.
Love,
Your local tampa nerdfighter.

[@Shadylikeatree]

I'm planning on giving several copies of HONY: Stories to my friends and family. Love the stories inside.

[@alannar.8701]

I've gone to this book camp for two years (Thalia Kids Book Club Camp, although I can't go next year because I'll be 14) and Holly Black and Jason Reynolds were two of the authors who came this year! I was very excited when you held up The Boy in the Black Suit. It's quite good. It's not life changing, but it's just such a satisfying book to read.
P.S. If anyone under the age of 14 who lives in or around New York City is reading this, check out the Thalia Kids Book Club Camp. It's a fantastic experience. Lots of Nerdfighters, too!

[@josephhutchison7721]

I made my class watch your ted talk today. I am slowly turning John Green into the most important figure in Scottish-Catholic politics and education. Stay noted for more John Green related projects and works.

[@MegaPrecious1998]

With your love of books and love of reading, I'd love to see a video about how you make time to read and any tips you might have for making sure books have a place in today's busy lives.

[@bicooo1]

I wish you'd make videos where you read the books to us. I mean that's probably not possible because of copyright and stuff, but I'd love it, it makes me feel cozy

[@BringtheRainx]

+bicooo1 He has narrated an exclusive audiobook of TFIOS. You can get it from DFTBA's site. However, I agree with your idea, haha. I love both John and Hank's voices.

[@truboo4268]

+bicooo1 Like a podcast or livestream reading? Haha, let's harass him when he releases his new book to read it aloud after a month or two of publication -- give those who like to read books then listen to them time to read his new book and cry out about a liter of tears before listening to a podcast and crying out another two liters.

[@unixone7558]

+bicooo1 I wish he'd make more videos about books not many people have read. The first one was awesome, this one was awesome, we need more!

[@StevenandStefanie]

For nerdy introverted girls I suggest fangirl by rainbow Rowell and the giver is a good book for people who enjoyed the hunger games

[@dance31115]

+Steevvven yes omg fangirl is my favorite book ever!! however, i think the name doesn't give it justice. to me, it was more about how cath "became of age" and navigated through college, and a lot of people just assume it's going to be about a girl on tumblr all night obsessing over something

[@saxgirl93]

+Steevvven FANGIRL. Okay, so I was super annoyed by Cath throughout the book and then I realized I was annoyed because she was really similar to me, and apparently I annoy myself. LOVE THAT BOOK.

[@naomiomiomiravioli]

+Steevvven I find this comment kind of funny and ironic because the Giver was written like 15 years before the Hunger Games

[@StevenandStefanie]

+Naomi Pincus I am very well aware. I wasn't saying that one book was written before another I was saying that if a people enjoyed the hunger games and have not yet read the giver (which is doubtful since it's required reading in a lot of schools but you never know) that both books are about twisted societies so if you like books about fucked ip societies and have never read the giver than you should because some teen ms only read the popular teen books.

[@Lore444]

+Steevvven Definitely Fangirl, I loved it so much and also her new novel Carry On, which tells the story of Simon and Baz!! Loved it too! :)

[@francescakyanda9182]

Books as gifts can be so personal and I adore it

[@Socken1255]

I got a book in secret santa with my friends this holiday season... it's called "that's not my penguin" and it's about 50 words long, and is full of penguins and I LOVE IT. Maybe not the calibre discourse one might expect in the library of a 18 year old student, but the meaning and thought behind the gift conveys so much, I feel like it's the perfect example of why the thought counts for so much.

[@bauxsedai1495]

If I were to give someone 'Are you my mother' I will most likely be covered in Doctor Who references for the rest of my life.

[@Nerding4Nature]

Books are also the best thing to give to a friend so you can borrow it later.

[@lopsidedpony]

Thanks a bunch for this guide! My family every year does one big present, one book and one home made thing and I sent this to all of them for ideas

[@musicfreak1905]

Every year when people ask me what I want for my birthday, I ask them to buy me a favorite book of theirs. A great gift because it's personal enough and I get a book.

[@vlogbrothers]

+Amanda Zhou That's a brilliant idea. -JOhn

[@IEFAG]

You majestic man 😊

[@IEFAG]

💁

[@emw9247]

For anyone looking for a really great up and coming YA novel, I highly recommend "we were liars" by e. lockhart. John writes awesome YA, but this book is the most well written young adult novel I've ever read. The beginning is slow, but the end makes up for everything. For anyone looking for a great read with an extremely unreliable narrator, you have quite the emotionally odyssey before you.

[@vlogbrothers]

+the_icarus_effect ctr Also many of E Lockhart's previous novels! I am especially fond of The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks. -John

[@dance31115]

+the_icarus_effect ctr omg the ending of that book is insane

[@ladysentinel2014]

+vlogbrothers that book (Disreputable History) is why I read YA. highly recommended.

[@saxgirl93]

+the_icarus_effect ctr THAT BOOK MESSED ME UP. IT WAS SO GOOD, BUT IT MESSED ME UP SO BAD. (I recommend it to all of my friends.)

[@Lindseydftba]

Weirdly, that is the only E. Lockhart book I didn't love. I actually didn't even really like it. I don't usually read books with unreliable narrators which is probably why I felt cheated I guess at the ending.

[@TenleyNadine]

Ta-Nehisi Coates came to my town at the beginning of November and gave a talk at my college, it was awesome. I haven't read the book yet because it was sold out at the time, but it's definitely on my list.

[@kelcieluv]

Videos about books are always my favorite. I don't know why books just make me happy.

[@thewinterizzy]

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS YOU SAY??? Hang on, lemme pull up a goodreads tab. B')

[@fs9863]

My book list/too be read pile are both triple my friend count.
And only two of the three are growing.

[@TheCaliVampire]

I like how this is a list of books meant to be used to buy gifts and yet here I am looking at all the new books I want

[@damonallen8128]

Ta-Nahasi Coates just lectured at my school. It was so powerful and moving. It was truly a once in a life time experience.

[@NickWengz]

Video Game nerds, or just nerds in general should read Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

[@drewg.4779]

I know nothing about video games or 80s culture in general but I still LOVED it, don't let that scare you away if your skeptical.

[@rebeccagoldsmith1551]

+Syk0 I got that in my LootCrate! I haven't gotten around to reading it yet, but it's in my short stack.

[@unixone7558]

+Syk0 I want to, but I don't have the money.

[@lahma7819]

😫 WHY CAN’T I JUST READ MY WHOLE LIFE
😩 *My To-Read list is too long...!*

[@jerryyan24]

John, please make more book recommendation videos. I LOVE these videos. I am always looking to discover new books I may not otherwise have heard of and your recommendations never lead me wrong.
But I guess one of these videos a year just gives me about enough time to finish every book on this list.

[@L0VEx1901]

I've already decided everyone in my life is getting books this year for Christmas, so this is perfect timing!

[@llamasr2legit]

I wish my sister would buy me books for christmas...bUT MAYBE I'LL BUY HER BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS

[@kristateraberry7919]

They say you always give the gifts you want to get yourself!

[@unixone7558]

+llamasr2legit One of the best gifts I ever got was for my birthday, my parents gave me $100.00 to spend at a local bookstore (I ended up only spending $20.00). One of the books I bought has since become my all time favorite book, hands down. The Map of Time, by Felix J. Palma.

[@joesettespinner3493]

IF YOU LIKE HARRY POTTER READ CARRY ON BY RAINBOW ROWEL

[@vlogbrothers]

+joesette spinner I share your love for this book. -John

[@vlogbrothers]

+joesette spinner I share your love for this book. -John

[@amberr.9066]

I've never read Carry On, or any books by this author, but it does look pretty amazing. I guess that'll have to be my Christmas present from myself. :)

[@rebeccagoldsmith1551]

+joesette spinner That is actually on my Christmas wishlist. If I don't get a copy, I'm definitely buying it afterwards.

[@joesettespinner3493]

+vlogbrothers its just so wonderful the magic system is one of the best ive ever read about the characters are diverse yet relate-able and at one point a character sings Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen song order to cast a spell! what more could you possibly want from a YA NOVEL?!!?

[@mj13713]

speak was one of those books that stuck with me and colored how I saw the world. it's tragic and beautiful and I'm pretty sure I cried at one point

[@zaynachoudhury6901]

The fact that some Americans would be against Islam but then there's John Green who is so for it that he recommends books about it and that makes me so happy because I am one.

[@amberr.9066]

Does anyone have any recommendations for fantasy and/or sci-fi books? Preferably YA, but I'm not too picky. Thanks! :)

[@literarycircle]

+Amber R. I am reading Ancillary Justice right now and really digging it. I also liked Sisterhood of the Revolution (short sci-fi stories with feminist themes).

[@literarycircle]

+Amber R. Whoops, I just saw that you prefer YA. I would also recommend Valiant (same as John), His Dark Materials trilogy, and Grasshopper Jungle.

[@amberr.9066]

+Literary Circle Thanks! I'll be sure to check those out! I couldn't find Sisterhood of the Revolution, though. Any idea where I might be able to find that?

[@vlogbrothers]

+Literary Circle I also loved Ancillary Justice! I read it on Hank's recommendation. What a book. -John

[@literarycircle]

Ah, that was because I got the name wrong. Apologies! It is actually called Sisters of the Revolution. www.indiebound.org/search/book?searchfor=sisters+of+the+revolution&search=Search

[@pixiienails]

What about YOUR books? :D

[@vlogbrothers]

+Pixiie Nails They're okay. -John

[@arushiseth3979]

+vlogbrothers talking of modesty...I mean come on!!

[@pixiienails]

+Arushi Seth i know but i just wanted to point out that his books are amazing too. :)

[@arushiseth3979]

+Pixiie Nails ya I whole heartedly side with that.his books changed my perception and take on so many different things and it just offends me that he'd think my fav author is 'okay' and nothing more....

[@tusenbensen334]

+Arushi Seth
"okay?
okay..."
sorry I had to

[@Leftistattheparty]

This is pure name and book dropping. This is one of the reasons people should drop names. To make people excited and smarter.
Awesome

[@emilythompson2869]

Videos like this are the reason I love this community. Hank, John, please never stop doing you thing. Y'alls awesome
^-^

[@alextcherdak5896]

john for the umpteenth time did you get my zombiecorn safely back from Paris and more importantly DO YOU LIKE UT?? :)

[@alextcherdak5896]

also WHY NO "IN YOUR PANTS" 'ES??? i miss the "in your pants"'es

[@alextcherdak5896]

come ooon... "no god but God... in your pants" whyyyy noooot

[@almostlaurel]

And for readers who aren't into reading I'd recommend "The Martian" and "The Hobbit"

[@halolson]

+Amelia I agree on The Martian. I dunno about The Hobbit. In my experience, Tolkien's a bit slow for people who aren't already voracious readers. Very, very good, but slow.

[@InvisiblerApple]

+Amelia The Martian is really good for non-readers. It's a pretty good book but the set up and the writing is just so suitable for that.

[@drewg.4779]

I like the read but I didn't like the Hobbit and I thought it was really slow (I might give it another shot when I have time), but I definitely agree with The Martian. Also, for people who are into 80's videogames and whatnot, I'd recommend Ready Player One.

[@Amee69]

ive started reading avidly this year and I've asked for books for Christmas. Thanks, John! Now my dad's gonna have a fun time in Barnes & Noble!

[@cupfullofcupcakes9087]

I haven't watched a vlogbrothers video in such a long time! I'm glad to be back. I remember reading The Truth About Forever back when I hated reading and I loved it! It wasn't the book that got me to really start reading, but one of my favorites of all time. Love the recommendations!

[@charleshanson9467]

Sorry John, but experiences make the best gifts, but I'll give you books for second place :)

[@untappedinkwell]

+Charles Hanson I like to think of books as experiences you can have without leaving your couch/chair/apartment/reading place. Best of both worlds, really.

[@LeoMRogers]

+Charles Hanson Maybe, but they are harder to wrap.

[@untappedinkwell]

***** experienception.

[@videotrash]

+Charles Hanson but books can be printed quite reliably, it's harder to precisely synthesize an experience and then give it to someone

[@MrNioMoon]

+Charles Hanson I agree. Experience as in going on a vacation/road trip/or any other trip of any kind. But imagine reading a book on said trips!

[@pgoconn]

Haha, not a fan of The Fountainhead? Or just Ayn Rand, in general?

[@untappedinkwell]

+Pat O Ayn Rand in general, John talks about his dislike at length in various Dear Hank and John episodes.

[@TheWeakMinded]

+Pat O Can't have people reading things that opposes your viewpoint obviously

[@Artofcarissa]

does he hate anthem? I never read atlas shrugged but I really enjoyed anthem when I read it in high school,

[@experionu869]

+Carissa Renard I don't think he hates anthem, he just dislikes The Fountainhead + Atlas Shrugged because they are basically paintings of Ayn Rand's philosophies, which are already controversial at best.

[@Artofcarissa]

+Experionu Ah yeah that makes sense. I read his blog post about how those books are essentially about ideas and not really about anything else, but anthem and a definitive plot to it

[@thebermudaI]

THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM -- 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis. Bam. One of my favorite books as a child, reread repeatedly without any other books in between, in the way only children can reread books.
I love buying literature for children, and my three year-old nephew will now be receiving Last Stop on Market Street. Thank you John!

[@Abijean]

Love the idea of Falling in Love with Hominids! Definitely adding that to my want-to-read list. Thanks for all of the recommendations, it's so fun buying books you love for your loved ones!

[@HaranYakir]

Oh man, you just pissed off all of your zero libertarian followers XD

[@kayhoorn]

+Haran Yakir i indeed got mad when i saw that xd, the first thing i thought was; FYOU John, left propaganda.

[@supervoid2651]

+Haran Yakir Why?

[@HaranYakir]

J-Star-Roar
Why what?

[@supervoid2651]

***** What did he say to offend zero libertarians? I probably sound stupid, but I don't know most of those books so don't know what you're saying is offensive.

[@HaranYakir]

At 0:13 he expresses a dislike for Ayn Rand.
"It's hard to go wrong [with books as gifts] although not impossible" while a book by Ayn Rand appears in the corner for a second. He's suggesting that giving that as a gift is bad, because it's a bad book.
Ayn Rand is a hero for many conservatives and libertarians. Check out the link in my comment above.

[@JazDarcy]

I work in a bookshop (I know, it's a pretty great job) and I will be keeping these in mind for giving recommendations. I've been recommending a lot of your books lately as well.
The only problem with working in a fairly large bookshop is that every shift I find another book I want to read! I also get some pretty fantastic recommendations from customers.

[@Artofcarissa]

I'm so glad you made another book gift giving guide for the holidays! you should do one every year. Before this, I kept rewatching your 2012 holiday gift giving book video.

[@cynacist1823]

" A Little Life " is the most heart wrenching book I have ever read. My mum recommended it to me after she read it. She's a fast reader, who can finish a book in under an hour (seriously), but this book... This book took her months. It's not that long, it's just that painful.
If you are dealing with trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression etc..) I recommend this book. It's a tough read, Yanigihara glosses over nothing, but... It could help. At least, it helped me.

[@prettypurplepolishes]

I love both listening to John talk and books.

[@meganw3648]

I've gotta say John. I haven't even read any of your books yet, and I'm already a big fan. I've thoroughly enjoyed all of your crash course videos, and these thought provoking videos you and your brother smack back and forth are both entertaining and enlightening. Thanks for sharing. I'll be buying some of these books for my husband.

[@TuneInForDetails]

The Truth About Forever is one of my favorite books, I'm so happy to see it recommended here!

[@anneelisabethjensdatter695]

Yes! Now I know what to get my mother this Christmas. Thank you John.

[@AdrianaMartinez-eo8xr]

Yes! I highly recommend Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson to anyone and everyone. I'm not usually into these kind of books (contemporary realistic fiction) but I absolutely loved Speak. This is that rare book that will have you flipping through each page, cover to cover. I love it SO MUCH. I have never met someone who has read it and disliked it and everyone I recommend it to. always tells me how much they love it. Most of them love the story and read it in a day because it's that good.

[@quintingell]

John I love how excited you are about literature even though it is your job. I also love these old style, jumpcut filled, brotherhood 2.0 style list episodes where you are cramming to get through all of the topics in under four minutes. I think both you and Hank should do more of these! Also, great recommendations, I will have to find some of them! DFTBA!

[@MorganGale]

Please make videos like this multiple times per year. You expand my to-read list considerably.

[@LauraaMarieC]

I LOVE Valiant! I chose it for a novel study in grade 9 and read it in a weekend before being really pushed to discover all the beautiful metaphors and imagery, but I feel like I don't know anyone else who has ever heard of it! I appreciate the validation from John that it's a good book, and it wasn't just my 14 year old brain that was just getting over Twilight!

[@VulcanTrekkie45]

I think that Persepolis will forever be my favourite graphic novel.

[@vlogbrothers]

+Spencer O'Dowd A favorite of mine as well! The art interacts with the text so perfectly. -John

[@polyheartmony]

John, years ago you recommended "The Ballad of the Whiskey Robber" on one of these videos -- it was one of the few books I brought with me to a semester abroad in Prague, and it was one of the best literary experiences I've ever had. Thanks much for that and for the new recommendations!

[@britneycampbell8696]

I really love it when John does book reviews like this
It's awesome because I wouldn't have known about any of these cool suggestions otherwise
Thanks John !!! 😁

[@boya3706]

I went to amazon today because I have a literary person on my gift giving list. All of the books had a Frequently Bought Together. John has EPIC reach.

[@Pranaynaynay]

Speak is one of my all time favorite books! I'm pretty sure it was one of the first books I cried at. I remember reading it in middle school and it had such a good emotional arch. I've been meaning to watch the movie adaptation too

[@paigekesselman8354]

I hopped on the Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian train way too late but I finally read it this year and it's honestly one of my favorite YA books ever. Also like anything Jenny Han writes is adorable and wonderful.

[@aeternalslime9670]

Speak is one of my favorite books of all time. Partly cuz I did that thing that always happens in ya fiction where the book you read in Freshman english shares themes with your own life (cuz it's almost like the human experience is shockingly the similar). I was quiet, Melinda was quiet. She phoned it in at school every day, I never did my homework. We were both recovering (though from different traumas). It just really spoke to me at a time I really needed it. So I would definitely suggest it, especially to any teen girls who sometimes feel sad (and teen boys too!)

[@Autograph03]

I have to say this is one of my favourite Vlogbrothers videos thus far.

[@mariposahorribilis]

I love the way that books last, and accumulate meaning. I recently gave a 1930's edition of Washington Irving's "Tales of the Alhambra" to my niece, to be passed on to my great-nephew when he's ready for it. (He's rising three, so it'll be a year or two.). It belonged to my mother when she was a girl. It's battered, the spine has gone, the stitching is loose as are some of the pages, and the illustrations have been coloured in (with varying degrees of skill) by my mother, my brother and myself, so although it's old it has little monetary value, but I hope when he's older he will like to think of all the people who handled and loved it before him.

[@sarahmolinasews]

Just paused this book about a dozen times as I added each book to my Goodreads to-read list. SO MUCH EXCITEMENT

[@whatareallofthis]

I LOVE it when you do book recommendation videos, John! I've read several books you've recommended in the past, and I've loved all of them.

[@alanakoala]

One of my new favourite books is The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton. It is young adult, but definitely geared to the older side of the spectrum as there is a scene that could potentially be distressing for some people. Nevertheless, the book is absolutely stunning. It is poetic without trying too hard. It is intricately woven with well-crafted characters and beautiful themes. Since finishing it I cannot stop thinking about it

[@PurpleLover523]

Speaking of things that John recommends, I just started listening to The Mountain Goats and I am kicking myself for not doing it sooner. Thanks for the good music/book taste, John.

[@livinginadaydream838]

The Fault in our stars will forever be my favorite book!

[@Zile.e]

John, thank you for reminding me that I should start writing my essay, and thank you for reminding me that I want to write it, as well.

[@sarahannereads]

I just picked up The Color Purple and I'm so excited to read it! And I read Gilead earlier this year and it was fantastic.

[@Emilytheawesome131]

I recently got back into reading after not doing it for my own enjoyment in a long time. I loved and recommend the "Scott Pilgrim" graphic novels by Bryan Lee O'Malley and "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd! Now i'm onto "The Bean Trees" by Barbara Kingsolver, since I enjoyed her other novel "The Poisonwood Bible" so much.

[@rebeccagoldsmith1551]

I love Valiant! The whole series is amazing. If you like any stories about the fae, I would highly recommend it. It has held it's place on my favorites bookshelf for years.

[@rebeccagoldsmith1551]

I love when you recommend books. I've written my Christmas Wish List already, but I had to go back and add a few (It's mostly books). I'm also a huge fan of Valiant. It's my favorite of the series.

[@bibliofowl]

I love it when John gives book recommendations. I rarely get to read any of them though because of my hideously shameful backlog and I'm also studying history in college so I can't really add to my list for awhile. The one time I did follow one of John's recommendations though I loved it. It was The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach and it was fantastic.

[@ModernMousePodcasts]

Ta-Nehisi Coates was on this week's episode of This American Life. This video plus his appearance on TAL podcast really makes me want to pick up "Between the World and Me" so I guess I am buying myself a Christmas gift!

[@trashedmonkey47]

Got A Thousand Mornings for my mom and City of Clowns for myself. Very good recommendations. Thanks John!

[@benaaronmusic]

Great bunch of books here, John.
Such a great gift idea that always slips my mind.
Thanks

[@lisagardner6425]

Coates' book was truly astounding.