hey so i know this probably wont get a view, i mean it might you seem really cool, but i got House of Leaves yesterday for Xmas and I'm only 20 pages in and HOLY CRAP am i glad you made a video on it i would have never found it otherwise! so thank you!
Diogenes the drunk Yes I am implying that. I think this video would still be legit if it was as transparent as the website video. However with sponsored content there are rules on what can and cant be shown or said. This being his own thoughts without a product funding it makes it feel more genuine.
I watched that whole video and didn’t even notice it was 15 and a half minutes long. It held my attention the whole time. Crazy how well you can do that. And how motivated I am to read books. Very good video.
I loved this video, but wanted to make one quick objection: I think I can safely say that watching video game rants *has* changed my life. A review of Undertale led to me playing the game, which led me to realize that games could be a form of art, which led me into game development. I'm now about to release a game I've spent hundreds of hours working on. So yeah, video game rants do change lives.
lol, stating you have a migraine while talking about humour being subjective is not about attention? ok, i'm just 13 so i don't really know about this, but event to me, it's kinda obvious that it's about seeking acceptance for your problems. because i am being passive-aggressive, ill use a condition that i have to use as a shield to defend any type of criticism. oh yeah, it doesn't help that i have asthma
+Kappakappa duk ur comment is the funniest thing I've seen today Using insults like calling me an edgy teen, even though your first sentence was "your age doesn't mean anything" Also calling me the one who wants attention, because calling someone out for something they said definitely means that I want attention. The point of the use of asthma was that it was meant to mock the way you used migraines as a defensive tool. Please don't bring politics into an argument about your migraines
I've read many good books this year too, including but not limited to; "1984" (George Orwell), "Animal Farm" (Also George Orwell), and a few Ray Bradsbury books too. I'm currently reading "The Way Of Kings," which is a really good (but really long), book by Brandon Sanderson. I doubt that this will be read by many people, but I suggest all of these, as they are all interesting and unique, with memorable characters and well-done plots. :)
I made a resolution last year reading at least 14 books and I read 19 best seller books this year. I never read any books before. It was a life changing experience!
Ashley Zen Meadows don’t get me wrong, I love to read, I used to read a new book every week. But nowadays I can’t seem to find any new books. Once I’ve read a series of books it’s like I can’t find any new books to read for months. And I’m not asking for recommendations. Everyone has their own taste and mine varies wildly. I love the Kiterunner, but I didn’t like the authors other (very similar) book. I just seem to be in a bookless rut
Austin, seriously, I appreciated this video so much. I get so caught up in my UA-cam watching, and so often my time on here feels so wasted. Yet, so often with your videos, I feel my time is well spent. This one made me feel that way especially. I have such high intentions of reading, yet more often than not, plans and intentions fall flat. This video reminded me the importance of getting back into that. Thanks. Keep doing your thing. I really appreciate everything you do.
Great video man, I will definitely increase my book intake for 2018. I am a big urban fantasy fan but I'm going to try and move into more non fiction books and biographies. I will have to check out how to win friends and influence people, if it helped you that much I'm sure it will help me too.
If you'd like to branch out within fiction check out Steelheart if you haven't already - it's alternate world urban fantasy that feels like a grungy sci-fi.
Videos like this are why this is my favorite channel on UA-cam. I never know what's going to be posted, but it's always entertaining and oftentimes inspiring. Thank you. I think I'm going to try reading a book each month this year, too.
Your channel is one of the hidden gems that seems to get swept under the fridge with a freezer that is UA-cam. I feel as though I finally cleaned the space of that fridge and found enough change to buy a Twix. A truly glorious feeling! I look forward to seeing this channel on my home page.
There are only a handful of people I subscribe to on UA-cam who, beyond just making videos that are entertaining, have a genuine gift for storytelling. You are one. Thank you for all of your hardwork on this channel, especially this year when myself and many just needed an escape from reality, and an optimistic and honest one at that. Have a fantastic new year. I can't wait to see what you do with it.
just- real quick first of all, loved this video, i'm really happy to see you as one of my favorite channels have something up about how great books are. i completely agree with the points you brought up on having intelligent discussions on books and everything, but i rlly dislike the example you brought up with the new john green book? i'm probably just being really petty rn, it was only like a second of the entire video, but i just wanted to say that just because a book becomes really popular for one reason or another doesn't mean it can't be used as a point of discussion. i don't just mean this for turtles all the way down in particular, but as that is the example you provided, and having personally loved it, it's what i'm going to use to get my point across. so turtles all the way down as a book means a lot to me personally. i'm not a fan of john green's other books, and so was rlly surprised when i picked it up and rlly loved it. the main character has OCD, and even though i don't suffer from it myself, i do have really obssesive thoughts and even have to go to therapy to deal with it. there was this one line in the book that really, really resonated with me about being constantly scared of an unnamable entity, and when i'm at my worst that's just exactly how i feel. the main character is afraid of contracting this disease as a part of her OCD, and for a really long time i had the exact same problem. any mention of someone with terminal cancer would send me into a tailspin of believing that i had cancer, that i was going to die young. i could barely read the fault in our stars because of this issue. i saw so much of myself in this book and just because it isn't some underground artsy story doesn't mean really interesting discussions can't be sparked from it. just because everyone is reading it does not mean new perspective can't be gained from it. you saying it 'doesn't count' is just completely untrue and rlly bothers me. as long as you get anything from any book, as long as it effects you in any miniscule way, it most definetely counts. sorry for this rlly rlly ranty probably nonsensical comment. i rlly love your content, and i'm not trying to attack you persoanlly in any way, and please correct me if i just took the point you were trying to make completely incorrectly.
As someone who has had diagnosed OCD, I haven't read Turtles All The Way Down but am really, really glad there's something in popular media accurately educating people about it who might not have known what it was otherwise or think it's just about washing your hands. OCD was scary.
Okay, first off, it's awesome that you're going to make a new film! I can't wait to see it! Secondly, holy crap! Tag and Bink are in Solo! That's incredible! Well done all around, Austin!
Stay away from how to win friends and influence people if you want to stay an authentic human being. This book is less about feeling empathy and compassion and more about using those kinds of emotions in other people to your advantage. If your shy or introverted... I would recommend quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking by Susan Cain... There is a part in the book where she does a nice job in showing how bad these kinds of books are... It made me think about dale carneign is a completely different way.
The ending was dumb. Why don't popular books count? Does the value you obtain from a book somehow diminish the more people have read it? Why compare reading books to video essay's and video game streaming? Obviously it's not the SAME experience as reading a book, but no one was saying that anyway. They still have value in and of themselves, doesn't mean you can't read more books too.
I guess he is just saying that we should try to obtain relatively unique knowledge and perspectives and not all consume the same content and become part of a hivemind. Although I am very guilty of this myself, and don't plan to stop consuming popular content, I think he has a point.
I really just don't get why he's shitting on video essays. They're great if you can find people who upload them about very narrow topics. Plus aren't his videos kind of video essays?
I think he means like try going for books that aren't popular right now as you can be surprised? But at the same time he did read IT and The Shining which are King's most popular books (and IT became popular recently since the movie was coming out). But yah his videos are kind of like video essays so I guess he's also saying to not watch his videos at the same time...? Idk why he's shitting on a video type that he uses as well either.
George Meadway knowledge value is the inverse of the number of the people that know it. if you have an idea that everyone else has, your idea is useless, and if you keep reading and watching the same things other people do, your ideas will continue to be common and worthless. What's hard to get?
Ah, I was nodding along so much until you dismissed mainstream books! I completely get what you're saying about delving into unknown and obscure books and I love doing that, but for someone who's just getting into reading, 'Turtles All the Way Down' might be the perfect book to read in 2018. (My sister is reading that one atm, actually, and it sounds like a great insight into the mind of someone with anxiety and might help the target audience emphasise more with friends who suffer from that kind of thing, if your point was that people should be reading books to expand their world view!) Who knows, maybe some 13 year old's life long reading obsession will start through it! Far from those kinds of celebrity books 'not counting', I think they're an awesome way to introduce people who might not otherwise pick up a book to the world of fiction. Asides from that, loved this video! I found the Psalm 118 stuff especially interesting. Keep up the awesome work in 2018! :)
Why not make an online book club one of your Patreon rewards? Like a private group where you pick out a book every month (or take suggestions) and read a book a month then at the end of the month chat to see what everyone thought and what everyone got from it? Just maybe for people that don’t get the chance to go out often enough to join an in person book club
I caught that map of Toronto immediately, I didn't know I lived in Bangladesh! Amazing list, I read over 13 books this year and it felt amazing. Its improved my writing immensely, my artwork, and the way I see the world. Thanks for the video.
"How to Win Friends and Influence People" is one of my mom and dad's favorite books. They keep it on their nightstand. Dad says he's going to give it to me next year before I go to College; networking there will be crucial and I'm an awkward art girl as of right now.
Talk about a timeless book. No matter where our wonderful (I use the word wonderful in the most sarcastic way possible, but there is some truth to it as well) species goes and does, that book will probably will always remain relevant. That shit is hard to do.
whoaa, that's insane you read that. I just got back from Bangladesh a few days ago and I can confirm what you said. Travelling in Dhaka is especially dangerous and unforgiving, toxic air quality, jam packed conditions, and inefficient planning all has led to the development of a city with one of the highest death rate due to accidents and a place where even ambulances are stuck for hours in traffic. It makes you think how great we have it in the states. i love watching your videos austin, it's a real treat and I can't wait for your upcoming project and work in 2018!
Great video apart from the weirdly elitist ending. Why should it matter how popular a book is, and why does it not count as a good experience if it is? For that matter for someone so concerned with reading things no-one else is you sure read a lot of Stephen King. Let people enjoy what they want, you're not helping anyone by telling them that their satisfaction doesn't count
A Humble Pear that same elitism always appears in people who start reading a lot of books. "Oh you read all of the Harry Potters Book this year, what are you 12?" "Oh you started reading Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, thats mainstream garbage" "Motivational and Self Improvement books dont really count" "Stop rotting your brain with videogames and read a book, videogames are just a way to entertain kids and are not art." "Read more books instead of watching movies". All quotes from the most detestable belitting bookworms ive had the displeasure to meet with.. I actually was compelled to read 3 or more books for my new years resolution but that ending threw it in the garbage for me. Like im not here boasting about learning my 5th language and finally begining to draw better as well as perfecting my drum play and picking up rollerblading just to diminish the value of the things you like to do.
A Humble Pear because every person you run into keeps on regurgitating the exact same ideas many people share in the exact same words. Reading unpopular books is really the only chance to escape that cycle and actually offer something new to the conversation. Of course most unpopular books are inspired by popular books anyway, which makes that harder, but you should understand the motivation behind the advice.
He didn't say your satisfaction doesn't count just that you wont get intellectual growth and many new ideas from watching a lot of twitch or youtube. The internets instant access for anyone and anything leads to a lot of aggregation or information, which is just another term for regurgitation. That's why he had that montage of every film analysis channel talking about David Fincher. Its a lot of regurgitation. He said he likes to read at least ONE book a year that nobody else is reading. That doesn't mean he's gonna look down upon the three most popular Star Wars books, or that he would refuse to read 4 Stephen King books including two of his most popular and well known ones.
I honestly love your UA-cam channel. Im not going to say that you've inspired or motivated me because for some reason it feels cheap in my mouth, both figuratively and literally, and you have the most varied content between the UA-cam channels that I follow, which keeps me watching what you put out. So thanks for that. Please keep doing what you do because it is great and you impact many people
I spend WAY to much of my time on my phone or watching TV shows, especially for how great of a reader I used to be. I was already planning on doing this, but watching this video just gives me more incentive. I am going to try to read 1 book a week... it sounds challenging, but I have successfully done it before... wish me luck! (Also, I don’t know how this would work, but to have a book club here would be wonderful so we could all rely on one another)
This video is a spectacularly engaging review and makes some very good points, but I do take issue with your choice to include Turtles All the Way Down as the "hive mind" media example. My deep love for Vlogbrothers and Nerdfighteria may cloud my judgement in terms of John Green novels, but TATWD is, in my reading experience, the most accurate construction of an OCD sufferer's mentality that I have ever come across and provides a deeply-needed perspective in an age where mental illness has finally been acknowledged more openly. As someone who has OCD, I got a lot out of this book, including language to communicate with people in my life who have been (either knowingly or unknowingly) affected by my irrational behaviors. Anyways, loved the video. I just don't think that a book should be dismissed as unworthy of consumption because of its popularity.
I gotta say, this is probably the video that inspired me to start reading again! For the past couple of years I've only read one or two books each year but this year I've already read eight! Read the entirety of the chronicle of Narnia series and the shape of water which is such an amazing read. Hoping to read even more books as the year goes on! Keep up the great work Austin and thank you for inspiring my love for reading again :)
Books I've read this year: (in no particular order) Star wars Aftermath Trilogy, Star wars Catalyst: a Rogue One Novel, Star wars Thrawn trilogy, Star wars: Propaganda, Star wars: On the Front Lines, Star wars Outbound Flight, Star wars Rogue One Novelization, Star wars Thrawn, Entire Tintin series, Star wars Omnibus: Infinities, The Outsiders, A Christmas Carol, The History if the World in 100 Weapons, Weapon: a visual history King Solomons Mines, A bunch of other miscellaneous history and Star wars books. Probably a few more that I can't remember.
Sup Bryan it was very interesting. It started by giving a weapon for each sort of "age" in ancient times, likes the bronze age and Iron age. It later moves to centuries, decades, and individual years. It gives good information about each weapon and reads well not like a boring textbook.
The last book intrigues me now since I am from Dhaka, Bangladesh but haven't lived or visited there for quite a while now. Great video as always and Happy New Year. :)
There's nothing wrong with watching twitch and UA-cam lets plays, do what you enjoy in your free time! Also why don't popular books count? It comes off as a slightly hipster/condescending point. Maybe I misunderstood you? I'm not hating but I disagree with that part quite strongly. I really did like this video though, always need more book recommendations.
All I said was that watching Twitch and UA-cam as a replacement/substitute for reading is not going to help you learn anything useful. And, that if you only read the occasional popular book and nothing else, you're limiting your potential exposure to interesting and unique information. These aren't earth-shattering epiphanies, and I'm surprised a handful of people are taking such harsh offense to them.
austinmcconnell I'm not offended at all, I just disagree with what you said. Different people learn in different ways, reading has always been my go to but I know forcing people doesn't help. It sounded like you were judging people for their interests whether it was intentional or not.
While reading is reading and I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to do it, you can get book burn out from reading only "popular" books. The newest popular books (especially teen/YA books) tend to have the same subject. Dystopian was a big one for a while. With so many books out there it's better to find books similar to ones that you like rather than just reading what the newest trends are. I mean, obviously still read the new popular books if they interest you. But, also seek out some hidden gems. And, no, you dont need to go to a bookstore and pay a ton of money. Libraries are always a great alternative. If not, places like the Dollar Tree and Salvation Army also have cheap books.
"Something a little different" That implies that anything about this channel is consistent. This channel is like a pile of different shapes of awesome and I'm here for it.
I'm genuinely happy that a creator with a following is asking for everyone to read. Most channels are telling their followers to.. well follow them, but you're different Austin - a very good different. (I'm an English major btw, so this stuff is right up my alley)
I have been gathering quite a few books now (I need a fourth bookshelf now) and I am planning on just trying to read as many books as I can this next year. I am not gonna set a limit, butterflies I do like that "1 book a month" idea for a minimum. This really helped inspire me so thank you!!
He's not saying you shouldn't read popular books! He's saying don't EXCLUSIVELY read popular books. Don't say, "I'm going to really expand my mind this year so I'm going to read 'Turtles All the Way Down' and that'll do it." Obviously Austin isn't saying a book is bad because it's popular or that you should avoid it because it's popular... You quote those two sentences as if Austin didn't notice that Star Wars and Stephen King books were fairly popular. The fact that those two quotes are together in the same video shows he's obviously aware of this fact and is therefore not telling you to avoid popular books.
Very nice video except for that ending. Unnecessarily elitist dude. "This doesn't count." Uh, yeah it does. If that's what you like, it absolutely counts.
Seeing that Austin uploaded is like finding out you won the lottery. It's guaranteed to be great while it lasts, but when it's done you just want more.
Little Sister I'm at the beginning of it. Have you listened to the podcast Wound & Stab? They're reading and analysing sections of House Of Leaves and other books too.
I haven't heard of them, but I will listen to one of their podcasts once I find the time. I have, however, looked through many MANY theories - don't do what I did.
I used to love reading when I was in middle and high school but recently I've hardly touched a book that I wasn't required to read. Thanks for your recommendations Austin, I'm now gonna make it my new years resolution to read at least one book a month!
This inspired me to rank the books I've read this year 1. A Clockwork Orange 2. All Quiet on the Western Front 3. Johnny Got His Gun 4. For Whom the Bell Tolls 5. The Divine Comedy: Inferno 6. A Farewell to Arms 7. First Blood 8. The Road Back (All Quiet sequel) 9. God's Battalions: Case of the Crusades
Mr. McConnell, I like to make a quick comment with you. When I was growing up, I was always an avid film lover (still am) and never thought once of picking up a book to read for fun. It wasn't until seeing this video that it made me think, "What would happen if I did?" I cannot thank you enough, Mr. McConnel, for encouraging me to go out and read for pleasure and enjoyment. My goal for this year is to knock off the impossible task in my bucket list and read 100 books this year. While I admit to having slacked off in January and February due to some mental health issues, I think taking the time to read will be a good thing for me. Sure, I missed the first two months, but I'll make up for it. I'll update you on how I'm progressing later on. Thank you, Mr. McConnell, for giving me a love for something I didn't know I had.
Him saying it's not saying a lot is because a lot of the star wars books aren't good so a book doesn't have to be that good to already be better than most of them.
I was on board until you said not to read books everyone else is reading, as if reading popular fiction made the task of reading less rewarding or worthy of praise. What? Chill. Everyone go read whatever you want. You’re not a lesser person if you read the books everyone else is reading, especially when you consider I don’t know anyone who (including this creator) hasn’t read It.
I'm not saying said popular fiction is less rewarding or worthy of praise. I'm saying reading the annual John Green novel alone and thinking that will be sufficient isn't a good plan. The more sources you read, the more expansive your knowledge base will become - and often the most rewarding reading experiences come from places other than the New York Times Best Seller list.
RE: _Nobody's life has changed by watching an angry video game rant._ True, but peoples' lives have changed by watching UA-cam videos like yours. UA-cam is a brilliant and new art form, and, when done correctly, can be an incredibly valuable and life-changing use of time. Great video!
I started reading it this year. Got about six chapters in and was too bored to go any further. Does it get any better? Maybe the translation ruins the writing style (which I hear is a strong point of the book), but to me it seems like the ironic/sarcastic style is too overdone in our time to be enjoyed any significant amount. If you say the story gets more interesting, I’ll go back and read it, but the book is far too long to be read solely for appreciative purposes.
I read it and I disagree. The book wasn't fun to read and I was really hoping it to be. There are just so many characters and adventures but I thought only a few of them were interesting. Also there are a lot of plot holes, the author even adresses them in the beginning of the second part (not all of them, for example why does Sancho's wife have 3 different names in the book). I mean I get the character dynamic and how it's just this satire on formerly popular knight novels but the story really didn't do much for me.
Austin i haven't known about your channel for a long time but every now and then for the past couple years your videos have been recommended to me and now that i frequently watch your stuff i got to say that you are one of my favorite UA-camrs and your very talented. Keep it up cant wait to see what will come in the future.
I loved this video however to say that the internet is not advancing culture is silly and close minded. Because of the internet the world has changed in such an amazing way. People are consuming and spreading information at a rate that was previously never possible in human history. So while I do agree with your message about reading more books, I disagree that people need to get off the internet. Because video games are an art form, and that person watching that angry video game rant might learn just that small little bit of information that helps him transform the medium.
Looking down your nose at everyone else for playing games and watching UA-cam videos all year is a great way to change all those people's minds. You have your hobbies, I have mine.
-_-' I'm not "looking down my nose" at people for playing games and watching UA-cam. I'm saying that playing games and watching UA-cam videos all year ALONE is not sufficient enough to have a healthy and fulfilling life, nor is it conducive to constructing an informed and rewarding worldview.
A friend of mine's dad is John Scalzi. I haven't read any of his stuff since I'm not into science fiction, but you can at least take comfort in the fact that his daughter is pretty cool.
I hope The Familiar is here Edit: I am disappoint, but still luv u austin PS: I printed our your profile pic and taped it on to a naruto body pillow, now i can always be with u
sick arthur reference Honestly what you say at the end about finding those hidden gems - which I think is definitely something you can do online too, with video games and tv and movies and other kinds of media - it's the kind of thing that I enjoy doing immensely, but there's also a certain frustration to wanting to talk about one of those hidden gems and not having anyone with the shared experience to do so. I know my friends are sick of me talking about how UQ Holder is basically a shounen fantasy skin over a cyberpunk story, or how Liminal States positions personal agency against the inevitability of fate all the currents of time reaching a single shore, or... pretty much everything about A House of Many Doors. Having nobody to talk to about media is hard - keeping someone's attention long enough to be able to explain the necessary context of what makes that media so great. Or maybe it's just me being autistic and trying not to unintentionally sperg on people. I should probably read that book about winning friends and influencing people. Hell, I think we have a copy. Curious about the movie deal. Very curious.
Have you read the Outsiders? Well I’m pretty sure you have for a book report for school, but my school hasn’t and never will. But I was smart and read it in 7th grade for what I can remember is one of the only book report where could choose the book we wanted that year. I read it and it’s my favorite book. The characters are written well and act and talk like real Oklahoma kids in the 60’s. The way the murder happened was a bit of a surprise to me, but I still enjoyed the book and it is my favorite book. If you enjoyed that book I recommend That Was Then This Is Now by S.E. Hinton (same author of the Outsiders) it’s a story that takes place in the same universe, (Ponyboy makes an appearance) it’s a good underrated book and it even has a hard to find movie adaptation. So, I just realized I wrote a book report so I’m going to end this comment right here. But before I go, got any good-not-so-hard reads for a high schooler?, I need some audiobooks to listen to when I do those boring long madden solo challenges. PS: did you know the Outsiders had a TV series?
MLBoss I waited waaay too long to read The Book Thief, really fantastic book, high school level or otherwise. I'd also recommend The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T. Anderson. It follows the life of an experimental childhood upbringing during the American Civil War and explores some great themes you wouldn't expect with the vastly interesting backdrop of a war
Try out the Enderverse books by Orson Scott Card. The first book was introduced to me as a school assignment but I liked it so much that I decided to read the entire series.
Long story short - almost every verse of the Psalm can reference other parts of scripture, which (in return) references history that spans hundreds of years, so what you have is a 176-verse text that is intricately connected to a lot of other bits of noteworthy information.
Thx for making this video you made me rerealize the importance of reading books for self improvement and fulfillment. btw I really love how you choose to read a "boring book" every once in a while. "life's like a box of chocolates you never know what your gonna get".
Austin, I don't know if you will see this or not but I have two books I would highly recommend. The first is "House of War" By James Carroll, it is a history of the Pentagon and the rise of American nuclear power. It is very well written and illuminating. The second is "A Hillbilly Elegy" By J.D. Vance. It also is very well written and interesting and touches a lot on why the southern states/rust belt are the way that they currently are. Anyway, thanks a ton for all the amazing videos, hope you had a great Christmas and happy reading.
I don’t recommend against it. I just don’t think reading popular books exclusively will help you learn anything outside of the popular hive mind. Read popular and obscure.
Oh yeah... forgot to actually put a link in the description. My bad. patreon.com/austinmcconnell
hey so i know this probably wont get a view, i mean it might you seem really cool, but i got House of Leaves yesterday for Xmas and I'm only 20 pages in and HOLY CRAP am i glad you made a video on it i would have never found it otherwise! so thank you!
Do you buy your books or do you go to the library? I wanna but my books but idk if buying is a waste of money or not
Ray S. I discovered House of Leaves through his video too! I’m only about 70 pages in, but enjoying it. :P
austinmcconnell I’ve actually read the Elon Musk book, I honestly loved it! I can see why you enjoyed it
...But you can edit your description.
did you read Fallen Angels by Austin McConnell?
Wes Lesley that one is stunk. I can't even find it anymore.
I'd rather be eaten by worms than read that again
Haw Haw Haw.
That's the one he's making a film adaptation of
Prof. Max Peppernerd That would be the best
"Don't read what everyone else is reading"
"So I read twenty Star Wars books this year..."
Lost User How many Star Wars books did you read?
@@gabrielwilliams6373 hence most great starwars are pre disney
I was waiting for the "SPONSORED BY AUDIBLE" but it never happened. This video is legit.
Henry 2 are you implying that the videos sponsored by Audible were not legit??
Diogenes the drunk Yes I am implying that. I think this video would still be legit if it was as transparent as the website video. However with sponsored content there are rules on what can and cant be shown or said. This being his own thoughts without a product funding it makes it feel more genuine.
Indeed, I expected this to be a sponsored video and was surprised to find out it isn't
Audible stands for
Austin’s
Understandable
Deliberately
In
Brilliantly
Languid
Essays
Isaac Osborn where’s the L?
Psalm ...
Body once told me
Okay, okay, that was funny.
austinmcconnell it's from a jacksfilms video I am not that creative
Munjee Syedd I respect the transparency. Well done.
Munjee Syedd At least you aren't being dishonest and I can respect that.
It's beggining to get old m8.
I watched that whole video and didn’t even notice it was 15 and a half minutes long. It held my attention the whole time. Crazy how well you can do that. And how motivated I am to read books. Very good video.
I would say same but people always say same so...I felt similar to you
love that you're still experimenting and exploring new ground with every vid. keep it up austin
me ha too hahah
I've read that last book, probably because I am from Dhaka.
Username checks out
I loved this video, but wanted to make one quick objection:
I think I can safely say that watching video game rants *has* changed my life.
A review of Undertale led to me playing the game, which led me to realize that games could be a form of art, which led me into game development. I'm now about to release a game I've spent hundreds of hours working on. So yeah, video game rants do change lives.
Yitzi Litt ooooo, what's it called?
Jeremy Newcombe Nepenthe, and you can play the demo here: yitzilitt.itch.io/nepenthe
The full game should be out in around a month
Very good recommendations - would have been quite the haul if you had affiliate links. Thanks for the books though
Whoops! Lol
Just look them up yourself. It's not that hard.
You forgot your own book.
You know that was a joke right?
Kappakappa duk
Bad day?
nobody actually cares if you have a migraine, stop seeking for attention
lol, stating you have a migraine while talking about humour being subjective is not about attention?
ok, i'm just 13 so i don't really know about this, but event to me, it's kinda obvious that it's about seeking acceptance for your problems.
because i am being passive-aggressive, ill use a condition that i have to use as a shield to defend any type of criticism.
oh yeah, it doesn't help that i have asthma
+Kappakappa duk ur comment is the funniest thing I've seen today
Using insults like calling me an edgy teen, even though your first sentence was "your age doesn't mean anything"
Also calling me the one who wants attention, because calling someone out for something they said definitely means that I want attention. The point of the use of asthma was that it was meant to mock the way you used migraines as a defensive tool. Please don't bring politics into an argument about your migraines
I've read many good books this year too, including but not limited to; "1984" (George Orwell), "Animal Farm" (Also George Orwell), and a few Ray Bradsbury books too. I'm currently reading "The Way Of Kings," which is a really good (but really long), book by Brandon Sanderson. I doubt that this will be read by many people, but I suggest all of these, as they are all interesting and unique, with memorable characters and well-done plots. :)
ThatPlayerMan Stormlight Archive is easily my favorite series.
Hyped for whatever movie your making
Goldstar Productions ME TOO!!!!
Unfortunately it didn't go through
Having fun isn’t hard
When you’ve got a library card
Quote from description
-Said no one, ever
Those aurther bars tho
Mus'ab lmao
Copied from the description
Sameeeee
I made a resolution last year reading at least 14 books and I read 19 best seller books this year. I never read any books before. It was a life changing experience!
I'm happy for you. Good on you for reading all the Star Wars books you read.
Damn, that ending hit hard. It gave the push I’ve been needing to actually pick up a book.
Jialmaester little preachy imo
Ashley Zen Meadows don’t get me wrong, I love to read, I used to read a new book every week. But nowadays I can’t seem to find any new books. Once I’ve read a series of books it’s like I can’t find any new books to read for months. And I’m not asking for recommendations. Everyone has their own taste and mine varies wildly. I love the Kiterunner, but I didn’t like the authors other (very similar) book. I just seem to be in a bookless rut
I really wish Austin would do this type of video yearly. His summaries are really engaging and his reviews are nice and to the point.
I'm so impressed that you read so many books! I read quite a bit and I think I might take some of these books into suggestion.
When one of your favorite subjects is called boring and useless by one of your favorite youtubers...
Boring to me. But, then again, I love boring stuff.
9:50 OH MY GOSH!!!!
That’s amazing! I really want to know what book it is now...
Thanks Austin! I think you've given me some motivation to pick up a couple books this new year! God bless you sir!
Amazing video as always!
Wow I didn't expect to see you here
The true reason why I liked this video was because of the Arthur reference in the description. ...but the video was insightful and I enjoyed it~
All the books I've read this year
...why am I watching this video?
Austin, seriously, I appreciated this video so much. I get so caught up in my UA-cam watching, and so often my time on here feels so wasted. Yet, so often with your videos, I feel my time is well spent. This one made me feel that way especially. I have such high intentions of reading, yet more often than not, plans and intentions fall flat. This video reminded me the importance of getting back into that. Thanks. Keep doing your thing. I really appreciate everything you do.
Great video man, I will definitely increase my book intake for 2018. I am a big urban fantasy fan but I'm going to try and move into more non fiction books and biographies. I will have to check out how to win friends and influence people, if it helped you that much I'm sure it will help me too.
If you'd like to branch out within fiction check out Steelheart if you haven't already - it's alternate world urban fantasy that feels like a grungy sci-fi.
Videos like this are why this is my favorite channel on UA-cam. I never know what's going to be posted, but it's always entertaining and oftentimes inspiring. Thank you. I think I'm going to try reading a book each month this year, too.
I was binge watching your videos yesterday and It made me really happy when you uploaded again today :)
Your channel is one of the hidden gems that seems to get swept under the fridge with a freezer that is UA-cam. I feel as though I finally cleaned the space of that fridge and found enough change to buy a Twix. A truly glorious feeling!
I look forward to seeing this channel on my home page.
Ah I love seeing your videos in my subscription box! Always improves me day!!! :D
Thanks, man. :)
There are only a handful of people I subscribe to on UA-cam who, beyond just making videos that are entertaining, have a genuine gift for storytelling. You are one. Thank you for all of your hardwork on this channel, especially this year when myself and many just needed an escape from reality, and an optimistic and honest one at that. Have a fantastic new year. I can't wait to see what you do with it.
just-
real quick
first of all, loved this video, i'm really happy to see you as one of my favorite channels have something up about how great books are. i completely agree with the points you brought up on having intelligent discussions on books and everything, but i rlly dislike the example you brought up with the new john green book? i'm probably just being really petty rn, it was only like a second of the entire video, but i just wanted to say that just because a book becomes really popular for one reason or another doesn't mean it can't be used as a point of discussion. i don't just mean this for turtles all the way down in particular, but as that is the example you provided, and having personally loved it, it's what i'm going to use to get my point across.
so turtles all the way down as a book means a lot to me personally. i'm not a fan of john green's other books, and so was rlly surprised when i picked it up and rlly loved it. the main character has OCD, and even though i don't suffer from it myself, i do have really obssesive thoughts and even have to go to therapy to deal with it. there was this one line in the book that really, really resonated with me about being constantly scared of an unnamable entity, and when i'm at my worst that's just exactly how i feel. the main character is afraid of contracting this disease as a part of her OCD, and for a really long time i had the exact same problem. any mention of someone with terminal cancer would send me into a tailspin of believing that i had cancer, that i was going to die young. i could barely read the fault in our stars because of this issue. i saw so much of myself in this book and just because it isn't some underground artsy story doesn't mean really interesting discussions can't be sparked from it. just because everyone is reading it does not mean new perspective can't be gained from it. you saying it 'doesn't count' is just completely untrue and rlly bothers me. as long as you get anything from any book, as long as it effects you in any miniscule way, it most definetely counts.
sorry for this rlly rlly ranty probably nonsensical comment. i rlly love your content, and i'm not trying to attack you persoanlly in any way, and please correct me if i just took the point you were trying to make completely incorrectly.
also, 'we are the ants' and 'the martian' are both v good books and i recommend it to like, literally everyone i meet.
As someone who has had diagnosed OCD, I haven't read Turtles All The Way Down but am really, really glad there's something in popular media accurately educating people about it who might not have known what it was otherwise or think it's just about washing your hands. OCD was scary.
Okay, first off, it's awesome that you're going to make a new film! I can't wait to see it! Secondly, holy crap! Tag and Bink are in Solo! That's incredible! Well done all around, Austin!
Stay away from how to win friends and influence people if you want to stay an authentic human being. This book is less about feeling empathy and compassion and more about using those kinds of emotions in other people to your advantage. If your shy or introverted... I would recommend quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking by Susan Cain... There is a part in the book where she does a nice job in showing how bad these kinds of books are... It made me think about dale carneign is a completely different way.
Finally back to the best of Austin. Didn’t really enjoy the last few squarespace videos, but really liked this one. Got a lot of heart.
The ending was dumb. Why don't popular books count? Does the value you obtain from a book somehow diminish the more people have read it? Why compare reading books to video essay's and video game streaming? Obviously it's not the SAME experience as reading a book, but no one was saying that anyway. They still have value in and of themselves, doesn't mean you can't read more books too.
I guess he is just saying that we should try to obtain relatively unique knowledge and perspectives and not all consume the same content and become part of a hivemind. Although I am very guilty of this myself, and don't plan to stop consuming popular content, I think he has a point.
Yeah, i agree with you
I really just don't get why he's shitting on video essays. They're great if you can find people who upload them about very narrow topics. Plus aren't his videos kind of video essays?
I think he means like try going for books that aren't popular right now as you can be surprised? But at the same time he did read IT and The Shining which are King's most popular books (and IT became popular recently since the movie was coming out). But yah his videos are kind of like video essays so I guess he's also saying to not watch his videos at the same time...? Idk why he's shitting on a video type that he uses as well either.
George Meadway knowledge value is the inverse of the number of the people that know it. if you have an idea that everyone else has, your idea is useless, and if you keep reading and watching the same things other people do, your ideas will continue to be common and worthless. What's hard to get?
Ah, I was nodding along so much until you dismissed mainstream books! I completely get what you're saying about delving into unknown and obscure books and I love doing that, but for someone who's just getting into reading, 'Turtles All the Way Down' might be the perfect book to read in 2018. (My sister is reading that one atm, actually, and it sounds like a great insight into the mind of someone with anxiety and might help the target audience emphasise more with friends who suffer from that kind of thing, if your point was that people should be reading books to expand their world view!) Who knows, maybe some 13 year old's life long reading obsession will start through it! Far from those kinds of celebrity books 'not counting', I think they're an awesome way to introduce people who might not otherwise pick up a book to the world of fiction.
Asides from that, loved this video! I found the Psalm 118 stuff especially interesting. Keep up the awesome work in 2018! :)
Why not make an online book club one of your Patreon rewards? Like a private group where you pick out a book every month (or take suggestions) and read a book a month then at the end of the month chat to see what everyone thought and what everyone got from it? Just maybe for people that don’t get the chance to go out often enough to join an in person book club
Hmm. This is a really good idea. I’ll think about it!
Hey. Quick update. So I did that thing.
austinmcconnell Awesome. I really appreciate you even taking my comment into consideration.
I caught that map of Toronto immediately, I didn't know I lived in Bangladesh! Amazing list, I read over 13 books this year and it felt amazing. Its improved my writing immensely, my artwork, and the way I see the world. Thanks for the video.
"How to Win Friends and Influence People" is one of my mom and dad's favorite books. They keep it on their nightstand. Dad says he's going to give it to me next year before I go to College; networking there will be crucial and I'm an awkward art girl as of right now.
NoImNotObsessed you’ll have fun in college don’t trip lol
Awkward art girls are the cutest soo you’ll be ok girl
Love the variety in your channel, great video man.
You spent a lot of time reading books you didn't enjoy that much haha but I do love Dale carnagie how to win friends and influence people
Talk about a timeless book. No matter where our wonderful (I use the word wonderful in the most sarcastic way possible, but there is some truth to it as well) species goes and does, that book will probably will always remain relevant. That shit is hard to do.
whoaa, that's insane you read that. I just got back from Bangladesh a few days ago and I can confirm what you said. Travelling in Dhaka is especially dangerous and unforgiving, toxic air quality, jam packed conditions, and inefficient planning all has led to the development of a city with one of the highest death rate due to accidents and a place where even ambulances are stuck for hours in traffic. It makes you think how great we have it in the states.
i love watching your videos austin, it's a real treat and I can't wait for your upcoming project and work in 2018!
Great video apart from the weirdly elitist ending. Why should it matter how popular a book is, and why does it not count as a good experience if it is? For that matter for someone so concerned with reading things no-one else is you sure read a lot of Stephen King. Let people enjoy what they want, you're not helping anyone by telling them that their satisfaction doesn't count
A Humble Pear that same elitism always appears in people who start reading a lot of books.
"Oh you read all of the Harry Potters Book this year, what are you 12?" "Oh you started reading Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, thats mainstream garbage" "Motivational and Self Improvement books dont really count" "Stop rotting your brain with videogames and read a book, videogames are just a way to entertain kids and are not art." "Read more books instead of watching movies".
All quotes from the most detestable belitting bookworms ive had the displeasure to meet with..
I actually was compelled to read 3 or more books for my new years resolution but that ending threw it in the garbage for me.
Like im not here boasting about learning my 5th language and finally begining to draw better as well as perfecting my drum play and picking up rollerblading just to diminish the value of the things you like to do.
A Humble Pear because every person you run into keeps on regurgitating the exact same ideas many people share in the exact same words. Reading unpopular books is really the only chance to escape that cycle and actually offer something new to the conversation. Of course most unpopular books are inspired by popular books anyway, which makes that harder, but you should understand the motivation behind the advice.
有りさと港 who the hell can call lord of the rings "mainstream garbage"
That's insane!
I wouldn't say four books is a lot of Stephen King books, what with his near sixty book bibliography.
He didn't say your satisfaction doesn't count just that you wont get intellectual growth and many new ideas from watching a lot of twitch or youtube. The internets instant access for anyone and anything leads to a lot of aggregation or information, which is just another term for regurgitation. That's why he had that montage of every film analysis channel talking about David Fincher. Its a lot of regurgitation.
He said he likes to read at least ONE book a year that nobody else is reading. That doesn't mean he's gonna look down upon the three most popular Star Wars books, or that he would refuse to read 4 Stephen King books including two of his most popular and well known ones.
14:24 "Every Frame A Painting" is actually a very good channel about film making. And yes, it's greatly researched and greatly edited.
Description is an Arthur reference lol
I honestly love your UA-cam channel. Im not going to say that you've inspired or motivated me because for some reason it feels cheap in my mouth, both figuratively and literally, and you have the most varied content between the UA-cam channels that I follow, which keeps me watching what you put out. So thanks for that. Please keep doing what you do because it is great and you impact many people
You should read The Book Thief! I’d love to see what you thought of it! 😄
wisegirl_ 1227 i love that book
I spend WAY to much of my time on my phone or watching TV shows, especially for how great of a reader I used to be. I was already planning on doing this, but watching this video just gives me more incentive. I am going to try to read 1 book a week... it sounds challenging, but I have successfully done it before... wish me luck! (Also, I don’t know how this would work, but to have a book club here would be wonderful so we could all rely on one another)
I'm so happy that you make this video! And please read Six of crows duology it's fantasy YA but It's really good I wanna hear about your opinion
This video is a spectacularly engaging review and makes some very good points, but I do take issue with your choice to include Turtles All the Way Down as the "hive mind" media example. My deep love for Vlogbrothers and Nerdfighteria may cloud my judgement in terms of John Green novels, but TATWD is, in my reading experience, the most accurate construction of an OCD sufferer's mentality that I have ever come across and provides a deeply-needed perspective in an age where mental illness has finally been acknowledged more openly. As someone who has OCD, I got a lot out of this book, including language to communicate with people in my life who have been (either knowingly or unknowingly) affected by my irrational behaviors. Anyways, loved the video. I just don't think that a book should be dismissed as unworthy of consumption because of its popularity.
I've read one book this year and it was for school. I didn't even finish it
Sounds like you’ve found a new year’s resolution.
austinmcconnell yeah ill try to at least finish one next year. Love your videos btw :)
I gotta say, this is probably the video that inspired me to start reading again! For the past couple of years I've only read one or two books each year but this year I've already read eight! Read the entirety of the chronicle of Narnia series and the shape of water which is such an amazing read. Hoping to read even more books as the year goes on! Keep up the great work Austin and thank you for inspiring my love for reading again :)
Books I've read this year: (in no particular order)
Star wars Aftermath Trilogy,
Star wars Catalyst: a Rogue One Novel,
Star wars Thrawn trilogy,
Star wars: Propaganda,
Star wars: On the Front Lines,
Star wars Outbound Flight,
Star wars Rogue One Novelization,
Star wars Thrawn,
Entire Tintin series,
Star wars Omnibus: Infinities,
The Outsiders,
A Christmas Carol,
The History if the World in 100 Weapons,
Weapon: a visual history
King Solomons Mines,
A bunch of other miscellaneous history and Star wars books. Probably a few more that I can't remember.
how was the 100 weapons one?
Sup Bryan it was very interesting. It started by giving a weapon for each sort of "age" in ancient times, likes the bronze age and Iron age. It later moves to centuries, decades, and individual years. It gives good information about each weapon and reads well not like a boring textbook.
I just needed to stay this...this was probably the most important video I've watched this year to force me be productive. Thanks.
The shade at the end towards video essay dudes, oof.
No shade. I like video essays - but they're definitely becoming a bit one dimensional.
austinmcconnell Alright.
Also, congrats on getting the film rights for Fallen Angels dude. That classic needs to be made into film.
The last book intrigues me now since I am from Dhaka, Bangladesh but haven't lived or visited there for quite a while now. Great video as always and Happy New Year. :)
There's nothing wrong with watching twitch and UA-cam lets plays, do what you enjoy in your free time! Also why don't popular books count? It comes off as a slightly hipster/condescending point. Maybe I misunderstood you?
I'm not hating but I disagree with that part quite strongly.
I really did like this video though, always need more book recommendations.
All I said was that watching Twitch and UA-cam as a replacement/substitute for reading is not going to help you learn anything useful. And, that if you only read the occasional popular book and nothing else, you're limiting your potential exposure to interesting and unique information. These aren't earth-shattering epiphanies, and I'm surprised a handful of people are taking such harsh offense to them.
austinmcconnell I'm not offended at all, I just disagree with what you said. Different people learn in different ways, reading has always been my go to but I know forcing people doesn't help. It sounded like you were judging people for their interests whether it was intentional or not.
I think this comment is slightly hipster-ish
Kappakappa duk
+
Well put. I agree.
While reading is reading and I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to do it, you can get book burn out from reading only "popular" books. The newest popular books (especially teen/YA books) tend to have the same subject. Dystopian was a big one for a while. With so many books out there it's better to find books similar to ones that you like rather than just reading what the newest trends are. I mean, obviously still read the new popular books if they interest you. But, also seek out some hidden gems. And, no, you dont need to go to a bookstore and pay a ton of money. Libraries are always a great alternative. If not, places like the Dollar Tree and Salvation Army also have cheap books.
"Something a little different"
That implies that anything about this channel is consistent. This channel is like a pile of different shapes of awesome and I'm here for it.
Finally some book reviews!)
I'm genuinely happy that a creator with a following is asking for everyone to read. Most channels are telling their followers to.. well follow them, but you're different Austin - a very good different.
(I'm an English major btw, so this stuff is right up my alley)
You sound like the guy on the Ford truck commercials
Pump Kin That’s because he is the Ford truck driven in the commercials.
I wish 😂
Pump Kin Your wish is reality.
Denis Leary does the voice for the commercials
Pump Kin Denis Leary = Acorn McConell
I have been gathering quite a few books now (I need a fourth bookshelf now) and I am planning on just trying to read as many books as I can this next year. I am not gonna set a limit, butterflies I do like that "1 book a month" idea for a minimum. This really helped inspire me so thank you!!
"I read a ton of star wars books this year"
"read things that aren't super popular guys"
...
But who reads Star Wars books tho? Really?
tons of people, and star wars is still the most popular story of our time, maybe second to Harry Potter
He's not saying you shouldn't read popular books! He's saying don't EXCLUSIVELY read popular books. Don't say, "I'm going to really expand my mind this year so I'm going to read 'Turtles All the Way Down' and that'll do it."
Obviously Austin isn't saying a book is bad because it's popular or that you should avoid it because it's popular... You quote those two sentences as if Austin didn't notice that Star Wars and Stephen King books were fairly popular. The fact that those two quotes are together in the same video shows he's obviously aware of this fact and is therefore not telling you to avoid popular books.
@@chingunganzorig I do. I take offense
Thanks, Greg (or Austin). You had some really good advice at the end, and the David Fincher thing was hilarious. I will read more books now.
Very nice video except for that ending. Unnecessarily elitist dude. "This doesn't count." Uh, yeah it does. If that's what you like, it absolutely counts.
It counts as a book, yes, but cracking open a John Green book every 4 years does not an avid reader make.
This channel is underrated because I love this channel,!
You say the book “it” potrays childhood really well but I don’t remember having sexual relations with my friends at age 12
Seeing that Austin uploaded is like finding out you won the lottery. It's guaranteed to be great while it lasts, but when it's done you just want more.
Calm down! I'm still busy dissecting House of Leaves!
Little Sister I'm at the beginning of it. Have you listened to the podcast Wound & Stab? They're reading and analysing sections of House Of Leaves and other books too.
I haven't heard of them, but I will listen to one of their podcasts once I find the time. I have, however, looked through many MANY theories - don't do what I did.
I used to love reading when I was in middle and high school but recently I've hardly touched a book that I wasn't required to read. Thanks for your recommendations Austin, I'm now gonna make it my new years resolution to read at least one book a month!
This inspired me to rank the books I've read this year
1. A Clockwork Orange
2. All Quiet on the Western Front
3. Johnny Got His Gun
4. For Whom the Bell Tolls
5. The Divine Comedy: Inferno
6. A Farewell to Arms
7. First Blood
8. The Road Back (All Quiet sequel)
9. God's Battalions: Case of the Crusades
jmac3y Johnny Got His Gun is amazingly terrifying
Riley Findley It destroyed me to read
jmac3y how did it destroy you? 😉
Woman Are Easy it just really made me gloomy after the military told him to basically fuck off and have him drugs to knock him out
Mr. McConnell, I like to make a quick comment with you. When I was growing up, I was always an avid film lover (still am) and never thought once of picking up a book to read for fun. It wasn't until seeing this video that it made me think, "What would happen if I did?" I cannot thank you enough, Mr. McConnel, for encouraging me to go out and read for pleasure and enjoyment. My goal for this year is to knock off the impossible task in my bucket list and read 100 books this year. While I admit to having slacked off in January and February due to some mental health issues, I think taking the time to read will be a good thing for me. Sure, I missed the first two months, but I'll make up for it. I'll update you on how I'm progressing later on. Thank you, Mr. McConnell, for giving me a love for something I didn't know I had.
nerd (no hate lmao just kiddin love your video animations btw.)
Best video of the year because of your honest and needed content.
Actually there are a lot of the SW books so it does say a lot.
Him saying it's not saying a lot is because a lot of the star wars books aren't good so a book doesn't have to be that good to already be better than most of them.
You know what, Austin? I will read more books this year! Thank you for inspiring me.
I was on board until you said not to read books everyone else is reading, as if reading popular fiction made the task of reading less rewarding or worthy of praise. What? Chill. Everyone go read whatever you want. You’re not a lesser person if you read the books everyone else is reading, especially when you consider I don’t know anyone who (including this creator) hasn’t read It.
I'm not saying said popular fiction is less rewarding or worthy of praise. I'm saying reading the annual John Green novel alone and thinking that will be sufficient isn't a good plan. The more sources you read, the more expansive your knowledge base will become - and often the most rewarding reading experiences come from places other than the New York Times Best Seller list.
I do agree with that on the point that "New York Times Bestseller" is an award given to pretty much every dang book you can find.
AustinMcConnell So patronising to your audience.
RE: _Nobody's life has changed by watching an angry video game rant._
True, but peoples' lives have changed by watching UA-cam videos like yours. UA-cam is a brilliant and new art form, and, when done correctly, can be an incredibly valuable and life-changing use of time. Great video!
Everyone should read Don Quixote.
Tommy Wiseau Johnny, Lisa is cheating on you!
Skeptic Film Buff lmao
I started reading it this year. Got about six chapters in and was too bored to go any further. Does it get any better? Maybe the translation ruins the writing style (which I hear is a strong point of the book), but to me it seems like the ironic/sarcastic style is too overdone in our time to be enjoyed any significant amount. If you say the story gets more interesting, I’ll go back and read it, but the book is far too long to be read solely for appreciative purposes.
I want too!! But I can't spend more than 5mins reading
I read it and I disagree. The book wasn't fun to read and I was really hoping it to be. There are just so many characters and adventures but I thought only a few of them were interesting. Also there are a lot of plot holes, the author even adresses them in the beginning of the second part (not all of them, for example why does Sancho's wife have 3 different names in the book). I mean I get the character dynamic and how it's just this satire on formerly popular knight novels but the story really didn't do much for me.
Austin i haven't known about your channel for a long time but every now and then for the past couple years your videos have been recommended to me and now that i frequently watch your stuff i got to say that you are one of my favorite UA-camrs and your very talented. Keep it up cant wait to see what will come in the future.
Nice Arthur reference.
Absolutely love your channel man.
I loved this video however to say that the internet is not advancing culture is silly and close minded. Because of the internet the world has changed in such an amazing way. People are consuming and spreading information at a rate that was previously never possible in human history. So while I do agree with your message about reading more books, I disagree that people need to get off the internet. Because video games are an art form, and that person watching that angry video game rant might learn just that small little bit of information that helps him transform the medium.
Looking down your nose at everyone else for playing games and watching UA-cam videos all year is a great way to change all those people's minds. You have your hobbies, I have mine.
-_-' I'm not "looking down my nose" at people for playing games and watching UA-cam. I'm saying that playing games and watching UA-cam videos all year ALONE is not sufficient enough to have a healthy and fulfilling life, nor is it conducive to constructing an informed and rewarding worldview.
does this mean you're one of my favorite booktubers now? 🤔
A friend of mine's dad is John Scalzi. I haven't read any of his stuff since I'm not into science fiction, but you can at least take comfort in the fact that his daughter is pretty cool.
I hope The Familiar is here
Edit: I am disappoint, but still luv u austin
PS: I printed our your profile pic and taped it on to a naruto body pillow, now i can always be with u
Dear god
sick arthur reference
Honestly what you say at the end about finding those hidden gems - which I think is definitely something you can do online too, with video games and tv and movies and other kinds of media - it's the kind of thing that I enjoy doing immensely, but there's also a certain frustration to wanting to talk about one of those hidden gems and not having anyone with the shared experience to do so. I know my friends are sick of me talking about how UQ Holder is basically a shounen fantasy skin over a cyberpunk story, or how Liminal States positions personal agency against the inevitability of fate all the currents of time reaching a single shore, or... pretty much everything about A House of Many Doors. Having nobody to talk to about media is hard - keeping someone's attention long enough to be able to explain the necessary context of what makes that media so great.
Or maybe it's just me being autistic and trying not to unintentionally sperg on people. I should probably read that book about winning friends and influencing people. Hell, I think we have a copy.
Curious about the movie deal. Very curious.
Have you read the Outsiders? Well I’m pretty sure you have for a book report for school, but my school hasn’t and never will. But I was smart and read it in 7th grade for what I can remember is one of the only book report where could choose the book we wanted that year. I read it and it’s my favorite book. The characters are written well and act and talk like real Oklahoma kids in the 60’s. The way the murder happened was a bit of a surprise to me, but I still enjoyed the book and it is my favorite book. If you enjoyed that book I recommend That Was Then This Is Now by S.E. Hinton (same author of the Outsiders) it’s a story that takes place in the same universe, (Ponyboy makes an appearance) it’s a good underrated book and it even has a hard to find movie adaptation.
So, I just realized I wrote a book report so I’m going to end this comment right here. But before I go, got any good-not-so-hard reads for a high schooler?, I need some audiobooks to listen to when I do those boring long madden solo challenges.
PS: did you know the Outsiders had a TV series?
MLBoss I waited waaay too long to read The Book Thief, really fantastic book, high school level or otherwise. I'd also recommend The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T. Anderson. It follows the life of an experimental childhood upbringing during the American Civil War and explores some great themes you wouldn't expect with the vastly interesting backdrop of a war
Franco Bianchetti I’ll look into the story by Anderson, seems interesting!
Read Leviathan, by Thomas Hobbes, that's a fun one.
Try out the Enderverse books by Orson Scott Card. The first book was introduced to me as a school assignment but I liked it so much that I decided to read the entire series.
All The Bright Places
Something a bit different on this channel? Man, your videos are always out of the box, that's why a love 'em!
How can you read multiple books about the same Psalm without them repeating information? Is this thing really so informationally dense?
Long story short - almost every verse of the Psalm can reference other parts of scripture, which (in return) references history that spans hundreds of years, so what you have is a 176-verse text that is intricately connected to a lot of other bits of noteworthy information.
I love your channel so much. I always look forward to seeing your new uploads. :)
Everyone else: Why 2017 was my best year
Austin: moar bookz lul
Thx for making this video you made me rerealize the importance of reading books for self improvement and fulfillment. btw I really love how you choose to read a "boring book" every once in a while. "life's like a box of chocolates you never know what your gonna get".
It's 2019 so, any news on the film?
Austin, I don't know if you will see this or not but I have two books I would highly recommend. The first is "House of War" By James Carroll, it is a history of the Pentagon and the rise of American nuclear power. It is very well written and illuminating. The second is "A Hillbilly Elegy" By J.D. Vance. It also is very well written and interesting and touches a lot on why the southern states/rust belt are the way that they currently are. Anyway, thanks a ton for all the amazing videos, hope you had a great Christmas and happy reading.
Is there any reason why the obscurity of a book matters at all, and you recommend against reading popular books?
I don’t recommend against it. I just don’t think reading popular books exclusively will help you learn anything outside of the popular hive mind. Read popular and obscure.
austinmcconnell OK, thank you for the clarification!
I appreciate that ending statement about reading more and pulling away from watching let's plays day-to-day