The point is possibility. It's the same with stationery. Buy a new notebook, and you could fill it with a bestseller, or an award-winning screen play, or a revolutionary cookbook, etc. Or you can use it to detail a new invention, a research project or a political policy. Or you can really nail down some goals and then track them and actually turn your own life around. Or something else broad-sweeping and important. You buy a notebook, you are (partially) buying into the idea that you yourself could be any of those things. This holds right up until... you write in the notebook. Same old to-dos, probably not even organised in the best manner. Same old self. Same old life. Nothing changes, no fresh starts for you. And new books (and new fabric, and new music, and new many things) is the same. The possibility. The whiff of "maybe this time..." that pervades. But also, it's a time thing. There are a LOT of good books (think how many are even in one solitary bookstore). There are only a finite number of reading hours in a day. And that's a whiff of possibility too, the ultimate form of escapism; that maybe one day I will have the time to read so many books that I don't have right now.
This could be the first time when someone said they didn't enjoy the book actually makes me wanna read it. I love how you review books, being specific about what you didn't like, because a descriptive slow book on mourning one's mother by a daughter is totally my kind of genre!
@@floralalune1299 oh that's great, I have also heard positive reviews of it. I am guessing it is a blend of domestic fiction and women's memoir, am I right? Will definitely pick this up soon.
@@pathbetweentrees i don’t think it is really domestic fiction, I struggle to describe it! it is just incredibly intense - I don’t understand personally why people dislike this book but like books such as Luster, My Year of Rest and Relaxation which I personally found so boring and hated the main character! I also love some of the interviews Avni Doshi has done, she’s a fascinating writer. I hope you love it as much as I did 😊
I appreciate how even when you rate a book low, you don't completely bash it. It's refreshing with many booktubers just (figuratively) burning books they didn't like.
I'm so happy to subscribe to someone who makes it a point to be well informed when it comes to the books you are reading. However, the trauma you discussed suffered by indigenous peoples was not the source material. It was one of the things that inspired him to write about trauma. It is NOT a fantasy retelling of a terrible thing perpetuated by white people. I think it is important to note that. Inspiration does not equal retelling. There is definitely human-saviorism in the book that can be equated to white saviorism in discussions, but it is just that, a discussion point, not a stark equivalency.
English isn't my first language so it can be hard sometimes for me to express what I think but you did it very well. They're is a difference between retelling and just hearing about something that make you think more deeply about certain aspects of life and make you want to talk about the things you discovered (or think about). The subject of the book is very different from the part of history that make him think about writing about trauma and how society push for people to all fit in the same box.
“I literally cannot stop myself from buying books” I’ve been in another lockdown for 6 weeks and I’ve bought over 20 books so far, so I understand your problem
your reviews of the books are insanely insightful. i love how you researched the source material for the house in the cerulean sea, i think it’s really important and often overlooked.
holy shit i had no idea that the house on the cerulean sea was based on the sixties scoop???? that is so wild. i completely agree with you about facilitating conversation but at the same time, a lot of people who were kidnapped by the canadian government aren’t even elderly yet. i would be interested to know how they feel about the book…
If I am remembering right, the author of the House in the Cerulean Sea already had the cute characters and the setting sort of figured out but needed an idea for… the antagonistic force for his characters, give them a reason to be together, and grabbed the idea while reading a quick toned-down summary of what happened in Canada with the residential schools. I think it was a mistake to mention the source of his idea, when he clearly didn’t think of it past there and never set out to explore what happened in Canada through his story, he just took the idea and ran lol
Learning that I can scan books to load them on goodreads has honestly been the most important thing I’ve learned during this pandemic (and I’ve been doing a physics major)
I just finished reading 'CIRCE' last night. I'm shocked you haven't read it yet. Millers' writing has been improved so much in this one. The flow of the story was so rhythmic and absolutely beautiful. I personally liked 'CIRCE' more than 'The Song of Achilles'
Hi, Canadian here! I really enjoy your videos and content, and really appreciate you talking about some of the source material for House in the Cerulean Sea! I think your description is a tiny bit off though, in that indigenous children weren't just put into foster care-- they were forced into a resident school where they were forced to learn how to assimilate into European culture, often ended up murdered or never heard from again, and some sold into slavery. Again, super super appreciative that you've even scratched the surface of this topic and are sharing it with your audience, I just wanted to elaborate for those that care to know a little more!
OMG YOUR COPY OF CIRCE IS LITERALLY STUNNING! also, I've read it and I honestly loved it sooo much. The writing style is incredible and I love how Madeline Miller based the story on a seemingly "unimportant" character. At first I was also really nervous to read it, because I thought I was going to be disappointed because the song of achilles is my fav book ever lol.... But then I read it and I was like...wow, how tf did I survive without reading that?
That quote about grieving for someone who is gone yet is still too soon to burn the body, struck home. My dad has Alzheimer's. We grieved the loss of the adult, but embraced the new person who was more child-like. Then we grieved the loss of that child as an even younger child took his place. And with each step, we grieved what was lost and embraced and loved what emerged and what was left. He's now non-communicative, can't walk, and may or may not recognize us when we visit (with covid, we couldn't visit for 9 months so lost a good portion of what little time was left--but, it was worth it because that care home was one of the few in our province that didn't have any covid at all). But, sometimes he will still look at us, respond with a nod or a laugh, before disappearing again. There's so little of who he was left yet we will still grieve when even that disappears.
Oh 🥺 I'm so sorry you're going through such a difficult thing 😔 I like the way you're taking it one step at a time. Sending you good vibes and strength when it's most needed 💕
Woah! I didn't expect there to be so many unread books but that mini montage just blew my little mind. Now, I'm not embarassed about my unread books lol.
I LOVED Circe, the writing was so lyrically beautiful and it was amazing seeing how Circe develops as a character. One of my favourite reads this year!
honestly the line about grieving someone who isn’t dead yet really hit home for me. i had a grandfather who had a stroke and was left unable to walk, talk, really do anything without assistance and it was so painful to watch someone who had been such a powerful and strong person to be reduced to a shell of his former self, and when he did eventually die, it almost hurt less because everyone had already been grieving for years. i don’t want to read the book because i’m not really good with bodily fluids but i think the topic is a really interesting discussion to have
I honestly loved all of the banners, but especially 2, it really fits your channel I think. Also thank you for the entertainment during this boring summer x
Can’t believe you are the first booktuber I’ve heard discuss the indigenous schools of Canada and their relation to the Cerulean Sea I had no idea the author was pulling from that reference and it really puts a deeper meaning into the story. In a way it makes me like the book more because when I read it I thought it just felt like a childish middle grade but now that I’ve made that connection, the themes hold a bit more weight and depth.
I have two of the same unread books as you (thursday murder club and where the crawdads sing). I'm currently having the same book-buying problem, I should probably read the ones I own before buying more right now
I don't know if I should read where the crawdads sing because delia owens stepson and husband are said to have killed poachers in Zambia and the whole story around it is so weird
For the banner my favorite is the last one because everything may seem dull but the phrase lightens everything and makes it pop out also I feel like it gives your kinda chill videos but with the humor and brightness from your personality
House on the Cerulean Sea felt like Walter Mitty became a social worker for hilarious, dangerous, magical children. Loved it, cried at it, quite possibly my favourite read of my adult life.
@@taaptee idk why my answer keeps getting deleted? but search on twitter about it and i think you will find it, it's a tiktok video. apparently the author and her husband went to africa to "save the elephants" by.. killing africans.
first of all, you're probably sick of hearing this, but I love your accent. Also your vibe is very happy and contagious, so I am here for it. And I resisted reading The House in the Cerulean Sea cause no one would shut up about it, and then I eventually caved and now it's also one of my favorite books of all time
There was a discussion about a decade ago about how white authors write their characters into fantasy and dystopian novels so that their characters can experience oppression rather than making the character POC. Diverse books have only really started to be published in 2016, so house of the cerulean sea shows that we still have a ways to go. The author specifically stated that he put it in a fantasy world because he couldn't write about indigenous experiences. He profits off of their trauma
Is there a general consensus on what's preferable in this case? A white author directly writing about a historical event or setting it in a fantasy world, or is that a false dichotomy? Haven't read the book, but I'm assuming things deviate from history. On the bright side, one objectively good thing that comes from this is people learning about what happened in the past. I had no idea about any of this until I heard about the book and I want to learn more about the situation
I would argue that it’s still good that he wrote about it as it spreads awareness. These things need to be talked about and sadly, many of the victims are not here today to share their stories. It would be great if he, perhaps, donated a part of his income from the book to charities related to the topic. Maybe he does- I don’t know much about it.
@@HACFMS But most people don't know what he based the story around. They just think it's fiction. He didn't even bother making the characters people of color
@@triasha3790 that’s fair, I definitely think making the characters POC would’ve been the right thing to do. It does seem like he shares the inspiration behind the book publicly though, so that’s something at least..?
While I will say that I completely understand this narrative, and I am not talking about this particular book if the author has cited that as being what inspired the book, I will point out some forms of oppression are not only the experience of POC. I am from Denmark, we were invaded by Nazi Germany during WW2, and we also faced oppression in various forms - including death. In history, the poor and lower class was also oppressed on many fronts. The same goes for religion, in Denmark Catholics were killed for their beliefs during the Reformation. As I said, I do not believe white authors should write about the oppression of POC, but I also think it's dangerous to paint societal oppression as only being the experience of POC.
I too have a book buying "problem" I also wanted to thank you for inspiring me to pick up Christopher Isherwood, I just finished Goodbye to Berlin and absolutely loved it!! I can't wait to pick up more of his works!
I absolutely love the first banner that you showed because of how bright and cheerful it is compared to the other two, which I think captures your personality well. But when it comes to booktube, the second one fits so well 😂
Yes I rent books from my library through Libby! I only buy books I think I will love and want to keep forever, so the convenience of renting straight to my kindle not only forces me to actually read more (since I only have access to:the books for a short time), but allows me to not feel bad about reading more fluffy books that I don’t fork the need to own
Yes! I absolutely love my library! Typically what I do is check out a book from the library and if I love it enough then I will spend the money to buy it. This has definitely saved me quite a bit of money
girlboss move? It's just simple usage of library, what capitalism, what boss, or... damn... GIRLBOSS? Why people ever have urge to spit in something's face? If not capitalism - how those books ever appear in libraries and what about people who love having their own books? I mean, yes, capitalism has many problems, most depressing is NEED TO WASTE WHOLE LIFE ON JOB *cries angrily* but what economic formation's better? I mean, is it really about economics or just another hype train? (I ask as a guy from ex-socialist country. Spoiler alert: mischief failed)
Love banner #1 - #3 would be my second choice. Also gotta say, I love this method for choosing what to read off your TBR pile. And the term for constantly buying books you don't read is Tsundoku ;)
As a teacher, Cerulean Sea touched and inspired me beyond words and I am glad it exists. I am glad you touched on the context surrounding it, as the discourse surrounding the novel can be quite binary and shallow. When I hear the book being shunned completely it breaks my heart a little bit. There is so much to love in it.
I only buy digital books and only buy a new book when I finish the one I'm reading. I have lots of books on my Wishlist and Google Books notifies me if one has had a price drop and I buy it then. I used to have hundreds of physics books but relocated and had to just take what fit in a few suitcases. I don't reread books but I would like to curate a bookcase of just my favourite books and people could borrow them.
I was skeptical of Where the Crawdads Sing because everyone and their mum seemed to be reading it, but when I actually read it... oh my God. I had to put the book down and make myself a cup of tea mid-read because I was too stressed about the fate of one of the characters to keep reading without a breather.
Such a fun idea. I just went to my goodreads and checked-the lowest rated book i own is Ethan Frome. The highest rated book is The Color of Compromise (which I'm currently reading).
So interesting to hear your reaction to Burnt Sugar which was one of my favourite books last year and glad you took an evenhanded approach to it whereas some of my friends who’ve read it just say they hated it. 💔
"So, Burnt Sugar wasss.... not so sweet" Damn Jack!😆😂 that was good!😂😂 Alsooo, 670K already!!🙆🏻♀️ We're definitely getting past 1MILLY by the Year End!!🥳😎 So excited!💃🏻
Oo i think I like the second banner best with the pixel art but they're all so cool! Also I never knew about the controversy behind the House in the Cerulean Sea; the influence reminds me alot about the stolen generation in Australia
Wow I didn't know that was the source material! As I was reading it, I saw the resemblance towards residential schools but didn't realize it was at all related.
Burnt sugar very much felt like for daughters who went through the generational cycle of neglect by their mothers... I liked the book thoroughly and i can understand why a lot of men won't get to experience it the same way as the women..
I’m currently reading this and I’m not a man, and I picked it up because of my strained relationship with my mother & her weird one with hers etc. & thinking “ok, maybe I can feel like someone gets it/me a bit,” but so far all I feel is suffocated & not in a way that’s like “wow, I’m confronting my own feelings and it’s uncomfortable but this book is amazing,” but in a “this book sucks so much” way
Same. I have my own kindle, and still I have to buy books time to time. I am weak, and the happiness I find when I receive the books- its the purest of happiness
If you wantba sad story, look into residential schools in Canada. Children were systemically removed from their families, abused and neglected to the point of death in some cases. Reconciliation is a difficult thing to approach, but so necessary.
You will love Circe. There are people who prefer it over the song of achilles. As you already know, the author brilliantly weaves the figures of Greek mythology in a cohesive way which astounds me considering how many characters showed up. Circe is written as a flawed but feels perfect at the same time, character. It can be slow at times, but it works with the tone of the novel, but it is one of those books that even if you need a break from it at times, you still want to pick it up and find out more. It is very character driven. I think you will enjoy it.
Jack, there is this gripping book called "27 śmierci Toby'ego Obeda" [eng. 27 deaths of Toby Obed) that talks about the indigenous people in Canada and how they were taken to those schools as a part of racial assimilation. It is translated into english from polish from what i know - right now it's probably the most talked about book in poland as it's so shocking. It's literally a dream of mine to see you read it and discuss it when in comes out in english.
am super keen to hear what you think of Where the Crawdads Sing. as you say everyone raves about it but I really wasn't keen... to me it read like bad YA fiction wrapped up in good, albeit too much, nature writing. the characters were so flat and not believable at all imo
i love your reviews. the way you summarize a book makes me feel like i've already read it, if that makes sense?? i'll be like "hell yea that's what i thought too" and then i go like ".. lmao hold on, i haven't read this"
Banner two is the best for you and let’s be honest who doesn’t love to go out and buy books? Reading books, buying books and shopping for books are all amazing experiences
i think that with the sixties scoops (native children being stolen from their homes) coming up in this video this is a good opportunity to encourage jack to educate himself on the deeply traumatic and long history of indigenous people of canada. especially considering he himself is British and the trauma of the sixties scoop are still seen today in native youth contributing to many issues one of which being the suicide epidemic.
As a Canadian, I really appreciate your views on residential schools. The last couple months have been difficult on the majority of the population of Canada because they have discovered countless unmarked graves of live that were taken too soon due to genocide and most of the world never pictures something like that happening in Canada. I have had a lot of trouble grappling with the fact that this happened to the indigenous people of our great country. I hope that we can all learn from what happened and learn to listen to their stories to make sure that this never happens again, in Canada or anywhere else in the world.
okay but buying books and reading books are two very different hobbies
honestly I feel this but also for me its "buying yarn and knitting are two very different hobbies"
@@GretaZewe Same. Add in buying fabric and sewing are two different hobbies. I have entirely too much yarn and fabric.
Stationery too
I disagree. What’s the point of having books if they are never read?
The point is possibility. It's the same with stationery. Buy a new notebook, and you could fill it with a bestseller, or an award-winning screen play, or a revolutionary cookbook, etc. Or you can use it to detail a new invention, a research project or a political policy. Or you can really nail down some goals and then track them and actually turn your own life around. Or something else broad-sweeping and important. You buy a notebook, you are (partially) buying into the idea that you yourself could be any of those things. This holds right up until... you write in the notebook. Same old to-dos, probably not even organised in the best manner. Same old self. Same old life. Nothing changes, no fresh starts for you.
And new books (and new fabric, and new music, and new many things) is the same. The possibility. The whiff of "maybe this time..." that pervades.
But also, it's a time thing. There are a LOT of good books (think how many are even in one solitary bookstore). There are only a finite number of reading hours in a day. And that's a whiff of possibility too, the ultimate form of escapism; that maybe one day I will have the time to read so many books that I don't have right now.
This could be the first time when someone said they didn't enjoy the book actually makes me wanna read it. I love how you review books, being specific about what you didn't like, because a descriptive slow book on mourning one's mother by a daughter is totally my kind of genre!
Same! He's so good at describing books he made me want to read both the "good" and the "bad" book😂
It was my favourite book of 2020 - it’s amazing!!!!!
@@floralalune1299 oh that's great, I have also heard positive reviews of it. I am guessing it is a blend of domestic fiction and women's memoir, am I right? Will definitely pick this up soon.
@@pathbetweentrees i don’t think it is really domestic fiction, I struggle to describe it! it is just incredibly intense - I don’t understand personally why people dislike this book but like books such as Luster, My Year of Rest and Relaxation which I personally found so boring and hated the main character! I also love some of the interviews Avni Doshi has done, she’s a fascinating writer. I hope you love it as much as I did 😊
I appreciate how even when you rate a book low, you don't completely bash it. It's refreshing with many booktubers just (figuratively) burning books they didn't like.
ikrrr that's why I absolutely love watching Jack's vids
Yes, I agree! Even for a bad book, the author has spent so many hours, maybe even years of his life that it's worth the respect Jack shows them. :)
I'm so happy to subscribe to someone who makes it a point to be well informed when it comes to the books you are reading. However, the trauma you discussed suffered by indigenous peoples was not the source material. It was one of the things that inspired him to write about trauma. It is NOT a fantasy retelling of a terrible thing perpetuated by white people. I think it is important to note that. Inspiration does not equal retelling. There is definitely human-saviorism in the book that can be equated to white saviorism in discussions, but it is just that, a discussion point, not a stark equivalency.
Thank you for this information!
English isn't my first language so it can be hard sometimes for me to express what I think but you did it very well.
They're is a difference between retelling and just hearing about something that make you think more deeply about certain aspects of life and make you want to talk about the things you discovered (or think about).
The subject of the book is very different from the part of history that make him think about writing about trauma and how society push for people to all fit in the same box.
@@kedemo4602 Stated beautifully, and I completely agree.
Agreed
“I literally cannot stop myself from buying books” I’ve been in another lockdown for 6 weeks and I’ve bought over 20 books so far, so I understand your problem
your reviews of the books are insanely insightful. i love how you researched the source material for the house in the cerulean sea, i think it’s really important and often overlooked.
I'm so glad you addressed the controversy over House in the Cerulean sea. A lot of people don't know about it, and thank you for talking about it!
holy shit i had no idea that the house on the cerulean sea was based on the sixties scoop???? that is so wild. i completely agree with you about facilitating conversation but at the same time, a lot of people who were kidnapped by the canadian government aren’t even elderly yet. i would be interested to know how they feel about the book…
If I am remembering right, the author of the House in the Cerulean Sea already had the cute characters and the setting sort of figured out but needed an idea for… the antagonistic force for his characters, give them a reason to be together, and grabbed the idea while reading a quick toned-down summary of what happened in Canada with the residential schools. I think it was a mistake to mention the source of his idea, when he clearly didn’t think of it past there and never set out to explore what happened in Canada through his story, he just took the idea and ran lol
Learning that I can scan books to load them on goodreads has honestly been the most important thing I’ve learned during this pandemic (and I’ve been doing a physics major)
I just finished reading 'CIRCE' last night. I'm shocked you haven't read it yet. Millers' writing has been improved so much in this one. The flow of the story was so rhythmic and absolutely beautiful. I personally liked 'CIRCE' more than 'The Song of Achilles'
same! circe is so so goodd i love that book
Hi, Canadian here!
I really enjoy your videos and content, and really appreciate you talking about some of the source material for House in the Cerulean Sea!
I think your description is a tiny bit off though, in that indigenous children weren't just put into foster care-- they were forced into a resident school where they were forced to learn how to assimilate into European culture, often ended up murdered or never heard from again, and some sold into slavery.
Again, super super appreciative that you've even scratched the surface of this topic and are sharing it with your audience, I just wanted to elaborate for those that care to know a little more!
OMG YOUR COPY OF CIRCE IS LITERALLY STUNNING! also, I've read it and I honestly loved it sooo much. The writing style is incredible and I love how Madeline Miller based the story on a seemingly "unimportant" character. At first I was also really nervous to read it, because I thought I was going to be disappointed because the song of achilles is my fav book ever lol....
But then I read it and I was like...wow, how tf did I survive without reading that?
That quote about grieving for someone who is gone yet is still too soon to burn the body, struck home. My dad has Alzheimer's. We grieved the loss of the adult, but embraced the new person who was more child-like. Then we grieved the loss of that child as an even younger child took his place. And with each step, we grieved what was lost and embraced and loved what emerged and what was left. He's now non-communicative, can't walk, and may or may not recognize us when we visit (with covid, we couldn't visit for 9 months so lost a good portion of what little time was left--but, it was worth it because that care home was one of the few in our province that didn't have any covid at all). But, sometimes he will still look at us, respond with a nod or a laugh, before disappearing again. There's so little of who he was left yet we will still grieve when even that disappears.
Oh 🥺 I'm so sorry you're going through such a difficult thing 😔
I like the way you're taking it one step at a time. Sending you good vibes and strength when it's most needed 💕
@@melanieheath9829 Thank you! That is so kind of you.
Woah! I didn't expect there to be so many unread books but that mini montage just blew my little mind. Now, I'm not embarassed about my unread books lol.
I LOVED Circe, the writing was so lyrically beautiful and it was amazing seeing how Circe develops as a character. One of my favourite reads this year!
This should be a weekly thing. You can do a bookclub. 😁
honestly the line about grieving someone who isn’t dead yet really hit home for me. i had a grandfather who had a stroke and was left unable to walk, talk, really do anything without assistance and it was so painful to watch someone who had been such a powerful and strong person to be reduced to a shell of his former self, and when he did eventually die, it almost hurt less because everyone had already been grieving for years. i don’t want to read the book because i’m not really good with bodily fluids but i think the topic is a really interesting discussion to have
I honestly loved all of the banners, but especially 2, it really fits your channel I think. Also thank you for the entertainment during this boring summer x
Can’t believe you are the first booktuber I’ve heard discuss the indigenous schools of Canada and their relation to the Cerulean Sea
I had no idea the author was pulling from that reference and it really puts a deeper meaning into the story.
In a way it makes me like the book more because when I read it I thought it just felt like a childish middle grade but now that I’ve made that connection, the themes hold a bit more weight and depth.
actually the third banner really fits the aesthetic if quite simple :-]
I have two of the same unread books as you (thursday murder club and where the crawdads sing). I'm currently having the same book-buying problem, I should probably read the ones I own before buying more right now
I don't know if I should read where the crawdads sing because delia owens stepson and husband are said to have killed poachers in Zambia and the whole story around it is so weird
All 3 banners look amazing, however the second one represents your channel in the most effective way imho :)
For the banner my favorite is the last one because everything may seem dull but the phrase lightens everything and makes it pop out also I feel like it gives your kinda chill videos but with the humor and brightness from your personality
I love how you always discuss books and give serious critique, your videos are so helpful, I love your channel
I an currently reading house in the cerulean sea... and I'm taking my time with it, its sooo cosy and beautiful that I dont want the book to end!!
House on the Cerulean Sea felt like Walter Mitty became a social worker for hilarious, dangerous, magical children. Loved it, cried at it, quite possibly my favourite read of my adult life.
Hey Jack stop recommending books I have so many books on top of my classes. Guess which takes priority???
I love your username
Don't look at his Goodreads! I've just added about 20 to my TBR
@@rachelmcnamara6317 I have like 80 books in my TBR and I have 6 books checked out from the library
@@pavanisiliveru2407 Thank you 😘😘
Your classes obviously they are more important
I think I like the middle banner the best but banner number one suits your channel "vibe" more!
jack reading where the crawdads sings not a week after the stuff about the author blew up on twitter 💀
what happened with them omg
@@taaptee idk why my answer keeps getting deleted? but search on twitter about it and i think you will find it, it's a tiktok video. apparently the author and her husband went to africa to "save the elephants" by.. killing africans.
@@antichristopher yikes hello???? not the book thats getting a daisy edgar jones adaptation 😩 will check that out though thank you x
That third banner is ADORABLE oh my goodness
i love love love the third banner, but i think #2 fits ur aesthetic more
Banner 1 matches your contagious smile. It always makes me happier and banner 1 feels the happiest to me!
The last UA-cam’s resident Liberian that was behind a bunch of books hanging on a sign was the one I thought fitted you
the hahahahahahaha the intro nooooooooooooooo, since you start I was like - huh scanning all your books, the would take ages.
I would love to see you read some genres that are outside of your comfort zone (like high fantasy, horror, thriller etc) ! 🤗
first of all, you're probably sick of hearing this, but I love your accent. Also your vibe is very happy and contagious, so I am here for it. And I resisted reading The House in the Cerulean Sea cause no one would shut up about it, and then I eventually caved and now it's also one of my favorite books of all time
Banner #1 is definitely my favourite! Loved your commentary on both of the books - support insightful and interesting
There was a discussion about a decade ago about how white authors write their characters into fantasy and dystopian novels so that their characters can experience oppression rather than making the character POC. Diverse books have only really started to be published in 2016, so house of the cerulean sea shows that we still have a ways to go. The author specifically stated that he put it in a fantasy world because he couldn't write about indigenous experiences. He profits off of their trauma
Is there a general consensus on what's preferable in this case? A white author directly writing about a historical event or setting it in a fantasy world, or is that a false dichotomy? Haven't read the book, but I'm assuming things deviate from history. On the bright side, one objectively good thing that comes from this is people learning about what happened in the past. I had no idea about any of this until I heard about the book and I want to learn more about the situation
I would argue that it’s still good that he wrote about it as it spreads awareness. These things need to be talked about and sadly, many of the victims are not here today to share their stories. It would be great if he, perhaps, donated a part of his income from the book to charities related to the topic. Maybe he does- I don’t know much about it.
@@HACFMS But most people don't know what he based the story around. They just think it's fiction. He didn't even bother making the characters people of color
@@triasha3790 that’s fair, I definitely think making the characters POC would’ve been the right thing to do. It does seem like he shares the inspiration behind the book publicly though, so that’s something at least..?
While I will say that I completely understand this narrative, and I am not talking about this particular book if the author has cited that as being what inspired the book, I will point out some forms of oppression are not only the experience of POC. I am from Denmark, we were invaded by Nazi Germany during WW2, and we also faced oppression in various forms - including death. In history, the poor and lower class was also oppressed on many fronts. The same goes for religion, in Denmark Catholics were killed for their beliefs during the Reformation. As I said, I do not believe white authors should write about the oppression of POC, but I also think it's dangerous to paint societal oppression as only being the experience of POC.
I too have a book buying "problem" I also wanted to thank you for inspiring me to pick up Christopher Isherwood, I just finished Goodbye to Berlin and absolutely loved it!! I can't wait to pick up more of his works!
I absolutely love the first banner that you showed because of how bright and cheerful it is compared to the other two, which I think captures your personality well. But when it comes to booktube, the second one fits so well 😂
It's the application of critical thinking when reviewing a controversial book for me. 5 stars for you, Jack.
I love banner no. 2 ! The pixel guy honestly looks like Jack lol
Pro tip for buying fewer books: use your local library! It spits in the face of capitalism AND is a true girlboss move 😈
Yes I rent books from my library through Libby! I only buy books I think I will love and want to keep forever, so the convenience of renting straight to my kindle not only forces me to actually read more (since I only have access to:the books for a short time), but allows me to not feel bad about reading more fluffy books that I don’t fork the need to own
Yes! I absolutely love my library! Typically what I do is check out a book from the library and if I love it enough then I will spend the money to buy it. This has definitely saved me quite a bit of money
@@averylcisney that is exactly what i do!
girlboss move? It's just simple usage of library, what capitalism, what boss, or... damn... GIRLBOSS?
Why people ever have urge to spit in something's face?
If not capitalism - how those books ever appear in libraries and what about people who love having their own books?
I mean, yes, capitalism has many problems, most depressing is NEED TO WASTE WHOLE LIFE ON JOB *cries angrily* but what economic formation's better? I mean, is it really about economics or just another hype train? (I ask as a guy from ex-socialist country. Spoiler alert: mischief failed)
@@bxp_bassbabes it’s not that serious
your insights are honestly wonderful
100% The first option. It is so eye-catching! Love how bright and happy it feels
Love banner #1 - #3 would be my second choice. Also gotta say, I love this method for choosing what to read off your TBR pile. And the term for constantly buying books you don't read is Tsundoku ;)
As a teacher, Cerulean Sea touched and inspired me beyond words and I am glad it exists. I am glad you touched on the context surrounding it, as the discourse surrounding the novel can be quite binary and shallow. When I hear the book being shunned completely it breaks my heart a little bit. There is so much to love in it.
banner #2 really suits your channel!!
I love the banner with the plant 2
I only buy digital books and only buy a new book when I finish the one I'm reading.
I have lots of books on my Wishlist and Google Books notifies me if one has had a price drop and I buy it then.
I used to have hundreds of physics books but relocated and had to just take what fit in a few suitcases. I don't reread books but I would like to curate a bookcase of just my favourite books and people could borrow them.
The first banner is incredible! I really love it
Banner #2 it's the perfect combination of fun and beautiful.
Seeing jack read ‘the house in the cerulean sea’.
Me: when ur favourite person reads ur favourite book.❤️🤭
I was skeptical of Where the Crawdads Sing because everyone and their mum seemed to be reading it, but when I actually read it... oh my God. I had to put the book down and make myself a cup of tea mid-read because I was too stressed about the fate of one of the characters to keep reading without a breather.
I am loooooving where the crawdads sing, would love to hear your thoughts!!
Such a fun idea. I just went to my goodreads and checked-the lowest rated book i own is Ethan Frome. The highest rated book is The Color of Compromise (which I'm currently reading).
So interesting to hear your reaction to Burnt Sugar which was one of my favourite books last year and glad you took an evenhanded approach to it whereas some of my friends who’ve read it just say they hated it. 💔
Love banner number 2!! Very much giving me habbo hotel vibes
"So, Burnt Sugar wasss.... not so sweet" Damn Jack!😆😂 that was good!😂😂
Alsooo, 670K already!!🙆🏻♀️ We're definitely getting past 1MILLY by the Year End!!🥳😎 So excited!💃🏻
middle banner is so cute !!!! i wouldnt be mad about the third one either
Oo i think I like the second banner best with the pixel art but they're all so cool! Also I never knew about the controversy behind the House in the Cerulean Sea; the influence reminds me alot about the stolen generation in Australia
"I've just lived laughed loved, I can't believe I did that"
Can’t wait to read “the house…” book bits in my tbr and in my classroom lol
Wow I didn't know that was the source material! As I was reading it, I saw the resemblance towards residential schools but didn't realize it was at all related.
Burnt sugar very much felt like for daughters who went through the generational cycle of neglect by their mothers... I liked the book thoroughly and i can understand why a lot of men won't get to experience it the same way as the women..
I’m currently reading this and I’m not a man, and I picked it up because of my strained relationship with my mother & her weird one with hers etc. & thinking “ok, maybe I can feel like someone gets it/me a bit,” but so far all I feel is suffocated & not in a way that’s like “wow, I’m confronting my own feelings and it’s uncomfortable but this book is amazing,” but in a “this book sucks so much” way
Same. I have my own kindle, and still I have to buy books time to time. I am weak, and the happiness I find when I receive the books- its the purest of happiness
im so happy i stumbled upon your channel!
i love banner no. 2!! so cute
All the banners look great !! But I think the second one is a bit more readable and the colors are the most cohesive in it :)
just finished your latest jack in the books update, i just can't get enough ^^
I like banner number one but I think the third one matches your channel better!
Please do read books of Fredrick Backman!🙏
The second banner is the best!!!
If you wantba sad story, look into residential schools in Canada. Children were systemically removed from their families, abused and neglected to the point of death in some cases. Reconciliation is a difficult thing to approach, but so necessary.
Banner #1 I my favorite. It also fits your bookshelf theme.
Listen I also have toooo many books on my shelf TBR I feel u 🥺🥰
I love the first banner!
Banner number two is HYPE
also I absolutely love this idea of picking what to read next! eat away at your tbr list from both ends
You really came through when I'm having a crappy week. Thank you.
I feel so lucky, I got house on the cerulean sea kindle version for free off Amazon. Looking forward to read it now!
I just read Circe for summer reading homework and I can say that it is INCREDIBLE
sir you deserve subscribers and all the books in the world. that’s all thank you.
I like the second banner best! :)
I might have to do this with all of my unread books
You will love Circe. There are people who prefer it over the song of achilles.
As you already know, the author brilliantly weaves the figures of Greek mythology in a cohesive way which astounds me considering how many characters showed up.
Circe is written as a flawed but feels perfect at the same time, character.
It can be slow at times, but it works with the tone of the novel, but it is one of those books that even if you need a break from it at times, you still want to pick it up and find out more. It is very character driven.
I think you will enjoy it.
banner #2 all the way. It is exquisite and matches your channel perfectly.
Jack, there is this gripping book called "27 śmierci Toby'ego Obeda" [eng. 27 deaths of Toby Obed) that talks about the indigenous people in Canada and how they were taken to those schools as a part of racial assimilation. It is translated into english from polish from what i know - right now it's probably the most talked about book in poland as it's so shocking. It's literally a dream of mine to see you read it and discuss it when in comes out in english.
am super keen to hear what you think of Where the Crawdads Sing. as you say everyone raves about it but I really wasn't keen... to me it read like bad YA fiction wrapped up in good, albeit too much, nature writing. the characters were so flat and not believable at all imo
Banner Nr one is my favorite, but that might just be me with my colour obsession😛
i love your reviews. the way you summarize a book makes me feel like i've already read it, if that makes sense?? i'll be like "hell yea that's what i thought too" and then i go like ".. lmao hold on, i haven't read this"
Honestly Where the Crawdads Sing is bloody fantastic. Read it now. Haha
fyi, the reverse of an oedipus complex is an electra complex
I have this problem with the library, I always get 15 new ones when I have like 12 at home 🤦♂️
*Looking at the books I got from the library today even though I have enough books at home*
Banner two is the best for you and let’s be honest who doesn’t love to go out and buy books? Reading books, buying books and shopping for books are all amazing experiences
i think that with the sixties scoops (native children being stolen from their homes) coming up in this video this is a good opportunity to encourage jack to educate himself on the deeply traumatic and long history of indigenous people of canada. especially considering he himself is British and the trauma of the sixties scoop are still seen today in native youth contributing to many issues one of which being the suicide epidemic.
As a Canadian, I really appreciate your views on residential schools. The last couple months have been difficult on the majority of the population of Canada because they have discovered countless unmarked graves of live that were taken too soon due to genocide and most of the world never pictures something like that happening in Canada. I have had a lot of trouble grappling with the fact that this happened to the indigenous people of our great country. I hope that we can all learn from what happened and learn to listen to their stories to make sure that this never happens again, in Canada or anywhere else in the world.