12 trending books, ranked from worst to best

[@reihino6347]

As an Albanian I was really happy to have such a prolific Albanian author mentioned in one of your videos. Ismail Kadare unfortunately died today, the same day this video was posted. May he rest in peace.

[@sakiko3460]

Me too❤

[@workhard9097]

R.I.P Ismail Kadare (interesting how we got a review the day he died, thanks for the review Jack! Kadare has other good books I think are worth reading)

[@Sara-om4oz]

I was about to write the same!! Albania is talking about Kadare everywhere since his passing today but I did not expect Jack to review a book of his. For the record, the best book from Kadare is definitely Doruntine in my opinion.

[@stardust_and_stories2424]

everytime jack uploads anything my tbr stands like a cult leader with a goblet ready to welcome the new books

[@tillydavvers]

Already cackling 'Kiley Reid said come and get it, turns out i dont really want it'😂😂😂

[@UKLeonie]

When I saw it selling for 1.99 I knew not to bother such a shame.

[@annaphallactic]

Doppelganger is one of the most important political books of our current century. More people need to read it! I found it incredibly captivating in a nightmarish way.

[@AemySD]

It sounds fascinating! That one I'll be adding yo my TBR!

[@jaimee-kate]

So glad to hear that the new Amor Towles is great. I just read A Gentleman in Moscow and I was really blown away

[@hanaselmani7485]

so happy to hear an Albanian author be mentioned! Ismail Kadare is an amazing writer and I would highly recommend reading his book Doruntine - it is more plot heavy and has a lot to do with Albanian folklore and tradition so I think its the quintessential Kadare book. I also wrote my high school graduation thesis on a comparison between Doruntine and Hamlet so maybe thats something to excite you

[@Shelf_Improvement]

I read The Rachel Incident in June and it was amazing. The friendship in that book is iconic

[@toocoolformiddleschoolblog]

The Deaf history parts in True Biz were the principal’s lesson plans. I loved that book!!

[@amywoolner99]

Every time I watch a Jack Edwards video I have to have my tbr list open because I just know Jack will talk about at least one book in a way that has me needing to buy and read it immediately

[@user-di8or2yv8d]

I loved reading books from the very beginning of my life but as the days go by, I get less time for reading books (College has almost killed my love for books), thank you Jack for your awesome book recs. Maybe someday I'll pick up a book again.💗

[@jil8091]

I totally get you. I loved reading as a child but school in general kind of ruined it for me ☹️ recently I started again, it's like some sort of workout. At the beginning it's exhausting and you need to force yourself to read a few pages a day but now it's way easier, I read faster and I enjoy it a lot.

[@rachel5399]

You will. Once school settles, and your mind still craves that stimulation, you'll pick up a book one day and devour it. I didn't read my first whole year at university. I never had time. Any time I did had was working, sleeping, studying, or doing chores and errands. So many chores and errands. Picking up shifts to be able to afford to study. Life just takes time.

[@limbpearl3483]

That happened to me too, school took away the passion I have for my two favorite hobbies which are reading and drawing, but I’ve been slowly getting into them again and it feels amazing!!

[@kyris66]

I'm in the middle of reading You Are Here and Doppelganger is on my bookshelf. I was sucked in straight away with You Are Here because *I'm* a Geography teacher and Michael's thoughts on that first field trip with his students are my thoughts 90% of the time when I'm out in nature with other people lol. Representation!

[@anviurjitadixit1590]

such perfect timing for me i JUST yesterday saw blue sisters on the shelf at my fav bookstore and couldn't decide should i get it or not *adds to the unfinished n infinite reading list*

[@alarialessard-northrup8834]

finally more books to add to my tbr (i already have 500)

[@paraliangirl]

1118 on mine.... 🙈🙈🙈 it'll take me about 35 years to read them all!

[@janeturner9064]

I'm on about 500 as well - always comforting to read 📚 about others with similar tastes!

[@user-ny1wo1vp9r]

I suggest you give Ismail Kadare (RIP) another try. Broken April is one of my all time favourite books.

[@mxqing_]

finding nemo in the desert is crazy lmaooo

[@mandyellis876]

Some excellent NZ authors are: Maurice Shadbolt, Witi Ihimaera, Katherine Mansfield, CK Stead, Maurice Gee, Janet Frame, Keri Hulme, Ngaio Marsh, Owen Marshall. Three other excellent writers who are NZ based but not from NZ are Charity Norman and Eleanor Catton and Joe Bennett.

[@TheEmzies]

I would add Catherine Chidgey, Becky Manawatu, JP Pomare, Michael Bennett and Emily Perkins as recently published NZ writers.

[@user-bg3um4ve5n]

i would also put foward fleur beale! she has mostly written ya but she is incredibly talented

[@yvonneandbeyond]

Big love for Greta & Valdin! 💚Since I've just moved to New Zealand, this was also such a good window into the culture and sense of humour here. I read it after I was shortlisted and then rejected for a job here, so the comedy was perfect for getting me out of my bad mood. So crack-up yet also honest and heartfelt.😃So many great recs, thanks!

[@paraliangirl]

blue sisters really resembles Hello Beautiful by Ann Napoletano, which coincidentally I just finished! So I'll put it on my to read list but I'll wait a while 😅

[@joriskuipers4112]

Water technically isn't wet. It just makes the surfaces it touches wet.

[@rachel5399]

🙄

[@Pazoo_underscore]

okay but do you think lava is wet?

[@joriskuipers4112]

@@Pazoo_underscore No. Lava is a fluid of molten stone, but it is too hot to be regarded as wet. When cooled off, lavastones can get wet, however

[@nicholas7695]

We actually spent a class in chemistry talking about this. We concluded water is sticky. Think about condensation or how when water rolls down glass little drops stick behind.

[@Pazoo_underscore]

@@joriskuipers4112 nooooo I've had too many arguments I will not back down now. I swear of you had it hot enough and you could handle the heat it's in it would feel wet

[@sarahloomis2034]

Excited for the claw! For flip my tbr, a fun twist might be picking a review book thats the opposite of your mood book - in themes, pacing, tropes, whatever.

[@rachel5399]

I got an early release copy of Blue Sisters, and ive been reading it for at least 2 months now. This is a sign to keep reading it!

[@darlingdovely]

I agree so much about True Biz 😭 I loved all the insight into ASL and deaf culture but the actual story and characters felt completely flat. Not to mention that it feels like the book ended 3/4ths of the way through the plot- the big climax happens but almost nothing is resolved afterwards. Was so frustrating to read

[@user-ee2cn6sx5n]

The Rachel Incident is one of my favorite books of all time, I've been raving about it ever since i read it and am glad that it is getting recognition!

[@jessthomas7210]

Blue Sisters is just everything. She explored the themes of grief and addiction so well, I am a recovered addict who lost a sibling at a young age and omg she put my feelings on the page just loved it

[@hennamontana222]

I CANNOT wait for Blue Sisters to come out in Paperback !! I read the first sentence and with such gorgeous writing, I’m so excited to read it.

[@jani8959]

OH my god. no way. we just read doppelganger in school and i have an assignment about this book due in 2 weeks

[@mishripettinger6242]

the new zealand mention made my heart so happy omg, even though I'm from nz i must admit i haven't read a lot of books by kiwi authors so i appreciate the recommendation

[@SesameIsMe]

Comfort librarian is back!!

[@WhisperingEchoes56]

Woah I got here fast

[@maehex]

there's nothing on youtube as exciting and fun as a new jack video

[@caitlinchoate4982]

I loved True Biz! I’m sorry you didn’t like it. 😢

[@biavezestres]

the short story about a writer you mentioned in “table for two” reminded me of “The Writer Who Never Felt Love” by B. Sobreira. it’s a Brazilian short story about a writer who feels like he has nothing to say because he never experienced love, which is the foundation to most stories. i would looove to hear your thoughts on it :)

[@lavenderrosecosplay5639]

That sounds so interesting! Thank you for mentioning it.

[@itsGabrielaCristina]

Currently reading Greta & Valdin (loving it) & my next read is Blue Sisters. It’s going to be a GREAT month 💃🏻

[@monicamesecar9126]

So sorry to hear that you didn’t like True Biz! I hope you’ll still consider reading books highlighting folks with disabilities in the future! This is a YA novel but I really enjoyed The First Thing About You by Chaz Hayden.

[@knz730]

I hope your review doesn't put people off True Biz. I disagree, I thought it was nuanced in how it wove ASL and deaf culture snippets into the narrative, and it definitely related to what had been covered in the preceding chapter. You've also not quite gotten the translation of True Biz right - in the narrative is was used to mean "real talk", as in "can I be real with you", not "seriously?" (said with sarcasm), which makes me think you didn't read it very carefully or closely. It's rare to get own voices novels about the deaf community and this was an interesting one. And if you know very little about deaf culture, it's worth reading for that alone (and is nothing like reading a text book, it's genuinely a very human look into the culture).

[@PsiFi72]

My problem with these books is they aren't written to be enjoyed. They're written to be important and prestigious. It upsets me that in fifty years they will be taught in literature classes. I have a B.A. in English literature and a lot of what I read in college was just...so bad. Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad is a mess, both in plot and grammar. Why would anyone want to read the sheer misery of Ethan Frome?? The definition of literature is a work that has universal appeal and stands the test of time. None of these qualify, but they are adored by people as "serious works." You know what will never be considered literature, but should be? Strangers from the Sky, a Star Trek novel. It's a wonderful book that addresses human nature and touches the heart, without being stuffy. The writers who people love, like Dickens, Austen, Shakespeare, yes, they tackled important issues, but also genuinely sought to entertain their audiences. I would love to see you read and review Strangers from the Sky and other books in the science fiction/fantasy or horror genres. There is some genuinely great stuff there, as well truly horrible stuff, yes. Everyone has their own tastes, but I think you would be pleasantly surprised. Sorry for the rant, but I've watched a few videos on books and this just bubbled up in me.

[@irinav2860]

This is a really good point, but that might also be the case with some of these books. I m quite enjoying the Rachel incident at the moment. Have you read all or most of the ones he mentiones?

[@PsiFi72]

@@irinav2860 To be honest, I had never even heard of any of these books. From his descriptions and what I've read about them on Amazon, I'm 98% certain that I wouldn't enjoy them. The only non-fiction I read is Christian (Max Lucado, C.S. Lewis, et al) and I read nothing that smacks of existentialism. When getting my degree, I liked British literature a lot more than American literature. So much of American Literature is "Boohoo. Life is stupid. Nothing means anything, so I can't be blamed for being an ignorant little twit and accidentally destroying my life." Again, Etham Frome. LOL The only book here that might be somewhat interesting is You Are Here. The Rachel Incident...to be honest, I would have a hard time sympathizing with someone wanting to sleep with her married professor. Young and dumb only excuses so much. I knew that was wrong, by the time I got to college. Honestly, the best things I've read this year are a book on the Lord's Prayer by Max Lucado, a couple of ghost stories by Darcy Coates, and the first book of the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander.

[@irinav2860]

@@PsiFi72 I understand, but I do think that there are a lot of good books with unlikeable characters, or characters that don't follow our moral guidelines (Crime and punishmenent for example). Thinking of this example, with the Rachel incident, I don't think reading the book means you are aligned with the main character's actions, but could be because cheating is a part of life, and it still can be an interestimg topic to debate. Going back to your points, I also miss the feeling that some older books gave me, just like you mentioned, that they were written to be ejoyed, I sometimes get that feeling with newer ones, but more rarely. 🩷

[@PsiFi72]

@@irinav2860 Well, sure, you can't have a good villain, if you're not willing to read amoral and immoral stuff. I just can't bring myself to read books where none of the characters are likable. There's gotta be at least one. lol I'm not at all saying The Rachel Incident is a bad book, that it's wrong to read it. It just doesn't sound interesting at all to me. Yes, cheating is a fact of life and there are probably valuable things to be written about it. But, it just sounds boring to me. I'm sorry if I came across wrong. I think the reason for the difference in books now and then is...Dickens and Austen wrote for the masses. They wanted as many different people as possible to read their books. Unfortunately, nowadays a lot of authors write to appeal to critics and bestseller lists. They aren't trying to be accessible at all. They writing to some imagined intellectual elite, an inteligensia of sorts. They're writing "deeply," making sure to add symbolism and what have you, that they fail mostly to just...write a good story. And this weird thing about genres doesn't help. Like, science fiction, fantasy, and especially horror are almost never considered literature. Though, the greatest writer of our century is probably Stephen King. I've never read his works, but James Patterson is probably up in the top ten and Brandon Sanderson, too. But, they get dismissed, because they write for genres, not with intent of being "serious literature." It makes me angry laugh, because Dickens characters were people like Pickwick and the Artful Dodger. lol If he was writing today, critics would hate him.

[@ren0387]

lmao the yapping bit killed me. so relatable 😆i LOVED greta and valdin! cant wait to read some of these other recs!

[@daKal481]

I love your enthusiasm. Thanks for some great suggestions. I am a huge Amor Towles fan too.

[@connie.anahata]

I read Rachel Incident 1.5 months ago and I still think about it every other day, so good!

[@dace8828]

excellent. needed some recs

[@Shiri662]

Doppelgänger was not only one of the most thought-provoking books I’ve read this year, but it also deeply affected me emotionally.
To comment on what you said: Being Jewish does not necessarily mean having a relationship with or knowledge about Israel.

[@rachaelvhorne]

I just finish Bellies by Nicola Dinan and it had me sobbing by the end. Now reading The Rachel Incident which seems appropriate since it’s the last birthday of my 20s this week 😅

[@isaw9969]

Hi Jack! I was wondering if u've ever read a Dutch classic book? If not, i really really recommend 'de kleine johannes'/'little Johannes'. It's a dutch 'Bildungsroman' and is just such an interesting and charming read. Alltho some more cultural things (like of the Christianity in the Netherlands at the time, and how deeply critisized it was for being critical of the Christian religion/practises, i think it is still a super interesting book for everyone. It really explores the different stages of a child growing up in such a peculiar way. I really want more people to know of it, cause it is just such a mesmerizing book!
plot synopsis with small spoilers, mayhaps: a young boy, Johannes, wakes up after sneaking out on a boat in the lake near his house. next to him is a dragonfly-like creature. It talks to Johannes about the life around him and explores it with him. Next, they meet a small gnome-ish creature, who takes over Johannes and makes him yearn not to just know, but to also understand the world. Next, he meets an older creature, who takes him away from the safe and shows him the mundane life, and the death that comes with it.
The different creatues he meets all have to do with a certain stage in a child's development of child to teen. It deals with death, love, curiosity, family, and, mostly, growing up, and what it means to grow up, especially as a young dutch boy in the 1900's

[@atresearch]

Belgian in the US here, and appreciate your suggestion! I was a young girl when we moved, but can read in Dutch/Flemish, so am putting this on my TBR.

[@isaw9969]

@@atresearch ohh please do! its just such a charming, amazingly profound book about what it means to grow from a child with childlike wonder to a child who knows the world with all it's dark colours. It's quite a short read (around 120 pages) and can be found in pdf-form online!

[@atresearch]

@@isaw9969 Thank you!

[@AlyC92]

Bought Blue Sisters yesterday. Apparently I made a great decision. Will start reading it tonight 😂❤

[@danaekoloka9819]

7:40 as a twin myself this would definitely make me cry

[@AO2437.]

Coco Mellor’s book is on.my.list!!! Loved Cleopatra and Frankenstein!

[@hladinibhosale]

I have never been this fast but YAY NEW VIDEO!!!!!!

[@imperfectanimal57]

This is a reminder to reread my favorite book The Master and Margarita. Thank you :).

[@roseneild4101]

The master and margarita is very cool and an excellent take on the relationship between the Stalin regime and artists. I have just finished it (again)

[@amiepalette]

one day i hope jack finally reads either bras cubas by machado or the hour of the star by clarisse lispector i wanna see his reaction to brazilian literature bc i feel its something hed enjoy a lot 🥺

[@SesameIsMe]

assignments? nah. Jack's video: HELL YEAH

[@l_vidhi0766]

Wow! Good timing!

[@katiemcgraw4751]

1. I didn’t like Such a Fun Age and feel very gratified that Come and Get It isn’t get good reviews.
2. Can’t believe you loved The Rachel Incident that much! I liked it, definitely a four star but flawed. If you’re looking for another great Irish read, please please check out Tender by Belinda McKeon, it’s stellar.
3. Cannot wait for Blue Sisters to come out!!! Cleopatra and Frankenstein was my top read of 2023.

[@lissieabigail3219]

im suprised you didnt love true biz because I LOVED this book. fascinates me how different people have different preferences

[@antoniastrobl6262]

Could you please make videos where you recommend books that were originally in another language so we can learn new languages by reading the book in it’s original language? (and with the translation as help)
Specifically Portuguese

[@longsotheary116]

I saw Blue Sisters in a bookstore near my house and it’s a freaking 25$ for a paperback. I put it back to the shelf

[@artemis7496]

Hey jack i've got a video idea for you: "can i guess the book title based on their 1 star or 5 star reviews?"

[@shaunsshelf]

Greta and Valdin is one of my fav books of the year 💚

[@martinadevita8342]

As someone who hated Cleopadra & Frankenstein, mainly because I found the characters too stereotyped and I didn't like the writing, do you think I could try with Blue Sisters? Is it different from C&F?

[@vitoriaarruda2968]

Same here 🙋 I was wondering exactly the same thing, whether I should give the author a second chance

[@itsmevanja4611]

I would say it is very much the same, although i prefered C&F more, which spekks for itself

[@lotsoflovedisha727]

how jack seamlessly introduces the sponsors never take to surprise me

[@ceburr]

Nooooo not the bad review for the book about my university! (But I’d honestly been wondering if come and get it was any good if you didn’t go to the U of A.)

[@francescatelari]

Please do it regularly

[@y2kslay]

why don’t people like such a fun age or come and get it
weird
both were five stars for me but i’m a black woman..
maybe yall weren’t the target demographic

[@hladinibhosale]

my reading challenge is so bland and it hasn’t been updated at all. I think im in a slump now 😭 im starting The Book Thief , hopefully it’ll get me out of it. Do you have any other recommendations?

[@selahdamerville4039]

The book thief is my favorite my you might get bored in the middle! You might want to pick a thriller or something to get out of the slump!

[@tanushabansal3036]

How about some short books to get u out of a reading slump? A nice rec is the midnight library
It’s short, has a magical element, and also is kind of self help

[@hladinibhosale]

@@selahdamerville4039 omgg thank you! Do you have any recommendations?

[@hladinibhosale]

@@tanushabansal3036 omg thank you so much!!! Will definitely try it out!!!

[@tanushabansal3036]

@@hladinibhosale you’re welcome!! I just thought of another rec and a shorter one “this is how you lose the war” it’s very very interesting, two spies write each other love letter and fall in love like that

[@mmelivresque8613]

Thank you for all this content Jack ♡♡♡

[@krasidelcheva3965]

Controversial opinion, buut I honestly didn't like Blue Sisters as much as I hoped/expected I would after reading Cleopatra and Frankenstein. Don't get me wrong, Coco Mellors' style of writing never fails to mesmerise me, but the whole story fell a little bit flat on me. In the sense that the characters and the whole family dynamic between them felt a tad bit artificial and cliche at times. Also somehow I found the book not long enough to get attached to the characters, it almost felt like it was wrapped in a hasty somewhat predictable way? I dunno, just my opinion, but for sure I'll be on the lookout for Coco Mellors future works

[@jessicahamilton2747]

if you need more nz author recommendations, i think you’d love the axemans carnival by catherine chidgey. it’s cleverly written from the perspective of a magpie living with a couple in the south island countryside. it’s funny, witty and truly one of my favourite books

[@bubulul]

i didn't liked cleopatra and frankenstein that much. would you still recommend blue sisters?

[@rachel5399]

I got an early release for it and I've been reading it for months. It's definitely good(so far), it's just a little slow. I think the writing is good, and the depth is there, the characters do feel real and their pain and ways of grieving differently are very relatable and understanding, but I havent read Cleopatra and Frankenstein, so I don't know your critques or disliking for it, but I would imagine it's some of the same given that I've been reading a lot and I vary between being interested in finishing it while also disinterested in picking it up as opposed to reading the like 5 others books I've managed to finish since I started reading Blue Sisters lol.

[@bubulul]

@@rachel5399 i'm fine with a slow read and don't need a plot, but deep characters and the vibe are important for me. in cleopatra and frankenstein there were only two side characters i liked and they appeared like three times. but you said the characters in blue sister have depth and are relateble so i might give it a shot

[@nl3064]

The way you describe the structure of that Dictator Calls novel makes it sound basically like Rashomon.
So... It's just a story about the Rashomon effect.

[@molokoistka]

Have you read Poor Things? I would be interested in your opinion

[@selahdamerville4039]

I can’t be the only one who is in survival mode until jack posts

[@nonu614]

I didn’t care much for “Such a Fun Age” so I know for darn sure I won’t “Come and Get It”.

[@lyndaanderson2158]

Table for Two was such a good book. Towles has become a favorite author of mine

[@monikamurgova2778]

A great book from Sara Nović is her first book, Girl at War, that one was truly truly good and sad and amazing.

[@aisyah900]

Jack you NEED to read Our Wives Under The Sea and Private Rites by Julia Armfield!!!! I love both of the books so much I would love to hear your thoughts about the books!!!!!

[@thatmediocreartist1234]

I also felt disappointed by true biz. I know asl and have deaf friends, not I'm not myself. I remember finishing it feeling like I missed something.

[@noshoes1588]

I'm surprised Martyr isn't being as discussed as i thought it would its incredible

[@traciecardone6778]

I got Blue Sisters for review and i swear that story gave me life after a buch of mid reads. 😊

[@pumpkin.doodler3296]

Dude I NEED a review of "The Silent Patient" from you 🙏🙏🙏

[@veroreadviews]

Finding nemo in the desert hahaha

[@jenniferkate7167]

Doppelganger is definitely a conversation starter but it was such a drag, and quite obvious, so I honestly wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It's also the only Women's NF longlist book I read, before it won lol.

[@user-ry9cn4dn2b]

Any Recommendations For A New Reader Who Picks Up A Book Barely Completes It And Doesn't Read For Months After, And Then Picks Up A New Book Again, So Far I Have Read, Call Me By Your Name, Book Lovers, And The Most Recent One They Both Die At The End, Any Recommendations With Books Similar To These Ones?

[@HeatherMascara]

Blue sisters sounds so interesting but I didn’t like Cleopatra and Frankenstein. 😕

[@katyblack4103]

wanted to read rn but watching this kinda counts as well right?

[@SevenUnwokenDreams]

Dying to read Greta and Valdin. I'm sad you didn't like Come and Get It. I haven't read it yet, but I've really been wanting to; had a feeling I would love it.

[@ronacarroll81]

You need to read more NZ authors! So many great books in NZ.

[@starlightavenue99]

Jack, I just want to thank you for the recommendation of "Nightcrawling", it touched me deeply and I'll recommend it to everyone who'll listen 🥰

[@xanthippikipou2531]

Oh God, on the day we lost Kadare, what a timing, RIP

[@misselphie78]

I read the Rachel Incident and put in my reading journal “I bet this is a book Jack would like” 😂

[@rachel43274]

I have Come and Get It on my shelves, I'm hoping I have a bit more sucess with it than you did since I work at a University
I loved True Biz so maybe we don't match up on reading tastes 😂

[@maureencalder9911]

So happy to hear your comments on Greta & Valdin, it is a great NEW ZEALAND book and should be read by everyone.

[@marianaferreira5680]

Jack u must read José Saramago

[@emmal7510]

13:00 As a lover of speculative fiction, I already know I'd probably want to chuck that book across the room.

[@theodoesthings]

finding nemo in the desert is crazyyyyyyy

[@mehr4545]

thank you for posting

[@emelineinbk]

Loving this type of video!

[@pariakabiri]

What's up with your podcast? Should we be expecting it any time soon?

[@fatimasajid1026]

Finding Nemo analogy 😂😂

[@negarshahhosseini7633]

Omg you look so good in black ❤

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Jack likes to read and we like to find new things to add to our TBR.