I so applaud your bravery and humanity in publishing this video. I have only recently discovered the world of book reviewers, and you have quickly risen to the top of reviewers I visit regularly. Please don't disrespect yourself by ever feeling powerless. Your message in this video should be mandatory for every person in the world. I am going to be 76 on Halloween, and it breaks my heart that there have not been enough people throughout my lifetime who have taken a stance for groups of people not like them. You are a beacon in a world where light seems to be failing. Your daughter is glorious. You are insightful. Thank you so much for a message so vital to us all.
thank you for this video - and I too feel the grief ... especially today - I live in Maine and not a 1/2 hours ride to where the mass shooting took place last night - and this suspect is still not found. Frightening and can't even begin to imagine how I would discuss this with my children - if they were still young. Reaching out to them this morning - to touch base ( they are now in their 20s ). Hold all you love close to your heart. I pray for a safer world every night. 😢
I cry every time I watch the news. It’s terrible to feel helpless . All I can think of to do is to 1. Make a donation to Doctors Without Borders 2. Write to politicians to make a ceasefire to come about 3. Learn that “ an eye for an eye and the whole world is blind”
You have been on my mind for two days and here I am. I’ve followed you for so many years and your integrity and heart are still as strong and filled with compassion as ever. I am grateful to know you. The war is terrifying. As you said, action and bearing witness is in our power. So is love and empathy to our friends who are Jewish and Palestinians. 💯 love to you
Thank you for your concern. As a Jewish person I am so torn by the Hamas atrocities and I also feel empathy for innocent Palestians as well. You are very brave and I applaud your bearing witness.
April, I have watched you for awhile now. Thank you for posting this video. I have been struggling too. I am an empathetic person like you and I have been so horrified and I just can’t even fathom how a lot of people have lost whole families. So much loss and suffering. Don’t be sorry! Yes, I will bear witness! You have been heard! I read the Family Game. It was entertaining. Anyway.. ☮️ to you my dear!💟
Thank you so much. It's devastating to watch whole families vanish from the face of the earth. And it is devastating to be hearing more and more information on what happened on October 7. I'm praying for peace.
I like to watch your channel for you, not necessarily the books you read. (I'm not a big thriller reader.) I like your personality and your humanity, which you openly shared today.
I watched this with trepidation because I’ve been shocked at some of the posts by people I follow. People that usually talk about books and cats are encouraging people to join protest marches against Israel and worse. Your words are so compassionate and fair. As a Jewish mother I’ve really struggled over the past few weeks due to all the violence and fear. The way those babies and children murdered and kidnapped have been forgotten is disgraceful, even if you don’t agree with Netanyahu’s response. I’m so pleased to hear you are reading up on the subject because so many people just talk without any knowledge. I find my peace in Booktube and trashy tv because I’ve been struggling to read. So I hope you continue to film videos about books as I’m sure other people need a diversion as well. Sending love and a big hug ❤
I've been doing the same. I'm watching a lot of Love Island Games. Honestly anything that takes my mind away is good. Yes, I've been very hesitant to join any marches because of some of the signs that I've seen at them. I do want the war to end. But I just could never stand the idea of being somewhere where I might see a swastika or antisemitic wording. Antisemitism is not the answer at all. Neither is Islamaphobia. We need to reach a place where we can all acknowledge the pain that people have experienced and are experiencing. If we can't acknowledge one another's pain and fear, how can we move forward? We all want our children to be safe. Sending you a big hug back and hope you are taking care of yourself.
I learned in 2015 when I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer I felt many of the emotions you are feeling. Our world has become a crazy ugly world, what gets me through is to ask myself, “can I change this? In what way can I change it?” Your ideas of writing your congressmen kudos but as we know they don’t even listen to us. May you find peace in the Serenity Prayer! Many times prayer is all we can do! I pray you find peace in your own world! Continue to spread your thoughts I believe that helps us all!
It's been the main thing on my mind too. I follow some activists who have been posting the truth of what’s been happening in Gaza - and it’s absolutely heartbreaking!!! I get how your feeling, and by looking at the vast majority of comments on these awful posts about what’s been happening - you're not alone!! Most people are calling for a ceasefire!! It just makes you feel so helpless ☹️
Thank you for your honesty, April. I, too, am bearing witness---yet this situation is so bloody hard. My emotions, like yours, are raw and forever shifting. (btw: I am glad you retracted your apology. Canadian or not--you should never feel sorry for sharing your heart.) I wish you (and the rest of the planet,) peace. xx
Thanks for this video. I agree that it seems so strange to go on with our lives and hell is happening to so many right now. But I hope you continue with book tube❤
I will continue. I just couldn’t continue without talking about the war. It felt so wrong. It also still feels weird that we get to talk books when you’re right so many are living through hell
@@GettingHyggeWithIt I agree 100%, first Ukraine and now this, it's a lot to take in. Makes me love my books more though, cause I need to escape every now and then
I have really been struggling too. Reading has been helping me through. When the world seems like too much reading has kept me going. I know many don’t have the privilege of escapism that I do but it is what is getting me through right now.
Absolutely. Reading gives us all a space to get away from this world and into another one that’s less complicated (unless you read fantasy. Then it’s more complicated lol).
I remember, when the war in Ukraine started last year, i had 3 weeks of a semi-catatonic state, being so close to the border with Ukraine. The threat of nuclear war, the whole distruction of the cities which are so similar to the Romanian ones - the feeling it could be here, that these people fight and die so we don't have to, imagining what they must be going through, the rapes and murders and the common graves, the so called 'denazification' of an innocent people, the refugees flooding the country, the russian propaganda ... It was so consuming, that nothing else seemed to have any meaning. Now it's happening again. The all-pervasive horror of war.
I wish I could reach through the screen to give you a hug. That sounds awful. And I remember too how it felt like nuclear war could be upon us at any moment. Absolutely terrifying. I hope you are keeping as well as you can. Xo
Well, as with all the awful things in the world, the ugly truth is that life does go on in the end. And we can hope for peace and also do something about it. Otherwise, like that saying in the LOTR, 'the fires of Isengard will spread, [...] And all that was once great and good in this world will be gone.' Replace Isengard with Hamas, or Putin or Iran or...
You are really sweet and genuine. A really good podcast that breaks down the conflict is the Jordan Is My Lawyer podcast. She does non biased news and has 2 commited episodes to the conflict. However, this conflict has been going on for such a long time. Neither side is willing to bend and I think it's gotten to a point where both sides are willing to completely extinguish the other. It's disturbing from a humanitarian standpoint, yes, but as an American (who is 1/4 Jewish by heritage Christian by faith which I'm only saying bc I do care these people are part of me) with fighting age children I do not want the US involved whatsoever. They have to work this out themselves over there. I think after seeing the deep history it becomes obvious that time after time no matter how hard anyone outside has tried peace has not ever been established by other nations becoming involved. Most of the time it got worse. We dont need WWIII that would be even more devastating and I believe that is what the powers at be want. It almost seems as if that is the plan and I am just so not for that. It's hard it's especially hard for truly empathetic people. Of course always stay true to yourself and do what you believe is the right thing. I admire u for speaking on it bc it was weighing on your heart a lot of people wouldnt have a lot of people haven't ❤
I have been trying to cut back on news. We live in difficult times. Books take me to a different place and that’s what I love about them. I’m happy to see the bangs are back. Much love
I am Jewish and have some friends that went over there from the US for a family event are now stuck there. My other friend whole family is there not far from the kibbutz. I cry watching this.
There are so many innocent people who are suffering, seemingly because of the whims of a few. It’s beyond heartbreaking. So many things can be true at once, and our society’s tendency to forget the nuance and see all of it in black and white is harmful, so I appreciate the complexity of your thoughts. Thanks for addressing it.
I’m so sad about this Speaker they voted in as I feel he will cut off aid to Ukraine. They need our help. Know what you mean! Feel so sad for the innocent Israeli people as well as all of the innocent Palestinians. Stop WARS! It serves no purpose.
I’ve barely been learning about us politics lately (which is rare for me) but I’ve heard he denied the election? Ugh. That’s not really going to be helpful…
It was nice to hear your thoughts on what is going on. I do feel like so many of the people I follow casually either just mentioned it once but with not much attention and life went back to usual. It’s horrifying on all the acts of violence that have been committed. I pray there will be a ceasefire before more innocent lives are taken.
I will be sticking around to hear everything you say. I struggle with my mental health in a big way x I came here from victorias channel xx she holds you in the highest regard x
Israel is commiting genocide. And we cannot be complicit. And I totally feel the same asi you. It’s so hard to be far away and watch this unfold. Everything feels so trivial. We need to be more empathetic. And good for you for speaking out loud about this.
It’s been absolutely horrible to witness. I’m following these Palestinian woman sharing what they are seeing and it’s just insane. I don’t know how they are able to go on. I want to reach through the screen and save them
Your mental health is important, why not take a break and then after a couple of months away decide if booktube is something that you want to continue to do. Things happen that make us change our path in life. I am not saying to continue or not to continue just that you have to do what is best for your mental health.
Absolutely. I think I've put this into the right perspective now which is I need to take action to feel like I can carry on. I need to take action and learn and then also speak. And that's what I'm doing here.
Hello April, I am Jewish and I am conflicted as you can imagine. I have close friends in Israel, and when you see babies being slaughtered and being held hostage the depravity is unthinkable., I feel that what is happening in Gaza is also a tragedy, and I feel for the innocent Palestinian people. I pray for peace. Aloha
I love you April. Yes it’s true we don’t really know one another beyond our brief interactions on this medium over the years, but you so often put into words how I feel. My mental health has been suffering for close to a decade for what has happened in my own country and around the world. For exactly the same reasons you have mentioned, so few people seem to care. Seems like the end of humanity as we know it is upon us or at best very near. Thanks for speaking your truth today my friend. I’m so glad for you and your platform.
April, mine too. I thought about that driving home from a physical therapy session I thought the SAME THING. People don't have food, water, safety. Very horrific. I have to watch it too or I would cry all the time.
Thank you for sharing your feelings. I echo then and applaud you for using your channel in this way. It is very hard to watch the images of human suffering and there is always be wars as long as the true forces of evil, those that profit from the armaments trade, exist.
Some people have been conditioned not to care, or, it’s not me or I’m not suffering….it’s not purpose it’s that they are so many atrocities and there are few that bring forward emotions and love and fellowship. I personally don’t care what is what I just want all this to stop. Everything. Everyone’s suffering. I bare witness to it, I’ve written, I’ve donated. I don’t feel I’m getting anywhere but I feel I need to do something. I’m implored by your honesty, I feel like you. Some people have become hardened…..open your hearts people
Hi Sue, that's exactly how I'm feeling. I'm going to learn, witness and speak up. And while we might not feel like we're getting anywhere if we all individually do this we WILL get somewhere. I have to believe in that.
What is happening is terrible. I understand your need to be able to express your opinions and I greatly appreciate your sensitivity and your desire to show the reality in which we live.
Just watched this! I agree that it’s been hard to just exist knowing what is happening in this war. Sometimes I turn on BookTube channels and I just want one person to act as if there are innocent people being killed and terrorized. Especially the channels I follow where the channel features ‘Christian’ lifestyle vlogs. Thank you for saying all you said.
I appreciate this so much, April. I think so many of us feel the same way. I alternate between being teary eyed and feeling sick & helpless to being so angry! I feel this is really the first time we are seeing a war happen in real time, minute by minute on social media and it’s devastating - I try to step away at times for the sake of my mental health but then on the other hand I feel like the least I can do is bear witness. I understand so much what you mean, I have a bookstagram account and have posted once since the war started and it just felt so nonsensical! But, I know so many of us find some peace in reading. I know I’m all over the place here but just wanted to say I understand and thank you for everything you said! ❤️☮️
It sounds like we are in the same weird boat. Well I think I’ve become more hopeful as I’m taking action to change things. Maybe trying to do a little thing every day or every week will help you too. Sending you lots of love
Aww April. I feel the same way, but I haven’t seen it with my eyes. I’ve read the news. I have been over everything and I can not tell you the last time I have turned my tv on. I haven’t even watched my beloved football. That seems so trivial and focusing on anything for 3-4 hours seems impossible. I am working out though and it’s helping my mental health. I have not been reading physical books but I have at least been listening to audiobooks while working out. In Sept. I read Zero Days and I loved it! I’ve never read anything like it. You know it’s hard to surprise when you mostly read thrillers. Every late summer/early fall I look forward to my favorite 3 - Ruth Ware, Lisa Jewell and Riley Sager and this year Ruth Ware’s was the best imo and I’m glad I read it last. Take care!!! I totally understand if you don’t feel like doing videos.
It is very hard to see it. But I think witnessing it makes us feel more invested and makes us seek information and then act. I really hope you are doing okay. Working out is a wonderful outlet
Wishing you all the best, April. There has been so much pain on the news recently. I definitely want to read Zero Days. I really enjoyed The Turn of the Key by her and it's great to see her venturing into a new genre
Hello, I extremely recommend “Shoot me,i’m already dead” from Julia Navarro, a historic novel about Palestine and Israel. The author is a journalist, one of the most important Spanish authors. The book has fictional characters as well as real life characters and historic moments, great research and helps us understand how both sides lived and felt the conflict. Since Russian revolution (Jews in Russia), arrival to Palestine, World War II, and the aftermath of the war and how the country was divided.
Oh that sounds good. I'm currently reading two nonfiction books that will give me both sides of the history and current reality. But maybe I'll check this out afterwards. Thank you
I had to pull back from following the war in Israel and Palestine quite so closely. My heart breaks for the hostages and their families. I pray for peace for all and for Ukraine. I appreciated hearing your thoughts about this though. I thought The Family Game was a lot of fun and am excited to get to the new Alice Feeney.
I don't disagree at all that war is truly awful. Still I wonder where the line is between bearing witness and self-harming via vicarious trauma. And people all over the world are suffering terribly all of the time. Do we benefit those suffering by bearing witness to their trauma unceasingly, to the point that we may squander the peace and safety we are so lucky to have, feel shameful for moments of joy, and end up physically and mentally suffering as well? I don't know.
Another book rec is “The Olive Grove” from Deborah Rohan, she tells the journey of an Arab family that has to leave Palestine and how does it feel to leave in another country and being an immigrant. Really good book
THE war? Which war though? There are adult people on this planet who have never known anything but war. And yet same as you I was deeply shocked. My cousin in Israel intervened on the places of the attacks and is in shock. Also I was dumbfounded by the reactions, I thought antisemitism was a dying thing, I never thought it was so prevalent and that really shocked me too. I thhink if the US didn't help Israel maintain the anti bomb dome, there we would have a new holocaust again. And you're right, suddenly people were putting the Jewish answer on the same line as the terrorist act. My cousin mentioned that the most horrific murders were not done by HAMAS but by the local population seizing the occasion. And HAMAS hides behind civilians. So not much of a choice. This makes everyone crazy I believe. I think the best action with the hindsight would have been to refuse to retaliate (now they voted for the right), tell the Israeli colons to come out of the Gaza area and cut the energy there.
And the question of where Israel expected the Gazans to go…the answer is Egypt, on the southern border. Egypt is a natural Arab Muslim ally to the Gazans. But Egypt closed the border because they don’t want Hamas to enter. No one is blaming Egypt for that. Still the Jews’ fault.
I was in shock at the fact Hamas were able to enter Israel at all - were the guards on the checkpoints and watchtowers off on their lunch? Were you in shock at the slaughter of Palestinians praying in their mosque? At the murder of Palestinian children over the years?
@@Christine-jg2ch I will not answer your bad-faith questions about whether I feel pain at the deaths of children and people at prayer. How dare you ask me or anyone else that? Israel was caught off guard because Hamas deliberately attacked on Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. I answered that for the sake of people who sincerely might not know.
@@giantcupofcoffee I dare ask that because I’ve seen people sat on an ‘Israeli’ hillside watching the murder of Palestinians for entertainment. I’ve watched very recent videos of ‘Israelis’ throwing drinking water around and turning the lights on and off, making fun of the people who have no access to those things on the whims of the government. That’s how I dare.
Mental health is critical and if it helps to use your channel to vent, then good for you. Reading is not frivolous. It helps people stay sane and find comfort when they can. I’m curious though….what your solution would be after you ask for a cease fire - because you are dealing with brutal terrorists whose ONLY goal is to irradiate Jewish people and the country of Israel from the face of the earth.
April doesn't need to share "a solution" to the Israel/Palestine conflict. She just poured her heart out to us. No one has a solution to any of this, that's why war has continued as long as it has.
Thank you. As a Jewish person, I have learned that the empathy I have for other marginalized groups is not always reciprocated. In Judaism, we believe that other religions must exist. That’s how we were and remain chosen for our covenant - that choice is meaningless without other religions who have their own relationships with their own higher powers. Other people have different paths to where they’re headed. We need Muslims to exist; Hamas wants us d3ad. When “free Palestine” is said to a Jew (esp online in a post that isn’t about Palestine), that means that they want us d3ad; that is how they want Palestine to be freed, by clearing the land with violence. “From the river to the sea” means k1lling all the Jews who live there. I don’t want to know how many Americans are taking those words at their peaceful face value and how many people are joining the chants knowing what those dogwhistles mean. I’m Romanian. My family came to the US before Israel existed. However, Israel is the only country in the world where Jews can seek asylum. Calls to eradicate the Jewish theocratic state (without welcoming those Jews into other countries, because they currently aren’t welcome) is, yes, another dogwhistle for wanting all Jews d3ad. We Jewish people are…tired. Thank you for caring for all. 💜💜
I think the Jewish religion is so beautiful. I’ve actually been learning so much about it this year before all of this happened. Learning about Shabbat and following a bunch of Jewish people on tiktok who celebrate. It’s been lovely. And unlike a lot of Christianity, Judaism asks people to question things and debate things. I just really appreciate it. So I hope you know that although I’m not very religious at all, I appreciate your religion. Very much. Sending you lots of love
I should also say that I don’t think many of the people in North America who may be saying free Palestine have any knowledge of what that means to Jewish people. I think they think of it more as give Palestine freedom to exist without occupation. I don’t think they are thinking at all of Hamas when they say that. But thank you for letting me know how that translates for you. That’s very upsetting as I think Israel has just as much of a right to be in that region as Palestine does.
My ex is Jewish. His family still live there. It is horrible for them. He has holocaust survivors in his family. This is insane. I am of the mind that the IDF should eliminate all terrorists without prejudice. This is the only way they will be safe. I have no more compassion for people who follow the religion of hate. You can delete this comment but i am done with the antisemitism in the world.
Firstly I’m so sorry that your ex’s family is dealing with the horror of October 7. It truly was terrible and terrifying too. That said…The Islamic faith is not a hateful faith. As you know any group of people can use a religion as an excuse to carry out terrible things. This happens in Christianity. It happens in any religion. The faith is not the problem. The way people use faith to their own advantage can be though. Islamaphobia and antisemitism truly cannot have a place in the world if we want peace. I want peace so badly.
Thank you for publishing this video. I appreciate your passion and your kind heart. I don't agree with a lot of what you say because being a member of the US military family and a wife of a man who did 2 tour of duties in Kuwait and saw the atrocities first hand that insane dictators did to their own people. I understand the heartbreaking effects of innocent casualties, Unfortunately that is the nature of war..as bad as that is. Israel has EVERY REASON to retaliate and they should and every country should be coming to their aide. The UN was formed to "keep peace" but please do not be deluded as to its true purpose now. Money corrupts and the UN is very corrupt and different countries and terrorists groups "purchase" it's "support". Was it fair that so many innocent Americans were killed during 9/11? Yes! Was it wrong that we retaliated against the gutless terrorists? YES! That's what countries do when attacked and innocent death is unfortunately part of war. Had Hamas never attacked Israel and killed innocent people then Gaza would not be attacked now and innocent lives would not lost. I stand with Israel! My heart breaks daily listening to these news articles and stories. But again...I stand with Israel and I applaud their bravery to retaliate. I am sad that America is not doing more to help Israel and the Ukraine for that matter too. Tough topic. Thank you for posting it. My suggestion would be to limit your exposure to news and increase your exposure to God.
Hi Susan, I can appreciate that the nature of war is harsh and violent. But there are rules to war. And many of the things I am witnessing now do not sit well with me. Or the UN. I don't believe the UN is corrupt. Please let me know what documentation you're finding that shows the UN to be corrupt. I will certainly read it. I appreciate you reaching out and speaking about your experience of having a family in the military. I imagine that would very much impact your life and I'm sure your family has experienced some extremely difficult things. I hope you are well.
I so applaud your bravery and humanity in publishing this video. I have only recently discovered the world of book reviewers, and you have quickly risen to the top of reviewers I visit regularly. Please don't disrespect yourself by ever feeling powerless. Your message in this video should be mandatory for every person in the world. I am going to be 76 on Halloween, and it breaks my heart that there have not been enough people throughout my lifetime who have taken a stance for groups of people not like them. You are a beacon in a world where light seems to be failing. Your daughter is glorious. You are insightful. Thank you so much for a message so vital to us all.
Happy birthday Sharon! I hope you have a lovely day. And thank you so much for your kind words. They mean a lot to me
I love how compassionate you are for humanity. We need more people like you in this world.
That’s so nice of you to say. Thank you
thank you for this video - and I too feel the grief ... especially today - I live in Maine and not a 1/2 hours ride to where the mass shooting took place last night - and this suspect is still not found. Frightening and can't even begin to imagine how I would discuss this with my children - if they were still young. Reaching out to them this morning - to touch base ( they are now in their 20s ). Hold all you love close to your heart. I pray for a safer world every night. 😢
I cry every time I watch the news. It’s terrible to feel helpless . All I can think of to do is to
1. Make a donation to Doctors Without Borders
2. Write to politicians to make a ceasefire to come about
3. Learn that “ an eye for an eye and the whole world is blind”
Jacqueline I wish I could hug you right now. All of those things are good things to do! Every one of them! Sending you love.
You have been on my mind for two days and here I am. I’ve followed you for so many years and your integrity and heart are still as strong and filled with compassion as ever.
I am grateful to know you.
The war is terrifying. As you said, action and bearing witness is in our power.
So is love and empathy to our friends who are Jewish and Palestinians. 💯 love to you
Cheryl thank you so much for saying this! Sending you SO much love right back to you!!
Thank you for talking about such a difficult and controversial subject. My heart aches for humanity.
Mine does too. We need more humanity and less violence
Thank you for your concern. As a Jewish person I am so torn by the Hamas atrocities and I also feel empathy for innocent Palestians as well.
You are very brave and I applaud your bearing witness.
Hi Linda, I can only imagine how this must feel for you and I’m here for you. Sending you so much love and light.
April, I have watched you for awhile now. Thank you for posting this video. I have been struggling too. I am an empathetic person like you and I have been so horrified and I just can’t even fathom how a lot of people have lost whole families. So much loss and suffering. Don’t be sorry!
Yes, I will bear witness! You have been heard!
I read the Family Game.
It was entertaining.
Anyway.. ☮️ to you my dear!💟
Thank you so much. It's devastating to watch whole families vanish from the face of the earth. And it is devastating to be hearing more and more information on what happened on October 7. I'm praying for peace.
I like to watch your channel for you, not necessarily the books you read. (I'm not a big thriller reader.) I like your personality and your humanity, which you openly shared today.
Thank you so much xo
I watched this with trepidation because I’ve been shocked at some of the posts by people I follow. People that usually talk about books and cats are encouraging people to join protest marches against Israel and worse. Your words are so compassionate and fair. As a Jewish mother I’ve really struggled over the past few weeks due to all the violence and fear. The way those babies and children murdered and kidnapped have been forgotten is disgraceful, even if you don’t agree with Netanyahu’s response. I’m so pleased to hear you are reading up on the subject because so many people just talk without any knowledge. I find my peace in Booktube and trashy tv because I’ve been struggling to read. So I hope you continue to film videos about books as I’m sure other people need a diversion as well. Sending love and a big hug ❤
I've been doing the same. I'm watching a lot of Love Island Games. Honestly anything that takes my mind away is good. Yes, I've been very hesitant to join any marches because of some of the signs that I've seen at them. I do want the war to end. But I just could never stand the idea of being somewhere where I might see a swastika or antisemitic wording. Antisemitism is not the answer at all. Neither is Islamaphobia. We need to reach a place where we can all acknowledge the pain that people have experienced and are experiencing. If we can't acknowledge one another's pain and fear, how can we move forward? We all want our children to be safe. Sending you a big hug back and hope you are taking care of yourself.
I learned in 2015 when I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer I felt many of the emotions you are feeling. Our world has become a crazy ugly world, what gets me through is to ask myself, “can I change this? In what way can I change it?” Your ideas of writing your congressmen kudos but as we know they don’t even listen to us. May you find peace in the Serenity Prayer! Many times prayer is all we can do! I pray you find peace in your own world! Continue to spread your thoughts I believe that helps us all!
It's been the main thing on my mind too. I follow some activists who have been posting the truth of what’s been happening in Gaza - and it’s absolutely heartbreaking!!!
I get how your feeling, and by looking at the vast majority of comments on these awful posts about what’s been happening - you're not alone!!
Most people are calling for a ceasefire!! It just makes you feel so helpless ☹️
Thank you for your honesty, April. I, too, am bearing witness---yet this situation is so bloody hard. My emotions, like yours, are raw and forever shifting. (btw: I am glad you retracted your apology. Canadian or not--you should never feel sorry for sharing your heart.) I wish you (and the rest of the planet,) peace. xx
Wishing you peace as well Lisa. And to the whole world
Thanks for this video. I agree that it seems so strange to go on with our lives and hell is happening to so many right now. But I hope you continue with book tube❤
I will continue. I just couldn’t continue without talking about the war. It felt so wrong. It also still feels weird that we get to talk books when you’re right so many are living through hell
@@GettingHyggeWithIt I agree 100%, first Ukraine and now this, it's a lot to take in. Makes me love my books more though, cause I need to escape every now and then
Super fan from Portugal here!
I have been following you for years. I am also a booktuber.
Please do not quit :)
I have really been struggling too. Reading has been helping me through. When the world seems like too much reading has kept me going. I know many don’t have the privilege of escapism that I do but it is what is getting me through right now.
Absolutely. Reading gives us all a space to get away from this world and into another one that’s less complicated (unless you read fantasy. Then it’s more complicated lol).
💚💚💚 things are awful but I'm very glad you're still here x
THIS is why I love you and your channel ❤
Love ya right back. Thanks for supporting me
Love you for speaking the truth! ❤️
Free Palestine 🇵🇸
I remember, when the war in Ukraine started last year, i had 3 weeks of a semi-catatonic state, being so close to the border with Ukraine. The threat of nuclear war, the whole distruction of the cities which are so similar to the Romanian ones - the feeling it could be here, that these people fight and die so we don't have to, imagining what they must be going through, the rapes and murders and the common graves, the so called 'denazification' of an innocent people, the refugees flooding the country, the russian propaganda ... It was so consuming, that nothing else seemed to have any meaning. Now it's happening again. The all-pervasive horror of war.
I wish I could reach through the screen to give you a hug. That sounds awful. And I remember too how it felt like nuclear war could be upon us at any moment. Absolutely terrifying. I hope you are keeping as well as you can. Xo
Well, as with all the awful things in the world, the ugly truth is that life does go on in the end. And we can hope for peace and also do something about it. Otherwise, like that saying in the LOTR, 'the fires of Isengard will spread, [...] And all that was once great and good in this world will be gone.' Replace Isengard with Hamas, or Putin or Iran or...
You are really sweet and genuine. A really good podcast that breaks down the conflict is the Jordan Is My Lawyer podcast. She does non biased news and has 2 commited episodes to the conflict.
However, this conflict has been going on for such a long time. Neither side is willing to bend and I think it's gotten to a point where both sides are willing to completely extinguish the other. It's disturbing from a humanitarian standpoint, yes, but as an American (who is 1/4 Jewish by heritage Christian by faith which I'm only saying bc I do care these people are part of me) with fighting age children I do not want the US involved whatsoever. They have to work this out themselves over there. I think after seeing the deep history it becomes obvious that time after time no matter how hard anyone outside has tried peace has not ever been established by other nations becoming involved. Most of the time it got worse. We dont need WWIII that would be even more devastating and I believe that is what the powers at be want. It almost seems as if that is the plan and I am just so not for that.
It's hard it's especially hard for truly empathetic people. Of course always stay true to yourself and do what you believe is the right thing. I admire u for speaking on it bc it was weighing on your heart a lot of people wouldnt have a lot of people haven't ❤
I have been trying to cut back on news. We live in difficult times. Books take me to a different place and that’s what I love about them. I’m happy to see the bangs are back. Much love
Thank you Jeanine
I am Jewish and have some friends that went over there from the US for a family event are now stuck there. My other friend whole family is there not far from the kibbutz. I cry watching this.
There are so many innocent people who are suffering, seemingly because of the whims of a few. It’s beyond heartbreaking. So many things can be true at once, and our society’s tendency to forget the nuance and see all of it in black and white is harmful, so I appreciate the complexity of your thoughts. Thanks for addressing it.
Thank you Jayne and I couldn't agree with you more. Nuance is not a bad thing.
I’m so sad about this Speaker they voted in as I feel he will cut off aid to Ukraine. They need our help. Know what you mean! Feel so sad for the innocent Israeli people as well as all of the innocent Palestinians. Stop WARS! It serves no purpose.
I’ve barely been learning about us politics lately (which is rare for me) but I’ve heard he denied the election? Ugh. That’s not really going to be helpful…
It was nice to hear your thoughts on what is going on. I do feel like so many of the people I follow casually either just mentioned it once but with not much attention and life went back to usual. It’s horrifying on all the acts of violence that have been committed. I pray there will be a ceasefire before more innocent lives are taken.
I’m praying for the same
I will be sticking around to hear everything you say. I struggle with my mental health in a big way x I came here from victorias channel xx she holds you in the highest regard x
Israel is commiting genocide. And we cannot be complicit. And I totally feel the same asi you. It’s so hard to be far away and watch this unfold. Everything feels so trivial. We need to be more empathetic. And good for you for speaking out loud about this.
It’s been absolutely horrible to witness. I’m following these Palestinian woman sharing what they are seeing and it’s just insane. I don’t know how they are able to go on. I want to reach through the screen and save them
Your mental health is important, why not take a break and then after a couple of months away decide if booktube is something that you want to continue to do. Things happen that make us change our path in life. I am not saying to continue or not to continue just that you have to do what is best for your mental health.
Absolutely. I think I've put this into the right perspective now which is I need to take action to feel like I can carry on. I need to take action and learn and then also speak. And that's what I'm doing here.
Hello April, I am Jewish and I am conflicted as you can imagine. I have close friends in Israel, and when you see babies being slaughtered and being held hostage the depravity is unthinkable., I feel that what is happening in Gaza is also a tragedy, and I feel for the innocent Palestinian people. I pray for peace. Aloha
I love you April. Yes it’s true we don’t really know one another beyond our brief interactions on this medium over the years, but you so often put into words how I feel. My mental health has been suffering for close to a decade for what has happened in my own country and around the world. For exactly the same reasons you have mentioned, so few people seem to care. Seems like the end of humanity as we know it is upon us or at best very near. Thanks for speaking your truth today my friend. I’m so glad for you and your platform.
April, mine too. I thought about that driving home from a physical therapy session I thought the SAME THING. People don't have food, water, safety. Very horrific. I have to watch it too or I would cry all the time.
I’m praying for peace and for the UN to be able to do their job.
Thank you for sharing your feelings. I echo then and applaud you for using your channel in this way.
It is very hard to watch the images of human suffering and there is always be wars as long as the true forces of evil, those that profit from the armaments trade, exist.
Thank you. Your book channel gives needed respite. You are helping more than you know.
Thanks for saying this! I’ll think of my videos this way
Some people have been conditioned not to care, or, it’s not me or I’m not suffering….it’s not purpose it’s that they are so many atrocities and there are few that bring forward emotions and love and fellowship. I personally don’t care what is what I just want all this to stop. Everything. Everyone’s suffering. I bare witness to it, I’ve written, I’ve donated. I don’t feel I’m getting anywhere but I feel I need to do something. I’m implored by your honesty, I feel like you. Some people have become hardened…..open your hearts people
Hi Sue, that's exactly how I'm feeling. I'm going to learn, witness and speak up. And while we might not feel like we're getting anywhere if we all individually do this we WILL get somewhere. I have to believe in that.
@@GettingHyggeWithIt most definitely x
What is happening is terrible. I understand your need to be able to express your opinions and I greatly appreciate your sensitivity and your desire to show the reality in which we live.
Thank you so much xo
Yes. April, THANK YOU.
Just watched this! I agree that it’s been hard to just exist knowing what is happening in this war. Sometimes I turn on BookTube channels and I just want one person to act as if there are innocent people being killed and terrorized. Especially the channels I follow where the channel features ‘Christian’ lifestyle vlogs. Thank you for saying all you said.
I appreciate this so much, April. I think so many of us feel the same way. I alternate between being teary eyed and feeling sick & helpless to being so angry! I feel this is really the first time we are seeing a war happen in real time, minute by minute on social media and it’s devastating - I try to step away at times for the sake of my mental health but then on the other hand I feel like the least I can do is bear witness.
I understand so much what you mean, I have a bookstagram account and have posted once since the war started and it just felt so nonsensical! But, I know so many of us find some peace in reading. I know I’m all over the place here but just wanted to say I understand and thank you for everything you said! ❤️☮️
It sounds like we are in the same weird boat. Well I think I’ve become more hopeful as I’m taking action to change things. Maybe trying to do a little thing every day or every week will help you too. Sending you lots of love
Thank you for talking about this important subject April. I too have been watching the videos and I am horrified. Need a cease fire yesterday x
We really need it to happen
Thank you for such a heartfelt video😊
The world is deteriorating. People are saying there's a feeling of doom in the air.
It’s so sad. I’m hoping this will shift. Maybe we can be a part of that shift
Aww April. I feel the same way, but I haven’t seen it with my eyes. I’ve read the news. I have been over everything and I can not tell you the last time I have turned my tv on. I haven’t even watched my beloved football. That seems so trivial and focusing on anything for 3-4 hours seems impossible. I am working out though and it’s helping my mental health. I have not been reading physical books but I have at least been listening to audiobooks while working out.
In Sept. I read Zero Days and I loved it! I’ve never read anything like it. You know it’s hard to surprise when you mostly read thrillers. Every late summer/early fall I look forward to my favorite 3 - Ruth Ware, Lisa Jewell and Riley Sager and this year Ruth Ware’s was the best imo and I’m glad I read it last.
Take care!!! I totally understand if you don’t feel like doing videos.
It is very hard to see it. But I think witnessing it makes us feel more invested and makes us seek information and then act. I really hope you are doing okay. Working out is a wonderful outlet
I have deep respect to you for this video.
Thank you so much 💕
You are not alone.
💕
Thank you
It’s absolutely heartbreaking what going on in Israel and in
Ukraine.
It truly is. And it's heartbreaking what's going on in Palestine too.
@@GettingHyggeWithIt yes absolutely!
Wishing you all the best, April. There has been so much pain on the news recently. I definitely want to read Zero Days. I really enjoyed The Turn of the Key by her and it's great to see her venturing into a new genre
Thank you Christina. I’m hoping for peace
Thank you for sharing your feelings
Thanks for listening 💕
Hello, I extremely recommend “Shoot me,i’m already dead” from Julia Navarro, a historic novel about Palestine and Israel. The author is a journalist, one of the most important Spanish authors. The book has fictional characters as well as real life characters and historic moments, great research and helps us understand how both sides lived and felt the conflict. Since Russian revolution (Jews in Russia), arrival to Palestine, World War II, and the aftermath of the war and how the country was divided.
Oh that sounds good. I'm currently reading two nonfiction books that will give me both sides of the history and current reality. But maybe I'll check this out afterwards. Thank you
I had to pull back from following the war in Israel and Palestine quite so closely. My heart breaks for the hostages and their families. I pray for peace for all and for Ukraine. I appreciated hearing your thoughts about this though.
I thought The Family Game was a lot of fun and am excited to get to the new Alice Feeney.
Hi Laura, I can understand that. It is extremely upsetting. I’m praying they bring the hostages home soon
Thank you... I'm also scared and worried like you. God Bless
I’m hoping peace is not far away
I don't disagree at all that war is truly awful. Still I wonder where the line is between bearing witness and self-harming via vicarious trauma. And people all over the world are suffering terribly all of the time. Do we benefit those suffering by bearing witness to their trauma unceasingly, to the point that we may squander the peace and safety we are so lucky to have, feel shameful for moments of joy, and end up physically and mentally suffering as well? I don't know.
Another book rec is “The Olive Grove” from Deborah Rohan, she tells the journey of an Arab family that has to leave Palestine and how does it feel to leave in another country and being an immigrant. Really good book
That sounds very interesting. Thanks for suggesting it!
What war are you talking about? Is there something I didn’t know about? I’m reallllly bad about watching the news. 😭
I'm glad you're here ❤
Thank you so much xo
I loved Family Game. It was wild!
THE war? Which war though? There are adult people on this planet who have never known anything but war. And yet same as you I was deeply shocked. My cousin in Israel intervened on the places of the attacks and is in shock. Also I was dumbfounded by the reactions, I thought antisemitism was a dying thing, I never thought it was so prevalent and that really shocked me too. I thhink if the US didn't help Israel maintain the anti bomb dome, there we would have a new holocaust again. And you're right, suddenly people were putting the Jewish answer on the same line as the terrorist act. My cousin mentioned that the most horrific murders were not done by HAMAS but by the local population seizing the occasion. And HAMAS hides behind civilians. So not much of a choice. This makes everyone crazy I believe. I think the best action with the hindsight would have been to refuse to retaliate (now they voted for the right), tell the Israeli colons to come out of the Gaza area and cut the energy there.
And the question of where Israel expected the Gazans to go…the answer is Egypt, on the southern border. Egypt is a natural Arab Muslim ally to the Gazans. But Egypt closed the border because they don’t want Hamas to enter. No one is blaming Egypt for that. Still the Jews’ fault.
I was in shock at the fact Hamas were able to enter Israel at all - were the guards on the checkpoints and watchtowers off on their lunch? Were you in shock at the slaughter of Palestinians praying in their mosque? At the murder of Palestinian children over the years?
@@Christine-jg2ch Can you tell the difference between war victims and slaughter victims?
@@Christine-jg2ch I will not answer your bad-faith questions about whether I feel pain at the deaths of children and people at prayer. How dare you ask me or anyone else that? Israel was caught off guard because Hamas deliberately attacked on Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. I answered that for the sake of people who sincerely might not know.
@@giantcupofcoffee I dare ask that because I’ve seen people sat on an ‘Israeli’ hillside watching the murder of Palestinians for entertainment. I’ve watched very recent videos of ‘Israelis’ throwing drinking water around and turning the lights on and off, making fun of the people who have no access to those things on the whims of the government. That’s how I dare.
Mental health is critical and if it helps to use your channel to vent, then good for you. Reading is not frivolous. It helps people stay sane and find comfort when they can. I’m curious though….what your solution would be after you ask for a cease fire - because you are dealing with brutal terrorists whose ONLY goal is to irradiate Jewish people and the country of Israel from the face of the earth.
April doesn't need to share "a solution" to the Israel/Palestine conflict. She just poured her heart out to us. No one has a solution to any of this, that's why war has continued as long as it has.
The Christmas chronicles is a really lovely book
A memoir I think you'd like is In My Mother's Footsteps by Mona Hajjar Halaby
Oh I will check that out thank you
Thank you. As a Jewish person, I have learned that the empathy I have for other marginalized groups is not always reciprocated. In Judaism, we believe that other religions must exist. That’s how we were and remain chosen for our covenant - that choice is meaningless without other religions who have their own relationships with their own higher powers. Other people have different paths to where they’re headed. We need Muslims to exist; Hamas wants us d3ad. When “free Palestine” is said to a Jew (esp online in a post that isn’t about Palestine), that means that they want us d3ad; that is how they want Palestine to be freed, by clearing the land with violence. “From the river to the sea” means k1lling all the Jews who live there. I don’t want to know how many Americans are taking those words at their peaceful face value and how many people are joining the chants knowing what those dogwhistles mean. I’m Romanian. My family came to the US before Israel existed. However, Israel is the only country in the world where Jews can seek asylum. Calls to eradicate the Jewish theocratic state (without welcoming those Jews into other countries, because they currently aren’t welcome) is, yes, another dogwhistle for wanting all Jews d3ad. We Jewish people are…tired. Thank you for caring for all. 💜💜
I think the Jewish religion is so beautiful. I’ve actually been learning so much about it this year before all of this happened. Learning about Shabbat and following a bunch of Jewish people on tiktok who celebrate. It’s been lovely. And unlike a lot of Christianity, Judaism asks people to question things and debate things. I just really appreciate it. So I hope you know that although I’m not very religious at all, I appreciate your religion. Very much. Sending you lots of love
I should also say that I don’t think many of the people in North America who may be saying free Palestine have any knowledge of what that means to Jewish people. I think they think of it more as give Palestine freedom to exist without occupation. I don’t think they are thinking at all of Hamas when they say that. But thank you for letting me know how that translates for you. That’s very upsetting as I think Israel has just as much of a right to be in that region as Palestine does.
📕📖📗📘📙📚
My ex is Jewish. His family still live there. It is horrible for them. He has holocaust survivors in his family. This is insane. I am of the mind that the IDF should eliminate all terrorists without prejudice. This is the only way they will be safe. I have no more compassion for people who follow the religion of hate. You can delete this comment but i am done with the antisemitism in the world.
Firstly I’m so sorry that your ex’s family is dealing with the horror of October 7. It truly was terrible and terrifying too.
That said…The Islamic faith is not a hateful faith. As you know any group of people can use a religion as an excuse to carry out terrible things. This happens in Christianity. It happens in any religion. The faith is not the problem. The way people use faith to their own advantage can be though.
Islamaphobia and antisemitism truly cannot have a place in the world if we want peace. I want peace so badly.
Israel has been attaching Palestine since 1948.
Thank you for publishing this video. I appreciate your passion and your kind heart. I don't agree with a lot of what you say because being a member of the US military family and a wife of a man who did 2 tour of duties in Kuwait and saw the atrocities first hand that insane dictators did to their own people. I understand the heartbreaking effects of innocent casualties, Unfortunately that is the nature of war..as bad as that is. Israel has EVERY REASON to retaliate and they should and every country should be coming to their aide. The UN was formed to "keep peace" but please do not be deluded as to its true purpose now. Money corrupts and the UN is very corrupt and different countries and terrorists groups "purchase" it's "support". Was it fair that so many innocent Americans were killed during 9/11? Yes! Was it wrong that we retaliated against the gutless terrorists? YES! That's what countries do when attacked and innocent death is unfortunately part of war. Had Hamas never attacked Israel and killed innocent people then Gaza would not be attacked now and innocent lives would not lost. I stand with Israel! My heart breaks daily listening to these news articles and stories. But again...I stand with Israel and I applaud their bravery to retaliate. I am sad that America is not doing more to help Israel and the Ukraine for that matter too. Tough topic. Thank you for posting it. My suggestion would be to limit your exposure to news and increase your exposure to God.
Hi Susan, I can appreciate that the nature of war is harsh and violent. But there are rules to war. And many of the things I am witnessing now do not sit well with me. Or the UN. I don't believe the UN is corrupt. Please let me know what documentation you're finding that shows the UN to be corrupt. I will certainly read it. I appreciate you reaching out and speaking about your experience of having a family in the military. I imagine that would very much impact your life and I'm sure your family has experienced some extremely difficult things. I hope you are well.