Finished The Idiot earlier this summer and really enjoyed revisiting your review afterwards! I’m one of the few in the middle readers - didn’t hate it, didn’t love it - but I’m not huge in contemporary fiction to begin with. I am interested in checking out Either Or and seeing Selin’s growth over the years. Thanks for a thoughtful video! Your review made me appreciate the novel more.
yay! I'm glad you got around to reading it! I get that! I think that Either/Or is a bit more refined and you can see The subtle ways that Batuman has matured as a novelist. And thank you!☺️
I resonate with the main character of this book so much. Its funny because I've never had the moment where I " read a book at the correct time." But this book is perfect.
I love your reviews and since of humor. I will be picking this one up. I thoroughly enjoyed your review of The Gentleman in Moscow. So much so I bought the book. Loved, loved loved that one and will be doing a reread somewhere down the line. Keep up the great work!
Hello! First timer. Thank you for your review. In fact, you've convinced me to pick this up and I just started it but find it very amusing. I see the dry humor. Can't wait tor read more.
Great review. I've always thought it was odd how so many people (of various ages) call this Millennial fiction, because I thought The Idiot was a quintessential late-Gen-X story. But then Batuman (and Selin) are my age, so it felt very specifically 1995 to me - but maybe everyone who's older and younger are reading the themes while I was reading the setting. And reading the themes probably makes it a better experience!
Yes, it definitely doesn't feel like Millennial Fiction, but I think older Millennials will definitely get this more than Gen Z, I think. Bautman really nails that enteral crisis we all feel around this age, without it feeling contrived!
This was great. I’m going to read this this week. please do other reviews similar to this book for those of us who are not drawn to contemporary fiction ?
Thank you, I'm happy that you enjoyed my review! I will! I have other contemporary novels to review and that I plan to review! I tend to gravitate to the classics naturally myself, but I've been making myself read more contemporary fiction. :)
I think I had had this on my TR list a while back and taken it off after reading some unflattering reviews (I think by those folk you talk about that 'didn't get it'), but you've totally sold me and it's back on. I even know what Filene's Basement is. ;) I think I may comsume the audio - it's read by the author!
This is definitely a book that some will get and others won’t but if you get it, it’s gold 🤣🤌🏼 oooo I hope to get to read it soon and please let me know what you think about it - even if you hate it 😂. Omg Filene’s Basement. So much nostalgia! My tiny birthplace even got a shoutout in this book 🙌🏼.
@@alanaestelle2076 I didn't go to Harvard, but I did spend a chunk of my 20's hanging out in Harvard Square and had a bunch of friends who were Harvard grad students - and it was even around that same period of time (90s), so I definitely think I should give it a go!
I don’t usually read a lot of it either but this one surprised me. It is a bit of a marmite book though haha. If you read it, I’d love to know what you think!
Haha yes, I'm being cheeky and sneaking her in because there's so much cultural overlap in this one with older millennials - there's some real nostalgia lol. Hope you enjoy this one!
Oh, I want to pick this up so badly now! Except I can't because I'm drowning in exam reading. 😭 For Millennial fiction, I really liked My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh (although it's not the easiest read since the main character is kind of infuriating) and Luster by Raven Leilani.
This sounds great! I prefer younger coming of age for more modern books.... mostly because I'm still too close to when my kids used to be teens (are now both early 20s). Lol Hmmm... but your last statements abt it have me intrigued....
I usually like classic coming of age stories, but this books is so dry and sarcastic 🤣 and it’s nerdy. Batuman is a nerd and I’m here for it lol. If you end up reading it, please let me know what you think!
Finished The Idiot earlier this summer and really enjoyed revisiting your review afterwards! I’m one of the few in the middle readers - didn’t hate it, didn’t love it - but I’m not huge in contemporary fiction to begin with. I am interested in checking out Either Or and seeing Selin’s growth over the years. Thanks for a thoughtful video! Your review made me appreciate the novel more.
yay! I'm glad you got around to reading it! I get that! I think that Either/Or is a bit more refined and you can see The subtle ways that Batuman has matured as a novelist. And thank you!☺️
I resonate with the main character of this book so much. Its funny because I've never had the moment where I " read a book at the correct time." But this book is perfect.
Selin is so relatable!! And I agree! It’s fantastic!
@@alanaestelle2076 currently in school trying to figure out my financial aid. I feel her so much in this moment.
I love your reviews and since of humor. I will be picking this one up. I thoroughly enjoyed your review of The Gentleman in Moscow. So much so I bought the book. Loved, loved loved that one and will be doing a reread somewhere down the line. Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much and I’m glad to hear that your enjoyed Gentleman in Moscow! And I hope you enjoy this one as well!
Hello! First timer. Thank you for your review. In fact, you've convinced me to pick this up and I just started it but find it very amusing. I see the dry humor. Can't wait tor read more.
Hi! Thank you for watching! I’m glad you’re enjoying this one so far. Haha yes, the dry humor is spot on.
Great review. I've always thought it was odd how so many people (of various ages) call this Millennial fiction, because I thought The Idiot was a quintessential late-Gen-X story. But then Batuman (and Selin) are my age, so it felt very specifically 1995 to me - but maybe everyone who's older and younger are reading the themes while I was reading the setting. And reading the themes probably makes it a better experience!
Yes, it definitely doesn't feel like Millennial Fiction, but I think older Millennials will definitely get this more than Gen Z, I think. Bautman really nails that enteral crisis we all feel around this age, without it feeling contrived!
Hi, can you please explain what reading the setting means? i'vr never come across this term
I didn’t get many references but I did get how she feels and resonate with being in your head. That alone made me really enjoy it.
Yes! That’s such a good point about being in our own heads!
This is such a good review! This was great to watch after finishing the book. I ate those breadcrumbs up! Lol
Thank you! Looking forward to what you think of the second one!
This was great. I’m going to read this this week. please do other reviews similar to this book for those of us who are not drawn to contemporary fiction ?
Thank you, I'm happy that you enjoyed my review! I will! I have other contemporary novels to review and that I plan to review! I tend to gravitate to the classics naturally myself, but I've been making myself read more contemporary fiction. :)
Filene’s Basement…okay now I gotta get the book. Used to be one at Tyson’s Corner back in the day.👍🏽
Really!? Didn’t know there used to be one at Tyson’s!
I think I had had this on my TR list a while back and taken it off after reading some unflattering reviews (I think by those folk you talk about that 'didn't get it'), but you've totally sold me and it's back on. I even know what Filene's Basement is. ;) I think I may comsume the audio - it's read by the author!
This is definitely a book that some will get and others won’t but if you get it, it’s gold 🤣🤌🏼 oooo I hope to get to read it soon and please let me know what you think about it - even if you hate it 😂. Omg Filene’s Basement. So much nostalgia! My tiny birthplace even got a shoutout in this book 🙌🏼.
@@alanaestelle2076 I didn't go to Harvard, but I did spend a chunk of my 20's hanging out in Harvard Square and had a bunch of friends who were Harvard grad students - and it was even around that same period of time (90s), so I definitely think I should give it a go!
This review speaks to me. 💯 trying this one
Yaaaaas! I definitely read Christy thoughts on this one! 🤣🙌🏼
I don't normally read contemporary but I may check this out on your recommendation.
I don’t usually read a lot of it either but this one surprised me. It is a bit of a marmite book though haha. If you read it, I’d love to know what you think!
She’s really on the cusp at 1979. I’m GenX and this one’s on my TBR after this.
Haha yes, I'm being cheeky and sneaking her in because there's so much cultural overlap in this one with older millennials - there's some real nostalgia lol. Hope you enjoy this one!
Oh, I want to pick this up so badly now! Except I can't because I'm drowning in exam reading. 😭
For Millennial fiction, I really liked My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh (although it's not the easiest read since the main character is kind of infuriating) and Luster by Raven Leilani.
Oooh I hope you get to read it soon!
I have that own by Moshfegh and plan to read it very soon!
Keep it up! Will you be reviewing a novel by Murakami?
Thank you! I posted my 1Q84 review a few weeks ago!
Ben sent me
Ben is the best! Thank you for stopping by!
This sounds great! I prefer younger coming of age for more modern books.... mostly because I'm still too close to when my kids used to be teens (are now both early 20s). Lol
Hmmm... but your last statements abt it have me intrigued....
I usually like classic coming of age stories, but this books is so dry and sarcastic 🤣 and it’s nerdy. Batuman is a nerd and I’m here for it lol.
If you end up reading it, please let me know what you think!
I loved this book but I got in a reading slump in the middle of it
Oh noooo! Reading slumps are such a kill joy 😫
I just spoke about this book in my video today!
Ah!! I need to watch! Did you talk about the sequel?! 🤩