Mid Year Bookish Catch Up | Books, Reading & Channel Thoughts & Plans | July 2023
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- Опубліковано 5 сер 2024
- Before my favourite books of the year so far video, coming on Sunday… and we move on to the second half of the year properly, I thought I would have a mid year bookish catch up. So I have a chat about books, reading and my channel, some reflections, some highlights, some excitement and some plans. Oh and a few questions for you all… and some tangents of course. #Booktube #CatchUp #BookChat
You can support me on my Patreon here / savidgereads
And follow me on my Instagram here / savidgereads
Channels Mentioned…
@louisesavidgemuses4135
@katsfieldnotes
Books Mentioned…
The Shards by Bret Easton Ellis
New Life by Tom Crewe
The Strays by Emily Bitto
Jollof Rice and other Revolutions by Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey
Me Elsewhere…
Instagram: / savidgereads
Patreon: / savidgereads
Threads: www.threads.net/@savidgereads
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/savidgereads
Wishlist: www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...
The Sky Arts Book Club FB Group: / theskyartsbookclub
Spotify: open.spotify.com/user/2qu1l93...
Twitter: / savidgereads - Розваги
You say it sounds weird to say that you're proud of yourself... I understand where you're coming from because I feel like it's very British to be humble and not want to feel as if you're bragging. However, I do hope you are at least privately proud of yourself because you have achieved so much and your success is very well-deserved. Love this video and all of your bookish joy! 🐙
Hahahaha. I’m chuffed with myself. That’s the term I’ll use 😉
A lovely catch up 😃 I really appreciate hearing your experience of being more present and enjoying the moment your in. I definitely would like to be doing that more. I became completely immersed in Pachinko. Cute octopus 🐙 Happy Reading.
I was surprised how little I was doing it and how easy it was to switch. I’m trying to do it a lot more. Except for in situations that I can’t wait to end. Hahaha.
Thank god you said it, Simon. I can’t listen to fiction on audio either. I’d love to, as I suffer insomnia and would like to rest my eyes when I’m an’t sleep, but I just lose track or my mind wanders. Thanks for another fab video.
I so so so so so wish I could. There has been one exception of late and that was Fire Rush, I half read half listened and that was a pretty cool experience.
Bring on the books, burps and chat. Love your vlogs. I would never have picked up a lot of books if it wasn't for you. I travelled to so many places and met characters in my head which I can't do to real life due to my health. So can't thank you enough ❤
Thankfully no burps. Plenty of book chat though. So lovely to hear you’ve headed to lots of wonderful places with wonderful people via books, happy to have sent you in their directions! Here’s to many many more.
@@SavidgeReads During Lockdown I bought a T-shirt that says "Reading gives you someplace to go when you have to stay where you are"
🐙🐙 Whatever en whenever you post, it'll always be my bookish highlight
Awwww thank you sooooo much.
My bookish highlight of the year was definitely reading the entire Women's Prize longlist 🐙
It’s something I’ve really enjoyed for a good few years, the last three or four even more so reading with mum.
@@SavidgeReads louise is a delight to watch. So different to you in her approach, but thoroughly enjoyed her binge reading video.
@@jenniferrosebruce6385 ha. Well it would be very boring, and a bit worrying if we were the same. We have some similar traits.
Loving the T-shirt! Also loving that you're setting yourself free for the second half of the year. I read on a whim normally (apart from Women's Prize) which is lovely but also means that you can forget any prompt following for me! Good intentions tend to vanish after the first prompt as I spot something new and shiny! I'm too easily distracted and allergic to restrictions. Having said that, I have a goal to start reading non-fiction, prompted by the non-fiction Women's Prize next year.
Enjoy your break and your whimsical journey
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I was dreadful with prompts last year, this year I’ve really enjoyed shopping my shelves for books that I actually might not have got around to reading if it hadn’t been for the prompts. Looking forward to the whims in almost all my other reads. Well apart from book clubs… and a few themes reading vlogs… oh dear.
Fab vid - looking forward to your faves 🐙
Not long to wait 😉 🐙
I fully support your plan. Doing things on a whim! Makes life fun indeed 🐙
Here’s to whims!
🐙 keep doing what you're doing...we all love it!
Awww thank you so much.
I agree that nonfiction works much better in audio format. I can zone off and still understand what's going on!
I don’t think I zone out so much with non fiction as with the radio I’ve become able to actively listen more. Fiction takes me back to cassettes (I’m that old) before bedtime and I just want to sleep. Hahaha.
A lovely chat, thank you. I am liking the vase placement - ahem. I've just finished reading Summerwater which was one of the books you mentioned recently. I wasn't sure at first but when I was still reading at three in the morning I realised I was hooked. The ending sort of came from nowhere, I thought, but it worked. It's hard to say what I would like to see on the channel because I actually enjoy everything I watch with you. I loved the stuff from Hay. I've now started the new one from Lisa Jewell - None of This is True and I absolutely adore her writing. I'll be honest I'm jealous.🐙
So pleased you enjoyed Summerwater so much. I must try Lisa Jewell’s crime novels.
Another banger from you, Simon 🕺 Always lovely to catch up!
- And highlights, well, to me it’s always a joy to add to the collection and rearrange the shelves (I just enjoy how excited I get 😅). And then it would have to be how much I enjoyed Girl, Woman, Other + going to an event with Hanya Yanagihara.
I hope you have a whimsical rest of the year indeed 🤩😍
Awwww thank you Cecilia. Always lovely to have a catch up with all of you! Here’s to a lovely rest of reading year to us all.
“I wanna…bury myself in those books” 👀
Please I’m crying 😭
I think I went to say bury my face in those books and thought it was too rude mid sentence. Hahaha.
I loved pineapple street and pachinko is great ! Loved your Hay interviews, the womens prize and generally your chats 👏👏👏😘
Awwww thank you so much!
My reading style hard to explain. I know exactly what books I want to read and my collection is kept fairly short. I love a good long wander around book stores but seldom buy just for the sake if it. I look at reading more as a study of certain subjects then the pleasure side of it. If that makes sense. Non fiction, history, stoicism, philisophy, and my favourite true crime (the who, why,when,where of it all] lol. Anyone else like me here? Thanks again Simon for sharing your love of books with us. And yes, Octavia is a great name for your little yellow friend! Love from Thailand 🐙
Hahaha, we don’t really have to explain our reading styles to anyone or justify them. I guess it’s just nice to share where we are similar and celebrate where we are different in our reading habits and tastes.
@@SavidgeReads thanks Simon. As an educator I guess thats why my reading style is like this! Lol. I see your subs have grown quite a bit lately. X
@@jenniferrosebruce6385 really? I don’t keep an eye on them to be honest. It can get dangerously addictive and if you drop one or two weirdly saddening. So I avoid. Hahaha.
🐙🐙 A whimsical rest of the year for reading and for the channel sounds quite delightful. The videos you made at Hay were highlights for me, along with the prompts and the WP content. A reading highlight was definitely Demon Copperhead winning the Women’s Prize and your growing love for Trespasses. Hoping for a view of the finished renovated guest room (I definitely think you planned it for shelves for your Persephone books, which is brilliant). Hoping the Booker longlist is a PHWOAH!
Hahahaha. I can say… I didn’t plan it originally. I actually had asked for quotes for a whole wall of new shelves that would have gone around the bed head. However the bed doesn’t work as well there as somewhere else so had to rethink, with shelves high in mind… and along with deciding blue didn’t work on the walls, that’s when the idea struck. Ha.
Oh my gosh, your fox friend had cubs?? You must be thrilled! 🐙
We think so. We’ve only seen one and Oscar chased it so not sure if we will see it again.
Here’s to you too Loved your interviews with Barbara Kingsolver and Fats Timbo 🐙
Awwww thanks Claire 🐙
I'm looking forward to seeing your outside reading nook and your Persephone inspired room. I fell into the trap of setting myself a number of books goal but next yr it will be a page number target so 2024 will be the year of the chunkster. Love the octopus 🐙. Oh, I always appreciate the few seconds of 'bin content' in your home vlogs!! 😂
Oh I don’t like book number or page number goals. You never know what life is going to throw at you and it can put so much pressure on. I just do 52 as a general number and if I make it great, if I don’t no great shakes. I guess I don’t want targets when I often have deadlines. Ha.
I'm having trouble keeping focused on the books with your BURT shirt. What a sexy beast! Ok, back to the books...😅
He was quite the fine form of a man.
🐙 I’ve been trying to slow down and focus on some chunkier books this year as well! It’s hard to get out of your head about quantity of reads. Also love your channel, I subscribed earlier this year and am a big fan of your content 💕
Awww thank you so much Grace, that is lovely to hear. I do want to head to some chunky books over the autumn and winter, will see where the whim takes me as really that is what I want the rest of the year to be about.
Feel like I'm in a bit of a slump at the moment but your videos always cheer me up! Is it wrong to expect every book to be a 5* read?! I feel a bit scared of chunky books as I have read so many books lately that have been a bit 'meh' and don't want to invest the time, as I'm more of a 'book a week' kind of gal! Any tips would be very much appreciated! Like you, I like to listen to non-fiction - mainly whilst walking. I listened to Deborah Levy's living autobiography books earlier in the year and nothing since then has compared! Any suggestions would be very much appreciated, although I'm thinking of picking up a copy of Cereus Blooms at Night because I have always enjoyed the books that you love! Looking forward to seeing your Persephone-inspired room! 🐙
So pleased this cheered you up. I think slumps are about. I have a theory that it’s to do with all that’s happened in the last few years and absolute overwhelm from it. My tip is, stop reading anything meh and head to something else. Or if it keeps happening just have a break from reading. Do something else. Also we kind of need meh books so the amazing ones are all the more amazing. My books of the year so far video is coming tomorrow so maybe that will give you some ideas.
@@SavidgeReads Thanks Simon! Just watched it and it has! ❤
🐙 one of my reading highlights was Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson I was recommended it by a friend and loved it the next one is on my tbr. Lots of other books I am looking forward to reading!
I loved HMRC too. Have The Shadow Cabinet to read very soon!
I also have that awful habit of putting things in safe places and then forgetting where they are 😊, so frustrating 😅🐙🐙Thanks Simon xx
Hahaha. The amount of things that are safe in my house is high… just no idea myself where they are. Lovely when I find them again though.
For your July prompt I read Lessons in Chemistry and for August I will be reading Rules of Civility. I loved Pachinko. Currently reading Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier. An oldie but so far so good. Love your channel.
Oooh some fab book picks there. I really need to get to some backlist Chevalier, I saw her at the Women’s Prize and her next novel sounds AMAZING.
Just finished Velvet is the Night on your recommendation and loved it.
I can’t quite claim the recommendation… as I haven’t read it yet. Hahaha. But soon for Septembers crime time. Thrilled you loved it. I’ve high hopes.
Spontaneity does get somewhat stifled by Booktube Simon, imho! I have had Pachinko for review since it came out so I’m going to try this in July. I also visited Persephone Books for the first time this week and loved its old school charm. I need to reorganise but am awaiting a roof repair before doing this. How to keep all my precious babies safe 💖
Ha. I think it’s more work reading that can stifle spontaneity than BookTube. I loooove BookTube. The Persephone spare spare room make over is already half done. I’m soooooo excited.
Reading by whim has totally been me this year. I keep making TBR piles, and ignoring them for the most part in favour of whatever tickles my fancy in the moment! So unlike me, but it's making me happy so I'm going to keep rolling with it!
If it’s working for you and you’re enjoying I would definitely keep rolling with it. I think because books are partly work now I can’t quite do that but I definitely need to find more time to try.
Ive stopped making tbr piles and on Simon,s explanation of good reads site ive dropped that too. Reading what I fancy now.
Loved this, Simon! 🐙🐙🐙
So pleased you enjoyed it 🐙
I’ve nearly finished the chunkster Great Circle (which is my Savidge prompt for July) I’m enjoying it but it’s not quite what I expected 🤔 I always enjoy your bookish catch ups. I’m gutted I’ve watched all the Hay Festival interviews, you were brilliant Simon and deserve your own show 🐙
Ooh Great Circle divided the Savidge’s. Hahaha. Glad you enjoyed the Hay shows, they were my own show 🤣 I was so chuffed to be given that opportunity. Who knows if it’ll happen again, it was fab to be present throughout it and really enjoy it.
@@SavidgeReads Haha that’s true, well I suppose I mean we need more then 🤣
Thanks as always for another super video, Simon.
My 5🌟❤️ recommendation to you is In Memoriam by Alice Winn. Amazing!
I also loved Demon Copperhead, The Bandit Queens, Remarkably Bright Creatures and Beloved (our book club read from June that will always stay with me, I think. 🐙🐙🐙
Hooray for The Bandit Queens. Definitely going to head to Alice Winn in the next few months. I’ve not been recommended a book so much in ages.
I would love to see before and after photos of the rooms you'll be redecorating...and I would also love it if you would take a video cam while you walk around your house showing us the floor plan and the rooms. I'm not creepy 🤣, I just like house designs and floor plans! Regarding books, since you and Louise liked "Bandit Queens" so much, I bought a copy and am now reading it--it's fun and funny!
Hahaha. I didn’t think you were creepy, I promise. It’s something I’ve been tempted to do but we got burgled a few years ago and it’s made me a bit wary of house tours. BUT will definitely be doing something with the revamp ‘Persephone’ room… and have filmed some of the garden reading ‘den’ build so far.
Loved Pachinko and have an author autographed copy of it as well. I also have an author autographed copy of her book Free Food For Millionaires that I also liked. Enjoy!
Oooh if I like Pachinko I am sure I will head to more.
My book highlights this year were: We Don't Roads: Making of the Back to the Future trilogy by Caseen Gaines, Legends and Lattes, finishing The Physician by Noah Gordon, The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, and Anna Karenina by Tolstoy. Anytime I finished books that are that long I'm happy. Around the World in 80 Days was fun, especially since it was better than Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas. I'm also happy about finishing The Black Powder trilogy. It was also great to be able to say I read The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwall, and I have lot of the books in the series.
Sounds like a lot of highlights indeed 🥳📚
@@SavidgeReads it's also me being indecisive and I can't narrow it down to only a couple of books.
Loved this bookish 'waffle' 😂
Pachinko is brilliant; I really hope you enjoy it!
My current mental feels are reflected by the tidyness of my desk, a bit like you with your library. Right now there are no used mugs and plenty of desk is visible beneath my random shizz. There are however about 50 Evri returns receipts I seem to have collected🤣 So overall pretty good?!
Hahaha. I have a few books on the floor and a pile or two on the chair so I’m feeling a bit twitchy today. Actually with redecorating a room there books in piles where there shouldn’t be so that could set me off. Hahaha.
Hi Simon c wd love to know more about yr work. Reading a book thats been out for a while and loving it: A gentleman in Moscow. Lessons in Chemistry is deservedly up there in the shop's customer-voted Top 100, always recommending it.
There may be some changes coming at work which could be quite exciting to document. I can’t say too much now… but soon!
Thanks for mentioning The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey (King Richard III). My DNA tells me we share mitochondria DNA. I know there are many books written about him, but I think this will be an interesting one to begin with.
Definitely give it a whirl.
I definitely want a Booker Phwoooooar moment too 🤞🤞🤞 🐙
Oh let’s hope so Charlie… for all our sakes 🤣
Pachinko was a lockdown delight for me. I hope you enjoy it!
Really looking forward to it.
I loved Pachinko too!
Have you read Ex Wife one of the McNally Editions. It was perfect. Oh what a fab idea to have a Persephone room . Can’t wait to see it. Thanks Simon for everything 🐙
A pleasure. The Persephone Room has started. It’s currently getting its first coat. Am very very very excited. I haven’t read any McNally Editions yet, but have quite a few for the not too distant future.
I’m currently listening to a book I think you’d like it too.
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue
It looks like it’s going to be my third great new Irish book in a row. Kala & Close to Home were great this month too.
🍀👋☘️📕📚📖☕️
I have Kala to read very soon.
the bigger the better ;) big books let's gooo!!!
currently finishing up my first Iris Murdoch and LOVINGGG it!! just love what she does with characters. they're all messy!
Hahaha. We like big books and we cannot lie.
I read The Bell years and years and years ago and kinda loved it. I have weirdly not read anything else of hers since.
@@SavidgeReads louder for the ppl in the back !! 🗣️
I can't wait to see what's on the Booker longlist (hoping for a phwoarr list as well) as well as looking forward to the Kate Mosse and the new Zadie Smith. I also feel like I haven't read many books in translation this year so after the Booker I think I'll focus on that for a bit. (Plus I vowed some time ago to never read another Bret Easton Ellis book).
Please please please let it be the Booker Phwoar Longlist for 2023. Hahaha.
🐙-love cephalopods -- yellow is my fave color so your stuffed octopus is super cool. Name: Jasper if a boy or Sephie if a girl.
Who doesn’t love a cephalopod? I actually wish I could have the cover of the UK hardback of Jane Rawson’s From The Wreck as a huge print in the house because of all the tenticles… and it’s purple tones… and the quote from me on the front. Hahaha.
🐙🐙🐙 Your shirt is fantastic!
Hahaha. Thanks Angela 🐙
One of my bookish highlights so far was the book I picked for your June prompt - I have no idea what I was wearing when I watched the prompt video so I decided to use your mum’s top as inspiration. I read Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli and it’s definitely going to be one of my favorite books of the year 🐙
Oooh maybe I need to retry that at some point. I started it and wasn’t in the mood but it can be all about the timing. I think mum really liked that book. I’m seeing her next weekend so I’ll ask.
@@SavidgeReads I think you’re right! It’s pretty slow at first, but I really loved it once I was into it 💜
Pachinko’s been on my shelf for a long time , it’s a big book 📖 😮 I picked the school for good mothers and also reading the girls of summer by Katie Bishop 📚 🐙🐙🐙
I’m looking forward to that big read. Ha.
🐚 aka octopus sub
Read Anne Enright for the first time...💙
🐙 I like bits of Anne Enright’s books, there is always some incredible writing in them, yet they never quite work for me as a whole and I’m not sure why.
I cannot listen to audiobooks My mind wanders I think about everything else. I like to see the written word and imbibe the writer’s craft. I like your honesty so much like with The Shards.
I love seeing the text too. Though now working a lot with visually impaired people, which is something I’ll probably talk about on the channel at some point… I know the importance of audio and have to be aware of my privilege to be able to pick. I know if things changed fiction audiobooks would be a life saver.
I agree that some envelopes do not need to be pushed, yes, I feel the same way about Gravity's Rainbow. Name him after a fellow in my high school, Jim.🦑🐙
I can’t remember what I said about envelopes… and I only filmed this earlier today 🤣🤣🤣
@@SavidgeReads Relax, you didn't use those words, as well as I remember you said, "no. I'm out," about the book you did not finish.📚
How can one choose a Savidge highlight??!! I just love listening to you. 🐙
Awwww that’s very kind of you to say Angelica.
I’m so with you I’m not being able to do fiction on audiobook!
I did with Fire Rush to be fair. That was a good one with the music it features in it. Well. Sort of.
Burt! I should be commenting on books and your channel plans and your mum, and instead I veer into fashion. 🐙
Hahahaha. He’s quite the diversion lol
🐙currently just reading The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese…such a chunkster but racing through it…love his writing….and this does not disappoint. Interesting I also DNFd The Shards very early on…just because everyone else loves it, does not mean I need to!
I have seen The Covenant of Water about. It’s massive, I’d be tempted if it was in paperback.
@@SavidgeReads my copy from the library is paperback and yes it’s massive at just over 700 pages…saw it on Oprah’s book club last month and loved his other books, so here I am!
🐙🐙🐙 my bookish highlights…. Read about 7 five star reads, reading some non fic and actually dnf’d a couple of books(which counts as a highlight as I have a lot of angst over doing that). Going forward, I want to learn to be ok with reading fun, frivolous, fluffy reads in between the more dense selections , or just pot of fun, frivolous and fluffy reads… so long as they are well written, which can be hard to come across sometimes. I just want it all! Love the octopus… maybe Octavia is a good name! You could ask your viewers what they think haaa.
Oooh so many five star reads how lovely. What were they? Here’s to fun reading. Fluffy and frivolous and everything in between.
My 5* were:
Greenwood by Michael Christie( a Canada reads 23 pick)
Hotline by Dimitri Nasrallah( Canada reads 23 pick)
Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier( thanks to your Mum)
The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston(non fic)
The Heights by Louise Chandlish
Death of Roger Ackroyd by Christie of course
Taste of Poison by Neil Bradley (NF)
A Tidy Ending by Joanna Canon (at your reco, TY)
I think that’s actually 8! I have had one 1 star and one DNF. Too many books, not enough time hahaa
ah, the big book struggle. I miss having time to sit with long books.
Do you only read short books then? I’m intrigued.
@@SavidgeReads Not only, but more often during the week and when work is busy as I keep falling asleep every other page. That's okay for shorter books, but with longer I find it's unfair to the book as enjoyment suffers. Big books are for holidays now, or audio :D
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I want to try out some grafic novels!
I’ve not read any of those for a while actually.
🐙 Your aquatic fella could be named Octavio, or maybe Squillard... Squilliam? Sir Octavius?
Hahaha. I’m not looking for names as yet, though I’ve had quite a lot of suggestions. It’ll come to me when the time is right 🐙
Love when you do things like the long list please can you do booker with your mum
Maybe. Let’s see how the list looks. If we do it may be just the shortlist like last year.
Booker predictions, plz!🐙
Hahaha. I have no idea. I wish I was as with it one what has come out this year that’s eligable.
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🐙great video, any videos are welcome, I’m not fussy 😁
Hahahaha. Thank you Katie 🐙
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🐙 Octavia is a lovely name...js. 🐙
Ha. You’re the second person to make such a statement.
@SavidgeReads "Oct" meaning eight, of course, but I was born in October, and I so wish my parents had thought of giving me that name. It's just so pretty!
🐙Favorite Savidgery? Loved Hay Bookshop Tour and your interviews. I'd love for you to show us the setting of a book or two that you read. Your travelogs are magical, even the red car parked across from your window was brilliant. If you put that filmmaker's eye to work showing us the town where a storyline unfolds...Wow! How cool would that be. I'm thinking of stories in the UK, of course, but if you need a vacation...why not anywhere?
Oooooh that’s an interesting idea. One I’ll have to give some thought and some planning. Thanks for the suggestion.
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