Three Books I love, and Why with Rajiv Surendra

[@AnnapolisGirly]

We live in such a tumultuous time. I don’t know what I would do without Rajiv. He grounds me.

[@jeannerolig6042]

Yes, please, Rajiv, continue to take us through your library! You have such a purposeful life and style and today you did so much more that simply review three favorite books. (On a perhaps silly side note: I was your first "Thumbs Up," on this video! Somehow, that makes me pretty happy this morning! I feel like I was that early bird that got the worm!)

[@mariawelling4194]

Sweet!😊❤

[@0Eliza0]

Agreed! And now I wonder…perhaps my burning question is: @jeannerolig6042 - what book do you have in your library that you would share? :)

[@MimiNwabuokuMD]

1:37 Rajiv out here Rajiv-ing again. Who else has such seating available in their storage unit? Challenge unlocked! ❤

[@grizeldaxxx4568]

"A STORAGE ROOM OF ONE"S OWN" Goals!!! Thanks Rajiv!!

[@nathalieetcetera2357]

Three Books From the Storage Locker. What a beautiful title for this new segment of your channel!

[@chrisfry436]

That is a WONDERFUL idea and he should do it! and film in the storage, it makes it feel like a special segment!

[@gspice71]

The Literary Storage Room Society. I am here for it!

[@anthropomorphisis]

Yes, please make this a continued series! Rajiv's Storage Stories! Or something! Only constructive criticism is the audio level.

[@anthropomorphisis]

Such a good analogy with the gym!

[@LulybelleLullaby]

Please continue these book reviews. I’ve kept a record of my reading since 1976. It’s a mixed bag and I don’t show this list to many people. I’m getting old now and my eyesight is poor however after watching this I realize how important it is to read so I’m going to make more of an effort. My life was changed by “A Room of One’s Own” many years ago. Thank you from cold Australia.

[@cjtzioumis686]

I love that you chose to keep the footage of your searching for the passages you wanted to read to us. It allows for a much more personal, intimate feel.

[@cat_pb]

😊

[@maddybrown6375]

Rajiv,
I have felt such inspiration and found a calm place watching your videos.
I have recently become a librarian in my studies and career. I was very excited and thankful to have you share your books and reading to us.
What perfect timing, thank you and looking forward to more content about books and literature.

[@rajivsurendra]

Thanks, Maddy 🙂

[@Angela-qc1ex]

My whole house is like walking through Barnes and Noble and I have rows of books 📚 in the hallway and bathroom area / All different types for the room and it's purpose and my bedroom is 3D shades of Purple and it's All of my Prince books and music only I've carved out something unique
And I appreciate your collabectiond​@@rajivsurendra

[@kalayne6713]

I agree. I,too, worked in libraries: public, university and Australia's National Library. What joy for a bibliophile. I loved getting purposely lost in the stacks, helping borrowers find the information they were seeking, collating collections of antique photographs. Wonderful stuff. Enjoy your studies, and wherever you end up working.
Rajiv, A Room of One's Own was inspirational for me, too. Now, thats all I have. I am trying to work out how to have my seedlings in here, but I suspect my cat is going to make that challenging. Love the idea of a series. There is always more to learn. Thank you. Blessings from Australia.

[@amorca4653]

Your impressive storage locker is essentially an extension of your own home. I, like many others here, enjoy your content so much. You are a great example of living life well and I take inspiration in that. Thank you 🙏

[@mariabachmann2862]

Oh my gosh, didn't think anyone appreciated Sargent any more,his work is beautiful!

[@santisanti8386]

Your channel feels like coming home.

[@guywolff]

My dad said something like ;" If you want to do art Please , do something else but if you have to do art then that is what you have to do ".. If creating is the breath of life there is no other option . No question that you pay the tax for taking the ride though and god help the family that comes along for that ride ... STaying loose and brave at the same time takes a liftime ...

[@judytelles3518]

Yes. I had to join a book club to make me read. 2 yrs inmate. I recc to everyone struggling with any issues.

[@myrradine]

Here I am, again, drinking from the fountain of life and wisdom via Rajiv❤ thanks, Rajiv!

[@adelamoon]

As soon as I saw the word 'books' I knew that I was in trouble...in a good way.

[@cathlynmosby2216]

Please continue this segment. Books have meant everything to me since I was a small girl. I would find a little space where I could curl up and explore the world! I love someone else’s perspective on books I have read. If anyone is going to have a unique experience from a book, I think Rajiv, you will . Blessings 📙📗📘📕

[@litaibarcena4041]

As I listened to you, I couldn't stop remembering how much love and dedication you put into weaving that lovely bench you are sitting on.

[@MrsHalf]

As a native Texan, I found your southern accent delightful, and you are just adorable.

[@avalondreaming1433]

As another native Texan, I second that! ❤

[@user-vv4hg7me1q]

The voice of any writing is so important.

[@shermarkham6376]

Thank you.

[@oliviacarriveau]

"From the Storage Locker" ❤ I love these candid chats

[@kmrolland67]

It is refreshing to find out that I am not the only person who reads a book with the characters accents!! Great video. Also, your storage "locker" is impeccable!! I'd go there just to relax!

[@keepscats7936]

Thank you for discussing "A Room of One's Own." It's one of my favorite books.

[@trishahutchinson3485]

I absolutely love and enjoy watching your videos and learning from you. I’m so glad that I found you!❤

[@rajivsurendra]

Thanks for watching!

[@latinaartista36]

I love this episode of tales from the treasure trove. That’s just what I like to call it. Lovely as usual.

[@archivist17]

A great selection. I think that is far and away Woolf's greatest work - head and shoulders above any of her fiction. We are approaching the hundred years from her writing that she predicted. However, we have not come as far as she had hoped. Plus, she reveals the blinkers of class privilege the Bloomsbury group all suffered from. But it is a great read, with much of value to say - then and now.

[@caroleem1319]

There’s always Steve King!!

[@avalondreaming1433]

This man is just pure ASMR. 😊

[@piiga]

I just found Tom Sawyer in my basement yesterday and started reading it, and today i'm watching a video of you recommending it! How lovely is that!

[@nerudamonet]

Yes, please continue to share your books with us❤

[@tobaccoffee]

I love your taste in everything Rajiv. Your vibe is the best

[@lazyjazzymusic]

Virgini Woolf's book thrilled me as well. I'd count it as one of the most important books I've read as well.

[@rahelkamber4839]

I just found it in my local library! Now I'm excited to read it soon!

[@user-vv4hg7me1q]

Virginia Woolf.....I knew somehow you could be a fan.

[@kadeowings1984]

As a Missourian I think it’s absolutely precious that you read Mark Twain in a southern accent. I moved to Portland from Missouri a few years ago and people always try to tell me I’m from the south

[@kadeowings1984]

I wonder if reading it in a Midwest accent would have the same effect

[@homebodyheaven6114]

Only those from southern Missouri have a southern accent. Those of us in the northern half have a midwestern accent, which is supposedly the most sought after for those whose job is public speaking. Hannibal is northern. Missouri was the most divided state during the Civil War; some brothers fought against each other.

[@jefflawrentz1624]

We love our Rajiv time. I really like the selections you shared with us. Biography/ autobiography are my favorites but I love writers like Twain as well. I suspect you may enjoy “Twilight at Monticello” by Alan Pell Crawford. It’s one of my favorites and I’ve read it several times. Thanks again, Rajiv !

[@carolbulmer8253]

Rajiv, I read A Room of One’s Own in English 101 and wrote a paper on it… I loved it.

[@user-vv4hg7me1q]

How wonderful to have been able to study her work. Has your paper been published?

[@reddog40]

I hope you continue to do a segment on books.I also think reading is a lost thing I remember as a kid,teen I read so many books during the summer to help pass time and as a adult I carried it through my life.Love touching the paper and looking at the artwork and construction of the book, and collecting or making beautiful bookmarks.Thank you for sharing some of your favorite books.

[@Nodalities]

Hello, dear Rajiv! As a former academic librarian who has just started writing my manuscript, this video warms my heart and touches me to the depths of my soul. Thanks so much❣

[@linaD08]

Why am I surprised and delighted when Rajiv shows up on my feed??
Thank you for this wonderfully reflective moment.

[@moneal99801]

Tom Sawyer is one of my favorites too. My dad gave it to me when I was 10, and when we were painting the picket fence in our front yard. Thanks for the flashback.

[@veg-hb3kt]

The Elephants in My Backyard. Author Rajiv Surendra. You may have heard of him!😊

[@ericawarren]

I read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer out loud to my boys when they were young and it is a fond memory. It's one of my favorites too!

[@jdee2482]

Two books that marked me: A Room of One’s Own, and Margaret Atwood’s “The Edible Woman”. Reproductive rights and access to birth control were key to my generation’s freedom to pursuit our dreams. Accessibility to post-secondary education and universal healthcare were important too. Happy that the next generation still has access to all in my country.

[@pamelachristie5570]

Lovely video. Happily, the Sargent biography is back in print! I just ordered a copy for myself on amazon. Thank you for recommending it.

[@smullis7]

Tom Sawyer is also one of my favorite books too! I love the idea of books from your library. Your videos always make me smile.

[@Love-oo1nz]

Yay! Happy to see a new video up. You are life.

[@infamcus]

I love that you also use accents to help get through books. I did this for the Lord of the Rings books. I used a proper british accent for the narrator and mimicked the voices of the actors from the movies. It made the book really easy to get through.
Side note: Tolkien writes a lot of poetry in his books, it’s been so long that many of the poems have been adapted to songs. This helped a ton with reading the songs/poems.

[@Vonniearchie6750]

😂 Okay,I'm not weird reading in the accents of the characters. I did this while reading The Picture of Dorian Grey. Somehow it made the book more engaging and helped me get through it.

[@catesby4788]

Chart er is. Is, I believe the appropriate pronunciation. Rajiv, your ordered life is a pleasure to share. Thank you

[@chrisfry436]

I am in the midst of purging some books (mostly popular fiction) as I do keep my very old books that I am always on the hunt for and also a few of my favorite, but one that has stayed with me many many years after reading was a simple story of childhood and dealing with what it brings..."The Yearling" by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings...one of the most beautifully descriptive books I have ever read.

[@beckys8332]

Wow! Level up the storage locker. It’s so pretty and restful. You’re awesome. Thanks for sharing this ❤

[@elinorshirvanian9546]

OMG a month ago I decided to start reading again and I thought about The Adventures of Tom Sawyer how coincidental then I found Huckleberry Fin in a thrift store and purchased it. As a child these two films left a mark on me but I didn't remember them so now I will read them to remind me why I loved them so much.

[@swflgal8608]

We love you, Rajiv! ❤📚

[@deborah5261]

So grateful to you, Rajiv, for this particular video. It means a lot to me. Thank you!

[@KimberlyGreene-sv7ei]

A room of one’s own…first read it at 16. I’ve read it more than 10 times since then. Contentment.

[@sheilaj5818]

I would guess that most of us watching don't have someone like you to listen to, talk to or to learn from. That can be a lonely thing but we DO have you to follow and you are a blessing . Stay well.

[@Sally-nse2]

Its ’Char-ter-iss’ phonetically Rajiv, no matter, it’s a very beautifully painted picture of that painters life as you have it. I’d love to see the others, as would many of us I am certain. ❤

[@TheLeslieMichelle]

I love books! And you have some precious gems there in your collection. As a kid, I was a huge fan of Mark Twain and I got into Virginia Woolf in my teens. Ever since childhood, I've been addicted to reading books. It's still my escape from the outside world. And honestly, when I saw all of your books, I wanted to pick one just to read. Your storage is amazing too! Thank you for sharing your love of books with us.

[@user-ht2iv7rz5r]

It's so fun to peek at the items stored that was presented in previous videos. (yellow Kitty😸 bowl)!

[@lindajanke6194]

Only you, wonderful friend that you are, could make a trip to their storage locker, fun and meaningful. Please continue to use your amazing imagination, to find new and fascinating ways to teach us all that we need to know. Every encounter with you is a gem.

[@myself2861]

Rajiv, I've loved you since watching you rap. 😂 The amount of times I have watched that scene are too numerous to count. Then, oh my goodness, I discovered you on youtube and was beyond thrilled to find that you have a WHOLE other old world side to you on top of being Kevin MC mathlete rapper. ❤ This world is blessed to know you. Thank you for being you. ❤ You have not only given me laughs but inspired me to take up art again as well as place more care into my everyday small decisions. x

[@freezo244]

🩵

[@LisaSonora]

Rajiv, thank you for sharing these books. When you say they changed your life, I wonder if there is anything you are willing to share as to HOW they changed your life. Thank you!!!!

[@michelebarlow1194]

Yesss, plz, a book series would be wonderful! ❤

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

Thank you for the video. I love A Room of One’s Own.

[@DwarfDragonwulf]

Thank you, Rajiv.

[@PamelaCatherine24]

Thank you for sharing this selection of books from your personal library. Beautiful holy water stoup! 👼

[@diamondslashranch]

I would love to see you do a recurring book segment. I have come to respect you and your opinions very much and would enjoy hearing your thoughts on books. I’m always on the hunt for new books and I know they will be good if you recommend them.

[@kathleenpalmer845]

I’m currently reading YOUR book and loving it . 💗

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

CAN WE SAY THE REASONS WHY WE LOVE RAJIV😄🥰🔥

[@lisabaurmeister1572]

Great books, I too am a Sargent fan and have that Bio of Sargent with the dust cover. It was hard to find and not cheap. I love it!!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@ladyofalbion6641]

Appreciate your insights Rajiv!
A Room of One’s Own is so important!
I will share Tom Sawyer with my nephews

[@carolynducan1765]

Thank you for another interesting video, Rajiv! I just bought the book ( paperback in print) about John Sargent …. He is also a favorite of mine.
I ALWAYS enjoy your vlogs. YOU are a true “renaissance man”!!

[@ranji8084]

Increditible choice of three books. Great job Rajiv.

[@carolking6355]

Books. My most favourite thing in life equal with plants. Thank you so much. I loved everything about Virginia Woolf and read that book over 50 years ago.Her life in the Bloomsbury group was so interesting. Her ending so sad. I agree absolutely about biographies. They give you the best perspective on a person. I stopped reading autonbiographies as people only tell you what they want you to know. Have you read the volumes of Pepys ?I now own them. Such a wonderful glimpse into the past. He wrote them in shorthand and in a mirror so it took many years for them to be deciphered. Thank you for your wonder channel.

[@helenkane8594]

I love Sargent too!❤ I saw the costume exhibit in Boston in the fall.

[@LisaSonora]

a whole storage locker series please! ❤❤❤

[@amybolt9074]

Would love that!

[@SisterShirley]

Rajiv, as always, you had my full and honest attention.
You are a superb human being.

[@elisem1883]

I may have to give Woolf another go. I read To The Lighthouse years ago, but I think I read it too young. I only now finally feel like I'd be able to better understand the characters and process the message. Thank you for sharing!

[@maryannchandonnait8094]

Rajiv, about 45 years ago I read Huckleberry Finn and was having some difficulty with Jim's dialog so I started saying the lines out loud to myself. It all clicked when I did this ,so I think your suggestion of thinking in a southern accent could be quite helpful to other viewers. I have 2 Virginia Wolff novels on my shelf and will attempt them this fall.

[@mikemclane8821]

Saw a video of yours long ago and forgot to subscribe -- happy to have found you again and belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY

[@evelynmom2902]

Thanks for the recommendations! I’m currently reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck. First time reading it!❤

[@rajivsurendra]

I LOOOOOOOOVEEEEE that book.

[@michellemaynard2047]

The more I watch your videos the more I like your content and now one of my most favorite books of all time-- see photo near name that’s been “my” photo for years. Thanks again for another great video. Reading is a work out for the brain! (You’re storage unit looks neater than my home 😅)

[@RedRonFJB]

I READ - A ROOM OF ONE'S OWN- AS A TEENAGER AND IT LEFT A PROFOUND EFFECT ON ME.

[@bngr_bngr]

My whole garage is my library.

[@user-vv4hg7me1q]

I am sinking in 📚. What a way to go!

[@Familylawgroup]

How do you have it secure against earthquakes? I would love an inventory tour of these types of places. These are the treasures you protect.

[@touchofdumb]

Ongoing! Yes please

[@appnzllr]

My favorites are: (1) The Lord of the Rings. When I read this 50 years ago it was nearly like watching a movie, it was so graphic. The Hobbit is also good, but I hold LotR in a special place. (I hated the movies.) (2) Dune (and Children of Dune). (3) Taiko by Eiji Yoshikawa. Expertly translated from Japanese. Companion to another great book called Musashi. I've read all of these books multiple times, and I'll read them again. (Tad Williams's Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series - which starts with The Dragonbone Chair - is also excellent.)

[@julieschnorenberg5370]

I love biography! That book looks really stunning, with prints that have the tissues! Virginia Woolf is deep. Thanks for sharing! As a child of a librarian,I love this video!❤️🌹

[@donnapecoraro3126]

I love those books too! Your storage locker is beyond.

[@Romschii]

What a lovely video :) thank you for sharing your favorite books in such a special setting :))

[@monicacallesarenales5865]

I love Sargent's art, please sow us more books of yours! :)

[@sharynfertig7019]

your spirit is lovely, kind and warm. thank you for sharing. ps: a fine balance by rohinton mistry is my share for you…
🙃🐄

[@CanadaFree-ce9jn]

I'm a non-fiction reader, preferring to get my fiction from TV and movies, so I have several books on the go. My next one that I want to read is The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli as i've heard a lot about it. I may put A Room of One's Own on my list.

[@ManoloVintage]

I agree with finding the character inside the words written.
I can usually see the person in the words they chose to write, and I read with different voices and personalities. 😊
When I look up a movie to go see with my kids, like Inside Out 2, I read the reviews written. They are so interesting, and I read them to my kids in the personality I see in the writing. It's hilarious and a great time with the kids. 😂

[@KariWickstrom]

Great permanent collection! My personal collection is based on seasons. Every season I reread a favorite and Twain claims a spot for the summer collection.

[@eileenm1991]

Raj....you should read Footfalls from Memory by Terry Waite. He was for 5 years in solitary confinement in Beirut, he loved books and begged his guards for books , he finally received some and in this book he sumerizes some selections...afterwards you want to read them!

[@estelagreene255]

Love the southern accent! good idea!

[@sandraelder1101]

If you like Twain, you MUST read Puddinhead Wilson! It’s a comedy, a drama, a murder mystery, and a social commentary all in one. Brilliant!

[@mildrumpus]

Well…welcome to the BookTube community! I also hope you continue with this series. (“Can I see your treasures?” lives rent-free in my head.) Happy Reading! 😎📚👍

[@Teaandhoney38]

Love this. U should make some sleep stories. U have a nice voice and i would listen to them. Thank u

[@jmcmurrah]

I really enjoyed this video… would love to see more book suggestions.

[@savitriseegobin17]

Thank you, always a delight. Please continue inspiring us with your treasures.