วีดีโอ

Thank you so much! You’re absolutely right-there’s no shortage of 'betterments' out there, and it’s easy for people to get swept up in flashy promises, whether it’s on TH-cam, in schools, or beyond. I think that’s part of why I felt so strongly about making this video-to sift through all the noise and bring it back to what really works and why. And yes, let’s both steer clear of speed reading-it’s definitely a rabbit hole best avoided! Appreciate you watching and sharing your thoughts-it means a lot.

@@DrCrankyPantsReads You're welcome. And your message here is needed. Thanks.

I’m so glad you found the video helpful-and starting with Language at the Speed of Sight is such a great choice! Seidenberg definitely pulls no punches, and while some of his critiques make me wince (fairly, I’ll admit), I appreciate how thoroughly he unpacks the reading process. It’s one of those books that challenges you to think critically, even when you don’t agree with everything. I’d love to hear your thoughts once you’ve finished-let’s definitely chat about it! It’s always great to have a conversation about the nuances and implications of work like his, especially with someone who’s diving into it thoughtfully.

That’s such a wonderful approach-poetry really does lend itself to being savored aloud, doesn’t it? I love the idea of finding the rhythm and then rereading for meaning-it’s such a mindful way to engage with text. And you’re absolutely right: for skilled readers, the process of learning to read often feels like it was effortless, but that’s usually because the foundational skills were laid so early on that the work behind it gets forgotten. One of my biggest challenges when working with preservice teachers is getting them to realize just how much effort and intentionality went into teaching us to read-whether it was a parent, teacher, or caregiver. For most of us, someone invested that time, even if we don’t remember it. Truly self-taught readers are so rare! And as for speed reading-yes, I couldn’t agree more. Poetry and deep engagement with text over speed tricks any day!

@@DrCrankyPantsReads I wonder if you know the song "In darkness let me dwell". There's a line about "hellish, jarring sounds" that singers almost always get wrong, because they sing it beautifully, while it should really sound "hellish and jarrish". I usually use it to show students that the way words sound is important. Some students are quick to perceive a binary rhythm, or a caesura, for example, and enjoy discovering poems by reading them aloud. Sorry to bother you with such long comments!

Same! Let me know how you like it - I found it fascinating and made me think of Nancy quit differently than I had earlier...

@@DrCrankyPantsReads I read her biography (I think written by Selina Hastings). Very interesting.

@@RM-tc9pu I really liked The Sisters for following all the Mitford Sisters - it gives you a sense of how each influenced the other. Was so good.

Completely agree-Random Family is such a powerful and unforgettable read! It’s incredible how deeply it dives into the lives of its subjects while shedding light on so many important issues. What stood out most to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Thank you so much! I'm thrilled you discovered the channel and enjoyed the tag-it was such a fun one to film (and knit through)! You don’t have to knit to join the crafty chaos-maybe painting, cross-stitching, or even doodling could be a fun twist while answering the questions? I'd love to hear what you'd work on if you give it a go. Welcome to the channel-it’s great to have you here!

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the knit and chat-it was such a fun way to mix two things I love. Welcome to the channel, and thank you for subscribing! I’m excited to have you here-can’t wait to chat more about books (and maybe some crafting too)!

I can see it - though his beard game appears to be much, much better than mine.

Hm talk lit works too but then you have to figure out how to say "drink".

@@marcellom This is all kinds of brilliant and I will be stealing it.

That’s such a great point, and I’ve definitely tried this approach before! It actually reminded me a lot of my graduate school days, where reading often meant constant cross-referencing to fully grasp the context. I think the challenge with Spectacles is that I wanted it to feel more accessible, like a light, entertaining read, but it turns out to be the kind of book that requires that extra effort to fully appreciate. While I admire the self-directed learning aspect, I’m not sure if I’m ready to dive into that level of work with this particular book. What English history book are you reading, though? It sounds like you’re uncovering some fascinating things!

Totally get it-it sounds like Infinite Jest hit on some really intense themes that made it hard to keep going, and I can imagine the mental and physical weight of that book didn’t help either! Cheever’s biography is a very different challenge for me, though-my problem is staying book-monogamous long enough to finish it without being distracted by all the shiny spines calling my name. But 2025 is the year, I’m determined! If you ever decide to revisit Infinite Jest, I’d love to hear how it goes and what coping mechanisms you utilized!

Replying with something silly so it stops telling me I haven't responded, when I have, just en masse.

I am woefully behind on comments, so here's me, catching up. Sebald really is a phenomenal writer-you’ve got quite the lineup with Vertigo, The Rings of Saturn, and Austerlitz! I’ve read The Rings of Saturn, and it’s such a masterpiece of blending memory and history. Vertigo might have to be my next Sebald read - bring it on in 2025. I’m with you on Ulysses-I only made it through under duress in undergrad, but, adjacently, Nora by Nuala O’Connor was such a refreshing take. It’s fascinating to see Joyce’s life through his wife’s perspective, and I found it way more approachable and emotionally resonant. If you haven’t read it yet, I think you’d enjoy it! As for Hitchcock, I see your point-his adaptations often surpass their source material. Rebecca is the one I always think of; as much as I love du Maurier’s writing, Hitchcock just brought something extra to that story on screen. And Coraline-I love the book, but the film really takes it to another level. One of my favorite children’s literature author/illustrators, Jon Klassen, actually worked on the movie, and his artistic touch shines through in the film’s eerie, magical atmosphere. The overall vibe is just incredible, and I agree-it’s truly better than the book.

@@DrCrankyPantsReads I am reading Sebald again (read his books, including Campo Santo during lockdown). Loving the books even more. Yes, I've read Nora. Loved Dubliners, too, but Ulysses defeats me every single time,.

Same here.

One more time for the folks in the back.

Mark, your comment about knitting words gave me a good laugh-more holes than thread is a vibe I deeply relate to sometimes! But hey, even crochet fails have their charm, right? Thank you for the tag-it was such a fun way to multitask with my knitting and books! Also, yes-Willy Wonka! Who wouldn’t want a chocolate factory and the freedom to just… be delightfully eccentric? Glad you enjoyed the response!

@@DrCrankyPantsReads I love eccentricity. Unfortunately rare coin now. Oh to be different...

Seriously though, how could one resist? (Also sorry for the double comment - I thought I would save time responding all in one, but alas.)

Same here. I appreciate you.

The Library of Oxford has always been on my list of places to visit and now that I know there's a beautiful bookmark, it's moving up the list. Travel priorities.

Right? It just sucks you in and doesn't let go. Have you read any of his other work? I also really enjoyed How We Got to Now, but that one doesn't seem to have the same following.

@@DrCrankyPantsReads absolutely, I think I read it in one sitting. I haven't read How we got to now, but I'll give it a try. Different author, but equally interesting book: Bellevue: three centuries of Medicine.

@@RM-tc9pu I really enjoyed Bellvue! I mean, as much as you can given the subtitle contains medicine and mayhem. You've got great taste in books.

@@DrCrankyPantsReads I was fascinated by Bellevue, having already read Eric Manheim's Twelve Patients. Glad to find someone that also enjoyed it, because it's a fascinating book.

@@RM-tc9pu I don't know how I missed Twelve Patients, but added to my Note to be on the look out for it at a used bookstore ASAP. Thanks!

I am more than willing to give it a go, but make NO promises! :)

Thanks for the comment! I LOVE Eat Your Books too-it’s seriously such a game-changer for rediscovering those hidden gems in my cookbook collection. They’ve inspired me to go full-on spreadsheet mode for tracking my cookbooks, which I know is super extra, but it’s been such a fun project. Also, I’m so excited for you and your hosting adventure! What’s on your mind for the big day? How many are you planning to host, and what dish are you most excited to make? I don’t get the chance to entertain often either, so when it does happen, I go all out.

​@@DrCrankyPantsReads I love the spreadsheets! When I was a kid my mom got a Time-Life series of cookbooks of the world. But it's impossible to find a recipe in all of that, so a few years ago she gifted them to me. They're all indexed in EYB, so now I can find recipes in there and actually make them. We just moved to a new area, within a few hours of my son's family, and they'll be joining us this year. Not a large crowd, but I'm really looking forward to it. We need both turkey and ham to satisfy the preferences of some, and my grandmother's roll recipe is a must. But desserts are my love to bake. My daughter-in-law is bringing a cake (she's a baker and professional decorator) so I'll probably make a pie or a cheesecake; just have to pick one! A few you mentioned had my mouth watering...

@@deborahwager5883 Oh, I absolutely remember those Time-Life cookbooks! What a treasure trove-and getting them all indexed in EYB is brilliant! It must feel amazing to finally have those recipes at your fingertips; so much culinary history there. And wow, that sounds like a beautiful holiday gathering-how wonderful to be closer to family and have everyone around the table this year! Turkey and ham sounds like the perfect way to make sure everyone’s happy, and there’s nothing like a family roll recipe. A pie or cheesecake for dessert sounds spot-on, especially with a professional baker in the mix! I think Martha’s pumpkin cheesecake is a classic (www.marthastewart.com/335642/pumpkin-cheesecake), but then again, there’s just something about the simplicity of a perfect pie. Can’t wait to hear what you decide on!

Ha! True, though I'm trying to aim for quality over speed over here! Happier Hour really got me thinking about how we spend our time-it’s all about making those hours feel fuller and more meaningful. What’s your take-are you more ‘life’s short, live it up’ or ‘life’s short, take it slow’?

@DrCrankyPantsReads live in the moment, I'd say, no? Sure, gotta work to have a brighter future, but honestly, can't forget the present either. Forget the present and you'll never have a future, I think

@@AliceKeto We're getting existential, and I'm totally here for it! It's so true-there are so many pulls on our attention these days, from social media to jobs that expect us to be available 24/7. It can be tough to stay in the moment. But you're right, not forgetting the present is crucial for building the future we want. We've gotta be mindful of where we invest our attention and where we spend our time -they're our most valuable currencies.

Was not expecting to get into the premise of that book as quickly as I did. It's a masterclass in how to move your book forward, acting with both an astounding sense of brevity as well as literary depth. Still thinking about that one, so when you finish, let's talk!

@@DrCrankyPantsReads I think that one will be on my list for reading in 2025. Your description sounds so good!!

@@BonnieNicoleWrites Looking forward to talking about it - I am currently making several friends read it so I can converse!

Thanks so much for the encouragement, Mark! I really appreciate the feedback on the thumbnails-I’m enjoying finding a style that feels authentic, even if the growth is slow. I'm definitely focused on figuring out what resonates with people and how I can genuinely contribute to that conversation, rather than just chasing views. Thank you for tagging me! For some reason, it didn’t show up in Mentions, but I found it and am working on getting that on my filming docket. Excited to dive in!

@@DrCrankyPantsReads Good luck with the tag! As to views... I have taken the internal option to get thinkers and not just 'fans'.

Seriously, such a brilliant system. It's literally changed the way I collect, collate, and retrieve information. HIGHLY recommended.

That MJ. She's a good one. Welcome! Thanks for hanging out with me - I appreciate you!

Thank you so much, Bonnie! I think giving new authors that second chance is so important-everyone’s work evolves, and I love watching that growth. And yes, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s interconnected world of characters is such a treat, isn’t it? There’s something special about revisiting familiar faces across her novels, especially in books like Carrie Soto and Malibu Rising. Those shared book memories with my mom really add a layer of nostalgia and depth to my reading experience, and it’s fascinating how our understanding of stories deepens with each re-read. Best of luck with your writing journey! I’m sure your future readers will be just as excited to watch your characters and world come to life.

Thank you! 😊 I had a blast making it, so I’m glad the fun came through! The Book Murderer Tag was a perfect excuse to unleash some bookish mischief. 📚💀

Thank you for subscribing! I’m so glad this video was helpful! It’s amazing how just understanding why something feels off can make such a difference. Here’s to more comfortable reading from here on out! 📚😊

Thanks for raising an important point! As someone who studies reading, I get why Bionic Reading appeals as a potential tool for neurodiverse or dyslexic readers. But unfortunately, the recent Acta Psychologica study by Dr. Joshua Snell (2024) found no measurable benefit from Bionic Reading’s bold-first-letter format for any reading group. In fact, the bolding tends to pull readers' eyes to every word, which disrupts the natural flow of reading. For neurodiverse and dyslexic readers who might already struggle with fluency, this can add more unnecessary fixations rather than supporting smooth eye movement and comprehension. Effective reading tools for dyslexia, like larger fonts or spacing adjustments, focus on boosting discriminability between letters and creating a more stable visual landscape-something Bionic Reading doesn’t address. I agree it’s crucial to keep seeking tools that support diverse readers, and I’m excited for future innovations that are truly grounded in research to help with these specific challenges. Thanks for a thoughtful discussion! Link to article: www.researchgate.net/publication/380485238_No_Bionic_Reading_does_not_work

I get where you're coming from! For a quick answer, I didn’t include citations, but am happy to supply. I would start with this: Snell, J. (2024). No, Bionic Reading does not work. Acta Psychologica, 247, 104304. It is available here: www.researchgate.net/publication/380485238_No_Bionic_Reading_does_not_work The reference list within the article contains many additional resources that you may find of interest. Thanks for asking for them! Edited to add: also added to my Shorts description for others who may also be interested. Again, thanks for your reminder to be a responsible citer of research.

Haha, not a bad guess! But Crime and Punishment would need a few more intense stares and guilt-induced monologues. 😅

I feel like you bought the book, you should do with it what you will to make sure you enjoy it!

Agreed! Totally going to break the spine if it means comfortable reading!

OMG, THIS IS BRILLIANT.

Thank you so much for noticing the presentation and production values! It's definitely a journey, and I'm pretty happy with how this one turned out overall. I'm glad Max in the House of Spies caught your interest-Gidwitz really is one-of-a-kind in the middle grades space. And The Trees was just… an experience I didn’t know I needed until I read it. Hope your reading is going well, and thanks again for your kind words. I appreciate you!

Thanks! I've got a small playlist of recommendations I've already done (th-cam.com/play/PL9TXARU7Zxv2dRDEJfkSzr83fcjTdjpCE.html) and have a ton more planned in the future! What are you favorite types of read?

You're welcome!

That's what I get for being all "I'm decorating for the holiday..." You just can't win some days.

She really is the best! Thanks for stopping in! I appreciate you!

Get the sequel - I started it immediately after finishing and am languishing for the next one!

I really enjoyed A Deadly Education! El's character arc, from cynical to more heroic, felt natural, especially as she built relationships. Her moral code evolves from rigid to something more grounded in empathy, but she never loses her edge. The school itself is terrifying, and I loved how Novik captured that constant sense of danger. While not perfect, the mix of character growth and the dark, brutal world definitely kept me hooked and the overarching trilogy was definitely more win than not. Are you thinking of picking it up or was it a three-star review for you?

@@DrCrankyPantsReads I've already blasted through the first 2 books and 60 percent through the last one. I don't wanna finish reading and have to shelve the series forever. It's my favorite fantasy book series if all time. I don't think anything else will come close to it in my lifetime. It's so mesmerizing because Novik shatters so many conventional writing rules yet still has a marketable and fantastic manuscript to show for it. I love how it's not afraid to take risks and go against the grain of the typical 3 act structure that many western stories are expected to abide by. It has even heavily inspired my own magic system in my own universe. It works like magic = energy + intent x belief

@@oppressionsimulatorgotyedi9009 I totally get the feeling of not wanting to finish a series that’s had such a profound impact-you almost don’t want the magic to end. The Scholomancy books really do stand out, don’t they? I love how Naomi Novik isn’t afraid to break the "rules" and still deliver something truly captivating. Her approach to storytelling feels fresh and daring, and that’s what makes it so unforgettable. It’s amazing to hear that the series has inspired your own writing, especially your magic system-it sounds intriguing! Magic as energy, intent, and belief feels like it has a lot of potential for depth and creativity!

Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the ranking-it was a total nostalgia trip for me. It’s really fascinating to think about how certain media, like Are You Afraid of the Dark, circulated globally while others, like Fear Street, didn’t make the same leap. On one hand, I feel for your younger self not having access to these, but I’m sure you had your own cool reads that we missed out on! One of the interesting things about globalization and the internet now is how much it’s flattened those experiences-everyone has access to almost everything. So, no R. L., but did you ever come across Christopher Pike?

@@DrCrankyPantsReads I’ve seen a lot of Christopher Pike’s books online since, as well as other titles in the ‘Point Horror Books’ series, and all of them make me incredibly sad that they weren’t on my radar when I was around 12 or 13. I could imagine spending an entire summer reading book after book! The cover art, from what I’ve seen, is so evocative, especially the titles ‘Road to Nowhere’, 'Last Act' and ‘Remember Me.’ There’s one of Pike’s books, ‘Weekend’, which I’ve had on my list of Etsy favorites for months, and which I might one day take a chance on. If you have any recommendations, feel free to share. 😁

@@ATPennington Tell me about five current favorite books - that's going to help me think about which ones to recommend. Pike really was kind of all over the place - so I like to use some anchors to connect dots with recommendations.

Rhoda is a handful, but cute enough to get away with it. I apparently went with a "books with the feels" this video, but couldn't NOT include them. Thanks for watching - looking forward to your next ramble!

Thank you so much! I'm really glad you love the channel name-I had fun coming up with it! And yeah, the Newbie Tag definitely had more layers than I anticipated! It’s been a fun ride though, and I’m excited to keep experimenting with these videos. Looking forward to seeing more from you as well, and thanks again for the warm welcome to BookTube!

Thank you so much for the warm welcome! It’s great to hear you’re enjoying the community-it’s been such a fun experience so far, even though I’m still figuring things out. I’m really looking forward to connecting more with other readers, and it’s always nice to meet someone who’s also on this journey.

@DrCrankyPantsReads Definitely! I've connected with quite a few others and the experience had been genuine. Looking forward to more.

@book-ramble Thank you so much! Kia ora from Nebraska! I really appreciate the sub and the kind words-excited to have you along for the journey. Looking forward to checking out your content too! Here’s to navigating the BookTube world together as fellow newbies! 🌍📚

@@DrCrankyPantsReads The community is strong - and many will join you if you reach out. Good luck, and keep in touch!