Thank you for all that you do! I have gotten back into reading because of you! I will be reading and actually start smiling. Thanks again! You are awesome!
I think you are so what is needed in my life and others. You’re such a great friend and I can’t wait to experience this awesome 2025 with you and your laughter and books. Thank you so much!! Happy holidays 🥰❤️📚
The smile in the thumbnail brought me here, your insight kept me! You grew my tbr, thanks. Not sure I needed to be tongue lashed about not reading enough, but I understood your message, bear in mind education should always uplift and never beat down. I appreciate the effort you put into this content and the diversity of your recommendations, now let me read a few of these and get back to you.
This isn’t the page for you if you don’t realize that every comment i make isn’t for you or about you. so you don’t have to get back to me! it’s okay to find a different Booktuber to watch and get recs from. also, you probably aren’t reading enough just based on this comment.
nothing to be sorry about. everything ain’t for everybody. i’m not for you and that’s okay. you can’t make a sideways comment and not expect people to respond lol. there’s sooooo much content out in the world. go somewhere that fits your needs.
The Reformatory was FIIYAAAAH! 🎉 I read it based on your recommendation/mention a few months ago. I will be looking forward to Sky Full of Elephants and James *gulp*. I can already feel my blood pressure tryna shake something up in me whilst Im down to dem peoples job, gurl. 😂😂😂
These books sound amazing! I'm definitely going to add them to my 2025 reading list. I love what you said about the key to being a good writer is to be a good reader. Thank you for saying that. You get it!
I love me some Christina C. Jones! Haven’t read one of her books in a while, but I’ll definitely be adding Hostile Takeover to my 2025 TBR. 📚✨. I just love hearing you talk about books! Thank you so much for all the amazing recommendations and for encouraging us to read more diversely. You’re truly a gem, Shelby! Wishing you a very Happy Holidays! 💜
I so enjoy you! Thank you for your passion, humor, genius and love. Every video is pure Black Excellence. I am so glad I found you. May your holidays be merry and bright!
I put James, A Sky Full of Elephants and A Love Song for Riki Wilde on the top ten of my list too. All gave me something to think about and to learn. I have several other books you recommended on my TBR list. I've put two (Trees and The Blueprint) on hold at my local library. Check out Finding Edward by Sheila Murray. It's a great book about a young Jamaican black man in Toronto who seeks out Edward, a man who had a similar background decades before.
@shelbeyandthebookclub it's a great book. It includes Africville in Halifax. Like other thriving black communities, it was demolished to make way for "progress"
I definitely agree The Reformatory does not feel like it’s as long as it is. I listened to the audio and it flowed well. Because of the length I initially put off reading it thinking it would be daunting but it was the opposite. Sad read written wonderfully ❤
Sky Full of Elephants are on my list for 2025. I own The Reformatory. They were the keynotes at a book festival I work with. I love both authors, so I supported her with a sale. I'm not a horror reader, but maybe I'll give it a go.
Thanks for the list, I’ve read Hostile Takeover from your prior rec. I am currently reading A love song for Ricki Wilde. I was planning to read James since you were putting another of his book for pick in Q1.
So, my question about James is this: do I have to go back and read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn? I attended a technical high school where we missed some of the basics to learn various technical skills. As a result, I did not read a number of literary classics. Some, like Huck Finn, I have no intention of going back to read. I do get the gist of the story. Would love to know your thoughts.
@shelbeyandthebookclub I'm pretty sure I've read some excerpts. I just know how I am and the way that it's written, I think I'd just get frustrated with the language. I know what a negro is and as far as I know, Huck Finn ain't no black culture hero lol I'm from Connecticut and I don't care that much about Mark Twain 🤷🏾♀️
Ours- not yet but i have it and have spoken to the authors he’s super nice I’ve read both the books in the Lovecraft Country series and enjoyed them. I spoke about Masquerade in my honorable mentions video. I haven’t gotten into NK Jemisin yet but i have her books. I’ll get to them eventually
Hostile Takeover was on my list of favorites, as well, Cousin!!!!!!!! I was so caught up in that world that I had to go on over and read about them vampires. I enjoyed those novellas, as well, but I am ready for a story featuring her friends and his brothers.
Thank you for all that you do! I have gotten back into reading because of you! I will be reading and actually start smiling. Thanks again! You are awesome!
I'm so glad I could help!
I think you are so what is needed in my life and others. You’re such a great friend and I can’t wait to experience this awesome 2025 with you and your laughter and books. Thank you so much!! Happy holidays 🥰❤️📚
Awww, that's so sweet! Thank you 💜💜💜💜 2025 is gonna be so much fun!
As if I needed more books on my TBR list. But… everything I’ve read that you’ve recommended has been spot on! So….yeah❤
You won't regret it! And im glad you’re enjoying my recs 💜
I love how you speak about reading, books, and the beauty you show in and out. So excited to dive into your videos.
thank you sooooo much!
The smile in the thumbnail brought me here, your insight kept me! You grew my tbr, thanks. Not sure I needed to be tongue lashed about not reading enough, but I understood your message, bear in mind education should always uplift and never beat down. I appreciate the effort you put into this content and the diversity of your recommendations, now let me read a few of these and get back to you.
This isn’t the page for you if you don’t realize that every comment i make isn’t for you or about you. so you don’t have to get back to me! it’s okay to find a different Booktuber to watch and get recs from.
also, you probably aren’t reading enough just based on this comment.
@ Oh wow 🤯, sorry you feel that way. Wishing you well in your future endeavors.
nothing to be sorry about. everything ain’t for everybody. i’m not for you and that’s okay. you can’t make a sideways comment and not expect people to respond lol. there’s sooooo much content out in the world. go somewhere that fits your needs.
Thanks so much for being you and sharing your thoughts and recommendations! 😍🤩
thank you so much for all the support
The Reformatory was FIIYAAAAH! 🎉 I read it based on your recommendation/mention a few months ago. I will be looking forward to Sky Full of Elephants and James *gulp*.
I can already feel my blood pressure tryna shake
something up in me whilst Im down to dem peoples job, gurl. 😂😂😂
I'm so glad you loved The Reformatory! And I know those next two are gonna hit you hard lol
These books sound amazing! I'm definitely going to add them to my 2025 reading list. I love what you said about the key to being a good writer is to be a good reader. Thank you for saying that. You get it!
You’re welcome 💜💜
Thank you for the recs. I am going to listen to the sky full of elephants next year.
You're going to love it!
I will be reading the message in the beginning of 2025. Can't wait! I really loved a Love Song for Ricky Wild. Curvy Girl Summer sounds amazing.
I hope you enjoy! Curvy Girl Summer was great!
I just found your channel, I am a definite new subscriber. I am so intrigued with your review of Sky Full of Elephants, I’m adding it to my list.
Welcome and thank you 💜
I love me some Christina C. Jones! Haven’t read one of her books in a while, but I’ll definitely be adding Hostile Takeover to my 2025 TBR. 📚✨. I just love hearing you talk about books! Thank you so much for all the amazing recommendations and for encouraging us to read more diversely. You’re truly a gem, Shelby! Wishing you a very Happy Holidays! 💜
Thanks, you’re too kind! 💜 Happy Holidays!
Thanks for the recommendations! I first plan to read "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", then "James", and finally, "Sky Full of Elephants''.
this a good run! Huck Finn might be boring
I so enjoy you! Thank you for your passion, humor, genius and love. Every video is pure Black Excellence. I am so glad I found you. May your holidays be merry and bright!
You are too kind! Thank you for the support!
Happy Holidays! 💜
Such a good list! Sky Full of Elephants and James are on hold with Libby.
Thank you friend
James is on my January TBR I have heard great things about it.
I still think about it often! It’s so good
James was 🤌🏾! I have When Crack Was King on hold on Libby and I’m very much looking forward to this read.
I think you’re gonna really enjoy When Crack Was King
I just ordered Sky Full Of Elephants. I ordered it from Amazon and I will receiving it some time in January.
You are going to love it!
Love this book haul review...🎄💜
Thank you for watching!
I put James, A Sky Full of Elephants and A Love Song for Riki Wilde on the top ten of my list too. All gave me something to think about and to learn. I have several other books you recommended on my TBR list. I've put two (Trees and The Blueprint) on hold at my local library. Check out Finding Edward by Sheila Murray. It's a great book about a young Jamaican black man in Toronto who seeks out Edward, a man who had a similar background decades before.
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed those books! And I’ll have to add Finding Edward to my TBR
@shelbeyandthebookclub it's a great book. It includes Africville in Halifax. Like other thriving black communities, it was demolished to make way for "progress"
I definitely agree The Reformatory does not feel like it’s as long as it is. I listened to the audio and it flowed well. Because of the length I initially put off reading it thinking it would be daunting but it was the opposite. Sad read written wonderfully ❤
It really does fly by!
Sky Full of Elephants are on my list for 2025. I own The Reformatory. They were the keynotes at a book festival I work with. I love both authors, so I supported her with a sale. I'm not a horror reader, but maybe I'll give it a go.
I don’t think The Reformatory was scary in the horror way you might be thinking of. So I think you’ll be okay
Thanks for the list, I’ve read Hostile Takeover from your prior rec. I am currently reading A love song for Ricki Wilde.
I was planning to read James since you were putting another of his book for pick in Q1.
I'm so glad you enjoyed Hostile Takeover! A Love Song For Ricki Wilde is such a good one!
Just finished the blueprint. Fren, thank you. I’m broken now
You’re welcome! It was sooooo good.
I know you have a bookclub on Discord, but I was wondering if you had one on Fable as well
i don’t use fable.
I'm reading James a masterpiece !!!!
It’s sooooo gooddd!!! Enjoy 💜
Can’t wait to read Sky Full Of Elephants with the audiobook.
im going to check out sky of elepants and hostile takeover. gotta stay balanced lol also model home.
Model Home is heavy! But it’s great
The Reformatory is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Apparently she spent about ten years writing it? You can tell. It’s very well written
It was sooooo great!
So, my question about James is this: do I have to go back and read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?
I attended a technical high school where we missed some of the basics to learn various technical skills. As a result, I did not read a number of literary classics. Some, like Huck Finn, I have no intention of going back to read. I do get the gist of the story.
Would love to know your thoughts.
I think you could just read a summary or some reviews. If you genuinely want to read it, read it after James
@shelbeyandthebookclub I'm pretty sure I've read some excerpts. I just know how I am and the way that it's written, I think I'd just get frustrated with the language. I know what a negro is and as far as I know, Huck Finn ain't no black culture hero lol I'm from Connecticut and I don't care that much about Mark Twain 🤷🏾♀️
Have you read "Ours" by Phillip Williams, the sequel to Lovecraft Country, Masquerade by O.O. Sangayomi, or The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin?
Ours- not yet but i have it and have spoken to the authors he’s super nice
I’ve read both the books in the Lovecraft Country series and enjoyed them.
I spoke about Masquerade in my honorable mentions video.
I haven’t gotten into NK Jemisin yet but i have her books. I’ll get to them eventually
One thing you're gonna do is drop some bars "The key to be a good writer is to be a good reader" Mic drop
i be trying to pass on the good word but they busy being offended
@@shelbeyandthebookclub 🤣
Hostile Takeover was on my list of favorites, as well, Cousin!!!!!!!! I was so caught up in that world that I had to go on over and read about them vampires. I enjoyed those novellas, as well, but I am ready for a story featuring her friends and his brothers.
Me too! I can't wait for more from that world!
@shelbeyandthebookclub ❤️