i nominate Selimovic the fortress, Hassan Blasim the iraqi christ (warning heavy going, the worst is near the start, after the pit of poo it gets better, not preggers* reading), Cees Nooteboom the following story (short, perfect, not like his other stuff), George Lamming in the castle of my skin (one of the truly great works of literature) or if you didn't read it but i think you did, Slave Old Man by that french guy won the goncourt, complete with the afterward to the english translation. Mother recommends Dorothy Canfield Fisher the deepening stream v v long 'i've never read anythign about the first world war from the french side before, fascinating'.
if it helps before the coffee gets cold, it was originally a play and I think the novel retained the general vibe of a play. additionally, I found the prose very true to Japanese culture in that expression of emotion is frowned upon and a great emphasis on being polite and considerate.
I am completely with you on 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold'. I thought I would love it but I found it so slow and some of the scenarios slightly questionable. I read 'The Secret Lives of church Ladies' at the beginning of the year following your review and it's definitely my favourite book that I read this year
I adored before the coffee gets cold! Maybe because the subject matter was prevalent. My mom was just diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. 🤷♀️ but I would love to see your thoughts on where the crawdads sing. I know you said you have no interest but it's such an ode to nature. I know when I did a video on it I couldn't readily speak on the emotion this book gave me lol I would love to see your thoughts on sleeping giants by Sylvain neuvel. Hope the rest of your week goes well.
Loved Stoner, not exactly sure why. Absolutely loved Hamnet. 'Leave the world behind' felt a bit confusing. I feel the same about 'Before the coffee gets cold'. Very keen to read 'Our wives under the sea'.
What makes a day better... Jen vlogs of course! I just love how you talk about books, and especially your themed vlogs. I did like before the coffee gets cold. I have a few of the ones you mentioned on my tbr xx
Lola! I love when she visits you. ❤️ Another great reading vlog, Jen! I have a whole shelf of freshly checked out library books, most of them based on your recommendations. Thanks!🍂🍁🍃💜💛🧡
Super interesting and lovely vlog! I found so many books to put on my ever growing tbr 😍 Thank you for recommending Julie Orringer! Sarah Moss is one of my favourite authors and The Fell one of my top 5 this year. I also hugely enjoyed The Need, especially the audio book. "A little Life" might become my first DNF ever, I struggle a lot with it... I recently started The Binding by Bridget Collins, thought it could be fitting for the dark Month December is, and damn straight it fits the season 👻 I'm a third into the story and loving every page. Hope u have a good one! xx
I felt the same way about Before the Coffee Gets Cold. It seems like a book I should love, and yet... That's the mystery of the book for me! I loved The Overstory though, I read it maybe 2 years ago and I think about it often. I'm not quite sure why I loved it so much, I just did.
Omg I tried reading 'Before the Coffee gets Cold' and didn't get on with it at all! Everyone seems to love it so it's nice hearing that you weren't a fan either😅 x
Jen! I just read Franklin's Flying Bookshelf, and I absolutely adore it! 😍❤️💜🥰👍 Your text and Katie Harnett's illustrations pair so beautifully, and the cover design is incredible!
I agree with you on some of the books you didn’t like but I can’t help but say Seven Husbands was a brilliant read!! I was so surprised how much I loved it!
I absolutely loved Katie Leung’s narration of the first book in Val McDermid’s latest crime series, 1979. She does a killer Scottish accent. Your mention of Katie made me check to see if the next book in the series, 1989, is out over here on audio yet and it is! Katie narrates once again. I can’t wait to listen.
@@jenvcampbell Yes, I had thought so, but then I heard a more English accent in the clip you played, so I wasn’t sure. But then I’m American, so definitely not an expert on all the lovely accents over there. I just know I love listening to them.
Jen you’re such an inspiration. You were one of the first TH-camrs I ever subscribed to. The OG TH-camrs! If ever I’m in a reading block, I always come here to get out of it. Your unapologetic and authentic reviews and recommendations are always so intriguing and pushes me to read and write more! Thankyou so much for still making these videos! ❤️
I've just got Mrs March out of the library on your recommendation. I LOVED The Secret Lives on Church Ladies. I'm halfway through The Offing - maybe I won't bother finishing it.
Hi Jen, have you read The Rock, by Benjamin Myers? It's set in North Yorkshire in his home town (which also happens to be near Ted Hughes' place) the rock is a character, it's grumpy and creepy at times with Ben following the change in seasons.
Woman, eating certainly sounds like something I'd enjoy. I've heard a little about that one this year, but it's definitely going on my storygraph tbr now
I’m so happy you had a chance to read ON BEAUTY. I’ve found some her articles floating around the internet. She has such an interesting way of working through her thoughts. ❤
i consider the muse by jessie burton and the three daughters of eve by elif shafak to be a couple of my favourite books i rarely heard talked about - it has been years since i read them so im considering starting the new year with a reread.
My favourite book of all time is Anita and Me by Meera Syal. I re-read it again earlier this year for the first time in about ten years, and I really enjoyed it so that it definitely sealed it as my favourite of all time.
OOOOOH Gerald Durrell!!!!!!!!! I know that My Family and Other Animals is also a TV series but my favourite things he wrote are his short stories. Marrying off Mother and Other Stories is my personal favourite collection and my very damaged, dog-eared edition is one of my most prized possessions....
I would love to know your opinion on anything by Eimear McBride but my personal favorite of hers is The Lesser Bohemians. Thanks for making all the great content on here, Jen ♥
I felt the same as you about the offing. Strange enough, Hamnet did the same to me, so I didn't like it but you loved it 😂. Weird, how extremely specific one's likes/ dislikes are! Do you know "the butcherboy" by P. McCabe? It's my favourite book.
Really enjoy hearing what you're reading and where our tastes sometimes merge and sometimes diverge. Some of my favourites from Australian authors, Afterstory by Larissa behrendt (2021), The Living Sea of Waking Dream by Richard Flanagan (this is a challenging one) (2020), Sorry by Gail Jones (2007), Infinite Splendours by Sofie Laguna (2020), Understory by Inga Simpson (2017), Stone Sky, Gold Mountain by Mirandi Riwoe (2020) and Here Goes Nothing by Steve Toltz (2022). A NZ one - Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones (2006). Hope you can get your hands on a few of these and give them a try.
My favorites this year have been The Trees by Percival Everett, A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum by Emma Southon, The World Cannot Give by Tara Isabella Burton, Chouette by Claire Oshetsky, and I'm Glad my Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
I remeber that you have at home "The Paper Managerie", and it's one of my favourite collection of short stories, so I'm hoping you will give it a chance next time. Bye!
I loved your reviews of Women Eating and Easy Beauty. The intellectualizing instead of talking about how I feel about myself. Ahh, true. I get frustrated when books do it but so guilty of doing it myself especially when talking about pain and how people see chronicilly ill people.
Hi Jen - I've been hearing about increasing hardships in England - grocery costs, energy costs and shortages of certain foods/ingredients etc. Hopefully London is not affected! Just want you to know I'm thinking of you. If there are some things you need that I could send from the Southwest US, please let me know and I'll do my best. Sending love.
I thought Before the Coffee Gets Cold was okay, but most of the stories I thought were ho-hum, or "flat" as you so perfectly put it. My favorite contemporary novel is Borderliners by Peter Hoeg. It just grabbed me by some ancient primitive place in my brain --I felt I was reading it with my cerebellum and not my cerebrum.
I'm currently reading The Island of Missing Trees and I thought I would love it but I'm finding I have all the same problems you mentioned in your Womens Prize vlog -- the over-the-top earnestness is just killing me
I felt RC Sheriff Hopkins Manuscript was similar to Michael Faber Book of New Strange Things, and i really really really want something that shares that similarity, if you can please recommend. But nothing by the truly dreadful and appalling otessa moshfegh (condones rape and bores rigid) and not the vile boring turgid crimson petal and white. Something else about the lonely vastness of space and keeping and losing touch with people. Or whatever it is those two books have in common. Thank-you!
Let me know your favourite book in a comment, and I'll do another video like this in the future :) xx
war and peace. don't bother!
i nominate Selimovic the fortress, Hassan Blasim the iraqi christ (warning heavy going, the worst is near the start, after the pit of poo it gets better, not preggers* reading), Cees Nooteboom the following story (short, perfect, not like his other stuff), George Lamming in the castle of my skin (one of the truly great works of literature) or if you didn't read it but i think you did, Slave Old Man by that french guy won the goncourt, complete with the afterward to the english translation. Mother recommends Dorothy Canfield Fisher the deepening stream v v long 'i've never read anythign about the first world war from the french side before, fascinating'.
*preggers Edwardian slang for pregnant
A woman is no man by Etaf Rum
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. All of his Narnia books!
if it helps before the coffee gets cold, it was originally a play and I think the novel retained the general vibe of a play. additionally, I found the prose very true to Japanese culture in that expression of emotion is frowned upon and a great emphasis on being polite and considerate.
I am completely with you on 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold'. I thought I would love it but I found it so slow and some of the scenarios slightly questionable. I read 'The Secret Lives of church Ladies' at the beginning of the year following your review and it's definitely my favourite book that I read this year
I have similar feelings about Before the Coffee gets Cold! Maybe I am just dead inside too 😅
Absolutely loved Crying in H Mart and it's definitely one of my top books of the year!
My high definition serious readers cordless floor lamp came today, great purchase and what packaging, thank you for the recommendation.
You're so welcome. Happy reading! x
I adored before the coffee gets cold! Maybe because the subject matter was prevalent. My mom was just diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. 🤷♀️ but I would love to see your thoughts on where the crawdads sing. I know you said you have no interest but it's such an ode to nature. I know when I did a video on it I couldn't readily speak on the emotion this book gave me lol I would love to see your thoughts on sleeping giants by Sylvain neuvel. Hope the rest of your week goes well.
Loved Stoner, not exactly sure why. Absolutely loved Hamnet. 'Leave the world behind' felt a bit confusing. I feel the same about 'Before the coffee gets cold'. Very keen to read 'Our wives under the sea'.
O my Japanese Breakfast is awesome music I didn't know she was an author too !
What makes a day better... Jen vlogs of course! I just love how you talk about books, and especially your themed vlogs.
I did like before the coffee gets cold. I have a few of the ones you mentioned on my tbr xx
Crying in H Mart was one of my favorites this year (I was late to the party). I lost my mom earlier this year so it hit me especially hard.
Lola! I love when she visits you. ❤️ Another great reading vlog, Jen! I have a whole shelf of freshly checked out library books, most of them based on your recommendations. Thanks!🍂🍁🍃💜💛🧡
Super interesting and lovely vlog! I found so many books to put on my ever growing tbr 😍 Thank you for recommending Julie Orringer! Sarah Moss is one of my favourite authors and The Fell one of my top 5 this year. I also hugely enjoyed The Need, especially the audio book. "A little Life" might become my first DNF ever, I struggle a lot with it... I recently started The Binding by Bridget Collins, thought it could be fitting for the dark Month December is, and damn straight it fits the season 👻 I'm a third into the story and loving every page. Hope u have a good one! xx
Stoner was such a dull, soulless book. completely with you on that one, Jen! ❤️
😅
I felt the same way about Before the Coffee Gets Cold. It seems like a book I should love, and yet... That's the mystery of the book for me! I loved The Overstory though, I read it maybe 2 years ago and I think about it often. I'm not quite sure why I loved it so much, I just did.
Omg I tried reading 'Before the Coffee gets Cold' and didn't get on with it at all! Everyone seems to love it so it's nice hearing that you weren't a fan either😅 x
Jen! I just read Franklin's Flying Bookshelf, and I absolutely adore it! 😍❤️💜🥰👍 Your text and Katie Harnett's illustrations pair so beautifully, and the cover design is incredible!
I agree with you on some of the books you didn’t like but I can’t help but say Seven Husbands was a brilliant read!! I was so surprised how much I loved it!
I absolutely loved Katie Leung’s narration of the first book in Val McDermid’s latest crime series, 1979. She does a killer Scottish accent. Your mention of Katie made me check to see if the next book in the series, 1989, is out over here on audio yet and it is! Katie narrates once again. I can’t wait to listen.
Ooh! Excellent! (She is Scottish herself 😉) x
@@jenvcampbell Yes, I had thought so, but then I heard a more English accent in the clip you played, so I wasn’t sure. But then I’m American, so definitely not an expert on all the lovely accents over there. I just know I love listening to them.
@@mradcaqbdb I think she was doing Scottish for the dialogue & British for narrator in that clip?? That's what I heard at least
@@mmmondegreen8074 She was putting on an English accent for the narrator, and using a Scottish accent for the dialogue.
Jen you’re such an inspiration.
You were one of the first TH-camrs I ever subscribed to. The OG TH-camrs!
If ever I’m in a reading block, I always come here to get out of it. Your unapologetic and authentic reviews and recommendations are always so intriguing and pushes me to read and write more!
Thankyou so much for still making these videos! ❤️
I've just got Mrs March out of the library on your recommendation. I LOVED The Secret Lives on Church Ladies. I'm halfway through The Offing - maybe I won't bother finishing it.
Writers and Lovers by Lily King!
Hi Jen, have you read The Rock, by Benjamin Myers? It's set in North Yorkshire in his home town (which also happens to be near Ted Hughes' place) the rock is a character, it's grumpy and creepy at times with Ben following the change in seasons.
Woman, eating certainly sounds like something I'd enjoy. I've heard a little about that one this year, but it's definitely going on my storygraph tbr now
I’m so happy you had a chance to read ON BEAUTY. I’ve found some her articles floating around the internet. She has such an interesting way of working through her thoughts. ❤
I really enjoy your videos, Jen. Thank you so much for everything you share.
You totally captured my feelings about "before the coffee gets cold" -- down to the jealousy!
i consider the muse by jessie burton and the three daughters of eve by elif shafak to be a couple of my favourite books i rarely heard talked about - it has been years since i read them so im considering starting the new year with a reread.
I DNFed Easy Beauty but loved Crying in H Mart. I just finished Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura and its a new favorite.
My favourite book of all time is Anita and Me by Meera Syal. I re-read it again earlier this year for the first time in about ten years, and I really enjoyed it so that it definitely sealed it as my favourite of all time.
OOOOOH Gerald Durrell!!!!!!!!! I know that My Family and Other Animals is also a TV series but my favourite things he wrote are his short stories. Marrying off Mother and Other Stories is my personal favourite collection and my very damaged, dog-eared edition is one of my most prized possessions....
The beautiful Ones
I am currently looking for a new favorite. I’ve got a couple fours and 4.5’s but I haven’t found a true five this year.
The Offing has been on my Scribd saved list for a very long time.
I’d recommend listening to a sample of Devotion on audio.
I would love to know your opinion on anything by Eimear McBride but my personal favorite of hers is The Lesser Bohemians. Thanks for making all the great content on here, Jen ♥
I felt the same as you about the offing. Strange enough, Hamnet did the same to me, so I didn't like it but you loved it 😂. Weird, how extremely specific one's likes/ dislikes are! Do you know "the butcherboy" by P. McCabe? It's my favourite book.
I loved The Friend by Sigrid Nunez. I haven't seen you mention it. Have you read it?
Hi Jen! Love your channel! So nice to hear someone say they dislike Stoner. I felt pretty lonely, haha.
Really enjoy hearing what you're reading and where our tastes sometimes merge and sometimes diverge. Some of my favourites from Australian authors, Afterstory by Larissa behrendt (2021), The Living Sea of Waking Dream by Richard Flanagan (this is a challenging one) (2020), Sorry by Gail Jones (2007), Infinite Splendours by Sofie Laguna (2020), Understory by Inga Simpson (2017), Stone Sky, Gold Mountain by Mirandi Riwoe (2020) and Here Goes Nothing by Steve Toltz (2022). A NZ one - Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones (2006). Hope you can get your hands on a few of these and give them a try.
My favorites this year have been The Trees by Percival Everett, A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum by Emma Southon, The World Cannot Give by Tara Isabella Burton, Chouette by Claire Oshetsky, and I'm Glad my Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
I remeber that you have at home "The Paper Managerie", and it's one of my favourite collection of short stories, so I'm hoping you will give it a chance next time. Bye!
Do you post your recipes? The raspberry cookies or scones look delicious.
Here you go; the recipe is in the description: instagram.com/reel/Cf_7O6lArNr/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= x
@@jenvcampbell thank you now I’m following you on Instagram too!
I loved your reviews of Women Eating and Easy Beauty. The intellectualizing instead of talking about how I feel about myself. Ahh, true. I get frustrated when books do it but so guilty of doing it myself especially when talking about pain and how people see chronicilly ill people.
Hi Jen - I've been hearing about increasing hardships in England - grocery costs, energy costs and shortages of certain foods/ingredients etc. Hopefully London is not affected! Just want you to know I'm thinking of you. If there are some things you need that I could send from the Southwest US, please let me know and I'll do my best. Sending love.
Women, Eating sounds just up my alley, will have to check it out soon!
My favourite books are The Book of Disquiet by Pessoa and The Clown by Heinrich Boll. I think you would like those maybe
I thought Before the Coffee Gets Cold was okay, but most of the stories I thought were ho-hum, or "flat" as you so perfectly put it. My favorite contemporary novel is Borderliners by Peter Hoeg. It just grabbed me by some ancient primitive place in my brain --I felt I was reading it with my cerebellum and not my cerebrum.
I'm currently reading The Island of Missing Trees and I thought I would love it but I'm finding I have all the same problems you mentioned in your Womens Prize vlog -- the over-the-top earnestness is just killing me
Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente
Have you ever read Fledgling by Octavia Butler? That's another novel that uses vampirism to explore racial discrimination, very interesting.
Ooh, no I haven't. x
I felt RC Sheriff Hopkins Manuscript was similar to Michael Faber Book of New Strange Things, and i really really really want something that shares that similarity, if you can please recommend. But nothing by the truly dreadful and appalling otessa moshfegh (condones rape and bores rigid) and not the vile boring turgid crimson petal and white. Something else about the lonely vastness of space and keeping and losing touch with people. Or whatever it is those two books have in common. Thank-you!
Have you read Faber’s Under the Skin?
I didn't like Before the Coffee Gets Cold either, mostly because of the endless repetitions which I found extremely annoying.
Hi hello 👋
My therapist calls me out on intellectualizing ALL the time.
It’s like they know us or something 😅
zauner has a sexy voice, but the professional reader put real acting into it
That was incredible. A woman eating sounds interesting
Omg, I HATED stoner. I didn’t understand the hype at all