I'm so glad you loved Monstrilio! Your approval should get a wave of eager new readers for it. I loved that book so much, and I'm super jealous of your UK edition. When there are different covers, the UK edition is always the best! 😭😂
It was so good! I do love the little Monstrilio they designed for the book (clearly, given the t-shirt 😂) but I have to admit I actually really like the US cover too! It captures a darkness in the book that I don't know comes through quite so much in the UK cover.
This summer I read Ducks, Newburyport, which almost sank my boat. And I finally finished The Stand, which I started in February for Feverary, or whatever you called it 😆 I also DNFed Butter, and griped my way through All Fours and Kairos. Wow, this sounds like a bad summer... I did like The Stand though! And, actually, August was I good month. Once I freed myself from Ducks (why didn't I DNF it? I don't know!) I had a great time with Glorious Exploits, Martyr!, The Rachel Incident, and Open Throat.
the Monstrilio shirt looks so good on you! HMMM still deciding if i want to get to Evenings and Weekends and with the way you described it, just seems like Rooney cosplay! i might jump the gun before the end of the year who knows~ and SIR BEN! i've been waiting patiently for the japan vlog!!! 😭😭😭
Thank you!! I always hesitate buying online without being able to try on for size, but the fit came out great. I definitely see some Rooney in E&W, but it doesn’t have that flatness and precision that Rooney has. It’s a fun little read it just drove me a bit mad in the end. JAPAN VLOG IS COMING I SWEAR!!!
Just finished 'The Summer Book' by Tove Jansson and it was such a delight. It is neither 'sweaty and sticky' (it's set in Finland) nor would I describe it as a page turner (although it has lovely short chapters) but it captures those long lazy summers, the kind that always seemed to stretch on forever as a kid. And while Jansson is most famed for her work with Moomins, her writing is exceptional. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm sailing off to a remote Finnish island to live with my Grandmother... ⛵
Ohhh that’s really interesting. I hadn’t actually connected the dots that mood reading could lead you *more* towards seasonal reading. I just tend to pick up whatever I want regardless of season (except for Booker season).
Evenings and Weekends… basic. Weeps. Hahaha. I loved it but we can’t all love the same books. You’ve reminded me I need to read My Phantoms as I really liked First Love when most of the internet didn’t when it came out. I really need to read Monstrilio and am very jealous of that tshirt.
I loved Evenings and Weekends but I totally agree with you, they needed to talk! But this lack of communication didn't irritate me as much as it did with Conversations with Friends. I felt it was part of the characters' upbringing and suppression of their feelings and thoughts. And Rosaleen was the best, so fleshed out and developed even though she's not as prominent as others in the book, and the relationship between her and her older sons was very well represented and realistic, in my opinion. On the other hand, Monstrilio is a great read and I devoured it (in a very Monstrilio's fashion haha), although the magic realism was too much for my suspension of disbelief in the book at some points.
Glad that I am not the only one who felt like this about Evenings and Weekends. I thought I was going to get roasted 😂 I did really want to like it. And yes! to gobbling up Monstrilio like Monstrilio 😅
Goodnight Tokyo wasn't on my list, but your description sounds quite mellow and cozy! I've read some ARCs during the summer, but I also read Chain-Gang All-Stars and Minor Detail. Neither is a new favorite but both had some value. Really longing for my next James-experience tho!
I don’t usually warm to cozy stuff all that much, but had a really nice time with Goodnight Tokyo. If only every reading experience could be like reading James! 🥹
Thanks for the reviews. I loved Greta & Valdin and was quite impressed with Evenings and Weekends (I'll admit the ending was while sweet, a bit forced).
Glad you enjoyed both of those! The thing that has stuck with me from the Evenings and Weekends ending though wasn't really any sweetness, but the mad decision they made in the supermarket... I couldn't believe it!!!
page-turny summer reads: oh william! by elizabeth strout wild houses by colin barrett vengeance is mine by marie ndiaye spool of blue thread by anne tyler hot n sticky feeling: the pairing by casey mcquiston (which i sort of hated) praiseworthy by alexis wright dancer from the dance by andrew holleran
I wish the publishing dates were not so disjointed sometimes between countries. Living in the U.S., I read Monstrilio last year and really loved it. A complex human , emotional and unique book that I want to reread one day. Nice shirt! :) While I am waiting for a couple more Bookers from the library, I picked up The Night Alphabet, which I had to purchase from the UK earlier this year, after learning about it from non U.S. Booktubers when it came out. This is a much better book than some that made the Booker list ( in mho:)! I think you did have it on your prediction list (?). I'm surprised it has not had more praise - it should.
Ahhh The Night Alphabet! Yes, I loved it! I read it back in February and it was on both my Women's Prize and Booker predictions. Sad it made neither, but I've got my fingers crossed for the Goldsmiths Prize 🤞
I agree with you about Evenings & Weekends, even if we are in the minority. I felt it was one note and basic and the most powerful parts included Phil and his mom.
“Gay Actually “ would be a great film. Delighted you loved Greta & Valdin as much as I did. I felt similar to you about Evenings & Weekend. A good debut though.
I'll see you at the cinema 😂 And yeah, I don't want to be too harsh on Evenings and Weekends because I think it had the bones of something good, it just needed a bit more variety and to earn the character decisions. Will definitely look out for his sophomore novel!
I didn’t quite enjoy Evenings & Weekends. I even picked up a typo while forcing myself to get through it and I was weirdly so mad at it. I enjoyed Ed. I wish the story was about him and his mother.
Hi Ben, I love how articulate you are. Your book descriptions really help me decide what I want to read. I think your Storygraph challenge for September is a short story collection? They're down for maintenance so I can't look it up right now. Would you consider Goodnight Tokyo a short story collection for that purpose? A few days ago I saw someone write about a collection that sounded good, put it on my tbr, then yesterday saw in my GoodReads list that I'd already read it in 2019. Not the only book I can't remember reading at all, even highly-rated ones (apparently the covid shutdown did a hard reset on my brain). Maybe you'll be doing a video with short story suggestions? P.S. love the T-shirt, also the cover in that purple color 💜
Thank you so much! Yes, the prompt for September is a short story collection, and Goodnight Tokyo would be absolutely fine 😊 I probably won’t have time for a short story recommendation video. But it’s a great idea - maybe I’ll share some potentials in a community post!
@@benreadsgood In your news video that I just watched there's a short story collection that would be good if my hold comes in on time, A Sunny Place for Shady People. All the BookTubers keep mentioning that author. About time I checked out her work!
I saw a lot of people loving greta and valdin which does sound good to me, as does evenings and weekends but at the same time I am not entirely sure if it is one for me... I really want to read monstrillo and it sounds so good. I read the first page in a shop and the writing was so good. I also really like books that explore grief, and play with perspective and pov. Anyone's ghost is waiting for me on my shelf as well. A shame you didn't like it :( Ooh, I hope you had a good time in Japan!
I really did not like Evenings & Weekends, the ending part infuriating me. A lot of it felt like Politics 101 and the author wanted to shoe-horn their beliefs in a very GCSE way. There was no depth. I don't feel like I knew anyone of the characters really.
I don't know if this is the case with every vlog you produce, but for the first time whilst watching this vlog, it occurred to me that you are reading from a script apparently -- I could see your eyes moving from left-to-right as you spoke. I know, I know, my obtuseness is laughable. I honestly thought all this time your very articulate and eloquent thoughts were being communicated seamlessly off the cuff. The delivery is so relaxed that one honestly can not tell you're reading from a prepared script. You sold me on Monstrilio. I've got it on a waitlist through my library's Kindle database, and should have it in about two weeks time.
Haha yes I definitely could not make a review that does a book justice off the cuff. I have tried and it just takes me *so* much longer than writing my thoughts out first. But I write it to be spoken, rather than trying to write a written review, if that makes sense 😊 Enjoy Monstrilio when you get to the front of the queue!
Love hearing you talk about books!
Thank you so much!
I'm so glad you loved Monstrilio! Your approval should get a wave of eager new readers for it. I loved that book so much, and I'm super jealous of your UK edition. When there are different covers, the UK edition is always the best! 😭😂
It was so good! I do love the little Monstrilio they designed for the book (clearly, given the t-shirt 😂) but I have to admit I actually really like the US cover too! It captures a darkness in the book that I don't know comes through quite so much in the UK cover.
This summer I read Ducks, Newburyport, which almost sank my boat. And I finally finished The Stand, which I started in February for Feverary, or whatever you called it 😆 I also DNFed Butter, and griped my way through All Fours and Kairos. Wow, this sounds like a bad summer... I did like The Stand though! And, actually, August was I good month. Once I freed myself from Ducks (why didn't I DNF it? I don't know!) I had a great time with Glorious Exploits, Martyr!, The Rachel Incident, and Open Throat.
Sounds like it was rough, but then those last 4 books are all absolute bangers! Great choices!!! 👏
the Monstrilio shirt looks so good on you!
HMMM still deciding if i want to get to Evenings and Weekends and with the way you described it, just seems like Rooney cosplay! i might jump the gun before the end of the year who knows~
and SIR BEN! i've been waiting patiently for the japan vlog!!! 😭😭😭
Thank you!! I always hesitate buying online without being able to try on for size, but the fit came out great.
I definitely see some Rooney in E&W, but it doesn’t have that flatness and precision that Rooney has. It’s a fun little read it just drove me a bit mad in the end.
JAPAN VLOG IS COMING I SWEAR!!!
I so appreciate your thoughtful reviews. I'm really excited to get to Greta & Valdin now.
Thank you so much for watching! Hope you love G&V. I had middling expectations but it really exceeded them 😊
Just finished 'The Summer Book' by Tove Jansson and it was such a delight. It is neither 'sweaty and sticky' (it's set in Finland) nor would I describe it as a page turner (although it has lovely short chapters) but it captures those long lazy summers, the kind that always seemed to stretch on forever as a kid. And while Jansson is most famed for her work with Moomins, her writing is exceptional. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm sailing off to a remote Finnish island to live with my Grandmother... ⛵
Ooh that sounds like a good one, and another category of summer book! Thank you for sharing 🙏
I've been looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Monstrilio. Sounds good!
It’s such a weird and interesting book!
'I can still imagine what summer feels like' 😄😄
I loved Monstrillio, it was so good
The UK weather is really putting my imagination to the test 😂
Monstrilio is great!
Great reviews Ben! Love the shirt too!
Thank you so much! 🙌
I've had Goodnight Tokyo on my list for awhile but I was looking for more info. Now I'm even more keen to try it!
I had a lovely time reading it. Definitely worth a read!
I’m a mood reader and thus send to be a seasonal reader too ❤ The Offing was my favorite book of the summer 😊
Ohhh that’s really interesting. I hadn’t actually connected the dots that mood reading could lead you *more* towards seasonal reading. I just tend to pick up whatever I want regardless of season (except for Booker season).
And thrilled that you loved The Offing!
It's still winter here but 35 degrees celsius today so summer reads are still appropriate.
Evenings and Weekends… basic. Weeps. Hahaha. I loved it but we can’t all love the same books. You’ve reminded me I need to read My Phantoms as I really liked First Love when most of the internet didn’t when it came out. I really need to read Monstrilio and am very jealous of that tshirt.
Ahhhh my apologies 😅 We’ll always have Glorious Exploits!
My Phantoms is a MUST. It has the best 10 pages of character assassination I’ve ever read.
I loved Evenings and Weekends but I totally agree with you, they needed to talk! But this lack of communication didn't irritate me as much as it did with Conversations with Friends. I felt it was part of the characters' upbringing and suppression of their feelings and thoughts. And Rosaleen was the best, so fleshed out and developed even though she's not as prominent as others in the book, and the relationship between her and her older sons was very well represented and realistic, in my opinion.
On the other hand, Monstrilio is a great read and I devoured it (in a very Monstrilio's fashion haha), although the magic realism was too much for my suspension of disbelief in the book at some points.
Glad that I am not the only one who felt like this about Evenings and Weekends. I thought I was going to get roasted 😂 I did really want to like it.
And yes! to gobbling up Monstrilio like Monstrilio 😅
Goodnight Tokyo wasn't on my list, but your description sounds quite mellow and cozy! I've read some ARCs during the summer, but I also read Chain-Gang All-Stars and Minor Detail. Neither is a new favorite but both had some value. Really longing for my next James-experience tho!
I don’t usually warm to cozy stuff all that much, but had a really nice time with Goodnight Tokyo.
If only every reading experience could be like reading James! 🥹
This T-shirt is amazing. Love.
It’s so cool isn’t it!!
Thanks for the reviews. I loved Greta & Valdin and was quite impressed with Evenings and Weekends (I'll admit the ending was while sweet, a bit forced).
Glad you enjoyed both of those! The thing that has stuck with me from the Evenings and Weekends ending though wasn't really any sweetness, but the mad decision they made in the supermarket... I couldn't believe it!!!
page-turny summer reads:
oh william! by elizabeth strout
wild houses by colin barrett
vengeance is mine by marie ndiaye
spool of blue thread by anne tyler
hot n sticky feeling:
the pairing by casey mcquiston (which i sort of hated)
praiseworthy by alexis wright
dancer from the dance by andrew holleran
Great suggestions (well, except maybe the one you hated 😂). Thank you!
I wish the publishing dates were not so disjointed sometimes between countries. Living in the U.S., I read Monstrilio last year and really loved it. A complex human , emotional and unique book that I want to reread one day. Nice shirt! :) While I am waiting for a couple more Bookers from the library, I picked up The Night Alphabet, which I had to purchase from the UK earlier this year, after learning about it from non U.S. Booktubers when it came out. This is a much better book than some that made the Booker list ( in mho:)! I think you did have it on your prediction list (?). I'm surprised it has not had more praise - it should.
Ahhh The Night Alphabet! Yes, I loved it! I read it back in February and it was on both my Women's Prize and Booker predictions. Sad it made neither, but I've got my fingers crossed for the Goldsmiths Prize 🤞
Reading Monstrillo , I found out 'Magos' means magicians or wizards in Spanish. Love that little detail from the author.
The t-shirt is really cute!
That’s an interesting extra layer to that character. Thank you for sharing!
I agree with you about Evenings & Weekends, even if we are in the minority. I felt it was one note and basic and the most powerful parts included Phil and his mom.
Glad I am not alone! It just gets a bit dull when the solution to everyone's problem is exactly the same: TELL THEM!!!
@@benreadsgood Exactly!
Sounds like a great summer of reading. I’ve also been reading a lot of queer fiction and happily so.
It’s suddenly all bubbled to the top of my TBR at the same time 🏳️🌈
“Gay Actually “ would be a great film. Delighted you loved Greta & Valdin as much as I did. I felt similar to you about Evenings & Weekend. A good debut though.
I'll see you at the cinema 😂
And yeah, I don't want to be too harsh on Evenings and Weekends because I think it had the bones of something good, it just needed a bit more variety and to earn the character decisions. Will definitely look out for his sophomore novel!
I didn’t quite enjoy Evenings & Weekends. I even picked up a typo while forcing myself to get through it and I was weirdly so mad at it.
I enjoyed Ed. I wish the story was about him and his mother.
Hi Ben, I love how articulate you are. Your book descriptions really help me decide what I want to read.
I think your Storygraph challenge for September is a short story collection? They're down for maintenance so I can't look it up right now. Would you consider Goodnight Tokyo a short story collection for that purpose?
A few days ago I saw someone write about a collection that sounded good, put it on my tbr, then yesterday saw in my GoodReads list that I'd already read it in 2019. Not the only book I can't remember reading at all, even highly-rated ones (apparently the covid shutdown did a hard reset on my brain).
Maybe you'll be doing a video with short story suggestions?
P.S. love the T-shirt, also the cover in that purple color 💜
Thank you so much!
Yes, the prompt for September is a short story collection, and Goodnight Tokyo would be absolutely fine 😊
I probably won’t have time for a short story recommendation video. But it’s a great idea - maybe I’ll share some potentials in a community post!
@@benreadsgood In your news video that I just watched there's a short story collection that would be good if my hold comes in on time, A Sunny Place for Shady People. All the BookTubers keep mentioning that author. About time I checked out her work!
Mariana Enriquez has a few other collections that might be easier to get a hold of if you can’t get the new one!
I saw a lot of people loving greta and valdin which does sound good to me, as does evenings and weekends but at the same time I am not entirely sure if it is one for me... I really want to read monstrillo and it sounds so good. I read the first page in a shop and the writing was so good. I also really like books that explore grief, and play with perspective and pov. Anyone's ghost is waiting for me on my shelf as well. A shame you didn't like it :( Ooh, I hope you had a good time in Japan!
Yeah it was the first page of Monstrilio that completely hooked me in as well.
Absolutely loved Japan and really need to edit that vlog!!! 😅
Monstrilio : Even with Ben's "Realm of Influence" and the fact that the book has been out for awhile, I should be able to get a copy at the library.
Haha, well luckily I think my recommendations are still mostly me just shouting into the ether. Hope you enjoy it when you get your hands on it!
So glad to see Greta and Valdin getting international attention. Its a funny novel but also says a lot about NZ society.
It was so much fun! While I was reading it I kept asking my NZ colleague whether certain phrases were real Kiwi sayings 🇳🇿
To me “Anyone’s Ghost” was so tragic and depressing 😩
It's certainly a tragic story! I just wasn't that invested in it because I couldn't get over the (in my opinion) clunky writing 😢
Goodnight Tokyo sounds good. I really like Japanese fiction. Have you read The Woman In The Purple Skirt? That's on my tbr next.
I haven’t read that one! You’ll have to let me know what you think 😊
I really did not like Evenings & Weekends, the ending part infuriating me. A lot of it felt like Politics 101 and the author wanted to shoe-horn their beliefs in a very GCSE way. There was no depth. I don't feel like I knew anyone of the characters really.
Yeah I just wanted a bit more variety, and these character decisions to be earned!
Sold… Am off to get a copy of First Love 😂😊
Hope you enjoy it! It seems to have a lot of haters but I thought it was fab.
@@benreadsgood Ooo… Interesting 🤨
I don't know if this is the case with every vlog you produce, but for the first time whilst watching this vlog, it occurred to me that you are reading from a script apparently -- I could see your eyes moving from left-to-right as you spoke. I know, I know, my obtuseness is laughable. I honestly thought all this time your very articulate and eloquent thoughts were being communicated seamlessly off the cuff. The delivery is so relaxed that one honestly can not tell you're reading from a prepared script.
You sold me on Monstrilio. I've got it on a waitlist through my library's Kindle database, and should have it in about two weeks time.
Haha yes I definitely could not make a review that does a book justice off the cuff. I have tried and it just takes me *so* much longer than writing my thoughts out first. But I write it to be spoken, rather than trying to write a written review, if that makes sense 😊
Enjoy Monstrilio when you get to the front of the queue!
Did you read Amma recently?
I haven’t yet, but it’s the first thing I’m planning to read when I finish the Booker list. It’s my in-person book club read for September!