I'm also someone who cares about a writer's intention! (or maybe more so their process, but I think process and intention are often related). Love the discussion about what makes a successful book!
I am delighted by your reaction to Beach Read! Romance may not be the highest form of literature but when done well, crushes it on the entertainment side.
I enjoyed this wrap-up video, Brian. I am reading Ursula K. Le Guin now as well. I had read Rocannon's World for Rocket Summer in July, and I'm continuing with the Hainish cycle. I really like her a lot. I think you have made me want to read the Emily Henry book. I'm also reading Baltasar's Boulder for Shorty September.
@@BookChatWithPat8668 I am enjoying LeGuin’s older books even with their sometimes campy or cheesy set ups. Beach Read is a little long (I thought) but it was fun and entertaining. Hope you like Boulder.
I just picked up all of Baltasar’s books and I’m so excited to get to them. You mentioned two Houston bookstores that I’ve been meaning to visit every time I’m in Houston (I’m there 2 or 3 times a year for work). I’m super interested in checking out that mystery bookstore so I’m definitely going to make time for it during my next Houston trip in December.
I think a writer's intent can be important. I enjoyed Beach Read. It's my favourite of hers of the ones I've read. Looking forward to your thoughts on your "shorty" books. 😊💙
Zelda has things to say! I'm glad that you enjoyed Beach Read. I would recommend Happy Place or Book Lovers if you ever changed your mind and wanted to give her books another try!
Loved hearing Beach Read worked for you! I agree with you about considering the author’s intent. This doesn’t mean we have to change our minds about the book, but I think this is especially valuable when there is questionable content and when we discuss books with others on BookTube. Enjoy shorty September!
@@Johanna_reads Thanks Johanna. I was pleasantly surprised with Beach Read which sounds snobby since I have liked most of the romance I have read. I am finding that I am increasingly able to admire or appreciate what a book does well even if I don’t think the book is great. I am looking forward to a bunch of short books.
That Louise Erdrich book sounds great. I want to add that to my TBR. I like your qualification for judging the success of a book and maybe that's why I give ambitious novels a bit more grace because they might be stretching the goal post, which I admire. :)
Thanks for an interesting wrap up! I did wonder whether Beach Read was going to actually turn out to be the book that one of them wrote but perhaps that was too literary! I too read Orbital this month and I seem to have liked it more than you did. Not very profound but it did make me think about the planet from a different perspective for a couple of hours! Profundity seems to be a rare thing in modern novels - I think it is there in James - but I am reading The Overstory by Richard Powers at the moment and it seems to be trying to be profound but there’s nothing new in it to an ecologist (I am probably not the target audience 😅). I think you will love Aliss at the Fire (I did), and I also have Baltasar’s new one to read soon (I’m sure Mammoth is the new one!). I also have Watershed on the shelves - I could see myself binge reading Percival Everett sometime!
Profundity is indeed rare and few things are cringier to me than trying for it and failing. I thought both Orbital and Enlightenment attempted it and fell short, but it’s possible I was just feeling extra cynical. Hope you like Mammoth! I am looking forward to Aliss. Thanks Ian.
Great wrap up. Like the idea of ranking the books in order of whether or not you think the author achieved their goals. I picked up 10 Maigret books in a charity shop recently - perfect for Shorty September. I also really enjoyed Jar City 😊
I'm glad to hear your opinion on these books. I'd still like to get to James at some point. Do you know if American books count for Victober, or just British books? Maybe I could stick Huck Fin and James into October's schedule.
My daughter and I buddy read Beach Read and we both really enjoyed it. And yeah, there are lots of 'critical approaches', but that might just be silly to worry with in this Emily Henry genre. Nice video.
@BookishTexan I know that Roger Ebert accounted for that, pointing out that when he gives a Star rating to Alien, he's comparing it to The Thing, not to When Harry Met Sally.
It doesn't make sense to me that someone might spend years writing a book only to have the world be indifferent to their intention. I just read Orbital; it didn't work for me either, for some of the reasons you mention. I read Henry's Book Lovers and found it wholly entertaining. Great POP for Shorty September!
I was underwhemed by Orbital. I kept feeling Harvey trying to make sure I didn't miss the Big Ideas. So did anyone in Beach Read decide to write "My Pafology"?! 😊
I think I might have gone cynical in the second half of the month. I felt like I could feel the effort Harvey was making to write beautifully, to prove how much she knew about space station life, and to include profound ideas.
@@JessBookgirlTV That is a good description of her writing. I really liked the way she took on the reputation and some of the standard scenes of romance novels.
I find the “nostalgia” for East Germany to be the most interesting part of Kairos - something I’ve not thought about before, and something I’d like to read more about.
@@joangavrilik3009 That was interesting and something I had never considered. Probably because being from “the West” I always assumed everything was better and everyone back then wanted what we had. Silly of course, but Kairos really brought it home that there were things to miss and that might have been better in the East.
I am reading a contemporary romance to challenge myself to read outside my comfort zone, "Not in My Book" by Katie Holt, which sounds very similar to Beach Read, again it is about two rival aspiring writers but in New York. I am enjoying it so far, it is entertaining and we get invested in the two central characters. Emily Henry is the number two romance writer these days behind Colleen Hoover.
Also, you don't have to read the rest of Henry's books; they're all being made into movies, so you can just watch the films with your wife as they come out! ❤
Great idea why Orbital didn't work. I felt it rather forgettable and non of the ideas it talks about new. I always give in to talking about the books I read mostly in a month and just finish in the beginning of the next, as long as I finish before filming my wrap up.
@@1book1review I don’t know why I divide my reading into months and feel like I have to finish and talk about one months reading as separate from the next. I am going to try to worry about that less.
@@BookishTexan It's the community of goals and counting or summing up a certain time frame. Months are an easy pick, but it's still arbitrary and fun, so no need to worry too much about it. yes.
I’m going to read something called creation lake which I believe is on the booker long list. I read a book of essays by this author which I liked so I thought I would like this novel until I saw a pretty negative review by an Aussie book tuber who I think is pretty smart but since I paid nearly thirty bucks for it I’m going to read it anyway hah .⚛️
I'm also someone who cares about a writer's intention! (or maybe more so their process, but I think process and intention are often related). Love the discussion about what makes a successful book!
@@eyesonindie They are indeed related. Thanks Sarah.
I am delighted by your reaction to Beach Read! Romance may not be the highest form of literature but when done well, crushes it on the entertainment side.
@@myreadinglife8816 I’m have found that to be very true!
I enjoyed this wrap-up video, Brian. I am reading Ursula K. Le Guin now as well. I had read Rocannon's World for Rocket Summer in July, and I'm continuing with the Hainish cycle. I really like her a lot. I think you have made me want to read the Emily Henry book. I'm also reading Baltasar's Boulder for Shorty September.
@@BookChatWithPat8668 I am enjoying LeGuin’s older books even with their sometimes campy or cheesy set ups. Beach Read is a little long (I thought) but it was fun and entertaining. Hope you like Boulder.
@@BookishTexan I’ve heard so many good things about Boulder…
I just picked up all of Baltasar’s books and I’m so excited to get to them. You mentioned two Houston bookstores that I’ve been meaning to visit every time I’m in Houston (I’m there 2 or 3 times a year for work). I’m super interested in checking out that mystery bookstore so I’m definitely going to make time for it during my next Houston trip in December.
I hope you like the Baltasar books. If you do go to Murder by the Book the Brazos Bookstore is on the same street about a block away.
I think a writer's intent can be important. I enjoyed Beach Read. It's my favourite of hers of the ones I've read. Looking forward to your thoughts on your "shorty" books. 😊💙
@@BookwormAdventureGirl Somehow I still haven’t read a shorty and the month is almost a third gone! Thanks Jolene
Zelda has things to say! I'm glad that you enjoyed Beach Read. I would recommend Happy Place or Book Lovers if you ever changed your mind and wanted to give her books another try!
Zelda definitely has opinions! Thank you for the recommendations. I’m going to try Abby Jimenez next I think, but might go back to Henry.
Loved hearing Beach Read worked for you! I agree with you about considering the author’s intent. This doesn’t mean we have to change our minds about the book, but I think this is especially valuable when there is questionable content and when we discuss books with others on BookTube.
Enjoy shorty September!
@@Johanna_reads Thanks Johanna. I was pleasantly surprised with Beach Read which sounds snobby since I have liked most of the romance I have read. I am finding that I am increasingly able to admire or appreciate what a book does well even if I don’t think the book is great.
I am looking forward to a bunch of short books.
I have yet to read an Emily Henry but I have one on my shelf for emergency purposes!! :P
@@MargaretPinard Based on this one book I’d say she is good at what she does.
@@BookishTexan I just saw withcindy's take on Emily Henry...sounds legit. I'll try to make my first of hers the best!
That Louise Erdrich book sounds great. I want to add that to my TBR. I like your qualification for judging the success of a book and maybe that's why I give ambitious novels a bit more grace because they might be stretching the goal post, which I admire. :)
@@anenthusiasticreader I agree! I give a lot more grace to a novel that tries for more and just misses than for one that is less ambitious and misses.
Thanks for an interesting wrap up! I did wonder whether Beach Read was going to actually turn out to be the book that one of them wrote but perhaps that was too literary!
I too read Orbital this month and I seem to have liked it more than you did. Not very profound but it did make me think about the planet from a different perspective for a couple of hours! Profundity seems to be a rare thing in modern novels - I think it is there in James - but I am reading The Overstory by Richard Powers at the moment and it seems to be trying to be profound but there’s nothing new in it to an ecologist (I am probably not the target audience 😅).
I think you will love Aliss at the Fire (I did), and I also have Baltasar’s new one to read soon (I’m sure Mammoth is the new one!). I also have Watershed on the shelves - I could see myself binge reading Percival Everett sometime!
Profundity is indeed rare and few things are cringier to me than trying for it and failing. I thought both Orbital and Enlightenment attempted it and fell short, but it’s possible I was just feeling extra cynical. Hope you like Mammoth! I am looking forward to Aliss. Thanks Ian.
Great wrap up. Like the idea of ranking the books in order of whether or not you think the author achieved their goals. I picked up 10 Maigret books in a charity shop recently - perfect for Shorty September. I also really enjoyed Jar City 😊
@@RaynorReadsStuff Glad to hear a positive word about Jar City! I’m looking forward to it more. I love the Maigret novels I have read.
I'm glad to hear your opinion on these books. I'd still like to get to James at some point. Do you know if American books count for Victober, or just British books? Maybe I could stick Huck Fin and James into October's schedule.
@@TimeTravelReads I think Huck Finn counts if you want it to🤓 The rules are pretty lax.
My daughter and I buddy read Beach Read and we both really enjoyed it. And yeah, there are lots of 'critical approaches', but that might just be silly to worry with in this Emily Henry genre. Nice video.
@@LiterateTexan I think the correct critical approach to books like this is “did it entertain?” This book did
@BookishTexan I know that Roger Ebert accounted for that, pointing out that when he gives a Star rating to Alien, he's comparing it to The Thing, not to When Harry Met Sally.
It doesn't make sense to me that someone might spend years writing a book only to have the world be indifferent to their intention. I just read Orbital; it didn't work for me either, for some of the reasons you mention. I read Henry's Book Lovers and found it wholly entertaining. Great POP for Shorty September!
@@EveningReader it has never made sense to me either. I was pretty disappointed in Orbital. Thanks Priscilla
I was underwhemed by Orbital. I kept feeling Harvey trying to make sure I didn't miss the Big Ideas. So did anyone in Beach Read decide to write "My Pafology"?! 😊
@@readandre-read haha! Nope, but I thought it might happen.
I read a Jenny Erpenbeck for the book club and felt pretty lost in it. It's either the German or the literary or both :/ Great POP for Shorties!
@@MargaretPinard Which Erpenbeck did you read?
@@BookishTexan the one in the forest in Germany, before, during, and after WW2. I wanted to read Go, Went, Gone but not so the book club :P
I enjoyed Orbital so much more than you. I found it oddly meditative and calming. Your Shorty plans sound great.
I think I might have gone cynical in the second half of the month. I felt like I could feel the effort Harvey was making to write beautifully, to prove how much she knew about space station life, and to include profound ideas.
I read both of Emily Henry’s ‘Beach Read,’ and The People We Meet On Vacation.’ They were both very good. Her writing is really sweet.
@@JessBookgirlTV That is a good description of her writing. I really liked the way she took on the reputation and some of the standard scenes of romance novels.
I find the “nostalgia” for East Germany to be the most interesting part of Kairos - something I’ve not thought about before, and something I’d like to read more about.
@@joangavrilik3009 That was interesting and something I had never considered. Probably because being from “the West” I always assumed everything was better and everyone back then wanted what we had. Silly of course, but Kairos really brought it home that there were things to miss and that might have been better in the East.
I am reading a contemporary romance to challenge myself to read outside my comfort zone, "Not in My Book" by Katie Holt, which sounds very similar to Beach Read, again it is about two rival aspiring writers but in New York. I am enjoying it so far, it is entertaining and we get invested in the two central characters. Emily Henry is the number two romance writer these days behind Colleen Hoover.
@@jimsbooksreadingandstuff Entertaining is definitely the word to describe Beach Read. Not My Book does sound similar. Thanks Jim.
Has your wife read Abby Jimenez’s most recent trilogy? They are so good!
She has read some Jimenez and Jimenez will be my next romance writer.
Have you read Le Guin's Lathe of Heaven? It is a different side of her work...
@@SleepyBookReader-666 I have and I like led it. I had a hard time time the sea turtle aliens seriously though.
Also, you don't have to read the rest of Henry's books; they're all being made into movies, so you can just watch the films with your wife as they come out! ❤
@@LiterateTexan Good idea. Thanks Randy.
Great idea why Orbital didn't work. I felt it rather forgettable and non of the ideas it talks about new.
I always give in to talking about the books I read mostly in a month and just finish in the beginning of the next, as long as I finish before filming my wrap up.
@@1book1review I don’t know why I divide my reading into months and feel like I have to finish and talk about one months reading as separate from the next. I am going to try to worry about that less.
@@BookishTexan It's the community of goals and counting or summing up a certain time frame. Months are an easy pick, but it's still arbitrary and fun, so no need to worry too much about it. yes.
Zelda has some very serious issues about line dancing and meeting cute! Me too Zelda! Me too!
@@bookofdust Zelda prefers true crime and happy animal books.🤓
Zelda hates line dancing!
@@JamesRuchala She is not a fan.
I’m going to read something called creation lake which I believe is on the booker long list. I read a book of essays by this author which I liked so I thought I would like this novel until I saw a pretty negative review by an Aussie book tuber who I think is pretty smart but since I paid nearly thirty bucks for it I’m going to read it anyway hah .⚛️
@@FrankOdonnell-ej3hd Funnily enough I saw a review from an Aussie BookTuber this morning that made me think I might want to read Creation Lake.😂😂
I thought 'The Essex Serpent' was a bit weird, so theoretically the 'Enlightenment' sounds interesting, I'm not sure I would like it.
@@clarepotter7584 You might e joy Enlightenment. It just wasn’t a very me book.