I felt the same way after the 2020 election, so I empathize. I wish we could all treat the opposing side with respect and kindness during & after every election.
I am very grateful for you! Thank you for sharing your views. I didn't realize how invested I was in the alternative election result and it's been very emotional for me as well. I think I will go to the library and pick up The Bee Sting. Hang in there everyone!
Im so glad you released this Video and talked about our election. I’m feeling better knowing this unsettling feeling is mutual. Also Great recommendations!! Love this channel. 😊
Thank you so much for speaking about the election. Most content creators I follow don’t do this-or haven’t yet-and while I would never demand a statement, it feels better when the people I follow and appreciate for their opinions on books share the same values. Anyhow, I’m glad you liked The Bee Sting; it is, as of now, the best book I have read this year. It really is that good!
I agree, Shelly. We'll get through whatever is coming by focusing on getting through it together. Thanks for the glowing recommendation for The Bee Sting. It was already on my TBR but I'll prioritize it now.
I finished The Bee Sting last month and it's wonderful! So funny, so painful, and the characters are so well observed! One of the best things about it is the structure, which really shines in the back half - I won't say more than that ;)
Happy Sunday to you Shelly! I'm a fairly new subscriber (couple of months) and I really enjoy your channel. There are so many books that you feature/talk about on your channel, that I most likely would not have discovered. In my opinion, the way you review and discuss the books you've read, is top tier. I've come to the conclusion recently, that I really enjoy historical fiction (especially books that interweave the past into the future, with a twist or element of surprise at the end). I just finished reading The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern yesterday, and I truly enjoyed it (4.5 ⭐). Have a wonderful week, and I look forward to your next video! 😊💛
Thank you for talking about the election. This is the second time I've had to process the results of an election. The first was 2016. But I have faith that this country will survive and is not heading towards a civil war that was not wrapped up when it was fought. (See The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson.) But, I need to move on, because after all, the country has spoken. I will respect that choice, even if it's not my choice
Love what you’re wearing! 😊 Relate to the intro as well, thank you for sharing that. I think lots of people said the Bee Sting was great 😅 I’m not intrigued for some reason, but I’ll wait until you finish and try to keep an open mind! Hope you love it!
Slow Horses sounds so good, I will have to find time to watch and/or read it. I still think about The Bee Sting a lot about a year after I read it, which is unusual for me. I'm glad you've had some great books to turn to at such a weird and difficult time
Like, when I read it I thought it was good but I wasn't as enthusiastic as you. But then it seeped into my brain and I think about the characters quite often. What a great book.
Thank you for warning me about Hannah's books election video. I can now unsubscribe to her as well. America has spoken. I don't follow book reviews for the channel's political bias. Alienated more than half of your subscribers is not smart business. Although, no one ever accused a liberal of being smart.
About "We burn daylight", did I hear that right ? Podcasts in the 1980's ? I think a few things slipped by the author as well. Anyway, love your wrap-up and made a note about HERRON and happy to see good ole Garry keeps making interesting choices.😄
Into cult books you say, definitely read Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz. A recent memoir that was fantastic! Dies the Fire sounds so interesting.
@Shellyish enjoyed Invisible Furies, but enjoyed his others more. Check out another, there's lots. All the Broken Places and A History of Loneliness were 10/10
I felt the same about the Bee Sting. A lot of people had trouble with the end (I won't say anymore than that) except that I'm an optimist by nature. So I really loved the whole book. Looking forward to giving my daughter Eva Moves the Furniture for the holidays as she's a big Anne and Secret Garden fan. Thanks so much for your wonderful videos!
❤📚📚❤️ Hi Shelly. TH-cam has been a comfort to me this month. I've really enjoyed watching videos as I've had very little time or brain power for reading. My sister has been here from Ohio all month helping with our Dad, who has brain cancer. We spent an evening together picking a buddy read a month for 2025, and that was enjoyable for both of us. We've never buddy read before. I'm glad you have read some good books! 😃
Thanks for adding links to those videos. I did see Hannah’s organically over the weekend. I haven’t been myself since. We are taking a quick 3 day trip to my beloved SoCal desert (Anza Borrego) and hope it helps me reset. But I fear when we get back I’ll be back in my current funk. 😔
I pray you stay out of the funk though I wouldn't blame you if you fell into one. I hope you find your trip refreshing! I'm sending all the good vibes your way.
Shelly, i love the book series by Mick Herron (also watched and loved the TV series)...i'm about to start The Bee Sting...have heard so many good reviews about it. Thanks for reminding me to put Stirling's book on my list too. From Oct. through the 1st week of Nov. I've read and liked Playground by Richard Powers (a favorite writer of mine); Hokuloa Road by Elizabeth Hand; Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner; Conclave by Robert Harris; We Solve Murders by Richard Osman; A Case of Conscience by James Blish (reminded me a lot of the two book series - The Sparrow and The Children of God by Mary Doria Russell); a re-read of The Chronicles of Barsetshire by Anthony Trollope. Please check them out. I really enjoy your talks and recommendations. You've turned me on to several wonderful books (Middlemarch by George Eliot...I had read almost all of her work but had never read Middlemarch. Thanks for that recommendation -- loved it! I read most all genres but it seems the past few years I've really gotten into sci-fi/ fantasy. I still love historical fiction and great non-fiction as well.
I’m reading and rereading your comment with my Goodreads tab open so I can add all of these books to my TBR. I definitely want to read Richard Powers soon since he’s loved by so many readers. Thank you, Shelley.
Shelly love your honesty about your own personal experience as one who is going through this process at the moment I totally understand and agree with you and I am here if you need to chat love 🥰 your Aussie family friend xx
You sold me on Eva Moves the Furniture. I’m glad Slow Horses worked for you… I DNFed about 1/3 into the first book. Home Fires, on the other hand, I loved. Especially the ending. 🔥
Same on the bee sting! I was hesitant because I’m a contrarian and everyone reading it last year turned me off. But it’s likely going to be in my top 3 this year. If you like it, Long Island compromise is similar-ish.
We burn daylight is based off of David Koresh in Waco Texas. I didn't care for the book but the fact that it was based off of real events kept me going.
I have a hard time understanding how people vote against their best interests, but I know it's a learning curve and we will survive it...some better than others! You are a joy to watch, and appreciate your book choices. My son MKV mentioned you on his channel I've been watching you for a long time, I just don't comment very often.
Glad to hear some of your thoughts on the election. It drives me mad sometimes when so many people seem to continue on without commenting on something seismically life impacting just because they don't consider themselves "political" So many people I know seem lost over the past week so I'm thankful of those out there who are attempting to engage in meaning making after all this. I also appreciate your perspective on how comfort hobbies such as reading can bring peace during times of great distress. I've been reading Ghost Roots by Pemi Agude recently. An interesting (and disturbing) short story collection that I've been getting lost in. I'm super intrigued by The Bee Sting, I'll have to look it up. I tend to like the more "love it or hate it" books so it might be up my alley!
I'm reading Still LIfe by Sarah Winman and think you would enjoy this historical fiction novel. Slow Horses is great on Apple. Oldman is amazing in it.
Sounds like you had a good reading month! My best reads out of 10 books were Red Sister by Mark Lawrence and City Of Bones by Michael Connelly - love Harry Bosch! I also read my first, and last, Stephen King - the Gunslinger - the first of his fantasy series. The writing itself had so much anger and aggression towards society. I enjoy fantasy, but this book was just uncomfortable. Thank you for sharing your reads! Hope the good books continue in November!
I love this youtube channel. You have my sympathies over the election, i felt the same way in 2020, my candidate may have won this year, but i know what it feels like for your candidate to lose. And the anxieties that brings
No need to comment. Someone who supports a candidate who actively denigrates free speech, human rights, and common decency, and that supports preventing underprivileged children from having access to diverse literature is not welcome here. As far as I’m concerned, you have betrayed everything Shelly and our Booktube community stands for, and no one here is interested in your input.
@@eruditearchive I am not sure you understand what literature is about or for if you can so easily dismiss anyone who doesn't already adhere to your views. I left who i voted for blank as that is the polite thing to do. You have no idea who I voted for, and likely never will. If your response to sympathy is indignation, you are clearly still on your journey. “everyone wants to save the world, we just disagree on how”
@@eruditearchive And if i am talking about local elections? What if i voted independent? What if i voted Blue in a red state? what if i voted Red in a blue state? if the way you treat someone changes based on these answers, you have become an idealogue, maybe even an extremist. Well meaning intentions and empathy don't automatically mean one has a balanced reasoned position. Our most dangerous enemy is our concept of self and how desperately it will fight to preserve it's current state. No one is immune to propaganda is a statement not to declare the inevitability of the concept, but the idea that we must always be vigilant, lest we become obsessed with our own ideas. you should not be as confidant as you are in what you believe, as what we believe is so often wrong. to act under assumptions is always a mistake, and to assume one candidate is comically evil and that one isn't is highly likely to be skewed from the reality. Both could be comically evil, neither could be. what you think you know about either candidate could be wrong.
@@bubbadumps3747 Given the sentence you typed, it was clear the candidate you spoke of was for the presidential election, as that was what Shelly was referring to. As I said before, we are not interested in your input, or your sympathy for that matter. Bye bye!
Thank you,Shelly, for your book recommendations and for your authenticity and sharing your feelings about the election. I’m feeling very sad about it. I will listen to the videos that you recommended and read David Brooks’s article. Many best wishes to you. Thank you for being you.
I felt the same way after the 2020 election, so I empathize. I wish we could all treat the opposing side with respect and kindness during & after every election.
I am very grateful for you! Thank you for sharing your views. I didn't realize how invested I was in the alternative election result and it's been very emotional for me as well. I think I will go to the library and pick up The Bee Sting. Hang in there everyone!
Thank you for your kind words.
Im so glad you released this Video and talked about our election. I’m feeling better knowing this unsettling feeling is mutual. Also Great recommendations!! Love this channel. 😊
Well said!
Thank you so much for speaking about the election. Most content creators I follow don’t do this-or haven’t yet-and while I would never demand a statement, it feels better when the people I follow and appreciate for their opinions on books share the same values. Anyhow, I’m glad you liked The Bee Sting; it is, as of now, the best book I have read this year. It really is that good!
I'm LOVING THE BEE STING!
I agree, Shelly. We'll get through whatever is coming by focusing on getting through it together. Thanks for the glowing recommendation for The Bee Sting. It was already on my TBR but I'll prioritize it now.
Thanks, Anna!
Yes. Election day was rough. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate you and love watching your videos. ❤😊
Thanks for watching! I appreciate you.
Thank you for this authentic, honest video, do take care of yourself lovely Shelly🤗 Am glad reading is bringing you some joy😊
You are so welcome! Thank YOU for being here.
I finished The Bee Sting last month and it's wonderful! So funny, so painful, and the characters are so well observed! One of the best things about it is the structure, which really shines in the back half - I won't say more than that ;)
Ep! I cannot wait to dive back into this book and experience ending!
Happy Sunday to you Shelly! I'm a fairly new subscriber (couple of months) and I really enjoy your channel. There are so many books that you feature/talk about on your channel, that I most likely would not have discovered. In my opinion, the way you review and discuss the books you've read, is top tier. I've come to the conclusion recently, that I really enjoy historical fiction (especially books that interweave the past into the future, with a twist or element of surprise at the end). I just finished reading The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern yesterday, and I truly enjoyed it (4.5 ⭐). Have a wonderful week, and I look forward to your next video! 😊💛
Oh my gracious. You are too kind. Thank you. I’m adding The Love Elixir to my TBR! It sounds wonderful.
I have to check out Bee Sting now! sending you hugs....I'm also struggling to process election results.
Sending hugs right back.
Thank you for talking about the election. This is the second time I've had to process the results of an election. The first was 2016. But I have faith that this country will survive and is not heading towards a civil war that was not wrapped up when it was fought. (See The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson.) But, I need to move on, because after all, the country has spoken. I will respect that choice, even if it's not my choice
Thank you for your thoughtful words. I do appreciate you.
I caught Hannah’s video the next day too. It was definitely what I needed to see.
Love what you’re wearing! 😊 Relate to the intro as well, thank you for sharing that. I think lots of people said the Bee Sting was great 😅 I’m not intrigued for some reason, but I’ll wait until you finish and try to keep an open mind! Hope you love it!
Thank you, Ellen!
Slow Horses sounds so good, I will have to find time to watch and/or read it. I still think about The Bee Sting a lot about a year after I read it, which is unusual for me. I'm glad you've had some great books to turn to at such a weird and difficult time
Like, when I read it I thought it was good but I wasn't as enthusiastic as you. But then it seeped into my brain and I think about the characters quite often. What a great book.
Totally understandable
I’m still thinking of Hannah (Hannah’s Books) video. Hearing members of this community talking about everything has been helpful.
Yes, I feel the exactly same way. Thank you, David.
Thank you for warning me about Hannah's books election video. I can now unsubscribe to her as well. America has spoken. I don't follow book reviews for the channel's political bias. Alienated more than half of your subscribers is not smart business. Although, no one ever accused a liberal of being smart.
About "We burn daylight", did I hear that right ? Podcasts in the 1980's ? I think a few things slipped by the author as well. Anyway, love your wrap-up and made a note about HERRON and happy to see good ole Garry keeps making interesting choices.😄
Thank you!!
Into cult books you say, definitely read Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz. A recent memoir that was fantastic!
Dies the Fire sounds so interesting.
Adding it to my list now! Thank you, Gloria!
The Bee Sting is the best book I've read in the last five years. Loved it. I'm also big into John Boyne right now, have you read any of his?
Yes, I just read The Heart’s Invisible Furies which a great. I’m so into the Bee Sting. I’m finding it very addictive.
@Shellyish enjoyed Invisible Furies, but enjoyed his others more. Check out another, there's lots. All the Broken Places and A History of Loneliness were 10/10
@ Will do!!
I felt the same about the Bee Sting. A lot of people had trouble with the end (I won't say anymore than that) except that I'm an optimist by nature. So I really loved the whole book. Looking forward to giving my daughter Eva Moves the Furniture for the holidays as she's a big Anne and Secret Garden fan. Thanks so much for your wonderful videos!
I'm still not quite done with The Bee Sting and loving every single moment of it.
It's the first time I've actually grieved an election result. Thanks for the video.
Thank YOU for being here.
I’m still grieving
❤📚📚❤️ Hi Shelly.
TH-cam has been a comfort to me this month. I've really enjoyed watching videos as I've had very little time or brain power for reading. My sister has been here from Ohio all month helping with our Dad, who has brain cancer.
We spent an evening together picking a buddy read a month for 2025, and that was enjoyable for both of us. We've never buddy read before.
I'm glad you have read some good books! 😃
I’m so sorry about your father. I’ll be thinking of you and your family in the days ahead! Glad to see your comment, Starla!
@Shellyish Thank you, Shelly. That means a lot.
Thanks for adding links to those videos. I did see Hannah’s organically over the weekend. I haven’t been myself since. We are taking a quick 3 day trip to my beloved SoCal desert (Anza Borrego) and hope it helps me reset. But I fear when we get back I’ll be back in my current funk. 😔
I pray you stay out of the funk though I wouldn't blame you if you fell into one. I hope you find your trip refreshing! I'm sending all the good vibes your way.
Shelly, i love the book series by Mick Herron (also watched and loved the TV series)...i'm about to start The Bee Sting...have heard so many good reviews about it. Thanks for reminding me to put Stirling's book on my list too. From Oct. through the 1st week of Nov. I've read and liked Playground by Richard Powers (a favorite writer of mine); Hokuloa Road by Elizabeth Hand; Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner; Conclave by Robert Harris; We Solve Murders by Richard Osman; A Case of Conscience by James Blish (reminded me a lot of the two book series - The Sparrow and The Children of God by Mary Doria Russell); a re-read of The Chronicles of Barsetshire by Anthony Trollope. Please check them out. I really enjoy your talks and recommendations. You've turned me on to several wonderful books (Middlemarch by George Eliot...I had read almost all of her work but had never read Middlemarch. Thanks for that recommendation -- loved it! I read most all genres but it seems the past few years I've really gotten into sci-fi/ fantasy. I still love historical fiction and great non-fiction as well.
I’m reading and rereading your comment with my Goodreads tab open so I can add all of these books to my TBR. I definitely want to read Richard Powers soon since he’s loved by so many readers. Thank you, Shelley.
Feels like the processing is still ongoing, really don’t want to live in a country where my wife and I don’t have the same rights.
Totally understandable.
I have The Bee Sting on my kindle, so now you’ve got me intrigued!
on my tbr
I’d be SO interested in what you think.
Shelly love your honesty about your own personal experience as one who is going through this process at the moment I totally understand and agree with you and I am here if you need to chat love 🥰 your Aussie family friend xx
Thank you, John!
@ you are welcome Shelly
You sold me on Eva Moves the Furniture. I’m glad Slow Horses worked for you… I DNFed about 1/3 into the first book. Home Fires, on the other hand, I loved. Especially the ending. 🔥
Lindy, I'm surprised you DNFed Slow Horses, but I understand it's not for everyone.
Thank you so much, Shelly! 🕊️🌎Today, I finished up Say Nothing and This Tender Land.
I LOVED Say Nothing! Such a great book.
@ so great and it definitely read like fiction! I’m going to follow it up with Trespasses by Louise Kennedy. ☘️
♥️
❤️❤️❤️
Ahhh I really need to get to The Bee Sting, but I'm so afraid of that page count lol
It's a long one, but so worth it.
Same on the bee sting! I was hesitant because I’m a contrarian and everyone reading it last year turned me off. But it’s likely going to be in my top 3 this year. If you like it, Long Island compromise is similar-ish.
Adding Long Island Compromise to my TBR! Thank you, Jackson!
We burn daylight is based off of David Koresh in Waco Texas. I didn't care for the book but the fact that it was based off of real events kept me going.
Yes!! The true aspect of the book was great! I just didn’t love the novel itself.
I have a hard time understanding how people vote against their best interests, but I know it's a learning curve and we will survive it...some better than others! You are a joy to watch, and appreciate your book choices. My son MKV mentioned you on his channel I've been watching you for a long time, I just don't comment very often.
Oh my gracious! I feel so honored to have you here! Love your son’s channel. And your comment really resonates with me.
Glad to hear some of your thoughts on the election. It drives me mad sometimes when so many people seem to continue on without commenting on something seismically life impacting just because they don't consider themselves "political"
So many people I know seem lost over the past week so I'm thankful of those out there who are attempting to engage in meaning making after all this. I also appreciate your perspective on how comfort hobbies such as reading can bring peace during times of great distress. I've been reading Ghost Roots by Pemi Agude recently. An interesting (and disturbing) short story collection that I've been getting lost in.
I'm super intrigued by The Bee Sting, I'll have to look it up. I tend to like the more "love it or hate it" books so it might be up my alley!
Thank you for this comment. I really appreciate it. I, too, appreciate those who make meaning for us and with us. It’s important.
I'm reading Still LIfe by Sarah Winman and think you would enjoy this historical fiction novel. Slow Horses is great on Apple. Oldman is amazing in it.
That's great to read about Oldman. :) I have Still Life on my mental TBR.
Sounds like you had a good reading month! My best reads out of 10 books were Red Sister by Mark Lawrence and City Of Bones by Michael Connelly - love Harry Bosch! I also read my first, and last, Stephen King - the Gunslinger - the first of his fantasy series. The writing itself had so much anger and aggression towards society. I enjoy fantasy, but this book was just uncomfortable. Thank you for sharing your reads! Hope the good books continue in November!
What a fascinating take on King. I read two of his novels and was overwhelmingly underwhelmed. Looking into Red Sister and City of Bones now.
I love your videos but I´m also happy for the results of the elections.
Thanks. Mariana.
I love this youtube channel. You have my sympathies over the election, i felt the same way in 2020, my candidate may have won this year, but i know what it feels like for your candidate to lose. And the anxieties that brings
No need to comment. Someone who supports a candidate who actively denigrates free speech, human rights, and common decency, and that supports preventing underprivileged children from having access to diverse literature is not welcome here. As far as I’m concerned, you have betrayed everything Shelly and our Booktube community stands for, and no one here is interested in your input.
@@eruditearchive I am not sure you understand what literature is about or for if you can so easily dismiss anyone who doesn't already adhere to your views. I left who i voted for blank as that is the polite thing to do. You have no idea who I voted for, and likely never will. If your response to sympathy is indignation, you are clearly still on your journey.
“everyone wants to save the world, we just disagree on how”
@@bubbadumps3747 You said “my candidate won this year” did you not?
@@eruditearchive And if i am talking about local elections?
What if i voted independent?
What if i voted Blue in a red state?
what if i voted Red in a blue state?
if the way you treat someone changes based on these answers, you have become an idealogue, maybe even an extremist. Well meaning intentions and empathy don't automatically mean one has a balanced reasoned position. Our most dangerous enemy is our concept of self and how desperately it will fight to preserve it's current state.
No one is immune to propaganda is a statement not to declare the inevitability of the concept, but the idea that we must always be vigilant, lest we become obsessed with our own ideas.
you should not be as confidant as you are in what you believe, as what we believe is so often wrong. to act under assumptions is always a mistake, and to assume one candidate is comically evil and that one isn't is highly likely to be skewed from the reality.
Both could be comically evil, neither could be. what you think you know about either candidate could be wrong.
@@bubbadumps3747 Given the sentence you typed, it was clear the candidate you spoke of was for the presidential election, as that was what Shelly was referring to. As I said before, we are not interested in your input, or your sympathy for that matter. Bye bye!
Thank you,Shelly, for your book recommendations and for your authenticity and sharing your feelings about the election. I’m feeling very sad about it. I will listen to the videos that you recommended and read David Brooks’s article. Many best wishes to you. Thank you for being you.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your comment very much.
Yeah for you loving The Beesting Shelly!! This makes me love you so much more! 😉🐝❤ Little P.J 🥹You need to message me when you finish it!! 🐝❤️
I'll definitely message you when I finish. :)