We have very similar tastes in books, Helen. I also read Stoner this year and I really enjoyed it. I put in back on my book shelves because I can definitely see myself re-reading this book at some time in the future. Leonard and Hungry Paul is in my TBR cart, in the "on deck" position, meaning that it's the next book to be read when I finish Lessons In Chemistry. And I have also thrown very bad books into the trash just to make a point to no one really except myself. I understand the appeal of Yellowface because it's been everywhere for a very long time, but I sometimes shy away from those kinds of books, in this case because I've read many negative reviews. Your Dad sounds like a very cool guy.
Thank you Julie, much appreciated for this response. Please let me know what you think of Lessons in Chemistry (I enjoyed it) and in particular, Leonard and Hungry Paul. There’s so many great books out there to read so to waste time on those that aren’t for us is frustrating. I get that. 🤣
So glad to have found your channel! I have the same philosophy in how I approach books. And I truly believe that books call out to us when it’s time to read them. East of Eden has been screaming at me for a few months now, so I’ve decided to make that my first read of the year!
@@sophietennyson4103 I also read East of Eden , just last month. Amazing, great! Steinbeck now a favorite authors. Read some novellas ( loved Cannery Row), in middle of Grapes of Wrath now! ENJOY!! also enjoying this video!
Thank you much appreciated. I usually post one video every week. It's also one book = one video with minimal whizz bang elements. I do this to prevent editing too much as it detracts me from valuable reading time......
Oh, how i loved East of Eden. I mentioned my discovery of Steinbeck , but not on main thread here , i guess in reply to a reply, but i also want to say i really enjoyed finding this video...i will check out others by you now. I also am glad to find a booktuber who is past their 20's. Stoner is being delivered today!!!!
Thank you Patricia. I appreciate the comment. East of Eden was FANTASTIC. I rave about it a lot to others but I always have this feeling that as it’s a classic, it might be hard to read - or they won’t make time for it - or it’s old fashioned - or whatever. It was recommended to me by a viewer of this channel and I’m so glad she mentioned it. We need more TH-camrs who are in the mature age bracket frankly. The more, the merrier. So much knowledge and experiences that can be shared….
I was glad to hear your super positive review of “Leonard and Hungry Paul” it’s been on my ever-growing list of books I would like to read. With my book club I hope to read “Now in November” by Josephine Johnson (Pulitzer Prize 1930’s). An underrated but excellent short novel you might like to read before tackling a mammoth is “The All of It” by Jennette Haien. It’s set on the West Coast of Ireland in the early 20th C. Someone dies and a secret is revealed. Glad to hear how much you enjoyed the books you listed. I have read most of them. “Stoner” was a a new read for me this year and I enjoyed it so much. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!
Wonderful!! Righto. I’ve added these books onto the list. I have a Goodreads app shelf where I put all the books recommended to me by people here and Now in November sounds like one I’d love to try and find to read. The Irish novel also sounds fab. I love Irish writers or anything set there. Thanks for the recommendations. Have a wonderful reading year in 2025!
Love your channel Helen. Thank you. Will def read Leonard and hungry Paul. I need a light read after finishing Cormac McCarthy’s, Orchard Keeper. Peace ☮️
Omg. I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy and it was so heavy going and black that it impacted my reading mojo so if Orchard Keeper was like that, I’d have to consider what time of the year to read this too. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Happy new year!
Orchard Keeper was his first book and not nearly as good as his other works. I would suggest All the Pretty Horses. Anyway, peace to you .✌️🙏@@LifeLessonsFromBooks
I think I commented in an earlier video how a friend of mine threw The Magus at the wall out of frustration. It's pretty funny you shared the same sentiment but with Mantissa. I don't know how people can read books at a drop of a hat. I'm like you, the books are there when we are ready for them, and that could be years, decades, of a book sitting in a shelf. Then one morning, off to the races with Don Quixote, Remembrance of Things past, or Ulysses. That's why I can't do tags, don't have a books to read list, or join read alongs. Otherwise it's like school, having to read books you don't want to, which is why I wasn't a lit major. Best to you from Texas.
Yeah I remember you mentioning that so The Magus is sitting on my bookshelf quietly waiting to be read. I pick it up. I put it back and move my eye along the shelf. I don’t want to have to go through what I did with Mantissa with that now. Argh. Let’s see. I might have to find a time when I’m fired up to read something like this when I can express myself clearly otherwise books that fail in my expectations - or if I’ve spent a lot of money on them truth be told 🤣- I become frustrated and tongue tied unable to explain the let down. 🤣 Nevertheless thankfully we have tonnes of other books to get through in the meantime. They can wait until it’s their time to shine. Or be thrown up against a wall.
Great wrap....re Winton..read The Riders..fabulous novel I re-read it just to read the bit about the Horsemen and the horses following the train.....truly great..read Dirt Music..extraordinary especially the last third and of course Cloudstreet..the quintessential Aussie novel..it's really a masterpiece...it's Winton's A la recherche du temps perdu..go well..go books..
Thank you so much for your excellent recommendations this year. I’ve loved them. Winton was a winner! Thank you. 🙏 Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to a new year of new authors, books, and special reading times. What was your favourite book of this year?
Best book for me was The New York Trilogy by Auster..his masterpiece although some say 4321 is..other stand outs, Fire by Boyne and The World of Suzie Wong by Mason..(brilliant book from 1957) ..most abandoned book Prophet Song by Lynch..struggled to page 100 then lost interest..but, that's books..we can't resonate with all of them
Thanks for this year-end wrap-up. I have also read East of Eden earlier this year and I would say I love that book. Planning to read another one from this author in 2025.
Please do! Then share your thoughts here. I’ve reviewed some other Steinbeck novels here on this channel like Cannery Row. Anyway I see that your name is (at)France. I assume you’re French. Can you provide any French authors that are generalist fiction that someone of my level - high intermediate - can read with ease? Something light and feel good?
@ Hi, indeed my first name is France although I am french-canadian. Keeping in mind your guidelines, here are a few author names which come to mind: Philippe Besson & Valérie Perrin - both French - and Kim Thuy - vietnamese / canadian.
Yes it did thank you. A few of the books mentioned in the wrap up were from viewers. East of Eden was yours so thank you. It was one I shared to others too so please share any other books that you like so I can read them too. It was going to be a toss-up for number 1 between that and Leonard and Hungry Paul. In the end, I put this latter one because it made me happy, it was different and it came at the right time for me. Meanwhile East of Eden is a classic, will always be there and will never be forgotten. Still, what a superb reading year so thank you for watching, commenting and sharing your thoughts too. All the best for 2025. Have you any reading goals? What was the best book you read this year?
Thank you!! 🙏 always nice to read this especially when I have existential crises every so often as to why I am creating them. (LOVE the reading; enjoy the books; editing just gives me the irrits). 🤣🤣🤣 Happy new year!
Palate Cleansers. I love that! Yes they are!! I’ve got one more chapter to go with Cloud Atlas. My friend raved about this book but I’m not so “wow” about it. I love the way it’s written (quite genius), love the topic of a soul reincarnated through the ages and the circular nature of life and it’s been getting me down rabbit warrens of what it all means. It’s quite deep but at times I found the writing a tad convoluted. Okay maybe I don’t need to do a review of this book now on this channel 🤣 What was your favourite book you read in 2024?
@LifeLessonsFromBooks many favorites, but the book that dented my soul a little was North Woods by Daniel Mason. I loved The Piano Tuner so I paid full price for his new novel. That tells you how much faith I have in his writing.
We have very similar tastes in books, Helen. I also read Stoner this year and I really enjoyed it. I put in back on my book shelves because I can definitely see myself re-reading this book at some time in the future. Leonard and Hungry Paul is in my TBR cart, in the "on deck" position, meaning that it's the next book to be read when I finish Lessons In Chemistry. And I have also thrown very bad books into the trash just to make a point to no one really except myself. I understand the appeal of Yellowface because it's been everywhere for a very long time, but I sometimes shy away from those kinds of books, in this case because I've read many negative reviews. Your Dad sounds like a very cool guy.
Thank you Julie, much appreciated for this response. Please let me know what you think of Lessons in Chemistry (I enjoyed it) and in particular, Leonard and Hungry Paul. There’s so many great books out there to read so to waste time on those that aren’t for us is frustrating. I get that. 🤣
So glad to have found your channel! I have the same philosophy in how I approach books. And I truly believe that books call out to us when it’s time to read them. East of Eden has been screaming at me for a few months now, so I’ve decided to make that my first read of the year!
Oh how wonderful! I'm so glad of this and please let me know which character resonates with you the most. You're in for a treat!
East of Eden is one of the best books I've ever read, and I am very well read
@@sophietennyson4103 I also read East of Eden , just last month. Amazing, great! Steinbeck now a favorite authors. Read some novellas ( loved Cannery Row), in middle of Grapes of Wrath now! ENJOY!! also enjoying this video!
Just found your channel and enjoy your reviews, I hope you have a great new year and hope to see more content!
Thank you much appreciated. I usually post one video every week. It's also one book = one video with minimal whizz bang elements. I do this to prevent editing too much as it detracts me from valuable reading time......
Oh, how i loved East of Eden. I mentioned my discovery of Steinbeck , but not on main thread here , i guess in reply to a reply, but i also want to say i really enjoyed finding this video...i will check out others by you now. I also am glad to find a booktuber who is past their 20's. Stoner is being delivered today!!!!
Thank you Patricia. I appreciate the comment. East of Eden was FANTASTIC. I rave about it a lot to others but I always have this feeling that as it’s a classic, it might be hard to read - or they won’t make time for it - or it’s old fashioned - or whatever. It was recommended to me by a viewer of this channel and I’m so glad she mentioned it.
We need more TH-camrs who are in the mature age bracket frankly. The more, the merrier. So much knowledge and experiences that can be shared….
I was glad to hear your super positive review of “Leonard and Hungry Paul” it’s been on my ever-growing list of books I would like to read. With my book club I hope to read “Now in November” by Josephine Johnson (Pulitzer Prize 1930’s).
An underrated but excellent short novel you might like to read before tackling a mammoth is “The All of It” by Jennette Haien. It’s set on the West Coast of Ireland in the early 20th C. Someone dies and a secret is revealed.
Glad to hear how much you enjoyed the books you listed. I have read most of them. “Stoner” was a a new read for me this year and I enjoyed it so much.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!
Now in November is beautiful. I read it for the first time this year.
@@ariannefowler455: That’s good to hear-I’m looking forward to reading it.
Wonderful!! Righto. I’ve added these books onto the list. I have a Goodreads app shelf where I put all the books recommended to me by people here and Now in November sounds like one I’d love to try and find to read. The Irish novel also sounds fab. I love Irish writers or anything set there. Thanks for the recommendations. Have a wonderful reading year in 2025!
Love your channel Helen. Thank you. Will def read Leonard and hungry Paul. I need a light read after finishing Cormac McCarthy’s, Orchard Keeper. Peace ☮️
Omg. I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy and it was so heavy going and black that it impacted my reading mojo so if Orchard Keeper was like that, I’d have to consider what time of the year to read this too. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Happy new year!
Orchard Keeper was his first book and not nearly as good as his other works. I would suggest All the Pretty Horses. Anyway, peace to you .✌️🙏@@LifeLessonsFromBooks
@ fab thanks. I’ll check it out. I’ve heard of this book but don’t know anything about it.
@@LifeLessonsFromBooks All the Pretty Horses is the book that put Cormac on the map. It’s his most commercial, but nevertheless an amazing book. ✌️
I think I commented in an earlier video how a friend of mine threw The Magus at the wall out of frustration. It's pretty funny you shared the same sentiment but with Mantissa.
I don't know how people can read books at a drop of a hat. I'm like you, the books are there when we are ready for them, and that could be years, decades, of a book sitting in a shelf. Then one morning, off to the races with Don Quixote, Remembrance of Things past, or Ulysses. That's why I can't do tags, don't have a books to read list, or join read alongs. Otherwise it's like school, having to read books you don't want to, which is why I wasn't a lit major. Best to you from Texas.
Yeah I remember you mentioning that so The Magus is sitting on my bookshelf quietly waiting to be read. I pick it up. I put it back and move my eye along the shelf. I don’t want to have to go through what I did with Mantissa with that now. Argh. Let’s see. I might have to find a time when I’m fired up to read something like this when I can express myself clearly otherwise books that fail in my expectations - or if I’ve spent a lot of money on them truth be told 🤣- I become frustrated and tongue tied unable to explain the let down. 🤣 Nevertheless thankfully we have tonnes of other books to get through in the meantime. They can wait until it’s their time to shine.
Or be thrown up against a wall.
@@LifeLessonsFromBooks In order to save The Magus from a premature death (I remember what frustrated my friend about it) save it for another day:)
@@LibroParadiso-ep4zt yes...I'll be doing that methinks....
Great wrap....re Winton..read The Riders..fabulous novel I re-read it just to read the bit about the Horsemen and the horses following the train.....truly great..read Dirt Music..extraordinary especially the last third and of course Cloudstreet..the quintessential Aussie novel..it's really a masterpiece...it's Winton's A la recherche du temps perdu..go well..go books..
Thank you so much for your excellent recommendations this year. I’ve loved them. Winton was a winner! Thank you. 🙏
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to a new year of new authors, books, and special reading times.
What was your favourite book of this year?
Best book for me was The New York Trilogy by Auster..his masterpiece although some say 4321 is..other stand outs, Fire by Boyne and The World of Suzie Wong by Mason..(brilliant book from 1957) ..most abandoned book Prophet Song by Lynch..struggled to page 100 then lost interest..but, that's books..we can't resonate with all of them
Thanks for this year-end wrap-up. I have also read East of Eden earlier this year and I would say I love that book. Planning to read another one from this author in 2025.
Please do! Then share your thoughts here. I’ve reviewed some other Steinbeck novels here on this channel like Cannery Row. Anyway I see that your name is (at)France. I assume you’re French.
Can you provide any French authors that are generalist fiction that someone of my level - high intermediate - can read with ease? Something light and feel good?
@ Hi, indeed my first name is France although I am french-canadian. Keeping in mind your guidelines, here are a few author names which come to mind: Philippe Besson & Valérie Perrin - both French - and Kim Thuy - vietnamese / canadian.
Wonderful. Thank you so much. I’ll find these authors to read their works.
I enjoyed your wrap up. Yes to Leonard and Hungry Paul! It's such a wonderful gem. I plan to get to East of Eden in 2025.
Let me know what you think of East of Eden please Arianne. Happy new year too!!📚 Happy reading. 😊
Loved Leonard and Hungry Paul, and read it on your recommendation. Thank you!
Wonderful! Such a feel good book. I’m delighted that I found this book otherwise I would have missed it.
I read and loved both Stoner and Yellowface. Thanks for the recommendations. Will read East of Eden.
Please do then let me know how you go and what you thought! What was your favourite book in 2024?
Merry Christmas Helen🎄❤️😀
I am glad that one of my recommendations (East of Eden) got the highlight😊😊 in your wrapup.
I love your videos ❤
Yes it did thank you. A few of the books mentioned in the wrap up were from viewers. East of Eden was yours so thank you. It was one I shared to others too so please share any other books that you like so I can read them too. It was going to be a toss-up for number 1 between that and Leonard and Hungry Paul. In the end, I put this latter one because it made me happy, it was different and it came at the right time for me. Meanwhile East of Eden is a classic, will always be there and will never be forgotten. Still, what a superb reading year so thank you for watching, commenting and sharing your thoughts too. All the best for 2025.
Have you any reading goals?
What was the best book you read this year?
Merry Christmas Helen. Enjoy your videos.
Thank you!! 🙏 always nice to read this especially when I have existential crises every so often as to why I am creating them. (LOVE the reading; enjoy the books; editing just gives me the irrits). 🤣🤣🤣 Happy new year!
I think of lighter books as palate cleansers. I loved Cloud Atlas!
Palate Cleansers. I love that! Yes they are!!
I’ve got one more chapter to go with Cloud Atlas. My friend raved about this book but I’m not so “wow” about it. I love the way it’s written (quite genius), love the topic of a soul reincarnated through the ages and the circular nature of life and it’s been getting me down rabbit warrens of what it all means. It’s quite deep but at times I found the writing a tad convoluted.
Okay maybe I don’t need to do a review of this book now on this channel 🤣
What was your favourite book you read in 2024?
@LifeLessonsFromBooks many favorites, but the book that dented my soul a little was North Woods by Daniel Mason. I loved The Piano Tuner so I paid full price for his new novel. That tells you how much faith I have in his writing.
Merry Christmas!!
Thank you! And happy new year. 😊
Bit of a poke in the eye for Cervantes mmm?
Yep. Exactly. 🤣
@@LifeLessonsFromBooks Camera, lighting etc not my thing evidently. Lol