A swift desent into madness 😵💫 aka House of Leaves reading vlog | spoilers at the end
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 ม.ค. 2025
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"I'm not having a good time but I'm having an interesting time" is EXACTLY how I would describe reading this book.🔦🔦
Sis why are you making me wait 9 days to watch this video?! 😭
"this book is what dante was writing about, this book is my 13th reason" AHAHAHHAA
Another detail that keeps me up at night is the fact that in her coded letter Pelafina says Johnny should mark his letter with a checkmark if he's read this and then there's a checkmark on page 97... A chapter titled SOS
"The book is 5 stars, but I have to give it 4 stars." COMPLETELY AGREE 🔦
YES!! finally someone who doenst despise johnny he was the funniest character in the book (and personally my favorite)
I was choking when you said you were climbing Mount Everest, but you had a goat strapped to your back. What a booktube Queen! :)
Listening to you talk about whatever random bullshit is happening in your life instead of the book really reminds me of the book
You really put a lot of the feelings I had about Navidson and Karen's arc into words! The ending of the book really sold me on it, though like you it was a longggg read for me. It was worthwhile though I can't say I could ever imagine reading it again. The book itself feels like a challenge to overcome and that makes it an incredibly unique experience 🔦
As someone with no plans to read this book, this was the first video that actually explained it in a way where I feel like I understand what happened!! Props to you for finishing this monster
This book certainly does take you on a ride and it is a full experience. I enjoyed this vlog so much. Thanks for making it and sharing your descent into madness. Glad you made it to the other side pretty well in tact. I liked your spoilery thoughts a lot. I read this in February this year and I fully filled a notebook while I was reading, joining Johnny and Zampano in their obsession. I have never read anything like this. You are right when you say it is both super frustrating and amazing (even beautiful) at the same time. And I would also never recommend this book to anyone. If someone told me that they wanted to read it, I would say, "Give it a try and see if it engages you. It requires a lot of you as a reader."
i've been thinking of reading this book for a while now and wanted to see what others felt reading it! thank you so much for this video!! i'm leaving the house emoji now but let's see if i ever finish it (or decide to not read it) and come back to watch the rest of this video...🙃🏠
I read 100 pages of this book years ago and decided life was too short to continue.
I was about to stop reading after like 50 pages, but then I changed my mind. And you know what... This book turned out to be one of the best (or even the best) book I've ever read. I also checked out the series of explanation videos by Night Mind and now I love it even more.
The author’s sister made a music album based around the characters in this book. Haunted by Poe. I think it’s worth a listen.
I freaking love your honesty and chaotic energy ❤
2:43 i think it's also worth pointing out something that nyx fears put very well, which is that this book is kind of rolling the dice on becoming an unhealthy fixation, especially since that's kind of the intended experience. the amount of time it takes to get through the book itself is already significant, the amount of time it takes to get it out of your head after it forcibly installs itself there permanently can potentially be measured *_*in years*_* lmao. not necessarily something you want to inflict on someone that is already dealing with a lot in their life.
I just received this book today after a very long time debating whether I wanted to to expend the mental energy everyone says it requires. Believe it or not, this video made me want to read it even more. I mean, how many books out there take you on a ride like that? I had to experience it for myself! I’m leaving the video before the spoilers to go read. Wish me luck!
This is exactly the review I've been craving. I haven't started reading this book yet, and I have his mom's letters in a separate book. I'm thinking of starting with those first so that I have some context on Johnnie. 🔦🔦🔦🔦
This is my favorite book of all time ! I devoured this in a week. It's one of those where I wish I could experience it for the first time all over again.
For some reason something being described as a satire kind of makes it feel like a cop-out to me idk why. Anyways, nothing could have made me feel positively about this book but it IS brilliant. Im just not smart enough to handle it without going crazy so I passed it to a friend. I think people who enjoyed this book are on another level of brain power. Lovely vlog, Katie!
Cop-out when it's clearly a satiric reflection on academic writing. I mean, how someone couldnt understand this when supposed academics hyper focuse on tiny details, while being totally unphased by the absurdity of the source material is a perfect caricature of the scientific process, which sometimes loses focus on the bigger picture and over analyzes details which are less important, even though each academic takes their field and their research as the most important one.
The Navidson record captured highly traumatizing and events on video, which can't be explained in a rational manner and yet you have architects meandering about the structure of hallways, like thats the most important thing to take away from it.
The footnotes also serve two other purposes. Its the world Zampano created for himself, since he was lonely and obsessed and second it's offers a meta experience in which the reader could also lose themselves in the effort to make meaning out of it and in the process partly feel like zampano or johnny.
I get why this book isn't appealing to anyone, but calling out satire as a cop-out kind of feels like an unfair criticism in general. Sounds like you dont appreciate or dont understand satire, at least not in this context.
This book seems all types of messed up and if there’s anyone that can convince me to buy and read it, it’s you, love! Loved the whole video, Katie-Kat! Thank you so much for making this incredible video! ❤️🏠
Your journey through this mirrors my own perfectly. I just finished the book about an hour ago
I don’t know if I’ll ever read this book, but honestly this made me kind of interested. 🏠🔦
Not sure if it has been stated, but there is also a tie in album by his sister under the name POE called Haunted and another standalone version of the letters to johnny from his mom that adds like 11 more letters called Whalestoe Letters.
I’ve had this book for a few months. I’m about to start reading next month because I have too much on my TBR this month. Katie you have me into manga now. 🔦🔦
Lol this is such a perfect review for a book that is basically meant to make the reader spiral. If you ever feel inclined to read it again, I think it would make it more interesting to look a little closer at the codes in the letters and where the different fonts appear throughout the book.
I would also super recommend checking out some Gene Wolfe, if you haven’t already. He’s not as structurally challenging, but it makes you think beyond the page, and gets better the more times you reread it.
I do not think this is my cup of tea, but it’s interesting to see people engage with the experience of reading it 😅
🔦🔦🔦 So far the best vlog about this book I've watched. Thank you!! 🤍
This was simultaneously the most fun and crazy vlog! You’ve finally convinced me that I do not need to read it though. I listened to spoilers and I think it would’ve been waaay too metaphorical for me.
I was not so surprised when I learned the connection between this and Angry Johnny by Poe. Because that song kept playing in my head when I read House of Leaves. I used to listen to that song all the time when I was a kid lol. And reading House of Leaves gave off the same exact vibe.
I read it just as it instructs. You do skip around. So the foot notes will direct you where to go as your reading. It is a wild ride into the decent of madness no doubt about it. I gave it 5 stars because it is an experience all in itself. Not sure I will ever read it again 😄🔦
Sorry, I'm late. I only just read the book. I want to start by saying I thought this was great and you are also great.
But also the irony of you saying you weren't going to read the Johnny Truant footnotes because they were so distracting and off topic to then going on a tangent about your tires was so masterfully done I thought it was intentional.
*chefs kiss*
34:19 fabulous analogy
Can't figure out how to flashlight emoji on mobile. Loved the synopsis!
🔦 I caught the premiere half way through so I’m gonna go back and watch the beginning. But I’m so glad you finally posted this! It’s helping me push through the last 150 pages or so.
🏠"I feel like I'm climbing mount everest but there's a goat strapped to my back." 😂☠️ To think I just bought a new used copy of this. I'm down for the ride though! I'm not going to waste my quarter 😂✊️
🔦 loved this review.
After 2 years I finally finished this marathon.
🔦 I have read it 4-5 times over 20 years and finished my last time a few weeks ago (it was my January kickoff book) and even though it's vague there's something that keeps me coming back! I do think your thoughts on the house performing and responding to energy are interesting! What did you make of the poems of Pelican? Was that Johnny in Europe? His mom's delusions? Zampano? I heard a theory that Zampano and Pelafina had a deformed son (like the minotaur). I love delving into the lore. After you read it, did it stick with you, or was it just instantly gone after you read it?
🏠 Thank you so much for this video. I just started this book a few days ago. Your video is very helpful.
🔦this is by far the best video I’ve seen about this monster of a book. Totally made me re think my previous conclusions about it. Thank you!
Aw I so appreciate that! I tried my best
I don’t ever plan to read this book but I loved this vlog!🔦🔦🔦
I survived House of Leaves 2023😂
I enjoyed HoL, and have kept it for a re-read in another direction. I have to say this is a *GREAT* review. I read it in a group read and have seen a lot of different takes on HoL, many of which differed from my take on it (including yours). I still like to see what everyone's take away from HoL is. I am hoping the next time I read it I can have a different path, and another point of view. I am very glad you pushed through and gave us all this in-depth KC video. 🔦
This is exactly how I felt when I attempted reading The Library Book! The frustration is real!
I know this is a 2 year old vid but i'm bursting at the seams to point out my favorite part of the book, spoilers for those who haven't read it;
you said the Appendix was full of mostly useless stuff, but on page 550 there is an image of a page that describes what happened to the Navidson House after the events of the Record. And it matches the description Johnny gives of the Whalestone Asylum on pages 503-504!! The house is the Whalestone! Combined with the fact that Navidson describes the house as God and Johnny's story is a hunt to find a "Whale" from his traumatic past, you can very easily say that House of Leaves was actually Moby Dick all along (:
loved the review! very well thought out!! 🔦
Thank you! 🖤
Katie!!! You make me both wanna read this book and not at the same time lol 🔦
i feel like this video needs footnotes, to explain that you eventually realised that Navidson made no footnotes.
I have been waiting for this review!! Skipped the spoiler part, though.
My husband and I still both really wanna read it. Pretty sure it's happening this fall. 😊
I need to re-read the book after all you have said. That last part really made my brain explode. Damn
🔦 💜💜💜 very much enjoyed watching this loop of you losing it and apologizing for what you said when you were losing it 😂
This made me want to reread, it's been a long time but this book stuck with me forever and I don't know if I want to punish myself in that way again
14 mins in, enjoying your dunkin donuts story.
I really hope this is a deliberate really-smart commentary on how Johnny's footnotes go into details completely unrelated to the Navidson Record.
not to seem mean or anything, but you missed the s in descent. Probably a typo, but just thought I'd point it out! Can't wait for this video 😩🤌🏽
Omg thank you so much! I wouldn’t have noticed without you. I changed it now 🙏
@@KatieColson no worries! it's missing c now DESCENT 😂 it's confusing I know 😭
I am SO EXCITED to read House of Leaves. like fr! I want to tackle this , this fall
Would recommend listening to the album "Haunted" by the singer Poe (who is the author Danielewski's sister). Both siblings were inspired by each others works and you can tell when you listen to that album!
Also, it took me almost a year to finish HOL so good on you for getting through it in 2 months!
While I am a white guy, I will never hold this up as a sign of "superior" taste. I followed it up with a James Patterson book just to remind myself that quick and easy reads exist.
I am a puzzle/arg nerd, so that part of the punishment of the book pulling every possible direction and getting me lost was part of my masochistic joy in dealing with it.
🏠 I LOVED when you smacked the shit outta that book. Like twice! 😍😍😍 I am here for it. Stan for life.... This is my new favorite. 😍😘
I have this in my TBR I am not sure when I want to try to start it. The fact that you said it wrecked you has me kind.of intimidating 🤭
🔦 just finished this book. Now I’m trying to make sense of what the hell ive just read and what happened to the last week of my life
The ending was so sad just reading everything that Johnny wrote 😭 I think Johnny and his mom were both schizophrenic and I don't think his dissent into madness had anything to do with the book or house but his genetics
At the fireworks clip I was sure you had burned the book 🤣
Ok I’m reading this now and I will say I am enjoying it BUT I told myself when I started HOL to read no other books at the same time and listen to no audiobooks while reading HOL and give myself a month and so far that is really working for me
My fionse has diabetes type one and has the pump sounds like something I know very well! Sorry to hear that you have to deal with that!
Great vlog love the Morticia Addams t shirt 📚👍😎🌈💯☕
The hair clip lol!
Those who have read this book get it, this book will take ALL of you, hair included 😅😅
have 4 children and feel like I am going insane already. Should I read this book?
🔦 I’d love to read this but I doubt be able to, right now at least. Really enjoyed the video 😊
I really do thinks this book is worth every second. I even liked the echo chapter.
What is the best way to read this?!?! I started it reading just the Navidson record bits in times up to about pg100 but I dunno if I should go back?!?! HELP PLEASE🙏🏽
🔦Katie!Can't believe how crazy that book was!
🏠🏠🏠🤯 I don't know if I have it in me to read this book 😂. But I'm too curious now...
I so wanna read this now
I work at dunkin and let me tell you, it is interesting to see the full customer! 😂😂 like oh you’re shorter than I imagined
🔦🔦🔦 I will never read it but thank you for explaining it.
Ha! You’re welcome, Barbara
🔦 It's been 1½ years now. I do recommend you to go to Johnny's mother's letter from April 5th, 1986. The last page (615), a paragraph starting with "So sad really." - look at all the first letters of the words in that paragraph. Comment with a 🍃 if you got it. and a 🤯 if it changed something for you.
It’s obv a work of art; invokes emotions, thoughts, & differing interpretations that can be discussed (but none of them can be classified as “wrong” perspectives). Your experience reminds me of my uni Lit & Writing program & to put oneself thru it with no degree to show for it…? 😜 Not sure I’d have the guts or fortitude.
🔦 I remember reading this book for Kayla's bookclub! I loved hearing your thoughts!
🔦🔦🔦🔦🔦🔦
Man I wanted to read this but idk. Lol I think it's the kind of book you take your time with. But I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts. 🧡
I read this for the first time when I was like 15, and for some reason, I exclusively read it after midnight?? It was a TIME, I need to reread it. Without going too spoilery in the comments though, my theory was that this whole thing was Pelafina, all of it, and I think there’s so many clues that point to that 🔦
Btw in case you didn’t know, Danielewski’s sister is a singer, and she produced a whole album as like a counterpart to this book, so if you ever hate yourself enough to read it again, you can have a soundtrack for it
Omg I totally had that same Pelafina theory! I was trying to connect so many dots with that!
@@KatieColson the dots are all there!! Maybe I’d change my mind after rereading, but I was CONVINCED that Pelafina wrote everything. [spoilers ahead if someone is in the comments] I think she mentioned in one of her letters that she had a newborn that passed away, and I totally think that was Johnny, that he never actually made it to adulthood. The check mark on one of the pages and the color purple were also huge clues to me.
Hahahaha... I felt your pain watching this vlog and you have talked me into not reading this. 🏠
Opinion about an audio version?
I don’t think it could work as an audio unfortunately. Just the way it’s formatted wouldn’t lend itself to an audio experience
Always worth the wait
🔦 I will read this probably this winter but I'm glad to have a little clarification because I feel everything I've seen previously is so confusing or vague
🔦 ok but what about the title page being in Johnny’s mom’s font?!?!???!
This is the stuff that keeps me up at night 🔦
I WAS WAITING FOR THIS
16:30 YO I love that shirt! 🦇
Bahaha, my frieeeeend, this reading Vlog is the best! 😆 much more enjoyable to read if you skim like 30% of the book!! 😅 🔦
Almond finished with this nightmare and I loved it. I just bought "you like it darker" by the goat Stephen King and that's gonna be so simple! Spoiled now! 📚
🏠 Well now I'm intrigued 😆
You should read our crooked hearts by Melissa Albert btw V. E. Schwab gave a review on the front of the book don't know if you will like it or not but it's got short chapters and the cover is simply stunning!
Wasn’t this Books and LaLa favorite book of 2021?
It was! I’m so glad I ended up enjoying it too
🔦 this video was incredible!! Sorry you had to go through this, but I loved reliving the madness that was reading this book, and your theories were super interesting!
Ha! Thank you! I appreciate that. And yeah it was a tiiiiiiime, that’s for sure. But I’m glad I read it so I can connect with the other people who went through it
I agree that the book can be seen as pretentious. I tried to read Infinite Jest, but got so bored I had to stop about a quarter of the way in.
However, the previous video I watched about this was from a woman who loved the book - she read it cover to cover, instead of skipping around.
I loved this book and also hated it and gave it 5 stars. This video makes me want to do a reread but I’m not ready to torture myself yet. 🔦
I'm intrigued lol 🏠
Ok. I’ve not read this yet but I’m going to read it. Listening to the comment about the inside of the house is bigger than the outside? It just clicked. It’s the way you’re reading it. By going back and forth and then the reading the letters and then starting up where you left off? Aren’t you making the inside larger than the outside? It’s like you’re making the reading of it larger than it really is??! Is that it?? Because it seems so to me just listening to you and others go on and on about it. Maybe? Yes? No?
The book is the house and the inside of the book(house) gets larger as you’re winding around in it.
Perhaps the one reading it is doing all the work of making it bigger!!
🔦 I think my reactions to this books are going to be like yours 😂
Does House of Leaves have mystery in it?
Love this book. Gave me nightmares for weeks.
🏠 Now I still don't know if I want to read it or not... So confusing 🙃