Repeating a comment of mine from last year, Adam-Troy Castro’s insight into horror: We almost always experience the emotions of horror when something awful is going on and we must act. We have to get out of the fire, escape the bashing mob, rescue the loved one in trouble, get the loved one interred and their affairs resolved, settle our moments of trauma, and so on. But when we read and watch and listen to horror, we don’t have to do anything. As the audience, we are free to experience all the dark emotions and give them time and space with no deadline. We can even continue to feel them even after the work is done, until we have to do something else. Emotions not attached to necessary but unpleasant actions are pretty cool. We can examine them and experience them at our own pace and then let them go without attached fear that ere failing someone.
4:00 "It's not perfect. It won't shake your world. But I had a good time with it." I'd love to find more books that interest me enough to read, even if they aren't world shattering. If everything was mind blowing all the time, I'd burn out. Reading (mostly fiction) was my strongest, most consistent habit in my youth. I'm finding it harder in my mid-forties, but thanks to you and other booktubers, I'm finding some real gems I'd not have known about otherwise - and trying new things to figure out if I like them.
I like horror as well. I think it's like Jacobson's relaxation technique but for the brain. First, you get really "stressed" and tensed, and then you let go. When you are done, you are more relaxed then when you started. I don't explain it well but you should look it up. 🧘♀️
I was in a reading rut for a while where I'd read some okay books, but not great books. A couple "five star" books a year, but mostly books that were forgotten as quickly as their trend ended. I was reading just to read something, which isn't bad I guess, but wasn't very enjoyable. Finding your channel has really helped me get back into reading. While our reading tastes don't fully align, I have read some of my favorite books of all time thanks to you. Books I wouldn't have otherwise read due to them not being in my library or not hearing anything about them. Thanks for that 🤎
This is the thing I love about Booktube. I’m reading a little more, but I’m reading a lot *better*. More great entertainment, more thoughtful, insightful drama, more fascinating studies of the real world, the works. I blame on Willow and her ilk! :)
Thank you very much! Your recommendations and videos are fantastic (the way you describe the books, by the way, the authors should be paying you). I've even created a separate "willow - sci-fi willow - horror" shelf on Goodreads 😂
Andrea Gibson is amazing! They gave a talk and a small workshop at a uni I worked for, and it is one of my favorite writing-related memories. Love to hear that you also love their work :)
I've been absolutely loving your poetry, Willow, and I hope you don't mind me saying that reading it has healed some unseen, hurting parts of me 💜I will also be checking out the collections you've recommended, as truthfully I feel as though I haven't read that much poetry!
I read somewhere that horror movies appeal more to neurodivergent folk, not trying to pry because I dont know if you are ND but to me as a person with ADHD it's 100% true, it calms me sooo much to watch a good slasher movie.
Willow you MUST read the Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas! It hits similarly to cemetery boys and I just love it very cozy but still suspenseful and interesting!
I've heard Rachel Harrison's book Cackle be described as 'cozy horror' which imo is pretty accurate. Maybe that applies to Black Sheep as well. Anyway I'm excited to read Black Sheep and Kaiju Preservation Society. :)
I love all supernatural horror in any form, I even listen to creepypasta to fall to sleep. I suppose it's a controled fear because I always have the comfort of knowing it's not real. I don't really like slashers and absolutely despise the tortureporn genre.
I don't consume horror very often because I don't get scared easily, and therefore I feel like it's wasted on me. I need a horror guide for those that are dead inside I guess.
I very rarely get scared by horror, but it conjures so many other feelings and serves many other purposes. For me, it’s the aesthetics, the settings, the kinds of characters and mysteries you often find in horror. I enjoy spending time in these dark, stressful spaces even if I don’t feel genuine fear.
Repeating a comment of mine from last year, Adam-Troy Castro’s insight into horror:
We almost always experience the emotions of horror when something awful is going on and we must act. We have to get out of the fire, escape the bashing mob, rescue the loved one in trouble, get the loved one interred and their affairs resolved, settle our moments of trauma, and so on.
But when we read and watch and listen to horror, we don’t have to do anything. As the audience, we are free to experience all the dark emotions and give them time and space with no deadline. We can even continue to feel them even after the work is done, until we have to do something else.
Emotions not attached to necessary but unpleasant actions are pretty cool. We can examine them and experience them at our own pace and then let them go without attached fear that ere failing someone.
Willow my love you are the bane of my TBR list 😭💖
😇
Horror reduces my stress, too. For example, my comfort book (and movie) is The Exorcist.
Thanks for the video! I always find more titles to add to my list when you upload.
4:00 "It's not perfect. It won't shake your world. But I had a good time with it." I'd love to find more books that interest me enough to read, even if they aren't world shattering. If everything was mind blowing all the time, I'd burn out. Reading (mostly fiction) was my strongest, most consistent habit in my youth. I'm finding it harder in my mid-forties, but thanks to you and other booktubers, I'm finding some real gems I'd not have known about otherwise - and trying new things to figure out if I like them.
So sad to hear that Butter was a disappointment because I’ve been so excited for this one 😭😭😭
So was I 😭💔
Ive been adding so many books to my tbr because of your videos...(Stealing aftershock from this one!)
I like horror as well. I think it's like Jacobson's relaxation technique but for the brain. First, you get really "stressed" and tensed, and then you let go. When you are done, you are more relaxed then when you started. I don't explain it well but you should look it up. 🧘♀️
Yes that's what it does to me.
Starter Villian by Scalzi is so fun! Sentient cats....yes, please!
Coming to say the same…loved Starter Villian!!
@@angelaarcher2355 I'm hooked on this author now. Can't wait to read more from him!
I was in a reading rut for a while where I'd read some okay books, but not great books. A couple "five star" books a year, but mostly books that were forgotten as quickly as their trend ended. I was reading just to read something, which isn't bad I guess, but wasn't very enjoyable. Finding your channel has really helped me get back into reading. While our reading tastes don't fully align, I have read some of my favorite books of all time thanks to you. Books I wouldn't have otherwise read due to them not being in my library or not hearing anything about them. Thanks for that 🤎
This is the thing I love about Booktube. I’m reading a little more, but I’m reading a lot *better*. More great entertainment, more thoughtful, insightful drama, more fascinating studies of the real world, the works. I blame on Willow and her ilk!
:)
@@GentleReader01 Reading better is fortunately a side effect of watching Willow's videos!
Thank you very much! Your recommendations and videos are fantastic (the way you describe the books, by the way, the authors should be paying you). I've even created a separate "willow - sci-fi willow - horror" shelf on Goodreads 😂
Andrea Gibson is amazing! They gave a talk and a small workshop at a uni I worked for, and it is one of my favorite writing-related memories. Love to hear that you also love their work :)
I've been absolutely loving your poetry, Willow, and I hope you don't mind me saying that reading it has healed some unseen, hurting parts of me 💜I will also be checking out the collections you've recommended, as truthfully I feel as though I haven't read that much poetry!
Oh wow, thank you so much! That’s the kind of motivation I need to keep writing 💜
I bought Caliban and the Witch based on your review and it just came. I am so excited to read it!
I read somewhere that horror movies appeal more to neurodivergent folk, not trying to pry because I dont know if you are ND but to me as a person with ADHD it's 100% true, it calms me sooo much to watch a good slasher movie.
Haha yeah I have ADHD and this is absolutely the vibe!
Willow you MUST read the Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas! It hits similarly to cemetery boys and I just love it very cozy but still suspenseful and interesting!
Aftershock I lived it. There is a movie a well.
I've heard Rachel Harrison's book Cackle be described as 'cozy horror' which imo is pretty accurate. Maybe that applies to Black Sheep as well. Anyway I'm excited to read Black Sheep and Kaiju Preservation Society. :)
Oh I loved Cemetery Boys! I love horror too, it's comforting...that sounds so weird but it's true lol. Probably trauma. My TBR has increased. :)
your videos and poems
have saved me from true
crime and political news:
thank you for sharing 🌹
sunlight looks good on you, btw 🔆
🥹🥹🥹 that was beautiful, thank you!
I love all supernatural horror in any form, I even listen to creepypasta to fall to sleep. I suppose it's a controled fear because I always have the comfort of knowing it's not real. I don't really like slashers and absolutely despise the tortureporn genre.
I find watching horror movies helps with my depression and anxiety. Glad I’m not alone.
Wow, I definitely need to read up on this!
I don't consume horror very often because I don't get scared easily, and therefore I feel like it's wasted on me. I need a horror guide for those that are dead inside I guess.
I very rarely get scared by horror, but it conjures so many other feelings and serves many other purposes. For me, it’s the aesthetics, the settings, the kinds of characters and mysteries you often find in horror. I enjoy spending time in these dark, stressful spaces even if I don’t feel genuine fear.
@@WillowTalksBooks I think that might be why I like psychological thrillers