Thank you for actually giving real reviews for bad and vapid books 😭 I feel like people are so mild when it comes to trash, they never come out with the essential problems with the books they read and that's how we all end up reading crap without having a heads up
Honestly, the best thrillers I have read were written between 1930s-1960s, Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel, The Talented Mr. Ripley, She Who Was No More are some of my favorites.
Ripley has such a good atmosphere. Rebecca is on the docket for this fall! I will add the other two to my tbr... the cover of she who was no more looks hot hahah
My Cousin Rachel gave me the atmosphere I’d been craving for years. It’s a wonderful choice of audiobook for rainy autumn days. Rebecca was pretty cool, too, although I had a hard time with the spineless narrator. (The Hitchcock film is marvelous.) Du Maurier and Shirley Jackson are masters, imo.
When I saw TSH on the thumbnail, and then saw the title, my heart literally dropped. But hearing what you had to say, I completely agreed. I had the chance to read IWWV before TSH, but I was only a couple pages in when I decided to quit the read and instead go read TSH instead. Best decision ever. I love Donna Tartt and I’ve been more than halfway through The Goldfinch. The thing about dark academia is that everyone is striving for the same thing: England university, secret cult/ society, murder, etc. I won’t hold it against authors but after reading TSH, my standards for ‘dark academia’ will never be the same. I feel like in dark academia books, authors try to hard on trying to focus on making it dark academia instead of focusing on other factors. Anyways, glad to have you back, I missed you :)
agreed. TSH was my first "dark academia" and I knew there would be no following it. I would rather read TSH over and over again until my eyes bled than ever pick up another DA book
TSH was also my first DA book :D Also, Charles, be warned, don’t read ‘The Atlas Six’. I know you’ll hate it. Not sure if you heard of it though but it’s another flashy DA book all over tiktok/booktube.
@@5spells ohhh no no no I've heard of it..it was a contender for the original video idea. I have a strong feeling I wouldn't like it so I didn't pick it up 💀
Yeah I don't understand people only reading one genre.. as much as I love Horror, I also love books from all different genres. I couldn't imagine limiting myself to one genre.
HAHAH I heard IT WHEN I WAS EDITING and I almost popped in to apologize, but the shitty ass quality is just what this video needed. they say true art is that in which form reveals...🤭
“There’s a Good book out there for everyone.” = 1 of the best things Charles says in this video. 🤜🏼🤛🏼 Good to watch a new video from you. - I watch several book review channels & I keep coming back to your channel when you post. 👍👍
I'm going to tell you a secret, and we will keep it between us. If you let your car hit a little below empty, the gas station gives you a special deal. As well, I've never felt fulfilled or content filling up a half full tank. In a way you just have to understand
FINALLY A VIDEO LIKE THIS. i feel like you expressed my thoughts very well. while, i usually do somewhat prioritize aesthetics in my reading. but, by that i’ve never meant in terms of genre (more so writing style). like, as long as the premise intrigues me and has a cover that i could tolerate, i’d be willing to give it a shot. i’ve always said, “i could read a novel with any premise of any genre, as long as i like the writing style”. with that being said, if you want to read a GENUINELY good novel, that’s severely underrated and within somewhat of a similar vein to the secret history, i’d highly recommend possession by a.s. byatt
SHUT UP Possession has been on my tbr for YEARS. I have a sneaking suspicion I'll love it so I keep putting it off 😭 I'm dusting that bitch off tomorrow.
i can just imagine the author of if we were villains furiously typing away googling *aesthetic* shakespeare quotes. if your book is 75% quotes of another (prestigious) writer… interesting
Great video. I am a relative novice when it comes to good reads. I need help in seeing the various perspectives on books. For example, it was only with help from people like you was I able to sort through my reactions to Tartt's The Little Friend. Not that I naively accept the opinions of others as my own, but I do find readers like you provide me with the means to come to my own insights. Hope that makes sense. On my TBR list is The Secret History. Spent the day reading and enjoying The Day of the Triffids. Keep up good work and enthusiastic efforts.
It does make sense! Listening to any book opinion, even and especially opposed to yours, always helps make sense of your own. The day of the triffids looks good 👀 and the cover is so hot. You'll have to let me know your thoughts when you finish
Tbh the best part of If We Were Villains wasn't even the main plot. I liked some of the romantic subplot parts that weren't even set at the school. I think my favorite part was one of the Christmas break parts.
I reread the secret history a couple days back and was going to read if we were villains next but I guess I need to veto that idea because what is Charles if not infallible
if we were villains literally made me tweak out, that shit was basically unreadable... everything is so cringe and the foreshadowing(? if you can even call it that) via the Shakespeare plays was SO HEAVY HANDED that like it negates the possibility for people to read it as just a fun flirty thriller (cause it sure as hell ain't lit fic)... like be fr
I feel like the category “ dark academia” was made up by publishers responding to readers, who after having read TSH, were desperately casting about to find a similar experience….newsflash: it doesn’t exist. I could barely get started with If We Were Villains, it was so bad, DNF. And pretty much same with the Makai book. Her books read like poorly written YA….I had trouble with The Great Believers too… reads like chick lit to me. DNF, again. Yet she gets good critical review!! Not my cup of tea. The only book recommended to me (as a “if you loved TSH, you ‘ll like this”… )that I actually really enjoyed was The Likeness by Tana French. That is the only book I can think of that remotely satisfies….and I do unfortunately mean “remotely “.
Yea the modern day timeline of TGB did read like chick lit a bit 💀 and that was how all of I have some Qs read for me, but like 6000 times worse. I'm also easily moved by intense renderings of human suffering 🫣. I pretty decently enjoyed Faithful Place! I dnf'd the secret place 250 pages in, but I have a couple more TF books I'll probably pick up some time (The likeness is one of them !)
I didn’t think If We Were Villains was that bad. I actually somewhat enjoyed it. It doesn’t compare to The Secret History though. I rarely DNF books but I dnf’d Ninth House on Friday with only a quarter left to finish. It was just a waste of time and mental space.
Never interested in reading Ninth House or I Have Some Questions For You.. YES imo a lot of the popular books include unnecessary smut to try to cover up the lack of substance.
I have always to just read whatever sounded appealing to me. But then upon discovering booktok or booktube, I started to approach books differently and label myself a certain genre reader fx. romance reader. It wasn't for long, but now I'm back to reading books for enjoyment with the occasion I try something hyped up, I almost always get disappointed. I also never know, what to say when people ask what books I read. I just read what I like, I also don't really take genre into account, more so plot.
Hi, as you mentioned that you haven't found good thrillers lately, I'm going to suggest a Brazilian author, since I'm from Brazil. His name is Raphael Montes and he has already won some notable literature awards here in the country. I believe it has already been translated into English, but as I don't know the translation to its titles, I'll leave it in Portuguese. My suggestions would be to start with Suicidas, which is his debut novel, then Jantar Secreto and finally O Vilarejo. I hope you enjoy it if you read it!
If I want to read dark academia I think I’m just going to read gothic lit, like that kind of fulfills my needs with this. I tend to mostly read classics but generally my logic is that there’s sort of a quality guarantee with classics and I like the escapism element of reading a what was a contemporary account of the era or a look to the past from the past because I don’t want to think about the present let alone the future. That said I am very interested in Mieko Kawakami’s work, Haruki Murakami, Zadie Smith, Kazuo Ishiguro, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Mary Oliver’s poetry, Chimamana Adiche, etc. but I want to feel like there’s going to be a guarantee on the level of quality of a book, which I’m aware is semi-misguided in the realm of classics because there are some BAD classics. I definitely am looking for recommendations but I also just want to get through a lot of classics to have a good background on them (also I’m a very slow reader because I annotate but also because it takes me a while of looking at a page and rereading the same 3 sentences because I stopped paying attention somewhere in the process of reading them or because I lose my space regularly or my pace or I just go down a tangent if googling random things. My attention span is weak, but I try.)
this is one of the most relatable comments someone has left me. I'm such a slow reader for the same reasons. I also like classics for the "quality guarantee" that of course doesn't exist in some classics. I apply the quality guarantee thought process to more modern fiction too--I'll always pick up a still popular book from decades ago over a modern popular book. I love some gothic lit! I'm a poe die hard ;)
The worst part is every booktubers and booktok are recommending the same books! And there's people that rely on recommendations like me and we always just get let down and waste money and time. Also, I've been feeling the same way about other genres and how the bad books are the most popular and recommended. I'm starting to dislike reading because of the bad recommendations I've been getting and how overly popular they are. The same bad books are everywhere!
Tana French has always come thru for me with thriller/mystery. I just got done reading all of her books in order, but they can be stand-alones as well.
@@illchangemyusernamewhenith9130 I love Tana French too! I actually liked the Witch Elm it creeped me out. It was the latest The Searcher that just didn't work for me at all. I thought her American lead character just didn't feel like a real person and the stakes felt so low. I def think Charles would enjoy Tana French! :)
I think it all has to do with intent. Donna tarrtt wrote secret history in the 90s and is crafting a masterful story for the sake of storytelling These other books are just meant to copy the atmosphere of her story and fail because theres no substance to that Im sick of people praising leigh bardugo's adult fantasy book when she changed absolutely nothing about her ya style and just added repulsive themes and scenarios to make it "adult" It in no way compares to actual masterful female adult fantasy authors like fonda lee or nk jemsin
Omg, fine sir…our literary tastes dovetail so exquisitely….I’d love if you would do a video, like every 2-3 months, of the books you enjoyed and would recommend
Finally, someone else who agrees that Ninth House was atrocious! I finished the book thinking the exact same things that you just outlined. It wasn't a good plot twist at the end when it was never built up, there were no crumbs leading to it. Galaxy was boring to the max, and that plot was held together by a few pieces of tape and a prayer. Just awful, I don't know what everyone else saw 😂
omg how did I miss this video? (the answer's not mysterious: it's bc I haven't been watching as much yt the past month.) I've very much come to this conclusion as well. having recently read and dissected Babel, I came to the conclusion that I'm not here for the dark academia as a self-conscious genre at all. and *especially* when it's all dark/cosy trappings without any redeeming qualities of plot/themes
amen amen. I like the phrase self-conscious genre. Ppl have been recommending Babel, but I think I'd come to a similar conclusion, so I'm saving myself the headache and skipping
Hey.. I just fell on your channel today and I’m literally fell in love with you and how you give your impression about me.. not just book but everything.. thank you so much and please please.. don’t stop to make video 🙏🏻❤️
Oh, thank you. I did an entire video months ago about how The Secret History is NOT dark academia, and I got so ranty about it I just ended up deleting it. I haven't read any of those other books.
I haven't read any of the books you talked about (though i hope to get to The Secret History in the future) and honestly the dark academia "genre" never really interested me, just because i don't consider myself smart enough to tell if they're good or not if that makes sense? Lol. But recently i read Bunny by Mona Awad and idk if it's really considered dark academia or not but man i loved it, it was so wild and I finished it in like 2 sittings lol. I was a little worried at first 'cause i thought it was gonna be like really high brow and hard to read but the more i read the more it kinda spat in the face of the "academia" part of it. Idk if you've read it but it was a pleasant surprise for me 😁
You are smart enough!! Don't let books intimidate you. If you're ever interested in a book, just give it a shot. Bunny definitely falls in the DA bubble...and I loved it too !! 🤭 I'm looking forward to reading more Awad
What a fantastic rant. You made my day. 👏👏👏 Dark Academia…riding on the coattails of Donna Tartt’s creation, right? I totally get your point about following your OWN reading interests wherever they lead. It’s so much fun…I actually tried a Neil Gaiman and an Ursula LeGuin this yr. Holy crap we’re my eyes open . There’s good writing to be found everywhere.
@@cs0p you definitely should, would love to hear your thoughts ! tsh both got me out of a reading slump and put me in one, I couldn’t think of anything else for a week
Auntie Tartt is the soul reason why i fell in love with reading. My first ever book was The little friend and my copy of that book is beyond degraded because i re read it a thousand times. Like she looks disgusting as fuck but slay
You said you wanted a suggestion for a book to read, I'm reading this book called The Binding Room by Nadine Matheson it's a adult thriller I believe, it's about this female detective finding who killed this priest at his own church and it introduces a lot of dark things as you read (I'm not doing the description justice but you should definitely look for the synopsis and the Trigger warnings) a more mature dark book from what I've read but I think you'd like it
CHARLES WELCOME BACK also i have been obsessed with the secret history ever since first reading it can you please recommend anything that is ACTUALLY good dark academia like the secret history?😭😭😭
thanks ;)) idk!! I haven't read anything that is similar to tsh and measures up in quality. I really liked Bunny by mona awad. I haven't read The Rules of Attraction yet but I have high hopes for it and I love Bret. Plot twist if you like kids books like middle grade percy jackson, read the mysterious benedict society....
I had a good time reading if we were villains but your review is hilarious and def brings up good points edit: Haven't read the secret history yet, but at some point this fall/winter season I'll get to it. I'm confident it's muchhh better than if we were villains. Now thinking about it...there wasn't much plot or fascinating twists and turns (except for the ending ig), and the characters needed more....well character, but when I was reading it, it was simply a good time, yk? I enjoyed the dark vibes and the foggy, eerie atmosphere, and of course, that doesn't make a book "good" or anything memorable per se, but I think that it doesn't make a book automatically trash either, because some people just enjoy a plot-less book where it's more about the atmosphere and aesthetics, which I don't think is a bad thing at all, it's all preference. And who's to say a book without a plot is a "bad" book, you know? I don't think that it's nearly as grandiose and special as people make it out to be, but simply okay (now reflecting on it) It did what it wanted to be, dark academia. Not absolute garbage (imo), but not "great" either. That's just my take on it though edit 2: I tried to read Ninth house once, but it was so confusing and idk, I didn't like the main girl for some reason, can't remember
I like the Dark Academia aesthetic. I'm glad I never read Dark Academia books. It's too new and trendy for quality to rise from the bland. Still like the aesthetic.
Girl I just found you and saw this and saw the secret history and I just about had to drop you because the secret history is my fav too but girl you saved it I will fight tooth and nail for that book I love Donna tartt so much she’s such a amazing author and all her books are masterpieces
Holy Moly- your community post wasn't kidding!?! 😂 It is so nice to have your bright, smiling self back again!!! Since it is the season, perhaps check into some horror as a palette cleanse- there are plenty of novels to choose from!!!!! I have never heard so much of the f-bomb come out of you before- a part of me wanted to tell you to wash that mouth out with soap 🧼!?! 😂 Seriously, though, thank you for all the effort and time you put into your content- you are a treasure and a delight!!!!! 😀 Take extra care of YOU- soak up the Autumn 🍂 weather, be healthy, smile, laugh and until next time, colossal Mr. Charles!!!!! 🎉 😀
NICHOLAS HAHAH I do need to wash out my mouth! I was a little horrified during editing when I noticed how much I was cursing 💀 I will look into a good horror novel. I'm glad you're still around and enjoying the videos ;)
I read TSH before "dark academia" was a tumblr tag, and watched that tag develop as a photo trend in real time (am kind of old). The only book I've read that comes moderately close is These Violent Delights. But it was derivative to the point that it was basically fan fic a la 50 Shades, but okay fan fic and gayer? If you need a pure TSH vibe it will do in a pinch, which is more than any other book I've read can say.
YES! Be a mature reader. Get by and out of the romance and thriller only box. Have some patience to read some dense good writing in a long book. Thank you!!!!!
I read a couple popular dark academia books back to back a couple months ago because I wanted to see whats up, Ninth House and If We Were Villains among them. I did think Ninth House was relatively entertaining, but I was also aware of the YA influences on it. So I think the “smutty undertones” was Leigh Bardugo (who before this was prominently a YA author) leaning into an audience who expected some romance. It’s supposed to be a slow-burn sexual tension that keeps you reading, I think. As for If We Were Villains, I was rather puzzled by the positive reviews, I found it really boring. Saw a lot of reviews saying this is a book for Shakespeare lovers, and I was like, is it? Even in my limited knowledge of Shakespeare, I know the gist of Julius Caesar, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet, so the plot points were so predictable. Removed of the Shakespeare elements, this was a very predictable murder mystery with characters I didn’t care for. The reveal of Oliver taking the blame and going to prison for James to me was such a cheap way to frame impetuous stupidity as romantic tragedy. Overall, I agree that a lot of popular dark academia books are more about aesthetics, and that it defeats the point of dark academia.
"and i was like, is it?" AHAHA AMEN i forgot about that point too. That book is NOT FOR DAMN SHAKESPEARE LOVERS. The reveal is so so stupid. I do get how ninth house can be entertaining
@@ElinWinblad Um, no. What I said was, the “smutty undertones” that Charles was referring to was, in my opinion, the author trying to lean into the expectation of romance in YA novels. Which, as she was prominently a YA author before Ninth House, her audience has come to expect. Yes technically there wasn’t romance in Ninth House, but it was definitely being hinted at and built on - more so in Hell Bent. You’re welcome to disagree, though 🤷🏻♀️.
Congrats, you’re now my favorite RUclipsr. You were making some good point I’m like hell yah I agree with that, and then you ended up calling me out once or twice I’m like damn, I wish I realized that sooner! 🙌
I’m not big on thrillers or horror stories, but I’ve been trying to ease into the genres. I read Jackal by Erin Adams last year and it was really good so I’d recommend it if you’re looking for more thrillers to read. 🙂
I appreciate your passionate videos, but while I think Donna Tartt is a talented writer (although she clearly writes with a Thesaurus in her lap) and that The Secret Story was an engaging book, I did find the plot quite implausible. I guess I was just very disappointed by the ending. Nevertheless, I do look forward to reading another one of her books. But with respect to “dark academia” novels, it’s a momentary literary fad that will fade-out before you know it.
i’m so late but for the thriller topic- its not necessarily thriller but psychological horror which i adore way more- i enjoyed the hannibal series by thomas harris very much idk if you have read them but yeah the movies are amazing as well
ninth house was alright but reading its sequel gave me mental stress it was a pain to finish and,,, the description of a magic giga chad glowing peen was my thirteenth reason
omfg i found ninth house at the thrift and was so excited but quickly disappointed at how much of a cluster fuck it was 😂 i love the cover art of hell bent tho.. such a shame.
Does anyone have opinions on Naomi Novics A Deadly Education? I was sucked in on that one and thought it was absolute ass and I am usually pretty neutral with books I dont enjoy
@@cs0p , awful. I ordered a used copy hoping I could find a better cover...the only one was hardback & that was a hard no, but a better cover does exist!
I think books that try to replicate certain aesthetics that have been successful in the past instead of trying to actually communicate something of their own just ultimately fail
Love a good rant! That was satisfying!! First, I appreciate you calling this out. I abhor authors who are attempting to ride Queen Donna’s coattails 😡. Just let it be. Even she doesn’t write “dark academia” anymore. Second, so happy to hear someone else with an honest opinion of I Have Some Questions. It was unreadable. I DNF’d after 100 brutal pages, but the reviews were pretty solid so I thought maybe it just wasn’t the right time for me. Such a disappointment after Great Believers. Finally, a suggestion: These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever. SO twisted. I loved it. It has touches of Secret History but it’s not trying to BE it. And it’s a genuine mystery. I didn’t guess the ending. It is their debut novel and for that alone is uber impressive. Really overlooked IMHO. Ok, finally, finally. You realize you passed two gas stations, right!? 😝
thank you! Im glad to hear another person hated Questions. The New Yorker had a glowing review of it that made me want to eat my toenails. I'll look into TVD...I got tunnel vision looking for the one gas station I wanted hahah oops
late comment.............While desperately attempting to stay in the world of The Secret History, I stumbled upon one of those "If you like (insert your book) these are very similar" . Liars! It listed "If we were Villians" , so I read it. HATED it so much. It was the stupidest books I've read all year. A really slap in the face as a comparison to The Secret History! Those suggestion lists are sh*t. I'll just reread The Secret History every year like I have since it was published.
The way you felt about I Have Some Questions for You is exactly how I felt about the Broadway play Jagged Little Pill. Could they have possibly hit on any more current hot button issues? That play was nothing but one long lecture to the audience and it was cringe, boring, singing was fecking awful, and over the top trying to be über liberal. I did notice that they left out the hot button abortion issue which they could have perfectly fit in with the date rape. Oh, and school shootings as there was a scene in a classroom. Missed opportunities for hitting ALL the problems in American society. What a ridiculous-trying-too-hard play. I'm sure some people will want to take my liberal card away for me ranting about this play. Eh, get over it. Art is meant to be critiqued
I read If We Were Villains and thought the plot is questionable, the writing is ok but that’s the only dark academia book I’ve read besides The Secret History
!! I've heard Gillian Flynn loves pretty girls. I've been thinking about picking it up! I need to confirm you didn't get a toothache tho...it was a good candy right?
NO LITERALLY i was thinking about that when I was editing. I think I talk about liking BEE "aesthetics" in a diff video, and your comment is great for pointing out there is a distinction in types of "aesthetic" use. How aesthetics can be substantive, but in this case are not. Wilde said true art is that in which form reveals, and that's why Bret is so great. Because his aesthetics reveal. Dark academia aesthetics are just cheap hooks
you talk about plausibility and i think donna does it so fucking well! i only read the secret history and the goldfinch and in both i felt like the way the plot progressed was the only legitimate way it could? and the endnings always made sense? its a great feeling and i think it also is just the baseline for separating good books from bad im so excited to read the little friend and also i dont give a shit about genres, give me anything good and i will read it i think its more in american culture to be stuck to certain genres (dont come at me, stephen king fans) i only clicked on the video cause you put secret history in the thumbnail you provocator 😉
that's what im saying!! theres a great DT interview where she talks about writing like 100 pages and trashing them because the novel couldnt have progressed like that. The little friend is peak plausible and that's why ppl hate it. You have to tell me what you think. I put TSH in the thumb to provoke 🤭
“A dark academia book has to actually be smart” GET EM
😤
In conclusion, the best dark academia books were not written with the *intention* of being dark academia
Amen. Retweet. Reblog.
facts
it really pains me whenever ppl put If We Were Villains and The Secret History in the same category thank u so much for this PSA
it makes me twerk with anxiety and hate
@@cs0pPics?
The Secret History is the only "dark academia" book I've read, and I refuse to read any others because I know they wont compare in the slightest.
and youre damn right
“I’m not ‘a reader’, I’m a fucking person who happens to enjoy good books.”
PERFECT
🫡🫶
Thank you for actually giving real reviews for bad and vapid books 😭 I feel like people are so mild when it comes to trash, they never come out with the essential problems with the books they read and that's how we all end up reading crap without having a heads up
amen-- if youre gonna talk about a book you better give it damn straight
15:35 is so perfect: 'I don't prioritise aesthetics' *camera falls*
I swear I couldn't get through a sentence without the damn camera flying off the dash 😭
HAHAH I JUST WATCHED THAT PART GOODBYE i didn't even notice when I was editing
Honestly, the best thrillers I have read were written between 1930s-1960s, Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel, The Talented Mr. Ripley, She Who Was No More are some of my favorites.
Ripley has such a good atmosphere. Rebecca is on the docket for this fall! I will add the other two to my tbr... the cover of she who was no more looks hot hahah
My Cousin Rachel gave me the atmosphere I’d been craving for years. It’s a wonderful choice of audiobook for rainy autumn days.
Rebecca was pretty cool, too, although I had a hard time with the spineless narrator. (The Hitchcock film is marvelous.)
Du Maurier and Shirley Jackson are masters, imo.
These books make Donna Tartt appear to be comparatively a Nobel Award author.
I would give her a nobel 🤭
I mean, she DID win a Pulitzer Prize for Goldfinch.
No because I totally agree! I’m so sick of everyone pretending like these books are actually good 😭😭😭
truly I wish i understood the hype
When I saw TSH on the thumbnail, and then saw the title, my heart literally dropped. But hearing what you had to say, I completely agreed. I had the chance to read IWWV before TSH, but I was only a couple pages in when I decided to quit the read and instead go read TSH instead. Best decision ever. I love Donna Tartt and I’ve been more than halfway through The Goldfinch. The thing about dark academia is that everyone is striving for the same thing: England university, secret cult/ society, murder, etc. I won’t hold it against authors but after reading TSH, my standards for ‘dark academia’ will never be the same. I feel like in dark academia books, authors try to hard on trying to focus on making it dark academia instead of focusing on other factors. Anyways, glad to have you back, I missed you :)
you are literally so real for this omg ily
agreed. TSH was my first "dark academia" and I knew there would be no following it. I would rather read TSH over and over again until my eyes bled than ever pick up another DA book
TSH was also my first DA book :D Also, Charles, be warned, don’t read ‘The Atlas Six’. I know you’ll hate it. Not sure if you heard of it though but it’s another flashy DA book all over tiktok/booktube.
@@5spells ohhh no no no I've heard of it..it was a contender for the original video idea. I have a strong feeling I wouldn't like it so I didn't pick it up 💀
not every author can be donna tartt and they just have to learn to live with that
amen.
Yeah I don't understand people only reading one genre.. as much as I love Horror, I also love books from all different genres. I couldn't imagine limiting myself to one genre.
amen amen amen
The Secret History hooked me from the Prologue!
You had me at “We killed Bunny!” You had me at “We killed Bunny!”
the prologue is brilliant. It's crazy how few authors understand how to give a story tension
Love to hear the ambient noise of your phone jostling on the dashboard and wind blowing by. Never change, Charlie.
HAHAH I heard IT WHEN I WAS EDITING and I almost popped in to apologize, but the shitty ass quality is just what this video needed. they say true art is that in which form reveals...🤭
I love the chilled out but chaotic Sunday drive vibe as well. If you mute Charles it looks like an indie music video that goes on for 20 minutes.
“There’s a Good book out there for everyone.” = 1 of the best things Charles says in this video. 🤜🏼🤛🏼 Good to watch a new video from you. - I watch several book review channels & I keep coming back to your channel when you post. 👍👍
aww thank you!! I'm glad to see you coming back ;) There really is a good book for everyone
you driving around on an empty tank was more stressful than the entirety of i have some questions for you
I'm going to tell you a secret, and we will keep it between us. If you let your car hit a little below empty, the gas station gives you a special deal. As well, I've never felt fulfilled or content filling up a half full tank. In a way you just have to understand
FINALLY A VIDEO LIKE THIS. i feel like you expressed my thoughts very well. while, i usually do somewhat prioritize aesthetics in my reading. but, by that i’ve never meant in terms of genre (more so writing style). like, as long as the premise intrigues me and has a cover that i could tolerate, i’d be willing to give it a shot. i’ve always said, “i could read a novel with any premise of any genre, as long as i like the writing style”. with that being said, if you want to read a GENUINELY good novel, that’s severely underrated and within somewhat of a similar vein to the secret history, i’d highly recommend possession by a.s. byatt
SHUT UP Possession has been on my tbr for YEARS. I have a sneaking suspicion I'll love it so I keep putting it off 😭 I'm dusting that bitch off tomorrow.
i can just imagine the author of if we were villains furiously typing away googling *aesthetic* shakespeare quotes. if your book is 75% quotes of another (prestigious) writer… interesting
BAHAH nooooo literally 😭
Your so brave for posting this video ( watch out the dark academia girlies are coming for you )
The true dark academia girlies agree with him
🙏🫡 I'm still waiting for someone to start biting my toes in anger for this vid
@@cs0p the way everyone agrees with you 😭
Great video. I am a relative novice when it comes to good reads. I need help in seeing the various perspectives on books.
For example, it was only with help from people like you was I able to sort through my reactions to Tartt's The Little Friend. Not that I naively accept the opinions of others as my own, but I do find readers like you provide me with the means to come to my own insights. Hope that makes sense. On my TBR list is The Secret History. Spent the day reading and enjoying The Day of the Triffids. Keep up good work and enthusiastic efforts.
It does make sense! Listening to any book opinion, even and especially opposed to yours, always helps make sense of your own. The day of the triffids looks good 👀 and the cover is so hot. You'll have to let me know your thoughts when you finish
no one will ever do it like Donna god she needs to come out with something soon NOW
if that aint the damn truth...
Tbh the best part of If We Were Villains wasn't even the main plot. I liked some of the romantic subplot parts that weren't even set at the school. I think my favorite part was one of the Christmas break parts.
shut up that was my favorite part too. It was fun and cozy and THERE WAS TENSION and then it just fizzled out 😭
I reread the secret history a couple days back and was going to read if we were villains next but I guess I need to veto that idea because what is Charles if not infallible
just read the secret history again instead 🤭
if we were villains literally made me tweak out, that shit was basically unreadable... everything is so cringe and the foreshadowing(? if you can even call it that) via the Shakespeare plays was SO HEAVY HANDED that like it negates the possibility for people to read it as just a fun flirty thriller (cause it sure as hell ain't lit fic)... like be fr
Charles is the truth-spilling booktuber we needed but didnt deserve
🤭
I feel like the category “ dark academia” was made up by publishers responding to readers, who after having read TSH, were desperately casting about to find a similar experience….newsflash: it doesn’t exist. I could barely get started with If We Were Villains, it was so bad, DNF. And pretty much same with the Makai book. Her books read like poorly written YA….I had trouble with The Great Believers too… reads like chick lit to me. DNF, again. Yet she gets good critical review!! Not my cup of tea. The only book recommended to me (as a “if you loved TSH, you ‘ll like this”… )that I actually really enjoyed was The Likeness by Tana French. That is the only book I can think of that remotely satisfies….and I do unfortunately mean “remotely “.
Yea the modern day timeline of TGB did read like chick lit a bit 💀 and that was how all of I have some Qs read for me, but like 6000 times worse. I'm also easily moved by intense renderings of human suffering 🫣. I pretty decently enjoyed Faithful Place! I dnf'd the secret place 250 pages in, but I have a couple more TF books I'll probably pick up some time (The likeness is one of them !)
‘welcome back to my channel by the way, i’m charles’ 19 minutes in 😭😅
i love the rants!! great to listen to your perspective!!
thank you for coming along for the ride ;)
THAT BURP ON THE BEGINNING SCARED ME SO MUCH OMFG
🤭
I didn’t think If We Were Villains was that bad. I actually somewhat enjoyed it. It doesn’t compare to The Secret History though. I rarely DNF books but I dnf’d Ninth House on Friday with only a quarter left to finish. It was just a waste of time and mental space.
fair fair. i wish i enjoyed villains
Never interested in reading Ninth House or I Have Some Questions For You..
YES imo a lot of the popular books include unnecessary smut to try to cover up the lack of substance.
I cannnnt with the damn out of place smut, it's the worst. Good on you for knowing not to pick up 9th or questions!
I have always to just read whatever sounded appealing to me. But then upon discovering booktok or booktube, I started to approach books differently and label myself a certain genre reader fx. romance reader. It wasn't for long, but now I'm back to reading books for enjoyment with the occasion I try something hyped up, I almost always get disappointed. I also never know, what to say when people ask what books I read. I just read what I like, I also don't really take genre into account, more so plot.
booktube/booktok is tricky in that way. I've also gotten sucked into reading books I didn't enjoy
@@cs0p It just makes you feel like you "have to" read a certain book
‘i promise i’m not a prude, i LOVEEE bret easton ellis’ 😭
BEE is the best best best 😌
Hi, as you mentioned that you haven't found good thrillers lately, I'm going to suggest a Brazilian author, since I'm from Brazil. His name is Raphael Montes and he has already won some notable literature awards here in the country. I believe it has already been translated into English, but as I don't know the translation to its titles, I'll leave it in Portuguese. My suggestions would be to start with Suicidas, which is his debut novel, then Jantar Secreto and finally O Vilarejo. I hope you enjoy it if you read it!
Thank you! I'll look for the English titles 👀
If I want to read dark academia I think I’m just going to read gothic lit, like that kind of fulfills my needs with this. I tend to mostly read classics but generally my logic is that there’s sort of a quality guarantee with classics and I like the escapism element of reading a what was a contemporary account of the era or a look to the past from the past because I don’t want to think about the present let alone the future. That said I am very interested in Mieko Kawakami’s work, Haruki Murakami, Zadie Smith, Kazuo Ishiguro, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Mary Oliver’s poetry, Chimamana Adiche, etc. but I want to feel like there’s going to be a guarantee on the level of quality of a book, which I’m aware is semi-misguided in the realm of classics because there are some BAD classics. I definitely am looking for recommendations but I also just want to get through a lot of classics to have a good background on them (also I’m a very slow reader because I annotate but also because it takes me a while of looking at a page and rereading the same 3 sentences because I stopped paying attention somewhere in the process of reading them or because I lose my space regularly or my pace or I just go down a tangent if googling random things. My attention span is weak, but I try.)
this is one of the most relatable comments someone has left me. I'm such a slow reader for the same reasons. I also like classics for the "quality guarantee" that of course doesn't exist in some classics. I apply the quality guarantee thought process to more modern fiction too--I'll always pick up a still popular book from decades ago over a modern popular book. I love some gothic lit! I'm a poe die hard ;)
The worst part is every booktubers and booktok are recommending the same books! And there's people that rely on recommendations like me and we always just get let down and waste money and time. Also, I've been feeling the same way about other genres and how the bad books are the most popular and recommended. I'm starting to dislike reading because of the bad recommendations I've been getting and how overly popular they are. The same bad books are everywhere!
Tana French has always come thru for me with thriller/mystery. I just got done reading all of her books in order, but they can be stand-alones as well.
Don't read the Witch Elm by her though, that one was so off for some reason
@@illchangemyusernamewhenith9130 I love Tana French too! I actually liked the Witch Elm it creeped me out. It was the latest The Searcher that just didn't work for me at all. I thought her American lead character just didn't feel like a real person and the stakes felt so low. I def think Charles would enjoy Tana French! :)
I enjoyed Faithful Place! I couldn't finish the secret place, but I'm still looking forward to picking up broken harbor!
youre such a mood, i love watching you
I love to see you here 😏
Places I wanted to be: inside of your card talking about books :(
baby! you're alllllways welcome in my car
I think it all has to do with intent. Donna tarrtt wrote secret history in the 90s and is crafting a masterful story for the sake of storytelling
These other books are just meant to copy the atmosphere of her story and fail because theres no substance to that
Im sick of people praising leigh bardugo's adult fantasy book when she changed absolutely nothing about her ya style and just added repulsive themes and scenarios to make it "adult"
It in no way compares to actual masterful female adult fantasy authors like fonda lee or nk jemsin
agreed agreed. I loved a game of thrones but I don't even know where to find more adult fantasies. Maybe I'll start with Jade city...
@@cs0pits a fantastic read with an immaculate reality 👏 I think you would like it!
Omg, fine sir…our literary tastes dovetail so exquisitely….I’d love if you would do a video, like every 2-3 months, of the books you enjoyed and would recommend
I might just do that... ;)
Finally, someone else who agrees that Ninth House was atrocious! I finished the book thinking the exact same things that you just outlined. It wasn't a good plot twist at the end when it was never built up, there were no crumbs leading to it. Galaxy was boring to the max, and that plot was held together by a few pieces of tape and a prayer. Just awful, I don't know what everyone else saw 😂
soooo so bad i cant believe i got to the end without calling it quits
Just so you know I’ve been struggling lately and your videos actually help me so thank you I love watching them
:( damn I really am grateful the videos help. Don't stress too much about struggling, you'll get through it even though it sucks
Just discovered the channel. Wish I was prepared to take a shot every time the phone fell. Love the content!
HAHAH thank you
omg how did I miss this video? (the answer's not mysterious: it's bc I haven't been watching as much yt the past month.) I've very much come to this conclusion as well. having recently read and dissected Babel, I came to the conclusion that I'm not here for the dark academia as a self-conscious genre at all. and *especially* when it's all dark/cosy trappings without any redeeming qualities of plot/themes
amen amen. I like the phrase self-conscious genre. Ppl have been recommending Babel, but I think I'd come to a similar conclusion, so I'm saving myself the headache and skipping
I was looking forward to reading If We Were Villains before watching this video 😢
aww ! im sorry 💀 if you think you'd enjoy it, give it a shot!
thank u for this insight !! also i reaally how u talk like ur having gossip and sharing tea with your viewers 😂❤️
Sameee
Im glad you had fun ;))
Hey.. I just fell on your channel today and I’m literally fell in love with you and how you give your impression about me.. not just book but everything.. thank you so much and please please.. don’t stop to make video 🙏🏻❤️
thank you! im glad youre enjoying the vids 😛
we meet again charles…
hello there partner....
Oh, thank you. I did an entire video months ago about how The Secret History is NOT dark academia, and I got so ranty about it I just ended up deleting it. I haven't read any of those other books.
I would kill to see your rant!! TSH is not DA! It's for the best you havent read any of the other books hahah
I haven't read any of the books you talked about (though i hope to get to The Secret History in the future) and honestly the dark academia "genre" never really interested me, just because i don't consider myself smart enough to tell if they're good or not if that makes sense? Lol. But recently i read Bunny by Mona Awad and idk if it's really considered dark academia or not but man i loved it, it was so wild and I finished it in like 2 sittings lol. I was a little worried at first 'cause i thought it was gonna be like really high brow and hard to read but the more i read the more it kinda spat in the face of the "academia" part of it. Idk if you've read it but it was a pleasant surprise for me 😁
You are smart enough!! Don't let books intimidate you. If you're ever interested in a book, just give it a shot. Bunny definitely falls in the DA bubble...and I loved it too !! 🤭 I'm looking forward to reading more Awad
What a fantastic rant. You made my day. 👏👏👏 Dark Academia…riding on the coattails of Donna Tartt’s creation, right? I totally get your point about following your OWN reading interests wherever they lead. It’s so much fun…I actually tried a Neil Gaiman and an Ursula LeGuin this yr. Holy crap we’re my eyes open . There’s good writing to be found everywhere.
Im glad you enjoyed the rant ;) Following our own ape ass interests is so so important. I need to pick up a neil gaiman
@@cs0p , i started with the very simple, kinda YA I guess, The Ocean At the End Of The Road. I really enjoyed how he built that story.
on a sidenote, I love how Umberto Eco's Focault's Pendulum essentially side-eyed Dan Brown's books the entire time.
lmao I need to read the name of the rose. I've had it since 9th grade 😭...is FP better than the name of the rose...
you should make an hour long video with ur complete thoughts on the secret history
don't tempt me with a good time...
@@cs0p you definitely should, would love to hear your thoughts ! tsh both got me out of a reading slump and put me in one, I couldn’t think of anything else for a week
Auntie Tartt is the soul reason why i fell in love with reading. My first ever book was The little friend and my copy of that book is beyond degraded because i re read it a thousand times. Like she looks disgusting as fuck but slay
HAHAH PLEASE AUNTIRE TRRAT SOUL REASON
The Latinist by Mark Prins has been sitting on my TBR pile for a minute but now I’m terrified to pick it up in case it falls under this category 💀
eek.. after a quick google search I think you might be right.. It could still be a romp?
Read 'Intensity' by Dean Koontz... if you haven't.
You asked for thriller, you'll get thriller.
ok ok added to tbr 👀
You said you wanted a suggestion for a book to read, I'm reading this book called The Binding Room by Nadine Matheson it's a adult thriller I believe, it's about this female detective finding who killed this priest at his own church and it introduces a lot of dark things as you read (I'm not doing the description justice but you should definitely look for the synopsis and the Trigger warnings) a more mature dark book from what I've read but I think you'd like it
👀👀 That sounds fun I will bookmark for future thriller moods...
The hair is slaying
🤭😏
CHARLES WELCOME BACK also i have been obsessed with the secret history ever since first reading it can you please recommend anything that is ACTUALLY good dark academia like the secret history?😭😭😭
thanks ;)) idk!! I haven't read anything that is similar to tsh and measures up in quality. I really liked Bunny by mona awad. I haven't read The Rules of Attraction yet but I have high hopes for it and I love Bret. Plot twist if you like kids books like middle grade percy jackson, read the mysterious benedict society....
I religiously watch youtubers who have a disdain for Ninth house as much as I did. It's been years and I'm still fucking traumatised
HAHAH GOALS i need to look for rant reviews of it
I had a good time reading if we were villains but your review is hilarious and def brings up good points
edit: Haven't read the secret history yet, but at some point this fall/winter season I'll get to it. I'm confident it's muchhh better than if we were villains.
Now thinking about it...there wasn't much plot or fascinating twists and turns (except for the ending ig), and the characters needed more....well character, but when I was reading it, it was simply a good time, yk? I enjoyed the dark vibes and the foggy, eerie atmosphere, and of course, that doesn't make a book "good" or anything memorable per se, but I think that it doesn't make a book automatically trash either, because some people just enjoy a plot-less book where it's more about the atmosphere and aesthetics, which I don't think is a bad thing at all, it's all preference. And who's to say a book without a plot is a "bad" book, you know? I don't think that it's nearly as grandiose and special as people make it out to be, but simply okay (now reflecting on it) It did what it wanted to be, dark academia. Not absolute garbage (imo), but not "great" either. That's just my take on it though
edit 2: I tried to read Ninth house once, but it was so confusing and idk, I didn't like the main girl for some reason, can't remember
no amen fr!! i agree with everything you said. any book somebody enjoys reading is worthwhile
I like the Dark Academia aesthetic. I'm glad I never read Dark Academia books. It's too new and trendy for quality to rise from the bland.
Still like the aesthetic.
true.. just have fun with the aesthetics and skip the books 💀
Girl I just found you and saw this and saw the secret history and I just about had to drop you because the secret history is my fav too but girl you saved it I will fight tooth and nail for that book I love Donna tartt so much she’s such a amazing author and all her books are masterpieces
HAHA i would drop me too if I ever spoke bad on Donna name
Holy Moly- your community post wasn't kidding!?! 😂 It is so nice to have your bright, smiling self back again!!! Since it is the season, perhaps check into some horror as a palette cleanse- there are plenty of novels to choose from!!!!! I have never heard so much of the f-bomb come out of you before- a part of me wanted to tell you to wash that mouth out with soap 🧼!?! 😂 Seriously, though, thank you for all the effort and time you put into your content- you are a treasure and a delight!!!!! 😀 Take extra care of YOU- soak up the Autumn 🍂 weather, be healthy, smile, laugh and until next time, colossal Mr. Charles!!!!! 🎉 😀
NICHOLAS HAHAH I do need to wash out my mouth! I was a little horrified during editing when I noticed how much I was cursing 💀 I will look into a good horror novel. I'm glad you're still around and enjoying the videos ;)
I read TSH before "dark academia" was a tumblr tag, and watched that tag develop as a photo trend in real time (am kind of old). The only book I've read that comes moderately close is These Violent Delights. But it was derivative to the point that it was basically fan fic a la 50 Shades, but okay fan fic and gayer? If you need a pure TSH vibe it will do in a pinch, which is more than any other book I've read can say.
loll ill look into TVD thank you...
YES! Be a mature reader. Get by and out of the romance and thriller only box. Have some patience to read some dense good writing in a long book. Thank you!!!!!
youre welcome ;)
I read a couple popular dark academia books back to back a couple months ago because I wanted to see whats up, Ninth House and If We Were Villains among them. I did think Ninth House was relatively entertaining, but I was also aware of the YA influences on it. So I think the “smutty undertones” was Leigh Bardugo (who before this was prominently a YA author) leaning into an audience who expected some romance. It’s supposed to be a slow-burn sexual tension that keeps you reading, I think. As for If We Were Villains, I was rather puzzled by the positive reviews, I found it really boring. Saw a lot of reviews saying this is a book for Shakespeare lovers, and I was like, is it? Even in my limited knowledge of Shakespeare, I know the gist of Julius Caesar, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet, so the plot points were so predictable. Removed of the Shakespeare elements, this was a very predictable murder mystery with characters I didn’t care for. The reveal of Oliver taking the blame and going to prison for James to me was such a cheap way to frame impetuous stupidity as romantic tragedy. Overall, I agree that a lot of popular dark academia books are more about aesthetics, and that it defeats the point of dark academia.
"and i was like, is it?" AHAHA AMEN i forgot about that point too. That book is NOT FOR DAMN SHAKESPEARE LOVERS. The reveal is so so stupid. I do get how ninth house can be entertaining
There was no romance in ninth house did we even read the same book 😂
@@ElinWinblad Um, no. What I said was, the “smutty undertones” that Charles was referring to was, in my opinion, the author trying to lean into the expectation of romance in YA novels. Which, as she was prominently a YA author before Ninth House, her audience has come to expect. Yes technically there wasn’t romance in Ninth House, but it was definitely being hinted at and built on - more so in Hell Bent. You’re welcome to disagree, though 🤷🏻♀️.
Congrats, you’re now my favorite RUclipsr.
You were making some good point I’m like hell yah I agree with that, and then you ended up calling me out once or twice I’m like damn, I wish I realized that sooner! 🙌
shut up!! thank you! 🫣
I LOVED If we were Villans and HATED ninth house
innnnteresting split
I’m not big on thrillers or horror stories, but I’ve been trying to ease into the genres. I read Jackal by Erin Adams last year and it was really good so I’d recommend it if you’re looking for more thrillers to read. 🙂
thank you! the cover looks sick and amazon said Gillian Flynn likes it 👀
Hi csop, I'm currently reading Babel by R.F. Kuang and I'm really enjoying it so far. It reminds me a lot of TSH I recommend!
ooooo it has been on my radar....
I hated Babel. I feel everything you said about if we were villains can apply to Babel. But I'm definitely in a minority here
It was okay. The problem with R.F. kuang is that she always writes flat characters, so I barely care about them.
I appreciate your passionate videos, but while I think Donna Tartt is a talented writer (although she clearly writes with a Thesaurus in her lap) and that The Secret Story was an engaging book, I did find the plot quite implausible. I guess I was just very disappointed by the ending. Nevertheless, I do look forward to reading another one of her books. But with respect to “dark academia” novels, it’s a momentary literary fad that will fade-out before you know it.
its ok babe dont worry
i’m so late but for the thriller topic- its not necessarily thriller but psychological horror which i adore way more- i enjoyed the hannibal series by thomas harris very much idk if you have read them but yeah the movies are amazing as well
im late too baby dw...i bought silence of the lambs! im looking forward to reading it
@@cs0p i hope you enjoy it :)
ninth house was alright but reading its sequel gave me mental stress it was a pain to finish and,,, the description of a magic giga chad glowing peen was my thirteenth reason
💀💀i flirted with picking hell bent up just out of curiosity, thank god I didn't
@@cs0pI wish I could say the same😭 BIG SLAY
a few years ago I read Sadie by Courtney summers and I loved it (have not read it since) it’s a murder mystery!
hmm i remember hearing whispers about that book being good
@@cs0p LOVE SADIE
Is Harris Potter dark academia? I think it’s fairly good, but that Herminy woman is kind of annoying?!
i rove orris porter !! is magicademia!!!
Facts. Glad someone said it
it had had had to be said. I feel lighter
@@cs0p I know the feeling! Hope you're doing well bro! Looking forward to more of your content 👍🏾
omfg i found ninth house at the thrift and was so excited but quickly disappointed at how much of a cluster fuck it was 😂 i love the cover art of hell bent tho.. such a shame.
amen amen amen. the cover arts are low key awesome. i wish the books lived up to them ;(
Thank you for saying ninth house is bad I feel seen and heard!!!! It was awful
good.🫡😌🫶
Omg you are so right I felt the same with ninth house
ninth house was such a good prank
Does anyone have opinions on Naomi Novics A Deadly Education? I was sucked in on that one and thought it was absolute ass and I am usually pretty neutral with books I dont enjoy
I haven't read that one...but I believe you...
Like Foreign Affairs, right? I have to dig into that one…
yes!! I was thinking of Foreign Affairs when I was talking about the boring looking books! The current cover is awful
@@cs0p , awful. I ordered a used copy hoping I could find a better cover...the only one was hardback & that was a hard no, but a better cover does exist!
I think books that try to replicate certain aesthetics that have been successful in the past instead of trying to actually communicate something of their own just ultimately fail
agreed times a billion
Love a good rant! That was satisfying!!
First, I appreciate you calling this out. I abhor authors who are attempting to ride Queen Donna’s coattails 😡. Just let it be. Even she doesn’t write “dark academia” anymore.
Second, so happy to hear someone else with an honest opinion of I Have Some Questions. It was unreadable. I DNF’d after 100 brutal pages, but the reviews were pretty solid so I thought maybe it just wasn’t the right time for me. Such a disappointment after Great Believers.
Finally, a suggestion: These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever. SO twisted. I loved it. It has touches of Secret History but it’s not trying to BE it. And it’s a genuine mystery. I didn’t guess the ending. It is their debut novel and for that alone is uber impressive. Really overlooked IMHO.
Ok, finally, finally. You realize you passed two gas stations, right!? 😝
thank you! Im glad to hear another person hated Questions. The New Yorker had a glowing review of it that made me want to eat my toenails. I'll look into TVD...I got tunnel vision looking for the one gas station I wanted hahah oops
late comment.............While desperately attempting to stay in the world of The Secret History, I stumbled upon one of those "If you like (insert your book) these are very similar" . Liars! It listed "If we were Villians" , so I read it. HATED it so much. It was the stupidest books I've read all year. A really slap in the face as a comparison to The Secret History! Those suggestion lists are sh*t. I'll just reread The Secret History every year like I have since it was published.
no comment is ever late if the video is still up ;) they are liars!! a book being compared to tsh is all but an automatic disqualifier for me
god finally someone who matches my anger for if we were villains
I have rarely been more upset by a book 😭
Have you tried Nicci French yet? Good thrillers!
I haven't! I will look into them..
The way you felt about I Have Some Questions for You is exactly how I felt about the Broadway play Jagged Little Pill. Could they have possibly hit on any more current hot button issues? That play was nothing but one long lecture to the audience and it was cringe, boring, singing was fecking awful, and over the top trying to be über liberal. I did notice that they left out the hot button abortion issue which they could have perfectly fit in with the date rape. Oh, and school shootings as there was a scene in a classroom. Missed opportunities for hitting ALL the problems in American society. What a ridiculous-trying-too-hard play.
I'm sure some people will want to take my liberal card away for me ranting about this play. Eh, get over it. Art is meant to be critiqued
amen. All bad art is the result of good intentions (that's me plagiarizing Wilde)
the return of the king
;))) welcome back
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Couldn't agree more! Love it! Keep up the good work!
thank you ;))
I love your driving videos ☺️
i need to do more of them! ive been recording clips. maybe ill do a new vlogging era...
Man I love you so much😭
no you!!
@@cs0p 🤭
Off topic but You should read “the covenant water” which is a plot twist book that is actually good.
mmm ill have to look into it
I read If We Were Villains and thought the plot is questionable, the writing is ok
but that’s the only dark academia book I’ve read besides The Secret History
understandable understandable
Also It’s kinda time we all admit Donna Tartt are not actually that good.. by far..
Obvioo
baby I would die for Donna Tartt
lol felt this rant. the most recent thriller I liked was Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter. it was like candy
!! I've heard Gillian Flynn loves pretty girls. I've been thinking about picking it up! I need to confirm you didn't get a toothache tho...it was a good candy right?
But also aesthetics, voice, can be substance and content. Look at Bret East Ellis, This isn't even that, it's just 'vibezzzz'.
NO LITERALLY i was thinking about that when I was editing. I think I talk about liking BEE "aesthetics" in a diff video, and your comment is great for pointing out there is a distinction in types of "aesthetic" use. How aesthetics can be substantive, but in this case are not. Wilde said true art is that in which form reveals, and that's why Bret is so great. Because his aesthetics reveal. Dark academia aesthetics are just cheap hooks
you talk about plausibility and i think donna does it so fucking well! i only read the secret history and the goldfinch and in both i felt like the way the plot progressed was the only legitimate way it could? and the endnings always made sense? its a great feeling and i think it also is just the baseline for separating good books from bad
im so excited to read the little friend and also i dont give a shit about genres, give me anything good and i will read it
i think its more in american culture to be stuck to certain genres (dont come at me, stephen king fans)
i only clicked on the video cause you put secret history in the thumbnail you provocator 😉
that's what im saying!! theres a great DT interview where she talks about writing like 100 pages and trashing them because the novel couldnt have progressed like that. The little friend is peak plausible and that's why ppl hate it. You have to tell me what you think. I put TSH in the thumb to provoke 🤭
AGREED on all points
If you want thriller, Greg Iles is my FAVE
The quiet game looks so good 👀 I have added to tbr 😏
@@cs0p that whole series is my fave!