Your ability to get people interested in books they've never heard of before-and that you haven't actually read yet-should never be undersold. Adding several of these to my list. 📚😆
I'm currently filming a video going through books that have been sitting on my TBR the longest. The Gray House is one of them (mostly because of its size, but also because I'm very apprehensive about its representation). I'll know what I think of it soon, if that helps! xx
I bought only one book last year, which is way way down from my usual buying habits. So I probably understand you a little bit, not buying lovely books is a struggle when there are so many you'd adore owning. The one book was The Scout Mindset by Julia Galef, definitely good and a truly unique book about reexamining how you think. However, I got some books as presents from lovely people in my life, so that's nice. (I asked for Daniel Deronda thanks to your previous not-buying list video and got it for Christmas). This year I hope to buy The Lonely Hearts Hotel, Hitch 22 (Christopher Hitchens's autobiography) and In Order to Live, the account of Yeonmi Park's escape from North Korea followed by her escape from slavery in China. I'm trying to really keep it down to a handful of books I have wanted for years and I know the desire is still burning strong and not likely to stop, I must hoard. All the best to you.
I have read Embers ages ago and would definitely recommend it. Soviet Milk is very different, but also very interesting. I am currently reading The Amur River by Colin Thubron for the booktube prize. Probably you would be interested in this book as well.
Hi, I’m much older than you, but my background is completely Eastern European so I was interested in your list, some of which I hadn’t come across. Do you keep a TBR list or how do you organise your future spending spree? I was going to have a no spend January. No chance! I buy books on my kindle and pretend that they’re not real books so they don’t count!! I’m glad I’ve found your channel. I love Osip Mandelshtam but it’s so sad and I can’t bear to think of how he was treated. Thank you for brightening a dull afternoon. 😊💐
Embers is a great book to read, but I'm not sure it's a keeper, if not at your library, there must be secondhand copies around, I read a bookcrossing copy over a decade ago. I picked up a secondhand copy of Flights by Olga Tokarczuk for a few dollars,, it's a bit of a longer book so I decided I wanted it on my shelves rather than get it from the library. I have Saunders on reserve at the library and had borrowed an e-copy of Owls of the Eastern Ice but never did get to read it before it had to be returned, I must try it again. I'm reading Square Haunting by Francesca Wade (2021) at the moment, it's short bios about 5 women who lived in Bloomsbury in the 1920s, one translated the Russians when many writers were leaving due to the revolution, Jane Ellen Harrison, found it really interesting to read about her.
I'm Hungarian so of course I was very happy to see Embers on your list. I read it three times so far, will reread it soon. (Márai: stress on first syllable, and the i is pronounced at the end - as 'e', so Maraee). Also Soviet Milk is awesome, really liked it & recommend.
Terrific list of books, I have just received my order including the George Saunders book and The books of Jacob. I had a no buy January so I could get to some of my TBR , which I did and while I didn't read them all I did make a decent dent into it so this might become an annual thing for me.
I found a photograph of a woman on Instagram several years ago with the tag beauty, and she looked just like this booktuber; so much so in fact that I wonder if it was not her! it's true she was and is a beauty!
Stress on the second syllable - to KAR czuk (for future reference: Polish has a fixed stress pattern, you pretty much always stress the penultimate syllable). The Books of Jacob is divine, but maybe not the best entry point. I'm not sure if Flights is that either, unless you're a very seasoned reader (which you clearly are so no problem there :)) who doesn't mind the experimental, vignette-style form. If anybody is looking for an easy entry point I would recommend Primeval or Drive your Plow over the Bones of the Dead.
I would be interested to know your opinion on Tokarczuk's Flights (by the way, the accent in Polish in on last but one syllable). Being Polish I know her works quite well, but watching English booktube I have the impression that Flights was much more popular in the English-speaking world than in Poland. Here her most celebrated works are probably Primeval, House of Day House of Night and of course The Books of Jacob. I was genuinely impressed by The Books of Jacob, Primeval was so-so, I look forward to reading House of Day.
Thanks for the recommendations it’s nice format like you said to experience a variety of titles from a variety of publishing dates. I’ve read Flights, The Books of Jacob both were good for different reasons, I still find Drive Your Plow my favorite. I’ll be looking for several of these
I'm really interested in Sovietistan, it sounds great! Also, it's so great to hear someone mention Croatian authors on booktube. Slavenka Drakulić has three books on communism/post-commumism I think, and all have been translated to English so if you like Cafe Europa, there are more :) Ivana Bodrožić's newest books was a favourite of last year so I really hope it gets picked up for translation in the future 🤞🏻
I'm trying to read more Croatian authors - just read Crvena Voda by Jurica Pavicic (sorry the accents don't work here - in French (l'eau rouge)) and loved it. I have just ordered Café Europa by Slavenka Drakulic and I just booked Ivana Bodrožić's first book (Hotel Z in French) and now I also want to get the newest one. If you have any advice, I'm curious - hvala !
Seconding and thirding everyone who mentioned Embers! Read it years ago with zero expectations and it instantly became a favourite of mine, I've actually planned to finally reread it this February, so you mentioning it is definitely a sign :)
Hello ! Well, more books added on my TBR :-) But not all of them - Maryam's book just came out in French, and it's over a thousand pages - tried to read a little bit about it, well - I'd rather you read it first ;-). I have Osip Mandelstam's book on my shelf, I mentioned it in my previous video. And I have ordered Ivana Bodrožić 's previous book actually so I'm also curious about this one. I have Café Europa on my TBR and I'm very curious about Sovietistan - probably will get it in English because the French translation is more expansive (?). I read Embers last year or the year before and loved it - you definitely need to read it - the end of the Austria-Hungarian Empire and the two former friends. The writing sounds a little outdated but still. I want to read his other books now. Finally, Saunder's book has been on my radar for a long time. Listened to a podcast and the woman said he just talked a little bit too much about himself but if you like books about writing, it's a must. Take care ! Good to see your kitties playing in the back :-)
I read Flights in December and loved it - it was so compelling despite not having a strong plot - more character stories. Her writing was gorgeous. I didn't know she had a new book out in English translation until I was at my local bookstore picking up an order and saw it on the table. I'm excited to read Book of Jacob and Drive Your Plough eventually. There's so many interesting-sounding books on this list - thank you for putting them on my radar! I also recently picked up Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin and Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez. I'm excited to read both soon.
I loved Embers, read it last year. I need to read more of Marai's books!!! I'm Polish but only read Tokarczuk's Drive your plow (which I really enjoyed), I feel like Flights gets quite mixed reviews.
Café Europa is great, and she has a sequel of sorts, called Café Europa Revisited. Also, I haven't read Mariam Petrosyan, but I believe her book is super popular in Russia (at least, all the Russian booktubers I follow have read it).
So many wonderful books there - isn’t that the main ‘problem’. And are you in danger of completing your 3 month moratorium and then splurging on a ton of books? Can’t blame you! I read Embers 20 years ago and loved it so do get to that one day. I have Flights to read next month and Maidenhair later this year hopefully. And the Saunders sounds so wonderful I have that too (Lincoln is one of my all time favourites). The Eastern European writer I have not read but have several books on my shelf by is Krasznahorkai - I was going to try Satantango in a couple of months. Have you read him?
I finished Flights last month as a warm up for The Books of Jacob. It is excellent. I would love to hear your thoughts on it when you do get round to it
This is a great list and many added to my tbr ..I too am on a book buying limit and blew my first quarter of this year at a museum bookstore....a limit really makes you think about what you really want. 🤔
The grey house is one of the most phenomenal books I’ve ever read. I read it in Russian and I hope the translator did a great job though I really don’t see how. I read it many years ago and re read it twice since without focusing on representation of disabled people and I’m curious to hear your thoughts.
Your ability to get people interested in books they've never heard of before-and that you haven't actually read yet-should never be undersold. Adding several of these to my list. 📚😆
I'm currently filming a video going through books that have been sitting on my TBR the longest. The Gray House is one of them (mostly because of its size, but also because I'm very apprehensive about its representation). I'll know what I think of it soon, if that helps! xx
Also, very much enjoyed this video :) xx
you're right with Zabuzhko (Забужко)
I bought only one book last year, which is way way down from my usual buying habits. So I probably understand you a little bit, not buying lovely books is a struggle when there are so many you'd adore owning. The one book was The Scout Mindset by Julia Galef, definitely good and a truly unique book about reexamining how you think. However, I got some books as presents from lovely people in my life, so that's nice. (I asked for Daniel Deronda thanks to your previous not-buying list video and got it for Christmas). This year I hope to buy The Lonely Hearts Hotel, Hitch 22 (Christopher Hitchens's autobiography) and In Order to Live, the account of Yeonmi Park's escape from North Korea followed by her escape from slavery in China. I'm trying to really keep it down to a handful of books I have wanted for years and I know the desire is still burning strong and not likely to stop, I must hoard. All the best to you.
I have read Embers ages ago and would definitely recommend it.
Soviet Milk is very different, but also very interesting.
I am currently reading The Amur River by Colin Thubron for the booktube prize. Probably you would be interested in this book as well.
Hi, I’m much older than you, but my background is completely Eastern European so I was interested in your list, some of which I hadn’t come across. Do you keep a TBR list or how do you organise your future spending spree? I was going to have a no spend January. No chance! I buy books on my kindle and pretend that they’re not real books so they don’t count!! I’m glad I’ve found your channel. I love Osip Mandelshtam but it’s so sad and I can’t bear to think of how he was treated. Thank you for brightening a dull afternoon. 😊💐
Embers is a great book to read, but I'm not sure it's a keeper, if not at your library, there must be secondhand copies around, I read a bookcrossing copy over a decade ago. I picked up a secondhand copy of Flights by Olga Tokarczuk for a few dollars,, it's a bit of a longer book so I decided I wanted it on my shelves rather than get it from the library. I have Saunders on reserve at the library and had borrowed an e-copy of Owls of the Eastern Ice but never did get to read it before it had to be returned, I must try it again.
I'm reading Square Haunting by Francesca Wade (2021) at the moment, it's short bios about 5 women who lived in Bloomsbury in the 1920s, one translated the Russians when many writers were leaving due to the revolution, Jane Ellen Harrison, found it really interesting to read about her.
I'm Hungarian so of course I was very happy to see Embers on your list. I read it three times so far, will reread it soon. (Márai: stress on first syllable, and the i is pronounced at the end - as 'e', so Maraee). Also Soviet Milk is awesome, really liked it & recommend.
Terrific list of books, I have just received my order including the George Saunders book and The books of Jacob. I had a no buy January so I could get to some of my TBR , which I did and while I didn't read them all I did make a decent dent into it so this might become an annual thing for me.
I found a photograph of a woman on Instagram several years ago with the tag beauty, and she looked just like this booktuber; so much so in fact that I wonder if it was not her! it's true she was and is a beauty!
Stress on the second syllable - to KAR czuk (for future reference: Polish has a fixed stress pattern, you pretty much always stress the penultimate syllable). The Books of Jacob is divine, but maybe not the best entry point. I'm not sure if Flights is that either, unless you're a very seasoned reader (which you clearly are so no problem there :)) who doesn't mind the experimental, vignette-style form. If anybody is looking for an easy entry point I would recommend Primeval or Drive your Plow over the Bones of the Dead.
Agree with you re entry points. I wouldn't start with Flights or the Book of Jakob either.
A Swim in the Pond in the Rain was quite good!
I have read Embers by Marai multiple times, it is that good.
Hi
I would be interested to know your opinion on Tokarczuk's Flights (by the way, the accent in Polish in on last but one syllable). Being Polish I know her works quite well, but watching English booktube I have the impression that Flights was much more popular in the English-speaking world than in Poland. Here her most celebrated works are probably Primeval, House of Day House of Night and of course The Books of Jacob. I was genuinely impressed by The Books of Jacob, Primeval was so-so, I look forward to reading House of Day.
Thanks for the recommendations it’s nice format like you said to experience a variety of titles from a variety of publishing dates. I’ve read Flights, The Books of Jacob both were good for different reasons, I still find Drive Your Plow my favorite. I’ll be looking for several of these
I'm really interested in Sovietistan, it sounds great! Also, it's so great to hear someone mention Croatian authors on booktube. Slavenka Drakulić has three books on communism/post-commumism I think, and all have been translated to English so if you like Cafe Europa, there are more :) Ivana Bodrožić's newest books was a favourite of last year so I really hope it gets picked up for translation in the future 🤞🏻
I'm trying to read more Croatian authors - just read Crvena Voda by Jurica Pavicic (sorry the accents don't work here - in French (l'eau rouge)) and loved it. I have just ordered Café Europa by Slavenka Drakulic and I just booked Ivana Bodrožić's first book (Hotel Z in French) and now I also want to get the newest one. If you have any advice, I'm curious - hvala !
Embers is one of my favorite books! Every time I reread, I always take something different from it.
Seconding and thirding everyone who mentioned Embers! Read it years ago with zero expectations and it instantly became a favourite of mine, I've actually planned to finally reread it this February, so you mentioning it is definitely a sign :)
I can highly recommend A Swim in a Pond in the Rain. Great on audio
Flights also great on audio.
Hello ! Well, more books added on my TBR :-) But not all of them - Maryam's book just came out in French, and it's over a thousand pages - tried to read a little bit about it, well - I'd rather you read it first ;-). I have Osip Mandelstam's book on my shelf, I mentioned it in my previous video. And I have ordered Ivana Bodrožić 's previous book actually so I'm also curious about this one. I have Café Europa on my TBR and I'm very curious about Sovietistan - probably will get it in English because the French translation is more expansive (?). I read Embers last year or the year before and loved it - you definitely need to read it - the end of the Austria-Hungarian Empire and the two former friends. The writing sounds a little outdated but still. I want to read his other books now. Finally, Saunder's book has been on my radar for a long time. Listened to a podcast and the woman said he just talked a little bit too much about himself but if you like books about writing, it's a must. Take care ! Good to see your kitties playing in the back :-)
I read Flights in December and loved it - it was so compelling despite not having a strong plot - more character stories. Her writing was gorgeous. I didn't know she had a new book out in English translation until I was at my local bookstore picking up an order and saw it on the table. I'm excited to read Book of Jacob and Drive Your Plough eventually.
There's so many interesting-sounding books on this list - thank you for putting them on my radar!
I also recently picked up Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin and Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez. I'm excited to read both soon.
I loved Embers, read it last year. I need to read more of Marai's books!!! I'm Polish but only read Tokarczuk's Drive your plow (which I really enjoyed), I feel like Flights gets quite mixed reviews.
Café Europa is great, and she has a sequel of sorts, called Café Europa Revisited.
Also, I haven't read Mariam Petrosyan, but I believe her book is super popular in Russia (at least, all the Russian booktubers I follow have read it).
So many wonderful books there - isn’t that the main ‘problem’. And are you in danger of completing your 3 month moratorium and then splurging on a ton of books? Can’t blame you!
I read Embers 20 years ago and loved it so do get to that one day. I have Flights to read next month and Maidenhair later this year hopefully. And the Saunders sounds so wonderful I have that too (Lincoln is one of my all time favourites).
The Eastern European writer I have not read but have several books on my shelf by is Krasznahorkai - I was going to try Satantango in a couple of months. Have you read him?
I finished Flights last month as a warm up for The Books of Jacob. It is excellent. I would love to hear your thoughts on it when you do get round to it
This is a great list and many added to my tbr ..I too am on a book buying limit and blew my first quarter of this year at a museum bookstore....a limit really makes you think about what you really want. 🤔
The grey house is one of the most phenomenal books I’ve ever read. I read it in Russian and I hope the translator did a great job though I really don’t see how. I read it many years ago and re read it twice since without focusing on representation of disabled people and I’m curious to hear your thoughts.
Lots of really intriguing books here! I like the idea of a Love Letter to your TBR. I have several titles to add to my own TBR now.
Hi from Russia. You’re beautiful.