You are very brave and honest to publicly evaluate your younger and less experienced work. I'm 56 and I can't even bring myself to read my personal journals from my 20's because I'm so embarrassed by the way the 20 something me felt and thought. I also think you are very hard on yourself. You are a smart and beautiful woman and always have interesting insights to these books. I love watching your videos. I hope you keep making them.
Your videos have always been my favourite because the way you talk about books resonates a lot with me. My favourite video on your channel has to be the one on Do Not Say We Have Nothing. I picked up the book on your recommendation and it was the best decision I made that year. Got over my reading slump and Sparrow reminded me of my little brother so it is very personal. When I started watching book tube I used to read a lot of new releases because I wanted to join in on the conversation. Now I stick to my taste and after reading the book look up its reviews. Always a joy to watch you, Jen! ⭐️
Sorry to hear Russia was such a difficult time for you. I still loved those videos back then but I'm glad you are better now. :) Being abroad and connecting with others can be difficult. I've lived abroad several times and sometimes it was easy and sometimes it just didn't really happen.
When commentors respond to a youtuber's thoughts on their appearance, I always wonder how they feel about that. They were just voicing their thoughts because that's what they do. They weren't soliciting personal remarks from strangers. But, with that throat-clearing, I honestly love your white, 40s-50s glamour skin. I'm a fan. Also, I'm so glad you were a bit more heart-on-your sleeve in your earlier videos. Though, you were also very measured, considering the continually turning wheel of forgettable books the prizes brought your way. Also, I was happy Eleanor Oliphant review made an appearance. Ooh, booktube-viewing experience. I've never thought much about this. I started watching the big- booktubers, like Katytastic. I waited to morph into a dedicated YA reader. But I didn't. I googled "booktube reviewers classics" and suchlike and never found much. Then I found Cinzia Dubois and then RUclips recommended your channel. I've definitely been enabled to shape my viewing to my tastes more, thanks to you and others in this niche. And thanks to that, I've been pushed to read larger numbers of the classics I already seek out. But people like you showed me one doesn't have to either read War and Peace or Twilight. There's plenty of modern writing that's in-between. Books in the literary genre that are accessible in ways classics aren't, and that are lovely, heartfelt, and deftly crafted. Then there's the motivation to read in the first place. Before booktube, I wasn't a member of goodreads, I didn't have reading goals, and I didn't actively prioritize improving my reading habits and ability to analyze. Now, I do all those things. After all, it's just what we in this community do. And somehow, it's particularly satisfying to read something a booktuber recommended. It surprises me how particularly I enjoy reading something I DIDN'T discover on my own. It's lovely to hear and see somebody's fondness for a book and to fall in love with it through their words even before you ever touch it. And then to pick it up and experience that love continuing and growing. And the number of books I thought would never find a place in my tbr that I've now read also grows. So now, when I am slumping and the private raincloud just won't go away, I rely on something recommended here. On the other hand, recently, I've ventured back into sometimes reading books that are non-booktuber-sanctioned. Nowadays, that legit feels like such a daredevil cliff-jump. And those choices in themselves are based on my taste and intuition that itself benefits from you guys. The library I have inside me has a lot of lovely books it wouldn't otherwise. Booktube is the best. We get to be part of a continuous tea party where books are all anyone talks about.
Thank you for sharing the story of the depression you dealt with. Hearing how directly you talk about that now, gives me hope for someone that I know that is struggling with depression that sounds very similar. When I started watching your video and your discussion of how much you've changed over the course of having a booktube channel I thought to myself, "Well, that's because you are young and your life is all about change right now." Which is good. But, I also assumed (in an old wise man way) that if I looked back over my channel in another year and a half I wouldn't see so much change. Of course that isnt true and now I'm curious to see what I will think when my channel is three years old.
I always love watching retrospective videos like this! Thank you for being so open about your journey, Jennifer. I started making booktube videos in 2011 under the channel name 'PureDragon100' (it haunts me daily). I reviewed classics and adult sci-fi/fantasy novels. Back then, the booktube community was YA-dominated, and the average age was probably around 15-16. Wrap ups didn't exist, regular book hauls and bookshelf tours were in vogue, and book reviews were usually 4-5 minutes long. I initially had some trouble finding my footing because I was more niche, especially for my age group. Eventually, I amassed a decent following. Like you, there came a point when I became aware of the responsibility I had as a content creator to my viewers and the fact that many of them actively cared about my opinions. As a 13 year old, this was a bit much for me to handle, and I ended up feeling stressed more than anything else, so I stepped away for a while. I actually ended up accidentally deleting my channel in the end, but that's a whole other story. Between then and around a month ago, I was a passive and intermittent viewer of booktube. I never commented, but always made sure to drop a like. I remember finding your videos after the Man Booker 2017 longlist came out and subscribed using my personal account. It was you who convinced me to read Lincoln in the Bardo, and I'm thankful for that! It ended up being my favourite book of 2017. I decided to return to the community around a month ago under my current channel, and it's been wonderful to chat with people whose videos I had watched from afar for the past few years. The diversification of the community has been the most gratifying thing for me to see, I think. Of course, I love that adult literary fiction has a healthy representation now, but it's great to see other genres be promoted as well.
Congratulations on your third anniversary on BookTube! As someone who only started his channel this year, I really appreciate videos like this. Thanks for your honesty and I hope you continue to enjoy making videos about books for a long time.
I am a viewer, but my viewing has also changed a lot (as booktube has). Now I am much more able to define what I like. I used to watch people because of the people in it, not necessary liking the books they read. No I know much better what I like to read and who will talk about those books too. Also, for the most part I have stopped watching halls and videos about new releases, because I don't want to spend money I don't have. I read 95% of my books from my library now, so I much rather watch people that talk a lot about backlist books as much as new releases...
As someone who was also depressed and severely anaemic, and living in a new city when they started Booktube, I relate to this video more than I thought possible, Jennifer. I was also only truly alive when I made videos or when I was reading. I didn't talk to many people either. It was a low point, but Booktube was a joyous part of my life, which helped at the time. Booktube has also shifted for me from being quite central to being less so, but maybe that's because I'm happier now in real life and am no longer using BookTube as an escape. I love that Booktube retrospective you did a while back! With the cute socks! You're much harsher on yourself than we are, definitely. Appearance-wise, but also in your commitment towards your reviews and the way you present yourself. I absolutely loved every video you put out, and would sometimes listen to them over and over and laugh every time at your witty remarks. (And then just lurk because I had nothing to add to the brilliant conversation because I read really weird stuff.) There was one you did with a beanie and you were ranting about the books you hated which was absolutely hilarious. I always thought "Virginia Woof" was ADORABLE. It makes me think of a corgi named Virginia, sitting in a room of her own, looking out the window. Your accent is lovely. You said once that British accents are often associated with intelligence and you wonder if when people compliment your intelligence, it's with the caveat "for an American" at the end, because American accents are often dismissed. Yeah. But people who judge based on accents are stupid anyway. 😉 I hope you know that despite the ridiculous, malicious comments, you're still funny, smart, and an extremely dedicated reader. Your diligence seems to manifest in that harshness on yourself, but don't forget to stop and pat yourself on the back. :) It's a joy to have you around whenever you're here. I'm glad you love making videos, because of course, we love watching them. (Well, most of us. The haters just want a little validation.)
I started watching and kept thinking to myself that something was different about you and couldn't quite piece it together. I was like "Jen, already had hair in that shade of brown so that's not it" But I have figured it out at last: THE ABSENCE OF BANGS! Bangs have been on my mind as of lately as I kind of miss having them but my closest Uni friends don't know what to advice as they've always known me bang-less. You look amazing in this video, thought ^^ 3 years, girl? Where has all that time disappeared? I think I've found your channel (one of my all-time booktube favourites, you are) when you still lived in Russia but it's hard for me to pinpoint the exact video that I saw first. I'm trying to go back to regular booktube watching/interacting but it's been sort of difficult to get back on the horse. I had to pop up here, though. People don't tend to talk about openly about struggles and lows in their life with quick honesty when they are not doing much better and feeling way safer in their own thoughts and self-perception so my heart is filling up with warmth seeing you do just that. I'm so very incredibly happy that both your body and mind are in the better healthier state than they were in the videos you were referencing. Please accept a virtual hug, Jenny
I love re-watching my videos where I look hot. I've enjoyed almost all of your content though the one where you lavish praise onto The Seven Husbands of Everlyn Hugo missed the mark a little bit for me.
I have been watching booktube for about 2 and a half years. It did take me some time to find channels reviewing books that I was interested in, but I believe I found your channel through your favourite books of the year video (must have been 2017?). It's so funny to hear others reflect so harshly on themselves when I as a viewer would have never noticed any of the things about your appearance, for example, that you pointed out. I finally decided to make my own channel last month, and the most difficult thing about it is listening to the sound of my own voice, it really makes me cringe for some reason. I have admired your videos because you always come across as very articulate and get your point across in a concise way. I remember your view on Eleanor Oliphant because you actually changed my opinion on it, I also read Robin Hobb because of you, so thank you for that!
Really appreciate your honest introspective, Jen. I’ve had some really difficult personal moment la even in the comparatively short time I’ve had my channel and I find it difficult when I see them listed and knowing what was happening off-Camera at the time. That said I’m grateful I have them to document the progression upwards 😊(very vague but perhaps one day I’ll be ready to talk about it all!)
U look so beautiful! I had to say this ...i know it is a little off topic😅but you look amazing with straight hair! U should wear it more often:) As for your video...the video is so interesting and enjoyable as always...seeing how much effort u have been putting in your videos throughout these years...yet come off so effortless ..u have such and infectious passion for books that it seems booktube comes really naturally to you:))🤗❤xxAmy:)
Well I also had sever anemia three years ago and didn't know it so we have something in common 😂 But besides that, talking about Booktube over the years, I'm discovering new booktubers that I like every day and unsubscribe from some quite often too so my experience has changed a lot ; like a lot of people, I discovered the big booktubers first who mostly read YA books while I primarily read literary fiction and other adult books so they didn't really fit my tastes but over time, I've discovered a lot of other people thankfully but I will say they were not easy to find. As a creator, I also like to remark sometimes how good-looking I was in one particular video x) Really enjoyed this retrospective and glad you're doing better now! :)
This prompted me to watch my first few booktube videos way back in 2017 and if anything I was much more enigmatic on camera than I am now, not to mention with much better hair haha I need to recapture this somehow. I think for me booktube these past 3 years has been this lovely place I can always return to where it doesn't matter if I've not made a video in weeks or months, there'll always be someone to have a chat to about books, and that is very comforting.
I've been a viewer of your videos for about a year now and have watched all of them over time. I have seen differences but they've all been so entertaining and informative. Here's to the next 3 or 6 or 9 and may you have better health in the future. Incidentally as a UK viewer and reader of US fiction i spent months wondering what having 'bangs' meant. Then i realised you meant a fringe as we call it.
I’ve been a booktube viewer for about six months now and there are three booktubers that I get so excited about when I see that little blue dot that means new content. You are one of them. I can’t thank you enough for the time and effort you put in to your videos. You have introduced me to so many books and authors that I might never have tried and your insights are thoughtful and well expressed. I appreciate you!
Thanks for such an honest and touching retrospective! I’ve only been on booktube for about a year and I feel like I’m still in the very newbie stage, especially as lots of life has interrupted and stopped me making vids at various points. You’re definitely an inspiration 🌞
Unrelated? When my doctor diagnosed my severe anaemia, she said it was probably a major contributor to my depression! And sure enough, my energy and mood have improved since I’ve addressed the dietary issues I had. Also, turns out being seriously deficient in Vitamin D can exacerbate this. Have you found a difference in your mental health since changing lifestyle/diet?
I have always enjoyed your videos. Most of the time I agreed with you, occasionally I didn't (but appreciated the points you made). Your reviews are extremely thoughtful and well delivered. Over the years I have gotten so many book recommendations from you that have paid off in hours of reading enjoyment. It is interesting to see a retrospective in how you have developed and matured in your delivery. You make such a good point about BookTube no longer being such a primary focus for you now that you have so many other things going on in your life. This is natural and healthy. You will forever be my favorite BookTuber. And growing out your bangs was extremely wise....
Appreciate your honesty on what you were going through at that time in your life in those videos. Hope you're finding the time to take care of yourself. Oh man Booktube reflections, I've met some lovely people because of this adventure and also realized how much it influences my reading so while I no longer make videos (the temptation is there from time to time though lol) I just enjoy seeing and participating via Twitter, Instagram and watching and commenting all the goings on of the everchanging publishing world. I've become less impulsive with my buying because oh gosh much of my purchases were bc folks I trusted were recommending them and while that hasnt completely gone away, I feel more balanced in that I know what I like and don't like and dont let hype sway me. Guess that came with age ;)
Regarding the question at the end, when I first came upon booktube I watched you and a couple others, but thought the rest of it involved channels focused solely on YA, which didn't really work for me as I read maybe 2-3 YA/MG books a year. Thankfully I eventually dug deeper and found a nice variety
Salut ! Yeah to that memory lane ! I have actually started to follow you back then when you were in Russia. I really hoped you mentioned that period. I had no idea you were depressed - I’ve had severe anemia years ago and lost 15 pounds and slept all the time. I know what it does to you. Anyway I remember the dog barking and the echo in the room ! It was fun to watch because you seemed so far away .. and I also remember your bangs and your tan in Ali Smith’s video. I bought Madeleine Thien’s novel because of you. I love the way you analyse books and I am glad that you are still around !
I've only recently found your channel and have enjoyed trundling your past videos. I have my own little book channel and this was very informative and interesting to hear about your growth as a Booktuber.
I have had Elizabeth Gilbert on my radar for a while. Last November ironically enough I Consumed & loved Big Magic as I was failing that month's NaNoWriMo attempt. I'm currently reading & loving City of Girls (slowly) and will get to Eat Prey Love next.
I admit I was going to skip this one, thinking it would be as silly as other videos in this vein, but it was as thorough and insightful as your book reviews. I enjoyed the retrospection through 3+ years of videos!
I always enjoy seeing your content pop up in my feed, Jennifer. I remember the videos from Russia so vividly, I can't believe it's been more than 3 years!
Loving the hair. 💃 I’ve always appreciated how your content is what carries your channel. I always know your reviews are razor and sharp and you’ll have a whole wardrobe of receipts. 😄
I want to say that I didn’t see the review for Homegoing, but I did see your review for Eat Pray Love. And watching the contrast between you disliking Homegoing (by a black woman) and liking Eat Pray Love (by a white very privileged woman) perhaps taking into account your race and socioeconomic upbringing coupled with your privileges, being a factor into why you liked Eat Pray Love and didn’t Homegoing. As a ci-Latina from a lower economic status growing up in the United States, but also privileged to where I can go to college and pursue a Masters in Social Work, it really informs the way I read. And I don’t think we as readers address that enough... Also, conversations about race really interest me, hence the social work background, but something to consider, perhaps...
I think you're quite right to highlight race/nationality/socioeconomic background as factors in the way we perceive books. But it's possible the correlation you're drawing here is rather uncharitable to me (especially since you didn't watch the nice things I had to say about Homegoing! I wouldn't even say I disliked that book, just that I struggled with what I saw as an overblown reception of it by critics). It's also worth considering that I complimented aspects of Gyasi's writing and criticized aspects of Gilbert's; that one of these books is a novel and the other a memoir; that one was adored in my reading circles, and the other mocked; and that I read them about a year apart. All of which discourages a 1/1 equation in my reactions. (You'll have noticed I was also far more critical of Eleanor Oliphant, a book that's whiter than wonder bread.) I'm not offended by your comment (I know it might sound like I am), but after thinking about it more your conclusion feels more pat than my reality as a reader. Anyway, your social work masters sounds really interesting; I'd love to hear more about the way that's influenced your reading
Insert Literary Pun Here I’m happy you’re not offended by my comment, I really meant no harm, that’s why I said in the beginning I didn’t watch the review for Home-going. I do remember watching your review for Eat Pray Love and while I really enjoyed the review, in my mind I just kept thinking, “yeah, no I won’t like this one...” Simply because I wouldn’t be able to relate to it as much and because the memoir sounded a lot like many other, stories, movies, tv shows, etc, that are already out there. Homegoing was so different for me, and I read it in a way where I connected so much more to the discussions on slavery, the idea of trauma being passed down from one generation to the next, I felt that carried a lot more weight in my mind. Also, it’s important as people in general, to have more conversations about this invisible veil that dominates our culture where we like to talk about it or not, race, now even without thinking about it we are deeply impacted by it. Anyways, yeah!!! Sorry if that wasn’t at all fancy, I love your reviews and your honesty and how you talk about books, how you interact with them and think about thing and then articulate that is amazing to me and I appreciate it :)
Also, as far as my social work masters goes, it’s helped me to see myself and how I interact with others, and my books in a whole new way. I appreciate writers that are honest and open about conversations about race, when they are complicated and messy and not easy to grapple with. So far what I’ve learned is that where we like to admit it or not we are all prejudiced, racist, biased, etc, we aren’t as woke as we think we are. I know I’m not but that shouldn’t stop us from having those difficult conversations and acknowledging race and how that informs and influences how we read and interact with one another. Blahhh okay I’m done.
@@Maclovia_reads I love the way you phrased these thoughts! I really recognize the courage it takes to approach a white woman and suggest considering broader racial realities. For sure, those realities were a factor in my positive take on Eat Pray Love--there was a certain level of identification with Gilbert's background, despite all our differences. I think as a white person it can be weird to be confronted about these things, not because confrontation or input is unwelcome, but because it can feel treacherous to respond or continue the conversation? If that makes sense. Because you don't want to be That Defensive White Person who focuses on your individual perspective when usually the other person is discussing larger systems of oppression. But you're still experiencing the world as an individual in that moment you're trying to respond. And for me as an individual, I genuinely don't even think of Gyasi's book alongside the work of writers like Jesmyn Ward or Toni Morrison or Léonora Miano or Regina Porter. It's mentally filed away in a category of books that offered a lot of worthy things but where the writing faltered at times, along with books by authors like Jessie Burton, Madeline Miller, Sarah Winman, and Hannah Kent. So when reading your comment, it felt like I had to manually rearrange my mental boxes to consider things so explicitly along lines of race and background. But to say that could easily come off as a kind of faux color blindness, when your point is that none of us is color blind. Anyway, I'm rambling now, but I appreciate your kind comments and don't want you to feel awkward at all about having presented your take on things
Insert Literary Pun Here ahhh yes all the things!!! I never know how to address questions about race in a way where people don’t feel defensive or specifically singled out. That’s probably why I’m in school and having these discussions in a classroom lol anyways, I was not doing that at all, singling you out, it definitely wasn’t my intention. I do know going into any kind of discussion about race, to except that reaction though, it brings up a lot of emotions for many people, and it’s hard not to take things personally. I have to go back and watch that review now and really see what you were talking about in terms of the book because I’m really curious now. I like your rambling, and to be completely honest I have no idea who some of those other authors you’ve mentioned are and I have to do my reach and look them up. But also, I just thought about this now, how we as people of color, who really need to read more books about race and people of color, those books are hard to come by, especially on book tube and we have to make challenges to bring to light some of these authors, even I don’t recognize some of those other authors that you consider to be better than or more accomplished than Homegoing. On top of that I’m not a spokesperson for people of color or anything like that, I just want to engage in these types of conversations a little more to bring some more mindfulness. Also, colorblindness, there’s a lot of things I could say about that whole thing.... but this was fun!!! :) again I’m sorry if I came off as snobby or it seemed like I was pointing a finger at you, not at all what I intended. Also, also, sorry for the grammatical errors and all that, I don’t have time to go back and reread and correct lol
You are very brave and honest to publicly evaluate your younger and less experienced work. I'm 56 and I can't even bring myself to read my personal journals from my 20's because I'm so embarrassed by the way the 20 something me felt and thought. I also think you are very hard on yourself. You are a smart and beautiful woman and always have interesting insights to these books. I love watching your videos. I hope you keep making them.
Your videos have always been my favourite because the way you talk about books resonates a lot with me. My favourite video on your channel has to be the one on Do Not Say We Have Nothing. I picked up the book on your recommendation and it was the best decision I made that year. Got over my reading slump and Sparrow reminded me of my little brother so it is very personal. When I started watching book tube I used to read a lot of new releases because I wanted to join in on the conversation. Now I stick to my taste and after reading the book look up its reviews. Always a joy to watch you, Jen! ⭐️
My Lit-Pun sense goes off. And I'm like, "Be quiet, she never uploads so close together." Then, saw the notification. My Lit-Pun sense is gloating.
Hi.....really love watching your videos...
Can you do a book review on "Sharp Objects" by Gillian Flynn
You look phenomenal in this video, your hair and skin 😍
Sorry to hear Russia was such a difficult time for you. I still loved those videos back then but I'm glad you are better now. :) Being abroad and connecting with others can be difficult. I've lived abroad several times and sometimes it was easy and sometimes it just didn't really happen.
When commentors respond to a youtuber's thoughts on their appearance, I always wonder how they feel about that. They were just voicing their thoughts because that's what they do. They weren't soliciting personal remarks from strangers. But, with that throat-clearing, I honestly love your white, 40s-50s glamour skin. I'm a fan. Also, I'm so glad you were a bit more heart-on-your sleeve in your earlier videos. Though, you were also very measured, considering the continually turning wheel of forgettable books the prizes brought your way. Also, I was happy Eleanor Oliphant review made an appearance.
Ooh, booktube-viewing experience. I've never thought much about this. I started watching the big- booktubers, like Katytastic. I waited to morph into a dedicated YA reader. But I didn't. I googled "booktube reviewers classics" and suchlike and never found much. Then I found Cinzia Dubois and then RUclips recommended your channel. I've definitely been enabled to shape my viewing to my tastes more, thanks to you and others in this niche. And thanks to that, I've been pushed to read larger numbers of the classics I already seek out. But people like you showed me one doesn't have to either read War and Peace or Twilight. There's plenty of modern writing that's in-between. Books in the literary genre that are accessible in ways classics aren't, and that are lovely, heartfelt, and deftly crafted. Then there's the motivation to read in the first place. Before booktube, I wasn't a member of goodreads, I didn't have reading goals, and I didn't actively prioritize improving my reading habits and ability to analyze. Now, I do all those things. After all, it's just what we in this community do. And somehow, it's particularly satisfying to read something a booktuber recommended. It surprises me how particularly I enjoy reading something I DIDN'T discover on my own. It's lovely to hear and see somebody's fondness for a book and to fall in love with it through their words even before you ever touch it. And then to pick it up and experience that love continuing and growing. And the number of books I thought would never find a place in my tbr that I've now read also grows. So now, when I am slumping and the private raincloud just won't go away, I rely on something recommended here. On the other hand, recently, I've ventured back into sometimes reading books that are non-booktuber-sanctioned. Nowadays, that legit feels like such a daredevil cliff-jump. And those choices in themselves are based on my taste and intuition that itself benefits from you guys. The library I have inside me has a lot of lovely books it wouldn't otherwise. Booktube is the best. We get to be part of a continuous tea party where books are all anyone talks about.
Thank you for sharing the story of the depression you dealt with. Hearing how directly you talk about that now, gives me hope for someone that I know that is struggling with depression that sounds very similar.
When I started watching your video and your discussion of how much you've changed over the course of having a booktube channel I thought to myself, "Well, that's because you are young and your life is all about change right now." Which is good. But, I also assumed (in an old wise man way) that if I looked back over my channel in another year and a half I wouldn't see so much change. Of course that isnt true and now I'm curious to see what I will think when my channel is three years old.
I always love watching retrospective videos like this! Thank you for being so open about your journey, Jennifer. I started making booktube videos in 2011 under the channel name 'PureDragon100' (it haunts me daily). I reviewed classics and adult sci-fi/fantasy novels. Back then, the booktube community was YA-dominated, and the average age was probably around 15-16. Wrap ups didn't exist, regular book hauls and bookshelf tours were in vogue, and book reviews were usually 4-5 minutes long. I initially had some trouble finding my footing because I was more niche, especially for my age group. Eventually, I amassed a decent following. Like you, there came a point when I became aware of the responsibility I had as a content creator to my viewers and the fact that many of them actively cared about my opinions. As a 13 year old, this was a bit much for me to handle, and I ended up feeling stressed more than anything else, so I stepped away for a while. I actually ended up accidentally deleting my channel in the end, but that's a whole other story.
Between then and around a month ago, I was a passive and intermittent viewer of booktube. I never commented, but always made sure to drop a like. I remember finding your videos after the Man Booker 2017 longlist came out and subscribed using my personal account. It was you who convinced me to read Lincoln in the Bardo, and I'm thankful for that! It ended up being my favourite book of 2017.
I decided to return to the community around a month ago under my current channel, and it's been wonderful to chat with people whose videos I had watched from afar for the past few years. The diversification of the community has been the most gratifying thing for me to see, I think. Of course, I love that adult literary fiction has a healthy representation now, but it's great to see other genres be promoted as well.
Congratulations on your third anniversary on BookTube! As someone who only started his channel this year, I really appreciate videos like this. Thanks for your honesty and I hope you continue to enjoy making videos about books for a long time.
I am a viewer, but my viewing has also changed a lot (as booktube has). Now I am much more able to define what I like. I used to watch people because of the people in it, not necessary liking the books they read. No I know much better what I like to read and who will talk about those books too. Also, for the most part I have stopped watching halls and videos about new releases, because I don't want to spend money I don't have. I read 95% of my books from my library now, so I much rather watch people that talk a lot about backlist books as much as new releases...
As someone who was also depressed and severely anaemic, and living in a new city when they started Booktube, I relate to this video more than I thought possible, Jennifer.
I was also only truly alive when I made videos or when I was reading. I didn't talk to many people either. It was a low point, but Booktube was a joyous part of my life, which helped at the time. Booktube has also shifted for me from being quite central to being less so, but maybe that's because I'm happier now in real life and am no longer using BookTube as an escape.
I love that Booktube retrospective you did a while back! With the cute socks! You're much harsher on yourself than we are, definitely. Appearance-wise, but also in your commitment towards your reviews and the way you present yourself. I absolutely loved every video you put out, and would sometimes listen to them over and over and laugh every time at your witty remarks. (And then just lurk because I had nothing to add to the brilliant conversation because I read really weird stuff.) There was one you did with a beanie and you were ranting about the books you hated which was absolutely hilarious.
I always thought "Virginia Woof" was ADORABLE. It makes me think of a corgi named Virginia, sitting in a room of her own, looking out the window. Your accent is lovely. You said once that British accents are often associated with intelligence and you wonder if when people compliment your intelligence, it's with the caveat "for an American" at the end, because American accents are often dismissed. Yeah. But people who judge based on accents are stupid anyway. 😉
I hope you know that despite the ridiculous, malicious comments, you're still funny, smart, and an extremely dedicated reader. Your diligence seems to manifest in that harshness on yourself, but don't forget to stop and pat yourself on the back. :)
It's a joy to have you around whenever you're here. I'm glad you love making videos, because of course, we love watching them. (Well, most of us. The haters just want a little validation.)
Awwww, I love this. Also, when I heard her "woof", I thought, Oh, all this time I thought it was 'Wolf'. She said it so naturally. :P
I love you
I started watching and kept thinking to myself that something was different about you and couldn't quite piece it together. I was like "Jen, already had hair in that shade of brown so that's not it"
But I have figured it out at last: THE ABSENCE OF BANGS!
Bangs have been on my mind as of lately as I kind of miss having them but my closest Uni friends don't know what to advice as they've always known me bang-less.
You look amazing in this video, thought ^^
3 years, girl? Where has all that time disappeared? I think I've found your channel (one of my all-time booktube favourites, you are) when you still lived in Russia but it's hard for me to pinpoint the exact video that I saw first.
I'm trying to go back to regular booktube watching/interacting but it's been sort of difficult to get back on the horse. I had to pop up here, though.
People don't tend to talk about openly about struggles and lows in their life with quick honesty when they are not doing much better and feeling way safer in their own thoughts and self-perception so my heart is filling up with warmth seeing you do just that. I'm so very incredibly happy that both your body and mind are in the better healthier state than they were in the videos you were referencing. Please accept a virtual hug, Jenny
This was so interesting. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Jennifer✨
I love re-watching my videos where I look hot.
I've enjoyed almost all of your content though the one where you lavish praise onto The Seven Husbands of Everlyn Hugo missed the mark a little bit for me.
OMG how did I miss it. Which was that?
Btw anxiously waiting for you to post again Adam.
I have been watching booktube for about 2 and a half years. It did take me some time to find channels reviewing books that I was interested in, but I believe I found your channel through your favourite books of the year video (must have been 2017?). It's so funny to hear others reflect so harshly on themselves when I as a viewer would have never noticed any of the things about your appearance, for example, that you pointed out. I finally decided to make my own channel last month, and the most difficult thing about it is listening to the sound of my own voice, it really makes me cringe for some reason. I have admired your videos because you always come across as very articulate and get your point across in a concise way. I remember your view on Eleanor Oliphant because you actually changed my opinion on it, I also read Robin Hobb because of you, so thank you for that!
Really appreciate your honest introspective, Jen. I’ve had some really difficult personal moment la even in the comparatively short time I’ve had my channel and I find it difficult when I see them listed and knowing what was happening off-Camera at the time. That said I’m grateful I have them to document the progression upwards 😊(very vague but perhaps one day I’ll be ready to talk about it all!)
U look so beautiful! I had to say this ...i know it is a little off topic😅but you look amazing with straight hair! U should wear it more often:) As for your video...the video is so interesting and enjoyable as always...seeing how much effort u have been putting in your videos throughout these years...yet come off so effortless ..u have such and infectious passion for books that it seems booktube comes really naturally to you:))🤗❤xxAmy:)
Well I also had sever anemia three years ago and didn't know it so we have something in common 😂 But besides that, talking about Booktube over the years, I'm discovering new booktubers that I like every day and unsubscribe from some quite often too so my experience has changed a lot ; like a lot of people, I discovered the big booktubers first who mostly read YA books while I primarily read literary fiction and other adult books so they didn't really fit my tastes but over time, I've discovered a lot of other people thankfully but I will say they were not easy to find. As a creator, I also like to remark sometimes how good-looking I was in one particular video x)
Really enjoyed this retrospective and glad you're doing better now! :)
This prompted me to watch my first few booktube videos way back in 2017 and if anything I was much more enigmatic on camera than I am now, not to mention with much better hair haha I need to recapture this somehow. I think for me booktube these past 3 years has been this lovely place I can always return to where it doesn't matter if I've not made a video in weeks or months, there'll always be someone to have a chat to about books, and that is very comforting.
I've been a viewer of your videos for about a year now and have watched all of them over time. I have seen differences but they've all been so entertaining and informative. Here's to the next 3 or 6 or 9 and may you have better health in the future. Incidentally as a UK viewer and reader of US fiction i spent months wondering what having 'bangs' meant. Then i realised you meant a fringe as we call it.
Do you take notes when you read a book? And how long do you wait before reading it again?
I’ve been a booktube viewer for about six months now and there are three booktubers that I get so excited about when I see that little blue dot that means new content. You are one of them. I can’t thank you enough for the time and effort you put in to your videos. You have introduced me to so many books and authors that I might never have tried and your insights are thoughtful and well expressed. I appreciate you!
Thanks for such an honest and touching retrospective! I’ve only been on booktube for about a year and I feel like I’m still in the very newbie stage, especially as lots of life has interrupted and stopped me making vids at various points. You’re definitely an inspiration 🌞
Thank you for making videos. I've only been watching for about a year, but I really appreciate your insights.
Unrelated? When my doctor diagnosed my severe anaemia, she said it was probably a major contributor to my depression! And sure enough, my energy and mood have improved since I’ve addressed the dietary issues I had. Also, turns out being seriously deficient in Vitamin D can exacerbate this. Have you found a difference in your mental health since changing lifestyle/diet?
I have always enjoyed your videos. Most of the time I agreed with you, occasionally I didn't (but appreciated the points you made). Your reviews are extremely thoughtful and well delivered. Over the years I have gotten so many book recommendations from you that have paid off in hours of reading enjoyment. It is interesting to see a retrospective in how you have developed and matured in your delivery. You make such a good point about BookTube no longer being such a primary focus for you now that you have so many other things going on in your life. This is natural and healthy. You will forever be my favorite BookTuber. And growing out your bangs was extremely wise....
Appreciate your honesty on what you were going through at that time in your life in those videos. Hope you're finding the time to take care of yourself.
Oh man Booktube reflections, I've met some lovely people because of this adventure and also realized how much it influences my reading so while I no longer make videos (the temptation is there from time to time though lol) I just enjoy seeing and participating via Twitter, Instagram and watching and commenting all the goings on of the everchanging publishing world. I've become less impulsive with my buying because oh gosh much of my purchases were bc folks I trusted were recommending them and while that hasnt completely gone away, I feel more balanced in that I know what I like and don't like and dont let hype sway me. Guess that came with age ;)
Regarding the question at the end, when I first came upon booktube I watched you and a couple others, but thought the rest of it involved channels focused solely on YA, which didn't really work for me as I read maybe 2-3 YA/MG books a year. Thankfully I eventually dug deeper and found a nice variety
Salut ! Yeah to that memory lane ! I have actually started to follow you back then when you were in Russia. I really hoped you mentioned that period. I had no idea you were depressed - I’ve had severe anemia years ago and lost 15 pounds and slept all the time. I know what it does to you. Anyway I remember the dog barking and the echo in the room ! It was fun to watch because you seemed so far away .. and I also remember your bangs and your tan in Ali Smith’s video. I bought Madeleine Thien’s novel because of you. I love the way you analyse books and I am glad that you are still around !
Interesting to look back on different times with hindsight. And how great that you’re feeling better now.
I've only recently found your channel and have enjoyed trundling your past videos. I have my own little book channel and this was very informative and interesting to hear about your growth as a Booktuber.
Hi
OMG I LOVE your eleanor oliphant review, it perfectly captures how I feel about the book.
The hairstyle looks really good btw.
I have had Elizabeth Gilbert on my radar for a while. Last November ironically enough I Consumed & loved Big Magic as I was failing that month's NaNoWriMo attempt. I'm currently reading & loving City of Girls (slowly) and will get to Eat Prey Love next.
I admit I was going to skip this one, thinking it would be as silly as other videos in this vein, but it was as thorough and insightful as your book reviews. I enjoyed the retrospection through 3+ years of videos!
I always enjoy seeing your content pop up in my feed, Jennifer. I remember the videos from Russia so vividly, I can't believe it's been more than 3 years!
Loving the hair. 💃 I’ve always appreciated how your content is what carries your channel. I always know your reviews are razor and sharp and you’ll have a whole wardrobe of receipts. 😄
Ha! I hope this bodes well for us newbies--that we might grow with time and practice. Thanks for sharing these!
I want to say that I didn’t see the review for Homegoing, but I did see your review for Eat Pray Love. And watching the contrast between you disliking Homegoing (by a black woman) and liking Eat Pray Love (by a white very privileged woman) perhaps taking into account your race and socioeconomic upbringing coupled with your privileges, being a factor into why you liked Eat Pray Love and didn’t Homegoing. As a ci-Latina from a lower economic status growing up in the United States, but also privileged to where I can go to college and pursue a Masters in Social Work, it really informs the way I read. And I don’t think we as readers address that enough... Also, conversations about race really interest me, hence the social work background, but something to consider, perhaps...
I think you're quite right to highlight race/nationality/socioeconomic background as factors in the way we perceive books. But it's possible the correlation you're drawing here is rather uncharitable to me (especially since you didn't watch the nice things I had to say about Homegoing! I wouldn't even say I disliked that book, just that I struggled with what I saw as an overblown reception of it by critics). It's also worth considering that I complimented aspects of Gyasi's writing and criticized aspects of Gilbert's; that one of these books is a novel and the other a memoir; that one was adored in my reading circles, and the other mocked; and that I read them about a year apart. All of which discourages a 1/1 equation in my reactions. (You'll have noticed I was also far more critical of Eleanor Oliphant, a book that's whiter than wonder bread.) I'm not offended by your comment (I know it might sound like I am), but after thinking about it more your conclusion feels more pat than my reality as a reader. Anyway, your social work masters sounds really interesting; I'd love to hear more about the way that's influenced your reading
Insert Literary Pun Here I’m happy you’re not offended by my comment, I really meant no harm, that’s why I said in the beginning I didn’t watch the review for Home-going. I do remember watching your review for Eat Pray Love and while I really enjoyed the review, in my mind I just kept thinking, “yeah, no I won’t like this one...” Simply because I wouldn’t be able to relate to it as much and because the memoir sounded a lot like many other, stories, movies, tv shows, etc, that are already out there. Homegoing was so different for me, and I read it in a way where I connected so much more to the discussions on slavery, the idea of trauma being passed down from one generation to the next, I felt that carried a lot more weight in my mind. Also, it’s important as people in general, to have more conversations about this invisible veil that dominates our culture where we like to talk about it or not, race, now even without thinking about it we are deeply impacted by it. Anyways, yeah!!! Sorry if that wasn’t at all fancy, I love your reviews and your honesty and how you talk about books, how you interact with them and think about thing and then articulate that is amazing to me and I appreciate it :)
Also, as far as my social work masters goes, it’s helped me to see myself and how I interact with others, and my books in a whole new way. I appreciate writers that are honest and open about conversations about race, when they are complicated and messy and not easy to grapple with. So far what I’ve learned is that where we like to admit it or not we are all prejudiced, racist, biased, etc, we aren’t as woke as we think we are. I know I’m not but that shouldn’t stop us from having those difficult conversations and acknowledging race and how that informs and influences how we read and interact with one another. Blahhh okay I’m done.
@@Maclovia_reads I love the way you phrased these thoughts! I really recognize the courage it takes to approach a white woman and suggest considering broader racial realities. For sure, those realities were a factor in my positive take on Eat Pray Love--there was a certain level of identification with Gilbert's background, despite all our differences. I think as a white person it can be weird to be confronted about these things, not because confrontation or input is unwelcome, but because it can feel treacherous to respond or continue the conversation? If that makes sense. Because you don't want to be That Defensive White Person who focuses on your individual perspective when usually the other person is discussing larger systems of oppression. But you're still experiencing the world as an individual in that moment you're trying to respond. And for me as an individual, I genuinely don't even think of Gyasi's book alongside the work of writers like Jesmyn Ward or Toni Morrison or Léonora Miano or Regina Porter. It's mentally filed away in a category of books that offered a lot of worthy things but where the writing faltered at times, along with books by authors like Jessie Burton, Madeline Miller, Sarah Winman, and Hannah Kent. So when reading your comment, it felt like I had to manually rearrange my mental boxes to consider things so explicitly along lines of race and background. But to say that could easily come off as a kind of faux color blindness, when your point is that none of us is color blind. Anyway, I'm rambling now, but I appreciate your kind comments and don't want you to feel awkward at all about having presented your take on things
Insert Literary Pun Here ahhh yes all the things!!! I never know how to address questions about race in a way where people don’t feel defensive or specifically singled out. That’s probably why I’m in school and having these discussions in a classroom lol anyways, I was not doing that at all, singling you out, it definitely wasn’t my intention. I do know going into any kind of discussion about race, to except that reaction though, it brings up a lot of emotions for many people, and it’s hard not to take things personally. I have to go back and watch that review now and really see what you were talking about in terms of the book because I’m really curious now. I like your rambling, and to be completely honest I have no idea who some of those other authors you’ve mentioned are and I have to do my reach and look them up. But also, I just thought about this now, how we as people of color, who really need to read more books about race and people of color, those books are hard to come by, especially on book tube and we have to make challenges to bring to light some of these authors, even I don’t recognize some of those other authors that you consider to be better than or more accomplished than Homegoing. On top of that I’m not a spokesperson for people of color or anything like that, I just want to engage in these types of conversations a little more to bring some more mindfulness. Also, colorblindness, there’s a lot of things I could say about that whole thing.... but this was fun!!! :) again I’m sorry if I came off as snobby or it seemed like I was pointing a finger at you, not at all what I intended. Also, also, sorry for the grammatical errors and all that, I don’t have time to go back and reread and correct lol