I would like to preface that I knew ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about the author of The Woman In The Window (AJ Finn, aka Dan Mallory) before reading his book and making this review. Thank you to those that have pointed me in the direction of learning more about him. Because of what I’ve learned, I’d like to let you know I don’t feel comfortable reading or reviewing any more of his work. 😅
Oh dang! That's too bad...Sometimes I enjoy things in life and then find out some truly horrible humans created those things. In those times I remind myself it is okay to "love the art, hate the artist" ...his deceptions do not make your feelings toward the book less than. Good to know though! 🤭
Elyse, I just can’t get over you, you are every role model I’ve ever needed and didn’t know existed! I’m dyslexic and autistic and suspecting I’ve got ADHD and I’ve always felt like the most useless, unlikable waste of space and have just rubbed away any sort of personality that I have in order to fit in that it feels like nobody in the world, including myself, knows who I am. Watching your long form content has been literally so healing I can’t even put it into words or I would be here all day. Spesificily in this video you talking about just enjoying a thing for what it is something I really needed to hear! I’ve been spending YEARS choking down books I didn’t really enjoy because they might help cultivate a certain imagine of myself in other peoples minds and you know what, I’m DONE!
You would not believe how many years I spent ONLY reading self help books because I assumed I was this gigantic problem that needed to be fixed and how dare I read anything that entertains me just for me 😂 I found out I love reading so much when I let myself read things that weren’t self help!
you know, as sad as it is to read a disappointing book (especially a whole month's worth!), i'm still 100% looking forward to hearing elyse's thoughts! i'm just eating up these book videos!
Thank you thank you!! I realized I just wanna spend lots of time talking about books I love and leave the rest for a quick yes or no! I hope those rapid fire reviews are helpful too!
@@elyse_myers the rapid fire reviews are super helpful! i was kinda considering "Icebreaker" but given your rapid review, i'll give it a little longer before trying to add it to the official tbr (the list is already long enough as is) :)
“Why didn’t my brain let me think that? Why did I need to hear it from a stranger? That’s the beauty about books! That’s why books are so important!” ❤️❤️❤️
Um, firstly, this content is EXTREMELY MY SHIT. Secondly, as an avid reader, who is an (anxiously) aspiring writer, I would love to hear more about your journey of writing a book, how you decided what to write, act etc… i love your mind, and sense of humor, so very excited for everything you put out in the world 🥰
I love the way you describe books finding you at the right time. I have definitely had books like that in my life. It always comforts me to know someone else in the world felt the same things I do so deeply that they wrote a book about it and the universe cared so much about my life that it brought me back to this book. It's connecting two hearts across time and space. It's a magical experience! I'm so glad you had so many magical books these last months!
I used to be an avid reader and due to some life events I just lost any desire to pick up a book. Thank you for reminding me what it feels like to be immersed in a characters life. Your recommendations have helped me ease my way back and I’m loving it.
Me too. I recently got back into reading last year through audiobooks. It's helped me get over the hump of starting a new book before it pulls you in because I can listen to them while doing something boring. I've read 18 books so far this year, which is more than I've read over the past several years combined. And if audiobooks aren't really your style, once you've been hooked, you'll want to continue reading without any effort needed.
These book videos from Elyse are now my most anticipated videos I wait and get excited for, I haven’t watched this yet, I’m going to save it and have a nice warm drink later but I love these and I’m so happy they are continuing! I saw the video pop up and instantly made my day!!! ❤
Elyse, I read “Bird by Bird” right after college and for some reason it didn’t land. This year I picked it up and it was like everything she wrote applied to me. I have underlined countless passages and immediately started rereading it again after I finished because it made such a deep impact. Thank you for reminding us that the books that we need to read will find us and that we need to get out of our own way so the books we write can find the people that need to read them too.❤📚
I absolutely love what you said about really savoring a book that you are enjoying - it’s true, we never get that first experience back and that first experience can be so powerful and life-changing. Thank you for the reminder!
seeing you talk about reading and writing the way i’ve felt about it forever was lowkey healing?? Since childhood my Nonna fostered a love of reading in me so deep that it felt as though the hobby itself connected us. No matter where I was, if I was reading or writing, I could FEEL my Nonnas unconditional love and passion. I was so PROUD to be a reader like her. Since I learned to read as a child i have just been so passionate about reading and writing and find it so magical and meaningful and personal. Then, as ridicule started to get to me, I got lost in that “reading just for the image” thing and I feel like i lost my joy in reading because of it. I wasn’t reading things i loved anymore. So i LOVE that you share books you love and focus on them now because oh my GAWD. i’ve never seen myself represented in an influencer person before. Thank you for being as authentically yourself as you are on here, and thank you for letting us peak in the window occasionally for some inspiration on how to be that authentic ourselves. ❤ From crying with you while you work on agoraphobia, to rejoicing in your ASD diagnosis, to laughing with you while you try cookies with Jonas, to listening to you light up talking about meaningful books. I LOVE your content. ALL of it. Keep making videos that you love to make and never feel limited in the “type” of content you feel some may want. I promise, just like you described readers being “right there” on ANY journey that a good author takes them on, we are HERE for your journeys, as long as you’ll have us! Came for the taco story, stayed for Elyse. ❤
Yess I love the way you included the books you didn't like and kept it brief and did the longer reviews for the ones you did like. Thanks for the reviews! Also thank you for the reminder that it's okay if I dont read a ton of books in one month. I'm such a slow reader and needed the the reminder to still take time to enjoy each book and not to rush through! 💕
Finding your book reviews is something I didn’t know I needed in my life. I’d honestly watch a video of you doing absolutely nothing. You are so inspiring and 100% you and authentic 1000% of the time and I love it.
Elyse, you are already my favorite content creator / human being. The only thing that could’ve made this better is if you made bookish videos…and you just..DID. Ahhh, I love this new chapter (heheh) for you!! 💛
I usually never comment on videos, but for some reason I felt compelled to tell you that I listen to your videos while I crochet or embroider. There is something about the way that you talk that is so calming yet entertaining, and as someone with ADHD, I love that I dont need to look at the screen the whole time to know what you're talking about. I can ust listen to it like it's a guided meditation app. Also, I started crocheting because of you! That is all :)
Help Thanks WOW is a daily read for me, and Operating Instructions sealed my love for AL. I secretly suspect that God speaks a lot like Ann Lamott writes
Dear Elise, Just wanted to say I've so enjoyed listening to you talk about what you've read each month. As a writer, it's helpful to hear you talk through what did and didn't work for you, and why. As a reader, it's delightful hearing your enthusiasm & respect for story, character, and just the *spark* that makes a book shine for us. The MAGIC of reading is always such a joy, and I absolutely love how your excitement gives voice to so many aspects that I also love. (Also, I chuckled at your story of making that clerk take a pic of that book--once, as a teen, I read The Select by F. Paul Wilson, & I was *so* gripped by it that I had to take a break to call my friend to talk about it. He wasn't home, so I ended up talking his mom's ear off about it for ten minutes before having to hang up to go finish it. hahaha. So I get it: some books just NEED to be foisted on others! haha) Finally, Bird by Bird is one of my all-time faves. The first time I read it, I was in a Borders and was only intending to skim a few pagers to see if I wanted to purchase it. I ended up getting so pulled in that I read it all right there in the store! (Of course I also bought it. lol) It truly is a gem of a book. Anyway, in closing, thank you for the time you take on these videos--they're truly enjoyable! Take care & happy reading!!! Best, Natalie
Somehow you just talking about books gives me so much comfort! We don't always align with our reading taste but i love hearing you talk about the books you read. It feels like you really put your thoughts and especially feelings into your reviews! Please don't stop reading and please continue to share your thoughts with us. 🙏❤
Lovvvve these book reviews, Elyse! Love love love Anne Lamott! You MUST read her book about new motherhood (HERE, TAKE A PICTURE OF IT WITH YOUR PHONE!), even tho you’re not a new mother! She’s just so kind and forgiving and relatable about it. It’s a book that has a feeling as well as specific lines that I still carry with me after having read it 25 years ago! It’s called “Operating Instructions: A Diary of My Son’s First Year.”
i am truly OBSESSED with your book reviews 🥹💖 the passion in which you talk about them, love and respect you have, and the time you take with books is so beautiful. pls never stop 😩
I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you putting yourself out there! You are extremely relatable and it’s nice to see someone being so authentic. You will give so many people the courage to be more comfortable being themselves, me included.
I absolutely love your reviews. They are so insightful and wonderfully made. I mean, I love all your videos, obviously, but your reviews are so in depth and hearing you describe what you loved about the books is so much fun. Watching your videos is a treat that I savour each week ❤
Elyse, a small part of me wishes I just discovered you so I could go watch all your content again for the first time! I LOVE LOVE LOVE to long form videos and can’t wait for each new one to be posted! Thank you for your humanity and making us all feel seen in our own unique way. You are the best!
I have a similar ✨genre✨ of dyslexia, it's so comforting to find people who get it (though I generally prefer dark mode bc the text also swims when it's black text on white; definitely a contrast issue for me). accessibility is so important. not sure why that one book had black pages, if it Means Something or was just something to make it more unique. anyway! I really enjoy your book review videos despite the fact that they aren't the kind of books I tend to read. you have such a good approach to it, looking at all the different elements and everything. just listening to you talk about books really motivates me to write.
I don't know if you're a fan of the fantasy genre but i recently read Six of crows and it literally changed my life, the characterization and pacing is phenomenal, it feels like the characters are real people with such complex backstories and lives. The interactions and dialogue is perfection, the action is perfection, absolutely everything is perfect. It's a duology and even tho i'm in the middle of reading the second book, Crooked kingdom, so far it's just as good somehow.
I could watch these every day forever. It feels like watching a friend. Also I LOVE that your books look “loved” and “read”. I worry about bending or scratching my books and making them “ugly”. But now I think maybe that is what the author would want for it ❤
I've read Bird by Bird - relatively recently, in fact. But those passages you read - especially the one about perfectionism, catching me struggling to pack for a move, feeling bad that I have so much stuff, feeling bad about clutter, feeling bad about the evidence of SO MANY unfinished projects, old notebooks, works in progress - writing, crafting, music to play, to organize, I've been overwhelmed by these feelings and trying to "sit with myself" as one does, hold space for all the ancient, well-trodden paths of negative thoughts and move through to pack (just a little bit, gently does it) and then to hear you read that passage just now was very empowering. Thank you so much, Elyse, for being the messenger... 💙
I really like how you talk about books, a lot of book reviews are too much information/summary of the story which I don’t love but your ratings are so fun 💕 keep these up
My fav quote from ‘Bird by Bird’ was this one: “…for some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die. They are full of all the things that you don’t get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. And quality of attention: we may notice amazing details during the course of a day but we rarely let ourselves stop and really pay attention. An author makes you notice, makes you pay attention, and this is a great gift. My gratitude for good writing is unbounded; I’m grateful for it the way I’m grateful for the ocean.”
Elsie Silver & Liz Tomforde are 2 of my favorite romance authors I've discovered this year! I definitely recommend the Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver. There are siblings in that one, so maybe just read what they're about & pick your favorite trope to read. Haha. And I know you're not interested in book 2 of the Windy City series because it's her brother, but I'd highly recommend book 3. It's my favorite of the series & not a sibling! Honestly, I think the Windy City books have some of my favorite male characters. She just writes the little details about the way they love & show they care in the best ways. As always, love watching your book reviews!
The way I immediately paused the video at the end to go borrow "Bird by Bird" from the library. 30 minutes into the audiobook and loving it so far, your book reviews are absolutely spectacular! Thank you
I love what you said about the moment of reading a book for the first time and really taking time to appreciate that because you won't get that chance again. That's one of the reasons that I listen to audiobooks of my favorite books I've already read, because for me it feels like another chance to experience them for the "first time," in a new way. I often find when I'm listening that I pick up new parts of the book I hadn't before and that I'm experiencing the book from a new perspective because I read it before, but it somehow still feels fresh, If you are ever craving that feeling of reading a particular book for the first time again, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook.
I'm sure you've heard this a lot, but you inspire me so so much! Thank you! I'm autistic and been reading like crazy to kind of escape my reality right now. Knowing that you've been on a reading journey as well is comforting somehow. So.. anyway, thanks for coming back to the internet.💛
ELYSE AHHHHH!!! I love these book reviews so very much they are so calming and literally just make me sooo very happy! And I agree with so many of your opinions! Thank you for that!
So I’d actually like to counter the phrase don’t judge a book by a cover for a couple of reasons: So someone is paid just to design the cover of the book, if the book cover doesn’t align with the book information it’s potentially was marketed incorrectly to the cover designer as cover designers often get a synopsis of the book and key focuses. So either the designer didn’t follow the brief as needed or the more likely one the publisher or marketing person did not explain the book well enough for a good cover design or audience. Publishers specifically look into how people look at book covers to gain an audience or so people pick up the book in the first place, they wouldn’t waste a space to market the book (essentially, book covers are a space to draw you in to look at the book further, publishers look at that and respect designers immensely who help with that) note: I’m studying book publishing processes at uni and it’s my current special interest having both ASD and ADHD-I
Hello 👋 fellow Nebraskan here. I hope you and your family are managing the recent heat up there in Omaha! I wanted to pop in and let you know that you give off such a chill and welcoming vibe and we are so alike that I refer to you as "my best friend" and my friends and family know who I'm talking about. I'll get a notification and go "Ope, my best friend dropped a book review, I know what I'm doing when I get home!" I'm so glad I found your content. In the same way books come to us in our time of need, content creators do, too, and you have unknowingly taught me so many things, given me inspiration and gotten me through tough times. Long story short- Thanks, bestie 💛
Anyone else rewatching elyse's old book reviews because they are so pumped for the next one?! No? Only me? That's okay! Awaiting patiently and re enjoying the prior ones! 😅😂❤
I love watching your book reviews. Makes me want to read all the books you recommend. The added commentary makes me feel like I’m discussing the book with a friend 📚🙌🏽😄
I didn't know you made book content now! And long form too, which is even better. Can't wait for this new era to continue. Also, your eyelashes look amazing !!
I haven't read fiction in almost a year but as my evenings get wasted away doom scrolling, I'm yearning to get into a good fiction book so I watched this video - that and I love your content overall, and I was SO excited you reviewed Bird by Bird. I probably don't give that book the credit it deserves with how little I talk about it but it is absolutely life changing especially for someone who has very strong writing anxiety (mixed with some later in life ADD diagnosis). I have such vivid memories working with this book in my college English class and the professor who assigned it - she gave me so much confidence in the thing I feared most. Thank you for bringing me back to those memories and I couldn't help but notice your eyes lighting up when you were reviewing it. Its very cool knowing I share this admiration for this book with you!
I love that you shared that you had a book for ten years before reading it at the cacti moment you needed it. I think some people get teased for buying a lot of books and not reading them right away. They’re good to have around, to reach for right when you need them. Yes, there’s a fine line of book hoarding, but in my experience it’s about timing.
I love watching these and seeing how excited you are about reading. I’ve never been a reader (my whole life). I read, just like this (and rarely books). My ADHD has always made it hard b/c nothing makes me fall asleep faster than reading 😂 plus, the choice paralysis of choosing a book to read is so overwhelming to me. I couldn’t even tell you a genre I like aside from non-fiction (broad, I know). I will always admire readers like you Elyse.
So glad you read Bird by Bird. I actually just pulled it off my shelf two days ago and was feeling nostalgic thinking about when I read it in 2007. It was a gift from a former English Lit teacher. I have a vivid memory of reading parts out loud to my friends on a bench in a town square in Bern, Switzerland while on spring break. Funny how those seemingly small moments stick with us. 😊
I am so here for this content. I love the reviews, the side tangents, the EVERYTHING. The Fine Print gave me similar feelings…wtf with Disney and I did finish it, but didn’t delve into the others in the series. I did like the Windy City series (I can’t remember if you talked about these already)! Also, the books I wish I could reread for the first time are The Discovery of Witches, Devil in the White City, Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books, and Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame. Mrs. Quinn’s a million times over.
I was so excited when I saw you read two of my favourite books and then they were both in the “absolutely not” list 😅 I’m a little grateful you didn’t go into detail about why you hated them 😹 I still really enjoyed the video and love hearing your thoughts on books, especially ones that really impact you and make your whole being light up. Book are magic ✨
I just finished reading Wild Love because you recommended it. And the reason it gives you Canada vibes is because the whole story takes place in Canada! Rose Hill is in British Columbia and they sometimes fly out to Vancouver or Calgary which are both in Canada 🇨🇦! Also completely agree about the siblings spinoff thing, I had this issue with The Cruel Prince/The Stolen Heir
OMG but the crossfire series?! 😭 I re-read the first one several months ago and actually annotated it. It's such a nostalgic read for me, every other sentences was just "ah, yes, this is why I look for these specific things in everything I read now." I can't wait!! Or, maybe I can, don't hurt my feelings...
wow! Thank you so much for the pep talk on reading and savouring, I'm pretty horrible for getting too excited and going too fast, and then being able to mark it on good reads, also feel very called out, I literally did that this morning lol. Thanks for the reminder!
I kept coming to your channel desperately waiting for your next book review. Bad books or not, I value your opinion and love hearing your thoughts. Adding all 4 of your faves to my list because you have been spot on so far with all of your recommendations. Please keep these going because they are so wonderful!
We have the same exact taste in books! I also loved “Someone who will love you in all your damaged glory” and have been searching for a book like “behind her eyes” since finishing it. Just bought Woman in the Window and can’t wait to dive in! Thank you for your service, my book journey would be lost without you 💞
I hope you do an audiobook on your own book. Ready to get weird? Alright…I love hearing you read-you have the voice for it and I love when authors audiobook their own books.
I used to love your Tiktoks, but I just found your booktube channel, and I'm so obsessed. You're just so funny, but I also related to every opinion you gave. Great video :)x
Aww I’m SO sad that Summer of Broken Rules didn’t do it for you. It wasn’t my fav of the summer, but I really enjoyed it. But that’s ok! Like you said, we’re all different! It’s wonderful! 😊 I love your review videos cuz they give me fresh books to want to read (as if I don’t have dozens sitting on my shelves waiting for me already!) 😂 Definitely gonna try out Wild Love and The Woman in the Window!
I think because of my age I feel like I relate less to the younger stories! The story itself was great, especially the way grief was talked about! But it’s hard to read about people kissing/laying down together when they’re half my age, I just feel a bit weird about that. That’s just me though!! 😂♥️ also that story made me want to go to camp so BAD!
I read the kiss quotient and... wow. It was amazing, I related more to Stella than I expected and I never wished a book boyfried so so so much to be real like I wished Michael to be. Great recommendation and thank you for your awesome videos!
I saw your review of Wild Love and immediately read it! I love these stories because they are so cute and even though it can sometimes be slow when you know how it will end, it is still very enjoyable 😊 And it gives you Canada, lumberjack billionaire because it is in Canada 😂 Rosie moves back from Vancouver and they at some point go to Calgary. It was so good, I could feel like I was sitting by the lake starring at the Milky Way 🥰
Thanks for yet another awesome book review video - they are quickly becoming some of my favorite content on your channel. I used to be a huge reader - at least a novel a week. But then with adulthood, and Parenthood, and all the things... I was lucky to get through three a year. But this year I promised myself that I would devote more time to it, and proud that I'm up to six books so far for 2024. The most surprising was The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. Historical fiction with a bit of mystery - I grabbed it very unintentionally while running through an airport terminal to catch my flight, and I couldn't put it down! Highly recommend.
Reading has become my favorite escape from the heaviness of real life but some days there’s just not time (or energy) to pick up a book so I totally get it!! Looking this recommendation up asap! Thank you!
I think you should read The Right Move by: Liz Tomforde! I liked it better than Mile High and it's in my top 10 favorite books of all time! Also love the books reviews so much!
these are my favorite vidoes of yours! I feel like we have the same taste so i save all of these to my wish list and read them the next month! Its been so helpful because i joined a book club that had terrible taste lol so you helped me not get discouraged with reading again
I've never met anyone who actually liked The Woman in the Window. 😂. Glad you enjoyed it! It's always interesting to see how different our book opinions are.
I want to say thank you because after watching one of these videos, I felt inspired to give reading another try and found out that its not that I’m not into reading, just needed to choose books that I enjoyed more! So thank you!!
Omg I love this so much!!!! Reading instead of scrolling has helped my brain so much. I hope you keep at it! If you don’t find books you like, keep trying!!!
THANK YOU! I added a couple of books to my read list. I recently read The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner and LOVED it. It does time jump between characters, but it's such a good and interesting read/story.
Did not know the damaged glory book was written by someone who worked on Bojack Horseman. One of my absolute all time favourite shows!! I’ll definitely pick it up.
Yeessss, I love bird by bird it's so good 🥹❤️. I've actually been looking to reread it again since I'm trying to motivate myself to start writing again.
I’m living for your book reviews 😭💕🌸 Also, the Dreamland Billionaire Series, I’d say stick it out. In my opinion the last book, Final Offer, was by far the best one of the series 🥹💕
23:52 the quote from the book right before this timestamp made me want to cry. I think that mindset could be applied to more than just writing, and is important to remember that things don’t have to be (and honestly, can’t usually be) perfect.
A helpful tip, if you are sick put Vaseline on your nose and upper lip so when you blow your nose it won't rub things raw. I have very sensitive skin on my nose and I break the skin just by washing my face and I even use lotion Kleenex when I blow my nose and I still get raw skin unless I Vaseline my nose and upper lip. I even use a q-tip to put it on so I don't get germs into the Vaseline. Hope that helps and hope you are better now 🥰
I would like to preface that I knew ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about the author of The Woman In The Window (AJ Finn, aka Dan Mallory) before reading his book and making this review. Thank you to those that have pointed me in the direction of learning more about him. Because of what I’ve learned, I’d like to let you know I don’t feel comfortable reading or reviewing any more of his work. 😅
Oh dang! That's too bad...Sometimes I enjoy things in life and then find out some truly horrible humans created those things. In those times I remind myself it is okay to "love the art, hate the artist" ...his deceptions do not make your feelings toward the book less than. Good to know though! 🤭
I don't like white type on black pages either .. the fine print was the same
I just looked it up and IDK why but I find this news to be hilarious. Dude needs some mental health help
the jump cut from squeeking overalls to comfy tee was one of the most wonderful, on-brand things i've ever seen elyse do
😂😂😂
I literally showed just that exact part of the video to my husband to be like “ISNT THIS ME??!??” 😂
If you’re intoLGBTQ+ hockey series, M/M. L.A. Witt has an excellent hockey romance series, and she’s an amazing writer.
I can relate to it so much.
That voice memo made me WANT to read it
Your book reviews are literally my favorite RUclips videos in the history of all RUclips videos! I adore them!!!
🥹🫶🏼 this makes me so happy!!!
ditto!!! ♥
@@elyse_myerssame for me!!!
Elyse, I just can’t get over you, you are every role model I’ve ever needed and didn’t know existed!
I’m dyslexic and autistic and suspecting I’ve got ADHD and I’ve always felt like the most useless, unlikable waste of space and have just rubbed away any sort of personality that I have in order to fit in that it feels like nobody in the world, including myself, knows who I am.
Watching your long form content has been literally so healing I can’t even put it into words or I would be here all day.
Spesificily in this video you talking about just enjoying a thing for what it is something I really needed to hear! I’ve been spending YEARS choking down books I didn’t really enjoy because they might help cultivate a certain imagine of myself in other peoples minds and you know what, I’m DONE!
You would not believe how many years I spent ONLY reading self help books because I assumed I was this gigantic problem that needed to be fixed and how dare I read anything that entertains me just for me 😂 I found out I love reading so much when I let myself read things that weren’t self help!
you know, as sad as it is to read a disappointing book (especially a whole month's worth!), i'm still 100% looking forward to hearing elyse's thoughts! i'm just eating up these book videos!
Thank you thank you!! I realized I just wanna spend lots of time talking about books I love and leave the rest for a quick yes or no! I hope those rapid fire reviews are helpful too!
@@elyse_myers the rapid fire reviews are super helpful! i was kinda considering "Icebreaker" but given your rapid review, i'll give it a little longer before trying to add it to the official tbr (the list is already long enough as is) :)
@@emilynolfif you want to read a book that’s almost exactly like icebreaker but a million times better, you should read Mile High!
Same! I love these!
@@elyse_myers i’ll add it to the list! i was intrigued by your in-depth review of Mile High!
I’ll say it again and again, but I never expected Elyse to be my new favorite booktuber of the year, but I loveeeee it 🎉
I have no one IRL that's as into reading as I am, so being able to see your unabashed book reviews really helps me expand the books I pick up to read!
“Why didn’t my brain let me think that? Why did I need to hear it from a stranger? That’s the beauty about books! That’s why books are so important!” ❤️❤️❤️
Um, firstly, this content is EXTREMELY MY SHIT. Secondly, as an avid reader, who is an (anxiously) aspiring writer, I would love to hear more about your journey of writing a book, how you decided what to write, act etc… i love your mind, and sense of humor, so very excited for everything you put out in the world 🥰
Same. I’m working on my book right now and would love to hear her story on how she wrote her book.
I sure do love your company here in this space, thanks for sharing.
I love the way you describe books finding you at the right time. I have definitely had books like that in my life. It always comforts me to know someone else in the world felt the same things I do so deeply that they wrote a book about it and the universe cared so much about my life that it brought me back to this book. It's connecting two hearts across time and space. It's a magical experience! I'm so glad you had so many magical books these last months!
I used to be an avid reader and due to some life events I just lost any desire to pick up a book. Thank you for reminding me what it feels like to be immersed in a characters life. Your recommendations have helped me ease my way back and I’m loving it.
Me too. I recently got back into reading last year through audiobooks. It's helped me get over the hump of starting a new book before it pulls you in because I can listen to them while doing something boring. I've read 18 books so far this year, which is more than I've read over the past several years combined. And if audiobooks aren't really your style, once you've been hooked, you'll want to continue reading without any effort needed.
i like that we made similar faces when you said "strap in for that" 😂
SAME!! 😜😉😂
ME 2 LOLOL 😭
😂😂😂😂😂
I had to pause the video to laugh when she said that lol
Big same
These book videos from Elyse are now my most anticipated videos I wait and get excited for, I haven’t watched this yet, I’m going to save it and have a nice warm drink later but I love these and I’m so happy they are continuing! I saw the video pop up and instantly made my day!!! ❤
Elyse, I read “Bird by Bird” right after college and for some reason it didn’t land. This year I picked it up and it was like everything she wrote applied to me. I have underlined countless passages and immediately started rereading it again after I finished because it made such a deep impact. Thank you for reminding us that the books that we need to read will find us and that we need to get out of our own way so the books we write can find the people that need to read them too.❤📚
I absolutely love what you said about really savoring a book that you are enjoying - it’s true, we never get that first experience back and that first experience can be so powerful and life-changing. Thank you for the reminder!
I look forward to your book reviews so much, this made my whole day 🥰
seeing you talk about reading and writing the way i’ve felt about it forever was lowkey healing?? Since childhood my Nonna fostered a love of reading in me so deep that it felt as though the hobby itself connected us. No matter where I was, if I was reading or writing, I could FEEL my Nonnas unconditional love and passion. I was so PROUD to be a reader like her. Since I learned to read as a child i have just been so passionate about reading and writing and find it so magical and meaningful and personal.
Then, as ridicule started to get to me, I got lost in that “reading just for the image” thing and I feel like i lost my joy in reading because of it. I wasn’t reading things i loved anymore. So i LOVE that you share books you love and focus on them now because oh my GAWD. i’ve never seen myself represented in an influencer person before.
Thank you for being as authentically yourself as you are on here, and thank you for letting us peak in the window occasionally for some inspiration on how to be that authentic ourselves. ❤
From crying with you while you work on agoraphobia, to rejoicing in your ASD diagnosis, to laughing with you while you try cookies with Jonas, to listening to you light up talking about meaningful books. I LOVE your content. ALL of it. Keep making videos that you love to make and never feel limited in the “type” of content you feel some may want. I promise, just like you described readers being “right there” on ANY journey that a good author takes them on, we are HERE for your journeys, as long as you’ll have us!
Came for the taco story, stayed for Elyse. ❤
Yess I love the way you included the books you didn't like and kept it brief and did the longer reviews for the ones you did like. Thanks for the reviews! Also thank you for the reminder that it's okay if I dont read a ton of books in one month. I'm such a slow reader and needed the the reminder to still take time to enjoy each book and not to rush through! 💕
Finding your book reviews is something I didn’t know I needed in my life. I’d honestly watch a video of you doing absolutely nothing. You are so inspiring and 100% you and authentic 1000% of the time and I love it.
Elyse, you are already my favorite content creator / human being. The only thing that could’ve made this better is if you made bookish videos…and you just..DID. Ahhh, I love this new chapter (heheh) for you!! 💛
I usually never comment on videos, but for some reason I felt compelled to tell you that I listen to your videos while I crochet or embroider. There is something about the way that you talk that is so calming yet entertaining, and as someone with ADHD, I love that I dont need to look at the screen the whole time to know what you're talking about. I can ust listen to it like it's a guided meditation app. Also, I started crocheting because of you! That is all :)
I LOVE ANNE LAMOTT THE WAY I STARTED FREAKING OUT WHEN ONE OF MY FAVORITE RUclipsRS STARTED TALKING ABT ONE OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS
YES
I’M ABOUT TO READ EVERY BOOK SHE’S EVER WRITTEN I CANNOT WAIT TO READ HER FICTION
@@elyse_myers I love Traveling Mercies so much!!
@@elyse_myers I’M ALSO TRYING TO READ ALL HER BOOKS AAAA SO EXCITED
Help Thanks WOW is a daily read for me, and Operating Instructions sealed my love for AL. I secretly suspect that God speaks a lot like Ann Lamott writes
Dear Elise, Just wanted to say I've so enjoyed listening to you talk about what you've read each month. As a writer, it's helpful to hear you talk through what did and didn't work for you, and why. As a reader, it's delightful hearing your enthusiasm & respect for story, character, and just the *spark* that makes a book shine for us. The MAGIC of reading is always such a joy, and I absolutely love how your excitement gives voice to so many aspects that I also love. (Also, I chuckled at your story of making that clerk take a pic of that book--once, as a teen, I read The Select by F. Paul Wilson, & I was *so* gripped by it that I had to take a break to call my friend to talk about it. He wasn't home, so I ended up talking his mom's ear off about it for ten minutes before having to hang up to go finish it. hahaha. So I get it: some books just NEED to be foisted on others! haha)
Finally, Bird by Bird is one of my all-time faves. The first time I read it, I was in a Borders and was only intending to skim a few pagers to see if I wanted to purchase it. I ended up getting so pulled in that I read it all right there in the store! (Of course I also bought it. lol) It truly is a gem of a book.
Anyway, in closing, thank you for the time you take on these videos--they're truly enjoyable! Take care & happy reading!!! Best, Natalie
Somehow you just talking about books gives me so much comfort! We don't always align with our reading taste but i love hearing you talk about the books you read. It feels like you really put your thoughts and especially feelings into your reviews!
Please don't stop reading and please continue to share your thoughts with us. 🙏❤
Lovvvve these book reviews, Elyse! Love love love Anne Lamott! You MUST read her book about new motherhood (HERE, TAKE A PICTURE OF IT WITH YOUR PHONE!), even tho you’re not a new mother! She’s just so kind and forgiving and relatable about it. It’s a book that has a feeling as well as specific lines that I still carry with me after having read it 25 years ago! It’s called “Operating Instructions: A Diary of My Son’s First Year.”
i am truly OBSESSED with your book reviews 🥹💖 the passion in which you talk about them, love and respect you have, and the time you take with books is so beautiful. pls never stop 😩
you have finally reignited my love for reading…please don’t ever stop doing these videos!!
I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you putting yourself out there! You are extremely relatable and it’s nice to see someone being so authentic. You will give so many people the courage to be more comfortable being themselves, me included.
I absolutely love your reviews. They are so insightful and wonderfully made. I mean, I love all your videos, obviously, but your reviews are so in depth and hearing you describe what you loved about the books is so much fun. Watching your videos is a treat that I savour each week ❤
Elyse, a small part of me wishes I just discovered you so I could go watch all your content again for the first time! I LOVE LOVE LOVE to long form videos and can’t wait for each new one to be posted! Thank you for your humanity and making us all feel seen in our own unique way. You are the best!
I have a similar ✨genre✨ of dyslexia, it's so comforting to find people who get it (though I generally prefer dark mode bc the text also swims when it's black text on white; definitely a contrast issue for me). accessibility is so important. not sure why that one book had black pages, if it Means Something or was just something to make it more unique. anyway! I really enjoy your book review videos despite the fact that they aren't the kind of books I tend to read. you have such a good approach to it, looking at all the different elements and everything. just listening to you talk about books really motivates me to write.
I don't know if you're a fan of the fantasy genre but i recently read Six of crows and it literally changed my life, the characterization and pacing is phenomenal, it feels like the characters are real people with such complex backstories and lives. The interactions and dialogue is perfection, the action is perfection, absolutely everything is perfect. It's a duology and even tho i'm in the middle of reading the second book, Crooked kingdom, so far it's just as good somehow.
@@bruh9595 loved that duology, it’s actually related to her trilogy of Shadow and Bone, and that’s excellent, too.
@@sheilapohn7220 yeeees, i read the first book and i'm planning on reading the other two. The whole universe is just so well made.
Crossfire vs 50 Shades...strap in for that! 😂 Comedic timing gold 😉
As a mystery date book seller, I appreciate your reviews so much!! It helps me select books for my customers. Thank you!😊
You just helped me decide what I am going to do for my thirtieth birthday!!! 😍 I'm going to have an area for mystery date with a book at my party! 😁
I could watch these every day forever. It feels like watching a friend. Also I LOVE that your books look “loved” and “read”. I worry about bending or scratching my books and making them “ugly”. But now I think maybe that is what the author would want for it ❤
I've read Bird by Bird - relatively recently, in fact. But those passages you read - especially the one about perfectionism, catching me struggling to pack for a move, feeling bad that I have so much stuff, feeling bad about clutter, feeling bad about the evidence of SO MANY unfinished projects, old notebooks, works in progress - writing, crafting, music to play, to organize, I've been overwhelmed by these feelings and trying to "sit with myself" as one does, hold space for all the ancient, well-trodden paths of negative thoughts and move through to pack (just a little bit, gently does it) and then to hear you read that passage just now was very empowering. Thank you so much, Elyse, for being the messenger... 💙
I really like how you talk about books, a lot of book reviews are too much information/summary of the story which I don’t love but your ratings are so fun 💕 keep these up
My fav quote from ‘Bird by Bird’ was this one: “…for some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die. They are full of all the things that you don’t get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. And quality of attention: we may notice amazing details during the course of a day but we rarely let ourselves stop and really pay attention. An author makes you notice, makes you pay attention, and this is a great gift. My gratitude for good writing is unbounded; I’m grateful for it the way I’m grateful for the ocean.”
Elsie Silver & Liz Tomforde are 2 of my favorite romance authors I've discovered this year! I definitely recommend the Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver. There are siblings in that one, so maybe just read what they're about & pick your favorite trope to read. Haha. And I know you're not interested in book 2 of the Windy City series because it's her brother, but I'd highly recommend book 3. It's my favorite of the series & not a sibling! Honestly, I think the Windy City books have some of my favorite male characters. She just writes the little details about the way they love & show they care in the best ways. As always, love watching your book reviews!
The way I immediately paused the video at the end to go borrow "Bird by Bird" from the library. 30 minutes into the audiobook and loving it so far, your book reviews are absolutely spectacular! Thank you
I love your book reviews and that you can see that you read the books. Some people want them to look new after reading them, but I hate that
I love what you said about the moment of reading a book for the first time and really taking time to appreciate that because you won't get that chance again. That's one of the reasons that I listen to audiobooks of my favorite books I've already read, because for me it feels like another chance to experience them for the "first time," in a new way. I often find when I'm listening that I pick up new parts of the book I hadn't before and that I'm experiencing the book from a new perspective because I read it before, but it somehow still feels fresh, If you are ever craving that feeling of reading a particular book for the first time again, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook.
Why did I get teary eyed about your story for Bird By Bird? Books are so magical!
I'm sure you've heard this a lot, but you inspire me so so much! Thank you! I'm autistic and been reading like crazy to kind of escape my reality right now. Knowing that you've been on a reading journey as well is comforting somehow. So.. anyway, thanks for coming back to the internet.💛
ELYSE AHHHHH!!! I love these book reviews so very much they are so calming and literally just make me sooo very happy! And I agree with so many of your opinions! Thank you for that!
So I’d actually like to counter the phrase don’t judge a book by a cover for a couple of reasons: So someone is paid just to design the cover of the book, if the book cover doesn’t align with the book information it’s potentially was marketed incorrectly to the cover designer as cover designers often get a synopsis of the book and key focuses. So either the designer didn’t follow the brief as needed or the more likely one the publisher or marketing person did not explain the book well enough for a good cover design or audience.
Publishers specifically look into how people look at book covers to gain an audience or so people pick up the book in the first place, they wouldn’t waste a space to market the book (essentially, book covers are a space to draw you in to look at the book further, publishers look at that and respect designers immensely who help with that)
note: I’m studying book publishing processes at uni and it’s my current special interest having both ASD and ADHD-I
Hello 👋 fellow Nebraskan here. I hope you and your family are managing the recent heat up there in Omaha! I wanted to pop in and let you know that you give off such a chill and welcoming vibe and we are so alike that I refer to you as "my best friend" and my friends and family know who I'm talking about. I'll get a notification and go "Ope, my best friend dropped a book review, I know what I'm doing when I get home!" I'm so glad I found your content. In the same way books come to us in our time of need, content creators do, too, and you have unknowingly taught me so many things, given me inspiration and gotten me through tough times. Long story short- Thanks, bestie 💛
This makes my heart so happy! HI FELLOW OMAHA FRIEND!!!!! 👋🏼
🥰@@elyse_myers
Anyone else rewatching elyse's old book reviews because they are so pumped for the next one?! No? Only me? That's okay! Awaiting patiently and re enjoying the prior ones! 😅😂❤
I love watching your book reviews. Makes me want to read all the books you recommend. The added commentary makes me feel like I’m discussing the book with a friend 📚🙌🏽😄
Find the book titled blackrock secrets, you'll learn all the money attraction techniques there. Trust me on this
I didn't know you made book content now! And long form too, which is even better. Can't wait for this new era to continue.
Also, your eyelashes look amazing !!
Thank you thank you!!!
I ADORE these videos. They helped me fall back in love with reading and getting EXCITED about books again!!
I haven't read fiction in almost a year but as my evenings get wasted away doom scrolling, I'm yearning to get into a good fiction book so I watched this video - that and I love your content overall, and I was SO excited you reviewed Bird by Bird. I probably don't give that book the credit it deserves with how little I talk about it but it is absolutely life changing especially for someone who has very strong writing anxiety (mixed with some later in life ADD diagnosis). I have such vivid memories working with this book in my college English class and the professor who assigned it - she gave me so much confidence in the thing I feared most. Thank you for bringing me back to those memories and I couldn't help but notice your eyes lighting up when you were reviewing it. Its very cool knowing I share this admiration for this book with you!
This Canadian figuring out the gentlest way to let Elyse know we don’t have lumberjacks everywhere up here.
You still have lumberjacks 😂 they use different tools now tho
No, really, we have waaayyyyyy more truck drivers or accountants than lumberjacks up here. 😒
you do! ❤
As a Canadian, I am quite sure I have never met a lumberjack in my life 😂 If I did, I did not realize they were a lumberjack
I love that you shared that you had a book for ten years before reading it at the cacti moment you needed it. I think some people get teased for buying a lot of books and not reading them right away. They’re good to have around, to reach for right when you need them. Yes, there’s a fine line of book hoarding, but in my experience it’s about timing.
I love watching these and seeing how excited you are about reading. I’ve never been a reader (my whole life). I read, just like this (and rarely books). My ADHD has always made it hard b/c nothing makes me fall asleep faster than reading 😂 plus, the choice paralysis of choosing a book to read is so overwhelming to me. I couldn’t even tell you a genre I like aside from non-fiction (broad, I know). I will always admire readers like you Elyse.
You've convinced me to get into the romance genre and OMG THANK YOU !!! Hope you keep making these!
So glad you read Bird by Bird. I actually just pulled it off my shelf two days ago and was feeling nostalgic thinking about when I read it in 2007. It was a gift from a former English Lit teacher. I have a vivid memory of reading parts out loud to my friends on a bench in a town square in Bern, Switzerland while on spring break. Funny how those seemingly small moments stick with us. 😊
Given your love of book covers, I bet a video about why your faves are your faves would be lovely.
I’m obsessed with your book reviews! I keep checking back to see if there is a new one uploaded yet. 🥰📖🤓
I am so here for this content. I love the reviews, the side tangents, the EVERYTHING. The Fine Print gave me similar feelings…wtf with Disney and I did finish it, but didn’t delve into the others in the series. I did like the Windy City series (I can’t remember if you talked about these already)!
Also, the books I wish I could reread for the first time are The Discovery of Witches, Devil in the White City, Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books, and Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame. Mrs. Quinn’s a million times over.
I’ve been so excited for this video. Something about you just feels comfy and like “home” ❤️
Love these reviews! Not so much detail that you basically just told us the whole story, but enough to be intrigued!
I always look forward to these book reviews! Behind Her Eyes was the best book rec I’ve had in a long time! Can’t wait to check out some of these!
I read that one based on her silent review! Such a crazy book!
I looved Wild Love and finished it in a day, but was so sad because I didn’t want it to be over. Thank you for your recommendations ❤
I was so excited when I saw you read two of my favourite books and then they were both in the “absolutely not” list 😅 I’m a little grateful you didn’t go into detail about why you hated them 😹
I still really enjoyed the video and love hearing your thoughts on books, especially ones that really impact you and make your whole being light up. Book are magic ✨
I just finished reading Wild Love because you recommended it. And the reason it gives you Canada vibes is because the whole story takes place in Canada! Rose Hill is in British Columbia and they sometimes fly out to Vancouver or Calgary which are both in Canada 🇨🇦!
Also completely agree about the siblings spinoff thing, I had this issue with The Cruel Prince/The Stolen Heir
OMG but the crossfire series?! 😭 I re-read the first one several months ago and actually annotated it. It's such a nostalgic read for me, every other sentences was just "ah, yes, this is why I look for these specific things in everything I read now." I can't wait!! Or, maybe I can, don't hurt my feelings...
i love your book reviews so much elyse!! i clicked as soon as i saw the title😊
Cried at you reading from Bird by Bird. I needed that. I appreciate you so much.
wow! Thank you so much for the pep talk on reading and savouring, I'm pretty horrible for getting too excited and going too fast, and then being able to mark it on good reads, also feel very called out, I literally did that this morning lol. Thanks for the reminder!
I kept coming to your channel desperately waiting for your next book review. Bad books or not, I value your opinion and love hearing your thoughts. Adding all 4 of your faves to my list because you have been spot on so far with all of your recommendations. Please keep these going because they are so wonderful!
We have the same exact taste in books! I also loved “Someone who will love you in all your damaged glory” and have been searching for a book like “behind her eyes” since finishing it. Just bought Woman in the Window and can’t wait to dive in! Thank you for your service, my book journey would be lost without you 💞
I hope you do an audiobook on your own book. Ready to get weird? Alright…I love hearing you read-you have the voice for it and I love when authors audiobook their own books.
Please never stop making these ❤ I love your book reviews!
A couple recommendations from my reads this year - 'Before the Coffee gets Cold' and the 'The Collected Regrets of Clover'!
Thank you for these book reviews! I am not much of a reader and love hearing your honest opinions along with the summaries. Inspiring me to read more!
I used to love your Tiktoks, but I just found your booktube channel, and I'm so obsessed. You're just so funny, but I also related to every opinion you gave. Great video :)x
Ugh I just love listening to you describe books it's fantastic!!!
Aww I’m SO sad that Summer of Broken Rules didn’t do it for you. It wasn’t my fav of the summer, but I really enjoyed it. But that’s ok! Like you said, we’re all different! It’s wonderful! 😊
I love your review videos cuz they give me fresh books to want to read (as if I don’t have dozens sitting on my shelves waiting for me already!) 😂 Definitely gonna try out Wild Love and The Woman in the Window!
I think because of my age I feel like I relate less to the younger stories! The story itself was great, especially the way grief was talked about! But it’s hard to read about people kissing/laying down together when they’re half my age, I just feel a bit weird about that. That’s just me though!! 😂♥️ also that story made me want to go to camp so BAD!
I read the kiss quotient and... wow. It was amazing, I related more to Stella than I expected and I never wished a book boyfried so so so much to be real like I wished Michael to be.
Great recommendation and thank you for your awesome videos!
I saw your review of Wild Love and immediately read it! I love these stories because they are so cute and even though it can sometimes be slow when you know how it will end, it is still very enjoyable 😊 And it gives you Canada, lumberjack billionaire because it is in Canada 😂 Rosie moves back from Vancouver and they at some point go to Calgary. It was so good, I could feel like I was sitting by the lake starring at the Milky Way 🥰
Thanks for yet another awesome book review video - they are quickly becoming some of my favorite content on your channel. I used to be a huge reader - at least a novel a week. But then with adulthood, and Parenthood, and all the things... I was lucky to get through three a year. But this year I promised myself that I would devote more time to it, and proud that I'm up to six books so far for 2024. The most surprising was The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. Historical fiction with a bit of mystery - I grabbed it very unintentionally while running through an airport terminal to catch my flight, and I couldn't put it down! Highly recommend.
Reading has become my favorite escape from the heaviness of real life but some days there’s just not time (or energy) to pick up a book so I totally get it!! Looking this recommendation up asap! Thank you!
@@michelleevans-bunkis3620 Kate Quinn is AMAZING!!!
I think you should read The Right Move by: Liz Tomforde! I liked it better than Mile High and it's in my top 10 favorite books of all time! Also love the books reviews so much!
these are my favorite vidoes of yours! I feel like we have the same taste so i save all of these to my wish list and read them the next month! Its been so helpful because i joined a book club that had terrible taste lol so you helped me not get discouraged with reading again
I've never met anyone who actually liked The Woman in the Window. 😂. Glad you enjoyed it! It's always interesting to see how different our book opinions are.
I want to say thank you because after watching one of these videos, I felt inspired to give reading another try and found out that its not that I’m not into reading, just needed to choose books that I enjoyed more! So thank you!!
Omg I love this so much!!!! Reading instead of scrolling has helped my brain so much. I hope you keep at it! If you don’t find books you like, keep trying!!!
THANK YOU! I added a couple of books to my read list.
I recently read The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner and LOVED it. It does time jump between characters, but it's such a good and interesting read/story.
your leslie knope falling into the pit wallpaper 😂💀
You’re officially my favorite booktuber
Did not know the damaged glory book was written by someone who worked on Bojack Horseman. One of my absolute all time favourite shows!! I’ll definitely pick it up.
Thank you so much for you honesty in reviewing these books. Love listening to you talk about books you have read…like sitting with my dearest friend!
Yeessss, I love bird by bird it's so good 🥹❤️. I've actually been looking to reread it again since I'm trying to motivate myself to start writing again.
I’m living for your book reviews 😭💕🌸
Also, the Dreamland Billionaire Series, I’d say stick it out. In my opinion the last book, Final Offer, was by far the best one of the series 🥹💕
Also, marking the spice scenes is so me 😂
I’m currently living with post partum hair loss pokey hairs that look exactly like yours and I’m so grateful to see I’m not alone 😂❤
I love the way you rate these! And I love the details you share.
23:52 the quote from the book right before this timestamp made me want to cry. I think that mindset could be applied to more than just writing, and is important to remember that things don’t have to be (and honestly, can’t usually be) perfect.
I love listening to you talk about books, your passion makes me want to read more and challenge myself ❤
A helpful tip, if you are sick put Vaseline on your nose and upper lip so when you blow your nose it won't rub things raw. I have very sensitive skin on my nose and I break the skin just by washing my face and I even use lotion Kleenex when I blow my nose and I still get raw skin unless I Vaseline my nose and upper lip. I even use a q-tip to put it on so I don't get germs into the Vaseline. Hope that helps and hope you are better now 🥰