Fw the vids, I believe a better mic and some visual elements will help your vids a lot. Even if it’s just a picture of the book cover that you’re talking about, it adds extra flavor and incentive for the viewer to keep watching.
Exactly this. Even timestamps for different segments/books in the videos so it's easier to break the video down into different parts so it's easier to digest, come back to, and jump around as well.
Bro. Get thru 100 years. For me it was really tough to get thru but the ending totally paid it off. It finished so strong. Also east of Eden is soo incredible.
Crime and punishment for sure is a masterclass. I just finished it after taking a solid 3 months to finish, and it’s definitely in my top 10 list. It was my first big russian lit book and I’m really glad I started with it. Hope you get the same experience I got out of reading it!
Your channel encouraged me to finally pursue my degree in literature. Just seeing how much passion you have when you speak about these works of art just flipped the switch in me to finally go through with it and go back to school to get my teaching credential.
Please keep these videos coming! I can see that you have such similar interests to me but your taste in books is pretty different from my own so it’s really inspiring me to branch out.
You should totally try to read Jane Austen if you enjoy the Brontes’ books. Her books are less romantic and more about the development of character and self-improvement! The style is definitely demanding at times cuz she belongs to a whole different time period but it’s super rewarding. 🙏🏻
this is quickly turning into one of my favourite channels!! looking forward to the reviews and i think a video talking more about what made you want to go so deeply into art and more about the paintings and music you enjoy would be cool.
I’m reading Anna Karenina this year, too! It’s always intimidated me but there is something especially satisfying about finishing a book you’ve always wanted to read but were intimidated by, kind of like you said. As far as Wuthering Heights, I absolutely loved it whereas I only liked Jane Eyre, so don’t feel hesitant about reading that one first! (Also poor Brontë sisters always being compared lol but I do it anyway)
Clarice Lispector is a genius, when I finished “Hour of the Star” I felt like I got punched in the face (in the best way😂). “Death at Intervals” by a Portuguese author Jose Saramago is also amazing! Without saying too much, it is about a town where one day suddenly people just stopped dying. Very interesting read!
Have your read anything by Frantz Fanon or Gabriel García Márquez yet? Fanon is a psychologist turned political theorist so his books have a big psychoanalytical theme. I’d recommend Wretched of the Earth. García Márquez is a Colombian author who deals with the theme of time a lot. I would highly recommend the novella Chronicles of a Death Foretold, and the novel One Hundred Years of Solitude. Also if you like Kafka and absurdism, I’d recommend That Smell by Sonallah Ibrahim, the Queue by Basma Aziz, and the Silence and the Roar by Nihad Rees. Oh and Ijaam by Sinan Antoon.
i’ve been getting through bataille’s eroticism: death and sensuality for some time now as ive been starting with philosophy, and though its pretty heavy text (english is not my first language, dont know why im doing this to myself) its really really interesting. the title is pretty self explanatory but it does expand beyond just desire to life, religion, taboos (and their function in society), personhood etc. bataille’s pretty out there definitely (20th century frenchie) but i do really recommend it if thats a topic in philosophy you might be interested in!
Anna Karenina is my favorite book from the Russians (I’ve read C&P, Master & Margarita, Brothers Karamazov, Doctor Zhivago) and by far AK is incredible because it takes you through a dramatic, epic tale. Konstanin Lenin is the true hero of this book and I hope you enjoy navigating the world with him (pretty sure he was a stand in for Tolstoy). I read the Maude translation which was more flowery and FAR better than the Garnet translation. I also have the P&V translation, for the sheer love ❤️ your list is incredible but I thought to give Tolstoy a shoutout. I’m excited to see your love of books grow, I wish I had super human reading skills too 😭
wow man. Bravo to you. That is a seriously ambitious list. Lots of killer classics on there. Your Fiction list is more comprehensive than the syllabi for a few first year University English classes. And I like your Philosophy picks. I'm biased, as I did an Honours Degree in Philosophy in University, but typically Philosophy is read chronologically. You may run into some challenges. But I'm here for it.
brother! thank you for this knowledge, i did not know this - can you give me 10-15 books to start with that fit a more structured approach to philiosophy?
@@thoughtsofdante My genuine pleasure. Now, I'd never dissuade anyone from following their own inclination in approach, to be sure. Everyone learns in their own unique way, so there's really no 'correct' way. That being said, particularly in philosophy, the general development over time is critical and/or reactionary, so, familiarity with preceding thought is required so as not to misinterpret or simply get confused. This still happens of course, as one can't cover everything. I for example, was recently reading some Habermas, and found myself having to go 'back in time' and read some Adorno... In any case, when I was in school and TA'ing first year undergrad students, I put together a list of 5 books that, in my estimation, cover all the key conceptual groundwork one needs to be familiar with that would then enable them to pretty much handle any philosopher they encounter. So here we go: 1) Plato: Five Dialogues ( published by Hackett, it includes Plato's "Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo ); 2) Rene Descartes: Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy; 3) David Hume: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding; 4) Immanuel Kant: Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics; 5) Friedrich Nietzsche: The Birth of Tragedy.
most of yukio Mishima is amazing. is writing style is so eloquent even in translation. i recommend the sea of fertility, a 4 book cycle by him. it’s tremendous
Hi! Love what you are doing here. Jane Eyre 1st and always! I don't know why but I have always just found Wuethering Heights over the top family drama 😂
@thoughtsofdante these videos create a wonderful niche for positive, like-minded people to share the love of language expresson. My background is biology, but you have made me dive into literature! know that your videos are reaching us from all over the world! I'm a black British living and working in China.
Im also reading crime and punishment rn! Will wait and see your thoughts on it. Also, Kundera’s book was one of my best reads last year, Im excited to see if you like it.
great books, a lot of these are on my 2025 tbr too. hope you enjoy crime and punishment, one of my favourite books of all time. I’d also reccomend the count of monte christo. I wouldn’t say you should read it now because it’s a pretty long book but it’s just the most engaging book I’ve ever read and my favourite greatest actual plot. it’s all just intricately woven together and stepping back from it, you can really appreciate the beauty of the whole creation. also the count is one of my favourite characters in all of fiction. definitely tackle it when you’re ready though, that always makes the experience better. also I really thought that David and Goliath poster in the back was Westside gunn’s “pray for Paris” 😭 I guess you’re just more sophisticated than me
crime and punishment is amazing so far! i also have been eyeing count of monte cristo for a while but its just such a long read! i have to read it soon though. also give yourself more credit! - the pray for paris cover is the twin painting by the same painter, Caravaggio. it is the one in vienna, i have the poster of the one in Rome! i love westside gunn though, pray for paris and flygod mixtape are probably my favorite work from him!
@@thoughtsofdante definitely have to look into that, I’ve always been interested in art but never knew where to start, cheers. also I just wanted to let you know that I love your content I’ve seen everything you’ve posted. you speak very eloquently and articulate yourself really well, which I never appreciated the talent that takes until I tried to record myself talking about my favourite books 😅 your passion for books also reignited my very same love that I lost after I got overwhelmed and burnt out, particularly by the more pretentious and judgemental members of this community. it’s so refreshing to see such a welcoming and open creator! you also got me really interested in philosophy. I’m looking into some starter books, particularly ‘The Republic’ by Plato and ‘Meditations’ by Marcus Aurelius, from what I’ve heard about those from you. overall, if you ever feel like you’re videos and voice is going unheard or unappreciated, just know there’s me and many others who silently and passively get inspired by what you do and you’re impacting others in the best way possible!
You would loooove The Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas. Dark humour, very short, very philosophical, one of the greatest brazilian novels of the XIX century, very modern as well. It is a novel written by a dead author, or, as he puts it, he is "not exactly a writer who is dead but a dead man who is a writer, for whom the grave was a second cradle." Look into it if u want, I think you'll.like it!
Hi! I recently discovered your channel and I love your content/vibes. Subscribed! A few things: 1. Wuthering Heights is amazing! I read it last year and you can see me talk about it in my top books of 2024 video if you’re interested. 2. Catch-22 is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s so heartfelt and one of the few books that’s ever made me laugh out loud. 3. I’m also planning on reading 100 Years of Solitude this year! Glad someone else is interested in it.
i will definitely check out your review of wurthering heights! im excited to get into it! im also anticipating my catch-22 read, my dad loves it as well!lastly, i cant wait to finish 100 years of solitude, ive heard its revolutionary!
Nice choices! But before you tackle a critique of pure reason I recommend you read Kant's Lectures on Metaphysics and the Prologomena (which is the shortened version of the critique!) It's a very difficult and dry book but I'm sure you'll get through it!
imo The Unbearable Lightness of Being gets better if you know more about it before reading, I recommend the video "The Unbearable Lightness of Being | A Deep Dive" by Jennifer Jelinkova.
Very inspiring guy. You read so quickly, how were you able to read that many books these past couple of months? How do you prioritise and structure this throughout your day to day? I want to read so many books this year, but i dont know how to achieve that pacing wise. Could you make a vid on that?
thank you!! it really isnt much of a speed thing, i just dont really do anything else! haha, my life is pretty boting but i will defintely make a video on it!
New reader (new SERIOUS reader) 2025: So far read: James - SO GOOD, read if you like huck finn (ya, ya, I know…controversial) Divine rivals. - no, not impressed, wtf why do people love this Peony in Love - beautifully written, haven’t finished yet
Can’t wait for you to Read Anna Karenina. When I I read it I was wondering « What did he put into it ? I don’t know but I’m here for it !! », War and peace was less lives from me, Anna is just sooo wonderful
Fw the vids, I believe a better mic and some visual elements will help your vids a lot.
Even if it’s just a picture of the book cover that you’re talking about, it adds extra flavor and incentive for the viewer to keep watching.
Exactly this. Even timestamps for different segments/books in the videos so it's easier to break the video down into different parts so it's easier to digest, come back to, and jump around as well.
yes i think having the picture of the book on the side and/or the title and author in text on screen would help too:)
i got you! thank you for the suggestion - i will implement this next video!
Bro. Get thru 100 years. For me it was really tough to get thru but the ending totally paid it off. It finished so strong. Also east of Eden is soo incredible.
cant wait to read both!
Hey, not relevant to the video but would you do a room tour ever? Your room looks so cool from what I can see 😁
yes! haha it isnt as cool as you envision it probably but i will add it as a intermission for the next video!
Crime and punishment for sure is a masterclass. I just finished it after taking a solid 3 months to finish, and it’s definitely in my top 10 list. It was my first big russian lit book and I’m really glad I started with it. Hope you get the same experience I got out of reading it!
you’re my new favorite youtuber your taste is music, art, books, and movies is immaculate!!!
Your channel encouraged me to finally pursue my degree in literature. Just seeing how much passion you have when you speak about these works of art just flipped the switch in me to finally go through with it and go back to school to get my teaching credential.
Please create a wish list for books. I don't know how it's done but I will support the effort.😊
I second this!
i just recently learned how to make one! i will put it in the caption of my next video - thank you so much for the generosity!
@thoughtsofdante .. I love to see young brothers like you! It makes me so proud!!!! ❤️
I fell in love with Clarice Lispector in 2024 after reading The Apple in the Dark, can't recommend it enough!
I’m happy that your reading The Confessions of Saint Augustine it is what got me into my reading journey in august
Please keep these videos coming! I can see that you have such similar interests to me but your taste in books is pretty different from my own so it’s really inspiring me to branch out.
Dude! Your book list is so good. Flowers is such a great story
The poster tour intermission was magic.
haha thank you! gave me some room to nerd out a little!
The passion according to G.H. Is one of my all time favourites!
Go Tell it on the Mountain is my favorite book of all time. Love it!
This is my favorite channel now’! So interesting to hear what you got out of the book and what you like about art✨
thank you!! i love to talk about it!
You should totally try to read Jane Austen if you enjoy the Brontes’ books. Her books are less romantic and more about the development of character and self-improvement! The style is definitely demanding at times cuz she belongs to a whole different time period but it’s super rewarding. 🙏🏻
this is quickly turning into one of my favourite channels!! looking forward to the reviews and i think a video talking more about what made you want to go so deeply into art and more about the paintings and music you enjoy would be cool.
i can 100% do this video! that would be very interesting and would allow me to have some fun haha - also thank you for the kind words!
I’d love to see a review of the years National Book Awards nominees and Pulitzer Prize nominees and then see which one you would pick to win!
I’m reading Anna Karenina this year, too! It’s always intimidated me but there is something especially satisfying about finishing a book you’ve always wanted to read but were intimidated by, kind of like you said. As far as Wuthering Heights, I absolutely loved it whereas I only liked Jane Eyre, so don’t feel hesitant about reading that one first! (Also poor Brontë sisters always being compared lol but I do it anyway)
Clarice Lispector is a genius, when I finished “Hour of the Star” I felt like I got punched in the face (in the best way😂). “Death at Intervals” by a Portuguese author Jose Saramago is also amazing! Without saying too much, it is about a town where one day suddenly people just stopped dying. Very interesting read!
i absolutely love clarice! i have not read hour of the star, i am excited to get into it! also that book sounds so interesting!
I'd love to see a bookshelf tour video!
Have your read anything by Frantz Fanon or Gabriel García Márquez yet?
Fanon is a psychologist turned political theorist so his books have a big psychoanalytical theme. I’d recommend Wretched of the Earth.
García Márquez is a Colombian author who deals with the theme of time a lot.
I would highly recommend the novella Chronicles of a Death Foretold, and the novel One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Also if you like Kafka and absurdism, I’d recommend That Smell by Sonallah Ibrahim, the Queue by Basma Aziz, and the Silence and the Roar by Nihad Rees. Oh and Ijaam by Sinan Antoon.
i havent read any fanon or marquez! im excited to get into both! ive heard nothing but good things!
I absolutely love Chronicles of death foretold. I completely agree. It is a amazing read.😊
getting rid of the tv?!?! revolutionary. i luv it
Glad to see uncle James in the mix! 🖤
i’ve been getting through bataille’s eroticism: death and sensuality for some time now as ive been starting with philosophy, and though its pretty heavy text (english is not my first language, dont know why im doing this to myself) its really really interesting. the title is pretty self explanatory but it does expand beyond just desire to life, religion, taboos (and their function in society), personhood etc. bataille’s pretty out there definitely (20th century frenchie) but i do really recommend it if thats a topic in philosophy you might be interested in!
Another great video! Thank you 😊
Killer tbr. Very ambitious!
thank you!
Ooooh we're now thoughts of Dante, love ittt
Anna Karenina is my favorite book from the Russians (I’ve read C&P, Master & Margarita, Brothers Karamazov, Doctor Zhivago) and by far AK is incredible because it takes you through a dramatic, epic tale. Konstanin Lenin is the true hero of this book and I hope you enjoy navigating the world with him (pretty sure he was a stand in for Tolstoy). I read the Maude translation which was more flowery and FAR better than the Garnet translation. I also have the P&V translation, for the sheer love ❤️ your list is incredible but I thought to give Tolstoy a shoutout. I’m excited to see your love of books grow, I wish I had super human reading skills too 😭
wow man. Bravo to you. That is a seriously ambitious list. Lots of killer classics on there. Your Fiction list is more comprehensive than the syllabi for a few first year University English classes. And I like your Philosophy picks. I'm biased, as I did an Honours Degree in Philosophy in University, but typically Philosophy is read chronologically. You may run into some challenges. But I'm here for it.
brother! thank you for this knowledge, i did not know this - can you give me 10-15 books to start with that fit a more structured approach to philiosophy?
@@thoughtsofdante My genuine pleasure. Now, I'd never dissuade anyone from following their own inclination in approach, to be sure. Everyone learns in their own unique way, so there's really no 'correct' way. That being said, particularly in philosophy, the general development over time is critical and/or reactionary, so, familiarity with preceding thought is required so as not to misinterpret or simply get confused. This still happens of course, as one can't cover everything. I for example, was recently reading some Habermas, and found myself having to go 'back in time' and read some Adorno... In any case, when I was in school and TA'ing first year undergrad students, I put together a list of 5 books that, in my estimation, cover all the key conceptual groundwork one needs to be familiar with that would then enable them to pretty much handle any philosopher they encounter. So here we go: 1) Plato: Five Dialogues ( published by Hackett, it includes Plato's "Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo ); 2) Rene Descartes: Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy; 3) David Hume: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding; 4) Immanuel Kant: Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics; 5) Friedrich Nietzsche: The Birth of Tragedy.
One of my favorite uploads!
thank you!
I don’t even read that much of western literature but listening to you talk about books is so fun ❤
thank you!!
I humbly respect 🫡 your book list. East of Eden was my favorite still is a favorite and I will always big it up 🔝 💯. Happy reading 📖!
thank you!
Immortality by Kundera was one of my favorite reads of 2024! Enjoy
most of yukio Mishima is amazing. is writing style is so eloquent even in translation. i recommend the sea of fertility, a 4 book cycle by him. it’s tremendous
Hi!
Love what you are doing here.
Jane Eyre 1st and always!
I don't know why but I have always just found Wuethering Heights over the top family drama 😂
thank you! and i think im leaning towards jane eyre!
@thoughtsofdante these videos create a wonderful niche for positive, like-minded people to share the love of language expresson. My background is biology, but you have made me dive into literature! know that your videos are reaching us from all over the world! I'm a black British living and working in China.
I just picked up both Giovanni's Room and Pale Fire!
Im also reading crime and punishment rn! Will wait and see your thoughts on it. Also, Kundera’s book was one of my best reads last year, Im excited to see if you like it.
very excited for it!
great books, a lot of these are on my 2025 tbr too. hope you enjoy crime and punishment, one of my favourite books of all time. I’d also reccomend the count of monte christo. I wouldn’t say you should read it now because it’s a pretty long book but it’s just the most engaging book I’ve ever read and my favourite greatest actual plot. it’s all just intricately woven together and stepping back from it, you can really appreciate the beauty of the whole creation. also the count is one of my favourite characters in all of fiction. definitely tackle it when you’re ready though, that always makes the experience better. also I really thought that David and Goliath poster in the back was Westside gunn’s “pray for Paris” 😭 I guess you’re just more sophisticated than me
wow this comment is riddled with spelling errors but you get what I’m tryna say 😭
crime and punishment is amazing so far! i also have been eyeing count of monte cristo for a while but its just such a long read! i have to read it soon though. also give yourself more credit! - the pray for paris cover is the twin painting by the same painter, Caravaggio. it is the one in vienna, i have the poster of the one in Rome! i love westside gunn though, pray for paris and flygod mixtape are probably my favorite work from him!
@@thoughtsofdante definitely have to look into that, I’ve always been interested in art but never knew where to start, cheers. also I just wanted to let you know that I love your content I’ve seen everything you’ve posted. you speak very eloquently and articulate yourself really well, which I never appreciated the talent that takes until I tried to record myself talking about my favourite books 😅 your passion for books also reignited my very same love that I lost after I got overwhelmed and burnt out, particularly by the more pretentious and judgemental members of this community. it’s so refreshing to see such a welcoming and open creator! you also got me really interested in philosophy. I’m looking into some starter books, particularly ‘The Republic’ by Plato and ‘Meditations’ by Marcus Aurelius, from what I’ve heard about those from you. overall, if you ever feel like you’re videos and voice is going unheard or unappreciated, just know there’s me and many others who silently and passively get inspired by what you do and you’re impacting others in the best way possible!
You would loooove The Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas. Dark humour, very short, very philosophical, one of the greatest brazilian novels of the XIX century, very modern as well. It is a novel written by a dead author, or, as he puts it, he is "not exactly a writer who is dead but a dead man who is a writer, for whom the grave was a second cradle."
Look into it if u want, I think you'll.like it!
Hi! I recently discovered your channel and I love your content/vibes. Subscribed! A few things:
1. Wuthering Heights is amazing! I read it last year and you can see me talk about it in my top books of 2024 video if you’re interested.
2. Catch-22 is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s so heartfelt and one of the few books that’s ever made me laugh out loud.
3. I’m also planning on reading 100 Years of Solitude this year! Glad someone else is interested in it.
i will definitely check out your review of wurthering heights! im excited to get into it! im also anticipating my catch-22 read, my dad loves it as well!lastly, i cant wait to finish 100 years of solitude, ive heard its revolutionary!
Excellent video
Loved the video and love your taste in books 💕💕
thank you!
Nice choices! But before you tackle a critique of pure reason I recommend you read Kant's Lectures on Metaphysics and the Prologomena (which is the shortened version of the critique!) It's a very difficult and dry book but I'm sure you'll get through it!
thanks for the heads up! if i can find a pdf of that text i will read it beforehand!
Jane eyre was my fav of 2024 and I read them both but you will probably like wuthering heights more!!
im glad you liked it! ill let you know which one i like better once i finish!
I would highly recommed ”Doctor Faustus” by Thomas Mann - it’s an analogy of Germany during WW2
i will look for it!
I think you should definitely check out No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai. Based off your other vids i think its right up your alley
i have been eyeing that book recently! will pick it up soon!
love the vids man
thank you!
Clarice 🧡
The way you're holding these books up is hurting my core
i hope in a good way haha
Read Jane Eyre first, which will set you up for another amazing book, Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
imo The Unbearable Lightness of Being gets better if you know more about it before reading, I recommend the video "The Unbearable Lightness of Being | A Deep Dive" by Jennifer Jelinkova.
thanks for the heads up! i will watch it!
Very inspiring guy. You read so quickly, how were you able to read that many books these past couple of months? How do you prioritise and structure this throughout your day to day? I want to read so many books this year, but i dont know how to achieve that pacing wise. Could you make a vid on that?
thank you!! it really isnt much of a speed thing, i just dont really do anything else! haha, my life is pretty boting but i will defintely make a video on it!
READ DON QUIXOTE BY CER VANTES
ive heard its great and one of the better written charachters of all time! i will pick it up soon!
Do you listen to hozier? His lyrics are so poetic and deep(especially if you read dante and the classics) i get alot of book inspi from him too
i love his self titled album! i think that's the only one i have heard, i will listen to the rest of his work!
You needddd to read My name is Asher Lev, you will not regret it
i will be on the look out!
Have you read anything by rainer maria rilke yet:)? I heard so much already he is on my tbr for sure and sounds like it would fit your taste
i actually only have his poetry! one of the only books i own that i dont know anything about, this comment has inspired me to read his work!
New reader (new SERIOUS reader) 2025:
So far read: James - SO GOOD, read if you like huck finn (ya, ya, I know…controversial)
Divine rivals. - no, not impressed, wtf why do people love this
Peony in Love - beautifully written, haven’t finished yet
happy to see another person on the journey!
Why only male writers ? :(
Can’t wait for you to Read Anna Karenina. When I I read it I was wondering « What did he put into it ? I don’t know but I’m here for it !! », War and peace was less lives from me, Anna is just sooo wonderful
defineitley my most aniticipted read!