That’s awesome! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Seidenberg’s book-I’m sure your review will be fantastic. And a shoutout? You’re too kind! Fingers crossed for a smooth filming and editing process. Let me know when it’s up-I’d love to check it out!

Two out of three is great! The Giver is such a layered story, so no worries there-it’s not the easiest to catch. I always appreciate you playing along and sharing your guesses. Honestly, your comments make these games even more fun!

@@DrCrankyPantsReads I read it with one of the students, a few years back, and I found it interesting.

Ah, The Hunger Games! 🔥🎯 Such a classic choice-definitely one for a future round of the Emoji Summary Game. I’ll add it to the list! Thanks for the suggestion, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Adding books to the reading list is the ultimate reader struggle, isn’t it? I haven’t read The Death of David Debrizzi or anything by Paul Micou, but you’ve definitely piqued my interest-especially with such high praise! I’ll keep an eye out for The Music Programme too. Thanks for the recommendations!

Thank you so much for the recommendation-and apologies for the delay in responding, holiday travel threw me off my game! I really appreciate the suggestion of Making the Most of Your Money-sometimes the classics have the best advice, even if they’re a little dated. And wow, 25% for retirement! That’s a hefty goal but definitely good advice to aim for if it’s doable. Thanks again for the thoughtful comment and the encouragement-it’s much appreciated!

I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read of hers too, though I still need to conquer Manhattan Beach! Here’s to both of us having 2025s filled with Egan!

@@DrCrankyPantsReads Manhattan Beach is worth de effort. Hope you have a good year, filled with books (and knitting, as you enjoy that).

@@RM-tc9pu I've been impressed with everything I've read from Egan, so my expectations are high. And best wishes for a delightful year for you as well - filled with whatever you want to read, whether new titles or well-worn favorites. I've truly enjoyed your commentary and look forward to more repartee in the new year!

@@DrCrankyPantsReads Well, other than music (Baroque), films (from the 40s), and books (not that picky)... So, yes, I'll keep watching your videos. Thank you for your work and your comments)

A Visit from the Goon Squad is such a masterpiece, isn’t it? You’ll be thrilled to know that The Candy House takes us back into that world, expanding on some familiar faces while exploring big questions about memory and technology. It’s definitely worth adding to your list-let me know what you think if you pick it up!

@DrCrankyPantsReads A visit from a goon squad is like a compilation of short stories. Every chapter has its own voice and style.

Thanks for subscribing! If you love Amsterdam and introspective books, The Evenings should be right up your alley. I’m slated to read it in January-unless my TBR pulls its usual tricks

There’s absolutely nothing shameful about revisiting old favorites-there’s a reason they’re favorites, after all! As long as you’ve enjoyed your time with the books, that’s what truly matters. I haven’t read An Equal Music, but I did read A Suitable Boy many moons ago and enjoyed it. I’ll add An Equal Music to my notes to keep an eye out for-as always, I appreciate the recommendation!

@@DrCrankyPantsReads I just feel I should be reading something new now and then I take a look of my shelves (books everywhere, except in the kitchen and bathrooms) and there's always some favourite beckoning...

Thank you! That really means a lot, especially coming from someone whose editing I admire so much. Shorts can be tricky to get right, but it’s rewarding to pack a full review into a bite-sized format. Appreciate the kind words-it’s always great to hear when the structure works!

I totally get avoiding A Little Life-it’s an incredibly heavy read, and not everyone wants to go to such a dark place. Stoner is a different kind of sad. While Jude’s story is marked by extreme trauma and emotional intensity, Stoner’s life is quieter, more reflective, and rooted in everyday struggles. It’s melancholic but not overwhelming, with a sense of bittersweet acceptance rather than devastation. If you do decide to give it a try, I’d love to hear what you think!

Yes, I use Storygraph! My account’s a bit of a mess right now, but I’m in the process of getting it organized. I’ll be sharing it in my next long form video, and I can’t wait to connect there-looking forward to being Storygraph friends!

Wow, 46 books this year-and 16 annotated? That’s seriously impressive! It sounds like you’ve been making amazing progress through your TBR, even if it feels cursed sometimes (and let’s be honest, all TBRs do). Here’s hoping you knock out another one before the end of the year. Cheering you on from one TBR warrior to another!

Honestly, I’m not a huge short story fan in general, so Gaiman’s short stories haven’t been a big part of my reading life. But I can see where you’re coming from-his writing often has this fable-like quality, where it feels like he’s gesturing toward something profound without fully diving into it. I’ve enjoyed his novels like Coraline and The Graveyard Book too, but I get what you mean about feeling like they come up just short of expectation. They’re enjoyable, but I often find myself wanting just a bit more depth or complexity. Maybe that’s why I haven’t been drawn to his short stories-his style might feel even more constrained in that format. Do you think it’s the brevity that holds them back, or something else about how he writes short fiction?

@@DrCrankyPantsReads I am happy to find someone who agrees with me! I thought that it was my fault, that I somehow could not find depth and meaning in the stories (not even in the novels, except in the Graveyard Book, which works well as a bildungsroman). I do love short stories, and I am addicted to Tchekov and the like, so it was quite a disappointing experience when I read Gaiman's!

Oh, I completely get that dilemma-it’s such a tough call! Honestly, I think you’d be FINE reading the print copy now and then revisiting it in audio when it’s available. The levels of goodness-Eggers’ writing and Hawke’s performance-are both so incredible, but they bring different things to the experience. It’s such a testament to how good it is that I almost wish I’d done both too. The McSweeney's hardback is gorgeous, though-definitely worth shelling out for. I mean, a wooden cover? If I were a book collector, I'd have three. Either way, I don’t think you’ll regret diving in. Let me know what you decide and how you find it!

Thank you! I’ve heard so many wonderful things about The Evenings, and I’m really excited to finally read it. And thank you for the good luck-I’ll definitely need it to stick to this plan!

Hi! Thank you so much for stopping by-and a big thanks to Evening Reader for the shout-out! I’m so excited to hear you love Two Girls, Fat and Thin too. I’ve heard such great things about it, and now I’m really intrigued by your description of it as 'energetic'... care to elaborate? I’d love to hear more about what you mean! And thank you for the kind words about my plans-I’m cautiously optimistic about sticking to them this year!

@@DrCrankyPantsReads Without giving too much away, I'd say that the main characters of TGFandT are depicted as having nothing to lose and few filters, so when they interact, they're playing off each other's bad energy and the story goes from there. Here's a sample sentence from Gaitskill that I wrote in my goodreads review back when I read it: "Her voice held a tea party in the garden while a child was murdered in in the house." It's been a while since I've read it, but I remember how unconventional it felt. I think you'll have a good time in that world.

This makes me even more excited to dive in!

Ah, the tumbling TBR indeed! It feels so true sometimes. 🤣 When I visited Scheltema this summer, the bookseller insisted The Evenings was 'quintessentially Amsterdam,' so I had to pick it up. I’ll be reading it in January (according to this very video), and I’ll report back! I’m so excited to hear Two Girls, Fat and Thin is one of your favorites-Gaitskill really feels like she’s having a moment, and I can’t wait to partake. Same with Kavalier and Clay-it’s been staring at me forever, but this is the year. And Shrines of Gaiety! I absolutely loved it-Kate Atkinson never misses. I hope you enjoy it, and please let me know your thoughts when you finish. Can’t wait to hear what you think!

Thank you! I get the appeal of a good giveaway table-finding a gem like a Classical Greek textbook feels like striking gold. And you’re right, sometimes it’s more ‘outdated trends’ than treasures, but it’s always worth a look! I totally understand the mixed feelings about unhaul videos-there’s a fine line between ‘thoughtful curation’ and ‘why am I getting rid of this?!’ I’m glad this one worked for you, though. No judgment on the hoarding front-we’re all book lovers here!

Oh no, that sounds like a moment! I can only imagine the chaos if you’d caught that on camera-definitely blooper reel material! I’m glad no glass flew, though. And thank you so much for finding the channel and sticking around! I’m glad you enjoyed the blooper-it’s always a little reminder that recording is rarely as polished as it looks. Here’s to more candle drama-free filming in the future!

Wow, this is such a fantastic list! March is ridiculously powerful-one of those books that stays with you long after you close it. And Olivetti was a recent read for me, too-I found it so enjoyable and surprising in the best way. I always love spending time with The Thursday Murder Club crew (Richard Osman never disappoints), and On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is one of my all-time favorites. Ocean Vuong’s writing just hits. And Four Thousand Weeks-I’d love to hear what you think once you get to it! It completely shifted how I think about time and priorities. I’m so impressed by the ambitiousness of 25-braver than I am! Just a little reminder: gift books have already served their purpose-they conveyed the giver’s affection for you. If you’re genuinely not interested in a book, that’s okay. I’m sure the gifter wouldn’t want it to feel like another thing on your to-do list. Reading should bring joy, not guilt! Best of luck with your 25 in 2025 plan-I can’t wait to hear how it goes. You’ve got such a great mix of graphic novels, fantasy, and literary fiction here!

Mr. Lear sounds good! I love books that balance brilliant writing with that 'this is incredible but exhausting' feeling. I’ll definitely add it to my TBR. As for Blake Bailey…yeah, he’s such a frustrating figure. He’s undeniably problematic, and the allegations against him are horrifying. At the same time, it’s infuriating how talented he is as a writer-he really knows how to craft a compelling biography. I bought The Cheever Biography way before the allegations came to light, and as a remaindered copy, not to support Bailey, but because I was fascinated by Cheever’s life. That said, Bailey can absolutely go away, which is why I always refer to it as The Cheever Biography and not by his name. Separating the art from the artist while still acknowledging the harm they’ve done is freaking exhausting.

That shot took way more work than it was probably worth. What got edited out was my hand hitting one of the books and sending it all toppling. Not because of the hand, but because of the language I used. Not very erudite, not very demure.

@@DrCrankyPantsReads LOl... but the end result was very good. Bravo, sir.

I’m **THIS** close to finishing the newest one and have really enjoyed it-it feels lighter compared to how heavy Big Sky was. Have you seen the Jackson Brodie miniseries? It’s definitely divisive, so I’m curious-did it work for you, or are you in the 'books-only' camp?

@ The new Brodie is lighter than Big Sky, isn’t it? I liked the Tv series just fine. The books are better, but I thought Isaacs made a good Brodie and that the series captured Atkinson’s tone.

Your comment really resonates with me. I’ve definitely felt that pull between keeping books as a kind of personal history and clearing out what I know I won’t revisit. I love how you describe a library collection as a record of who you are-but what really helped me was realizing that I am the record of who I am. It’s how I move through the world, not the things I accumulate, that defines me. That shift, along with knowing my local library is well-stocked, has made it easier for me to let go of books without feeling like I’m letting go of pieces of myself. And space, yes! That’s such a huge factor. I want the things I bring into my life-books included-to enhance my life, not add more work like dusting or moving piles of unread titles. Also: having moved several times, I am an expert at getting my book collection to a manageable size. As for teaching kids to love reading, I’m with you-it’s so important. But I’ve found that what really hooks them is helping them fall in love with the possibilities of what reading and writing can do. When they see these skills as tools for creating, expressing, and reaching their goals, their motivation completely shifts. It’s all about making that connection to their lives and what they want to do with their precious hours. Thank you for such a thoughtful comment-it’s sparked so much (perhaps too much?) reflection for me!

@ loved hearing from you! You explained all the calamities and thoughtfulness of collecting books and the importance of moving through your life without cluttering up too much. Some books have so much personal and impact I can’t part with them. Then there is the Did Not Finish pile. I’ve learned to let them go. It’s good to pass books onto others. Maybe they will be read maybe not. I tend to buy books in hauls but still haven’t read all the titles. The goal Is to live long enough to finish them!! 🤭

@@skylark1250 I love the way you think about books that have had personal impact versus the ones that just don’t make the cut. While people love to poke fun at Marie Kondo, I really took to heart her idea that we can let go of things that have served their purpose. A book you DNFed? It gave you the chance to love it, and now you’re passing that opportunity to someone else. It’s such a freeing mindset, especially when it comes to avoiding the sunk cost fallacy-'I bought this, so I have to finish it.' Says who? Life isn’t infinite, and we should be spending our hours on things that bring us joy, not obligation. And yes, the Did Not Finish pile! Letting those books go is such a small but powerful way to clear mental and physical space for the stories and experiences we do want to invite in. I’m with you on the goal-here’s to reading as much as we can with the time we’ve got.

Right? Four Thousand Weeks has such a way of shifting your mindset-it’s like a deep exhale for your brain. It made me rethink so many of my priorities and helped me stop chasing the impossible perfect productivity. What was the biggest takeaway for you?

You're so welcome-those two are such standouts! Four Thousand Weeks had me rethinking how I approach my time and what truly matters. And Happier Hour is such a great follow-up, especially with its practical, research-backed strategies for actually enjoying that time. I’d love to hear what you think once you’ve had a chance to dive in!

That is sad-I always appreciated when HPB gave even a little something for books. Little Free Libraries are a great alternative, though! There’s something nice about imagining your books finding a new home that way. Goodwill works too, but I love the community feel of LFLs. Do you have a favorite one nearby?

Unhauling is definitely a healthy habit-thank you for recognizing that! As for the crooked frames, welcome to life in a 1930s house, where the walls have a personality of their own and are always settling. If you think they’re crooked now, you should see them after a strong windstorm.

Oh, you definitely made it further than I did-kudos for finishing it, especially for a book club pick! When I was selling my copy back, the shelves were overflowing with copies, which felt a little... telling. It's always interesting how some books just don’t click for certain readers. What ended up being the vibe in your book club? Was it divisive, or were most people on the same page as you?

@@DrCrankyPantsReads Generally, the members of the book club didn't care for it. The main complaint was all the detailed sex scenes that we weren't expecting and left us feeling kind of icky.

Thank you so much for stopping by-and for the kind words! Evening Reader is the absolute best, and I’m so grateful for their shout-out. I’m thrilled to have you here and can’t wait to chat more about books. What are you currently reading?

Such a great pick for a favorite! What did you love most about it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

@DrCrankyPantsReads I found it really relatable to my personal middle school life (aside from the harassment) like bonding with friends, dealing with problems, etc.

The Third Gilmore Girl was such a gem! Kelly Bishop’s life is absolutely fascinating, isn’t it? And you’re so right about her voice-Barbara Stanwicky is such a perfect comparison. The audiobook is an absolute treat to hear her tell her own story. I haven’t seen her in Shrinking yet, but it’s definitely on my winter break watchlist. And Golden Girls? A+ taste. Honestly, Kelly Bishop in a Golden Girls reboot? I’d watch the heck out of that.

Yeah, metal bookmarks feel like one of those things that are a potentially good idea but really do not function well in the actual act they are designed for. Give me a good old paper bookmark any day...

That’s awesome! I’d love to hear what you think after you’ve read it-it’s such a powerful story. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Right? It’s such a satisfying feeling to reclaim some shelf space! Huge unhaul energy over here too-it’s like a mini reset for the reading life. Did you end up rediscovering any hidden gems while you were clearing off your shelves?

The Nest should be available either immediately or for order at your local bookshop - also perhaps at your library if you're interested in reading it but not ready to commit to giving it shelf space.

Omg the Cheerleaders......just....the covers....I love it!!!!!! Silent Night!!!! Omg. I want to just go back to my childhood for a couple hours and read them again!!!!!!!

@@shannasisak Right?! R.L. Stine was everything back in the day. I totally get the nostalgia versus “do I risk ruining it” dilemma-it’s a delicate balance! Honestly, some of them hold up surprisingly well for what they are, especially if you go in with the same sense of fun we had as kids and remember you have an adult brain now and they were not written for those. The Cheerleaders series? Iconic. Those covers are seared into my brain forever. Silent Night, though-pure chef’s kiss. If you do cave and pick one up from the thrift store, let me know which one! I’d love to hear how it holds up for you (or if the nostalgia makes it even better). Reliving childhood through books is always a solid life choice in my opinion.

Thanks so much! Comments and likes do appease the algorithm gods, so your sacrifice is appreciated. Productivity is one of those things I’m always wrestling with-so glad the video clicked with you. You’ve just joined the chorus of voices in my head helping me decide if what I’m putting out into the world is worthwhile. It’s funny how impactful comments like yours-especially with thoughtful, specific feedback-can be. Truly, they make a difference. Thanks for adding to the noise in the best way possible!