Happy birthday!🎉 I'm now intrigued enough to read this book as frankly your opinion is much more valuable than Goodreads.
@NerdyKathi9 сағат бұрын
I loved this video and there are so many thoughts I have on this topic but I'll limit myself to these. I've been reading fantasy since the 90s and it was obvious that it was geared towards males. There were several reasons for that. Women authors were not equally represented and most books at bookshops were from male authors. Perforce I read many male authors and loved them. Perhaps as a result I developed a preference for books targeting males. Also traditionally I think, fantasy was a genre males tended to enjoy. I knew very few women who liked it. I've never been a reader to take offence easily from a book. It all depends on the context. I won't stop reading because there is violence or racism or sexism. Unfortunately they are a part of life. Gratuitous violence however is another story. Perhaps that is yet another reason I'm drawn to what some consider male targeted fantasy. My audience is also predominantly male which I think stems from the books I discuss.
@aerialruin856813 сағат бұрын
Happy Bday! I just finished this , we are Bookclubing it for the SF/F bookshop where I work and I found it quite delightful and charming. I was rather surprised to see the dystopian tag when i looked it up on Storygraph but I guess that does make sense. Klara's perspective is so well written, interesting and funny at times. An interesting change of pace for me.
@marianneguevara8279Күн бұрын
A belated Happy Birthday Johanna!! 🎂Its very interesting how you said that Ishiguro doesn't go heavy on the worldbuilding rather he chooses to reveal things quite slowly. I'd say he does the same thing for Never Let Me Go, which I love. You have definitely convinced me to pick up Klara and the Sun. I was initially put off by the reception but thank you for reminding me that I ought to have more faith in Ishiguro, especially considering The Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go are favorites.
@Johanna_readsКүн бұрын
Thank you, Marianne!! 😊 I haven't read Never Let Me Go yet, but the reception is higher for that one. I heard Ishiguro say that Klara and the Sun was written as a response to Never Let Me Go, and I really hope you enjoy it!
@marianneguevara827923 сағат бұрын
@@Johanna_reads I had no idea it was meant to be a response to Never Let Me Go! That makes me even more eager to try it out!
@Wouter_KКүн бұрын
Congratulations on your birthday and thanks for this video. As always wonderfully articulated. I loved the background music!
@Johanna_readsКүн бұрын
Thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoyed the video and the background music!
@kurtfox4944Күн бұрын
Thanks for specifying in the title that it is spoiler free. I haven't read it yet, so almost skip over it until I saw that tag.
@Johanna_readsКүн бұрын
You're welcome! I did my best to avoid spoilers. I hope you enjoy it!
@esmayrosalyneКүн бұрын
First of all, happy belated birthday dear, hope you had a wonderful day!! 🥰 Between you, Jimmy and Merphy all gushing about this book your own unique ways, I am now desperate to try it out for myself! I am also not the type of reader who seeks for a lot of explanations in my sci-fi/speculative fiction, so this sounds perfect for my tastes.
@Johanna_readsКүн бұрын
Thanks, Esmay! I predict you might love this book as we did. Happy reading! 💕
@NerdyKathiКүн бұрын
This was so much fun to watch. The betrayals 😂😂 ... I really enjoyed hearing your answers. I'm on book 25 of the Discworld myself and need to get back to it. Favourite read and book that made me cry has to be Deadhouse Gates.
@Johanna_readsКүн бұрын
Ah, thank you! 😂 Wow, that’s an impressive chunk of the Discworld Series! I really need to get back to the City Watch subseries, and I’m also wanting to try the Witches subseries. I loved your responses to Deadhouse Gates! People talk about the intellectual complexity of the series-which is complex at times-but the emotional weight is equally, if not more profound! ❤️
@Fianna1775Күн бұрын
Since you and Jimmy Nutts are both making your way through Ishiguro, any chance of a live discussion once the bibliography is completed? Ishiguro is becoming a really special author to me so I am always happy to see people talk about him. Happy Reading and Happy Birthday! 🎂 📖
@Johanna_readsКүн бұрын
I would love to have that discussion! I'll keep the idea in mind. Thank you so much! 😊
@starlasell5698Күн бұрын
❤🎉📚❤️ Happy Birthday! I loved Klara and the Sun!!😊
@Johanna_readsКүн бұрын
Thank you! Sounds like I'm in good company! 😊
@TheLinguistsLibraryКүн бұрын
Happy Birthday! Ishiguro is amazing, and I love your background
@Johanna_readsКүн бұрын
Thank you so much! ❤️ I'm excited to read more from Ishiguro!
@PascalVoegeli2 күн бұрын
I've only come around to watch the video today #teamreplay. But boy am I always happy to see and hear you guys. A very interesting as well as insightful conversation. Also, I love how all three of you have such a healthy and well-reflected perspective on the larger booktube 'thing'. I much prefer adult Booktube (no, not THAT kind of 'adult' 🤣) to the hypefest of the earlier years. Thanks, Johanna for always being a great host. And also thanks to Rick Thunder and Cat Stevens for being on the show!
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
Hahaha! I know exactly what you mean by “adult!” Thank you so much for joining #teamreplay here! I had a wonderful time with Brian and Theo, and I’m so glad you enjoyed the discussion!
@SamPegg902 күн бұрын
Happy birthday Joanna! That was a brilliant review and I agree so much with everything you said. I love Ishiguro’s writing. His story telling is so subtle and nuanced, I feel like his worlds all have something hidden that he gradually lets you explore through the characters’ experiences. I think you would enjoy Never Let Me Go.
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
Thank you so much! That means a lot to me. Never Let Me Go is the next Ishiguro novel on my list!
@valliyarnl2 күн бұрын
I really want to read this book and do a Ishiguro themed video. I’m so glad it has gotten high praise from you and I’m glad I have a better understanding now to not focus too much on figuring out the worldbuilding bc of the lack of info dumps. Ps the salamander was super cute at the end
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
That would be clickbait for me! I fell down a rabbithole watching Ishiguro ranked videos, and nearly every fan ranked the books in a different way while still enjoying all the books. I knew that meant that there’s something special about Ishiguro and his range as a writer. Unless you’re all about publication order, I recommend starting with Klara and the Sun. I thought it was an excellent introduction to his style and can’t wait to read more! Thank you, Wera! ❤️
@valliyarnl2 күн бұрын
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHANNA ❤🎉🎉 hope you had a beautiful day !
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
Thank you, Wera!! ❤️🥰
@scoutdarpy44652 күн бұрын
AI ultimately falls to the nievity of mankind who thinks he can medicate his pain and loneliness away. That we are so operable to the point that a machine could somehow reflect us in name - because it could never exist toward the human possibility of virtue, silent though that virtue is right now.
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
Haha! It seems that even A.I.s can learn as we can!
@HabitualBlood2 күн бұрын
Great video! I'm really looking forward to reading this one soon. Need to finally finish Ishiguro's works (but I always do this, I leave one or two novels by an author I love, just so I know I have something new to come back to...)
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
@@HabitualBlood Thank you! I’m in the opposite place that you are: I need read all the other Ishiguro books now. 😅 I’m looking forward to all he has in store!
@HabitualBlood2 күн бұрын
@@Johanna_reads I wish I just did that instead of what I do. Like two of my favourite authors are Cormac McCarthy and William Gass and for both of them I still haven't read one last novel because once I do there'll be no new ones to read 😂 EDIT: at least with Ishiguro he will likely still write a few more so I should probably just get around to finishing his work!
@bryson26622 күн бұрын
Ishiguro is my second favorite living author. Glad you liked Klara and the Sun. I too loved it but prefer many of his others. Can't wait for you to read them
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
Klara was an excellent entrypoint for me, but I’m looking forward to reading all his books! I understand he has quite the range. Thanks!
@BookishChas2 күн бұрын
Happy birthday Johanna! Great review. Sometimes a really simple style works best to convey the ideas the author wants to get across. I’ve often found Goodreads ratings to be lacking.
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
Thank you, Chas! I agree about simplicity. I can get behind rich, lush prose at times, but I can equally be moved when writers can achieve as much as Ishiguro did in a 300 page novel. Goodreads is just not the best indicator of quality for me! 😄
@peteclark74612 күн бұрын
Ishiguro is not a "genre writer," unless one considers literary fiction a genre. Most of his recent novels have used various genres as a kind of nonphysical setting -- horror, mystery, fantasy...and now scifi. But just as his novels are set in Japan, England, Central Europe or wherever to suit his literary purposes rather than him being interested in describing life in any particular place, the scifiness of this novel is just a means to an end. This book may not fit in the box that many readers are expecting -- on the contrary he plays with boxes only to at times transcend, escape or ignore them. He pays no particular respect to scifi conventions -- maybe some people don't like that. For me it's one of the very best novels of recent years -- tastes can differ!
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
I think a lot of people consider literary fiction a genre though I know some consider the label a little snobby. There are authors who are somewhat similar in blending literary and genre fiction, like Rushdie, David Mitchell, Susanna Clarke, and Neil Gaiman (hate mentioning him right now). I’m not strict about books being confined to a certain genre, and I’m looking forward to experiencing Ishiguro’s range as a writer. Thanks!
@peteclark74612 күн бұрын
@Johanna_reads Of the authors you've mentioned, I unfortunately haven't read Clarke. I am big fans of the others. Gaiman is as pure a fantasy author I can think of, but he also really enjoys pastiche. Mitchell seems to use genre as a means for experimentation and innovation. I can't think of anyone else who uses "genre as setting" the way Ishiguro does. Klara and the Sun is an extreme example: the novel is set in "near future scifi land" more firmly than in any particular place!
@HabitualBlood2 күн бұрын
Nobody is really a "genre writer" so much as they write in various genres. Ishiguro has written contemporary fiction, surrealist fiction, fantasy fiction, and science fiction. Much like how Vonnegut explored many genres, or Borges explored the fantastical, or I'd even argue William H. Gass wrote horror in much of his short fiction. Most of the great "literary" writers write "genre". The difference is far less between what is "literary" and what is "genre", and more really what is literary and what is commercial. Many genre works can be completely literary through and through, whereas much commercial fiction can be marketed as "literary" while mostly being completely banal contemporary fiction that has few literary qualities. Just my two cents. Ishiguro definitely writes in sci-fi and fantasy if his last three novels mean anything!
@TuftyMcTavish3 күн бұрын
🌞 I am going to have to get to this author and this book at some point! Even though I tend towards the hard end of SF. I was looking out for your 🦌 visitor again today 😍 🍌 Is that a Banana plant behind your right shoulder, left-hand side of the screen?
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
I can see how it wouldn’t appeal to those who prefer the hard end of SF, but I would love to hear your thoughts if you give it a chance! It reads very quickly even though we paced our buddy read over a couple of weeks. That is a banana plant! My husband grew that and it just recently shot up pretty tall! 😄
@fantasticplanet3 күн бұрын
Happy birthday. Thank you for the review :)
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
Thank you so much! 😊
@andrewhanson4053 күн бұрын
Happy Birthday Johanna!!! Mine is this Monday. It's the most elite time of the year for birthdays. The way you and Jimmy are talking up Klara and the Sun ihas caught my attention. The most acclaimed novels of all time seem to sit at 3.5 to 3.8 stars on Goodreads. Work that challenges or dares to be different is going to alienate some of the audience.
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
Happy Early Birthday, Andrew! 🥳 Well said about Goodreads. I hope this book works for you if you pick it up!
@RhiannaVarney3 күн бұрын
Love the video! I have read a lot of Ishiguro, but not Klara and the Sun yet, so it's on my soon to read TBR. Now I'm super excited! Happy Birthday :)
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
I’m looking forward to reading more of his books! It seems like Klara is not a number 1 favorite for a lot of Ishiguro fans, but it was a great starting point for me. Thanks!
@WordsinTime3 күн бұрын
Happy Birthday! I thought the writing in this book was fantastic and I really connected with the character of Klara. I didn't mind the world building being mysterious, although I would have liked some more reveals towards the end. My only issue with the book was that I felt like my emotions were at a level 10 for most of the book, but felt like the ending lacked the punch that I was expecting, which might have made it an all-time favourite.
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
Thank you, Jonathan! I can understand that about the end and remember you mentioning that in your discussion. I think you’re not alone feeling that way, but I’m glad the rest of the book worked for you!
@brightwatcher37573 күн бұрын
Happy birthday!💛 I’ve added Klara and the Sun to my TBR.
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy it!
@MarionHill-vq2xu3 күн бұрын
Happy Birthday Joanna. I hope you are enjoying it. I will be celebrating my birthday next week on the 31st. Looking forward to it since I will be on vacation. Interesting review for Klara and the Sun. I read The Buried Giant a few years back by Ishiguro. I thought the characters (especially the older couple) was well done but it did not quite succeed as an epic fantasy for me. I might have to re-read it to see if I feel differently. However, I do want to read more of Ishiguro’s work especially his novella collection, Nocturnes and his most famous work, The Remains of the Day. Ishiguro is a well regarded author and glad you had a good reading experience with Klara and the Sun. Happy Reading!
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
Thank you! I’m excited to read all of Ishiguro’s books! I was already excited before this one, and I’m now confident he will become a new favorite author!
@jimsbooksreadingandstuff3 күн бұрын
Happy birthday, Klara and the Sun was a great read. A lot of great books on Goodreads have low ratings... I gave it 5 stars. Klara and the Sun has a higher rating than Moby Dick!
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
Wow! Goodreads can be so unreliable. I’m happy you gave it 5 stars! Thank you for the birthday wishes! 😊
@jimsbooksreadingandstuff2 күн бұрын
@@Johanna_reads If I look on Goodreads for a book I'm thinking of reading, I'll look at the reviews rather than the ratings. I will look a t the good reviews and bad reviews to see why readers liked the book or hated it. Writers like Ishiguro write many types of story and those readers who loved Remains of the Day may have been expecting something similar not a piece of speculative fiction. I loved the writing in Remains of the Day but the story was not to my taste, unlike Klara and the Sun.
@Johanna_reads2 күн бұрын
@@jimsbooksreadingandstuff I watched a few videos in which fans ranked his books, and nearly every video ended up with a different order and favorite. That was one of the main reasons I knew I wanted to read his books. I think that says a lot about his range as a writer and how well he’s able to connect to different types of readers wtih each story he writes. Thanks!
@thariena3 күн бұрын
Happy birthday 🎉 I loved Klara and the Sun when I read it. It really touched me. I'm happy to hear you liked it.
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you! I’m so happy you loved it too. I’m still so touched reflecting on it! 🥲
@binglamb21763 күн бұрын
Happy Birthday!🎂 The book sounds wonderful and yet another one to add to my groaning TBR.
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you! I hope you’ll enjoy it! 😊
@SciFiFinds3 күн бұрын
Happy birthday Johanna! Great video as always.
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you!! 😊
@robertunijat82993 күн бұрын
Happy birthday Johanna! I will say the same thing I said to Merphy yesterday: Klara is a great book. But Never Let Me Go by Ishiguro just blew me away so I would warmly recommend it.
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you, Robert! We’re reading Never Let Me Go next! 👀
@jeremyfee3 күн бұрын
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! This book sounds really special. I, for one, have great empathy for our future-AI overlords and want to publicly make it clear that I support them. BTW, I love the magical glow of the woods behind you.
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you, Jeremy! This book is a must-read! Think Stoner but for an AI character. Just joking…kind of! 😂
@praetorxyn3 күн бұрын
Happy birthday!
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
@@praetorxyn Thank you!
@michellesreadingshelf3 күн бұрын
Happy birthday!!🎉. I am so happy you enjoyed this book! It was one of my favorites the year I read it. I felt so connected to the themes of service and searching. ❤
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you, Michelle! I’m so glad you connected with it too! Well said about service and searching. 😊
@meowkat3473 күн бұрын
Happy birthday!!! Way to celebrate with an Ishiguro book lol! 🎉 so glad you loved it! I am a themes reader too, and I just love the themes in Ishiguro’s books. And his writing style is immaculate!
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you so much! Perfectly said about Ishiguro’s writing! 😊
@Montie-Adkins3 күн бұрын
Happy Birthday! 🎂🎂🎂 So you're what, 25?
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
You are too kind! thank you! 😄
@bartsbookspace3 күн бұрын
🥳 Happy Be Johanna! ❤ I'm so happy that you also enjoyed Klara and the Sun! Perhaps some readers miss the depth of the book in what appears to be YA-ish storytelling. I found that "fairy tale" quality magical. I love your observation regarding how human character is revealed by how each person treats/relates to Klara. And the background music! 👍
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you, Bart! I can see how this could seem like a light YA story at first glance, but it there so much under the surface in this story. I really appreciate the kind feedback on the background music and review. ❤️
@BooksWithBenghisKahn3 күн бұрын
Sounds amazing, especially cuz I eat up non-human POVs. I really liked his early lit fic books but I suspect I might love his spec fic even more.
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
I’d love to hear your thoughts, Ben! Please read and enjoy! I’m looking forward to reading all his books. 😊
@chrisantal24423 күн бұрын
Happy Birthday Johanna! I have Never Let Me Go coming up since I own that one, but Klara was going to be next! It sounds wonderful.
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you! I’ve heard Klara is his response to Never Let Me Go. I’m reading Never Let Me Go next. Enjoy!
@Talking_Story3 күн бұрын
Have a wonderful Birthday! This is an author I need to get to soon it sounds like.
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you, John! I honestly think you would love this book!
@TheJellicle13 күн бұрын
Happy Birthday! I LOVED Klara and the Sun and it was also my first Ishiguro. My understanding from other perhaps more hard core SSF friends is that they think it isn't Ishiguro's best work and it is not original; they point to Asimov's I Robot as being the better book. However, I think you hit it exactly - this is literary SF not so much about about science and robots as it is about human emotions. I thought it was beautiful and no spoilers but that ending stays with me; it is what I think about first when I remember this book.
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you! Yes, I think that’s definitely the difference. I still haven’t read Asimov, and while I’m sure I’d enjoy I Robot, Ishiguro’s style and approach fits my reading taste so perfectly. That ending is so powerful!
@TheJellicle13 күн бұрын
@@Johanna_reads We are just going to have to help it find the correct audience.
@donkevinbrown99063 күн бұрын
Happy Birthday!!!! I have fihished Forge of the High Mage by Ian Esslemont. It was not as good as the previous books but was still worth reading. Thank you for your good Review.
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you! Good to hear Forge was worthwhile even if not Esslemont’s best.
@donkevinbrown99063 күн бұрын
@@Johanna_reads I have 3 books to read before I find another fantasy series to start. The 3 books are about localized Kentucky History and then an autobiography about a man growing up in rural Kentucky.
@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD3 күн бұрын
Happy Birthday!!🎉🎉🎉 I can't wait to get to this one. I'm reading him in pub order.
@zubaerchaudhari82673 күн бұрын
Hello there hey there hey Hello hi there
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Hello! :)
@BookishTexan3 күн бұрын
Happy Birthday and thanks for the review. I dismissed this book when it came out in part because I found Never Let Me Go disappointing, but now I will definitely reconsider.
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you so much! I’m sorry to hear Never Let Me Go was a miss for you. I’ve heard Klara and the Sun is somehow his response to that book. I hope you enjoy it if your read it!
@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy3 күн бұрын
HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS TO YOU, JOHANNA!!! 🎉🎂🥳🎈🎊🎁
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you so much, Philip!!! 🥰 I know your birthday was earlier this month, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH! 🥳
@MarionHill-vq2xu3 күн бұрын
Happy Birthday to all the August borns…my favorite month of the year! 😁
@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy3 күн бұрын
A relatively low score on Goodreads is often (not always) a sign that I’ll find the book is deeply engaging and beautifully written and that it pushes the envelope. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this one, Johanna - I suspect we could learn a lot about humanity from an AI perspective.
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Isn’t it fitting that I posted this review about an A.I. perspective understanding humans when you posted about stories being uniquely human? 😄 Maybe a low Goodreads score is a good way to finding a powerful book. Thank you, Philip!
@Aaarqhev3 күн бұрын
Listened to this while shaving. Good review
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
@@Aaarqhev Thank you so much! 😄
@hectatereads1054 күн бұрын
I know I’m late to this video, but it was such a delight! I enjoyed all of the conversation. Especially interested in the female authors in fantasy in adult sphere and publishing, and the SA in novels.
@Johanna_reads3 күн бұрын
Thank you so much for watching! I love that topic as well.