200 Book Recommendations! 📚

[@artemist99]

Jen, I don't know what it is but your videos always feel like a warm hug. Thank you for still making them during these tough times! Do you know of any fairytale retellings/magical realism books featuring queer relationships?

[@jenvcampbell]

Her Body and other Parties, The Rental Heart, A Portable Shelter, Salt Slow x

[@jenvcampbell]

Ps also, if I can recommend my own book: The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night x

[@artemist99]

@@jenvcampbell Thank you!

[@MaijaReads]

Can I jump in and recommend Kissing the Witch by Emma Donoghue!

[@meganmeaney3900]

Listening to you talk about books makes me want to read all the books! I'm currently reading your recommendation, the Age of Miracles, and I'm loving the app you recommended, Monument Valley. Much appreciated!

[@mayl1227]

All my screenshots are of your videos!! Whenever I watch your videos I end up adding a hundred books to my TBR. You recommend such interesting books that I don't see in other channels. Please never stop making videos!!

[@TheIrisMessenger]

These recommendations are great, but I just want to specifically thank you for all the work that went into this video! I really value your dedication 🖤

[@jenvcampbell]

Thank you, Iris x

[@trasslaren]

I'm so happy that you made another round of recommendations! I would like a story about family, maybe spanning across a long stretch of time. Books like this that I have enjoyed before are "Pachinko"," homegoing", "a place for us" and the "city of my dreams" -series. :)

[@jenvcampbell]

I haven't read this one myself yet but I know that Mercedes has loved it, and it does sound similar to A Place for Us tinyurl.com/y8tckz5y I'd also recommend Hamnet tinyurl.com/ybwf6brn x

[@conniest.germain260]

I just finished reading Bluets and the crying book and have been relistening to your podcast, and just wanted to thank you for having such a comforting aura and exposing me to so many brilliant writers and books.

[@douniamessaoudi]

Hi Jen, videos have been a huge source of comfort at this time :) thanks for making them! Xx

[@lindseysbooklife]

Love your rec of Ruby for the person who wanted something like Beloved (which is my favorite book). Awesome video! 😊

[@jenvcampbell]

Thanks, Lindsey, I hope you're doing ok. xx

[@lindseysbooklife]

@@jenvcampbell I am hanging in there. I'll announce this in my Friday Reads video later today but my older dog Jackson passed away last week so that has been hard. Hope you're staying well 💜

[@jenvcampbell]

I’m so sorry to hear that ♥️ sending love xx

[@shelbycole6368]

Hi Jen, just found your channel and have been binging all the videos! A book I read and fell in love with was Laurus by Eugene Vodolazkin. It takes place in medieval Russia and the main character is a doctor(?) going from town to town. I can't really express what I liked, just the whole feel of the book, it stayed with me for months afterwards. Thank you!

[@ariane1263]

I Love your recommandations. I really liked the particular sadness of lemon cake and had completly forgotten about it.

[@jf8559]

Thank you so much for your recommendations! Such a great community you have here. And thanks for the nature videos and pictures and all you are doing during the pandemic. Thanks also for your Skillshare code for two complimentary weeks! Truly fantastic and I hoping it will help my teen as well as me refine and develop our interests. Heading to Patreon now to pay you back. ❤️

[@jenvcampbell]

That's very kind of you, thank you. xx

[@danceswithvirginiawoolfs8963]

Thank you for the Secret History recommendation, it's one of my favourite books ever so it would be brilliant to chase that high again. A fantastic novella that I read recently which had a similar vibe was Yukio Mishima's 'The Sailor Who Fell With Grace From the Sea'

[@rachelrice9266]

The Secret History is genuinely amazing! One of my favourite books of all time! Donna Tartt is an amazing writer. Also, love Sarah Waters writing! Great recommendations! : )

[@bookingforewordtoit]

I loved Poor Things, I read it on your recommendation two years ago and I am still struck with the impact it had on me and the questions it made me ask!! Now please excuse me while I find all of these books immediately.

[@espeonforever8]

Tin Man completely broke me. It was amazing.

[@NeetuSingh-eo4iu]

RhouLikestoRead It is a very heart warming book😘

[@Emmareads15]

I really loved it, even though it broke my heart!

[@Larissa_KD]

Thank you for this lovely video, some amazing sounding books in here! I would love to read more books like The Muse by Jessie Burton and on a lesser extent the seasonal quartet by Ali Smith, where art influences the story and takes you on a (historical) journey.

[@jenvcampbell]

The Doll Factory by Elizabeth MacNeal tinyurl.com/y7oj425x x

[@amypink1111]

This was wonderful! thanks and much love, amy

[@saranevano4485]

thank you so much for the recommendations!

[@jenvcampbell]

You’re welcome x

[@Lionheart5375]

These recommendations are amazing and such brilliant books! If you're still doing recommendations (don't feel you need to reply if not 🙂) but I love historical novels with gorgeous metaphors and when everything is connected by strange coincidences, I prefer third person - any recommendations would be brilliant.... Not that I need to add to my TBR but always looking for new favourites! Thank you for being a ray of sunshine 😊

[@mariluzgil-cervantes1030]

Hey Jen! Thanks for all the kind and cozy content, it's been something I trust I can always go to for a bit of peace. I've just finished reading Oranges are not the only fruit by Janette Winterson and am now reading Educated by Tara Westover. The've both been great but have a similar pace and themes so what I's like is a recommendation of a book with some adventure and fun. Maybe something sci-fi like The Book Of Strange New Things?

[@jenvcampbell]

I'd recommend Arcadia tinyurl.com/u5l6ndk x

[@mariluzgil-cervantes1030]

@@jenvcampbell Thank you so much!! :)

[@springett91]

Secret History rec is If We Were Villains by M L Rio, such a good alternative!

[@haptic3660]

Hi Jen! I'm a longtime fan of your channel and what a better video than this one for my first comment :) Do you have any recommendations for an escapist book with "grey" characters and a clean but eloquent writing style? Magical realism and long, flowery prose don't usually work for me. Thanks so much!

[@laisseus]

That was an amazing video, thanks so much ♥️

[@hlndb]

You are just extraordinary! The time and attention and effort you put into your videos is truly heartwarming. Thanks for all the book recommendations, I'm going to check out the comments on the other video now to see if there were any requests that align with my reading taste. I did have a question too: Many of my favourite independent bookstores are currently closed for business and not all offer delivery. Could you recommend any online websites/bookshops that are ethical alternatives to Amazon? Ideally with not too outrageous shipping prices (I'm based in Berlin)... :)

[@jenvcampbell]

Foyles do international delivery for £7. Look at Books Are Bag on Twitter as they have been promoting indie bookshops that are still open - German Booksellers Association might be doing the same!

[@Monica-rr7ko]

I remember having to read 'In The House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods' for one of my classes in college! Matt Bell came down to speak to us about the book, and I remember mentioning to him that it reminded me somewhat of Inception (the film). I don't recall exactly what he said, but it was a great session :) :)

[@ShukriAbdullah]

Thanks for the recommendations, Jen. English Monsters sounds interesting. Also, I quite enjoyed The Blazing World by Siri Hustvedt for a book with mixed media recommendation.

[@dashinggoodbooks2427]

I second this! I'm currently reading this book and it sounds similar to Poor Things (which I now want to read!) and it's fantastic and fascinating so far!

[@thisissoosarah]

Hey Jen, this is great! Last book I loved was My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, got it in there just before all the lockdown stuff became a thought nevermind a reality! Really liked the sound of her new book but seen its release has been delayed. Best to try get a hold of her others or any other suggestions? Thanks! x

[@nrt523]

Hi Jen! Thanks for making this video, your recommendations are always strikingly on point and watching these types of video's always points me to book I didn't know I wanted to read :) I really like diving headfirst into books I can really disappear in when the worlds gets too strange, so I recently finished The Crimson Petal and the White and now I'm in the historical mood. I also really like classic werewolf stories, but I've never found a book that combines the two in a truly classic way. I'm not looking for anything like Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater but more something like The Wolfman (the film, which I think was adapted into a book). Do you know anything like that? Thanks again for your kind and bookish presence on the internet :)

[@jenvcampbell]

I'm afraid I don't - sorry! x

[@brush2canvas849]

Oh, so many interesting books. Again.😍I really miss gooing to a bookshop but this is an exellent substitute.📚 Also living for the daily squirrel count. Stay safe♥

[@jenvcampbell]

Haha, glad you are also enjoying counting squirrels. x

[@moonbook12]

Me 2

[@misskit123]

I've read 8 of these books and own one more and I have a feeling they've all been on past recommendations from you!

[@ella5452]

so many recommendations to choose from, it's almost overwhelming(just kidding it's brilliant!)thank you so much for taking the time to do this. stay safe.💕💕💕

[@moonbook12]

Thanks for answering for my request

[@ameerahalgohary]

This was so fun. Thanks a lot for the lovely recommendations ❤️

[@jenvcampbell]

You're welcome! x

[@SA-fe1ts]

Thank you!!!!

[@ulako2480]

Dear Jen! Can you show us your all fairytales and books about fairy tales? It will be amazing!I know you have many videos about fairyteles but mayby you can do this again and show great illustrations and beautiful books again?

[@jenvcampbell]

May do that at some point ☺️ I haven’t unpacked all of my books since moving and won’t be able to until we can buy more bookcases...and I don’t know when that will be x

[@joesquinn9517]

Omg! I'm so happy about this video! 200 recommendations?? Wow Jen..!😍

[@beckyaa100]

Hoping you're still doing recommendations 🤞 I loved Tangerine by Christine Mangan and I'm looking for something similar....a book that has a bit of mystery but isn't a detective/crime book and set in a different country that's not England/US/Australia. Thanks!

[@jenvcampbell]

You could check out Disappearing Earth by Julia Philips. It's has a mystery running through it but primarily it is a series of connected short stories about people living in a small town in Kamchatkan. x

[@beckyaa100]

@@jenvcampbell Wow! This sounds perfect! Russia is one of the countries I'm most interested in. Thank you so much! 🤓

[@amberrdulaney]

I read a variety of genres; modern books as well as older ones. I read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern a couple of years ago and loved it. I was wondering if you know of any books similar to it? Or books/authors from the same time frame and as Mary Stewart and Phyllis A. Whitney with writing styles resembling theirs?

[@abisawdy8366]

Hi😊 I finished ‘The Goldfinch’ about an hour ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking for a book with a strong metaphor running all the way through with a profound monologue or event at the end to sum up what I have just read (sorry I’m not great at explaining what I mean but similar to the endings of Them Great Gatsby’ and ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’) I am not a massive fan of fantasy but did enjoy Melanie Murphy’s ‘If Only’. Sorry for the ramble 😊 x

[@jenvcampbell]

Those are all very different books, ha. But for a book like The Great Gatsby or Picture of Dorian Gray, I would recommend Jane Eyre tinyurl.com/zmkmuvw Frankenstein tinyurl.com/y8mxlbtk (or Poor Things for a more contemporary version tinyurl.com/zx95oq5). Also, Hamnet would fit for a book with a strong metaphor with a profound event tinyurl.com/ybwf6brn x

[@abisawdy8366]

Jen Campbell haha I know they are I just love so many different types 😊 thank you I love Jane Eyre but actually haven’t read Frankenstein or hamnet yet so that’s great thank you 😊 x

[@jennykate10]

I would love a book recommendation! My favourite book of last year was The Starless Sea. I mainly read high fantasy but I've discovered i love a specific niche genre/trope: urban fantasy books that arent paranormal. More specifically if its a fantasy world hidden within our world eg Harry Potter, Neverwhere and Rivers of London

[@jenvcampbell]

Arcadia tinyurl.com/u5l6ndk x

[@NeetuSingh-eo4iu]

Jen Campbell It is a wonderful read, I loved reading it and all thanks to Jen🤗

[@jennykate10]

@@jenvcampbell Thank you! Ill check it out.

[@jeningles]

I want to read something uplifting during these strange times- maybe a romance or a thriller? Some of my favourite novels are Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Book Thief, and The Colour Purple - all very different writing styles and storylines, but based on that what would you recommend? 😊

[@jenvcampbell]

For a thriller, I'd recommend books by Nicci French, particularly the Frieda Klein series tinyurl.com/yeq8dr7e or if you'd like something cosier, than try the British Crime Classics tinyurl.com/r9haqen x

[@stallionsquad1194]

I found you recently on looking for pied piper video theory’s and found yours it was amazing I am now hooked with your videos do you have a video in the hobbit or could you do them

[@amymccann5469]

Thanks for these videos, they are really helping right now 🧡. I absolutely adore Margaret Atwood's Hag-Seed and wondered if you had a recommendation like it? It's such a warm hug while also being poignant, and I love the fact it's based on the Tempest 🌊

[@jenvcampbell]

I’d definitely recommend Hamnet tinyurl.com/ybwf6brn x

[@amymccann5469]

@@jenvcampbell thanks so much, I'll check it out!

[@lauraevans6285]

Hi Jen, I'm after mystery recommendation. I read 'Before I got to sleep' years ago and loved it, I also recently listened to 'The 7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle' which was great but the ending didnt really do it for me. Any suggestions would be great!

[@jenvcampbell]

I'd recommend the Frieda Klein series by Nicci French, the first one is Blue Monday tinyurl.com/ybngrj9k x

[@lauraevans6285]

@@jenvcampbell fantastic thankyou ❤

[@mariajosefinafreireknight1173]

Hi Jen! New subscriber here 🙂 I just finished The interestings by Meg Wolitzer and looooved it, and prior to that I’ve read Conversations with friends by sally Rooney. What would you recommend me to follow that same “just life passing by” path? Thanks!!

[@jenvcampbell]

Hello! Thanks for joining. I'd definitely recommend Mrs Gaskell and Me tinyurl.com/uyfyvgo x

[@EudaemonicGirl]

I've never read many fairy tales or folk lore. Is there one specific book that offers a comprehensive collection, perhaps with an academic bent, for a beginner?

[@jenvcampbell]

Not for all fairy tales, no, but if you want an edition of Grimm then get the Jack Zipes translation that was published a few years ago. His nonfiction books on fairy tale are also great, as are books by Marina Warner. If you go to my main KZbin page and scroll down to the Fairy Tale playlist, I have specific videos dedicated to my fairy tale book collection, too.

[@camillalucyify]

It is amazing to see the dedication you have to do this kind of video thank you so much for your efforts. Please could you recommend something like Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys? Thank you so much.

[@jenvcampbell]

Have you read her other work? My favourite by her is Good Morning, Midnight. tinyurl.com/lao7mhq x

[@camillalucyify]

@@jenvcampbell No I haven't thank you so much. I can't wait to read it.

[@CosminaG]

I recently read A Single Thread and absolutely loved the setting. Do you have any recommendations for something similar to that or anything set in the countryside?

[@jenvcampbell]

Doreen by Barbara Noble has a similar feel. For a more contemporary book set in the countryside I’d recommend English Animals by Laura Kaye x

[@anise8975]

Hi Jen. Love your channel! I really like Olga Tokarczuk's books so any recs for books that are a bit strange and challenging in the writing style? PS: Can't wait to read the Bass rock, I plan on buying it today if I can find it.

[@jenvcampbell]

Have you read Max Porter's books? I'd check those out. I'd also recommend Dorthe Nors. x

[@anise8975]

Jen Campbell you replied to me, I’m so star struck! Both of those authors seem great and I’m definitely interested, so thank you!

[@deborahalice]

Thank you so much for the wonderful videos Jen x I'm not sure if you are still giving recs here but maybe these examples might help someone else. I love weird fiction for example The Beauty by Aliya Whiteley, Bunny by Mona Awad & of course The Dumb House. Any other ideas? ❤️

[@jenvcampbell]

Under the Skin by Michel Faber tinyurl.com/yawpw5h2 The Evolutionary Revolution tinyurl.com/yckzoxpq Hard Boiled Wonderland tinyurl.com/thtkrsx x

[@deborahalice]

@@jenvcampbell Thank you so much, I adore Murakami and have read that one - your suggestions are A+. Love you Jen!

[@Sophie-tj2bp]

thank you for such a comforting video as per usual! do you have any recommendations for something similar to Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller? - I absolutely adored it! X

[@jenvcampbell]

I'd recommend her other books, especially Bitter Oranges tinyurl.com/y6kfu6n5 I'd also recommend these: tinyurl.com/y9ogr6ot, tinyurl.com/stye6tj, tinyurl.com/y9r2w6hx x

[@isabellacristofori8894]

This notification saved my day. Thank you 😍

[@jenvcampbell]

Lots of love. xx

[@K.Kitbex]

(Random Side Note) Truly love your haircut!

[@lucyann8933]

If anyone has a good recommendation that will make me feel the same as when you sit by a window looking out onto a pouring rain whilst drinking a cup of tea (bonus points if it is set in Scotland) I will love you forever 😅☺️

[@jenvcampbell]

The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld, Night Waking by Sarah Moss, Under the Skin by Michel Faber x

[@josediaz-bahamonde3203]

200 thanks!

[@jenvcampbell]

:)

[@Marginallist]

Hi Jen, i just wondered if you have read anything from Iranian writers, and if you have, do you have any recommendations? ❤️

[@jenvcampbell]

I love Marjane Satrapi tinyurl.com/y7g94g9q Azar Nafisi tinyurl.com/y9rf2ufp and Kaveh Akbar tinyurl.com/yd3cnsmu x

[@kemeu_]

I liked Marjan Kamali a lot ! 😊

[@kemeu_]

"Together Tea" and "The Stationary Shop of Teheran". Both very intriguing. 👌

[@unmontondeletras4742]

Hola Jen.Encantada con la posibilidad de ver vídeos tan buenos como el tuyo gracias a los subtítulos en español.Para los que no sabemos idiomas nos vienen muy bien jejeje.Gran vídeo, un saludo.

[@jenvcampbell]

¡Hola! Gracias. Estoy un poco atrasado en escribir subtítulos, me pondré al día la próxima semana. Todos los videos del año pasado tienen subtítulos adecuados, en caso de que los autogenerados en los videos más recientes no sean muy buenos. Mucho amor. X

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

Great video, I would love to get a recommendation. I would like a lovely novel about lovely Elephants, where no Elephants die, to repair my soul after finding out that Orwell killed Elephants. I like Maggie Atwood and E L Doctorow.

[@jenvcampbell]

I have to say I'm a bit stumped on this one! Sorry. x

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

Jen Campbell that’s okay, it was oddly specific. What about a book that made you laugh instead?

[@marren573]

I have not heard someone mentioned The Chyrsalids in forever. I wanted the power to read people's minds from then...

[@laelabenatti4185]

Hy Jen, you are the best👏👏😊

[@thestralvestral2724]

Which Evie Wyld book is she talking about?

[@jenvcampbell]

The Bass Rock.

[@thestralvestral2724]

@@jenvcampbell Thank you!!

[@headedforshore]

Thank you so much for doing this, Jen! Could you recommend me an adult fiction #OwnVoices book by a disabled author, please? I'm not really into fantasy or sci-fi, but anything else would be great.

[@jenvcampbell]

Seeing Red: tinyurl.com/yalt6d75, and if I may recommend my own book: The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night: tinyurl.com/yatcm2ko x

[@heianwoman]

I want to read all of these. And there is another entire set. How will I ever read them all. This was so interesting. Page T

[@BooksAndTea58]

Lovely video as per usual Jen! And thank you again for your answer to my question and all of the ones in the video! I really loved Longbourn, I think you might love it too! @valeinwanderland from Instagram ☺️✨

[@ThePurpleBookWyrm]

The MaddAdam trilogy is excellent, but BOY IS IT DEPRESSING. 😅

[@jenvcampbell]

Quite 😅

[@josephinewinter]

"the meaning of the word 'all' is?" 200 haha!

[@beckycanty]

❤