2024 mid-year check-in 📚✨ best and worst books of the year so far

welcome to my mid-year check-in book tag video! i'm happy you're here. let's hope the next six months are even better!
i'm on bookstagram! come say hi: / olivesbooknook_
check out my profile on Goodreads!
/ 75832571
books mentioned in this video:
just for the summer - amzn.to/463aKV5
the will of the many - amzn.to/3WkGotU
happy place - amzn.to/4643isM
people we meet on vacation - amzn.to/4cSy9L4
severance - amzn.to/3Y54j1z
house of flame and shadow - amzn.to/3Y0ZK8v
house of sky and breath - amzn.to/46aenZd
the happy ever after playlist - amzn.to/4bInWjq
the book of doors - amzn.to/4bMF8El
my grandmother asked me to tell you i'm sorry - amzn.to/4cXguSm
my last video: • every book i read in m...
thank you so much for watching!
#bookreview #reading #booktube #bookhaul #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #booksummary #booktok #readingvlog #bookvideo #booktube

[@brereadsbooks]

Love your commentary about how ACOTAR is a gateway for reading. I’m a big believer that reading is a really great habit to build, regardless of what you read - especially in an age where screen usage is so high. Not everything needs to be so serious and high brow. A lot of people have a bad taste for reading because they were forced to read books they didn’t enjoy in school and never truly encountered a book they were excited about. If ACOTAR or any of the other popular pickups that aren’t literary award winners do that for people - that’s awesome and we should celebrate them giving reading a chance. Before the world had screens, books were how people entertained themselves. Storytelling is important, no matter the medium. ❤

[@olivesbooknook]

Thank you so much! And yes I totally agree, very well put. No one should be made to feel bad about their reading choices. If it’s bringing them joy and getting them excited about reading, that’s such a huge deal!

[@booksal]

LOOOOVE THE COLOR GRADING! the only booktube that’s giving “cinematic” *chef’s kiss

[@olivesbooknook]

This is my favorite comment of all time wow thank you so much!!!

[@jessicasquire]

Engaging with books has significantly elevated my perspective on investing. True wealth isn't built through mere savings; financial freedom stems from strategic investments. I've learned that accumulating wealth hinges on making prudent investment decisions

[@Erikkurilla01]

Embarking on the investment journey at 40, I envision a triumphant testimony of significant success by the age of 55..

[@Lemariecooper]

Books have also changed my perspective on investing. Understanding that real wealth is built through strategic investments rather than mere savings is crucial. Working with an adviser has pointed me in the right direction..

[@NievesLarish]

This intrigues me. I've looked up financial advisors online, but finding one to connect with is a bit difficult. Do you mind if I ask for your recommendation?

[@Lemariecooper]

'Angela Lynn Schilling’ maintains an online presence. Just make a simple search for her name online.

[@NievesLarish]

Wow, her track record looks really good from what I found online. I'll take a chance and see how it goes. Thanks for the info

[@ErikaLM10]

video quality is ✨qualitying ✨

[@olivesbooknook]

omg thank you 🙃

[@sydneyrenee7088]

Your commentary is SO good! So glad I found your channel!!

[@olivesbooknook]

Ah wow thank you so much! That means a lot!

[@thinkinginprint4639]

Really glad you showed up in my feed. Noticed some negative comments on this video because it's clearly blowing up (v glad for you ❤) but wanted to say the quality of your video is fabulous 👌 👏 plus you're very relatable. Ill be subscribing

[@olivesbooknook]

This is really really really nice. Thank you so much.

[@yassmin1106]

i love the simplicity of your videos and the cleanliness of your underrated post 24 hours of reading and book challenges as well as more about your book shelf

[@olivesbooknook]

Thank you!

[@rladyleo3]

So glad to see someone else talk about The Book of Doors! It was the author's debut book, and it was so good, it really needs more hype! I think he is working on the next book. I actually ordered the UK version, I really like the cover of the UK version.

[@olivesbooknook]

Yeah it really was a great book! The UK version looks soooooo pretty omg

[@micslibrary]

i recently thrifted my grandmother asked me to tell you she's sorry and now i've moved it allllll the way up on my tbr hahaha

[@olivesbooknook]

Ooh what a good find! I’m super interested in what you think about it!!

[@beliemilie]

Happy Place was such a good surprise to me, I did not expect to actually cry while reading it but I did. This book is so much more than a simple romance 😊

[@olivesbooknook]

I completely agree!!

[@Mustaphaiqbal]

I read 46 books in 2010. My highest. Dont think i can beat that.

[@sakoulas1253]

My life has improved so much since finding this channel! The way you describe books is like designed for my brain.

[@olivesbooknook]

Omg that’s such a nice compliment. Thank you so much!

[@sakoulas1253]

@@olivesbooknook you are so welcome! I can’t wait to see more of your work!

[@JillyMae89]

I always say "I'm not precious with my books" I LIKE when they look worn and used, I love buying 2nd hand books for that reason. I throw them in my bag, and if they get bent, they get bent lol

[@olivesbooknook]

I feel the same way!

[@hollyseppala2137]

Just for the summer is my favorite book of the year so far too!!

[@olivesbooknook]

It's so great!

[@imamysun]

I feel the same way about People We Meet on Vacation! Put me in the worst reading slump ever. That was my first and only Emily Henry book I've read, and now I just don't feel like reading her other ones. I will give Beach Read and Happy Place a try though!

[@olivesbooknook]

I think if you were going to give any of them a try, beach read or happy place would be the best bet! She’s definitely not for everyone, but I for sure think PWMOV is not a great picture of her work.

[@Panagiotireads]

Just finished this phenomenal collection of fairy tales entitled 'Sillies, Fancies, and Trifles' - highly recommend to go along with the books here and its perfect for the season. Keep up the beautiful vids :)

[@olivesbooknook]

Ooh, thank you for the suggestion!

[@BestKeptPlans]

I absolutely loved The Book of Doors! I haven't heard anyone else talk about it either. Really happy to stumble on someone else who enjoyed it!

[@olivesbooknook]

That’s awesome! Yeah I’m so glad I randomly picked it up from b&b…it’s been one of my most memorable reads of the year so far.

[@isalozano7719]

The people we meet on vacation is my very first Emily Henry book, and I agree - it was slowwww!

[@olivesbooknook]

Yeaaaah. Not my fav.

[@allyepizzalato4860]

I’m shook that you don’t have +10k subs!! Also what camera are you using?? The quality is soo good content wise and production wise!

[@olivesbooknook]

That is so nice, thank you!! I use a couple different cameras but this one was filmed with an Ursa 4.6K G2!

[@micslibrary]

loveeee your vibe !!! immediately subscribed :')

[@Leo_Jhonys]

Me too

[@whoaacandace]

SAME

[@olivesbooknook]

Ah thank you guys! That's so nice!

[@poetrybysuhashani__]

really enjoyed this mid-year video & the way it was filmed ✨🕊

[@olivesbooknook]

Ah thank you so much!

[@itsjoyandrea]

I resonate so much with your opinion about People we meet on vacation! Somehow it just didnt fully do it for me either, same with Happy Place. I think Emily Henry just isnt for me but thats ok 😁😊 And what a great video quality!!! 🌸

[@olivesbooknook]

She’s definitely not for everyone! Have you read any of her other books besides happy place and people we meet on vacation?

[@jaimefok]

living for these vibes!

[@olivesbooknook]

Thank you!

[@FloatingInSpace5702]

I totally agree about happy place! A lot of my friends didn’t like it, but it was so much more than I anticipated and since some of her books have fallen flat for me.

[@olivesbooknook]

Yes exactly!!

[@faithsreadingthings]

I just recently got the will of the many ok kindle🤭 you got me excited for it

[@olivesbooknook]

Yay!! I hope you like it!

[@Chapter_Twelve]

I 100% agree with the happy ever after playlist. It felt like the second half was a totally different book.

[@olivesbooknook]

Uuggghhhh yeah. So frustrating.

[@jooleah4074]

Finally someone who thinks similar of People we Meet on Vacation as me. I thought I was going to like it more than I did for the exact same reasons

[@olivesbooknook]

Yeah! Just wasn’t my fav. But it’s so interesting seeing everyone’s different opinions!

[@Bougie_Nerd]

I love a well-used book! Even when I'm looking for used books, I want the dog-eared, written in the margins, highlighted books.

[@olivesbooknook]

Saaaame!

[@MaddysLibrary]

You might like the Licanius trilogy by James Islington! I loved it even more than the will of the many and its multiple POV (one is a female MC!!) I never see anyone talk about it but it’s one of my all time favorites

[@olivesbooknook]

I've really thought about picking it up recently! I didn't know there was a FMC actually, that definitely makes me want to grab it even faster now...

[@amieg]

Your vibe is so cool! 🥰

[@olivesbooknook]

Ahh thank you :)

[@1U7S7A6]

I had to subscribe! Books are just absolutely amazing.

[@olivesbooknook]

Thanks!

[@ericad3397]

Excited I found your channel ☕️📚🕯️ I am to bias about female lead characters, I’ve had the will of the many in my cart and debating if I should purchase . You have convinced me, good review.

[@olivesbooknook]

Ah thank you!! Happy to have you here! You should 100% start on the will of the many. It is sooooo good. It was intimidating to me at the beginning but once I really got into it it became an instant fav.

[@OwenL2020]

We need to normalize talking about number of words per book instead of number of pages. Type face, page size, margins all play a huge difference in how long a book actually is.

[@GM-tu7di]

I have always loved reading, but have recently fallen down the book tube hole and ramped up my consumption a lot. Always preferred thriller and romance novels… but so many videos are hyping up these fantasy novels and I’m tempted to give one a try🤔

[@olivesbooknook]

You should give it a try! You’ll never know until you do. :) I know it’s not for everyone but I’m definitely a big fan.

[@d.edwardmeade3683]

My goal this year is 52 books.... As the third week of August closes, I'm at 17 🤣🤣🤣 But I usually read heaviest during Autumn so I'm not out yet 🤗

[@olivesbooknook]

I always read a lot in Autumn too. :)

[@jenniferschmitt6505]

Love your videos. Suggestion: when editing your videos change your playback speed to 1.15. it will give it a better flow and keep listeners interested. I am a slower talker and wish I could do that to myself in real life 😆

[@syahnaz3359]

I really like this video especially you! Has anyone mentioned that ur voice and gestures are really like Billie Eilish? 😂

[@olivesbooknook]

Thank you! No one’s ever told me that before but I’ll take it. 😂

[@mwebdeveloper]

This is the first time l see someone talk about the worst books

[@cherylclough4309]

I love Abby Jimenez.

[@olivesbooknook]

She’s great!

[@Lotta-n3y]

i loooove this video

[@olivesbooknook]

Thank you!!

[@amnathneha7103]

Hi what’s the camera you use pleaaaaaseee reply

[@olivesbooknook]

Gonna be honest, my husband helps me with all my shooting. He uses a Blackmagic Ursa 4.6k

[@rima97_]

What camera do you use?

[@olivesbooknook]

My husband helps me film everything! He uses a Blackmagic Ursa 4.6k

[@rima97_]

@@olivesbooknook amazing quality!

[@brookeabeasley]

you’re the coolest

[@olivesbooknook]

[@antoniorobles8302]

interesting, keep it up, reading is awesome

[@olivesbooknook]

Thank you!

[@Didi_Online]

18:50 But is it a gateway to reading good books? Cause it feels very insular how these communities are being build around these novels. I can have loads of fun reading better books (that are easy AND have actual plots). At this point, SJM is publishing anything and getting a stamp of approval to do so because she is a cash cow for her publisher. I started reading SJM lonnnnnnnnng time ago before any hype, and literally stopped because her writing got so bad that it was unjustifiable for me to keep spending my money on her. She doesn't even write good sex scenes (if that's what is bringing people into it now), they are actually dog shit. Throne of Glass is her best series and the only one I would recommend.

[@olivesbooknook]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and taking the time to watch this video! When it comes to reading for personal enjoyment, (rather than in a professional capacity), I believe the concept of "objectively good" and "bad" books becomes less relevant. If a book brings joy to someone, it shouldn’t be dismissed or criticized because it is “objectively bad”. Personal taste in literature evolves over time, and what we enjoy can change as we grow and read more books. For example, there are plenty of YA novels I loved as a teenager that I now find poorly written or cringeworthy. I would NEVER pick them up to read them again. However, I don't regret reading them in the first place because they sparked a love for reading. And even if I wouldn’t pick up a YA book anymore today, those initial books led me to explore other genres and develop my tastes. If someone reads ACOTAR and it inspires them to continue reading, whether within the same genre or beyond, that’s a huge win in my opinion.

[@Didi_Online]

@@olivesbooknook "When it comes to reading for personal enjoyment, (rather than in a professional capacity), I believe the concept of "objectively good" and "bad" books becomes less relevant. If a book brings joy to someone, it shouldn’t be dismissed or criticized because it is “objectively bad”" I don't see a problem with ACOTAR inspiring people to continue reading (thats great!). I do have an issue with the statement above, though. Yes, personal enjoyment can lead into you lowering your standards on writing (and that applies to everything really : movies, music, fashion, etc). That doesn't change what in fact is good/bad writing, though, just your consumption of it. And as long as you are aware, it shouldn't be a problem with you hearing valid criticism of any book for that matter, you can even have a laugh about it. Because a book will still have good or bad writing, regardless if you grasp the nuances (or lack of) of the writing. So yes, I can criticize a book for being bad because in no way I'm saying somebody else can't find joy in it. One has nothing to do with the other. People can also opt out of reading any criticism about their comfy reads, it's up to them, they dont have to stop consuming SJM. I did though. But I'm also privileged that she didn't introduce me to books or even fantasy for that matter. When I read SJM, I was already more than 10 yrs deep into my literary journey. Keep in mind that at the time her books were not even sold as "romantasy", it was just fantasy, and what made me stop reading her was her bad fantasy writing and plot/character development (I could skeem over the cringe sex scenes). So obviously what lead me to read her was not what's leading people to pick it up now, which made it easier for me to just give up on her. But I also worry that people are not and do not want to go out of their bubbles to try other things. Whenever I see a tiktok on my feed of someone saying you shouldn't read this or that fantasy novel because it doesn't have spice in it, it hurts my soul. And just to be clear, I read everything, even smut and other romantasy books, so obviously I have no problem with those. My point is more in regard to the impact of ACOTAR in the industry and readers. Reading 800 pages doesn't mean much when I can blindly pull half of those pages off and have zero impact on the plot of the novel. Which is pretty much the case with more than half of the books from her that I read.

[@haleymartin4435]

Do you have a Goodreads?

[@olivesbooknook]

I do! My link is in the video description :)

[@jessietijerina2121]

I’m conflicted because I want to hear her out, but she sounds like she only reads books about pretty butterflies and sparkling vampires, maybe she shouldn’t announce right away that she only likes simple books.

[@olivesbooknook]

lol, clearly you didn’t watch the whole video. Which is fine, by the way, but not sure why that means it’s okay to make an assumption or judgement about my personal tastes in the comment section. I read books for fun and books that make me happy, and sometimes those just happen to be simple ones about pretty butterflies. We shouldn’t shame people for reading what they want to read just because they aren’t literary award winners.

[@itsjoyandrea]

What is wrong with liking simple books? What is so superior about reading complex books? We read because we love it, for the joy of it! This comment was not necessary, at all.

[@leighs1522]

Unnecessary comment, Jessie. Loved this video! Subscribed to your channel! 🦋🧛‍♀️ Sorry the vampire emoji doesn’t sparkle.

[@olivesbooknook]

@@leighs1522 Haha, thank you so much!

[@olivesbooknook]

@@itsjoyandrea yeah *this*

[@NooksFullofBooks]

Subscribed within a minute ❤ I will watch other videos / follow you on Insta shortly. Thank you for this video! Ps About to start posting myself (if nothing gets in my way, hopefully by the end of the week!); would be fab to connect! :)

[@olivesbooknook]

Thank you so much!