2024 thus far

It´s time to do a mid year review of my reading thus far!
What is your favourite read so far this year?
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Thank you for watching!

[@southernbiscuits1275]

The greatest thing about your videos is your humble honesty. Since you live in Norway, I assume English is a second language for you. But, I have to say, you express yourself better and more clearly than people on KZbin whose first (and only) language is English. Reading what you like in a spontaneous manner is a sure fire way to succeed. So many BookTubers read those books that will impress their viewers. That sounds like an empty exercise in reading if you ask me. Keep true to your own wishes and I'm sure you will succeed!!

[@becomingabookworm]

You are way too kind! I have bought some novels by authors I have read earlier now. Pretty sure I am going to find some gems. At least that is what I am hoping :)

[@brensgems7539]

I both bump up and down by Goodreads ratings now and then, given some time.

[@apoetreadstowrite]

I live in a small town in Australia called Yerrinbool. I live in a tiny home with the love of my life, a greyhound ex-racer named Billy-Blue. I'm writing an autobiographical verse-novel called 'Hounded' which is in part turning into a love letter to him - quirky. I am addicted to Sibelius. One of my life dreams is to attend a performance of 'Finlandia' in Helsinki. I adore the English utopian communist poet (William Morris), who wrote several books of translations of 'The Eddas', & of his horseback adventures through Iceland. Ah, the book feast.

[@becomingabookworm]

Sounds like that could be a fun book! I would absolutely recommend a visit to Helsinki in general. It is quite the cool place!

[@Bryndisdaugtherofgunnar]

I also think that only reading 5 stars might get boring. How will you know that they are good if you never read anything bad? Or, maybe you will enjoy the good books better because you have also read bad ones? Anyway, I thought your discussion was super interesting.

[@becomingabookworm]

That’s probably true. Maybe the ideal situation is reading 10 5 star books and then 1 that you truly hate in between just to be reminded of everything that’s wrong in the world 😅

[@philstrand]

First time viewer to your channel. I'll be watching more. My top two books of this year so far are James by Percival Everett and Clear by Carys Davies. Also enjoyed Brat by Gabriel Smith. Mieko Kawakami is a favorite author of mine. I highly recommend Breasts and Eggs. Looking forward to more of your videos!

[@becomingabookworm]

Thanks for joining in on the conversation! Percival Everett is a name I have heard but nothing more. Looking on goodreads now he seems highly appreciated! Brat looks fun and I almost bought Breasts and eggs the other day.. But I ended up postponing it..

[@karakask5488]

I change my ratings at the end of the year after the books have been in my brain for a while. Or not. As the case may be. If you like dark and messed up, have you read The Good Son by You-Jeong Jeon?

[@becomingabookworm]

I would think that reviewing ratings later would might be beneficial. At least I expect the then reviewed ratings to be more accurate going forward than the ones given right after reading. Not read the good son but dark and messed up sure could be a theme I would enjoy! Thanks!

[@Curious-Cat]

Reading other books from authors you've enjoyed in the past sounds like a good approach to finding new favorites, I should try that too. I don't rank/give stars to books so I can't answer how many 5* reads I've had so far (or yes, I can - zero 😅). But I don't think I've found a book that is a new absolute favorite or a book I couldn't put down, which is what I'm usually hoping to experience with a book... I feel like I've become incredibly picky, which is a pain, honestly. Sometimes I wonder if that might be one symptom of my burnout, or if it's just me the problem in general 😅 anyway, I hope you find lots of great 5* books during the second half of the year!

[@becomingabookworm]

Sort of sound like we are in the same situation. I think you describe well how rating books might just be a bit pointless.. It helps me remember what I thought of a book at the time I read it but that´s about it.. I sure miss the feeling I got with 1Q84 where I thought about the book when we were not together and how difficult it was to put it down.. I am hoping it picks up for us both in the months to come!

[@MattMilu]

I think you may enjoy “The Watchers” by AM Shine. They are currently making it into a movie as well. You may think you figured what is going on, but it takes some creative and crazy turns!

[@becomingabookworm]

I could enjoy a book with some shocking moments! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@OhioEddieBlack]

Can't believe how big your shelves have gotten. I think it's awesome that you still try to read new things. So many readers put themselves in a box and don't read anything but what they've determined their preferred genres are but it's almost impossible to grow as a reader when you do that, plus you miss a lot of good stuff. You also miss some odd or crappy stuff, but reading stuff you don't like can also be important to your growth as a reader. You also made a great point about how sometimes it's hard to put your finger on why a book sticks with you. Sometimes a book will do that to me even when I don't like the book that much. Reading more books by an author you like is a good way to discover more good books. It's rare for an author to write one great book and a bunch of stinkers. Often only one of their books is popular, but that doesn't mean their other ones suck.

[@becomingabookworm]

They are now ever expanding..:) I think the same thing but I do envy the people that have a very specific thing they like and that they stick to. Must be kind of fun knowing what to read and that you´ll probably enjoy it each time. Of course that might not always be the case. I will definitely do a month with "authors I have read before". I think that would be helpful. I do want more "favorite authors" and that requires having read more than one of their books.

[@dqan7372]

This was to be my year of reading classics. Perhaps they wouldn't be five star reads for me, but they were going to be someone's five star reads, the confirmed greats. Chaos ensued and my TBR ballooned. Then I noticed I wasn't reading much at all, so I dove into Pratchett, thinking that would hold my attention more. Nope. I've done some reading, but it's been random and infrequent. Turns out I'm much better at watching KZbin or scrolling the news. I've also decided I'm a mood reader with many many moods. A book or topic I love today may not interest me again for weeks. I need more discipline in my life.

[@becomingabookworm]

I feel like I have been in the situation you´re describing. I have given myself designated timeslots where I am only going to read. Also I tend to leave phone and computer in a different room if I can. I feel that helps my attention span.. Good luck with your reads going forward!

[@MattMilu]

🐇I wish Twin Diaries was published in English so I could read it!

[@becomingabookworm]

I have to blame my self here.. It is translated but I gave the wrong title.. The first Kristof book is called "The notebook" in English :)

[@MattMilu]

@@becomingabookworm Thank you so much. I’ll go look for it on kindle!!!!

[@RDsLibrary]

Carrying on with authors you've loved sounds like a great way to up your number of 5 star books. I didn't rewatch your past wrap-ups (sorry!), but I sorted your goodreads by star rating and think a couple of sequels you might really enjoy are Us Against You by Fredrik Backman (Beartown #2) and The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman (Thursday Murder Club #3). Us Against You focuses on the rivalry with Hed and other conflicts while continuing the fallout of book 1. I really liked it but not as much as Beartown. The third book ends things really well. You can't lose with Fredrik Backman. The Bullet That Missed is the funniest (IMO) Thursday Murder Club story and has several good twists near the end. The fourth book is also good but more downbeat for spoiler-y reasons. I believe he's taking a break from the old folks, but has a new book out in September. I'm much the same as you and give very few 5 stars, mostly for the same reasons. I tend to reserve that rating for books that create an emotional impact or make me think. That said, I've had a lot of 4 star books, which is great. I suppose it's all part of the experience - the lower rated books make you value the higher rated even more. My 5 star books are The Count of Monte Cristo, Replay by Ken Grimwood, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. I sometimes go back and change ratings because I still haven’t settled on a system that really works for me. I hope you find more 5 star books soon.

[@becomingabookworm]

Thanks for checking out my goodreads! The books you mention here are all on my list. I have been really close to buing the third TMC book. Enjoyed the first ones a whole lot! With Beartown I might have waited too long because I was afraid of getting disappointed but now I don´t remember enough. Will be read this year I hope. I have only read the abridged version of the count of monte cristo, but absolutly loved it. Also loved The song of achilles. My girlfriend is actually reading it right now! Will check out the two others. Hope you also get to enjoy new 5 star reads in the near future.

[@steventregilgas5016]

Hi I’ve just finished reading Trespassers by Louise Kennedy it’s set in Northern Ireland in the 1970’s I loved it I highly recommend it five stars for sure

[@becomingabookworm]

Cool! Seem like a book with a lot of fans! Thanks for the tip!

[@books_and_bocadillos]

I am a mood reader and so I often change my reading plans. I have changed a rating on Goodreads with time and broader perspective.

[@becomingabookworm]

Cool! I never seem to make up my mind about which strategy to go for..