21 oddly specific book recommendations

[@goldentheponyboy]

1:37 Sapphic Horror/ Weird 2:32 A book with a characteristic writing style entirely unique to the author 3:31 Pretentious in a “impress my English teacher” way 4:10 To read in public as the hot mysterious stranger 5:11 Books for sad girls 7:12 Rich and pretty girl problems that is definitely self-destructive and depressing 8:23 Main character who is neurodivergent 9:16 A book to worsen the hole inside my heart and make me question humanity’s existence 10:19 Something that makes you stare at a wall after reading it 11:27 The strangest thing you’ve ever read 12:05 A book that will change the way you view the world 12:46 A book that feels like a fever dream in the best way 13:23 A book that would be perfect to read outside a French cafe smoking 13:56 A book that feels like Italy 14:36 A book to feel like a feminist, hot, smart, male manipulator 15:46 Books that have an old French aesthetic 16:41 A book with lots of it happening in a train 17:48 Lesbian vampire romance

[@yunaiyy]

I love you so much omg

[@Hailey-ew9hu]

you are amazing

[@ArtsandtheKraft]

Hello!! I am unsure if you have read this already, but a great book based in Europe that describes it well and is queer is: Giovani’s Room by James Baldwin

[@sindhyas21]

Zone is

[@oliviaalee]

that's such a pretty bell jar cover omg

[@isabeldookwah645]

omg I love your playlists

[@proggaparomita281]

omg hi olivia

[@lindsaydentonsfringe2553]

FINALLYYYYYY a ~booktube~ account that doesn't cater solely to ya/romance/fantasy!!!

[@douloureux.]

@@lavacaqueri5454 also better than food and leaf by leaf

[@raghad9575]

uncarley!

[@emmarose7738]

Exactly !

[@caruso9362]

Check out books and bao, they're amazing!

[@lindsaydentonsfringe2553]

thanks for the recommendations! my personal faves are The Maddie Hatter (asian fiction!), Joshua J Clarke-Kelsall, and RGsDevilship

[@sakshi5549]

pls make a separate hot sad girls + cool girl monologue-esque books video

[@basiatomaszewska9269]

+ mysterious stranger! but in a not-exactly-for-mens-approval way

[@munirafatima3414]

OMG HI SAKSHI 😭❤️❤️

[@sakshi5549]

@@munirafatima3414 FHFDDSD HI OOMF

[@fearlessAx]

@@basiatomaszewska9269 Men aren't really into sad girls.

[@anonanon2712]

@@fearlessAx seems like a lot of them are, from what I've seen.

[@catsyrhy662]

List of books mentioned, in case you want to make a list :) 1. Paradise Rot - Jenny Hval 2. Trainspotting - Irvine Welsh (any book by Irvine Welsh was recommended) 3. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoevsky 4. The Essential Kafka - Franz Kafka 5. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath 6. The Secret History - Donna Tartt 7. My Year of Rest and Relaxation - Ottessa Moshfegh 8. The Queen’s Gambit - Walter Tevis 9. The Trouble with Being Born - Emil Cioran 10. My Dark Vanessa - Kate Elisabeth Russel 11. Girls Against God - Jenny Hval 12. Notes from Underground - Fyodor Dostoevsky 13. The Dangers of Smoking in Bed - Mariana Enríquez 14. The Stranger - Albert Camus 15. The Plague - Albert Camus 16. Call Me By Your Name - André Aciman 17. Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn 18. Old Man Goriot - Honoré de Balzac 19. The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins 20. Carmilla - Sheridan Le Fanu

[@veronicasvideodiaries]

Thank you so much !

[@shreya3531]

Thankyou!

[@sofia_chicatto]

I love you

[@catsyrhy662]

@@sofia_chicatto do you know that off all the random days of the last year, of which you decided today is the day you were gonna respond, that today is the day i really needed to hear that? x) i love you too!

[@mcmoon_]

You definitely should to an entire video for "the hot mysterious stranger"

[@Michelle-rx3nd]

I absolutely love how diverse the books you included are, there’s really something for everyone!!

[@aaroamarf]

YES PLSS do more of "to read in public as the hot mysterious stranger". I'm starting uni and have none to 0 friends so I need that to cope with the fact that I'm alone lmaoo

[@lunavaasmr1618]

I hope you're doing well now

[@peanutmabel]

As a Latinamerican born and raised you just made me realize that yes, our literature is a fever dream. We were always reading the weirdest sh1t

[@adolflenin4973]

*realiSe .where do you live now?

[@juli3836]

@@adolflenin4973 "Realize" is also correct.

[@holly1205]

your prep work is the most virgo thing ever hahaha the lil notes on top of the books

[@21crybabys35]

I´d love to see a "sad girl" and a "pretentious in a impress my English teacher way" recommendation video

[@einePackungJoghurt]

Ok but an oddly specific one I’m searching for: a book that gives of a really rainy / stormy atmosphere. Set in the modern world. No fantasy. Protagonist in their 20s or late teens. Just nice vibes - I’ve been searching for one like this for soooo long

[@louiselebec5971]

if we were villains

[@NH-ur8vt]

@teenage blue I second this!!

[@morgansheehy1772]

idk if it counts as modern because the characters are reenacting life in the iron age, but Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss

[@josephinef3049]

norwegian wood! written so well

[@rse3560]

@ChillPill i’m sure they haven’t already heard of that little indie book

[@beatricevinassa9439]

I'm italian and i can assure that Call me by your name got me shivering for its descriptions of italian summer, that is exactly what it feels.

[@freyalovesbooks3824]

Could you please do more of the pretentious books to impress your English teacher? I think it is such a fun topic ☺️

[@sarahhan1867]

goethe's Faust never failed to boggle my eng teachers' minds

[@darcyreads]

I was just literally looking at your channel to see of you updated and the boom here you are! Love the video already 🤍

[@chloeabele5448]

something that fits the majority of the categories is ‘perfume’ i cant remember the author but it’s set in paris 1800s about a guy who smells things and kills people it’s an amazing classic and told beautifully

[@lahasainaypayaso3386]

It also had a 2013 adaptation.

[@edina4902]

Patrick Suskind! the main character wants to create a unique smell/perfume nobody else on the earth has because he doesn't have his own! that develops into him murdering people,good rec!

[@PamsPrettyPlants]

Great book

[@ejderhaz]

I don't know if someone has already mentioned this. A main character who is neurodivergent : Keiko in Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. Although it's never explicitly stated that she is, so keep that in mind.

[@valeriebarboza7694]

i immediately thought of this book when i heard the prompt!

[@ejderhaz]

@@valeriebarboza7694 me too!

[@vaibhavi.singh.]

Damn it I was thinking of it just now

[@grueselduesel1557]

I’m literally so happy you posted thank you

[@FeralCreatureOfIncredibleRoses]

That was so cute how you did all this categorization for us

[@itsurgirlmika]

ok dakota, we need a part two pls !!

[@skyebeattie2663]

I’m from Glasgow, Scotland and still struggle reading trainspotting it’s so difficult to read even though I hear it everyday

[@nickbelemet4257]

I have a book recommendation for the 'i want to move into a small apartment in a big city and cry because I'm alone

[@aytanitamamasita]

Also this would fit: the lonely city by Olivia Lang (not sure if I spelled her name right? ) and the Bell Jar (obviously duh)

[@lahasainaypayaso3386]

Mine would be: "And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer And Longer" by Fredrik Bachman and "A Monster Calls" By Patrick Ness. both books were pretty depressing.

[@burritoes777]

I'm currently reading The girl on the train and it is expected that you would bring that book up, your description just made everything more exciting, I'm even more thrilled to read it now!!!

[@hotdogwater1292]

Can we just appreciate the work behind this video like damn

[@laylael-houli6787]

literally so thrilled for your work to be published, looking forward to it!!!!

[@I_like_oranges_more_than_you]

please do a part 2 of this I loved it so much

[@kiaravipond]

I discovered your channel around 3 months ago… and when I tell you my taste changed, I mean it CHANGED, drastically!!!!!

[@jayhoon_supremacy6913]

My Dark Vanessa is one of my favourite book of all time too!!! So intriguing and thought provoking

[@cultbyproxy]

another “book to feel like a feminist, hot, smart, male manipulator” could be “They Never Learn” by Layne Fargo. absolutely loved this book

[@makskauzny3794]

Literally subscribed a few hours ago, because of the youtube algorythm after searching something about books, and adored the aesthetics of the channel and I get a new video almost imediately hah lucky me, looks like I'm staying here for longer

[@omarlaze146]

For an italian vibe, i would also recommend something by Pavese. I recently read “the beautiful summer” (la Bella estate) and it was amazing! I would also suggest something by Morante, for example “arturo’s island”. I honestly found it a bit boring because it’s really slow paced, but everyone who has read it, has loved it so idk. If you’re more into poetry Montale’s work is absolute exquisite, a bit hard tho

[@mariasolep4412]

Yess, la bella estate is one of my fav books ever!!!

[@jessicasbalchiero7048]

@@mariasolep4412 la Luna e i falò Is amazing!

[@wallflower8580]

STAWWPPP THAT RIBBON IS SO CUTEEEE🥺

[@squidwardsthirdtentacle1198]

Trainspotting is honestly such a great book. I have an advantage when it comes to deciphering the language of the novel as I am Glaswegian. Since the slang words are spelled phonetically, it's easy for me to sound out and understand. Great video btw, I love the way you describe books

[@winterfromwisthollow]

Please make a full video on recommendations for the hot mysterious stranger request! (also, for the train prompt: Murder on the Orient Express)

[@kristinerodriguez5310]

I loved My Dark Vanessa! My “Staring at the wall” book is Requiem For a Dream”

[@victoriatangk]

I literally laughed out loud at Old Man Goriot. That killed me. But yes, would love to see a whole video on books to read in public as the hot mysterious stranger!!

[@saraamiri3123]

Your books covers are gorgeous

[@unholyvenom]

i LOVED the secret history and i highly recommend if we were villains by m l rio for anyone who liked it! it follows a group of students at an arts school who perform shakespeare and its soooo good (and for english literature lovers, the way the boundaries between prose and verse are obscured really emphasise the motif of the transgression of the stage into reality, transgressions of morality etcetera) arguably i preferred it to the secret history but it’s phenomenal!

[@flowercrownedwriter]

As a young adult equivalent of Kate Elisabeth Russel's 'My Dark Vanessa', I would recommend Sara Barnard's 'Goodbye, Perfect'. It follows quite a similar storyline (straight-A, perfect-in-all-means, fifteen-year-old girl in love with her teacher), but it's written from the perspective of her best friend who has previously been the polar opposite of her. It's a story which makes you deeply emerge in your own thoughts and perspectives on the whole situation, while it shows how the main character grows upon seeing her 'perfect' friend descend into a mess. It also has that wall-stare effect on the reader, but very likely more light-hearted than 'My Dark Vanessa' due to this being a YA contemporary. On a different note, great video, I loved it! 💕

[@flklrvrmr]

You should film Uncarley’s “book recs based on A24 movies” video 💛

[@amandacapochim115]

love how dynamic that was

[@sidneytdm9537]

I’m literally just learning Beethovens spring sonata the piano accompaniment in the background Love your channel ❤️

[@demetersmind]

i just focused your beauty and your room design😭

[@CagedxBirdx]

This was the first video of yours I’ve ever seen and KZbin algorithm got it right. 😁 Your taste is *chef’s kiss*

[@malombre]

you know what, i literally stopped what i was doing to come here and tell you i read paradise rot yesterday and i couldn't stop reading, that book is haunting me, i love it, i wanna be that book and I'm supposed to be studying latin but I'm here writing this comment because that book can't leave me be. thank you.

[@gsvoyr]

your videos are so comforting

[@GeekPhilosopher]

I can't believe how well read you are for such a young person. I really enjoy your discussions, and sometimes I buy books based on your recommendations. Keep up the good work!

[@weswerner8477]

Omg could not agree with you more on Trainspotting, really prepared me for dialects of other ethnic writers like Hurston. Took me forever to get through Welsh’s disturbing details and highly coded dialogue.

[@megimihaylova98]

You have the warmest coziest energy 🥰 idk how to best describe it, but I always look forward to your videos!

[@RitualCat]

I love how you smile when you talk, it feels like a close friend telling you secrets

[@sayona6239]

I'm so glad this came up on my recommendations, you should defs do whole videos for some of these requests!

[@chiaracamellini4935]

Please do an entire video regarding books that make you stare at a wall after you have read them, I would loveeee it❤️

[@13thswimmer]

Would love videos on your writing process, inspiration etc!

[@gsvoyr]

guys if ur planning on reading the bell jar, i heard it has parts where plath was racist, so just look out for that

[@kalizahira1]

I love this! Such good content. It would be amazing if you could hold the books up to the camera to help those of us with spelling difficulties. But I loved the quirky but solid recommendation. Oh so much to read.

[@viggohund]

Please do more of these!!

[@MissReevsy]

I adore this video format so much! I'm currently trying to find books to put on my birthday list - im just gonna send my mum this video haha

[@sroddhaa]

make more of "pretentious in the impress the english teacher" sort of book recommendations more pls I BEG

[@Carolina013]

I love to see you genuinely happy to be filming this video ❤️ And I'm ready for the recommendations ✨

[@marydarko3380]

I stopped reading when I saw the notification, I love ur videos so much

[@agnesnurgamaa2777]

Oh my god, Cioran is one of my favorite philosophers and I have never seen someone talk about his work!! I loved your content before, now i absolutely adore you! I would also recommend his book "On The Heights Of Despair", it can be depressing but its worth the aching it leaves.

[@moirawu6686]

I can’t wait for your books!!

[@emilysparks3713]

I'm so distracted by how good your eye makeup looks pls drop a tutorial

[@hxnnxh77]

After I watched this vid I read The Secret History (my all time favourite book now) and I pictured you as Camilla just because you mentioned it

[@Gr3yw1tch]

That lipstick is absolutely the perfect shade for you. I think I have one that's somewhat similar

[@Dear_recipient]

When you said the category to ‘stare at a wall’ I immediately said my dark Vanessa. I’m doing a predictions game with this video I’m not gonna lie. Also I’m doing my NEA for my literature a level on my dark vanessa and the goblin market (it’s one of my favourite books of all time)

[@autumn2911]

Omg she’s so pretty :0

[@moirawu6686]

I have had my dark Vanessa sitting on my shelf the past few months too scared to pick it up! I know it’s so brilliant but I really don’t know if i can handle it atm ahah

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

this is just the most perfect video

[@alexia6243]

didn't except to see a romanian name on that gorgeous list but you struggling with cioran was gold

[@wabbitwabbit98]

For the book with hated characters suggestion i'd also suggest Wuthering Heights

[@eliciaroper]

All That You Are - Elicia Roper Synopsis: This novel tells the story of Athena and Caiden. Caiden is strong willed and self-less, he puts the needs of his family and friends above his own. Athena is a firecracker with a kind-hearted soul. As they go through the journey of life you will see how Athena and Caiden bring comfort to each other, as they learn to cope and mend with the pain of loss and heartbreak.

[@ella-mo6pr]

i could listen to you talk for hours

[@nickmarcs4802]

Part 2 I need more of this! I just found your channel and I am in love

[@fallisdying2077]

the way i was hoping for you to hold up "gone girl", while reading that description at 14:38 and you did just that!!

[@adonaldson8912]

I was reorganizing my bookshelf while watching this and just happened to be holding Crime and Punishment when you recommended it :)

[@megan-te2bu]

omggg thankyou for featuring me! love your vids dakota 💗💗

[@marianal335]

Every book she had made me go to Goodreads read the description and put it on my Amazon wish list 😭😭

[@avadutzi136]

perfect timing i binged your entire channel yesterday

[@poetofthestreets]

I’m so glad to see Trainspotting on here! I would’ve chosen the same one for that recc. Welsh is incredible. Highly recommend the audiobooks to get you into the Scottish flow ✌🏻

[@idklol-eu6fh]

I actually have a book recommendation for YOU that I think you would love tbh its called "the strange thing we become and other dark tales" and its a horror book filled with 8 short stories and yeah please read it I think you'll enjoy it :D its so underrated

[@emmalucygordon3594]

Andre aciman is my favourite author, the way he writes is hoenstly so beautiful omg

[@user-du7jy8kr3p]

I would love if you could make a video about the secret history, like anything about it. Btw sending you much love from Qatar 💗

[@nico-ic3fo]

it's true you do remind me of camilla a lot. i'm reading tsh for the first time ever, still in the first half, but i picture you in every part she's on

[@dsarkar1681]

Good Morning, Midnight by Jean Rhys fits perfectly into both the sad girl + moving into a small apartment in a big city cues and is sooo underrated!

[@noapesachov2218]

I hope it's not annoying but, can you please make a video about your book collection\ bookshelf? love your channel btw

[@mymessynotebook2207]

I would love more videos on this type of thing especially “the hot mysterious stranger.” One lol.

[@nameless7047]

"a whole cast of unlikeable characters" I went "haha, like The Secret History?" since I'm currently reading it. And then it came out. I slammed my table and went "I KNEW IT."

[@chariotmoon]

10:19 i agree with your choice for this one but also no longer human by osamu dazai absolutely made me stare at a wall after finishing it

[@23pael]

I LOVE THIS you should make more of these

[@saraamiri3123]

I didn't want this video to finish

[@richiiauds2715]

OMG the lighting 😍

[@maddyhays]

SO EXCITED FIR THE NOVEL!! i love everything you do and a novel sounds so exciting!!

[@ajgiza9866]

I've taken so many of your book recommendations and have loved everything single one. I would love to see a room tour btw :)

[@freddie.spaghetti]

for books where a lot happens on a train, allow me to also recommend "one last stop" for people who like sapphic, rom-com esque found family books

[@kanishkaralasi7408]

Here we go again, *adds 21 books to tbr*

[@jandres0402]

I have been hunting a physical copy of E.M. Cioran's The Trouble with Being Born for some time now. This is a sign I should not give up!

[@nour7728]

Idk why but when i read "if we were villains" you’re exactly how i imagined Meredith would look like and never saw you in my life just now

[@nicolebolivar632]

I love your literary tastes as well as your vibe, they are very comforting

[@ScullyPop]

This is a superb episode. You really outdid yourself.