5 Years of Leaf by Leaf

[@ChaoticSatire]

Still the best book channel on youtube.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Extremely kind of you to say!

[@jdfromparis6230]

Congratulations Chris, it's been a pleasure to follow you and watch your videos in the past five years. Here is to five, ten, fifty more even! 🍾🍾🍾

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Merci mille fois, mon ami !

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Congratulations! You’ve done a fantastic job, and I’ll be here for the next five years!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thank you so much!

[@dom_mld]

Thank you for all the work that you do. Tomorrow I am moving out of my dorm after finishing my first year of my English Literature degree, an interest that you helped solidify for me over the past two or three years. Congratulations on five years! I also can't believe you mentioned 'Melville: A Novel' here! I just read that this past month and found it absolutely stunning. A truly original book, and a great companion to Moby-Dick. And 'Ishmael'! Another fantastic novel that I hold dear to my heart. Ishmael and all of it's sequels are deserving of endless analysis :).

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I feel so honored to have been a part of your studies! Congratulations on your first year of the degree. And I wish you the best in life!

[@willsi]

Glad to see someone living that literary dream out there. Here's to another five, Chris!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

:):):):) -- I have to do it _in addition to_ a non-literary day job, but, yes, you're right -- I am living a literary dream!

[@willsi]

@@LeafbyLeaf After several years I'm finally getting back to mine. :) Love the channel. Thanks for helping me get back into literature, esp' modern day works.

[@hollowhungarian]

The Gravity's Rainbow-shirt. 🥳

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Obliterature makes the best literary tees ever. www.obliteraturetees.com/

[@harukimurakamiart]

Congratulations, and thank you for being here.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

My pleasure! Thanks so much!

[@ityem-d6n]

Congratulations! Huge fan of your channel and a former high school student from Kyoto who detested Tale of Genji being used as part of compulsory curriculum here. The one thing I was deeply struck by was your pronunciation of Japanese language in Tale of Genji video, so I am again awe struck that you are still willing to improve in foreign pronunciations, while I am pretty much used to how much Japanese language can be easily mispronounced. You have given me a reason to revisit one of the world’s oldest literatures and appreciate its beauty for the first time. Looking forward to even more videos on great literatures from all over the world!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! Very cool to have people here from all over the world. I really appreciate the kudos on pronunciation--I spent several Zoom calls with a tutor who helped with those terms and words and names. Do let me know what you think when you revisit _Genji_ . Similarly here in the States, we are effectively taught to hate _Moby-Dick_ and left to rediscover it on our own later (which most people don't do). All best!

[@osobazjebanana]

as a new visitor here, your production quality is top notch! The experience is amazing 😀 One thing to consider would be to when you talk about a book, just spend a minute or two on showing the book from all sides, some info on printing and the publisher bc like I often use yt just to compare the quality of the edition when I have two to chose from (and it is how I get to your channel btw ;) )

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Ah, that is an excellent idea! Thank you so much for the kind words, too. All best!

[@omarelric]

CONGRATULATIONS, it has been a lot of time already. I'm glad there's still someone keeping tabs on the bastardly doings of the hermetic scribemasters. Book repulse everyone I know, yet people still yearn and thirst for stories, myths, narrative, a mold to give meaning to life and reality. I know I'm a bit late, but I'm very grateful to you and your service. I've come to know so many amazing books and cool cognitive tools through your YT channel. Thank you Mr Chris.

[@BlueDusk95]

Thank you Chris for making me encounter new friends through their wonderful books. I discovered your channel through your dialogue with Cliff Sargent a couple of years ago and now I'm a faithful follower of the both of you. Many more years!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

My pleasure! Thank you so much!

[@Shreyaaaa0610]

OMG, im sipping my coffee too as im watching you. I always diligently add every one of ur recommendations to my tbr list and I have ordered them slowly over last one or two years, as i finished reading one by one... It has been a lovely time, never ever thought id find people like this, before yt and internet became so big, none of my friends were interested in books and i got bullied for being a 'nerd' more often than not. whether it is 12 am or 4pm or lunch break at the office, listening to you is like having a casual conversation in the couch with someone that finally speaks ur native language in a foreign country, that is the kind of comfort i feel, thank you so so so so much for your effort, Most booktok is brainrot, you have proved all of them wrong. Thanks man! Hats off to you! Genuinely wishing you the best for your career, your fam and your lovely daughter. It is a blessing to have such an educated dad. Wishing all of you great happiness and hope all your dreams come true. Havent watched the video yet, Next I am about to read all of Rilke's works and Ben learner Waiting for more and more lovely bookish conversations, A well wisher from India :)

[@LeafbyLeaf]

This was such a wonderful comment to read. It is very moving to me to know that the videos are reaching people in such ways. And in India, no less! (Which reminds me that it's really time for me to start expanding my knowledge of Eastern literature.) All my very, very best to you and yours!

[@gabbii_playz]

Congrats Chris! I’ve been here since the beginning! Love your work and can’t wait to see what comes next! Happy 5 years! 🤍

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thank you so, so, so much!!! XOXO

[@Steveisdriftless]

Congratulations Chris! Hard to believe you have been a part of our lives for 5 years, glad for it.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Very kind of you to say--thank you!

[@jackwalter5970]

Great job, Chris! I cannot praise you highly enough for what is probably the best BookTube channel out there. Thank you for promoting quality literature in an involving way. You're terrific! BTW, The Story of the Stone is great.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Many, many thanks to you! This is really an honor, a privilege, a blessing in my life!

[@Paromita_M]

Many, many congratulations and here's to many more years. Your channel is a treasure trove. Happy reading.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thank you so, so much! Yes--happy reading!

[@ajw99a]

A year of Shakespear sounds great. I've also wanted to make such a commitment.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Ah, you found the hidden 20th list!

[@Librarypencils]

Congratulations on sticking with this. All good things come with time! Regarding your bookshelf tour, I would recommend you getting a GoPro head strap or chest rig. Nobody will see how silly you look but it will be able to stabilize and capture a wonderful POV of the shelf

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so very much! The head-strap GoPro is an _excellent_ idea! Thank you!

[@lucaseravalli4924]

Congratulation to the first lustrum of the channel, Chris! I was flattered to be mentioned as the one suggesting you Blinding and I am always so happy to see that the great Mircea Cartarescu keeps being among your favourite authors (being in 3 of your top 5 lists!). And I’d also like to share with you that The Recognitions was the reason I found your channel: after being blown away by this masterpiece I could not find much about it, so I stumbled upon your video on this book. And it was like discovering an hidden gem in KZbin (not the first place where I thought I could find high level literary material, honestly). Here are 5 things Leaf by Leaf has given me: 1) the drive to keep reading great literature 2) the happiness to know that high quality, complex, even difficult books are appreciated by many people 3) the disbelief in being the one (I, a isolated reader in an obscure little city in a small country) promoting a great writer like Cartarescu to you and many other readers 4) the uncertainty on taking on serious reading in english and on abandoning translations (I’d love to try Pynchon, Gaddis, DFW, DeLillo, McCarthy in original language, but I am afraid of the task) 5) the feeling of being, after all, not so isolated in appreciating good literature! 5 more years!! (and, than, 20 more!!)

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Grazie, grazie, Luca! Very kind of you (and creative) to give me your own list of 5. It's amazing how much your words resonate with me. The whole reason I started this channel was because I felt like I was totally isolated in my literary tastes. And now: here we are, together (in a way)! All my very best to you and yours!

[@alexgdsu7785]

been with you for three years!!!! hopefully hundreds more!!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Hear! Hear!

[@brockginther7149]

Congratulations Chris! You've built one of the best channels on KZbin, truly.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Really appreciate all your support, Brock!

[@StoryGirl1128]

I’m new, but I’m happy to be here. Congratulations on 5 years! 🎊 🎉

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Glad you're here! Thanks so much!

[@cilliansands6166]

Dude, your floor shelves. 😂 I never noticed until now. Kudos to you for making it work; I have those too. I got as high as turning windowsills into shelves. Happy 5 year anniversary, Chris. It's always a pleasure to watch your videos.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

They are, indeed, everywhere! You can't see the piles and stacks on the wall in front of me! If my windowsills were deeper... Thanks for the kudos!

[@harrymusic5507]

Thank you for these videos, and congratulations on 5 years. I suspect KZbin must feel like shouting into the void at times, but I hope you know that even if the echoes don’t come back to you, your thoughts are certainly reverberating with many many people. You are really giving out something which can’t be gotten elsewhere, so thank you!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Very, very kind of you to say. Thank you for that encouragement. Yes, even if each video only resonates with one person, it's all worth it. Thanks so much!

[@Robert-si5su]

In my opinion there is no finer “book-tuber.” Thank you for all that you do!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Wow, I'm honored! Thank you so much!

[@deaddilly]

Thanks Chris! You have enriched my reading journey both in your reflections and your recommendations throughout these 5 years. One small thing, Zizek was actually refuting that quote about "an enemy is somebody who's story you have not heard". His point is that attempting to humanize evil figures by viewing them at their innermost level is incorrect. That there is always an immense gap between intimate thoughts and actions. He goes on to say that "the story we tell ourselves about ourselves to justify what we are doing is fundamentally a lie". Although, w.r.t reading I totally understand the initial quote. Just wanted to clarify :)

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Ooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Was it from _In Defense of Lost Causes_ ? Thanks so much for clarifying the context. I guess I read what I wanted to read there. All best!

[@reecemcdermott]

So happy for this Chris! You have become my absolute favorite on KZbin for all things literature. Still excited for your eventual journey into Finnegans Wake, will put down any- and everything once that happens and the video releases.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! There are a few holy grails waiting for me: _Finnegans Wake_ , _Bottoms Dream_ ... One day!

[@Kevin_Street]

Congratulations! You've got a wonderful channel.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@michaelcroke1103]

Congratulations on the 5 year milestone Chris! Thank you for all your priceless content, you've introduced to me a lot of new authors and books, and been very inspirational with your literary taste. Here's to 5 more years!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! This has been a real pleasure! All best!

[@vidaemmanuel6620]

Congratulations Chris, I was wondering if you could do a few more videos about the Tale of Genji?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I plan to do future videos on different translations, especially the Seidensticker and the Waley. Cheers!

[@w.davidwinslow6989]

Congratulations on five years Chris. Very impressive! I ordered Surprised by Joy at your recommendation. I look forward to reading it.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Dave Winslow! What's up, dude?! You will love it! Also, if you haven't read it, Lewis's _The Problem of Pain_ is excellent. Oh, and _The Abolition of Man_ !

[@maxkproductions]

so glad to have been here for over half of this incredible channel's lifespan. here's to hopefully many more years!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Glad you've been here, too! Thanks so much!

[@leonmusic1699]

Congratulations, Chris! Its been a long time since I subscribed to your channel, and since then you‘re definitely in the tryptiche of literary commentators on KZbin for me. Beside Cliff from betterthanfood and Matt from Bookpilled. Vastly different views and interest, but all captives to an overlapping passion, on the search to be found themselves! All the best and many more years of and videos about reading! Leon from Germany!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Wow, I'm very honored by this! Danke schön!

[@thescribe413]

Congratulations Chris!!! You are a huge step in my personal discovery of literature, along with several teachers, you helped instill a love of great literature in me. For that I am forever in your debt! May many, many years of good reading and success in your literary adventures be ahead of you.

[@timkjazz]

Five years? Wow! Where has the time gone? Thanks Chris for so many book recommendations, many I was unaware of, many I was procrastinating to read that you gave a nudge to me with a great review. Thank you fine sir, and I hope we get many more years of great reviews, you are truly a national treasure. It's always a good day when I see a new review/discussion is posted by Leaf by Leaf. Rock on Chris!!!!!!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've enjoyed your company over the year. All my best to you and yours!

[@darkstop5]

Congratulations! Just discovered this channel in April by searching 'Gaddis reviews' (rabid JR fanatic here) and so glad I found your work! And here's one way to get to Frances Yates' The Art of Memory: Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition was more interesting to me, I read that first b/c interested in the guy, but reading that made me want to read more of Yates.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I, too, have been interested in Bruno every since I heard about his concept of the memory palace. This is a fantastic idea. Thank you!

[@brianclary8205]

Congratulations and God bless! Thanks for mentioning Vollmann a few times and for bringing out your hardcover edition of Women and Men…. Yes, reading it is an experience worth waiting for!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much and God bless you, too!

[@nosmoker8]

I can’t wait for the Pale Fire video. Judging on the sort of books you usually cover, I thought that Ada would be more of a fit for this channel, as it is Nabokov’s most maximalist piece, but Pale Fire is more of a puzzle (not that Ada is not) so I guess it would be a lot more entertaining as a method to interact with us. Congratulations, God bless you and your family and this channel.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I was just telling a friend the other day about _Ada_ ! _Pale Fire_ was one of my first Nabokovs and it retains a sort of nostalgia and mystique compared to _Ada_ . Blessings to you and yours as well!

[@cristinaa3186]

Congratulations! Thank you for all the content you share in this channel, the high quality of it is undeniably, and your passion is dangerously contagious. To many more years of fantastic reading!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! All best to you and yours!

[@valpergalit]

Congrats on the milestone!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@dinkpress4214]

Congrats Chris. Thank you for all you’ve done!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@gailygoo86]

congratulations on five years !! happy father's day and a very merry bloomsday to you too!! your channel has been such a wonderful help in nourishing my rebudding love for literature during difficult times!! thank you for your most encouraging presence and endlessly admirable passion for da bookz!! here's to 500 more years of leaf by leaf !!! to infinity and bookyond !!!📕 🍃🚀🎉

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! All best to you and yours!

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

Great library. Best wishes to you.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@tnan123]

Wonderful channel. Thanks for 5 years of great book content!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

My pleasure! Thank you so much!

[@petergold6320]

thanks so much for the content you make man. I hope you know that your unwavering enthusiasm about all kinds of good literature is inspiring and infectious. I think I subscribed around 2.5 years ago previous to that I had not read anything properly for about 3 years. I am just turning 18 now and am currently reading runaway horses by mishima. Thankyou for sharing your authentic joy for reading.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! This has been a real pleasure sharing my passions. So glad to hear you’ve been inspired. Mishima is excellent! All best to you!

[@jcespana7237]

So grateful to have discovered this channel, your commentary of your readings is refreshing and fun to watch (and listen), most of the times I get this feeling of surprise when I listen to you, cause you bring ideas that I didn't think about... anyway thank you and happy five years to leaf by leaf

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! It’s great to have you here! All best to you and yours!

[@joseramirez-hh2sw]

Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉🎉 your on the sublime video was how I discovered your channel and I still go to it from time to time. Again congrats 🎉 and thank you so much for 5 years Edit: great way to start this morning

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much for all of your support!

[@dehiscence]

Congrats, you have influenced the reading lives of many, including me 🎉

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I feel so honored! And I take that seriously. All my very best!

[@augustmcwake]

What a journey!! Loved finding your channel in early 2020 and reading Musil along with you. You've come so far!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Wow--4 years in! High five!

[@GypsyRoSesx]

5 years!! Congratulations Chris!! 🎉 🥳 🍃 📚

[@GypsyRoSesx]

I would like to answer one of your sets of 5 questions (can you guess which one it was?): The Iliad Gilgamesh Metamorphoses The Jewish Bible Egyptian Book of the Dead And bonus: Linear A tablets 😂

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! I'm guessing the question was: Which books would you like to be able to read in the original language?

[@GypsyRoSesx]

@@LeafbyLeaf correct 🤭

[@menelvegor]

Monumental! Been w this channel since nearly its inception and I'm so glad seeing what work you've put in!!!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thank you so much for hanging out with me all these years!

[@Thusbelife]

Thank you my friend for putting in the effort and creating a great place for book lovers! I wish you the best and look forward to future videos.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

It is truly a pleasure! Thank you so much!

[@bjwnashe5589]

Congratulations! You are doing a great job with the channel.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Really appreciate it! Thanks so much!

[@KulchurKat]

Happy KZbin Birthday Chris. As a budding book designer, I loved your list on Type notes 🎊 🎉

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Yay! So glad someone responded to the notes on type! I do so treasure all the physical elements of a book. Lately, I've been enjoying London-based Sylph Editions.

[@KulchurKat]

@@LeafbyLeaf I’ll check them out. I’m a big fan of the design of Russell Pearsson’s The Way of Florida on Little Island Press.

[@marcusklugmann4293]

Cheers! That was very entertaining. I love your work, and I'm looking forward to videos on short story collections (maybe even an interview with Garielle Lutz?).

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! Lutz is an excellent suggestion!

[@Ozgipsy]

I’ve enjoyed the ride. Thanks.

[@ana-anatomiadolivro-2244]

Congratulations! I have read many wonderful books thanks to you 😊

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Music to my ear! Thank you!

[@DanielGarcia-mv7mf]

You're the best!!! Congrats!!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@a_k5604]

Congratulations!!!!❤❤❤

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@brendanward2991]

Congratulations, Chris, and many happy returns. (Looking forward to your video on _Pale Fire,_ a book I keep going back to. I also have the audible version, which is a wonderful performance.)

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much for all the support (and coffees!), Brendan! Perhaps I should try that audiobook...

[@B4CKWARDS_CH4RM]

Congratulations! Thank you for everything you’ve put out thus far.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Really appreciate it, thank you!

[@sventhemoose1218]

Congratulations! Great channel, love it! And thanks for all the fish, I mean - recommendations! 😀

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Haha! I'll be sure to use that Adams quote if I ever make a final video!

[@dqan7372]

Congrats on five years!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@NAFUSO1]

I was the English major who hated the classics. I own many, but just didn't read them. I found your channel. The passion you have for them made me want to go back to those books that sat, unread, on my shelves for over 20 years. And I've found that I love many of them. I read all of Shakespeare's plays last year and liked most; loved many. Don Quixote may be my favorite book of all time now. That said, our tastes still don't fully align (which is probably going to be true for any two readers). For example, I finally read Infinite Jest. Good God, I hated that experience.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I'm so thrilled to hear this! I would much rather you fall in love with Shakespeare and _Don Quixote_ than _Infinite Jest_ ! You're right--no two readers will ever be 100% isomorphic. All my best to you!

[@fefevicario]

Congratulations! Great video and, as usual, awesome lists! Buenos Aires will be more than happy to have you 😊

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! I feel certain I will be there one day!

[@kieran8060]

Have you ever, or considered, reading Samuel Richardson's Clarissa?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Absolutely, definitely considered it. In fact, started it a couple times and realized I wasn’t ready for it. So it’s waiting for me to catch up.

[@Vronsky-dd8mg]

Congratulations! Keep up the great work! 🎂🎆📚

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@TKTalksBooks]

Congratulations! 🎉🎉🎉

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@priyankadubey1418]

Many Congratulations! I am here to again make a request for a Susan Sontag episode …she is my fav writer and I request you to please do an episode on her work 🙌

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! And-you’re right-it is shameful that she’s not on this channel yet! Thank you for nudging me. 🙏

[@Paulo-1999]

Whose face is that in the upper right corner? I'm referring to the black and white photo of a writer that appears on the spines of a four books set.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

The great Samuel Beckett, eternally glaring.

[@avolynfisher]

Congratulations!!! Love this channel ❤️

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@burke9497]

Chris you are awesome! I love your channel. You were talking about pronunciation. I’ve read In Search of Lost Time for many years. I mentioned to a literature professor patient of mine once that I enjoyed reading Pr(owl)st very much. He told me that most people pronounce it Pr(oo)st. I had never discussed the author with anyone before. I appreciate that you can love an author without necessarily knowing how to pronounce his or her name. ❤

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! And thanks for sharing that with me. Of the many corrections I’ve received, one was my pronunciation of Goethe as GO-eth. The correction came in the form of a Jeopardy! contestant answering a clue with a confident: “Who is GER-tuh?” And I was like: Ohhhhh! 😁

[@penguitrom3249]

Really loved this video, and love to see your growth. Please read eastern philosophy! I would really enjoy seeing your thoughts and how different it feels from western.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! I'm really looking forward to venturing into and travelling about the Eastern hemisphere!

[@rickharsch8797]

Brilliant conception

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much, Rick!

[@thunderwood]

Congrats! Love the channel!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@sonybluraydisk]

What an achievement! Congratulations and thank you for this beacon of literary enlightenment. edit: I'm happily sipping along my filter coffee.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@MaximTendu]

I loved the last list- and the rest of the video content, as well. I agree on Moby Dick: it must be The greatest of the Great American Novels. My East-Asian wife has been raving about The Story Of The Stone (or Dream Of The Red Chamber, as is known over here) for years- something I'd like to reiterate to you. Carry On The Good Work ! ! ! ! !

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! I’ve enjoyed your company over the years! I’ve got Stone/Red Chamber slated for next year! All best!

[@sethmcgaw6712]

Congrats - and I'm glad you started off with Mason & Dixon : the fact of the existence of that video is what introduced me to your channel, of which I've been a fairly constant viewer ever since. And I have to admit listening to your Against the Day video all the way through twice, as an auditory car-driving soundtrack. I also have finally gotten around to reading the Mad Patagonian series on your recommendation, and at about the halfway-through-the-2nd-book point, and it might be one of my top 10 series already. Thanks for everything you do

[@Ravenmancerr]

Love your content man please keep it up.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@christopheredwards4012]

I'd never have been able to read 1-4 of My Struggle in 2 evenings as I just don't read quickly enough, but I can understand how you did it. It's a flood.

[@christopheredwards4012]

And congrats on 5 years!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I, too, am typically a much slower reader (about 15pp/hours). This is definitely the biggest anomaly in my reading list. All best to you!

[@lesgoe8908]

I'm a subscriber and a fan. Congrats!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@alecgrefe1729]

Congrats!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks!

[@tinkertailor9479]

Love your channel and have been here since almost day one! Just wanted to provide some feedback or constructive criticism but my thoughts may be an anomaly so welcome to ignore. I find that I return much more often to your older videos (say, prior to your Infinite Jest video if we want to be precise and draw an arbitrary line). Even though, for instance, the camera was worse back then I just find those videos to be so much more initimate, relaxing and oddly enough more insightful as they come across conversational, informal and free-flowing. It just goes to show that added effort/technology doesn't always necesarily result in added value or enjoyment per se but that's just my two cents. BTW, I loved your first Vollmann video despite the quirks and imperfections. Some of my other favorites - - Marot, Eco, all Murakami reviews (even though you're not a fan), Western Core series (especially Hamlet/Dante/Milton), Longinus, Philosophy-Overview, Bookshelf Tours, Jean Giono, Books for Grazing, Mason-Dixon, Gravity's Rainbow, Genji, etc. Either way, looking forward to your future stuff!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I really, truly appreciate this feedback. You've caught me attention and made me rethink what's important with these videos. So, first and foremost, thank you so much for taking the time to say all of this. As I think on it, I wonder how much my efforts to ruthlessly cut videos (which started around the timeline you've indicated) actually takes away from that more colloquial feel you're talking about. Perhaps, at the very least, I should ease up on trying to cut out every single moment of dead space.

[@TheBookedEscapePlan]

I'm thrilled you've read "Too Loud a Solitude"! What a great little book. Have you read any other books by Hrabal? A friend of mine and I both admire Hrabal's work, and one other book of his we both love is "Closely Observed Trains." I'm trying to get my friend to read "I Served the King of England," and you as well. You should totally do Verse By Verse, by the way; then we could talk theology and scholarship and such. I know I've asked before, but I cannot remember your answer: have you read "Metamagical Themas" by Hofstadter? That' the book I learned about Hofstadter through when I was a teenager. It is a part of my lifelong obsession with math. Congratulations, by the way. I remember your first video well.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! The only other Hrabal I've read is _Closely Watched Trains_ , but, coincidentally, Adam Levin picked _I Served the King of England_ for the one book he thinks I should read, at the end of our Author Talks video! Thanks for the encouragement with Verse by Verse! To my knowledge, I have read everything Hofstadter has written (at least once). I slowly combed through _Metamagical Themas_ (unscrambled: _Mathematical Games_ ) back in 2017. What a treat! Thanks again for the kudos and recommendations and all the years of support!

[@TheBookedEscapePlan]

@@LeafbyLeaf The unscrambled title of Hofstadter's essay collection is actually what led me to discover Hofstadter; it's a long story, but Hofstadter's predecessor was my childhood hero.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

@TheBookedEscapePlan ahhhh! Martin Gardner?

[@TheBookedEscapePlan]

@@LeafbyLeaf Dr Matrix himself.

[@BlindCentipede]

Hello Chris, your channel is one of the few hidden gems here on youtube and I thank you very much for sharing your deep well of knowledge with us. I have a question: what di you thinks are the books that best represent the century of its conception( from pre Gilgamesh to now)?

[@TKTalksBooks]

Three cheers for Little, Big Fantastic book I never hear people mention

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Hooray! Yes, it is soooooooooooo good!

[@ajw99a]

How about a Year of literary criticism or a year of books about books. I'm reading Spinoza's Ethics by Beth Lord. I was explaining to my son that its a book about another book which is really hard to read. Good books about other books are really valuable.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Totally agree. I love this idea. I probably read just as many books-about-books each year as I do book.

[@tomjackson86]

Congratulations Chris! Any interest in Saul Bellow?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks! Absolutely! I've sadly only read _Seize the Day_ . I need to get on this!

[@misquotedbuffalo7125]

I get more out of Leaf’s vocal cadences and emphases than out of any information or data he gives pertaining to all of his reading. Do you mind if I call you Leaf? It is after all not a bad nickname at all. It resides on the side of nature and this makes it post modern, I guess.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Sure, you can call me Leaf! I’ll answer to just about everything except my full name (Christopher), because that means I’m in trouble. Say-perhaps I should give some ASMR book reviews a try! 😜

[@bjwnashe5589]

Would love to see and hear you do a full episode on Europe Central by Vollmann.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I've got it slated for 2025! Thanks!

[@Joy-boy-joy]

Here is a list of 5 things that I have experienced after years of browsing this channel under various aliases: 1. The Recognitions, sadly, isn't quite as recognized as the name would imply. 2. The Hungry Caterpillar can eats 0s and 1s. 3. I need friends who are willing to do zoom calls with me to verify my pronunciation is correct. 4. You may try to be clever more often than you should. 5. That there is a literatual embodiment of Michael Silverblatt available to us via (yes) BookTube. Thank you for 5 years of inspiration! Congrats!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Ahhhh, what a great comment! Thanks so much! :):):)

[@sammoon1819]

Thumbs up!!! and to the next five years!.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much!

[@natashapknowledge]

Happy Birthday 🍃 by 🍃

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! :):):)

[@jeffreyrogers1013]

A Darkwing Duck reference? ...I knew there was reason you and I connect.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

lol!

[@Focaminante]

I join you in this celebration, my friend. Don't forget that your Latin American literature "advisor" will always be happy to contribute with what little he can.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much, my friend! I am so happy to have you in my life. And thanks for nudging me to think more about my board of advisors!

[@qwerty8601]

May I ask if you have read / heard of the book by louis paul boon 'Chapels Road' ?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

No, I haven't! Looking into it now...

[@qwerty8601]

Let me know what you think! A real gem, very difficult but rewarding. ​@@LeafbyLeaf

[@swadeski]

Hey, man. I really want to get into poetry what would you recommend to start with?

[@kieranforster4815]

what a truly meaningful achievement! you have given so much to the world through your advocacy of reading and your incredible absence of elitism and pretentiousness that sneak into some book tube review channels. You make people think reading might be an enriching way to spend time....our world has lost this, for too many. Your work is thus hugely important

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I would like to think that I live out 2 main principles that I have for myself: (1) always be teachable; and (2) never need to be right. And here you are affirming it. Many, many thanks, Kieran!

[@kieranforster4815]

@@LeafbyLeaf I think Chris you are modelling the way "knowing a lot about a subject" occasionally coincides with a sense of humility regarding how little we know. This co-occurence then implies one can learn, in the absence of any need to be right. I don't think I have ever seen you without that sense of the adventure of reading and enjoying the possibility of discovery. Great thing to share in the modern era!

[@marcelhidalgo1076]

Wait, you did do a video on House of Leaves.

[@marcelhidalgo1076]

Unless it wasn't a review

[@LeafbyLeaf]

No, I didn't. But I did do a video on _The Familiar_ but it's kind of wonky. In any case, _HoL_ needs a video!

[@krustn]

I recommend thomas Ligotti´s the unholy city music album. it is 20 minutes and it is youtube. he also made some collaborations with the neofolk band Current 93 which is great. not many here on youtube have mentioned Eugene thacker, i´ve read his small book; cosmic pessimism and it´s good too. did not know Atsoru Riley, so thanks for that. i had a hard time getting into pale fire, but maybe your upcoming video will help a bit. just read the sound an the fury first time this year - so that video will be great too congrats on the 5 years

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! All best to you!