a big birthday book haul *35 books!* 🎉

[@thealyssalo]

Having a love hate relationship with academia is the biggest mood.

[@sixofbooks3909]

I feel this on a spiritual level

[@fictionalfates]

it's like "i love learning, but learning hates who i am"

[@EpicReads]

Happy Birthday Joel!! 🎆🎁 We are in love with your "treat yo self" gift! Gorgeous books!

[@fictionalfates]

hehehe thank you so much!

[@gonzalezgarciamariafernand7748]

“Pain is my best friend” 😆

[@NoelleGallagher]

the books right behind your head 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 too fucking perfect !!!!!!!!

[@NoelleGallagher]

WHAT IS THIS SWEATER YOU'RE WEARING

[@fictionalfates]

IT’S THE LATE NIGHT READERS CLUB FROM ILLUMICRATE LIFESTYLE

[@NoelleGallagher]

joel if i haven't told you already you have 10/10 hands (in a best friend way) (ily)

[@fictionalfates]

YESSSSS

[@NoelleGallagher]

murder bot ......... can we read together oh my god

[@hfollman98]

Happy belated birthday and also THAT RAINBOW SHELF?? EXCUSE ME SIR I-

[@fictionalfates]

dlijslhf it's my pride and joy

[@giigiireadss]

Those Ember books are stunning and I can’t handle not owning them😭😭😭

[@fictionalfates]

diojfofij i'm sorry

[@blauble]

i want hardcovers of the heroes of olympus too 😩

[@fictionalfates]

they are beautiful!

[@chrissybooksandberries]

Can I just say that the sprayed edges game of your books is chefs kiss.

[@aquaticraccoon1467]

literally gasped aloud when you revealed the edges of the ember in the ashes books, they're so gorgeous

[@StoriesForCoffee]

Those Ember books are absolutely stunning omg

[@fictionalfates]

I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!

[@barbaraoasky]

Those covers of The vanishing half and Concrete Rose............... perfect!

[@eeeshieee]

omg ur so cute! it brings me joy to see other people so excited about books. :-)

[@francescakyanda9182]

The Riordanverse means so much to me, I got through the majority of it in middle school and I remember devouring these books, and all my copies are from middle school too

[@bettyreads222]

'i have my own massive brainwaves that literally topple buildings.' ah i love thisss, you writer you! so many gems, its crucial to not compare yourself, you're on your own journey and it's wonderful. i got 5 books yesterday to celebrate my birthday as well. here's to many new adventures via these books ahead :]

[@fictionalfates]

thank you so much and ahh, happy birthday!!

[@sassysarahreads]

What Big Teeth was so good. I love horror and I am a particular fan of fantasy horror. Rose Szabo’s writing style kind of reminded of Angela Carter in terms of dark and creepy fairy tales, but they have a really unique element and blending of characters and monsters together that I found to be dynamic. Also that cover. OBSESSED. My favorite this year for 2021 releases.

[@_nelld]

Ahh the heroes of olympus hardcoversssss 😭 they’re so beautiful!

[@ataleasoldasbookreviews]

I just stumbled upon your channel not long ago and I would just like to say...Thank You for showing us each design on the hard cover of the ember in the ashes set! I wasn't able to purchase them and every other channel only shows us the first books design. I dont care of the design is the same on each hardcover book, I love to see them and their beauty! They're so beautiful and also, happy birthday! Even though I'm late to it lol

[@thealyssalo]

Video pitch: Rereading GATSBY in conjunction with THE CHOSEN AND THE BEAUTIFUL.

[@fictionalfates]

listen, the way you're able to reach into my mind and take these ideas out?? i love it - maybe if i throw in another gatsby retelling too? oof

[@thealyssalo]

@@fictionalfates I’m pretty sure NICK has either come out or is coming out. It’s a retelling centering on Nick.

[@vanshika123456789]

I loved this video. I hope you are kinder to yourself when it comes to content creation. That should never be at the cost of your mental health. Give yourself some grace and know that we all love you here and want what's best for you

[@Lorie336]

You are going to love the Murderbot Diaries and the sixth one comes out in the Spring or Summer. I am slowly acquiring this series. I have the first two, read All Systems Red last summer and was just enthralled. It's also a good series for those starting Sci-fi.

[@rissasaki]

Whenever Joel posts my life gets filled with happiness ♥️

[@fictionalfates]

🥺🥺🥺

[@lalicurates]

I just finished the audiobook for Concrete Rose and it is *chef's kiss*. My feelings are definitely heightened because I already felt connected to these characters from The Hate U Give. Also, that UK cover is beautiful.

[@devanshisharma2447]

YES JOEL IM SO EXCITED PERCY JACKSON/RIORDANVERSE IS AMAZING AND HOPEFULLY YOULL LOVE IT AAAAAA

[@bookswithemmie]

I think you'll enjoy Hood Feminism! I read it this past month for a background into my black women writer's course I'm taking. I agree with a lot of the messages brought up throughout the novel. It honestly opened my eyes and helped me understand.

[@aoibhk7786]

Once again Joel bringing immaculate energy⚡I always get so hyped to read and I LOVE that rainbow shelf 🌈🌈🌈

[@fictionalfates]

thank you so much!!

[@heyimsasa]

happy birthday, joel! hope you have a wonderful one and that you enjoy the books!! 💖

[@k_mma]

First video I'm watching of yours... That bookshelf is goals!

[@SavidgeReads]

Belated happy birthday Joel!!! Those sprayed edges of The Gilded Ones, I’m obsessed by minty shades at the moment. The Vanishing Half is brilliant. Really looking forward to your thoughts. What a fab selection of books you got!

[@elkleponis]

Happy birthday!!🥳 Video idea: fantasy books for beginners/people who don’t gravitate towards fantasy! I love the idea of fantasy stories but I can never get into a lot of them!💕

[@peachyjjarred]

🥰🥰 i always love whenever you post. And I am so excited for the future of this channel,for sure🙇🏻‍♂️🙇🏻‍♂️

[@eloise4230]

Ahh i’m so jealous of that edition of ember in the ashes books!!! They look amazing 🤩🤩✨

[@lucberthelot6463]

Happy Birthday! Can’t wait to add more books to my list

[@emmabagel4131]

I’m so in love with the box set of Hero’s of Olympus. I recently found my copies and I have to assume I bought them as they came out bc I have the box set of the original Percy Jackson ones but not those. Also, there are so many books on this list that now have defiantly peeked my interest after seeing this video (And happy birthday! 🎉)

[@fictionalmusings4676]

thank you for such kind words Joel 🥺 that was so lovely to hear! I’m sure you’ll smash the diss, regardless of setbacks it’s so important to do stuff you love 💗💗 and happy birthday again!!

[@tabbedpages182]

i just want to let you know that you are one of my inspirations. you are such a wholesome individual and I'm always gonna be lurking in the back, but dropping by to say happy birthday

[@kipepeo259]

Yessss happy birthday! Also I've loved being in the discord, everyone's been so wonderful

[@fictionalfates]

🥺i'm so glad and thank you for the birthday wishes!

[@teawithleia]

Happy Birthday! I've been avoiding the video since I saw that it was uploaded two days ago, because I don't want to buy books but I can't longer resist it 😶🧡 Also as an illustrator myself I really appreciate how you always name the person who designed or illustrated the covers!

[@dragonezreading1561]

I think it’d be fun to do a read along of the Riordanverse. Excited to see what you think of the books regardless! Also the Ember in the Ashes books are gorgeous

[@alyssacascos8665]

Happy Birthday Joel! ❤❤❤🎉🎈🎂I love you! ❤your channel is everything to me!

[@fictionalfates]

thank you so much!!

[@sunflowersandstorms5608]

Joel remembering that March is next week is the mood of this weekend I swear. Why ? Who authorized March starting on Monday?

[@fictionalfates]

it has to be illegal, someone needs to be punished

[@Lilyboxes]

Happy birthday! I love the rainbow shelf and I'm so excited you're an elder scrolls fan!!! They're my favourite games!

[@veronaeekma]

Congratulations beautiful you 🎊🎉💐🎂💖 this was a wonderful bookhaul/birthday haul, my TBR is now as large as the Alp d'huez but it's fine... I also wanna mention you're bookshelves 😍💕❤️ wow there so pretty! Thank you so much for this video, i really like you and you're content, keep up the good work!

[@ytwatcher0156]

13.03 when he drops the books ahaha, you're amazing! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[@MayBhank]

“pain is my bestfriend” same im so jealous I want that Fairyloot edition of An Ember in the Ashes series 😭 yessss I love If We Were Villains and I also really enjoyed Cemetery Boys lmao not your family sneaked into your room to take your cream eggs

[@fileanavailable]

Happy Birthday and congrats on the internship! These books look lovely and those sprayed edges 😍

[@WReaderFan]

Your book hauls and bookshelves give me life! I really do appreciate your content and congrats on 50K subscribers. Thank you for all that you do! :-)

[@samantharose1001]

Omg when you brought in the death of the author theory 🤓🤗 My nerd heart got so excited!! Happy Joel Day!! ✨

[@Emily-rn4fu]

just found you through this video and i’m so excited to check out the rest of your videos! happy belated birthday :)

[@thatbookishblog9694]

The wheel of time!! Props for getting physical copies, I decided to get them on kindle to save space but they're gorgeous! It's a long one, I'm only on book 4 and have been reading it on/off for a few years now (oops)

[@tiffanyanne7861]

Happy belated birthday! So many great books in this haul 😍

[@booksandteatime2197]

I’m currently reading Hood Feminism and it is do wonderful and insightful. Happy bday! ❤️

[@aspiring_recluse]

I didn't know the sequel to Raybearer had been announced yet so thank you for mentioning that. That's so exciting! I also can't wait to see what you think of Murderbot. It's so so good.

[@aaron-eg3rf]

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is such a stunning book! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

[@ostrichreads7715]

Happy Birthday to a fellow February baby! 🥳❤️ You might be my inspiration to actually dive into the Wheel of Times series - I'm scared though 😭

[@charityyoder9028]

Has anyone suggested Becky chambers to you yet??? I can't remember 😊😳 IF WE WERE VILLAINS. that book needs all of the love. I reread the book on audio and damn was it soothing. Happy reading!

[@QueenOfTeenFiction]

I'm hoping to read If We Were Villains soon as well! I didn't enjoy The Secret History very much either so fingers crossed this one is better 🤞

[@mgey1164]

U need to do a bookshelf tour coz omg😍

[@sasha7628]

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is one of my favorite reads of last year, it's absolutely amazing.

[@deppitup]

Happy belated birthday birthday month Twin!!!!!

[@celine22712]

whew the amount of seratonin this hit me with !! you are such a precious soul oh my word. as a person who loves to chaotically overanalyze their books, your diss sounds so interesting and i would love to see content (should you choose to make it ofc) talking about your own analyses and critiques of literature

[@fictionalfates]

dsijdfaoiejf overanalyze is literally everything i do 😂 and i definitely want to do that!

[@metanoiabooks3729]

Vanishing half was a brilliant book. Hard hitting and beautifully written. Very impactful..💜 So jealous of your special copies here. 😩

[@selantrian]

Happy birthday! I read a bit of Le Morte d’Arthur for a required English class and it was literally my favorite thing of that class, I was SHOCKED at how readable it was in a class that mostly had really hard-to-read old stuff, it felt like modern fantasy or smth

[@fictionalfates]

IT'S LITERALLY SO COOL!

[@fictionalfates]

especially for something written in the medieval period i'm shook

[@moonlightreading4034]

i only have two things to say: 1. your preyed edges shelf is gorgeous 2. your vibes are immaculate ✨

[@sanaf8127]

Also wanted to say congrats on over 50k subscribers!! I've been here since you've been under 1k and I'm so happy for you! You definitely deserve all the growth!! Lots of love and best wishes!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@freyfrey3768]

Ahhh! Your shelf's are looking amazing! 😩💓💓💓

[@zuzanajakubcova9834]

i love every heart a doorway so much omggg

[@Diana-yw8wm]

happy belated birthday joel!!! 🤍🤍🤍

[@aricelis9551]

I love your content . . Period. And I can't wait to see how you evolve as well . . 'Cause I'll love you're content then too . . Period!

[@mymessynotebook2207]

Happy belated birthday!!! So many interesting books and can’t wait to hear your thoughts on all of them!! I hope you had an amazing birthday. Good luck on your punishing internship, it sounds like a great opportunity and I hope it goes well for you :)

[@fictionalfates]

thank you so much!!

[@moonlightmoonchild1133]

oh my, happy birthday, joel!!! 🥺💜💜💜💜💜

[@maheswarijeyabalan8784]

OOh i loved If We Were Villains! Hope you enjoy it too.

[@maheswarijeyabalan8784]

your book editions are gorgeous!

[@missraredoesstuff]

First time watching your videos, I absolutely love your personality! I’ve subscribed and can’t wait to watch more 😁

[@catedavies8505]

The mystery of Henri Pick is so wonderful!! X

[@elliterate5145]

i just got my same copy of the fairyloot raybearer today and it so gorgeous! it's such a nice size too, i can't wait to start reading it

[@fictionalfates]

omg yes yes yes!!! i'm so happy for you ahh

[@moviemagus1921]

I'm currently reading The Gilded Ones, I'm almost finished and I'm loving it! It is beautifully written, the characters are interesting and the story has a great flow to it. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it! :)

[@brynjabibliophile822]

I just got The Gilded Ones in an Owlcrate box I got today and I'm so excited to read it!!!

[@taylorpence2403]

Happy Birthday 🥳 I hope you had a wonderful day!

[@platyperri]

Belated happy birthday! We have the same reading tastes, and you just earned a new sub.. I'm loving your vids so far ❤️❤️🤗

[@sophiecarbone4977]

Happy birthday Joel!!!

[@TheJwilb3]

Happy Birthday 🎂🎊🎁🎉!! My birthday was the 28th I treated myself to what else..books 😊🥰

[@blauble]

belated happy burthdayy, joel 💞

[@fictionalfates]

thank you so much!

[@jasmine3757]

Happy birthday!!🎉🎊😊

[@Hanan_9602]

omgg murderbot! The audiobooks for the series are also really good, i hope you enjoy the series!

[@annemariesadventures1220]

Just found your channel and so happy I did! I too was just gifted Hood Feminism for my birthday!!! Going to be reading it for International Women’s Day! Can’t wait to dive in, and I also have White Tears, Brown Scars in my TBR so interested in your full thoughts when you’re finished. Happy Birthday!!

[@fictionalfates]

omg yes, that is such a great idea to read it on IWD!!

[@gracechapman4218]

What a beautiful haul! Did I think you said "I love METH" for a sec...yes I did... Love you and your wonderful Welsh accent and your STUNNING taste in books. You started your channel when I first started watching BookTube and you've been my favourite from the start. I have spent an inordinate amount of money on fantasy fic because of you and I thank you :') xx

[@loudfunstrawberry4127]

I love the way you film your reading vlogs though I haven't seen many videos yet

[@shaunaXX]

Creme eggs are amazing and are possibly the BEST chocolate

[@sanaf8127]

An updated bookshelf tour soon please? ❤️🥺🙏

[@cifafs3]

Dang I need to go rewatch Merlin now 😂 would love a King Arthur reading vlog!

[@pixelated4046]

THAT FREAKING RAINBOW HAS ME OBSESSED! also hi happy birthday!

[@bryceantonio]

CONGRATS ON THE INTERNSHIP!!!!! Glad to see ur doing what u love🥰 Also LITERALLY WRITING A KING ARTHUR STORY So that’s rlly cool!!! (amazing video as always)

[@fictionalfates]

Thank you so much!!!

[@annalacey6543]

A hate love relationship with academia is THE MOST relatable. The amount of time I spend ranting about academia and then turning around and being excited about learning is TOO MUCH.

[@o_o-lj1ym]

Ohhh happy birthday!

[@radiosilence3657]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! OMG KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING! YOU AND YOUR BOOKSHELF ARE SERVING LOOKS! LITERALLY COMING FOR OUR WIGS AND HONESTLY...NOT COMPLAINING!

[@fictionalfates]

LMAOOO I LOVE THAT

[@viennabooks741]

This video needs a disclaimer: do not watch this if you struggle with book buying addiction 😂 I want everything now

[@mm-maniac5657]

Murderbot murderbot murderbot!!!! They’re so insanely good!!

[@sammorgan9526]

Happy birthday, Joel!! And congrats on the internship!!

[@agirlabookandamom6721]

Happy Birthday!! You are amazing and lovely. Do you and experiment with your content! I will continue to lurk and love you.

[@fictionalfates]

thank you so much!

[@percyhooten7805]

thank u for reminding me that i need to finish the heroes of Olympus series because I've half finished it for like a year and a half now