A Great Start to the Year! 📚 January 2023 Wrap Up

[@awebofstories]

Oh, dear...I have I Am, I Am, I Am on my TBR bookshelf. Fortunately, I tend to handle things better when I read than when I experience things in other ways (for example, I am a complete wimp with horror movies, but have absolutely no problem reading horror novels...usually). I'll give it a try, but I'll put it aside if I realize I'm having issues with it.

[@virginiafernandes336]

I had some bizarre medical experiences myself so now i absolutely HATE to hear about new things to be scared regarding health. I get so so anxious that just by knowing it could happen it will happen.

[@cherylmusgrove7]

White Oleander is one of my favorite books. I love Janet Firch. The movie was brilliant.

[@cherylmusgrove7]

Paint It Red is good too.

[@cherylmusgrove7]

Sigh, I adore Wharton. Your take on her prose - spot on.

[@jaynelewis372]

Since you loved White Oleander, try House of Sand and Fog. I tend to group those two together.

[@bookofdust]

For me I was fine with the near death experience in I Am, I Am, I Am, it was the twist near the end not having to do with them that made me yelp out loud and was terrifying and devastating. The idea that there are things worse then death, and she miraculously sidestepped that as well. Definitely begin with her masterpiece Hamnet.

[@SarahAsYouWish]

I did not have that experience of generalized anxiety while reading I Am, I Am, I Am, but I can definitely see how that could happen. I’d highly recommend O’Farrel’s novel Hamnet as the next book to pick up from her.

[@whitneyerin222]

I’m so glad you read White Oleander!! I recommend it to everyone; the prose is some of the most beautiful I’ve ever read in a contemporary novel and I feel sort of the way about it that you do about Rules of Civility. I grew up with a narcissist like Ingrid and found it so relatable in that way, and I loved the psychological aspect of seeing Astrid pick up traits and habits from the various situations she’s in. Anyway I hope you’re well!

[@scotthacker2265]

Enjoyed White Oleander.

[@leeh4343]

I’d recommend one of Maggie Farrell’s earlier books After You’d Gone - have enjoyed most of her fiction 😊

[@MyCozyLittleLibrary]

I remember watching the White Oleander discussion on Oprah, back in the day, as well as the movie. Around that time, I checked out the book from the library, but it got lost in the mix of my life. I've been wanting to return to it for years, and your recommendation encourages me to do so.

[@Sayantika_Sarkar]

I used to be skeptical about reading non-fiction books, but thanks to you, Olive, that has changed.

[@nicoleackerman205]

White Oleanor is so good.

[@Jessticulates]

I've heard so many good things about White Oleander and I keep meaning to try it. I haven't read it yet so I could be wrong, but I have a feeling Life After Life by Kate Atkinson explores the idea of the different times a life might end?

[@frannook]

I've been wanting to read The white oleander for years!

[@savagereads]

White Oleander is going on my TBR right now. I Am, I Am, I Am was really a good read for me but for sure anxiety inducing.

[@1book1review]

Rereading the Power of Habit is on my list for this year.

[@deserthorses5]

I LOVED "White Oleander"...

[@brendalogan7940]

White Oleander by Janet Finch was a book a friend of mine introduced me to many years ago and to this day, is the book that always pops up in my mind when asked “what’s one of your favorite all time books you’ve read.” (Angela’s Ashes is another book by Frank McCourt). So happy you read it and love your review on it - “ intoxicating” says it all. A hard book to put down! (I think she finally has another book out…).

[@emotions99]

Angela’s ashes js one of my all time favourites too! Sadly I never hear anyone talk about it anymore. I’d recommend The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne - it reminded me of Angela’s ashes in the most beautiful way.

[@robynculligan6154]

Funny White Oleander has been on my shelf for years and I was just thinking about getting to it earlier today before I watched this!

[@sandyokey1019]

The age of Innocence was also my first Wharton novel and I fell absolutely in love with her. I haven’t read The children, but I most definitely will. I’m still chuckling over death, taxes, bad times in an Edith Wharton novel 😂 very well put.

[@AdrianasWonderland]

Very helpful video to me. I’m trying to get more into non-fiction books and there was a great one to watch.😊

[@ToddsBookTube91]

Nice video Olive!. A Barnes & Noble in the state of Michigan that I used to go to alot is going out of business, it's quite sad. everything in the store half off, I picked up some good finds. its always sad when a bookstore goes out of business luckily its not all of them.

[@arobinreads]

Definitely going to look up a couple of these titles

[@robynseggblue6599]

I just read The Marriage Portrait by O’Farrell and really liked it. Also, I wanted to say thank you for the recommendation on the bluebird book (can’t recall the title) that you recommended a few months ago. I bought it as a Xmas gift for my very hard to buy for brother and he loved it.

[@robyn8221]

I bought that book but haven’t read it yet.

[@novelideea]

Adding “May we Borrow” to my nightstand! Hope February is going great!

[@ChaoticBibliophile]

Such a shame about Sweat!! But I’m so happy you loved White Oleander 😊

[@bybeebooks]

I really like The Power of Habit.

[@aliceyu1804]

Love the video, I’ve been trying to read more nonfiction this year thanks to you!

[@TheNovelSanctuary]

Really want to read Love & Justice!

[@abookolive]

You will LOVE IT!

[@sofiamazariegos6792]

I love your recommendations!

[@mame-musing]

“The Children” - this is the first time I have heard about this Wharton novel. It certainly sounds like a departure from her better known novels. Yes, I agree there were several folks in her real life which were less than reliable.

[@bookishbedlam]

Thanks, Olive. I really like the way you approach nonfiction. For Maggie O'Farrell's fiction, I absolutely loved "Hamnet." I've read other novels by O'Farrell, but Hamnet is by far my favorite. If you want to try fiction that explores the themes of "I Am , I Am, I Am," take a look at "Life after Life" by Kate Atkinson.

[@snowdropdreams8154]

I loved White Oleander. So glad you enjoyed it.

[@Ihearbooks]

I heard an interview of O'Farrell talking about I Am...and it convinced me not to read it. Usually an interview is done just to do the opposite. Several of the incidents she discussed sounded overly dramatic and written to emphasize the scariness. I love O'Farrell's fiction so I've thought about where to go next to read more O'Farrell so I do appreciate your thoughts. Currently reading non-fiction for the Booktube prize. It forces me to get to books I would not pick up on my own.

[@melissamybubbles6139]

Love and Justice sounds amazing. I'm currently reading Liberty's Exiles by Maya Jasanoff. It's about where loyalists from the American revolution went after leaving the colonies. It's good.

[@jorjastonej]

I think I’ll suggest White Oleander for my in-person bookclub. Sounds beautiful 🤍

[@divaloulou]

Maggie O'Farrell? Hamnet and Judith. Pure bliss. And Agnes (Anne) Hathaway. I don't think I read it; rather, I hoovered it up!

[@rscottwiley3624]

I enjoy nonfiction and always appreciate your eclectic suggestions. I especially like language books, so putting Borrow Your Language on my list!

[@springintoreading7225]

I'd suggest reading Hamnet.

[@lizh9497]

A great book about the development of the English language is The Adventure of English by Melvyn Bragg. It’s about 20 years old now and was also a BBC series which I’ve just noticed is on KZbin.

[@launchedathousand]

I remember White Oleander being everywhere when it was published. I think I may need to give I Am I Am I Am a pass, especially as someone who works a dangerous job and played dangerous sports, don't need that constant reminder. May We Borrow Your Language sounds like a fun chapter a day kinda read!

[@mc63404]

Thank you for the video!

[@marianamasbooks]

Wow. I hadn’t heard about Love and Justice! I’m adding it to my list. Currently I’m reading the memoir A Heart that Works by Rob Delaney. I can’t stop thinking about it it’s so good! Definitely a contender for best books of the year!

[@jorgemedina8083]

May I recommend Hamnet by Maggie O Farrell. I read this bc it won the Women’s prize a few years ago and had to read more of her books after I devoured the book.

[@momplans2read]

The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna explores similar themes to I Am, I Am, I Am but in fiction. And I liked This Must Be The Place by Maggie O’Farrell.

[@erikapatterson484]

The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna by Juliet Grames is a fiction novel that plays on the brushes with death theme. I thought it was an overall good novel.

[@Phillybookfairy]

I had a negative feel about I Am but absolutely loved Hamnet by her - if you haven’t read it please do asap!!!

[@Prickley_Pear87638]

One non-fiction I highly recommend is Rikers: An Oral History. I am still reading it, but I have never read a book where I had to put it down because of what goes on inside Rikers.

[@EntertheBook]

Penguin books hardly ever disappoint. I do want to read more OFarrell- Hamnet was a top ten book of the year last year to me.

[@Novaturient_Liv]

In searching for more nonfic like "Let's Get Physical" (which I loved), I tried Sweat. Ended up DNFing it without much remorse. While I enjoyed the history of exercise presented early on, as I kept reading, it felt more like the author was being self-indulgent and not giving the reader much. I am still searching for other books like Friedman's!

[@Novasacademyy]

White Oleander has been stuck in my brain for years

[@gibsonhistory]

Read Hamnet- I think it is O'Farrell's best!

[@bettyegreenwood8300]

I recommend This Must Be the Place by Maggie O'Farrell. It's very funny and engaging.

[@gailjackson8941]

Read A piece of Cake by Cupcke Brown. .Talk about mistreatment in foster care!

[@jorjastonej]

Whoot! Did you see the Women’s Prize for Fiction is looking for a sponsor to launch a Women’s Prize for Nonfiction? Lovely! Who do you think should sponsor it? I’m thinking a wine merchant 💃📚🍷

[@abookolive]

I did just see that this morning! So exciting! A wine merchant sponsoring it would be divine - and all the reason I would need to make a boozy reaction video to the first longlist 😂🍷

[@louthebookworm8827]

I read Hamnet by Maggie o farrell which is based on William Shakespeares son. I haven't read I am, I am, I am for your exact reasons. I think it would really cause me anxiety

[@Kakkydidit]

I'm a third of the way through The Children. Her writing cuts like a knife. I love it, but it's too intense for my everyday reading. A partner library in my state circulates sent its donated 1929 Book of the Month Club copy.

[@mariatavares8513]

By Maggie O'farrell - Hamnet.

[@mbrady199]

I didn't like White Oleander. But I read it in my early 20s. Maybe I wasn't ready. Lol

[@LaurieInTexas]

I thought I wanted to read I Am I Am I Am but now I Am Not sure. I give little thought to how I could die other than taking care of my health as best I can. Otherwise what is the point of ruminating on thoughts of my pending death. It doesn't sound like the book for me. I loved The Power of Habit and have considered a re-read someday. You've made me want to do that soon.

[@nastigir7]

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell is on my personal top 10 best fiction.

[@ullagomez8054]

Read Hamnet!

[@vcackermanwrites]

Maybe “Sweat” would’ve been better if he had done another draft after he stepped away from the book?

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I started two big books on audio in January. Deluge by Stephen Markley A Fine Balance They have continued into February. The best books finished in January were We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves The Book of Form and Emptiness What’s your TBR for February like?

[@cathy2142]

Ok olive you look lovely in all your videos but if you were wanting to lose weight you look like you did and congrats!😊.

[@abookolive]

I was wondering when I'd get the first comment like this since the MOMENT I started losing, it all came directly off my face, haha! The goal is much more to be healthier in general, but weight loss has happened along with that and I'm feeling good, so thank you ❤

[@cathy2142]

@@abookolive Glad you received my compliment the way I intended it😊. So happy for you that you found a health journey that worked for you. I know it is not bookish, but i would love to know what worked for you. My husband and i both recently lost about 40lbs each with calorie deficit and exercises.📚💪🏻🏋️‍♀️

[@abookolive]

@@cathy2142 I carb cycle (5 days of low carb/high fat and 2 days of high carb/low fat per week. Caloric deficit on all days, but I eat slightly more on carb days) which confuses the metabolism and keeps it from slowing down. I also do a mix of cardio and weight training 5-6 times per week.

[@cathy2142]

@@abookolive wonderful! You are doing great! You are glowing in your videos lately. I told my husband you either lost weight or are pregnant😆. I know very different things. Anyway you look great and keep up the super informative and fun book videos😊