BOOKS I WANT TO READ BEFORE I DIE | A Book Bucket List... with a lot of big books...

[@lindaknight64]

You are my favorite Book Vlogger! I just turned 65 and have loved to read all my life! You are fun, informative and entertaining! Keep reading and sharing! Love you, girl!

[@SorgieWrites]

💀I am currently making a list of 60 books I want to read when I turn 60 in January! Thank you for helping me add to that list!

[@leezirkle7840]

I'd love to see another video like this. I'm in the middle of Anna Karenina and my brother just finished War and Peace and loved it.

[@shaeleesatterthwaite6150]

The Count of Monte Cristo is my all time favorite book!! Must read 🤩

[@samanthaaiello]

If you read LOTR or The Hobbit, I highly recommend annotating it. I read it in Junior High and had to annotate as part of the report. It very much made me love the books more. It helps you consume the content in a different context, and I truly believe my love for those books comes from the happiness I experience when I remember my notes. I mean, annotating anything can help, but for some reason, I highly recommend it for these ones.

[@MirandaW1992]

If you like books about houses with their own personalities I would HIGHLY recommend you read The Shining by Stephen King, very different to the movie 🙌🏼 it was one of my first King books and I looove it

[@shirtaelcohen4178]

This book is scary in any way? I mean in the way u have a nightmares . Cause I really want to read it

[@MirandaW1992]

@@shirtaelcohen4178 no I wouldn’t say it’s too scary. Certain scenes are a bit disgusting and eerie though, just depends on your level of sensitivity I guess I was 12 when I read it and it didn’t give me nightmares

[@shirtaelcohen4178]

@@MirandaW1992 oh ok thanks

[@sillyslicker1]

Yes!! That's a great recommendation!

[@Grumpy12388]

I second this! Soooooooo good.

[@nerdtastic2014]

The Count of Monte Cristo is also on my bucket list, but I can never commit to starting the 52hr audiobook. 😆 I'd also love to read LOTR and all of the works by Jane Austen and Shakespeare eventually. I also had a big crush on Kovu from The Lion King 2 as a kid. 😍 lol. I'm a big fan of that voice actor, Jason Marsden, who also voices Haku in the English dub of Spirited Away and Binx in Hocus Pocus.

[@shabby6519]

Another good “beginner” Stephen King book is Misery. I listened to it on audio and it was really quick and engaging!

[@MirandaW1992]

Love Misery 🙌🏼👌🏼

[@mshannarose12]

Me too! I had the same goal of reading my first book by him, and that was the one I chose. Such a good first book!

[@samreadsbooks_13]

Agreed!

[@bonniedoeswhat795]

“I want to see how George R. R. Martian wants to end his series.” 😂😂😂 Me too! Me too! And everyone else too. He hasn’t finished it! And he’s a slow slow writer.

[@KeaLynn]

Yeah I didn’t want to be the one to tell her 😅😅😅

[@melb505]

Omg I love this list! 💕 I would also love to see a “books I think other people should read before they die” version (your all time ride or die books all in one list.) I often get overwhelmed with all the books I want to read but then I think how lucky am I to have read authors like Michelle Harrison, Ashley Herring Blake, Seanan McGuire and Anna-Marie Mclemore.

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

I have mad respect for the "Stuck in a Drivethrough" reference 😄 also I basically want to read all these... except Stephen King. Probably. The Count of Monte Cristo is so good!! It takes a few chapters to pick up speed but it is my favorite book ever. Lord of the Rings is a classic with great theme. Definitely recommend the books. They're a bit slow at times, but some of my favorite fantasy novels still. Mistborn is a lot of fun, but it's very much an easy read so not that intimidating. It's one of my more favorite endings to a trilogy. The Illiad is more beautiful writing and higher themes, but the Odyssey is a ton of fun 😄 Frankenstein has a slow start for sure, but I really love the use of language and the exploration of humanity in that book. Sherlock Holmes is a blast! I've read the complete works and most of it twice. If you like mystery, it's great. Dracula was good. The atmosphere is so good. Gatsby is a TERRIBLE human being 😂 but Fitzgerald's use of language is so good...

[@DavidGowers]

My recommendations for entry-point Stephen King would be Misery or Christine (if you want to experience 'classic' King) or The Talisman + Black House and/or Eyes of The Dragon if you want to experience Fantasy King without going all-in on The Dark Tower. Alternatively, you could go for 'less likely' King works like The Green Mile or Rita Hayworth & Shawshank Redemption The Iliad & Odyssey are amazing books! I read them in my early 20s and loved them, so I kinda want to revisit them now that I'm in my 40s and see if I still love them as much. Odyssey JUST edges out The Iliad for my favourite, but that might be due in part to the movie with Armand Assante as Odysseus. As for Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, I haven't read the physical book, but I recently(ish) had my first encounter with it in it's audiobook form, narrated by Dan Stevens and it was a reveLATION! The way he narrates it just brought so much emotion to it that I instantly fell in love with it. Similarly with Gatsby, I've never read the physical book but I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal and he really put me in the feel of the time period so I was immediately smitten. 💀

[@MegaSmashtastic]

I’ve read every single book on this list! I’m ready to kick the bucket happily 😂 my faves of all time on this list are Rebecca and Wind Up Bird Chronicles 💖

[@nancyabbott2660]

Love Mistborn and Anna Karenina also!

[@freshparchment]

Bleak House is incredible! If you're feeling intimidated, try watching the 2005 miniseries first. It will sort out plotlines and characters so you can really enjoy Dickens' prose when you read it. Plus, it's a classic because every time you consume this story you will notice new and different things.

[@readingbystarlight5567]

I definitely recommend War and Peace! I made it a goal to read one summer, the first 200 pages are a slog but once you get to the actual war parts it really picks up and you just get completely lost in it. I only got about half way through because I just couldn't keep it up when I went back to school (definitely not a book to be read as a few pages here and there), but it's one that I've always wanted to pick up again. Also the BBC mini-series is INCREDIBLE and most of the reason I was able to get through the initial slog because I knew where it was going. 100% recommend if you can get access to it!

[@ParadoxKismet]

Yes - read The Lord of the Rings which Tolkien wanted to be in a single volume. However I read it as the separate volumes. And yes - read The Game of Thrones. The bad thing is Martin has not finished the series! Maybe sidetracked with the series but he did not write the ending. I don't even do seasonal or yearly TBR lists but you've inspired me to do a reading bucket list!

[@Northern.Aquila]

Yess!! I would love to see you vlog reading LOTR! I'm currently reading it and would love to see your experience reading it 😊 Your videos bring me so much joy😁

[@alexandraroselyn]

Omgsh do you like it so far??

[@Northern.Aquila]

@@alexandraroselyn Yes!! I love it! Started off a little slow for me, tho. But after that, its so good! Great read for rainy days to cozy up with some tea and a blanket 😊

[@emilyashwell7112]

All of Stephen King's older books are amazing, but I seriously reccomend 11.22.63, I read it last year and it blew my mind

[@MeteoricMarlin]

YES!!! Read House of Leaves. That is the one book I always recommend to everyone. Also if you want to read Stephen King try The Stand. It’s so much better than Cujo. 100 years of solitude is also really high on my list. If you like detective stories Agatha Christy is also a great option. I’ve yet to figure out any of the plots before the book is over and they’re fairly short so they’re easy reads.

[@MissAddieMae]

I love your honestly when it comes to how many classics you haven’t finished! Classics feel so intimidating for me

[@jaimehernandez3104]

Crime and Punishment was the first book I read that gave me the feeling that literature could change a person's life. 💙

[@sarahmvalves]

I love your videos! ❤️ Anna Karenina is my favorite book!

[@mshannarose12]

Hi Lexi! I loved your list and agree with your choices! I was pleasantly surprised to find that I read read many of them, particularly the gothic horror section. Though Jane Eyre is on my TBR too! I picked up Tender is the Night in a little bookshop on holiday recently and can't wait to read it. Like you, Gatsby is one of my all-time most loved books (DAISY IS THE WORST!), so I'm very excited to read another.

[@prideandpaperback]

Ahhhh! Frankenstein is one of my favorites!! 😍 So good.

[@cuppy42]

I want to read all of Kurt Vonnegut's works. I've read most of them (like 4-5 novels), but I keep putting off reading the rest, because I know when I'm done reading them... that's it. No more Vonnegut to read. Also, I definitely get very existential wherever I look at my TBR list on goodreads... I know I'll never live long enough to read them all. :(

[@LCp1RickIlls]

The Last Tycoon was the novel F. Scott Fitzgerald was working on when he died. Even though it’s unfinished, like 70-80% of it was done, so it was posthumously released after his death and after years of going through his notes and journals, a summary and analysis of the ending he had planned are in most modern versions of it. Having read it and analyzed it for a film course I took in College (it takes place within the film industry during the 1930’s) I honestly think it would have been up there with The Great Gatsby if he had been able to finish it. You should definitely check it out.

[@cherishrandall3917]

Rebecca was a book that got me back into reading after a too-long hiatus! So very good.

[@amandamanda2944]

I would highly recommend The Long Walk for a less intimidating read from Stephen King. It’s a really easy and good read.

[@NovelOpinions]

Yes!! So good

[@rowanevenstar4896]

OMG Lord of the Rings is a must!!!!

[@bonniedoeswhat795]

I read 60 to 100 pages of War and Peace and you and I both know exactly the same thing about it. If you’re going to try it, make a character list to refer back to. Read Rebecca. It’s great. Don’t let the long introduction and first few pages of detail throw you off. There is oddly a spoiler in the beginning so maybe consider looking up advice on where to begin because starting at the beginning isn’t the only option.

[@nohelanikh6788]

My number one book-to-read-before-I-die has to be The Arabian Nights. I love retellings of this, but I’m intimidated by the original.

[@Books_coffee_and_ducks]

So... I really want to read the Count of Monti Cristo. It's been on my tbr for a long time... but it's HUGE! So at the beginning of 2022 I read the Librarian of Auschwitz and it really made me want to read the Count EVEN MORE!

[@catsith91]

Hey! I Love your gothic stack that you want to read. They are on my bucket list as well🥰 I have read the Game of Thrones Books and i loved them, but I would not recommend reading them until George R.R. Martin finishes the last two books in the series. Winds of Winter and A Promise of Spring. I kind of feel unfulfilled by that series. I love your videos and your energi in them are amazing ☺I hope you are well 😁

[@maria-aquariusunbound]

I put off The Count of Monte Cristo, Anna Karenina, and Bleak House for the longest time because they so chunky. I finally got around to them in 2020 & 2021. Bleak House was my least favorite, but I did enjoy them all and found them easy to get through. The Count of Monte Cristo was the most fun, so I'd suggest you read that one first. Rebecca is a good read when you're in the mood for gothic vibes. Daphne du Maurier is talented at sparking that feeling of dread and suspense. You question everyone's motives.

[@thepageandstage]

Shakespeare book club, maybe?! Also, a LotR vlog would be amazing. Fun fact - Tolkien actually wanted it as one volume but the publisher encouraged him to break it up into 3. 🤓💀

[@pngn69]

Yeah, the book is technically actually just one book. Split up in different volumes hahaha so wild

[@thewolfandherbooks]

I haven't read any fiction book by Stephen King but he has a new book coming out this Fall called Fairy Tale that sounds up my alley. Also, I read the Gris Grimly's graphic novel edition Frankenstein, which keeps most of the original text that way I could still appreciate the author's writing in a very accessible way.

[@bellelouallen6395]

I ADORE stephen king, but I would not recommend cujo for your first read! Maybe try the shining, carrie, or 'salem's lot first! love your videos!!

[@tabaluke2584]

Why wouldn't you recommend Cujo as someone's first Stephen King?

[@averyforeman5208]

War and peace is my favorite book of all time! It’s not as bad as it looks. It feels like reading 4 novels

[@stephanieregaliza]

My first Stephen King read was Misery. Highly recommend starting there if you don't feel connected to cujo

[@alishaclark9999]

The Count of Monte Cristo is AMAZING! I agree with the others who have said NO to Cujo first 😂 Under the Dome is a good one! I just learned that book vlogs/hauls/booktube are a thing and I’m obsessed!! So glad you do these!! And one more thing, I love McKays too!! Haha my husband just drops me off when we’re in the area because he knows it’ll be a minute…😂

[@kellylynn9304]

My scare factor is the same as Alexandras. However, before I die I would love to read one of Stephen king books as well. What is a beginner book of kings that is not to scary that I can sleep at night lol. I also would like to read the Harry Potter series as I have never seen nor read the book/movies.

[@AndrewWatson401]

You've got some tomes lined up. I wish you a long life!

[@twelvebooksaday8640]

The Lion Kind 2 representation I love it!

[@victoriamichelle2977]

💀Girl! You should do a read-a-long! So many of these books are on my tbr!

[@taylorlance1689]

After you read War and Peace you need to listen to the soundtrack to Natasha, Pierre, and the great comet of 1812. All time favorite musical that is based on a 70 page section of War and Peace. A lot of the lyrics are direct quotation from the novel.

[@Dayswalters1]

💀I’ve read many of the books you talked about. Count of Monte Cristo is awesome! I did a combination of audio and hard copy because it’s definitely chunky.. I’ve read every Sherlock story multiple times. They are some of my favorites. Lord of the Rings is incredible as well. There are others I’ve read but those are my favorites so far. I have a lot of these same books on my personal TBR as well. I plan to get to War and Peace this summer but each month I read at least one book from my list.

[@von20808]

I loved Cujo and the movie too. I've read all of Stephen Kings earlier books. You should read Needful Things. I think you would like it.

[@readingbystarlight5567]

OMG! You have no idea how grateful I am to know I'm not the only one who had a crush on Kovu. Apparently Eddie Radmayne had a crush on Nala so it can't be that unusual...

[@stefanienordstrom6750]

I think this is a solid list - many I have on my own 💀 list. I want to read everything from Dickens, Austen and du Maurier. GOT is also a must read and the Earth's Children (The Clan of the Cave Bear, etc.) series because I remember my mom loving those books growing up. I too want to read at least one Stephen King, but have been terrified to pick one up - I've decided on 11/22/63 since it's more alternative history than horror. It's hefty but I might read it more quickly than a book I am putting in the freezer after every chapter. Frankenstein, Jane Eyre and Rebecca are three of my absolute favorite books and Dracula is the most terrifying story I have ever read. I read Tender is the Night about 10 years ago and it was so depressing that it put me off from finishing the rest of his work - people love it tho.

[@tabaluke2584]

I don't think it was every chapter 😉

[@saraackerman8019]

Your list is literally my list. Literally want to read every single one. I recently finished One Hundred Year's Of Solitude, and a Murakami is on my soon to be read list.

[@SarahAsYouWish]

Great video! I have read the majority of these books and can honestly say you have some absolutely incredible books ahead of you. I’m sure you are going to love many of these books. Happy reading. 💀

[@tischa3639]

I loved this video!! I would also love a list of books you need to read before you die that you have already read! Kind of a recommendations list for our own bucket list :)

[@ASHLEY.397]

You should put the stormlight archive by Brandon Sanderson on your list because it is amazing I’m currently reading the way of kings, just just chiefs kiss

[@marissae2856]

War and Peace is on my list too. Im hoping to read it all this month. Definitely would be an accomplishment to finish. And I wholeheartedly agree about Daisy not deserving Gatsby.

[@dg9531]

I hope you really do read Frankenstein. It is so different from the movies, and you will have a whole new appreciation of the monster.

[@maddiejaymes]

Okay, my ex introduced me to House of Leaves and she HATES scary stuff but it’s her favorite book. The book is amazing. I cannot say enough about how much I love the book and how it actually changed my life in a weird way. I read it after our breakup during my mental breakdown and it was… a dark time haha. Also, love Stephen king. Misery is so good, also some of his newer stuff. My favorite book of his is Cell, idk why. Great list!

[@jenniferwright9636]

Pet Cemetery would be the best book by Stephen King to start with in my opinion. Its also not very long. It’s an awesome read. I love your channel and enjoyed this video. ✌️

[@le7516]

What about "It".?

[@liacurry1076]

Rebecca is actually gothic lit!! I've been wanting to pick that up for a while 😄

[@JenniferMoreman]

It’s wonderful

[@nancyabbott2660]

I love the No fear Shakespeare books as well . I have the same goal of 1Shakespeare a month…I’ve yet to do it. The Count is my hubby’s all time favorite book.

[@HouseofHannah]

HOUSE OF LEAVES IS SO GOOD !!! It was my favorite book I read of 2021 ! The formatting is so atmospheric, and reading this is an EXPERIENCE

[@Natbookawitch2022]

I want to read this book but it intimidates me.

[@danireader2087]

You should check out Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology.

[@celinevaillant5275]

Same, girl. I also have an obsession with Peter Pan. Still love the live action. I had such a crush on the guy who played peter pan in that movie. I was around 13 when I watched that movie for the first time so I was obsessed. Now I read every and any Peter Pan retelling I possibly can, doesn't matter how loosely based it is

[@kassandraperez1948]

You will absolutely LOVE Frankenstein! It’s a slow start, but it is right up your alley! Your classics with the foiling are STUNNNNNING! Do you know where you snagged them from?! I so look forward to your videos and I appreciate your passion for books matches so many of ours! Your videos and some tea are always the perfect pick me up afters long nights working in the ER every week! 🖤☠️

[@suzanneboily5224]

Oh! My god I love love reading! But been so busy working that I pushed it aside. But you tempted me so much gonna go back to reading! Happy reading! So happy to listen to you. Amazing! 📚📖🎒🧡☕️

[@alysiajuarez4344]

I always wanted to read The Count of Monte Cristo, I adored the movie growing up. Currently working on my second Stephen King. The First had to be The Shining. I hope you have a great reading month and get to read all the books you want! 💀

[@loriemoeggenberg8690]

HIGHLY recommend The Green Mile by Stephen King! I read it back when it was released in small, individual volumes, but I'm sure it's just as compelling compiled into one book. 💚💚💚

[@jofallout]

If you want to read one King book then read Misery. It is so psychological and way better than the movie (which was great too). And it’s about 70 pages shorter than Cujo.

[@hudfamfour]

Stephen Fry’s version of Sherlock Holmes on Audible is FANTASTIC! Highly recommend!

[@alexandraroselyn]

Omg I DIDNT KNOW HE NARRATED THEM!!!! Sold!!

[@pebna-jay]

I'm reading Dracula right now! I'm reading it with this daily dracula thing where they send you an email of the dairies/letters and stuff as they are dated in book! It started may 3rd and it is a delightful way to read dracula, especially with everyone else thats reading it that I'm interacting with! Its very fun to read it now with all the cultural knowledge of dracula 💀. definitely would like to see you talking about more books to read!

[@tabaluke2584]

That sounds like such an interesting-and fun- way of reading Dracula!

[@tabaluke2584]

Or really anything 😅

[@CloTricots]

From your list I've read LOTR twice, The Count of Monte Cristo (i was a young adult and i remember it as one of the best book i've ever read), The Odyssey, Frankenstein and Dracula. I would recommend them all! I absolutely want to read a lot of the classics: 100 years of Solitude, The Great Gatsby, Jane Eyre, Anna Karenina, War and Peace, Crime and Punishment, i wanna reread The Count of Monte Cristo one day, at least one of Stephen King, Dune... so many books, so little time!!!

[@MayaraKoga]

Yessssss! I get happy whenever I see you posted a video, and today you made me extra happy hehe .... You mentioned the Lord of the rings! ... Vlog that and everything, yes!! It's my favorite books of all times for sure! And just listening to you mentioning it already gave me so much extra happiness!! 🌳 and yes, read it before you watch the movies so you can have the best of experiences when you see all you imagined come to life in the best movie trilogy ever!! Hehe

[@ellenrummel3347]

💀 this list has inspired me to make my own book "bucket list!" Love it!

[@amberrhea5293]

I think once you read Cujo, you'll want to read more. I think you'd really like The Dead Zone and Christine (my fave).

[@lost_in_the_pines]

Yes! Someone else who also crushed on Kovu! I've told people this and either they didn't know that movie existed or they think that I'm strange. I also named one of my cats after him lol

[@daisythegood3736]

Yess read Rebecca! It was so good. The Beautiful and The Damned was a fantastic F. Scott Fitzgerald book.

[@karenjobim5794]

I read at least 8 books from the list and 3 plays from Shakespeare. I can tell you they are worthy. Even if they are not excellent or blow your mind, there's a lot to learn from them. Also, when reading them take into account the time period. As a literary person, I think you get the beauty of analyze a piece of history within the story. You definitely inspired me to pick it out the rest I haven't read yet. Have a great reading! I love your channel and the vid!

[@heatherjurado3840]

Darling Girl sounds good😊The Stephen King book that I have & want to read is "11/22/63", but it's chunky😳Many of the classics you mentioned are on my TBR also. Current classic is: Great Expectations..finished pt. 1 and I'm surprised that I'm getting into it 👍Goal for the year is at least a classic a month🤞Have you read the Gothic YA, "Anatomy" yet?❤️Loved it!

[@scoobydoo_forever]

My first Stephen King book I read was pet sematary and it's amazing!

[@cynthiafialka1199]

You should read The Stand by Stephen King. It’s a tome but worth the time. One of my favorite books ever! Also, George RR Martin is never going to finish the Game of Thrones books at the rate he’s going so we’ll probably never find out how he means it to end. But agree, season 8 of the show doesn’t exist.

[@Annnnie77]

To be honest, F. S. Fitzgerald's Tender is the night for me felt like an inspiration to Conversation with friends by Sally Rooney. Don't know if I'm the only one, but the relationships and vibes were definitely similar.

[@lauraflores1482]

Where can I find the edition of Jane Eyre. It’s absolutely beautiful

[@ryan9257]

Alexandra, I am currently reading House of Leave and it soo interesting. Just to let you know, I have heard that some of the book you have to read in the mirror as some texts is , cause it written backwards!!

[@nancyabbott2660]

I loved Bleak House…was 5⭐️ for me! Dickens is my all time favorite author…no one writes characters like Dickens in my opinion!

[@susanmeadows3706]

Also, you can watch Bleak House on TV. It was really good and it caused me to go download it! I haven’t read it yet though

[@cristianamarques99]

I think, for me, it would actually be all books written by L.M. Montgomery! I haven't read any of them, not even Anne Of Green Gables yet! Your videos are always the highlight of the week 💕💀

[@KarenTheGreat602]

💀 I’ve read most of Shakespeare’s work, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and The Count of Monte Cristo.

[@joyceepps155]

Read Frankenstein simultaneously while also listening to the audio. A much better experience for me when I read it, although it still was not a favorite of mine. I did the same thing with Dracula, which I prefer of the two. They both make great Halloween reads either way. But before you read Dracula, you should read/listen to the Novella Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu which predates Dracula.

[@ktcrich]

Yes! Shakespeare and movie adaptations! She's the Man and 10 Things for the win! 😂💀

[@2926063]

The count of Montecristo is worth EVERY PAGE!

[@hannaa7872]

My surprise when you haven't seen the LOTR movies 😲 but also, I kind of want to read the count on Monte Cristo too

[@Prettyxsoon]

House of Leaves is a book I've been putting off. I think it's time to read it!

[@ashlynhale3369]

Spotify has a free playlist do the lord of the rings audiobooks (and the hobbit) with fabulous narration and sound effects! 😊I just read it last year and it’s an all time favorite! I would also love to get through some classics (100 years of solitude, Dorian gray, and Anna Karenina), and I want to finish reading Wheel of Time and all of Sanderson’s Cosmere books!

[@manoeksbooknook]

Rebecca is my favourite classic of all time !! Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a favourite too

[@blackheartbooks]

Always takes a video of yours to put a smile on my face

[@romalibra_books]

I am reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë and I am so shocked by how much I am loving it ! It is so feminist, apparently too much even for her sisters and brothers who prevented her from publishing it for a long time, so interesting 🤩

[@solangelicag]

Years ago when I was in a "I love everything 20s" phase I loved reading F. Scott Fitzgerald's books. Try checking out The Popular Girl. It is very enjoyable and a short read. Tales of the Jazz Age is also a nice collection of short stories from him.

[@hollyludlow2460]

I love Jane Eyre. I want to read Sherlock Holmes and Leo Tolstoy as well maybe more who knows

[@becwrites]

Currently reading Dracula and all I can say is DO IT!!! Loving it 🧛‍♂️💀

[@megan2625]

I would highly, highly suggest reading King Lear. I had to read it for my English Literature class years ago and it’s still stuck with me, and considering how much I hate reading plays or screenplays…says a lot.