a recap of the selection

[@thekangaroo4853]

Selection: The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor

[@caitlingill]

Meets princess diaries

[@Anderson-f4t6c]

The Hunger Whores Game

[@nazy6140]

I literally said this in an oral presentation I did in year 8 and got 20/20 and that was when I peaked in high school

[@loserjewels]

Dead

[@ssnekky]

I used to always be team childhood friend, but this book changed that. I HATED Aspen. He was insufferable.

[@rx500android]

Same!! I always root for the childhood friend (my own relationship is actually childhood friends to lovers lmao) but OH MY GOD ASPEN. I wanted to slap him so hard, 13 year old me cried her eyes out when he broke up with America

[@sketchycat6223]

Literally like he told her she had to do it and then got mad when she won 🙄 like bro be fr

[@seb_bee]

love your pfp

[@audreyjoy578]

I'm glad we all saw through Aspen's bs. He was awful

[@lilimonarch8494]

Real, glad we all saw through his gaslighting

[@ravenn532]

oh gosh the way this book had a chokehold on me in middle school

[@newbiethenoob5371]

Same

[@rx500android]

Literally same

[@jennamariposa5443]

Me too

[@roselinekapinga1711]

I got ALL my friends hooked on it

[@mitalisamdariya6084]

me

[@andreasikes7551]

"Turns out karma is NOT Aspen's boyfriend." I hollered.

[@babeileedwards2333]

karma is not a relaxing thought for Aspen lol

[@rubybutterfly4048]

i recently donated my entire Selection series to a book drive (including epilogue collection) some middle school girl out there is gonna be very happy

[@jenesuispasrusse]

I did the same a few months ago and I regret it so much lmao I want to re-read the whole collection now hahahaha

[@rubybutterfly4048]

@@jenesuispasrusse lol i get what you mean. like the memories i had with it were fun

[@rubybutterfly4048]

@Cleopatrawhogrewupinasmalltown um well that's highly debatable. It's an enjoyable read but enjoyable is different from good. People can like books even if from a writing standpoint it's not very outstanding. (I'd know I'm in training class to be a writer)

[@lrae9519]

You are a natural story teller and I am endlessly fascinated by your recaps. There's no way the originals are as good as your versions

[@hi-yo2hi]

RIGHT

[@karakanb3039]

Oh believe me, they DEFINITELY aren't lol. This recap is so much more entertaining, engaging and funny than the actual book

[@Zombina638]

Stop being over dramatic, you’re wrong.

[@Zombina638]

@@karakanb3039ur not funny. L

[@Zombina638]

@@karakanb3039no

[@julialovesgfriend]

I don’t remember a lot from the story but some moments mentioned here are forever burnt into my brain lol I even read the books about America’s daughter (also don’t remember anything about those) and there’s supposed to be a Netflix adaptation of the the selection but at this point it’s become an urban legend 💀

[@Str8wberry_jam]

Omg I would love a Netflex adapation of The Selection

[@RogueVideoRaven]

I remember when the Selection film adaptation was announced… I was in middle school and now I’ve graduated college. You’re right, it’s an urban legend at this point lol

[@duckiemomo7511]

I remember watching someone’s video about the adaptation! She was reading some of the leaked script and thank goodness it’s just an urban legend😭😂

[@lilaperl5423]

spoiler warning: wait were the sequel books the ones where 2 of the contestants left b/c they fell in love with each other? that's all I remember about them lol

[@kittycheshire5099]

I completely forgot about that. I remember being so excited when they announced it when I was in middle school (for context, I'm in college now)

[@Rizzalert69]

I read the books super fast a few years ago and absolutely loved them, they’re so idk, campy ? Unique ? Crazy ?

[@haikuhaikyuu8124]

They’re kinda terrible but like very entertaining lol. Book 2 had me PISSED at America though

[@sketchycat6223]

There’s just something about them

[@chhaviuniyal8003]

​​@@haikuhaikyuu8124 oohh i hated in book 2 so much like i almost quit reading it. But the series as a whole was my actual favourite for the longest time

[@katrinascarlet5637]

​@@chhaviuniyal8003 America was like a train wreck I couldn't look away from. Like when she believed Maxon was starting to favor the other girls so she blew up the presentation and angered the King on purpose. I was laughing so hard because it would've been resolved if she just asked him about it!

[@giovanalaurence]

They're bad, but entertaining. 12 years old me ATE these books like it was the bible but now I'm 20 and I have other things to compare, therefore it doesnt impress me anymore.

[@andreil-g4t]

maxon was the original himbo

[@Autumnnn_017]

HAHAHAHA 😭😭😭😭 this had no business being so funny omg 💀

[@elleashee]

she's everything, he's just maxon

[@caroline5903]

my #1 book bf forever

[@avengerwidow9]

THE WAY I CACKLED BC THIS IS SO TRUE 😂😭😭

[@bit3thytongu3]

Maxon’s thirst for Celeste was the only thing keeping her around, and it pissed me off SOOO much when I was reading the series. I could only think-if you’re supposed to love America and trust her to be your friend, then why wouldn’t you believe her if she’s telling you to your face that one of the girls is a shady bitch? Like??? I appreciate this video for reminding me of this nostalgic classic though. THANK YOU 🙏🏽

[@Kavya0704]

RIGHTT?! I think at some point i justified him making her stay just so he has a easy choice for elimination but it got on my nerves SO freaking bad at ome point

[@Autumnnn_017]

well she turned out.. sorta good.. in the end...?? idk when she had her redemption arc I liked her 😭 AND TJEN SHE FUCKING DIED, SO 💀

[@rosebecerra8252]

You I was so shocked when she died omg I remember just like shouting at my sister like WHAT SHE DIED

[@mikchimin]

Well I think it was also scumbag king who was like, "She's hot and rich keep her around Son" like he tried to control the game /so/ much, but Maxon had a part of it too and could've just sent her home...but at the same time I legitimately love Celeste as a character so I'm glad she was there until almost the end

[@fatimasheikh6086]

I think the reasoning was that he couldn't narrow the elite too much or else he would have to make a decision even faster. And so he had to keep some girls even if he didn't see a future with them. And it made sense to keep Celeste since she was well-liked by the King and the general public. Also, remember that Celeste was only horrible to the other girls not to Maxon. To him, she was her most charming, flirty self. He clearly thought she was at least fun to talk to every now and then even if he knew she was only using him.

[@kittycheshire5099]

Fun-ish fact: the nine-year-old who got whipped for stealling food is one of Aspen's little siblings. I didn't notice that until like my fifth re-read of the series in middle school.

[@rosebecerra8252]

Whaaat I didn’t know that and I re-read like 3 times

[@beccawithbangs]

She mentions it like 80 bajillion times

[@bbrbbr-on2gd]

Aspen, more like Aspirin, bro giving me a headache with his nonsense.

[@mica7286]

you had me rolling with that comment

[@beccawithbangs]

I’m dead 💀💀💀

[@caitlingill]

Quick caste rundown: Ones and twos and threes go to a private school. Fours and fives are homeschooled. Sixes and sevens go to a public school. One: royals Two: celebs (actors, singers, authors, dancers, models, etc) and politicians (Edit: also big business owners are two) Three: teachers, lawyers, doctors, scholars, surgeons (surprised teachers are ranked this high tbh) Four: middle class, mainly farm owners and other land owners. Council members or small town mayors might also fit here. (Edit: small business owners are four) Five: artists. So painters, photographers, theatre performers, musicians, sculptors, writers, etc. Fives could become a two relatively easily if they get famous. Six: indoor servants. So cleaners, janitors, cooks (edit: also restaurant workers and shop assistants are also sixes) Seven: outdoor labourers. Park rangers, gardeners, etc. Eight: homeless Nine: rebels. People don’t want to to be in a caste and isolate themselves from mainstream society in packs, typically in woods and rural areas.

[@llamathedrama1454]

Thank you for your service 😊

[@catharinrin]

I’ve never read these books, can you explain to me how 8 & 9 work in more detail? Like are the rebels illegal / punished if caught? How does one become homeless, can they become a 7 or 6?

[@Yeovelyn]

This is such a weird caste ☠️😬

[@caitlingill]

​@@catharinrin All I remember is if two people are caught having sex before marriage they're immediately demoted to an eight, this obviously applies to pregnancy outside of wedlock too. Even people caught masturbating outside of wedlock are demoted to an eight. Condom's don't exist in illea. Or if you're caught stealing a store or robbing a house you're demoted to an eight. If you're caught kidnapping you're demoted to an eight. More serious crimes by people (such as murder, arson, etc) are exiled or even executed. Rebels are typically either imprisoned or executed if caught (depending on the severity of the crime) but if you can prove your innocence (such as alliegence to the royals) you might be able to be a seven or six.

[@HeatherSchrivener-el2mx]

I don’t think famous 5s turn into 2s, I barely remember anything from this series but I’m pretty sure fives stay fives, they just can get rich if they blow up. That happened to America’s brother from what I recall.

[@Anna-B]

I started reading these books, but I stopped because I got annoyed at the love triangle. It was pretty clear to me who she would end up with, and I wasn’t happy

[@slayingmorin3171]

You preferred aspen?

[@Anna-B]

@@slayingmorin3171 not exactly. I stopped reading before I had the chance to really like either of them. I just don’t like love triangle’s that include a pre-established relationship. It makes it hard to route for the new guy. I also don’t like love triangle’s where it’s super obvious which couple will prevail. It makes the other one seem kinda pointless

[@muffins9089]

@@Anna-B yeah that makes sense

[@alliumspark]

@@Anna-B i kinda get that and they did drag the aspen thing for a long time although it was kinda obvious maxon would win, so it just ended up hurting every character and the relationship got kinda boring by the end of the second book. i still enjoyed reading wbout america and rhe other selected though, the guys were never the main reason why i enjoyed the trilogy

[@mikchimin]

The thing is...Kiera Cass was debating killing off Maxon and letting America both mardy Aspen and become queen-

[@marysue9050]

I can’t take this seriously bc the main character name is AMERICA 💀

[@the-bill-cipher]

N her last name is singer lmaoo American singer

[@Ambereigh]

Thats no different to people named Paris

[@Smilecheese09]

Okay so spoiler but the reason shes named that is because in this dystopian future America was taken over and turned into the royalty caste system and her dad aligns his values with some of the rebels so her name is like a fuck you to the oppressive caste system and its like a few hundred years in the future and history if America is like banned to be taught so in their perspective its not super cheesy but it is really hard to get past at first

[@rosyreverie]

It actually makes sense when you read the book, but also it’s a name people do use irl. I used to watch a KZbinr named America.

[@UchihaKat]

I have an actual ancestor named America Grace.

[@yasminhando]

Aspen makes the book so much worse. Even in middle school, I already hated him as a love interest, especially after some time it gets really repetitive But I ABSOLUTELY loved maxon sm and was so obsessed with those books

[@Zia_9912]

MAXONS CONFESSION OF LOVE AT THE END OF THE ONE WHEN HE PROPOSES IS MY TOP 10 MOST ROMANTIC MOMENTS EVER (I might need to reconsider but I doubt it)

[@KirstydePaor]

Perhaps that was a good lesson though. Your first love often has some awful flaws you can’t see through until you leave and meet others and realise the love you settled for was subpar. I kinda like this take, what you’re used to isn’t always what you should choose.

[@mikchimin]

Right?? Aspen was a whole man child, America and Maxon had a couple bumps in their relationships but Maxon was the definition of what a healthy partner should look like. I adore him still to this day

[@cora1334]

"That punishment probably hit a little too close to home if you know what I mean." Oh my gosh. I never once considered that Maxon would resonate with that kid because he was beat by his father. I feel so blind, wow.

[@sofiarodriguesgomes8957]

America annoyed me soooo much she spends THREE BOOKS to chose the perfect man like????? are u dumb????? why u doing these to my prince????

[@UchihaKat]

Yeah truly the alternative love interest was.... not even close. I liked America a lot more than I liked her daughter tho.

[@georgiemcdevitt8322]

i always forget how much happens in the 3 books, yet it's supposed to take place over only a few months like WHAT

[@beccawithbangs]

@@UchihaKat eadlyn is such an unlikable character. and they pulled out eikko from out of nowhere

[@slllll9745]

literally

[@thegillmachine]

I just reread this entire franchise. I think I might be the only one to prefer her daughter bc her frigidity and emotional unavailability is very relatable

[@meridastangea1254]

Honestly that outweighs how much she pisses me off

[@8teezy]

@@meridastangea1254 Lol so much this. Like I get her, but I also want to slap her silly

[@lannaweasley533]

I also preffered her daughter and the love story was way better in this book in my opinion

[@salty_katt]

yeah i also enjoyed it too, plus eikko was a sweetheart the entire time and never pissed me off

[@thegillmachine]

@@salty_katt agreed. i do wish he was a woman tho bc Eadlyn would have been the perfect bicon

[@moondustgalaxy]

These books had me on a chokehold when I was 13/14 and I STILL read them every now and again at age 22. People will say whatever about this series but I still stand behind it, it’s clearly shit at some parts and obvious and others but reading it is so much fun. It’s mind numbing entertainment. When The Heir was released I finished it in 18 hours. So much fun. I’m gonna read through the series again soon

[@rosebecerra8252]

Omg same I remember being like 11 reading it and now im 20 and I even brought w me to college to re-read

[@gracielacolabella9902]

Thissss. I love this trilogy because of how easy and light it is, feels cozy and silly and romantic at times. It's not amazing quality reading but i love it sm

[@trebaneconapise7793]

i mean it has its problems but at least the relationship was healthy (maxon being actually abused and still not a bad boy like some poor attempts...), america wasn't really a mary sue and did have actual character flaws, she went out into the streets herself to actually do something about the rebels. on top of that, The Heir taught me the trivial difference between "highness" and "majesty" that SOOOOO many films still completely ignore, it drives me nuts. and on top of that, i pretty much swallowed the series whole in the reread, it's so addictive.

[@alicesimone3190]

These books have me in a chokehold!!!! It’s so bad it’s good 😭 I still listen to the audiobook once a year at least.

[@dokessezeaka5159]

Omg i wanted to get the audiobook when i was younger 😂

[@mollyay]

omg the audiobooks, they got like the most emotionless voice actor for them i swear

[@alicesimone3190]

@@mollyay oh my gosh yes!!! I sped it up cause I can’t stand it slow

[@itsbritneybisch8552]

I, a woman in her 30s, admit that this series is one of my guilty pleasures. America sure is annoying af but Maxon is a dream boat. Will this ever be adapted into a series?

[@karaholmes3404]

it might as well be an urban legend at this point 😅

[@TaurusWitch29]

I, too, am in the 30s category and have the whole series 😂 it's been a long time since I've read them but the recaps make me want to. I started reading vampire academy again after 10 years. And it hits way different. Lol

[@Maria-rj9ys]

it was meant to but they scrapped the show

[@selahgracee]

The way I got into a full blown argument online over Aspen being toxic when I was in middle school 💀

[@maryam8538]

This is a pretty good series, but for PRETEENS & TEENAGERS, that’s gotta be understood. Because of tiktok causing a resurgence in its popularity, a lot of older young adults and adults who didn’t read it when they were younger have been reading it and then trashing it - because yes, it is very cringe in some aspects. But I don’t think that’s really fair because it’s basically written for middle schoolers and high schoolers, it’s not meant to be critiqued from the eyes of grown people. You know?

[@ayecanosa]

Totally agree with you! I was 15 when I first read The Selection and I fell in love immediately; I remember making the only fan club that existed in my country 😂 and even had a super popular page and KZbin channel about it. I waited for the realest of the third book and read it in one night after so much time waiting, and for years to come I've re read the trilogy multiple times... And now I'm 26, and last year I re-read them again with a reading group full of people my age who most of them never read the books before, and they hated them so much it hurtsss hahhaahh but the saddest thing was realizing that, yes, effectively, they aren't as great as I remembered... At least in terms of writing, structure or character development. But they still caused me the same happy feelings as the first time, so I guess that's where the value is, and as you say, if you're the right audience, then it will strike you and you'll probably love them with all the cringiness they have❤ P.D: they also were a way for me to know a lot of friends in the time, so just for that they'll always have a special place in my heart

[@GlimmerOfAComet]

I feel this way about a lot of books honestly. Obviously if they're super toxic or super sexual, (After comes to mind) they shouldn't be read by kids, but cringe is fine. Kids are cringe. It makes me think of that saying, anything young girls like will be ripped to shreds and obsessively critiqued.

[@SuvuIC]

I feel like it’s also important to read this series before you read other, better books. I was a teenager that had read most of the fantasy books at my local library, and then this series showed up, and it was incredibly disappointing and boring. Tbf, it doesn’t help that I’m not big on romance either. I liked anything Rick Riordan and other childhood classics, Artemis Fowl, Shadowhunters, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Red Rising and CHERUB.

[@victoriarufo830]

​@@ayecanosaOMG SAME. I remember finishing the third book in one night too (waited for it for months). It's hard hearing this series be thrashed by adults who never had that teenage reading phase of books like The Selection, yet somehow praise Colleen Hoover books who have quite similar cliche and Wattpady tropes tbh. The Selection, tho it has its faults, helped me to develop my reading skills. These types of books really encouraged my teenage self to continue reading and loving it enough to get me through much harder books now.

[@TaurusWitch29]

I'm 36 and still have the whole collection 😅😂 to be fair I haven't read it in about 10 years but I'm keeping it around for nostalgic days lol. I keep all my books, and started reading vampire academy again and it's so different from what it was a long time ago lol. But I don't think I could make it through house of night again, it frustrates me too much. Lol. 🖤 and who the hell is Colleen hoover? I keep seeing video recommendations on the crappy writing so I definitely don't want to read that lol. But I can't pass judgements on that particular subject since I haven't read any of her books lol

[@mchlle2121]

oh my goodness i was obsessed with this book series and forced all my friends to read it... never forget when keira cass cancelled her book signing at my mall last minute

[@mayulee1798]

So Maxim's characterization in the beginning is basically Adrien? 👀👀👀👀

[@rx500android]

Now that you mention it....

[@sketchycat6223]

Wait a minute 😨 why are you kinda right

[@kittycheshire5099]

How did I never notice that?

[@Clara1717]

Which adrien

[@kittycheshire5099]

@@Clara1717 Adrien Agreste from Miraculous Ladybug

[@livneedshelp6505]

maxon was the first book boy i TRULY loved. all my standards irl are so high bc of him.

[@theflickchick9850]

I never read this, though I saw the covers all the time, but Maxon seems like such a chill guy. I'm not used to the rich male love interest in these kinds of stories actually being a cool and reasonable person- especially the part where he's horrified at the girls being told to do whatever he says.

[@megdragon5191]

He is a good character in my view because he's flawed but willing to work on himself.

[@sopadoodles]

“she gave him all his pennies…and i kinda forgot to talkabout the pennies” I love this recap so much its exactly how i tell stories and it makes me so happy that this video exsists

[@drionkemp5791]

It is so shocking to me that other people actually read these books too and I don’t even understand why😭

[@amberdennis7909]

No one i knew read these books. So it was shocking to learn that the books were so popular.

[@RaeWakefield]

Because entertainment 😂

[@leiakasta7602]

The concept of America and Maxon just being buddies and having a genuine friendship is a cute concept and I think I would’ve liked it more if they were just platonic for a while and had that buddy-buddy gossipy vibes like you described when America was first telling Maxon about Aspen. Building up a genuine friendship first that then turns into a romance in a later book maybe or even having a twist where they never fall in love and she gets some sort of working position that allows them to stay close as friends or something would’ve been fun. Like there might be something morally bad about that last option (especially because I do not remember where the politics in these books go) but I’ll always think a relationship is better when there is also genuine friendship.

[@amariasnyder6943]

Bad boy bachelor was crazy. I wasn’t even sent home I was eaten by cannibals

[@trillerkiller9839]

Me too lol

[@marianas.4737]

I remember reading the book with Maxon's pov and after the talk on the garden he rushed back to his room and watched her from his valcony for 10 minutes, afterwards he declared that his only goal moving forward was to make America Fall in love with him

[@jackiemelody0333]

wait whats the book with maxond pov?

[@katherinerenee07]

what book is that i need it

[@tiongenakazwe]

America really said don’t let your boyfriend stop you from finding your husband and I have to respect that even though she be pissing me off

[@danirose4042]

Listening to you talk is like you having a full blown rant in the middle of a coffee shop about that one friend you have who can't catch a break. And I'm here for it.

[@puripuriprisoner0]

i was OBSESSED with this series in middle school, but i reread it recently and it’s not as good as i remember 😭😭😭😭. it’s not that bad, but the way the author wrote america and all of the antagonists in the story gave me very “bitchy bimbo vs not like other girl” vibes. that’s just my opinion, but this recap is sooooooo so so good

[@one-onessadhalf3393]

Lol including the dad?

[@VeronicaSawyer-nw3ho]

I remember when I turned 13, a classmate that knew I really liked to read gifted me The Prince, Maxon's side story (back then I had no fucking idea abt what the books were about), and to this day I still swoon at the description of how he reacted seeing her smile for the first time (when they are showing the pictures of the contestants). And then I found out what she was smiling about and swooned even more because imagine someone being so infatuated with the happiest smile you can muster, I dropped dead. This book series may have some negatives, ngl, but i will always have that one scene stuck in my heart forever.

[@charlottemydear]

I liked the books well enough when I read them as a teenager, but if any of y'all are into Fanfic I would HIGHLY recommend The Laws of Inheritance, which is a Selection Fanfic reimagining of how hard it must have been to pass the Law making a firstborn princess able to be queen over her brothers. It's amazing and hits me in the feels and I'm going to go read it again for like the fifth time right now

[@noemi4497]

i recently remembered these books but bc none of my friends read them or remembered them i kinda wasn't sure if i made them up or not, the story seems like something my 12 year old self would come up with... well now we know, but i definitely wrote selection inspired fanfic after reading it

[@PichuElric]

Which fandom sis

[@brooklynnking6652]

"i was playing this game of episode" you are the representation we deserve i am your target audience

[@celestiacrystal9317]

No, but I was literally playing a game on episode, probably heavily inspired by this book series, I had no idea, the story was taken from this. P.S. Didnt enjoy it much, exactly for these “trials” where you need to answer questions to be liked and answering honestly got you booted out of there lol

[@kenna176]

I read these in my early (?) 20s. I picked up The Selection on a whim, read it in like 3 hours, and drove my ass back to Barnes & Noble to immediately buy thr other two. Needless to say, love this series.

[@evelynkennedy7983]

I've never heard the word caste said out loud before...finally I know how to say it, middle school me would be so happy-

[@Bettersucksaul]

Lol what..

[@Dokemoni]

I had a love hate relationship with these books. Heck I was just annoyed most of the time. The love story was so obvious that I just rolled my eyes as a teen.

[@rissirose219]

this series deserved movies 😭😭

[@laylam9997]

Please do more recaps! I’ve never read the selection but I sat through this entertained as hell

[@OrangeJuice33]

Same xD

[@samirahmichel6721]

I did not expect one of my childhood books to be dissected in a KZbin video essay. I was so obsessed with it, I went and read whole collection.

[@heather8650]

I remember loving these as kid but I reread them this winter and almost considered quitting 😭 The will-they-wont-they felt like it lasted 10 years and then ofc since it's YA, there's not even much of a payoff at the end for all the pain the books just put you through. I know Maxon needed his own development but him changing his mind about her just when she finally decided she liked him back made me want to scream

[@heather8650]

I want to be clear that I *do not* think the books should have had mature content, they were written for young teens so of course not. This is just me realizing this is not the kind of book made for adults to enjoy and root for lol

[@adewonuolaadeyemi5449]

I LOVED these books. still do honestly. Unlocked a old memory.🤭🤭

[@kammieceleek5113]

I remember reading these in middle school, it's probably my favorite of the 'dystopia teen romance' subgenre because of Maxon alone. There's this aspect of it where it flips the personalities of the male leads by having the childhood friend start out kind and respectful and then he dips towards asshole very quickly, meanwhile the 'newcomer' is always loving and respectful. There's also the aspect of dismantling a crooked system, but it has the interesting angle of our heroine being able to dismantle it from the inside, completely eliminating the need for a rebel boy outside the norm who's fucking rude as hell because sad backstory and also tsundere becoming the one to win the girl's heart. Not many series do that.

[@alicesimone3190]

The changing backgrounds is amazing

[@evaisgoodnews]

I will be honest, I have never read this book series but I did know that it was a thing a few years ago. I'm not the biggest fan of the "female competition for the love of a royal dude" dribbled with some love triangle, but I find your version quite entertaining. Also Maxim best boy

[@pandakatiefominz]

The best version of this trope, I think, is the Princess Academy, because (spoilers) it turns out the prince was already in love with the only outsider girl, who was a side character, and she was in love with him, so the main character just goes back to her quarry where she's happy. The main character was like, "yeah idgaf about marrying this guy, but I'll help my friend be with him" and most of the book is about the relationship between the girls

[@iwouldgiveyouthemoon_]

@@pandakatiefominz princess academy was MY BOOK in like second grade 💜💜

[@xXAnonymousXxD]

6:45 me, who has never read the book: ASPEN YOU DOG-NAMED SON OF A BITCH 16:29 "your dog of a boyfriend-" I FEEL VINDICATED

[@saram.knight9930]

Aspen isn’t that bad 😂 He’s kinda like season 2 Kagami, everyone hated her but she isn’t even bad.

[@cath.is.an.erizen]

I can't wait for your unhinged recap of The Elite and The One 😂❤ No matter how bad this series is to other people, it will always have a special place in my heart because this is the reason why I became a bookworm (I know, there could've been better books that could've influenced me), but I just love this series sm.

[@kirayukimura4473]

I loved that book, i was always team maxon 💜 And celeste was first mean lesbian icon 💘

[@evancarvalho2195]

They should turn this not into a movie, but into a mockumentary style reality tv show, with bridgerton influence. I WOULD EAT IT UP

[@ThatOneBrunette719]

I remember hating maxim because ‘America should date george washington’ can you tell i was six when I read this

[@leeh4669]

you read this when you were SIX? gawddamn

[@rx500android]

You were SIX??? My sister is 10 and I'm forbidding her from reading these books I still have from middle school

[@kittycheshire5099]

@@rx500android I tried that with my sisters, but they don't listen to me, ever. One read A Court of Thorns and Roses at age 11.

[@MelloBee_zzz]

@@kittycheshire5099 Tbh I was already reading YA at 11. My sisters were always reading books online for free and the rest is history. I’m 22 years old now.

[@rosasunsprite8901]

@@rx500androidWhat about PJO? I made my sister read the series when she was 9 and she ended up reading other big books with no pictures instead of the simple and short ones with pictures.

[@Aniktoris]

Hello! I’m from Russia and I dont know English very well and sorry for my mistakes. So I want to say how strong I love this book! When I was 13, this book makes me happy. I fell in love with a guy from my school, but he didn’t and I was broken because of it. But one day I started reading this book and it was feeling I opened my eyes. I understood how love can be. How love looks. And every year I reread this books more than one time. I’m so obsessed with it. Now I’m 18. Maxon is still my perfect boy and I love him soooooo much! He is not perfect, but he is try to be with America and try to help her. I think he is her safing place or salvation. And also I love that moment that he has a BIG selection. Of course he fell in love in first girl he got permission to fall in love with (in the first because he has a Dafna, a French king’s daughter, this is stated in Prince and guard), but he also has a BIG permission to change his mind but he doesn’t. He protect his choice. Maxon wanted, tried and found out other girls’ advantages, but it was in vain. He knew his responsibilities, but he protected his love from his father. What is the scene worth, where the king beat him with rods, and not America. And I don’t love Aspen because he is weak. He didn’t even try to be with his REAL AND THE ONLY love, according to his words. So I can speak a lot of words about The selection, but I think I wrote enough. If anyone want to share his thoughts, I would be happy to talk about. Thanks for video. I will wait a second part about Elite

[@Swamp_fairy]

Omg to be a middle schooler again that could actually enjoy these kinds of books….honestly I want that childhood innocence back for like one day

[@sinabrand5244]

I mean.... what IF the Selection is actually like... a prequel to the Hunger games- like in a hundred years or so after the books, Ilea collapses and Panem rises-

[@gracehoney9875]

except the hunger games is actually written well. don’t get me wrong, i loved the selection when i was younger but it’s definitely not on the same level as thg💀

[@turtleneck6197]

Amercia got on my LAST nerve, she was insufferable, especially to Maxon. To the point where 12 year old me was crying and sobbing waiting for them to get together. 😭 Also I've never meet anyone who is team Aspen, and that's the only thing I remember positively about this series

[@missrachelroth]

I read this series probably over a decade ago, and only clicked on this video because I recognized the cover. I honestly don't remember any of the plot but your retelling is GOLD

[@not_permanent]

I remember reading fanfiction that used this exact same story when i was 12 and oh my god. That was just an integral part of my childhood. This had me in a chokehold. And i was so mad when the author abandoned the series and wouldn't continue with the other books like she said she would

[@hqmar9467]

honestly maxon is such a sweetheart he really deserves so much better than america and honestly any of the girls like no a single one of them is good enough for him

[@coletteherondale4525]

This was such a nostalgic trip, i remember reading this and veing endlessly frustrated at America! But i really loved the Prince tho, he was really sweet. And tho I did like Aspen at first he kinds pissed me off when he didn't propose lmao. I can't wait for the next book!

[@jessicamattes4208]

This series has such a special place in my heart. I read it in middle school and immediately fell in love. The way a lot of people feel about Harry Potter is how I feel about the selection (if there was a pottermore-esque quiz for the selection, you can bet I would've taken it). I read the books incessantly in middle and high school. Now, as a 20 year old, this series is my comfort series. I read it whenever I'm feeling down or upset or just burnt out on life. It always brings my mood up and makes me feel something. I read it so often that my copies of the original trilogy are quite literally falling apart. So, no matter how cheesy and predictable this series might be to the non middle school girls that are outside of its target demographic, I will forever be grateful for this series

[@chelseaely2316]

“Let me read you this passage” makes my heart excited every time you don’t understand I love your channel and your recaps are just next level!!!😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰♥️♥️♥️

[@songbird5825]

This is the chaotic recap I NEEDED. I haven't read these books in years and wasn't interested in re-reading them. Thank you!!!

[@annabellamumma76]

I remember reading these books VIVIDLY. They were even my favorite series at one point. I am simply dying for your recap of the next two, cause it simply gets WILD

[@lol1ipopsxox]

this was my comfort series and maxon was the OG babygirl🤭

[@martinahybelbauerova2658]

the selection had GRIP on me (I read every book from the sceries and even Siren) and this is waking up all my nostalgia, the way you talk about it is great and i am looking forward to the rest!

[@gaybug555]

i have never had the pleasure of reading the selection. thank you.

[@zozobop]

the visceral memories that this video is bringing out. I binge read all the books in 3 days and it feels like a fever dream. 😭✋ also America with her damn shenanigans was so !?!

[@MegaraTheUnwise]

I will never forget when one of my classmates convinced her mother (our literature teacher) to make this book part of a voluntary book-march madness project and then begged the entire class to vote for it over the Hunger Games. Fun times

[@boinkadoink9538]

i was team aspen when i first read the books but like u right maxon is like much better i made this decision exclusively based on his reaction to hearing about the aspen drama, i love a man who understands that and is ready for the tea

[@pancakey44]

As someone who also read the books back in the day, this recap was so enjoyable and I reallyyyyyy hope you can do the same thing to the other two books bc omg i'm already looking forward to them!!!

[@jellii]

Oh gosh, I remember reading this entire series in sixth grade, including the ones with America’s kid. What a trip down memory lane, lmao.

[@tarabria1405]

This is so great. Awesome video, I love the changing backgrounds 😂

[@youyeedyourlasthaw]

the way I have the series in my bookshelf and I’ve only read the first book

[@catcake222]

This was awesome. I had no idea this series even existed and just clicked on your video out of sheer curiosity. I’m totally reading the book now!🤩

[@hellodolly7301]

this brought me BAAACK, I can remember being so obsessed with these books. You summarize it so beautifully, capturing the feeling of normalized absurdity within the story. Hope you upload a following video about the Elite!

[@ronjarauberkind8721]

Omg, I just re-red all the books. I did really enjoy your video! Aspen is a really insufferable character, he doesn't accept Anericas boundaries and puts pressure on here, when Maxon is just genuinely nice to her.

[@tulip135]

I used to be so intrigued by this book series in middle school bc of the covers but English is my second language so it felt too advanced and I stuck to Dork Diaries 💀

[@sarahingreen9734]

Gosh, this recap reminded me why I liked this book! Maxon was so adorable! I'd totally forgotten.

[@vbochniak]

Can I just say, I read the comments before the video and was like "there's no way you can make me sit through 20 minutes of a recap." And yet, here I am, searching for the next video after laughing my ass off at what was hands-down the best and funniest recap of the selection I have every heard. This was peak entertainment because let me tell you, I was thinking the same exact thing as you when I read this book.

[@devanshisharma2447]

the selection brought back core memories

[@MariaEduarda-lv8my]

I was obsessed with the selection going as far as reading each book multiple times, it was my thing! Then the heir happened and I shunned the series completely. Now here we are and I kind of need you to keep doing these

[@shhd2105]

It's crazy how we all are living the same life lol, I also binged this whole series in middle school and totally forgot about it until I saw this video. It's unlocking old memories.

[@delilahandaria6198]

I never read this series in middle school, but since I always saw the books everywhere I was curious to see what you said about it. I have now watched this video 3 times (I showed it to my best friend and my sister) and I am currently on the 3rd book, so... thank you haha.

[@gracemaebrown9428]

I remember being so obsessed with this series back in middle school. Now I feel the need to revisit this book as an adult

[@Froggie124]

I’m gonna need a recap of the rest of the series. This is gold

[@kit1548]

your whole recap had me absolutely obsessed !! the story telling!! the flow!! absoluted hooked from the first minute!!

[@jaelleouapou4578]

This gave me scholastic book fair flashbacks

[@Moon-Vixen]

I remember seeing this book just sitting on a table in the book store just a few years ago, and it took me SO long to figure out what the back of the page was even saying, as I'd never come across a character name like "America Singer". I mean, it did its job, I certainly never forgot coming across this book lol nice to see it's as unhinged as I thought it'd be!

[@duckysguidetoshipping8930]

The selection is an absolute maxerpiece

[@eddie6228]

this brought back so many memories from middle school omg i legit worshiped those books

[@giallotine]

thank you for this video. i still love this series so much and this made my night! my go-to series whenever i attempt to get out of my everlasting reading slump

[@fatimita_san14]

okay please i need to know that i’m not the only one. i always imagined aspen as the blonde one and maxon as a brunette IT JUST MAKES MORE SENSE

[@hammy7]

I binge read these books during lockdown from like March-July 2020. The first three books went hard and I was not a fan of the last two

[@shareetz3154]

my new favorite youtube genre is unhinged but hilarious recaps of books i will never read & TV shows i will never watch 😂😂

[@feeline1120]

You’re such a fun storyteller! I loved the books years ago😂