best books I've read recently! fantasy, Japanese lit, mythology ~

[@christy-anne-jones]

Hey guys!! Welcome to this wrap up of my favourite books I've read in the last 2.5 - 3 months. These are all the books I've given 4 or 5 stars to. I hope you enjoy the video and take care 💛💛

[@ChantelReadsAllDay]

Honestly, there only seems to be 1% of crossover in books that you and I like but I still love watching your videos. I love your personality and your videography is always beautiful..

[@user-qu8zs7vs1x]

Same. Mostly here for the aesthetics and to listen to her talking about books. I don't read fantasy so I have your same issue with most booktubers

[@christy-anne-jones]

I appreciate you spending your time here so much 💛💛

[@AlineAimee]

I just loved Circe too! The song of Achilles was a little bit mellow for my taste. I am reading A manual for cleaning women, an amazing collection of short stories by Lucia Berlin. I highly recommend it. I am also reading Beautiful world, where are you by Sally Rooney. Still in the begining, but her text is so soft.

[@christy-anne-jones]

Thank you so much for your recommendations, Aline 💛💛

[@briannahawkins6581]

You're going to LOVE "the song of achilles". I just finished that in September, and I am still not over it haha your happiness radiates through your videos! I'm so happy you're doing what you love full time! ❤ much love from Mississippi!

[@christy-anne-jones]

I'm so excited to read it!! 💛

[@daminisingh3823]

Hey I have a doubt. I am planning to read the song of the Achilles. My doubt is do I have to do any pre-read of any Greek mythology before I pick it? Or I can dive right into it ?

[@briannahawkins6581]

@@daminisingh3823 I just dove right in and enjoyed it immensely! But if you would prefer some background, I believe it is a retelling of "The Iliad" from the perspective of Petroclus.

[@daminisingh3823]

@@briannahawkins6581 thanks for info 😃

[@HeyEffy]

I actually live around the corner from Gawthorpe Hall where The Familiars is set. I've grown up exploring the hall and grounds and it makes me so happy that you enjoyed a part of my local history. It's something that means a lot to me and my family as we are actually descendents of one of the real life Pendle witches who were persecuted. 😊

[@christy-anne-jones]

Oh that's so incredibly interesting! 💛

[@mediumjohnsilver]

I also read The Woman In The Purple Skirt earlier this year. I liked it a lot, and I’m glad to hear that you also enjoyed it. SPOILERS BELOW… What struck me is that the narrator (Gondo-san) remains unable to overcome her own isolation and introduce herself to Hino-san, even as Hino-san becomes more open and more popular. Essentially, a life the narrator could have built for herself is given over to her target. At the end, when Hino-san clears out the Gondo-san’s locker, I feel that this completes the process of Gondo-san giving everything over to Hino-san, leaving a melancholy but satisfying conclusion.

[@christy-anne-jones]

Oooh I really like that analysis!

[@ckrwgn3753]

I read Circe first and then Song of Achilles as well! You’re in for a treat!

[@sabahshaikh9540]

PRE-ORDER THE SONG OF ACHILLES!!!!!! HOW CAN YOU NOT!?!

[@christy-anne-jones]

I'm so tempted 😭

[@masa59125656]

Nausicaa is my favorite work! Lupine is also good. You know Japanese works ☺️ I feel happy today as well.

[@christy-anne-jones]

I love Nausicaa as well 😊💛

[@masa59125656]

@@christy-anne-jones ありがとうChristy💛

[@Mitsuna]

I definitely want to read The Familiars, I love when there is historical background to the story. I love hearing what you have to say about various books as it is really enjoyable and I always find something that I want to learn more about or read!!

[@rocksocks300]

Christy, I love your channel! I appreciate the effort you put into your content. And your voice is very soothing! Love, from Malaysia xx

[@christy-anne-jones]

Thank you so much, Anette 💛

[@rylie2403]

I have that edition of The Song of Achilles and it was totally worth every penny!

[@christy-anne-jones]

I'm so close to buying--it's stunnnning 😭

[@ejderhaz]

I never get the notifications from KZbin, but I got here soon thanks to your story on Instagram 💗 thank you again for this video, as usual it made my day better.

[@christy-anne-jones]

Thank you so much for being here 💛💛

[@seafarer_]

purchased the woman in the purple skirt on your recommendation! sounds like it will be an interesting little book to switch up my usual picks also currently reading circe!

[@AG-bq2zd]

I adore the Familiars!! It’s probably one of my top 5 of all time. Feel good, but also gut wrenching at times. Stacey Halls is so easy to read, I’ve read all of her 3 in one sitting!! The Familiars is definitely the best though, in my opinion.

[@christy-anne-jones]

It's such a good book! I'm keen to check out her other books 💛

[@AG-bq2zd]

@@christy-anne-jones it is wonderful!! Her descriptive writing is just captivating. She focuses a lot on motherhood throughout her current work, which I found interesting- and as someone who doesn’t have any interest in or intention of having children, I could still empathise with the characters. The name of her most recent book (“Mrs England”) was very offputting for me, but it’s a pretty good read once you’re in. I gave The Familiars 5/5, and The Foundling and Mrs England 4/5 each :)

[@arwakhan7824]

Hello. This was a fun video i think i actually got a Japanese book rec from here. Im rereading crime and punishment easily my top 5 ever.

[@shybunnymia]

Currently reading wuthering heights and classics are not my most favorite genre. But i am challenging myself. I heard lots of good thing about this book. I love you recommendations and i am also reading circe

[@user-qu8zs7vs1x]

I will say that Wuthering Heights is not the easiest classic to start from, as it's particularly slow, especially in the beginning. If you end up not liking it, just know that other classics can be much more fast - paced. Even Jane Eyre is a great one. Austen's books are pretty enjoyable too.

[@shybunnymia]

@@user-qu8zs7vs1x Hi Thank you for the recommendation. It is fairly difficult but I love a challenge! :D (Just need my trusty dictionary at the side) Will be reading up on more classics soon. :)

[@jpn71012]

As soon as I saw a new video, I hit the like button instantly even if I haven't watched it yet. I love all your book recs especially the Japanese books. Thanks! :)

[@christy-anne-jones]

Thank you so much for watching 💛

[@sabahshaikh9540]

Reading Crooked Kingdom, just finished How to fail at flirting by Denise Williams, it's such a great book...

[@cottagechaos2587]

I just finished Laird Hunt's In the House in the Dark of the Woods. It has a lot of elements of folklore and fairy tale. It really reminded me of Angela Carter's world. I think if you like Angela Carter, you would like this too! :) Actually, I just went to look at my copy and one of the blurbs says it this book is in Angela Carter's territory!

[@maddiejaymes]

Song of Achilles is so good, you’re going to love it.

[@christy-anne-jones]

I can't wait 💛

[@singingsanja167]

I loved American Gods so much, LOL! I have studied mythology for many years, Gaiman's approach is so compelling, I didn't relly mind Shadow not having an agency, because I had one. ;-D

[@donnasoriano5110]

My Weekly dose of Christy💞💞🤸

[@fromplanetpink]

The more stressed I get, the more I read” SAME! I’ve got some Witchy ya book recs for you! Firstly, The Witch King by H.E Edgmon which is a story about trauma and trans anger and love written by a queer Seminole author. Secondly, is Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury: a gripping audiobook about a witch coming of age story set in the future that has strong messages about the choices we make and how they effect our future. I loved both and if you find what I’ve described intriguing I suggest looking into them! Have a wonderful day and thank you for the lovely video😊

[@christy-anne-jones]

Oooh thank you so much for the recommendations 💛

[@fromplanetpink]

@@christy-anne-jones You’re welcome! 🤗 I also just finished the audiobook for The Once and Future Witches by Alice E Harrow and I loved it! Very witchy! Highly recommend!

[@17caria]

I'm currently reading one two three by Laurie Frankel and the sisterhood of the traveling pants series.

[@saralowes3470]

Reading Kings of the Wyld and Braiding Sweetgrass!

[@Samreen0987]

Heyy christy! The amount of love you have towards book is same amount of love l have towards your channel! 😊🌼

[@christy-anne-jones]

Thank you--you are such an angel 😭💛

[@YourTrueShelf]

Currently reading the priory of the orange tree (after I saw you talk about it). Recently read my first Neil Gaiman 😊 I have the familiars and circe on my tbr already.

[@christy-anne-jones]

Hope you enjoy Priory!! And hope you enjoyed the Neil Gaiman book as well 💛

[@YourTrueShelf]

@@christy-anne-jones it was the ocean at the end of the lane, and I did, very much 😊

[@saskialorena5264]

Hi Christy, first of all thanks for making these videos for ur they truly are amazing just like you, i was wondering whats ur favorite quote?

[@christy-anne-jones]

Ohh I have so many 💛 One of my favourites is from Sylvia Plath's 'Mad Girl's Love Song': "I should have loved a thunderbird instead; At least when spring comes they roar back again. I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead. (I think I made you up inside my head.)" Or maybe her quote about the fig tree in 'The Bell Jar'. I LOVE the line from Neil Gaiman's 'Instructions': "You may pick strawberries in December's frost. Trust the wolves, but do not tell them where you are going." Honestly, I could keep going hahah 💛💛

[@saskialorena5264]

@@christy-anne-jones Omg that's great ill check these books out

[@Thepeejay]

Love this review!

[@AseAPS]

Senlin Ascends is a must read, in my opinion.

[@mayetta88]

I ha to read The infernal desire machines at school for our English class. Didn't like it at all 😂 But after hearing you loving so much Angela Carter I might give her another shot. Lovely and wallet-disrupting video as usual 🤗

[@inno4ka333]

Nice! You were interested in the "lost generation" a while ago... I think you might really enjoy E.M. Remarque's "Three Comrades". It has very interesting "real" characters, the feeling of being lost and finding hope, some amazing dialogues, and hilarious bickering. Friendship... And will most likely make you cry :D It was my first "adult world" novel that I read after reading Harry Potter. I loved it and still think it's one of my absolute favorite books.

[@christy-anne-jones]

Oh thank you so much for the recommendation!!

[@nayoungkim2170]

I LOVED Circe but had weirdly strangely mixed up feelings about Song of Achilles? (Actually read Achilles first) Like, the narrative voice was good but I guess I felt put off because I already knew the ending because HA Greek myth spoiled it I guess? Great writing though no doubt

[@seafarer_]

song of achilles had this sort of slow, calm, and intimate tone, while circe feels plucky, yet charming and a little… regal, perhaps?

[@thabithaindla9415]

Just read lust for life by Irving stone ...about Van Gogh's life ...it's achingly beautiful ...a must read ...I loved it!!!

[@monsmontage0607]

Hey Christy!! I wanted to know if you read classics? If you do please make few videos on them too Classics are soo in for winters❄️❤️

[@christy-anne-jones]

I mostly love Gothic classics! Frankenstein, Jane Eyre, and The Picture of Dorian Grey 💛

[@backstreet51]

"The most stressed I get the more I read" omg I am the opposite and cant concentrate ! 😭 Which is hell cause theres so much I wanna read. Teach my your ways haha

[@elizabethdirks6533]

Yes! I relate with the name reading issue. So distracting and random, but my brain continually changed the protagonist's name from Jones' House of Many Ways "Charmaine" to "Chairman." Just... Why. Lol

[@christy-anne-jones]

For years I thought Chrestomanci was Chrestomancini .... and I still struggle to not add the bonus syllable hahahah

[@LeiaArya]

Hi Christy! Which app do you use for listening to audiobooks? Thanks

[@kinshukdhaliwal9984]

Love your videos! I was curious after your Neil Gaiman video, what is your opinion of Good Omens: the book and the show?

[@christy-anne-jones]

I started listening to the audio production a couple years ago, and got distracted from it pretty early on so I'm not 100% sure of my opinion! I watched the show and wasn't obsessed with it. It was pretty good, but I wasn't super blown away. But I want to go back and read a physical of Good Omens at some point 😊

[@sinta5660]

Nobody asked but I just want to share my experience reading it😄. 1/3 was funny then my mind started wandering & had to go back many times. Halfway of the book I gave up. I gave the book to my nephew😅.

[@raheltd]

About the word "Ghibli": "ghi" should be pronounced like "gui" in "guitar". Check out the origin of the Italian word Ghibli.

[@NIIoSHEA]

Isn't it different in Japanese? Why pronounce it the Italian way? 🤔

[@moder_nord2475]

She speaks Japanese, so I guess she knows what she is doing/saying... 😀

[@raheltd]

@@moder_nord2475 I just mentioned it since she seemed interested in the origin of things and their pronunciation. In Japanese Ghibli becomes "jiburi", because it is adapted to the Japanese set of sounds. The same process English words undergo once pronounced in a Japanese context and so on. The Ghibli case is interesting because it goes back to Miyazaki's passion for airplanes. I didn't mean to critique her at all, it was just a reference to the book she was talking about.

[@dr_ficticitybooktube3911]

💜❤️😊❤️💜

[@sorayah248]

Listening and "reading" are different. Both still great. Not the same.

[@thefairylibrarian3282]

The woman in the purple skirt sounds very interseting