BOOK CLUB PREMIERE! 🥳💜📚 Stolen, The Bandit Queens & Before the Coffee Gets Cold ⚠ spoilers

[@ellenmadebookclub]

Hello and welcome to the first ever book club session! 😊 It's a long and chatty one and I'm open to feedback on the format! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any of these books! In the description box you'll find all of the mentioned titles, timestamps, and links to some further resources, if you are interested in that! 💜 Thank you for being here and I hope you'll enjoy!

[@Bryndisdaugtherofgunnar]

I haven't read any of these books but all are on my list. I just bought Bandit queens and I found Stolen at the library. I've been eying Before the coffee gets cold for a few months, it sounds lovely. I really enjoyed your discussion on the books and this format works really well. 😊

[@ellenmadebookclub]

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on all of them! 😁 I think they are all really worth reading, and I'm happy for you to have them left to read ^^ Thank you for the feedback! 💜 I need to keep reminding myself that I don't need to get everything right on the first try! 😅

[@books_and_bocadillos]

I've only read The Bandit Queens 👑 of the three. Before the Coffee Gets Cold has been on my TBR for some time. I had never heard of Stolen until you selected it for your book club. Thank you for putting it on my radar. I really enjoyed TBQ👑. I appreciated the humor and I thought it was necessary. I think it would make a great TV adaptation...I could see some of the scenes playing out on screen or stage. (It would also make a fabulous Broadway show. My fav character was Bandit 🐕❤. I have other thoughts but I may need to process a bit more 🤔🫠

[@ellenmadebookclub]

I enjoyed it too, and the humor was definitely necessary! It would have been very dark without it. It still is, but lighter. I loved Bandit too! 😊 Yes you’re right! It would probably be a lot funnier as a movie, I doubt they could get all the horrors into that as easily as in the book, so it would probably focus more on the core group. And lots of bright colors 😊 I think you’d like Before the coffee gets cold. It’s not poetic in its language, but in its content, if that makes sense. 💜

[@itsmimiduong]

I haven't actually read these books yet 😅 so I can't say for sure I have a lot of context for the full conversation but in terms of your video, I thought you executed perfectly! 🥰 The intensity of your discussion of Stolen is really fascination. And I definitely agree -- modern technological advance is amazing but there definitely need to be a middle ground sometimes for a better life balance. Interestingly because before the coffee gets cold was originally in Japanese, I wonder if that is what caused the other person to find that it reads a little childish? Sometimes, I read translated work for series I enjoy, and I realize the style of writing is off because of just literature differences and style. 🥰

[@ellenmadebookclub]

Haha I’m glad you watched and enjoyed it anyways! 🥰 Thank you! I hope I didn’t spoil anything if you want to read these in the future. Although, if I remember correctly, you’re not too sensitive about that! 😊Yes, balance is where it’s at! Yes, I think translation definitely plays a big part! And it’s an interesting thing in itself, because the culture also needs to be translated somehow. So you can either translate quite literally or make adjustments to make the story more accessible for other cultures… but then you lose the sense of the culture, which I personally find to be part of the fun and the experience! There are parts of any culture that I might not enjoy or prefer, or it feels foreign to me (because it literally is😂) but that’s what makes it interesting to me. And that includes my own culture and American culture and all of it. I love the people culture shining through in the art culture, if that makes sense 😊 But that’s not for everyone. In Swedish the word is the same, I’m not sure if it’s the same in English… (people culture and art culture)

[@BeyondBooks-wt5il]

I need to think about Stolen just a bit more, but overall my impression is similar to yours. I would definitely consider reading Books 2 & 3. I learned a lot - probably because I hadn't heard of the Sami people previously. I thought of the title more as a "stolen" way of life. VERY similar issues for indigenous people here. Many feel stuck between 2 cultures that are so very different. So many were displaced throughout the American West as well. I have not seen a reindeer in the wild, either! LOL! Just for a Christmas display at the zoo! (I felt bad for them!)

[@ellenmadebookclub]

Yes, I keep thinking about things as well. I love that you learned a lot, I feel like I'm doing some good then at least, spreading some awareness of their existence :) That's an interesting take on the title, and definitely fitting! The Swedish title is "stöld" which more directly translates to theft, but I guess Stolen has a better ring to it. But I think that's why I associate it more to the legal term and the crime. I think the indigenous have a much better relationship to their animals, even if they kill them, than the modern world where they are stuck in factories, but it's still an interesting question I think, to call it murder rather than theft. Like, only if someone else does it! I don't know how much displacement there has been for the Sami. I don't think it's in the same way as in the US, but there are definitely disputes surrounding mining and forestry that disturbs the reindeer paths and so on. And the cultural aspects of course. People can be so greedy and mean! Hopefully the more stories get out there, the more they inspire kindness.

[@TheLinguistsLibrary]

Haven't read any these yet but I like your insights xo

[@ellenmadebookclub]

Thank you! They are all worth reading in my opinion.

[@BookChatWithPat8668]

Really thoughtful discussion of all of these books. Bandit Queens is one that I've been wanting to read for some time now, but I'm a little concerned now. Might not be the best book for me right now. Very insightful video, Ellen. Well done!

[@ellenmadebookclub]

Thank you Pat! I hope I didn't spoil the book for you. I don't know how it compares to other books with similar content, but it made my heart a bit heavy at times. And angry. It is a fine line, reading about important things that matter and make you feel and think, without overloading with the heavy topics. And as funny as this is, it doesn't make the heavy things funny. There are probably other books that will bring you more joy than this one! 💜

[@BookChatWithPat8668]

@@ellenmadebookclub You didn't spoil it at all. I've had it on my list for a long time. But I'm looking for more pleasurable, joyful reading experiences right now. I'll get around to it eventually.

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@BookChatWithPat8668 Ok good :) That sounds like a good plan!

[@daxjacob]

Absolutely brilliant video👍

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@daxjacob Thank you so much! 😊

[@daxjacob]

@@ellenmadebookclub Have a wonderful week! 😊

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@daxjacob You too!

[@Curious-Cat]

Oh yeah, The Bandit Queens does touch on heavy topics, which is why the humor feels so necessary. Otherwise, it'd be such a terribly heavy book (and it's already quite heavy as it is). I appreciated the balance of the two, and like you, I focused more on the characters than the plot. I started listening to Before the coffee gets cold on audiobook a while ago but ended up DNFing it because I was just not getting into it. I don't remember the writing style, and I feel that the experience of reading a book in audio vs paper is such a different experience that I can't say if it was the book itself or just that the audio format didn't work for me for this one. But I'm really starting to feel like Japanese literature isn't for me, which is a shame because I love Japan. I'm just feeling very meh about most of the Japanese books I've read, and get a similar feeling about the style/kind of stories. I wonder if it might be a translation thing too, because Japanese is so different, it's quite the challenge to translate and so maybe the filter of translation that gives those books this feeling of strangeness that I don't enjoy? ANYWAY, that was a long digression. I still need to get to Stolen! Glad that it turns out to be more literary with a dash of crime rather than a full-on thriller, because thrillers aren't really my jam ^^' I think the format of the video worked pretty well :) The comment about Farah feels like a bit of a spoiler to me (but I've read the book, so I probably noticed it more than someone who hasn't) - you might want to give warnings in the future if you mention potential spoilers, that would be the only piece of constructive feedback I have, and it was said in such a way that most people wouldn't even notice, I think :)

[@ellenmadebookclub]

Yes, you're right about BQ, it would have been very heavy without the humor. And I think it works well as it is, I found it funny as well and the story and the interactions were entertaining! I think that it could have been a pretty light read if some of the "extra" or more extreme information wasn't there, kind of like an action comedy movie with murders, where it doesn't really feel real. But this felt very real and very horrible. You're right about the spoiler as well, thank you for the feedback! I thought it was kind of obvious that there might be spoilers since it is a book club discussion video, but maybe it isn't? Anyway, I can make that a bit more clear in future videos! :) I'm sure you're right about the Japanese translations too, both in terms of language and culture. I think Scandinavian culture and Japanese culture have certain similarities, so maybe that plays a part as well. It took a little while for me to get into, but I agree that audio/physical makes a huge difference. I don't think I've read any other Japanese books, so I'm curious to see what I think about that when I do! I think you'll like Stolen! It's very wintery though, if you are bothered by that (I'm not ^^) 💜

[@Curious-Cat]

@@ellenmadebookclub Oh, I don't think it's obvious at all that there will be spoilers 😅 At least it wasn't to me. And nothing else felt like a spoiler in this video, so maybe that's why? I'd be so curious to hear about the similarities you see between Scandinavian and Japanese culture! I definitely felt that the first time I came to Sweden, but I was still very new to the culture, so I feel my analysis then was probably very surface-level. But yeah, some of the things I immediately liked about Sweden were things that reminded me of Japan. I don't mind wintery books at all, but now that we're getting into summer, it might not be the best time to enjoy it the most 😂

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@Curious-Cat Ok good to know! 😅 I've added a warning in the title and the description now, so hopefully that helps! I think there are similarities in terms of design for example, there's the whole Japandi trend, where they are mixed. I think both have simplicity, functionality, minimalism, and natural materials at the heart, and that says something about how we view beauty and the purpose of objects etc. I also think there are similarities in social situations, like what is viewed as polite and how we sort of keep a distance to other people, but there is still the community based way of thinking and a bit of Jantelag (if you're familiar with that?). Swedish culture is of course Americanized to a certain extent these days, but in a traditional sense I think there are similarities. And in comparison to other cultures where more is more, or where distance might be seen as cold or disrespectful, or more individualistic ways of thinking, or focus on pleasure and enjoyment for example. What were your experiences? Yes, I meant if you're bothered by reading it in the summer time, I missed that part haha 😆

[@Curious-Cat]

@@ellenmadebookclub That's so interesting! Those are exactly the similarities I had noticed when I first encountered the Swedish culture (I feel very validated right now 😂) -- the design aspect, minimalist esthetic... & the social aspect, which I find FASCINATING, because Japan is a very strictly hierarchical culture, when Sweden feels quite on the opposite of the spectrum, very flat in structure. Yet, in both countries, people are extremely polite and respectful, you mainly feel very safe, etc. I think both cultures are also coconut cultures (don't know if you're familiar with coconut vs peach cultures?), which could explain some similarities. Sweden is so unique when it comes to group-focused vs individualistic thinking, I think. Yes, Jantelagen indeed, but at the same time, people in Sweden are very independent - not getting married that much (because why bother when sambo is recognized as a real status), one of the highest rates of people living alone I believe, etc etc. I could nerd out about those topics for hours 🤓

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@Curious-Cat It is super fascinating! Especially since we are pretty much on opposite sides of the globe ^^ But both countries are kind of long, so... haha I don't know! I'm no expert in Japanese culture, but I can imagine there is a stricter hierachy there, I think they have a lot more respect for their elders, for example. I think the indepence goes hand in hand with the community, and Jantelagen, in that we don't want to be anyone else's problem. Oh don't mind me, kind of thing. We have solidarity and are "happy" or feel obliged to do what's best for the bigger group, but we are not quick to ask for help. We don't want to stand out as thinking we are better than anybody else, but we also don't want to stand out because we are weak or bad. So better then to learn how to fend for yourself! Just a theory ^^ So we are independent, but we are not "look at me" about it, if that makes sense! But there is a mix for sure. I've heard about the coconut-peach thing, we are harder to get to know at first, but once you're in, you're in, kind of? Whereas peach is more superficially open and social, but won't let you in to their true feelings easily? In that case, I'm very much a 🥥😂

[@RDsLibrary]

I've read only one of these, but will come back if I get to the others. - Possible spoilers for Before the Coffee gets Cold - I enjoyed Before the Coffee Gets Cold. The first story was the weakest, for me. I didn't see what the lady saw in her partner as she had a lot going for herself and he seemed rather selfish, though I liked them much more later in the story. I really enjoyed the next 3 tales, and the issues raised were fascinating. I like your takeaway about thinking what to say to people before it's too late. I'm now worried I saw it all as a series of thought-provoking situations, instead of gleaning any practical advice. I was OK with the writing style, but I only notice prose if it's particularly flowery and uses a lot of clever imagery, or if it's extremely clunky and impedes the flow of the story. It didn't get in the way of the story but didn't detract from it. I can see what people mean by it being a little basic, but I felt the prose was a vehicle for the story, not the main attraction. I didn't pick up on the 'show, don't tell' aspect. For me, the stories were about empathising with the character time travelling and thinking what I'd do in their situation. I never felt I was being told what characters thought. I also read that it was based on a play and can see the coming and going of characters on and off stage working very well in that format. The repetition of the rules might have also worked better as a play. However, the small, yet linked set of characters made the narrative tighter and made the story more ‘believable’. I love the questions you raised about the ghost girl and what if the rules were broken by others. I hope these issues are addressed in the subsequent books, but I haven't continued because I was worried this book might be a one trick pony and the following books might just be more of the same rather than opening up new lines of thought. Great to hear your opinions on the book, Ellen.

[@ellenmadebookclub]

Thank you for taking part and for flagging the potential spoiler! 😊💜 I agree about the first story, she could definitely do better! And at the same time, we don't get to choose who we love! I liked that she found the courage to speak up for herself though, and stand for what she wanted. We can never control what other people do, but we can control our own actions, and I think that was a takeaway for me in that. I don't have to want the same thing as her, but I do want us all to speak our minds and say what we want and ask for it! :) You don't have to worry! I read them as stories as well, but there were certain situations that I could relate a lot to, so I think that made me reflect a bit more about my own life. I almost hope that the stories in the following books are a bit further from my own experiences, so I can just enjoy them as stories! Although I wonder if I would enjoy them as much if they were. I also think the stories would fit the stage very well, the way they went in and out of the cafe or into the kitchen. I also think that some scenes would have been great in a theater, like when she's punching in all the food one of them ate and saying every dish! That was a bit weird in the book, but I can imagine the audience laughing if it were on stage, because everyone would understand how embarrassed she felt, and you would see their facial expressions and body language and all of that. I think that would be really funny! I also agree with you on the writing, I'm the same! As long as it doesn't annoy me, I don't need fancy writing. I can enjoy beautiful writing, but like you said, in this case it was more of a vehicle, and I think that if the writing had been more lyrical or flowery here, it would make the story shine less and it would probably have been a bit much! Like a cake with too much frosting ^^

[@RDsLibrary]

@@ellenmadebookclub I like what you said about controlling our own actions and saying what we want, in reference to the first story in BtCGC. It's great to get a different perspective on something and see it in a different light - a definite bonus of your book club. Your comment that 'we don't get to choose who we love' is really interesting. I'm not sure I see it that way IRL, but you've got me thinking :)

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@RDsLibrary It is! That's what I love about books and booktube, first you get some new perspectives from reading the book and then some more from talking about it to other people! 😊 You're right, that is interesting! I think I think that way about the feeling itself, but I also think we can make choices about how we act on it. Like not keeping people in our lives if they keep disrespecting or hurting us, even if we love them, or choosing to treat people with love and kindness, even if we don't know them or if they don't seem very nice. But I think it's hard to force the genuine feeling of love, or get rid of it completely, just by will. It does change over time though, so I'm not sure how much of that is just by the passing of time and how much is trying to change it ourselves... or just distraction :D