book shopping, finishing LOTR, starting East of Eden, and more amazing reads - a vlog // summer 2024

[@thaliafernandez1378]

An East of Eden vlog would be SO GOOD! ❤️❤️❤️

[@corajohnston22]

East of Eden is my favorite book of all time! I’m happy to see you reading it! Hope you enjoy

[@maureenedwards2388]

I read the LOTR trilogy in the 1960's and like you adored it. I have read it several times since, I tend to go to it when I am troubled by the world. (I think maybe I need it now.) There are good people and bad people, there are heroic adventures, there are elves and the world Tolkien made I can picture in my mind. I lived for 3 years in the UK and came to understand where he got the paths the Hobbits walked. I had a path near my home up to the South Downs and I never failed to relate it to the Hobbits' journey. Your illustrated copy is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your delight in the trilogy!

[@ba-gg6jo]

The South Downs, you lucky person. My go to book is War and Peace.

[@TaraAmrit]

I just started East of Eden too. It is so beautifully written that it carries you along so reading it feels effortless.

[@Justfactsnofiction-ql2fj]

I watched the movie Sweet Bean Paste last year; it was equally moving. I ordered the book today, so thank you for the suggestion. You and Leon appear to be creating your own Sweet Life 🤭 Have a wonderful holiday 🇺🇸

[@lilmmjj]

Your vlogs are a relaxing little comfort, sitting here sipping coffee thinking about books, loving books, reading books, watching someone else love the same thing just as much as I do! :) When I publish my first book I'd love for you to read it someday!!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Aw I’m so glad!!! I’d love to read your book someday 😊📖

[@laisnunes9908]

I missed your vlogs sooooooo (!) much!!! Please, keep posting them!❤❤❤❤

[@hollyc4624]

East of Eden is my favorite book for 2024. I ate it up! Steinbeck’s writing is brilliant and the story is incredible. He wrote it to his sons for them to read when they were older so you will see that throughout the book. Chef’s kiss 😘

[@CarolynMarieReads]

So glad you loved it!!!

[@martinelanglois3158]

Currently in the middle of The Gambler by Dostoevsky. It's a fun, light, short read. A few months ago I bought Sweet Bean Paste at a used book shop. Happy to hear how much you are enjoying it. So either I'll read that next or I'll start LOTR. Nice to see Willow we had not seen in a while. Have a great week! ❤📚

[@jacobwilkins8761]

Carolyn, you are so artistically talented. I'm really looking forward to this pivot in your work and possibly seeing it when I go book shopping! BTW - excellent reads. Excited to hear your thoughts on East of Eden. It's tremendous.

[@traceyartista2058]

Carolyn, your energy and enthusiasm are infectious! So happy for you and your reading streak (you started East of Eden!!), making art for yourself, and most importantly, for your marriage to Leon! Going to read outside now. Happy Summer 😅🎉❤

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Thank you so much 😊🤍

[@isobelpoppy]

Would love an East of Eden vlog!! And I’m glad these vlogs are back, they’re so fun to watch🥰🩷🩷

[@KellyannMitchell]

I read Sweet Bean Paste last month and I loved it. You're in for a treat and heartbreak😊 I love the drawing that came to you. I can see it as an illustration within the book. Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow was an average read for me but I hope it becomes one of your top reads for this year. I'm reading Dante’s Paradiso from the Divine Comedy and I'm loving it. Great Vlog Carolyn🙌💕

[@doowopshopgal]

I read East of Eden, and it was fabulous and I read crime and punishment which was even better. While you were scanning the books at Barnes & Noble‘s, I saw my favorite book a tree grows in Brooklyn. That is such an inspirational book. Thank you for your videos.

[@subtlefire7256]

Yes, East of Eden! The time has come! 😆 I'm so excited for you to read this book, I hope it lives up to your expectations after you wanted to read it for so long. Looking forward to the vlog. ❤ And I hope Leon is having a good time with Crime and Punishment! Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was also one of my favourite books of last year, I remember reading it outside during the summer. It really touched me. I'm so happy you loved The Lord of the Rings! I'm not done with my re-read yet, but that's okay, I'm not stressed about it, I enjoy taking this one very slowly. I agree that the ending is very bittersweet, I always cry at some point. I just finished All Quiet on the Western Front yesterday, it was devastating. The very end was what finally pushed me over the edge & made me cry. I definitely understand why it's one of the big pieces of war literature. During my lunch break today I started The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell. I don't read a lot of historical fiction bc I have trouble finding something I really vibe with (sad for a history nerd like myself), but I have a good feeling about this one.

[@nedmerrill5705]

I may have to give East of Eden a reread; your enthusiasm is infectious.

[@PaulinaReadsss]

At this point I think that whatever art you create we are going to love it because everything is book related and we all are book fans and book worms 🫶🏼 So don’t be afraid, you are so talented!

[@SevenUnwokenDreams]

I love subtle nods to literature that are not immediately recognizable to an outsider, so I am really into your new art project. And I love that you had a baking and movie night with your friends; In my world, nobody does things like that anymore, which saddens me. I am making my way through The Grapes of Wrath, and hope to read East of Eden later in the year. Can't wait for the vlog about it!

[@marianacruz0]

6:32 this perspective looks so funny i thought those were giant book copies 😭 i was amazed lol

[@nicoledorman8484]

I'm so glad I wasn't the only one! I thought they were just display copies but them I realised they were too book like!

[@thaliafernandez1378]

I was just watching an old blog on your channel. I missed them so much. I recently started East of Eden too. I’ll watch that part of the video when I finish the first few chapters haha.

[@68BarbP]

East of Eden introduced me to classics. Great read. 😊

[@TeSZa945]

I'm so happy you're feeling the mood so greatly! I felt it too these past days and it is so refreshing because a lot of good things are coming for me in July and I'm so excited! happy reading ✨

[@eavanodonoghue]

Jon Steinbeck is amazing. I’ve read a lot of his shorter books but I finally got around to reading The Grapes of Wrath this month and it’s beautiful. Someday soon I want to read East of Eden.

[@denisefreitas6727]

Nothing better than a vlog of yours, Carolyn! I loved it! Oh! It's lovely reading outside indeed! I wanna read all the books you recommended! Love your works too!💖😊

[@cindyurban150]

Hi Carolyn, I'm so happy you're finally reading "East Of Eden" ! One of my favorite books. I just got done reading Franz Kafka's book of short stories. Now I need to read something more uplifting ! Happy Reading to you too ! Happiness, Cindy 🌻📚

[@trishnickles2236]

Hello, Carolyn, I love your idea of creating illustrations relevant to the books you're reading or have read. This is bookish in its own way, and I very much hope you pursue this idea, it's great! Happy July 4th! ❤❤

[@emmadumais2337]

Here flipping through the appendixes of LOTR was literally me first time I read the book lol. So happy you enjoyed it ❤

[@TheLinguistsLibrary]

I love your love for life and reading! All the best to you and your hubby. BTW I started reading War and Peace because of you and I love it, thank you.

[@rnee1000]

I'm with you!! Buying and reading books! It's a true joy! The Greenlawn Library? :) I love the idea of a bookish art project. It's giving me some ideas for this month's World Watercolor Month as watercolor is my favorite medium.

[@BailyAbercrombie]

I love love love the idea of the sketches to go along with what you’re reading. And I would totally purchase a print of the dorayaki!!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

So glad! Aw thank you 😊

[@jinuelzymon]

yeyy cheers for you for finally reading east of eden !!!!! it's on my tbr for next year since i already have 2 big books that i plan to tackle this year (crime and punishment & anna karenina). looking forward to your full review of east of eden

[@RideStorm17]

East of Eden is the perfect summer read ❤ I hope you enjoy it! Would love to see Steinbeck inspired tattoo ideas! 😊

[@rondoflicflac]

Omg I loved Night Flight and the others Saint Exupery's books! ❤

[@aekorfker]

I totally got what you were saying about the illustration and I think it’s a great idea! It looks lovely 🌸

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I’m so glad! Thank you 😊

[@bahar4511]

I was really down for a couple of days now and did not want to do anything but now I'm going to get up clean a little bit and rewatch your vlog while reading my book

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I’m sorry to hear that you were feeling down for a couple of days! I hope you’re feeling better and enjoyed your time reading 😊📖 Sending you my very best wishes 🤍

[@cmdavis1976]

I love the fact you and Leon don't just stick to recent releases like a lot of book tubers. As for me, I am currently obsessed with the Wrexford and Sloane book series, set in Regency London. I am on book 4. I am planning to read the 3rd book in the Veronica Speedwell series next. 😊

[@CarolynMarieReads]

So glad! Sounds wonderful 😊

[@dilaraguney]

I finished Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow a couple of days ago. Definitely favorite book of the year so far!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

So glad to hear that!!!

[@LadyKitsunetsuki]

I just started East Of Eden because of you. Thank you so much.

[@CarolynMarieReads]

That’s wonderful! My pleasure :)

[@lisasstitchingandsuch]

Loved catching a glimpse of Willow too🐶😍

[@CarolynMarieReads]

🐶💕

[@pamelatarajcak5634]

I'm reading East of Eden too. I'm loving it so much.

[@miss_strawberry1384]

Missed your reading vlogs so much! Congratulations on your wedding!! 💞💞

[@carlinemagalhaes8923]

oh how i missed your vlogs ❤❤❤

[@WhiteRaven43]

I started Little Women for the Game of Tomes book club early because I really want to take my time with it. I'm really looking forward to you both reading it later this year!

[@haerhawk]

I'd love to see more vlog content like this ❤❤

[@Azalea-st5sz]

I'm also reading east of eden its so good so far

[@libertylady4041]

I’m 200 pages into East of Eden and loving it! I’m also reading Pachinko (100 pages in) I believe it’s a Japanese author? Loving it as well

[@CarolynMarieReads]

So happy to hear this!!!

[@mylenefrancois]

I'm halfway through the audiobook of Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow right now ! I'm enjoying it 😊 East of Eden is waiting in my tbr, I'm looking forward to picking it up, I remember loving the movie !

[@michellemp1626]

Love your Sweet Bean Paste drawing! How cool would it be to keep a book sketchbook where you can draw any inspirations you get from the books you're reading.

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Love that thought/idea 😊✍🏻

[@neshkavirdure8289]

Read East Of Eden + It Is Such An Amazing Book , Full of Surprises, Much Like The Count of Monte Cristo😁📚. I am Meeting Treebeard With The Escaped Merry and Pippin In The Two Towers Section and Am LOVING Soo So Much. I Want to Read Sweet Bean Paste and The Ministry od Time, But LOTR Has Pleasantly Engulfed my World Right Now😊. These Books Though Are Definitely on my TBR List.😊.📚

[@BetteDavisBrazil]

East of Eden is such a special book! One of my favorite books of all time❤ Read it last year! And hearing you talk about it is making me want to reread it before I was planning! When I finished it I immediately knew it would be one of those books I’d take to a “desert island” with me, or try to save on a fire 😂

[@CarolynMarieReads]

So glad to hear you love it! 😊

[@rondoflicflac]

What a beautiful vlog ❤

[@ActingHeart]

Thank you so much for posting this! Please keep making reading vlogs:)

[@ethosien]

I've tried to read East of Eden but never finished, if you like it I might try again lol There's also a movie adaptation of sweet bean paste if you want to watch after fishing it, I've only heard good things about the movie and the book. Also, I really like the idea of having illustrations related to books but not being very obvious that is referencing a book

[@shelleytaylor1778]

I spied two of my favorites in you store footage-Bel Canto and The Lincoln Highway!

[@nourhanelkafrawy231]

We miss you so much Carolyn ❤

[@rachaelbird9250]

I have just started reading Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow.

[@jmarie1422]

Im SO HAPPY you started East of Eden!!! Enjoy

[@78nisan]

I liked "Sweat Bean Paste" and I read 2 other books from the author

[@karolinewaitman4134]

Carolyn, after seeing your lovely video and how much you liked LOTR and Sweet Bean Paste, you should read Legends and Lattes. It is a cozy read, perfect for fall, with a fantasy setting and many mouth-watering food descriptions! As a bonus, there is even a baking recipe in the appendix. You should take a look!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I’ve heard great things about that story! I’ll definitely check it out 😊 thank you for the lovely recommendation!!

[@itsrox9339]

I would highly recommend When the Emperor was Divine by Julie Otsuka. I think you would really like it. Little book that packs a punch!

[@DianaLong-om3ck]

Are you going to read the Silmarillion now? I read the Hobbit and LOTR 10 years ago and in January made up my mind to re-read those books and everything related to Tolkien this year. In East of Eden, I read it a few years ago and it's my favorite book of his, I always tell people once you immerse yourself into the writing and story your senses come alive and you feel you are there, and it's amazing. Love your videos and always look forward to them. Are you going to restock any more Tolkien portraits?

[@thaisvitorino415]

Hello!! I haven't read Sweet Bean Paste yet, but there is a movie based on it and it's wonderful. I think you would love it.

[@ohsnapgirlfriends]

i make (my own version of) dorayaki all the time! i use an egg pan for the pancakes so they form small and perfect circles, then put a big spoonful of canned sweet bean paste (u can find anko at most asian markets) and wrap the two pancakes tightly together with saran wrap until ur ready to eat!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

That sounds wonderful and delicious!!!

[@andrewesquibel9614]

You HAVE to read Appendix B!! I promise you that it will crush you!!

[@hhira7225]

I heard that girls have a glow up after their marriage. Now seeing you, I get what they're talking about. Anyway, great video as always! P.S. Your love for books and art is highly contagious!❤

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Aw that’s very sweet of you to say 😊

[@neshkavirdure8289]

...Soo Agree With You On The Creative Process( I Like to Paint And Draw Too🎨😊)

[@asan1050]

CarolynMarieReads Thanks for posting this video

[@laurinewbu4080]

Thanks for all the good recommendations! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Gabrielle Zevin’s novel ☺️I am reading Lore Olympus 2, legends and lattes, and a YA fantasy romance called A fragile enchantment which I’m loving!!

[@CatherineLambert-fz7pd]

I feel like it's really difficult to draw to the format of vignettes because you have to think portrait vs landscape, how the book is bound, where the picture changes and so on

[@PaulinaReadsss]

Hey Carolyn! Yesterday I read Foster by Claire Keegan because I remembered you loved it but I didn’t get the book at all 😭 can someone explain to me what’s so great about the book? I feel dumb bc I didn’t fully get it💔

[@dayanafacanha5685]

I loved your drawing based on Sweet Beans Paste, it makes me want to enter the illustration. I'll check out this book, 'cause now I'm curious. Have you read Crying in H-mart? It's a beautiful memoir book, and food and cooking (Korean food) are all over the narration, it's amazing. It made me research food and watch Koren cooking videos ❤

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

Have become interested in Japanese literature as well since I have started exploring Filipino literature. My friend said Pillow Book is a good book about Japanese court life.

[@kimbarbeaureads]

I love the illustration/ drawing. While I'm not a pro artist, something I like to do is save pictures I like on Pinterest and then sort of copy them in my own style (Not to sell). I imagine it is difficult as a pro not to always be thinking of the commercial aspect like will this sell? Is this professional quality? Etc. Just sitting and creating and letting your mind wander may feel like a waste of time, but you are still working on your craft and besides, doing something you enjoy just for the sake of enjoyment is valuable for creativity. Sorry for the soliloquy. Lol

[@Ninaofthe90s]

I don't like the theatrical movie version of "the two towers". The extended is so much better, because they just cut too much. The other two theatrical versions are perfectly fine but for the second one I definitely recommend the longer version.

[@Ninaofthe90s]

Are you going to continue the Song of Ice and fire series??? I was so excited when you read the first book but then you stopped. And I want you to continue so bad, especially for the third book. I know you watched the show but in later seasons the show changes so much from the books and in the last two seasons it got so bad and it butchered the characters. The book series isn't finished yet but that doesn't mean that it's not worth reading! ❤

[@neshkavirdure8289]

😃😃😃😃Just Saw the Part We're You Drew Dareaki(?)It Looks Absolutely AWESOME👏👏👏👏😊👍👍🎨🎨🎨

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Thank you so much 😊

[@sofia7321]

Hi Carolyn🩷! I need some help plz. I want to star reading Fredrik Backman, but where should I strat? I did read în school My grandmother asked me to tell you she's sorry. But what should it be next?

[@jmsl_910]

hi sofia, not sure what carolyn would say, but i enjoyed "anxious people@" by FB, more so than "a man called ove." i'd check that out before you start the trilogy

[@sofia7321]

@@jmsl_910 thx so much I've just bought "a man called Ove"

[@CatherineLambert-fz7pd]

Also, Clouds is really funny, but he might also love the Birds by Aristophanes

[@zinaberger8211]

Crime and punishment will be my next read after les miserable

[@thefatvegan5008]

Which edition of LOTR did you have in this video? Thanks!

[@MySunshine234]

Girl get a kindle next that upped mt reading game 100 percent I have the kindle paper white and I have a goal of 20 books I have read 12 kindle unlimited so many books at your fingertips

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I love (and, if I’m honest, *prefer*) reading books physically, but I’ve been thinking about getting a kindle, especially for when I travel 🤔📖 So glad you recommend getting one!

[@alexasplace]

Please do more vlogs♥️

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Will do 😊

[@ekramababneh5805]

I will literally start up a petition to get you to make vlogs again

[@CarolynMarieReads]

No need, I’ll happily make them again! Life was just a little too busy for a while 😂 Things are slightly calming down now, so more vlogs will be coming! 😊

[@salahalselene4957]

💪❤️📚📚📚

[@jamesduggan7200]

Patrick Stewart delivers Macbeth's "Tomorrow and tomorrow..." speech while tenderly holding the hand of his wife's corpse. It's the only time I've ever seen an actor find that character's center in the relationship he had with Lady Macbeth. Of course most highlight the usurper's violent insanity but one really understands the man when they see him broken upon learning of his wife's suicide.

[@doaadikrallah]

loved this vlog so much 💕 i missed themm! also can’t wait for the east of eden vlog!! you’re making me want to read it at the same time as you (how are you managing 1q84 and east of eden at the same time btw??) i just finished reading the buried giant by ishiguro (which i think you read as well) wasn’t my favorite of his but still glad i read it. i started 1q84 last night and i’m liking it even tho it’s sooo obvious that it’s a man writing the girl’s chapters 🙄 curious to see where it’s going tho!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

So glad 💖 To be honest… I have yet to start 1Q84 👀 I’m hoping to very soon! I’m just planning to take my time with East of Eden 😊 Yes, I felt the same way! Ooo okay! Very interesting!

[@DianaLong-om3ck]

BTY-Did you hear the announcement that Peter Jackson is returning to middle earth?

[@von20808]

I think I saw a movie that was based on Sweet Bean Paste. I was channel surfing on DIRECT TV and I believe it was on a channel called Link at that time. This was a while ago and it was subtitled. I enjoyed the movie you might want to see it if there’s a movie about the book. Also, I bought the book Moby Dick. Have you read Moby Dick? And if so, what did you think about it?

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Oh really? I’ll definitely look into watching it! Thank you :) I have not read Moby Dick, but I’ve heard very mixed things about it (some people love it and others not). I hope you enjoy it!

[@von20808]

@@CarolynMarieReadsThanks

[@sany_read]

I dont know why but I think TT&T author was under turmoil because they took credit or something? I dont remember exactly the details but it was huge enough for certain bookshop refusing to sell it. Edit: the author is a zio and tell Nakba is a very good thing when it is a catastrophe for palestinian people. They portrayed zio as a very good thing. Also there is indeed a case of plagiarism abt the game. Anyway sad but not surprised from a zio

🍉🇵🇸

[@barn_ninny]

Wait, you married a guy named "Leon"? As in "Tolstoy". I mean, isn't that a bit on the nose? :)