Books I've Given to People I Love.

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Thanks for being here!

[@martynamartyna4147]

I’m just binge watching all your videos

[@rileylawson9958]

Same.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

binge away, baby. I love ya for it

[@jgator6694]

Same

[@nktb90]

@@AnaWallaceJohnsonAna has a great personality. When I first found her I binged too. Great content!

[@mountainbikingvampirewitch]

The absolute *chokehold* this channel has on me 😮‍💨 Ana feels like the cool older sister you try to copy without seeming like you’re copying 💕

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

BABY YOU'RE THE BEST

[@apos921]

I don’t give specific people my books anymore because they never actually read them when I did 😭 Now I use those little free libraries where you take a book and leave a book and it’s great! So far, some of my best finds include War and Peace, Beloved, The Remains of the Day, and funny enough How Much Land Does A Man Need!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Such good finds! I love the free little libraries--I'm going to have to drop off some goodies soon. Did you like How Much Land??

[@apos921]

I haven’t gotten to it yet, I’m saving it for when I need a short book! But you definitely made me want to pick it up sooner rather than later, and I do love Tolstoy and his philosophical revelations about the things that truly matter in life.

[@fiddleleaffiction]

1. Would also recommend A Walk in the Woods to fathers who love a good laugh - I have never seen my dad laugh so hard as when he was sitting in his chair reading that book. Like silent, wheezing shoulder-shaking laughter. 2. That text graphic reenactment from your BFF made me snort. 3. Love your comments on the Tolstoy short story and if you haven’t already read it, would definitely recommend White Nights by Dostoyevsky for the same reasons! Accessible, non-intimidating Russian lit, we love to see it.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

hahahah yes to the dad laughs! I agree with you so much. Noted on White Nights--I have Crime and Punishment leering at my from my shelf, so maybe White Nights will be a good stepping stone.

[@tobi_adediran]

No, YOU’RE wonderful and fabulous Ana!! Such a fun video!!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Tobi, you're amazing!!!

[@lisaplummer8144]

Thanks for the great ideas. I recently gave my niece The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. For me, it normalized the insanity that can take over in deep grief. I found it incredibly comforting. I was recently loaned Flowers in the Attic and told I would discover new worlds. What the....I hate it. I love that you and your parents share books. That's the best!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I agree with everything you say about The Year of Magical Thinking. I read it in the summer years ago and I think it made me feel for something I haven't heavily encountered yet. But so important.

[@lisaplummer8144]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson ❤️

[@mourninggirll]

This video is chaotic and hilarious and I love it. Thank you for making this and for being you.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

omg, you're an absolute gem. thank you for saying this!

[@marianamasbooks]

Flush!! It’s been sitting on my bookshelf for years and for some reason ir other I’ve never gotten to it 🫠 you reminded me to put it back on the list. I’d never heard anyone talk about it on booktube!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

oh, it's such a goodie to pick up when you need something light and easy!

[@paytonturkeltaub4720]

first person iver ever seen whose recommended tacky in my whole life !!! loved that book so much wish it was talked about more

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

It's so much fun! Doesn't take itself too seriously. I think of Rax King every time I cut my bangs

[@anna_reads862]

Totally agree about a big thick novel giving you confidence to get back into reading. I started reading again with "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" which is just under 500 pages and it was a great decision!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

!!!! I've been wanting to read that novel for YEARS. I feel like I owe it to Brooklyn

[@devrimkureksiz7611]

I read Kreutzer Sonata by Leo Tolstoy years ago and I HATED it. However, it is the book that I've re-read the most. It's because I love interacting and fighting with the narrator. You know, maybe books don't always have to be fun??? Maybe sometimes you need to have a beef with a book? Have a book as an arch nemesis?

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

hahaha BOOK BEEF!! I agree. totally. I feel that way toward Burroughs--I think I might pick him up again soon to see if we could still quarrel. I love to hate a character.

[@kelseywood174]

Hey! This is a great concept for a book tube video! There is nothing better than giving or receiving a good book as a gift! I am loving the content on your channel, BTW. I just found you and I'm watching all your videos and getting lots of great book recommendations 😊

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

thank you so much! I can say that book giving is my #1 gift. I think my friends expect that of me when it's their birthday hehehehe

[@abbybutler3339]

Gave my mom Fresh Water for Flowers immediately after I finished it…it’s written so beautifully I miss reading it

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

sounds like such a great mother/daughter book!!! Feels like it would be a perfect accompaniment for summer

[@yasemin2]

Oh gee! I came across your channel and boom it’s a coup de foudre! David sedaris and then Murakami, I didn’t even watch the whole video yet just came here to say I love how authentically you describe both the authors and the books! I definitely want to hear more see more 🥂

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Thank you so much! Fun authors make talking about books so much easier!

[@annagonzales1462]

Mmm I loved how you described David Sedaris as making you feel as though you’re in on the joke. I’ve read all of his collections (except not his diaries which I’m adding immediately to my tbr), and never totally understood why I’m drawn to him and not many other writers who try to incorporate comedy consistently. I think u nailed it ;) thanks for that and this video 💫 p.s. you’ve got~taste~in lit! I’ve enjoyed every rec I’ve taken from you. Glad to know the people you love are benefiting as well.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Omg, I'm so happy you've enjoyed some recs! Sometimes I feel like I'm throwing out random books and hoping they stick, so this is so nice to hear

[@camidietz2758]

I’ve added 5 books to my tbr since following you 30 minutes ago!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

hahahaha ooppps ;)))) It's a good habit, I promise!

[@selkieskies1795]

Loveee your channel! Just found you. I'm starting to read more now and you inspire me so much. Thank you! Mwah-Mwah! 😘💋

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Kisses, baby! Fuel that mind!!

[@staciave]

Now that you’ve got me reflecting on it, I’m realizing that I tend to only ever recommend devastatingly sad books to friends. Most recently “Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan.

[@sofyaantonova5583]

Just read this one! Kept thinking about it for a while, it reminded me of Dubliners by Joyce

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Loved the stories I read in Dubliners!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I've heard only great things about that one! I have definitely recommended a sad few, but lately I've been keeping those to myself. A silent, solitary morning cry 🥲

[@danellegerber2177]

Small Things Like These - first book of reg year for me. Such a good read!!

[@soniapineda1379]

Yess this is so fun! Just wandered across this video and I love it. Please can you make a video asking your dad for recommendations? I would be really interested! Gonna go watch more of your videos now💗

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

If I can get him on the ol tubes! He's a ~shy~ guy, so maybe I'll ask him for a list instead. Thank you for stopping on by

[@laindarko3591]

My dad enjoys reading but finds it hard to finish books. He basically either has to read it all in one sitting, or else he's never going to finish it. I gave him Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut and he absolutely loved it. I think it's a good rec for anyone who likes to read, likes to think, but is also easily distracted :)

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

TOTALLY agree! Loved that book so much when I read it. Literally had to pry it out of my fingers, I got so into it

[@SavidgeReads]

Yes, yes you can. Ha. Thanks for another fab video and for plenty of shiggles. I hope we one day exchange books and shiggles IRL. Ps. Flush is my favourite Woolf. It’s one of the few I’ve finished.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I'm ready for the meeting. I might come your way sooner than later!! Always planning an escape from NY. And I just saw a video about the world's oldest dog. His name is Bobi and he is 30. Woolf needs to rise from the dead and write his story

[@Mateja93]

I loooove Flush ♥️ Nobody ever talks about it!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

It’s such a feel good Woolf!!!

[@shaggyherur]

This video is both recommendation and performance. Obsessed

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I am going for the Oscar, the golden globe, the Tony, the grammy and the goodreads award all in one

[@bronwynbradshaw7426]

some books i’ve gifted or lent to friends : - giovanni’s room 🥲 - slouching towards bethlehem - labyrinths by jorge luis borges - just kids (of course) - one hundred years of solitude - the crying of lot 49 by thomas pynchon - in watermelon sugar by richard brautigan - the stranger - collected poems of emily dickinson books friends have gifted me : - walking through clear water in a pool painted black by cookie mueller - norwegian wood by murakami - siddhartha by hermann hesse - the heart is a lonely hunter by carson mccullers - the sun also rises by hemingway

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Woah! Such great friends and what a great friend you are

[@readbylau]

i think you're my new fav book channel

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

[@mountainbikingvampirewitch]

“Siblings or dating” made me giggle aloud on my lunch break 😂 top tier couple aesthetic hahaha

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

lmaooo he's my baby!!

[@lostandconfused1090]

I gave Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag to my uncle recently and he loved it as much as I did. We had a great talk about the topics/theme of the book. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Oh wow. I just looked it up. I have never heard of that and I might look it up on audiobook right now!

[@icarlyrocks1011]

I would say Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is an all around solid recommendation

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Omg. That’s a nonfiction novel??? I’m obsessed. Looking it up audiobook rn

[@icarlyrocks1011]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson yes! Very wild and intriguing story

[@tuttifruttix]

I love the way you talk about books.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

you make me happy!

[@btamez7669]

i don't want to sound like a crazy woman but I was waiting for your video soooo much!!! 😅 thank you so much for sharing! 🫶🏻 Edit... recently I have gifted, Who cooked the last supper, Period Power and Untrue, the 3 of them very informative and eye opening 💜💚💜💚

[@AnaSerroGomes]

Me too 😅

[@lila3372]

same here. every video a little safe space in its own right. a little wholesome, grounded, funny bubble of ~ b o o k s ~

[@btamez7669]

@@AnaSerroGomes 😅

[@btamez7669]

@@lila3372 Ditto! 😅

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

ily all so much 🥺🥺🥺🥺❤️❤️

[@meghanfaith2185]

A book I have recently given to a friend - Cherry by Mary Karr. A book I have had gifted to me was by my brother and its "Ways of Seeing" by John Berger. Still have to read it but I trust his taste so infinitely much.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I want to read Mary Karr so bad! I saw a used copy of Cherry at a thrift store in Colorado and I regret not picking it up!!

[@bignatesbookreviews]

Just read the tolstoy story on your rec, was 🔥🔥

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

[@fontask711]

you give me anne hatheway post makeover glow up energy

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

omg ilysm! I always joke that my hair is anne Hathaway pre makeover, so this is big hug

[@dre_mellalieu]

I’m 10 for 10 on Plainsong by Kent Haruf. I found it in a hotel on Isla Mujeres in 2002, read it ion the beach in one day and got dengue fever the next. Ha. The book gifting is usually accompanied by the whole story - both v good.

[@jobuckley2999]

A fantastic novel.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

!!!! You win for the story/book mashup. That's iconic. I just looked up the novel and I'm editing footage from my cross country road trip and I might have to try to find the book on audio to accompany my Colorado bits. Thank you for that!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Hi Ana. I’m currently listening to Deluge by Stephen Markley I loved Ohio. This book is a mammoth. I’m already seeing it as a tv series. David Sedaris was on Desert Island Discs on BBC RADIO4 this morning. If you can access BBC SOUNDS, you can listen. ☘️👋🍀📚📕📖☕️

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

!!!! So strange to just be talking about him. Was he reading a story or just chatting? I love him so much

[@neens1369]

I am fabulous !! 😘

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

baby, yes you ARE!

[@Heyyy2021]

New subscriber ! Coming from noelle

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

thank you so, so much for coming here!!

[@maramamhalhal9808]

i think the book i’ve given most recent is the secret history (my absolute favourite) but for you i’d recc a woman at point zero if you’re looking to get into arabic literature or the hour of the star by clarice lespector!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

oh wow, wait. A Woman at Point Zero sounds like something I would 10000% read. going on my tbr. Clarice and the secret history are always primo!

[@seolylee]

Please share where you got that vertical shelf 🙏🏼

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Hi! Sorry this comment is so late-- I found it on the side of the road, but I think it's from West Elm!

[@seolylee]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson No problem. Ty so much!

[@jackseney7906]

If offering "1Q84" to someone I would not have your lovely smile and I would convince no one 😄😸 You are a female reviewer NOT complaining about Murakami's "misogyny" which some condemn him for, an accusation that I still don't get as he spends a lot of time with female characters in "1Q84" and I don't see him downgrading them

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Ah, I can see how some people can interpret things this way! I just like that I'm transported to another world with his books!

[@booksthehausdown]

Handing out copies of Giovanni’s Room to every queer I know 😤

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

purr baby PURRRRR I still need to read that one

[@justynrecording]

Im obsessed with you girl 🥵

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

ILYSM!!!!