Vlog | Reading 5 ARCs in a week (ish)

• Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger was sent to me by Levine Querido with an August 25th release date.
• Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones was sent to me by Tor with a September 1st release date.
• Even if We Break by Marieke Nijkamp was sent to me by Sourcebooks Fire with a September 15th release date.
• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab was provided by Tor with an October 6th release date.
• We Were Restless Things by Cole Nagamatsu was sent to me by Sourcebooks Fire with an October 6th release date.
socials
instagram / booksandlala
twitter / booksandlala
goodreads / booksandlala

[@BooksandLala]

I'll assume any dislikes on this video are jealousy directed at my *incredible* singing in this vlog. just saying.

[@ava_lavender]

Regarding your question on how people can tell when notes are out of tune: For me, it just feels wrong. When I hear a note that's flat or sharp I feel an urge to fix it. Idk if that makes any sense.

[@laughloveread1047]

My absolute favourite part of this video😊

[@charlottevizzuett9422]

Your coffee song made my day

[@NicolaLinley]

☕️coffee song is the bomb 😍

[@christinelagueux8155]

Singing about coffee is the best part of this video

[@onesweettea]

"I'm having a good reading time, but I'm just feeling down." Girl, same. Same.

[@karolinenunes1070]

That’s me since march

[@PhoebeRichards]

2020 in a nutshell

[@RayRaysRenaissanceReads]

I feel like I need to apologize to my books: “I know I’m frowning every time I walk over here to grab something off the shelf but I swear you make me happy. It’s not you, it’s me.”

[@MinaReads]

the whispered "i'm just being honest" after the song really sends me

[@beckyduff]

Or the "that was disappointing" after checking the mail.

[@sammorgan9526]

"I hope I end the month on a great note" *Distant screams* Wow, 2020 summarized.

[@franc1194]

This is a odd thing to say but every time someone uses the metric system or Celsius I’m thrilled

[@linnbaardsen9459]

Same!😆

[@aless.andra9620]

As a European living in US and still mentally navigating in terms of metric/Celcium system, I'm extra happy!

[@kendramaidment6754]

Same

[@DanyaStoyanova]

Ohhh i feel this to. It hits close to home. Hell yeah, we need more of this in youtube

[@haaaleyyyyable]

*Leans out of frame* "Where am I going??" lmaoooo

[@BookedandBusy]

My favorite part of this vlog was the singing and the disappointment of there being no mail 😂

[@apageoutofmybook600]

I really really love your discussion about asexuality in this video - partially because I love seeing other ace people talk about being ace so openly, but also bc I really liked what you said about what you feel represented by not being the same for every ace person. I read a book with an ace MC recently and while I didn’t love the writing/book itself as much as I wanted, the book made me cry because I felt so seen by it - it’s the first time I’ve read a book where I felt so seen about the ace part of my sexuality in addition to the bi part. And then I went and read reviews of other ace people saying the rep was horrible and that people shouldn’t read it, and it was really disheartening to see. Everyone experiences with their sexuality are so different and asexuality is a spectrum so every ace person experiences it differently. (Sorry for what’s turned into an essay in the comments lol. I just really loved what you had to say)

[@nessalossehelim5026]

I'm curious, what book are you talking about here?^^

[@moonbook12]

There is a website where you can find more ace mc in books

[@apageoutofmybook600]

@@nessalossehelim5026 Let's Talk About Love! I wanted a bit more from the story/writing, but there were so many quotes in it that really made me feel seen

[@nessalossehelim5026]

@@apageoutofmybook600 Thanks, I'll look it up!

[@moonbook12]

@@apageoutofmybook600 you might want to sreach in Google, book with ace mc

[@daijahsbookworld]

*Kayla posts* Me: clicks immediately My sleep schedule: 👁👄👁

[@AD-cy4vj]

Y'all have sleep schedules?

[@Studyinbooks]

What is sleep?

[@nathaliereads]

"my contacts are upside down in my eyes" I felt that in so many ways

[@amaniamiller]

Hopefully not literally. ^^

[@chanelletime]

I appreciate you talking about your feelings about asexual representation in books, because that's been on my mind for a long time now, and how i don't want to be seen as the one voice for asexual rep and what's good or isn't good, so i love that you talked about that, because that, amongst other things, very often hinders me from talking about my own representation in books.

[@justmartine]

100%

[@AdrianneChristineBooks]

Your long reading vlogs are THE BEST videos in my sub box 😭

[@vanessagarza4139]

I LIVED for that cleaning scene 😂🙈 your song...PERFECT.

[@leilajaafari8436]

“We’re on the struggle bus” “intelligence who is she?” Lala needs her own T-shirt line with lala isms. 😂

[@lilyb.9875]

And I was just about to go to sleep...guess I’ll stay up for an extra 50 minutes! 🤪

[@Pixiewithpens]

i mean i watch reading vlogs for 1. thoughts on books as they happen, its fun to see/hear them progress and more importantly 2. to feel less alone because im still isolating by myself and its just nice to engage with another human in this indirect sort of way. my point is, i dont look for an exciting or glamorous time when i watch a vlog, so i hope that helps you worry less about being "boring". i appreciate you for being a real human with me :) i hope you feel better soon! (also we share some tastes in books, so i got a lot out of this in that regard too!)

[@laurakindle5356]

The funny thing about Ninth House, and it may end up being true about Invisible Life, is that they're not the most popular with established fans, BUT Ninth House definitely drew in a new crowd for Bardugo. Invisible Life may end up doing the same for VE Schwab, because I've tried one Schwab book and Invisible Life is the only one that seems to really break her usual mold enough to be interesting.

[@alexandraroselyn]

Just got a snack perfect timinggggggg

[@silentwings1323]

Aces represent 🙌🏻 💜🤍🖤 Now I’m definitely going to read We We’re Restless Things!!

[@justmartine]

Woot woot!

[@AnaandTheBooks]

I was literally bawling my eyes out bc im depressed and then i saw that u uploaded and now i feel ELATED

[@insanebutterfly3439]

That was me this afternoon

[@mayareads708]

I saw on goodreads that you gave 5 stars to the invisible life of Addie Larue and I FREAKED out. I have a book club and im trying to convince everyone to read it for october. I'm so excited to finally read a book that you love HAHAHAHA.

[@littlemusic4x]

I want to read it soooo bad!

[@ellias]

OH NOOOOO WE WERE RESTLESS THINGS IS SUPER HIGH UP THERE FOR ME DAMMIT I’m v scared for Addie La Rue I GOT NIGHT OF THE MANNEQUINS 😎

[@aganderson7205]

I was about to read instead of doing homework. Now I’m actually doing homework while listening to this video because your voice helps me focus, so thanks!!😊😊

[@nuyataylor4885]

It’s really amazing how I love your hair even more every video.

[@sassysarahreads]

I would love to hear your thoughts on I Killed Zoe Spanos. It’s a YA mystery, but it was brilliant and I actually enjoyed how it unfolded. Plus podcast element and the audiobook was full voice cast, so that was fun.

[@BooksandLala]

ahh yes, I do have that on my TBR but kind of forgot about it! thanks for giving me that push!

[@StoriesForCoffee]

My soul escaped my body a bit with the laugh that left me when I heard your song 😂😂😂😂

[@adoras.1752]

Your vlogs are always so fun and soothing to watch--they can be an hour long but just seem to fly by. I screamed at your quick "going to the mailbox" bit, with fast cuts like an Edgar Wright movie. Now I'm really excited to pick up Elatsoe.

[@Katesbookishnature]

The oat milk song 😂😂😂😂 “I’m just being honest”

[@ArielAntenna]

so far i haven’t had good luck with Victoria Schwab’s books, but i am VERY excited for her newest book coming out because it sounds right up my alley.

[@romxilda]

Literally just woke up and said to myself “dang, I wish I had a Kayla video to watch right now”. And lo and behold! Thank you, queen.

[@daryanreads]

omg thank you for talking about ace rep so openly, i completely agree that the few times i've seen characters who are ace they just seem robotic and emotionless and it makes me feel sad because i have a lot of emotions!!!

[@Charlotte-jq9xt]

"...sister" "good lord." The editing there sent me into hysterics

[@StarsAboveJess]

I’ve had my eye on Elatsoe for what feels like forever! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

[@VenLouie]

Liam's room aesthetic is Pokemon Action Figures

[@jackiereadsandwrites]

Thank you for your discussion of ace rep in this video, Kayla! 💜🖤💜🖤

[@cassielwinnie]

This vlog is making me so excited that I ordered the Addie Larue owlcrate box omg

[@BetweenLinesAndLife]

Ordered Elatsoe because I saw you mention it, so glad you enjoyed it a lot! And to hear you love Addie too, that‘s so awesome to hear!

[@weeziewood9930]

The family dynamic in Elatsoe is AMAZING.

[@tomtalksbooks]

The juxtaposition of Kayla talking about Addie Larue and Liam screaming in the background is a 2020 mood.

[@meagreads]

ARC reading vlogs are my favourite! So excited for this 🥰

[@moonmagister]

The mail montage is a big mood for this year in general

[@becklebooks]

I'm 200 pages into an ARC of Addie and I love the tone of it. I think the existential-ness of it, the loneliness, the sadness and the wanting to be known themes in it really will speak to a lot of people identity-wise. Especially in a pandemic when we're in isolation and feeling lonely. It's clearly speaking to me! :) I hope by the end of it, I can give it a super high rating. Your oat milk song is making me cry laughing and now how am I supposed to explain to my partner that someone talking about oat milk in a video diary that's supposed to be about books is making me cry from hilarity. (You are amazing.)

[@nathanielluscombe5277]

I read Washington Black because of you! Found it in a thrift store. It was so much fun. I really enjoyed it

[@meganngeorge]

And then you compared Addie LaRue to Evelyn Hugo, and then I had to preorder it.

[@JoshsBookishVoyage]

I'm as excited about the prospect of a Middlegame - Over the Woodward Wall Vlog as I am dissappointed that I have to wait to hear your thoughts on it 😭. I read them in tandem, making sure I stayed ahead of the excerpts of Woodward Wall as they appear in Middlegame. I found it to be a brand new way of reading Middlegame. And it probably height increased my love of Woodward Wall. Addie Larue sounds similar to The Sudden Appearance of Hope by Claire North about a girl who is entirely forgotten when she's not around. Haven't read it tho.

[@AdrianneChristineBooks]

Rewinding to watch the Starbucks cup transition

[@booksandbreggs]

The coffee song made my day. You should add it quarterly to vlogs to bring us joy.

[@biancareads]

Chaos Kayla has been present in the last couple videos and I’m LIVING for it ❤️❤️🤣🤣

[@biancareads]

Or should I say Khaos Kayla??

[@Onehallofacreation]

I watched this when you posted but I was so tired I completely forgot what I watched 😂 so I came back today to re-watch 🤣🤣

[@lisaneville6155]

The musical interlude was everything! 😂Love your channel!

[@emforsyth2100]

Oh my gosh okay I’m so glad you described Addie LaRue like that. I’ve read quite a lot of V E Schwab’s books but I haven’t really loved any of them. But hearing that a lot of people who love her books weren’t huge fans actually makes me think I’ll like it. And the way you described it just made it sound like a book I’ll absolutely adore, so now I’m excited for it to come out 🥰

[@bewitchedbecs]

I’m so excited for Addie LaRue! I’ve liked everything from VE Schwab but I’m adjusting my expectations after you talking about it though it still sounds great

[@LauritaJuanita]

I was giggling through the whole video! Thanks for the book opinions and a great time! 🧡

[@mpsensha]

"I don't need a romance in this book". Can relate. Dreading these moments.

[@stephanielemieux5319]

Hahaha when you whip out the ukulele! 😁 you're not alone not having a musical ear, I have put a tuner on mine or there's no way.

[@sophia.but.better]

The way you explained Addie LaRue honestly hit so close to home and now I can tell that this is my kind of book and I’m ready to give it 5 stars because holy fuck holy fuck holy fuck

[@MrLaiioSpain]

I’m so happy you loved Addie LaRue!! I can’t wait to read it

[@justmartine]

I also often fit into that ace stereotype of being logical and cold. In some ways, that dynamic in my life has been to protect me, especially because my sexuality has made different relationships complicated in my life, including my relationship with myself. So I really do appreciate you having that discussion in that video...

[@veronicaandvanessa]

Yes perfect timing! I was in need of a new Lala video 🥰

[@izstrella]

It made me so happy to hear you were Ace too. I’ve never found another person in real life who was, and to find one that I already look up to is wonderful. It’s late, I’m rambling, ahh, but anyways...thanks for being open about it I guess, haha.

[@TheSunriseInside]

Just want to add my voice to the group that thanks you for speaking on ace rep. I know we’re not a monolith, but any insight into how books handle it helps me choose whether I wanna read it or leave it.

[@briannam9298]

Okay super random/ unrelated but what product do you use on your eyebrows? I’ve been trying to find a pen like that but can’t figure out which one is good. Your eyebrows look SO bombbbbb. Okay now back to books - I’m so excited to pick up Elatsoe now that I’ve seen your review!!! 😍😍

[@EttuBrody]

Can't wait to settle in for the night and watch this!

[@dara-renee]

I always adore you hair, but dang it looks phenomenal half up 🤩 tell Liam I love his pokemon legos too!

[@abbybeck3370]

you summed up my feelings on we were restless things so well. i told my roommate as i was reading it that i thought i’d be giving it “an affectionate 3 stars” bc objectively i had some problems (nothing rlly happened! there were a lot of missed opportunities to increase the tension i felt) but i was enjoying it and then the ending happened and i was just confused and lowered it to a 2. it’s a strange book for sure and you don’t leave it feeling, for lack of a better word, confident in the narrative

[@starry_worlds]

My favourite part about this vlog is the singing 😅😅 Also I love the sound of The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue and Elatsoe. Can't wait to read them.

[@biancareads]

I’ve had Elatsoe preordered for a while but I wasn’t sure what I was going to think of it and how hyped I was but your review has IGNITED MY PASSION TO READ IT ASAP

[@whatruthreads]

I didn’t read the synopsis of Night of the Mannequins either and was totally surprised by where the story went. Loved it. One of the best horror books I’ve read this year 😍

[@whatlauraread]

the coffee song might just be the best thing to come out of 2020

[@ferventfei]

im now even more excited to read the invisible life of addie larue

[@ktxx22]

Your original song is basically the best thing I’ve heard ever! 🙌🏼🙌🏼😂😂♥️♥️

[@avasearle4603]

woah so im EARLY that never happens... i've been so excited for this vlog to come out yay!

[@Lara_Fantini_]

I really enjoy your vlogs even when you dont do anything exciting like yes girl give us nothing!! 💖💖💖💖

[@corriesbooknook]

Just put Elatsoe and Night if the Mannequins on my TBR. Most excited for Elatsoe. I've been wanted to read more Indigenous stories by Indigenous authors. Great vlog!

[@ButtercupBooks15]

We need a single released ASAP with Robbie as a backup singer / dancer

[@themidnightlibrarian5159]

Honestly...just wanted your thoughts on Elatsoe and was sooooo happy you enjoyed it and that I am not the only one that was having trouble trying to describe the book and how it made me feel. Immediately bought the finished copy after finishing the arc.

[@JordansShelves]

I'm excited for Elatsloe. Going to order it this week. I was very disappointed by Now Entering Addamsville, so that take has me even more intrigued. As a certified V.E. Schwab fan, I'm can't wait for Addie Larue.

[@leahnpatton]

That’s how I feel about oat milk too! Not necessarily the most delicious but if I can make myself like seltzer water, I can make myself enjoy anything 😆

[@lilyzanoff]

Omg I saw Elatsoe at B&N yesterday and ALMOST bought it. Now I wish I had

[@laurenstewart599]

YA thriller recommendation ...A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. Enjoyable!

[@eire02]

So so so good! The second one is good too!!

[@hannahc5261]

I'm here for the musical breakdown in the middle :')

the cleaning/coffee montage song has me DYING 😂

[@bookswithkatie7364]

Currently reading The Year We Fell From Space based on your recommendation :) 35 pages in and I really like it so far.

[@tealgurl7]

Just when I think I'm going to get to bed early, we get a new video - time to get the popcorn!

[@tealgurl7]

I JUST GOT TO THE COFFEE SONG - It's my new jam.

[@marthamaybooks1446]

I've just added three more to my TBR! I love an honest ukulele song

[@Abookandacup]

And I LOVED so much the invisible life of Addie LaRue. I had expectations but they were met and more 😂

[@erinmariecece]

Alright you’ve 100% pushed me to pre-order Addie LaRue as an early birthday present for myself. Now I have to finish the 3 books I’m reading right now to get ready for it. 😂

[@zachzackzak]

I've been watching your videos for years and I had no idea that you were also ace

[@nathanielluscombe5277]

I’ve been WAITING AGH SO EXCITING I LOVE READING VLOGS

[@astellus]

I loved your song. 😂 Sometimes you just gotta admit to pooping. I really think I'm going to be that niche audience that enjoys Addie LaRue

[@rubymorgans4323]

i love your vlogs so much oh my God!!!!!!!!

[@sabrinasspellbookspens5136]

I loved the vlog and everything but wow, I didn't know I would be getting a hilarious song too. :)

[@TheTailoredChoice]

Can someone please tell me what eyebrow product she is using? I’m very intrigued. 😬

[@bahananahana3381]

Now that you've read a VE Schwabb, please read Vicious. It's so good.

[@bewitchedbecs]

BahanaNahana she’s read a couple Schwab’s. At least This Savage Song

[@BohoBookworm]

I am so petrified of eyelash curlers I couldn't watch while you were doing that hahaha. Such a pity when a book just follows all the typical tropes..

[@paperbacksgalore]

watching this in 2022 (I’m new to your channel and have so much content to catch up on!!) but it’s interesting that Addie LaRue actually does have mass appeal!!

[@Abookandacup]

Elatsoe is my next read and I was already super excited to read it, but even more after hearing your thoughts on it 😍

[@annaeliseteresa6135]

The kitchen cleaning song GOT ME 😆

[@ChelseaZhao]

OMG! I need Night of the Mannequins now after how you described it!

[@mmb8957]

My day? SAVED ✅