Bookshelf Beginnings | A Fresh Start for My Books 😁📚

Cousins !!
Vibe with me in this cozy video as I fill up my very first bookshelf. I take you through the process of arranging my books and some of the new pickups I got too. Whether you're looking for book recommendations or simply love seeing bookshelves come to life, this video is for you. So grab a cup of whatever you like to drink and join me for a relaxed chat about books and the joy of building a personal library!!
Love Y'all Fam 🫶🏾

[@MarcyWatson-ez2tp]

I hope that when my son is an adult, he comes to me in need of a bookshelf. Mom goals!

[@ericapedroza7067]

Yes!❤😂

[@vilecorrupt]

My mom was happy then worried after I spent half my tax refund on books 😂

[@buster9106]

The classic bookshelf experience. First you put together the bookshelf wrong. Then you don't have enough space on your bookshelf for all your books. And finally you have to organize other pieces of furniture to accommodate the excess books.

[@orangewedges]

It's a rite of passage!

[@cilliansands6166]

@@orangewedges I agree.

[@deendrew36]

Are you really a book lover if you DON’T have these problems? 😆

[@angiebaebii]

I love that you're not afraid to read “feminine” books that makes me so happy

[@denakaye5101]

This! Is my favorite video of yours.Seeing you with your own bookshelf makes me so happy! Congratulations!

[@LitVibesWithFive]

Thank you so much!!

[@ashcasseragonzalez3701]

The color coordination came out so good! Lowkey, you should open up a PO box so we can send you stuff for your new place!

[@Tula1987]

Agreed

[@jacquelinegonzalezmahr5301]

I actually thought of the same thing. I would love to send him copies of my favorites.

[@dsalet1]

“Lowkey”? Highkey!

[@ashcasseragonzalez3701]

@@jacquelinegonzalezmahr5301 same 😭 I want cousin five to be well fed with new books and merch

[@BeachBumEvvie]

Seeing the black(boy) young man joy with you and your books makes an Auntie smile. 😊

[@Itzharriet]

It’s so refreshing to finally see guys understand books the way us girls do cuz I be tryin to convince some of my guy friends to read and they always be sayin it’s weird or not cool…things needa change cuz more n more ppl not reading n everybody so dumb 😂😭😭

[@alisharo58]

I have over 200 books and am still out here without a bookshelf like I ain't got no sense lmao

[@timberlyncarthins6096]

How you storing all that?😭

[@kyrasaturn]

are they all stacked in piles or how do you do that 😭😭

[@CE.C24]

Me !! But I got like 160. I stack them. Maybe when I hit 200-300 books I’ll get a shelf 🤷‍♀️

[@LitVibesWithFive]

Sheeeshhh lol

[@MsPynkPynk]

My brain is not understanding that lol Do they just have a designated spot on the floor? Genuinely curious.

[@VicariousKat]

Tossing in the ARC flex like no one would notice 😎

[@NicholasTSilveira]

Putting together and organizing a new bookshelf is one of the most accomplishing things for a reader. Love to see it!

[@joslyngibson9965]

Your excitement is infectious! You have a very nice collection of books. I can’t wait to hear what you think about them.

[@LitVibesWithFive]

Thank you so much!

[@kikiboop2530]

Now see, I'm going to need you to fix that backwards shelf on that bookcase.

[@LitVibesWithFive]

😭😭😭 I know, I know

[@comicaltuber]

@@LitVibesWithFive If that was me, I would have left it so long as no one can see the back panel. Ain't no way I'm going round two with a bookshelf 😭

[@brookebusse3870]

​@@LitVibesWithFive I was going to suggest just to paint it. 😂 It won't be the same texture, but it won't stand out so much. 🥰

[@Thehennies]

Awww mum came through yay!

[@kimberlyd6382]

I think putting a bookshelf together wrong is just a rite of passage. You’ll definitely need a full size bookshelf next. Looks great though and I love the little space dudes! Great move adding the books to the tv stand. The colorful book spines break up all the black and really make it pop.

[@katieglow95]

I don’t think I’ve ever had a smooth bookshelf construction process, but every time I’ve done it, I realize I’m capable of more than I think. 😂

[@cilliansands6166]

Cousin, there's not a single person who couldn't relate with this video. I had to unmount 7 shelves from the walls because I put them up too far apart and forgot I had more shelves, I built an entire cabinet with the pieces facing the wrong and only realized it after I was done and had to put the doors in the hinges...don't feel bad. Welcome to the nightmare of bookshelves and a hug to your momma for getting those shelves. Hope she has a great Mothers Day.

[@trensshawndy9595]

Cousin !!!! Why am I over here excited seeing you put books in your bookshelf. I'm such a book geek ! ❤❤❤love your channel cousin ! Keep showing your love of books 📚 cousin ! It's refreshing to see male Booktubers need more of that ❤❤❤❤❤ love this ! Sending love from Texas to my cousin 📚📚📚📚

[@ebonym667]

I’ve always loved books and collected a good bit over the years (no bookshelf growing up cause, POOR duh😂). But once I got my own place and had a built in book shelf, I felt so complete after seeing everything neatly put there! It made me so happy watching this. It reminded me of that, new library feeling. And a nice little secret, the feeling never goes away! Whenever I see the shelves full of books in my bedroom or office I still get giddy inside 😊🫶🏾❤️ hope you enjoy building your collection up!

[@scottmartin1179]

If you got joke ... cracked me up.

[@missjourneyfinn5579]

With Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, you should read the first book of each series, then watch the movie and compare it. You’ll see if you like book or the movie better.

[@jacquelinegonzalezmahr5301]

Great idea!

[@LitVibesWithFive]

Definitely a cool idea !

[@imayoola]

Yes! He could also make a video on this when he's done with the books and the movies and compare them

[@Nothereforit174]

At this point my books exist in drawers I have just for them, cabinets, tables, entertainment centers...moving crates..😅😂I wish I was organized but it’s so hard when you get so many which is a problem I’m grateful to have. But the goal is to figure out creative ways to get my books together(floating shelves and whatnot) Fun, varied collection you have! Congrats on finally getting an organized book space!

[@MelaninMagicWriters]

First to comment! I clicked so fast 🥰 I just finished two books in less than two weeks!

[@michandaj]

Dollar Tree indeed has a book section and sometimes they have some good picks

[@user-jo4em3lz1r]

Love your videos man. Something about this one made me so happy 🎉

[@13kikyou]

This was so lovely! It really felt like we were hanging out in the room together (not in the weird parasocial way, just in the cozy vibe way). Shout out to your mom for the bookshelf!!

[@BriarMarine]

Living vicariously through this video. Your mother is lovely for getting you a shelf for the new place. Also, very supportive too since this helps out with your channel. I'm really glad to see your collection expand and your excitement over it!

[@rladyleo3]

I absolutely love watching your 📚 reading journey! Showing young black men read, keep the videos coming! S.A. Cosby is the best, always a 5 star read, check out Razorblade Tears. An author to add to your TBR, Percival Everett, books: JAMES, retelling of Huckleberry Finn and ERASURE, the movie American Fiction was based on this book. Keep reading and I'm looking forward to seeing you get that first house and custom bookcases!

[@jacciford]

I agree SA Cosby is a good author. I too read Razorblade Tears and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@LitVibesWithFive]

Thank you so much! S.A. Cosby is electrifying. I’ll be sure to look into those recs! 🙌🏾

[@seolylee]

It will be so fun to look back at this video like five years later!

[@lindab5235]

I love to organize and reorganize my books, and there are hundreds of them! I have been collecting for over 60 years, and I have books in every room in the house, even stacked on the floor. When you buy your house, make sure you have one giant room that you designate as your library, and it should have built-in bookshelves! I really enjoyed this video -- it was a lot of fun.

[@tianawashington8869]

Yes! Dollar Tree sells books? So does your local library❤

[@timdemoss]

oh boy this is too relatable. after a lot of sweat and tears I accidentally put my bookshelf together backwards. all the compressed plywood is showing and the finished side is hidden. I keep telling myself it looks "rustic".

[@cassidykirkland4314]

I painted mine to match so you can't really tell unless you look closely 😂❤

[@LoveLeeLyn-op1to]

Good Job Sun. I knew I should have gotten a bigger bookshelf. It’s okay I’m gonna make a turnaround trip and fix it…. 😉 Love you SP 😘

[@varg6663]

I recognized a lot of those book covers -- you've got some good stuff in there! Looking forward to your vlogs! :)

[@Tula1987]

Your bookshelf looks great!!❤ so happy for you!

[@jamiedianne6778]

I do love a good bookshelf organization video! 🙌🙌🙌 Your channel is fast becoming one of my favorites, Cousin Five! ❤

[@unboughtunbossed]

Awesome video, loved how it all came together!

[@reyamidala8850]

I just saw this on my recommended and I'm so glad I clicked 😊😊

[@kyrasaturn]

it makes me so happy to see you discovering the world of booktube and reading and getting your own collection started!!

[@slightlybookishslytherin]

It’s amazing to be sharing this experience with you, your first ever bookshelf! Oh my gosh that’s so exciting! 🤩

[@Your-dad-with-milk140]

This is really exciting that you're getting a bookshelf. You're doing great.

[@jlmo3027]

Awesome. Imagining how you feel every time you walk by and see that shelf. 😊

[@rrichardson340]

You are my fav booktuber. Love your reviews!! Keep doing what you do.

[@mollyuhe]

When I built my TV stand I put the middle board in backwards. It was too late. Lol. Now there's a random brown edge on one piece. Oh well. Those instructions are tough sometimes. Congrats on your bookshelf! 😊

[@rosiedevall]

My first bookshelf is getting delivered tonight!

[@mdolbey93]

The little astronaut bookends/knick knacks 😭 cute Five!

[@allietrost850]

EXCITED FOR THE READING VLOGS💪💪💪

[@debhanzlik540]

Awesome love the new bookshelf ❤ and the book haul 😊 thank you sharing 😊 love your videos

[@margar3181]

Much love to you and your mom! As a mom, I love that you gave her love and credit for the bookshelf. ❤

[@LoveLeeLyn-op1to]

Thank you 🙏🏾Much love to you and yours!!! Ain’t it an amazing feeling watching our babies become productive responsible loving intellectual adults! He is such an amazing young man 💙 I’m so very PROUD of my First Born, That’s my Bigg Baby, My SunShine! ☀️ 🥹🤞🏾💪🏾🙏🏾

[@thecampinglibrarian]

Love this! I just love seeing the joy that books, reading, and a bookshelf are bringing to your life.

[@Alanna1333]

So glad you came up on my KZbin feed. Love the vulnerability you have with your audience.

[@kikopita]

Awww your mama loves you! That’s so sweet ❤❤ and the moon figurines are cute, especially the one with the moon (where did you buy that?). I also noticed you have “Earthlings” by Sayaka Murata. It’s a crazy book, like the last few pages are insane! I would recommend you purchase “Convenience Store Woman” by the same author, that work is a much lighter subject imo and you get a feel for her writing. Nice video!

[@LitVibesWithFive]

Yes she does 🫶🏾 lol and thank you!! I got them on Amazon. Very insane & I’ll definitely check those out!

[@jacquelinegonzalezmahr5301]

Mama Day by Gloria Naylor. It is one of my favorite books. I must have read it at least twenty times easy. It switches back and forth between the main character, Mama Day, who is my favorite character of all time, and her grandniece Cocoa. Mama Day hails from an island culture steeped in Gullah culture. She is a midwife, healer and the daughter of a seventh son of a seventh son. There is hoodoo, voodoo, laughter, gut wretching drama. And it’s a love story. It is a work of art. I hope it makes it to your list. Abrazos! 🇵🇷

[@deadslugs]

Super duper happy for you and your new bookshelf! It never gets old!

[@bbear27777]

I feel that way too - one day when i have the room, I'm going all out with the bookshelves. Loved the color coded bookshelves 🔥!

[@kellief8611]

I love the little space men 🌒 turned out so nice!

[@rrichardson340]

OMG love your bookshelf!! Set up real nice.

[@thesamuraiman]

I need a bigger bookshelf 😭

[@TeexMack]

Me too

[@dg-vg3mp]

was waitin fa dis post gang

[@lisatortorella1051]

I'm so happy that I found you! You have a great selection of books, you made me smile out loud, and you would make any mom proud! 😄

[@waidejackson9775]

I read the hunger games trilogy in middle school and did not read TBOSAS until September 2023 (in preparation for the movie). I enjoyed reading the prequel last; I enjoyed being able to pick apart how the world and the characters grew into the one I experienced in the original books 😄

[@msgeorgejourney]

Your bookshelf beginnings and I am here for it !!!

[@samiabossino2081]

You are one in a Million!

[@daniellebutler1036]

As long as a book shelf can hold books it’s put together well. The color coding of the books came out beautifully and I’m loving your little space men! Looking forward to more videos

[@cherylNA]

This was a fun video and it turned out great!!!

[@Msangiewow]

I watch a lot of booktube and your channel is quickly becoming a favorite! Love your videos! ❤❤

[@smileytonya]

The beginnings of your home library! Congrats!

[@dinahwelch1482]

Congrats on your new bookshelf!😁 It looks great☺️

[@deendrew36]

I read the Hunger Games series with my daughter when she was in grade 6-7. We loved them!

[@dman747707]

Congrats on the bookshelf! Excited for you!

[@thekhameleonreadsbooks]

I love following your reading journey. Keep up the good work!

[@moonflower1616]

Your videos make me so happy. I love how you're open to so many different genres. ^^

[@bibliomania158]

The simple things in life are what it's all about!!! Small, simple joy's of life.... congrats Cousin 🎉🥳👊

[@wanderfulbri5115]

This video makes me sooooo happy. You have some good reads!

[@renneromano8454]

It came out sooooo good!!!

[@grff_]

I put the backboard backwards once too and i just, ripped it out lol usually it not very noticeable if you do it carefully cuz the holes will be around and not seen inside the bookshelf. As for the top you put backwards a great tip is to paint it over if you have any similar color, you can buy the small tubes artists use to pain canvases rather than house paint too so its cheaper, that'll make the shelf stand out less

[@amiliaeaton7906]

First time seeing one of your videos!! Thanks for being relatable because I also haven’t had a bookshelf before and this vid is making me so excited for when I finally get one. I’ve had too many books crushed because they were being stored in a bag lol.

[@Zoomieszad]

So excited for you to get another bookshelf!!!!

[@lauren000005]

Looks great! Good work :)

[@jenniferm.2142]

I’m really loving your channel! I just stumbled across it but I love your energy and you’re giving me new book recs so I love that! Welcome to booktube!

[@Courtney6]

Congrats on the new bookshelf and the new home. To make you feel better, I’ve done the same thing with the top shelf turned around and I painted the edge of it to match. lol

[@queenkim8631]

This video was so satisfying to watch!

[@readingwithkaylav]

Love these organizational vibes! You have so many great books on your TBR, I love reading Jodi Picoult! She can really weave a story, based in tragedy, that I don't want to put down. Excited to hear your thoughts!

[@jackdziatkowiec]

Good selection. I saw some of my favorite books in there.

[@AnEmbarrassmentofBooks]

Woohoo! Congrats on your bookshelf! 🎉 I have Killers of a Certain Age on my TBR shelf, too - thinking maybe it’s time to read it, too! 📚 BTW - I love how you read all genres! Need to add a bit of fantasy and sci-fi 😊- check out The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson (great sci-fi) and Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (great fantasy).

[@goddess_eve21]

I love it! I currently have 4 bookshelves and just added floating shelves to my walls. Now that is next level 😉 I can NOT wait to see what you do in the new house. *I just finished 2nd book in HP this month. About to read the third. Right now, I am running through Cassandra Clare collection ... on my 7th book in her recommended order.

[@AstralLibrary]

Your first bookshelf!! How exciting!!! I remember your first book video and now you have a shelf, that's so amazing!

[@LitVibesWithFive]

I know right! Thank you 🙌🏾

[@tessib.1043]

I loved how it all came out. And those little astronauts, I want those! Welcome to crazy book hoarders world. Run out of shelf space, get more shelves 🤷🏻‍♀️😂😂

[@terriarheghan3676]

God bless you young king. I’m a mom and I’ve got 2 young adult males and they love to read. And both have bookshelves as well. Keep posting your videos. You’re doing just fine.👍🏽❤️🖤💚📚

[@imayoola]

Love the book arrangement! Rooting for you to buy your own home and get a bigger bookshelf as well 🎉🎉

[@Trainmate345]

It looks so good! I didn’t think I would, but I love the color blocking look. You should read my favorite book The Woman in White, it’s considered one of the original/greatest mystery books of all time. Not an easy ready but 100% worth it for all the twists and it’s a romance 😊

[@carriemarie7535]

Your books are looking great! Take us book shopping again sometime & remember to utilize your local library and maybe we can take a trip there as well. I just love your enthusiasm about books! Stay Blessed📚

[@susanlindsey9497]

Looks awesome!

[@OoLaLaFrenchGirl]

Great haul! I would like to read almost every one of these books. I love the astronauts too! 🧑‍🚀

[@jacquelinegonzalezmahr5301]

All Sinners Bleed was amazing. As soon as I read it, I read it again! It’s that good. And the audio is good too. Great voice.

[@RichRootz]

Love this👍🏾✌🏾

[@LitVibesWithFive]

Thank you!! 🙌🏾

[@princessangeles9857]

I still haven't finished Killer of a Certain Age! Also, this video was relaxing to watch. Love all the books 📚

[@BreannasBooks]

I’ve put three bookshelves together and all three have at least one piece backwards 😅. But the first one, I put the side pieces on backwards and it humbled me. But you got a lot of different genres!!! love that for you, also I see Harry Potter 👀

[@natalieharroch-harper7247]

Enjoy your new bookshelf (and the trip down the never ending rabbit hole that is book collecting hahaha) appreciate you sharing this special moment with the crew (and soon come - Happy Mama's Day to your Queen!)

[@JasmineMage305]

I enjoyed Killers of a Certain Age. It was a fun time.

[@Allinmyworld]

The top of the bookshelf the shelf is backwards but that's ok just make sure it's sturdy. You almost outgrowing this book shelf as soon as you put it together but love your content can't wait til you make more. I see a new video i watch them so quick!

[@noyayay]

so excited for you to start the hunger games! my favorite book series ever 🥰

[@nickikendall3026]

The first of many bookshelves for you 😍 thet are addictive as is reorganising them ❤

[@tanyaembly7630]

Gotta start somewhere and you sure did. The house I moved into 5years ago I feel in love with ASAP as soon as you walk in the livingroom is to the left and POW 2 built in book shelves floor to ceiling, and in between a fireplace with a mantel. I said I need not see no more of this house lol. An a added bonus a sunroom on the back of the house with a full bathroom. I didn't see pictures of the house so the walk through was first time seeing it. Lol.