what i read in june | getting out of a reading slump, new series, favorite books, haunted houses

💖 use my code CARI to get your first BOTM book for $9.99 💖
www.bookofthemonth.com/
Check their podcast! - open.spotify.com/show/3vByPZJ...
if you would like to join us in seoul on sunday july 24 from 11:30am-4pm for a book sale/exchange...
🤍 pls RSVP with this form: forms.gle/op5z7vBUhd6e7s598 🤍
Mentioned:
The Octunnumi - www.the-octunnumi.com/
Reading Vlog - • booktok fails me again...
Misrule - amzn.to/3bKco5S
Notes on an Execution - amzn.to/3ycQ1h2
In the Ravenous Dark - amzn.to/3yavHNl
The Moth Presents - amzn.to/3nAOE6V
The Hacienda - amzn.to/3a9seGA
A Winter's Promise - amzn.to/3uibX9m
✨NEW VIDEOS Every Friday 8am KST✨
🍰 My main channel: bit.ly/2Nht0SM
☕ Donate a coffee?
ko-fi.com/caricakes
💖 FAQ
What’s my job? (Non-teaching job in korea) - bit.ly/3aeNl6x
Where do I live? (Korean apartment tour) - bit.ly/2kJK1Hk
Where am I from? - bit.ly/2xzc7hz
You can also find me here:
Instagram: / caricakez
Bookstagram: / caricanread
Twitter: / caricakes
Website: www.caricakes.net/
Goodreads: bit.ly/2kNnPjc
StoryGraph: bit.ly/3feHU8Z
Links may be affiliate links, thank you for helping my channel!
what i read in june | getting out of a reading slump, new series, favorite books, haunted houses

[@caricanread]

if you would like to join us in seoul on sunday july 24 from 11:30am-4pm for a book sale/exchange... 🤍 pls RSVP with this form: forms.gle/op5z7vBUhd6e7s598 🤍

[@withcindy]

the ending for notes on an execution was PERFECTTTT

[@fayla8127]

THE SECOND BOOK OF THE MIRROR VISITOR SERIES… no matter what you do you must get to the end 😭 the way the plot & history is revealed… and all the past details and character’s actions make sense… it’s extraordinary impeccable immaculate 👌

[@fayla8127]

the first one is a little long but everything comes together & explained. all the characters also play a part in the other books so nothing really goes to waste. you just gotta get to the second half of book 2

[@mnlxlover00]

Ugh Cari I swear- I've been in a reading slump ALL YEAR LONG. 😩 It's honestly somewhat depressing, so I constantly have to remind myself that being in a slump isn't a bad thing and it does NOT define me as a reader. ❤️ Here's an amazing quote that I pulled from another KZbin video a while ago: "A 'book slump' is a bullshit concept perpetuated by Booktube to keep everyone consuming books all the time. You don't have to be reading books every second of your life to be a book lover; reading is a hobby and it's normal to float away from a hobby and come back to it. Perpetuating being in a 'book slump' as a bad thing just puts unneeded stress and pressure on the book community and it makes everything less fun in the long-run." Love you, Cari!! 💜

[@caricanread]

oh no im so sorry! and im not sure i suuuuper agree with the quote because for me, i dont feel pressured by a community to read. It's this feeling of wanting desperately to read and not having the mindset to fall into a good book (or just constantly reading meh books) like, I can't focus, etc. And im frustrated because i want to read! Not for anyone else, not for my channel, but for me! So yeah - its okay to be bummed about a reading slump BUT just picture how good it will feel to finally find a book that you love to read after this long drought :)

[@edenhenrikson7452]

The Mirror Visitor series has my entire heart! ❤️ The second one was definitely my favourite and the way the relationship grows and changes throughout all 4 books is beautiful.

[@caricanread]

omg good to know!! im excited for it^^

[@chiarakikimatteazzi4840]

Yessss 💕 My favourite is the third one ❤️

[@roxannemarieguerin5747]

A winter's promise is literally one of the best series ever, started in English because, lets be honest the cover is beautiful but discovered it was originally french and since I'm french I was like wow, a french book I would like ayeeee, and its soooooo good!

[@Sarah-ss6fr]

Ouiii j'étais choquée de découvrir une bonne fantasy en français qui est connue chez les américains c'est rare 😂

[@thebeesycorner]

I liked it very much too, I was just reaaaally disappointed with the last book and the ending. I'd be curious to have other people's opinion !!

[@tatianak8039]

I almost screeched when I saw A Winter's promise on the thumbnail 😻😂 It's one of my favorite series and the mc is not your typical mc, you should continue the series !!!

[@caricanread]

so glad everyone recommended it to me!!!!

[@Miss_StarryEyes]

Me too!

[@Lex77755]

I love that book, kinda felt like a Ghibli movie. Give the same vibe

[@stella_gmbr]

A WINTER'S PROMISE OMGGG A FRENCH BOOK HAHA I'M SO HAPPY, la passe miroir is such an amazing series, atypical, and the sequel is even better, the universe and the world are so much better developed in the sequel, it's crazy, too happy that you talk about a book from home :) kiss from france

[@demitwice]

the mirror visitor is my favorite book series. i love it so much

[@caricanread]

cant wait to start the second one!

[@ArtyGeek]

Omg FINALLY someone read A winter's promise I love that series 🥺

[@gracefoulis2652]

omg a mirror visitor quartet is my FAVORITE series it’s amazing I’m so excited other people are reading it

[@Olamelama]

Never been happier of being a french speaker because I could read A Winter's Promise (La Passe-Miroir) a whiiile ago.. And it's AMAZIIIIING!!! Super happy you finally read it, and to everyone thinking to read it, GO FOR IT 😍 The world is amazing, the story is really creative and truly brings you through a journey. Also Ophélie's world is inspired by where I'm from, Wallonie, so that's a bonus :D

[@Miss_StarryEyes]

I love you for reading Mirror Visitor! 😍 The Missing of Clairdelune is my favorite in series, so I’m glad you’re going to continue reading the series

[@caricanread]

Starting that asap!!!!!

[@loandbehold7348]

I had a similar experience with starting A Winter's Promise haha. I got it for my birthday some years ago and it was still lying on the table the next day while I had breakfast. So I picked it up, thinking, "I'm just gonna skim the first two pages." but lo and behold, an hour later I was deep into it and totally hooked :D

[@rubi_lane]

I LOVED a winter's promise I read it in french and all the descriptions of the surrounding world and architecture is stunning.

[@emilyradatovich559]

I loveeeed the Mirror Visitor quartet, I read it last year before the fourth book came out and I was in PAIN waiting a month for the fourth. Now I wish there would be a fifth 😭

[@mnlxlover00]

Also, A Winter's Promise sounds very... Promising haha! 👀 I've never heard about it until now, and you sold me on reading it, Cari, so... Thanks for that haha! 😂💜

[@caricanread]

that first chapter was a gift!! so good!

[@brendhacaldas4396]

The first and second book are INCREDIBLE, i really recommend, unfortunately, the series kinda goes off rails in the last two books

[@thidaonfilm]

i absolutely loved this series

[@swab.9399]

I loved the second book

[@ri7942]

I have never been on your channel but I clicked when I saw Winter’s Promise on the thumbnail and I’m glad I did! I love your energy and your taste in books 💕 You’ve gained another subscriber! Also how exciting you live in Seoul !

[@elixir_ruth96]

YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE THE MIRROR VISITOR QUARTRET!!!!!!!!!!! The second book is just so ✨

[@anaherax5991]

With a bad headache, it's super relaxing to hear you talk about books. Also the rain was lovely 😍 Can't wait till your next upload.

[@teganjohnson1588]

Notes on an Execution got me out of the biggest reading slump I'd had in years. Centering a story about a serial killer on the women in his life - making them the stars and not him - was just perfect.

[@lpchambers3681]

Ooo- I love that top!! Glad you got through your slump! I actually just technical processed the Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow book at my public library yesterday, small world. Happy to see another one of your great videos 💜

[@caricanread]

heheeh love those coincidences!! and thank you :)

[@alisyukova]

¡Omg I’m so hyped about the fact that you’ve picked up one of my favourite books ever, unfortunately not a lot of people have heard of la passe miroi. Thank you!

[@ilianafafouti7224]

Omg i also read a winter’s promise in june and i absolutely loved it! I think Ophélie is my favorite ya mc and i love the dynamic between her and Thorn. Also Archibald is such an intriguing character i def look forward to learning more about him in the next books!

[@juliej9259]

Your channel is becoming my comfort channel. One of your book recommendations video got me out of a reading slump. Thank you Cari!

[@caricanread]

🥹🙏 thank YOU!

[@CarlaChuaArt]

Excited for you to continue the Winter’s Promise series!!! Thank you for the wrap up video, been looking for a new book to pick up! 💖💖💖

[@caricanread]

All these comments are getting me excited too!!! Apparently the second book is best 🥰

[@dzeren_7151]

Yess!! Finally your June wrap up! I was waiting for it ever since I saw you read In the Ravenous Dark. I needed you to review it desperately 😭

[@caricanread]

yeeeeee!!!!

[@aimeeaj3873]

My BOTM came in a few days ago and I chose Upgrade also. It sounded really interesting and I would never usually have chosen a sci-fi thriller but what I like about BOTM is that it is making me branch out into other genres/authors and I’m loving it.

[@Lara_Ameen]

I read THE HACIENDA in June as well and I absolutely loved it! It’s one of my favorite books I’ve read this year and I usually don’t read much horror. But I’m glad I got it from BOTM. Right now I’m reading THE STARDUST THIEF, which was my main BOTM pick for June (with THE HACIENDA being one of my add ons). I’m enjoying this Arab inspired fantasy! I hope you get to read it, too! 🥰

[@maiianthe3280]

I like the weather updates! 😊

[@lifewithjown]

I'm not into fantasy but I just love you Cari ramble all day long about books!

[@sophl233]

So glad to finally see people talk about French fantasy books such as A Winter's Promise :) I've been told the first book was very slow placed, but that the series was so worth it. Might read it one day, can't wait to know your opinion on book 2

[@minigul]

I picked stardust thief in last months botm and I'm really really loving it. It's a slower read but for me that hasn't been an issue. It's been really nice to sit down every night and read a little bit. Added bonus that it's based on middle eastern mythology and does a good job at representing the middle east in the fantasy genre. I would def recommend it!

[@danielleong9355]

First!!! I’m so excited to watch your June wrap up ☺️💗

[@caricanread]

^_^ 💜

[@urfreezinghands]

i’ve read ‘notes on an execution’ last month too and it got me sobbing 🥺 many of the books you’ve read this month have actually been on my tbr for quite some time !! currently reading ‘city of gods and monsters’ cause i really needed a fantasy romance to be entertained 🤲🏻 it reminds of crescent city and i’m enjoying it so far. italian hot weather makes me so tired for no reason it’s not funny anymore 😭

[@orange_tea]

I love when you give us the climate update! I usually watch your videos while having lunch so I feel I'm talking to a friend about books and the little climate report makes it's a nice touch,like I can set the scene in your side of the world :)

[@literaterue]

Yay!! A new upload from Cari! 🌸☕️🍃

[@caricanread]

🥰🥰🥰

[@catherinefenquist5022]

Awww I loved the description of those collections. It's so nice to have a book to turn back to when things become too much

[@eslemouederni864]

I'm so excited for upgrade, Blake Crouch is an amazing writer. I suggest you check his previous works as well.

[@MariMermaid]

I could listen to you talking about books all day long ☺️ I'm in a reading slump right now but I hope I will get out of it soon...

[@kamilar4200]

I feel like the biggest development ( regards relationship between characters) was in 3rd book of winter promise. But I loved while series although ending was…. Well weird? Good luck with that series!

[@emmabostian2608]

TOMORROW AND TOMORROW AND TOMORROW IS SO GOOD AND I CANNOT PUT IT DOWN

[@Shht445]

I love the Mirror Visitor series!!! Its my favourite series at the moment :) I reeeeally hope you continue the series because there is almost no one on booktube that talks about it😞🙃 Btw I just came to your channel because of that and love it! 🥰 You're gonna learn a lot more about the world and also about the relationship between Thorn and Ophelia (btw the didn't have to marry to prevent incest but you will find out why...) I heard people say that some relationships are toxic in this series but thats just because they didn't read on, you will know why the relationships are like that when you continue to read...

[@dellyram1377]

I can't wait to see your reaction to the end of the Mirror's visitor series=D I loved the world and characters and thought we would see all of them developing/ reaching some sort of resolution but Dabos had other plans for them...

[@kahkashan13]

I'm early 🥳 seeing this notification made my day! thank you so much Cari. love you 😚

[@caricanread]

omg thank you :'') have a good day!

[@kahkashan13]

@@caricanread OMG 😭♥️

[@juliet6385]

The Mirror Visitor is so fun! And the second one was my favorite, so I'm excited to hear your thoughts whenever you read it ✨

[@caricanread]

Yesss so excited!!!

[@sammileung86]

Hiya I'm just popping on to say I read 'Sorcery of Thorns' and aagh I loved it. I ugly cried at bits. Thank you for the recommendation! Always thought fantasy was the one genre I wasn't into but now I've read both House by the Cerulean Sea and Sorcery of Thorns and loved both.

[@samayasubadin6418]

Omg it’s been a couple of weeks since I follow your channel and didn’t notice you were in Seoul ㅋㅋㅋ To be fair, I was too busy noting down every book you recommend hahah love your content ^^

[@kiranreader]

ahh! so happy you were able to get out of your reading slump!! they are honestly the worst!!!! you've convinced me i need to check out A Winter's Promise. i've seen the book cover before in the bookstore but have never picked it up!!! lol

[@kahliskawaiicorner]

Yeah!! Wrap up time🥳🥳 I just started the Hacienda today! It's a little out of my usual reading but I'm glad to see that you read it too and that it's not horrible 🤣 love your videos so much. You always are so amazing and funny😃 hope you are well❤

[@caricanread]

hope you enjoy!!!

[@charlie-paigesimm6456]

just gonna out this out there lol.... i actually really enjoy the added weather updates in your videos..:)

[@caricanread]

😂 thank you!

[@chiarakikimatteazzi4840]

It's years that I can't really much read but now for reasons Alice Oseman just hooked me with her books 😂 they are not really well written but they make me feel things 😭❤️

[@rylie.annette4124]

I’ve been wanting to read notes on an execution. I tend to read my books I’m public a lot, so thank you for the warning!! 🙏🏻

[@caricanread]

yeah get tissues ready :')

[@Sarah-ss6fr]

The second book of the winter's promise is way better than the first one, you get to see more of the world in the Pole and more of Thorn and Ophelie, you'll love it! It's my fav of the serie actually

[@yiannis5972]

I just finished the Mirror Visitor series and boy it was a journey. It's good just .....not what you expect going in

[@ellenlovre]

Cari! I just finished The Binding! WOW what a book, thank you for the recommendation!!!

[@caricanread]

that makes me so happy ahhhh!!!

[@ellenlovre]

@@caricanread Also I wanted to add (now that I've watched the video lol) that a group of English teachers at my high school all got matching moth tattoos because of the Moth! They were some of my favorite teachers, and one of them even did a story unit with us where we all told real stories based around a theme. Just thought that was a fun connection! Thanks for a great video as always :)

[@jenniferromero571]

Looong comment! I have been in a reading slump for so long, a few years now. Read a few here or there. Now I have a new baby 3 months old. I'm horrible managing my time and when I relax I watch KZbin. When I should be reading, sleeping or eating something. I want to finish Lovely War and listening to the Harry Potter series on Audiobook, husband convinced me since we don't have the physical books here with us. I need to just suck it up and do less face time on phone. When I finish the Harry Potter series I get to watch the movies again.. My choice, I killed it watching it too much.. So yea, I need to make time for reading.

[@StayFocused902]

7:11 Agreed! Wish I could do it though but I just can't. 7:20 My current state right now, slump and all. Even worse it's a book series that I've wanted to read for a long time so I'm just trying to power through them so I can get to the other books where my interest is higher.

[@addiesteel1440]

I think you should make the weather updates into an official segment of your videos. I'm invested at this point lol

[@littleAnnii93]

I read all 4 books of a winters promise, I think over a year ago... and I just agree with you I love the world and the idea behind it but it's quiet...how to say... "slow"? And without giving spoilers I do not like the ending. I was really upset about it. And still think a lot about this

[@isabelheikens9378]

if you thought the first one was long of the mirror traveler series oh my....you are in for a treat (i loved this series but it is LONG)

[@craftyreads]

A winters promise sounds … promising! 😂 I’m definitely intrigued

[@caricanread]

😂😂😂

[@00moon]

Oh the Hacienda sounds like the Crimson Peak? Have you heard about the Winnowing Flame trilogy, starting with Ninth Rain? Apparently it's an epic adult fantasy with like.. fae-vampire-ish creature feature. I want to start reading it this year but I can't get out of mystery mode.

[@kaitlynhill5170]

Love these

[@caricanread]

thank you!

[@larisaschreiber3146]

Bummed about Misrule. I was hoping the same things you were. Lead in to something awesome, wah-wah😕. Good to know tho! I'll probably read it anyway, since I read Malice not too long ago. Thx Cari!

[@bookishnlatte]

Really need your ACOTAR recap plot so I don’t have to reread these before diving in the Nesta one 🤭

[@Winstar66]

I know the plot like the back of my hand but I wish she would.

[@kimreese3530]

I picked Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow for my book of the month selection and they sent me a message that it’s delivery has been delayed due to so many members choosing it.

[@juliette6704]

i’m currently reading the last book in the winter’s promise series and i think you’ll enjoy book 2 a lot more! i had the same reservations, but book 2 really takes it up a notch. book 3 was the worst one so far in my opinion though, it’s got an awesome premise but it’s VERY slow, and my friends didn’t love the last book, so we’ll see…

[@animalcrossing7967]

0:00 to 0:05 = me when i watch your videos✨

[@caricanread]

hahhahahhahhahaha

[@jennalikebook]

You are a queen

[@poorni4742]

Ok im convinced to read A winter's promise nw 😭

[@yelenskareads]

I read The Hacienda in June as well and... I was not impressed. I liked the premise and the atmosphere at the beginning but I thought it lacked in some areas. For one, I did not care for any character and that sucks :( Also did not enjoy the priest storyline whatsoever lol, but I'm sure some people will enjoy this trope 👀 I think it's the third BOTM book I've read and I haven't liked any. Don't know if I should give others a go.

[@KathyDubs]

I'm the same way where most all of the books I read are from the library. Otherwise I'd be out of money and space in my home, haha. That being said, I did buy the Stalking Jack The Ripper book you talked about a while ago when I saw it at a GoodWill, haha.

[@mattkean1128]

Yeah I got Winter's Promise, because the set looks so pretty lol. I've heard conflicting things about the series 🤷 🥶

[@caricanread]

Apparently the second book is best so I’ll keep everyone updated!!!

[@chiarakikimatteazzi4840]

I think the real problem with this serie is that the last book it's... Look, I think you can clearly see that the writer had no idea how to conclude her serie 😭 My favourite was the third, I found the second one a little boring, but that's me 😂

[@bangtananxiety]

I so wanna read "The Octunnumi". I love how magical & mysterious it sounds and the fact that it literally looks like an artifact. I went to the website to check it out and got goosebumps from the intro and the whole website in itself (Y'all must check it out. I don't know why I even bothered to check it out since I'm honestly too broke to ever buy a physical copy of any book) but this book just makes me wanna buy it so much. I'm probably the type of audience it was aiming for lol, Who would buy it just because of how mysterious it looks. But yh hopefully there will be an e-book version out someday, so that I can read this.

[@sabsupsub]

notes on an execution reminds me of moonrise by sarah crossan

[@jackielopez9739]

ACOTAR Has a full cast audiobook in graphic audio and I highly recommend. It truly is a movie in your mind!

[@Winstar66]

Where can I find it? I’ve listened to one on KZbin but I wasn’t full cast

[@paperbacksgalore]

I’ve wanted to read Notes on an Executive ever since I first read the synopsis, but I know I have to be in the right headspace for it. It sounds so dark

[@caricanread]

Definitely 😞

[@iyaehsan3840]

Cari try The Devils Advocate by steve cavanagh, its mystery, thriller and a bit dark since it deals with racism but it was super interesting to read.

[@Moon_things]

Ik this doesn’t have anything to do with the video (sorry), but who’s your favourite from the last hours series? 😅 Love your videos😊

[@caricanread]

omg there are so many characters - i really cant even remember then all ahhahhaa

[@jayjade6003]

I'll be waiting for your July wrap up so I can actually talk about books. I read a number of books in June but I did not finish one 😭😭

[@caricanread]

June is a cursed month 🫠🫠🫠

[@kaleighotoole3324]

omg. you read a winters promise!!!! i LOVEEEE a winters promise🥳 i read them all in french and i die

[@kaleighotoole3324]

the best fantasy series

[@LA-tl2tw]

Damn now I have to read acotar

[@maggie5384]

For A winter's promise, I had the same feeling than you and the rest of the books are better in my opinion !

[@emmilouwho1530]

What nail polish are you wearing? Its so pretty

[@alycesutherland3786]

FROM BLOOD AND ASH, could you make a video on the series PLEASE it’s honestly jsut as good if not better than sarah j maas books.

[@caricanread]

lmao but if i take out the sex scenes its like a 20 page book LOL

[@alycesutherland3786]

@@caricanread Valid but the world building around it is a whole nice long explanation in itself, not to mention being able to roast the shit out of it when it’s cheesy.

[@spacemari7498]

dont know if youll see this bcs im a little late to the party this week buuuuuut id like to say that this thing you have with the collections by the moth is probably the same thing i felt when i read the anthropocene reviewed by john green... its such an amazing experience to idk, fall in wonder with humanity again!! i think we just forget to get in touch with this part of existing, you know? just stop and think about everything that has happened or even just some trivial stuff we do that really defines the human race... idk im talking too much already, what i really wanted to say is that i hope you pick it up sometime haha ps. hes a fellow earth sign so i just feel like he GETS it yknow lmao

[@caricanread]

Hahaha i read a bit of it!! Glad we have books that bring back faith in this world hahaa

[@void9662]

If you haven't ever read it, I have to highly recommend Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall! I know fake dating isn't your favorite, but I read it right after Red, White, and Royal Blue and honestly it felt so much more relatable. Definitely gave me some feelings.

[@caricanread]

Ohhhh youre selling it well 😍

[@crbysrnsn]

Omg I did the same thing and it’s sooo funny! Husband Material the sequel is coming up soon 😍

[@void9662]

@@crbysrnsn I know! I immediately pre-ordered it after finishing boyfriend material.

[@AmandaKrutsick]

I am warning you because of your complaints about A Winter's Promise, book two is amazing and you're probably going to love it based on what you said you enjoyed already, book three is a drag (takes place on the most boring arc with the worst characters and is missing one of the characters completely), and book four is downright unreadable, rushed, and the biggest series disappointment I've had in my entire life. I really wanted it to be my favorite whimsical, fun, slow burn romance political fantasy series and it fully let me down. I always tell people to read the first two and make up your own ending lol I hope July is less reading slump-y for you!

[@aureliabeston7899]

Im trying my hardest to get out of this slump

[@ShikiPirs]

Need to be tied to a dead soul? I choked on my breakfast, like whaaaat

[@FunFantasyBooks]

“It’s like a pan sexual blood mage destroy us the kingdom, so obviously I picked it” 😂

[@kayleestichter3632]

I just about to finish Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr, and it is seriously the best book I've ever read and I need someone to talk about it with.

[@caricanread]

I tried getting into it and i couldnt 🥲 but maybe i need to try again!!

[@crbysrnsn]

All The Light You Cannot See (his previous book) is literally phenomenal. Would definitely recommend.

[@nadergamal2129]

First ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@caricanread]

💜💜💜

[@curiouslanguage2032]

I know exactly what you mean saying you could feel your brain TRYING to love A Winter's Promise. The setting has so much potential and the magic is so interesting. But for me the plot and the characters were just SO boring, and the main character especially is so passive and barely invested in anything that's happening. I still have hope for this series (mainly because, I mean, come on, those COVERS), but I'm going to borrow the sequel from the library or listen to it on audio if I can, because I am just unsure if I'll actually like it.

[@yuenath]

cari can read… the weather 🤭🤭

[@NEKO-mw9id]

The thing I hate the most is when a book has SO MUCH potential and it just ignores it. Like the idea of the ravenous dark is so cool and it feels kinda new which says something since there are so many fantasy books. But it just doesn’t go there, and it’s more upsetting then a bad book. Idk that’s just me.

[@zubaerchaudhari8267]

Hey there

[@Julie_ao]

😍❤️

[@caricanread]

[@frannook]

A winter's promise sounds kinda terrible? I don't get why it's so loved :/