Dear Dr. Fantasy: episode 61, with Bridger from Library Ladder

[@thelibraryladder]

Thank you again, Philip, for inviting me to chat with you! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Upon seeing the thumbnail for this video, I realized we never got around to discussing Tad and MS&T, which you hinted at early in our conversation as a likely topic. I look forward to that discussion in a future chat. 😄

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@thelibraryladder It’s good that we’ll have plenty more topics for future discussions, Bridger! Thanks so much for an excellent conversation!

[@thelibraryladder]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Absolutely!

[@andrewlavigne44]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy If you jump into MST next year Bridger would probably make a good discussion buddy.

[@iSamwise]

Bridger emphasizes quality over quantity and his thoughtfulness is definitely something I aspire to!!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@iSamwise Well said!

[@Fia-kz6sf]

Bridger is such an amazing book tuber/Connoisseur. That Jack Vance reread is taking a fair bit of time, but no pressure. It's worth the wait, I'm sure.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Fia-kz6sf When it comes to Bridger’s videos, they certainly are worth the wait! Cheers!

[@SuperPlastered]

You two are my favorite “booktubers”. I feel like I’ve learned something when I watch your videos and you actually read the books! (Unlike some popular KZbin channels I won’t mention) Awesome discussion. I wish you both well!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@SuperPlastered Thanks so much! I appreciate the kind words!

[@RedFuryBooks]

To the detriment of me viewing of many other channels, I watched this over the last few days and glad I did! So many great topics covered, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks for taking the time to get together and chat! Also, Johanna, Matt and I (and some others I believe) are starting Memory, Sorry and Thorn in January if you're interested in a buddy read!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@RedFuryBooks I might just join you, Josh! Cheers!

[@NevsBookChannel]

Bridger is always fascinating to listen to. Fantastic video!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@NevsBookChannel I’m glad you enjoyed the video!

[@NevsBookChannel]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I mean you’re interesting too! 😝

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@NevsBookChannel 😂😂😂 Cheers! 😊

[@curtjarrell9710]

Hi Philip. Thanks so much for this chat with Bridger. I enjoy hearing both of you sharing your book knowledge and observations with us.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@curtjarrell9710 I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Curt!

[@ZOMGfantasy]

This was such a calming chat, thanks for hosting Philip! Bridger is so admirably well read 😊

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m so glad you enjoyed the discussion, Zammar!

[@josephd5879]

Great conversation, one of the best I have listened to in a long time. Thank you both.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@JosephReadsBooks]

It was great to see two of my favorite booktubers have a nice chat. Keep up the good work!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Cheers, Joseph!

[@chucklitka2503]

I really enjoyed this conversation. I started reading only in 5th grade - Tom Swift Jr, Tom Corbett, and the Hardy Boys I really enjoyed the original Tom Swift books - upstate New York in 1911 was a very alien world for me back then.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@chucklitka2503 I’m so glad you enjoyed this chat, Chuck!

[@DefinitelyNotAnUndercoverCop]

Philips version of being snarky is politely telling someone they might have liked another platform more lol

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@DefinitelyNotAnUndercoverCop Snarky Philip! 😊

[@vaughnroycroft999]

This was a wonderful episode, among my favorite DDFs. Philip was right--the deep dive into children's books really brought back fond memories--particularly Andrew Henry's Meadow, which I adored as a boy and had forgotten about. I also loved Bridger's observation about the evolution in what we seek from our reading as we age. I'm the same: an intricate plot or cool world-building are fine, but I'd rather be left deeply feeling... something. Alost anything, really--even profound sadness or longing. Maybe especially a longing--one that I can't quite define. Regarding the economic-based "solution" to the decline of epic fantasy, I totally agree. Which is why the bulk of my charitable giving always goes to literacy-based charities, with a focus on a locally based one in my hometown. It's a reading-based community center with a library that provides not just books (lots) and group reading programs and games, but a space where kids (many of whom are underprivileged) can go and interact in bookish ways, or even to read quietly. It feels like my own little path to making the world a better place. Here's to our lifetime supply of epic fantasy! (So true.) Hope you've had a wonderful July, Philip. I hope to be in touch with you soon with news, although I still don't know when. Wishing you both a happy August.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@vaughnroycroft999 Thanks so much, Vaughn! I’m very excited for that news!!!

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks for tuning in to my conversation with Philip! You're one of very few people I've ever encountered who remember Andrew Henry's Meadow. It makes me very glad to know I'm not alone in my love for that wonderful children's book.

[@samcostello2861]

A wonderful conversation between two great booktubers. Listening to Brdger talk about checking out books as a student reminded me of my elementary school library, where I first got into reading. I was very fortunate that my school library held a series of books called "The Great Illustrated Classics", a collection of classic novels that were illustrated and abridged to make them more accessible to younger readers. They had everything from Treasure Island to Frankenstein, The Three Musketeers (my favorite!) to War of the Worlds. They even had Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame, which completely traumatized me! Fun times.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@samcostello2861 A little trauma derived from one’s youthful reading is probably a good thing. Probably. Thanks for watching, Sam!

[@samcostello2861]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Ten Year Old Me (reading Hunchback): W-W-Whuuuhhh!? (sniffle) This isn't like the Disney movie!!!

[@Johanna_reads]

I’m commenting early to say that I've been highly anticipating this DDF!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Johanna_reads Yay! 😊

[@samuelleask1132]

God tier interview!!!!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@samuelleask1132 I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@carlosbranca8080]

I just finished The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant mainly because of Library Ladder videos about it. I wasn't loving it too much until the last book in the trilogy and it grew on me. I still have issues with it but i am glad i read it and enjoyed it. Great conversation.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I look forward to returning to Donaldson’s masterpiece in the future. I’m glad you enjoyed the discussion!

[@thelibraryladder]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it and that I didn't lead you too far astray, Carlos!

[@paulharvey5505]

Awesome series. The Covenant books were one of the first series I read beyond Tolkien.

[@thefantasythinker]

Fantastic discussions guys! I really do hope you delve into Donaldson's writing someday soon. Cheers!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@thefantasythinker Cheers, Jarrod!

[@fantasyfanatic6038]

The things I would do to have Bridger make a Jules Verne video. I vividly remember reading Journey to the Center of the Earth when I was 10 or 11 and I owe so much to that book!

[@thelibraryladder]

It's on my list of priority video topics. I had hoped to get to it this year, but other unrelated commitments have likely pushed it to next year.

[@fantasyfanatic6038]

@@thelibraryladder Awesome! I can’t wait for that video!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@fantasyfanatic6038 I hope you get your wish!

[@BrianBell7]

I"m only halfway through this episode but it's so great!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@BrianBell7 Thank you, Brian! I haven’t rewatched it yet as I’ve been traveling, but I had a blast chatting with Bridger. All the best!

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

I'm not sure how I don't have the interest to watch a movie, but I do have it to sit and watch you chat with guys like Bridger and A.P. for hours. Great conversation as always! (and yes I 2x'd this 😂)

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! I'd probably listen to myself at 1.5x speed. 😂

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels Ha ha! I’m sure we make great chipmunks! 😁

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I don't think there's any speed that can make Bridger sound high pitched 😂

[@Paul_van_Doleweerd]

​@@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovelsHow is he at 0.5? Does he drop below 17Hz? 😂

[@Zivilin]

i'm listening on 1x speed. 😎But yeah, i'm the same with movies and shows nowadays.🤣

[@mastersal4644]

What a lovely chat - I now need Philip to read the edition of Beowulf Bridger flashed up and discuss whether it works as a retelling / translation or not

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@mastersal4644 I’ll have to check it out! Thanks so much for watching!

[@Zivilin]

1:04:08 Oh wow, first time i hear someone else mentioning John Christopher/Sam Youd's Tripod series. It was the first YA series i found and read at my school library in early 90's. Already had read and loved some of jules verne's extraordinary voyages (my favourite at the time was From the Earth to the Moon, Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Seas & Around the World in Eighty Days) , the famous five by Enid Blyton, three musketeers, treasure island, Robinson Cruso, The Last of the Mohicans and Astrid Lindgren books (Brothers Lionheart, Mio, My Son, Ronia, the Robber's Daughter) since my mother had those on her shelves.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Zivilin Come to DDF for a hit of nostalgia!

[@paulharvey5505]

Just got the to part with the discussion about Stephen R Donaldson. He was one of the first authors I read after Tolkien, sometime in the early 80s. I loved the first two Covenant series. Really liked his Mordant’s Meed duology as well. I did read some of the last chronicles of Thomas Covenant, just haven’t finished it yet But for me Donaldson’s masterpiece is the Gap series, which was a science fiction series he wrote in the later 80s, early 90s.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@paulharvey5505 I will have to check it out. I’ve never heard anything but praise for it.

[@marcweber8509]

I've yet to read The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, but the work I've enjoyed the most so far by Stephen Donaldson is his Gap Cycle. So good! I actually found the writing style there more accessible than in Thomas Covenant. Also a lot more fast paced.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@marcweber8509 Yet more to add to Mount TBR! All the best, Marc!

[@marcweber8509]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy As a slow reader I feel buried under my TBR 😂 But we'll probably never run out of good stuff to read, so... My best to you, too!

[@storytoob]

Brilliant chat gents! Huzzah to not following the best practices!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@storytoob Cheers, you two!

[@skippen]

Oh, gosh Bridger, I too loved Basil. I read and re-read those. I think we are about the same age too. I know I am older than Philip. The comment of there was less to read when we were younger is so true.

[@paulharvey5505]

Forgot all about Basil of Baker Street! I had a few of those, loved them.

[@paulharvey5505]

Excellent conversation, library ladder was already on my shortlist of favorite book tube channels, along with this one, critical dragon, media death cult, mikes book reviews, and Bookpilled

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you for watching!

[@cipriansirbu3699]

Waited for this special guest for ages,what a great conversation. Bridger,I'm still waiting for your video about Robert McCammon 😅.

[@thelibraryladder]

Thanks! I'm still trying to get my Jack Vance retrospective finished (!!!). McCammon is in my queue, but it's been a lot harder for me over the past year to maintain my earlier pace of producing videos. I've had too many other competing time commitments to get to all the videos I want to make. I hope to increase my output in the coming months, some of which might involve experimenting with different formats.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@cipriansirbu3699 I’m glad we could deliver this!

[@Paul_van_Doleweerd]

Bridger is giving me flashbacks to my childhood, Encyclopedia Brown, Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators, Hardy Boys.. Franklin W. Dixon (aka Leslie McFarlane) lived two blocks from me when I was a kid.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Good flashbacks, one hopes!

[@larryladeroute971]

I bet Bridger decided audio books were a good option when he was dangling from the crown molding, and no one could hear him...

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@larryladeroute971 😂😂😂

[@thelibraryladder]

Hmm . . . the timing of my shift to audio did happen around the same time . . . but I hadn't made the connection until now. 😂

[@DoUnicornsRead]

And another brilliant one! Also, hooray for people who don't rank things or books! Very glad the hubby wasn't watching this. I would have loved a library ladder but it was vetoed on the grounds of health and safety. Hearing Bridger's story he would feel so vindicated.😂 Thank you, Philip, for another episode of DDF!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@DoUnicornsRead We can’t have any unicorns getting injured on slippery ladders! Thank you so much for watching and commenting, Angela!

[@DoUnicornsRead]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Ha, ha! Yes, that would be a desaster. Hope your holiday is going well!

[@thelibraryladder]

My wife gave me a small stepladder (with three steps) for Christmas shortly thereafter so that I'd use the tall ladder only for the topmost shelves (where I put mostly low-priority books). She had my health and safety in mind too. 😂

[@skippen]

As Philip explained history and context of teaching literature he hit on what I liked best of being an English major (and MA) as with an English degree, I got to study history, art, psychology, and many mores all under one roof. I am saddened I never got the career out of it I wanted (internal college politics killed my desire to move on to a PhD).

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

There’s so much that is enriching about a solid grounding in the humanities!

[@paulharvey5505]

Same gateway to fantasy for me. I watched the hobbit cartoon when it was broadcast, which drove me to read the book.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

That adaptation is itself a classic at this point.

[@paulharvey5505]

Some of my earliest books I remember reading were the 50s-era Tom Swift novels. My dad used to get them from a used book shop near his work. I still have them. I also read some of the more overtly sci-fi Tom Swift books that came out in the 1980s Never read any of the originals.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Those were the days!

[@ericF-17]

A nice discussion with two very intelligent and entertaining people (I particularly liked your discussions of the education system but also many other things in this discussion). However, I can't really agree about the existence of Bridger's fourth category of booktubers. As he said these categories not mutually exclusive, I agree and think this is important to keep in mind whether you're going using his "elements of booktube" or yours, which by the way I think aside from that are both pretty good summaries of what booktube is about. Yes, there are certainly people who make an effort to make their videos appealing to people. In fact, I would argue everybody does this to some extent, whether through thumbnails or tone of voice or editing or lighting or whatever. Every booktuber wants people to watch their videos. Of course! That's perfectly normal and not at all bad in any way. Its also true that some people clearly care more about "the algorithm" than others do, but I don't agree with the idea that anybody cares more about that than, say, talking about books or crafting friendships. I just can't think of a single book tuber who fits Bridger's description of "more calculating," etc. Nobody joins booktube to make money. How dare Bridger have any issues at all with the end of the Lord of the Rings. Sacrilege! There's a section starting around 1:23:45 where Bridger's audio cuts out for a little while. By the way, someone really needs to find that Jeopardy episode!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@ericF-17 Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts, Eric! Much appreciated!

[@angeloashikafratti2107]

2 of the best ❤

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@angeloashikafratti2107 Thank you for the kind words! 😊

[@acaciabaker5935]

Excited for the audio of the way of edan trilogy!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@acaciabaker5935 Coming at the end of August! Cheers!

[@andrewlavigne44]

How strong is that crown moulding?!?

[@thelibraryladder]

Fortunately, strong enough to support all 6'4", 175 pounds of me for the 60 seconds I was hanging by my elbows. I'm not brave enough to give it another stress test to find out its limit, though. 😅

[@Paul_van_Doleweerd]

​@@thelibraryladderGlass doors huh? If only you had a shelf to stand on... 😂

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

We are all glad it proved strong!

[@skippen]

Yes, you can have too many books. I can attest to this.

[@paulharvey5505]

Who is publishing the special editions of your books? I must have missed that

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@paulharvey5505 The Broken Binding! I couldn’t be happier!

[@paulharvey5505]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasythat’s cool, I have a tier 2 sub so I’ll get a crack at them for sure

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@paulharvey5505 Awesome! I’ll be sharing the second of eight interior illustrations tomorrow on the channel. I already shared the first.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@paulharvey5505 I keep hearing great things about the Gap series!

[@Edog1337]

Sad to hear about childhood then and now. Im only 40, but remember having similar ability to explore and have freedom as a child. As a current parent of 2 young children, this modern world is certainly more dangerous and degenerated. I have to supervise and plan, and ensure safety.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Edog1337 Things have definitely changed, and not all for the better. Thanks so much for watching!

[@Paul_van_Doleweerd]

So much praise for the Nemesis. Tsk. 😅

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Darn! Must’ve slipped or something.

[@thatsci-firogue]

I also find the idea that Epic Fantasy is dying is absurd. Everything has peaks and valleys in popularity and that will fluctuate. Look at comic books for example. Watchmen and Dark Knight Returns (and a few other stories) echoed in the years of darker superhero comics in the late 80s/early 90s... and the traditional approach was back and dominating again by the late 90s.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@thatsci-firogue Well said!

[@thatsci-firogue]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy you should get Bridger back for potential discussions as you explore more of GGK's bibliography

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@thatsci-firogue An excellent idea! Cheers!

[@Zivilin]

RIP epic fantasy. It died for our sins. 🥲🤣 Jokes aside, i recently discovered an indie epic fantasy series that came out in 2014, which i had never heard of before and originally started out as a nwn 1 roleplaying adventure module. Sanctum of the Archmage series. There are most likely a lot of other epic fantasy books that haven't come into the spotlight yet.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Zivilin There are so many great epic fantasy stories out there waiting to be read!

[@jacobcoates7987]

What does this have to do with simon mooncalf?

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@jacobcoates7987 Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is a favorite of Bridger’s, and I do hope to chat with him about Tad Williams in the future. All the best!