Every book I read this month 📕 14 classics, romances & novels

a very lengthy May Wrap-Up!
Books & People Mentioned
War and Peace tidd.ly/2R5qPao
Dickens vs. Tolstoy • Dickens vs. Tolstoy
The Travelling Cat Chronicles tidd.ly/33653pB
Are We Smart Enough To Know How Smart Animals Are tidd.ly/3e71Hcj
The Alienist tidd.ly/3uaEzPJ
The Prophet tidd.ly/3fN4l6I
Heart of the Fae tidd.ly/2RJLS2I
Girl In Translation tidd.ly/3yqprAa
First Love tidd.ly/3yqpuvQ
The Ruthless Gentleman tidd.ly/3bMkHvg
My Brilliant Friend tidd.ly/3xPG1cC
An Incurable Case of Love tidd.ly/3f1Uppz
Midnight Secretary tidd.ly/2RnllIw
In Watermelon Sugar tidd.ly/3e9KVsS
The Obelisk Gate tidd.ly/3g0VEpe
Genres
0:00 Hi!!
0:52 Classics
18:33 Literary/Historical
30:05 Manga
35:34 Romance
41:12 Sci-Fi
43:06 Non-Fiction
47:10 Contemporary
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[@anoushkad5846]

I started reading classics because of you. Best decision I ever made.

[@aniket8357]

same here!

[@samiajunaid7021]

Can you guys recommend me some?? But not the ones everyone talks about, some lesser know classics maybe?

[@aniket8357]

@@samiajunaid7021 to the lighthouse by virginia woolf, invisible cities by italo calvino

[@samiajunaid7021]

@@aniket8357 tysm I will add these in my tbr

[@learnreadingquranwithhafiz8363]

@@samiajunaid7021 to kill a mockingbird by harper lee , Wuthering heights by Emily brontë

[@eliana1486]

*gets in bed* *grabs some tea* *STEALS CAT*

[@brendanmooney7607]

Please bring back my cat. It's been seven hours.

[@eliana1486]

@@brendanmooney7607 NEVER!!! IT’S MINE NOW

[@brendanmooney7607]

It's yours now... OR AT LEAST UNTIL THE NEXT MONTHLY READING VLOG THAT REQUIRES CAT-THEFTING...

[@megwings11]

I’ve never felt such a likeness with any person that I’ve not actually physically met in real life! I have been enjoying binging all your videos while I do craft work for my small business because you have the same taste in books as me and your whole vibe just gives off such a feeling of safeness & serenity which my little anxious brain really appreciates! ❤️ thank you for doing what you do!

[@anjapuseljic6754]

I actually feel the same way!

[@melaineeyh]

Don't be shy, plug your small business! I'm sure some people on here would love to support you.

[@lauragouveia4526]

same!! she somehow makes s feel really close and connected to her

[@shraddhanipurte639]

"steal someone's cat" Why is this me twice a day.?😂

[@haelrc8415]

I'm not sure what I'm more impressed by: reading 14 books in a month or making it through the entirety or War and Peace. I only finished 2 books this month lmao (although they were both 5*)

[@mrodriguez377]

Two per month is still good! What were they?

[@haelrc8415]

@@mrodriguez377 thank you! I read Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck and The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw. They're both great books and not too long to read so I'd definitely recommended them 😊

[@Labracadabrador101]

@@haelrc8415 of mice and men is one of my favorites!! So good

[@user-ii4ww7lt1g]

@@haelrc8415 have you read East of Eden or Grapes of Wrath?

[@haelrc8415]

@@user-ii4ww7lt1g not yet, are they as good as of Mice And Men?

[@queenelliee]

Aw I love how you say you "got to read" books. What a cute concept of being grateful to witness a story

[@iamrjdennis]

Emmie: Reads 14 books in a month Me: Struggles to finish even 1 book in the same amount of time 😂

[@timr9983]

Bet you have some responsibilities for most of the week

[@jessatlife]

I feel you. Here I am, with a reading disability, a mentally intensive full-time job, and a graduate English class, struggling to close-read two 600+ page novels in three weeks to write an analysis on them from a writer's perspective, as a newbie writer. XD However, I'd also consider that some of these books, like the manga, can be read very easily and quickly; length and depth levels vary. And as you listen to audiobooks, you can still move around and work on tasks that don't require much thinking (like sweeping the floor, crocheting...); you can also increase the playback speed. In addition, we tend to blaze through books we're *really* into, and it looks like this was an unusually good month for her. While I believe reading that many books is still enabled by certain privileges, these details do make a difference.

[@bookoffholicbookwart5945]

Same

[@nazzzeto]

@@jessatlife чшчшппч Ч

[@eirynpajaron3369]

​@@timr9983

[@ereading512]

“This book was like an ogre. Because ogres are like onions.” 😂

[@RetratodaLeitora]

So glad you read Machado de Assis. Hopping you'll get to read his novel Dom Casmurro. Is a masterpiece! Love from Brazil

[@LilyIsa1]

Dom Casmurro is the best! Please Emma, read it!

[@louisellefortier3555]

What is Dom Casmurro in English?

[@RetratodaLeitora]

@@louisellefortier3555 it's "Dom Casmurro" too 🥰

[@RetratodaLeitora]

@@LilyIsa1 right??? Just amazing

[@lavacaqueri5454]

Justice for Capitu!

[@Jet961994]

I read War & Peace when I was sixteen (in English, which isn't my native language, so looking back I wonder how much I actually comprehended), mainly to be able to flex about it (which I did, in my oral English exam). But now, 10 years later, you've inspired me to start reading it again! Thank you ^^

[@tseringchemiyeaton3581]

I never thought that I would ever read war and peace because it is such a lengthy book.. But i did (well actually I still have 100 more pages to go) It has been such a great pleasure to be a part of this journey ❤️ Iam starting Oliver twist day after tomorrow 💃💃👏👏👏 Oh and by the way.. You look sooo pretty 😍😍😍

[@ba-gg6jo]

I read about 10 books a month on average, so still, very much an amateur compared to you. Always enjoyed the classics but recently I gave them a rest, but your enthusiasm has rekindled my appetite for the Russian classics in particular. I first read War and Peace over 40 years ago, and I cannot tell a lie I found it hard going. I read it again when I'd turned 40 and enjoyed it far more. Now nearly 70 I have been inspired by you to read it again, thank you for your encouragement to us all to read more and learn about the world and ourselves. Stay safe.

[@kate-ne]

I would recommend A Silent Voice for a really good manga!! The romance isn't necessarily the main plot of the manga but it becomes a driving force and the story is a really beautiful look at how the characters handle peer pressure, friendship, and their own flaws.

[@ashielovestolearn]

I really loved reading Koe No Katachi too😍❤

[@julesl8598]

I graduated in 1998 from high school. There was no google in my house or in school. Just a library with books. You are now part of my English library.

[@camilleslaughter1582]

Watching you talk about literature is just an unmatched experience. Also im reading Frankenstein bc of your recommendation and I am LOVING IT!!!!

[@LarissaOliveiraK]

i'm so happy to see you reading Machado!!! i'm brazilian and sometimes i get so frustrated about him not getting the recognition he deserves in another countries! glad you liked it

[@hyemiyah]

the way you talk about war and peace almost made me cry. I'm finally reading it and I'm just blown away by how well crafted it is and how heartbreakingly beautiful it is.

[@ineedtoreadmorebooks6432]

Discovered your channel recently, and I LOVE your energy and passion for books! It's such an underrated trait in young people and I love seeing it on booktube, you brighten my day, love from London! ♥️

[@giovannaaraujoamaral2939]

As a Brazilian, the fact that you mention Machado de Assis is so heart warming! We read his works in school and he is definitely incredible

[@evelyn21.06]

You inspire me so much to just leave my laziness aside and pick the books from my shelves and just READ. You are just an amazing inspiration for all of us, also omg 14 books?? Congratulations!! I managed to read like 5 books but I plan on reading more this summer

[@juliaromero7512]

Most of the classics you speak of, I always get interested and will immediately check them out after. I'm definitely gonna consider reading War and Peace soon!! ❣️

[@ddd_28]

it's a rainy day here in my city and a cool windy weather,paired with your channel's aesthetic and your calming way of talking. Just perfect ☕☕

[@Paaseliten]

I HAAAATED War and Peace. Forced myself through it. Spent more than a year on it. Never in my life have I been spoonfed a message to such an excruciating extent. I GET IT! When we describe war history in retrospect, things that weren't really planned out at the time, can always be interpreted as strategic when we look back. I'd rather stab a fork in my eye than be hit over the head with this point one more time. And don't get me started on the relationships and human emotions. It's obvious that "show, don't tell" was not a concept that existed in the 1890s. Never again a Tolstoy-book. One star.

[@sydnidoyle5559]

I also read The Traveling Cat Chronicles last month and sobbed like a baby. I’m one of those pure soul people like Satoru which is why I think I resonated with it more. Good reviews and recommendations, love your vibes and the way you talk about books 💗

[@sreyadey2998]

You're one of the most comforting and beautiful online soul I've ever come across ❤️🥺. Might just binge watch all your videosand take up my habit of reading back again ❤️

[@mrodriguez377]

You’re making me want to read so many books and my current tbr is filling my bookcase already lol

[@notnotrachel]

very random, but i watched this while untangling gum from my hair and the books and your calm personality made everything okay- also, i GOT the gum out 😩😭🤪

[@emmiereads]

that is the WORST so glad you got it out!!

[@donitacarmelsaavedra1451]

I'm also getting into reading classics because of you Emma, I'm so glad I found your channel 💖

[@readingwarlock]

I could listen to Emmie talk about books and stories for hours 💖 (Surprising since I have such short attention span and this pandemic’s making it worse) The way she describes and relays her reading experience is just beautiful. I stan. ✨

[@sarahsperusals]

i know you've read juliet marillier in the past, but how you described heart of the faye reminded me of how people describe juliet marillier books!!

[@rosemarykingsley3088]

Emmie : this book has many layers My mind : *like an ogre* Emmie : This book is like an ogre

[@TheThinkingBar]

Added your favorites to my TBR, I admire the way you give us a nice briefing about everything without saying way too much ❣ I am currently reading Anna Karenina as my first Tolstoy and I think his writing is infinite. When I finish it, I will not be afraid of War and Peace anymore. Thank you!

[@kasandra8017]

i usually get bored watching 10 min vlogs but with emmie, i can watch her talk about books for almost an hour.

[@alexandraramz]

I love your long videos, talk away!! Also, "steal someones cat" killed me LOL

[@damianfell5112]

I admire your ability to read so much! Unfortunately, I didn't read at all last month because I had exams, but I have been constantly watching your videos and getting more and more inspired to read the hell out of June!

[@luizappicanco]

I was reading a lot in the begging of the year (about two books a week), but went into a reading slump in mid April. I started a lot of books I can’t seem to finish. Glad to see May was a productive month to you.

[@TC-42vvs]

How many hours a day do your read? I’m always inspired but the number of books you’re able to read in just a month. 14!!! That’s like one book every 2 days. If I read one a month I’m proud of myself 🥲🥲

[@joannejonker4110]

audiobooks really do help though.. you can read them whilst getting ready, commuting, idk eating, doing mindless work, cleaning and moreee

[@TC-42vvs]

@@joannejonker4110 for me personally I need the words in front of me to fully grasp what’s happening

[@qwertyytrewq4857]

@@TC-42vvs 1 book a month is good too if you're comfortable with this speed! There are months when I don't read at all but I've read 8 books in may (but 4 of them were poetry). Personally I try to read whenever I don't have anything else to do or try to read for 1-2 hours before sleep.

[@ray6682]

They likely read multiple books at the same time.

[@ba-gg6jo]

I read for about 4 - 6 hours a day and usually have 3 books on the go at any one time. Usually 1 non-fiction, 1 classic fiction, and a trashy crime novel for light relief. Keep on reading!

[@aunabildigarna3199]

Has someone ever told you how beautiful is the way you talk?This is something heavenly,your words prove there's some inner light within you❤️

[@rustydollparts]

First, your top is beautiful wow I need some puffed sleeves in my wardrobe this summer. I have a goal to read 40 books this year and this summer I want to read 15 books to help complete my goal. It's so cool how you can read so much! 😮🤍🤍💐

[@mariaemiliagomespereira3455]

Hey Emma, If you ever read this comment, I just wanted to thank you for encouraging me to start reading again. I hadn’t read much in so many years, and your channel and your love for books has made my love for reading come again. So, Thank you! Ps: I’m from Brazil and am very glad that you liked Machado and his writing!

[@shadhaebadhy1146]

It's raining....and Emma has uploaded a 50 Min vedio. Ofcource I made some tea...and yeah I'm blessed ❤️😭

[@forestchild487]

thanks enourmously, for brightening up our days with mesmerising rays of sunshine radiating from your soul ♥

[@marianamenegati3738]

Omg 14! That's amazing!! I found your channel this month and I really love it💕 I managed to read only five but one of them was the Odyssey which took me the whole month and another one was a new favorite, so I'm really happy with the five!

[@estadoagridulce]

Emma! i’m so happy you finished “war and peace”, i already bought it for myself, thanks for encourage this reading.

[@samkim9786]

an upload to make me feel so much better!! you look so lovely by the way and your top looks good on you. so cool you finished war and peace, it was truly a journey!!

[@leonwill4265]

Hi Emma, hope you are well. Can you do a short video on how you annotate and read- I think the approach and reading is a special skill which a lot of us do not have! Keep up the good work (smiles from North Wales).

[@smn8405]

You calm me downnnn, you videos are curing my anxiety 🌌🌍🍃

[@DDplayerr]

Love the amount of work and effort you put in!

[@eire02]

Thank you for gracing us with this video! I don’t normally like wrap ups but yours are just so nice to watch. For me, I read 22(?) books this month because I read some manga! I read like 3 or 4 five stars but also my first one star~ im immensely proud that you read war and peace! I hope to get it and read it soon... Also, that outfit is absolutely gorgeous 🥰🥺 gonna go steal a cat now 🐈🐈‍⬛

[@JB-mf9is]

Thank you for the time stamps, much appreciated

[@rehabyasser2990]

imagine if emma uploaded everyday ♥️ no but really thank you so much emma for taking the time and putting so much effort into doing these beautiful videos love you so much ♥️♥️

[@dreaming9to5]

And I thought 4 books per month was ambitious 🤦‍♀️

[@avanshikasaini2094]

Haha...same!

[@happiness4654]

Lmao same. I'm in a book slump these days I haven't read a book in weeks

[@gazinazeefa1784]

I read 2 to 3 books a month

[@NikiAesthette]

It's okay to only read 4 books a month. It's still pretty impressive!

[@whateverbabe]

It is ! Cause remember there are people who die without ever reading a book

[@juliananino2000]

Ahhh love your videos!!! You have given me some unique recs and I love you for it! Also your top 😩 it’s stunning!!!!

[@myrtolefk]

Aaah literally can't wait to watch this tonight✨

[@shilohpeterson5307]

I listened to First Love after watching your video and it was spectacular! Was not expecting the dark elements in it but that made it all the better such a great read. Thanks!

[@yibingxu5918]

Girl in translation is my 5-star book of 2022 and it supported me spiritually through my darkest time. Thank you so much for recommending! ❤

[@monikasinha4351]

I wanted to tell you that I am also participating in the Dickens Vs Tolstoy read for this month... I am so excited for Great Expectations 💛

[@vasilisashakurova743]

You finished “War and peace”!!! Congratulations!!! And now you should read “Quiet Don”. It’s like “War and peace” of 20th century but with more blood

[@jinsrj4806]

I had bought War and Peace and Anna Karenina like 10 years ago and it's still stacked in my bookshelf haunting me. I can't tell how many times I gave up on the book and didn't even make half-way through it. But after watching you I might finally pull myself together and give it a go. Thanks for inspiring me💜

[@jasminejefferson6630]

Such great books! Happy reading Emma!

[@eleftheriak.8889]

Okay but the war and peace copy is so incredibly beautiful, I just can't get over it

[@acaraj]

I've been checking out your channel because I'm trying to incorporate more classics. But then I see you read and loved NK Jemisin!! Yes, girl! Followed.

[@strawbemmy]

i desperately wish i sounded like you..your voice is so sweet and gentle, it's so lovely listening to you speak

[@AkaHeiwa]

Thank you so much for this long and cozy video! I'm quite interested in Girl in translation and Are we smart enough to know how smart animals are :)

[@julianasilveira3838]

I'm brazilian and it makes me so happy that you read (and liked!) machado de assis!!! I love your reviews on books, I'm excited to see what you're going to read next - I recommend Dom Casmurro :)

[@asna9574]

Hi emma I just started reading After dark because of your recommendation and am absolutely loving it. This is also my first book by Murakami. So glad to have found your channel. Love your videos

[@eoghansweetman217]

I just started reading Murakami as well. Chose The wind up bird chronicle

[@squidwardsthirdtentacle1198]

Just read Kafka On The Shore recently, I'm in love with Murakami's writing style. I wasn't too fond of Norwegian Wood, but Kafka On The Shore has really reconciled me to Murakami's writing!

[@asna9574]

@@squidwardsthirdtentacle1198 I was thinking about reading kafka on the shore next. It sounds really intriguing :)

[@squidwardsthirdtentacle1198]

@@asna9574 Go for it! It's well worth it.

[@prachikoolwal]

I'm gonna take a bath get comfortable and watch this and smile throughout....

[@giuseppecosta7157]

I’m really glad you enjoyed My Brilliant Friend! It’s definitely one of my favourite books, I hope you’ll continue reading the other three novels of the series because honestly they are all so good! They’ve even made a tv series out of it, so maybe you’d like to go and watch that as well :)

[@anjaniartikaa]

low ponytails look so good on you!!

[@mooncake262]

Because of you, I'm now interested to read both War and Peace and The Phantom of the Opera. Thank you for another great video, Emma! ❤ Btw, you look lovely as always!

[@jillwhitney-birk5876]

Thanks for covering classics! They are my favorites. Currently working through the Count of Monte Cristo and Far From the Madding Crowd. Love your top today. Is it a dress? Where did you get it? Cute!! Thanks for all you do.

[@neonoires]

Your videos are so peaceful and make me inspired to read more lol

[@strawberrymilkshake-yb7xo]

First Love hit me so hard when I read it. I have a pipe dream of adapting it into a short film.. it would be so much fun to see played out, the scenes are so beautiful and when I read it I just visualize it so clearly. I've never really talked about it with anyone so it was really nice to hear how much you enjoyed it too. :)

[@Rabhya]

I read 10 books in may!

[@monikasinha4351]

Wow🎉

[@smritithapa]

I read First Love when Emma mentioned it in one of her videos earlier, and I immediately read it and LOVED IT so much! Not only the intro was unique, but all the characters.

[@yrikkahmeibalmeo5465]

Your passion is contagious. Also, that dress is 💯✨

[@kaapiaurkitaabein]

I started reading classics because of you thank you :)

[@SunriseFireberry]

Love to see a tier list of your choice of War & Peace characters.

[@christinekaye6393]

So great to hear you talk about In Watermelon Sugar. I read it almost 50 years ago and became a huge Brautigan fan. I still have all his books. Now, thanks to you, I think I'll reread IWS.

[@hannahcarmichael]

Never thought I'd want to read War & Peace but wowza I think you've convinced me!

[@binglamb2176]

Read the Edmonds translation of War and Peace many years ago but thanks to you I want to re-read it with the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation. You read a truly impressive variety and number of books!

[@ordeal1117]

Some more recs of russian literature: Chekhov - The cherry orchard, The lady with the dog, Ward No. 6 Lermontov - The hero of our time (Pechorin is smth else...) Kuprin - The garnet bracelet, Olesya, Yama Bunin - The light breath, Antonov Apples, Pure Monday, The gentleman from San Francisco

[@errata683]

also "Oblomov" by Ivan Goncharov!! this book is brilliant

[@sriranjit3684]

If I'm not wrong, Dostoevsky is from Russia and his books are considered Classics like The Brother Karazamo and Crime & Punishment right ?

[@errata683]

@@sriranjit3684 yeah, you're right!!

[@errata683]

@@sriranjit3684 he also has many other, less well-known, but no less profound works, such as " Demons"

[@ordeal1117]

@@sriranjit3684 you are right. i just wanted to give similar stories to Turgenev

[@paulschumacher1263]

Great video! Inspiring! I had never read any Tolstoy, except for "The Kreutzer Sonata" (a novella). It was brilliantly written, but CRAZY. Tolstoy's obsessions obviously got the better of him. However, about a month ago, I read "Resurrection"--his last long novel (of the 3 long ones). It is usually described as inferior, but I loved it. It is so VISUAL, so EMOTIONAL, so PASSIONATE, so INFURIATING, and so THOUGHT-PROVOKING. It almost made me want to try Anna Karenina. (But not W and P.) Also went back and re-read Dostoyevsky's "The Idiot," my favorite of his big novels. Good on you for tackling W and P!

[@GustavoRammos]

Emmie, I'd love to watch a video of yours about any Clarice Lispector's work

[@teajarbiscuits]

Question : where do you get book recommendations from and how do you discover such amazing gem of books? You are a fresh breath of air in bookstagram and booktube world, love your channel 💜✨

[@alison12171]

I just love to listen to you talk about books.

[@Neylane.]

As a brazilian is so nice to see you reading Machado! I just finished The Posthumous memoirs of Brás Cubas and I highly recomend the new translation by penguin books!

[@hrrymanoban3372]

I'm definitely going to read War and Peace after hearing your thoughts on it!

[@MihaelaClaudiaPuscas]

My gosh you must be so smart, like 14 books in one month and I bet that's not even close to your record! Impressive! In my eyes, you are a success story! 🤩👏

[@miriavtst]

as a brazilian reader and a new viewer of this channel i smiled like a fool when emma cited machado de assis :')

[@alexinaaron1022]

I’m only 15 minutes in and this is already an incredible wrap up. I just love hearing you speak about books! I love how you don’t just give basic summaries, but talk about what the books are really *about* - the themes and the heart of the books, and what makes it remarkable. You are not repetitive and I feel you always say the perfect amount and say it well. Your book tube channel completely stands out from others in quality, your ease and naturalness on camera, the calmness you exude, and peace and happiness you give people!

[@evgenia8570]

So nice dress!! 👍 Congratulations on reading "War and peace" 👍👍

[@dreamyrose3214]

Nice video :)) thankyou for uploading this lovely content to keep us entertained as usual!

[@katharinahamann786]

I'm cozy in the gym right now watching your video :)

[@luizaneves4110]

hi Emma, brazilian subscriber here. you need to read Machado’s Dom Casmurro - even though it can get a bit tiring throughout, it’s still 100% worth it. and the debate about the plot is endless hahah amazing to see you reading brazilian authors

[@moonstonepearl21]

Your outfit is so cute. It's giving me Disney Princess/Shakespearian vibes.

[@paulinafernandez9321]

I LOOVE YOUR DRESS!!! it's beautiful 🥰

[@mariamedeiros9340]

Happy you’ve read Machado :) I’m from Brazil and I’m so proud to say that Machado de Assis is not only one of our best writers but also one of the world’s most fascinating author. I recommend two of his fiction books: “Dom Casmurro”and “ The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas”.

[@homeschooledaroundtheworld4660]

You are an inspiration to read the classics📚

[@user-lo5xw9gu5d]

I am from Russia and Tolstoy is one of my favorite authors.I am genuinely happy to see that you really loved War and Peace🖤