Every book I read in February | Reading wrap-up

[@benreadsgood]

Hello friends 👋 If nothing else, watch the part about Riambel by Priya Hein and then go read it! It's magnificent 🥹

[@ianp9086]

I think Our wives under the sea is my favourite read of the year so far - such wonderful images, lyrical writing and believable characters despite the strange things going on. Armfield’s first book salt slow was a great collection of short stories - highly recommended.

[@benreadsgood]

Glad you liked it too! Thanks for the recommendation - I'll have to check out her collection.

[@maddyc2412]

My tbr has grown a lot since discovering your channel and I'm not mad about it

[@benreadsgood]

Haha, glad to be of service. Thanks so much for watching! 🙏

[@theindigopress9858]

Thank you, Ben! We're so delighted you read, understood and loved Priya Hein's Riambel 😍

[@benreadsgood]

Oh wow, what a wonderful surprise! Thank you so much for publishing such an incredible novel. I hope to see it on many prize lists to come - I’ll be rooting for it!🤞

[@rebecca.reader]

Hi Ben, I am interested in reading Riambel , it sounds fantastic! I haven't heard of it before. The Silas House book also sounds intreaguing...I'm a sucker for a dystopian type story .

[@benreadsgood]

Hey Rebecca - glad you like the sound of it, it’s great! And Lark Ascending is definitely an enjoyable read if you love a bit of dystopia. Thank you for watching 😊

[@andresmontielc]

Interesting reads. Thanks for sharing. There are a lot of books out there that most people don't know about that should get a lot more exposure. A friend gave me When Dying Is Not a Problem, and I liked it quite a bit, but very few people know about it.

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks for watching! There is something about an undiscovered gem that is quite exciting - but yes, it would always be better for those books to get the recognition they deserve 😅

[@YourTrueShelf]

What a great month 😊 still life was my favourite book of last year, I loved it so much. Heartstopper is so wonderful!! I've read 1-3, and am trying to spread out finishing the series. I found the Netflix series so comforting. Loving your videos, so glad I found your channel!

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you so much! Still Life really is great. And Heartstopper is indeed a very cute series - I can definitely see how people find it comforting. Have to admit I did cringe a bit… but I will probably be back for season 2 so clearly I don’t even take my own opinions seriously haha 😂

[@YourTrueShelf]

@@benreadsgood I know what you mean, it was a bit sugary sweet, but I did adore them all 😊

[@spexi513]

Just finished our wives under the sea a couple weeks ago and I really liked it

[@benreadsgood]

Glad you enjoyed it. It was a strange and otherworldly experience.

[@Bessie-On-Wheels]

I loved Still life so much

[@benreadsgood]

It’s such a banger! It’s rare for me for a book to feel both cozy *and* accomplished, but this delivered.

[@jonnie7891]

A video over 20 minutes 🥰 I’m seeing The Overstory everywhere. It’s a sign I need to buy it.

[@benreadsgood]

I normally try to keep as close to 10 minutes as I can, but had a lot to get through this month! Thank you so much for watching ❤️ And yes, read The Overstory! 🌳

[@meloenboom]

Hope you’re back to full health soon! 🙏

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks Bram! Not feeling too bad at the moment, but it’s been something that comes and goes. Hoping for now flare ups any time soon 🤞

[@readandre-read]

I am almost at the end of Our Wives Under the Sea and loving it. So unsettling and I can't put it down. Still Life was one of my favorites last year. Adding Riambel to my TBR. Great video!

[@benreadsgood]

Unsettling is a great way to describe the book! It’s creepy but the creepiness is just out of reach. Glad to usher Riambel onto another TBR 🎉

[@hollyb118]

Just pre-ordered Riambel as it is not out in the states yet. 👍🏼

[@benreadsgood]

You have a treat in store! Thanks so much for watching 🙏

[@lauracorsi3309]

Added Riambel!

[@benreadsgood]

Yesssss, that’s what I like to hear! This one-man hype campaign is well under way 😂

[@gailhewitt1467]

I've still to get round to Still Life despite having the Waterstones special edition. Not sure what I'm waiting for really. I bought Riambel when you included it on your Women's Prize predictions. I loved it and must admit to shedding a tear at the end. Thank you for the recommendation! Oh, and isn't the cover stunning. Hope you're feeling better Ben.

[@benreadsgood]

Yeah it’s one I was ‘saving’ for a while, but it’s so good there really is no bad time to read it. I am *so* pleased you read and loved Riambel. It’s just so meticulous and beautiful and devastating - and that cover! Spread the word 🙏

[@whatpageareyouon]

"drawn" lmao. I'm glad someone else didn't find that McGlue clicked, it's the only book I've read--as short as it is mind you!--that I dozed off reading. Looking forward to your future Moshfegh video though! Eileen is my fav of her works. Only found your channel recently, but love how you talk about books! 🤓

[@benreadsgood]

Haha I think I had a minor brain fart when I realised what I said 😂 Thank you so much for the kind comment, I really appreciate it!

[@charlottemolloy]

Starting riambel off the back of your recommendation! 😁

[@benreadsgood]

Ah, you got the main take away from this video 😂 I really hope you enjoy it! But I will be interested to hear your thoughts on it either way.

[@charlottemolloy]

@@benreadsgood I'm at 40% currently and the writing style really works for me. Is it eligible for the international booker on in 30 mins?

[@benreadsgood]

It was written in English, so won’t be up for the International Booker. I hope it is submitted for the regular Booker Prize though!

[@ameliareads589]

I've read all of Moshfegh's novels apart from Lapvona and I must say I was a bit underwhelmed by them with the exception of My Year of Rest and Relaxation, which I really liked. I love the Heartstopper series too, but we definitely disagree on The Overstory and don't get me started on Bewilderment. 🙄😂

[@benreadsgood]

Yeah it’s been a mixed bag for me. There’s definitely something very compelling in her writing, but the execution doesn’t always stick the landing. I’ve only got Death in Her Hands and Lapvona left to go, and I have high-ish hopes. But maybe that’s misplaced optimism… fool me once, etc.

[@HelenSchneider-tl3yh]

Did you like Lapvona??

[@benreadsgood]

Haven’t read it yet! I still have that and Death in Her Hands to go before I finish my Moshfegh project.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ouch. The shade. Albeit limp shade 😂

[@benreadsgood]

Hahaha the only shades here are on the lamps! I think I just didn’t enjoy the reading experience, and was pinning everything on the last few pages to make it clear 😢

[@sniffingthesheets]

Haha LOVED the 'hi Simon'

[@sniffingthesheets]

I went to see a Little Life this month - what did you think?! I thought Norton was amazing. I did miss that the other 3 friends' characters and back stories weren't really explored like in the book. But I get why - it was already over 3.5 hours! My personal fave was Omari Douglas as JB.

[@benreadsgood]

I saw it on Friday, and I’m planning to share my thoughts in a video soon 👀 (But spoilers: I enjoyed it!)

[@sniffingthesheets]

@@benreadsgood Oo can't wait to hear!