everything i read in august

[@Battleofthenymph]

The way you describe books and talk about them feels so comforting

[@bixiella7830]

honestly i'm so impressed with this library's catalogue. i would say 80% of the books in mine are at least 20 years old

[@frankiesshelf]

i am so thankful for my library it’s this great system where there’s 12 locations across the city i live in and i can place a hold on books in any of those libraries so there’s SO much i spend almost no money on reading

[@amysariego6117]

i always add so many things to my goodreads tbd after watching your videos! and i have to agree with the person who said they're comforting -- there is something so soothing about your videos!

[@frankiesshelf]

thank you!! that’s so nice to hear

[@nobody5752]

your videos are immensely entertaining and informative i love your channel so much !💚

[@frankiesshelf]

thank you so much!!

[@Torblis]

the way you talk about books make me so calm, thank you.

[@ellias]

just found your channel and love the way you articulate your thoughts and opinions on these books! added some to my tbr

[@frankiesshelf]

thank you!!

[@Louujane]

I love the way you talk about books AND I LOVE THAT YOU BORROW FROM LIBRARIES I’m so happy I found your channel

[@frankiesshelf]

i have no money ! and i’m lucky enough to have a fantastic library

[@estefaniamartinez8596]

In the Dream House is so good, not to add to the pressure but honestly it’s such a good read

[@cpycatkiller]

i'm always so excited when i see that you've uploaded, you've quickly become one of my fav youtubers, much love!

[@karsyleigh]

I think The Bell Jar echoes experiences in Plath's own life, which was why it was unable to be published in the United States until after the passing of Plath's mother as was her request. What stood out to me in this book was the fig tree analogy, and the concept of becoming stuck in our own bell jars without the realization. Of course I am of agreement that the unsavory terminology used is not ideal, but contextualizing the ideas of the book in reference to its time is of course needed, same as with the separation between art and artist at times. When comparing to modern media, I think the book does well showcasing burnout, and the "gifted kid" mindset that is so often discussed, and essentially its fallout.

[@smamsasmasmsmasmasmasamsas]

in the dream house by CMM is a must read!!! one of the most beautifully / fascinatingly told chronicles of a queer relationship evr. i am like you where i am very interested in structure and if you even remotely liked how her SVU story was told, you will be blown away by in the dream house. great vid and great recs!

[@kiplinkaldahl1298]

Agreed! I love Her Body and Other Parties but I love In the Dream House even more! Given that it's a memoir I think it's ~somewhat~ more accessible in terms of narrative, but of course that doesn't stop CMM from doing wild things with the structure and prose 😄

[@olivia.8152]

Joyce Carol Oates' writing has made me grit my teeth every time ive tried reading her, except for her one famous short story about the teenage girl being stalked by an older man. Ive been confused about why she is so famous for years

[@counterspelled]

i have added so many books to my library tbr from your videos, you speak very honestly and openly about the books you review. i feel like a lot of what i've seen isn't necessarily honest about the experience of reading the way you are. can't wait to see what else you read!

[@sarmas57]

i love listening to you talk about books

[@rowan.27]

I found your channel just the other day and am so glad I did bc I've been craving more booktubers that feel cozy to watch & have good takes! Already so obsessed with your videos, they feel like chatting about books with a good friend 💖

[@al.gal1]

Watching your videos feels like watching a friend talk about their books. I loved every bit of it!!!

[@kochandrewj]

I juuuust picked up Hurricane Season today from a local bookstore. The bookseller praised my pick. I cited you as the reason I even know about this book and made me curious enough to read it. ...thank you.

[@santaberbs]

I really hope you read Our Wives Under The Sea. That piece of art has only improved in my brain with time, because as soon as I finished it, it was like a 4/5, but I NEED to read it again. I feel it.

[@cavenoises]

This video made me finally pick up the bluest eye which has been staring me down on my shelf for MONTHSSSS I'm so scared yet so ready 🫡

[@aniconicbookclub]

wow amazing, thanks for steering me away from the bell jar, new sub here

[@UberNuber]

Having just yesterday rekindled my desire to start reading again after crashing ass-backwards into Book-Tube, I'm pleasantly surprised to find a small creator I truly dig from my own back yard. I live in Gibsons BC

[@frankiesshelf]

glad you’re here!! i’m in victoria

[@suzannedavies7996]

I’m so happy to hear that you felt the same way about The Bell Jar as I did. I dnf’ed it.

[@will_dream]

CMM’s the green ribbon became one of my all-time favorite short stories after it was assigned in one of my college classes, your review was a good push to finally check out the whole collection🙏

[@frankiesshelf]

it’s well worth the read

[@pigeonriot]

recently someone i typically agree with on book opinions said they didnt like frankenstein and i was mindblown like yea everyone can have their own opinion but like howwww lmao frankenstein is just so good

[@dreadpersephone]

im like two minutes in and im already excited for the rest of this video. subscribed!

[@shrugsloudly1254]

insane swag levels thank you for being my new fav booktuber

[@michelleferguson7212]

Great overviews and comments. Got me more excited to pick up Frankenstein which I had on my list and will be giving Her Body and Other Parties a try. I think even with books I have seen reviewed before, you provide a unique perspective that makes them interesting. Thanks for sharing

[@van3ssalucil3]

i audibly cheered when i saw you uploaded

[@cloudtinnn]

I gotta say u really make me wanna read more and ill try reading ur recs because I don't really have friends that read much so when I watch ur vids it feels like I'm talking to a friend

[@meymeychi1]

thank you for existing! I am so done with them book influencers reading and rating just smut or dark romance books and if it is not that it is just them very famous trendy books that we see literally everywhere, finally i can see some new titles and different from these overconsumed ideas!

[@michaelcallaghan1989]

Please keep up the upload. I think your videos are wonderful and refreshing. I really get a sense that you actually read books and don't just buy and hoard them.

[@frankiesshelf]

my local library is so good i just can’t justify buying books

[@michaelcallaghan1989]

@@frankiesshelf A lot of people can't justify buying books but do it anyway. So, good job. :D

[@RM-uy3yp]

Just stumbled onto your page and was immediately blessed by the algorithm for once. Love love your channel and review, from thoughts to dry humor. Keep it up! Much appreciation from South Africa

[@emotionally_invested]

I’ve been wanting to check out Eartheater because I grew up near Juarez where the femicides in Mexico were really bad, but I feel like I need to be in the right head space for it. I also had never heard anyone else talk about it, so you may have just convinced me to move it up on my list. I might move If an Egyptian cannot speak English down though. I had heard nothing but glowing and vague reviews about it, so thank you for a more nuanced take. Also congrats on your channel blowing up. I think everyone appreciates that nuance

[@frankiesshelf]

it’s DEFINITELY heavy but i think it certainly could have been a lot heavier considering the subject matter i think if an egyptian is still worth reading because the writing truly is so good, there were just some things i really hated about it lol

[@diomargy]

“Thank goodness. I don’t wanna read about Covid” ME EITHERRRRR hahaha had me giggling the whole time! Love your taste in books and insights!

[@tomatobooksentertainment8376]

I was impressed at myself for reading 3 books this month.lot more than I can do.

[@arianarosass]

Real

[@alysereads]

I read Dogs of Summer on audio and had no idea there was phonetic spelling! Good to know. The audio experience might be the way to go on that one. Great video!

[@turdlyf1136]

I watched one of your videos while trying to fall asleep last night, which didn't work, but I fell in love with your channel. You should definitely read our wives under the sea. Its bittersweet and overall a wonderful book. Your videos are so engaging and give off real heart-felt opinions and feelings which I dont often find in book related media. You're very good at what you do.

[@frankiesshelf]

thank you so much ❤️ i’m definitely gonna read our wives under the sea soon

[@LasaraBoles-hr6wj]

I love your channel!

[@carterbarnaby]

Loving your channel and how you speak about books! Quickly becoming a fave :)

[@ChanelChapters]

Watching your vids is a highlight of my day

[@privatevillagirl]

i love your videos and trust ur recs with my life frankie. just finished earthlings

[@Liunaaa-l2v]

I love your videos so muchhh😭

[@martellc1008]

I checked out a few recommendations from the library, can’t wait to read them! 🤓

[@saltedsnail9396]

If An Egyptian Cannot Read was such a weird book. I went into it thinking it was lit fic, no idea it was a memoir, so i was a but disappointed. But i actually loved the play with structure. But also… i went away from it like…… so what was that???

[@frankiesshelf]

WAS it a memoir?? i’m still so confused on that

[@annaluizab.365]

read the bluest eye because of your classics video and loved it

[@frankiesshelf]

i’m reading jazz by her right now and it’s got a very similar structure and is equally incredible

[@Wormzzzzz]

I read hurricane season last year. I bought it and finished it in 4 days and returned it IMMEDIATELY. Its soooo heavy. Never wanna read this again but I wish I could read it again for the first time.

[@ar1456]

Had to read The Bluest Eye in HS. Its so rough, especially at the end. It is a good book. S/o to my teacher at the time for making us read it.

[@helentriestodothings628]

I always look forward to your videos!!

[@Maevezma]

I vote for the cat to burrow in the pillows!!!

[@LasaraBoles-hr6wj]

Read Butcher by Joyce Carol Oates. It’s a recent one of her that doesn’t suck.

[@akathereader]

wooo new vid :)

[@erinelizacousins]

You're going to love "In The Dream House". It is a hard read, but it is an essential queer book

[@gargeesathe9792]

I have a book recommendation for you. It’s a tiny little thing about so many big things. Archive of Alternate Endings by Lindsay Drager. It’s about alternative folk tales, sibling hood, queerness, the AIDs epidemic, witches and so much more!

[@frankiesshelf]

omg that sounds amazing thank you

[@cocoreadss]

100000% with the take on the Bell Jar. i just read it with my partner and we were like…. 🦗 this is what people are hyped about??? 😅

[@ariannefowler455]

I'm scared of Hurricane Season. From the very little I've heard, I'm not sure I'm ready for it. Shy is another one I know I'm not ready for. I do love Max Porter though. Hard books can be necessary to read and I like to be challenged as a reader, but I also know what my limits are and when to protect myself from certain topics.

[@beccascraps8141]

Glad to find your channel. We like the same kind of books

[@emilym.634]

Hurricane Season was amazing but the fact that every chapter was written in one continuous paragraph just emphasizes how distressing the content is.

[@frankiesshelf]

there’s so many ways to tell a story and she checks every box and it’s so skilled but so upsetting

[@af598]

Paradais was just as horrific and fantastic. Melchor is on my watchlist now, I'll try anything she writes.

[@its_eel]

i read lemon this past month as well! it felt purely alright to me. i liked that hye-eun seemed pretty weird, it would've been cool to get more info on her. the phone call sections were definitely annoying to me too and i also couldn't quite figure it out but i think hye-eun's mom lowkey steals a baby to replace hye-eun but i could be getting that wrong lol

[@kira-on-youtube]

Armfield is one of my favorite authors right now! i'm sure your tbr is about a mile long so i understand if you're not looking into any more recommendations lol but i'd love to hear your thoughts on Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss, Blackouts by Justin Torres, or Mrs. S by K. Patrick. thank you for these awesome videos :- )

[@kira-on-youtube]

oops sorry, just realized you've already reviewed Ghost Wall (I'm pretty sure that video is what made me reread it too)

[@frankiesshelf]

i was so excited to tell you i’d already read ghost wall cause omg i love that book but those other two look great thank you !!

[@MrRosebeing]

Short books are definitely the way to go if you want to read a lot of books. Kudos.

[@frankiesshelf]

alternating short and longer books is how i keep myself from falling into a reading slump !! love short books

[@MrRosebeing]

@@frankiesshelf That is the way to go. Personally, because I can't read I listen to the books I like, and discard the rest.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Irish book recommendations for you The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes (4 sisters . One goes missing and remaining sisters look for her) The Coast Road by Alan Murrin (set in Donegal just before the referendum on divorce) Service by Sarah Gilmartin Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Haworth Night Swimmers by Roisin Maguire Falling Animals by Sheila Armstrong How To Build A Boat by Elaine Feeney

[@kayleefullerton3647]

I’d be really interested to hear your thoughts on Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler. It seems like it could be a more modern Bell Jar. I have a feeling you would probably find it problematic as I did but I feel like you’d be able to articulate those feelings much better than I was able to as it just kind of rubbed me the wrong way but I couldn’t describe why exactly.

[@osiris676]

I am binge-watching your videos. It calms me down. You should really read "Bored Gay Werewolf" by Tony Santorella !

[@s.h.6097]

ok so!!! If An Egyptian Cannot Speak English is like one of my fave books ever. Booktube creators who talk about this book WILL eventually block me because I always comment when it is mentionned...... but I have to!!! I will start off by saying that I agree with everything you said. I acknowledge these flaws. Also, fun fact, a lot of people hated the 3rd part but i loved it. Soooo, I loved the book because Noor Naga really showed the nuances and awkwardness of the dynamic between a child of immigrants going "back" to her parents' country and a poor guy from a rural place in said country. Both characters are flawed and I cringed sometimes because I recognized some of my own problematic ways but it made me think about my own way of existing when i visit my "home country" (my parents are from Morocco and I was born in Canada) which I liked. To me, it's a book about power and how it shows up in different aspects of one's life and relationships.

[@bachaboska]

Apparently it's a controversial opinion but Salt Slow is Julia Armfield's best book. Both her novels are good but Salt Slow just hits on completely different level. I'm really grateful that I can watch your videos without you trying to sell me new earrings or book of the month just to later talk about 3-4 books that every 17yo on tiktok is reading right now 👍

[@mina_reads]

i need you to stop reading such good books, there is only so much room on my tbr

[@ashantiemily1067]

the SVU thing made me quit her body and other parts omg 😭 i could not get into that collection

[@carlabrito1705]

Hey! So I am from the Canary Islands and wanted to share some thoughts on Dogs of summer. I don´t know how the book is translated but in the original Spanish version the book is written with "bad spelling" not because the narrator is 10, but because the author wanted the book to be written in Canarian dialect. The Spanish we speak here is very different than the one spoken in the rest of Spain, because of our accent, pronunciation, vocabulary... So, in the original, many words are spelled wrong on purpose to match the way they are phonetically said by Canarian Spanish speakers. I know that this is literally impossible to translate into English, but I just thought it was interesting and wanted to share, loved the video

[@frankiesshelf]

ahhh that makes so much sense ! it’s a really good translation so i never even considered it to be a translation thing but now that you’ve given me the context i appreciate that choice so much more thank you

[@PsichoPirate]

❤❤❤

[@estebanrelly5495]

Have you read anything by Samantha Scweblin?

[@frankiesshelf]

i haven’t yet but i have a couple of her books floating around in my tbr is there anything you’d recommend from her?

[@saraguadalupi]

Fernanda melchors work makes me sick but its so addicting. So that i want to keep reading but i also dont??

[@leicean]

I do love how you look increasingly distressed for each video lately lmaoooooo

[@frankiesshelf]

school is starting 😭

[@leicean]

@@frankiesshelf god I felt that I only have one class on historical embroidery which is my THINGGGG but like damn even when you love what you do in school it’s a lot of work haha!!

[@af598]

Her Body and Other Stories is the least-sexy but horniest book I've ever read lol

[@JennyFernBooks]

My goodness, those chapter opening questions are cringe!

[@ZacDillon]

Hello, Fern! I just discovered your channel by way of your books that filled you with darkness video. "Strangers to Ourselves" sounds harrowing. I've added it to my list. Thank you for discussing it. Based on your reaction to that book, I thought I'd mention my own novel, "I Hear You Watching." It's a first-person dive into the mind of a voice-hearer, based on my personal experience with auditory hallucinations and paranoia. The protagonist Alex believes his neighbors are spying on him and trying to manipulate his thoughts and actions. His quest to collect proof and confront them leads him further from reality, until he becomes a danger to himself and others. "I Hear You Watching" is a relentlessly interior psychological suspense novel about observation and judgment-the abyss gazing back. I apologize for the shameful plug, but I love your channel, I think my book may fit your taste, and I'm just trying to get the word out.