Exposing Booktube's #1 Problem (ft. Matt) | 2 To Ramble

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thanks so much for having me on to my favorite podcast!

[@kervaak]

I love your wandering inn reviews! !

[@gentleslice6489]

Not sure why , it might be just me, but your audio was rly bad in this one Matt :(

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

@@gentleslice6489 yeah it's a different mic when I do live videos

[@LeonC0704]

you should do a video on how to organize your day so you are able to read more. It would be incredibly helpful. Just a thought

[@MathiasSteenJensen]

Man, I really like Matt. I disagree with him a lot, but he ALWAYS says what he truly thinks, and is very honest. Just like admitting he does mostly spoiler-free reviews, because it gets more views. It makes me like him that much more. Another authentic KZbinr in my opinion is Petrik Leo, always very calm and clearly just passionate about books.

[@RikusonOne]

52:17 I don't think i agree with the Daniel Greene assessment Matt said here. As someone who's tried youtube myself. I feel the early daniel was his resevered self still getting used to KZbin and wants to be professional and not be judged too much. The daniel we see today simply has done it for so long that he's more comfortable with being more waky about his presentation. He's been true since the start it's just that he's more comfortable with his he would like to present himself is all.

[@s.p.8508]

Matt gained my everlasting respect when he trashed on the published fanfiction known as The First Binding that copied The Name of the Wind beat for beat.

[@Dmanfromspace]

Hell yeah! My top 2 booktubers coming together to make a video!! Love 2toRamble and Matt, you guys are thoroughly entertaining!!

[@2ToRamble]

Thank you!! So glad we had him on

[@SpacedOutWizard]

Yes! My two favourite channels!

[@2ToRamble]

😁😁

[@greyowlaudio]

I feel like toxic positivity really has a chokehold on a lot of the booktube community, and it's why I like Matt's reviews. There's also another booktuber, Sami, who really tears into some books (and I believe he's an editor so he's used to being particularly critical of things like plot structure and character development). Anyway, Matt's no-read policy is a good one; it's better than getting stuck between a rock and a hard place when people submitting books to you expect you to brown-nose them (unfortunately, everyone behaves like this now because if you don't have only 5-star reviews, algorithms like Amazon's clearly penalize you for it). The digital ecosystems really screwed up honest book reviews.

[@2ToRamble]

Oo toxic positivity is a term Ive (austin) never gesds before but makes sense

[@flyingsquirrel1486]

Matt’s book reviews slap, he’s where I get all my suggestions. Not because I agree with all his takes either - but because the stuff he REALLY enjoys happens to be the same as I enjoy. It’s so sick as well that he doesn’t care about how highbrow or lowbrow a book is, anything and everything goes

[@michaelfenixmade8958]

Matt’s original 200+ Fantasy Tier list is how I got introduced into “Book Tube” and got me back into reading (First Law series/ Stormlight).. been waiting on this collab! Love the work yall do. 💪

[@PreppinShootinLivin]

100% agree on Daniel Greene. 51:25

[@kyledichoco3248]

This is the collab I didn't know I needed. Thanks guys.

[@MysteriousBibliophile]

Loved the discussions between you three! Very informative.

[@s.p.8508]

Are y’all ever going to have Mike’s book reviews on here? Would be the dream trio.

[@2ToRamble]

We are slowly but surely - talking with him and figuring something out!

[@TheTrueRandomGamer]

It's got the same problem as anitube. The vast majority of creators are horrible media analysts that either can't explain themselves well or do so with shallow, inconsistent reasoning even when they're honest. The suffocating aura of geniality is just a bonus.

[@kervaak]

I found Matt through his wandering inn reviews. And he has become one of my favorite reviewers

[@SamHarrison2099]

Loved this one, big Matt fan. When I first started my channel he invited me on to a compilation video which got me like 30 subscribers, and he's commented on a few of my videos which always surprises me. My KZbin channel growth goal is now to get on 2ToRamble.

[@2ToRamble]

🥂 that is awesome!!

[@LibraryLizard]

Sometimes I read a book that I pretty much hate, yet I can appreciate the writing quality. Sometimes I read a book with very poor writing quality yet the story itself is just so enjoyable that I still like the book. I wonder how Matt would rate these situations?

[@jessezigg]

He tends to value story over pros. Not to say he can't appreciate truly fantastic pros, but having a great story is more important to him. Ironically, the more I listen to his reviews, the more my own values have skewed that way too - where previously I would've said I valued pros over every other element.

[@avantgardenovelist]

even if I didn't love books and reading I would watch you guys. most reliable feel-good hour on youtube. you're kind of the new Siskel and Ebert (I know, I'm betraying my Xness), re: chemistry and how you often disagree; your idiosyncrasies complement each other, which enriches the overall experience. thanks for such great work.

[@2ToRamble]

Damn thanks a bunch 🙏

[@kacperkuryllo5376]

Great chat! I like hearing Matts opinions even though I have somewhat differing taste. I did find Matt's volume much lower than yours, and found myself fiddling with the volume knob constantly. Some volume normalization would have been helpful.

[@2ToRamble]

We fixed this for future collabs - sorry about that!

[@PhreakPhantom]

Along with The Why Files, there's no better channel on YT than 2 To Ramble! Ramble on!

[@JakeSmith2580]

Loved seeing Matt on the channel! Hope to see him again

[@TomOrange]

Super enjoyed this. Glad Matt can carry the torch for the tens of us that think Lord of the Rings is over rated

[@VenturesBeyond]

Love this crossover! You guys are fresh and authentic, love what you're doing here!

[@2ToRamble]

Thanks a bunch!

[@jessezigg]

I found Matt first on Goodreads, and followed him to BookTube. I appreciate his honesty and his enthusiasm. In general, I find pros are more important to me than to Matt 🤷‍♀️ but once you understand that, it still works. And when Matt says something had really beautiful pros, I always agree.

[@Belemrys]

Love Matt because he is so honest about his reviews!

[@mathiaspetersen7265]

Your pathetic attemtps to test my willingness to ALWAYS be here, ALWAYS show up early, ALWAYS demand The Bloodsworn saga be put in the right order is pathetic. You'll never escape. With all that said though, I'm going to Japan for 2 months, so I won't be able to complain while there, but AFTER, I will return once again to haunt your every video. Put the Bloodsworn Saga in the correct order.

[@2ToRamble]

😈

[@bradykathol8806]

Was supposed to finish a book this morning but you guys dropped this banger with the boy Matt damnit 😂

[@gabrielacevedo5315]

Man ik i hope yal read this so From a random Stranger in Florida, Thank you! I genuinely look forward and have been lookin forward to this channels uploads for almost a year now and it motivated me to start my Outline and to read more!!

[@2ToRamble]

Thats such a freaking compliment - thank you and wishing the best to your book! Hope it’s a great and filfilling time.

[@jaishans]

Oh yay! My two favorite book tubers. Changing my expectation really worked with Dune for me. First time I read it, I expected a hero's journey. When I read it again, I knew what to expect. Dune went from being a meh for to the greatest book of all time.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Awesome interview guys. Matt is great too.

[@reirei7086]

2ToRamble has become one of my go to sources booktube over the past few weeks and I’ve never looked back :)

[@2ToRamble]

You honor us 🤌🙏🙏

[@bigflee3556]

I would love to see a comeback of the Richard pitches a book to Austin videos. They where some of my favorite and they are very spoiler free. Wonderful video as always

[@2ToRamble]

We have a plan for a new series that is exactly this 😁. Rich and I each pitch a book to each other that we read and the audience votesnon which one we read next. Hoping this fits exactly what youre looking for!

[@bigflee3556]

@@2ToRamble this sounds exactly like what I am wanting. Thank you for knowing what I wanted before I even did

[@Mr-Ranch-Fingers]

Love this crossover!! Great episode!

[@2ToRamble]

Thank you!

[@wolfiemac32]

I'm just here for the shark shirt.

[@DiggerdanReads]

Great video! Having Matt on was really entertaining

[@JuanMartinez-ib7mz]

The two greatest Booktube forces unite

[@Belemrys]

In Witchy Eye (book by DJ Butler) Franklin is a Wizard and Oliver Cromwell a Necromancer. Check it out Richard!

[@ivel2934]

I would totally be down for some manga content, I definitely want to listen to you guys talk about Berserk for an hour.

[@2ToRamble]

Dont tempt us 😂

[@heidi6281]

Richard you might want to pick up Quicksilver of the Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson. Benjamin Franklin makes an appearance in this historical fantasy.

[@true_emu8333]

Oh nice, a new 2ToRamble video to accompany me and my homework at 5AM

[@2ToRamble]

😁😂

[@PistachioGold]

Idk Matt but he has some interesting points. His editing time shocked me 😂😂 I also agree with Austin: you can be authentic or perhaps even more authentic when you're comfortable in front of the camera. Perhaps even pandering to the audience you have can be authentic ❤

[@egusisoup1826]

Nice to see my favorite booktubers coming together

[@TunezCottage]

First? Maybe. Can't wait for this episode!

[@mutantsong]

I would totally nerd out with any of you about SFF at a party.

[@jobiy1999]

I'm honestly not crazy about rating scales because often times 8 becomes the new 5.

[@2ToRamble]

Rating isnt for everyone, definitely see your point

[@Buttersquanch]

Another video! Another day of me asking for the shadow rising to be done 💍💍💍

[@koboldmartian4063]

What is this? A crossover episode?

[@LeonC0704]

I know... Like Traitor by Anthony Ryan..... patiently impatiently waiting for the review

[@AndyBGravy]

I like the 20 point rating system. It's not very popular but it's more accurate.

[@quainintechnicolor1110]

The wheel weaves as the wheel wills

[@koalabear6089]

I agree with Matt 1000% if not more about what he says about how so many booktubers 'change' themselves to chase the algorithm. I've mentioned it to you guys today from your early days that I hope you don't get to the point where you have to compromise your honesty / your true personalities to maintain a level of popularity. KZbin is such a fickle mistress. I know we all feel bad mentioning Daniel Green but I think he himself can see the difference in himself. In the early days, he was a book fan who just wanted to share what he thought about books - he spoke calmly, insightfully and there was no theatre. Over time, the dishevelled goblin / goblin horde came in ... the manic behaviour and voice .. the strangled frog voice .. It's exhausting to watch let alone do so that's why he's constantly doing videos where he says: "OK no longer going to chase the numbers, I'm going to return to being the real me and doing what I enjoy .," but of course that can't last so the manic trajectory continues and you can see the poor guy potentially burning himself out ... Even with you guys - I was watching one of your older videos the other day and my husband said: "that has to be one of their older videos, right? They're talking in such a subdued and calm manner." and I was like .. well they're not quite as extreme as some, but you are right that it's an older video from the early days :P Please don't start doing the weird strangled frog voice, though ok?

[@2ToRamble]

We remember your comments and definitely see what you mean - we think/hope a lot of it is becoming more comfortable rather than changing too much, we will keep this all in mind!

[@valliyarnl]

Best collab of the year 😱😱

[@valliyarnl]

Also also Matt’s first law reviews were a part of my reading routine! I’d always watch his video before I started to gauge expectations and when I ran out of the videos my heart was broke. Can’t wait for The Wisdom of Crowds review

[@noteuser15]

Love this collab!

[@crazyperson1950]

I guess I’m a nerd now in booktube because I literally found this channel a few days ago.

[@2ToRamble]

WOO. Welcome aboard!

[@JohnDoe-xf9ly]

I did not like matt when i first found him but over time he grew on me and after patrik, matt is the 2nd booktuber that i watch the most We still disagree on alot of things but matt seems like a good guy

[@ashleyholbird4287]

The best Booktube podcast with the best booktuber? Perfect.

[@2ToRamble]

😁😁

[@Lichslave545]

Hell ya New episode, *Grabs dinner before watching*!

[@2ToRamble]

🍲

[@dragonrambles]

On the comment of only being able to review books that the other has read, have you considered that having two people actually add a benefit to a review of books that other channels can’t do? That is, the one who has read a book is describing it and explaining why they would/wouldn’t recommend it to the other and the other is asking questions. Like your watchers would be asking questions. Later on, the other could come back with their own thoughts including “you were right”, or “I’ll never trust your recommendation again”

[@ДаниїлОстапчук]

Hey, please do a spoiler free and spoiler review of “The Name of the Wind”

[@2ToRamble]

We absolutely will

[@PreppinShootinLivin]

One of my biggest let downs was The Grace of Kings....figured it would be right up my alley but it was just meh for me....3/5. I had no plans continuing that series at all but if the next 3 are completely different like that then I might be even more interesting now....i'm torn.

[@Godsmack477x]

I hope we get the Shadow Rising review before Austin dnf's

[@2ToRamble]

It will be coming 🥲

[@yenneferalvarez7122]

This video saved my marriage.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

So happy for you guys! ❤

[@2ToRamble]

This comment saved Richard and I’s bloodfeud

[@jsummer8974]

When is the Blade Its Self review coming out!?

[@2ToRamble]

Not in the immediate-term but as soon as we can!

[@Talking_Story]

Yes Guests! Supercool!

[@lempollo6430]

Its funny because I also disagree 90% of the time with Matts reviews, but love his videos anyway. Great interview as well boys!

[@2ToRamble]

Thank you! And yea he’s great

[@adamcosper3308]

At the end of the podcast, you were talking about the difficulty of performing for the camera because it feels like you're talking to someone who isn't there. I'm curious whether you've ever watched any Errol Morris documentaries? Fog of War is probably his most popular movie. It's essentially just a long interview with Robert McNamara, but the footage is riveting. It turns out that he has invented a clever trick to get great interview footage. "The Interrotron is a device invented by filmmaker Errol Morris for conducting video interviews, allowing interviewers and subjects to make eye contact with each other while looking directly at the camera lens. This is achieved through a modified teleprompter setup, with the interviewer's face displayed on a monitor in front of the camera lens and the subject's face on a similar setup facing the interviewer, facilitating a more natural conversation." I'm just sharing because you might find it interesting or helpful.

[@2ToRamble]

Have not heard this - thank you for sharing

[@UNIDiver]

This was great

[@johnpolidan3892]

Well done guys.

[@carlosandino5524]

One of the greatest booktube mash ups.

[@readbykyle3082]

*holds mic closer to face* As someone who interacts with Dandelion Dynasty fans quite often, what Matt is saying about the fanbase is pretty off base imo - yeah, Grace of Kings is a lot different than the following three (everything he said about it feeling like a prologue etc is totally true), and there are people who dont love the first book who love the following three, but I've barely seen anybody who loves GoK and doesn't love the following books. Maybe GoK remains their favorite for whatever reason, but they still love the others. Generally speaking, most fans put 1 and 3 at the bottom of their rankings. And the series finale is very satisfying, so you have that to look forward to!

[@2ToRamble]

We heard book 2 is the fan favorite- is that true?

[@readbykyle3082]

@@2ToRamble yes, although book 4 is also pretty well loved also

[@ryanskeff]

I can understand that picking from indie books is really hard. They all can't be Lost Souls. ;) see y'all monday

[@2ToRamble]

😁😁

[@newgroundtv]

W you guys got sponsored

[@pfandboi1690]

It won't be easier to review berserk

[@LibraryLizard]

Moral of this story…if you write a sucky book, send free copies to reviewers so they’ll feel too guilty to rip you.

[@2ToRamble]

😂😂

[@johankoreviews5424]

"endgame is the most ambitious crossov-" this video:🤫

[@clawstruckwizard9847]

Another Banger

[@2ToRamble]

👊👊

[@morgancassidy6598]

First off great pod as always boys. Draining threes like prime steph and dame. Richard that’s a basketball reference. Anyways I think my big problem With booktube and goodreads is no offence but no one on booktube or goodreads is a critic. You’re just fans. And there’s a big difference. Basically every fantasy book besides the first law and lord of the rings has 1 star reviews weather it’s lies of Locke lamora. Gardens of the moon wheel of time. Stormlight. Red rising. The name of the wind. Now I understand it’s subjective. But those books Being 1 star is just objectively wrong. I don’t care if you hated the characters or the writing or the action or how things were portrayed. Like think about a 1 star video game of movie. They have to be broken like by page 2 you should Be like wtf is this there’s already been 7 spelling mistakes. the only series I have dnf is wheel of time after finishing crown of swords. And that series isn’t a 1 because it has lots of positives. It just wasn’t for me. Lots of issues as well. It’s like seeing blade runner 2049 or 2001 and giving it a 1 because it wasn’t your preference or you didn’t like how they portrayed women or how it was too violent. Being a fan and reviewing a book because it didn’t fit into your box does not help anyone it’s just you feeling the need to project how you feel onto other people which is just a whole Nother issue with our society today. And I’m not saying you guys do this at all your one of only 2 booktube channels I watch I think you guys are fresh and have good takes. Way too hard on iron gold and Ephriam but it’s all good. I just like that your boys and chop it up the way you do. Rant over. Respect and appreciate you boys none of this was intended at you. Cheers

[@2ToRamble]

The intro to this comment was gold 😂 - interesting points although youd be surprised at the 1 star reviews even LOTR has on goodreads. Get what you mean tho and appreciate the feedback

[@jacknicholson2071]

I literally unsubscribed from Matt a couple days ago. There's no escape.

[@Mikey-xp1xk]

skill issue

[@jacknicholson2071]

​@@Mikey-xp1xkI'll do better next time.

[@Mikey-xp1xk]

@@jacknicholson2071 good show, jolly good show.

[@Smileysmiley012]

Three kings!

[@GrimlinFN]

🎉

[@martinblagoev2390]

This is for Richard: CHILDREN OF TIME... I am telling you, I cannot see a universe where you give this anything below 9. You have to find time for this... TRUST ME!

[@2ToRamble]

Oo a 9!? Thats a high ask for Richard

[@martinblagoev2390]

I know and I'm very confident about it. This book literally checks every Sci Fi box.@@2ToRamble

[@martinblagoev2390]

I know and I'm very confident about it. This book checks every Sci Fi box.@@2ToRamble

[@Gator2u]

Love honest booktubers, I have watched some when they first started but then they start getting books sent to them by authors, and they turn into brown nosers that are bending over backwards praising thier books, and they just don't seem authentic anymore.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

For this reason I don't think I could accept a book sent to me. I'm the kind of person that would feel bad getting something and then trashing it. It'd feel like someone cooking you a meal their mother taught them to make and then me being like "urgghhh this is disgusting!!" Haha😅I know it's a bad trait but I couldn't help it so I think I'll avoid the situation altogether.

[@focusrelax8838]

I agree the lord of the rings book are great but so slow! Brandon style but Brandon is more slow! Even though I read 2 first books of the stormlight. I like faster pace story, don’t need to be so detailed as GRRM or Brandon in some scenes. My favorite are Arthur c. Clarke, Asimov, Ann Leckie etc! Faster paced story

[@mmccrownus2406]

Vaccines cause autism is silly, eh? Have you done any research? Or just babbling like a review where your opinion can be pulled out of the air?

[@mmccrownus2406]

Also, you then talked of choosing to believe "the most fun version of history" You are applying that attitude to serious things. Danger, young man!

[@adamcosper3308]

Spreading the lie that vaccines cause autism isn't silly. It's dangerous.

[@Smileysmiley012]

@@mmccrownus2406it’s not that serious 🤣🤣🤣, learn to hear what people are actually saying.

[@mmccrownus2406]

People like you think all evil is not that bad, harmless.... while the world is being devoured before your very eyes. @@Smileysmiley012

[@TimmeTime66]

The people who worked on those studies lost their medical licenses “wah wah do your research.” Not if it’s incorrect bozo.

[@Jmbbit138]

Gotta disagree with Matt about Daniel Greene It always seemed to me that he just became more comfortable being who he is. His earlier videos seem so stiff and unnatural