Falling in Love with Books | March Reading Wrap-Up

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Hooray for Piranesi and His Dark Materials! I too enjoyed Gaiman's retellings of Norse myths from the Prose Edda. Your apt description of Gaiman's style in his retellings applies equally to Snorri's original. Also, I'm delighted to see The Way of Edan on your radar. What a great month of reads, Alec, and what a lovely video!

[@this_alec]

Do you have a translation of Snorri’s Edda that you recommend? 🙏 Thank you so much for watching, Dr. Fantasy! Looking forward to your next video as always :)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@this_alec An accessible translation of Snorri’s Edda is the one by Anthony Faulkes, called Edda and published by Everyman. Happy reading!

[@pabloagurciaart]

Im here for your journey into the depths of Neil Gaiman’s body of work 🥹 I love the vibes and your flow talking about all these.

[@this_alec]

😘

[@this_hannah]

very impressed by such a beautiful video and very inspired to READ🤍📚

[@this_alec]

😘

[@JFrogy]

I havnt been reading a lot of books recently, but its always great listening to someone talk about something they're passionate about in a genuine format. Thanks for sharing 🫰

[@this_alec]

Thank you, my friend. Thanks for taking the time to watch. Big love 🙏

[@SimpleReads-ub3zm]

Love the diversity in what you’re reading. Can’t wait for the next video

[@this_alec]

Thanks, I’m really trying to read widely! But I imagine it’ll mostly be fantasy. We’ll see though… there are so many genres I’ve never even tried! Would love to see what they each offer. What do you tend to read?

[@esmayrosalyne]

Look, I am genuinely not saying this just to flatter you, but 2 videos in and you are already becoming one of my comfort booktubers!! What a chill vibe, I love the way you casually and passionately ramble on about books 🤩 Happy to hear that you had such a fantastic reading month, in both quantity and quality! You are making me very excited to start my Cosmere reread asap, so much to dig back into! And heeeeck yes for Neil Gaiman, you described his wonderful air of eccentricity perfectly 🤌Do you do audiobooks? He is also one of my favourite narrators, I think his books are even better when he reads them to you ;) And with Kingfisher, the fun thing is that she has SUCH wide range that there will undoubtedly be a book in her back catalog that is the perfect fit for you. She is one of my faves! Happy reading, I hope April treats you just as well, if not better 🤍

[@this_alec]

Thank you, Esmay. I get the sense that you understand what I’m trying to do here… would love for these videos to be something that someone could doze off to or cozy up to with warm drink :) Eccentricity is the perfect word for Gaiman’s language-painted worlds. I listened to the beginning of Norse Mythology on Spotify (audiobooks) and loved it. It seared Gaiman’s wonderful voice in my mind, and I heard it while reading the text from the page. I love it when that happens. The same occurred for Piranesi! The narrator for that book has a beautiful voice. Tell me what Kingfisher novel I should read next! Would love to try more of her books. Thanks so much for being part of the community. Really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Would love to know what you’re reading this month too :)

[@esmayrosalyne]

@@this_alec Yes, that is *exactly* the vibe and you nail it!! And that is lovely with the audiobook experience. I will have to reread Piranesi on audio next time, can only imagine how wonderful that must be. For Kingfisher, it really depends on what you are in the mood for. I actually think the sequel to What Moves the Dead is really strong, and it really takes the story off in its own direction (plus the folkloric vibes are amazing). I personally also love the books in the World of the White Rat universe, starting with Clockwork Boys. Those are a bit more fantasy romance though. Her middle grade is also delightful, I devoured A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking!! Honestly, you can't go wrong in my eyes haha. Will keep you updated on my reads in these comments. Also glad we connected on Goodreads, I post reviews for all my reads there. Sometimes casual reviews, and sometimes reviews that I write for the blogs I am a part of! Hope you have a lovely day!! 🥰

[@Gabrieltmangum]

Wow, another excellent video Alec! Can’t believe how many books you were able to get through last month. Your breadth of genres and ability to draw real insight from each is inspiring!

[@this_alec]

Love you, brother 🙏

[@ReadtoFilth]

What a nice cabin! it looks like such a cozy place to read

[@this_alec]

It’s a special spot :) Thanks for watching and commenting! Excited to check out your new channel :)

[@haydenheard4867]

Love the format of this video! Youre certainly adding a lot of excitement in me for future reads I want to get to. I read some pretty juicy chapters of oathbringer last night that had me avoiding putting it down. Hadnt heard of any of these other books until now and look forward to grabbing a few! Keep these videos coming. Really enjoyable video and the perfect length.

[@this_alec]

Thanks, brother! Text me what you read last night, I wanna knowwwww ~ 👁️👄👁️

[@marybowman3542]

“I touched the golden compass and it is awesome” 😂❤ love this video top to bottom!!

[@this_alec]

lol, I’m glad you enjoyed that weird tangent 🤣 thanks so much for watching, Mary. Love you!

[@laurablakeauthor]

Piranesi is such a special book. Yesss Circe AND American Gods! You have so much good reading ahead and had a great month!

[@this_alec]

I’m 30% through American Gods and it is utterly stunning. I cannot tell you how much I love this book. Yesterday, I was on a walk, and a huuuuge black raven flew over my head and perched on a power line ahead. It stared down at me, and I suddenly felt the urge to show my respect (or fear?). So I crossed my chest with my arm and shouted “ALL FATHER.” … pretty sure my neighbors think I’m nuts.

[@laurablakeauthor]

@@this_alec Yess! it is so good.

[@readbykyle3082]

You've got such an effortless enthusiasm, Alec, keep it up! Oathbringer and Dawnshard are so good, and Gaiman is fantastic! Love Norse Mythology. I highly recommend if you ever want to reread it, you should try the audio for it, phenomenal. Man's Search for Meaning is amazing, one of the few books I think literally everyone could get something from. He who knows the why of his existence, can bear any how. 🔥

[@this_alec]

Thank you, Kyle! I want to sit down and discuss Stormlight with you someday. I can sense your love for it, and I think we’d have a lot to talk about! I listened to the audiobook for Norse Mythology at the beginning, and it established Gaiman’s voice in my mind for the rest of the read. He has such a lovely voice. Beautifully said regarding Mans’s Search for Meaning. I agree, it’s just a deeply insightful and moving read. Thank you so much for watching a commenting, friend. Means a lot 🙏

[@readerinthedesert_SaraBeth]

Love your enthusiasm and the atmosphere of the natural world you are adding to your videos! I took read The Golden Compass as an adult. So good!!

[@this_alec]

I’m so glad it resonates with someone. To me, reading and being in nature are the perfect combo. I’m hoping to marry those concepts more and more as I hone the craft of video editing. Thanks so much for watching! Would love to know what you’re reading these days :)

[@Johanna_reads]

This video was so cozy! Piranesi is one of my favorite standalones, and I've been meaning to get to Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. I haven't yet read Norse Mythology, but I wonder whether to read the Prose Edda first. Thanks for the shoutout about my 1-sentence review challenge video! I had talked about each of those books at length in other videos, so that challenge was a fun way to offer a general recap. I didn't mind your long format though! Your music and cutaways add a lovely vibe in addition to your excitement about all these books!

[@this_alec]

Johanna, thank you! If you want a buddy to read Jonathan Strange with, let me know! No pressure of course. I think you’d love Norse Mythology, but I totally get waiting until you can read Snorri’s first. Really appreciate you watching and commenting :) Love what you bring to the community!

[@Johanna_reads]

@@this_alec thank you! I wish I could fit in the Clarke book, but there’s just no way I can get to it. I'm excited to hear your thoughts!

[@someokiedude9549]

A lot of interesting reads. I’m a big fan of Gaiman myself and find him to be the greatest fantasist working today. I also read Piranesi last year and I enjoyed it a lot, I just started her first novel Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. Also love American Gods, might be my favorite fantasy novel ever…at least right now. Keep up the great work!

[@this_alec]

Thank you, my bookish friend! I have a feeling that American Gods will be in my top 3 by the end (if not #1). It’s just so utterly fantastic. Hope you’re enjoying Jonathan Strange! I just found out last night that the BBC did an adaption a few years back??? I’ll be checking that out after I read the book!

[@katieliseheard]

So incredible! Love these videos! 👏🏻👏🏻

[@this_alec]

Thanks Katie :) What are you reaching these days? Hannah and I are going to dive into ACOTAR soon!

[@Talking_Story]

Looks like yo are on a Cosmere catch up like me. Hope to be ready for Wind and Truth when it comes out. Piranesi was special for sure. Sandman makes my all time fantasy series list.

[@this_alec]

I’m stoked to be on the hype train with everyone else for W&T!

[@Talking_Story]

Not weird at all great length, great video!

[@this_alec]

Thank you, my friend :) I wish I had driven to Raleigh for that book signing! I’m not too far away, and it would have been cool to meet you 🙏

[@Talking_Story]

@@this_alec Oh if you are not too far away from Raleigh we are in the same neck of the woods I would say a meeting is most definitely in the cards for us 😃

[@mildrumpus]

I discovered your channel through this video. I'm a big Neil Gaiman / Sandman fan as well. Glad to have found you. Happy Reading! 😎📚👍

[@this_alec]

Thanks for stopping by!! Glad to know this video is getting around, sometimes I’m not sure! LOVE what you’re doing on your channel. Excited to follow along! If you’re a Gaiman fan, I know we’ll get along. I just finished American Gods. It blew my mind. 🤯

[@mildrumpus]

@@this_alec Ah! Thanks so much. 😁

[@TheCazz1960]

Love your video ,you inspire me to read some of these , thank you .

[@this_alec]

That’s the best :) thank you, thank you! Let me know what you read and how you like it! 🙏🤍

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

Great place to be reading. Best wishes with what you are reading. I hope you get some great stories. I'm currently reading the Count of Monte Cristo. I might be some time!

[@this_alec]

I would love to read that book again. Feeling inspired to read more classics in general. Oh, the wealth of amazing books we have in this world. We could never read them all!

[@smccrode]

Great video! Dungeon Crawler Carl got me back into reading. The energy you have reminds me how I currently feel about reading. (a little nitpick- music got a bit loud during the video).

[@this_alec]

Thank you! I’ve heard that book is great. And I really appreciate the feedback. I think you’re totally right. Need to get those audio levels figured out 🤣

[@elainedejong2806]

Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm for books!

[@this_alec]

They are treasures, invaluable treasures! I only hope my children someday understand that. Even if it takes them until their late-twenties to realize it like their father 🤣

[@elainedejong2806]

My two daughters are in their late 20s and they have always loved books! You’re going to do great 😊

[@verosnotebook]

Nice variety! I’m an eclectic reader too 😊 Pleased to see you liked His Dark Materials. I wonder what you’ll make of book 2 and 3. Loved Piranesi too and shall be reading Jonathan Strange in Sep/Oct. I do understand that it is quite different but amazing. Gosh, yes, the feeling of wanting to get to so many books 🤣

[@this_alec]

I’ve heard book 2 and 3 of HDM are wild! Very excited to read them. Might visit a used bookstore this week to see if I can find a copy 🤔 Is your TBR planned out as far as September?? That’s impressive! Would love to know what you’re reading now :) Thanks for watching 🙏🤍

[@verosnotebook]

@@this_alec 😂 Well, I plan a couple of books per month well in advance to make sure I get to them and leave the rest for mood reading. Right now, I’m reading Tigana, and have Mad Ship waiting for me too, as well as other ‘smaller’ titles, such as Mars House by Pulley. I always have wayyyy too much. Hope you find second copies easily of HDM. Any library?

[@this_alec]

@@verosnotebook That’s a great way to approach that! A good mix of TBR planning and mood reading :) I do have a library, but HDM already feels like the kind of series I want in “my library” for our kids to get curious and read someday. I like filling our house’s shelves with books that I know will someday challenge and delight little minds. :)

[@marybowman3542]

I loved Circe a ton!!

[@jaxpk2669]

when u reading Malazan Boyo?

[@this_alec]

lol, I want to so bad! I feel like I want to polish off a couple series before I jump in. So probably later this summer? Next video coming next week :)