FEBRUARY 2020 BOOKS | sunbeamsjess

[@kayellex1369]

Finally a channel who doesn't recommend the same popular books as everyone else! Finally books that I've never heard of!!

[@toasted_.coconut]

I have a lot of respect for you because you are one of the few bigger KZbin channels that actually read/review a diversity of books.

[@BaileyAllie]

JESS! Please make reading vlogs!!! Or other bookish content. We love the book content!! ❤️👏🏼👏🏼

[@nathimaus]

Honestly these book videos are my favorite. You are so eloquent and smart! I think you would be a great Lit professor. Just wanted to add that I am so sick of these comments „of course she reads so much, she doesn‘t have a job“... life is about prioritising what matters to you. I am sure that for the GREAT majority of people even if they had NOTHING to do all day they wouldn‘t go through as many books in a month as you do, neither could they discuss each of them as critically as you do in each of these videos. I mean, if these people have nothing good to say, why not just keep quiet? Besides that, no matter if you were studying, on vacation, moving houses, you kept your reading quite consistently throughout. Already looking forward to the next month‘s video!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

It always makes happy when an image of you with a large stack of books appears in my news feed! And this is an hour long discussion! 😲👏 I loved The Memory Police. You're right it's definitely not your typical dystopian novel and more subtler and philosophical while still containing engaging and imaginative storytelling. I've not read The Balad of the Sad Cafe so hope to join in. And I've loved reading other books by Tim Winton but not read Cloudstreet so I appreciate hearing your more critical comments which I'll keep in mind when I get to reading it at some point. Personally, I loved his novel Breath so I'd really recommend that since you ask. I thought Deborah Levy's novel was really interesting but it all seemed so random to me from one sentence to the next it was like there was no plan and she could have been writing anything. I'm sure that wasn't the case and she was working with particular themes but it didn't really come together for me. Like you say, it's more about the experience than the story but I wanted some better understanding. Interestingly she's writing a novel at the moment about Gertrude Stein called The Mama of Dada. Isn't that a brilliant title? 😂 Really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on Wolf Hall since I read that recently for the first time too. Definitely one that I can see myself rereading!

[@EE-zw8iv]

Two of my fave booktubers interacting 😍

[@EricKarlAnderson]

@@EE-zw8iv Awe, thanks! 🤗

[@dincam]

i really appreciate how you put time stamps for each book in the description as it makes it so much easier to watch.

[@leabhairagustae7279]

When I saw this in my subscription box, I screamed! So excited to listen to you talk about books for almost an hour!

[@scienzedellemerendine4915]

I'm so glad you bought the other three volumes of My brilliant friend. You will not regret it. And I'm sure you'll get the answers to your questions in the next books. The friendship between the two main characters is more of an obsession or a codependant relationship than it is what you expect from a genuine friendship.

[@zoeg4338]

These are my favourite videos of yours, but for some reason I waited so long to start reading the book club books. February's was my first book club book and my first Toni Morrison! I really enjoyed my time reading The Bluest Eye and now can't wait to read the rest of her work. I already own the memory police and hoping to read it soon so hopefully it's enjoyable.

[@michelenjdkfcoweuf]

I love the way you talk about books. Your degree clearly colors the way you talk, and its really refreshing to hear someone breaking down books in an interesting way. I gets old hearing general reviews about books like "This book was great!" without much more explanation.

[@lauraeiriarte]

every time I hear you talk I feel getting smarter !

[@ellamaywright]

Kala Iriarte I completely feel the same!

[@emgaillard8143]

I adore your book videos ! Honestly, you are so articulate and always manage to nail the right term to describe a book. So critical as well, this is what I expect from a genuinely engaged reader. Thank you so much for putting those videos up !

[@fyeflourite]

I'm impressed of the amount of books you read in one month. How can someone read that much?

[@darlingclementine94]

Hi Jess! I was not completely sold on My Brilliant Friend, but the last two really made up for it for me. The girls’ adulthood is explored very well, with a lot of searing commentary on the wasted potential of women’s minds, the constraints of marriage and motherhood, and class issues in Italy. I hope your enjoyment of the series grows!

[@joycelay02081996]

How much time do you devote to reading every day? Im amazed by the number of books you read in just one month!!!!!

[@safiyastein2010]

she doesn't have a job. She's a KZbinr. Hence - oceans of time to read.

[@springett91]

@@safiyastein2010 uhh ruuuuude

[@safiyastein2010]

@@springett91 which part of this factual statement is rude? I've not used any expletives or pejorative terms.

[@kb-ih7ni]

victoria1936 I’d chime in and say she doesn’t have a REGULAR job. So she controls her time.

[@springett91]

@@safiyastein2010 you're saying she doesnt have a job when she does, she has a full time one in fact. Its creating content, for free, for you to enjoy and watch. KZbin takes a long time, filming, editing, uploading, scheduling, social media post, the list goes on. It's a full time job, not something that gives you 'oceans of time'

[@Sam-du5oe]

As an Australian, thanks for your honesty around Tim Winton. I absolutely loathe his writing and people rave about it endlessly. If you’d like a better taste of contemporary Australian writing, try Peter Carey or Helen Garner.

[@amyy3638]

Agreed! Helen Garner is fab.

[@mariaineslibrarium7690]

I love your book videos so much!! They're the best part of my month!! ❤️

[@essxsolo]

I really love you wrapups! They’re very informative without really giving away too much, and so relaxing to watch

[@caileyperkins4299]

I absolutely love these videos and find your reviews so insightful and helpful! However, I kept getting distracted by how gorgeous your shirt/skin/jewelry combo is!! Probably the best look I've seen in a while.

[@CC4ever994]

Hey Jess, I was in the recent National Theatre (London) production of My Brilliant Friend; epic. When reading the books, I could never understand why the two seem to need each other so much/stay ‘friends’ (esp as there isn’t much love shown between them)...the HBO series is beautifully done

[@dominisika]

Jess I am very curious to know, where do you find your inspirations for the titles to read? Are there any resources that provide you with these? Or are there any people/authorities? I would really appreciate you giving some more information on this. By the way Jess you ar looking gorgeous in this video, so radiant and relaxed 😍

[@kb-ih7ni]

She read s alot of Man Booker Awards longlist

[@TheBookishMom]

I really want to pick up the Memory Police. The concept seems really fascinating and it somewhat reminds me of the Giver in a way.

[@alyssacascos8665]

Your voice is so calming to listen to! Also, I love how honest and detailed you are when you explain your opinion on the books❤✍

[@jayweasley]

I’m going back and watching all ur old book videos and you’ve managed to sell me on both hot milk and the man who saw everything AND the book on quantum physics- I’m a huge fan of time-related literary fiction which is BARELY a genre but all of these things sound amazing and I had previously been put off to someone’s description of hot milk which was entirely different from the one u gave in ur book video where u wrap up hot milk......this author sounds super cool. Also, already knew this from future videos but I read Jeff van der meer before discovering book tube and never found a “booktuber” who mentioned him....he is just my absolute king of the weird and thank god u like him!!

[@racheldemain1940]

So pleased you read Wolf Hall. Yes it is a little more Academic in its style but it sets the scene and envelops you in the life of Henry's court. It is more steady than slow but I didn't want to rush it and now we have been put into a lockdown I can invest in the Trilogy.

[@Wolfhailstorm]

Oh my gosh Jess, your long book videos are my faves, so relaxing

[@melisboz8463]

Oh!! I love your book videos so much! As a fellow lit. student it makes me so happy to be able to listen to your comments on books! Aaannndddd yes!!! The Ballad of the Sad Cafe had been sitting on my shelf for some time now, I got an earlier edition from my aunt's shelf and have been wanting to read it since! So, great that we're reading this! So excited about your reviews on it! Love :)

[@reneevdschaft]

I really enjoyed this long video! Your book reviews are really interesting and also a great source for me to discover new books to read

[@ohyojordo]

The amount of joy your book videos bring me is just ridiculous. Your reviews and insights are by far my favourite on this platform; I even enjoy them more than a Goodreads review (and I love a Goodreads review!!). Would be really interested to hear more about the Quantum Physics book you discussed. I must say, I'm a complete novice to all things quantum....and physics....so would love to hear your thoughts

[@Itsmebuddy98]

That was the first book club I have had time to read, and I completely agree. Such a heavy short novel, but so well written. I also 'enjoyed/appreciated' it! Can't wait for this months read!

[@athanasiakapsali9162]

So glad you started to read Stephen King! I recomend to you: the green mile, the tommyknockers and misery.

[@ViriditasCollective]

Did you read Pachinko by Min Jin Lee? I would love to hear your thoughts on it if not! If she's already talked about it and someone can point to me which video it's in, I'd super appreciate it!

[@forevertrampolining]

Oh my word I just finished this & I immediately hoped she would read it too!

[@risamondragon1088]

So so good!

[@demetriprince5128]

Early Bird. You look amazing as always!! Im currently reading my Brilliant Friend!

[@forevertrampolining]

If you're looking for another Australian story post-Cloud Street, you should read The Yield by Tara June Winch. She is an incredibly profound Indigenous novelist & it's flying off the shelves over here. Also some other reads I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts on- The Far Field - Madhuri Vijay, Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi & Pachinko - Min Jin Lee.

[@rainepanda]

Glad to see a booktuber with more eclectic tastes. Subscribed!

[@juliaaa1111]

Hey Jess, I'd love you to make a video on tips for proper posture, lighting and overall environment of the reading space, in order to feel more stimulated to read. I often find myself giving up on reading because it's never... comfortable? enough. specially since those damn lights make my eyes tired af lol anyway, I'd like to know how to improve my reading space basically :)

[@moshkizzle]

Couldn’t help commenting on your Ferrante novel review, since I binge read all 4 Neapolitan novels last year in a span of like 2 weeks. You’re right that Elena and Lina’s relationship seems to be form in an odd way in childhood, and they can be viewed as adversaries as much as friends. I didn’t find an issue with it as a plot point, because I have observed in the real world that unfortunately female friendships like that are not uncommon. Their competitiveness drives them together perhaps even more than their mutual like and respect for one another. And with the rough and emotionally toxic environment they are growing in, I found it plausible that Elena would attach herself to a mean girl rather than someone who gives her the warm and fuzzies. Possibly Elena seeks out Lina’s toughness as something she feels she lacks. Just a theory based on my rough recollection of the first book. I’m probably less of a “literary” reader that you but what drew me to the series is the psychology of it, the character development and the various relationships, including both friendships and the romantic ones. No spoilers but their relationship does wax and wane and evolve in various ways over the next 3 books, but based on your issues with My Brilliant Friend, you might not enjoy the rest of the series either! Just a warning, although I personally hope you do still read them and come around :)

[@stephhall7067]

I’m so obsessed with these videos, thanks so much for doing them!! I was also wondering if you would ever be interested in doing a jewellery collection vid?? I love love love your earrings but never know where to get good jewellery that doesn’t break the bank :))

[@jessiebrennan3063]

I love this video! I added multiple new books to my tbr because of this. I've wanted to read the memory police for a while!

[@ouchstopclicking]

So happy to see you reading an Australian literary classic. Love your range of books. Cloudstreet as a play works so much better, I recommend reading the script!

[@emma472]

Recently got back into reading and your channel was the first one that came to my mind for recommendations! Also I love your makeup :)

[@feliciasa]

My Brilliant Friend series gets better and more interesting as you go along. Personally I found book #1 unbearable but loved the rest. The TV show is actually amazing as well!

[@chocoflipify]

The Ballad of the Sad Café is my alltime favorite novella and favorite piece of McCullers' as well! I hope you like it! :)

[@hippiehoneeB]

Have you read any of Patti Smith's books??

[@DGenerationX1311]

I set myself a simple goal of reading 20 books this year and so far it's going well. Forgot how much I loved reading both fiction and nonfiction. Uni didn't really allow me to read for leisure cos after doing uni work I didn't want to read anything for the rest of the day. I also did a scientific degree so I feel my creativity has taken a hit so it's nice to get back to all this post graduation.

[@sarahhall4107]

Hi Jessie. I think you might like Delores Claiborne by Stephen King. It's about a woman who is arrested for the murder of her employer. When she is bought in for interview you find out about her life. It's written in an interesting way and I think it's a good place to start with him!

[@Kwesi-Nimako]

Sarah Hall I loved it. I think I have reread it, forgotten half of it

[@sineadsmithh]

I loved Say Nothing and thought it was really addictive and engaging for non-fiction but maybe that's because i'm Irish.

[@juliaflorence984]

Sinead Smith I completely agree! It was really well written & researched and I found it to be a lot more personal than a lot of other non fiction books, because of the narrative writing style. I don’t really understand the criticism because of that but I do agree that marketing the book only as true crime maybe doesn’t really suit the book haha

[@jimronnysrlie8601]

Stephen King is maybe one of my favorite authors out there. IT is in my top 10 list. I would suggest starting with either IT, Carrie, Salem's lot or The stand. Either of those is superb in my opinion :) King's way of portraying children is out of this world. I would say that's his stronger side of his writing!

[@mimad57]

Love your bookish videos! (And that GA shirt is spectacular 😍)

[@safiyastein2010]

"Capital" is an excellent book by John Lanchester, where he develops the world he creates very well.

[@aestaetic3895]

I love how much you read, like, it's amazing. Also, your one hour long videos make me so happy it's ridiculous. In february I read 1 book. I was in a reading slump, but I feel like I'm overcoming it this month with audiobooks. I hope this month is better, lol. Ly!

[@ameliareads589]

The Wall: This book bored me to death, so I dnf'd it a third way into it. Annihilation: It's the better book, but I didn't feel the need to continue with the series. Tim Winton: Tried two of his books, dnf'd both. His writing is far too pretentious for me.

[@darkacademiacafe8238]

these videos of yours must be one of the best things to ever happen to my subscriptions box, i love your reading taste and your thorough reviews!

[@CoffeeBookChick]

I would highly recommend 11/22/63 by Stephen King. Time travel and no horror, and the willing suspension of disbelief is of paramount importance for any of his works, but I would also suggest Under the Dome and especially The Stand, both world building knock outs. But start with 11/22/63. Well worth it, and a great intro to his work. A lot of his body of work also weaves into his own universe, so sometimes a character from another book appears in a different book only briefly, and that is exceptionally fun.

[@shaikha5120]

I hope you see this, I really enjoy your book content and would like to recommend Patti Smith’s Just Kids. A book I am attached to deeply.

[@brokenremedy7821]

Jess, please do a video on how you annotate books! I really want to try it out but not sure how! Thank youuuu 💕

[@Morganr3id]

Annihilation and the other two in the trilogy were SO COOL, I read all three within a week, they sucked me in so much!

[@Mia-ew4ug]

Just curious why do you buy the physical copy of the book that you listen to?

[@deriaanggraini6474]

How can someone read that much in a month while I need more than a month to finish one book? Anyway, I love to watch your videos 💕

[@oliviamae4757]

Deria Anggraini she explains in this blog post :) www.sunbeamsjess.com/blog/2019/8/19/reading-qampa

[@yasmeenkamaliddin966]

It would be great if you could add your lip colour to the "what I'm wearing" section in the description box! I've looked for it in many videos

[@tripping_on_words]

She often mentions that her usual lip-combo worn in most videos is Charlotte Tilbury Lipliner in Pillowtalk + Bare Minerals Peony Lipstick on top. Hope that helps!

[@fileanavailable]

Jess! Would love a reading vlog all your book videos are amazing as are the others 😃

[@aimeng222]

Hi I love the book videos you do. It inspires me to read more as well. Just one quick question. What do you normally do with the books you already read. Do you keep them all? It’s very difficult for me to organize them now. It’s a little frustrating lol

[@Makeupmaniacx3]

I just finished My Brilliant Friend and I felt the same way! not sure if im going to continue

[@clarathemusicgirl]

I think you would really enjoy King's latest book The Institute, it gets into that sort of conspiracy thing with a supernatural twist but it's there the whole time and serves as a kind of complicating factor vs cop out, I really loved it!

[@Anna-pd6dc]

It would be very helpful if you could include the title on the screen of the book you are taking about - especially with such a long video I get a little lost and I'm not sure what we're talking about anymore

[@normagruden]

If you wanna read some new Stephen King I recommend The institute, one of his best :) For his older work my favourite is Misery.

[@5footnothing89]

In defence of lila and lenu's friendship in my brilliant friend: imo what bonds them from the beginning is a need to expand beyond the neighbourhood and all it asks of its girls and women. This may be a reach but I interpreted the doll thing as a symbol of them both deciding to fuck the neighbourhood's expectations by using each other and their ongoing friendship/rivalry as the catalyst to keep ascending.

[@aed2069]

Hi! I’m Australian and I am with you r/e Cloudstreet and Tim Winton! I left Cloudstreet thinking “okay, but so what??”. I’m not popular at family Xmas parties heheh

[@azariaheng6122]

Finally found something in me to be reading again after dreading it so much, couldn’t be happier to discover your channel! :) I’m just done with ‘Going Dutch’ by James Gregor and ‘Trauma Cleaner’ by Sarah Krasnostein, you should really give those a go!! I’m wondering if you would be keen to review ‘Figuring’ by Maria Popova?

[@jazz5856]

excited to hear your thoughts on the rest of the southern reach trilogy next month!

[@94Glee]

Have you read Mantel's Giving Up The Ghost? I did a seminar on her in uni and it is by far my favorite book I've read from her, one of the very few books that have made me cry because it is so personal and emotional.

[@jspringerwrites3873]

literally mesmerized by the visuals of this video. jess's beauty (obvs) the color grading, the shot composition. ahhhh, just love!!

[@xcutiepie10x]

Girl I can’t stop staring at you you are GLOWING and look incredible

[@kellydavis4823]

Read Sula by Morrison. Such a beautiful book.

[@feixianxie6645]

Really looking forward to your reviews of the other neapolitan novels Jess~~

[@Emilydee456]

I haven’t read the outsider but I saw the show and I totally agree w your thoughts that the shift in narrative feels like a cop out. I was so into the story w the first two episodes but once the reveal of where the storyline was going showed up, I became bored w it. Tho I guess I should’ve known w King, his preferred genre

[@thatsarandomname1]

I just got a discount at Mejuri lol I couldn’t figure out how to get your discount I kept typing fine print but I had to do it from your link in this video lol thank you!!!

[@joshuaroger8364]

Hope you watch the hbo adaptation of mbf. It makes you notice things that’s you missed while reading.

[@Wolfhailstorm]

I have the outsider but I'm currently reading The Institute I loved the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix and reviewed them all, Clariel I didn't enjoy it so much, but enjoyed Goldenhand! I've recently read and loved Angel Mage

[@SixMinutesForMe]

Really appreciate your thoughts on Cloudstreet! I’m a huge fan of #AusLit (I’m an Aussie living in Texas) and while I’ve yet to get to this one, I’ve not always gotten on with other works but Winton (and he’s so beloved so I’ve often felt like I’m the only one thinking that!) Like Eric mentions in his comment, I’ve heard Breathe is much better. Great video! 😊

[@ninagordin7397]

Just found out my Aunt & Uncle ( who live in London) know Deborah Levy and her dad personally ( who was a freedom fighter in South Africa)! (btw, I',m from South Africa) - Fun fact i guess. Love you Jessie!

[@monikapoppy]

i would love to see a review of some of taylor jenkins reid books. Also i just picked up the first time lauren pailing died and although i havent read it i think it might be up your alley

[@strawberryjpeg6000]

i love your makeup and your book content!!

[@M1995C]

how do you read this many books in one month?!

[@thefrancophilereader8943]

You read an enormous amount of books!! Impressive 😊

[@cat_pb]

Jess, your videos are so so good

[@PeterMacansky]

Maybe its not the best book to start with if you experiencing Stephen King books for the first time but fair enough, congratulations. 8-) ❤️ Mine was Cujo ❤️

[@keskeskes2004]

Wolf Hall is one of the best books I have ever read!

[@samanthathomas1609]

i studied cloudstreet at school so i have a v strong bias against it haha. i felt very vindicated by your review. i highly recommend richard flanagans 'the narrow road to the deep north' if you're ever looking for another australian author!

[@Sleepykittynation]

girl, I love these reviews, but you enjoy such creepy and suspenseful texts, and I can't get down like that lol

[@charlottecox4046]

You have such a relaxing and kind voice 🥰 I would love to see an ASMR video of you 😊

[@Amy-qb4tk]

I like your impression of King, I've read a few of his, and while The Shining is a stunning book and he does place a few stories in a strong realistic, yet bizarre and dystopian setting (I thought The Long Walk, which was written under his pseudonym was refreshing and interesting in this way), most of the time he likes to set up a very interesting story and then make up his own supernatural bullshit! Which is totally valid in some of his books, but occasionally becomes a downfall for him. Also, child brutality is such a theme and sometimes I don't know if it's always commentary on innocence and vulnerability or dude just likes to make everyone feel gross haha. Anyway, love your book reviews, my goodreads is absolutely filled with your recommendations and I just read Vandermeer's "City of Saints and Madmen" and loved it. It felt like a combination of Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities, house of leaves, something David Foster Wallace would write, and slightly Marquez-ian. Thank you for your eloquent reviews!

[@RSB08]

Love the variety of books! You don't get that from most booktubers. But why people are surprised/disappointed when King's books end up being supernatural in nature is beyond me. He is literally a horror writer.

[@carly885]

I love most things to do with the beatles so I'm definitely going to read the man who saw everything! Although I will say while I love these videos they can give slightly too much away when I haven't yet read a book haha

[@carly885]

Update: now getting wolf Hall too, this is not great for my pile of unread books

[@jazmynnv5831]

I also just finished The Outsider and found it to be way too long, the characters weren't relatable or distinguishable (The show is somewhat better at strengthening some of the weakness, but overall it faltered because of the places where they stuck to the book). It was also my first time reading King, so I'll be looking to you to see if the next book you read by him is any good cause of now, I'm put off by his writing style. Following him on twitter for a while didn't help his case either lol

[@livie4990]

For more Stephen King I would recommend 11/22/63, its so good

[@thatsarandomname1]

Where’s ducks, Newburyport?

[@littleraskle]

Wow finally someone who didn't like the great alone like me! Gave it 2 stars, was so hard to get through.

[@elisegrisez7668]

love your book videos

[@sommerlin]

Omg you look so beautiful with your hair and skin!!!!