a big birthday book haul *35 books!* 🎉

[@EpicReads]

Happy Birthday Joel!! 🎆🎁 We are in love with your "treat yo self" gift! Gorgeous books!

[@fictionalfates]

hehehe thank you so much!

[@thealyssalo]

Having a love hate relationship with academia is the biggest mood.

[@sixofbooks3909]

I feel this on a spiritual level

[@fictionalfates]

it's like "i love learning, but learning hates who i am"

[@hfollman98]

Happy belated birthday and also THAT RAINBOW SHELF?? EXCUSE ME SIR I-

[@fictionalfates]

dlijslhf it's my pride and joy

[@NoelleGallagher]

the books right behind your head 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 too fucking perfect !!!!!!!!

[@NoelleGallagher]

WHAT IS THIS SWEATER YOU'RE WEARING

[@fictionalfates]

IT’S THE LATE NIGHT READERS CLUB FROM ILLUMICRATE LIFESTYLE

[@NoelleGallagher]

joel if i haven't told you already you have 10/10 hands (in a best friend way) (ily)

[@fictionalfates]

YESSSSS

[@NoelleGallagher]

murder bot ......... can we read together oh my god

[@giigiireadss]

Those Ember books are stunning and I can’t handle not owning them😭😭😭

[@fictionalfates]

diojfofij i'm sorry

[@blauble]

i want hardcovers of the heroes of olympus too 😩

[@fictionalfates]

they are beautiful!

[@aquaticraccoon1467]

literally gasped aloud when you revealed the edges of the ember in the ashes books, they're so gorgeous

[@gonzalezgarciamariafernand7748]

“Pain is my best friend” 😆

[@StoriesForCoffee]

Those Ember books are absolutely stunning omg

[@fictionalfates]

I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!

[@thealyssalo]

Video pitch: Rereading GATSBY in conjunction with THE CHOSEN AND THE BEAUTIFUL.

[@fictionalfates]

listen, the way you're able to reach into my mind and take these ideas out?? i love it - maybe if i throw in another gatsby retelling too? oof

[@thealyssalo]

@@fictionalfates I’m pretty sure NICK has either come out or is coming out. It’s a retelling centering on Nick.

[@bettyreads222]

'i have my own massive brainwaves that literally topple buildings.' ah i love thisss, you writer you! so many gems, its crucial to not compare yourself, you're on your own journey and it's wonderful. i got 5 books yesterday to celebrate my birthday as well. here's to many new adventures via these books ahead :]

[@fictionalfates]

thank you so much and ahh, happy birthday!!

[@chrissybooksandberries]

Can I just say that the sprayed edges game of your books is chefs kiss.

[@_nelld]

Ahh the heroes of olympus hardcoversssss 😭 they’re so beautiful!

[@eeeshieee]

omg ur so cute! it brings me joy to see other people so excited about books. :-)

[@sunflowersandstorms5608]

Joel remembering that March is next week is the mood of this weekend I swear. Why ? Who authorized March starting on Monday?

[@fictionalfates]

it has to be illegal, someone needs to be punished

[@ataleasoldasbookreviews]

I just stumbled upon your channel not long ago and I would just like to say...Thank You for showing us each design on the hard cover of the ember in the ashes set! I wasn't able to purchase them and every other channel only shows us the first books design. I dont care of the design is the same on each hardcover book, I love to see them and their beauty! They're so beautiful and also, happy birthday! Even though I'm late to it lol

[@kipepeo259]

Yessss happy birthday! Also I've loved being in the discord, everyone's been so wonderful

[@fictionalfates]

🥺i'm so glad and thank you for the birthday wishes!

[@rissasaki]

Whenever Joel posts my life gets filled with happiness ♥️

[@fictionalfates]

🥺🥺🥺

[@aoibhk7786]

Once again Joel bringing immaculate energy⚡I always get so hyped to read and I LOVE that rainbow shelf 🌈🌈🌈

[@fictionalfates]

thank you so much!!

[@selantrian]

Happy birthday! I read a bit of Le Morte d’Arthur for a required English class and it was literally my favorite thing of that class, I was SHOCKED at how readable it was in a class that mostly had really hard-to-read old stuff, it felt like modern fantasy or smth

[@fictionalfates]

IT'S LITERALLY SO COOL!

[@fictionalfates]

especially for something written in the medieval period i'm shook

[@SavidgeReads]

Belated happy birthday Joel!!! Those sprayed edges of The Gilded Ones, I’m obsessed by minty shades at the moment. The Vanishing Half is brilliant. Really looking forward to your thoughts. What a fab selection of books you got!

[@lalicurates]

I just finished the audiobook for Concrete Rose and it is *chef's kiss*. My feelings are definitely heightened because I already felt connected to these characters from The Hate U Give. Also, that UK cover is beautiful.

[@vanshika123456789]

I loved this video. I hope you are kinder to yourself when it comes to content creation. That should never be at the cost of your mental health. Give yourself some grace and know that we all love you here and want what's best for you

[@bookswithemmie]

I think you'll enjoy Hood Feminism! I read it this past month for a background into my black women writer's course I'm taking. I agree with a lot of the messages brought up throughout the novel. It honestly opened my eyes and helped me understand.

[@barbaraoasky]

Those covers of The vanishing half and Concrete Rose............... perfect!

[@Lorie336]

You are going to love the Murderbot Diaries and the sixth one comes out in the Spring or Summer. I am slowly acquiring this series. I have the first two, read All Systems Red last summer and was just enthralled. It's also a good series for those starting Sci-fi.

[@heyimsasa]

happy birthday, joel! hope you have a wonderful one and that you enjoy the books!! 💖

[@lucberthelot6463]

Happy Birthday! Can’t wait to add more books to my list

[@teawithleia]

Happy Birthday! I've been avoiding the video since I saw that it was uploaded two days ago, because I don't want to buy books but I can't longer resist it 😶🧡 Also as an illustrator myself I really appreciate how you always name the person who designed or illustrated the covers!

[@WReaderFan]

Your book hauls and bookshelves give me life! I really do appreciate your content and congrats on 50K subscribers. Thank you for all that you do! :-)

[@sassysarahreads]

What Big Teeth was so good. I love horror and I am a particular fan of fantasy horror. Rose Szabo’s writing style kind of reminded of Angela Carter in terms of dark and creepy fairy tales, but they have a really unique element and blending of characters and monsters together that I found to be dynamic. Also that cover. OBSESSED. My favorite this year for 2021 releases.

[@francescakyanda9182]

The Riordanverse means so much to me, I got through the majority of it in middle school and I remember devouring these books, and all my copies are from middle school too

[@devanshisharma2447]

YES JOEL IM SO EXCITED PERCY JACKSON/RIORDANVERSE IS AMAZING AND HOPEFULLY YOULL LOVE IT AAAAAA

[@kafkawiththesea]

You look like could be the love interest in Love, Simon.

[@fictionalfates]

salkjfkasfd i get that a lot!

[@eloise4230]

Ahh i’m so jealous of that edition of ember in the ashes books!!! They look amazing 🤩🤩✨

[@dragonezreading]

I think it’d be fun to do a read along of the Riordanverse. Excited to see what you think of the books regardless! Also the Ember in the Ashes books are gorgeous

[@emmabagel4131]

I’m so in love with the box set of Hero’s of Olympus. I recently found my copies and I have to assume I bought them as they came out bc I have the box set of the original Percy Jackson ones but not those. Also, there are so many books on this list that now have defiantly peeked my interest after seeing this video (And happy birthday! 🎉)

[@ytwatcher0156]

13.03 when he drops the books ahaha, you're amazing! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[@booksandteatime2197]

I’m currently reading Hood Feminism and it is do wonderful and insightful. Happy bday! ❤️

[@fictionalmusings4676]

thank you for such kind words Joel 🥺 that was so lovely to hear! I’m sure you’ll smash the diss, regardless of setbacks it’s so important to do stuff you love 💗💗 and happy birthday again!!

[@k_mma]

First video I'm watching of yours... That bookshelf is goals!

[@Emily-rn4fu]

just found you through this video and i’m so excited to check out the rest of your videos! happy belated birthday :)

[@Lilyboxes]

Happy birthday! I love the rainbow shelf and I'm so excited you're an elder scrolls fan!!! They're my favourite games!

[@blauble]

belated happy burthdayy, joel 💞

[@fictionalfates]

thank you so much!

[@alyssacascos8665]

Happy Birthday Joel! ❤❤❤🎉🎈🎂I love you! ❤your channel is everything to me!

[@fictionalfates]

thank you so much!!

[@thatbookishblog9694]

The wheel of time!! Props for getting physical copies, I decided to get them on kindle to save space but they're gorgeous! It's a long one, I'm only on book 4 and have been reading it on/off for a few years now (oops)

[@viennabooks741]

This video needs a disclaimer: do not watch this if you struggle with book buying addiction 😂 I want everything now

[@tabbedpages182]

i just want to let you know that you are one of my inspirations. you are such a wholesome individual and I'm always gonna be lurking in the back, but dropping by to say happy birthday

[@metanoiabooks3729]

Vanishing half was a brilliant book. Hard hitting and beautifully written. Very impactful..💜 So jealous of your special copies here. 😩

[@samantharose1001]

Omg when you brought in the death of the author theory 🤓🤗 My nerd heart got so excited!! Happy Joel Day!! ✨

[@peachyjjarred]

🥰🥰 i always love whenever you post. And I am so excited for the future of this channel,for sure🙇🏻‍♂️🙇🏻‍♂️

[@sanaf8127]

Also wanted to say congrats on over 50k subscribers!! I've been here since you've been under 1k and I'm so happy for you! You definitely deserve all the growth!! Lots of love and best wishes!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@aspiring_recluse]

I didn't know the sequel to Raybearer had been announced yet so thank you for mentioning that. That's so exciting! I also can't wait to see what you think of Murderbot. It's so so good.

[@fileanavailable]

Happy Birthday and congrats on the internship! These books look lovely and those sprayed edges 😍

[@celine22712]

whew the amount of seratonin this hit me with !! you are such a precious soul oh my word. as a person who loves to chaotically overanalyze their books, your diss sounds so interesting and i would love to see content (should you choose to make it ofc) talking about your own analyses and critiques of literature

[@fictionalfates]

dsijdfaoiejf overanalyze is literally everything i do 😂 and i definitely want to do that!

[@aaron-eg3rf]

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is such a stunning book! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

[@annemariesadventures1220]

Just found your channel and so happy I did! I too was just gifted Hood Feminism for my birthday!!! Going to be reading it for International Women’s Day! Can’t wait to dive in, and I also have White Tears, Brown Scars in my TBR so interested in your full thoughts when you’re finished. Happy Birthday!!

[@fictionalfates]

omg yes, that is such a great idea to read it on IWD!!

[@deppitup]

Happy belated birthday birthday month Twin!!!!!

[@schmimboo]

i feel your pain 😭 i have around 600 books at the moment and i’m a bookseller so it’s only gonna get more and i have to move this year or next year and it’ll be so bad lmao

[@ostrichreads7715]

Happy Birthday to a fellow February baby! 🥳❤️ You might be my inspiration to actually dive into the Wheel of Times series - I'm scared though 😭

[@queenoflexis]

I'm hoping to read If We Were Villains soon as well! I didn't enjoy The Secret History very much either so fingers crossed this one is better 🤞

[@tiffanyanne7861]

Happy belated birthday! So many great books in this haul 😍

[@moonlightreading4034]

i only have two things to say: 1. your preyed edges shelf is gorgeous 2. your vibes are immaculate ✨

[@moviemagus1921]

I'm currently reading The Gilded Ones, I'm almost finished and I'm loving it! It is beautifully written, the characters are interesting and the story has a great flow to it. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it! :)

[@veronaeekma]

Congratulations beautiful you 🎊🎉💐🎂💖 this was a wonderful bookhaul/birthday haul, my TBR is now as large as the Alp d'huez but it's fine... I also wanna mention you're bookshelves 😍💕❤️ wow there so pretty! Thank you so much for this video, i really like you and you're content, keep up the good work!

[@missraredoesstuff]

First time watching your videos, I absolutely love your personality! I’ve subscribed and can’t wait to watch more 😁

[@elkleponis]

Happy birthday!!🥳 Video idea: fantasy books for beginners/people who don’t gravitate towards fantasy! I love the idea of fantasy stories but I can never get into a lot of them!💕

[@mymessynotebook2207]

Happy belated birthday!!! So many interesting books and can’t wait to hear your thoughts on all of them!! I hope you had an amazing birthday. Good luck on your punishing internship, it sounds like a great opportunity and I hope it goes well for you :)

[@fictionalfates]

thank you so much!!

[@giigiireadss]

I have Le Morte d’ Arthur too and King Arthur stories are my favorite!!!! If you haven’t watched Avalon High on Disney yet, you definitely should. And now I’m waiting for your King Arthur series lol

[@fictionalfates]

omg I liked Avalon High ahh, although I purely watched it for Gregg Sulkin

[@giigiireadss]

@@fictionalfates Gregg is cute asf so I completely understand😂

[@charityyoder9028]

Has anyone suggested Becky chambers to you yet??? I can't remember 😊😳 IF WE WERE VILLAINS. that book needs all of the love. I reread the book on audio and damn was it soothing. Happy reading!

[@peggingmothman]

If We Were Villains had me bawling my eyes out at 3am....... good luck! 😅

[@Diana-yw8wm]

happy belated birthday joel!!! 🤍🤍🤍

[@gracechapman4218]

What a beautiful haul! Did I think you said "I love METH" for a sec...yes I did... Love you and your wonderful Welsh accent and your STUNNING taste in books. You started your channel when I first started watching BookTube and you've been my favourite from the start. I have spent an inordinate amount of money on fantasy fic because of you and I thank you :') xx

[@steampoweredpixel]

WHAT you're 21 now? Damn I feel like a right cougar... I'm 27 going on 28 and I've been crushing on you so bad since I discovered your channel! :') ROFL! Xxx

[@jasmine3757]

Happy birthday!!🎉🎊😊

[@maheswarijeyabalan8784]

your book editions are gorgeous!

[@freyfrey3768]

Ahhh! Your shelf's are looking amazing! 😩💓💓💓

[@catedavies8505]

The mystery of Henri Pick is so wonderful!! X

[@babymariobrother3793]

Happy Birthday! And geez, just looked up those Le Morte d'Arthur chapter titles. To think that a lot of authors now are unsure about giving chapters simple, one-word titles. All the King Arthur ones are basically single sentence summaries.

[@fictionalfates]

LITERALLY! Sir Thomas Mallory literally didn't care asfdjkfn

[@mathildehirth8408]

Happy belated birthday! I just wanted to say the Riordan Percy Jackson books begin with Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The Heroes of Olympus series is a sequel. You can theoretically read Heroes of Olympus, but it’s not the same reading experience. Sorry for the rant 💙

[@fictionalfates]

It's okay! I already own PJO so I definitely want to read those first!

[@madelinefieldshalva3121]

I LOVE THE RIORDANVERSE! I have all the heroes of olympus series because those were my birthday presents when they came out (the release date was close to my birthday) and I love them all so much. I would definitely recommend reading them in publication order, so start with Percy Jackson and the Olympians and then either Kane Chronicles or Heroes of Olympus, then Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard or the Trials of Apollo. Also he has a new book coming out in October that's a retelling of 20,000 Leagues under the Sea!

[@fictionalfates]

Omg that's so interesting, thank you so much!!

[@sasha7628]

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is one of my favorite reads of last year, it's absolutely amazing.

[@moonlightmoonchild1133]

oh my, happy birthday, joel!!! 🥺💜💜💜💜💜

[@pixelated4046]

THAT FREAKING RAINBOW HAS ME OBSESSED! also hi happy birthday!

[@platyperri]

Belated happy birthday! We have the same reading tastes, and you just earned a new sub.. I'm loving your vids so far ❤️❤️🤗

[@elliterate5145]

i just got my same copy of the fairyloot raybearer today and it so gorgeous! it's such a nice size too, i can't wait to start reading it

[@fictionalfates]

omg yes yes yes!!! i'm so happy for you ahh

[@judithvandenberg7894]

The panic on your face when you realised March was in a week😂😂 I feel you

[@bryceantonio]

CONGRATS ON THE INTERNSHIP!!!!! Glad to see ur doing what u love🥰 Also LITERALLY WRITING A KING ARTHUR STORY So that’s rlly cool!!! (amazing video as always)

[@fictionalfates]

Thank you so much!!!

[@megsfjallraven]

Happy late birthday !!🌟

[@fictionalfates]

thank you so much!

[@radiosilence3657]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! OMG KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING! YOU AND YOUR BOOKSHELF ARE SERVING LOOKS! LITERALLY COMING FOR OUR WIGS AND HONESTLY...NOT COMPLAINING!

[@fictionalfates]

LMAOOO I LOVE THAT

[@annalacey6543]

A hate love relationship with academia is THE MOST relatable. The amount of time I spend ranting about academia and then turning around and being excited about learning is TOO MUCH.

[@sanaf8127]

An updated bookshelf tour soon please? ❤️🥺🙏

[@sophiecarbone4977]

Happy birthday Joel!!!

[@mgey1164]

U need to do a bookshelf tour coz omg😍

[@loreleyannie]

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY JOEL!!! ok first of all apologies for the long wall of text... i CONCUR that the mime order is an excellent book, it's almost genuinely baffling how good it is!! i haven't read the mask falling yet though (i got the same goldsboro edition, yay!) so we'll have to get to that... i loved the ideas you mentioned re: essays about the evolution of fantasy, and the editions of the wheel of time are beautiful, so floppy! could you by any chance link the reddit thread you found? i want to start the series this year but still have to find a way to make it manageable. also! if you're interested in game lore, i've found that the ravnica setting, which was originally a magic: the gathering setting and has since been adapted for d&d, has very interesting influences and lore, and imo the d&d book on it and the articles online read a lot like a book setting. not videogame-related (tangential, i guess), but i thought you might be interested! i agree that if we were villains might be more your thing if you weren't into the secret history. it reads much less pretentiously but it still has all the v i b e s hahaha. and SPEAKING OF VIBES, THAT MORTE D'ARTHUR HARDBACK OH MY OH MY I DIED!!!!!!!! ahhhhh i loved the video, and can't wait what's to come for your channel!!!

[@fictionalfates]

Here's the reddit thread, specifically the comment that I'm using: www.reddit.com/r/WoT/comments/coie9f/spoilers_all_dividing_the_books_into_different/ewk6exj/?context=3 Also, thank you so much for the info about Ravnica, I'll definitely look into it!!

[@mm-maniac5657]

Murderbot murderbot murderbot!!!! They’re so insanely good!!

[@CocoRegardless]

Those Ember quartet editions are so pretty😩

[@CocoRegardless]

ALSO HAPPY BIRTHDAY

[@fictionalfates]

they ARE STUNNING! and thank you!

[@Emma-sj6wp]

If you like the Elder Scrolls book might I recommend the Myst books? Its one of the old videogames my Mom played with me and the books are absolutely gorgeous.

[@o_o-lj1ym]

Ohhh happy birthday!

[@LaVita18]

Hi Joel. I've always enjoyed watching your videos & your thoughts on the books you've read. I thought your opinions were well thought out & insightful. If you are interested to read more non-fictions, I suggest reading two of Angela Saini's books Inferior & Superior, if you haven't read them yet. In them, Saini explores how science was/is not only marred by racist & misogynist views but also perpetuate them. I'm from a science background, so those books really opened up my eyes up to how scientific frameworks & institutions have failed to account for the inequality they contribute into the world. I thought it was an important read for someone in research. Anyways, I am definitely one of your quiet viewers. But just thought I'd leave you a happy belated birthday wish, & a message of thanks for all the works you put into your contents. I enjoyed them tremendously. Wish you only the best in everything. Take care ~ a viewer from Malaysia.