FINALLY! a FIVE STAR book!

[@itmedana]

happy new ally video day to all who celebrate 🫶

[@alexiakaravokiris493]

Thank you! One of the best parts of my Sundays ❤️

[@itsthemadster]

I love how endearing the word "punks" feels now because of you.

[@Amy-qb4tk]

David Sedaris feels like an author where you almost have to learn how he talks and get used to his voice to understand the humor in his books. I totally get why people have differing opinions on him. Most of his books (aside from "Calypso" and "Theft By Finding"), I just could not read, but absolutely loved them as audio books. Hearing him reading them for some reason allows you to realize how humorous the most mundane things in life are. That, and it seems that he is prone to end up in bizarre but totally realistic situations.

[@sweetooth4eva486]

I tried to read multiple times last month but was stuck in one of my worst reading slumps ever. Instead I focused on cross stitching, baking and not putting too much pressure on myself to read ex amount of books a month. Your vlogs and these wrap ups always give me encouragement to start again though 😊

[@allisonpaiges]

oh my gosh cross stitching and baking is such a successful month! incredible :-)

[@sweetooth4eva486]

@@allisonpaiges I’m doing a summer design at the minute, all linked with colours and things associated with summer (all tiny little squares) rocket lollies, green grass, strawberries etc.

[@megdrummond-wilson824]

Same!! Ally always inspires me to get reading again

[@sidneyn1366]

Thank you so much for so constantly hammering home the "it's fun to like things together" message. As an AFAB nonbinary person, my entire adolescence (and honestly still now) was a "not like other girls" phase. A deep fear of liking mainstream things because that would somehow negate my gender identity. I'm trying to gently unlearn that and embrace the bandwagon when it feels genuine and authentic to me. Having you model that has made it easier. Thank you!

[@rizzobeloved]

As a fellow AFAB enby, I feel this so hard. It takes so much unlearning but I’m glad that my unlearning started recently because I feel like people are gentler now about letting people like what they like. Took me years but I got into things like Taylor Swift, Marvel, makeup, and the color pink. Definitely a lot happier that these things are in my life

[@sidneyn1366]

@@rizzobeloved Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@Magicme79]

I swear, every time the old school sims music comes on, my reptile brain melts into a happy puddle of goo

[@Katiedora122]

May was a funny month since it was mostly filled with KU romances, but it started with Adult Children of Emotional Immature Parents and ended with The Collected Regrets of Clover, and I don't think I'm going to recover any time soon lol

[@jokeeater5106]

I think I've pavlov'd myself cuz every time a new video pops up on my feed from you I immediately feel happier

[@allisonpaiges]

:')

[@zoekoch7875]

I don't know why but I am absolutely loving the microphone vibe here! Yes! Just Yes!

[@bookstidbits]

I loved Bunny but ended up taking it off my bookshelf and donating it someone else. I think I understand why now - it did feel like the story was missing something

[@WardAlSubhi]

you need to do a 24 hour readathoon or you should do that video with the hobbit and the secret garden books you promised us with no pressure though !! love ya

[@allisonpaiges]

i have a video planned for those books that will HOPE will be out this summer (i'm putting too much pressure on myself) and i am hoping to do another 24 hour reading vlog this summer too - we shall seeeee

[@WardAlSubhi]

@@allisonpaiges can't wait !!!

[@courtgarris1396]

Book buying ban WHAT!!! The Bandit Queens goes in cart immediately.......*sigh*! I am so happy you enjoyed Bunny. 😊😊

[@SavidgeReads]

Hooray for Bandit Queens. My favourite book of April. Such a treat of a book!

[@anneoskamp5683]

To bridge the time until Bug Boys 4 I would totally recommend Hakumei and Mikochi for your dose of low stakes forest friends. Both the manga and anime are really good. It focuses on the daily lives and adventures of two tiny women living in a forest with talking animals. Very cozy and relaxing!

[@allisonpaiges]

omg thank goodness for this rec

[@redfoxbooks]

Ally, because of YOU,I started a book club with a friend of mine, living further away, to connect a little more even though we’re not able to see each other often and I couldn’t be more thrilled! As I am reading the first book for the book club, I was wondering a couple of times: How do you annotate books? When do you use tabs, when dog ears, what do you underline? Do you annotate differently for the book club books and if yes, how so? If you feel comfortable / up to sharing all this, maybe you could talk about that in a video? If not, that is totally understandable ofc! I just love getting some inspiration and multiple perspectives on how to annotate ☺️ Sending all the best from Germany ☀️

[@kylierussell0207]

Yay!!! I read Bandit Queens because of you and am OBSESSED. Cannot stop thinking about it and just want to go back and hang out with those women. 😍

[@macieleann1990]

sundays are my favorite because it's when ally posts ♡

[@SaraRose_cozy]

Your hair is doin’ the thang in this video 🔥

[@Patatepourrie]

Very off topic but wow your hair looks SO PRETTYYYYYY!!! 🤩

[@ankitachaudhary4811]

Ally if you love bookclub books then i highly recommend 'the lonely hearts book club' it was so heartwarming and wholesome!!!

[@BookishAdventuresInWellbeing]

I LOVED In, it was my favourite book of last year - I’m so pleased to see it being shared on your platform and hope others pick it up too. 💚

[@oneeyedwitch]

My favorite May reads were Sunset by Jessie Cave and All's Well by Mona Awad! I also have read and enjoyed Bunny by Mona Awad, but I definitely prefer All's Well out of the two. Also, I think you have officially inspired me to check out The Bandit Queens from my library soon.

[@hotaru_in_july9000]

My top reads of the month were Joan is Okay by Weike Wang and Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan. Whelan is in my top 3 narrators of all time so I was sososo excited when I saw the release last August. It took almost 10 months for my Libby hold but it was well worth the wait imo

[@macyb7239]

joan is okay is one of my recent favorites!!

[@hotaru_in_july9000]

@@macyb7239 have you read Chemistry yet? It was my first Weike Wang (also narrated by Julia Whelan ♡♡♡) and I adored it

[@forestdarling]

I only read 4 books last month but there were all 3.5 or higher! Happy Place by Emily Henry, Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent, A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay and A Psalm for the Wild-built by Becky Chambers! So far this month I’m currently reading and enjoying the pocket pages book Dogs of Summer by Andrea Abreu, Red Rising by Pierce Brown and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn!

[@allisonpaiges]

what a month! & oh my gosh so glad you read becky chambers :-)

[@forestdarling]

@@allisonpaiges you inspired me to pick it up and I loved it! So thank you! Can’t wait to get my hands on the second book. ☺️

[@hslotfan]

you are glowing and so well articulated - i love listening to you ☀️☀️

[@stefanienordstrom6750]

I DNF'd a David Sedaris also. The title was about corduroy pants? The stories had words? I had other things to do? If he comes at ya, just call. We'll get the last word together. Love the mic.

[@danibosman5342]

A new Ally video when I’m having a crappy day? Consider my mood brightened ☀️

[@isav5162]

i read Death Is Not an Option by Suzanne Rivecca last month. it’s a collection of short stories that all have themes around girl/women hood and i thought it was phenomenal

[@s.ophiejohn]

oh man i’m absolutely trudging through the end of bunny, i was really excited to love it but i think my reading format is the issue honestly. i’m reading digitally because i couldn’t find a copy, and it’s weird enough that i definitely recommend reading a physical copy. i just don’t feel like i’m making progress through the carefully crafted confusion because i can’t physically see myself getting through the pages, which is leaving me feeling more lost than anything else. so for anyone picking this one up, please give it a try in physical form!

[@gracedotcom9949]

“as long as you’re reading, you’re winning” so true !!!! *opens ao3*

[@isabellehall9217]

Haaii Ally!! I'm always so excited for your videos! 😊😊 Edit: As someone who's from Bosnia, I'm happy to see you read and enjoyed Black Butterflies

[@anavidreader277]

Royal Assassin, The Off-Limits Rule, The Rainbow Troops and Warrior Quuens & Quiet Revolutionaries we’re my fav books from last month! :)

[@themadsonlibrary]

My favorites of May were Prayer for the Crown Shy, Tales from the Cafe, and Beach Read! I had some other good reads though they didn't really stand out as much as those. I had to DNF Popisho as the pocket pages read, which was upsetting but I knew it would put me in a slump if I continued :(

[@isabellehall9217]

I think my fav reads from May are The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, and The Lake by Yoshimoto Banana

[@jessieballpk]

I've been in a super bad reading slump this year (I've read only 10 books which is great but for me it's very very little) but I recently read This is How You Lose the Time War which I enjoyed a lot despite nothing being explained at all haha and I'm currently reading the Left Hand of Darkness which is really good. But I'm still not out of the slump. I even tried rereading a great sapphic sea monsters and pirates book that I love but alas. Perhaps once I've finished my masters course I'll be more motivated to read!

[@hotaru_in_july9000]

What's the title of the great sapphic sea monsters and pirates book? You've got my interest!! 👀✍️

[@shy6408]

I work in the children's section of a library and i just love the way you enjoy and talk about middle grade books! I feel like i process SO MANY awesome books that i think everyone would love but since they're typically geared towards younger audiences, people don't tend to pay much attention to them but they SHOULD

[@s.ophiejohn]

adding black butterflies to my list! i live in st. louis, usa, which has one of if not the largest concentrated populations in the usa of bosnian immigrants and refugees from the war, so i’m excited to hear there’s an accessible piece of fiction i can get my hands on ☺️

[@isabellehall9217]

Ooh I didnt know that. Now I wanna visit St. Louis 😄(im Bosnian)

[@s.ophiejohn]

@@isabellehall9217 it’s a wonderful city, and tourists really enjoy it. to my knowledge, the largest bosnian communities are in south city!

[@MicahRion]

I read Popisho for the pocket pages book club and I'm one of the folks who loved it. So magically and page-turney to me, it's my favorite book I've read this year so far!

[@zozobop]

0:44 seconds in and oh my god i love your hair !!! the va va voom of it all 😻🤩

[@katiemariereads]

I am currently reading the bandit queens and LOVING IT that book needs more hype!!

[@allisonpaiges]

yesssss IT'S SO GOOD

[@macyb7239]

I highly recommend Be Not Afraid of Love by Mimi Zhu!! They take so many quotes from bell hooks and so many other feminist authors and weave them into chapters somewhat surrounding love!! tw for intimate partner vi0lence/abus3 but it truly is SO good

[@tazaryeet]

just ate a delicious dinner while watching your video! i always enjoy listening to you. :) i finished a psalm for the wild-built yesterday! throughout reading it i constantly felt the urge to read it again from the beginning - because i already liked it so much!!! i'd like to thank you again for recommending the book! i'll read the second one before bed today🍃

[@allisonpaiges]

i had the SAME experience with those becky chambers novellas i just wanted to go right back in

[@adrianaiello1608]

I finished reading Parable of the Sower as the Canadian wildfire smoke came over my city in Wisconsin..... so YEAH!

[@benwrex6280]

My mom and I both read The Last Word last month as well. My mom LOVED it from start to finish. I really enjoyed it, but I had to read the entire thing for it to all come together. I really enjoyed it in the end, but early on I saw a lot of the twists coming so I feel like I didn't get the full experience.

[@desfleuves]

i’m soooo glad you had fun with bunny! i was listening to the audiobook and just laughing out loud in delight lmao

[@freddysreads]

screaming love the microphone- such a vibe!!

[@themoonlitdoor]

I really enjoy David Sedaris, but he is waaaay better when you listen to his audiobooks. As far as I know he narrates them all, and listening to him rather than reading seems to elevate the story 100% 😊

[@ahotcupofteaandagoodbook]

I read This One Sky Day last year and totally agree with you. I didn't feel like I was 'in it' at all and now can't really much about it at all.

[@rowan.27]

I only read 3 books (one novel and two graphic novels) in May since I'm still in a slump, but I enjoyed all of them and found a new 5 star book in Tomorrowx3 which is thanks to your rec! Also I am currently on a little trip to Chicago and went to a wonderful feminist bookstore today called Women and Children First, I could've spent so much money in there but I limited myself to 2 books since I only have so much room in my luggage 😂 I got Fruiting Bodies by Kathryn Harlan which is a short story collection, and a beautiful new edition of Solitaire by Alice Oseman!

[@notyvette444]

I read A Man Called Ove and Beloved in May! loved them both 🤩

[@PressPlayChey]

Video in perfect time for my Sunday pancakes!! 🥞❤

[@ramblingenby]

I didn't read as much as I wanted in May (two dnfs didn't help), but I finished 5 books, my favorite of which was my reread of The Lost Coast by A R Capetta. I'm so happy that it's still a five star--a beautifully written book about queer witches finding community and doing whatever it takes to save their friend.

[@scarlettortega9453]

Best book I read last month was Pachinko!!! Def going to be on my top five

[@alyssalogalbo3796]

read bunny a few months ago and one of my faves!! such a wild ride

[@carola_]

I love your videos so much. As a fellow neurodivergent I love how your videos hook me without the need to put them in 2x like I do with other videos 😂😂. I have gotten many recommendations from you that I love and I truly enjoy your content so much. I feel the same way about Bunny and its ending but I loved it so much.

[@emmakates]

bandit queens is up next for me once i finish the third wayfarers book!! i’m so excited to dive into it

[@whylal]

I read more than half my total reads for the year so far in May, mostly being for school. Among them was my first Terry Pratchett, Going Postal! It's about this conman who gets a second chance by becoming the head of the post office, which has been abandoned for many years, and has to bring it back to its old glory against the "clacks," which are essentially telegrams? It was fun! I'm looking forward to following this Diskworld plot's next two books, and then we'll see what catches me next!

[@CheyeW13]

oh my library hold on bandit queens (picked up on your rec) just came in! already the first few chapters are reminding me of The Change but i can't tell if that's became of the women killing [bad] men theme or because i read it so recently 😅 you speak abt books so elequently, you make me wanna read them all lol

[@ga75]

i love your energy,your hair looks great also

[@snodza]

The bandit queens seem so good ! In my WL asap !

[@Fiona_Co]

Yeeesss I read all of Lumberjanes last year and loved them! Honestly it’s kinda nice that you waited to read them because now the series is complete!!

[@Fiona_Co]

ALSO- thanks so much for recommending the Bug Boys books, they quickly became comfort books for me!! They BETTER make a fourth one!!! 😅😅

[@emmasbooktherapy]

I also absolutely loved the Bandit Queens :)))

[@Sayantika_Sarkar]

In the month of May, I had the pleasure of reading 22 books, and a few of them left a lasting impression. Some of the titles I enjoyed include "From Lukov with Love," "Practice Makes Perfect," "The Cheat Sheet," "A Not So Meet Cute," and "Fix Her Up."

[@rita_rasto]

Hey Ally, thank you for another sweet video. Maybe nice to share: Nimona has an animation adaptation, coming out this year. Sadly, it's in 3D, not following the style of the comic book but maybe still worth a view :) My favorite books of this month: Yellowface (R.F. Kuang), Almond (Won-pyung Sohn) and This Is Going to Hurt (Adam Kay) :) Cheers!

[@ktcrich]

I'm reading Bunny too! It's been on my TBR forever & I'm so glad I'm getting around to reading it at the same time as you 😊 I really like it so far; I read half laying in my yard listening to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs while enjoying some 🍃 The vibes were immaculate so it doesn't matter how it ends to me cause I loved my time reading the first half 🤍

[@SynsBookNook]

Bunny is one I need to read, been hearing about that one for a while. I like unhinged and weird books. I really liked Tuesdays with Morrie, I read it a long time ago, it touched the heartstrings for sure. Andddd adding The Bandit Queens to my TBR! 🙂📚

[@LiliGrosserova]

Yaaaay! Been waiting for the video whole day, definitely needed this after a long week :)

[@tayter_chip]

Sunday is my favorite day because we get a new ally video!!!!!! Hell yeah!!!!!!

[@144jenjen]

Think you might enjoy the super short novella The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz! One of my top reads of May 😊

[@toweringtbr]

Ok, you've convinced me to read The Bandit Queens.

[@mandayful]

I recommend listening to David Sedaris's books because he narrated them himself and it makes it way more funny/personal Calypso is my fave that I've read!

[@sierrareed11]

Thank you for the vibessss

[@stephscore]

WHOO NEW VIDEO 🎉

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

yay!

[@justvynexa]

your hair looks so nice!! 😩 I read Bunny a few months ago and still think about till this day….

[@anavidreader277]

Ally my merch arrived! AND I LOVE IT AHHHHHH!!!!! it’s so perfect thank you 🫶

[@Hannah-sy3ws]

oh ally im so happy you enjoyed bunny!!!!!!!!

[@maggs6519]

officially sunday with an ally video! time to get cozy 🥰

[@rose-coloredbookworm]

your hair looks sooo gorgeous girrrrrrl 💕

[@allisonpaiges]

thank you!!

[@Muton230]

Some other good books about Bosnia and the genocide is the graphic novel Safe Area Gorazde, and A Problem from Hell which is a look at American responses to genocide in the 20th C

[@theonewithmo]

my favorites of the month were definitely prayer for the crown shy by becky chambers and small things like these by claire keegan! idk if you've read any claire keegan but i think you would love the simple and subtle way she writes! Foster is my favorite. under 100 pages and I ended it in sobs. Theres a movie adaption of it that I want to watch but am very nervous to be a wreck again lol

[@xxlobke]

Your hair looks so good!! 💁🏽‍♀️

[@DynamiteTrujillo]

I think that this is a wholly unoriginal thing to say, but it's just so true - David Sedaris books shine as audiobooks. 100% I, myself, am coming out of a reading slump and just finished The Grapes of Wrath. And it was as amazing as as it's reputation says it is. I kinda couldn't believe it. It's bleak and thoughtful, but has so much to say about the persistence of love and joy. It is a very American story. I loved it. Also - Bunny sits on my favorite shelf. I cannot wait for her next book!

[@deborahmroy]

Bunny had to be explained to me through Reddit and KZbin and then it became top tier favorite. 🐇

[@emmaclark5836]

always so excited for your wrap ups!! and you look stunning btw💋

[@Books-t3d]

i love your videos so much!! They are so inspiring and you are actually the reason i started learning dutch :D i am already on streak 13, i have never come this far. Thank you so much for doing what you love and making so so many people happy

[@ms.unique2837]

love love love these videos. Currently waiting on my sweatshirt to arrive!! cant wait! Also, your hair is getting so long and you look beautiful (as always)

[@fabiasanchez9460]

I loveeee all the effort you put into your videos, they are wholesome 💘

[@deblawrence8341]

Love the look and sound of the mic - you're a super star! 🤩 My birthday is coming up so will be asking for "The Bandit Queens"!! Next Saturday I'm meeting with the girls for book group. We don't select a particular book but do a theme and each person picks a book from that topic. This month is Pulitzer Prize winners. I chose "The Good Earth" by Pearl Buck. As you always say, I really enjoyed my time in this book. Written in 1931, this was a trilogy, and I'd love to hear from others who have read all 3 books if it is worth the time to continue on with this story. Just returning from a week's vacation in Richmond, Virginia, I came back with the book, "The Secrets of Mary Bowser," the story of a freed slave who returns to the South as a Northern spy in the house of Jefferson Davis. I love stories about strong, brave woman and this one really fits the bill. HAPPY SUMMER! 🌻🌼

[@ChloeTheePayne]

loved this month's patreon designs so much, SUMMERY SNAILS FOR MY PHOOOONE!!!

[@allisonpaiges]

i'm so happy to hear that! :')

[@ashleyzee2856]

Just discovered your channel and I'm loving it! Also, I've attempted to read Dave Sedaris and just couldn't vibe with it, so I feel validated! If you're ever looking for something super funny, Simon Rich is a fave of mine :)

[@HarvestStore]

I appreciate you, thank you for making content.

[@allie4176]

Tbh I’m having a very slow (but steady) reading year. I started The priory of the orange tree in Feb, but since have finished a few rom coms along the way. 😅

[@theaudiobookaficionado]

I just finished How to Sell a Haunted House and it is a new all time favorite, it is sooooooooooooooooo good

[@kristenr563]

Your hair looks really nice! I may have asked this before, but have you read All’s Well? It’s weird, too, but I prefer it to Bunny. I love memoir. I just found out I get to teach an honors memoir class next spring , and I’m so excited😊.

[@allisonpaiges]

i haven't yet but i just hauled it and i can't wait!

[@clairebear9344]

I love hearing David Sedaris on This American Life but I also DNF’d that book

[@juananjones]

3:32 Let's blame the new mic, but it's not cooking what I've heard you say. And my version it is an interesting superpower to read about!

[@astoldbykat]

It's not magical realism, but if you want to read a series that uses more "mundane" things as magic, Tamora Pierce's "Circle of Magic" series does. Pierce actually says in one of the end notes that the series was inspired by her watching her friends or other people create things by weaving, or glass blowing, and that she couldn't help but think it was magic. It also has a heavy emphasis on the found family trope, which I love. My best read from May was the Gilded Wolves trilogy by Roshani Chokshi. I thought the main romance was meh, but everything else about it I loved. A more midling read for me was "Strike the Zither" by Joan He. I liked the idea and the characters, but the way the book's main twist was executed (no real hints or warnings or anything) just threw me out of the story.

[@sophiekatieeq104]

I adoreeeeeeee the microphone !!!!! I wait by my phone for a new video . Obsessed ! 💖 love from the Uk 🇬🇧

[@francescakyanda9182]

I read 30 books in May (half were under 300 pages), I read Yellowface by RF Kuang this month and it was so [redacted] excellent, summer break is really letting me dig into my autistic special interest of reading and I’m so jazzed about it 🤩

[@wordstowordlessthings]

not sure if it's on your tbr, but would love your thoughts on Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory (short stories, weird, funny, touching)