finally giving this book a second chance ❄️ winter reading diaries

welcome to another winter vlog in the winter reading diaries! this one is more lifestyle because i didn't really find the time to read a lot. we do talk about my final attempt at getting into the winternight trilogy by katherine arden!!
🌼 s o c i a l m e d i a
• goodreads: / leonie-dams
• twitter: @thebookleo
• instagram: @thebookleo
• business enquiries: [e-mail]
🌺 a b o u t m e
Hi! My name is Leonie and I am a 25 year old girl who loves talking about books! From YA to non-fiction to classics, I read it all (although fantasy will always be my fave). I live in the Netherlands and go to university, but make booktube videos in my spare time :)
🌹 m u s i c
🎵 Music : Last Kingdom - vio.dio
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🎵 Music : Green Blossom - vio.dio
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🎵 Music : A dim streetlight - vio.dio
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🎵 Music : Swing beats - vio.dio
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🎵 Music : Hidden Fairy Town - vio.dio
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🎵 Music : Slowly - vio.dio
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[@TheBookLeo]

watch episode 1 of the winter reading diaries: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6mukqmuoNaEsLs

[@johnsaxongitno4life588]

Love this video and your amazing channel please stay safe and enjoy your reading 📖 prayers and thoughts for you and your family love your Aussie friend John ❤❤❤Merry Christmas 🎄🎄🎄🎄

[@kitty0chan444]

Girlll I just found ur channel a few days ago I love it. I haven’t read any books in ages but ur getting me back into reading and ur channel has been really cheering me up this winter

[@naisargichauhan]

your channel's aesthetics- 📈📈📈

[@too.many.games_]

Leonie, you have to give "The Raven Cycle" a second chance too. It's literally your type of book. It's very dark academia-ish with a dark prophecy, has an eerie aesthetic with a beautiful romance, and plot twists like never seen before. This is still to this date the most unique series I have ever read. You will eat this up if you actually try to get through it. I personally loved the audiobook from Audible because the narrator just brought the characters to life. But it's upto you which medium you want to try. And I'm not saying all this just because it's one of my favorite series of all times. I'm saying this because you and me, we have very similar taste in books. Almost exactly similar. You hated Caraval. I hated Caraval. You liked The Gilded Wolves. I liked The Gilded Wolves. I trust your recommendations more than I trust myself hunting for a book. I'm so grateful about the fact that you got me to read Uprooted. That's what I'm currently reading, thanks to you... Haha.. Okay, I shall end the rant here. Please read The Raven Cycle. I know you'll love it. 😬💜

[@battybumblebeee]

Can we remember that just because a countries government is being terrible that does not mean all the people in that country agree with the terrible things. There are artists that live in Russia that I am still supporting.

[@aree376]

Thank you very much! As a Russian who financially and legally can’t afford to move anywhere my heart breaks for all those people hurt (I literally have multiple Ukrainian friends) but I swear we aren’t inherently evil. There are all sorts of people living in Russia just like anywhere else in the world. Recently the government has enforced a new anti-LGBTQIA+ law and life is just pretty hard.

[@polina5520]

I agree with you but I think some people from Ukraine, for example, might not be comfortable with giving money to anyone from Russia, so that is why Leonie might’ve said that

[@battybumblebeee]

@@aree376 its so true. I just had to bring that up as an American who has been through plenty of bad presidents doing bad things, those things did not represent me in any way, nor did I support any of it.

[@Flashofgrey]

Agree, this is an important reminder. I would never stop supporting my friends, they are not their government.

[@027Julia]

THANK YOU! It’s scary to see how easily everything and everyone can be demonized and “canceled” right now. I’m Russian, I’m NOT supporting this horror whatsoever (as well as many people from my country) and my heart is bleeding for everything that is going on. I don’t want to open the pandora box in this comment section… But it’s vital to stay kind and understanding to each other right now. Hatred is consuming our world, and it’s already everywhere. Book community is the last place where people have to bring it up. Stay safe everyone💛

[@gabrielecizinobaraldi]

the aesthetic, the editing, the content, the scenarios ✨ IT'S ALL PERFECT! 🥹❤️

[@Arawn505]

Impressive. Very nice. Let's see Paul Allen's winter diary.

[@spalanai]

You are blessing us with this content 😭💖🍂

[@lavendergore]

i can always count on your videos to lift my mood during a hard week, so thank you for that 💙

[@Eida_A]

The editing style is so pretty 💕

[@yasminechoerryscherry3701]

Yess ikr!! I want more winter reading diaries

[@whynterstorme9592]

It took me 3 tries to make it past half of the Bear and the Nightingale. Now it’s one of my favorite series

[@weirdfishhhh]

I think this distant way of writing that resembles fairy tales works better because we grow up having these stories told to us orally. It's weird but I feel reading fiction requires a more intimate way of writing, I don't know, it's just a feeling.

[@isaa1782]

Yes absolutely. I can't remember that I ever read a fairytale just silently for myself but always read it out loud for others, or my grandparents or parents did so when I was a child. It's really something that lives from being shared orally

[@lex7176]

the winternight trilogy is such a fun read!! I agree that it took a little bit to get into it and get used to the writing style, but I ended up really enjoying it. I read it at the start of the year when it was still a little chilly outside and it totally added to the vibes hehe

[@mochi.kitkat]

The mist was so eerie and beautiful!

[@clairecarlisle5351]

You have so quickly become my favorite KZbinr!! I wish I lived where you did. The USA is so unaestheticly pleasing 🤣

[@zahraajassim5166]

The Vibes of these videos are perfect🎄☃️❄️

[@dearrivarie]

as a diehard winternight trilogy fan i was so excited that it got a second chance! hearing you talk about the books make me want to go back and reread everything especially with how cold it's been getting!

[@applepie-sq8mm]

Protip for getting koriander in the Netherlands: get them at your local Asian supermarket!!! It’s like 5x cheaper for more of it at higher quality. There is really no excuse to skip koriander anymore when you find out how cheaply you can get it even at a large store like amazingoriental Edit: I would just like to add that this goes for a lot of ingredients that are generally expensive at our regular supermarkets, don’t underestimate the power of a good Asian or Turkish supermarket!!

[@briannabythebooks]

This is so relaxing & just what I need right now.

[@femsfables]

the aesthetic in your videos is insane!! thank you for bringing me so much comfort with your content

[@Arawn505]

When you asked for books with a strong ice/snow/winter vibe, my mind went to the Finnish book The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen. A mystery novel about an exclusive literary society in a small town in Finland, founded by a successful author. The main character receives an invitation to join the Society, but then the author mysteriously disappears, right in the middle of a party. Not a winter wonderland book but it does have a wintery setting of snow and ice, a little bit in an eerie way. If I understand correctly, the end of the book doesn't neatly present all the answers to the mysteries, but that it's possible to figure it out yourself with what the book has given you. And that you can also look up the solution online. I started reading it a while back and was halfway through, but I had to stop because I was not doing well back then. Where I was in the book, people were being interviewed by the main character, they were "spilling" about childhood. Not in a triggering way or anything, but I was struggling with some childhood trauma back then, it was not great timing. I wanted to mention the novel anyway, might be a good suggestion for a winter book. I came across positive reviews and my brother and cousin liked it. But I also saw some mixed reactions online. Interesting, the book might be a bit divisive. Maybe others here have read The Rabbit Back Literature Society and can share their opinions? 🙂

[@sweetviolents29]

Hi stranger, your rec to Leone just caused me to add this to me To Read list. Thanks for writing so much about it, it sounds interesting

[@AmandaKrutsick]

I'm going to Finland for a Laplands vacation at the end of January and I've been looking for a book to bring with me - thank you SO much for the recommendation!

[@quetzalcoaetl]

Cosy wintery book video, the best birthday gift!!!

[@sharmanveraj3281]

I always love your content, your vibes, and your intelligence. Queen shit tbf

[@tananario]

5:26 In English, we call that “Spray. Delay. Walk away.” Spray a mist, wait a second for it to disperse so the mist will cover more of you, then walk normally thru the scent mist.

[@myriahjsmith]

Regarding the winternight trilogy, I also listened to it in audiobook format - I absolutely loved it! I would say, the first book didn't capture me as much. I enjoyed it, but the second and third books are much better in my opinion. The third is my absolute favorite!

[@EvanescenceGirly]

The more I learn about your student apartment the more I wish you get the chance to get a really nice apartment for your own (and your partner, if you like). All cozy vibes and zero cracks in the building 😄 I am manifesting it for you.

[@tiffanymoton704]

the netherlands look like such a beautiful place to live

[@homestylereads]

That advent calendar looks so good! My husband got me a vegan chocolate one, and they’re all different shapes. It’s so fun to see what Christmas shape I get each day. And the editing in this was so amazing and cozy.

[@MsLozeh]

I am glad you gave winternight a seond chance because i thought it was lovely. The writing to me lended itself to the vibe. and the hurt comfort trope was everything.

[@pendragon2012]

TBH I've stopped giving my kids advent calendars because they don't usually make it to even the 10th of December. PS: I absolutely adore a misty morning as well!

[@enolagaiman8502]

Thank You Leonie for all your videos ! Your channel is always on my cozy evening + tea time playlist :) love your make up by the way !

[@LexieMoon321]

Girl, that advent calendar was MASSIVE. I have a Funko Pop advent calendar but like- 👁️👄👁️

[@everweepy]

we dont have winter here where i am but im absolutely loving this vlogs! recently picked up spinning silver because you and i want to at least try and feel like it's winter where im living :'>

[@mychaoticshelf]

The fall green cardigan with the mushrooms and leaves! 😍 🍁 🍄

[@laura22m.24]

This is so relaxing. And I love the asthetics.

[@AnanasAbanaan]

I had a yogi tea advent calander and it was great! It cost about €10 for a different flavor of tea every day and I usualy drank it the same day. Discovered some new favorites and didn't end up with a bunch of stuff :)

[@vvarieee]

what does our ancestor’s lore have to do with our horrible government i don’t understand

[@bookworm_and_tea]

The Netherlands look like such a vibrant and connected country, I wish I could live there!! It's so beautiful and Christmas-y, we have nothing like that where I live. It's really nice to see.:)

[@badfaith4u]

What a wonderful ans wintery video. I loved your black cat earrings. 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

I love advent calendars so much, they’re so fun 🤗

[@winterillust]

love seeing a cozy winter reading video. the bear and the nightingale has been on my list for a while. need to pick it up soon-ish i suppose.

[@FlavetteLaLavette]

I had the contrary situation with my heat last week: In our rooms, it wasn’t working, in the bathroom either, but the kitchen was warm 😂

[@FlavetteLaLavette]

*neither 🫢

[@sophiaisabelle0227]

We appreciate all of your hard work and effort. God bless you.

[@curcubeusiiubirea7778]

I just got a book called the sweetness of water, I'm hoping it reads well as I just bought it this morning. Just wanted to share about a new read and ask if anyone else has read it? 💕

[@marcelle8828]

21:50 the us is also currently bombing Somalia, Iraq, Yemen and who knows what other countries, yet aren't you also financially supporting American writers? Are we seriously blaming individual artists for their fascist governments' crimes?

[@ConfissoesdeumaLeitora]

youre vlogs are so comfy, i love it

[@mt-m4369]

It snowed here today. And you’re absolutely right, the snow makes “the cold feel worth it.” Groetjes uit Praag!

[@kaceydelahunty3132]

hey fun fact! an audio clip of one of your dark academia videos was used by NPR in a podcast called it's been a minute (it's in the beginning of a podcast about the dark academia trend)

[@TheBookLeo]

wow thanks for letting me know hahaha i listened to it! so weird to hear my voice on that podcast!

[@leanne19]

Yipeee another vlog 😍 that's why WE LOVE YOU LEONIE ❤

[@lenani9143]

I didn't know Rituals was Dutch! Now I wanna do a big Rituals shop 😅

[@caitlyn.m.t9618]

I wasn't planning on continuing this series, but your description of the second solidified it in stone. I don't like that kind of character, and I feel they lack personality and are quite boring to read about. I did try the first book, and it had some things I liked. The world and the spirits and how they were there very much appeal to me, and I always love having a main character that is compared to changelings and wood sprites because they are more at home in the forest. But beyond that, which I didn't think it did well, it had nothing else going for it. I dnfed it about 50 pages from the end because I was dragging my feet reading it, but also because things were starting to happen, and even though I saw these things happening in the first quarter of the book, it wasn't well built up at all. I was, and still am, very confused as to the love it gets because this is one of the very few cases where I don't understand why. I did read the premise to the second book and it just sounded bad so I didn't bother. I would agree with you that part of the problem is the writing style, and even though I dnfed it, I knew I would love an adaption of it.

[@lex7176]

the way you ran through the body mist was so cute hahahahaha

[@pupkru]

Girl please tell me which headphones u use 😫🙏

[@ShirleySenpei]

I have the rituals Advent Calendar too. It's so pretty and has great small gifts

[@katiejames2309]

this is my favorite thing to watch rn

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

I love these relaxing reading vlogs!!!

[@viktoriabazyk8193]

glad you're listening to the dutch audiobook - the english one pissed me off bc the narrator decided to give everyone a russian accent which makes no sense since the story takes place in russia and almost all characters are russian. it's as if everyone in beauty and the beast were talking with french accent, like lumiere does for some reason >:( anyways yeah i hope the dutch one isn't doing that

[@shouqchannel]

I really like how you edit your videos

[@fallisdying2077]

The intro is always so pretty!

[@annapijanska407]

I'm waiting for the winternight trilogy movie adaptation, it's gonna be so great

[@echidna.chordata]

“Not funding anyone from Russia”? Why should artists, authors, musicians have to be punished? Or is it only morally acceptable to consume the art of those who are long gone (e.g. your enjoyment of Tchaikovsky)? I struggle to see how someone would have an issue with anything Russian but supporting a U.S. author profiting from Russian folklore is fine. Haven’t we decided that other cultures have the right to reclaim their own narratives? Or do people think book sale profits help fund their military? I really enjoy your channel so I hope this comment doesn’t come across as anything other than curiosity. I’m just genuinely baffled.

[@battybumblebeee]

I had a similar thought and also commented on the unfairness of being anti Russian. Leonie responded with saying she had some Ukrainian viewers comment on not wanting to send money to Russia, so she was just trying to give a heads up to those who feel that way. I still feel saddend by the fact that people are seeing Russia just for its government but I understand why Leonie felt she needed to say that.

[@echidna.chordata]

@@loveandsqualor I can tell by your name you are Ukrainian so you have an understandably emotional and biased response. Some of the taxes you paid were spent to support the Azov battalion. Is it fair to make the assumption that you personally have neo-Nazi beliefs? No, because it’s clearly more nuanced than that. It is, however, fair to conclude you’re a bigot - trying to villainize an entire culture.

[@luthoreads]

the vibes are perfect!

[@GustavoHenrique-bs4lr]

What's the name of the music in the final? I was trying to find it

[@hannahfay4950]

This made my day! Thank you Leonie! 🤩

[@phoelixeackerman4093]

Hi Leonie ! First, I love so much your videos and your passion for books ! And your style too ! ✨ I love books to and I want to perform my english, and for that I decided to read a book in english. Do you have a special recommandation ? I have a business level (i speak a little english at work, but i read and write more in english). Thank you so much and continue ! 🥰 La bise de Paris ! A french mama girl

[@realsushrey]

Finally I know what an advent calendar is.

[@leoraaileen]

yayyyyyyy more winter diaries

[@MMalik-uh7sf]

Love your vlogs ❤

[@hslotfan]

loving the content leonie !

[@SabinesBookNook]

loved this one so much lieve Leonie!!

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

The bear and the nightingale sounds rather cosy, but I'm unsure whether I'd like it or not

[@TheRamilyna]

I don't understand this logic. Why is everyone trying to boycott Russian artists when for the most part, they have nothing to do with what their government does.

[@dariashudrenko5893]

if they live in russia, they pay taxes from your money. guess where the taxes go? i know it’s not right to blame every russian. and i as a ukrainian, try not to do that, but in fact every person who still lives in russia support war with their taxes

[@battybumblebeee]

I mentioned something similar. It is unfair that people assume all Russian people are like their military. I still support Russian artists who's work i enjoyed before the war and still enjoy regardless of what their countries government is doing.

[@TheRamilyna]

@@loveandsqualor bullshit. They don't deserve to be boycotted.

[@TheRamilyna]

@@loveandsqualor so what ? They should earn no living wage ? Starve ?? This is not how you prevent Russia from bombing. Stopping the big firms, the oligarchs I understand. Your average russian artist who deserves to live and earn money for their art ? NO

[@TheRamilyna]

@@loveandsqualor honestly, I am not asking you specifically to do anything. Your position is perfectly understandable and maybe I would do the same in your place. I personally am not going to go out of my way to specifically boycott individual artists who are not responsible for the horrors happening in your country. That doesn't mean I don't support you

[@Sthemingway]

I *love* the way you apply body mist. That's the only sensible way to do it. ^J^

[@Hehe15066]

I just discovered your channel and I'm in love

[@liamwhalen]

Could listening to audiobooks and watching live theatre harken back to an era when bards roamed the lands? Is it possible that our brains developed some mechanism for filling in details via audio content that is not expressed in our conscious minds as language? In the case of theatre, except some perhaps avant garde or choral performances e.g. Greek productions, the thoughts of the characters are not always expressed directly through the script. In those cases, the performers and set help fill in the details. In books the reader has to create all of those details, so any extra expression added via an audiobook may help prompt the reader's understanding of the piece. Not sure if the Netherland had bards, but I'm guessing there was some sort of wandering performers at some time that might account for my hypothesized human mind storytelling sense making capacity.

[@kelleyiswriting]

I love your pink sweater with the clouds!! Where did you get it?? ❤Thanks for sharing another video I love these cozy vlogs

[@samblack4263]

What kind of headset are those, if you don't mind ?? They look really comfy!

[@melyibarra809]

Love those no-face earrings!!!💜💜💜

[@mariaramirez9857]

What headphones are those? Are they heavy or do they hurt your head/ears after using them for a while?

[@cassiopeia416]

I want to know too! They look comfy

[@gerdasalengaite3148]

please tell me where did you watch barbie in the nutcracker? i wanna watch it too 😭

[@angelinahock5208]

I also received my advent calendar at the 6th😢

[@Emptrapzor]

Is there any history behind the poster with the Nietzsche-painting, or was it just a "oh, this looks nice"-thing? Just curious, thought it was sort of awesome to see a 20-s something woman at all having such a poster of all things.

[@noriarty7148]

I got the same advent calendar for my girlfriend hehe

[@MaryAmongStories]

💚🍄

[@hafsaali4207]

oh! beautiful. i loved it

[@aree376]

Leo, what cam and mic do you use for your vlogs? They always look and sound stunning 😍

[@shelby8871]

hi i love ur vids!

thank you for your video! 💕💕 i would love to watch more dutch content creators but it's difficult for me to find anyone! any recommendations? i know i won't find another Leonie but ! I'm already watching Britt :)

[@denissemondragon]

There's also books with Leo and Sabine's book nook :)

[@melbelle9550]

This doesn’t really have to do with this video… I watched your vlog when you read Emily Henry books and saw your friends to lovers checklist. I just started to read a Christmas romance that seems to be hitting most of the points for now! Initial attraction and all. Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison. Hope you check it out! It’s really cute.

[@melbelle9550]

Also I didn’t like the Bear and the Nightingale on my first read either but I absolutely LOVED books two and three. I’m glad I didn’t give up on them.

[@steffidarmadil3299]

when i’m 30 minutes early🥹🥹🥹

[@kathrynhoward3303]

READ THE H0USE 0F NIGHT SEIRIES HAHA

[@elisazouza]

how do I get out of a book slump 😭😭😭

[@meowbahhyt]

Can you narrate a script I have The Book Leo? Epic video

[@stevelawrence8945]

Any new thoughts as to your long-term career plans? Having that sorted by the end of 2023 would be something to look forward to!

[@mohabad2730]

I'm awestruck how a developed country like the NL, probably top 5 economically in the EU, has a house in 21st century without a washing machine. Completely asinine. I understand, as Leonie has mentioned, there is a housing problem in the area she resides in, but still...

[@lauraj5904]

well, residents are responsible for buying a washing machine themselves in most rental properties, so lots of student houses don’t have one bc they’re quite expensive. it’s the same in germany.

[@mohabad2730]

@@lauraj5904 that's still outrageous to me. Akin to not having a fridge at student rental properties because it is expensive.

[@EL_456]

I agree, but it's also a space problem. Most student houses in Europe, especially in an 'old' building like Leonie's looks like just don't have space for them. A lot don't have ovens either, just induction hobs.

[@mohabad2730]

​@@EL_456 I don't really buy that to be honest. I think it is just being neglectful. If the corridor and kitchen are cold due to doors and windows leaking in, for want of a better phrase, air then that's the proprietor being cheap. Because, and I am assuming here, elderly people who live in old buildings probably have a washing machine. This has gotten on my nerves because the flat I lived in in the UK had similar issues, though I did have a washing machine.

[@animemadnese]

You are Scottish?

[@jamesduggan7200]

You are so lucky that someone at a big company deigned to answer your phone call. It's a nightmare here, but let's not talk about that now. Instead, I'll share an overheard story. He ordered something online but after receiving notification of its arrival could not find it at his doorway. So he calls them to report it stolen and they promptly double credit his account - good for him, right? Well, he then figures out that it was mis-delivered and finds it at a nearby building. So, he keeps it. There may have been more (flea market resales, discount coupons, etc), but I tuned him out.

[@mrgrte353]

thanks for a disclaimer about r*ssian “folklore”, as Ukrainian I’m really tired of russian this russian that around the winter, and even Chaikovsky music everywhere, cause we have so many other wonderful artists that did not contribute in centuries of colonialization of other nations. their “folklore” is not usually theirs too, but a mix of legends from said nations. so, thanks again for a disclaimer haha. I’m actually surprised that you say KZbin could cancel your monetization because of mentioning a war, because I see plenty of bloggers talking about it, but 🤷🏻 all in all, thanks for your video, so cozy as always ❤

[@ana-nim]

Country which exists for almost 12 centuries does have rich folklore. I understand that you really want to cancel Russia and "inherent" their culture but it doesn't work like that, if there's people - there's folklore, if there were people for 12 centuries - there was folklore culture for 12 centuries, whether you like it or not. And you don't have to censor word "Russian", it's not a slur, you just show your childish behavior mixed with propaganda and straight up lies. Demonizing other nations isn't cute and it's too close to nazism.

[@mrgrte353]

@@ana-nim sorry if I’m childish when they want to destroy my country and kill my people and me. and now, we don’t want to inherit their “culture”, we have culture of our own. oh no, russia is trying to erase and destroy our culture too.. you what it’s called? genocide.

[@jamesduggan7200]

Sorry, I try to avoid double-posts but you mentioned going to Amsterdam for Vegan KFC and I thought I had to share what is in the news here this week. A man working at a KFC in St. Louis was shot and seriously wounded by a would-be customer angry because the store had run out of corn. Did you read that right? Yes, they ran out of corn, so he shot the guy who told him. Yes, Americans are crazy.

[@wiktoriabadora1243]

yeah I don't really want to read anything Russian or Russian inspired right now, it just doesn't feel right 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@elisazouza]

how do I get out of a book slump 😭😭😭