GOLD & BEIGE books galore · Rainbow Bookshelf Tour

[@CorinneDemyanovich]

I don't want this series to end!!

[@sudipto1585]

There's like one left. blue? innit?

[@luke28]

I love how you talk about a book because it touches you in another way, as in 'not a favourite, but something that was important to you in the past and why it is not anymore'. It is interesting and unfeigned and thought provoking! :)

[@leenatoivanen3787]

This series is my official sheet changing playlist. If this ever ends I guess those are the sheets I commit to

[@bexbergh4295]

I used to read Jesus Freaks and I have read Irresistible Revolution. I actually lived across the street from Shane Claiborne for a year in Kensington, Philadelphia, PA. I was very surprised when I met him how down to earth, compassionate, and personable he is. Like, I’ve had dinner at his house with his wife more than a few times. The community he lives in has changed a lot since that book was written. The community there is called “The Simple Way” and honestly, at this point, their mission seems to be providing college scholarships to youth from Kensington (the opioid epidemic capitol in the USA) and to rehab houses and sell them at a fair price to folx who live in the neighborhood... so they don’t get taken advantage of by slum landlords. I haven’t checked back in for a while, I went back to grad school and lost touch... but I was raised Catholic, so the whole “Jesus Freak” thing is par the course for our formation and integration into the faith.

[@ivajaric39]

Leena! Would you ever consider doing an essay video about Sheila Heti's Motherhood? I think you are the best person to do it!

[@olivefranklin2997]

Seconded! Would love to hear your thoughts on it !!! (tbh would love to hear most people's thoughts on that book, it is a strong fave of mine as well 😌)

[@tynebaker]

What I like about these bookshelf tours is that they help me find books that weren't published too recently to be available at my local library. More recently published things tend to either not be in the collections yet or are very popular so many of the copies are out and have many holds.

[@MissFiono]

“Joseph’s Coat” from the musical has 29 colours in it, I’m sure we could eek out this series further!

[@peculiaritea]

Leena, you are really and truly one of the most important sources of creative joy, no-nonsense sense-making and inspiration in my life. Your videos never fail to leave me inspired, even today, on a very uninspired, sad, stressed-out day. Thank you for sharing wonderful and interesting parts of your past, present, and vision with us on here!

[@leenanorms]

Aw thank you that means a lot!

[@cammie3578]

Shane Claiborne was a huge role model for me as a teen. Not religiously but for the public works he was doing in Philadelphia. He was a very popular speaker in the ELCA Lutheran church and shaped a lot of teens towards doing more charity and having a lot more empathy for those hit by the injustices of our society. He is currently fighting against the death penalty in the US and the group he started in Philadelphia is still doing a lot of amazing work for that community. He was the reason I went to my protests and yes he isn't perfect but I am glad I read his books and heard him speak at such a pivotal point in my life.

[@devonmitchell5319]

"in this pleasing airport format" -things no one has ever said

[@bookishshenanigans4769]

Damn, I'm going to miss this series when it's over. Have added An Exclusive Love to my (very long) wishlist.

[@lauramtewele38]

I'm Hungarian, and it really means a lot that you appreciate a book that really shook me personally too...

[@rachelbaker960]

Leena... Did you go to Soul Survivor? I got given my copy of Jesus Freaks there and I have not thought about it for YEARS. You've reminded me of the absurdity of my teenage Christian years. Thanks for always being open about these things! It's really comforting to me that I've been on a journey out of Christianity that others have too.

[@majatopouzova5147]

After watching your video yesterday, I got the book "An exclusive love" ans read it in two sittings. I love binge reading books which means that I love relatively short well written books. It was a very cool read by a very skilled writer. The story was also interesting to encounter and I think I will remember it for a long time. Some of the ways in which the narrated expressed things annoyed me, but that gave me food for thought. I would definitely recommend it as well and thank you for recommending it to us:)))

[@katiehart4715]

An exclusive love added to the basket. Sounds a bit like "when all is said" by Anne Griffin, which I really enjoyed

[@katarinakidd9450]

Even though I'm not religious at all, when you asked if Shane Claiborne was still alive, I HAD to know. What a fascinating wikipedia page that man has! And seems like some other very interesting books out there in the wild.

[@cutoutpaperheart]

ooh Brennan Manning is interesting, I think he was a monk at one point and has been very honest about his battles with alcoholism. I've read his book Abba's Child. Love these videos!

[@kelso365]

I definitely still have books on my shelves that I keep because I loved them at a different time in my life and I’m not sure I want to let them go just yet. I spent a LOT of money at Christian book shops back in the day and I have definitely culled my collection (I’m no longer Christian) but still hold on to some that meant a lot to me at the time.

[@jessicafaithcooper]

I still have that *exact edition* of Irresistible Revolution leftover from my Soul Survivor days - I don't think I even ever actually finished it and still I hold on to it! It has survived so many book clear outs, moves, etc.

[@Supadoops42]

Eimear is pronounced "eee-murr", just to let you know!

[@roisinhackett4320]

I was just about to say this

[@fridaherbst719]

I love keeping old books to remind myself how much I've changed. I think I read about this in a children's book by Cornelia Funke (don't know if they were ever translated, they were huge here in Germany): That while you're reading a book and you turn over a page your surroundings and your emotions stick to the book and once you reread it, it seems to take you back to the (both emotional and physical) place you first read it. I find it easier with some books than with others, but it's nevertheless an interesting feeling everytime.

[@fridaherbst719]

Oh and I actually have an old very catholic book about sex and relationships. Weirdly, I don't think it impacted me very much, even though I grew up reading it every once in a while. Now I just cringe and laugh reading the "Don't have sex until you're married"-parts. It really didn't prevent anything there.

[@annared07]

Books we keep but don't know why - I've cleared my shelves so many times but somehow always kept the Martin Amis(s) and I was just recently trying to make space for new and beloved acquisitions and there he is taking up space, just as he did in my young mind. I thought he was clever I don't now but maybe someone else will. When you were describing the book about grandparents it made me think of Trieste by Dasa Drndic, also translated about the Nazi occupation of Northern Italy, it's a really phenomenal book.

[@sarah1439]

Hallo Irish viewer here ! It's Ee-mer McBride :)

[@bettychoibooks]

gosh I used to love DC Talk growing up! what a blast from the past, it's almost got me digging out my old mp3 player!

[@luisarombach683]

I'm gonna be so sad when this series is over, as it has provided me with an endless amount of books I'm really excited to read!

[@SM-vr8dz]

Added An Exclusive Love to my GR! Sounds so fascinating, and although I’m not usually a fan of memoirs this sounds like one for me.

[@thedoctor4024]

I went to the Electric Monkey YA event the other day and i just wanted to say thank you sooo much it was amazing!! x

[@elizabethmcintosh6722]

The Shane Claiborne to leftest pipeline. It’s really interesting that you said that your parents didn’t buy them for you, because my parents didn’t either and actually didn’t approve of me reading them at all. I remember hiding Jesus Freaks in my nightstand.

[@Julia-tv7rn]

i really enjoy your videos! you never fail to put a smile on my face ;)

[@felicityhemming9987]

That gorrrrrrgeous gold jacket!

[@Rolerunner]

I read There There after you first mentioned it! It was so great and I need more books that size and pace

[@emmagrace289]

Can’t wait for Blue Books but I’m also very sad this amazing series is ending!

[@evrichardson6995]

Absolutely love this series- just wanted to let you know that this video isn't part of the Rainbow Bookshelf Tour playlist!

[@lucy6333]

Is there a list anywhere of the books you've recommended during this series? I think it'll end up being my TBR 👀

[@colecerys123]

Cerys Matthews is my namesake ayy

[@TC-sg4uv]

ERGH I MISSED THE PREMIERE..... I AM NOT HAPPYY... BUT THIS RAINBOW SOOTH ME WELLLLLLLLLLL thank you Ieena :))))

[@soccergurl6896]

I remember Jesus Freaks! One of my friends had it and shared it with me. We were both raised Catholic and went to youth group together haha.

[@ninadubois2842]

This series slaps

[@kayleighbutler2259]

@leenanorms please please read Open Water by Caleb Azuhma Nelson, poetry of the black experience to the extent that it feels so real!

[@MIOLAZARUS]

I feel like my small book collection is lack luster 😂 Thank you for inspiring me to read new books. I've always needed a well-read friend❤

[@katyferenczy-dakin]

Shane Claiborne is indeed still alive and still a Christian activist. He mostly advocates for anti-arms, low income communities in America and ending of the death penalty. He definitely acknowledges his white saviour in from the past and I still resonate with a lot that he says on his social media these days. He also talks a lot about pacifism and how many churches are too busy finding people to hate rather than loving everyone

[@louisacoote2337]

Hope your house move has gone/is going smoothly!

[@TheRantsOfABookWorm]

Eimear McBride is pronounced Eee-mer (as in mermaid) i love this series and the idea of keeping books former you cared about !

[@emmeline-tyler]

I have read both The Irresistible Revolution and the Jesus Freaks book. I love hearing about when you were a Christian, hope that’s not weird

[@tarawilde]

I have that edition of A.S Byatt’s Possession. I didn’t know it was rare. Were there limited copies or something?

[@Victoria-dh9vb]

3:38 I definitely did not hear *cogs* the first two times I ran that back Apparently my mind just exists perpetually in the gutter...

[@imogenbrookes4224]

If you ever feel comfortable, I would massively appreciate a video on the weird experience of being an evangelical Christian teenager... I've not seen anyone speak about it as accurately and eloquently as you do. It's definitely a strange and lonely experience coming out the other side!

[@mary142]

omg haha my claim to fame is that i'm in the acknowledgements of the story cure

[@hannahmay11]

I’m due a there there re read I think 😍

[@dinaklarisse]

Read Jesus Freaks as a young Catholic (probably around 9 years old, picked up a copy my brother got in a retreat) and I remember it sparked the same morbid curiosity that I feel while watching horror movies. Needless to say that was also the time I became an atheist lol

[@elerigriffiths183]

Good stuff

[@LauraConnolly]

These really make me wanna reorganise my books into colours, buuuut that would throw off my hardback and paperback organisation and the height differences would get to me

[@AnanasAbanaan]

I used to think I would get annoyed by the series being apart and height difference, but honestly, I'm very happy I tried it, because it's so much more pleasing and those things don't bother me at all apartenly :p

[@honestlyholly7657]

The heigh differences actually looks more aesthetically pleasing to me! The randomness of heights is interesting rather than rigid x

[@veronicamilroy]

I didn't read the Jesus Freaks book, but I *did* listen to dc talk a lot. I don't think I even really knew what they were saying - my brother listened to them and I thought they were just a cool "alt" band. Ahhhh tweenager days.... 😅

[@MsHelloerz]

❤️❤️❤️

[@caitmcg4382]

Oof, so many flashbacks of my hardcore Christian teenage-dom. I don't think I had Jesus Freaks but I did have the CD that a bunch of Christian artists put together in memory of the girl "martyred" in the Columbine shooting. Plus some book with a necklace with a website on it and the point was to give it to someone you'd gotten to be "saved" and then them doing the same and you could see the necklace move around from person to person by checking the website? I'm glad to have "gotten out" so to speak.

[@KatieKayL]

OH MY GOD - deconstructed a couple years back and am still figuring out my life but holy cow you are so right about the Jesus Freaks book! I *loved* that book and now looking back - so gross!

[@KatieKayL]

Man I had forgotten - when I was like 12 I even made a little website where I was going to comment on the stories and write encouragement with them. Holy cringe, batman!

[@lavender_evie]

Where's the link to your top 25 books?

[@leenanorms]

You get it as a PDF download when you sign up for the newsletter :)

[@cararaker6066]

hahaha the right-wing joke. What a treat

[@stephanieharmon9660]

I remember Jesus Freaks. lol

[@nightskyvisionary]

Yes I used to read Jesus freaks 😬

[@AkwardLogic101]

Omg I read Jesus freaks when I was like 12, like what the hell is a 12 year old doing reading about all these murdered ppl lol. I too thought it was totally normal until I was an adult 🤷‍♀️

[@KB-bx9ui]

Blunt question, but possibly broad answers...Do you believe you were slightly brain washed/programmed as a child into believing your faith?