how to READ MORE: a read-a-thon breakdown!

[@Olusik514]

I love the fact that bloominreadathon is in November because in this month Poland is dark, sad and one on has an energy. So, this marathon, bring light to this month for me. Happy Bloominreadathon !

[@allisonpaiges]

couldn’t agree more! ✨💡 💛 the community makes november suck so much less hehe

[@gwiazdozlom]

Hi to another polish Ally fan!!

[@jagodas2024]

Och, pozdrawiam Polskę!

[@juliejacquet5534]

Hope all is well Ally. You are a shining star out there. Wishing you comfort, safety, and happiness.

[@lovelythelexi6787]

just read the bell jar for my women's lit class, and wow. I struggle greatly with depression and the novel somehow felt like it was tapping into the thoughts my brain is convinced no one but me struggles with. it is so dark and brutal, and yet, i was left feeling hopeful, like maybe i'm not completely alone. definitely give it a try, but be aware that it's practically constantly talking about d*ath

[@ellakae7]

Salt slow has some great stories, I actually prefered it to our wives under the sea

[@robyn3943]

The Bell Jar was my first book of the year and I adored it but it put me in such a bad space mentally, so please make sure you're well if anyone decides to read it!!!

[@AdrianasWonderland]

i adore you and the work you do, i have been struggling in my mental health for such a long time... books help a lot, and also you help a lot

[@blaisehaddow1137]

"Do you want to chug some water together as friends?" How am I not already subscribed

[@QuestionsIAskMyself]

For non fiction, I recommend Edward Said, who also pioneered post colonial theory alongside Frantz Fanon. He was Palestinian himself and used Palestine to teach modern-day colonialism and imperialism. I also recommend Michael Parenti and the documentarian Adam Curtis

[@allisonpaiges]

thank you for these recs! 🫶 “orientalism” by said finally came in the mail. a guest speaker recommended that title in a class i took a year ago and i’ve been meaning to get to it for a while. will have to check out these other authors as well

[@sandrahuber7656]

"Do you want to chug water together as friends?" 😂

[@michaelproduct]

Graphic novels! Ram V & Filipe Andrade's "The Many Deaths of Laila Starr" - an Indian god is banished to earth to try to connect with humans, or at least survive as one. Magic Realism, WONDERFUL color (pastel, bright, wild), and great characters. They also have new series running now called "Rare Flavours" that is so far very great.

[@juliette3423]

The Bell Jar is super triggery to me but like omg also one of the best reads, always floors me

[@najathkarim3075]

In Limbo is amazing and Deb's art is *chef's kiss*

[@tabbysilberman7446]

the last love note is by one of my mum's friends! it's set in my city! so cool to hear you talking about it, i hope you love it!

[@allisonpaiges]

what a small world! cool!

[@joh7845]

As someone who LOVES the fifth season, I will just say to make use of the glossary in the back of the book when you start out. The jargon in the beginning can get confusing but just go on the journey and don’t worry too much about understanding all of it.

[@JanetsThingamajigs]

I finished it then immediately went back and read the first half again, it made so much more sense lol! (BTW this is a 6 star🌟 read for me)

[@tiff7805]

There’s a glossary!😅 I did the audio book and just waddled through and eventually caught on. I should relisten now that i have a better understanding

[@kearose]

I just moved out of the U.S for the first time in my life to Europe and I have been rewatching all your videos once again because they bring me so much comfort and joy, especially through big scary overwhelming life changes. I hope you know how many lives you have touched with your channel, you inspire me to read and celebrate mundanity and to go easy on myself and take each day as it comes and to find happiness in the little things, and you have singlehandedly created one of the most beautiful corners of the internet. I am wishing you the world and always sending good energy your way, please know that you could upload once a year and we would still be okay and that we appreciate every little thing you do in spite all the challenges live throws your way! Thank you so much again! 💖💖💖💖

[@awpageofabook]

The blooming readathon definitely makes november better!

[@BarbaraBoholm]

Always looking forward seeing your videos!!! Thank you for being here and sharing books,life,all of it... Continue to be you!!!

[@shawnmccomb]

omg the fifth season slay you will love I promise !!!!! 😭

[@e_guy7931]

So excited to use this as a push for 2 things: firstly reading (obviously) but also think I am going to try and pair each prompt with a book and movie to tackle my film watch-list. Probably won't (definitely won't) finish by end of the month but hey let's end 2023 with all the content absorption!

[@sidneyn1366]

AHHH i loved how far the light reaches!! I will be buying my own copy someday for a re-read and an annotate (my first read through was from the library)

[@MicahRion]

Salt Slow is my favorite book cover ever. I loved the stories too.

[@autism_and_niamh]

As an individual with likely PDA, this "do it however you like" mentality is like a dream come true! I just love the flexible approach you promote for this readathon (and all things)! ☺Thanks Alli, I hope you find relief from your chronic pain soon xx

[@BrendaMichelleReads]

So excited for the bloomin Readathon 😊! This will be the 1st time I participate. I love that it’s so chill no pressure at all 📖💕🌼

[@meliamarkham]

ally!!! i'm so excited that the bell jar is on your tbr! it's my favorite book of all time and esther is one of my autistic headcannons!!

[@ajthecosmonaut1870]

Hi Ally!!!! Hope you are having a good spoon day. I absolutely love you and your videos. A really really good nonfiction rec I have that is super accessible and under 250 pages is The Moon by What Light by Diane Ackerman. It's a collection of 4 essays she wrote about 4 different animals and each one is essentially a love letter to that species while also giving the reader information on them. She really cares about the animals and it makes you care about them too!!! Highly recommend for anyone intimidated by nonfiction books.

[@small_and_dangerous2068]

Happy upload day! 🎉 I love your videos so much, they really feel like a cozy hug and they feel like a breath of fresh air. Thank you for reminding so many of us that it’s okay to take life one moment at a time! I will hopefully be taking part of the readathon :) Also funny story: I took two of my thirteen year old cousins to the mall but the caveat was that they’d let me browse for awhile in the bookstore. I was there specifically to look for books on your favorite shelf and I found and picked up A Psalm For the Wild Built and also Crying in H-Mart! I had a nice chat with the employee who helped me find Crying in H-Mart about why I was buying this book and she said I made her so intrigued to check out your channel! But yes, dragged my cousins to the mall to have fun with them but made them wait while I searched for some Ali approved books 😂❤

[@iridescenrose]

this is my first Bloomin readathon with you and i couldn’t be more excited 🥰

[@ElainaMarie6]

Here is my TBR for this month with my interpretation of your prompts! I am keeping in mind I obviously won't be able to read all of these because I am a part-time employee at a daycare three days a week and a full time college student who also deals with multiple mental health issues :). Where The Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens (Book That Has a Lot of Buzzz) The Seed Keeper - Diane Wilson (Non-romantic loves) The Midnight Library - Matt Haig (deceptively Sweet) Into The Drowning Deep - Mira Grant (Slower burn) Freshwater - Akwaeke Emezi (A book that will make me sad) Sweet Little Lies - Caz Frear (Has a bad guy) The Ones We Burn - Rebecca Mix (Hot book) A Million to One - Adiba Jaigirdar (Author you really want to read from) I Must Betray You - Ruta Sepetys (Set in the country outside of where you live) Malice - Heather Walter (TBR Vet) If I See You Again Tomorrow - Robbie Couch (Romance) The Underground Railroad - Coleson Whitehead (rare book) The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid (Adaptation) Delilah Green Doesnt Care - Ashley Herring Blake (Cozy book) Holding Up The Universe - Jennifer Niven (Deals with grief or death) The Vanishing Stair - Maureen Johnson 9Return to your roots) Watching You - Lisa Jewell (Darker book) The Gentlemans Guide to Vice and Virtue - Mackenzi Lee (LGBTQ Rep) As Old as Time - Liz Braswell (A Book that will make me happy) Long Way Down - Jason Reynolds (Short book) Upstream - Mary Oliver (Non fiction) Liar, Dreamer, Thief - Maria Dong (Disability rep, mental illness) Flowers in The Attic - VC Andrews (Before 1990) The Fault In Our Stars - John Green (Super hyped) Let me know if any of yall have read these and what you think of them!!

[@stopbeingana-hole4151]

“Do you want to chug water together as friends.” 😂😂

[@Boobooreads]

I am so excited to read my TBR, going back to a lot of books that I started that I never ended up reading as well as few new ones that I've been meaning to read for ages

[@Alyssaminy]

I haven’t even gotten through the ads yet but I’m so excited for this video because I’ve been in a reading slump for a while now and it’s been making me so sad and somewhat depressed. Excited to see what insights you have for us Ally! ❤ Also, thank you for showing us the importance of taking care of yourself! Wishing you all the best!

[@itmedana]

could not possibly be more stoked for bloomin time :,))) my first two reads are gonna be the monk and the robot duology which i’ve FINALLY picked up after ages of hearing u rave abt them. i started the first one today and am lovingggg it so far!!

[@jaynm]

i have missed you and your videos. thank you for uploading! i hope you are feeling better ❤

[@marianneosmark1642]

Marzi, a memoir. Graphic novel about a girl growing up in Poland in the 80's. Very good!

[@ashleyoreads]

how do you literally make me so happy. I was anxious all day- thank you for all the great ideas for this read-a-thon!

[@LizBudgets23]

Not sure if you’re religious but sending my prayers to you for good health and wellness! I love these videos and am so glad that you still post even through your struggles!! You’re my favorite booktuber and I look forward to your videos and I hope things get better for you ❤️❤️❤️

[@allisonpaiges]

that's so kind of you - i appreciate it a lot, liz! ❤

[@haleyfaith768]

Also wouldn’t it be so amazing if Becky Chambers came out with a graphic novel version of her Monk and a Robot books? That would be absolute perfection

[@prplrhinomilk]

November is the worst for me, and I'm sure for many, and the last three years this readathon has brought me happiness. I never do very well but I still have fun and enjoy seeing everyone's posts. Thank you for everything! I've been watching your videos for years, they're the only videos that I watch every time you put one out. You truly made a cozy space on the internetz for people like me! ❤

[@cgboldt]

I read Elsewhere earlier this year, the writing was lovely and I felt the story was intriguing.

[@mirandafitzgerald2915]

Oh, Ali! I needs this so bad and I know you went through so much to be this out there. Thank you!

[@feliciacervantez1867]

O found the Eleanor book at. Agree library months ago! I’m very excited you’re reading it!

[@Achlys_achlys]

I just read the adventures of Amina al-Sirafi last month!!! It was great! The characters were so funny and the story is so interesting, especially because it is super historically accurate! The author is a historian and this one and her other serie (Daevabad trilogy) are so historical interesting! The different culteres are shown so beautifully

[@itmedana]

i just read it recently and i totallyyyyy agree!!! i’m not the biggest fantasy reader in the world but something abt this one pulled me in so immediately i loveeeddd it

[@zaravive5809]

I cannot wait for you to read Rilke and Plath!!!!!

[@zaravive5809]

As in: excited for you to experience them for the first time (In the most non-pressury way)

[@Soleils]

I just finished Rouge yesterday, it was very eerie. I liked the themes in this book and it was interesting enough to finish but I liked Bunny as story better

[@MwieMaike]

This video gave me exactly the motivation i needed!! Will set up my TBR for this readathon this evening ❤

[@genelegend]

Hope you’re feeling better, sad to see the year go by so quickly but happy for bloomathon

[@small_and_dangerous2068]

Hello! Second comment from me! I have a book that I read recently that I ADORED and made me think “Omg I think Ally would really like this!” It’s a wonderful book called Frankly In Love by Daniel Yoon. It follows a Korean- American boy named Frank Li who is a senior in high school and who is grappling with love, identity, and his place in the world as a second generation immigrant with a lot of social and academic pressures placed upon him by his parents. It explores so many themes from a point of view I personally have never experienced as a white woman in America and that I was glad to get insight into. I’d highly recommend!

[@kaileyford8080]

Ah! Amina Al-Sarfi is what got me into Chakraborty! Its so so good 10/10 fairytale for grown-ups vibes

[@megdrummond-wilson824]

your videos always make me so happy and inspired to pick up a book

[@dionalynkelly-handt2571]

I just found your page, and so glad I did! I was looking for information on “ The Priory of the Orange Tree.” Ended up here… I have subscribed and look forward to more videos. For now… time to read.

[@cocktailshrimps]

BABE WAKE UP ALLY POSTED

[@giuliamarangon353]

We love you and any content you are able to grace us with Allie! Sending you lots of hugs and positive vibes, and hoping your health will get a bit (or a lot!) better soon 🥰💕 PS. I read and loved The Fifth Season last year, if you decide to give it a try just know the worldbuilding is a little complicated and literally everyone has no idea about what is going on until the end of it (so don't stress!), and make sure to check the trigger warnings!

[@twoghostsinacornfeild]

I'm so excited to be able to take part in the blooming readathon this year! I have already finished the Monk and the Robot series for it due to your recommendation (and I cannot say thank you enough from that!), sending love from Australia

[@Itsjess727]

I absolutely LOVED the secret society of irregular witches, definitely one of my faves of 2023, you’re going to love it. I immediately preordered her next book after finishing it 😂

[@liviasilva4894]

thank you woman, u just gave me a obsession with your last video. I brought quad skates 🙂 thank uuu

[@serenanoce9554]

Alliee welcome back we missed you so much. Sending you a lot of energetic good vibes so that you'll get better❤. This will be my first year participating in the bloomin readathon challenge and I am beyond excited. One last thing thank you for all the things you do for us, you make this world a lot better ❤❤

[@tinaahern8907]

You share so many great recommendations, 🎉 and even though I’m late to the game this month, I still want to try the Bloomin Readathon. Thank you for being you and take care of yourself 😊

[@somename8616]

i missed your videos- i hope things will feel better soon, but i hope you can take as much time as you need. i recently (and finally) picked up A Psalm for the Wild Built so i will be reading that for the first time- from what you've talked about it in other videos it sounds like the vibes i need right now XD i'm not very good at read-a-thons but i'll probably be taking some recommendations from this. lots of love- sending strength for the cold dark season

[@ChloeTheePayne]

those of us who are also struggling thru the lotus adversity mud this november really appreciate your videos, thank you as alwaaaaays! 🐌🐌🐌

[@_laurita]

Not to over hype, but the Hacienda made it to my favorite shelf. I may have read it when I was dealing with a 'big sad' moment, but the book had me CRYING within the first couple of pages lol

[@nanimaonovi2528]

Agree! If twit free gothic historic books aren't a thing, Hacienda should be book 1 of the revolution. The Vampires of El Norte was awesome too. *mild spoiler* There's a cool bait and switch where you meet the monster right a way, then go...wait a minute...who's the monster really?

[@bubbl3gumh3art]

Happy Sunday!

[@anisa2273]

we love a well-diverse read queen! especially one that doesn't support genocide!

[@sierrareed11]

Love this video!!! Cant wait to print out my bingo board and join

[@bluesummer1004]

Really enjoying the readathon so far! I'm taking it super slow and using it as an excuse to burn through some of my physical TBR before it inevitably expands at Christmas 😅

[@blanigan452]

Hope you're doing better! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on I Hate Fairyland. I'm halfway through Volume 4 and it's one of my favourite graphic novels yet!

[@allisonpaiges]

loooooved the first - can't wait to read more!

[@roshid6119]

Ahhh so excited! I've been adding to the prompts this whole video haha

[@shareuhlin]

I initially thought the hashtag was a poke at how Bloomin makes our lil' rat brains happy 🙈 eventually I connected the dots to read-a-thon 😂

[@lizardlady69]

Cannot wait for my snail hoodie!!!

[@francescakyanda9182]

I’ve been all anxious and slumpy this week but I’m finally out the other side and this readathon-flexible, joyful and FUN-has gotten me out of bed and engaging in my special interest!! Best of vibes to the Head Pocket Page and the rest of us 🐌

[@Nicolelynnn]

missed seeing your face! i hope you're feeling better allie

[@RoseBugReads]

wooooo! yay! heck yeah dude! new video!!!! a very good start to the week

[@genelegend]

PS, I was in Chicago last week visiting from LA and picked up a psalm for the wild built and a prayer for the Crown shy. Read both books in a day and wanted to thank you for the rec

[@kylierussell0207]

Love you so much Alli! So happy to see your face and sending you all the good health vibes. ❤ keep taking all the time you need. ❤❤

[@paris-tuatea]

ally so good to see you back i hope you're able to care of yourself!! thank you for your recs i am taking notes ✍🏼this year is my first bloomin readathon and i'm having a great time ☺side note did you know that there are lumberjanes novels?? there are so many bangers on my tbr but not enough hours in the day

[@therealmcdcm]

Miss her so much. I really hope she's doing okay♥️♥️😘

[@nellien4802]

This may be the thing that finally gets me to pick up Fifth Season

[@mountainbikingvampirewitch]

Thank you thank you thank you for putting the Bloomin’ bingo board on your website! I’ve been following the Bloomin’ Readathon since you started it but haven’t been able to print the board because I don’t have instagram. I’m so excited to have a real board this year!! 😊❤

[@Adorationn]

So happy with a new video! Greetings from a fellow bookworm living in Belgium (who loves bookshopping in Leuven 😄) 📚

[@zinaak4194]

Love, love, LOVE your recs!

[@takewhisks8193]

I see you have some comments on The Fifth Season, I will jist say don't stress about what you don't understand. I was lost for a bit but just follow the characters and things will happen and the blanks will fill in as you go. . . It's been a while, I kinda want a reread . . . Love the Broken Earth Trilogy!

[@satanicjay-yr6td]

my first time joining a readathon and im super excited !! and thank you so much for making such a fun bingo board to follow :)

[@my_cha]

Oh, if only i didn't have to work this month! I could read aaaall the books 💖Thank you for this challenge, i'm excited to join for the first time this year! November will be a good month, it might be grey outside but it'll be sunny in my mind! 🌞😎📚

[@user-xb8fk9ku4t]

Can't wait for your next post ❤❤❤

[@TheBookHoarder]

Love sweet tooth! Didn’t love the series adaptation, excited to hear your thoughts though. Hope all is well Ally😊❤❤

[@allisonpaiges]

oh i know! i’ve been meaning to read it ever since you recommended it on your channel 🥰 coming full circle ❤️

[@sebsy6429]

the mole's little arms :)

[@_the_palest_3000]

Stop everything! Alli posted

[@tarynmcelfresh494]

I strongly disliked the bell jar, very hard for me to get through. But im excited to hear your thoughts on it!

[@gwiazdozlom]

1. Thank you for this video!! I've attempted a readathon lately and definitely will need more experience for future :D 2. please tell me how to shorten your name/which version you prefer, there are so many variations on the comments! 🤸 3. The way I got shocked when you showed bell jar (I hope you will enjoy it much more than I did!)

[@allisonpaiges]

i spell mine: ally! ☀️ thank you for asking!

[@tayter_chip]

I loved Mort! My chiropractor gave me a copy and it was so funny and enjoyable. I'm interested to hear your thoughts on it :)

[@HarvestStore]

I appreciate you and thank you for making content.

[@Sophie_trt]

It's so good to see you! I send you all my good vibes and hope you're feeling better! I am so glad that you mention the anthology by Julia Armfield, I am currently reading it and I like how the vibes are similar to Our Wives Under the Sea! I love her writting so much and I also like how unsettling it is, even though I'm more a comfy reader. But there's just something I crave in the way she tells stories.

[@Fiona_Co]

This video is the “try not to add 24 more books to my tbr and give in anyways” challenge 🥰

[@Fiona_Co]

Also just wanted to say that I’m so happy to see you! Your videos always brighten my day 🫶

[@Joe-1369]

Can wait to watch this ENTIRE VID!!❤❤❤❤

[@katelynwashko]

missed you i hope ur doing well!! ❤

[@meekelareads]

eeeee i am so excited to see how you like the very secret society of irregular witches and love on the brain!!

[@meekelareads]

i'm so impressed by sad tumblr ally for knowing what the bell jar was AND wanting to read it

[@person3831]

Have you tried cold showers for when your sick?, great to see a new vid thank you.

[@Smelly285]

Wow iv been watching you for a year how did I not realise I wasn’t subscribed

[@allisonpaiges]

welcome aboard, smelly!

[@Jeffrey.e]

My absolute favorite part about this readathon is how encouraging you are for twisting and breaking the rules to fit our reading. 😂 I am such an enabler when it comes to creating our own successes. I would NEVER tell on y'all if you snuck a book into a challenge space last minute, even if it made NO sense.

[@roots_and_ruin]

Ladybirds can reflecively bleed from their leg joints as a defence mechanism, that's pretty damn metal. Love hows that is the only thing i can think to comment, what is my mind 😅

[@carinacortez5635]

So thankful seeing your new upload! I have a recc, just finished last night! It has botany, magic, love, three sister relationship, and a bit of spice. It's got it all! Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliand 🌿🌟🌈🥵