I'm Baaack Book Haul | 2023

[@Nico-lk5hb]

So glad your back!! More videos pleaseee ❤❤

[@shapotter3]

So happy to see u back!!!! I’ve missed your videos so much

[@ConnorOBrien]

Hey Shana!! It's been too long, so I'm happy to have new content that I need to film and post.

[@mynameismarines]

Your shelves look so good! So happy you have them back with you. ❤❤

[@ConnorOBrien]

I love you! But also I hated how I tried to organize the books, so it's fixed back to alphabetical by last name of author across the whole group of shelves now instead of individual cases.

[@theyxaj]

It's nice to see you again!

[@ConnorOBrien]

It's nice to be back!

[@piratedash]

5 seconds in and there's already a dog! What an absolute fabulous come back!!!

[@ConnorOBrien]

Lol that’s Stevie! She always wants to be involved.

[@TheMarissaHope]

Oh my god, CONNOR IS BACK!!! I've gone through multiple accounts and even more books, but I have been following for years, so it's nice to see you back.

[@ConnorOBrien]

I am! It's been way too long. I hadn't realized it had been so long, in part, because I'm a part of the House Salt Book Club,. So I'm at least on the live shows for that, but my reading has picked back up. Now, I have plenty of content that I need to film and edit for the channel since I have 20+ books to wrap up and some more books to haul lol

[@JbbreadsBlogspot]

Welcome back!

[@Shaegeeksout]

Welcome Back! You've got some fun books here! Excited to see what comes from you soon!

[@ConnorOBrien]

Hey Shae! Hopefully it's a wrap up, but we'll see what I end up filming as time allows!

[@Jeanny.Q]

Always nice to see you and the dogs. I love the variety of books you read. I read A Marvellous Light not too long ago and enjoyed it. It can be a bit slow at times but it has so many sweet, wholesome moments.

[@ConnorOBrien]

Thank you! I like to dabble when it comes to books, so it's nice to have a wide array when an urge encourages me to pick up something in nonfiction, or romance, or middle grade, or whatever. I really want to give A Marvelous Light a go soon. I think I'll love it, and I'll adjust my expectations for a bit of a slower experience. I also put a hold for the audiobook from the library recently (I think there's a two month wait), so if it coincides with long commutes, then I'll partially experience the story that way as all.

[@saorjeanaraujo7264]

Wow, that’s awesome. Glad your back! Love your content

[@ConnorOBrien]

Thank you! It's good to be back!

[@khaosreads1785]

Glad to see a new video from you! Welcome back.

[@ConnorOBrien]

I’m glad I finally made another video lol it’s been way too long!

[@JashanaC]

I absolutely recommend finished the Legends of the First Empire series before starting The Rise & Fall series! You cannnnn read the newest series before it, but there's many many easter eggs that would be missed and a little bit of missing context for some more emotionally impactful moments... !

[@supuchan]

Great to see you again! I love the Bartimaeus trilogy! It's so much fun. Looking forward to your opinion.

[@ConnorOBrien]

Great to be back! It seems like a lot of people have enjoyed the Bartimaeus trilogy, so that's definitely one I'm going to bump up on the priority list!

[@christinam6516]

You're back!! Hope you are here to stay! Great variety of fun books! I just got the two first books in the Bear Town series! Happy September reading month

[@ConnorOBrien]

Hopefully! I've been reading more recently, so I have videos lined up that need to be filmed. Ooo I hope you like Beartown! I'm obviously a fan lol

[@guyguy332]

What a fantastic surprise! Loved the vid :)

[@ConnorOBrien]

Thank you! It’s good to be back making videos and reading more 😁

[@charliereadsalot]

I only saw this video today but this totally made my day!! Welcome back!

[@ConnorOBrien]

Thank you!! It’s good to be back 😁

[@KittyAndTheBooks]

It's great to see you back and I hope you are doing well! :)

[@ConnorOBrien]

It's great to be back! I am doing well! Working away as an attorney, but I think I'm finding a balance where I can get back to making bookish content now.

[@KayCharisse]

Connorrrr, permanent smile on my face watching this vid, miss you!! Also I’m now two books behind in WoF, I need to catch up xx

[@ConnorOBrien]

It's time for House Salt members to resurrect lol I miss your videos too! And you! I think it's been over three years... Not okay lol But Oh I thought there was already a 16th book, but it turns out there isn't. I'm not sure if this is the end of the line or not, so now I'm extra invested.

[@Neverrgreen]

"Looks like we've been friends for a long time" that is an amazing response!

[@ConnorOBrien]

She was so sweet! It was a few years ago now, so I had maybe 10 books all stacked up and looking nervous because I was breaking the 3-book-maximum. I had started reading her books back when I was in high school, so they were all first editions of her books. She was nice enough to sign them all and chat with me. Looking back, that was probably one of the best author interactions I've ever had. She was already an auto-buy author for me, but that reinforced it.

[@confessionsofabookaddict6862]

Yay🎉 a Connor video 😀

[@ConnorOBrien]

Finally! Lol

[@confessionsofabookaddict6862]

@@ConnorOBrien you know I'm one of your biggest fans. How are the puppies? 😀

[@ConnorOBrien]

@@confessionsofabookaddict6862 They’re good! I have the bullymake boxes stacked and waiting. I think bullymake cut us off after all this time lol Understandable, so the next unboxing will be the last one for a bit.

[@chrissybooksandberries]

Welcome back! Great haul, happy reading.

[@ConnorOBrien]

Thank you!! Looking forward to sharing my thoughts on them soon (hopefully) lol

[@chrissybooksandberries]

@@ConnorOBrien Looking forward to hearing them!

[@MerrilyKristin]

Welcome back Connor!!! So excited to see your face in my sub feed 😀 I've always been curious about the Bartimaues trilogy... and Sabriel (I still can't believe I've never read that series). Sufficiently Advanced Magic also sounds really interesting! Gotta love the Brandon Sanderson leatherbounds! I'll be curious to hear what you think of Fourth Wing since it's so devisive.

[@BirgitHaeupl]

📚❤️

[@aneweliseonlife]

I read Beartown a year or so ago thanks to you and your Backman love. I read the Winners back in Feb and I am looking forward to you reading that too 😂

[@ConnorOBrien]

Oh no. No no no. I feel like I'm going to be ruined by The Winners. I feel like I'm going to ugly cry.

[@gilbertoesqueda2008]

So good to see you back on KZbin dude 😊 been a follower for years

[@ConnorOBrien]

Good to finally be back making videos. It'll be nice to catch back up with everyone whos coalesced around the channel. The comradery and discussions are the best part of making videos, and I've missed it.

[@yyuna7]

While The Winners was an emotionally and mentally exhausting read, I loved every page of it! And so glad to see you back!

[@ConnorOBrien]

ugh, I'm both not ready at all and cannot wait lol

[@margarets2924]

Hi to you and the pups!! 💙 It’s been years since I’ve read the Bartimaeus Trilogy but I remember enjoying it. I’ve read 4 of Backman’s books and have loved them but I’ve been putting off the Beartown Trilogy bc I know it will be hard hitting. I’m currently reading the Dark Elf trilogy. So far Salvatore’s books are quick palette cleansers with good themes.

[@ConnorOBrien]

I've been eyeing the Bartimaeus trilogy for a while, so I'm happy to hear it was enjoyable when you read it. Backman's books are so good, and you are right about Beartown being hard-hitting. Be prepared lol I read the Dark Elf trilogy a long time ago, and I agree. They're good in-between books that are fun. I remember enjoying his giant cat.

[@margarets2924]

@@ConnorOBrien yes, his panther Guenhwyvar! She’s awesome.

[@ReadBecca]

Great to see you back (and pup)! You are gonna love Bartimaeus, so good, one of the best uses of footnotes too. Sabriel is up there too, highly recommend the audio, Tim Curry narrated the series incredibly! I love SAM, its super detailed magic system so not for everyone, but if you like videogames that is the feel. Great handling of questioning sexuality too.

[@ConnorOBrien]

Thank you!! I really think I will , especially with everyone saying how much they remember enjoying Bartimaeus. I just checked and my library doesn't have the Sabriel audiobook unfortunately. I'll need to keep my eye out for Tim Curry narrated stories though now. Someone else also commented on how detailed Sufficiently Advanced Magic's magic system is. I'm hopeful that will be right up my alley because I love worldbuilding.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Hi Connor 👋Long time, no see!

[@ConnorOBrien]

Hey!! It’s been too long 😄

[@Rehathebookghoul]

👍🏽

[@mangamike6855]

Man, this whole video I was sad you didn't mention winners and then you saved it for last! I found you from your beartown review. Beartown was my favorite book. I still need to ready winners. I'm just nervous like you are lol

[@ConnorOBrien]

Haha had to save the best for last! The Winners is going to be such a difficult read. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself. I'm going to cry. I know it.

[@Lemonade_Stand_]

So glad you're back. Dragon(s) is a buzzword for me. I dont know why im such a sucker for books with dragons in them lol. I just picked up an indigenous book about dragons called To Shape a Dragon's Breath. Havent read it yet so cant say if its good or not. Loved seeing your pups too. 🐶

[@ConnorOBrien]

I'm happy to be back! Oh, Dragons is such a buzz word to the point I will give most anything a chance if there is a dragon. I'm making the House Salt Book Club read Dragonfall by L.R. Lam this month (Sept). Hopefully it's good! The pups like being involved. We have one last dog box unboxing to do. Then I'll need to figure out a new video topic to do with the pups since our subscription to Bullymake ended.

[@MsWillowbayOrelse]

If you are looking for MM romances may I suggest - Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix - I don't really like retellings usually but I really liked this one. Slow burn Red, White & Royal Blue - I thought this was really sweet. Friends to lovers Heartstopper - Very sweet and some good art. Tales from Verania - TJ Klune - The frackin KING of MM Romance. Hilarious and sweet. Tho basically anything by him will be great. Ones that are on my TBR - The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue What If It's Us Bloom - Kevin Panetta The Wolf at the Door - Charlie Adhara

[@ConnorOBrien]

You may and I'll promptly look them up. I also shy away from heavy-handed retellings, so your enjoyment of Teach the Torches to Burn gives me hope, especially with the frequency of Romeo and Juliet retellings recently in the last couple years. I actually just read Red, White, & Royal Blue! It'll end up in either the next wrap up or the one after depending if I can shove twenty books into one video or not. I think I watched the first season of Heartstopper, so I really should give the graphic novel a go. OMG the Tales of Verania is hilarious. I have a video review of the first book on here, but I haven't picked up the next book yet. I have a playlist with a fair few reviews of his books. The only books I've read by him that I haven't done reviews for are Into this River I Drown, Under the Whispering Door, and Brothersong. I need to film my review for the latter two. If I reread Into this River I Drown, I'll do one for that too, but its been to long. I remember the other two well enough still. The only one on your TBR I've read (and this was also recently/this year) is The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. I would say the MM element is a smidge less in your face as some of the others we're chatting about, but I enjoyed it. I haven't heard much about the others.

[@mikeyseshi]

Sufficiently advanced magic is great - not for everyone. I suggest audio book! He is very magical process oriented - but the narrator does a great job of not reading it like a D&D manual.

[@ConnorOBrien]

My library only has the ebook, so it seems like I'll be reading this one with my eyes lol I have faith that I'll like it because I love learning about magic systems and world building!

[@LauraPricefitness]

What happened to the wrap up?? finally found a decent booktuber

[@ConnorOBrien]

Life! Sorry about the lack of follow up that wrap up. It's taking a little time to figure out how best to carve out time to continue the channel since I joined a law firm. Less time for reading in general and even less to film and edit. BUT it's a goal of mine for 2025 to post regularly if just a little less frequently than I did a few years ago. The first part of my 2024 wrap up just went up yesterday. I may even go back and fill in with a 2023 wrap up since I still remember the books I read.

[@greattattoos]

Glad you are back . Awesome book haul