I need book friends.... so I joined Booktube! | BOOKTUBE NEWBIE TAG 📚

[@BooksToAshes]

Welcome to booktube, the community is incredible and I really hope you feel welcome here! ♥♥ I'm 30 and REALLY need to get diagnosed, it's nice to see others similar to myself figuring things out later in life and almost rediscovering themselves in a sense. Love how transparent you are, I'm looking forward to future discussions and videos from you. Happy reading and once again, welcome!

[@NicholasOfAutrecourt]

Hi, Rachel! I'm looking forward to hearing about all bookish things you want to share with us over the course of your channel. From an oldie content creator to a newbie, welcome aboard. We're so glad to have you here!

[@mildrumpus]

Welcome to the BookTube community! I read the entire “Throne of Glass” and ACOTAR series during the pandemic and really enjoyed them both. Best of luck with your channel - I’m looking forward to watching more of your videos! 😎📚👍

[@katieharris7219]

Hi Rachel! I'm about 15 years older than you, but we still have so much in common in our history with reading. As a child, the Scholastic Book Fairs were as a big of a deal as Christmas! I started reading young as well, and like you, it was a way to escape from troubles in my childhood. I was a writer myself from about 8 years old through college and beyond. My favorite genres are predominantly mystery and thrillers (kick-started by Nancy Drew which was the first series that I ever got into. I inherited a full set of editions from the 1940s and 1950s), but I do enjoy some fantasy and historical fiction. Based on what I've learned about your preferences and questions you asked in the video, here are some books that I think you'll really enjoy: Fantasy: Try the book, FAIRYTALE, by Stephen King. It's not horror at all, but totally the best mix of fantasy, mystery, and coming of age rolled into one. I listened to it in audio around Christmas last year and I still find myself thinking about it. So good!!! Romance: I recommend trying out the OUTLANDER series by Diana Gabaldon. It marries fantasy, romance, historical fiction, time travel, and mystery in one. The way you gush about Sarah J. Maas is the way I feel about OUTLANDER. My mother and I had a huge bond over this series and could discuss the various nuances of plot and character and our predictions about what would happen next. My mom passed away in January and while it is silly and trivial, one of my first thoughts was that she will never know what happens to Jamie and Claire! My mom was really my number 1 and only real book friend (sometimes my husband when our interests dovetail), and after she passed I couldn't pick up a book--any book--for months. I only recently (as in April) started reading again and I found a new series (and spinoff) that I've really gotten into. I will finish the last book (so far) either today or tomorrow...which brings me to the "cozy books" you mentioned. Cozy books: I highly recommend the TRADD STREET series by Karen White. It's a great combo of mystery, puzzles, ghost story, adventure, romance, and life lessons all in one. I have always enjoyed a good, delicious ghost story, and the main character here is clairvoyant and can communicate with those spirits still "stuck" and can unravel a mystery or two by the end with help from her friends and family. The series is set in historic Charleston and the spin-off is set in New Orleans, both cities known worldwide for their historical significance, and of course, their ghosts. Nothing ever is gross, gory, or horrifying (which I can dabble in from time to time), but to me, perfectly "cozy," and once I finish this last book, I will eagerly anticipate the next one in the series (plus this writer has a robust catalog of standalone books to keep me occupied for a while!) When it comes to thrillers, here are a few of my favorite authors. They all write amazing, strong female characters: Karin Slaughter, Simone St. James, and Jennifer McMahon. When it comes to a writer's "delicious prose," I highly recommend checking out Matt Haig. His book, HOW TO STOP TIME, was one I read late Dec/Jan and I still think of it and I know it's one I will revisit again and again. I annotated the hell out of it! His words are so beautiful. Regarding the channel, do you think maybe starting a bookclub would be something fun? Lots of us tune to book tube because we don't have that kind of outlet IRL. We could vote on a book and then maybe do a live one month later and discuss. Thoughts? I'm so excited to go on this adventure with you, Rachel. I want to be one of your "book friends." ❤❤❤

[@iamrachaelhilliard]

Meghan Quinn is my all time fav romance author. Her characters are hella neurodivergent and they just are so relatable.

[@MyMessyBookshelf]

Welcome to Booktube! I was also a latecomer to the spectrum. I was literally 38 years old when I found out lol. Looking forward to seeing what you have to say about books.

[@iamrachaelhilliard]

Throne Of Glass!!!!! 😍😍😍😍 yes!!!

[@rachelellenreads]

The absolute best of the best!!!!!

[@chelsearose7655]

Ahhhhh we love this!! ❤❤❤

[@rachelellenreads]

Thank you bestie Chelsea! ♥️♥️

[@iamrachaelhilliard]

Omg I love you so much, thank you for the shoutout boo. This is the best community! So grateful for you! ❤❤❤

[@iamrachaelhilliard]

omg I have the kindle gear too and it’s been the best thing everrrr

[@maeganmchugh]

🎉🎉🎉🎉📚📚📚📚

[@rachelellenreads]

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@iamrachaelhilliard]

Oooh girl, I’m so here for the hormone books!! This is so important to learn about and talk about. OBSESSED with your book shelves btw. Also- idk if you’re a Vampire Diaries fan (I AM a super fan) and I’m curious if you and the hubby have tried Brothers Bond which is their bourbon brand?

[@ArinHoney]

Hello! Welcome!! I’d love to chat books, autism, and creativity literally any time 😊 I’d love to be friends! Looking forward to your upcoming videos 💛

[@ObscureBookAdventures]

Welcome to BookTube.

[@iamrachaelhilliard]

Fellow Book Goblin here 😂📚

[@rachelellenreads]

😂😂 I’m so glad to be in such amazing company ♥️📚♥️