i read my subscribers' favorite books!

i asked you all to send me your favorite books, and i read a few! this was really fun, thanks to everyone who sent in a book :) quick reminder these are just my silly opinions, no disrespect intended ily
books mentioned:
The Little Prince
They Both Die at the End
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
Battle Royale
Six of Crows
✎ personal instagram: chris_middendorf
✎ tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@chrislibrary?_t=8n9kSJEo4wJ&_r=1
✎ goodreads: www.goodreads.com/user/show/168646128-chris-middendorf
✎ contact: [e-mail]
★ animated intro by @RoseenaSakya
★ pfp by @thanksxu
★ intro music: cat shop by Louie Zong

[@benjiplant]

Nice hoodie 😗

[@chrislibrary]

thanks🤓

[@Seaweed_brai]

Awww so cute 😂

[@asotacmy4478]

If i was you i would steal that hoodie 😂❤

[@apeluddinm]

Love how Chris has become more comfortable talking in front of the camera. I can also listen to him on a podcast for hours!

[@chrislibrary]

slowly but surely getting more comfortable!!

[@michaelhall8586]

Oh do you have a podcast Chris?

[@cherrybombb_]

LMAOO I'm dying at the dishonorable A Little Life mention

[@m_sorcerer04]

I hope you always tell us your true feelings regarding anything. This is your channel and of course reading is always a different experience for everyone. However having your opinion/point of view is helpful when picking up a good read. You are very respectful and as long as it’s handled that way, I think you’ll be just fine. Never feel pressured and just enjoy and have a talk with us. Friends can have different tastes in things while still keeping it real and fun. Thanks for another upload!

[@brighthavens]

I'm still waiting for you to read Aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe

[@DylanDhindsa]

!!! That book is soooo good

[@charlieadams2143]

I’ve had six of crows on my shelf for a while now and this has made me more inclined to pick it up!

[@chrislibrary]

let me know what you think!!!!

[@no_longer_]

I feel you Chris 😭 On Earth We Briefly Gorgeous was also a hard read for me. The writing is beautiful but all the metaphors and the story telling is really hard to digest for me... but i'm still gonna finish it

[@stephii3972]

Congrats Chris!! Your videos together with benji's calm me down so much ander you guys cover my fav hobbies (plants and reading). Keep up your amazing work!

[@chrislibrary]

thank you!!!🩵

[@PatchFromHome]

Song of Achilles is really good too!

[@varvarafilippou1873]

he's actually read it in i think first video!!

[@Forgetlevi]

This made me even more excited to read Six of Crowsss I just picked it up at Barnes and Noble today! Awesome video!

[@deborrasanders]

I don't have Instagram, so posting my question here. You and Benji seem so harmonious and kind as a couple. Lovely to see it! How do you handle the inevitable conflicts of couple life?

[@kiamosky4340]

six of crows praise and a book tuber with a cosy vibe, I have to subscribe. Also I absolutely love shadow and bone trilogy and looking forward to your reviews

[@awooshio]

after every video i end up with like 10 more books on my to-read list on goodreads 💀💀its a struggle

[@trevorg1558]

I feel like we're getting blessed by all these Chris uploads, its amazing

[@softeillo]

I’m so happy that u posted! I love your videos :-) you’re so calm, and your vibe is so nice!

[@civilizeddiva]

It's lovely to watch your channel grow. I am looking forward to you interviewing authors.

[@slavkobiskovsky8339]

A Little Life is one of the most difficult, depressing and disturbing books I have ever read, in fact the only one that has truly and honestly left me deeply shaken, displaced and torn apart... It is also one of the most fascinating, controversial and profound ones. And after more than 1 and a half years of reading this book, eloquence and articulation fail me in expressing proper impressions... This is an extremely difficult, grueling, harrowing and sad saga. At the center of the story is the enigmatic brilliant Jude, and although a lot of time has been devoted to other characters, Jude is the thread that connects them and is definitely a character that will never fade from my memories. It is literally impossible. What can I say about Jude? Masterfully, evocatively and in detail, with incredible skill and palpable realism, a man is presented for whom it is impossible not to sympathize, not to feel something, not to want to jump into the pages and just be next to him, hug him and say that everything will be alright... His traumas are so vividly depicted, violent, crippling and devastating, that I felt them on my own skin, the misery and suffering soaked me like tar, and I was unable to do anything. His life story does not leave anyone indifferent and it is impossible not to shed tears. Yanagihara amazed and appalled me, and it is impressive in itself that she wrote this book in 18 months while working, because she has a phenomenal, detailed and complex portrait of a character that you connect with and feel close to, the connection is truly undeniable and I have not felt it for a long time, I have become so identified with a fictional character, even though I have not in the least experienced anything that he has experienced. The writing style was wonderful for me, raw, lively, direct, rich in vivid comparisons, excellent dialogues and many times I experienced it as a punch in the stomach and I ran out of air. I especially liked the convincing psychological immersion, the tangled labyrinths of the human mind, how to live with trauma, how destructive it can be for the individual, but also how the people who are around the individual witness and deal with its destructive and unscrupulous effect. Yanagihara covers very sensitive and taboo subjects such as self-harm, mental health, sexual, emotional, physical and psychological violence, pedophilia and homosexuality, which I feel are portrayed painfully realistically and effectively. Despite all the suffering and tragedy, the agony and darkness of the content, there are bright spots: true and sincere and priceless friendship, intimacy, support, love and empathy and understanding and kindness and a desire to be loved and a selflessly extended hand. But is that still enough? Can you help someone who doesn't want help, someone who is so broken and crippled that they believe they don't deserve kindness? Whatever I say will be little because I have no words to describe how startled, moved, shocked and impressed this book made me, it evoked such intense emotions that I physically felt pain, no book has ever made me so strongly shaken and disturbed, it is so deep and powerful, truly a different and unique experience that I'm sure will never be repeated and I know it will forever have a special place. This book is experienced, lived. I can freely say that it influenced me enormously, changed me, made me more conscientious, more aware, more empathetic. The whole spectrum of emotions is explosive and intense and there is literally no good time to read it, there is simply no time when you are ready for something like this, definitely for the bravest of readers. In my opinion, A Little Life is a modern masterpiece, brutal but extraordinary and absolutely unforgettable and unrepeatable and definitely one of my favorite books ♥️

[@jessahaynes767]

I’m glad I came back into the comment section to see what people had to say about A Little Life. Thank you for your eloquent and thorough reasoning for why you have this book as a favorite. It helped me to see it in a completely different light (this is why I love book clubs, book KZbin discussions etc) I really enjoyed hearing your perspective and think I will try this book again at a different time in my life. I believe it so situational how book can hit you.

[@slavkobiskovsky8339]

@@jessahaynes767 thank you for your words ✌️ it means a lot ♥️

[@FriedPumpkin33]

Thank you for the new video! I feel like how you felt about On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is how I felt about Love in the Time of Cholera.

[@namphrey]

Omg we are on the same page for so much of this, “they both die at the end” has such a good concept and plotline but tbh the dialogue was so cringy for me at points 😭 “on earth we’re briefly gorgeous” is a book with themes i really resonate with but I couldn’t vibe with the writing style, it’s almost unintelligible to me

[@varvarafilippou1873]

I SO SO SO agree with they both die at the end. for me it was a solid 3 stars because of the dialogue

[@Dragonmoon8526]

If you're still taking suggestions, They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the story. But, I felt, for a YA, that it showed great character growth, and you can see why the two characters begin to develop genuine feelings for each other over time.

[@Jasmine-nf5bk]

P. S. Congratulations on reaching 10,000+ ------ I am one of your Subscribers.

[@chrislibrary]

thank you so much!!📖

[@craigadams4143]

I liked your reviews but , to sound shallow, I'm crushing on that hoodie! 👁️👁️

[@sebastian8922]

I’m still reading through the last books from your last book review vid and I’m just so happy that I watched it

[@LunarWind99]

Was so happy to hear you talk about six of crows, its one of my favourite books ☺️❤️

[@nomado3650]

I bought a few books after your lost video, Chris! Keep these videos coming!

[@juliovieira7566]

huge hug from Brazil chris!! love ur videos and suggestions

[@chrislibrary]

🫂♥️

[@nomado3650]

Love your book’s analysis, Chris. It’s emotional, knowledgeable and personable.

[@natalieclaire6047]

Yay! Six of Crows is my favorite! Great video😄

[@leybella1233]

i read the shadow and bone trilogy before reading six of crows, but to be honest, six of crows appealed way more to me because sometimes shadow and bone just felt like a y/n self insert, with every character being in love with the main character and her being the most powerful. idk it was a nice read nonetheless, because leigh bardugo just writes so well, but just thought i’d leave this here. ALSO i would most certainly read shadow and bone before watching the netflix series. In the series shadow and bone AND six of crows are kind of bundled up together and happening at the same time. its not very accurate story wise, but the characters are portrayed very well. and of course, loved this video (:

[@fishinghookz]

I definitely recommend the Shadow and Bone trilogy! I don't think the story is as immersive as Six of Crows, but I do think that it provides a lot of background info for the world, and as a result, really helps you to appreciate the other books. It's always interesting to me (since I read the Shadow and Bone series as it came out) to hear newcomers to the Grishaverse say how much they loved Six of Crows, because in my mind, I always thought it wouldn't be enjoyable without the background information. But I suppose that really is a testament to how well Leigh Bardugo has written the Crows.

[@jerelobligar]

I just finished A Little Life, and you are so valid for not wanting to finish it lol. I wanted to stop many times throughout the book, but I paid for it, so I had to finish lol

[@jessahaynes767]

I am probably almost old enough to be your grandmother 😊but we still have similar reading tastes. I also could not finish A Little Life and felt very similarly to you as On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous. Also have enjoyed books you have. That’s what I love about books, how they can surprise you (in good and bad ways). Unpopular book opinions can be scary to voice!

[@tonybennett4159]

I finished A Little Life but I felt somewhat besmirched and manipulated by it. It's all too easy to engender sympathy for a character if you lay unrelenting misery and trauma on him for page after page after page. In that sense I feel it to be a deeply dishonest piece of work.

[@runaroberts3217]

So nice and unexpected to see The Little Prince in this video! If you’re interested in the author I would recommend Antoine de Saint-Exupéry‘s memoir: Wind, Sand and Stars. I love his descriptions of flying during the early/sketchy days of aviation with his reflective writing style.

[@radtwelve]

Chris, don’t be surprised that you are gaining more followers! You’re that intellectually interesting together with Benji. Your interest in books and reading compliments that of Benji in plants and gardening! That combo can’t be more zen and you have us as an audience

[@elo_there]

Chris if you were to make a part 2 (and even if you didnt make a video on it I just recommend you read it because its a really good series) PLEASE give TGCF a chance (Tian Guan Ci Fu by MXTX, Heaven Officials Blessing is the English title!)

[@moonyscorner615]

CHRIIIISSS not to bombard you with comments about this but so true ^^^ really think you’d enjoy tgcf - got a perfect mixture of whimsy queer but fun plot, it’s a pretty long series but i’m so sure it’s right up your ally :D

[@robyntyler6279]

Can definitely agree this series is SO GOOD

[@johnnytran4365]

Congrats on 10k!! 🎉🎉

[@chrislibrary]

thank you🥹

[@josephusmiller2427]

If you are still open for recommendations, I really liked "The Darkness Outside Us". The cover suggests its YA, but it's really mature and has quite the twist. Really recommend! 😊

[@craftychicken12]

I was so excited to see Battle Royale in this video. I love that book with my whole heart. It's one of the goriest books I've ever read but to me, that just adds to the fact that this book is meant to be disturbing. I feel like comparing it to the hunger games in concept is a fair comparison but in terms of overall theme, they are very different. As you explained, the hunger games is all about overthrowing the capital or some greater power whereas Battle Royale is much more focused on the programme itself. Barely 50 pages are spent building up to the programme and the rest of the book is the fighting and the deaths themselves. I think the point of introducing each character in the chapter they're going to die is to give them some dimension. It makes all the deaths have more weight as we have now gotten to know these characters. Unlike in the hunger games where we really only learn a few people's names and even then a few aren't even their real names and we really know nothing about them. I think every death in Battle Royale has weight to it, and the fact that you get a POV for like 38 (I think 4 are skipped since they die so early) characters is insane and it really helps to solidify the idea that these are classmates and these kids have literally grown up together. -SPOILERS- I think the fact that Shogo dies at the end is what really separates this from books with a similiar plot. Killing off Shinji and Yutaka felt like it had so much weight since I think we were all hoping their plan to blow up the school would work then when it didn't and Yutaka dies, you know what's going to happen but we're helpless to stopping it. Shogo's death really adds to the end of the book as he is the main reason Shuya and Noriko are even out in the first place. This means that when he dies, he's sort of metaphorically passing the torch down to Shuya to continue his legacy in fighting the government and breaking their world as they know it. I think you can probably tell that I love this book way too much. Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read my super long comment :)

[@kylematherson9591]

Would you ever consider reading a lengthy book, it's called the lord of the mysteries ,it's so worth I promise!!!

[@patriciaromero5347]

I truly enjoyed your video! So soothing, just like Benji. I did like how you described each book and your opinion on it. You are allowed to not like a book other people like, just like movies and everything in life, each of us have different tastes and likes and dislikes. ❤

[@forgetthese]

You gotta read Miriam Toews!!!! All My Puny Sorrows and/or A Complicated Kindness! 🥰✨🥺

[@foxie2u1965]

I am almost 80 and read 'Watership Down' as a teen. If it is available (maybe library)try to read it. It is an experience!

[@goo9205]

I saw six of crows and I clicked. I'm glad you like it though!

[@user-fw1vf9bn4y]

Yaaaaay, hoorray, thanks for the new video!!

[@amarsingh122]

love it!!!! you both are awesome!

[@amarsingh122]

btw Chris i feel the same way about A Little Life!

[@y1ny4ng75]

Hi, Chris! Was the font style that you used for the texts flashed were Tahoma (I may be wrong). But I guess it is or just something familiar, it's very pleasing btw. And I noted some books from this list that I'll also add on my list haha. Doin' great as a youtuber, I can feel you're starting to be comfortable in front of a camera. Love your* contents! ❤

[@aishasarahalam5636]

do u have a podcast? if not u should totally start one bc its so nice to listen to u talking abt books :)

[@QueenOfChess69]

What a great video!! 🤩🤩🤩

[@Pedigru]

If you find the time and haven't already read any Mercedes Lackey, maybe pickup Magic's Pawn from The Last Herald-Mage Series. I won't say it's amazing, it's a very old book at this time, but as a gay kid...reading Magic's Pawn was the first time I ever knew people even wrote books with gay characters. And for this alone the trilogy has a special place in my heart. And if you enjoy Lackey, she has developed the world amazingly through several dozen books and series. So, you could always dive into the pool if the waters feel good.

[@dawnnicholson9675]

Six of Crows is my favourite book.. Crooked Kingdom is even better. The Shadow and bone trio of books don't really have the Crows in..but the Netfix series of Shadow and bone have the Crows..the characters are great..it worked well for me.. I loved it. Happy you enjoyed it.. ✨✨

[@patriciaromero5347]

I highly recomend: The Colorado Kid (stephen king), the Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury) and my 1ro favorite is The Hobbit.

[@jooooonnnniiieee__2380]

I GET UUUU! i felt like failure of some sort when I ended up dropping On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous because I couldn't get through the multitude of stories and imagery. i don't regret it tho and i don't regret returning the book

[@dazaiismyname]

Just subscribed. Congrats on 12k

[@tulip4947]

In the end i heard Benjie's voice, its nice to know that your supporting each other.

[@michaelhall8586]

We saw the little prince everywhere when we visited South Korea. I have no idea why it’s such a big deal there although I’m sure it’s a good story. Some great recommendations in this video!

[@bernadettek2297]

Fyi: If you still want to read "They both die at the end" without being spoiled, maybe don't read this comment as it contains slight spoilers. ;) First of all: I really enjoyed this video! Thank you! :)) I really feel like I need to voice my opinion about "They both die at the end" as I've just read it haha. I really do understand what you said about Mateo just dragging Rufus along and basically just being scared to do anything and I felt like this for a few pages at the beginning of their story together BUT I actually think that that's very important for their story. Why? Because to me it shows that you can't overcome your fears just like that. As we get further in the book we really see how Mateo evolves and becomes braver with time which shows that's necessary and possible if you are met with compassion and support by people around you. And they did really experience a lot in the end and I feel like Mateo also gave Rufus something in return (closure,...). But I guess, that's very personal and I really felt for and with Mateo and Rufus as I could see parts of myself in both of them (but especially in Mateo!). I just turned 18 and feel like the book really is a great reminder for (not only but especially young) people that we should live our lives to the fullest, not to let ourselves be stopped by our fears and that it's never too late to start doing that. I obviously accept different views on that but I personally loved this book! As a person who overthinks everything (and especially the future...) A LOT, I found this book quite relatable and think that its messages will always stick with me in some way. :) *I'm really sorry for that essay but you asked for it haha.*

[@karinaromay8388]

As bookseller, I love your analysis/ videos ❤❤❤

[@piyushmisra1812]

Another great video, Chris! At the risk of being annoying by referring to a very (now) popular book, I am truly curious about what you thought about the book “ Call me by your name “ . I read it back before it was turned into a movie and I’ve been in love with it years later. Always keen to hear about what others think about it:) love from India:)

[@tylerleeger5034]

Hey Chris, I was hoping to get some advice. I love to read, but I really only read self-help books lol, meditation, how to deal with depression, things of that nature, I really wish I could get into fiction. All these really cool books are talking about. I just don’t know what I would like! Any recommendations? I see everyone getting into these book series and the books that your followers are recommending to be honest. I’ve never read other books then self-help or books about space, the gay books I would definitely be interested too! Every time my partner and I go to the bookstore, I just don’t know what to choose. I don’t know what to choose!!! I’m 28 years old and it’s kind of intimidating because I want to read other things. I just don’t know what I hope I can get a response by the way!!

[@nateskii]

i'm a little late, but am so excited to watch this

[@Peighter]

CHRIS!!!! i cant believe your thoughts on earth were briefly gorgeous! i still love you though, but woah, that cut me

[@Kmm182]

Your videos are getting me into reading for pleasure! I haven’t had much time to do so since I was a kid. We have similar tastes so I’ve been reading the stuff you like and it’s awesome! Emily Wilde and Piranesi so far. ❤

[@jjjoel8451]

thank you for the sharing, Chris. im going to read they both died at the end

[@chrislibrary]

let me know what you think!

[@JuoPolly]

Quite liked On Earth We Briefly Gorgeous exactly for it’s being just a flow of narration, moments and memories. I’ve listened to an audiobook and found Ocean Vuong’s voice very much fitting the story. Also I’m still really grateful to a person who warned about the monkey scene, skipped it just in time.

[@Hep.F]

I want one!❤🇨🇦

[@georgeoduor8940]

Omg, now I have to read a little life. I will read it because of you

[@Jon-pj4dg]

loveddd the video!!!! It cheered me up after a rough night❤️❤️ highly recommend reading In Memoriam by Alice Winn if you haven’t, I think it's about love that persists in the midst of the brutality of war. Couldn’t tear my eyes off it!!!!

[@matthewrueda9963]

I love your videos dude!

[@squirrelcanart573]

GO OFFFFFFF THIS IS SO COOL 🗣️🗣️🗣️

[@futuroid]

i've tried to read on earth we're briefly gorgeous like 5 times but could not make it. it was tew much

[@nomado3650]

How many pages do you read, Chris, before deciding if you wanted to give the book a chance or you close it’s cover for good?

[@goblinwizard735]

you are low key my hero for saying you didn't love The Ocean Vuong book on the internet. i feel you on this. it's like eating a huge peice of sugary cake when you aren't a sugar person. and the thing is, his poems are so good for the exact same reason.

[@aanntruongg]

Actually the six of crows duology is better than shadow and bones (in my opinion) :)) I truly want to know your opinion of the Beartown triology by Fredrik Backman. I have just finished it recently and I am not ok :))) Ps: I also don't like OEWBG because of the writing style 🥲

[@lawrencemangoe]

that "please dont kill me urghh" was cute haha but yeah finally someone who has the same thought as mine about oewbg

[@marvinraphaelmonfort8289]

u and b should do the fox/rose and the little prince for halloween, respectively hehe

[@RObby21994]

Have you read „The Song of Achilles“? 😊 would be very interesting to hear your thoughts on this - one of my favourites! I agree with you on TBDATH concernig Mateo. I liked the prequel „The First to die at the end“ more. Still making my way through „A Little Life“ - one of the books that sticks with me throughout the days…

[@chrislibrary]

yes! i talked about it in my very first video :)

[@mykrulestheworld943]

😍😍😍

[@SiarlW]

First. Just finished Legends & Lattes thanks to you! Coziest book ever! I loved it! (have you read A Wizards Guide to Defensive Baking? I think you’d enjoy it too). Little Prince 👑 yay. Great recommendation, agree agree agree. TBDITE Mateo and Rufus 🥹 have to disagree, I loved that Rufus was so turned on his head by supporting and loving Mateo. It made me love Rufus so much more. Agree about the Daphne and other periphery characters adding nothing. Battle Royal. Not for me. I’ll never ever read it. Glad you warned me. 😱 I also wouldn’t enjoy On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous. I felt the same way about The Overstory by Richard Powers. I just didn’t enjoy the writing style where so many of my people LOVED it. Six of Crows is on my list to read now. ❤

[@ExpatLifeKorea]

Don’t worry, Chris. I struggled reading OEWABG by Ocean, too. It’s sublime but it’s too flowery I had a hard time connecting with it. I gave it 3/5 stars.

[@chrislibrary]

glad i’m not alone in this😅

[@SantiagoPedZ]

I never read A Little Life because of the things I have heard about the book. Always I see it in a bookstore and a friend want to buy it I try to warn them 😅

[@067949206c]

Great video, keep it up! I find it interesting that you need to set up the whole "trust and honesty" before reviewing /On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous/, but not /A Little Life/ (including being afraid of having a dissenting opinion). I feel the same way about /On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous/, but for me /A Little Life/ is one of my favourite books. I would recommend /Me Talk Pretty One Day/ or any other David Sedaris book.

[@amillican90]

Would you say you’re a fast reader?

[@brainfart_]

I want to know ur top non-fiction book

[@sigurdk13]

i don't know why I never thought a book would be violent. but now I do know. the more you learn...😅

[@Jasmine-nf5bk]

✨ Good Morning, Chris✨. Thank you for sharing with us. Btw. I had no idea about "A Little Life." So when offered a copy to read, I thought sure...why not? I did not get far into the book before I decided to stop reading it and return it to the person who provided it to me. I enjoyed your video🤗.

[@bonappetito5982]

Congrats!🎉

[@roseelizabeth6230]

I enjoyed on earth we're briefly gorgeous better as as audio especially because it's narrated by the author

[@Maryz0lSunny]

I wonder if you would be interested in reading the Vicious series by V. E. Swab?

[@ec8927]

I loved On Earth…

[@Soil_scales7888]

You need to read house of salt and sorrows ✨👌

[@dreamersfolly]

I haven't read/seen that story, but to be honest, if I were to be in that world of Battle Royale and placed in that situation, I would defi just let the collar blow me the heck up or whatever. I'd find a picturesque spot before the other contestants find me, and wait for my untimely demise. I wouldn't kill anyone (f. that) & allow anyone to murder me brutally (f. that too) 🙊

[@connor36267]

💙

[@pman2916]

As I'm watching, it's 11.6 subs now😊

[@_.vic7]

I felt the exact same way about On earth we're briefly gorgeous. I couldn't grasp what he was trying to convey with all those metaphors. To this day I still don't know what half the book was talking about. Thank you for this review, I thought I was the only one not getting the hype.

[@cecileelisa.]

i didn't read a little life but i'm still not okay (but a lot better now)

[@debrafullerton2360]

❤❤❤

[@marvinraphaelmonfort8289]

so cute that u don't know why people are drawn to u😊 u'r cute and chill (u an b)

[@xtreamchance]

I blame you, for getting into Gideon the Ninth! Like the Hobbit, the beginning was so boring...only after 48% does it get really good!

[@pattills3]

try and finish Ocean's book....there is more there than you ar seeing...

[@AmanCreatesArt]

So glad you liked Six of Crows! I did a chat with Leigh Bardugo about those books, world building, and the Netflix adaptations: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmWYf3RoYpJjbJIsi=aWTdi6m1Sb5Jk__l