i read tiktok's most popular books -- can booktok be trusted?? 📈📈📈 *no spoilers*

[@tofugoreng23]

the joke about booktok is that they say "underrated books" and then mention popular books

[@alyssanybakken]

RIGHT LMFAO

[@lightlawliet3526]

someone needs to tell them the definition of underrated.

[@saad5590]

Maybe they popularise them ?

[@biblionerd]

@@saad5590 Not really. At least "We were liars" and "They both die at the end" have been hyped up for a long time on booktube before tiktok came into the scene.

[@saad5590]

@@biblionerd sorry I wasn't aware of that

[@rosem9221]

“If this is The SONG of Achilles, I wanna join the choir-“ Honestly, I’ve never related to anything more in life than this.

[@ellax8455]

One of the best jokes I've ever heard except the punchline is real lmao

[@EpicReads]

Yes! Perfectly said!

[@katrinevoller3233]

Lol i actually just came Home from choir

[@majoranya]

same, when i die bury my ashes with this f book

[@domino6866]

"We were liars" was supposed to be just a lemonade summer book. Did not expect to bawl my eyes out at the beach at 11 am.

[@randomuserig2663]

That’s how I was with “they both die at the end!” I was legit on a resort in Mexico balling my eyes out at the pool 😭

[@domino6866]

@@randomuserig2663 It does hit you harder when you're having a good time...

[@randomuserig2663]

@@domino6866 I agree😭

[@angelicaelmo1003]

No fr nobody told me it was going to be sad and i just sat there crying LMFAOO

[@jocii38]

yooo i just finished it a few hours ago and i’m broken. like i feel the grief irl

[@tiarosings7876]

“This book will rip your heart into tiny pieces and you will enjoy every damn second of it.” FACTS.

[@yieshyeah]

Frrr

[@idiotburner5616]

The Song Of Achilles made me cry more than the Peter Johnson film adaptations. Sure, I was crying for two different reasons, but that is not the point.

[@thescarediest]

Omg 😭😭😭

[@froggarolli-Stolitz]

ohmygods, I feel you

[@yori_ti]

Lmaooo

[@vivianklein731]

you had me in the first half ngl BUT THIS LMAO

[@annathebanana2027]

Greek mythology and dps pic and name…sweetie I love you❣️

[@gc-qh7rr]

I’m a simple girl, I see Song of Achilles, I start sobbing and *then* I click

[@yinhannasjournal]

😂

[@adeleaslan8182]

Mood

[@oliviasmith2972]

Me

[@puddleduck1405]

Same but for “they both die at the end” haha. I wanna read song of Achilles too

[@melaniecarpio4216]

SAMEE

[@gyu8859]

you should make a video of you reading wattpad for 24 hours/ reading popular wattpad fanfics

[@kohyenni147]

omg yes please 😂

[@zoyasaqib8994]

OH GOD THAT WOULD BE HELL AHAHHA idk if ur a harry styles fan but a rly famous fanfic about him is called duplicity and well.... its a rollercoaster

[@manaislost6912]

Forget wattpad, ao3 its better!

[@chrissyelric7134]

Poor him 😭😂

[@iiholyavocadosii6160]

it would be very repetative

[@Abhi-wl5yt]

I did not expect to bawl my eyes out when I read 'The Song of Achilles'. It was really an experience

[@Chaos.HQ05]

On the other hand I fully expected to and was consistently warned that I shouldn’t read it unless I had the emotional and mental space to cope with it and went into the book while I was already really low but it took me both higher and lower and by the end I was crying on and off for the next week while my brain recapped most of the book, about 5-6 months later and I’m still not fully over Song of Achilles

[@lemeriese]

omg I just bought that book and I think I should start reading now (since I love books and movies with sad endings haha)

[@emmy3761]

I read it yesterday. It broke my heart into a million pieces. It's definitely the most beautiful book I've ever read

[@codytorrance8371]

OH BABE ME EITHER KNOWING THEIR FATE BUT MADLINE MILLER OH GOD SHE KNOWS WHAT SHES DOING

[@HayimLee-p8s]

I had never read any of her books, or heard of her, either, somehow. I saw my friend reading SoA and decided to borrow it from the library. I finished it at like 4 am and I was actually crying so heard. It's so amazingly beautiful, though

[@arundhatimisra5892]

'THE ONLY PERSON MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN MATT HAIG IS TAYLOR SWIFT' ahh i died, i honestly had to pause the video and give it a thumbs up. impeccable.

[@harleyquiinnnn]

it's true, taylor swift fans DO always say they "died" hahah 😂

[@harleyquiinnnn]

(i'm refering to what she said on the graham norton show)

[@d_diya29]

@@harleyquiinnnn " RIP I DIED DEAD"😂

[@IshaSharma11]

True

[@harleyquiinnnn]

@@d_diya29 "REST IN PEACE ME ✋🏼😔✨"

[@heatherlydia4728]

Red, white and royal blue was written to be the “perfect idealistic world” so I guess it delivers on that front.

[@juju-be4279]

It’s the best book I’ve ever read no 🧢

[@Claudiassilverguitar]

For me as a half Mexican Texan I relate to the book a lot and I care and love texas a lot so this book gave me so much hope. The escapism was needed for me.

[@ozzy9180]

i read it in lockdown when i was going through a bit of a crap time and i found it really helpful because of the idealism in it. it was one of those books where i could tell nothing was really going to go wrong and i absolutely fell in love with all the characters and it helped to uplift me so i think for the vibes of the book, the idealistic setting suits it but that’s just my opinion :)

[@happyuniverse5721]

lmao a bit repetitive tho but yep it’s a great read

[@korazona3731]

I read it instead of revising for my maths GCSE in the library in the 6 hours before my exam🗿 not worth it

[@EJAG_art]

Alt. title “excited book person talks as fast as humanly possible at accelerating speed” Edit: I now realise I watched the video at 1.25 speed, and that he was actually talking at a normal speed, I’m sorry for my chaos

[@dominiquepocopio777]

He didn't talk that fast tho

[@alyssafcs]

@@dominiquepocopio777 look at the edit of their comment

[@mooodlemip4779]

The edit makes this comment even more hilarious

[@delaney_reese]

HAHAHA

[@lenseofleni]

I watched this in 2x speed and no trouble following his words

[@chimakiso]

I've read a lot of books throughout the years and The Song of Achilles is the only book that has left an deep, lasting impact on my life. No book has ever touched me the way that one did. The entire story is so beautifully written and the characters are so enjoyable. It is definitely hard not to fall in love with it. The love that Achilles and Patroclus have for one another is what dreams are made of and is something that I hope to have one day (minus the sad ending)

[@erikperhs_]

Well the ending wasn't sad actually. SPOILER: If they were alive, they would still be suffering through wars and battles. But dead they're together and in peace! It's the most perfect ending.

[@readingrat8714]

@@erikperhs_ agree with you!!! But it still hurts 😭

[@hannahbananaloll330]

Spoilers: I never expected Patroclus to die first and that By hector. I knew Achilles will kill hector knowing he will also die.. it was just so beautiful.

[@ian3523]

@@erikperhs_ but its the way they died, in the end patroclus died cuz of achilles' growing greed and the way the author describes his grief is just- heartbreaking to say the least, and the way he holds his corpse as he cries day after day without eating anything and calls out his name nonstop.. he even drags hector's corpse around as to comfort his grief

[@zoeapostolidou3964]

@@hannahbananaloll330 How do you guys call spoilers actions that occur in an epic 2800 years ago? Miller didn't come up with it 💀

[@wildestreads3574]

The uncomfortable jokes and puns... this is why we watch Jack Go ahead give us everything ✨

[@kanakbakhru188]

The fact that he is able to come up with do many puns and jokes ON THE SPOT blows my mind!!!!!

[@VasimYildirim-xr6jh]

@@kanakbakhru188 reading and İ mean lots of intellect reading does the work 😂😂

[@kaaylas4569]

him : "if this is THE SONG of achillies, i wanna join the choir". me : *aggressively subscribes*

[@marialenatsgk4960]

SAME AHAHHA

[@yinhannasjournal]

This comment is so cute. 🥺🥺

[@adamyaseen4954]

Lmao

[@apipratheesh3163]

"If music be the food of love, then play on"

[@mams2847]

MOOD

[@ashjohnson451]

the whole "knowing when you'll die" thing is supposed to be in the background of they both die at the end, because it's not a story exploring that concept. it's two boys falling in love knowing that they will both die at the end. it's an AIDs metaphor. a lot of people seem to miss that

[@anikkaferrer2245]

That’s really interesting!

[@jenblack98]

I really enjoyed this book but now that you've said that it's an aids metaphor that makes so much more sense.

[@user-vy9tn5ix4s]

holy shit

[@sara_daria2]

That's so clever

[@MrDrUnknown]

Is that a personal idea for the metaphor? I watched a video of Adam Silvera and his inspiration for the book and he said he doesn‘t like the unknown. He doesn‘t want to live with knowing when one will die but getting a heads up would help him. And he would use a Death day to resolve any problem he would have and wishes people would live their live as adventoursly as Rufus and Mateo did. Maybe I’m missing something but I think the fact that Both die at the end is in the absolut foreground of the story

[@looptheloopy]

The Midnight Library has a special place in my heart. As someone who was going through something very similar, from ending things right down to what happened to Volts, it wasn't triggering as much as it was cathartic.

[@joana5978]

Wow in my case was the contrary, i had to stop reading it because it was pretty triggering, but i guess it wasn't the right time to read it, maybe in the future

[@mbrunnen04]

@@joana5978 same here

[@lilyaileen]

I had that same experience and it is genuinely one of my favorite books of all time.

[@milkaddiction513]

I was thinking of reading but I was wondering if there is any romance or not . I don't really read romance books

[@TaysCruelsummer]

@@milkaddiction513 theres close to no romance in the book tbh

[@thalitamenezes8742]

I think "They both die at the end" hit a lot harder for people around the same age as the protagonists, when I read it I was COMPLETELY destroyed by the book cause I could see so much of myself in Mateo and I still not over it. Btw im pretty sure Adam Silvera said that he was going to write more books in that universe and I'm just SUPER exited for it

[@user-dc2dz8ie1i]

I love the universe - even the Instagram accounts mentioned in the book are real and have the photos described!

[@ceciliaatie4249]

yes 😭😭😭 I agree with a lot of the points Jake said but the book still one of my favorites uyhuyhjhb IT’S JUST GODDAM PERFECT

[@thalitamenezes8742]

@@user-dc2dz8ie1i I just loved so much read the book while seeing Rufus Instagram, it was an amazing experience

[@tanya.24]

I do see its appeal and why people would like it but it just did not do it for me (I read it last year when I was 14), I enjoyed about the last 50 pages tho. Maybe it's because I read Ari and Dante before that, and that's such a wonderful, heart-touching love story that it was hard to top that anyway

[@adrijana13]

no cause i agree sooo much, they both die at the end destroyed me, but is my comfort book. i absolutely loved it!! when I finished it the first time, I was at the beach and I had to hide my face due to my sobbing lmao

[@freddy5648]

As a queer person of colour I will never be able to ignore the cruelty the world throws my way, but that’s why “Red, White and Royal Blue” worked so well for me as a book. It’s pure escapism. It’s great for if you just want to take a break for a while, because pondering, and experiencing a lot of the shit that happens in the world is something I do/live through on a daily basis. I don’t always want to read about bad outcomes and the crushing reality of the world we live in. So if you’re like me and you just need a break from time to time I suggest you check it out. I don’t allow myself to hope too much, but sometimes you need to be reminded that there are some things to be hopeful for. Edit: thanks for the likes🥰 wow

[@dorian6970]

the author wrote in the acknowledgments that it was why they wrote the book that way - to give people hope, comfort and escapism during the trump administration

[@freddy5648]

@@dorian6970 yeah it really delivered on the intended purpose :)

[@TheSilverwing999]

Good review. I, as many other people, (but straight) also continously experience the horror and shit in the world. We just can't seem to escape it. As much as people want to think that white and straight means you are privileged the more they are mistaken. The world is a horrible place and we are all just trying to get through it together.

[@freddy5648]

@@TheSilverwing999 I appreciate the compliment, however I feel like you’re unintentionally undermining the inherent oppression queer and poc people phase. Obviously white, straight people can also have a shit time, but they’re not oppressed. You have privileges, it doesn’t mean you’re life is perfect, but it’s still going to be easier for a white and straight person to live in this world.

[@nnyn211]

@@TheSilverwing999 this is why understanding intersectionality is important. Yes, straight and ethnic majority people have difficult times, especially if they are of the lower class, but it's not because of their sexuality and race/ethnicity. Poor minorities have to deal with being poor AND minority. Queer people and POC are more likely to be impoverished as well.

[@yourstruly4664]

"If you ever see him fighting with a grisly bear, help the bear" Yes, will be using this as a description of Achilles from now on.

[@nadia-wp4mj]

this and 'are you a top or a bottom' 'I'm a threat'

[@mayra7252]

this reminds me of the chuck norris jokes 😂😂

[@ellie7200]

Dude, The Song of Achilles made me cry like a baby. Honestly, when I finished it I was bawling my eyes out so hard that my fiancée had to comfort me lmao 💀

[@moonyreads1784]

I read "The Midnight Library" and it actually made me appreciate life so much more

[@jade728]

Me too, I understand it was predictable but for me it was in an extremely comforting way. Kind of just reminded me to stop trying to find a reason to live and instead just wait it out because you never know what good might be coming :)

[@SM-qv2om]

I'm halfway through. I like the concept but the writing is too simplistic for my liking. Still pretty good so far though :)

[@sunlightempress]

It's a beautiful way to illustrate a kind of spiritual belief that the life you experience now is the best option because of the specific challenges, lessons, and rewards it offers - particularly for folks who have maybe never thought about that before.

[@laurelhell0_1]

I think it's boring asf but everyone is entiteled for their own opinion

[@Kointa]

Bought it spontaneously bc I thought the cover looked nice. Im not trough it wasn’t disappointed yet

[@chelseal8448]

I''m glad The Song of Achilles is getting a sort of second wind thru tiktok, although praise for it never really dies down lol! It's the book that lives up to and even exceeds hype.

[@ri3869]

I have absolutely no background information on greek mythology, do you think i would enjoy it?

[@unimoon3862]

@@ri3869 hey Jack just says is this vid that you’ll enjoy it whether you know Mythology or not because it tells you the stories in the books. Hope that helped :)

[@AmandaIrons]

@@ri3869 Idk what you like to read, so that’s hard to answer-BUT the writing style is very quick and the story is interesting. So (based entirely on my own biases) I think you may enjoy it!

[@imogeninelysium]

The Song of Achilles BROKE me. Even though you already know what will happen and you're ready for it, it still doesn't erase the hurt you feel. Reading it made me feel like I was there and that the characters were all real people and very rarely do books make me feel that way lol. I can really feel Patroclus' emotions and that's what makes it hurt the most. 😩

[@swan3640]

I was literally the same like I knew my greek mythology somewhat, but enjoyed the story so much! It was actually few lines here and there that made me physically hit the wall cuz I knew our boi Achilles /will/ die. And then as the pages narrowed and lessened it started to hit me like oh f*ck oh f*ck we're in Troy oh no no oh no-

[@katemartin113]

Madeline Miller is INCREDIBLE, i’m reading Circe currently (bc i’m too scared to read song of achilles haha) and the way she is able to make you feel such intense emotions even if you know the myths, just *chefs kiss*

[@sara-jj6sm]

@@katemartin113 Circes is really good too!

[@gaygarbage2762]

The way she describes emotions, voices and scenery is chef's kiss. I could feel Patroclus' anxiety, love, sadness, and every nuanced emotion that I can't describe myself.

[@carnalrythm]

Gods song of achillies was so painfull, i decided to read it during my exam week as a “stress reliever” worst and best mistake of my life

[@carnalrythm]

@@nura319 straight up gave me depression, im still not over it smh and i cry everytime my friends play achillies calm down (they dont read SOA)

[@alaaaaa11234]

Dude thanks for letting us know. I was literally just about to read it and i have 2 weeks left to my final exam...I guess I will go back to studying :”)

[@carnalrythm]

@@alaaaaa11234 ive saved a life!!!! also when you read keep a box of tissue close especially in the last 3 chapters

[@simargautam8670]

STRESS RELIEVER? Rip 🪦

[@susieidk9434]

i feel like i’m the only one who didn’t cry on this and now i’m concerned for myself

[@EJAG_art]

“They both die at the end” sounds like a nightmare device for people with anxiety, myself included. Love the video, hate the fact I now know that concept exists 😂

[@maanyadewan1497]

it’s sooo good tho! you should read it

[@aanya5577]

@@maanyadewan1497 I literally read that in one go even tho it's being 2-3 years since I have read something. It was a good book tho

[@maanyadewan1497]

@@aanya5577 omg same! i read it last year (in one go as well!) after a couple years of not reading anything and it truly got me back into reading :) I loved that book

[@shsh-mc3sx]

yeah I'd prolly die right after getting the call not being able to breath

[@aanya5577]

@@maanyadewan1497 Me too! Even tho I kind of felt like it was boring in between but it got interesting near the end :)

[@Valeria-rc3ki]

I know Red White and Royal Blue was really idealistic, but honestly, I was living for it! I just loved the main characters so much and I wanted them to be happy together, and it didn't mind me that everything worked out too perfect to be true, I was just so pleased to see my babies have their happy ever after!

[@theglowup9623]

The author said they wrote it to be that way too especially considering it was during the time trump was in power i believe they said they just wanted to deliver that escapism which I thought it did really well. Plus it’s a romance that’s sort of the gig, it has to deliver a happy ever after

[@annachen6562]

Agreed! If you want a realistic view of the political landscape, watch the news. I loved being able to just live in Alex and Henry’s reality for a few hundred pages.

[@meowie2495]

I finished the song of Achilles a night ago and when I tell you no book has ever destroyed me this way, I'm not kidding. You'd think it would hurt less knowing your greek mythology, but nope. Nooope. I may never recover.

[@thediaryofafallenstar]

Right?! After I finished reading it, I laid in bed for at least 30 minutes contemplating life 😭😂💀

[@Emma-of2jk]

@@thediaryofafallenstar right?? thank god i read it at night and could literally sob myself to sleep cause i could NOT have functioned after finishing it

[@joyfacedown]

I haven't read that one, but it's been recommended to me a lot because of A Little Life, which I love, so you may want to pick that up next!

[@thediaryofafallenstar]

@@Emma-of2jk same! i stayed up till i think about 2 am and we all know how the early mornings are the best time to have midlife crisis’ 😃✋

[@thediaryofafallenstar]

@@joyfacedown A Little Life? i’ve never heard of it! i’ll have to check it out!

[@Mariam.4445]

"call me Peter pan, because i was 'captin hocked' " - Jack Edward's precious words on how to compliment a good book✨

[@AikiraBeats]

Right like this is my quote for the year

[@sarahrosen4985]

The coolest part was getting to your comment and reading it in perfect time to him saying it in the video.

[@Mariam.4445]

@@sarahrosen4985 that happens alot when i read Jack's comments too!!! 😂😂😂😂

[@Mariam.4445]

@@AikiraBeats I agree I agree I agree

[@dh6414]

✨Timestamps✨ 2:29 We Were Liars 3:53 They Both Die At The End 6:13 The Midnight Library 8:00 The Song of Achilles 9:29 Red, White & Royal Blue

[@kurtaskies7893]

Thank you sm 😫💗💗

[@lalalallalalaala]

thank u 💓

[@madhurachowdhury6703]

Ooo thx

[@maemae527]

Thanks! ❤️❤️

[@kav4587]

i clicked on just to hear your review of the song of achilles, because that book was perfect in every way possible. its the retelling of, dare i say, the most famous greek story of all time and it doesn't spoil anything for you. if anything, knowing the ending just adds to the beauty of the book because it just makes the foreshadowing that much more effective and heartbreaking. every time i read "what has hector ever done to me?" i wanted to rip my hair out and drag my own body behind a chariot around troy three times.

[@sagarrathore6353]

Even I've clicked for the same reason i read this book last year and also feel the same when Patro die i remembered that line of Achilles “what has hactor ever done to me?”

[@antoniak6475]

As a Greek I was kinda nervous to read the song of Achilles cuz I thought it'd be as if I was in school learning about mythology all over again BUT NO IT'S SO GOOD.

[@user-nl4fp4iv8y]

It’s soooooooo good I can’t even-

[@antoniak6475]

@@user-nl4fp4iv8y I know right masterpiece 🤧

[@faiali2895]

idk why but “as a greek” is absolutely sending me

[@dafnigalani2889]

Ohh hello, as a fellow Greek it is indeed hella good!

[@helingunes5798]

So cool that in greek you learn about greek mythology, very interesting history topic omg

[@melanieventer3511]

"To celebrate the fact that we just hit 500k" Mans already on 563k

[@GwenM98]

564k now 😂

[@aryshazaman5526]

I was thinking the same as well!

[@anahitashojaei1453]

now 565k

[@varnikamanral2184]

566k now 🥰

[@melanieventer3511]

@@varnikamanral2184 how is this going up so fast? He deserves it though honesty

[@hamzamandviwalla8057]

‘People always refer to me as the Charli D’Amelio of KZbin’ I’m dead 💀🤣

[@thevillainousqueenofhearts4976]

Who is Charli D’Amelio?

[@intinesuntdoipinguini4825]

@@thevillainousqueenofhearts4976 Jack Edwards of tiktok

[@1111ish]

@@thevillainousqueenofhearts4976 you are the one who survived

[@thevillainousqueenofhearts4976]

@@1111ish perhaps 🤔

[@r.7530]

@@intinesuntdoipinguini4825 take all my money you absolute legend

[@ronja.85]

you're definitely the charli d'amelio of booktube.

[@wonderlust1308]

Is that a compliment or insult?

[@ronja.85]

@@wonderlust1308 compliment because he's the most popular booktuber

[@wonderlust1308]

@@ronja.85 Oh so you meant just by popularity, okay lol. Because with popularity aside I was like: um... chile... lol

[@nickoffury]

he’s actually got talent unlike that annoying tik tok chick

[@rainnnnn28]

I’m one of the people who loves The Midnight Library. I agree the ending is predictable and cliche but I love following Nora’s journey to finding her life purpose! It’s also one of my fave tropes ever.

[@annabelkok3662]

Omg I completely agree with 'They both die at the end" such a good concept, kinda underwhelming execution. I feel like a book with a title like that should make you cry and I did not cry, and don't get me wrong, I'm usually a crier.

[@NinaP1008]

I totally agree but i really cried a LOT at the end… maybe I‘m too emotional for this haha

[@seoeunlee2090]

That book's title should be "They both die at the end. And i died too."

[@norawithanh]

i think it could’ve been so good if there was any tension between the characters before they got together. there was not. was disappointed. still cried.

[@ArtyGeek]

EXACTLY ME

[@jemappellemerci]

I did actually shed a tear and im not a cryer when reading

[@eliasa4549]

I finished The Song of Achilles on a long train ride and cried like a baby, even with all the people all around me. It absolutely did not matter that I knew how the story would end, it's just that kind of book

[@shamayitachatterjee1604]

What a coincidence, I read it in a long train ride too! After completing the book I went up to an upper berth and cried silently for hours...And you know the worst part, it was a two day ride and I read 'A thousand splendid suns' on the night. Talk about depressing! 💀

[@mahalekshmi484]

@@shamayitachatterjee1604 oh god😂

[@rodneyshen7397]

i think Jack is one of the most subtle flexers on KZbin, like he wears Balenciaga and Off-White now... we see you Jack

[@cameronblack7822]

i read we were liars while sitting on the stairs of my grandmothers house. by the end of it, i had tears and snot running down my face and my grandmother was patting me on the shoulder and i was on the phone with my mom telling her “that’s not how it was supposed to go.” a book hasn’t messed me up like that since all the bright places.

[@soph2464]

Idea: reading books that are banned in certain areas

[@lmn0005]

Wait certain books are banned in certain areas! Never knew….

[@takemetomarz]

Oooh yess

[@ashleyyy8036]

Lots of books are banned in china

[@sadnessofwildgoats]

Hey I think he did a poll about what topic he should do next and this one won in a landslide

[@calina4544]

Yes i hear the 48 laws of power is banned in certian countries

[@anirlarchivist]

there's going to come a point... where jack's terrible puns and tiktok phrase references are going to drive me to an early grave and i don't know if i'll be angry about it

[@idk-dz]

"The only more productive person than Matt Haig is Taylor Swift" i mean you're not wrong she released 4 albums in 1,5 years and secretly filmed a motion picture 😭

[@Clementine3107]

We need Jack to analyze "Sour" ' s lyricism asap.

[@otherworldsthanthese]

YES

[@midnightflower-rk8ec]

YES YES YES

[@happy4821]

for me sour's lyricism is quite literal, it is still very beautiful and goes straight into your heart but like i dont think it has lots of symbolism and stuff, idk how to explain because english isnt my first language, it's just isnt as abstract??

[@tessa1316]

OMG YES

[@zdoriksandorik]

@@happy4821 there isn't a lot of symbolism, mostly straight emotions, which is why the songs are beautiful, however that doesn't leave a lot to be analyzed compared to albums like Harry Styles', tswift etc. jack can, however, tell us which songs he likes tho ahahha

[@adritamajumder3982]

"Call me Peter Pan 'cause I was Captain Hooked"- Jack Ben Edwards, 2021

[@zijing9548]

Oh my gosh, I legit though he said call me PIZZA PAN and I was confused 😂

[@adritamajumder3982]

@@zijing9548 LMAOO🤣🤣

[@christinesvault9440]

timestamp; Intro - 0:00 We were liars - 2:26 They both die at the end - 3:52 The Midnight Library - 6:12 The song of Achilles - 8:00 Red, White & Royal Blue - 9:29

[@takemetomarz]

THANK YOU!

[@nicolefermor]

thank you!!

[@Bookwormtalksabout]

Thank you

[@diabolic.jellyfish]

YOU THE BEST BABY😩

[@jude-c7w]

ily

[@emilystevens5739]

We were liars was honestly pretty good stylistically and symbolically! The author did a really good job at expressing PTSD and dissociative amnesia associated with a major traumatic event! I thought it was brilliant!

[@hannahharris8474]

I thought the same!!!

[@Laerdna]

achilles said, "bring him back to me!" and my fragile little heart tingled in bliss. then as the story continues i was all "what the h-" with tears in my cheeks till the last page PS. Circe was great too. I just finished reading it. The story mentioned Trojan war, Achilles and Patroclus, and that's the closure I needed lol

[@nuzeee_k]

🚨SPOLIER ALERT 🚨 I did not cry at patroclus' death, I was hurt ofc and started crying from the next page to the end. It's amazing really how ppl break down even knowing the story before picking up the book

[@zenara4841]

Hey! I'm reading the e-book of Song of achilles these days and I feel like I'm missing some pages..so can u tell me the page count of the printed book please!

[@Laerdna]

@@zenara4841 284 pages, I read it in ebook too by the way

[@zenara4841]

@@Laerdna oh okay! Thankss

[@sofiabonino6287]

I had read the Illiad way back when I was in highschool but The song of Achilles just DESTROYED me anyway. Like, I knew how it ended, but it still killed me!

[@prabhkiratsingh6503]

Song of Achilles breakes your heart in thousands of pieces but you happily let it happen.

[@angelesuzanne2133]

Can we appreciate how Jack does little jokes in every single situation? (Addison reating, Charli dami-NO...)

[@arpitalalwani6520]

Love how everyone is in love with song of Achilles .

[@KC-zw2jf]

As someone who hates reading, I want to read literally everything you like

[@DeeRafatSweileh]

Hate reading? 🥺

[@KC-zw2jf]

@@DeeRafatSweileh I'm sorry!

[@thisistinnytrying]

Bestie we need to talk

[@ririschannelx]

If you hate reading, then why are you here

[@KC-zw2jf]

@@ririschannelx I like listening to people talk about books!

[@ssshddddd]

Day 2341 of asking Jack to read & do a video on Latin American literature (and not just Hispanic)

[@Pablo-uc2yc]

YES PLEASE

[@squigglz97]

YESSSSSSS!!!! Please!!!!

[@valemedina4473]

We latin americans have a lot of good stuff, i support this one.

[@nicolecosta5400]

if he reads Machado de Assis i might get emotional

[@antoniacampos8555]

OMG YESSS, he should totally read something by Isabel Allende or Garcia Marquez *chef's kiss*

[@ellap.7771]

"They both die at the end" had me hoping that they really won't die (characters are too precious aaaaaa!!!)

[@stani.k]

I agree 😭😭

[@anaelleperr0n]

same !!!

[@N59410]

The Midnight Library really spoke to me. I love how digestible the writing is, and it is one of my all time favorites! Totally understand that it may come across of oversimplified. Red, White, and Royal Blue is one that I completely loved while reading and with some hindsight lost some of it's shine because of that over-the-top idealism. But it was such a magnificent escape read in the moment! I somehow don't have Song of Achilles on my to read list but after this video it is there now! Awesome video, Jack. Love your stuff!

[@alekyapodichetti27]

I was hoping that you'd read the more fantasy reccomends from tiktok like city of brass, blood and ash, acator series ect. Because I've never really seen you read fantasy or YA fantasy in particular so I hope you give it a chance

[@jack_edwards]

i thought i'd maybe do a separate video on fantasy books because it's [whispers] my least favourite genre.....

[@alekyapodichetti27]

@@jack_edwards oh... Well you're in for a wild ride lol

[@Clementine3107]

@@jack_edwards I've developed a particular skill on reading your replies with your voice.

[@rusty852]

me too, i can hear his enunciation

[@alekyapodichetti27]

@@Clementine3107 same here

[@CarbonBondedBooks]

Me, a 26 yo who absolutely adored Midnight Library: ... Jack: this is something for the older generation Me: 💀💀💀

[@ninawth]

Don't worry, I'm also 26 and I really enjoy Matt's books.

[@bibilbophile]

One of my favorite books of the year, and I'm 19!

[@a.sydney5036]

🤣

[@isabellareadstoomuch4961]

I’m 12 and its one of my favorite books

[@ooormark8386]

me at 16.... , anyway it's really beautiful!!!

[@iamconfused1258]

Will you ever make a video about six of crows? that's the book I see most on booktok like it's literally EVERYWHERE (also, song of achilles and midnight library supremacy)

[@kiskadee321]

Whenever I have the chance, whenever it comes up, I take the time out of my day to say that Madeline Miller is a wonderful, talented, brilliant artist.

[@zoeapostolidou3964]

But also take the time to say that she's also severely entitled and acts as though her work is equal or even better than that of ancient Greek authors whose work she claims to be "fixing" (by adding misogyny and lots of assault and r*pe as a plot device all the while demonizing all female characters but for the ones that suit her). It's alright to love her literary skills, it's not so okay to turn a blind eye to all her problematic aspects and her severe appropriation.

[@jazzmataz6717]

I'm glad you enjoy The Song of Achilles, it's one of my all-time favourite books. If you enjoyed that, you should check out Circe by Madeline Miller

[@Everdinaaa]

I just finished SOA and it was sooo good😍 ordered Circe right away I can’t wait😇

[@jazzmataz6717]

@@Everdinaaa Circe is honestly an amazing book and her character development into a powerful feminist is everything I needed in life

[@karinshaw2139]

Yes I’ve literally just finished Circe and it was amazing 😩I now need to read Song of Achilles!!

[@jazzmataz6717]

@@user-qu8zs7vs1x I understand, the book isn’t for everyone so don’t be disheartened if it doesn’t meet your expectations or you don’t enjoy it as much as everyone does, all I can say is just try to read it and if you end up reading it, I’d love it if you would comment back and share your opinions of the book

[@zoeapostolidou3964]

@@jazzmataz6717 Circe's book is not a feministic portrayal of the myth. Including r*pe as a plot device so as to give an excuse to a goddess to use her powers is quite misogynistic, as is having her die for a man tbh and let's not mention the way all other female characters were demonized or the way assault was treated as an ordinary, everyday thing simply because Miller adores demonizing the culture she's writing about to fit her own societal views and bias

[@_emly_]

I read The Song of Achilles a few years ago and absolutely loved it! I would also highly recommend reading Madeline Miller's other greek mythology themed book, Circe. Her writing style is so beautiful it completely absorbs me into the story.

[@khadijakaeedbhinderwala6502]

We were liars literally had the best n most unexpected plot twist. 💯

[@lauranottuna]

But also the saddest. Istg i was balling my eyes out over it.

[@siddhantbhanawat5609]

Indeed ..or i say.. Indead

[@LongliveGuitargoogle]

I read 'We were liars' in a day...and it destroyed me. The twist was way sadder than anything I could have imagined. I don't think I smiled for a week after I read that one . It was definitely a good book ...but I hated it

[@katiee824]

your review of song of achilles made me soso happy:)) I read it 2 summers ago and have yet to find a book that has tugged my heart the way that this did. very evident that the 10 years it took to write it were well used... it was heartbreaking but heartwarming at the same time ugh couldn’t recommend it enough I cried for DAYS!!

[@HannahgoestoAmerica]

I finished reading The song of Achilles a couple days ago and have not stopped crying since 🥲

[@0kdg]

Highly recommend reading Circe next!

[@sofiacorcuera1784]

jack we need a six of crows review

[@DustyStarrs]

On RW&RB, the book was supposed to be a form of escapism for Casey McQuiston, a dive into what the world could possibly be. It was never meant to depict the struggles of discriminated groups but instead a book made for those groups. For people perfectly aware of the trauma one experiences via discrimination but gives them a fictional scenario of a blissful and explosively joyful ending.

[@katelynweisenbeck2462]

i agree, i like “we both die at the end” but i think it just fell flat. it got so hyped up that it couldn’t meet the expectations. it was a beautiful book but i just think there was something missing. like there wasn’t enough time to develop the characters into something i was attached to. the book was good just not what I expected:(

[@sasha9465]

me too! It took me a while to finish it but i honestly did not get as close to the characters as much as i hoped... it wasnt because the book was badly written or anything like that but i just could not find myself really rooting for the characters or their relationship to the degree I was expecting to

[@katelynweisenbeck2462]

@@sasha9465 same! i liked the book itself but i just couldn't connect to the characters the way i wanted to.

[@fcass1864]

I totally agree! it was a beautiful story but I felt like it was almost too rushed? to where we couldn’t connect to the characters fully.

[@bookthoughtswitheilish]

“Red White and Royal Blue is a book” 10/10 review 👌😂❤️

[@mmjm1825]

i would highly suggest listening to "Achilles come down " especially after reading the book .because you will cry even more ,the lyrics are as jake says *chef kiss*

[@Sophie-zu7zi]

best way to spiral into deep depression lmao

[@evi-hw9or]

I did that mistake, I dont recommend

[@nadia-wp4mj]

this song is like my anthem if anyone hasn't listened to it yet GO DO IT NOW

[@nadia-wp4mj]

ooh and if they ever make a movie based on this book or any movie that doesn't treat achilles and patroclus like 'friends', that should be the soundtrack. not just in the soundtrack, but the whole soundtrack. this song is like an entire experience, i go through so many emotions just listening to it

[@melodye14]

Thankful for the Song of Achilles highlight. I've been meaning to get to it since reading Circe in 2020. Read Circe if you haven't btw, it's amazing.

[@padfoots_paws]

I have been waiting for this since you said you read we were liars and judging your goodreads and I am so excited!!

[@cedderz]

We were liars messed me up for a solid week after I read it - couldn’t even tell you why tbh

[@yuuji8898]

I’d recommend everyone to read Circe after The Song Of Achilles, another masterpiece by Madeline (there is mentions of Trojan War and Achilles and Patroclus)

[@ericazahn9689]

No

[@thomasbramwell8752]

I want to but I’m scared it’ll change any image I currently have of Patroclus and Archilles in my head, or it won’t live up to the beauty of song of archilles? I could do with your advise 😂

[@bruh-ok5ks]

@@thomasbramwell8752 they’re mentioned in one paragraph and then never again dw

[@totallynobody1135]

@@thomasbramwell8752 Yo sameeeeeeee! I mean I'm not concerned abt circe since it's also by the same author but I refrain from digging too much into fanarts since yeah they can change the image as you said XD

[@luceroguillen7189]

Is a good lecture but not at the level of the song of achiness, the final was... I don't feel nothing, sincerily.

[@hiitsapollo]

the song of achilles is a MASTERPIECE!

[@danicasaguban3232]

OMG HE'S FINALLY READING THE SONG OF ACHILLES

[@nadia-wp4mj]

he read it before, he talked about it in a '5 best books i read in 2021 so far' or sth like that

[@Doridantoni]

He actually recommended this book already in several of his previous videos :)

[@amahsenile]

"if this is the Song of Achilles... I want to join the CHOIR" I live for these puns lol

[@yinhannasjournal]

Same! 😭✋🏻

[@idkme198]

"Please don't come for me!!" Someone this adorable>>>>>> 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺💕💕💕💕💕

[@hrhpd]

2023 here and the Red White and Royal Blue movie just came out. READ THE BOOK. PERFECT representations and BEAUTIFUL writing, fandom is hilarious and the movie is even better. The actors completely grasped their characters, I loved it so much and I even got my friend who hates books to read it because she loved it so much.

[@rueluxprince6982]

You know, I have never met a person that didn't love the Song of Achilles, and you're the only person who didn't cry while you read it. So props to you?

[@charlotte-smz]

Hi there actually I didn’t like it lmao I kinda think that the story was so obvious and also the love story didn’t make me emotional...was happy when i finished it 😅

[@SincerelySaskia]

I really liked it. I did not cry but I very rarely cry when reading books or watching tv show, so that’s just me.

[@muskaan3711]

@@charlotte-smz I felt the same

[@spencerjmt]

@@charlotte-smz Sameeeee. Everyone's so offended when I say I didn't like it lmfao

[@finng6857]

Yea.... I didn’t like it that much. I thought the pacing was weird and it wasn’t as emotional as I thought everyone hyped it up to be

[@sophiefiedler323]

You should read the Shadow and Bone triology and The Six of Crows duology (If you haven’t read them already)

[@epicrainbowcandy3767]

Omg yes! They're all so good, SoC is one of my absolute favourite series ever haha

[@mayaseligman4506]

I really wanna read those!!

[@abistorey6442]

Rule of Wolves literally broke me

[@aV-vl5ju]

YES PLEASE @JACK

[@localabsurdist6661]

No they are shitty fantasy books

[@viviana9258]

aaaaaaaa!! finally someone who agrees with my opinion on "they both die at the end"!! like.. the concept is so cool but the story, while fine in itself, is just kinda meh as opposed to what could have been explored

[@IReadToday]

I completely agree omg!

[@moragra8873]

Agreeeeeee😤

[@LifeWithSquidney]

i was reading song of achilles and reading up on the mythology at the same time and still sobbing my way through it knowing how it would end. Who ever said knowing the ending ruins the book has never read song of achilles.

[@isyvd]

I read The Song of Achilles for the first time 6 years ago and I just keep going back to it. Even now, when I'm doing very bad mentally and I simply cannot find the energy to pick up any book. This book has cast some kind of spell on me bc I the moment it randomly crosses my mind I suddenly am obliged to read it again. That's just how it works. I reread it in February and this video makes me want to pick it up again. And every time I read it, it's like it's the first time I've ever read it. It still brings me the same rush of emotions and waterfall of tears as it did the first time I read it. Hands down my favorite book.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

5:46 I don’t think the idea was to explore the concept, it was just an attempt to have an unusual way to get two people together

[@jeremiahs595]

The second book by Madeline Miller, Circe , is absolutely brilliant. Again it’s a book based on Greek mythology and It’s a retelling of the witch / enchantress Circe in the Odyssey, who is best known for turning men to pigs. It follows her whole life story and it is so beautifully and genuinely feminist. I finished it last weekend and the ending was just so ... I don’t know how to describe it it just completes the story so well. The book is about family, independence, love and motherhood. As always, Miller’s prose perfectly captures emotions felt by the main character, and her words flow like water. I highly recommend it.

[@zoeapostolidou3964]

I'm sorry but that's not a feminist story, it really isn't and it's shocking how people claim that it is despite the literal contents of the book and it's blatant misogyny

[@jennaschmidt3332]

Every time Jack talks about The Song of Achilles: Jack: *iT wiLL RiP yOuR hEaRt iNtO tiNy piEcES*

[@destinybonilla9658]

He's not wrong 😔

[@anahitamirzarazi4424]

I was kinda disappointed from it, like it was great but i didn't feel it...

[@jennaschmidt3332]

@@destinybonilla9658 true😢

[@sarahsummers207]

‘Mid life crisis’ - I think she’s 30 🙈. I personally loved the subtleness of The Midnight Library, sometimes it’s the simple stuff we need reminding of as we tend to over complicate things as humans.

[@nadxieliilopezalvarez8204]

Another booktok recommendations is "aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe", I think is a good reading just right next to the song of achilles, it kind of put together my heart after SOA ha ha

[@meganfournier9180]

You have to read History is all you left me by Adam Silvera because it's by Adam Silvera and its so severely underrated. I am a Silvera stan and History is all you left is definitely on my favorite books of all time list like I thought the twist was so heartwrenching like Adam captures grief and the convoluted nature of young relationships so well I had to put down my copy I was so mad at the main character. But basically the book is about this young guy who's ex boyfriend just died and he's left to deal with the grief of losing not only his ex lover but also his best friend in the whole world. The book is sprinkled with flashbacks to when they were together and it feels very fluid. I definitely would also recommend More Happy Than Not because it is also just a real page turner with a crazy twist, its one of his less popular books but I think that the book is just really amazing. It's about this poor young black guy who starts falling in love with this guy who moves into an apartment complex near him. Chaos ensuses and its so crazy the ending. If you want a cute little romance? The What if it's Us duo. I love this man's work I eat up everything he writes. (Although I haven't read They both die at the end but its on my TBR!!)

[@arsneedscash]

day 2 of asking Jack to read Got7 Jinyoungs Book recommendations

[@jenniephuong1440]

I SECOND THIS!!!!!!

[@sanjanapradhan642]

I THIRDD THIS!!!

[@Maple3735]

I FOURTH THIS 😅

[@Anotherlostsoul541]

I fifth this😂

[@AikiraBeats]

Yes we need this at the top

[@dikshyamohapatra7798]

You read We Were Liars? Dude, I couldn't get off my bed for a full day after reading THAT moment. And yeah, everyone who has read this book will know what THAT moment is-

[@robyn8482]

Couldn't get of bed in a sad way? Cos I don't want to put myself through that

[@kitbrant8450]

@@robyn8482 100%, its a super sad book. ive only ever cried at one book before and i cried for a while after we were liars

[@kage3069]

@@robyn8482 yeah, I just walked around the house speechless and dumbfounded after finishing it. I cried a little, but it mostly was shocking for me

[@plutox433]

Can you give me spoilers?

[@aditisaxena9737]

Jack has such a great influence on the reading community that every book he recommends and loves becomes 'THE MOST READ' book for the week!

[@lexymaurice4753]

"The only person more productive than Matt Haig is Taylor Swift" made me laugh a little more than it should have. (Just downloaded Karma - @lexy.c.m)

[@theenglishimmy6888]

After being underwhelmed by 'They Both Die at the End myself, I actually really recommend another of Silvera's novels, 'More Happy Than Not'. Much deeper and a better execution of its premise in general with discussions of internal homophobia, mental health in general and an amazing twist (which I kinda saw coming but loved anyway).

[@theresecallesen7359]

'More happy than not' is awesome! One of my favourites

[@helena.sleepwalker]

The books that underwhelmed him were my favourite and the books he loved were underwhelming for me and I find that hilarious. Thanks for reviewing them!

[@misomar7193]

whenever I see a book on tiktok, its ALWAYS sold out lol

[@lydiakh5003]

“lucky sausages” we really are jack, you’ve been feeding us too well these days 😭

[@lenasophie5455]

/Spoiler ig What messed me up with They both die at the end was, that if they wouldn’t have gotten the call in the first place, they wouldn’t have died. It just circles back to the call leading to all the happenings after and inevitably actually leading to their death. So I kinda agree that there are flaws but it was also not what the book was about, the entire system isn’t explained because it wasn’t the point. At least that’s how I interpreted it 😅

[@oblivpatt3419]

I totally agree with your last statement. The system is not fully explained because it’s not supposed to be, that would’ve made the book more sci-fi than necessary, and the more it is explained, the more everyone (readers, characters or even the author himself) try to think of ways to avoid or overcome what’s meant to be an inevitable, indiscriminate end. Just like in More Happy Than Not, it’s not about the technology but rather the social implications of such technology should it ever exist.

[@psychekit948]

I think that no matter what you will die, you can try to avoid what you think is going to kill you but everything you do will just lead you back to a dead end. Sometimes when I over think something it will just ruin something that could’ve been enjoyable.

[@anna-lt7tv]

9:00 that feeling when you are Greek and you know what's coming... pure pain...

[@pinkypaing]

I have ADHD and I don’t have enough attention span to read a book, even to save my life. I ‘read’ vicariously through your videos. Thank you for making me a ‘bookworm’.

[@devin3073]

Have you ever tried audiobooks? If you have a library card and download Libby, you'll have access to a ton of free audiobooks (including all the ones talked about here!) It really got me back into "reading" and enjoying books again! :)

[@samh7206]

Audiobooks have savid my autistic ass

[@anaalfaro8252]

Hey! Person with adhd here, I really struggle with starting to read a book but if I like it I will eventually hyperfocus on it 😂 (if I don’t k will probably just never finish it) so I guess I just wanted to tell you that this is great! Maybe is a good push in the direction of what type of books you do like, so you can look for similar stuff.

[@pinkypaing]

@@devin3073 yes I predominately read audiobooks and podcasts. I use my National library card for audiobook.