have i read the most popular books on goodreads of the past 5 years???

[@marissaconrad9864]

I think you underestimate how many books people pick up because of you and get popular

[@40_sn43]

Yes!!! like Happy All the Time!!!! Such a beaut ❤, never would’ve known about if not for Jack!!

[@ildme312]

exactly!!!!

[@victoriat7961]

watching any of his videos is a risk to me cause i always end up adding even more books to my tbr and i can’t keep up lol update: i added like 5 after watching this video lol

[@sandranovillo109]

Facts

[@katiemclean4086]

@@40_sn43Same, I read that this year because of him and it was the very favorite read of the year!!!

[@emma122002]

this video should be called: how many books did jack not realize he turned into popular picks?

[@charnebronkhorst9237]

Saying enemies to lovers marketing spoils the ending is so funny, because it's a romance book, like no matter the trope, you know how the book is going to end

[@eateverything5022]

There can be multiple love interests in one book, but enemies to lovers kinda makes that impossible, therefore predictable.

[@charnebronkhorst9237]

@eateverything5022 yeah i guess, but I feel like in 90% of romance books you know who the MC is ending up with. Like i can't think of a book where i was surprised with her end choice 😂 but I get what you're saying

[@eateverything5022]

@@charnebronkhorst9237 yeah, I also think your point makes sense, romance is generally very predictable

[@emiliapawny4746]

@@charnebronkhorst9237 Ngl, if you're unsure, the blurb will likely clear all the doubt

[@paige932]

the hair has been looking great lately jack

[@natasham4184]

I was going to say the same thing! Such volume

[@sapphire_1710_lost]

my thought exactly

[@ourwishonawing]

The hair is so good it's distracting 😆

[@raymondconners]

I don’t like it

[@arus.2171]

right? haven’t been able to watch a vid of his in months bc i’ve been so busy with school but he looks soo good rn

[@isbaeli]

"it (The Love Hypothesis) reads like fanfiction" who's gonna tell him lmao

[@rody7205]

I think he knows

[@pp-jt7mb]

Who's gonna tell me..?

[@rominalasagna4980]

@@pp-jt7mbThe Love Hypothesis was originally a star wars reylo fanfiction that gained enough popularity to where it got published and they edited it to change the character names

[@pp-jt7mb]

@@rominalasagna4980 I see thank you for clarifying🫶

[@manonvo8615]

​@@rominalasagna4980 that feels like anything can be "originally a fanfiction" if you just change the character names to populair characters..

[@Rene_33]

The feeling of always trying to perpetually catch up on reading books previously published is so true. It's never ending. It's both amazing and daunting to think about.

[@shaedreana415]

I actually really like that you haven't done videos on SJM or romantasy books in general.I feel like the romantasy genre is constantly being shoved in my face all the time on booktok, so it's nice to have creators like you that are offering up something different in the book review space :)

[@lojcass]

i’m so tired of hearing about her books and so many of the popular romance & romantasy books that are so poorly written. there’s so much better out there.

[@dominikathe8762]

I grew up on fantasy and sci-fi...I don't know if I am spoiled by the quality books; I don't think so, and I have an unpopular opinion that SJM books are not good fantasy. If I want easy-to-read cheazy/spicy fantasy, I'd instead read Richelle Mead series. SJM has often not good pacing, the world-building is crappy, the writing itself is repetitive, and the words she chooses are sometimes in direct opposition with what the character. Dialogue is boring...I only got to book two (I tried), but even though spicy scenes are nicely written, it's less spicy than advertised by Titok/internet (just read Succub series or Dark Swan by Richelle Mead). Actually, the first half of ACOTAR book was unbearable, and it took me a lot of time, and then I read online that "Oh, it's normal; first books in a series are not as good" and "It's gonna get better." That's NOT true; the first books (before the reining of social media) were the BEST; they needed to hook you, and they are often my favorite to read to relive the experience. I don't understand how those books and the ACOTAR series are so popular.

[@proudestmonkee07]

Yes! This! It's so refreshing to have booktubers who talk about a wider variety of books. I love how Jack reads pretty widely and as a literary fiction lover, it's nice that he really dives into that space too. So many booktubers focus pretty much solely on fantasy, romantasy, romance, and top market thrillers.

[@kevin_uk]

@@proudestmonkee07 I'd say literary fiction is the genre Jack focuses on.

[@just_swiftly_shake_it_off_1989]

YES I AGREE

[@kevin_uk]

It seems obvious to say, but it feels like this tells us more about the type of people that use Goodreads than it does about which books are generally popular and I say this as a Goodreads user. I own 3 of the books on the list, have read 2 and have another 7 on my TBR shelf.

[@giswurld]

THIS

[@Labinzel]

Yes! This is an interesting video but definitely a biased/limited sample!

[@markkajc]

We need more men reading military fic and spy thrillers on Goodreads.

[@NatAsh14]

Just a quick comment about House on the Cerulean sea at 20:31 -- it's not about foster homes (although Indigenous children are also disproportionately placed into foster care) but about Residential Schools, which the Canadian government forced Indigenous children to go to in order to "assimilate" them. There was a LOT of abuse, and some kids were even killed. And unfortunately, the repercussions of this government policy are still being felt in Indigenous communities.

[@emilycxmpbxll]

came to say this! i actually studied the controversies of this book and author in my literature/publishing degree as the author isn’t canadian and a lot of people outside of canada are unaware of just how horrible canada’s history is which has shielded the book from receiving a lot of the criticism it may have got if more people knew about what the content is actually based on. it’s definitely an interesting thing to think about!

[@ailliar3287]

Right, I initially read this book and liked it, but learning the inspiration was the 60s Scoop really soured it for me. Rather than it being a proper allegory for the actual history, it feels like Klune took this horrific event that is still being uncovered today and made it into a feel-good story about found family and making the government see the error in its ways. Like the irreversible damage the Candian government did and is still doing to the Indigenous people there could all be fixed by asking nicely. The history of the world in HOTCS was not nearly fleshed out enough to even try to draw even a proper comparison to the real residential schools, so to me it looks like Klune heard about this terrible thing that had happened, did little to no research, and wrote a book that had a nice message that absolutely crumbles under the real weight of the atrocities committed. This was not Klune's story to reclaim, and in my opinion, he did a terrible job taking inspiration from it.

[@jack_in_the_books]

Hi! I have a whole video about this on my main channel where I dove into it! The reality of filming this particular video and covering 60 books rapid fire is that I was reacting in the moment and recollecting the books. “Foster home” was definitely the wrong word to use here and I should’ve specifically mentioned the mistreatment of indigenous Canadian people rather than just alluding to it. I didn’t want to move on without mentioning that there is a deeper context to this particular book, but agree I didn’t really do it justice by simplifying the plot quite as much as I did - for that I can only apologise!! Thank you for pointing this out and sharing additional context for those who are interested!!

[@jenng669]

As a Canadian who grew up very much aware of the Residential schools, I think this controversy is wildly overblown. I immediately picked up on the allegory when reading the book, but it's also a book that is clearly written to be a stand-in for prejudice in general. The fact that there is NOTHING about residential schools beyond a few brief mentions makes it clear that wasn't the main intention. It's akin to the X-Men being an allegory for real world prejudices. Furthermore, I think the important part of the book lies in the main character himself. He starts off as willfully blind to how complicit he is in the treatment of these children, and grows to realize that the government does NOT have their best interest at heart, and works to rectify not only that complicity, but also his own prejudices. The reality is not every book with inspiration taken from real world horrors have to perfectly mimic those horrors, and as a matter of fact, a lighter introduction to these things can help spread awareness to people who otherwise would be living with their heads in the sand. ESPECIALLY when the point of the book isn't actually to recount these abuses, but rather to point to the complicity in which so many of us live without realizing it.

[@blackzitu]

@@jenng669perfect comment!

[@sabi_wasabi2499]

The Silent Patient was the book that got me back into reading after a 5 year slump. To go from not reading anything for years to finishing this book in 2 days changed my life. I have been reading daily now and hit my first reading goal this year! Definitely give the Silend Patient a shot - it is such a fun and thrilling read!

[@samu-chan]

it was so bad

[@hayleythesugarbowl]

⬇️ spanish love deception hate club!! for me enemies to lovers only works in fantasy when two people can be from enemy kingdoms or be on opposite sides of a war but in contemporary it just feels like the misunderstanding trope mixed with people being petty and immature

[@magnotmarge1880]

I completely agree! I think the most we can get in contemporary romance is rivals to lovers. But even in Spanish love deception it wasn't even rivals, it was just one character being antagonistic the entire book for no reason.

[@3d2yo5]

THIS!!! people seem to forget that enemies to lovers ≠ haters to lovers

[@eurywoulahan7412]

Ehh i used to hate my bestfriend. But then she became besties w my friend and we were forced ti hang out.. i dont think its impossible

[@eurywoulahan7412]

Like im not saying the spanish love deception is believable what im saying is i think enemies to lovers is doable in realism fiction

[@nikolendski5401]

​@@eurywoulahan7412 i think what they meant was that the term 'enemies' just doesn't really fit the truth of what most of these books are about! sure, you might have hated that person at some point but they weren't really your enemy in the sense of an archnemesis. maybe haters to lovers describes it better but calling it enemy seems a bit of a reach honestly

[@eustacetuberson4375]

It's not fantasy books that have all the same names and covers, Jack. It's _romantasy_ books. There's a big difference!

[@TheFran2555]

Thank you

[@PartTimeSarah2]

SPOT ON!

[@meshajamshaid9836]

YEEEESSS... Would absolutely love a whole video dedicated to romantasy books. in my experience they are usually hit or miss and very few that actually stay consistent throughout the book.

[@maggiemae3825]

I totally agree that Project Hail Mary was such a surprise winner. I kept seeing it recommended and it was available at the library so I was like “fine I’ll try it.” I LOVED it. It’s absolutely glorious.

[@rebeccacook8149]

I just wish the audiobook was available at libraries and not an audible exclusive!

[@karisletten1758]

The Silent Patient is my favorite book that I’ve read this year. I did not see the twist coming and was so glad that I didn’t. 10/10 recommend!

[@jasmin2186]

Omg same!! I read it in January and still think about it!

[@kazakukog]

tbh i don't even understand why he did what he did lol spoilers: why try to make her talk only to try to unalive her anyway? like what exactly did he think she will say, "omg i'm so grateful that dude showed me the truth... by fkn strapping me to a chair and unaliving my cheating bf wohoo" and ok he unalives him, but why does he put her through all this pain??? th did she even do, jeez 😭 also the scene of him watching those 2 making out outside ew that creeped me out

[@christinesmith3024]

Jack please give Kristin Hannah another chance! Four Winds is not one I’d recommend to a first time Kristin Hannah reader even though I enjoy everything she writes. Try The Nightingale, The Great Alone, Night Road, or Firefly Lane. I have not read The Women yet although I’ve heard great things. Great video as always!! 😊

[@JessicaFrizzell-dl9pe]

Loved the great alone

[@juliesmallwood8656]

I agree! I was surprised to hear Jack didn't like her, but if he's only read Four Winds, maybe I'm not so surprised. The Great Alone is absolutely stunning. A lot of people like The Nightingale, but it's actually my least favorite. I have The Women on my physical TBR but haven't gotten to it yet.

[@MandeeLiberty]

I haven't read Four Winds, but The Women was great!

[@evelynrickard3980]

I've only read the Four Winds after my mom recommended it and I loved it. I was sad to hear he found it forgettable.

[@samson_93]

I loved the Four Winds, i cried 😢❤❤

[@ahmedkamal7095]

Look at the hair, look at the smile! Jack makes my day everytime they upload THANKS FOR BEING WHO YOU ARE!!!!

[@danabarrington2427]

"things we never got over" I will never get over the time I lost reading this book... Looking forward to your thoughts!

[@linetnganga9750]

😂😂😂😂

[@nita182]

Oh Jack, you didn't talk about it, but I know how disappointed you were to not find Sally Rooney in this list. Me too.

[@climbinguphill]

Yea how the heck was Normal People not on this list?

[@catherineh8260]

Normal People is a little bit too old to qualify for this list.

[@maryamrilwan5716]

Yess, I realized people are either people who like her books or they don’t

[@csmbvl13]

I felt the Emily Henry gap HARD when I finished all of her books, but finding Abby Jimenez really saved me!! Loved her books so much and filled that hole for me :)

[@giovannarodrigues2647]

omg same! I became obsessed with Abby’s books right after I finished reading Emily’s books

[@sanjanasarin4803]

Listing the books below if anyone is interested! (In descending order: 50-1) Demon Copperfield Crying in H Mart Such a Fun Age American Dirt In Five Years Twisted Games Carrie Soto is Back Every Summer After The Queen of Nothing The Women The Paris Apartment Divine Rivals It Happened One Summer Never Lie None of this is True Project Hail Mary The Housemaid's Secret Haunting Adeline The Wicked King Regretting You The Four Winds Anxious People Yellowface Remarkably Bright Creatures The Perfect Marriage The Spanish Love Deception The Maid The House in the Cerulean Sea The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Icebreaker From Blood and Ash The Vanishing Half The Inheritance Games Twisted Love The Unhoneymooners Crescent City Things We Never Got Over Iron Flame I'm Glad My Mom Died Happy Place The Last Thing He Told Me Red, White and Royal Blue Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow Malibu Rising A Court of Silver Flames Book Lovers Reminders of Him Lessons in Chemistry The Housemaid Beach Read People We Meet on Vacation A Good Girl's Guide to Murder The Guest List It Starts With Us The Love Hypothesis The Invisible Life of Addie Larue Daisy Jones and the Six Fourth Wing The Midnight Library The Silent Patient

[@luci_lene]

🙏

[@MojiiOkay]

The Silent Patient being at #1 hit me like a brick, I made the actual "oof" noise as if being punched in the stomach.

[@petra1995]

I haven't heard of it before, is it bad? Or good?

[@heatherbocks]

Because it’s so bad? (I haven’t read it)

[@emilyb44]

Literally same, just wtf'ed out loud. I thought the writing was so bad, the doctors' actions weren't realistic, and there were too many plot holes. Just a solid 2.5-star book. Did I read the same book as everyone else??

[@scb11323]

The Silent Patient was truly one of my least favorite reads last year. The book didn't feel tense in a way a thriller should, the surprise wasn't a surprise, and every character was just an awful person for no reason at all and didn't help the plot.

[@DrSneha]

I read the book in like 5 hours. I skipped the boring parts and unbearable parts. I also didn't like the writing style but the plot twist was good for me as it was one of the first thriller books I read.

[@goofygeorge]

The Margaret Qualley miniseries isn't based on the fiction book The Maid, it's based on the memoir "Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive" by Stephanie Land!

[@katiewillis3690]

Yes, and The Maid is a murder mystery, so they are definitely different books!

[@kristenhaynes4343]

I'm gonna get so much hate for this but I swear this GORGEOUS hair of Jack's is very reminscent of "floppy" hair from the 90s!! AND I LOOOOOOVE IT!! Also, great video as always 💌Sending love from DC!!💌

[@Vic-hh4we]

I am Mexican and I have read American dirt. I think it’s a good book. I think it can be a little bit, exaggerated about the experience of immigrating from Mexico, through Mexico to the United States. It is very heavy with the imagery. If you would like a memoir that has a similar story, not as tragic, Solito by Javier Zamora is excellent!

[@alexmsevans]

im curious- are you mexican-american or from mexico? i'm asking as a chilanga jaja since i feel like they are two very different perspectives

[@user-vt8rw8qw9k]

Solito is an amazing read-a true testament of the immigrant experience

[@Vic-hh4we]

@@alexmsevans Mexican from Mexico. I have dual citizenship.

[@vxalérie]

it's my lunch break + jack uploaded, life can't get much better than this

[@est-fm9ui]

In my belief, Yellowface wasn't Kuang underestimating her reader's intelligence. It was commentary on how some people tend to dismiss literature as high-handed and convoluted when they simply do not understand the book and don't take the time to research themes and historical context themselves in order to gain understanding. At the same time it was a criticism of the publishing world as they tend to cater to the smallest common denominator (aka the dumbest reader in the target audience) and "force" authors to dumb down and over-explain their works. The entire book felt super meta and I loved every second of it. ❤

[@Lara45706]

What do you mean by it being a commentary on how people dismiss literature as "high-handed and convoluted"?

[@ashddd]

Book Lovers is actually my favourite Emily Henry book! But, to be fair, I *really* identified with Nora as a parentified eldest daughter. I felt so, so seen.

[@hannahfuhlhage5342]

SAME! The sister dynamic is what really made this book for me. I think I love Emily Henry's writing more than I love the romances, so going on Nora's journey felt really special to me

[@Hnj-f]

Jack, I watch your videos for book recommendations, half my library are your recommendations that I have loved!!!

[@abbiebryant8548]

I honestly think The Silent Patient is a thriller only for people who have never read a thriller. The twist is not a twist, the plotline is what would happen if you asked ChatGPT for a basic thriller plot, and the characters are all one dimensional. I do like that this was a gateway read for a lot of people to explore a new genre for them, but I don't think it has a lot of value beyond that. The sketchy person who spends the whole book acting sketchy, turns out to be a bad guy. That is not a twist! I will die on this hill.

[@annieash3685]

i’m glad someone else didn’t like it ! so disappointing. i studied therapy too so i think that took me out of the story by cringing at the therapist guy.

[@sapphire_1710_lost]

okay, so hear me out. i read it a while ago cause i bought it for a friend and lets just the twist was twisting. buuut something always felt off and when i read this comment, i finally understand it. the only way i can describe it is that its as one dimensional as a paper but theres a lotta things going on in the paper. overall i gave it like a 3.9. its like 2 am and im way too sleepy to check wth ive just written so apologies if this sounds weird.

[@amy6309]

This!!! I also just found it so bland and hard to get stuck into it. Maybe thrillers just aren’t for me tho…

[@LauraBCReyna]

And it was also kinda boring. Was stunned by the mediocrity. 😆

[@Jules_Thee_Artist]

I feel so validated because everyone keeps talking about the book like its mind blowing but it's so whatever. And I know its because I read so many thrillers I hated the twist!

[@thunder_claw]

God, what you said about R.F. Kuang is so true. That heavy-handedness was the one thing that did not sit right with me in Babel.

[@meeomelovescookiesandhisto459]

Yeah! While reading Babel, I thought I may be too cynical or have above average contextual knowledge since I studied history because I felt similarly. I still really loved it and felt really touched by it, but I'm glad it wasn't just me feeling like this.

[@xfranczeskax]

It literally killed the book. Everything was so good aboutit, but the way she kept clubbing the reader was so insufferable.

[@ayquelocura]

I felt the same way about her books but I can’t bring myself to hold it against them when time and time again I come across criticisms of, not just those books but other works as well from people who still somehow managed to miss the giant wrecking-ball-sized point

[@jack_in_the_books]

I hope as she matures as a writer she starts to trust her readers’ abilities to comprehend her ideas better - I think it’d make her novels perfect

[@xfranczeskax]

@@jack_in_the_books It definitely takes a smart writer to truly infuse a book with intricate details. And she has a true talent bringing worlds and characters to life! Let's hope she'll manage to gain some trust in us. ;)

[@teddytodorova]

I've read "Silent Patient" years ago. Now with all these thrillers in my head maybe it would have been predictable, but then my jaw dropped. I literally couldn't close my mouth for 5 minutes.

[@noahkreyenhagen8937]

The Four Winds is what got me into Kristin Hannah, and now I can't get enough of her action-packed historical fictions

[@rufelskyeraa]

I was so shocked you had not read the silent patient because I thought I got it from your recommendations 😂😂😂 lol

[@-finelinehabits-4302]

me too! didn‘t he mention it in the video on books from each european country? i‘m pretty sure he named it for cyprus

[@maika0395]

​@@-finelinehabits-4302he hadn't read most of the books he mentioned in that video

[@jack_in_the_books]

Yes I mentioned it when I bought a copy but haven’t read it yet!!

[@rufelskyeraa]

lol glad to know I didn’t imagine it

[@lojcass]

i think RF Kuang’s heavy-handedness is part of why she’s so popular. i think a lot of readers look for that.

[@SavageSavyCat]

Please give Kristin Hannah another shot! Four Winds was a tough one to start with. Try The Nightingale and if you don't like the book, then okay- you just don't. As a female, I love how complex she makes her female characters and that woman knows how to write about despair.

[@hayleybernier6955]

Hi, I really really need to straighten something up about your very brief description of what "The House in the Cerulean Sea" is based on. This is NOT about simply "mistreated" kids in "foster homes", this story was inspired by Residential schools in Canada, aka the 60's Scoop. Residential Schools ran from the mid-1800s to 1996, with the intent to make Indigenous children Christian and "saved" from their own "savage" culture. This was not a foster system, but child imprisonment. This was not "mistreatment" it was forced assimilation, psychological abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and OFTEN murder. It was genocide. It is probably the BIGGEST stain on the entire documented history of Canada, and that is saying something, considering we are truly not much better than our Southern neighbours, politically (no shade intended, just going off the cultural understanding of the difference between "nice" Canada and the USA). As a Canadian who had to relearn the GROSSLY hidden truth of our country, and undo misconceptions that they literally start teaching us from elementary school on, it is essential to me that this is understood correctly. I HIGHLY recommend that you do more research on this, because it is lowkey insane to me that people aren't talking about the problematic origins of that story.

[@meremeth]

That's kinda messed up klune wrote a book about a happy version of that.. ?? Like what??

[@camillereadss]

thank you so much for mentioning this, can i copy and paste and share it to other booktubers’ comments?

[@dhill99]

he first mentioned reading this book in a much older video and i remember he did do the research and commented on the controversy surrounding it. its a shame he didnt mention it in this video though

[@hayleybernier6955]

@@camillereadss Absolutely, please do.

[@krisdwooddeux]

If that was the authors inspiration behind the story then he did a crap job of an allegory. I certainly didn’t make any connection with residential schools. And if he was writing with that historical context in mind then he really missed the mark with the heartwarming story he told. Yikes.

[@EllieHawkes]

"she's like a rash you just can't get rid of" DYING

[@capricorn_691]

loving that background with the book stacks

[@2youstories]

Adding wackadoodle to my day-to-day vocabulary roster ✍️

[@e.k.5145]

You HAVE TO make a list of steamy romance books with decent writing, i trust your taste so much

[@jasdancer20]

JACK why were you so funny in this 😭 "boils my piss" HELP "smutty and ridiculous" say no more "she's like a rash you just can't get rid of" Honestly, you never miss. Anyway, Read: 15 Want to Read: 13 Reading: 1 (Crying in H Mart) PS I think you should read the ballad of songbirds and snakes. It's much more deceptive, duplicitous, and complex than the other books. A lot more mind games. It was a fun read.

[@melissagarr4907]

Lol don't forget "tickles my pickle," that cracks me up EVERY TIME

[@MaconMama]

First video of Jack's I've ever watch, and he just gained another fan. I have read 41 and DNFed 3 out of the 60. Happy Reading!!

[@JennyBlake-e2g]

If you’re going to read Lucy Foley, I recommend starting with The Guest List. It’s her best book for sure.

[@snowsiri]

Arguable! And the Paris Appartement is the weakest! Don't start there!

[@cate7540]

Thank you. I was just about to say that. I really liked The Guest List.

[@rijulchauhan776]

RWRB is also one of my favourite books it just feels like a warm hug to me

[@juancarlosjerividal7382]

Taking a break from binging the Wicked soundtrack to watch Jack

[@QuestionsIAskMyself]

REAL

[@estack24]

Any favorites of the soundtrack?

[@maliha3921]

I have read 8/60 😅 which is not bad . -Anxious people ( fredrik backman is my fav author , all of his books are amazing) - Wicked king , queen of nothing (i loved the cruel prince trilogy , trust me it gets better after cruel prince) - project hail mary (it was so fun to read , loved it ) - silent patient ( one of my most fav books , if you’re in a reading slump this is the book for you , i read it in 1 day ) - invisible life of addie larue - midnight library ( i loved the premise of this book and its an easy read , I really enjoyed it) - Agggtm ( a fun read if you’re in slump this’ll help too ) .

[@estack24]

I loved the Cruel Prince trilogy as well. I'll have to check out Fredrik Backman. Do you have a recommendation for a first-time reader of his books?

[@maliha3921]

@@estack24 all of his books are amazing you can start w any of the following: A man called Ove ( my fav ) , Anxious people, britt marie was here . I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as i did . Happy reading 🧡

[@eevieee]

8:08 - 10:21 i like how you articulated this frame of thought. I've seen people feel morally superior for not engaging in drama or pop culture, and i've been those people. But much of what people do in the limelight shapes our own behaviors. They influence not just their parasocial fans, but also those unwilling, and sometimes highly unaware, particpants.

[@Gwydda]

You can also just not be interested and not follow it and at the same time not feel superior about it.

[@aamnahere6250]

I know Jack and many others have been critical of R. F. Kuang for her 'heavy handed' political and social commentary but I don't think they're truly able to appreciate what she managed to achieve in Babel. As an Asian woman, I don't think I've felt not only as well represented but also have our regional voices represented so beautifully as she did. The reason it feels heavy handed to some is because it's the journey of a protagonist struggling with two distinct realities, experiences and histories that are diametrically opposed to each other and there's an endless conflict between trauma and guilt, righteous anger and gratitude for survival, feeling at home in a place that's never home and the home that you belonged to was taken away. It deals with deep questions of identity and morality that the protagonist has to constantly face. Babel is only heavy handed because it cannot subtly explore and address the inside struggle of a colonised mind without dwelling on the colonial reality of its time. I wish people stop calling every book they don't like as a bad one. It's possible that the book that some found heavy handed was exactly the kind of representation millions wanted to experience in English fiction. It's okay if Babel isn't for you but that doesn't make the author immature, less skilled or less refined in her craft.

[@happypanda6158]

Crying over the robot alien thing in Project Hail Mary is so real tho

[@malikabernard966]

Sorry to hear that you did like the four winds by Kristin Hannah but I really loved The Women. It’s a really emotional and profound book about a woman who is a nurse during the Vietnam/US war during the 1960s. It touches a lot on veterans poor treatment after the war, PTSD, mental health, drug addiction, and female veterans not being acknowledged for the help during war. I understand if those things don’t peak your interest but if they do I highly recommend it.

[@lindasreading]

59,58,57,54,48,46,45,40, 38, 33,32,29,23,22,18,17,16,15,11,7,4,3,2,1 are the books i’ve read. 60 and 39 are on my tbr 😊

[@Day7]

Only read five of these, absolutely insane that ocean vuong isn't on here.

[@ananya7364]

your voice in this vid is so soothing dude

[@nicoleusserman4730]

I think you need to give The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, the four winds isn’t for everyone. If you do not like the nightingale then Kristin Hannah isn’t for you.

[@miabusby4320]

The Nightingale is one of the most beautiful books ever, I think her other bests are the great alone and the woman. Not a fan of the four winds either tbh!

[@samanthamacksey1791]

Agreed!! I adored The Nightingale, and did not finish Four Winds because I could not get through it.

[@apple_baked_rican]

“She’s like a rash, just can’t get rid of her “ 😭😂

[@ElizabethNicoleSchwartz]

No, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo? That book has been extremely popular.

[@the_fynethyme]

Too old for this list, came out in 2017 the past 5 years would be 2019 onwards.

[@ElizabethNicoleSchwartz]

@the_fynethyme valid I guess. But I thought they just meant popularity and not when it was published.

[@Queencereal]

lol 24:42 The Unhoneymooners was so bad it didn’t deserve a picture

[@evetheseventh]

Her books were never memorable they all books feel the same to me 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@georginareads3969]

I know a lot of people who loved it as a fun, light hearted read!

[@georginareads3969]

@@evetheseventhAutoboyography is my favourite from them and felt completely different to me 😊

[@AzleeBarasuri]

I read it with zero expectation as a palate cleanser and found it fun !!

[@jack_in_the_books]

LOOLLLL

[@musquipo]

Ohh, we saw you editing this video in the vlog! I’ve gotten through 6 books from the list and I’m planning to read 3 more soon :)

[@BiblioBlichar]

Read: Twisted Games, The Queen of Nothing, It Happened One Summer, Project Hail Mary, The Wicked King, Anxious People, The Spanish Love Deception, The Maid, The Vanishing Half, The Inheritance Games, The Unhoneymooners, Crescent City, I’m Glad My Mom Died, Happy Place, Red White and Royal Blue, Tomorrow x3, ACOSF, Book Lovers, Lessons in Chemistry, Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation, A Good Girls Guide To Murder, The Guest List, The Love Hypothesis, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, Daisy Jones, Fourth Wing, The Midnight Library

[@holdeck]

Your hair looks lovely

[@danielgonzalez-pf5el]

I haven’t seen videos from you in a while…the new hair was a surprise, looks ducking amazing. Great content as always.

[@carleelynn2017]

THANK YOU!! Finally - I’ve been saying ALL YEAR that labeling books by their tropes is a spoiler! The whole point of “enemies to lovers” … is that you don’t expect them to fall in love, so when they do, it’s so special! It’s my biggest pet peeve about booktube/booktok. Stop this madnesssssssss 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@zakithijanuary2683]

I feel you about Beach Read 😭I still haven't read Funny Story and I'm waiting for the next release because I don't want to run out of Emily Henry books to read

[@LibbaBibba]

request for jack to start ASMR because that noise at 23:24 tickled something in my brain

[@katelynmiller8384]

Knowing what I know about your reading taste, Divine Rivals is one of the only romantasy books that I can see you actually enjoying in some capacity

[@evetheseventh]

13:43 Jack enjoying little hallmarkish romance book is everything 😂😂😂😂 29:33 Book Lovers is the only Emily Henry book that I liked (with two stars only🐼)

[@Mohammadzabuasi]

Read 21 of these!! Also definitely read The ballad of songbirds and snakes, I loved it and went down a rabbit hole watching videos on people’s thoughts and discussions and I just loved the messages it delivered.

[@247heaven]

i guess this list just reminded me that books that blow up on tiktok and my taste in books do not overlap at all and it shows

[@THEWLLAS97]

FINALLY someone else who’s favorite Emily Henry is Happy Place!!

[@camillereadss]

i’ve found that that’s actually a pretty popular opinion in the book space that i’m in :) i loved funny story the most personally

[@nika_gawronska]

I've only read 6 and want to read 2 of these books, but my favourite genre is sci-fi and I don't really read romance or contemporary fiction. But "Project Hail Mary" is my favourite book, so I'm glad you liked it ❤

[@archerkane]

jack if you increase the volume of your hair any more youre gonna blow the speakers dude ive been loving your hair air recently i just had to point it out ANYWAY loved the video HAHA

[@kariikosmos3005]

20:30 writing an alagorical fiction comparing Indigenous children to monsters, when you as an author are not also Indigenous, is not it. And actual Indigenous folk have called this out.

[@xfranczeskax]

If you want to be offended, I guess you'll find a way... It's completely legit to talk about whether the idea was good and well executed, but swinging the club at the author for his background is just bs. It's called fiction for a reason.

[@cas9278]

The ones I've read: Anxious People (in the Dutch translation: Angstige Mensen, I absolutely loved this one), The House in the Cerulean Sea (I thought it was cute but the way they talked abour the protagonists weight and body made me uncomfortable)

[@ladyshrike6815]

Hey Jack! When you do romantasy video I highly recommend reading Reign & Ruin by J. D. Evans and One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig. Unlike many other romantasy books, these ones are pretty good.

[@x_ivaa]

31:50 "i did not say it made sense it's just the way i think" ya i feel that

[@kzimm16]

you MUST read a ballad of song birds and snakes! even though the plot was spoiled for you, Suzanne Collins does such an amazing job with commentary on human nature and i think you’d really appreciate it!!

[@clairecampbell2569]

I’m just here for the Kristin Hannah slander

[@SHAYZAC]

The Silent Patient is infuriatingly bad

[@fionathepersona9409]

I've read 9 of these! Crying in H Mart, Anxious People, The House in the Cerulean Sea, Icebreaker, I'm Glad My Mom Died, Red White and Royal Blue, Malibu Rising, Happy Place, and Beach Read (I'm grinding to read all of Emily Henry's books). In my physical TBR, I have The Vanishing Half, People We Meet on Vacation, and The Midnight Library. And you've given me at least 1/3 of these recs👀

[@abbydavies152]

ali hazelwood novels just take me fully out as a phd candidate bc i CANNOT imagine some of those situations

[@vdances429]

You should absolutely read The Silent Patient! You will hate it... until you love it! At least, that's how it went for me. I'm thankful I powered through my hatred; it was well worth it!

[@LisaJC]

jack you have such smart, lovely thoughts

[@keshav28]

You absolutely HAVE TO start reading Lucy Foley. I'd suggest you to start with The Guest List - I've read quite a few classics I've found my hands on but it still remains to be a very memorable read. A masterclass on how to write character profiles - that too, in first person, all through the way. I'd really wanna see you talk about the book someday.

[@normpe2851]

How the hell did haunting Adeline make this list? My fate in humanity is declining, i am gonna go shift to the depths of pacafic ocean if anyone needs me

[@hannahgraham1348]

11:47 THE WOMEN BY KRISTIN HANNAH was incredible! I highly recommend giving it a try

[@abookandastory]

JACK. I had to pause the video to tell you that you’re absolutely missing out on Kristin Hannah!!!! I’ve read 4 of hers this year, the nightingale(devastating), four winds, the women, and the great alone. The four winds was my least favorite, although I did enjoy it. I think you neeeeeeed to read the Nightingale.

[@MeganLarabee]

I was about to comment this too! PLEASE give Kristin another chance

[@Mona-kw8oi]

I only read The Women so far, but it is one of my all time favourite books now! I was shocked when he said he won't read it 😅

[@Amanda-if7ey]

As someone that reads fantasy, you're not wrong about the covers. There's a whole lot of them out and about right now that look super similar, and most of them have titles that go "The/A [blank] of [blank] and [blank]."

[@bismutfan2211]

15:07 Project Hail Mary is so good!

[@cdrini]

4:45 I would argue verbalizing love is the cheapest form of love. Also the easiest love to fake.

[@twoofuslt]

Honestly you just can't skip Kristin Hannah! Didn't like "Four Winds" as well, but "The Nightingale" is like one of the best books I ever read, please please read it

[@lojcass]

i’ve read 17! - crying in h mart (4 stars) - in five years (1 star, horrible) - carrie soto is back (unrated, liked it in the moment but now not a fan of TJR) - the paris apartment (2.5 star; well written but felt it was bland) - it happened one summer (2.5 stars; a bit too cheesy for me but i didn’t hate it) - yellowface (4 stars; definitely agree with your take on RF Kuang) - remarkably bright creatures (5 stars; LOVED) - the house in the cerulean sea (unrated; loved it when i read it but after hearing TJ Klune was inspired by the Sixties Scoop while writing this book, i’m a bit disgusted) - the vanishing half (3.5 stars) - i’m glad my mom died (5 stars) - happy place (2 stars; like you said, the friends were great in this but the romance felt so juvenile) - book lovers (4 stars; my personal favorite Emily Henry, but it’s also the first Henry i read so not sure i would rate it as highly if i reread it now) - beach read (3 stars; very forgettable) - people we meet on vacation (2.5 stars; also very forgettable and thought the romance was juvenile) - the invisible life of addie larue (4 stars; i liked the story for what it is but TOTALLY agree with your criticisms, i wish it went deeper) - daisy jones & the six (unrated, but enjoyed) - fourth wing (1 star; not well-written or conceived)

[@evermore.18]

anxious people was one of the books that changed the way i started reading, backman is so great

[@thetrailblazer1178]

Just wanted to say that watching your videos motivates me to read more so thanks for that!!

[@tatibonini12]

19:15 this is not the book that the minisseries protagonized by Margaret Qualley was based on. The book that the show was based is a non-fictional story, the title is just "Maid", by Stephanie Land.

[@eimajhteb8288]

Adding such a fun age to my list!! Thanks for the plot summary… I think I had completely misjudged this one based on the cover!!!

[@jichulets]

if the midnight library and the silent patient have no haters, then i'm dead

[@mishcamahajan]

I've read 47 of these and am currently finishing Sarah J Maas so if we include that, 49!

[@Natizilda1]

I'm surprised Midnight Library was so high. Did not like the resolution of this book at all ahahaha the concept is really cool indeed, though, I agree with you on that

[@jasmineshier7254]

I also felt like Addie Larue only cared about sex, and Henry’s character was…whiny.