The 10 Books That Have Been on my TBR the Longest | Confession Time

[@tokyochemist]

I've read two books this year that were placed on my TBR pile back in 2009 so it's never too late to pick up a book! Oh and I loved both!

[@JeansThoughts]

You’re right, and that’s awesome!

[@wowiplay]

I feel called out because I started looking at my tbr shelf and... whelp.

[@JeansThoughts]

Aha join me in the shame corner.

[@garbagerat4700]

Would you do a tour of those gorgeous shelves behind you?? You don't have to show every book as I can imagine that would be exhausting hahah but just a general tour? They look so beautiful! You could also tell us fun stories about your dad and what books he loved and how they shaped your own reading? Just quite chatty and vlog-like. Lovely video as always

[@LiteraryKnitterary]

The Phantom Tollbooth was indeed one of my childhood favorites! It’s just such a pure story about the joys of learning and curiosity, and it’s full of puns! I read Bluebeard’s Egg a few years ago and liked it; the prose was lovely, but I can’t remember anything about any of the stories except the titular one, whereas her novels usually stick with me for years

[@fionagraham4338]

This is such a relatable video! At the start of lockdown I made a list of all the books on my shelf that I haven’t read and was shocked! As always, love your videos xx

[@rachaelgrimes5775]

The Phantom Tollbooth has been one of my favourite books of all time since I was a child! It's one of my books that I think all kids should have on their bookshelves. It's SO clever and whimsical!

[@wordsofclover]

The Copper Promise is SOOOO good!!! I loved the trilogy! Crazy excited to see on your TBR shelf as I don't see anyone talk about it!

[@JeansThoughts]

Ooooh ok well not I definitely want to read it!

[@rebekkahaugen2800]

Love this video!! The ads were very long though, and I couldn't skip them :o

[@distilledreads]

I'm currently making my way through The Decameron because I decided now was the perfect time... 😅 I've definitely been reading slower than my usual pace, but there's really very little (so far) that's specific to the plague happening in the city! I've found using the story breaks or the breaks between days as a guide great to encourage my reading. 😊

[@pamelaaibangbee2995]

In Italy we study the Decameron at scholl, and if you look out at the structure of the opera (it take like 10 minutes, basically every day as a theme and a "king" of the day that rules the other people) you'll be able to read it pieces by pieces. Basically is a big short story collection. And by the way I loved it even at school, so have fun 😊

[@155books]

Some archaeology reading right there finding your boarding passing The Lost World! 😂 I read my first Shirley Jackson last year and adored it and I remember you being one of the first people I remember loving her! 😅💕

[@DebMcDonald]

You must read The Phantom Tollbooth. I read it as an adult and it is hilarious. It’s full of wordplay and puns and makes you feel as if you’re in a Marks Brothers film.

[@JenMSc]

The Phantom Tollbooth is THE childhood book that I have the strongest nostalgia memories toward. Its *so* clever and punny, all the characters add to the ambiance of all the different parts of Wisdom that Milo visits. I dont have my physical copy with me, but maybe I can find an e- or audiobook because now I want to do a reread! haha! I really hope you read it and that you enjoy it, too!

[@AthynVixen]

This is a great concept Jean . Thanks for sharing its very entertaining,

[@thoroughlyenjoyedbooks8565]

I found it hilarious when you got to The Decameron! The only book I've ever read of Margaret Atwood is Wilderness Tips, which is a collection of short stories about the Canadian wilderness and I LOVED IT. I read it for uni and I got the best grade I've ever gotten for the essay I wrote on it. So deffo need to read more Atwood! Why do I very vividly remember you getting The Wine Dark Sea? Were we together at the time? At a meetup or something? Like, it's VERY vivid memory of you being like 'this was literally put in my hand, I have to get it'.

[@JeansThoughts]

YES I don't think you were in the bookshop with me but I think it was the same weekend we met - like maybe SitC was that weekend? And the guy in Waterstones literally popped out of nowhere and put it in my hands and ran away again so I was in disbelief aha.

[@dancing-lawn]

I really enjoyed The Lost World. It's quite different from the Sherlock Holmes books but there's a lot of (natural) science stuff which is fascinating in the context of the times in which Doyle lived and what the theories of the time were :) I only read Atwood's short story collection Stone Mattress, which was amazing. Happy reading!

[@pamelatarajcak5634]

The Phantom Tollbooth was one of my favorites! It's so quirky and surreal. I think it would be up your alley.

[@emrmch]

Your dad had a fantastic taste in books 💜

[@AnnaShikari]

i have books from the early 2000s that i still haven't got around to, my mum bought loads of obscure middle grade books when i was little and they all still sound good! i will read them eventually 😅 honestly didn't even know the sundial existed but it sounds amazing 💖

[@meghanhallam9184]

I havent read the full Decameron.. but in college I was in a play loosely based on it (Concord Floral) and one of the exercises we did was each actor learned one of the stories and we took turns telling them to each other like the characters in the book. I’ve been meaning to read the full thing since but just hearing about it gives me the warm fuzzies.

[@earthlingua]

Ooh, I recently downloaded Why Read the Classics? and The Decameron and have been enjoying reading those myself. (Also The Heptameron, which is inspired by The Decameron, and which I found out about through Call Me By Your Name, another book I love!) I also have that same copy of The Magic Toyshop secondhand which I've been meaning to read for years. (Oh and I also loved The Secret of Platform 13 as a kid!) Also, your dad sounds lovely. I love that you're still able to connect with him through books even after his passing. I've been trying to do that myself by reading books that my grandfather, who passed recently, gave me or liked to read during his life. I'm very interested now in Smiler's Fair and The Wine-Dark Sea now you've mentioned them. Thanks for the video, Jean!

[@v5d9k1]

Your hair looks so SOFT in this video. 😍 As for long-owned books that I haven't read, I stopped even thinking about that topic. Just gives me too much anxiety and then I can't read anything. I just read what I want, when I want. 👍🏽

[@CoffeeOverApples]

omgoodness the Decameron is so much fun. In university my professor had us read it and create an illustration based on a story. It was actually very hilarious and a bit raunchy for something written 700 years ago lol

[@Kaihlynd]

I loved The Phantom Tollbooth when I was growing up! I've been wanting to reread it because I remember how amazing I thought it was!

[@katieseehusen5897]

Oh my gosh, I have the Decameron on my bookshelf too. I got it is 2008 after studying abroad in Florence. For one of my classes we took stories from the Decameron and went up to Fiesole and acted out the stories for our classmates, just like they did in the book. It was the best time, I had to buy the book. I also have yet to read it.

[@kit3725]

the phantom tollbooth is PHENOMENAL!!!

[@Jessticulates]

Ooh The Decameron sounds really interesting! I haven't been reaching for pandemic books, but that one really does sound fascinating.

[@ThePinupchick]

Shirley Jackson and Calvino are two of my favorites of all time!! You should read If on a winter’s night a traveler by calvino!!

[@tinytoadstoolcottage8794]

Agreed! I just read it and absolutely recommend it.

[@karakask5488]

I started working in a bookstore in the 1990s. There are for sure books that I got then that are still on my tbr. One day I might get to them, maybe...

[@JoshsBookishVoyage]

A personal goal of mine each month is to read at least one or two of my oldest books on my TBR a month. As for books, I really enjoyed the most world, but I read it like a decade ago I'm high school. I just remember loving the TV show.

[@JeansThoughts]

That is a brilliant goal! And oooooh if I read the book I could also look up the TV show.

[@JoshsBookishVoyage]

@@JeansThoughts have you never seem it? It is so very 90s/2000s. But I loved it as a kid.

[@tjpieraccini]

@@JeansThoughts I too enjoyed the Lost World TV show, but it's certainly not high art, and...not to put you off, but I think the book is a good deal less than feminist. I don't think it's exactly *anti*-feminist (I don't think Doyle was), but I don't believe any women actually accompany them on the expedition, and even the local girl that the adaptations add is absent.

[@baddiemoyd]

I read Bluebeard's Egg a while ago and I thought it was great! It was really funny at times and really easy to dip in and out of. Her prose is beautiful as ever and the quality of the short stories never falters in my opinion. Would definitely recommend giving it a go, especially if you have enjoyed Atwood's novels in the past!

[@JeansThoughts]

Ok well this is definitely the encouragement I needed thank you!

[@johanvl261]

Go look at Alicevlo.com good reads

[@Amyduckie]

I haven’t read any of them, but Smiler’s Fair went onto my TBR immediately, especially when I saw the third book came out only last year. Also, I hope you mum is holding up okay after her surgery. X

[@annesbookishcorner]

I've never read anything by Shirley Jackson but The Sundial sounds absolutely fascinating and so cool! My boyfriend has actually bought a copy of the Decameron (and is slowly making his way through it) exactly because of its relevance to present time, and I think he's really enjoying it!

[@read_with_anna]

The Phantom Tollbooth was one of my childhood favorites that I read over and over. All of my siblings loved it too, which is saying something because my brothers are not as big readers as my sister and me. It’s probably because it’s a fantastical story full of puns! I’ve been meaning to reread it because I’m slowly making my way through all of my childhood favorites along with my regular tbr.

[@fionaclaffey-kelly3333]

Hi Jean! Can very much identify with this video, I've had a copy of War and Peace on my shelf since 2007!! I've also read about half of both the Decameron and The Lost World and but them both down 'temporarily' a looooong time ago! I have however read Bluebeards Egg, and just to warn you, they're not actually fairy tale retellings, they are very enjoyable reads though!

[@RoisinsReading]

The Phantom Tollboth was one of my favourite children's books! it's so funny and clever

[@rachaels7893]

This was such a fun video, some really interesting books popped up. None of which I have read so can't help with. I immediately thought of my shameful TBR veteran - I've had The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks on my shelves waiting to be read since uni so about 13 years 😬 it has survived so many unhauls and moves etc but I never pick it up!

[@christinetreasure5321]

I read the Copper's Promise last month and enjoyed it! It wasn't anything new or mind-blowing but still a lot of fun. It was also originally written as four short stories/novellas but then was published together which you can tell, but I didn't mind so much as I knew going into it. It's the start of a trilogy and I intend to continue on so that's always a good sign :)

[@NeftoonZamora]

I just lent a friend of mine The Lost World and other stories, last night, as he has read all of the Sherlock Holmes short stories (also borrowed from me) and I thought he might enjoy it. The Magic Toyshop was my first Angela Carter and it was a book that really stayed with me. Definitely made me want to pick up more or her work. As to unread books on my bookcase, I have books that have literally been on there for two decades. Eek.

[@aimeesbookshelf2208]

Ooh I've never heard of any of these, but definitely adding Bluebeard's Egg to my TBR! I've only read one Margaret Atwood book (the obvious one - Handmaid's Tale), and it was one of the books that got me back into reading too! Also I feel like short stories don't get enough love on Booktube - not sure why that is? I LOVE them. Would love to see a review if you end up reading it! :D

[@zahraonokevbagbe2725]

I might have to revisit the Decameron now this month. I haven’t touched my copy since I studied it, but this might have inspired me to pick it up again!

[@williamstewart6454]

Great video Over the past 7 weeks Ive been reading stuff from my long term TBR . One of the books I read (Dr Bloodmoney by Philip K Dick ) had effectively been on my TBR for 40 years (Although the edition I read was not the copy which I bought in about 1980 which is in Scotland - I am in London)

[@missburn]

40 years, that's a long damn time 😄

[@helens7920]

In a similar situation of being unexpectedly back in my childhood bedroom and being confronted with how many unread books I really own. Good for lockdown though! Some of the worst offenders are The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Small Island by Andrea Levy, and Brideshead Revisited which I've had on my shelf for a good 7 or so years each!

[@ariadnamatfei3923]

I loved The Lost World when I read it in high school. It was awesome!

[@oregraphie]

This can be a perfect moment to read "Decamerone", or at least re-start it ^^ Nowadays here in Italy, it is kinda a recurrent joke to tell that someone who left the city to stay for quarantine in the countryside is actually re-enacting the Decamerone. If you are willing to, you may start reading it and, as you were already anticipating it, break the book in parts according to the passing of the days in the story or just start reading a novella per day since they are 101 (kinda), so that it will become one of those experiences like read a poem everyday :) Hope you will love it!

[@MercuryCalling]

I love Shirley Jackson, too! I am tempted to buy all her books now, too...

[@thebookishmel]

i think i've read most of the books i've owned for 5+ years, but I DEFINITELY FOUND A FEW that have been there for a WHILE on my sisters shelf lol!

[@rachelrice9266]

I have soooooo many books that have been on my bookshelves for the longest time including a Robert Aickman lol! I have, however just started on The Thirteenth Tale on your recommendation and am in love with Dianne Setterfield's writing! I've just received Oranges are not the only fruit by Jeanette Winterson today so I look forward to reading that as have read Tangleweck in the past and loved it! I've wanted to read Angela Carter for the longest time so think I will be buying a couple after lockdown when I can get to a bookshop or eBay it lol! Any Angela Carter that you'd recommend most as a starting point? Many Thanks! Great video yet again Jean! xx

[@RoamingTime]

The Decameron is amazing. I got to take a course just on that book.

[@JeansThoughts]

Ugh I would love to read it as part of a course!

[@johanvl261]

Go look at Alicevlo.com good read

[@SadieReadsAgain]

Man, I think the oldest books on my shelves are nearly 20 years old...I swear I'll get round to them!! I really need to read some Shirley Jackson, her books always sound so good.

[@handmeanotherbook7640]

Yes, Jean! I am interested to have a copy of The Magic Toyshop. Thanks, I just heard it from you a matter-of-factly. ;)

[@MaerchenRinchen]

I studied "Decameron" at University and really enjoyed it. I'm german and we compared the stories with german versions of the stories. Many of the stories are really funny and absurd. The isolation aspect isn't a big deal - I think it is enjoyable under the given circumstances.

[@mohankashyap3534]

love this video...👍

[@emilyross1940]

I LOVE The Phantom Tollbooth! I read it when I was about 12 I think and re-read a couple of years ago. I think I'll do another re-read soon!

[@Tinahgirl83]

The Decameron doesn’t really mention the plague apart from it being part of the setup. It’s actually pretty readable. I read it back when I was about 22, and read it all the way through. I LOVE your edition of The Phantom Tollbooth! It’s gorgeous. I love that book so much. My mom read it to me when I was a kid, and I’ve read it many times and understand it so much better as an adult. If you can read it on audio, it’s excellent, and you’re able to get all of the puns and wordplay. It’s a very clever book, and will make you think while also making you smile. I’ve had The Magic Toyshop for years now. I bought it because I saw it in one of Jen’s videos, and just haven’t picked it up.

[@karlydolle7809]

'The Magic Toyshop' is one of my FAVOURITE books of all time! It is part-magic, part-whimsy, part-mystery/thriller, part-romance and part-fairytale. You should definitely read it soon! I would love to hear your thoughts on it :)

[@AilsaVlogs]

I've got The Copper Promise on audio somewhere, and got about 3/4 of the way through, about twice! But not finished. I've not read Smiler's Fair but it's been on my wish list for a while; I think I heard it praised (and maybe saw the author on some panels) at a couple of conventions.

[@valsbookvoyages3344]

Calvino's Invisible Cities & The Baron in the Trees 💚💚

[@GreenGretel]

I have a TBR list on Word that's 60+ pages long that I started compiling 10+ years ago, so...ahem....

[@reneebarrette4514]

The only book remotely close to any of those that I have on my TBR is The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. I can't wait to get my hands on that one! I have tons of classics that I bought with all intentions of reading them, but haven't, the one I would most look forward to picking up is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. But half of my bookshelves are full of books I purchased and haven't read yet!

[@danielleryle1664]

I love Decameron. Take it one “day” per week. I read it on my own one summer but am also an early modern PhD candidate. It’s charming even without critical context. Enjoy!

[@jimronnysrlie8601]

George Orwell - 1984, Scott Lynch - The lies of Lock Lamora, Ken Kesey - One flew over the cuckoo's nest, Harper Lee - To kill a mockingbird, The legend of the ice people - Book 26-47 and Oscar Wilde - The picture of Dorian Gray. I've also ordered some classics that I've ment to read for some time. Anna Karenina, We have always lived in the castle, Jane Eyre, The woman in white and Jamaica Inn... I really want to read more classics, because I've really enjoyed the ones that I've read. So hopefully I will read atleast the books that I've mentioned here :)

[@-ParisTexas-]

The Phantom Tolbooth is a quick read, if you want to cross one of your list quickly I would pick that one up. I read it a couple of years ago for the first time (as an adult) and I quite enjoyed it.

[@sashahawkins]

I love The Magic Toy Shop! Definitely quite a strange novel, quintessential Angela Carter!

[@leticiatoraci9855]

"Smiler's Fair" seems very interesting.

[@iidamariamilwordy4915]

I've had The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle unread on my Kindle for years and years, I probably got it around 2011 when I had just bought my first Kindle. But I am currently trying to work through my Audible collection, so The Lost World will need to wait for a bit more.

[@JJO54]

And this is when I too admit I have the Decameron on my shelves.... and like you got to about page 50... 😂

[@gliterindoenut]

I just started rereading The Various, a book my dad read to me in 2004, because I've had the sequal on my shelves ever since and just haven't got round to it... I also have the Angela Carter so I'd love to hear what you think!

[@clairebearbooks6248]

I recently got rid of The Copper Promise after it sat on my shelf for several years. 😶 Smiler's Fair looks stunning and sounds really intriguing too! Would love to know your thoughts if ever you do read it 😉

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

I too wish I could say "I had read The Decameron, I have opinons on it" but also don't know if I actually want to read it.

[@JeansThoughts]

ONE DAY WE WILL SAY THIS and not be lying.

[@Sandy-cx9cw]

Angela Carter is one of my favourite authors, so probably I’m a bit biased but you should definitely read The Magic Toyshop. It’s a feminist- surreal coming-of- age story, set in a creepy toyshop. All the good stuff!

[@Andreawilja]

Hello from Germany. You remind me that Jackson and Atwood are great Authors 😄 I have 3 Atwoods on my SUB (Stack of Unread Books, how we call it here 🤓) I should really read them in time 🙏 bye 👋

[@anna.t._7224]

Well at least this video made me feel less worse about my massive and ever growing TBR monster.

[@BookishBrits]

Can't give you any help or recommendations there as I haven't read any of them... Though I think I might have that Margaret Atwood on my TBR shelves too :0

[@judybrown1624]

I read Bluebeard's Egg and gave it 4* on goodreads. I don't actually remember it, but must have been pretty good.

[@audreyh7892]

Phantom Tollbooth is great. That cover is fabulous. Our cover is crap

[@JeansThoughts]

Aha it is beautiful!

[@ChrisDailyReading]

I read The Lost World a few months ago and really enjoyed it. I was in a bit of a dinosaur vibe at that moment, but I think I would’ve enjoyed it nonetheless!

[@larc3490]

My TBR shelf is so much worse, with books from long before 2011, it's pretty embarrassing. I LOVED The Phantom Tollbooth when I was little - I've been meaning to reread it for years to see how it holds up.

[@danceswithvirginiawoolfs8963]

Are you familiar with Margaret Atwood's poetry? In particular, she does a lot of Greek myth retellings with a feminist slant, like The Penelopiad. (in her poetry collections Interlunar/Letters from the Burned House / Songs of the Transformed but there's an anthology called 'Eating Fire') Siren Song in particular is so witty and great. In keeping with the theme I have a second hand copy of The Blind Assassin sitting on my shelf since 2010 🙈 and a copy of Wild Swans and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee that just fill me with shame

[@JeshikaPaperdoll]

I was also recommended the Robert Aickman book by a Waterstones bookseller, and bought it, and still haven’t read it. Oops. 🙈 Glad I’m not the only one though.

[@JeansThoughts]

Ahaha it’s a conspiracy!

[@JeshikaPaperdoll]

Jean Bookishthoughts I wonder if it’s the same person or if loving Robert Aickman is a must to work at Waterstones 😂😂

[@doesitmatter13]

I thought The Sundial was pretty boring (loved all other Shirley Jackson books ). No Italo Calvino book is bad although Invisible Cities is his best imo I had to read the Decameron for my Latin class in high school and it was such a treat (it is not really about the plague tho)

[@ThePinupchick]

Also Angela Carter omigod the bloody chamber!!!

[@tjpieraccini]

I read Aickman's short story 'The Swords' as a teenager, and it certainly did make an impression, but I've not read any more, though at least one SFF authority I know really loves/rates Aickman's work. I wondered if 'The Corn King and the Spring Queen' might make this list, but perhaps that's a little more recent...? And incidentally I note Fenimore Cooper's 'The Pathfinder' behind you - although I suspect that's not yours...I'm rather fond of Cooper (and he's very feminist for his day - damn sight more progressive in some ways than the Last of the Mohicans movie) but I guess he's not the easiest of reads for the modern sensibility.

[@JeansThoughts]

Aha that one didn’t make the list because it was my dads copy - I only did books I’d bought. Although you’re right I think I added that to my tbr in 2015 or 16 and I DO still need to read it 😂 it genuinely sounds amazing.

[@JeansThoughts]

Also I’ll have a look at the cooper book thank you!

[@tjpieraccini]

@@JeansThoughts Bear in mind Mark Twain had this to say: "Cooper's art has some defects. In one place in 'Deerslayer,' and in the restricted space of two-thirds of a page, Cooper has scored 114 offences against literary art out of a possible 115."

[@evamelas4839]

I have read Italo Calvinos book about classics and I really loved the introduction but I didn't like the essays because he actually wrote why he likes the mentioned books and he spoiled some endings.

[@SamanthaPajor]

For a book supposedly about dinosaurs, there's an awful lot of imperialism and white supremacy in The Lost World.