Reading Books By Authors I Loved Years Ago 👀📚 Reading Vlog

[@jenvcampbell]

Hi everyone. Thanks for watching ☺ Let me know if there are favourite authors that you would like to revisit in a comment down below. x

[@tirarosaurioreads]

I want to go back to Murakami since I haven't read a book of his for the last... 10 years or so? He was pretty much everything I read for a long while, when I discovered him. But he has since released a few books which I haven't read.

[@jenvcampbell]

@@tirarosaurioreads I also read the majority of his about ten years ago but haven't enjoyed his newer things (not because I think he's changed; I think I'm just a different reader now. Amongst other things, I can no longer make excuses for the way he writes women 🤦🏼‍♀😅) xx

[@tirarosaurioreads]

Yes I am afraid this is gonna be my experience as well.@@jenvcampbell

[@emeline_4]

Ones for which I have already the books looking at me from my shelves or on my Kobo: Lucy Maud Montgomery, Ursula Le Guin, Becky Chambers, Nicci French, Virginia Woolf Ones I'd like to read more of but haven't bought the books: Sarah Waters, R.C. Sherriff, Kay O'Neill, Kalynn Bayron, Martha Wells, Neil Gaiman, Claudia Pineiro, Jasper Fforde, Yan Ge, Tillie Walden, Shirley Jackson, Octavia E. Butler Mix of both: Mary Oliver ... Oh no, I hadn't realised there were so many 😂

[@SuperBrieBear]

After reading it for the first time about 5 years ago, Persuasion has become my yearly winter read. I love it dearly.

[@jenvcampbell]

☺️📚 x

[@jeanparnell2295]

I'm thrilled that by chance I stumbled onto your youtube - thoroughly enjoying watching them! Great content! 😊

[@jenvcampbell]

♥️

[@nolawernicke9078]

Hi Jen, I'm well, little bit excited because I'm resigning from my job in four weeks and it will be great to have a break. I've read Persuasion and loved it, there is a scene where Frederick is writing the letter to Anne, it is one of the most beautiful scenes when she realises how he feels. It's great watching it too, especially with Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root. 🥰

[@jenvcampbell]

Seems that folk are divided between the 1995 and 2007 adaptation of Persuasion, in the same way they are between P&P's 1995/2005 x

[@melaniehassan8478]

Thank you as always for a wonderfully balanced video. Some excellent bookish ideas, I'm off to buy Camembert now. Mel x

[@jenvcampbell]

Happy snacking! x

[@lesleylathrop2386]

For me, I used to read a lot of Paul Auster and Rick Moody, and I’ve often wondered if I’d still appreciate them.

[@candyv4921]

I loved this, thank you. The recipes look great, I'll be making them with my children this winter.

[@jenvcampbell]

Happy cooking ☺️ x

[@yarnmugspodcast9123]

Hi Jen. I’m new to book tuber videos and have just found you today. I’ve gone down a wonderful rabbit hole and absolutely loved this video. Can’t wait to watch more of yours. Sarah 😊

[@jenvcampbell]

Hi Sarah, thanks for being here ☺

[@erinsouthworth4066]

I’m thrilled you’re liking Persuasion more now! I think the beauty of Austen is, like you said, the characters and stories become part of your very being. The two I didn’t love as much were the ones I wasn’t familiar with plot going into it. The subtleties and the humor are more brilliant and thrilling when you aren’t trying to keep track of who’s who. Which means I probably just need to revisit them. Love your videos and everything you include in them. Hope you are feeling well!

[@jenvcampbell]

Agreed! x

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Aww, the swan family were so cute! Your walk looked lovely as always. That muffin sounded delicious 😋 I haven't read any John Wyndham so you've reminded me that I need to! Xxx

[@jenvcampbell]

It’s frustrating that audible are hoarding his audiobooks; most of the others available elsewhere appear to be abridged. x

[@MercysBookishMusings]

@@jenvcampbell that is annoying!

[@whatsthetemma1308]

I remember Watching and reading Chocky and it's follow on called Chocky's children. I remember it was very interesting and strange book Persuasion was a book our book club read most of us not enjoying it at all including me. I've read other Jane Austen books and enjoyed them. I remember watching it in 1984 as a child . Aling eith another book at the same time Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M Boston. Which was one of those books that kept me engaged terrified and excited at the same time.

[@ReadheadReads]

I love this concept Jen! ✨ For me, I always pick up any Ursula le Guin book I find at the secondhand bookshop and add it to the pile! 2024 will be the year to finally dive into the backlog (promise)

[@jenvcampbell]

Haha, I felt that '(promise)'. Ah, the TBR promises we make to ourselves. x

[@BarbaraBoholm]

I agree with you Jen,Persuasion is not like pride and prejudice or even other classics like Jane Eyre... Some books are just not easy to get into no matter how hard you try... And i have to say i just love your cozy kitchen and the magic you create there,thank you for just making sundays a bit nicer🥰😉Warm hugs coming your way

[@jenvcampbell]

Thanks! And I'm really enjoying it now; just took a while to get there. x

[@BarbaraBoholm]

It was like that for me too☺it is not a bad book at all,it was just easier to get into Emma or reading about Mr Darcy. 🤗@@jenvcampbell

[@blueeyes2938]

I read Chocky not too long ago and enjoyed it. I watched a tv adaptation of it as a kid that I utterly loved. It was serialised - probably by the BBC.

[@amandaslope]

Going back to reading old favourites, 60ish years in my case. I couldn’t get enough of Georgette Heyer and Jean Plaidy then but I know it would definitely not be my cup of tea now. However, I do feel there are many authors and books, for example The Great Gatsby that I read when I was far too young and should now go back to and reread.

[@georginakey6298]

The Midwich Cuckoos sounds like an old black and white film (50 or 60s) that REALLY freaked me out when I was a kid!😳 I’ll try to find it…just checked and it IS an adaptation-Village of the Damned-yikes!!

[@azu_rikka]

A brilliant video! I love that you will be rereading more and document it, as rereading is an important part of my reading life. This year was the first year that I systematically went about it: one book each month, and the whole of December I will be dedicating to rereads. I am talking about rereading books that I adored, not backlists of favourite authors.

[@georginakey6298]

I’m rereading Poisonwood Bible as I so enjoyed Demon Copperhead recently. Next I’ll reread (for the countless number of times) Possesion, in honor of AS Byatt and her passing😢

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

Now, I'm craving Butternut Squash soup. Persuasion is one of those books that has grown on me after reading multiple times. I have authors where I have bought their books, but I read their books. Wilkie Collins being the first one that comes to mind. I could say Anthony Trollop is a where I have read a couple of his books, but haven't picked anything lately. I keep meaning too, though.

[@pcsingh89]

Oh no! 😂 here I was thinking I was super clever by using yogurt in my blended vegetable soups. Turns out it's a thing. 😅

[@jenvcampbell]

Still a smart thing to do! 😂 x

[@wendyryan1618]

Persuasion and the Midwich Cuckoos are also on my TBR of older books from my shelf that I'd like to read soon, so this was a very helpful video! I always think I've read more Jane Austen than I actually have, so I've made a concerted effort recently to actually finish all her books - reading Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abbey so far this year. Kazuo Ishiguro and John Le Carre are some past favourites whose works I own but still need to read.

[@jenvcampbell]

I find Ishiguro so hit and miss but when he hits he is superb x

[@Wanderful1]

Hi Jen. I didn’t realise the children’s programme Chocky was based on a book. I loved it. Every time i see those green fire lights in buildings i think of it! Watch it and you’ll know what i. mean 😂😂😂Must try the book. Lovely video! Xx

[@jenvcampbell]

I didn't know it was a programme, so we're both surprised, ha. x

[@CharlieBrookReads]

Why have I never thought to roast the butternut squash whole 😑Thank you Jen ❤️

[@jenvcampbell]

I know 🙈 once you realise that it seems to obvious but it took me a while to think of it, too 😂 x

[@KendraWinchester]

Oh I love this idea for a themed book vlog! One of my reading projects for 2024 is trying to tackle the books that have accumulated after loving one of an author’s books and then going out and buying all of their backlist. But I never seem to get around to reading them. 😅

[@jenvcampbell]

Which authors are top of your list? ☺️ x

[@KendraWinchester]

@@jenvcampbell Miriam Toews and Sarah Waters for sure. I’m thinking a summer reading project to read all of Sarah Waters. 🤔

[@Emmie4497]

Great to see you reading some John Wyndham in this vlog, Jen. I really love his books and The Chrysalids was always my favourite too. I'd be interested to hear what you think of Trouble with Lichen whenever you treat yourself to new books! That one has some really interesting themes and I still think of it many years on although it's not one of his most famous novels

[@jenvcampbell]

I'm sure I'll get to it one of these days (/years 😂) x

[@ina_loves_books]

Loved the autumn walks, the squirrels, and the zebra pyjamas - which did not look like pyjamas at all. I have to admit that I've never read a Jane Austen book, but I have two on my TBR (Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility). And now I'll have a look at all the recipes - yummy!

[@jenvcampbell]

☺️❤️ thanks for watching. x

[@anikav3092]

I have read 5 of Victoria Hislop’s books and I remember enjoying them but the last one I read was published in 2014. There are 6 other books that I haven’t read by her. You’ve inspired me to pick up an unread book of hers and see if I still enjoy her work.

[@anikav3092]

Also I love the Kyoto garden in Holland Park. When I last visited, there was a heron minding his own business at the water’s edge and seemed undeterred by the visitors walking past!

[@jenvcampbell]

Always such friendly wildlife in London’s parks, sometimes too friendly! 😅 x

[@kategriffiths9777]

Hi Jen. I don’t 100% know but I’m pretty sure that The Magic Toyshop inspired a Series of Unfortunate events, there’s a lot of similarities and in the film the sister Violet is an inventor and in the The Magic Toyshop the brother is the one who’s good at fixing things. When I was reading the Magic Toyshop I also watched ‘A Series of’ and it really influenced my experience, because The Magic Toyshop almost feels like a play version of ‘A Series of’ (I’m aware it came out first) but you can almost feel the story evolve over time in an interesting way. I just have to recommend watching it whilst reading the book: it really helped my reading experience.

[@jenvcampbell]

I’d not heard that comparison before. Carter’s work, as I mentioned, is heavily influenced by ETA Hoffman, so perhaps they share that same influence? That seems more likely to me ☺️ Handler’s books feel very Dahl/Gorey x

[@bethmw28]

We don't tend to have much crossover on our venn diagram of books we read (I just really enjoy your videos regardless and it's a bonus if I find something new to read 😁) so I find it super interesting that Austen and Wyndham are two of my favourites too - although that's not exactly a unique opinion I guess 😅 anyway! just wanted to say I read Midwich Cuckoos a couple of months ago and really loved it too! I did really like Triffids but agree that Midwich is better and I really need to get round to reading The Chrysalids!! Persuasion alternates on any given day for my favourite Austen with Northanger Abbey (followed, controversially, by sense & sensibility)...but I also find it endlessly interesting that, while I know a lot of Austen fans, I don't think I've ever met any with the same order of favourites!

[@lissarice1876]

After you read Persuasion, please watch the adaptation with Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliot.

[@jenvcampbell]

I plan to ☺️ x

[@misskit123]

The author that fits this category for me is Daphne du Maurier. I've read all but 6 of her books. I've LOVED some (Rebecca, of course! Also The Parasites, Jamaica Inn and Julius) but I haven't ready any new ones for 4 or 5 years. But I will read the rest one day. I want to say I've ready them all, even if I probably won't love the ones left.

[@jenvcampbell]

She was certainly very prolific! Lots of books to read across a lifetime x

[@elizabethgriffith8684]

Oooooh you should try “My Cousin Rachel”, it’s one of my fav books of all time ( I actually liked it more than Rebecca)

[@juliequick5526]

Your reading of Pride and Prejudice was epic, i remembered it before you mentioned it1

[@KyWill-ji8sg]

Watching your videos is a perfect way to relax after putting up my Xmas decorations. I am currently reading fingersmith because I’ve always thought I’d love Sarah Waters Also finished Maps of our spectacular bodies yesterday and it’s my favourite book of the year so far

[@jenvcampbell]

Maps is oh so good ❤️ are you enjoying Fingersmith? x

[@KyWill-ji8sg]

Only just started but think it will be a fun time haha

[@KyWill-ji8sg]

Only just started but think it will be a fun time haha

[@jenvcampbell]

@@KyWill-ji8sg ☺

[@KierTheScrivener]

I am not worried about not likng their work but I have a lot of Lucy Maud Montgomery and Margaret Atwood novels. Whrn I heard Jane Austen, I was so happy. I find that Katie from Books and Things and Dr Octavia Cox (here on booktube) really helped me understand Austen more and I felt more confident reading her books

[@jenvcampbell]

Booktube's great for that ☺ x

[@sharonmorris924]

Loved the Midwich cuckoos, the recent tv dramatisation was quite good too!

[@jenvcampbell]

I might take a look at that in the future ☺️ x

[@sarahg3479]

An unrelated question but I think I remember saying that you had to have fake plants in the house for some reason. Is the plant behind you fake and if so I'd love to know where you got it / if you rate it! Thanks 😊

[@jenvcampbell]

Yes, all the plants are fake due to my husband’s asthma. They’re from this shop: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LeafDesignUK?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=858479710&from_page=listing x

[@sarahg3479]

@@jenvcampbell Thank you! Now to figure out which ficus is yours...🧐

[@HollyDunnDesign]

I loved the 2007 adaptation of Persuasion. I watched it long before reading and I found the book really hard to get into. It ended up being my least favourite Austen, but now I’m wondering if I should reread it in audiobook form. Juliet Stevenson can be very *persuasive* 😂 Also, the Widwitch Cuckoos sounds TERRIFYING and your flatbreads look INCREDIBLE!

[@jenvcampbell]

The audiobook is really good! I think I’ll take a look at the 2007 adaption once I’ve finished ☺️ x

[@irenesax1028]

I love the way you're narrating the recipes now. Have you seen the movie of Persuasion? It may persuade you.

[@jenvcampbell]

I meant to ask at the end of this video actually: what's everyone's favourite adaptation of Persuasion? I know the 2022 one is very divisive 😂 x

[@irenesax1028]

Definitely 2007

[@jenvcampbell]

@@irenesax1028 Thanks ☺

[@noct505]

I'm so glad you didn't decide to read Infernal Desire Machines in the end because although Angela Carter has written some of the most beautiful sentences I've ever read there's a plot line in that book where the main character finds himself being offered sexual activity from a child bride and she uses the phrase "diminutive slit" and I have legitimately never forgiven her for it.

[@angelaking9619]

It's so unfortunate imo that Angela Carter's work has these vibes of abusive dynamics towards women at times. I didn't like The Magic Toyshop principally because the main character Melanie (who is still a young teenager) is "claimed" by an older male, and the tone seems to take this attitude seriously. Like we're meant to see this as good and natural for her!

[@melissabee8522]

BookTubers reading Persuasion for the first time: “It’s not as sparkling as Pride and Prejudice, is it?” BookTubers reading Persuasion for the fourth time: “I WOULD DIE FOR ANNE ELLIOT”

[@jenvcampbell]

😂

[@EvieM1]

📚

[@jenvcampbell]

❤️