Let's Chat: The Last Nonfiction November, New Series, Reading My Shelves | Goals & Changes in 2024

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[@ariannefowler455]

I would love to see a stand-alone video on the books you re-read and what your thoughts are the second time around.

[@RashiBisaria]

Never ever stop reviewing books. You are just so good at it and have a natural flair

[@abookolive]

You're kind, thank you! I have no plans to stop reviewing - not for a long while, anyway.

[@kamidsjournee]

I cannot believe you are talking about starting at the top and working your way down. I am working on whittling my unread shelves down to books I want to read. I’m starting at the top and conducting a “Blind date with a book” by reading the first chapter of every book. If it doesn’t fit, I let it go. I own over 2000 books, so it’s just a dent, but I have been terribly overwhelmed and ready to only have books I look forward to reading on my shelves. Best wishes for your future reading in 2024 and beyond!

[@rhondanelson1976]

Love your channel Olive. Thanks for all you do!

[@abookolive]

Thank you so much!! ❤️

[@OG_lesliedixon]

Oh! I’d love to do a reading challenge next year! I love the idea of just reading what’s on my shelf! ❤🎉😊

[@hailvincent]

Former theatre teacher here and I am INTO your Shakespeare project!! Pls check out live performances when you can; Shakespeare’s audiences would talk about “hearing” a play rather than seeing/reading it (ofc they often couldn’t read either bc of lack of literacy or bc the script wasn’t available) and there’s SO MUCH to be learned from the performance! Check out local play companies, esp. colleges, bc the plays are licensing-free and generally attract audiences. Also, Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet (fiction) is beautiful and Bill Bryson’s Shakespeare is a fun intro to his life. I’d be so happy to give more suggestions if wanted!

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Wow, 10 years of non-fiction November! I have a feeling you are right, the event has really taken on a life of its own. It's like your baby that has grown up and left the nest 🥰

[@bookwalk1]

I’ve enjoyed your shorts. I think people will continue to enjoy these. The “two books on” ideas are also ones I’ve enjoyed. I think NFN has been around so long either others will want to take it over, or we all will create our own NFN. I think you coming up with the prompts would be a good way to transition. Many of us enjoy the challenge of looking for and trying to fit books to the prompts. We will always look to you for book recs, especially nonfiction. Looking forward to seeing where your channel goes!

[@jollyaboutbooks1502]

Love your channel Olive! One unique Shakespeare book I thought of was Shakespeare Saved My Life by Laura Bates. This is about a professor who enters a maximum security prison to teach Shakespeare to a convicted murderer in solitary confinement. It’s quite an amazing memoir!

[@sandra7319.]

Thanks for this comment ...the book is now free for Audible members!

[@judybrown1624]

RYB athon is something I'd like to do with my nonfiction books.

[@Manu-pw1rv]

Yes!! I would love a Read Your Shelves athon revival. I love Nonfiction November and I know we're all grateful for all the commitment it took to make it something this community loves too ❤ Can't wait to see the last year and where this project goea next!

[@evanorth3056]

I would definitely try joining and watching the read your bookshelf challenge 🥰

[@glendaw5221]

I love your recommendations. I didn’t watch the Wishbone series (I’m 73!) and didn’t understand the concept. So I’m very excited about going back and watching those videos. Merry Christmas to me! It’s kind of like getting a set of DVDs of a show you really want to see. PS I’m excited about the Shakespeare project.

[@celestialcircledance]

I'll probably skip the Shakespeare but you should totally follow your passions and I'm always here for the recommendations !

[@bybeebooks]

Looking forward to seeing the rereading videos in 2024. Good luck with the Shakespeare series! A play and adaptation that I remember clearly is King Lear/A Thousand Acres. The movie version of the latter is pretty good and it was interesting to see Colin Firth playing an American. Thanks for all that you do here, Olive!

[@maire4715]

This channel and your “2 books on” reviews are the reason I started reading nonfiction. Before, I had no motivation, just could not find the fun or enjoyment in nonfiction. By sharing your enthusiasm, and array of topics and styles of nonfiction writing, I found a lot of joy and satisfaction. Many of my favourites are now nonfiction, and this year I am on track to complete 50 nonfiction!!! Thank you so much for all your efforts, it does have an impact ❤🎉🎄🇮🇪

[@socaltoobie8984]

Oh gosh Olive. ❤❤ 2023 was my first nonfiction November. It will be sad to have you only host one more. BUT… I completely understand. ☺️ I can’t fathom how much work it takes for just your regular content and it sounds like NFN is that but on steroids. I am so grateful for the work you put in! You were the first booktuber I followed and I’m happy to continue the journey with you! 💫

[@kfp10596]

Would love to see a reread video. I don’t read much non-fiction but you motivate me to try more.

[@wendycayless]

Anthony Sher's Year of the King is a brilliant book about his year playing Richard the Third.

[@beeheart6529]

The person who makes KZbin videos under A Day of Small Things (named Nicolle) loves Shakespeare. She has a wonderful way of making him easier to understand. She’s really nice too. Plus she lives in England and goes to plays and museums. She reads a lot of books about him as well.

[@kelmom25boys60]

I’m with you on the Shakespeare project. It is on my bucket list for 2024 to read/watch it all. Looking forward to it!

[@abookolive]

I won't be going through all of them in 2024 - it's more of a long-term goal for me, but I'm glad you'll be experiencing Shakespeare next year, too! Best of luck with your goal :)

[@ashleyfrench]

I read Shakespeare Saved My Life a few years ago, about a professor who taught Shakespeare to solitary confinement inmates. I don’t know how that would fit into your project but it’s an interesting read anyway.

[@micminneman8545]

Your non fiction November has def caught on and will live beyond 2024. So thank you for that

[@katsnoveladventures1863]

I’d love to participate in a Read Your Shelves readathon. I have a ton of unread books on my shelves. Your Shakespeare project sounds awesome. I loved participating in my first Nonfiction November this year. Thanks for such a wonderful reading event, Olive. Look forward to participating again next year. You have some awesome things planned for 2024. I enjoy watching your channel. Cheers to the new year ahead! 🎉

[@MegBookishRamblings]

This year I did reread some old favorites and I've been trying to reread more as it's something that I used to do quite a bit. I would love to see a stand- alone video on you rereading books. I can understand how having books sent to you by publishers that you haven't been able to get to yet is stressful as there are times when I feel overwhelmed having accepted a variety whether physically or digitally. I'm so sorry to see Nonfiction November to come to an end but very much understand why you want to put it to rest in the way you've been doing it. I've been participating for at least the last five years and it's really helped me to love reading a variety of Nonfiction more than just in November. I would love to see chosen Challenge Words for future Nonfiction Novembers. Hope you have a wonderful Holiday!

[@divaloulou]

OMG! yes! Please do a Shakespeare series! I bought a DVD of Twelfth Night four years ago and still haven't felt prepared enough to just watch it. So, I've bought the Folgers edition of the play, which is so well thought out with all the erudite-but-well-explained articles. Folgers Shakespeare Library also has a book club most every months with a book that relates to Shakespeare in some fashion. I am so looking forward to your new series!

[@janethansen9612]

It sounds like you have been thinking a lot about how to save your sanity and I applaud you for that. Reading should be for fun, not a chore. I also need to calm down my FOMO and re read more from my shelves. I love Shakespeare so I'll be looking forward and maybe reading along with that project.

[@abookolive]

Saving my sanity is a great way to put it, haha! I started wearing a Fitbit this year and I noticed my resting heart rate skyrocketed during November. It's just...not great for me to be under that amount of stress. I'm sorry you also suffer from the book FOMO, but it's comforting to know I'm not alone when it comes to that, haha!

[@janethansen9612]

Take care, Olive

[@sanchari.c]

Everything sounds awesome! I would love a video on books you choose to reread. And I'm looking forward to the Shakespeare series, it sounds incredible! The idea of focusing more on deep dives is perfect. I hope you have an awesome 2024, especially with the 10th NFN. I don't have enough words for how much I love your channel, how much I love hearing your thoughts on books. Have a great December ahead! ❤

[@kimcampoli6538]

I love all your videos. I'm always happy to see a new one. Whatever you put up we'll be happy for.

[@melissamybubbles6139]

I have loved your Wishbone series. Thank you for doing that and Nonfiction November. I would still love for you to come up with the challenge words for Nonfiction November. That's my favorite part.

[@socaltoobie8984]

🙋‍♀️ Agree!! As an homage to the woman who started it all, Olive should still pick the challenge words!!

[@MusingsofaCat10]

I'm a huge Shakespeare nerd, and am super excited for those upcoming videos. I also have a huge collection of Shakespeare related books and retellings, plus a list of ones I've not gotten yet, I'll happily share all the titles with you and talk your ear off if you'd like! 💜

[@momadvicebookgang3183]

Love this, Olive! I can't wait to follow your next projects ❤️. I have been dreaming up a series to celebrate 20 years of content creation. I love a deep dive and I love watching your deep dives too. Proud of you to know when it is time to put a period on a project. ❤️

[@OG_lesliedixon]

I love your channel. I totally agree with your changes to avoid being overwhelmed. That’s exactly where I’d be. Thank you! ❤

[@mynameisemilygood]

I would love doing a readathon where we pick books from our shelves! Rereading is so important to me!!!!!

[@booksmitin]

Looking forward 2024 for your channel!

[@WestAussieDiamondArtReads]

Please keep coming up with the challenges for NFN.

[@abookolive]

If that's how the majority feels come 2025, I'll do that ❤️

[@unboundbookishnotions7373]

Oh how exciting!! I hope you do make content about your rereads! That is always a goal of mine each year. Also, my memory is failing me right now but I think Jill from the BookBully recommended a book about Shakespeare. If I come aross it I will send you a message. Have a great holiday season!! 🎄

[@OjaswiShxrma]

In my Shakespeare class in college, we did two things which were really helpful. One is “scanning”, which is typically how people read Shakespeare. And the second was listening to audio performances while reading the plays - amazingly helpful especially for his plays. I loved hearing it being performed while reading it and taking notes.

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

Looking forward to what 2024 brings and following all that you are doing. Looking forward to celebrating 10 years of NFN too!😊💙

[@anne-marie339]

Wow that means I’ve been watching your channel (and NNF) for almost 10 years! I think 2024 will be the perfect last hurrah for NNF in its current form 😊😊 I’m excited for your more research heavy videos - the wework one in particular got me to read Billion Dollar Loser right after watching 😅

[@abookolive]

Oh my goodness, I can't believe you've stuck with me for that long! What a journey you've been witness to, lol!

[@HarrietRosie13]

I remember RYBSAT! It was so much fun, it was ahen booktube felt a lot more like a close community. I totally understand about nonfiction November, it has become so huge. I'll continue to support it in whatever form it takes

[@abookolive]

You're so right - Booktube was such a different place back then! If I'm remembering correctly, you started in 2014, right? A year before me?

[@HarrietRosie13]

@@abookolive gosh I'm not even sure, that sounds right. I remember the first non fiction November! You were the main reason I started reading nonfiction, and now I love it!

[@abookolive]

@@HarrietRosie13 That makes me so happy! ❤️😭 The first NFN...it feels like only yesterday.

[@constantreader1998]

Good for you on setting firmer book boundaries in 2024! I've been a librarian (school and public) for 20 years and it is SO easy to succumb to the avalanche of books being thrown your way. When I learned that about 8000 English-speaking books are published every MONTH(!) I finally figured out it was a zero sum game and it completely changed how I looked at books and my job satisfaction/stress level. Oh, and for your Shakespeare project totally watch the series Shakespeare Uncovered produced by PBS. It's a wonderful, insightful series on a number of Shakespeare's plays and each episode is hosted/narrated by a well known actor who researches and digs deep into their character. I found the series fascinating and entertaining (as did the seniors who were reading Hamlet).

[@cynthiaespinoza4514]

I'm so happy about your Shakespeare project! I cannot believe I've never read him before, do I live under a rock? Haha! So I'll happily do this with you!!

[@InfiniteText]

Nooooooo! I'm not ready for the ending of Wishbone and Nonfiction November! If we get a vote I do love your four word challenges! I do recommend Shakespeare Saved my Life by Laura Bates. She does Shakespeare workshops with people behind bars, specifically people in solitary confinement and writes about it. It was chilling and jaw-dropping. Looking forward to your 2024 Olive!

[@ChaoticBibliophile]

All of this sounds great! I would AGGRESSIVELY JOIN a "read your own books"-style readathon. I shall also prepare to participate in the next NonFiction November big time!!! And I know NFN will continue on with the help of everyone who partakes~ It's a book holiday at this point!

[@dianneargyris6185]

For your Shakespeare project: great series published by Faber and Faber called Actors on Shakespeare- my fav is Harriet Walter on playing lady Macbeth. Highly recommend the podcast called Shakespeare Unlimited that comes from the Folger Shakespeare Theater in Washington. Anthony Sher wrote two wonderful books on playing Richard III and Falstaff. More recommendations to come- this is a great project!

[@Yesica1993]

I've missed some vids because... you always have so many good books and I cannot keep adding to my TBR! But just wanted to say how much I appreciate your channel. Your Wishbone series made me want to watch the program! I'm older than you so I was already an adult when it first aired. I generally like kids' programs, so I don't know why I don't really remember it. (If it aired in the daytime, I missed it due to working.) Anyway, thanks for all you do. You always put out high quality content that I do think will stand the test of time.

[@Yesica1993]

Also, I appreciate so much that you don't drown us in products to sell. I understand many people now do KZbin/Booktube as a full time job. As someone who is barely working part time and can't make ends meet, I get it! But, man alive, am I burned out from hearing, "This video is sponsored by ____." Not only is it tiring, but it always makes me wonder if the person is doing the video because they want to or because they have to. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say they've been sick/are sick or have other difficult life situation. But they're still doing the videos because if they don't, they can't pay their bills. Again, I get it! We all have gone to work sick or whatever, because we had to. But it makes me feel bad to watch someone and wonder if they really want to be there. It's such a pleasure to see people who are just doing it for the love of it.

[@joyceredman2136]

I would check out other famous actors like Patrick Stewart, who is KNOWN to be a Shakespearean actor; he clicked with it as a high school student! I want to read the Judy Dench book too. I am a fan of hers. Watch video performances done by Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, and Laurence Olivier are some of my favorites. I learned about Shakespeare at university. We studied the history plays first -Richard II, Henry IV part 1, Henry IV part 2, Henry V (best play ever! See the one with Laurence Olivier or Kenneth Branagh-both excellent performances), Richard III, Henry VI in that order. I would read the plays, see a BBC version of it or recent (not modern updated version) film and move onto the next play. The Rape of Lucrece is a great poem Shakespeare wrote-painful to read but excellent too. My favorite plays were the comedies like A Midsummer's Nights Dream, A Winter's Tale (shortest play) and The Tempest are favorites of most people and videos should be available online. Tragedies must reads are Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth. I wish you luck on this project.

[@coffemuse]

Thank you for your commitment to quality videos and also to your own well-being! Personally I'd be contented with you announcing the topics for NFN and leaving it at that, as you suggested. I don't actually follow the prompts but they're still fun to think about, and as you say, we'll all still be reading NF in November regardless. Everything you've announced here sounds great and fun to me... except the shorts, as I hate watching shorts, but that's just me, I think. You're the only booktuber I watch every single video for. I'm so glad you enjoy making them. Happy holidays!

[@arp711]

As a dedicated Shakesnerd, I'm super into this new project. I started a project of my own back in 2019 of reading (or rereading, as the case was with a number of them) one of his plays per month until I got through all 38. (Some sources will list 39, but I was reading the Folger Shakespeare Library editions and they do not publish Edward III because their scholars don't consider it a "Shakespeare" play. Unlike a few of his plays that are widely understood to have a coauthor who contributed a few portions, Edward III was written mostly by someone else (opinions differ on who) with Shakespeare putting it only some small parts.) It was really enjoyable, even with the few that are, let's say, not amazing. And there is SO MUCH to discuss in regard to all of them! This isn't wholly about Shakespeare, but Patrick Stewart's new memoir of course spends a good amount of time on his career with the RSC.

[@awebofstories]

I'm also doing a Shakespeare project starting in 2024. I don't have any suggestions (because I don't exactly know what I'm doing!), but I am really interested in seeing your Shakespeare videos!

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Excited for all your plans! I am particularly interested in the Shakespeare plan and will stay tuned to hear what other nonfiction you find about Shakespeare’s influence on people’s lives. I found your channel through Nonfiction November and it’s been a great encouragement to me to read more nonfiction. I can completely understand needing to step back and have a break from something that you’ve put so much effort into. All the best for some great reading in 2024. 😊📚

[@rebekahquinley8093]

I’m ready excited for your Shakespeare project.

[@jeanriggs5044]

Do love the 2 nonfiction book reviews. Octopus books hooked me for sure, loved them.

[@abookolive]

There are so many good octopus books out there - who knew?! haha

[@Shaegeeksout]

I am working on more rereading this year also! I've been neglecting some faves, so I'm going to do that. When it comes to reading what you own, there is a Read What You Own Challenge that a friend and I host that is all year long. I would be happy to tell you more if you are interested.

[@Shaegeeksout]

Also, I adore Shakespeare! Some fun ones are Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth, Hamlet, and I love the Sonnets.

[@lindaharrison3240]

4:01 YES! This is my goal, too! I have a long way to go...

[@readcreaterepeat7727]

Excited to hear about the Shakespeare series! I just read a young adult/mystery called If we were villains by ML Rio. It’s about a murder mystery in a residential arts high school. The author did some very interesting things with the characters and so many of them used lines adapted in place of regular dialogue. It was very different and my book club had some great conversations on it. Also I recommend watching the plays first and then reading (but I assume someone has already suggested that.)

[@abookolive]

I loved If We Were Villains!

[@jaynelewis372]

There is a great debut novel called All Our Yesterdays about Lady Macbeth by Joel H Morris. It seems to end where Macbeth starts. It’s published in March.

[@halfmanhalfbook]

I love watching your videos, Olive. Thank you for making them. I am in the process of considering what my reading goals are for 2024 at the moment and like you, some of that is winding back on the number of review copies that I ask for.

[@abookolive]

Thanks so much, Paul! I think pulling back on accepting review copies is a point all us reviewers get to eventually...

[@halfmanhalfbook]

I would agree,@@abookolive even though I think that I can read all the books, I can't! A full-time job and family commitments mean I have less time than I would like

[@colorswordsandlearning]

Rereading books 📚 is going back home ... having a cozy time ..

[@cheryl184]

Yes please to a stand alone video (or videos) on your 2024 re-reading project! 😊

[@LaurieInTexas]

I'm sure nonfiction November will stay around for years to come whether someone leads it or not. You have sparked a live of nonfiction in many people who will carry on with that theme month regardless. My reference recommendation for Shakespeare is Shakespeare After All by Marjorie Garber. She is a Shakespeare scholar and lecturer. This book gives a bit of information and analysis about each play. This isn't the book if you want lengthy analysis, but it is fun and insightful.

[@arobinreads]

Great goals! Hope you will do the challenges for Nonfiction November. Because it is always fun.

[@maryshimp2664]

I have been so inspired by your non-fiction November. You have succeeded in getting to read more non-fiction this year. I read 4 non-fiction this past November, Jefferson's Daughters three sisters White and black in America by Catherine Kerrison, The Jewel Box: How Illuminate Nature's Hidden Rules by Tim Blackburn, Witches and Witch Hunts: A History of Persecution by Milton Meltzer, Profiles in Courage by John F Kennedy. Thank you for inspiring me.

[@meljstephan]

I have only 12 remaining books on my physical TBR shelf. Everything else is coming from the library. I'm saving so much money and space.

[@Sew_Country]

Love this video. It really hits hard and makes me think of always rushing to that next deadline!

[@jorjastonej]

NFN is your baby. I’m 💯 % supportive of adjusting work/life balance to keep yourself healthy & happy. Looking forward to your year 🔟 in 2024. 🎉 Reading should always be fun and rewarding

[@elisabasta]

You may wanna read some Harold Bloom's stuff on Shakespeare. He is annoying and outdated, and plenty of times reads as that meme of "old man yells at cloud" (he's so pissed off with feminism that ends up being freaking hilarious), but his takes on Shakespeare's characters are still interesting. The whole "cognitive complexity" and "characters that are able to casually hear themselves" thing is truly ace, imo. I feel he educated me for dealing with Shakespeare's corpus and being able to fully appreciate it.

[@sheila8730]

I recently became a subscriber of yours. I am impressed with your channel because you have great content. I have not read for a while and now I am wanting to read again. It is normal for me to devour books and then not read a book for months. I searched Booktube and found it both interesting and not what I expected. I found those that just do book hauls and TBR videos were not helpful to me. I found myself questioning if they were reading or collecting. Maybe I am old and prefer more substance from Booktube.I am interested in suggestions non-fiction or fiction. I was hoping for reviews and thoughts that aren't spoilers. Since I am new to your channel I haven't seen all your videos. I haven't watched the Wishbone ones. I remember the show but I really didn't watch when it was on TV. I look forward to going back and watching your videos. I know it will be fun to read the books from your projects. I appreciate your hard work; it shows.

[@elizabethreads0312]

I loved rybsat. It was fun and I loved peoples wrap-ups because it varied so much person to person because every organizes their bookshelf so differently.

[@lauriefite1448]

Criminolly has his Read What you Own Challenge again this year. I have watched a number of BookTube videos with people joining him. I have inventoried my shelves in preparation for this challenge and I was surprised to see how many of the ones I haven’t read are non-fiction - mostly historical non-fiction and biographies. I don’t know that I will get to all 34 of them, but making a dent is one of my goals!

[@scotthacker2265]

Enjoy your thoughtfulness in all your videos.

[@sandyokey1019]

Whatever videos you upload, I’ll watch.💕

[@abookolive]

Much appreciated

[@micminneman8545]

Love your channel, Olive. I’m a fiction girl but I am trying to focus more on nonfiction as I always learn such interesting stuff. I am rereading A Gentleman from Moscow and it’s even better the second go round.

[@libraryofkayla]

I think you should run non-fiction november the same way booksandlala does bookwordathon. She comes up with the prompts with a few examples, and that's it- she doesn't even do the challenge herself any more. All the social media including goodreads and storygraph are run by other people. Then you get all the fun and none of the stress

[@RachelB.BookReferences]

If you've never seen the movie She's the Man with Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum, please be sure to watch it whenever you get around to reading The Twelfth Night. The actual Shakespeare play wasn't my thing, but this teen adaptation is one of my favorite movies of all time. It's ridiculous but funny.

[@MargaretPinard]

I started compiling stats today and had about 1/3 nonfiction...am contemplating distinguishing among the nonfiction subgenres for 2024 goals...we'll see!!

[@pfeffi030]

Hi Olive, I am anticipating all you put out. Personally I dont like shorts, but I am sure KZbin pushes them to be competible with tiktok. I would like to see a video how you prepare for making a video and I would definetly like a video of your rereading experience. Best of wishes V.

[@abookolive]

A video about my preparation process would likely be unbearably boring, haha! The research process can be a bit of a slog, even when it's in service of creating an entertaining video (I hope, anyway). A video about the rereading experience, though, I think would be a lot more fun to watch!

[@mayagopalak]

Will be hard to process that the nonfiction November in its current form will cease to exist. I’ve been along for the whole ride since 2015 and it’s non fiction November that got me into booktube! Still I’m sure we will have interesting books to talk about each November 😊

[@abookolive]

You've been participating since 2015?! That is absolutely incredible. Thank you for being here for all these years! It's going to be so hard to let it go after next year, even though I know it's something I have to do...

[@mayagopalak]

Can absolutely understand your decision Olive.❤

[@Jennikreads]

OMG! I was JUST thinking about RYBSAT! I don't think anyone does that anymore but I would absolutely be game to join you.

[@abookolive]

Yesssss! It was such a great event and then it just disappeared! Thrilled to know you'd join in if I did a mini one - maybe a two-week-long event in the Spring sometime?

[@yellowmeeplereads]

Thanks for everything!! Nonfiction November is my favourite reading challenge and I already look forward to the 2024 one

[@MsReadsAlot]

Review copies are definitely tough. I can see how it could be overwhelming. I don’t request many for the same reason. I think reading a shelf is a fun idea. I wanted to read every book in the library when I was young and thought I would start that way. I didn’t naked it far. Would love to participate in the event. 😊

[@noteonthetext]

I would join in in reading down my shelves! My goal this year is a 0 tbr 😊

[@abookolive]

Wonderful!

[@barbarahelgaker390]

Greg Doran recently wrote a book called My Shakespeare about his life as Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford. Well worth a read.

[@abookolive]

Thank you!

[@impastomusic]

I’m a very new sub, but I am a massive Shakespeare nerd, so your next big adventure is right up my alley! I did my first master’s in Shakespeare, but I haven’t yet read all his plays (Henry VI 1-3, King John, and Henry VIII are my white whales). I probably wouldn’t suggest reading in the (admittedly squishy) suspected production order, because I don’t think the earlier history plays are the most accessible without a bunch of historical and cultural context. They’re also rarely if ever performed (I’ve never seen a live production of any of my TBR plays, and the only ones on DVD that I’m aware of are the BBC productions from the 70s/80s). Honestly, I’d just start with the plays that interest you the most. The Henriad (Richard II, Henry IV 1&2, Henry V, and then I throw in Richard III) is good to read in a cycle, and it can be fun to read the Roman plays in real historical chronology, but otherwise, feel free to bounce around. As for actors’ Shakespeare memoirs, there are some great ones out there: - Antony Sher: “Year of the King” (Richard III) and “Year of the Fat Knight” (Henry IV) - Keith Osborn: “Something Written in the State of Denmark” (Hamlet, Dream, Love’s Labour’s Lost) - Nick Asbury: “Exit Pursued by a Badger” (Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI, Richard III) - David Weston: “Covering McKellen: An Understudy’s Tale” (Lear) - Brian Cox: “The Lear Diaries” I have a pretty extensive DVD collection of Shakespeare on stage and film. National Theatre at Home has an excellent on-demand collection, and searching “Shakespeare’s Globe at Home” will take you to their online catalog. Both offer top-notch acting, though the vast majority of the Globe’s production stick to Original Practice, whereas the National Theatre and other venues can get a bit more imaginative in their productions. I’m all for pulling Shakespeare apart and rearranging it in fun new ways, but YMMV. If you’d like more recs on anything Shakespeare related, just ask! And if you haven’t watched the TV show Slings & Arrows, do check it out 😊

[@HannahsBooks]

I am SO excited about your upcoming Shakespeare videos!

[@abookolive]

Me too!!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

How about having each week in nonfiction November in 2024 represent different areas of nonfiction? Science Education Life Stories Art ? Each week could have subsections of areas within each of these. They could also interlink. I always love your book suggestions especially when you pair nonfiction with fiction.

[@Malcolm.A.Stewart]

I am brand new here, and I am looking forward to watching more of your videos. My favourite Shakespearean play is MacBeth. I can't recommend it enough, it is my favourite to watch, my favourite to listen to, and my favourite to read through (although... I may be biased since I share my name with one of the characters)

[@orelsa82]

Shakespeare retellings might be fun to add in here and there. Rajani LaRocca comes to mind - she's got a few middle grade selections - but you tend to read more nonfiction so maybe not.

[@rowenaeddy1062]

I look forward to your videos on Shakespeare. Can I recommend 'This is Shakespeare:how to read the world's greatest playwright' by Emma Smith. This is an excellent introduction. James Shapiro '1599' and '1606' are excellent, but very detailed and academic. Your videos have given me great pleasure this year. Thank you.

[@BooksofAmber]

I would love to join in with RYBSAT! I do it myself randomly throughout the year because its such a fun concept and challenge. I'm not very good at sticking to the time frame though 😅

[@abookolive]

That's awesome! How long of a timeframe do you think is good? I was thinking two weeks?

[@MargaretPinard]

There's a rereadathon event this month, actually! So maybe you can get an early start to that goal 😊

[@stellaisteeth]

Maybe you could host a rereadathon, or a rereading challenge?

[@RonnieTheReader]

Definitely want to try to reread more next year. I don’t think I completed a single reread this year

[@Lisatheecologist]

i think it would be interesting if you did a deeper analysis on the books you are rereading

[@LanaCelebic]

I officially started the Shakespeare journey last year, even though I've read some of his plays before. So far I've finished 10 of his plays. 'Mad about Shakespeare' by Jonathan Bate is, I think, similar to that Judi Dench book. Bate is a literature professor and he also staged a few Shakespeare productions. He also did introductions for RSC Shakespeare editions. I think he's also the editor. Though he has a few academic books about Shakespeare, this one is more like a memoir of his life through Shakespeare. It's not difficult to read and it's very interesting. Also, Bill Bryson's book about Shakespeare is maybe a good start. It's pretty basic, but I think it's okay for Shakespeare beginners. There is also a readathon in September called Shaketember, which is a great way to read Shakespeare with other people. I'd also recommend Tristan and the Classics channel. He has some great explanations of iambic pentameter and a few soliloquies from different plays. He is like an English teacher you wish you had in high school.

[@douglassasser4731]

Thanks!

[@RashiBisaria]

Really enjoy your videos n your taste in books. You could review Shakespeare's restless world, This is Shakespeare which is a podcast in book form and enhances our understanding of each play

[@jenn_b9411]

There is a PBS series called Shakespeare Uncovered. I thought it was excellent going through the plays and performances.

[@carleybarnes4365]

I’m hoping to get to all the classics I haven’t read that are on my shelves!