MARCH 2021 READING WRAP UP | Middlemarch! Vanishing Half! Exciting Times! Piranesi!

[@djhedgepath7967]

TIMES IS HAAAAAARD!!! Great wrap up as always. Plus I would love a video on what is going on in England right now as I live in the U.S. and not tuned into British politics.

[@somebenfen]

Thank you! 😄 We'll see about that video, british politics right now is an absolute mess...

[@AJ_Dunn]

No pressure, Ben! I'll be reading The Vanishing Half and Middlemarch at the end of the year. Glad to hear The Vanishing Half lives up to its hype. I don't know why I'm worried I won't like it. Your Middlemarch review killed me! I can't wait to read it.

[@somebenfen]

They're both fab! And thanks haha I really loved Middlemarch a lot 😄

[@Nastya-uj9bg]

I kinda sorta love your videos. give us more! 🙃

[@somebenfen]

Thank you! ☺☺

[@CharlesHeathcote]

Middlemarch is on my list of books to get to one day, but lord I find it intimidating. I have The Vanishing Half on my Kindle and will admit to waiting for the hype to die down somewhat for I wasn't the biggest fan of Bennett's first book and everyone loved that as well, so I'm going to let some time pass and hope for the best. All I've heard about Red White and Royal Blue is that there's explicit content and some funny ideas about what British people are like, but who knows? I may read it one day. Either way: 'twas quite brilliant hearing your thoughts on these books and I hope that April proves as successful a reading month.

[@somebenfen]

Thank you! Im sure you'll have no problem with Middlemarch, the language was difficult for me sometimes but I did love it (as you saw haha). Forgot to mention the British stuff in RW&RB it's funny the parts that McQuiston gets a bit wrong haha

[@sandyqai]

the Casaubon impression has me ON THE FLOOR PLEASE

[@somebenfen]

😄😄🤓🤓

[@katehowereads]

I was so excited to hear your thoughts on Middlemarch! I'm so glad you loved it! Eliot's writing is superb. I'm currently rereading it. I gotta say - I think Mary Garth might be my favorite character. Lovely wrap up!

[@somebenfen]

Thank you! I think most of the characters are really great and memorable. But yes, I'm a bit of a mary fan myself too 😄

[@CJReads]

I love these long ass wrap ups!!!!! agree the inclusion of texts in exciting times was done well, I much more preferred that to how queenie included it. piranesi sounds SO not me but hearing you and Alex talking about it has me thinkingggggg

[@somebenfen]

Haha thanks! 😄 Yeah Piranesi is a love it or loathe it kind of deal... but I hoooope you like it!

[@PagesAndStages]

Been saving this wonderfully long video for a rainy day, and the day is finally here! You always brighten up my life

[@somebenfen]

Oh thank you so much! I really need an editor or someone to say "CUT!" 😄😄

[@LeanneRose]

Hiya! I'm so late to commenting but I'm so pleased to have found your channel. Enjoyed your reviews so much!

[@somebenfen]

Hello! Thank you so much!

[@Mettejks]

Thank you! I really appreciate your videos and look forward to your monthly wrap-ups. I understand the impulse or want to change things up, but I for one, am enjoying this. I really like the way you talk about what you are reading, finding you both insightful and funny. I love that you read so widely, that you enjoyed Jane Eyre so much (favourite video!) and I find that I like a lot of the same books. So - no real point here - just wanting to say I appreciated the video!

[@somebenfen]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate that 😊😊

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahh, thank you so much for the shout-out- so kind of you! Absolutely with you on The Vanishing Half not feeling like an ‘issues novel’- that was my biggest fear going into it, but it’s managed so deftly. Totally agree on The Book of Not- I didn’t find it as successful as the other two in the trilogy (there were passages where I just really didn’t care if she got an A or a B on a test) but some of the characters from it show up in This Mournable Body, and it does add a bit more context to her state of mind in TMB. Also, I need a doomantidote soundboard so I can just press a button and have it shout ‘Bisexuality!’ at me. That, and a t-shirt that just says ‘Messy Betty.’

[@somebenfen]

Doomantidote merch coming soon 😂😂 That's good to hear that BofN was the weakest, that gives me hope for TMB. And you're welcome! 😃😃

[@monickerthejournaler]

I love all your impressions of middlemarch characters lol

[@TheBarandtheBookcase]

This is an amazing list! Definitely prioritizing Piranesi now!

[@somebenfen]

Yey! Hope you like it 😊

[@CharlotSazarin]

You read Middlemarch in the middle of March. Interesting. 🤔 I didn’t do so well reading this month. Only got Far From The Madding Crowd, The Warden, and the Castle of Otranto done. It’s been a writing heavy month so no time. Just started on Bleak House though. Fancying some Bulgakov after that maybe. 🤔

[@somebenfen]

They all sound fab! Been meaning to read Fsr From Madding for a while. And I think Blesk House might be my next Dickens :)

[@lits3212]

Hahahahahaha the best Red White and Royal Blue book review!!

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

I came here from Booktuber Recommendations by Grace at GKReads and I found I'd already subscribed. I read Middlemarch and have forgotten almost everything about it... I loved Silas Marner (also George Eliot). I'm glad to see Piranesi is short...an earlier book of Susanna Clark's "Jonathan Strange and Mister Norrell, which was far too long...

[@somebenfen]

Thank you! Yeah I'm very interested in reading more of Eliots work now. And yes Piranesi is a great quick read, I'd def recommend it!

[@sunandmoodreads2333]

"34 yr old with bad skin, bad back, and internet..." You really know how to sell yourself 🤣 What a fab list of books! MIDDLEMARCH. As soon as I saw you were wrapping this up I actually thought 'I gotta see Ben do Mr Casaubon' - you did not disappoint 👏 And I hear you about trying to booktube for your reading rather than reading for your booktube. Don't cross over to the dark side! 😟❤️

[@somebenfen]

I love Mr Casaubon! 😄😄😄 My tired ass, bad back, 34 year old self would play him very well in an adaptation I think haha

[@ariannelg]

My very high hopes specially from the prize attention it got was destroyed after finishing the vanishing Half. I’m rethinking my reading habits, maybe I should stick to classics or maybe I didn’t get it. I’m almost upset about it.

[@LarryHasOpinions]

i had similar thoughts to you re red while and royal blue, Piranesi definitely on my TBR soon-ish, and while i liked the vanishing half, it seems to me it's quite a bit overhyped tbh

[@somebenfen]

Pirenesi is definitely weird but good! (Although I think it is a love it or hate it book...)

[@Emmareads15]

Obama also exists in Red, White and Royal Blue. I read such depressing books, which I really love, but this year I've needed a break here and there and have been learning into some romance novels. Like you said, it is what it is. You don't have to really think about it, and I'm in the UK too, we definitely need some escapism!

[@somebenfen]

Yes! I forgot to mention the Obamas! Maybe I should read some more escapist romance novels too. I'm reading Goethe at the moment so I should balance it out with something a bit more fun 😄

[@Emmareads15]

@@somebenfen Yeah, they're mentioned a lot. My rational brain kept trying too hard with who is actually allowed to exist in this world and who is completely invented, but then I just let it go and went with it! Yeah, you probably need something to get that balance right! I would suggest something to you, but if you thought that was explicit, anything I have for you would be too much for your innocent eyes!!!!!!

[@somebenfen]

@@Emmareads15 no bring on the filth! 😄😄

[@Emmareads15]

@@somebenfen Well, I will not be held responsible for corrupting you, but.... Heated Rivalry is absolute filth! It's obscene!!! It's great ;) Claire Reads Books and Okidokiboki have great reviews of it, if you want an idea of what you're getting. OT, but have you read Passing by Nela Larrson? I absolutely loved that book, so it's putting me off The Vanishing Half because I cannot see that it would be in any way superior.

[@somebenfen]

@@Emmareads15 ooo I will check it out 😄 I was planning on reading Passing before Vanishing Half as I'd heard it was similar or that VH was inspired by it but got gifted VH before. I do plan on reading it though!

[@nelsonhoffman5922]

Is there a place to find out what you're reading/planning so we can read alongside and add some commentary to your comments sectioN? Like an informal book club? I love your taste.

[@somebenfen]

Not at the moment but that's not a bad idea... 🤔😃

[@heroinescorner]

loved hearing you talk about all these books. i read red, white and royal blue when it came out and i did enjoy it. but i think i preferred the non-romantic moments to the romantic moments which is odd😭 i just found it a lil cringe and i think the relationship happened way to quickly for my taste.

[@somebenfen]

Ha yeah definitely some of the dialogue is a bit cringe (and I thought the meeting with the Queen was hilarious in all the wrong ways haha) but yeah ultimately I did enjoy it despite the soppy bits! 😄

[@wandguardnoodle]

also, I'm very surprised that you read Red White & Royal Blue xD glad to hear you liked it, tho. I'm 33 and it was one of my favorite reads last year xD granted, I love escapist books that can require quite a bit of suspended disbelief. I did enjoy the banter a lot and the love letters but I'm cheesy like that and to each their own, as they say. tbh to me (a bisexual) the highlight was the exploration of realizing and coming into one's bisexual identity.

[@somebenfen]

Haha yes I needed something a bit different and something that didn't take itself too seriously 😄 I don't read enough genre fiction anyway so this was a good excuse to read something other than SERIOUS LITERARY fiction haha And I really liked how it explored the bisexual themes too :)

[@drawyourbook876]

This mountable body I would say it is different from both of the other two, it reads a lot more modern in style.

[@somebenfen]

That's good to know, thank you!

[@andrewrussell2845]

great video...good to see you back on the scene. Millenials are people who were 18 or under in 2000. You may even be on yourself! 😂

[@somebenfen]

Thank you! I'm def a snowflakey millenial but I've never known where Gen Z is meant to start 😄

[@andrewrussell2845]

@@somebenfen Well technically, the youngest Millennials were born around 1996. So they'll be 25 now. Gen Z is basically the subsequent generation, so anyone born after 1996. I'm a Gen X - born in the generation preceding the Millenials.

[@marinaverleki85]

Enjoying your reviews and your British humor, taking notes as always! Some thoughts: "Exciting Times" did not excite me at all, heh, I know it's not supposed to, but I think I had the same problem with it as with all books by Sally Rooney; they're a bit white-priviledged-ish.. (??) and somehow naive and superficial in matters of social classes, marginalization of any kind etc. They're naive in a cute way, which usually makes me think that the author is a bit "illiterate" on some matters, that is why they are not explored in the plot of the books. Anyway, I hope that made sense, I can understand though why many people like it, I suppose I'm very picky haha. Also, your point on the ages of the millenials vs Gen-Z was spot on! Piranesi really made the most original read of last year for me, and it is also interesting that Clarke pointed out in an interview that she was inspired by the short story "The House of Asterion" by Borges, based on the Greek Myth of the Cretan Minotaur and the labyrinth (you should check it out, really interesting, with all the parallels and stuff). I agreed with you on the Vanishing Half, it was quieter (?!) than I expected it, but I appreciated it at the end, deeply moving and humane without failing to explore racism and stereotypes by many point of views; i.e. I was shocked by the people in the small community that the girls grew up in, they would not want to be associated with white people, but nor with dark-skinned African Americans *sad facepalm*. I recently ordered Love After Love, I do not expect much of it, as you stated, but I am quite curious now (of how judgmental I can be)... Aaaaanywayyy, happy reading and keep on sharing your reviews, take care!

[@somebenfen]

Thanks for watching and for your thoughts! I'll check out House of Asterion I didn't know that. And yeah, don't pay too much attention to my thoughts on Love after love cause it seems most people enjoy it 😄

[@KDbooks]

“Who put the glad in gladiator” W E A K

[@somebenfen]

😂😂💪💪💪

[@dariostevens250]

What are your favorite Dickens so far?

[@somebenfen]

I loved Great Expectations! And David Copperfield has some great characters in it 🙂

[@bookwormreflections]

“I’m a 34 year old man with bad skin, a bad back, and an internet connection” Relatable 😂😂😂 every morning I wake up something new starts clicking

[@somebenfen]

I just turned my head and then sprained my neck the other day, what's happening!! 😂😂

[@bookwormreflections]

@@somebenfen 😂😂😂 oh noooo! You’ll be bionic soon enough!

[@KDbooks]

Oh hey there pal

[@somebenfen]

Hiiiya! 😊

[@jamespolk5428]

Very nice to see your work on reading, Ben! Hey, to your father’s credit: you could always try an OnlyFans account for secksy reading time! 😜 Ah, you and your period piece class drama romances with charismatic old ladies. Seems the fastest way to find romance was to gamble away your fortune-beats getting taxed? I’ve been wading though a contemporary retelling of Tarzan (I’m nowhere near as studious in reading as are you😅), and it’s an interesting read: “Love In The Wild,” by Emma Castle. It’s not quite “Booker Prize,” but it’s more competent than one would think of a themed romance. Plus, I am getting my wild man fantasy recognized. 😋 Cheers, Ben!

[@somebenfen]

I'll have a look at that Emma Castle book, might be good to read something a bit steamy 😄

[@CoynieReads]

“And to Titanic sinking simulator-tube” .... stay away from my Watch history, Ben! 😂

[@somebenfen]

😂😂

[@wandguardnoodle]

Re: the trans character in The Vanishing Half - I too was apprehensive as to how they would be portrayed. For the most part I think it was quite well done, although I think there could've been less focus on the medical aspects of their transition (hormones, surgery) and the mention of their deadname (i.e. given name) was perhaps unnecessary. These are things that dehumanize and undermine a trans person's identity. However, I can kind of justify their use in the context of the themes of the novel, because it shows what someone has to go through to achieve life as their true self (as opposed to the lengths Stella goes to hide her identity) and how difficult it is for a trans person to access the medical help they need (especially a poor black trans person). It's been a little while since I read this book now, but in the moment I remember thinking that the author did a good job rounding out and humanizing this character.

[@somebenfen]

Yes agreed. Healthcare in the US kind of terrifies me anyway as a brit and I can't imagine how hard it is to access as a trans person, let alone in the 70s. But Ithought the character was sensitively handled for the most part (from my outsider understanding of course). And their inclusion did manage to highlight the themes of the novel as you say whilst also being fairly rounded.

[@wandguardnoodle]

Yes, I think, the inclusion of trans and gay black characters in this book is very important to round out the themes b/c in identity conversations and discussion on marginalized groups it's often like race is one conversation and LGBT+ issues is another conversation. And so LGBT+ people of color are often left out in some way from either of those or the intersection between these identities is ignored.

[@adrianainbetweenpages6485]

“Of course not!” 😂

[@somebenfen]

😄😄

[@emmalamb7660]

Those Wordsworth Classics are a nightmare. Text always seems to be tiny.

[@somebenfen]

I've looked on their website and they seem to be updating their covers slowly haha And yeah I'm usually a big loather of small text 😄

[@Gagging4Lit]

Agreed, I abhor those tacky Wordsworth Classics. Yuck :'D

[@emmalamb7660]

@@Gagging4Lit Haha but when you are trying to save cash, they are rather cheap 🙁

[@Gagging4Lit]

@@emmalamb7660 Yep. Experienced that with Moby Dick and The Tenant of Wildfell hall. And now I have to look at those crumby editions slumped sadly on my shelves day after day :'D

[@emmalamb7660]

@@Gagging4Lit I recently got complete Father Brown. Thought it might be problematic but love tv series even though stories written decades before. Should I pay £13 or £2.25. Not something I wanted a beautiful cover. When it came it’s almost 800 pages and text quite small😂😂😂. I’ve only managed 5 stories since I got it and finished 3 other books 😂

[@kreativekatevlog]

Millennials are those born between 1980 and 1994 ... so if she is in her 20’s in 2016 that would make the main character a millennials if my maths is right ..... although quite often it’s not 🤔🤔🤨🤨🤫🤫🤪

[@somebenfen]

No that makes sense! I keep forgetting it's set 2016/17 so you're right. I get so confused myself 😄😄

[@Gagging4Lit]

Red, White and Royal Blue sounds terrible ugh. As a gay it repulses me even more! I wish straight gals would stop recommending it to me. And you don't look like you have bad skin? Lol your skin looks good! I have such a cute little edition of Middlemarch. Teehee.

[@somebenfen]

I think as a brit you might not like it even more as there's some mistakes McQuiston makes about British stuff which I thought was funny (a studio audience on This Morning? I don't think) But it's not bad! 😄

[@Gagging4Lit]

@@somebenfen Yes it is bad. it is very very bad hahahaha. Even the editors couldn't be bothered to read through by the sounds of it :'D eek.

[@somebenfen]

@@Gagging4Lit 😄