my favourite books of 2021

[@abbie2299]

The fact that you started the video by saying "the best books of 2020" just shows the kind of year it's been... and I am right here with you. Thanks for giving us one last video of the year!! You're the only reason I check my subscription box anymore!!

[@ArielBissett]

I noticed that while editing and was like.. yeah. It's okay, Ariel. Keep going! Lots of love right back at you, Abbie

[@queentatoune]

I also stuck in 2020 😅 I wonder for how long haha

[@hat_maker]

I did not even notice 🙃 we are all out of it lol

[@michellelaidler4514]

I didn't even notice until I read this comment. 😂

[@lisaplummer8144]

😮 I didn’t even notice either and I watched the beginning three times. Four now. 😂

[@emilymarshman1261]

"if i look bedraggled, it's because i'm bedraggled" killed me - what a mood!!

[@ArielBissett]

That’ll be my next hoodie because the world needs to know hahaha

[@emilymarshman1261]

@@ArielBissett 10/10 would buy 😂

[@jujubee2]

I feel you on Anne with an E being cancelled it breaks my heart. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it. I have been obsessed with Anne for as far back as I can remember. My mom started reading the books to me when I was a little kid and I was obsessed with the mini series from the 80s.

[@ems5454]

For me it's crazy that Netflix just decided to cancel the series, after the news people went absolutely insane! The show was/is sooooo popular, I really don't understand their decision.

[@ArielBissett]

It's just such a loss. It was such a beautiful cast who put so much soul into the characters and a director and show runners who did everything with so much care. I was ready to follow them to the end and it's sad knowing it got cut so short. Thankfully we do have three beautiful seasons to watch.

[@rockinstrawberries]

I’m still so sad about it :( Anne with an E is one of the best recent Canadian shows made

[@kitreadsbooks7718]

I was actually devastated, I think it was such a good adaption and I love Anne in general

[@Maddie-xm8jz]

it’s so upsetting too because so many of the plots were left unfinished :(

[@ninam.9495]

I love the contrast of you being so exited to tell us about these books while at the same time being ready for bed😂

[@ArielBissett]

literally my life. my whole life is summed up in this comment.

[@fannyvalentin8634]

I live with chronic pain and hearing that you, such a joyful, goofy and radiant person, have it too was inspiring and heartwarming. Your videos always make me so happy because you're such a lovely person. And knowing that you struggle with something similar to me make me feel like I'm allowed to be both in pain and a happy person. Keep making you videos, they matter ❤

[@MarisPipers]

I felt exactly the same 💕

[@khadijaeldanini9190]

Same!

[@merihirvonen527]

same! especially because one of my conditions is ehlers danlos as well ❤️

[@amandah82]

I had the movie Anne of Green Gables (and the second one) from the 80’s taped off of PBS as a kid and I would watch it over and over and over and over. My aunt gave me a copy of the first three books bound together and she wrote a note in it that still makes me cry. It’s one of my most cherished possessions. It’s one book(s) that I refuse to let go.

[@ArielBissett]

Hell yes! The 80s are iconic here in Canada! And wow, that's such a beautiful thing to own

[@readinginthelairlunadrakon8028]

i always re watched vhs tapes of the last unicorn. I wish i had heirloom books that were wrote in. did get some books from my grandma but she didn't write in them.

[@sofisolustri1697]

Omg i've never been so Early. I was having a really bad Day and this video made it so much better. Thank you Ariel for bringing Joy and love of books to the world

[@ArielBissett]

🥲 big hug

[@chacepaulson1309]

you are and always will be my comfort youtuber - endless cozy, happy vibes!

[@bethanylaurel]

I totally agree about Anne With An “E”!!! It was such a wonderful adaptation that should have been allowed to continue for YEARS. I’m a lifelong Anne fan who has seen the 80s Sullivan Entertainment Anne movies more times than I can count and I love the books too. More Anne in the world is always a beautiful thing!

[@allisonrowe7702]

I love Hilary Mantel's memoir, Giving up the Ghost, which deals with her struggles with chronic pain and misdiagnosis but also finding herself as a writer. As one of my absolute favorite authors (Wolf Hall and Bringing up the Bodies are so astoundingly good) it was really interesting to get a peek behind the curtain and find out more about her life. It is also--like everything she does--freaking gorgeously written.

[@audreyh2009]

Ariel could sell me a TV Guide from 1993 and I would immediately buy it and read it ravenously. Her passion is just so contagious.

[@leilabelle6395]

not relevant to the books, but it warms my heart the way you talk about the tragic and celebratory experience of diagnosis!! Last October 2020, at 17, I finally got diagnosed with a couple of neurodevelopmental disorders (which are lifelong), and WOW, finally having the explanation for the ways I've felt alienated and isolated, and validation for the struggles that I haven't been able to previously justify, meant the absolute world to me. And from there, discovering a community with the same disorders that I have has been by FAR the most celebratory experience!! It's been really difficult and a little tragic, too, how I've had to come to terms with the fact that my disorders are lifelong, and that the paths I take will look different to the ones that were originally laid out for me (and the ones I had planned for myself), but diagnosis has made me come to cherish my unique experiences and perspectives :) (Also, I have the same fascination with Frida as you!! Frida and her disabilities is never talked about enough, but she's been the reason, since childhood, I've felt so seen, as someone with chronic psychological pains and struggles

[@SarahAtHeart]

YOU CAN NEVER TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT ANNE OF GREEN GABLES! So glad you love her ❤ 😊👩🏻‍🦰

[@elyssa2425]

This was the year I finally read Anne of Green Gables because of your recommendation, and I just fell in love with Anne at such a perfect time. Thank you for introducing me to Green Gables, maybe we’ll run into each other there someday 💚

[@ArielBissett]

Wow, I love love love the idea of doing a meetup or something at Green Gables, that would be SO DREAMY.

[@fennecfox9490]

Ariel, you caught me out. If a book is super popular, is constantly displayed on the tables in a bookshop, I become absolutely disenchanted with the thought of reading it. But, you have confirmed my own suspicion that this is ridiculous. Thanks for the nudge. And Merry Christmas. :)

[@triasha3790]

Anne of the Island (book 3) is my favorite in the series. It takes place when she's in college and I was devastated they stopped the show right when she started college because I wanted to see how they adapted my favorite book in the series.

[@debweissler7808]

As someone who also lives with chronic pain, I applaud your upbeat personality! Just finished reading Daughter of Black Lake, an Iron Age story of ancient Britain.

[@natashahill4370]

I obviously don't wish anyone to be this tired but I really felt like it allowed a sense of "I just wanna do it the way I need to" and felt like being sat with a friend chatting about stuff, the armchair/lamp set up, the tangents, everything just made it feel more authentic to you... Again, don't wish anyone to be this tired but thank you for the cost video xx

[@AmandaMuse]

You crack me up, and I enjoy your book reviews oh so much!

[@annaceja22]

It’s a delight watching you talk about stuff. Especially of something you’re passionate about...for whatever reason. I’m reading Kim Ji-young and im loving it.

[@KatieManring]

Kim Jiyoung was also at the top of my favorite and most recommended books this year. It has stuck with me and I absolutely loved it’s mix of facts and fiction that just completely shed light on important topics that should be discussed more often. I also enjoyed If I Have Your Face which is similar but follows different perspectives and personalities and difficulties of women in South Korea.

[@poodlegirl55]

You make me want to go read Anne of Green Gables again! And I just got new clear framed glasses like yours...oh heck I might paint my woodwork lavender!!!

[@barbarabaker5552]

I loved The Sound of A Wild Snail Eating. The writing is so good. I'll never look at a snail again without thinking about this little book.

[@daswintermaedchen07]

Lol I straight up teared up when you summarized Anne of Green Gables 😂😂😂 I love these books so much ❤️

[@peggynorton5535]

@@daswintermaedchen07 my favorites. Along with anything Mary Stewart

[@rylie2403]

Me too!!! It’s one of my favorite books of all time

[@CryssiMoore]

I love these kinds of videos . I love seeing what everyone is reading and it's uploaded at the perfect time, cozy socks on and fresh cup of tea !

[@xoUrbanSun]

Ariel you are SUCH a joy. I genuinely look up to you, how you carry yourself, your lightheartedness and just your presence. Thank you for being ❤️💜🌞!!

[@jesict3763]

I have a reading journal tracking my books for the last 7 years, and I love marking my fave book at the end of each year. This year's was Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune.

[@zenholder5790]

I just started that book and I'm absolutely loving it, maybe not as much as the cerulean sea but we will see

[@kv2661]

Ariel your energy is so calming. My grandma read the entire Anne of green gables series aloud to me for a little while after school for so long and I picked up the graphic novel adaption because of your recommendation. Now both my sister and I have read and loved it, it was so special thank you for sharing I’m so happy you’re enjoying the Anne of green gables world

[@Weasleykins]

As a Canadian & I could listen to you talk about Anne forever. When I was growing up I went to PEI & walked through The Green Gabble House, got an Anne doll, & a copy of the book when I was there. I have never read it, but I love the story. My Mum would read me a picture book version of the story & would watch the classic movie starring Megan Follows. You are making me right now want to read the book.

[@halliehenderson4899]

Anne of Green Gables is my favorite classic! I could go on for hours about it! So happy you are loving living the Anne life!

[@perfectdayuk]

I remember watching Anne of Green Gables back in the 80s and binge reading all of the books. Highly recommend 💕 p.s. loving all of your videos - books or house renovations - they all make my day 😁

[@suebraid2480]

You made my day!! You will LOVE the Anne series. And like I've commented before, I hope you spread your wings and read everything L.M. Montgomery ever wrote. Also, I'm so glad you shared about your chronic illness. I have a chronic illness too and it means so much to me that you are living a life of purpose and joy in spite of your pain. You are so relatable and I enjoy every one of your videos. Thank you from Sue in Hamilton, Ontario

[@ParadoxKismet]

"If I look bedraggled, it's because I'm bedraggled" is totally new merch for your shop!Shirts and mugs... I so enjoy watching you. You emit joy.

[@abouncyfrog]

I'm very excited to read "The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating" as I have also struggled with a chronic disease (and now a prosthetic and a whole new kind of life). Thanks for sharing this with us, I know it's personal but whenever someone (even briefly) mentions that they struggle with a chronic illness as well, it makes me feel less alone. So thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

[@mj5697]

My girlfriend’s mother has been really ill for as long as we’ve been together. After reading The Ghost in the House (upon Ariel’s recommendation months ago 😅) I leant it to my girlfriend, with the warning that it’s about grief and acceptance. She said this book helped her come to terms with her mum’s situation 🥲🖤 We both read it in one sitting. It’s BEAUTIFUL!

[@CatSMS]

I got into graphic novels this year because of you Ariel! And also I had a burnout and couldn’t concentrate on books with so much text and graphic novels were a way I found to still read and feel a small sense of normalcy. I adore them now and am team graphic novel!

[@ladyicondraco]

I read Anne of Green Gables this year because you talked about it! I really enjoyed it and read one other in the series, it is on my list to finish the series next year!

[@katiepreb3961]

I also read Anne because of Ariel!

[@daredevilelegance9296]

I love your laugh. I had to put my dog down today, so I used this as a comfort video. Your lighthearted nature is refreshing.

[@MissScrabble308]

Hi Ariel, I just want to say that I appreciate you and your videos/content so much. I've been watching your videos for years (probably since 2012?) and listening to your podcast with Raeleen during my weekly clean of my apartment since the pandemic. You are so well-spoken and have nuanced and thought-out opinions. I wish I had a friend like you. I'm usually more of a silent watcher/listener so I thought for once that I would share my appreciation for what you do even though you might never read it lol! Much love from Montreal!

[@Katiedora122]

I love Anne of Green Gables! That series was a childhood favorite of mine, and I don't think I could count how many times I reread that same box set you're talking about. I actually started rereading all the LM Montgomery ebooks I had available a couple years ago, but I only had up to book 3 for Anne because all my old books were in storage. But I've got my books back, so many 2022 will be the time to go through them again.

[@clairecastle6674]

I grew up constantly watching the movie adaptation of Anne of Green Gables with my sisters and the way you got emotional over it is so relatable to me!!!! I love the characters and how they “save each other through love” as you said haha, I’m so glad your channel popped up in my recommendations! Great video :-)

[@ideknic]

So actually last year in 2020 I read the first Anne of Green Gable‘s book. Pretty sure I did cry reading it because I loved it so much. I am also bad with finishing series so I haven’t finished it yet but I’m hoping in the new year I will get to finish it as well. Last year I read way more books than I’ve ever read in a year before, I think it was 98 ? If I’m remembering correctly, so I was on fire for this year to get to 104, books was my goal, but as of December 14th I’ve only read 85 so I’ve lowered my goal to 90, I’ve been going through a deep depression so it’s been a struggle to do anything, but thanks to this video I think I might be getting out of my slump. Thanks for making content Ariel 🥰 been watching you for years, can’t wait to see the love you put into your house throughout 2022

[@leenanorms]

omg ghost in the house sounds RIGHT up my street

[@lizdorrington2851]

Ariel, you must be my kindred spirit. Anne Of Green Gables is my go to comfort read, Anne gets me so emotional also, the story is just amazing! I only have 3 of the books but need to find the others.

[@SaraOLeary]

Thanks so much, Ariel. Don't know if it should make me happy to make readers cry, but somehow it does.

[@xcluelessbeautyx]

I just got diagnosed with EDS in 2019 at 34. I always get excited when I hear about other zebras because I feel less alone, but also sad that others struggle daily as well. 💕

[@ArielBissett]

🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓♥️

[@underhypedandoverrated]

Never apologize for your tangents Ariel, I live for them I didn’t realize you were so tall!! So lucky

[@Biobotica]

Oh man - I need to check out The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating! I read All's Well by Mona Awad this year, and it has some pretty incredible chronic pain rep in it. It is quite a trip.

[@AndalusianIrish]

Good to see your channel is still going. Sorry to hear about the EDS. I suffer from depression and anxiety which although it isn’t physical is hard because it never really goes away.

[@Inspiredamongstthechaos]

Because of you I picked up Anne of Green Gables. And I LOVED it!! I read the graphic novel alongside Anne of green gables and now I’m currently on book 4 because I just cannot leave Anne and her beautiful world.

[@livvlong]

I finally got myself into graphic novels this year, and I totally understand what you mean!! I've found that there are definitely different aspects of reading that they make me appreciate - and stone fruit by lee lai was my fav, so incredibly beautiful and a v intimate!

[@hayleylsomerfield]

I am new to reading, as an adult for enjoyment, i always struggled getting into things and never knew why. I have worked out its become so much better for me when i make sure im free of distractions and I ended up getting a kindle for my birthday as I had read a couple of books before that, which I enjoyed. The kindle has changed my reading habits for sure. I personally find it so much more enjoyable when i know how long it will take me to read a chapter and how far along in the book I am. Anyway... I have been reading the HP series on it, im about 65% of the way through book 5. I totally understand the hype of the books now. Amazing. I think book 3 POA has been my fave read in them thus far. Also, I got right into binging the new queer eye last year and I ended up reading Karamo's book. It was a great read about him and his life. He is my fave on that show. Plus, a bit left field here, Extreme fishing with Robson Green. I enjoyed watching some of his episodes on tv. He is a laugh and a half. I read the book he wrote about his adventures and absolutely loved it. This is the book that sparked the interest.

[@fernmarie6799]

I reread the first of the Anne series to my best friend last month, we see each other a couple days a week and I read to him while he video edits. He hadn’t read it before, it’s one of my all time beloved favourites, he absolutely loved it, it was such a joy. One of the highlights of my year - so Anne of Green Gables makes it to my favourites list of reading for the year, (can a reread be a favourite? I vote yes). Thanks as always for your lovely self and your lovely content Ariel, wishing you a happy holiday season and end of the year.

[@audraalvarado6553]

I'm just getting back into reading again as an adult and have been having such a hard time finding reccomendations because I'm SUPER picky and don't much care for romance/fantasy. Needless to say, your diverse book highlights got me very excited. Thanks!

[@getaspine7076]

I was diagnosed in 2008 with achronic illness. I also go through bouts of chronic pain and fatigue. It’s really nice to see that you can work on your house and make a beautiful though you have this setback.

[@DianeC1975]

My favorite book this year was The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. Next on my to read list is more Montgomery books, thanks to you. 💕👍

[@theoffkeydiva]

You are the first person I’ve ever heard mention this book! I love it so much and I think it is a great place for adults who never read “Anne” to get a feel for Montgomery’s style

[@ArielBissett]

i'm so excited to finish it next year!

[@littlestenographer]

This is my favorite book ever, I've read it so many times!

[@designangles]

The Ghost In The House is also one of my favourites of the year! I'm so excited that you've read and loved it

[@courtneypuckettmusic]

Woo hoo! Another Ariel video. I listen to the Pod every week and feel like I know you and Raeleen and like I’m enjoying a weekly book discussion with friends. Thanks for the content and for inspiring me to read 30 books this year! I literally was in such a reading slump for years before I discovered your KZbin and later your podcast. Sending love from North Carolina💗

[@doiknownoidont4929]

The fact that I never read Anne and felt like crying by hearing you talk about it! Wow, kinda want to read it now

[@ambertiberend2301]

I am so excited to get into Anne of green gables I never read them as a kid but seeing how much you love it I am ready to get started on it!

[@swimminginhoney]

I have never watched nor read Anne of Green Gables but when Ariel's eyes started tearing up, so did mine! Everyone has those characters who just elicit such feelings of love and nostolgia!

[@heathermattern]

I LOVED the Anne of Green Gables series but OMG the Emily Of New Moon series was my favorite by her!!

[@dorothear8833]

Thank you Ariel for this lovely favorite books of the year wrap up! All Anne lovers, if you already haven't, I recommend reading The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery. It tells a story of a 29 y.o. woman in the beginning of 1900s, breaking free from the control of others and the shackles she has created for herself, just to find out what this amazing world has to offer, what she really deserves in life and who she really is. It is a beautiful story and meant a lot to me. I read it when I was about to turn 29 this year, feeling like I haven't really lived, living in a invisible prison I felt hopeless to break free from. The book changed my life and created a set of new, positive experiences, adventure I'm currently on! I remember finishing the book and calling my best friend, just crying my eyes out, telling her I have just read a book that meant the world to me. It is a short book but very beautiful, and I'm sure it is one of the most personal of Montgomery's all books, revealing what she probably would have wanted in her life as well. Also, I suffer from chronic pain as well. Love the recommendation of The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating.

[@nicky_bee]

Watched and read Anne this year as well. PURE LOVE. Thanks for sharing about your chronic pain

[@elizabethh9950]

I totally get wanting to cry when talking about Anne! I loved the books when I was younger (although I think I only read 6 so now I need to check if I missed some!) but I am definitely due a re-read. I also absolutely loved Anne with an E, every episode made me cry but in such a good way! Lovely video:)

[@jennaserv]

I loved the sound of a wild snail eating!! I read it in the summer and now I have a vivid memory of eating freshly picked peaches sitting at a glass table reading this book (underneath a peach tree). It was during a really stressful time, but I read this book because of you and it was amazing!

[@metalcore_lover]

This video felt so great! I'm glad you talked about Anne of Green Gables. I've heard of it a bunch but never looked into it more, but I'm very intrigued now. Also, loving the tangents.

[@autumnrose_noseinabook]

I am so happy that you've finally jumped on the L. M. Montgomery train. I'm not Canadian but L. M. Montgomery is one of my favorite authors. I'm still reading through all of her work but I love the Anne series, I love the Emily trilogy, Jane of Lantern Hill, and The Blue Castle!! I'm excited to see your future reviews of her other books. I still have to read the last two books in the Anne series but my favorite is actually Anne's House of Dreams. It's probably the most melancholy book starring Anne but it's so beautiful, and I think you will love it, too. I'm 27 so while I love reading about Anne's childhood I can more easily connect with Anne as an adult. The Sound of Wild Snails Eating sounds really amazing! Not going to lie, I'd love if someone gifted me a pet snail. I bet there's a really profound take away message from that book.

[@lisaplummer8144]

I read Night Circus after one of your podcasts. Thank you for that. I really enjoyed it! You also inspire me as I dream of making over my house. Not renovating exactly but it could use some love and you help me want to do that. Thanks for everything! Oh! And my partner and I went on a Anne of Green Gables binge and watched all of the old ones we could find. I think we even found a black and white one. I’m going to read the book this year. 🤓

[@lieslherman]

Wild is one of my faves, finally read Tiny Beautiful Things this year and I have a feeling both will be books I revisit constantly my whole life. I ❤ Cheryl Strayed.

[@brennarodenburg3904]

“There I Am” by Ruthie Lindsey was a great memoir I read last year. It’s all about her living with chronic pain as well as just the painful parts of living. But she does a wonderful job of showing how living with that pain has allowed her to connect with others she wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.

[@cherryy_2468]

you are such a comforting person to listen to and watch. loved this video

[@kaylacurrently]

I also discovered Anne of Green Gables this year and it’s a favorite! I made it to book six in the series so far. My favorite is definitely the first but a close second is book 5, Anne’s House of Dreams. I also went on a Dorothy Sayers binge this year and that was fun as well!

[@jayweasley]

AHHHHH wait I hope u do a 3rd run of the sweatshirt so I can snag one! Haven’t been able to get one thus far but they’re so cute. Love the content, love the rambles, love ur cozy corner of the Internet!

[@Adi-tt5ox]

I'm very late watching this but it was so fun!!! I grew up watching the Anne movies with my grandparents and read the whole series in 2020 which just launched my adult life of reading and i'm so so grateful!!! I'm excited to get to the rest of Montgomery's books (I will say though- just get through book 2, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as all the others in the series) and I'm definitely sold on the sound of a wild snail eating and kim jiyoung!!

[@gabrielamanolache9365]

God, I love watching and listening to you talk about books. My favorite of the year was actually a rec of yours, Death in her hands. Thank you❤️

[@alyssacascos8665]

Chronic pain is such a struggle and I can definitely relate since I have lupus😭😭😭 stay strong Ariel! We got this!

[@SixtineLys]

I just love your videos. I love listening to you talk, the visual aesthetic, and the general calmness of it all. And my favorite book of 2021 is "Leurs enfants après eux", a french novel written by Nicolas Mathieu. It talks about being young and lost and bored in the French and deserted countryside, it's a GEM. I don't know if it would be as interesting for international readers but it blew my mind !

[@zoeycat365]

Ariel your videos have given me so much warmth and joy this year ! It makes me so happy to see you including graphic novels, they deserve more appreciation . Can't wait to see more books and house renos next year : )

[@melissar.1016]

I have to tell you that I have read more graphic novels this year than ever before, and it’s because of the ones you and Raeleen recommend on the podcast! I never thought of myself as a “graphic novel person” before, but I think I’d just never read the right ones before.

[@jessielozanski6423]

Fellow Canadian here! My favourite books this year were One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. Both the books really launched me into a deep dive of latin American history and literature. I loved these books so much and I would recommend them to everyone to read, they are truly masterpieces.

[@anancybrown]

The tone of this video is so nice and comfy. I sat down with my coffee and felt like I was chatting with a friend about books ^_^ Also please please read Torch by Cheryl Strayed! It's actually the only book of hers that I've read and I loved it and I'm sad that nobody talks about it and many people seem to not know about it. It's a novel but it is based on her life and I think it would help you understand her past hardships even more! I'm hoping to pick up her other books in the near future ^_^

[@Imlosthummus]

You just sold me on reading Anne of Green Gables. I definitely think that would've been a truly foundational book for me to read as a 12 year old, but that 12 year is still in me so reading it at 23 will be just as good if not better!

[@andrearobyn3701]

Kim Jiyoung and Anne were also two of my favourites this year, and the pod spurred me on to read both! The Sound of a Snail Eating sounds really interesting, and as someone with a chronic disorder whose gone through years of tests and specialists to find out what is wrong and left without definitive treatment that sounds like something would heavily connect to.

[@TheAdventurousHermits]

That's so interesting you have EDS too! That is the first thing I thought of when you described the sound of a wild snail eating.

[@mshollydolly2013]

I’ve enjoyed your Anne phase this year! The 1985 mini series is one of my favorite movies ever!

[@patronusmarauder8206]

Small question: Since the end of the year is coming, are we gonna have some theories about the new goodreads challenge colour??

[@katelynbaker342]

I actually came to this video specifically for that!

[@patronusmarauder8206]

@@katelynbaker342 She may not have done a video about it, but she did talk about it on the books unbound podcast. I'd recommend that podcast in general honestly because it's a lot of fun. ☺️

[@shaunnarochelle]

really enjoyed this review. I have a chronic illness so I appreciate hearing about the snail book and the tiny beautiful things book ~ these little things help 😀

[@poladrize7786]

I relate so hard to Anne of Green Gables being a comfort read/watch that's been magic during COVID times. I read the book early this year and cried because it's just so wonderful reading about communities you want to be a part of. I have the same feeling towards Northern Exposure (a wonderful TV show, if you haven't watched it already). They just make me really happy. Also Anne's closeness to nature is something we all need to incorporate in our lives. (And the fact that Anne with an E takes a classic and makes it modern by adding all these elements- queerness, Native communities, feminism -in a way that doesn't seem forced or cringe the way other teen shows seem forced?? I love it so much)

[@sarahc8409]

Kim ji-young was such a fantastic book, I loved the blending of fiction and real life studies

[@claire1278]

you are my comfort person

[@SilviaSvare]

It made me emotional when you talked about Anne of Green Gabels. That book is so special to me 💕

[@moiratuttle3981]

Get a life Chloe brown is an amazing book about a girl with chronic pain. It's a contemporary romance about Chloe who decides she hasn't lived a full life and makes a get a life list of things she feels she needs to do to have a life. It's great commentary on chronic illness. It helped me alot. I have long haul covid symptoms (over a year now) with absolutely no idea on if the symptoms will ever get better or go away and doctors do not know what to do with us.

[@littlestenographer]

I have long covid too, I'm so tired of being tired! I've added that book to my wishlist, it looks really fun.

[@mondinsel4235]

I didn't have much luck with the books I read this year. Best new read for me was The Fellowship of the Ring, but starting re-reading Monster now by Urasawa Naoki really saved the year for me because I read The Fellowship of the Ring in spring, so there was a lot of let-downs until now. That said, I have a few exciting new books left on my shelf, so there's hoping there will be more hits than misses in 2022. :)

[@ricardaseven6083]

I am so so thrilled that The Snail made it into your favourites! (I actually made a video a while ago where I recommended "Ariel" books that kinda fit your bizarre but beautiful reading style and this was one of them so now I'm even more secure in the other books I recommended in that video). I read it during a time of limbo in my life, right after graduating and being kinda lost for half a year, trying to figure out my next step and it was so therapeutic to slow down with this little snail :D

[@MonnyArcade]

Excited for you to carry on reading the Anne series - my favourite was the last book I think, although it broke my heart (Rilla of Ingleside). Also really loved Anne's house of dreams, which also has its melodramatic moments!

[@hollyrose4578]

ahh it is SO exciting to me that you’re reading the rest of the books in the Anne series. I read them all as a kid and to this day adore them, and I feel like the later books don’t get the credit they deserve?? my favourites are Anne of the Island (book 3) and Rilla of Ingleside (book 8) 🤎💫🍂🍒🍄

[@ArielBissett]

This is about to become and Anne account, just you wait. I’m going to become the leading advocate for Anne of Green Gables haha

[@katiekennedy4351]

Your videos are so cosy and comforting Ariel! A good book that I read that incorporates chronic pain, I found 'Get a Life, Chloe Brown' depicts living with Fibromyalgia both realistically and without being totally negative.

[@mlhbeagles]

I have chronic illness that involves pain too, and the Sound of a Wild Snail Eating hit me hard (in a relatability way). I really Pain Woman Takes Your Keys by Sonya Huber. So good. Highly recommend. I grew up reading Anne of GG, but I’m forever devoted to the old school adaptation starring Megan Follows. The book series is better than the trilogy of Follows adaptations (kind of typical for these things)! Both of those fiction sound so good. (I write as I head to bookshop.)

[@naomic4009]

Seconded! Sonya Huber's essays are great

[@Rjohnson246]

Pain Woman Takes Your Keys is incredible!!! So glad someone else has read it - it’s helped me out SO much with realising that a lot of what I feel is common for people with pain.

[@dittebrouer2855]

Get A Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert if you want a romance. That book is *chef’s kiss*

[@hailey8167]

the sound of a wild snail eating sounds super interesting to me! i've read a lot more nonfiction this year than i ever have before, and i really think i would enjoy it! thank you for the recommendation! hope you are having a great day. :)

[@_samaa]

You're the only one I watch without skipping forward❤