My February Reading Wrap-Up & April's Readalong (20 books!)

Join me as I mini-review all the book I read February and share what's coming up in March and April. This month, I ventured through a mix of historical fiction, classics, translated works, and a hefty dose of fantasy, including the much-talked-about Kate Daniels series. From the ancient streets of Edo-period Japan to the philosophical depths of modern Tokyo and the magical realms created by Ilona Andrews, February was a month of diverse literary explorations. Let's discuss the ups and downs, the surprises, and the disappointments, and look ahead to the next big reads, including a deep dive into "The Tale of Genji" and José Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere." Whether you're here for the historical insights, the literary classics, the thrill of translated fiction, or the enchantment of fantasy, there's something for you.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro
00:23 Booktube Quirks
03:30 Historical Fiction
08:46 Classics
13:11 Translated Fiction
17:57 Fantasy
20:45 March TBR and April Readalong
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CHANNELS MENTIONED
- thank you for the shout-out
‪@GunpowderFictionPlot‬
‪@amusicalbookworm‬
- thank you for reminding me of Helen Graham's quickness to spout quotes on rectitude ‪@OliviasCatastrophe‬
Cheers ‪@dejectioncatreads1758‬ and ‪@Faye_L‬ for the Agnes Grey discussion
MORE VIDEOS
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🎬A favourite of my 2022 reads, translated from Korean: Concerning my Daughter, a slice of life novel dealing with ageism, discrimination and LGBTQ life in Korea • Concerning My Daughter...
🎬How AI is changing publishing, a brief overview I compiled from all the latest news articles I've read and with a succinct look back at the origins of traditional publishing • Challenges and Opportu...
My Amazon wishlist
www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...
Happy reading!

[@eyesonindie]

Katja, I'm so glad you mentioned the weirdness. I also see huge dips in subscribers EVERY time someone gives me a big shout out. I have a suspicion that KZbin hasn't quite figured out how to deal with a big bump in subscribers that doesn't come from the creator's own videos. I just don't buy the theory that it is cleaning up dormant accounts when it ONLY happens whenever I get a shout-out. I recently got a shout out from a larger Booktuber and saw a huge jump in subscribers. The next day I had lost 100 subscribers, and continued to lose subscribers over the next several days. Anyway, I love your channel!!

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

I feel for you! At least you know you're not alone. Frustrating but you'll definitely continue to grow. You've got fab content 💛I love your channel too. Now I feel like we should braid each others hair 🤣

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Ah! Just thought of something to shareMy friend in Malaysia said her subscription was removed - she hadn't used KZbin in two months due to travel and I'm not sure I'd call that a dormant account!

[@eyesonindie]

@@PageTurnersWithKatja LOLLLLLLL!!!!!

[@eyesonindie]

@@PageTurnersWithKatja Oh wow, that's so interesting!!

[@MargaretPinard]

"Interconnected yet occasionally divided" Truer words, Katja!!

[@noteworthyfiction]

Lots of fun reading! I hope you enjoy The Tale of Genji, it's definitely a book worth taking your time with.

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Thank you 😊💛

[@katsnoveladventures1863]

I’m still here, Katja! 🙋🏻‍♀️ Try not to let the loss of subscribers get you down. You’re a joy to watch. My subscriber count fluctuates, and I focus on the subscribers that show up consistently to watch my content and provide positive interactions in my small community. 😊 Enjoyable video!

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Perfect mindset to have Thank you 💛

[@novelideea]

Yay! I’m so glad your channel is growing!! And Hooray for a second cozy Korean novel!! I still haven’t gotten to Hyunam-dong Bookshop, so now I have 2!

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Thank you, Deea 🙏📈📉📈😂 Hope you enjoy them both 😊💛

[@mildrumpus]

What a bummer about the unavailable book! Sounds like you had a fantastic month of reading despite the up's and down's. 😎📚👍

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Yes, it was a fab reading month. Certainly not the month I planned, but sometimes going off plan is fun 😊

[@MargaretPinard]

Yes! Audiobooks don't ever title their track numbers either...I had a thought the other day that even that would go a fair way to being able to 'flip back' like one does with the paper version.

[@OliviasCatastrophe]

I'm glad you enjoyed the tenant of wildfell hall so much and I really enjoyed your review of it! The dallergut dream book sounds like it was very whimsical and quite magical. Even though there was a little twinge in the writing style that didn't sit well with you. I hope you enjoy tackling those classics, and taking your time with the chunky one especially.

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

🙏💛I'm definitely taking my time with The Tale of Genji. Even the intro is longer than I'm used to 🤣

[@davidnovakreadspoetry]

When I was a kid and read the Brontes _Tenant_ was definitely my favorite, but I couldn’t stand Anne’s first. (I don’t remember why.) In January I read _War and Peace_ and oddly enough didn’t need a character list - everything felt so clear - but two years ago when I read _The Plum in the Golden Vase_ I found that jotting down a character list was absolutely necessary.

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

You're not alone in not caring for Agnes Grey but liking Tenant - think Margaret Pinard feels similar - so I'm sure others would agree with you both. I didn't need a character list for Vanity Fair, and I have no idea why not. It, too, has a huge cast 🤔

[@kirstenlee7575]

Hi, new subscriber here. I found you through Scott and I'm very happy to say that I'm still here ♥

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Thanks, Kirsten! Good to have you here. And reassuring to have you comment 😅♥️

[@MargaretPinard]

Ooooh, Jose Rizal--what an excellent pointer! Will see if we have a copy of that one...

[@MargaretPinard]

Huh--apparently in English the title is "The Social Cancer'?!?

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

I saw that! I think it's the more common title, but the penguin edition goes with "touch me not".The social cancer title refers to the social injustices the book explores.

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Also, yay! I'm glad you're interested 💛

[@thaliad6759]

I am in the U.S. and also hear about books that I get excited about reading and then find out they haven't been published here and some don't even have a date to be published in the U.S. I ended up buying In Ascension last year from Blackwell's in the UK (finally came out Feb 2024 in U.S) and currently think I may have to buy The Night Alphabet and Stone Yard Devotional , if I really want to read them. It is still odd to me that, in a world so small, a movie can come out and be seen across the world at the same time, but a book cannot be published at the same time around the world. I understand it is a different media game with many different things to consider, but it is still frustrating. Booktubers should form a connection to send each other these books that they can't get in their own country:) I value your content and ALWAYS learn of a book from you that I haven't heard that interests me. Best to you!

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Thank you so much for your kind words! It's incredibly rewarding to hear that my content introduces you to new and intriguing books. I love your idea of a Booktubers book exchange for those hard-to-find titles. I've had the pleasure of swapping books with a few international booktubers-sending books to Germany, Australia, and Austria and receiving one in return. There's something special about receiving a book from across the globe. You're right: why can movies have simultaneous global releases, but books can't? Is it the distribution rights, market demand, or something else? I'm even more curious now. "The Night Alphabet" and "Stone Yard Devotional" sound absolutely captivating. I'm now as eager as you are to dive into them, and they're definitely going onto my TBR list. Thank you again for your support and for being such an integral part of our booktube community. Best wishes and happy reading!

[@amusicalbookworm]

That’s so discouraging when that subscriber cleanup happens! Don’t worry, your channel is definitely going to grow! I’m hoping to read The Tenant of Wildefell Hall sometime this year, hopefully!

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Thanks Victoria 🙏 I hope you get the chance to read it. I really felt for Helen and the story made me so frustrated for her that I had to put the book down at one point 😅. compelling stuff.

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hi Katja, I have lost many subscribers in the last two months. I wonder what’s going on. I love your channel and I would never leave. I agree with you so much about Agnes Gray. I read both books you mentioned, and they were both wonderful in different ways. I like when you said slice of life because that’s exactly what it was and I liked the ending. Aloha friend.

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Thanks Marilyn 🙏, I don't know why KZbin had such a 'big clear out' or whatever else it might be. Glad you liked both of Anne's works 💛

[@GemofBooks]

I had the same with subs this week - 30 gain followed by a 25 loss 🙄❤ Some great sounding books this month matey!

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Oh man, it must be the time of year for clearing out booktube channels. *shakes fist at YT* February was a fun reading month even if I went totally off plan 😆

[@benreadsgood]

It’s a bit rubbish when those account clean-ups happen! But I always rationalise that it can be better for the channel in the long run. Dormant accounts mean a lower proportion of your subs convert to views, which is a bad signal to the algorithm. So don’t be disheartened! I also find that sometimes the dip quickly recovers, so I wonder if accounts are temporarily removed while they check, and then restored? Who knows! 😅

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

I'd love a quick numbers bounce back 🤞. I wish youtube wouldn't tidy up my list quite diligently . My analytics looks like a heartrate monitor 😂 I tell myself it's a good thing too, in the long run, but it doesn't stop me from thinking "really youtube, I get 38 subs, so you remove 30? How about next time just clear out 10% which is like 3-4." Of course YT never agrees 🥴😜

[@MargaretPinard]

Oh yes! I was meaning to ask you about a question you had for the author and translator of Hyunam-dong Bookshop! I'll have them on my channel on 3/14, only for 30 min, unfortunately. But would love an extra perspective on a good question or two!

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Will have a think and message you on IG

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

i didn't think of a ton after all so will just put my thoughts here: For Shanna - How closely did you work with Hwang Bo-reum during the translation process? Were there any particular areas where collaboration was key to preserving the story's essence? What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in translating this novel from Korean to English, especially in maintaining the cozy, comforting tone? For Bo-Reum: What inspired you to write "Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop," and how much of it was drawn from personal experiences or observations of Seoul's community life? The bookshop becomes a community hub in the story. Why did you choose to center your narrative around a bookshop, and what do you believe bookstores represent in modern society? I think that last question can be tweaked by you or is one you probably already have given your experience with bookshops. Hope at least one of these questions wasn't alredy on your list 💛

[@MargaretPinard]

That is awesome, thank you!@@PageTurnersWithKatja

[@JesstheBookFreak]

I'm still interested in reading The tenant of wildfell hall and your review reminds me to get to it soon! 😀 I read The Fox Wife by yangse Choo and loved it ❤ I hope March goes well for you!

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

That's on my TBR, along with Yangsze Choo's Night Tiger! It's good to know it's a hit for you 😊 Hope you enjoy The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

[@JesstheBookFreak]

@@PageTurnersWithKatja I recently bought night tiger because I think I'll love it too. Hope it's good!

[@ObscureBookAdventures]

Wauw that’s a bummer losing that many subscribers. The most subscribers I lost was I think 6 or 8. It was when I put in the same subscribe watermark. So I don’t know if this was the reason, but I reasoned that this button makes it easy for people to subscribe, but makes it equally easy to unsubscribe as well. So now I only have the watermark at the end of the video. Yes, that’s a downside of audiobooks. I have the same thing with The Mysteries of London which is about 44 hours of listening time and has a lot of characters as well. I have a little notebook with me when I listen to it.

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Losing subscribers can be tough, but I'm accepting that it's all part of the journey . Losing one or two at time from people unsubscribing is less noticeable though than when KZbin does it's 'clean-up' which I've heard is only a couple of times a year but always feels more regular 💔😂 With the audiobook I always forget there's a clip/bookmark function too in the app I use. that siad i prefer writing out the notes on paper.

[@HeyYallListenUp]

Sounds like a good reading month. Too bad about the subscriber count. It's not the first time you've mentioned it, so I know it must be frustrating.

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

You've got a great memory. I think I mentioned the peaks and troughs 2 years ago. So frustrating- at it was a good reading month 😊

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

Have you tried Hagakure, the book of the Samurai? On the subscribers. I thought it was viewers coming and going but it could be those endless people who keep emailing me to tell me how I could improve my channel if I pay them. I assume it could be them disappearing and 'punishing' my channel when I don't cough up the reddies! Best wishes.

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

That's such a good theory! I'm inclined to agree, now you've said it. I've had at least 5 people email me in a fortnight saying I have SEO issues and to contact them for their services 🤦🏼‍♀️ Hagakure sounds brilliant! Thanks for suggesting it.

[@gaelprovan671]

Without my knowledge I was unsubscribed.🤔 However I'm back! 🎉

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Good to have you back 😅💛🎊

[@becomingabookworm]

I like how you split the video into sections! Might have to consider to do the same if I read a lot one month. I have experienced similiar stuff when it comes to subscriber count, so don´t worry. I found myself wondering if you use any kind of teleprompter because you are so articulate, so the subscribers will definitely come back :)

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Thank you for the kind words! I like organising the content into fewer, more substantial sections instead of many smaller chapters. However, I wonder if more people could overlook a book they would otherwise enjoy. I've previously shared these thoughts with several booktubers, and I've noticed a divide in opinions about using teleprompters. I wouldn't mind one if they were cheaper, but I don't think it worth investing in; still, I have a hack 😊 I wrote it out for you and then deleted! If you can wait a couple of days, you gave me an idea for a video on booktube hacks 🙏😜

[@becomingabookworm]

@@PageTurnersWithKatja I imagine I would be even more stressed if I had one. I keep telling myself that my videos become more “artsy” without one, since I never get to say all the things I plan to say.. Looking forward to your hack video! :)

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Thanks. Glad I sent you the response on IG as the hack video will take me longer than I thought 😂. It's in the works - as the saying goes.

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

I lost 15 subs in a minute a few days ago. I was online when it happened. I once lost 40, and it was just after a shootout. I think it's KZbin deleting junk accounts, but it's so frustrating and a bit upsetting.

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

It really is! 😅

[@MargaretPinard]

The 'Biblicalness' of Agnes Grey was off-putting for me as well...I should give Wildfell Hall a go, then 😉

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Oh oh! Agnes has nothing on Helen in that regard 😆