my may reading list (as in, i MAY read these books)

[ad] head to squarespace.com/jackinthebooks to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code JACKINTHEBOOKS !!
main channel: www.KZbin.com/user/thejackexperience
Instagram: www. jackbenedwards

[@prettyinpink9893]

As a black women in my 30s, I love your channel and book tastes. You absolutely do read diversely and do a great job.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

7:59 Jack is the last person who needs to be told this. He reads diverse authors.

[@ashlynx8046]

literally!! people will literally bend over backwards to try and spin a narrative

[@khalilahd.]

This 💕

[@rurubelle2920]

Chronically online people making baseless assumptions about others; what else is new?

[@shreyaparekh2452]

Hey, Are you the same Pokhraj that I saw on the TISS podcast lives?

[@PokhrajRoy.]

@@shreyaparekh2452 Yes.

[@MelissaMoore-bm9uf]

Don't let trolls get you down. You're one of my favourite Book Tubers and have some of the most diverse taste I've seen. You're also very well read for someone in their early twenties!

[@mandyc3095]

I’m sorry that you had to deal with a bad tik tok experience. I’ll be honest you alone were the motivation to get back into reading from a fifteen year hiatus. You also made me realise I hadn’t read any diverse books so I’ve read quite a few you’ve read and it’s helped me feel more connected with the world. Thank you.

[@MelissaMoore-bm9uf]

I'm SO excited you're going to read The Virgin Suicides! One of my favourite novels ever. One tiny correction: it's set in America, and the girls' sirname is Lisbon. It's a truly unique book from a narrator point of view (multiple third person). His second novel, Middlesex is also amazing.

[@booknerd369]

Since Jack is so smart I honestly had to fact check myself when I was like “wait isn’t that set in Michigan?” Lol

[@safaiaryu12]

Oh, it's the same author as Middlesex? I've had that on my shelf forever.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

1:00 Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin 2:03 Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout 3:16 They’re Going To Love You by Meg Howrey. 4:19 Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochita Gonzalez 6:17 The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides 7:12 Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison 10:16 Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder 11:37 Real Life by Brandon Taylor 12:30 The Trial by Franz Kafka

[@khalilahd.]

Thank you ❤

[@alieneater3328]

you are doing gods work

[@PokhrajRoy.]

@@khalilahd. Nice to see you again!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

@@alieneater3328 Haha hardly but thank you

[@ioanax3421]

This is really something I'd expect Jack to include in the video description.

[@suriagonzalez4607]

Hi Jack! "Lisbon" is the last name of the sisters in The Virgin Suicides. The story takes place in a suburb in Michigan 😁

[@lesap8889]

I was confused when he said that!

[@jack_in_the_books]

omg thats so funny

[@kyris66]

I laughed when he said it was in Portugal. I was like, I'm pretty sure it was an American suburb....

[@brit6738]

You’re only 24?! So incredibly intelligent and well spoken.

[@peculiarlyreading]

I get so excited whenever Jack posts. You just know it’s a good day when Jack posts.

[@khalilahd.]

Exactly ❤❤

[@Lin-rs9pw]

isn't that like every day

[@andreafowles2095]

Not lisbon portugal!

[@Jess-jp7vw]

I am also reading 10 books this month!! (I haven’t finished a book in 2 years)

[@kat9pao]

you can do it jess i believe in you

[@khalilahd.]

So exciting!! Good luck!

[@Readwithmiaaa]

good luck girl!!

[@MaelysCha]

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is my favourite read of the year so far ❤

[@gen9018]

You are actually the one who motivated me to read more diverse books… definitely take what they say with a grain of salt as you are one of the most diverse readers I’ve seen!

[@saskiap.1395]

I read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow last month and it was so beautifully written. Favourite read of the year so far

[@farrahaliceblack7453]

I asked out my boyfriend by hiding a note in Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow (we met at uni and we're in the middle of a game design module!) ❤️

[@melsyoutube]

i’ve been binging your channel for the last few weeks, you’ve really been getting me through this period of my life 🥺 i’m glad you’re traveling the world and thriving!

[@khalilahd.]

I read tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow and i tho ugh hit her writing style was genius but I didn’t like the actual story so I’m excited to see what you think about it. Also I’ve been dying to read the virgin suicides too! Can’t wait for your May(be) reviews 😅❤

[@EricKarlAnderson]

There’s such a wonderful pleasure in anticipating a book so much and discovering it’s as good as you’d hoped when you actually get to read it. 😌📚 Zevin’s novel is such a joy. And I loved Lucy by the Sea much more than Oh William so I’m sure you’ll connect strongly with it.

[@ChrisDailyReading]

I’m reading Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow right now, and I’m loving it so much. It’s really mesmerising.

[@brewwin]

as a fantasy romance girly i probably will not pick up any of these books. but thats why im here. vicariously i will live through your ability to read genres i find difficult (nonfiction, literary). anyways thanks!

[@beatricetoscano2247]

I am so sorry about what happened on tik tok. People can be cruel for no reason. Don't let this moment kill the sparkle of luminosity and positivity that you spread. You are a light. And we are so lucky to have you talking about your passion in such an engaging, vibrant way. Love you lots

[@ccg9623]

Jack, If you see this...Pay no mind to people who just love to complain/be negative instead of having constructive criticism. You never have to explain yourself to us. We're here for the book recs, your cringey puns, aesthetic videos and everything inbetween. Just read what you want and keep helping us build our TBR pile😂👐

[@christinefreeland7339]

Invisible Man may be more important for American Lit students than English students. Americans tend to forget that people of other countries also share TikTok land. Can't wait to hear your take on Invisible Man - ultimately I loved but it gets a little wild. So many books, so little time.

[@LinnieCat]

This!! People online tried to talk down on me for not having read The catcher in the rye. Its like they forget not every student is from the US? I’m all for reading inclusively but I doubt they read the Poetic Edda or The Emigrants? Doctor Glas, Kallocain or any book from The Copenhagen Trilogy? How about the Summer book or The Ice Palace or The Norrtull Gang? How about some poetry from Edith Södergran? Probably not. Ps I read the catcher in the rye a few years later and didn’t get the hype haha

[@christinefreeland7339]

@@LinnieCat totally!! Agree, Catcher in the Rye was probably earth shaking when it was written (how fast and plain the prose it, comments on society of the time) but now time have changed and many write in that style. It was fine, didn't love. Thanks for all the authors to look up! Also, you can skip Hemingway. What an ass!! Racist, misogynist... Hated

[@indigoslife1202]

About the hate comments, don't let them bring you down! You are the reason why I started actively reading again and why I have set, and kept, my goals in reading! You also made me rethink the part about reading more obscure, diverse and non-fiction literature (I was so stuck in the idea of reading only classics). Love your videos and contents and I hope you're doing great! With love, a fan of yours from Albania!

[@McKenzieIsASlowReader]

i don't think there's a way to write this comment without sounding nitpicky, so i'm very sorry! the virgin suicides is about 5 sisters whose surname is lisbon and it's set in a suburb of detroit. it's one of my favourite books ever so i'm just dying to hear your thoughts on it! also, if you end up doing another first line challenge, the virgin suicides has an amazing one.

[@ahmedbanaga8185]

Could you make a main channel video on your worst to best Asian literature you've read... i'd love a good introduction to them♥

[@O_M554]

What I love most about your channel, other than your chimpy humour, is that you read such diverse books. For a 24 year old that’s so refreshing, and I find your content so enjoyable and inspiring.

[@klasterni-tajemstvi]

I'm so happy you'll be reading The Trial!! hope you enjoy it!

[@ladak7084]

‘the trial’ is absolutely fascinating, it was on my syllabus last year and the lecturer made me completely fall in love with it, exploring the endless possible interpretations of Kafka’s work is a joy of its own!! also so happy that coincidentally ‘tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow’ is on my may tbr too, need to catch up with you though haha

[@jodes327]

So far, I've read the first three... I feel smarter already! I love your recommendations!

[@jodes327]

I followed your lead and read "The island of missing trees." It still lives within me! Great book. Now I'm reading "Almond." Thanks for all you do! Keep up the great work!

[@crisnakashita]

Jack, hi 👋. I’m just passing to say that you’re so precious and lovely that from the moment i found your videos i knew my book list interest would expanded so much, either in number and diversity. Is important to mention that i’m latin american, english isn’t my first language and even book being so expensive here, especialy english editons (most of them don’t have translation), your passion on telling people about the books that u like is so convincing and expanding my horizons, so thanks 😊

[@Luumus]

3:45 is really true, I loved reading The Lights of Prague because while it's not an amazing book it does treat the city I live in as it's own character and describes it very vividly. So to walk the same cobblestone streets as the characters is lovely, and you can very easily immerse yourself in the book when you know the places it's describing.

[@chloeallwright7343]

SURRREEEELLLLYYYYY you have a library now!?!?!?! Need an update on the 1000 book goal!

[@ColeenDagdag]

I’m so so so surprised you haven’t read tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow!! I canNOT wait to hear your thoughts about it!

[@margotluftig9083]

Would highly recommend Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quiñonez for another LatinX tale set in NYC, plus it's a spin on a classic but I won't spoil which one. SO GOOD

[@jennifertresenrider9357]

I loved The Virgin Suicides movie back in my manic pixie dream girl days but didn’t read the book until much later. I liked it, but also felt it dragged in in some parts. Excited to hear how you feel about it!

[@Sarana.]

Completely agree with this!

[@deadbyglitter]

i understand what you are saying about nightbitch but in its defense, i read bc amy adams is starring in the film adaptation and reading made me really excited to see her, i dont think the book brands into a typical "womens wrongs" kind of territory, seems more like a reflection of motherhood but im excited to see what you think of it !

[@meaghanenright2623]

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was my favorite book I read last year!

[@strawberriestastegood]

Thanks for keeping me sane during finals season

[@ivy-ys8or]

@7:45 the way i knew exactly who you were talking about 😭😭 that guy is a menace i need his account gone

[@Mrs_Bennets_Nerves]

I adored They’re Going to Love You!! Such a special book ❤

[@monicagyves960]

That's a mighty TBR good luck with your reading....if anyone can do it you can 😀

[@laurenschenck5355]

Absolutely most special and amazingly books of list 😊

[@blaqueathena]

I'm a black woman in her 50s and I love your reading selections. People just want to post and not critically think before doing so.

[@sleepiestgf]

i do hope you get to young mungo soon, maybe for pride month. i literally just finished it and it's absolutely my favorite read of the year so far. first 5 star book i've read since 2021 (which was zone one by colson whitehead and might just be my favorite book ever)

[@bluelagoon5235]

I thoroughly enjoyed Invisible Man. Ignore that fact that it's a "classic" and enjoy the meandering and creative prose, hilarious and harrowing situations, and intense (and sometimes dangerous) absurdity of life our main character goes through. It was my favorite book I read from last year! Extremely relevant even today.

[@klarapopilkova5791]

I mean one reason why classics are classics is that they are still relevant today, 1984 being perfect example. Often it’s not about race, it’s not even mentioned and people just often assume everyone is white because it’s not said. Which is weird to me honestly from the first place - like you are wrong for assuming that in the first place in a way. Jane Eyre too, the race isn’t a relevant topic there so why bring it to it. I know this might hurt some people but to me honestly it really kinda seems like only people from America are making it a big deal, probably because they have most of the issues with it, whereas Europe is mixed throughout and no one really cares if their neighbour has a different color, since they will probably be from a different country lol. I don’t want to sound rude though so if I do, it might be just because English isn’t my first language (as for most Europeans) and maybe some nuances escape me still. 😊

[@chelleybelle1202]

I just finished Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and I loooooved it. I'm excited for you to read it!

[@ninja_boy]

Jack, you're funny--Virgin Suicides isn't set in Lisbon, Lisbon is the surname of the girls! It's set in Michigan. Either way, I loved the movie and I'm going to read the book soon too. Also, Invisible Man is excellent and I think you will like it. I had to read it in high school, but I really didn't pay much attention then or appreciate it like I did when I re-read it last year.

[@debbieduurland]

Olga Dies Dreaming is really good!! It gives a good insight into the Puerto Rico community in NYC

[@jo-annali-nandalal529]

Jack, do not give that troll a second thought. I am a Trinidadian and it was your review of "Bread the Devil Knead" that encouraged me to not only read it but I gave it to my Mum to read also! Your fans know the diversity of your reading range.

[@laurenschenck5355]

Incredible book TBR Jack! ❤❤

[@alexandravanhugber339]

Jack i always come Back here for good reviews, i cannot find them anywhere else. Dont let that shit get you down!! I mean its a cruel cruel world, not worthy of wasting our pain there… ❤❤❤

[@estephaniezapata4714]

Jack, you never disappoint with your puns.

[@francinecorry633]

I'm 71 years old and have read thousands of books and really try to read diverse books but had never read Invisible Man until this January. I'm interested to see how you like Real Life. I just started They're Going to Love You so I'll be interested in your take on it as well.

[@Sarah-dv1eh]

I CANT WAIT to hear your thoughts on tomorrow tomorrow and tomorrow 😭😭😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@kaeh7332]

I never clicked a notification so fast!! MAY TBR

[@coffeechapters2102]

I also recently bought The Trial a couple months ago but haven’t had the chance to read it yet! Excited to see your review

[@joangavrilik3009]

Great list - looking forward to your reviews!

[@emmaberger3748]

Yayyy I’m so glad you’re back! 😊

[@alisak3401]

Loved Metamorphosis and hated The Trial, so I’m curious to hear what you think :) Also reading The Virgin Suicides atm, I’m halfway through and I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it. Also welcome back from your travels!

[@celinegrant1338]

I have never been so early! Love your videos and your energy!

[@ILoveJahangeer]

People will always be petty and people will always have something to say. Whoever that was is just irrelevant. You’re so well read and you always have been, don’t ever change, Jacky. Continue shining and striving ❤️

[@gabooshi]

I felt this new video in my soul because I opened KZbin the exact moment this uploaded 🤪

[@starsandsuch7778]

I read They’re Going To Love You in January! I liked how the author described emotions a lot. It feels autobiographical, it’s crazy it’s not. It was a little boring for me but that’s just bc I read YA all the time 😅

[@LanieBrice]

I read Olga Dies Dreaming after you read the first line of it in a past video, and it was incredible!

[@julieb874]

Have you heard about the lady and the little fox fur? It is about an old lady in Paris just going about her day and life. it is DEEPLY sad and I feel like it has all the things you like in books so if you haven't you definitely should check it out

[@lauracastro3826]

Is that a Vigencita de Guadalupe on your wall? Wow! I love seeing things like that in another part of the world! 🥲 love from México 🇲🇽

[@SueJacksonDE]

Oooh, backpacking!! I can't manage it now, but I used to love it. I can't wait to read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow - I loved AJ Fikry by her. I loved Olive Kitteridge but haven't yet read Strout's other novels - but I want to! I keep hearing great things about Lucy Barton and its follow-ups. I agree - I love to read books set in places I lived! Olga Dies Dreaming is also on my TBR list. And I haven't read anything by Salmon Rushdie but you're right - it feels a must-read. I'd also like to read Ellison's Invisible Man - and wow, yeah, bizarre experience! And isn't it hurtful to be called out publicly like that, even if you know it's not accurate? I'd also like to read more Kafka, beyond The Metamorphosis. Sounds like May will be a great reading month for you! Enjoy!

[@AlexKillzMC]

Ahhh I love jacks videos, so good!

[@user-qu8zs7vs1x]

Re: the guy criticizing your reading, I think one of the signs you've become really well known is when parasite-content creators start targeting you. They try to feed off of your "fame" and gain more views by being.. scumbags

[@dinarajafarova4747]

Jack, your content made me seriously get into reading and fully changed my perspective on it. The way that you’re passionate about what you’re doing and don’t have all the intellectual superiority bullshit is in itself extremely admirable. Everyone has flaws, and yours is definitely not a lack of diversity. Believe me, if your haters would even try to do what you’re doing with this channel, they would be shit at it.

[@Psychomary100]

I'm happy you'll read The Virgin suicides and invisible man! You'll love the first if you liked books like Bunny IMO, they have some similarities but maybe it's only me thinking this.

[@talheldman1650]

not book related, but i was wondering where your hoodie is from? seems good quality and i am looking for new ones, thank you (also really enjoy your videos on a separate note)

[@mattieg1904]

The Trial is one of my favorite books ever!!

[@Blobbyrainbow10]

Jack! Have you read Goodnight Punpun? its a sort of 'coming of age?' manga of sorts, where you see the main character descend into insanity in a very realistic depiction of japan. I'm on volume 6, and I haven't been able to stop reading. Please be wary though, this is a very, disturbing, traumatic, and horrifying series, that at least personally, feels like almost a true story of a boy in japan. Please consider reading it if you haven't already, I know you're gonna love it because it is extremely depressing and sad!🙂

[@mikaelagafarova2709]

If you like Kafka try America or The Missing Person (it has many titles). It‘s one of Kafka‘s novels and it also plays in NYC

[@amandapalmieri1271]

HI. I just discovered your channel and I'm loving it. But if I may, maybe the automatic translation is wrong (I'm Italian), but "The Virgin Suicides" by Eugenides is not set in Lisbon, but in an American suburb in the 60s. Lisbon is the surname of the girls' family. ☺️ It's a beautiful book anyway.

[@elizabethrichie6231]

Haven't even started watching the video, i'm liking this video based completely off the title

[@nannanya579]

i'm halfway through the trial and loving it so far. would love to hear ur thoughts on it!!

[@misstonix]

you having 16 books on your Goodreads currently reading is so chaotic lmao. also love that you follow Belletrist ♥

[@DamianNoszkowicz]

I’m sure somebody has pointed it out already but in The Virgin Suicides their surname is Lisbon, they live in Michigan.😘, not Portugal. A very tiny mistake and I blame it on the jet lag! I’m sorry, I hate pointing out things like that but I love this book and I am sure you’ll love it to do I hope you won’t mind me straightening this little fact! I’m curious to know your thoughts after reading this book because I read it two years ago and I still think about it on regular basis! Greetings (or should I say ‘Bises’) from Paris! 😊

[@balatoo]

Regarding the Invisible Man: I feel like many people don't realise that the purpose of a canon is to collect pieces of literature, that many people think (!) are valuable for every reader, not to dismiss any person, who has not read one book of this - to be honest - sometimes quite arbitrary list (which also can very much vary from person to person), as "illiterate" or stupid. Using the term "canon" in that way is more ignorant than not reading a book from it in my opinion.

[@aliciasanchez6981]

Hey Jack!! Great video as always, i have a question tho, have you already read Young mungo? I saw you posting a tik tok about it but i don't think i've seen you talking about it here on yt and i really want to know your opinion on It since i recently got it

[@laurenschenck5355]

I need to read tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow sounds interesting ❤

[@bellaella8240]

Jack!!! You need to read this book called “words in Deep blue” by Cath Crowley it was the book that ignited my love of reading it’s my escapism those pages have been read and reread over and over the years

[@gogirl709]

You seem extremely educated and well read. Who cares what other people think? Read what you want to read. It is our good luck that you choose to make a KZbin video about it

[@yuijo2772]

Any chance Jack will read any Albanian Literature??? If yes, I would suggest Broken April, The General of the Dead Army, etc.

[@SarahSmith-mc9wk]

I loved Lucy by the Sea. Elizabeth Strout is a wonderful author! Enjoy!!

[@plswatchinfinitytrain]

Your puns are the best 👌 title made me gol (=giggle out loud)

[@silkysmoothstoat]

your comment made me col (chuckle out loud) 😭

[@plswatchinfinitytrain]

@@silkysmoothstoat hehe smart reply

[@s.y.k.a1912]

Speaking of The Virgin S*icides, I'm currently reading one right now! I have a love-hate relationship relationship with the writing style, since it's very male gaze-y but I'm trying to keep an open mind while reading so😄

[@CatianaKeys]

Honestly, I need a list of book one ought to have read, because my gaps must be the size of galaxies..

[@msellenandrea]

Every time you have a Squarespace ad I just have to go look at my analytics 😂 (for anyone wondering, yes,squarespace is as amazing as it sounds!)

[@zohalarbabzada9654]

The Trial is a great book save for one chapter! XD

[@tataigantait4913]

A new subscriber and supporter and a book lover from India 🇮🇳... Lots of love and best wishes.... Looking forward to you... 😇😇

[@jessicaronald8971]

Hey Jack! Love your channel, and I always come here before I buy books and based on what I've learnt, I feel like you're gonna love Nightbitch! I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope you will too! Please keep making videos and don't worry about trolls. Like Taylor said, Haters gonna hate, shake it off.

[@lauradone9232]

Not the Portuguese Lisbon girls hahahahaha! Jack 😂😂

[@lamandabaucom4721]

Off topic, I love your haircut! ☺️

[@andird.03]

I was so focused on what Jack was saying that for half the video I hadn't noticed the image of the Virgen de Guadalupe on the background hahaha Guess it just shows how much I love being mexican.

[@einfachtot6017]

Just finished the book I was reading ( The Ship we build) and my bro Jack drops a vid

[@safaiaryu12]

That TikToker doesn't care, they just wanted their 15 seconds of fame by making a callout post on someone famous, and they probably never thought of you again, lol. Your fans know better. I do need to read that book, though, I know it's super important and I just haven't gotten to it yet. Been reading more lighthearted stuff lately, but it's time to plunge into important books again. I do need to get to Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow as well. As someone with chronic illness/disability and a love of video games, I think it's going to hit hard.

[@ElinWinblad]

The virgin suicides was a lovely film (if one can be called that that has suicides 😢) had I known there was a book I would have read that first