new favourite books, epic fantasy & japanese lit 🌟 books i recently read

[@absurdwzrd72]

When the world needed her most she returned

[@veronika4870]

yesss

[@mohammedzawia1054]

she won't let you hit lil bro

[@djmohabbatt]

ive been avoiding youtube considering it's disappointing algorithm - horrid recommendations and shorts designed by tiktok and instagram's scrolling design principles, trapping us in endless, mind-numbing loops - but i never fail to feel a sense of joy with every notification i receive from your channel. thank you!

[@sangermade]

​@@EttaPotomouswhich one, please?

[@janiabunao]

just a tip! but you can modify your algorithm by clicking "not interested" or "don't recommend channel" on videos or channels you don't like

[@djmohabbatt]

@@EttaPotomous i do the same yet my phone ends up taking its place. it's mostly a me problem but thankfully im past that now.

[@djmohabbatt]

@@janiabunao hey, thank you! i do that often yet somehow something gets on my feed to disrupt all :(

[@kriseaf]

@@sangermade I used Ublock Origin, but there's a few. :)

[@zofia4334]

timestamps ✨ • crudo by olivia liang 3:11 • just for the summer by abby jimenez 5:28 • fascism: a graphic guide 8:17 • six scorched roses by carissa broadbent 10:09 • all about love by bell hooks 12:23 • funny story by emily henry 16:09 • the will of the many by james islington 19:42 • the forest brims over by maru ayase 24:46 • the right to sex by amia srinivasan 29:27 also mentioned • the patriarchs by angela saini 33:31 • the bone shard daughter by andrea stewart 33:53

[@jjoker_m]

you're an angel

[@TheBeatlesToday]

I know you have a large American audience, but it made me chuckle that Book of the Month gave you, a Dutch woman in the Netherlands, the promo code TURKEY. 😂

[@saram5659]

And i think she is vegetarian too 😅

[@sporitan]

and that you can't have Book of The Month outside the US haha!

[@pandorra.]

@@sporitan THIS! :D me instantly googling "book of the month finally available in europe"

[@karybooks]

@@sporitan seriously :O I've been wanting to subscribe for many months now, but I'm in Canada. RIP ?

[@tjfmd]

@@karybooks book of the month has been available in Canada for over a year now. it's more expensive here but it is here.

[@fluvius.magnus]

literally just open youtube what a gift!!

[@fluvius.magnus]

opened* :P

[@PAM-404]

oh same my friend

[@ricarda4787]

Same

[@dobetterwithchristian4472]

Im reading all about love and I keep having to take breaks. It's amazing how we dismiss love as a concept and deride it when it truly hold the world together. Makes sense why a lot of it seems to be falling apart.

[@Be-ee-e]

Oh what sorts of love books did you read?

[@ArtofLaurenGlenn]

Leonie, your channel and videos are the definition of a literal cup of tea! I always feel so cosy while watching, and the warmth stays with me longer after I’ve finished watching. I love hearing your opinions on books, and I always get so many good recommendations! Thank you :)

[@2youstories]

that ghibli merch 😭😭😭 glad you're back!! 🩷

[@colpodifulmine8464]

With Leonie and Hannah uploading new videos, i am fed🫠🤝🏻🩷

[@nooneeey]

Who is Hannah?

[@aditibisht22]

hannah is my favvvv

[@aditibisht22]

@@nooneeey a clockwork reader

[@Kafia_]

😊 Indeed 😊

[@julies-comfort-place]

I finished series The Folk of the Air in october and it was *cheff's kiss*. I read it mostly because of you so big thank you. 🤗❤️❤️

[@kaizen2049]

Welcome back Leo ❤❤❤ we missed you

[@tayxolly9871]

My favorite book i read in the past month is piranesi! It's motivated me to read the authors other work, Jonathan strange and mr morrel, even if it's like 1000 pages lol

[@TJ-vy3zx]

I went and got that on a whim a few months back because I saw it mentioned on a random reddit thread, stayed up late into the night reading it. Was very engaged by the concept. I also found the Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins that way, which I class in the same genre of "fantasy-adjacent". Strange but enjoyable reads from both of them.

[@tayxolly9871]

@TJ-vy3zx ohh im glad to hear about mount char! It's on my tbr and I do love me a strange story

[@ochoheido]

I love hearing about books about the "cool kids"! It's so easy to find books about nerds because, well, books. I love seeing the other side

[@halliemeyer3490]

Her comment about the characters in Just for the Summer being the cool kids really confused me. *spoiler warning* The female main character grew up in foster care because her mom just left her home alone for weeks with no food when she was 8 years old. The book talks a lot about her dealing with her mentally ill mother. Although, I wouldn’t consider her a nerd, she is definitely not a cool kid in my opinion.

[@wheresoeverugo]

​@@halliemeyer3490 Absolutely agree! Not only was she far from being a cool kid but also she was actually bullied by other kids and laughed at (because of her clothes, appearance, and because she even had head lice once)

[@Thatonesitcom]

Leonie's hair looks amazing✨✨

[@MarcelleLeiturasPreguicosas]

I think Just for the Summer is the best Abby Jimenez book so far, I liked the mental struggle aspect for the main gal, and the family stuff going of for the main guy, but if a reader can't connect to the characters I get why they would give a 2 stars. I loved Will of the Many, and despise the first 200 pages are indeed as you said, I ate up that world building and the roots for why the main guy has to go to the school. The ending is so UUUGH I NEED THE NEXT BOOK, and it's been a long time since I got this anxious for a sequel.

[@sydneybarker1489]

I agree with JFTS! It’s my favorite romance book, ever.

[@dhruvmogha963]

Yay gurl is backkkkkk!?!!! 🎉🎉❤❤and the hair!! Love it ❤❤

[@chocolateoreo6489]

Aw your hair is so stunning❤ I’m sending you love, no more reading slumps in the foreseeable future, and a cozy fall/winter season (:

[@hayleyemma7953]

Leonie is back!! Im glad you got to enjoy a long break but also selfishly, I'm happy you're back 😂

[@luasganzerla]

nick and jess vibe is really all i need to know to pick up this book

[@dragonfly5339]

I would really love a video on reading in a foreign language. English is not my first language, and although I speak English and even study in English, I never enjoyed reading (or watching movies) in English because it felt like a task. What was the journey like for you, and how does it feel to then read in your native language again? I'm really happy you are back ❤

[@maika0395]

Interesting idea! Just a thought: we non- English native speakers shouldn't feel pressured to read (mostly) in English. Most of the huge booktube channels are by native English speakers and most of them don't read in any other language. Then again: reading in English has the advantage of not having to wait for a translation (that may never come) and sometimes it's about the beauty of language. I think, in the end, it's a question of building a habit and getting more comfortable with time with reading in a foreign language 😊

[@gomboc_30]

I, a native German speaker, have actually prefered reading books in english for quite some time now, mainly bc most of the books I read are originally written in English (booktube and bookstagram has done it's job ig), and I frankly like the habit of reading originals instead of their translations. It was a bit challenging at first, I can't deny, but actually it became pretty much natural meanwhile and when I eventually did pick up a german book again, it even felt a little awkward lol. Maybe this is only my experience, but it's definitely worth a try to get into reading books in English, you might get the hang of it quicker than you'd expect.

[@user-rh4mu5zm3o]

ahh the way you talk about the books makes it so interisting!!

[@chigangrel]

loving the hair! some of these books are on my tbr, which I'm working through slowly. I'm always impressed and curious about the people who can read like 8 books in a month. I cannot do that at my best, let alone if I'm going through something or work is busy! Just reading anything is an accomplishment. I'm at 83 books of my 75 book goal for the year though, which is my best in a long, long time! Hard to pick a favorite because I'm a generous reviewer and generally good at picking books I know I like, which means I mostly rate 4 and 5 stars lol But there were a few that surprised me with how good they were, after not knowing what to expect: The Dead Cat Tail Assassin's by P Djeli Clark , We Kept Her in the Cellar by WR Gorman, Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson, This Girl's a Killer by Emma C. Wells, The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett, Never Whistle at Night, the entire Tales From the Gas Station series... lots of bangers this year! Been on a graphic novel kick lately, particularly cute autumnal comics, and loved Sheets, Garlic and the Vampire, and Seance Tea Party as well!

[@kb32021]

Casually mentioning a 3-week trip to Japan (I used to live there!) then moving on, slay 😅 So happy to have you back, and hope to see some content of your trip if you wish to share soon! 🥰

[@soupy_soup2]

The book about fascism sure is topical now that we’ve reelected a wannabe dictator. I do not want to think about the fact that the US (and most of the world tbh) is falling hard into fascism. So good on you for being able to stomach a book about fascism

[@maika0395]

We absolutely have the right to feel disappointed, sad, desperate etc. But we should also prepare ourselves for what might be coming. Books I would recommend (if one can deal with it right now): How democracies die by Ziblatt/ Levitsky On tyranny by Timothy Snyder Strongmen Anne applebaum's books/ articles/ essays

[@jasminelillis5049]

I recommend the Te of Piglet by Hoffman. He also wrote the Tao of Pooh, but in the sequel, he looks at how Piglet displays the kind of courage for living that is admirable and Daoist in nature.

[@rom.na005]

I spent the whole time you talked about "the will of the many" trying to remember how I used to say hierarchical! The pronounciation just left my brain😂

[@janveeshekhawat13]

Was rewatching all your videos today and wondered how and where have you been. Your last post was literally 4 weeks ago! Can’t wait to watch it now Lots of love ♥️

[@morph3e8]

She's back people !!

[@catteixeira18]

Welcome back Leonie, we missed you!!

[@Ivanna051198]

I’ve been longing for your comments on “The will of the many” and now I’m ready to start reading it ✨

[@viviannagy3901]

I literally said "yaaay" out loud when I saw the notification that you posted a new video! Thank you for making my day better ❤

[@snehapradhan5591]

Watching this reminded me of how much i lovw your channel and the sense of happiness i get ❤

[@Giuliasaintx]

the only notification that i have on is yt because of your videos! so happy to have you back and happy to hear that your trip went well!

[@jasminesotres7985]

Yours truly - Abby Jimendez. Highly recommend. I heard mixed reviews on Just for the summer and glad I read this one instead.

[@bookum]

Glad to see you back and glad you had a great trip! Yes bell hooks is an amazing writer!

[@martipujals]

im so loving dracula these days

[@kimiasbooknook]

Ok, that calcifer candle is to die for!! Just for the summer is one of my fave reads this year too, it was one of those books that I didn't expect to enjoy it that much, but I ended up loving it 😊

[@eleni777]

i have been literally contemplating about bying all about love for a week now and then you posted this recommending it so i take it as a sign

[@williamwayne4043]

24:18 I think I know what she means here. Since there is one point in the book where the MC accidently ends up having to duel a world champ sword master. But then its revealed at that moment that MC also happens to be world class. XD

[@marvinb_g]

Thanks for all of your recommendations, Leonie! You‘re the best. I‘m really hyped for and looking forward to gift the book about hierarchy to a dear friend. All about love also just sounds divine - I love the approach of placing value on human connection as a whole and cutting out as much pressure as possible in the process.

[@pallavikrishnan8660]

Theerreee....our comfort booktube girlie is back❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@robiu013]

i like the mug matching the sweater

[@ARMY_ksoo]

Man!! I really got my hope up that BoTM was now available in Europe 😭 I cry

[@simronparida5144]

Those 200 pages were such bomb, that’s the best thing about the book. Everything was imperative to the broader picture. 😭😭

[@laradadic908]

So happy you are back! And also when you talked about the reading slump after moving I felt that... I've been the same for past 2 months (basically since I moved too), plus reading some books that just didn't hit didn't help at all.. so jealous of your trip to Japan but im very glad you had a lovely time 🥰❤

[@Rieboppers]

My husband called The Will of the Many “Harry Potter Hunger Games.” Lol! We both thought it was good but it wasn’t as great as social media made me think it would be.

[@jellyphishin7001]

I read Perfume in October because of you, thank you so much for the recommendation, I loved it

[@whoatemychocolate]

1:10 I would love to discover new books, but BOTM doesn't ship to Europe 😑 (except to youtubers, apparently)

[@Elitearcherrr]

Welcome backkk! Thank goodness, I needed this. Your hair is AMAZING

[@nikanokoi]

You're mentioning that you like romances between two people who don't fit in, so I wanted to recommend Paladin's grace by T Kingfisher, it's exactly that. I thought it was very good!

[@FATIMA-pe2fz]

just for the summer is my first romance book that i loveeeeddd

[@najawin8348]

Ah. So, if the ending of _Will of the Many_ piqued your interest, I'd *highly* recommend Islington's previous series, Licanius. (I actually found WotM to be fairly boring until the ending, but it reminded me so much of _Licanius_ that I became very interested in the next book.)

[@cheskamuncada4016]

I'm just so happy that there's another book fellow that appreciates and loves all about love by bell hooks. I have a one-sided beef (affectionate) with that book, honestly. It urged me to face and acknowledged the things I thought I've healed from.

[@nathandre3442]

I really enjoy Funny Story not every Emily Henry book work for me but this one was good. I would recommend Mhairi McFarlane books it's one of Emily Henry influences in her writing. McFarlane book are more about friendships and family than romance and not spice.

[@michaelsommers2356]

I'm glad you're back. You have been missed.

[@sheyeet2244]

Your channel is still so cozy

[@emideminerva]

your new haircolour (and haircut) is so beautifulllll, I love ittt

[@millieb3823]

Wasnt going to pick up funny story, but Nick and Jess vibe has won me over ahah to the tbr it goes!

[@Katt_Dubbs]

I LOVE Will of the Many and read it probably when it had less than 10,000 reviews on GoodReads. I agree that it took too long for Vis to get to the University, BUT WHEN HE DID. It was 5/5 stars for me!

[@wazzy09]

I loved reading Where the Dark Stands Still! I really recommend it if you like your fantasy to be a bit darker (plus the Polish folklore in this was so interesting to read about)

[@taheramaheshafaque2305]

I hope you will post a vlog of your japan trip🎀

[@veronika4870]

She's back! Yes! We missed you ^^

[@Feyenoord101]

13:00 another book of bell books that I would highly recommend is- ain’t I a woman. It talks about the history of black women’s treatment and how black women were traditionally not included in any feminist endeavours. I M south Asian and loved reading this perspective

[@bethd8826]

Would love a video from you about your thoughts on audiobooks vs regular books (like your e-reader video) and some audiobook recommendations ❤️

[@misuko1792]

I missed watching these vids. Good to have you back

[@angelaaura4113]

One of my favorite books I read this year was A Song of Sin and Salvation, it was so good! It's a romance set in the 80's. It touches on a lot of serious topics in a very spot-on way.

[@evanurse9078]

she's back! love the hair

[@bbh0lysh1t]

would love to see bookish vlogs or something from ya leonie ♥️

[@sydverse127]

so happy to see you back!!! wanted to recommend a new release to you that was seriously probably in my top 3 books of the year, which was Dont Let the Forest In by CG Drews. i think it's definitely up your alley and would really enjoy it!!!

[@remem95]

Something to watch while getting my todolist back in order 😊 these are always so cozy

[@marina-gb6jz]

When you were describing that Japanese book, I kept thinking about Kobo Abe. He's also a Japanese writer and his books are also really weird but so fun to read. Very philosophical, very abstract and strange, but very much about searching your own individuality and identity. If you're interested in that kind of a thing, I'd suggest "The Woman in the Dunes", "The Box Man" and "The Face of Another"

[@VladimirYermolayev]

I never belive ebook can help me, but after buying one from wisdom bookshelf i actually learned great stuff from there

[@annadurbanova1864]

Leonie, how did you get the book of the month? On the website, they only ship to the Canada and USA but not Europe

[@luiiiandmovieee]

I listened to The Bone Shard Daughter audiobook at the end of last year and I absolutely loved it! The fantasy aspect was so original and I especially loved Lin as a character. I think the first one is the best of the trilogy

[@AnaCarueLivros]

I almost never comment on your videos but I'm so happy you liked 'funny story' (I feel like your taste in books is a bit different from mine and I take so many good book recommendations from your channel) and I can't waaaait to read 'the will of the many' I loved 'funny story' and the scorched roses one (I always forget this book's name)

[@NonAnonD]

booktube is saved

[@gabrielatoka147]

I asked this question before, but it might have got lost in the comment section, so I'll ask once more 😅 How do you get Book of the Month to Europe? I wanted to become a member, but as far as I know, their shippment only includes US... How to get over that issue?

[@MinMin-kq2zn]

The most magical place on KZbin ✨✨✨

[@JosephFuller]

I re-read 'Salem's Lot over the Holloween season. I timed it as an interlude between books four and five of the Dark Tower series. I loved it, it was very atmospheric and nearly made me believe in vampires. It also inspired me to pick the pen back up and continue working on my un-fiction short story about a New England vampire epidemic set in 1855 from the perspective of freed and escaped slaves that end up becoming the scapegoats for an outbreak of Consumption, or are the vampires real after-all?

[@CosmicSinger1]

My favorite most recent read was Our Wives Under the sea by Julia Armfield. It's a very atmospheric horror novel that illuminates loss and grief in its various stages

[@vaindesi]

Just wanted to pop in to say glad you liked The Forest Brims Over. I loved it and it's too bad that not enough people have been talking about it. I just hope more of her books get translated, it was a welcome change from the usual trend in Japanese translated literature.

[@kaytee6863]

How are you able to get book of the month? If i try tp order on the webiste it says shipöing obly available to canada and us

[@genowefatrabka2046]

The Bone Shard Dauther is one of best fantasy books that I read in years. Currently I'm reading third book, and it is tense. Author asks very complicated question about power, characters are morally grey... I think this book is very, very underrated.

[@mariboechat11]

leoni, you should most definitely read “women, race and class” by angela davis! i think you would really like this one

[@Ms.SpookyNerd]

Great wrap up. Japan is such a fun country i always wanted to visit.📚☕

[@sweetForgiveness]

your hair is perfection 😍😍

[@Legoblokje35]

How do you get book of the month delivered? I thought it didn’t ship to the Netherlands 😢

[@TheAlobear]

I enjoyed listening to The Teller of Small Fortunes recently - it's a bit episodic and very weird in places, but also very cute and wholesome. I also really enjoyed The Will of the Many overall - though I'm annoyed it's going to be so long before we get to find out what happens next!

[@ladansemakabre]

i DNF'ed The Will of the Many bc the MC is a huge Gary Stu and i can't stand him 😂😂 really appreciate your honest reviews

[@viivi4196]

your hair looks so pretty!!

[@catsandbats77]

I'm so glad you got to go to Japan. I love it there. I went there in October last year and again in June this year and I'd go back again in a heartbeat. 😂 I'll have to read When the Forest Brims Over. Your Calcifer is so cute.

[@whoatemychocolate]

Also, love the new hair color! I was super confused when your video popped up on my recommended page, though 😂 ETA: I also just read Uprooted by Naomi Novik, because it was an employee recommendation at the store and I remembered Leonie talking about it, and I love it!!!

[@bryce7417]

If you liked Will of the Many, I'd recommend warbreaker. Shorter and there's a little more struggle with some fun political intrigue. Anything sanderson is really fun

[@terithomas4879]

Funny Story and Book Lovers are my two favorite Emily Henry books also! ❤

[@lounaguez5279]

Omg finnnaaaallly a new post, i was thinking of you just yesterday 😂

[@brittblank1852]

You may enjoy another book by Bell Hooks: Salvation ! It's also a collection of works/talks about love and self-love, but from the lens of Black people who have been taught by White Imperialism to *not love themselves. Her writing helps the reader empathize with a group of people that have been portrayed a certain way by the media and selective (White) history. Ultimately, loving others and loving ourselves is the only path toward a more safe and just world - it oozes optimism, empathy and hope and it's just wonderful.

[@Xenon-du4me]

The Forest Brims Over but it sounds like such a wonderful book. Thank you for sharing :) I would like to recommend Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. Sayaka Murata's books often raise interesting questions about humanities by dissecting a character's life. The angle she takes is somehow similar to The Forest Brims Over and I think you will like it!

[@NemuiDoraneko]

Speaking of - "Weird, not fitting into society, finding comfort in each other"-romance: I wonder if you'd (or anyone else who feels the same) like "Keeper of enchanted rooms" by C.N. Holmberg. I'd describe it as magic + romance + 1840s + strong female characters + complex feelings ish. I found it randomly and thought it would be easygoing romantasy, but it was much more than that.

[@vincent_2232]

If you love bell hooks or eye opening essays PLEASE read ‘The Will to Change’ by bell hooks. It is hooks at her best it’s an immediate 10/10 and I think it’s by far one of the most thorough, accurate, and timeless analyses on modern masculinity!

[@poppycalliope]

THE BEST video to end my day with 📖💌