Bella Thorne's Book is BAD... and I Kinda Like It

[@maxmorris5569]

Despite Oatmeal's love of poetry, the love in her heart consumed her and she could no longer stop herself. She had to make a video praising her one true love Bella Thorne's poetry book. She chanted her mantra to herself "I love the way she say that pu$$¥ mine, I work that pu$$¥ out like nine to five" and then got to work.

[@crunchy4879]

oatmeal hahahah this comment is great

[@atinyevil1383]

Thornemeal is the only real ship there is other than Kyra X Ball.

[@loujohnson3735]

'You don't see Bella Thorne out there, lecturing about what a World class poet she is' Oh the shade 😂

[@kkstars369]

Who does?

[@lll25149]

Gabbie can’t relate💀

[@trasshboat]

this really feels more like a diary than a book of poetry, which i think is why it works so well? like she's clearly writing for herself and to herself, so it's unpolished and messy just like a private diary would be and i think its really powerful to release something like this. i'm glad to see you enjoy one of these influencer books for once lol it's definitely a surprise to see one that isn't synthetic/lazy

[@mmellifluouss]

“This is objectively awful but there’s something strangely endearing…” This is my minimum goal for all things in life, including my writing lmao :p

[@MossSolarisBright]

So true tho

[@echobean5222]

"Skill be damned, she'll do it anyway" Honestly, if that isn't the goal

[@luhei2230]

I wouldn't even say her drawings lack skill. Skill in drawing isn't necessarily about drawing the things in their original Proportion and with clear lines. I honestly don't think they would be better if they were more polished. Those quick and wild lines are what makes them feel so alive. Getting a viewer to realy look at a picture, think about it and not just glance over it is a much underrated skill.

[@RachelOates]

Really great points! :)

[@astererratum6546]

Yeah, there are a couple famous artist that have a similar style to what was shown. Especially in post modern (I'm not an art major. I am an artist, though I never really went to school). Still it's such a nice book. I'd definitely get that book. It's just seems so idk. I wouldn't even call it bad. I love this style so much. Wish it was used more often. The cover also reminds me of lemony snicket's.

[@xxxSpaceOwlxxx]

A part of artistic skill is understanding the "rules" so you know how breaking conveys things. This gose for a lot of stuff such as story writings. What comes to mind for me is building a poem with a two stanza structure and breaking it to a one, when done right can get strong feelings across and sometimes you don't mean to do it but do and it just works but it is also a skill that can be learned so I say it most of the time it is a skill that has to be learned but I think some peolpe are able to just create things and in it with emotion.

[@mikaylamcfadden7866]

I think a good point about her spelling mistakes/typos is that she has dyslexia(anyone else remember those cringey videos about it lol). I feel that she wanted to publish as is, which includes her difficulties with words and writing. I would say this is more of a published journal which I appreciate

[@chelsea8736]

The section about the stream of consciousness about her SA and her experiences/emotions around that were very evocative emotionally, I thought. Definitely surprised by Bella, I appreciate the creativity that went into her book. I appreciate that it seems parts of herself really went into creating what she did, very cool of her.

[@Aelffwynn]

I agree. I feel an odd kinship to her. I didn't watch her on Disney at all, so I only know the angry, impulsive Bella. She's going through delayed adolescence and trauma. That doesn't excuse any hurtful behavior from her, but for the most part I fucking get it. Good for her.

[@tinnagigja3723]

As someone who's desperately trying to art, I invariably find myself happier with random things I find/make than with things I've put an effort into. Like bits of corroded metal, or the splotches on the palette after I've spent hours painting something that looks like garbage. I'd say art is in the eye of the beholder.

[@Eleanore.Rigbyy]

The poem written about SA hit home with me. Sitting down at a typewriter and typing out my thoughts is exactly how I worked through my emotions when I was r@ped. It feels different because I don’t think Bella sat down and said “right, so I’m going to write a book. Let’s sit down and do this” I think she genuinely wrote a lot of this for herself and later realized that she wanted to make a book out of it

[@awesomelegion9950]

I'm so sorry that such an awful thing happened to you.

[@icravedeath.1200]

That's exactly what I feel like doing (although, as a man, I fear the response).

[@Eleanore.Rigbyy]

@@icravedeath.1200 I’m sorry that you fear the response but no one needs to see the stuff you type. Get a cheap electric typewriter and just get your thoughts out. I actually did deliver 2 sets of letters to my abuser + the “friend” who took me to the party and didn’t believe me when I told her

[@icravedeath.1200]

@@Eleanore.Rigbyy I just think that it's kinda fucked up that nobody is helping dismantle the different stigma that male SA victims face.

[@icravedeath.1200]

@@Eleanore.Rigbyy I'm still not ready to do it.

[@annalupton9284]

"you don't see bella out there, lecturing about what a world class poet she is" RACHEL DIDNT JUST THROW SHADE SHE THREW THE WHOLE TREE

[@annabeinglazy5580]

I actually really appreciate someone who's aware theyre Not the next Shakespeare but who are going to create sth anyway. There can be so much energy in Just having fun and doing sth that you enioy, even when the end result isnt objectively good. I think it can be encouraging. The issues only start when someone Puts Out sth lazy or Not so great but is CONVINCED they are the pinnacle of literature and willing to die on that hill.

[@vaddlliinz3338]

The fact that you seem so happy and cheery in this video makes me smile :DD

[@Eleanore.Rigbyy]

This is kind of a silly and goofy comparison but when you were speaking on “how much does skill and intention matter in art?” It brought back a scene in spongebob (stay with me here) where squidward is trying to teach spongebob how to be an artist. In this scene you can tell squidward has a lot of classical training, he has passion and intent. However all his pieces of art fall flat when compared to spongebob. And I think that’s actually the answer. It doesn’t matter how much classical training, technical skill, passion, time or intention you put into something. Some things still turn out as crap, where as other people can sit down and make a piece of art while putting in so much less effort. It’s frustrating and sad, but sometimes that’s just the truth of it

[@ghostie7660]

having gone through sexual assault and depression, a lot of what she's writing pretty perfectly described how I've felt for huge parts of my life

[@gogogadgetabby]

I feel like you can tell she's been through a lot. Maybe more than she will ever share with the public. I honestly don't like her, but can see she's someone with a lot of layers.

[@kimseung-ri1060]

I also really liked how she kept her spelling mistakes since she actually has dyslexia. It feels all the more authentic and raw. Also i really feel for her. I think people really never understood her, always looked down upon like the crazy ex disney star trainwreck and endlessly compared to zendaya. I studied psychology and people, especially women who have been through sexual assault or rape, will usually go down either route. They will close up, find it hard to trust anyone, usually go around very covered, always scared and alert and avoid sexual interactions for the most part. Then there is the other route that is thd one i think bella went down, and its the complete opposite to the other one; acting promiscuous, wearing very showing clothes, etc. Usually being the last one the most misunderstood.

[@georgiacurtis3931]

I'm not 100% sure but I think Bella is dyslexic, so that might explain her spelling mistakes etc. Also the quote from Zendaya at the end is so cute!!

[@sophieclare7636]

It may not be technically good, but the piece about SA hit me so hard I was in tears

[@atinyevil1383]

The fact that Rachel is two degrees of separation from the guy who made Salad Fingers blows my mind.

[@rainbowkrampus]

House of Leaves is the best book about books that exists. It'll basically ruin you for other attempts at breaking the typical format of books as they'll pale in comparison. That aside, I admire Thorne for accepting a book deal and throwing some diary/sketchbook pages in it. Kind of a "fuck you" to the whole concept. Though it is kinda hard to look past the cynicism of the whole endeavor.

[@CIMplycrazy]

That book remains the most impactful one I’ve read to date

[@ijucr2267]

Rachel oats made me love poetry

[@tomfondly5266]

That should be on a t-shirt

[@haliee]

@Pord Lartsa same here!

[@emmaevans5502]

Same!

[@aaloka7611]

her poem on s*xual assault i- i never thought i’d resonate with her at any point but that just made me feel like someone took my thoughts and put them on a page.

[@icravedeath.1200]

I'll want to make a film about a my experiences. (Although, being a man, I'm scared of the possible response).

[@Emma-hk4eb]

It may not be perfect, but I love how much personality it has. So many books seem to miss in that area, so it's nice to see someone be unapologetically herself

[@amanday3103]

I like the idea of something not very polished. I love journaling but I could never be a writer because the editing process can be so soul crushing. Sometimes I just want to share my thoughts with people w/o going over it again and again to make it as palatable or concise or entertaining as possible for others.

[@cfadeathfries]

One of the hardest things about writing poetry while in a very emotional state is that whenever the emotional state is over, there's probably going to be at least a couple things about it that you don't like. However, trying to edit a piece written in a specific mindset while in a very different mindset is incredibly difficult, and even if you have alot of practice can often lead to a slight dissonance in tone. Personally I like poetry and just art in general that might be a little more messy and less polished than other pieces, but also contain so much raw emotion and passion in them. Oftentimes the reason I don't connect to more polished and carefully edited poems is that even when they're emotionally powerful, the emotions seem much more carefully expressed and thoughtfully put out, and one of the most appealing things about art to me is the ability to get lost in the emotions and mindset that the art puts forward.

[@mse90]

I'm not sure why I find the fact that you have no idea who Jessica Chastain is strangely endearing, but I do. 😄 Looking at the screenshots you showed, the way a lot of Bella's writing is spaced really does seem interesting, and even if it's not polished, it feels both intentional and authentic. I can definitely see how this could be a strangely enjoyable read.

[@lillireadssometimes6232]

This book is so intriguing to me. I think it is because of how raw it is and it almost feels like reading a very personal journal or diary. Might have to pick this one up

[@bardic_grin]

"It is a book of some description" is my favorite line. 😄

[@ravenseth9288]

If you liked the way the poetry was laid out you might enjoy visual poetry, which is essentially poetry and mixed media and art and experimentation and words all mixed together to make really lovely pieces. House of Leaves is an *amazing* read. 100% reccomend, as unimportant as my opinion is. Very much a you love it or you hate it book though. Great video!

[@sammartin913]

She's dyslexic, and I kind of feel like the wild nature of this book with the crooked words and spelling errors and random shit may be kind of a way of coming to terms with that

[@ginger_nspice]

I think that with or without the artist's intention it can still be considered art; but complexity and/or depth is still important if intention is lacking. So I can dissect it and find my own meaning.

[@okestperson6016]

I took an art humanities class where we learned about this guy Duchamp. Basically this art museum was holding a gallery where anyone could submit a work because the museum wanted to see art outside of the “normal”- something new. So Duchamp (an actually famous artist) went to the store, bought a urinal, signed his name on it and submitted the work anonymously. The museum didn’t even display it because it was too crass, even experimental is what they were looking for. His critics said it wasn’t art. Duchamp said that art has no objectively measurable value- art is inherently priceless because the artist says it is art. Art becomes art because the artist claims it as so That being said, art should still be criticized, but there is no way to say that an artwork isn’t art

[@jaash7981]

Between this and The Lyrical Genius of Bella Thorne, Rachel is giving me more reasons to unironically like her artistry. edit: cunt rag is an amazing insult and I'm stealing it

[@Axolotls677]

Always excited for your book reviews

[@DaalMakhani]

i also actually thought that this was not that bad. And I kinda understood her perspective for throwing in those one-liner "quotes" like that cunt rag one (it shocked me too actually). I think it ties the whole thing pretty nicely. Bella is an insecure person and she talks about her insecurities in a bunch of "poems". So, whenever there's a poem where she gives the readers an in-depth look into her thoughts, she gets insecure and then throws in a couple of cuss-wordy weird quotes to play it all as 'haha'. A lot of people who are insecure about having to talk about their feelings do that in real life too like sending an LOL after saying something dark, depressing or meaningful. I don't know if it was intentional or not but this was not that bad of a book. It seems pretty well thought-out. And it was definitely not boring at all. I'd even say it was more enjoyable than NYT Bestseller Milk & Honey.

[@yukismith4518]

not related to the book, but I just love when Kyra shows up. So cute and wanting all the pets. My heart....

[@gracebevill]

Kyra's little snuffles :')

[@theferociousblue3945]

Don't have time to watch all of this right now, but I must say, I agree with everything Kyra said.

[@katstar4551]

I think one of the most beautiful things about art is that the way it makes its emotional impact (spacing in drawing, poetic techniques, etc.) Not that practice and intention doesn't make your impact greater. But the reason certain poetic techniques work so well is that they just... make sense? if that makes sense. Lol. But I mean, you don't need a literature degree to read a well-written poem and feel that emotional impact. And in the same way, you don't need to fully understand poetic technique in order to use, because it makes sense to people naturally.

[@Arlothed1no]

Her poems that talk more about the serious topics are actually kind of comforting in a way. People are taught to hide their emotions and I think her very open writing style kinda feels comforting to know that people who experienced trauma will have weird thoughts about the trauma and that can happen and that's normal.

[@Frey_2026]

"Jessica Chastain whoever that is" Rachel, it's Jessica Chastain

[@delfs9103]

I think you end up reading her book, and loving her. It's her in words. You just can't help but to love her.

[@mak3960]

I would love to find a copy of that book. It sounds like a fun read. Also I think it helps that she didn’t market it as poetry?

[@UnmedicatedWaters]

“Jessica Chastain, whoever that is” 😤 one of our finest American actors good ma’am lol

[@isabelamoschkovich3208]

I'd say embracing the raw, spontaneous art is an important part of the long term process of refining your abilities and experience. So for me it's less about working tirelessly on a specific piece and more about allowing every work their chance to become something or not. I',be written a lot of songs that I don't particularly like, others that I love, some I want to be simple, others I work for months to make it the way I imagine!

[@Astoria88]

I brought this book when it was first released. I must say I’m slightly biased as a fan of Bella but this book resonated with me in a way I cannot explain. I’ve read it back to front over 10 times and I think that says enough. -Also, the artwork was actually done by her boyfriend at the time ModSun

[@karaleigh_eva]

Jfc I came to watch this video to escape from my inner turmoil regarding self blame and SA and Bella thorn just articulated all of it for me

[@icravedeath.1200]

I want to try making a short film about my experiences, but, being a man, I'm scared of the possible response to it.

[@SoVidushi]

Finished the video and it was really entertaining and informative, thanks for another banger Rachel!

[@acrylicincolour]

Kyra's noises and snorts vastly improve an already excellent video

[@joana6020]

love your channel so much! always nice to see books that are unapologetic about what they are. don't know if you have any interest in it but theres an amazing community of people who are bookbinding fanfics! think it be an interesting topic. excited for the next video!

[@angelathemoment]

I don't if somebody else has commented it, but Bella has dyslexia, which I think it's the reason of the typos. It's just literrally the way she thinks, unedited, not corrected, not even grammaticly.

[@SoVidushi]

Here during the premiere, really enjoying the video and you look amazing!!

[@ijucr2267]

20:34 the Marilyn Manson quote lol

[@nathanflores1974]

Go off Bella I actually liked all of the examples Rachel has given and Im very picky with poetry including my own 😭

[@SAVYWRITESBOOKS]

this poetry feels surrealist af & it's making me laugh so hard lol

[@annasutton4029]

I’m actually intrigued enough to consider buying this - in the past I’ve ruined my own off-the-cuff poetry, rough ideas for sketches or depressed/disordered thoughts I’ve scribbled down just to get them out of my head by going back and trying to augment, edit, or smooth them over into something structured or cohesive. There’s a lot to be said for raw authenticity.

[@Alsira98]

Curious question: what breed is your dog? She’s so cute!

[@RachelOates]

She’s a Staffordshire Bull Terrier :)

[@msc2608]

wow this book reminds me of 2 ya series(?) i used to read in primary school, i forget the names(and i read translated version) but they kinda has the same style/format. i think one is a detective fiction where the book has a main context written by a knowledgeable professor or sth, on the blank spaces 2 people were exchanging notes and reader can collect information from 3 different narratives at the same time to discover the mystery of the author. i recognize another one as a more mean-girls time of product, it was written mostly in the first person narrative like this book, like a diary, and sometimes with the narrative of her best friend(?) i can barely recall books i read 10 years ago but this gives me so much nostalgia

[@laurenyaxon1990]

I absolutely love the yellow button shirt you are wearing! It's so colourful!!

[@cityman2312]

Ruby Gloom is really quite sugary. Salad Fingers inspires mild revulsion as well as the creeps. Can those two styles be reconciled?

[@MustAvoidScurvy]

10:55 Me thinking in that Simpson's episode in which Homer couldn't put together a grill in his garden and made an art piece instead 🤭

[@karaleigh_eva]

Something ive said in a discussion about art and intention with my boyfriend before is that emotional, passionate art can never fail. If your work is a raw representation of your emotions, your mental state, your experiences, whatever it may be. It can’t fail. It can never be right or wrong. In that way, I think it’s exempt from criticism. Because it’s so personal. I also think that lends to why we keep coming across writers like Bella and Trisha who absolutely should not be as good at writing as they are. Just because it’s all passion. The skill isn’t necessary in conveying emotion If you craft something with intention to accomplish something, to portray a certain feeling or theme or whatever it may be, there is a lot of room for failure. Yknow?

[@Diana-mu7pc]

I don't have a lot to add but I loved this review and your eye makeup and nails are so brilliant today :^)

[@parentingadabsurdum]

Her poems look like how I lay out a yoga flow to teach ❤️.

[@jilldurham5498]

I swear that dog has you rapped around her little paw. She is so incredibly sweet, gorgeous and I can't get enough of seeing your dog on film.

[@emmab4281]

I appreciate earnest poetry and writings the most of any art, and this feels like it might be one- you're actually made me want to buy this book!

[@ps1hagridoufofcharacter]

loved this. i saw on amazon that she wrote 3 other books. i dont know if they're poetry or not, but will you be making a video on them? i'd love to see that!

[@liyah5726]

Kyra is the main character.

[@flawedsanity]

I remember when this book first came out and I got a chance to read it. I went in with the lowest of expectations, but I ended up getting a lot more out of it than I had anticipated.

[@emmab4281]

I now own and read the book overnight! It certainly isn't excellent quality objectively, but I think it's my favourite book purchase this year actually. Thanks for the review! I wouldn't have known about this book overwise :)

[@avrynpristina4594]

rachel, I truly love your videos. It would bring me so much joy for you to talk about Taylor Swift's lyrical genius. Hate her or love her, her lyrical skills are unparalleled. It could even be like an evolution of so starting off from debut but literally, I would sell my arm and leg to see you talk about it! Tl:dr day 1 of asking rachel to talk about Taylor swift's lyrics

[@poppy9259]

My cat came and watched this with great interest (he's never done that before). I also loved the video - I think I enjoyed Bella's work as it felt more like a form of art even if not technically poetry.

[@j.lovaybroussard9840]

i like how when she described her experiences with SA and she said she was six years old she used three x's (sixxx), really clever.

[@darkwingduck1267]

This made me smile, I love seeing you enjoying the books you review ❤️

[@StephRosebud]

I really love your videos. Thank you for putting out such engaging and thoughtful content! ☺️🌸

[@haxel222]

Hey Rachel! Can you maybe do a video exploring the similarities and differences between Sylvia Plath's and Anne Sexton's poetry (and which one do you prefer?) or just confessional poetry in general. Thought it's totally up to you:)

[@emmelinesprig489]

i’ll take originality and authenticity over technical excellence any day. honestly almost tempted to find a used copy, i got inspired by the creativity and rawness of the excerpts

[@katyatimmer7281]

Omg!! Everyone has read House of leaves! I love it! I keep trying to read it but I don't know how to read it. I've tried twice and it just ends in frustrations.

[@TomNook.]

Salad Fingers was the best As a kid I was very cautious around ovens after watching it.

[@LPSSparkleDiamondsSapphire]

I absolutely adore Kyra’s little happy noises, such a sweet baby. ❤️❤️

[@marocat4749]

If she is brave enough leaving her deepenst personal scrable and thats her pure creative emotional vunerable gremlin energy, And selfaware. Thats fun. I can see someone saying, thats interesting,keep it that way. its more interesting that way. Plus in the being abused poem there, that is great. and deep. And emotional. Maybe the book is that likable becaue it has a raw real reason to exist. And identity. A proud identity thats emotional. I think thats the diference between a passion projct and a vanity project, former has a reason to exist rardless how good it actually gets. Like why doe this exist? It that chaotic person reflecting on herself and gives herself a lot emotional. Technically its a mess but its her. That is a good reason for art to exist. I see that in terrible movies that regardless just have personality because peopl just tried despite limitations. To be clear its a creative use of poems and not saying its bad, just th quality that loved "bad" movie have is also just people giving everything in an earnest way.

[@PsychIGotcha]

Off topic, but I thought you should be told that you look great in yellow and the sparkling gold/yellow eyeshadow. On topic again, I kinda liked the screenshots you showed of the book where it does truly look like she collected her notes, doodles, and whatever else little writings, and compiled it together. It's an interesting concept.

[@sayah1593]

Would love to see you explore the art of journaling

[@caitlinmarshwous2707]

There is something almost Burroughsesque about it, and I can appreciate that.

[@floatingsmiley]

Well said, Kyra. 👏🏻 also WOW love the bugs life reference 😂

[@zevrxn]

honestly with time i came to love how unhinged bella thorne is

[@kisskiss6866]

Off topic, but Rachel, if you don't know who Jessica Chastain is, then watch the movie Miss Sloane! I believe it's a film and topic that would interest you, and Chastain as the lead female character is simply the best and most talented!

[@starsandmoonsabove]

How do you define skill/skillful? Because you said those words a lot, and it felt like each time you mean something slightly different? Also, what do you think about outsider art, naive art and punk? Lastly, don't you think that pop song lyrics and written poetry should be analyzed differently? Like when a song lyric has a lot of "ooh aah ohh", it's not meaningless, right? It just has to be sung, not read robotically.

[@sygilloux-v2]

No idea who they are but their book sounds so adorably chaotic I kinda want a copy. :'D

[@rickc2102]

14:00 forensic reading exercise, hey. I like your phrasing there, chasing the words across the page

[@ALu-nq8rf]

I wish I'd had you as a teacher growing up.

[@spooky-spaghetti]

not to ignore all the intelligent and interesting content but you look absolutely radiant 💖

[@looksleft]

Well FINALLY someone's talking about House of Leaves - coolest experience of reading a book I ever had! None of my friends can be bothered reading it D:

[@SamanthaRoberts42]

Please look up Jessica Chastain immediately!

[@patchadventures9247]

Art without meaning, is like love without action.

[@giaparmer]

I think you hit the nail on the head on her editing style, I am the last person to call myself a fan of Bella thorns but seeing her talk about the sexual abuse she suffered on the impaulsive podcast she really couldn’t even talk about it (and who can blame her) and kind of had a minor breakdown so I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if she just expressed herself very fully on those pages and then wasn’t able to go back and polish those raw motions. When I was a teenager and I did a lot of writing and I didn’t edit any of my work because my emotions surrounding them were not developed enough to understand that editing even your emotional work does not invalidate the rawness of it.

[@icravedeath.1200]

I'm not ready to talk about my experiences yet. (Probably because I'm a man, and I'm scared about how many 'you wanted it' comments).

[@lilo9915]

I just love your honest and constructive criticism :)

[@juliamay786]

I really wanted to dislike her book when you reviewed it bc she is not my favorite person, but you really observed it from a very unbiased and open perspective, which I really appreciated. Great video :)

[@melaniesheldon8013]

I loved Salad Fingers growing up and Stickdeath 😆 🤣 😂I am 38. I am old.

[@jim-bob3093]

The amount of 'mum pat me!' energy of the puppier