Reading Sci-Fi & Fantasy Authors I've Hated & Loved Before | 3RD TIME'S THE CHARM VLOG

[@jlyn446]

Kayla’s personality just makes me feel safe

[@surpriseitsus9622]

I don't understand this. I'm an older lady. Does she live near you? 🤔

[@readbyamity5440]

100%

[@jlyn446]

@@surpriseitsus9622 no, just watching her videos relieves anxiety for me

[@taylorgayhart9497]

Yes!! I always rewatch her videos when I’m stressed!! Lol

[@theborky]

i agree completely

[@riankoch9126]

An hour of Kayla is just what I needed

[@Hillary429]

Best part of Upgrade for me was that I thought it was a woman’s perspective until his daughter called him dad a couple chapters in 😂 so I made up a twist 🧬 for myself

[@nathanielluscombe5277]

😂😂

[@spencerfantastic]

I can't believe Liam's getting so big! He's going to officially be a teenager soon! I really love that you guys still read and share that together and I'm sure that'll grow and change in interesting ways as he starts to get more into young adult books

[@danielleg1504]

Kayla! Unrelated to books: what are your thoughts on having an only child? Do you have any regrets? Does Liam ever ask about having siblings? I’ve got an only little guy and I’m perfectly happy, but I’d love the perspective from someone further along in the journey!

[@cobaltclaudia]

6:47 Rosewater 19:25 Upgrade 28:33 In a Garden Burning Gold 40:45 Sleeping Giants

[@Hillary429]

Liam’s stories from his school trip are hilarious and give me so many flashbacks to the good old days 🛌 😴 🏕

[@taylorgayhart9497]

Liam is a referee? Wow! It’s crazy to go back and watch your old videos and see little Liam but to me the craziest change is his voice!! Time really does fly!

[@CheyeW13]

I feel exactly the same about the pace of publishing, and similarly with other artistic industries (music, movies) - yes, I appreciate having the content, but I would also appreciate the piece (book, album, etc) a year or so later, and it would likely do the art a service overall

[@BookedandBusy]

I’ve been manifesting this all day!!!

[@rebekahmenn2118]

Your video is the cozy calm I needed after an incredibly stressful weekend.

[@Hillary429]

The only author I’ve had that issue of not being able to separate author/character voice was Hank Green because I’ve watched so much of his content and his book is very related to the world of social media

[@wywrd_mtnt]

haven't had time to watch your videos in a big while but you're still my fav booktuber, your personality is just so cozy

[@sunpunky]

the monk & robot duology by becky chambers (“a psalm for the wild-built” and “a prayer for the crown-shy”) is top-tier. think: artificial intelligence but make it nature. my perfect sci-fi, can’t recommend highly enough. also i feel like the themes, worldbuilding, characterization and tone would be something you’d love 🤖🍄🌳🐻🫖🍵

[@KaitlynMayReads]

I can't wait to watch this! I had a terrible day so what better way to end it than with this video!

[@moonbook12]

Hopefully tomorrow will be better plus this video will have a great time. Sand you hugs

[@kaitlynashleigh5370]

Hi Kayla! I think you should try the Hungarian Tea Shop mystery series by Julia Buckley if you're still enjoying cozies. They have an interesting folklore element that I think sets them apart from a lot of other series, and I really enjoyed them! I think you would, too.

[@sarahwaldie4908]

I'm here lying in bed with a severe fever from Covid so this is JUST what I needed 💗

[@hayleya.439]

Get well soon!

[@alyssacascos8665]

I hope you feel better soon Sarah! ❤

[@rootingbranches]

Hope you feel better soon! 💕

[@MissAlandra]

I hope you get well soon!

[@AshleyZieman]

Oh good luck and get well soon!!

[@pdp456]

for a sci-fi novella told in interviews i would recommend the employees by olga ravn (translated by martin aitken) - i think you would really enjoy the language and philosophical ideas in it !!

[@Hillary429]

Looks interesting, translated from Danish it looks like

[@bookishcreature8907]

OMG yes!!! I agree 100% with you on Blake Crouch. They are self inserted fantasies for bro dude nerdy guys, I don’t get why everyone loves him so much. Well, I get it in the way that I get why people like James Bond movies and such, but I guess I’m surprised by the amount of women that love his stories. Anyway, I read one book by him and that was enough, never again. Great video as always 💛💛💛

[@komaedacoffee4298]

9:50 the clothes looks so cute and cozy are you kidding me 😍😍

[@pierceharte]

I definitely think the Themis Files is one to listen to back to back. And audiobook is definitely the only way to consume the story. Yes please read the whole series as a whole, it’s so worth it!

[@haleydawson11]

That gourd mug is everything.

[@soniciris]

I think you should try CJ Cherryh's sci-fi! She's one of the classic female sci-fi writers, and still going strong. Her books aren't LIGHT sci-fi by any means, but there's not a lot of the kind of technobabble/hard science that you don't really care for: alien culture and politics is her bread and butter. I would say to start with The Pride of Chanur: it's the first of a series but can completely stand alone, and it's relatively short and straightforward while giving you the taste of her amazing world building. It's from the pov of an alien in a way that makes humans seem alien, and the audiobooks are fantastic.

[@TheeKookyWildflower]

I love in-depth vlogs. Thank you, Kayla, for sharing your thoughts on these books.

[@Hillary429]

I’m 90% into the 33HOUR! audiobook for To Sleep in a Sea of Stars and I really wish it had been edited down because I really do enjoy the story but we’ve literally repeated the same sequence of events soo many times. Like we get it, you go into cryo/sleep and then wake up and feel sick and then u plan ur attack, battle, and run away, rinse and repeat!

[@Hillary429]

Oh you’ve read it!? What did you think?

[@kayleigha9595]

Super excited for the vlog! I’ve been needing more and unique sci-fi recs and you definitely didn’t that. Also you can flush stink bugs down the toilet so they don’t attract more stink bugs.

[@KatieColson]

The way I screamed when you said you’d be reading Sleeping Giants. Definitely only an audio experience

[@ahcreates8212]

I binge read the Themis Files and LOVED IT, so I may be biased here, but I definitely think you need to keep reading the series. The audiobooks are amazing and definitely the only way to really enjoy the writing format. The second book, I thought, was even better than the first.

[@aspiring_recluse]

So glad you liked Rosewater! Looking forward to seeing what you think of the rest of the series

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

[sees Rory Power in the thumbnail] Ooh, I know this is going to be a good one! Also I just love this series

[@sweetmelissav]

I know exactly what you mean about Blake Crouch’s protagonists! It’s the reason I had a hard time caring about Barry in Recursion. *Spoilers Ahead* When he was picked up out of his life as a cop and dropped into the various iterations of himself in different occupations without his wife and daughter, I realized he didn’t have a distinct enough voice or essence for me to care about what happened to him. Dark Matter was my first Blake Crouch read and definitely my favorite.

[@decemberelegy]

Hello! It's morning in Eastern Europe, I just made breakfast and I'm ready to start my day with a new episode from my favourite of Kayla's series. Good times.

[@moonbook12]

I also woke up I'm from Israel

[@rebekahmenn2118]

41:15 could you get any cozier? Those vibes! I love it. I want it.

[@SlugReads]

I've never seen anyone else on booktube read Sleeping Giants so this was an exciting watch for me! I largely felt the same way. I adored that it was epistolary and the way it was written was a fun experience, you knew just enough to keep proceeding with the plot without getting too confused, but nothing was super amazing? I'm also torn on whether I should read the sequel or not!

[@Hillary429]

I work in a gene editing biotech R&D lab and my knowledge of the topic was actually a downside for Upgrade. Like u said it felt very mindless and fast paced,but to me it was very repetitive/basic/predictable

[@mushroomc0re]

yeah I took one 300 level genetics class before I changed my major and even then it was very repetitive for me

[@joylynn0620]

Finally! You are reading my genres! I read Rosewater a couple of months ago. I'm currently reading Sleeping Giants and I have the new Blake Crouch book on my TBR. I think you may enjoy The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson. It's probably weird enough for you and it has interesting themes and morally gray characters.

[@Hillary429]

I feel like you’ve had better luck with classic/older Sci-Fi (like ur moms faves, dune) versus more modern/recent releases. What are some of you faves besides Hail Mary and Dune?

[@1mwisdom]

I love that audiobooks are tried so often. With my disabilities audiobooks are almost all I can use ❤❤

[@hannahmarie08]

just got home from thanksgiving dinner and need to redo my gel nails; so excited to sit down with this 💗

[@Hillary429]

Thanksgiving dinner? What country are u in?

[@hannahmarie08]

@@Hillary429 canada! thanksgiving is just to celebrate the harvest here which is why it’s in october

[@erilyda]

I may have happy danced when you held up Sleeping Giants. I love that series so much!

[@readingid5917]

So relieved when you switched to the audiobooks for The Themis Files, they're soooo good! I ripped through the whole series and if you do too I'm curious what you think abt some of the twists 👀

[@SallySimply]

As someone who DNF'd In a Garden Burning Gold at 70%, I feel similarly to you. I just did not care about anything or anyone, and by that point, I knew the book was simply a set-up for the sequel and would give me nothing on its own. And, like, do I want to read that many pages to set up a book I don't think I'll ever pick up and can just read spoilers for? No, absolutely not. 😂

[@Livelaughlovingits]

There are some people whom I watch on YT that just make me feel safe. Kayla is people Kayla makes me feel safe ❤

[@isabellastilinski]

i just read a netgalley arc of Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hannah, i think it has a lot of things you’d like in it, a bit similar to wilder girls and burn our bodies down!

[@LifeasMonae]

The cover for Rory Power’s books are so damn different that i never made the connection that it was the same author. I always see them in totally different spots in Barnes and Noble too

[@TaraSwiger1]

I just finished Body and Soul Food before I turned on this video! And I *often* decide I just *cant* when I’ve planned to try on clothes.

[@MrParkerJensen]

A taste of gold and iron was so great, hope you enjoy it

[@CA_M7]

I was just rewatching your bunny video so this is perfect!

[@Erdnussbuttertoast]

girl i feel like you're glowing in this video! i hope you're feeling as good as you look! :)

[@kerisbookishcorner2864]

I love the Themis Files but 100% agree that the audiobooks are the way to go with that series, and also reading them back to back. I flew through them, loved the first two and was not as impressed with the third one but it could be just me. If you ever do continue I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.

[@kyrasaturn]

Oversized looks great Kayla!

[@jaimeerindy4573]

Yay for Liam joining the volleyball team! As a volleyball coach I'm cheering for him to love it!

[@mlibbym]

Your box Elder bugs are A LOT bigger than ours are in my area. We are overrun too, but I do not envy you 😅

[@zachzackzak]

This is one of my favorite series

[@lanej.6458]

Am just getting home from work, perfect time bestie. Can’t wait! Also, I’m loving the yellow hoodie!! I went with blue and yellow is usually not my color but I may have to give it a shot on the next drop. 👀

[@RadioGirLF]

I don't enjoy Blake Crouch's newer works but his Pines trilogy is amazing!! I read all three books in like two days almost two years ago and I still think about it.

[@carlinsinger3293]

I really agree with you about Blake Crouch.

[@mushroomc0re]

upgrade spoilers the Blake Crouch book falls into a lot of eugenist tropes. I briefly thought it would defy that because of the conflict between the siblings but the ending where he does gene editing to literally make people better ... that's genuinely just eugenics right there. he did liberal eugenics. I also think the book was ableist in regards to what was pointed out as making the main character less human. it was all traits that are on one end of the autism spectrum that were consistently pointed out as making him less human. he says those traits, hypoempathy and sensory issues, it hurt.

[@theborky]

omg been waiting for the episode with in a garden burning gold!!

[@Megan-ug8vz]

I like Blake Crouch, though like you Dark Matter was my first book, and still my favorite, of his. The thing about Crouch is that he is consistent. I know what I am getting and how it is going to happen. And sometimes you just don’t want to be surprised when reading

[@Jacquelynrose94]

“My best is perfect” such an Aries thing to say 😂😂😂 Love it 😂

[@BetweenLinesAndLife]

Ah, so fun that you found Body and Soul Food! But womp about the Rory Power though!

[@kelley.s]

"Why are you doing this to me" is how I feel when I have to explain what's wrong with my car to the mechanic

[@LiteratureScienceAlliance]

Have you tried Nicky Drayden scifi?? I find her stuff super readable and fun

[@MissBOverseas]

I have owned Rosewater for a couple years now, this was just the motivation I needed to prioritize it!!!!

[@mastersal4644]

Me too

[@ChloeSPBs]

New vlog 🙏🏻🙏🏻 gonna watch this as soon as i wake up 💞

[@moonbook12]

Good morning, when you are going to watch

[@Shellyish]

Gosh, this is really entertaining. I really want to try it! 😊 Tiebreaker reads!

[@krisprepolec5616]

I completely agree about the clothing size conundrum. As a plus sized 5’9” tall Canadian woman it seems to me that clothing sizes are random. Ordering online is like roulette. An XL is not an XL.

[@laurenanna2537]

This might be a bold suggestion but if you’re looking for an excellent sci-fi series where each book stands really well on its own, I’d like to offer up The Locked Tomb (#1 Gideon the Ninth). It’s so immersive and well-plotted and I’ve truly never read anything like it. Gave each book 5 stars.

[@PatrickBooks]

this is a random suggestion, but i just started reading “The Similars” by Rebecca Hanover. It’s YA thriller about clones with like gossip girl vibes. It’s just like kinda silly goofy weird enough that I think you’d like!

[@myonnareads]

the tan (???) sweater is giving casey becker from scream!!!

[@flop9562]

the sweater and jacket look great!!

[@julies_reading]

you absolutely summed up my thoughts of in a garden, positively shocked it was written by the same author as wilder girls

[@mikayla5949]

The second book in The Themis Files is the best! The audiobooks are amazing 😩

[@nicoleglasson8615]

My sister is significantly younger than me. I remember when she started figure skating when she was... 6? 7? Now she travels for comps and is a coach for little kids. Time is crazy.

[@AnnabelleFr]

Ahhhh 1 hour of great content while sipping on my morning coffee. Thank you Kayla. Also, thanks for the reminder for the bookmarks.I missed out on the last Halloween drop last year and was so bummed, but I just managed to snag the one with the bat and obsidian. 😍

[@AshhhWearsPrada]

Did you know that Dark Matter is FINALLY getting an adaption!! Apple TV is doing a 9 ep series and I’m so excited! It’s one of my favorite books!😍

[@Onehallofacreation]

That orangish yellow looks incredible on you!! 😍

[@brightsidegirl]

Oh you absolutely should. pick up the rest of sleeping giants. The character development and story changes are so good. Sleeping giants got me through the first part of 2020 hehe. I often still want to reread it.

[@BrebearMckae]

I love this series so much 💕

[@michaelmyerslovesbooks]

I love the hoodie! It's a great color on you.

[@ACommonSpring]

Just FYI if stink bugs are flocking to your home, it's likely one is inside and released a scent only they can smell that tells them it's a great place to hibernate. Watch out for infestation, definitely catch any you can and put them outside! They're reallly bad this year.

[@erilyda]

I hope you read the rest of the Themis Files because I think Sylvain Neuvel takes this story in such an interesting direction and I would love to hear your thoughts.

[@racheltfisher]

The 100 chapters thing had me laughing so hard 😂😂😂

[@ritah3443]

I enjoyed Wayward Pines by Crouch and Dark Matter. I think I'll be done with him since I didn't like his next stand alone much. Thanks for your honest comments; they are appreciated.

[@nathanielluscombe5277]

I have some sci-fi recs I think you might enjoy! Well of Terror by Chris Corly is a sci-fi horror novella series. Book two comes out…soon I think? It’s so good. I have read book one several times. Parable of the Sower by Octavia E Butler. Read it. That’s all I have to say 😂 The Last Watch by J S Dewes. This is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read…and it’s so complex but also humorous and such a good time! Persephone Station by Lina Steicht. This is a great book with commentary on colonizing planets but also a super fun cast and a fast paced plot. It’s great 🙌 I think all of these books have potential to get high ratings from you. I say that with a little fear of being wrong 😅

[@leahk9943]

Have you read Cloud Cuckoo Land? It’s different timelines, multiple characters, space is involved, and it has a quirky story within the story. It’s GREAT!

[@trayvixk4642]

Kayla should try middle grade Fantasy for a vid. Fantasy is my least favorite genre, especially YA fantasy, but I've found some 5 stars in middle grade. Definitely recommend Echo, which NEEDS to be listened as an audiobook since music and singing is a big part of the story. Also Orphans of the Tide which was one of Gavin's favorite middle grade.

[@wormdoodles]

It's funny that you commented on In a Garden Burning Gold being very YA-y. I've noticed that the bottom must have fallen out of YA fiction because a ton of YA authors have been jumping ship to adult speculative fiction and adult romance. I found that my general problem with a lot of those authors is that they don't really "upgrade" their writing style or character-building skills much at all, so a lot of their books feel very YA. Like that was my main issue with Ninth House, the idea and plot were very adult but nothing else was so it left me feeling very disjointed. Awesome video as always!

[@tanellenash7383]

Ironically I also picked up Only Human before the first two in that series. I loved the Themis Files but found that the first book was the best in that series

[@sheramelton3583]

I really wish you would have read Abandon by Blake Crouch instead of Upgrade. It has a totally different subject matter than the Dark Matter/Recursion/Upgrade group of books and I think that it might have helped you see if its thr writing/story telling you don't like or just that all those books are too similar.

[@rocknregalia]

I also do not love oversized on me. Sometimes overside top with skinny bottoms or baggy jeans with tiny top works, but both cannot be oversized because I lose all shape. If I know it is oversize, like Topshop and Free People, then I size down one or two sizes. I was a little surprised that you didn't like the Sylvain Neuvel. I am not sure why, but I thought that you would be into it.

[@astarreads4214]

Since you have been struggling with finding sci-fi that really resonates, I would be curious to hear what you think of The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. It’s a bit of an older one 1997, and I haven’t read it in a while so I’m not sure if there are problematic elements to it. But I still consider it as being one of my favorite sci-fi books of all time. There is a religious component, but it comes from more of a questioning perspective. Which is interesting, because from what I read, Russell wrote it after converting religions. Most of the people I recommend it to give it 5 stars…however, one friend thought it felt pretentious in the tone (I didn’t see it, but her opinion is valid haha) and a couple other friends thought it was too disturbing/depressing at a certain point.

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

I’ve still never read a Blake crouch book 😅

[@Jess-fp2wf]

I definitely thought that Liam’s red outfit was a “Beetlejuice” costume when you first held it up before the story 😂

[@joeliebruno1475]

We just read Recursion for book club and our thoughts on his writing is that his main characters have no real personality or development. He writes very plot heavy books so I can totally see where you’re coming from when you say you could lift his main characters out and put them in other books.

[@laynaslibrary4680]

this video was exactly what I needed to start my day!

[@paularodriguez726]

Kayla’s just so cool

[@rubydoe5942]

yeah!!

[@glowing13glowworm]

YAY this is just what I needed