Reading the 10 Best Books of the 21st Century (so far) via

[@BookedandBusy]

You should do a video featuring your top 100 books you’ve read during your decade on booktube

[@pretentioussunshine]

Such a good idea!!

[@BRhymesss]

Love this idea

[@Bookishbroccoli1]

Love this idea

[@kaleed.8260]

Fabulous idea! Yes this!

[@onceuponabookishsteph]

Yes yes yes please

[@hildavgoneril]

I am SO glad you liked 2666. My aunt is the translator and it felt pretty crazy to hear you say her name out loud. Somehow I've never actually read any of the books she's translated even though I've always meant to. 2666 in particular feels very daunting but maybe I'll finally get around to it this year. I was going to start with Cowboy Graves which is another book written by Roberto Bolaño and translated by Natasha (my aunt) and it's a collection of three short stories which seems a bit less intimidating to me. Maybe you'd like it too. Anyways, I'd love to see you read more books translated by her! I've only really realized over this past year or two just how prolific she is as a translator.

[@BooksandLala]

@@hildavgoneril oh wow, very cool!! I hope you end up reading some of her work soon and enjoying it, I definitely have a few on my radar 🤗

[@rachelmaybeidk]

just popping in to say this is super cool and an example of why i love this community so much 🥰

[@BetweenLinesAndLife]

Reaaaally love the structure of the video! How you inserted the stats and also showcased what readers struggled with in these books - looved that!

[@zubooks]

Thank you for this video, Kayla! To me, it encapsulates all the reasons why I love your channel: a fun concept, educated critique of the concept (and not being unnecessarily derogatory, even if the criteria / books themselves are not ones you 100% align with) and interesting personal thoughts on both the list itself and the books. Thank you!

[@BooksandLala]

Thank you for such a kind comment!! 💓 I appreciate you so much for being here!!

[@frannymarzuki9509]

re: lack of indigenous authors on the list, i was absolutely SHOCKED that “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer didn’t make the editorial list. it’s life changing and should be required reading. a definite oversight by the nyt for not including it, which becomes even more problematic considering your commentary about the over-representation of (non-native) american authors. was so glad that it made it on the reader’s choice!

[@ieatgremlins]

Thank you for the recommendation ❤

[@luca.desu.2590]

I was shocked by that too! Offended even! And not a single Louise Erdrich on this list is crazy

[@OccasionallyAPrincess]

I mean are they just going to put books on there for the sake of being diverse? It’s not really what the list is measuring. I haven’t reading Braiding Sweetgrass, maybe it’s really good idk and it’s an oversight, but I don’t necessarily think not including non-native readers is a problem. A book should measured on its merit, not who wrote it

[@frannymarzuki9509]

@@OccasionallyAPrincess I never said that “Braiding Sweetgrass” should be on the list because it’s written by a native author. I’m shocked that no native authors made it on the list BECAUSE “Braiding Sweetgrass” is one of the best, most important books of the century. Therefore, there should have been /at least/ one indigenous author (Robin Wall Kimmerer) on the list simply because “Braiding Sweetgrass” is that just that exemplary. Since it made the reader’s list, I hope you understand many people feel the same. Also, the idea that intentionally diverse reading is somehow in opposition to “merit” is… an interesting take and one I deeply disagree with. Reading is political! Even when you think it’s not! I highly recommend you pick up “Braiding Sweetgrass,” especially if you’re interested in ecology, indigenous history, and deconstructing climate doomerism. It also might provide important context to my comment that was maybe missing without having read the book :)

[@sabiha.sayeed]

@@OccasionallyAPrincess Plenty of native authors whose works have merit. These sorts of lists are often whitewashed. Best for whom? The average white American reader?

[@qualcosadinerd7471]

9:40 "In this moment I have in total 4.600 pages to read" GIRL THAT'S WHAT I READ IN A YEAR

[@flipfloppoet4377]

I like how you structured the vlog. The inserts of statistics were very well placed and exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks for doing the work for us. Having said that, placing a book on any list curated by literary professionals is a surefire way to insure I'll never read it. I feel like the only books ever to make it on those lists, are ones that deal with heavy topics, violence, and generally the worst of what humanity is capable of. In general, they leave me hating people (even more). And I don't understand why a book that actually leaves you feeling better, makes you enjoy the reading experience, gives you a lighter heart, etc is automatically disregarded as a contender. Also, a best book of the century list in **2024** seems pretentious to me. I guess I just don't get the entire concept of it. Kudos to you for actually powering through. You have my utmost respect.

[@teresalynnmcdonald]

A movie length video and a live show in one day!?! We are spoiled 👏

[@nanaespacini]

LOVED the structure of this vlog!!!!!!!! the discussions of the list in between each book review was incredible!!!!!!!

[@BooksandLala]

thank you so much!! 🤗💕

[@rachelcurioso]

This video is cheff's kiss. The ammount of effort you put really pays off ❤

[@BooksandLala]

this is so kind!! 🤗💕

[@samuelcappi5205]

your explanation of how you love what books do at a meso level (the level between micro and macro) is exactly why I think you would love exit west. It definitely shines the most on a scene by scene basis and every time a character goes through a doorway you never know what to expect

[@BooksandLala]

Oooh meso, a word I did not know 😍 Thank you for the rec! I hope I love it when I get around to it!!

[@Jordan_lcm]

This is such an incredible video Kayla! Your method of organization, all the tiny details in the graphics, that extra mile you go to with editing really makes everything feel so polished. As a fellow type-A, I see you and hope you get all the praise! 🌟

[@RoisinsReading]

I didn't think you would like Wolf Hall but it is my favourite book of all time, and it's not because I care about the royals (my family is irish). or know the history. It's because the writing is stunning, the exploration of Cromwell's psycholoogy, the humour, the atmosphere, the hauntings and ghots throughout it, the way she draws a scene so vividly, the use of dramatic irony. I think it's so beautiful and clever and I love the construction of it. But I know a lot of people find it boring and/or confusing. Something about the rhythm just worked for me

[@mercurymorning1]

Came here to comment basically the same thing! Hillary Mantel’s writing is just so utterly gorgeous

[@readingintrees]

Likewise. Mantel transported one out of this time and into the body of another. She was a rare genius.

[@AlexaSmith]

well im intrigued

[@skylark1250]

It is such a remarkable book. Not particularly my subject but like you say the writing is so good you are hooked. Not to be missed! Wolf Hall is excellent!

[@HeatherB81]

For real, how are you so smart and well spoken? It’s not even like you practice what you’re going to say… it’s just the way you talk… and it’s so impressive!

[@whereismylibrarycard]

Kayla’s reading vlogs >>>

[@BooksandLala]

🤗🤗🤗

[@imsherlocked4118]

Wow love the format of this video, with the statistical interludes. Also appreciate your take. Glad to have come across you; a breath of fresh air on booktube!

[@kaytlinhenderson9206]

As so many others have said, the quality of this video is top tier! The stats and discussion around those stats in addition to the individual book conversations was incredible. ❤

[@raelenedawn]

I just sat down and was trying to decide what to put on tv as I fold laundry & remembered on your August calendar that you were going to post a vlog today. Literally chefs kiss on the timing of this being posted

[@BooksandLala]

🤗💕

[@Lilitou]

Re: Wolf Hall... Admittedly, I know the history pretty well, despite generally not giving a single f about royalty, but it's one of my favorite books of all time. I thought the writing was absolutely stunning. I think even if it weren't about actual history, I'd still have enjoyed it.

[@Lilitou]

(Incidentally, the other book Hilary Mantel has on the full list is the second book in the trilogy about Cromwell.)

[@kolibrisway]

My husband is a history buff, thanks for this - I think I’ll buy it for him!

[@masinahikan]

recently found your channel and went on a binge and realized I forgot to subscribe! which I immediately did upon realizing. while our literary tastes are different I genuinely love listening to you speak about different genre fictions and especially ones you love! as a Cree man living out here in Stolo territory I appreciated when you mentioned the lack of Indigenous authors/voices, always nice to see a great content creator and from someone nearby, what a small world! Long live our bacon haired queen

[@FleaPalace]

As someone who loves Tudor history and Hilary Mantel's Cromwell trilogy, watching you struggle-read your way through Wolf Hall was hilarious 😅

[@alliluh]

i think next vlog you should read the other 90 books! 😊😊😊 (loved this vlog!!!)

[@BooksandLala]

@@alliluh 😂😂😂

[@marylcunha]

How you explained the author story in 2666 reminded me of a book I think you’d enjoy: The extinction of Irena Rey, by Jennifer Croft, who is actually Olga Tokarczuk’s english translator! Also this vlog was the definition of my perfect Kayla video, you just always deliver!!!

[@jc37070]

I may have skipped to the end to see what you thought of My Brilliant Friend… but I’ll go back to watch the whole thing!! Sad you didn’t love it but I’m happy that you at least appreciate Ferrante’s writing. To your point about it being #1, I think most people who voted for it treated it as a stand-in for the whole quartet. It’s hard to pick one favourite in the series (either #2 or #3 for me) but they’re definitely my best books of the 21st century!

[@taeanna1644]

The storm/power playing with your feelings 😭😂

[@amylouise7289]

“Maybe I’m responsible for [the power outage]” LMAO this was so fun to watch, I’m glad you loved some!!

[@gabbyreads]

I love how you included all the stats for the list in between the reading updates! So creative! 😍

[@Nena-mr4km]

When I tell you I've spent over a week watching this video. It's so long, and I'm so busy, but this video is super interesting :)) I love the little intermissions with the stats about the list, and that you're stepping outside of your comfort zone a little bit with these books!

[@VenLouie]

interested in reading ZERO out of the top 10 so im only really here for Kayla and her experience

[@barbaralemon4170]

I loved this episode. You have a talent that encourages anyone to read what appeals to them. I have a few ideas now of some books I had not heard of previously. Lincoln in the Bardo is fantastic! I'd love to hear your review on that one!

[@rachelrogers4275]

when I saw you teasing this on insta I was so excited! can’t wait to see how you make out

[@crm14250]

If you'd like to learn more about the publishing industry, I'd suggest taking a look at Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed the Publishing Industry and American Literature, which was a recent read for me. Obviously focuses on America, but it does demystify the structure of much of the industry (houses vs. imprints, who owns what etc.), and how changing economic factors influenced the sorts of things that got published, got popular, and got critically acclaimed. It talks a lot about diversity in publishing too, which is still such a relevant issue. Really interesting stuff to think about!

[@AS-se4cm]

such a great video! you are on fire lately. your editing is as good as your content, it's just sooo nice to follow along, and i love how open you are to the books you read, makes it so easy to trust your opinions even though our tastes don't always match (wolf hall is one of my favorite books 😭). also i know how content creators might need to censor themselves due to ad restrictions but it's such a relief to listen to a grown person talk about serious subjects using real words, oh my GOD thank yooooooou

[@camillereadss]

comparing this video to gavin’s is hilarious lol, i hope more booktubers do this challenge!

[@shellkay]

😂 that was hilarious, seriously! I appreciate both for their unique styles!

[@jessikarouse2894]

Wow great video! So glad you mentioned that The Underground Railroad is read by Bahni Turpin. That book has been on my tbr forever and that pushed me over the edge to buy the audiobook ❤

[@cerrad.]

Love how this video was edited and your thoughtful comments about these books (and I'll be honest, this list was not for me) and what worked for you and didn't, and really appreciate watching you continue to take risks with your reading and bring in works outside of your comfort zone. Another great vlog!

[@esotericareads]

I love it when you read literary fiction! I also really enjoy how you learn about yourself through reading. Being able to really identify your taste makes reading so fun!

[@mckenziekate]

This was such a phenomenal and comprehensive video! Loved it so much!

[@themusicsnob]

Glad you got at least two five stars from this experience! I feel like this list has at least inspired some really interesting conversations about what makes something the best of its time, who gets to decide that, and where those decisions may be more or less objective.

[@acaraj]

I grew up hearing about my grandparent’s experiences during their migration from TX to Los Angeles. When The Warmth of Other Suns came out, I was amazed at how familiar the stories were. Wilkerson’s extensive research and talents are very well used here. I’m very glad you enjoyed it. Be sure to also check out Caste by Wilkerson. Fascinating!

[@Nico-lk5hb]

Guuuurl this video was A-MAZING 😊 my favorite u’ve done so far and I’ve seen so many of u 💜 thank u for this literary trip and congrats for your patience, motivation and experience 🎉

[@nanimaonovi2528]

Thank you so much for this review and thoughtful stats! I appreciate your top ten lists having Indigenous and POC authors. The Warmth of Other Suns was a pleasant surprise to see on the list.

[@kelley.s]

I like the way you used discussion of the metadata to transition between books!

[@luca.desu.2590]

I'm with you, literally shocked that on earth we're briefly gorgeous wasn't on the list. Also braiding sweetgrass. And not shocked about not seeing peach blossom spring on there, but it's better than Pachinko and a similar type of book, imo.

[@theotherveronica]

The Warmth of Other Suns has been on my tbr for forever. i’m glad to hear you liked it and that’s motivated me a bit more. it’s just a thick one!

[@shreyabooked9309]

59:17 I really enjoyed the way you reviewed The Warmth of Other Suns.

[@samantharose1001]

This was great!! Loved the bits of stats and commentary throughout! If you were still interested in talking through the top 10 favorites of the authors you like (e.g. Paul Tremblay), I’d love a video like that (even more casual for besties)

[@kicica13212]

I love you hair color in this video! Especially with the tan it really suits you!

[@inkylabyrinth]

An hour+ long vlog is such a treat! Highlights for me were the cat purrs and the sounds from the storm! I loved the included stats, it really gives you a better outlook on what is and isn't on the list and why. Tommy Orange not being included is my biggest offense.

[@kenzienoelle124]

The way I have been refreshing my KZbin for this😆 **grabs popcorn**

[@lindseyrinehart9021]

You did such a huge amount of work for this video! Well done! I’m interested in a couple of them, but nothing cut to the front of my tbr.

[@lachlanwhittle]

You just saved me weeks of my life!!! This is the first video of yours I’ve seen but your reviews of these books are excellent and have helped guide me to which of these I actually want to read, which is completely different from the ones I thought before watching. Also, maybe a different age demographic between readers land literary luminaries explains the difference in release year distribution. People in their mid 20s and 30s were kids/teenagers in the 2000s and 2010s, so would have missed adult literary books in that period.

[@alexreithmeier6731]

Really loved the fact that you did this video and the way you did it! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@impastomusic]

I loved Say Nothing, and it sent me down a rabbit hole of Ireland/Troubles nonfiction. Emperor of All Maladies was also good!

[@sunnymorning8240]

"the profound and impactful stories don't just have to be rooted in sorrow and suffering and dysfunction." I agree, kayla! And with regards to authors from different countries:.... unfortunately the selected books still don't differ so much if you look at it from a world-view-perspective.

[@JaediasDragonChronicle]

I love all these "reading books from x [list/theme]" videos so so much. You're so good at this and so interesting to listen to! Love all of your other videos too, I only discovered your channel with the Goodreads Choice Awards post at the end of last year and you've fast become my favourite booktuber! I have no idea how our tastes align but I already trust your opinions so dang much, everything you love sounds so interesting. Gets me so excited just to read.

[@ChanelChapters]

Skitty the kitty!!! 🐈‍⬛

[@shellkay]

I honestly found more entertainment & interest from your breakdown of facts about the list than most of the books themselves! Your research & stats gave it depth. I think I only read 6 (obviously didn’t care but was surprised since I thought I was better read!)

[@alexandraegnell607]

I love how you edited this video and showed all the stats!! ❤❤❤

[@tamsinmarsh1597]

I had to read Wolf Hall at University and couldn’t get through it. As someone from the UK, you learn all about Henry 8 and his wives and The Tudors are a popular part of history here.

[@ieatgremlins]

Everyone learns about the Tudors. The reformation is a huge deal and it is taught in world history classes.

[@tamsinmarsh1597]

@@ieatgremlins Thanks for letting me know :) I don't know what history is taught across the world, I just based my comment on what Kayla said. I find it so interesting what we all learn about!

[@ieatgremlins]

@@tamsinmarsh1597 Of course. I went to school in Argentina and then in the US and British history was definitely emphasized. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same thing about non-western history. Your dog is very cute. Have a good one :)

[@tamsinmarsh1597]

@@ieatgremlins thank you. Yes, agreed our history is mostly western focused too and a big emphasis on the World Wars ( which I do enjoy but would like a more diverse approach).

[@alyssacascos8665]

The constant stats throughout the video 👏👏👏

[@kate-ne]

I think this will be one of my favorite vlogs of yours. I think every one of your reviews/critiques was so well thought out and explained. I'm so glad you found a couple 5 stars out of this daunting project too lol. I went through the whole list and I've only read 3. There were about 5 others on the list that I have started but DNF'd. 😅

[@rhondasruminationsonreading]

I was going to try reading some of these, but as much as I want to like literary fiction, I just don’t. I find that often it’s so focused on flowery prose that there is not enough story to keep me interested. Also they tend to be constant depression instead of giving you emotional highs and lows.

[@CGyog]

I enjoyed this… it makes me want to review the Times list and count how many I’ve read, and see how many more are on my TBR, and get serious about reading them (but hope my stack won’t add up to 4600 pages - too intimidating!). Thank you for the inspo!

[@karenjobim5794]

What a great video! I love the way you structure it and I really appreciate all your thoughts (and struggles) throughout the readings. Definitely there's some I enjoyed in the list and some that I didn't know it existed haha. I might need to check them... thanks!

[@AKookieForYou]

I am SO sat for this! I haven't read any of the Top 100 (and only a handful of readers' choice ones), and I know she'll give us "uncultured readers" the real inside scoop 😂❤🎉

[@trishscott7059]

I would love to do a Kayla’s top 20 challenge where we read your top favorites!

[@bbmonie]

omg im so exited you liked roberto bolaño, i hope you could read more chilean authors🇨🇱 (we have a lot)❤btw lov the vlog ❤

[@charlottenelken]

Do you have recommendations, by chance? I've read most of Bolaño's œuvre (except 2666, actually, but I own it and I plan on reading it), and am very interested in South-American literature from late 20th century / 21st century in general!

[@IELTS888]

I have only read first 200 pages of Demon Copperhead and while travelling I picked up The Poisonwood Bible - it is such a wonderful book. I thoroughly recommend it!!

[@AbiofPellinor]

I originally ignored the books I hadn't read from this list (because my tbr is big enough as it is!) but 2666, The Known World, and The Warmth of Other Suns are all going straight on my tbr!

[@BookChats]

I also didn't love Never Let You Go! I think it relies too much on the surprise. Yours is the only NY Times best of the century video in watching because I know you'll actually read them!

[@megjshark]

would highly recommend housekeeping by marilynne robinson!! same beautiful writing without the religious overtones

[@hajuzt]

This is a fantastic video! Thank you and kind reading regards from Hanne/Denmark

[@alexatiletile3257]

Yesss as soon as this list came out, I was hoping you would do a video of it! 👀

[@valentinaplevisani198]

LOVE this. When I saw you posted this I got so excited.

[@laurenromero5961]

I’m watching now and am sooooooo excited you’ll be reading My Brilliant Friend! Pretty sure that’s my addition to the TBR jar. 🎉

[@laurenromero5961]

Ohhhh no you didn’t love it😂

[@tuvahelen6928]

I didn´t really looove "My brilliant friend" either, but I read and enjoyed the rest of the series, which in turn made me appreciate the first book more. I think I read somewhere that Elena Ferrante considers the four books to be a single novel! (I also really loved the hbo series ;)) )

[@imaginepageant]

I’ve recommended Cloud Atlas to you seeeeeeveral times over the six years I’ve been watching you. Please read it! It is so up your alley! I just finished The Song of Achilles today and landed on a 3.5 stars 😬 so it was very reassuring to see that pop up here as books you didn’t love as much as everyone else!

[@mandarina_ra]

In My Briliant Friend the child that was thrown through the window was Lila. By her father who had that reaction for her desire to attend school. The difference between the families is that Elenas was slightly better so they could pay for one of their children to go to school and that was -Elena. It's those differences at the begining that defined their later lives. Lila was always the clever one, but she did not have the chance to study and had to work really hard. I read all of the series and it is so so good and the tv series is also excellent !

[@smittenforfiction]

The work you put into your videos is just next level. Love the stats you shared about the list. I'd love to know your top 100 books.

[@Alewo2735]

Kayla, we finally agree on something! 😂 Bahni Turpin is one of the best audio narrators I've ever heard! Also love Adam Lazar-White so much who does all of SA Cosby's audiobooks. ❤

[@MilenaReads]

I wasn’t bothered by returning authors on the list, I agree that it’s about the best books, not authors. Admiring that you did this vlog!

[@anneroy4560]

I have all of Elena Ferrante's novels ... I also have bought & read the four novels that make up Marilynne Robinson's Gilead series. I buy all Ali Smith's books ... I have met her, she lives here in Cambridge which is where we are ... two collections of Lydia Davis & Bel Canto ... from the 1st screen shot ...

[@michuuu999]

Roberto Bolaño is for sure one of the best authors from Latin America and Chile. The point of novel, was to expose femicides to the rest of Latin America. Did you know that the word originates from Latin America due to the high volume against women and murders. This novel was a contributing factor in a huge paradigm shift in our culture.

[@theanswerisbooks]

The NY Times list gets my genre snobbery rage going. But I really enjoyed the way that you structured this video with the interludes, and your thoughtful comments. I have been extremely intimidated by 2666 but I might actually have to check it out now.

[@emperorcupcake]

Whew! I'm exhausted for you. My body instantly rejects those giant tomes 😅Glad you had some wins tho! I'd love to see a part two where you read the top 5/10/whatever books on the list you're most interested in! The theme of the list seems to be Important Human Stories, which I get would have broad appeal but isn't what I'm usually drawn to. I've read a whopping zero haha

[@welldonebooks]

i think they did My Brilliant Friend a disservice making it #1 rather than just calling the whole quartet #1, since in reality all 4 books are meant to be one big story but broken up for convenience's sake. everything you said about it is fair and true, but i think the impact comes when you read the entire series. and yes, returning to it is amazing becasue of what you know from later volumes. glad you didnt hate it though, and respect that its probably just not your thing!

[@welldonebooks]

also i really loved your analysis at the end about these books and your reading taste. thats such an interesting topic and POV that i'm gonna be thinking about. i think i love a lot of the books on the top 100 for the exact reason you mentioned, which is different perhaps than what you look for when reading. i love sentence level work, but also thinking about literature in the context of the whole book and its place in history (or at least the time its released)

[@aquaticraccoon1467]

kayla, I really think you'd liked Citizen by Claudia Rankine! it has the mixed media elements that you like in books, plus in my opinion it sits in that space between poetry and prose similar to Ocean Vuong and Hanif Abdurraqib. it's extremely hard-hitting, too.

[@FranFellow731]

Thank you for doing the stats breakdowns; you always look at what I’m interested in but didn’t know I was. I think you should’ve picked 10 from the list that you knew you wanted to read or thought you’d have the best luck with, and then read them instead. Maybe do it later??! I do hear that the Neapolitan quartet is so impactful as a whole, and I wonder if people who’ve read all 4 maybe conflate the first book with how the full series made them feel.

[@missisis]

this video is so well put together!

[@trayvixk4642]

I hope she reads The Sympathizer. What makes it so great for me is that it's a spy thriller but written in such a beautiful way. It's kind of dark but the narrator is really charmastic and it's got some humor to it. I know it became the first book to win the top mystery/thriller prize and the Pultizer.

[@saraf8594]

Please, please, pleeeease, give Elena Ferrante's short fiction a chance! The Days of Abandonment and/or The Lost Daughter, I think they might work more for you!

[@looseleafreads]

I love the structure of this so much

[@karenbrouard697]

Loved this vlog disagreed about Wolf Hall and Never let me go. Got The Savage detectives by Roberto Boleno on my TBR pile so very interested on your thoughts on 2666

[@thoughtsofabookaholic777]

We read My Brilliant Friend for 10th great for world literature class and I must say it brought many interesting conversations, specially as we got into their highschool years since we were their age at the time. I liked it and I have been wanting to continue the series forever. I believe reading this series with people makes it a better experience. I think it is a book for gossipers though, like if you like finding out tea no matter how relevant it is this may be your book lol.

[@KayleighExOh]

Fabulous content as always

[@outoftheofficeagain]

After seeing your thoughts on “I was a Teenage Slasher” I do think you might really enjoy “Demon Copperhead”. There were elements that kept making me think of them as similar and I do think despite its length it’s very readable! Also, I’m not sure if you’ve read “The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead but I think you’d really love it, in themes, subject matter and in the writing. Additionally I think it’s the shortest of his work. Sorry for the long comment, lol, but I just y your insights! “2666” sounds like such an interesting read! I’ve got to pick it up. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. One more recc for you - “Possession” by AS Byatt with its colleagues researching a writer and poet and their personal relationship. Clearly not as heavy as “2666” but I don’t hear tons of people reading it these days.

[@ryreads]

Thank you so much for such an informative video!

[@meganriley4513]

“A four star feeling” I like that. 🤩

[@MsJayteeListens]

I have the same advice for everyone. If you want to read one book from this list make it Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. One, it’s absolutely wonderful, heartwarming and heartbreaking. Also, it’s really short, the audiobook is under 2 hours, the ebook is 50 pages. My favourite book on the list is Wolf Hall, I think if anyone likes historical fiction around the Tudors, this is the best of the best.