Reading Vlog: Les Miserables, Exciting News, Starting Uni, and New Books!!! September 2020

Hello Friends!!!
I have had quite a busy first week of uni! I got some very exciting news, restocked my Etsy shop, bought new books, and started the groundbreaking book that is Les Mis! This is more of an update than a reading vlog, but it's full of my two favorite things: art and books. I hope you're all having a wonderful day or night, and thank you for being such wonderful people!
***Les Mis-along Announcement Video -
• Video
***emma(readwhat) - • Video
***Lucy - / channel
***Rory Gilmore Readathon - • Video
***My Etsy Shop (more prints/bookmarks are on the way!!!) -
www.etsy.com/shop/CarolynMari...
***My Social Media: CarolynMarieReads
Art/Book Instagram - / carolynmariereads
GoodReads - / carolynmariereads
Happy Reading :)
#readingvlog #bookhaul #lesmisalong

[@kendalynmurdock4806]

Les miserables is my favorite book of all time. It literally changed my life and how I see things. It made me more empathetic and forgiving and want to do more good in the world. Hugo's writing is so achingly beautiful and profound. I'm so excited your reading it :)

[@laurianaesteves6688]

Me too

[@elielaroche-bougie9864]

Same but to be honest I don’t know how the translators could translate this book

[@kendalynmurdock4806]

@Dmitri I love Dostoyevsky too, in fact I consider him one of the most brilliant writers to have ever lived. I'm reading brothers karamazov right now actually :)

[@valentinekizito661]

It is so beautiful, changed my life too!! But too bad she didn't say very nice things about it when comparing her with Anna Karenina😂

[@kendalynmurdock4806]

@@valentinekizito661 I know!! I thought for sure she'd love it, how could you not? Its so perfect in every way :)

[@Faye_L]

Les Miserables isn't a book, it's a life-changing experience. 🥰 Congrats on the mentor! That's amazing!

[@maleem4421]

I love your reaction to this book. I've seen other reviewers who think the first chapter of the bishop is a waste of time and that couldn't be further from the truth. The bishop is the ideal, the hero the basic premise of the book revolves around how even a criminal can reach that ideal; of course, with help and with compassion and I don't get how some people don't get that.

[@mcayh1588]

I would 100% buy a copy of A Farewell to Arms with that cover design. Excellent work so far

[@tarabage1553]

I had to read an abridged version of Les Misérables for my French class (I am French) when I was 14 and I am now hoping to read the complete version because I need to read a lot for my big test at the end of the year!! I love seeing people speaking French 😍 and that’s on being a Francophile

[@sarahsperusals]

AHH CONGRATS ON HAVING CORALIE BICKFORD SMITH AS YOUR MENTOR!!! you talk about her all the time so i know that means a lot to you!!! wowowow

[@Angieluv95]

Ahh!! I'm sooo excited for you . I feel like great things are coming for you!

[@corajohnston22]

Oh my gosh when you said Coralie Bickford Smith I literally smiled ear to ear for you! Congratulations!

[@elizabethgardner6832]

Oooooo! That is so exciting and wonderful! You deserve it. I'm glad that you decided to tell us. I hope that you are someday able to move to England and take us along with you (virtually of course, we won't hide in your suitcase).

[@naomi0000]

I had a really off day so I bingewatched your vlogs because they always brighten the day. And then I received your Shakespeare bookmark which was just an absolute treat (and even a week before I expected it)!! You are such a lovely person, I wish you all the best💕

[@elimiller5374]

I'm loving the LesMis-along. This is one of my favorite stories.

[@anhairoantree5796]

Ahh! My Jane Austen portrait just came as I was sitting down to watch this video! So gorgeous! Congratulations on your mentoring opportunity!

[@ayeshazafar1641]

I've started reading Les Mis, and I have highlighted almost on every page. The writing is very beautiful.

[@sueh3426]

How exciting for you. I almost cried when you shared your wonderful news about Coralie Bickford Smith. Good things come to good people 😊

[@milliebks]

Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you!

[@Voodoostrawberry]

I am so excited for you! Hope you have a great semester and can't wait to see more of your wonderful cover designs. Also, you should read Tenant of Wildfell Hall first!

[@jaimeehingerton2397]

Congratulations on getting the mentor you want! I have many books she designed and love them. You’re obviously very talented and look forward to seeing books you design!

[@teanlit2949]

I'm glad you're doing the les misalong. I'm so intimidated by it, but you are giving me plenty of encouragement to pick it up soon!

[@angelacantu1951]

Omg! When you mentioned who your mentor was, I literally got chills! Congratulations!!!!

[@angelacantu1951]

I’m so happy for you omg 🥺💕

[@mcayh1588]

This is off-topic, but would you maybe consider doing a hair routine in one of your vlogs sometime? Your curls are literally always flawless. Also thanks for another great video. Love watching these while I draw :)

[@Marymooau]

I read Les misérables for the first time When I was 10. I’ve loved it ever since and read it many times again. My favourite novel of all time. Victor Hugo was a literary genius.

[@kayjones2533]

Congratulations! what an amazing to achievement to have such a renowned mentor. You are so incredibly talented and deserve every success. I think you will adore The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall x

[@Emmareads15]

Oh my gosh, congrats on your mentor! That's really amazing.

[@valel1879]

Congratulations !!!! I'm so happy for you for your mentoring opportunity💖 You're incredibly talented and I can't wait for the day where I'll see your name written under the cover artist tag. I'll buy that book on a heartbeat hahaha, your taste for art is unmatched queen👌

[@muhlenstedt]

What a brilliant approach combining traditionl oils with digital art. Congratulations for getting the mentoring , you are going to reach all stars of your dream sky, go and fly girl!

[@readknitwithcheryl]

Wow! Congratulations on your mentorship, that's wonderful! I received your Leo and Charles bookmarks and i LOVE THEM! You are so talented so reach for your dreams. The sky is the limit for you! Virtual hugs!

[@sofiaribeiro2349]

I am so happy for you! You are very talented you deserve it!

[@missmofet_]

Congratulations, Carolyn! ✨✨

[@SophiaClef]

I LOVE "Les Miserables", but your video reminded me of how much I loved every second that I spent reading it. The first time I was too much of an emotional trainwreck to annotate. Hopefully, my reread will be more organized and by the end of it I'll have beautiful passages in my "inspiration" notebook. This video was amazing and congrats on your mentor!

[@inesgoncalves9453]

You know, life is a really curious thing. I had heard of the Les Misérables book, but never really paid much attention to it. One day I woke up and, I don't know why, it suddenly popped up in my head. And so, I decided to search more about it, because I only knew the book by name and didn´t know what it was about and I stumbled upon your video (this video). What to say? Seeing you cry over the first pages made me curious for the story, and I ended up seeing the film, and falling in love with the songs. Then I watched scenes of the musical and it wouldn't get out of my head! So I decided to buy the book, and it was the best decision ever. I haven't had time to finish it yet but so far I´m loving it, so much so, that the story grew into a very special place in my heart. Thank you for being the first person to open my eyes to this wonderful story! Wishing you everything of good!

[@clairephoebe333]

That’s so cool that she is your mentor!!! I’m so happy for you ❤️ I’m applying to universities in the UK, and I’m hoping to move there next September if all goes well!!!! You should definitely consider moving though❤️❤️❤️ I’m sure you’d love it

[@NjIceTea]

That's so funny! I recently started reading that same translation and when I made it to that page 19 you are talking about and read that passage that ended with "dwells on a star" I almost had to stop reading because I was so awed by the beauty of the writing, so poetic.

[@grvhppr]

I know this is years late, but I’ve been watching your channel for a while now and finally getting to Les Mis this month! Attempting a “book” a day in it, so I should finish roughly around Christmas Day! Your quote from page 18 got to me too. I read that last night and dreamt about that wretched device. ❤

[@tinytina301]

When the pandemic is “over” you should definitely come to England. I’m in England and I’m finding it so hard to get hold of that copy of les mis

[@bookishatheart]

I've been the same way while reading Les Miserables. Yay, that's amazing!

[@MilenaReads]

Omg congratulations on your wonderful mentor Carolyn!! I’m so happy for you 💕 If you are going to read both Anne Brontës book I would definitely start with Agnes Grey. You can really notice her development as a writer when you read it in that order. If you are only going to read one, make it The Tenant of Wildfell Hall! 🌿

[@jamesduggan7200]

Jean Val-jean is ofc a dynamic character but without the intercession of the Bishop he would be just another dumb brute, likely to live a short and painful life. So, the actions of the Bishop are nothing short of miraculous, and the side story of how he recovered the items from the bandits would be a second miracle. Three, I believe, are necessary for sainthood.

[@nita182]

I love your passion. I just want to read and read and read after watching your and Emma's videos

[@elenianagnostopoulou8979]

I have read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and I loved it so much it's such an underrated book highly recommend you reading it 🌟🌟Also cant wait to receive my bookmark, I got the Jane Austen one thank you! I cant wait to see more of you keep it up 🙌🌸

[@zoeg4338]

Can't wait for your next restock on your etsy page, would love to purchase a Victor Hugo one to use as a bookmark to read Les Miserables

[@sashahawkins]

I knew you were gonna pick Coralie Bickford Smith!! Congratulations, so happy for you! :D

[@Jane4077]

When you eventually come to England I hope you can visit Stratford Upon Avon. It's a beautiful place and heaven for a Shakespeare fan. Also I loved The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall, I think you might love it too!

[@BooksAllTheWayDown]

Omg!! I just wanna say! I literally GASPED when you held out Agnes Grey lol cause I have that exact same edition and I just love that book so much!

[@BooksAllTheWayDown]

I don’t think it matters too much which one of Anne’s you read first, I LOVE The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, but Agnes Grey is a good starter book and it’s just as beautiful and impactful!

[@maitreyeed]

I recently read The tenet of wildfell hall and to say that i loved it will be an absolute understatement. Gosh, i hope you will pick it up soon

[@antoinemozart243]

The tenet or....the tenant ? 😊 I loved it too.

[@MaryAmongStories]

I AM SO HAPPY AND PROUD OF YOU AND JUST STARTED CRYING AGAIN HAHA

[@lisa60932]

I know you’ll love Bleak House - I read it last year and enjoyed it so much 😊

[@CoynieReads]

My jaw dropped when you said that Coralie Bickford-Smith would be your mentor! Congratulations!! 😍

[@ShutupNKissme]

I have this book too! It is really a beautiful book with beautiful and sad story that happened in 19 century😊

[@MameysMedley]

My copy just came today....not sure if I will be able to catch up and I must admit, I am a bit intimidated.....I received my book marks you sent. I LOVE all of them!!!! Is there a Victor Hugo one??

[@angelinaproto6970]

Congratulations !! otherwise I wanted to ask you a question, do you have an organization to annotate your books? Love you ❤❤

[@sofiafernandez5403]

The world needs you designing book covers.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

I'm almost done with the first section of Les Miserables, but I'm reading a few other books at other at the moment.

[@eviebaker7274]

that is a beautiful cover of Les Miserables!

[@kyleesmith4727]

Evie Baker yes! It is? Where did you get it Carolyn Marie?

[@saniab3546]

​@@kyleesmith4727 This one is from Barnes and Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/les-miserables-victor-hugo/1116706580?ean=9780143107569

[@doowopshopgal]

What a sweet doll!

[@abcdeshole]

I often did what you did at 7:54. It’s a Hugo moment.

[@KittyAndTheBooks]

The migrating part in Brooklyn was great, but I really didn't like the rest of the book. The main character let everyone walk over her again and again... she doesn't decide a single thing for herself - it's decisions and ideas by others. I am loving Les Mis so far. :) Thanks for starting this readalong. I think I wouldn't have read it otherwise.

[@MashaPan45]

I really love your channel! Love to see another book lover. Have you ever read Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes? It's really good book.

[@leenah8212]

If you do an Oscar Wilde postcard I would SO buy it!!!

[@adelguerib1821]

Kudos, readind Les Mis is a courageaous but rewarding endeavour. Beware though, unlike Dickens Hugo likes to digress, the story told in the musical is only a part of the book

[@3bks]

yt: do u want 40 min video about les miserable? oh, sure why not?

[@macaroonradio8921]

lol! took me two years to read les mis on and off

[@morine5236]

Ha! Your observation from a Charles Dickens novel is on par with this extract from The Guardian newspaper ~ Douglas-Fairhurst is clear-sighted about Dickens’s failings, not merely in his treatment of Catherine but in his reactionary attitudes to class, race and women’s liberation. The new fashion for bloomers in 1851 provoked his ridicule - women wearing trousers, or indeed the trousers, was an outrage against the social order, he argued in print, making clear that their doing anything much beyond home-management ought to be discouraged.

[@theteenageangstpodcast5283]

The Tenant of wildfell hall first please!!! Agnes grey is is good but I feel not as good as The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

[@nicapangilinan4416]

I was so into the video already... until she started writing on the pages. Omg, I cannot!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Hahahaha I felt that way about writing in books too for a while! But then I felt like it was a nice to interact with the story, characters, and text in a more physical way! 🥰📖💕 Then, I can go back and re-read my little notes and reminisce on my reading experience! I do have quite a lot of special books that I'll never write in though! :)

[@emilycurnow389]

Oh my goodness if you can move to England we could have tea !

[@inaina872]

1st :)

[@NormanF62]

I absolutely hated the title The Wretched for the new translation and reverted it to Les Miserables. It just didn’t flow with Hugo’s novel. Whoever at Penguin came up with the atrocious title deserved to be sent to the woodshed. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

[@zubaerchaudhari8267]

Hi

[@thejvsgamer3289]

This was, uhmmmm... no wait. She started it a day after my birthday. I got so excited, until she said, '31st'.