Reading Wrap Up / June 2021

[@maureencalder9911]

When you wear blue your eyes look amazingly 'bluer'. Just had to mention it.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

☺️💙

[@a_bookish_gemini]

I was going to say the same thing - the eyes just POP in this video 😱❤️

[@glendaw5221]

I am 71 and love my younger friends who are all ages. The learning curve is heavily in my favor - I’m far less cynical about the future than many people my age. I really enjoy your descriptions of the books.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you!

[@cherylynlarking191]

eric, I am nearly 70 and have many intergenerational friendships which work both ways. It was refreshing to hear your stance on it as often people think I could be my friend's mother!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

That's great! Yes, some of the people I feel closest to are friends who are either much older than me or much younger.

[@karolinenavarsete6925]

This month I read “the bell jar” , “that reminds me” , “American dirt” , “dubliners” , “expectation” , “my name is Leon” , “my year of rest and relaxation” and “tennis lessons” And I just started on “educated”

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Educated is so good!

[@1book1review]

That is such a topic I can imagine having a conversation with Ali Smith about, great dream choice! My dreams lately are mostly algamations of whatever show I'm watching, in varying ways of intesity LOL

[@onyssima]

Omg, you are such a role model 🥺. I cannot believe the amount of books you read in one month. Although I’ve discovered your channel a few months ago, you are already my favorite booktuber! Your recommendations are top-notch and thanks to you I’ve discovered the genius of Joyce Carol Oates, not to mention the book awards predictions! ☺️😁

[@EricKarlAnderson]

That is so kind. Thank you! And I'm so glad to have helped you discover JCO!

[@andraste6746]

Always enjoy your thoughtful reviews.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you! 🤗📚

[@a_bookish_gemini]

I started reading Unicorn (or Life as a Unicorn as it’s called here in the US) as soon as you started talking about it because I’ve heard several people mention it and your review was basically the ultimate endorsement. I absolutely adore it and it’s exactly like you said, moving, beautiful, heartbreaking and important. 🦄💜

[@heroinescorner]

assembly is definitely a book that needs to be reread multiple times! so many layers that i forced me to stop a think. i love it so much! gotta say, cathedral seems more like a murder weapon than a book, it’s HUGE.

[@christinacampbellbooks]

Loved hearing your thoughts on all of these. I'm planning to read The Other Black Girl in July. And, I'm on the waiting list at my library for Still Life. I absolutely loved Tin Man by her. Very much looking forward to reading both of them!

[@jessicalowe4845]

Your dream about your conversation with Ali Smith cracked me up. Thanks for the laugh! 😂

[@EricKarlAnderson]

It’s so silly. My best dream about Ali Smith was one where I went into a shop and stole a bunch of candy bars and when I was running out Ali Smith was a security guard chasing after me. 😂

[@glendaw5221]

Hi. I once dreamed I was with Robert Redford. I told him he was a great director but a one-dimensional actor. He didn’t take it well. 😂

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Haha!

[@tammikma]

I've been really excited for Radcliff Hall since I first read of it when the library aquired the audiobook a couple of months back. I hope I get around to it soon! mostly classics are really satisfying reads for me. it takes a lot to trump the new release urgency but those time tested ones tend to really deliver when you make space for them.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

It's such a pleasure I think you'll enjoy it.

[@ashleysharp1800]

What edition of Still Life is that? It's stunning! Great video, as always

[@bianquita1]

You've had quite the reading month, yet again. Currently enjoying Still Life. Most of the other books you read are unknown to me.

[@janethansen9612]

Putting Assembly and The Other Black Girl on my TBR!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Fab! I hope you enjoy them. 📚

[@mradcaqbdb]

Yes, Unicorn was glorious! Glad to hear the experience of reading the physical book was as wonderful as the audiobook! Little bit disappointing news on Still Life, particularly as I read Tin Man for the first time this year and it’s my favorite book of the year so far. But I will give Still Life a go soon. And I loved The Other Black Girl! Thought it was fantastic! And I’m still waiting to get Heaven from the library. Should come in soon. I’m really curious about it.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Many other readers have loved Still Life so it might just be me or the mood I was in when I read it. I think it's definitely worth reading. Hope you get Heaven from the library.

[@martininnes4716]

I'm reading A Room of One's Own (which also has Three Guineas in this edition) but will get to Radclyffe Hall. Nice to hear your views.

[@meenuiyer7011]

My favourite book for June has been 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz'. A heartbreaking but a must read. I have started July off with Orhan Pamuk's 'A strangeness in my mind'.

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

I don't remember dreaming about authors, occasionally there will be actors or politicians but usually any people in my dreams tend to be friends and acquaintances.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I think that’s definitely more normal! 😄

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

@@EricKarlAnderson It maybe because you read so much, and have seen Ali Smith being interviewed. There may have been something in the day previous about Ali Smith or just because of the seasons (her books being named after seasons). Our dream state links disparate thoughts in our mind and our mind tries to knit them into a story for our dreaming self. The dreamer is the person best able to interpret their own dream.

[@kristenr563]

Ahhh, sounds like a spoiler for The Other Black Girl…reading it now.

[@LarryHasOpinions]

cathedral sounds a bit like a pillars of the earth "retelling"?

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I've not read that, but it does sound similar.

[@LarryHasOpinions]

haha that's so funny, do you not dream of joyce carol oates??

[@EricKarlAnderson]

of course!

[@jennymcevoy8961]

🤣🤣👏👏

[@nirajsolanki8725]

You know I received some flak for ‘comparing’ two very different books. They went on to label the act as ‘literary blasphemy’. And, now I feel vindicated. Just because you endorse (sort of) a similar view. 🙌

[@EricKarlAnderson]

It’s silly to consider that to be blasphemy! We do it all the time in our reading. The fact we read a group of books that come from different points of view but that might have overlapping themes, ideas or images is part of what makes every reader’s experience unique.

[@annegibson6072]

Good afternoon. How does Cathedral compare to Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet?

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I've seen lots of people compare it to Follet but I've never read him myself so although they sound superficially similar I'm not sure how the style of writing or content compares.

[@loriroemer1122]

I've read both, and I found them very different. I prefer Pillars of the Earth, I could not get into Cathedral very easily.

[@annegibson6072]

@@loriroemer1122 I have read Pillars of the Earth and thoroughly enjoyed the entire series. I have a copy of Cathedral but I have not read it.

[@angelahampson391]

Just about to dnf Still Life after getting 80 % in life really is too short . Massively disappointed as I hoped it would get me out of a reading slump .

[@ladaffodilion]

Hi, Eric. Do you have a video of best gay novels? If no, please make one.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I did make a video a few years ago about the LGBT Books that made me: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6eZYnmpeLqGhrc