September Wrap up & October TBR

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks for having me on your first Friends on Books - I hope to do it again. My 2 cents regarding content: I never look at the analytics tab on YT studio but of course pay attention to what videos get watched more and have higher engagement. So that does drive some of my video choices, but for the most part, I short a video when I feel like I want to talk about something. So I’d say do your thing and people that like what you do will find your channel! You’re already growing really fast, so save that time commitment for what you want to do most!

[@MattonBooks]

Thank YOU Josh, for jumping in at such short notice. 🙂👌🏻 I really enjoyed the chat. Yeah, I’m still playing around with what kinds of videos are fun to make, and how they do, but I’m already clear on doing this for my own enjoyment. People who enjoy what I do will turn up. 🙂

[@esmayrosalyne]

Great wrap-up, loved hearing your thoughts! I've been really interested in The Councillor for a long time, but seeing your thoughts in Discord and on here has definitely bumped it up my TBR! And really happy to hear that Malice managed to grab you in the end! I agree that it's a bit of a rocky start, but once you find your footing, you are in for an absolute treat with the rest of the series. Enjoy the ride!! Also, interesting to hear what you've learned so far in your time here on Booktube! I think you have a great mindset, just going in to have fun and making videos that you are passionate about. Can't wait to see what the future holds for the channel! Happy reading 🤩

[@MattonBooks]

Thanks Esmay. 🙂 The Councillor is definitely worth a read. It’ll be near the top on my best of 2022 list, but will almost certainly win as most original of the year. ⭐️ Malice review should be up by next week, but it was definitely good enough to continue. The other 3 are on hold for me at my FLBS. 😉

[@maggythestray6869]

Oh can't wait for your review of the Councillor!!!!

[@MattonBooks]

Thanks Maggy. 🙂 Once I get my Malice review up, The Councillor won’t be far behind.

[@francoisbouchart4050]

Glad to hear you are enjoying The Councillor. It is a book that I want to read.

[@MattonBooks]

It’s pretty awesome. Review coming soon!

[@demidrek-heyward]

let's go this has has the promise to be an an excellent book tube channel, thanks for throwing your hat into the game.

[@MattonBooks]

And thank you for watching Mathias. 🙂

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

So happy you got hooked halfway through Malice! I think you’re in for quite the ride with the next 3 books! Love seeing the Councillor pop up, as I have it on the shelf but don’t think about picking it up too often.

[@MattonBooks]

Yup. Was uncertain at the beginning, but once it got rolling I was on board. 🙂

[@safinan8008]

Nice wrap up video!! Malice by John Gwynn is great series just carry on with the series!! Happy reading to you!! 🎃👻🍁🍂🍃

[@MattonBooks]

Yeah, I got into it enough I’ll definitely keep going. 🙂

[@readbykyle3082]

Great video, Matt! I love the interactive nature of booktube and everyone appearing on each other's channels for discussions, its some of my favorite content. I've been hearing great things about the Councelor and will hopefully get to it when book two's release date is announced. I also own all three of the Gutter Prayer books...I thought it was finished 🤣I'll have to check out your interview with Gareth!

[@MattonBooks]

Thanks Kyle, but… no arguements? 😜 Yeah, The Councillor is pretty great. Review up next week. 👌🏻

[@laurensbooklife]

This was a great wrap up Matt. As a fellow Aussie, I love that you are doing Austober and I am so thankful because it made me aware of authors who are Australian. The only one off your TBR I knew was Australian was Jay Kristoff. I loved hearing about the collaborations you have done and your thoughts on booktube and your channel so far.

[@MattonBooks]

Thanks Lauren! 🙂 Yeah, once I had the idea and started searching for Aussie authors, I learned a lot too. Same as you, I’d also only heard of Kristoff being an Aussie before I started.

[@Johanna_reads]

Great wrap-up, Matt! There’s so much I want to say, but maybe I should just wait since we’ll be chatting this weekend 😂. Your channel is off to such an amazing start, and I see nothing but great things for you in your BookTube future!

[@MattonBooks]

Thanks Johanna. 🙂 Seeya soon! 🤘🏻😀🤘🏻

[@RekindledReader]

Great wrap up, Matt. Also I agree - it's a trap, and SO easy to fall into chasing the subs and views. Make what you love!

[@MattonBooks]

Thanks Theo. 🙂 Yeah, considering there’s no money in it, why would I want to make it feel like a job? 😉

[@mjdaniel8710]

Love Malazan, reading Memories of Ice a 4th time

[@MattonBooks]

My 2nd, and damn that’s a good book. 😀

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Nice chat and wrap up.

[@MattonBooks]

Thanks Penny. 🙂

[@biomika27]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about booktube! It's indeed only when you start doing it that you understand the work and thought processes behind a channel! But it's a good experience as long as you enjoy doing it! I love filming, but it's the editing part I hate ahaha. I don't stand watching myself and having to cut when I say sth incorrect, or when I loose my train of thought! You convinced me for The Councillor, it was in my wishlist and now it's in my basket, let's see for how long... ;) Great video! Thanks!

[@MattonBooks]

Yeah, I’m no great fan of editing, but the thing I really procrastinate on and rush is thumbnails! 😜

[@ToriTalks2]

"From now on, I will only be doing lists of swords." ... I mean I wouldn't complain. XD Also, those "random idea" videos always prove to be some of the best ones, it's crazy. My "Best First Lines" video with Ben went crazy and I was not anticipating that at all.

[@MattonBooks]

Yeah, “copy Tori’s first lines video” is on my todo list already. 😜

[@ToriTalks2]

@@MattonBooks 😂😂😂 I've got a round 2 coming up later this week

[@andreabknight]

I love John Gwynne's writing. My own fantasy writing is more on the straight forward side and I am learning a lot from Gwynne's writing. Despite the simplicity, it communicates so much worldbuilding, and shows character well too.

[@MattonBooks]

Yeah, I was a bit mixed on Malice, but I’ve heard it gets better as the series progresses…

[@andreabknight]

@@MattonBooks The Bloodsworn Saga is excellent (2 books released to date)- haven't started Malice yet but on the TBR.

[@mikesbookreviews]

TBR & Bookshelf tours are a necessary evil, sadly. I'm always a big believer in giving the people what they want, but I really don't want to do a 3rd bookshelf tour ha ha

[@MattonBooks]

Yeah mate, maybe just a difference between having an 80K+ audience, and finding out who your specific audience even is. For me, I think giving the people what they want, if it’s something _I don’t really want to do_, would be a good way to make my channel feel like a chore, which’d probably kill it. 😬 As one of your “people”, I’m perfectly fine with you never touring your bookshelf again, especially if you don’t want to. 😉

[@thepapertraveler1122]

Although individual reviews don’t do well initially, they are how I discovered Booktube. I now wish I could remember what book it was because after that I was in awe of this bookish world I didn’t know existed. Certain book reviews tend to accumulate views on the long haul. Glad you mentioned The Counsillor because it’s a book I’ve been debating about reading and Amazon sure thinks I should since it keeps popping up in my suggestions,haha! Enjoying your channel and just to let you know I found it through Red Fury Books. Watched most of the discussion but Malazan still intimidates me.😬

[@MattonBooks]

My 1st experience with booktube a few months ago was the same. I figure if I like watching reviews, there must be plenty of other people who do too, and you’re right - I think they’re more evergreen than “I bought these books today.” I’d also really like to do some spoilery in depth thoughts on specific books, like Malazan, but these are honestly the most intimidating books to shoot, for me. Getting your thoughts together in a coherent way to talk about it uninterrupted for 15+ minutes is work. And if you’re intimidated by Malazan, the question is: are you intimidated by the writing, or the size? If it’s the writing, don’t worry, it can take some getting used to, coming from a lot of other fantasy stuff, but it’s not like semi learning a language like when you read the Iliad or Shakespeare or something. If it’s the size, think of it as 3 trilogies, and decide you’re just reading the first one. Most of us have read _many_ trilogies, so just add another one. If after Memories of Ice, the 3rd book, you’re not hooked, then it’s definitely not for you, so much love on.

[@zan8152]

I think the 1st book/Full Series/Spoilers if beyond that format works really really well - I can maybe see a "No spoiler 2nd book, does it hold up/improve, and thus confirm the series is worth it" but generally, if I haven't read #1, why would I be concerned about anything else? And really glad you enjoyed The Councillor so much, looking forward to your thoughts there.

[@MattonBooks]

Thanks Zan. 🙂 Yeah, the 2nd book thing might be worth it, but I generally don’t want to waste time reviewing a 1st book I wouldn’t recommend, so the 2nd review would usually be “if you liked the 1st, read it.” 😆 Having a hard time this week getting to my Malice review, but The Councillor is coming up right after that. 👌🏻

[@GemReadsALot]

Great wrap up, I really need to pick up The Councillor it sounds great

[@MattonBooks]

Yes you do, Gem. 🙂 It’s pretty great.

[@GemReadsALot]

@@MattonBooks also didn’t realise James Islington is Australian! I will be picking it up this month too 😁

[@MattonBooks]

@@GemReadsALot Hadn’t known it myself either, before I started researching Aussie authors.

[@EricMcLuen]

I am curious on your experience on a reread vs. the first time through on Malazan. Have read twice and even when you knew something was going to happen, it didn't always help. I also picked on so much foreshadowing you really can see the long con Erickson was playing. I have the same reaction to anime although I have never read, only watched. The overacting is even worse with the show and dialogue as well. In Vinland Saga the really tall guy, forget his name, sounds like bad dubbing of a Shaw Brothers film. I am halfway through The Great Ordeal in the Aspect Emperor and have been trying to figure out what to read after. I would like to read Assassin's Apprentice to see if it gets any better but it would likely be doomed from the start. Ironically some Korbal Broach might do the trick as I have read but completely forgot the first one. But there does need to be more greybeards on the Tube. (I would fall outside the demographic you referenced). It adds perspective when your first fantasy book wasn't Harry Potter, Twilight or Sanderson. And the only reason I like bookshelf tours is to see what else the host has read but not talked about. I keep trying to get a better look at AP's shelves but he keeps moving stuff around.

[@MattonBooks]

So far the difference with the re-read is I understand *so much more*. I understand Deck of Dragons readings! I know what warrens are all about (more or less)! I remember characters and their relationships better. And all of that frees up enough cognitive load that I can pay more attention to the BIG story, and that long con you mentioned. And yes, AP is a wily trickster. 😉

[@jeroenadmiraal8714]

Don't you feel that the attention, the engagement, with viewers remains rather shallow? And that only with group discussions there is a better opportunity to get deeper into the books?

[@MattonBooks]

Yes, it is. There’s only so much discussion you can really have in the comments here. But there’s more back & forth on Discord, and I’m planning monthly 4 person live chats, and those can go deeper. Really, the channel here is about sharing books I love, and maybe inspiring people to read them. And hopefully the discussion happens somewhere, if not here.