book shopping with a mission, self care & the truth about six of crows 🍂 reading vlog

won't you look at that: it's a good ol' normal reading vlog! in this one i focus on self care and taking it slow, i go to the bookstore with 2 specific goals for shopping, do a little book & kitchen stuff haul, have a bit of a rant about six of crows and kaz brekker and see if i can keep all of this up at uni!
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🌸 m y e t s y s h o p
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🌼 s o c i a l m e d i a
• goodreads: / leonie-dams
• twitter: @thebookleo
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🌺 a b o u t m e
Hi! My name is Leonie and I am a 24 year old girl who loves talking about books! From YA to non-fiction to classics, I read it all (although fantasy will always be my fave). I live in the Netherlands and go to university, but make booktube videos in my spare time :)
🌹 m u s i c
• KZbin Audio Library

[@coffeeshop8675]

As a German it is so funny for me to read some Dutch words like “kinderen” because I can understand what it says but it feels like I’m drunk reading it

[@remiwilde129]

ahahaha same

[@koritsi2142]

Same! Especially as someone who speaks both German and French, terms like "bericht stagaire" are so funny to me, it's like a mix of both xD

[@ayesha36]

Same, as an English speaker Dutch just sounds like alternate universe English.

[@rebecateles3806]

Brazilian here 👋 what does "kinderen" means?

[@koritsi2142]

@@rebecateles3806 It means children ("Kinder" in German) :)

[@lina5699]

I don't see why candles are seen as frivolous. It's basically aromatherapy .It's like peppermint helps you concentrate and lavender makes you feel relaxed. Candles I think are super necessary and I get why people love tjem

[@LittleMew133]

I think partly because some candles are crazily priced. While one can just buy the essence oil or herbs that typically last longer.

[@madiwrites299]

My house never feels clean until a candle is lit it’s just so refreshing

[@natsdemodog]

I'm so happy you said this about Six of Crows. I see many aspiring authors getting discouraged because they feel as if they're writing a copy of SoC, when it's just a trope such as the chosen one.

[@victoriah4648]

Seeing people call everyone a Kaz clone is super funny to me, Kaz is an almost exact ripoff of Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders lmao

[@sophieellis170]

It's just a cliche character type

[@kurlykaitlyn]

There are total misconceptions about Frankenstein! I was shocked when I read it in college a few years back. It’s probably my favorite classic!! Idk how far you are, but Shelley brings a good lesson in that one

[@caitlyn.m.t9618]

I understand what you mean about wanting to find a book that you have never heard of before all on your own. And I still do that, but I suck at finding new books to read in bookstores. That's why I plan out the books I get, and I watch booktube and I scroll on Instagram and look at lists of books. Because if I don't then I can't find books. For some reason, there is one store that it doesn't apply to which is why I go there so often. Sure it is pricey and they never have sales, but there I can always find ten new books that I have never heard of before every time. And that is something I used to do monthly but...lockdown happened. It is easing up soon, like within a week kind of soon.

[@mattkean1128]

Love seeing bookstores in other countries. I'm on the hunt for a real tearjerker, but nothing too cheesy or sappy. I can feel that seasonal depression coming 😂

[@nanimaonovi2528]

'When Breath Becomes Air' got me in the feels. Terminally ill? Better do all the things, have a baby, write a book and still work 12+ hours a day. So heartbreaking.

[@dianeyoung8130]

counting by 7's. It's a happy tear jerker if that makes sense.

[@muskaan3711]

A Little Life, it's a booktok fave

[@TheSnuffy1994]

@@nanimaonovi2528 Damn that one sounds intense, thanks im putting that on my list to look out for

[@onlyireneadler]

I second Counting by 7s, but also, The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

[@marywong9976]

I love how you always have such strong opinions about comments circulating in the book community and articulating them so convincingly:)

[@TheBookLeo]

ahh thank you so much i appreciate that!

[@caitlyn.m.t9618]

Thank you for saying that thing about six of crows. Like I love that book, but every time someone says a book is a rip-off or a copy of six of crows I just assumed they haven't read either book. If you did, then you weren't paying attention. Because 99% of the time when I hear this it is just like a genre, or the fact they included a heist or morally grey characters or something else and at the end of the day they are just parts of books, whether it be tropes or character types or something else. Not everything is Six of Crows, and quite frankly their argument is weak. And also about the Kaz clone thing, it is called a character type. People love that kind of anti hero/ morally grey sometimes violent mastermind that is also in sketchy business. I personally don't care for it, but people love it, and you could very easily make a list of popular characters that fit that description (and most of them are probably dark-haired and wearing black, and it does not mean that they are Kaz).

[@sreehithas1225]

Thanks for the motivation to read a book that I have been putting off for so long!

[@TheBookLeo]

yesss get that reading time!

[@fivestripes897]

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is one of my favorite books so far. The way it discussed the meaning of life it's almost philosophical. 22:33 I can't help but notice during the time to finish the 12 things, the Nintendo switch has changed its positions from the book shelf :)

[@kurlykaitlyn]

So true about Frankenstein! It is also my favorite! and truly sad

[@fivestripes897]

@@kurlykaitlyn she had a wonderful and brilliant mind.

[@konstant_ly]

I have to eventually continue Frankenstein. I did the classic me thing and started reading, was interested, stopped for a day, which turned into two days, into a week, a month, and I haven't touched it in like a year now, and I've only just barely started

[@fivestripes897]

@@konstant_ly all in good times

[@epicwalrus7183]

After you've read the philosophy of Mary's mother, the philosophical elements click even more. It feels like, whether she meant to or not, Mary used the story to reply to her mother's philosophy and point out its strengths and flaws.

[@marcelscharrenbroich5900]

Absolutely love your cozy videos. So relaxing, charming and entertaining! After that, back to the writing-work... fully motivated and stress-free. Thanks for the break! 🤗

[@kristencarson]

You should check out The Lies of Locke Lamora if you love a good criminal/heist/some magic story! I've just finished it and it might be one of my favourite books of all time 😶

[@elisabethp3699]

Yeeees! It is a bit slow at times but so worth it!!!

[@heatherburke9583]

She mentions it at 20:10!

[@namkia205]

Locke is like the cool funny uncle version of Kaz Brekker and way more likeable. It's a good read.

[@elisabeth9127]

Saaame I love the relationship between Locke and Jean

[@jamesduggan7200]

Yes, Frankenstein is not what one expects. However, with respect to the first film c.1930s, the idea that maybe it became a monster because Victor had bad luck with the brain he used. Igor dropping the good brain on the floor and replacing it with the criminal brain adds something not in Shelley's novel, yet somehow it adds to the story, It's a wonderful story and I've heard so many different interpretations of it. It's amazing how it seems no two people experience it the same way. Thx, and here's to you.

[@ashbellbooks]

I’m reading Frankenstein right now and totally agree :) I think people don’t like it because they really don’t know what it’s about

[@micaaaa6010]

The editing in this video is supreme!✨🙌🏻👏🏻

[@coolio44]

This is exactly the video I needed to motivate me for Monday morning tomorrow! I have a very busy week coming up but it's nice to be reminded to self care even when it's busy; thank you!

[@screwgravity100]

The mug thing makes a lot of sense! I have a ton of mugs, but I will OLNY drink my coffee out of two of them 😅

[@sierrareed11]

I’m currently reading the drowning empire series (you showed one of the books from the bookstore) ITS SO GOOD. I think you would like it bc it’s a fantasy with first person view of multiple characters that all seem to be morally grey if not downright bad haha

[@addisonmiddleton1816]

I love these reading vlogs 🙌

[@kjarakravik4837]

So Frankenstein was the scientist, not the monster, but also Frankenstein was totally the monster because Victor Frankenstein is a terrible person

[@danielsister2467]

Yeah, a half hour reading vlog to start the week… That makes me happy. Am I a nerd? Yes, but a happy nerd

[@gabiocampos]

Literally one of the most creative people in youtube✨✨

[@MagicalMallory]

just discovered your channel, so don't mind me binging your old videos, but i am a HUGE six of crows fan so it's so fun to hear you talk about it!

[@tusharakothapally695]

Yes! completely agree with the pov on SOC. People keep saying the same about The Secret History and its 'clones' as well. Like I love the whole dark academia,secret societies and murders! Give me more of those!!!!

[@romalibra_books]

I love Zara Home stuff but because of the slavery scandal (this brand is in every fashion human's right scandal), I decided to stop buying from them. Glad the candles are not good then, one thing I won't miss :)

[@random23287]

I've seen people on booktube talk about The Bone Shard Daughter, and they seem to like it! Hope you enjoy. Also, plant tour? 😏

[@tine442]

Oh yes, I would like to see more of her plants, too! I always admire her spider plant :D

[@mariiposa_x8091]

Kinda unrelated but I really admire how you're a full time uni student and still manage to take time for yourself on the weekends. As a new-ish uni student (considering i spent my first semester fully online) i would love to know how you organize your studies!

[@leftoclock]

Unpopular opinion, but I think that when someone reads young-adult books but they constantly find more questionable things in the story than good things to enjoy, maybe it's the time to change into adult books. I'm not reading too much young-adult books at the moment because of that. And when I do, I usually have in consideration what reviewers say in Goodreads.

[@zuhraa4171]

This video is a cinematic masterpiece.

[@circeismyspirit]

Hopefully this will put me in the mood for test week🍁

[@TheBookLeo]

ohhh good luck!

[@sp7873]

16:15 i first thought you were eating a shoe..

[@sarangbalakrishnankp99]

You are my new inspiration to restart to walk again on this difficult path

[@skyhideaway]

I got so excited when I saw you reading Frankenstein because I also only recently started reading it, and it's so good! I'm honestly kinda mad at Victor Frankenstein for playing god and creating a living breathing creature, then just freaking abandoning it because it's "hideous". Especially (tiny spoiler) when the creature later finds him again, you can see how wretched and miserable he felt about the way even his own creator treated him. I'm still only halfway through but I have no hopes that the monster will get a good ending. :

[@muskaan3711]

I'm reading the book rn and feel bad for the monster :(

[@roman-cu1cw]

This is my first time to see someone mentioning Bone Shard Daughter. I randomly stumbled upon it in the sea of goodreads recs and read it on my kindle, so it’a kinda cool to get a glimpse of a printed version for the first time. It’s nothing groundbreaking but still more than a decent YA-ish fantasy with solid world and characters, and there’s definitely many aspects there that deviate from other super hyped YA fantasy books so it’s worth giving it a try! I think the sequel comes out this november or something so I’m excited 😆

[@losermillie]

I was confused when she said she hadn’t heard of it, I’ve seen it everywhere - how strange!

[@shaneritchey7891]

I get where you are coming from with the book. im currently reading The 7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn hardcastle. i only have 180 pages but it feels so slow. im just trying to get through it and hoping the ending is spectacular

[@nerdine1987]

I read Frankenstein at the moment as well and I feel exact the same way about it, its so different than expected and so good!

[@bookswithlau]

Watching your videos always relaxes me so much! They are so calm, between the music and the way you talk, and all the editing is gorgeous. Thank you!

[@TheKarinaChronicles]

Frankenstein is so good! And thank you for showing Leiden. As a Dutch person I thought I visited all the big cities in the Netherlands, but apparently not Leiden 😱 Good job with the self care 💕

[@sarangbalakrishnankp99]

What do you doing in University

[@roosteunissen9223]

Vingers over iets van rvs wrijven voor de knoflook geur!

[@callielafleur4673]

I'm also recommending Lies of Locke Lamora if you haven't read it already. So so good, different from Six of Crows in interesting ways

[@Cozygirliecorner]

I’m reading Frankenstein too!!! Loving it more the second time around. When I was young I was angry the whole time because of Victor 😂

[@agnes4606]

How does it feel to live my dream and live in the six of crows country😩😩

[@TheBookLeo]

ahhaha it really is

[@peach_levell]

I also have designated cups for designated liquids😅

[@Keyleenchannel]

Thank you for spilling the truth about SoC and Kaz. I’m sick that the audience pretend that it is something unique and fresh, when it is literally just stereotypical tropes. Leigh Bardugo make a good execution, but not create these tropes.

[@starkovsummoner]

omg thank you!! i liked soc but i don't think its the extraordinary masterpiece everyone makes it out to be. soc stans tend to criticize shadow and bone by saying it has a lot of cliches yet fail to acknowledge that soc has literally so many tropes as well. im not saying soc is bad or anything, but i dont think shadow and bone gets all the hate it gets when soc is literally built on cliches as well...

[@Tania.atlasinajar]

So nice, I literally just picked up another copy of Frankenstein, but honestly Leonie's is so much moodier and darker!

[@orsettomorbido]

PRETTY BOWLS! Also, while i'm not 100% the same, i do fully understand you and the mug thing! That's so interesting! Dang, i'm sorry the candle was not good :( 19:24 that's why I hate when people compare ANYTHING FANTASY to LotR, it's so famous OF COURSE there are going to be similarities with a bunch of other stuff if you search hard enough!

[@muskaan3711]

I too am reading Frankenstein rn! The book's not at all as I expected it to be.

[@Clearwood2023]

Its cool how your love of Gibli movies shows in your approach to filmning your intermissions

[@nicolebremer142]

Leonie, i watch your videos, old and new, on daily basis because 1) i love your thoughts regarding life, books and routine and 2) your voice sounds so much like my best friend. She lives in Canada and I live in Brazil, so we dont talk everyday. But you know, the vibes. VIBES 😂. You got it, the vibes.

[@rossetarwen]

Totally understandable if this comment goes unseen given the age of this video, but have you ever seen the film "The City of Lost Children" (original title: La Cité des Enfants Perdus)? It came out in '95 and it has a 'following a band of criminal children' vibe throughout so if you are into that, you might like the movie (it has other things going for it, too, like conjoined twins, cyborgs, and an evil scientist brain out at sea).

[@PiinkyPeyed]

I love Scream Queens so much!! I've been wanting to be Chanel Oberlin for halloween for so many years now haha! Also, your six of crows truths are so on point! I love the book, but I don't think it was ever the revolutionary story that then became the blueprint for all these other YA fantasies ^^"

[@KeeleyJo]

Thank you!! I don’t like Six of Crows at all, and I’m so tired of seeing other books compared to it.

[@suus-arido393]

I wish I had friends who like to read so we can do this version of Secret Santa. It sounds fun! Also broodje kroket is echt de beste keuze als het gaat om lunch, snack EN avondeten

[@Jeroeny]

It is funny that you say it doesn't make sense that you like to drink from a particular mug. But it does! Caffeine in tea/coffee makes you like that particular mug more! It even makes you like dislikeable tasks more. Those after drinking coffee that is.

[@itsmidnightgirl1550]

i love watching your videos, they’re so cozy and the editing is *chef’s kiss*

[@souhardya1487]

Hey Leo you should try The Summoner trilogy by Taran Matharu ...its a fantasy book and you may like it! I loved it

[@beebs8613]

That copy of Frankenstein is absolutely beautiful!!! Does anyone know which edition that is?

[@autisticbucky]

Leonie i want you to know that i, too, am super picky abt which drinks can go in which mugs.

[@manouserlier7614]

Omg i was just casually watching this video and i just realized you live in leiden in the netherlands, I live there too. Will see you around in a bookshop one day!

[@amandag6295]

Someone tell me why it took me literally 2 years of watching your videos and 3 bookshopping vlogs to realize we live in the same town lol

[@malinzoe]

Where are the plaid trousers from?? I need them in my life

[@FlavetteLaLavette]

Leo you are the personnification of Autumn by yourself !

[@TheBookLeo]

ahh thank youu

[@kristinripley5168]

There's a man looming in the shadows on your right shoulder in 25:10-28:00

[@kelleylovesbooks5688]

You’re my favorite! I always love your videos. Happy to see you taking good care of yourself. ✌🏽❤️📚

[@rachelrrr2981]

Your reading vlog is my fave 🍂

[@evngprimrose_]

I really love your aesthetic and I'm such a fan of rusty reds 😍

[@binkytimes8608]

15:13 I walked in my sisters room before and that was the same scene she was watching. It's the only part of the show I've ever seen.

[@tejaswinisureshkrishnan4228]

I love the lighting in the end!🤩

[@MargaretPinard]

The sale bookshop had such a beautiful ceiling and 'air' 😊

[@hajaramasri8224]

I really love your vlogs and all kinds of videos you make 💜

[@julianabarbosa9247]

watching this while drinking peppermint tea its just beyond cozy

[@TheBookLeo]

that sounds wonderful :D

[@samuelleask1132]

Your photography skills are really underrated

[@tine442]

I love your bag with these beautiful flowers! 😍 I like "Frankenstein" very much, too. I never thougth, that I would. The synopses sounds like ok (there is a guy, who is making a monster, hmm), but I'm very addicted 😃. Great vlog als always, I really enjoyed it 🤗

[@justwonder1404]

I love this channel's aesthetics. Btw, I guess Leigh Bardugo hersef said that SoC was inspired by Ocean's Elleven that is one of her favorite movies. She didn't invent morally gray characters she was just really good at executing the trope.

[@wyomingprairie]

I'm also supper picky about mugs and which beverages I like to drink out of which type of mug -- mug snob solidarity ;)

[@charlotteluker2146]

Dickie Dollar Scholars!!!

[@molliee5183]

I feel like Leonie may be an enneagram 5. After I watched Kayla’s enneagram video I took a test and found that I’m a 5. One thing about 5s is that we take sensory stuff super seriously.. candles, blankets or comfy clothes, lighting, etc. When Leonie was describing her intense desire for a nice candle I felt that 😂 I can’t describe how happy a nice smell, cozy blanket, warm tea, ambience lighting/sounds on make me. Apparently not everyone cares that much 😳

[@crystalrose8787]

First!

[@anto-yf5dd]

Great video, everything looks beautiful! Visited the Netherlands this year and I really can’t believe we live in the same world! That country is a totally different reality (I live in Peru). I wish I could be there :,)

[@TheMarinettes]

Have you ever read "The mirror visitor" (La Passe-miroir in french, the original version) by Mireille Dabos ? I am finishing the fourth and last book at the moment and I am really enjoying it.

[@exoforlifex5847]

Kitchen hack for garlic. If youve touched garlic, rubb your fingers against the steel inner side of your kitchen sink. It will absorb most of the smell. Works with onions too.

[@KingaZajacNNR]

If you have Bath & body works in Netherlands I would recommend their candles. They are expensive - but the smell is so potent! I have like 20 and all of them smell intensely - some of them I have in a closed cabinet and the cabinet smells every time I open it, even tho I have the lids on the candles. They often have promos, like 2 + 2 free, so it's worth the try. We have it in Poland, so Netherlands also should have it.

[@Jasmijn.F]

My local Kruidvat had the perfect scented Pumpkin Spice candle! If you love autumnal smells, I highly recommand this one! 🍂🧡

[@humyrahfatima]

Such a great start to my morning ❤️

[@anjamelnjak3636]

This is a really random comment, but you did your makeup so naturally in the second half of this video and there is something about your light eyes and pale skin that just made me not even listen to what you were saying, you're just so beautiful and I just wanted you to know that.

[@gpettey19]

This video 100% inspired me to prioritize my own self care this weekend! Off to a cozy cafe to answer a bunch of emails that I need to get done with :)

[@moacirdarosasantosdarosasa1360]

I'm brasilian and thanks for your channel ... I love literature!!! Congrats Leo!!

[@liesadventure]

to get rid of food smells on your hands you can buy a stainless steel 'soap bar'. If you wash your hands with it, it will absorb the smells. There's one at Dille & Kamille that looks like a fish.

[@nuhaalh6160]

just wanted to say that watching your videos is part of my self-care . And needless to say ,it's just so effective!!

[@dyingmoonshine]

"Less about to die" XD

[@martinhawrylkiewicz2025]

So charming.

[@whatcravings7545]

i watch the video i go and order frankenstein i go and start watching scream queens (again) with a bowl of noodles

[@pendragon2012]

BTW, I love that you look like you're on break for Hogwarts as you shop for books!

[@ophelia7006]

Can you share the edition of your Frankenstein? I loved the cover

[@TheBookLeo]

it's the bernie wrightson illustrated edition!

[@milenagiovanagiovana108]

omg that Jandy Nelson`s book near Casey`s one is perfect, you shoul have bought it!!!

[@meryam-7729]

Leuke video! Is de tweedehands boekwinkel ook in Nijmegen? Ik ben benieuwd waar dit zit

[@ikramsheik-ali9038]

yayyyy new viddd

[@TheBookLeo]

:D

[@fleaaaaaa]

There's a stardew valley sequel! Sorry this is unrelated :)

[@TheBookLeo]

YES I AM SO EXCITED

[@fleaaaaaa]

@@TheBookLeo Yessss it's so cool

[@xQueenOfDarknessX]

The Bagels&Beans and bookstore vibes >>>>