new favourite books, epic fantasy & japanese lit 🌟 books i recently read

use code TURKEY to get your first BOTM for only $9.99: www.bookofthem...
book review for:
• crudo by olivia liang
• just for the summer by abby jimenez
• fascism: a graphic guide
• six scorched roses by carissa broadbent
• all about love by bell hooks
• funny story by emily henry
• the will of the many by james islington
• the right to sex by amia srinivasan
• the forest brims over by maru ayase
🗝️ join my patreon for our book club + reader community: / thebookleo
🌼 s o c i a l m e d i a
• goodreads: / leonie-dams
• twitter: @thebookleo
• instagram: @thebookleo
• business enquiries: [e-mail]
🌺 a b o u t m e
Hi! My name is Leonie and I am a 25 year old girl from the Netherlands who loves talking about books! From YA to non-fiction to classics, I read it all (although fantasy will always be my fave).
🌹 m u s i c
Music, art, and video by Jokabi
▸ / @jokabibeats
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[@absurdwzrd72]

When the world needed her most she returned

[@veronika4870]

yesss

[@djmohabbatt]

ive been avoiding youtube considering it's disappointing algorithm - horrid recommendations and shorts designed by tiktok and instagram's scrolling design principles, trapping us in endless, mind-numbing loops - but i never fail to feel a sense of joy with every notification i receive from your channel. thank you!

[@LappyPotomus]

I hate shorts, I got a browser extension to hide them

[@sangermade]

​@@LappyPotomuswhich one, please?

[@janiabunao]

just a tip! but you can modify your algorithm by clicking "not interested" or "don't recommend channel" on videos or channels you don't like

[@djmohabbatt]

@@LappyPotomus i do the same yet my phone ends up taking its place. it's mostly a me problem but thankfully im past that now.

[@djmohabbatt]

@@janiabunao hey, thank you! i do that often yet somehow something gets on my feed to disrupt all :(

[@TheBeatlesToday]

I know you have a large American audience, but it made me chuckle that Book of the Month gave you, a Dutch woman in the Netherlands, the promo code TURKEY. 😂

[@saram5659]

And i think she is vegetarian too 😅

[@sporitan]

and that you can't have Book of The Month outside the US haha!

[@pandorra.]

@@sporitan THIS! :D me instantly googling "book of the month finally available in europe"

[@karybooks]

@@sporitan seriously :O I've been wanting to subscribe for many months now, but I'm in Canada. RIP ?

[@tjfmd]

@@karybooks book of the month has been available in Canada for over a year now. it's more expensive here but it is here.

[@fluvius.magnus]

literally just open youtube what a gift!!

[@fluvius.magnus]

opened* :P

[@PAM-404]

oh same my friend

[@ricarda4787]

Same

[@zofia4334]

timestamps ✨ • crudo by olivia liang 3:11 • just for the summer by abby jimenez 5:28 • fascism: a graphic guide 8:17 • six scorched roses by carissa broadbent 10:09 • all about love by bell hooks 12:23 • funny story by emily henry 16:09 • the will of the many by james islington 19:42 • the forest brims over by maru ayase 24:46 • the right to sex by amia srinivasan 29:27 also mentioned • the patriarchs by angela saini 33:31 • the bone shard daughter by andrea stewart 33:53

[@ryan99842]

Unveiling Your Hidden Potential by Bruce Thornwood (thank me later)

[@colpodifulmine8464]

With Leonie and Hannah uploading new videos, i am fed🫠🤝🏻🩷

[@ArtofLaurenGlenn]

Leonie, your channel and videos are the definition of a literal cup of tea! I always feel so cosy while watching, and the warmth stays with me longer after I’ve finished watching. I love hearing your opinions on books, and I always get so many good recommendations! Thank you :)

[@2youstories]

that ghibli merch 😭😭😭 glad you're back!! 🩷

[@chigangrel]

loving the hair! some of these books are on my tbr, which I'm working through slowly. I'm always impressed and curious about the people who can read like 8 books in a month. I cannot do that at my best, let alone if I'm going through something or work is busy! Just reading anything is an accomplishment. I'm at 83 books of my 75 book goal for the year though, which is my best in a long, long time! Hard to pick a favorite because I'm a generous reviewer and generally good at picking books I know I like, which means I mostly rate 4 and 5 stars lol But there were a few that surprised me with how good they were, after not knowing what to expect: The Dead Cat Tail Assassin's by P Djeli Clark , We Kept Her in the Cellar by WR Gorman, Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson, This Girl's a Killer by Emma C. Wells, The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett, Never Whistle at Night, the entire Tales From the Gas Station series... lots of bangers this year! Been on a graphic novel kick lately, particularly cute autumnal comics, and loved Sheets, Garlic and the Vampire, and Seance Tea Party as well!

[@tayxolly9871]

My favorite book i read in the past month is piranesi! It's motivated me to read the authors other work, Jonathan strange and mr morrel, even if it's like 1000 pages lol

[@Thatonesitcom]

Leonie's hair looks amazing✨✨

[@dobetterwithchristian4472]

Im reading all about love and I keep having to take breaks. It's amazing how we dismiss love as a concept and deride it when it truly hold the world together. Makes sense why a lot of it seems to be falling apart.

[@Be-ee-e]

Oh what sorts of love books did you read?

[@morph3e8]

She's back people !!

[@ochoheido]

I love hearing about books about the "cool kids"! It's so easy to find books about nerds because, well, books. I love seeing the other side

[@halliemeyer3490]

Her comment about the characters in Just for the Summer being the cool kids really confused me. *spoiler warning* The female main character grew up in foster care because her mom just left her home alone for weeks with no food when she was 8 years old. The book talks a lot about her dealing with her mentally ill mother. Although, I wouldn’t consider her a nerd, she is definitely not a cool kid in my opinion.

[@MarcelleLeiturasPreguicosas]

I think Just for the Summer is the best Abby Jimenez book so far, I liked the mental struggle aspect for the main gal, and the family stuff going of for the main guy, but if a reader can't connect to the characters I get why they would give a 2 stars. I loved Will of the Many, and despise the first 200 pages are indeed as you said, I ate up that world building and the roots for why the main guy has to go to the school. The ending is so UUUGH I NEED THE NEXT BOOK, and it's been a long time since I got this anxious for a sequel.

[@sydneybarker1489]

I agree with JFTS! It’s my favorite romance book, ever.

[@luasganzerla]

nick and jess vibe is really all i need to know to pick up this book

[@Ivanna051198]

I’ve been longing for your comments on “The will of the many” and now I’m ready to start reading it ✨

[@hayleyemma7953]

Leonie is back!! Im glad you got to enjoy a long break but also selfishly, I'm happy you're back 😂

[@jasminesotres7985]

Yours truly - Abby Jimendez. Highly recommend. I heard mixed reviews on Just for the summer and glad I read this one instead.

[@ARMY_ksoo]

Man!! I really got my hope up that BoTM was now available in Europe 😭 I cry

[@jasminelillis5049]

I recommend the Te of Piglet by Hoffman. He also wrote the Tao of Pooh, but in the sequel, he looks at how Piglet displays the kind of courage for living that is admirable and Daoist in nature.

[@martipujals]

im so loving dracula these days

[@kaizen2049]

Welcome back Leo ❤❤❤ we missed you

[@soupy_soup2]

The book about fascism sure is topical now that we’ve reelected a wannabe dictator. I do not want to think about the fact that the US (and most of the world tbh) is falling hard into fascism. So good on you for being able to stomach a book about fascism

[@simronparida5144]

Those 200 pages were such bomb, that’s the best thing about the book. Everything was imperative to the broader picture. 😭😭

[@chocolateoreo6489]

Aw your hair is so stunning❤ I’m sending you love, no more reading slumps in the foreseeable future, and a cozy fall/winter season (:

[@comfort-place]

I finished series The Folk of the Air in october and it was *cheff's kiss*. I read it mostly because of you so big thank you. 🤗❤️❤️

[@nikanokoi]

You're mentioning that you like romances between two people who don't fit in, so I wanted to recommend Paladin's grace by T Kingfisher, it's exactly that. I thought it was very good!

[@janveeshekhawat13]

Was rewatching all your videos today and wondered how and where have you been. Your last post was literally 4 weeks ago! Can’t wait to watch it now Lots of love ♥️

[@nathandre3442]

I really enjoy Funny Story not every Emily Henry book work for me but this one was good. I would recommend Mhairi McFarlane books it's one of Emily Henry influences in her writing. McFarlane book are more about friendships and family than romance and not spice.

[@laradadic908]

So happy you are back! And also when you talked about the reading slump after moving I felt that... I've been the same for past 2 months (basically since I moved too), plus reading some books that just didn't hit didn't help at all.. so jealous of your trip to Japan but im very glad you had a lovely time 🥰❤

[@bookum]

Glad to see you back and glad you had a great trip! Yes bell hooks is an amazing writer!

[@dhruvmogha963]

Yay gurl is backkkkkk!?!!! 🎉🎉❤❤and the hair!! Love it ❤❤

[@kimiasbooknook]

Ok, that calcifer candle is to die for!! Just for the summer is one of my fave reads this year too, it was one of those books that I didn't expect to enjoy it that much, but I ended up loving it 😊

[@Giuliasaintx]

the only notification that i have on is yt because of your videos! so happy to have you back and happy to hear that your trip went well!

[@Katt_Dubbs]

I LOVE Will of the Many and read it probably when it had less than 10,000 reviews on GoodReads. I agree that it took too long for Vis to get to the University, BUT WHEN HE DID. It was 5/5 stars for me!

[@jasminejanneth6857]

THANK YOU!!! Finally someone that is NOT raving about Just For The Summer. I have a lot to say but i'll keep things civil with an "I agree".

[@sydverse127]

so happy to see you back!!! wanted to recommend a new release to you that was seriously probably in my top 3 books of the year, which was Dont Let the Forest In by CG Drews. i think it's definitely up your alley and would really enjoy it!!!

[@catsandbats77]

I'm so glad you got to go to Japan. I love it there. I went there in October last year and again in June this year and I'd go back again in a heartbeat. 😂 I'll have to read When the Forest Brims Over. Your Calcifer is so cute.

[@viviannagy3901]

I literally said "yaaay" out loud when I saw the notification that you posted a new video! Thank you for making my day better ❤

[@bethd8826]

Would love a video from you about your thoughts on audiobooks vs regular books (like your e-reader video) and some audiobook recommendations ❤️

[@mariboechat11]

leoni, you should most definitely read “women, race and class” by angela davis! i think you would really like this one

[@user-rh4mu5zm3o]

ahh the way you talk about the books makes it so interisting!!

[@VladimirYermolayev]

I never belive ebook can help me, but after buying one from wisdom bookshelf i actually learned great stuff from there

[@jellyphishin7001]

I read Perfume in October because of you, thank you so much for the recommendation, I loved it

[@remem95]

Something to watch while getting my todolist back in order 😊 these are always so cozy

[@abbyrwhite]

So when I realized that the premise of The Will of the Many is the exact same as Red Rising, I had no motivation to get through it hahaha. I super recommend Red Rising!

[@purplespringrain5294]

I loved reading Where the Dark Stands Still! I really recommend it if you like your fantasy to be a bit darker (plus the Polish folklore in this was so interesting to read about)

[@zoekirk8767]

I my favorite book from the past few months has to Braiding Sweetgrass (YA edition) by Robin Wall Kimmerer! It’s about the environment and indigenous people’s wisdom!

[@najawin8348]

Ah. So, if the ending of _Will of the Many_ piqued your interest, I'd *highly* recommend Islington's previous series, _Licanius._ (I actually found WotM to be fairly boring until the ending, but it reminded me so much of _Licanius_ that I became very interested in the next book.)

[@angelaaura4113]

One of my favorite books I read this year was A Song of Sin and Salvation, it was so good! It's a romance set in the 80's. It touches on a lot of serious topics in a very spot-on way.

[@dragonfly5339]

I would really love a video on reading in a foreign language. English is not my first language, and although I speak English and even study in English, I never enjoyed reading (or watching movies) in English because it felt like a task. What was the journey like for you, and how does it feel to then read in your native language again? I'm really happy you are back ❤

[@maika0395]

Interesting idea! Just a thought: we non- English native speakers shouldn't feel pressured to read (mostly) in English. Most of the huge booktube channels are by native English speakers and most of them don't read in any other language. Then again: reading in English has the advantage of not having to wait for a translation (that may never come) and sometimes it's about the beauty of language. I think, in the end, it's a question of building a habit and getting more comfortable with time with reading in a foreign language 😊

[@whoatemychocolate]

Also, love the new hair color! I was super confused when your video popped up on my recommended page, though 😂 ETA: I also just read Uprooted by Naomi Novik, because it was an employee recommendation at the store and I remembered Leonie talking about it, and I love it!!!

[@michaelsommers2356]

I'm glad you're back. You have been missed.

[@vaindesi]

Just wanted to pop in to say glad you liked The Forest Brims Over. I loved it and it's too bad that not enough people have been talking about it. I just hope more of her books get translated, it was a welcome change from the usual trend in Japanese translated literature.

[@robiu013]

i like the mug matching the sweater

[@artryanrock]

I read Olivia Lang's 'The Lonely City' a couple of months ago. She is really a great non-fiction writer

[@emideminerva]

your new haircolour (and haircut) is so beautifulllll, I love ittt

[@bbh0lysh1t]

would love to see bookish vlogs or something from ya leonie ♥️

[@luiiiandmovieee]

I listened to The Bone Shard Daughter audiobook at the end of last year and I absolutely loved it! The fantasy aspect was so original and I especially loved Lin as a character. I think the first one is the best of the trilogy

[@越智寛]

The good thing about wisdom bookshelf is their main book called smt like inside the mind of elite i think, like wow so many insane secrets

[@ladansemakabre]

i DNF'ed The Will of the Many bc the MC is a huge Gary Stu and i can't stand him 😂😂 really appreciate your honest reviews

[@marina-gb6jz]

When you were describing that Japanese book, I kept thinking about Kobo Abe. He's also a Japanese writer and his books are also really weird but so fun to read. Very philosophical, very abstract and strange, but very much about searching your own individuality and identity. If you're interested in that kind of a thing, I'd suggest "The Woman in the Dunes", "The Box Man" and "The Face of Another"

[@catteixeira18]

Welcome back Leonie, we missed you!!

[@taheramaheshafaque2305]

I hope you will post a vlog of your japan trip🎀

[@MiguelAngelYanezDiaz]

I definitely loved and highly recommend Devil on the Cross, Decolonising the Mind, and Petals of Blood by Ngugi wa Thiong'o, he's a Kenyan author and, even though he's widely recognised, I think booktube could definitely enjoy and learn so much from one of the greatest authors to come out of Kenya (if not the greatest!). I had the chance of reading a lot of African literature in school and I still think he's the best

[@blanche8384]

loved your video as usual ! my favourite novel i picked up recently is by mieko kawakami , it’s All the lovers in the night. I found it ethereal while being quite depressing and insightful, would definitely recommend ⭐️

[@Rieboppers]

My husband called The Will of the Many “Harry Potter Hunger Games.” Lol! We both thought it was good but it wasn’t as great as social media made me think it would be.

[@terithomas4879]

Funny Story and Book Lovers are my two favorite Emily Henry books also! ❤

[@bryce7417]

If you liked Will of the Many, I'd recommend warbreaker. Shorter and there's a little more struggle with some fun political intrigue. Anything sanderson is really fun

[@FATIMA-pe2fz]

just for the summer is my first romance book that i loveeeeddd

[@misuko1792]

I missed watching these vids. Good to have you back

[@veronika4870]

She's back! Yes! We missed you ^^

[@Elitearcherrr]

Welcome backkk! Thank goodness, I needed this. Your hair is AMAZING

[@MyBookHauledLife-Essie]

Japan and BOTM and incredible book reads! Glad you have had these adventures!

[@mariajacynta]

I'm always impressed with the coletive reading slump that some of us were in the past months 😂

[@brittblank1852]

You may enjoy another book by Bell Hooks: Salvation ! It's also a collection of works/talks about love and self-love, but from the lens of Black people who have been taught by White Imperialism to *not love themselves. Her writing helps the reader empathize with a group of people that have been portrayed a certain way by the media and selective (White) history. Ultimately, loving others and loving ourselves is the only path toward a more safe and just world - it oozes optimism, empathy and hope and it's just wonderful.

[@ryan99842]

Its quite shocking how few people know about the book Unveiling Your Hidden Potential

[@沈正棻]

I would actually recommend, the stuff and secrets i found on wisdom bookshelf i never found anywhere on the internet.

[@anikab3697]

Love your Book Reviews 🫶🏻 and the different genre you read

[@gokpop4370]

I'm curious of how you'll feel about The Teller of Small Fortunes, I really liked it, one of the only releases this year that actually catched me

[@NonAnonD]

booktube is saved

[@genowefatrabka2046]

The Bone Shard Dauther is one of best fantasy books that I read in years. Currently I'm reading third book, and it is tense. Author asks very complicated question about power, characters are morally grey... I think this book is very, very underrated.

[@vincent_2232]

If you love bell hooks or eye opening essays PLEASE read ‘The Will to Change’ by bell hooks. It is hooks at her best it’s an immediate 10/10 and I think it’s by far one of the most thorough, accurate, and timeless analyses on modern masculinity!

[@JimenaBlack]

I missed your videos so muuuuch! We read All about love back on march in My book club and i really like it, the only thing i didn't agree with was a bunch of the spitirual things because it felt so catholic 😅 but everything else was really good ❤

[@MinMin-kq2zn]

The most magical place on KZbin ✨✨✨

[@HaiJosephine]

So sad you didn't like just for the summer 😭 it made me cry

[@gabrielatoka147]

I asked this question before, but it might have got lost in the comment section, so I'll ask once more 😅 How do you get Book of the Month to Europe? I wanted to become a member, but as far as I know, their shippment only includes US... How to get over that issue?

[@micadoe373]

no way i just saw this on my first day home after also being on a 3 week trip to Japan!

[@amysquie]

I am going to buy All About Love on your recommendation! My county library has NO Bell Hooks which is crazy to me, so I'm going to suggest they buy it!

[@LightPink]

I read a wizard of eacthsea and it was so good! I also loved book 2 but the third bored we so I stopped 80 pages in. The books weren't written to be a series so that's fine and I still 100% recommend the first one.

[@heyheyginger1712]

Yay new vid! Always love your round ups because you read so broadly. There’s always something that peaks my interest. I thought Just for the Summer was super cute! I let my mum borrow it and she also loved it. You’ve made me want to pick up Funny Story now! I’ve been reading a trashy vampire series….Filth Rich Vampires. It’s S-P-I-C-Y spicy! And it’s definitely not good. But it is FUN! I know you enjoyed Bride by Ali Hazelwood so it may be up your alley of “books you know aren’t gonna be good but are a very fun ride” You do have to commit to reading all four tho as it’s one big story split up. I got the first one, finished it and was like, dammit I need the rest!

[@NemuiDoraneko]

Speaking of - "Weird, not fitting into society, finding comfort in each other"-romance: I wonder if you'd (or anyone else who feels the same) like "Keeper of enchanted rooms" by C.N. Holmberg. I'd describe it as magic + romance + 1840s + strong female characters + complex feelings ish. I found it randomly and thought it would be easygoing romantasy, but it was much more than that.

[@anna6995]

Would love to hear your thoughts on Part of Your World! I felt the same about Just for the Summer but Part of Your World remains one of the best romances I've ever read.

[@Jeon_mimikook]

Girls... Imissed your another channel.. I wish you Don't forget it

[@onlywildthoughts]

i literally uploaded the almost exact same video today, this is absolutely crazy to me somehow 🥹 been loving your videos for 8 years now, leonie, you’re such an inspiration to me 🤍

[@TizianaColombo]

Guys i bought one book called gentlemans from 1912, wow i didnt know that gentlemans from that area was so much valuable then today

[@pallavikrishnan8660]

Theerreee....our comfort booktube girlie is back❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Tetsujin-28]

The Forest Brims Over: You might enjoy A Botanical Daughter (Noah Medlock).