Things I did and books I read 😊📚💜🍓 Bookish Summer Reading Vlog

[@RDsLibrary]

It looks like you had a fun and relaxing summer. 'Move around the garden without being garroted' looks like a good laugh, but I have no idea what's going on. After watching Midsommar, I was expecting a bit more human sacrifice :) The lake is such a tranquil setting - great for reading, swimming and a bit of peace and quiet - but the feeling of being in a cabin (or tent) during a heavy downpour is hard to beat. Your bf is definitely the butterfly king, or should that be monarch, but being 'Biscuit on the forehead' champion is an accolade that's hard to surpass. The setting of your library is great and it looks so airy inside. I really liked the way you used chapters for the storytelling.

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@RDsLibrary I thought I saw a comment from you before, but it disappeared! Thank you for commenting now or again 😊 I’ve had a pretty mixed summer, but these are some of the moments I’d like to remember. There were definitely some really lovely and relaxing days, but I also just want to make it clear that these were the highlights, or the parts I filmed, as it usually is on social media. No human sacrifices though, luckily (I haven’t seen the movie, I can’t handle scary things ^^) The games were a lot of fun though! One was to back up as close as possible to the string without touching it, blindfolded of course, and the other is just to get the biscuit from forehead to mouth as quick as you can without using your hands. Very simple but very hilarious! And I agree, sumner rain is the coziest thing. Ideally I would be under a blanket on the porch, when it’s in order. I love the library too! It’s very airy and light, I would really like to spend more time there. Just because I can 😊 I hope you’ve had a nice time this summer too!

[@BonnieNicoleWrites]

So much rain!! I love rainy days. I love the vibe, especially if I'm able to sit and read. The sound of rain is comforting. It is so so beautiful where you are and your friends and games look so fun!! Feeling stuck with the timeline of all the things that need to be done and the order they need to be done in...so relatable! I'm glad you got to go swimming.

[@ellenmadebookclub]

Me too! I love summer, and I'm hanging on to it for dear life, but there is nothing as cozy as rain for reading... And blankets! Not many blankets in summer. Haha I'm glad I'm not alone in getting stuck in the logistics of mundane things! 😂 It feels so silly but in the moment it's very hard to get out of! Especially as a perfectionist and knowing there is an optimal plan to get as much done as possible... And then nothing gets done at all, which is nowhere near optimal. I'm glad I got to go swimming too ☺💜

[@BonnieNicoleWrites]

@@ellenmadebookclub Ooh that is so me!! It can be really hard for me to even know what the next step is when the timeline feels so specific and overwhelming. Or even when I know the next step, feeling frozen or stuck with starting.

[@Curious-Cat]

yeaaaah, so fun to finally see those pictures of you in Altea! ^^ Thanks for including them 💛 What a lovely vlog! It was so cozy and relaxing - I loved it!

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@Curious-Cat Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it! And of course I had to include it! It’s a silly picture so I wouldn’t maybe have shown it otherwise haha but I never get those pose pictures so… that’s what I got ^^

[@TheLinguistsLibrary]

Amazing vlog, this is quickly becoming my comfort channel! Love Zafon and love you xoxo

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@TheLinguistsLibrary Thank you so much, you’re too sweet!!! 🥰😘😘😘

[@Bryndisdaugtherofgunnar]

This was fantastic, you are such a good story teller through your video editing. That bird ❤❤

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@Bryndisdaugtherofgunnar Thank you so much Bryndis! 💜 And welcome back from your break, you’ve been missed! Haha the bird is always there, it’s so funny. Beep beep beep! 😂

[@MattMilu]

🌻 Wow!! That is a beautiful place you have to visit!!

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@MattMilu Thank you! 😊

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

This was a lot of fun to watch, the finding stuff blindfolded 😂 So relate to: and all I've done is watch booktube videos 🙈 Love the wild swimming!

[@ellenmadebookclub]

Thank you so much! Haha yeah, I really failed at the blindfolded thing! 😂 And everyone was really quiet so they wouldn't give me a clue about where I was, so that made it feel extra stupid haha! Glad you enjoyed it though ^^ I guess it's a good thing there are at least booktube videos for when we're feeling stuck ☺

[@awebofstories]

Thank you so much for sharing this! You live in such a lovely part of the world!

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@awebofstories Thank you! 😊

[@marcellainthemargins]

Omg Ellen ,this was so beautiful! You are really living my dream with that cabin life, and the Swedish nature is just so gorgeous, I want to visit again so bad!

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@marcellainthemargins Thank you so much Marcella! 😊 It is lovely here in the summer! Where in Sweden have you been before? Sorry if you’ve already said!

[@books_and_bocadillos]

I believe you must live in heaven. You told your summer story in such a beautiful way, it truly felt like balm for the soul. 🫶🏽

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@books_and_bocadillos There were definitely some heavenly moments! I’m happy to provide some soul balm, I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊 Thank you! 💜

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

Fantastic place for a read and a swim. Best wishes.

[@ellenmadebookclub]

It is indeed! Thank you so much ☺

[@TheLibraryMouseGina]

I really loved your vlog. What a beautiful area you live in! Your video editing is on point too. I had to laugh at the butterfly king 😅. It is something my husband would do.

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@TheLibraryMouseGina Thank you so much Gina! 💜 It is very pretty this time of year! Haha the Butterfly king is alright with that! 😂 We laughed too!

[@sueysbookbanter]

Ah, your vlogs are amazing! Thanks so much for sharing your life with us! Love the appearance of the boyfriend! 🥰I want to do a vlog again soon, but I can't think of a thing to film. 😭

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@sueysbookbanter Thank you so much! 💜 Haha the Butterfly king, you mean? 😂 He is awesome! Just film whatever you do, I would love to see what you get up to. Where you read and where you go and what you’re thinking about. Just pretend you’re on facetime with me and let me know what’s going on ^^ No pressure though, I’m just curious! 😄

[@BeyondBooks-wt5il]

This is why I wanted you to edit my videos while my arms were in a cast! LOL! Beautiful video!

[@ellenmadebookclub]

Haha! 😂 Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed! Thank you for watching!

[@adarkcornerofthelibrary]

This was such a fun vlog! Perfect to drink my morning coffee to ☕ The cabin is beautiful, I'm jealous of how green it is- makes me want to go to the mountains to read. That library is unreal!

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@adarkcornerofthelibrary Thank you so much! 😊☕️ Thank you. I love the greenery too, I try to enjoy it as much as I can while it lasts! Having a little garden all to ourselves is really a luxury, I love it so much. Yes, the library is gorgeous! So much light, I always love it there when I go! Are you reading anything good at the moment? 😊

[@adarkcornerofthelibrary]

@@ellenmadebookclub I actually just finished my tbr and don't know what to read next so if you have any suggestions they are welcome! haha

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@adarkcornerofthelibrary Hmmm what are you in the mood for? First thing I thought of was A curious incident of the dog in the night-time by mark haddon. It also has the journal format, that you said you liked, but it’s also funny. Don’t know if you’ve read that? Or something darker maybe Marina by Carlos ruiz zafón. Both pretty quick reads I would say.

[@adarkcornerofthelibrary]

@@ellenmadebookclub Oh both sound good! I've seen the play version of curious incident but haven't read it, and Marina sounds interesting too- I love gothic books 😊

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@adarkcornerofthelibrary No pressure to read any of those of course, just the ones I came to think of! I hope you’ll pick up something good 😊

[@helenclare3250]

I enjoyed this ❤ Your part of Sweden looks beautiful. I really loved all the nature and seeing you have so much fun. Your library looks great, too. I got A Man Called Ove today and Clytemnestra. One to keep for September and one to start later today.

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@helenclare3250 Thank you so much! 💜 Sweden is really beautiful in the summertime, I just wish the summer was longer! 😊 And I love the library too, it’s so airy and light and really inviting. I want to go there more often. They also have seats on top of those things that you can kind if see in the clips, so it’s like an elevated platform where you can study and read and look out over everything. I hope you’ll enjoy A man called Ove!

[@helenclare3250]

@@ellenmadebookclub I will watch and comment on your "Ove" video when I've finished but I'm loving it so far (only on page 41). I was laughing by page 3 and got very emotional by something else. Don't want to speak too soon but a book that can make me both laugh and cry is special. You are choosing some great picks, but I am late to this one as you've all read this one by now, of course.

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@helenclare3250 The whole point of having the book club as a video is that you can read and watch and discuss whenever it suits you! So you’re not late at all 😊 I’m so glad you’re enjoying the book, I definitely laughed and cried too!

[@LibrariesandLattes]

This was so lovely and peaceful!! Makes me almost wish that summer wasn’t on its way out, almost 😂 Also, do you have an underwater camera or something?? So curious as to how you filmed the footage when you were swimming, haha! Enjoyed that and the beautiful scenery in general, I really need to visit Sweden 😍 Love a slow, relaxing summer, that’s how it’s mostly been for us too and it’s the best!

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@LibrariesandLattes Thank you so much Chelsea! I’m hanging on to summer for dear life! 😂 Just a little longer!!! Haha yes we have a GoPro that can be used under water. Never tried it before, but it was a lot of fun! Just played around with it! I did enlist the Butterfly king for some of the shots as well, he was a good sport ^^ I think you would like Sweden, just make sure it’s in the summer months 😂 I guess you’ll see it year round in coming vlogs, and then you can choose for yourself haha And yes, slow and relaxing is all I want. It hasn’t been that way for a lot of our summer, but I’m trying to make the most of the moments when it has 🙂

[@nanana_naaaa]

What a beautiful vlog! 💜❤ also I can 100% relate to being stuck for like half a day (or a whole day for that matter) because I need to do one thing to then do the other and so on… happens regularly 😅

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@nanana_naaaa Thank you so much! 😊💜 Haha it’s the worst! Just watching your day slip away from you! Is there a course in logistics or something we could take? 😂

[@nanana_naaaa]

@@ellenmadebookclub If you find a solution, please tell me immediately 😉

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@nanana_naaaa Haha I will! You too 😂

[@itsmimiduong]

ANOTHER WASP NEST? They really do love that spot. I love that your monthly reading vlog is a million year shorter than mine 😂 I love how you do your vlogs so much with a mix of commentary while you're showing us clips of your life! The summer rain honestly looks so cozy and fun but maybe only as a person watching the video. I don't know how I'd fair, though seeing the insect filling up the areas is so lovely to see 🥰 especially the bees! AHH I'm so glad to see snippets of your life outside the reading vlogs. Your friends look like a fun group of people! It's like me being able to join you in Sweden (I've never been to the Europe area 😅). Definitely a goal of mine to travel around Europe eventually! I was shooketh when you put your camera under water though, but make sense you have one for this adventure since you're swimming 😂The swimming clips were great! We only have beaches here and uhm... they're really not the cleanest. Your BF can most definitely be the King of Butterfly 🤣And you picking fresh berries for your morning meal seem so unique and fun? 🥹 I can barely grow anything here HAHA. No green thumb for me -- I don't think the heat helps either but... you know 😩 am really jealous of all the nature just around your close by.

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@itsmimiduong Haha I know 😆 so stubborn! I think I’ve won now though, there hasn’t been any new nests in a while. 💪 Thank you so much 😊 I had already talked so much about all of the books in book club videos and wrapups, so I didn’t I needed to repeat myself. It’s really more of a life vlog with books in it than a reading vlog, you had a lot more to say in yours! I enjoyed that too though 😊 I’m fine with a bit of summer rain, and that one was very short. And then it’s really humid for a while and then it’s dry again! It’s nice to have some rain every now and then, because since the summer is so short here, you always feel a bit of pressure to go outside and enjoy the weather when it’s warm. And sometimes you want to do inside things! So it’s nice to get to be inside without feeling guilty about it! Also, a lot of houses here don’t have AC, so when it’s warmer than usual, like it has been in recent years, it’s really hard to get the inside to cool down, so rain or cooler weather is a great opportunity to air out the heat. I’m getting very technical, but that’s how it is haha 😂 Always keeping an eye on the weather! And it makes it greener, of course, which is nice! Haha we have GoPro that works under water! Never tried it before, but it was a lot of fun to play around with and get some new angles 😂 I love the ocean too, but I’m so scared by the power of them so I prefer lakes! And they are usually pretty clean. And no sticky salt ^^ I’m so sensitive to absolutely everything haha I hope you get to visit Europe someday! You can visit all of your European booktube friends 😊 Haha the Butterfly king!!! 😂💜 I don’t have a very green thumb either! I bought those plants last year and they just came back up on their own, I didn’t do anything. The rest is just weeds 😂 They’re very tasty though, and definitely a luxury to pick for breakfast! I’m very grateful for the nature here as well, green makes me happy 💚 We’ll see how you feel when you see what it’s like in November though…. 😂

[@itsmimiduong]

@@ellenmadebookclub Yess! Here's to hoping they don't come back. I've seen some clips of people putting water? gas? cups against them to kill them off 😂 But I think I'd be too scared to even get close to them. Yeah that makes a lot of sense. I do find that things get repeated so often when I do these overlapping videos. But reading videos might be where I do our book club discussion. Or maybe even a separate video 🤣 The weather seem pretty pleasant then! Unless the humidity makes it unbearable? Our summers are scorching hot where it feels almost like you're burning up the skin because of the low humidity index. 🫠 But I love that it has you out and about for the sun! Yeah, that's what I heard is that generally it's getting warmer but most places in Europe don't have AC. Hopefully this summer hasn't been too bad! I don't know how I'd handle without it 😩Though we are in the 90s+ on the daily since June. And will probably be that way until September or October. It's so good! Definitely a worthy the purchase then because the footage under water was 👌Our ocean has pretty bad health ratings 🤣 and it's not very safe, the currents can be very strong. But yes! If I ever am in Europe, we definitely should have a meet up with everyone though logistics might be hard because we'd all have to travel but if it's possible, I think it'd be so fun 🤩I did want to go to the northern parts of Europe to see the Northern Lights eventually though! I can't wait to see the seasons change for you!! We don't get anything besides winter/summer here. But I would probably not be able to handle the snow. I haven't seen snow in person (except for a hard dirt-ish patch once LOL). It always look so fun but I've only lived in hot weather my whole life so... probably won't be able to handle it 😭

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@itsmimiduong Haha yes I don’t want to get near them either! That’s the beauty of reading vlogs, you can include a bit of everything 😊 No, the humidity is only right after the rain, like half an hour or something, so definitely not unbearable! It’s been pretty mild this summer. Previous years it’s been like 30-36 C, which is somewhere around 90F I think, but this year’s it’s been more like 20-26C, so very comfortable! I lived in LA for a little bit when I was younger, and the heat was something else… I couldn’t get anything done as an adult in that climate! I want to see the Northern lights too. If you’re ever planning a trip to Europe, let me know ^^ Maybe you should go in winter to experience proper snow, and the dark and the cold… 🥶 😂

[@itsmimiduong]

@@ellenmadebookclub YESS! I hope to see you if I do end up in Europe! Northern Lights is definitely a big goal but traveling is usually expensive and lots of planning involved. Including me might have to bear actual snow gear(?) 😂 Our high temps are close. How are your low temps? I think we don't even go below 0C here. (knock on wood and hope it doesn't go below 0C this year)!

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@itsmimiduong Haha you can always rent! 😂⛷ Yes, it's very expensive! Some day though! We definitely go below freezing, a mild winter is probably around 0C, but it can also been down toward -20C. It can vary a lot. Mostly it's dark and cold for way too long!

[@Maeve_Ever_Books]

Such beautiful places!! Thank you for sharing!!

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@Maeve_Ever_Books Thank you so much Maeve! 😊 Thank you for watching!