Top 3 Things I Do Not Like about Booktube and WHY!

[@MaxFidler]

I like tags. They’re fun. But for the life of me I don’t understand sprints.

[@Space_Ghost91]

I've discovered some really awful Booktubers whilst trying to find reviews on books I'm considering reading. The thing I really dislike is a lot of them seem to be focused more on getting through a book for a sense of achievement and another 'completed' book to add to their bookshelf rather than actually taking in what the book is about. They will literally start the video by pointing out how many pages a book is (as if that's the main criteria of a book) and then give updates on how many pages they've got through rather than really talking about the content of the book. It's a bad attitude to have towards reading as a lot of them seem to have this weird competitive notion that blitzing through books as quickly as possible somehow makes you an intellectual when in reality they're reading at a primary level and missing a lot of the message, underlying themes and subtext to what they're reading.

[@larrymarshall9454]

Amen, brother. Serious reading requires you to slow down, think/appreciate things besides the rudiments of the plot line. Most people don't seem to get that.

[@DarkoDame]

I hate when booktubers oversell a book or series to be the greatest thing ever written! This has led to some personally disappointing reading experiences for me. I appreciate it when a review is balanced, and the booktuber mentions aspects of the book that may not be for everybody. Or are up front about their biases. For example, “This is a coming of age story and I am particularly partial to coming of age stories.”

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

I think the one that stands out for me is the Greenbone Saga. Don’t get me wrong it’s good. But it’s not the best thing I’ve ever read. That’s one that was way oversold for me

[@DarkoDame]

@@TreeBeardBookReviews Unfortunately Malice by John Gwynne was like that for me 😬😬😬. I haven’t read the rest of the F&F series though.

[@neiltaylor513]

@@TreeBeardBookReviews this is the thing people MUST remember, you are listing to someone’s opinion, and while interesting, don’t look to them as an personal authority on what is good or bad, as at the end of the day, if you like a book or not a lot of times comes down to personal opinion. Like The gentle men bastards and name of the wind are raved about but I am not particularly keen on either of them.

[@purplewitchapothecary]

Legends and lattes was over hyped. It was only ok.

[@19Rena96]

i mean if it's the best thing ever for them, then there's nothing you can do about it :D It's your own fault to have such high expectations just because others said they loved it lol

[@londonbyrd5372]

The one that gets me is multiple booktubers reviewing the same books and there not being anything new.

[@TornadoCreator]

That was a huge problem in 2020-2021. There was a big emphasis on buddy reads so all the booktubers where in the same buddy reads... this lead to there being a weird trend where suddenly a dozen reviews of 'Lies Of Loche Lamora' would all drop in the same week, then two weeks later a dozen review of 'Rage Of Dragons' would appear, then there would be another big shift and suddenly half of booktube is reading the first 3 Stormlight Archieve books back to back for the next 3 months. It got really weird. If you didn't read the TBR book everyone else was reading, you got quickly out of the loop.

[@Druid896]

I won't lie, as a highly sensitive person, booktube makes me sad. People get too negative when they disagree, and I also feel like "book tube" and "book tok" kinda remove the value of an organic book experience. I believe that reading a book is a deeply personal experience, especially the ones we love, treasure, and really connect with. My reading experience just moves me on a level that a screen just can't. The media can be good and it does have benefits, but keep your circle small. Don't let the negative opinions of others ruin a fun and personal experience. This is a me thing. reading books is my thing. It's not a media thing. Because I am so sensitive and I just love my books so very much, I feel like booktube could be a very negative thing for me, especially when people argue about book reviews, or lie to promote something. Sure it's ok to use media as a book platform, there's good sides to it. But other than this channel, and a book club discord server I'm a part of, I just prefer to keep to myself and my books. For me it also doesn't feel organic when people put all these thoughts in your head. As someone with autism I'm easily overwhelmed by the constant droning buzz of other peoples opinions. Book tube also feels like a subgenre of the toxic "self improvement" guru stuff online, which only makes you feel down about yourself. Use the book themed media, sure, it has it's use, but if you ask me, a good, honest and unbias book channel is not the same as "book tube." Finally I just feel like book tube is another way for people to get attention online because it's "trendy." I don't know bro it makes me feel kinda sad. I like positive book spaces where I can just be myself with my books. Books have always been nurturing for me, and I don't want to ruin that for myself but sliding into an internet rabbit hole. However, Tree Beard seems like a good and honest channel, so I trust him to be positive. (Only just started watching you lol) If your gonna use media, keep your circle small and don't take anything negative to heart. At the end of the day, a book is about sitting down and forming a personal experience that is yours to keep forever. The books I've read are not just books I've read, there memories. And that's what counts. Sending hugs cuz I need it. 🤗🤗

[@larrymarshall9454]

I agree with you. The solution is to find those few BookTubers who are of like minds, and clearly are book lovers of the same sort you are. AND then unsubscribe to all the rest.

[@disrespectful7862]

Golden words

[@HankyUSA]

I didn't know about "reading sprints" but they don't sound good. What annoys me are the book haul videos and the videos about what people are planning on reading. Just tell me about it *after* you read it.

[@LeonC0704]

YESSSSSS. They do a TBR every other day and it's pretty much the same books + whatever they got in the book hauls

[@punkrockcerealbowl]

I didn’t think I would like book tags because I didn’t watch them before I started my channel. But after I started the channel and started making friends I began to see the benefit of tags. For me, they are less about books and more about learning who the booktubers is. Which can then inform you of their point of view for reviews and recommendations. That said, some of them are straight up dumb 😂 With reading sprints, that’s another thing I didn’t get until I popped into a couple. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with the pomodoro technique for productivity but it’s work for 25 minutes, break for 5, and repeat. That’s how I approach a lot of my work and reading because it helps you maintain concentration longer by giving you little breaks. Reading sprints work on a similar principle (at least the ones I like). You read for 20-30 minutes, not checking comments or anything. Then you come back and chat for 15 minutes or so. A lot of times sprints help me read when I otherwise wouldn’t. For me, the main thing I don’t love about KZbin is when channels start focusing on growth more than community and books. I understand how it happens, the analytics are addicting and KZbin is kind of fueled by dopamine but still. It seems like it stresses the creators out and often makes the content not as enjoyable for the viewer over the long run. Enjoyed this video and your thoughts a lot. Cheers!

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

This is a great comment! I agree with your point on when channels get so big they chase numbers and loose focus of how the channel started out. Booktube will never replace my day job. It’s just fun, try not to make it more than it is. I do a similar method when reading. I try and read for an hour. Take a break, then read a bit more. I think if I had them on in the background I’d get too distracted. I can barely read if music is playing in the background.

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

Booktube takes an intensely personal pastime reading and makes it social, that is the point with tags and Reading sprints, introducing a social element to an anti-social activity, and its not for everyone. I have created a lot of tags, but I said with the last one I did (The Istanbul Booktag) it would probably be my last because I feel interest is waning in them. I don't do sprints on my channel but I might tune in if a booktuber I am subscribed to is doing one, I always have a few books on the go and I am curious to see what others are reading.

[@MissusTayIor]

"If I get too comfortable it's lights out." Omg yes! At now 40 years old, I haven't been able to get through a book in one sitting without dosing off. I honestly never thought about being "slightly uncomfortable" to read like I once did.

[@juliehughes1258]

Wait until you hit 67, my darling. But I still read mostly in the evenings.

[@ToriTalks2]

I appreciate the open discussions about these topics. As someone who runs and participates in sprints, I really think it depends on your personal reading style. I enjoy the accountability and end up often times reading more than I do when I don't make myself sit down with a group to read. I've gotten used to it, and I don't read too many comments during the sprints, so I end up getting pretty well immersed. I also have ADD, so it helps to know that other people are focusing and it keeps me from getting distracted as easily. And I'm also social, so reading with friends is fun. I've done well over 200 pages during longer sprints before. That being said, I really think it comes down to each person's reading experience and what works for them.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

I’m glad they work for you Tori!

[@ChristopherNavoBooks]

Agree with this Tori. The same goes for writing Sprints. Engaging with people doing the same activity as me at the same time keeps me more focused and less distracted.

[@TornadoCreator]

Hey, I thought I'd explain reading sprints as they do seem ridiculous. Here's what I get from them. I have quite severe ADHD, Chronic Pain, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrom. It's currently 2:40pm and I've been up since 9am but I've not picked up a book, I've not recorded a video, I've not done any writing, and I fell asleep for an hour at midday idly watching youtube. I seriously struggle with structure and I get deeply upset and angry with myself for it. For me, a reading sprint gives me social encouragement and accountability, it ensures I use my time productively. Yes, reading in 20 min bursts and then chatting for 10 mins, then reading for another 20 and chatting for 10 is distracted reading... but I wouldn't have read for that hour, I would have doomscrolled Reddit, or zombied out in front of KZbin, or fallen asleep again (huge problem for me). Once I'm doing something I can keep it going, but reading takes effort and is tiring. Sprints make me feel less crippled by my constant physical exhaustion, the community helps. Maybe I'm a special case, but I think a lot of people feel exhausted, unmotivated, and anxious; especially for those who work stressful jobs. Sprints make reading social, and they include planned breaks to ease you into the reading. I know struggling to read must seem like a weird problem to have but pain, fatigue, brain fog, and the general sense of inadequacy those bring, makes it hard. A sprint lightens that load, at least they did for me.

[@TheChannelofaDisappointedMan]

Having poured a lot of time and energy into various tag videos, I disagree somewhat. They can be a good watch when done well, though I accept some people just press record and run through the prompts, giving answers off the top of their heads. Those can be tedious. Also, my channel needs a mix of heavy and lighter content because I don't want it to be pitched at more experienced readers only. I don't mind if my subscribers pick and choose which of my videos to watch to suit themselves. Re sprints, they just seem to be about clocking up watch hours. I can't think of any other reason for their existence. What I don't like are channels that are monetized, offered tiered Patreon subscriptions, etc. I think literature is for everyone, so having premium content grates with me. Also, Booktubers with large numbers of subs who complain that Booktube is dying/trumpet how great the "community" is, but who never recommend any new channels. I am followed by a lot of big Booktubers, but of them only two helped me by giving me some exposure. I notice monetized channels like to recommend other monetized channels, which is sad to me, that logic/greed makes helping smaller channels grow equals taking food out of their own mouths/risks creating a fresh rival for eyeballs. Shorts! The pits. Never make them, never watch them. Best things, comments, emails, recommendations, forming genuinely useful relationships. Been amazing for broadening my reading.

[@strixytom]

My least-favourite part of booktube / booktok is on shorts when they hold up books sideways for 30 seconds so you can't see what's actually on their covers before finally turning them over. Like, you want the engagement metrics, I get it 😒 (btw for anyone else who hates this, at least on TikTok if you tap to pause, the play bar will appear at the bottom and you can skip to the end)

[@thelibraryladder]

I share your puzzlement, Dan, about tags and sprints (and I typically don't watch either type of video). Both formats seem like they're designed primarily to generate watch time and AdSense revenue for relatively little effort on the part of the channel (as compared to more substantive kinds of videos). I think well-designed tags can serve a useful function by providing insight into a channel's reading tastes and experiences, but I think they work better as community posts, where viewers can learn in less than a minute what might take 10-20 minutes to learn from a video. My experience with tags is limited, though. I've been tagged only once since starting my channel, and I responded by creating a community post with my answers to the questions. It was a lot easier to respond that way, because it took me only about 40 minutes in total to think of my answers, type them up, and upload a group photo of the books I referenced in my response. Sprints, on the other hand, seem like a very strange way to read. I read best (and enjoy and retain it the most) when I can fully immerse myself in a book without interruption or distraction for an extended period of at least an hour. Breaking up my reading into smaller, 15- or 20-minute segments makes it difficult for me to capture that immersive aspect, especially if in the back of my mind I know something else is waiting for my attention (such as viewers and commenters during a livestreamed sprint).

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Completely agree Bridger. You make a great point about putting people on hold while you are live to read. It would be extremely distracting

[@theprogressivemichigander6588]

I also don't understand the appeal of book sprints. I wouldn't get distracted by them, but when I'm reading a book I completely drown out the world around me. So they serve no purpose. I certainly can't imagine commenting on KZbin while reading.

[@DragonessPixie]

I think the thing that annoys me most with booktube is people doing absolutely MASSIVE book hauls and then couple months later going a massive UNHAUL with a bunch of the unread books they buy… I mean I understand getting rid of unread books that are DNFed but why buy a book only to get rid of it later? Just seems like a waste.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I don't understand reading sprints either. It seems like an incredibly inefficient use of time. Instead, read for an hour and then do a live stream afterwards - the back and forth doesn't make sense to me either.

[@angelaholmes8888]

Yeah I feel the same way

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Yeah seems counter productive at that point.

[@lydiam.1833]

I really dislike hauls, unhauls, TBR's, bookshelf tours, etc. I watch booktube to get great book recommendations. I don't care what somebody's most anticipated books are. I want to hear what someone has read and what they thought about it and why.

[@TangibleReads]

Booktube definitley has its moments but i love all the book people

[@J.R.Carrel]

Depending on the tag they can be fun but a lot of them are boring. As far as self-published authors I read between 60 and 70 books a year there's no real reason I couldn't fit one a month then. I've been trying to do that the last few months. I agree 100% with you on reading Sprint. What they really are is a excuse to do a live discussion about what you're currently reading. Which there's nothing wrong with that

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

That’s a good point about adding 1 self pub a month. I like that idea.

[@ShelfCentered]

Oh man, I feel ya! I did a bunch of booktags at first, but I haven't done one in like a year. Great video! Haha, Reading Sprints has been something I've questioned from day one!

[@christopherfly9374]

All valid points and I agree with you completely. For me, they all come down to time management. I don't have enough time to read every book and watch every booktube video. There are things that I simply don't like and choices must made.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

That’s a great point. Time management is huge. I love a lot of the booktube channels I’m subbed too. Just not enough hours in the day to watch them all.

[@safinan8008]

Like ur honest video, read what you want read and whatever makes you happy do the things on ur channel…. Happy reading to you! 🎥📖

[@Ritchiiee]

You forgot to tag people in this 'What I hate about Booktube book tag' 😂

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

LMAO!

[@ChristopherNavoBooks]

This was an honest reflection Dan and I do appreciate that. Before I started my channel, my initial thoughts on book tags were about the same as yours. As a content creator now though I do think there are some pretty decent tags out there where I think viewers can get some value and get to know the book tuber a little more as a person rather than just an online persona. I definitely want to be selective on the ones I want to do and not have a constant stream of them. For me when you put forth a complex video that took a lot of energy and your next idea is going to also take a lot of time and energy sometimes it's a relief to make a quicker, easy-to-film one in between, and tag video seem to be a solution to that. Perhaps there are better ideas out there. I'm still new to this process and I'm still in the exploration phase of my channel as to what I want to present. With that being said, the main thing I don't like about what I see on Booktube is the visual number/stat chasers. Talking about their analytics or their monetization. Why? How does this engage with the viewer in any shape or form on a fantasy/sci-fi book platform? Granted as content creators we are monitoring our analytics whether we realize it or not, and I'm fine with creators wanting to share sub-milestones as a thank-you to their viewers, but everything else to me distances the content creator from the viewer IMO. I liked this video for its great engagement and discussion which is what I look for. - Cheers!

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Right with you on the number chasing booktube channels. I don’t like when people discuss numbers, who cares. I don’t do booktube for the money or the sub numbers. I do it for the fun and the community. My eyes always glaze over when numbers are mentioned and channel growth or people being disappointed in not hitting X numbers.

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Love hearing all these honest thoughts! I'm not much into reading sprints myself (I tried out doing one and I didn't particularly like reading on camera or at a desk). But I do enjoy book tags and the random nature of them. I just tagged you in one I created last week, so feel free to ignore it completely, but I'm wondering if you'd actually like doing this one since it has a certain logic to it that sets it apart from most book tags (prompt 1 is favorite standalone, prompt 2 is a favorite duology, prompt 3 is a favorite trilogy, etc etc)

[@otherworldlyfiction]

I feel the same way about writing sprints, on authortube. I get that the idea is to write/read together, but that would be so distracting. I could never read, or write, while somebody literally watched me.

[@thebookcorner1072]

I'm a self-published author and I totally understand where you're coming from. That's why I've made it a point that, when my book is published, to not send it to anyone for reviews. Some have the time to read and some that don't. I still have a ton of books that I haven't even started reading. How could I read those from others who self-publish?

[@vajs6312]

The things I enjoy youtubers doing the most can be found on Brian Lee Durfee’s channel: huge bookhauls and monthly recaps of what they’ve read. Not reviews, because they can easilly go into spoiler teritory (you know the videos that review 3-4 books but are are 20+ minutes long). The thing I don’t enjoy has to to more with how booktube makes me feel than with booktube itself: the FOMO asoect of people reading 20+ new releases a year (allongside the already known titles), while I’m still going through the First Law (with a bit of Discworld on the side) 😅 after it’s taken me a year and a half to read Wheel of Time. I only get to 35-40 books a year, although Audible helps a lot. And I also don’t get reading sprints.

[@WordsinTime]

Grumpy Dan! Although not unreasonable Dan haha. I have also stopped doing book tags, and have never been particularly interested in reading sprints. I agree that the community is one of the best parts of BookTube!

[@BannedBooksUS]

Keep doing what you're doing. I understand your frustration. You got a like from me! Good job.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

I appreciate it!

[@LiamsLyceum]

I think the self pub thing is funny, I don’t really like when that’s all a channel is, I just like good books regardless of how it was published. I can get the sprints thing, that’s more of active community thing and tags have always been meh, an excuse to mention some books and again feel part of a whole. I’ve never been a fan of tier list, Book hauls or TBRs myself, I also wish there were more reviews and particularly for books that everyone else is talking about, hence what I do. 🔥

[@strangementalitypaperYT]

I get a lil sketched out when channels go out of their way to promote self-published books and then never have anything critical to say about them. It makes me feel like maybe they're fishing for some "good guy" points or just going easy, neither of which helps authors become better writers or reviewers become better reviewers. I love book hauls but I'm with you of tier lists and TBRs. Wrap ups can be cool because they're almost like mini reviews, and book reviews are one of my fav types of content.

[@BAMCIS2841]

I don't know or even get what "book tag" is. Is it like the neighborhood bicycle? Everyone gets a ride? or like a doorknob? Everyone gets a turn? And boy oh boy, now I think I know what a reading sprint is and for the love of mother McKey they sound lame. As for booktubers, I would like to see more DNF videos. As in they explain what book and why.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Oh that’s a good idea. I’ve DNFd a few lately, might just borrow that BAMCIS. Yeah booktags sound cool but in execution always seemed to fail.

[@TruthMeetsFiction]

I just started my journey with a KZbin channel so your tips and tricks are valued😀

[@markreadsbo]

Book Tags if done well when done well, allow the booktuber away to show their personality.

[@lizziefayelovesbooks]

This video just came up in my recommends so I thought I would comment. I don't usually dwell on negative things on my channel, but three of the things that are my pet peeves on booktube and youtube are things that I noticed in this video! LOL! I will probably never say these things on my channel, but since you brought up the topic I feel like this is a safe space to get this off my chest. This is in no way meant to be personal! Afterall I realize that you didn't do any of these things to be offensive, but here goes: 1. Large unnecessary microphones 2. A KZbinr calling their channel "the" channel" as if it's the only one. 3. Patreon on Booktube As far as your pet peeves go, I get it. I've participated in reading sprints, but don't like to host them. I've done tags, but rarely do them or watch them. I just don't have the time. Have a wonderful day and much success to your channel (or should I have said "the" channel)! Ha!

[@LauraW6]

😄 Great and refreshing video! Thank you :) i think the reading sprints popularity , it goes more towards the sense of community and reading, studying, cooking even.... together with a group of people. Whether you recently moved to a new town and you stil do not know anyone, or whether you place the kids aside for a moment and dedicate a couple of hours to an online activity group, or even use them as a time management tool! It wil depend on each people´s situation. I have to admit I like them and I was cracking with your comments! I can also understand they are not for everyone .

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Thanks for the comment Laura. I’m glad you like them and that they work for you!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Dude I couldn't agree with you more on the three dislikes. Very well stated Dan!

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Thanks Matt! I don’t love doing negative videos but I thought I’d voice my opinions on the three topics.

[@LivingDeadEnby]

I don't get reading sprints either. Either I read or I watch a video, but both? What for?

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Exactly!

[@larrymarshall9454]

Agree with your comments on tags, but... I find there are tags and then there are tags. I think the goal is to generate viewer participation. Some do, some don't. I'll compare two: Tag: Read XYZ author. I'm reading ABC, and DEF. The end of tag post. I don't think that does ANYTHING for viewers. Tag: We're doing theme XYZ. During this month we're going to read/talk about 6 plays and two non-fiction books. Here's the schedule of events (fills in a series of posts that will be done about each of the books and when they will be presented). At each presentation a new discussion commences about that book. Things are spread enough that people can actually READ the books before the discussion. To me, THIS is a useful tag. These are very rare but when they do they're great.

[@BookishChas]

This was really good Dan. Book tags aren’t for everyone, so I promise not to tag you. 😂 I get inundated with self pub requests too, and I take the same approach as you. I just can’t get to all of them. Reading sprints are fun to participate in, but not to watch lol. I can see why you wouldn’t want to watch them unless you have it on in the background to read yourself. And even then, it’s like…why? Lol

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Haha thanks Chas. I think most of your tags I do watch but ya they aren’t my favourite. Glad I’m not alone on reading sprints!

[@strangementalitypaperYT]

@@TreeBeardBookReviews I think some people like sprints because it makes them not feel a lil lonely when they read. I see the appeal of that, but when I feel lonely reading I just put my guinea pig in my lap.

[@ithrahmunchswallow468]

I'm new to book tube so this was very interesting, thank you 🙌🏼

[@heidi6281]

The worst part of book tube is when the book tuber edits the video with 2 second clips from a movie or tv show, which you did in this video, ironically. I wish everyone who does it would just stop. To me it feels really juvenile and is super distracting. I also refuse to watch any videos when the tuber has a sponsor, and they spend several minutes promoting. The best part of book tube and sometimes is a hidden gem is a comment from another sub. The best book recommendation I ever got was found in the comments, Outlaw by Angus Donald!

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Lol yeah those are fair point. I use clips occasionally but not all the time. When they are overdone they can be a bit much. Yeah some of the best book recommendations come in the comment sections.

[@TornadoCreator]

Sponsors on YT annoy me full stop. I pay for YT Premium and support multiple people on Patreon. I shouldn't have adverts embedded into the content of the video. Often a 10 min video can have an ad-read that's 3 mins long. It just ruins the whole video.

[@heidi6281]

I agree with you 100%!! Pay $15 a month for KZbin Premium to avoid commercials! On a side note, if you watch a hockey game on msg they split screen the hockey action with an ad, makes me want to scream!

[@samm8190]

I don’t mind sponsors. You literally can just skip by them and if I had a channel id definitely want to have that bit of extra on the side.

[@strangementalitypaperYT]

The BookTube community is the best community on the internet, *but* it has one major drawback for me (and this isn't everyone) -- boy, is it tribal/cliquey! I think that comes from people's reading tastes and how they gravitate towards people with similar interests, but a lot of content creators could be more welcoming to incongruent viewpoints and tastes... and need work on their listening skills. In the same theme as the above -- I love book tags because I have a sophomoric (but also kinda dark) sense of humor and making stupid content is fun for me. Tags are also quick to make, don't require a lot of editing and are pretty darn handy when you're low on ideas.

[@ratherrapid]

BookTuber in search box and nothing comes up entitled "booktube". Please explain how to find book tube.

[@deldevours]

I usually don't even know who published the book until I'm done reading and ready to talk about it. It's not something which influences my reading choices. ----- There seems to be a current trend towards recording reading vlogs instead of wrap-ups and reviews. I'm not a fan. I do enjoy tags, though.

[@therealpaigeturner]

Long live the beard!!!

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

😎

[@Maximus0623]

What I like the least is how strong the regency bias is. Except for LOTR, books written in the 20th century are rarely discussed. There is a lot of great fantasy that is largely ignored.

[@staceywinter3835]

What annoys me is relevancy bias. Booktubers make videos titles best Fantasy ever, but not a single book on the list was published before 2015. There’s a lot of good Fantasy from 80’s and 90’s that didn’t get the hype they would get today with social media. For example, I am a fan of Terry Brooks and his Kingdom For Sale series.

[@TornadoCreator]

Its bigger even than just that. Yes the recency bias is extreme, booktube has a short memory. But the fantasy booktubers seem to totally ignore classic fantasy. Books like Peter Pan, Alice In Wonderland, Gulliver's Travels, etc. and the same with sci-fi. Authors like HG Wells, Robert Louis Stephenson, Jules Verne, and HP Lovecraft are rarely mentioned. I sometimes see a passing mention for Mary Shelley, but that's about it. Then there's all the old fairy tales, the Brother's Grim and Hans Christian Andersen tales are formative for modern fantasy. There's Arthurian myths too, and plenty more I'm not talking about. Sure it's weird that fantasy booktube only seems to remember books from the last 15 years or so, but even when people do go back, the only pre-1980 book I ever see mentioned is Lord Of The Rings and I honestly don't think people love it as much as they claim because LOTR is very different in structure and prose to modern fantasy. I think people just name-drop LOTR out of perceived necessity. Which is a shame, people should see the breadth that the genre has to offer.

[@ObscureBookAdventures]

I agree with you on the reading sprints. I don't get them either.

[@Rhand007]

What are "book tags"? I'm not a big booktube follower, so I am not familiar with the term.

[@risebuddy1420]

self published books underrated, my favorite books come from there, I’m probably biased as I started with self published before I got into booktube and got recs. The buried goddess saga still likely my favorite series.

[@AnEruditeAdventure]

😂 Controversial! All good. 👍🏼 -T

[@BeyondBooks-wt5il]

New subscriber here! Love your channel name

[@General_reader]

OK I’m stupid. What is the KZbin discord?

[@DadOfWar86]

Well said!

[@samm8190]

Hey Dan I found you through your White Sands video. I hope you’re doing well tho, I noticed you haven’t been posting much…

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Posting a video tomorrow. Been travelling for work.

[@kerrytusc]

Why don't you make a contest where you read a random book that was self-published?

[@koda433]

was the like dislike rate so bad? this gives me the feeling that some people just clicked for the sake of disliking the video.

[@DREWSBOOKREVIEWS]

Hahaha now I want to tag you just because you hate book tags lol - as for reading sprints, i am indifferent. I dont watch them but hey whatever peeps want to do

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

You MONSTER!

[@anyonymswede]

I think book tubers should drink coffee or tea before or after they post videos.

[@megansreadingrevelations]

Nice video. You got a sub.

[@booksandthings8297]

I personally dislike those really intricate tbr games and wrapping tbr books up in paper. I'm trying to find book content not a game show 😂. Maybe they find it fun so good for them. But maybe if you have to hype yourself up so much you shouldn't read those books. Reading should be enjoyable not a chore

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Maybe I’m out of the loop I’ve never heard of people wrapping TBR books. Who has time for that! Thanks for the comment!

[@SR-no8sr]

I got in to booktube as I felt out of the loop on new releases and it's been great for that. Where some channels lost me was I started not believing they read as many books as claimed or I felt a bit bad that I read 2 books in a month but a booktuber clsimed to have read 30. Like how?

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Holy cow 30 books in one month. My wife reads 300+ books a year but she’s a house wife and usually reads romance with top out around 300 pages. 6 books is my average.

[@loati94]

They read 30 books because they listen to them in audible while they do anything else. And then they get mad if you say that's not really reading them, but listening to them.

[@angelaholmes8888]

I'm not a fan of book tag videos for some reason I just don't like them

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Ya they aren’t for me. Glad to hear I’m not alone

[@Promthanius]

Wow imagine saying you cant read a good self pub book bc you have to read the pulp spewed out by the main stream

[@ericneff9908]

Ok, I'll say it. I don't have the slightest idea what a Booktag is. So I googled it. I still don't know what it is. I think I will take your advice (which, given your obvious sensibility and thoughtfulness, seems wise) and not delve into it any further. Thanks for helping me avoid something that I suspect I would have felt the same way about. Thanks also for your solid content. 🙂

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

I appreciate the comment Eric, thank you for the kind words! Like I said they aren’t all bad but they aren’t overly in-depth.

[@MrRorosuri]

What i love about reading streams is the community aspect. I primarily watch live streams done by Black Women and other women of color

[@jttavares]

Hard agree on the book tags. I never watch those. 😅

[@g.waughan]

my biggest issue with booktube is that it's like 70% farthuffing shitlibs by volume

[@Godovgrind]

I hate Book tube period. Pretentious little humans that full of crap most of the time.