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Aaron...I just became a subscriber. U have excellent taste.

Definitely a unique take on ‘crush’ Aaron 😂. I’m a big Olga Tokarczuk fan and so was going to read her new novel this year anyway, but was extra pleased when I found out the Magic Mountain link as I already had plans to read that with Classics and Company, in fact I started today, so I’ll be able to see any links for myself. Interested to see what you make of Tender is the Night. I’ve read The Great Gatsby multiple times but for some reason have never read anything else by him. 🤔

I keep waiting for some BookTuber to say their favorite fictional crush is ME - mysteriously, it hasn't happened yet ...

I love your fictional crush!

You're making swift progress through the Quartet! Love hearing your thoughts on how the different volumes are striking you. 🙂

Hello Aaron, I asked this question in a prior video but now that I have found this video, I’d like to ask it again: Which Shakespeare collection were you using in this video? All I could see was a large paper book. I never had the chance to see the title. Thanks Aaron.

Hello Aaron I’m a new subscriber and I have a question for you. Which edition(s) of Shakespeare collections do you own? Thanks 😊

I think Nostromo might be the greatest novel in English of the twentieth century.

Ah yes, Alice Oswald - brilliant. I'm a big fan of Lynette Roberts & Jo Shapcott also. Think I might do a video on Shapcott soon. I must track down 'Poetry Thursday', & watch a lot more of this. I didn't realise it was a movement.

Hey, Aaron! I loved what you said about social media. For many, it has become a habit insead of a joy we choose.

I just finished the Pillow book as well and it was very interesting, for sure. I look forward to seeing your discussion with Classics and company.

I like those covers from the Alexandria Quartet (you showed them before) - I know that’s not a reason to go out and buy them (I’d be real deep in the hole if I did for every well-designed book I saw on BookTube). I’ve been curious about _The Leopard_ for a long time.

Did I hear little Stevina talking in the background at one point?

It always makes me smile, when the word bookhaul appears in the title of your videos. 😊

Ah yes, I love Paterson. Such unforgettable poetry of place. Are you familiar with the Orkney genius, George MacKay Brown?

I sometimes listen to In our time on podcast. Its wonderful.

Interesting discussion. I find that when I read strictly by my mood, in the end I'm dissatisfied with my reading because it's not as rich as when I read by a plan (especially reading challenges and any sort of group or buddy read with accountability involved). For me, that's because so many books that are richly rewarding aren't necessarily easily read in the midst of a busy day, when one is tired and finding it difficult to focus. So unless I have a deadline or a reason to read with more intensity when all I want to do is relax, it will never happen. On the flip side, if I never read to relax or read for my mood, my reading life becomes dull and dry. I find that, like most things, a balanced is necessary. Read with a plan but leave room for spontaneity.

I used to listen to In Our Time a lot. I don't know what happened exactly, but Melvyn Bragg started to get on my nerves and though I've tried to keep listening I find his way of asking questions and directing the conversation grates. I seemed to stop paying attention to what the guest academics were saying

You have me thinking now. 🤔♥️ I would have called myself a ‘mood’ reader, but I actually think I’m usually chasing a feeling that I have gotten previously from my reading. The feeling that characters and the setting gives me. 😅 I care less about the plot, more about beauty through words, character development, and settings where I’m immersed by the writing. I read significantly more fiction than nonfic. I wonder how I approach nonfic?

Aaron explaining Paradiso, “I remember being really moved but I had no idea what was going on” - you just explained my whole life, Aaron! 😅

I found this video so interesting. I think it really brings up the question of how to define "being a mood reader." It's something I've wondered if I fully fit into as well. I also tend to plan my reading but I do give up on books I'm not enjoying. I do tend to have strong reasons why I lost interest though, not just a mood change. So, not sure. I'm really interested in Thomas Mann too! I learned about him recently and got a short story collection with A Death in Venice in it, I'm excited to check it out soon. I also really want to read Red Comet!

Your editions of the Alexandria Quartet are lovely Aaron. I found a bind-up of all four the other day at my library bookstore which isn’t my favorite way to read series but for a dollar, I couldn’t resist!

This was a great discussion too. I can’t but reflect on the disparity with my life. Having parents who read and a household where books are talked about sounds wonderful. (I suppose your daughter will have that.) My mother did read occasionally; but my father was an avowed anti book reader. As you said, once a book gets inside the house that indicates a kind of interest.

Excellent video mate. I think there's a lot of similarity between us about how we choose our books....I've got recommendations and book events whenever I am choosing mine. I also have my own book challenges and projects too which I try to keep up - and decide as I go along what I can pick from all of those things. I always love the gentle, reflective way you do these videos.

Just been thinking on curiosity. It is a productive state to be in, giving you permission to go ahead with what you were thinking about, but the idea to be curious about must have come first. I looked up Shakespeare quotes for inspiration and found this. 'Four be the things I'd been better without: Love, curiosity, Freckles and doubt.' I found this surprising as I love freckles! Keep curious and happy reading.

Wow, I had no idea this was being discussed. I have recorded next week's video covering this topic 🤭 Speaking of a coincidence!

I love the notion of being a curious reader. I think that is where I lean. Go well Aaron.

This looks a smart tag, I have just watched Book Chat With Pat tackling the tag. Reading slower does help focus on the content.

Great answers Aaron! I don’t read a lot of poetry but there is a book of poetry that I’ve read a good bit from and I also put a little star next to my favorite poems in it and it was a collection of Emily Dickinson poems!

I'm trying to get back into reading, but I find that the majority of popular book youtubers mostly make videos about genres that I don't like. It's nice to see someone with more varied and unusual taste giving recommendations/opinions on books

I loved the idea of taking a phone photo of a section.

Wonderful tag , thank you. I appreciate your advice on denser books as I will be joining the 2025 read-along of In Search of Lost Time.

I’ve always separated quotes from what I’m reading - long ago in a little book, or notebook, then for a long time I’d put them on Facebook. I wish I had it all in notebooks, but that requires hand scribbling, whereas I can copy-and-paste. Now I use CZcams’s Community tab instead of Facebook. The problem with using social media for your notebook is that everything disappears down the time vortex (mostly) never to be seen again. I enjoyed hearing your practice.

Interesting answers, Aaron! Thanks for sharing. 😄♥️

Hi Aaron. I really enjoyed hearing your responses to this tag. I also did this one today, and I just found it to be so thought-provoking. I especially enjoyed hearing how you go about reading denser, more complicated works. I hope you are doing well.

I knew you would offer something special to this tag. Your advice is so serene, balanced, and grounded. So honest and helpful in that honesty. Thank you for participating.

Such a thoughtful tag and answers, lots of food for thought. Go well Aaron.

Aaron, you’re a very mature and thoughtful reader for someone so young. I hope this video gets lots of views. It wouldn’t be out of place in a high school English class and would be good for discussion in a book club.

Hello! I'm a new member of your channel, and your channel actually is the type of enviroment i like, unfortunately i do not have the same means you have to read, i can't buy too many books or have my own personal reading space, but this doesn't take away my motivation. I will keep watching your channel for future recommendations and reviews, thanks for the service 😌

Interesting answers. Food for thought. Happy reading to you.

I love the sense of fullness in the way you engage with reading. So much to like and learn from here. Especially like your comments about connecting thoughts about what you’re reading to your other thoughts, enabling a sort of integrated mash-up.

Aaron, thank you for participating 🥰 It was so interesting to hear your answers. By the way, I just finished Swann's Way by Proust and I agree... ;)

Your title makes it sound like an accident. "Whoops!" Where did those books come from? I really want to read some of Emily Dickinson's poems, I do love the poems of another Emily, a certain Bronte sister.

I suspect you would love Middlemarch. Diary of a Nobody looks interesting.

Great haul, Aaron.

U look depressed

Great finds here! Love how you spoke about Emily Dickinson's poems, you inspire me to read more poetry 😊

Should keep you out of mischief for a while at least.

I haven't read any Thomas Mann yet. I must. Haruki Murakami in 'Norwegian Wood' inspired me to have ago at 'Magic Mountain'. I must set this as my next adventure. Thanks for the inspiration.

You are brilliant. The Emily Dickinson looks fantastic. I have the Folio Society edition of her selected poetry, & several biographies. I, like everyone else at the moment, love her to bits. Your spotlight is a stimulation to return to importance.