It's so interesting what you said about Queenie. I've been wanting to read it for a long time and coincidentally I'm currently reading a book whose (white) MC is hypersexual as a consequence of PTSD, so I'm curious to see how that is portrayed in another story with a black MC and I don't care about the negative reviews. I really don't like when readers want a diverse character (whether poc, queer or disabled) to be the spokesperson for their "category". Like, that character is gay and he has to be a "good" gay, otherwise it's not good. There are different ways of being gay and different ways of being black and I feel like that's the beauty in representation: its variety. Just because you don't like a MC, doesn't mean it's a bad book or bad representation. It's just that MC being their own specific self. Hopefully what I wrote makes sense 😅
I’m not mad about the ace rep in Let’s Talk About Love (I’m super grateful to Claire Kann’s books), but several moments in the book did hurt me 😭 in their accuracy of allo people not getting it tbh it’s tough for me personally to read stuff that’s about characters coming into their aceness (although it’s so needed and I’m glad it’s continuing to become more common) because it feels so vulnerable and painful to read with the uncertainty and potentially grieving of past self-perceptions or social expectations and other characters being crappy about it, etc. I do really want to get to The Romantic Agenda!! 💜
I enjoyed The Romantic Agenda. I understood the female main character’s aceness better than the male’s aceness because they are different. Not sure if that is more about the author’s writing or my relating more to the fmc than to the guy. It would be interesting to hear others’ thoughts on that.
I really enjoyed the romantic agenda and the ace rep really spoke to me. There are other issues that came up for me in the book, but I still had a really good time
Any time I see that there's "ace rep" in a book I get super nervous. Especially if it's not by an ace author. More often than not, it's done poorly. I also don't really like books centered on discovery or coming out. And that's usually what those books or characters are about. That or they have to have an Explain Asexuality The MC moment. Like they can never just exist. Either they gotta figure it out, feel bad about it, or they gotta explain it. Not my cup of tea.
Y'all: People were acting like this book was the second fucking coming. Jesse, we (white ppl) thought The hate you give was a masterpiece on anti-racism back then (some still do), so what did y'all expect? 😂 My problem with Giovanni's room was that the characters hated women so much. It was something I didn't expect at all and made it very hard for me to enjoy. I've also bought Just above my head, but it's still waiting patienlty on the self. I enjoyed While justice sleeps. Some riddles didn't make much sense, but other than that, I didn't have any problems with it. People Person wasn't that bad, imo. It definitelly wasn't Queennie level of awesomeness, but it was entertaining. Maybe it helped that I listened to the audiobook, idk. Talking about Queenie, another book that got as much hate for the same reasons is You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi. People always say they like messy and grey characters, but they mean only white, handsome men who they can call their babies. Women, and especilly Black ones, are not allowed to be anything less / other than badass bitches or exotic creatures.
I read The Romantic Agenda the year it came out. I find it a very difficult book to talk about... i enjoyed it. I found it VERY affirming. Reading about a lead female character who owns her asexuality as a romantic lead was so beautiful. However, Cann does this thing with her writing - that a lot of romance authors do - that I hate. Sometimes the narrative will stop for them to over explain the subtext of a scene. It is so annoying and always feels like the author doesn't trust the intelligence of their reader. I really enjoyed all the relationships. I bought the history of the lead character and her best friend and the awkwardness with his girlfriend. It has one of those endings that don't feel like an end (which I generally like, but emotionally i feel like i need a sequel.) I’d be very curious to hear your opinion on it (especially the love scene ☺️).
OMG YES THAT IS AN ANNOYING HABIT FOR SURE!!!! hate being over explained to in real life and can't stand it in books either! lmao the sex scene Romantic Agenda? Noted :) thank you & your icon photo is really cool!
Queenie was SO. SO. GOOD. I hated hearing so many people hate on the book because she made bad decisions and wasn't likeable, THAT WAS THE POINT, she was humanized. I haven't read People Person yet, hopefully she'll come out with another great book
People's reactions to the ending of Such a Fun Age still tickles me. Of course it has heavy topics, racism, the fetishization of a Black woman, and performativism. But despite all of this mess going on around her, Emira chose peace and she just wanted to be regular degular. Which kind of lends itself to making this book seem as basic as the main character strove to be. Reviewers are big mad though, oh there's no character growth", "ugh I wanted better for a Emira"... But I ask, are these response not also performative?? Chile let me tell you, Emira cracked me up the entire time with her nonchalance...ok. I listened to this btw and I loved it!
I've had Master of Poisons on my shelf for years! I'm gonna pick it up this summer, now that I know it's N.K. Jemisin levels of "I love this but WTF is happening"
Did ya'll see Claire Kann is dipping her toe into the paranormal? Next month we're getting "Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places" and I wonder if that would be more our speed! I liked The Romantic Agenda enough to read more from her, but I'm ready to love this one!
What you said about Dan Brown was me with James Patterson in HS. I read ALL of the Alex Cross books and thought I was hot sh!t because I was reading "adult literature" (I really wish there was an emoji to properly describe how badly I'm cringing as I write this)
I didn't even know kalynn bayron was going to do a retelling?! of that classic as well which I really liked. I really liked you're not supposed to die tonight (y'alls comment is valid though!!) and i am now excited for my dear henry D: I too loved queenie and it surprised me because I thought I wasn't gonna like it. But haven't read anything more by her since. (queenie was last year lol, not that long ago). But yeah, people really don't like queenie but showing the gentrification in south london and how it was really dealing with trauma without having to rehash all of the trauma --- loved that element to queenie. Breaking my heart with y'alls thoughts on people person as it is on my shelf waiting for me...
I liked Baldwins GR. Y'alls critiques definitely made me reconsider it, but I need to reread it tbh. My favorite of his is probably Another Country. It's probably my favorite of his. It jumps between a range of perspectives in a complicated group of friends and acquaintances
I loved both of Kiley Reid's novel. She writes literary novels though so the plot takes a long time to build. However it built really well. I'm a white immigrant reader/writer who didn't study in America, but I had immigrant friends who graduated from American Colleges, and I thought the dorm atmosphere was spot on from the little I experienced when I visited them
I totally get where you are coming from with Such a Fun Age. That is exactly how I felt about Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. The only book I have thrown across a room….yeah I found it so trite and annoying but that was because it was lessons I had already learned and work I had already done on myself. I can understand how if they were knew concepts to you how you could love the book, but for me it just came off as condescending and like I was being talked down to the whole time. So I totally understand where you are coming from with that!
Oh my gosh I just finished Queenie and loved it so much. I’d had it on my list for years but am glad it took me so long because the person I am now appreciated it so much more than I could have at an earlier age. Also for James Baldwin, I recommend Notes of a Native Son
I read The Romantic Agenda and I remember liking it! Let’s Talk About Love was a disappointment to me because I felt like the MC seemed to discount her friends really easily, especially for an ace person. But the Romantic Agenda is definitely much better! The ace rep is very central to the book, and I thought the characters and relationships were all pretty well developed (which can be rare with love triangles)
Giovanni's Room was the second Baldwin novel I read after If Beale Street Could Talk and I was surprised as well that it was solely about white queerness but other than that liked it. I've read 3 of his other work since and I'm so amazed and in awe not only about the thoughts he brings to paper but the way he does it, his books read like poetry at times and they feel so current even though he's been dead for over 30 years.
I also felt like Yellowface and Such A Fun Age has similar cringe energy. I think that's what drew me to Such A Fun Age so much. I found myself unable to put it down because I was so mesmerized by the level of cringe and wanted to know what was going to happen next and how this was spiraling out of control. Ultimately, I really enjoyed Such a Fun Age, and I'm looking forward to her new one! I have heard mixed reviews of Come & Get It, but I'm still optimistic. Disclaimer: I am white (lol so sorry).
yes yes yes!!!!! just finished another book that had the same energy as SAFA and Yellowface. Halsey Street. Loved the book except for that theme not a critique on the author, am just realizing i really don't like books where Black characters, esp women, have to endure polite microaggressions from white "allies" who are "woke" for the whole novel. Am realizing we REALLY don't enjoy those interactions and are incapable of gleaning anything from them other than anger. we still gave the book a 5 which says a LOT about its brilliance. also loveeeee ur name change! cant remember what ur handle was before, but it suits you!
I’m a big Baldwin fan. Tell me how long the trains been gone is his final novel that I think discusses the intersection of masculinity, blackness, and queerness more directly than his other novels, but I thjnk Giovanni’s room is his only work that truly focuses on queerness. It’s present in his other works, but it takes a backseat to his other themes. Still, I agree that Giovanni’s room is probably his weakest fiction. I would try Tell it on the Mountain or If Beale Street Could Talk. As for novelists that I’ve given a second chance, the only one that I can think of is Paulo Coelho. I read the Alchemist a few years ago and HATED it! I decided a few months after that to read Veronika decides to die and that was a little better but I ultimately decided his books weren’t for me.
adding How Long the Train's Been Gone!!!! ty tty that is EXACTLY what i'm seeking. def will read the other two you suggested as well. Thank you so much, friend! i also tried reading Coelho and .... nooooo lmao did NOT like the writing
I know it was a slip of the tongue but I vote for referring to mystery/thrillers as "millers" from now on. "What sort of thing are you reading?" "Oh, you know, mostly millers. Millers and romedies. One or two fantroticas."
Giovanni's Room is definitely a hard read... I could enjoy it for the prose but the characters are frustrating for sure and there are just things that didn't age well. But I've read Go Tell it on the Mountain (which is fiction but heavily draws on Baldwin's own experiences), If Beale Street Could Talk and the Fire Next Time and adored all of them even though they will emotionally put you through it. Hope y'all find fiction from Baldwin y'all love.
Stacey Abrams is incredible! I didn't know she wrote adult fiction too! I knew she was a Trekkie and gamer as well as an absolute powerhouse, but now I have to read these 😂.
There are two authors that comes to mind. The first is Roshani Chonski. I didn't like The Gilded Wolves. I loved the writing, and I loved it in the beginning. I loved the set-up, the characters, the world and magic system and more. But as the book went on, nothing was developing and that is where it lost me. Not enough of the book was fleshed out enough or developed, and it felt like some things were thrown in there randomly which I didn't like. I ended up finishing the book not caring about any of the characters and being actually annoyed. I did like what she said with the book though in terms of the plot and the characters. But, because of how it began I knew I had to keep an eye on the author, and when The Last Tale of the Flower Bride came out I knew this was the one to pick up. I thought, that from the premise, it would suit her writing style and storytelling, and I was correct. I loved it, and it was my favourite book of December last year. The second is a current read. The first book I read by Naomi Novak was A Deadly Education. I hated it. I hated the way it was written, the constant exposition, the absolute random monster attacks (it actually felt comical at one stage because of how many there were), and I actually dnfed it in the second last chapter because of how much I didn't care. I did like the main character though and the discussions on privilege. But a lot of people who didn't like it, liked her previous works, and honestly their premises sounded more my speed anyway. I am currently reading Spinning Silver and I am really enjoying it.
omg caitlyn, the gilded wolves was the first book i ever received from the publisher and also the first book i ever dnf'd lmao constant exposition (when unnecessary) is a big pet peeve. ended up unhauling a deadly education.
If you're going to give Baldwin's fiction a second chance, I really liked If Beale Street Could Talk (and the movie adaptation is 100% worth watching after!) I can't think of many authors I've given a second chance to as an adult (mostly bc I'd I don't like something, I don't tend to finish it and kinda forget it exists 🙃). As a teen, I was forced to give Shakespeare a second chance and it worked out well (I hated Romeo and Juliet, but was obsessed with Hamlet. I also appreciated R&J my second time through as an adult in the context of a Shakespeare class). Zora Neale Hurston I sort of gave a second chance to, but again for class. I hated Their Eyes Were Watching God in high school, but really appreciated it when I read it in college.
Jesse I loved such a fun age lol. (of course, y'all allowed to not like it!) It was one of my favourite books of last year (I got around to it late) and I'm excited for her latest!! I am the same as y'all. I have read and loved Baldwin's essays and all of his rage in them. But I have giovanni's room on my shelf to read and had NO idea its about a white man lol. I read let's talk about love and it was a three star for me. I found it quite mediocre in terms of the friendship and the love interest -- which didn't really have anything to do with the main character or the ace rep. But I also haven't really been pulled towards any of her new books since. Ooh gotta go help my sister but will pause here and watch the next two books later! Maybe y'all get another comment from me x
baldwin: COMPLETELY recommend just above my head, bunch of trigger warnings apply, specifically csa and incest. i think with giovanni's room and his view of women and trans women(which was my main beef first reading), the MC is a closeted scumbag, so ofc he thinks a certain way about people... it's my favorite book though along with just above my head so maybe if everything about that book sucked to y'all... idk😭 if you thought it was boring i'd stay away from go tell it on the mountain though because as his first book it's way more meandering and unfocused... not a bad thing, necessarily but a lot less technically skilled and kind of slower. Just above my head is kind of long though, but i was sucked in from the first paragraph. (But then i was with giovanni too xD)
*distinctly* remember hating the way the MC talked about "feminine" queer men and Trans folk. Don't recall all of the critiques, but that is ONE that stands out. maybe rereading it would give a diff focus on what Baldwin was attempting, but it certainly wasn't for us at that time.
@@JesseOnCZcams yes, this is the one scene/paragraphthat sticks out to me too. in my view, the MC feels disgust and pity towards them *because* they are free and rationalizing his own cowardice and masc superiority ("what are they trying to do, they'll never be normal...") because i think really baldwin has never shown anything but deep love for fems. BUT also... absolutely get its like not ya'll thing because PHEW. i dont remember if ya'll read detransition baby, but the author has a short horror-esque novel called the masker which i felt had similar themes of self-disgust projected onto people you don't want to be like in your same community, i found it very interesting too but... also very hard to swallow. either way i hope ya'll find a new fun book to read:D
OMG Master Of Poisons, I juuust finished this book and yes, I definitely struggled, and felt like it could have been trimmed a significant amount (it got really repetitive), but I pushed through and was so happy I got through the entire thing. If nothing else, I know that y'all will enjoy the prose. I sometimes needed to take breaks within paragraphs just to absorb the depth of some of Hairston's prose. Maybe reading it slowly and giving y'all space and time to annotate it could help. And then While Justice Sleeps! I was not impressed with this book at all (read it last year) but still felt it could make a good legal mini-series where they could fix all the major issues I had with it... Hope these authors make y'all's second chances worth it!✨💖📚
this makes sense but i'm not quite sure how it fits in with these books because its very different from them. it also doesn't have an adaptation like they do. and it isn't a thriller... does anyone else want to weigh in?
I never got to read such a fun age when it was popular online. I just recently found it in a free little library though and since you don't always find books in english and good conditions like this, I took it as a sign. I'm curious how I'll like it. Looking back on it, I think it was one of these books everyone read to show that they cared about books by black authors? Can't think of a second chance. I plan to read more James Baldwin though. When I read Notes of a native son I struggled but I think I was just not smart enough :')
there was a lot of performative activism surrounding Such a Fun Age which is so unfair to the author. she wrote a great book. read and LOVED The Fire Next Time. can't wait to read everything else
Stacey Abrams’ Selena Montgomery romances were reprinted with her real name to cash in on the buzz from her being a rising political star…I’m fairly sure that the old covers just had her pen name on it. Also, disclaimer if y’all weren’t fully aware, that particular book was published in 2001, and she hasn’t published a Selena Montgomery title since 2009. So some of the dynamics will likely feel very dated. But it’s very possible that, given y’all didn’t gel with Stacey’s thriller writing style, the romance style may work better. In my experience it was the opposite, but there are few 10-20 year old books that hold up, in my opinion, and hers aren’t among them.
lmao we JUST got high and our little brain trying to understand this comment has us looking like Zach Galifinakis in the iconic hangover scene lmao can't wait to re-read this sober and be embarrassed lmao. ty for the info! truly. we love getting more context on things like this! and you know how picky we are about romances so we're super excited to see our experience with this one
y'all are so incredibly intelligent and insightful. i love to hear y'all talk. also, i absolutely adore james baldwin, but giovanni's room was a bit of a mess negl.
Jumping here immediately!! I really didn't care for Such A Fun Age. It just upset me and didn't give me an out of the uncomfortableness that I experienced throughout the book. The white mom AAAGH!!! It was like I was trapped in her hands. I needed so much more nuance.
Darcy Coates is an author I gave a second chance to and I’m so glad because I’ve enjoyed most of the things I’ve read from her. She writes thriller/ horror btw.
omg i didn't realize that giovanni was the white character in the story 😭i guess i was really confused by the description too and completely thought that the main character was white and that giovanni was black. then again, giovanni's room confused me heavily when i first read it years ago now, but i still enjoyed it regardless. i knew james baldwin was an incredibly important figure back in the day, i've watched his speeches at colleges and interviews since i read it and absolutely adore him and his work. i've been meaning to try him again as well ! i've owned go tell it on the mountain for years but have yet to grab it, might see if i can squeeze it in before the end of black history month ! (but if not, then i'm still gonna read it regardless ! i've been thinking about james baldwin anyways). i've also heard good things about if beale street could talk ! my birthday's coming up soon so i've been thinking of picking it up as well !! fantastic video, can't wait to hear y'all's thoughts on these books and if y'all've changed y'all's mind on these authors as a result !! :D
Queenie is an absolutely spectacular book. I wasn't really paying attention to the bookish community at the point that I read it so this is the first time I am hearing that it got such negative reviews and frankly that breaks my heart. Carty-Williams has a novella / novelette called Empress & Aniya which I have yet to read but maybe that could be something you could check out? I read it at a similar time to Nina is Not Okay by Shappi Khorsandi and I feel like there are a lot of similar themes and the two books pair really beautifully.
Going to add my voice to the many others who have said that you're great at differentiating between books that have problematic elements and books that you just didn't like as a reader.
Oooooh so true about such a fun age! That was one of the first books I read on booktube because of all the hype 🥺 I do think it met me where I was at in my introduction to diverse books and think I’ve grown sooo much since then which feels good to look back on. I’m sad to say I did not enjoy come and get it… but I hope it finds its audience and Kiley Reid’s next book is my first 5 star from her!!
omg literally cannot wait to hear your thoughts on Come and Get It. We don't remember seeing it in your recent vids, please tell me we didn't miss your review? :)
Omg yes! I mean Such a fun age was an okay book. The first half was really good but fell in the second part. I was also super confused by peoples reaction to it.
good question! these have always been my full thoughts. I DID enjoy the book, like i said in this video, it is a remarkable and strong debut. but i didn't love it as much as everyone else and expected more given all of the rave reviews. which is why i gave it a 3.5 or a 4 star back then :) with age, we'd say its a solid 3. a 3 star rating is still really good in our opinion!
I dnf’d Giovanni’s Room and plan to go back to it one day. The Fire Next Time is my favorite James Baldwin from the several of his that I’ve read. I’m more of a non-fiction gal, though, fwiw.
So I tried to read Come & Get It, but had to return it to the library for now. I was intrigued by the first chapter, but life has been so hectic lately and I prioritized completing Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo. So so good. I read physically in tandem with the audiobook !!
I gave a 2nd chance to N.K. Jemison because i had already purchased the Broken Kingdoms Trilogy and one more before i read the first book. I struggled getting theough the first book and thought it was because it was my first long form read since i had covid. Thanks for mentioning the difficulty because inwas worried. I read the 2nd Broken Kingdoms book right after the first and itbwas much better. The 3rd was the longest but rounded out the 1st w and made them make sense. In Jemison's books, i spend most of my time trying to pronounce the names so i miss some of the plot.
akasha is so funny 😂 my cat is like that too when i try to film for tiktok ksjfkdjf love these videos from y’all! an author i might give a second chance is alexis hall. i thought boyfriend material was kinda fun but not the strongest, and i’ve heard from several ppl that the sequel is really bad so i don’t think i’ll be giving more of my time or money to that series, but i’m still interested in a lady for a duke by the same author 👀
ok freddie you're gonna have to keep us in the loop on your Hall journey because i'm curious haha also drop ur tiktok!!! we love a self plug :) we might be getting back on tiktok at some point...maaaaaybe
The lubrication comments had me dying. I DNF’d Redwood and Wildfire by Andrea Hairston because the synopsis promised magic and community, but what I read was just trauma and pain. I’ll give the author another chance with Master of Poisons. Missing White Woman sounds so good and I’m now interested in checking out Kellye Garrett’s Detective by Day books! Currently giving Simon Jimenez a second chance. The Vanished Birds had an ~immaculate~ first chapter, but I just didn’t vibe with it in general. It didn’t help that when anyone talked about the book, it was about how sad it was. The Spear Cuts Through Water is so weird and artful, but it’s really compelling.
Omg Julie you broke us dnfing Vanished 😂 ironically The Spear confused both us and Starlah so we stepped away from it and forgot to return. Thank u did the reminder Veryyyyyy disappointing to learn that about Redwood
Y’all and I don’t always agree on books, but I’ll give Vanished another try. :) My biggest problem was being unable to get Ahro’s backstory out of my head, but now that I won’t be surprised by it… For all I know, Redwood and Wildlife could turn out be as amazing as Parable of the Sower (they both have young, Black, female protagonists on a journey; depressing, oppressive worlds; and older and kind of unnecessary love interests), but it didn’t feel as interesting or focused. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I loved Giovanni’s Room but reading it as a gay white man struggling with my queerness it really spoke to me. I also loved The Fire Next Time and his essays.
@@JesseOnCZcams Lol, no that’s actually one I have out from the library rn that I’m planning to read. I’ve read The Changeling (which was sort of boring) and Lone Women, which was okay. I’ll let you know what I think of The Ballad of Black Tom though when I finish it
I enjoyed Like a Sister and Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett... both were probably 2.5-3ish stars for me, not terrible but not great either. However, I'm also very excited for the upcoming Missing White Woman, which I preordered as soon as I saw the announcement. 😆 I did read Such A Fun Age and I really enjoyed the read overall, though again, probably wouldn't reread (I reread my favorite books pretty often! and anything I set at 5 stars is reread material). I'd definitely pick up something else by Kiley Reid though. Also I just happened upon the book in my library app... I wasn't involved in any of the online discussion about it at all! I didn't read While Justice Sleeps, but I happened upon the sequel in the library, Rogue Justice. I enjoyed it, though there were some moments that I had trouble maintaining the suspension of disbelief. I don't think the ending *fully* came together for me but it was not a bad read.
really wanna read Hollywood Homicide soemtime and hope Missing White Woman is a 5 for both of us! glad Rogue Justice didn't disappoint :) was it hard reading the sequel but not the first?
@@JesseOnCZcams It wasn't difficult at all! I didn't even realize that it was a sequel until after I'd finished it and looked up Stacy Abrams to see if she'd written other books. I'd read more from her, but probably not political intrigue (which seems to be her special interest), mainly because I don't really enjoy modern political intrigue in general. Anything set in the US just makes me depressed about our legal system 😑
@@JesseOnCZcams I also enjoyed the fire this time by Don Lemon. I remember reading that closer to 2020, so maybe my thoughts have changed since then. Overall classic Black literature I struggle with. I read The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, but did not see the hype of the book. I also wasn’t moved by The Color Purple, but enjoyed it more than The Bluest Eye. I feel like a bad Black person for saying that, but that it how I feel.
Penny Dreadful was so good! I've read two books by N. Scott Momaday and his writing style is too dry for me. I'm going to give him another try most likely next year. Recommendations for James Baldwin: Non-fiction: The Evidence of Things Not Seen. Fiction: If Beale Street Could Talk.
@@JesseOnCZcams This is probably a terrible answer, but I didn't really have a favorite character. That show was just so enthralling & horrifying. I remember Frankenstein's monster being born and having a visceral reaction. That moment boomeranged me back to when I gave birth to my daughter.
Enjoyed this, you’re funny and make some good points. While I dug Kiley Reid’s debut, the ending was rough and weak, but still it wasn’t the same old story, and I think that’s what sold it. I listened to Come And Get It on Audible and enjoyed it more than I would have if I’d read the text, because she’s playing with the language of college students and there’s lots of intentional repetition. But if a writer appears to be woke (f**k Desantis), I give unlimited chances because writers are always getting better if they’re determined to keep trying. But I will DNF. Tayari Jones is an example of someone worthy and I can even get excited about the next one. And while American Marriage showed great progress, I was amazed by all the critical acclaim and Oprah. But I’m so proud of her success and look forward to her next book.
I was trying to understand why everyone loved American Marriage - checked it out, read the first chapter, and brought it back lmao. apparently in 2021 she released a book narrated by Gabrielle Union called Dispossession. Have you read it? It looks good
I don't wanna mention by name the author I gave a second chance to (and ended up confirming my dislike) bc people LOVE that author, but it is a well known and "celebrated" author who (secretly-not-so-secretly) is a not very kind person. 😬😬😬
Baldwin’s “Tell Me How Long The Train’s Been Gone” is probably more your speed. Maybe give April Sinclair’s “Coffee Makes You Black” a try. Ditto Gloria Naylor’s “Women of Brewster Place.” None of these will boost your social media clout, btw.
Ive had master of poisons on my shelf for 4 years now. Ive attempted to read it 5 times. DNF'd at 60 percent last year. I love the extensive world building it's different it's great, the characters are interesting and very queer. i think the issue is the pacing. At 60 percent nothing was happening to captivate my attention 😒☹️ thats a problem... im sad about it
Jesse can you please give me some fantastic black authors in horror and fantasy please 🙏 my friend prayers and blessings for you and your puppy and your amazing mom love your Aussie family friend John 💚💚💛💛❤️❤️
I got you. Horror - Tanararive Due, Victor LaValle, Vincent Tirado, Liselle Sambury (writes fantasy too) Fantasy - Cadwell Turnbull, NK Jemisin, Saara El-Arifi, Rivers Solomon (Sorrowland is great fantasy-horror), Nnedi Okorafor, P. Dèjí Clark (also writes horror) Here's links to my Horror Noire playlist and my Black Girl Magic playlists which have detailed recs and reviews for Black authors in both your targeted genres :) Horror Noire: czcams.com/play/PLXf-4SMJLLeV8iBtG3hFNBVVpM2-8L6EV.html Black Girl Magic: czcams.com/play/PLXf-4SMJLLeVZtlUHEySfxrl_Ixix7ksP.html
@@JesseOnCZcamsyou are a bloody legend and a absolute true friend and I am so glad that I have found your amazing channel please 🙏 give your beautiful puppy a hug and a kiss from me please 🙏 on your next video and also a hug for your mom to ❤❤
I love your channel and how you represent. Your dog is just trying to appeal to your fans and draw in more. She's working. Why are you interfering with her job? 🩷🫰🏽 Keep doing what you do! I've been saving all of your recommendations. They're greatly appreciated.
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I felt bad for Queenie. I really understood her and what she was going through. Hated that she was being cast aside at the end.
Erin, read this comment maybe eight times. Really relate to it. The attacks on Queenie felt personal.
The way y’all keep teasing your Robin Hood retelling WIP gets me excited every time!
🤣🤣♥️♥️♥️♥️you're soooo kind
It's so interesting what you said about Queenie. I've been wanting to read it for a long time and coincidentally I'm currently reading a book whose (white) MC is hypersexual as a consequence of PTSD, so I'm curious to see how that is portrayed in another story with a black MC and I don't care about the negative reviews.
I really don't like when readers want a diverse character (whether poc, queer or disabled) to be the spokesperson for their "category". Like, that character is gay and he has to be a "good" gay, otherwise it's not good. There are different ways of being gay and different ways of being black and I feel like that's the beauty in representation: its variety. Just because you don't like a MC, doesn't mean it's a bad book or bad representation. It's just that MC being their own specific self.
Hopefully what I wrote makes sense 😅
absolutely agree. Queenie wasn't a "good Black girl". She didn't "behave". and that was one of the many reasons why I loved her.
I’m not mad about the ace rep in Let’s Talk About Love (I’m super grateful to Claire Kann’s books), but several moments in the book did hurt me 😭 in their accuracy of allo people not getting it
tbh it’s tough for me personally to read stuff that’s about characters coming into their aceness (although it’s so needed and I’m glad it’s continuing to become more common) because it feels so vulnerable and painful to read with the uncertainty and potentially grieving of past self-perceptions or social expectations and other characters being crappy about it, etc.
I do really want to get to The Romantic Agenda!! 💜
this comment is really really nuanced and we love it. gave us a lot to think about
I enjoyed The Romantic Agenda. I understood the female main character’s aceness better than the male’s aceness because they are different. Not sure if that is more about the author’s writing or my relating more to the fmc than to the guy. It would be interesting to hear others’ thoughts on that.
I really enjoyed the romantic agenda and the ace rep really spoke to me. There are other issues that came up for me in the book, but I still had a really good time
Any time I see that there's "ace rep" in a book I get super nervous. Especially if it's not by an ace author. More often than not, it's done poorly. I also don't really like books centered on discovery or coming out. And that's usually what those books or characters are about. That or they have to have an Explain Asexuality The MC moment. Like they can never just exist. Either they gotta figure it out, feel bad about it, or they gotta explain it. Not my cup of tea.
If Beal street could talk by James Baldwin is beautiful but devastating. Btw this year premiered the tv adaptation of Queenie en the BBC
Y'all have got this one so excited for that damn book
@@JesseOnCZcams very beautiful but very sad
I just realized I can’t think of any authors I’ve given a second chance to. Not even one😳
we love a ruthless person lmaoooo
Y'all: People were acting like this book was the second fucking coming.
Jesse, we (white ppl) thought The hate you give was a masterpiece on anti-racism back then (some still do), so what did y'all expect? 😂
My problem with Giovanni's room was that the characters hated women so much. It was something I didn't expect at all and made it very hard for me to enjoy. I've also bought Just above my head, but it's still waiting patienlty on the self.
I enjoyed While justice sleeps. Some riddles didn't make much sense, but other than that, I didn't have any problems with it.
People Person wasn't that bad, imo. It definitelly wasn't Queennie level of awesomeness, but it was entertaining. Maybe it helped that I listened to the audiobook, idk.
Talking about Queenie, another book that got as much hate for the same reasons is You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi. People always say they like messy and grey characters, but they mean only white, handsome men who they can call their babies. Women, and especilly Black ones, are not allowed to be anything less / other than badass bitches or exotic creatures.
we forever expect too much 🤣
I read The Romantic Agenda the year it came out. I find it a very difficult book to talk about... i enjoyed it. I found it VERY affirming. Reading about a lead female character who owns her asexuality as a romantic lead was so beautiful.
However, Cann does this thing with her writing - that a lot of romance authors do - that I hate.
Sometimes the narrative will stop for them to over explain the subtext of a scene. It is so annoying and always feels like the author doesn't trust the intelligence of their reader.
I really enjoyed all the relationships. I bought the history of the lead character and her best friend and the awkwardness with his girlfriend. It has one of those endings that don't feel like an end (which I generally like, but emotionally i feel like i need a sequel.)
I’d be very curious to hear your opinion on it (especially the love scene ☺️).
OMG YES THAT IS AN ANNOYING HABIT FOR SURE!!!! hate being over explained to in real life and can't stand it in books either! lmao
the sex scene Romantic Agenda? Noted :) thank you & your icon photo is really cool!
@@JesseOnCZcams thanks! 🥰
see… i intentionally didn’t say “sex scene”… 😉
This video is brilliant. The level of care and detail y’all include on this channel is perfect ❤
thank you *so* much, Nicole
Queenie was SO. SO. GOOD. I hated hearing so many people hate on the book because she made bad decisions and wasn't likeable, THAT WAS THE POINT, she was humanized. I haven't read People Person yet, hopefully she'll come out with another great book
Amy - YES!!!!
People's reactions to the ending of Such a Fun Age still tickles me. Of course it has heavy topics, racism, the fetishization of a Black woman, and performativism. But despite all of this mess going on around her, Emira chose peace and she just wanted to be regular degular. Which kind of lends itself to making this book seem as basic as the main character strove to be. Reviewers are big mad though, oh there's no character growth", "ugh I wanted better for a Emira"... But I ask, are these response not also performative?? Chile let me tell you, Emira cracked me up the entire time with her nonchalance...ok. I listened to this btw and I loved it!
LOVED the 'mediocrity' of Emira. Every Black life doesn't need to be "excellent" to matter. def agree
I've had Master of Poisons on my shelf for years! I'm gonna pick it up this summer, now that I know it's N.K. Jemisin levels of "I love this but WTF is happening"
we will need to lean heavily on each other during this read LMAO
Whenever I watch a Jesse video, I make sure I've got a notebook nearby to write down all these recommendations.
Awwww
Did ya'll see Claire Kann is dipping her toe into the paranormal? Next month we're getting "Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places" and I wonder if that would be more our speed! I liked The Romantic Agenda enough to read more from her, but I'm ready to love this one!
NEEDED THIS NEWS! thanks Kayla 🥳
What you said about Dan Brown was me with James Patterson in HS. I read ALL of the Alex Cross books and thought I was hot sh!t because I was reading "adult literature" (I really wish there was an emoji to properly describe how badly I'm cringing as I write this)
LOL!!! relatable.
I didn't even know kalynn bayron was going to do a retelling?! of that classic as well which I really liked. I really liked you're not supposed to die tonight (y'alls comment is valid though!!) and i am now excited for my dear henry D: I too loved queenie and it surprised me because I thought I wasn't gonna like it. But haven't read anything more by her since. (queenie was last year lol, not that long ago). But yeah, people really don't like queenie but showing the gentrification in south london and how it was really dealing with trauma without having to rehash all of the trauma --- loved that element to queenie. Breaking my heart with y'alls thoughts on people person as it is on my shelf waiting for me...
::sigh::.......... _(Black author who's had great difficulty getting Black readers, relying on "non-Black" readers)_ 😞
you're having trouble finding Black readers for your work? I might be able to help!
@@JesseOnCZcams Really??? I'm all ears.....
I liked Baldwins GR. Y'alls critiques definitely made me reconsider it, but I need to reread it tbh. My favorite of his is probably Another Country. It's probably my favorite of his. It jumps between a range of perspectives in a complicated group of friends and acquaintances
Another Country sounds right up our alley. ty ty!
I loved both of Kiley Reid's novel. She writes literary novels though so the plot takes a long time to build. However it built really well. I'm a white immigrant reader/writer who didn't study in America, but I had immigrant friends who graduated from American Colleges, and I thought the dorm atmosphere was spot on from the little I experienced when I visited them
you just got me excited for Come and Get It!
I’d love to hear y’all’s thoughts on If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin! ❤️
y'all have convinced us to read it!
I totally get where you are coming from with Such a Fun Age. That is exactly how I felt about Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. The only book I have thrown across a room….yeah I found it so trite and annoying but that was because it was lessons I had already learned and work I had already done on myself. I can understand how if they were knew concepts to you how you could love the book, but for me it just came off as condescending and like I was being talked down to the whole time. So I totally understand where you are coming from with that!
Oh my gosh I just finished Queenie and loved it so much. I’d had it on my list for years but am glad it took me so long because the person I am now appreciated it so much more than I could have at an earlier age.
Also for James Baldwin, I recommend Notes of a Native Son
first suggestion for Native Son that i've seen, thank you!!! THANK YOU FOR LOVING QUEENIE AND FOR HAVING TASTE!
I read The Romantic Agenda and I remember liking it! Let’s Talk About Love was a disappointment to me because I felt like the MC seemed to discount her friends really easily, especially for an ace person. But the Romantic Agenda is definitely much better! The ace rep is very central to the book, and I thought the characters and relationships were all pretty well developed (which can be rare with love triangles)
Giovanni's Room was the second Baldwin novel I read after If Beale Street Could Talk and I was surprised as well that it was solely about white queerness but other than that liked it. I've read 3 of his other work since and I'm so amazed and in awe not only about the thoughts he brings to paper but the way he does it, his books read like poetry at times and they feel so current even though he's been dead for over 30 years.
he's just brilliant
I also felt like Yellowface and Such A Fun Age has similar cringe energy. I think that's what drew me to Such A Fun Age so much. I found myself unable to put it down because I was so mesmerized by the level of cringe and wanted to know what was going to happen next and how this was spiraling out of control. Ultimately, I really enjoyed Such a Fun Age, and I'm looking forward to her new one! I have heard mixed reviews of Come & Get It, but I'm still optimistic. Disclaimer: I am white (lol so sorry).
yes yes yes!!!!! just finished another book that had the same energy as SAFA and Yellowface. Halsey Street. Loved the book except for that theme not a critique on the author, am just realizing i really don't like books where Black characters, esp women, have to endure polite microaggressions from white "allies" who are "woke" for the whole novel. Am realizing we REALLY don't enjoy those interactions and are incapable of gleaning anything from them other than anger. we still gave the book a 5 which says a LOT about its brilliance.
also loveeeee ur name change! cant remember what ur handle was before, but it suits you!
I’m a big Baldwin fan. Tell me how long the trains been gone is his final novel that I think discusses the intersection of masculinity, blackness, and queerness more directly than his other novels, but I thjnk Giovanni’s room is his only work that truly focuses on queerness. It’s present in his other works, but it takes a backseat to his other themes. Still, I agree that Giovanni’s room is probably his weakest fiction. I would try Tell it on the Mountain or If Beale Street Could Talk.
As for novelists that I’ve given a second chance, the only one that I can think of is Paulo Coelho. I read the Alchemist a few years ago and HATED it! I decided a few months after that to read Veronika decides to die and that was a little better but I ultimately decided his books weren’t for me.
adding How Long the Train's Been Gone!!!! ty tty that is EXACTLY what i'm seeking. def will read the other two you suggested as well. Thank you so much, friend!
i also tried reading Coelho and .... nooooo lmao did NOT like the writing
I now need a mug for my bookish beverages that says "I need a book with a little bit more lubricant" 😂 because YES!
HAHAHAHA omg yessss
Not going to lie, I love these more conversational videos y'all do!! I love hearing your thoughts and sincerely hope your 2ndbtries go better!
I read Queenie because of you and I still adore it. If people want a complex character, I always recommend Queenie
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
I know it was a slip of the tongue but I vote for referring to mystery/thrillers as "millers" from now on.
"What sort of thing are you reading?"
"Oh, you know, mostly millers. Millers and romedies. One or two fantroticas."
MILLERS IS SO GOOD, RIGHT?!?!?! you're always our biggest cheerleader
@@JesseOnCZcams And a mystery thriller for a YA audience? That's a Miller Lite right there.
Giovanni's Room is definitely a hard read... I could enjoy it for the prose but the characters are frustrating for sure and there are just things that didn't age well. But I've read Go Tell it on the Mountain (which is fiction but heavily draws on Baldwin's own experiences), If Beale Street Could Talk and the Fire Next Time and adored all of them even though they will emotionally put you through it. Hope y'all find fiction from Baldwin y'all love.
Stacey Abrams is incredible! I didn't know she wrote adult fiction too! I knew she was a Trekkie and gamer as well as an absolute powerhouse, but now I have to read these 😂.
There are two authors that comes to mind. The first is Roshani Chonski. I didn't like The Gilded Wolves. I loved the writing, and I loved it in the beginning. I loved the set-up, the characters, the world and magic system and more. But as the book went on, nothing was developing and that is where it lost me. Not enough of the book was fleshed out enough or developed, and it felt like some things were thrown in there randomly which I didn't like. I ended up finishing the book not caring about any of the characters and being actually annoyed. I did like what she said with the book though in terms of the plot and the characters. But, because of how it began I knew I had to keep an eye on the author, and when The Last Tale of the Flower Bride came out I knew this was the one to pick up. I thought, that from the premise, it would suit her writing style and storytelling, and I was correct. I loved it, and it was my favourite book of December last year.
The second is a current read. The first book I read by Naomi Novak was A Deadly Education. I hated it. I hated the way it was written, the constant exposition, the absolute random monster attacks (it actually felt comical at one stage because of how many there were), and I actually dnfed it in the second last chapter because of how much I didn't care. I did like the main character though and the discussions on privilege. But a lot of people who didn't like it, liked her previous works, and honestly their premises sounded more my speed anyway. I am currently reading Spinning Silver and I am really enjoying it.
omg caitlyn, the gilded wolves was the first book i ever received from the publisher and also the first book i ever dnf'd lmao
constant exposition (when unnecessary) is a big pet peeve. ended up unhauling a deadly education.
love all of the detail in this comment
If you're going to give Baldwin's fiction a second chance, I really liked If Beale Street Could Talk (and the movie adaptation is 100% worth watching after!)
I can't think of many authors I've given a second chance to as an adult (mostly bc I'd I don't like something, I don't tend to finish it and kinda forget it exists 🙃). As a teen, I was forced to give Shakespeare a second chance and it worked out well (I hated Romeo and Juliet, but was obsessed with Hamlet. I also appreciated R&J my second time through as an adult in the context of a Shakespeare class). Zora Neale Hurston I sort of gave a second chance to, but again for class. I hated Their Eyes Were Watching God in high school, but really appreciated it when I read it in college.
Jesse I loved such a fun age lol. (of course, y'all allowed to not like it!) It was one of my favourite books of last year (I got around to it late) and I'm excited for her latest!! I am the same as y'all. I have read and loved Baldwin's essays and all of his rage in them. But I have giovanni's room on my shelf to read and had NO idea its about a white man lol. I read let's talk about love and it was a three star for me. I found it quite mediocre in terms of the friendship and the love interest -- which didn't really have anything to do with the main character or the ace rep. But I also haven't really been pulled towards any of her new books since. Ooh gotta go help my sister but will pause here and watch the next two books later! Maybe y'all get another comment from me x
baldwin: COMPLETELY recommend just above my head, bunch of trigger warnings apply, specifically csa and incest. i think with giovanni's room and his view of women and trans women(which was my main beef first reading), the MC is a closeted scumbag, so ofc he thinks a certain way about people... it's my favorite book though along with just above my head so maybe if everything about that book sucked to y'all... idk😭 if you thought it was boring i'd stay away from go tell it on the mountain though because as his first book it's way more meandering and unfocused... not a bad thing, necessarily but a lot less technically skilled and kind of slower. Just above my head is kind of long though, but i was sucked in from the first paragraph. (But then i was with giovanni too xD)
*distinctly* remember hating the way the MC talked about "feminine" queer men and Trans folk. Don't recall all of the critiques, but that is ONE that stands out. maybe rereading it would give a diff focus on what Baldwin was attempting, but it certainly wasn't for us at that time.
@@JesseOnCZcams yes, this is the one scene/paragraphthat sticks out to me too. in my view, the MC feels disgust and pity towards them *because* they are free and rationalizing his own cowardice and masc superiority ("what are they trying to do, they'll never be normal...") because i think really baldwin has never shown anything but deep love for fems. BUT also... absolutely get its like not ya'll thing because PHEW. i dont remember if ya'll read detransition baby, but the author has a short horror-esque novel called the masker which i felt had similar themes of self-disgust projected onto people you don't want to be like in your same community, i found it very interesting too but... also very hard to swallow. either way i hope ya'll find a new fun book to read:D
OMG Master Of Poisons, I juuust finished this book and yes, I definitely struggled, and felt like it could have been trimmed a significant amount (it got really repetitive), but I pushed through and was so happy I got through the entire thing. If nothing else, I know that y'all will enjoy the prose. I sometimes needed to take breaks within paragraphs just to absorb the depth of some of Hairston's prose. Maybe reading it slowly and giving y'all space and time to annotate it could help. And then While Justice Sleeps! I was not impressed with this book at all (read it last year) but still felt it could make a good legal mini-series where they could fix all the major issues I had with it... Hope these authors make y'all's second chances worth it!✨💖📚
omg while justice sleeps WOULD be great on screen! good point. love your comments as always
@@JesseOnCZcams 💚🖤💖
Such a Fun Age was a hit bc it was off the book adaptations of Little Fires Everywhere, Big Little Lies and 9 Perfect Strangers.
this makes sense but i'm not quite sure how it fits in with these books because its very different from them. it also doesn't have an adaptation like they do. and it isn't a thriller... does anyone else want to weigh in?
I never got to read such a fun age when it was popular online. I just recently found it in a free little library though and since you don't always find books in english and good conditions like this, I took it as a sign. I'm curious how I'll like it. Looking back on it, I think it was one of these books everyone read to show that they cared about books by black authors?
Can't think of a second chance. I plan to read more James Baldwin though. When I read Notes of a native son I struggled but I think I was just not smart enough :')
there was a lot of performative activism surrounding Such a Fun Age which is so unfair to the author. she wrote a great book.
read and LOVED The Fire Next Time. can't wait to read everything else
I definitely disliked Cinderella is dead but the This Poison Heart duology was sooooo good so I’m going into the two you spoke about my coin fr
Forgot that I really went to read that duology too!!! Heard it was amazing
I loooooved Queenie . Still think about that book.
forever hoping she's okay
I wonder an “authors I’d never give another chance” video would look 👀
Omg this is a great idea 👀
That’d be awesome 👀
All of these authors i do want to read from. My personal goal is go read as much books as possible so that adds to it
Stacey Abrams’ Selena Montgomery romances were reprinted with her real name to cash in on the buzz from her being a rising political star…I’m fairly sure that the old covers just had her pen name on it.
Also, disclaimer if y’all weren’t fully aware, that particular book was published in 2001, and she hasn’t published a Selena Montgomery title since 2009. So some of the dynamics will likely feel very dated. But it’s very possible that, given y’all didn’t gel with Stacey’s thriller writing style, the romance style may work better. In my experience it was the opposite, but there are few 10-20 year old books that hold up, in my opinion, and hers aren’t among them.
lmao we JUST got high and our little brain trying to understand this comment has us looking like Zach Galifinakis in the iconic hangover scene lmao
can't wait to re-read this sober and be embarrassed lmao. ty for the info! truly. we love getting more context on things like this! and you know how picky we are about romances so we're super excited to see our experience with this one
y'all are so incredibly intelligent and insightful. i love to hear y'all talk.
also, i absolutely adore james baldwin, but giovanni's room was a bit of a mess negl.
Lmao!!!! We feel see. Lmao we wanted to like Giovanni but truly didn't. Maybe will give it a shot another time :) thank you for the kind words
Jessie. Please. We need the Robin Hood retelling
If you hadn't seen I think Ramsey County is doing a free virtual event with Kiley Reid in March if that's something you would want to watch
ooo! are you Minnesotan?
@@JesseOnCZcams yes! I used to be in Minneapolis but now I'm in the greater Twin Cities 😄
If Beale Street Could Talk was so well written but I couldn’t finish it.
Spoiler, The Fire Next Time blew us away. Why couldn't you finish Beale? (If you feel comfy sharing. No pressure, friend)
Jumping here immediately!! I really didn't care for Such A Fun Age. It just upset me and didn't give me an out of the uncomfortableness that I experienced throughout the book. The white mom AAAGH!!! It was like I was trapped in her hands. I needed so much more nuance.
yoooo you explain the reason it didn't work for me so well.
If Beale Street Could Talk and Another Country are my favorite Baldwins!
ty ty ty!!!!
Darcy Coates is an author I gave a second chance to and I’m so glad because I’ve enjoyed most of the things I’ve read from her.
She writes thriller/ horror btw.
have heard. good things about her writing! which book of hers did you dislike? will make sure i dont start with that one LOL
@@JesseOnCZcams the Haunting of Ashburn House was really boring in my opinion, stay away from that one.
Folcroft Ghost, House of Shadows and Craven Manor are some of my favorites from her.
omg i didn't realize that giovanni was the white character in the story 😭i guess i was really confused by the description too and completely thought that the main character was white and that giovanni was black. then again, giovanni's room confused me heavily when i first read it years ago now, but i still enjoyed it regardless. i knew james baldwin was an incredibly important figure back in the day, i've watched his speeches at colleges and interviews since i read it and absolutely adore him and his work. i've been meaning to try him again as well ! i've owned go tell it on the mountain for years but have yet to grab it, might see if i can squeeze it in before the end of black history month ! (but if not, then i'm still gonna read it regardless ! i've been thinking about james baldwin anyways). i've also heard good things about if beale street could talk ! my birthday's coming up soon so i've been thinking of picking it up as well !! fantastic video, can't wait to hear y'all's thoughts on these books and if y'all've changed y'all's mind on these authors as a result !! :D
Happy early bday!!!
Queenie is an absolutely spectacular book. I wasn't really paying attention to the bookish community at the point that I read it so this is the first time I am hearing that it got such negative reviews and frankly that breaks my heart. Carty-Williams has a novella / novelette called Empress & Aniya which I have yet to read but maybe that could be something you could check out?
I read it at a similar time to Nina is Not Okay by Shappi Khorsandi and I feel like there are a lot of similar themes and the two books pair really beautifully.
omfg is that fantasy, Effy?! jklsdfjlka the title is really cool!!!!!! STILL haven't read Nina is Not Okay, i'm a fake reader lmao
Going to add my voice to the many others who have said that you're great at differentiating between books that have problematic elements and books that you just didn't like as a reader.
ahhh thank you!!! one of my biggest worries is that i DON'T do this well. thank you for the affirmation. :)
I enjoyed “My Dear Henry”. It was a good retelling 💚
yesss!!! ok thats so good to know! do you have a fav retelling?
@@JesseOnCZcams I don’t read that many retelling but my faves are :What Moves the Dead, A Dowery of Blood and the Song of Achilles.
Oooooh so true about such a fun age! That was one of the first books I read on booktube because of all the hype 🥺 I do think it met me where I was at in my introduction to diverse books and think I’ve grown sooo much since then which feels good to look back on. I’m sad to say I did not enjoy come and get it… but I hope it finds its audience and Kiley Reid’s next book is my first 5 star from her!!
omg literally cannot wait to hear your thoughts on Come and Get It. We don't remember seeing it in your recent vids, please tell me we didn't miss your review? :)
@@JesseOnCZcams I talked about it in a January ARCs reading vlog!! :)
Omg yes! I mean Such a fun age was an okay book. The first half was really good but fell in the second part. I was also super confused by peoples reaction to it.
So what changed your mind on Such a Fun Age? I thought when it came out you said you enjoyed it?
good question! these have always been my full thoughts. I DID enjoy the book, like i said in this video, it is a remarkable and strong debut. but i didn't love it as much as everyone else and expected more given all of the rave reviews. which is why i gave it a 3.5 or a 4 star back then :) with age, we'd say its a solid 3. a 3 star rating is still really good in our opinion!
I dnf’d Giovanni’s Room and plan to go back to it one day. The Fire Next Time is my favorite James Baldwin from the several of his that I’ve read. I’m more of a non-fiction gal, though, fwiw.
Currently reading TFNT and it is So good!!!
So I tried to read Come & Get It, but had to return it to the library for now. I was intrigued by the first chapter, but life has been so hectic lately and I prioritized completing Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo. So so good. I read physically in tandem with the audiobook !!
*runs to look up Glory*
lmao apparently its on our goodreads!
I gave a 2nd chance to N.K. Jemison because i had already purchased the Broken Kingdoms Trilogy and one more before i read the first book. I struggled getting theough the first book and thought it was because it was my first long form read since i had covid. Thanks for mentioning the difficulty because inwas worried. I read the 2nd Broken Kingdoms book right after the first and itbwas much better. The 3rd was the longest but rounded out the 1st w and made them make sense.
In Jemison's books, i spend most of my time trying to pronounce the names so i miss some of the plot.
They're definitely tough reads, it's not you at all!
akasha is so funny 😂 my cat is like that too when i try to film for tiktok ksjfkdjf
love these videos from y’all! an author i might give a second chance is alexis hall. i thought boyfriend material was kinda fun but not the strongest, and i’ve heard from several ppl that the sequel is really bad so i don’t think i’ll be giving more of my time or money to that series, but i’m still interested in a lady for a duke by the same author 👀
ok freddie you're gonna have to keep us in the loop on your Hall journey because i'm curious haha also drop ur tiktok!!! we love a self plug :) we might be getting back on tiktok at some point...maaaaaybe
The lubrication comments had me dying. I DNF’d Redwood and Wildfire by Andrea Hairston because the synopsis promised magic and community, but what I read was just trauma and pain. I’ll give the author another chance with Master of Poisons.
Missing White Woman sounds so good and I’m now interested in checking out Kellye Garrett’s Detective by Day books!
Currently giving Simon Jimenez a second chance. The Vanished Birds had an ~immaculate~ first chapter, but I just didn’t vibe with it in general. It didn’t help that when anyone talked about the book, it was about how sad it was. The Spear Cuts Through Water is so weird and artful, but it’s really compelling.
Omg Julie you broke us dnfing Vanished 😂 ironically The Spear confused both us and Starlah so we stepped away from it and forgot to return. Thank u did the reminder
Veryyyyyy disappointing to learn that about Redwood
Y’all and I don’t always agree on books, but I’ll give Vanished another try. :) My biggest problem was being unable to get Ahro’s backstory out of my head, but now that I won’t be surprised by it…
For all I know, Redwood and Wildlife could turn out be as amazing as Parable of the Sower (they both have young, Black, female protagonists on a journey; depressing, oppressive worlds; and older and kind of unnecessary love interests), but it didn’t feel as interesting or focused. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I loved Giovanni’s Room but reading it as a gay white man struggling with my queerness it really spoke to me. I also loved The Fire Next Time and his essays.
love hearing that. i'm currently reading the fire next time - obsessively. its so good.
I gave Victor LaValle a second chance and have decided I’ll probably only pick his books up again if they sound really intriguing to me
Omg he's one of my FAVORITE writers!!! Did you read The Ballad of Black Tom? I hope it isn't the one that let you down!
@@JesseOnCZcams Lol, no that’s actually one I have out from the library rn that I’m planning to read. I’ve read The Changeling (which was sort of boring) and Lone Women, which was okay. I’ll let you know what I think of The Ballad of Black Tom though when I finish it
Never read Giovann's Room. Fire Next Time was amazing. Not only was it applicable to then and now, his writing is beautiful.
currently reading. so incredible.
@@JesseOnCZcams I'm glad you think so! Next one I want to read is If Beale Street Could Talk.
I enjoyed Like a Sister and Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett... both were probably 2.5-3ish stars for me, not terrible but not great either. However, I'm also very excited for the upcoming Missing White Woman, which I preordered as soon as I saw the announcement. 😆
I did read Such A Fun Age and I really enjoyed the read overall, though again, probably wouldn't reread (I reread my favorite books pretty often! and anything I set at 5 stars is reread material). I'd definitely pick up something else by Kiley Reid though. Also I just happened upon the book in my library app... I wasn't involved in any of the online discussion about it at all!
I didn't read While Justice Sleeps, but I happened upon the sequel in the library, Rogue Justice. I enjoyed it, though there were some moments that I had trouble maintaining the suspension of disbelief. I don't think the ending *fully* came together for me but it was not a bad read.
really wanna read Hollywood Homicide soemtime and hope Missing White Woman is a 5 for both of us!
glad Rogue Justice didn't disappoint :) was it hard reading the sequel but not the first?
@@JesseOnCZcams It wasn't difficult at all! I didn't even realize that it was a sequel until after I'd finished it and looked up Stacy Abrams to see if she'd written other books. I'd read more from her, but probably not political intrigue (which seems to be her special interest), mainly because I don't really enjoy modern political intrigue in general. Anything set in the US just makes me depressed about our legal system 😑
I loved Queenie and I do not like James Baldwin books unless they are essays. I liked the fire next time. I agree that such a fun age was over hyped.
just read The Fire Next Time. it was SO GOOD
@@JesseOnCZcams I also enjoyed the fire this time by Don Lemon. I remember reading that closer to 2020, so maybe my thoughts have changed since then. Overall classic Black literature I struggle with. I read The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, but did not see the hype of the book. I also wasn’t moved by The Color Purple, but enjoyed it more than The Bluest Eye. I feel like a bad Black person for saying that, but that it how I feel.
Penny Dreadful was so good! I've read two books by N. Scott Momaday and his writing style is too dry for me. I'm going to give him another try most likely next year. Recommendations for James Baldwin: Non-fiction: The Evidence of Things Not Seen. Fiction: If Beale Street Could Talk.
appreciate the recs!!! Momaday is a fun last name lmao. don't think i'm familiar with that author. who was your favorite Penny Dreadful character?
@@JesseOnCZcams This is probably a terrible answer, but I didn't really have a favorite character. That show was just so enthralling & horrifying. I remember Frankenstein's monster being born and having a visceral reaction. That moment boomeranged me back to when I gave birth to my daughter.
Enjoyed this, you’re funny and make some good points. While I dug Kiley Reid’s debut, the ending was rough and weak, but still it wasn’t the same old story, and I think that’s what sold it. I listened to Come And Get It on Audible and enjoyed it more than I would have if I’d read the text, because she’s playing with the language of college students and there’s lots of intentional repetition.
But if a writer appears to be woke (f**k Desantis), I give unlimited chances because writers are always getting better if they’re determined to keep trying. But I will DNF.
Tayari Jones is an example of someone worthy and I can even get excited about the next one. And while American Marriage showed great progress, I was amazed by all the critical acclaim and Oprah. But I’m so proud of her success and look forward to her next book.
I was trying to understand why everyone loved American Marriage - checked it out, read the first chapter, and brought it back lmao. apparently in 2021 she released a book narrated by Gabrielle Union called Dispossession. Have you read it? It looks good
@@JesseOnCZcams No, hadn’t heard, but thanks I’m going to check it out.
I don't wanna mention by name the author I gave a second chance to (and ended up confirming my dislike) bc people LOVE that author, but it is a well known and "celebrated" author who (secretly-not-so-secretly) is a not very kind person. 😬😬😬
I gotta read My Dear Henry
hello, there is a interview with the author from about three years back on youtube as well as some reviews from then, i think yaĺl will like the book😇
hi :) which author and which book?
@@JesseOnCZcams sorry the brain misfires,,,,MASTER OF POISONS BY ANDREA HAIRSTON
Baldwin’s “Tell Me How Long The Train’s Been Gone” is probably more your speed. Maybe give April Sinclair’s “Coffee Makes You Black” a try. Ditto Gloria Naylor’s “Women of Brewster Place.” None of these will boost your social media clout, btw.
Had eagerly made notes of all of these recs and then saw you ended it with an extremely rude comment. That really disappointed me.
I really enjoyed the romantic agenda and need to read more Claire Kann!
well thats all we need to know to add it to cart hahaha
Ive had master of poisons on my shelf for 4 years now. Ive attempted to read it 5 times. DNF'd at 60 percent last year. I love the extensive world building it's different it's great, the characters are interesting and very queer. i think the issue is the pacing. At 60 percent nothing was happening to captivate my attention 😒☹️ thats a problem... im sad about it
omg this reminded me that i had a DREAM about Master of Poisons last night!!!!
To me Such a Fun Age became popular in 2020 during covid and after the death of George Floyd.
When readers were looking for books on this issue.
this is correct!
I like My Dear Henry and it is gay
🧡🧡
❤❤
Jesse can you please give me some fantastic black authors in horror and fantasy please 🙏 my friend prayers and blessings for you and your puppy and your amazing mom love your Aussie family friend John 💚💚💛💛❤️❤️
I got you.
Horror - Tanararive Due, Victor LaValle, Vincent Tirado, Liselle Sambury (writes fantasy too)
Fantasy - Cadwell Turnbull, NK Jemisin, Saara El-Arifi, Rivers Solomon (Sorrowland is great fantasy-horror), Nnedi Okorafor, P. Dèjí Clark (also writes horror)
Here's links to my Horror Noire playlist and my Black Girl Magic playlists which have detailed recs and reviews for Black authors in both your targeted genres :)
Horror Noire: czcams.com/play/PLXf-4SMJLLeV8iBtG3hFNBVVpM2-8L6EV.html
Black Girl Magic: czcams.com/play/PLXf-4SMJLLeVZtlUHEySfxrl_Ixix7ksP.html
@@JesseOnCZcamsyou are a bloody legend and a absolute true friend and I am so glad that I have found your amazing channel please 🙏 give your beautiful puppy a hug and a kiss from me please 🙏 on your next video and also a hug for your mom to ❤❤
Ya'lls card was already revoked. Just saying.
Y'ALL ARE A 🍑🕳️!
@@JesseOnCZcams Ya'll love us though. 😝😆😆Love Ya'll too.
I love your channel and how you represent. Your dog is just trying to appeal to your fans and draw in more. She's working. Why are you interfering with her job? 🩷🫰🏽 Keep doing what you do! I've been saving all of your recommendations. They're greatly appreciated.
you're right, it is I who is impeding her career hehe and thank you so much!!!