Classic literature gift guide / 30 book recommendations for everybody
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
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This holiday season I want to share my love for classic literature with you all, so here are 30 potential gifts you can either get for yourself or somebody special. I hope this helps!
Love,
Dakota
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My book ON SUN SWALLOWING is out soon!!!
The song is Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111 - II. Arietta Adagio motto semplice e cantabile :)
Chapters:
0:00 ad
1:14 intro
1:57 the one who doesn’t read
2:31 the one with the short attention span
3:12 the hopeless romantic
3:43 the film fanatic
4:15 the artsy queer
5:00 the fantasy fanatic
5:42 the one who’s read everything
6:22 the one who only reads over-hyped booktok books
7:18 the literature student
8:02 the anarchist
8:24 the acquaintance
9:04 the academic elitist
9:56 the chaotic
10:34 the twilight lover
10:58 the filthy hedonist
11:26 the artsy intellectual
11:54 the poet
12:27 the love interest
13:03 the try-hard philosopher
13:40 the artist
14:14 the one with the individuality complex
14:42 then non-fiction reader
15:08 the disturbed
15:29 the constantly brooding
15:57 the slightly mad party animal
16:32 the dystopian lover
17:02 the pre-raphaelite art lover
17:45 the theatre kid
18:14 the horror/thriller lover
18:46 the graphic novel/comic book reader
19:10 outro
respectfully i disagree on to kill a mockingbird and i don't think you should recommend it. it's well written but incredibly incredibly outdated, if someone wants to read something that deals with racism there are so many better texts that don't enforce bad stereotypes and the white savior complex. TKAM is white-authored and also very much white audience intended which isn't the best in my opinion, especially when we live in a modern age where we could be giving our attention and money towards POC and things that aren't written for a white audience since we overwhelmingly have *enough* of that. i hope this is all taken respectfully though, as that's my intention! :) also some POC authored classics recs that deal with racism are sister outsider by audio lorde (or zami but I haven't read that yet), anything by toni morrison but my fav so far is sula, and the fire next time or giovanni's room by james baldwin. also the color purple, invisible man, and americanah, are all good. and i really like angela davis, roxanne gay, miki kendall, and bell hooks. :)
this is so valid, thank you for this! I really appreciate this comment
Ahaha I was just about to comment this. But yeah, anything by James Baldwin is amazing
also whoops it autocorrected "audre lorde" to "audio lorde" lol and won't let me edit it. don't worry im not a fake audre lorde fan
my mother recently purchased to kill a mocking bird as a christmas gift for me and because she wanted to read it as well. i had no idea that this was the case! thank you for educating me
It's still a book worthy of recommendation along with the others you've listed, as a white person's perspective on racism is still valid in its own unique way. The question of ignoring such an issue or challenging the issue (against societal norms) from a position that could potentially enact positive change in another's life who, at the time, was not legally able to do so, is a story worthy of being told, and capable of inspiring others to do the same in similar situations in their own lives
I hate that none of my friends read because books are such a wonderful and easy gift.
Well I mean you could still guilt them into reading by giving them a book then talking about it. It a bit deceitful but may work.
@@CatherineDoII Then self publish it.
I think you can get them into reading if you gift them a book that’s easy and caters to their interests! I love to read but I’ve had people gift me books that weren’t my thing/boring after 30 pages
Same. Books are the best gifts to give and receive imo
Couldn't agree more!! Books are the best things that have happened to me. It changed me completely. 💛
if any artsy queer boys are hanging out around these parts, i recommend Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin. an italian and an american experience a brief but passionate and ultimately tragic love in paris. all of Baldwin's writing is exquisite and impactful, and i'd recommend Another Country next if you enjoy Giovanni's Room.
Have you read Maurice by E.M. Foster? It’s on my TBR, but I thought the description might fit as well
Just finished giovannis room last week - sooooo good
Thank you this is exactly what I wanted
giovanni’s room broke my heart but yes, a beautiful story indeed
Thank uu!!
I would get mad about Les Misérables not getting a spot but I can understand not recommending a book where you get forty pages about this random bishop at the beginning. Nevertheless, amazing book for anyone who likes flowery language.
les mis is my favourite book ever. it set my standards for books so high. the count of monte cristo is also very good.
omg I too ADORE Les Mis! The writing is just too gorgeous!!
as an Indonesian, i was so happy that you brought up our literature! My go-to authors are pramoedya ananta toer and eka kurniawan (i'm positive a couple of their books are translated into english) so I hope you'll enjoy their books!💖
Which novels do you recommend from these author's?
Read the Kitchen Curse collection from Eka Kurniawan a few months ago and LOVED it so I totally second this! Very gripping, both raw and cheeky. Will definitely explore more.
@@howloudcansilenceget8884 I think Kurniawan's Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash is a great way to start (sorry to chime in I cannot help it :< )
@@howloudcansilenceget8884 "This Earth of Mankind" by Pramoedya Ananta Toer is a must-read!
I feel like Phantom of the Opera would've been a great choice for "the theatre kid"
i agree
As a literature student, your channel is a delight. Binging all your videos!!
please continue posting regularly!!! These videos make me so happy. (can’t wait to read your book)
so happy that christmas is also a time to gift things to yourself, soooo these recommendations where amazing and I will absolutely get some for myself
Another great writer in the Burroughs-y vein is Hubert Selby Jr., particularly Requiem for a Dream and Last Exit to Brooklyn. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey is another absolute classic.
Notes From Underground is a phenomenal novel, but I would caution away from calling it a critique of capitalism. While it does find a lot of fault in capitalism, it is actually a direct, withering response to communism and utopian socialism, especially the idea that there is such as thing as an ideal society because we will always find fault with any type of society, even (and especially) the kind in which our every need is cared for because then we will no longer feel human. This makes a lot of sense especially if you know Dostoyevsky's life and the context of Russian politics during the time the book was written, too.
the way you articulate yourself is so beautiful i cry
YOU CAME IN SO CLUTCH WITH THIS VIDEO, I was literally googling this today trying to get ideas!!
Your hair is so beautiful! Great guide - I'm continuing to add to my list of classics to read. I think my husband would like many of these too!
Every time I thought "Hey, I kind of am this person", you have chosen a book that I had already read and loved. So apparently you really know what you're doing :) Great video (as always)!
Please consider replacing 'To Kill a Mockingbird' with one of the options I've listed below, courtesy of the pinned comment, authored by POC and dealing with racism:
-sister outsider by audio lorde
-anything by toni morrison
-the fire next time or giovanni's room by James baldwin
-the color purple, invisible man, and americanah
-angela davis, roxanne gay, miki kendall, and bell hooks. :)
My intentions were pure but I see how I could've researched this recommendation much better - I'm truly sorry, and I will do better.
I love you all.
i'm reading invisible man rn and it's great!
I've recently finished "A Mercy" by Toni Morrison and it is incredibly powerful. I definitely recommend
No need to apologize. Controversial classics should still be read. Many classics were controversial in their time. Also, we too much make judgements based on our current perspective. How can we truly progress if we won’t listen to the voices at a given time whether they are good or bad? So, I wouldn’t recommend replacing, just add to the list. Great job and keep going strong.
@@jeremymcmullan9928 put it into words better than i ever could. both should be promoted alongside each other with context to the dated texts
@@thebasedgodmax1163 I just recall as an English major serious debate about classics and whether certain books should be at all. I also recall the common “in it’s time, this book was controversial.” I am extremely open minded to read any book. Not saying it will get a second read or stay in my library (which has rarely happened) but to a certain extent almost any book written a hundred years ago or longer is outdated by our standards and norms. It doesn’t mean it has little or no value. Always looking at all sides is what I teach my students and then you make your opinion fully. I’m more being supportive than contrary because all these books should be read or at least authors.
oh dakota thank you so much for this!! i'm getting so excited to get back into reading because of your videos ahh!!
Your descriptions are so elegant and detailed, thank you Mme Dakota
I love how much you love literature and words
I don't know why but I just want to cry out loud. The piano, the white noise, your voice... It transported me a few years back to my old house... I don't know why... I so dearly wish I was there so I could stop stressing about today and tomorrow... Thank you, Dakota for your videos and for you.. I'm watching from Pakistan. Sending you support and I hope everyone or anyone sends me prayers because I need them... I do.. thank you...
sending you nothing but love and warmth. thank you for your support.
Definitely want to read a couple of these! I love your channel :)
im so happy to see your channel growing :)
audrey horne is that you?
Phantom of the Opera: for the music lovers, whether they make music or just listen to it, especially classical, as well as getting really deep in psychology, you’ll love it! You might know the Webber musical, the infamous love triangle, mask, and music, but the original book is *chefs kiss*. You really dive a lot into Christine and the Phantom (Erik)’s characters, learning all about how they see the world. Raoul is still shallow as ever, and always will be.
It’s the first classic I read, and I read it when I was twelve. It’s a bit of a difficult read, but it’s truly wonderful and has taught me to _never_ judge a book by its cover.
I have The Master and Margarita, and I started it and somehow put it down (in true chaotic fashion), but you have convinced me to pick it back up.
IMO the best part is the scene from "Mephistopheles' " ball. I enjoyed that one a lot. Also the ending leaves you a little puzzled: is it a good end or is it a terrible end? The way it portrays the reality of the Russian 30s is also interesting (housing crisis, telling on your neighbours and friends) and the religious motifs (the guy in the beginning, when he was carrying only the icon on his chest and was wearing some undergarments, he looked like a yurodiviy, a person who basically gets revelations from god or what not). I, personally, didn't enjoy it though. One can see all the interesting parts and all the fine writing and not enjoy it and find it overrated, that's completely valid. I still feel a little bitter aftertaste as it just didn't live up to my expectations (and I can tell you I have read a lot of Russian books and other books, but this one just didn't hit the spot for me).
@@Alex-wl9xw Sure, there are a lot of classics that I feel didn't live up to my expectations, including *gasp* Pride and Prejudice. I'll probably give this one another try, and if I don't like it, I don't like it. Too many books, too little time.
I feel like I’m totally missing the point of it, I bought the audio book as I have adhd and struggle to concentrate on a physical book and I read about half and I couldn’t stand it any more it was way too religious for me, so many people rave about it and I’m obviously completely missing the point of it 😭💔
Also for the fantasy fanatic, I think reading the texts that inspired Tolkien is a great idea! Beowulf, the Eddas, Volsunga saga and the Icelandic sagas such as Njal's Saga and Grettir's Saga are super fun and action packed while still being poetic and full of historical worth.
The background music selections in your videos are A+
Adding Cortazar to this list? Instant follow!
Not to mention.. having Beethoven’s last piano sonata, 2nd movt in the background? AMAZING!
Tolkien is my life and I have never loved something more as Middle-Earth so it made me so indescribablely happy when u mentioned him. that made my day
I am obsessed with you!!
you’re so pretty and thank u for the recs :D
DAKOTA I LOVE YOUR HAIR
the curled hair !!! I love it
your hair looks like it’s in slow motion, it's amazing
For the theatre kid, I would also recommend Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. Not a play, but the fact that it is an epistolary novel makes it seem like a series of monologues. The characters are delightfully accurate and vibrant, and the themes of scandal, sex and manipulation make it so entertaining you won’t want to put it down!
Wow, what a rich seam of a video I have stumbled upon. Delectable. Thank you, Dakota. I can't wait to gift these to myself haha x
Your use of Beethoven’s late sonatas as your background music perfectly fits this video! Brava!
My favorites of these: Notes from the Underground, The Master and Margarita, Crime and Punishment, The Stranger (Myth of Sisyphus is my bible)
The implications: anarchy, chaos, artsy intellectualism, and constant brooding
W
my god so many similar tastes, that's epic
i think the catcher in the rye is the only book i've ever actually hated, and you're the first person i find that shares the same sentiment. i'm so glad to not be alone :')
u r spoiling us this December omg 😭
I love your recommendations! Please do another! 💝
would love to see you as an Australian booktuber use your platform to highlight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and novels as they are truly paving the way in the Australian literature scene.
Yes I agree! There are so many books by Aboriginal and TSI authors that I love but are CRIMINALLY underhyped
PLEASE PLEASE recommend me some! :) I love fiction & poetry but I'm open to any genre
The amount of work put to this video… WOW!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
You weren’t joking when u said ur pumping out content this month
Thank you Dakota for the wonderful recommendation
Now I have the urge to read all your books you‘ve just recommended
your voice is so relaxing
If only I had people to gift books to. Alas, anyone who receives one from me just acts like that kid who got an avocado for Christmas 😩
Not gonna lie, I really doubt anyone who prefers movies over books would like to read the great gatsby haha!
But I really love your list, I disagree with a few ones (e.g. Gatsby and especially TKAM), but I love seeing someone promote classic literature and your videos just feel so...cozy! I snuggle up with a cup of tea and my dog in the morning to watch them before university starts :) (currently reading Hamlet and The Turn of The Screw for literature class). I would've loved to see another classic fantasy book. LOTR is kind of an obvious choice and there are sooo so many gems in classic fantasy literature, before and after tolkien! The inclusion of a classic scifi novel would've been great to see as well! Maybe some Jules Verne (not a fam of Lovecraft personally) or others! Hoped to see some russian literature and wasn't disappointed! Love the Dostoyevsky one haha
Overall I loved your recommendations and thought a lot of books you recommended were a perfect fit for each category! (Master and Margerita for the chaotic, the poetry of sappho, catcher in the rye was a fun one, dostoyevsky, frankenstein, dantes inferno!!)
I will definetly buy your twilight fan recommendation for a friend of mine who adores the series.
i LOVE your hair!
This is probably my favourite yt video so far
GOSH TYSM I NEEDED THIS!!
I feel like i fit in most of these categories
Also, you should do a video on latin american writers, there's so much magic in this continent. Cortázar, Borges, Sábato, Márquez, Neruda, Quiroga, Allende, Paz, etc. They are all so good
Jajajajaj, no.
She definitely should!! I'll add Onetti, Benedetti and Galeano
Yess, Cortázar, Allende, Márquez, Neruda... I wasn't interested on my culture's litterature, but now that i'm older.. man, they deserve recognition. Dakota, go and read One Hundred Years of Solitude ot The House of The Spirits, please~~ I would appreciate comments on those
You’re amazing for this! Ty!
great video! definitely gonna try these out.
LOVE this.
I also can't stand holden and catcher in the rye
As a dystopian lover myself, I knew it would be 1984 - a must read, really
enjoyed and loved this!!
the way you hold your books is so fancy
Thank you so much for these! Because of you I have picked up reading again :) love your content!!!
I’m Argentinian and Julio Cortázar is one of my favorite authors ever. I highly recommend start with his short stories if interested in Latin American literature! :)
i honestly kinda like the ending of the catcher in the rye
I just adopted my older sister's copy of the master and margarita and i'm so excited to read it she told me it's one of her favorite books ever
Your categories were clever. Well done.
looooooove your curls
Wonderful recommendations, thank you!
Every time you described someone and I thought 'Ok, that sounds like me', you gave a book I had read :DDD
Let's just say this list definitely bares a lot of accuracy.
Dakota, you're stunning. Your mind too. Wishing you have a wonderful holiday season!
I love your videos!!
I understand where people are coming from, but I’m kind of frustrated with comments shaming her for having recommended TKAM. In my eyes, the whole point of the book is to acknowledge the stereotypes and the “white savior complex” of that time period. That’s kind of the whole point. If you acknowledged how fucked up it is, you’ve successfully read the book (in my opinion).
The book wasn’t really supposed to be educational or a guide to morals and values, it was supposed to point out the skewed mindset of a white child growing up in the south. It’s a piece that provides historical context to the mindset of people back then and shouldn’t be “erased” because you don’t like what it’s saying. Unfortunately, it’s the truth and that’s the most important part. If it makes you uncomfortable, GOOD, it’s supposed to. That may have not been the goal when it was written, but literature and analysis of it develop over time, that’s what’s so great about it.
Also the characters in the book aren’t inherently “good people”. That judgement is deemed by the reader, so if you are going into the book thinking so, that’s kind of an individual experience.
I understand why people are upset about it, but I don’t think it should be erased and I don’t think you should shame people for liking it.
i love your videos!
omg u have the same copy of crime and punishment as i do, it’s so pretty
Master and Margarita is awesome. I would also suggest to read the White Guard by the same author
I consider myself an artsy intellectual type person, and Crime and Punishment just happen to be my fav book ever. Well done.
thank you for this!
Hi, I discovered your channel this week and I'm in love with your content! I just read The dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin for anyone wanting to read about anarchy. For a book written in the 70's it still holds up, and offers a unique perspective on anarchism. Both the good and bad. It's really captivating and refreshing. I highly recommend ! Cheers from France. See you in the streets of Paris, maybe one day with perhaps a glass of red wine ;)
i literally love you and i adore your beauty sm
A comprehensive and well thought out list, to be sure. The only genre, I think, you're missing is, 'mystery-thriller'. For that, Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, comes to mind.
i love that you like hammer horror's Dracula because my grandma was Valerie Gaunt!
The vibesssssss
ive been struggling with what kind of books to read since my exams for this year + semester is over now.. so thank you for the helpful recommendations:)
Please do a video recommending ur favorite poetry books
u recommended wonderful russian books! it’s literally THE BEST books from russian literature
you should do a video about south american lit i love poets and writers from there but my knowledge is limited and would love to see a vid!!
yes!! dystopian lovers would def love 1984 coming from a dystopian lover as well ^___^
Also brave new world
:)) def will try book of the month!
I love the vibe you're radiating. It's the better part of why I come here. :)))
Looking forward to checking out Carmilla by Le Fanu. Thanks for the recommendation.
please we want you to talk about books and give us reviews themes and the literary devices this is very enjoyful to watch especially if it you who make such videos!
I personally owe you for this video.
Loving your channel & so proud of how fast you’ve popped off!!
One minor comment, would you be able to make the music a bit quieter next time? it’s a bit distracting toward the middle of the video 😬
Agreed ;-;; It'd be better
Poe my childhood love 🖤🖤
loved holden as a hurt teen, love holden now as a hurt adult lol. I have a low tolerance for certain types of characters but holden caulfield has always had my heart and he always will..
This is such an amazing guide,
Love listening to you talk ab them through out the video.
Just to share,
I recently received a book as an early Christmas gift called “sailing through claret”
From Amazon I believe.
I personally enjoyed it, the illustrations and cover is amazing.
So yeah I would confidently say I like it.
Just a book recommendation if you’re looking for new books to read you know, maybe you’ll enjoy it who knows…
Love ur vids btw 💕
I finished all of the Lord of the Rings books...I don't regret it.
fave person ever
Ooohhhh, I just finished The Moon and Sixpence by W Somerset Maugham and I’d recommend it for ✨The Artist✨ (it’s LOOSELY based on the life of Paul Gauguin)
btw i love your new hairstyle^^/
the way i just went out and already got 3 of these
love thiss
‘Notes From Underground’ wouldn’t have been my first choice for the anarchist, but it fits. My mind goes to Ursula LeGuin’s ‘The Dispossessed’ first, but ‘Homage to Catalonia’ (by George Orwell) might be a better choice. He’s not perfect, but that book has such an important spot as an accessible, readable account of what the world might look like and the struggles required to get there, while remaining non-fiction
@Trinity M Oh, apologies. I meant this in a more ‘Pleasantly surprised’ tone, my bad. Thanks for letting me know
dracula is so freaking fun i dont get how people don't like it
maybe your cutest feature is that you say "adaption" instead of "adaptation"🥺