The Bible: Revenge, Forbidden Romance, Strong Friendship, Inspired the Bard (who plagiarized it often), survival, island (shipwrecked on), found family, real world and music. Fable, Poetry, sex, violence and stunning writing. I'm starting my 11th year of a global study group -400,000, and read on my own as well. Jonah in the belly of the fish, romantic Song of Songs, Road to Emmaus, love between David and Jonathan, so much. Dust it off. Thanks for your suggestions.
The video was amazing and the fact that you read subscriber recommendations Instead of what you know you WANT to read, gives you the right to throw shade. 😂. Keep doing you. Great video!!!!
Just went and watched the things you love video, and for the forbidden romance, one that comes to mind is called "forbidden" it's about incest so not for everyone I guess but it also has a toxic parent relationship. Similar to VC ANDREWS flowers in the attic series but it's a standalone
I really appreciate that you read what subscribers recommend. We all hope that you would like books that we recommend, we are all different and hearing different opinions helps us grow as human beings. Thank you for doing this video.
I've seen all the planets through a telescope, with the help of Columbia University's public outreach program and the local amateur astronomers group, except for Neptune (unviewable from New York City) and the earth. I don't want to see earth through a telescope or any other afar way! So I get your drift. But as a naturalist, to see an ospry in flight, the owl nebula, rich clay, the bumblebee, sweet gum trees, sunfish and right whales, earthworms and trout lilies- to read nature, to read water, to naturally navigate - these are yar books.
I didn't want to recommend anything on that last video because you do have such... particular tastes that we don't always see eye to eye, but for legit not-set-in-space space training, you might wanna check out The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal. It's got the feel good, yet socially conscientious aspect of Hidden Figures + the real science of sth like The Martian. It's not perfect (plotting could be better), but it did just win the Hugo award for best novel so there's definitely merit to it (and it suits your overly specific tastes)!
Love these kind of videos. It's my dream to go to a bookstore, explain what i like and allow the person working there to choose my TBR for the month :)
@@gwenjks-1272 I live in Scotland but I am happy to know that this is a real thing!!! I know there something similar ( like a personal assesment and recomendations with a bookstore worker) in Bath but it´s kinda expensive (you get cake and tea though) and I live nowhere near Bath hahaha
“Yawn stars out of five” is my new favorite saying. I LOVED The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle! It was such an amazing book. Glad you enjoyed it too! 😊
"If I was to trust anyone (don't say us please dont say us), it'd be you (why Lala why you trusting us?! You're in for disappointment.)" Was my thought process xD
This video is just another reason why I love your content! Thoughtful, thorough, and honest. Not afraid to take on the challenge that might make for a differing opinion. Keep being awesome!
I loved this video! I love how picky you are about books, because it shows that you take the whole reading process seriously. And I love that you were so honest abiut not liking most of the books in this list. Thank you for all the fun content!
I don't comment on video's often because I feel like my suggestions would just get lost in the waterfall of recommendations. But seeing your dedication and being inspired by everyone else too I thought I'd finally drop a couple of rec's for you. And maybe someone else will see it and be interested :) Island setting: The Visitors by Simon Sylvester (small fictional island set in Scotland) Strong friendship group: Girls With Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young Revenge Plot: Random by Craig Robertson Isolation: In the Distance by Hernan Bolton (it's historical fiction so not too sure but thought id mention!) Light magical realism: How to Stop Time by Matt Haig I love your content, if these ever attract your attention (and to everyone else) I hope you enjoy them!
I just finished The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren. It’s the first time I’ve read a book that has the fake dating/hate to love aspect in it. I don’t read a lot of contemporary/romance novels but I thought it was pretty good. Would recommend.
I haven't gotten to the point where you give your opinion but I just wanted to say it's nice to see you have the correct naming of 7 Deaths. Still don't understand how people find it confusing or find it similar to Evelyn Hugo. They have the same number but if people can't differentiate between "Deaths" and "Husbands" then God help them.
Pardon My Imagination sure it is set in Mars but its not like there are lots of things that made it different than being set in Earth. they’re basically in an Earth forest most of the time 😂
I really hope Annihilation is on that spreadsheet ! It is very weird and is in an enclosed area. It has paranormal elements. I think it could be your kind of weird.
You get 5 stars for your creativity and dedication even when things started going south for a little while. Looking forward to the next video from that awesome spreadsheet. I am a spreadsheet nerd too! 100 % relatable!
You were correct with how you initially pronounced Evelyn as I've been at a book signing with Stuart Turton and that's how he pronounced it. Whoever did the audio book just said it differently.
@@BooksandLala I suppose it's all down to region. My wife and I "discuss" which of us is pronouncing words like "tomato", "mirror", "bouy" correctly all the time. Given that she's here in the UK and not in America anymore I think I'm right. Whereas she is completely deluded and thinks she's right 🤣🤣. No doubt the audio book over here would pronounce it differently to there.
@@BooksandLala I used to trust them too, but just recently I listened to the audiobook of "a torch against the night" the sequel to "an ember in the ashes"...the first few minutes I was confused, than I discovered my library had acquired a penguin random house edition of book 1 and a HarperCollins edition of book 2. The different casts pronounced the names of the characters differently and it drove me so mad in the first 30 minutes of book 2 that I almost stopped listening.
I've read the whole Nyxia Triad, and I don't think you would like the rest of the series either. I read them all on audiobook, so guess I didn't notice the repetition as much, but we do get most of the answers you were looking for throughout the series.
The 7 husbands of Evelyn Hugo actually does fit into your list of things you like. I would like to tell you which but I feel I might spoil it for you. But yes does fit :) I wish you had picked Erebos and would have been the better choice I think. Erebos is by a German author and quite popular in Germany. I found it OK but would have loved to know your comments. Definitely fit the category perfectly! Interested to see how you liked Nyksia and your journey through it. I felt it was a little like The final six but I guess on different spectrums for you. Wouldn't recommend next books for you since I don't think you will like it. I loved the audiobook though.
I just recently discovered your channel. From the themes you mention, you could enjoy reading the gemstone triology (Rubyred, Saphireblue, Emeraldgreen) by Kerstin Gier. It's a light fantasy book with a strong friendship, secrets revealing themself years later, a weird mom-daughter relationship, where a murder in the past changes everything and Shakespeare is part of this books at some point.
My brain when you said you were tired of hearing “savage”: SAVAGES SAVAGES barely even human Also I love how respectful you are of appreciating the recommendations and where they came from even though you didn’t enjoy it 💜
A good space training book not set in space is the first book in the Atlantis Grail series. It's been a while since I read it but seems to have everything you said Nyxia lacked.
I love that you still attempted to read them! I think what we learned from this is maybe in the next video, you should pick the top 5 recommended books from the video. 😉 That could be a fun follow up.
I like your scientific approach to find out your next TBR. I'm so like you! The difference between me and you is that you finally choose books and actually read them. Me, I'm still here trying to find out the titles I'll read from my goodreads list that is composed by about 1600 and the sad part is that I have about a half of them already... I want to be brave as you are and go into a book randomly whatever it is. I can begin from the highest ratings of the list and dive into them as you do. Thanks for the inspiration you give me (I'm having a reading block since January so I hope you're waking me up from this long sleep)
Im screaming at my phone!!! The seven husbands of evelyn hugo fits into many categories: strong frindship groups, tense mother daughter relationship, forbidden romance, fake datting, revenge plot (kinda) and discovering the truth
Some books that fit the things you would like that have been released since that video are How To Make Friends With The Dark by Kathleen Glasgow, which has the found family aspect and features adoption and foster care system (I loved this one!), and also Frankly in Love by David Yoon comes out Sept. 10 and has fake dating, but I haven’t actually read it yet so can’t really recommend it based on much other than that. Also, the next book in the Life As We Knew It series by Susan Beth Pfeffer is actually more of a companion. It follows the same event of survival with the moon being knocked closer to earth, but with different characters and a different setting (it is in the city instead of the convenient rural setting of Life As We Knew It), so maybe you would like that one better. I personally don’t remember if it is written more maturely, but it is still in the journal entry format and you might like it with a different main character.
I recommended Gray Wolf Island by Tracey Neithercott to you on the last video and I stand even more strongly on it now that I’ve reread it in the past few weeks! It has: • an island setting • magical elements but a contemporary setting • a group of friends with strong found family vibes • camping on said island • and it’s just generally well written and plotted
I’d like overly specific recs for books with “Groundhog Day” type situations. I’ve found I’m so obsessed with those (7 1/2 Deaths worked for me even with the varying body/perspectives) I’ve read a bunch this year, but I need more LOL
You really should have read Erebos instead of STAGS 😭 Erebos is one of the best books about games I‘ve ever read! Really hope you‘ll read it one day :)
Lala!! I have a couple of game-related recommendations: The Westing Game and the Mysterious Benedict Society! Both are younger reads but the game trope was my FAVORITE growing up and those were my two favorite books in the trope! westing game by Ellen Raskin - essentially a game-loving millionaire has died. he invites sixteen strangers to play a game to inherit his fortune! all sixteen people (different ages, different jobs, different everything) move into the same apartment building and play to win the fortune mysterious benedict society by trenton lee stewart - an advertisement in the newspaper asks for gifted children to partake for some amazing opportunity. one orphan arrives to find that it isn’t just any ordinary game that they’re playing.... as i said, both are middle school at highest. might be really fun to read with Liam, though!!! hope you give them a shot ❤️
Omg I feel so validated STAGS was one of my most anticipated releases when it came out, and I was SO disappointed because I also love the games in a thriller thing. So upsetting.
I just knew from the description of the book, and the fact that you said the game was vague, that it STAGS was going to be a retelling of The Most Dangerous Game.
I think what people love (as a friend) about you the most is that you are outspoken and not afraid to think outside of the box. This was such a cool idea, especially since it was months in the making. I would hope no one would get upset about how you rated these books because no one is going to love every single recommendation ever given to them. I hope you continue to do this (if you enjoyed doing it)
See, long videos like this are good when you are going to bed, or are working out, and or doing something where you can just listen to it. Treat it like a podcast. What I do.
OMG I should go to sleep but saw you're reading STAGS and I REALLY NEED to know your opinion aaaaaa edit: I actually liked STAGS mainly bc it was pretty enterteining and I also love how toxic and stupid the characters could get! Still not a big deal, 3 stars! edit2: I started the video from the beginning just to see if I hadn't been one of the people who recommended it to you and thankfully I'm not so I'll go to sleep now and see the rest of the video tomorrow :)
First, when I saw you chose my recommendation *dead*. I’ve been watching you for two years but don’t have a booktube channel and am such a fan of your creativity! have such a soft spot for Much Ado so any retellings of it I’m here for it.
I came back to watch this again because I knew the book my 12 year old daughter picked out from the school library I hade heard you review. Sounds like Life as We Knew should be a good read for her.
Okay. Not sure if I already recommended this, but in terms of the topic Space training. I think you might enjoy The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowall. It's the first book in the Lady Astronaut series. I swear the first book is more or less all about space training, and getting ready to go into space, but also women fighting for their right to be part of the space programs. Only problem is - it's an Alternate History book set in the early 50s. It is however also post-apocalyptic, but not necessary survival. It's very diverse, and seems super realistic as well.
For a survival with realistic setting with dark games in it, I highly suggest reading The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau. I am currently reading it and loving every bits of it. I know I’m not yet done with the book but as I read the book, I kept on thinking, “Lala would love this too!” It has a lot of elements that you like in a book.
The way The Diviners series by Libba Bray has so so so many of the things you listed as your favourite but are plot points that only show up from the second book onwards and you only read the first installment in the series is killing me Kayla!!
Another recommendation! Space training but not actually set in space: _The Calculating Stars_ by Mary Robinette Kowal. It's alternate history wherein a meteor strikes Earth in the 1950s, kicking off the US space programme in a much more intense way than the real-life version. The protagonist is a woman who ends up trying to become one of the first female astronauts. It's got a lot of _Hidden Figures_ vibes, very much focuses on characters from marginalized groups making history while facing down prejudice.
I read life as we knew it a long long time ago, in middle school, and I liked it but couldn't remember the title for years -- just that there was a big moon on it. thanks for making me remember that! I might reread it
This is dedication... after making all those spreadsheets I would had been so annoyed I would had refuse to read the books. I’m very contrary and this is why I don’t have a CZcams channel
The Book Of New Strange Things, you'll love that if you can enjoy quiet, thoughtful books. It's got space (it's not like being in space), isolation, intense relationships, dystopia, finding out afterwards. It's nothing like his other book what he's famous for.
I love making spreadsheets too lol bet you get alot more comments/recommendations on the other video and this one too. I would but I'm too tired to think right now lol
Oh my god I wish I could see that beautiful spreadsheet but I understand keeping the surprise! Please do more like this! Not everyone can love every book!!!
Adding all of the book suggestions is iconic! I LOVE excel & making spreadsheets & seeking others are using them too. Also don’t feel bad that you don’t like certain books we all have our own opinions and you’ve already said that there are some books of people love that you just don’t like for different reasons and that’s totally valid and fine I’m just got to hear your opinion of a book that I read and I enjoyed but I knew others might not enjoy it for those reasons.
I highly recommend Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka. It's a YA contemporary romance with Shakespeare elements. To me it is right up there with Kasie West and I know how much you like her books. Love all your videos Kayla!
i, too, am extremely picky and hard to please with most books i read, so here are some books i think you’ll enjoy: ‘marlena’ by julie buntin follows a best friend’s death (potential murder) and teen addiction to drugs, oxy, and alcohol. small town, suffocating atmosphere of snow and poverty, realistic and complex portrayal of female friendship. ‘girl in snow’ by danya kukafka follows three point-of-view characters surrounding the murder of a teenage ‘golden’ girl, lucinda hayes. the author has stated she drew inspiration from ‘the perks of being a wallflower’ and ‘the virgin suicides’ for mental health representation and isolation. these two books are in my top five of all time, alongside ‘the goldfinch’, ‘a little life’ and ‘girls on fire’. another book i would recommend is sarah nicole lemon’s ‘done dirt cheap’. this book follows a female friendship framed in a landscape of toxic masculinity and biker gangs, underage sex workers, and drug businesses. i really enjoyed this video and if you read any books that i recommend, i would definitely prioritise the former two mentioned!! have a wonderful day, my love!
Ooh ok so I know I’m way late to this but if you like space training and close friend groups I think you would love Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
The Bible: Revenge, Forbidden Romance, Strong Friendship, Inspired the Bard (who plagiarized it often), survival, island (shipwrecked on), found family, real world and music. Fable, Poetry, sex, violence and stunning writing. I'm starting my 11th year of a global study group -400,000, and read on my own as well. Jonah in the belly of the fish, romantic Song of Songs, Road to Emmaus, love between David and Jonathan, so much. Dust it off. Thanks for your suggestions.
This is my favourite comment ever.
@Radha Raquel Nicolau I think she is saying that if you read the Christian Bible, it's all those things - Revenge, romance, poetry, survival, etc. :D
@@BooksandLala me too. Actually, i love some youtube comments so much i keep them in a 'note' :)
@@BooksandLala But what category: fiction or fantasy?
@@locutusdborg126 I always just lump it with mythology lol
sis... the dedication on that spreadsheet 😮😂
I'm here for it because, honestly, same. It is 100% something I would do!
Wow 😍 that level of perfection to go extra and make spreadsheet on recommendations just shook me
What other booktuber do you know who would risk shading their audience like this..what am I DOING 😅
The video was amazing and the fact that you read subscriber recommendations Instead of what you know you WANT to read, gives you the right to throw shade. 😂. Keep doing you. Great video!!!!
Just went and watched the things you love video, and for the forbidden romance, one that comes to mind is called "forbidden" it's about incest so not for everyone I guess but it also has a toxic parent relationship. Similar to VC ANDREWS flowers in the attic series but it's a standalone
We love and appreciate your content and your honest opinions 😌
I really appreciate that you read what subscribers recommend. We all hope that you would like books that we recommend, we are all different and hearing different opinions helps us grow as human beings. Thank you for doing this video.
Dawn Dawson i really want to see her opinion on forbidden!
Things Lala hates in books: Female characters completely misunderstanding what feminism is and using it to shame other girls
Honestly tho that's the worst:-\
"ugh I don't even wanna add that to my spreadsheet" is iconic
Lala: I want to read a book about space
Lala: but not if they actually go to space
Yep!
Right?! Haha.
I don't read much in that genre but I did read The Martian after watching the movie, and I enjoyed that :)
I totally get. I like space adjacent.
I've seen all the planets through a telescope, with the help of Columbia University's public outreach program and the local amateur astronomers group, except for Neptune (unviewable from New York City) and the earth. I don't want to see earth through a telescope or any other afar way! So I get your drift. But as a naturalist, to see an ospry in flight, the owl nebula, rich clay, the bumblebee, sweet gum trees, sunfish and right whales, earthworms and trout lilies- to read nature, to read water, to naturally navigate - these are yar books.
Loved this! Please do another video with this spreadsheet and just use a randomizer to choose 5 books for you :D
Ooooooh scary 🤯
Love this!!
This is a great idea! I also never thought about making a spreadsheet for my reading lists.
The dedication is unmatched.
Lala guessing the year Life as We Knew It was published "Woah I'm talented" now that's a mood
Not even the right year either 😆 I was way too hyped. Like am I okay?
I laughed so hard 😂 That was iconic
Books from 2005-2009 have a certain blursed energy and it instills a deep rooted sense of a word that doesn't exist
Why is this scarily true
There's probably a German compound word for that feeling
@@AnatomyofJoy Dwight would know
Never apologize for your honesty. Your dedication and commitment to your viewers is all that matters. I love your hearing what you have to say.
You’re so extra with your spreadsheet. I love it 😂.
The fact that this video is EXACTLY 48:00 makes me so happy. So thank you.
It shows it at 47:59... this bugs me haha!
Wow! I appreciate the thoroughness that went into this 🙌🏽👏🏽👏🏽✊🏽
"I'd rather read human murder, which says something about me" 😂😂😂
I absolutely hated S.T.A.G.s so I was screaming nooo when people recommended it 😅
ME TOOOO!!!
SAME!!
Me too. I feel the same way. I was like "Who recommended this to Lala? YOu don't know her at all".
I’m still hoping you’ll do a books set at boarding school recommendations video!
If only I had enough books I loved!
That’s one of my favorite things!
Nicole Dreibelbeis mine too! I want a video on it so bad 😂
yes please!
If you haven't read Truly Devious, you should. :)
watching while folding laundry! Thank you Lala for bring us these unique and long videos. Woop Woop!
Meg Wardie I love to watch/listen to her videos while doing chores 😍
Wakes up, sees a new lala video, a great way to start the day right 😂
I didn't want to recommend anything on that last video because you do have such... particular tastes that we don't always see eye to eye, but for legit not-set-in-space space training, you might wanna check out The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal. It's got the feel good, yet socially conscientious aspect of Hidden Figures + the real science of sth like The Martian. It's not perfect (plotting could be better), but it did just win the Hugo award for best novel so there's definitely merit to it (and it suits your overly specific tastes)!
OMG. I literally just recommended the same book. I know it's not perfect, but I loved it.
Love these kind of videos. It's my dream to go to a bookstore, explain what i like and allow the person working there to choose my TBR for the month :)
There's a bookstore like that in NYC!!
We have a Book Whisperer on Cape Cod too😊
@@gwenjks-1272 I live in Scotland but I am happy to know that this is a real thing!!! I know there something similar ( like a personal assesment and recomendations with a bookstore worker) in Bath but it´s kinda expensive (you get cake and tea though) and I live nowhere near Bath hahaha
@@tdwyer75 which one in NYC??
Tara Dwyer which one??
“Yawn stars out of five” is my new favorite saying.
I LOVED The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle! It was such an amazing book. Glad you enjoyed it too! 😊
There isn't a single booktuber video i watched without fast forwarding.
Also me: Watch all booksandlala videos without even blinking.
Okay - but can I get this spreadsheet?! This would be GREAT!
No pressure! X
I don't think she will give out the spread sheet tho. Because she said she doesn't want to spoil us what book she night be reading for the next video
Frea I actually meant just the skeleton of the spreadsheet. Not the data.
@@rachaelmarie3194 oooooooooh okay my bad then. Sorry for misunderstanding.
I aspire to be as self aware as you, lala about my reading tastes ❤️❤️
"If I was to trust anyone (don't say us please dont say us), it'd be you (why Lala why you trusting us?! You're in for disappointment.)" Was my thought process xD
This video is just another reason why I love your content! Thoughtful, thorough, and honest. Not afraid to take on the challenge that might make for a differing opinion. Keep being awesome!
Oh God it's 2 am and I was gonna go to sleep, now I'm gonna have to watch this aren't I
Thank god. I'm working the overnight and I was needing some help
I loved this video! I love how picky you are about books, because it shows that you take the whole reading process seriously. And I love that you were so honest abiut not liking most of the books in this list.
Thank you for all the fun content!
How dare you not read The Library at Mount Char. But just you wait, my time will come!!
Great video as always 🖤
300 books to choose from! 😆 I knew I was gonna disappoint 295 people! Darnit haha
@@BooksandLala How could you??? I have my patient eye on you girl!
The Library at Mount Char is fantastic. Really weird, but fantastic.
@@DarlingDarkness Exactly, it's one of my all time favourites! Have you read Middlegame? Very similar vibes :)
@@katk2265 Oh I have heard about Middlegame, but for some reason I didn't buy it. I don't remember why. I'll put it on my BTR.
Ooohh Life As We Knew It was my first ever YA books, and I LOVED IT!!
I don't comment on video's often because I feel like my suggestions would just get lost in the waterfall of recommendations. But seeing your dedication and being inspired by everyone else too I thought I'd finally drop a couple of rec's for you. And maybe someone else will see it and be interested :)
Island setting: The Visitors by Simon Sylvester (small fictional island set in Scotland)
Strong friendship group: Girls With Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young
Revenge Plot: Random by Craig Robertson
Isolation: In the Distance by Hernan Bolton (it's historical fiction so not too sure but thought id mention!)
Light magical realism: How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
I love your content, if these ever attract your attention (and to everyone else) I hope you enjoy them!
I just finished The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren. It’s the first time I’ve read a book that has the fake dating/hate to love aspect in it. I don’t read a lot of contemporary/romance novels but I thought it was pretty good. Would recommend.
I was refreshing your channel page all night. lol Now I'm staying up to watch this.
That spreadsheet killed me. You have to be either a project manager or business/systems analyst - if not, you should be! ♥️
I was trying to find something to do before going to sleep... and all of a sudden you bless me with THIS. Thanks Lala you deliver!
I always love your content Lala, but what I love more is the amount of pure effort and hard work you put in to it. Honestly the best booktuber
I haven't gotten to the point where you give your opinion but I just wanted to say it's nice to see you have the correct naming of 7 Deaths. Still don't understand how people find it confusing or find it similar to Evelyn Hugo. They have the same number but if people can't differentiate between "Deaths" and "Husbands" then God help them.
100% yes.
Red Rising wouldve been amazing for the competition category. And also maybe training for space(?)
Red rising is my favorite book, but I don’t think Lala would like it. Because it’s set in space, like the whole world is in space.
Pardon My Imagination sure it is set in Mars but its not like there are lots of things that made it different than being set in Earth. they’re basically in an Earth forest most of the time 😂
I really hope Annihilation is on that spreadsheet ! It is very weird and is in an enclosed area. It has paranormal elements. I think it could be your kind of weird.
I’m so happy you picked The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle because I’ve also heard a lot and I’m excited to read it soon - even more so now!
Read By Jess it.is.amaZING! Best read of 2019 for me. And I read it right at the beginning of the year.
I love how honest you are in your book reviews, great video x
You get 5 stars for your creativity and dedication even when things started going south for a little while. Looking forward to the next video from that awesome spreadsheet. I am a spreadsheet nerd too! 100 % relatable!
You were correct with how you initially pronounced Evelyn as I've been at a book signing with Stuart Turton and that's how he pronounced it. Whoever did the audio book just said it differently.
Oh weird. I almost always trust the audiobook pronounciation of something because I figured it's pretty well supervised. Huh.
@@BooksandLala I suppose it's all down to region. My wife and I "discuss" which of us is pronouncing words like "tomato", "mirror", "bouy" correctly all the time. Given that she's here in the UK and not in America anymore I think I'm right. Whereas she is completely deluded and thinks she's right 🤣🤣. No doubt the audio book over here would pronounce it differently to there.
@@BooksandLala I used to trust them too, but just recently I listened to the audiobook of "a torch against the night" the sequel to "an ember in the ashes"...the first few minutes I was confused, than I discovered my library had acquired a penguin random house edition of book 1 and a HarperCollins edition of book 2. The different casts pronounced the names of the characters differently and it drove me so mad in the first 30 minutes of book 2 that I almost stopped listening.
I've read the whole Nyxia Triad, and I don't think you would like the rest of the series either. I read them all on audiobook, so guess I didn't notice the repetition as much, but we do get most of the answers you were looking for throughout the series.
Plot twist: We, the audience, found books that fit the category but are awful in purpose to mess with you.
The 7 husbands of Evelyn Hugo actually does fit into your list of things you like. I would like to tell you which but I feel I might spoil it for you. But yes does fit :)
I wish you had picked Erebos and would have been the better choice I think. Erebos is by a German author and quite popular in Germany. I found it OK but would have loved to know your comments. Definitely fit the category perfectly!
Interested to see how you liked Nyksia and your journey through it. I felt it was a little like The final six but I guess on different spectrums for you. Wouldn't recommend next books for you since I don't think you will like it. I loved the audiobook though.
great video! i didn't mind that most of the reviews were negative, cause they felt honest and thorough :)
I'm quite proud of my Evelyn Hardcastle recommendation now 😂😂
you folding and packing and talking to us was adorable and relatable. pls do that more often lol!
I just recently discovered your channel. From the themes you mention, you could enjoy reading the gemstone triology (Rubyred, Saphireblue, Emeraldgreen) by Kerstin Gier. It's a light fantasy book with a strong friendship, secrets revealing themself years later, a weird mom-daughter relationship, where a murder in the past changes everything and Shakespeare is part of this books at some point.
My brain when you said you were tired of hearing “savage”: SAVAGES SAVAGES barely even human
Also I love how respectful you are of appreciating the recommendations and where they came from even though you didn’t enjoy it 💜
TheBookishSock LOL every time someone says SAVAGES I break out in the Pocahontas song. Such a 90s mom!
A good space training book not set in space is the first book in the Atlantis Grail series. It's been a while since I read it but seems to have everything you said Nyxia lacked.
I love that you still attempted to read them! I think what we learned from this is maybe in the next video, you should pick the top 5 recommended books from the video. 😉 That could be a fun follow up.
Yay, I've been waiting for a new video from you and it's long and starts with stats so I'm even more excited!
ok i’m sad STAGS is bad bc i’ve never read a book with a main character named Greer :(
I like your scientific approach to find out your next TBR. I'm so like you! The difference between me and you is that you finally choose books and actually read them. Me, I'm still here trying to find out the titles I'll read from my goodreads list that is composed by about 1600 and the sad part is that I have about a half of them already... I want to be brave as you are and go into a book randomly whatever it is. I can begin from the highest ratings of the list and dive into them as you do. Thanks for the inspiration you give me (I'm having a reading block since January so I hope you're waking me up from this long sleep)
Im screaming at my phone!!! The seven husbands of evelyn hugo fits into many categories: strong frindship groups, tense mother daughter relationship, forbidden romance, fake datting, revenge plot (kinda) and discovering the truth
I think you'd LOVE Where the Forest Meets the Stars. I've said it before and I stick by it. 😍
I love that you made a spreadsheet
Some books that fit the things you would like that have been released since that video are How To Make Friends With The Dark by Kathleen Glasgow, which has the found family aspect and features adoption and foster care system (I loved this one!), and also Frankly in Love by David Yoon comes out Sept. 10 and has fake dating, but I haven’t actually read it yet so can’t really recommend it based on much other than that.
Also, the next book in the Life As We Knew It series by Susan Beth Pfeffer is actually more of a companion. It follows the same event of survival with the moon being knocked closer to earth, but with different characters and a different setting (it is in the city instead of the convenient rural setting of Life As We Knew It), so maybe you would like that one better. I personally don’t remember if it is written more maturely, but it is still in the journal entry format and you might like it with a different main character.
Watching this while getting ready for work. I love doing my morning routine while listening ♥️ thanks for another great video
I recommended Gray Wolf Island by Tracey Neithercott to you on the last video and I stand even more strongly on it now that I’ve reread it in the past few weeks! It has:
• an island setting
• magical elements but a contemporary setting
• a group of friends with strong found family vibes
• camping on said island
• and it’s just generally well written and plotted
I’d like overly specific recs for books with “Groundhog Day” type situations. I’ve found I’m so obsessed with those (7 1/2 Deaths worked for me even with the varying body/perspectives) I’ve read a bunch this year, but I need more LOL
You really should have read Erebos instead of STAGS 😭 Erebos is one of the best books about games I‘ve ever read! Really hope you‘ll read it one day :)
Lala!! I have a couple of game-related recommendations: The Westing Game and the Mysterious Benedict Society! Both are younger reads but the game trope was my FAVORITE growing up and those were my two favorite books in the trope!
westing game by Ellen Raskin - essentially a game-loving millionaire has died. he invites sixteen strangers to play a game to inherit his fortune! all sixteen people (different ages, different jobs, different everything) move into the same apartment building and play to win the fortune
mysterious benedict society by trenton lee stewart - an advertisement in the newspaper asks for gifted children to partake for some amazing opportunity. one orphan arrives to find that it isn’t just any ordinary game that they’re playing....
as i said, both are middle school at highest. might be really fun to read with Liam, though!!! hope you give them a shot ❤️
Wow you always come up with the most unique and creative video ideas!! ❤️
Omg I feel so validated STAGS was one of my most anticipated releases when it came out, and I was SO disappointed because I also love the games in a thriller thing. So upsetting.
I just knew from the description of the book, and the fact that you said the game was vague, that it STAGS was going to be a retelling of The Most Dangerous Game.
I think what people love (as a friend) about you the most is that you are outspoken and not afraid to think outside of the box. This was such a cool idea, especially since it was months in the making. I would hope no one would get upset about how you rated these books because no one is going to love every single recommendation ever given to them. I hope you continue to do this (if you enjoyed doing it)
"wow, I'm talented" - Lala 2019 love that! ❤️🤣
LOVED THIS. PLEASE DO IT AGAIN !!!
the stags cover looked so promising :(
I remember reading life as we knew it and the dead and the gone in middle school an I loved them :)
omg the spreadsheet to organise book lists is so relatable
Lala I have 8ams tomorrow why'd you have to upload now 😣 of course I'm gonna watch this whole video now, but still.
Derek good luck
Big ole mood
See, long videos like this are good when you are going to bed, or are working out, and or doing something where you can just listen to it. Treat it like a podcast. What I do.
OMG I should go to sleep but saw you're reading STAGS and I REALLY NEED to know your opinion aaaaaa
edit: I actually liked STAGS mainly bc it was pretty enterteining and I also love how toxic and stupid the characters could get! Still not a big deal, 3 stars!
edit2: I started the video from the beginning just to see if I hadn't been one of the people who recommended it to you and thankfully I'm not so I'll go to sleep now and see the rest of the video tomorrow :)
First, when I saw you chose my recommendation *dead*. I’ve been watching you for two years but don’t have a booktube channel and am such a fan of your creativity! have such a soft spot for Much Ado so any retellings of it I’m here for it.
I came back to watch this again because I knew the book my 12 year old daughter picked out from the school library I hade heard you review. Sounds like Life as We Knew should be a good read for her.
Am I the only one who wants to see the layout of the spreadsheet up close? Spreadsheets and book lists give me life!!!
Okay. Not sure if I already recommended this, but in terms of the topic Space training. I think you might enjoy The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowall. It's the first book in the Lady Astronaut series. I swear the first book is more or less all about space training, and getting ready to go into space, but also women fighting for their right to be part of the space programs. Only problem is - it's an Alternate History book set in the early 50s.
It is however also post-apocalyptic, but not necessary survival. It's very diverse, and seems super realistic as well.
You should have read "Erebos" instead. I've read it in German and loved it veeeeeery much.
Kati Ja i was just going to comment that too! It was really great
YES. When she mentioned Erebos, but didn't pick it I cursed at my screen. Cursed at Lala... but as a friend! 😎
DarlingDarkness omg this was the same reaction I had when she chose STAGS 😂
For a survival with realistic setting with dark games in it, I highly suggest reading The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau. I am currently reading it and loving every bits of it. I know I’m not yet done with the book but as I read the book, I kept on thinking, “Lala would love this too!” It has a lot of elements that you like in a book.
The way The Diviners series by Libba Bray has so so so many of the things you listed as your favourite but are plot points that only show up from the second book onwards and you only read the first installment in the series is killing me Kayla!!
Another recommendation! Space training but not actually set in space: _The Calculating Stars_ by Mary Robinette Kowal. It's alternate history wherein a meteor strikes Earth in the 1950s, kicking off the US space programme in a much more intense way than the real-life version. The protagonist is a woman who ends up trying to become one of the first female astronauts. It's got a lot of _Hidden Figures_ vibes, very much focuses on characters from marginalized groups making history while facing down prejudice.
I read life as we knew it a long long time ago, in middle school, and I liked it but couldn't remember the title for years -- just that there was a big moon on it. thanks for making me remember that! I might reread it
Omg your list is something I would totally do myself. Kinda fun, kinda a waste of time, very excessive, but so satisfying to complete
This is dedication... after making all those spreadsheets I would had been so annoyed I would had refuse to read the books. I’m very contrary and this is why I don’t have a CZcams channel
Absolutely love this!!!! One of the most dedicated book-tubers ever!!!
The Book Of New Strange Things, you'll love that if you can enjoy quiet, thoughtful books. It's got space (it's not like being in space), isolation, intense relationships, dystopia, finding out afterwards. It's nothing like his other book what he's famous for.
I love making spreadsheets too lol bet you get alot more comments/recommendations on the other video and this one too. I would but I'm too tired to think right now lol
Kicked my husband out of the house to watch your video uninterrupted! ❤️🤣
Damn lol
The stat/organization heavy videos make me so happy
Oh my god I wish I could see that beautiful spreadsheet but I understand keeping the surprise! Please do more like this! Not everyone can love every book!!!
Adding all of the book suggestions is iconic!
I LOVE excel & making spreadsheets & seeking others are using them too.
Also don’t feel bad that you don’t like certain books we all have our own opinions and you’ve already said that there are some books of people love that you just don’t like for different reasons and that’s totally valid and fine I’m just got to hear your opinion of a book that I read and I enjoyed but I knew others might not enjoy it for those reasons.
"I'm a picky bitch." Love it. I think you just know yourself and that's amazing. Own it, love it.
I highly recommend Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka. It's a YA contemporary romance with Shakespeare elements. To me it is right up there with Kasie West and I know how much you like her books. Love all your videos Kayla!
Your spreadsheet habit is so satisfying for my perfectionism to look at, you go, Lala!
i, too, am extremely picky and hard to please with most books i read, so here are some books i think you’ll enjoy: ‘marlena’ by julie buntin follows a best friend’s death (potential murder) and teen addiction to drugs, oxy, and alcohol. small town, suffocating atmosphere of snow and poverty, realistic and complex portrayal of female friendship. ‘girl in snow’ by danya kukafka follows three point-of-view characters surrounding the murder of a teenage ‘golden’ girl, lucinda hayes. the author has stated she drew inspiration from ‘the perks of being a wallflower’ and ‘the virgin suicides’ for mental health representation and isolation. these two books are in my top five of all time, alongside ‘the goldfinch’, ‘a little life’ and ‘girls on fire’. another book i would recommend is sarah nicole lemon’s ‘done dirt cheap’. this book follows a female friendship framed in a landscape of toxic masculinity and biker gangs, underage sex workers, and drug businesses. i really enjoyed this video and if you read any books that i recommend, i would definitely prioritise the former two mentioned!! have a wonderful day, my love!
Ooh ok so I know I’m way late to this but if you like space training and close friend groups I think you would love Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff