I think the worst thing in book construction is when publishers do the stupid frilled pages that I guess is supposed to make the book look fancy but really just makes the pages harder to turn.
You are fantastic!! FYI - You (and booktubeathon) were my first glimpses into Booktube last summer. I quickly became quite addicted and just last week took the plunge and started my own channel. So, thanks!!
Ha, Life of Pi is my favorite book. But most of my friends really don't like it, and I can understand why. I'd happily go to the basement to find it, though. That just means I get to walk past more books to get there.
Fun tag! 2 book recs and a question: -I can't remember if I've seen these on your channel (yet) or not, but there are a couple lesser-known short stories by Rainbow Rowell out there that might tide you over til her next full-length contemporary. One was published recently as a stand-alone for World Book Day in the UK. It's called Kindred Spirits. super cheap (it's now available from a lot of people on websites like Ebay if you don't want to deal with book depository's long-ass shipping times), and really sweet. And she has a piece in My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories. (came to rec the sort-of sequel to that, Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories, but it turns out she didn't write one for that collection). Funnily enough, for me--I like both of those short stories but haven't gotten into her novels!! I feel like everyone loves her work but I don't like the premises for most of em. And a question--did you see the Life Of Pi movie??? I had tried to get into that book a couple times, couldn't get into it (I think it's one where you just have to push past a certain number of pages and I never got that far), and donated it. But then I saw the movie and LOVED it.
I LOVE THIS TAG. I'm totally going to do it sometime! I had a hard time reading Life of Pi as well. My mom loves the book, but I found the first part so hard to get into. I've never been able to pick it up since lol.
Well good thing I already own a copy of Life of Pi so I won't be going to the basement in your library to reread that amazing book lol. I want to read Soppy so bad! Every time I see the cover for it it reminds me of The White Stripes lol.
Ha, the thing about the cover not reaching the edge. So true! Hmmm, on rereading Life of Pi, the problem is that the first part is so boring... I feel like you might give up before you get to the part where more stuff is actually happening.
I agree 1000% about the short covers! I will happily spend 10$ extra for a hardback if that is my only other option to a short-cover version! I thought that Life of Pi was one of the most beautifully-written boring narratives that I've ever read. There were some passages that I reread 4 or 5 times before moving on, but they were usually just descriptions--not plot points, character development, or philosophy. If you didn't like it the first time, I don't think it would be better the second time. I did find some thought-provoking content in it, personally, but even then I have no interest in rereading it.
I can't agree with you more about Life of Pi. It's such drivel passing itself off as amazing insight. No, don't read it again, you were right the first time! :)
We don't really have that issue of the book covers being cut short here in the UK but I can totally understand your frustration 😂 I've never read The Life of Pi but I watched the film and I loved it, I really wanted to read the book after seeing it but I never bothered 😅 Thanks for tagging me!
I saw the Life of Pi movie and while I didn't care for the main plotline about the shipwreck and the tiger, I did like the religious aspect. I'm not a big fan of how stories tend to ignore religion to avoid controversy. Art is supposed to imitate life and sometimes challenge the reader to consider different perspectives.The book that I would send to the basement is Anna and the French Kiss. I think that it's a generic and shallow romcom and I get very disappointed when I hear people rave about it. I especially hate that people don't catch that St Clair had an emotional affair and that Ellie didn't deserve to be treated like nothing more than an obstacle. She did nothing wrong and Anna had no reason other than jealousy to hate on her.
*1/ What book would you make everyone read?* 'The Brothers Karamazov' by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Amazingly dynamic book, more so than many of the other books I have read in my life. Extremely philosophical and an amazing plot in general with twists and turns and intellectualism vs religious fundamentalism and a cameo of Satan in the mind of a character with psychological problems. Really, you cannot go wrong with anything by Dostoevsky. *2/ What would you abolish in book construction?* Whenever a book's font is extremely tiny and the book is a paperback that is difficult to turn without wrecking it. I have this problem with 'Atlas Shrugged' by Ayn Rand, which I think helps makes it one of my least favorite books of all time. However, lots of books are constructed in that fashion and it just puts me off. If you're going to have over a thousand pages in the book, it shouldn't be paperback! And if it is paperback, I shouldn't have to use the tips of my nails to open the book or read it at an angle because I don't want the break the super delicate pages or crease them. *3/ What author would you commission to write you any book?* If we are going with modern day novelists, I'd have to go with Stephen King. An amazing horror author who just understands human nature very well. If I can go with any in general, it would be H.P. Lovecraft for the same exact reason except on a cosmic scale. Honorable mentions for this include George R. R. Martin (although he probably would not finish it) and Michael Crichton. *4/ What book would you demote to the library basement to make room for new books?* 'Atlas Shrugged' by Ayn Rand. I could not, for the life of me, get into its plot. It is such a convoluted scenario and the writing style is simply awful. It's supposed to be a huge philosophical story and yet all I see is slippery slope fallacy, straw-manning Rand's opposition, and the constant use of two-dimensional characters in a two-dimensional world when the book is supposed to be based on a dynamic dystopian society. Probably worst of all, it is so long and tedious and the plot extremely slow, it is one of the most boring books I have ever read in my life and yet just the philosophical arguments in the book are cringe-worthy not only because of the constant use of logical fallacies and oversimplifications to justify them but the sheer amount of rebuttals any sensible person can make against claims in the book made or implied by the protagonists who basically represent Rand's own words. *5/ What cover artist would you commission to make a mural?* Whoever made this: d2r4pw5uddxm3r.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/imported/uploads/2008/04/animalthumb.jpg *6/ What characters face would you put on a coin?* Atticus Finch from 'To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. There is no exception to this, he is my top pick. *7/ What book would you award the “Ruler of Books” 2016 Prize to?* I would give it to 'The Brothers Karamazov' because I did read that earlier this summer and it resonates to me as one of the most comprehensive books of all time. However, I feel like it's unfair to reward one book as the winner of this when I already gave it the reward as being required reading in my government. So I think a good winner for this will be.... 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison. AMAZING AUTHOR. Now, for this one, the choice was very difficult because I have been going on a huge classics spree and philosophical novel spree (although I see no distinctions between those two different types). So, sadly, I can't think of any contemporary works I've read recently for this prize and I haven't read any books written within the last decade that I can recall. xD
I would also pay big bucks for Rainbow Rowell to write an adorable book about Ariel and Greg! (Hope that's not weird! :P I just see story potential! :D )
I love how much you hate life of Pi. But I have to say although it is not my favorite book I would probly have to go to the basement. hahahaha. I loved the tag!
OH MY GOD. I never thought I would find another person who hated Life of Pi the way I did! Praise God for you!! I just did this tag, I can't believe I didn't think to put it for that question. I hated it because everyone got me hyped for the "twist" at the end, and I didn't read the "twist" the way everyone else did and then I felt stupid for not "getting it." So...I just didn't like it.. Lol.
Haha, as soon as I heard the question I knew you were going to say Life of Pi! I personally love the book, but I respect your opinion and wouldn't tell you that you're wrong because it's an opinion for goodness sake! My best friend hates the book too, and we're obviously still friends so....
Thank you for tagging me :D I'm quite excited to do this tag and totally agree with you about those stupid staggered covers! It's to hold all the publicity comments, but it makes the book seem so fragile to me. I hate it!
i was just casually watching this video while putting together a list of novels i have to order for my uni classes. Life Of Pi is one of them. Well then... Let's hope I like it.
So with you on the cover not reaching the edge of the book! Why is that even a thing? I'm sorry to say, but I also don't like deckled edges for kind of the same reason. It just really bothers me that they don't all line up. And Soppy is THE cutest thing of life!! My hubby gave it to me for Christmas and I was so happy!
I would banish mass market paperbacks. Yes, they're cheaper, but I think it's worth a few extra bucks to not go cross-eyed reading The Wise Man's Fear (over a thousand pages in mmp format).
I saw your displeased Life of Pi snapchat yesterday and thought "she's totally gonna say Life of Pi for #4" when I watched this. I feel like Life of Pi is to you what The Old Man and the Sea is to me.
The Life of Pi is really one that you have to read all the way to the end to be able to fully appreciate. Did you stop early on? If so, that's probably why you hated it so much.
Hi Ariel! Would you consider the magicians in the magical realism genre? I only saw the tv show and i LOVED it. But i don't really know about the books.
Hey Ariel you should read the graphic novel "Habibi" by Craig Thompson! I'm so curious to know your thoughts on it. (I saw you have "Blankets" on your shelf.)
Hahaha, do not re-read Life of Pi, don't do that to yourself :p (even if I am a little bit curious to see if your opinion would change. Maybe mine would too, but I'm definitely never picking that up again.)
I LOVE THIS TAG THIS IS GREAT
+emmmabooks YAY I'm glad you like it!!!
Ariel, can you just imagine how excited I am everytime I receive a notification for your new videos?
Keep it up! and I LOVE THIS TAG. :)
I think the worst thing in book construction is when publishers do the stupid frilled pages that I guess is supposed to make the book look fancy but really just makes the pages harder to turn.
I HATE DECKLED EDGES
Kayla Farley Is that what their called? Cool, I finally have a name for the thing I hate.
They kind of hurt! They're just the worst!!
Ariel, sincerely you could rule the world and I would be more than ok with that. Saludos desde Perú
I love this tag! What a great idea. Also... I'm fine with Life of Pi going in the basement... ;)
+Rae Sterling Thanks! AND RIGHT?! Thank you. Thank you.
Great tag hopefully I can film it pretty soon, so I can feel like the Ruler of Books (even if it is only for a short moment)! 😆
This tag is so awesome! I loved the books you picked! (A.S. King is my favorite author and I feel like she hardly ever gets any recognition).
You are fantastic!! FYI - You (and booktubeathon) were my first glimpses into Booktube last summer. I quickly became quite addicted and just last week took the plunge and started my own channel. So, thanks!!
A+++++ tag, Ariel! I would love to live in a world where we had book characters' faces on our money ☺️
Ha, Life of Pi is my favorite book. But most of my friends really don't like it, and I can understand why. I'd happily go to the basement to find it, though. That just means I get to walk past more books to get there.
Fun tag! 2 book recs and a question:
-I can't remember if I've seen these on your channel (yet) or not, but there are a couple lesser-known short stories by Rainbow Rowell out there that might tide you over til her next full-length contemporary. One was published recently as a stand-alone for World Book Day in the UK. It's called Kindred Spirits. super cheap (it's now available from a lot of people on websites like Ebay if you don't want to deal with book depository's long-ass shipping times), and really sweet. And she has a piece in My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories. (came to rec the sort-of sequel to that, Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories, but it turns out she didn't write one for that collection).
Funnily enough, for me--I like both of those short stories but haven't gotten into her novels!! I feel like everyone loves her work but I don't like the premises for most of em.
And a question--did you see the Life Of Pi movie??? I had tried to get into that book a couple times, couldn't get into it (I think it's one where you just have to push past a certain number of pages and I never got that far), and donated it. But then I saw the movie and LOVED it.
Love this video! Reminds me of oldschool booksunbound days (the best days!!) :)
Elinor Dashwood is also one of my favourite literary characters! She truly is someone to aspire to be.
I LOVE THIS TAG. I'm totally going to do it sometime!
I had a hard time reading Life of Pi as well. My mom loves the book, but I found the first part so hard to get into. I've never been able to pick it up since lol.
I love this tag! I think I'll do it over on my blog - I wasn't tagged but it looks like a fun tag!
Love your videos!
Well good thing I already own a copy of Life of Pi so I won't be going to the basement in your library to reread that amazing book lol.
I want to read Soppy so bad! Every time I see the cover for it it reminds me of The White Stripes lol.
I'd give the Ruler of Books prize to More Happy Than Not. it was truly amazing and hit me like a ton of bricks!
This is such a fun tag! I co-manage a book blog with two other women and we are definitely going to have to answer some of these questions! :)
This tag is great! I haven't read Life of Pi. I actually forgot about that book until I watched this. Lol.
Hey Ariel, I hope you don't mind that I translated this Tag to German, and did it on my channel! It was a lot of fun, you did a great job with this!
I loved that tag! I hope more people will do it!
Ha, the thing about the cover not reaching the edge. So true!
Hmmm, on rereading Life of Pi, the problem is that the first part is so boring... I feel like you might give up before you get to the part where more stuff is actually happening.
+Oh Hey Sush WHY IS IT A THING!??! I DONT GET WHY SOMEONE DESIGNED THAT COVER SITUATION.
Love this tag! Such interesting questions and thought provoking answers :)
This is a really good idea. I'm going to film my take on this next week :)
This is a very fun tag! :D I might tag myself to do it in my blog, hahaha. ;D
Ariel, you're a genius! This is a great tag, I love it :D Such good questions.
I agree 1000% about the short covers! I will happily spend 10$ extra for a hardback if that is my only other option to a short-cover version! I thought that Life of Pi was one of the most beautifully-written boring narratives that I've ever read. There were some passages that I reread 4 or 5 times before moving on, but they were usually just descriptions--not plot points, character development, or philosophy. If you didn't like it the first time, I don't think it would be better the second time. I did find some thought-provoking content in it, personally, but even then I have no interest in rereading it.
Omg when she said Eleanor would be on the coin i was like yaaassss thats me kinda 😂
I really like this tag. I might either do a blog post or vlog about it. 😊
This is a brilliant TAG I'm going to give it a go on my channel this week x
I LOVE THIS TAG! :D also, you had such unique & great picks
I love this tag! The cover thing is SO ME!
I can't agree with you more about Life of Pi. It's such drivel passing itself off as amazing insight. No, don't read it again, you were right the first time! :)
Number 6 is the hardest question EVER!
Ariel you will always be the most creative person ever :)
We don't really have that issue of the book covers being cut short here in the UK but I can totally understand your frustration 😂 I've never read The Life of Pi but I watched the film and I loved it, I really wanted to read the book after seeing it but I never bothered 😅 Thanks for tagging me!
+Claire Weller LUCKY YOU CAUSE THEY'RE RIDICULOUS. And yay! I hope you do it I really want to see your answers! :D
Oh this is an awesome tag! It wasn't what I thought it was... It was better. I'm definitely doing this. Haha
+modlily xo Yay! I'm so glad you like it enough to actually do it, haha!
I would be okay with you as the ruler of the world 😊 this tag is a great idea, thanks for sharing it! it was fun
I loved this tag. It's really refreshing.
I saw the Life of Pi movie and while I didn't care for the main plotline about the shipwreck and the tiger, I did like the religious aspect. I'm not a big fan of how stories tend to ignore religion to avoid controversy. Art is supposed to imitate life and sometimes challenge the reader to consider different perspectives.The book that I would send to the basement is Anna and the French Kiss. I think that it's a generic and shallow romcom and I get very disappointed when I hear people rave about it. I especially hate that people don't catch that St Clair had an emotional affair and that Ellie didn't deserve to be treated like nothing more than an obstacle. She did nothing wrong and Anna had no reason other than jealousy to hate on her.
+Brie X I couldn't get past a few chapters of AFK at all.
This tag sounds fun and cute ^-^
thanks for creating it and putting out in the world :D I wanna do this tag
^-^
*1/ What book would you make everyone read?*
'The Brothers Karamazov' by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Amazingly dynamic book, more so than many of the other books I have read in my life. Extremely philosophical and an amazing plot in general with twists and turns and intellectualism vs religious fundamentalism and a cameo of Satan in the mind of a character with psychological problems. Really, you cannot go wrong with anything by Dostoevsky.
*2/ What would you abolish in book construction?*
Whenever a book's font is extremely tiny and the book is a paperback that is difficult to turn without wrecking it. I have this problem with 'Atlas Shrugged' by Ayn Rand, which I think helps makes it one of my least favorite books of all time. However, lots of books are constructed in that fashion and it just puts me off. If you're going to have over a thousand pages in the book, it shouldn't be paperback! And if it is paperback, I shouldn't have to use the tips of my nails to open the book or read it at an angle because I don't want the break the super delicate pages or crease them.
*3/ What author would you commission to write you any book?*
If we are going with modern day novelists, I'd have to go with Stephen King. An amazing horror author who just understands human nature very well. If I can go with any in general, it would be H.P. Lovecraft for the same exact reason except on a cosmic scale. Honorable mentions for this include George R. R. Martin (although he probably would not finish it) and Michael Crichton.
*4/ What book would you demote to the library basement to make room for new books?*
'Atlas Shrugged' by Ayn Rand. I could not, for the life of me, get into its plot. It is such a convoluted scenario and the writing style is simply awful. It's supposed to be a huge philosophical story and yet all I see is slippery slope fallacy, straw-manning Rand's opposition, and the constant use of two-dimensional characters in a two-dimensional world when the book is supposed to be based on a dynamic dystopian society. Probably worst of all, it is so long and tedious and the plot extremely slow, it is one of the most boring books I have ever read in my life and yet just the philosophical arguments in the book are cringe-worthy not only because of the constant use of logical fallacies and oversimplifications to justify them but the sheer amount of rebuttals any sensible person can make against claims in the book made or implied by the protagonists who basically represent Rand's own words.
*5/ What cover artist would you commission to make a mural?*
Whoever made this: d2r4pw5uddxm3r.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/imported/uploads/2008/04/animalthumb.jpg
*6/ What characters face would you put on a coin?*
Atticus Finch from 'To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. There is no exception to this, he is my top pick.
*7/ What book would you award the “Ruler of Books” 2016 Prize to?*
I would give it to 'The Brothers Karamazov' because I did read that earlier this summer and it resonates to me as one of the most comprehensive books of all time. However, I feel like it's unfair to reward one book as the winner of this when I already gave it the reward as being required reading in my government. So I think a good winner for this will be.... 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison. AMAZING AUTHOR. Now, for this one, the choice was very difficult because I have been going on a huge classics spree and philosophical novel spree (although I see no distinctions between those two different types). So, sadly, I can't think of any contemporary works I've read recently for this prize and I haven't read any books written within the last decade that I can recall. xD
That was great ! Such an imaginative book tag :)
I would also pay big bucks for Rainbow Rowell to write an adorable book about Ariel and Greg! (Hope that's not weird! :P I just see story potential! :D )
Aaaah I absolutely looove this tag!
Haha I guess down to the basement for me for liking life of pi. I didn't love it but it was kind of interesting
Hahahah yes more Rainbow Rowell contemporary fiction!!!
yes, give life of pi another chance! i think you'll think of it differently this time around
I am soooooo doing this tag next!!!
I love how much you hate life of Pi. But I have to say although it is not my favorite book I would probly have to go to the basement. hahahaha. I loved the tag!
OH MY GOD. I never thought I would find another person who hated Life of Pi the way I did! Praise God for you!! I just did this tag, I can't believe I didn't think to put it for that question. I hated it because everyone got me hyped for the "twist" at the end, and I didn't read the "twist" the way everyone else did and then I felt stupid for not "getting it." So...I just didn't like it.. Lol.
I sooo agree with you about the short book covers! I just don't get it!
I completely agree with question 2
I want Rainbow Rowell to just write a million books because they're all A+ omg
That weird cover thing doesn't really happen in the uk. None of my books have that!! I'm I'm glad ahah
Haha, as soon as I heard the question I knew you were going to say Life of Pi! I personally love the book, but I respect your opinion and wouldn't tell you that you're wrong because it's an opinion for goodness sake! My best friend hates the book too, and we're obviously still friends so....
You are the best youtuber I've ever seen like srsly you are so inspiring
Not sure if you have read it, but if you're into magical realism you should definitely read I Kill Giants by Joe Kelly. It's absolutely amazing.
OMG YAS!! Why do some publishers do that to paperback book covers??? I totally agree
i like when the cover doesn't reach the end, it's my ~aesthetic~
Thank you for tagging me :D I'm quite excited to do this tag and totally agree with you about those stupid staggered covers! It's to hold all the publicity comments, but it makes the book seem so fragile to me. I hate it!
+Amanda Center (IntrovertX) THEY'RE SO DUMB. I can't wait to see your video!!!! :DDD
DON'T CARE THAT I WASN'T TAGGED I'M GONNA DO IT
Love this tag!
This is brilliant! I am totally going to do this untagged! :D
Yay!! Do it!!
+Ariel Bissett I shall! This weekend for the latest. :D
This sounds like a fun tag. I might take some time to film it next week. Not that I was tagged but why would that stop me ;)
Let nothing stop in your way! 😁
i was just casually watching this video while putting together a list of novels i have to order for my uni classes. Life Of Pi is one of them. Well then... Let's hope I like it.
So with you on the cover not reaching the edge of the book! Why is that even a thing? I'm sorry to say, but I also don't like deckled edges for kind of the same reason. It just really bothers me that they don't all line up. And Soppy is THE cutest thing of life!! My hubby gave it to me for Christmas and I was so happy!
This is a really fun idea for a tag!!
I love the Soppy comics!
I would banish mass market paperbacks. Yes, they're cheaper, but I think it's worth a few extra bucks to not go cross-eyed reading The Wise Man's Fear (over a thousand pages in mmp format).
I totally feel the same about life of pi. We had to read it in school in 9th grade and I was just bored the whole time...😢
No please don't send me to the basement of the library! :( Give Life of Pi a second chance
Before you even said it, my head yelled WHY DONT COVERS TO TO THE END OFBOOKS!?
I would put Dumbledore on my coin. It just seems fitting.
I love it!!! Great tag
I saw your displeased Life of Pi snapchat yesterday and thought "she's totally gonna say Life of Pi for #4" when I watched this.
I feel like Life of Pi is to you what The Old Man and the Sea is to me.
Yes! Give Life of Pi another chance!
This is such a cool tag!!
The Life of Pi is really one that you have to read all the way to the end to be able to fully appreciate. Did you stop early on? If so, that's probably why you hated it so much.
Hi Ariel! Would you consider the magicians in the magical realism genre? I only saw the tv show and i LOVED it. But i don't really know about the books.
I love this tag! I will definitely do it. Oh gosh, it drives me crazy when someone tries to make my like my most hated book. Just let me hate haha
Loved this tag! So fun! And I totally agree on the book cover thing. I just...I don't get it. It makes zero sense.
I would put Harry Potter on a coin........this tag was fun.....gonna go search for other booktubers that have done it. =)
i looove soppy! it's so cute.
This is a great tag omg I must do it
Great video!! Now you've reached 90k are you going to do another liveshow?
Great tag! I have to agree, Life of Pi is not a good book. I had to read it for a class and it just left me cold.
Hey Ariel you should read the graphic novel "Habibi" by Craig Thompson! I'm so curious to know your thoughts on it. (I saw you have "Blankets" on your shelf.)
Such a cool tag!!
Oooh, I like this tag. If only I wasn't too lazy to at least reply to the tag.
I want to reread everybody sees the ants a million times. So great
a really cool tag!!!
I love this!!
Try reading The Last Days of Rabbit Hays from Anna McPartlin
This is a fantastic tag
Hahaha, do not re-read Life of Pi, don't do that to yourself :p (even if I am a little bit curious to see if your opinion would change. Maybe mine would too, but I'm definitely never picking that up again.)
I really liked this book tag! Why do you have two bells on your bookshelf? :O
Because I like the sounds they make 😊🛎
+Ariel Bissett it's so cute how they're different sizes 😊 love from Sydney
Why don't you like Life of Pi? (I haven't read it yet)
Dude I completely agree with Life of Pi. I hate it and it's my best friends favorite book! I don't get it!
I love this tag so flipping much! I want to do it but I don't make videos... would it be okay if I did it on my blog instead?
This video is genius! That is all