Why We’re Obsessed With Celebrities’ Bookcases During Quarantine | NYT

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  • čas přidán 11. 05. 2020
  • Our critic Amanda Hess looks at why scrutinizing a celebrity’s bookcase has become a pandemic parlor game.
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Komentáře • 162

  • @yaymyWII
    @yaymyWII Před 4 lety +226

    The editing on this video is WILD. Quarantine be making NYT publish Tim n Eric style transitions. A pretty entertaining and informative video doe.

  • @laurenhirth5746
    @laurenhirth5746 Před 4 lety +93

    Don’t judge a book by its cover, but you can totally judge a professor by the bookshelf in their office. I try to always visit my profs’ office hours during the first week of classes first to introduce myself but also to take a good look at that bookshelf. It’s a full display of their personality, intellectual curiosities, values, and aesthetic preferences. My all time favorite prof had a dog bowl near her desk, a collection of dime store horror paperbacks, and a mini fridge full of ginger beer. I knew she would be a perfect mentor the moment I stepped into her office.

    • @eunac3037
      @eunac3037 Před 4 lety

      Books with tattered covers usually stay on the shelves, uhm-

    • @fabuloushatlady7812
      @fabuloushatlady7812 Před 4 lety +2

      Well idk what anyone would figure from my shelf. I have everything ranging from teen dystopia novels, to dictionary’s , to multi thousand page classics, to French comic books.
      The only thing they have in common is that they’re all skinned....

  • @conniecrawford5231
    @conniecrawford5231 Před 4 lety +155

    Stephen King actually did a Colbert interview and wasn’t in front of a bookcase! Such irony!

    • @allblack4777
      @allblack4777 Před 4 lety +19

      He doesn't need to prove it to anyone

    • @conniecrawford5231
      @conniecrawford5231 Před 4 lety +1

      Shane O'Neill That was s great Colbert Show! I love the interaction between the two of them- two highly intelligent men!

    • @conniecrawford5231
      @conniecrawford5231 Před 4 lety +3

      allblack4777 So true- a best-selling author who doesn’t need to “ prove” to people that he is a reader! Trump needs to start standing in front of a bookcase-
      Lol!

    • @jasminek3612
      @jasminek3612 Před 4 lety +3

      Connie Crawford I guess he doesn’t need a credibility book case - he’s Stephen king

  • @Annabeth123456
    @Annabeth123456 Před 4 lety +103

    So the world really went and turned into booktube huh?

    • @wellesradio
      @wellesradio Před 4 lety +1

      Except they’re mostly serious books and arranging them by color isn’t the point.

  • @525Lines
    @525Lines Před 4 lety +37

    This goes way back. I was a librarian for a private club and they'd record video of talking head interviews in front of a bookcase full of books.

    • @525Lines
      @525Lines Před 4 lety +2

      @@shaneoneill8422 I'm not gonna say too much. We've both still around.

    • @525Lines
      @525Lines Před 4 lety

      @@shaneoneill8422 Fool on the hill

    • @525Lines
      @525Lines Před 4 lety

      @@shaneoneill8422 Not that I don't deserve that in some cosmic way, but could you please punch Byork for me?

  • @FingeringThings
    @FingeringThings Před 4 lety +196

    People: *We are worshipping celebrities too much*
    Also People: *Analyzes a celebrity's bookcase*

    • @MsKTMvalley
      @MsKTMvalley Před 4 lety +12

      Worshipping and analyzing are not synonymous :)

    • @Luumus
      @Luumus Před 4 lety +1

      Pretty sure that the people who do say the first aren't the ones that do the second. Who knew?

    • @emmajean8631
      @emmajean8631 Před 4 lety

      It's me I'm people

  • @edgs2074
    @edgs2074 Před 4 lety +111

    I want to see a business leader with a library full of Hentai and lolis. That would be fun

    • @jorgemoren40
      @jorgemoren40 Před 4 lety +1

      Or with a Marques de Sade's full collection.

    • @black_wink1649
      @black_wink1649 Před 4 lety

      I'm happy to know that Shane O'Neil read your comment.

    • @PHlophe
      @PHlophe Před 4 lety

      Edgardo, the phenomenon is too recent. and those politicians aren' adults yet

    • @Kittikee10
      @Kittikee10 Před 3 lety

      not the lolis 🤢

    • @user-is8lz6fj4l
      @user-is8lz6fj4l Před 3 lety

      And cross eye ahegao

  • @jeremybyington
    @jeremybyington Před 4 lety +49

    I think the fascination for me isn’t “bookcases”, it is all of the details you can gleam from their personal space and what it might mean. Some news reporters have really fancy surroundings while others are in an all-white drab basement. Just go watch what Wendy Williams has around her....very...interesting...

    • @phoebexxlouise
      @phoebexxlouise Před 4 lety

      I have so many questions! Why is she in her children? Why haven't I heard of Black Betty Boop? Did she get all of these items on trips to Vegas? Cause that's the general aesthetic: trophy wife married to Vegas casino owner

  • @hansenxavier4403
    @hansenxavier4403 Před 4 lety +12

    This is really hilarious! Please bring us more of this NYT!

  • @CameronS437
    @CameronS437 Před 4 lety +22

    Feels like a vice piece

  • @JoshuaVarghese
    @JoshuaVarghese Před 4 lety +44

    So many parts of this could honestly be from an Onion video

  • @jacobhero1577
    @jacobhero1577 Před 4 lety +40

    Holy snap this is made well

  • @kylenoe2234
    @kylenoe2234 Před 4 lety +20

    I've never seen the times do comedy.

  • @lightblue254
    @lightblue254 Před 4 lety +10

    God I love you Amanda, these stories are what we need in Quarantine lol

  • @RealMenRealStyle
    @RealMenRealStyle Před 4 lety +3

    You quote me in the video, but don't show my bookcase? OMG - what does this say about me as a person! :) LOVED this - thanks Amanda!

  • @DSQueenie
    @DSQueenie Před 4 lety +4

    Books have always been used by some for decoration. However even I gave enough books for a modestly full bookcase so it’s not that difficult if you read one or two a year to have a lot by the time you’re 25.

  • @AntoinetteD
    @AntoinetteD Před 4 lety +7

    Most of my books go back to the library when I'm done with them, so no bookcase for me. I can't stand the hoarding of it considering I never reread a book.

    • @johnthethirdful
      @johnthethirdful Před 4 lety +1

      Nobody reads a book twice. Most people didn't even read the books they bought. As the video says, it's just a status symbol to show they are intellectual. The funny thing is, this behaviour is extremely dumb.

    • @conniecrawford5231
      @conniecrawford5231 Před 4 lety +5

      johnthethird Actually, many people reread books- maybe you don’t reread lightweight young adult science fiction but there are lots of categories of book that are reread- scientific , non- fiction, literature and poetry, manuals, even non- fiction! I should know-I’m a lit professor! Do you think we only read Shakespeare or Victorian poets only once? That’s like looking at a Van Gogh painting once ! Do you not rewatch your favorite movies again? It’s sad that you never loved a book so much that you wanted to reread it!

    • @PHlophe
      @PHlophe Před 4 lety

      Antoinette, you are down with the swirl too. lovely.

  • @dyinglight418
    @dyinglight418 Před 4 lety +17

    We?

    • @MsKTMvalley
      @MsKTMvalley Před 4 lety

      Shane O'Neill In some bookcases :) lol

  • @jasminek3612
    @jasminek3612 Před 4 lety +3

    This is the content I live for

  • @MrPablopb
    @MrPablopb Před 4 lety +1

    Great video! Read the article the other day, and this is a nice complement. It’s interesting how, out of all books, Master of the Senate by Robert Caro and Hamilton by Ron Chernow appear once and again. They are indeed the gold standard of refined political literature

  • @rn1364
    @rn1364 Před 4 lety +2

    This was hilarious - but, also, what if my library is behind my desk? And what if I have impeccable taste in literature? Am I suppose to redecorate, or throw out my books just so folks don't think I'm intellectually flexing for them? Y'all are exhausting.

  • @Farbklex
    @Farbklex Před 4 lety

    Yeah, this totally changes my layout plan for a future home office. It's dumb but now I want people to see my bookcase.

  • @525Lines
    @525Lines Před 4 lety

    4:20 Notice what looks like one of the Reader's Digest Condensed Books. Reader's Digest was a magazine that offered a condensed form of popular novels and they were reprinted in hardbound books. And they made a lot of those books. Since they look like nondescript books and you can get them at any thrift store just about for a quarter, you started seeing them used as dressing in TV and movie sets.

  • @ifihadfriends437
    @ifihadfriends437 Před 4 lety +1

    I mean also people just tend to have both their desk and a bookcase in their office

  • @sarahporter9979
    @sarahporter9979 Před 4 lety +1

    Depending on which angle I'm filming myself from in front of my bookcase, you'll either see a collection of William Faulkner, Ernest Hemmingway, Franz Kafka or The Babysitter's Club. Judge away.

  • @jasoncarman_
    @jasoncarman_ Před 4 lety

    I laughed out loud, Shane & Amanda's videos are great. We want your own channel or more time from you on this channel.

  • @KleWdSide
    @KleWdSide Před 4 lety

    Yeah, I observe.
    I remember SE Cupp had a copy of "BIllion Dollar Whale" by Bradley Hope & Tom Wright

  • @dalanium98
    @dalanium98 Před 4 lety +1

    lol the CEO had a wall to wall bookcase in his background

  • @athereader924
    @athereader924 Před 4 lety

    I saw a clip of Books by Lala! Her “7 ways to organize your bookshelf” video. :)

  • @renatanovato9460
    @renatanovato9460 Před 4 lety

    It has always been the case. It used to be common to by books by the length or even have them made on wood, so it would look better on display.

  • @maxkuzma2934
    @maxkuzma2934 Před 4 lety

    this is incredible

  • @gs6827
    @gs6827 Před 4 lety +2

    I won’t lie, I do this for work meetings.

  • @desmondhume
    @desmondhume Před 2 měsíci

    this is subway surfers skibidi toilet editing. amazing

  • @SurajJhaIn
    @SurajJhaIn Před 4 lety

    I got an idea, next time my parents come to see me, they gonna see lots of book 🧐

  • @olman.morales
    @olman.morales Před 4 lety

    Lol I’m going to have my kindle library printed then

  • @priyankameena4786
    @priyankameena4786 Před 4 lety

    'Education' Dr. Phil came up. Lol

  • @Candyicsma
    @Candyicsma Před 4 lety +1

    I thought this video was about celebrity book of the month. Guess it’s time to get rid of 10 year old books from middle school

  • @SevenFootPelican
    @SevenFootPelican Před 3 lety

    Purely sociological phenomena. I noticed it pretty early on during the pandemic, too.

  • @KT-jy9oj
    @KT-jy9oj Před 4 lety

    High Five for the bookcase background👀

  • @BunsBooks
    @BunsBooks Před 4 lety

    I would love to nosy through Jane Goodall’s shelves.
    I read up to 100 books a year, so my bookshelves are a representation of my interests, not an aesthetic.
    But no judgement to people that have books for decoration as they really are beautiful to look at. I feel a room just isn’t homey without them.

  • @cistomajhnarozina
    @cistomajhnarozina Před 4 lety

    Psyched to see Slovenian National University Library (NUK) in the video.
    The Library where a vast majority of the books are hidden.

  • @SevenFootPelican
    @SevenFootPelican Před 3 lety

    You point out Liam Fox's bookcase but fail to mention his copy of Master of the Senate by Robert A. Caro? That's literally the greatest political book ever created.

  • @black_wink1649
    @black_wink1649 Před 4 lety

    Background music is too loud

  • @holdmybeer
    @holdmybeer Před 4 lety

    good little video

  • @tesslydon6925
    @tesslydon6925 Před 4 lety +2

    @booksandlala @hermionechantal in this video!

  • @iamthesocks
    @iamthesocks Před 4 lety

    Do you hear that? That's my childhood screaming in agony watching that woman slice the covers off the Series of Unfortunate Events. 😢

  • @Nyah86Production
    @Nyah86Production Před 4 lety

    “If you go home with somebody, and they don't have books, don't f*ck em!” - John Waters

  • @paulina978
    @paulina978 Před 4 lety +1

    You guys did lala dirty

  • @SuperSadom
    @SuperSadom Před rokem

    So cool

  • @MarleyMe95
    @MarleyMe95 Před 4 lety

    Jay Gatsby loves this video.

  • @007Decky
    @007Decky Před 4 lety

    Anyone has “The Art of the Deal”?!

  • @Greenpoloboy3
    @Greenpoloboy3 Před 4 lety +11

    If all "celebrities" gathered together, boarded a space rocket, (Like a certain Simpson's episode) and it was launched into outer space, never to be seen again, I wouldn't miss a single 1 of them.

  • @k.c1126
    @k.c1126 Před 4 lety

    I'm Soo jealous of Kate Blanchard for that OED ... 😁😇😁

  • @annaymous
    @annaymous Před 4 lety

    confirming that looks are everything?

  • @wesleyrodgers886
    @wesleyrodgers886 Před 4 lety

    Never organised my book cases. Often I'll find a book I haven't read for 40yrs.

    • @MsKTMvalley
      @MsKTMvalley Před 4 lety +1

      My mom thought it would be cool to organize my bookcase. Lol

  • @moonbook12
    @moonbook12 Před 3 lety

    At 3:12 that is bookandlala

  • @mileskeesey983
    @mileskeesey983 Před 4 lety

    Nice closeup on 'The Corrections.'

  • @dr.weebrule3423
    @dr.weebrule3423 Před 4 lety

    I got a lot of mangas in my bookcase. That's all I have in my bookcase

  • @swarajkanr
    @swarajkanr Před 4 lety

    Someone, please say more about Cate Blanchett

  • @LazyScoutJace
    @LazyScoutJace Před 4 lety

    Lol I have all my Nintendo video games behind me

  • @luc7937
    @luc7937 Před 4 lety

    Love

  • @skyhope5105
    @skyhope5105 Před 4 lety

    The only thing it makes me think that...
    Did they really read all of those books?
    Im skeptical

  • @CesarMBazanSaavedra
    @CesarMBazanSaavedra Před 4 lety +5

    Elmo? (0:28) you kind of lost me there NYT

  • @ZzdeathangelzZ
    @ZzdeathangelzZ Před 4 lety

    Are people gonna start trying to go into libraries and do zoom calls now.
    Or Libraries are probably gonna get more popular after this

    • @jdredman
      @jdredman Před 4 lety

      If only they could right now...

  • @neethuu
    @neethuu Před 4 lety

    But I have over 100 books. But I can't place them on my bookcase, as my bookcase is now filled with my kids toys and all my books, I laid them on the lowest level of a clothes almirah. Does that mean I am not smart at all. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

  • @Luca-vb3xo
    @Luca-vb3xo Před 4 lety

    They had us for the first half, not gonna lie

  • @Ndombiyekanyi
    @Ndombiyekanyi Před 4 lety

    Hahaha I was wondering what this bookcase trend was all about. The irony🤔

  • @trijit96
    @trijit96 Před 4 lety

    I have audible and kindle, not applicable for me

  • @Doobsnackz
    @Doobsnackz Před 4 lety +3

    People are obsessed with celebrities it's like get a life lol

  • @kathrynwitte3398
    @kathrynwitte3398 Před 4 lety

    Neal Katyal’s beats EVERYONE!

  • @ThePreachingOfHisWord
    @ThePreachingOfHisWord Před 4 lety +1

    When you run out of good stories.......and pander to the elitists

  • @jackel690
    @jackel690 Před 4 lety

    Lol I had to delete a comment, because I mentioned that all the talking heads had book cases behind them. That thread quickly devolved into a clown fiesta.

  • @randyc9700
    @randyc9700 Před 4 lety

    Hank Williams Jr- a country boy can survive

  • @bruintoo
    @bruintoo Před 4 lety

    Then there's Room Rater on Twitter.

  • @mikebarnacle1469
    @mikebarnacle1469 Před 4 lety +1

    What a cynical and anti-social perspective on individual aesthetics. I'd like to see the follow-up that nitpicks every facet of womens' fashion choices and how it translates to a sinister public manipulation ploy. Maybe people just like being photographed in front of the stuff they like because humans are social creatures that get an innate satisfaction out of self expression and sharing.

  • @Goober504
    @Goober504 Před 4 lety

    I don’t know if it shows wealth. What about conspiracy books

  • @MLouah-gp9ef
    @MLouah-gp9ef Před 4 lety +2

    Good idea for a video, NYT, but why the race baiting ?

  • @2KGrind09
    @2KGrind09 Před 4 lety

    so they don't use tablets & kindles? shocked

  • @dankylank
    @dankylank Před 4 lety

    Is this the onion? lmao

  • @kaylubproductions4517
    @kaylubproductions4517 Před 4 lety

    So what does my two waist high bookshelves that have curved under the weight of my books say about me? 😄

  • @starfire4539
    @starfire4539 Před 4 lety +1

    Mine is just filled with New adult fantasy/sci-fi and unorganised. Not really the picture of sophistication over here.

  • @Hermes_Agoraeus
    @Hermes_Agoraeus Před 4 lety +4

    ...Ms. Hess is too young to be so cynical. I'm sad now.

  • @diegoartetv
    @diegoartetv Před 4 lety

    Not bad

  • @gazellerichardson9135
    @gazellerichardson9135 Před 4 lety

    Spent years around them, and could care less about what they are doing. Think the obsession is ridiculous.

  • @annaymous
    @annaymous Před 4 lety

    Intellectual accessories!? How about volumes of art....or great works

  • @ncooty
    @ncooty Před 4 lety +1

    I suspect many people do those interviews and meetings from home offices, where they have few background options. If these two faux-journalists are _actually_ interested in this topic, they could study it or interview people who have studied it rather than confidently sharing their flippant opinions. This is just garbage.

  • @WordUnheard
    @WordUnheard Před 4 lety +2

    Am I the only person who has never thought about a celebrity's bookcase, let alone could be considered obsessed by any stretch of the imagination?
    I can't be alone here.

  • @Superboy7456
    @Superboy7456 Před 4 lety

    Why is this so important for americans???

  • @Amanda---
    @Amanda--- Před 4 lety

    take dumpty trumpty.....no bookcase

  • @jaredk6591
    @jaredk6591 Před 4 lety

    🤣🤣🤣I hope you guys get more views I'm so sorry

  • @Mmmmyown
    @Mmmmyown Před 4 lety

    Is Amanda Hess a kid?

  • @shakesinthehouse
    @shakesinthehouse Před 4 lety +3

    I have Harry Potter books in three languages. Lord of the rings books in two languages. And Sherlock Holmes novels in FOUR languages. So if someone see my so called bookshelf they’ll think I run a library.

  • @mohammedakmal9358
    @mohammedakmal9358 Před 4 lety

    those who decorate their bookshelves are probably the ones that read the least

  • @papaspride101
    @papaspride101 Před 4 lety

    funny last 7 sec .....loll

  • @annaymous
    @annaymous Před 4 lety

    We really do just fetishize literature. Wanna be literacy types vs literary types.

  • @justinoakley2183
    @justinoakley2183 Před 3 lety

    I imagine many of these bookshelves are staged.

  • @myidentityisamystery5142
    @myidentityisamystery5142 Před 4 lety +2

    We are not obsessed

  • @saadiazg
    @saadiazg Před 4 lety +3

    its been a choice since before the crisis. lol. we see it on TV all the time when people interview from home.
    this girl is a tad judgy. and why do her vlogs come up in my feed as soon as she publishes i dont want to see this.
    Lets judge people for not having books and for having books. Its cool now.

  • @arrivalsantoniyus6337
    @arrivalsantoniyus6337 Před 4 lety +1

    🇩🇪👑🇩🇪 PHILIPPE Prince GERMANY 🇩🇪👑🇩🇪MEMO : POLICE Military GERMANY /feldjager.

  • @Red-Bird-October
    @Red-Bird-October Před 2 lety

    😂