Uploaded May 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
9 books in March and 8 in April... but don't worry I'm not doing 17 book reviews in this video π Lots of interesting stuff in here though, including International Booker Prize shortlisted books, and some great recent releases.
BookTube Prize reviews:
youtu.be/T09-Fm03WI0?si=m42yvhcF-PpHv-Qh
Women's Prize reviews:
youtu.be/ArJ0sm5kC1A?si=06BuFlLEFqTQ0ylr
James by Percival Everett review:
youtu.be/aFX_E1lEgvo?si=iWFX3J_oWEJKghrN
@TheDiscoKingOfficial review of What I'd Rather Not Think About
youtu.be/wN-iiCxctcQ?si=CsbIaIW6aOVStJYN
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Books mentioned in this video:
π James, by Percival Everett
π Julia, by Sandra Newman
π True Grit, by Charles Portis
π What I'd Rather Not Think About, by Jente Posthuma (translated by Sarah Harvey Timmer)
π The Details, by Ia Genberg (translated by Kira Josefsson)
π The Borrowed Hills, by Scott Preston
π The Spoiled Heart, by Sunjeev Sahota
π Home Fire, by Kamila Shamsie
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00:00 Intro
00:39 Julia
03:24 True Grit
05:59 What I'd Rather Not Think About
08:56 The Details
10:56 The Borrowed Hills
14:11 The Spoiled Heart
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Thank you so much for watching.
π Join the Read Good Challenge 2024: youtube.com/watch?v=HI4eJcfdG8U
βοΈ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
πΈ Instagram: instagram.com/benreadsgood
π Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
π Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
β
#books #booktube #readingwrapup
9 books in March and 8 in April... but don't worry I'm not doing 17 book reviews in this video π Lots of interesting stuff in here though, including International Booker Prize shortlisted books, and some great recent releases.
BookTube Prize reviews:
youtu.be/T09-Fm03WI0?si=m42yvhcF-PpHv-Qh
Women's Prize reviews:
youtu.be/ArJ0sm5kC1A?si=06BuFlLEFqTQ0ylr
James by Percival Everett review:
youtu.be/aFX_E1lEgvo?si=iWFX3J_oWEJKghrN
@TheDiscoKingOfficial review of What I'd Rather Not Think About
youtu.be/wN-iiCxctcQ?si=CsbIaIW6aOVStJYN
β
Books mentioned in this video:
π James, by Percival Everett
π Julia, by Sandra Newman
π True Grit, by Charles Portis
π What I'd Rather Not Think About, by Jente Posthuma (translated by Sarah Harvey Timmer)
π The Details, by Ia Genberg (translated by Kira Josefsson)
π The Borrowed Hills, by Scott Preston
π The Spoiled Heart, by Sunjeev Sahota
π Home Fire, by Kamila Shamsie
β
00:00 Intro
00:39 Julia
03:24 True Grit
05:59 What I'd Rather Not Think About
08:56 The Details
10:56 The Borrowed Hills
14:11 The Spoiled Heart
β
Thank you so much for watching.
π Join the Read Good Challenge 2024: youtube.com/watch?v=HI4eJcfdG8U
βοΈ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
πΈ Instagram: instagram.com/benreadsgood
π Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
π Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
β
#books #booktube #readingwrapup
![Intermezzo by Sally Rooney β’ Book review π
Finally got around to reading Intermezzo by Sally Rooney, and heres my review.
Clip used from Chicken Shop Date by @AmeliaDimoldenberg
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Thank you so much for watching.
π Join the Read Good Challenge 2026:
https://youtu.be/i50Tr4zRexg
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3717542a-a44b-452b-bbc1-046ae5ec8fab
βοΈ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
πΈ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
π Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
π Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
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#books #booktube #bookreview Intermezzo by Sally Rooney β’ Book review π](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hkQUjTvPEzE/mqdefault.jpg)
![The best books I read in 2025
Were here again at the end of another year, and here are my 10 favourite books I read in 2025. Plus some honourable mentions that it pained me to leave out.
Hopefully you find some recommendations worth reading in here. Let me know if youve read any, and what your favourite reads of the year have been!
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Standalone reviews of some of these books:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl2V3H5e8qs&list=PLSlUBOJVTh7Mq4NBoIFl2Fd-qCXuU4tgo&index=6
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00:00 Reflections on my reading year
02:05 Honourable mentions
03:24 Rank 10-6
09:37 Rank 5-1
β
Thank you so much for watching.
π Join the Read Good Challenge 2026:
https://youtu.be/AqXiso15hB4?si nh26ud3FChYkLCg
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3717542a-a44b-452b-bbc1-046ae5ec8fab
βοΈ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
πΈ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
π Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
π Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
β
#books #booktube #readingwrapup The best books I read in 2025](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/i50Tr4zRexg/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Booker Prize is fixing one of its biggest problems
Theres a rule change coming for the Booker Prize, and it shows theyre listening to readers.
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Books mentioned:
π Flesh, by David Szalay
π The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, by Kiran Desai
π Prophet Song, by Paul Lynch
π The Testaments, by Margaret Atwood
π Girl, Woman, Other, by Bernadine Evaristo
β
Thank you so much for watching.
π Join the Read Good Challenge 2026:
https://youtu.be/i50Tr4zRexg
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3717542a-a44b-452b-bbc1-046ae5ec8fab
βοΈ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
πΈ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
π Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
π Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
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#books #booktube #bookerprize The Booker Prize is fixing one of its biggest problems](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iWdx8Lhu26A/mqdefault.jpg)
![Booker Prize 2023 shortlist thoughts and my winner prediction
Its been months since I did a video on the Booker, but on the eve of the winners ceremony, I wanted to reflect a little on the Booker Prize shortlist and share my thoughts on who is going to win.
If youd like to see my more in-depth reviews of all the books on the shortlist, check them out below.
Longlist ranking: https://youtu.be/dTZ_wC_UzKc
Part 1: https://youtu.be/nx2caL3ekGM
Part 2: https://youtu.be/AW5O3gq61g0
Part 3: https://youtu.be/zfUGToe0FVE
Part 4: https://youtu.be/223d6RZClVE
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Books mentioned:
π This Other Eden, by Paul Harding
π The Bee Sting, by Paul Murray
π If I Survive You, by Jonathan Escoffery
π Study for Obedience, by Sarah Bernstein
π Western Lane, by Chetna Maroo
π Prophet Song, by Paul Lynch
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00:00 Longlist thoughts
01:52 Format breakdown
02:36 Ranking
09:42 Goodreads shortlist
11:30 Judges shortlist prediction
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Thank you so much for watching.
π If you enjoyed this video, give it a like!
πΉ Subscribe to my channel for a new video each week
βοΈ Get in touch at benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
πΈ Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/benreadsgood/
β
Clip from Titanic used under fair use, copyright Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox.
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#booktube #bookerprize #reading Booker Prize 2023 shortlist thoughts and my winner prediction](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/j715OHANhfw/mqdefault.jpg)
![Explosive Facebook memoir, AI copyright theft, Womens Prize shortlists | BOOK NEWS ποΈ
Heres this months dose of book prize news π
ChatGPT short story:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/12/a-machine-shaped-hand-read-a-story-from-openais-new-creative-writing-model
Jeanette Wintersons opinion piece on the above:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/12/jeanette-winterson-ai-alternative-intelligence-its-capacity-to-be-other-is-just-what-the-human-race-needs
The Atlantics Libgen search tool:
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/03/search-libgen-data-set/682094/
Penguins 90 Little Book Stops:
https://www.penguin.co.uk/discover/campaigns/90-little-book-stops
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00:00 Book news
07:24 Prize news
12:30 New book releases
18:58 Books on screen
21:13 Feelgood story
β
Thank you so much for watching.
π Join the Read Good Challenge 2025:
https://youtu.be/sl6NEuMRXF4
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/b9e80f78-e8d0-464e-b460-c2e1034dc707
βοΈ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
πΈ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
π Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
π Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
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#books #booktube #booknews Explosive Facebook memoir, AI copyright theft, Womens Prize shortlists | BOOK NEWS ποΈ](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jW2wdcxZDZU/mqdefault.jpg)
![Bookish gift guide π Specific book recommendations, and great gifts for book lovers
Christmas is almost here, which means stressing out about which chocolates your family members might like and whether that scarf is too cheap/expensive/ugly for Aunt Gertrude.
But if youve got any book lovers to buy for, check out this video for some great ideas!
The video is in two parts: some book gifts for certain types of people, and then some non-book gifts if youre worried the weight of one more book might bring their house crashing down.
One correction: Placeholders by James Roseman is set in Boston, not Baltimore!
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Booktubers mentioned:
@kiranreader (originally recommended Rhine Journey)
@CJReads (owner of Sunnys Book Truck)
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Links to select things shown
Paper + Word book sleeves
https://paperandword.com/collections/book-kindle-sleeves
Bookshelf guide
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1076581157/booktok-bookshelf-guide-align-books
Sunnys Book Truck merch
https://www.sunnysbooktruck.com/merch
Storysmith t-shirt
https://storysmithbooks.com/product-category/merch/
Womens Prize merch
https://womensprize.com/product-category/t-shirts/
Cercador Prize hats
https://www.bonfire.com/store/cercador-prize-fundraising-merch/
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00:00 Book gifts for someone who...
01:09 ...wants to get back into reading
02:01 ...has read everything
04:43 ...doesnt like contemporary lit
07:23 ...likes movies AND books
09:25 ...is (or has) a child
10:37 ...wants to dip their toe into sci-fi
11:25 ...loves Elena Ferrante
12:49 ...has endured the nightmare of renting
13:44 ...needs another messy woman book
14:48 ...is a man who needs to feel things
15:57 Books NOT to buy
17:58 Non-book gifts
24:43 Non-book gifts NOT to buy
β
Thank you so much for watching.
π Join the Read Good Challenge 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI4eJcfdG8U
βοΈ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
πΈ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
π Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
π Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
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#books #booktube #giftguide2024 Bookish gift guide π Specific book recommendations, and great gifts for book lovers](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/k8wED5x7Jec/mqdefault.jpg)
![Judging the International Booker longlist based on first sentences
A good first impression is critical, even when youre reading a book, so I decided to get to know the International Booker Prize 2024 longlist by reading, judging and ranking their first sentences.
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Books mentioned:
π Not a River, by Selva Almada (translated by Annie McDermott)
π SimpatΓa, by Rodrigo Blanco CalderΓ³n (translated by Noel HernΓ‘ndez GonzΓ‘lez and Daniel Hahn)
π Kairos, by Jenny Erpenbeck (translated by Michael Hofmann)
π The Details, by Ia Genberg (translated by Kira Josefsson)
π White Nights, by Urszula Honek (translated by Kate Webster)
π Mater 2-10, by Hwang Sok-yong (translated by Sora Kim-Russel and Youngjae Josephine Bae)
π A Dictator Calls, by Ismail Kadare (translated by John Hodgson)
π The Silver Bone, by Andrey Kurkov (translated by Boris Dralyuk)
π What Id Rather Not Think About, by Jente Postuma (translated by Sarah Timmer Harvey)
π Lost on Me, by Veronica Raimo (translated by Leah Janeczko)
π The House on Via Gemito, by Domenico Starnone (translated by Oonagh Stransky)
π Crooked Plow, by Itamar Vieira Junior (translated by Johnny Lorenz)
π Undiscovered, by Gabriela Wiener (translated by Julia Sanches)
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00:00 Longlist thoughts
03:33 First sentence ranking
β
Thank you so much for watching.
π Join the Read Good Challenge 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI4eJcfdG8U
βοΈ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
πΈ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
π Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
π Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
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#books #booktube #internationalbookerprize Judging the International Booker longlist based on first sentences](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lBQQSsyX9n8/mqdefault.jpg)

![A rather big book haul
I havent done a book haul recently, but I have been picking them up. Heres a bunch of books that have come into my possession over the first half of the year, including library books, books from publishers, indie bookshops, and more.
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Creators mentioned:
@amuchneededbreak
@SavidgeReads
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00:00 Library books
06:53 THE UK IS HOT
07:17 Book events
10:43 Sent by publishers
18:52 Indie showcase
28:56 Books from Ev
30:55 Indie bookshops
36:04 Everything else
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Thank you so much for watching.
π Join the Read Good Challenge 2026:
https://youtu.be/i50Tr4zRexg
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3717542a-a44b-452b-bbc1-046ae5ec8fab
βοΈ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
πΈ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
π Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
π Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
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#books #booktube #bookhaul A rather big book haul](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/m8bCuP9FEGM/mqdefault.jpg)

![5 books in 5 days β’ Reading vlog π
Thought Id start the year off with a fun little challenge, and a chance to vlog the first few days of 2025.
Reviewing the books as I go (which chimes with one of my reading goals) but of course theyβre all shorties (which doesnβt). Definitely some books here that I would recommend you to read!
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Books mentioned:
π Celebration, by Damir Karakas (tr. Ellen Elias-Bursac)
π Shy, by Max Porter
π A Room Above a Shop, by Anthony Shapland
π The Practice, the Horizon and the Chain, by Sofia Samatar
π Maud Martha, by Gwendolyn Brooks
π Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr
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Music by Stream Cafe, licensed via Ko-fi
βͺ stream cafe - cherry blossoms
link: youtu.be/ivVQYpGGvuc
website: streamcafemusic.com
β
Thank you so much for watching.
π Join the Read Good Challenge 2025:
https://youtu.be/sl6NEuMRXF4
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/b9e80f78-e8d0-464e-b460-c2e1034dc707
βοΈ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
πΈ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
π Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
π Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
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#books #booktube #readingvlog 5 books in 5 days β’ Reading vlog π](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nGfF2xi4jwU/mqdefault.jpg)