Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 41 minutes ago
My first reading wrap-up in a while! Okay across the last two months I read 19 books, which is kind of unsustainable, but it was hugely driven by Booker Prize reading.
As mentioned, I don't share any Booker thoughts in this video, but you can see my Booker videos here ๐
Reviews Part 1: youtu.be/nx2caL3ekGM
Reviews Part 2: youtu.be/AW5O3gq61g0
Reviews Part 3: youtu.be/zfUGToe0FVE
Reviews Part 4: youtu.be/223d6RZClVE
Ranking: youtu.be/dTZ_wC_UzKc
Italy vlog coming soon ๐ฎ๐น
-
Books mentioned in this video:
๐ Mouth to Mouth, by Antoine Wilson
๐ The Dry Heart, by Natalia Ginzberg
๐ Crudo, by Olivia Laing
๐ Open Throat, by Henry Hoke
๐ This is How You Lose the Time War, by Amar El-Mohtar and
๐ Idol, Burning, by Rin Usami (translated by Asa Yoneda)
๐ The Swimmers, by Julie Otsuka
โ
00:00 Stuff I'm not reviewing
01:41 Open Throat
03:33 This is How You Lose the Time War
06:29 Idol, Burning
09:35 The Swimmers
โ
Thank you so much for watching.
๐ If you enjoyed this video, give it a like!
๐น Subscribe to my channel for a new video each week
โ๏ธ Get in touch at benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
๐ธ Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/benreadsgood
โ
#books #booktube #readingwrapup
My first reading wrap-up in a while! Okay across the last two months I read 19 books, which is kind of unsustainable, but it was hugely driven by Booker Prize reading.
As mentioned, I don't share any Booker thoughts in this video, but you can see my Booker videos here ๐
Reviews Part 1: youtu.be/nx2caL3ekGM
Reviews Part 2: youtu.be/AW5O3gq61g0
Reviews Part 3: youtu.be/zfUGToe0FVE
Reviews Part 4: youtu.be/223d6RZClVE
Ranking: youtu.be/dTZ_wC_UzKc
Italy vlog coming soon ๐ฎ๐น
-
Books mentioned in this video:
๐ Mouth to Mouth, by Antoine Wilson
๐ The Dry Heart, by Natalia Ginzberg
๐ Crudo, by Olivia Laing
๐ Open Throat, by Henry Hoke
๐ This is How You Lose the Time War, by Amar El-Mohtar and
๐ Idol, Burning, by Rin Usami (translated by Asa Yoneda)
๐ The Swimmers, by Julie Otsuka
โ
00:00 Stuff I'm not reviewing
01:41 Open Throat
03:33 This is How You Lose the Time War
06:29 Idol, Burning
09:35 The Swimmers
โ
Thank you so much for watching.
๐ If you enjoyed this video, give it a like!
๐น Subscribe to my channel for a new video each week
โ๏ธ Get in touch at benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
๐ธ Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/benreadsgood
โ
#books #booktube #readingwrapup
![Reading goals for 2026
With another year underway, I wanted to reflect on the reading goals I set last year, and think about some goals for 2026.
Id love to hear from you in the comments if you have any goals of your own!
โ
Channels mentioned:
@SavidgeReads
@louisesavidgemuses4135
@FreshlyReadBooks
โ
00:00 Intro
01:19 Last years goals
05:59 This years goals
10:11 Channel goals
โ
Thank you so much for watching.
๐ Join the Read Good Challenge 2026:
https://youtu.be/AqXiso15hB4?si nh26ud3FChYkLCg
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3717542a-a44b-452b-bbc1-046ae5ec8fab
โ๏ธ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
๐ธ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
๐ Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
๐ Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
โ
#books #booktube #readinggoals Reading goals for 2026](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VEBhLlZimuA/mqdefault.jpg)
![Booker Prize 2023 longlist reaction (honestly... wow)
Its here!
My Booker Prize 2023 longlist predictions video:
https://youtu.be/cfTuQ_jZtrU
My Ireland vlog (mentioned because maybe youll see all the Irish books in the background!):
https://youtu.be/JxhZJ8bpezE
I put my Paul only Booker longlist on Instagram here:
https://instagram.com/p/Cva40HWKbit/
โ
Books mentioned
๐ The House of Doors, by Tan Twan Eng
๐ This Other Eden, by Paul Harding
๐ The Bee Sting, by Paul Murray
๐ In Ascension, by Martin MacInnes
๐ If I Survive You, by Jonathan Escoffery
๐ Study for Obedience, by Sarah Bernstein
๐ How to Build a Boat, by Elaine Feeney
๐ Old Gods Time, by Sebastian Barry
๐ A Spell of Good Things, by Ayรฒbรกmi Adรฉbรกyรฒ
๐ Pearl, by Siรขn Hughes
๐ Western Lane, by Chetna Maroo
๐ Prophet Song, by Paul Lynch
๐ All the Little Bird-Hearts, by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow
โ
Thank you so much for watching.
๐ If you enjoyed this video, give it a like!
๐น Subscribe to my channel for a new video each week
โ๏ธ Get in touch at benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
๐ธ Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/benreadsgood/
โ
#booktube #bookerprize #reading Booker Prize 2023 longlist reaction (honestly... wow)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Vg9UqRHgfB0/mqdefault.jpg)
![a book haul
Hey folks! Im away, and just before I went I filmed a quick book haul to share with you the latest books Ive added to my shelves. I also talk about the wonderful BookTuber meet-up I was fortunate to attend, and Ive linked the channels of everyone who came along below.
โ
BookTubers at the meet-up (and who you should subscribe to!):
@angesbookchatter
@amuchneededbreak
@KeriBooks
@katiejlumsden
@bookssongsandothermagic
@CharlesHeathcote
@CharlieBrookReads
@CoynieReads
@danisbookworld
@GemofBooks
@GenreBooks23
@JentheLibrarianreads
@novellenovels
@redheadreading
@spreadbookjoy
@veroreads
@WhatVictoriaRead
โ
Books mentioned:
๐ Lublin, by Manya Wilkinson
๐ The Silver Book, by Olivia Laing
๐ Wild Dark Shore, by Charlotte McConaghy
๐ Crooked Cross, by Sally Carson
๐ The Country Girls, by Edna OBrien
๐ Time of the Child, by Niall Williams
๐ The Adversary, by Michael Crummy*
๐ The Pelican Child, by Joy Williams*
๐ One Aladdin Two Lamps, by Jeanette Winterson*
๐ On the Calculation of Volume III, by Solvej Balle (tr. Sophie Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell)*
๐ Its Hard to be Hip Over Thirty, by Judith Vjorst
๐ Ghost Driver, by Nell Osborne
๐ What Remains, by Brais Lamela (tr. Jacob Rogers)
๐ Who Will Remain, by Kasim Ali
๐ The Book of Guilt, by Catherine Chidgey
*Starred books were gifted by the publisher
โ
00:00 BookTuber meet-up
09:38 Publishers
13:56 Indie pick-ups
17:21 Library books
โ
Thank you so much for watching.
๐ Join the Read Good Challenge 2025:
https://youtu.be/sl6NEuMRXF4
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/b9e80f78-e8d0-464e-b460-c2e1034dc707
โ๏ธ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
๐ธ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
๐ Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
๐ Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
โ
#books #booktube #bookhaul a book haul](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Vh9kX0WIVYs/mqdefault.jpg)
![Books that could surprise us all on the Booker Prize longlist
The Booker Prize Longlist is almost here! With my predictions out of the way, Ive turned by attention to some books that could completely surprise us on Tuesday... ๐
My Booker Prize 2023 longlist predictions video:
https://youtu.be/cfTuQ_jZtrU
My Instagram post covering my predictions:
https://instagram.com/p/Cuznp3cruQg
My Ireland vlog where I acquired one of the books mentioned in this video:
https://youtu.be/JxhZJ8bpezE
The James Shapiro interview on the Booker website (youll also be able to find the Q&As with the other judges too):
https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/features/meet-the-booker-prize-2023-judges-james-shapiro
โ
Books mentioned
๐ Youโll have to watch to find outโฆ
โ
Thank you so much for watching.
๐ If you enjoyed this video, give it a like!
๐น Subscribe to my channel for a new video each week
โ๏ธ Get in touch at benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
๐ธ Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/benreadsgood/
โ
#booktube #bookerprize #reading Books that could surprise us all on the Booker Prize longlist](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/X_OgG60dap4/mqdefault.jpg)
![My reaction to the Womens Prize for Fiction 2024 longlist
Its here, and my reaction is basically summed up by the Kombucha meme. Initial disappointment, but Ive come around!
HUGE apologies that my microphone basically decided to give up 30 seconds into the video.
โ
Books mentioned:
๐ Soldier Sailor, by Claire Kilroy
๐ Western Lane, by Chetna Maroo
๐ The Wren, The Wren, by Anne Enright
๐ Brotherless Night, by V V Ganeshananthan
๐ The Restless Dolly Maunder, by Kate Grenville
๐ Enter Ghost, by Isaballa Hammad
๐ Ordinary Human Failings, by Megan Nolan
๐ 8 Lives of a Century Old Trickster, by Mirinae Lee
๐ Hangman, by Maya Binyam
๐ River East, River West, by Aube Rey Lescure
๐ Nightbloom, by Peace Adzo Medie
๐ The Blue, Beautiful World, by Karen Lord
๐ In Defence of the Act, by Effie Black
๐ A Trace of Sun, by Pam Williams
๐ The Maiden, by Kate Foster
โ
BookTubers mentioned:
@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf
โ
00:00 Thoughts on the longlist
04:04 Ones Ive read
05:49 Ones from previous WP authors
08:33 Ones Ive heard of
12:31 Ones new to me
16:14 Final thoughts
โ
Thank you so much for watching.
๐ Join the Read Good Challenge 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI4eJcfdG8U
โ๏ธ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
๐ธ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
๐ Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
๐ Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
โ
#books #booktube #womensprize My reaction to the Womens Prize for Fiction 2024 longlist](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XtZ7SLcg6zY/mqdefault.jpg)
![Booker Prize 2024 longlist reaction (...as predicted by the formula? ๐งช)
Its that time again! Very excited for this longlist, and the judges have recommended us some wonderful-sounding books.
Couple of video corrections:
1. Graphics for The Formula accidentally use the Headshot cover where it should be The Safekeep.
2. The Booker Bigwigs are not all imprints of huge publishers, some are independent of the biggest publishers. Theyre actually just the most successful at getting on the Booker longlist over the last decade.
My Booker Prize 2024 longlist predictions video:
https://youtu.be/IukHnQvxFPc?si=xrQ9APrYg36ZLjxo
Review of James:
https://youtu.be/aFX_E1lEgvo?si=iTrBfFWcZ9EsVCqI
Reviews of Orbital and Headshot:
https://youtu.be/Slbp3_4FiEc?si=d5KSdlySR11TN4KY
Review of Wild Houses:
https://youtu.be/Zgbr-brGX4U?si=QDUhi8KvoELpserU
โ
Other channels mentioned:
@rororeads (a truly joyful cameo)
@SavidgeReads
โ
Books mentioned
๐ James, by Percival Everett
๐ This Strange Eventful History, by Claire Messud
๐ Orbital, by Samantha Harvey
๐ Headshot, by Rita Bullwinkel
๐ Wild Houses, by Colin Barrett
๐ Wandering Stars, by Tommy Orange
๐ The Safekeep, by Yael van der Wouden
๐ Held, by Anne Michaels
๐ Stone Yard Devotional, by Charlotte Wood
๐ Enlightenment, by Sarah Perry
๐ My Friends, by Hisham Matar
๐ Playground, by Richard Powers
๐ Creation Lake, by Rachel Kushner
โ
Thank you so much for watching.
๐ If you enjoyed this video, give it a like!
๐น Subscribe to my channel for a new video each week
โ๏ธ Get in touch at benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
๐ธ Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/benreadsgood/
โ
#booktube #bookerprize #reading Booker Prize 2024 longlist reaction (...as predicted by the formula? ๐งช)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YC09DI2cPio/mqdefault.jpg)
![Books I read in December | Reading wrap-up
First reading wrap-up of the year, and last wrap up for 2023 books - somehow I managed 8 books this month, though admittedly lots of shorties!
Heres my full review of Cuddy:
https://youtu.be/fYdgk0Q2CGg
โ
BookTubers mentioned:
@louisesavidgemuses4135
โ
Books mentioned in this video:
๐ Cuddy, by Benjamin Myers
๐ Loot, by Tania James (gifted)
๐ Rizzio, by Denise Mina
๐ Delphi, by Clare Pollard
๐ Wild Houses, by Colin Barrett
๐ Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas, by Adam Kay
๐ The Mouse and His Child, by Russell Hoban
๐ Gods Children Are Broken Little Things, by Arinze Ifeakandu
โ
00:00 Intro
00:31 Cuddy
01:23 Loot
04:03 Rizzio
06:43 Delphi
09:53 Wild Houses
12:30 Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas
14:06 The Mouse and His Child
16:20 Gods Children Are Broken Little Things
โ
Thank you so much for watching.
๐ Join the Read Good Challenge 2024: https://youtu.be/HI4eJcfdG8U
๐ If you enjoyed this video, give it a like!
๐น Subscribe to my channel for a new video each week
โ๏ธ Get in touch at benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
๐ธ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
โ
#books #booktube #readingwrapup Books I read in December | Reading wrap-up](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Zgbr-brGX4U/mqdefault.jpg)

![Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon | Spoiler-free book review ๐
A rare standalone book review, and a hearty reading recommendation from me: Glorious Exploits absolutely lives up to its name.
Clips used:
1) TV show Barbarians, to illustrate use of Latin
2) Movie Gladiators, to show Russell Crowe being forced, well, into many things, but specifically here into speaking with a southern English accent
โ
Thank you so much for watching.
๐ Join the Read Good Challenge 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI4eJcfdG8U
โ๏ธ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
๐ธ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
๐ Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
๐ Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
โ
#books #booktube #bookreview Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon | Spoiler-free book review ๐](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_NeyVSq7CrE/mqdefault.jpg)
![James by Percival Everett | Spoiler-free book review ๐
Theyre maybe few and far between on this channel, but James by Percival Everett is so good it deserved a standalone review.
I one hundred percent recommend reading this book. In fact, I cant recommend it enough. What a novel.
Thanks to Picador Mantle for the advance copy.
โ
Thank you so much for watching.
๐ Join the Read Good Challenge 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI4eJcfdG8U
โ๏ธ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
๐ธ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
๐ Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
๐ Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
โ
#books #booktube #bookreview James by Percival Everett | Spoiler-free book review ๐](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aFX_E1lEgvo/mqdefault.jpg)
![Read Good Challenge: Q1 Review (Buckeye, Life of Pi, Arborescence)
A little check-in (including book reviews!) on what Ive read so far for the Read Good Challenge.
๐ Join the Read Good Challenge 2026:
https://youtu.be/i50Tr4zRexg
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3717542a-a44b-452b-bbc1-046ae5ec8fab
โ
Books mentioned:
๐ Buckeye, by Patrick Ryan
๐ Arborescence, by Rhett Davis
๐ Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
๐ Paradiso 17, by Hannah Lilith Assadi
โ
00:00 Intro
01:26 Scran-uary: Buckeye
04:57 Feb-roo-ary: Arborescence
09:42 Oscars: Life of Pi
13:54 Q2 plans
โ
Thank you so much for watching.
๐ Join the Read Good Challenge 2026:
https://youtu.be/i50Tr4zRexg
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3717542a-a44b-452b-bbc1-046ae5ec8fab
โ๏ธ Email: benreadsgood[at]gmail.com
๐ธ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benreadsgood/
๐ Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/benreadsgood
๐ Amazon wishlist (books that are tricky to get in a physical bookshop in the UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2PGEEC0LPHHDA
โ
#books #booktube #readingchallenge Read Good Challenge: Q1 Review (Buckeye, Life of Pi, Arborescence)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aTcB-3RTmDg/mqdefault.jpg)