Spilling the Truth Booktube Q & A Please read your book 2025-08-09 | #booktubeIn this BookTube Q & A, I’m answering your questions about my reading life, favorite books, teaching in China, and more. From reading habits to behind-the-scenes truths, nothing is off limits. Enjoy!Learn more about why I teach in China here: youtu.be/mIp5Qs_joeUVisit my other channel where I talk about living in China:@SideStreetsCarl Questions from:@BookChatWithPat8668 @amy_harboredinpages @aprettybookshelf @Contraband_Pigments @marciajohansson769 @MagnenoAlexWilkins @NevsBookChannel @davidnovakreadspoetry @sueysbookbanter @EveningReader @cafecryptic @Book-Mad-Brian Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
What does reading really mean to me? Please read your book 2025-08-05 | #booktube📚 What does reading really mean to you?In this video, I share my personal philosophy of reading—how I think about books, how reading has shaped my life, and why it still matters to me today. These reflections come in response to four thoughtful prompts from my friend Lekden at @arockinsamsara .I talk about when I first saw myself as a “Reader,” what I hope for in my reading life, and what’s currently keeping my reading life exciting and meaningful.If you’ve ever thought about the why behind your reading—not just the what—this video is for you.✨ Prompts in this video:What is your personal philosophy of reading?When did you first come to think of yourself as a “Reader?”What are your goals or hopes for your reading life?What’s exciting or important in your current reading life?🗣️ I'd love to hear your answers—share them in the comments or make your own video!Original tag video: youtu.be/eOh2LDrn5_U?si=B07YsIrUW0PNPATpTags:@Lifeonbooks @booksforthebackporch @TheLitWizard Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
13 Reasons The Kindle Is Awesome (2025) Please read your book 2025-07-30 | #booktubeI don’t like Amazon — but I’ve been reading on the same Kindle for nearly ten years, and I’m not giving it up anytime soon. In this video, I explain why the Kindle still makes sense for me as a long-term traveler, an expat, and a reader who cares about sustainability and accessibility.From avoiding e-waste and carrying a full library while traveling, to finding affordable English books abroad, I’ll share the practical reasons why I’m defending the device — not the company behind it. If you’ve ever felt conflicted about reading on a Kindle, or wondered whether e-readers can fit into a responsible reading life, this one’s for you.Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie#kindle #kindleunlimited #kobo #books
Thank you! AMA - Q & A - Celebrating 1600+ subscribers! Please read your book 2025-07-27 | I Just Hit 1600 Subscribers — Let’s Do a Q&A!Thanks so much for helping this channel grow — I’m incredibly grateful to each and every one of you who’s watched, liked, subscribed, or commented. To celebrate crossing 1600 subscribers, I’m doing a Q&A video where I’ll answer your questions — about books, the channel, my life, reading habits, creative projects, or anything else you're curious about.Drop your questions in the comments below, and I’ll answer as many as I can in an upcoming video!Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie#booktube #booktok #bookrecommendations #literaryfiction #smallbooktube
Great Books No One Talks About - ep 2 Please read your book 2025-07-23 | Some of the best books you’ll ever read are the ones no one seems to talk about. In this video, I share three underrated literary gems that have stayed with me long after I turned the final page.📚 Books featured:– Dead Boys by Richard Lange – Rush by Kim Wozencraft – Eleven Kinds of Loneliness by Richard YatesIf you're a fan of Denis Johnson, Frank Bill, or Raymond Carver, or you’re just looking for some lesser-known books worth reading, this video is for you.👉 These are the books that smolder instead of shout—*crime fiction, literary fiction, and dark short stories* that deserve more readers.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy discovering hidden gems in fiction!#UnderratedBooks #CrimeFiction #ShortStories #Booktube #LiteraryFiction #GreatBooksYouHaventRead #BookRecommendations #NoirFiction #BooktubeRecommendations #DarkFiction #HiddenGems #RichardLange #KimWozencraft #RichardYatesJoin me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Why You Need A Reading Community Please read your book 2025-07-16 | #booktubeWhat if the best part of reading isn’t the book... but sharing it with others?In this video, I explore how being part of a reading community—online or in real life—can completely transform your reading experience. From helping you finish tough books to deepening your understanding, a good book community doesn’t just make reading more fun—it makes it more meaningful.I’ll share my personal journey as a reader, how talking about books has changed the way I read, and why now, more than ever, we need spaces where stories connect us.Whether you're new to book clubs, active on BookTube or BookTok, or just looking for your “reading people,” this one’s for you.Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Challenge Yourself As A Reader Please read your book 2025-07-10 | #booktubeIn this follow-up to Be A Braver Reader, I dive into what it really means to read bravely — by picking up the books that scare us. Not horror novels (necessarily), but the ones that challenge our assumptions, make us uncomfortable, or expose us to unfamiliar realities. I’ll share a few of my own experiences with books I almost didn’t read, and why they ended up mattering more than I expected. If you’re ready to grow as a reader, this one’s for you.Mentioned in this video:Notice by Heather LewisRush by Kim WozencraftBe A Braver Reader: youtu.be/FRdXOGBtthgJoin me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Thanks, Ill be back. Please read your book 2025-07-09 | #booktubeThis video is a brief thank you to all the kind words and support from others, it was really unexpected, not because people can't be nice, but because it's so rare these days and so rare online. I also touch on what happened and why I made my channel. Finally, I explain a rhetorical device learned in elementary school called hyperbole, which many booktubers seem to have not learned about despite their allegedly high reading level. Feel free to comment, as long as it's kind.Channels & videos mentioned:Join the best online community you'll ever find, Life on Books: patreon.com/LifeonBooks?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkLife on Books: youtu.be/e9zLVvfxye8?si=EIBeOfEsYbi88wtoBooks, Songs & other Magic: youtu.be/eS8sqgpc_Qk?si=h0z1wS0T-z2xiiwPBooktime with Elvis: youtu.be/-4FPOYnQVzk?si=aPCCJv2NXnKiA9n0Dr Cranky Pants: youtu.be/2H4ihng6urM?si=lM2ND6sW9bSS04-FPerpetual Shelves: youtu.be/JWFZnGjWTdw?si=BVdht1GNygih3Y9WJoin me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Be A BRAVER Reader & Booktuber Please read your book 2025-06-21 | Are we being honest enough as readers and reviewers on BookTube?In this video, I’m exploring what it means to be a braver reader — someone who doesn’t shy away from difficult books, uncomfortable themes, or honest conversations. Too often, BookTube plays it safe: reviewing trendy titles, avoiding controversy, and focusing on what’s “relatable.” But the books that stay with us — the ones that truly change us — are rarely easy.I talk about:--Why reading hard books matters--How BookTube culture encourages safe takes--The power of honest, critical book reviews--Why we need to speak more freely about books that challenge usWhether it's Beloved by Toni Morrison, Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy, or any book that unsettled you in the best way — this is a call to engage more deeply, read more bravely, and review more honestly.Let’s talk about the books that don’t let you look away.👇 What’s a book that challenged you? Drop it in the comments.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and join the conversation.Mentioned in this video:@CriminOllyBlog on Heather Lewis's "Notice": youtu.be/-WQ8KHs9syY?si=0M09S3HmEOezezy2My review of "Notice" by Heather Lewis: youtu.be/YnohNSMJ6tc?si=pxlJDGaybQZGQ6hxLife on Books: @Lifeonbooks Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie#booktube #booktok #books #bookrecommendations
Great Books No One Talks About - ep 1 Please read your book 2025-06-15 | #booktube📚 These Stories Cut Deep | Books No One Talks About (Part 1)Some stories don’t ask for your attention—they demand it. In this video, I share three unforgettable short story collections that explore survival, masculinity, addiction, and the quiet devastation of everyday life. These aren’t comforting reads—but they’re real, raw, and impossible to forget.✨ Featuring:🔹 American Salvage by Bonnie Jo Campbell🔹 The Hunters by James Salter🔹 Controlled Burn by Scott WolvenIf you’re drawn to fiction that explores hard truths, flawed characters, and lives on the edge—these are books you need to know about.📖 Topics covered:– Literary fiction with emotional depth– Gritty short stories about survival and masculinity– Underrated and overlooked books worth reading– The emotional power of unflinching fiction🔔 Subscribe for more honest book recommendations, deep dives, and literary discussions.Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Why YOU Should Not Quit Booktube Please read your book 2025-06-12 | Thinking About Quitting BookTube? Watch This First.Are you a BookTuber feeling burned out, ignored by the algorithm, or just plain discouraged? You're not alone—and this video is for you.In this honest and unfiltered message, I talk about the frustration many thoughtful creators feel on BookTube and why that feeling might actually be a reason to keep going. Whether you make in-depth reviews, essay-style videos, or just love talking about the books that matter to you, this platform needs your voice.📚 In this video, I cover:Why BookTube needs more thoughtful voices, not fewerHow to create without the hustle culture pressureWhy reading—and talking about reading—is a radical actThe value of honesty over polish in your videosAnd yes… why someone dumber is already succeeding 😬👉 If you’ve ever thought, “No one watches my videos, what’s the point?”—I hope this helps you reframe that feeling.Why reading is now a radical act: youtu.be/9N2_djXmWmQ?si=1yPLODXtzN3VQNlMLet me know in the comments: Have you ever felt like quitting BookTube? What keeps you going?Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
The BIG LIE About Fiction Please read your book 2025-06-08 | If you think genre fiction is just cheap thrills, I’m here to change your mind.In this video, I’m breaking down the myth that only literary fiction tackles serious ideas. From Frankenstein to The Hunger Games, The Shining to Never Let Me Go, I show how genre fiction has always been the place where writers wrestle with the biggest questions—identity, mortality, trauma, power, and justice.🔥 I talk about:* Why genre fiction is rooted in timeless human questions* How it says things literary fiction often can’t* How sci-fi, horror, fantasy, and crime reflect the fears of their time* The psychological and emotional depth behind the monsters and magic* Why the literary world is finally catching up to what readers already know📖 I share examples from:- Ursula K. Le Guin- Octavia E. Butler- Kazuo Ishiguro- Margaret Atwood - Colson Whitehead- Stephen King- Clive Barker✨ Whether you’re into dystopian futures, haunted houses, or gritty noir, this video is for readers who know that just because it has a spaceship doesn’t mean it’s not serious.👇 What’s a genre novel that made you think deeply? Let me know in the comments—I’m always looking for more to read.🔔 If you liked this, subscribe for more videos about crime fiction, literary depth in unexpected places, and why good stories don’t need a label.#booktube #GenreFiction #SciFiBooks #FantasyBooks #HorrorFiction #BookTube #CrimeFiction #OctaviaButler #StephenKing #MargaretAtwood #KazuoIshiguro #BookDiscussion #LiteraryFiction #BookTubeEssayJoin me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Why Reading Is Now A Radical Act Please read your book 2025-06-05 | #booktubeIn a world built on constant scrolling, reacting, and refreshing, choosing to sit down and read—really read—is no longer just a quiet pastime. It’s a radical act.In this video, I explore how deep, focused reading pushes back against the noise of modern life. Reading doesn’t demand your likes, your comments, or your performance. It invites stillness, complexity, and reflection—three things that feel increasingly rare.If you’ve ever wondered why reading feels different now—or why it matters more than ever—this one’s for you.Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
This Book Haunts Me Please read your book 2025-06-01 | In this video, I review I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman—a haunting and deeply human novel set in a mysterious post-apocalyptic world. With minimal world building and maximum emotional impact, this short book tells the story of a girl who grows up imprisoned with 39 other women, never knowing life outside a cage… until everything changes.Despite its disturbing premise, this novel is filled with quiet hope, existential reflection, and moments of profound beauty. It’s one of the most powerful books I’ve read all year—possibly ever.If you're drawn to speculative fiction that explores isolation, endurance, and the human spirit without giving easy answers, this book might just break your heart in the best way.👉 Let me know in the comments if you’ve read it—or if it’s now on your TBR.#BookReview #SpeculativeFiction #DystopianBooks #booktube Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Why you need to do a buddy read. Please read your book 2025-05-21 | #booktubeReading is usually a solo activity—but it doesn't have to be. In this video, I share how a recent buddy read with my friend Lekden brought me back to BookTube and changed how I think about reading.I talk about how buddy reads:* Reignite your love for books* Help you break out of a reading slump* Make you read more deeply and intentionally* Create accountability without pressure* Keep you engaged with the storyIf you're feeling stuck in your reading life or just want a new way to connect with books—and people—this might be what you're looking for.📚 Have you tried a buddy read? Drop your experience in the comments!Theme music: “Lights” by TrackTribe via YouTube audio library: @TrackTribe Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Solaris blew me away | Solaris - Stanislaw Lem Review Please read your book 2025-05-18 | #booktubeI read Solaris by Stanisław Lem and was completely floored. This isn’t just another science fiction classic — it’s a haunting, philosophical novel about human limits, memory, and the impossibility of true understanding.In this video, I talk through what makes Solaris so powerful: its unforgettable writing, its eerie atmosphere, and the way it quietly challenges everything we assume about intelligence and communication. I also look at how Lem’s work stands apart from other sci-fi authors of his time — and why Solaris still deserves more attention today.Whether you’ve read it, plan to read it, or just want to hear why this strange little novel blew me away, I hope you find something here worth thinking about.Let me know what Solaris meant to you in the comments.#sciencefiction #scifi #bookrecommendationsJoin me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
The Uncomfortable Truth at the Heart of Imago Please read your book 2025-05-06 | Welcome to our in-depth discussion of Octavia E. Butler’s Imago, the groundbreaking conclusion to the Xenogenesis trilogy (also known as Lilith’s Brood)! Join @arockinsamsara and myself as we unpack the complex themes, ethical dilemmas, and haunting beauty of Butler’s masterpiece.🔍 About the Book:Imago follows Jodahs, the first human-Oankali hybrid to mature into an ooloi—a gender-neutral mediator tasked with genetic trade. As Jodahs navigates their transformative role, the novel challenges ideas of identity, consent, and what it truly means to be “human” in a post-apocalyptic world reshaped by alien intervention.🌟 In This Video, We Explore:Discussion of "Dawn" (book 1): youtu.be/xjbrdpl_qgw?si=BvJ-MotA7jkQxfY-Discussion of "Adulthood Rites" (book 2): youtu.be/GZQdyBy_Av4?si=KGjZu2hkajmfU1th#booktube #scifi #sciencefiction Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
When Planets Whisper, Rivers Betray & Love Fades | May TBR Please read your book 2025-05-01 | #booktube📚 MAY READING PLANS 📚This month, I’m tackling three wildly different worlds: Stanislaw Lem’s Solaris (a sentient ocean with secrets), Can Xue’s Mother River (a reality-bending waterway), and Eileen Chang’s Half a Lifelong Romance (a love story steeped in betrayal and time). Think cosmic puzzles, liquid surrealism, and heartache that lingers for decades.If you’re into speculative fiction, literary weirdness, or raw emotional depth, hit play—and let me know your May reads in the comments.Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
5 Books Id Save From A Fire Please read your book 2025-04-15 | #booktubeWhat if you could only save five books from a fire? 📚🔥 In this video, I share the 5 books I’d grab if everything else had to burn. Some are personal, some are unforgettable reads—but all of them mean something to me.What 5 books would you save? Drop your list in the comments—I’d love to see what made the cut. 👇🧠💬My review of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter: youtu.be/ACl2C5hRQTI?si=mxhKF6_KneojjpH5My review of Going to Meet the Man: youtu.be/-MizBCd34Fk?si=kqhLv0z06Dr93ZIrJoin me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Read Whatever You Want Please read your book 2025-04-04 | #booktubeFeeling pressured by trends or worried about judgment for your reading choices? Here's the truth: no one cares as much as you think. In this video, I’ll share why you should stop stressing over what others think and read what makes you happy. Whether it’s graphic novels, romance, or anything in between, reading is about your personal enjoyment—forget the gatekeepers and the pressure to impress.Join me as we break down:Why impressing yourself is the only goal that matters.The problem with chasing fleeting reading trends.Why gatekeeping in reading is absurd and how to embrace all formats and genres.So, let’s stop feeling guilty about what we read! Do you agree? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let’s celebrate the joy of reading whatever excites us!Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Every Depressing Book I Read In March 2025 Please read your book 2025-03-29 | #booktubeHere's a rundown of everything I read in March of 2025, which seems to be depressing selection of books but they were actually really enjoyable.Discussion of Octavia E Bulter's Dawn: youtu.be/xjbrdpl_qgw?si=yaPWPWaX5KMp0Lr-Discussion of Octavia E Bulter's Adulthood Rites: youtu.be/GZQdyBy_Av4?si=j0WfJT0Q47EyZnnBMy review of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter: youtu.be/ACl2C5hRQTI?si=EssRy3qgNYtqKdKdBooks mentioned in this video:Ancillary Justice - Anne LeckieThe Stone Gods - Jeannette WintersonAdulthood Rites - Octavia E Butler (buddy read w/ Lekden)Ice — Anna KavanInterzone - William S. BurroughsThe Heart is a Lonely Hunter - Carson McCullersA Good Man is Hard to Find - Flannery O’ConnorStrange Pictures - UketsuCrying Freeman Vol 1 - Kazuo KoikeJoin me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
The Loneliest Book Ive Ever Read and youve probably never heard of it! Please read your book 2025-03-23 | #booktube📖 The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers is one of the most profoundly sad and beautiful books ever written. Set in a small Southern town, it weaves together the lives of outsiders—each longing to be understood, yet trapped in their own solitude. 💔McCullers captures the ache of isolation, the weight of unspoken dreams, and the fleeting nature of connection. If you’ve ever felt unseen, this novel will break your heart. And yet, there’s something hauntingly human about the way it lingers with you long after the final page.Watch my short review and let me know—have you read this classic? What are your thoughts? 👇Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
How to Build a Daily Reading Habit Please read your book 2025-03-17 | #booktubeBuilding a daily reading habit doesn't have to be difficult -- here are 3 real world tips you can use to develop a daily reading habit and become a better reader.Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Read with a Purpose Please read your book 2025-03-02 | #booktubeHow to Be a Better Reader – Read with a Purpose 📚✨Have you ever felt like you're reading a lot but not getting much out of it? Or maybe you struggle to stay engaged with what you're reading? In this video, I break down how reading with a purpose can change the way you approach books, making your reading time more meaningful, enjoyable, and rewarding.#reading #bookrecommendations #bookloverJoin me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Going to Meet the Man by James Baldwin is the Baldwin you NEED to read! Please read your book 2025-02-27 | #booktubeJames Baldwin’s powerful short story collection Going to Meet the Man explores the harsh realities of racism in America. 🇺🇸 In particular, the story 'Sonny’s Blues' offers a deeply emotional and evocative portrayal of the impact of racism, addiction, and the liberating power of jazz. 🎷💔 Join me as I unpack this iconic story and its unforgettable moments of personal and societal awakening. ✊🏽Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Dawn by Octavia E. Butler - Is humanity doomed to eternal conflict? Please read your book 2025-02-25 | #booktube Book Discussion: Dawn by Octavia E. Butler | Gender, Identity & Transformation 🌱👽In this video, Lekden (@arockinsamsara ) and I dive into Octavia E. Butler's Dawn, the first book in the Lilith's Brood trilogy, also known as the Xenogenesis Trilogy. We explore its powerful themes of gender, identity, and the nature of transformation as humans encounter an alien race determined to reshape humanity's future. 🔄✨Join us as we discuss Butler's nuanced portrayal of power dynamics, human evolution, and the complex relationships between gender and identity. 🌟👩🦱👨🦰 We reflect on how Dawn pushes boundaries and challenges perceptions of what it means to be human.Are you ready to question everything? Let's get into it! 📖💬Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Southern Gothic Lit Still Matters Please read your book 2025-02-15 | #booktubeExplore the haunting world of Southern Gothic literature in this deep dive into Decay & Desire 📚💀. From eerie landscapes to morally complex characters, this genre offers a compelling mix of beauty and grotesque darkness 🌒🌿. Join me as I unpack the chilling atmospheres and unsettling truths that define Southern Gothic lit. Whether you're a fan or new to the genre, this video will leave you with a new appreciation for its lasting impact 🔍✨.books mentioned in this video:As I Lay Dying - William FaulknerThe Sound & The Fury - William FaulknerLight in August - William FaulknerA Good Man is Hard to Find - Flannery O'ConnorEverything that Rises Must Converge - Flannery O'ConnorThe Heart is a Lonely Hunter - Carson McCullersBallad of the Sad Cafe - Carson McCullersSing Unburied, Sing - Jesmyn WardA Streetcar Named Desire - Tennessee WilliamsThe Glass Menagerie - Tennessee WilliamsAn Untamed State - Roxanne GayJoin me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie#bookrecommendations #litfic #southerngothic
What is the real price of freedom? One Mans Bible by Gao Xingjian book review Please read your book 2025-02-12 | #booktube In this video, I explore Gao Xingjian's powerful novel "One Man's Bible*" delving into its poignant themes of exile, memory, and the complex cost of freedom. Through the lens of the protagonist's personal journey, we examine how the weight of political and emotional displacement shapes one's identity. The novel raises profound questions about the role of memory in preserving or distorting the past. Join me for a thoughtful discussion on how Gao’s narrative captures the struggle between personal freedom and the ghosts of history.Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie#bookreview #nobelprizeforliterature #literaryfiction #litfic #bookreccomendation
4 Reasons Reading is the Antidote to Doomscrolling | Reclaim Your Mind Please read your book 2025-02-07 | #booktubeWe all know that doomscrolling is unhealthy for us, but how can we stop? I've got the solution and four reasons why this solution works.Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Taboo Topics In Literature - Why Are They Important? Please read your book 2025-01-23 | #booktubeI sometimes read books that I'm not comfortable discussing on social media, which raises the question -- why read books with taboo topics?Books mentioned in this video:Lolita - Vladamir NabakovUlysses - James JoyceThe Cather in the Rye - J. D. SalingerAmerican Psycho - Bret Easton EllisLast Exit to Brooklyn - Hubert Selby, JrTampa - Alisa NuttingJoin me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie#bannedbooksweek #bannedbooksweek #booklover #bookrecommendations #literaryfiction
The Vegetarian by Han Kang is about CHOICE Please read your book 2025-01-18 | #booktube🥦📚 The Vegetarian by Han Kang is a dark and thought-provoking novel that challenges societal norms and explores the complexity of personal choices. 🥦📚Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie#bookerprize #hankang #literaryfiction #litfic #bookrecommendations #booklover
Why You Should Read Widely & How To Start Please read your book 2025-01-16 | #booktube🌟 Why You Should Read Widely (And How to Get Started!) 📚Are you stuck in a reading rut? Or maybe you want to explore new genres but don't know where to start? In this video, we dive into the power of reading widely and how it can transform your perspective, spark creativity, and broaden your understanding of the world.👉 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite reads in the comments! Let’s build a community of adventurous readers. 🌎💡Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
Why Booktube Should Care About The Tik Tok Ban Please read your book 2025-01-12 | #booktubeThe US is set to ban access to tik tok, which will have a huge impact on bookish content creators across all platforms, not just tik tok. Join me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
5 Great Lit Fic Books I Read In 2024 Please read your book 2025-01-04 | #booktubeI read some great literary fiction in 2024, here's 5 of them.Books mentioned in this video:Last Night - James SalterLove in a Fallen City - Eileen ChangHard Rain Falling - Don CarpenterThe Sorrow of War - Bao NinhThe Motel Life - Willie Vlautin
5 Great Crime Books I Read In 2024 Please read your book 2025-01-03 | #booktubeI talk about 5 great crime books I read this year.Find me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrieLook for Tom Vater here: goodreads.com/author/show/539636.Tom_VaterTod Molloy's noir site here: todmolloy.comBooks mentioned in this video:The Cambodian Book of the Dead - Tom VaterThe Moving Target - Ross MacDonaldPort Lands - Tod MolloyShe Rides Shotgun - Jordan HarperBlacktop Wasteland - S. A. Cosby#crimebooks #thriller #bookrecommendations
Are you feeding the BOOKTUBE BEAST? Please read your book 2025-01-01 | #booktubeOver the holidays I read a few books and I watched more booktube than I care to admit. I have a few thoughts on the types of videos that seem to dominate and what I would like to see more of instead.Books & authors mentioned in this video:All Night All Blood is Black - David DiopThe Salt Grows Heavy - Cassandra KhawCount Zero - William GibsonBerserk Vols 25 & 26 - Kentaro MiuraFind me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrie
5 Great HORROR BOOKS I Read In 2024 Please read your book 2024-12-29 | #booktube I talk about 5 great horror books I read in 2024.Check out my Mega Horror Tier Ranking video here: youtu.be/sF4DMzOyhRoBooks mentioned in this video:Wormwood - Poppy Z. BriteThings We Lost In The Fire - Mariana EnriquezExperimental Film - Gemma FilesSkin - Kathe KojaThe Books of Blood, Vol 1 - Clive BarkerFind me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrie#books #bookreview #bookrecommendations #horrorfiction
5 Great MANGA I read in 2024 Please read your book 2024-12-26 | #booktubeI read some great Manga in 2024, and here are 5 of the best.Books mentioned in this video:Gantz G - Hiroya OkuHomunculus - Hideo YamamotoH.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness - Gou TanabeBlame! - Nihei TsutomoBerserk - Kentaro MiuraFind me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrie#manga #horrorfiction #berserk #grimdark #scififantasy
This Dead Simple Plan Will Crush My 2025 Reading Goals Please read your book 2024-12-24 | #booktubeThis Dead Simple Plan Will Crush My 2025 Reading Goals.Find me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrie#books #goals #readingvlog #literaryfiction #horrorfiction #crimebooks #manga #horrorfiction
Why Horror Is Worth Reading in 2025 Please read your book 2024-12-22 | #booktubeI recently finished "Things We Lost In The Fire" by Mariana Enriquez and it reaffirmed for me how & why horror fiction is so often superior to literary fiction and other genre fiction. Books mentioned in this video:Things We Lost in The Fire - Mariana EnriquezThe Dangers of Smoking in Bed - Mariana EnriquezeIt - Stephen KingDawn - Octavia E ButlerQueer - William S BurroughsInterzone - Willam S BurroughThe Atrocity Exhibition - J. G. BallardAt Night All Blood Is Black - David DiopThe Salt Grows Heavy - Cassandra KhawFind me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrie#horror #horrortok #books #bookreview
Stoner by John Willams - Is it the best novel youve never read? Buddy Read - pt 3 Please read your book 2024-12-16 | #booktube #johnwilliams #buddyreadIs "Stoner" by John Williams really the best novel you've never read? Join Lekden from @arockinsamsara and myself as we try to answer that question in our final discussion of this booktube darling.Part one of our discussion: youtu.be/hULY4fmNhNUPart two of our discussion: youtu.be/pKr-bq-tMiA?si=7r1SiXeABloHoW8nFind me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrie
Hard Rain Falling / Stoner / The Savage Detectives / Reading Goals are silly Please read your book 2024-12-08 | #booktubeThis week I discuss my thoughts on The Savage Detectives, Stoner, and Hard Rain Falling. I also talk about why I think reading goals are silly and unnecessary.Check out the first buddy read discussion of Stoner here: youtu.be/hULY4fmNhNUAnd the second episode here:Other channels mentioned:Reading from the Depths: @arockinsamsara A Life on Books Podcast: @Lifeonbooks Books mentioned in this video:The Savage Detectives - Roberto BolanoStoner - John WilliamsHard Rain Falling - Dan CarpenterThe Sorrow of War - Bao NinhFind me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrie
Stoner by John Williams - Buddy Read with Lekden - Ep 01 Please read your book 2024-12-01 | #booktubeJoin myself and Lekden from @arockinsamsara as we kick off our buddy read of the much celebrated American academia novel, "Stoner" by John Williams. We discuss why we want to do a buddy read, connecting with other readers online and our reservations about the book. We will be back in a few weeks to share our thoughts on the book, so be sure to subscribe so don't miss the exciting continuation of our buddy read series.#stoner #johnwilliams #buddyread #bookclub #litfic #bookreview #bookdiscussion Find me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrie
The Things They Carried & Why We Should Read A-Typical Books Please read your book 2024-11-27 | #booktubeWhat Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried reveals about truth, war, and the value of exploring unconventional literature.Books mentioned in this video:The Things They Carried - Tim O'BrienTopics discussed:Vietnam WarUnconventional literatureMemoryFragmented narrativesMetafictionMemoirFind me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrie
5 Books For Men: A Response to No Books For Men Please read your book 2024-11-21 | #booktubeI'm tired of hearing there are no books for men, so I did something about it -- here are 5 Books for Men. These are real books, written by real men and read by me, a real man! This is so manly, it's absolutely dripping with testosterone!!!#mantube #booksformen #men #nobooksformen
Notice by Heather Lewis & Why We Should Read Difficult Books Please read your book 2024-11-18 | #booktube "Notice" by Heather Lewis is a raw and haunting exploration of trauma, power, and self-destruction, following a young woman who turns to sex work after leaving rehab. As she navigates a world of violence and exploitation, her fragile sense of control unravels, leading to devastating consequences.A book like this also raises the question -- why read a difficult or disturbing book.Find me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrie
What does China look like in 2024? - Shanghai City Please read your book 2024-11-16 | Shanghai, China - My first attempt at a city walk vlog using the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. These are some short clips of Nanjing Road and the side streets in the area around dusk in mid-November of 2024.#shanghai #china #chinatravel #djiosmopocket3 #walkingtour
The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh is a journey through memory and loss. Please read your book 2024-11-10 | #booktube In "The Sorrow of War", Bao Ninh takes readers on a haunting journey through the memories and emotional scars that the Vietnamese people endured before, during and after the Vietnam War. Join me as I explore this powerful novel, examining its unique perspective on love, loss, and the aftermath of war. We’ll dive into the story of Kien, a North Vietnamese soldier haunted by trauma and longing, and discuss how Ninh’s writing brings the complex reality of war to life. Whether you're interested in war literature or stories about the resilience of the human spirit, "The Sorrow of War" is a must-read that will stay with you long after the last page.Books mentioned in this video:The Sorrow of War - Bao NinhPercy Jackson & The Olympians - The Lightning Thief - Rick RiordianHowl's Moving Castle - Diana Wynne JonesFind me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrie#vietnamwar #booklover #bookrecommendations #bookreviews
The Exorcist was disappointing in so many ways...but I finished it. Please read your book 2024-10-27 | #booktubeI finished reading The Exorcist and have some thoughts to share on it. I also discuss:why manga is a great formatgenre fictionwhy adverbs suckwhen to DNF a bookbooks mentioned in this video:The Exorcist - William Peter BlattyH.P. Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulu - Gou TanabeH.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness - Gou TanabeH.P. Lovecraft's The Hound and Other Tales - Gou TanabeThe Sorrow of War - Bao NinhLast Night - James SalterFind me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrie
Reading The Exorcist - Book Haul - US Literacy Rates Please read your book 2024-10-20 | #booktubeI’m currently reading The Exorcist by William Peter Beatty. I also discuss:books I’ve recently purchasedliteracy rates in the USteaching kids to readwhy I don’t want to teach in the US now“So…the reading crisis is REAL” by @KDbooks : youtu.be/eQLSJLU3ndU?si=ZOijeMIpvmI99K1i “Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong”: features.apmreports.org/sold-a-storyBooks mentioned in this videoThe Exorcist - William Peter BlattyWhat We Talk About When We Talk About Love - Raymond CarverAlien 3 - The Unproduced First-Draft Screenplay - William Gibson, Pat CadigonRunaway - Alice MunroThis Storm - James ElroyThe Mad and the Bad - Jean-Patrick ManchetteThe Memory Police - Yoko OzawaTender is the Flesh - Augustina BazterricaCloud Atlas - David MitchellButcher’s Crossing - John WilliamsThings We Lost in the Fire - Mariana EnriquezLast Night - James SalterSilver Nitrate - Silvia Moreno-GarciaFind me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/carlfrieJoin me on Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/carlfrie
