Once Upon A StormIt’s official! After 100 videos, I am submitting my application to be your favorite booktuber! If you are looking for cute, fun, emotionally safe reads, this is the place for you!
I am so grateful for the idea and am collaborating with the channels listed below, because while I’d love for you to accept my application, I can’t be everyone’s favorite…
“She answered by standing and kissing him first and held his cheeks and closed her eyes and felt sure as bones and deep as blood that she had found her place.” -The Goose Girl, Shannon Hale
Books Mentioned: The Host Dungeons and Drama Edenbrooke A Countess Below Stairs Seven Daughters and Seven Sons Tell Me Three Things
My application to be your next favorite BookTuber!Once Upon A Storm2026-09-07 | It’s official! After 100 videos, I am submitting my application to be your favorite booktuber! If you are looking for cute, fun, emotionally safe reads, this is the place for you!
I am so grateful for the idea and am collaborating with the channels listed below, because while I’d love for you to accept my application, I can’t be everyone’s favorite…
“She answered by standing and kissing him first and held his cheeks and closed her eyes and felt sure as bones and deep as blood that she had found her place.” -The Goose Girl, Shannon Hale
Books Mentioned: The Host Dungeons and Drama Edenbrooke A Countess Below Stairs Seven Daughters and Seven Sons Tell Me Three Things
I didn’t use my pop filter and you can totally tell and I am so sorry.
“You know, most boys would enjoy being trapped in close quarters with a girl." I roll my eyes. "Not claustrophobic people, Tris.” ― Veronica Roth, Divergent
Books Mentioned: The Hunger Games Series The Divergent Series
This blog doesn’t even cover retellings I’ce read since, like Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal
Did you catch the crazy jump to the synopsis? Yeah, that’s because I forgot to read it, read it WAY later in the video and had to puzzle it back to gather…
“But I should hope novel readers are slightly kinder, wiser, and more empathetic. We have lived ten thousand lives through books, have endured ten thousand heartaches and joys. As I always say, I think those who do not read novels are the most miserable sort of human beings.” ― June Hur, Behind Five Willows
Books Mentioned: Behind Five Willows Cinderella Beauty and the Beast Pride and Prejudice Emma Persuasion Northanger Abbey Unmarriageable
“When I was seated next to you, I don’t know how to describe it, but… that first day I saw you in class, the moment I saw your face…I felt like I’d come home.” ― Jesse Sutanto, Didn’t See That Coming
Books Mentioned: Didn’t See That Coming Twelfth Knight
Okay the hidden doors start at $600 and go up, but still.
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Books Mentioned: Beauty and the Beast Ella Enchanted Chronicles of Narnia The Lord of the Rings Magic Tree House Sanditon
Literally not me reading the synopsis for Dreamland and not for Once and for All…Here it is if you want it: “Louna, daughter of famed wedding planner Natalie Barrett, has seen every sort of wedding: on the beach, at historic mansions, in fancy hotels and clubs. Perhaps that's why she's cynical about happily-ever-after endings, especially since her own first love ended tragically. When Louna meets charming, happy-go-lucky serial dater Ambrose, she holds him at arm's length. But Ambrose isn't about to be discouraged, now that he's met the one girl he really wants”
So I tried to help the audio, let me know if it’s just terrible…Also, I am so sorry for the amount of times I hit my mic. I literally cut out as many as I could.
Sorry for the La La Land tangent…
“Everything in life had its phases, and if you were smart, you learned to appreciate them all.
What really mattered, though, were the people in those moments with you. Memories are what we have and what we keep, and I held mine close. The ones I knew well, like a night on the beach with a boy who would always live in my heart, and the ones yet to come with another.” ― Sarah Dessen, Once and for All
Books Mentioned: Dreamland Once and for All Just Listen The Truth About Forever This Lullaby Along for the Ride* Lock and Key What Happened to Goodbye Saint Anything
*This has a movie adaptation, so I want to re-read the book, watch the movie, and make a video about it
Maddie Storm Bolton’s Definitive List of Emotionally Safe Reads Video Maddie Storm Bolton’s Definitive List of Emotionally Safe Reads
“I kissed you because I wanted to. You look beautiful, I like your mouth, you kiss like a goddess—and we both liked it. That’s it. So maybe let’s not overthink it…?” ― Lynn Painter, Maid for Each Other
The books mentioned in the synopsis and in the book: • TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD • GREAT EXPECTATIONS • WUTHERING HEIGHTS • MANSFIELD PARK • THE GREAT GATSBY • MIDDLEMARCH • BELOVED • ON THE ROAD • THE BELL JAR
We do not play about anonymity here. We LOVE it and will read it every single time!
Would y’all like more spoiler-full videos???
Books Mentioned: The Book Swap Pride and Prejudice Sense and Sensibility Persuasion
"1. Why do you write in the margins? I always have. Don't you think books would go way closer to the edge of the page if they didn't want us to write in them? I always think of the author and how sad it must be to have someone read your words and then move on as though they meant nothing. I can't do that. Books teach us, and I want to make sure I'm learning everything they're offering. I write in the margins to remember the book, to keep the words in my heart." ― Tessa Bickers, The Book Swap
Hazel Buchanan has her senior year mapped out: Win respect as color guard captain, kick off her first D&D campaign, and steer clear of distractions. But her plan takes a critical hit when Max—her former best friend and longtime crush—returns to town with drumsticks in hand and an unexplained chip on his shoulder.
Hazel and Max can’t help bickering every time they’re together, and thanks to meddling parents, he’s invading her D&D game too. As Dungeon Master, she’s ready to shut him down, but D&D has a way of bringing people together like nothing else. Is this rivalry masking something more? With dice rolling and emotions spinning, Hazel might be in for more than she planned . . .”
I apologize that I keep moving/looking away from my mic. I will work at doing less of that in future videos!
Dungeons and Drama Video Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce / CALLING ALL NERDS
Dating and Dramas Video Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce / CALLING ALL NERDS PART 2
I mention just two of many Easter Eggs spread out throughout the book.
Uhhhhh…do I need to start a counter for every time I start a line of thinking and never finish it?
Maddie Storm Bolton’s Definitive List of Emotionally Safe Reads Video Maddie Storm Bolton’s Definitive List of Emotionally Safe Reads
Books Mentioned: Rolls and Rivalry Dungeons and Drama Dating and Dragons
“‘I haven’t forgotten anything.’ Our eyes meet and the warmth of his gaze sends fire sparking down my veins. Then he grins. ‘Did I ever tell you that Viggo actually broke his toe when he kicked that helmet in The Two Towers?’ ‘I will throw this laptop at your head.’” ― Kristy Boyce, Rolls and Rivalry
Things I forgot to mention. While there were three rows of vendors. There were many, many booths throughout the entire festival for different sponsors, organizations, and such. Also, Nowhere Books was the official bookstore, so you could any book from any talk from the day in their tent.
Books Mentioned: The Cheat Sheet
“I walked into a local coffee shop, the bell chimed over my head, and she looked up from a book, eyes locking with mine from across the room. She was a defibrillator to my chest. Bam. My heart hasn’t beat the same since.” ― Sarah Adams, The Cheat Sheet
Two weeks in a row: books I know/read/got from my eldest sister.
Books Mentioned: Marcia Schuyler
“At last David turned toward his wife with a smile as though he had known she was there all the time, and had felt her sympathy. Her heart leaped up with new strength at that look, and her husband’s firm touch as he drew her hand within his arm to lead her over to the bride gave her courage. She felt that she could face the battle, and with a bright smile that lit up her whole lovely face she marched bravely to the front to do or to die.” ― Grace Livingston Hill, Marcia Schuyler
Jk the 11th century, so 1000’s Baghdad. “Comme ci comme ça” is French for “Like this like that”, i.e. “It is what it is” basically. My gosh. I added the text on the screen to correct myself, but part two is all new events from his perspective, part three is some of the same events from her perspective…please forgive my misremembering…
Books Mentioned: Seven Daughters and Seven Sons
“I came for a purpose, and I left for a reason.” ― Barbara Cohen, Seven Daughters and Seven Sons
You can tell what day of the week I filmed based on whether I have makeup on..
What I am trying to say is that Bella Breen has a whole collection of Pride and Prejudice AU. There are also just loads of Pride and Prejudice spin-offs in general
Books Mentioned: Darcy’s Cinderella
“Mr. Darcy made his way back to the balcony to where Elizabeth’s domino still lay. He bent and picked it up. ‘This is proof I have not lost my mind, that she was indeed here.’” ― Bella Breen, Darcy’s Cinderella
Books Mentioned: The Goose Girl A Little Something Different Prom and Prejudice Ella Enchanted Enthusiasm Dungeons and Drama I’m Not Charlotte Lucas A Countess Below Stairs The Truth About Forever Edenbrooke Blackmore
“Did you need something?' I asked. 'Yes,' he said, reaching out and taking my hand. My heart thumped hard at his touch. I told myself I should pull my hand away, but I couldn't make myself do it. 'What did you need?' My voice was little more than a whisper. 'Your smile. I haven't seen it all day.” ― Julianne Donaldson, Edenbrooke
Books Mentioned: The Last Days of the Romanovs: Tragedy at Ekaterinburg The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra The Race to Save the Romanovs: The Truth Behind the Secret Plans to Rescue the Russian Imperial Family Rosemary
“When I am dead, I will not hurt anymore, will it Mama?...When I am dead, build me a little monument of stones in the woods.” – Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia
Books Mentioned: Borrow My Heart Sunkissed Luck in Love P. S. I Like You The Fill-In Boyfriend On the Fence (I think this is the frist Kasie West book I ever read) The Distance Between Us By Your Side
“I’m sorry that more than your brain actually likes a boy. It’s not a fun feeling to let your heart out of its cage, is it?” I took another bite of the cookie. “It sucks. And it’s only out for loan.” “Your heart?” “Yes, I’m just letting him borrow it for a while. It’s a trial run.” Kamala laughed. “If that makes you feel better.” ― Kasie West, Borrow My Heart
Books Mentioned: A Countess Below Stairs Hyperbole and a Half The Host The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Pride and Prejudice Wuthering Heights
“To reiterate, no matter how much pepper you eat, it won’t undo the ludicrous amount of salt you ate before it.” ― Allie Brosh, Hyperbole and a Half
“Nothing compares to the happiness I feel when I sit down with a good book and don’t get up until I’ve finished reading it.” -”Book Love” by Debbie Tung
Books Mentioned: Pride, Prejudice, and Cheese Grits Pride and Prejudice Unmarriageable Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Prom & Prejudice Emma, Mr. Knightley, and Chili Slaw Dogs Emma Persuasion, Captain Wentworth, and Crackin’ Cornbread Persuasion
“Something funny?” he[Jem] murmured out of the corner of his mouth. “Just thinking how you’re just like Captain Wentworth and I’m just like Tina Turner.” ― Mary Jane Hathaway, Persuasion, Captain Wentworth and Cracklin' Cornbread
Books Mentioned: Marcia Schuyler The Princess The Proposal The Rescue The Visitor The Pursuit The Silent Governness The Girl in the Gatehouse The Painter’s Daughter Edenbrooke
It is surprisingly difficult to find a fitting quote from Lori Wick or Grace Livingston Hill, so here is one that I just like: “‘No. I’m okay with silence. We’re in a library after all. This is the birthplace of silence.’ ‘The library is the birthplace of silence?’ David asked. ‘All the words are being used by the books. When I was little, that’s what I used to think. That people were told to be quiet so that all their words didn’t get stolen by the books. I thought books needed words to exist. Well, obviously they do, but I thought they needed spoken words. Yeah … I was always weird.’” ― Kasie West, P.S. I Like You
Books Mentioned: The Marriage Mart Shuffle, Repeat The Skeptical Heart The June Bride
“Enjoy the Wine, but do not allow yourself to become drunk upon it, she chided herself as she slid toward slumber.” —Teresa DesJardien, “The Marriage Mart”
Books Mentioned: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
“What are you really studying?" He leans back to look at her. "The statistical probability of love at first sight.” ― Jennifer E. Smith, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
“We accept the love we think we deserve”* feels so applicable to this particular rant. There was another quote from a book I read more recently that I feel applies well, "Jack knows all of this, and he loves me. Not anyway, but because.”**
“Two a.m.' He swallowed, then said, "You know. The person you can call at two a.m. and, no matter what, you can count on them. Even if they're asleep or it's cold or you need to be bailed out of jail...they'll come for you. It's like, the highest level of friendship.” ― Sarah Dessen, What Happened to Goodbye
“It's strange though. People make such a big deal about looks, but after a while, when you know someone, you don't even notice anymore, do you? It's just the way they look.” ― Alex Flinn, Beastly
Too good a quote not to include in the description also: But as Etienne says, “I cheated on her every day. In my mind, I thought of you in ways I shouldn’t have, again and again. She was nothing compared to you. I’ve never felt this way about anybody before…” - it’s also the book that got me to Paris, so I can never not love this book.
I am straight up just going through my recently read on Goodreads. If you REALLY want to know what books I’m skipping over, my Goodreads is linked in all of my video descriptions. All the books I went through are books I have read this year. I didn’t make it all the way to the beginning of 2025, but all the way back to like March.
Books Mentioned: Anna and the French Kiss True Beauty (Webtoon) Rival Darling
The movie mentioned: Ever After
Shows mentioned: Love 020 Put Your Head On My Shoulder Falling Into Your Smile A Little Thing Called First Love True Beauty (live action and anime)
“For an instant she felt his touch on her cheek then he stepped back. There that was my ration for all eternity. People have died for less I dare say.” ― Eva Ibbotson, A Countess Below Stairs
“Whatever history remembered of us, whether it likened us to the sun and the moon - only permitted to meet once a year - or simply to a boy and a girl touched by the stars, fate had danced to bring us together.” ― Elizabeth Lim, Unravel the Dusk
Books Mentioned: Pride and Prejudice Unmarriageable Dear Mr. Knightly Dear Daddy Long Legs Beastly
“It was a truth universally acknowledged, Alys suddenly thought with a smile, that people enter our lives in order to recommend reads.” ― Soniah Kamal, Unmarriageable
Books Mentioned: Solutions and Other Problems Hyperbole and a Half
“For the sake of trust building, the third chapter will follow the second. But then we will jump directly to chapter five, do you understand? No chapter four. Why? Because sometimes things don’t go like they should.” ― Allie Brosh, Solutions and Other Problems
Books Mentioned: I am Princess X The Girl with the Wrong Name
“He smiled at May and tilted his head ever so slightly, and he said the only thing she wanted to hear in the whole world: “The princess has asked to see you.” ― Cherie Priest, I Am Princess X
Back-to-back SUPER emotionally safe reads. We are here for it. If I am taking the time to film, edit, and post a video, 9 times ouf of 10, it’s because the book will rock your socks, in a safe way, mostly. 1 time out of 10, it’s because you should avoid it. We know this. In this book, they livestream their campaign, which is 100% a thing. If you feel so inclined, check out Critical Role. There is cussing and inappropriate topics, so watch at your own discretion. I had to work in “sneaky-sneaks” IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW. I had to mention “Stranger Things” because, personally, I feel like my love of this show helped peak my interest for this game when my friend mentioned that he wanted to run a campaign. I didn’t want to spoil anything, but if you need further convincing of the just absolutely downright adorable-ness of Logan, look up quotes from this book. You’ll swoon and then immediately need to know the context and magically end up reading the whole book! Win-win-win. I’ve already finished theC-Drama I was watching (When I Fly Towards You) and have started and become obsessed with another one (First Frost). Both are on Netflix. IF you watch “First Frost”, watch “Hidden Love” first because they are set in the same universe.
Books Mentioned: Edenbrooke Dating and Dragons Dungeons and Drama
A little D&D reference snuck in for you: “But even if we aren’t talking anymore, it doesn’t mean I’m not fully aware of Logan’s presence inches from me. It’s like my entire body has become attuned to him, picking up on the slightest changes that no one else would notice.” [italicize added by me!] ― Kristy Boyce, Dating and Dragons
Books Mentioned: Edenbrooke Blackmoore A Countess Below Stairs Seven Daughters and Seven Sons
Because the “mysterious strangers” “fake” love letter is too sweet to not include: “To my unsuspecting love. When I look into your eyes, I lose all sense of time and place. Reason robbed, clear thought erased, I am lost in the paradise I find within your gaze. I long to touch your blushing cheek, to whisper in your ear how I adore you, how I have lost my heart to you, how I cannot bear the thought of living without you. To be so near to you without touching you is agony. Your blindness to my feelings is a daily torment, and I feel driven to the edge of madness by my love for you. Where is your compassion when I need it most? Open your eyes , Love, and see what is right before you: that I am not merely a friend, but a man deeply, desperately, in love with you. Longing for you.” ― Julianne Donaldson, Edenbrooke
You can tell I’m thinking hard about what I’m saying or about to say because I talk with my eyes closed..
Books mentioned: Romeo and Juliet Wuthering Heights Pride and Prejudice The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Seven Daughters and Seven Sons Percy Jackson and the Olympians Heroes of Olympus
“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
The fact that I have had MULTIPLE conversations about the star rating system for books in the last couple weeks and both amusing and mind blowing. Who knew that readers had so many opinions on the way they rate books..
“Do I know everything about him already? she thought, bewildered. And back came the answer: Everything. You are branded with this knowledge, you will have it for the rest of time.” ― Eva Ibbotson, The Reluctant Heiress
Please forgive me for forgetting to read the synopsis in the video itself, you can find it below:
“Two struggling teenagers find an unexpected connection just when they need it most.
Sometimes a new perspective is all that is needed to make sense of the world.
KIT: I don’t know why I decide not to sit with Annie and Violet at lunch. It feels like no one here gets what I’m going through. How could they? I don’t even understand.
DAVID: In the 622 days I’ve attended Mapleview High, Kit Lowell is the first person to sit at my lunch table. I mean, I’ve never once sat with someone until now. “So your dad is dead,” I say to Kit, because this is a fact I’ve recently learned about her.
When an unlikely friendship is sparked between relatively popular Kit Lowell and socially isolated David Drucker, everyone is surprised, most of all Kit and David. Kit appreciates David’s blunt honesty—in fact, she finds it bizarrely refreshing. David welcomes Kit’s attention and her inquisitive nature. When she asks for his help figuring out the how and why of her dad’s tragic car accident, David is all in. But neither of them can predict what they’ll find. Can their friendship survive the truth?”
Could I play with my hair more? Could I move my hands more? Geez how do y’all stand it?
Don’t get on me for my love of calculus.
“They seem to understand that the world is a big, diverse place, and that different is not the same thing as scary. It’s amazing to me how many people mistake the two.” ― Julie Buxbaum, What to Say Next*
“There’s something quiet about you. For example, if you were a radiowave, you’d have your very own wavelength. That’s isolating, I think, because I don’t think everyone can hear you” ― Julie Buxbaum, What to Say Next**
*This quote is from the first half ** I wanted to use a quote from the second half of the book, but this quote was too perfect for what I feel like this blog is saying.
Comments I have while editing: I love using the term “Net Zero”. What’s funny is that these aren’t necessarily my favorite books, but they give you a well-rounded idea of the books I am likely to pick up..
Big fan of Georgette Heyer. I haven’t written a blog or posted a video on her, but I’m sure we’ll get there. “The Grand Sophie” is a good place to start.
“Men think they take the blame, but it is women who truly shoulder it.” Dance of Hearts: a Cinderella Regency Romance Retelling by Byrd Nash
Books mentioned: Dance of the Heart Darcy’s Cinderella Pride and Prejudice The Grand Sophie
It's that time of year! Christmas, obviously! This video is 0% review. I read three Christmas short stories from the Christmas in Your Heart series. I hope you enjoy the change. So sit back and relax as we dive into the most wonderful time of the year!
I looked through a couple of different volumes, and, ironically, all three of these stories come from the same volume as my first blog/video.
“I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses.” - “My Christmas Miracle” by Taylor Caldwell
I planned to start my Christmas movies this week, but we had some crazy family news. So instead of filming and editing later in the week, we are taking a mid-week road trip... However, because I do have two Christmas video ideas, I might (heavy on the MIGHT) do an extra upload before Christmas. So keep an eye out!
“Sometimes the right path might seem like a really crazy move.” ― Sean Lowe, For the Right Reasons: America's Favorite Bachelor on Faith, Love, Marriage, and Why Nice Guys Finish First
“I like knowing that you exist. It doesn't make me feel any less lonely, because life is lonely, but it makes me feel a lot less alone.” ― Mary H.K. Choi, Emergency Contact
Unedited thoughts: Goodness, please ignore my unwashed hair. Not me editing out over four minutes of me reading my own blog.. Will I ever remember to say “Like, Comment, and Subscribe” on a regular basis? Doubtful.
“She tried to comfort herself with the idea, that what he imagined her to be, did not alter the fact of what she was. But it was a truism, a phantom, and broke down under the weight of her regret.” ― Elizabeth Gaskell, North And South
Books Mentioned: North and South Pride and Prejudice