2:24 Midnight Library - Matt Haig 6:29 The Four Winds -Kristin Hannah 12:04 The Duke and I (Brigerton) - Julia Quinn 14:58 A Court Of Silver Flames - Sarah J. Maas 18:08 The Invisible Life of Addie Larue - V.E. Schwab 23:40 The Guestlist - Lucy Foley 26:31 The Vanishing Half - Brit Bennett 30:22 Anxious People - Fredrik Backman 34:05 The Push - Ashley Audrain 39:08 Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo

@nikkit.968

2 жыл бұрын

Doing God’s Work 🙌🙌

@thetorturedreader

2 жыл бұрын

ty

@gabiocampos

2 жыл бұрын

An angel 👼

One thing I adore about your channel is that even when we have completely different opinions on a book, you make me rethink some of the aspects of the plot. Like with Kristin Hannah. I tend to enjoy her books, but you nailed it with the "women = suffering" comment, which is definitely the thing I couldn't put my finger on when reading The Great Alone by her. Love your honest reviews.

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

ah thank you so much! and that's good to know re: the great alone because i was considering reading that one lol

@sdrawkcabemdaer5

2 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed the Great Alone but it is deeeefinitely suffering upon suffering upon suffering, any time you think there's an opportunity for things to turn around they just get worse 😭

@ravenswood118

2 жыл бұрын

maybe you're just easily swayed

"Maybe this is one of the five books you'll read this year..." The SHADE and omg I am totally here for it 😂

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

when i was editing i almost cut that buuuuut 💀

@allisonh2340

2 жыл бұрын

@@chandlerainsley Leaving it in was definitely the right choice

@MissSunshine9700

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was left in the video - I think it definitely categorizes readers. People who only a read a couple books a year tend to have different needs from a book than avid readers.

@ThaliaRam

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, this comment threw me off, honestly there are some readers like myself who love to read books, but I can probably read only 20-25 max per year. Especially as an ICU doctor in the middle of a pandemic...but through the video I appreciated her honest insights, and I was honestly grateful for it. That way, I could carefully select books more appropriate for my tastes. (I had actually read the Midnight Library last December and it was a big let down lol).

@ravenswood118

2 жыл бұрын

People who have a lot of free time on their hands probably shouldn't be this elitist towards people who may have to work 3 jobs and don't have time to read a book a day. You guys are insufferable.

i love all these goodreads lists videos you're doing. there's so much hate for goodreads out there that sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who actually likes using it and likes all these lists they put out and their recommendation sections and all other features. oh, also, you should totally do like "books to read instead of bridgerton" recommendation video!

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

that would be fun!! and yeah, it's tough because amazon owns goodreads now so i understand people's annoyance with that and some of the features that don't get updated... but it's clear that a lot of people that work for goodreads itself love books and i'm not ready to stop using it just yet. it's a platform i'm super comfy on and i like all of the little lists and stuff. so there will be more vids to come like this haha

A 43 minute video from Chandler? Best way to spend a Sunday!

The Push is one of my new favorite books of all time, and definitely one of the best books I have read all year. Its SOOO well done. Its relatable and realistic which is what makes it feel so dark and unsettling. It makes you think, and its so creative and layered. It's just phenomenal and its so hard for me to put into words WHY.

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

yes! it's one that i know i'll get more out of the more i reread it

I appreciate the way you articulate your thoughts while considering our unique experiences with the books while reviewing!!

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

thank you i really appreciate you saying that!

18 year old dude here who loves watching you gush about romance and fae books ❤

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

heh thanks for watching

Anxious People is one of my all time favorite books now and your thoughts about it compared to The Midnight Library and Addie Larue were exactly what I thought as well. Reading about different people’s lives and how they interconnected was much more interesting than reading about just one character whose only personality trait seemed to be their mental issue.

Chandler updating on my bday is a great bday present! And she's talking about a lot of books that are already on my TBR!

Chandler saving me from my boring ass Sunday with a +40 mins new video, thank you for everything!

Im so with you on The four winds. I JUST LOOVED YOUR OPINION. You summed it up so beautifully!

I always get such lovely book recommendations from you, thank you Chandler!💗

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

You always get me excited about reading, even during reading slumps

I love the Vanishing Half, it was one of my favorite books of 2020 🌸🌿 I loved watching you read all of these and share your opinions!

Glad to hear your thoughts on Shadow & Bone. I've been putting it off since it's older YA but you've convinced me to give it a go!

New subscriber thanks to this video!! I loved The Guest List because I felt it had the perfect ending. Everything was wrapped up so concisely and you don’t see that in many thrillers. Your review of the push reminded me why it’s on my TBR and I finally got around to putting a hold on it at my library. You should do a part 2 of this video! And a version for the romance genre too! ❤️ Love your work and I’ll be binging you tonight!

I enjoy these videos that you do where you look at a list of books that someone has made and then challenge it. 🤩

Your reviews are so intelligent and always make me consider something I didn’t before. Love your channel and videos!

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

thanks so much!

I love The Push . I went into it with little to no expectations. I loved the chilling aspects of it and how we saw the mother daughter relationships explored. It was just so good. I liked the guest list it was great time and the atmosphere. I also read the vanishing half . It was interesting and I loved it. Loved all the discussions in it .

I’m so glad you loved The Push!! It was one of my favorite reads of the year so far and I’m trying to get everyone to read it lol

The midnight library became one of my favorite books ever, i read in one sitting when i was in the hospital and it gave me a more optimistic view of what i want to do for a living and follow my dreams.

I personally loved the Midnight Library! I find Matt Haig's writing and books to be so comforting and simple which is just the type of book I need to read sometimes but I can understand that his writing style might not be for some people :)

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

that makes sense! i saw that comforting simplicity in The Humans for sure

@user-qu8zs7vs1x

2 жыл бұрын

Plus, he has first hand experience with depression, suicidal tendencies and anxiety. I am sure anyone who relates to any of those issues would love his work. This youtuber seems kinda shallow in her view of some of these books, while trying to sound intellectual, to be honest.

@anjalibhat14

2 жыл бұрын

@@user-qu8zs7vs1x I say this respectfully, but I’ve experienced all of the mental afflictions above and I *really* didn’t like The Midnight Library. At all. While I respect Matt Haig’s own struggles with those and his own coping strategies, it made me very sad that the book included the line “prison wasn’t the place, but the perspective.” I think it’s a troubling line to include in a book that will inevitably be read by some who don’t experience mental illness and think that a perspective shift a) is even possible and b) can “cure” an illness. Like, I’m glad if it worked for Haig - but I don’t think it’ll work for everyone. I also don’t think it was necessary to call someone shallow for expressing their thoughts about a book.

@user-qu8zs7vs1x

2 жыл бұрын

@@anjalibhat14 I see your point about the book.

Anxious People was my favorite book of 2020. I listened to it on audiobook with my husband and even he was hooked (he’s not a reader at all!). He was sucked into the plot and mystery of everything (who is the bank robber, etc.). The mental health talk hit home for me and was like a therapy session. Such a great book!

Acosf and The Invisible Life of Addie Larue were my most disappointing reads of this year. Especially Acosf, the more I think about that book the more I hate it.

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

honestly that's fair! i think i had the opposite experience. read acosf and was kind of ambivalent but the more i reflect the more i'm like "hm that was kind of fun"

@summerb5153

2 жыл бұрын

@@chandlerainsley I was thinking the same when I finished it. I was like "Well at least it was entertaining." Then I remembered how Feyre and Rhys were shoved into Nesta's story and being unbearable, mediocre sex scenes, zero stake, I felt bamboozled as Nessian stan 🤦🏻‍♀️

Even though we have such differing opinions on a lot of books I still love watching every single video of yours from start to finish 😂

this was such a great video and as someone who had read the four winds and the vanishing half recently, I feel like you vocalized some of my thoughts. I wanted a bit more from both books. I feel like the four winds I read really quickly but at the end felt like there could've been more, it was just sad and the ending I was a bit upset by. I don't like the whole trope of a woman goes through misery all her life and then * you know? and with the vanishing half, I feel like the premise was really interesting but didn't leave me quite pleased at the end.

Your voice is soo good! I just love to do simple tasks listening to you talking about books😊❤

Absolutely loved this video! I’m glad you enjoyed The Vanishing Half. It’s one of my lifetime favorites.

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

thank you!

@Everdinaaa

2 жыл бұрын

I agreee!!

Invisible Life of Addie Larue is a freaking dupe. I don’t get bored easily and can get sucked into almost any story but this one….. board af for sure.

@taylorreads

2 жыл бұрын

ikr i was so disappointed😭

The way that I agree with you for all the books I have read and now know which books not to pick up that I haven’t read thank you for your service ma’am 😌

im ready to see you roasting the invisible life of addie larue (this book is so tiring idk how people enjoy it) 🥂

The biggest draw, for me, of reading a book vs watching a screen adaptation of it is to see what was or wasn't changed. (And maybe weigh in on which version was better, worse, or just..different - & why.) Lollll! Love that intro/preamble to talking about ACOSF, and asking "who is this for" without judgment either way, tho-I feel like that's a thing that more people could stand to do regarding pretty much ALL things!! ^-^ 💜

ok, i’m exciting for “anxious people” i have it on ebook, i will definitely check it out.

I absolutely loved The Push, it was an amazing read!😻

Matt Haig is really hit or mess for me, but one thing I really do appreciate from Matt Haig is that he writes very authentically about mental health issues and it rings very true for me. The Midnight Library had its really cheesy moments, I will say, but as someone who has been suicidal, the way he describes her process in the beginning felt very recognisable and resonated with me. He does lean into some heavy clichés, though, which is why I often don't gel with his stuff. I think this one is the only book by his I have ended up really liking, but I guess that's from a personal standpoint of seeing myself in it

@WishAtElevenEleven

2 жыл бұрын

I completely agree about how he addresses suicide & depression. Unfortunately midnight library was a little disappointing for me. Reasons to stay alive really resonated with me, so I was excited to read this one, but it was too fluffy for me.

@qualifiedarmchaircritic

2 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate your perspective, but you say both that he writes very authentically and that he leans heavily into clichés and to me, those are kind of opposites, but I'm not certain. How is his writing still authentic if it is so clichéd? If you feel like it, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this! I unfortunately could never get over the clichés in his case.

@martinamakek9608

2 жыл бұрын

I liked his vampire novel

@VividReads

2 жыл бұрын

@@qualifiedarmchaircritic I feel that what OP meant by his writing being authentic is that Matt Haig has been through this and the way he writes about the emoptions is from personal experience. And what they meant by him using clichés is that some of the lives the MC tries out are stereotypical. A famous halth focused athlete who everyone thinks is perfect os miserable and is suicidal. The rock star is drug dependent and has overdosed and so on and so on. Matt Haig's writing is authentic in the sence that he speaks from experience when writing about depression and suicide, but he uses stereotypical life stories we've heard hundreds of times to show how everyone has problems and no one's life is perfect. Hope this makes sense.

I LOVED the push. It was scary how relatable this was and I don’t even have any children. Also, the last paragraph… 🤯

This reminded me to read the vanishing half!! Historic fiction is becoming my jam!! However I’m most excited to read anxious people.

Hey miss, you're very talented and when you smile the whole world stop's and stares for a while👍

I love this type of video! I had similar feelings for a lot of these books.

I like the Bridgerton books as just some easy fun. I do like JQ's humor, writing style, and some of her character interaction. Though I have read better historical romances. But I always tell people skip the Duke & I, even without the infamous scene it's still not a great book compared to the rest of the series. The relationship isn't that great before they get married and all the toxic stuff in that relationship. Other than setting up the world and some fun family dynamic, the book doesn't offer much. The second book in the series offers all the same things needed for a first book and it's a lot better.

I haven’t heard of The Push before, but I’ll definitely check it out!! That and Anxious People sound right up my alley 🙌🏼

Chandler!! the video was great as always but I was just coming here to say that straightened hair looks amazing on you!!

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

thank you!! :)

Thanks for an enjoyable video and for interesting perspectives, as usual!!!!! ^-^ Looking forward to whatever next Sunday will bring! 💜 (Also, I just wanna say something here that I was too sleepy to articulate back when I watched your previous video before this one: It actually makes perfect sense to me how you want to read more for the fun of it than for work/task related reasons and yet still also want to be able to share your thoughts and discuss what you do read too! And I fully support you in that endeavor! That's actually kinda similar reasoning that has been making me both genuinely consider maybe starting up a channel of my own AND kinda hesitate to actually do so all at the same time-because I think I'd really like to share my thoughts/feelings on various things and maybe discuss how mine do or don't contrast with the thoughts/feelings of others, but I also wouldn't want the things I do for enjoyment to become like obligations or chores for me either.)

new subscriber here and oh my god… i really appreciate how you describe your feelings towards each book. im about to watch all of your videos rn

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

ty!!

This was so fun to watch! I may have to recreate a little fantasy version. You’ve definitely sold me on the push and anxious people Bc neither of them were on my radar

@BookedandBusy

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve read The Duke and I and I agree that there are much better historicals. Unfortunately I watched the show first so book Daphne and Simon were even more underwhelming. My favorite pov in The Vanishing Half was Jude’s. I think I would have enjoyed it more had their stories been woven together rather each chunk being one person and never truly revisiting them.

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

yes totally agree about the Vanishing Half and omg please do a fantasy version!!!

@mockingjayreads414

2 жыл бұрын

Would love to see a fantasy version from you!!!

I love your energy ✨

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

ty!

I‘m surprised I‘ve actually read three of these! I‘m normally a total failure when it comes to reading recent releases, so that‘s a win in my books :D

It is SO nice to see someone else share my opinion on Addie LaRue. The story was SO dull, I gave it 2 stars. 300 years, she lives...on 3 continents, and there is almost NO historical context at all. I expected some sort of rich history in the story, her experiencing major events, meeting interesting people, doing something other than breaking/entering and sleeping around. Which, hey, if thats your thing, go for your life...but I dont wanna read a 500 page book about it. And where are the people of color? She meets ONE black person in this book. And she acts like this girl is some exotic, beautiful creature. It's so weird. You're in NYC and you have never met a black person before? Girl. This was my first VE Schwab and I'm not sure I'll be picking up others, even though I own a few.

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

yeah i was really taken aback by the lack of history/traveling in the story. if her main objective in life was to escape marriage and explore then it's surprising that she was so bogged down with people not remembering her. like girl, no one needs to remember you for you to buy a ticket to a museum or sky dive or whatever. booooring haha

I loved Addie Larue immensely at first. With time, I’ve realized it was the concept but not as much the book that wowed me. But I would still give it 4 stars. Haig was a tepid but decent for me, The 4 winds I appreciated the historical background but not the female character. I’ve been meaning to read Bachman (Ove), Push and Vanishing, so more food for thought.

I find your assessment of Kristin Hannah very interesting. I have only read one of her books - Magic Hour, one of her older titles - and the women in that book are exactly how you describe women in these newer novels of hers - women who have to suffer or give up some part of their life to raise children, an older sister who's more of a prude vs. her younger, more tenacious sister... I wasn't impressed with Magic Hour, and after hearing that her writing style hasn't changed much, I'll definitely spend my time on other authors. Thanks for saving me the trouble!

This is such a great video and I love your voice! Thanks for the input!!!

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

thank you

I really love this video!! I'd love to see other years as well. Maybe throwback years??

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

that would be fun! i don't know that there is a corresponding article from last year tho (since it's not the choice awards)

Yes omg I had the same thoughts about the midnight library, idk books like these have this vibe that's too... preachy? After finishing it, it reminded me of things I would read in middle school despite the "dark" theme

I loved the push..was terrifying for me but also amazing.

I have a history degree and my favourite topic of study was always the Great Depression. It’s a really fascinating time period that often gets brushed off as if it’s the Middle Ages and nothing happened.

Totally agree with your thoughts on Addie LaRue and The Night Library,

Just recently finished The Push on audio and I was shocked. I mainly liked it because of how memorable it was for me (I literally told everyone about that book). Doesn’t feel like I’ve ever read a book like it.

I'm not religious nor do I usually like "feel good" reads (I tend to go for dark academia or sort of gothic thrillers) however as someone who has struggled with my mental health I loved the Midnight Library. Beautiful and simple concept.

can confirm this video is worth the time ✨ 100% agree with addie, it’s the second book I’ve ever dnf’d second to blood and honey 🥴

@gingersnappedreads

2 жыл бұрын

I need to read the push for sure

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

yess i'd love to hear your thoughts on it!!

‘The Push’ truly is a crazy read!

Thank you for your review of "The invisible life of...". It has so many good reviews that I feel bad about abandoning it but the boredom is killing me

I agree with you on all the books on here that I have read especially shadow and bone!

I actually thought the guest list was a really great thriller, and it was my favorite out of the 3 books I’ve read on this list. As you mentioned, it’s premise is different from most domestic thrillers, and it’s very atmospheric. I did find the author’s message to be a bit lame and far fetched, but when I’m reading thrillers, I’m not expecting anything to be completely believable, so that didn’t ruin anything for me. I didn’t guess that twist and I always wanted to keep reading.

I just finished Anxious People this morning and it was honestly so amazing.

@maciedixon3983

2 жыл бұрын

Shockingly this is my least favorite of all these oils

very strongly agree w your thoughts on Addie Larue and the Midnight Library!!!

I swear I have watched this video many times lol. Everytime I read another one on the list I come to see did we feel the same way. Yesterday I finished the push.. I have the exact feelings lol

The disappearing thing (people forget you if you’re not directly in front of them) in the VE Schwabb book reminds me exactly of a character in Zeros by Scott Westerfeld (2015). I had never heard of that idea before that book. I wonder if she was inspired by that?

Sad you didn't love Addie but really glad you enjoyed Anxious People which I share the same feelings about that you do. It was definitely a pleasant surprise that I read at the right time .

The book here that I’ve read is shadow and bone , I reread shadow and bone trilogy and then read six of crows duology and now I’m ready king of scars and I just can’t stop reading Leigh bardugo x

I would definitely recommend Lisa Kleypas The Hathaways over the Bridgerton series too.

I love watching your videos for your honest opinion. I felt like I was broken because I didn’t enjoy Addie Larue. It took me forever to finish.

i literally agree with every single opinion you have in this video we have the exact same taste in books i love

I really enjoyed this! Of the 4 books on this list that I've read, my thoughts were in complete agreement! I even DNF"d Addie, lol. As we're in such agreement, I'm going to buy The Push right now! Thanks for doing these, I really enjoy your perspectives and appreciate all the hard work! ❤️🚙🇨🇦

I have read 6 books from your list. I think The Push was my favourite one.

I agree about Addie, I struggled finishing it, like what was the point! But I did lol

love your vids chan i watch them all

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

thank you!!

I love your reviews because I feel the same way about books that tell you how to feel. I hated Taylor Jenkins Reed and Fredrik Bachman's books because of that and I can always count on you to tell me what I should also avoid

the fact u don’t like ve schwabs work PAINS me but i love ur content so i’ll watch anyway lollll

I didn’t appreciate Anxious People at all but loved The Midnight library. 😎 The Guest List was just OK.

New to your videos. Like your aesthetic and content. Very well spoken and informed. Would enjoy an “introduction to romance novels” video for someone like me who has never tried them.

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

i have a couple on my channel :)

"The Midnight Library" and "Beach Read" were my least favorite pop fiction books this year. The best pops I read in 2021 were "The Silent Patient" and "The Maidens" by Michaelides.

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

i really enjoyed the silent patient, i need to read the maidens soon!

If you liked The Push you should check out The Vegetarian by Han Kang and Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder. All 3 are psychological horror dramas that deal with topics of misogyny, sexism, patriarchy, femininity, motherhood, violence etc. All 3 were written by women and you can kinda tell as you're reading them that the authors all had some personal investment in their stories

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

oo thank you for the recommendations!!!

I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts about these, several of which are on my tbr! Also, where did you get your "C"-necklace from? It's really pretty!

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

hi! it's from ferkos jewelry, i'd say most pieces you see in my videos are :)

When I heard you said "It took me by surprise and that suprise is boredom" for Addie LaRue, I know now that I can trust every single recommendation from you. Girl I cant tell you how much it bored me and made my world gray every time I opened it.

I agree with this ranking so much! I read 5 of the ten books and I ranked them: Anxious People, TVH, The Push, Addie La Rue, and Midnight Library.

@maciedixon3983

2 жыл бұрын

I really did not like the anxious people. But to each their own

The Push was SO great. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m def adding a bunch of these to my tbr. I also thought addie larue was boring and pretentious. I ended up DNFing it.

I'm with you on v.e Schwab's writing. her worldbuilding is just...amazing!!! but other than the dynamic of victor, Sydney, and mitch, I have not connected with any of her characters deeply. shame because her writing is great, I just don't love her characters and I lean towards character-driven books more than plot-driven ones.

@zaravive5809

2 жыл бұрын

Oh, interesting! I always wondered why I love ‘vicious’ so much but could never click with any of her other books (and I tried). It’s probably for this same reason.

@billie4767

2 жыл бұрын

@@zaravive5809 love to hear that you feel the same way. Those three emulate that found family trope SO well!! It’s wholesome and I don’t have that with let’s say her other characters

@aimun5255

2 жыл бұрын

I get you but while not all of her books vibe with me, most of them have enough plot and amazing world building (if not entirely engaging characters) to pull me through to a satisfying enough conclusion, one particularly underrated one is the archived series and ofc the darker shades of magic series was maybe the only where I actually liked the characters, pretty good for a ya fantasy

Me-about to pickup Midnight Library but hated Addie Larue. Now I’m debating that one 😅

Great video idea as usual!!

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

I loved the push. It was thrilling in a very real way. Not the regular thrillery way.

Coming into this video the only book on this list I wanted to read was The Vanishing Half, and by the end you have only reaffimed my opinion :)

Addie Larue was my favorite book I read last year! lol

@chandlerainsley

2 жыл бұрын

i'm glad you liked it!!

Thank you!

Welp. You put into words exactly what I don't like about books like The Midnight Library, so thank you lol.

Chandler, thank god for your video. I am one of those who added few more books in my tbr after reading this article in GR.😅😅 And, have already finished a few too. You are absolutely right about Duke & I, I hated it, and it really does not represents the historical romance genre. I loved Vanishing half and finished it one seating plus Loved Anxious people too,

I don't think 'The Midnight Library' is 'breezy' at all... To me, this book deals with some really heavy topics.. Maybe it was because of my mental state at the time I was reading the book, but I found it kind of heartbreaking..

@BooksCauseInsomnia

2 жыл бұрын

Same.

The fact that you give us how YOU think/feel & *_don't_* try to make super objective assessments or whatever[ while still giving us _some_ more objective analyses] is exactly what we are here for! ((Or, at least, it's what I'M here for.)) Loll 😘🤭 Basically, you seem to prefer reading genre fiction (yet not so much necessarily literary fiction) ... but with a message, maybe. And you prefer eventful stories[, especially externally-eventful]. But maybe that's just me, interpreting your tastes weirdly, idk. 🤣

Omg....I’m currently reading addie larue and I’m at 26% of the book and I’m already asking “will something actually happen or it will continue to be a description of an invisible girl”? 😢 so disappointing