My name is Aaron and I enjoy reading and talking about books. I generally concentrate on classic literature, poetry and other dusty parts of the library, but other bits and bobs seem to turn up from time to time.
Definitely a unique take on ‘crush’ Aaron 😂. I’m a big Olga Tokarczuk fan and so was going to read her new novel this year anyway, but was extra pleased when I found out the Magic Mountain link as I already had plans to read that with Classics and Company, in fact I started today, so I’ll be able to see any links for myself. Interested to see what you make of Tender is the Night. I’ve read The Great Gatsby multiple times but for some reason have never read anything else by him. 🤔
Hello Aaron, I asked this question in a prior video but now that I have found this video, I’d like to ask it again: Which Shakespeare collection were you using in this video? All I could see was a large paper book. I never had the chance to see the title. Thanks Aaron.
Hi Denise, thanks for subscribing! The main Shakespeare I have is the 3rd edition of the Norton Shakespeare. I've also got a couple of individual volumes from Oxford World Classics, as well as a free edition on my Kindle.
Ah yes, Alice Oswald - brilliant. I'm a big fan of Lynette Roberts & Jo Shapcott also. Think I might do a video on Shapcott soon. I must track down 'Poetry Thursday', & watch a lot more of this. I didn't realise it was a movement.
I like those covers from the Alexandria Quartet (you showed them before) - I know that’s not a reason to go out and buy them (I’d be real deep in the hole if I did for every well-designed book I saw on BookTube). I’ve been curious about _The Leopard_ for a long time.
@@aaronfacer Do you know the Owen Sheers BBC doco, 'A Poet's Guide to Britain'? Absolutely brilliant. One of the episodes in this series is on George MacKay Brown. You won't get a better introduction to his work. He's an incredible poet (& novelist). Essential reading, really...
@@drphilreadstowrite I haven't -- I'll have to look for it. Owen Sheer's documentary on In Parenthesis was my introduction to David Jones, so I'm sure A Poet's Guide to Britain will be great!
@@aaronfacer:ah, David Jones. I really like his long form poetry, & his paintings.Have you read the Thomas Dilworth biography of Jones - a good read also.
Interesting discussion. I find that when I read strictly by my mood, in the end I'm dissatisfied with my reading because it's not as rich as when I read by a plan (especially reading challenges and any sort of group or buddy read with accountability involved). For me, that's because so many books that are richly rewarding aren't necessarily easily read in the midst of a busy day, when one is tired and finding it difficult to focus. So unless I have a deadline or a reason to read with more intensity when all I want to do is relax, it will never happen. On the flip side, if I never read to relax or read for my mood, my reading life becomes dull and dry. I find that, like most things, a balanced is necessary. Read with a plan but leave room for spontaneity.
I used to listen to In Our Time a lot. I don't know what happened exactly, but Melvyn Bragg started to get on my nerves and though I've tried to keep listening I find his way of asking questions and directing the conversation grates. I seemed to stop paying attention to what the guest academics were saying
That's interesting. I wonder if it would be the same if the episodes were twice as long... Would Bragg be able to settle into the background a little then? I'm not sure...
You have me thinking now. 🤔♥️ I would have called myself a ‘mood’ reader, but I actually think I’m usually chasing a feeling that I have gotten previously from my reading. The feeling that characters and the setting gives me. 😅 I care less about the plot, more about beauty through words, character development, and settings where I’m immersed by the writing. I read significantly more fiction than nonfic. I wonder how I approach nonfic?
That's interesting. I guess you could approach certain biographies and travel books in a similar way, but maybe not history. It definitely seems to me that your approach to reading is very immersive and empathetic (which is great!)
I found this video so interesting. I think it really brings up the question of how to define "being a mood reader." It's something I've wondered if I fully fit into as well. I also tend to plan my reading but I do give up on books I'm not enjoying. I do tend to have strong reasons why I lost interest though, not just a mood change. So, not sure. I'm really interested in Thomas Mann too! I learned about him recently and got a short story collection with A Death in Venice in it, I'm excited to check it out soon. I also really want to read Red Comet!
Your editions of the Alexandria Quartet are lovely Aaron. I found a bind-up of all four the other day at my library bookstore which isn’t my favorite way to read series but for a dollar, I couldn’t resist!
25 cents per book -- that sounds like a good deal to me! I can remember seeing a bind-up edition of the whole quartet a few years ago and had regretted not picking it up for a long time. I'm glad I waited now!
This was a great discussion too. I can’t but reflect on the disparity with my life. Having parents who read and a household where books are talked about sounds wonderful. (I suppose your daughter will have that.) My mother did read occasionally; but my father was an avowed anti book reader. As you said, once a book gets inside the house that indicates a kind of interest.
Excellent video mate. I think there's a lot of similarity between us about how we choose our books....I've got recommendations and book events whenever I am choosing mine. I also have my own book challenges and projects too which I try to keep up - and decide as I go along what I can pick from all of those things. I always love the gentle, reflective way you do these videos.
Just been thinking on curiosity. It is a productive state to be in, giving you permission to go ahead with what you were thinking about, but the idea to be curious about must have come first. I looked up Shakespeare quotes for inspiration and found this. 'Four be the things I'd been better without: Love, curiosity, Freckles and doubt.' I found this surprising as I love freckles! Keep curious and happy reading.
Great answers Aaron! I don’t read a lot of poetry but there is a book of poetry that I’ve read a good bit from and I also put a little star next to my favorite poems in it and it was a collection of Emily Dickinson poems!
I'm trying to get back into reading, but I find that the majority of popular book youtubers mostly make videos about genres that I don't like. It's nice to see someone with more varied and unusual taste giving recommendations/opinions on books
I’ve always separated quotes from what I’m reading - long ago in a little book, or notebook, then for a long time I’d put them on Facebook. I wish I had it all in notebooks, but that requires hand scribbling, whereas I can copy-and-paste. Now I use RU-vid’s Community tab instead of Facebook. The problem with using social media for your notebook is that everything disappears down the time vortex (mostly) never to be seen again. I enjoyed hearing your practice.
Thank you, David. I'm sure I've had notebooks that managed to disappear down the time vortex... There is a part of me that wishes that I didn't have to spend so much time hand-scribbling, but I'm also finding typing on a computer/phone increasingly cumbersome, so it seems to be the best option for me at the moment.
Hi Aaron. I really enjoyed hearing your responses to this tag. I also did this one today, and I just found it to be so thought-provoking. I especially enjoyed hearing how you go about reading denser, more complicated works. I hope you are doing well.
Thank you, Pat! I feel like I'm really behind with my booktube-watching at the moment! I've been loving this tag so far, so I look forward to going back and hearing your answers. 🙂
I knew you would offer something special to this tag. Your advice is so serene, balanced, and grounded. So honest and helpful in that honesty. Thank you for participating.
Aaron, you’re a very mature and thoughtful reader for someone so young. I hope this video gets lots of views. It wouldn’t be out of place in a high school English class and would be good for discussion in a book club.
Hello! I'm a new member of your channel, and your channel actually is the type of enviroment i like, unfortunately i do not have the same means you have to read, i can't buy too many books or have my own personal reading space, but this doesn't take away my motivation. I will keep watching your channel for future recommendations and reviews, thanks for the service 😌
I love the sense of fullness in the way you engage with reading. So much to like and learn from here. Especially like your comments about connecting thoughts about what you’re reading to your other thoughts, enabling a sort of integrated mash-up.
The questions were great -- I had a lot of fun thinking through them. I hope you're really enjoying Proust. The last few pages of Swann's Way is one of my favourite sections🙂
Your title makes it sound like an accident. "Whoops!" Where did those books come from? I really want to read some of Emily Dickinson's poems, I do love the poems of another Emily, a certain Bronte sister.
Even though their styles are a little different, I think there is a bit of a crossover between both Emilies. They've definitely both made an impression on me!
I haven't read any Thomas Mann yet. I must. Haruki Murakami in 'Norwegian Wood' inspired me to have ago at 'Magic Mountain'. I must set this as my next adventure. Thanks for the inspiration.
You are brilliant. The Emily Dickinson looks fantastic. I have the Folio Society edition of her selected poetry, & several biographies. I, like everyone else at the moment, love her to bits. Your spotlight is a stimulation to return to importance.
Thank you, Phil! I suspect that once I'm done with the complete poems I'll be keeping an eye out for some biographies. The Folio edition of her poems looks really nice!
