Are These Favourite Books Still My Favourite Books? | May 2023 

Congratulations dearest Simon 🎂 I've joined you since 2017 and you have been my OG influencer, not only have you defined my reading tastes, but have brought me joy, comfort and a constant love for books. I cannot express what you have meant and still mean to me. Since I've been watching your channel, my favourite books have been Girl, Woman, Other, Hamnet, Island of Missing trees, and looots of other books you have recommended. Thank you for all your enthousiasm, sarcasm, wit, sass, shenanigans and being the balm for our souls. 🥰 (Enough of the sweet talk already, get back to reading!)

I picked up Still Life last year based off of your recommendation, it quickly became one of my favourite books. It evoked such feelings of longing, hope, and joy within me. I totally agree with you that it is fictional medicine!

I just ADORE the "Savidge tangents," and the camera zoom-in/zoom-outs or color changes when you're off and running. Your vlogs are a joy to watch and listen to. (Consider this one vote for the fun vlogs with more tangents.) I appreciate you so very much, Simon.

Per your stellar recommendations, Simon, I’ve read them all but “Girl…” which I will definitely read. Books you love, I inevitably also love. When Simon speaks, I listen 😊. Thank you for the joy 🎂

Congratulations Simon on 7 years! I enjoy your channel so much! 🎂

Happy booktube birthday Simon. I think I’ve been here the past 5 years. Thanks for all you do

Thank you for enriching my life with your book recommendations. Your channel tops all..

Forever grateful for the introduction to Sarah Winman - I think you're right about her books changing you forever! A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles had similar Still Life vibes but in Russia - found family, exploring the little joys in life and beautifully emotional scenes!

I’ve read and loved all of these except Flames which I’ve just ordered. I remember reading Hamnet during lockdown whist having to teach the Black Death to my year 7 class, it still breaks my heart to think of that book. I’ve been here since your blog!

Happy Birthday! I have been following you for the last 5 years and have read all of your favourites except the Robbie Arnot. You definitely introduced me to Sarah Winman and I have read all her books now and loved them all. Like you, can't wait to see what she writes next! Hamnet, Still Life and The Island of Missing Trees were my favourites of the year too! Whenever you say you have a new favourite - am all ears! I have just finished The Bandit Queens and loved it, but it won't be in my top spot, as that is currently being held by In Memoriam! So thank you Simon! 🎂😀❤

I have you to thank for Still Life. Wonderful book. I love character driven stories and this was full of them. Warm and funny. I really must read more of her books.❤

I’ve been with you for about 2 years and you have got me through lock down and all the other stuff in between! I love your channel, your recommends, your shopping escapade’s and all the other lovely stuff. I love elif and Sarah’s books too and i have hamnet sitting on my shelf since i saw you and your mum raving about it but I still can’t find the right moment to read it yet. Maybe the July prompt of the book I’ve saved for a rainy day. The lovely thing is that I can watch all the old videos and get more great book suggestions too. Thank you for all you do 😊

I read Still Life after hearing you rave about it and it is the book I LOVE, I mean LOVE LOVE, the most in the world. I have several copies of it and the signed hardcover has pride of place on my shelf. I also love the audio version with Sarah narrating it. ❤

Hamnet is so fabulous. The words are so artfully laid down on the page. I found the channel in 2023 and I regret that missed all your insights for all these previous years. Congratulations on your seven years !!!🎂

I’m trying to remember when I first watched your videos? I think it was 2016? You were packing- no, unpacking books onto shelves? You were the first booktuber I found and followed. How about anticipated new releases from your favourite writers video? Hugs 🤗 and love 💕 always 🍀👋☘️📖📕📚☕️💐🇮🇪

I just discovered your channel via the Women’s Prize video with your mom and I ADORE the first four you listed so I’ll be adding the other 3 to my tbr immediately.

Happy Booktube Birthday! 🎂 I’ve read ( and loved) The Essex Serpent, Hamnet and Girl, Woman, Other.

Happy belated booktuberversary (now a word) Simon! I found your channel during lockdown - you were the first book tube channel I found and you're still my fave (although your mum is a v close second!) Cats, great t shirts and also from Derbyshire - I was sold! I started my own lil booktube earlier this year INSPIRED BY YOU! (And also my partner cos he's got 2 youtube channels but equally you ha) 😛😛 So great to see you doing many exciting presenting and bookish things - you deserve it!

I've read and loved Still Life, Tin Man and the Island of Missing Trees. The Essex Serpent and Girl, Woman, Other are on my TBR. I haven't heard of Flames but I do enjoy nature writing so will look out for that one too. I found your channel a year ago and it is one of my favourites, I have found so many great books through your recommendations. Congratulations on seven years! 🎂

This video idea and editing = chefs kiss 👌🏼 - Am also really enjoying the second channel btw 🕺🍍

Hamnet because of Agnes. I just finished Tin Man and I'm devastated. So much love and pain. Beautiful.❤️😞🤗👏

The Essex Serpent, Hamnet, Girl Woman Other and The Island of Missing Trees are some of my all time favorite books ❤. I have bought copies of Still Life and Tin Man based on your recommendation, but haven't read them yet 😁. Flames sounds like it would be right up my alley, adding it to my tbr. Your reading taste and mine align so well, I know I will love these three as well whenever I get to them :). I'm not quite sure when I came across your channel, it's been at least 3 years I think, and you're one of my favorite people on here ❤. Happy Friday!

I have read & loved all of your choices, this is obviously why I follow your channel, My latest loved book is Alone With You in the Ether. Happy anniversary 🎂

I’ve only read so far Island of Missing Trees and Girl Women Other the rest I have on my shelves still to be read (apart from the Essex Serpent) there are so many books I have on my shelves due to this channel Simon as well as my selection from Canada Reads, I first found you when I watched Sky Arts Book Club and thought who is this I need more of him in my life 😆 and hunted you down Simon - also loving your new channel too congratulations on your book tube birthday and here’s to many more thank you ❤🎉🎂

I read the Essex Serpent due to your recommendation and I loved it. I truly must get to your other favourites ASAP. I'm an OG Simon Stan over here...been watching your channel since...I think July 7 years ago...around there. 🎂

I enjoy this concept and 😂 regarding questionable fashion choices. Island of Missing Trees I read primarily based on your ravings and it was definitely one of my favorites of the year 📕🪱💚

🎂🎉 I have read Tin Man, Girl Woman Other and The Island of Missing trees. I have Still Life and the Essex Serpent on my shelves to read. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi reminds me a little of Girl Woman Other as it’s chapters are different family members and goes through different generations, I really enjoyed this one as well. I have been watching your channel since summer 2021 I really enjoy your videos as you have introduced me to some really good books I wouldn’t have normally picked up. Thanks Simon, here’s to another 7 years ☕️

I think you’ve convinced me to pick up Tin Man sooner rather than later. It’s been on my TBR for a while now!

Hamnet (based on rec from you & your mum) was my 2021 favorite, I have Still Life but haven't read yet....and I'm not quite sure how long I've been watching, 3+ years I think ❤❤❤

Congratulations on 7 years. I started watching your channel this year. I read Summerwater by Sarah Moss on your recommendation and loved it. I have Hamnet and The Essex Serpent on my TBR and I've added Still Life and Tin Man to my recommendations list. I read The Vanishing Act of Esmee Lennox when I hadn't heard of Maggie O'Farrell and absolutely loved it. This Must Be the Place and The Hand that First Held Mine are on my TBR. It must be wonderful getting to meet authors who write so beautifully.

🎂There have been a lot of recommendations over the years so thank you! The ones I can remember right now are The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon, The Parentations by Kate Mayfield and A Keeper by Graham Norton.

Happy Booktube Birthday 🥳 🎂

I think I came across your channel through one of Mercedes' videos of a BookTube meet-up, then I think I had to trawl through a few channels and searches because I didn't know your channel name! I think I discovered and loved Becoming Unbecoming by Una and Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was by Sjon through seeing them on your channel.

🎂 Hi Simon, have only found your channel recently because of your women’s prize reading vlog, and I’m subsequently binge watching everything else 😅

Omg in listening to girl woman other on audible at the moment and I love it! ❤

Tin Man for sure! Devastating. Beautiful. I loved Mabel. That scene when she caught Michael off guard, in a loving way, by letting him that she had known all these times. How could we not love her.

I've read all of Sarah Winman and adore her books. I loved the Essex Serpent aswell 📚

Congratulations fabulous as always I have read four and I have some on my shelf 😂🤦‍♀️

I’ve been with you since almost the beginning. Hamnet is truly one of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read.

What a beautiful cover on Essex Serpent, I just ordered it! 🎂

Because of your channel I read Hare House by Sally Hinchcliffe (I don't think you read this but you mentioned it and I found the premise intriguing) and The Crimson Petal and the White, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. :)

Hamnet was my highlight! Such otherness in different timelines with The Bandit Queens! Loved you for many years, not sure how long but for your warmth and wit💖 🍰🥧🧁

While I haven't read all of the books, I was thrilled that I own all of them so I didn't have to add any books to my to be purchased list. I need to read Sarah Winman as she's the only one on the list whose books I've never read. [Your lovely mother is responsible for about 20% of my to be purchased/read list].

hearing you talk about Girl, Woman, Other made me fall in love with that book all over again

Thank you Simon it's been seven years of eye opening brain expanding stories. I'm sorry to say I haven't read them all. Goals. But I have read Sarah's. Tin Man God that was the best book I've read in 10 years.I started Still Life a few days before my stroke. I tried to read it in the hospital but I couldn't process it. I put it aside. Reread old favorites and short stories. Slowly painfully it came back.Over a year later I finally finished it. Sarah is worth every word on the page. You have turned me on books I would have never considered by authors I never heard of. You are worth every second it that you chose to share with us. I

I haven’t read them all but definitely with you on The Island of Missing Trees and Sarah Winman! Happy Birthday Simon, thank you for your fabulous content 🎂

I haven’t read Flames but will do so now. I struggle with Elif Shafak, I want to love her but I didn’t fully connect with Trees. The same with Sarah Winman’s other books apart from Still Life which I adore for every reason you so beautifully describe. Love the Essex Serpent, Hamnet and Girl, Woman, Other too.

Absolutely love Tin Man and look forward to reading all the others on your list. I own them but haven’t gotten to them yet. You know how it is! 😂

Happy Booktube Birthday!!! 📚🥳 I've been following your channel for at least five years- you were the first BookTuber I started watching. So far, I've read (thanks to you) Girl, Woman, Other, Still Life and The Island of Missing Trees. They've all been five star reads. ☺ ❤ Thanks for all that you do!

Happy 7th booktube birthday Simon! I found your channel back in 2019 and watched all the way through the pandemic and was one of the best parts of my week. I also have to say that shade of salmon/coral pink you used in the thumbnail today is beautiful!! 😍

🎂🎂 Happy booktubeversary Simon!! I think I’ve been around a year or so? Anyway, I loved TinMan and The Island of Missing Trees was my 2022 fave of the year also! Haven’t read Still Life or Hamnet but have them on my shelves. Thanks for the fun and tangents!xx

I’ve read all those books after your recommendation .

I’ve added SO many books to my tbr from your channel! Island of Missing Trees is a fave of mine too, I read The Overstory by Richard Powers around a similar time to that and absolutely loved it, very beautiful writing on nature and peoples relationships to it. It’s a longer read but totally worth it, I think you might enjoy that if you’ve not already read!💚

Happy 7th birthday! I've been here since 2016, when you used to sit before your bookshelf's wooden door. Your channel is one of the first ones I started following. It's such a joy to follow along with your reading and adventures. 🎂

I’ve discovered so many books through you, Simon, thank you. Hamnet, Great Circle, and so many more 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂

🎂🥂Happy RU-vid birthday! Discovered your channel only this year and very much enjoying it. Watching you from Tasmania so was pleased to see Robbie Arnott on your list. Have enjoyed all of his books, but especially Limberlost. His descriptions of the Tasmanian bush and animals are so beautifully evocative. I've read all of the books you listed and loved just about all of them. Winman and O'Farrell are favourite authors of mine. Really hope you continue for years to come😊

Happy Booktube birthday Simon! 🎂 I'm a newby Savidge devotee - the minute I heard you mention Kate Atkinson I knew this was the place for me. You always make me smile and I could listen to you all day. I read Still Life and Hamnet this year and loved them both. 🥰

Great video! Love so many of these books. I read Still Life during a dreary Ontario February in the midst of lockdown and a surgery recovery. I was very depressed, but that book cheered me up and changed my outlook for the rest of that winter. One of the most memorable, joyous reading experiences I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to revisit it.

Hamnet is one of my favourite books ever!! It totally blew me away! Out of your seven, I have also read Still Life, Girl Women Other and The Island of Missing Trees 🥰

loved how every one of these books are rich in story! now you have me thinking of my own and curious to know if you'll ever do a video where you'll reread your favs!

I should really read Hamnet soon! Reading The Marriage Portrait right now and enjoying it so much.

I (happily!) found you by accident, as I am a book lover since I learned to read as a child. I don't read as much as I would like...but I do love to buy and collect stellar recommendations such as yours! From your suggestions, I have read and LOVED Hamnet, Still life, and Girl Woman Other. I am so grateful to have discovered these authors through you (as I am in the US and reading tastes/publications differ some) and look forward to many years of you on RU-vid with more books in my TBR! 🎂

I started subscribing to you after I saw you on Sky Arts Book Club and I was thrilled to see that you had been on RU-vid quite a while so I had a lot of videos to catch up on! Still Life was the one the book I picked up because of your love for it, I now want to read the other 6! Happy RU-vid Anniversary 🎂

I am forever indebted to you for The Essex Serpent. It took me three tries (wasn’t the right time) starting it, but it’s now one of my favorites. It’s a perfectly gothic novel, without any actual horror in it. I own Hamnet and Still Life, but haven’t read them yet. Congrats on 7 years!!! I think I’ve been around for probably six of them. I remember back when you used to read more mystery novels. That’s been a while I think, but I found some really great ones thanks to you, so that makes me remember it.

Thanks, Simon!🎂I’ve read four of your favourites. I loved Still Life (inspired by you), The Island of Missing Trees and Hamnet. Can’t remember much of The Essex Serpent. I have Girl, Woman, Other on my shelves, but haven’t read it yet😢I’ve heard about Tin Man (possibly on your channel, perhaps in the last two years or so, as I wasn’t on RU-vid six years ago). Even though I would like to read about Tasmania, I’m afraid Flames is not for me (can’t stand violence against animals). Some recent favourites are on the WP shortlist The Marriage Portrait, Black Butterflies and Trespasses.🎂

Yes, of the ones I've read they are all on my favourites, although I think Limberlost and The Rain Heron have my heart over Flames (Limberlost could well win the Miles Franklin Prize this year, but it's a strong list so many great books so it's going to be tough for just about all of them to even get through to the shortlist ). I still need to read Tin Man and I have to get back to The Essex Serpent (I think I tried to read an ecopy and that format wasn't working for me at the time, I only got a page or so in). Gosh I adore all your others they have a place on my shelves. I feel like I need to reread them. Circe and The Gentleman in Moscow are another two that I have similar feelings about. Happy 7 year anniversary, looking forward to seeing what you do with the next 7. Cheers

I have read six of those seven (and four were my favorites of those years as well, which is really astonishing when you think about it) and must now rush out to read Flames. I found you at the beginning of the pandemic and have been holding on to you as a bookish lifeline ever since. A bright spot in a dark time, to be sure. I owe you for The Death of Vivek Oji, which stunned me and is something I never would have read otherwise. I can’t wait to see what you read next! Here’s to many more years of reading and going on tangents and offering black and white asides and other wonderfulness. 🎂

Well, I haven't read any of your choices, but you just gave me one to read in future. I was particularly moved by your description of "Hamnet," and as a former actor, I am also a fan of Shakespeare, so it's going on my TBR as of today! Thanks. You are always a pleasure to watch and you seem like such a nice person. It's great to have this chance to get to know you.

Happy 7th BookTube Birthday, Simon! Quite the achievement -- congrats! Of your books, I've only read Hamnet -- need to remedy that -- but many other of your recommendations through the years. I think I've been watching for 3 years but of course we go back beyond The Readers to the book blogging era. 🎂

Simon, I have read all your favourites from 2016 to now except Arnott’s book which I have not been able to find here. All others are also my favourites from the last 7 years! I enjoyed your video with synopsis of all of them. I have copies of all of them in my permanent library. Thank you for a great recap of wonderful reads the past 7 years! ❤❤

I read Tin Man because of you and it's one of my all time faves!

Happy Booktube Bday! 🎂

I've only read Hamnet from this group, but absolutely attribute my reason for picking it up to this channel and your review. It was my favorite book of 2022, and I get a lump in my throat every time I think about it.

I found your channel just this month. 🎂 I enjoy listening to your content. Though my reading taste is a bit different, I like listening to people chat about books from genre's I wouldn't normally pick up. That Serpent book you wre just talking about does sound interesting... 🤔 and its shiney too! I love shiny things!😂😅 📖😌📚

I’ve read (and loved) all of these except Flames so I guess we’re book twins now!👯‍♀️ Happy 7th Birthday, I’ve been with you since March 2020ish and wish I’d found you sooner!🎂

I've read all but Girl, Woman, Other and Essex Serpent. Loved all that I have read with Hamnet being my favorite 🎂

Love the channel 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂 wish I'd read all these already but I haven't yet!

I’ve read Hamnet and Tin Man and both are all-time favorites. I have the rest on my TBR (except The Essex Serpent) and definitely plan on reading them at some point. I think I’ve been with you for about five years and it’s been a joy. 🎂

I’ve been here for about 7 months. Of these, I’ve read, Still Life, Hamnet, and Girl, Woman, Other. All three are on my list of all-time favorite reads 🎂

I've watched you for nearly 2 years and you have saved me from awful day time tv during my maternity leave so thank you! I'm sure my 8 mth son knows your voice! Book I found because of this channel was Rizzio. What a great little book!

I will always be grateful to you for pointing me in the direction of Still Life and Sarah Wineman in general she is awesome. I liked The Island Of Missing Trees and loved Flames 🎂

God I love Still Life so much. I have three different editions of it sitting on my bookshelves, and recently visited Florence all thanks to the book!

I love thinking of myself as a Simon OG 😉

I've read every single one apart from Hamnet (I'm seeing the play in November, so will read it before then!) As you know, I'm a channel OG 😉 I discovered Robbie Arnott because of you, and Sarah Winman too actually. Still Life was my book of the year last year, I absolutely loved it.

I found you a month ago. I’ve read and enjoyed Hamnet and Still Life. Midnight Library, Signature of all things and The Starless Sea are the books I always recommend to people 🎂

Thank you, Simon. I love this idea. It is ok to own one's questionable fashion choices for years gone by. I loved "Hamnet." I've never read a story about an insect that hit me like the section about the flea. I just reread "Girl, Woman, Other" and I thought it was even better the second time around.

I've read Fig tree because of you and absolutely loved it! Still Life is THE book that everytime I see it reminds me of you!

I have Island of Trees, Still Life on TBR, read Hamnet my favourite book of 2021 when I read it, will try and get Girl, Woman, Other at the library on Saturday, I might have to re-read Tin Man, loved The Essex Serpent very gothic. I have been looking at your old videos and enjoying them. Will definitely watch your Hay interviews. Thanks Simonxx

I've been following you for just over a year. In March last year I decided to make a concerted effort to get myself out of an extended reading slump - four or five years without reading anything! - so I turned to RU-vid for inspiration and found you. Happy RU-vid birthday 🎂

Hi Simon, I have read Still Life, The Island of Missing Trees, Hamnet and Girl Woman Other. I will be forever grateful to you for encouraging me to give Elif Shafak another chance, having not liked a previous book of hers. Thank you for introducing me to Sarah Winman ; she is a delight to read and is just utter genius with her comedic timing too. I’ve also enjoyed books by Tracey Chevalier, which you also introduced me to,Falling Angels is my favourite. I really appreciate and enjoy your videos, and look forward to watching them. Lynn.

Just noticed Lessons in Chemistry will be debuting in October 2023 as a tv series on Apple + starring Brie Larson. Hamnet is a definite favorite for me. Love the idea of new channel!

Hi Simon your picks were so concisely and beautifully described. I read both Th E Serpent (and The Parentations!!!) and Still life on yr recommendation but they didnt seem to make their mark in provincial NZ (sigh). Didu c the tv? series of the E Serpent (i didnt). Think i remember telling u i was discussing The E serpent with a customer who'd been in the same writing group as Sarah Perry in Norfolk(?). Dying to read Tin Man. Just finished the excellent Demon Copperhead.

Absolutely agree about Hamnet - i think we read it about the same time. I don't think I could read Flames, I'd be a soggy mess with all that animal sadnessy stuff. Tin Man sounds excellent. I really need to spread my taste away from so much Crime, both reading and writing. Oh a sexy vicar in nature that made me think of The Thorn Birds. From your channel I have loved A Terrible Kindness and Lessons in Chemistry and I absolutely adored Shrines of Gaiety. I've been watching for about a year I think - I remember two birthdays anyway. 🍰Slice of cake - I might have eaten the rest - or have I?

I'm FINALLY gonna read Hamnet this month (just finished Hamlet and Shakespeare bio prior to it)!

Simon recommends…. I buy…… Thanks Simon another enjoyable video, I’ve read both Hamnet and the Essex serpent which I loved and I’ve just popped flames and still life into my basket. Recently read ‘salt slow’ by Julia Armfield a great little kind of eerie, twisted collection of stories about women, their bodies and place in society. I found your channel abour a year ago and I’m so glad I did ☺️

Though not mentioned in this video the biggest standout recommendation for me is The Redemption of Galen Pike! Have probably added more books than I have time to read from your channel to my TBR 😂 But Sarah Winman is definitely making her way to the top of the list for sure

Hi Simon, read Still Life, Girl Woman other, and Hamnet and they are all top reads for me. I will try to read Tin Man and Island of Missing trees { if you stop shouting about it} I did not get on with the Essex Serpent, thought is was boring. Thanks for this post hope you will be around for the next 7 years. xx

I read all except one on you favourite list, and love them all equally! Also I have read all of Sarah Winman and loved every single one! All thanks to you! I have watched you Chanel for wile now, thanks for the great content! And looking forward to more of the same 🎉

Still Life and Hamnet, I think since 2019.🎂

🎂💜 Out of your favourites I've read and enjoyed Hamnet, Tin Man and The Island of Missing Trees and absolutely adored Still Life and Girl Women Other. Flames and The Essex Serpent have been on my TBR for a while. I discovered your channel early in the pandemic and it was one of several things that helped me through my post pandemic work burn out. Other books I have found through your channel and have become favourites include: Violets The Offing The Proof of Love Lily The Mercies Unsettled Ground Tales of the City (the whole series) I should stop listing books now it's getting silly. Thank you for all the fabulous free bookish content 🎉