I AM TOTALLY UPSET AND WILL NEVER RECOVER! In all seriousness, I'm glad that you enjoyed The Vanished Birds (you didn't DNF it, so I'll take it!). There is a lot going on, for sure. The chapters were episodic so it makes sense of the feeling of tonal shift, which (obviously) worked for me. He was partially inspired by Hyperion with its structure. I still need to finish watching Princess Mononoke. 👀
Ahhhhh knowing his inspiration does make soooo much sense. Do you guys talk about Vanished in your interview? I was waiting to check it out till after I read the book.
@@Talking_Story We did! I have timestamps of what we talked about. Some Pointy Stick Book stuff was lightly mentioned during the Vanished Birds section and vice versa, so it’s a general separation.
This channel needs 5million subscribers! i keep saying it over and over but i genuinely love the down to earth conversations and intimate feel. i cannot get enough! keep it up!
Glad you liked Princess Mononoke. Considering that film had some heavy themes this time I'll recommend some more action/ adventure films directed or made by Hayao Miyazaki. 1.) Castle in the Sky - adventure film about the search for an advanced lost flying city. Has industrial vs nature themes like Princess Mononoke. 2.) Porco Rosso - cursed WW1 pilot during the rise of Italian fascism. 3. ) The Castle of Cagliostro - Story that involves Lupin the third, grandson of Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Burglar.
Awww that was such a pick me up to listen to 😊😊😊 so happy you connected to Brode's story. Jakob, get on Ascendant! I'll sign those books come DragonSteel 😉
Couldn't agree more on your thoughts of music and time machines, thats why I have a few tattoos of songs that have helped me as it reminds me of times that were hard but i overcame them. I'm so happy you enjoyed your first studio ghibli movie, very excited to hear more thoughts on other films.
Happy to hear you enjoyed Princess Mononoke! I think it's a beautiful film. And you are absolutely growing my TBR. I'm now interested in The Tainted Cup, for sure. You've also grown my interest in the Edan Trilogy. I've seen so many people really enjoying it.
Happy Birthday Jakob! You're absolutely right. After 21, birthdays pretty much run together because I haven't matured at all since my 21st bday and refuse to. John you've made me even more eager to read Way of Edan now. Seems Dr. Chase has an alter ego when he writes. The talk with Dee was one of the best book tube chats I've ever watched. I feel a book tube spin-off coming on between your two channels. Totally feel you on what you say about music. Nothing gets my nostalgia going like 90s and 2000s Hip-Hop, Pop, Rock, and R&B. Also Bubly should pay you for the product placement.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKOB 🎉🎂Mine is tomorrow though I'll be considerably older (50). I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating another lap of the sun. The news about Dungeon Crawler Carl getting a trad' pub (Congrats to Matt Dinniman), made me finally get the audiobook (I've been meaning to for ages, and kept forgetting) and I'm looking forward to it. THANKS! As for Evie being upset with you about The Vanished Birds, you'll be fine - you thought it was pretty good, and will be going into Spear, Mike though? He may be in trouble. I 100% agree with you on the point you made about music. The music your soul belongs to, is the music your life moments happened to. Where you were, who you were with, what you were doing, and when you were truly in the moment. One of my favourite tracks will always be Right Said Fred's 'I'm Too Sexy', and let's be fair - it's its own kind of awful, but I love it. When I hear it, I remember a moment in time, a phase in my life, that I didn't know would be the most unconditional fun I've had so far as a grown up. Hostage? I may have Stockholm Syndrome 🤔
Derri you are the absolute best! I agree I never touch that dial when I’m to Sexy comes on. Hey when I start my Hobb journey I will need a reading mentor. Interested?
@@Talking_Story John, I'll be there with bells on. My reputation of being unreasonably in love with ❤Robin Hobb's❤ Realm of the Elderlings is well earned. 😉
I’m currently on book 3 of Michael R Miller’s Songs of Chaos series and very much enjoying it. Didn’t know about the novella so I’ll be looking into that now, so thanks for the heads up!!
Always look forward to the Weekly Reader! It’s such a fun time. I loved the book news, by the way. I didn’t know any of it and I’m also excited that Susanna Clarke has a new book coming out!
I have to say as an English football fan I was very confused seeing Mike tagging Jude Bellingham. What was even better was seeing "If he's a reader I'll chat with him". 😂 That gave me a good laugh. I'm reading Perdido Street Station by China Miéville at the moment. It is very weird. Well-written, but super weird, I love it.
Ok John, you love comments, and you’re going to get a long one from me! (I won’t do this often-I promise!) I am so excited to hear you’re getting into Studio Ghibli! I’ve become such a Ghibli fan-girl over this last year, specifically ones directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It’s actually a buzz-word for me when someone says that a book gives “Studio Ghibli vibes.” I watched five over the last year (Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle, My Cousin Totoro, Ponyo, and Arrietty), and I’m usually terrible about watching movies. I watched Princess Mononke many, many years ago and Spirited Away a few years ago. Since you’re an actor, I have to mention that there’s a stage-play adaptation of Spirited Away. My husband loves the movie so much that he is now watching a second stage production of Spirited Away (same script with different actors). Both play productions and I think all Ghibli films are available on HBO Max, if you have it. You’ll notice that many of the English voice-acted ones (maybe as a result of Disney) have famous actor and actress voices. I hope you enjoy your journey watching those films! I’m also super excited for your discussion about The Vanished Birds! While not an all-time favorite read, I enjoyed that book more than my experience of The Spear Cuts Through Water. That said, I think The Spear Cuts Through Water is more well-written; it blends all the different things he’s doing more cohesively. As you can tell, he’s an author who likes to “play jazz” with the way he writes. I also agree with what you said about how he understands humans. His writing is hitting on themes we’re currently needing to explore. Have a great week!
I do have Max and I used it to watch Princess. I am thinking about watching the next 1 with subtitles. I had no idea about the stage productions I am looking into those right away. Vanished is hard for me to come to terms with. Definitely some magic there and yes his themes of connection loss of connection, guilt, grief, inhumanity of capitalism so much hit me very hard and I was so glad to see them. But 3 to 4 problems really took me out of the book from time to time. I totally get why many readers would not vibe with it. You hit me up long comments anytime Johanna!
Awesome stuff John! I had no idea Susanna Clarke had a new book coming out. I like your new news segment. I haven’t read any Simon Jimenez yet, but I’ve heard mixed things on Vanished Birds.
For Jakob's birthday he's getting a job on Brian's channel :D Dang, Sea of Rust? I may have to upgrade so I can vote. I loved that book. Also, you've convinced me. Michael R Miller needs to make my TBR.
I’m with you John music feeds the soul and takes you back, I have not really moved on from the 80s haha. My guys are Def Leopard, AC/DC and Metallica. Thank you for such kind words you guys are the best looking forward to next week. ❤
You might find it interesting, the Susanna Clarke short story that's coming in October seems to be the prose of a short she released on BBC with some illustrations. So you can actually listen to it already if you're interested on the BBC Shorts site. Interesting take on The Vanished Birds, will be interesting to see what you think of The Spear Cuts through Water when you get to it!
Dude, congrats on 6k! Slainte 🍻 My teenage years largely consisted of me playing Oasis and Green Day on a loop, and occasionally some AC/DC and The Beatles or The Who. This week I read: *Historical-Fantasy* A Brightness Long Ago / Guy Gavriel Kay - Not just my new favourite Kay, but a new favourite book of all-time. *Southern Gothic* Child of God / Cormac McCarthy - Pretty good. As for what I'm currently reading: *Epic Fantasy* Wars of Light & Shadow 2: Ships of Merior *Historical-Fantasy* All The Seas of The World / Guy Gavriel Kay - Sequel of sorts to A Brightness Long Ago and prequel to Children of Earth & Sky. *Sci-Fi* Sun Eater 2: Howling Dark Ships of Merior and Howling Dark are on the back-burner for now as Kay has been consuming my attention, and tbh, i think I'm after shorter works right now, preferably though not necessarily, standalones. So I've been thinking maybe Pet Sematary, Cloud Atlas or restarting The Spear Cuts Through Water. Can't disappoint Evie if she's not the person that got me to try Simon Jimenez 😅 I am risking Books with Zara's wrath though haha
It really tickled me that you said you were not a big mystery reader and went straight into enthusiastically talking about The Tainted Cup and that it would be up for book of the month. I think the differing opinions on The Vanished Birds will make for a really interesting discussion on it. Thank you for another great and entertaining video!
The Book Gods have given me another sign: I just watched a review of the Flags of the Bayou from the literate Texan, Randy Ray! He loved it, historical fiction during the civil war. Now you told us it won an award! Might have to read it sooner than later.
Princess Mononoke is classic!🥰 I am glad you enjoyed it. Spirited Away is also very good. I'm still swinging back and forth between The Way of Edan and Red Seas Under Red Skies... I've got last week of school preK teacher brain... the struggle is real... So to break things up I watched a couple movies this past weekend... Dune2 and Godzilla Minus One... I love both, but highly rec the rampaging reptile for you and the son!🎉 Japanese just do the scaley guy better, IMHO. 😅🤣🤣
I still have no idea what it's about (did you not say, or did I miss it?) but you've convinced me to read The Vanishing Birds. We definitely need more exploration of character emotions in scifi.
I think the full group discussion will be next week. I did not want to go too far into it till then. I will make sure to get the time out here. I know it will be on Mikes Book reviews.
I just got into Studio Ghibli last year. What a great studio! One of my major issues with anime is that a lot of it isn't available on the normal streaming services and part of me can't justify adding yet another one on like Crunchy Roll. I found Grave of the Fireflies on Vudu though and I can't wait to watch it! One of the great things about anime is that we're getting to experience a whole new world of lore that we haven't been exposed to before. I can't wait for there to be something similar coming out of Africa so we can start experiencing their unique stories as well.
@@Talking_Story Yes, that's where I've been watching their stuff from. Anime in general though, at least the series that are highly praised from people I know, aren't on those kinds of platforms. Grave of the Fireflies isn't on MAX, but it is on Vudu.
I liked Vanished Birds pretty well besides some quirks with POV shifts near the end. I felt a lot of focus on character development based on regrets or lack thereof.
Alright I'm really excited for interview because I'm an anime/manga fan and love hearing stories about the industry. The thing you said about comments being the purpose of your channel let me say you have fulfilled that with flying colors because I was never a person who would comment under youtube comments regularly but something about your channel has me always commenting on videos i have even started commenting on other channels more often because of you guys so thank you for that♥
So awesome to hear. Keep the comments coming and if you join for the livestream throw some questions for Kevin out there. Will do my best to highlight them.
Well John, I have some happy news for you. I decided to get over myself and get in on your Patreon! I'm very excited! I decided to get in on the producer action because I want that Talking Story drip! Also to join in with the community and being a part of the Town Square and all that too! Sounds like you've been productive, and it's exciting to hear that Susanna Clarke is coming back with some new material. I'm really digging Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell so far, though it's a big boy and I tend to struggle with the longer books. It is keeping me engaged though, and I'm really digging the world and that magical undercurrent that exists just so far out of view where we can't attain it, but it's just enough where it feels like it's all around you. Few books have done that, maybe except for American Gods. I hope all continues going well on your end, and I wish you a great week!
Sunday Weekly Reeeeeeaaaddeerrr! Love it. OK, I have to record a Book News theme for you. When I get some time, I'll see what I can rock out. I liked Vanished Birds for the most part so we won't get steamrolled in conversation :). I know you will love Return to Edan. It's 100% a John book. I believe Mike will like book 2 the best, but I am firmly in the camp you will like the finale best. Thanks guys for a great Sunday night of hanging out!
Well I'm about 3/4 of the way through nemesis games (book 5) and I've been listening to American Gods because I'm a big mythology sucker, when I was in high school, we went from mythology which I aced, to poetry which I bombed completely, in english class. I'm about after Wednesday's meeting at the house on a rock and Mr Nancy so far is my favorite, the tiger balls story. Still have almost 15 hours to go, and I've been taking it pretty slow as it's a lot to absorb, pantheons I don't know much about. The deity I connect with is Akhilanda, she's the goddess of never not broken and rides a crocodile. She's not well known over here, but she has Mama G's outlook from what I saw first meeting her (and I definitely know that goddess, she's one you don't mess with lol). And you're killing my tbr, I want to get on board with tainted cup, edan trilogy, ryan cahill, the other one you were talking about. Not sure I'll add vanishing birds yet, not a priority for now, especially with needing to add John Gwynne in the near future, and I'm wanting to try Brandon Sanderson and Robin Hobb as well. I need more hours in a day.
I'll say this about Princess Mononoke: I have around 20 years of watching anime and reading manga, and every time I watch Princess Mononoke, I see something I didn't get before. It isn't about you being a noob. It's just that deep of a movie. Grave of the Fireflies is the only Ghibli film I will never watch again (directed by the late Isao Takahata if I recall right). I would recommend you watch it this once at least, though.
My question to you, are YOU ready? 🤪 I am so hyped for The mercy of Gods by James SA Corey, that's an autobuy for me. Also I am reading Daniel Abrahams (one half of James SA Corey) Age of Ash. It's quite different from his work on the Expanse but I like it. It has this gritty atmosphere of assassin/Thief fantasy (I love that) and really beautiful prose. That's all I can say for now since I'm not that far into it yet but I got a good feeling about this one.
@@Talking_Story Will gladly do so! I think I need to pick up book 2 soon but hey, now it's not too long for THe gothenburg book fair so that will be a perfect time for that.
Oooh I appreciate you checking out Sorry, and I love your perspective on music being a time capsule. Funnily enough, that is exactly why 80s music is my all-time fave, because my parents blasted that all throughout my childhood and the nostalgia will never leave lol. But at the same time, they just don't do it the same anymore these days 👀 Anyway, love to hear that you had such a great reading week! I was cackling at Mike's reading updates, but I am glad you had a slightly better time with it! Considering how much you adore Cloud Atlas, I found it funny to hear you say that you think Jimenez might tried to do a bit too much in one book lol. But really, I am so looking forward to the discussion, this is definitely a marmite book, but that only makes me appreciate it more! Also, hope you continue to enjoy Return to Edan. I need to get back to that series so badly! Happy reading, John. And happy early birthday to Jakob! 🥰
Parents that blasted 80s tunes. Awesome! I do love a book that swings for the fences and goes for it all. But in Birds case it just did not land it all. So maybe tried a bit too much. It is a weird 1 for me. Even with the issues there is magic there and I am betting Soear is a major step for him as an artist. Look forward to finding out.
@@Talking_Story Totally makes sense, I almost DNFed it for the first 30% and then got entranced and binged it out till the end. I think I love it but I also might hate it... at least it was memorable hahah. Spear seems to be even more ambitious and out there, so curious!
Happy birthday for Tuesday, Jakob 🎁Looking forward to the book haul and John, I've just finished book 2 of Mistborn Era 2! And speaking of my time machine, I have two words: Def Leppard 🤘
I saw Mike’s response yesterday- it was really funny that he @ed that sports human. Also, I think I am finally convinced to read The Tainted Cup because I love Biopunk. Also, what did you mean by character emotionality? And by comparing Cahill to Miller I now really want to check him out. I have been reading Of War and Ruin and Cloud Atlas. Of War and Ruin was just phenomenal and I just couldn’t put it down. Now Cloud Atlas has also been wonderful, but I HATED Sloosha’s Crossin’ because the languge became so archaic that I would reread sentences like five times before understanding and it was only because of all the slang and chopped up words. And the story told was really good but the prose their just dragged me out of it. But I know that the rest will be amazing- all the stories have hooked me by their cutoff point but I just need to watch the payoff now. Thanks for the recommendation and have a great day! I am going to go keep reading Cloud Atlas because you were right, it’s brilliant- it kind of reminds me of Malazan. Edit: Also, HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY JAKOB! Birthdays have always felt the same to me.
The prose gets way more modern as you move forward in Cloud Atlas. If you itch for classic feeling Dragon rider fantasy I think you will love Michael R Miller. Jimenez treads the recognizable space opera ground of brilliant people answering the call to move our species forward and outward into the galaxy but the journey is really about the toll the decisions take on all of us for our ascension and survival as a species. As you read you find the journey is far more of an exploration of the inner space of the characters mind as opposed to the outer space surrounding they are in.
Have my list on reference and thoughts on “Return to Edan” hot and ready for you when you are finished! 😄 Never underestimate the collective love for drama and bloodlust on the Internet! Glad you enjoyed “Princess Mononoke”, excited to hear your interview with your VA pal! As for other Anime movies, there is a wide array I would recommend. From Studio Ghibli I would recommend “Kiki’s Delivery Service”, a young witch dealing with the struggles of finding a role for herself, with extra bonus that the setting is inspired by a field trip Studio Ghibli had to the Baltic Coast of Sweden. For a more action and fantastical setting: “Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust”, think “Dracula” meets “Mad Max”! “Akira” is more Cyberpunk/Post Apocalyptic SciFi with elements of Telepathy and Body Horror. “Jin Roh: Wolf Brigade”: Alt History Action-Drama in a world where Germany and not USA reshaped Japan after WW2, where a panzered spec ops soldier questions himself when falling for a rebel, with strong thematic and visual connotations to the Original Versions of the Brothers Grimm’s “Little Red Riding Hood”.
@@Talking_Story Also, just saw Ron Howard’s “Jim Henson Idea Man”: You have to be made of stone for not shedding a tear when learning that Jim created Kermit the Frog to cheer up his grandfather on his deathbed!