I know this sounds crazy, but I just finished watching Backrooms videos by Kane Pixels on RU-vid. I’m looking for books that are a bit meta-, existential, very creepy with a heavy (possibly unanswered) suspense books that are in the same vein… Does anybody have any recommendations?
@@facundopitton9011 Do you have the power to instigate a nuclear holocaust that would not only eradicate all of humanity (debatable if that would be a bad thing), but also wipe out all biodiversity, including kittens? Why do you want to nuke kittens?
I like how this book takes you out of your reading comfort zone. It’s such a unique experience that you don’t get from your everyday book. It was wild.
I'm an avid gamer. Don't read besides comics. Used to read alot but stopped. Found out about this book from a video about a doom 2 mod replicating the idea. Ordered it straight after and I haven't been more excited to read a book in like 10 years. I usually look up reviews and commentaries for games, never books.
Same here but I did read the institute letter's before hand and it'll be nice to know why theirs messages hidden in the first letter of every word and they sound like mental case nursery rhymes, I won't tell you them I'll just let you spell out that madness for yourself also theirs like 7 other books that are meant to lead up to the leaves book so there's a load more crazy to read, myself I can't wait
Have you played Control? The setting is inspired by this book. I won’t say much, but it takes place in “The Oldest House” the biggest building in New York City… but you cannot see the building unless you already know it exists. And yes of course it’s bigger on the inside than the outside.
I read it straight through the first time, no flipping, but I was part of a group read on Discord. The participants were very involved and were adding their take on each of the chapters and footnotes and adding some "meanings" to various parts of the book that really added to my enjoyment. I will go back and read it in another direction (this time flipping and following the footnotes). I am glad to hear that you also enjoyed it.
Hello fellow Kelly! You are my sign to assign this as a must read-sounds like the Discord was SO INTERESTING! Excited to dive in, delivery scheduled for Saturday.
The footnote you mentioned with the pages of words actually encodes a bunch of messages if you look at the first letter of their surnames! The book is full of these secrets
I'm currently on page 80 of the navidson record. I ordered it from the US, because I wanted an english version. And when I opened it, it said "printed in germany". WHERE I LIVE. in other words this poor block of dead tree flew over the big puddle twice for me to read.
As I am reading this book, I think the nuances and the details actually serve an incredibly simple purpose, as understanding the underlying mechanics of how the house works, it is as though that the house itself is reaching out to you
I just finished House of Leaves this afternoon and I’m so glad I’ve read it. There were parts I loved (mostly the Navidson parts, and especially the pages where the text placement reflected his situation), and there were parts I found so annoying and a lot of hard work. Worth it in the end but I definitely didn’t understand everything in it. Very unsettling, and I much preferred the storyline over the academic parts. My top tip for other readers would be, take a buddy reader with you, especially when you enter “the labyrinth”, to encourage you not to give up! 😊 I’ve never read anything like it.
Great summary of it! Glad you made it through, Alice. Unfortunately my buddy got stranded near the start for a bit, although she did make it through in the end!
@izabelanaprawska6137 A buddy reader is like a book club for 2 - you read the same book at the same time with a friend and discuss, compare notes, etc...
I love this book, have read it multiple times, and am revisiting it presently. It's easily my favorite book and one of the reasons is that each time I read it I encounter things that I hadn't realized before, or new ways of marching through its mazes that hadn't occurred to me before. Highly recommend for anyone who's into eclectic fiction, horror, romance, gothic literature, philosophy, psychology, or is already used to reading academic works and is looking for a reprieve that pokes fun at some of that stuff.
I've read both HOUSE OF LEAVES and THE RAW SHARK TEXTS, and enjoyed both of them in much the same way, mostly because I love books ( and entertainment in general ) about reality versus perception, and the way we view reality versus how it " really " is. HOL is literally what it says on the tin; a book is a House of Leaves, and all the characters live inside. The Raw Shark Texts takes that one step further and makes the shark literally hunting the characters IN THE BOOK, so their world is made of ideas, text, grammar, and all the things that a book consists of...and the shark is the conception, the idea, the grammatical construction that a shark in a book really is. Both are fascinating.
The Raw Shark Texts is one of my favorite books of all time! I have owned HOL for over a decade, but I never got past the first few chapters... This makes me want to try until I finish it... finally! 💖👍 Thank you!
This has to be one of my favourite books! You are absolutely right in describing it as unsettling and compulsive. There were sections of that totally creeped me out. I've tried his follow up work The Familiar but couldn't get into it despite 2 or 3 attempts. Thanks for reminding me of The Raw Shark Texts, a book I also really enjoyed - need to get another copy of that to reread. Have a great weekend...Peter
I think I need to reread The Raw Shark Texts as well, now that I've read this. I don't think I said it in the review, but I thought the weird format made more sense in that book that it did in HoL
I finished it for the first time last week after starting and stopping for at least 13 years or so. It took me a couple months but I got through. The academic chapters almost made me put it down. I actually found the Johnny Truant story the most interesting to me. I did enjoy the Navidson story of course but it was so wrapped up in academic discourse and all of the media reaction to it, I couldn’t get as absorbed into it. I could see myself reading it again but not for a few years. That needs to ferment but I’m glad I finished it.
House of Leaves has been my favorite reading experience ever. So cool! I've not read the Raw Shark Texts but its been on my tbr for a while now. I also really wanna read JJ Abrams's book S.
@@CriminOllyBlog S by JJ Abrams (idea) and Doug Dorst (writer) is one of those books that I can't place. The production value is 100/100 amazing. The pages look old, the library sticker looks real, and the handwritten texts look... handwritten! There's a text in Swedish in there, and since I am Swedish I noticed it wasn't written by a Swedish person, but that's the only little "complaint" I have about it all. The story on the other hand was... a little disappointing. It had potential to be so much more. I would still recommend it because of the production value, and who knows, maybe you'll see something I didn't :)
I ended up rereading the beginning multiple times because I started researching all the articles included in the footnotes and fell down that rabbit hole for a while. I found it too exhausting so I just read the rest as a normal book but I marked what I found and where I'm at in my research in case I decide to research it further😂
I've been wanting to read House of Leaves for years but I keep waiting for the perfect time to be able to give it my full attention. I might try it this summer when I get some time off work as I know I will want to look at all the little details!
The Raw Shark Texts had so much promise; it started strong. Granted it has been a handful of years since I’ve read it but i remember being somewhat let down by the end.
I have read this book many times. It’s one of the only books I can revisit and still enjoy. This is a solid review. I’ve given away at least 11 copies of this book. It’s one of a kind
Just got this book for Christmas and blew right through the book’s introduction in one day. I usually hate book introductions but I can already tell this isn’t any other book.
I just purchased this book, I was hooked after the introduction that Truant gave. Especially after he revealed a particular thing about Zampanó. I can already tell I’m gonna need to keep a notebook with me. I’m only on chapter 2 but im excited to read this.
I bought this and I can't get past the bit where the scouting party gets lost, I am finding it hard going and don't know if I even can be bothered to finish it. It must be the most overrated book I ever came across!
I am definitely intrigued. I might pick it up if I see it at my used bookstore - not keen on buying a new copy if I might end up DNF'ing it. Thanks for the review :)
The book arrived today, I had groceries all over my kitchen floor but I thought I’d take a few minutes and read the first page or two. It’s now 930 at night, I’m several chapters in and scurrying to put away melted ice cream and warm milk! This book took me right from the beginning. now I got to get this food put away so I can go read more.🤷🏻♀️
4:02 and it's also implied it's 2nd hand with the post it note. Plus everyone I've known to have read it had a backstory for how they got it. Mine was off of my brother in law who's ex got it from some drug dealer before she offed herself. While I was reading it I could buy the idea that it was a cursed book that I may end up annotating for the rest of my life now that I've gotten a hold of it.
This video is 2 years old so I'm late to the game, however, I've read House of Leaves twice recently and I concur with what you say when I first read it, I was really unsure how I felt about it. But I took about 4 months to read through it the first time and then had to process the entire thing over the course of a few more months then went and reread it. I've since come to really enjoy this book apart from a few scenes of animal cruelty... well just one scene specifically. But this book is a slow burn, and one you must chew on and read several times through out your life. That would be my critique. It sits on my top 5 horror novel lists and probably will forever.
My first reaction--and I would be extremely surprised if this was Danielewski's intention--was to compare it to _Dark Night of the Soul_ by St. John of the Cross. The themes of love, existential crisis, and darkness had a strong flavor of apophatic mysticism to me, even though I think this is accidental on the author's part. But most importantly, I appreciate any horror author who references Jacques Derrida.
I’m glad you said “you don’t know what’s going on”. I’m currently trying to read it, and I feel so lost. I don’t know what’s happening, and I’m not very far in. That’s what brought me here.
Is this version in color or in black and white? I want to to buy this book - but i am unsure which version to get... :/ This version seems to be available...
1: You *need* a physical copy of the book. 2: POE's second album, 'Haunted' is a companion piece made by the author's sister, and is fantastic to listen to while reading. 3: At your own discretion, mind altering substances can enhance the experience overall.
Friend: "You mentioned this book I should read...'House of Leaves.' What's it about?" Me: "Basically, this guy and his family buys a home, and one day he notices that the inside of his house is slightly BIGGER than the measurements of the outside of his house. From there, the book goes absolutely crazy." Friend: "........what?" Me: "Oh, and the book itself starts to change and gets weird. The pages get weird and everything." Friend: ".....WHAT?"
I first tried this book in 2019. I'm currently on my 2nd attempt, 5 years later lol. I've managed to make it further this time. First time I DNF'd on page 74. I'm on page 138 and was like "I'm not reading all those names. Not doing it. Nope" lol and feeling like i'm losing my mind, wondering if I should dnf it a second, and final, time. Seeing this review, maybe I can still get something out of it after all. I shall try to finish it :)
I first came across this book in 2010 when in my A Levels and ordered myself the full colour version and it's the one book that holds pride of place on my shelf for having finished it. Got a lot out of it but my god is it a commitment! Really enjoyable though!
I tried reading this a few months ago, but I couldn’t get into it. But every time I see a review of it I wanna throw away everything and read it. I’m gonna try reading it again soon.
I have a strong appreciation for the way you express things on your channel. Thanks so much for this video. While I'm not reading it in a linear way, I'm about halfway through the book right now and was really interested to hear some commentary on it. : )
Just found this book at a corner post little library while at work. Deciding if I'm going to read it or not only have 20 minutes on my brake to read a few pages
I am currently reading it. I am still at the beginning, because i bought it yesterday. And since i am German i also want to read the German translation of the book (which will supposedly arrive next week together with "S" from J.J Abrams and Doug Dorst). Some might say that translations are not very accurate but i don't care. I am very neutral about these things, that is why i enjoy literature as it is. Of course, there are things i cant read (because the themes tend to haunt me), but i don't want to be a super critical reader. I will take my time with House of Leaves. And i want to annotate the German Version, even though i don't know how to start it (since i never annotated before). But it will come in time.
I am currently reading it. It is sometimes annoying but the navidson record is having me totally hooked. It is like Edgar Allan Poe in steroids with the style of Victor Hugo.
Did you read any other books at the same time? I find that with long difficult books I need to take breaks and read something else before coming back to it.
I've never been able to focus on reading a book but hearing about House of Leaves fascinates and intimidates me, I really want to buy a copy to read and I hope it unlocks something for me
I know this is a bit overdue hahaha but concerning the dificulty getting the hang of the rhythm in House of leaves, I am reading it atm,, I see the descriptions in my head in a way similar to the filming of Paranormal Activity. I watch it in my head. It helps a lot
I used to have The Gutenberg Galaxy by media theorist Marshall McLuhan decades ago that must have inspired the experimental text format of this book. Worth seeking out.
God I really want this book! But do I buy it or wait until Christmas to ask someone to gift it to me? It's not in any of my libraries and I don't think I can wait...
I did try to read the book but ended up not finishing it. I found the academic stuff pretty boring and hard to read. And I didn’t really care much about Johnny Truant’s long rambles about his life. I was, understandably, more interested in Navidson’s story. I definitely found it interesting that the book was basically about a recounting of the Navidson Revord and other events. I haven’t seen a lot of books do that. Though I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was just a story about Navidson, his family, and the house. But I also feel like it wouldn’t have the same effect if done that way. Maybe I’ll pick it up again sometime in the future
Yeah you can definitely see how he could have told basically the same story in a way more accessible way. But if he had I doubt the book would have had the same impact
I read the paperback, but downloaded a pdf copy into my iPad simultaneously so I could flick and refer to it! Definitely need 2 copies to get a clearer picture!
I haven’t read this and I’m not sure that I’d enjoy the experience given the structure. That said - I’ve really appreciated your review and I’m intrigued.
I just purchased this book, after searching for "Books to keep you up at night" I'm looking forward to diving into this book. Just found you channel tonight. New Subscriber, Thanks.
I'm so buzzed that someone else read the Raw Shark Texts! It wasn't a masterpiece but it was the first Novel I read which had that unique approach of using the physical novel as part of the story telling medium! I feel vindicated now haha
I received this book today in the mail it's October it's been on my TBR since it came out so I'm going to read it and The Boatman's Daughter by Andy Davidson
I've had this book in my possession for about 2 years now started reading it and got really confused so I put it down. It had gone missing for some time and my husband just found it so I think I'm going to give it another shot.
@@CriminOllyBlog I really hope so. I've done a ton of reading up on how to read it and reviews and after watching your video as piqued my interest again so I'm really looking forward to diving in this weekend
I heard it has been discontinued, is it true?? I have been trying to get a copy since I am late to the party (I was only 6 when it released), but prices are super high, even for used copies... like 500€ (I am from Spain)
I just got this book, and looking forward to reading it. I was turned onto it by the Alan Wake games. The creator of them showed this in a stack of books which influenced his story telling.
I am swinging between liking it and perhaps not liking it, I looked for a video like this in case it was maybe better to read the story first, then perhaps the footnotes,. I am still not far in and the idea has grasped me quite firmly but I'm still unsure whether it's best to read the story and the footnotes as you ordinarily would. The footnotes are huge, I mean I have read other books with sizeable notes but still don't know if it's best to grasp this story first. I hope you have some good suggestions, I have subbed because this is the first time in over 60 years of reading that I have been unsure how to proceed. Funny you said that about people analysing spelling and grammatical errors because, without knowledge of that, I have been noting certain errors in J.T.s footnotes and had already noted that it could be his or the author's errors and had been keeping tabs on them (I am on the Autism spectrum and that's the kind of thing that seems to appeal to me). The cost of the thing, even though I got it brand new from World of Books on eBay at around a fiver cheaper, is still a lot and so I will persevere and, I think I am getting over that hump at the beginning so hopefully it will be easier from now on. Thanks for the great review. 👍 I will let you know how it goes!
Good luck with it! I really found the best way to read it was to focus on the story and skim the footnotes for the stuff that seemed pertinent. Some of it is useful but a lot seemed (to me at least) there for effect rather than substance. I do think it's a book that is worth sticking with, if only because it's such an unusual experience.
@@CriminOllyBlog yeah I took you up on that and it certainly makes it easier but it's been lying around for two months now and I can't get into it again. As I said in my most recent comment, I can't get past the scouting party getting lost. I really don't think I will ever finish it at this rate, initially I had the motivation of finding out what all the fuss was about but that only took me so far. At the moment, I am watching your review of Hogg and its piqued my interest but, I don't know if that's a good thing. I watched an interview, or rather Samuel Delaney talking about writing and he looks and sounds like an intelligent, deeply thoughtful person but I really can't judge on 5 minutes of watching a nice old bloke talking, I think I will try the one ( The story of the eye? Can't remember the title properly) but I get the feeling Cows isn't for me but I am going to go through your lists to see what I fancy reading because I don't have the room I used to have for books and all my books end up in my sisters library (and it's like every wall of a biggish room at home in Scotland. I'm in London so it's not ideal but both of us can't part with books). Yeah your videos are helping me be more selective as I just used to read everything I could get my hands on. Thank you for helping to pare it down a bit.
An infuriating book. Two parallel stories overlapped by research notes, a textbook, a dictionary & endless unnecessary words. I got half way through & stopped. I will read it again but stick with the two main stories & ignore everything else
I just can’t, let me say this, I have heard such mixed reviews good and horrible, slow or loved it or hate it…so if someone gave me the book , I would try, otherwise no.
Watched this because I'm currently maybe a quarter the way through this book after years of putting it off. I'm completely enamored with it, have been re-reading old passages as they become more relevant, trying to find new small details. Amazing how much a book can both train you and entice you to look for details then quite plainly make fun of you for having looked at all in the first place.
no joke since high school I put House on the backburner because I was more interested in reading A Song of Ice and Fire while at the same time reading The Road for ap english also for undisclosed reasons I was living out of a hotel room with my family even back then I frequently asked myself why my must-read selections were so consistently dark
Could you expand on what you think this book is actually about? I just finished HOL and it took me a few days of rumination to come to some sort of meaning. Would be curious as to your view!
My dad got me it as a gift I’m very excited to start I prepared by getting post its to take notes and stick in pages to help keep track. One other thing I’m going to do is pick a light “side” book to read when maybe I want to read but I’m not in the right mindset for house of leaves or to avoid getting bored and dancing it but yeah! I’ll update when I finish and tell you how it went!
