My month in reading - April 2024 in a Nuttshell 

here faster than kendrick can say you might pop ass with 'em

Yes! Let"s bring Julian May back to the masses and Booktube!

Thank you for describing exactly how I feel about Murakami; there is something in his writing, something that works on the subconscious level, that makes you want to pick up the book and keep reading even when your conscience self cringes. It’s been a while since I read Murakami, I’ll be curious to hear your opinion on 1Q84, maybe I’ll consider giving him another shot.

so glad you got to see Book of Mormon. Hilarious. One of my favorite things of your channel (of which there are many faves), is that you are always reading something I've never heard of. It's weird how some books travel in circles that I never see. Good stuff here, and fear not, I will not be deterred by the rejected Olsen twin!

Your videos are one of the reasons I started Realm of the Elderlings. It's been so enjoyable reading them, and then watching your live discussions which were taped, I dunno, three or more years ago. Loving the channel! When I'm done delving into Hobb I'll widen my horizons a bit with maybe some of the titles you talk about in these videos. Thanks for doing your thing man, you're rocking it

Thank you for your honest and candid thoughts on MDV. It’s a heavy heavy read but man, did she ever nail it! All I kept thinking when I was reading it was, yes! Exactly! THIS is what bejng a teen girl felt like! I didn’t have the same experience as the protagonist, but just the whole being a teen girl with issues that are way too serious for my age and how that affected my relationships as I grew into adulthood. The guilt and weight we take on because the world hyper-sexualizes young women, the obsession with our bodies and how we were taught that it’s basically for men to use and enjoy. I’m 41 and STILL have issues with my body and my self worth (thanks, 90’s diet culture!). You always impress me with what you read and your thoughts on them. Thanks for tackling sensitive subjects with such compassion and a willingness to listen and learn. You’re the best!

My Dark Vanessa is a great book! I always appreciate it when an author tackles a very difficult topic and does it justice, delving unflinchingy into the darkness, but not reveling in the misery. Goodnight Punpun also falls into that category. One of my favorite manga of all time.

I'm so glad you read My Dark Vanessa. I had a similar experience with my boss as a teenager into my 20's. I still occasionally get messages from him. I'm 40 now. She did an amazing job describing the feeling of someone making you feel so special and cared for. And the obsession and confusion that comes along with that experience. The "danger"of having hide from the world because nobody will understand the "love". Then as an adult you look back and feel so stupid and ashamed that you didn't see what was happening.

My Dark Vanessa is my favourite book of all time. People don't understand why she acts like that, but I can relate with that. That book is so real !

I went deep into Murakami about 15-20 years ago, before 1Q84 was published. My recollection is that all the books I read had wild and absurd scenarios. It's been a while but I'm definitely appreciate you digging into those books. You may nudge me to grab it, that and Black Leopard Red Wolf. Thank you Mr Nutts.

Great wrap up Jimmy! I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the changeling, and I'm looking forward to hearing how you like Borne. I loved both!

I am so excited for the B-roll NYC content. Also more cats. Glad it was another good reading month!

I loved "The Ballad of Black Tom" and "Lone Women" bu Victor LaValle. I'l save up "The Changeling" for late autum. Thank you for all your thoughts.

My Dark Vanessa and BLRW in the same month…think you need a hug. Glad you loved MDV though, incredible book. I think Tampa almost works as a companion novel (totally different tonally, abuser perspective but exploring a similar subject) so when you’re feeling up to it it’s a short read definitely worth doing within a few months of MDV.

Holy cow a Little Life and My Dark Vanessa in back to back months-so heavy! For me I think you have me intrigued to try The Many Colored Land-I could do for some more classic sci-fi!

Loved hearing your thoughts on MDV. It is such a dark book and so thought-provoking, I think you summed it up really well. ❤

My Dark Vanessa is one that I go back and forth on wanting to read or thinking I should just leave it alone. It isn't an experience I had personally (thankfully and fortunately) but I have just heard how incredibly difficult it is to read those scenes and Idk how it would hit me... !

I can't wait to hear about Black Leopard Red Wolf. I tried to read that book five times and failed before page ten

You have got me really curious about Black Leopard Red Wolf, even though you also make so clear that you don't recommend it widely lol. Will check out the sample for sure! And beautifully said about My Dark Vanessa, I read that years ago and it still sticks with me to this day. Such a harrowing but powerful story. Hope May treats you well, happy reading!

Kafka on the shore is great and has no strongly weird scenes. I highly recommend reading it.

Really enjoying watching your journey through the works of Murakami Jimmy! Stoked to hear your thoughts on 1Q84, it became my favorite book of all time last year and started me down a literary rabbit hole leading to reading Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time'. The line between reality and the imaginary/subconscious and how the two riff on each other in our minds is a theme these two do so masterfully, making a reading experience that is in a category of its own almost.

Been watching your channel for many years, extremely confident that you'll love the soldier son trilogy, don't believe the haters, it's excellent!

from wrestling to cool books! I used to watch you on Convey pro- it was so much fun watching you dismantle opponents. very entertaining!

I can see the reject-Olsen-twin in that audiobook graphic! 😂

In April I finished Fool’s Fate. Plenty of books left to possibly go down and then back up, but for now Realm of the Elderlings has surpassed Dark Tower as my top fantasy series. 1Q84 is my all time favorite book!

I would have been the perfect prey as a teenager because of parental neglect and verbal abuse, so your review on My Dark Vanessa really resonates with me. I'm glad she wrote that book but I know it would be too triggering for me. I might still try it one day. You impress me with how many disturbing books you've been able to read. I wonder if there are certain topics and scenes you would draw the line for (did you read Lolita?). I watched your reading vlog and really enjoyed it! I added The Many-Colored Land to my TBR, it honestly sounds so fascinating to me!

I loved My Dark Vanessa as well, I think it handles such a heavy topic really well and it's definitely a book that has stuck with me, though I read it a while ago. Your review of it was very thoughtful and well-put. The Changeling sounds interesting!

I've never heard anything but great things about My Dark Vanessa, but I'm glad to hear you give it such high praise--I actually came across it in a Little Free Library on my street this week, and figured it was a sign to give it a try. I have a feeling it won't be a comfortable read, especially because of certain life experiences I've had, but there's something to be said about the cathartic effect of unpacking emotions through fiction. I'm a big fan of you branching out so much lately and giving lots of genres attention--after reading nothing but fantasy for months, I really need to do the same!!

I don't know about that Murakami guy. I might have to check one of his books out just to see how strange they are. You will like the pick of the month. I'm pretty mid on the series as a whole but I think the first book is better than the Goodreads average rating and the second one is one of the better "middle of a series" books I have read. The series goes to some dark places so you will enjoy them 🤣. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the book. It is my brother's favorite book series. Great wrap up!

Will be very interested to see how you like Shaman’s Crossing. I think it’s vastly underrated. I suspect that much of the reaction to it is from people who want Fitz, but a little different. It has a first person narrator, but he isn’t Fitz. It also goes in some very unexpected directions given its initial set-up.

Great wrap up man. I love the variety you’ve been reading on the channel the last maybe like year or so. It’s been so cool to see you branch out in so many different ways.

Hi Jimmy. I've had The Changeling on my TBR fot awhile now. I WAS planning on not reading it after another Booktuber gave it a thumbs down revie. But after hearing your comments I think I'll give it a try and make up my own mind about it. I'm a huge fan of his novella The Ballad of Black Tom.

Jimmy looking sharp! Love the content

Book of Mormon is so good! On the issue of Murakami, my experience was: Kafka on the Shore - wow this guy writes so well; 1Q84 - what a gigantic waste of my time; Norwegian Wood - no Murakami, I don't understand why you do this. Probably won't read more by him, at least in a long while. I must pick up Julian May's book, it's been sitting on my shelf for over a decade! And added My Dark Vanessa to the neverending wishlist, thanks Jimmy 😅

Jimmy, mate I follow all the big booktubers but I most look forward to your videos and reviews. You deserve a waaaay bigger audience. Keep doing what you do, you're the man.

Now I need to read that book of the Month too! Yaay for the patreon pick!!! 🎉

Julian May is a favorite of mine. Great series.

Lots of books to put on my list! Both the Marlon james and Julian May books sound amazing. I’m glad you are trying out 1Q84, I think it’s probably his best work, followed by Norwegian Wood. There are definitely still strange sexual themes, but I think it’s much less flippant and gratuitous, and the main characters are relatable and more like able than his classic 30 yr old male schmuck. If you haven’t read the book North Woods by Daniel mason, I would highly recommend it! I just read it as a little break between reading the dune sequels and it was such a breath of fresh air. A really magical book.

I love My Dark Vanessa so much! You did an excellent job summarizing the book & truly did it justice! 👏👏👏 my favourite line because I found it to be incredibly powerful was “I just really need it to be a love story, you know? I just really, really need it to be that…because if it isn’t a love story, then what is it?…it’s my life. This has been my whole life.”

I read several Julian May books decades ago, but not this one. I will have to check this one out.

Glad to see you are doing well enough, here from the manga channel. Hope that you are still reading through One Piece and will maybe do an overall review once you are caught up; assuming that the spoiler(s) didn't ruin the series for you.

Stoked for shamans crossing!!

«The Many Colored Land» sounds like a hoot! After a slow March, I finished in april «The Fort» by Adrian Goldsworthy (City of Victory Trilogy #1, Historical Military Fiction set during the Campaigns of Roman Emperor Trajan, Sequel Trilogy to the «Vindolandia» Trilogy), «Empire of Silence» by Christopher Ruocchio (Sun Eater #1, Space Opera/Sci Fantasy), «Islands in the Net» by Bruce Sterling (80’s (Post-)Cyberpunk ), «Howling Dark» (Sun Eater #2) and «Idoru» by William Gibson (90s Cyberpunk ), having pushed back «The Green Pearl» (Lyonesse Trilogy #2) from April till May.

I'm glad you are reading Shaman's Crossing. I am really tired of all of Booktube reading Robin Hobb, but this particular series is one NOBODY ever talks about, or even mentions.

I was looking up the Many Colored Land while you were still talking about it on audible. Saw the cover and had to do a double take to make sure it was the right book. Then you called it out. What a strange cover. Sounds like an interesting read though

My dark Vanessa is one I always hear about and thinking it would be such a valuable experience but it never seems like the right time to pick up something that heavy

That first love cliche’ is such and older person forgetting the pain of being young and creating an ideal that could be dangerous for young people who misunderstand. I haven’t read My Dark Vanessa so I hadn’t made that connection.

Some good books you're covering here. I'm also glad you finally read Black Leopard, Red Wolf and enjoyed it to boot! The Changeling is a good one, it reminds me of Gaiman a lot in how LaValle weaves the fantastic into every day life. Now if he does it as well as Gaiman does it, I'm unsure. If there is a message in The Changeling, it's about the sacrifices we make for our kids, as well as an exploration of how Apollo wants to not be like his own father and be there for his son. That's what his whole arc is about. He is going to be there for his son no matter what, and he won't make the mistakes his father made. Also glad you liked My Dark Vanessa, I read it back in January and I really liked it a lot. I don't want to say 'enjoyed' because it's a pretty messed up book. But the way Russell makes you feel what it feels like to be groomed was a deeply unsettling experience, and really shows how insidious grooming truly is. I don't think it'll hold a candle to Lolita, few books ever will as far as I'm concerned. But what we did get, I was very pleased with. I hope you enjoy Borne! It's definitely my favorite science fiction of our century. Great video as always my man!

The Changeling - read last year. I think back and wonder what did I just read? Not bad just wow. I think it’s going to be an Apple show soon.

I thought Hard-Boiled Wonderland was pretty cringy haha. I might still try 1Q84 at some point but Murakami isn’t as high on my priority list at the moment. The Many-Colored Land has been on my TBR for a while, so I’m glad to hear you think it’s a worthwhile read!

When you pronounced “Shaman’s Crossing” like that, I immediately thought of the Pokémon Shaymin. So that’s how I spelled it when I looked it up. 🤣

great video as always, Looking forward to reading more Philip k Dick, he is one of my favorite authors, shout out 3 stigmata of palmer eldritch, Ubik, and Flow my tears the policeman said, And im kinda scared for you reading 1Q84 , its intense on the murakami factor, though it is excellent, ----unsolicited advice here is to maybe wait , if this is your 3rd Murakami, thats a little too soon, itd probably be fine but in my estimation " A Wild sheep chase" and "Dance Dance Dance" in that order, idk people going rogue and trying 1Q84 for their 1st or 3rd Murakami seems too intense, i read them in publication order mostly and that worked for me , starting with Sheep chase and Norwegian wood.

Currently reading parasite eve by Hideaki Sena, SI-FI/Horror

Have you read Song for Lya?

Just started Malazan, and now another dense book, Black Leopard Red Wolf, is calling my name. How will I survive this 😔

Nice assortment of books this month! I've almost picked up My Dark Vanessa like six times but never feel like I'm in the right headspace for it, one day it'll happen. I added the Olsen twin audiobook to my audible 🤣 Excited to see what you think of Lord of Emperors and Shaman's Crossing!

I haven't been able to read a single book since reading crime and punishment. Murakami is weird and i hate how he writes women but i still love his books 😂

You may need to do a name change, it's not all about the fantasy anymore. Btw, that is a good thing for me! 🤫😄

I very much agree with your thoughts on Murakami. I would've recommended Kafka on the Shore, its his most surreal and it isn't as long as 1q84 (also the only book of his that I still like)

Unpopular opinion, I don’t care for Murakami.