I'm so glad you mentioned going to your library. I don't think enough BookTubers promote libraries enough. What's better than having all that choice of reading materials for free?! Would love you to feature a trip to your library in a video. They are such a wonderful service, but if people don't use them, we'll lose them! It's our generation that needs to fight to keep them alive!

I'm right there with you on reading books I already own. I went book shopping this past weekend, and when I placed I my new books on the bookshelf, I noticed SO MANY books I totally forgot I had that I've been dying to read. I'm going to try not buying new books for at least the next 3-4 months while I work my way through what I already own. We'll see how that goes. Maybe you could do a mid-year check-in on how many books you've read from your own stash? Or even better, monthly. That might motivate those of us who are doing the challenge with you.

“time spent reading is never a waste of time”. Amen to that! 📚 the house of the spirits is one of my all time favorite books.

I’m only reading books I own this year too! I’ve committed myself to a “no spend” year so I can relearn my relationships to spending money and saving, as well as a number of other reasons. For new years, I went through my bookshelves and made a list of the books I own but haven’t read and picked out 10 to read between terms. Also trying not to hold myself to unrealistic goals while working full time and being in college ❤

You are one of the people who inspired me to start reading again in my adult like. It has been such a blessing this past year, when I read 65 books!! I can’t wait to pick up some of your recommendations this year ❤

Morgan, hearing you talk about your favorite books made me cry, in the best way. I just think you're so wonderful. I hope that's not too much to share. Your spirit & vulnerability resonate with me most, out of perhaps anyone else on the internet.

This is such a wholesome list! Mary Oliver is also on my 2023 tbr. I really loved her book upstream and I’ve been wanting to get into some of her poetry, she seems like such a kindred spirit

This video is absurdly well produced. This channel will get huge, no doubt

AAAAH SO EXCITED! I'll be sure to read along with youuuu 💛

The house of the spirits is phenomenal! 100 years of solitude doesn’t need additional praise ❤

Yay a Morgan video! This was a happy surprise on this Monday morning ☺️

My favorite book of 2022 was Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. It was the first of his books I’d read and I was blown away by the beauty of his writing and the emotional intensity of the story. So good! My focus for this year is also on reading books I already own. I have so many that I could keep busy for years! Wishing you a wonderful reading year, Morgan! ❤️📚

KZfaq algorithm did not fail me! Love this. Every year I also set a 50 reading goal but 5 years ago, I have stopped trying to hit it for the exact same reason. But I still do have the counter on Goodreads until now. It is only there to give me a general sense of how much time I spent reading for a year.

My favourite KZfaqr ❤ can’t wait to hear about your TBR ❤

I love the suggestions Jody made. I got a few books over the holidays/my birthday and also found books I had forgotten that I had when adding to my shelves but really want to read. The books were second hand but I don't need anymore for quite awhile. Recently fell in love with reading again and want to read all the books LOL. Love your beautiful tea mug. Happy 2023 and Happy Reading 📚.

I resonate with the trap of the goal! It makes it hard to concentrate on what I’m reading. I feel like to be considered a bibliophile I needed to read 50+ books but sometimes a book is hard to get through and sometimes they’re easy and I just like to focus on what’s in front of me. So instead of being mad about my lack of reading last year - my first year of being a mom I was really proud of my low number because I READ! This year I’m replacing my horrid social media addiction for books. I invested in kindle unlimited because there aren’t any book stores in my small town and use my library card religiously. I’m on book three this year alone and I’m just shocked at how much I’m able to get done as a SAHM and as a committed reader. I love the freedom books has given me back. I’m 18 weeks pregnant with our second and I have terrible pregnancy insomnia and wake up every night at the same time so I roll over and grab my kindle that doesn’t disturb my working husband while he sleeps. It’s changed my life. I have ADHD and the way my brain stops thinking and overanalyzing my personal life has brought a lot of contentment in my life and my current season of life. Reading puts so much into perspective.

So sad to have missed the premiere (I absolutely LOVE participating in those!), but thoroughly enjoyed watching this as I got ready for work this morning. A wonderful start to my day! ❤️📚😃 Thank you for sharing your book goal freedom … it applies to so many things this time of year and I really needed to hear it. Hope you are having a fabulous week! 😊❤️☀️

The beginning of this video is BEAUTIFUL and warms my heart ☺️🤍

What a beautiful video! I just discovered you channel but already became a big fan!! I also love to listen to people talking about their favorite books. It warms up my heart ❤ Thanks for sharing your list of favorite readings of 2022.

I’ve just been broken up with after five years but your upload still made me smile. Life is a real struggle at the moment, but I am sure this feeling will pass eventually. It’s only been a few days. Thank you for bringing light into my life even when I don’t have any ❤

I think that 2023 is the year of reading books we already own for everybody, because that’s one of my goals for the year too! I also failed my reading challenge for the year and was very disappointed in myself over it. But, your comments about it really helped me come to terms with it and I am ready to take on reading this year when I want to, not when I feel like I need to. Happy reading Morgan!

Thank you for encouraging us to browse the stack of unread books we already have at home and the libraries' treasure troves, Mo! For those of us who don't mind reading on an e-reader or other device, there's also the option to get a digital library card and borrow your e-books for free while still supporting the authors. The wait lists are a bit long, but definitely worth the wait and the small initial price☺️(I just learned about it, maybe it's already well known).

Great video, love the intro and exit, the book suggestions, how you put yourself out there...and that sunflower throw!!

Morgan, I look forward to each and every one of your videos like a little treasure for myself 💗

This intro was like a balsam for the soul and the video so heartwarming!thank you✨️🎆💟

I absolutely enjoyed this video. Thanks for the motivation.❤

I have always loved your "book/reading" videos. Wishing you a wonderful new year.

Amazing and magical first video of 2023 Morgan LOVE IT! 💜💕📙❤️❤️🌈📙🧡🧡🧡❤️💙💙💙💚❤️📙💕📖📖📚❤️❤️📙🌈💕💜💜💕🌈📙💙💙🧡🧡🧡🧡💛💛💛💛💙💙💚💚❤️📙🌈📚📚📖📖

I also have committed to only reading books I have or ones I find in the library! It’s fun to know others are doing this as well!

I am look forward to read all of itt!!! Thanks Morgan❤❤❤

Such a cozy video! I took some notes of the books and want to read Before the Coffee Gets Cold very soon! Thank you Morgan

This video is so cozy! Can’t wait to pick up these books. Thank you for the recommendations!

The last weeks of 2022 up to now have been so busy, it's been hard to even appreciate that it's a new year at all. Also, I'm still reeling that it's already 2023. As always I love this video, and it brings me peace. I definitely hope to go to the library more; I've been checking out audiobooks like crazy, but I miss physical reading, and since all my books are currently packed up to be moved, the library it is!

I adore your opening montage, so beautiful and fun

LOVE wintering so so much! I re-read it every winter

I'm so excited to see the video! Honestly, I didn't know when the next one might be seeing as how many videos you did in December and all the time they must have taken, but when I saw this I was sooo happy. :) Thank you, Morgan!!

That is also a goal of mine, to read the books that I already own! I fell in love with the idea of the “date with a book” that most book shops do, where they wrap a book and you might not know what’s inside, so I take five books and wrap them each up and put a number on them. I then read something that I’m excited about(usually a series) and I try my hardest to forget the books that I’ve wrapped. Then I pick a random number from a jar and open the book that has the same number that I chose. It’s helped me SO much, and I’m already on book number four of the year. They’re all books that I’m interested in, or have been recommended, but I have SO many that picking one out from my bookshelves sometimes overwhelms me. I hope this helps you on your journey of reading this year! You are a wonderful wonderful human, and I hope one day I can meet you in person!

My goal this year has also been to read what I already own!! I'm doing my best to go through and see which ones to keep and which ones to gift :) thanks for the lovely video as always, Morgan!

You've got this! I believe in you on your no book buying year. Your video has inspired me to kon mari my book collection and only keep the ones I love and the ones I really want to read.

Aww love the outfit! So excited to see the start of your 2023 journey ✨Can't wait to watch later xx

Hi Morgan, I've been watching your videos for the last few years and have watched every single one. You are definitely my favorite KZfaqr. I have never commented on any YT video so this is a first. I'm an English lit major and love that your channel is so focused on books and reading. I used to think that sitting around during the day and reading was not ok (I should be doing something) until I watched you, looking so happy and serene reading. Now I've given myself permission to read whenever I want to. About your 50 book goal, I wanted to say that I read 111 books last year and 77 the year before but I don't work and don't have many friends. I find that when I'm happier in my life and more balanced and socializing I read less and that's a win in my book. I started therapy last month to work on myself and one of my own goals has been to read less and spend more time with people/make friends. So I think not reading 50 books is totally fine and probably means you are living a good, enriching, balanced life :) Also, my favorite books of 2022 were: The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell, Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson, The Half Life of Valery K by Natasha Pulley, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, How to Be a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery, Piranesi by Susanna Clarke, Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi, No Heaven for Good Boys by Keisha Bush. I also get all my books from the public library and own zero books (long story). Thanks for doing amazing work, being yourself so people like me can see that we're not alone, and you are such a talented videographer I can see that your future holds moviemaking if that's the path you want to follow. I believe in you! Have an amazing 2023.

I have the same reading intention… though I ended up buying a second hand book recently 🫠 I find my focus with reading is hit and miss, but I’ve found reading a physical book while listening to the audiobook keeps me focused!

I'm with you!! 📚☕️✨️💕 Soooo many books to be read on my bookshelf (it is absolutely too much fun to buy new books or peruse the nearest little library! 🤗) I love that you feel free of the expectation to read a certain number of books in a year. It is so easy to get fixated on an end result, but so important to just embrace the journey. Wonderful first video of the year! ❤️ P.S. You can do it!! I'm so excited for your future Netflix series! 😍💫

Loved this! Thank you.

Throughout the pandemic, the only things that came into our home for a long while, were food household supplies, garden plants and needs, and orders of books. It was a big part of my emotional self care. The outcome? Presently my bookshelves are overwhelmed with books I truly look forward to reading, yet there they sit, as I continued my routine of buying books. Yesterday was my birthday, and the new year really starts for me now. I too am hoping to make this the year I read primarily from my own collection. I'll still use my library on occasion, and I'm sure I'll stumble across a used book here and there, but I'm excited, bookwyrm that I am, to delve into my personal "hoard" of treasures.

Happy new year Morgan xxx

Aahh thank you for the recommendation! I just recently discover you and i love your video so much! Many of my friends recommended Before the coffee gets cold so I might try that for my next read ❤

I totally agree with you Morgan regarding new year outlook, everyone is on their own path in life. Life is here to be savoured & enjoyed. I love home comforts, I'm a real home body. I feel safe, humble & grateful for my home. I do enjoy a good bookshop & coffee shop as well as a treat to myself. Wishing everyone health & happiness for every magical month of the year. Life is here to be appreciated in whatever way you do that is unique & special in every way. Much love, Elaine

Morgan! This is not book related but I finished a show yesterday that is called Would You Like A Cup of Coffee? on Netflix and I think you would love it! its 12 episodes and they are all 20mins each. It is such a cozy, comforting, and happy show about going through life and how a simple cup of coffee can change a person's day. It is in Korean but it has English subtitles.

I needed to watch this!

Morgan, I enjoy your videos SO much! From the music, to the aesthetic, it’s really soothing and magical! And your suggestions and tone of voice, mannerism, it’s all just lovely. You are LOVELY! ❤ I’m so with you on reading books that I already own. My TBR list is enormous and my bookshelf at home is actually bursting 😅lol (Though, I did I add some of your favorites from last year to my list 💁🏻‍♀️🙈 😂) XO

Loved this one so, so much. I'm with you on reading the books I already own. And yes, it is pretty nerve wrecking to say out loud 😱😉. Cheers friend, and happy new year ☕

I recently read "Before the coffee gets cold" and it was beautiful ❤My heart was full after reading this!

I enjoy your videos SO much! Happy New Year!!! I want to also read 📚 that are on my shelves. Loved 😍 your spooky shadowing TBR...lol I read devotions this year too. Highlighted so much of it! Spoke to me too. Also finished Wintering per your recommendation and enjoyed it!

I first heard of Mary Oliver from you & Devotions is a book I constantly re-visit. The poetry is so beautiful & certainly does uplift/calm your mood/inner peace. Thank-you for introducing me to this poetry ❤

Ahhh! I see the teacup candle I sent you! So glad you're enjoying it ♥And I am right there with you on your reading goal - I own way too many books that I haven't read so that's my goal for the year as well! 😊Happy New Year Morgan! 💖

I am with you on letting go of some goals! My pursuit will be to spend my moments in ways that make my life gentle and peaceful. I have ideas of what I want to do, yet they are not "goals". 2021 was a difficult year, and I learned that I need to cherish the moments and appreciate the kindness. Yes, I will read what I own, I have some that look wonderful so I will "shop" my own bookshelves

Loved the Magical Tea Shop!!

The top 5 books I read in 2022 (that I think you and other subscribers may like here too) The Frost Fair, Greenglass House, The Vanished Days, Emily of Deep Valley and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Good for you for not pressuring yourself to read a certain number of books in a year. I have taken the pressure off myself also by not setting a huge number. Last year I read 36, but that doesn't mean I will this year. My reading goal is just to continue reading and setting aside as much time as I can to read, because reading is a huge, huge part of my life. Also, I love rereading so I am with you on that goal! I reread many books every year. (I think I said "reading" way too much in this response lol! but that"s ok)

I just love you. WHAT a gift you are!! Thank you for doing this.

Someone in Poland will also be happy to watch the new vlog ;) Greetings from rainy Poland!

I am reading Wintering now. I am trying to recover from an illness and this past yr has been very hard. When I saw Wintering was about people suffering from lots of things including illness or recovery from an illness, I had to pick it up. I have highlighted so many sections. I feel normal now. It has really helped me feel so much better about myself. It is so good!!

YES! I feel so pressure now by my own reading goals that i totally lost the very exciting fibre that brought me into reading… i feel it’s sad that it’s become another aspect of fast consumption in my life. unfortunately, i study literature so i kind of need to read A LOT, but at least i’m aware of the pattern reading goals are giving me… acknowledging is the first step in the process xxx

Aww Morgan!! Been awaiting your next video patiently! I know it will be just as amazing as your others! Jules xxx

this is my first video from you... i'm instantly so relaxed. i'm so sad it took me so long. you remind me of my last therapist haha!

I absolutely love the fact that you addressed the numerical goal issue. For the first time I set a reading goal of a certain amount of books. It was 50 books in 2022. By the time the end of February came I realized I was over 1/3 of my goal and if I continued to read at that pace I would surpass my goal. Then I started working part time and volunteering about 10 hours or more a week at our local non-profit thrift shop in town. My reading time was cut back and by mid April I realized I was way behind my “tracking” numbers to hit my goal by December. Then came the anxiety and the pressure to force myself to read way past the time I was tired and ready for bed etc. Finally, as you said, I realized this is not what I want reading to be for me. I LOVE reading. I always have and I didn’t want it to feel like a “job” or a “have to”. Reading is my relaxation. It is one of my passions. It is a deep connection to my Dad who taught me not only how to read but to enjoy the process of reading. To not just read a page but to absorb it and let the words stir your imagination, your emotions and challenge you. So this year I will absolutely keep track of what and how many books I read and my experiences but I will never set a numerical goal again. After all, truth be told, my goal would then have to be ALL the books. I want to read them all 😊 thank you for being honest and real. ❤

Hola Morgan! Happy to see you back 💖 📚

The House of the Spirits is my favorite book. This is my first time watching your channel but I already know I can trust your taste in books!

My favorite book I read last year was "Such a fun age". It was really gripping and I loved how different issues typical for my generation were described, like struggling between passion and ambition, heart and social expectations.

Hi Mo, I really hope you had a great festive time off and I just wanted to say again how much I appreciated your Vlogmas, I hope you can keep making these gentle habitual rewirings in yourself for the type of work you produce ✨The new style was is brilliant and the best thing was hearing how much easier on your brain it was! We don't have the exact same taste in books but I've definitely picked up lots because of you this year, most recently The Lilac Girls of Ravensbruck! So excited to see a new video already especially a book one, sending all the love from across the pond ✨ I loved your hair and jewellery!! It's been on my radar but now definitely buying The House of The Spirits when I next do a book order! The relief when you said still making videos 😅🤞 My favourite books of 2022 were probably Putney by Sofka Zionvieff, Sympathy by Olivia Sudjic, A Theatre For Dreamers by Polly Samson, Three Daughters of Eve by Elif Shafak or The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams Aww I feel you but I like having a bigger TBR 😅feel comforted 😅 Roo looking at youuu Sending all the love ✨

I enjoyed Black Cake last year too. Just finished Red Rising as my first read in 2023. Enjoy a year of as many reads as fitting to your life!

I did that last year. Reading the treasures I already own. And you know what? It was amazing! Also I felt so much less guilty when I bought a new book because I had reduced my physical tbr and knew I would pick it up eventually 🥰💛

Loved this video and your recommendations! Missed your videos since Vlogmas but so glad you took time to rest. ❤😊

Great job on this video! Welcome to 2023, Morgan Long !🎉🎉❤❤

Thank you for sharing your favorite books. Winter is a good time for book lovers.

Oh my gosh that’s my goal this year too! We have an insane amount of books and my goal is to read what we have and declutter them. We have a little library out front and I want to read and then pass along. I haven’t read in years due to being busy with kiddos so this goal is to just read in general too!

Hello, Morgan! ☺️ I just had to comment on this video!! I just discovered your channel and have enjoyed watching your videos-thank you for providing such a lovely, wholesome space for me and many others. After reading this video title, my mind immediately went to The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches 😱 I def feel like we’re kindred spirits, and seeing that our favorite book of the year is the same just confirmed that. Keep enjoying your new year and reading journey 💕 -Martha

My favorite book series that I started in 2022 was A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas which of course everyone always talks about. I loved it so much and already reading the next book in the series. Your hair looks absolutely beautiful in this video by the way

Love your determination to read the books you already own. I have put a one book a month buying limit on myself for next year. I am also determined to make a dent in the books I have bought on kindle and not gotten around to reading yet. I usually only buy books that I have already read or listened to from the library and totally loved.

Morgan, I love when you share about books! I’m so excited that you’re reading “Wintering.” I reread it every year now and find something memorable each and every time. I also highly highly recommend “The Firekeeper’s Daughter” by Angeline Boulay. I listened to it on audio 2 years ago and still think about that book a lot. Also, if you like magic realism, try Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s books, especially “Mexican Gothic.” Blessings to you for 2023 ✨ 💜

I strongly relate to you! I couldn't finish my reading goal this year too and I feel somehow relieved and I also decided that I'm gonna read the books that I already own . My favorite books for 2022 were ( Part of Your World - Love from A to Z - The Pearl that Broke Its Shell- People we Meet on Vacation - Me Before You - It Ends With Us)

Love your channel Morgan! Thanks for the book recs - fellow PNW :)

I received The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches for Christmas and I am so excited to read it. It sounds like it will be the perfect cosy read for the winter. Thank you for sharing.

I’m checking every day for a new video 😊 no pressure 😂 xxx

I am so happy I chose to keep this video for my morning coffee 🥰 I so agree with you on owning too many books I should finally read before buying new ones😂🙏 it is a common issue amongst us readers. My favorite books of 2022 were Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. The latter is about the quite dark history of the HeLa cell line, one of the most used cell lines in science and I feel like it is an essential read for any scientist in the Life Science field. I also discovered Gregory Ashe as an author this year and have come to greatly enjoy his honest, authentic writing style that can strike as rough in terms of storyline but I really enjoyed his series last year! I am also with you on wanting to read Red Rising in 2023 along with quite a bunch of books I already own👀😊 loved the video morgan!

I’ve only just discovered you on You Tube and love your videos. I’m an older lady and love recommendations from young women. I have added a couple of the books to my list and already purchased and received Devotions. It’s stunning.

i adored the secret society of irregular witches, it was such a. cozy read. One of my top books this year was Hail Mary, a Sci Fi! i was so surprised how much i loved it, i think you may too.

You made me feel a lot better about how I see my reading goals.. I can feel really guilty at times

I looked at before the coffee gets cold some time ago but I wasn’t sure about it- glad you enjoyed it :)) xx

So excited for 2023 reading. I loved reading growing up, but as one does when we get older. I didn’t read as much. Because all I’d read was my textbooks for school. But last year, I read 12 -15 books! I haven’t done that since I was in high school. And it has reignited my childhood love of reading

I’ve accumulated SO many books physically and digitally this past year! I desperately need to put them in the “read” pile soon

Mary Oliver is a gem. If you haven’t read it yet, I think you’d really like her book Upstream. It’s a collection of her essays. I’m planning to re-read it this year. If you’re looking to expand your poetry reading, I always say Wendell Berry is like the male version of Mary Oliver. He’s really great too (and still alive).

I can’t wait to get home from work, make a cup of tea and watch this!❤

took your recommendation of the very secret society of irregular witches as i had been in a book slump (of about 5 years 😅) and i absolutely loved it! what a book! thank you so much 🥰 so easy to read, has you smiling from beginning to end - id highly recommend

Thank you for sharing with us this summary and future goals {definitely joining on progressing more with my physical TBR}. I have enjoyed House of hollow, Strange the dreamer and its sequel Muse of nightmares.

Love this video Morgan!! Keep me posted how you like the movie book! ;)

As I sit here watching this I am waiting for my copy of Devotion to hit my doorstep. Should be here literally any minute. I've heard you and Randi talk about this poet and I had to get it!!

I have the same reading intention for the year and actually joined a group - The Unread Shelf Project - to help me with this goal. Books are my joy, my love and comfort - but I have far too many! Hoping this mindset and the group push me to read what I already have. There is more than enough to keep me reading for a year and beyond, that's for sure!

Happy New Year to you Morgan ( and Landon too! :) ) enjoyed your video today, you brighten my day and find enjoying a cuppa tea with you so relaxing. I need to follow your challenge to read only those books that you have - to be read! If it makes you feel any better, I could fill a room with the # of books that I purchase ( mostly used, so that helps the wallet :)! ) I am a huge WWII historical fiction lover -- have you ever ready anything by Kristy Cambron, Amy Harmon, Susanne Kearsley, Lucinda Riley or Susan Meissner? Highly recommend these talented authors..... have a good week!!

BEST BOOK HAUL OF 2023 Morgan love it so beautiful and i believe in you and you all read all these beautiful books and have faith in you 📙💚💙💙📖📙❤️📙📖📚📚💛🌈🌈💕💕🧡🧡📚📚💜💜💜📚💛🧡💕❤️📙💚💚💚📖💙💙💚❤️💕🌈🧡💛📚💜💜💜📚💛🧡🌈❤️❤️💚📖💙💙💚📙💚📚💛