💌 links to more specific book recommendations 💌 • cozy fantasy kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rsyenMyBsJfYY6M.html • epic fantasy kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nZyUaMWe3tzeepc.html • dark academia kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g6loa8iZtpeYk2g.html • easy-to-get-into classics kzfaq.info/get/bejne/b7xxY6apnbGUhoU.html • thrillers kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iLmmrciWsrmsYIU.html • romance kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p8-PjLmLlrGUoac.html • LGBT+ romance (and also non-romance) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aL50eqx_s9qudp8.html

When I was 11 my school's librarian recommended me a translated classic and I fell in love with reading . Now almost 13 years later I'm just 2 exams away from finishing my bachelor in library and information science 😭 . I really love this kinda video , maybe somewhere someone became a reader because of you 💙

Another good tip is to start with a reread. No one stops you from getting back to the childhood favourite - sometimes they don't hold up, but more often they do. My first audiobook ever was Winnie the Pooh, because I wasn't sure if I will be able to focus on listening. Several hundred audiobooks later I circle back to children classic when ever I feel in a mood for a quick, cosy read.

fantasy: Shadow and Bone (Leigh Bardugo) The Final Empire (Brandon Sanderson) Howl's Moving Castle (Diana Wynne Jones) War Cross (Marie Lu) thrilling: Truly Devious (Maureen Johnson) If We Were Villains (ML Rio) engaging: The Secret History (Donna Tartt) The Yellow Wallpaper (Charlotte Perkins Gilman) contemporary: Radio Silence (Alice Oseman) Girl, Woman, Other (Bernardine Evaristo) audiobooks: Daisy Jones and The Six (Taylor Jenkins Reid) romance: Book Lovers (Emily Henry) Written In The Stars (Alexandria Bellefleur) Finding Audrey (Sophie Kinsella) nonfiction: Im Glad My Mom Died (Jeanette McCurdy)

For anyone that’s read and loved Howls Moving Castle, I’d also highly recommend Diana Wynne Jones’ other books! My personal favorite is called Fire and Hemlock, which is about a girl who suddenly remembers a whole secret life she had had when she was younger- it has themes of mythology and romance and it’s great!

An upload should not be able to make a person this happy🥹

The series that got me to reading fictional books, was “a series of unfortunate events” by lemony snicket I never forget the feeling I had when I read the first book It was a MAGICAL experience ✨

being a child who used to love reading and read loads of books, I lost the passion as I entered highschool when my academics got too hectic, but recently I found that joy of reading again thanks to the Lunar Chronicles. I finished Cinder, Scarlet and Cress so quickly and will be reading Winter once I submit my assignment. I miss this joy and excitement I get from reading fantasy. Will definitely check out these reccommendations of fantasy books!

Schools somehow manage to choose the worst books to read 😭

This single handedly made my day, thank you my queen

I've loved reading during my time in school just as much as I love it now, it never stopped for me. 😊 Instead of hanging out with friends during breaks I'd go to the library with the book I brought from home, which really wasn't all that often, maybe 5 times throughout the entire time I was in that school. The result was that, after school, my friends followed me through the city one day when I was going to the bookstore and confronted me in said bookstore about how I behaved weird... because I went off to read a couple times. As if reading was abnormal, as if wanting to spend some time alone or doing something else instead of the usual thing was abnormal. So they ignored me for some time because they didn't believe me when I told them that everything was fine, because they took me tending to a different hobby other than walking rounds across the schoolyard very personally. 😅

This makes me want to re-read The Yellow Wallpaper. I remember reading it when I was in year 12 literature class and I hated it so much. But I hope that ten years later, I'll actually really enjoy it more and understand it more. Edit: Also to add, I would recommend manga, comic books or graphic novels if that's your jam. I've found them really easy to get through, accessible and understandable. Really loving Rainbow Rowell's She-Hulk, and also will highly recommend Squirrel Girl, I found that easy to get into. Mangas I love atm is Heaven's Design Team (you also learn about animals which is cool), Haikyu!! and Spy x Family. Graphic novels are different to comics, as comics have both issues and trade paper back (tpb). TPB's are a book that is a collection of 6 or so single issues, whereas graphic novels are just one story contain within a book.

When I was a child, I read a lot and very fast. I believe that's also the reason why I'm pretty good at school and especially in my native language. When I got my phone in fourth/fifth grade and started having less freetime, I stopped reading basically completely, only occasionally reading books I got as presents. Last year I went shopping with my friends and picked up One Of Us Is Lying. It was my first book in English and my first book in a while, and because it was so easy to read, I ate it up very quickly. After that, it kind of spiraled and now I'm back in the game :D So happy to spend my time reading more again

this turtleneck + blazer combo is show stopping ♡

I nearly cried when you recommended Radio Silence, Alice really helped me to regain my love for reading, and especially that one I hold really dearly to my heart. I strongly recommend it too (just maybe check out the trigger warnings first!). Thank you for this video, I gathered lots of new books for my list! 💕

I probably have a huge diference in time zone from the majority of everyone here because Im from Brazil but, I feel soo happy that every time I wake up to school and get ready on a monday, I have your videos to relax to and make my day less hard, thanks soo much Leoni ❤️❤️ Also great book recomendations! I’ve been trying to pick up reading a lot again but O think Im not finding the right books, definitely give theses ones a try!

I have some book recommendations that were not mentioned in this video: -FANTASY: The WaterFire Saga. This isn’t exactly “beginner because it is a 4-book series, each book being around 400 pages, but it is amazinggg!!! -SCIENCE FICTION: The Roar and its sequel The Whisper. This is a super underrated dystopian series that is extremely well thought out. It’s also not too long, but not so short that you get done with it too quickly. -CONTEMPORARY: The Benefits of Being an Octopus. I cannot recommend this book enough. “Beautiful” is not a sufficient word to describe how truly incredible this book is. It’s definitely very deep, so if you want something more lighthearted in this genre, I’d recommend The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City. It’s just a fun little story. -HISTORICAL FICTION: Listening for Lions. This is a pretty short book, but it’s a very unique story and a wonderful introduction to the historical fiction genre if you have never read a book of this type before. There are also tons of World War II historical fiction novels, which are also really good. -GRAPHIC NOVELS: The Nameless City. This is a 3-book series that is just… amazing. That’s all I can say. It’s fantasy and it’s super well written, with a really nice art style!

The folk of the air trilogy sent me into a fantasy obsession

The Final Empire completely changed the way I looked at books. Five years since I read it, and The Mistborn Trilogy is still my favourite series of all time. I love it with all my heart, it's the reason I absolutely love fantasy.

im currently reading howls moving castle and it’s definitely helping me get back into reading! i recommend it too

As a long time fantasy reader, if you even slightly enjoy fantasy I implore you to read Robin Hobb’s realm of the elderlings books. They are by far the best fantasy books I have read in my life. Don’t think they’re great for beginners, but if you’re looking for a new fantasy series to immerse yourself in: this is it.

For romance books my all time favourite is the hating game. It got me both into romance and audiobooks. The narration is honestly one of the best.

Shadow and Bone got me into reading, I had tried to get myself into it already before but never achieved it until this book, and now I absolutely love it! Reading is my favourite hobbie and Fantasy my favourite genre and i’m sooo greatful for this book

Memoir into novels: Crying In H Mart by Michelle Zauner Know My Name by Chanel Miller Born A Crime by Trevor Noah

I've always loved reading so, naturally, I decided to study literature at uni for 5 years. I finished 2 years ago and honestly, it wasn't until I discovered your channel like 2-3 weeks ago that I realized how burnt out I was. My mind had turned reading into this profound undertaking and I forgot that it can just be... fun. A few times, while watching a video of yours, I suddenly thought "I can't wait to read now", so I paused the video and grabbed a book (I always go back to finish the videos so don't worry lmao). You just make me feel so inspired and excited to read, and I haven't felt like that in forever, so thank you ❤ I'd only read 7 books in 2022 but since discovering your channel, I've already finished 3 😊

a new video is the start to my day. Great recommendations

The Radio Silence rec was *chef's kiss*. It's my favorite Oseman novel. I felt so seen by it, and I loved the friendship in it.

The book that got me back into reading was the vanishing half by brit bennett; definitely recommend! Such a good book.

After not reading anything for nearly a decade "Aurora" by Kim Stanley Robinson helped me fall in love with books (again). It is a terriffic Sci-Fi book about a multigenerational intergalactic voyage to another planet and the complications that arise. It is half narrated by the female lead, half by the spaceship's AI. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to start reading again.

You literally inspired me back into reading so thank you so much ❤ Without you, I wouldn't have such beautiful stories I've read stuck in my memory You're my fav youtuber ^^

My absolute favorite scifi fantasy series is the lunar Chronicles. It is amazing and I really think you would love it

YES!!! Not enough people talk about the Howls Moving Castle books! I loved the movie, but the book is even better. One of my favorites for sure

YESSS THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY DAY BY UPLOADING!

Thank you! I actually get back to reading after years without reading, feeling that was a part of me that was missing and your channel helped me a lot! Love the anesthetic vibes you give to your videos as well.

Ahh I'm in such a reading slump now, I am finishing up a few books but have no idea what to pick up next. Cant wait to listen to this ❤❤

YES was hoping Brandon Sanderson would be on the list and I was so happy when it was the 2nd fantasy book!! NONE of his books have been a disappointment.

i just entered a slump, and 2023 is my year where i get back into reading, so thank you for this video ! :D

I loved reading as a child and spent most of my summers doing so but dealt with horrible mental health as I got older and lost my love for reading. I have had a few times where I read a few books here and there since then but until last summer was unable to stick to reading. I definitely made note of many of these and will be checking out your other book recommendation videos. I also really love your lamp!

Very good fantasy is also the cruel prince. Super easy to get into and very fun

our Dutch girlie with the sponsorship for the amazing book box that's not available in Europe, way to rub salt in the wound 😭

Howl's Moving Castle was the one who made me get out of my reading block after graduating from my Literature and Languages college, love it so much!

The book that really got me into reading was The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson when i was like 8. And my favorite book of all time is How to Live Forever by Colin Thompson, which i discovered when i was 11. Both are middle grade fantasy books and i love them very much ❤

i recently got into reading again thanks to a friend and your videos. the books she recommended me were all the drama i was looking for, plus your enthusiasm with breaking a book down for a video really inspired me to really focus on what i'm reading to undestand what's going on and how it ties to larger arching themes. i'm glad to say these things have really turned reading into a mindful experience where i'm able to feel seen while escaping and yeah, thank you for having this channel with such fun witty talk!

A little unrelated, but I love the way you talked about the books and the different genres in this video. I felt like you genuinely do have an appreciation for all different types of books and that you really do love reading

these recommendations are so on point and i love how you describe them!! immediately adding the yellow wallpaper to my tbr 💗

neil gaiman has a lot of great books too and they're easy to get into! I'm still recommending good omens to leonie hehe

Ah I really needed this video thank you so much 😍🥹🥹

I always get stuck on books I should just DNF. Refusing to read a new book until I finish the book I am not enjoying as some form of self discipline that back fires into just not reading at all. Especially if it’s a series and you want ‘closure’ 😅 Funny enough the current book I’m stuck on is a Grishaverse book which is one of your Recs. 🤣

Howls Moving Castle, and the two books after it (castle in the air and the house of many ways) are both set in the world of howl and are really good too.

I'm listening to the audiobook for truly devious and I'm loooving it. I usually don't like thrillers but this is the perfect mix of mystery and fun so it's balanced and not too creepy!

I think I watched your video on dark academia books back in october and I read 34 books since then. It wasn't only your video, I implemented a lot of changes in my approach to reading to help me get back, butmfinding your channel def helped a little bit. We are not always in agreement about which books are actually worth the time, but I'm very happy that I started reading again. I was reading 1-2books a year and I read 34 in 6 months. I'm really happy about the number, but also the quality of the books and how much fun I have.

So i just ordered The Folk of The Air Series because how much you complimented it, so you're good at selling. And because of this video my wishlist just got 10x thicker, so thank you and no thank you at the same time. Love your vid, thanks.

I love reading mostly, fantasy and love all Leigh Bardugo and I'm only 13 and hope to never get away from reading., and would love to try lots of these books.📖😌

This is such a perfect video! The editing, seeing the books, the notes, the simple descriptions 👌

Memoirs are the best as audiobooks, there´s something magical about an author telling you about their own life.

Did not expect Final Empire there 😅 I've read most of these, so I can totally agree with the recs! Spot on ✨

i have never heard anyone recommend finding audrey! i had no clue it was ever a booktube book! i adore it, it's so cute

I kept checking my subscriptions to see if you had posted anything. Love your videos ❤

Book Lovers was such a good romance rec imo 😱👏 I saw someone say in a review that it is like the perfect romance for virgos and now I can’t unsee it, haha! Only romance I’ve given 5 starts to so far

As a side note, audio books of non-fiction read by the authors can be a really great plus. The authors may also add things that aren’t in the physical books.

About I’m glad my mom died by Janette McCurdy: highly recommended the audiobook format, it’s Janette McCurdy herself reading!!

Your channel got me back into setting reading goals and trying new genres. :) Great video to wake up to! Have a great week, Leonie!

When you said “better in audiobook format” I knew it was going to be Daisy Jones! I’m anxiously waiting for the library audiobook to be available (25 more weeks 😅). I LOVED reading it, so I can’t imagine how much I’ll love listening to it!

Found a random book called Into That Forest in the teen section of the library when I was around 11. It remains one of my favorite books but no one knows about it. It definitely made me wanna pick up more books to try and find another as enjoyable as that one.

This is such a brilliant video!! You always manage to hit the spot with your recommendations and I love that you also pay attention to the people who are new to reading. I have already read some of these and absolutely second them :)

I love your videos and your voice is so soothing and expressive, Leonie❤

Audiobooks and specifically GRAPHIC AUDIO productions is such an amazing experience.

Aw Book Lovers was the first romance that I read!! I loved it and it made me want to read more, it made me happy that you recommended that one. I have been looking for a good one to follow that up that will also make me laugh

I have a BA in English … read a lot for college …. But am TRYING to do it for pleasure now … so thanks!

I recently gotten a lot of physical books lately since I mostly been reading books on mobile and fanfics, so I wanted to branch out and get back into getting physical books like I used too. And since you said you’re not familiar with Sci-if books, I highly recommend a series called “The Murderbot Diaries” and yes that’s its title I freaking love it. They’re all shorter books (roughly 160 pages at most) and the main character or well robot is very well written and the world is explained nicely in a way that if you don’t understand sci-if esc themes it’s easy for anyone to understand. Another Sc-fi esc story but on the opposite spectrum from darker themes is “Psalm for the wild Built” and it’s another robot based book! It’s more of a cozy fantasy type of story that could be read anytime, but both series do funny enough carry the same theme of robots wanting and figuring out human emotions and ect. It’s really neat how similar the themes are, yet very different the stories are written. As for thrillers I recommend psychological thriller a book called “The Push”, it’s a more slow paced book but also very well written. Unlike the other two this one is more realistic and heavy hitting, so lil warning for that one. But I suggest you check them all out! Enjoy my long book recommendations lol😌

I recently found out that Leigh Bardugo books work perfectly on those who want to read but don't know where to start

perfect recommendations as always!! thank you leo ❤

Reading books is my favourite hobby it makes me feel happy,calm and relaxed.

In school, we (my class mates and I) got traumatized with reading. We got introduced to literature with Iliad, Odissey, Divine Comedy, "I promessi sposi", and many other complex sad stories from long gone authors like Charles Dickens and Giovanni Verga... So, long story short, I did not even want to touch a (non scientific) book until well into my adulthood.

I'm so glad that Brandon Sanderson and Diana Wynn Jones got mentions in these videos. They are two of my all-time favorite fantasy authors.

I so agree with you on audiobooks. The choice is very personal, more so than printed books I think. I sure can't hold a heavy, complicated book in my head while walking or doing chores, which is when I enjoy audiobooks.

I got into your videos after the is tiktok ruining reading video and I have to say I'm happy I clicked! Also, I love how you take care to say what kind of person may want to read a book when you review and recommend books. Like, it just feels like you put a lot of thought into it and it shows how perceptive you are. As a library tech student and book lover, it warms my lil heart. :)

for thrillers i will recommend the good girls guide to murder series , young adult so very accessible style of writing and the thriller aspects are really good

The Mistborn series got me into reading again a few years ago, highly recommend!

I loved reading as a child. When i went to secondary , reading became enforced, and i slowly grew to not read as much. Idk what changed , but last year, i discovered Little Beach Street Bakery, which made me fall in love with reading again. Now here i am, reading books so quickly and going out all the time to read in parks and the sunlight.

For science fiction, I recommend An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green. It's a compelling blend of sci-fi, mystery, and contemporary that has a lot of commentary on social media. The audiobook is also quite good.

UNRELATED BUT YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY READ BELLADONNA IF YOU HAVEN'T. I AM OBSESSED.

Icarley! was a great show - surprising the networks dropped the ball not following it up with similar.

So many of these are already on my TBR list! This makes me want to get to them all the more

I was unable to read for 1,5 years and then picked up “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie that I was given by someone who got it as a present but didn’t know enough English to enjoy it. And somehow it has kept me doing nothing but reading for the next 1,5 days. I think it was a combination of things that did it for me. First, it is written in a way that’s easy to read but still engaging. It didn’t feel like effort. Also the way the main character was described was very realistic and relatable. I also felt connected to her because I’m an immigrant myself and even though we come from completely different cultures there were some overlaps in the kinds of bewilderment and struggles. And then it was also educational. I always need things that are bound to reality in some way or another or I’ll get bored. That’s not an easy mixture of things to meet. But also there are lots of lovely books to explore 😊

If you love just learning new things I can not recommend starting out with non-fiction enough. I was not a reader at all but always loved learning, started reading non-fiction and how I can't get enough of reading and in pretty enough all genres now too.

Also, as Leonie has pointed out regarding TikTok books... Don't go with a book just because you hear a lot of people raving about it in a vague way (in whatever medium) - go with something that has features YOU are likely to enjoy. (If I only read what was on the NYT bestseller list, for example, I'd probably have convinced myself I hate reading by now!) I find channels like this and Goodreads reviews (not the star levels - the actual reviews) super helpful for that, because even if the reviewer hated the book, they might describe features that I know I'd like, and vice versa.

A sci-fi book for beginners I would recommend is Aurora Rising (first book of 3). It's got everything to keep you in: found family plot of teenagers in SPACE 400 years from now, humor everywhere, some great characters and easy-to-imagine world building if you're into spacey movies like Star Wars. The polt twists tho-. I was SHAKEN. Such smart and well-thought of sub plot OF THE SUB PLOT that reviels itself at the end of the series and takes you back to book 1.

As always, amazing recommendations with a great insight into "who might like what", thanks a lot for this video Leonie! I really appreciate the way that you noted that Shadow and bone is a bit generic and better for people who are more into YA or just new to the fantasy genre - I read it last year and I was wondering why is everyone so obsessed with it! But now I can really see that it was just that I was not the target audience, since I've been reading fantasy for over 20 years so I just expect more complex worldbuilding from my fantasy books than what the Grishaverse offers. I love the way you put it - while both are good, Leigh Bardugo is for people who are starting with fantasy, while Brandon Sanderson works for the more experienced fantasy reader. Cannot agree more!

Thank you for the recs! I've been looking for starter fantasy books, bcs I can't find myself get into fantasy easily, so maybe one of these recs will work for me :D

the first book that got me into reading was "el conde de montecristo" (i don't know what it's called in english sorry) from Alejandro Dumas, it was such a thrilling story about vengance, love and other stuff. But sadly i stopped reading for a while until i found the foundation series from asimov and other science and science fiction books have sparked mi love for reading again. Just felt like sharing this :=)

OMG I may have done a little happy dance when you recommended Daisy Jones and the Six. I looooved that audiobook! It totally plays like a podcast ❤

I just started rereading shadow and bone again 😂 I know it’s not a masterpiece but it’s one of these books I can always read and enjoy, no matter what

Howl's Moving Castle and Daisy Jones & the Six are still on my TBR. 20 years ago I had a hard time explaining to people why The Secret History was worth their time even if it seems intimidating on the outset. It was technically a bestseller but it didn't hold the cultural power I believed such a twistedly bonkers novel deserved. Then Tumblr happened. I still have mixed feelings about Tumblr but at least it gave literature a constructive avenue. Jennette McCurdy is rockin' it! You know how you can tell in an instant that some people are smarter and deserve more than what they're doing? That's how I felt watching iCarly: Jennette was too good for that series and now she's a kickass author.

Love the vibe of the video, I think it’s really cute :) great suggestions in terms of books as well! 🫶🏻

Shadow & Bone is sooo good. Made me fall in love with fantasy

Wait does that mean that book of the month ships to the Netherlands now?

Thank you so much leonie, I have been in a giant reading slump and want to start up again. These books are very helpful Btw love your channel❤

I would recommend the raven cycle SO GOODDDDD

Hey. I've read three of your recommendations (babel, these violent delights and bunny) and loved them so freaking much. So may I recommend u one? The ocean at the end of the lane by Neil Gaiman is a fantastic little fantasy book. I'm sure you'd love it