BookTuber Wraps Strong Winter Reading
Natalie from Fully Booked podcast read 9 books in January with no DNFs, completing 3 of 4 monthly TBRs. *Us Against You* by Friedrich Bachmann earned 5 stars for character depth, while *In Your Dreams* by Sarah Adams showed 'real growth' in the author's writing compared to early works.
*Us Against You* is the second book in Fredrik Backman's *Beartown* series, continuing the story of the ice hockey-obsessed town and the aftermath of a traumatic event that divided the community. The novel delves deeper into themes of rivalry, loyalty, and the complex dynamics of a small town, with Backman's writing praised for its emotionally gripping and insightful exploration of human nature. The BookTube community on YouTube is a space for creators to share their love of reading through various video formats. Common videos include "TBR" (to-be-read) lists, where creators outline their reading plans for a specific period, and wrap-up videos, where they discuss the books they've recently finished. Many BookTubers also participate in reading challenges and games to motivate their reading and engage with their audience. "TBR games" are a popular trend within the BookTube community, where creators use games of chance or creative prompts to decide which books to read from their shelves. These can range from drawing prompts from a jar to using board games or specially designed challenges to build their reading lists for the month. This gamified approach helps many readers tackle their unread books in a fun and interactive way. Sarah Adams is a popular author of contemporary romance novels, often characterized by their charming and heartfelt stories. The mention of "real growth" in her writing may allude to a recent shift some readers have noted. While her earlier works were known for being "closed-door" romances, some of her more recent books have included more explicit scenes.