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the "a clockwork reader required reading list” 📚 (my favorite books of all time)

A Clockwork Reader・56 minutes read

The speaker shares their favorite books, kickstarting a book club on the Fable app and recommending various genres, from historical fantasy to graphic memoirs, showcasing their evolving reading interests and literary influences. The speaker highlights beloved classics, dark standalone fantasy novels, and contemporary works that have deeply impacted them, encouraging viewers to join the book club and explore diverse genres and storytelling styles.

Insights

  • The speaker's A Clockwork Reader reading list reflects their personal taste, identity, and values, shaping their beliefs through books that define their reading journey.
  • The Fable app hosts the Clockwork Reader book club, where members engage with book discussions and chapters, fostering a community around shared literary experiences.
  • The speaker's favorite genres include standalone fantasy novels with dark, mysterious, and viby elements, appreciating books like "The Night Circus" and "The Starless Sea" for their magical atmospheres and captivating prose.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Clockwork Reader book club about?

    The Clockwork Reader book club is a new initiative started by the speaker on the Fable app, where members can discuss books and interact. The first book club pick is "What the River Knows" by Isabelle Ibenz, an historical fantasy novel set in Egypt with a rivals-to-lovers romance. The speaker encourages viewers to download the Fable app and join the book club to read along together.

  • What genres are included in the speaker's favorite books?

    The speaker includes books that define their taste by separating them into genres and categories. Some of the favorite genres mentioned include standalone fantasy novels that are dark, disturbing, mysterious, and viby. The speaker also presents favorite classic books, including Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" and "Emma," "The Little Prince," "The Picture of Dorian Gray," and "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier.

  • What was the impact of "Wuthering Heights" on the speaker?

    "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte was the book that sparked the reader's interest in classic novels, shifting their reading preferences from YA and fantasy genres. Initially viewed as a tragic romance, the speaker later appreciated its themes of generational trauma, breaking cycles of abuse, and intricate motifs and symbolism. Reading "Wuthering Heights" prompted the reader to engage more actively and intentionally in reading, highlighting passages to connect motifs and themes within the story.

  • What is the significance of "Feminism Is for Everybody" to the speaker?

    "Feminism Is for Everybody" by bell hooks was a transformative read for the reader during their first semester of college, providing insights into feminist philosophy and intersectional feminism. This book deeply impacted the reader, shaping their understanding of feminist theory and its applications in society, particularly in relation to gender equality and social justice.

  • What is the speaker's favorite standalone fantasy novel?

    "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern is highlighted as a favorite book of the speaker, encapsulating magical character-driven fantasy with fantastic atmosphere and incredible prose. This standalone fantasy novel perfectly aligns with the speaker's taste for dark, disturbing, mysterious, and viby stories, offering an immersive and enchanting reading experience that resonates deeply with readers.

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Summary

00:00

"A Clockwork Reader Book Club Launch"

  • The speaker is finally making a video about their favorite books, known as the A Clockwork Reader reading list, which they have been wanting to do for a long time.
  • The list includes books that define the speaker's taste, identity as a reader, and have shaped their beliefs and values.
  • The speaker announces the start of their book club, the Clockwork Reader book club, on the Fable app, where members can discuss books and interact.
  • The Fable app allows users to find and discuss books, join book clubs, and engage in discussions based on book chapters.
  • The first book club pick is "What the River Knows" by Isabelle Ibenz, an historical fantasy novel set in Egypt with a rivals-to-lovers romance.
  • The speaker encourages viewers to download the Fable app and join the book club to read along together.
  • The speaker's journals, the A Clockwork Reader film and TV journal, and the A Clockwork Reader reading journal are available for purchase.
  • The speaker presents their favorite classic books, including Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" and "Emma," "The Little Prince," "The Picture of Dorian Gray," and "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier.
  • The speaker explains their decision to include books that define their taste by separating them into genres and categories.
  • The speaker mentions that some previously favorite books are not included due to new information about the content or authors that they do not want to support.

10:58

Transformative Books Spark Interest in Diverse Genres

  • "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte was the book that sparked the reader's interest in classic novels, shifting their reading preferences from YA and fantasy genres.
  • The reader initially viewed "Wuthering Heights" as a tragic romance but later appreciated its themes of generational trauma, breaking cycles of abuse, and intricate motifs and symbolism.
  • Reading "Wuthering Heights" prompted the reader to engage more actively and intentionally in reading, highlighting passages to connect motifs and themes within the story.
  • "Let Us Believe in the Beginning of the Cold Season" by Forough Farrokhzad, a Persian poet, deeply impacted the reader, introducing them to Persian poetry and evoking strong emotions.
  • "Feminism Is for Everybody" by bell hooks was a transformative read for the reader during their first semester of college, providing insights into feminist philosophy and intersectional feminism.
  • "In the Dream House" by Carmen Maria Machado, a memoir about an abusive relationship, was emotionally challenging but beautifully written, showcasing the author's talent in storytelling.
  • "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi, a graphic memoir about living through the Iranian Revolution, offered a poignant and humorous portrayal of dark subject matter, highly recommended by the reader.
  • "Yona of the Dawn" series was praised for its historical fantasy elements, slow-burn romance, and relevant political commentary, making it a must-read manga recommendation.
  • "Heartstopper" by Alice Oseman was highlighted for its heartwarming portrayal of love, friendship, identity, and mental health, resonating deeply with the reader.
  • "Saga" by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, a sci-fi comic series, was commended for its political fantasy elements, humor, and adult themes, remaining a favorite of the reader despite being a few volumes behind.

22:51

Impactful Books: Evoking Emotions and Thought-Provoking

  • "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" by Ocean Vong is a popular book known for its beautiful prose that evokes strong emotions and tears.
  • "My Dark Vanessa" is a challenging read that deals with disturbing content but is written with empathy and understanding, making it stand out.
  • "Woman Eating" by CLA Kota is a literary fiction novel about a young vampire woman dealing with emotions, symbolism, and metaphor, making it a favorite in the literary fiction genre.
  • "Parable of the Sower" by Octavia E. Butler is a thought-provoking dystopian fiction that critiques society intelligently and sets up questions for readers to ponder.
  • "The Hunger Games" series by Suzanne Collins has had a profound impact on the author, offering a critique of the US government and imperialism that remains relevant and thought-provoking.
  • "The Infernal Devices" series by Cassandra Clare is known for its emotional devastation in relationships, particularly the epilogue of "Clockwork Princess," making it a nostalgic and impactful fantasy romance series.
  • "An Ember in the Ashes" series by Sabaa Tahir is praised for its incredible characters, relationships, and political fantasy elements, surpassing many popular series in quality.
  • "Six of Crows" duology by Leigh Bardugo is a perfectly hyped series known for its political intrigue, fantastic characters, and captivating writing that sticks with readers long after finishing it.

34:31

Dark, Magical Standalone Fantasy Novels: Favorites

  • The favorite genre of the speaker is standalone fantasy novels that are dark, disturbing, mysterious, and viby.
  • "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern is highlighted as a favorite book, encapsulating magical character-driven fantasy with fantastic atmosphere and incredible prose.
  • "The Starless Sea" by Erin Morgenstern is also praised for its similar vibes and masterful writing, focusing on stories within stories.
  • "Sorcery of Thorns" by Margaret Rogerson is mentioned as another book that perfectly aligns with the speaker's taste, offering a fun, light-hearted, and immersive fantasy experience.
  • "The Last Tale of the Flower Bride" is described as a recent addition to the speaker's favorites, delving into dark, disturbing, and Gothic themes that resonate deeply.
  • "Juniper and Thorne" by AA Reed is highlighted as a gothic fantasy book that expanded the speaker's reading taste and left a lasting impact with its intense, vivid, and magical storytelling.
  • "Babel" by RF Kuang is praised for its critique of colonialism and imperialism, offering a thought-provoking and impactful dark academia experience with well-fleshed-out characters.
  • "If We Were Villains" by ML Rio is commended for its captivating story, interesting characters, suspense, mystery, and Shakespearean tragedy, living up to its hype and popularity.
  • "The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafón is lauded as a historical fiction masterpiece set during the Spanish Civil War, blending murder mystery with storytelling themes.
  • "As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow" is highlighted as a contemporary lit fic set during the Syrian Revolution, offering a heartbreaking, emotional, and empathetic narrative with fantastic characters and JBL references.
  • "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" is mentioned as a significant YA contemporary book with a queer couple as main characters, exploring themes of coming out, growing up, and falling in love in a deeply moving and nostalgic way.
  • "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is described as a life-changing book that explored important themes at a pivotal age, shaping the speaker's reading preferences and storytelling perspective.

46:12

"Thank You, Hope, Future: Farewell"

  • Video conclusion thanking viewers for watching
  • Mention of hope for viewer enjoyment
  • Promise of a future video
  • Background music playing
  • Farewell to viewers
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