TOP 20 MOST POPULAR CLASSIC BOOKS!

I love your content. This is just the kind of video I love. Also, YES to a video about how to start our own Booktube channel.

Tristan's expositional skill is sublime. Even books he hasn't read yet are comprehensively elucidated.

The comment on "Lolita" really resonated. I've read many Stephen King novels, but there are a handful I stopped reading because I couldn't go where the main character was going.

I just love how, but of course, eloquently you’ve explained your stance on Lolita. And I love you for having it, a true intellectual, in mind and heart. I tried reading it in my early 20’s because I’ve heard it’s a masterpiece and a must-read. It didn’t take long before I got sick to my stomach and closed it never to pick it up again. Always a pleasure to listen to you, another great video ❤️

I’ve read all of these except Stoner, Atlas Shrugged, and Go Set a Watchmen. I’m not convinced that either Stoner or Watchman are classics. I will likely read Stoner at some point. I’ve read enough Rand (Fountainhead, Anthem, Virtue of Selfishness) to know that I won’t like Atlas Shrugged. She is a terrible writer, not even taking into account her “philosophy.” It’s worth noting that, except for Anna Karinina, all of these are 20th century books. I was surprised that no Austen, Bronte or Dickens made it. Joyce is as difficult as you want to make it. I’ve read Ulysses three times and probably could read it endlessly if I wanted. But I don’t see that as either an impediment or a cause for struggle. I get new things out of Pride and Prejudice every time I read it, and that doesn’t make it particularly difficult. The trouble with Joyce is that the academics have persuaded people that it’s extremely hard (and have downplayed that it’s really funny). Lolita is an amazingly good book, but yes Humbert Humbert is a truly awful man. I’m curious — do you have the same hesitation about reading A Clockwork Orange or Barry Lyndon or Gene Wolfe’s Book of the New Sun? All books narrated by truly horrible protagonists who are very unreliable. Finally, it’s also remarkable how strongly this list has been influenced by high school reading curricula (Mice and Men, Catcher, Fahrenheit, Brave New World, Gatsby, Slaughterhouse 5, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies and Mockingbird are all staples for high schools).

Tristan you are a classic! in the best way

I can understand not liking Lord of the Rings, if it's not your type of book. But to say it's poorly written is objectively false.

If anyone can inspire someone to open a book, Tristan can! Because of his videos here on YouTube, I’m reading (and enjoying) books I never heard of before.

Love your channel! I have read most of these books and my favorite was Lord of the Rings - Tolkien was a genius. I totally agree and understand your reasoning for not reading some books - people look at me like I'm crazy but there are just some things I don't want in my brain. Thank you for a wonderful channel💕

Please read Lolita! Just to experience how beautiful Nabokov's writing is. You will not regret, I promise. Don't judge it by the cover or the description. Read his other books - Pnin, The Luzhin Defence, Camera Obscura. He has amazing lectures on literature, the way he writes about Dickens, Joyce and other books is so brilliant.

You've given me a whole reading list, please continue to make videos like this. Thank you!

Super video as always Tristan. Im so glad i found your channel and joined your patreon group. I find it hard to get the time to read as much as I would like to, but your channel is great motivation. Perhaps in the future you might think about a substack newsletter or similar? Your reviews and thought provoking analysis and questions are really appreciated.

I’m relatively new here and I just wanted to say that I LOVE your videos! I also respect your position on Lolita. Good on you.

I love this channel and Tristan, you are the best. I have just finished The Great Gatsby and loved it. Now I want to read Anna Karenina thanks to your obvious passion for it. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Tristan, I love your enthusiasm and knowledge. Can you explain (in your opinion) why the Book Depository readers didn't choose to read Dickens, Shakespeare, Austen, Dumas, Hugo, Dostoyevsky, Eliot, Gaskell, Hardy, Collins, Trollope and the Bronte sisters?

You are such an inspiration Tristan. I have read 5 out of the 20 books with many of the 15 unread books on the to read list. Thank you again.

Ahh so happy I found your channel again! You have such a great voice for YouTube and wonderful explanations of classic novels! 😊

I love your commentary on these books! I haven't read all of them, but several are on my list and the ones I have read are due for a reread. I always feel so inspired when I watch your videos. I would also love your take on starting a BookTube channel ❤

Brilliant video, Tristan, thank you! I've read 5 on the list.

A friend introduced me to your channel a couple of weeks ago, and I've been really enjoying your enthusiasm, analyses, and forthrightness about the texts you discuss! To follow up on your mentioned Easter egg: I've been thinking about starting a booktube channel, primarily to help myself get through my TBR pile (modern literature mostly – children's, fantasy, academic), but also because I miss feeling like I have a reason to analyse and coherently phrase my reactions. This idea isn't necessarily new – I have an MSc in modern literature, and have studied creative writing and the history of ideas. By technicality, I'm an author. I've thought about testing the waters of booktube before. I think I've just been a bit frightened of the idea of putting not only my words out there, but also my face, you know? Since I started studying "litteraturformidling" (literal translation: conveying literature), however, this seems like the right thing to try, so is there any advice, encouragement, or similar you could offer?