book reviews in youtube

15 Fantastic YouTube Book Reviewers For Your Viewing Pleasure

Giovanna Centeno

A polyglot reader, Giovanna Centeno is best described as a traveling book hoarder. Born and raised in the Amazonian region of Brazil, she studied Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies in Switzerland, before moving to her current home in Lisbon, Portugal. Gi is always traveling and reading, and you can tag along on her next bookish adventure by following @gcreads on Instagram.

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Lately I have found myself craving very chill book related content, as I have been stuck in a very long reading slump but I also want to keep up with the latest releases. So I tend to turn to YouTube book reviews.

If you are a part of the book community online, you probably have fallen down the rabbit hole that is BookTube. From cozy reading vlogs to book hauls and wrap-ups, there is something for everyone, even if, like me, you were a bit scared for the sheer amount of City of Bones or Sarah J. Mass there when you first discovered BookTube, don’t worry. The community has grown and diversified, with genres and topics for any taste. In this post, I wanted to highlight some review BookTubers, so that if you are looking to explore more in-depth reviews, want some book recommendations, or just a good laugh, you have some excellent places to start.

These are my favorite channels for YouTube book reviews and related bookish content. And, if you’re not already, check out Book Riot’s YouTube channel , too!

BookTube Channels for YouTube Book Reviews

The poptimist.

By far, one of my favorite reviewers on the platform, The Poptimist is almost exclusively a review channel. By all metrics, he is an unconventional BookTuber in that regard, but his super in-depth and top-notch GIF game reviews make every book he talks about super interesting. Whenever he uploads, I know that my TBR is about to grow.

Reading With Cindy

Do you want to laugh your socks off? Look no further than Reading With Cindy. I can safely say one of the funniest people on YouTube. With self-aware and critical humor, her channel is refreshing, with its hyper-analytical rant reviews.

Jean Bookish Thoughts

Jean was one of the first creators I started following when I joined BookTube, and I am still in awe whenever she posts. I would define her content as a mix of fantasy and intellectual; she is getting her PhD in ancient history, and always has excellent recommendations for most genres. Still, I would say her specialty is fantasy and political books. She has also started doing videos that are several short reviews in one go, which are nice if you just want a quick opinion.

Bowties & Books

With lots of energy and a super cool TBR card game, Bowties and Books is the perfect channel if you are looking for mini-reviews/recommendations, to expand your TBR with lots of great LGBTQ and diverse books.

Chanelle Time

Another very funny creator, Chanelle is awesome. Her book reviews combined with makeup tutorials make you feel like you are just having out with one of your funniest friends and talking about books, what more could you ask for?

Ariel Bissett

Ariel Bissett is one of the most expansive creators on BookTube, with a channel that has evolved from your traditional YouTube book reviews and hauls to a documentary miniseries on bookstores and music and book combo reviews. Her videos are well thought out and researched and it definitely shows her range and creativity.

Savidge Reads

Simon’s videos always feel very cozy to me, his wrap up reviews are very interesting, and I feel like he truly thinks about his reading in a more analytical way. So, if you just want to learn about some more books and watch a soothing video, check out his channel.

Paperback Dreams

You want to have ups and downs, honest and funny commentary? Look no further. Paperback Dreams is a great channel if you want your reviews to go through the motions; many times she even vlogs her reading process together with the reviews, so you can see her opinions throughout the entire books as she goes.

Starlah Reads

Starlah Reads does the more traditional formate of reviews, generally in her Best/Worst books of the year videos. But what I like the most is her series “Author Anew” in which she reads a new book from an author she has not liked in the past. These are part vlog, part review.

Jessica Nicole Dickerson

Jessica has a super fun and light energy channel and her reviews combined with wrap-ups always put me in a chill mood. She definitely spends a good amount of time and detail in each book, without spoiling or overlooking content.

Jurassic Reads

With a wide range of genres, Angel does great reviews about both new releases and backlist titles. So if you want to explore anything from romance to sci-fi and horror, she is always a good and reliable source for YouTube book reviews.

Perpetual Pages

One of the most dynamic reviewers on BookTube, Adri has something for everyone. However, I particularly appreciate their reviews, as I feel they are super in-depth without being too long, and the topics they choose to approach when analyzing their reading really resonate with me.

Brown Girl Reading

A more straightforward reviewer, I love turning to her channel whenever I am unsure about a book. Her reviews are deeply honest and very interesting; she is not afraid to speak her mind even on super hyped books.

A Book Olive

Olive reads and reviews almost exclusively adult fiction and nonfiction, which makes her a rare reviewer on BookTube. She does dedicated reviews as also the more traditional wrap-up reviews. If you are looking for a pandemic-related book, she has recently uploaded a very good summary of Spillover by David Quammen.

What Kamil Reads

Kamil’s channel is almost exclusively review based, and with reason. His reviews have historical backgrounds, language analysis, and a very in-depth explanation of why he did or did not like a book.

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19 Biggest Booktubers You Need to Follow: The Biggest Names in BookTube (2024)

Discover our guide with the biggest booktubers to get your fix of fun book content and find your next favorite novel.

Booktube – a Youtube community dedicated solely to reading– can help you find reading challenges, book reviews, and the latest must-haves for your bookshelf. Whether you have some great b ooktube ideas or are interested in finding a Youtube channel that supports you as a reader, the booktube community is rife with book recommendations, reading vlogs, favorite book discussions, and more. So if you’re a book nerd, are looking for other book lovers, or are just really starting to get into reading, checking out booktube videos is the perfect way to learn more about new reads.

Booktube isn’t just about books anymore–many reviewers use their platforms to promote underrepresented authors, discuss social issues, and teach readers how to make a difference in the world. In addition to activism, many of the best book tubers are using the platform to create a community where all feel welcome, even if they struggle to find others with the same literary interests.

Top 19 Biggest Booktubers

1. jesse the reader, 2. ariel bissett, 3. withcindy, 4. peruseproject, 5. polandbananasbooks, 6. the artisan geek, 7. bowties & books, 8. nayareadsandsmiles, 9. leena norms, 10. jack edwards, 11. fictionalfates, 13. paperbackdreams, 14. jen campbell, 16. thisstoryaintover, 17. tiana tea, 18. booked with jameelah, 19. the book leo.

With nearly 400,000 subscribers, Jesse George of Jesse the Reader is among today’s best book tubers. Jesse mainly reviews YA books and is known for his engaging, high-energy book reviews that excite viewers about what they will read next. Jesse provides his subscribers with book challenges to help them up their reading game.

Jesse has been in the booktube game since 2012, and he’s proud to have spent over a decade helping others find and learn more about the books they love. In addition to creating videos about books, Jesse hosts a monthly show on the Epic Reads YouTube channel, where he talks about the good and bad of books that have been made into movies on the big screen.

Ariel Bissett , one of the best book tubers, has been sharing her love for her favorite novels and poetry for years. Bissett covers a wide variety of literature on her channel, including short story collections and graphic novels.

She’s the founder of The Reading Rush, and she’s a hit with her audience for discussing other issues besides book reviews, including the effect of social media on mental health and social issues (such as climate change). She’s also talked with readers about how the global pandemic has affected those who work in literature and the steps readers can take to support authors and publishers in an ever-changing world.

Known for her brutal honesty and commitment to sharing her feelings about books with her readers, Cindy loves to go beyond standard book reviews. She uses her unique humor to get readers laughing while deciding what book to pick up next. Known for stepping outside mainstream reviews, Cindy loves to take unique angles to help her readers see books from a new perspective. Cindy loves to support new Booktubers in the community and works to help readers learn more about supporting a diverse group of authors.

Regan from Peruse Project is about helping readers find fantasy books they’ll love. While she started by sticking strictly to the fantasy genre, she’s since begun to branch out, discussing other genres with her readers.

Regan is the best book tuber for thrillers, fiction, and romance recommendations, especially when these genres intertwine with the world of fantasy. Regan loves sharing her reading habits with her audience and has helpful tips on getting through that pile on your nightstand, one page at a time.

Christine Riccio–better known as PolAndBananasBOOKS , has been reviewing books on Booktube since 2010 and has more than 400,000 channel subscribers. Riccio isn’t just a book reviewer–she’s also a New York Times bestselling author with her novel Again, But Better .

Viewers love the comedy that Riccio infuses into her reviews and how she talks about the process she goes through when writing her books. Riccio worked with two other booktubers to create BOOKSPLOSION, the longest-running book club on the social media platform. Currently living in LA and working in TV and film, polandbananasBOOKS fans can check out the author and reviewer’s online shop to pick up merchandise that touts love for all things literary.

If you’re into the Booktube community, there’s no doubt that you’ve already heard of Seji, the voice behind The Artisan Geek . Seji is a Black Dutch Booktuber committed to ensuring all voices are represented in the Booktube community. She’s known for her creative book reviews and her eclectic taste that leaves no genre unrepresented.

In addition to helping to improve visibility for authors of color, Seji also works to help queer authors and authors with disabilities get the reads they deserve. In addition, she offers her readers countless challenges to encourage them to pick up new books, including the Black Lit Challenge and the Fortnight Frights Readathon.

One of the best book tubers for representation, Jesse of Bowties & Books , is Black, queer, and working at the intersection of books and activism to help create a fair space for all authors and readers. While Jesse still heavily covers many genres (including science fiction, thrillers, fantasy, LGBTQ+ books, and young adult novels), they are also working to make the booktube community aware of issues of racism and injustice within the social media world.

Their video Being Black on BookTube, Protests, and Fake Allies, has helped many people become aware of the deep issues of racism and underrepresentation of minority groups within literature and social media.

Young adult fantasy Booktuber Nai’a Kamehanaokala is known for her detailed genre reviews. Naya of NayaReadsAndSmiles doesn’t just share what she loves about the books she’s currently reading–she also digs into her reading habits, helping others learn how to get on her level when it comes to staying on top of the latest great reads.

In addition, Naya loves to discuss highly anticipated books that are just about to drop. Proud to use her voice for what matters most, Naya has discussed racism in detail on her channel and talked to her viewers about her experiences with colorism. Naya uses her platform to bolster authors of color. She has also talked with viewers about why she decided to stop working with a specific brand after learning more about its history of discrimination.

Leena Norms isn’t your everyday booktuber; with years of experience in the publishing industry, Leena knows what it takes for a book to appeal to readers. She doesn’t just chat with her viewers about books–she also discusses general life advice, fashion, and social issues on her booktube channel. Leena makes a point to steer readers toward new and lesser-known authors and loves to chat about poetry, short stories, and novels. Looking for more? Check out our round-up of the best self-help books !

Jack Edwards is a 24-year-old with a vivid passion for books and reading. He studied English literature at Durham University and currently lives in New York. Jack is the self-titled “Resident Librarian” of YouTube, posting book reviews covering all genres and stylers. A fun twist of Jack’s channel that makes him one of the best book tubers is that he reviews book recommendations from celebrities to give his honest opinion. With 1.2 million subscribers, Jack has a great relationship with his fans, and when you watch his fun and upbeat videos, you’ll understand why!

Joel Rochester (aka Fictionfates ) is a long-time booktuber with over 100k subscribers and is based in the United Kingdom. He is passionate about dark academia, stories, and magical novels that pique his interest. As a writer, content creator, and creative soul, Joel has videos on all topics – not just books.

We get an inside look at Joel’s life, from organizing his library to reviewing his latest fantasy novel. With a captivating personality and joy that we can feel through the screen, Joel’s videos are an ideal way to boost your mood and find your next favorite read.

Kat, also known as Paperbackdreams on YouTube, is a quirky, hilarious, and highly energetic booktuber. Her unique style and humor are captivating and resonate with her audience when her videos begin. Kat is a fan of horror, thrillers, fiction, and YA and is known for her brutally honest reviews that tell you what she thinks. She is also known for her rant reviews, where she reads and reviews the worst-rated popular books.

Jen Campbell is a UK-based booktuber and an award-winning poet and bestselling author of twelve books, including short stories, poetry, picture books, and nonfiction. With over fifteen years of experience working in the publishing industry, she’s got a unique advantage in her book reviews. She offers knowledgeable insight to plot, character development, and writing style. Jen also uses her YouTube channel to talk about the history of fairy tales and the representation of disability and disfigurement.

Ellias is a passionate reader and vlogger; his captivating personality shines through in his videos. He reads almost every book genre, including manga, adult fiction, thrillers, sci-fi, graphic novel, and YA. His hilariously self-deprecating humor engages his viewers, and he also includes travel vlogs, collaborations with some of the best book tubers, book hauls, and movie reviews.

Janine began posting book reviews on her channel thisstoryaintover in 2017 and has over 94k subscribers on her channel. She loves to review YA and fantasy novels and shares her recommendations with her viewers by topic genre. Janine’s book club, where she discusses the monthly novels with a member of the club live on the channel. These live streams are highly popular with her viewers, and you can count on an honest review that will let you know whether to buy or pass on this story.

When looking for the perfect cozy book haul series, look no further than Tiana’s channel. Tiana Tea is the best book tuber to get your fix of feel-good, friendly conversation that leaves you feeling happier than ever. She loves to post hauls, reviews, and top round-ups for various genres, including self-help, historical fiction, romance, YA, and fantasy. Her videos have a homey feel that encourages viewers to comment and get involved, creating a real sense of friendship and community.

Jameelah began her channel in 2020 and started her channel to talk about her passion – books! Dedicating a space to talking about all things books and television, she’s poured her welcoming and calming personality into every video. As a Muslim hijabi woman, she hopes to bring much-needed diversity to booktube and create a safe space everyone can enjoy.

Booked With Jameelah has a unique video format for her reading vlog series, where she takes us through her day discussing life updates, new books, and more! Her relaxing and comforting videos create an incredible sense of friendship and community among her viewers.

The Book Leo is run by Leonie, and her channel is full of all things book related. She makes videos covering book reviews, reading vlogs, and book recommendations. As well as all this, she also participates in a fun trend in the booktube community of roasting her subscriber’s taste in books. Her content is wholesome, comforting, and all-around great fun to watch! Leonie also looks at trending Tik Tok books and tells you if they’re worth reading.

Looking for more? Check out our round-up of young adult books !

Amanda has an M.S.Ed degree from the University of Pennsylvania in School and Mental Health Counseling and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. She has experience writing magazine articles, newspaper articles, SEO-friendly web copy, and blog posts.

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The Best Book Review Channels On YouTube

For literary nerds who want to stay updated with the latest books, the book review YouTube world is a welcome respite where entertaining online personalities recommend great reading material. These book review YouTubers are impressively well read and well spoken. If you're in need of reading recommendations, check out these channels and join their online book club.

Many book review videos focus on a particular genre or series. Hosted by Christine Riccio, the channel polandbananasBOOKS, for example, includes a lot of content on  Harry Potter . Other book review videos feature a hodge podge of literary works. Jessethereader uploads videos about whatever he's reading at the moment. Some book reviewers on YouTube are heavily involved in the literary community. Greta Menchi even interviews authors for her channel. 

Which book review channels are the best? Vote your favorites to the top of the list below and feel free to add anyone you think is missing. 

Hailey in Bookland

A Clockwork Reader

polandbananasBOOKS

Little Book Owl

JesseTheReader

PeruseProject

Thoughts on Tomes

abookutopia

Ariel Bissett

* e m m i e *.

BooksandLala

WhittyNovels

rincey reads

oskarbookreview

https://www.youtube.com/oskarbookreview

book reviews and audiobooks

climbthestacks

tatianagfeltrin

booksandquills

candysomething

GRETA MENCHI

Pam Goncalves

CassJayTuck

Clau Reads Books

Ben Alderson

AbriendoLibros

• Entertainment
• Watchworthy

Day or night, rain or shine, YouTube is always there for you. "Like" and Subscribe to these top YouTubers and channels to let them know you appreciate their loyal company.

Buy and sell your books at the best price

Top 10 book bloggers and book reviews channels on youtube.

Are you a book lover looking for a new source of inspiration and entertainment? Look no further! Bookish bloggers on Youtube who make book reviews and other bookish content are the perfect place to go for all your bookish needs. From unboxing and reviewing the latest book releases to creating interactive activities, book bloggers bring a unique perspective to the book-loving community.

So, if you’re looking for a great way to stay up-to-date with the latest bookish news and content, these book bloggers are a perfect choice! But if you perceive information better by ear, read our post about the top 10 best book podcasts to find the best source of inspiration for yourself.

  CarolynMarieReads

Carolyn has been a lover of books ever since she was a young girl. She remembers curling up with her favorite stories and getting lost in their pages. It was that bookish love that eventually led her to pursue a career in illustration, writing, and, of course, reading.

On CarolynMarieReads, Carolyn combines her three passions together to create videos that are both educational and entertaining. She reviews the latest books, provides insightful critiques of newly released titles, and shares her thoughts, opinions, and experiences with her audience.

Carolyn is an excellent source for book recommendations, too! She reads widely and is constantly looking for books she believes her audience will enjoy. She’s also passionate about introducing her viewers to different authors and genres, so her videos include anything from old romance books and fantasy to historical fiction and mystery. Therefore, this blogger definitely knows which books you need to read to get the best bookish experience.

If you’re looking for a creative and inspiring bookish Youtube channel, CarolynMarieReads is the one for you! Whether you’re looking for Youtube book reviews, recommendations, or just a creative and entertaining way to feed your love of reading, you’ll find it here! So, what are you waiting for? Subscribe now and join Carolyn on her journey through books.

The Book Leo 

This book reviews Youtube channel is hosted by a book enthusiast Leonie. Here, you’ll find reviews of all kinds of books, from old romance books to modern YA fiction, so you can be sure to find something you’ll love. Leonie also makes reading vlogs, so you can get a behind-the-scenes look at what she’s reading and her thoughts on the books she’s exploring. And to top it all off, she shares book hauls, book recommendations, and bookish tips that she’s learned along the way.

We all need a break from our daily lives sometimes, and there’s nothing better than getting lost in the pages of a good book. Whether you’re searching for a new favorite or a way to escape into a fantastical world, The Book Leo can help you find the perfect read. Leonie’s reviews and vlogs will help you decide what to pick up next, and you’ll also get a glimpse into her life as a reader. So, head on over to Leo Book Review and get lost in a book with Leonie!

BooksandLala

Kayla, or Lala, is always excited to welcome all book lovers to her YouTube bookish channel, BooksandLala. If you’re looking for something new to read, she’s got you covered. She’s doing book reviews, book recommendations, and book club picks. She also discusses book trends, talks about upcoming releases, and shares her personal reading journey. If you’re a fan of the classics, she’s your girl. What’s more, she talks about her favorite authors and discusses the timeless themes in their work.

On top of all that, she’s hosting reading challenges and readathons. Whether you’re into classic literature or contemporary fantasy, Lala has something to challenge and entertain you. She also shares her favorite books of the month, along with book hauls and bookish giveaways. So, what are you waiting for? Join Kayla for all the fun on BooksandLala!

PeruseProject

As a YouTube blogger, Regan loves talking about books. One of the things that really inspires Regan is a quote from Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World: “Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly — they’ll go through anything. You read, and you’re pierced”. This quote speaks to the power of the written word and how it can penetrate the heart and soul of a reader. Regan believes that with the right words, you can pierce through even the toughest of barriers and reach people in ways that they may never have expected.

Regan is passionate about the power of books, and she loves to explore how they can help people to grow and evolve in their lives. Books can be a source of improving mental health (for example, college students’ mental health ) and a tool to explore different perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of the world around us. That’s why this blogger encourages people to pick up a book and get lost in the world of words. She hopes that by talking about books and their power, she can help to inspire readers to reach deep within themselves and discover new ways of looking at the world. So if you’re looking for a little inspiration, be sure to check out Regan’s YouTube channel. She’s passionate about books and the power of words, and she’s sure to have something inspiring to say!

Better Than Food

Better Than Food is a BookTube channel where a bookish guy shares his personal opinions about books that he considers to be better than food. The blogger is passionate about books and believes that reading can be life-changing. He believes that books can be a source of knowledge, solace, and entertainment. At Better Than Food, the blogger wants to share with you his favorite books and his thoughts on why they are better than food. He wants to give the readers an opportunity to explore the joys of reading and discover books that they may not have considered before.

On this channel, you’ll find honest opinions about books and discussions of your favorite books in depth, from their themes and characters to their plotlines and writing styles. You’ll learn more about the value of books in our lives and how reading can enrich our lives. So, join Better Than Food, and discover why books can be better than food!

Lesley Rickman

Lesley Rickman is known for her passion for reading, writing, art, and storytelling. She has been an avid reader since childhood and has always been passionate about storytelling. He loves to read books from all different genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mystery, horror, and romance. He is also a huge fan of comics, graphic novels, and manga.

Lesley is also an accomplished writer and artist. She has written numerous short stories and creates visual art through sketches and paintings. When it comes to storytelling, Lesley Rickman is a master. She is able to bring readers into the story and make them feel like they are part of the action. Her writing is both descriptive and engaging, while her artwork is visually stunning.

On her channel, Lesley shares her thoughts on the books she reads, gives recommendations, and reviews books. She also talks about her own writing and artwork and even does book club discussions and collaborations. This Youtube blogger loves to share her passion for reading with her viewers on BookTube. Her enthusiasm and knowledge of books, writing, and art are evident in all that she does.

Bowties & Books

Bowties & Books is a BookTube channel hosted by Jesse, an AfroChicano book nerd. On this channel, Jesse shares her enthusiasm for books, reviews, and rants about all things related to books, literature, and culture. Jesse is passionate about books and has been reading since she was a kid. In her BookTube channel, Jesse talks about books from all genres, from fantasy to non-fiction and from thrillers to romance novels. She also reviews her favorite books and discusses interesting topics in books, such as representation and diversity. Her goal is to create an inclusive and engaging space for book lovers. Jesse also loves to rant about things that she finds interesting. From discussing the latest book trends to talking about the importance of representation, Jesse’s rants are always insightful and thought-provoking.

Jesse’s BookTube channel is a great place to discover new books, get book recommendations, and learn more about literature. So, if you’re a book lover looking for some great book recommendations, head on over to Bowties & Books.

In a world where book reviews can be overly subjective, WithCindy offers a unique perspective on books. The WithCindy book review channel is led by Cindy, an avid reader who has a natural love of books. Cindy is passionate about books and brings that enthusiasm to her reviews. She has read a wide range of books, both fiction, and non-fiction, and she takes the time to read each book in full before making a judgment. You can be sure that Cindy provides a comprehensive and unbiased look at books, offering both a review and a discussion of the book’s content.

At WithCindy, books should not be judged solely by their cover. Cindy doesn’t just focus on a book’s physical attributes; instead, she looks at the entire package. That includes things such as the writing style, the characters, the plot, and so on. She strives to provide a holistic view of the book and give an honest opinion. Not in vain, she is guided by the principle, “You chose looks, I chose books”.

WithCindy provides a platform for readers to discover new books and authors. The channel is not limited to reviews of bestsellers or the classics. Cindy also features lesser-known books and authors, giving them a chance to be discovered by a wider audience. So come join WithCindy as she embarks on a journey of discovery!

A Clockwork Reader

Hannah is the creator of A Clockwork Reader, a book review Youtube blog. As a lifelong reader, she shares her love of books with other bookworms. It is a wonderful place full of people who share the same passion for literature. With her engaging personality, informative insights, and entertaining video presentations, Hannah is revolutionizing the way book lovers approach book reviews.

On her blog, Hannah discusses her current reads, reviews her favorite books, and offers her bookish thoughts. She also features interviews with authors and other bookish people, so you can get an inside look at what goes into their writing. Let’s get reading with A Clockwork Reader!

* e m m i e *

And the last bookish Youtube channel on our list is *e m m i e*, run by Emma. Emma has been a bookworm her entire life, so it was only natural she would share her passion for books with the world. On her channel, she talks about books and reads aloud some of her favorite stories.

Emma loves to talk about all kinds of books, from classics to contemporary, fantasy to horror. She also has a special interest in Young Adult literature and a particular appreciation for books featuring diverse characters and authors. When Emma talks about a book, she goes beyond the plot and reviews the book from a unique perspective. She looks at how the characters and the setting connect with readers, how the theme resonates, and how each book has something special to offer.

Emma also invites viewers to join her for a variety of book club episodes. From modern classics to exciting debuts, these book clubs offer an opportunity to engage with other readers and discuss their thoughts on the book. So if you’re looking for a bookish YouTube channel that offers something a little different, * e m m i e * is the perfect place for you! Join Emma for reviews, book club discussions, and reading vlogs — it’s sure to be a bookish adventure!

Final Thoughts

Bookish bloggers on Youtube have made a huge impact on the book community. They have provided a platform for avid readers to share their thoughts and opinions on books, as well as recommend new books for people to check out. They have also allowed book lovers to connect with each other and form a community. By creating book reviews on Youtube, they have helped to spread the love of reading far and wide.

Alison Bailey

Alison is a recent college graduate. Since college, she’s especially been interested in creating interesting stories and exploring different topics to write about. Writing for BookScouter gives her incredible pleasure and satisfaction. Alison considers content creation as an addictive hobby she puts her whole soul into. She’s also passionate about traveling, reading fiction, stretching, and playing the piano. The greatest stress-reliever for Alison is to pet her cat named Cupcake and listen to his soothing purring.

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The 10 Best YouTube Channels for Book Lovers

Say hello to BookTube! Here are the best YouTube channels for book lovers who love to read and discuss their favorite stories.

A whole section of YouTube is dedicated to reading and discussing books. Say hello to BookTube!

BookTube is an unofficial corner of YouTube where book lovers read an astounding number of books and then make videos about them. But what are the best YouTube channels for book lovers? What about channels for book summaries? And book reviews?

In this article, we list the best YouTube channels about books and for people who enjoy reading...

1. Rincey Reads

Watch for: Closed Captions [CC]. A wide variety of genres and authors.

Do you want to read a bunch of different genres? Do you want to read stories from a wide variety of authors? Then Rincey's got your back.

Her videos are simple, straightforward, and to the point. The most unique thing about her channel is the fact that every video has Closed Captions. So if you're deaf or hard-of-hearing, if English is your second language, or if you just prefer reading over listening, this is a channel we thoroughly recommend.

2. PolandBananasBooks

Watch for: Energetic, fun, goofy videos. Varied content with a focus on young adult and fantasy genres.

As one of the biggest BookTube celebrities out there, with over 400,000 subscribers at the time of writing, Christine Riccio's channel is a must.

She's full of energy and does a wide variety of book-based videos including book talks, book reviews, sketches, comedy videos, book-related discussions, and more. She even covers a lot of TV and movie content for books that have been adapted to the big and small screen (like The Hunger Games or Divergent).

A lot of her tastes fall under the umbrella of young adult (YA) literature and fantasy, but you can find a decent amount of variety here.

3. ChapterStackss

Watch for: Psychological and horror genres. Honest, clear reviews.

Here's a YouTube book channel made for expanding your horizons a little. Katie's channel is mostly about reading for fun, but it's also about reading to learn, so you'll find some non-fiction, some psychological stories, and some horror. Basically, a bit of everything.

She has interesting discussions about books, tag videos, and of course, classic book reviews. Her reviews are brutally honest and can really help you decide what to read.

4. StoryTime at Awnie's House

Watch for: Children's stories being read aloud. Images of the pictures in physical copies of books.

StoryTime at Awnie's House is a BookTube channel dedicated to stories for kids. The narrator---Awnie herself---has hundreds of videos in her library. In each video, she reads well-known children's stories while displaying the pictures and text from the book on the screen.

We all know young kids love videos, but by pairing that love with books, you can make sure the screentime they're getting isn't wasted on trash content.

5. MercysBookishMusing

Watch for: Short story collections. Graphic novels. Reading lists.

On Mercedes' channel, you'll find a wide range of books from literary fiction to magical realism, from short story collections to graphic novels. As usual, you'll get reading lists, book hauls, reviews, and wrap-ups.

MercysBookishMusing is strictly a reading-based channel, so you're bound to find some really wonderful books if you watch her videos. You won't find book club-esque interviews and chats with other people.

6. ClimbTheStacks

Watch for: Non-fiction. Classics. A bit of everything.

ClimbTheStacks covers more classic kinds of literature. If you enjoy powerful non-fiction stories as well as older stories with beautiful prose, you need to check out Ashley's channel.

This is one of those channels that will probably make you learn something along the way. She also dips into things like graphic novels and the Harry Potter series, so you get a solid mix of content if you subscribe.

7. Little Book Owl

Watch for: Contemporary fiction, manga, and a wide variety of genres.

Little Book Own offers an impressive number of book reviews. The channel discusses non-fiction, science fiction, and contemporary books, among so much more---including some manga.

Again, this might be another opportunity for you to find some books you never would have heard of or tried otherwise. The presenter, Caz, speaks with a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge about the books. And that will make you want to keep coming back for more.

8. Better Than Food

Watch for: Books that are better than food (supposedly), across a large number of genres.

We're not that sure any book will ever be as good as a piece of chocolate cake, but if anything is going to convince you otherwise, it's this YouTube channel.

Over the years, the channel has explored fiction and non-fiction, works from everywhere from Latin America to Japan, poetry, classic authors, and even books about music. You can find all of the channel's old content neatly organized in the public playlists, ready for you to dig into.

9.  Katytastic

Watch for:  Honest, clever book reviews. Fun book-related videos. Generally YA and fantasy genres.

Kat O'Keefe is another of the big BookTubers, with over 250k subscribers right now. You'll get a lot of classic BookTube content here like book hauls, reviews, reading lists, monthly wrap-ups, book talks, and the occasional book-related tag video.

If you watch Kat's videos regularly, you'll find a relatively wide range of genres, but---as with most of the biggest BookTubers---she tends to lean towards YA and fantasy. If that's your thing, subscribe to her and you'll get a lot of insightful commentaries.

10. BookishThoughts

Watch for: Videos about books that aren't reviews or recommendations.

The BookishThoughts channel is one of the best YouTube channels for literature lovers who enjoy a spot of lighter book-themed entertainment alongside their reviews and summaries.

The woman behind the channel, Jean, publishes lots of fun videos that make it easy to waste away a few hours. Videos such as "How Much Can I Read in 24 Hours?!" and live quizzes are sure to keep you engaged.

Are You a Book Lover? Read More!

BookTube is packed with hundreds of book-mad YouTubers. And there are many more YouTube channels for book lovers that we couldn't cover in this article. Just remember that most of the biggest BookTubers focus on YA literature, so you might need to dig a little for other genres.

And once you've subscribed to these channels, check out the best science fiction books for geeks and how to read free ebooks with Wattpad .

Book Tube – YouTube’s Community of Book Reviewers

Book Tube and BookTubers have been part of YouTube for many years now. I used to follow a ton of book review channels several years ago and then took a long break. Near the end of 2020, I suddenly found myself back into the thick of watching wonderful, creative, book reviewers on YouTube.

In 2020 I focused largely on reading history and natural history. Starting in 2021, I found myself needing a bit more fiction, particularly, fantasy. Thus, my new focus on fantasy led me to seek out book reviews and I “discovered” many BookTubers. Here are some of my favorites.

I’ll start with my favorite Book Tube book reviewer. Mike’s Book Reviews has over forty-one thousand subscribers and produces several videos a week. Each video is produced with high quality and Mike provides a great mix of spoiler free and spoiler-filled reviews.

The focus of Mike’s Book Reviews is a variety of fantasy, science fiction and horror. Mike is also one of the biggest fans of Stephen King. Thus, he is reviewing all of King’s works, diving deep into the Multiverse of these books.

Mike’s Book Reviews has inspired me to tackle many fantasy series. This year I’ve started the series Malazan Book of Fallen. This ten book monster written by Steven Erikson already has me hooked and as of now I’m only on book number three.

I’ve also started the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. This one has been a bit harder to get into, but I plan on finishing it over the next couple of years.

My TBR (to be read) list has grown a lot because of Mike’s Book Reviews. I’ve even read a couple of Stephen King books because of his channel. This is the only channel on this list that I’m ranking and that rank is number one .

Daniel Greene has one of the largest Book Tube channels with over 273 thousand subscribers.

Probably the most popular fantasy reviewer on BookTube, Daniel provides book reviews and also fantasy-related news. His production quality is high, if a bit silly at times. Overall, he is worth subscribing, but not a channel I seek out to see all the videos.

Captured in Words has almost forty thousand subscribers.

Another purely fantasy-based channel, Captured in Words is entertaining and intelligent. Jay is well spoken and provides extremely detailed info about the books he reviews. Jay is also well known for his analysis on Patrick Rothfuss’s Kingkiller Chronicles . He has several videos on the first two volumes of the trilogy and provides a lot of ideas about the mysteries throughout the books.

Whenever book three comes out, Captured in Words is sure to be the place to go before and after reading it.

Brian Lee Durfee ‘s channel is growing fast and will no doubt be over 3,000 subscribers in a short time.

The published author of The Five Warrior Angels series, Durfee has a robust channel with a wide range of book reviews. While still having a fantasy bent, the reviews cover a larger array of titles, including many that current fantasy fans may not have heard of.

An obvious well read, voracious reader, Brian provides a great deal of enthusiasm for books and reviews in a straightforward way. Beware that following his channel will surely bloat your TBR list. Make sure you check out his video on reading 1 star reviews of his own book. It is hilarious and gracious at the same time.

Also, Durfee is also a superb wildlife and fantasy artist. 

A quick note about watching a lot of these channels, especially the fantasy-focused ones. A lot of the same books and series are discussed, often with a lot of repetition of ideas.

The Brothers Gwynne has less than 1,000 subscribers.

While not hugely popular (yet), The Brothers Gwynne is a channel to get on board now while it gains attention. These brothers are the sons of author John Gwynne. They provide a tag team style of book reviews, mostly on fantasy.

The channel covers other topics besides books, including music and reenactment. Definitely worth a subscribe!

The Library of Allenxandria is approaching 4,000 subscribers.

A fun, energetic channel of book reviews, Allen provides a lot of variety. His videos are sometimes a bit long, but the information about books is worth watching. This channel is growing steadily, so look for it to evolve over time.

Philip Chase has over 6,000 subscribers.

Mr. Chase is another fantasy book guru but has a more literary focus. His reviews are detailed and extremely knowledgeable. He is one of the biggest Malazan experts and is well read in a lot of fantasy series.

This is a channel I want to explore more because Philip has a professorial vibe without the boredom.

There are many more Book Tube channels out there and this list is not the slightest attempt to cover all of them. It is more a way for people new to this idea to find some great book reviews and help you find your next read.

Parting Note: It is amazing to me that many great BookTubers do not have websites. They put so much effort in producing high quality, well edited videos, yet have not made a non YouTube home on the internet.

Websites are super easy to create and maintain. It would really help garner more attention to their already well made videos. Of course, this is something I would gladly help any new or established Book Tube book reviewer get started with and make a great success.

Book Scrolling

Best Book Lists, Award Aggregation, & Book Data

• Book Sources

The Top Booktubers & Book Youtube Channels

“What are the top Booktubers on Youtube?” We looked at 95 different youtube channels, aggregating and ranking them so we could answer that question!

Previously we highlighted the Best Websites To Visit For Book Lovers , and now we are following that up with a series of articles showcasing the best bookish personalities and sources to follow in a variety of different areas.

The Best Book Apps

The best podcasts for book lovers.

• The Best Bookish Twitter Accounts To Follow For Literature Lovers
• The Best Bookstagram Accounts For Book Lovers

Because of how we put these articles together (aggregate as many “Best Book Youtube Channel” articles as we can find and rank the individual items by how many times they appear), sometimes a top ranking entry may be somewhat outdated. There are a few channels on this list that are no longer releasing new material, but we decided to keep them because they all still have a nice back catalog to go through.

The additional 72 Youtube channels that didn’t rank in the top 23 are listed in alphabetical order at the bottom of the page, as are the articles we used to make our list.

Happy Scrolling!

The Top 23 Booktube Channels

23 .) bookswithdylan.

Lists Channel Appears On:

• Huffington Post

22 .) climbthestacks

• Make Use Of

21 .) Elizziebooks

20 .) Jean Bookishthoughts

• Book People
• Parchment Girl

19 .) MercysBookishMusings

18 .) SFF180

• My Bookshelf Dialogues

17 .) vlogbrothers

16 .) WellDoneBooks

• Parchment Girl 2

15 .) Wisecrack

• Quirk Books

14 .) Benjaminoftomes

• The Guardian

13 .) booksandquills

12 .) Jen Campbell

11 .) rincey reads

10 .) Ariel Bissett

• Mashfeed Blog

9 .) Jellafy

8 .) Katytastic

• The Write Life

7 .) Little Book Owl

6 .) padfootandprongs07

5 .) jessethereader

4 .) The Readables

3 .) polandbananasBOOKS

2 .) PeruseProject

1 .) abookutopia

Best Booktube Channels #24-95

Top youtube book channel articles, related posts.

The 5 Best New YouTube Channels for Book Lovers

Booktube (aka book YouTube) has been around for a hot minute. However, there have been some really great booktubers that appeared on the scene in the past year or so that definitely deserve a subscribe.

We’ve rounded up some of our new favorite booktube channels for any sort of book lover. Read on to see stellar TBR piles, the best reading recommendations and amazing book hauls.

Booked with Jameelah

Jameelah is a self-proclaimed book junkie who just wants to talk about books to her heart’s content She posts a variety of videos including tips and tricks on finding cheap books (yes!), reading wrap ups and book recommendations.

She also posts general discussion videos about the booktube community as a whole that are a must-watch for anyone interested in learning more about this little corner of the internet. She also has a very strong Instagram reel game.

Watch Booked with Jameelah

Bookworm Babe

Tiara is a writer and book blogger who started building her Youtube channel last year. She creates find monthly wrap up videos featuring book reviews. You’ll also find a lot of haul videos with a focus on Black authors and Indo-Caribbean literature on the Bookworm Babe channel.

If you’ve been looking for a more diverse list of books to read, definitely check out Tiara’s channel for some great recommendations.

Watch Bookworm Babe

Chantal at an Intentional Life

Chantal is a wife, mother and blogger turned who became a booktuber a couple of years ago. She does a bunch of fun tag videos along with TBR cart videos. She reads a whole bunch of genres including classics, young adult books and even some science fiction. And if you’ve been wanting to read the books you actually have on your shelves, then follow along with her Read Your Bookshelf challenge!

You can also sign up for Chantal’s bookish newsletter that she sends out which features her monthly to-be-read list and bookish deals here .

Watch Chantal at an Intentional Life

Melanie from MelReads strives to create a safe space for bookish people to talk about all things books like reading vlogs, book hauls, reviews, and more! She loves fantasy books but also reads across genres.

One of the coolest things that Melanie does on her channel is host weekly live reading sprints with other booktubers. It’s such a fun and interactive way to schedule some in some reading time and accountability while connecting with fellow readers.

Watch MelReads

BriTalksBooks

Bri started her YouTube channel less than a year ago and has already created a small collection of videos. As an English teacher, she brings a fun flair to the booktube community. She really loves fiction, including fantasy, young adult, contemporary women’s fiction, and romance books.

Check out her video on how to read more if you’ve been wanting to step up your reading game. And if you know your enneagram number (1, anyone?), make sure to watch her video on book recommendations based on your enneagram type.

Watch BriTalksBooks

Let us know: who’s your favorite to follow in the booktube community? And if you’re looking for more booktube recommendations, check out this post for 5 more booktubers to follow !

4 thoughts on “ The 5 Best New YouTube Channels for Book Lovers ”

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Home » Internet » 5 Best Book Review Youtube Channels | 3 Top Book Reviewers

5 Best Book Review Youtube Channels | 3 Top Book Reviewers

Reading and understanding a book from a perspective may be easy, but looking at it from various sides is quite challenging. Reading book reviews can allow learners to make decisions according to their passions. Some of the best book review youtube channels you may go through.

Richard and Judy, Publishers Weekly, Oprah Winfrey, and Adri are some top and well-renowned book reviewers. Indian book tuber, Rincey reads, Bookworm Babe, Abookutopia, and StoryTime at Awnie’s house are some of the best book youtube channels. 

Knowing about the best book review youtube channels will help you to get a thorough evaluation. Read these to get to know about such youtube channels. Don’t forget to check out these Business youtube channels !

See Also: Top 5 Best Comedy Channels On YouTube [2024]

Table of Contents

Writing Book Reviews On YouTube And Its Uses

A book review on YouTube  is literary criticism when a book is only briefly discussed or evaluated according to its worth, material, and aesthetic. A book review could represent the top source, an editorial piece, a shortened assessment, or a scholarly assessment.

See Also: 3 Good YouTube Networks For Small Channels [Indepth Review]

3 Top Book Reviewers

There are so many reviewers to deal with, but some only become favorites of almost everyone. Out of these are a few renowned persons known for being the best book reviewers you should look upon. 

Richard And Judy

Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan are the same wedded hosts of the British television talk display Richard & Judy. The t.v hosts Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan established the well-known Richard and Judy Reading Group in 2004 .

See Also: 5 Best Music Channels On Youtube To Follow In 2024

Publishers Weekly

The authoritative webpage for news about traditional publishing and sales worldwide , Publishers Weekly showcases articles on companies or organizations, evaluations, sales charts, and more. American commercial publication Publishers Weekly (PW) caters to publishers, academics, bookstores, and creative agencies.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Gail Winfrey is one of the top book reviewers , frequently alluded to anonymously by her initial surname, is an American talk-show personality, film director, actor, writer, and entrepreneur who also has the best Film YouTube Channels .

Read further to clarify the major doubt of this guide.

See Also: Unlocking Entertainment: Use YouTube TV On LG Smart TV

5 Best Book Review Youtube Channels

A book review is essential to learn thoroughly about some books and choose which is better. There are a lot of book review channels that try to satisfy the reader’s interest. Some of them explain more thoroughly and clearly. Here are some of the best book review youtube channels to look upon.

Indian Booktuber

In addition to their treasured published books, manuscript cultures have utilized the web over the years; Indian book tubers initially gained attention in 2014. A particular segment of the Internet community specializing in books is called BookTube. Video content from this queer and multicultural book tuber includes manga unpacking, sci-fi and fiction, and classic novel TBR films.

Check Out: Collecting Chronicles – On The Best History Channels On YouTube

Rincey Reads

Rincey has 1211 books on her to-read shelf, including Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf and These Truths : A History of the United States by Jill Lepore. Maximum Goodreads score for 2021: 3.7 Median Rincey rating: 4.61.

StoryTime At Awnie’s House

An American YouTuber named StoryTime at Awnie’s House delivers fictional books on the platform is one of the best types of network . Awnie, the storyteller, has numerous clips in her collection. It inculcates an intrinsic appreciation for literature in youngsters and adds to literacy development and subsequent academic achievement.

Bookworm Babe

The Bookworm Babes book club gathers monthly, either in real life or via the internet . During the year 2020, author & literature blogger Bookworm Babe Tiara began developing a Youtube account.

See Also: Best Hunting Channels On Youtube | Top 6 YouTubers In 2024

Abookutopia

One of the best book Youtubers channel w ith over 93K followers, 43.3M views, and 653 footage released, “Abookutopia” has become a Youtube star. The co-author of ZENITH: The Androma Saga, Sasha Alsberg of Massachusetts, is the #1 NYTimes Bestseller author.

Can I give any book a bad rating on YouTube?

Yes. You can only share a negative review after thoroughly analyzing the book and specifying why it is negative. It will be commendable if your review is popular with viewers.

How can I tell book reviews on YouTube and be impactful?

By employing these strategies, you can succeed as a YouTuber. Choose a few of the most read or in-demand books. Ensure that the description of the book effectively evokes wonder and enables the reader by providing appropriate reasoned critical justifications.

Is it acceptable to make money off of book review videos?

Yes. Readers are allowed by regulation to evaluate whatsoever book they desire. But it shouldn't cover any civil disputes.

Who are the best book review youtube channels?

Better than food, Abookutopia, Rincey reads, and more are some renowned YouTubers known for their book reviews.

These were some of the best book review youtube channels . You may get more such channels like this. After reading the book, you have a judgment which one you like, or any better option is there for your understanding and as per your perspective. Subscribe to this website to get more details on the digital world. 

Lead Photographer, Lead Advice Editor for @CNET in Europe. Love: the outdoors, music, food, snowboarding, animals, beer, coffee, lists. Personal views.

Best YouTube Channels with Book Reviews

During the last decade, the Internet has become an easy way to search for information, including finding reviews of books. In this case, it is worth emphasizing YouTube as the most popular source used by modern people. Using this platform, any viewer can find the needed information. For instance, book lovers from WriteMyEssayOnline recommend the list of YouTube channels with entertaining and useful book reviews, considered below.

• Better Than Food

YouTube channel Better Than Food provides the viewer with the personal opinion of its speaker about various books. For instance, in section “Playlists,” one can find reviews of European, Japanese, Italian, or Russian literature works. Moreover, the speaker talks about fiction, philosophy, classics, short stories, novels, and essays. On Better Than Food there are more than 170 videos in which the speaker considers plots of the books, as well as whether they are entertaining or not.

• The Book Belle

The Book Belle is a YouTube channel, which contains book review videos, in addition to reading recommendations and book hauls. Also, the speaker of the channel has several videos with books` writers. In most cases, she makes reviews on modern literary works. In reviews, the speaker shares with her own opinion about the read books. Thus, this channel can be useful for individuals who are interested in modern literary and want to become familiar with the works of contemporary writers.

On Helly, book lovers also can find book reviews, as well as recommendations, hauls, and lessons from literary works. In this channel`s videos, individuals can consider the personal opinion of the speaker from India about books` plots and characters. She expresses her real emotions concerning actions in the read books, which can be entertaining. One can find this channel attractive in terms of finding books to read.

• Little Book Owl

The channel Little Book Owl is also for modern book lovers, who want to find something interesting to read. On this YouTube channel, a young woman talks mostly about modern literary works. Besides, viewers can watch her recommendation and haul videos. In contrast to the above listed YouTube channels, this one contains videos about audiobooks. Therefore, the noted channel can be attractive for young readers, who prefer modern literature and want to find entertaining books.

• abookutopia

The YouTube channel abookutopia differs a little bit from other listed channels since the speaker talks about several books once a month. She presents the read literary work and expresses her opinion about their plots and heroes. As well as other YouTube speakers, this young woman has a playlist with book hauls because her collection of literary works is quite impressive. Hence, on the noted YouTube channel, one can find a vast number of entertaining modern books to read.

• London Review of Books (LRB)

Such a channel as London Review of Books (LRB) can be useful for individuals who want to analyze books, in addition to finding ones for reading. Videos, published on this web-page contain lectures of various writers or educators, who talk about social issues reflected in books. Therefore, London Review of Books (LRB) can be considered as a source for students that can be used for studying. To exemplify, videos present such topics as “Women in Power” or “Where on Earth are you?”.

Y T STUDY can also be used in terms of education since it contains videos with book reviews and tips for passing exams. Mostly, the content of the channel is about textbooks, which are significant in students` learning. Hence, one can find information about what books are worth buying, wether they contain relevant content or not. Also, the viewer can find out what books they need for the Joint Entrance Examination (IITJEE).

• Under The Covers Book Blog

YouTube channel Under The Covers Book Blog, as well as other recommended ones, is about book reviews. However, it mostly goes contains videos about romances. Hence, this channel can be useful for people who want to choose literary works for themselves, but not in terms of education. Considering tastes of different individuals, speakers of Under The Covers Book Blog recommend books with curvy heroines, military heroes, or sci-fi romances.

• BOOKs Review

BOOKs Review is one more YouTube channel that can be entertaining for people who get an education. However, it is worth saying that it contains reviews of books about taxes, accounting, and economics. In videos, the speaker shows the context of textbooks, as well as their content. Besides, individuals can find out what book can be useful for a particular level of the exam such as CA INTER or CS Executive.

• Bickering Book Reviews

Bickering Book Reviews is about teen books. Hence, it can be more attractive for the young generation in terms of finding entertaining literature. On this channel, speakers talk about romances, fantasy, mysteries, science fiction, witchy tales, historical fiction, as well as musical novels. Thus, every young individual can find a book according to his or her tastes and preferences. In addition, Bickering Book Reviews contains reviews of awarded or best books published during the last two years.

Hope you found this list useful! Check out our blog for more great reading and writing resources.

Lewis Mitchell

Lewis Mitchell is a freelance writer from the U.K. who specializes in technology and Internet niches.

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100 Book Youtube Channels and Influencers For Book Lovers

Submit channel, jessethereader, barefoot books, jack edwards, greatest audiobooks, merphy napier, peruseproject, polandbananasbooks, haley pham vlogs, jack in the books, hailey in bookland, comic book girl 19, the book leo, mike's book reviews, penguin books uk, booksandlala, ariel bissett, peacelovebooksxo, krimsonrogue, better than food, little book owl, the book refuge.

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• Jean Bookishthoughts
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• Books and Things
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• a dash of ash
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• THE BOOK DRAGON
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Levitation for Beginners by Suzannah Dunn review – the dark side of a 70s childhood

The village life of a 10-year-old girl is disrupted by a newcomer in a tale of youthful mystery and shifting emotions

F or the past 20 years, Suzannah Dunn has been known for historical novels focusing on the Tudors, such as 2004’s The Queen of Subtleties and 2010’s The Confession of Katherine Howard. Yet for many readers it is her earlier books that retain a unique hold: critically acclaimed contemporary novels and a volume of short stories mostly featuring young women at a crisis point in their lives (a theme that can, of course, be equally applied to her court dramas of Anne Boleyn or Lady Jane Grey). Brilliantly articulated and often piercingly sad, Dunn’s characters find themselves caught up in what may today be termed quarter-life crises – they are unsettled, dissatisfied; prone to despair, to jealousy, to falling unsuitably in love, to deep, unnavigable loss. There is Elizabeth, an exhausted junior hospital doctor in Quite Contrary (1991), and Sadie in Commencing Our Descent (2000), a newly married woman who unexpectedly enters a chaste, doomed affair with a fusty older academic. Venus Flaring’s Veronica sees her friendship with schoolmate Ornella hit the rocks once the pair move into adulthood – a masterly study in rejection, in the intensity and fury of a relationship that has become dismally one-sided.

Dunn’s new novel, Levitation for Beginners, returns to the extreme psychological landscapes of these early works. At its centre is a group of girls in their last year at a village primary school in the home counties, on the brink of adolescence, not exactly close-knit but safe in their loose companionship. Their precarious stability is threatened by a catalyst from outside, an interloper at court – a new girl, Sarah-Jayne, appearing in their final half term. It is 1972. “We had almost all the seventies yet to come,” explains Deborah, the book’s 10-year-old narrator, looking back as a 60-year-old. “We were a year shy of The Wombles and Man About the House … ” You can almost taste the butterscotch Angel Delight in these cultural references, which, while they firmly place the book in context, are a little overdone.

Fortunately, Dunn’s prose is generally attuned far beyond product placement to the darker, more covert side of childhood: “Our neighbours gardens glittered darkly with laburnum seeds, and in the alley behind the fence were abandoned fridges perfect for our games of hide-and-seek.” “Glittering” along with “gleaming” and “glinting” is much employed throughout, especially in relation to Sarah-Jayne, whose eyes resemble “a hall of mirrors”, the implication being that the real person remains hidden behind a superficial persona. For the main, the kids are unsupervised, and in Deborah’s case emotionally neglected – the only child of a young widow, she does not remember her father, and has no other relatives. Her Scottish mother is brusque, undemonstrative, something of a caricature, prone to darkly gnomic statements that leave Deborah, who is bright, reflective and fascinated by language, in confusion.

While her friends have posters of the Sweet or Donny Osmond on their bedroom walls, Deborah’s crush is Tutankhamun (an exhibition of treasures from the boy-king’s tomb took place in London throughout 1972). “I could detect him reaching back through the thousand years of his loneliness towards me.”Sarah-Jayne is sophisticated and disturbingly knowing beyond her years. Her perfect hair and smart red trouser suit stand out among the assorted bowl cuts and hand-me-downs. She has moved into the “big house” with her family – an older sister in her 20s, who smokes and whose nails are painted tangerine, and disturbingly old parents. The other children are fixated on the fact that the garden boasts a pool, even if it is filled in; it will play a chilling role in the novel’s denouement.

While her classmates flock to please the new girl, as she struts and sashays around the classroom, Deborah at first remains aloof, knowing her for a fake. Sarah-Jayne endlessly opines about boys and men, from the unattainable David Cassidy to Sonny, an 18-year-old apprentice builder who begins, to Deborah’s horror and embarrassment, hanging around her thirtysomething mother. Added to this roll call of masculine superiority is the sinister Max, who is engaged to Sarah-Jayne’s sister. Sarah-Jayne, in a red flag for the reader, refers to Max as if he is her own boyfriend.

This is a novel about everything and nothing, sour and melancholy, with elements of sheer comedy and almost unbearable beauty. These girls of the early 1970s appear to be very much the forerunners of Dunn’s adult characters: comically naive, gossipy, uncertain, bold. The novel’s title refers to Sarah-Jayne’s efforts to persuade the group to attempt levitation, but is also a metaphor for how they will soon be shedding their current selves and moving on. The older Deborah reflects that “I’m surprised any of us lived to tell the tale”, and if this subtle book has a message, it is how alien and yet how relatable the past remains.

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The Truth Behind the Slouching Epidemic

By Rebecca Mead

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At the bottom right of my computer screen, just out of my direct line of vision, lurks an animated scold: a cartoon giraffe named Rafi. He is the playful icon of an app called Posture Pal, which works in concert with a wearer’s AirPods to warn against slumping while sitting at a computer. So long as I keep my line of vision trained on this text, Rafi stays discreetly out of sight. The minute I rest my chin in my hand in concentration, however—let alone sneak a glance at the iPhone that lies tantalizingly close to my keyboard—a baleful Rafi pops up, eyes wide, mouth down-turned. Sit up straight!

Rafi is actually less intrusive than the animated animal featured in another posture-correction desktop app, Nekoze. This one employs a computer’s camera to determine whether the user is slouching or slumping. If she is, an icon of a cat’s face pops up on her menu bar, accompanied by a surprisingly realistic meow. It’s a peculiar choice for a posture admonition: surely a meow could make a user look down at her ankles for a creature that wants feeding or petting, rather than stiffen her spine, eyes front? Then again, nobody would voluntarily install an icon of an angry drill sergeant on a personal computer.

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The association of animals with posture correction goes beyond an accident of digital cuteness. As Beth Linker explains in her book “ Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America ” (Princeton), a long history of anxiety about the proximity between human and bestial nature has played out in this area of social science. Linker, a historian of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, argues that at the onset of the twentieth century the United States became gripped by what she characterizes as a poor-posture epidemic: a widespread social contagion of slumping that could, it was feared, have deleterious effects not just upon individual health but also upon the body politic. Sitting up straight would help remedy all kinds of failings, physical and moral, and Linker traces the history of this concern: from the exchanges of nineteenth-century scientists, who first identified the possible ancestral causes of contemporary back pain, to the late-twentieth-century popularity of the Alexander Technique, Pilates, and hatha yoga. The epidemic’s expression may have evolved, but even today it has hardly abated: on Goop, the wellness emporium, you can buy a foam roller to combat sitting-induced constriction of the waist and a plastic dome on which to therapeutically rock your pelvis. Sultry TikTok-ers demonstrate how to strap oneself into a corset-like garment that pins back the shoulders, while buff YouTube influencers explain how to appear inches taller by unfurling a tech-bent spine.

Linker makes no claim, she says, about the “realness of the epidemic or the degree to which poor posture is debilitating.” She’s not saying that Rafi and the Nekoze cat are wrong to harry me, or that your lower back doesn’t hurt. Rather, she sees the “past and present worries concerning posture as part of an enduring concern about so-called ‘diseases of civilization’ ”—grounded in a mythology of human ancestry that posits the hunter-gatherer as an ideal from which we have fallen.

The origins of posture science date to the latter half of the nineteenth century, when archeologists and natural scientists were starting to theorize the evolutionary relationship between Homo sapiens and other primates. There was debate as to which came first: upright walking or higher cognition, with the dominant view being that the evolution of the human brain preceded the development of bipedalism. This theory centered a relatively sophisticated mind as the defining attribute of our species, and thus was consistent with ancient hierarchical taxonomies that placed man, with his ability to reason, apart from and above the beasts. Some scientists wondered whether certain physical problems, like flat feet or scoliosis, were, in effect, the price of braininess. Linker cites the observation of a professor of anatomy at the Art Institute of Chicago: “Man’s original sin consisted in his getting on his hind legs.”

Before long, there was a societal investment in the betterment of health through the improvement of posture. Among the most significant popularizers of posture science was Jessie Bancroft, who helped found the American Posture League in 1914. Linker offers a biographical sketch that sounds like the premise for an art-house historical drama: Bancroft was “a self-proclaimed invalid who grew up in a remote region of the upper Midwest,” where she came under the tutelage of one Anna Jenness-Miller, “an anti-corsetry reformer who held parlor classes on hygiene and recumbent exercises.” Like her mentor, Bancroft became a lecturer on health culture, eventually moving to New York City, where she served as the first assistant director of physical education in the public-school system. There, she introduced a standardized posture test that could be easily carried out by a teacher equipped with little more than a pole against which a student’s carriage might be compared. Students who failed the assessment—as much as sixty per cent of the public-school population—could be assigned corrective exercises.

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Bancroft and her posture peers were influenced by progressive-education advocates, including G. Stanley Hall, William James, and John Dewey , who emphasized the importance of play and outdoor activity for children, but did not recommend militaristic drills and synchronized calisthenics, which were associated with Old World European conformity rather than American individualism. On the other hand, the embrace of individualism held its own postural perils. Among the bugbears of early posture advocates was the “débutante slouch,” a fashionable stance associated with less restrictive garments in which the hips jut forward and the shoulders stoop. This way of standing was seen as an embodiment of high-class decadence. (In “ The Great Gatsby, ” the first thing Nick Carraway notices about Jordan Baker is her failure to slouch—she has “an erect carriage which she accentuated by throwing her body backward at the shoulders like a young cadet”—though her posture is the only thing upright about her; she is also “incurably dishonest.”) The dissemination of the débutante slouch through displays in department stores and drawings in mail-order catalogues—both recent innovations that brought mass-produced fashion within reach of the middle class—amounted to a kind of social contagion in which “the fashionable slouch threatened to become a commodity in itself, a cost-free way to climb the social ladder.”

In America at the turn of the twentieth century, anxieties about posture inevitably collided with anxieties not just about class but also about race. Stooping was associated with poverty and with manual, industrialized labor—the conditions of working-class immigrants from European countries who, in their physical debasement, were positioned well below the white Anglo-Saxon Protestant establishment. Linker argues that, in this environment, “posture served as a marker of social status similar to skin color.” At the same time, populations that had been colonized and enslaved were held up as posture paradigms for the élite to emulate: the American Posture League rewarded successful students with congratulatory pins that featured an image of an extremely upright Lenape man. The head-carrying customs associated with African women were also adopted as training exercises for white girls of privilege, although Linker notes that Bancroft and her peers recommended that young ladies learn to balance not baskets and basins, which signified functionality, but piles of flat, slippery books, markers of their own access to leisure and education. For Black Americans, posture was even more fraught: despite the admiration granted to the posture of African women bearing loads atop their heads, community leaders like Dr. Algernon Jackson, who helped establish the National Negro Health Movement, criticized those Black youth who “too often slump along, stoop-shouldered and walk with a careless, lazy sort of dragging gait.” If slouching among privileged white Americans could indicate an enviable carelessness, it was seen as proof of indolence when adopted by the disadvantaged.

This being America, posture panic was swiftly commercialized, with a range of products marketed to appeal to the eighty per cent of the population whose carriage had been deemed inadequate by posture surveys. The footwear industry drafted orthopedic surgeons to consult on the design of shoes that would lessen foot and back pain without the stigma of corrective footwear: one brand, Trupedic, advertised itself as “a real anatomical shoe without the freak-show look.” The indefatigable Jessie Bancroft trained her sights on children’s clothing, endorsing a company that created a “Right-Posture” jacket, whose trim cut across the upper shoulders gave its schoolboy wearer little choice but to throw his shoulders back like Jordan Baker. Bancroft’s American Posture League endorsed girdles and corsets for women; similar garments were also adopted by men, who, by the early nineteen-fifties, were purchasing abdominal “bracers” by the millions.

It was in this era that what eventually proved to be the most contentious form of posture policing reached its height, when students entering college were required to submit to mandatory posture examinations, including the taking of nude or semi-nude photographs. For decades, incoming students had been evaluated for conditions such as scoliosis by means of a medical exam, which came to incorporate photography to create a visual record. Linker writes that for many male students, particularly those who had military training, undressing for the camera was no biggie. For female students, it was often a more disquieting undertaking. Sylvia Plath , who endured it in 1950, drew upon the experience in “ The Bell Jar ,” whose protagonist, Esther Greenwood, discovers that undressing for her boyfriend is as uncomfortably exposing as “knowing . . . that a picture of you stark naked, both full view and side view, is going into the college gym files.” The practice of taking posture photographs was gradually abandoned by colleges, thanks in part to the rise of the women’s movement, which gave coeds a new language with which to express their discomfort. It might have been largely forgotten were it not for a 1995 article in the Times Magazine , which raised the alarming possibility that there still existed stashes of nude photographs of famous former students of the Ivy League and the Seven Sisters, such as George H. W. Bush , Bob Woodward , Meryl Streep , and Hillary Clinton . Many of the photographs in question were taken and held not by the institutions themselves but by the mid-century psychologist William Herbert Sheldon. Sheldon was best known for his later discredited theories of somatotypes, whereby he attributed personality characteristics to individuals based on whether their build was ectomorphic, endomorphic, or mesomorphic.

By the time the Times article was published, Sheldon was dead, and his theories, which were found to have been shot through with racial stereotyping, were buried. Many thousands of his photographs of Ivy League students remained in the National Anthropological Archives, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, and, as the article observed, the danger of their ever being released, or even the mere fact of their existence, conferred “on some of the most overprivileged people in the world the one status distinction it seemed they’d forever be denied—victim.” The scandal prompted the archivists to shred thousands of Sheldon’s images that had been held in the institution’s own secure storerooms, in order to placate exactly the kind of high-status individuals who are used to getting their way. The result was the destruction of a large-scale historical record that might have been of incalculable use to current and future researchers. (Linker cites as a parallel the Framingham Heart Study, which has been recording the cardiovascular health of residents of Framingham, Massachusetts, since 1948.) As it turned out, the hasty bonfire of the nudities did not, in fact, consume all the images retained in the Sheldon archive, providing Linker’s story with a nasty sting in the tail: Sheldon had also made photographs at institutions such as the Oregon State Prison and the New York State Hospitals system, and those images, according to Linker, are still listed in the catalogue as intact.

Linker draws attention to an academic research project that was carried out in the nineteen-seventies. Gretchen Dieck, then a doctoral student at Yale, set out to use postural images taken at Smith College, cross-referenced with present-day self-reports by alumnae, to see whether the presence of spinal curvature in a teen-age girl predicted back pain in later life. Although, in Linker’s telling, Dieck went to scrupulous lengths to protect the subjects’ anonymity, former Smith students were distressed to discover that the school still held the photographs, and it was ultimately obliged to destroy them. Before it did, though, Dieck was able to determine that, contrary to the decades-long drumbeat of the posture-correction establishment, a diagnosis of poor posture in youth didn’t correlate strongly with future back pain; even scoliosis, which at the time was aggressively treated with metal braces, and sometimes with steel-rod implants, played a “relatively unimportant role in the development of spinal pain in the adult years.” The findings brought into question all the allegedly predictive surveillance of posture, not to mention all the devices and treatments sold to Americans with the promise of averting future pain.

Linker is scathing about the way in which additional research to confirm or develop such findings has been foreclosed by the photographs’ destruction. The result, she worries, is that the dubious narrative that slouching is bad for you has hardened even further into conventional wisdom, stigmatizing bodies that may be less than perfectly upright but are nonetheless pain-free, in “a type of therapeutic reasoning that essentially makes the risk of disease or disability acquisition a disease state itself.”

Today, the descendants of Jessie Bancroft are figures like Esther Gokhale, a Bay Area acupuncturist and the creator of the Gokhale Method, who teaches “primal posture” courses to tech executives and whose recommendations are consonant with other fitness trends, such as barefoot running and “paleo” eating , that romanticize an ancestral past as a remedy for the ills of the present. The compulsory mass surveillance that ended when universities ceased the practice of posture photography has been replaced by voluntary individual surveillance, with the likes of Rafi the giraffe and the Nekoze cat monitoring a user’s vulnerability to “tech neck,” a newly named complaint brought on by excessive use of the kind of devices profitably developed by those paleo-eating, barefoot-running, yoga-practicing executives. Meanwhile, Linker reports, paleoanthropologists quietly working in places other than TikTok have begun to revise the popular idea that our ancient ancestors did not get aches and pains in their backs. Analysis of fossilized spines has revealed degenerative changes suggesting that “the first upright hominids to roam the earth likely experienced back pain, or would have been predisposed to such a condition if they had lived long enough.” Slouching, far from being a disease of civilization, then, seems to be something we’ve been prone to for as long as we have stood on our own two feet. ♦

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Book review: A revival of culture and traditional arts in Southeast is illustrated in ‘Tsimshian Eagle’

One of David A. Boxley's poles stands on the grounds of the University of Washington Medical Center-Northwest in memory of his longtime friend and sister-in-law Cindy James. Dance groups arrived from Alaska and British Columbia to perform at the pole's installation. This group, Cape Fox Dancers, of Ketchikan, is seen dancing in front of James' pole. (Photo by Steve Quinn, courtesy of Chin Music Press)

Tsimshian Eagle: A Culture Bearer’s Journey

David Boxley with Steve Quinn; Chin Music Press, 2023; 256 pages; $39.95.

“There’s been an amazing rebirth of totem poles for all the Southeast Alaska tribes: Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian,” longtime carver David Boxley writes. “They are a living art form that is of central importance to Native culture on the Northwest coast.”

Boxley has been central to that revival, especially among the Tsimshian people of his home village of Metlakatla. For over 40 years he’s been carving totem poles, helping to lead a cultural revival that has restored a nearly lost tradition. In “Tsimshian Eagle,” his recent book combining memoir with fine art photography, he tells how this happened.

Today, Boxley is internationally known and his totem poles and other exquisite artworks are seen in museums, galleries and personal collections around the world, as well as in public places from Seattle to Juneau and beyond. What many who appreciate his work might not know is that he is largely self-taught. When he carved his first pole, there was no one to teach him.

Boxley grew up in Metlakatla, located on Annette Island near the southernmost reach of the Alaska Panhandle. His mother suffered from trauma and alcoholism, so he was raised by his grandparents. In the early pages he gives an account of his childhood in the remote village in the 1960s, a time when many traditional practices of the Tsimshian had long been suppressed by missionaries and the government.

A good student, Boxley’s initial goal was to be a teacher and a basketball coach, and for a while, he succeeded. After attending college in Washington, he returned to Metlakatla and taught and coached for several years.

Boxley had strong relationships with both of his grandparents, something he references repeatedly throughout this book. It was his grandmother’s passing in 1982 that launched what became his career. Wishing to honor her memory, he carved a totem pole and organized Metlakatla’s first potlatch in decades. Little knowledge of either practice remained, and Boxley had to figure them out on his own. He did so, igniting a cultural revival in the process.

Tsimshian carver David Boxley in his regalia. (Photo by Steve Quinn)

To understand Boxley’s story, one needs to understand the origins of Metlakatla, which differ tremendously from other Alaska Native villages — a history Boxley nicely summarizes in an early chapter. The Tsimshian people have long lived along the coast of what is now the northern British Columbia coast. In 1887, intertribal conflicts resulted in a splinter group breaking off and, under the guidance of British missionary William Duncan, relocating to Annette Island in what was then the District of Alaska.

In keeping with policies supported by the church and government, residents of the town abandoned many traditional practices viewed as antithetical to Christian and Western values. This includes the creation of totem poles, which white observers considered pagan idols, although Boxley stresses that they were used for telling stories, and were never worshiped.

Boxley briefly discusses the complicated history of missionaries and Alaska Natives, noting that Duncan wasn’t without his shortcomings. But he was committed to the Tsimshian and lived in the village for the remainder of his life. Metlakatla, a community with its own distinct history and culture, wouldn’t exist without him.

Tsimshian carver and culture bearer David Boxley in his workshop. (Photo by Steve Quinn, courtesy of Chin Music Press)

After Boxley carved his first pole and held that first potlatch, his direction in life was set. He soon left teaching, and in 1986 moved to Seattle to pursue his art in a place where professional opportunities were more abundant than in Southeast Alaska. But his heart remained in Metlakatla, and his work was exclusively focused on recovering and revitalizing traditions that had been forgotten. Those traditions now permeate the Southeast, but they were almost absent when he commenced on his artistic journey. In the 1960s, Haida and Tlingit carvers had again begun constructing totem poles, but at the time Boxley carved his first, Alaska’s Tsimshian residents had yet to follow suit.

Boxley recalls that first potlatch for his grandmother, and several other early ones that followed, including one for his grandfather. Over time he became a master of totem carver, and despite living in Washington state, has remained actively involved in Metlakatla, incorporating his art into community and cultural events including potlatches and other traditional practices that Boxley was pivotal in rescuing from near extinction.

At several points, Boxley pauses to remind readers that there weren’t mentors in Metlakatla when he first brought a cedar pole into his shop, picked up an adze he had made with his grandfather, and began carving. “I had to reach back generations to create what is normal now,” he writes. Today, traditional arts are thriving in the village, and he says the “number of active artists has grown tenfold during my lifetime.”

[ Totem pole raised at Alaska Native Heritage Center symbolizes healing from boarding school trauma ]

The results of his lifetime of work are heavily featured in the second half of this book, in which the text takes a backseat to fine art photography. Pictures of Boxley at work in his shop are interspersed with closeup portraits of his totem poles, paddles, drawings for screen prints, paintings on drums that one of his sons builds, bentwood boxes and more. Dozens of these images are followed by portraits taken at celebrations, and at events where Git Hoan, the dance group Boxley leads, have performed. The beauty and colors spilling from these latter pages put Boxley’s work into context.

“What I really enjoy is carving pieces to be used in performances,” he writes. “That’s because the pieces are being used in a traditional way, not just hanging on walls.”

One of Tsimshian carver David Boxley’s totem poles. (Photo by David Boxley, courtesy of Chin Music Press)

Boxley’s two sons have followed him into traditional arts, he’s taught countless students, and he’s spurred a revival far beyond what he could have envisioned in 1982, when simply carving a pole and holding a potlatch were his immediate goals. He’s been central to the restoration of Tsimshian heritage, and “Tsimshian Eagle” tells that story.

“I want to make sure that what we have doesn’t go away — again,” he writes late in the book. “I’m trying to instill pride in our culture, our knowledge, our language. I struggle with it sometimes, but I accept the challenge with a purpose.”

[ With the Luk’ae Tse’Taas Comics collective, Alaska visual artists help build a broader universe ]

[ Iñupiaq author wins national honors for debut novel celebrating unity and beauty in Indigenous cultures ]

[ Book review: Landscapes of family and place flourish in this Alaska memoir ]

David James

David A. James is a Fairbanks-based freelance writer, and editor of the Alaska literary collection “Writing on the Edge.” He can be reached at [email protected].

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Michael Douglas stars as a flirty Ben Franklin in this Apple TV+ series

David Bianculli

Franklin is worth watching — not only for what it reveals about how the U.S. won independence from England then – but also about the complexities of war, and international politics now.

TERRY GROSS, HOST:

This is FRESH AIR. The fight for American independence has inspired many dramatic treatments, from the Broadway musicals "1776" and "Hamilton" to the TV miniseries "George Washington" and "John Adams." Now, Apple TV+ adds to that specific historical subgenre with an eight-part miniseries called "Franklin." It's about Benjamin Franklin's multiyear visit to France in hopes of persuading that country's leaders to side with the American colonies in their rebellion against England. Starring in the title role as Benjamin Franklin is Michael Douglas. Our TV critic David Bianculli has this review.

DAVID BIANCULLI, BYLINE: This new eight-part miniseries is based on the book "A Great Improvisation" by Stacy Schiff and begins its story in December 1776. The fight against the British isn't going well. After a recent battlefield defeat, the number of soldiers in the Continental Army is dwindling, and supplies and morale are even lower. The commander in chief of the Armed Forces, General George Washington, writes to Congress, I think the game is pretty near up. It's at that time that Benjamin Franklin is dispatched to France on a secret mission to enlist the French as allies against the British. Franklin lands in a small boat in the dead of night, then rides towards Paris in a carriage accompanied by his grandson Temple Franklin, played by Noah Jupe from "A Quiet Place." Michael Douglas, as the elder Franklin, wastes no time at all establishing his reserved yet quietly confident approach to the role.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "FRANKLIN")

MICHAEL DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin) For a young man's instruction, Paris is the only city - much to indulge the senses but also engage the intellect.

NOAH JUPE: (As Temple Franklin) I thought I was meant to help you.

DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin) No doubt you will, somehow or another.

JUPE: (As Temple Franklin) How long must we stay?

DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin) Until we win France through our side and secure our independence - or we are hanged.

JUPE: (As Temple Franklin) Is there a third choice?

DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin) I suppose there's always treason.

BIANCULLI: As the Franklins are fighting for liberty, it should be noted that, as with virtually all historical dramas, there are some liberties taken in the retelling of this fact-based story. When the real Ben Franklin made his trip to France, for example, he was accompanied by two grandsons, not one. But paring down the story and the cast makes for a clearer generational and personal conflict. The grandfather Franklin speaks softly, chooses his words carefully and disguises his true intentions in every conversation. The grandson, not so much. And their two differing clashing personalities are clear from the start. From the very first contact Ben Franklin makes, taking his grandson to meet Edwin Bancroft (ph), a friend whom Ben hopes will provide some sort of entree into the French court. Bancroft is played by Daniel Mays.

DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin) The Congress has sent me here to elicit France in our war against England.

DANIEL MAYS: (As Edward Bancroft) Oh, no wonder your guts are twisted.

DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin) As an unofficial emissary, I cannot approach their side directly.

MAYS: (As Edward Bancroft) You're looking for a go between.

DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin) Someone well placed at court.

MAYS: (As Edward Bancroft) Well, I have some patience of influence.

DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin) See? I told you we could rely on Mr. Bancroft.

MAYS: (As Edward Bancroft) Whether they can be persuaded to oblige themselves.

DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin) I'll do the persuading. An introduction will suffice.

MAYS: (As Edward Bancroft) America's situation, it's not ideal.

DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin) I count the loss of New York as nothing. Armies merely regrouping by springing another 80,000 trained men. And the deeper the British press into the continent, the worse they will fare.

MAYS: (As Edward Bancroft) You concur in this opinion, Master Temple?

JUPE: (As Temple Franklin) Respectfully, sir, we are outmanned, outgunned and outspent. There are many who side with the enemy, including some I, at least, hold dear.

DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin) Remind me to instruct you in the usefulness of the well-timed lie.

MAYS: (As Edward Bancroft) Does he speak the truth?

DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin) Unless the French court provides us with men, money and arms, the United States will end before it has begun.

BIANCULLI: "Franklin" is written by Kirk Ellis, whose credits include the "John Adams" miniseries, and Howard Korder, who, like "Franklin" director Timothy Van Patten, worked on a period piece set in a much more recent period, "Boardwalk Empire." Together, they balance both sides of the scale just right. There are lavishly staged and photographed scenes of the powdered wig French aristocracy attending operas and having opulent dinners, but there also are dimly lit intimate scenes with two people whispering of intrigue. Sometimes those hushed conversations are political, and sometimes they're more of a seduction, because Ben Franklin was a bit of a rogue and a flirt. A side of the role that Michael Douglas of "Fatal Attraction" fame nails effortlessly, as when he first meets a woman to whom he's clearly drawn.

DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin) Benjamin Franklin, ma'am. Lay to the printing trade from the city of Philadelphia.

LUDIVINE SAGNIER: (As Anne-Louise Brillon de Jouy) Anne-Louise Brillon de Jouy of Passy.

DOUGLAS: (As Benjamin Franklin, speaking French).

BIANCULLI: The sexual distractions in this drama are amusing and quite varied. Ben Franklin is invited to play cards with Marie Antoinette, the French queen, while his inexperienced grandson is escorted to a French brothel. But it's the political flirtations that are the true spine of this "Franklin" miniseries. Like the movies "Lincoln" and "Jefferson In Paris," "Franklin" is about the long, compromising path to a particular goal - the large setbacks, the small triumphs and the perseverance that make victory possible. And finally, there's the context of this centuries-old story as it applies to our time. Ben Franklin is branded as an insurrectionist. There are high-level government debates about whether and how to fund a country that's at war with a repressive enemy, and there's talk about the rebellious Tea Party and what constitutes a true patriot. All in all, "Franklin" is worth watching not only for what it reveals about how the United States won independence from England then but also about the complexities of war and international politics now.

GROSS: David Bianculli is professor of television studies at Rowan University. He reviewed the new miniseries "Franklin," starring Michael Douglas. It begins Friday on Apple TV+.

Tomorrow on FRESH AIR, we'll talk about the great Serengeti land grab. Our guest will be Atlantic staff writer Stephanie McCrummen. Her new article is about how Gulf princes, wealthy tourists and conservation groups are displacing the Maasai - cattle-herding tribespeople - from their grazing lands in Northern Tanzania. I hope you'll join us.

(SOUNDBITE OF ADAM BIRNBAUM'S "PRELUDE IN DB MAJOR")

GROSS: To keep up with what's on the show and get highlights of our interviews. Follow us on Instagram at @nprfreshair. FRESH AIR's executive producer is Danny Miller. Our technical director and engineer is Audrey Bentham. Our interviews and reviews are produced and edited by Amy Salit, Phyllis Myers, Ann Marie Baldonado, Sam Briger, Lauren Krenzel, Therese Madden, Thea Chaloner, Susan Nyakundi and Joel Wolfram. Our digital media producer is Molly Seavy-Nesper. Roberta Shorrock directs the show. Our co-host is Tonya Mosley. I'm Terry Gross.

Copyright © 2024 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

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Two Women, United by Climate Change and the Man They Both Married

In her far-reaching latest novel, “The Limits,” Nell Freudenberger forges connections between the global and the familial.

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By Charles Finch

Charles Finch is the author, most recently, of “What Just Happened,” a chronicle of 2020.

THE LIMITS, by Nell Freudenberger

“The future is already here,” goes a line usually attributed to William Gibson. “It’s just not very evenly distributed.” So it can seem with climate change. Floods in Libya, temperatures above 125 degrees in China and Iran, wildfires across Hawaii and Canada and Tenerife: Those of us lucky enough not to be directly affected by these multiplying events can only watch from the intimate but infinite distance of our phone screens, a peculiarly modern kind of powerlessness.

In her involving new novel, “The Limits,” the gifted veteran author Nell Freudenberger wants to close this gap. The book is set during the first year of the pandemic, partly in New York and partly in Tahiti; its subject, as it roves among characters in the two places, is the essential human similarity of our complicated families and communities everywhere on this imperiled planet.

“The Limits” revolves around two women, the past and current wives of a prominent Manhattan cardiologist. The ex-wife is Nathalie, a French scientist studying coral at the CRIOBE, a research station on the island of Mo’orea in French Polynesia. As the book begins, she sends her daughter, the bright but stubborn 15-year-old Pia, to live in New York with her father, Stephen, and his new wife, Kate, a high school teacher who has just become pregnant.

Some novelists might confine their story to this quartet. Freudenberger, whose work has been ambitious in its scope since her sensational 2003 debut collection, “Lucky Girls,” introduces an additional focal character, Athyna. She’s a student of Kate’s from a disadvantaged background, and has to balance her schoolwork and standard teen problems with caring — tenderly but distractedly — for her 4-year-old nephew.

By the time Athyna meets Pia, in the culmination of the book’s plotlines, the reader already knows how different their lives are. Take what they eat. Athyna makes her nephew mac and cheese:“They were out of milk, but Marcus didn’t care. He was happy with the cheese powder mixed with some butter and the macaroni.” Not much later, Pia’s father goes shopping and picks up “local milk and butter, swordfish, baby lettuce and butternut squash. Fresh sage and rosemary, and … at the last minute, a plum pie and some honeycomb ice cream. He thought they deserved a treat.”

These contrasts sound like the grounding for a big, global, omnidirectionally curious midcareer novel, reminiscent of the work of Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie or Jonathan Franzen. And Freudenberger, with topical contemporary novels like “The Newlyweds” and “The Dissident” behind her, gamely meets that challenge.

But more often, in fact, “The Limits” feels microscopically small. The book’s success in drawing together its threads is mixed — Pia and Athyna’s meeting doesn’t lead to much, and a fuzzy subplot hinting at a possible terrorist act is swept quickly away in the finale — but it is easily most alive and nuanced when Freudenberger is writing about contemporary New York parenting, the impossible task of raising a teenager with quicksilver moods, the sheer physical exhaustion of it all. The pregnant Kate “looked tired,” the author tells us in one of many beautifully alert moments, “as if the baby was the one doing all the sleeping.”

Partly, this is doubtless because the novel is set in the homebound months of 2020. And Freudenberger is scrupulous in her depictions of Tahiti, as well as the lives of public high school kids in New York; the book’s acknowledgments reveal she visited French Polynesia for research and has long taught as a visiting writer in Brooklyn schools.

On the other hand, there’s still something slightly paternalistic about the book’s tone. “The Limits” is effortlessly attuned to wealth, full of references to second homes in Amagansett (but barely a shack!) and the legendarily illiberal Maidstone Club; Stephen’s mother, a retired doctor, is casually revealed to be on the board of the New York City Ballet. All of this feels less consciously fabricated than the scenes about Tahitians or Athyna, and Freudenberger certainly seems from the outside to belong to the affluent milieu she describes — a graduate of Harvard living with her husband and children in Brooklyn, recipient in her distinguished career of a Whiting Award, a Guggenheim fellowship, a Pulitzer grant.

In other words: Does she agree that her characters deserve that treat?

It’s a sad fact of the novel as a genre that so worryingly many of the great ones can be boiled down to the hypothetical question “What if a rich person had to experience a crisis?” “The Limits” is that kind of book, it must be conceded. But to her vast credit, Freudenberger has a brain and a conscience, and it’s clear that she is trying to simultaneously scrutinize her experiences as a particular kind of parent in New York and tie them to a larger world. If she sometimes feels pinioned between the two — well, so are we all.

The very best parts of “The Limits” are its descriptions of the natural scenery around Mo’orea. Perhaps the key theme of Freudenberger’s career is dislocation — the idea that seeing the foreign in the world can elicit, too, the foreign within us — and Nathalie, the book’s watchful conscience, personifies this idea. She observes her beloved corals in despondent farewell, sentient beings “that had been around when the pharaohs ruled Egypt … a whole miraculous world that had been undisturbed because nothing had changed there — not the darkness or the pressure or the clarity of the water — for all those thousands of years.”

Soon enough, climate change will cease to be a problem divided this neatly between rich and poor. We are so laughably ignorant of what we have wrought, “The Limits” suggests, that we can scarcely conceive of what we may yet lose. Freudenberger’s writing, which has so often touched on the personal ramifications of the impersonal vectors of globalism and science, has in a way been leading to exactly this subject. But it is the usual story, familiar to fathers and mothers and caretakers like Athyna the world over. We can pretend that catastrophes will always happen elsewhere, until they’re happening to us.

THE LIMITS | Nell Freudenberger | Knopf | 368 pp. | $29

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