Booktube Faves, Volume 4: SavidgeReads

Hello, biblios!

Sigh. As has become obvious, I am really bad with sticking to ... well, anything. I know hardly anyone is reading this, and it doesn't really matter, but I feel like such a loser for not even being able to get a couple posts up in a whole week. I mean, yes, my work is nuts and leaves me with little time or brainpower afterward. But still.

ANYWAY HI I AM HERE with another Booktube fave! Today, I am bringing you the adorable gay British joy that is Simon of SavidgeReads.

I love Simon's channel for so many reasons ...

First, of course my queer booknerdy self loves watching other gay booknerds talk about books. I don't tend to enjoy the company of cis men, but Simon is the kind of guy I would love spending time with — he's hilarious, he's really smart, he's got a big heart, and TBH if I could have my way, I would only associate with queer and trans people. Because our community is fucking awesome.

Also, his partner Chris is equally adorable and videos of them together make me glad the internet exists.

Also, big surprise, I fucking love the Brits. I love the accents (all of them, even the ones I can barely understand), I love their words for things (we are two countries separated by a common language, after all), I love the royal family even though I know plenty of Brits are not exactly totally keen on that whole deal. I'm a soccer nerd, so of course a place like the U.K. seems like paradise when you live in the States where people still act like soccer is something for 8-year-olds only. Plus, that's where Shakespeare comes from, so fuck yeah.

So honestly, Simon could be reading municipal codes to me and I'd be like YAY KEEP TALKING AND PLEASE SAY JUMPER AND BISCUITS SOME MORE.

But also, I have started watching a lot more non-US based Booktubers (mostly UK, but trying to branch out) because I learn about so many books from them that I'd heard either very little or nothing at all about here in the US. I have a number of books on my TBR thanks to Simon mentioning and praising them, including Autumn by Ali Smith, Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon, A Line Made By Walking by Sara Baume, and Sorry to Disrupt the Peace by Patty Yumi Cottrell.

I appreciate the variety Simon gives his viewers. Yes, he does book hauls and wrap-ups and all that. But his "Cuppa and a Catch-Up" series is a fun, chatty way to talk books as well as life and news and other stuff, he does really great recommendation videos that don't just go for the most obvious books, and the collabs he does — with folks like Lauren from Lauren and the Books, as well as his friend and colleague Pip, who is the cutest ever — are a fucking riot and so much fun to watch.

And as I said, Simon just always comes across as sweet and warm and funny, but also sharp and a real critical thinker. His reviews don't just give you the synopsis and a "I really liked it" or whatever; he really dives deep into the story and tells you not just the basics of the plot but all the underlying elements, the feelings, the strong and weak points, etc. I really appreciate how much time he takes to do solid, informative reviews.

And did I mention he's hilarious? In that subtle, slightly self-deprecating British way I identify with so much?

So do yourself and your mind a favor and watch Simon's videos. You'll find a bunch of great books read, you'll get a few good laughs, and maybe some fashion inspiration for some new JUMPERS to buy.