Eric Karl Anderson 40th Birthday Tag

Good to see you again too Michelle and yes, where is Liv? Sorely missed. Love this tag and it shows yet again the wonderful spirit of booktube. I now want to read Confederacy of Dunces so I can experience that mustache for myself!

You struck a chord when you mentioned rereads. I 've been reading at such a rapid rate since I joined Goodreads, I'm finding that some of the books I've read were read without as much reflection as they required. I read Laszlo Krasznahorkai's The Melancholy of Resistance and Bruno Schulz's The Street of Crocodiles this summer, two books that deserve much more thought than I put into them. I find myself sometimes falling into the mindset of reaching for that next book before I digest the one I just finished. With genre fiction there does not need to be thoughtful consideration given to the text. But, some of the other books I read are not immediate in their messages. They require the reader to discover what the author is saying as opposed to the author holding the reader's hand and explaining in great detail what's going on. This need for speed is a negative aspect of both Goodreads as well as BookTube. Sometimes reading almost seems like a competition.

It's so great seeing you back in a video. As I've said before, your opinions are thoughtful and intriguing, something that is a rarity in life, not just on BookTube. You truly "challenge" me to consider views I either have not thought about or are not views I tend to hold. I appreciate that. You and Adam at Memento Mori keep me on my toes! I hope life is a bowl of cherries for you these days!

BTW, I love seeing those older, well-loved books you held up. I consider books to be like family members. Just because they start showing their age and wrinkles begin to appear does not mean they should be thrown out. You wouldn't do that to your dear, old granny, would you? :)

It is so good to see you again Michelle, you were missed.  I am so glad you mentioned A Confederacy of Dunces, it is one of the funniest books I have ever read, it deserves to be better known.  Please don't stay away so long.  I enjoyed this tag very much, thanks.

It's so good to see you again, Michelle! Love your background 💖 I spot Ito's Gyo and Tomie, have you read them both? I still need to get to the latter.

Green Girl sounds like a book I would enjoy, so need to look more into it.

And Confederacy of Dunces! I adored it when I read it years back. Both hilarious and sad. Let me know if you'd be interested in a buddy reread. Reading The Stranger with you was so great.

Have a lovely day, Michelle, and happy reading 💖

Lovely to see this video pop up! I enjoyed Green Girl when I read it, but have since read her non-fiction book Heroines which I didn't care for at all!

Thanks so much for making this video and the birthday wishes. I really appreciate it!
I'm glad I piqued your interest in those particular "experimental" books as I think you would really enjoy them and I'd love to hear your thoughts about them.
And I would like to read more graphic novels. I'm really intrigued by Southern Bastards from your description and will seek it out. One of my favourite graphic novels is Lost Girls by Alan Moore & Melinda Gebbie. Aside from the sensational aspect of portraying famous childhood characters in their later adult life and in very adult situations, I think it's such a meaningful look at history, power-dynamics and aging. I have just got a copy of the graphic novel Sabrina from the Booker list. Have you read it?
I adore A Confederacy of Dunces! I'd like to reread it too. I've always meant to read Rebecca Wells' novel.
Thank you again for this and your calm measured voice and thoughtful responses to what you're reading is always an inspiration. Also, this is a really superficial point to make but you make the most beautiful thumbnails for your videos. :)

Get on to days without ends! I really enjoyed this one it’s a slow burn at the start but that the pace builds up and escalates with so much tension it’s just brill. I’ve not come across A confederacy of dunces but I love that title😂 lovely responses I’m sure Eric will love them ☺️