BookTube Greats: Ten Books I Only Know about from Steve Donoghue

Let me know some of your favorite BookTubers and book suggestions! 📚

Steve is a gem! He and his videos are to be treasured. I first discovered him when I came across a video beef that somebody had. He was clearly very conflicted, and very hurt by a response that Steve gave to a different video. I don't normally pay attention to such drama, but this booktuber was clearly so personally hurt that I had to see who this terrible ogre was who misunderstood him and this video, calling the person out for rough language. I watched the videos, paid attention to both sides, and saw that Steve was clearly right. In fact, rather than continuing to attempt to consolidate opinion around him the gentleman eventually deleted both videos (or at least I couldn't find them again.) Steve was right about his abusive tirade. And as I watched more of Steve's videos, and all of booktube's videos I saw that he was right about not monetizing as well. After watching for a few years I discovered that Steve is right about almost everything & most things people might have find objectionable would be reliant upon Steve's unswerving belief in himself and his own character. So refreshing in this day and age! Not only does he have years of hard-earned experience, an invaluable knowledge base to back up anything that he says or reviews, perspective that could only be gained longitudinally; But hardest for most people to swallow, he is right about not monetizing your channel. No hate. No shade thrown on people who feel that they need to monetize, but the true power of booktube is to have a video where you get to start talking right away, and not have someone decide that it's not worth waiting through 20-seconds of commercial to find out what's in the video. The power for the exchange of long-form essay, and friendly interaction without battles from corporate interests, or the vagaries of the YouTube algorithm hiding things from people. Sure, we don't like commercials, but that's not really the point. The way a community grows and interacts with each other without promise of monetary gain but genuine excitement and involvement with the bookish. It is a great power for good not only in the information it contains but in the cumulative effect of its battle against anti-intellectualism. There is so much that we can all thank Steve for if we take time to watch his videos, by his seemingly loan voice in the wilderness, entreating us to learn and grow, and not succumb to intellectual materialism or sycophantism. The power his lifetime of reading, editing, and firsthand experience cannot be matched or even found. The power of the free video, made often, however, should not be overlooked, and it is available to every booktuber on every level of readership and experience. Sadly, he does not enjoy my sense of humor or blunt forthrightness. Still I recommend him to all who will listen. I kind of wish he'd see this, because one day there will be no Steve and there will be no opportunity to speak a eulogy, of him for me. So I speak up and tell you to get on with your bad self and your video praising him. Thank you.

Steve is such a gift to booktube, isn’t he? And I’m so pleased to see that you’ve picked up This Republic of Suffering! Faust’s work is amazing. I love what you say about Dance to the Music of Time. It has been on my shelves much too long, unread. I am so pleased to have found your channel.

Well said. I don’t think “this corner” of BookTube would exist in the way it does without Steve’s subtle, I almost might say behind-the-scenes shaping.

Best BookTube Tag yet! Your presence, too, brings value to this corner of the "Tube" 🙂

This is so great that you would do this. !!This is what the world needs more of at this point. Love your channel and your patience and relaxed way of presenting. 💫

Thanks for this, just discovered Steve's booktube channel myself, & yes, I love it. I am really enjoying this whole booktube thing. It's amazing reading within community, isn't it? I've been so lucky with my reading/writing career. I don't think I'll ever be as bold as Steve, but I guess we all have our own tone. I love how thoughtful & considered your videos are, you always seem to engage from a position of centred calm & I appreciate that. And thanks for the prod to keep learning from Steve. His book recommendations are often fresh, unexpected & surprising - an ambush of joy.

I can’t believe I just discovered the mentions section!! Thank you so much for the mention. Love your videos

What a great tribute to Steve! He is terrific and has made such a great contribution to the reading world. Other booktubers that have influenced my reading are The Evening Reader and Books are Sick. I appreciate their approach to books and reading. Thanks again for this. New subscriber. 🇨🇦📚

That second book reminds me of the kind of work Alexander von Humboldt did about 200 years ago. Great video, thanks for sharing these !!

Steve has helped me remember the joy reading can bring. A good deal of my reading selection has been influenced by his channel.

I just finished the Norton anthology of Theory and Criticism based on your recommendation. It was really eye opening for me, I have a really comprehensive toolkit of ideas and ways to think about what I'm reading that I just didn't have before. I also have a huge list of further reading to do which fills me with joy to contemplate. I started watching Steve's channel recently and I am stunned by his knowledge, he's such a treasure!!

I am new to your channel, but gosh i’m already a fan. Very informative & like your presentation style. (I subscribed).

Another great video! Thank you!

Oh man, SO many points to connect with. What a great video. And yes, Steve is a treasure to youtube. I'll be coming back to this video for sure. And regarding your statements on god and jesus, I wish yourube had a "love" button! Excellent!

Viewing from the Caribbean I also enjoy Steve's content

A fitting ode to the don of booktube! Thank you for another wonderful video!

Best wishes to you and Steve. I hope you are reading something good.

Good list of books. I definitely think of some of these as "Steve" titles.

As someone who enjoys your articulate and insightful videos, any booktuber you recommend is on my list to check out.