Meet the internet's resident librarian

Jack Edwards grew up in Brighton, England, and started YouTube in 2014 as a college student. His bookish content took off during the pandemic after he watched the Normal People adaptation and became fascinated by the books featured throughout the series.

How Normal People sparked his BookTube journey

Edwards was captivated by how Sally Rooney intentionally wove books into the series, using Irish poets and classic literature to reveal character emotions. This inspired him to explore how authors layer meaning through literary references.

“It added so much texture to my reading experience of Normal People, because everything is in there so intentionally.”

From college vlogs to 200 million views

Edwards now has over 200 million views across platforms and hosts Inklings, a social media book club featuring A-list celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Cillian Murphy, and Zendaya. He hand-picks books for guests based on their interests and vibes.

Whistler by Ann Patchett

This novel follows Daphne Fuller as she reconnects with her former stepfather Eddie Triplett at the Metropolitan Museum of Art after a tragic event separated them. The story explores how small moments and being truly known by someone can define our lives.

Edwards fell head over heels for Patchett

Edwards praised Whistler as a tender reconnection story and declared he wants to read everything Ann Patchett has written, including her shopping lists. Patchett is known for award-winning novels like Bel Canto and The Dutch House.

“I need to read anything this author has ever written, shopping lists included.”

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

This viral LitRPG novel follows former Coast Guard vet Carl who gets trapped in a video game dungeon with his ex-girlfriend's show cat, Princess Donut. Alien forces have transformed Earth into an 18-level underground dungeon that humans must navigate as crawlers for an intergalactic reality TV show.

Princess Donut steals the show

Edwards praised how the talking cat acts as a foil to Carl, bringing high-maintenance energy and absurdist humor similar to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The book blends video game mechanics with storytelling and elaborate world-building.

“Princess Donut adds an incredible layer to this book. She sort of acts as a foil to Carl.”

Fruit Fly by Josh Silver

In this adult debut, struggling author Mallory Maddox asks Reddit how to write a bestseller and gets the answer: go sad, go gay, go dark. She meets Leo, a gay addict, and pursues him for inspiration, leading to deceptions and high-stakes drama.

Anne Hathaway freaked out over this premise

Edwards gave Fruit Fly to Anne Hathaway through his Inklings podcast and she immediately loved it. The novel explores whose stories we have the right to tell and features dual perspectives showing how both characters manipulate each other.

“You have never seen anyone fall in love with the premise of a book so quickly.”

Why Fruit Fly is absolutely bingeable

Edwards called the book genius for its exploration of people who seek out trouble like fruit flies. The dual perspective lets readers see both characters using and manipulating each other, creating funny and compelling drama.

“It is absolutely genius. I think it's very funny. It's so bingeable.”

I Want You to Be Happy by Jem Calder

Sally Rooney called Calder an extraordinarily gifted writer. This debut novel follows Chuck, a former aspiring novelist turned copywriter, and Joey, a barista with poetry dreams, as they meet at a bar and imagine a shared future in London.

Edwards gave it five stars immediately

Edwards called this his most recent five-star read, comparing it to La La Land and Normal People. He found it painful and confronting, with astute writing that's impossible to put down and reflects readers' own experiences back at them.

“This book is astute and perceptive but also impossible to put down!”

Land by Maggie O'Farrell

This spellbinding novel set in 1865 follows Tomás and his son Liam as they work on the Ordnance Survey mapping Ireland. Tomás vows his maps will record the Great Hunger's impact on the country as it recovers.

Stunning nature writing and sprawling saga

Edwards praised the novel's nature writing as stunning and called it a sprawling family saga about an Irish cartographer. He appreciated how the book asks readers to slow down and linger with the prose.

“I thought the nature writing in this book was stunning.”

Edwards' range spans every genre

From literary fiction by Ann Patchett to absurdist sci-fi like Dungeon Crawler Carl to satirical thrillers like Fruit Fly, Edwards demonstrates wide-ranging taste. His recommendations prove there's something bingeable for every reader.