Your reading tastes are so eclectic and I love it. We share a lot of favourites, so I am very excited to try out the ones that I haven't read yet! Also constantly thinking about rereading Dandelion and RotE, those are just masterpieces! Great list Pete 🤩
Thanks’ I wish o could reread them every year, but alas, I probably won’t have the time to read much else. Hope you love the rest of the list you haven’t read yet!
This list pleases me greatly. Wonderfully summarised Kindred. I can't wait for you to read Butler's other works. I am cancelling you for not putting The Company in first place😜 Jk, I knew what your first place would be. Great year for you. Hope your 2023 will be as great as 2022 if not better.
Ah man what a fantastic list ! I totally agree with Babel, while character execution was the best, Kuang just hit a home run with it. Hod King is also my fav so I'm glad you loved the series, Senlin and the Crew are characters it'll take a long time for me to forget if ever. Really need to continue with Lady Trent, book 1 was fantastic so I'm excited to see where it goes next (same with the Ninefox Gambit series haha especially now that books 2-3 are free on uk audible) Glad to see Hobb and Kindred here because oof my love for both is just so much. Away to start Wall of Storms so I'm excited to see where it goes !
What an incredible year! I’m hoping to at least start Dandelion Dynasty this year. If I don’t, I’ll prioritize it for next year. I completely agree about the incredible way the book Augustus shows the psyche of a leader! Such a powerful book!
10:22 - firstly always here for an Emperor’s New Groove Quote (under appreciated Disney) 2nd you are naming all books (apart from Babble) which are on my TBR, once I finished up more of the current series I am reading Lady Trent, Books of Babble and 9 fox gambit or all on the list. Both Pirinici and JS&MN are om my list, but again focusing on clearing some current series. Makes me so happy that they have your backing though. 👍📚💜
I just finished Kindred a few days ago! So many feelings!! I also loved the Memoirs of Lady Trent series in 2022. A lot of the other ones you mentioned are on my TBR for this year. Hope your 2023 reads are off to a great start!
Such a cool list!!! I also really liked Babel last year, and I think even more than you since I connected pretty strongly with the character work as well as the themes. I can’t wait to try Bancroft, Machineries of Empire, Piranesi, Lady Trent, and the Company! The Paper Menagerie is def an S-tier book!
so many new things to try, looking forward to hearing what you have to say! Speaking of, weren't we thinking of doing an end of the Apt liveshow at some point? would you still be down?
Awesome list! I guessed Ken Lui would be top, he IS ON THE LIST. I just need to prioritise books I own. We are so lucky to have so much choice! My top was Fool's Fate - I didn't make a top 10 so could gush as and when and everywhere, but this was, hands down my best book EVER!!!! THE PAYOFF! That is my favourite thing from a book getting that emotional payoff and this was just beautifully done. I can't actually properly talk as all I want to do is gush, scream and cry a mix of happy and sad tears. I could not have read these as well without the support, therapy and comraderie of the discord chat and Liveshows. It is so necessary to this series. So thanks for all the chat and thanks for the shout out. Kindred I have pegged as my last Octavia Butler read as I hear so many people loving it. The Company whilst intriguing sounds like a book I would not get able to cope with as I discovered I need a character to route for or I just get angry! Hope this year you have another brilliant reading year. Surprise Sandersons abd more Hobb at least! 💜📚
It’ll be tough to beat this last year. Fool’s Fate was absolutely amaaaaaaaazing. The falling action in the back third was perfect. And all the stuff with the False Prophet? So good!
@Ponderings Of Pete I know!!!! Was incredible! I have different expectations for Rain Wild, but Fitz and Fool I am scared that it is the end, that I expect too much...😬 Really want a reading holiday of no interruptions for that Trilogy...alas for reality! 💜📚
Great list! I really want to get to The Company, I really feel like I'm going to love that one. And I definitely need to pick up some Ken Liu, the only thing I've read from him was a Star Wars short story in one of the collections.
Great list! I have read only Kindred and busy with Dandelion Dynasty, but all the others are ones I am interested in. The inclusion of Kindred pleases me greatly. It is such a gut punch of a book.
@@PonderingsOfPete Ahhh no, it's too hard. I genuinely loved all of it. Luan, Théra, Kuni are probably my favourite characters. I also really like Jia's storyline in the first half! And the second half is crazy in the best way.
@@lunasong_ right? There’s so much. Luan and Thera were amazing. Especially loved *Wall of Storms Spoilers* . Thera fighting the Grand Examination system. Really good exploration of how culture shapes us despite and molds us away from what might seem to be our the best solution. Kuni also per usual was glorious. I love everything about him
Dandelion Dynasty! Augustus! Tallneck figurine! I'm going to be reading Kindred this month so hopefully I like it as much as you. You consistently calling Augustus "Caesar Augustus" is so funny haha, I agree that book is soooo good though
Great top 10. I would highly recommend the "Earthseed" duology by Octavia E. Butler. They were my favorite books of 2022, closely folowed by "Kindred" and "Babel". In 2023 I started "The Dandelion Dynasty" and read the first two volumes so far. Brilliant! "Piranesi" is my favorite book of all times and the reason I got into Fantasy, BookToube and Bookstagram.
@@PonderingsOfPete absolutely love it! I had some nitpicks, but they paled compared with the brilliance of everything else. I'm 245 pages into "The Veiled Throne" and I adore it so far.
@@mariareadsssf Veiled Throne has one of the most unique storylines in it that I really loved. It’s a bit out of left field, but it’s still just as deep as the rest of the series
I'm not up to reading Dandelion Dynasty just yet, but did polish off Lady Trent in 2022, and loved it. As to ❤Hobb❤ allowing us to watch Fitz grow and look back on his own journey? 😘perfection. “...change proves that you are still alive. Change often measures our tolerance for folk different from ourselves. Can we accept their languages, their customs, their garments, and their foods into our own lives? If we can, then we form bonds, bonds that make wars less likely. If we cannot, if we believe that we must do things as we have always done them, then we must either fight to remain as we are, or die” ― Robin Hobb, Golden Fool
I did really like Babel. Four star to me only because at times it felt way too heavy handed in its theme to be distracting. I need to try Piranesi someday. And definitely read Robin Hobb! Which should I start with over all? Kindred made my top 10 last year too! We have a lot of similar tastes. Thanks for sharing!
Always happy to share! The heavy handed ended up working for me. Just kinda rolled with it. I think I just expected it to be heavy handed, so I just chilled with it.
Nice list. I found Babel kind of meh. The Books of Babel would have been so good were it not for that dreaded final book (I'm in the disappointed camp there). Piranesi I liked but it wasn't JS&MN level for me. Liked Augustus too, especially the final part. I think ROTE is good but bloated which prevents them from being a favourite. The two books I really didn't like were Assassin's Quest and Ship of Destiny (ending). Kindred is a really good book, I just prefer Butler's other works more. The Dandelion Dynasty is so good. I am wondering if I can squeeze in a reread this year. I have you to thank for motivating me to continue and finish the series! Happy reading!
So glad you loved Dandelion Dynasty! Always happy to encourage fellow readers. I can understand why Babel didn’t work. Definitely had my gripes with it. Wish we could get another JS&MN though. Wishing so hard. And Augustus was so good!
@@PonderingsOfPete A JS&MN sequel would be awesome. Or Clarke could write about how the sky is blue - I'd still read it! I just read The Paper Menagerie...and I wasn't prepared for this. 😔
@@PonderingsOfPete My favourite is the title story because of how heartfelt it was. I was like oh this is going to be fine and then it just hit me. Hard. 😭 I'm not crying, I'm cutting onions.
Your reading tastes are so eclectic and I love it. We share a lot of favourites, so I am very excited to try out the ones that I haven't read yet!
Also constantly thinking about rereading Dandelion and RotE, those are just masterpieces!
Great list Pete 🤩
Thanks’ I wish o could reread them every year, but alas, I probably won’t have the time to read much else. Hope you love the rest of the list you haven’t read yet!
This list pleases me greatly. Wonderfully summarised Kindred. I can't wait for you to read Butler's other works. I am cancelling you for not putting The Company in first place😜
Jk, I knew what your first place would be. Great year for you. Hope your 2023 will be as great as 2022 if not better.
How could I *not* put Dandelion on top?!? There’s was no way.
1:35 - appreciate that, I can't even top 10 it. I have my ultimate fave but that is it, so bravo on the narrowing down!👏💜📚
I almost had a top 15 😂
@@PonderingsOfPete impressive that you could cut down 5 👏 Excellent editing skills!📚💜
Ah man what a fantastic list ! I totally agree with Babel, while character execution was the best, Kuang just hit a home run with it. Hod King is also my fav so I'm glad you loved the series, Senlin and the Crew are characters it'll take a long time for me to forget if ever. Really need to continue with Lady Trent, book 1 was fantastic so I'm excited to see where it goes next (same with the Ninefox Gambit series haha especially now that books 2-3 are free on uk audible) Glad to see Hobb and Kindred here because oof my love for both is just so much. Away to start Wall of Storms so I'm excited to see where it goes !
What an incredible year! I’m hoping to at least start Dandelion Dynasty this year. If I don’t, I’ll prioritize it for next year. I completely agree about the incredible way the book Augustus shows the psyche of a leader! Such a powerful book!
I cannot wait for you to read Dandelion. It’s amazing
10:22 - firstly always here for an Emperor’s New Groove Quote (under appreciated Disney)
2nd you are naming all books (apart from Babble) which are on my TBR, once I finished up more of the current series I am reading Lady Trent, Books of Babble and 9 fox gambit or all on the list. Both Pirinici and JS&MN are om my list, but again focusing on clearing some current series. Makes me so happy that they have your backing though. 👍📚💜
Yay! You’ll have an amazing year for sure
@@PonderingsOfPete ...if I can get to them, 21 series on the go currently. Want to beat that number down! 📚💜
@@ChattieTheMadChatter you can do it!
I just finished Kindred a few days ago! So many feelings!!
I also loved the Memoirs of Lady Trent series in 2022.
A lot of the other ones you mentioned are on my TBR for this year.
Hope your 2023 reads are off to a great start!
Kindred just hits so hard. Amazing book! Hope you enjoy all the rest!
Loved the lady and the dragon books. Enjoyed your description :)
Love reading Robin Hobb with the whole crew!
It’s been such a joy!
So many great books on here!!! I plan on finishing Dandelion Dynasty this year. I have 3&4 left. Yessssssss Hobb!!!
Woooo! Dandelion is so good! Who’s your favorite character so far?
Such a cool list!!! I also really liked Babel last year, and I think even more than you since I connected pretty strongly with the character work as well as the themes.
I can’t wait to try Bancroft, Machineries of Empire, Piranesi, Lady Trent, and the Company! The Paper Menagerie is def an S-tier book!
so many new things to try, looking forward to hearing what you have to say!
Speaking of, weren't we thinking of doing an end of the Apt liveshow at some point? would you still be down?
@@PonderingsOfPete oh absolutely any time - the world could use more Shadows of the Apt discussion!
Awesome list! I guessed Ken Lui would be top, he IS ON THE LIST. I just need to prioritise books I own. We are so lucky to have so much choice!
My top was Fool's Fate - I didn't make a top 10 so could gush as and when and everywhere, but this was, hands down my best book EVER!!!! THE PAYOFF! That is my favourite thing from a book getting that emotional payoff and this was just beautifully done. I can't actually properly talk as all I want to do is gush, scream and cry a mix of happy and sad tears.
I could not have read these as well without the support, therapy and comraderie of the discord chat and Liveshows. It is so necessary to this series. So thanks for all the chat and thanks for the shout out.
Kindred I have pegged as my last Octavia Butler read as I hear so many people loving it.
The Company whilst intriguing sounds like a book I would not get able to cope with as I discovered I need a character to route for or I just get angry!
Hope this year you have another brilliant reading year. Surprise Sandersons abd more Hobb at least!
💜📚
It’ll be tough to beat this last year. Fool’s Fate was absolutely amaaaaaaaazing. The falling action in the back third was perfect. And all the stuff with the False Prophet? So good!
@Ponderings Of Pete I know!!!! Was incredible! I have different expectations for Rain Wild, but Fitz and Fool I am scared that it is the end, that I expect too much...😬 Really want a reading holiday of no interruptions for that Trilogy...alas for reality! 💜📚
@@ChattieTheMadChatter if only. A cabin in the woods with Wi-Fi and a direct phone line to Derri would be amaaaaazing
@@PonderingsOfPete yes!!!! She should organise Hobb Reading retreats!!!😆💜📚
Great list! I really want to get to The Company, I really feel like I'm going to love that one. And I definitely need to pick up some Ken Liu, the only thing I've read from him was a Star Wars short story in one of the collections.
Ken Liu is amazing in his short stories. Paper Menagerie is an amazing place to start
Although I haven’t read the Star Wars short stories
Great list! I have read only Kindred and busy with Dandelion Dynasty, but all the others are ones I am interested in. The inclusion of Kindred pleases me greatly. It is such a gut punch of a book.
Loved Kindred so much! Definitely biased, but they were all really good!How far into Dandelion are you
@@PonderingsOfPete Finished Wall of Storms 2 days ago. It was incredibly captivating. Just. So. Good.
@@lunasong_ heck of a writer Ken Liu. Did you have a favorite character or storyline?
@@PonderingsOfPete Ahhh no, it's too hard. I genuinely loved all of it.
Luan, Théra, Kuni are probably my favourite characters. I also really like Jia's storyline in the first half! And the second half is crazy in the best way.
@@lunasong_ right? There’s so much. Luan and Thera were amazing. Especially loved
*Wall of Storms Spoilers*
.
Thera fighting the Grand Examination system. Really good exploration of how culture shapes us despite and molds us away from what might seem to be our the best solution.
Kuni also per usual was glorious. I love everything about him
Dandelion Dynasty! Augustus! Tallneck figurine! I'm going to be reading Kindred this month so hopefully I like it as much as you. You consistently calling Augustus "Caesar Augustus" is so funny haha, I agree that book is soooo good though
Can you tell I’m not a student of Roman history? Lol
Good luck with Kindred! Lemme know what you think
Great top 10. I would highly recommend the "Earthseed" duology by Octavia E. Butler. They were my favorite books of 2022, closely folowed by "Kindred" and "Babel". In 2023 I started "The Dandelion Dynasty" and read the first two volumes so far. Brilliant! "Piranesi" is my favorite book of all times and the reason I got into Fantasy, BookToube and Bookstagram.
Earthseed is definitely on the list to read.
How are you liking Dandelion Dynasty so far?
@@PonderingsOfPete absolutely love it! I had some nitpicks, but they paled compared with the brilliance of everything else. I'm 245 pages into "The Veiled Throne" and I adore it so far.
@@mariareadsssf Veiled Throne has one of the most unique storylines in it that I really loved. It’s a bit out of left field, but it’s still just as deep as the rest of the series
Cant wait to get to Wall of Storms, Grace of Kings was my book of the month in January
Heck yeah! Another one!
I'm not up to reading Dandelion Dynasty just yet, but did polish off Lady Trent in 2022, and loved it. As to ❤Hobb❤ allowing us to watch Fitz grow and look back on his own journey? 😘perfection.
“...change proves that you are still alive. Change often measures our tolerance for folk different from ourselves. Can we accept their languages, their customs, their garments, and their foods into our own lives? If we can, then we form bonds, bonds that make wars less likely. If we cannot, if we believe that we must do things as we have always done them, then we must either fight to remain as we are, or die”
― Robin Hobb, Golden Fool
Great quote ❤️
So glad to be reading it with everyone. I’ve loved all our conversations.
I did really like Babel. Four star to me only because at times it felt way too heavy handed in its theme to be distracting. I need to try Piranesi someday. And definitely read Robin Hobb! Which should I start with over all? Kindred made my top 10 last year too! We have a lot of similar tastes. Thanks for sharing!
Always happy to share!
The heavy handed ended up working for me. Just kinda rolled with it. I think I just expected it to be heavy handed, so I just chilled with it.
I also read Kindred this year. It's great!
Fantastic book! You seen the show yet?
@@PonderingsOfPete No, I don't have Hulu. There are too many streaming services out there
@@thefairylibrarian3282 felt that. I’m gonna have to grab info from a friend in order to watch it at some point
I *died* laughing when you busted out the Emperor’s new groove. 😂
Gotta have the Emperor’s New Groove reference 😂
Nice list.
I found Babel kind of meh. The Books of Babel would have been so good were it not for that dreaded final book (I'm in the disappointed camp there). Piranesi I liked but it wasn't JS&MN level for me.
Liked Augustus too, especially the final part.
I think ROTE is good but bloated which prevents them from being a favourite. The two books I really didn't like were Assassin's Quest and Ship of Destiny (ending).
Kindred is a really good book, I just prefer Butler's other works more.
The Dandelion Dynasty is so good. I am wondering if I can squeeze in a reread this year. I have you to thank for motivating me to continue and finish the series!
Happy reading!
So glad you loved Dandelion Dynasty! Always happy to encourage fellow readers.
I can understand why Babel didn’t work. Definitely had my gripes with it.
Wish we could get another JS&MN though. Wishing so hard.
And Augustus was so good!
@@PonderingsOfPete A JS&MN sequel would be awesome. Or Clarke could write about how the sky is blue - I'd still read it!
I just read The Paper Menagerie...and I wasn't prepared for this. 😔
@@Paromita_M Ken Liu loves to do that to you, doesn’t he?
Do you have a favorite story?
@@PonderingsOfPete My favourite is the title story because of how heartfelt it was. I was like oh this is going to be fine and then it just hit me. Hard. 😭
I'm not crying, I'm cutting onions.
@@Paromita_M this book basically requires the cutting of onions 😂