Read Lonesome Dove earlier this year, just incredible. Augustus McCrae is one of my favourite characters in fiction now. Amazing dialogue and some absolutely jaw-dropping moments. Also the only western I've ever read!
Lonesome Dove is a top 10 book of all time for me. It’s that good. You will laugh out loud multiple times, and you will cry multiple times. It’s brutal and heartwarming at the same time. Brian Lee Durfee’s review summed it up really well.
The Right Stuff is a great book, it does a great job giving you the mindset of the early space program. It also covers the history, but the psychology of those early times was what it was best at. So essentially, it has good character work.
I can not wait to hear your thoughts on Lonesome Dove. McMurtry wrote some of the all time best characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. The way he writes, I feel like I’m sitting around the table, or out driving cattle with them. I was never a western fan growing up. I read Lonesome Dove and fell in love with the genre. I’ve been a solely scifi and fantasy reader my entire life. But Lonesome Dove is the best book I’ve ever read.
Am currently reading the shining before I start the last book in the First Law Trilogy: Last Argument Of Kings. I sort of burnt myself out with the first 2 books, as I read them back to back. So, I'm using the shining as a break before I continue with First Law. The shining is great so far, half way through, loving it!
I really liked Fevre Dream; it is very close to Anne rice in the mood and imagery. I’ve been reading Stuart Turton’s “Devil in Dark Water” which is like a Sherlock Holmes mystery, a dash of gothic, on a boat in the 18th century. I loved his debut novel “Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle”. If you’re looking for a mystery/gothic standalone, I highly recommend giving Turton a try.
The way I've had GGK's books explained to me, is that they all take place in an alternate "fantasy" world that mirrors our world's history. The cultures have different names, their histories are slightly changed, and there's magic. But each book (for the most part) can be read standalone. It's like reading real world historical fiction from many different cultures and time periods.
Such a diverse list of books! I'm also hoping to pick up Lonesome Dove and GGK next year. I have A Head Full of Ghosts on my shelves so will probably read it alongside some Thomas Olde Heuvelt for next spooky season
Mike, I know you didnt like Blood Meridian, but I would suggest his Border trilogy westerns. You don't really have to read each one as the first 2 have different characters and apparently they join in the last book. I've only read All The Pretty Horses and it was really good.
I enjoyed all the pretty horses as well, although I had to do a lot of translating to understand all the Spanish. And the dust cover gives away a big plot point!
If you read Fevre Dream, I will be very interested in hearing your opinion on that book. I read it over 10 years ago and loved it. I'm happy to hear you may be reading A Man Called Ove. Fredrik Backman is my favorite author next to Brandon Sanderson.
Great ideas here! I've always had a hard a hard time getting into Westerns as well so I'll have to give that a whirl. Mike I know your TBR list is super long already, buf I wanted to rec something for a potential future read I think you'd really enjoy - The Darth Bane trilogy and Darth Plagueis book in the Star Wars EU (Plagueis is a standalone 😉 but should be read after Bane because he's referenced quite a bit). I know you're a fan of many of the post-RotJ EU stuff, but I reread these books recently and it reminded me how they're among my favorite Star Wars books/stories ever made. A bonus is that they make the original movies even better with the lore introduced (this isn't Disney SW)
We need to talk about Kevin is very grim and I remember liking it a lot. Little Heaven and Fevre Dream are great as well. A Head Full of Ghosts is overall really good with a few rough moments. The Ruins I honestly didn’t like at all. Haven’t read any of the other ones. Might have to check them out!
I understand if you don't want to hear about Discworld in a video about standalones, but those books are perfect palate cleansers. The books are like watching episodes of your favourite sitcom.
Always nice to have some standalone reqs! We Need to Talk About Kevin is a very dark and difficult read emotionally, but it’s written beautifully. Highly recommend. I look forward to your thoughts on Backman! I hope you love his writing as much as I do!! I’ve been meaning to read Lonesome Dove for a long time, maybe 2023 will be the year. 🤞
I recommend a non-Shannara book by the great Terry Brooks. OK, so there's 2 books (so far) in this series. The first one is called the "Child of Light". That's the one I'm reading now. It's so good so far. It'll be a quick read for you, I think. By the way, my hubby and I actually got to MEET Terry Brooks in a book signing, and he's SUCH a gentleman. I was afraid he would be a literary snob, because of his success, but he's not. He is SO cool and down-to-earth. THAT'S what sold me to start reading his work. He's already my hubby's favorite author (you should've SEEN how happy he was to meet Terry Brooks), so I was already interested. But the fact that he's so nice just makes it so much better. If you ever happen to hear about Terry Brooks going to Huston or something, GO SEE HIM. He's amazing!
I'm going to try and get to Kings of the Wyld next year. I'm still slowly making my way through Malazan (about a third through Bonehunters). I'm excited to hear you're going to read Lonesome Dove. That's my second favorite book of all time, right behind Dune.
A Head Full of Ghosts sound intriguing. I have Snow Crash on my shelf and plan to read it next year as well! Currently reading Interview with the Vampire (finally!). It's amazing, I'm so mad at myself for waiting this long to pick it up. As for my progress on reading all of Stephen King in order.. I'm on Rose Madder but whew, I need a break after Insomnia. About twice as long as it needed to be in my opinion. Great video man, happy reading!
Great video! I'm also going to attempt some horror through the year. I feel like we naturally save up the horror for the fall. I usually use Dresden Files as a pallet cleanser as well, but I'm thinking of breaking into some Will Wight. I hear his books are good in between some of those heavier books I'll be reading next year.
Your wisdom has been passed on. Usually I love the first book of a series and push onward to burn myself out and never finish every book. I just finished The Blade Itself, and I'm forcing myself to read a palate cleanser before continuing onward--even though I want nothing more than to pick up the second book in the trilogy. Thanks for the concept of palate cleansers!
Awesome video, Mike! Added a few to my list. Thanks for the reminder about Run, it sounds awesome and it's staring me in the face, so might be due for a Crouch book.
Super excited for this list! Just finished The Ruins myself, I’d put it on my top 10 thrillers and horror lists. Reading his a simple plan thriller next. Head Full of ghosts is probably Tremblay’s best (which is either a good or bad thing) it’s kind of the anti-exorcist. I won’t explain what I mean by that so you can find out yourself.
I’ve had Snow Crash on my mind for a while and never have tried it but I’ll give it a shot for 2023. I don’t want to over-hype but I’m 99% positive you will love Lonesome Dove. It is a masterpiece in every sense of the word.
For something totally left field that I have on my list is The Tea Dragon Society. I watched a full on super hero and comic fan just fall in love with and wax lyrical about these graphic novels, and they have spiked my interest. Apparently adorable, inclusive and just a lovely break from the norm
Great picks! 'A Man Called Ove' is such a well-written novel. The character work is indeed great. I read 'Lonesome Dove' this past June. It is a massive tome, but it is in my opinion one of the essential western novels. I have 'Run' on my list to get to someday. Probably won't be until next year. Throwing another horror standalone recommendation your way: 'The Last Days of Jack Sparks' by Jason Arnopp. I read it a few years ago and loved it! Happy reading!
Backman has been great, character focused and super quick reads, I think you'll like Ove. Backman has been a great cure for fantasy burnout I was struggling with.
"The Right Stuff" is a pretty good read. It does a great job of delving into the pressures that both the politicians and senior NASA officials were facing during the Cold War, and I really like that it offers a deep dive into the philosophy and mindset of the actual astronauts themselves. It's also a really good coming of age story, and that's why I think that Mike would like it alot. I've seen the movie twice, and sadly, in spite of the four Oscars, I think it fails to capture the energy and intensity of the book. A movie that does a much better job of capturing it would be "Chariots of Fire," even though the subject matter is completely different. But I think as a book, "The Right Stuff" deserves all of the influence that it's had on subsequent works - especially military history books like "Black Hawk Down," "Neptune's Inferno," etc. It's an excellent choice.
I'm highly excited by this video, because the VAST MAJORITY of these titles have been on my TBR (some, for years) and I can't wait for the time you begin to read them, which will kick my ass into gear and read along
Hey man! I’m loving your channel! Outstanding job! Might consider Quietus by Vivian Schilling or Battlefield Earth(or have you already read that one?) i’m personally not big on SciFi myself to read(like you with westerns) but I loved BE.. and Toxin by Robin Cook; again love your vids! So glad I found ya
Stand alones are the best book breaks. Have read and loved many on your list and can also recommend The Poisonwood Bible (actually anything by Barbara Kingsolver), John Irving is a huge fav for a break he was the author of The Cider House Rules and The World according to Garp, so incredible character work. An odd one I think you would like is Bill Bryson A Short History of Nearly Everything. I also love checking out Booker prize short lists. Try Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks. Another great break is to pick up sci fi and fantasy short stories. GRR Martin put an really great collection together of female authors and helped me find some new fav authors. Authors who can draw me in completely with just a short story are just incredible. Their skill just blows my mind. Madeline Miller’s Galatea is a master class in a short story. On fun short sci fi try Burn by Patrick Ness or A Profusion of Princes by Garth Nix. Both are very good at taking time out from big series. A recent fun read was Daniel Greene’s novella and first book. Had a blast with both..
With you mentioning The Exorcist, I highly recommend you read William Peter Blatty‘s book “Legion”, which is basically Exorcist 2, and cinematically it’s Exorcist 3. Both the movie and book are outstanding. Much more of a detective thriller in this story where the plot pertains to the events that happened in the first story with a few horror elements strewn throughout. Definitely does not get the credit it deserves.
Good call on "Tigana" by GGK Mike - I have read it several times (along with most of Mr. Kayes fantastic work) and I consider it to be a masterpiece. Hoping to see a review of what you thought of it - and welcome to the GGK rabbit-hole!
I have Lonesome dove on my shelf too. I tried it once only came till chapter 8 or something and kinda forgot about it (not because i did not like it or anything) Then one day, i decided to build a Western Theme Park in a game called Planet Coaster. When i made my first building i really wanted it to be a saloon. Then i tought back about Lonesome Dove, those first 8 chapters i read, and decided to make that saloon exactly like the descriptions from Lonesome Dove. I even made the backdoor that is used in the book as a way to move the piano from and to the small white church. Next i made the small church. It was great.
I agree with you Mike. I'm pretty much new to the fantasy book genre after reading A Song of Ice and Fire. However, some of the other book series are way too long. Begin to loose interest. Just want one book with a quick beginning and end.
I can't remember if it was you that hasn't read Sharp Ends by Abercrombie yet, but if you haven't that would work well as a pick me up in between other, harder reads. Sure its part of the bigger series but its a collection of short stories that take place all throughout the timeline so its a nice bit of First Law flavor without a large commitment.
My husband and I just read lonesome dove together this year and it was a definite favorite. I was afraid it might try to be something that i would not enjoy but it surprised me. When you read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions.
If you are doing standalone books, I gotta recommend The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom again. It’s one of my fav books of all time, and I really think you’d enjoy it! It’s about a musician told from the perspective of Music (really cool concept).
I read Little Haven couple years back. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, still enjoyed it quite a bit. I just read The Last Light Of The Sun by GGK which was very much a viking inspired story. Felt like I was reading a stand alone inspired by The Last Kingdom and Viking TV series.
Fredrik Backman is great, reas one of his other books and it was great. I'm currently reading How to Kill a Mockingbird, which is a good classic standalone for the moment
Was surprised at the number of books on this I had already read. For the guy who turned to BookTube because they are so steeped in King and rereads. I can feel so left behind sometimes so was weird to being able to say, 'Oh oh, I read that one'. Snow Crash is probably my fave from this list. I have read it three times. It seems to be constantly optioned as a possible tv series and I have to think it is one of the reasons people are trying to get ahead buying property in the Metaverse even though it is so far from ready.
Larry McMurtrey isn't primarily a western author and I think that might be why Lonesome Does is so great. It's an amazing book that just happens to be a western. I hope you love it as much as I do. Terms of Endearment was also wonderful. Also, have you read much from Richard Matheson? What Dreams May Come might be a nice palate cleanser if you haven't read it.
I’m curious to see what you think of Paul Tremblay “A head full of ghosts” I read that book last October. Lots of discussion can be generated from that book. I particularly like how he handled themes like mental illness vs demonic possession, misogyny and the role of religion in the treatment of mental illness.
Fantasy is my main genre, but Lonesome Dove is my favorite book of all time. The whole series is great.
Snow crash is in my opinion one of the greatest books ever written. It is weird wild and completely unique
Excited for "A Man Called Ove". As for the pronunciation I'd say your 2nd attempt was pretty spot on. Something like "O-veh".
I'm so glad to see Backman in the line-up. I loved this book!
Read Lonesome Dove earlier this year, just incredible. Augustus McCrae is one of my favourite characters in fiction now. Amazing dialogue and some absolutely jaw-dropping moments. Also the only western I've ever read!
I am afraid to read Lonesome Dove, I love western by Louis L'amour, and there is some other authors that has written good westerns too.
My number one favorite book ever!
Lonesome Dove is the best book youre ever gonna read!!!!!!
Lonesome Dove is a top 10 book of all time for me. It’s that good.
You will laugh out loud multiple times, and you will cry multiple times. It’s brutal and heartwarming at the same time.
Brian Lee Durfee’s review summed it up really well.
The Right Stuff is a great book, it does a great job giving you the mindset of the early space program. It also covers the history, but the psychology of those early times was what it was best at. So essentially, it has good character work.
Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call from Lonesome Dove are probably my favorite main characters of all time
Fevre Dream is fantastic
I can not wait to hear your thoughts on Lonesome Dove. McMurtry wrote some of the all time best characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. The way he writes, I feel like I’m sitting around the table, or out driving cattle with them. I was never a western fan growing up. I read Lonesome Dove and fell in love with the genre. I’ve been a solely scifi and fantasy reader my entire life. But Lonesome Dove is the best book I’ve ever read.
Fevre Dream is an excellent read!!
Tigana is one of my favorite books. You are in for a treat
Am currently reading the shining before I start the last book in the First Law Trilogy: Last Argument Of Kings. I sort of burnt myself out with the first 2 books, as I read them back to back. So, I'm using the shining as a break before I continue with First Law. The shining is great so far, half way through, loving it!
Dandelion Wine was my first Bradbury. It starts super wholesome and progressively gets weirder and creepier. Did not expect that, really liked it.
Sounds much like the tone of Something Wicked this Way Comes, which is my first R.B. - just on the last pages now in fact.
@@MagusMarquillin I still have not read Something Wicked, I will get to it soon hopefully.
I really liked Fevre Dream; it is very close to Anne rice in the mood and imagery. I’ve been reading Stuart Turton’s “Devil in Dark Water” which is like a Sherlock Holmes mystery, a dash of gothic, on a boat in the 18th century. I loved his debut novel “Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle”. If you’re looking for a mystery/gothic standalone, I highly recommend giving Turton a try.
The way I've had GGK's books explained to me, is that they all take place in an alternate "fantasy" world that mirrors our world's history. The cultures have different names, their histories are slightly changed, and there's magic. But each book (for the most part) can be read standalone. It's like reading real world historical fiction from many different cultures and time periods.
Fevre Dream is awesome!
I read The Ruins in an entire day. Not because it’s a quick easy read, but because it was SO freaking hypnotizing. And it freaked me out too.
I absolutely LOVED A Man Called Ove! It made me cry at the end but so worth it. I now want to read every book that that author wrote
Such a diverse list of books! I'm also hoping to pick up Lonesome Dove and GGK next year. I have A Head Full of Ghosts on my shelves so will probably read it alongside some Thomas Olde Heuvelt for next spooky season
Mike, I know you didnt like Blood Meridian, but I would suggest his Border trilogy westerns. You don't really have to read each one as the first 2 have different characters and apparently they join in the last book. I've only read All The Pretty Horses and it was really good.
I enjoyed all the pretty horses as well, although I had to do a lot of translating to understand all the Spanish.
And the dust cover gives away a big plot point!
"The judge was just alright."
Probably one of his worst takes.
I'm actually reading book 2 right now. The crossing. And I'm actually digging it a little more than pretty horses
They do join up in the third, the books of the Border Trilogy are some of the finest contemporary American literature around.
If you read Fevre Dream, I will be very interested in hearing your opinion on that book. I read it over 10 years ago and loved it. I'm happy to hear you may be reading A Man Called Ove. Fredrik Backman is my favorite author next to Brandon Sanderson.
Great ideas here! I've always had a hard a hard time getting into Westerns as well so I'll have to give that a whirl.
Mike I know your TBR list is super long already, buf I wanted to rec something for a potential future read I think you'd really enjoy - The Darth Bane trilogy and Darth Plagueis book in the Star Wars EU (Plagueis is a standalone 😉 but should be read after Bane because he's referenced quite a bit). I know you're a fan of many of the post-RotJ EU stuff, but I reread these books recently and it reminded me how they're among my favorite Star Wars books/stories ever made. A bonus is that they make the original movies even better with the lore introduced (this isn't Disney SW)
I definitely was not expecting the first palate cleanser to be “We Need to Talk About Kevin”
GGK and Lonesome Dove are priorities for me next year. I read The Ruins years ago and thought it was really good. Thanks for the video!
I’m going to try Shogun, I’ve never read it and I think it would be a great palate cleanser.
Lonesome dove and Snow Crash are both in my top 10. Amazing books. Hope you enjoy!
We need to talk about Kevin is very grim and I remember liking it a lot. Little Heaven and Fevre Dream are great as well. A Head Full of Ghosts is overall really good with a few rough moments.
The Ruins I honestly didn’t like at all.
Haven’t read any of the other ones. Might have to check them out!
I understand if you don't want to hear about Discworld in a video about standalones, but those books are perfect palate cleansers. The books are like watching episodes of your favourite sitcom.
I own Snow Crash and am looking forward to reading it soon!
Always nice to have some standalone reqs! We Need to Talk About Kevin is a very dark and difficult read emotionally, but it’s written beautifully. Highly recommend. I look forward to your thoughts on Backman! I hope you love his writing as much as I do!! I’ve been meaning to read Lonesome Dove for a long time, maybe 2023 will be the year. 🤞
There is plenty of room upon this wagon, little Lady.
Michael Connolly has been my palette cleanser easy simple well written comfort food
I recommend a non-Shannara book by the great Terry Brooks. OK, so there's 2 books (so far) in this series. The first one is called the "Child of Light". That's the one I'm reading now. It's so good so far. It'll be a quick read for you, I think. By the way, my hubby and I actually got to MEET Terry Brooks in a book signing, and he's SUCH a gentleman. I was afraid he would be a literary snob, because of his success, but he's not. He is SO cool and down-to-earth. THAT'S what sold me to start reading his work. He's already my hubby's favorite author (you should've SEEN how happy he was to meet Terry Brooks), so I was already interested. But the fact that he's so nice just makes it so much better. If you ever happen to hear about Terry Brooks going to Huston or something, GO SEE HIM. He's amazing!
I'm going to try and get to Kings of the Wyld next year. I'm still slowly making my way through Malazan (about a third through Bonehunters). I'm excited to hear you're going to read Lonesome Dove. That's my second favorite book of all time, right behind Dune.
A Head Full of Ghosts sound intriguing. I have Snow Crash on my shelf and plan to read it next year as well! Currently reading Interview with the Vampire (finally!). It's amazing, I'm so mad at myself for waiting this long to pick it up. As for my progress on reading all of Stephen King in order.. I'm on Rose Madder but whew, I need a break after Insomnia. About twice as long as it needed to be in my opinion. Great video man, happy reading!
Great video! I'm also going to attempt some horror through the year. I feel like we naturally save up the horror for the fall. I usually use Dresden Files as a pallet cleanser as well, but I'm thinking of breaking into some Will Wight. I hear his books are good in between some of those heavier books I'll be reading next year.
Your wisdom has been passed on. Usually I love the first book of a series and push onward to burn myself out and never finish every book. I just finished The Blade Itself, and I'm forcing myself to read a palate cleanser before continuing onward--even though I want nothing more than to pick up the second book in the trilogy. Thanks for the concept of palate cleansers!
Tigana was my first of Guy's books. The excerpt was what pulled me in. He's very... descriptive. 😆
So I've been told.
Awesome video, Mike! Added a few to my list. Thanks for the reminder about Run, it sounds awesome and it's staring me in the face, so might be due for a Crouch book.
I believe you sent me Run, so when you want to read it hit me up and I'll do the same.
@@mikesbookreviews I thought I did! That would be awesome!
Super excited for this list! Just finished The Ruins myself, I’d put it on my top 10 thrillers and horror lists. Reading his a simple plan thriller next. Head Full of ghosts is probably Tremblay’s best (which is either a good or bad thing) it’s kind of the anti-exorcist. I won’t explain what I mean by that so you can find out yourself.
A head full of ghosts is a modern horror masterpiece. Great picks! And thanks for giving me some new reads!
I’ve had Snow Crash on my mind for a while and never have tried it but I’ll give it a shot for 2023.
I don’t want to over-hype but I’m 99% positive you will love Lonesome Dove. It is a masterpiece in every sense of the word.
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on The Ruins.
Run was great. Love Blake Crouch! Another great stand alone is Snowbound
For something totally left field that I have on my list is The Tea Dragon Society. I watched a full on super hero and comic fan just fall in love with and wax lyrical about these graphic novels, and they have spiked my interest. Apparently adorable, inclusive and just a lovely break from the norm
Great picks! 'A Man Called Ove' is such a well-written novel. The character work is indeed great.
I read 'Lonesome Dove' this past June. It is a massive tome, but it is in my opinion one of the essential western novels.
I have 'Run' on my list to get to someday. Probably won't be until next year.
Throwing another horror standalone recommendation your way: 'The Last Days of Jack Sparks' by Jason Arnopp. I read it a few years ago and loved it!
Happy reading!
Backman has been great, character focused and super quick reads, I think you'll like Ove. Backman has been a great cure for fantasy burnout I was struggling with.
I just read Tigana and loved it!
Just finished Lonesome Dove last week. Excellent book. The characters are fantastic
"The Right Stuff" is a pretty good read. It does a great job of delving into the pressures that both the politicians and senior NASA officials were facing during the Cold War, and I really like that it offers a deep dive into the philosophy and mindset of the actual astronauts themselves. It's also a really good coming of age story, and that's why I think that Mike would like it alot. I've seen the movie twice, and sadly, in spite of the four Oscars, I think it fails to capture the energy and intensity of the book. A movie that does a much better job of capturing it would be "Chariots of Fire," even though the subject matter is completely different. But I think as a book, "The Right Stuff" deserves all of the influence that it's had on subsequent works - especially military history books like "Black Hawk Down," "Neptune's Inferno," etc. It's an excellent choice.
I'd like to read Lonesome Dove as well. I once saw an interview of Joe Abercrombie saying that book is among his favorites.
I absolutely loved The Ruins!
I'm highly excited by this video, because the VAST MAJORITY of these titles have been on my TBR (some, for years) and I can't wait for the time you begin to read them, which will kick my ass into gear and read along
I have The lions of Al-Rasan on my TBR pile. I got interested after watching Jimmy Nuts' review.
I read The Ritual before seeing the movie, and I loved it. Very unique, which makes it hit or miss for most. But it was a hit for me
Hey man! I’m loving your channel! Outstanding job! Might consider Quietus by Vivian Schilling or Battlefield Earth(or have you already read that one?) i’m personally not big on SciFi myself to read(like you with westerns) but I loved BE.. and Toxin by Robin Cook; again love your vids! So glad I found ya
Stand alones are the best book breaks. Have read and loved many on your list and can also recommend The Poisonwood Bible (actually anything by Barbara Kingsolver), John Irving is a huge fav for a break he was the author of The Cider House Rules and The World according to Garp, so incredible character work.
An odd one I think you would like is Bill Bryson A Short History of Nearly Everything.
I also love checking out Booker prize short lists. Try Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks.
Another great break is to pick up sci fi and fantasy short stories. GRR Martin put an really great collection together of female authors and helped me find some new fav authors.
Authors who can draw me in completely with just a short story are just incredible. Their skill just blows my mind. Madeline Miller’s Galatea is a master class in a short story.
On fun short sci fi try Burn by Patrick Ness or A Profusion of Princes by Garth Nix. Both are very good at taking time out from big series.
A recent fun read was Daniel Greene’s novella and first book. Had a blast with both..
Hi 👋 great video... thanks for talking about everything on ur channel!! Happy reading to you! 🎥🍂🍁🎞
With you mentioning The Exorcist, I highly recommend you read William Peter Blatty‘s book “Legion”, which is basically Exorcist 2, and cinematically it’s Exorcist 3. Both the movie and book are outstanding. Much more of a detective thriller in this story where the plot pertains to the events that happened in the first story with a few horror elements strewn throughout. Definitely does not get the credit it deserves.
I just read Fevre Dream for spooky season. It was amazing.
Lonesome Dove is one of the greatest novels ever written.
Good call on "Tigana" by GGK Mike - I have read it several times (along with most of Mr. Kayes fantastic work) and I consider it to be a masterpiece. Hoping to see a review of what you thought of it - and welcome to the GGK rabbit-hole!
Some great reading plans right there! Hope you enjoy the horror selections!! ☠️
I have Lonesome dove on my shelf too. I tried it once only came till chapter 8 or something and kinda forgot about it (not because i did not like it or anything)
Then one day, i decided to build a Western Theme Park in a game called Planet Coaster. When i made my first building i really wanted it to be a saloon. Then i tought back about Lonesome Dove, those first 8 chapters i read, and decided to make that saloon exactly like the descriptions from Lonesome Dove. I even made the backdoor that is used in the book as a way to move the piano from and to the small white church. Next i made the small church. It was great.
Ooooh! A lot of these are on my radar, maybe we’ll have some crossover. And that shirt is amazing.
It means no worries.
We need to talk about Kevin is rough!!! It’s also one of my favorite top five books.
You'll definitely love the Ruins. I also recommend the movie afterwards. It's a solid adaptation.
I agree with you Mike. I'm pretty much new to the fantasy book genre after reading A Song of Ice and Fire. However, some of the other book series are way too long. Begin to loose interest. Just want one book with a quick beginning and end.
Snow Crash is awesome!
Sea of Rust is another cool standalone.
Hey Mike
You should read The Windup Girl. You'll love it as a one-off read. Biopunk!
I can't remember if it was you that hasn't read Sharp Ends by Abercrombie yet, but if you haven't that would work well as a pick me up in between other, harder reads. Sure its part of the bigger series but its a collection of short stories that take place all throughout the timeline so its a nice bit of First Law flavor without a large commitment.
Great list and great shirt!
My husband and I just read lonesome dove together this year and it was a definite favorite. I was afraid it might try to be something that i would not enjoy but it surprised me. When you read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions.
You're gonna love GGK.
My favorite Western is “Welcome to Hard Times” by E.L. Doctorow… I think you would like it a lot Mike!
I pronounce Ove in my head the same way, lol
I've been wanting to read this, because it reminds me of the Bill Murray movie St. Vincent
Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams and Piranesi by Susanna Clarke are both great fantasy standalones and they're both pretty short too.
Alfred Bester - The Stars My Destination. You can read it in a day and every page is exciting. There's a BBC audiodrama of it too.
If you are doing standalone books, I gotta recommend The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom again. It’s one of my fav books of all time, and I really think you’d enjoy it! It’s about a musician told from the perspective of Music (really cool concept).
Added to my TBR, thanks for the recommendation!
@@pythonbile awesome! I’ve read the book like 5 times, it’s fantastic! Enjoy!
I just read Lonesome Dove a few months ago and it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. It exceeded expectations.
keep pounding!
@@Swampratatta yessss
Mike would you ever do a video on which Stephen king adaptations deserve a remake just curious on your thoughts 🤔
Thanks for the videos
I read Little Haven couple years back. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, still enjoyed it quite a bit. I just read The Last Light Of The Sun by GGK which was very much a viking inspired story. Felt like I was reading a stand alone inspired by The Last Kingdom and Viking TV series.
Fredrik Backman is great, reas one of his other books and it was great. I'm currently reading How to Kill a Mockingbird, which is a good classic standalone for the moment
I got into Westerns last summer, LD will land hard with you.
Was surprised at the number of books on this I had already read. For the guy who turned to BookTube because they are so steeped in King and rereads. I can feel so left behind sometimes so was weird to being able to say, 'Oh oh, I read that one'.
Snow Crash is probably my fave from this list. I have read it three times. It seems to be constantly optioned as a possible tv series and I have to think it is one of the reasons people are trying to get ahead buying property in the Metaverse even though it is so far from ready.
I loved Lonesome Dove. I had no idea it was part of a series. I thought it was a stand alone.
Snow crash is on my to-read list, so it'll be fun to hear what you think too
I loved a man called Ove. Hope you get round to it
youre definitely going to like Snowcrash
Larry McMurtrey isn't primarily a western author and I think that might be why Lonesome Does is so great. It's an amazing book that just happens to be a western. I hope you love it as much as I do. Terms of Endearment was also wonderful. Also, have you read much from Richard Matheson? What Dreams May Come might be a nice palate cleanser if you haven't read it.
thanks Mike
I can also highly recommend Octavia E. Butler for sci-fi. Kindred is amazing.
Dandelion Wine 🔥
I see a bunch of books here that I also want to get to soon.
The Chill was a very good stand-alone I read not too long ago. Think you would enjoy.
We Need to Talk About Kevin is on my list, too! Such a great movie, as well, with Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, and Ezra Miller
Tigana is the only GGK I've read as well, hope you enjoy it. I plan to read everything he's written, but other stuff keeps getting in the way.
I’m curious to see what you think of Paul Tremblay “A head full of ghosts” I read that book last October. Lots of discussion can be generated from that book. I particularly like how he handled themes like mental illness vs demonic possession, misogyny and the role of religion in the treatment of mental illness.
🤔
A man called Ove is such a great book!
Please post when you do read The Ruins. My favorite horror in the past few years.