Will you PLEASE leave the book on the screen longer than 2 seconds 😅 maybe the whole time you’re talking about it, so that we know which one it is if we’re not familiar with it? That would awesome! Love your videos ❤
I’ve noticed so many booktubers doing this lately, where it just shows the book for 2 seconds and then it goes away. Why not just keep it on the screen the whole time 😩
Here's the list if it helps :) 1:57 The Godfather - Mario Puzo 2:40 The Liveship Trilogy - Robin Hobb 3:36 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy 4:10 Tree of Smoke - Denis Johnson 4:55 Ulysses and Finnegans Wake - James Joyce 5:30 The Road to Jerusalem - Jan Guillou 6:36 Infinite Jest - David Foster Wallace 8:03 The Book of the New Sun - Gene Wolfe 8:50 Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry 9:27 City of Vengeance - D. V. Bishop 10:35 The Darkness That Come Before - R. Scott Baker 11:25 The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett 12:00 Crossroads of the Crow - Andrzej Sapkowski 13:04 The Devils - Joe Abercrombie 13:45 Wayward Pines - Blake Crouch 14:38 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo 15:33 For Whom the Bell Tolls - Ernest Hemingway 16:18 Divine Days - Leon Forrest 17:00 East of Eden - John Steinbeck 18:07 Kingfall - David Estes 18:52 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth 20:10 The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand 21:45 The Bound and The Boken - Ryan Cahill 22:15 Out of The Silent Planet - C. S. Lewis 23:13 Beach Music - Pat Conroy
You are hands down my favorite book tuber. I love that you don’t pick the same 25 popular books that everyone else does. You read and review classics and older, established books and it’s such a refreshing take. I read various genres and I love that you do as well. There are plenty of books I want to read in 2025 but the one I’m most excited about is Stephen King’s ‘11/22/63’. Your passionate critique along with a few other book tubers has made it my number one on my list for this year. Thanks and keep doing exactly what you’re doing.
11/22/63 was one my wife and I both greatly enjoyed, and we typically don’t read the same genres. We actually made a point to visit the 6th Floor Museum in Dallas on an anniversary trip in good part because our love for that novel.
Timestamp for those that struggle to see the names flash up, or those like me who will come back to the video :) 1:57 The Godfather - Mario Puzo 2:40 The Liveship Trilogy - Robin Hobb 3:36 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy 4:10 Tree of Smoke - Denis Johnson 4:55 Ulysses and Finnegans Wake - James Joyce 5:30 The Road to Jerusalem - Jan Guillou 6:36 Infinite Jest - David Foster Wallace 8:03 The Book of the New Sun - Gene Wolfe 8:50 Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry 9:27 City of Vengeance - D. V. Bishop 10:35 The Darkness That Come Before - R. Scott Baker 11:25 The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett 12:00 Crossroads of the Crow - Andrzej Sapkowski 13:04 The Devils - Joe Abercrombie 13:45 Wayward Pines - Blake Crouch 14:38 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo 15:33 For Whom the Bell Tolls - Ernest Hemingway 16:18 Divine Days - Leon Forrest 17:00 East of Eden - John Steinbeck 18:07 Kingfall - David Estes 18:52 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth 20:10 The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand 21:45 The Bound and The Boken - Ryan Cahill 22:15 Out of The Silent Planet - C. S. Lewis 23:13 Beach Music - Pat Conroy
Hi Ian! I really appreciate that you read backlisted books and controversial classics. I think it’s important to read outside of your comfort zone to learn new things. And to figure out the “other side” even though it might not be mainstream or correct. I’ve been neglecting a lot of older books on my shelves so I’m determined to get to them this year while I watch your videos ❤
That Hideous Strength (book 3) BLEW MY MIND when I read it. It’s eerily prophetic! Lewis had so much insight into humanity and where we were headed. The whole series is great! Hope you enjoy!
Channels like these have given me encouragement to start reading books again.I was an avid reader but I haven't read any books in probably 15yrs because of anxiety and depression. I can't believe you've never read Hemingway, but happy you finally are going to start. East of Eden is a classic. Wayward Pines had a tv series, unfortunately just one season even though it was a great show. I don't know if the TV series was affiliated to the books since I haven't read them but it was a good story. Happy Reading 😀
If you want to try James Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is much shorter and i feel gives you a good intro into his writing style. As much as i love his work i think if you don't like his style don't even waste your time on his works. Cliff notes will suffice. Life's too short to waste on books you don't like.
Thank you for reminding me of The Road to Jerusalem. I started that book so many years ago, but I have been unable to remember the title. I think that i will pick this back up again.
So stoked you’re continuing your Hobb journey! However I think the three trilogies following Fitz are by far the strongest of the RoTE! Can’t wait for you to read them all!!
I started with "The Old Man and the Sea" which was completely amazing. For this year, I'm looking to build my understanding of literature by going back to the roots. I'm in my mid 40s and have read quite a bit, but I want to start thinking about literature as a collective and the way different books are in conversation with one another. So, I'm rereading the Illiad and the Odessey and moving up the timeline with Virgil, Ovid's Metamorphoses, Dante, and end with Shakespeare. In between those difficult books I'll be reading fantasy and literary fiction.
Ambitious list! This year I'm finally starting the Mistborn journey, I also will read my first John Irving book and thanks to you I have Jurassic Park on my TBR!
I also feel the same of Ayn Rand!! I want to read The Fountainhead this year as well! I read Atlas Shrugged a few years ago because of a scholarship. After that I have wanted to read The Fountainhead because Rand has a lot of opinions and ideas, some very questionable but others very thought provoking- both good an bad. I’m excited to know that people like The Fountainhead more than Atlas Shrugged and it makes me more intrigued to read it!
I've read them all! Granted I've been reading them since high school. Can't wait for his next one Never Flinch I believe it's called. A few years ago, I started to reread, in order, up to insomnia.
Awesome list! If, as you're working your way through the literary giants and epic qorks of fantasy, you find yourself in need of a change of pace, I would highly recommend: 1. Malice House (book 1 of The Malice Compendium series) by Megan Shepherd: gothic horror/fantasy with incredible atmosphere and a final act twist that is absolutely jaw-dropping. Its sequel, Midnight Showing, is also fantastic. It has similar vibes to The Hazel Wood series. 2. One Dark Window (book one of The Shepherd King duology) by Rachel Gillig: gothic fantasy with a touch of horror. The atmosphere, the world building, the prose - I loved absolutely everything about this book, and I tend to be a pretty harsh critic. 3. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton: a mindbending thriller in which the main character has to solve the murder of the eponymous Evelyn Harcastle before the conclusion of her birthday festivities. The catch? She isn't dead yet, and our hero quite literally is not who he appears to be - he's an interloper of sorts, jumping from body to body to relive the day from each of their perspectives. Incredible writing, fantastic twists, and a phenomenal conclusion! 4. The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton: historical myrder mystery. 1634 - an East India Trading Company ship is bound for Amsterdam carrying a brilliant detective duo, a wicked nobleman, and a cast of other characters. As their journey progresses, dark omens appear upon the ship, a ghastly specter appears among them, and death claims more and more of the passengers as the ship plunges into chaos. 5. The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton: dystopian sci-fi. Haven't read this one yet - it is actually on my 2025 TBR, too! The final remnants of humanity - otherwise wiped out by a killing fog - are found on an island stronghold in the middle of the sea. One fateful night, one of the 123 survivors becomes a murderer, claiming the life of one of the three scientists who hold the fog at bay. The murder triggers a series of failsafes. If the killer is not found before time runs out, the island's defenses go down, and all will perish. The complication? The island's failsafe also wiped the memories of every remaining person on the island, so no one has any idea at all who could have wanted their beloved scientist dead - not even the killer.
Oh yes I need to read the Space Trilogy! I read Out of the Silent planet by audio but I don’t really remember much from it so I want to read it physically and read the other two books!
I prefer The Fountainhead to Atlas Shrugged, but I think her best work is Anthem and it's a novella that can be read in a few hours. I also think reading it helps you understand her philosophy.
The Space Trilogy by C S Lewis, amazing. I read them a several years (possibly decades, I'm not telling) ago, and I still think about That Hideous Strength. Thank you for adding several more books to my TBR. I always look forward to your content and I am excited for your 2025 videos. I also credit you with my Stephen King obsession. I've read 10 so far, and am at the tail end of Duma Key which is shaping up to be one of my favourites. Thank you!
I read The Fountainhead and Les Misérables forever ago in high school. I remember liking them both even though I had to break the symbolism down in them. I still think about these 2 books today. Maybe you have inspired me to re-read them (at least it won't be for a grade this time xD) Good luck on your reading journey this year!
Great list Ian, but just to keep it up the tradition of my comments on the channel let me recommend my favorite book again, The Name of the Wind, by Pat Ruthfuss, the first book on the Kingkiller Chronicles, he's writing and world building is facinating and is worth the reading even with the delays(GRRM style) in the 3rd book. The Prologue its just beautiful, I can recite by heart, hahahaha.
Definitely checking out some of the classics this year thanks to you. Going to make a more consistent effort to read more than I did last year. Currently listening to The Count of Monte Cristo and then The Brothers Karamazov. I appreciate all you do and am a fan of your content. Can't wait to see what 2025 will bring for our reading journeys. Cheers everyone!
Want to mention it one more time just incase. Kingfall is set in the same world as Fatemarked (David Estes). You can totally read Kingfall first and then read Fatemarked you will just learn a handful of things from Fatemarked. Such as one of the Fatemarked characters and their ability, certain characters from Fatemarked are together or married in Kingfall. No huge spoilers. And if you like Kingfall you'll really enjoy Fatemarkd. (David Estes has also published 2 books in the Forsworn Oath series that follows after Kingfall)
Loved East of Eden. After I graduated college and got into reading for fun, not text books, I looked up all of the Pulitzer prize winners for fiction and made my way through several of them. One of them was East of Eden.
I too made a list of 25 books that I plan to read in 2025, it also features Hemingway, Tolstoy, and 2 of Ayn Rand's. I'm supper excited for this year of reading, I can't wait to destroy my Tbr and then start over again!
Dude I’m with you in the 2025 massive book grind. I’m 1/7th the way through Proust. Had it on my shelf for over a decade and this is the year! I’ve read East of Eden, Les Mis, and Ulysses and they are all hard but worth it. You got this! Space Trilogy is amazing. My personal favorite is actually the second. The third will speak to you if you have any academia background. I took a break from Proust to read Prince of Tides on your recommendation. So far I’m loving it so thank you for that recent 5star video. Watership Down is likely my favorite book so I knew you spoke truth leading off with it lol. Since Suitable Boy is on your list I’m going to strongly recommend Seth’s The Golden Gate. It’s short and probably the most unique book I’ve ever read.
I started and stopped Les Miserables twice before completion, and it was so worth it! You're also the only UA-camr I've seen mention "A Suitable Boy" that book has been on my TBR FOREVER and I finally found a copy at a library bookstore late last year. I plan to read it later this year, and will be looking for your review!
I GASPED when you said Out of the Silent Planet!!!!!! One of my all time FAVORITE books, changed my life, especially if you are Christian or can appreciate biblical influences/theology etc. it will be fascinating for sure. Sequel is worth it too!
I can't wait to hear what you think of the Liveship Traders trilogy and Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth. I read Pillars about 6 years ago and quickly decided to read the rest of the Kingsbridge series. You will have ALL of the feelings.
You’ll love Beach Music. I still love Princess of Tides as one of my all time favourites. I also read a lot of Lewis’ apologetics and of course Narnia, so I think I’ll try the space trilogy too. 😊
Ooooof good luck with Infinite Jest! I’ve come to terms with the fact that it’s Jest not for me 😂 Some of my books for 2025: Red Rising & Golden Sun (thank you) Lord of the Rings trilogy The Tipping Point Five Decembers Shōgun The Starless Sea Fahrenheit 451 Re-read the Harry Potter Series as an adult
I love that you are a diverse reader, it keeps your videos feeling fresh and interesting! I am trying to bust my way thru SKs Bill Hodges trilogy and Holly Gibney trilogy so I can be caught up to read the Never Flinch release on launch in May. It might be my last chance to read an SK book on launch, so I can't miss it. I also want to finish the Silo series by Hugh Howey, plus Dune, Red Rising, and possibly the Wheel of Time series. 2025 is going to be a great reading year! :)
Can’t wait to hear reviews of any of the books you will read in 2025. I also think you would enjoy the author Amor Towles. I’ve read 2 of his books a really enjoy them both
I am so excited for you to read Kingfall Histories! I read the series last year and absolutely loved it!! I would also recommend Fatemarked and Forsworn by David Estes. They are both series set in the same world but on different continents. I can't wait to see what you think of Kingfall!
This was probably my favorite book related video I filmed for my channel. I feel like this year, I will tackle at least 20 of them! 🤞🏼 I still recommend for both you and Ashlynn - Throne of Betrayal by Brianna E. Wilson It's a soon to be trilogy (book 2 coming very soon!!), a fantasy/romance with wyverns and viking mythology, and it's her first published book! I went to school with her, and absolutely loved this book! It was my favorite book of 2023. The romance isn't bad (I think one small descriptive scene), but it's a enemies to lovers that has you questioning so much by the end of the book. I highly recommend it, because I didn't think I would love it as much as I did, let alone it being my all time favorite of the year.
I read the Wayward Pines last year and it was amazing! I think you will enjoy it. And although I'm not into the classics very much I enjoy your videos on it :) looking forwards to your next video
Les Miserables is my favorite musical of all time. I have tried to read the book when I was in middle school but I gave up. I would love to read it along with you. I think this summer will finally be the right time to read it. If you could update your page count on a tracking platform, that would be fantastic so I can follow along!
I just finished reading all of the books in the bound and the broken series. I think you are going to love that series. I would very much suggest reading all of the novellas you get a lot of world/ character information from them and they are just very solid short stories. Excited to see what you think of the series.
You will love CS Lewis’ space trilogy! I couldn’t put the last one down! Finished it in about a week, and it really helped kickstart my reading back in 2023.
Bound and the Broken is amazing, make sure you read the novellas because while they are side stories to an extend he wrote them with the intent of them being a part of the overall story. There was an interview where he talked about how The Fall was originally just a prologue in book 1 until he realized that prologue was like 100 pages. I suggest reading The Fall first and then read the other novellas in the order he released them. I think you will love the series, I'm currently half way through book 3 and it is one of my favorite books of the past 5 years.
Ahhh, looking forward to living vicariously with some of these; last year I did a lot more writing than I did reading, and it's nice to get a bit of a picture of what might be worth starting on when my brain comes back down from planet noun-verb-adjective-noun-adverb.
I accidentally found your Channel a few months ago and for what ever reason, you have totally inspired me to read more. To give you an idea of how appreciative I am, the last book I read was lord of the flies my freshman year of high school and I turn 40 next month… I’ve since read 4 books (2 using audible but hey…) So thank you and please keep doing what your doing bro 👍
Love this. A few books on this list I am thinking of reading this year - Ulysses, the darkness that comes before, a suitable boy. Also want to read most on trilogy, the tawny man trilogy, Anna Karena
Hi Ian. You are so entertaining to watch! I love your energy. I read The Godfather last summer. Such an enjoyable book! I am generally a non-fiction reader, but I've started getting into fiction. My other favorite reads from last year are: 1. James, by Percival Everett. This is one of the most important books of fiction published in the last 50 years. It is a retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, the slave. 2. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation, by Joseph Ellis (Pulitzer Prize Winner, 2001). A great exploration into the early days of a new nation and what happened prior. 3. The Fall, by Albert Camus. I came upon Camus by way of The Cure and James Baldwin. I discovered The Fall, which blew me even further away, and led me to read Kafka. 4. 1984, by George Orwell. “The frightening thing, he reflected for the ten thousandth time as he forced his shoulders painfully backward (with hands on hips, they were gyrating their bodies from the waist, an exercise that was supposed to be good for the back muscles)-the frightening thing was that it might all be true. If the Party could thrust its hand into the past and say of this or that event, IT NEVER HAPPENED-that, surely, was more terrifying than mere torture and death?” 5. The Day Freedom Died: The Colfax Massacre, the Supreme Court, and the Betrayal of Reconstruction, by Charles Lane. After reading a puff account of this time period by Dana Bash, I realized I had this gem in my Audible library. A much more honest telling of this part of American and Louisiana history.
Hey Ian, you have made me super curious about Pat Conroy one video at a time so putting him on my 25 reading list. Also, I have had Ulysses in my TBR for 20 years now - yep, that long, so I might just try and read it this year as well.
You should check out booktuber Mike’s Book Reviews because he’s read a lot of the fantasy/historical fiction books on this list. I think you would have a lot in common! Also I really enjoyed Wayward Pines series!
Your book list sounds awesome! It is great to see a booktuber that reads fantasy/ sci-fi, literary fiction, classics, historical fiction, controversial books, and even a little romance. I was wondering if you thought about reading classic epics like Beowulf, Illiad/Odyssey, and Dante's Inferno. Maybe you already have. I just haven't seen many people on youtube bring those up. My mind keeps going back to those books. I sparknoted them in high school when I couldn't care less, but I have been thinking of actually reading them.
With your mixed interest in fantasy an historical fiction, I believe you'd LOVE the books of Guy Gavriel Kay. A Song for Arbonne and The Lions of Al-Rassan are two good entry points. It's fantasy, but in kingdom heavily inspired by real historical settings. Plus, the prose is incredible.
Oh my gosh, I have read the chronicles of Narnia series hundreds of times since I was a child...how did I never know that C.S. Lewis wrote a sci-fi series!?! Will need to check that out asap!
I'm currently reading The Bound and The Broken series. I would start by reading the novella The Fall to get you into the world. Of Blood and Fire has some rough edges and it's fairly generic but as very classic fantasy. Book 2 is a monumental improvement IMO.
Love this list, instantly subscribed to see your thoughts over the coming year! Jan Guillou is pronounced Yaan, like think yarn without the r if that makes sense, and Geeyoo, with emphasis on the Gee (hard g) 😂 Love to see a swede on the list!
I love this video Ian! It is really inspiring to see you challenge yourself to so many large books. Side note, I have a video idea for you! You can do a 24hour read a thon and see how many Goosebumps books you can read. Maybe a video that you can use for October? Nostalgia lures people in!
I’d love to see what you think of Beautiful World Where Are You by Sally Rooney and Human Acts by Han Kang!! They both explore a lot of really interesting philosophical questions. And for a more fun recommendation, if you like the Witcher short stories I’d recommend the Vampire Hunter D books. Probably one of the most unique sci-fantasy worlds I’ve ever read about.
A book on my TBR list for this year is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver; a historical fantasy on an abused childhood and the consequences. The inspiration came from Charles Dickens' David Copperfield. One book I keep thinking about and is not in your normal genre is Mad Honey - Child/Domestic abuse and its influences on decisions as an adult and how you may judge any situation, it is almost a nature vs nurture type story.
Lots of excellent choices. I need to read Les Miserable, next year maybe. Hemingway is one of my favorite authors. His writing is just magical. I don’t know what it is, but it’s amazing. I am reading East of Eden in the next month. I have never read any Steinbeck.
Curious if you read any nonfiction? I can’t recall seeing you talk about any. Two I think you’d really enjoy are Unveiling Grace by Lynn K. Wilder & Passport To Heaven by Micah Wilder :)
I love Pillars of the Earth (and all the books in the series that came after), I hope you like it too! It was the first book I've read in English outside of school, back when I was 15 or 16. I have no idea why I chose such a huge one as the first in a foreign language, but I'm glad I did. I don't make reading goals or anything like that, but rather decide just when it's time to start a new book, as I don't read as much as I used to. Usually only 5-10 books a year now and I have the "problem" that my current favorite author (Katie Cross) is publishing books so often, that I can't keep up with her even if I only read her books, so I rarely read any other books at the moment 😅 I'd finally like to read the Witcher books though. I love the Witcher 3 video game and with the first trailer for Witcher 4 out recently, I want to learn more about the story of that world. I started playing the Witcher 1 and will play part 2 afterwards, so I get the full video game history eventually. I did start reading the books at one point, but I think I made the mistake, since I found 2 possible reading orders, to start with one of the books with shorter stories. That was so boring for me, that I gave up after a while. Next time I plan to start with the "real" book 1 in the series and hope this other reading order is better for me. I also have the Game of Thrones series here, that I wanted to start a few times, but still haven't. Maybe this year is the year. Wayward Pines is also on my list, but I doubt I'll read it this year because of everything I wrote above.
As a swede it's fun to see a swedish writer on the list 😁 As for the name, think of it more like John but with an A (Jahn). Looking forward to seeing your opinion on it!
on Morning Star in Red Rising series right now, trying to finish that all this year, also gonna get into more King since i’ve only read 1, but The Outsider and The Eyes of the Dragon will be read this year, also wanna throw in just some solid books like Project Hail Mary, City of Thieves, and The Odyssey
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Will you PLEASE leave the book on the screen longer than 2 seconds 😅 maybe the whole time you’re talking about it, so that we know which one it is if we’re not familiar with it? That would awesome! Love your videos ❤
Yes please
I just pause the video
I’ve noticed so many booktubers doing this lately, where it just shows the book for 2 seconds and then it goes away. Why not just keep it on the screen the whole time 😩
Here's the list if it helps :)
1:57 The Godfather - Mario Puzo
2:40 The Liveship Trilogy - Robin Hobb
3:36 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
4:10 Tree of Smoke - Denis Johnson
4:55 Ulysses and Finnegans Wake - James Joyce
5:30 The Road to Jerusalem - Jan Guillou
6:36 Infinite Jest - David Foster Wallace
8:03 The Book of the New Sun - Gene Wolfe
8:50 Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry
9:27 City of Vengeance - D. V. Bishop
10:35 The Darkness That Come Before - R. Scott Baker
11:25 The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
12:00 Crossroads of the Crow - Andrzej Sapkowski
13:04 The Devils - Joe Abercrombie
13:45 Wayward Pines - Blake Crouch
14:38 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
15:33 For Whom the Bell Tolls - Ernest Hemingway
16:18 Divine Days - Leon Forrest
17:00 East of Eden - John Steinbeck
18:07 Kingfall - David Estes
18:52 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
20:10 The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand
21:45 The Bound and The Boken - Ryan Cahill
22:15 Out of The Silent Planet - C. S. Lewis
23:13 Beach Music - Pat Conroy
Great video!
You are hands down my favorite book tuber. I love that you don’t pick the same 25 popular books that everyone else does. You read and review classics and older, established books and it’s such a refreshing take. I read various genres and I love that you do as well. There are plenty of books I want to read in 2025 but the one I’m most excited about is Stephen King’s ‘11/22/63’. Your passionate critique along with a few other book tubers has made it my number one on my list for this year. Thanks and keep doing exactly what you’re doing.
11/22/63 was one my wife and I both greatly enjoyed, and we typically don’t read the same genres. We actually made a point to visit the 6th Floor Museum in Dallas on an anniversary trip in good part because our love for that novel.
Timestamp for those that struggle to see the names flash up, or those like me who will come back to the video :)
1:57 The Godfather - Mario Puzo
2:40 The Liveship Trilogy - Robin Hobb
3:36 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
4:10 Tree of Smoke - Denis Johnson
4:55 Ulysses and Finnegans Wake - James Joyce
5:30 The Road to Jerusalem - Jan Guillou
6:36 Infinite Jest - David Foster Wallace
8:03 The Book of the New Sun - Gene Wolfe
8:50 Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry
9:27 City of Vengeance - D. V. Bishop
10:35 The Darkness That Come Before - R. Scott Baker
11:25 The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
12:00 Crossroads of the Crow - Andrzej Sapkowski
13:04 The Devils - Joe Abercrombie
13:45 Wayward Pines - Blake Crouch
14:38 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
15:33 For Whom the Bell Tolls - Ernest Hemingway
16:18 Divine Days - Leon Forrest
17:00 East of Eden - John Steinbeck
18:07 Kingfall - David Estes
18:52 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
20:10 The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand
21:45 The Bound and The Boken - Ryan Cahill
22:15 Out of The Silent Planet - C. S. Lewis
23:13 Beach Music - Pat Conroy
ur a time saver, thanks
Thank you, bro.
Hi Ian! I really appreciate that you read backlisted books and controversial classics. I think it’s important to read outside of your comfort zone to learn new things. And to figure out the “other side” even though it might not be mainstream or correct. I’ve been neglecting a lot of older books on my shelves so I’m determined to get to them this year while I watch your videos ❤
That Hideous Strength (book 3) BLEW MY MIND when I read it. It’s eerily prophetic! Lewis had so much insight into humanity and where we were headed. The whole series is great! Hope you enjoy!
I'm so happy, you're finally going to read East of Eden, my all-time favorite book! It might be time for a reread for me.
I’m going to look into this as well, intrigued. I love that Ian is Christian
I'm trying to get through Brandon Sanderson's cosmere and I really want to get to the Faithful and the Fallen this year.
Channels like these have given me encouragement to start reading books again.I was an avid reader but I haven't read any books in probably 15yrs because of anxiety and depression. I can't believe you've never read Hemingway, but happy you finally are going to start. East of Eden is a classic. Wayward Pines had a tv series, unfortunately just one season even though it was a great show. I don't know if the TV series was affiliated to the books since I haven't read them but it was a good story. Happy Reading 😀
I love this list Ian is killing it!
If you want to try James Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is much shorter and i feel gives you a good intro into his writing style. As much as i love his work i think if you don't like his style don't even waste your time on his works. Cliff notes will suffice. Life's too short to waste on books you don't like.
Thank you for reminding me of The Road to Jerusalem. I started that book so many years ago, but I have been unable to remember the title. I think that i will pick this back up again.
So stoked you’re continuing your Hobb journey! However I think the three trilogies following Fitz are by far the strongest of the RoTE! Can’t wait for you to read them all!!
I literally mouthed "Yesss!!" when I saw "The Fountainhead" on your list. I read it many years ago and loved it. I hope you enjoy it.
I started with "The Old Man and the Sea" which was completely amazing.
For this year, I'm looking to build my understanding of literature by going back to the roots. I'm in my mid 40s and have read quite a bit, but I want to start thinking about literature as a collective and the way different books are in conversation with one another. So, I'm rereading the Illiad and the Odessey and moving up the timeline with Virgil, Ovid's Metamorphoses, Dante, and end with Shakespeare. In between those difficult books I'll be reading fantasy and literary fiction.
Just finished pillars of the earth last week. It is incredible
Yay! The Pillars of the Earth!!!!!!!!!🎉❤🎉
I also recommend Fall of Giants
Ambitious list!
This year I'm finally starting the Mistborn journey, I also will read my first John Irving book and thanks to you I have Jurassic Park on my TBR!
Jurassic Park is a great book. You'll love it. Lost World follows it and is great too.
Jurassic park is amazing! Hope you enjoy it!
Pillars of the Earth is amazing. I can't wait for you to read it!!!
Swan Song by Robert McCammon. It won the 1987 Bram Stoker award, tying with Stephen King's Misery. It is also a doorstop. 😄
I love how you snuck Emily Henry in with all these classic and high fantasy books! So fun!!
I also feel the same of Ayn Rand!! I want to read The Fountainhead this year as well! I read Atlas Shrugged a few years ago because of a scholarship. After that I have wanted to read The Fountainhead because Rand has a lot of opinions and ideas, some very questionable but others very thought provoking- both good an bad. I’m excited to know that people like The Fountainhead more than Atlas Shrugged and it makes me more intrigued to read it!
The Fountainhead is one of my all time favs
Maybe a vid on the King books you will read this year?! I just finished my 22nd and pumped to keep going!
I finally tackled The Stand. And that makes my 28th King.
I've read them all! Granted I've been reading them since high school. Can't wait for his next one Never Flinch I believe it's called. A few years ago, I started to reread, in order, up to insomnia.
Awesome list! If, as you're working your way through the literary giants and epic qorks of fantasy, you find yourself in need of a change of pace, I would highly recommend:
1. Malice House (book 1 of The Malice Compendium series) by Megan Shepherd: gothic horror/fantasy with incredible atmosphere and a final act twist that is absolutely jaw-dropping. Its sequel, Midnight Showing, is also fantastic. It has similar vibes to The Hazel Wood series.
2. One Dark Window (book one of The Shepherd King duology) by Rachel Gillig: gothic fantasy with a touch of horror. The atmosphere, the world building, the prose - I loved absolutely everything about this book, and I tend to be a pretty harsh critic.
3. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton: a mindbending thriller in which the main character has to solve the murder of the eponymous Evelyn Harcastle before the conclusion of her birthday festivities. The catch? She isn't dead yet, and our hero quite literally is not who he appears to be - he's an interloper of sorts, jumping from body to body to relive the day from each of their perspectives. Incredible writing, fantastic twists, and a phenomenal conclusion!
4. The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton: historical myrder mystery. 1634 - an East India Trading Company ship is bound for Amsterdam carrying a brilliant detective duo, a wicked nobleman, and a cast of other characters. As their journey progresses, dark omens appear upon the ship, a ghastly specter appears among them, and death claims more and more of the passengers as the ship plunges into chaos.
5. The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton: dystopian sci-fi. Haven't read this one yet - it is actually on my 2025 TBR, too! The final remnants of humanity - otherwise wiped out by a killing fog - are found on an island stronghold in the middle of the sea. One fateful night, one of the 123 survivors becomes a murderer, claiming the life of one of the three scientists who hold the fog at bay. The murder triggers a series of failsafes. If the killer is not found before time runs out, the island's defenses go down, and all will perish. The complication? The island's failsafe also wiped the memories of every remaining person on the island, so no one has any idea at all who could have wanted their beloved scientist dead - not even the killer.
Oh yes I need to read the Space Trilogy! I read Out of the Silent planet by audio but I don’t really remember much from it so I want to read it physically and read the other two books!
I prefer The Fountainhead to Atlas Shrugged, but I think her best work is Anthem and it's a novella that can be read in a few hours. I also think reading it helps you understand her philosophy.
The Space Trilogy by C S Lewis, amazing. I read them a several years (possibly decades, I'm not telling) ago, and I still think about That Hideous Strength. Thank you for adding several more books to my TBR. I always look forward to your content and I am excited for your 2025 videos. I also credit you with my Stephen King obsession. I've read 10 so far, and am at the tail end of Duma Key which is shaping up to be one of my favourites. Thank you!
You have impeccable taste in books, I have added so many of these to my TBR for 2025 👏
The Pillars of the Earth is fantastic!!
I love the mix of your books and Ash’s in the back 🤍
I read The Fountainhead and Les Misérables forever ago in high school. I remember liking them both even though I had to break the symbolism down in them. I still think about these 2 books today. Maybe you have inspired me to re-read them (at least it won't be for a grade this time xD) Good luck on your reading journey this year!
Great list Ian, but just to keep it up the tradition of my comments on the channel let me recommend my favorite book again, The Name of the Wind, by Pat Ruthfuss, the first book on the Kingkiller Chronicles, he's writing and world building is facinating and is worth the reading even with the delays(GRRM style) in the 3rd book. The Prologue its just beautiful, I can recite by heart, hahahaha.
Definitely checking out some of the classics this year thanks to you. Going to make a more consistent effort to read more than I did last year. Currently listening to The Count of Monte Cristo and then The Brothers Karamazov. I appreciate all you do and am a fan of your content. Can't wait to see what 2025 will bring for our reading journeys. Cheers everyone!
Want to mention it one more time just incase. Kingfall is set in the same world as Fatemarked (David Estes). You can totally read Kingfall first and then read Fatemarked you will just learn a handful of things from Fatemarked. Such as one of the Fatemarked characters and their ability, certain characters from Fatemarked are together or married in Kingfall. No huge spoilers. And if you like Kingfall you'll really enjoy Fatemarkd.
(David Estes has also published 2 books in the Forsworn Oath series that follows after Kingfall)
Loved East of Eden. After I graduated college and got into reading for fun, not text books, I looked up all of the Pulitzer prize winners for fiction and made my way through several of them. One of them was East of Eden.
YESSSSS!! East of Eden is my favorite book and I am so glad you are reading it! I actually just got a tattoo inspired by this book!
I too made a list of 25 books that I plan to read in 2025, it also features Hemingway, Tolstoy, and 2 of Ayn Rand's. I'm supper excited for this year of reading, I can't wait to destroy my Tbr and then start over again!
Dude I’m with you in the 2025 massive book grind. I’m 1/7th the way through Proust. Had it on my shelf for over a decade and this is the year!
I’ve read East of Eden, Les Mis, and Ulysses and they are all hard but worth it. You got this!
Space Trilogy is amazing. My personal favorite is actually the second. The third will speak to you if you have any academia background.
I took a break from Proust to read Prince of Tides on your recommendation. So far I’m loving it so thank you for that recent 5star video. Watership Down is likely my favorite book so I knew you spoke truth leading off with it lol.
Since Suitable Boy is on your list I’m going to strongly recommend Seth’s The Golden Gate. It’s short and probably the most unique book I’ve ever read.
i like how the classics find the way into this great channel. Marcel Proust is waiting :) Ah and good look with James J. it took me almost a year!
I started and stopped Les Miserables twice before completion, and it was so worth it!
You're also the only UA-camr I've seen mention "A Suitable Boy" that book has been on my TBR FOREVER and I finally found a copy at a library bookstore late last year. I plan to read it later this year, and will be looking for your review!
love the variety of genres and topics!
I GASPED when you said Out of the Silent Planet!!!!!! One of my all time FAVORITE books, changed my life, especially if you are Christian or can appreciate biblical influences/theology etc. it will be fascinating for sure. Sequel is worth it too!
I can't wait to hear what you think of the Liveship Traders trilogy and Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth. I read Pillars about 6 years ago and quickly decided to read the rest of the Kingsbridge series. You will have ALL of the feelings.
Ooooooh I'm so exited that you want to read Les Misérables!!! I'm sure you'll love it, it's such a great book 🤩
Can’t wait to hear what you think of Pillars and Les Mis! I love them so much!!
You’ll love Beach Music. I still love Princess of Tides as one of my all time favourites.
I also read a lot of Lewis’ apologetics and of course Narnia, so I think I’ll try the space trilogy too. 😊
Ooooof good luck with Infinite Jest! I’ve come to terms with the fact that it’s Jest not for me 😂
Some of my books for 2025:
Red Rising & Golden Sun (thank you)
Lord of the Rings trilogy
The Tipping Point
Five Decembers
Shōgun
The Starless Sea
Fahrenheit 451
Re-read the Harry Potter Series as an adult
I love that you are a diverse reader, it keeps your videos feeling fresh and interesting! I am trying to bust my way thru SKs Bill Hodges trilogy and Holly Gibney trilogy so I can be caught up to read the Never Flinch release on launch in May. It might be my last chance to read an SK book on launch, so I can't miss it. I also want to finish the Silo series by Hugh Howey, plus Dune, Red Rising, and possibly the Wheel of Time series. 2025 is going to be a great reading year! :)
Can’t wait to hear reviews of any of the books you will read in 2025.
I also think you would enjoy the author Amor Towles. I’ve read 2 of his books a really enjoy them both
I'm also starting the bound and the broken this year. Very excited!🐲
I would love to read East of Eden this year too! And yesss Emily Henry 😍 Hope you can get to all of these and that you love them all!
I am so excited for you to read Kingfall Histories! I read the series last year and absolutely loved it!! I would also recommend Fatemarked and Forsworn by David Estes. They are both series set in the same world but on different continents. I can't wait to see what you think of Kingfall!
I got a sneak peak at the ending of SILO season 2 tv show yesterday and now the trilogy is coming in the mail. Super excited for it!
This was probably my favorite book related video I filmed for my channel. I feel like this year, I will tackle at least 20 of them! 🤞🏼
I still recommend for both you and Ashlynn - Throne of Betrayal by Brianna E. Wilson
It's a soon to be trilogy (book 2 coming very soon!!), a fantasy/romance with wyverns and viking mythology, and it's her first published book! I went to school with her, and absolutely loved this book! It was my favorite book of 2023. The romance isn't bad (I think one small descriptive scene), but it's a enemies to lovers that has you questioning so much by the end of the book. I highly recommend it, because I didn't think I would love it as much as I did, let alone it being my all time favorite of the year.
I read the Wayward Pines last year and it was amazing! I think you will enjoy it. And although I'm not into the classics very much I enjoy your videos on it :) looking forwards to your next video
Les Miserables is my favorite musical of all time. I have tried to read the book when I was in middle school but I gave up. I would love to read it along with you. I think this summer will finally be the right time to read it. If you could update your page count on a tracking platform, that would be fantastic so I can follow along!
I just finished reading all of the books in the bound and the broken series. I think you are going to love that series. I would very much suggest reading all of the novellas you get a lot of world/ character information from them and they are just very solid short stories. Excited to see what you think of the series.
I love the movie “Prince of Tides” and because of you I have put it on my TBR for this year.
YES! I'm so excited Beach Music is on your list!
You will love CS Lewis’ space trilogy! I couldn’t put the last one down! Finished it in about a week, and it really helped kickstart my reading back in 2023.
Excited to read Les Mis along with you!
Bound and the Broken is amazing, make sure you read the novellas because while they are side stories to an extend he wrote them with the intent of them being a part of the overall story. There was an interview where he talked about how The Fall was originally just a prologue in book 1 until he realized that prologue was like 100 pages. I suggest reading The Fall first and then read the other novellas in the order he released them. I think you will love the series, I'm currently half way through book 3 and it is one of my favorite books of the past 5 years.
Ahhh, looking forward to living vicariously with some of these; last year I did a lot more writing than I did reading, and it's nice to get a bit of a picture of what might be worth starting on when my brain comes back down from planet noun-verb-adjective-noun-adverb.
I accidentally found your Channel a few months ago and for what ever reason, you have totally inspired me to read more. To give you an idea of how appreciative I am, the last book I read was lord of the flies my freshman year of high school and I turn 40 next month… I’ve since read 4 books (2 using audible but hey…) So thank you and please keep doing what your doing bro 👍
Love this. A few books on this list I am thinking of reading this year - Ulysses, the darkness that comes before, a suitable boy.
Also want to read most on trilogy, the tawny man trilogy, Anna Karena
The Bound & the Broken Series is one of my favorites. I look forward to your thoughts on the series.
The book of the new sun is so good! City of Vengeance is also fantastic.
The Pillars of the Earth, East of Eden and A Suitable Boy are some of my favourite books of all time!
les mis is my favorite classic! hope you love it just as much.
i'm also hoping to get to pillars of the earth this year! ... and don quixote lol
Hi Ian. You are so entertaining to watch! I love your energy. I read The Godfather last summer. Such an enjoyable book! I am generally a non-fiction reader, but I've started getting into fiction. My other favorite reads from last year are:
1. James, by Percival Everett. This is one of the most important books of fiction published in the last 50 years. It is a retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, the slave.
2. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation, by Joseph Ellis (Pulitzer Prize Winner, 2001). A great exploration into the early days of a new nation and what happened prior.
3. The Fall, by Albert Camus. I came upon Camus by way of The Cure and James Baldwin. I discovered The Fall, which blew me even further away, and led me to read Kafka.
4. 1984, by George Orwell. “The frightening thing, he reflected for the ten thousandth time as he forced his shoulders painfully backward (with hands on hips, they were gyrating their bodies from the waist, an exercise that was supposed to be good for the back muscles)-the frightening thing was that it might all be true. If the Party could thrust its hand into the past and say of this or that event, IT NEVER HAPPENED-that, surely, was more terrifying than mere torture and death?”
5. The Day Freedom Died: The Colfax Massacre, the Supreme Court, and the Betrayal of Reconstruction, by Charles Lane. After reading a puff account of this time period by Dana Bash, I realized I had this gem in my Audible library. A much more honest telling of this part of American and Louisiana history.
Hey Ian, you have made me super curious about Pat Conroy one video at a time so putting him on my 25 reading list. Also, I have had Ulysses in my TBR for 20 years now - yep, that long, so I might just try and read it this year as well.
You should check out booktuber Mike’s Book Reviews because he’s read a lot of the fantasy/historical fiction books on this list. I think you would have a lot in common! Also I really enjoyed Wayward Pines series!
For Whom the Bell Tolls is extremely slow burn but it really stuck with me. Still haven't read East Of Eden, but absolutely love Grapes Of Wrath.
Looking forward to all of your reading vlogs😊😊
for whom the bell tolls has my favourite quote ever and i live by it everyday!
Yet again another great video from one of the greats!!!
Your book list sounds awesome! It is great to see a booktuber that reads fantasy/ sci-fi, literary fiction, classics, historical fiction, controversial books, and even a little romance.
I was wondering if you thought about reading classic epics like Beowulf, Illiad/Odyssey, and Dante's Inferno. Maybe you already have. I just haven't seen many people on youtube bring those up.
My mind keeps going back to those books. I sparknoted them in high school when I couldn't care less, but I have been thinking of actually reading them.
With your mixed interest in fantasy an historical fiction, I believe you'd LOVE the books of Guy Gavriel Kay. A Song for Arbonne and The Lions of Al-Rassan are two good entry points. It's fantasy, but in kingdom heavily inspired by real historical settings. Plus, the prose is incredible.
You will love Pillars of the Earth! I am thinking of doing a vlog re read on my channel this year! ( up for a collab :)
Oh my gosh, I have read the chronicles of Narnia series hundreds of times since I was a child...how did I never know that C.S. Lewis wrote a sci-fi series!?! Will need to check that out asap!
I'm currently reading The Bound and The Broken series. I would start by reading the novella The Fall to get you into the world. Of Blood and Fire has some rough edges and it's fairly generic but as very classic fantasy. Book 2 is a monumental improvement IMO.
Love this list, instantly subscribed to see your thoughts over the coming year! Jan Guillou is pronounced Yaan, like think yarn without the r if that makes sense, and Geeyoo, with emphasis on the Gee (hard g) 😂 Love to see a swede on the list!
I love this video Ian! It is really inspiring to see you challenge yourself to so many large books.
Side note, I have a video idea for you! You can do a 24hour read a thon and see how many Goosebumps books you can read. Maybe a video that you can use for October? Nostalgia lures people in!
I am so happy to see in your list "War and Peace " and "East of Eden".
I’d love to see what you think of Beautiful World Where Are You by Sally Rooney and Human Acts by Han Kang!! They both explore a lot of really interesting philosophical questions.
And for a more fun recommendation, if you like the Witcher short stories I’d recommend the Vampire Hunter D books. Probably one of the most unique sci-fantasy worlds I’ve ever read about.
A book on my TBR list for this year is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver; a historical fantasy on an abused childhood and the consequences. The inspiration came from Charles Dickens' David Copperfield. One book I keep thinking about and is not in your normal genre is Mad Honey - Child/Domestic abuse and its influences on decisions as an adult and how you may judge any situation, it is almost a nature vs nurture type story.
Lots of excellent choices. I need to read Les Miserable, next year maybe. Hemingway is one of my favorite authors. His writing is just magical. I don’t know what it is, but it’s amazing. I am reading East of Eden in the next month. I have never read any Steinbeck.
I'm reading some big 📚 too this year. East of Eden and the magic mountain
Please push through infinite jest!!!!! I love that book; it’s so rewarding❤
Curious if you read any nonfiction? I can’t recall seeing you talk about any.
Two I think you’d really enjoy are Unveiling Grace by Lynn K. Wilder & Passport To Heaven by Micah Wilder :)
What a great lineup you have. You have some I also want to read. Here's to 2025🎉
I want to read War and Peace this year too I love Anne Karenina so much!
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Hemingway’s writing style and story. 😊
I love Pillars of the Earth (and all the books in the series that came after), I hope you like it too! It was the first book I've read in English outside of school, back when I was 15 or 16. I have no idea why I chose such a huge one as the first in a foreign language, but I'm glad I did.
I don't make reading goals or anything like that, but rather decide just when it's time to start a new book, as I don't read as much as I used to. Usually only 5-10 books a year now and I have the "problem" that my current favorite author (Katie Cross) is publishing books so often, that I can't keep up with her even if I only read her books, so I rarely read any other books at the moment 😅
I'd finally like to read the Witcher books though. I love the Witcher 3 video game and with the first trailer for Witcher 4 out recently, I want to learn more about the story of that world. I started playing the Witcher 1 and will play part 2 afterwards, so I get the full video game history eventually. I did start reading the books at one point, but I think I made the mistake, since I found 2 possible reading orders, to start with one of the books with shorter stories. That was so boring for me, that I gave up after a while. Next time I plan to start with the "real" book 1 in the series and hope this other reading order is better for me.
I also have the Game of Thrones series here, that I wanted to start a few times, but still haven't. Maybe this year is the year.
Wayward Pines is also on my list, but I doubt I'll read it this year because of everything I wrote above.
If you love John Steinbeck you got to read The Pearl! Easy 90 page read, take not even a day, and such a powerful story!
As a swede it's fun to see a swedish writer on the list 😁 As for the name, think of it more like John but with an A (Jahn). Looking forward to seeing your opinion on it!
Anytime there is a new Ashlynn or Ian video, I am SAT 💯 📚
I read The Grapes of Wrath in high school, and loved it. 👍
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on these books. They all sound very interesting and I’ll definitely be adding them to my ever growing list.
on Morning Star in Red Rising series right now, trying to finish that all this year, also gonna get into more King since i’ve only read 1, but The Outsider and The Eyes of the Dragon will be read this year, also wanna throw in just some solid books like Project Hail Mary, City of Thieves, and The Odyssey
Perelandra, the second book in Lewis's space trilogy, is such a beautiful and thought-provoking novel-surpassed only by Till We Have Faces.