Mystic River is an excellent book and equally excellent adaptation of a film. There are some differences but the movie is still excellent. Dennis Lehane is such a great mystery writer.
Ironically, a few weeks ago I was talking to a stranger in a local coffee shop, and he had that same Francine Rivers book with him. He had started reading it on the recommendation of the cute barista who quite obviously has eyes for him. She jumped into the conversation and in short order I had the two of them trying to get me to read it 😄
@@mikesbookreviews Oh, I didn’t take the bait, lol… I have enough books on my TBR that I’m excited about reading without taking recommendations from strangers in cafes.
Rosemary sutcliffe The Arthur Trilogy is imo the best modern written arthurian mythic fantasy book. Her Sword at Sunset is an excellent realistic historical fiction of Arthur.
@emosongsandreadalongs I just finished book 1 in that set this morning. It's her first published novel, and it's excellent. These LoA books are Hella rad, man.
I read The Pendragon Cycle when they were first released. I honestly don't remember much about them except that I enjoyed them. They didn't knock my socks off but they were a pleasant read. I've read a lot of books about Arthur. He and Robin Hood are two of my favorite mythological characters. I like to think that just maybe they did exist once, though.
Came here to say the same thing re: that series, though I don't believe I've read beyond the initial trilogy. I definitely enjoyed them enough to read his older Dragon King trilogy as well. I didn't realize so many additional books had been written ( maybe I read Pendragon? but not the 2 after that), that there's a prequel pending, or that there's a streaming series in development.
I love how you had fun with the Francine Rivers book that was sent to you while laughing but also being completely respectful. Your fun and honest tact is one of the greatest thing about your reviews and videos. Nice that you wore the Metallica shirt because you got that great gift!
I look forward to hearing what you think about Stephen Graham Jones. He’s been on my radar. I was born in ‘77 and I love finding booktubers of my vintage.😂
Those BB Special Editions of «Memory, Sorrow & Thorn» are really something! In December I received «Sun Eater» 3-6 in Paperbacks: «Demon in White», «Kingdoms of Death», «Ashes of Men» & «Disquiet Gods» by Christopher Ruocchio (Space Opera) Cheers Mike!
The externals on those Broken Binding editions of MST are great -- love the slip cover, sprayed edges, and the design of the hard cover under the slip cover -- but the internals/text block are nothing special (and some might find the text's size/font annoying). The Grim Oak Press editions are much higher quality books with internal artwork, sewn bindings, and higher quality paper...but you pay for that, and I like Broken Binding's cover & end paper artwork better. I'm just tickled that both Grim Oak and TBB are doing Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn special editions nearly simultaneously (maybe in honor of the sequel series finishing up in 2024?) and am happy to see that it's raising the profile of my favorite epic fantasy series. Of course, neither editions' cover art are as good as Michael Whelan's original hardcover artwork for the series (and I'm still mad that he wasn't asked to do the last two covers for the sequel Last King of Osten Ard series), but that hasn't stopped me from buying them both...
So I am reading the final dark tower book currently and absolutely loved song of Susannah. The meta stuff is a little odd but I think the story as a whole is one of my favorite dark tower books!
Always love your book haul videos. :) Bummed about Kraken Books if it went under -- I did like those covers for Stormlight Archive and was hoping for a full matching set. But I also like the original covers, too, because Michael Whelan. Agree that these hardcovers have a lot of nice artwork on the covers and end pages which is why I ended up purchasing them even after reading the first four books on eReader.
Purchased a few first editions as a Christmas gift for myself. Starfish and Maelstrom by Peter Watts and Golden Sun by Pierce Brown as it's the only Red Rising book I don't have on hardback. I also got a few ebooks as a sort of community sale for my new kindle scribe (which has been fantastically useful so far), one of them being The Sword of Kaigen which I'm very excited to read some time.
Digital definitely counts, almost the only way I buy books anymore; down with clutter. I just started watching a video you did a couple of years ago about wanting to try more female authors; I'm sure you're aware of Kim Harrison, The Hollows series. As good as the Dresden Files, personally, I pre-order her books as soon as i can.
Gas station coffee? Chef Geoffrey Zackarian makes this brew exclusively for his restaurants…and QVC. I think you stated it was amazing when I sent it to you last Christmas…oh hope you enjoy it again.🤞
I, too, look at "found manuscripts" sideways. It's just a bit too convenient, especially years after the author's death. You'll need to tell us about those John Lange books. I worry that this difference in genre could go the same way that Stephen King's books when he experimented with different genres. Wishing everyone lots of happy reading.
I really struggled with three body but I pushed through, then I pushed through the dark forest, I just can’t with deaths end. I feel l grasp the concept but the characters are just so cold I just am not gripped by any of them. It’s like the book about how first contact would be just has no humanity. I almost feel like I am not on the right side!
Hi Mike. You're no doubt busy. But would you be interested in receiving a free digital copy of my latest (4th novel), to review? It's a supernatural horror/vampire theme involving folklores. Thanks.
Redeeming Love is a sort of take on the story of the prophet Hosea set to the 1800s. Very much NOT in the innocent vein of Anne of Green Gables. While Francine Rivers is an excellent Christian fiction author, I really don't see her stuff as appealing to you, Mike. LOL.
Richard Laymon is best enjoyed by teenage boys. Loved him when i was growing up but revisited him last year and did not enjoy. Very juvenile and shallow.
The GOAT booktuber
Agreed, all about the books. No fluff
💯
Hi, I'm sorry. I think you've dialed the wrong number!
(thanks, btw!)
Mystic River is phenomenal - you will love it!
Mystic River is an excellent book and equally excellent adaptation of a film. There are some differences but the movie is still excellent. Dennis Lehane is such a great mystery writer.
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane was my 2024 book of the year, so I'm super interested in your thoughts on Mystic River! Great haul!!
Ironically, a few weeks ago I was talking to a stranger in a local coffee shop, and he had that same Francine Rivers book with him. He had started reading it on the recommendation of the cute barista who quite obviously has eyes for him. She jumped into the conversation and in short order I had the two of them trying to get me to read it 😄
Enjoy the ride!
@@mikesbookreviews Oh, I didn’t take the bait, lol… I have enough books on my TBR that I’m excited about reading without taking recommendations from strangers in cafes.
Your my favorite on here dude keep the awesome content coming.
Rosemary sutcliffe The Arthur Trilogy is imo the best modern written arthurian mythic fantasy book. Her Sword at Sunset is an excellent realistic historical fiction of Arthur.
Great haul! Looking forward to Mystic River in Q1!
Indeed
The Cliff era is Goated!!!
No doubt
Fun fact: Mystic River is Brian Lee Durfee's all time favourite mystery novel
I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy it
It really is one of the best-written mysteries of all time.
I added 5 hardcover Ursula Le Guin collections from Library of America this month. ❤
Nice! I have the Hainish box set and somehow still haven't gotten around to reading them yet
@emosongsandreadalongs I just finished book 1 in that set this morning. It's her first published novel, and it's excellent. These LoA books are Hella rad, man.
Ohhh you are tempting me to read lightfall with you. I have an arc also
Do it, Andrew!
LET'S DO IT
@ moving this around and I got it slated to start soon maybe even as soon as next week
The funny thing about that Clive Cussler-Michael Crichton book is that Clive Cussler's also been dead for a while, too.
I read The Pendragon Cycle when they were first released. I honestly don't remember much about them except that I enjoyed them. They didn't knock my socks off but they were a pleasant read. I've read a lot of books about Arthur. He and Robin Hood are two of my favorite mythological characters. I like to think that just maybe they did exist once, though.
Came here to say the same thing re: that series, though I don't believe I've read beyond the initial trilogy. I definitely enjoyed them enough to read his older Dragon King trilogy as well. I didn't realize so many additional books had been written ( maybe I read Pendragon? but not the 2 after that), that there's a prequel pending, or that there's a streaming series in development.
Funny, because the same author did his version of Robin Hood!
"Redeeming Love": to the top of the TBR it goes 🚀!
Ha ha enjoy!
Tad williams writes so beautifully and weaves the worldbuilding so well together!!! Still torn if to skip the next BB Subscription Series.
I wonder if they'll due his Last King of Osten Ard series now that it's finished.
Is that the Garrick books?
I love how you had fun with the Francine Rivers book that was sent to you while laughing but also being completely respectful. Your fun and honest tact is one of the greatest thing about your reviews and videos. Nice that you wore the Metallica shirt because you got that great gift!
I'm glad you liked that part! It was funny and I definitely wanted to be respectful to her work.
I look forward to hearing what you think about Stephen Graham Jones. He’s been on my radar. I was born in ‘77 and I love finding booktubers of my vintage.😂
We are approaching Classic territory
Great list Mike, I am so excited for Wind and Truth. But, at the end of the day who isnt lol. Sweet haul!
Hope you like it!
Like ur 2025 book haul!! 🎉
I read the Indian Lake trilogy and I loved them.
Those Pendragon books are amazing, I read them a long time ago, and I couldn't put them down! Also, I love Grady hendrix!!❤
Hendrix is pretty enjoyable
Whoever sent you that copy of Redeeming Love just won a bet...LOL
HA HA
Those BB Special Editions of «Memory, Sorrow & Thorn» are really something!
In December I received «Sun Eater» 3-6 in Paperbacks: «Demon in White», «Kingdoms of Death», «Ashes of Men» & «Disquiet Gods» by Christopher Ruocchio (Space Opera)
Cheers Mike!
The externals on those Broken Binding editions of MST are great -- love the slip cover, sprayed edges, and the design of the hard cover under the slip cover -- but the internals/text block are nothing special (and some might find the text's size/font annoying). The Grim Oak Press editions are much higher quality books with internal artwork, sewn bindings, and higher quality paper...but you pay for that, and I like Broken Binding's cover & end paper artwork better. I'm just tickled that both Grim Oak and TBB are doing Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn special editions nearly simultaneously (maybe in honor of the sequel series finishing up in 2024?) and am happy to see that it's raising the profile of my favorite epic fantasy series. Of course, neither editions' cover art are as good as Michael Whelan's original hardcover artwork for the series (and I'm still mad that he wasn't asked to do the last two covers for the sequel Last King of Osten Ard series), but that hasn't stopped me from buying them both...
So I am reading the final dark tower book currently and absolutely loved song of Susannah. The meta stuff is a little odd but I think the story as a whole is one of my favorite dark tower books!
I hated it but still love the series
I think it'd be interesting to see your entire library. I mean, your month haul is close to my year haul. 😅
Always love your book haul videos. :) Bummed about Kraken Books if it went under -- I did like those covers for Stormlight Archive and was hoping for a full matching set. But I also like the original covers, too, because Michael Whelan. Agree that these hardcovers have a lot of nice artwork on the covers and end pages which is why I ended up purchasing them even after reading the first four books on eReader.
Excellent shirt 👌
Purchased a few first editions as a Christmas gift for myself. Starfish and Maelstrom by Peter Watts and Golden Sun by Pierce Brown as it's the only Red Rising book I don't have on hardback. I also got a few ebooks as a sort of community sale for my new kindle scribe (which has been fantastically useful so far), one of them being The Sword of Kaigen which I'm very excited to read some time.
Nice gift from your wife
Digital definitely counts, almost the only way I buy books anymore; down with clutter. I just started watching a video you did a couple of years ago about wanting to try more female authors; I'm sure you're aware of Kim Harrison, The Hollows series. As good as the Dresden Files, personally, I pre-order her books as soon as i can.
Mystic River was a great movie! I didn't know there was a book
I just finished Jurassic Park❤❤❤❤❤
My brother is a die hard Metallica fan I should send him that book.
Echoes Saga off to a great start with book 1, I think it will earn a spot on your shelves for sure
Already on my shelves!
I am willing to try a book with vampires in it as long as they don't sparkle, I have read Salem's Lot and I loved it
Welcome to the world of Dennis Lehane. You have been warned.
Wasn't there a discussion about Lonesome Dove with Brian Lee Durfee on your channel in the past? Unfortunately, I couldn't find it. Thank you!
I moved most of the long discussion vids to the podcast page.
Gas station coffee? Chef Geoffrey Zackarian makes this brew exclusively for his restaurants…and QVC. I think you stated it was amazing when I sent it to you last Christmas…oh hope you enjoy it again.🤞
I actually own a copy of Redeeming Love. It's a Christian fiction/romance book. I bought it from a Christian book club.
When are you giving your Wind and Truth review?
I’m curious to hear Mike’s thoughts on this as well.
If not this week, next
You could always just throw out Wind and Truth and the books would still match ;)
I, too, look at "found manuscripts" sideways. It's just a bit too convenient, especially years after the author's death. You'll need to tell us about those John Lange books. I worry that this difference in genre could go the same way that Stephen King's books when he experimented with different genres. Wishing everyone lots of happy reading.
No chance they're still finding unfinished Crichton stories. Dude was way too organized for that.
You mentioned Clint Eastwood. Who in on your Mount Rushmore of tough guy actors? I have 3, but I can’t choose a 4th.
Arnold, Sly, Clint, John Wayne
Still talking about the end table 😂
Have you read Cerebus?
I read a comic book trade paperback called Earthdivers by Stephen Graham Jones. It made no sense.
Part of me says don’t waste your time with Wind and Truth.
didn't he already read it?
I really struggled with three body but I pushed through, then I pushed through the dark forest, I just can’t with deaths end. I feel l grasp the concept but the characters are just so cold I just am not gripped by any of them. It’s like the book about how first contact would be just has no humanity. I almost feel like I am not on the right side!
Why are books so expensive? Nice video.
🔥🔥🔥
So you don't think Jame Patterson found that Volcano book draft behind Crighton's desk?? 😆😆
LOL no
Have you NOT read the Dark Forest????
📖📖📖📖📖📖
Even though that edition of "The dark forest" is amazing and beautiful, i have to say that the endpaper illustration is kinda spoilery
Valhalla Odin force is up there with my favorite coffee, though it is known to sucker punch the colon of the unsuspecting...
It's really good!
Hi Mike. You're no doubt busy. But would you be interested in receiving a free digital copy of my latest (4th novel), to review? It's a supernatural horror/vampire theme involving folklores. Thanks.
Redeeming Love is a sort of take on the story of the prophet Hosea set to the 1800s. Very much NOT in the innocent vein of Anne of Green Gables. While Francine Rivers is an excellent Christian fiction author, I really don't see her stuff as appealing to you, Mike. LOL.
Richard Laymon is best enjoyed by teenage boys. Loved him when i was growing up but revisited him last year and did not enjoy. Very juvenile and shallow.
Let's see if there are any women authors on the list...
Who cares? What other minorities are you going to whittle the list down to? 🙄
You've probably got a very liberal definition of what a woman is anyway 🙄
Janny Wurts! She's great
Does Janny Wurts or nah?