If I were bold enough to rank books and limit myself to 10 (which I am not), and if I counted rereads (which I do not), my number one book of 2024 would have been the audiobook of The Way of Edan narrated by Adam Walker! 😁
"as opposed to all these cowards... and don't do a number because they are indecisive and weak." - Allen, The Library of Allenxandria. Man, I love this stuff. You remain one of my all-time favorite UA-cam creators. ps. 100 BellTube points for ripping on the Kett.
You do a great job reviewing books. I appreciate your ability to describe the themes and central ideas, not just what you liked or didn't like in each.
I love the way you talked about Remains of the Day! One of my favorite books of all time. Stevens’ story is so subtle and sad. It really stuck with me.
Allen! I hope you had a great year man and everything was happy and healthy. Sorry we haven't chatted as much. My top three books of the year were: 1. Boy Parts by Robert McCammon 2. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver 3. Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
Shots fired right off the bat! :) Dandelion Wine was #1 for me. The next I grouped as a series cause I can: The Green Bone Saga was #2 and Suneater (books 1-4) were #3.
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria I started 2024 with Jade City and didn't get back to it until October. And I only did that because I was forcing myself to do better at finishing series (or arcs). Man, I'm glad I did.
Just wanted to shoutout the "Excuuuuuuuuuse me, Princess!" and all the context around that. Loved to hear this Top 10 from you, and excited to see what 2025 brings, hopefully many great reads!📚I'm going to guess my Top 3 for 2024 would be Son Of The Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa, The Fox Woman by Kij Johnson, and A Day Of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon. Appreciated your thoughts on and around Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains Of The Day, I haven't read that one, but I did read Klara And The Sun (a couple of years ago now), and loved it. Oh, and I finally also read Guns Of The Dawn (following your rec a million years ago), and it was great, too!
Some great books mentioned. The only problem with watching other UA-camrs is that it only ends up increasing the tbr! Best wishes for 2025, I hope you get some great stories.
Wooooo Mercy of Gods was on my top-10 of the year too! So great, and a perfect example of one you can relish without worrying about caring deeply about the POV characters.
Hey just stumbled on your channel, and definitely going to be checking out more of your videos. I absolutely loved The Greatcoats and I didn't even realize this next series had come out. I'm looking forward to checking it out. I just got all caught up on Ryan Cahill's The Bound and Broken series, if you like epic fantasy with dragons definitely check it out. Also adding Grave Empire and City of Last Changes to my TBR. Thanks for the great vid!
I guess I'll have to read the Greatcoats so I can read this new series by Sebastian de Castell, goddamnit. Also, I guess I do need to pick up Shadows of the Apt at some point, then My top 3 were (1 per author): 1. The Crippled God, by Steven Erikson (I actually like Toll the Hounds a smidge better, but this one signifies the end of the whole series, so I think it fits better in the top 3); 2. Babel, by RF Kuang; 3. Tudo É Rio, by Carla Madeira (I guess the translation could be "All is River", maybe? idk. It's by a Brazilian author and it is great
I love that you loved House of Open Wounds and Days of Shattered Faith! Tchaikovsky keeps stepping it up with each Tyrant Philosophers novel. One day I will get to Shadows of the Apt. One day!
Awesome list. I really need to get around to your #1, it'll probably be my next series after Janny Wurts' Wars of Light and Shadow. Our Own Worst Enemy sounds great, will have to check it out as well!
Nice to see we have entered an armistice in the war between Allen and the algorithm 🤣 Really love the way you talk about your favourites, no one makes me quite as excited to read books as you do. I am especially mad at myself for not having read Tyrant Philosophers and Shadows of the Apt yet, they just tick soooo many boxes for me!! My top 3 books of 2024 were Asunder by Kerstin Hall, Obsidian: Revelation by Sienna Frost, and Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez!
My favorite books of 2024 are The Trouble with Peace, Ship of Magic, Lions of Al-Rassan, Glorious Exploits, The Electric Forest, Fool’s Errand & The Witchwood Crown. I enjoyed reading a chapter a night of the Hanuvar Chronicles!
Top 3 books in 2024: - Lions of Al-Rassan by GGK - Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell - House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds Honourable mentions: Guards! Guards!, Senlin Ascends, Ogres, Hyperion, Under Heaven, The Dark Forest
I think you should put however many of an author’s book on your list as you please. You’re our benevolent autocrat! I so hope you will consider reading more Ishiguro soon! I have been reading through his books for a few years now and I have to say all the ones I have read have been fantastic. If you are interested in another, I might recommend An Artist of the Floating World which was the number 2 book for 2023, only behind GGK’s Under Heaven. This book is a relatively short novel, almost more like a novella honestly, and follows the life of an older gentlemen living in postwar Japan who, during the conflict, changed from a ukiyo-o artist to a printer of propaganda posters for the government. The book jumps back in forth in time throughout the story so the reader can understand the context of the characters’ conversations and relationships occurring in the “present” which I enjoyed because it allowed for subtler storytelling. To me this book gave a very interesting perspective into the lives and outlook of the Japanese living through the Second World War and also the outlook of the next generations, both those who were soldiers fighting during the war and those born after the war ended, now young children growing up in an increasingly westernized society, sometimes alienating and causing tension between the younger generations from their elders in a culture known for integrating generations of family together. And, listen, I would never describe myself as a weepy person. Not at all. There is a scene in this book between a grandfather and his five-year-old grandson that made me tear up when driving down the highway. A wonderful book in my opinion. As you enjoy reading stories about Japan, perhaps this may appeal to you.
My husband who is not a big reader, but reading a lot more now that I’ve found some more niche books perked up at fantasy MASH 😂. Good to hear you can read just that one and don’t have to read the whole series, but maybe we’ll persuade him. It’s definitely on my list!
You might have sold me on Ove I've seen lots of NT Booktubers sell it as emotional and wasn't convinced (plus, there are so many grief books at the moment) but hearing it's relatable for those of us on the Autistic spectrum might be enough of a spur to get me to read it
"Well excuuuuuuuuuse me, Princess!" 🧝🏼♀I will never get tired of that throwback in your videos! 🤣 You and Christina are making me consider giving Fredrik Bachman another chance. I wasn't crazy about "Anxious People." I definitely need to read more Tchaikovsky now!
You gave only 3 stars to that hot pink book so didn't expect that. I didn't mind the characters in Mercy as much as others. I think they are perfect for the story and the world.
The Remains Of Our Day was so sad. Klara or Never Let Me Go are more speculative fiction aligned, I liked both. The Buried Giant is fantasy - Arthurian elements - but it was a bit too strange for me. Happy reading.
One of the best books I read last year was Crime and Punishment which I found challenging but really good. Have you read that Allen? I feel like it’s got a lot of stuff you’d like in it. But it’s also a long Russian classic, so it may very well be one that insists upon itself. 😅😅
My top three books/series 2024. 3- Doors of Sleep and it's sequel Prison of Sleep. This is a world jumper pursued for his power. The supporting cast makes this book a wonder. 2- A Short Stay In Hell by Stephen L. Peck. 104 pages of mind f$ck. 1 - Seasons of Albadone by Elan Marche and Christopher Warman and its sequel. 4 connected short stories and the best thing I read last year. And I had a damned good year too.
My list includes........ 10. The Old Capital by Yasunari Kawabata 9. The Tale of Princess Fatima , Warrior Woman: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma 8. Season of Storms by Andrej Sapkowski 7. Fire and Blood by George R. R. Martin 6. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe 5. The Art of the Ghost of Tsushima by Sucker Punch Productions 4. The Sarantine Mosaic by Guy Gavriel Kay 3. The King Must Die by Mary Renault 2. The Tale of the Heike 1. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
In my top 3 in no particular order: 1. Misery by Stephen King 2. Aiduel’s Sin (2nd book in the illborn saga) by Daniel Jackson 3. Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu
I have a "My Favorite Books" list but am I still weak and indecisive if I limited it to 10 books? The answer is yes because I REFUSE to rank 😆 Also, if we can't have more baby in videos could you at least substitute with more T-posing? Very glad to hear that you enjoyed The Remains of the Day. I really ought to get back to more Ishiguro. As for Mercy of the Gods, I hadn't realized "unlikeable nerds" was a point of interest for me but apparently it is.
I loved the dig at America at the end. It was beautiful. I had 0 correct because i don't believe that things that happened in the beginning of 2024 was only a year ago. I thought i was gonna have a super hard time getting to 10 for my top 10, because i couldn't remember any great books from the beginning of the year. That was untill i looked at my spreadsheet and was like "That was this year?!"
Is books 1-5 just as good as book 6, or is book 6 way better than books 1-5?...Asking for someone who also likes to break the rules and read a synopsis of previous books at times so as to not add to the giant backlog that already weighs this person down...😉
It seems like everyone loves House of Open Wounds. It was good, but didn't make my top 10. I didn't guess any of your top books except Mercy of Gods. My parasocial relationship with you isn't very strong, I suppose. Lol
If I were bold enough to rank books and limit myself to 10 (which I am not), and if I counted rereads (which I do not), my number one book of 2024 would have been the audiobook of The Way of Edan narrated by Adam Walker! 😁
Ah yes, Adam Walker of TikTok fame from the Library of Adamxandria.
@ Yes, that chap!
"as opposed to all these cowards... and don't do a number because they are indecisive and weak." - Allen, The Library of Allenxandria. Man, I love this stuff. You remain one of my all-time favorite UA-cam creators. ps. 100 BellTube points for ripping on the Kett.
Hahahahaha the Kett suck wompus
You do a great job reviewing books. I appreciate your ability to describe the themes and central ideas, not just what you liked or didn't like in each.
I had no idea you even read that many books in 2024. 😂
Ouch 😅
Good to see ya!! Remains of the Day is my book of the year and I'm happy to see we agree on how damn good it is. Hope all is well Sir.
Loved your words about Remains of the Day
I love the way you talked about Remains of the Day! One of my favorite books of all time. Stevens’ story is so subtle and sad. It really stuck with me.
The Cicero trilogy was amazing! Thanks for inspiring me to read it
I'll now have to investigate all of these books 😊
Dang you made that Adrian Tchaikovsky novel sound so cool, I really need to pick up the series
Philosopher Tyrants series is fantastic
Allen! I hope you had a great year man and everything was happy and healthy. Sorry we haven't chatted as much. My top three books of the year were:
1. Boy Parts by Robert McCammon
2. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
3. Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
Shots fired right off the bat! :)
Dandelion Wine was #1 for me. The next I grouped as a series cause I can: The Green Bone Saga was #2 and Suneater (books 1-4) were #3.
I have still only read Jade City of GreenBone
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria I started 2024 with Jade City and didn't get back to it until October. And I only did that because I was forcing myself to do better at finishing series (or arcs). Man, I'm glad I did.
I'd be really curious about your favorite nonfiction, actually. Maybe a different video? Or in some honorable mentions next time?
Sure, but my favorite nonfictions tend to be history or poli sci stuff...I don't read a lot of other nonfiction!
Just wanted to shoutout the "Excuuuuuuuuuse me, Princess!" and all the context around that. Loved to hear this Top 10 from you, and excited to see what 2025 brings, hopefully many great reads!📚I'm going to guess my Top 3 for 2024 would be Son Of The Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa, The Fox Woman by Kij Johnson, and A Day Of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon. Appreciated your thoughts on and around Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains Of The Day, I haven't read that one, but I did read Klara And The Sun (a couple of years ago now), and loved it. Oh, and I finally also read Guns Of The Dawn (following your rec a million years ago), and it was great, too!
Some great books mentioned. The only problem with watching other UA-camrs is that it only ends up increasing the tbr! Best wishes for 2025, I hope you get some great stories.
Hahahah yeah always increasing the TBR. Thank you for watching!!
36:32 OMMGGGG😂😂😂😂 yes! Also great books! I definitely have to read some Tchaikovsky now!
Wooooo Mercy of Gods was on my top-10 of the year too! So great, and a perfect example of one you can relish without worrying about caring deeply about the POV characters.
Oh let’s goooooo Scarab Path at number 1!!!!!!!!!!!! Loooove that book 💪💪💪💪
Hey just stumbled on your channel, and definitely going to be checking out more of your videos. I absolutely loved The Greatcoats and I didn't even realize this next series had come out. I'm looking forward to checking it out. I just got all caught up on Ryan Cahill's The Bound and Broken series, if you like epic fantasy with dragons definitely check it out. Also adding Grave Empire and City of Last Changes to my TBR. Thanks for the great vid!
praise the algorithm gods for sending you our way
Oh awesome. Welcome and thanks for watching! greatcoats is one of my top series ever
I guess I'll have to read the Greatcoats so I can read this new series by Sebastian de Castell, goddamnit. Also, I guess I do need to pick up Shadows of the Apt at some point, then
My top 3 were (1 per author):
1. The Crippled God, by Steven Erikson (I actually like Toll the Hounds a smidge better, but this one signifies the end of the whole series, so I think it fits better in the top 3);
2. Babel, by RF Kuang;
3. Tudo É Rio, by Carla Madeira (I guess the translation could be "All is River", maybe? idk. It's by a Brazilian author and it is great
Love Crippled God!
I love that you loved House of Open Wounds and Days of Shattered Faith! Tchaikovsky keeps stepping it up with each Tyrant Philosophers novel. One day I will get to Shadows of the Apt. One day!
“isn’t that just how America works right now” - Allen, forever the philosopher
Always
So glad you picked what made you happy, rules schmoolz who cares right! Lots of really cool books in your top 10!
Hahahahah exactly!
Awesome list. I really need to get around to your #1, it'll probably be my next series after Janny Wurts' Wars of Light and Shadow. Our Own Worst Enemy sounds great, will have to check it out as well!
Algorithm satisfied and good audio! It sounds like Tyrant Philosophers needs to move up the TBR. Thank you sir for the content.
Nice to see we have entered an armistice in the war between Allen and the algorithm 🤣
Really love the way you talk about your favourites, no one makes me quite as excited to read books as you do. I am especially mad at myself for not having read Tyrant Philosophers and Shadows of the Apt yet, they just tick soooo many boxes for me!!
My top 3 books of 2024 were Asunder by Kerstin Hall, Obsidian: Revelation by Sienna Frost, and Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez!
My favorite books of 2024 are The Trouble with Peace, Ship of Magic, Lions of Al-Rassan, Glorious Exploits, The Electric Forest, Fool’s Errand & The Witchwood Crown. I enjoyed reading a chapter a night of the Hanuvar Chronicles!
I need to start Hobb, and read more Abercrombie and GGK
I loved House of Open Wounds, too. Can't wait for the third and fourth ones.
Top 3 books in 2024:
- Lions of Al-Rassan by GGK
- Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
- House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds
Honourable mentions: Guards! Guards!, Senlin Ascends, Ogres, Hyperion, Under Heaven, The Dark Forest
GG, senlin, and Ogres are so good! I need to get to more GGK soon
I think you should put however many of an author’s book on your list as you please. You’re our benevolent autocrat!
I so hope you will consider reading more Ishiguro soon! I have been reading through his books for a few years now and I have to say all the ones I have read have been fantastic. If you are interested in another, I might recommend An Artist of the Floating World which was the number 2 book for 2023, only behind GGK’s Under Heaven. This book is a relatively short novel, almost more like a novella honestly, and follows the life of an older gentlemen living in postwar Japan who, during the conflict, changed from a ukiyo-o artist to a printer of propaganda posters for the government. The book jumps back in forth in time throughout the story so the reader can understand the context of the characters’ conversations and relationships occurring in the “present” which I enjoyed because it allowed for subtler storytelling. To me this book gave a very interesting perspective into the lives and outlook of the Japanese living through the Second World War and also the outlook of the next generations, both those who were soldiers fighting during the war and those born after the war ended, now young children growing up in an increasingly westernized society, sometimes alienating and causing tension between the younger generations from their elders in a culture known for integrating generations of family together. And, listen, I would never describe myself as a weepy person. Not at all. There is a scene in this book between a grandfather and his five-year-old grandson that made me tear up when driving down the highway. A wonderful book in my opinion. As you enjoy reading stories about Japan, perhaps this may appeal to you.
My husband who is not a big reader, but reading a lot more now that I’ve found some more niche books perked up at fantasy MASH 😂. Good to hear you can read just that one and don’t have to read the whole series, but maybe we’ll persuade him. It’s definitely on my list!
Ohhhh that would be interesting to see if he'd enjoy it
You might have sold me on Ove
I've seen lots of NT Booktubers sell it as emotional and wasn't convinced (plus, there are so many grief books at the moment) but hearing it's relatable for those of us on the Autistic spectrum might be enough of a spur to get me to read it
36:24 this is indeed how America works. 😂😂😂🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🍭🍭🍭
"Well excuuuuuuuuuse me, Princess!" 🧝🏼♀I will never get tired of that throwback in your videos! 🤣
You and Christina are making me consider giving Fredrik Bachman another chance. I wasn't crazy about "Anxious People." I definitely need to read more Tchaikovsky now!
You gave only 3 stars to that hot pink book so didn't expect that.
I didn't mind the characters in Mercy as much as others. I think they are perfect for the story and the world.
Great mass effect andromeda rant. Could not agree more. I loved the mercy of gods.
Wheel of Time, as much as i love it, was always bad for main cast plot armour. At least until that last book.
My top 3
3. Wall of Storms- Ken Liu
2. Hunger of the Gods- John Gwynne
1. Wisdom of Crowds- Joe Abercrombie
I still haven't read Hunger of the Gods! Also, I have a swarm of people trying to get me to start Dandelion this year
The Remains Of Our Day was so sad.
Klara or Never Let Me Go are more speculative fiction aligned, I liked both. The Buried Giant is fantasy - Arthurian elements - but it was a bit too strange for me.
Happy reading.
One of the best books I read last year was Crime and Punishment which I found challenging but really good. Have you read that Allen? I feel like it’s got a lot of stuff you’d like in it. But it’s also a long Russian classic, so it may very well be one that insists upon itself. 😅😅
Did you read in 2024? I’ve forgotten what you read except for Parker 😂
Edit: how could I forget that pink cover ❤❤❤
My top three books/series 2024.
3- Doors of Sleep and it's sequel Prison of Sleep. This is a world jumper pursued for his power. The supporting cast makes this book a wonder.
2- A Short Stay In Hell by Stephen L. Peck. 104 pages of mind f$ck.
1 - Seasons of Albadone by Elan Marche and Christopher Warman and its sequel. 4 connected short stories and the best thing I read last year. And I had a damned good year too.
Oh awesome. I have Albadone but have not yet read it!
I started reading Sebastian de castell because of you, and wow he is my favorite author as well.
Nice! I STILL have to finish his spellslinger series!
the Tyrant philosophers spines are so shiny! They're calling out to the viewers
More people should be reading them
Liv Constantine breaking the top 10 was certainly not on my bingo card. 😂
My list includes........
10. The Old Capital by Yasunari Kawabata
9. The Tale of Princess Fatima , Warrior Woman: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma
8. Season of Storms by Andrej Sapkowski
7. Fire and Blood by George R. R. Martin
6. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe
5. The Art of the Ghost of Tsushima by Sucker Punch Productions
4. The Sarantine Mosaic by Guy Gavriel Kay
3. The King Must Die by Mary Renault
2. The Tale of the Heike
1. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
YEEEEES House of Open Wounds is so great. Also, I dont know who you'r talking about but Maric Jack is the GOAT.
In my top 3 in no particular order:
1. Misery by Stephen King
2. Aiduel’s Sin (2nd book in the illborn saga) by Daniel Jackson
3. Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu
Oh Misery! Great choice!
Great list! Tchaikovsky is worthy of having rules broken for.
Is it the same guy who wrote children of time?
Tchaikovsky, yes!
Oh ok yea I liked children of time I’ll checkout your book recommendations of him thanks
GASP I cannot fathom
however. I am okay with this breaking of the non-rules. all hail our glorious leader and his immaculate taste
Yessssssss
What an upset for number 1!! Wow 😂
Alright, to get Allen to like a book it must be hot pink. Noted.
I have no idea what the draw is, but it appears to work
I have a "My Favorite Books" list but am I still weak and indecisive if I limited it to 10 books? The answer is yes because I REFUSE to rank 😆
Also, if we can't have more baby in videos could you at least substitute with more T-posing?
Very glad to hear that you enjoyed The Remains of the Day. I really ought to get back to more Ishiguro. As for Mercy of the Gods, I hadn't realized "unlikeable nerds" was a point of interest for me but apparently it is.
💚
I loved the dig at America at the end. It was beautiful.
I had 0 correct because i don't believe that things that happened in the beginning of 2024 was only a year ago. I thought i was gonna have a super hard time getting to 10 for my top 10, because i couldn't remember any great books from the beginning of the year. That was untill i looked at my spreadsheet and was like "That was this year?!"
Welcome, those of you drawn here by the algorithm via the magic "top ten" words. enjoy the only video that will cross your feed
Hahahahahaha this is the one time a year I'll show up uninvited on other people's feeds
Gone Girl is a good book
Oh I enjoyed the heck out of Gone, Girl, but I'm not sure if I think it's good lol
Is books 1-5 just as good as book 6, or is book 6 way better than books 1-5?...Asking for someone who also likes to break the rules and read a synopsis of previous books at times so as to not add to the giant backlog that already weighs this person down...😉
Hahahahaha the first four books are just as great
I read synopsis and the Kindle free sample and the audible free sample. If I am not interested after reading the sample it doesn't go on the TBR.
It seems like everyone loves House of Open Wounds. It was good, but didn't make my top 10. I didn't guess any of your top books except Mercy of Gods. My parasocial relationship with you isn't very strong, I suppose. Lol
KJ Parker or Daniel Abraham will be #1