I always read Hogsfather and A Christmas Carol during the festive season. It makes a nice little tradition. Next year I'm going to make a chart to keep track of all the books I'm planning to read, and give them personal ratings to determine which ones I really love and want to buy physical copies, enjoyed but don't want to read again, feel 'meh' on, and despise with the fury of a supernova. [Hopefully there'll be very few books in that last spot....]
I love so many of these recommendations. I had early access to Frederick Backman's The Answer Is No and devoured it. It's one of his more overtly uplifting stories (akin to Anxious People), currently trying to work my way through A Christmas Carol and taking a very slow read of Tolkien's Letter From Father Christmas (I read a few letters every Christmas so that it lasts longer as it's so special and magical). For anyone who has read and enjoyed In. A Holidaze there is a similar theme in Lindsey Kelks - A Christmas Wish, the main character relives the same day over and over but it's set in a cosy, semi rural part of England, and for anyone wanting to escape to an ideal British Christmas via a romcom Jenny Colgan's Christmas books hit the spot. A weird recommend for any foodie is Nigella Christmas - yes it's a recipe book but it's stunning and most recipes have really dreamy descriptions - I've never made a single thing from it but love to pull it out and read a few recipes during the festive season.
Funny that big books was a request! Love it, cause I actually need longer books if I want to manage my goal as well (since I am ahead in my book count, but behind in my pages read goal 😅). Plus I agree that in the cold months, spending more time indoors, I also enjoy being able to spend a longer time in each world :)
I'm going to be reading some murder mystery novellas for Christmas because that is apparently a thing. Went to buy "Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret" and ended up with three other books in that same niche. New releases at B&N were full of them.
My recommendation is The Last Horizon series (book 1 The Captain) - primarily because I read the description and thought yeah this is almost everything that clues me in that a book wasn't written for me so, sure, I'll give it a miss, but my Dad shares my audible and he thought it sounded cool so I got it for him, started listening out of curiosity - and now it might just be my favourite book, I can't shout loud enough about this series but it might be because I haven't come down from the high yet (I'm probably going to get a major book hangover after this one) - although I don't know what it says about me that my reaction to the opening line "let me tell you how I died 5 times in one day" was 'I'm in'
It is surprising that The Dandelion Dynasty isn't more known outside of Booktube. It's kind of a darling here. I'm going to devote the rest of the year to finishing the series (finally). About 200 pages into the third book. It has started off very well, more akin to what I liked about the first book compared to the second.
I have never read any Dickens. I am well aware of his contributions. I can still watch the 1970 Scrooge film starring Albert Finney. "Thanks you very much, thank you very much, that's the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me..."
I saw that again just the other day - loved it! My father took my sister and me to see it at Radio City Music Hall when it premiered there. Loved it then too.
Another series of long books to recommend: Malazan Book of the Fallen - 10 very intense books that at times can be philosophical and slow and other times can be heart-in-your-throat action. Brilliantly written series, though it does take something of an emotional toll, so take your time with it, maybe stick something light between each book.
That Tolkien collection sounds really cool! Definitely want to check that out. But alas, Stormlight 5 is about to take over the first part of my December 😂
I reccomend Midst, technically a podcast but i feel its a very audiobook esque experience. Spooky fantasy space western with a really interesting and unique setting. P.S Yet to convince anyone i know to listen to it so if you do please report back I'd love to hear your thoughts. 👍
When you do read The Answer is No I'd be interested in how representative of his other work you think it is. It's free for Amazon prime members to download early this month, so I've already read it, and it's the first thing I've read by Backman. It was a nice amusing read, but it made me less interested in reading more by him than I had been based on your reviews.
Large books is so real 😂 I have Sword of Kaigen, Assassin's Apprentice and Count of Monte Christo on my end of the year list. Somehow it feels easier to read them in November/December
Can someone please tell me what books down in the corner at the right side of the bookshelf are? The light beige one with a woman in a black dress looking at a mansion.
What I’m going to need recommendations for in 2025 is what to read after Wind and Truth that will fill the epic fantasy need in really strong ways. None of the 2024 Goodreads choice nominees were epic fantasy!
Without very close study I did see some good things there. I think I'm most interested in the newest Riley Sager. There's also this story Shark Heart but maybe that was last year? idk
Diary of a wimpy kid 🔥🫳🥀2:11 👀🧠that's the exstent in complexity 🔥🫴🧠 that I have in positively associated books📚 3:43🔥🫳🥃 u did this twice 2:56 (clearly)👀🔥🫴🔋I don't need a drink, I need a charge
🧑🏿🏫: Roald Dahl encompasses my childhood favs, though I had them read to me & didn't not directly read they are what got the idea of reading instilled in a younger me.
my country just translated the first stormlight arquive book so i think i will ask the library to buy it!
I always read Hogsfather and A Christmas Carol during the festive season. It makes a nice little tradition. Next year I'm going to make a chart to keep track of all the books I'm planning to read, and give them personal ratings to determine which ones I really love and want to buy physical copies, enjoyed but don't want to read again, feel 'meh' on, and despise with the fury of a supernova. [Hopefully there'll be very few books in that last spot....]
I love so many of these recommendations. I had early access to Frederick Backman's The Answer Is No and devoured it. It's one of his more overtly uplifting stories (akin to Anxious People), currently trying to work my way through A Christmas Carol and taking a very slow read of Tolkien's Letter From Father Christmas (I read a few letters every Christmas so that it lasts longer as it's so special and magical). For anyone who has read and enjoyed In. A Holidaze there is a similar theme in Lindsey Kelks - A Christmas Wish, the main character relives the same day over and over but it's set in a cosy, semi rural part of England, and for anyone wanting to escape to an ideal British Christmas via a romcom Jenny Colgan's Christmas books hit the spot. A weird recommend for any foodie is Nigella Christmas - yes it's a recipe book but it's stunning and most recipes have really dreamy descriptions - I've never made a single thing from it but love to pull it out and read a few recipes during the festive season.
I had seen so many adaptations but i finally read a Christmas carol last week ❤
Connie Willis has a bunch of fabulous Christmas short stories. I adore them!
So, for giant books we have "The X of Kings" 😂
A Christmas Carol is the only book I reread! Its so good and a great recommendation. I try to read it on Christmas eve every year.
Yeah - I just finished rereading it yesterday: Only gets better! Right?
Already had Letters from Father Christmas on my list for December! So excited to read it!
Funny that big books was a request! Love it, cause I actually need longer books if I want to manage my goal as well (since I am ahead in my book count, but behind in my pages read goal 😅). Plus I agree that in the cold months, spending more time indoors, I also enjoy being able to spend a longer time in each world :)
I'm going to be reading some murder mystery novellas for Christmas because that is apparently a thing. Went to buy "Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret" and ended up with three other books in that same niche. New releases at B&N were full of them.
You Make It Feel Like Chrismas is such a good read - glad it made the list
My recommendation is The Last Horizon series (book 1 The Captain) - primarily because I read the description and thought yeah this is almost everything that clues me in that a book wasn't written for me so, sure, I'll give it a miss, but my Dad shares my audible and he thought it sounded cool so I got it for him, started listening out of curiosity - and now it might just be my favourite book, I can't shout loud enough about this series but it might be because I haven't come down from the high yet (I'm probably going to get a major book hangover after this one) - although I don't know what it says about me that my reaction to the opening line "let me tell you how I died 5 times in one day" was 'I'm in'
It is surprising that The Dandelion Dynasty isn't more known outside of Booktube. It's kind of a darling here.
I'm going to devote the rest of the year to finishing the series (finally). About 200 pages into the third book. It has started off very well, more akin to what I liked about the first book compared to the second.
I have never read any Dickens. I am well aware of his contributions. I can still watch the 1970 Scrooge film starring Albert Finney. "Thanks you very much, thank you very much, that's the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me..."
I saw that again just the other day - loved it! My father took my sister and me to see it at Radio City Music Hall when it premiered there. Loved it then too.
My in laws love that version!
@@lisaroper421 I think it ruined me for all other versions.
Another series of long books to recommend: Malazan Book of the Fallen - 10 very intense books that at times can be philosophical and slow and other times can be heart-in-your-throat action. Brilliantly written series, though it does take something of an emotional toll, so take your time with it, maybe stick something light between each book.
Hogfather
(when are you getting back onto Discworld btw?)
That Tolkien collection sounds really cool! Definitely want to check that out. But alas, Stormlight 5 is about to take over the first part of my December 😂
Ah yes Christmas carol. I remember playing the ghost of Christmas past in my school play. Portrayed as a white ghost with a lantern. Good times
My TBR list continues to grow…and I’m completely OK with that :) Thanks for the recommendations!
Just bought The Grace of Kings, I hope it's a good one!
Wind and Truth Hype!
Wait... wrong video
You make it feel like Christmas sounds fun!
As soon as I can, I'm 100% reading the Dandelion Dynasty! I'm so excited for book 5 of stormlight!
Thank you for the recommendations. 📚📖
Great recommendations Merphy!
I recommend The Timeless Fate Series as well❤
I reccomend Midst, technically a podcast but i feel its a very audiobook esque experience. Spooky fantasy space western with a really interesting and unique setting.
P.S Yet to convince anyone i know to listen to it so if you do please report back I'd love to hear your thoughts. 👍
Thank you for recommending letter from an unknown woman.
I’m about to finish RoW, I can’t wait for Wind and Truth
When you do read The Answer is No I'd be interested in how representative of his other work you think it is. It's free for Amazon prime members to download early this month, so I've already read it, and it's the first thing I've read by Backman. It was a nice amusing read, but it made me less interested in reading more by him than I had been based on your reviews.
In about six weeks, we will be closer to the start of 2070 than the start of 1980.
Large books is so real 😂 I have Sword of Kaigen, Assassin's Apprentice and Count of Monte Christo on my end of the year list. Somehow it feels easier to read them in November/December
Sword of Kaigen is my best book of the year so far. I hope you get to love it as much as I did!
All great, great choices.
Can someone please tell me what books down in the corner at the right side of the bookshelf are? The light beige one with a woman in a black dress looking at a mansion.
What I’m going to need recommendations for in 2025 is what to read after Wind and Truth that will fill the epic fantasy need in really strong ways. None of the 2024 Goodreads choice nominees were epic fantasy!
Without very close study I did see some good things there. I think I'm most interested in the newest Riley Sager. There's also this story Shark Heart but maybe that was last year? idk
Riyria Revelations then Chronicles then Age of Legends.
Dandelion Dynasty is always a good recommendation. Its great for every season!
Still recommending Lesser My Husband I see.
You forgot fourth with/Iron flame❤
Boom 3 releases in January. There should be a good midnight release patty for it too.
Diary of a wimpy kid 🔥🫳🥀2:11 👀🧠that's the exstent in complexity 🔥🫴🧠 that I have in positively associated books📚 3:43🔥🫳🥃 u did this twice 2:56 (clearly)👀🔥🫴🔋I don't need a drink, I need a charge
🧑🏿🏫: Roald Dahl encompasses my childhood favs, though I had them read to me & didn't not directly read they are what got the idea of reading instilled in a younger me.