So far definitely the sequel to Beartown 'Us Against You' Beartown blew me out of the water with how fantastic it was in every way, and somehow Us Against You is topping it! I haven't had a complete meltdown while reading it yet, but many tears have been shed. Backman hates me, I think he's out to get me. Stop making me cry over ink on a page
@@Elijah_Gillard I haven't started in on the Beartown trilogy, but it's a case of when, not if. Although I think I'll invest in some tissues before starting...
Favorite so far is Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky, I'm currently reading Piranesi and I love it so far, might take the nr. 1 spot but we'll see
The Dark Tower series is FANTASTIC. The intrigue is what pulls you along. I didn’t even know what Roland is actually pursuing until over halfway thru the series. And then there is book 4, Wizard and Glass, which is almost a complete pause in advancing the plot of the series and is instead a story within a story. One of the best love stories ever told in my opinion.
I have three new books showing up this next week that Ive just purchased (one of them is written by Dr. Iain Gilchrist. It’s called The Master & his emmisary). It sounded interesting so I figured I’d give it a shot! For January I plowed through Marcus Aurelius’s MEDITATIONS and also a newer take on the writings of EPICTETUS by a female author. My February reading was strictly The Dresden Files and a couple books from the 6 book series Vampire World (by P.T. Hylton). I definitely want to read The Witcher books for some mindless fluff to enjoy 🩵 Cheers & Hope you are doing well my dude! 🤘
Love it, Greebo! I'm on my 3rd or 4th reading of Meditations. If you read that much Dresden Files in February, keep an eye out for my next video. It's about the book that changed my whole perspective on the series. I'd love to find out if you agree or disagree. Hope all's well with you!
Not a series, but one of my most surprising favorites of the last year was “The Which Way Tree” by Elizabeth Crooks. Amazing cast of characters. Super lovable narrator. Fun plot with just a touch of mythical/supernatural undertones.
on the whole i appreciate the video and the perspective. and i'm nobody so you don't need my advice but i personally didn't appreciate you talking about the series of these books as a whole from reading the first book. even the series i haven't read that you discussed. thanks for the recommendations!
Hey Edwin. Nobody or somebody, your opinion is valid regardless (and hey, I'm nobody, too!). In this video, my intention wasn't to assess the series based on the first book. If you watch some of my other videos, you'll notice that I'm currently midway through a lot of really long series (Discworld, Malazan, Dresden Files), and the point I was trying to make in this video was that for 2024 I wanted to introduce some variety by STARTING some new series. The opinions I expressed here were about these books specifically, not about the series as a whole. In fact, that's why I tried to go out of my way in the case of Red Rising and The Dark Tower to give them some benefit of the doubt given that they're only the first books... Hopefully that clarifies things a bit, but either way, I appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. Cheers!
Delighted you enjoyed Stoner and enjoyed your description of this wonderful novel. Interesting that you say it has been mentioned so many times on booktube and has become so popular. It was a recommended read over 20 years ago so really encouraging that it has come into vogue again now! Just found your channel and appreciate the variety of books you discuss. All the best 👍
Thanks for the kind words, Pamela, and happy to have you along! The "resurgence" of Stoner is a strange one. I'd be curious to find some actual sales figures, because just based on my own little bubble, it definitely FEELS like it's enjoying a moment, but maybe that's just me living in an echo chamber :)
I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Jade City. I got it for Christmas but haven't had the chance to start it yet. Hoping I can get to it in the next couple of months.
Everything you shared about Stoner is what makes it one of my favorite books. I’m so glad you also picked up on the hopeful themes. Williams considered Stoner a hero and not a sad and tragic character. I can see the tragic parts as well, considering the family dynamics, but I also felt it was a book about love and the question: what is a meaningful life?
Thanks, Johanna. I couldn't agree more. Always happy to hear I'm not out to lunch when I'm giving my take on these things. :) As always, thanks for stopping by and watching and commenting! You rock.
I did not really love Red Rising, i enjoyed it, but i definitely didnt fall in love. And the only reason i continued is i got the second book for free on Audible, and i really really loved it. It was a mastive step up, and i woudl recommend it for sure
Alright, I got a hold Stoner. I read so much popcorn lit, this should be good for me. Speaking of, have you read the Robert Galbraith "Strike" series? I thought the first three stories were alright, but books 4 and 5 sucked me in hard. There's a little backstory but you could jump right in anywhere I think.
I hope you enjoy Stoner as much as I did, Alex. Fair warning, if you haven't read any very character-focused literary fiction in a while, Stoner might feel like a bit of a slog until you get used to the change of pace. Re: Galbraith. I don't think I've ever read anything by "Robert Galbraith" (that's Rowling's pen name, right?). To be honest, I'd never heard all that much positive stuff about it, but I'll look into it now that you've mentioned it.
@@ADudeWhoReads The first three stories are, I'll call them feminist-forward, which ties back to the pen name. She wades into the trans stuff only a little bit, with one character early on in the series. In books four and five she goes hard into the crime and mystery, but the feminist angle is there throughout. Edit: d'oh there are 7 books in the series, not 5. All that stuff I meant about books 6 and 7 then, not 4-5.
That's a fair criticism of Dresden Files. It's got a 2002, pre-smartphone Nickelback vibe to it but we all rolled up the windows and blasted "How You Remind Me" at least once, right? You're about 2/3 through the series. Almost to Ghost Story, which will be one of the dullest books you'll read all year. But after that it picks up again. Laura Wraith and Molly and Mab feature more, and they actually have fairly developed personalities. It gets pretty nuts.
I'm halfway through Changes right now, and I'm loving it. I feel like Butcher pulled out all the stops for this one. Sorry to hear it slow down again after that, but they can't all be 10's, I suppose!
Never heard of it, but if you're recommending it based on our mutual love of Stoner, then I think I may just have to check it out! Thank you so much for watching and for the recommendation!
The Dresden Files definitely indulges in some flagrant gender stereotyping, and there are passages that are worthy of eye rolls and even cringing, but to me it comes off more as immature than as prejudiced. On the flip side, there are a LOT of strong, capable women in this series (which is more than I can say for a lot of Fantasy series). That said, I wouldn't blame someone if the way Butcher writes about women were enough to keep them away from this series. However, with Red Rising, at least this first book, I don't see it. I've got plenty of issues with the book, but not sure how it's sexist. Were you given any specific examples? As always, thanks for watching and commenting!
What's your favourite read of the beginning of 2024? Drop me a line and let me know!
So far definitely the sequel to Beartown 'Us Against You'
Beartown blew me out of the water with how fantastic it was in every way, and somehow Us Against You is topping it! I haven't had a complete meltdown while reading it yet, but many tears have been shed.
Backman hates me, I think he's out to get me. Stop making me cry over ink on a page
@@Elijah_Gillard I haven't started in on the Beartown trilogy, but it's a case of when, not if. Although I think I'll invest in some tissues before starting...
Favorite so far is Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky, I'm currently reading Piranesi and I love it so far, might take the nr. 1 spot but we'll see
@@mariusdimache382 Heard so many great thing about Tchaikovsky, I need to get around to reading him. Thanks for watching and commenting!
The Dark Tower series is FANTASTIC. The intrigue is what pulls you along. I didn’t even know what Roland is actually pursuing until over halfway thru the series. And then there is book 4, Wizard and Glass, which is almost a complete pause in advancing the plot of the series and is instead a story within a story. One of the best love stories ever told in my opinion.
High praise! I'm looking forward to continuing the journey.
I have three new books showing up this next week that Ive just purchased (one of them is written by Dr. Iain Gilchrist. It’s called The Master & his emmisary). It sounded interesting so I figured I’d give it a shot! For January I plowed through Marcus Aurelius’s MEDITATIONS and also a newer take on the writings of EPICTETUS by a female author. My February reading was strictly The Dresden Files and a couple books from the 6 book series Vampire World (by P.T. Hylton). I definitely want to read The Witcher books for some mindless fluff to enjoy 🩵 Cheers & Hope you are doing well my dude! 🤘
Love it, Greebo! I'm on my 3rd or 4th reading of Meditations. If you read that much Dresden Files in February, keep an eye out for my next video. It's about the book that changed my whole perspective on the series. I'd love to find out if you agree or disagree. Hope all's well with you!
Not a series, but one of my most surprising favorites of the last year was “The Which Way Tree” by Elizabeth Crooks. Amazing cast of characters. Super lovable narrator. Fun plot with just a touch of mythical/supernatural undertones.
Sounds like a fun read. I'll look into it. Thanks for watching and for sharing!
on the whole i appreciate the video and the perspective. and i'm nobody so you don't need my advice but i personally didn't appreciate you talking about the series of these books as a whole from reading the first book. even the series i haven't read that you discussed. thanks for the recommendations!
Hey Edwin. Nobody or somebody, your opinion is valid regardless (and hey, I'm nobody, too!). In this video, my intention wasn't to assess the series based on the first book. If you watch some of my other videos, you'll notice that I'm currently midway through a lot of really long series (Discworld, Malazan, Dresden Files), and the point I was trying to make in this video was that for 2024 I wanted to introduce some variety by STARTING some new series. The opinions I expressed here were about these books specifically, not about the series as a whole. In fact, that's why I tried to go out of my way in the case of Red Rising and The Dark Tower to give them some benefit of the doubt given that they're only the first books...
Hopefully that clarifies things a bit, but either way, I appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. Cheers!
Delighted you enjoyed Stoner and enjoyed your description of this wonderful novel. Interesting that you say it has been mentioned so many times on booktube and has become so popular. It was a recommended read over 20 years ago so really encouraging that it has come into vogue again now! Just found your channel and appreciate the variety of books you discuss. All the best 👍
Thanks for the kind words, Pamela, and happy to have you along! The "resurgence" of Stoner is a strange one. I'd be curious to find some actual sales figures, because just based on my own little bubble, it definitely FEELS like it's enjoying a moment, but maybe that's just me living in an echo chamber :)
I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Jade City. I got it for Christmas but haven't had the chance to start it yet. Hoping I can get to it in the next couple of months.
Once you get around to reading it, definitely let me know your thoughts! I definitely understand the praise the series has received.
Everything you shared about Stoner is what makes it one of my favorite books. I’m so glad you also picked up on the hopeful themes. Williams considered Stoner a hero and not a sad and tragic character. I can see the tragic parts as well, considering the family dynamics, but I also felt it was a book about love and the question: what is a meaningful life?
Thanks, Johanna. I couldn't agree more. Always happy to hear I'm not out to lunch when I'm giving my take on these things. :) As always, thanks for stopping by and watching and commenting! You rock.
I did not really love Red Rising, i enjoyed it, but i definitely didnt fall in love. And the only reason i continued is i got the second book for free on Audible, and i really really loved it. It was a mastive step up, and i woudl recommend it for sure
That's super encouraging to hear. Thanks for sharing!
Alright, I got a hold Stoner. I read so much popcorn lit, this should be good for me.
Speaking of, have you read the Robert Galbraith "Strike" series? I thought the first three stories were alright, but books 4 and 5 sucked me in hard. There's a little backstory but you could jump right in anywhere I think.
I hope you enjoy Stoner as much as I did, Alex. Fair warning, if you haven't read any very character-focused literary fiction in a while, Stoner might feel like a bit of a slog until you get used to the change of pace.
Re: Galbraith. I don't think I've ever read anything by "Robert Galbraith" (that's Rowling's pen name, right?). To be honest, I'd never heard all that much positive stuff about it, but I'll look into it now that you've mentioned it.
@@ADudeWhoReads The first three stories are, I'll call them feminist-forward, which ties back to the pen name. She wades into the trans stuff only a little bit, with one character early on in the series. In books four and five she goes hard into the crime and mystery, but the feminist angle is there throughout.
Edit: d'oh there are 7 books in the series, not 5. All that stuff I meant about books 6 and 7 then, not 4-5.
@@MidwayGuy Cool. Thanks for the context!
That's a fair criticism of Dresden Files. It's got a 2002, pre-smartphone Nickelback vibe to it but we all rolled up the windows and blasted "How You Remind Me" at least once, right?
You're about 2/3 through the series. Almost to Ghost Story, which will be one of the dullest books you'll read all year. But after that it picks up again. Laura Wraith and Molly and Mab feature more, and they actually have fairly developed personalities. It gets pretty nuts.
I'm halfway through Changes right now, and I'm loving it. I feel like Butcher pulled out all the stops for this one. Sorry to hear it slow down again after that, but they can't all be 10's, I suppose!
No, it never would have occurred to me to blast Nickelback in 2002.
If you’ve liked Stoner, you might want to give The Road Home by Rose Tremain a try. Stoner is my favourite book of all time :)
Never heard of it, but if you're recommending it based on our mutual love of Stoner, then I think I may just have to check it out! Thank you so much for watching and for the recommendation!
I was told that Red Rising and The Dresden Files were sexist to the point where I didn't feel the need to read them.
The Dresden Files definitely indulges in some flagrant gender stereotyping, and there are passages that are worthy of eye rolls and even cringing, but to me it comes off more as immature than as prejudiced. On the flip side, there are a LOT of strong, capable women in this series (which is more than I can say for a lot of Fantasy series). That said, I wouldn't blame someone if the way Butcher writes about women were enough to keep them away from this series.
However, with Red Rising, at least this first book, I don't see it. I've got plenty of issues with the book, but not sure how it's sexist. Were you given any specific examples?
As always, thanks for watching and commenting!