I have obsessive compulsive disorder, and it took away my ability to read for pleasure as I entered adulthood. I'm 30 now, and I've begun to read again, but it was a long road, and it can still be painstaking at times. Your videos give me so much inspiration and motivation to push through. Thank you both!
I don’t know . . . I just couldn’t tell if you enjoyed Best Served Cold, John. 😁 I agree with everything you said about it, though! I haven’t read Annihilation, but that sounds like a winner too. I’ll be starting Of Darkness and Light in a week or so myself. Thanks again for the great livestream yesterday - it was wonderful to celebrate Jacquelyn Hagen’s accomplishments!
I'm currently on Best Served Cold on my Abercrombie reading journey. (I read the First Law Trilogy twice) Hope to get to it sometime this summer. Cahill's 2nd novel will be a second half of July read for me but current reads I have going on are Wurt's To Ride Hell's Chasm and John Williams' Augustus.
I've listened to all six books, the First Law trilogy and the three stand alones, back to back. I have been dragged out of a reading slump by Joe Abercrombie. Just started A Little Hatred this morning. ❤
Okay that’s it! I’m picking up The Last Argument of Kings asap! I can’t wait for your rave review of Of Darkness and Light! You’re going to love it John
I haven't been watching any booktube while on vacation (in Belgium), but you better bet I made time to tune into the weekly reader, the week just isn't complete without it!! 🤩 Love to hear that you enjoyed BSC so much, I think you will have a blast with the other standalones as well. And gosh, the release party has been so much fun to watch, I hope to binge the last half soon! Happy reading, John ☺
"This is a G-rated channel...so anyway, Joe Abercrombie." Glad to see your July started with such a bang! My first week of the month was pretty good. I started with a reread of Piranesi, which if anything is even better the second time around. Now I'm about 1/4 through Curse of the Mistwraith, and already ordered book 2 so I can just go right into it afterwards. Rereading Annihilation after some 6-7 years, and it's every bit as unnerving/uncanny/fever-dreamy as it ever was. Looking to start The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa soon. After the wash that was June, this month seems promising.
I just started reading Joe Abercrombie! I’m finishing up the First Law Trilogy now then I’ll moved to Best Served Cold; hoping to finish it before the end of the month!
Love the spurs gear! Out of my reading slump by reading other genres- a lot of American history…struggling to decide what fantasy to read next…maybe the Cahill series…I got the first novel and novella for Christmas, so I should start them! Have a great week!
Man, I really need to read those Abercrombie standalones! This week I finished up Demon In White (which left me speechless) and started Godeater (which somehow got delivered a fee days before the actual release date) so it's been a great week here!
The Chesapeake Bay Monster sounds interesting. I wonder if the author is from Maryland, because I live near the Chesapeake Bay and there’s an urban legend about a giant snake named Chessie that lives in the Bay. I’ve never seen it, but several people claimed they have.
You’ll love the rest of the series after Annihilation! I have a feeling Of Darkness and Light will be a serious contender for your book of the month! Love the Wemby shirt! So happy the Spurs got Stephon Castle. As a lifelong UConn fan and someone who watched all of his college games, they got a really good player and person.
I finished Warbreaker this week and then also read Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Both very fun reads. And you've absolutely made me want to read Best Served Cold... but I haven't read any First Law yet.
@@N.A.Summur definitely start with the first trilogy. Building off of that is part of what made this 1 so good. That Supergirl is 1 of the few Tom King books I have not yet read.
@@Talking_Story oh. I definitely will do that... at some point. TBR is getting rather large 😂 And I definitely recommend for a fun quick read sometime. It made me excited for the film adaptation! It's basically a superhero story wrapped in a Sci-Fantasy True Grit shell.
I just finished a re-read of BSC last night, so enjoyable. It's hard not to pick up The Heroes straight away. I was listening in the background while I worked on something, yes I was still watching haha
Hahaha tingle meter😂😂. I will say, when I saw you subscribed I definitely got a tingle! Okay, I see Jacobs point now rereading my comment out loud. Anyways, Best Served Cold!!! Love that one. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the rest. What a ride you are in store for!!!
I love the Book Club with the Mrs. idea! I vote Game of Thrones over The Blade Itself forever and ever, but I’m so happy you’re continuing to love the First Law books. Age of Madness is la crème de la crème!
Glad to hear you are checking out more animated content. Still need to watch y'all visiting artist with the voice actor. Almost finished with Thunderhead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. It revolves around an archeologist and the search for Quivira in the American southeast. I am looking to start my trek into the Western genre and start with Sackett's Land: A Novel by Louis L'amour since it is short. Starting that once I finish my current read. Also half way done with watching The Pacific limited series.
@@Talking_Story I guess the best place would be to start with Relic since it’s the first book in the series. However, thunderhead is a prequel book for one of the characters in the series and the only one I’ve read so far.
I read the original first law trilogy like a decade ago and have been meaning to get back to Abercrombie ever since, it just keeps slipping on the infinitely long TBR...one of these days
Hi John. I've only read The Blade Itself and Sharp Ends by Abercrombie so far. I intend to return to his work in the future. Currently reading and enjoying To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf.
I accidentally started into Abrecombie with Best Served Cold. I was 75% when i found out where the book falls in the series. It was still great and i didn’t feel like i was lost doing that. I can’t wait to get into that series properly.
Since you were waxing poetic about cowboyin' the other day, I thought I'd tell you about The Strange, which I recently finished and thought was pretty damn good. It's a western set on Mars, and it's a pretty good time. I've heard it be described as "True Grit on The Martian Chronicles" and I'd say that's a good enough way to put it. I read it while I was on vacation out in Arkansas, and it was a startlingly appropriate read for being out there. It's a good palate cleanser book, since I'm reading too big books right now. I also read more of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell while I was out there, and man I gotta say this third act is cracking. I am approaching the end of the book, and I don't know if I'm ready to say goodbye just yet. It really does feel like you've been on this long journey with these characters as they've squabbled and competed, but also have worked together to bring magic back to England! I also started Lonesome Dove, which is a proper cowboyin' novel. I can see why everyone likes it, McMurtry has the eye for human drama and he's good at making slice of life stories interesting. There's also colorful characters too, and I can't wait to dig in some more. Keep up the good work gentlemen! Great video as always!
Thank you so much for your kind wishes, John! Alas the unicorns won't join you on this one. But look on the bright side. It's not easy to host a herd of magical animals. There'll be straw all over your house and then the insane amount of chocolate chip cookies you'll need to keep them entertained.😁 But I will be looking out for the discussion when it comes out!
Bookclub with the Missus? What a great title! I'm halfway through Annihilation right now and should be finished before that video comes out. Looking forward to it!
I also picked up Annihilation this week and I can't wait to hear yours and Amy's thought!! I'm also a huge romance reader so I picked up Bride by Ali Hazelwood and should be done with it by next week weekly reader and should be moving on to a reread of The Fifth Season after I finish up Bride.
Sunday Weekly Reeeeeeeaaaader! Love it. I was 100% confident you'd love Best Served Cold and feel the same about The Heroes. I don't think it's us vs them on the books on bibliotheory. I think we rank each category and whatever wins, wins. Check with aaron! I think it's the thumbnail that makes it look that way :)
After that summary I might have to read it again😂 Really glad to hear you enjoyed BSC John, it’s my favourite of the standalones. I felt the theme of individual agency really strongly in this as well. (Spoiler) Specifically female agency in that Monza is this legendary mercenary, but as we go through we realise most of what shaped her life/reputation was driven by others, all of which are men (pulled into thousand swords by Cosca, forced into leadership by Orso, massacre of Caprile and nearly died because of her brothers scheme). Bit of an essay but I think this ties with the exploration of revenge in that it’s the easier option, rather than choosing to live for yourself which she does in the end. Would be interested to hear your thoughts (if any) on that.
@@stephen7489 I so agree. Vengeance that flash of pure rage seems like Monza’s actions were her own. As the story went on reality settles in and she finds her personal destiny was always tied up in consequences. Of others as you so well lay out. So by the end she is far more self aware and is able to see what her consequences are to the ones around her.
If anyone is a cure for reading slump it's you John! That reminds me, I really should try Abercrombie. Have only heard good things about him so far. Well maybe I can get to it next year. 2024 is pretty much overfilled on my TBR 😅 Otherwise, hadn't had much reading done, been busy this week. But I got to go together with my writing group this weekend at a lovely market trying to sell our anthology. Been a lot of fun but a little hectic so I look forward to slow down and get back on reading/writing.
I knew you would love Best Served Cold (aka fantasy Kill Bill 🤣🤣). My favourite of this book was Cosca. Being in his chaotic mind was just soooo fun. And also his dynamic with Friendly was just amazing to watch. Just that scene where he goes "I am Nicomo Cosca, famed soldier of fortune, and I am here for dinner" ... AND IT ACTUALLY WORKS 😂😂😂. Not to mention Shivers and his .... Transformation ... During this book. This world really is not for men who "want to be better" 😵💫 Are you going to make a review video for it?
@@Why_do_I_do_this. not sure about a review video I may have to as much as I loved this 1. Costa was everything. His moment with Friendly at the very end when Friendly could not go back and get the happy ending he wanted. Sooooo gooood!
Ice Cold DDP sounds like a bad night on the streets with a definite tingle in the morning... Any Way I finished Absolution Gap by Aleister Reynolds and Dark Age by Pierce Brown very much enjoyed both. Absolution Gaps Ending for me was a bit of a damp squid on the other hand very much loved the ending to Dark Age both great science fiction epics! Now I'm starting The dispossessed by Ursula K Le Guin and Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake. probably some of my favourite authors I loved the world and characters Mervyn Peake made in Titus Alone the first book.
I am so excited to hear your thoughts on the rest of the stand-alones and Of Darkness and Light. I think you’re going to love all of that. I wrapped up A Song for Arbonne then pushed myself to read a nonfiction book (The Body Keeps the Score), but I realized that I was in the middle of a reading slump so I leaped into the Warlord Chronicles hoping it will pull me out. This next week is going to be extremely exciting because number one, thanks to you guys and Jacquelyn Hagen I have the first three Riverfall books so I might jump into them early. AND, thanks to the immense help/encouragement from the both of you and two to ramble- my camera is coming in so I am going to set that up and start a book tube channel while submitting my Town square thingy. I kinda want to do something akin to your talking with toobers because interacting with the community is what I really want. Anyways, amazing video and I hope that you all have an amazing day because my week has been made before it has even started.
@@CombativeRoboGuy awesome my friend. I think you will find the magic in this community is off the chart! I look forward to your channel, your town square piece and your thoughts on Riverfall.
I've had Abercrombie on my priority list for 2 years now but I just never seem to get to him. I think I just can't put it off any longer now after your review. August it is.
Oh yeah, and forgot to mention. Glad you enjoyed Annihilation. I had an inkling that you would take to VanderMeer's weird scientific take on cosmic horror. I can't wait to see what you and Mrs have to say about it! And Best Served Cold, glad you liked that too. Though it seems you liked it more than I did!
Well, if you enjoyed vought on ice, you'll love ep 5. I started Fire and Blood, haven't gotten far. It's definitely a dryer read than ASOIAF, the names are killing me and there's no map, which drives me crazy. I honestly don't remember much of my week besides that, I think I got my new phone on Monday and I worked 4th of July. Also, there's a name missing from your patreon, I'll blame it on Jakob dropping the ball since you already threw him under the bus at the start. Jakob, that is why Pooh is the favorite son 😂.
@@jenn9027 I think he updates the list at the beginning of each month and you joined right after that so maybe I can sweet talk him to get you on there a bit early. I am hoping the history book feel goes well with me for Fire and Blood if it doesn’t I may break it up and not read straight through. I will be looking forward to episode 5!
@Talking_Story no worries, just wanted to give him a hard time, I don't think he gets enough (yes, I am pure evil lol). Pretty much every episode of the boys is "wtf am I watching?" Yeah, may have to break up the history book as well if that's how my weeks are gonna go, it'll set me back on expanse. I want to be finished by October so I can get into spooky reads.
I've been reading The Library Policeman novella by Stephen King. Definetly check it out if you haven't read it. It's part of a novella collection in Four Past Midnight.
Best Served Cold was amazing. I read it for the first time about 8 months ago. I'm looking forward to the movie they're going to make of it. I hope they don't screw it up. Lol
See? Now you get why I'm constantly pushing you to not put off reading more First Law. The Heroes is my favourite of the standalones, then again I like most First Law books more than most Fantasy I've read and I include the likes of Tolkien and Sanderson in that regard. I didn't get much reading done, I was in Belfast for a few days and got distracted with gaming on my return. But i did read the first two volumes of Mark Millar and Wilfredo Torres' Jupiter's Legacy. I'm currently reading: *Historical-Fantasy* The Last Light of the Sun / Guy Gavriel Kay *Historical-Fiction* Red Sky in Morning / Paul Lynch - I wanted to read more Irish authors, and this is set in my home county of Donegal. So far so good. *Sci-Fi* Cloud Atlas / David Mitchell - I really struggled with that first story, I will continue but I'm not optimistic going forward. So I might set it aside for now and pick up something else instead. *Thriller* The Winter of Frankie Machine / Don Winslow I finished playing Last of Us Part 2, ultimately I do like it but I standby my criticisms of the structure and pacing. I think it did the story a disservice. But I don't think I liked it enough to continue should Part 3 be made, nor watch the adaptation. This will no doubt be controversial, but I didn't find Ellie's storyline that interesting in this because I don't think the side characters were up to her level, and its a paint by numbers revenge tale, nothing new nor an interesting take on the subject.
Keep going with Cloud Atlas, it will not disappoint BUT it will require you to put in quite a lot of effort in that first half. The second half (after the hell that is Sloosha’s Crossin’) it is just payoff after payoff after payoff. The first half walks so the back half can fly although I think that all the connections flew right over my head.
@@CombativeRoboGuy I gotta agree the beginning is not easy. The book is about language, expression and story. So he does so much with how language can change and shift. The pay IMO is so so worth it. But nothing wrong with taking a break if it is not working right now.
@@CombativeRoboGuy I started Letters from Zedelghem and I'm liking it so much better already. I found Ewing's perspective mostly boring but Frobisher is hilarious so far.
@@Talking_Story I'll be at ConGregate in Winston-Salem next week. I'll respond later that night. I am thinking I'll video my wife (May) and see her reaction. :D
All I'm saying is Logan has 9 fingers and Jamie has 5. Can't do jazz hands with 5 fingers. At that point you're just waving at strangers and that's kinda weird😅
@@Talking_Story I did not think of that. I to would wave back. Ok next debate strategy. Nobody is wondering where Logan wandered off to during the family reunion?
I have obsessive compulsive disorder, and it took away my ability to read for pleasure as I entered adulthood. I'm 30 now, and I've begun to read again, but it was a long road, and it can still be painstaking at times. Your videos give me so much inspiration and motivation to push through. Thank you both!
Thanks so much for this it means the world to us!
I think Best Served Cold is Abercrombie's most tightly-plotted work. Masterfully so.
And: my heart broke for Shivers.
@@dant7677 he just wants to be a better man !!
I don’t know . . . I just couldn’t tell if you enjoyed Best Served Cold, John. 😁 I agree with everything you said about it, though! I haven’t read Annihilation, but that sounds like a winner too. I’ll be starting Of Darkness and Light in a week or so myself. Thanks again for the great livestream yesterday - it was wonderful to celebrate Jacquelyn Hagen’s accomplishments!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy as always thanks to you Philip. See I did it! Can’t wait for our next discussion.
So glad you loved Best Served Cold! Abercrombie somehow improves with every books.
@@dalicieux I would totally agree with that!
I’m reading Ashes of Man and The heroes now ! Glad you enjoyed Best Served Cold
Sounds like a couple great 1s!
I'm currently on Best Served Cold on my Abercrombie reading journey. (I read the First Law Trilogy twice) Hope to get to it sometime this summer. Cahill's 2nd novel will be a second half of July read for me but current reads I have going on are Wurt's To Ride Hell's Chasm and John Williams' Augustus.
@@CNavo.TheNextChapter how is Hells Chasm going for u?
@@Talking_Story is only a few chapters in, but it's safe to say - I'm hooked!
@@CNavo.TheNextChapter wonderful!
If you loved BSC this much, Age of Madness is gonna blow your socks off.
@@readbykyle3082 oh I want to get there having heard all the amazing takes on it.
I've listened to all six books, the First Law trilogy and the three stand alones, back to back. I have been dragged out of a reading slump by Joe Abercrombie. Just started A Little Hatred this morning. ❤
He would seem to be slump breaker to me!
Okay that’s it! I’m picking up The Last Argument of Kings asap!
I can’t wait for your rave review of Of Darkness and Light! You’re going to love it John
I can’t wait to start it!
I just got myself the first law standalones recently and have been dying to get back to the world. You’ve got me so hyped!
@@bardsandbooks gotta let know what you think Usman.
I haven't been watching any booktube while on vacation (in Belgium), but you better bet I made time to tune into the weekly reader, the week just isn't complete without it!! 🤩
Love to hear that you enjoyed BSC so much, I think you will have a blast with the other standalones as well. And gosh, the release party has been so much fun to watch, I hope to binge the last half soon!
Happy reading, John ☺
@@esmayrosalyne have a great trip and thanks so much Esmay are the best!
@@Talking_Story Thanks John!!
"This is a G-rated channel...so anyway, Joe Abercrombie." Glad to see your July started with such a bang!
My first week of the month was pretty good. I started with a reread of Piranesi, which if anything is even better the second time around. Now I'm about 1/4 through Curse of the Mistwraith, and already ordered book 2 so I can just go right into it afterwards. Rereading Annihilation after some 6-7 years, and it's every bit as unnerving/uncanny/fever-dreamy as it ever was. Looking to start The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa soon. After the wash that was June, this month seems promising.
Piranesi kicking off the month is certainly a way to start off right. I am with you about Annihilation. It is a very affecting read!
If you ever need to get pumped up to read, just listen to John.
@@bigork2099 thanks o much. Very kind of u.
@@Talking_Story I wish I could watch more of your channel, but I don't like giving up reading time!
@@bigork2099 I totally understand that!
On the note of Jeff Vandermeer, I would recommend reading Ambergris, it is so great.
I will add that to the list thanks!
I just started reading Joe Abercrombie! I’m finishing up the First Law Trilogy now then I’ll moved to Best Served Cold; hoping to finish it before the end of the month!
I think he just gets better. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
Yess!!! I knew you would love Best Served Cold. Abercrombie does not write bad books. I'm confident The Heroes will blow you away just as well
@@ZOMGfantasy I can’t wait to get to it!
Love the spurs gear! Out of my reading slump by reading other genres- a lot of American history…struggling to decide what fantasy to read next…maybe the Cahill series…I got the first novel and novella for Christmas, so I should start them! Have a great week!
@@mikeizzo you as well. Let me know what u decide on starting.
Man, I really need to read those Abercrombie standalones!
This week I finished up Demon In White (which left me speechless) and started Godeater (which somehow got delivered a fee days before the actual release date) so it's been a great week here!
@@NerdLevelRising Demon in White is next month for me. I am ready for that 1!
I just picked up Best Served Cold this weekend can’t wait to dive into it! Great work
@@jamiecalvert5906 oh you gotta let me know how it hits you.
The Chesapeake Bay Monster sounds interesting. I wonder if the author is from Maryland, because I live near the Chesapeake Bay and there’s an urban legend about a giant snake named Chessie that lives in the Bay. I’ve never seen it, but several people claimed they have.
@@KindlesandKicks I will let you know if Chessie makes an appearance in the book. If so my money is on him being a local.
You’ll love the rest of the series after Annihilation!
I have a feeling Of Darkness and Light will be a serious contender for your book of the month!
Love the Wemby shirt! So happy the Spurs got Stephon Castle. As a lifelong UConn fan and someone who watched all of his college games, they got a really good player and person.
@@thuff31 they are bringing some great vets too. CP3 and Harrison Barnes. I like it!
I finished Warbreaker this week and then also read Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Both very fun reads. And you've absolutely made me want to read Best Served Cold... but I haven't read any First Law yet.
@@N.A.Summur definitely start with the first trilogy. Building off of that is part of what made this 1 so good. That Supergirl is 1 of the few Tom King books I have not yet read.
@@Talking_Story oh. I definitely will do that... at some point. TBR is getting rather large 😂 And I definitely recommend for a fun quick read sometime. It made me excited for the film adaptation! It's basically a superhero story wrapped in a Sci-Fantasy True Grit shell.
@@N.A.Summur I get the stacked TBR 😀
Best served is brilliant and now you get The Heroes and then my favorite: Red Country ❤🤪
Simple backstabbing... 😲🥴🤣
I am pumped to get to all of them!
I just finished a re-read of BSC last night, so enjoyable. It's hard not to pick up The Heroes straight away.
I was listening in the background while I worked on something, yes I was still watching haha
@@ChrisPJ_reads so hard not to just binge. But I am doing my best and savor them.
Hahaha tingle meter😂😂. I will say, when I saw you subscribed I definitely got a tingle! Okay, I see Jacobs point now rereading my comment out loud. Anyways, Best Served Cold!!! Love that one. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the rest. What a ride you are in store for!!!
@@TheBeardedBookBeast Jakob does have some good points occasionally 😂
Bookclub with the Best Minton... and John ;) I swear, every time John says "tingle" Jakob gets a new therapy session :D
@@gryftkin he is stacked up on those.
I love the Book Club with the Mrs. idea! I vote Game of Thrones over The Blade Itself forever and ever, but I’m so happy you’re continuing to love the First Law books. Age of Madness is la crème de la crème!
I cannot wait to get to that final trilogy.
Glad to hear you are checking out more animated content. Still need to watch y'all visiting artist with the voice actor. Almost finished with Thunderhead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. It revolves around an archeologist and the search for Quivira in the American southeast. I am looking to start my trek into the Western genre and start with Sackett's Land: A Novel by Louis L'amour since it is short. Starting that once I finish my current read. Also half way done with watching The Pacific limited series.
@@calebwelch6393 haven’t done any Preston and Child. Where would be a good starting place ?
@@Talking_Story I guess the best place would be to start with Relic since it’s the first book in the series. However, thunderhead is a prequel book for one of the characters in the series and the only one I’ve read so far.
@@calebwelch6393 gotcha thanks!
I read the original first law trilogy like a decade ago and have been meaning to get back to Abercrombie ever since, it just keeps slipping on the infinitely long TBR...one of these days
@@kflott I was the same. I am so happy I came back. Let me know when you get back into it.
You need to listen to Between Two Fires if you haven't already.
Don’t really do audio. But I have the book ready to go.
Hi John. I've only read The Blade Itself and Sharp Ends by Abercrombie so far. I intend to return to his work in the future. Currently reading and enjoying To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf.
Virginia Woolf! Very nice.
Clicked on this soon as you mentioned Joe, ha. I can't wait for you to get to The Heroes, the best of all the First Law books!
@@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels wow that is high praise for Heroes!
@@Talking_Story it deserves it! You're in for a wild ride when you get to it.
I accidentally started into Abrecombie with Best Served Cold. I was 75% when i found out where the book falls in the series. It was still great and i didn’t feel like i was lost doing that. I can’t wait to get into that series properly.
@@christhewritingjester3164 oh I think it will be even stronger for having the first trilogy under your belt.
@@Talking_Story I can 100% see that and I can't wait to find out.
Since you were waxing poetic about cowboyin' the other day, I thought I'd tell you about The Strange, which I recently finished and thought was pretty damn good. It's a western set on Mars, and it's a pretty good time. I've heard it be described as "True Grit on The Martian Chronicles" and I'd say that's a good enough way to put it. I read it while I was on vacation out in Arkansas, and it was a startlingly appropriate read for being out there. It's a good palate cleanser book, since I'm reading too big books right now.
I also read more of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell while I was out there, and man I gotta say this third act is cracking. I am approaching the end of the book, and I don't know if I'm ready to say goodbye just yet. It really does feel like you've been on this long journey with these characters as they've squabbled and competed, but also have worked together to bring magic back to England! I also started Lonesome Dove, which is a proper cowboyin' novel. I can see why everyone likes it, McMurtry has the eye for human drama and he's good at making slice of life stories interesting. There's also colorful characters too, and I can't wait to dig in some more.
Keep up the good work gentlemen! Great video as always!
@@someokiedude9549 you have been reading alll the good stuff nephew. I hope to get to Lonesome Dove by end of year.
Thank you so much for your kind wishes, John! Alas the unicorns won't join you on this one. But look on the bright side. It's not easy to host a herd of magical animals. There'll be straw all over your house and then the insane amount of chocolate chip cookies you'll need to keep them entertained.😁 But I will be looking out for the discussion when it comes out!
@@DoUnicornsRead no worries. I hope all goes well. I would love to host those magical creatures anytime 😀.
You guys are thematically hilarious 😂 I'm working on Of War And Ruin so I look forward to hearing what you think about book 2!
@@arabellawillow I hear they just keep getting better. The discussion for book will be right here on my channel.
Your family is adorable ❤
Thanks I am a very lucky man.
I agree! They're so heart-warming 💜
📖made it to the end 😁
@@katec.6530 new achievement for you!
Bookclub with the Missus? What a great title!
I'm halfway through Annihilation right now and should be finished before that video comes out. Looking forward to it!
@@katherinep1010 thanks! We will see there!
Great video John! I need to get into Best Served Cold soon.
Oh yes u do my friend!
I'm excited for you to start The Heroes!
@@laurablakeauthor I loved Best Served Cold. Can’t wait to get back!
I also picked up Annihilation this week and I can't wait to hear yours and Amy's thought!! I'm also a huge romance reader so I picked up Bride by Ali Hazelwood and should be done with it by next week weekly reader and should be moving on to a reread of The Fifth Season after I finish up Bride.
@@haileyschaub111 sounds like you have great ones picked out. Can’t wait to hear what you think of annihilation.
Another video from John reminding me of all the people who've read all those unread books on my shelf. Lol. Great video!
You are with your people my friend. My shelves are packed with unread books.
I loved the heroes more than best served cold, moving onto red country next before I hit the age of madness. Glad you loved it
You make me look forward even more to heroes. Didn’t think that was possible.
Chance do not skip Sharp Ends, there are two Bremer Dan Gorst stories!!
@@heidi6281 will do
@@heidi6281 I almost forgot 🤦🏻♂️
I just finished Best Served Cold yesterday and am starting Heroes today. It was SO good.
@@marisoltorres1769 oh I am so jealous I would love to crash my TBR and jump into Heroes!
@@Talking_Storythis is why you shouldn’t do TBR’s. 🙂
@@PreppinShootinLivin I do love being in buddy reads and that takes a bit of planning. Maybe in the future I can leave myself more wiggle room.
@@Talking_Story buddy reads are fine…but planning out a whole month, or more, is way too constricting.
@@PreppinShootinLivin I hear you.
My grandfather liked to lick the plate when the meal was over. He was funny :)
@@So-Be-It_85949 mine was too. Such a grand man I miss him daily.
@@Talking_Story His name was Ginter.
@@So-Be-It_85949 mine was Wallace.
@@Talking_Story I was 17 years old when my paternal grandfather died. It's been a while.
@@So-Be-It_85949 been a while for me as well. But I think of him often.
Sunday Weekly Reeeeeeeaaaader! Love it. I was 100% confident you'd love Best Served Cold and feel the same about The Heroes. I don't think it's us vs them on the books on bibliotheory. I think we rank each category and whatever wins, wins. Check with aaron! I think it's the thumbnail that makes it look that way :)
@@BrianBell7 whatever happens I will be happy to be there with you guys!
After that summary I might have to read it again😂 Really glad to hear you enjoyed BSC John, it’s my favourite of the standalones.
I felt the theme of individual agency really strongly in this as well. (Spoiler) Specifically female agency in that Monza is this legendary mercenary, but as we go through we realise most of what shaped her life/reputation was driven by others, all of which are men (pulled into thousand swords by Cosca, forced into leadership by Orso, massacre of Caprile and nearly died because of her brothers scheme).
Bit of an essay but I think this ties with the exploration of revenge in that it’s the easier option, rather than choosing to live for yourself which she does in the end. Would be interested to hear your thoughts (if any) on that.
@@stephen7489 I so agree. Vengeance that flash of pure rage seems like Monza’s actions were her own. As the story went on reality settles in and she finds her personal destiny was always tied up in consequences. Of others as you so well lay out. So by the end she is far more self aware and is able to see what her consequences are to the ones around her.
If anyone is a cure for reading slump it's you John! That reminds me, I really should try Abercrombie. Have only heard good things about him so far. Well maybe I can get to it next year. 2024 is pretty much overfilled on my TBR 😅
Otherwise, hadn't had much reading done, been busy this week. But I got to go together with my writing group this weekend at a lovely market trying to sell our anthology. Been a lot of fun but a little hectic so I look forward to slow down and get back on reading/writing.
@@emzstern I hope you guys had great luck selling! I would say from book 1 forward Abercrombie gets better and better.
@@Talking_Story Thank you so much! Yes despite the weather it went well.
Well it's decided then, it's Abercrombie 2025!
@@emzstern huzzah!
I knew you would love Best Served Cold (aka fantasy Kill Bill 🤣🤣). My favourite of this book was Cosca. Being in his chaotic mind was just soooo fun. And also his dynamic with Friendly was just amazing to watch. Just that scene where he goes "I am Nicomo Cosca, famed soldier of fortune, and I am here for dinner" ... AND IT ACTUALLY WORKS 😂😂😂.
Not to mention Shivers and his .... Transformation ... During this book. This world really is not for men who "want to be better" 😵💫
Are you going to make a review video for it?
@@Why_do_I_do_this. not sure about a review video I may have to as much as I loved this 1. Costa was everything. His moment with Friendly at the very end when Friendly could not go back and get the happy ending he wanted. Sooooo gooood!
@@Talking_Story I knoooow. I just love Friendly ... As long no one insults his dice 😂. I really hope he ends up in prison. He really deserves it 🥹🥹😂
Ice Cold DDP sounds like a bad night on the streets with a definite tingle in the morning... Any Way I finished Absolution Gap by Aleister Reynolds and Dark Age by Pierce Brown very much enjoyed both. Absolution Gaps Ending for me was a bit of a damp squid on the other hand very much loved the ending to Dark Age both great science fiction epics! Now I'm starting The dispossessed by Ursula K Le Guin and Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake. probably some of my favourite authors I loved the world and characters Mervyn Peake made in Titus Alone the first book.
Dark Age and Lightbringer were so great! Sounds like you got some great ones coming up. DDP can make any night full of tingles.
A day late, but a frosty Old Style on hand.
@@mattamant915 nice!
First Law!!!
I am so excited to hear your thoughts on the rest of the stand-alones and Of Darkness and Light. I think you’re going to love all of that. I wrapped up A Song for Arbonne then pushed myself to read a nonfiction book (The Body Keeps the Score), but I realized that I was in the middle of a reading slump so I leaped into the Warlord Chronicles hoping it will pull me out.
This next week is going to be extremely exciting because number one, thanks to you guys and Jacquelyn Hagen I have the first three Riverfall books so I might jump into them early. AND, thanks to the immense help/encouragement from the both of you and two to ramble- my camera is coming in so I am going to set that up and start a book tube channel while submitting my Town square thingy. I kinda want to do something akin to your talking with toobers because interacting with the community is what I really want.
Anyways, amazing video and I hope that you all have an amazing day because my week has been made before it has even started.
@@CombativeRoboGuy awesome my friend. I think you will find the magic in this community is off the chart! I look forward to your channel, your town square piece and your thoughts on Riverfall.
@@Talking_Story Thank you so much.
@@CombativeRoboGuy always my friend!
I've had Abercrombie on my priority list for 2 years now but I just never seem to get to him. I think I just can't put it off any longer now after your review. August it is.
@@allthekingsbooks start with his first law trilogy and IMO he gets progressively better with each book. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts in August.
John, you have to check out the documentary, BRATS from Andrew McCarthy. I enjoyed it, a trip down XGener memory lane!
@@unlimitedreads I don’t have Hulu at the moment but if I get a chance it is definitely on my list!
@@Talking_Story It's on Disney Plus too :)
@@unlimitedreads don’t have that 1 right now either. I may get it back when the Daredevil show hits.
Oh yeah, and forgot to mention. Glad you enjoyed Annihilation. I had an inkling that you would take to VanderMeer's weird scientific take on cosmic horror. I can't wait to see what you and Mrs have to say about it!
And Best Served Cold, glad you liked that too. Though it seems you liked it more than I did!
@@someokiedude9549 Dude I really liked it.
@@someokiedude9549 both of them.
Singular sensation 🤣😅😂
“No one does characters like Joe” **laughs in Robin hobb**
@@goonerquinn4670 I hope to get to her soon. At this point for character voice he is up there for me.
Well, if you enjoyed vought on ice, you'll love ep 5. I started Fire and Blood, haven't gotten far. It's definitely a dryer read than ASOIAF, the names are killing me and there's no map, which drives me crazy. I honestly don't remember much of my week besides that, I think I got my new phone on Monday and I worked 4th of July. Also, there's a name missing from your patreon, I'll blame it on Jakob dropping the ball since you already threw him under the bus at the start. Jakob, that is why Pooh is the favorite son 😂.
@@jenn9027 I think he updates the list at the beginning of each month and you joined right after that so maybe I can sweet talk him to get you on there a bit early. I am hoping the history book feel goes well with me for Fire and Blood if it doesn’t I may break it up and not read straight through. I will be looking forward to episode 5!
@Talking_Story no worries, just wanted to give him a hard time, I don't think he gets enough (yes, I am pure evil lol). Pretty much every episode of the boys is "wtf am I watching?" Yeah, may have to break up the history book as well if that's how my weeks are gonna go, it'll set me back on expanse. I want to be finished by October so I can get into spooky reads.
@@jenn9027 I can’t wait for spooky reads. U feel free to give him all the hard time u want. It’s good for him😂
Man…Emma D’Arcy slays as Rhaenyra!!! Lots of exciting stuff coming up!
@@reading_by_myshelf I will be there to watch it!
I've been reading The Library Policeman novella by Stephen King. Definetly check it out if you haven't read it. It's part of a novella collection in Four Past Midnight.
@@nathaneichenberger9332 I absolutely have read that 1. Good stuff!
Best Served Cold was amazing. I read it for the first time about 8 months ago. I'm looking forward to the movie they're going to make of it. I hope they don't screw it up. Lol
@@akellerhouse83 Abercrombie wrote the script so there is hope!
Hey John I’m not sure if you have the Age of Madness trilogy yet but the hardcovers are like 50% off on Amazon right now.
Now that is very tempting😀
See? Now you get why I'm constantly pushing you to not put off reading more First Law. The Heroes is my favourite of the standalones, then again I like most First Law books more than most Fantasy I've read and I include the likes of Tolkien and Sanderson in that regard.
I didn't get much reading done, I was in Belfast for a few days and got distracted with gaming on my return. But i did read the first two volumes of Mark Millar and Wilfredo Torres' Jupiter's Legacy.
I'm currently reading:
*Historical-Fantasy*
The Last Light of the Sun / Guy Gavriel Kay
*Historical-Fiction*
Red Sky in Morning / Paul Lynch
- I wanted to read more Irish authors, and this is set in my home county of Donegal. So far so good.
*Sci-Fi*
Cloud Atlas / David Mitchell
- I really struggled with that first story, I will continue but I'm not optimistic going forward. So I might set it aside for now and pick up something else instead.
*Thriller*
The Winter of Frankie Machine / Don Winslow
I finished playing Last of Us Part 2, ultimately I do like it but I standby my criticisms of the structure and pacing. I think it did the story a disservice. But I don't think I liked it enough to continue should Part 3 be made, nor watch the adaptation. This will no doubt be controversial, but I didn't find Ellie's storyline that interesting in this because I don't think the side characters were up to her level, and its a paint by numbers revenge tale, nothing new nor an interesting take on the subject.
@@thatsci-firogue you were absolutely right. I needed more Abercrombie in my life. That Millar is done good stuff!
Keep going with Cloud Atlas, it will not disappoint BUT it will require you to put in quite a lot of effort in that first half. The second half (after the hell that is Sloosha’s Crossin’) it is just payoff after payoff after payoff. The first half walks so the back half can fly although I think that all the connections flew right over my head.
@@CombativeRoboGuy I gotta agree the beginning is not easy. The book is about language, expression and story. So he does so much with how language can change and shift. The pay IMO is so so worth it. But nothing wrong with taking a break if it is not working right now.
@@CombativeRoboGuy I started Letters from Zedelghem and I'm liking it so much better already. I found Ewing's perspective mostly boring but Frobisher is hilarious so far.
@@Talking_Story His Ultimates run remains one of my favourite things he's ever done. Though, a lot of his stories now read more like film pitches.
My name is already in almost every fantasy novel ever written 🤪🤣
@@ithrahmunchswallow468 😂
@@Talking_Story definitely not that name 🤣 The real name.
@@ithrahmunchswallow468 I wondered.
@@Talking_Story 🤭
Prodigy Season 2 is excellent! No spoilers, but MAN the guest cast is freaking amazing!
Ohhhh hell yeah. Just what I wanted to hear. Also I was doing laundry when I taped so watch for a familar Tshirt to make an appearance next Sunday!
@@Talking_Story I'll be at ConGregate in Winston-Salem next week. I'll respond later that night. I am thinking I'll video my wife (May) and see her reaction. :D
@@Dennis_M_Myers checking out Congregate looks cool!
All I'm saying is Logan has 9 fingers and Jamie has 5. Can't do jazz hands with 5 fingers. At that point you're just waving at strangers and that's kinda weird😅
@@MichaelWayne13 unless they wave back
@@Talking_Story I did not think of that. I to would wave back. Ok next debate strategy. Nobody is wondering where Logan wandered off to during the family reunion?
@@MichaelWayne13 well if anyone can take care of themselves?