wow, your channel REALLY developed. I really enjoy the animation in the background as it gives a hint on the athmosphere of the books - great idea! However, I think it would be even more "viewer-friendly" to have a cover of the books you are talking about at all times on the screen. love your channel. And now that I am back into reading sci-fi, I am back watching your channel. And I am really excited about checking all your videos that I missed in the last couple of weeks because I was more into literary fiction for a while. Thanks for all your efforts you put into your channel.💙💚
Thanks J. I appreciate the feedback. I try to give as much screen time as possible to the book covers, and am probably doing that more in the last few videos, bit I sometimes will drop the covers if I'm feeling the vibe for some other imagery that might get too obstructed if the book cover is there...
I absolutely love this - every single time you review books you do it with such eloquence, such precision and the choice of books is awesome. I can’t wait to read Adam Roberts work next year. I have The Thing Itself and I think I’m getting Bete for Christmas. Often in your list you mentioned some of my favourite books. Brilliant stuff. I’m so glad you liked The Demolished Man.
@@bookssongsandothermagic I have had a copy of "The Demolished Man" in my collection for over forty years! Finally read the book and what a treat it was! There were so many fun features and the story never slowed down for me. Just a couple days ago I purchased a used paperback copy of "The Stars My Destination" and that will be read before the end of the month. Love those old Science Fiction novels from The Golden Age!
It's definitely a good winter read. I think. The story doesn't blow your mind or anything, but there's just something about it...dare I say it's cozy....
Love your list. I definitely need to reread Watts' novella because I remember it being so smart. I also want to reread The Windup Girl. I liked it but I wasn't in the mood for something so grim at that time
I’m glad I’m not the only one that was reminded of Left Hand of Darkness while reading Ancillary Justice. Unfortunately AJ isn’t going to rank in my top reads for this year. I liked it but I liked a lot of other books more. Goliath is high on my TBR for next year
I need to go back to Goliath. I quit half way through not because it wasn't great, but because it was intense. I can't wait to finish it. I learned about a ton of new books from this.
Thanks Joan. It was def heavy. My full review of Goliath has a cool intro song and I leaned a bit into the characters of David and Jonathan when talking about it. There's so much to get out of the book, I'm sure it is one I'll re read in another year or two
@@FIT2BREAD Once I finish it I'll need to watch your review. I love how much effort you put into all your videos! It's also very nice to get sci-fi recommendations.
Adam Roberts is the most original sf author I've read in the past few years. Sometimes what he does works, sometimes it doesn't, but it's always interesting and it always makes me think.
Happy to see Bete placed on this list - that book was a real surprise to me. I didn't enjoy it much at the start because the main character was abrasive but by the end I found him quite endearing and the story was quite moving. Been awhile since I read it, will need to give it a re-read and check out more of Adam Robert's work
Yeah I really liked it...I might have wished for a more satisfying ending, but it was great. The thing itself is another interesting one. I want to read "the this" next year
Mike I wanted more from the "Thing it Self" especially on the 'Ding an sich' and yes I kow we cant technically but id like the aurthour to venture there. I'll join you in re reading the New Sun series in 23.
I totally get that, thougg I have mixed feelings. I sort of wanted to venture there, but I was already hanging in by the skin of my teeth ha. I've read two Roberts books so far, and I think "I wanted more" can be applied to both...despite that, I really really liked both
If I go Supercross with the category, I'd say Brave New World, The Windup Girl, Blood Music, and Incandescence...though these books also fall into other categories. Going by a more narrow label of what I think would universally be considered biopunk the way we think about that subgenre now, the first place if send you is The Windup Girl. For Windup Girl or Brave New World, you can find spoiler free reviews of both on my channel, for the other titles, I've also talked about those, but more blurb-like in my top 210 scifi books video.
Enjoy your videos a lot. Just letting you know - there seems to be sudden music 3 times during this video and it seems like a mistake in the editing? It plays over you and it becomes hard to hear what you’re saying.
Thanks. I debated the music. They are parody songs I made for each book, using popular music. It was sort of a preview of the music that accompanies the intro for each of the standalone book reviews that are elsewhere on my channel. I'm thinking I should have ditched them
@@FIT2BREAD oh I see! No worries. Maybe softer volume, or play them by themselves and show the book cover (before you start the review), and they will fit better 🙂
@@distantearth thanks. Def think you're right. I played with all of those ideas, and I think it would have been best to play them over still images like u said. Good call.
I was searching the comments to see if anyone mentioned this? I’m a subscriber and enjoy your videos, but the music was distracting and couldn’t focus on what you were saying. Love your channel though!
Yeah, I feel like either of those could have been my top read of the year...depending on what day I wrote/filmed this list. Also read The Dispossessed this year and am re reading Speaker for the Dead, and purposely finished this list before finishing those reads because I knew they'd make the top 10 more difficult ha
I reread "The Shadow of the Torturer" about three and a half years ago, and the other volumes of "The Book of the New Sun" again last year. It's difficult to describe really, there's nothing else really like it. I didn't like "The Demolished Man", it had a confusing plot. "The Stars My Destination" was very good though.
I liked in the Demolished Man how it starts out with the murder and we already know Reich did it, and then just the absurdity of how he tries to get away with it
Sadly, the Ancillary Justice series goes downhill, IMO. I really enjoyed the first book, was OK with the second and dnf'ed the third. And the whole 'gender' thing serves no purpose that I can see. Tchaikovsky is one of my favourite writers. I don't know how he puts out so many books.....and all good or great. Interesting list!
Fair enough, and I can see what your saying. For me, I liked that universe and I thought the gender stuff was eerie and confusing in a way iliked because I assigned genders to each character, unconsciously, and each time the lack of gender distinction was actually pointed out in the book, it made me think why I was assigning genders. I just found it to be a neat trick. I def hear you on Adrian Tchaikovsky. I'm so eager to read the end of the architects series
wow, your channel REALLY developed. I really enjoy the animation in the background as it gives a hint on the athmosphere of the books - great idea! However, I think it would be even more "viewer-friendly" to have a cover of the books you are talking about at all times on the screen. love your channel. And now that I am back into reading sci-fi, I am back watching your channel. And I am really excited about checking all your videos that I missed in the last couple of weeks because I was more into literary fiction for a while. Thanks for all your efforts you put into your channel.💙💚
Thanks J. I appreciate the feedback. I try to give as much screen time as possible to the book covers, and am probably doing that more in the last few videos, bit I sometimes will drop the covers if I'm feeling the vibe for some other imagery that might get too obstructed if the book cover is there...
Appreciate the no intro format! Good combination of new and old recs here.
Thanks. I appreciate your feedback
Great selection! Thanks for the reviews! Children of Time is next on my list!
Thanks Graham. You might have to get Bete in your list as well since the main character shares your name...
I absolutely love this - every single time you review books you do it with such eloquence, such precision and the choice of books is awesome. I can’t wait to read Adam Roberts work next year. I have The Thing Itself and I think I’m getting Bete for Christmas. Often in your list you mentioned some of my favourite books. Brilliant stuff. I’m so glad you liked The Demolished Man.
Thanks Gareth. I'm going to try and read more of Besters short stories next year. It's such a loss that he didn't write more full length novels
@@FIT2BREAD totally agree - I’ve got two other novels of his I have to read.
@@bookssongsandothermagic I have had a copy of "The Demolished Man" in my collection for over forty years! Finally read the book and what a treat it was! There were so many fun features and the story never slowed down for me. Just a couple days ago I purchased a used paperback copy of "The Stars My Destination" and that will be read before the end of the month. Love those old Science Fiction novels from The Golden Age!
This is the first video of yours that I’ve come across. Now subbed and will be back. I loved how you just got right into it at the beginning.
Thanks Eric. I used to do more intros and lead up, but I think I'll probably stuck to this format more in the future.
Keep it up buddy
Thanks Ale
Love the list. You showcase books that are not mentioned other channels. Thank you.
Thanks Ruby
Great review ready to get stuck into these
Thanks Neil
Loved the faster intro! Fun list
Thanks
Freeze Frame Revolution 🎉 - Peter Watts blew me away. I’d have it higher but this is your list. Excellent video. Happy holidays Mr FTB read.
Not gonna disagree with you on Freeze Frame..so good
"City" sounds intriguing... I might put that on my list!
It's definitely a good winter read. I think. The story doesn't blow your mind or anything, but there's just something about it...dare I say it's cozy....
Always with the excellent videos!
Thanks!
Great list!
Thanks Crystal
Thanks Crystal
Love your list. I definitely need to reread Watts' novella because I remember it being so smart. I also want to reread The Windup Girl. I liked it but I wasn't in the mood for something so grim at that time
Thanks Rayche.id be curious to see how Windup Girl does upon reread.
I’m glad I’m not the only one that was reminded of Left Hand of Darkness while reading Ancillary Justice. Unfortunately AJ isn’t going to rank in my top reads for this year. I liked it but I liked a lot of other books more. Goliath is high on my TBR for next year
I'll be curious to see how you feel about Goliath
I need to go back to Goliath. I quit half way through not because it wasn't great, but because it was intense. I can't wait to finish it. I learned about a ton of new books from this.
Thanks Joan. It was def heavy. My full review of Goliath has a cool intro song and I leaned a bit into the characters of David and Jonathan when talking about it. There's so much to get out of the book, I'm sure it is one I'll re read in another year or two
@@FIT2BREAD Once I finish it I'll need to watch your review. I love how much effort you put into all your videos! It's also very nice to get sci-fi recommendations.
I just started listening to Children of Ruin and love it.
Oh cool. Glad you kept going in the series
Adam Roberts is the most original sf author I've read in the past few years. Sometimes what he does works, sometimes it doesn't, but it's always interesting and it always makes me think.
Total agree...even in the same book things work and don't work, but he's definitely an author not to miss.
Happy to see Bete placed on this list - that book was a real surprise to me. I didn't enjoy it much at the start because the main character was abrasive but by the end I found him quite endearing and the story was quite moving. Been awhile since I read it, will need to give it a re-read and check out more of Adam Robert's work
Yeah I really liked it...I might have wished for a more satisfying ending, but it was great. The thing itself is another interesting one. I want to read "the this" next year
Mike I wanted more from the "Thing it Self" especially on the 'Ding an sich' and yes I kow we cant technically but id like the aurthour to venture there. I'll join you in re reading the New Sun series in 23.
I totally get that, thougg I have mixed feelings. I sort of wanted to venture there, but I was already hanging in by the skin of my teeth ha. I've read two Roberts books so far, and I think "I wanted more" can be applied to both...despite that, I really really liked both
can you give recommedations regarding bio-punk sci-fi?
If I go Supercross with the category, I'd say Brave New World, The Windup Girl, Blood Music, and Incandescence...though these books also fall into other categories. Going by a more narrow label of what I think would universally be considered biopunk the way we think about that subgenre now, the first place if send you is The Windup Girl. For Windup Girl or Brave New World, you can find spoiler free reviews of both on my channel, for the other titles, I've also talked about those, but more blurb-like in my top 210 scifi books video.
This is a great list. Not sure if it’s different in the US but Children of Memory is already out here in the UK! I’m about half way through it 😊
Thanks. I think COM comes out January here
@@FIT2BREAD no spoilers from me then! Have a great Xmas and new year
@@Satorotas89 thanks and likewise
Enjoy your videos a lot. Just letting you know - there seems to be sudden music 3 times during this video and it seems like a mistake in the editing? It plays over you and it becomes hard to hear what you’re saying.
Thanks. I debated the music. They are parody songs I made for each book, using popular music. It was sort of a preview of the music that accompanies the intro for each of the standalone book reviews that are elsewhere on my channel. I'm thinking I should have ditched them
@@FIT2BREAD oh I see! No worries. Maybe softer volume, or play them by themselves and show the book cover (before you start the review), and they will fit better 🙂
@@distantearth thanks. Def think you're right. I played with all of those ideas, and I think it would have been best to play them over still images like u said. Good call.
I was searching the comments to see if anyone mentioned this? I’m a subscriber and enjoy your videos, but the music was distracting and couldn’t focus on what you were saying. Love your channel though!
City!!!! Dogs, Robots and Mutants. How can it get any better?
And Ants too!
Spin and CoT are excellent reads. Have many of the others on my TBR. So.Many.Books.
Yeah, I feel like either of those could have been my top read of the year...depending on what day I wrote/filmed this list. Also read The Dispossessed this year and am re reading Speaker for the Dead, and purposely finished this list before finishing those reads because I knew they'd make the top 10 more difficult ha
Would you believe I've never read any Tchaikovsky.
I beleive it now :)
I reread "The Shadow of the Torturer" about three and a half years ago, and the other volumes of "The Book of the New Sun" again last year. It's difficult to describe really, there's nothing else really like it. I didn't like "The Demolished Man", it had a confusing plot. "The Stars My Destination" was very good though.
I liked in the Demolished Man how it starts out with the murder and we already know Reich did it, and then just the absurdity of how he tries to get away with it
It's just pronounced bet, as in Bete Noire.
Not necessarily...
I'll elaborate when I share my interview with Adam Roberts episode...
Sadly, the Ancillary Justice series goes downhill, IMO. I really enjoyed the first book, was OK with the second and dnf'ed the third. And the whole 'gender' thing serves no purpose that I can see.
Tchaikovsky is one of my favourite writers. I don't know how he puts out so many books.....and all good or great.
Interesting list!
Fair enough, and I can see what your saying. For me, I liked that universe and I thought the gender stuff was eerie and confusing in a way iliked because I assigned genders to each character, unconsciously, and each time the lack of gender distinction was actually pointed out in the book, it made me think why I was assigning genders. I just found it to be a neat trick. I def hear you on Adrian Tchaikovsky. I'm so eager to read the end of the architects series