I'd give it a solid 3.75/5. It was amazing, but some sections dragged on a bit more than they needed to. This didn't need to be a 1300 page book.

Love the enthusiasm! Good list too.

I was constantly thinking about how this book is similar to 1984.

I loved the book

Such a wonderful book indeed! I think it’s a good book when learning about friendship and how to be a good friend

The poster on the door behind you is crooked.

Ive seen this sentiment sooo many times... the whole "you wont know what happening for most of the book". Im reading Gardens of the Moon for the first time, and sure there are some mysteries but the general thrust of the story just isnt that opaque or impenetrable . Im at about the halfway mark and Id summarize in broad strokes as follows: there is an imperialist empire (malazan) where some shady shit went down in the recent past. The firet sword, the chief advisor, other higherups, and most importantly emperor Kellanved were all killed during a power grab by the at that time head of the claws Laseen. There is still some narrative mystery around this and events in the seven cities at the time seem to maybe be important, but ultimately whatever secret shady shit that went down pissed of some powerful peopler (ammanas and cotillion) and the House of the Shadow emerged seeking vengence. These guys have a plan that involves a fishers daughter (Sorry). The backdrop to all this is an in progress colonial invasion of Genabackis where Sorry has infiltrated a Malazan unit (bridgeburners) in her progress to bring vengeance upon empress laseen. As far as the magic lore, there is still a lot to parse out as would be expected there but clearly the magic is related to these Warrens that seem to be God related realms structured roughly in a way that echoes real world Tarot. mages/wizards/sorcerers/etc are able top open these warrens of various nature and form and harness the energy in various ways. And some races are clearly much older and ancient (e.g. Tiste Andii) and seem more adept in these mystical regards. there a lot more details but that seems to be the broad strokes so far.

War and Peace is amazing and makes a strong case to back up Ursula K. Le Guin’s claim that it’s the greatest of all novels. That being said, some people just don’t gel with Tolstoy and I respect that. However, translation is a big factor-do you know which translation you attempted? Last year was extremely fallow for me-I burned out finishing my PhD, moving states, and suffered some personal losses. That being said, my top five were all exceptional and I’ll stand by them :)

I was mixed on it but loved the final few pages

I love a good bromance, might give this a go. Also just finished the Count, loved it apart from some pacing issues too. At least this one is shorter despite having some pacing issues too lol.

I always recommend people to read The Three Musketeers before they read Monte Cristo because you cant help yourself from comparing the two books after.

My advice is that, yes, you must read Urth of the New Sun and you must reread the series as a whole...but maybe not now. Urth is a wholly different book, different feel, but worthwhile as it continues Severian's story to a conclusion. In any case, yes, both are worth your effort but give the original series room to settle first. interesting fact - the first four books were written together then separated into four pieces. the other book, thematically and practically, came later, offering Wolfe himself time for reflection. In the end, these books have sat well with me for decades and after many re-readings. I hope they can for you too.

One day I will read Dumas. Promise. Thanks for the review. :) I think in Europe we just got new movies for Three Musketeers as well last year.

Go Off Toasty!

My favorite read of 2024 is Mike Nichols: A Life by Mark Harris. Aaaaaabsolutely brilliant!

They don’t even use muskets, it was all swords. 0/10.

I got book in French last year, but I haven’t read it yet… maybe I should, whenever I have time.

🎉🎉 i haven't read it yet but I loved Count of MC. Paid by word? I'll look that up. People say that about Dickens too and think they are getting one over on him or making themselves feel better for saying it. Dickens was actually paid by installment because many works back then were not bound and were published in periodicals or newspapers.

My ! The rate at which you finish these big books, I have to ask you (if you don't mind) what you do for a living. I often am too sapped of energy to put my mind to serious literature, even though my heart wants to. But you plan and achieve. Commendable!

Really good video again, Owen! Can't help but be fascinated by your wall there tho 🤔 the tarot cards!!! would love to hear your process of deciding which ones to put as I am a tarot enthusiast myself haha edit: my favorite book I read in 2024 is Circe by Madeline Miller. amazing prose

None of my books have any creases because I buy them but never read them.

Do you store your books wide open where you left off? This doesn't mwke any sense.

I just read other comments, everyone, seriously, this book was super exhausting. Too many red herrings too much thrown at the reader . It’s adhd at its best !

Not a great book too much in the storyline, way too much felt nutty to me. But dude why are you saying the wrong name ,the character is “ January Jacobs” lol you say January Jones it’s funny to me.

I'd watch you read names out of a phone book. If there still are any phone books. I recommend starting with Murakami's short stories if you've not yet read him. The Elephant Vanishes is a fine collection.

The ending is not controversial, it flat out sucks. There is no argument that will be accepted. It sucks!!! Loved the book until then. Will never read her books again unless there is a sequel.

LOVE

I know you have your whole year planned out but you mention that you love slice of life, character driven fantasy and i really cant recommend Outlander enough!

An eclectic mix of recommendations it covers SF, Fantasy, Crime, Horror, classics, short stories, and series. The Lottery - Shirley Jackson I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream - Harlan Ellison An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge - Ambrose Bierce The Jaunt - Stephen King Mrs. Todd's Shortcut - Stephen King Rosemary's Baby - Ira Levin The Exorcist - William Blatty The Parker books - Richard Stark Dante's Inferno Candide - Voltaire The Prince - Machiavelli Lyonesse Trilogy - Jack Vance King Rat - James Clavell The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant: The Unbeliever - Stephen R Donaldson Gormenghast Trilogy - Mervyn Peake Hyperion - Dan Simmons The Road - Cormac McCarthy The Gap Cycle - Stephen R Donaldson The Terror - Dan Simmons Swan Song - Robert McCammon It's better than The Stand. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Kesey Tower of Glass - Robert Silverberg Flowers for Algernon - Daniel Keyes The Forever War - Joe Haldeman The Stranger - Albert Camus

Loved this book. It is brutal to get through but I found it to be more about healing. It’s the best piece of art I know about people who struggle to live. Right now I’m about half way through Ohio by Stephen Markley. It is not nearly as tragic but gives off similar vibes, its also about the struggle of life and old wounds that don’t heal.

Fire list, bro! Recently read Dune, really pumped to dive into Dune Messiah and then into Children of Dune. Would you be moving ahead with the Dune franchise or calling it quits at the Children of Dune. My favourite of the year was Norwegian Wood by Murakami!

This is like one of my favs of all time, it's a very short story you can read under 5 mins, but still think about a year later... The One's Who Walk Away from Omelas - Ursula K. Le Guin

I won't be of any help to you. This year I'm reading backlist books

My favorite book of the year (and I read a lot of great books) is Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. It's my fourth book from her (I read Beloved earlier last year) and it's now my all-time favorite from her. In case you already read it, my second favorite because of how different it was from everything else I read is The Painted Bird by Jerzy Kosinski.

I read the first 5 Malazan, but besides those, it's a toss-up between As I Lay Dying or Children of Time. Depending if you want to be snooty or hip, I guess. Rebecca was right up there also.

Legal 😎

Excited to read The Devils, too. Let’s go new releases🤠

For me, it was "The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge" by Rainer Maria Rilke.

Nice, War and Peace is awesome! I'm due for a re-read. I've already pre-ordered the new Hunger Games prequel, and I'm super excited for Stephen Graham Jones' next release, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, both of which come out in March.

I just started Tawny Men, you better keep up! :D

mood readers unite, solid goals

I wish I could read without a plan, my OCD brain always needs a plan 😅

I think my top book was Lincoln in the Bardo, it was such a surprise. Though Lonesome Dove was probably “better”, but I expected it to be great.

My favorite book of 2024 was I who have never known men by Jacqueline Harpman, finished it one sitting and had to force myself to stay awake for the rest of the night because I didn't want to dream of anything similar to contents of the book (it's not horror but it may as well be)

Read Peter Pan. This is not a request.

2024 boty for me was Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter

Just cleared off all my unread books on my shelf. Now they are empty. 🫡

Well my book of the year last year was Urth of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe….soooooooo

4:12 So older Owen sounds like Jordan Peterson for some reason?

I read 52 books last year…My favorites (in no particular order) were Piranesi by Susanna Clarke …Shuggie Baine by Douglas Stuart…James by Percival Everett…Hunger by Knut Hamsun…The Vegetarian Han Kang…Prophet Song by Paul Lynch…Atonement by Ian McEwan…The Bee Sting by Paul Murray…The Known World by Edward P. Jones …Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen …The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy … Mrs S by K Patrick …Sugar Street by Naguib Mahfouz …There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak… & Orbital by Samantha Harvey …