All The Books I'll Be Reading this Winter | 2024-2025

[@Deosis]

Can't wait to hear what you think about Revelation Space and the second Hyperion duology

[@gregjohnson6021]

Nice to see you're reading three of my all-time favorites in the science fiction category. Revelation Space, Luna, and The Stars My Destination are all on my SF everyone should read list. Hope you like them as well.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Hopefully they become three new favourites of mine

[@oldmanshreds]

Grrrrreat choices!! Damn, why do I need to go to work. I want to read and do my other hobbies.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Haha yes! I love my day job but I would love more hobby time

[@TheMike28212]

Very nice tbr! I really hope you like Exquisite Corpse. It's a personal favorite. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on all the books you mentioned as they sound very interesting. Should make for a great season of winter reading.

[@lisacole6037]

You've got some excellent books on your list. Happy reading!

[@cherylclough4309]

Oh, The Book Thief is one of my all time favs! I hope you love it. Also, really liked The Day of the Triffids. I may have to give that a reread before year is over.

[@Zugzug386]

As usual a fun list of ads to my tbr and look forward to hearing how these go for you. If I had to pick one that intrigues me the most it is Guns of the Dawn.

[@So-Be-It_890]

Winter is my favorite time of year.

[@TuftyMcTavish]

Fabulous SciFi set that you’ve picked out! I own them all and have ready several 🤗 I’d definitely finish the “Vatta’s War” series before proceeding with “Vatta’s Peace” - I’m up-to-date, and rather enjoyed “…War”, *loved* the underlying premise for “…Peace” (I’ll be more specific once you get there for yourself) but there is heavy use of the twitchy eyebrow and meaningful eye glint trope in the latter series 😬 I’m planning a “Revelation Space” reread this 🎄 which I’m looking forward to - it has been a couple of decades since I read it, and loved it. Probably my favourite author. Hey, I even remember “The Day of the Triffids” tellybox show 📺 Great stuff 😍

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Appreciate you weighing in

[@literarylove123]

I read Norwegian Wood in grad school and enjoyed it. I hope your winter reading brings you loads of joy!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I started it and I'm enjoying it so far

[@clancyconnolly495]

Ohhhh awesome winter reading coming your way! I Who Have Never Known Men is fantastic- short but packs a punch, I think you'll "enjoy" it. Perfume and Norwegian Wood are on my TBR. If you haven't read it already and like Murakami, I'd definitely recommend Kafka on the Shore. Haha you are not alone- I haven't read The Book Thief either! I read a nonfiction on the atrocities in Nanking over the summer, and read The Poppy War- so I feel like the Devil of Nanking will be a horrific read, I'm looking forward to your thoughts on that one. I've been contemplating picking it up for a while now!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I appreciate you weighing in on this! I haven't read Kafta yet and a few people are suggesting that I switch books

[@rae_arcana]

This is a great list!! I'm so excited that you're planning to read the Dragonbone Chair, my all-time favorite series! ✨️ Can't wait to hear what you think

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I started Dragonbone and it's SO good to far

[@Millie.C]

With Perfume I have a special relationship, not only that it's one of my all time favourite books, but it's the first book I purchased from a second hand bookstore when I moved away to college. I'm SO excited you are reading Luna by Ian McDonald, I loved it, and I feel it's so underrated. The Day of the Triffids is great too! I'm happy to see these classics in your list, I am sure you will have a good bookish season 📚❄

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I really hope I'll love Perfume

[@spinthepixel8268]

I read Perfume when it first came out in the '80s. One of my favourite books to this day. EN-DIM-EEE-UHN. I loved the first two Hyperion books. I didn't get around to the last two books until 10 years later for some reason. They weren't quite as good as the first two, but still enjoyable and worth the read for me. Cold Welcome is book 1 of the Vatta's Peace duology and already on my TBR. Really liked Vatta's War series by Moon, so I expect this one should be good.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Appreciate the pronunciation help@

[@abbywonder3825]

I added several of these to my TBR. I’m wanting to branch out with my reading.

[@bookishfairygodmother]

Did you get a haircut? Your hair looks great Rachel!!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Thanks. I did not. I think I just took a shower before filming this lol

[@amberreid1059]

The Devil of Nanking is one that broke me but was definitely worth the read. Can't wait to see what you think of all of the books on this tbr! Edited for spelling.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I believe it

[@InSophiesBooks]

So mamy books on your list, i hope you enjoy all of these 😊❤ cant wait to hear your thoughts on them!

[@AntisocialAuntie]

I look forward to seeing your reviews of these! 🧡

[@khomo12]

Perfume!! I haven't read that book in ages!!😮 Should do a re-read someday. Will be interesting to hear what you think of it and brian Lee durfees book. Great vid!👍👍👍📚🤖🚀🐲

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I really think I might love Perfume

[@midlifebookcrisis81]

"....since I've started Googling dark and messed up books of all time.". 😂❤ Looks like you've got a great pile to snuggle up with this winter! Hope you find some favorites!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Lol yeah I'm that person 😅

[@geoffdenham5063]

Perfume and Norwegian Wood. Great books and dark in very different ways

[@richardhalasz9664]

Bester is brilliant!

[@teslagoth9401]

Exquisite Corpse is good!

[@Nixx0912]

I'm interested in your opinion on "Between two fires" as a I was thinking of getting it myself I'm waiting for the final push to buy it.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I hope we both like it

[@CathyHarrison-bd8vi]

The book thief is one of my all time favorite books ever. I loved it, it’s one of those books that I was right there with the characters, not many books make me feel that way but this one did. Being told from death’s perspective was such an interesting twist.

[@Horrorbabe4]

Death is the narrator? The grim reaper? Lol

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I'm excited for it

[@ReinReads]

A wonderful well rounded group of books. I’m particularly excited to hear your thoughts on I Who Have Never Known Men.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Thanks! I'm excited to dive in

[@aleidadiaz2261]

I’ve been bugging you about two fires and I’m sorry for being obnoxious but I’m so excited to hear your take!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Not obnoxious at all. This is so overdue!

[@dmbfreak123]

I’m currently reading Between Two Fires and it’s amazing. I wish more people were talking about it. I recently read Exquisite Corpse and yes it’s extremely disturbing but it was really well written and I liked it a lot. The story is about way more than just serial killers. I hope you enjoy Durfee, he is very talented. And! Revelation Space is incredible. Great list this winter! I’m also reading Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff and City by Clifford Simak. I will be reading The Dragonbone Chair in December.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I can't wait to get into Between Two Fires

[@vintagesf]

Great cross section of SF! Really looking forward to seeing your reviews. ‘The Day of the Triffids’ was published in 1951. I think it is important to remember that John Wyndham served in WWII and saw how easy the veneer of civilization could be stripped away. Yet there is a faith in humanity, in human decency. Enjoy!!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I appreciate the backstory there

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

Yesss Das Parfum by Patrick Süßkind is the best. I told myself when I can read this book and understand everything will be the moment I have finally leared German Language well. And I did it 🙀 Such a great book! Now I collect mutiple editions....I know.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Ooo I'm excited for it

[@anonymes2884]

Good list :). "The Stars My Destination"/"Tiger, Tiger" was a fave growing up (from what I gather younger readers sometimes take issue with the protagonist, which is fair) - Bester's "The Demolished Man" is great too IMO - as was "The Day of the Triffids" though I _think_ i'd now probably put "The Chrysalids" and "The Midwich Cuckoos" above it on my personal list of Wyndham. For a "winter tale"/"British John" crossover, John Christopher's "The World in Winter" is a decent post-apocalyptic read (and they're not SF&F but I really enjoyed "Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow" - aka "Smilla's Sense of Snow" in the US I think, not sure about Canada ? - and "The Tenderness of Wolves". Both bestsellers in their day though so you may have read them already :).

[@Gwyndon]

Heck yeah loved the Forgetting Moon!

[@manic_swens]

Hope you enjoy Perfume. It's a top ten book for me.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Oh wow! I hope I love it that much

[@christine7956]

Perfume is a masterpiece!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I really think I'll love it

[@josephcossey1811]

If you enjoy Poppy Z. Brite then be sure to check out Caitlyn R. Kiernan who writes similarly dark, twisted, weird fiction.

[@emilykestrel5446]

The Red Tree is my favorite by Kiernan.

[@susanburgess820]

Blessings from chicago rachel. Curiosity is getting the best of me hon. How many books do you think you have? Do you ever go to thrift stores to get and bring books that you really don't want anymore? Plus I loved the book thief. Please keep kleenex handy, cause you're gonna need it. Just finished crossroads by laurel hightower last night, again keep the kleenex box close by. Both books are 100% five out of five. Are you doing the read what you own challenge? I'm trying to but doubt I can keep it up for long tbh😂❤🎉

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I probably own around 150 physical books (I haven't recently counted but it's not as crazy as people assume). I only have a few unread books and they are all review copies coming out next year

[@faldor]

I recently read 'The Stars My Destination' after hearing it cited as an influence on The Expanse. I definitely recommend it.

[@joannatrefethen1197]

I hope you enjoy the Luna books. McDonald has described it as 'Game of Thrones' on the moon. It starts with a bang, with Really Stupid and Life-Threatening Teenage Dares on the moon.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Ooo that excites me

[@josephiyeke8946]

Oh man, I might have to read The Devil of Nanking, I’ll wait till you finish and review it tho

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I'm nervous for it

[@amberreid1059]

Your entire tbr consists of books I've wanted to read for ages.😂 If my mental space allows I might read along to finally read them!

[@amberreid1059]

**in the Dark Fiction category I mean!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yeah I hear you

[@travisporco]

ha--revelation space--brilliant right up until the ending :(

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Uh oh

[@kristinestaples7607]

You are not alone. I haven't read The Book Thief either. I also own The Devil Of Nanking. I haven't read it but I have every Mo Hayder book and am making my way through them.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I thought I was the last one

[@maxturgeon89]

The Stars My Destination is really fun, it's often called a proto-cyberpunk novel. Endymion/Rise of Endymion, I didn't enjoy all that much... which was a disappointment, given that Hyperion is one of my favourite novels ever. Don't hesitate to DNF if it just doesn't click for you. I'm very curious about Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, I may pick it up next year. So I'm looking forward to your review!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I already started Dragonbone Chair and am really loving it so far

[@Octobig]

i who have never known men felt like an INSTANT classic when i first read it. hope you'll enjoy it too!! ❄📚❄📚

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Ooo I have a good feeling about it

[@stephanieproper8315]

The Devil of Nanking is a great book! I love all of Mo Hayder's books, but this one was my favorite.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

What mo hayder book should I read after this one?

[@stephanieproper8315]

@@TheShadesofOrange You should read the Jack Caffery series starting with Birdman.

[@Jeremy_Szal]

The Luna series by Ian McDonald is GREAT. It does take a little bit to get used to the writing style, but the world-building is done with laser precision and it's a choice to read. Revelation Space is a very different beast but that one is also fantastic.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I'm excited for both of those

[@josephcossey1811]

Endymion...pronounced En-dim-ee-on, as in the classic poem by John Keats "a thing of beauty is a joy forever..." etc.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Thanks

[@negi8028]

Finally you're going to read Mo Hayder👏 I'm looking forward to hear your thoughts!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Long overdue!

[@agob157]

Perfume has stuck with me since I read it in 2010!! It’s just kind of that haunting and cold story. The Reformatory- although wildly different is the only thing that’s given me that same haunting book feeling recently.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I really hope I love it

[@jakobwetzel7065]

Own The Book Thief but have not read it. Maybe I’ll squeeze it in before the end of the year.

[@jamesbittle469]

It's been on my to read list forever.

[@shunaxhicastillejos1191]

Perfume!! I love that book, even though is so weird

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Good to know what to expect

[@O.M.G.Puppies]

Perfume was made into a great movie with Ben Whishaw and Dustin Hoffman. Day of the Trifids is an excellent book, and of course I saw the classic movie from the '50s. The book doesn't get enough credit as pioneering the post-apocalypse story which as been retold again and again in various forms (The Walking Dead, A Quiet Place, etc). I was looking back at your channel and I think most things I recommended you have already reviewed (China Mieville, Michel Faber, Octavia Butler, Lev Grossman/Magicians). Great minds think alike, haha.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Appreciate you weighing in on these

[@ErynnWilson]

LLAP 🖖

[@joannatrefethen1197]

I still remember the rhyme: Gully Foyle is my name, and Terra is my nation. Deep space is my dwelling place, the stars my destination.

[@FrankOdonnell-ej3hd]

While working in a library many years ago I was lucky enough to read the first English language edition of Perfume and the memory of it still sticks with me which doesn’t happen that often with novels in general. You’re right it is very dark not just because of the murderer and his many victims but also because of its depiction of the brutality of life for ordinary people in eighteenth century Paris. Very interested to know your opinion.⚛️❤

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Ooo I do love reading about the brutality of life for ordinary people. That sounds great

[@leezirkle7840]

I've never heard of The Book Thief

[@katharynbaker5592]

I really hope you like The Book Thief, it made me ugly cry.

[@Horrorbabe4]

What are the triggering topics?

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Oh boy!

[@Unpotted]

Can’t remember if you’ve read All the Fiends of Hell, by Adam Nevill and Grady Hendrix Home for Wayward Girls. 😺✌️

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I haven't

[@Unpotted]

@ I have a copy of All the Fiends of Hell, but haven’t started it yet. CriminOlly loved it. 😺✌️

[@Jzscrstsprstr]

There's a new film on The Count of Monte Cristo (2024) that is very strong. I think the script takes liberties though. It wasn't a problem for me personally (since I read the novel long time ago), just saying.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Oh I wasn't aware of the new movie

[@danirivas3306]

What was the name of the fantasy book you read that was inspired by the events of Nanking?

[@emilykestrel5446]

It was probably The Poppy War

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yes Poppy War. I was just worried to say it in case someone considered that a spoilers to someone

[@josephcossey1811]

Glad to learn that Canadians pronounce Z as "zed" (as in Poppy Z. Brite) instead of the Americanised "zee". Thought it was just us Brits who did that!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yes we following a lot of British language & grammar (but are still influenced by the US)

[@roanokebrooks]

🛸

[@Montie-Adkins]

The Dragonbone Chair books were good but they have some serious slog problems. Williams' Bobby Dollar books are great (With the 2nd book being ASTOUNDING), and I really enjoyed Otherland. Within Revelation Space is a trilogy featuring an Inspector Dreyfus. The first book was just ok but it's two sequels are great.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I started Dragonbone Chair this weekend and am really enjoying it so far

[@SuperStrangSshadow]

I know Perfume is very popular but for me it was just okay, which is weird since I love old horror.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I hope it works for me

[@josephcossey1811]

I was hugely disappointed with " Norwegian Wood" by Murakami. Tell me where I went wrong!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I hope it works for me

[@lurchEbean]

I haven't read any other Poppy Z Brite, but I thought Drawing Blood was pretty good.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Good to know

[@Horrorbabe4]

Perfume was a book that Kurt Cobain said he read many times.

[@Unpotted]

The US band Perfume Genius took their name from the book or the movie. They’re really interesting. 😺✌️

[@Horrorbabe4]

​@Unpotted i remember when I was in high school circa 2010 that artist was new and popular with the gays🏳️‍🌈

[@Castabulan]

I who have never known men is worthy of your attention.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Good to know

[@danhamilton7990]

Suggested: The Store by Bentley Little Store like Walmart that goes off the rails

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Walmart is already crazy

[@halko1802]

❄️ 📚

[@rickfish8043]

👍

[@David-sg1yi]

I have not read The Book Thief.

[@dfxdfx5368]

Lo avevo provato un po' di tempo fa ma l'ho subito mollato perché mi sembrava un Google keep fatto male. O a quei tempi non era stato ancora sviluppato, o io non mi sono sprecato troppo ad esplorarlo. Il numero ridotto delle card è un limite. Se esporti le lavagne in pdf, suppongo non salvi anche l'audio (a meno che i pdf non supportino anche l'audio).

[@bookmarcreads]

🌘

[@Horrorbabe4]

Can anyone recommend a fantasy for someone who doesn't like fantasy? lol

[@Jzscrstsprstr]

As someone who doesn't read much fantasy, I look for fantasy that is combined with something I like (history, fairy tales, mythology, horror etc.) and I do enjoy it.

[@Horrorbabe4]

​@@Jzscrstsprstr I just read Dracula. Is that what you're referring to? Lol.

[@Jzscrstsprstr]

@@Horrorbabe4 We need Rachel's help, for a dose of 'If you like that, then you should read this'

[@Horrorbabe4]

​@Jzscrstsprstr yes that would be great

[@Zivilin]

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay, The Peculiarities' by David Liss maybe? Both more historical fantasy, kind of hard to recommend books without knowing what you don't like about fantasy however.

[@negi8028]

🥶🌨👍

[@Selinalinaly]

👍🏾👍🏾☺️

[@zubaerchaudhari8267]

Hello there hey there hey Hello hi hello hey hello

[@EricBowersTrekkie]

😈🌕🧟‍♂👽👾

[@Kornbhangra-hc2tf]

I DNFed the book thief.

[@Tetsujin-28]

Known Men: Recommendations between you and BenReadsGood are 50% of my reading so that might be why I left a "THANKS!" comment. #MadelaEffect Kafka on the Shore and K1lling Commendatore are better written books than Wood. (1Q84 was magnificent). Guns of the Dawn: Great love triangle and I hate love triangles.