Biggest Surprises of 2024 For The Channel & Myself

[@VeraSakhniuk]

My biggest surprise this year was rediscovering my love for reading. I had been in a reading slump for a couple of years. Last year, I read just one book, but this year, I've already read more than 50, which is a huge number for me. I'm so happy to be reading again! Plus, I discovered BookTube and a bunch of amazing BookTubers who have exponentially grown my TBR. I feel like I need to catch up on all those lost years of not reading.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Wonderful!

[@neondemon5137]

That's huge. I usually read one or two books per month, but they're all chonkers, smallest one was 530 pages.

[@susinok]

I was just checking my Kindle history. Last year I read 8 books. This year, I'm at 82. And I got out of the slump in June. Now I wonder what I was doing last year to not read. Probably gaming.

[@VeraSakhniuk]

@@susinok I was also trying to remember what I did in my free time before reading. I can't remember, probably scrolling social media

[@heidi6281]

Sorry for so many comments today but you must realize that you are a person that has changed people’s lives like a favorite teacher or a close friend giving us 1) a renewed love for reading, 2) spawning the creation of so many enjoyable booktubers that I hardly watch regular tv & movies anymore… its just booktube & sports!

[@mikesbookreviews]

There is no such thing as too many comments :)

[@Uppernorwood976]

Biggest surprise for me was Hyperion. For some reason, I thought it was classic 60s sci-fi which isn’t really my thing. But it’s one of the best stories I’ve ever read, so many ideas and emotions in it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Amazing read!

[@brandoncordeau7277]

Biggest surprise bookwise for me was finding this channel because mike has the same taste in me for books and has got me to read a lot of novels and series i never would have touched and got a few new favorite authors because of mike and this channel so thank you mike for showing me novels and authors i didnt know i needed in my life

[@mikesbookreviews]

Happy to have you here!

[@brandoncordeau7277]

​@mikesbookreviews I love being here your reviews are great I love looking to see if you reviewed the book I was reading after I'm finished in case if spoilers even the smallest one can be too much sometimes lol

[@Talking_Story]

Right back at you! The Quilluminatti is always such a highlight for me. To able to hang with all you guys!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I look forward to the 2025 reads!

[@Twiceborn_by_grace]

I love how you do your videos. It’s like talking with a buddy, shootin’ the shizz. 😂

[@mikesbookreviews]

Appreciate it!

[@stephentheshywarrior2759]

This is the first year since being diagnosed with epilepsy back in October 2021 that I've found my passion reading comics and novels again. Having epilepsy has severely affected my short term memory. I can read a page and 2 minutes later forgotten what I've read and character names are the worst for me. But my slump was even further back on retrospective, I was severely depressed for sheesh well over 10 years. I didn't tell anyone about it. Affected my mental health so much I couldn't sleep, which caused the seizures. Luckily I have noticed a improvement. Yes it is a work in progress and I feel dumber than before but I am trying to be more positive and open on life. My family are my rock and love them with all my heart. 2022 was my worst year reading with 2 books finished while already on 7 in 2024. This channel has been a constant and look forward to your weekly updates every week. Best wishes Mike.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have battled with depression all my life. It's the worst.

[@d.s.quintonauthor2519]

Loved Blackwater as well, although I wouldn't have been disappointed if the ending had a bit more kick. But I'm learning I really enjoy these Southern Gothic tales. But with that said, 'characters sitting around sharping their knives for fifty pages' sounds like an interesting reading challenge, so I'm going to have to tackle a McMurty book soon.

[@gamer46ful]

This year has been a tough year for me and my family. I lost my dad in July and I fell into a deep reading kick to help me through grief. This year was probably my best reading year but one of the worst years of my personal life. I hope that next year will be a better year for me. I'm also going to start getting back into making KZbin videos next year after a 4 year hiatus. 🤞🤞 I'm excited to get back into making videos but also nervous if I'll be able to fall back into it easily. Watching your videos helped me a lot through it too so thank you Mike for everything you do 🙏

[@mikesbookreviews]

Keep your head up, amigo. I had a really bleak year personally and professionally outside of the channel and I keep that stuff mostly off the channel. Just one day at a time is how we persevere.

[@gamer46ful]

@mikesbookreviews I'm sorry that you had a rough year too Mike. I hope things get better. Sending lots of virtual hugs 🤗. I appreciate you and your kindness and sincerity. Just hoping that we can all take a look towards the new year as a cleaner slate to have better days ahead.

[@susinok]

Larry McMurtry's modern day novels are very good as well. The Last Picture Show is an amazing coming of age novel. The series continues as he grows up. I loved Lonesome Dove and the others, but the modern ones really have my heart.

[@Linda-pc2qh]

This video popped up and made it easy to watch. I am glad you are still making content! Happy Holidays and New Year to you and your family!🎉🎉😊😊❤❤🎉🎉

[@mikesbookreviews]

Same to you!

[@thewatchfemme4051]

This video did show up on my page, and I was happy to see it. I’m also coming out of a year long book hangover/slump, and you’ve been very helpful in my year of reading. I hope we all enjoy the winter, and read many fine books.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Always happy to help!

[@cwesley2005]

I read lonesome dove bc of you and it blew me away. Jake spoon character arc tore me up

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

My biggest surprise this year was getting into a fantasy slump - I feel like I hit it back in March and I'm just now starting to pick it back up! Crazy how that works sometimes. Seeing you talk about books outside of fantasy really helped me through my slump too - I plan on starting Blackwater next year (maybe once I catch up on Stormlight Archive)!

[@Fianna1775-o5u]

Your videos haver never not appeared in my feed this year, for which I'm quite thankful. I would never claim to understand these things. Perhaps my biggest surprise was completing and loving a manga series, Demon Slayer. One particular volume was so good it might be in my top ten books for this year. Have a wonderful holiday and a salute to the Booktube Fellowship! Fianna

[@mikesbookreviews]

Well that's good news!

[@Ulmo90]

Cool surpises! My buggest one was that I'll reas about 5-7 books less than last year. Too many big ones and a lot going on in life this year

[@altitude96]

I was wondering why your vids weren't showing up in my feed anymore. I have to search your channel everytime. Hopefully it sorts itself out

[@EmanuelElizondo]

I read the first trilogy of the First Law this year thanks to you, Mike, and absolutely loved it. Thanks!

[@Sidharthavicious]

It got me into audiobooks. Now I have an Audible addiction.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Great to hear!

[@dubhmoore575]

Can't wait to start Priest of Bones! Thanks Mike

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@lsn1derland]

When you let books come to you serendipitously, i guess it's hard to be surprised... or you're always surprised, but my stand out this year was Eden Mine, also didn't anticipate my smut streak drying up.and was shocked by how many classics i got around to this year,. The number of series i started was surprising as ive been intentionally avoiding them. My biggest let down was getting switched in my summer course going from Heroes themed books to Forgiveness, but thats what brought me ro Eden Mine, and shocking event was both of us discovering Flannery OConnor separately at the same time ❤

[@eroz84]

Once I finish Stormlight I can wait to dive into Black Water. Definitely loved Boy’s Life. Thanks for that recommendation. Going to convince my son to read it (he’s more into Agatha Christie)

[@mikesbookreviews]

McCammon rules

[@xalamari]

My biggest surprise was finding out I actually like fantasy! I picked up A Game of Thrones on a whim and it absolutely blew my mind. I just finished A Storm of Swords and it’s my favorite book ever. I can’t wait to dive into other fantasy series next year!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Excellent!

[@jellevanbreugel325]

whoooo boy, are you in for a ride!!!!!

[@toclafane]

A Fire Upon the Deep would be a great stand alone scifi with great characters. It does have a prequel that is also quite good, but Fire is up there with Dune for my all time scifi reads

[@mikesbookreviews]

Wow!

[@andreamiller3578]

This did pop up in my algorithm, but that's the first time that's happened in a while. I have to go find you every week. I did watch 3 of your videos in a row last night, so maybe that helped nudge it in the right direction.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope so!

[@jaimieharris5275]

You should definitely pick up Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett. You can skip around in the series but this is one that everyone seems to love, including me.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm considering it

[@Kellen81]

Blackwater was nowhere on my radar and ended up being a favorite of the year!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Same thing happened to me. A very welcome surprise.

[@ernstbrehm1135]

I never even heard of it. But thanks to Mike, it is definitely one of my favorites of the year.

[@Paromita_M]

Your new videos show up on my feed. Mercy of the Gods was mid for me too unfortunately. Here's to a better 2025!

[@AisleofMisfitBooks]

The book hangover from Shogun is understandable! So good!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Incredible, no doubt

[@loganjensen1236]

I love hearing your insight into these books. And my biggest surprise of the year is my book of the year out of 60 books. It's Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I only read it because of a friend but wow so good

[@manuelwiebe4709]

Thanks for another great year of content! I went out of my way to read ordinary grace based on your recommendation. It was great! Looking forward to next year!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Excellent read!

[@alexia7981]

Thank you Mike - your channel has been instrumental in my reading life. I read so many books oks thanks to you . Merci !

[@mikesbookreviews]

You're very welcome!

[@dinocollins720]

Another fantastic video! Thank you!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@FoxySecrets]

So many great book recommendations here but I think my biggest surprise was the God Eater Saga. Also happy that I finally read 4 of the Dune books, love them and the movies. The goal next year is the Wheel of Time series!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Buckle up!

[@EC_Vegas]

Biggest thing for me this year was that I finished The Wheel of Time. Was such a long and satisfying journey. Finished it in April and still think about today!

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's a hell of an achievement

[@Bloomalloo]

Always appreciate your content Mike. I am also still patiently waiting for you to make a video for Song of Susannah, The Dark Tower, and Wind Through the Keyhole. I really enjoyed your Dark Tower recap videos that you've made thus far. I understand if you've just needed a break, though.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It'll happen!

[@steelepartridge6954]

Another great year of videos. Check out James Ellroy’s American Tabloid next year!

[@connorphillips7996]

Wow great video Mike!!

[@warthog613]

This video did show up on my feed. Hopefully that’s a positive sign for your channel. Love the content!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm hoping so, too!

[@lazo4p]

I didn’t have many surprises in my reading this year but had some . I was told that Small gods by terry prachet is one of best disc world and even with high expectations i had they were surpass. I expected to love suneater but just liked it. After the messy legends of first empire I felt lukewarm on Michael Sullivan but in a sale got two books of his Nolyn rise and fall which was really good and the other was the crown tower which was the story of royce and hadrain first meeting reminded why loved this characters

[@mikesbookreviews]

So excited to get back to Royce & Hadrian!

[@Emroczart]

Just finished “between two fires” horror historical fiction fantasy set during the black plague….grimdark to the max you’ll love it if you haven’t already read it

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

Your comment on making a top 10 list 👌😆

[@heidi6281]

Listen to me! Read Guards! Guards! then Wyrd Sisters! Those are my favorites, I dnf’d a few others, Mort & Going Postal so just start with the best of the best! A Fool’s Hope has a similar plot device from Wyrd Sisters but Mike Shackle never read Wyrd… just a sweet coincidence!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I definitely should have listened.

[@tomjoyce7037]

Surprises this year: Eidyn Saga by Justin Lee Anderson, Obsidian Path by Michael R Fletcher, and how quickly I devoured all of Ryan Cahill's books. Disappointments were few and far between, but I didn't get on with Silverblood Promise (probably just got caught up in the hype), I've tried a few of John Gwynne's books but they've left me pretty cold, and the biggest was that I gave up on Stormlight midway through Oathbringer. It is just exhausting and I only really liked Dalinar.

[@mikesbookreviews]

There are some of those super popular series out there I didn't click with. Thankfully, there's plenty of other things to read.

[@brandon8667]

Ya bro I have to go to your channel to watch your stuff. I guess that just means I go out of my way to watch your stuff when it’s not handed to me

[@mikesbookreviews]

Wish I knew a fix

[@mormengil]

@@mikesbookreviews Bell button notifications work for me

[@lukapavlovic1081]

You got me into Stephen King this year. I am like 7 books in, and i love it

[@mikesbookreviews]

Welcome!

[@eroz84]

Good morning

[@JamesI88]

While they don't reach the highs of Lonesome Dove, as few things do, I enjoyed dead mans walk and comanche moon even more than streets of Laredo. Some brutal stuff in there.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Man, that sounds amazing!

[@JARHuygebaert]

My biggest suprise was easily dungeon crawler carl, its a masterpiece series!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Guess I'll find out next year

[@thepacksurvives71]

I was also surprised by how much I didn't care for Mercy of the Gods. There is a novella they released right after that I've heard is much better. I'm going to give it a go and hope it brings me back around to this series

[@mikesbookreviews]

I hope everyone praises the sequels and it convinces me to try them

[@Wethecenter]

How do we get you to read “ the skystone” by Jack Whyte? Greatest book one of a historical fiction ever!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@TheNerdyNarrative]

I'd have to say my biggest book surprise was The Measure by Nikki Erlick. The synopsis just did not sound appealing at all - but ended up being a phenomenal read!

[@mikesbookreviews]

First I've heard of it!

[@michaelkibble740]

Hey Mike you might like Louis L'Amore Last of the Breed it's about a modern day native American fight jet pilot crashed landed in Siberia Russia during the Cold war

[@heidi6281]

That’s sounds good, going to get that one! Sometimes the best finds are in these comments!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Pretty sure Durfee rec'd that to me, too

[@markb3534]

I was like no. 667. Phew!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Good thinking.

[@momo_genX]

The Quilluminati: The top doctorate-level book club on BookTube.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm still surprised they asked a dope like me to join

[@Sidharthavicious]

Water 7 is my favorite arc. It was also my first so I'm heavily biased.

[@bobgdn]

The best final line from a book has to be from Casino Royale!

[@fcsolis]

Biggest Surprises This Year: 1. The Will Of The Many 2. Claire Lombardo's Family Drama Books

[@gstokker]

Agree that Mercy of the Gods was a huge disappointment… is it an author killer? Not sure I’ll have to wait until they’re finished this series and see what people say about what they do after that… might be off them for a decade if this is as long as The Expanse. But I need to thank you for the gift of Sun Eater… I had to read all of them after each other and then start a reread immediately after… haven’t started War and Truth (even though I’d preordered it) cos I’m still busy on my Sun Eater reread 🤣

[@mikesbookreviews]

Nah, I'll try something else they do, I'm sure. Or at least Abraham's solo works.

[@gstokker]

@ of course, as will I, I’m sure but it will only be once this new series has been completed so it might be a while before I get back to them

[@praetorxyn]

I've said from the beginning you will adore Water 7. Skypiea has always been pretty meh.

[@mikesbookreviews]

We shall see...

[@praetorxyn]

@@mikesbookreviews Water 7 was the one I said "Mike would love Water 7 if he got there, but I don't know if he'd DNF before he got there."

[@jaroslavmihok740]

Skypiea is mixed bag, some fans love it some hate it, Water 7 is def. and basically unanimously by all fans top saga .... so please survive rest of Skypiea and small arc in Water 7 Saga and you are in for treat

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'll get there!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Your son is spot on about the Water 7 Saga, especially the Enies Lobby Arc. After that, I predict you’ll be a full blown nakama! And long live the Quilluminati, my friend!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Happy to be a part of it, amigo

[@angelaholmes8888]

Here's my surprised reads that i liked The violence by delilah s dawson it's a dystopian thriller Tales of the body thief by Anne rice book 4 in the vampire chronicles i was truly shocked how good it was Clytemnestra by constanza casanti Good luck with that by kristan Higgins The maid by nita prose it's a brilliant mystery book Birthday girl by Penelope Douglas The green mile by Stephen king

[@IbbyMelbourne]

Mike, want to let you know that you're starting to show up in my feed again. Hopefully your analytics are slowly ticking back upward.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That would be a relief!

[@heidi6281]

My biggest surprise was how so many, so many book three’s freaking disappointed me. I may just stop at book two and invent my own endings going forward like I did with The Song of Ice & Fire.🤪

[@chandlerholloway3900]

Well that’s a bummer 🙃 Which ones?

[@heidi6281]

I think you may have to find out for yourself as we all bring ourselves to the books we read. You may love all of them!!🫠

[@jaxpk2669]

any TOLL THE HOUNDS update?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yes. It is still on my shelf.

[@Uppernorwood976]

@@mikesbookreviews😂

[@heidi6281]

Hey Mike you should read Riftwar soon but totally skip Darkness of Sethanon and instead read the wonderful Daughter of the Empire! Then you can just stop there for now. This will give you the best possible reading experience! Sethanon is super stinky and the rest of the Empire trilogy is just meh more like the worst of the Outlander series then the brilliant 5 ⭐️first book Daughter!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Noted.

[@PhineasPlauche]

Surprisingly good: Rage of Dragons Surprisingly Bad: 12 kings of sharakhai, gardens of the moon Surprisingly mediocre:The shadow of the gods

[@mikesbookreviews]

Oh no! 12 Kings been on my radar for a bit now.

[@PhineasPlauche]

@@mikesbookreviews I would highly not reccomend. The plot was slow, the characters were uninteresting, the horror elements added nothing, and the worldbuilding wasn't that bad, but nowhere near enough for me to continue on