Book Awards for 2023 - The Nuttys!

Book Awards for 2023 The Nuttys!
#books #booktube #bestbooks
The Nuttys is the my own award show where I decide the winners of many different categories for books I've read this year. This is where you can find many of my best books of 2023, and also the worst book of 2023. Categories also include, favorite character, best completed series, new author of the year and many more! I hope you enjoy this year end book awards for 2023.
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[@archiemekesh3550]

With all the varied genres and literary fiction covered, this is steadily becoming my favourite booktube channel. Keep up the good work, man and happy holidays!

[@fallout766]

Same here, just a overall brilliant channel

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you both so much, it really means a lot

[@zacherylong2411]

@@thefantasynuttworkthis is one channel I constantly come back to, keep it up man!

[@fallout766]

@@thefantasynuttwork Of course mate ♥️

[@curtjarrell9710]

My first time at The Nuttys. I loved them! I love what you do for readers, Jimmy. Thank you so much. I also found Night of the Mannequins to be mind-blowing and entertaining.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I appreciate that so much

[@darthandy6161]

Love seeing Kindred, Mitchell, LPQ, and The Scar among your winners. Here’s my list. Character-The Fool New author to me-Adrian Tchaikovsky Surprise-The Mountain in the Sea Disappointing-Blindsight Before 1980-Hawaii Series-Children of Time Short Fiction-The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince Non-SFF-Yellowface SFF-Golden Fool (I’ll read Fool’s Fate in early 2024)

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Willful Princess is so damn good

[@RedFuryBooks]

I watched your other wrap up video first but this was still fun! I still have to finish editing my awards for the year, but A Song for Arbonne is also up for my book of the year. I hope 2024 is awesome for you!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

You too!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Loved the format of these end-of-year awards! We really got a wide reaching summary on the most impactful parts of your reading year -- and your passion for Mieville is just infectious and I definitely am getting the itch to try out Perdido soon which I have on the shelf to try (and I'll be starting GGK with Arbonne in February!). I'm so glad that my patron pick had such an impact, and I'm right there with you on the visceral power yet simplicity of the writing -- Disgrace and Coetzee are really something else

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I am so glad you chose Disgrace for your pick. It’s been one of the best books I’ve read all year

[@mattkean1128]

This is a great way to highlight several books from throughout the year that may not make it to the top ten.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yes!

[@smokinmystic7363]

Love your channel and nice to see you branching out to other genres. I too read all over the map so I’m looking forward to seeing more reviews outside of SFF in 2024!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you!

[@deanryanmartin]

@@thefantasynuttwork That is right! Smart decision for Jimmy to explore other genres. I understand this is not his brand but as a bookworm myself, reading sci-fi/fantasy alone can feel routinary. I mean, the plot could be formulaic in a way that I felt i was already memorizing the direction of the story. The thrill was nearly gone. That is why, my reading challenge for 2023 is a mixed of everything. Still, my favorite genre is sci-fi/fantasy.

[@chadia25]

I read a lot of Jimmy books this year. And they almost all worked. LPQ, Demon Copperhead, Night of the Mannequins, The Warrior Prophet, Shadow of the Torturer, Perdido, Traitor Baru Cormorant, Fevre Dream, Lud-in-the-Mist All amazing reads. Thank you so much for this. Fav character: Fiddler New author: Erikson Suprise: The Bone Clocks Disappointing: The Last Days of New Paris Oldie but goodie: Flowers for Algernon Finish series: Malazan Book of the Fallen Short story: Sandkings Gen. fiction: Disgrace SFF book: Memories of Ice

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m so glad my recs work for you, it makes my day lol

[@e.matthews]

Wow, sounds like 2023 was a whirlwind year of Malazan!

[@chadia25]

@@e.matthews 💯 😊

[@adamk42]

Enjoyed this, thanks Jimmy!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

My pleasure 😁

[@Sammyspack]

Oh what a great way to end the week! Thank you!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Glad to help!

[@esmayrosalyne]

Okay but how did it take us 3 years to settle on the name 'The Nuttys'?! This is fantastic!! Loved these categories, it's so fun to see your eclectic reading tastes represented in this way. I am excited to see your official top 10 ranking soon, bring on the gushing, grandma ;))) Happy holidays Jimmy ☺

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Ahahaha thank you so much! Wishing you the best holiday and new year!

[@FallenAdam]

Loved it, and loved the Mitchell love. Character- Shadow (American Gods) New author to me- Russel Hoban Surprise- The Hunt for Red October Disappointing- Beggars in Spain Before 1980- The Life of a Stupid Man by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa Series- The only one I finished was the Dexter books by Jeff Lindsay, so I guess it has to be that Short Fiction- The Life of a Stupid Man by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (also my all time favourite novella) Non-SFF- Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk SFF- Riddley Walker by Russel Hoban

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks for pushing Mitchell and making me aware of him

[@ColinsCornerYT]

Another greatly yearly award and love the new name brother! Man, I have got to get my hands on Kindred and some CM. They both sound so interesting for very different reasons. Happy you’ve had such a diverse and enjoyable reading year in 2023 and wish you and yours the best in general for 2024 man.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you bro! Wishing you and the family the best in the new year

[@samm8190]

Hey Jimmy thanks for all the reading encouragement this year! I’m currently reading Book of the New Sun based on your reviews and really enjoying it, despite the challenges!! Glad you had a great reading year, it’s always good to hear your thoughts!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

So happy you’re liking BOTNS!!!

[@TheBookCure]

This felt like catching up on your reading year all at once. Love hearing your thoughts and looking forward to your Top 10! 💕

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I miss you friend, let’s get together soon! I hope you and the fam have great holidays!!!

[@QueenSweetnessB]

Great video! I'll be going back to this video to add some of the books you mentioned to my tbr

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m so glad!

[@annak_reads]

This was so cool! I'm excited to read Kindred soon, and though I've read some Miéville I really want to try the Bas-Lag books as well. Happy holidays!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Happy holidays!

[@carlalbert6518]

Great list! Love how varied your taste is. You’re one of the best channels on KZbin, man! Merry Christmas!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I very much appreciate it 😁

[@Geekus.Girlus]

Dropping a quick comment to let you know that your content is appreciated. I often feel like my reading tastes tend to be different from the masses, but I am right there with you in many of your book related opinions. You keep being you!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you very much !!

[@bookdmb]

I feel drawn in by the way you’re discussing the presence of nuanced morality in Kindred. I do tend to think of slavery as an area of clear moral delineations, but of course there are always human lives entangled in atrocities, which imbue their own gradations of subjective complexity. Still, it’s slavery, you know, how much ambiguity can there be? Gotta check out Kindred sometime. Congrats on another great year, Jimmy!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It’s more in the manner in which Dana interacts with the slave owners and not the act of slavery if that makes sense

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Some of my top favs this year...CRIME AND PUNISHMENT!! A Gentleman in Moscow, The Crossing (McCarthy), A Pale View of Hills (Ishiguro), The Stonemason (McCarthy), Remains of the Day (Ishiguro), All Quiet on the Western Front, The Overcoat (Gogol)

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I am SO excited to read Ishiguro this year!!!!

[@AndySmithMN]

Character of the Year: Konstantin Levin (in Anna Karenina, Tolstoy) New Author to me: Stephen King (I know, I"m late to the party). Honorable mention is Guy Gavriel Kay. Biggest surprise of the year: Pet Cemetary, Stephen King Disappointment of the year: The Fifth Season, N.K. Jemison Oldie but goodie: Nine Princes in Amber, by Roget Zalazny Series I finished: Soldier-Son Trilogy, Robin Hobb short fiction: Ward No. 6, by Anton Checkov Non scifi/fantasy: Anna Karenina (Tolstoy) Scifi/fantasy book of the year: Dune, by Frank Herbert. (reread, but too good an experience not to count. Felt completely new again)

[@thefantasynuttwork]

So happy to hear from you friend

[@BookishChas]

Really enjoyed these awards Jimmy! And the name for the awards lol. Sand Kings will be on my list of George books I need to read now. I should probably give Bas-lag another try.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks my friend!

[@thewatchfemme4051]

What a great list and fun way to break it down! I totally agree about David Mitchell, he’s an urban fantasy author masquerading in the lit fic section of the bookstore. Thanks for the vid!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

My pleasure!

[@thatsci-firogue]

For me: Character: Gin Mazoti (Dandelion Dynasty) New to me author(s): John Williams, Ken Liu and Susanna Clarke Surprise: Piranesi Disappointing: Disciple of the Dog / R Scott Bakker - I saw at least 2 major reveals coming from the very beginning and the book wasn't entertaining or interesting enough given the premise. Dunwich Horror / HP Lovecraft Before 1980: Butcher's Crossing / John Williams Series: Only series i finished was Sebastien De Castell's Greatcoats. But if you count arcs and subseries I read the first arc in Glen Cook's Black Company and re-read Pierce Brown's Red Rising trilogy and had the full spectrum. Greatcoats was fun, I'm indifferent on Black Company and I strongly disliked Red Rising by the end of Morning Star. My reaction to RR might be a little extreme but I'll take that over indifference. Not much you can say or contribute to a discussion with indifference. 2023 was easily my worst reading year when it comes to series. Short Fiction: Tell Tale Heart, Sandkings and Death of Ivan Ilyitch. I'll give the edge to Ivan Ilyitch. NonSFF: Stoner / John Williams - Easily the most boring book ever described to me, and its anything but. No Country for Old Men - I don't know (or care 😂) if this is a hottake but i vastly prefer No Country to Blood Meridian but i don't think BM was disappointing or bad in anyway, it just didn't click with me. SFF: Series: Wall of Storms / Ken Liu Standalone: Flowers for Algernon Jimmy, thank you for another quality year! You're one of my favourite people on this platform. Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year, slainte 🍻

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Happy holidays!

[@crzabjj]

Love it Jimmy 🤙🤙

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Ossss

[@MicheleMeekelay]

Hey Jimmy, always great to see you! I really need to get a hold of Sandkings! Speaking as you were of oldies, do you know the channel Bookpilled? Maybe he's from a different sphere on booktube, but for some reason I feel like you two would be phenomenal in conversation on Chatting with Nutts or something. Happy holidays!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I love his channel!

[@iWizard]

Great video, Jimmy! Cheers!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Cheers man, hope you and the family have a great new year

[@iWizard]

@@thefantasynuttwork Thanks, I hope you and your family have a happy and healthy new year. I also wanted to say that you have an impressively eclectic, original, and varied taste in reading. I never know what you're going to pick up next, and that makes me want to tune in. Cheers!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@iWizard that means a lot man thank you 🙏

[@marcweber8509]

Character of the Year: Arithon Teir’s’Fallen (The Wars of Light and Shadow) New Author to Me: Pierce Brown Biggest Surprise: Beartown by Fredrik Backman Disappointment of the Year: The Revenge of the Rose (Elric of Melniboné #6) by Michael Moorcock Oldie but a Goodie: Stoner by John Williams Book Series of the Year: The Wars of Light and Shadow by Janny Wurts Short Fiction of the Year: The Sworn Sword (Dunk & Egg #2) by George R.R. Martin Non SFF Book of the Year: Days of Abandonment - Elena Ferrante SFF Book of the Year: Peril’s Gate by Janny Wurts

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Happy holidays!

[@marcweber8509]

@@thefantasynuttwork You too, man! Keep it going! Btw how is it going with One Piece? Have the fans disgruntled you too much? I hope not! Can't wait to see your reaction to the next two arcs. Hope you haven't been spoiled in general 🙌

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@marcweber8509 I’ve taken a break for the holidays, but I’ll be back with more. The fans who are rude can be a bit much but I’m gonna give it another go lol

[@marcweber8509]

@@thefantasynuttwork Nice!! 🔥🔥

[@anti8244]

Love this format. It was such a pleasant surprise to see you pick up Bas Lag this year. Read The Scar as a teen an picked up the rest of the series as an adult after The Scar just stuck with me through the years. If you haven't seen it yet - the Broken Binding is releasing a new hardback edition of Perdido Street Station in a few days (basically the original cover) and I hope they'll do the whole Bas Lag series

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m gonna buy that so fast

[@MagusMarquillin]

That's some good nutty fun Jimmy, and a good way to remember the year. If I may suggest a new category for next year: "best invented setting" (and I guess up to you on if that'd include familiar general fiction or just SFF).

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Love that idea

[@TomOrange]

Great video! It was fun to try and guess what your selection would be as the video went on I got most of them wrong lol

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It was stressful 😂

[@ronaldwatson3862]

Kindred was a solid read for me in 2023 as well. I also enjoyed Perdido Street Station this year. I'm one of those who did not continue on with the series though, so maybe I will remedy that in 2024. I've read 3/4 of your biggest disappointments, 2 of them in 2023, and I enjoyed them all - so some different tastes there. If I find time, maybe I'll go back and look at your reviews to see why you didn't like them. Here's my awards for books I read this year: Character - Misaki Matsuda, in The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang. The dynamics between mother and son, wife and husband were excellent. New Author (to me) - John Gwynne. I read both The Faithful and the Fallen series and the 2 books so far in The Bloodsworn saga. The Shadow of the Gods was my entry point, and I became an instant fan. Pleasant Surprise of the Year - Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree. I did not think cozy-style fantasy with lowered stakes was going to be up my alley. I get impatient during the slice -of-life sections at the start of epic fantasies, and I was expecting something like that, but for a whole book. Pleasantly surprised by how much my interest was maintained. Disappointment of the Year - Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan. The jacket script, the cover art, the ideas were all up my alley and made this a priority read early in the year for me as I tried to get caught up with some of the fantasy heavy hitters this year. But the resolution of 5/6 storylines were all identical, and not one I enjoyed. Before 1980 - Kindred by Octavia Butler. I only had two entries fitting this bill, but Kindred was great, so it likely would have won had I read more older books, anyhow. Finished Series - The Dark Tower by Stephen King. This was the big series I read this year, and I had two 5-star reads (Wolves of the Calla, The Drawing of the Three) and three 4-star reads (The Wastelands, Song of Susannah, The Dark Tower) out of the eight books. A weird fantasy series with elements from many other genres (western, steampunk, fairytale retelling, cyberpunk, urban fantasy, epic fantasy). King played with tropes and genres, bending time, space and reality - and it didn't always work (King's iteral self-insert) for me, but overall, it was time well spent! Short Fiction/Novella - The Road by Cormac McCarthy. The writing style used wasn't my favorite, but it lends itself to the themes and setting so well, I can't be mad at it. Non Fantasy - Not my Father's Son by Alan Cumming. An actor's memoir encompassing his troubled relationship with his father. Best Book Read in 2023 - The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Lots of good stuff there!

[@parkercrystal1]

This was so fun🎉🎉

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m so glad

[@MagusMarquillin]

Character of the Year: Dan Torrance (Dr. Sleep by Stephen King) Piranesi (Piranesi Susanna Clarke) *Jean Tannen (the Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch)* The Yew Tree Monster (A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness) New Author: *Philip Chase* Brian Selznick Susanna Clarke Scott Lynch Surprise of the Year: The Ice King Michael Scott Rohan and Allan Scott (the viking mythology gives this undead apocalypse some cool twists) *Sandman by Neil Gaiman (more surprise about the style then that it would be good)* Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick (practically a new medium of book, utilized perfectly) Dr. Sleep by Stephen King (Whole other energy then the Shining but perfectly complimentary to it) Disappointment of the Year (nothing really bad): Agent to the Stars by John Scalzi The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope (basic patriots on a monarchy restoring adventure, saved by good set pieces) The Wizards Daughter by Chris Conover (just a children's book with better art then story) *Zorgamazoo by Robert Paul Weston (amazing style, subpar story)* Oldie But Goodie: the Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi 1883 *The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle 1968* The Chimes: A Goblin Story of some Bells that Rang a Old Year Out and a New Year In, by Charles Dickens 1844 The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope 1894 (just to reach 4 nominations) Series I finished: uhmm... Stephen King's *The Shining* series ? If that counts, it wins by default. If I had finished Edan, I think it'd likely win. Short Fiction: The Last Rung on the Ladder by Stephen King The Doom that Came to Sarnath by H. P. Lovecraft Rogues in the House by Robert E Howard *Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience by Rebecca Roanhorse* General Fiction: The Chimes: A Goblin Story of some Bells that Rang a Old Year Out and a New Year In, by Charles Dickens *Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick* Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling Clancy Holling The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope SFF Book of the Year: Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (refreshing meditations) The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle (Pure Whimsy/Wit/Wistfulness and Wisdom) The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (Rollicking, Sassy fun with great twists) *The Prophet of Edan by Phillip Chase (1st was great. 2nd was great and exciting. 3rd probably wins next year.)*

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I need to read The Last Unicorn!

[@MagusMarquillin]

@@thefantasynuttwork Absolutely dew!

[@RaduAndrei91]

The Nuttys is such a great title 🤣. Happy New Year, bro!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you 🙏

[@emielverhoef]

Nice to see A Song for Arbonne here, i'm curious to see what you think about sailing to sarantium and lord of emperors which are my Kay favorites by far.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Those are my next two for GGK

[@feverfiori5887]

¡ i’ve come to enjoy shorter fiction more n more, will give dem nominated bois a go down the line - Have da happiest of holidays Jimmy !

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Happy holiday my friend, sending you all the love. Hope you’re well, healthy, and happy!

[@fantasyawash]

This is so fun and despite what you told me, I choose to believe it is tied to the Office 😂 Character of the Year: Sand Dan Glokta New Author: Brandon Sanderson Surprise of the Year: Words of Radiance Disappointment of the Year: If Only They Could Talk Oldie But Goodie: Augustus Series I finished: I'm saying the Cosmere because I think I may be done by the 31st 😂but otherwise First Law. Short Fiction: The Emperor's Soul General Fiction: Circe, does this count? If not then "God, a Human History" SFF Book of the Year: I can't decide too much pressure!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Sounds like a fantastic year

[@fantasyawash]

Best one in a long time for reading 😊Cheers to 2024 reads!@@thefantasynuttwork

[@thirdspacemaker9141]

This is my favorite booktube channel. I really appreciate the breadth of your reading taste. As you explore more crime and mystery, I highly recommend Michael Connelly’s Bosch series. I know a series with that many books can seem daunting, but you don’t have to read them all or in order. I’ve only read a few myself. I think Wrong Side of Goodbye might be a good place to test the waters. Bosch’s first case after leaving LAPD and becoming a private eye.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I literally just bought the first Bosch novel! And thank you for the compliment, it means a lot to me, sincerely

[@thirdspacemaker9141]

@@thefantasynuttwork Cool. I haven’t read that one yet. And I know TV isn’t really your thing, but you might want to check out the show on Amazon as well. To paraphrase GRRM, TV adaptation as it ought to be.

[@SkrubsTheNeko]

HEY JIMMY! I just finished Memories of Ice and I need to take a break to let the person I am reading the series with catch up. I am absolutely loving Malazan, and I am also a gigantic fan of ASOIAF. What book/series would you recommend for me to read before I start House of Chains?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hmmm give song for Arbonne a shot!

[@SkrubsTheNeko]

@@thefantasynuttwork Thanks! I'll give it a shot

[@jakebishop7822]

Alright this looks fun Character of the year: Nevare Burdell from The Soldiers Son Trilogy by Robin Hobb New Author of the year: Not as many options as I would like, gotta be Adrian Tchaikovsky with Children of Time Biggest Surprise of the year: The Dispossessed by Ursula K Le Guin. Not because I didn't expect to like it, but I didn't expect to like it so much more than I liked Earthsea when I already liked Earthsea. Also ended an unfortunate Uni book club streak by being the first book we have done that wasn't already on my TBR to get 5 stars. Biggest disappointment of the year: Forge of Darkness by Steven Erikson. Should have been all the Erikson stuff I liked, family drama, lore stuff, and great writing. Didn't make me feel a single emotion, started to feel like a chore so I just quit on it. Not close to the worst book I read this year, but this was like....I expected it to be 5 stars, strong 4 at the worst. Oldie but a goodie: The Dispossessed again Favorite Completed Series: The Soldier Son Trilogy by Robin Hobb. Hobb, that's the explanation Short fiction of the year: The Man Who Ended History by Ken Liu, the final story in the Paper Menagerie collection. Non sci fi or fantasy book of the year: Augustus by John Williams, here are a list of things I like. Roman history, Epistolary novels, straight forward yet beautiful prose, efficient characterization, shitting on Marc Anthony. Augusts has all of these things. Shout of to I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb for making it close. SFF book of the year: Forest Mage by Robin Hobb, all the Hobb things, shockingly tightly plotted, Royal Assassin vibes.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Le Guin is probably my overall author of the year

[@JamesI88]

Favorite character is William Stoner Favorite new to me author is George Martin Disappointment of the year is The Name of the Rose* Old but good is Anna Karenina Series completed is Realm of the Elderlings *Let it be known that this was a 4 star read for me and is very far from a negative experience for me. Disappointment only in the fact that I felt the whole thing was a bit of a bait and switch, with the book being set up to be about one thing (which I really liked a lot), but then spent most of it's time on something else. Let it also be known that I made sure not to duplicate any works here. John Williams probably would have been favorite new author but already had Stoner there.

[@mollybeechwood]

more incentive for me to finally read Kindred! Ill check some of these out!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I hope you love them 😁

[@mrsduncanthetall]

Watching with popcorn🎉

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Enjoy!

[@crow6558]

pleasantly surprised to see baru cormorant here!! i have a suggestion for you if you like le guin: ring of swords by eleanor arnason. arnason's work is fantastic and so underrated.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’ll check it out!

[@titojdavis8374]

Character - Lauren - Parable of the Sower by Octavia E Butler (she's so fascinating and real, tragic and brilliantly realized) New to me Author - Tom Robbins (must read all of his stuff now I fear, what a voice, what a personality to come through so strong) Surprise - The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany (the writing in particular, was just so gorgeous and not what I was expecting) Disappointing - Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A Heinlein (lol) Before 1980 - City by Clifford D Simak (to keep from repeating/needing to decide between Parable of the Sower and Left Hand of Darkness) Series - The Edan Trilogy by Philip Chase (wow first year I haven't read through a whole classic series in a long time) Short Fiction - The Faery Handbag from Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link (a book of stories that make you wonder what the fuck just happened, but then thinking about forever) Non-SFF - Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates by Tom Robbins (Him at his best. what a provocative rascal you are Tom) SFF - The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K Le Guin (Absolutely genius, Stands as the mirror to The Lord of the Rings in the Sci Fi side standing shoulder to shoulder with the Dune (first 4) and surpassing it in some ways. Read it early in the year and it has stuck with me more than anything else I've read. I think about it a lot. Winter is so real and so alien in the most grounded way)

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Beautiful picks!

[@cabarnone]

JM Coetzee is a South African author his last name is pronounced cutsee. His other works are use as phenomenal.

[@epicgamer2727]

If you bought that shirt from Viz directly it would have been Zolo and that made me chuckle.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahaha

[@MetalGildarts]

Hey, I recognize the cover art for Sand Kings. It's also the cover art for a Sepultura album. Odd lol

[@thefantasynuttwork]

That’s so weird!

[@MetalGildarts]

@@thefantasynuttwork whats really funny is that the cover was made by Michael Whalen.

[@patsmythos]

Love the Nutties! Maybe I should give The Scar a try…

[@thefantasynuttwork]

PLEASE

[@onfaerystories]

I've watched every award of yours even if I only found you this year. I really enjoyed this one and LPQ, Kindred and Disgrace are high on my TBR! I've read and loved A Shadow In Summer, but I've been waiting to get my hand on a physical copy of the rest of the series to binge it properly. 👌 As for the other two, I need to be in the right head space, but I'm very intrigued. Here are my answers: Character of the Year: Cicero from Robert Harris' Cicero trilogy, one of the most compelling historical characters I've read. 👌 New Author to Me: Janny Wurts through the Riftwar saga (I can't wait to read her own novels! I've recently bought Curse of a Miswraith). Biggest Surprise: Aristotle's Eudemian & Nicomachean Ethics (which absolutely blew my mind!) Biggest Disappointment: The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa (magical realism isn't my cup of tea -- the title is misleading as I thought it would be inspired by 1984, but there's no real world-building, so I wouldn't call it dystopian, at least not the kind I enjoy) Oldie but a Goodie: Augustus by John Williams (I'm usually not a fan of epistolary novels, but Williams really impressed me with this one and I'm looking forward to reading Stoner in 2024 👌) Series I Finished: The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell (my favorite being book #2, Enemy of God) Short Fiction: Mårbacka by Selma Lagerlöf (a collection of autobiographical related stories set in 19th c. Sweden -- she was the first woman to win the Nobel prize for Literature in 1909 for "Gösta Berling's Saga", a folkloric Gothic collection of short stories - that form a whole story - which I really enjoyed as well in 2022.). General Fiction: the Cicero trilogy by Robert Harris (my favorite being the thid one, Dictator) -- I loved this series so much that I read three books by the real Cicero already, and would have read more if my library had other options (I highly recommend On Friendship & On old Age, which are both very short and accessible). SFF Book of the Year: I've only read Daughter of the Empire & Servant of the Empire this year. Loved book one, was disappointed by book #2, but will continue on soonish.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m glad you enjoyed the other awards! Haha, these are my favorite videos to make. Also, Warlord Chronicles rocks

[@bardsandbooks]

It’s funny, I enjoyed Eleventh Cycle a lot but I was also aware that it was one of the first books, let alone the first Grimdark book that I read since getting back into reading. I remember the grammatical errors bugging me but I’ve been very curious to re-visit it and see if it holds up

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I know some people are big fans, I wish it had worked for me

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

Sand kings has the cover art from 1989’s Beneath the Remains by Sepultura 🧐

[@thefantasynuttwork]

People are saying that!

[@yetanotheremily2317]

I love how you’re branching out into other genres, it’s inspired me to as well! So much so that this list was hard to keep to SFF, but here’s mine: Character: Tiffany Aching New author to me: Heather Fawcett Surprise: Sparrow Hill Road, Seanan McGuire Disappointment: Traitor Baru Cormorant (I know you loved it Jimmy, Baru just felt too removed for me! I prefer K. J. Parker’s versions of mastermind characters) Oldie but goodie: not SFF, but The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, John le Carré Series: Discworld Tiffany Aching Short fiction: Mightier Than the Sword, K. J. Parker Non-SFF: The Temple of Fortuna, Elodie Harper (there are so so many mythology retellings these days, so this historical fiction trilogy set in Pompeii was a breath of fresh air) SFF: The Shepherd’s Crown, Terry Pratchett Can’t wait to see more of the Fantasy Nuttwork in 2024!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you so much! I love to hear about people reading widely and trying new things!

[@alanwarenski7827]

Fun video! I've enjoyed all the content this year! Loving Lost in Roshar as well. My list: Best character: Tress Best new to me author: Blake Crouch Biggest surprise: Lonesome Dove. Didn't think I'd love a 1k page western. Biggest disappointment: We Dream of Gods by Devin Madson. Read all these as they came out and by the end the series had lost steam for me. Didn’t read any pre 80s books Best completed series: Green Bone Saga Didn't read any short fiction Best general fiction: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. Might actually be Lonesome Dove but I'll stick with the other award for that one. Best SFF: Tress of the Emerald Sea. Hard pick between that and The Sword of Kaigen, but Tress is such a comfort read for me already, I love it. Side note, I also read Tigana this year, and I did quite enjoy it, but the sex scenes.... are my favorite thing ever. In one of them he describes a part of human anatomy as a "portal", and this will now forever be a joke with me and my friends.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I like his sex scenes tbh lol

[@meowkat347]

Yay! Great winners and nominees! I hope you read the Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler if you haven’t already! 😂 if you have, please point me to the video if it’s there lol.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m gonna read that as my next one from her

[@meowkat347]

@@thefantasynuttwork yay!!!! So glad! And I’m so stoked you’ll try Ishiguro next year too! It’s the only Butler book that I’ve read, and it was profound. I still think about that book, and I read it over a year ago. It’s almost haunting how she depicts what America could very well look like in 50 + years. It’s terrifying lol. The main character has this really weird and interesting view about God (which I personally wasn’t a huge fan of), but besides that I thoroughly liked that book and didn’t damper my enjoyment. It’s not religious so don’t let that deter you! I’m going to read Kindred soon hopefully! Here’s to great reads in 2024! 🍻

[@josiahpeterson1694]

Great video! Completely agree on Eleventh Cycle. I read through the whole thing (idk why) but I actually loathe the book more as time passes.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Glad I’m not just a bitter old man about it then 😂

[@Coleton2573]

I'm about 2/3rds through Perdido Street Station right now, it's blowing my mind and I'm becoming obsessed. I can't wait to read The Scar. If I had finished it before answering these questions it would've been an answer for one of these I'm sure. Character of the Year: Matthew Corbett from the Matthew Corbett series Best New Author To Me: Robert McCammon, I read 11 of his books in less than 6 months Surprise of the Year: Killing Floor by Lee Child Biggest Disappointment: The Fall by Ryan Cahill Oldie But A Goodie: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry Series I Finished: I didn't finish any series this year! lol Short Fiction of the Year: Good Hunting by Ken Liu General Fiction: My Year of Rest and Relaxation SFF Book of the Year: Swan Song by Robert McCammon

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Dude you enjoying Mieville makes me so happy

[@bruceh1660]

For me: Best character: Darrow Best new Author: Bernard cornwell Biggest surprise: project Hail Mary Biggest disappointment: lord fouls bane Didn’t have any old ones Best completed series: The warlord chronicles Short fiction: survivor type by Stephen king Best general fiction: No country for old men Best SFF: Lightbringer by Pierce Brown

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Lord fouls bane was a struggle for me

[@bruceh1660]

@@thefantasynuttwork yep, I had really high hopes for it and barely finished it

[@fcsolis]

I've attempted to read David Mitchell many times. I can't connect. The Girl series by S. Larsson was a nominee a few times but did not win. Boo to you. Good show. Thank you.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Appreciate it!

[@deathbychai]

Looking for Jake has a short story that is set in bas-lag. I met him several years back when he was promoting Nov and asked if he was ever planning on returning to bas lag, and he said probably no. My biggest surprise of the year was A Crime in the Land of 7,000 Islands. Super well written, very clever, tastefully handles hard topic, very imaginative.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’ll have to check that out

[@osoisko1933]

Last Exit by Max Gladstone is my book of the year. I read it 3 times.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I gotta check it out

[@osoisko1933]

@@thefantasynuttwork I think it's a highly underrated book.

[@BigDaddy13515]

Jimmy you need to check out Michele Houellebecq French existential literature writer. I think you’ll really like a handful of his novels. I recommend you start with Serotonin. Houllebecq is one of the most controversial living writers lol. Just picture a miserable looking dude with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth lol. But his novels whether you agree with him or not are absolutely thought provoking and wonderful.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Will do!!

[@andrewhanson405]

I got to read me some David Mitchell if he can beat out heavy weights like Leo Tolstoy and Gene Wolfe. Eleventh Cycle was bush league Dark Souls/Beserk pastiche. I think Aspect-Emperor gave me more From Soft/Beserk vibes while simultaneously not being derivative of either of them. It would be nice if we got more of China Miéville's Bas-Lag. When the New Weird movement began to emerge in SFF twenty years ago, I was hoping that was the direction the broader SFF genre would move towards.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Totally agree about AE

[@DecemberMagpie]

I own This Census-Taker by China Miéville. You're the first person I've heard mention him. Definitely underrated. Anyhoo, I filled out my nominees and winners for the categories. *1. The Character of the Year* Nominees: Enitan Ijebu from The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa, Teodor Mykolayenko from Under This Unbroken Sky Shandi Mitchell, Gwendolyn Hooper from The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies, Kris from I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself by Marisa Crane Winner: Enitan Ijebu from The Splinter in the Sky *2. New Author to Me* Nominees: Martha Wells, Rick Riordan, Evan Winter, Alison Weir Winner: Evan Winter *3. The Biggest Suprise of the Year* Nominees: An Untimely Frost by Penny Richards, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, War of the Whales by Joshua Horwitz, The Neptune Project by Polly Holyoke Winner: The Neptune Project by Polly Holyoke *4. The Disappointment of the Year* Nominees: Butts: A Backstory by Heather Radke, Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann, Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder, The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan Winner: Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder *5. Oldie But a Goodie* Nominees: Green Darkness by Anya Seton, Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery, The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCulley, Dracula by Bram Stoker Winner: Green Darkness by Anya Seton *6. Book Series of the Year* Nominees: The Neptune Project by Polly Holyoke, Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron, Found Things by Paula Brackston, Wolf Queen by Cerece Rennie Murphy Winner: Found Things by Paula Brackston *7. Short Fiction of the Year* Nominees: The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-eun, NPCs by Drew Hayes, All Systems Red by Martha Wells, Direction of the Road by Ursula K. Le Guin Winner: Direction of the Road by Ursula K. Le Guin *8. General Fiction* _(Non-SFF)_ Nominees: Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen by Alison Weir, Under This Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell, The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-eun, Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey Winner: Under This Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell *9. The SFF of the Year* Nominees: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa, A Magic Steeped In Poison by Judy I. Lin, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card Winner: The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I wanna read Direction of the Road!

[@DecemberMagpie]

@@thefantasynuttwork It will live in your head.

[@imhim9989]

The nuttys are must watch tv. I don’t make the rules.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It’s just the rules 🙏

[@ajpruitt4628]

Best book awards hands down

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you so much

[@Cait-ez7dq]

You are the only the booktuber I know who was disappointed with Jade Legacy like I was. I was so excited to read it especially due to all the hype surrounding it, but the time skips and so many events happening offscreen and summarized took away the emotional aspects for me. Maybe if I approached with my expectations lowered i would have liked it more, but its so difficult to do it especially with a final book in a series that you think will love. I wish i loved it like so many fans

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I felt like I was robbed of a lot of the connective tissue for the big moments in Legacy

[@deanryanmartin]

Applause to The Nuttys!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you thank you

[@deanryanmartin]

@@thefantasynuttwork I expected 1984 would win lol. This is the only book I have read in your nominations. Also, I have read Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@deanryanmartin both are great

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

Eleventh Cycle was also my most disappointing read this year. I wish I was comfortable with DNF’ing books as over 800 pages was a slog for a book I was struggling to enjoy.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m sorry you had to slog through that!

[@Danny_Matson]

Disgrace immediately added to my TBR.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I hope you enjoy it

[@readbykyle3082]

Love the format of this video. We read a fair amount of the same stuff this year and largely agreed; Kindred, Sandkings, LPQ and Night of the Mannequins are all so excellent. I will just have amnesia about your Jade Legacy takes 😝 I am definitely prioritizing Mievelle next year, hopefully I enjoy it!!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

If you don’t like Mieville I’ll consider it treason!

[@jeroenadmiraal8714]

For Character of the Year I nominate Allen.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Agree lol

[@derricklafayette7922]

David Mitchell is my favorite author. You have to read Cloud Atlas

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I definitely will

[@brentasmith]

I thought the thumbnail said The Outtys which would be a whole different video 😅

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahahaha

[@kingofhearts642]

Nice! Typing this as I go through the video but so far I'm having a lot of respect for your picks (even if you did Jade Legacy dirty lol)! For fun I'll share what I'd have for the noms/winner for each of these categories too: CHARACTER OF THE YEAR: NOMS - Severian (Book of the New Sun), Hadrian Marlowe (Space Eater), Savine Glokta (Age of Madness), Kaul Hilo (Green Bone Saga) and FitzChivalry Farseer (Realm of the Elderlings) WINNER - Fitz has to take it, but Severian is crazy close. Severian has a lot you can analyze and take away from the character, but nothing compares to the emotional investment in Fitz's life (honorable mention for Nighteyes too). NEW AUTHOR OF THE YEAR: NOMS - Ken Liu, Robin Hobb, Gene Wolfe, Christopher Ruocchio, and T. Kingfisher. WINNER - Ken Liu (not only did he blow me away as an author with The Dandelion Dynasty, but I also really appreciate his work translating Chinese fiction - I happened to read Three Body Problem this year as well and really enjoyed it, and he just seems like a really interesting person and exposing different culture's stories to a broader audience is always a great thing; can't wait to read more from him) BIGGEST SURPRISE OF THE YEAR: NOMS - The Family Condition by Cody Lakin, Gideon the NInth by Tamsyn Muir, The Will of the Many by James Islington, and Reaper by Will Wight (was thoroughly enjoying the series already but was still really surprised how much this one got me - also kind of a stand in book for the Cradle series as a whole) WINNER - The Will of the Many (I knew it was getting a lot of buzz so figured there had to be something there, but what I was NOT expecting it to be a top 10 book of a year in which I've read over 150 books, nor was I expecting the sequel to now be my most anticipated book of 2024- a year which will have book 5 of Stormlight, book 6 of Sun Eater, and book 4 of Locked Tomb) BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR: NOMS - Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss, House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay, Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca, and Eye of the World by Robert Jordan (didn't dislike, just did NOT feel the hype on this book, and this is another case where the books is also sort of a stand in for all the books in the series I've read so far). WINNER - House of Leaves (one of the only books this year that I just did not like, but Wise Man's Fear comes close with how much less I had fun reading it than Name of the Wind) OLDIE BUT GOODIE (I didn't read too much of the older stuff this year, so doing 80's and before instead of 70's): NOMS - The White Rose by Glen Cook (also represesents The Black Company as a whole), Kindred by Octavia Butler, The Eyes of the Overworld by Jack Vance, and Sword of the Lictor by Gene Wolfe. WINNER - Sword of the Lictor (this just happened to be my favorite book from Book of the New Sun, which was probably the highest ranking thing I've read this year for me. FAVORITE COMPLETED SERIES: NOMS - The Black Company by Glen Cook, The Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu, Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb, Age of Madness by Joe Abercrombie, Sun Eater by Christopher Ruocchio, Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown, and Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. WINNER - Ugh this is hard... if I were to do a top 10, Book of the New Sun would come out on top probably. But man, I might have to give this award to Realm of the Elderlings. I read the entire saga this year, and not only is it an all timer but the amount of time and emotion spent on this series was truly something. Might have to call it a tie. SHORT FICTION OF THE YEAR: NOMS - What Moves The Dead by T. Kingfisher, Wounds by Nathan Ballngrud (technically a small collection of shorts), Exit Strategy by Martha Wells, The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker, and Sharp Ends by Joe Abercrombie (another small collection of shorts) WINNER - Wounds FAVORITE NON-SFF OF THE YEAR (mostly stuck to genre stuff this year, so this is pretty much a horror award lol - may include some fantasy elements but overall marketed more as horror): NOMS - Wounds by Nathan Ballingrud, The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher, The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty, The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones, and A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay WINNER - The Only Good Indians SFF BOOK OF THE YEAR NOMS - Wall of Storms by Ken Liu, The Wisdom of Crowds by Joe Abercrombie, Assassin's Fate by Robin Hobb (honestly a few of the RotE books could be here, but limiting to 1), The Will of the Many by James Islington, Golden Son by Pierce Brown, Howling Dark by Christopher Ruocchio, and Sword of the Lictor by Gene Wolfe. WINNER - If it was Book of the New Sun as a whole easily that - but otherwise, maybe Will of the Many? Enjoyed it enough to easily make it a contender, but personally kind of felt like an underdog story that really shot to the top and I want to celebrate that too.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Loved reading these! Sad you weren’t big on WMF and HOL but I totally get it. I also love Ken Liu

[@kingofhearts642]

@@thefantasynuttwork Yeah WMF just to me felt it cut back on what endeared me to the first book and doubled down on some of the things I had been more willing to overlook in the previous as well. HOL honestly surprised me, that's usually the type of thing I enjoy. The biggest thing was probably that I just hated reading the Johnny Truant portions so much, and they made up such a significant chunk of the book. Anyway, excited for your top 10 video! Hope you have a great holiday/new year!

[@alisssart]

The only awards show of hot girl books I will watch!😁

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahaha

[@BlueWhite_Phoenix]

Nutts!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

That’s me!

[@Jonpat]

Looking forward to more Gene Woof content in 2024! Awooooooooo!!!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

WOOOOOF

[@Grantimusss]

Heck yeah, a win for The Scar! I hope China returns to writing fiction in the future.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I hope so 😭

[@MaedBetweenthePages]

Your editing in this was really fun :) I want to like SGJ so badly 😭 I feel like he and I can connect on a certain wavelength but we just haven’t found it yet… Not Jade Legacy being a disappointment nominee 😭😂 I KNEW The Scar was gonna scoop that last one…I just love how much you love it. Excited to see what you pick up in 2024 :)

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you!!

[@demidrek-heyward]

LFG

[@thefantasynuttwork]

YASSSS

[@javil1648]

Licanius and Green bone were some of my favorites of the year! Different strokes as they say

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m so glad you loved them!

[@mariareadsssf]

So happy to see the love for "Kindred", one of my favorite books of all times. My winners: Character of the year: Jia Matiza from "The Dandelion Dynasty", New Author to me in 2023: China Mieville, Surprise of the year: "Lone Women" - Victor LaValle, Dissapointment of the year: "The Will of the Many" - James Islington, Oldie but a Goodie: "The Color Purple" - Alice Walker, Best Series I finished "The Dandelion Dynasty" - Ken Liu, Short Fiction of the year, can't choose between: "A Necessary Being" and "The Book of Martha" both by Octavia E. Butler, General Fiction: "Laozi's Dao De Jing" - Lao Tzu, translated by Ken Liu, *SFF Book of the year ( part of a series) : "Speaking Bones" - Ken Liu + Standalone SFF Book of the year: "Blood Over Bright Haven" - M. L. Wang.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

China Mieville yes!!!

[@mariareadsssf]

@@thefantasynuttwork it is thanks to you.

[@_jared]

I’m Team Corn Swords, always and forever.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I need to come around to them 😭

[@Redundant_underscore]

I enjoyed Tigana way more the 2nd time. It was initially 3 stars out of 5, now it's one of my favorite books.

[@Paul_van_Doleweerd]

😂

[@thefantasynuttwork]

😬

[@readingwithrebeccanicole]

Character of the Year: Amina al-Sirafi New Authors: Ava Reid and Fonda Lee Surprise of the Year: Warrior Girl Unearthed Disappointment of the Year: The Bone Shard Daughter Oldie but Goodie: N/A Series of the Year: N/A Short Fiction of the Year: Untethered Sky Non SFF: How Minds Change SFF: The Three Body Problem and The Poppy War

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Some great picks!!

[@jeroenadmiraal8714]

I see that all my efforts in having you pronounce European names correctly has been in vain.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m hopelessly dumb lol

[@MaestSam]

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I need to get trophies made