My favourite books of all time!

[@Greymalkin-]

I have fond, almost psychedelic memories of reading Jane Eyre on a long bus journey in Cornwall. Hearing Cornish ladies nattering away in the background about bin collections and seagulls while the mad wife in the attic is rampaging around was something I'll never be able to replicate.

[@SandKeats]

I gasped when you said "I like this more than Jane Austen". Well. I'm going to read Middlemarch then, I guess.

[@DickensFangirl]

It’s rather darker and grittier than Austen, Austen tends to put satire and humor in her books to blunt the hard truths of the times, I think. The themes are not so different

[@victoriagill1588]

You have a lot of the same favourites as me!!! Therefore my TBR recommendation is: Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles. They are bloody fabulous, batty, genre bending, historically topnotch researched, hilarious and melodramatic. But they are above all absolutely beautifully written.

[@anarapeach9254]

I love that you heckle yourself!

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

I really enjoyed this. Happy to see Jane Eyre. I only read this book THIS yr and was blown away by it. The Secret History remains one of my all time favorites. The quality of the writing, the reading experience. It’s all there. I’m going to get to Ducks. Your experience of it and your feedback here have really encouraged me.

[@BrandonsBookshelf]

showing a clip of cornflake girl is how I know I can trust your recs. Great list here!

[@somebenfen]

Haha!

[@Sopranistineberhard]

So happy to see you back after a little break in the winter :) I adore your videos ;) keep them coming! Would be awesome to see your runner-ups or “books that make you feel better” video! Much love from Berlin ❤

[@somebenfen]

Thanks so much! Thats a great idea with those vid suggestions... 😃

[@Sopranistineberhard]

Also, I adore all of your book choices! Might have had Frankenstein on there, myself and I haven’t read Ducks… but the rest of absolutely winners! Love Sappho and Middlemarch, especially!

[@girishgowda7661]

Beloved is truly something.

[@raleighvar]

Because of this video, I finally decided to pick up Beloved after years of being a bit intimidated by it, and I absolutely loved it ❤️❤️ I might actually pick another book off this list for one of my next reads 😄 Thanks, Ben!

[@somebenfen]

Aww yey I'm glad ☺️☺️

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

I’m actually reading, finally, Tartt’s The Little Friend. It too starts off in the first sentence announcing a murder and then we’re off to the races. The voice of the young Harriet is so endearing. I’m loving it. Have you read it?

[@eugeniekruijt2853]

Jane Eyre has a BLINDsiding ending... hmm i see what you did there

[@somebenfen]

Omg 😂😂

[@hanffd]

Hah hah. I noticed that too and was going to comment but you beat me to it!

[@ariannelg]

OMG 😂

[@ReadADayClub]

Plenty of favorite books in common, how fascinating!!! As for Ducks, Newburyport, I bought the book and didn't even try reading it before I thrifted it. But you've somehow convinced me to give it a go, so I'll start the audiobook (didn't know there was one). Great recommendations by the way :):) Have yet to buy If Not, Winter by Sappho.

[@somebenfen]

Thank you! Good luck with Ducks, I'm not sure how relentless the audiobook will be but hope it's worth it!

[@stews9]

Great selections, and I like that you're a bit nuts. Bravo.

[@somebenfen]

Haha 😄 thanks!

[@markoneill7657]

Thank you so much. I loved your list. I just finished The Brothers K and loved it. I’m gearing up to go back to Beloved. Looking forward to all your vids. 😃

[@somebenfen]

Thank you! ☺️

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

Great list, Ben! Great editing as always too. I enjoyed The Waves. I have 100 years of Solitude and The Secret History on my TBR. I will be reading Beloved next month with AJ. Hoping to like it more than Tar Baby. Ducks Newburyport also remains unread on my shelf. I will get to it. Yes, I will. Interesting about it being out of print. 😊💙

[@mame-musing]

I don’t think I’ve heard any other Booktube describe Ducks... as a favorite. For a long time, I have been curious about reading it. Before undertaking that I will wait for your 2024 opinion as to whether it holds up (amazing, it’s approx. 5 yrs since it was released). I enjoyed The Goldfinch more for all the allusions and metaphors than the characters. Hope to read The Secret History in the near future. Can’t help but think Charlotte Bronte was working through her Unrequited love for her real life married Belgian professor when she wrote Jane Eyre and Villette. (It makes the stories more interesting to me.) I’m glad to hear you are so positive about Middlemarch and The Waves, I have each book and look forward to reading them. Happy Spring 🌱🌷🌱

[@somebenfen]

I need to read up on Charlotte Brontes life it sounds so interesting. Hope you enjoy MM and the waves!

[@vincentf6527]

We have two “favorite books ever” in common: One hundred years of solitude and The song of Achilles. I heard you say you haven’t read other Garcia Marquez books so I will suggest his short stories which are ver good, with amazing titles such as “A very old man with huge wings” and “The incredible and sad story of candid Erendira and her soulless grandmother” (I’m paraphrasing). Erendira also appears in OHYOS. And from Madeline Miller “Circe” is also very very good. Thanks for the video!

[@somebenfen]

I'd love to read more GGM books! And I love Circe, can't wait for her new book :)

[@keithdennis1462]

Interesting that most of your recommendations here are by women writers. I thought the Tartt book outstayed its welcome. On the other hand I have read Jane Eyre three times and found something new in it each time. Thanks for posting. It’s always intesresting to hear about people’s favourite books.

[@somebenfen]

I'd like to read more of her books too. Thanks for watching!

[@apocalypsereading7117]

the trickle of blood and Ursula-reaction sequence is one of my stand-out scenes from 100 Years too!

[@somebenfen]

It's so good!

[@Indigo_snakes]

I also love George Eliot more than Jane Austen oops. I just find that her novels have so much emotion and the character feel so REAL!! Really recommend Adam Bede from Eliot if you haven’t read it, I enjoyed it even more than Middlemarch :) also Jane Eyre is in my top three list of fav books, you’ve got great taste!

[@somebenfen]

I have Adam Bede ready to go on my shelf! Glad to hear you like it 😊

[@megdrummond-wilson824]

You are so funny and im so glad i found your channel! Subscribed and cant wait to see more :)

[@rbbonotto]

You DO need to do a sequel to this one. I'm not sure that having '10 books That Make Me Happy' wouldn't be a better sell and make you rich (by KZbin standards, anyway) but a sequel of some sort is a good idea. Also, if you liked the Tartt (pun intended), try one of Lev Raphael's murder mysteries, a series about a gay couple teaching literature at a fairly toxic Midwest University. ("The Edith Wharton Murders" includes a hilarious description of warring factions of scholars during a weekend seminar, each with their own agenda.)

[@yenasung]

6:57 lol i NEED to get my eyeballs on middlemarch!! Always a pleasure watching your videos, Ben ❤ did i mention in your last vid how much i love the new card additions on your bookshelf? And ofc your fresh cut 😍 i love that pretty much all your fav books are full of heartache, longing, and thicccccc af 🙆🏻‍♀️

[@somebenfen]

We love a thiccc longing heartbreak 😄 You can thank the family for their good taste in card giving ha. You neeeeed to read mIddlemarch! 🥰

[@ThatReadingGuy28]

This list makes me want to go back to reading novels when I promised I'd read more nonfiction this year. The struggle is real!!

[@somebenfen]

Ha! Do it... 😈

[@womenwotreads]

I knew Song of Achilles would be there ! I love it too. I desperately want to read A Secret History very soon but you haven't sold me on Ducks Newbury I'm afraid . Sorry . Love Jane Eyre too by the way .

[@somebenfen]

Oh go on! Read Ducks, you know you want to... 😄

[@materiagrix]

Let me know when you reread Duck Newburyport, I’d like to read it too. Great list btw!

[@mudaralchaar5855]

your voice impressions always have me giggling through the videos

[@somebenfen]

😁☺️

[@curioushmm9027]

i've read and loved most of the books on the list...song of achilles waits patiently for me but i did love circe...don't want to read ducks, newburyport. and really enjoyed secret history on my first read many years ago but on a re-read in the last few years it had lost it's magic and felt just ugly.

[@somebenfen]

Hope you like SofA! Ugly is a good way of describing secret history, they are not likable characters 😄

[@curioushmm9027]

@@somebenfen 😀

[@ashappyasiget140]

Love all these books. Jane Eyre, Middlemarch and The Secret History are incredible. looking forward to DT's 4th book as well.

[@somebenfen]

☺️☺️

[@troytradup]

Interesting choices, Ben! It appears Ducks, Newburyport is still in print here in the States. Although maybe we just have many copies because everyone was too daunted to pick up such an enormous book.

[@somebenfen]

That's good to know! It doesn't seem you can buy it new here. Thanks Troy!

[@marcpaters0n]

I'm now wondering if I should reread The Waves. Like you I read it as a young man and I was utterly bewildered by it. I've read other books by her since and loved them so it's due another look. I haven't ever compiled a list of favourites but I think top of it would be The Crow Road. I Recommend it if you haven't read it. Trainspotting too. Oh now I am compiling a list. I'll stop there. 😊

[@somebenfen]

Oh nice. I don't read the Wasp Factory by him but never that, will check it out!

[@papaglenford]

scott smith (a simple plan, the ruins) is someone else who likes to make things worse, and worse, and worse. i love those books so much

[@my_19th_personality]

100 years of solitude and Beloved would definitely on my favorite list too! very excited now to read some of the other books mentioned

[@somebenfen]

Yey I'm glad!

[@papaglenford]

the sudden offscreen voices made me feel insane for a moment.

[@emmavd]

Thanks, Ben!🌷I’ve read half of your favourites (Sappho’s poetry!❤), have two, still unread, on my shelves (The Waves and The Song of Achilles), tried to read Dostoyevsky a couple of times many years ago (and miserably failed), am totally scared by Toni Morrison and all novels dealing with slavery (I’ll have to do something about it at some point, but not just now). That leaves Ducks, of which I’ve just downloaded a sample on my kindle just to see whether the style agrees with me😊

[@somebenfen]

Morrissons writing style can be pretty brutal so it's not surprising of you're wary. Song ofnAchilles is so worth it!

[@sakinaalia1067]

The tori clip was so surprising but amazing.

[@somebenfen]

😁👩🏻‍🦰

[@barbarahelgaker390]

From Jane Eyre ❤❤❤ to Ducks😱😱😱and everything in between! Really interesting - have read and liked Crime And Punishment so must get round to Brothers!

[@somebenfen]

I need to reread C&P very soon!

[@papaglenford]

i have read lots and worked in a big bookstore for 10 years. my #1 Ever.. is Travels, by Michael Crichton. non-fiction. episodes from his life. very smart, profound, funny, and his curiosity about himself and his willingness to change are remarkable.

[@papaglenford]

sean connery said to him, "always tell the truth. that way you make it the other person's problem."

[@kikicarr2797]

IF YOU HAVEN"T ALREADY, From the depths of my soul: PLEASE read, review and make some stellar reels from *"The Princess Bride"* 😄 It is one of the BEST books. I always end up reading it aloud because it's just BETTER that way. Anytime I go on vacation, a small copy of The Princess Bride travels with me because it puts me in the lightest of moods. For anyone who likes WITTY writing, The Princess Bride is WITTen so wonderfully! 😉 The first chapter will forever be my favorite. "The year that Buttercup was born, the most beautiful woman in the world was a French scullery maid named Annette." The Intro To Beauty paragraph's before Buttercup is peak comedy and written from the desk of a true artist...as is the rest of the story ("Ticklish?!... -Don't mock my methods!..." Miracle Max can't lose😆) Disclaimer: I DO tend to skip the "author notes" in the beginning and throughout the book, It's not for everyone and just doesn't do it for me- I skip to Buttercup's introduction in Chapter One: The Bride. 👑 (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is also sheer perfection on it's own and I highly recommend you listening to the audio book narrated entirely by Stephan Fry. That is my road trip MUST HAVE 👽 "Ford, you're turning into a penguin... stop it!") Have fun storming the castle ! 🏰

[@Squirtal1970s]

I need to start reading more.

[@wandguardnoodle]

I haven't read many of these books, but Song of Achilles is def one of my all-time favorites! I've now read it in two languages lol (the original and translation into my native tongue) and I don't do that often, but I was just very curious about how they handled the translation (turns out: pretty well). I feel like I might want to re-read the original soon, since it's been a couple years since I read it in translation.

[@somebenfen]

I can't wait to read it again!

[@kiranreader]

been waiting for this vid a long time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ty for sharing ur favs w/ us :)

[@somebenfen]

Aww thanks! ☺️☺️

[@CoynieReads]

I have also cried each time I've finished The Song of Achilles. Every single time. It's concerning 😂

[@somebenfen]

I need to read it again soon!

[@claudiaferreira585]

Jane Eyre, Middlemarch, The Brothers Karamazov,Song of Achilles, yes, they're surely in my top. Gabriel Garcia Marquez ' The love in the Time of Cholera is too (not 100 years!). I love another russian even more Life and Fate by Vassili Grossman, I love Mario Vargas Llosa's The war at the end of the world, Virginia's Orlando. I 'll stop here, too many books for the last two spots 😅

[@claudiaferreira585]

Ohhh, it's just one spot, Beloved is one of my lifetime reads too

[@somebenfen]

Orlando is immense! Would love to read Love in the time of Cholera too

[@chrissy1510]

I’m currently reading both Middlemarch and TBK., which seemed like a good idea at the time.

[@somebenfen]

😂 Good luck!

[@hanffd]

So happy you loved Ducks! Thank you for mentioning payoff ending. So sick of hearing people say nothing happens in Ducks. Interesting question about whether or not it will become a forgotten book. So sad out of print. Glad I have my copy, then! 😉

[@somebenfen]

It felt so gratifying at the end! We'll see what happens in the future... hopefully it'll have a life of its own

[@ianp9086]

I have read 7 of those and several would definitely be in my all time favourites list (Marquez, Morrison and Ducks), the others not far off. Haven’t read Sappho, Middlemarch 😱or Song of Achilles yet but obviously must! Even the final sentence of Ducks is brilliant and it is still the only book I have ever finished and found myself missing the narrator and wanting to start it again just to be back with her. Garcia Marquez has at least 4 other books which come close to 100 years (Autumn of the Patriarch, Chronicle of a death foretold, General in his Labyrinth and Love in time of Cholera) but they are all very different books.

[@somebenfen]

Omg the last "clause" of Ducks! 😱

[@ianp9086]

@@somebenfen worth the journey!

[@sillysausage2244]

You are so engaging, Bey.... [* twirls moustache thoughtfully*]

[@readandre-read]

My favorite one here is Jane Eyre by a mile followed by Middlemarch and Beloved. Unpopular opinion: I loved The Little Friend and The Goldfinch but didn't care for The Secret History. It was fun to hear why you loved all of these books.

[@somebenfen]

Thank you! Jane Eyre is the best 😊

[@Galdra]

Same love Jane Eyre, and middlemarch, I disliked the secret history.

[@originaltwyla4991]

Interesting group of books. I’ve read Jane Eyre ❤️, Song of Achilles💔, Beloved ❤️‍🩹, One Hundred Years of Solitude🙇🏻‍♀️, The Waves🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️, and The Secret History 📜. What I really wonder, do you miss your man-bun?

[@somebenfen]

I do a little bit ha, but it was a big old mess 👩

[@pegthebookprizeaddict579]

Loved this video but will need to be a bossy grandmother and tell you to get some Eye drops for itchy eyes. It is allergy season here in NE US and i was just about to scratch my one eye out. Do they have Visine brand there? Happy spring reading!🤦‍♀️📕📚

[@janethansen9612]

I don't know about Jane Eyre. I still have some trust issues with it. I'm yet to read some of these, there is no end to the number of books on my tbr list. My next giant classic to read is The Count of Monte Cristo. How are you going with it so far?

[@somebenfen]

I'd really like to finish it by the end of this month but we'll have to see... I am enjoying it so far though!

[@sandra7319.]

So no little hidden gems we might not have heard of?? Maybe a video on that??🤔

[@somebenfen]

Good idea! Although I'm not particularly a big contrarian ha

[@comette4u]

Proust didn't make the cut? Wow.😮

[@somebenfen]

Maybe he comes 11th... 😁🤫

[@Galdra]

We were getting so much along until you mentioned The secret history I don't get the hype, I detest it. I love middlemarch, Jane Eyre and the brothers Karamazov all favourites of mine.

[@somebenfen]

😄 3/10 isn't so bad

[@Galdra]

@@somebenfen No, it's not. The others I have not read, so there might be more😊

[@ariannelg]

First of all: CELERY

[@ariannelg]

Secondly: I love you for loving Jane Eyre 🖤 My favorite book of all time together with Frankenstein Once one reads 100 years of solitude they have two options: favorite book of all time or masterpiece

[@ariannelg]

I’ve just finished moby dick and I don’t remember if you read it If not give it a go Every day that passes by it goes higher on my list… 🐳

[@somebenfen]

CELERY! Moby Dick very nearly made it to the list... 🐳

[@lavenderlady7441]

hellooooo i just found you!!! 😊

[@somebenfen]

Hi 👋

[@KDbooks]

16:52 That’s me ❤

[@somebenfen]

;) 🦆

[@lorr123x]

😂 love it.

[@somebenfen]

😊😊

[@DanaPurgaru]

Middlemarch is killing me. Slooooowwwwwly.... 😅

[@somebenfen]

It's worth it, honest! 😄

[@maryh4650]

Just go with it, it's hypnotic when you just let go and don't expect anything.

[@whatpageareyouon]

🌊 🌊🌊❤️❤️❤️

[@somebenfen]

☺️☺️

[@Shellyish]

Oh no! I’m one of the other Sappho people. The kind unlike you. 🫣 Jane Eyre is amazing. I love Middlemarch and Beloved! I just finished The Secret History. Great list.

[@somebenfen]

I know haha it's ok, I will enjoy my "celery" poem by myself 😂