Favorite Standalones

Links to books I talked about in this video
(These are affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I get a small percentage of the sale):
On the Fence amzn.to/32vW0f3
The Outsiders:amzn.to/2X4OUNs
Pride and Prejudice: amzn.to/2Ej84rz
Rebecca: amzn.to/2LhcGjp
And Every Morning: amzn.to/2Ejpx2S
Peter Pan: amzn.to/32x1Koz
WHERE TO FIND ME:
► My Website: www.merphynapier.net
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[@alexm8859]

It’s weird how literature has turned into this big series craze that we now call normal books standalones.

[@rodgerlang884]

Not just literature; movies are the same way

[@emperorznb]

You could say you were on the fence about....On The Fence.... I'm sorry I'll leave now lol

[@secondaccount1688]

Was looking to see if anyone else said this 😂

[@BevanBoychuk]

Nbz damn I wanted to comment this lol

[@lovelydaywithholly]

Nbz I was just gonna say that! 🤣

[@Grimscribe732]

Damnit! I came here to make this joke!

[@callmeaftercoffee]

😂😂😂👌🏼

[@torieann1989]

“As a parent, I’m always going to leave my windows open too.” 😭 why am I so damn emotional lately.

[@nonfictionfeminist]

You should probably do a video walking through all your editions of Peter Pan! lol. I did this recently with all my Dracula books, even wore fangs for it!

[@merphynapier42]

Oh I love that!

[@NicoleFoti]

Omg yessss I want to see all the versions

[@manaalsidd]

Is it weird that I’ve read almost all of the books on this list on your recommendation...and I loved them so so much. Thank you Merph for introducing me to so many of my fav books. 💖😘

[@merphynapier42]

Yay! This makes me happy ❤️

[@JessWest118]

The ending of Peter Pan just made me feel so emotional, watching the film you don't understand the pain that the Darlings go through waiting for their children to come home, the guilt Mr Darling has and the hope they hold on to just waiting for them to return. The ending had an impact on me I was not expecting, I agree with you, unless you read Peter Pan it is hard to explain. Also, you know you love a book when you have multiple editions of said book. :)

[@ponz6942]

I felt my throat close up when u said u would always keep your windows open ☹💜 I've been adopted twice until a distant relative just took me in which just made me feel neglected and unneeded.. to know people like you exist makes me feel hope for the orphan children 💜 I wish I had passed by your window..

[@RPGNook]

you were on the fence, about On The Fence...

[@bentheoverlord]

I have the exact same feelings about the end of Peter Pan, as someone who has wasn’t to adopt and foster, that end really just hits right in the feels. Any book that is about kids finding a family will break me.

[@manaalsidd]

I feel so happy to see you hold new, absolutely beautiful editions of Peter Pan every time. In fact, my boy friend got me the Harper design edition of Peter Pan for my b’day last week! 😍 can’t wait to read it and possibly enjoy it?! Heheh 😘

[@cassecorrea]

My favorite stand alone are The Song of Achilles, The Life of Pi, A Little Princess, Anne of Green Gables, Pride and Prejudice, and Because of Winn-Dixie haha

[@bridgetthomas4681]

Making me cry over here with your Peter Pan review. So precious to see a book touch people so deeply.

[@bookfanatic3026]

You should do a Favorite Companion Book Series video!

[@11turtles91]

If you haven’t read it already read A Thousand Splendid Suns. Its one of my favorite books ever. That and Esperanza Rising.

[@a.b.2405]

You should read Tiger Lily! It is one of my favorite books! It is a Peter Pan retelling! You should definitely go on a Peter Pan retelling phase or maybe do a read-a-thin for Peter Pan retellings. I liked all the ones I’ve read so far.

[@NicoleFoti]

I've never heard of that but 100% want to check it out

[@g.chatterjee2296]

Outsiders ... I read it on your rec and it was great. Love you Merphy. 😊

[@billwilliam3611]

i've been wanting to see a vid like this. it seems like everything is a series.

[@monizekrog7674]

I just finished reading An Unkindness of Magicians, and I really liked it. Thanks for the recommendation 😊

[@NicoleFoti]

Peter Pan is 100% my favorite book of all time as well. It is. An AMAZING story.

[@mariehelene6872]

I'm always a bit hesitant if it comes to starting a new series so this list is incredibly helpful. I think the one or other book is very likely to end up on my christmas wishlist. Also I don't usually comment so I'm using this opportunity to say thank you for always creating such lovely content.

[@callmeaftercoffee]

Ahhhh the outsiders, p&p, and every morning, and Peter!. 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕 I did watch the Keira Knightley p&p and it felt so rushed 🙈 I was like "how did this all happened so fast?!" I was so sad it wasn't longer hahaha. And now I'm tearing up with you! Stop it! 🥰💕

[@merphynapier42]

❤️❤️❤️

[@amandalawrence880]

Watch the BBC version with Colin firth! You will not be disappointed!

[@callmeaftercoffee]

Amanda Roberts I'll have to check it out! Thank you ☺️💕

[@payal1086]

The last time I was this early I wasn't even born.

[@jonathanwolff7868]

6:32 MERPHY I'M IN PUBLIC STOP MAKING ME CRY

[@starxmon]

thanks for all the new recs, i've only read Rebecca but that was really good so i trust your taste!!!

[@jessidean8332]

Don't think I could do a top 5 without some serious thought, but mostly because I read so few stand alones... Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak would be the top 2. Warbreaker by Sanderson used t be up there, but I guess he's making that a series now.

[@QuestLegacy]

I love the story of Peter Pan and and have loved multiple movie adaptations. I really should read the book!

[@sona.ka.khazana]

I loved Rebacca so so so much. It's so twisted how the author can actually make us root for "the bad guy" and the atmosphere the book sets literally kept me hooked 👌

[@amybuchler8874]

If you like "Rebecca" highly recommend reading "Mystress of Mellyn" by Victoria Holt.

[@sylwia91k]

Rebecca and Pride and Prejudice are high onmy favourite books of all time list. Haven't read any other of the ones you mentioned. But you really make me want to read them!

[@lilajanick]

If you’re looking for a new standalone to read I think you should check out The Reminders by Val Emmich. It’s a beautiful standalone about a young girl who struggles with creating a legacy and having a memory disorder and her friendship with a man who is grieving with the loss of his husband. I highly recommend.

[@bnshdjw]

I listen to the audiobook of Peter Pan a few days ago. I finished it yesterday and absolutely love it!! Also great video

[@alexcalder2224]

You should do a video on your favorite sf/fantasy standalone’s!

[@MerrilyKristin]

On the Fence is one of the only Kasie West books I haven’t read yet! I haven’t been enjoying her recent books so I’m tempted to go back to this one. And Peter Pan is my favorite children’s classic too! I also love Rebecca but I’ve been meaning to give it a reread since the last time I read it was in high school with my mom!

[@avasisx7075]

Fredrik backman is easily my favourite author. He has such a talent for writing flawed characters where you hate them one second but love them so much

[@MariahD1994]

I just recently read Pride and Prejudice (well, I listened to the audiobook) and I LOVED IT! What a whirlwind of emotions! I'm so looking forward to reading/listening to it again.

[@SpookyyV]

I’m going to hard agree on the Rebecca being a favorite of the year. That was such a great book.

[@nityarao672]

I finished reading the outsiders just now. I don't think it should've made me as emotional as it did. Anyway. You're a great influence on me, Merphy 💖

[@miki208]

It honestly surprised me that you mentioned the outsiders, usually booktube never really mentions it and it's my absolute favorite book.

[@gracelingaccountant]

Well just hearing you talk about Peter pan made me tear up so I guess I have to read it now

[@lpurple7093]

I felt the same way as you about Pride and Prejudice, I wasn't expecting much because many people seemed to love it and I'm always a bit afraid of popular books, but it turned out I ended up loving it! And the movie with Kiara Knightley is just a dream!

[@nachofilament294]

I ate a cookie once. It was one of those ones with small pieces of chocolate kind of speckled throughout the cookie. It was good, but I haven't been able to find any like it since.

[@kristiturningthepage320]

I need to read Peter Pan one of these days but I kind of want to just find someone to buddy read it with since it's a classic.. 🤔🙃

[@eddya7894]

Coming from someone who himself (as well as his sibling) is adopted, your comments and emotion on Peter Pan were touching. Keep up the great reviews and content!

[@davids2735]

And Every Day the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer was my first Backman and made me cry as well. Backman just knows how to write deep, human emotions through "every day" circumstances that, as you said, "cuts right to the heart." So, so good.

[@arrakis7132]

Bear town, The song of achilles ( i have read only two ) lol

[@aphroditereads]

as a person who prefers standalones over series, THANK YOU FOR THIS

[@anathelunar1922]

Some of my faves are... The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane The Honest Truth I picked up Peter Pan recently so Im really excited to read it!

[@R3BECCAK]

I read Peter Pan for the first time last month because of your channel and I’d love for you to do a buddy read with your channel (if that’s even possible) because I feel like I’d get so much more out of the book reading it along with you

[@daniellamunoz8894]

Adding Backman’d book to my want to read!

[@MaryAmongStories]

so many great books on this list!! 💗

[@micheleann1737]

This is probably your best description of the book Rebecca.

[@fredrikgranstrom6743]

you have very pretty eyes

[@amybuchler8874]

If you like "Rebecca" recommend reading "Mystress of Mellyn" by Victoria Holt

[@RitvijTiwari]

Lovely video, as always.

[@MsBlulucky]

Have you read "Elizabeth is missing"? It's written from the perspective of an old lady with dementia, so it deals with family and her childhood and stuff like that, but at the same time it's also a mystery novel. It is one of those books where you get sucked into the story and characters so that when you stop reading you have to take a moment to readjust to reality

[@tifftargaryen490]

That green looks AMAZING on you

[@katietaylor7822]

I love Letters To The Lost by Brigid Kemmerer!!!

[@robertcavallaro4351]

i can’t stop looking at the out of order stormlight archive

[@jenniferhicks1711]

I love Peter Pan I was sitting here tearing up because I know exactly what you mean by that ending. I'm not a parent but i have been blessed with a loving and supportive family and i have always know that no matter where i wander my family will always leave thier windows open for me. I also read Rebecca because of your recommendation and it is in my top reads for the year. I just started getting back into reading classics and i'm realizing that I love them so much more than I remember. I look forward to your classic wrap ups every month.

[@ninnusridhar]

Dementia/Alzheimer's is my greatest fear. It's my boggart. And every day the way home brought me to tears. I've recommended it to everyone I've known and will continue, because it's just soooooooooo wonderfully emotional...

[@jchinckley]

Yes. I can endure any physical disease, but mess with my mind and I'll be ready to leave this world behind the moment I'm sure my mental clarity has no chance of returning to full capacity. So much fear, for me, that I would be fearless of, and thankful for, the end of my life under such circumstances.

[@r.j.williams]

1)The Disappearances-Emily Bain Murphy 2)Perfectly Preventable Deaths-Deirdre Sullivan 3)A curse so dark and lonely by Brigid Kemmerer would go here but when I looked it up on Good Reads I found out is the first in a series 4)Murder on the Orient Express- Agatha Christie 5)David Copperfield-Charles Dickens

[@amybuchler8874]

If you like "Rebecca" recommend reading "Mystress of Mellyn" by Victoria Holt. I would call it a Gothic Romantic Suspence Novel.

[@ianfant8065]

Now that I think about it, I mostly read series. Need more standalones. A plot nicely wrapped up in one book. Off to do some research.

[@mattkean1128]

I sympathize as my father has dementia, so that hits home. I think I actually avoid books dealing with that. Rebecca is wonderful, I'm happy you enjoyed it so much. I generally don't make best lists, but my favorite is typically War and Peace which totally consumed me. All of those characters are living to me, and I miss them. There are so many chapters, or more aptly vignettes, I can recall that affected me more than whole novels. Some standouts from the past year are Possession by A.S. Byatt, about two scholars connecting over discovering a connection between they're respective favorite poets, with one of the most satisfying and touching epilogues I've come across. Like Death by Guy de Maupassant, a quick novella about a problem arising in the long affair of a painter and a married woman of high society, when her charming, spitting image, daughter finishes school and returns to the city. Very well written, I can see it as a link between Madame Bovary and Proust.

[@TheJak121212]

I don't really read classics but I want to read Peter Pan because of how much you love it.

[@Mattit24]

I wish I could remember.. but have you read Gone with the Wind?! I’m actually reading it for the first time right now and am so pleasantly surprised. I feel like you would really appreciate it.

[@jchinckley]

You should read and review The Tales of Alvin Maker series by Orson Scott Card. Particularly Red Prophet. That was the first book or actually the first piece of entertainment that I can remember making me cry. And not just a little.

[@GinaBlythe]

I was looking for some audio books and got Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer And Longer. While the story differs from mine (Alzheimer's, not dementia), it was a great listen and I plan on getting the physical book. Thank you for the "recommendation". 😊 It will be a reread and relisten for me. It did capture the struggle of dementia/Alzheimer's.

[@songbird2119]

Have you read Lost Boy by Christina Henry? I'm a huge Peter Pan fan and this was my favorite retelling. It is very dark but so good!

[@merphynapier42]

I haven't! I'm so hesitant to read retellings because I don't want to taint the story!

[@Starbits7]

*Pay if Forward by Catharine Ryan Hyde - I LOVE this book. I've only read it twice but I cry like a baby at the end. *White Oleander by Janet Fitch - very well written and you can almost feel the pain the main character goes through. *The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett - makes me nostalgic for my childhood. Love the messages too. *This is the Way the World Ends by James Morrow - It was much funnier than I expected *The Humans by Matt Haig - Really funny. I recommended to a friend (who normally reads only serious books) and she loved it too.

[@hrhkittkatt]

Your spoiler of Peter Pan made me put a hold on it at my library. Does it matter what edition we read, is the annotated one better than the others, will it change the reading experience?

[@King191912]

1.) Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco 2.) The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon 3.) Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson 4.) Catch-22 by Joseph Heller 5.) Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein Honorable mention: Hamlet.

[@evilgenius4213]

I almost hate to say that I have a favorite book, because I really do get something out of everything I read, even if it's just "I don't want to read another book like this again, " but I want to recommend a book that I don't see a lot of people talking about (or maybe they are or have and I've just missed it) "Migraine Mafia" by Maia Sepp. It's about a woman who deals with chronic migraines and her journey with it as she comes to navigate life and treatment with them. As someone who does deal with frequent migraines, this book and these characters and this story really resonated with me. Somebody else understands! And they wrote a book about it!

[@heyitsevie]

I haven't really read enough books to be able to give an opinion. I've been in such a huge reader's slump these past few years, but finally I've started to read again (albeit audiobooks). I read series for the most part, though I have read 'the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' and 'the Stolen Throne' (forgot the author's name :P) if those count? They're both pretty good!

[@AmyGwaine]

The Outsiders is one of my all-time favorite books! I think I've read it four or five times. It was the story that made me fall in love with platonic love in books.

[@09philj]

Most of my favourite books are part of series, but I do love Dracula by Bram Stoker, The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham, Only Forward by Michael Marshall Smith, True Grit by Charles Portis, and No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy. Special mention also to my favourite graphic novels, Watchmen by Alan Moore and David Gibbons, and Seconds by Bryan Lee O'Malley.

[@LyraValley]

I just read Peter Pan and it was only because you talk so much about it on your channel. Damn Peter was dark. Way darker than I expected. But I enjoyed it. It didn't blow my mind away, but I liked it.

[@kritichetri1938]

Excited for Peter Pan

[@CarinaSchrijft]

I have an edition of Peter Pam but I am scared I won't like it so I have been stalling for 5 years now. It still is one of my favorite movies ever made.

[@bookmarkbeth8416]

I’m going to have to read Peter Pan! I’ve heard some negative reviews on it but seeing you speak so highly of it I just need to dive in and come to my own conclusions. I’m a mother as well and also feel strongly about adoption. I’ll get to reading this for sure! Thank you 😊

[@nickieb2636]

I'm so torn about stand-alones VS series.... Which do I prefer??? I mean, series can be so daunting, by everytime I read a stand-alone, I want to read MORE!

[@suiteguy09]

I've been obsessed with WW2 Historic Fiction. "We Were the Lucky Ones" jumped on my tops list this year, second only to "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."

[@DontStopReadin]

Ugh I seriously need to read Rebecca. Have you listened to the audiobook? I think it COULD make an awesome or awful audiobook and I don’t know if I should try it.

[@kristinlanderholm9369]

I got the same edition from my library and really enjoyed the read! Does anyone have any recommendations for clean(moderate to no swearing, traditional relationships, no sex) YA fantasy books?

[@merphynapier42]

Duel of Fire!

[@robpaul7544]

Wee free men by Terry Pratchett . Nation by Pratchett is great too, though light on fantasy, maybe more magical realism. Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nix.

[@anathelunar1922]

The Queen's Thief series

[@stephenmalovski313]

I would definitely recommend the film adaptation of The Outsiders. Be sure to watch the director's cut. Its quite good y'all

[@Aubreeyh]

Stephen Malovski just don’t watch it with friends that the whole time talk about how hot pony boy is

[@geensloth911]

Hi, I'm new to your channel and have been binging your videos! Have you read The Princess Bride? I would love to hear your thoughts on it!

[@rededge2003]

Not stand alone but have you read the Belgariad by David Eddings, summoner by Taran Matharu or any of John Flanagan’s ranger apprentice or brother band ?

[@AmeliaOak]

I’m reading Rebecca right nowww. I’m almost halfway and it is great so far. I also adore The Outsiders omg I tried to get through Pride and Prejudice before but it was like reading ancient gossip lol! Loved the movie though. Aww your feelings about Peter Pan ☺️

[@amybuchler8874]

If you like "Rebecca" recommend reading "Mystress of Mellyn" by Victoria Holt

[@AmeliaOak]

@@amybuchler8874 thank you!

[@painfullyaware5221]

FYI, the fantasy award winners for this year have been announced and are all listed on the homepage of worldswithoutend.com. Just in case you're up for discovering something new and noteworthy.

[@tansjord]

I’m so mad I didn’t get here first to make the On The Fence joke lmao

[@rebelzucchini]

My personal favorite book of all time is either Good Omens by Pratchett/Gaiman or A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.

[@eringolive]

Have you seen Jen Campbell’s deep dive on Peter Pan in her fairy tale series?

[@simonacannizzo5141]

erin go read I love that video 😍

[@annalenastache7598]

My absolute favorite book of all time which is also a standalone is A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara! I've heard good and bad things about it but I just love it and I honestly think everyone should read it (but look at the trigger warnings first!!)

[@gudguygamer8972]

she would be an amazing english teacher

[@HangmanFilms56]

personally, i find it hard to actually find stand alone books in the SciFI and fantasy genre, which is mostly what i read. but the stand alones i absolutely love are 6. The Time Machine 5. War of the Worlds 4. Journey to the Center of the Earth 3. Frankenstein 2. Around the World in 80 Days 1. Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

[@JTYooper]

Great list of classics, i should dig out the ones I own...

[@ivancevic1974]

I don't know if anyone has suggested a book before, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Very good book

[@oana-mariauliu5828]

My favourite standalones? The Dovekeepers, by Alice Hoffman A Son of the Circus, by John Irving - also: The Hotel New Hampshire, by the same author. The Green Mile, by Stephen King Dark Sister, by Graham Joyce

[@littleredgoddesspersephone3982]

I listened to the audio version of Rebecca for the first time and found I enjoyed it as much as the physical version.

[@amybuchler8874]

If you like "Rebecca" recommend reading "Mystress of Mellyn" by Victoria Holt

[@TheDarkNightRising]

On the fence kinda reminds me of vin(from mistborn) and how she went from a "street rat" to a lady who attends balls(as a part of her job/mission). Vin kinda also had an identity crisis sorta thing i guesssss???

[@randallkornik9022]

I highly recommend Imajica, by Clive Barker, if your looking for a stand alone fantasy novel that's a little more off the beaten path.

[@JTYooper]

Hey Merphy, your Outsiders link goes to a video offering, not the book. I've been meaning to read this, will wait for the link to get updated!

[@merphynapier42]

Just updated it. Thank you for letting me know

[@libraryofadventures7800]

My no 1 favorite would be the kite runner by khaled hosseini. Have you read it? Even after years of reading, the story still stuck with me. I want to do a reread but I’m not in a suitable headspace for it right now-it’s pretty heavy

[@unrevealedreader442]

pride & prejudice is incredible. Elizabeth Bennett is one of my favorite protagonists 🖤