Favourite Reads of 2023: Wrap Up Part 2

[@michaelibk418]

Hi Kathi, always happy when a new video of yours is online, here in Austria it's often in the middle of the night but i have to watch it immediately. No you are not alone, my mood is always affecting my reading how couldn't it? If i am kind of down books don't cheer me up but me favorite tv shows and movies do always. Afterwards it's better and i can focus again on reading. You hate Defoe but you will love Stevenson he is such a great story teller. Treasure Island is his most classic work but he also wrote fantastic Short Stories even ghost stories and novellas. I liked the first part of the Pinewood Series but not continuing. Can't imagine what the story can provide after the end of the first one. Don't waste your time with Sleeping Beauty it's one of his worst books. I never finishes the first book of the dark tower series. Tried many times and as an Audio book didn't catch me at all and so many books of him are all time favorites. Why not try Dan Simmons Hyperion, I know you have the book and I would bet it's a book that fits your taste. Greetings from Austria PS The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin is also a must read for you.

[@NerdyKathi]

That means a lot to me Michael, thank you. I agree that films or shows can cheer me up more than books can. I will read more of Stevenson as I liked his writing very much. I can't recall how the first book of Pines ended but definitely felt the rest added so much more to the story. I will read Sleeping Beauties but I think the Dark Tower isn't for everyone. I should mention The Gunslinger is very different to the other books as it was written when he was much younger. Personally I love it, but it isn't the style of the rest. Hyperion is one I'll try to get to this year and will look into Three Body Problem. Thank you!

[@gabrielaspaull6238]

Hi Kathi, I am so sorry for the loss of your dog. Same as you, I am an animal lover. Congratulations on reaching 4000 subscribers. I found your channel only recently so I am having the time of my life watching all your old videos. I am also reading the Louise Penny series. I am currently reading my first Asimov book, I, robot, and loving it. I read Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde last year and I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading The island of Dr. Moreau this year. You have inspired me to try Janet Evanovich, Richard Osman and especially the Discworld series. Although I have most of King’s books at home (I think I am missing five) I still haven’t read The Dark Tower, maybe 2024 is the year I read it. Thank you so much for all your videos 😍

[@NerdyKathi]

Thank you so much Gabriela for the kind words. I'm so glad you are enjoying my videos. ❤ Asimov's Robot books are a real treat, IMO. I absolutely love inspiring and being inspired to read certain books. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

[@gabrielaspaull6238]

@@NerdyKathi Thank you Kathi, I am loving the videos. Thank you so much for all the work you do in your channel 😍

[@joyceredman2136]

Congratulations on getting your 4K followers! Sometimes with a classic book, I follow along with a free audio version on KZbin to get me through the parts that seem slower paced so that I can make some progress. And on some occasions, they have really good actors reading the book for you as you read along. Great variety of books you have, good range.

[@NerdyKathi]

Thank you very much. That's a great idea and might try it with Don Quixote.

[@patricialux6197]

I hope this year is much better for you after 2 such ordeals. You and Cleo, have a bright fun year! I have not read science fiction or fantasy, but i still like hearing you talk about them! May look into Pratchett, & LeQuin...later. i had super reads in 23. Trollope, anne Bronte, H James, Turgenev, several Christies ( Sleeping Murder!), E. Von Arnim ( maybe 5 of hers), Ishiguro, Shirley Jackson, E. Stroud, McCall Smith, are among highlights. Ive begun D. Quixote...but idk. Must tell you, i read on your rec, Eleanor Oliphant!!! Loved it! How vivid she is! I want to give her big bear hug, i LOVE her! Sorry this is long comment. Yes, love your videos. ❤😊

[@NerdyKathi]

Thank you very much Patricia. I haven't read Trollope or Turgenev, and I have Enchanted April which I'd like to read maybe in April. 😊 I haven't read Eleanor Oliphant, will have to try it. Please don't apologise for the long comment, I love them.

[@Johanna22462]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved dog and for your fall. I hope that this year is better and that Cleopatra brings you much joy!

[@NerdyKathi]

Thank you very much for the kind words. Hopefully Cleo will improve as she's a little monster at the moment. 😂

[@Madam_Vader_Reads]

I would say, hands down, my overall favorite of '23 was the Stephanie Plum series. I absolutely adore the characters.

[@NerdyKathi]

You were obsessed. 😂 But in a good way.

[@mtnshelby7059]

Thank you, I put Pines on my audiobook list. My best overall read in 2023 was Bel Ami. It was delightfully wicked. I also cannot manage a set TBR list as for me that takes me back to school. I'm very much driven by my mood and seasons.

[@NerdyKathi]

I hope you enjoy Pines as much as I did. I've got Bel Ami on my list already and will try it soon.

[@lorimiller854]

I'm currently reading my first Terry Pratchett book...Mort. I hope I fall in love this beloved author. If I do, much joy ahead. I read so many good books in 2023. If I have to pick a favorite, I'll pick Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies by Maddie Mortimer. My favorite mystery discovery was The Lewis Trilogy by Peter May. You may like to read Julia by Sandra Newman since you love 1984. It was a 5-star for me, and I love 1984 too. Congrats on 4K!

[@NerdyKathi]

I hope you love Mort as much as I do. I'm going to try Peter May this year, I think. Thank you for the great recommendations.

[@ttowntrekker5174]

Another great vid as always Kathi! In January, I read what is one of my top ten favorite reads of all time. Burial Rites by Aussie Author Hannah Kent. If you haven't read it you might enjoy it. It was unputdownable for me

[@NerdyKathi]

Thank you. I'm going to try Burial Rites later this year.

[@meganagnew7313]

Congrats on the 4K and condolences for the loss of your dog. I've heard you mention Pines a couple of times now, it's on my list for the February and March reading what you have challenge! I'm really excited after hearing that you loved it, I think we have very similar reading interests! (I loved Animal Farm and The Island of Dr Moreau too! I will get Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde once I've caught up on all the books I need to read!)

[@meganagnew7313]

I'm currently ploughing through It by Stephen King, it's my third attempt and I'm seeing it through this time!

[@NerdyKathi]

Thank you so much for the kind words. I hope you enjoy Pines as much as I did. 😊 It is one of my favourite King books. I adore the children in particular. I hope you like it better this time.

[@meganagnew7313]

I just finished It, and I'm so glad I persevered! It's such a great book!

[@NerdyKathi]

@@meganagnew7313 I'm so glad you persevered and enjoyed it. Now I want to re-read it for the 5th 6th time. 😂😂

[@lizetal5748]

I really enjoy your book reviews and recommendations! I am going to follow your suggestion and read Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. I wasn’t aware that the book differed so much from the movie and television adaptations. I also enjoy the Stephanie Plum novels, and I want to read more of those this year.

[@NerdyKathi]

Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy Dr. Jekyll as much as I did.

[@Johurph86]

I just found your channel while searching for Death Gate Cycle reviews and I've found your whole channel to be such a breath of fresh air. Truly lovely. My favorite books from last year are... 1. War and Peace (Love hearing you're giving it a go. Which translation are you reading?) 2. Don Quixote (Very slow going for me too) 3. Brothers Karamazov (I had a hard time reading it, so I listened to the version narrated by Luke Thompson and it was... astounding. It's my favorite book, now.) 4. The Picture of Dorian Gray and 5. Dracula (Specifically the first few chapters... they're fantastically creepy. The rest of the book was good, but the first section was spectacular.)

[@NerdyKathi]

Thank you so much for the kind words. I don't know which translation I have of War & Peace; it's the Everyman's Library edition. Brothers Karamazov I'm intending to read in April. The others I've read years ago. Great choices. 😊

[@eb4225]

Congratulations for 4000 Subscribers !

[@NerdyKathi]

Thank you so much!

[@ToddsBookTube91]

Todd here. Nice Wrap Up Kathi! I read the first chapter of Caves of Steel years ago and did not like it, I may give it another try. It's nice to see that you like a wide range of genres.

[@NerdyKathi]

Hi Todd and thank you! I just realise you have a channel and will have to check it out. Caves of Steel gets better I think. I hope you like it better on a 2nd try.

[@LaughingStockfarm1]

Ha! I also read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde last year and had the same reaction! Quite enjoyed the story. I haven’t read The Island of Dr. Moreau, but I did read the contemporary take ‘The Daughter of Dr. Moreau’ and enjoyed it after I made the shift from thinking it fantasy to a more gothic romance, which isn’t really my bag. Nevertheless, if you like gothic fantasy/romance, it’s well done.

[@NerdyKathi]

Dr Jekyll was a great surprise. I really like The Island of Dr. Moreau but I doubt I'll get around to The Daughter of Dr. M. Fantasy romance is not really my thing.

[@barbaralin3053]

I also read Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hide, and found it enlightening. My favorite short classic this year so far is Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, which gives a sympathetic view of the protagonist. I'm trying to read more Sci-fi and Stephen King's.

[@NerdyKathi]

I haven't read any Wharton, but have seen films based on her books.

[@M-T-123]

Congrats on 4000 subscribers!📚🐾📚

[@NerdyKathi]

Thank you so much 😀

[@chuckmoss7414]

Thank you for sharing your year. Commented at 3:06: Love your laugh - maybe you came up with a better title!

[@NerdyKathi]

Thank you. 😂