FINALLY a great reading month - March 2024 in a Nuttshell

[@markymarkzero]

“The language was pretentious.” What?? That’s literally how they spoke/wrote in the 19th century. That’s like saying the way you’re speaking the English language in this video is “pretentious.” It’s like booktubers and “analysts” don’t have two brain cells to rub together.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m no analyst but I’m pretty dumb. Pretentious probably isn’t the right way to describe it, if I scripted my videos I would have caught it but here we are lol but also why be so rude 😂

[@bretttharpwriter]

You could stand to be a bit kinder, there's a lot of better ways to push back on that minor issue.

[@Jay_Mike]

You’re the man Jimmy 🤙🏻

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks brother

[@RedFuryBooks]

Wow - what a month! I'm really glad you loved Cloud Atlas - I read it 8-10 years ago and absolutely loved it and think about it often. I need to reread it. Sarantine Mosaic is a hopefully later this year read! I'm reading Tigana right now and just love reading Kay again. Easily the most underrated and under appreciated author I the fantasy genre. I hope April stacks up great for you as well!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yeah for my money he’s gotta be top 5 all time id imagine, in the genre that is

[@henryorhank]

Cannot wait to see your review for Lord of Emperors. The Sarantine Mosaic is one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read, and yeah, the setting is unbelievable. There is so much amazing payoff in Lord of Emperors. I love the rare magic in the series because it genuinely feels otherworldly and mystical.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m so hyped!!!

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

A very eclectic mix of books indeed. GGK never disappoints, man. He only gets better!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

He’s really great!

[@BookishTexan]

I’ve heard so many mixed things about In Ascension that I just can’t pull the trigger on reading it. I have no desire to feel the feels in A Little Life. I just don’t think I will ever be in the place that it’s a book I pick up. Glad you read and enjoyed Cloud Atlas.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

In Ascension is a pretty tough recommendation, I don’t know who else would you really enjoy it. Cloud atlas is still replaying in my head daily, what a wonderful book!

[@sowercookie]

I need to read Sailing to Sarantium everyone's hyping it up! I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with GGK, I love his style and his plot twists are amazing but I've never had a book just grab me it's always a struggle getting into them 😅

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I can understand that, I’ve often said I wish he’d go for something a bit more epic or out there.

[@andrewlavigne44]

his debut trilogy Fionavar Tapestry might be interesting to you. it's about some college students being transported to a fantasy world heavily inspired by myth and I believe they have to stop Ragnarok.@@thefantasynuttwork

[@molly-bch]

literary scifi is extremely up my alley haha, moving In Ascension up my list

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I hope you enjoy!

[@yetanotheremily2317]

Keep the long videos coming, it’s always great to see someone excited about what they’re reading!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’ll do my best!

[@jakebishop7822]

Uncrown, the Lord of Emperors awaits you now. Stocked to see what you think, glad to see such a good month from you.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hope I can get to it in April

[@SuperMichael024]

Had to come back to this to say thank you for putting me on Cloud Atlas. This was my first David Mitchell book and wow safe to say I need to read more of him. Any recommendations for my next David Mitchell book?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Bone Clocks! I’m so happy you liked it

[@trojanfan4321]

The Last King of Osten Ard is so good so far. Brothers of the Wind, his other bridge novel in between book 2 and 3 is one of his best books IMO.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Nice!

[@planet6288]

I finished To Green Angel tower last month. I’m so happy I can now enjoy the rest of Tad’s work.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yesssss

[@esmayrosalyne]

You deserved all those nutt button worthy books!! Glad you had such a great month. Between you and Johanna's reviews, I have become very intrigued by In Ascension. I might just listen to it soon! And I am so sold on Cloud Atlas, but I am definitely saving that for when I am in a more daring mood hahah. Hope April continues the streak of great reads, happy reading (and vlogging, hopefully?) ☺

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Definitely more vlogging!

[@cillianjudge]

Hi Jimmy, long-time subscriber here who never comments😂 I just wanted to say that I loved the recent reading vlog and your long-form content in general; I think you excel at it in regards to booktube and I can't wait to watch more of them - the more the better! I just wanted to let you know that I think they are great. Thanks for all of the brilliant content (especially Chatting With Nutts) Cillian :)

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you oh so much!!

[@MaximusStetich]

Such great book chat!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

🙏 thank you

[@MattonBooks]

Sounds like a great month, mate.😀 Thanks for taking the Little Life bullet so I don’t have to. YES! Cloud Atlas was genius! It kept me from sleeping years ago when I read it, couldn’t put it down. I really need to get to Sarantium, it’s been a while since I read Fianovar & Tigana. Also need to get to MS&T soon - I know I like Tad, Otherland was wonderful, but can’t wait to sink into some amazing classic fantasy.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Cloud atlas is such a ridiculously good book

[@SarahJ70]

Best thumbnail yet 😂 I’m glad you finally had a great reading month. Four nutt butttons ooooo🎉🎉

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahah thanks

[@ConnorM44]

Hola Señor Nutz just dropping by to say I appreciate you. Been a rough start to the week and for 24 minutes you helped me escape and forget. hope you know we appreciate you and your content

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m so glad I was able to help, and hope your week gets better bro

[@Johanna_reads]

I feel the same conflict about recommending In Ascension. I imagine most SFF readers will find it boring, and I'm glad you and I still enjoyed it! 😅

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I think it’s great at least hahah

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

Thank you for your candid thoughts on Little Life. I never had any interest in reading it but everybody seems to talk about that book like it's the answer to all questions in the universe.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I feel strongly it provides about zero answers lol

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

@@thefantasynuttwork 🤣🤣

[@ashleykimbrough3299]

Really liked the vlog! I read A Little Life right when it came out and I think it was a case of the right place right time for me. I hold that time and that read dear, but I do not recommend it to anyone. Cloud Atlas is one of my favorite books though! No notes. Frobisher was my fav character and then Cavendish. Thanks for the updates on your reading!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m so happy you’re also a lover of Cloud Atlas!

[@pranavroh]

The Heart of What was lost is a brilliant introduction to the Last King of Osten Ard. Have fun - Last King is a great series. Waiting for the last book.

[@pranavroh]

Also very dark. Much darker than MST.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m sooooooo hyped!!!!

[@JBSprig]

Thanks for this! Even more reasons for me to pick up and read "Cloud Atlas." Will do so now. And I read Sailing to Sarantium years ago, great book. Lord of Emperors, too. Good review.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you!!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Oh man what a month! This has me legit pumped to try Cloud Atlas and Sarantine Mosaic…and Tad Williams!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I hope you enjoy them!

[@edoardoserpelloni8311]

I read In Ascension because of your recommendation and I love it, really thought it was excellent. Thanks for the recommendation, that was really my style of sci Fi

[@thefantasynuttwork]

phew I was nervous you were going to say you hated it, thankful for you letting me know you loved it!

[@edoardoserpelloni8311]

I can see it not being something for everyone, but that Interstellar-like sci Fi style that mixes philosophical questions with deep personal experiences is something that I am really drawn to

[@CryBenihime23]

Just finished Into the Narrowdark and I cant wait for that final book in the Last King of Osten Ard series.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m pumped!!

[@SheWasOnlyEvie]

My incessant refreshing of my subscription feed finally paid off. Now to actually watch the chaos!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

you have been rewarded

[@jeroenadmiraal8714]

I worry about you sometimes

[@SheWasOnlyEvie]

@@jeroenadmiraal8714 I worry about me all the time.

[@guidomarchessi5322]

Such an eloquent Nuttshell, Jimmy. As always. I'll give Cloud Atlas a try, your passion cannot be more contagious (you'll be the doom of my TBR).

[@thefantasynuttwork]

😀😀😀

[@patricksullivan6988]

I look forward to hearing how you like the Cloud Atlas film. I have stayed away from it, since a significant factor in my appreciation for the book is its prose(s).

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@patricksullivan6988 I still need to watch it lol

[@cosyreadingtimes8857]

Always fun to hear you talk about books (especially since I myself recently got more and more into litfic). Would be interesting to see you do a movie review as well for Cloud Atlas and compare the two. I've only ever seen the movie and found it very fascinating (also, the definitely seems to align with the adaptation in many places from what you're saying bout the novel), especially since many of the actors in it play multiple characters across different stories. My standouts in March were the Beartown trilogy which I listened to 8 days straight while crocheting all day long (uni spring break), Prince of Pigeons by Megan Lindholm (aka Robin Hobb) and Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde. All of them were very moving but also very dark.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Beartown is a banger

[@MagusMarquillin]

Rally want to jump into some Mitchell! I personally _love_ the Cloud Atlas movie enough to have watched it four times - Wichowski's at the top of their game. I recommend you check it out, it'll give a new perspective on the timelines that are deftly woven, and I hear it's quite faithful to the source...save for one tonal change. Glad you had such a nutting month!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m def excited to try the movie

[@TomOrange]

Glad you had such a good reading month! I finally got my first 5 star reading in like 8 months with All The Pretty Horses. I also find it really funny that the patron pick and both a 1 and 5 star review from people you know.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

All the pretty horses is so damn good

[@samcostello2861]

So glad that you liked Cloud Atlas. David Mitchell is a brilliant author. I just got done reading his debut novel, Ghostwritten. Wow. Incredible read. It definitely feels like a proto-Cloud Atlas in that it also walks a line between being a novel and a short fiction collection. So good! I can't wait for Mitchell's next novel.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

He’s one of the best ever

[@samcostello2861]

@@thefantasynuttwork He sure is. I'm so psyched to hear your thoughts on Lord of Emperors and Last King of Osten Ard. Like you, I'm a huge Tad Williams fan. Depending on how this new series sticks the landing, it just might surpass Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn and Otherland as his best work. November can't come soon enough!

[@TallGuyReads]

Awesome month of reading man and hell yes! Finally won the patron pick! I hope you dig The Changeling man, I think it’ll be right up your alley

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m super pumped for it, and it’s good to hear from ya bro

[@BrianBell7]

Glad you had a great reading month! You've got me sold on Cloud Atlas for sometime late Spring / early Summer. GGK for the win too! Love when new videos drop from the Friday Night Delight!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I do my best to provide!

[@darthandy6161]

On 31 March 2021 I started The Blade Itself and on 16 Mar 2024 I finished The Wisdom of Crowds. What a journey! You have me intrigued with In Ascension. I actually loved the Cloud Atlas movie and then struggled with the brilliantly done but hard for me to read writing styles. Hope to see more vlogs!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Definitely more vlogs !

[@YouWinILose]

A chariot race?! Oh man, GGK put a horse race in Brightness Long Ago and it was some of the most incredible writing I've ever had the pleasure of reading! Can't wait!!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It’s soooooo good

[@jakebishop7822]

I think the Sailing to Sarantium chariot race is not quite as amazing as the Brightness horse race, but it's close, and then the Lord of Emperors Chariot Race knocks both out of the water for me

[@YouWinILose]

@@jakebishop7822 That's a lot of races for one world, but I can't wait! I've had only one 5 star read so far this year, and I'm sure GGK will change that

[@mythosthecat]

If you haven’t read it yet, try Brothers of the Wind by Tad Williams. Fantastic prequel to Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. Adds loads to the main series and is a brilliant story in its own right.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Good book!

[@SheWasOnlyEvie]

Serious comment now… I’m glad you had such a great reading month! I might try to read the Patreon pick book alongside you.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Let’s do it!

[@blacknbluecollarreader]

Excellent video Sir. A Little Life caught my attention last month but I picked up Demon Copperhead instead. DC is definitely bringing up things I'd like to forget but what an amazing book so far. Your recommendation last year pushed me to pick it up so thank you.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It’s a great book and I’m so happy you decided to give it a try

[@RJGibson7]

Dude, the chariot races are straight 🔥! I have five Dave Mitchell books staring at me so I need to get to those soon (after Malazan probably, because I’m on that hype train baby and it has no brakes 🤣🤣🤣) Great video as always my friend! ❤

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

I love it when you wax poetic about books. 🎉🎉

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you! That means a lot!!

[@BooksRebound]

Ooof. Any time I see A Little Life in a thumbnail i feel dread lmao. Love that book but god DAMN. Totally agree Saratium is his best setting. I love that duology so much and I've read all his books. If you like Cloud Atlas you might enjoy Gnomon. Though maybe you already read it? Cant remember if that was you or not

[@thefantasynuttwork]

it sent me into a spiral lol

[@BooksRebound]

​@@thefantasynuttwork Have you read Williams Shadowmarch books? I cant get through Osten Ard sadly. I prefer Shadowmarch way more.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@BooksRebound I loved book one and will continue after Osten Ard

[@BookishChas]

Awesome stuff Jimmy! I loved the movie Cloud Atlas, and then I DNFd the book. 😂😂 I really enjoyed the Changeling, although his novella The Ballad of Black Tom is better.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

The book is definitely a challenge!

[@marianamasbooks]

I’ve been interested in In Ascension since it got nominated. (I don’t read a lot of booker books, but the premise of this one caught my eye). I recently read Sea of Tranquility which was also categorized as literary sci fi and I did not like that one AT ALL, it’d be interesting to compare with another literary sci fi. In Ascension feels like I’ll like it more because it seems more of a character study? I also like books that analyze mortality (but I’m not interested in A Little zLife at all 😅). Great wrap up! I also loved the vlog 🤓

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks!! Idk if Ascension will be a hit for you, but it is very character focused

[@marianamasbooks]

@@thefantasynuttwork I’ll report back if I get to it haha! 🤓

[@naaresu]

Great video as always Jimmy! I was wondering, do you still have the Suneater books in your reading list?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I do, I need to read book six

[@laurablakeauthor]

I look forward to you and Dave Mitchell being very good friends.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Me too 😬

[@bentheoverlord]

Fantastic set of books man ! I hated A Little Life, it just felt like the author was just making the characters suffer because they could. Like I get life can be bleak, but that just felt like pointless bleakness. Very much like Douglas Stewarts Shuggie Bain of my existence. I've been very excited to get to Cloud Atlas, as I've heard great things and I know I'll just love it. Very excited to get to Williams and GGK, both are authors I know Im gonna love but just waiting for my tbr wheel to pick them haha.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m someone who thinks life is fairly pointless and bleak and i still didn’t like the book hahah

[@bentheoverlord]

@@thefantasynuttwork haha I get that. I think it’s the Scottishness that makes me go “if you are gonna make it bleak, at least make it funny haha “

[@strombolibones]

Stoked you loved the Heart of What Was Lost. All aboard the Witchwood Hype Train

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m so ready

[@andrewhanson405]

Great wrap up! Glad you are still doing a wrap-up on top of the vlogging. I like dark books but I think I'll pass on A Little Life...I don't think I have the stamina for a cynical 800 page+ book.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It’s brutal

[@MacScarfield]

I loved «The Sarantine Mosaic»: The Prologue is my favorite by GGK, could have been a favorite short stoy on its own, all the comeuppance! I differ from the vast majority in that I actually prefer Book 1, «Sailing to Sarantium», which I found very therapeutic reading after a year full of loss, setbacks & uncreativity, over Book 2, «Lord of Emperors», which I consider a nice bonus and a five star read too, but the vast majority consider it superior, and some GGK’s best work ever: For example I prefer the chariot race in «Sailing to Sarantium», but most prefer the one in «Lord of Emperors», so most likely so will you too! 😄 I plan to read «Memory, Sorrow & Thorn» (together with «The Prince of Nothing» Trilogy) over the Sommer Months!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yessss that prologue was awesome

[@neutral_narr]

Are you planning on reading Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne later this year?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Most likely

[@angelaholmes8888]

Here's what I read Love theoretically by ali hazlewood Check and mate by ali hazlewood Elektra by Jennifer saint You again by kate goldbeck The girl in the eagle's talons by karin Smirnoff book 7 in the millennium series Chain gang all stars by nana Kwame adjei brenyah The glass castle by Jeannette walls memoir The sporty one by melanie c memoir Some desperate glory by Emily tesh Happily ever after by Lynn painter

[@darren2880]

👍

[@thefantasynuttwork]

🫡

[@readbykyle3082]

Glad you're getting your mojo back. In Ascension is on my TBR this year, could go either way I think, but I'm intrigued.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I don’t have confidence you’ll really enjoy it but who knows!

[@thatsci-firogue]

A Little Life sounds so... excessive and uninteresting. Been meaning to read Cloud Atlas for years, I just have to really been in the mood for short stories. But i love it when an author isn't afraid to experiment. Hell yeah, Sailing to Sarantium! Jimmy, stop making me want to restart Memory Sorrow & Thorn!!! My month was dominated by re-reading Daniel Abraham's Age of Ash and R Scott Bakker's Prince of Nothing trilogy as well as the Judging Eye. And I finished Ken Liu's Veiled Throne, not my favourite so far but still crazy good. I'm currently reading: Play of Shadows / Sebastien De Castell - I missed De Castell's writing. The Golden Fool / Robin Hobb

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I definitely wanna get to Castell

[@jerryjenkins5435]

“I keep calling him Dave Mitchell, we’re not friends.” How do you know??? Have you asked???

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Fair point hahaha

[@lieslherman]

You keep convincing me I need to stop sleeping on Tad Williams... Where's the best place to start with him? Dragonbone Chair?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yep! It’s a slower book though so beware haha

[@lieslherman]

@@thefantasynuttwork Fantastic--as long as it's good, slow paced is my fave!!

[@currangill430]

Hey I saw my name 😮

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Appreciate it!

[@patsmythos]

The thumbnail cracked me up 😂 I think it’s time you move into click baity videos for 10 year olds Your description ofIn Ascension intrigues me. Would you say its approach to a first contact novel is at all similar to Station Eleven’s approach to a post-apocalypse novel?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hmm I don’t think I would

[@patsmythos]

@@thefantasynuttwork good to know. Nonetheless I’ll definitely add it on the TBR, great video as always!

[@jakebishop7822]

chariots.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

They rule

[@currangill430]

Still got to get through Dune. Keep going back and forth between reading and writing 😅 Don't be an author Jimmy it's Nutts

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I would struggle to balance the two

[@currangill430]

@@thefantasynuttwork I still haven't been able to. I read maybe a book a month

[@currangill430]

I think after book one I'll probably Joe Abercrombie-ing and not really reading

[@Gl1tch2263]

I reject your premises and thus deny your conclusions.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I challenge thee to a duel

[@tyghe_bright]

Everything I've heard about A Little Life makes me think it's trauma porn. Just misery for misery's sake. Clearly it's well-written, but it just seems... indulgently traumatic.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Her intent seems a bit lofty but idk how to really assign value to it myself

[@playermartin286]

A little life felt a little bit like torture porn to me

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Certainly is brutal