I READ BOOKTUBER'S BEST BOOKS OF 2022 ft.

[@TheBookLeo]

thanks so much for giving one of my fave books a try!! 'i wanted them all to go to therapy' is a perfect description of every sally rooney character ever hahaha. Normal people has a bit more plot than BWWAY despite still being character driven, so you may still enjoy that one!

[@jessethereader]

🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@lilfishboy253]

I haven’t read BWWAY, but I’d suggest trying Conversations With Friends, Jesse! After reading Normal People and not liking it at all, I didn’t have high hopes for CWF, but it ended up being a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me! I’ve gathered from watching a heap of Sally Rooney reviews it’s a common thing that people either like BBWAY & Normal People, OR Conversations With Friends (apparently BBWAY’s plot is similar to CWF?? I’m not qualified to say though!) Love both of y‘all’s videos by the way! 💗💗💗

[@PetrikLeo]

Wow, Jesse, thank you so much for giving my recommendation a try! I'm so pleased you loved Spinning Silver, and I think your criticism is very fair! Here's hoping you'll get back to fantasy, but take your time! Also, if you want a great coming-of-age magic realism/fantasy, try Boy's Life by Robert McCammon. More importantly, your comments about my channel boosted my day. Life hasn't been kind to me the past few days, and your comments about my channel being a comfort to you feel like a balm to my soul right now. So, thank you so much for that! Once again, glad you liked Spinning Silver! :D

[@withcindy]

Wowww I'm glad u enjoyed house of hollow as much as I did! The vibes were immaculate indeed ✨

[@s.l.thecoffeeaddict1657]

Cindy!!!

[@ximenaallessandrij.5972]

I love when Jesse always clarifies that he needs to critic but he's also too gentle when does it, Jesse is always the kindest person and we know it ✨

[@Rose-lt6wu]

you and Leo are two of my all time favorite booktubers🥹✨ it's so nice to see a collab from you guyssss🥺💖

[@jessethereader]

she is so great!! i love her vibe so much.

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

kinda wish jesse had read bunny off leonie's list. that would have been...interesting lol

[@aleksandra3979]

i absolutely loved the writing in house of hollow! vibes? immaculate. creeps? yes! my only complain was romance that was in such poor taste that legit made me remember why observing straight couples is sometimes like watching animal kingdom on discovery channel. yikes

[@jenniferclark677]

Spinning Silver was soooo good! Glad you liked it too!

[@eht367]

I'm so glad you enjoyed Spinning Silver! Uprooted is one of my favourites by Naomi Novik, even if it seems to be one people either love or hate XD I agree that there need to be more Fantasy stand-alones, or they need to be talked about more so we can all find them! Outside of Novik, Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman and House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig are my usual go-to recommendations for anyone who doesn't want to commit to a series.

[@haniaasad1406]

12:32 lol made me laugh. Respect your opinions tho✨

[@mariepotter8921]

Heyyyy!!!! Been reading percy Jackson recently! Onto the 3rd book, and super excited for the newest book!!! Hope all is well!!! Love ya!

[@mjaye2894]

house of hollow has been one of my favorite reads this year. it’s phenomenal!

[@jessethereader]

i was so pleasantly surprised by it!

[@Milan_T.]

Jesse, it's perfectly fine to say that a book was boring (to you)! It's a valid opinion since we're all different and our tastes vary. So hearing an opinion that goes against the perceived "majority opinion", was very refreshing. I felt the same way about Sense and Sensibility. I loved Pride and Prejudices and Emma, so S+S felt soooo tedious since not much happened plot-wise. I needed more drama, twists and turns that were impactful, and S+S just felt like relaying somebody's diary entries with a lot of personality and style for sure, but so boring at the same time.

[@johannalehto9154]

My favorite read of 2022 has to be 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot. 1) It's poem collection only about different types of cats. Yes please! 2) It's a very short, but an inpactful read with some of the best quotes I ever have read!

[@uriah19s]

I didn't like normal people at all. It was also boring, and the characters feel so manufactured and annoying

[@morleywritesbooks]

I haven't read Spinning Silver, but slowly going through Uprooted by the same author. I keep hearing that if you like one, you'll hate the other, but we'll see ^_^ And 100% YES Petrick's channel is book comfort food

[@emilyo.5224]

The Once and Future Witches by Alix Harrow and The House of Salt and Sorrows and Small Favors by Erin A Craig are all really good fantasy standalones!!

[@Darrkness]

I read and loved Spinning Silver too. Cindy's and Leonie's books sound interesting so I might have to give them a try. I'm sure lots of people read and will probably recommend Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree (and as they should because it was short, sweet and a well deserved enjoyable title.) I however want to recommend a stand alone suggested from booktuber TheShadesOfOrange that took me by surprise. How High We Go In The Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu. Its essentially several emotional connected sci-fi short stories set in a bleak near future. I think you'd like it.

[@MagdaU_]

I don't remember struggling to figure out whose perspective we are following in Spinning silver. But maybe just another reason to re-read as I really liked it

[@booklover11976]

loved the reference to legally blonde at the end there lol

[@kairitetra]

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson is a good fantasy stand-alone.

[@williamgwynne]

It is always dangerous watching one of Petrik's videos! My TBR grows every time 👀. I loved Beautiful World, Where Are You. Shame it did not work for you! It'll take me a little while to forgive you calling it boring... but I'll manage. Just kidding 🤣. I can completely see where you're coming from!

[@_lilyofthevalley_]

The universe aligned so that there are 666 likes rn and my comment will make it 69 comments

[@jessethereader]

LOL

[@a.b.2405]

I literally just hauled the first two books! I can’t wait to get to them! Some good fantasy stand-alone books I really enjoyed were: “Tigerlily”, “Hooked”, and “Heartless”. “Circe” was also good as well.

[@deannascorner8112]

I can’t even describe how excited I got when I saw a new Jesse video! I had to save it until I was done work to give it a proper view ❤ Also Jesse you gotta stop amping up such great sounding books - my bank account is going to cry 😆😆

[@catarenaa6815]

Have you read The Sword of Kaigen? For me it’s best stand alone fantasy! Not only the world building and action scenes, the book talked about patriarchy and motherhood

[@scubacat22]

I agree that Sally Rooney is definitely having a moment, and people are polarized. Either you think she's one the greatest, or you find her boring. I read Normal People and thought it was fine. Definitely not great. Everyone was messed up. Some of the characters needed A LOT of therapy. I think it has more of a plot than BWWAY, but it then just ends with no real conclusion. So I definitely understand your experience. My favorite read of last year was Song of Achilles!

[@caitlyn.m.t9618]

One of my favourite books of 2022 was Night Theatre by Vikram Paralkar. The follows a surgeon whom is working at an underfunded clinic. One night a family of dead people walks in with fatal wounds. He must stitch them up by sunrise or they will all drop dead again. This book is beautifully written with a lot of detail. Especially when talking about the wounds and the surgery itself. In fact, even though I didn't find it so, it be describe as gory.

[@wiltedthread]

Seriously… I didn’t like Sally Rooney’s writing in Normal People either.. there was so much hype surrounding it so I picked it up. Despite it being a thin book, I couldn’t finish it. It was morose and depressing.. no plot, no story nothing… after which I realised, I d rather stick to my fantasy and thriller genres. I will definitely read House of Hollow now that u have given it a 5 star. Thank you ❤

[@fridaotero7659]

My favorite fantasy stand alone it’s Elantris by Brandon Sanderson, we follow gods that helped people through the eternity but the eternity ended 10 years ago and instead of being a blessing being a god it’s a curse 🙌🏻 (sorry if my gramma it’s a little odd but English isn’t my first language)

[@hayashaikh8159]

Your reaction after reading BWWAY was my reaction after Normal People. I wanted to give Sally Rooney another chance but now I am more scareddd 🌚😂

[@raquelgarcia2357]

I totally agree with everything you said about BWWAY Buuut you should read normal people I think that’s her best work

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

I can't wait! I love these videos so much that I finally made my own haha

[@GinaBlythe]

When I read HOUSE OF HOLLOW, I was expecting a lot more horror than I got - and that's a good thing. I read it in two days and have been thinking about it ever since. It's a book that stays with you. There were some things I could see coming and others that took me by surprise. It was right up there with my favourite books so far and, unless I read another story that tops it, HOUSE OF HOLLOW, along with SMALL ANGELS will be my two absolute favourite books of 2022! In fact, I had to get my own copy of HOUSE OF HOLLOW because it stuck with me and I cannot wait to dig in and read it again, even knowing the ending. Maybe there are other details I missed! HOUSE OF HOLLOW was a 5 star read, only because I couldn’t give it more!

[@manoghnagangavelapalem6623]

War breaker is one of the best fantasy stand-alones I have read. Highly recommend it.

[@zahrabookworm5384]

A fantasy stand alone that I loved is The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh, definitely worth a try!

[@dania7989]

Agree with this, one of the best books I read last year! It was so beautiful 💙

[@cmondya4919]

Really cool ! :)

[@miraemasu4127]

Books are blessings. People who read books, have books are the richest in my pov. And also, to buy more books people spend so much of their pennies. And they worth the money. If it's a good read it worth the time too.

[@BrebearMckae]

Tbh I didn’t think HOH was gonna be your vibe 🤣 love that book though!

[@fernandoaquino7193]

Sally Rooney is a hit or miss for me. I did not like her second book, which I read first, but I gave her a second chance with her first book, conversations with friends, and though I do not agree with her overall point I give the book 5 out of five stars for making a argument on modern romance and love

[@GalaxyAngelo]

I haven’t read any of sally Rooney’s books but a lot of booktoubers who have read her book might have hated or really did like one oh her books really enjoyed another So I think she might be one of those authors who have to give a few chances ? Idk like I’ve said I haven’t read her personally but it seems that it’s a very mixed bunch from what I’ve heard

[@coffee8599]

I try so hard to enjoy Naomi Novik, but her writing style exhausts me, lol.

[@carapatel2214]

I'm glad I'm not alone in finding Sally Roonie's books dull. I think I've tried two now and dnf'd both of them

[@madefromashes]

I personally felt that most of the characters in house of hollow were 2 dimensional and instead of developing them more the author kept repeating themselves over and over.

[@zarmeenhaider8182]

Your thoughts on Beautiful world where are you is exactly the way I felt. It was so boring 😅

[@sarahhansen8004]

Spinning Silver is amazing! Slowly realizing it was one of my best in 2022. I read it in December and it was magical. I liked the split perspectives as I loved them all and was eager to get back to each. So beautiful.

[@heatherparisi8250]

Uprooted is still great (I still love spinning silver more) the hate for it is so I’ve the top though

[@laurenrodriguez918]

My favorite book last year was The Dead Romantics

[@heatherperry9326]

Hi Jesse, will you be doing any more Disney play videos on your gaming channel??

[@fishbowlwoman]

This was so much fun! And I love how you use the library for checking out (tee hee) new books. Libraries are the best things!

[@sunrisefun]

Sorcery of Thorns is a great fantasy stand alone.

[@bookoffholicbookwart5945]

Book leo is a safe haven. The vibes are immaculate

[@jessethereader]

right?! she brings the most comforting vibes.

[@TheWordN3rd]

I think it makes sense that you can like certain books w really vague plots, but not others. The Other elements of the book would really need to be something you connect with or are in invested in.

[@jessethereader]

very true!!

[@meganhicks5190]

Hi Jesse! I’m new to your channel so I don’t know if you’ve read this or not but for fantasy I would highly recommend Raybearer and it’s sequel Redemptor. It’s not a stand alone but it is only a duology. They were so good!

[@jessethereader]

I have Raybearer! I definitely need to get to it soon. Thanks for the rec!

[@elizabethshin9584]

Spot on about Beautiful World - loved Normal People but her other two books were just meh to me. Love your content btw! :)

[@jessethereader]

good to know i'm not alone in feeling this way! thank you

[@im_just_vidu]

I'm gonna add house of hollow to my soon tbr

[@jenniferrivers1561]

I read normal people from sally rooney and thought that was also boring. I just cant get into her books.

[@jessethereader]

i guess this isn't a good sign for me then. haha. i might give her a second chance anyway.. we'll see!

[@66ehssan]

Finally, someone stood against Sally Rooney. 👍🙏

[@annikaringbooks]

It’s so true where are the stand alone fantasy 😭

[@theshannaeilishshow]

In one of her videos, Hannah at A Clockwork Reader said that "Beautiful World, Where Are" you basically read as if it was Rooney's response to people's critiques about some of her other work. (I think specifically about "Normal People" but I could be wrong.)

[@pamelakibildis1177]

Great Video Jesse and here’s some good recommendations for fantasy stand alone books ever heard of C.J Redwine she wrote The Ravenspire Series and it is so good 📚 I think you would really enjoy them and I’m almost about to read Spinning Silver too once I finish my latest book that I’m on which is Anastasia by Sophie Lark and oh man is it good I Highly Recommend That Book too I think you’ll really enjoy it too Love Your Channel Jesse Have a Wonderful Day tomorrow Goodnight

[@ceylamin1670]

I do am also a Fantasy Book Reader (even though in German) but i found your Channel a few Days ago and looove the Vibes :) I for myself fight through the First Law Series from Joe Abercrombie and after that The Legends of the Älfar from Markus Heitz 💓

[@bookwyrmgirl]

My stand-alone fantasy recs would be: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson (my TOP favorite stand-alone book in general!) and Stain by A.G. Howard (a retelling of The Princess and the Pea, I believe)

[@e-nev]

I LOVED Spinning Silver too! I'm currently reading Sally Rooney's Conversations with Friends - it's my first book of hers I'm trying out, and so far I am...bored. With all the love she gets, I'm glad to hear my opinion as of right now isn't totally unfounded, so thank you!

[@AspienPadda]

Jesse is just SO pretty, esp in the mouth area

[@daniellewilliams1459]

Hey Jesse, I’m reading Tomorrow and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin 🙂 so happy you uploaded a video my night just got better 😊 my favorite book from 2022 has to be The Lucky List .

[@lucypeake759]

yeah, 'beautiful world, where are you' is definitely my least favourite sally rooney book. Reading it was so frustrating: the characters were unlikeable in ways that made them unlikeable to read, and rooney really didn't play it subtle on her messaging. I read this after her book 'conversations with friends' which is a way more enjoyable, subtle, and engrossing read, which kind of gave me whiplash when I read this one straight after. If you want to give sally rooney another go, I'd earnestly skip 'normal people', which falls into the irritating trapping of beautiful world (though to a less degree), and try conversations with friends, which was actually one of my favourite books last year. :))

[@Lillyjoy]

I’ve been dying for an atmospheric book so I may have to try spinning silver, but I’ve heard it’s really dark and I don’t like that. Did you think it was really dark throughout it? Also I would recommend The Night Circus that’s one of my favorite fantasies 😊

[@jaimeerindy4573]

I'm finding that BWWAY has been having very mixed reaction. It absolutely HIT for me, but I am in the exact demographic that it was aimed at

[@annaboo27]

I love your videos. I’ve had a rough couple of days and was so excited to see your new post! Always puts me in a happy place.

[@jessethereader]

sorry you've been havin a rough few days!! hope things get better for you. sending lots of good vibes.

[@annaboo27]

Thank you so much!🥹

[@Jeramie26]

I think I will need to reread all of Sally Rooney’s novels. See if it will change my ratings. Can’t blame you though. Not all really loved or enjoy her books. But try to read Normal People and Conversations with Friends.

[@erinsbooks]

I've only read Beauitiful World and I wasn't a fan. And One of my favorite books in 2022 is How To Fake it in Hollywood.

[@marthagreig6485]

I agreed with your thoughts on the Sally Rooney book. I did give her another chance and read Normal People, but I didn't like it either. I just did not like any of the characters in either of the Sally Rooney books I read. She is definitely not the author for me. Love watching your videos. 😁

[@arobinreads]

Very nice video! ❤ I enjoyed Spinning Silver as well. It did feel very pointless to call it a Rumpelstiltskin retelling though, because there was almost nothing of that in the book.

[@EmyN]

"Bend and snap" 😂

[@thewitchyreader6131]

Great Video!

[@laurabrewes1422]

Naomi Novak is fantastic. I enjoyed Spinning Silver, & Uprooted is one of my favorite books.

[@MarcelleLeiturasPreguicosas]

I loved House of Hollow, I bought because of the cover, and I was really pleased that the inside matches the outside! If you liked it, you should read Nettle & Bone, the beginning is a little bit confusing, but you will understand the plot as the story goes on. Regarding Sally Rooney, maybe it was the wrong timing to read it. I gave 5 stars to Normal People, but I am afraid to read her other books.

[@rebekad3113]

I had the exact same feeling about Spinning Silver. The perspective jumping threw me when I read it but it still ended up as one of my favorites the year I read it.

[@emmal7510]

I'd definitely recommend you give Uprooted a try. It only has one perspective and I recall the pacing being better.

[@lizbradley7489]

Cursed by Melissa Myers also I also found a lot of manga that I got into Tokyo ghoul and the way of the househusband I think you would really like the way of the house husband it's very funny also I love long live the pumpkin queen

[@missasissa]

It’s interesting the way books affect us all differently! I listened to the audio of House of Hollow while recovering from a concussion and it actually put me to sleep. I really must not have been enjoying it. 😂 But thanks for this vid, yet more books to add to my tbr. 😊

[@MayaMad33]

I bet Jesse would love Legends and Lattes about an orc who opens a coffee shop. its a standalone slice of life fantasy story. Super cute and just a good vibe.

[@mariahlarson92]

I love the book leo

[@Hillary429]

🦆 loosey goosey 🦢

[@ximenaallessandrij.5972]

I love when he does this, it can end great or horrible with the book but he is fomanting what, I think, is the porpouse of saying the best reads, making people being interest, at least I feel it like that 'cause it works for me 😅

[@kanimozhi5487]

whenever its a sad day i come here its a happy place

[@jessethereader]

🖤

[@veronicamontes5226]

Love the House of Hollow book. A masterpiece in my part.

[@lemonlord]

I also read house of hollow thanks to Cindy and OH BOY, it was amazing and I'm so glad you liked it as well

[@brokenredflag]

Sword of kaigen is a stand alone u may like. The shadow of the wind to. Both stand alones.

[@justjay6388]

i cant wait to read house of hollow and beautiful world where are you and see how i feel. also i love that you borrowed the books from your library! 🥰

[@o_o-lj1ym]

I read house of hollow because of Cindy and I love the vibes so much

[@kristentejera7160]

Love your videos!! Thank you for sharing!

[@Ezra.mp3]

circe by madeline miller is a really fun fantasy book that isn't toooooo long or anything

[@weumx4899]

Your book reviews are always my favorite. Every time I finish a book, I look for a video of your review so it feels like I have someone to talk to about it.

[@dianagonzalez8992]

Love this kind of videos😻

[@jessethereader]

me too! so fun

[@alfredm9763]

You're a great you tuber🎉

[@jessethereader]

ty!!

[@Ms.SpookyNerd]

Great recs

[@jessethereader]

[@ShawolfirstStaysecond]

Faster than Onew’s Comeback

[@elli-maifreeman4087]

House of Hollow is so good and so underrated!