I Read The Internet's Most Recommended Books...| Reading Vlog

[@MoniquetheBookGeek]

Fun fact: Mary Shelley was in her late teens when she wrote Frankenstein (@7:52) as part of a friendly competition with her husband, poet Percy Shelley and two others, to see who could write the best horror/ghost story. Mary was 20 when Frankenstein was first published in 1818. This is one of my favorite classic stories that I've loved since I was a kid, and I'm glad you enjoyed it at least in part, Ian.

[@paperpagespossibilities]

I read Frankenstein for a literature class in college and I was very surprised at the story I read. It is so much different from what I grew up understanding about Frankenstein through popular culture. Definitely a mind-blowing experience.

[@jwi1085]

When Jurassic park came out as a film Michael Crichton had the number one film at the box office, most viewed tv show (ER) and the number one book sellert in the US att the same time i believe

[@jwi1085]

The audiobook for project hail mary is 🔥

[@anangryscorpion5838]

I cannot imagine reading Project hail mary physically after listening to the audiobook. The Narrator does such a fantastic job, with Rocky especially!

[@deborahalice]

Agreed it's actually fantastic.

[@BrownTown89]

Just got it from reading this comment 👌 😂

[@michaelhelms2378]

Project Hail Mary immediately became one of my favorites. Rocky was perfect for me. And that ending 🤯

[@life_of_wine_and_books]

I always recommend The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I reread it every single January so I can start out the year with at least one five star book. Since you enjoyed Frankenstein, I would recommend two books. First is Devolution by Max Brooks. It's a found footage type of book about sasquatches. The audiobook is top tier. It's full cast with Nathan Fillion, Kate Mulgrew and Judy Greer. I also absolutely love Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant (aka Seanan McGuire). It's about killer sirens in the Mariana Trench and has an amazing mixed media aspect. I definitely think you'll enjoy both of them.

[@wonsikbrah]

I finally read Piranesi today and was blown away. Not my kind of book at all, but because of you and Ashlynn's videos talking about it, I was convinced to pick it up. It's now one of my favorites, I gave it 5 stars. So thank you both so much for discussing it and inspiring me to grab it!

[@nashemotion2817]

My reccomendation: The ultimate hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy, written by Douglas Adams. A sci-fi nihilistic piece of british comedy gold that inspired things like Rick AND morty. The ultimate one Is a compilatión of the five books

[@andrewanderson5987]

You are one of my favorite book tubers! SO UPEAT, ENERGETIC, AND ENGAGED. Your videos are fun and exciting! Keep up the good work! 😊

[@alivialodi]

Project Hail Mary is one of my favorites and I definitely recommended it! But I did listen to the audiobook and i think if I was reading the physical book I probably would have felt the same way. The audiobook makes you feel so much more connected to Rocky’s character. Btw the humor in your videos has been 10/10!

[@elisabethprice4697]

Oh I hope you read the Count of Monte Christo!!!

[@andybarker8787]

Omg yes! Totally yes! Increeeeeeeedible book.

[@lindasreading]

YES🤩

[@tribalbreeze]

Do it! Do it! I read that last year, LOVED IT!

[@HelenJones-y5v]

Just an amazing book!!

[@milasimons6400]

He just read it in his new vid!

[@boop3649]

1:40 Literally everybody's reaction to the start of Piranesi (it's one of my favourite books)

[@thinkinginprint4639]

I love that book too. It is... so unexpected. Lol

[@annabanabanana]

I DNFed it at the very beginning because I had no idea what she was talking about. Maybe I will try it again. 😅

[@meikusje]

​@@annabanabanana yeah, the thing with magical realism, which I also struggled with when I first started reading that genre, is that you really need to let go of any preconceived notions, just go with the flow, and hope it'll all sort of become clear at the end.

[@tayloranette6647]

I listened to the audio book of Hail Mary and loved it. This just makes me want to listen to/read it all over again

[@chloesa4487]

oh man, watching you read Project Hail Mary makes me want to reread it! This book was so good!

[@MoniquetheBookGeek]

So glad you enjoyed Jurassic Park, Ian (@17:11)! This is one of my all-time favorite stories! Saw the first movie in the theater when it released in 1993 and became obsessed. Watched it and its 1997 sequel countless times not knowing they were based on books until Jurassic Park was a required reading in my junior college English course in 2003, and reading and writing a paper on it made me so happy, I immediately picked up and read the sequel, The Lost World. Read JP again in 2021.

[@MoniquetheBookGeek]

Side note: The late Michael Crichton is my 9th cousin twice removed.

[@clpeucker85]

I'd highly recommend Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton

[@chrisdoob]

Rocky was the best, I loved Project Hail Mary

[@heathermullinax3503]

That is a really cool edition of Frankenstein! I’m starting Blood Standard today because of your recommendation! I was shocked to see the series in stock when browsing at my local library.

[@mollydolly7341]

Im SO happy to see you read Project Hail Mary, that book brought me back into my reading hobby. Fingers crossed its adopted into a movie like The Martian

[@teles2988]

2026

[@RachaelWReads]

My recommendation: Pew by Catherine Lacey. As a religious person I think you’ll particularly enjoy this one and its ability to separate out the faith faults, especially in the older generations.

[@zeldasbiggestfan]

So glad to see all the House of Leaves love! Love y'all Ian, of course you know I'm gonna recommend House of Leaves again!!

[@unicornblends5285]

Will be reading the Red Rising books soon, Thank you for the video.

[@SHDDUPINEEDTHISSSS]

GOD BLESS YOU, FRICKIN' GUY!!! You maketh Fridays bestethhhhhh

[@Fernsandfiction_7888]

YEASS I AGREEEEE

[@jwi1085]

Better than best!

[@MsFantasygirl123]

I recommend Beartown by Fredrik Backman. One of my favorite books of all time

[@Elijah_Gillard]

Same, I honestly decided to watch the video when I did because I saw Beartown in the thumbnail and I adore this book

[@aanntruongg]

​@@Elijah_Gillard yeah, that's also me :)))

[@erincarr9411]

Not sure you've done this yet (new follower), you love in a place with one of the COOLEST libraries ever. You should have librarians recommend you books - so you can highlight that amazing place.

[@Angelareadsalot]

Michael Chrichton is the only author that’s ever managed to write a jump scare so good I immediately threw the book across the room 😅 That book was Jurassic Park.

[@brucegrossman3531]

I loved Piranesi. Had zero clue where it was going. I read Frankenstein years ago. I've got an oversized version with plates done by Bernie Wrightson. Whom when I met him at a comic con had him sign it along with his run on Swamp Thing.

[@amandawilson6006]

I’m so absolutely thrilled someone else got thrown off by the introduction of Rocky in Hail Mary. 😂 I was listening to the audio book & the extended sequence of learning to communicate & how much of a genius this Every Man Genius was was just too much for me. I lost interest so hard that I still haven’t picked it up to finish it. But I did appreciate the humor. I read Jurassic Park decades ago & still think about how awesome it was. His characters aren’t usually his strong points but dang Crichton’s concepts & the wild ride the story takes you on is incredible. Timeline was so good - I don’t know where the movie came from but I’m pretty sure they never read the book. And every time I see the cover of Sphere I can still remember how spooked I felt when I was reading it. I can’t remember the plot but decades later I’ve never forgotten the feeling it gave me.

[@Kittyzero13426]

I always enjoy these type of videos. Happy reading!!

[@smt_emily7756]

Reading Jurassic Park was such a great experience, I would erase my memory just to read it again.. Also read the second book, not as great as the first one, but still a very good read :)

[@andybarker8787]

I felt the same in regards to PHM. Started reading it, loved it took it on holiday to Spain and hit the mid part on the plane. I have no idea why but it just wasn’t what I wanted. Jurassic Park I read for the first time as a 15 year old in 1993 desperately waiting for the film to be released but wanting to read the book first. I’ve re read it every ten years since and it never lets me down.

[@beardedjohnson5654]

Can’t WAIT for the Slaughterhouse-Five video to drop!

[@aerbourne31]

Michael Crichton is one of those authors where I read everything they right. I love the level of science he puts into his stories, which are usually a ride in themselves. 5 star author. I recommend that you read Ender's Game. It's another science fiction book (series) that I couldn't put down.

[@MoniquetheBookGeek]

LOVE that you read books recommend to you by subscribers and strangers, Ian, and look forward to more videos like this. 🙂 Hope to be able to recommend a book to you.

[@beccaboobabe2]

The audiobooks for Project Hail Mary and The Martin by Andy Weir are incredible!!! Improved my readong experience by a lot!

[@norsuneiti]

My favourite thriller/crime book-series is Lars Keplers about Detective Inspector Joona Linna. Highly recommend you to read if you like fast paced books. All of the books can be read as stand alones but the best way is to read them in order. First book is called “The hypnotist”. Happy reading!😄

[@reemohlabane]

Hi Ian :) Loved the video as per usual. I just wanted to say congrats on the masterclass sponsorship. I've beeeeeeen wanting to get a subscription with them for a while now, but it's so expensive for me here in South Africa, so I know your code will help. Thanks so much for that nugget :)

[@pxcci3566]

I'm not sure if you've already read it, but I would recommend Blood Meridian. I read it a few months ago and it's a very interesting book, especially Judge Holden's character. I know it has deeper themes within the book, but I think you should definitely give it a shot.

[@andrewgarcia2018]

Piranesi was one of my favorites from this year and PHM was probably my favorite from last year 🔥

[@softlyhollyASMR]

My favourite books from the last few years that I think you would love! 🥰 Metronome by Tom Watson (dystopian with great writing and in depth characters) Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (post apocalyptic fiction done in a way its never been done before) Haven by Emma Donoghue ( dark and gritty, historical fiction that deals with themes of religion and isolation) Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier (beautiful writing, gothic and atmospheric)

[@leevan7924]

I recommend you read Kill for me kill for you by Steve Cavanagh. If you like a good thriller that you didn’t see the end coming you’re gonna love it.

[@tythompson4794]

This is so funny because I just finished Jurassic Park and The Lost World. JP probably is one of my favorite books I’ve ever read and I’m glad you enjoyed it too.

[@PawsandClawsPetTraining]

Have you read Dracula? It’s not one of my favorites, but I would recommend it. I just read it in October and was very surprised by how feminine forward it was. I would say the book is way ahead of the times. My favorite book ever is dark matter… Which came from your recommendation! But my favorite book series would be the naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I know your wife has read it, and she loved it. I would love to hear your opinion on it too. Maybe that could be a video… My wife recommends books? 🤞

[@monsteratreehouse]

Since reading project hail mary, I’ve been itching to read another Andy Weir book. No such luck at the used book store today, but maybe one of these days I’ll find Artemis or the Martian. Today I sold Magnolia Parks, the Need, and Closer to Home because those were the 3 books I HATED reading the most this year. Ended up getting Song of Achilles though! Oh and Piranesi was also a favorite this year!

[@laarnimariesotelo2379]

I loved the audiobook of Piranesi narrated by the actor Chiwetel Ejiofor! Also I felt the same way reading Project Hail Mary, especially the end.

[@cubegirl97]

A video where you read 3 of my favorite books? Let’s go!!!!

[@Litterati]

I saw that Godfather book in your turnstile! Lol If you’re still up for a recommendation, I totally think you should check out Blitzcat by Robert Westall. It’s about a cat who’s owner goes off to war and the cat who goes off to find him. You read about the cat’s journey and get to know the people the cat interacts with as the story progresses. And what makes it great other than being a book about a cat is that the cat isn’t magical or doing human things. It’s a cat doing cat things and that cat ends up with a crazy story like this. lol thanks for posting your video. I really love watching your content. Looking forward to the next one!

[@Talesinmaking]

Oh boy!!! I was so excited you read it!! I was one of those 24 recommending Jurassic Park but I'm going to agree with you on the elements of how interfacing of the computers worked that just made me yawn a little it was longer than necessary. However my favourite of the two books is The Lost World it is action packed to the brim and it just keeps on hitting so I'm hoping you're reading that one in your other video 🙏 If you like horror novels I'd like to recommend another that might be a fun read for you, Psycho by Robert Bloch is a great little read and seeing it then in comparison to the film is really fun definitely worth reading first though!

[@GoodReadsAndDPs]

If you liked the humor in Project Hail Mary the humor in The Martian was WAY betterrrrrr!!!!!!

[@beccaboobabe2]

Agree I enjoyed The Martian more!!

[@chriswyatt9869]

I thought the humour in the Martian fell so flat and was painfully unfunny tbh.

[@mickeyhank]

Brilliant and fun idea for a way to find books to read! Hats off to you for not only thinking of it but then actually doing it! And big-time kudos for tabulating 1923 comments for this video and then actually reading the top books. Great video. Jurassic Park has now entered my TBR. Thanks, Ian!

[@SamuelMcAuliff]

I have a book rec that will pack a punch and make you feel all the feels. I have to say, though that all the trigger warnings. The book is A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara. It hits hard, but it's also beautiful. The characters go through a lot, but it's such a good book.

[@amberpressley2238]

I was bored to tears with Piranesi, sorry you had to go through that. I feel that you’re mainly a fantasy guy, but you may be an adventure guy as well. I want to recommend City of Thieves by David Benioff which I thought was a lot of fun. Just on a journey with a couple fellas trying to find a dozen eggs during WW2. What could go wrong? (Alot.) Also want to recommend This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. Will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for these kids that are just trying to find some place to call home. 💛 PS I think Ashlynn will like these two as well, but I think you’ll like them more.

[@AWalleye]

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames!!! It is such a lighthearted fantasy quest 😊 I want to see you read it!

[@jamgart]

My favourite book at the moment is Stoner by John Williams. It’s a recent read for me and although quite a quiet book (just a story about the life of William Stoner, so no sci-fi, no fantasy, no high stakes shootouts) by the end, I was hugging the book and sobbing. It was so good and so unexpected!

[@igaelvahgelt9890]

I love this book. Personally, it's a perfect book because it's about one's life. So it's about everything.

[@2ZH]

I quite literally have all 4 of these book on my shelf and haven't gotten to them just yet. I look forward to all of them! Side note: my book req. Is anything Discworld/Terry Pratchett. Mort, Guards! Guards!, or Going postal all great

[@cuttyreads]

Would love to see you do this with specifically classics. There are so many classics I'd like to hear your opinions of.

[@pedroluft2346]

My recommendation will always be The Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas by Machado de Assis. It’s a beautifully written short novel from the 19th century, part of the high school curriculum in Brazil and still one of the most popular. I really hope you give it a shot :))

[@adreannwingren6603]

I *need* to know if you’ve read The Name of The Wind & The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss! Also really love and highly recommend The Obsidian Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey (book one: The Outstretched Shadow). Also dear in my heart is the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik (book one: Temeraire, book two: The Black Powder War, etc).

[@Erin-ce2wj]

Have you read The Name of the Wind? Some of the most beautiful writing ever. Sadly it will probably never have a finished 3rd book for the trilogy but the writing is well worth the read

[@morganhein2781]

I loved Piranesi…definitely makes you think. And I have Project Hail Mary on my TBR. I can’t think of anything to recommend cause either you have read it already or it’s on my TBR 😂

[@kristen7623]

Yayyyyyy Piranesi!!!! It’s my favorite lol. Your expectations were definitely not set up properly though lol, I see why you were hella confused

[@Dani-vu7em]

I can’t believe the people who voted for project Hail Mary didn’t mention you should do it on audio!!! Sooo good.

[@Whyamiwatching.01]

I enjoyed Piranesi, Frankenstein, and Project Hail Mary. Jurassic Park has been on my TBR for years. I recommend ‘Shantaram’ but I’m not sure if it’s really your style. I also recommend ‘daughter of smoke and bone’ trilogy followed by ‘strange the dreamer’ duology. And the classic ‘the time machine.’ And ‘the graveyard book.’ lol I could go on and on…

[@gmeagher12]

Ian you and Ashlynn have gotta read Lauren Beukes. She is my FAVORITE sci fi author but with a mystery twist… I think you would love Bridge her newest book

[@deannanelson3797]

I would be utterly delighted to see you read Emily of New Moon by LM Montgomery. Think a gothic version of her classic Anne of Green Gables.

[@carahamelie]

I gave PHM 5 stars, but I do agree with you... the science got a little too sciencey by the end, and I just wanted to dig into the plot. I got burnt out with all the science descriptions... which i liked at the beginning, but by the end I was just like OKAY lets move on.

[@cubcakecreations]

Super cute! I want to make a coloring book now

[@Maximus0623]

Michael Crichton is one of my favorite authors. I still haven’t read anyone who can write scientific thrillers as well as he did. I think Jurassic Park is his best, but another Crichton I’d strongly recommend is Sphere. Those two are probably considered his best books.

[@amandajad3]

Oh I love Project Hail Mary so much. I listened to it with my husband (non reader) and we both devoured it. I want to read Jurassic park so bad

[@hiimjenni]

I loved Jurassic Park! I read it in 2020, pretty sure I started it one night, got 50 pages in, then finished it the next day because I couldn’t put it down! So good! Read The Lost World about a month ago, I felt like it had similar writing/pacing, but I don’t think I felt the same about it when I was done with it. I really want to read Piranesi, but it’s hard for me to get into mythology/fantasy, so I’m excited to hear that it seems like more of a thriller!

[@lynnettekayla900]

Ok Ian, I have 3 books to recommend Gay Girl Good God by Jackie Hill Perry- Christian Non fiction The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck- Christian Fiction A Thousand Steps Into Night by Traci Chee- Japanese Fantasy You and I do have very different book tastes. But I think that is the funnest part of this challenge is trying books you would have never maybe picked out yourself and finding something you may very well enjoy. I am a new reader, so please keep that in mind. I do hope you will try one of these someday.

[@Jlv223]

I think it would be fun to watch you read some women’s lit fic! I had the same feelings towards Project Hail Mary and Piranesi.

[@beccaboobabe2]

The audiobooks for those are incredible. Makes the story so much more engaging.

[@lolaphearse3688]

I read about 5 pages of Piranesi and gave up. Way too weird for me….. going to try Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell-thumbs crossed!

[@simsolyn]

I also did not see Rocky coming but it was the best thing in the book, and I cried, I didn't want the book to end and I was sad for days when it did!

[@ABookFiendNamedMel]

You’re making me want to read Jurassic Park again, so good

[@elisabethprice4697]

I’m excited for this!!!

[@ryenritch]

Hi ian. Idk if you've ever read agatha christie. If u havent U MUST read Murder On The Orient Express. I lent my friend my copy of the book and he has been hooked on Agatha Christie ever since.

[@Stone_Rach]

Once again, I have to recommend The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak. I cannot express my love for it. I will go back to it time and time again even though it breaks my heart every time. The writing style is stunning, the narration is perfect, it's one of the best books I probably ever will read. My second recommendation is Ghost by Wayne Thomas Batson. This book changed my life. It's completely outside of what I normally gravitate towards (i.e. classic lit, historical fiction, romance, etc.) but it really cemented some of my values and set me on the path I'm on. It's a supernatural thriller, mystery, and a little bit of sci-fi. Basically, an angel hunts down serial killers, what more can you ask for? Not very well known, so it won't get votes, but if you see this comment and are curious, I cannot recommend Ghost enough.

[@goregmvs8304]

If you do a part 2 of this video. I highly recommend the Author Ronald Malfi. I highly recommend reading Come with me or Bone white. I have read 5 books off his and his writing and story telling does not disappoint at all

[@mutatedsilverunicorn]

Animal Farm is one of my all time favorite books. It's one I alsoways recommend to people! ^_^ Love your videos.

[@Repti-verse]

Piranesse is actually technically continued the spec fic end of Fiction. Not a fantasy lol

[@martina-cj7xi]

Hi Ian! Don't know if you've already read it BUT if not, i would suggest "The lies of Locke Lamora" by Scott Lynch (The gentlemen Bastards Series). ^^

[@theetruetolkienpatriot7701]

Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock is my favorite book its is fun 😌😊

[@booknerdktree]

Oh my gosh you finally read Jurassic Park!! I’m so happy😭😭😭 Knew you would enjoy it!! Great video!

[@WRam-fo2sc]

RIP Michaael Crichton (2008). A brilliant author who infused nerdy science and technology into his books and this nerd (me) loved it. I can also recommend "Disclosure"'and "Rising Sun" which were less science and more story. In addition, IMO, 'State of Fear" and "Prey" were top notch page turning science thrillers from Crichton. A similar researched based fiction book I can highly recommend is "Clan of the Cave Bear" by Jean M. Auel that takes place "at the dawn of man" (book description). It's an extraordinary story about a young girl orphaned because of an earthquake and picked up by a tribe who find her. A definite page turner. Book 2 is also good. The rest .... not so good.

[@roots_and_ruin]

I'm so glad someone agrees with me that Piranesi is not a fantasy! Its a mystery/ thriller sci fi to me. It was my biggest disappointment of the year because I was expecting one thing and got another. I love the conversations between Frankenstein and the monster! I do think the monsters personality completely flipped extremely quickly though, which to me always felt too sudden to make sense.

[@apelegacy]

My recommendation is Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde (not to be confused with the other series with a similar name). Amazing Sci-fi/Fantasy/Not really sure

[@jamescartwright9849]

I have two books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes both are the first book of a series. I would like your opinion. Should I start with The Inheritance Games or The Naturals?

[@iangubeli]

I found the Naturals the more entertaining mind-bender!!

[@jamescartwright9849]

​@@iangubeliThank you for getting back with me. I will add The Naturals to my December TBR.

[@AshleySmith-ed7vr]

Have you read The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune? If not I highly recommend. Lighthearted fantasy!

[@jacobmyers3005]

You should check out the Frankenstein series by Dean Koontz there are fantastic continuation of the Mary Shelley classic basically a supernatural police procedural. It’s also very funny with really engaging characters it should make up for what the original was lacking for you. The order of the series is 1. Prodigal son 2 City of night 3 Dead and alive 4 lost souls 5. The Dead Town

[@Starrysong]

I read Piranesi a couple of years ago and I enjoyed it. I found it hard to get into, it was confusing with the structure of Piranesi's world. I started to get more invested in the story when The Other appeared. Once The Other warned about a potential third person, I got excited because I had a feeling that an important of the story was about to happen. It was a short book, but it almost felt like a lifetime to read it. I think I will be picking up Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norrell at some point in the future.

[@Whyamiwatching.01]

I loved Piranesi and I really liked Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. They are soooo different, almost as if written by two different people. And while Piranesi was short and a quick read, the other was long. But for both, I couldn’t put them down.

[@MichelleP-t7o]

Jonathan Strange is such a good book.

[@MiuLicious]

I feel like the comment section really delivered with their choices for this video

[@karybooks]

I loved Project Hail Mary sooooo much ! I can't wait to read Jurassic Park :)

[@carrieorsel1340]

The Clockwork Angels trilogy, Kevin J Anderson and Neil Peart....based on Neil's lyrics from album of same title..... sooooo good. Pleeeease at least consider.

[@logann-mackenziefroste563]

Can you read The Infernal Devices/ the clockwork angels series before The Shadow Hunters series ?

[@kayleemoore5819]

I'm only 7 minutes again but I want to go read Piranesi again right now. It was SO good!

[@sydneydunn7507]

PHM is one of my all time favorites but if you are looking forward JP I can see it being less fun to read lol!

[@AmandasBooktopia]

This was such a fun video! I love seeing your reactions. They’re so funny. I would love to see you read The Boyfriend by Frieda McFadden. I remember you enjoying The Housemaid from her so I’m curious to see if you would like her newest release.

[@leslieh6739]

I agree about Frankenstein. Ug that book was hard to get through.

[@blakxhart]

Oh man I'd be so surprised if a second person ever recommended my obscure favourite 😅

[@juliesbooklandreviews]

If you like reading musical plays I suggest you read Playing With Fire (after Frankenstein) by Barbara Field which is inspired by Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and it takes place during Winter Solstice right before Victor dies of his illness bc he wants to seek revenge on his creature that he created.