Every Book I've Given 5 Stars (And Why You Need To Read Them)

[@michaelhelms2378]

Thank you for standing up for Gone With the Wind. Absolute masterpiece

[@JaymeHaines]

Currently reading 11\22/63 and omg it’s so good and the only reason I picked it up is because of how much you and Ashlynn rave about it! Thanks so much for the great recommendations!!

[@mrswilbert]

Come back and tell me what you thought of the end

[@davereese6614]

Read it twice and wept at the end both times.

[@paulagranville483]

I’ve had 11/22/63 on a loose TBR for quite a while. Your channel has made me prioritize it for 2025. I’m loving it so far.

[@iangubeli]

You won't regret it!

[@louisepaech9629]

I love listening to how you talk about books! Fun, articulate, interesting, natural. Thankyou 😊

[@wiebkeh.4394]

Ordered by author's last name: - The "Rivers of London" series (aka Peter Grant series) by Ben Aaronovitch - "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood - "The Windup Girl" by Paolo Bacigalupi - "Earthseed" duology by Octavia E. Butler (objective 5 stars, I gave it 4.75; if the first one is too dark for you, don't read the second installment, because "Ow!") - "the long way to a small, angry planet" by Becky Chambers (yes, I still need to read the rest of that series 'cause I have the time management skills of a carrot) - "Piranesi" by Susanna Clarke - "Ring Shout" by P. Djèlí Clark - "Axiom's End" by Lindsay Ellis - "Alice Isn't Dead" by Joseph Fink (purely passionate 5 stars) - "Dune" and "Dune Messiah" by Frank Herbert - "Dolores Claiborne" (King's best book, though y'all are entitled to your wrong opinions 😜) and "Lisey's Story" by Stephen King - "Gereon Rath" series (aka Babylon Berlin series) by Volker Kutscher - "Binti" by Nnedi Okorafor (3 novellas, objective 5 stars, 4 stars for me) - "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque - "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel - The "Calvin and Hobbes" comics by Bill Watterson

[@davidr9104]

Fuck ya to Calvin and Hobbes! I have most of the anthologies and will never give them up

[@zoej7994]

So glad someone else loves “long way to a small angry planet”. Not to hype it up too much but I think book 2 is even better

[@ellenhuerta91]

I read the Red Rising series because of your videos and it really resparked my love of reading. I love that series so much

[@fishclaw901]

It’s the best, so addictive.

[@kendylldrilling]

I’d love to see you start the Sun Eater series by Christopher Ruocchio. It’s my favorite series of all time, and I think you’re going to love it!

[@saassy88]

I am currently reading The Brothers Karamazov based off of your recommendation video and have the Count of Monte Cristo on my TBR, also considering Moby Dick based off your recent video with your sister. As far my Five Star recommendation: As long as the lemon trees grow by Zoulfa Katouh, it’s an amazing story of a Syrian Refugee’s survival despite how fear altered her reality.

[@calistalong]

I read Lonesome Dove and Prince of Tides because of you and they were my favorite books of 2024. Thank you so much for the recommendations!

[@erincarr9411]

Lonesome dove is THE best!. All I wanted to do when. I read it was sell everything, ride a horse across the west and make bean and sourdough biscuits in a cast iron.

[@calistalong]

@ you get me!

[@TeeGreen222]

A few years ago I read a review that stated something like this: don’t let the fact that Lonesome Dove is a western keep you from reading it. I am forever grateful to whoever posted that simple line. Lonesome Dove, The Grapes of Wrath and The Goldfinch are a few of my all-time favorites.

[@MichelleP-t7o]

I ❤ Lonesome Dove

[@mila_readss]

I appreciate your extensive list of suggestions; I have added a lot of these to my TBR pile. Keep up the good work; I appreciate it! 💕✨

[@PlotGoblins]

Love the distinction of a “passionate” 5-star. Gonna have to implement that haha. Also soooooo excited to crack into Abercrombie for the first time at some point this year. Great vid!

[@elijah4642]

I know this book is either hated or loved, but, The Catcher in the Rye is an easy 6 star read for me. I loved it. I read it in high school and it is what ended up getting me into reading as a whole.

[@kristianascharrenberg9958]

My fave book ever🤗🤗

[@ryanmorrissette27]

It's wild how some books can be so polarizing because that book is a 1 star for me 😂

[@goonerquinn4670]

Farseer trilogy, tawny man trilogy, Fitz and the fool trilogy are all 6 star reads for me

[@NerdSquish]

The Stand has been on my shelf for yeeeaaaars and haven't read it. You have convinced me that it's my next read. And 11/22/63 is one of my fav books of all time!!! Love to see other people that appreciate it like I do 🙂

[@BookswithSam1]

I think i need to pony up and read A Secret History. Also am working through The Count of Monte Cristo, soo soo soo good! Keep up the great content

[@pteratato]

CoMC is my favorite! talk about character driven

[@BookswithSam1]

@@pteratato for real! Only about 1/3 of the way in. Taking it slower and reading a chapter or two a day along other books. Really loving it

[@mrswilbert]

The Count is one of my all time faves

[@stellanova522]

The CoMC really lost me after the prison part. It became so complex with characters and i didnt ever really find myself surprised. While i was invested i was juggling words from ancient mythology that i didnt know. The crossed out names (apparently referring to real life characters that were controversial?) really took my out of the book at times as well. I really wanted it to blow me away, but the end of the book left me feeling like we wasted a lot of time on characters that didnt really matter, and the revenge part was a little lacking. Having talked to a French person who read the original vs me reading the translated version by Barnes and noble, we came to the conclusion that the book was translated almost TOO well, and a lot of the emotions were lost by using words that would have meant a lot more back in the day, while today they mostly serve to confuse. English words that are the correct equivalent in French, but that does not cover the same second meanings that they have in French. I think ill re read it again in the future, maybe another version. But yea, 1000 pages + for a 2.5/5 for me sadly, still glad i read it either way!

[@pteratato]

@@stellanova522 I have a close friend with very similar feelings about CoMC 😆 It's definitely not to everyone's tastes. And there are certain character arcs I could've done without for sure! But it was originally written as a periodical, so the ramblings on can be forgiven a bit. The complexity is why I loved it so much! I remember the first time I read it, I had to keep a chart of whos who and related to who, and I loved that. I hadn't thought about the translation; it'd be interesting to see a modern update It's possibly the only book on earth that I recommend the abridged version to people lmao

[@helenwilborn17]

So excited The Secret History was on your five star list! Personally it's in my top five books of all time and I'm rereading it now for the 3rd time! I would recommend The Picture of Dorian Gray if you haven't read it, it's pretty short but packs a lot of themes and characters into it. Favorite book of all time!!

[@veronicaprice]

Off the top of my head my six star reads are: Catch 22 by Joseph Heller, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. A lot of these book I read years and years ago, but I think about them often.

[@JessRansdellSmith]

Watership Down is my favorite book. It's the only book I've read more than twice. I read it every few years. Thanks to watching the animated movie when I was a kid I asked for the book when I was 13 and fell in love with it. A couple of years ago they also put out a graphic novel adaptation of the book and I haven't read it yet to see how close they stay to the book but the artwork is absolutely gorgeous.

[@morcellemorcelle618]

Yes! Watership Down har been my favorite for 20 years. I read it twice as a child and thrice as an adult

[@lezeltunbridge7509]

For pure vibes, read The Night Circus. Basically the setting is the main character. 5.5 🌟 for me 😅

[@WandaInMontana]

I absolutely 💯 agree with on Gone With The Wind!!!! I agree with every word you said about it. You are correct❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@michaelhelms2378]

An incredibly underrated masterpiece: MATTERHORN A Vietnam novel It left me completely stunned. Written by Karl Marlantes, a Vietnam vet. It brutal, tragic and oddly hopeful on ways. The BEST war novel I’ve ever read.

[@mm34815]

My friend, I beg you to check out the synopsis of A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. That man has two five-star reads from me, but I think that this book is the best place to start. The world that this author is able to create out of a single setting is incredible! Almost the entire story takes place in a grand Russian hotel, and you root desperately for the main character, Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov. The story is hilarious and so deep at the same time. It truly is an incredible experience.

[@phyllisd3705]

Pat Conroy really was a great author. I read Lords of Discipline, The Great Santini, and Water is Wide about 30 years ago while living in South Carolina. I was blown away by his fantastic writing and still think about those books from time to time.

[@heatherdavid8565]

One of my favorite short Stephen King books is The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. A few years after it was published a very similar thing happened in real life which made me enjoy the story all the more

[@iseaglewings4031]

That's the only Steven King book I've read. I read it as a early teenager. Truly a great book!!

[@iBe-RuNnErZ]

I'm on book 3 of the faithful and fallen. Ruin! It's been a great journey so far. Gwynne's work is exceptional imo.

[@AnonforGod777]

I just finished the first book myself, all ready love it

[@flapjackni6221]

Same here, also on book three. It's been great so far.

[@iBe-RuNnErZ]

@@AnonforGod777 if you love the first book! You're in for a treat reading book 2. Currently 10 chapters in book 3 and so far so good!

[@iBe-RuNnErZ]

@flapjackni6221 it's amazing 10 chapters in so far. Literally binge reading the series without any pallet cleaners. It's that good.

[@SodaPopandRitalin1]

Man, I can't top this. Thank you so much for the dedication, emotion and for sharing ✌🏻

[@emmiedeandean]

You gained a follower. I'm finally realizing I have a lot more in common with male readers

[@marco_acpinheiro]

Prince of Tides is to this day my favorite book! It's not very common to see it mentioned nowadays, I'm happy you did :)

[@montyawol]

The Count of Monte Cristo, yes! That's my absolute favorite book.

[@obie_G]

Lonesome Dove and Gone with the Wind are both amazing books!! I think Shogun belongs on the 5 star list too!

[@bestvibepeeps]

I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed this video.

[@hiimjenni]

My husband got me The Lies of Locke Lamora for Christmas! I’ve never mentioned it and I have zero idea what it’s about (he actually just loved the painting on the cover of the edition he got me 😆) but I knew it sounded familiar! I’m excited to fit it into my reading this year now that I know you enjoyed it. I’ve never read any grim-dark and I have a hard time with fantasy, so we’ll see how it goes 🤞🏻

[@iangubeli]

It’s a very entertaining book. The characters are so funny you forget sometimes about all the crazy stuff happening around them!

[@vmanias]

Stand, IS the best stand alone book King ever wrote ❤

[@GwenCooper-l1b]

Educated by Tara Westover and Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes are two of my favorite 5⭐️ reads! Great video, thanks!

[@rebeccaa2433]

Educated is a great book

[@TheMouseDiva]

OMG! Educated was insane. That girl's childhood! Have you read The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls? You may like it since you liked Educated.

[@rebeccaa2433]

@@TheMouseDiva Yes! I've read that one too. Sadly, I can relate closely to both novels.

[@GwenCooper-l1b]

@@TheMouseDiva Not yet, I need to move it up on my TBR, a few people have told me they think I would like it!😊

[@GwenCooper-l1b]

@@rebeccaa2433 🥰

[@booknerdktree]

The Ever-Loving Truth by Voddie T. Baucham Jr. , And Then There Were None by: Agatha Christie , Unveiling Grace by: Lynn K. Wilder, & Unbroken by: Laura Hillenbrand are all 5 star books for me, I think you would also enjoy👌

[@caitlinjolly3332]

I read gone with the wind when I was 10 years old and now as a 35, I still think about it almost every day and how it made me feel. It has been a 5/5, 10/10 all these years. Just like the outsiders which is my all time favorite book that I read in 7th grade. Nothing has made me feel what I felt since. If you haven’t already, I would love to see you and ash read, the book thief

[@mistyinltown79]

I was 15 the first time I read The Stand, and have since re-read it like 8 or 9 times, I love that book, and it is definitely an off the charts stars for me.

[@Elijah_Gillard]

I've said it a hundred times, and I will say it a thousand times more, Beartown Everything you said Pat Conroy did for you Beartown did for me. A beautiful life-changing story, and Man! Can Fredrik Backman write a sentence

[@iangubeli]

Definitely on this years TBR!

[@Elijah_Gillard]

​@@iangubeli I really hope you love it

[@alexanderlavoie5461]

Jade Legacy is (to me) the best thing ever put on paper. For everyone that Jade City didn't click with and they didn't continue the journey. I feel bad for them for never experiencing Jade Legacy. 10/5

[@missmaex3]

Just finished it for the first time a few days ago. I absolutely ugly cried at the end 😭 I did not expect to feel so deeply about the characters, it was so good

[@lisasstitchingandsuch]

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien is a 6 star read for me. Although I first read it at 19 for an English class and at the time I knew some guys in my peer group who had enlisted and were going to Afghanistan so the combination of those things definitely contributed to the impact it had. I have read it a few more times since then and probably always will pick it up for a reread every 10 years because it's a completely different reading experience every time.

[@sunnythomas9738]

I would add Frankenstein to the objective list. And I just finished Blood Over Bright Haven and I feel like it will stay with me forever.

[@Zabby3428]

Throwback to your video "how to get your man into reading"...my brother gave me a book for Christmas wrapped in brown paper with "video game" on it. 👌 We always watch your videos together and today's was great as always!

[@iangubeli]

That👏is👏the👏funniest👏thing👏I👏have👏ever👏heard!!!!!

[@thewannabegamer9]

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is a six star read for me. It spoke to my soul. Also, The Last Cuentista is a majorly slept on dystopian sci-fi. Have thought about it ever since I finished it.

[@NigelGrab]

I loved Yumi and the Nightmare Painter so much

[@AnonforGod777]

I dont care what anyone says. Harry Potter is incredible

[@MarianMurphy-rz8ej]

Harry Potter led a generation astray and sanitised sin which is black magic and sorcery and which is against TMH and His Son and such practices are an abomination to Them. I think Harry Potter is v dull. I think Roald Dahls books are better because witches are always hideous in his books and there was always an ethical and moral lesson at the heart. And Rowling never went that deep with it. She taught an entire generation to get involved with black magic and this was a grave evil.

[@dianaisme]

Yes I agree

[@SecondActJourney]

I just finished the first book. I'm over 50 and I am glad I finally gave it a chance! And YES I was one of those that trashed on them. NO MORE!

[@dianaisme]

@@SecondActJourney I read them for the first time in 2023, it's never too late to start them. I loved them. I grew up on the movies. I have also rerread them!

[@milasimons6400]

We just dont look at the author lol i do love the movies and books too!

[@BeverlyKing-d9q]

The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. The first 100 pages are slow. Once you get through that, you literally cannot put it down. Exit Unicorns series by Cindy Brandner. I am a 73 year old woman, and I find that we like a lot of the same books. That is what is so great about reading.❤

[@TeeGreen222]

YES to The Outlander series! Phenomenal books! Memorable characters!

[@brandoncordeau7277]

I agree with you about red rising I finished 4 books so far in the series and find it just keeps getting better definitely one of my all time favourite series I’ve read

[@kristenkeys3273]

Watership Down is *chef’s kiss* with characters that I love, in a world that is as fantastical as they come.

[@chandlercronen1721]

East of Eden and Hard Rain Falling. Two of my personal favorite five star reads. Currently in the middle of South of Broad, it may very well join the list!!

[@NadiaAbdulrahman-]

LETTERS TO A YOUNG POET. I'LL SCREAM IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS.

[@SgtWicket]

LOTR gets harder to read as I get older. As a kid it was this triumphant, heroic quest. As an adult it reads much more like a tragedy.

[@erinsugita6586]

5+ star reads are Memory Sorrow & Thorn read it years ago and is due for a reread. 11/22/63, Jake and Sadie need I say more. Pillars of the Earth and Shogun also read years ago and still favorites. A recent read, The Nightingale is a heart wrenching story of 2 sisters coping with the occupation of France during WWII. I will definitely put Lonesome Dove on my TBR list for 2025. Thank you.

[@ashieereads]

This is the first video ive watched of yours and you gained a follow. The first book i ever read of stephen kings was the green mile and fell in love with that book. Ill be reading some of the books you talked about here this year.

[@Half_Oblivious]

Please read The Wayward Pines trilogy by Blake Crouch. You and your wife influenced me to read Dark Matter and Recursion. It’s super easy to become a fan of Blake Crouch if you like SciFi/Thrillers.

[@marilise1987]

I love how you change your ratings in hindsight 😂 totally understandable!

[@hannahyoder7949]

Great reviews and recommendations! 😯👏🏻The passionate 5 star and objective 5 star categorization makes so much sense. Just a couple of my passionate 5 stars have to be: - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah - The Will of the Many by James Islington And objective 5 stars have to be: - The Wager by David Grann - Endurance by Alfred Lansing - A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

[@kChandler10]

The Secret History is my favorite so far! I still love it many years after reading.

[@Hekilikaua]

So many good 5-star reads. Here are some of mine: For Whom the Bell Tolls by Hemingway; East of Eden by Steinbeck. If you haven't read this yet, you need to. Best character development ever. Please read it. Wizard and Glass by Stephen King; The Road by Cormac McCarthy; The Once and Future King by TS Elliot; The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler; 1984 by Orwell. I mean, this is a no-brainer; Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel; A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine; Nick Adams Stories by Hemingway;

[@taravincent9699]

These four: I read Demon Copperhead in 2023 and loved it! I immediately wanted something similar and heard The Goldfinch was. I picked that up and loved it. I loved Donna Tartt’s writing so much I immediately read The Secret History and loved that. Bam…3 5-star reads right in a row. And then of course A Man Called Ove will forever be up there for me as a favorite/5 star.

[@rebeccaa2433]

I loved Demon Copperhead! I have the Goldfinch on deck.

[@karybooks]

I really, really enjoyed Project Hail Mary this year !! Definitely 5 stars for me. But I need to read all of your 6-stars books. I haven't had a 6 stars read in forever! I think the last one was Da Vinci Code when I was a teen........... and HP. And The secret history was also a 5 stars read for me two years ago.

[@jeremyreed271]

Brothers K is the best novel ever written. I teach it every year, and it never gets old. No book holds up like this one does.

[@starderrick4508]

John Gwynne is amazing. Happy new year 🎉

[@iangubeli]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

[@manonguinchard5829]

Some time ago i asked you what book i should read as a first from Stephen King and you suggested Billy Summers, i finally got around to reading it and damn ... I loved it so much, absolutely a 5 star book ! I'm excited to read the other books you suggested now, i'm probably gonna go with pet sematary next ! Thank you so much for the suggestions !

[@mimzee1947]

I have read quite a few of the top books on your list & absolutely agree with you: Lonesome dove, Lord of the Rings, The Count of Monte Cristo, the Harry Potter books. I have a friend who keeps telling me to read Pat Conroy. With your recommendation, I will finally follow through. My top 5 (the list is fluid, of course) are: East of Eden, 100 Years of Solitude, Angle of Repose, Lord of the Rings, Norwegian by NIght. I've listed Norwegian by Night mainly because the main character is one of the most interesting & entertaining characters I've ever encountered. Love your videos.

[@marriedtoagemini9896]

Love Watership Down. Just read it

[@kristangreen5596]

IAN you are not good for my TBR. Every time I watch one of your videos it grows. Also, your taste and love of books is so inspiring. Anyway, you're amazing and keep it up. :D

[@jessliptak954]

I just finished The Stand. Unedited. Whew. That took a hot minute, pretty good tho. Def worth it

[@literarymorning]

Based on your list you should check out A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. It was one of my favorite books of the year. A literary fiction book about faith, fate, and grief that not enough people talk about.

[@thepresteign8427]

The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester. SF riff on The Count of Monte Cristo. It’s brilliant!

[@savannahsavvyreads]

The Sun Eater is rivaling Red Rising for me. I’m on the third and obsessed!

[@valerieramirez6446]

Some my favorite are in this video 😂 I guess we have great taste. Big fan of The King.

[@heatherlilly2344]

I just picked up Lonesome Dove from a library sale and hearing your positive review is motivating me to dive in. A five star read in my opinion is The complete Eye of the World Series.

[@Kim_Miller]

I got through 90 books in 2024, some of them from your recommendations. Five star reads in 2024 for me were; Every book so far in Ruocchio's Sun Eater series. Gene Wolfe New Sun series, #1 and #2 ---(#3 and #4 were 4.5 stars) The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. Question 7 by Richard Flanagan. The Summer That Melted Everything by Tiffany McDaniel. Mystic River by Dennis Lehane. Darkome by Hannu Rajaniemi. The Electric State by Simon Stahlenhag.

[@stephanieyoung9289]

Your list is so close to mine! I'm saving this video for suggestions. 👍 👍

[@karybooks]

Ian.. I hate these videos. You always add too many books to my TBR ! Your passion is contagious, but you read faster than I do ! I have a love/hate relationship with your wonderful channel ! :P

[@martynawozna4300]

One of my top favourite books I've ever read have to be 11.22.63, I absolutely devoured that book when I read it, it was so mesmerising and what Stephen King did in that book is absolutely mind-blowing. I am planning on re-reading it some time this year. Another book I absolutely loved was the three body problem trilogy, many people from my understanding did not enjoy the series but it is one of the best sci fi series I have read and shit just gets so insane the further you get into the trilogy.. it's an amazing trilogy that I really think more people should read.

[@elisabethprice4697]

Here re my 6 Star reads: 1: Harry Potter 2: Lord of the Rings(as well as the Hobbit and the Silmarillion) 3: Count of Monte Cristo (Rest not in order) Anne of Green Gables(the entire series) Unbroken Seabiscuit Little Dorrit The Chronicles of Narnia The Red Rising Saga Pride and Prejudice Beyond Band of Brothers Nicholas Nickleby And lastly The Screwtape Letters

[@TheMouseDiva]

Agree...Pat Conroy books are great. I want to read his wife's Cassandra's book, "Tell Me a Story".

[@kevindeedavis]

I finished the Dark Tower series this year. It is my favorite series of all time. I LOVED the final book so much!

[@miggs_fmp]

Blood Meridian is 5 stars. Probably 6. It's not my favorite book, but it's definitely the best written book I've read.

[@maryjomolineu3010]

I give any book in James Patterson Alex Cross series 5 stars. They are so good. I also give the silent patient, the maidens and the Fury by Alex Michaelides 5 stars. When I read under the dome I thought it was 5 stars. I'm sure there are more I just can't remember them right now.

[@jeeranko3359]

As a sci-fi reader you'd probably love brothers Strugatsky. I can only guess, but "Roadside picnic" and especially "The Doomed city" will be right up your alley. Very deep and philosophical stories, exploration of humanity and so on, but in a form of fantastic sci-fi settings (that have nothing to do with space, mind). I still think of these stories...

[@nihad-m]

I thought a Hobb would make it. 5 stars reads in no particular order The name of the wind, Patrick Rothfuss The secret history, Donna Tarrt The ocean at the end of the Lane, Neil Gaiman Jonathan str and mr norrell, Susana Clarke Under Heaven, Guy Gavriel Kay Invisible planets, Ken Liu

[@Krystalbrown1105]

Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig The Night Guest by Hildur Knuttsdottir Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

[@marshajensen8415]

I agree with your rating of The Stand. I read it all alone, often at night. Several times I was so scared that I was shaking. The only book that I’ve reacted to so strongly.

[@elisabethprice4697]

Harry Potter is the only book series I’ve read more than three times and I’ve read it over 11 times to be precise!

[@melaniegrace7707]

Gone with the Wind is the only book I’ve ever given 5 stars so needless to say it’s my favorite. Books that stand out as having come close are flowers for Algernon, tender is the flesh, pope Joan, a thousand splendid suns, and black beauty. I’m yet to read Steven king but that day will soon come!

[@haleydraudt8259]

11/22/63 was one of my all time favorite reads. I also loved Billy Summers! Another all time fav is City of Thieves by David Benioff. Perfect books, no notes.

[@Rainydayscozyreads]

And The Lion, The Witch & The Wardeobe. I very much enjoyed Frankenstein & Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde in school.... and the Great Gatsby. I would have to reread them to decide though

[@brianrogers4344]

- The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan - Moneyball by Michael Lewis - The Shining by Stephen King - The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay - The Odyssey by Homer

[@koibarnes6314]

The Binti series by Nneki Okorafor, The Spirit Bares its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White, American Hippo by Sarah Gailey, Dreadnought by April Daniels, and The Deep by Rivers Solomon. There's more but these are the first to come to mind as my top 5 star reads I'd recommend to others.

[@steved1135]

wow You are an impressive critic. And I have to say, I love the way you distinguish between passionate, and objective groupings. A great plan. Great lists all around. 'Karamazov' is definitely a life changer. And as for Scott Lynch, I have to say that his "Lies of Locke Lamora" single handedly saved fantasy for me. After having read from Tolkien all the way through Stephen R Donaldson ( who also wrote top tier SciFi... ), everything else I picked up was just rehashes. But then I picked up 'Lies' and consumed it. Sheer brilliance.

[@capturedbyannamarie]

If you have not read Wuthering Heights. Do it! So good. Epic villain

[@tassiasalazardecamargo4928]

Maaannn, Duma Key ❤ "i've forgot about the ghosts!" 😂

[@goska12345]

My only 5 stars books: 1. The Dark Tower series. As a whole I gave it 5 stars even tho I would only probably gave it to books 1, 3 and 4. 2. Lord of the flies by William Golding 3. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison 4. The Little Prince 5. The Green Mile by King 6. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett 7. Bloodtide by Melvin Burgess 8. The Woman in the Dunes by Kōbō Abe Plus two books that I gave 4 stars but it's been like 3 years and I keep thinking about them and now I think I would give them 5 stars: 9. The Grapes of wrath by Steinbeck 10. Slaughterhouse Five by Vonnegut Also I'm reading Brothers Karamazov because of your video. My God.

[@elijah4642]

The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck doesn't get talked about nearly enough, it is phenomenal.

[@goska12345]

@elijah4642 Oh yeah. I've read a lot of Steinbeck work and I think this one is the best. I don't read books more than once byt I think I will read it again because I can't stop thinking about it.

[@Starrysong]

You need to read A Little Life by Hanya Yanigahara. I read it over two years, because it was a very heavyread thatI didn't own, I had to take a six month hiatus after reaching the halfway point, and then to continue I had to put in a hold requesst at the library and wait aniother few months. I finished it during lockdown in April 2020. The book broke me into many pieces and also somehow put me back togeter only to do it again by the end. This is one of the few books that has actually made me cry. I gave this book 5 stars, because the writing was brutally beautiful, and had itnot been for some events in the story I would say it is an unputdownable book. I also wouldmention that I finished Turtles All the Way Down by John Green right after A Little Life, that might seem to be an odd pairing, but John Green's humor helped thelight return to my soul.

[@Sir_Chops_O_Lot]

Fairly eclectic list of 5 stars in no specific order: - The Road by McCarthy (read it before I had kids and can’t imagine trying again now) - Project Hail Mary by Weir - Into Thin Air by Krakauer - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by Lewis (read all of Narnia to my son and the ending of this one made me cry) - Name of the Wind by Rothfuss - Shoe Dog by Knight

[@heatherdavid8565]

Into Thin Air is so good, it reads so much like fiction and really got me into non-fiction more. My favorite book by Jon Krakauer

[@Jeremy-PhoenixBooks27]

So you touched on Joe Abercrombie's voice. You should check out the interview he did over on 2toRamble, he actually talks about this briefly. The interview was great regardless but he talks about how when he edits he goes back and like each character might use certain phrases or their sentence structure might be in a certain way. I mean he touched on how he does these subtle things with each character that I just never noticed. Anyway I agree with most of your 5 stars and definitely look forward to reading some of the ones you mentioned. Gotta get caught up on The Bound and the Broken, and then I'm starting Malice.

[@TeaDrinkingReader]

If Cats Disappeared From the World is one I ALWAYS recommend. Super short but looks at how removing a tiny thing from the world can have a huge emotional impact

[@pattypage6723]

Just finished reread/listen of Lonesome Dove. Love it!!❤. The tv series is wonderful as well. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨. Teading Prince of tides now.

[@milasimons6400]

My six star read was definitely a little life, that book was so incredibly beautiful and sad, the characters felt so real and that was the first time I experienced something so detailed in a book