John's (Mostly Book) Holiday Gift Recommendations

[@vlogbrothers]

Hi! Here's all the books (and other stuff) recommended in this video: Socks, coffee, and soap, all for charity: good.store Not the End of the World by Hannah Ritchie: bookshop.org/p/books/not-the-end-of-the-world-how-we-can-be-the-first-generation-to-build-a-sustainable-planet-hannah-ritchie/20055919?ean=9780316536752 I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai: bookshop.org/p/books/i-have-some-questions-for-you-rebecca-makkai/18490223?ean=9780593490143 The Black Angels by Maria Smilios: bookshop.org/p/books/the-black-angels-maria-smilios/19684956?ean=9780593544921 Hank Green's cancer socks, designed by Hank during chemo: good.store/products/hank-cancer-socks?klar_source=google&klar_cpid=20708117989&klar_adid=681040108728&gclid=CjwKCAiAvJarBhA1EiwAGgZl0CaC910tgJLzIiXcYMlAWiRZZlvgo1KMpDswjZBMJNXYJR8vMJO2rBoCXS8QAvD_BwE Leslie F*cking Jones by Leslie Jones: bookshop.org/p/books/leslie-f-cking-jones-leslie-jones/19846348?ean=9781538706497 This Boy by Ilene Cooper (about the Beatles): bookshop.org/p/books/this-boy-the-early-lives-of-john-lennon-paul-mccartney-ilene-cooper/19151667?ean=9780451475855 Walter Dean Myers' Toussaint L'Ouverture (featuring the best illustrations in any kids book ever): www.thriftbooks.com/w/toussaint-louverture-the-fight-for-haitis-freedom_walter-dean-myers/427426/item/23555424/?mkwid=%7cdc&pcrid=77172150940746&pkw=&pmt=be&slid=&product=23555424&plc=&pgrid=1234751854564121&ptaid=pla-4580771613628162&Shopping+-+High+Vol+Scarce+-+Under+%2410&msclkid=b6f8b1e7e5711c452e56d481f7eec8d6#idiq=23555424&edition=1905075 Invincible Microbe, a kids' book about TB: bookshop.org/p/books/invincible-microbe-tuberculosis-and-the-never-ending-search-for-a-cure-jim-murphy/7084398?ean=9780544455948 Viridian Sun Bath Box from Sun Basin Soap: good.store/products/viridian-sun-bath-box (or get the smaller gift box: good.store/products/holiday-soap-and-shampoo-bundle) Hidden Potential by Adam Grant: bookshop.org/p/books/hidden-potential-the-science-of-achieving-greater-things-adam-grant/20083985?ean=9780593653142 An Immense World by Ed Yong: bookshop.org/p/books/an-immense-world-how-animal-senses-reveal-the-hidden-realms-around-us-ed-yong/17476424?ean=9780593133231 And lastly, AWESOME COFFEE GIFT BOXES: good.store/pages/awesome-coffee Thanks for being here with us. -John

[@themasstermwahahahah]

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[@stanley9868]

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[@AmandaFerry]

I literally opened a tab while watching to go buy Not the End of the World for my EPA-employed husband and... it's not out til Jan!

[@rosemaryklauscher9389]

Just got I Have Some Questions For You on my kindle. Can't wait to read it. Thanks as always for the recommendations! PS the awesome coffee really is delicious.

[@michaelmayhem350]

There's an easier way to this. Google list of banned books in your area. Buy those books for every child you know.

[@soumaya4960]

John, I'm taking the opportunity of being early to tell you: I'm a student specializing in research on infectious diseases, and you have inspired me to study TB during my PhD. I hope to make some progress in understanding the disease and how to treat it. Thank you for your work ❤

[@vlogbrothers]

This is such great news! Keep up the good work. -John

[@placeholderdoe]

I hope your PhD journey goes well!

[@AnnainOK1]

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[@beepboopbeep5369]

Best of luck to you! ❤

[@ThousandTimesBefore]

❤❤❤

[@debrachambers1304]

"And yes, I have a favorite tuberculosis book of the year" Oh, John. It's cute that you think ANY of us was even REMOTELY taken aback by that.

[@bekah9344]

I’d be surprised if he DIDN’T at this point

[@Bea_Esser]

Welcome back John. Thanks for the recommendations. ❤ I hope you have a good rest of the week. 😊

[@vlogbrothers]

Thanks. Happy to be here. -John

[@Chajos]

"Rest of the week" should be an award for the best nights sleep in a week. in the last seven days i would go for last thursday actually. :D

[@a12i9]

​@@Chajosthat's genius 😂

[@rolston.family]

Have literally never commented on a youtube video before, but had to say YES to your life hack. Reading children's books when broaching a new topic is the best, and as a librarian I have used this approach many times in my own life, and have recommended it to countless others. Side note: I Have Some Questions For You was also one of my fave reads of the year, and I am seriously considering ordering This Boy for my Beatles-loving 12yo.

[@shannongrubb3349]

My library hack: if it's an autobiography of someone you've never heard of, it usually means their story is interesting and well written.

[@taylormurray9417]

Retweet! On this theme I recommend Mao and Me, about the cultural revolution in china!

[@lizmoss]

21 year-old beatles fan here: i just finished This Boy and loved it! would recommend

[@QuirkyGeek17]

"Why can't I write like this?" would be a thought many people have had while reading *your* books John 💜 something to remember if your self doubting brain weasels are shouting too loud.

[@francescakyanda9182]

me throughout the entirety of the Anthropocene Reviewed

[@TheKetchupPacket]

"self-doubting brain weasels'" is my new band name.

[@Raya-xw5ud]

If "brain weasels" isn't a thing yet, we should definitely make it a thing. We've already got tiny chickens - now introducing, brain weasels!

[@AndreaCrisp]

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[@robfab5204]

Yes to everything in this comment feed

[@austinobst8989]

What I appreciate about the 4 minute format of your video is that it's precisely the amount of time I need to finish my beefy melt burrito on my lunch break. Thanks, Hank and John.

[@jasmeenmalhotra2225]

You're a very fast eater. That's impressive.

[@ceeayenay]

Speaking of this! I was laughing at the video lengths since the abolishment of the 4 minute rule. I've noticed John's videos have been like (roughly) 4m 22s, 4m 11s, and there was recently one very daring one clocking in at 5m 11s! Meanwhile, Hank has had reckless abandon with his time limits, ranging between 9 and 14 minutes lately! 😂 We know who the good noodle is and who the risk taker is. 😉

[@sandhillfarmer1]

A good example of read the children’s book on the subject is Black Potatoes, a book about the Irish Potato Famine by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. I didn’t realize it was a kid’s book until after I read it. I learned so much, and the balance between narrative history and rich specific individual stories is well-struck. I read it about a year ago and I still think about it all the time. P.S. The Irish Famine was horrific.

[@danielarthur04]

I recently got a job at Waterstones in the UK (thanks for helping me learn to love books John), and working on the tills is exhausting for the social battery, but amazing because you get to see what so many different people are reading and talk to them about it, and you get this tiny insight into so many different readers. The question I’m left with is whether I’ll gain or lose money from working there 😂

[@booksandquestions9135]

I also worked as a bookseller for some time, and that bookseller discount... it's too good to pass up!

[@humixmusic4lyf]

Gurl you’re gonna lose 😭😭😭 if you love books it’ll ALWAYS put, an albeit happy, dent in your bank account

[@untappedinkwell]

Ah yes, the components of a perfect winter day: a stack of books, cozy socks, bath supplies, and a warm beverage. I'll probably swap for hot chocolate, but this sounds divine.

[@Martcapt]

It's really heartwarming to see John excited about stuff and shit

[@ALZulas]

I've been sitting here with 6 audible credits thinking "I don't know what my next book should be" and now I'm sitting here with no audible credits 😆

[@AlloVlogYT]

I was incredibly lucky to be taught creative writing by Rebecca Makkai this summer. She is an incredible woman and so so kind and funny

[@VaebnKenh]

Wow! Lucky indeed! ❤

[@Segkee]

Historically, I've had little (polite) debates with you and Hank about how best to help the world. And, as I've gotten older, I realized some of my opinions haven't really helped anyone and, yet, you guys kept helping tons of people. You didn't let polite (and not so polite) folks deter you from your mission. And that truly is awesome. So I'm going to apologize. You both have always inspired me and even though we are strangers I know the world is better place with you both in it.

[@steggopotamus]

If it's alright, I'd like your opinion: There's a lot of people on twitter rn who really want John and Hank to comment change their public stance (etc) on long covid and gaza. Personally, I feel that if they don't feel qualified to comment, they shouldn't because their other goals are important, and maybe less urgent feeling, but still important and time consuming in a way that might prevent them from getting the required expertise to comment on other complex issues. Where do you land on these sorts of topics now and how different is that from the past you that you referenced? (I'm asking so I can get perspective on at least a subset of those tweeters)

[@mayaenglish5424]

@@steggopotamus Sorry for the book lol, I've been thinking about it for a while.

[@steggopotamus]

@@mayaenglish5424 i only see the sorry bout the book comment, no book. And I'm disappointed lol bc I'm interested in learning more about those perspectives

[@mayaenglish5424]

@@steggopotamus I tried resending it but it doesn't seem to have worked? I've never been censored on youtube before, do you think that's what's happening? I don't think I said anything TOO extreme lol. Maybe I should try sending it in parts?

[@mayaenglish5424]

@@steggopotamus Part 2: There is no room for saying you don't have enough information about the topic to make an informed decision, or that you're sad for everyone involved because people don't control their government's actions and violence is often a learned response to circumstances rather than a conscious choice of Evil and that propaganda is insidious and no one is immune. There's no room to say that even if some people think the creation of Israel is of dubious legality, that practically it makes no difference because do you really think the country is going anywhere and people need to stop blowing each other the F up and learn how to get along or everyone's going to die. No one wants to hear that. No one want's to hear anything other than #FreePalestine or #SupportIsrael and neither of those things are the truth, not the whole truth anyway.

[@idaslapter5987]

Your recommendations have TOO much sway! I am now 94th in line at my library for "Hidden Potential" 😮‍💨

[@daphnea5447]

Within an hour, that's crazy

[@amberbydreamsart5467]

24 holds in my local library system here.. oh dear. That is the one that piqued my interest, as a person who may be gearing up to change my career path. Well, time to be 25th in line

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

I guess that book had a lot of hidden potential.

[@-Teague-]

​@@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721*two drums and a cymbal fall off a cliff*

[@-Teague-]

With that many Nerdfighters seemingly in your area, you should hold a get together!

[@camillerasor4861]

These book recommendations always astound me because it seems like you read SO. MANY. BOOKS. throughout the year. Do you have a goodreads or storygraph or something we can keep up with? How many have you gotten through this year?

[@ueblay]

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[@kashiichan]

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[@wordstowordlessthings]

omg pleaseeeee do storygraph

[@aostara]

I bought myself Hank's Cancer Socks. They are truly AWESOME! Great designs and fit perfectly. I'm going to love wearing them to the meditation hall (shoes off; show off socks)

[@paulkinzer7661]

Yay! 'An immense World' was one of my favorite books this year. My wife, the Public Librarian, will get us some of the others to read in the coming year. Thanks, as always, John!

[@user-zz6iv2ou6f]

Hello John! I hope you’re doing so much better and we are all with you

[@KumaKaori]

John thank you for "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" one of these years past, realllly took me back through how I experienced the early internet and shareware games.

[@snazzypazzy]

While I don't give gifts with the hollidays (we already have all we need), I do like to read, so now I've put 3 books on hold with the local library :) thanks for the tips!

[@untappedinkwell]

We love a library hold request! I will probably also be adding some of these to my library holds.

[@pascalcrt]

I appreciate you referring to them more accurately as non-human animals, too often people create a distance between humans and non-human animals by just saying “animals” as if we don’t belong to that group, when we would benefit from a greater appreciation of our interconnectedness to the world around us.

[@isabelleblake8732]

i had the great great pleasure of meeting ed yong while he was at the university of missouri (although it was for his more recent work having to do with the pandemic). he spoke with my animal behavior professor and our class about an immense world and was just a joy to meet and share a passion for biology with. great guy and a great read!

[@martagavi]

john!! a book i think you'll love is panenka, by rónán hession. it's about family and chronic illness and complicated feelings and FOOTBALL and the community around it!!

[@cheezfri]

I'm on chapter 3 of the Leslie Jones autobiography. It is great so far. But you need the audio version. She adds so much to the original text, and adds such emotion to it in the way that only she can!

[@ayelenluna8154]

I literally screamed when I saw this notification

[@magicoA]

Yeah,pretty much same. I've been looking for a good "book of the year" to read next month and I saw this and snapped and yelled "there it is!"

[@JanelChristensen]

2:21 I love Jim Murphy! His book about yellow fever is one I've thought about since I read it YEARS ago.

[@daveinacave]

Good morning John! I hope you have a lovely day and get some enjoyable inspiration!

[@daniserrzuni4516]

Hello everyone todays my 25th birthday and I love that I got one of my favourite type of John Green videos a book recommendations I usually add all the books to my reading list and this is no exception

[@dannnyc93]

Thank you so much for the recommendations, John! I'm looking forward to easing my ever-present sense of impending doom and reading the first one you mentioned.

[@palomatorres6080]

the woman in me by britney spears speaking of celebrity memoirs, one of my favorite reads this year she is so lovely

[@zyaicob]

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[@shellh929]

Wow John you read a lot of different good books. I can't do so much nonfiction, unfortunately. I've gotten into cozy mysteries this year. They're not like works of art or anything but it's comforting to know they're going to figure out what's wrong and find the bad guy before the end of the book.

[@shelbyfawn1337]

honestly, John, I applaud your restraint at not just including Good Shop stuff and books and tuberculosis.

[@xochitlyali]

I wait for this recs every year, I always find hidden book gems for myself. Thabk you for the added recs, I see some irresistible cancer socks on my Christmas gifts this year.

[@kirstenroos6781]

Seeing Rebecca Makkai's book that I just finished and loved so so much pop up on here was amazing. Thanks as always for the recommendations John! ❤

[@Sarasstorytime22]

It was very pretentious to me. I can't believe his fave book, is my least fave of the year. I'm going to reexamine my life, now.

[@myladycasagrande863]

​@@Sarasstorytime22you're allowed to have a different opinion from John, don't reevaluate your life just for that. What was your favorite book this year?

[@Sarasstorytime22]

​@@myladycasagrande863I loved Weyward as well as The Drift. But my absolute favorite was Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone.

[@elizabethdavis5661]

I have had several people advise against this book citing misogyny and racism. Do you believe the book is in support of or an indictment against these issues? If the latter, was it effective in conveying that indictment or could it have been handled better? Trying to identify if they just DNFed too early or ??

[@spencerroux5581]

Hi John! It's been a rough month, and thank you for the book recommendations. I also have really enjoyed rewatching "100 Days" and it has helped me get back into health. My friends and I would love to see a follow up to that! Could we see another series like that?

[@ChrisKChandler]

I second this motion! That series was fun and hopeful and a great testament to the importance of friendship and self-care 👍 More please!

[@Asummersdaydreamer14]

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[@samuelhamblin7535]

I agree with the sentiment that Hank Green does it every time. Personally, I have never done the awesome socks club because while an awesome idea, I only ever buy the same black socks because missing socks suck and I prefer to be able to grab socks out of a drawer without needing to match them. But, I've been thinking of getting Hank's cancer socks because it's a set of socks that can mix and match as needed

[@sarahloomis2034]

On one of his previous book recommendations, John recommended How the Word is Passed and it is to this day my favorite book and one I'm always looking for excuses to share with others. Out of this batch, Not the End of the World sounds like the kind of book I need right now. Thanks for sharing your recommendations John!

[@Alberto-wu1mj]

The book recommendations every holiday bring me joy.

[@jeaninemccarthy7411]

Okay, I 100% agree with reading kids' books about subjects you know next to nothing about. I do this all the time! It's a great way to get a concise understanding of the subject so you can decide if you're interested enough to pursue more info via adult nonfiction.

[@-Teague-]

0:25 first recommendation was an immediate hit! I wanna read this!

[@OayGaming]

I’m reading Ed Yong’s Immense World right now for my master’s environmental lit class! Very strange to see you pull it out as it is sitting on my lap. Thank you for the recommendations! Christmas gifts are always stressful for me.

[@eibbore]

I'm looking forward to joining the PIH livestream about TB tonight. It made me think, I wonder what books John would recommend on the topic, and then this video appeared later the same day. Thanks for sharing a place to start and all of your other recs!

[@cultivatingcivicconversations]

My mother taught me the hack about reading children’s books in the 1960s and it works in almost any setting.

[@myidiosyncrasy]

(as both a children's librarian and general collector of knowledge, I love J nonfic SO much)

[@meganl8071]

was hoping for a video like this today. a books and soap and socks Christmas seems perfect to me.

[@patch3002]

The kids book hack is SO SMART thank you!!

[@mjcosgrove]

Rebecca Makkai’s book is on my coffee table waiting to be read. I’m currently reading her book The Great Believers, and earlier this year I read The Borrower. I’ll be seeing her in Cleveland at the Writer’s Center Stage series in April 2024, where she will be interviewed for an hour or so, followed by a book signing, so I’m trying to read all of her books before then.

[@GoddessPallasAthena]

I ABSOLUTELY agree about reading children's books about a particular topic you are JUST getting started to know, or simply want to know SOMETHING about. I plan to do that for some historical events or biographies of people I know very little about. They are not only easier to understand, but cut through the academic details that you just don't need at first, and often, the illustrations help - these days, many kids' books, including non-fiction, are beautifully illustrated. As John said, they assume you don't KNOW even the basics of the topic. And they tend to be concise because they have to be, and it doesn't mean you're a bad reader (same with people who may learn better from a graphic novel version of some information).

[@feuilletoniste]

Thank goodness that there is a book for those of us desperately trying to find a balance between hope and despair! BRB, recommending “Not the End of the World” to everyone I know.

[@molliee5183]

I look forward to these every year, thank you for continuing with these!

[@bn1142]

Thank you for not automatically sharing links to the books via Amazon - I try to avoid shopping through it with their history of pushing out smaller (and even not so small!) book store competitors.

[@spidermanandsnape]

The only type of ads I will never gte tired of hearing is everything from good store. Not only are they great products, the profits actually go to good causes instead of just increased profits. And mixed with great book recommendations too!

[@Getsimpson]

I look forward to this every year

[@Wordsnwood]

Wrapped by Hank on Christmas day! 😉

[@stargazer209]

My tb book recommendation is the plague and I. Written by the woman who wrote the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle children’s book about her time in a tuberculosis sanatorium.

[@ChristyStoerm]

100% agree about reading kids books. Highly recommend.

[@jaybehkay2438]

Adding a great book recommendation - the purest bond by Jen Golbeck. Great book about dogs and out connections to them

[@Thepryomaniac]

"and in terms of what I think I can write" I look forward to the *plot* of the next John Green book.

[@rachelwilliams170]

Read a kid's book to explain things simply was my math professor's guidance to me struggling with algebra 20 years post high school. Easily the best advice I got that year.

[@cmm6p]

Ohhh, thanks for all the good recs! I too just read a book that made me say 'why can't i write like this.' It was 'Brother of the More Famous Jack' by Barbara Trapido. Not a new book. But new to me.

[@lineetta]

well my mom loves 1) reading about infectious diseases and 2) the beatles, and i’d never heard of either of those books, so there’s some of my christmas shopping checked off now. thanks John!

[@graemebloodworth8991]

oh lord i need that awesome coffee pelican mug

[@vlogbrothers]

Good mug. -John

[@Kazemba]

Thank you, John!

[@garlicgalore]

Good to see you, John, and what a great list! Speaking of prescriptive gifting, I have been known to buy exactly what I want and hand it over to someone with the directive, "give this to me for (name the occasion)." The tradition is to include the cash amount of the purchase, but some cheap members of the family haven't glommed onto that part yet. Either way I get great gifts.

[@Just_Loves_Music]

Now I want to read all of them!

[@Maxwellhyde14]

Wow, this video made me weirdly emotional!! So many wonderful recommendations! Also so cool to hear about Black Angels as a lifelong Staten islander! There’s an exhibit out about that now at the SI Museum! Thanks as always John!

[@Rufflesandrage]

That opening sequence of book recs had such Reading Rainbow Book recommendations vibes

[@mindykb15]

Children’s chapter books are vastly underrated. Not only are they great intro reads, but they’re great when you don’t really have the energy for a “real book” but still want that good feeling that comes with reading a book all the way to the end.

[@anadeliz479]

This has sorted out three quarters of my present needs!! Thank you John.

[@elainebelzDetroit]

"How does Hank do it all the time?" is a valid question for all values of "it."

[@Skeletorslurpsspaghetti]

Love you John! Hope you’re doing better even if it’s just a bit

[@StopTheHateX25]

Every year I wait for this ❤❤

[@clrobinson1776]

My husband LOVES his cancer socks! Great work, Hank

[@surefireshore]

Omg! I also love Hannah Ritchie from Our World in Data!

[@jessicapflugrath7619]

Love John's books recommendations! Have found so many fans from them over the years!

[@Dancersmakeup]

John do not say “of course I have a favorite tb book”. We come here for your favorite tb books.

[@philipsullivan4885]

I have also noticed this kids' book phenomenon. I guess adults have a lot to learn. Also so glad to hear your "Immense World" review- I've heard great things and the question of human 'separation' from our family of life has been a fascinating study topic (hence the above phenomenon).

[@glitteriable]

My library had this book be the book club pick a few months ago. I really liked it!!

[@michaelmcgaughan8198]

It has been some large number of years and every single time I scroll down to watch the newest vlogbrothers video I think to myself "the v-log brothers"

[@ahuggingsam]

well thanks Jon, I bought like 3 of the books you recommended before you were even done recommending them because oh my god I don't know how you do it but you make the best book recommendations. I hope you're happy... because I am :)

[@patriciaaturner289]

I read a couple of books by this guy, Hank something or other. The story really sucked me in, and the characters kept me there. I’m planning on gifting my copies to a friend. Must share excellent storytelling when found!

[@Whayles]

An Immense world! I listened to that on audible, so sort of read it. Wow it was amazing, exactly like John said, it really changed how I understand animals. It really made me think about perception and preserving the world. Great book

[@mariannetfinches]

So excited for so many of these! Adding this video to my "rewatch" list It's good to see you, John 😊

[@hpete97]

I read I have some questions for you after you recommended it on the pod and, as a bookseller, I do my best to get it in to as many hands as I can! I can’t wait to read your other recs!

[@mariageorge4721]

An immense world is such a good book!!

[@lydiavickery1492]

I look forward to your book recommendation video every year

[@tehilaingram3259]

I read now your book "turtles all the way down" third time. Thank you John for writing such comforting book. Btw I still enjoy the book.

[@ZuperZocker]

Well, we just pre-ordered not the end of the world. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@Madz-2013pne]

You and Hank are just the best! Thanks for continuing to provide entertaining and value add content! 🎉

[@DavidBennettPiano]

2:04 I want to buy “This Boy” but I can’t find a store that ships to the U.K. Do you know anywhere else this book is available? Thanks!!

[@Margaretfogs]

Thank you for using Bookshop to link the books!!!

[@DreamAmongStars]

As someone who also read Invisible Microbe, YES that book is so good

[@alleycaaat]

I love getting good book recommendations, someone else does the work for me to evaluate it and I just get to sit back and enjoy.

[@mvndaai]

I have recommended "An Immense World" so many times after reading it this year!

[@suehromada]

I love your book recommendation videos! I read many off your list each year. The Bookseller's Tale series is one of my favorite finds from you past videos. I am going to start with Not the End of the World this year!

[@jjp0004]

As always thanks John! 🥰

[@autumnbrookesings]

Love this video every year! So many good books~

[@mariageorge4721]

Not the End of the World by Hannah Ritchie is amazing!!!!!!

[@llamadrew]

I got the Hank Socks. They are super comfy. I dont usually wear taller socks, but I'm putting these on around the house because of the nice foot feels. (also not a paid endorsement)