July TBR: Epic Fantasy, Indie Gems & LitRPG Adventures!

[@jonathankoan]

The George Martin sketch was hilarious. 😂

[@BrianBell7]

I gotta be me! :) Thanks Jonathan!

[@pickleruby]

I love how you’re adapting. Summer is a great time to lighten up every possible load, then sink into delicious reads in the fall. Thanks for the great video!

[@BrianBell7]

That's a great idea!

[@PreppinShootinLivin]

I don’t do a TBR, I just have a ton of unread stuff collected up so I decide what to read based on what I feel like reading when I complete my current book. I usually do fantasy, then something else, back to fantasy, then something else, etc. but I never really know what I’ll pick until I finish my current read and what sounds good next.

[@Johanna_reads]

I'm team outro vs. team intro. I honestly skip intros, even on channels I love. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Deadhouse Gates, at the right time 😎

[@BrianBell7]

Lol, I know I will get to it at some point!

[@dubhmoore575]

Hay, Brian, great jacket! I am mood reading at the moment, i aquire books i shelve them and read.what next takes my fancy. With a side of 'wow that looks good i am going to try that!'

[@BrianBell7]

Thank you! I like that approach of filling shelves like a great pantry for whatever you are in the mood for later.

[@julien4327]

Team mood reading over here ! Basically I have a shelf with all my unread books (currently about 60) and I choose one when I need to. I still make plans, but no real TBR. For July, I'm likely to read Holwing Dark from Christopher Ruocchio , but not sure exactly when... I'd also like to read the Silmarillion this summer, but we'll see...

[@BrianBell7]

I loved Howling Dark. One of my favorite reads last Fall. Hope you do too! Go team mood read!

[@esmayrosalyne]

For what it's worth, I have never taken your intro for granted ;) Curious to see how this change will affect things! Excited to see some selfpub love, hope they are both hits for you. And please do yourself a favour and just stick with the easy reads this month, you deserve that hahah. Also, I am in team optimistic with WoW as well, you are not alone! Happy reading, Brian 🤩

[@BrianBell7]

I wouldn't be surprised if the intro makes a comeback. Everyone loves a good comeback story :) We'll see! And yes, for sure easy reads this month 100%

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

I like the no intro experiment-I fast forward through every single one, but your reasoning about wanting people to click off not based on it seems solid

[@BrianBell7]

we shall see! no one is as immediately loveable as the Great Kahn!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

@@BrianBell7 😊

[@TheJellicle1]

Two books will be for book clubs, then I look at whatever themed reading events are going on to see if I want to participate in, then I look at my shelf and kindle to see what I am in the mood for. However, if I go to the library, all of that may go out the window when I bring home a shiny new stack of possibilities 😸

[@BrianBell7]

ha, I love that! But it's also great you have book clubs going!

[@laurablakeauthor]

How do I make a TBR? I don't 🤣 Mood reading ftw, Brian!

[@BrianBell7]

I'm only a little (ok a lot) jealous!

[@BookishChas]

Great video Brian! I was laughing so hard at the GRRM call lol. Never Die is high on my list too.

[@BrianBell7]

I'm glad you found enjoyment, Chas!!

[@heidi6281]

Brian I have a long list of books I want to read but I will drop my weekly TBR if something on booktube pops up. 1) A buddy read which will have a beautiful spoiler discussion at the end 2) someone is just over the moon, ie Andrew Wizard going gaga over The Lords of the Shattered Lands. I also drop my tbr for a new release like The Daughter’s War, prequel to Blacktongue!! So happy you are reading Outlaw! I hope you love it. It is the perfect summer POPCORN read! Woohoo!

[@BrianBell7]

Thanks exactly what I'm going for Heidi! It's great that you are flexible in your TBR to do what seems fun in the moment!

[@Talking_Story]

Cool lists and cool jacket!

[@heidi6281]

Now that is the nightclub owner look!🤗

[@BrianBell7]

well since you mention The Fonz, I had to do something!

[@Talking_Story]

@@heidi6281 right?!

[@Talking_Story]

@@BrianBell7 I gotta up my cool quotient.

[@TomOrange]

I am mostly a mood reader but in general I can stick to a plan one month out. So before I make my tbr Ill sit down look at books I already own and then my wish list/want to reads and start making selections from there. If i see a video that mentions a book im interested in I have no problem adding it to the list later on.

[@BrianBell7]

I like that approach. I also like how you are taking your time with Malazan. I could learn a thing or two from Sir Tom of Orange.

[@someokiedude9549]

Brian, you're a madman. But that's why I love you. Keep up the good work.

[@BrianBell7]

haha, The Madman of the North! Thanks, Britton!

[@christhewritingjester3164]

My TBR is a combination of getting recs from BookTubers leading to a massive list that I'm trying to get through. I will occasionally have something call out to me (like Suneater) that gets pulled up in the list. I'm working through War and Peace right now and it's probably going to take most, if not all, of the month. Man, I miss the once upon a time intros, but I get it! You guys have to analyze a lot in order to grow. Best of luck!

[@BrianBell7]

Very cool way of doing it. Yes I already miss my intro soooo we’ll see how the data looks in a couple weeks and go from there :)

[@gryftkin]

My current TBR for each month usually goes like this... 1, a book chosen by my community... 2, a book from the author I'm interviewing next month... 3, a book I still owe NetGalley a review for 😂 4, the next book in my Dresden files re-read and 5, just plain something I want to read :)

[@BrianBell7]

Sounds great! GO Dresden!

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

Ohhh diving into never die!

[@BrianBell7]

it's my way of staying magical.

[@ithrahmunchswallow468]

I vote Hard Magic as well as Rob's stuff. All of Rob's stuff 🤪

[@BrianBell7]

I gotta get to it all!!! :)

[@ZOMGfantasy]

Awesome video, Brian! Sounds like a great month to come! I am with you on not reading blurbs. I do usually peek at the sample though, just to get a gist of the writing style 😊 To be honest, I enjoyed your animation, but I think removing it is the right call. I guess the analytics will show. Either way, I wish your awesome channel all the best!

[@BrianBell7]

Thank you so much! I already miss the animation, so unless the analytics prove that it should go, it'll come back :)

[@TheBeardedBookBeast]

Looking sharp! Love the TBR picks! Interesting about the intro. That intro video you made is a banger!

[@BrianBell7]

Thank you! Yeah, I miss the intro already. If the data shows no traction without it, then it comes back!

[@TheBeardedBookBeast]

@BrianBell7 Heck yeah! I love that you are testing things out and also how you share those thoughts and plans with us!

[@doctorwhat6751]

I liked your intro but it is also interesting to see what the data says so good for you! I have accumulated enough books to give me choices depending on time and mood. I usually switch up genres so that nothing gets stale. Unless I start a series I just cannot put down. 😊

[@BrianBell7]

We shall know in a month or so! I love that you can mood read!

[@stevenstewart782]

Over the past 4 years I expanded my library from around 750-800 books 2Approximately 4,000So I have no shortage of things to read and I just read whatever I'm in the mood for I try to read as many books as possible for per month so I read a read a nice mix of small and Larger books And yes I'm quite often influenced by what I see Book tubers reading

[@BrianBell7]

holy crap! that is a TON of books! I love that you've expanded it so amazingly!!

[@thatsci-firogue]

I used to do TBRs but I abandoned it years ago and have been mood reading since. Since I haven't finished any of these yet, they're carrying over into July. *Historical-Fantasy* The Last Light of the Sun / Guy Gavriel Kay *Sci-Fi* Cloud Atlas / David Mitchell *Thriller* The Winter of Frankie Machine / Don Winslow I've been feeling the itch to pick an Epic Fantasy back up so maybe back to my Malazan re-read (with Deadhouse Gates) or something.

[@BrianBell7]

keep me posted on what you think of Cloud Atlas. It'll be part of my June recap.

[@Stardraigh1]

I've been reading Primal Hunter on Royalroad since it began. It's so good.

[@BrianBell7]

I’m really enjoying it so far. Looking to start book 2 in a week!

[@ChrisPJ_reads]

I make a 6 month reading list which is very loose. Usually filled with some series I've been reading, alongside a couple book 1's which I'm interested in. But nothing is hard set in stone and if I want to mood read then Im gonna do that instead. July is looking like Red Rising book 2 and 3, as well as some Katharine Kerr. That is a good Jacket! Read Deadhouse Gates when it feels right to do so.

[@BrianBell7]

Thank you! I like the idea of having a rough idea of 6 months but freedom to work within it.

[@MacScarfield]

Love the Optimism! 😄 In July I plan to read: «The Stone of Farewell» (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, #2) by Tad Williams (Epic Fantasy, a key influence for George R. R. Martin's « A Song of Ice and Fire») «Tiamat's Wrath» (The Expanse, #8) by James S.A. Corey (Space opera) «The Warrior Prophet» (The Prince of Nothing #2) by R. Scott Bakker (Grimdark/Dark Epic Fantasy inspired by the Crusades, Silmarillion & Dune) On my July MBR/August TBR is: «The Green Tower part 1» (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, #3) by Tad Williams (Epic Fantasy)

[@BrianBell7]

Mac, that's a loaded and excellent TBR!

[@knotslip8862]

Brian, Thanks for the video. I don't make TBR's for specific months (October is an exception -scary books). I just have a lot of books on my TBR and I own most of them...some I don't. I only read real books...not into digital because I spend too much time staring at screens at work and don't want to stare at another when I read. I also dont care to have someone read the book to me as in audiobooks. How I pick my books for my TBR is usually mood based and sometimes based on positive reviews by booktubers and other reviewers. What genre am I in the mood for and what books on my shelf fall into that genre. Sometimes, I'll read something because I want to watch the movie or series based on it but prefer to red it first as in Dark Matter and The three Body Problem. Also, working through several series does affect my TBR...Currently reading Elantris and plan to read The Emporer's Soul next then its a pure mood pick for me. Thanks for the video!

[@BrianBell7]

That makes total sense to me if you stare at screens all day that paper would be preferable! Loved the book Dark Matter! Mood reading can really be where it's at!!

[@heahterranier6926]

I can only listen to books while working on my farm and workshop, so I list TBR by Audiobook Source- Audible, Hoopla, Kindle Unlimited, KZbin, MyNovels, etc~

[@BrianBell7]

Makes sense! I listen to audible mostly myself when it comes to audio books. KZbin is a great idea tho. So many classic things there!

[@heahterranier6926]

@@BrianBell7 absolutely. I always have an Edgar Rice Burroughs in the list and I just found a resource for all the Conan books! Still trying to decide on chronological or published order…

[@KindlesandKicks]

It’s interesting what you said about your intro, because I’ve been considering removing mine as well and getting straight to the point. I’m interested to see what your results will be. Love that jacket! Want that jacket! Need that jacket!

[@BrianBell7]

no joke, I said to myself, DarkO is gonna love this jacket

[@elainedejong2806]

I’m reading The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings for my birthday month. I’m also reading Feast for Crows (first time). And I’ll probably also read some non-fantasy like a western and a Sherlock fan fic and maybe Station Eleven.

[@BrianBell7]

fun! can't wait to hear what you think of all of them!

[@HabitualBlood]

I don't think I could ever make a TBR work, mainly because I think I just can't keep a reading schedule. I've been in the middle of The Recognitions for over six months now because I keep mood reading other books before getting back to it. And I don't think I've ever neatly finished a set amount of books within a month either. I think every month I go into, I'm still in the middle of three books. I'll never get it organised enough unfortunately. But I guess I have vague notions of what I want to read next and I try to keep a balance. Because my devotions are pulled between SFF and literary fiction, I generally try to keep a balance between those and when thinking of my next read, I think of what SFF I want to pull off the shelf, and which litfic as well. After I finish my current stack my heart is leading my heart is either leading me to The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams, or The Godless by Ben Peek. And for litfic I've been eyeing the unread William Gass books on my shelf and thinking I might dive into Middle C or maybe his short fic collection Eyes...but we will see. My mood can shift on a dime! EDIT: loved the GRRM joke by the way, that was a good bit.

[@BrianBell7]

I applaud your ability to multi task when it comes to simultaneous reading. I struggle with that unless one is on audible and one is sight reading. I really need to get to Tad Williams. I suspect I’ll also get more into litfic as the channel grows and more and more new suggestions come in. And thanks for the GRRM note! You never know when he’ll call next !

[@HabitualBlood]

@@BrianBell7 I just get too excited to read everything that even if I'm loving a book I want to get stuck into another. And aside from physical reads I almost always have an audiobook going while I'm at work! If you ever get the hankering for some lit fic don't be afraid to ask me for some recommendations. My goal here on KZbin is to get the fantasy community here talking about some more lit stuff-literary and weird fantasy especially! Like you say in your vid though you've had a big plate of that recently what with the Wurts and Erikson and Vanished Birds and whatnot.

[@stjepanvaresevaccobets]

I like your intro. Six book are big obligation. 👍🤗

[@BrianBell7]

Yes! Thank you!

[@tgmaps]

Primal Hunter 9 has just dropped so I'm starting my month with that. Just Finished He who fights with monsters vol 4 so probably going to be continuing that after.

[@BrianBell7]

I have a LONG way to catch up! Although I am current now on HWFWM :)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I look forward to finding out what you make of your SPFBOX read for July, Brian! If your brain is worn down still at the month’s end, definitely go with Discworld. I love Deadhouse Gates, but it’s a heavy read in terms of emotions. I think the main reason many people click away from videos in ten seconds is that many people these days have the attention span of a caffeine-infused chipmunk, but I hope you see good results from tweaking things!

[@BrianBell7]

Thanks, Philip! I think you are probably right regarding attention spans. We'll see. I doubt it'll hurt the channel too much if I go "intro-free" for a little bit. I suspect it'll wind up to be Discworld...

[@AuthorJohnADouglas]

Those retention views are actually fairly normal. Vast majority of people tune out early in most vids.

[@BrianBell7]

It’s interesting. Too early to tell but so far the drop off has been half what it was

[@StoryGirl1128]

How do I make my TBR? I have so, so many amazing books sitting on my shelves that I really want to read, and I list several out every month, generally prioritized by my interest level.

[@BrianBell7]

that seems like a good combo of organization and mood listing :)

[@jeroenadmiraal8714]

I just returned from the year 2040 and read Winds of Winter by Martin & Abraham and let me tell you, it did not live up to the hype, so I recommend Deadhouse Gates.

[@BrianBell7]

Good to know Jeoen. Please take me on your trip next time so I can get some lottery numbers.

[@ronridley8684]

My TBR is half mood defined half purchase age (oldest first). I like your intro, but I tend to FF through lengthy intros or in content ads.

[@BrianBell7]

I’m cool if people just FF through intro. It’s just when they click away altogether that I want to test. I like your first-in, first-read approach!

[@meltil224]

Too much of a mood reader to have a set TBR. I have a whole board full of "priority" books and series and have marked off 3. 😂

[@BrianBell7]

well.... 3 is better than 2!! Jealous of your mood reading!

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

DISCWORLD. The answer's always Discworld, unless it's 42. Will be interested to see if changing the start of your videos makes a difference, but honestly I don't think that's it. It's just short form content degrading people's attention spans. I don't have an intro and most people click off within the first 10-30 secs of my videos usually. But then again, I'm not as charismatic a persona as you are, and I don't often talk about books commonly seen on your average Booktube channel.

[@BrianBell7]

ha, thanks! Well, we will see for sure. I like experimenting :)