Asking Famous Authors Their Favourite Book, Then Reading It

[@libraryofaviking]

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[@astevenswrites]

This was fun, and how cool that Janny Wurts responded and even appeared on the video!? ALso, kinda sounded like Robin Hobb's reply was some kind of auto-reply and not actually from her, so maybe there's still a chance!

[@zemestukami4189]

Janny Wurts

[@toddblanchard7765]

Hmmm, well, I must appreciate Jack Vance and his style because I also like to write. The random articles and quotes are a fantastic way to slowly add world/universe building context to each chapter, while keeping the story slim and agile. The characters in the Star King are flat, but GRRM recommends the entire series, not just the first 158 pages… as things progress, you find out so much more and the central characters inflate as expected. Would say give the series its full deserved read, then figure out where he lands on this list.

[@samreads.]

Janny Wurts is such a wonderful person. I’ll be picking up a Carol Berg for sure.

[@shanembailey]

This was so awesome, particularly the end with Janny Wurts! I'm excited to read Carol Berg!

[@johngriffith182]

Janny Wurts is awesome! Not only does she reply to your email, but you get to chat with her about books on stream. I loved the concept of these videos asking writers for recommendations. I hope you get replies eventually from some of the others.

[@gustavoandrade9936]

I think this is one of your most well made videos. Keep up the good work! Cheers from South America.

[@TedReadInstead]

This was a fun video to watch, Johan! Thanks for doing the follow-up. I absolutely ADORE Robin Hobbs so I'm going to add Ms. Wurts' author recommendation to my TBR. :)

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you, Ted! I am also intrigued by Carol Berg now!

[@justinvisagie9725]

This is the highest quality booktube video I’ve ever watch! Wow!

[@calebm2161]

Janny Wurts!!!!!!! So cool!!!! Love your videos so much Johan. You have really unique and fun ideas and not just pumping out the same old garbage as so many others. Imo, you are by far my favorite booktuber. You and Bookpilled fly above all the others. Have a great weekend sir!

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you so much!

[@Jppen97]

I had so much fun watching this one! Your channel has been a nice escape for me while I procrastinate my edits to my manuscript 😅 I read The Little Prince back when I was learning French, but my retention was almost nothing at that time. So this inspired me to pick it back up with a friend! Loved this video so much.

[@libraryofaviking]

This is such a nice comment. Thank you and best luck with the edits!

[@Machiavelli_311]

How cool Janny Wurtz came on. Adding Carol Berg to my list too. Also interested to hear your thoughts

[@alusarmiento]

I loved loved loved this video. I am the biggest fan of The Little Prince and now I've added Mythago Wood to my TBR!

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you, Ana! Glad you enjoyed the video. I hope you will love Mythago Wood!

[@AlinaTheGoblin]

Johan, I think this might be my favorite video of yours yet! The editing, the concept, waiting with bated breath for those emails. Love that you actually followed up from your WorldCon video and took your favorite authors' recs seriously rather than just getting them for the video and calling it a day. Also excited to see if you make a sequel to this sequel video and read Shogun, the Carol Berg books, and (fingers crossed) Sanderson and Hobb's recs down the line! Would be a lovely series if you continued obtaining these recommendations and reading author's favorite books. There's just something wholesome about it and an excellent way to find hidden gems. P.S. How cool is Janny Wurts for jumping on a call with you? Definitely bumped her books up on my TBR, can't wait!

[@jacksonsardello3959]

This is a great follow up video! I added Mythago Wood to my TBR from the last video, but getting your perspective I'm also going to add the Little Prince! You also put Janny Wurtz on the map for me and her recommendation of Flesh and Spirit was exciting!

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you, Jackson! I hope you will love Mythago Wood and Carol Berg!

[@andrew_8582]

Love that you followed up on the WorldCon author recommendations video! It must have been a pleasant surprise to realise that you'd already read so many of these books so the work was cut down. 😂 It would be wonderful if this triggered an uptick in people checking out Carol Berg-I'll have to take a gander at her books myself!

[@arabellawillow]

"I put his face on the book because .. he is now the little prince." 😂 such a redemption arc in the first 2:30 of this video 😅

[@libraryofaviking]

The Little Prince is an S-Tier recommendation haha! I should have trusted Norbert.

[@TSTait]

The video of you asking for recommendations had me intrigued by Mythago Wood. So I went and got myself a copy as well and it has become one of my favourite books. Thanks for making these videos, I found a terrific author I’d never read before.

[@libraryofaviking]

This makes me so happy!

[@TSTait]

@@libraryofavikingaw, I’m glad. But seriously, this book hit me perfectly. I kept thinking, if I’d read this at 14 instead of 45 I’d have based half my life around this book!

[@Zivilin]

Janny Wurts always have such great recommendations.

[@danioli2000]

So cool that you got an author to give you call on their recommendation

[@libraryofaviking]

It was such a cool experience!!

[@andreabknight]

Great to see Janny!

[@jakobwetzel7065]

Awesome video! This was fun to see the inspiration behind our favorite authors.

[@Chance.Dillon]

This was such a fantastic idea-loved experiencing it with you 😂

[@momo_genX]

Wow, You really did it! This was such a fun video, how you dorked out over a spam notification after you gave Brandon Sanderson your address. 😆. The wall of lierary face-holes. Lol.

[@libraryofaviking]

Haha glad you enjoyed it! I am still awaiting a response from Sanderson 😂

[@hayleemartin1231]

Great video Johan! Thoroughly enjoyable!

[@05jessejames]

Love the content man!

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you so much!

[@ChurchJables]

So happy Joe rec'd Mythago Wood. It's incredible, and the sequel (Lavondyss) us even better! The best magical realism I've ever read.

[@libraryofaviking]

I really enjoyed it and it has stayed with me. I would probably rank it higher than Red Rising if I did the ranking today. I might continue the series!

[@ChurchJables]

@@libraryofaviking please do! At the very least just the second one. It’s a big leap in how deep it goes into the forest but such incredible writing and imagery.

[@EarhirX]

I found the atmosphere of the book quite amazing, but at the same time I cannot help but feel I am missing something behind all of its symbolism

[@paulwilliams6913]

I agree-Mythaho Wood is amazing, and I really think Lavondyss is better, more lyrical, more atmospheric, and powerfully expands the themes of the storyworld. My first published academic article was on the series and I was so hyped when it got quoted a couple years ago in a book about Mythago Wood.

[@SideQuestsQueen]

This was such a fun video! 😊

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

Man I'm glad you liked Mythago Wood. I really loved that book, the sequel just gets better.

[@libraryofaviking]

I am definitely intrigued to continue!

[@ronnieyuen4309]

This is such an awesome idea, thanks for the video and would pay attention to some of those recommendations.

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you so much!

[@Kaolein]

Very cood idea for a video. Super nice recommendations from all authors. I know that all of them are a personal taste. But as always - a lot of ideas what to read next. I started to read Robin Hobb - Farseer 1 and love it. Iam so hyped to read more of her amazing work. Edit: Amazing recommandations from Janny. Love it.

[@stevegilhool8526]

I also disliked True Grit the first time I read it, but I loved it the second time. I now agree that it's a classic for a reason. It might be worth revisiting it someday!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Fun video! So cool that Janny Wurts joined you for the recommendation - it's so remarkable having her part of the BookTube community. I hope you enjoy Fonda Lee's recommendation - Shogun is a top 10 book of all time for me!

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you! It is remarkable indeed! I look forward to reading it!

[@dadamssg87]

Man, Janny Wurts really made me want to pick up a Carol Berg!

[@brianjkinney]

That's so cool that Janny Wurts jumped on a call with you to give a recommendation. I've never heard the term Book Store Death Spiral before and I'm not really sure what it means. I'm assuming from the change in name that it means that the author thought that starting with a new name could help sales, but I'm just guessing.

[@yonathanasefaw9001]

I've heard of Carol Berg she is definitely underrated. Reading Son of Avonar.

[@joce7315]

Loving your video! Fantastic episode, gonna go buy new books heheheheh

[@samtheactualkenku6205]

I'm actually reading the Way of Kings right now and I'm almost finished. It's my first time reading the Stormlight Archive and the first Brando Sando book I've read

[@jenniferobin7260]

Ok - just added Carol Berg to my TBR!

[@TheJezza223]

Great video dude, what camera/equipment do you use?

[@libraryofaviking]

Cheers! Primarily a Sony Alpha 6400 with a 1.8 Sigma Lens and the Rode NTG Videomic microphone. I also used the DJI Osmo Pocket Camera in this video.

[@JamoboBorg]

If you want another 1980s rec, try Little, Big by John Crowley. It follows several generations of a family living in an unusual house made from several clashing styles, 4 floors, 7 chimneys, 52 doors and 365 stairs, and quite possibly is on the border of the land of faeries. At almost 600 pages, it takes its time, but I - and a lot of critics - think it's worth it. Like Mythago Wood, it won the World Fantasy Award and it was also nominated for Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and British Science Fiction Association awards. Also, like Mythago Wood, it's very atmospheric.

[@valliyarnl]

13:32 "Nicolas, I love you" took me OUT HAHAHA 10/10

[@libraryofaviking]

😂😂😂

[@MacScarfield]

Jenny Wurts is so wholesome! 😊

[@libraryofaviking]

Love Janny Wurts! She is awesome!

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

Fun video, you even spoke to George R R Martin, although I'm in two minds about his recommendation.

[@illusionofmotion5975]

Keep up the good work !

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you!

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

I've just seen the movie of True Grit (2010), it was really good.

[@chokog2446]

Carol Berg is one of my favorites!!!❤

[@andybarker8787]

When you buy the book before Janny even finishes describing it…

[@HigrationsMintergrund420]

Jack Vance is my favorite author and I highly recommend Lyonesse and Dying Earth from him. :)

[@ZkL92]

you didnt read shogun cause its long?

[@andrew_8582]

I expect that stopping to read Shogun and a book by Carol Berg would have made the development time for the video too long. Hopefully we'll see another follow-up where he gets around to these books! 😁

[@gregorykontaxis4885]

This video is so cool!

[@Sleeping-Achilles]

if you liked the little prince then you should read "my name is mina" & "skellig" by david almond

[@Mr.Veracity]

I feel children’s books are only children’s books when children read them as an adult children’s books can offer a lot of you can pick up on characters archetypes life lessons ect

[@GwenCooper-l1b]

Excellent video. Jenny Wurts was so nice!😊

[@calliemacleod1886]

The mara of the acoma series is one of my fav, i love janny wurst

[@asdfdsa9681]

I havent read Green Bone saga because I've read that its more like a YA story with Kung Fu? Might give it a try since its getting so much hype!

[@jakecarlstad6192]

It's definitely not YA. Basically all the characters except one are full grown adults

[@justanotherpiccplayer3511]

what youve accidentally done is made that bit in top gear where the celebrities race around the track and get a time, and that wasnt just one episode,,, so in 6 months,,, robin hobb? jus saying 👀🤣

[@andrew_8582]

Love this comparison! 😂

[@dharun3695]

Good work mam, Keep it up :))

[@logangoodner9559]

Dude I wish you'd given a few more points to originality. Ranking some of these against Way of Kings or Red Rising or GreenBone isn't fair. Those are some of the most praised books of the last decade. Of course you were going to pick those.

[@RICHIEV333]

Amazing video... I am neither famous nor an author but you should read: "The Shattered World," by Michael Reeves. A book whose world, every now and then, I see copied. A world shattered and now in shards, or continents, floating in space. Enjoy!

[@cugal1613]

Shame…Jack Vance is fantastic. Your critique is fair though his characters are all the same. No depth. I think you should read his fantasy trilogy Lyonesse. My favourite of his though is the Dying Earth series in particular the second 2…the first is not really related except for the setting and tbh I didn’t really like…although it’s regarded by most others as the best in the series. Btw I am going to try some of the books from here. Hopefully find something I like. Thanks

[@nathanglynn7443]

How about you recommend me your favourite book and I will read it?

[@MichaelSmith-zx5lw]

CAROL BERG IS AMAZING

[@donmujtaba]

I am also working on a mature novel series

[@PatGilliland]

You are entitled to your own opinion on Jack Vance, it is a wrong opinion, but you are still allowed to have it. 😉

[@craxanshards3139]

That's my least favorite Jack Vance series. He has much better.

[@libraryofaviking]

Oh interesting! Which one would you recommend?

[@Thorum0]

Lyonesse

[@r.awilliams9815]

​@@libraryofaviking Another vote for the Lyonesse trilogy. I think it's his best work.

[@craxanshards3139]

Personally, I like Alastor, a threes book series, and Planet of Adventure, a four book series. But, Lyonesse is also good.

[@AyushK-x1u]

johan you have bad taste 😂

[@libraryofaviking]

Hahah I probably do