I Let My Patrons Pick Everything I Plan to Read in July of 2024 | TBR Update

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Great to hear you’re enjoying Skypiea, Mike! I’m actually not done with Water 7 yet - about 30 chapters to go. I predict you’ll love Water 7. I’ll pause until you finish it, and then we should have a One Piece chat!

[@noname3609]

That sounds great!! 😊

[@twisterx79]

Looking forward to hearing y'all's thoughts 😍😍 that's a great saga!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I will be there with my Straw Hat on.

[@jaycianfrini77]

Queen of Bedlam is amazing. The whole series is great.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Wonderful!

[@kathleenregimbal4413]

Thanks!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Wow, thank you! You're the best.

[@readinsteadbyjake]

Yeah I could never plan out my entire month for reading. I absolutely love looking at my library after finishing one book, and deciding what to read next. Whatever I’m in the mood for.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Awesome! Me? I'd be a nervous wreck.

[@Kim_Miller]

I've just started John Dies at the End. So far it's wacky insanity with lots of laughs.

[@rachelapalmieri]

Love love love your shirt 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@mikesbookreviews]

Whooooooooooooo lives in a pineapple under the sea?

[@gryftkin]

All of those sound good (except Moon... not my favorite, but then I liked Name of the Wind so... :D ). July, I'm reading Fool Moon - Butcher, A Good Family - Kim, When We Were Birds - Banwo and then probably diving into Long Live Evil - Brennan, Glass House - Jessup, and The Book of Elsewhere - Reeves and Mieville.

[@BenLaSoul908]

I'm pretty sure you've read the black tongue thief but the new one just came out too, called daughter's War

[@wheelz1325]

I have had John Dies at the End on my bookshelf since it came out this might be a sign from the universe that it's time to pick it up😂

[@mikesbookreviews]

DEWIT

[@susinok]

I ate UP Heinlein and Asimov in the 70s. Many of their works do not travel well. I look forward to your opinion on this one. Heinlein self-inserted quite a lot, especially in his later works.

[@marcusmusings]

Right now, Of War and Ruin is the only thing on the docket for July. I loved John Dies at the End. Very unique combo of cosmic horror/comedy. I need to revisit this series because I've only read the first two books

[@Zechree]

great update video, Once I finish Fire and Blood I'm going to start the Mistborn trilogy. I've pretty much only read a song of ice and fire, Percy Jackson, and some star wars novels so my journey is just beginning.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Great choice!

[@speedwagon6-e1b]

Love to see that Mike’s enjoying Mangas. Imagine he reads Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure one day 💀

[@reen6057]

He'd certainly enjoy all those endless rock music references! Not to mention that the manga itself is great as well.

[@SethPlato01]

I dont think Mike would like Jojo, but for sure you can grab his attention if you mention the bands on the manga, i think he has tshirts for everything in the manga: Led Zeppelin, REO Speedwagon, queen, styx, wham, air supply, prince, iggy pop, the police, sting, tom petty, pink floyd, the who, bob dylan, pearl jam, Neil Young deep purple, ac/dc, Cheap Trick.... etc etc etc

[@mikesbookreviews]

After One Piece clicking with me I'm not disregarding anything.

[@Zivilin]

Imagine if he reads Basara by Yumi Tamura one day. 😍

[@therevanchist1123]

I mix it up, I have a planned TBR for the year that I want to get through but I’ll sprinkle in mood reads through out, so far I haven’t sabotaged my TBR too badly 😅 I think for July I will be finishing up Harry Potter and jumping right into the Powder Mage Trilogy.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy!

[@LegCramps1]

I read JDATE when it was released on Wongs website episodically. I really enjoyed it at the time as a teenager. I remember it being pretty silly.

[@mikesbookreviews]

If you're in the mood for it that can work out quite well

[@jefferyheileson7188]

Yes! Queen of Bedlam is one of the best entries in the series!

[@mikesbookreviews]

So I keep hearing!

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

I randomly picked up the sequel to John Dies at the End - it was orange and called This Book is Full of Spiders. No idea why i picked it up because I hate both the color orange and spiders, but i read the first paragraph, which said something like "If you haven't read the first book, don't bother" 😂 I read it, and even though it wasn't what i would normally read, I actually liked it! Weird how things turn out sometimes.

[@stephentheshywarrior2759]

So far not enjoying Sleeping Beauties. I don't think I'll even finish it and I even made it through Tommyknockers. First time.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's one of the toughest King books to finish. I was not a fan.

[@arabellawillow]

I'm most excited to hear your thoughts on Saga of the Forgotten Warrior! That series is high on my list.

[@mikesbookreviews]

He's 2-for-2 so far and I've been told it only gets better.

[@gunneratijuf8915]

And yeah I end up recommending Saga of the forgotten warrior a lot in the RR discord because of the caste system and the pace is fast. Same narrator. But also it’s hard to say without spoilers but there’s an aspect to the story that when you see it you go ok. I think he nailed the aspect that other fantasy authors sometimes try to do and when you get there you’ll be like wow he actually did it and it’s good.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I see Red Rising comparisons, I read.

[@scottfeld3235]

I’ve also switched it up from planned in advance for months TBR to more mood reads with some overarching goals which were to finish RoTE, Finish Expanse, and Fully catch up on Dresden. I finished RoTE and have 4 left on Dresden and 7 left of the expanse. Lots of short mood reads sprinkled in which I’ve been enjoying!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Getting Expanse and Realm of the Elderlings off my list last year felt like an achievement.

[@scottfeld3235]

@@mikesbookreviews I started RoTE in 2020 and read one “sub-series” per year, finishing this year. So good! I’ve been pushing expanse off but am so glad I’ve started these year. Was definitely inspired by your read through!

[@stevenstewart782]

Going to read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress in July after I finish the Demon Awakens this month

[@mikesbookreviews]

Let's go!

[@MacScarfield]

The «Saga of the Forgotten Warrior» novels are definitely on my TBR list! And «The Moon is a Harsh Mistress» is a Classic! 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, a key influence for George R. R. Martin's « A Song of Ice and Fire»)

[@arabellawillow]

Memory, Sorrow and Thorn doesn't disappoint, hope you enjoy!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you like Tad Williams!

[@esmayrosalyne]

Such a fun way to assemble the TBR, I hope your Patrons won't let you down hahah. Happy reading!

[@Fianna1775]

I am very much a reader who doesn't particularly plan ahead unless I am reading something with a friend. Not knowing what is coming up next is part of the joy of reading for me :D However, in July I do hope to get to, as far as hard copies go,... Lord of Emperors by Guy Gavriel Kay The original Tale of the Heike the last few volumes of Demon Slayer Musashi by Yoshikawa A few more book in Legend of the Galactic Heroes series Oh boy.....what to do?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Man, I'd be all sorts of anxious if I was finishing up a book and didn't know what I was reading next ha ha!

[@RalphNC09]

I love John Dies at the End! That's one of the books that got me into reading, and I've read it twice. Queen of Bedlam is amazing as well.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Awesome to hear!

[@TheBeardedBookBeast]

Great TBR! I have been wanting to read John Dies at the End too! Excited to see how it goes for you

[@michaelsquires1177]

If I'm not mistaken only the first 5 Corbett books are standard length, then the rest are a few hundred.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Good to know!

[@lurchEbean]

Darn, I thought Jordan was recommending you an Alastair Reynolds book. House of Suns might be just north of 500 pages, but it's probably his best book. I haven't read Eversion, but I've heard good things, and it's fairly short.

[@mikesbookreviews]

He had, but Revelation Space. Not a stand alone.

[@gunneratijuf8915]

I thank Brent a lot for recommending it it was a great series and Destroyer of Worlds is my favorite. I’m partial to that fast but well paced story with amazing action with good world-building. There is a sequence that is just jaw dropping awesome in Destroyer of Worlds.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Can't wait!

[@MoonLightAmethyst_]

I once a very loooong time ago suggested John dies at the end for a Halloween Book Club pick big mistake. Everybody hated it. I loved it. The twist at the end was weird but worked. Why did I give it one star if I can still remember the whole book?😮

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha hate it when that happens.

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

Ooh The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, I’m jealous. That one has been on the TBR a while.

[@mikesbookreviews]

More than welcome to join me!

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

@@mikesbookreviews thank you sir 🙏, I think I may just do that 😎

[@jakobwetzel7065]

Haha. I’m reading John dies at the end right now. I accidentally read the 4th book of the series “if you’re reading this you are in the wrong universe “ and I loved it. So now I’m starting at the beginning and I am digging it all. Live craft meets Sean of the dead is a perfect description. Lol

[@mikesbookreviews]

Doing it in Tarantino format? Strong.

[@iWizard]

Bro! I hope you enjoy The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress. These recommendations sound awesome, Mike! I’m interested in the McCammon series, though I should probably start with Boy’s Life or Swan Song, right? I think you’re going to love the characters and also the politics. It’s a big idea novel. Just bought Watchmen, btw. Excited to dive into it this summer. Don’t buy The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress. I’m going to send you a nice version. Keep your eye on your PO Box! 😊

[@mikesbookreviews]

You're far too kind, amigo! I look forward to talking this and Watchmen with you.

[@Talking_Story]

McCammon has turned in the final Corbett book. So the series will end this year. You are gonna soooo dig this series as it goes on.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, I saw he had completed it. Dude is a machine.

[@Talking_Story]

@@mikesbookreviews I am very excited to see what he has coming next.

[@Lostinfo_90]

Glade to see your going read John dies at the end of

[@mikesbookreviews]

Should be fun!

[@pikap8649]

Pending your review of John Dies at the End, I’ll definitely be picking it up for horror season. July I’ll be reading book 2-3 of The Foundation, the Hitchhiker’s series, & I’ll start some of the Sherlock books. (In case you couldn’t tell I scooped a few B&N classics, lol)

[@mikesbookreviews]

Love Douglas Adams.

[@Newlotusdarma]

Continue and Possible Finnish shotgun part 1

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy that ride!

[@Newlotusdarma]

@@mikesbookreviews Only 150 pages left in part 1

[@epiphoney]

Aurora Rising by Alastair Reynolds is a good shorter standalone space police procedural, for the whiphounds alone. You can imagine the character Aurora as the Norwegian singer of the same name (check out her song A Soul With No King kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWqYn5dva5WLqbs).

[@cloudedvision9209]

Yes! Matthew Corbett never disappoints 🎉

[@mikesbookreviews]

Excellent to hear!

[@Tim_with_Tomes_and_Tales]

Sounds like a fun month coming up.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Here's hoping!

[@s.p.8508]

We want Dungeon Crawler Carl!!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hmm. Might be a bit.

[@s.p.8508]

@@mikesbookreviews noooooo, we need it now! And FYI, the audiobook is a while experience unto itself. You will def be losing a lot of enjoyment if you just read it as opposed to listening because the Audiobooks are the best audiobook series of all time.

[@bottle1211]

Slightly ahead of you in One Piece

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hey, what's the rush?

[@bottle1211]

@@mikesbookreviews no rush. I didn't realize we were so close in story arcs given the size and scope of OP. I just finished Skypiea. Haven't started the next arc yet.

[@jenm8357]

All of the books in the John Dies at the End series are fun. They are silly, easy reads. They are classified as horror, but I didn't find them scary.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I like a little fun with my horror.

[@zacherylong2411]

If you want modern horror, look up Philip Fracassi

[@mikesbookreviews]

I think you'll like my reading plans in August.

[@zacherylong2411]

@@mikesbookreviews looking forward to what you think of him! Boys in the Valley is my favorite by him so far..but Gothic, A Child Alone with Strangers, and Don’t Let Them Get You Down (this isn’t horror, more so someone dealing with loss, depression, and anxiety but a good read) are great as well.

[@totallysick88able]

Is the Saga of the forgotten warrior complete? It sounds great, but I really don’t want to start an unfinished again.

[@gunneratijuf8915]

The final book was split into two the penultimate coming out later this year. So far we have 4/6, But considering how out spoken the author is about finishing series. I think on principle he’ll have that knocked out quick.

[@totallysick88able]

@@gunneratijuf8915 good enough for me. Looks like I’ll be starting the series then 👍

[@mikesbookreviews]

Book 5 was split. Part 1 comes out this fall, the author says part 2 first quarter 2025.

[@totallysick88able]

@@mikesbookreviews that’s fine then. Should definitely be completed by the time I read that far 👍

[@PreppinShootinLivin]

Yup, gotta mix up the genres for sure. I rarely read fantasy books back to back. It is the genre i read most, but I have to break it up every time...especially if it was a larger 500+ page fantasy. But also because there are so many other good books out there that aren't fantasy. But yeah, usually a Fantasy book then something else, then back to Fantasy, then something else, etc

[@mikesbookreviews]

I tried to always mix it up but the last year or so I've been doing pretty much only fantasy and I want to change that.

[@alynam82]

Queen of Bedlam is still my #1 favorite of Matthew Corbett, but I enjoyed the whole series thus far. After QoB, the next few are shorter in length, with a lot more tightly told story (IMO)

[@mikesbookreviews]

Seems to be the consensus.

[@JaketheMovieGeek]

Gotta read Attack on Titan

[@mikesbookreviews]

So I've been told.

[@Fianna1775]

Just received the first big volume of AoT from the library while I’m waiting for the next few volumes of Demon Slayer to become available. Hopefully it’s good 👍🏻

[@stormy7722]

Hey! Can you recommend more "older" reviewers. Ive recently read recommendations from other booktubers who are, lets face it, mostly young women and needless to say, have not connected with any of them. Mr Sanderson is the best example. I want fantasy that isnt targeted at 17-30 year olds.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha my forte! Philip Chase is my go to and he's a touch older than I.

[@Fianna1775]

Brian from Belltube, John from Talking Story, Josh from red fury books, Allen from Library of Allenxandria, Jimmy from the Fantasy Nuttwork (Jimmy is a bit younger but he reads a huge variety of books). Happy Reading!

[@alvinmarcus5780]

Mike i hope you can answer this question, if you don't mind that is. I just figured out, thanks to a KZbin video, how to see when you subscribed to a channel. I'm a old boomer, 69 in a few days and can't remember like i used to but could you tell me how many subscribers you had November 16 2020 ? I'm just curious to know . Thanks for the best book channel on the web brother. I'll keep watching. 👍

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha no idea. I'd guess around 5-6000.

[@alvinmarcus5780]

@@mikesbookreviews Thanks Mike. I knew i discovered your channel pretty early and was just curious. I was one of the people who tormented you to read " Swan Song ". 😂 I'll be watching for your recommendations. ✌️

[@brucegrossman3531]

Ive tried to read John Dies At The End. I gave up 3/4 in. It just got to the point where I was like I've got other stuff to read.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It happens, sometimes!

[@brucegrossman3531]

@@mikesbookreviews Years ago I tried read a whole book series. I got four books in. And it derailed my reading for months.

[@SuperPuddingcat]

Heinlein is well known for his sexism, mostly all of his female characters are just projections of his own desires. I had to remind myself of the context of the time, where he was considered progressive, however in the Moon is a Harsh Mistress the sexism just gets too much and it was a dnf for me.

[@cdh111868]

Vagabond is amazing! Highly recommend it. I also recommend berserk

[@Fianna1775]

I have read the first two big volumes and it is fantastic. Have you read the novel Musashi?

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've done most of Berserk (and have several videos on them). Vagabond I own a large chunk of.

[@stigsmcqueen3178]

I predict that Mike will like a lot of "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" because he liked "The Expanse." I do think that "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" influenced some of the plot lines in "The Expanse," so it will be right up Mike's alley. I think Mike would like it more than "Stranger in a Strange Land," which ventures more into territory that wouldn't interest Mike as much. In addition to those two and having read "Starship Troopers" multiple times, the other Heinlein books that I would still like to read are "The Cat That Walks Through Walls" and "Time Enough for Love." I'll get to those at some point. :)

[@mikesbookreviews]

Time will tell!

[@StoryGirl1128]

Love your plan for mixing it up a little 😁 I’ve not read any of those, so no thoughts, but have fun! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on them.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Gotta keep things fresh.

[@AngelaJonesReviews]

Sounds like a good reading plan for July

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm hoping so!

[@FRETtheDOG]

Idk if I’m blanking on it, but did you ever finish Death Note?

[@mikesbookreviews]

I didn't! The second half kinda lost me.

[@FRETtheDOG]

@@mikesbookreviews understandable! They can’t all be winners right lol

[@Dwish305]

After One Piece maybe Philip can dive into Berserk??

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've suggested he do Golden Age for 3 years now.

[@epiphoney]

The ABC's of science fiction are Asimov, Bester, Clarke. (Bradbury? I'm aware of his work...) (Too bad Heinlein doesn't start with a B.)

[@mikesbookreviews]

Childhood's End might be my favorite sci-fi book not named Dune by the time I die.

[@kingzzz6509]

I think I’m going to start reading A Song of Ice and Fire and Of Blood and Bone.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I approve these decisions.

[@radudumanovschi3387]

In July, I have THe Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan, Golden Son by Pierce Brown. I will also start Through my Window by A riana Godoy and continue Looking to Score by Alley Ciz

[@mikesbookreviews]

Golden Son is amazing. Hope you love it!

[@NoahMarek-tv8qv]

Hey Mike have you seen the new legend of drizzt paperbacks coming out? They have the same overs as the audiobooks

[@mikesbookreviews]

I did! Very cool.

[@Emroczart]

I’ll be so surprised if you don’t love John dies at the end

[@mikesbookreviews]

Well that's good news.

[@dylan-cj1cg]

Do you plan on reading the new Eruption novel by Michael Crichton/James Patterson? Or did I miss that video?

[@mikesbookreviews]

I am not. I don't begrudge those reading it and I'm sure it's a good Patterson book. I just don't buy any of it is from Michael at this point.