My Top 10 Books I Read in 2021

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Awesome to see your picks for 2021, Mike! Perhaps it won’t shock you that Abercrombie, Erikson, King, and Gwynne also made my favorites for the year. I wish you much fulfillment in your reading for 2022, and also the very best for you and your family!

[@PnutButtaJllyMan]

My top 5: 1- Ruin by John Gwynne-love all his books I just picked my favorite to put on. 2- Project Hail Mary- by Andy Weir 3- 11/22/63 by Stephen King 4- Dune by Frank Herbert 5- Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey

[@markymarkeaton]

Loved all of John gwynne’s books as well! Just picked up Leviathan Wakes to read next year and I’m excited to start it

[@PnutButtaJllyMan]

@@markymarkeaton Yeah, John Gwynne is one of my favorite authors. I'll buy anything he releases. Leviathan Wakes was cool. I hope you like it. I'm gonna read the second one sometime soon.

[@katieamarsh]

What a great reading year!!

[@PnutButtaJllyMan]

@@katieamarsh it was! What was your favorite book of the year?

[@Kal_Al_Thor]

Project hail mary was awesome

[@berniethelad6402]

My Top 10 books I read in 2021 (HM)Haunting of Hill House- Shirley Jackson 10. Guards Guards -Terry Prachet 9.Knife of Dreams -Robert Jordan 8.I am Legend Richard Matheson 7.Where the Red Fearns Grow-Wilson Rawl 6.Foundation- Isaac Asimov 5.Knights of the Seven Kingdom-George R. R. Martin 4.Mistborn Final Empire- Brandon Sanderson 3. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexander Dumas 2. The original First Law Trilogy, Best Serve Cold, A Little Hatred and Trouble with Peace ( haven't read WOC yet)by Joe Abercrombie 1.Stephen King -It

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

1 - Empire of the Vampire - Jay Kristoff 2 - Later - Stephen King 3 - Priest of Bones - Peter McLean 4 - The Rage of Dragons - Evan Winters 5 - Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir 6 - The Blackest Heart - Brian Lee Durfee 7 - We Are the Dead - Mike Shackle 8 - Dark Age - Pierce Brown 9 - Hellmouth: A Novella - Giles Kristian 10 - The Poppy Way - R.F. Kuang

[@Xprototypex86X]

Empire was so good

[@rotcod1771]

Wisdom of Crowds was so good. 200 pages in and it clicks with such a blistering critique of the Industrial Revolution. He was already one of my favorite authors and have read everything he has done. I want to see him get into Juvens and spend time with Bayaz. I want to know more about the Eaters and all that stuff

[@AdityaDendukuri]

The final chapter of the first part (I think it's called "too many principles) was probably the best chapter that I've ever read in the book

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hey bookworms! Here is everything I read in 2021. **Books** 1. Gardens of the Moon 2. Revival 3. Assassin’s Apprentice 4. The Hobbit 5. The Drawing of the Three 6. Howling Dark 7. The Andromeda Strain 8. Royal Assassin 9. The Last Command 10. Shadow & Bone 11. Wintertide 12. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 13. Later 14. Deadhouse Gates 15. The Terminal Man 16. Siege & Storm 17. All Systems Red 18. The Girl Who Played with Fire 19. Prince Caspian 20. The Dark Half 21. Assassin’s Quest 22. The Great Train Robbery 23. Hyperion 24. Dark Matter 25. Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire 26. Shadow of the Gods 27. Memories of Ice 28. Eaters of the Dead 29. The Langoliers 30. Secret Window, Secret Garden 31. The Library Policeman 32. The Sun Dog 33. Fall of Hyperion 34. Congo 35. Percepliquis 36. Stardust 37. House of Chains 38. The Wastelands 39. Project Hail Mary 40. The Poppy War 41. Lisey’s Story 42. Sphere 43. Demon in White 44. Billy Summers 45. Midnight Tides 46. Jurassic Park 47. Blood Meridian 48. The Martian Chronicles 49. Childhood’s End 50. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy 51. The Wisdom of Crowds 52. Recursion 53. We Are Legion (We Are Bob) 54. Dune 55. Needful Things 56. The Girl Next Door 57. The Bonehunters 58. Heart-Shaped Box 59. I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream 60. The Fisherman 61. Necroscope 62. Pines 63. Wayward 64. The Last Town 65. Life of Pi 66. Dave Grohl: Tales of Life & Music 67. The Dragon Republic 68. Rising Sun 69. Empire of the Vampire 70. Reaper’s Gale 71. Godblind 72. Darksoul 73. Bloodchild **Manga** Berserk vol 1-29 Death Note vol 1-6 Uzumaki vol 1-3

[@gdn5001]

Meanwhile me: reads 3 books and one manga a year.

[@adityalakhey9813]

💯

[@angelaholmes8888]

Wow I can't believe you were able to remember how many books you read this year I don't count how many books I have read

[@KakashiHatake-ou7mp]

73 books 🤯

[@alynam82]

I'm proud to say that I've read 23 of the books that you've mentioned here (some before this year, some right along with ya).

[@mikequist1]

My top 10 books read in 2021: #10 - Two For the Dough (Janet Evanovich). I'm lovin' Miss Stephanie Plum, Jersey Girl Bounty Hunter. #9 - The Word is Murder (Anthony Horowitz). The author and a very non-PC detective solve a murder. Hilarious! #8 - Etymologicon (Mark Forsyth). I love a good book about words and their meanings. All the better if there is plenty of dry British wit liberally sprinkled in. #7 - 'Salem's Lot (Stephen King). First time read. #6 - Warbreaker (Brandon Sanderson). Also first time read and first time for this author. Great book! #5 - Pines (Blake Crouch). Read the entire trilogy this year. Will be diving into more of his back catalog next year. #4 - A Cold Day For Murder (Dana Stabenow). This series about an Alaskan PI (Kate Shugak) was recommended to me and I am eating it up. Read the first 6 books in the series since April. #3 - Dracula (Bram Stoker). First time read. So well written and a really exciting story. Did not disappoint in the least. (Much better than Shelley's Frankenstein IMHO.) #2 - A Simple Plan (Scott Smith). Saw the movie years ago and have never been able to forget it. Finally picked up the book and it scared me half to death. #1 - Dune (Frank Herbert). First time read. Saw the movie first and devoured the book in less than a week. Thought it would be a "one and done", but now I'm planning on picking up some of the sequels next year.

[@AmandaPelland]

Hail Mary is on my TBR for 2022. So excited to read the book. Great video Mike!

[@NakiasHideaway]

Project Hail Mary is my favorite book of 2021 and took me by surprise! And I just read my first Blake Crouch book in November, which was Recursion, and now I can't wait to read more! Great list, Mike! Happy New Year! 🎉

[@angreehulk]

Great list! Here is mine: 1. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir 2. The Gone World by Tom Sweterlitsch 3. Boy's Life by Robert McCammon 4. Morning Star by Peirce Brown 5. Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica 6. Recursion by Blake Crouch 7. Iron Gold by Peirce Brown 8. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones 9. Annihilation Trilogy by Jeff Vandermeer 10. The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson

[@Alex-lk1mt]

Saw your review of ,,Empire of the Vampire" and thought I would read a few chapters to see what's what and finished it in like 3 days 😅 Glad you convinced me it's not YA crap with glittery vamps

[@OurRawHeart]

Lateralus - era tool, nice! Also read Clarke's Childhood End too this year. An incredible read. Love the channel, greetings from Galway, Ireland.

[@gerardinebetancourt1246]

Project hail mary was my favorite of the year amazing book

[@kaiju_k5042]

I love how its 95% science yet it's one of the biggest books about friendship I have ever read.

[@tomislavcalusic113]

I really like your list. I have only 50 pages or so of Hyperion to read and it will probably be in my top 5 books of the year. As for now i think my top 5 is: 5. All these worlds - Dennis E. Taylor 4. The girl who loved Tom Gordon - Stephen King 3. Skullsworn - Bryan Stavely 2. Last argument of Kings - Joe Abercrombie 1. Boy's life - Robert McCammon

[@joel5962]

Great list Mike! My TBR grows each time I watch your videos. My top 10 this year: 1.Blacktop Wasteland by SA Cosby 2.Underland by Robert MacFarlane 3.Razorblade Tears by SA Cosby 4.The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie 5.The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock 6.Prodical Son by Gregg Hurwitz 7.Pickard County Atlas by Chris Harding Thornton 8.Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich 9.Priest of Bones by Peter McLean 10.The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle

[@deannabanquer1942]

Panowich, Pollock, the Orphan X series, and SA Cosby are among my favorites out side of fantasy and sci-fi!

[@Speed202]

Mike...I've officially subscribed. You have a diversified and specific taste that exposes me to a lot of titles that many other tubers aren't even covering. I love the fact that you defer to where the wind takes you and you read things not initially on schedule. With that being said, as a former teacher, the ending brought me to tears as well :-)

[@nl3237]

Just added more books to my tbr. Thank you, Mike. You're in my top 3 booktube channel. Wish you the best for 2022.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Happy to be in what I assume is great company.

[@nl3237]

@@mikesbookreviews indeed

[@thesmuli83]

Hey Mike. Interesting and good list. My TOP books from 2021🤩 1. Rise of the Silvan by R.K. Lander 2. The Blood of the Spear by Mark Timmony 3. Of Blood And Fire by Ryan Cahill 4. Dragontiarna books 8-10 by Jonathan Moeller 5. Memories of Prophecies by Davis Ashura 6. The Tiger’s Imperium by Marc Alan Edelheit 7. A Clash of Fates by Philip C. Quaintrell 8. The Song of the First Blade by T.C. Edge 9. Bloodline/ Reaper by Will Wight 10. Wraithblade by S. M. Boyce 11. The Shadow of the Gods by JG

[@XenialShotYT]

Our book club had in it this year, dark matter, project hail Mary, and the shadow of the gods and they were the most liked by everyone. Great choices! Might have to check out some of the rest of your list.

[@TheSpursfan2112]

I read 30 books this year! You helped motivate me to love reading so thank you, Mike. My 5 faves I read this year are: 1. To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini 2. The Institute by Stephen King 3. A House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas 4. The Deep by MichaelBrent Collings and 5. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

[@jakebishop7822]

Mike's formula to determine which book is 1 or 2 is proprietary. Great list Mike

[@crbranca06]

Great list Mike. Hyperion and Childhoods End are my 1 and 2 favorite sci fi novels respectively. Also i think Joe Hills first published book was his collection of stories Twenty Century Ghosts, which is still my favorite of his. Have a Happy New Year!

[@jlg1289]

I’ve come across a couple of your videos since I’ve gotten back into reading. Finally subscribed upon seeing you rocking a tool shirt 🤘🏻

[@mrgauth]

Glad you mentioned Childhoods End. Read many times. The big reveal has always been one of my facorite book scenes.

[@abnushagnasty805]

I honestly would have never discovered Abercrombie and Gwynne if it hadn’t been for your recommendation Mike. So I would have to say my top 10 would be the First Law series followed by the Faithful and the Fallen. I also just read The Last Wish, Sword of Destiny, and Blood of Elves by Sapkowski which I thought was amazing as well. Can’t wait to read A Time of Madness (series by Abercrombie) and the rest of the Witcher series.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I'm 100 behind you on Bonehunters! It's the best one by far imo. I also didn't love RG. I am so excited for you to not like TTH. 😛 Great list! (Except for EotV 😃)

[@mikesbookreviews]

We seem to align on Malazan so I’m not excited for TTH ha ha

[@Rogue_VI]

@@mikesbookreviews Don't listen to him. Toll the Hounds is greatness.

[@riozeyt9748]

I’ve got Empire of the Vampire still in my TBR stack from last year and have been waiting to start it. Gonna make it my next one after the one I’m reading!

[@KalleVilenius]

Your top 10 didn't include comics but mine had to, this was the year two never-ever going to happen books actually came out. 10. The Hero of Ages, Brandon Sanderson 9. The Dark Forest, Cixin Liu 8. House of Leaves, Mark Z. Danielewski 7. The God is not Willing, Steven Erikson 6. Wisdom of Crowds, Joe Abercrombie 5. Monsters, Barry Windsor-Smith 4. The Ship of Destiny, Robin Hobb 3. Lila, Robert M. Pirsig 2. The Morningstar, Karl Ove Knausgård 1. The Strange Death of Alex Raymond, Dave Sim & Carson Grubaugh

[@djsuth7727]

A good top 10, Mike. I enjoyed Project Hail Mary but it didn't resonate with me quite as much. My number one read for this year would be Golden Son by Pierce Brown. Thank you for convincing me to pick up the Red Rising trilogy again :)

[@brandon8667]

1. Leviathan wakes 2. Stormfront 3. Tiamats Wrath 4. Pet Sematary 5. All systems red 6. Leviathan Falls 7. The Martian 8. Shadows Rising 9. Dune 10. Persepolis Rising The Expanse was a big win this year. Murderbot became one of my favorites. Started wheel of time. And at the last moment got hooked on Dresden Files

[@andrew4437]

I read the Faithful and The Fallen series straight through. I'm currently on Shadow of the Gods and its flying by. John Gwynne is automatic buy for me. I can't wait for Hunger of the Gods in April.

[@XanderWhat]

Excellent list! I definitely share your #1 pick, and I also love Wisdom of Crowds and Shadow of the Gods. In addition, The Books of Babel would be on mine, though I’m not sure which one I would choose if I had to choose one.

[@creaturesbookreviews3074]

Revival is indeed top shelf. What a book! Great video.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It amazes me how well he can still write children at his age.

[@creaturesbookreviews3074]

@@mikesbookreviews Yes indeed. His ability never ceases to amaze me. I got to see him once and he just comes off as an eccentric, normal-ish guy. He really understands the "coming of age" aspects of a story.

[@katieamarsh]

What a delicious video Mike. I love how excited you get about books you enjoy, your excitement got me to read Childhood’s End and you have me wanting to reread Hyperion. I haven’t read it for years but so many parts of it are burned into my memory. The few books on your list that I haven’t read are now on my TBR. Project Hail Mary was my favorite book of the year (I have read 78 and should hit 80 by Friday).

[@abbywonder3825]

I loved Dark Matter. Hyperion is on my shelf to tackle in 2022. I have Project Hail Mary but I’m waiting on the audio from the library.

[@AutomailUser]

I didn't read as much as I wanted to this year but my top four (not including multiples by the same author or rereads) would be Good Omens, The Well of Ascension, Blood of Assassins, and Network Effect. Here's to a better reading year in 2022! Great list, Mike.

[@teksnotdead902]

I only read 14 books this year...I say only but thats a lot for me...but my own best reads would be Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton....and then a slew of Abercrombie books. Five of those Fourteen book were written by Joe Abercrombie, favorite being Best Served Cold, but they were all amazing.

[@CRohrscheib]

Such an epic list and so many new books to add to my TBR. Favorite books of the year for me are Before They Are Hanged, The Bone Shard Daughter (such a unique magic system), and The Ninth Reign

[@JLchevz]

I'm gonna have to read Christopher Ruocchio because even my guy Moid says it's really good and I do love me a good Sci Fi, thanks for the awesome recommendations Mike

[@FantasyFiles]

Hahahaha I loved the "I guess this is a weird conversation to have Right Now, but that's what I do on this channel" when you were talking about short books being on this list. Made me crack up, we don't mind tangents! It was a good point worth discussing! haha

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have zero problems derailing a show.

[@FantasyFiles]

@@mikesbookreviews Love it!

[@mrkickback3105]

So glad Empire of the Vampire made the list, I picked it up on a whim and it's now in my top 5 books ever. The cover literally sold it to me initially.

[@nessaarandur7740]

Yaaas, my number one spot will probably be the same as yours. That book really came out of nowhere as to how much I enjoyed it.

[@levilogstrom8534]

Definitely one of your best videos yet Mike- you got me super jazzed to go read some books right now!

[@aliciasorenson3807]

You read almost twice as many as I did! I had a slower year than recent past at 36 books. Love seeing Michael Sullivan on your list! can't wait for you to get into his prequel series. Those were among my favorites this year! Along with Rhythm of War, Senlin Ascends, The Choice by Edith Eger, and Fireborne and Flamefall.

[@saphyaers8264]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed Childhood's End. Had my mind blown when I read it in my secondary school years. Too busy at work to read much this year but I managed 1. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell by Susanna Clarke 2. Thomas Covenant Unbeliever Trilogy by Stephen Donaldson 3. Stress of Her Regard by Tim Powers 4. Little Country by Charles de Lint 5. Dune by Frank Herbert - 3rd reread after watching the movie. Will definitely checkout the books your reading list. Thanks for this great channel you have build up. Happy New Year.

[@MichaelRomeoTalksBooks]

I was glad to see Revival on your list. I just finished before watching your vlog and I was thrilled with it. It is on my top 10 as well.

[@mvinson8706]

Ordered my UK edition of empire of the vampire. Started the audiobook and loving it. I adore shadow of the gods. Need the second book now, yesterday, last week. Cover is bomb too. Great video!

[@mattkaupa5182]

Love the channel (and have since the beginning), but I really love the shirt. Keep kicking ass in 2022.

[@nunyabidness9895]

Agreed! Hail Mary was breathtaking. I was hoping it was your number 1.

[@shawngillogly6873]

John Gwynne is the best modern fantasy author, imho. I didn't buy Shadow of the Gods because I had to buy all of Blood and Bone in the boxed set. But I'll get both of the new series in May for my birthday.

[@deelak2329]

Yo. I love your channel and was eagerly awaiting this list as I've found based on your reviews we have very similar tastes, especially when disliking books that everyone seems to love. BUT when I flipped it on today and saw that Tool shirt... you just earned a patron hahaha

[@KofiKrules]

I found your channel about a year ago and have thoroughly enjoyed your content and videos. You always keep me laughing. I was able to guess 5/10 of your favorite books this year, I felt good about this. But maybe I watch you too much 😂. Books I read this year because of your videos or recommendations. Note, before I found your channel I was reading maybe one or two books a YEAR! - First Law Trilogy - Later - Poppy war 1 & 2 (I stopped book 2 as well but for different reasons.) - Assassins Apprentice - Dresden (I have been reading that series for years. Regardless of that fact, you kept me excited to keep up with the series. I’m on small favor right now) - Red Rising - Hyperion I’m sure I could be missing a few. I have made a considerable amount of book purchases based on your videos. I haven’t found the motivation or time to read them yet but the TBR grows faster than I can read lol. Happy holidays everyone!

[@colin1818]

Hyperion made me cry during certain sections. Phenomenal book. The sequel was good but not amazing. But that first book....wow.

[@moominkomet]

My childhood favorite “ Childhood’s End” made it on the list! I’m happy! 😁 I would agree with your opinion on Hyperion.

[@akg2n]

Awesome video Mike. I've loved following along with this channel. Lots of books I hit on here already but excited to read all the others!!!

[@dpeady78]

Nice List !! I can’t commit to an order but my favourite 10 would be Ember Blade: Chris Wooding Recursion: Blake Crouch Razorblade Tears: S.A. Cosby Sixteen Horses: Greg Buchanan Wisdom of Crowds: Joe Abercrombie Billy Summers: Stephen King Priest of Gallows: Peter McLean Shadow of the Gods: John Gwynne Wolf of Wessex: Matthew Harfy When These Mountains Burn: David Joy

[@heretic124]

My top list is: 1. Kristoff - Empire of the Vampire - I haven't been this excited for a book in years! 2. King - Pet Sematary - now my second favorite King novel after The Shining 3. Sanderson - Arcanum Unbounded - The Sixth of Dusk and especially The Shadow for Silence blew me away 4. Erikson - Dust of Dreams - weakest Mezla book but there's probably the most epic battle at the last few pages I've ever read/seen and unfortunately it seems rushed 5. Wolfe - The Claw of the Conciliator - Book of the New Sun #2. I see that limited edition on your shelf and I'm so jealous.

[@snoeki]

I watched this episode yesterday, bought Empire of the vampire and started reading today, incredible, thanks so much for this recommendation, all the other books you liked in this video are in my collection, but the vampire book was somehow totally new for me (and I have the nevernight series from Jay Kristoff...) Thanks Mike

[@fogle429]

Great list!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you think so!

[@jasonbork7291]

Your channel is fantastic. I love it. We’ll done. I’ll be giving some of these a read!

[@beLIEver31415]

Love this list! So many are on my shelves and I've pondered getting to soon but now I think it needs to be in the first 6 mos of this year! :D Thanks for your content!

[@thecaffeinatedbookwyrm3051]

Fantastic list! Thank you. I definitely added a few to my to read list. Buona festa! Have a happy New Year!!

[@fjuran1]

Great picks, Gwynne, Abercrombie, Sullivan's Ryria, was a great series. The Sun Eater series, really enjoyed the first book, have them lined up for 2022. Hyperion, read so many years ago, a great book, I wish Simmons would write more sci-fi.

[@nilulal545]

Knowing you your list is not surprising its fantastic selections!!😊

[@dominicaudy8479]

There’s at least two authors on there that you convinced me to try (Crouch and Weir) and which are bought and added to the TBR pile for 2022. Abercrombie could become a third. I’m having a great time now with Alastair Reynolds, my “rebound” space opera author to help cope with The Expanse having ended (awesomely, but still, it’s sad to say goodbye after 7 years). Chasm City is really great and I think that rebound thing will most likely turn into something more serious :). But before embarking into the rest of Revelation Space I’ll try a first Crouch (it’s Recursion I managed to snatch during a flash sale, though),

[@RalphNC09]

I got the Faithful and the Fallen for Christmas and I am soon to read it! I need to finish the First Law trilogy first though. Good list

[@ulflilienthal8120]

Mike, thanks for a great year of videos. I really enjoy your reviews and have picked up a lot of great books due to your recommendations. I am even starting to collect more Sci-Fi now instead of just fantasy.

[@officernasty6634]

Project Hail Mary is my 2021 book of the year. Simply incredible.

[@heretic124]

After you're done with Malazan and want to some light fun reading Erikson wrote a Star Trek spoof trilogy called Willful Child. His first contact novel Rejoice - A Knife to the Heart has also stayed with me for two years now, great read right next to Childhood's End only a tiny bit more preachy but that's nothing new to Malazan veterans.

[@oneysnyder2116]

Billy Summers was my only DNF this year, so agree with you on that!

[@stuart1346]

Loved project Hail Mary probably my 2nd behind my new favourite book of all time, The Count of Monte Cristo 👍

[@MISTADROP]

I’m a huge TOOL fan!!! Love your shirt! You should make a top ten TOOL songs list!

[@haley5803]

Awesome video. Added your recs to my TBR! 2022 is going to be the year I explore more fantasy and sci-fi as my 2021 reading was dominated by non-fic and horror. Here are my Top 10 2021 Books: 1) The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty (holy cow... didn't expect this book to be as beautifully written and seemingly modern as it was! It is absolutely one of the best books I have ever read, and will reread in the future) 2) The Troop by Nick Cutter (this definitely lived up to the hype) 3) The Patient by Jasper Dewitt 4) No Exit by Taylor Adams 5) The Passengers by John Marrs 6) The Pisces by Melissa Broder (the weirdest book I have ever read after The Stranger by Camus) 7) Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places by Colin Dickey 8) Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Morena-Garcia 9) The Ruins by Scott Smith 10) Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (I usually hate romance, but this was wonderful and I will definitely reread! Wonderfully crafted characters)

[@TheBookishMom]

Shadow of the Gods is one of my favorites of the year this year as well. This was really surprising for me because I actually did not like FAithful and the FAllen.

[@loudoesreviews]

Agree on Project, Hail Mary. It's the Shawshank of SF.

[@Vojtechsroub]

Also I will add my ten if you dont mind. 1-Stephen King -IT 2- Andy Weir- Project Hail Mary 3-Susanne Clark- Pirannesi 4-Brian Mcclellan- Wrath of Empire 5-Brian Staveley- Empires Ruin 6-Aaron Dembski Bowden- The First Heretic 7-Steven Erikson- Reapers Gale 8-William King- Skavenslayer 9-Joe Abercrombie- Wisdom of Crowds 10-Robert Kirkman- Invincible

[@JohnLudlow]

If you like "utopia's not all it cracked up to be" in your sci fi then try some Iain M Banks. It was a running theme through many of his Culture books - Use of Weapons and Player of Games are prime examples, though my favourite is always Excession

[@virgilflowers9846]

I’m an occasional fantasy reader, I don’t read it much but occasionally feel the urge and really enjoy it from time to time. Which book would you recommend between Shadow of the Gods and Malice? I know one series is complete and the other isn’t, but that doesn’t matter to me and won’t be a deciding factor. In fact part of me enjoys reading a series as it’s being released! I’m kind of leaning towards Shadow at the moment but could be swayed the other way.

[@Captain_charisma642]

Awesome, I’m curious to know if ya have a top 5 or 10 TV or movies this year?

[@anunknownsoldier]

I loved the Hyperion Cantos. I would recommend Ilium and Olympos as well which I loved just as much. Very similar in that they are based on previous literary works. In this case The Ilead and Shakespeare rather than Canterbury Tales. They’re rad

[@daultonhardee4387]

Dude! I had way too many good books to pick this year. But here is my list. Honorable Mentions: 1) Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton 2) The Fisherman by John Langan 3) Billy Summers by Stephen King Top 10: 10) Dark Matter by Blake Crouch 9) Godblind by Anna Stephens 8) Men At Arms by Terry Pratchett 7) Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb 6) Theft of Swords by Michael J Sullivan 5) Hyperion by Dan Simmons 4) Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie 3) It by Stephen King 2) Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir 1) Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff

[@jaxpk2669]

that tool shirt tho x

[@thomaskittock2866]

I finished Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan this past week, and it was GREAT. *My* book of the year I think, I read about 85% of it in a day. If you ever get to it I think you'll love it.

[@VicRibeiro777]

I keep seeing Booktubers doing this "My Top 10 Books", and while I really like them... I have a bone to pick. What I don't like is when they say, only one book per author. My dudes... If you read more than one book by an author and those books ARE your top books.... heck man, it DESERVES to be there. I know this can be overdone, as someone can list multiple books by one author, but on the other hand, if those are THE TOP BOOKS you have read that year... so be it. If I had to make a list, I have at least 3 books By Mark Lawrence, and I don't even feel bad about it, because they were some of the best books I've read this year. Making a list of "Top 10 Books I read" where they are not ACTUALLY the top 10 feels a bit like participation medals.... This may be an unpopular opinion, but hey, Mike always says that he appreciates our opinions. Still. Loved the vid Mike.

[@PetrikLeo]

Although I understand your point very much, I think you also have to consider that we (content creators and reviewers) on this year end list have the opportunity to actually put more spotlight to more amazing books. I don't know about Mike, but for me, usually when I read multiple books by one author within a year, it's only on one (at most two) series by the author. For example, if you've seen my list, the only other books by the same authors that I would include on my list if I exclude this rule are Daughter of the Empire/Servant of the Empire (I gave both 5 stars) and also Bloodline/Reaper (I gave both 5 stars). I decided to only include Servant of the Empire and Reaper (I already included Daughter of the Empire and Bloodline in my best of 2021 so far) on my list. If I include Daughter of the Empire and also Bloodline on my top 20 list as well, not only I would be removing two other amazing books on my list, which are VERY close to being as good and should be talked about, too, it also would feel redundant. Without this rule, I also can't even imagine how many times the entire The Stormlight Archive, A Song of Ice and Fire, the entire Malazan Book of the Fallen, The Realm of the Elderlings would keep appearing repeatedly each year, which is okay but also gets boring. I know these series are super amazing, and they're in my favorite list, too. But one of the things I love most about this year end list is the opportunity for me to add more books to my TBR, amazing books I've never heard or read. Then lastly, no matter what we do, we won't be able to please everyone. If we exclude this rule from our list, someone will also mock us saying "don't you read anything else?" or "your list is so dumb, only three series in top 10 list?" "why only feature 3 authors when you've read a lot of amazing books?" So in the end, I think we just have to do what we think best. And personally, I choose to only feature one book from the same series by the same author (if it's a different series by the same author, I might actually include them, but as I said, I usually only read only one series by an author each year) on these kind of list. I hope this wall of text helps? 😅 You don't have to agree, of course, but that's kinda my reasoning behind using only one book from the same series (which I probably should've mentioned too in my video) by the same author in my best of list. Sorry for the long reply, I hope this doesn't come as me being angry at you or something, but it's 2AM and I'm so sleepy. Pardon my typos or grammatical errors. 😅

[@mikesbookreviews]

You could always make your own vid with these rules. I just do it to bring recognition to more authors instead of having a Top 10 with 3 total authors due to sequels.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Well said!

[@jakebishop7822]

So, I totally see where you ae coming from. In fact for my 2020 top book list I did this. I did it for this exact reason, and I said that this was the reason.. I think what I do in the future is going to depend on my reading year. Ultimately the goal of top 10 videos is not to outline who your author of the year is, it is to be entertaining. This year, I am going to switch. I am going to do 1 per author. For the simple reason that if I don't my entire top 8 is from one series, and that would just make a boring video. Especially since I already have a video where I individually rank the books in that series and talk about them all. So my top 10 list would be an extremely repetitive piece of content. That being said, I totally see where you are coming from. In the future I may switch back to this for years where a single author doesn't dominate. I will say though when doing these lists when you do multiple books from the same series, it feels repetitive to say. And.....I don't want to put out a video that bores me. Because if it bores me it will almost certainly bore the people watching it

[@VicRibeiro777]

@@PetrikLeo and Mike, I understand your reasoning. It's valid and it serves it's purpose. Introducing people to other, maybe new, authors. In that I totally see where you are coming from. I do think other books in a series or by the same author should or could still get a mention specifically if its some of the best books. It might make the vid a bit longer, but it would be helpful, I think. Anyway, I still enjoyed the vids and my tbr continues to mutate xD.

[@kathryncampbell9952]

OMG I loved Revival! The ending was Lovecraftian.

[@bonnieblue-blade7376]

I also like Blake Crouch, Robin Hobb (some) Stephen King (the master) and Joe Hill (his "Horns") was made into a movie with Daniel Radcliffe - 2010 ...Thanks for the recommendations 💙💛💙

[@docrotten7650]

Great to see the love for Project Hail Mary

[@joeri7130]

I've only read about 25 books this year, so here's my top 5 (no specific order): The Free Bastards by Jonathan French The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman Wrath by John Gwynne A Fool's Hope by Mike Shackle Empire Of The Vampire by Jay Kristoff

[@TrafalgarL4wyer]

Thanks for this list!

[@ChristiansEntertainmentEcke]

Revival was one of my favourites, too :)

[@bottle1211]

i felt the same way about Bonehunters haha

[@nealneethling7040]

man you have to read Swan Song by Robert McCammon will stay with you for the rest of your live

[@quaroftheka1008]

The Tool shirt earned you a sub before the list even began

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad to know we Tool fans can still smell our own.

[@kingtigerbooks1162]

If I read to escape real life, there is nothing wrong with me -- there is something wrong with real life. My 4 favorite books: - The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck - Paradise Lost by John Milton - Icon by Frank Frazetta - Great Fighter Jets of the Galaxy 1 by Tim Gibson

[@Bazscoobz]

Tool shirt. Man has taste. 🤘

[@Stardraigh1]

Since you liked the Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons, I highly recommend his duology Illium & Olympos.

[@atom0191]

Love your videos, Mike!!

[@eijahmarohn7703]

Nice shirt!!

[@dancegregorydance6933]

I haven’t read enough this year for a top 10... here’s my top 5 1. God-Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert 2. IT by Stephen King 3. The Shining by Stephen King 4. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski 5. ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

[@Drigo924]

Can you start showing the spines on the paperbacks more after reading them? Specially those thick mass markets