Monthly Wrap Up & Book of the Month: September 2023

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Another great month, Mike! Though I’m the last person on Earth to watch a horror movie, I really enjoyed the dynamic between you and your wife over on Mike’s Media Reviews. I’m glad glad you’re not retiring from BookTube!

[@fynlive6228]

Thank you for getting me jazzed about reading again, seriously thank you so much.

[@bottle1211]

Toll the Hounds! Looking forward to a full review! hahaha

[@Slowdownthere]

Me too! 😂

[@RRW276]

Flowers for Algernon is really the book that turned me into a "reader" during HS. I think I read it my junior year and it was the first book that ever consumed me and I got then why people loved to read. Because I had wondered how anyone could possibly enjoy or want to read voluntarily. I would go on to learn that I loved all genres of books, even romance novels. I fell in love with fantasy after I devoured Dune. I fell in love with historical fiction after reading Pillars of the Earth and then onto John Jakes' book. I loved horror, especially disturbing stuff, after reading IT, The Stand, Needful Things, and then onto Brian Lumley's books. Then onto everything by Sidney Sheldon, Pat Conroy (massive fan!). Anyway, it all started wirh Flowers for Algernon. Then in college I learned to read the classics and decided to go the route if Literature, because of Flowers. I want to end with Mike talking about the bonding over reading with his son. I did this with my son too, we read Harry Potter books and I turned him into a reader because like me, he found it to be a chore he couldn't get into. I made the mistake of first going with Dune, his mind was too young for it. So I was SO thankful for the HP books because I loved them as much aa he did! I think it was the second book or third, but I cut work and let him cut school a day so we could buy the book and start it. It's a great memory.

[@andyroberts4025]

I've just finished reading 'Little Heaven'. Absolutely enjoyed and devoured it! If you love his other book 'The Troop' you'll love this. Look forward to reading more of his works.....

[@popsiclepunk2112]

I’m here for any genre!!

[@BenLaSoul908]

I already watched this video like 3 days ago but I just wanted to come back on and say how much I appreciate you. I just finished Boy's Life and that book had me laughing and crying dude. You the man, keep it up.

[@dinocollins720]

Another amazing video! Thank you!

[@RalphNC09]

I just finished Flowers for Algernon. Just now. Wow man, I was sobbing.

[@Michael_R_Miller]

Thanks for the kind words on Ascendant I am especially glad you mentioned that there is no 'chosen one' element as that's a critical differentiator for me, yet sometimes I see people calling it a 'chosen one story'. Glad you liked it and I hope you enjoy Unbound even more when you get a chance to pick it up!!

[@mattamant915]

I also read the limited edition of The Sword Of Kaigen, which ended up being my book of the year, knocking The Road out of that top spot.

[@heidi6281]

Mike since you recommended the Leftovers I have been binge watching and I am almost done. So far season 3 is the best. It is so strange in a good way. The experience reminds me of watching Dark.

[@Jessica-us3gh]

I haven't read much fantasy and what I have read is because of watching your channel. So I love October horror reads. But honestly I just love listening to a passionate reader discuss books in general.

[@MattBramer]

Mike, congrats on 100k! I have recently joined your Discord and I'm currently reading IT and your Discord has been super helpful if I have questions, or just great to talk to! Thank you so much for all that you do Mike!

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

I'll have to check your other channel since I love movies and shows as much as reading. For September, I read and finished two books, which were a classic and fantasy, and both happened to take me a while to read. The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky The Way of Edan by Phillip Chase I finally decided to get a Kindle since we're going on a trip to London in November and that's where I'm reading the Edan trilogy. We also got a new puppy lessening my reading time, because I had to keep an eye on the little guy. Plus, work had me scheduled a lot, but I'm pleased I read two really great books in September.

[@GeorgeMt10]

I love fantasy and sci-fi

[@Day1PC]

The dragons in rain wild chronicles really remind me of my cats 😂

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Happy you’re so into the start of this final Expanse arc! What’d you think of Strange Dogs? Spoiler: that was my favorite short story/novella. You’re in for such a treat with the next book!!

[@EmberJune]

Just finished books 2 and 3 of red rising oh my god that series is amazing.

[@michaelkibble740]

I'm still reading IT and I am on chapter 7 I will be done with it today and start chapter 8 tomorrow. Thanks for not spoiling the book for me, and I hope you have a great spooky season.🎃

[@chrisp14]

"IT"; the book that helped me decide if I liked SK or not. Pretty darn good. He ain't too bad....

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

I read 6 books in September. My book of the month is The Fury of Kings by R.S. Moule. Great read!

[@safinan8008]

Thank you for all the updates!! 🎉

[@noname3609]

Im so happy you enjoy One Piece 😊 It only gets better after East Blue Saga. ❤

[@88chuaky]

My favorite is The Sword of Kaigen

[@marcusmusings]

Magician by Raymond E. Feist is my book of the month. You really should put The Riftwar Saga on your ever expanding TBR. I really dug his writing style, it's a coming of age story. You'll love Pug, I think. It's also not your conventional pre WOT fantasy. It's more of an invasion story than the standard quest story

[@sasapejcin3568]

I don't like supernatural horror but I love psychological thrillers/horrors because humans are way scarier than silly monsters, vampires etc..

[@jaycianfrini77]

Loving the channel as I have for 5 years now. Still surprised not a word about Holly. I’m currently reading it and it’s pretty good so far once you get past the Covid nonsense peppered through it. That aside, it’s a dark one.

[@victoriamayes1070]

You’ve inspired me to give horror books a try. I usually read romance and fantasy along with others but until now, ive never tried horror. I’ve always had trouble with movies due to constant jump scares but love the stories. You inspired me to read IT by stephen king. So far im really enjoying it and im having a fun time. Thank you for inspiring me and so many others to try books or even genres we never thought we’d ever try.📖💕

[@caewing85]

I don’t read horror. I’m a wimp. But I love hearing other people love other genres.

[@jacobmyers3005]

Hey Mike, I am currently reading edge of dark water by Joe R Lansdale and I think you’d really like it. It reminds me a little bit of Huckfinn also with a little bit of to kill a mockingbird thrown in and some StephenKing and even some Robert McCammon with the character work and southern setting. Very suspenseful can’t put it down it’s very funny at the same time picked it up on a recommendation from Joe Hill. Glad I did be interested to see what you think. Also, I read the handyman method by Nick Cutter very good as usual

[@SciFiScavenger]

100k subs is very impressive, well done. Funny how we use round numbers to gauge progress. I was very excited yesterday to breach 500 (not 500k, just...500). From little acorns and all that. I'm a recent subscriber to your channel, enjoying it. 👍

[@samsparks4035]

There's a book I read yrs ago. Called ( Wait till Helen comes. ) By Mary Downing Hahn. Came out in the late 80’s and its a horror.

[@Illiteratiophile]

While it may seem like Rain Wild is not as required at this point, the characters stories are intertwined in the final trilogy. You could read Fitz and Fool and not understand the significance of some large sections.

[@PetrikLeo]

Wonderful wrap up Mike! Glad you had a great reading month, and that you enjoyed Sword of Kaigen! Congrats on finishing Rain Wild. The worst is over. The last trilogy is incredible! Also, I need to read Flowers for Algernon.

[@CurieBohr]

Love the t shirt.

[@rannkayy]

I’m reading the wrath of the gods series right now and really enjoying it. Would love to see what you think of your kindle scribe as well! Congrats on 100k!

[@giants8585]

Strongly considering skipping the Rain wild Chronicles when I get there. But I would at least read a synopsis on all the books.

[@Talking_Story]

Dude Flowers always makes me misty as does the movie version Charly.

[@bookmeridian]

Tiamats wrath was soooo good. It is in my top 3 for the whole series. Can't wait to see your thoughts on it and the last book!

[@lindseybellamy6374]

I'm more of a horror fan than fantasy so anythint horror related i will watch! My favourite video this month was the one piece video as i'm on the fence about getting it to read with my son for xmas after we have finished chainsawman. Currently still reading IT. I have just started back to full time work after 9 years of being a stay at home mom and the transition has been rough so reading as been helping 😂

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

Same here. The only fantasy I tend to enjoy is the grimdark stuff because it has a lot in common with horror haha.

[@JesseRad]

September also led me into spooky season, so I'm along for the ride. I read I Am Legend for the first time, which was just awesome. I then read Several People Are Typing, an odd sci-fi book written like Slack messages. It's an odd one but a pretty quick read. Ending September, I began reading Paul Tremblay's A Head Full of Ghosts, which is a solid way to move into October.

[@DoNotLookDown]

September was the month I read the fewest amount of books all year. I blame getting a cat and Baldurs Gate 3 for my lack of reading time. I only read The Sword of Kaigen and Vicious by VE Schwab. Both were geat but I definitely liked The Sword of Kaigen more. I still need to read the rest of Sanderson Secret Projects. He keeps releasing books faster than I can read them. I thought it was a meme at first but it's true.

[@CD287-]

September I read Pines by Blake Crouch. I found I really had to trudge through it so not super stoked for book 2. I'll try it eventually.

[@McGuffinful]

Though I really enjoyed Wayward Pines, I found the two sequels to be less compelling. I'd still recommend them, but if the first book didn't work for you the sequels may be a miss.

[@tannibal]

Will you do a full review on "The sword of Kaigen"? Go over the special edition and a review of the story?

[@thissuggs4451]

Great month Mike. Questions… author Markus Heitz, your opinion of the Dwarves series and any other work?

[@benconlin3557]

I finished it last night but going to count Of Blood and Fire as a September read as mostly read in that month 😂 really enjoyed it and it’s my BOTM. Already reading Of Darkness and Light

[@mopete9830]

I don't think I finished more than one book this month I did make progress on several I have a ongoing read on. I finished the twisted ones but it's not one I really recommend it's wasn't very scary and it was supposed to be one of my horror reads. I'm reading the necronomicon through audiobook and really enjoying the different voices for each story. I have like six more books for horror month. If you like graphic novels please check out the graphic novel for at the mountains of madness. It was so beautiful and really looks like the descriptions from the book and the whole book is there. It's two volumes and I checked out both from my library and still think about them over a month later.

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

I was disappointed by Twisted Ones as well. The writing style and characters were really cringy and annoying imo.

[@TBaggins96]

So glad I picked up Flowers for Algernon. That book is brimming with humanity. I'm about halfway through The Bonehunters and working through The Stand with my dad, so I might have to throw in a shorter volume somewhere in the mix!

[@wheeljack0]

Hope you have read some Richard Laymon horror books Mike? My favorite writer

[@Vradica]

Heard a lot of good about Sword of Kaigan, the author scares the hell out of me tho.. Discontinued his book series, got three running serial novels.. I smell great sorrow if I take a liking to his writing.

[@cynthiafialka]

Started early Christmas shopping and bought the first three Expanse books for my hubby and I’ll read them too. I have The Passage sitting here and I keep ignoring it so I’ll be interested in hearing what you think when you finish. I love sci fi (and fantasy) so hope you don’t completely give up sci fi books!

[@shakodeycarson9253]

I’ve read mainly fantasy my whole life but for some reason I picked up a few horror books over the summer. It’s completely reinvigorated my reading life and gotten me out of a years long reading slump. I’m very happy to hear you’ll be upping your horror content 😊

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

Always makes me happy when I see people realize how awesome horror novels can be (:

[@s.p.8508]

I binge-read secret project 4 yesterday, absolute banger. You need to read it immediately. Cosmere essential, especially for Stormlight Fans.

[@levilogstrom8534]

I’m reading Little Heaven with you this month! It’s my first Nick Cutter book as well and I’m hooked. Wouldn’t be shocked if I finish it next week 😁

[@Shaad2321]

Great video! Ascendant is not a debut novel . I really enjoyed the book! He has another trilogy dragons blade trilogy!

[@Michael_R_Miller]

ah awesome! Thanks for reading Ascendant! Are you moving onto Unbound?

[@Shaad2321]

@Michael_R_Miller yes I will be continuing. I just had to take a break because i had been reading multiple dragon riders books close together!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

I say don't skip RW.... you get pieces to the puzzle that tie back even into Farseer and you see more tieins in Fitz and the Fool

[@tracywilliams2740]

Congrats on the channel growth! I’m currently reading Flowers for Algernon. It’s really good so far. I was wondering if you were going to do a review/post credit for The Fall of The House of Usher when it comes out this month?

[@blckbirdoftrees6218]

I have a favor to ask of you. Your Shannara Chronicles books are out of order and I can't unsee it and it's irritating me FAR more than it should. it should be heritage, voyage, then High Druid. if you could just switch those two books I would really appreciate it.

[@Slobrojoe]

Review of Sword of Kaigen?

[@bondbert]

any updates on your thoughts about the kindle scribe?

[@angelaholmes8888]

My book of the month Tell me everything by minka Kelly memoir I really enjoyed this book it's definitely worth a read for fans of her in Friday night lights or euphoria minka is truly a survivor

[@lofilazy.]

How do you read so much so fast? I have been reading A Little Hatred, for almost a month now and still not done lol

[@BishopWalters12]

I made the mistake of reading Holly, what a piece of s@@@ and King is watching way too much CNN or MSNBC but putting that aside, I'm looking forward to reading more horror books this month that aren't King or Koontz.

[@asdfasdf5695]

That's why I quit after Billy Summers :)

[@BishopWalters12]

@@asdfasdf5695 I get it, Holly spends so much of the book bashing Trump and lecturing people about vaccines or wearing a mask. It just got annoying and he should've just wrote a non-fiction book about why he hates everyone with a different view.

[@angelaholmes8888]

Here's what I read I dnf hyperion by dan Simmons I just couldn't connect with it Tell me everything by minka Kelly memoir A billion years by mike rinder memoir One Italian summer by rebecca serle The plus one by mazzy enddings Jane Eyre The outsider by Stephen king Someone else's shoes by jojo moyes Picture perfect boyfriend Sammy Espinosa last review

[@simonedwards9450]

Reading the Outsider now - it’s brilliant! :-)

[@angelaholmes8888]

@@simonedwards9450 yeah it's really good