Most Intimidating Books on my TBR!! (they scare me lol)

[@emmal7510]

I think part of the reason I keep The Brothers Karamazov around at this point is to make everything else look less intimidating.

[@untitledmanuscript]

I like that reason 😂

[@apos921]

I finally read it last year slowly over a month and a half and it was actually so amazing! There are of course some in depth philosophical and religious conversations that could be a bit dense if you’re not ready for it, but there were moments while I was reading that I had to stop and remind myself that it was written in the 1800s! There was drama, comedy, romance, murder, and family dynamics and it was wonderful!

[@jennom2195]

This sweater. This hair! I'm obsessed! My style icon!

[@arlissbunny]

Completely with you on Malazan. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it but starting it is committing to a LOT. Liu packs the prose in his short stories much more densely than he does in his novels. In Dandelion Dynasty he breaths in more space. You are such an insightful reader I think you’ll fly through the whole series once you start. (And The Marriage Portrait is amazing. The tiger part, and later the references to it, chef’s kiss!)

[@heiditheowl2277]

I'm currently tackling the most intimidating book on my TBR -- War and Peace! I recently bought it on a whim and I knew that if I didn't pick it up immediately it would languish on my shelf forever. I'm about 400 pages in and I'm actually LOVING it. Leo Tolstoy's writing is actually really accessible once you get past all the names.

[@IH941]

Same here :)

[@akrasias]

War and Peace is my most favourite book of all time! I've read it twice, once in early 2020 and again in January of last year. It's so rewarding and so immersive, I hope you enjoy it !!

[@TheMissDistortion]

I'm intimidated by Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell because Piranesi is one of my favorite books and I'm scared to read a 1000 pages book by the same author and not like it as much. Also intimidated by House of Leaves because I'm afraid it will consume me for a month and I'm not ready for that commitment.

[@JaeJae46]

I’m half way through Storm of Echoes and I love it so much. Very intense. The third book- I had the same translation issue but it was only a small section and then I was completely engulfed into it. I love the third book very much. Give it another chance 😊

[@m87020]

I read Harrow like a year after Gideon and was so confused by some stuff that I after finishing HTN I Immediately reread Gideon and I loved it even more the second time. Nona is in my tbr too, so excited to see you read them in the future !!

[@alice951996]

The Storm of Echoes divided the french public when it came out because it does follow after the 3rd book and the whole trajectory of the series changes a bit!! It’s definitely a weird book, darker than the others, but it offers a great (in my opinion), though not easy, conclusion to the series. I hold these characters and this universe dear in my heart but I honestly am not sure you will 100% enjoy this one 🥺🫶🏼

[@chaseblackstock2859]

If it helps, The Shadow Rising is the best WOT book so far for me. It introduces a new culture to the world and has a really cool vision sequence near the end

[@carrieallen4106]

I had about a two year break between reading gideon the ninth and harrow the ninth a few weeks ago, and decided not to reread it before hopping back in. I think the gap kind of contributed to the general vibe of confusion in HtN which I actually enjoyed immensely! The audio books are absolutely outstanding as well!

[@katie8444]

The Neopolitan Quartet & Hobb books are so hard to just pick up and start, but once you are in it, you can't get enough! I had the same issue as you with The Golem & the Jinni, so just push yourself through knowing its going to be a great story in the end. For the 4th Winter's Promise book, it was a similar read for me as book 3 (same thoughts you have on #3), but I'm glad I finished the series out as it really is such a unique tale, not just within YA. My most intimidating TBR is The Goldfinch - I just need to do it! Happy reading!!

[@TiffanyRussell]

I recently finished The Shadow Rising! I actually enjoyed it more than the first three, making it my favorite so far. I’m also working my way through Robin Hobb, and giving Malazan a side eye😂 I hope you enjoy them all❤

[@becklebooks]

Ooooh you have so many chonky books ahead of you, good luck!!!! :D

[@HaleyMaegan]

I definitely recommend listening to the Locked Tomb books on audiobook! They are so good, and the narrator does such a good job differentiating characters that it makes it so much easier to follow

[@jamienleger]

I highly recommend reading The Crown Tower and The Rose and the Thorn by Michael J Sullivan (books 1 and 2 of the Riyria Chronicles) before rereading the Riyria Revelations books if you can. Those two books tell the story of how Royce and Hadrian met and might help you connect to the characters a bit better. Someone recommended I read them in that order when I was new to his books and it really made a huge difference.

[@StoriesForCoffee]

I think you’ll love The Marriage Portrait! It took me about 50 pages to get invested in the story, but it was such a fascinating historical fiction!

[@jakesmith2708]

Wow, you and I have had the exact same Wheel of Time experience thus far! It's... daunting.

[@mothmallow]

Nona the Ninth!!! Gideon the Ninth is still one of my favorite books of all time, I love it more the more I think about it. Harrow the Ninth is very different from Gideon's book, and it may feel hard to get through. Nona is also wildly different from the first two books, but it is much more enjoyable and easier to slip into.

[@ivysylvan]

HIGHLY recommend the audiobooks for Gideon etc. They add so much to the voice!

[@kenziepierson1044]

Just in case you’re interested, MJS has a Kickstarter going for the last book in the Rise and Fall Trilogy (timeline wise settled between Legends of the First Empire and Riyria). You could get the whole trilogy directly from the author if you back it! It ends on Feb. 23rd.

[@deannapro]

Love that you did this video. So many times I'm watching videos of all the books ppl read (so many in even one month!) and this was so real. Like, yeh, booktubers have the same hang ups the rest of us (non content creators) do. Lol

[@laurenschenck5355]

The Golden in the Jinni love this book and gorgeous cover! ❤️💕💕❤️📚📖📚❤️🤍💕📙📙📙💕💕❤️📚📚📖📖📖📚❤️🤍📙💕🤍📚📚📖📖📚🤍🤍📙💕❤️📖📚❤️❤️

[@KristinKravesBooks]

I'm so excited to read The Marriage Portrait but it definitely intimidates me. There is something about Maggie O'Farrell's writing that I have to take my time with!

[@stephaniemcmillan3141]

Golem & the jinni is so good & the second book is even better!!

[@JenniferWalker]

I totally agree about Robin Hobb's final Fitz trilogy. The first two spoke to me so strongly and touched me so deeply, I'm intimidated to reopen my heart like that! But I trust that Hobb wouldn't add to a story if it weren't worth it, so I'm looking forward to it too.

[@emilyreads5207]

So, the series was originally supposed to end at Tawny Man trilogy. The publishers wanted more. And the fact that she had enough threads already there to.write 7 more books- pure genius!

[@spcyfic68]

Gardens of the moon is THE book i’m the most intimated by ! I cannot wait for you to pick it up so I can (or not 😂) find the courage to pick it up too !!

[@vitalisrn4198]

I just started reading GOTM, and it’s definitely confusing at the beginning. Erickson just throws you into the world, without any big info dumps. I watched Matt’s Fantasy Book Reviews’ video on the Malazan series and he gives some useful tips on how to tackle the series.

[@colleensnyder8943]

😊I have a problem. I’m bringing in new books faster than I can read my already large TBR.😊

[@Morfeusm]

My TBR is until 2027 so welcome to the club 😂

[@Jeramie26]

Me too! I have this habit of collecting all the series first before reading them. But no pressure. 😂

[@MariaMightReadThat]

You'll love Return of the Thief whenever you get to it. I'm re-reading the Thief series this year and it's been such a joy!

[@MariaMightReadThat]

Also I've only read Theft of Swords from MJS and didn't really enjoy it either, so I'm really hopeful Age of Myth will work much better for me the way it did for you

[@safaiaryu12]

Agreed, it's so good!

[@edwinnealley7832]

Malazan was recommended to me by my best reading buddy so many times that I picked it up, back in 2020. So far, Book 8, and I really enjoy it, but... I frequently find I need to put it down and read something else, and not simply pile through even a single (1000+ page) book. So that might work for you- read a section, change books, then go back when you can refocus. PS: I stopped WoT after The Dragon Reborn, with the intent of picking it up again when Jordan finished. Of course, HE didn't... ;-)

[@brittreads5421]

Malazan intimates me too. And I think when you finally get to wheel of time book 4 you won’t be disappointed. It’s a great book. :)

[@xiaosha1558]

I stalled out on book 7 of Wheel of Time around 2018... maybe this will be the year I pick it back up again 🤞

[@feylights166]

I love epic fantasy *like* Malazan, but I don't think I'll be reading that particular series any time soon. I loved Wheel of Time, but if you aren't enjoying it, don't force yourself. I tend to not reread series when a new release comes out--I just dive in to the new release lol.

[@laurenschenck5355]

SO EXCITED!!! 💕💕❤️🤍❤️🤍🤍❤️💕💕🤍🤍🤍❤️💕🤍🤍🤍💕🤍🤍❤️❤️🤍🤍💕💕❤️🤍🤍🤍💕💕🤍🤍🤍💕💕❤️🤍🤍💕💕📚📚📙📖📖📖📙📙📚📚📚📚📖📖📙📙📙📚📚📖📖📙📙📙📙

[@alanaburgess3017]

Your videos make me so happy :)

[@Books_BrewsandBeyond]

I still am yet to start Malazan but hopefully sometime soon.

[@nimthiriel9]

Have you tried the audiobooks for the Wheel of Time? Those helped me continue on when I was struggling with continuing.

[@catsandbats77]

I just got into The Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner. I listened to the audiobook of the first book in December and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. I'm listening to the second book now. I've had The Golem and the Jinni on my bookshelf for longer than I want to admit. I really want to read it, but keep putting it behind other books. I'm also SUPER behind on my books from BOTM. 😬 I just finished listening to Crying in H Mart last week and it was wonderful. The timing on it was kind of bad because my Mom ended up in the hospital last week (I finished the book on my way to the hospital) and she passed away on Monday. That's another reason I'm behind on books.

[@AmeliaNicole]

I'm in the same boat with Nona the Ninth! I read Gideon and loved it, but haven't read Harrow or Nona yet. Maybe I'm just waiting for the entire series to be finished!

[@scuttlebutler3176]

Ironically just finished the audiobook of The Marriage Portrait before I watched this video. Highly recommend the audiobook! The narrators voice fits the story so well. Also, you are the only other person I've seen on booktube talk about The Quick. I read it last year (also after really enjoying the blurbs) but I'm sad to say that I hated it. The story really dragged on and took forever to really hook me. Hopefully you'll have a better experience!

[@toothfully8176]

I slog through Robin Hobb’s books. Let me be clear. I adore her books. But I can only read 2 chapters before I need a break emotionally for a few days, so totally get what you’re saying there 😅

[@henrywayne5724]

My intro to Hobb was Ship Of Magic and I SLOGGED because of how utterly depressing the POVs were. I made it through and it's officially my fave trilogy ever. Can't wait to get to the Fitz books because I am CRAVING her writing at the moment.(I did avoid the Fitz books because first person POV rarely works well for me but I trust Hobb)

[@toothfully8176]

@@henrywayne5724 I’m so glad you can relate 😭 I haven’t made it to Liveship Traders trilogy yet. Agree with you on first person POV but I do not think you’ll be disappointed. ENJOY 🤓📕🪱

[@sarahwilson4796]

I’m currently reading Storm of Echoes. Only a few chapters in,but I’m hoping that it sticks the landing. I loved books 1 & 2. I liked book 3, but I agree about some of the translation choices. Sometimes, I have to ask myself if I’m reading an English word, a French word, or a fantasy word. (And it’s usually an English word I’ve never heard used before 😂)

[@Rodowera]

I looooooooooooooooooved The Golem and the Jinni! s2

[@Indigo_snakes]

The Grace of Kings definitely intimidates me too, as I tried to pick it up twice but couldn’t really connect with it :/ it’s good but the narration is really detached from the character so I need to put so much effort to remain focused. But I’ll try again for sure because it has a lot of potential!!

[@thepapertraveler1122]

Several on your intimidating books list are also on mine: Gardens of the Moon being the most feared, Dandelion Dynasty and I’m adding Anathem by Neal Stephenson with over 900 pgs. equally terrifying but one I want to read(someday).📚😬

[@janelled9]

I've been stuck on The Shadow Rising for about a year now too 🙃 Also, that last Robin Hobb series WILL destroy you 😭

[@wjamimah7772]

The Thief series and the Spire series are two of the very few YA series I still have on my TBR despite removing almost all the YA I had off my TBR and my shelves

[@safaiaryu12]

Please read Queen's Thief! The Thief is my favorite in the series, but a lot of people find it too slow. It's kind of like Lord of the Rings in that it's a lot of travel. But there are several huge plot twists that fundamentally change your understanding of what's going on; it makes it so good on reread. The second book in the series, The Queen of Attolia, is often considered a good place to start if The Thief doesn't appeal to you. You don't need to have read The Thief to make sense of Queen of Attolia (though reading Attolia first will spoil The Thief's plot twists). The second book really starts the political machinations that drive the rest of the series. The whole series is very intelligent and well written; it's a shining star of YA.

[@OnefortheBooks]

Malazan and the Dandelion Dynasty are on mine as well, as is the Realm of the Elderlings (16 books?!), and Stormlight Archive (everyone loves it so much, I'm worried it's been way overhyped for me).

[@emilyreads5207]

Realm of the Elderlings was my first dive into adult fantasy in 2021. I read tne whole series. Hobb has become my favorite author. It is broken up in chunks- 3 trilogies and a quartet. So, if you chunk it that way, it's nit as intimidating.

[@laurenschenck5355]

Happy Friday Regan have a beautiful weekend xoxo 😘 📙💕🤍📙❤️❤️📙🤍🤍📖📖🤍🤍💕📙📚📚📚❤️💕💕🤍📖📖🤍💕❤️📚📚💕💕💕📖📖🤍💕❤️📚📚📙💕💕❤️

[@laurenschenck5355]

The grace of kings I am so ready to read it and gorgeous cover! 🤍📖🤍❤️❤️💕❤️📚🤍🤍📙📙📖📖🤍📚❤️💕💕💕❤️📚🤍📙📖📖📚❤️💕💕❤️📚🤍📖🤍📚❤️💕💕💕📚🤍📖📖📖📖🤍📚💕💕💕📚

[@angelaholmes8888]

I do have some books on my tbr list that are intimidating Lonesome dove The shining by Stephen king Jane Eyre A path of daggers by Robert Jordan The green mile by Stephen king

[@hectatereads105]

Malazan is tied with Robin Hobb for me, but it’s definitely one you either love or don’t. I blew through them all in 2020. It really helps to read them close together to help with all the characters and places

[@BlinkFly]

I would say probably skip the final book in the mirror visitor series.. lol the ending was.. a choice.

[@alainahiteshew4685]

I am very intimidated by the Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. I am working my way through Mistborn era 2 now, and I know that mean the Stormlight Archive is next. Everyone has amazing things to say about the series but they are so long that I am scared that I’ll get bogged down by them! Also the last time you did this video I said I was intimidated by the Goldfinch and I still have not read it loooool

[@kelseysbookrecs]

PERFECT TIMING this just got uploaded as i start my lunch break

[@samworley3960]

most intimidating book on my shelves is A Dance with Dragons bc i’m terrified of being caught up with ASOIAF!!!!

[@ReadingNymph]

Yess same Grace of Kings is so huge 😅 its on my tbr butttt im intimidated

[@angelaholmes8888]

The grace of kings is really good

[@hannahollihan]

It's SOOO good, the whole series is amazing and so worth it!

[@graceferguson5340]

Where is your amazing sweater from? The two toned one ❤

[@VicandWes]

Honestly, I’m terrified to pick up anything by Brandon Sanderson more because I don’t know where to start

[@sarafina1263]

Try Mistborn!

[@safaiaryu12]

I have read Return of the Thief, but I definitely want to reread the whole series soon. As per usual, RotT revealed some information that I think will make rereading the whole series very enlightening. Just FYI, RotT introduces a new narrator who was just... wonderful, intelligent, insightful, a bit snarky, and all around a good bean. Also FYI, Megan Whalen Turner also released another book in November called Moira's Pen that included short stories (some previously published, some new), illustrations, inspiration, etc about the world of Queen's Thief. Fan reception was... mixed. Some of the reveals in Moira's Pen were sad and disappointing, and some stuff didn't make perfect sense? But I think it's worth reading just to learn some more of the world and the characters' ultimate fates...

[@gabbydiane98]

I’m also intimidated by The Marriage Portrait! Literary fiction isn’t a genre I lean into but this one just sounds so interesting. I want to like it so bad!

[@kurlykaitlyn]

Its not amazing. I love literary fiction and find O'Farrell can write, but her story telling is extremely dull and boring. Her characters are lacking. Completely my opinion and I thought it was going to fascinate me. If you read it and love it awesome! If you find it hard to push through and lack interest, don't blame yourself. Her novel Hamnet was a better one. I'd recommend Gentleman of Moscow for a literary read that is interesting and heart warming.

[@gabbydiane98]

@@kurlykaitlyn Thank you!

[@emilyreads5207]

I’m going to tell you- my favorite character shows up in Fitz and the Fool. I am planning on getting a tattoo to represent this character. Yes, it’s so emotional. But, so good. Hobb has become my favorite author.

[@missOhdrey]

I'm one of the few who didn't like Crying in H Mart (I listened to the audiobook). I love memoirs, I love Korean culture, I love emotional topics, but I just didn't connect with the narrator. My most intimidating books are all of Edward Rutherfurd's novels. I own almost all of them (I love historical fiction) but they are so huge and from what I understand contain so many characters that I can't get myself to start lol

[@laurenschenck5355]

Empire of Exiles i can’t wait to read this series 📚🤍💕📖📖❤️💕📚📚📙📙🤍🤍📚💕❤️❤️❤️❤️📚🤍💕📖📖📖❤️📚🤍🤍📙🤍🤍🤍📚💕❤️📖📖📖📖❤️🤍🤍📚💕❤️📖📖❤️📚📚🤍📚📖📖📖

[@eliotopian]

it took me like 6 or 7 years to get thru 1Q84... that would have been a good time to discover this video, lol!

[@percydoeseverything]

All the chonky chonky books lol So many of these are on my list to 😲

[@ZeeZeeDreaming]

Great video!

[@f.helies7229]

I've read the fourth book of A Winter's Promise and... Hated it. I love book1 and book2, had mixed feeling about book3 and had to force myself to finish book4. And I read it in French, which is my first language so no translation issue here!

[@ICaughtTheSnitch26]

I'm 100 pages into book 4 and feel the same. I loved books 1 and 2!!

[@LadyHeidiPhoenixAcademy]

If you want a great murder mystery, check out Sanibel Flats by Randy Wayne White! Dynamic between the 2 main characters (one academic and one spiritual) is fabulous! Also, I sent you an email. Hope you got it! 🥰

[@BirgitHaeupl]

❤📚

[@Gillian.Ashcroft.66]

🤗

[@vi3889]

Age of myth isn't on kindle unlimited anymore and I'm so MAD

[@daisyblossomdelight]

This is a bit of a different direction than most of the books mentioned, but I have yet to read Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. So many people cite it as the reason they finally went Full Vegan™️ and I almost feel like I can't handle the weight of that big of a life-change right now

[@safaiaryu12]

I... did not enjoy Eating Animals at all. I found the author to be incredibly arrogant, privileged, and shortsighted. Maybe it's because I read it in college while living off of 17 cent packets of instant ramen, but when he implies that your efforts are meaningless unless you change everything you eat immediately, it really rubbed me the wrong way. Fresh food is expensive, especially organics and environmentally conscious food, and not everyone can afford that. That is not a moral failing. He kind of acknowledges in the end that there are more ethical ways to eat meat and other foods than going all-or-nothing vegan, but it feels very "I ~guess~ you can do this if you ~have~ to" and just very judgmental. Personally, I think that every little bit counts; you vote with your dollar, so when you CAN afford good quality food, the demand rises, then stores start stocking more options and supply rises, making good food more available to everyone. Anyhow, I would suggest Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma. I found it much more informative and balanced, and a much more pleasant, less judgmental read. There are also some great documentaries that make Safran Foer's point without being obnoxious about it; I liked Food, Inc a lot, and I think Forks Over Knives was good, too.

[@o_o-lj1ym]

These books are very intimidating indeed

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

Mine is anything by Brandon Sanderson 😂

[@jaimeerindy4573]

Cloud Cuckoo Land. I've owned it for over a year, actually did try to read it once, but failed. I just don't like big books.

[@deadkeepteaching]

Robin hobb wrote a whole ass epic series only based on character arcs and acted like that was a normal thing people do.

[@tracyascher7887]

I never trust Goodreads ratings.

[@TheItalianReviewer]

She has to marry the Ferrara family, not the Medici ones. She's a Medici.

[@Janella_Ice_Ice_Baby]

Am I the only one hearing her say “setch” instead of such? Not trying to be a troll. Hopefully it doesn’t come off that way. I just don’t know how we get to setch from such.

[@Tetsujin-28]

You mention some interesting titles. Great content. Gideon the Ninth was a treat . Original, thought provoking and strange. Harrow the Ninth: 2 thumbs down.

[@laurenschenck5355]

Return of the Thief and so excited to read this series! 🤍❤️❤️🤍📚📚📚📚🤍📙📙❤️💕📚📖📖💕❤️💕📚📖📚📚🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍📙📙❤️💕🤍📚📖📖📖📚🤍❤️❤️💕🤍📖📖📚📙❤️💕🤍📚📖

[@courtneybella7]

The Quick by Lauren Owen - Me and some friends buddy read this a while back, the first 50-100 pages were beautiful, so much potential! The rest of the book was a total disappointment for us 🥲

[@samanthat258]

I read Storm of Echoes and it’s definitely my least favorite in the series. I didn’t hate it but it’s the weakest in the series for sure. Unsatisfying and a really messy conclusion 🥲

[@laurenschenck5355]

You can do it Regan and i believe in you📖📚🤍💕💕📚📖❤️📖📚🤍📙📙💕🤍❤️❤️📖📚🤍🤍🤍📙📙💕📚📚📖❤️❤️❤️📖🤍💕🤍📚

[@liacurry1076]

John Gwynns Shadow of the Gods series, I've been avoiding it since the first one came out 🫣