My 10 Favorite Books of All Time (Currently)

[@mr.t.r6692]

I just wanna one thing chas, are you fond of the horror genre, If yes, please make a list about your all time favourites in that category. NIce list btw!

[@BookishChas]

Thank you so much! I do like Horror yes. Funny you read my mind, because I have a video on that coming in the near future. 🙂

[@mr.t.r6692]

Which book do you like in that category?

[@BookishChas]

@mr.t.r6692 well one of my favorites is the Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker.

[@mr.t.r6692]

@@BookishChas I love that book!! and Pet sematary by Stephen king is a true masterpiece too. Btw just wanna express how underrated yet overwhelmingly enjoyable your channel is, Keep up the good work!

[@BookishChas]

@mr.t.r6692 oh wow thank you so much! That means a lot to me. 😊 I still need to read Pet Semetary at some point. Salem’s Lot is my favorite Stephen King book so far.

[@MoniquetheBookGeek]

@6:30 - The Graveyard Book is also one of my favorites, which I'm rereading this month. 🙂

[@BookishChas]

It’s such a great book. I’ll be rereading it eventually. Bod is such an amazing character.

[@lindybjork2712]

Nice list. I'll have to add some to my TBR. I haven't read most of those. I do have the book Coraline and I watched the movie lately and I was going to read the book sometime. But that will be my first Neil Gaiman book.

[@BookishChas]

That’s awesome Lindy! Coraline is another great introduction to Neil Gaiman. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for watching! 😊

[@brianjkinney]

Looks like a great list. I've read most of them, but there's a few I'll have to check out. I'm really surprised there are no nice editions of Hyperion & Fall of Hyperion. I have the Gollancz omnibus now which is fine for reading, but a few months back I went looking to see if there are any nicer editions and the only one I could find was the Easton Press edition of Hyperion. For such a popular book, I'm surprised at the lack of options.

[@BookishChas]

Yeah I’m really surprised as well. One day we’ll get one I hope. Glad you got some ideas for books to check out. Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@Johanna_reads]

I loved this list, and you couldn’t have described the experience of reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane better! I listened to the audiobook, and I remember wanting to call my brother (who I was very close to growing up) so I could tell him to pick it up. It evokes so many nostalgic feelings and still had dark undertones. I need to reread it and get to The Starless Sea as well!

[@BookishChas]

Thank you so much Johanna! I’m glad you had a similar experience to me reading Ocean. It’s a very homey book lol. I hope you enjoy the Starless Sea. I appreciate you. 😊

[@CliffsDarkGems]

Great list Chas! I loved Terry Brooks as a younger man. I have The Animal on my kindle, might just have to give it a read soon, based on your recommendation. I also love The Graveyard Book! Neverwhere is my favorite Neil Gaiman book. That cover for Dune is awesome. I still cannot believe I have not read Game Of Thrones. I need to re-read The Ocean at The End Of The Lane. Awesome video!

[@BookishChas]

Thank you so much Cliff! It seems we have quite a bit in common.

[@thelibraryladder]

Great list, Chas! Several would be finalists for my own list of favorites. Also, thanks for bringing Chad Nicholas’ books to my attention. He’s new to me.

[@BookishChas]

I’m so happy you liked my list Bridger! I hope you enjoy Chad if you get to read him. He’s great. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@TomOrange]

Awesome to see your list of top books! I really need to read some Gaiman. His an author i have yet to read anything from!

[@BookishChas]

Oh my Tom, yes you need to jump on the Gaiman train lol.

[@BookBuds]

Chas!! These books ! I just started Neverwhere earlier today !!!! I am one chapter in and I LOVE IT. love your top books ! Many are on my TBR already. I better get going ! Thanks Chas!

[@BookishChas]

Haha you’re welcome! I’m so glad that you’re enjoying Neverwhere! 😃

[@TenFan54]

Sooooo glad to see Erin Morgenstern's books on your all-time fave list!!!!! I love love love them both and don't hear them mentioned too much on booktube. Also been dying to start reading some Gaiman for a few years now - hoping to fit it in soon!

[@BookishChas]

Oh I hope you do! He’s such a wonderful writer. Erin Morgenstern’s books have a very special magic. I’m glad you love them so much too. Thanks for watching Eunice!

[@MaliciousChickenAgenda]

You have great taste in books! I’ve read The girl with the dragon tattoo, Dune, The name of the wind and Hyperion. Hyperion and Dune are in my top 10 favourite sci fi novels. I picked up the first 5 Dresden files novels in a charity shop but I haven’t read them yet. I loved American gods by Neil Gaiman, I must check out The ocean at the end of the lane, that’s not the first time I’ve heard that it’s a breathtaking masterpiece! Recommendations for you - Clive Barkers Imajica and Weaveworld. Absolutely fantastic novels, so unusual, mystical and dark! Barker is one of my favourite authors 😊 oh and some Terry Pratchett and Kurt Vonnegut are always thoroughly entertaining. I hope you enjoy Barker if you choose to check him out 😊

[@BookishChas]

Thank you so much for watching! Seems like we have a lot in common. I read the Hellbound Heart and Thief of Always, and I loved them. I plan to read more from him, especially Imajica and Weaveworld. I’ve read some Terry Pratchett, and Vonnegut is on my list to read. I hope you enjoy Ocean. Masterpiece is an excellent way to describe it. Thanks again. 😁

[@TrabensTomes]

Excellent list! Given how many of my own favorite reads are on this list, I will need to check out The Animal and Hyperion. Thanks for the recs!

[@BookishChas]

Oh yay! You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy them. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@chadnicholas8884]

I actually recognized The Animal from the thumbnail and got hyped at the idea it made the list. Absolutely humbled to be included in a list with all the other authors mentions like Gaiman and Butcher! I really need to start reading Neil Gaiman, especially The Sandman

[@BookishChas]

You definitely deserved to be on this list Chad. Thanks for the great stories you share. The Sandman is phenomenal! I hope you get to it soon. 😁

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

Some interesting choices. I spent most of February reading Dune. Currently halfway through the Count of Monte Cristo. I might be some time yet! Happy reading.

[@BookishChas]

Thanks so much for watching! Hope you enjoyed Dune. I can imagine Count of Monte Cristo taking a while yes.

[@ReadtoFilth]

Interesting list! I don’t know why I put down the girl with the dragon tattoo. It was such a good read! Well back to my TBR I guess haha

[@BookishChas]

Haha yes! I hope you finish it. It’s well worth it. Thanks for watching!

[@badrad9226]

It’s time to get serious 🧐 stack of books on Chas picks ! Fantastic! Oh the Girl with the dragon tattoos, I was talking to someone about you on how you read the series 😊

[@BookishChas]

Oh you were talking about me eh? Me and my crazy reads. 😂 Thanks so much Bad! ❤️

[@badrad9226]

@@BookishChas you’re the best Chas ☺️ I will always recommend you my sweet friend. You are absolutely welcome 🤗 and I am eating my lunch 🥗 I’m so happy 😁 belly full of love ❤️

[@BookishChas]

@badrad9226 yay! Nom nom nom lol.

[@willk7184]

Great picks, most of these are in my personal list of faves as well.

[@BookishChas]

Thanks Will! Glad we have them in common. 😃

[@bujobyfilo]

Oh I read The night circus and loved it! So then I wanted to read The starless sea too. And The ocean at the end of the lane is on my radar too, it sounds so good! I hope to read them soon, maybe we have the same taste!

[@BookishChas]

Yay! It definitely sounds like we have a lot in common yes. 😃 I hope you enjoy Ocean and Starless Sea. They’re both top recommendations from me.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Great list, Chas! I knew you'd talk about Gaiman extensively! I haven't made my top 10 yet (hopefully later this year), but we'll likely share Hyperion on our lists.

[@BookishChas]

Oh yay! Such a great book. I’ll look forward to seeing yours Josh. Thanks for watching!

[@mademoiselleluz3631]

The Ocean at the End of the Lane has one of the most chilling villain I've ever read, and she doesn't need physical violence to accomplish that. She's just a woman using her status as an adult against a child. It's scary because it's real.

[@BookishChas]

Oh yes I completely agree! Such a creepy villain. Neil has a way of writing her that is really evocative. Chilling was a good word to use. Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@krisreviews]

Wow... I haven't read a lot of these!!! Always love hearing about people's favorites... there are way too many good ones to choose from 😁

[@BookishChas]

I totally agree Kris, so many good ones out there. Glad you enjoyed it. 😁

[@EpicTalez]

The girl with the dragon tattoo is one of the best thrillers i've read. I had the same experience as you. I just knew ASOIAF was going to be included. I thought you were even going to have more Neil Gaiman books here. Great picks!

[@BookishChas]

Thanks Epic! Yeah there’s definitely room for more Neil Gaiman. I’d need to expand the list to 20 haha.

[@Christopher_Navo]

Terry Brooks has a special place in my heart as well and glad to see someone mention him with praise. I liked Hyperion more than Dune if you can believe it, and like you waiting to get my hands on a nice collector's copy. I've had Night Circus on my TBR for a while now. - Cheers Chas!

[@BookishChas]

Thanks so much Christopher! I can see why you would like Hyperion more. It’s a fantastic book. I hope you get to the Night Circus. Have you read all of Shannara?

[@Christopher_Navo]

@@BookishChas I haven't read everything yet. Just the original Shannara trilogy and a few from the Heritage of Shannara

[@BookishChas]

@CNavo.TheNextChapter ok awesome! It keeps getting better. 😃

[@jekw23]

I found Sword of Shannara derivative and poorly written. Sounds like they improve from there so I may have been missing out.

[@BookishChas]

@jekw23 it was very derivative, yes. Elfstones is much more original, and the series really does get so much better from there.

[@michaelwalsh6913]

Just discovered your channel. Thank you for a wonderful list. I recommend that you listen to Gaimon narrating Neverwhere, if you have not done so already.

[@BookishChas]

Thank you Michael! Yes, I did a reread of Neverwhere last year, and I did it immersively with the audio book. His narration made it so amazing!

[@intotheheartwyld]

Great list, and I knew Gaiman was going to be on this list a few times. Also I never thought about the Alice in wonderland similarities with Neverwhere. At some point I really want to read Hyperion.

[@BookishChas]

Oh I really hope you do. It’s a wonderful sci-fi book. Yes Neil Gaiman has won me over. 😂

[@WordsinTime]

Dune and Hyperion are two great sci-fi picks. I enjoyed the whole Hyperion Cantos and will be continuing the Dune series with Dune Messiah next month!

[@BookishChas]

Oh that’s awesome Jonathan! I liked Dune Messiah just as much as Dune. It was a great read. I only have Rise of Endymion left to read. I’ve loved the series.

[@mildrumpus]

Nice picks! 😎📚👍

[@BookishChas]

Thank you! 😊

[@JessicasLibraryCard]

I think the Graveyard Book is my favorite Neil Gaiman book - I've read it so many times! I've only read the Ocean at the End of the Lane once, but you're making me want to read it again!

[@BookishChas]

Oh I hope you do Jessica. I can definitely see why Graveyard Book is your favorite. It’s such a fun book.

[@joshyaks]

It's always fun to see "favourite of all time" lists! Of course, there aren't any big surprises for your regular watchers other than the fact that The Animal made the list while nothing by Hobb did.

[@BookishChas]

Haha yeah that was a shock for a lot of people I’m sure. I love watching these lists too. Thanks Josh!

[@meikusje]

Ha, when you said The Graveyard Book, I immediately went 'not The Ocean at the End of the Lane?!', and then you said Neverwhere... But serves me right for prematurely judging, of course it's number one 😁 such a beautiful (and scary!) story.

[@BookishChas]

Haha I completely understand why you did that though. You probably didn’t think I’d have three Gaiman books on the list, so no worries. 😊 It is a very wonderful story. I loved how spooky it was.

[@artdavisstudios]

I'm with you. Ocean At the End of the Lane is the best book I've ever read hands down full stop.

[@BookishChas]

Yay! So glad to hear you enjoyed it that much too. Thanks for watching!

[@jessicasblack]

I liked you at "The Graveyard Book". I loved you at "The Starless Sea". That is my #1 favorite. I don't get mad when people say they hate it because every book isn't for every reader. But for me, this is my crème de la crème. The way she was able to weave it into a story about a story that's about a story in a magical library just blows my mind. It's like Inception but better. There is not a single thing I would charge about that book or Dorian. 😉 If the dreamy ether could write a book, this is it.

[@BookishChas]

Aww thank you! 😊 Yes I feel the same way about that book. It’s technically tied for second place with Night Circus because part of me refuses to choose lol. Thank you for watching.

[@papaglenford]

i am really glad i recently bought Name of the Wind, and get to discover it soon

[@BookishChas]

Oh yes! I hope you really enjoy it.

[@jenniparks8539]

Neverwhere doesn’t seem to get enough love, it seems to be most people’s least liked book but its my fav adult that he wrote and Graveyard Book is my fav younger story. I’m surprised House in the Cerulean Sea didn’t make it somewhere though. Just realised that I own or have read every book on this list with the exception of Starless Sea, didn’t realise out book tastes were this similar haha, don’t know if that makes me your bookish twin/doppleganger or stalker haha

[@BookishChas]

Why not all three? 😂😂 We do have a lot in common, yes. Cerulean Sea is definitely a favorite, but not in my top ten unfortunately. A reread may change that. 😊 I agree about Neverwhere and Graveyard Book.

[@kevinogracia1615]

So many books... So little time. Thanks. Peace on earth.

[@BookishChas]

So true! You’re welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@MaliciousChickenAgenda]

I know! I was thinking the same thing. I’m sitting here on my day off work wondering what book I should start 🤔 will I go with neverwhere, the first Dresden files novel, the third Dune novel, some old school horror like Arthur Machen or Cixin Lius Three body problem 😀 I dunno what to pick! Someone help me 😂

[@BookishChas]

@MaliciousChickenAgenda the Three Body Problem is really good too. Very concept driven, but excellent. I hope to read the third Dune book this year. Dresden is always a recommendation from me lol.

[@3wandjina]

You can't start the sword of Shannara on book 3. 35 years later, I instantly recall Alanon, and I can't say that for any other book.

[@BookishChas]

Oh yes, Allanon is eternally memorable.

[@3wandjina]

@BookishChas My drug addict friend stole my wishsong 20 years ago, which I recently replaced. This series is on my tbr reread :)

[@BookishChas]

@3wandjina oh that’s really sad. I hope you can read it someday.

[@wallhagens2001]

I agree with you: Elvestones of Shannara is the best of the series. 😊

[@BookishChas]

Yeah it’s a great book. Thanks for watching! 😁

[@TheLinguistsLibrary]

I respect the amount of times Neil Gaiman made your list lol. Great list, will check Erin's books now.

[@BookishChas]

Oh thank you so much! I hope you enjoy her books. They’re delightful.

[@DaisyXMachina]

Let me guess... you like Neil Gaiman a lot? Great list! I need to check out the Animal (been looking for a new horror writer). Read many of your choices and agree that they're top tier--though I'd have one or two Robin Hobb on my list!

[@BookishChas]

Oh yeah I love Robin Hobb as well. It was hard to choose. If I did a top 20 she’d probably be on it lol. Yes I’m definitely a Gaiman fan. Thanks Daisy! 😊

[@Bookhoarder5]

“…but the print size guys, I mean, come on…” I hit subscribe! 😂

[@BookishChas]

Haha thank you! I’m glad I gave you a laugh. Welcome, welcome to you! 😊

[@wallhagens2001]

Top ten for me as they come to me: 1. Watership Down, 2. Alice in Wonderland, 3. Emma, 4. The Phantom Tollbooth, 5. Jonathan Strange and Mr.Norrell, 6. The Hobbit, 7. The 7 1/2 Deaths Evelyn Hardcastle, 8. Little Women, 9. The Dragonbone Chair, 10. Piranesi.

[@BookishChas]

Thanks for sharing your list! There are several on your list I want to read.

[@philtheo]

Neil Gaiman coming in hot with not one, not two, but three books on your top 10 list! 😊 It's hard to argue with these 3 Gaiman books. He's definitely one of the best writers today. Likewise Dan Simmons! I agree Hyperion is his best work in terms of the most literary. But The Terror is also great, and it has a good TV series too, though I'm fascinated with Arctic and Antarctic voyages, stretching at least as far back as Edgar Allan Poe's The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym and Jules Verne's An Antarctic Mystery, so maybe that's a bias. And I love Charles Dickens so it's perhaps no surprise I found Dan Simmons's Drood was amazing. Dune is indeed such a great sci-fi book. Of course the Villeneuve films are awesome, but the book can't be beat by the movies, though both are great. I don't know if I'd say it's the best sci-fi book ever, but it is a great one. For a contemporary author who is not on your list, I also really like Michael Chabon. So I would have to put The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay on my list of my favorite contemporary literature, though not sure where I'd rank it. He's written down other fun and wonderful books that transcend genre, like The Yiddish Policemen's Union, Gentlemen of the Road, and The Final Solution.

[@BookishChas]

Thank you so much for your very thoughtful comment. Gaiman is always a winner for me yes. 🙂 You’ve given me some great suggestions. I’ll have to check out Michael Chabon. The Terror is high on my list of books to read by Simmons, and I’m interested in trying Drood as well. I’m also a fan of Poe’s Arthur Gordon Pym. Again thank you so much for watching and for your interaction.

[@pickyourpopculturepoison]

I need to read The Night Circus!

[@BookishChas]

Oh I hope you do! It’s wonderful. 🙂

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Oh man I have to read some Gaiman!!

[@BookishChas]

Yes you do Ben! I can hardly wait to see what you think.

[@spartaguswoodall3062]

Neverwhere was the first Gaiman book I read. It's fantastic.

[@BookishChas]

Oh that’s awesome! It was my first Gaiman book as well. 😃

[@snowysnowyriver]

So good to see Neverwhere on the list. ❤

[@BookishChas]

Yes, it’s such a wonderful book. Thanks for watching! 😊

[@snowysnowyriver]

@@BookishChas Neil Gaiman himself narrated an audiobook version of Neverwhere and it's fabulous. His vocal inflections bring a whole new layer to the story. I recommend it!!

[@maciedixon3983]

I love dune so so much and the movie is so amazing

[@BookishChas]

Oh yes I wholeheartedly agree. Such a great story. Thanks for watching!

[@prichitoadiamantadoP3-18]

I'll try to read them 🫡🫡🫡🫡

[@BookishChas]

Yay! 😃

[@Talking_Story]

Alot of Gaiman and you know I am not mad about that at all!

[@BookishChas]

Haha yes I know you’re a fan.

[@LilaCerullos]

Just for books i wish i was a vampire 😂 so many books so little time to enjoy them all, every time i watch good book recomendation videos my list of pending books grows a big amount 😭😂

[@BookishChas]

Oh my yes! I can totally relate to that. Booktube hasn’t done my limited lifespan any favors. 😂 Being a vampire could be a good thing for bookworms lol.

[@readingwithrebeccanicole]

I haven’t read anything on this list 😮 but many of them are on my tbr, and now I'm looking forward to reading them even more!

[@BookishChas]

Oh yay! I’m so happy to hear they bumped up your excitement. 😁

[@BookTalksWithMrsThomas]

Oh I like Morgenstern.

[@BookishChas]

Yay! Isn’t she awesome? 🤩

[@eriolduterion8855]

The fact that you have Frank Herbert's Dune at #5 on that list and George R.R. Martin's A Storm of Swords at #4 makes me question your literary competence. As a "Favorite of All Time" list they shouldn't be in the top 100. That is NOT saying they aren't good reads, but there are so many more authors that are so outstandingly much better. As all time favorites not a part of a series I would list: #10: Edward E. "Doc" Smith's The Galaxy Primes; #9: C.J. Cherryh's Cuckoo's Egg; #8 Frank M. Robinson's The Power; #7 James Blish's Jack of Eagles; #6 Walt & Leigh Richmond's Shock Wave #5 John Brunner's The Whole Man; #4 Jack Williamson's Darker Than You Think; #3 Roger Zelazny's Jack of Shadows; #2 Janet Kagan's Hellspark; #1 Robert A. Heinlein's The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress. As Science Fiction series's I would list: #10 Keith Laumer's Retief; #9 Sherri Tepper's The True Game; #8 Glen Cook's The Black Company; #7 Edward E. "Doc" Smith's Skylark; #6 Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan; #5 Zenna Henderson's The People #4 Gordon R. Dickson's The Childe Cycle; #3 C.J. Cherryh's The Faded Sun; #2 Roger Zelazny's Amber & Chaos; #1 Steven Brust's Dragaeran Cycle.

[@JohnSmith-wi3nb]

Bruh, just let people like what they like

[@BookishChas]

Thank you for giving me some new titles to check out, most if which I haven’t heard of. It’s not a lack of literary competence, but rather a lack of exposure to anything better so far. As our friend here says, I like what I like lol. Thanks for watching!

[@quirrel1453]

Your comment makes me question your sanity tbh

[@BookishChas]

Mine or his?

[@quirrel1453]

@@BookishChas obviously his ♡