My List of 10 Best Books of the 21st Century

[@JebPhillips-n9r]

I've been searching out alternative lists, and I hadn't heard of half of your books -- they're now "to read" for me. Thanks for doing this!

[@FrostytheAwesome]

Watching this after Han Kang won a Nobel Prize for Literature; it's awesome that you had her on your radar before then. I can't wait to read Human Acts.

[@beccayoung5454]

orphan master's son MENTIONED!!! this is my favourite book of all time & has been since I read it as a teenager, and yet I never see it recommended - so so happy you included it!

[@jinwoopark0721]

It's SO good. It's basically a surrealist novel at times.

[@sophietennyson4103]

When you started off with All the Light you had my attention. I have read The Sympathizer and the Orphan Master's Son and they were both incredible. I have subscribed and look forward to adding more of your suggestions to my TBR list. thank you

[@lovlesphtogrl]

So many solid recommendations. First of your videos I've seen, but instantly wanted to subscribe. Couldn't agree more with the books on the list that you suggested and excited to check out the ones I didn't know!

[@zozobop]

the variety in this list!!! love it, i've put almost all of them in my to read list

[@livmatharu585]

I just found your channel today. I have subscribed. Love the books you talked about. Please continue making videos 😊

[@jinwoopark0721]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@user-qv2wc2jr6t]

omg can't believe you have lullabies on there, i never see it recommended... amazing book!

[@jinwoopark0721]

One of the most visceral reads I ever had. It's so underrated.

[@WhiteNightsX]

Thank you for your review of these books, which some I haven't heard of before. I have added one book on my TBR list, "Less". I am glad that KZbin suggested this channel for me. Stay healthy and be safe :)

[@jinwoopark0721]

Thank you for watching!

[@affanshikoh5069]

Okay, "Whale" sounds amazing, I look forward to picking it up ! Great video btw

[@jinwoopark0721]

Thank you! And yes, Whale is indeed an amazing book. Highly recommend.

[@rubyanddelilahandnani]

Convenience Store Woman was amazing.. I relate to the main character so much. I suck at socializing 😅

[@himalayancrochetmusings390]

Nice list❤ btw i love your crochet shirt 😍

[@이진희-l8z7n]

Thank you for the list. I'm from Korea and I read 2 books from Korean authors, I loved them too. It's a shame that some of books are not available in Korea yet. I will try reading rest of them. 😊

[@shiningyoonie]

I agree about Viet Thanh Nguyen's prose. He has arguably one of the best writing I've read in recent years.

[@jinwoopark0721]

Just blistering and powerful prose. Literal explosions on the page happening.

[@trulyintroverted]

Loved the video! Of your list, some I've read, some were on my tbr, but two I found new. Thanks!! Also, I apologise for stating this (since it's also my first comment here) but some might consider the reveal about the school from Never Let me Go a spoiler. I knew before I read the book what it was and that didn't dampen my enjoyment (interest?) since the book isn't about that to me, but some might.

[@victoriatangk]

Ooh we have such similar tastes in fiction, except that I couldn't stand Less 😅 I feel the same way about Human Acts vs. The Vegetarian.

[@x.ju.nia.bende.x]

I just discovered you account and HOW do you not have thousands of followers? Such a great video - love it! I also feel like our taste is quite similar❤ Thanks for sharing!

[@jinwoopark0721]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@quenting4631]

Nice list! I'll check these out.

[@desertsalt]

I know this isn't your niche on this channel but do you have any recommendations for books in korean for people learning the language? Maybe light reads or things with simple themes done well. Good prose, etc.

[@Ihearbooks]

Interesting 10 books. Some I've read several and some that I've read I don't agree with your thoughts but that is the best thing. How I love to think about what I read and have read. At the moment I've been thinking hard about Why I read and Why I pick up and read certain books. There are so many out there. Hearing 10 best lists is definitely influential. Currently reading Wellness by Nathan Hill. It is sneakily good. Thanks again for your video it has me thinking I need to try some Korean books.

[@jinwoopark0721]

I've been meaning to check out Wellness. This is my sign that I should order it now.

[@gabyocampo94]

Whats the name of the author of Whale?

[@jinwoopark0721]

Cheon Myeong-kwan!

[@TwoMinutesonBooks-bt8lg]

I agree, everyone's list will be somewhat different. I agree with the first two books, but I would have some African American authors on my list because that's who I am. Thanks for the video. I have a few more recommendations now.

[@gurushishya5545]

Yeah, Maybe a spoiler alert before you gave away the plot to Never Let Me Go…smh.

[@SarahJ70]

Tbh I thought it was rather obvious from the first chapter. It’s also quite a well known twist, no?

[@rubyanddelilahandnani]

@@SarahJ70no

[@my4hvids]

I turned off the volume for Never Let Me Go because I just started it for a group read! I knew nothing at all about The Sympathizer when I read it, and it was my favorite novel the year I read it.

[@worldobserver3515]

Please make more videos about books you enjoyed and recommend.

[@BrandonH321]

I feel like Less only got credit because it was an LBGT book. Otherwise it felt like a pretty average story. Almost a knock off of Eat, Pray, Love, although I've never read Eat, Pray, Love. The Orphan Master's Son is an amazing book though.

[@chambersstevens3135]

Great video. You have excellent taste. 2 thoughts. 1. I was surprised that Orphan Master's Son was not on the official list or the reader's list. It is so acclaimed. Why do you think it was missing? 2nd thought. Jinwoo I don't think you can describe Arthur Less as a failed author. He is semi successful. He wins awards. Though he is not a bestseller. I think one of the major themes of the book is about accepting the success you have. So calling him failed doesn't seem right. Have you read the sequel to Less? Thanks again for the video and making me aware of books I had not heard of before.

[@jinwoopark0721]

Thank you for watching! To your points, I think first, it's so funny how OMS is underrated. Won a Pulitzer too. The book does tend to get overlooked many times for some reason. Have no clue why. It's absolutely brilliant. On the second point, you're definitely right. I think 'writer of middling success' may be a more correct way to say it. Though I feel like in the book, Less may perceive himself as a failure. I think we all have a tendency to be more brutal to ourselves than toward others or others would to us. Haven't read the sequel yet. Less was perfect how it ended so I'm a bit hesitant on reading the sequel. I'm tempted though!

[@chambersstevens3135]

@@jinwoopark0721 I understand that about the sequel. But it is just as good as the first. AND here is another easter egg. Arthur Less is known for writing the Book Calypso's Guest. Well ASG went ahead and wrote that book and just released it for free on audible!

[@jinwoopark0721]

Well I must check out this sequel, and WHOA that is amazing that ASG actually went and wrote that haha. More to add to my reading list!

[@marthacanady9441]

Hmm.. I think I recognize a trend here.

[@brensgems7539]

Thanks. I also loved All the Light We Cannot See and Convenience Store Woman. I've added 2 more 2 my TBR..

[@ParthapratimsChannel]

you aren't fond of murakami?

[@ralphjenkins1507]

❤❤❤❤🎉🎉

[@fpl4172]

Never let me go is sooo baaad I could not finish it

[@mwont]

Than there is something wrong with you

[@Illusionary_INTJ]

I wish you were my neighbour