My Top 10 Books I Read in 2022

Mike goes through the 71 books he read this year and narrows it down to his 10 favorites.
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0:00 Introduction
0:34 Background and Rules
2:05 Honorable Mentions
8:00 Top 10
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Music used: Epic (No Copyright Music)
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#MikesBookReviews #Top10 #BestBooksof2022

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Thanks!! I'm stunned you ranked Forgetting Moon higher than Tad Williams & Bernard Cornwell two of my writing heroes!!

[@GideonCyn]

Love you Brian!

[@igaelvahgelt9890]

Well deserved Mr B.

[@bottle1211]

Looking forward to the Lonesome Crown!

[@mattwest4083]

Excited to read your books, Brian! They are high on my tbr really looking forward to diving into them

[@yelisieimurai]

That’s because that author of Moon.. Durfree I suppose his name. Or Durfee. He is a French guy. And he is so cool!! Love him! Check his channel on KZbin, you will like him also.

[@abnushagnasty805]

Great list Mike! My top 10: 1. Empire of the Vampire 2. The Blackest Heart 3. Hunger of the Gods 4. Kings of the Wyld 5. The Rage of Dragons 6. Excalibur 7. Legend 8. Homeland 9. The Dragonbone Chair 10. Traitor’s Blade

[@surpriseitsus9622]

Great list

[@RedFuryBooks]

I have Jade City, the Tad Williams and Durfee books on the shelf ready to roll this year! And you're right: Cornwell is the gold standard for battle scenes. On to 2022!

[@srae1971]

I forgot Swan Song even existed. I read it what feels like a million years ago, probably not long after it came out, and I can barely remember anything about it except that I absolutely loved it. I think it set me on a path of reading Robert McCammon and nothing ever quite lived up to it. I will need to pick it up again and give it a reread.

[@richardcozad1166]

I read Swan Sing back in the 1980’s when it first came out. I remember loving it like the Stand. I think I might have to schedule a reread in 2023! Thanks Mike!

[@Johanna_reads]

I love the diversity of classic and modern fantasy, plus other genres that you read! Wonderful list, Mike!

[@rolanddeschain6089]

As someone who could never commit to one or two genres and reads pretty much everything, that pleases me as well. Diversity of storys and styles is the exciting thing about literature.

[@Johanna_reads]

@@rolanddeschain6089 I agree! Fantasy is my favorite genre, but I find reading other genres enriches my reading life and elevates my love of fantasy.

[@jaycianfrini77]

I’m so glad you finally read Swan Song. Feels like I’ve been putting that in your comments for years. I first read it 92 and have read it 4 times since. An underrated masterpiece. My favourite of 2022 was the Green Bone Saga for sure! Fonda Lee killed it with those. Happy new year and look forward to the great content youve always posted!! 🤘🤘🤘

[@karamarie6781]

This is great thanks! Happy New Year, Mike!💕 (I love your beautiful green coffee mug.)

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Amazing list Mike! I read all of the Warlord Chronicles this year and it knocked my socks off. Hands down one of the best trilogies I have ever read. You are right, his combat and battle scenes are some of the best. Enemy of God was #2 on my list for top books in 2022!

[@odiums_taint]

nice touch isolating the effects window mike. thanks for the list!

[@dylancanread]

I read The Stand this year and absolutely loved it so I’m definitely going to have to read Swan Song ASAP! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@Man-With-a-Hat-Who-Reads]

Recently found a hardcover early edition of 'Boy's Life' at an antique mall for $6, and remembered you raving about it, so I picked it up. Will get to it later this year. Fantastic list Mike!! May your reading be just as great in 2023!

[@EStephens]

Sweet Slayer shirt! And, of course, great book choices. Excellent video!!!

[@penultimate8643]

The Troop was an amazing horror book. Definatley had me squirming. I'm about to finish The First Law series which is awesome, thanks for that. I'm gonna pick up a few off this list for my next reads. You are becoming my go to book critic. The only thing your missing for me is sci-fi, but thats ok. 70 books in a year is crazy.

[@MKReads]

I enjoy the list. Always cool to see older books listed with some newer ones too. 😊

[@Ulmo90]

Great list Mike! Pumped to see Liveship and Greenbone on your list! My top books were any of the Greenbone Saga books, aby of the Tawny Man books, Empire of the Vampire, but also How to Kill a Mockingbird, Toll the Hounds, the Long Ships (Röde Orm) or Wrath

[@jasonbork7291]

Great list, Mike! Basically all my reads in 2022 were from your channel. Swan Song was amazing, reading Enemy of God now and love it! Exorcist was crazy lol… Happy New Year 🎉

[@Dylan13Collins]

10. Batman a Court Of Owls 9. Swan Song 8. A Court of Wings and Ruin 7. The Hellbound Heart 6. Wolves of the Calla 5. Hellmouth 4. Duna Key 3. Elric of Melnibone 2. Imaginary Friend 1. The Folding Knife

[@Themrjoliveira]

Just wanna say , Happy Hollidays!! You and channels like Criminolly got me back at reading . Very inspiring content , so thx for that .

[@ScottnCarol4JC]

Great list. Just started listening to The Troop. I’m glad it I will be good. I just downloaded Swan Song on the Kindle thanks to your recommendation.

[@Paromita_M]

Great list and great video. Happy New Year in advance!

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

You absolutely hit the nail on the head with Bernard Cornwell’s action scene writing.

[@dragonrambles]

Great video - fun to see what other people pick as it is so subjective (what was read, what the rules are, personal taste). I don't have a top ten, or even a top 5, mostly because I've had a hellish year that meant rereads and light books until November. But I did just read a book that easily rockets to number one with 5 stars: The Mountain in the Sea. A great Sci-Fi book that is cleverly written and does a great job of blurring the line between science fiction and science fact.

[@chrisconrod6265]

You and Brian have added the most books to my TBR by far! (It's a love/hate relationship right now guys) I have no idea how I missed The Justice of Kings, because that sounds like a book I'm going to love, and I just read The Stand so Swan Song is also calling to me! So now I'm off to spend some Xmas money on books! Great video Mike, can't wait for the Red read coming up in the new year because I'm going to join you!

[@seanhalpin87]

And yeah man, five warrior angels is the most underrated and under appreciated series around. I'm taking my tiiiiiime with lonesome crown because with Brian's eyesight we may never get more from that. Its just spectacular what he's done thus far, and I'm loving book 3 a lot so far

[@lnuhfer]

I read Swan Song in the 80's and it has stuck with me since. After watching your current top 10, I may need to read it again.

[@Thaurnol]

My top 10: 1. Empire of the Vampire 2. Let the Right One In 3. The High Crusade (Poul Anderson) 4. Beowulf 5. Project Hail Mary 6-9. Forgotten Realms: Return of the Archwizard 10. Deadhouse Gates

[@angelaholmes8888]

Deadhouse gates is really good

[@Cloverfield3749]

I only read 14 books this year and the following are my top books of the year: 1) Hyperion - Dan Simmons 2) It - Stephen King 3) Animal Farm - George Orwell 4) Dolores Claiborne - Stephen King 5) How Do You Live - Genzaburo Yoshino

[@igaelvahgelt9890]

Love Hyperion,good list

[@joshdunlap7766]

1984 gets all the praise but animal farm is just as good and has so many parallels to today

[@tiananesbitt7156]

Happy New Year 🎊 Love yeah 🎇

[@Jane-w]

Bleak and hopeless - I'm in! I'm looking forward to picking up Swan Song, Justice of Kings and Warlord Chronicles in 2023.

[@zachryder3150]

6 minutes of honourable mentions? This is where the fun begins!

[@Tralala001]

I read 34 books this year (one below my goal unless I can finish another one this week). I finished WoT this year so A Memory of Light is in my top 5, along with Sand by High Howey, Elantris, the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, and In Deep, a short story collection by Damon Knight.

[@alvinmarcus5780]

Glad you finally read " Swan Song ". And gave it the praise it deserves. Recommended it several times and I know I'm not the only one. Glad you listened.

[@derrisreaditbefore]

WOO! ❤Hobb ❤ right up there! Can't wait for the spoiler talks!

[@aleidadiaz2261]

I love Backlist books so please continue to do more of those. I see the same books over and over again In booktube.

[@BluStarGalaxy]

Hey Mike! Talking about non-fantasy books there is a biography called Team of Rivals that talks about Lincoln's cabinet during the Civil War. It is incredible and you might like it. Cool video man!

[@MythicalP]

Love the shirt!!

[@deadslugs]

So happy to hear about Call of The Wild! No worries - its really a hit in the feels book 100%

[@altodomino7859]

It took me 20 minutes for your shirt to make sense to me. Once it made sense it was amazing.

[@09RetsamEdalb]

I got 6 books for Christmas and two were Swan Song and Boy's Life. I'm extremely excited for them, because I loved They Thirst, and they both sound really incredible.

[@miramarto]

I'm here for that sick Slayer shirt! Love me some old school thrash! Thanks for your content man, you are the one that introduced me to the Stormlight Archive, my favorite series ever! I grew up reading Dragonlance and Drizzt books, Streams of Silver is so good!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I am surprised how many non fantasy that were on your list (but not complaining). Obviously love the horror picks and I think I have to check out the Forgetting Moon

[@matthewmeichle1966]

You have an excellent list and your number one is from one of my favorite authors, but this is one of his books that I haven't read yet. Boy's life is my all-time favorite McCammon book, so I will have to queue up Swan Song to read this year. If you haven't read The Listener by Robert McCammon I highly recommend that one as well, I also heard the Matthew Corbett novels are fantastic, they are on my list as well. Speaks the Nightbird is the first in the series.

[@twiceborn_by_grace]

I love your shirt!

[@gypsyboomer]

Been looking for some new stuff, thanks for the recommendations. Have re-read "Godfather" at least 3 times, but just couldn't get into "Jade City".

[@pipermckoon8637]

I got really into Stephen King this year, and he did not disappoint. Salem’s Lot is most definitely one of my favorite books of all time. The horror elements, though not extremely scary, we’re executed perfectly and the coming of age of Mark Petrie had me on the edge of my seat for the whole 700 pages.

[@RPisa2416]

Right?! King is so great at writing adolescents. Loved Mark!

[@AverageJoesLibrary]

I’m gonna have to start some of these soon, 3-4 I’ve had for a while or been on my list.

[@davidlarramore1990]

Been debating on Justice Of Kings. I feel like I was tipping towards ordering it and after watching your video it is a done deal.

[@davidhayes6491]

I read Swan Song years ago and loved it. But in my old age, I have but a basic outline of the story left in my addled brain. So, your love of the book just may have inspired me to add it to my reread list (behind Joe Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy, of course).

[@susiebolt4021]

I took on some behemoths this year, so I didn't read as many books as usual. Interestingly, I also worked in some nonfiction and several of those would make my top ten list. I guess I chose well. My favorite series from the year is Oddjobs. It's Lovecraft horror meets Douglas Adams humor, and I loved all 5 books. I feel like it flies under the radar and more people should give it a try, especially as a palate cleanser between more intense tomes. I also tackled the first 3 Malazan books, so I needed the break.

[@adampender2482]

SLAYER SLAYER SLAYER WELCOME BACK

[@s.p.8508]

My top 10 this year are: 1. The Hunger of the Gods 2. Gardens of the Moon 3. Project Hail Mary 4. The Gathering Storm 5. A Memory of Light 6. The Shadow of the Gods 7. Memories of Ice 8. The Forgetting Moon 9. Warbreaker 10. A Time of Dread I thought this list would be easier, but it was way harder than I thought.

[@angelaholmes8888]

Cool list 😊

[@damonke79]

Just bought Gardens of the Moon. Nice to see it so high

[@zn12914]

i love the placement of gathering storm over memory of light, everyone looks at me like in crazy but i agree!😊

[@paulharvey5505]

I just finished Gardens of the Moon, and was blown away. Great book, I loved the ending!

[@s.p.8508]

@@angelaholmes8888 thanks!

[@lisag618]

Love the vid. I just downloaded Swan Song - thanks :)

[@spellboundbybooks49]

Great list! I've made it 50 percent through Swan Song and it is outstanding. I've had to take a break from it because I'm so emotionally invested and the intensity was getting to me if that makes sense. I fully intend to return to it soon. though!

[@dianaacevedo9472]

I've never been disappointed by your recommendations....just bought Swan Song!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you love it!

[@PsyKotyK]

Love the shirt as i love slayer , whats your fav ablum, shoud read canticle of cleric quintet.

[@samanthawinchester1059]

I agree with Swan Song, that book was amazing

[@surpriseitsus9622]

Hooked me in with the Buffy T, stayed for the great list.

[@tonyyy2812]

Sick shirt btw… huge fan of both slayer and Buffy lol

[@mikesbookreviews]

This is the Way 🤘

[@techp0p]

the green bone saga was definitely my favorite series that i read in 2022, and that's saying a lot considering i also read mistborn and first law!

[@TheDarkchum1]

I love that shirt ❤

[@grahmgovernor4037]

Swan song is my all time favorite. My mom and dad read it when I was in high school and recommended it to me. I read it junior year and am on my second read through right now 15 years later. I wish they would adapt it to film.

[@pauseandread]

Great video as always Mike. I actually just finished swan song last week! The journey those characters went through was just amazing. Didn't feel like a 900 page book at all with how fast you can just fly through it.

[@formulaeternal]

Good job Mike

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Fantastic list! I cannot wait to read The Forgetting Moon, The Godfather and Ship of Magic! Love to see Enemy of God and Hunger of the Gods on here🐺. Will

[@MrTofy1974]

I'm starting to read Ruocchio's the Sun Eater collection...someone told me that I should read this because I really loved Yoon Ha Lee's Machineries of Empire series, which btw I would recommend you read

[@HattemAlHajry]

Thanks for sharing this amazing list, keep on these videos.

[@BubbaStaines]

great shirt.

[@Faithy606]

cool tshirt!

[@surajsingrajput7512]

Nice shirt, Mike.

[@scottgage6498]

Also, while I'm here, I think you should read The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I make the rec because you've mentioned an interest in father-son storylines.

[@1tuffcookie917]

I think I need to reread Swan Song. I read it as a teenager and loved it! It's been to long.

[@xcBlackDiamond]

Love to see Ship of Magic so high

[@JoePogi2]

Thanks

[@coreymason1751]

Great top ten can’t say I’ve read that many books this year not even half but I’m enjoying your video and through your videos I found a new love of reading and trying to get my kids reading as well keep it up man

[@fithfath3615]

Interesting List Mike, you have a few on there that I'm hoping to get around to this year or the next. I got through 37 novels, 2 novellas & 20 comic volumes. my top ten: 10 - The Sum of All Men - David Farland 9 - Cage of Souls - Adrian Tchaikovsky 8 - Juniper Wiles - Charles De Lint 7 - Practical Magic - Alice Hoffman 6 - Ghost Troubles - Richard Parks 5 - Starship Troopers - Robert A Heinlein 4 - Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir 3 - Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card 2 - A Brightness Long Ago - Guy Gavriel Kay 1 - Children of Earth and Sky - Guy Gavriel Kay

[@chezpower4]

SLAYER!!!!!!!!!

[@dominicaudy8479]

I haven’t fully done my list yet. I lean a bit more toward sci-fi than you in my reading preferences, but we still end up with many different books by the same authors. - I was late to the party, so it’s Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff that would take the spot. - in the same way, it’s Malice by Gwynne that’s on my list (as a bonus, discovering that two of his sons are very enjoyable reviewers) - Green Bone saga. (I don’t know how you did it, but I can’t pick one) - Death of Kings by Bernard Cornwell. It will still be the Last Kingdom for me in 2023. Warlord Chronicles in 2024. - I read quite a few McCammon but not Swan Song yet, so it’s Speaks the Nightbird that blew me away (one of my top three spots) Then I would have Eversion by Alastair Reynolds, The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North, I would agonize over picking just one of the five excellent Adrian Tchaikovsky works I’ve read in 2022 but may play it safe and go with Children of Time (Tchaikovsky wins the palm for my favourite “new” author of the year. I’ll read all his works). I’d give a spot to the near future sci-fi thriller The Sleepless by Victor Manibo. I would also give a top five spot to the amazing debut Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless, the start of a planned six book saga of Irish historical fiction where mythology adds a Fantasy layer (comparisons to Cornwell and Gwynne come to mind, I’m sure it’s on your own TBR already). I might also give a spot to Stephen King, though it’s a hard choice as many of my favourites were rereads, like Needful Things. The one I had overlooked back in the day and that blew me away in 2022 would be Insomnia.

[@totallysick88able]

Wow seems there are a lot of books titled Swan Song lol. Found the right one though. Adding to my TBR

[@paulharvey5505]

Mike Did you read Drizzt chronologically? As in his ‘origins’ story novels first? I would have started with the Crystal Shard /Streams of Silver / Halflings Gem first, as they were published first Anyway, these are classics. I’ve read most of them but haven’t in about 10 years, so I know I’m behind. Great channel by the way

[@tomjoyce7037]

I just bought Swan Song based on your reviews but I really struggled to find it here in the UK. I had to spend a huge chunk of change and buy a US import. Apparently there is a new version on the market early next year

[@mariaisabelcuriel2963]

Love the buffy shirt

[@dylancrice9496]

Gonna have to check out the forgetting moon and some Bernard Cornwall.

[@marilyn_aguasamargas]

I. Love. Your. T-shirt!!

[@AverageJoesLibrary]

My favorites- Dungeon crawler Carl is amazing and so entertaining. War for the rose throne is great especially if you like Peaky Blinders.

[@saudstylazz]

Great list Mike! This year I read all of The First Law series, love all of it, all 5 stars for me, but my favorite is Before Thenly Are Hanged. I also read a lot of John Wyndham as pallette cleanser between the first law books and my favorite are The Day of the Triffids and The Kraken Wakes. Another favorite is Boy's Life which I read due to your review, thank you you for it. The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu blew me away as well. So those are my favorite books of the year. Next year I am going to read John Gwynne and Brien Lee Durfee's series. Keep up the good work and looking forward to more videos from you in the new year

[@spatha08]

One thing to remember Icewind dale trilogy was first in publishing order so if you read that way(my recommendation) you would of first met Drizzt and the other Companions and then went back and read his origin . My top 3 novels read this year: Empire of the Vampire, The Forgetting Moon, and Best Served Cold not in any order. Reading Beyond Redemption by Michael R Fletcher and if had I read it fully in 2022 based on what I have read in it so far it may of squeezed one of those out of my top 3.

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

Justice of Kings ended up my top book of 2022! I'm a paralegal, so the Law & Justice aspect was just right up my alley! The Forgetting Moon was just delivered yesterday, so I'm excited to get to it this year!

[@archersworldofliterature]

Ayy! the Godfather made my list this year too. So so good. Have you any intentions of reading any more of Puzo's books? My top 5 was The Godfather, Crime and Punishment, Oliver Twist, A Game of Thrones and Ulysses

[@mercurydylan899]

Whoa! That’s shirt SLAYS! Where can I get one?

[@Countravendark]

Awesome shirt man.....SSSSSSSSLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYEEEERRRRR🤘😎

[@robinsonsuarez6334]

My father who does not read fantasy. Has always recommended Swang song to me. Of course I’ll move to it now

[@angelaholmes8888]

Glad that jade city is on your list it's a great read 🎉🎊

[@rapturedmourning]

You are my closest match among youtubers for book preference. I just finished Ship of Magic. It's a lot of extended character deep delving a la Tolstoy, but done better because modern authors don't head jump.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ship of Magic was wonderful!

[@alvinmarcus5780]

I remember when The Exorcist was in theaters and everybody was flipping out over it but I have never seen the movie. Read the book years ago.

[@scottgage6498]

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler was my book of the year. I'd be interested to see what you think of her work if you ever pick it up. Definitely recommend Parable of the Sower. It's brutal and compelling and, well, excellent.

[@arifleeman8561]

If you have room next year in your TBR you should check out One last Gasp by Andrew Piaaza (WWII Horror) and Mage Against the Machine (Sci-Fi/Fantasy)

[@laurac56]

My fantasy 5 star books for 2022: The Forgetting Moon and The Blackest Heart (book 3 got 4 stars); The Blade Itself and Before They Were Hanged (book 3 got 4 stars); Swan Song; and The Justice of Kings. ( I read other than fantasy too.)

[@DustinHarrisWHBC]

Ahhhh Boy’s Life is my favorite book of all time❗️

[@YaFeya13]

Dude!!! How could you do this to me??? I just closed the book,THE book, the Swan Song….. I have a lot to think about now. Wow.