My Top 10 Books of 2020

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Fiction
1:47 Don Quixote
2:40 The Count of Monte Cristo
3:31 Dune
4:45 Foundation
5:28 Into the Wild
Non-Fiction
6:36 Just Mercy
7:36 Capital in the 21st Century
8:22 How to Change Your Mind
9:33 The Gulag Archipelago
10:57 A Study of History
Music: Burn Within Sight -- Dylan Sitts via Epidemic Sound (www.epidemicsound.com/track/R...)

[@19grand]

'Dont judge a man by the books he reads. Judge him by the books he re-reads.'

[@paulthang9038]

Legends,like me read dairy of a Wimpy Kid.

[@FIT2BREAD]

@@paulthang9038 I can't knock it. When my son was 8 that's the only thing I could get him to read. Until he graduated to Dog Man ha!

[@shoppinghemifran6001]

People will seem more empty than necessary.

[@vaibhavi.singh.]

Damn

[@KhubbaS]

You wouldn’t want to judge this guy by the books he claims to have read because those claims are false. I can tell he’s bullshitting. He’s giving spark notes summaries of classics in different fields just to get a lot of views and subs from book lovers. I find the deception to be repellant.

[@AlexReyesInHD]

No order, here's the list: 1:47 Don Quixote 2:40 The Count of Monte Cristo 3:31 Dune 4:45 Foundation 5:28 Into the Wild 6:36 Just Mercy 7:36 Capital in the 21st Century 8:22 How to Change Your Mind 9:33 The Gulag Archipelago 10:57 A Study of History

[@rahima3093]

thanks

[@larrysmellbuttz534]

spoiler alert geez. no point in even watching the video now.

[@franckensteine]

@@larrysmellbuttz534 they're on the thumbnail

[@AmusingMusic]

Damn from the thumbnail i was expecting “Capital” to be Marx’s das kapital, lowkey disappointed he picked an inferior “capital” lol

[@AliumMoAnn]

@@AmusingMusic this boy disappoints me 😭

[@EthanDodd]

Me: I have so much on my reading list YT: *John Fish's Top 10* Also Me: These can fit

[@staecycruz5023]

Same

[@cunadeletra]

x3

[@alexcr.p]

I literally just updated my giant to-read list with some of these

[@scrivo6295]

You should post your Goodreads account.

[@Mike_M_Smith]

Scrivo whats goodreads?

[@scrivo6295]

@@Mike_M_Smith it’s an online application where you can store your books. Basically a virtual library.

[@Mike_M_Smith]

Scrivo I got to many books to go down that rabbit hole.

[@mollyjohnson5199]

I found it, but he doesn't have any books on there here's the link: www.goodreads.com/user/show/59432938-john-fish

[@scrivo6295]

@@mollyjohnson5199 Thanks for that Molly!

[@yannick8372]

I would recommend reading the Russian writers. Dostoevsky and Tolstoy are great! The reason I would recommend reading them is because they give such specific insight in the human psychology. These books also focus mainly on the suffering of human beings. Death and illness are common themes in their books. The books I read so far are Tolstoys 'Anna Karenina, 'War and Peace' and 'The death of Ivan Iljitj' which are all great. From Dostoevsky rich list of literature I read 'Crime and Punishment', 'The brothers karamazov' and 'The idiot'. I hope you will like them as much as I do!

[@amykruse6887]

Yes! If you like those authors, I would suggest reading Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov.

[@talaalsharif561]

i second this

[@patmebg3794]

Are they fiction or non fiction?

[@aleksandrasuso2043]

@@patmebg3794 they're fiction books, and they're pretty chunky

[@patmebg3794]

@@aleksandrasuso2043 Thanks. I was looking for nonfiction.

[@ElectroBleach]

Don Quixote is an absolute masterpiece

[@Bookademy]

Great suggestions! Thank you, John, picked up a few for my list

[@kwabenakesseh1282]

This young man really inspires me to do better! I always look forward to your videos.

[@samharper7001]

Hi John, have started using your growth book template for planning my days this past week, and have found it so helpful for planning my university work and other interests. Thank you so much!

[@maluokram330]

You inspired me to read books John. I have read 12 books this years, without your videos I don't think I would start reading books

[@imergeo402]

Hey John I just want you to know that your support towards students is absolutely amazing. Its awesome to see someone successful who has empathy and understanding for student life. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@eliyasara9786]

omg the Count is sooooo good. I love it so much. This is a really well put-together book list. Thanks for the great content.

[@zinniasegura7508]

You're the one that convinced me to read Don Quixote and now it's probably my favorite book of all time, you have amazing taste. I'll definitely be checking the rest of these out.

[@connorkennedy4587]

Your videos are always so high quality and a joy to watch! I always look forward to them!

[@padmo1531]

I really love the books you recommended before and am really excited to read the ones in this video. Thank you for sharing!

[@adilshamji4035]

Since no one is asking, I would recommend, Kafka On The Shore!

[@LamAnopro_]

what’s it about?

[@arthurn8931]

murakami

[@Martina95673]

@@LamAnopro_ the plot follows the story of an old man that has the ability to talk to cats, and a little boy that runaway from home. It's a story of magical realism, if that's your genre you will love it

[@adilshamji4035]

@@LamAnopro_ It's truly something different, undoubtedly my favorite fiction book I have ever read. The story corresponds to "Oidipus", and his destiny. Murakami, is incomparable when it comes to characters traits, the most unorthodox of characters, with strange yet pleasant endeavors. In my view, it's a story of a life, with highs and lows.

[@zeynabh]

It was my was murakami book I loved it!

[@louis_dev6981]

Thank you for the great recommendations! I really like how you share the books you read in a genuine tone, which makes me more interested in picking up some of the books you recommend~

[@POZOLEDECARAMELITO]

I’m right now reading Mark Fisher Ghosts of my life. It’s kinda an amazing piece of literature, a series of essays from him, talking about the idea of society being haunted by lost futures that failed to happen, a look at our culture in famous and obscure media ( really great recommendations of albums, series and movies) through the eyes of our current economic and political landscape. This one hit very hard in 2020, since a lot of our plans and our lifestyle changed because of covid not only that but with climate change and an economic crisis in the horizon, it seems that our future and our lives won’t be as once we imagined.

[@Hrids99]

Don Quixote is one of my favourites. The recommendation looks good. Would try and read in 2021.

[@maddalenaesposito890]

AH, The Count of Montecristo 💜 my favourite book ever, it's nice to see a person that I really admire appreciate it too!

[@Andrea-oj6fz]

Great picks! I would love to see more book content from you in 2021! :)

[@LavaHead64]

Thank you for these suggestions!

[@KanwarAnand]

I read the unabridged version of Count of Monte Cristo. It felt like a magical carpet ride through Europe for 30 days. Great Gatsby is not even quarter as enthralling.

[@miriamsheppard6162]

I read The Tales of Beedle the Bard the other day, and that's my contribution to this conversation.

[@julieannelovesbooks]

Well, that means that for this month you've read as much as the average american according to google. Congrats!

[@aliveindian7208]

Man you are a very positive man . When i see you i get very positive vibes & it releases my stress.

[@anna-ti2bo]

Just letting you know I struggle a lot with my mental health, and your videos are super inspiring. The way you talk about stuff motivates me a lot to read more and persevere with school which is difficult a lot of the time. Kind of reignites my love for books especially. Tysm :,)

[@chrishewittpiano]

Amazing recommendations, John! I love Audible, too! I've had my membership for almost 7 years! I love love love it! Going to check out some of the books you recommended. You're amazing dude! :) Happy holidays!

[@flubadubdubthegreat1272]

Thanks for the recommendations, John!

[@Iftzo626]

I read Into The Wild back in high school, I recommend it 100%.

[@bdinh14]

Thanks for the recommendations. Will be sure to check them out! :)

[@multicerenity]

Nice collection of books. Really huge titles which I had so much fun time reading. Keep it up John!

[@dariodr4624]

Thank you John!!! more of these please, such an inspiration

[@TheNoobtron3000]

Reading The Gulag right now..great video as always!

[@joatanpereira4272]

I recommend ALL Haruki Murakami's books. Amazing writer.

[@Chris-pt6hh]

The Windup Bird Chronicle was a fucking RIDE

[@sanskrutidas2965]

@@Chris-pt6hh I'm reading that atm

[@iuliandanciulescu9551]

is there a good starting point?

[@sanskrutidas2965]

@@iuliandanciulescu9551 you can start with Kafka on the shore. I did with that one so I can tell you that made me want to read more and more of Murakami.

[@jillianprice6279]

Even the book he wrote on writing is soooo fantastic

[@user-qo4sp8sv4s]

Ure a pure motivation john God bless

[@stevensong8784]

He inspires me too.

[@honeydew75]

Amazing suggestions, I'm excited to read these haha love you ☺️

[@halcod29]

Love your recommendations! Love and greetings from Argentina :D

[@speedracer2841]

Le Comte de Monte Cristo is one of my top books of 2020 as well. I have Don Quixote lined up for 2021. Great list.

[@ClaudiniGod]

I finished reading Dune last month and I was mindblown by the vastness of its universe. An amazing book.

[@thejohnfish]

Right! I'm super hyped for the movie, the trailer looked surprisingly true to the book--the worm!!!!!

[@vesnastihovic7014]

Wonderful list! ♥

[@SampsfaN]

Bar maybe a couple of the books I've bookmarked all the rest lol, really good reads they seem like going by the plots and themes. Thanks and lot man and subscribed to your channel, seldom does it happen that I subscribe someone right after the first video of that person/channel, so thanks again!

[@soccer9244]

Love these videos man🙌 I need to read more often in 2021🙈

[@markokobetic7168]

I love how you talk about books so enthusiastically. Makes me to want to read more. 😁

[@julialianjosecarrera5649]

Don Quijote was the first Modern novel. All the nowadays movies, TV shows, videogames... Use Cervantes techniques

[@paulinanaruszewicz4336]

Oh wow didnt know that. What techniques exactly?

[@abdulalhazred4224]

He speaks very clearly so that i can understand what he is talking about fairly well even though english is not my language.

[@Mitch-cw8nd]

Hi! Most of your books are very interesting ( some, I knew them quite well ) and they´ve a great content. I really like your videos and thank you for sharing it. - Merry Christmas -

[@angelam8719]

we read just mercy in my ap lang class this semester! it really hits hard with brandon bernard’s recent death 😔 rip

[@afrobarbie-sustainablelife7178]

These are all very good recommendations 👌🏾I'll be checking a few of them out

[@xmautsenx]

I absolutely love your book videos!

[@saguelo757]

I love your videos. They are great. Thanks for recommendations. Hope you have nice day.

[@YH-mf2tc]

thank you! Now I have a lot to read during Christmas!

[@schmidi333]

Love your book videos!

[@jeannetteann5013]

Good list! Thank you ☺️

[@Ducky_logan]

John. You are awesome. Adding some of these to my wishlist.

[@javieroyaga5329]

Don Quijote is one the things that makes us Spaniards proud.

[@MrPabgon]

Olé

[@bookswithbenjamin8902]

The unabridged version of The Count of Monte Cristo is a masterpiece. Yes dialogue is expanded but it isn't just for fluff. It helps set the scene and move the story forward.

[@Nicole-wp6vx]

thanks for the recs, looks really good!! great vid

[@Nicole-wp6vx]

how did you manage to get through a study of history with its outdated-ness? that's really a deal-breaker for me now, antiquated books that feel like they have no real value in the present because it's been proven wrong. unless you meant something else when you mentioned 'outdated'.

[@markiemasucci3865]

Heads up! I recommend for Don Quixote the Edith Grossman translation! It is very modern, and it makes the book appealing to the modern crowd, but keeps the same magic of the Spanish Golden Age .

[@omaremin6215]

Thanks man for suggestions!

[@seer1234]

He is speaking so cool. His voice like a music that you just listen and feel like everything is going to be okay. I really enjoy watching you

[@TamaraVlogs]

Oooo Dune & How to Change your Mind were already on my list. Adding Capital! Thanks so much!

[@pujakarmakar9176]

I have a Data structure class to do after 15 min so thought to watch you, just like always. keep creating such videos All the very best

[@chrisbranton73]

Eyyy, I just finished The Count of Monte Cristo and loved it too! I also read Foundation recently too haha. Into the Wild is non-fiction though? I also read How to Change Your Mind this year, another great one.

[@hyelimsong5171]

Love your suggestions! I’ve got to read this “Dune”! I was a bit hesitant, but I’ll give it a go! Thanks!! ❤️

[@juanvega1998]

Thank you for the recommendations! Will highly consider on my book a week quest 👍

[@prospecops]

The darkest book I've read was The Rape of Nanking. This was right after The Gulag Archipelago which I thought was about the worse there was.

[@Nvmnodvi]

is there a pdf of it?

[@prospecops]

@@Nvmnodvi yea im sure u can find a torrent for it.

[@tekki5744]

What about 1984?

[@iamokayreally8482]

I agree with you!

[@lucky-mud]

@@tekki5744 if 1984 wasn’t fiction then it would be very very impactful, but it just doesn’t come close to Gulag Archipelago in that regard simply because the latter isn’t fiction

[@joyfulgail]

Thank you well be adding them to my list.

[@nikovasilliev4802]

I'm starting to read a new books today. Thanks for the tips! ;)

[@smithabigail98]

I feel like this video is reminding me to finally start reading the count of monte cristo book I've ignored on my shelf since purchasing it after the first video mentioning it. FINE JOHN, I'LL DO IT!! Hahahah

[@bookishbarista]

Yesssss! Asimov's Foundation series is great. My favourite of his is End of Eternity - it's such a good intro to the genre of scifi.

[@wennesmota3860]

I have “Dune” here in my house. It’s portuguese version, my native language. I’ll read it because of your recomendation! ❤️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@grognak7057]

I would highly recommend reading Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. It's a graphic-memoir about the author's life growing up during the Iranian Revolution during the 70s and it is fantastic. The sequel isn't as great imo, but both are absolutely worth reading. There's a lot to learn about growing up in this particularly tumultuous time as well as the clash between traditional and modern values. Generally, I'm not a huge reader and I wouldn't have read Persepolis if it weren't for it being a required reading in high school, but this is one of the books I'll always recommend to anyone regardless if they're a bookworm or not. Not to mention it's a quick read.

[@Omar-gm2zq]

Thanks. Great recommendations

[@rozsa-readgirl3476]

Thanks for the recommendations! Will definitely read 'How to change your mind'...

[@matheusc929]

Great reads! I read "Lenin's Tomb" this year which touches the period covered by Gulag Archipelago and found it very thoughtful already, Solzhenitsyn must be a very hard to swallow read. Mery Christmas!

[@JOMARIN_]

Hi John I love all your recs and videos

[@Thighsandbutterflies]

Amazing, will def be reading some of these 😎

[@RCSVirginia]

If you like "Dune" and "Foundation," you may want to take a look at Ursula K. LeGuin's "The Dispossessed" and "The Left Hand of Darkness," and Larry Niven's "The Mote in God's Eye" and "Ringworld." Another one that I find to be intriguing is Joan D. Vinge's "The Snow Queen." Both LeGuin and Vinge have an interest in other cultures, with LeGuin's being the daughter of anthropologist Alfred Louis Kroeber and having a degree in French, and Vinge's having a degree in anthropology.

[@authorgreene]

Don Quixote! Yes yes yes!!! I'm currently skimming through it again and taking notes on it. Such a fantastic book, the first modern novel. All the books in your fiction section are great reads, actually. Cheers!

[@nijin5441]

telling me that that reading the abridged version of count of monte cristo is a good move really makes me happy since I just bought it and didn't know there was a unabridged version

[@newnengates3764]

Great list!

[@ninabailey8694]

My favs of all time: A little life Radio silence The book thief Perks of being a wallflower Turtles all the way down

[@mipaleditx]

I lovee Book Thief and Radio Silence!

[@ninabailey8694]

@@mipaleditx ahhhh!! They’re SOOOO GOOD

[@happym.4644]

I love Radio Silence hands down.

[@ninabailey8694]

@@happym.4644 that is the GEMMM

[@89jmills]

Fantastic list

[@manuelcastro9496]

Been waiting on this list since the day I discovered your channel

[@stevensong8784]

I'm so glad I brought Dune with me home. So excited to see auteur Denis Villeneuve bring it to life.

[@orditader95]

If you enjoyed The Gulag Arvhipelago, you can also check out Kolyma Stories by Shalamov. Solzhenitsyn and Shalamov are often compared as they both wrote about repressions and labor camps, and Shalamov writing impressed me a lot, it is brutal and terrifyingly honest

[@padmo1531]

Definitely going to read The Gulag Archipelago. I really enjoy books that provoke thought.

[@AwomKenneth]

thanks for the recommendations

[@annapotpot]

I'm so happy you included Into the Wild. It's my favorite book. It spoke to my soul. I've been wanting to read Dune but I'm a bit intimidated by it. Thanks for the recommendation though, I'll start it on 2021!

[@rudig5698]

I just loved the Intro with the music and everything. Thank you for your unique content and for inspiring me to start my own KZbin channel!😊❤️

[@reecebest4896]

Read the Count of Monte Cristo last year! I read the unabridged and so it took a long time but it became and instant fave!

[@cemre9902]

to be honest u are one of my fav youtubers aaaand u inspire me to read more

[@jayajay]

The Conte of Monte Cristo is my favourite book. Dune is the best science fiction ever written and I hate science fiction. 👌🏾

[@yungriqqy4631]

Checkout childhoods end by Arthur c Clarke, might change ur mind on science fiction

[@hanaemori4885]

The Count of Monte Cristo is THE novel. It has everything you look for in a novel: betrayal, hopelessness, revenge...👌🏻👌🏻

[@bookswithbenjamin8902]

@@hanaemori4885 Did you read abridged?

[@navihihi]

Check out "A Prisoner of Birth" by Jeffrey Archer - a modern retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. It's mind blowing!!

[@autumnreed2079]

Cool I'm the same. I might have to pick up dune

[@pratyushatri8248]

I can’t believe this, yesterday only i was going through your amazon books recommendations and in morning you saw this video😄

[@bxoaa]

I have two fiction books to recommend to you John: 1. The Picture of Dorian Gray 2. Dark Matter

[@charliehobson33]

picture of dorian gray is my favorite book.

[@bxoaa]

@@charliehobson33 same. its a must-read!

[@loverlover7845]

I’m reading the picture of Dorian gray now and it’s philosophy is just mind blowing

[@adilshamji4035]

I just bought Dorian so excited!!

[@wellwithmeri8222]

I'm going to second Dark Matter, as well as Blake Crouch's other book, Recursion

[@Read_me_a_book]

Excellent suggestions👌

[@moonlover824]

عربية ❤️ تحياتي لك، أنا أيضا أحب قراءة الكتب

[@schadenfreude8076]

@@moonlover824 i like your pfp

[@tekki5744]

موجودة في كل القنوات الحلوة nice 👍

[@yourwatch8506]

@Grand Man, that's rude. The comment section is not yours.

[@mayaelmosalamy]

@@moonlover824 و انا كمان😻

[@lalalupsiler4797]

I was waiting for this

[@Score_up]

Thank you John!

[@Dr1zouuu]

U changed so much from 2 years ago I just been watching ur Harvard day in the life and u sound so different, I never used to be into learning and havnt read for years at all but now I’m getting into it and wish I tried harder in school in the uk

[@simoo7755]

A thumb up for this video!I was always interested in knowing what a harvard student likes to read so such videos like this one will be always welcomed by me :)...As for the books in your list - they seem like a great selection not sure if I will manage to read them all in english but I hope I find some of them translated in my native bulgarian language!