My Top 10 Books That I Read in 2024

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

What an amazing year! I’m glad that The Last Kingdom turned out to be a good pick for the Quilluminati, and it’s fantastic that you’ve found a new favorite fantasy series in Second Apocalypse. My best wishes for another amazing year for you in 2025, Mike!

[@arthurnoglak6386]

that was a great read philip! i would love to see you do a video on the tolkien lost tales or the unfinished tales

[@fourcornersofthepage8374]

Lonesome Dove was my last read of 2024 and MAN what a book to go out on!

[@heidi6281]

Mike has called Gus a white knight in a cowboy hat!

[@Sven_E07]

​@@heidi6281Gus is, if I was pressed to choose, my favorite character of all. If you two haven't seen the 4 part movie series: DOOOO!!!! It's such an adventure. An experience like none other. As soon as you finish you want to start again.

[@Karamazov12]

Yes, same here!! Awesome by all standards. Still can’t find words to describe how much this book means to me.!!!!

[@venomgaming2077]

Do you have to be an american to properly enjoy Lonesome Dove since it's mostly travelling through america. Will people from other places be able to relate?

[@heidi6281]

@@venomgaming2077 You can live anywhere in the world and enjoy the story, the landscape does not matter!!

[@PapaCuba]

Can't believe i found you randomly on youtube in 2023 Because of you i started reading novels and it's be 2 years already 🎉 And just wanna ask Will you complete reading One Piece ❤

[@cwesley2005]

Mike, because of you i read this year : 11/22/63 Shadow/hunger of the gods Pet semetary The Stand Lonesome dove And lined up i have 6 joe abercrombie books I received for Christmas and the faithful and the fallen series. I never knew fantasy was so good and i absolutely love grimdark now. Thank you for what you do!

[@jakerumble855]

I read the Faithful and the Fallen this year. It's great! So good to not wait for any books to come out either

[@mikeprince6685]

Nice! I read Lonesome Dove because of Mike. Also the Ken Follett books he mentions in this video as well!

[@gstokker]

I read the entire Sun Eater series this year so 6 of my top 10 is taken 😂

[@brandoncordeau7277]

That's me with red rising series lol

[@gstokker]

@ I’ve read the first three so far… Golden Sun and Morning Star would get there as well 🤣

[@brandoncordeau7277]

I can't choose between golden son and morning star for what I liked better because I can't get over that ending for golden son lol

[@gstokker]

@@brandoncordeau7277 Absolutely... I think though if you took the Iron Rain from GS and put it into MS it would be the perfect book 🤣

[@brandoncordeau7277]

Hell yeah more iron rain! I'm on iron gold now and it's a lot different than the original trilogy. More pov than darrow for one.

[@jellevanbreugel325]

Empire of the Vampire / Damned absolutely blew me away this year. Def number 1 for this year. Loved Streets of Laredo! Priest of Bones awesome! Had a blast reading the Iron Druid chronicles! Happy new year!

[@surpriseitsus9622]

I read the Iron Druid series this year and had a blast. 🍀

[@Josheatsbooks]

I gotta do Shogun soon man! Great list

[@IsaacFruits]

Love the list Mike. I recently finished Lonesome Dove and it is my favorite novel of all time now. I also read Salem's Lot this year as my first venture into King and loved it. You were also the one to get me to finally read A Game of Thrones. Needless to say you have greatly broadened my horizons and I am so grateful for that. Shogun will by my first read of 2025 followed by the rest of ASOIAF and The Stand. Cheers to 2025!

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

Great list! I'm glad to see Priest of Bones make your top 10! My top 10: 1 - The Lonesome Crown - Brian Lee Durfee 2 - Empire of the Damned - Jay Kristoff 3 - The Sword of Kaigen - M.L. Wang 4 - The Song of the First Blade - T.C. Edge 5 - Parable of the Sower - Octavia E. Butler 6 - The Silverblood Promise - James Logan 7 - Of War and Blood - Ryan Cahill 8 - You Like It Darker - Stephen King 9 - The Will of the Many - James Islington 10 - Ordinary Grace - William Kent Krueger

[@mikesbookreviews]

That’s a great list!

[@kariminalminds]

I’ve read almost everything in your list except Parable of the Sower, The Song of the First Blade and The Silverblood Promise and I agree with your ranking!

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

@@kariminalmindsThanks! That’s awesome! I’m sure will like the ones you haven’t read yet.

[@BrianBell7]

Excellent list! You've again, added to TBR Mountain. Excited for more of both Larrys this year!

[@mikesbookreviews]

That’s a good mountain to have!

[@DMRufio]

I always love these year end videos from you because you tend to be reading such different things from the rest of booktube. Appreciate the reviews

[@ashleyholbird4287]

Also, never get rid of the coffee sips. Dude is the king of booktube, and the king of coffee

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

I always love your top 10s, and every year I make sure that they are all on my TBR - they're usually already there from me adding them throughout the year... but I double check anyway! Here's to a new year reading with you again. As always, thanks for everything!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Sounds like a great plan for the year!

[@arthurnoglak6386]

picked up last kingdom on your recommendation mike. I got through it in 2 days and immediately bought the 11 others in the series! Just as good as the Winter King novels

[@andreamiller3578]

I think my top read was Memory, Sorry and Thirn by Tad Williams, closely followed by Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live by Glen Cook Thankful for all the great books you've introduced me too. Looking forward to 2025 reads! Happy new year!

[@locolima279]

Loved to see what you had at number 1. It was my Book of the Year a couple years ago. If I had any part in getting to read it, I consider it small payback for all the books you've turned me onto including Lonesome Dove which is my BotY this year! So, thank you. Happy New Year & the best wishes for you & your family in 2025.

[@ianmartinezcassmeyer]

I read the War for the Rose Throne series this year too, and I have to agree. The latter two are good, but the first two are fantastic.

[@Thxlbx]

Great List! I don't read much horror, but you have rarely steered me wrong, so I may have to add Blackwater to my TBR...the story sounds very intriguing. Great list, and #1 was a worthy choice! Happy New Year!

[@deepak-ui5li]

Mike I read Shogun with you this year and this will be the only year where I won't be reading your book of the year in the following year. Thanks for this amazing reading year. I read Lonesome Dove this year and between it and Shogun, those were the best books I read this year. Thanks again!!

[@iWizard]

Awesome list. It's been such an amazing year for reading! Some great books on this list. Two Larrys on this list, too, btw. 🤣Man, Blackwater earning some high praise! I hadn't even heard of this book before your reviews. This is definitely going on my TBR. Looking forward to chatting with you about The Thousandfold Thought. Happy New Year!

[@bradhouston1327]

I read Shogun as a teenager back in the 80s, the book still resonates with me, but I might go revisit an old friend this year. Thanks, Mike, in a year where I returned to reading you have been a guiding light for me; ironically it was after your account got hacked and you appeared in my feed. Make of that what you will.

[@scottferris2686]

I started reading the pillars of the earth yesterday based on your recommendation - loving it, thank you

[@alynam82]

I loved hearing you talk about World Without End, bc I felt exactly the same way! Sooo good I had a few great ones this year: 1. Armour of Light (not Follett's best Kingsbridge book, but great read nonetheless) 2. Streets of Laredo (also read Dead Man's Walk and was almost just as good) 3. Fool's Assassin 4. Edge of Dark Water -- a great starting point for Joe R Lansdale if ur interested. It's a messed up coming of age tale and only 300 pages 5. Wanderers by Chuck Wendig (on the same shelf with The Stand and Swan Song)

[@ryanl4614]

Well Lost Man’s Lane already was on my to buy list. I’m definitely adding BlackWater as well. Thankyou for the recommendations.

[@mikesbookreviews]

They’re both really good choices.

[@arabellawillow]

Son of the Black Sword was one of my top reads this year too. Soo fast paced but it really griped me the whole way through. Can't wait to read book two in 2025!

[@CocoDollRoom]

I'm so happy you enjoyed Streets of Laredo. I don't see a lot of love for this book. I did not enjoy Lonesome Dove. Perhaps, I was not in the right head space while reading it. Streets of Laredo still lives in my head years later. Heart-wrenching parts that made me bawl my eyes out.

[@Shelf-Esteem]

Great reading year my friend! 🤟I really need to read Empire Of The Vampire / Empire of the Damned sometime (maybe spooky season next year). I have Blackwater queue'd up on my Kindle per your suggestion, and can't wait to get to it! Thanks also for recommending Shogun, it's my book of the year as well. Happy New Year to you and the fam!

[@Kellen81]

A great reading year! Ken Follet and Larry McMurtry definitely have top tier characters. Blackwater was probably my number 1 for the year.

[@jasonjaffeux866]

I'm glad I have found your channel. Thanks for inspiring me to start reading. I started with The stand in September of 2023. Now that we are almost in 2025, I've read a ton of Stephen King, Mistborn era 1, and I'm half way through the stormlight archive. I look forward to your videos for 2025! Thanks again!!

[@DragonWarrior976]

Liked the message on your coffee mug ☕️ 😂. Happy New Year Mike and to all fellow readers who live in the magic realm hidden in the pages of the book that should not be named. 🎊 🎉

[@Highlite17]

You had such a great reading year, Mike! My book of the year was also Shogun. I read it back in the spring, and man, I still think about it. The book (and the TV series) is just so enchanting. It truly is an incredible journey, filled with some of the greatest characters ever written. I will never forget Mariko and Yabushige for the rest of my life. I also read The Pillars of the Earth for the first time right after Shogun, and it was truly exceptional. Both of these are already firmly in my top 3 novels of all time. You opened my eyes to some of the best books these past few years, and I can't ever thank you enough for that. Now I really need to read Blackwater in 2025! Happy New Year!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Shogun is amazing!

[@seanogrady1212]

Happy New Year to you Mike! Thanks again for the content this year. Excellent! Quick recommendation for historical fiction: Christian Cameron. He’s a historical reenactor with experience in both the ancient world and also the medieval time period. Really brings that attention to detail and knowledge to his work. As a bonus, he also writes fantasy and science fiction under his pen name: Miles Cameron. First came across him with his 2015 debut, The Red Knight. The first book of his Traitor Son Cycle. Regardless, I’ve enjoyed his works across the various genres.

[@JacobLHooper]

Mike, what an epic list. I’ve been watching you for about 3 years now and I’m always looking forward to what you read next. Appreciate your work sir. Happy New Year!

[@nathancooper22]

You see a lot of the same books when you watch a lot of these end of the year KZbin videos but Mike always gives you something you haven’t seen elsewhere to add to the TBR

[@GenuinelyCurious120]

My copies of Red Rising and Golden Son will be here today. I can't wait to start 😁. I'm about to finish Disquiet Gods. I think Christopher Ruocchio is my favorite writer now. Thanks Mike!

[@esliet]

I read Lonesome Dove because of your recommendation and loved it

[@Waldemar-10811]

Amazing list and pleased to see Shogun at the top as Clavell is one of my all time favourites. If you're looking for a Clavell that is a) shorter and b) a bit less heavy going (before heading down the Tai Pan, Gai Jin route) then King Rat is definitely worth a look - it follows the events inside a Japanese POW camp during WWII.

[@grahamguy4656]

Some great book to check out thanks have a great new year

[@thebookborough]

I’ve realized this year that despite reading more fantasy books, historical fiction tends to take more top 10 spots than any other genre, so I’m aiming to read more historical fiction this year. I have streets of Laredo on my shelf, I’ve read a few Ken Follett books have yet to read pillars of the earth, and now I need to add the last kingdom on my list. Edit: and shogun!

[@enoch1524]

Fantastic list Mike! I probably purchased half of this list over the year based on your recommendations. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year, and looking forward to 2025!!

[@lego7naveltube]

Hey Mike, I love your content, but would you ever consider adding time stamps to your videos? I want every KZbinr to do that lol

[@geauxreadbooks]

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the Lonesome Dove prequel books. They were both better than Streets of Laredo IMO. I feel like this will end up being one of your favorite series of all time very quickly.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Oh wow!

[@fcsolis]

Good show. Happy New Year to you.

[@carleelynn2017]

Red Rising book one was my last read and I’m struggling so hard to decide if it tops Assassin’s Apprentice book one which I also read. What a great year of books over here. Both were incredible!!

[@samiurai0]

Fantastic list. I loved You Like It Darker so much. Especially Two Talented Bastids, Danny Coughing's Bad Dream, and The Answer Man. Man, I don't think there will ever be another like King and I wish he could keep writing forever.

[@tomjoyce7037]

Thanks for the awesome.content thos year. My favourite 2024 reads: 1. Of War and Ruin (Cahill) 2. Once There Were Heroes (Quaintrell) 3. The Ember Blade (Wooding) 4. Empire of Silence (Ruocchio) 5. An End To Sorrow (Fletcher)

[@PsilocybeJedi]

For me its 1. Lonesome Dove 2. Trouble with Peace 3. The Heroes 4. Jade Legacy 5. Comanche Moon

[@zeroone9992]

I was hoping to see wind and truth on here, but I'm not too surprised it wasn't. It was kind of a mixed bag for me.

[@samuelleask1132]

Solid lineup!

[@albinorhino83]

Mike I can't wait for your to read book 4 of the saga of the forgotten warrior! It really ramps up! Highly recommend!! 🎉

[@sharpsh0t9]

Nice list Mike. Entering this year I don’t think I would have guessed 4 historical fiction books would have made your list. Cheers to 2025!

[@Biskit_Rising]

Shogun was also my number one and I can’t thank you enough for the recommendation. I also have to add Dune and What Moves the Dead by T Kingfisher. So excited to finish Wind and Truth so that I can get to Lightfall when it comes out!

[@davidv815]

Hey Mike - so glad to have found your channel this year, you're such a great dude and love your recs and thoughts. Always get the sense you're just looking for a good story. I read my first Follett this year on my dad's recommendation (I'm mainly a SFF reader) - Fall of Giants. I saw that you got the Century Trilogy recently in a book haul...READ THEM! Closest you'll get to 20th century ASOIAF (from an ASOIAF superfan). Looking forward to keeping up with your channel in 2025.

[@MackTheDogg]

Nice list Mike! My top books/series this year were Empire of Silence, Son of the Black Sword, and Bound and the broken. Going to be hard to top that in 2025!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Twas a great year

[@Who-KnowsHuh]

Great video Mike! Ugh the thing is u always recommand good books! the issue that I have is that my english level is b2 at best! I once open a novel: runelords and i got humbeled so hard... the books that u just mentioned must be hard to read for none native eng...

[@caewing85]

I’m about halfway through Lonesome dove and I love it so much. Definitely in my top 10 for sure.

[@worldofbattlerap4976]

Just found out about your page. Love it. Can you do top 10 horror books if you haven’t already

[@mikesbookreviews]

Have done it twice!

[@cipriansirbu3699]

Great list like always. My number one book I've read because of you ( second best as well) and it is Blackwater followed closely by Pillars of the Earth.

[@skywalker80316]

Great List! Great way to wrap up the year. This my first full year of watching your channel, and I want to say thank you for doing what you do! Happy New Year!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you enjoyed it! Happy New Year!

[@jimvaiknoras7822]

I reread Shogun this year, I first read it 40 years ago in college, and it is even better than I remember. I’ll be rereading the rest of the Asian saga in 2025. Great list, I will be checking out a number of them. My top book of the year was Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.

[@MisterEnsayne]

Hardly did any physical reading this year sadly but I did listen to Abnett's Xenos, Elantris, and How to Win Friends and Influence People which was much more compelling than I would have thought prior.

[@benconlin3557]

My 10 (no particular order): Shogun Grace of Kings Needful Things Long Walk Pines Upgrade Empire of the Damned Priest of Bones Swan Song Red Dragon Book of the year is Swan Song, such a great cast of characters and a unique take on post-apocalyptic fiction

[@lightningtiger7721]

I read Shogun (wanted to watch the series and saw how much you loved it) and I got the same long book hangover 😭 couldn’t read anything really long after that.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It’s a special read

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

Totally support your number one pick, great book 👌. I have 2, 3 & 4 on my TBR already 😅 maybe I watch a lot of your channel.

[@mattwypijewski4192]

Wasn’t sure if I was going to read “Streets of Laredo” but I will now since “Lonesome” was read on you recommendation.

[@TonyChiba]

Here's my top five, and I thank you for inspiring me to read some of these: 5. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, 4. Ender's Game, 3. Different Seasons, 2. The Stand, 1. Lonesome Dove

[@brandonschulz9143]

Great video Mike. My favorite this year was Kings of Paradise by Richard Nell. First year that I’ve started reading again as an adult. Man what a book.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Good for you! Welcome back to the world of reading!

[@clydethefriend7]

Not sure why more people aren’t talking about book titled Guarded Laws of Money Manifestation. It’s such a rare find.

[@irishknight6893]

Sounds like an amazing year for reading! Ken Follett,Lary McMurtry,Micheal McDowell! But per your channel didn’t sound like that great of a year for Fantasy&Sci-Fi for you.2025 hopefully be better with Of Empires and Dust,Shadows Upon Time,Empire of vampire 3 coming out!

[@2025Mindfulness]

I have Lonesome Dove on my 2025 TBR list. Have to add Shogun.

[@mikesbookreviews]

You won't be disappointed.

[@kylerieman221]

My top 10 was: 10: In Cold Blood 9: Grave Peril 8: Last Train to Paradise 7: Wind and Truth 6: Gerald's Game 5: False Witness 4: Legends and Lattes 3: One Piece Vol. 2 2: Golden Son 1: To Green Angel Tower Honorable mentions The Dragonbone Chair and Stone of Farewell Morning Star Joyland Excalibur

[@noname3609]

One Piece the goat❤

[@cynthiafialka]

Mike if at some point, you want to read more awesome chunkers try The Winds of War and War and Remembrance. They are awesome books and Herman Wouk is a great storyteller.

[@sgreen31]

5 favourite reads for me: - Shogun - Wind and Truth - Howling Dark - Dark Age - Of War and Ruin Got loads of suggestions from watching the channel this year. Hopefully I'll get to some of them in 2025!

[@bl8413]

2024 was my year of reading Larry McMurtry. I started with Lonesome Dove but haven't returned to that series yet. I read his Thalia, Texas trilogy and... Man... Absolutely incredible even if it departs from the Western aesthetic a bit. His character work is equally strong in these early novels of his and I highly recommend you check them out

[@ChristiansEntertainmentEcke]

Because of you I discovered authors like John Gwynne and read Shogun this year

[@kariminalminds]

Shogun is my first book of 2025, thanks to your recommendation!

[@jakobwetzel7065]

I was shocked Ordinary Grace did not make the top ten. I think it will be in my top 5. This makes me way more excited to read Larry McMurtry. And I was so happy Blackwater was so high for you. Let’s go get 2025!!

[@BobbyHall-eu1xv]

I read Pillars Of The Earth earlier this year then this last month I read the first book in his Century series Fall Of Giants and I have to say while Pillars is quite rightly lauded as one of the best books of all time, and it has more of a focused charm, I think Fall Of Giants was the deeper and more involving experience for me. I also completed the Lonesome Dove series and believe it or not it is even greater than the sum of its parts. Your reading it in the exact order I believe it should be read in and once you reread Lonesome Dove the experience from the first go round will make it even better in my opinion.

[@emosongsandreadalongs]

Alright Mike, you've finally convinced me to read Streets of Laredo. My favorite book of the year, off the top of my head, was probably Dune or maybe I Am Legend

[@mikesbookreviews]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@k2vaja00]

Just started Dan Jones' historical novel Essex Dogs and based on the first 80 pages it will be a treat. Also currently reading Brian Staveley's The Emperor's Blades and based on the beginning that one will also be excellent fantasy series.

[@Alkemisti]

Ken Follett is the most immersive author I have read. He can write in a way that makes me feel like I am _there,_ in the world of the book, watching what happens around me. It does not feel like reading but _observing._ I love it. I don't know how he does it, but I would like to learn how to write like that.

[@mikesbookreviews]

He’s really something.

[@faustianbargains]

Will be finishing up Blackwater today. 🔥 This is a great book. All time great! This is a fantastic read and I am already missing the family and I’m not even done yet. 🤷‍♂

[@mikesbookreviews]

I feel you! That family is something else.

[@JohnfromNY89]

I read Shogun in 2023 it was one of my favorites of the year I read it fantastic characters and story I’m thinking about picking up the other books in the Asia saga

[@FKDotFitzgerald]

Disquiet Gods, Empire of the Damned, and Tiamat’s Wrath were probably the three best books I read this year. It’s no coincidence that they are all series you recommended beforehand!

[@KyleMcGee4772]

lets gooo! happy new year 🤘🤘

[@Talking_Story]

Duuuuude what a year!!

[@Geekus.Girlus]

I hope you continue reading the second apocalypse series by R Scott Bakker. Aspect emperor is so WILD! I look forward to seeing your thoughts on it.

[@seymagurbuz2066]

I read the last 600 pages of World Without End in one sitting. I feel like this series is Game of Thrones for non-fantasy readers. I love it.

[@wiebkeh.4394]

For favourite book, it's a draw between "Alice Isn't Dead" by Joseph Fink and "Ring Shout" by P. Djèlí Clark. Honorary mention for "Piranesi" by Susanna Clarke, which will probably supersede the aforementioned, but I am still reading that.

[@ShadysideLibrary]

Yep. The “sequel” to Cujo most definitely needed to be its own novel. I felt the 70’s/80’s horror vibe in that story.

[@jenm8357]

Deadman's Walk and Comanche Moon are very good, but not as good as Lonesome Dove, just like World Without End is very good but not as good as Pillars of the Earth. Follet, McMurtry, and Clavell are three of my favorite historical writers. I also really enjoyed I, Claudius by Robert Graves and The Accursed Kings series by Maurice Druon.

[@cerbing666]

Uff. That hit me straight in the TBR...

[@suartgilmour4540]

Thanks for the video. Very interesting. I haven't read any Larry McMurtry, but now I want to, as for me, Robin Hobb is the best character writer. Also, I have all the albums, and I am a big fan of Larry's son - James McMurty. James is a brilliant singer/songwriter who can tell a story in a few verses. Try Rachel's Song or No More Buffalo, for example. I really enjoyed the latest TV show of Shogun. I recently bought the 80s version on DVD, as I was too young to see that at the time. The book does look massive, but your review does make it sound like an awesome read.

[@joereeve2569]

Found the entire Last Kingdom series at the thrift store last week. One of my best finds ever

[@anthonyomahoney6088]

It makes me so happy you love Cornwall, I'm sure you have but if not read sharpe!!! But honestly his best books are the winter king trilogy. It's his best writing and the coolest story!!

[@entwiner1]

6:58 The Grail Quest Trilogy is, I think, Cornwell`s best. It`s amazing.

[@akellerhouse83]

Blackwater Saga was one of my top books this year as well. I miss reading about these characters. The only character I didn't end up loving was Francis. I even appreciated Mary Love. I really want to read Shogun and Lonesome Dove. But I'm trying to work on the Kingsbridge series, and I don't want to start another crazy long book.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Same here!

[@NamasteBbooktube]

Wow great list!

[@dqan7372]

Well, you've got me itching to read Bakker, Follett, and McMurtry. I was just about to type that I would be sticking with shorter fare in 2025; then I remembered I've publically committed to reading Proust and am privately planning to join a Dante readalong. My reading is really rusty though, so that could all fall by the wayside. Which probably means I'll end up finishing some Pratchett instead. Most recent book finished was a Victorian true crime account of an 1856 murder investigation in Dublin. I like a little variety. :)

[@masonhayes2591]

Could you do a video on your top 10 book recommendations?