New Favorites (Books Read in 2023)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Some marvelous books here, Josh! You had an impressive year of reading, and I'm incredibly grateful that you included The Edan Trilogy in it. I'm so glad Return to Edan particularly made an impression on you. I hope you will discover more favorites in 2024!

[@RedFuryBooks]

It was a great year! But I do hope 2024 is even better!

[@gryftkin]

I don't know... the author seems sus... (ducks and runs) :D

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@gryftkin 😁

[@Johanna_reads]

A Song for Arbonne and Stoner! 🎉 I’m hoping to finish the Edan Trilogy this first quarter and get to Lonesome Dove this year. Great list of favorites!

[@thatsci-firogue]

I just started Lonesome Dove, fantastic so far!

[@Johanna_reads]

@@thatsci-firogue I watched and loved much of the mini-series adaptation as a kid, so I know I’m in for a treat!

[@thatsci-firogue]

@@Johanna_reads I plan on watching that afterwards. The characters are practically bursting out of the pages with personality.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I hope you love them both! (I think you will!)

[@MattonBooks]

Your plans sound like my plans Johanna. 🤔

[@Talking_Story]

What an amazing year. So glad to have shared a bit of it with you.

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

New favs: The Age of Innocence by Wharton Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky A Gentleman in Moscow by Towles

[@RedFuryBooks]

I gifted A Gentleman in Moscow to an aunt for Christmas and she texted me this morning to tell me she loved it! A great book! Glad you loved Crime and Punishment, too, I may reread that one this year.

[@ttowntrekker5174]

I discovered McCammon in 2023 as well. Loved "Gone South"! Full of quirky characters and a storyline that propels you from beginning to end. I actually like McCammon's wordsmithing better than King's.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I'm definitely going to be reading more McCammon!

[@nikkivenable73]

Josh, I wanted to tell you how happy I am that you are doing more reviews going forward. I know I may be in the minority but they are my favorite thing to watch and it’s not even close. I don’t care for TBR’s, hauls etc. I know, I know…this is why I don’t have many friends lol. Stoner, Lonesome Dove are two of my favorite books of all time!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thank you! Yes, the channel numbers will likely dip a bit with more reviews and less of the book tube stuff, but that's honestly what I'm more interested in doing right now!

[@DV-ty6yc]

I "inherited" Lonesome Dove from my wife's grandfather. I probably never would have read it otherwise. Was in a reading slump years ago and picked it up when I was bored. Turns out it is one of my top 3 all time favorites.

[@nikkivenable73]

@@DV-ty6yc wow! This is so cool! It is wonderful, isn't it?

[@DV-ty6yc]

You stacked some great all timers into one year of reading. I read 120 books in 2023. Stand outs for me also included my first time reading GGK. The Fionavar Tapestry. I immediately went ahead and bought all of his books Now I need to work some of them into my TBR for this year.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Awesome! GGK was a great discovery for us both for sure!

[@esmayrosalyne]

Fun way to reflect on the highlights of your year! I always find it interesting to find out that some 5-star didn't manage to make it onto my favourites list, while some 4-stars have just left a mark and stuck with me all the way throughout the year, becoming surprise faves in the end. Really nice varied list, I am eager to check some of these out myself. Especially the Edan Trilogy needs to be resumed, and I have to read more Kay! Hope you find many more new faves this year ;)

[@RedFuryBooks]

Yes, Esmay, it's always interesting to me how my reception of a book can change over time. 3- and 4-stars can go up when you think about it more, a shallow 5-star that is exciting but forgettable can fade... I guess time is always the best judge of our book reception.

[@esmayrosalyne]

@@RedFuryBooksIt really is! Which makes all the end of the year content so fun!

[@jobuckley2999]

I would recommend Empire of the Sun by JG Ballard. The story and characters are simply amazing. Just finished The Forever War and Swan Song. Both were excellent.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks! I hadn't heard of Ballard. Glad you also enjoyed The Forever War and Swan Song - great books!

[@KindlesandKicks]

This was an awesome list. I’ve added several to my TBR. I totally agree with your opinion on Matthew McConaughey and Trevor Noah’s memoirs. As a black American, Noah’s story was a true awakening to other forms of racism I’d never encountered nor had much knowledge of. It was particularly enlightening to learn some of the techniques of oppression South Africa used during Apartheid were inspired by past racist practices in the west. An all around unforgettable tale, that increased by respect and admiration for Noah.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Glad you enjoyed the list, and I appreciate your perspective on Trevor Noah's memoir. Such a powerful book!

[@wyluli-dt9wv]

GGK is the greatest living fantasy author so its no surprise to me to see two of his better works on your list. Hes just amazing. When I think back over the last year not much stands out (sadly) except for The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman. Man that was a fun read! It was everything I wanted in a fantasy novel. Just so, so good! I'm hoping it finds it way onto New Favorites video for 2024!

[@RedFuryBooks]

I've heard good things about Buehlman - glad to hear more about it!

[@strangementalitypaperYT]

Droppin' in just to tag my hometown! The Lonesome Dove Baptist Church, which inspired McMurtry to write the novel, is in my hometown.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Oh neat!

[@MattonBooks]

Some hot titles in there mate. 😀 Although I was re-reading a hell of a lot last year, a couple new books really stood out: Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, and - you probably haven't heard of it, but - The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jiminez. 😜

[@RedFuryBooks]

I definitely need to read some Bradbury soon. Likely some short stories this year!

[@verosnotebook]

What a great list, with some favourites, such as Stoner which I also read last year, and other titles I’d like to get to. As for me, 2023 gave me my first taste of Hobb (Farseer). Also loved re-reading Dune after over 20 years, become immersed in Guns of the Dawn by Tchaikovsky, and finish my read through of Dorothy L Sayers mysteries. Carrie and Planet of the Apes were very thought-provoking reads 🤓

[@RedFuryBooks]

I need to read more Tchaikovsky - I read The City of Last Chances and loved it.

[@Kellen81]

Great list, I'll definitely be adding some of these to the TBR. McCammon was my top author of '23, I couldn't get enough of the Matthew Corbett series.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Oh yeah, I can't wait to get to those Corbett books!

[@readbykyle3082]

I've read almost all of these and given them all five stars! I am hoping to read Song for Arbonne in February!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Yes! I hope you love Arbonne!

[@BookishChas]

Great video Josh! I loved Born a Crime. Having Trevor as the audio narrator just really made it extra special. So glad you loved Hyperion. I just started reading Endymion. It’s different, but good so far. Liveship Traders was a new favorite series for me in 2023.

[@RedFuryBooks]

You're right, Chas, and I totally forgot to mention how great a narrator Trevor Noah is! All the accents, the delivery... fantastic! I hope you enjoy Endymion - each of the four books are so different in that series that it's quite remarkable.

[@gryftkin]

So many good authors. But yeah, I've noticed individual book reviews don't do as well. Considering adding monthly wrap ups myself.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I enjoy my monthly wrap-ups. It's fun to do a very short review for each book and take stock.

[@nicolea8046]

Well, thank you for extending my TBR again! Love your recommendations, and really appreciate your thoughtful discussion about the pros and cons of your favourites. Hoping to get to Lonesome Dove this year for sure, and would love to try GG Kay. You are definitely a favourite book tuber :)

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks so much for the kind words and I'm happy to recommend some new books for you! :)

[@BrianBell7]

Man, what a reading year you had. So many incredible books. I've read many of them, but plenty here that I have not. More for TBR Mountain!

[@RedFuryBooks]

TBR Mountain indeed!

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

19:00 I could not agree more Josh 👌 This was an insane list, I really don’t know how you follow 2023 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@RedFuryBooks]

I always hope the next year is even better! Hard to top 2023 though

[@marygriffiths6818]

You have done it again - I have added several things to my list and already ordered Hyperion and the Ken Liu short stories. I share your reservations about volumes of short stories but one collection that has stuck in my mind for years - since early 1980s I think - was a collection by Stepen King which included a story called Strawberry Spring. I wonder if you ever read it? It's real nightmare stuff. Also in the 1980s I discovered Guy Gavriel Kay with the Fionavar Tapestry trilogy. His writing has strengthened greatly since that time but I still treasure my copies alongside many of his later works. Books I loved in 2023 included Lonesome Dove - some of the most wonderful writing I have ever read. I reread Julian May's The Many Coloured Land - well worth the reread with another three volumes in the series on my shelf. I loved Victoria Hislop's The Figurine set in Greece during the Military Regime. I also throughly enjoyed Jodi Taylor's A Catalogue of Catastrophe. This is book 12 in a great series called the Chronicles of St Mary's. Jodi Taylor tells brilliant stories with a large element being time travel. The characters go back to witness historical.events as they happened. Her historical knowledge is excellent and fascinating. As an author she has the ability to make you laugh out loud and three pages later you find you are crying. Her books are a light read but exceptionally well written. In one two women go back to confront Jack the Ripper and what develops is some of the most frightening stuff I have ever read. I also read Yelloface but have mixed views. I enjoyed it, wanted to know what happened, found the publishing background fascinating but for me it wasn't a great book. Interesting, enjoyable but not moving in any way and not one I'd put in my favourites book shelf. Thanks again, looking forward to your next session!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Yes, I've heard several people say that Kay got much better after Fionavar. I plan on rereading that series and Ysabel probably last in my Kay journey. But he's 4/4 for me so far! I hope you enjoy both Hyperion and the Paper Menagerie! Thanks as always for checking out my videos!

[@MotiviqueStudio]

Your video happened across my feed. Actually finishing Forever Peace tonight. Not as enjoyable as the first (the whole Jupiter Project could have been excised for my tastes), looking forward to the third. New favorite - Spring Snow by Mishima. Can't vouch for the other 3 in the series, but I loved the first.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Yes, I think the sequels aren't nearly as good as the original, but I still enjoyed them overall.

[@elisalenzi]

I also like very much the paper menagerie, so many good stories!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Yes! Such a great collection.

[@NoahVends]

Hey man I just wanted to say thank you. I checked out your favorite historical fiction books video and I ended up picking up The Terror and Shogun. I was absolutely blown away by both of them but specifically Shogun has now entered my favorite books of all time. Thank you showing me both of these books and I can't wait to watch more of your videos

[@RedFuryBooks]

Fantastic! Glad you loved two of my favorites!

[@mariasmiles68]

Born a Crime is such a good audiobook and my favorite format for memoirs. I really want to read Lonesome Dove thanks to many 5 star reviews on Booktube. I just want to say how much I appreciate how you show the books you are talking about. I watch to learn about the books, but not all channels show the books well, and that it when I click off.🫤

[@RedFuryBooks]

I'm glad you like that aspect that I show the books! Shooting "B" roll takes an extra step and adds more to the editing portion of the video production, but I think it's always good for someone to know at least superficially how big a book might be!

[@therealbookaholic]

I loved greenlights. I too listened to the audio and I think that is the best.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Right on! Or should I say "alright, alright, alright?" lol

[@DutchGreyBeard]

A Song for Arbonne, yes, I'll be reading that one by GGK this year (at least). Thanks for another great video.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I hope you love A Song for Arbonne like I do!

[@DutchGreyBeard]

@@RedFuryBooks Thnx, almost certain that I will!

[@thefantasythinker]

Very cool list! I do hope you get around to Wurts' The Wars of Light and Shadow someday. It is spectacular!

[@RedFuryBooks]

I'm sure I will!

[@angelaholmes8888]

Here's my favorite books of 2023 Reminders of him by colleen hoover Spare by prince harry What my bones know by Stephenie foo memoir The mind series by s.t abby The woman in me by britney spears memoir Someday maybe Delilah green doesn't care The fiancee farce Tell me everything by minka Kelly memoir Blood sugar by sacha Rothschild

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

Love the book lineup in the back. What are the golden books on the top third shelf next to the Stephen King ones? Those are the only ones that don't have any titles I can see.

[@RedFuryBooks]

That's my Charles Dickens collection. Those are the Easton Press editions from the 1970's. I have all but one of the novels, but there are 21 volumes in all. I just pick them up when I see them for a reasonable price!

[@rayleon8532]

Terrific 💯 I think these are awesome recommendations!!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thank you!

[@heidi6281]

As I mentioned in your 5K celebration, I discovered Outlaw by Angus Donald. It is the Warlord Chronicles but instead of Arthur/ Derfel it is Robin Hood/Alan Hale. It is a fast popcorn read with a scene that moved me so much that did involve singing. ( There are bards in this book too!) I think there are many more books in the series but I only read the first one. I think everyone that loves adventure and punching will sure to love this book. It is the perfect palette cleanser after a super serious grim dark read. It needs some book tube love and probably one of the most under-appreciated historical fantasy novels! This maybe be the perfect book to bring on your upcoming trip.😀

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks! writing that one down.

[@Zivilin]

You had me at adventure. I love a good adventure story.

[@PoorPersonsBookReviewer]

the only reason yellow face didnt make my top ten was cause i already put babel on a list , great author

[@RedFuryBooks]

Valid!

[@davidaldinger3666]

Have you read Ted Chiang? His 2 collections of SciFi short stories may be the best ever written

[@RedFuryBooks]

I haven't read Chiang, but that sounds like a great starting point.

[@PsyKotyK]

Is the legend book the same story as the movie with tom cruise?

[@RedFuryBooks]

It is not the same story.