so you want to read big books? join Game of Tomes! 📚 bookclub announcement

[@theeconstantreader]

Listing them here for easy reference! Jan-Feb - The Count of Monte Cristo March-April - Middlemarch May-June - The Lord of the Rings trilogy July-August - 1Q84 Sept-Oct - Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Nov-Dec - Little Women Great picks! Some of these have been on my list forever, I can’t wait to get started 😍

[@raro4316]

Thank you very much! 💐👍👌🎄

[@jeovana4272]

thanks ❤❤

[@denisefreitas6727]

Thank you!! 😍

[@bujobyfilo]

Thank you for hosting this book club for free! Plus, those are great picks, I've been meaning to read The Count of Montecristo and Middlemarch and I welcome the help!

[@gabrielagarzon6566]

thank youuu!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Game of Tombsssss! Can’t wait to read these beasts with you!! P. S. Love the outro ;)

[@stxrdustttt]

I am so excited too!!! 💖💖💖

[@maiasolaris3255]

This makes me so emotional, last year I was watching the announcement of Game of Tomes 2023 while I hospitalized for pneumonia (post covid), I was so sad and felt so bad and sick, but I saw your video and I wrote down all the books thinking that when I came back home I was going to start reading with you and this community. And now I see this video announcing the books for 2024, after a difficult year, and I'm soooo excited for what's coming! Thank you Emmie for your company and dedication to this channel, it is very important to me. Happy Holidays to you all!

[@nagasai8286]

"Get u through the tomb before u get to the tomb" thats some assurance

[@kriskringlereads]

The Count of MC was the first classic I ever read, I think I was about 12 years old, it is so, so special to me 🥰 Can’t wait to read it again with all of you!! 🤩

[@myepictbr6968]

I tried reading this twice as a kid and both times I was riveted by the dungeon parts and snoozed and fell off when we got to the revenge high society parts. Let’s see if my taste changed lol.

[@pnkbee]

wow reading this at such a young age is amazing , I was reading road Dah books at that age 😅

[@meg.5.7]

i read all of lotr for the first time this year and was truly weeping for the last hundred or so pages. samwise gamgee is one of the sweetest and most kind-hearted characters i've ever read, we're in for a great year of reading!

[@iloukind]

omg I have almost all these books and I've been meaning to read them 😭 this is perfect

[@bookoffholicbookwart5945]

Exactly

[@anitas5817]

Only 4 minutes in - so excited! The Count of Montecristo and Middlemarch are my husband’s two favorite books and I’m excited to be able to discuss them with him. And all of you. I love Game of Tomes so much. Edit - Fellowship of the Ring!! So excited!!

[@nicole4214]

Hi emma, never commented on any of your videos before but i have been avidly watching your videos for about a month now, not a day has passed that i recall that i havn't watched at least a snipet of your videos. While i was in china for a 10 day holiday, i had downloaded some videos and all of them were for you, so perpetually for 10 days the only media i was consuming was from you, and i must say iv'e fallen head over heels for your content and i have been on a rampage ever since, your videos are so comforting and the way you speak is genuinely so eloquent t and radiates intelligence and wisdom, i've never really actually been a true fan of a youtuber before but i genuinely admire you and your content and get happy when you post, thanks for all your doing emma :)

[@desmondhume]

so excited to join this time around !!

[@GoedeSoep]

I’ll be joining you this year, thank you for this challenge! I read the Count of Monte Cristo last year after putting it off for YEARS (it being a mammoth book I was scared of): it’s so good. Instantly became one of my all time favorites. You’ll love it.

[@marg3157]

I'm so excited! Ngl I've been searching for the right time to read LOTR and this is perfect! I'll definitely join this year's Game of Tomes, it sounds amazing!

[@oumaimasbooks]

I've been wanting to read The Count of Monte Cristo for a loooong time! I'm glad it's January's pick so that I can finally read it with you

[@aliana151]

I am so freaking excited you and Carolyn are gonna read The Count of Monte Cristo! We promise that it's not a boring book. There are so many beautiful quotes and the story is so beautiful. Enjoy your adventure!❤

[@jacquib1985]

I started Monte Cristo in 2020 and when the pandemic hit, my brain just couldn’t handle it. I’m definitely down to start it again! Also, I read Middlemarch this year and it was one of my top ten books of the year. I hope you end up loving it!

[@eleanorball7906]

Such a great list of picks!! Especially excited to see what you think of Monte Cristo, LOTR, and Strange & Norrell. I think you’ll love them. Just finished Monte Cristo this week (took me four months) and it was SO INCREDIBLE and I’m in such a book hangover now 😅

[@delaneyjewel]

WHAT A LIST!!! Some of my favorite books of all time (LOTR and Jonathan Strange) plus a book already on my 2024 priority list (Monte Cristo). I wasn’t able to join this past year because of grad school but I’ve graduated and am ready to tackle some tomes 🎉

[@emilypettet6536]

I'M SO EXCITED! I plan to join for the lord of the rings/hobbit and little women. I didn't get to Little Women this year but I've always wanted to read it❤ looking forward to another year of reading with you, Caroline, and Calcifer!

[@neonoires]

I love this because I am trying to actually read less books in 2024... not because I am falling out of love with reading but because I want to read more quality books instead of just trying to do a huge reading challenge number.

[@kchillvb]

EXCITED and SCARED of BIG BOOKS all at the same time…but I just know you girls will be right there with us all!!!! You both are the BEST ❤️

[@nicole38568]

This is perfect! I have Count of MC in my physical TBR. I was already planning to read it and this gives an extra motivation ❤❤❤

[@annmoore321]

The Count of Monte Cristo! I adore that book. I got to the end and was so sad that it was over. It’s incredible!

[@Anna-sl2bw]

I'm so excited for this, I generally avoid big book because sometimes I lack the motivation to finish them. I also having been wanting to reread the lord of the rings again for a while so thanks for the excuse!

[@JeaniHood]

I pick one classic book each January and next month it's time for Crime & Punishment, by Tolstoy. And interspersed I'll be reading a bunch of books about books, libraries, & writers and this group will probably go into February ❤

[@elisaslibrary]

I've been wanting to read The count of Monte Cristo for forever so this is kind of perfect motivation haha Also if you've never read Susanna Clarke, "Piranesi" is incredibly good. You should definitely give it a shot

[@tanja1007]

Yes, Piranesi was also a favourite of mine. Strange and weird sometimes, but I appreciated this book because of that

[@elisaslibrary]

@@tanja1007 I love books that slowly unravel themselves so it was right up my alley

[@pendragon2012]

All these videos! Emma, you're spoiling us for the holidays. Merry Christmas!🙂

[@jamesduggan7200]

Speaking of Tomes and Tombs, Hugo loved setting scenes in Cemetaries, sepulchers, and mausoleums.

[@brunamgc]

My favorite time of the year: Game of Tomes announcement 🎉 This year I managed to read some incredible books with you and Carolyn and you also inspired me to finally read some books that have been on my TBR for years! Thank you guys, happy holidays 🫶🫶

[@minaaminax]

So excited to join this year!! I'm halfway through Middlemarch and have been putting it on hold for a while but this will surely push me to finish it. Hopefully I can keep up with the rest because those are some really big books. Also I hope you're feeling better now that you're home Emma. Happy Holidays!!

[@newbooksmell9221]

this list is just *chef's kiss*. i am so excited to see you and Carolyn talking about these books. i'm rooting for Middlemarch and Little Women, two of my all time favorites :}

[@ireallyamjomarch]

This is literally perfect because 5/6 picks were already on my TBR. Some were even on my 2024 TBR!

[@afinewhine92]

so happy Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is on this list. Will definitely be joining you both for that one ❣

[@carolinesmercantile4290]

After I read "Pillars of the Earth" by Follett in 8 days, I re-read it not too much later to have better recall...I had forgotten too much by reading it that fast. Then, I read it again when I received World Without End as a gift. I have never feared of a large tome since then! I'm all in!

[@knitty781]

What an exciting group of books. I bought a copy of Little Women in 2023. There are so many beautiful copies out there now. I have a copy from when I was young, but it definitely isn't 600 pages. Then I heard Carolyn mention that there are two 'books' in the story and that would explain it. (It was many decades ago when I read it.) And I have Middlemarch on my bookshelves, as well, as LOTR in a bind up. I guess I need to go to B&N to get Count of Monte Cristo and get started.

[@nikolaiquack8548]

I'm definitely most excited for Little Women. It's the favorite book of my best friend and I adore the latest film adaptation

[@chelleandpoppy6379]

I’ve read 4/6! ❤️ I’m so excited for 1Q84! It’s been on my tbr since pre law school! I’m planning on buddy reading count of monte cristo with my sister in May/June. I’d join in Jan/Feb, but last time I read a tome in conjunction with bar prep (Brothers Karamazov) my husband near about lost his marbles. Middlemarch is one of my favs ❤

[@burge2695]

I read count in 22 and I'm reading it again in 24 because I've thought about it sooo much this year..i just love it

[@zoemtn]

So excited about all of these!! The Count of Monte Cristo was my dad's favorite book, I wish I'd read it while he was alive to discuss it with him. I've been putting it off ever since, but now is the perfect time to finally tackle it and share the experience with you!

[@shellfish107]

I am so excited! 5/6 of these were already on my TBR! And I love this year's format!

[@rtcrook3219]

Despite a few previous attempts at finishing the books, I finally read LOTR for the first time in 2020 and they just captured my heart completely. The Rob Inglis audiobook versions are in my comfort-audiobook rotation. I thought I would always love the movies more because they're so near and dear to my heart, but the novels supplanted the movies, I love them that much.

[@iaani_]

I've had most of these books lying around for a while, no more excuses. thank you for giving me a new years resolution :)

[@zainabr2245]

Can't explain how happy I am they're finally reading LoTR

[@doaadikrallah]

ICB YOU CHOSE THE BOOKS I REALLY WANTED TO READ FOR 2024 AHHHH this is so perfect and i swear even before i started this video i was like i hope they choose montecristo this year AND THEN BOOM first book of the year 😂 so so glad and excited to read them all with you 😭🫶🏽

[@nataliebronson2623]

I am so excited that these are the choices! They are all books on my shelf that I’ve been wanting to read except for Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel, which I read a couple years back and which was great! So count me in ❤.

[@jaquefurt]

I just LOVE whenever you use this mic, it is just perfect 🥹 your soothing voice helps a lot, ofc Excited for the Game of Tomes!

[@samoi1616]

Yeeees 2 of these(the count of monte cristo and TLR)i really want to read so im excited for this!!!!!

[@insyirah7675]

happy holidays emma!!! IM SO EXCITED FOR THE 2024 BOOKCLUB OMG I haven’t read any of them except little women which I always pick up but never seem to finish lol. 2023 game of tomes opened my eyes so many classics and I’m so grateful to have found a book club im interested in / can follow along. the only book I still haven’t read is eugene onegin since it’s on hold in my library but here’s hoping we finish that by jan 😂

[@TheBookwormMeg]

So excited for all of these tomes, all of which already have a home on my shelves so it makes it even easier for me to participate!

[@bujobyfilo]

Thank you for hosting this book club for free! I was meaning to read The count of montecristo and Middlemarch, so I welcome all the help!

[@sjorgen9122]

Count of Monte Cristo is an amazing choice for a first tome! I loved it when I first read it in 2022

[@nihad-m]

"Some years ago there was in the city of York a society of magicians. They met upon the third Wednesday of every month and read each other long, dull papers upon the history of English magic. They were gentleman-magicians, which is to say they had never harmed anyone by magic - nor ever done anyone the slightest good" First paragraph of Jonathan strange and mr norrell. It's one of my favorite books of all time. I've read it twice and I might just read it again with you guys.

[@elvensltforever]

finally the lord of the ringsss! i love it and will probably reread it😍

[@FranFellow731]

Wow, I’m so proud of myself that I’ve already read Strange and Norrell. It’s SO long, it took me two YEARS (hi big book fear) of chipping at it after a friend bought me a MASS MARKET paperback. My hands cramped so bad. It was tough, but it’s SO good. SO good. It’s expansive, immersive, and original yet steeped in fantasy tradition. The set up is a lot but the last 250 pages FLEW and I read them in a day. I’m so excited to hear what you think because I did not think I would love it and then by the end I was just so impressed. And the mini series is very faithful and impressive too. There’s so many memorable moments and it gets dark and spooky too. It’s got the language of an old English classic and feels very dark academic too.

[@krittika_katie]

I started reading Little Women this past November. It is the perfect holiday read!

[@lepapillon1160]

The Count of Monte Cristo has been on my tbr for so long 😭 I’ll take this as a sign to finally read it 😌

[@elisalovess]

I ADORE these choices!!!! They are all books I really wanted to read for a long time and I have so many of them already on my shelves. So I am absolutely in!

[@walksuphills]

Thanks for this. I am excited to read all of these. Little Women is the only one I've read in its entirety, many years ago. I have a history of attempting several of these...I have started and put down 1Q84 several times. I read about half of Middlemarch in college. I'm probably most excited to finally read The Lord of the Rings. I have read the first book a couple of times, but never the whole thing.

[@poppychyk]

I'm so happy that I have all these 6 books and have read half of them!! (Monte Cristo, 1Q84, and Little Women) Will definitely not miss out on next year's game of tomes 💗 I've been wanting to read Middlemarch and JS&MN for god knows how long so 2024 is the year for it!! I love 1Q84 - it's one of my all time favorites and it's so amazing how you correlate Murakami with scorching summers while i associate him with winters. I think my own personal gameplan for this book club is to read the books that I haven't read a month in advance 🤣 because I am an incredibly slow reader and I'm sure that two months won't be enough for me to get through these door stoppers.

[@dianaayt]

Emmie!! As someone who as read the LOTR trilogy 4 times in 3 years i need to recommend 400% the audiobook by phil dragash its here and its in spotify and it is the best thing ever. You have ambient sounds (river close by, birds, steps, wind, rain), you have movie soundtrack, you have voices that sound exactly live the movie actors for each character, you have characters speaking from different places (if one is calling another far away you hear them far away). You havr the LOTR movie with the whole book and without images basically. The last 3 times i read it always with the audiobook on and it is the most magic thing ever. You are there. You can hear everything right next to them god damnit. It is the best thing ever creates by fans in my opinion. Best audiobook ever and just a must for LOTR fans. In 2021's summer i read the whole trilogy in a week by listening to these all day at 1.75 spead. Its just amazing

[@SingingMagick]

I’m so excited for this! Almost all these books are on my 2024 TBR so this is perfect!!

[@raro4316]

💖👌👍💖 Looking forward to GoT! Probably reading Little Women in November and December with you. 💖👍👌💖

[@moonprismandi]

I am so excited, I've put most of these in my 2024 tbr already ahh

[@charu2774]

You have no idea how excited I am over this. I have got most of these in my shelf untouched and now am motivated to pick them up. 1q84 is the only one I have read from the list so either I am going to reread it or might switch with some other thick book I own

[@abeerahwasti7234]

LOTR trilogy is ofc amazing, people say he describes nature/physical features/the literal path of the journey through mordor too much but his beautiful and long nature descriptions were my favorite part fo the series lol. Also I've only read Piranesi by Susanna Clarke and absolutely loved it so i can't wait to read Jonathan Strange this year!

[@leezirkle7840]

Every one is on my bucket list. I'll be joining you this coming year.

[@Littlerose8]

I'm so excited for the Count of Monte Cristo and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell cause those have both been on my shelf for a very long time. I'm so happy for the excuse to finally read them and to have support from others to get through such behemoths, lol.

[@jshain4117]

Hoping to take part in this. Just waiting for the person that has it checked out to finally return it to the library.

[@bellatrix8835]

I LOVED 1Q84! Honestly, it was long but great.

[@zsuzsablom6256]

I found the 2020 lockdown a perfect time to tackle 1Q84 and escape to Murakami's world.

[@kimbarbeaureads]

Well, I have some book shopping to do. I live Georg Eliot, so I'm looking forward to MiddleMarch

[@maudieicrochet9491]

I’m so excited and looking forward to all these reads. Count of monte cristo has been on my TBR list for a while, and I’m due for a second reading of Lord of the rings. Thank you ladies❤❤❤

[@hhenze322]

I’m so excited for these novels! Love this new format for the book club!

[@katelouise7684]

I just love that all of the books mentioned I own! Absolutely perfect and will definitely join in 😊

[@burge2695]

My classic tbr for '24 is Jane Eyre Don Quixote Master and Margarita Stoner Picture of Dorian Gray Little Dorrit East of Eden Count of Monte Cristo Anna Karenina Bleak House

[@fiddleleaffiction]

Such a good list! Jane Eyre, Stoner, and East of Eden are on my TBR too!

[@bujobyfilo]

Awesome! Loved Anna Karenina and Jane Eyre, can't wait to read Don Quixote! DNFed Master and Margarita 🙈

[@MeganPlansAndReads]

I’m really excited for this! I have all these books except for Middlemarch sitting on my shelves waiting to be read. This I’ll definitely motivate me to get through these books next year.

[@ester797]

Loving these picks!! Monte Cristo has been on my TBR for the longest time. Count me in! 🎉

[@anuragghosh2675]

Important names that I would like to suggest: 1. 'In Search of Lost Time' by Marcel Proust 2. 'Brothers Karamazov' by Fyodor Dostoevsky 3. 'And Quiet Flows the Don' by Mikhail Sholokhov 4. 'Septology' by Jon Fosse The last one is my personal favourite. Fosse won the Nobel Prize this year.

[@tiffany6900]

Fosse was highly praised by Knausgaard (one of my favorite writers) as well so I picked up Septology this past year. +1 on that rec!

[@ahnmensch3115]

They already did Brothers Karamazov this year. In Search of Lost time is one of the greatest pieces of art ever, but with its, like, what, four THOUSAND pages, they'd have to read it for like a third of the year or so. Plus, how do you have one singular discussion about that work? There's so much in there that you'd barely scratch the surface and already forgot half of the rest.

[@anuragghosh2675]

@@ahnmensch3115 yeah. For Proust and Fosse there should be at least 4-5 sessions for discussion.

[@JeaniHood]

I think it was in the early 1950's that Micky Dolenz"s ( of the 1960s TV show The Monkees) dad George Dolenz was in the half hour TV show "The Count of Monte Cristo that we got to watch on a neighbors TV (we didn't get a TV till 1954) I'm looking forward to reading this for the first time.

[@thijs257]

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is such a great book!

[@jasminesmith6361]

I am so so excited for this year!!! Every single one of these is on my TBR already so this is just perfect 🥰 Thank you guys so much for hosting this amazing club! 🫶🏽

[@DeliriousSoymilk]

Hey, my goal for 2024 is also to finally conquer the big books, though our selections don't overlap 😂 Very excited nonetheless! I have Anna Karenina, huge collection of Chekhov stories, Franzen and Fowles waiting for me!

[@denisefreitas6727]

I loved the choices! Happy holidays and happy readings everyone! ❤❤🎄💖📚

[@clarissaposirilova899]

I've read Fellowship of the ring for the first time in 2023 so i already planned to get my hands on the rest, i'm quite excited for the chat. I have some plans on reading Murakami too, but different picks :)

[@beatrizmelendez18]

The Count of Monte Cristo ❤️ amazing book! Looking forward to reading it again!

[@abbeyroche2983]

Yay! LOTR was already on my 2024 TBR and I’m currently reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel, which is fantastic. But she definitely topped it with Piranesi. Piranesi was my favorite book of 2023 ❤

[@gokhanozmen7491]

I was also already planning about starting the new year with big books without knowing your plans :) I will start Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time which must be 3178 pages in total and if I can finish that, then Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo is also in my list and I had already decided before watching your video, so it's a nice coincidence :) Good luck to us!

[@68BarbP]

Count me in for, The Count of Monte Cristo and Little Women (reread). Presently reading, Anna Karenina. Good luck everyone and thanks to Emmie and Carolyn for The Game of Tomes Club.

[@neshkavirdure8289]

🌄🙋‍♀️😊Haven't Read Count of Monte Cristo, but Have it in e-book Form so I Wiill Give it a Try😊👍👍😃LOTR I Love Much! Wanted to ReRead it But Haven't Found Time Until Now(Thank You🌻🌻🌻🌻)😃😊📚LOOOOVE The Silmarillion by The Same Author😊📚I am Soo Looking Forward to This, So Thank You To You Both For Creating This BookClub😊📚🙋‍♀️

[@mmoitie]

Sooo excited for this one! So many books I’ve always wanted to read and excited not to be starting them alone 🤍

[@thaliafernandez1378]

I’m so excited for the count of monte cristo❤😍 I’ve been wanting to read it for a while. Thank you for this challenge

[@lydiaisimmune]

i'm so glad you finally chose to read the count of monte cristo! it's one of my favourite books, and i'm almost done with my reread, it flies by! hope you enjoy it

[@nevermore2717]

I’m super excited for The Count of MC. It’s been on my TBR for a while but I finally have a reason to read it lol.

[@KellyAK]

Exciting picks! I've actually read them all except Middlemarch, but mostly years ago, and I am more than happy to re-read them, especially Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Conveniently for my wallet I also own them all already! I think I'll do Count of Monte Cristo on audiobook this time though, I loved it but it was hard work, and I think I'd like to mix it up and try audio this time. Can't wait to start!! ❤

[@caasi4969]

I’m about 550 pages into 1Q84 atm and I started it early this month. Total page count is 1318 so definitely a tome. So far it’s been worth it though, Murakami always does a good job of weaving plot lines of different characters together while keeping the characters themselves interesting and authentic. There’s plenty of mystery and unanswered questions to keep you intrigued and wanting to find out more. And beautiful prose as always

[@aninditaroy2876]

So excited to pick 1Q84 up! I've been putting this tomb off for the longest time, since 2020 to be precise. Glad the reading will be done with the bookclub❤

[@JaeJae46]

The Count of Monte Cristo is my favorite classics that surpasses War and Peace for me. I read it over ten years ago as a challenge and it changed me so much. You're making me want to reread it now but I just finished War and Peace for the second time just yesterday. I need a break haha. 😂

[@vonSchaltz]

Excited to join in for July- October reads this year!

[@GraceMed]

I'm absolutely joining the game of tomes! Excited to read all of them!

[@twannalatricehill3556]

I read The Count of Monte Cristo in summer school between eighth grade and high school in 1977 And unfortunately, that was a very difficult summer for me. There is something quite serendipitous starting the new year with a book that usually reminds me of personal misfortune. I can’t wait to tease this book apart from the circumstances I remember when I first read it.

[@marienikki87]

Yay! I’m so excited that The Count of Monte Cristo is the first pick! I started it a couple of weeks ago and am really enjoying it so far.

[@dieuraltemorla1658]

So exited for this. I read The Count of Monte Christo this year and it Was so good. It's probably the best crafted book I ever read. And of course I love LoR. And I have had Middlemarch on my bookshelf for years and I never read it. Maybe I'll join you guys on this one.