Some great books and some disappointments - January 2024 in a Nuttshell!

Some great books and some disappointments - January 2024 in a Nuttshell!
#booktube #reading #books
January 2024 in a Nuttshell is my January wrap up video of books I read in January as well as my February TBR.
Silver Spike, Black Company book 3 by Glen Cook
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Murakami
Beartown by Frederik Backman
Ohio by Stephen Markeley
Book of the new Sun by Gene Wolfe
The Tyranny of Faith by Richard Swann
Shadows of Self, Mistborn Era 2 by Brandon Sanderson
Patreon
/ thefantasynuttwork

[@TheBeeesKnees]

You’re not dumb, you’re iconic 👑

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I wanna be like Bees when I grow up

[@Johanna_reads]

I feel validated that we had such a similar experience with The Wind-up Bird Chronicle 🙌🏼, and I hope you enjoy your next Murakami read more. I’ll have to buy some Pringles when I pick up BotNS!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Pringles are key in deciphering BOTNS

[@BaldBookTuber]

@@thefantasynuttwork😂

[@pranavroh]

I am extremely happy to see someone enjoy Wolfe. He is a true genius and someone who towers over the rest of the authors in the SFF genre. I recently finished reading Short Sun and the experience was - transcendent. I hope you make the same journey - to the Whorl, to Blue, Green and the wondrous grace of Patera Silk. I will be following your trip to the stars, across time and beyond as you finish The Solar Cycle. You are in for a treat and perhaps an epiphany. The first read of a Gene Wolfe book is the first reread. Happy reading!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you so much!

[@mikaelmarklund7908]

Doing a reread of the new sun now, its so good. The wizard king is also amazing, just both the two first books of the long sun.

[@pranavroh]

@@mikaelmarklund7908 the Wizard Knight is my next Wolfe read. I am reading through his first short story collection " The Island of Dr. Death and Other Stories and Other Stories " right now- simply brilliant. I can see the seeds of a lot of his future obsessions.

[@mikaelmarklund7908]

@@pranavroh There is so much to read!! I need to get "The Island of Dr. Death and Other Stories and Other Stories " as well, I read; "the fifth head of cerberus" and "peace" as well. Clearly my favorite author, audio book version of "new sun" is great as well, i am not native english speaker so it helps to understand somethings differently spoken out load, also I am dyslectic so that does not always helps as well.... great to hear more people enjoying this:)

[@pranavroh]

@@mikaelmarklund7908 Absolutely - to read and reread. The audiobook versions of BOTNS are simply excellent. Well worth the investment in time.

[@jerryjenkins5435]

Jimmy! Excellent video, as always. I appreciate your insight and nuance, particularly on Sanderson and Murakami - we’ve got a lot of the same tastes, and your takes are very informative for books I’m considering reading. Thank you for the awesome content!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I really appreciate this!

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

As usual your honesty is refreshing Jimmy 👏

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Just blabbering on as usual haha

[@BaldBookTuber]

So happy to see that Book of the New Sun was a hit for you. What a wild ride. I’m paused on Urth of the New Sun currently while reading some other stuff, but it’s every bit as good.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m hoping to read it in March!

[@e.matthews]

What an interesting mix! Glad there was some transformative reading in there, among the mids My book of the month was The Spear Cuts Through Water. You know it's a special read when even the structure has emotional resonance lol Making my way through Perdido St Station again, and liking it a lot more this time around!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Glad to hear it!

[@TBaggins96]

I really appreciate that you pack a lot of substantive thought into these sort of drive by reviews. I feel like a lot of reviews I see don't actually tell me anything about the book, just the surface response of the reviewers to the book, if you know what I mean.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I try hard to be informative but as brief as possible

[@Jay_Mike]

This is why I think he’s one of the best out there.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@Jay_Mike thanks man 🙏

[@lieslherman]

I read A Song for Arbonne last month on your rec and LOVED it!! Down the GGK rabbit hole for me, wheeeeeee~

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It’s sooooo good

[@charlesburge2564]

Your comments about application of magic in inventions and culture exemplify why I loved Rhythm of War so much

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I wish I had haha

[@IowaJay]

I'm just starting Book of the New Sun thanks to you and other reviewers. Glad that it is worth the payoff in the end.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I hope you love it. I read it over many months and I feel rewarded from the experience

[@toastytowns]

Glad you liked Beartown! I really enjoyed that whole trilogy.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I may read the others now, I really enjoy his authorial voice

[@ToddsBookTube91]

Todd here. Nice Wrap Up Jimmy! You know, I read Elantris twice by Brandon Sanderson and had no idea what was going on. I might try the audiobook. I read The Forgetting Moon by Durfee and it's one of my favorite fantasy novels I have ever read, currently reading The Blackest Heart and I'm enjoying it.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Love Durfee

[@BrianBell7]

ha, I wish my Jan was mid... I'm so with you on Book of the New Sun, same feeling with Sword of the Lictor. Going to try to hit Urth of the New Sun in March. I'm interested to see what you think of the rest of Mistborn Era 2. Love the drawing of the winner machine!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m hyped for UotNS!

[@esmayrosalyne]

You know, I really relate to Kelsey low-key losing sleep over Crescent City 3 right now, because that is me hahaha. I had also been desperately yearning for that type of obsessive reading experience, and I sure wasn't expecting to find it back with Sarah J Maas after all those years, but here we are! And I am embracing the braincandy reading mood!! Anyway, great to see you starting the year off so strong! Murakami is one of those authors who I have been avoiding, yet every time I hear someone talking about the themes in his works I am tempted again... Great wrap-up Jimmy, hope February treats you well ☺

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I may need to read some SJM lol

[@esmayrosalyne]

@@thefantasynuttwork Why yes, you just may hahah. I may or may not have convinced Laura (Fantasy Awash) to start ACOTAR and she has inhaled 2,5 of the books over the weekend lmao. You are clearly missing out Jimmy!

[@TomOrange]

I normally only read one or two books in December and basically force myself to take a break. That has normally helped me feel really excited to get back to reading in January. Though this year January was just okay reading wise. Both Bear town and Ohio sound pretty interesting I also enjoy that small town vibe.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Ohio is fantastic

[@mariareadsssf]

I was fortunate to find my first 5 star read in January. It was "The Tainted Cup" by Robert Jackson Bennett. Otherwise I had a bunch of 3 star reads including the mega popular "The Lies of Locke Lamora". I am currently reading "Witch King", my first Martha Wells book and it is fascinating so far. Happy reading to you.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Happy reading!

[@cosyreadingtimes8857]

Hey, as always a wonderful video. Sad to see this year starts less explosive than I hoped for. Last year often felt like that for me. I'm therefore very happy to say that this year started pretty amazing. My favourite book in January was definitely Lonely Castle in the Mirror, which is a very emotional Japanese magical realism story. Currently, I'm also reading and loving A Half-Built Garden, which is a slow and philosophical climate fiction/first contact story. Have a lovely day❤

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Have a wonderful week!

[@agentswarley]

Thanks for your video :) my January was almost exclusively filled with serialised popcorn crime fiction. I needed something where I didn’t have to do any work to get into the world. Now I’m finally back to fantasy (my favourite). However, the break made me more excited to return to the genre, even though I have to put more work into understanding the worldbuilding, now 😅 Glad you enjoyed Beartown! Beartown is one of my favourites, even though I have zero interests in sports (the first 50 pages were tough). But for some reason, Backman’s style just speaks to me on some level. I hope you have fantastic reads coming your way!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you so much

[@jeroenadmiraal8714]

Interesting books, Jimmy! I hope you will like In Ascension. I didn't find it all that slow. I found it mesmerising, and hence it was a really quick read for me because I was just hypnotised the entire way through.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m hyped for it

[@deanryanmartin]

Bear Town is a slow burn. Interesting!

[@joshramirez7]

I feel you on trying to find that next great read. It can be a struggle, but that is life. It don't come easy! And I'm reading A Clean Kill in Tokyo by Barry Eisler. Futuristic noir hitman story. So far, so good 👍 I love the Hitman video games, giving me those vibes for sure

[@thefantasynuttwork]

That sounds really cool

[@RedFuryBooks]

I think that was a very balanced and accurate assessment of Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. I love Murakami, but I rarely recommend him to others because people generally love him or loathe him. But hopefully this made you want to explore more by him! I actually DNF'd Beartown at *that* scene, as I could predict the book from that point going forward, because it actually played out in real life in my hometown, so it hit too close to home for me.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

The story is very real, I had something similar happen around me in my life as well

[@adamborst]

There is a head on a pole behind you. That aside, I can't wait for the Lost In Roshar episode post-Lost Metal. I feel like there may be a couple questions you'll have for Christian. Also, I was going to try Beartown but I couldn't extend my library checkout, I guess now I'll have that and Ohio to go and reserve. Thanks for the recap!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

We read one your comments on the new bend the knee episode btw

[@adamborst]

@@thefantasynuttwork awesome, I'll have to check that out!

[@KomodoSanders]

In January I read The Lathe of Heaven (which was a fun read but I didn't love), Dragon Keepers (which was a but middle of the road for Hobb), and The Blood Stones (which was great). Hoping February brings 5 star reads to us all.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I need the hype train!

[@ColinsCornerYT]

Interesting month my man, but like you said it's okay to just have an "okay" reading month. Especially with the amount most of us here read, it gets harder and harder to find books that deeply move us in a way so many seemed to do for me early in my reading journey. But when I do find them, man is it rewarding. Also, bummed I didn't win the Patreon wheel spin, however more importantly, I'm happy for you to see that you have 85 Patreon subscribers! That's incredible and I'm happy for you. Hope your February is great for reading and in life.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks man! I’m always blown away by the support folks show, it means the most

[@annak_reads]

I really liked The Justice of Kings and have heard a lot of mixed things about The Tyranny of Faith, so I'm interested but cautious for when I eventually get to it. I enjoy your takes on Sanderson, he's not high on my list of favourite authors but I don't hate him. Great video!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you! Tyranny of Faith has been many other people’s favorites, so I may just be off on this one haha

[@samm8190]

Yessss!!!!! My main man Jimmy is back! Thanks as always Mr. Nutts for the video they always inspire me to keep reading! Isn’t Book of the New Sun so good?? I definitely felt like books 3 and 4 really helped me mentally justify some of the sluggish parts of book 2. I hope you enjoy The Lost Metal. I didn’t love a lot of Mistborn era 2, (I liked but didn’t love) But honestly The Lost Metal is one of my favorite Cosmere books!!!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Oh wow! High praise for TLM!

[@Talking_Story]

Really enjoyed Shadows of Self thought it was very interesting examination of person identity and faith. I do really want to get to Richard Swan.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

He’s got promise, I think I’m more excited for whatever he does next

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Let’s chat sometime?

[@Talking_Story]

@@thefantasynuttwork would absolutely love that.

[@RaduAndrei91]

Great video, Jimmy! I hope you get a chance to read 1Q84 one day. It's one of my all-time favorites!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’ll definitely try it!

[@larrybdarts]

Don't let Silver Spike get you down on the Black Company. It is just a minor standalone and every book gets better after that one. Nice wrap up! I am also trying to make series progress but I can only do 5 or 6 at a time. 40!?!?! :D

[@thefantasynuttwork]

My reading life is chaos lol it’s the TBR equivalent of a hoarder lol

[@GrapplingBook]

Will you do a tier ranking stream of 2023 reads similar to the one you did for 2022? We need that ASAP.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I may!

[@someokiedude9549]

I am curious what you would make of Knockemstiff, Jimmy. It's another short story collection/fix up novel that's set in the real Ohio town of the same name. I quite enjoyed it, it very dark and grimy compared to the story collection you were talking about. January went well, though I slowed down a bit once school started back up. But I have some goodies that I read during the month, including the one I was just telling you about. I hope you keep up the good work Jimmy, and keep being you my man. My Dark Vanessa All Things Left Wild Knockemstiff Kagen The Damned Thrice.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’ll have to look that up

[@mckennaaustin-ward4209]

I have read only one book by Murakami, which is Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki. I enjoyed it probably between 4 and 4.5 for me but I am partial to books featuring life in Japan 🤗 In January I read Ghost on the Throne, House of Cards bk 1, Under Heaven (again), A World of Curiosities by Louise Penney, American Prometheus, A Beautiful Mind, Redwall , Augustus by Goldsworthy, and a few volumes of demon slayer. American Prometheus was very good and helped me understand some things I was confused about during the time jumps in the film. I’m glad to hear talk about Ishiguro last video. An artist of the floating world is a great Ishiguro book. I also thoroughly enjoyed The Buried Giant. Happy reading everyone!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you!

[@joshuawalkerauthor]

Dude, I feel the same way about shadows of self! Mistborn era 1 still sits as one of my least favourite things by brando, but the way magic is used especially in era 2, along with the western/noir vibe is just so cool

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It’s very well integrated imo

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

Really enjoyed Book of the New Sun myself. Wicked Berserk shirt, btw (:

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks!

[@bookmarkswithjason9445]

I was in a bit of a reading slump until I started reading Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms for the 1st time. Now I’m completely hooked on all things D&D. I’m currently reading Pillars of the Earth, and it’s already a strong candidate for best read of the year.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Great to hear!!

[@zackattack366]

I love the Empire of the Wolf. 5 stars for the two I’ve read.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Nice!

[@darthandy6161]

I think it’s cool that while Murakami wasn’t a big hit initially you still found him compelling enough to read more. I had some quick wins with Elder Race and Before the Coffee Gets Cold in January. In February I’ll challenge myself with Dhalgren.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

His writing is so strange. I feel like I could read like 25% of it, get a ton to think about and never finish but feel satisfied. One of kind in some eays

[@OrlandoOrtiz570]

BOTNS- or as I think of it, Symbolism the Series- is the perfect series for me. The unreliability of recorded history is something I always think about and Wolfe's masterpiece is in large part a commentary on it; e.g. the stories from the Brown Book and Holy Katherine's feast are tales and traditions that have been muddled by the passing of millennia.

[@MattVickers]

I was also quite lukewarm on The Silver Spike, but I read in a different order and have already finished books 5 and 6. I enjoyed those two a lot more and hopefully you will too

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I hope!

[@Severian1]

Man o man am I glad you enjoyed New Sun. Sword of the Lictor is my favorite too. And yes it wouldn't be published today. Nearly didn't get published even back then. Truly weird and unique. It's my Book of Gold as the LotR is Gene's.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Love the profile picture

[@combativeroboguy2490]

In January I read the first three Sun eater books and thought it was good, but then I read Ship of Destiny and Eleventh Cycle which are now in my favorites.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I really like SoD

[@combativeroboguy2490]

@@thefantasynuttwork I’ve been watching your discussion video on it and it is great. Liveship is one of my favorite trilogies now even with my major gripe at the end.

[@civoreb]

I palate cleanse between each fantasy and sci fi book. Reading a popcorn book is not bad or a few manga volumes before I go back to the more dense books. It definitely helps me

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Agree

[@tawnyman]

Ohio is one of my favorite reads ever! I thought I would get to his newer book The Deluge last year but was a little intimidated by the size, hoping to get to it in the next few months.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’d love to get to it

[@Thxlbx]

Sun Eater consumed my month....read Kingdoms of Death and Ashes of Man. Kingdoms of Death will haunt for a awhile, this series is so fantastic. Also read The Veiled Throne, loving the Dandelion Dynasty. Just started Speaking Bones, can't wait to see how the series ends, but am kind of sad it has too, it has been so good.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Speaking Bones end is amazing

[@Thxlbx]

@@thefantasynuttwork 400+ pages in already. I cannot put it down. Just an amazing series, looking forward to it sticking the landing!

[@curtjarrell9710]

Hi Jimmy. In mid-January I began my reading journey in Don Quixote by Cervantes, which continues this month. It's massive and fascinating so far. This could take awhile.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’ve heard good things about

[@samm8190]

My main reads this much is probably going to be reading some Earthsea by Le Guinn and then hopefully finishing up books 4 & 5 in ASOIAF. And if I have some extra time I might read some Tim Powers as I’ve heard many a good thing about his books.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Based

[@AnithaGadeReads]

That's interesting perspective that we need to have some average reads. I never thought about it that way.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Life is all about balance….maybe

[@skippen]

I am still struggling with SIlver Spike. And agree, Cook's books, even ones I like, really take a snooze in the middle of them. Even when they are really short.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

They feel like they’re 800 pages

[@skippen]

They oddly do.@@thefantasynuttwork

[@MacScarfield]

In January I finished: «Imperium» by Robert Harris (Historical Fiction about the Roman Politician Cicero) «Stonehenge» by Bernard Cornwell (Historical Fiction about the Creation of Stonehenge during the Late Neolithic Period) «The Buried Giant» by Kazuo Ishigaro (Fantasy inspired by Arthurian Legend) «The Dragon Lord» by David Drake (Arthurian Sword & Sorcery) I unfortunately had to push back «After Rome» by Morgan Llywelyn (Historical Fiction set in Post-Roman Britain), but I hope to get to it within Spring, together with Mike Shackle’s «We Are The Dead», Tad Williams «The Dragonbone Chair» and Christopher Ruocchio’s «Empire Of Silence»!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Tad! Hope you have a great month in Feb

[@brianrogers4344]

I had a good experience with the Silmarillion this month. It's as dense and inaccessible as advertised, and I didn't pick up very much on the first read. But it set the hook and now I'm reading it again with more comprehension and am going down the Tolkein lore rabbit hole. Also enjoying The Passage by Justin Cronin.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’d like to try the Silmarillion at some point

[@carlosbranca8080]

I loved Wind Up Bird but to most people i recommend to start with Norwegian Wood which is a more traditional narrative but still with that Murakami touch. Kafka on the Shore is also excellent. 1Q84 i didn't like too much, still interesting though.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’ll definitely read more of his work

[@TheTipsyTrope]

Was happy to see you giving Murakami a chance. Wind up is a weird one and it lost me as well especially all the weirdness as the very end. If you ever decide to give him another chance, 1Q84 is his magnum opus and in my top 10 books of all time. It does have some of the same elements in terms of sex and the mundane aspects of life that you mentioned, but it's a much more cohesive and understandable narrative

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Good info!

[@hurinfan2164]

I'm a big Murakami fan but if I can recommend the next book to try of his, Kafka on the Shore.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks!

[@BaldBookTuber]

Ahh, you also loved Beartown - I’m a huge fan of that whole trilogy, and the narrations by Marin Ireland are Chef’s Kiss. Sorry for the spam - commenting as I go. 😂

[@thefantasynuttwork]

No apology needed, the narration was excellent!!

[@Coleton2573]

Gene Wolfe invented pringles? That's so random. 🤣 My February TBR: - Freedom of the Mask by Robert McCammon - Wall of Storms by Ken Liu - Sphere by Michael Crichton - Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane - Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint I never end up following my TBRs too closely though because it's always changing. 😅

[@thefantasynuttwork]

He’s a man of many talents

[@bluejayandrooster]

Jimmy - I so agree that discussing Sanderson online is exhausting. Personally, I feel like he has had the reverse trajectory of most authors; each subsequent release has (to me) felt less inspired, less complete, and less interesting. I loved Mistborn era one, and loved the first two Stormlight Archive books. Everything since has felt like a bit of a rushed mess, and I think Mistborn era two embodies that very well. I liked the third book well enough, but I absolutely can't wait to see your review of the conclusion to era two (I *really* did not like it at all 🤣).

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I have felt mostly the same

[@bryanbcd1]

With Murakami my experience is that I enjoy it best when I am looking at why it is making me uncomfortable, why it is disturbing me, In addition the music and pasta helps 😂 Wild sheep chase next please

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Pasta helps always

[@samuelbarber6585]

BotNS was a fun read, and got me into the Dying Earth subgenre. If you finish BotNS and are looking for more quick reads, check out Jack Vance's 'Dying Earth' novels - especially if you liked 'Nifft the Lean'.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’ve read Dying earth and love Vance!

[@marcweber8509]

So I'm randomly rereading One Piece for the nth time :D bruh, I'm so looking forward to your next Arc reaction! 🔥🔥

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Next week or two!

[@marcweber8509]

@@thefantasynuttwork 🙌

[@marcusmusings]

I literally started reading Tyranny of Faith right now

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hope you enjoy!

[@akellerhouse83]

I just read the Waking Fire in January. It's kind of a steam punkish dragon book that feels like maybe the Victorian era? I liked it well enough. The middle was kinda slow but the end was good. And there were some interesting ideas in there. There's also a lot of corporate espionage and economics, which ties in with the dragons. Anyway, it was a decent read.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m very curious how I’ll like it cause I don’t love steam punk

[@akellerhouse83]

@thefantasynuttwork it's not overwhelmingly steampunk. It's just kind of a vibe in the world building I guess. I don't know if that makes sense. Lol

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@akellerhouse83 it does yeah!

[@sowercookie]

I was reading a bunch of non fiction in January, a stand out being The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, an absolute must read if you're pursuing art or are at all interested in how art is done! Other than that I was trying to read Crescent City to catch up before the new book but that one was an absolute flop for me, and I'm a certified SJM stan! SUCH a disappointment... Murakami just doesn't vibe with me. I've finished a couple of his books and was just like "why did I spend my time on this???" 😂 I actually DNFd Windup Bird twice it haunts me from my bookshelf! I'm still willing to try 1Q84 cause everyone raves about it we'll see. I caught up on Brando Sando during the holidays and man... I didn't like any of the secret projects, and Lost Metal I basically skipped to the crossover bits and while those were neat I don't want him doing that in his main series, but he's indicated that's exactly what he intends to do soooo... Idk, I hope Stormlight 5 doesn't disappoint me but I'm already seeing myself being done with the Cosmere. Oh an I absolutely despise Wayne and not in a fun way...

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Secret projects were pretty bad imo

[@stuart1346]

You seem to be reading lots of stuff I’ve not heard of. I’ll add it to the list 😂 I agree shadows of self is a big step up……unfortunately I thought that was the high point

[@thefantasynuttwork]

If that’s the high point I’m in trouble 😅

[@BobbyHall-eu1xv]

Glad you enjoyed Book of The New Sun, I've been perplexed by a lot of Fantasy readers complaining about it going over their heads and saying you shouldn't have to reread something to understand it...yet the same people talk about Malazan being the best thing ever 🤔

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahah

[@EstoNoEsUnSpoiler]

Hi there! Book of the New Sun is a thing of beauty, right? I’ve must finished Midnight Tides and, as with all Malazan books, I’m exhausted and want to be out of a fantasy setting for a month

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Nothing wrong with a break

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

I loved the Judge Dredd law aspects of Justice of Kings and then was really let down by Tyranny of Faith. Every single one of your criticisms rang true for me too, the middle completely lost me and Nema’s Tits bothered me so much I’m glad someone else mentioned that!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It was used way too much imo

[@henryjack6227]

Too like the lightning isn’t a dying earth setting ! It’s just futuristic

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Fair! I wasn’t sure

[@henryjack6227]

You should definitely read it though it was my fav reads of last year and one of my fav series ever. You’ll get so much severian from the main character Mycroft but Ada Palmer really does her own thing and it’s amazing

[@andrewhanson405]

Great video! Gene Wolfe was such a great talent his invention of Pringles will live on forever. I hear you on Sanderson. I've read 20 books by him but anytime I'm on a fantasy forum critiquing an aspect of his work, everyone responds at me like I hate him. I'll be interested in how you think of Mistborn Era 2 book four. I ultimately really liked it because of all the Cosmere connections but Wayne and his "humor" was so insufferable that there were multiple moments I wanted to throw the book in the trash.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I cannot stand Wayne chapters

[@bookswithnate]

Sounded like a moist month...yeah Alloy of Law setting is interesting but honestly don't remember what happened too much with the characters.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahaha

[@mollybeechwood]

if you love the slow monotony of everyday life in Wind Up Bird, you might really love Killing Commendatore and 1Q84! its something he does a lot and it makes his stories very relaxing to me

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yeah I cannot quantify why, but I love how the man writes about toast 🤣

[@mollybeechwood]

@@thefantasynuttwork at some point you realize every single character makes "simple meals" and then you can never unsee it

[@adamk42]

If you ever want to read a Wolfe book but don't want to commit to a series, give Peace a chance. It's set in America(in a small town!) so it doesn't have the strange scifi world building going on, but it might my favorite single novel by him. That's probably recency bias though. I read a bunch of good books in January but no all time greats or anything that I couldn't put down, so I feel you on that

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Ohhhh that sounds good!

[@AnotherTurning]

I think sometimes 3 star reads are my least favorites. At least a bad book can be fun in its badness, and obviously a good book is good. But those middle-of-the-road, average reads are just so forgettable and boring. But I can definitely see their value as a palette cleanser! I read a bunch of Murakami at the end of 2023, and while Wind-Up Bird Chronical wasn't one of the books I chose, the mundane juxtaposed with the weird was exactly what I loved about the ones that I did read. I'd recommend After Dark or Killing Comendatore, personally. The latter does highlight those negatives of writing women and sex a lot, but the rest was so good. After Dark was just good.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’ll definitely check those out!

[@toinenosoite3173]

We had one thing in common in January - no big highs. And there it ended 😁. To me it is interesting that the part of the Book of the New Sun that you liked the most, The Sword of the Lictor, was my least favourite (two stars). When reading it, the best part was when the bloody sword was broken and I had some hope of its name never being said again. All the books were haphazard and meandering, but the third one took the prize, unfortunately. Well, we all have our own preferences, and to me the entire Book was nothing but three stars. Also, I am fairly disappointed in the resolution in the fourth book - can I hate destiny more... Why do authors use that so much? The worst examples I know of are Herbert and Bakker. My January had 8 books and almost 4 000 pages: Krig och fred II by Leo Tolstoj Absolution Gap by Alastair Reynolds The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay Skrivet på revbenen by Sofia Parland The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu Invandrarna by Vilhelm Moberg The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick The Traitor by Anthony Ryan As to the book of the month, I have a problem - there were several good ones, but not one above the other ones. So, my books of the month were The Last Light of the Sun and The Traitor. The Grace of Kings was also good, but it was written in such a strange style - more like telling a legend than really living it. The individuals in the book felt so far away. Dick was interesting, although the strange reliance on some esoteric knowledge from throwing sticks felt so idiotic that I don't really know what to say about it. At least the book had some kind of a structure. In February, I have already read two historical novels and the fourth book of Revelation Space. Also, I will read some Finnish literature, continue War and Peace and the Dandelion Dynasty, and read a German thriller set at the Olympics of 1936. Interestingly enough, I just got your random book of the month from the library, so I probably will read it this month. It will be interesting to see what you have thought about it at the end of the month.

[@ReadingAde]

I forgot to mention that when you were in your reading slump, something that works for me is picking up short story collections.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I love short stories!

[@lifeandbindings]

Hey Jimmy I feel the same about Sando. As I read more in the genre (ASOIAF, Malazan, Dandelion Dynasty and Suneater) the less I think Sanderson is for me but I do love Stormlight but hesitant to read beyond that and Era 1. So just here to say the neutral fans exist.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thankfully! Haha

[@readbykyle3082]

We have similiar feelings on the first two books of Empire of the Wolf, and I thought the third was the least good, hopefully it works for you though. Who is this guy Brent Sourthernson? I bet he is the best author ever

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hopefully book three works

[@tmrogers87]

Mistborn Era 2 was a huge letdown for me. The 1-2 punch of Rhythm of War and then The Lost Metal was pretty tough

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yeah rough stuff

[@mattkean1128]

I read Shogun last month, and I was actually disappointed. Not bad at all, but it took a lot of time to not tell a whole lot.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m prob never gonna read it 😆

[@EssenceOfBanana]

Now that you've finished Sword & Citadel, do you have any interest in continuing with Urth of the New Sun? What about Book of the Long Sun? Based on some of your opinions on the types of characters, settings, and conflicts you tend to enjoy, Long Sun might be something that you find very appealing, though for different reasons than New Sun was.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I said in the video I would, so yes lol

[@EssenceOfBanana]

@@thefantasynuttwork My mistake, I must have either missed that or misheard what you said.

[@reading_by_myshelf]

Haha I feel like I am a 3 star queen....I rate so many books 3 stars. I JUST finished The Darkness that Comes Before....and certainly didn't give that a 3 star review!!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I think three is a really good bench mark

[@mitch8948]

The post TSA fantasy slump is real. It’s not even my #1 series but as far as audacity and the questions being asked.. where can you really go from there? I felt like I completed the last level in a game

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Same tbh

[@EricMcLuen]

Not a bit fan of Silver Spike either. Seemed like he had to do something tontie up the Barrowland since the rest of the books dont have anything to do with it IIRC. But they are good palette cleansers and quick reads. Finishing a book an the Albigensian Crusade to start Somg of Arbonne. And the Return to Cheese or something by thus Chase guy. Aldonreading My Effin Life by Geddy Lee for something completely different

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Return to cheese 😂😂

[@alexvaldiers9788]

The Wind-up Bird Chronicle is a mess of a novel. It has brilliant moments, like you said, those mundane spaghetti cooking scenes. These moments were so brilliant that Murakami that he re-used (copy and pasted those chapters) in almost all the novels he wrote after that. It gets very tiresome after a while.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Oh wow, that’s a crazy decision to make lol

[@carlosbranca8080]

Number 49 won?? Good omen for my Niners!!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Bet the house

[@demidrek-heyward]

LFG!!!

[@yukiame2488]

Yeah, trying to catch the excitement of early reading is a bit like "chasing the dragon" by drug addicts. The more we read, the more we've seen, the more difficult it is to surprise us. Hearing you talking about Murakami brings up the question: Have you read much from Japanese authors? I don't mean manga (nothing wrong with it of course), but stuff by e.g. Akutagawa Ryunosuke, Yasunari Kawabata etc. They wrote very differently from western authors, and I feel like you may appreciate it

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m gonna read more Japanese authors

[@andrewkraus9339]

So Mistborn Era 2 isn't one of your 42 top ten series?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Not quite hahaha

[@andrewkraus9339]

@@thefantasynuttwork Hater. Smh my head

[@zeallygreen]

💚

[@duffypratt]

Agree almost completely about New Sun. There’s a deeper question of identity which makes me wonder why the narrator should even be called Sevarian. Given what happens to him, it’s fair to ask even who he is by the end. But yeah, it’s great. I like Black Company, but stopped after three. That was after listening to someone else who I now think might have been wrong. So I may go back to it. Just don’t know if I need to reread the first three. Mistborn 2 was not for me. I stopped after the second. Sanderson’s idea of what’s funny is just not mine. And I simply didn’t get into the tone of those books and didn’t enjoy the characters or the plots. I’m hit or miss on Sanderson. Mostly like the Cosmere stuff, and mostly dislike everything out of the Cosmere. Also, his hard magic systems tend to transform his books into superhero stories with more than a whiff of progression fantasy. Not a real big fan of either.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Great comment

[@thatsci-firogue]

That is one of the reasons (not the main one) why I'm not watching as much booktube anymore. I'm tired of the constant Sanderson hype and i already go out of my way to avoid a lot of Sanderson related content. January was a solid reading month for me. I read: *Fantasy* Liveship Traders 2: Mad Ship - Book of the Month, easily! The quality of the character work is reminiscent of GRRM's but Hobb's tighter more limited cast of POV characters suits my preferences better. I was a doubter (I'm being mostly hyperbolic) after not loving how Farseer wrapped up and was intimidated by how long these books are (I know, ironic coming from a Malazan fan) but these books are like crack. I can put them down. *Post-Apocalyptic* The Road / Cormac McCarthy (re-read) - Even more powerful on re-read. *Short Fiction* The Birds / Daphne Du Maurier - I really dug the atmosphere. The Merchant & The Alchemist's Gate / Ted Chiang - I. Have. To. Read. More. Ted. Chiang. I'll be chipping away at my short story collections here and there but Exhalation is taking priority. The Ones Who Stay and Fight / N.K Jemisen - Cool worldbuilding. I hear Jemisen's writing style is divisive for a lot of people, even for those that like her works, so I'm going to hold judgement on that until I read more. And sadly I DNF'd Ryan Cahill's Bound & Broken series about 100 pages into Book 2. Cool that its resonating with so many people but it's just not my style of Fantasy. If you love, appreciate and hunger for unapologetically Epic Traditional but still Adult Fantasy then I see why this is becoming more popular, I just couldn't have cared less about the story Cahill's telling. So far February has been excellent as I just finished Liveship Traders. Hobb stuck to landing!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m not a fan of Cahill either

[@thatsci-firogue]

@@thefantasynuttwork so I'm not alone on this island after all 🤣

[@Danny_Matson]

We all have blue balls from Jimmy teasing top tens that never happen. Put us out of our misery Jimmy!😅

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahahah

[@thefantasythinker]

To give you that "feeling" again, read The Great God's War trilogy by Donaldson. I'm telling you, you can't put the third book down 😁

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I hope it’s better than Lord Fouls Bane haha

[@Uppernorwood976]

So what you’re saying is that January has a chance of getting into the top 10 reading months of 2024?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Dare I say the top 12 🤣

[@ReadingAde]

There’s a Dying earth sub genre?? I must find those books. Any suggestions anyone?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Jack Vance

[@brentasmith]

Well I'm glad you liked Book of The New Sun even though you also read some fart sniffy lit fic and Murakami 😂

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Ohio definitely not fart sniffy lol

[@brentasmith]

@@thefantasynuttwork *doubt meme*

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@brentasmith ok lol

[@SheWasOnlyEvie]

The Silver Spike is great. Read it better next time. 😜

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Will do 😂

[@GarrickReads]

Another great video from the worlds number 1 Sanderson hater 😤

[@thefantasynuttwork]

😭😭😭😭

[@OmnivorousReader]

Murakami infuses me with a sense of failure. I have tried to read him but have failed to get anything positive out of the experience.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yeah I could see it being a total miss for people, it’s an odd experience