The 15 Best Books I've Read Since Starting This Channel

[@mikesbookreviews]

**NOTE** I made a goof on the timeline of the Stephen King book. It was actually released AFTER 11/22/63, I was still just apprehensive about new King works at the time. So I got confused. My fault!

[@davidthenewtheologian7757]

Have you read the man who spoke snakish?

[@ryanmcmahon7421]

For a minute, my brain interpreted this comment as "it was released after the literal date of 11/22/63", and I got even more confused.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I'm here for the positivity! Some wonderful reads here, Mike. Your best book for 2023 so far is remarkably similar to mine!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Too soon, amirite?

[@taylorlovesbooks94]

I just went back and watched one of your old reviews from 2020 (when I first started watching your videos). It’s amazing how far you’ve come! Your videos have always made me feel like I’m hanging out with a friend. Thanks for all you do Mike!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Wow, thanks so much!

[@lizardman1303]

Thought 2020 was a good year

[@Ghaffar_KH]

Hoping Winds of Winter joins the list some day 💀

[@BenLaSoul908]

Don't give me hope

[@heretic124]

@@BenLaSoul908 Don't worry, even if it was released there's also A Dream of Spring which will forever remain only that, a dream. So what's the point in even reading it?

[@BenLaSoul908]

@@heretic124 nach chill beloved, even if he drops half of winds of Winter, I'm reading the shit out of that lol

[@geminisundone]

I've just finished his fire n blood history of the targeryens. Absolutely outstanding book I avoided thinking it would be terribly written like the Silmarrillion but it's not. Winds of winter will be out in a few years and it's bound to be incredible.

[@littlec1332]

Oh sweet summer child....

[@MrVirtuezzz]

I always love these kinds of videos. I always find at least one thing that I can really enjoy and dive into

[@JB-hq9yj]

You’re by far my favorite book tuber. I got into King because of you and now I’m starting to dip into fantasy. I’m almost 40 with kids and haven’t read fiction or had this much fun reading since I was young. Except for Pet Semetary.. one of the best books I’ve read but absolutely gutted me I couldn’t stop thinking about myself and my son.

[@redjarl]

So happy to hear about the awesomeness of Changes in Jim Butcher's series. I've finished Small Favor yesterday and was so impressed by the action packed narrative and that first scene of Carpenters family playing snowballs is so captivating. A the twist that the author performed in plain sight just right before your eyes- magic 🎩 I immediately started the Turn Coat and the beginning was wonderful too. Hearing that the next book is going to be much more impressive makes me happy.

[@regulah2125]

Cold Days and Skin Game are really, really good too. Skin Game is my personal favorite, even topping Changes.

[@WhatAboutZoidberg]

Yea its weird to say a series gets better 8+ books in, but it really does. Such great world building and loveable characters.

[@barrybranscum5085]

oof, hope you protect your heart when ya get to CHANGES! The title does not oversell.....

[@jorgemedina8083]

Thanks for the positivity, Mike

[@bluejayandrooster]

Fool’s Errand ❤ Tawny Man is incredible, but my brother, you just cannot be prepared emotionally for that final trilogy 😅. I’ve loved watching your journey with the Realm of the Elderlings; your Farseer reviews were what originally got me hooked on your channel. Always a joy to watch your videos - positive and negative thoughts alike!

[@kurtbeck3400]

I love the positivity!

[@bananapeel892]

So glad to see Project Hail Mary and Dark Matter get love. I’ve read PHM two times now, and I can’t wait to read it again. One of my favorite books of all time. Dark Matter was great too. I feel like it is a little over hated for the simple writing, but I loved it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's a great book!

[@lindsayejoy]

i love this channel so much, Mike. i especially love videos like these. thanks so much for sharing your love of books with us! i've already read 7 books this year and have a goal of 50 for the year!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thank you so much!

[@pamelalagree-kanotz6845]

Swan Song has been a favorite of mine since its release in the 80s. Can't recommend it highly enough!

[@debbiea.7800]

Yes! The flicker flicker scene in The Great Hunt is one of the best written passages I’ve ever read. I recently listened to it on audiobook again and realized I was holding my breath the whole time!

[@markmiles3768]

Hyperion is such a great book! Keep up the good work, Mike!

[@Yesica1993]

I need to do a reread. That thing consumed my brain for months!

[@jozephusmusic]

I'm so excited for Swan Song! I loved The Stand and the way you described Swan song was how I felt about the Stand.

[@dinocollins720]

Another fantastic video!!! Thank you!!!

[@Wingman_T25]

I would love to see you make like a top 30 favorite books list. I know that 10 is the standard but I think seeing a wider spectrum of your favs without as many guidelines would be super interesting

[@Gator5000e]

Thanks for listing Project Hail Mary! I thought it was so much better than The Martian. I reread PHM immediately after I finished it the first time. That was the first time I had ever done that. I’ve also reread it another time. It was a fantastic book and it blew The Martian out of the water, IMHO.

[@Desh727]

Wild I just finished it myself, and I'm feeling the same way. It was incredible. It's my favorite book of all time.

[@douglaswilliams6834]

Great post. I'm putting most of these on my TBR list.

[@RekindledReader]

Awesome list! I'm going to make sure to hit some of these. Glad to say I've read a lot of them, and I totally get it. Fantastic, Mike, thanks for taking the time to put this together for us

[@iamrjdennis]

Love the positive vibes! 😊

[@anotherbooktubechannel]

Swan Song was my top read of 2022, hands down. I also read for the first time Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury as was enchanted by it. I also finished Wheel of Time in 2020 and began my reading of the cosmere, so basically all of those books haha

[@thedrownedkingdomsaga7847]

As usual, awesome video Mike! Happy to see Ruin on there...one of my personal faves!

[@safinan8008]

Happy reading to u!! 🎉🎧

[@arifleeman1899]

Kings of the Wyld was one of the best books i've read. Such a great concept that was executed perfectly

[@cmmosher8035]

This is one of my favourite books in recent years. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but I really liked Bloody Roses as well.

[@annakhjelm146]

@@cmmosher8035 Me too. I would just say that they are good for very differant reasons. For me at least and I think that some people get disapointed when realising that 'Bloody Rose' not like exactly like 'Kings of the wyld' 🤔

[@BrianBell7]

Loved this video Mike! 100% same on "Childhood's End". Still stuck in my head a year later since your recommendation. Same with Swan Song now too. I think this video will do better than you think.

[@MKReads]

Hi Mike, new to your channel. Read the Red Rising trilogy last year and it has definitely become one of my new favorites of all time. Sevro is my favorite character. So many book series I haven’t started. I’m currently working through a Song of Ice and Fire. I read a ton of the Star Wars EU books as a kid. Definitely planning on reading Kings of the Wyld this year! 😊

[@CARancourt]

Thank you Mike - great video and your insight really helps. My TBR keeps growing!

[@JustinB_Oz]

Came across this channel looking for sci-fi recs and love it overall. Thanks.

[@geminisundone]

Great video man. Lots of authors I'll be checking out. Dan Simmons is my favourite living writer. The first book I read of his was the terror which to this day is the best book I've ever read. I bought his entire catalogue after including the mind-blowing Hyperion series. King I've fallen out of love with. He has written some incredible novels ( The stand, the drawing of the three, shining etc ) but dear good he sold out years ago ..I agree though his 2 best books of the 21st century are revival and 11.22.63. I've just ordered Swan song. I read it when I was a teenager ( I'm 48 ) and it blew me away back then. It demands a re-read. ✌️

[@rodhamm8484]

I always thought that The Great Hunt was my favorite Wheel Of Time book. Glad to see it mentioned here.

[@elaineirving77]

Golden Son is my fave RR book too. Can’t wait to re-read it with you all next month 💛

[@ColinsCornerYT]

Great list, Mike! You were one of the first channels I found on booktube and you’ve been a huge inspiration for me to get back into reading! I always love hearing your thoughts and I think it was a great idea to make a positive feels video!

[@mattjones4415]

Yes the gauntlet was thrown down in Changes. Fantastic book. Skin Game is a close second for me. Love anything with the Denarians and Michael. He's like a surrogate father figure for Harry. It gets you in the feels

[@sci-fyguy7767]

Re-reading Sphere as a 54 year old as opposed to being in my early twenties: I can sympathize with Norman.

[@deepugallgali3985]

Tawny man is my favorite trilogy, iam glad you loved fool's errand, it only gets better, fool's fate is my favorite book.

[@catherinegillman5116]

I am new to your channel and I’ve never been a fan of science fiction. But your fantasy choices match mine so exactly (and I read so veraciously that I am struggling to find good fantasy that I haven’t already read until the next set of books from my favorite authors come out) Your enthusiasm and passion have convinced me to try sci-fi once again. I’ve heard a lot about the Red Rising series but I’ve decided to try Dark Matter first, since it’s a standalone. Thank you for your suggestions and I am enjoying your channel immensely.

[@FKDotFitzgerald]

Five minutes in and you’ve mentioned Best Served Cold and Golden Son; easily two of my favorites. Both of them are relentless fucking experiences with twists and insane setpieces back to back.

[@DanExploresBooks]

Really fantastic list. Some out definately be on my list as well.

[@erikapatterson484]

I'm a few minutes behind, but Changes wrecked my 2022 reading year. Biggest book hangover ever. I read Changes in April which was my 23rd book of the year. Well, I only finished the year at 25 because I could not read after that, nothing really sounded interesting.

[@T-Flow79]

So happy you picked Best Served Cold for this list. I love all the standalones and both trilogies. But that one is by far my favorite.

[@jayspeijer614]

Love the positivity Mike, and how you dip a bit below the surface about what makes each of these books great to you. It takes skill to entice a reader without spoiling or remaining too superficial in the analysis. As a long time fan of The Stand, I also recently enjoyed Swan Song and agree with your points; McCammon got game, here and elsewhere for sure.

[@nilulal545]

I have been following your channel for a while now, and I think it's such a positive influence because I've exceeded not only my reading goals, but also introduced to some of the best fantasies and when in doubt your recommendations were always and is my go to! Or if im curious, I wonder if you have a video out lol, which you usually always do 😀 throughly enjoy your thoughts and detailed breakdown of the storyline.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@camerontaylor4008]

Damn this really boosted red rising for my tbr 2023 thanks Mike

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

I’m a big fan of McCammon after reading Boy’s Life, Swan Song, Gone South, Mine, The Five. Eager to read his other works.

[@magicn5367]

Swan song... Thank you for that recommendation.. Sooo good Im glad you do what you do.. I literally feel exactly the same about these books after I read them.. I'll read anything you recommend.. Thank you again

[@monymona]

Oh i loved seeing Robert Mccammon on any list. He was my favorite in the 90s. I need to revisit. Thank you!

[@Bookishtravels1]

Hail Mary is such a great book, so agree with you on that. Kings of the Wyld has been been on my TBR for so long. Empire of the Vampire is a big book and it intimidates me. New to your channel so hey! * waves at you*

[@jaredthomas7778]

You've inspired me to read more Steven King! I've read the shining, pet semetry, and Salem's lot! I've got more King to read on my shelf! I'm currently reading it, and it could be my favorite! Keep on rocking Mike!

[@xxsolxx23]

I've never seen anyone talk about swan song, it's one of my favorite books of all time. Great vid

[@angelaholmes8888]

Swan song is really great I'm glad I decided to read it

[@readinsteadbyjake]

This was an awesome video, definitely helped me fill in my TBR for the next few months.

[@WordsinTime]

Dark Matter, Hyperion, Golden Son, and Childhood's End are all favourites of mine as well!

[@gayanegasparyan4137]

I’m so glad to see Fool’s Errand here!

[@inkshoe25]

I've read about half of your list and would have to say, you are spot on, at least IMHO. Red Rising is THE book that got me into SFF in 2015 (from Romance/Romantasy, YA - can't read anymore) and Golden Son was a spectacular sophomore book. To this day, it is still my favorite SFF series. Best Served Cold and the First Law series is always what I recommend if someone is ambivalent about starting a long series. Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion was some of the best and most interesting SFF I have ever read. And Jay Kristoff! He is a hit or miss for me, but Nevernight and EotV were brilliant. He is my soul author as he also puts little easter eggs of music lyrics in his books. I am a classic rock and metalhead music fan and he listens to many of the same bands as me, so it is always a pleasure to find those easter eggs. Thank you so much Mike for this. I'm a little late to your YT channel, but glad I found you.

[@andreamiller3578]

Great list. I blame you for my TBR list getting longer and longer. LOL. I also credit you for getting me interested in fantasy again.

[@adventureswithJacqui]

I'm continually impressed in the standard of your videos, loved the inserts in this vlog, such good quality. And I really like the way you talk and present yourself, you're in my top 5 youtubers! On a different note, would love you to read Legend by David Gemmell.

[@Mira-xg9ux]

Last year I read hail mary based on your recommendation. Even though it took me a while to finish I enjoyed it a lot! Their friendship was so wholesome :’)

[@marco.savini.128]

i just bought Kings of the Wyld, super excited for it, i'm a guitarist by trade so the references are definitely a plus! i'm also finally gonna get into Gwynne, with shadow of the gods...

[@marco.savini.128]

btw should i read bloody rose??

[@annakhjelm146]

I would say yes, because I love the both. But I think that 'Bloody Rose' is slightly more serious 🤔 Or it could just be the differant vibes of the feeling of a 70's rock band reuniting for one more ture and a young 80's rock band on tour (which is the idea behind the books) 😁

[@angelaholmes8888]

Love best served cold definitely my favorite Abercrombie book

[@chrisbaker2059]

Dark Matter and Project Hail Mary were both amazing reads! I've added a handful of the books you mentioned in this video to my TBR list. Instant subscribe, thanks for the recommendations!

[@Verlopil]

I appreciate that you read different genres, and also that within genres you don't read the same kind of book over and over. A lot of the booktube channels I've found focus on on the dark and depressing side of fantasy, and the cold and idea-based sf. You have much more well-rounded tastes.

[@cmmosher8035]

I think the standouts of the past few years are Nicholas Eames, Sullivan's Theft of Swords, Janny Wurts Curse of the Mistwraith, Brian Lee Dufree is a recent read that lived up. Micheal Fletcher's Black Stone Heart a lot of fun, Tabitha Lee's Birthrite series is an interesting cross section of Fantasy and Gothic fiction.

[@Ylyrra]

If you Like Tanith Lee, you might like Liz Williams.

[@cmmosher8035]

@@Ylyrra thanks I was going to move on to the flat earth series next but I will have to check out Williams.

[@staceyh8654]

Great video! I am so glad you mentioned Project Hail Mary! I loved it. The Martian is great as well. I just started Artemis. Needless to say Andy Weir is overall a great author.

[@sjkrum320]

Great video! Really enjoyed this after a stressful day at work. Thank you for the good energy.

[@Dragondarkness30]

Revival is WOW I couldn't stop thinking about it. Even today I still think about it. I read it many years ago. I really wish they would make a movie of it. It's such a roller-coaster trip of a book.

[@Mako2401]

Changes turns Dresden Files from a fun but mid level fantasy book series, to one of those must reads. Agree with you on that one 100%

[@cartercaceres927]

I love the animated covers! Please keep doing them if it’s not too difficult!

[@djsuth7727]

A great selection, Mike.

[@tiananesbitt7156]

Thanks for listing four titles I have collected! I need to hug Crouch!

[@stevehoran6011]

A great lineup of books, of which I have all but two in my library. Will try to read one per month throughout 2023.

[@DragonWarrior976]

Mike, you know how much you are loading my TBR LOL😅. Just Kidding. Thanks for sharing this list. I will ensure that I have read all of them.

[@dinocarosi4303]

You've confirmed so many suspicions I've had about many of these books in this video. I better get reading 📚 cause my list just grew longer.

[@markbrown890]

I have just started reading red rising and I'm loving it

[@danielw8620]

Just as I began to narrow down my TBR. "Just when i thought i was out they keep pulling me back!". Look forward to growing my tbr with a few of these.

[@pinche247]

The only book I’ve read from your list is revival and oh boy. That ending is so good. It bothered me for quite awhile after I finished the book. Being from Tulsa and knowing exactly what he was describing with the state fair and bell’s amusement park was an added bonus

[@aldan7812]

Yup, Hobbs books get better and better and better mate. It is known - The last trilogy, is brutal. I have never bawled in my reading life like i did at multiple moments in that series. It's an absolute masterpiece and it will wreck you for the same reasons it wrecked me i suspect.

[@dpeady78]

My favourite of the last few years are quite aligned with yours (go figure) but yes Ruin, 11/22/63, Kings of the Wyld are definitely up there

[@anitahohl]

I didn't read Project Hail Mary until last year, but it was one of my favorites I read that year. So entertaining!

[@nooneyouknowof]

Thanks for the suggestions! The Dresden Files is definitely one of my all-time favorite series for sure! I got started on them because of the old sci-fy channel series( also one of my favorite tv series of all time, despite being lower budget). I just happened to see in the credits, "based on the Dresden Files novels" From the 1st book on, I was hooked 😎 Have you done a review/read The War of the Lance Trilogy, from the Dragonlance novels, yet? That is another favorite trilogy of mine.(I even like it better than the LOTR trilogy) I know, sacrilege! 😬

[@praetorxyn]

Some great picks in there.

[@michaelmenard8614]

I haven’t heard many booktubers talk about the last war, but it was my favorite series last year

[@laurenthompson2404]

I've not even finished the video yet and have already added several more books to my TBR list. 😅 Thanks Mike!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Happy to help!

[@asfaloth12]

Great list! This must have been such a difficult list to make with all of the amazing books you have read. -I read Red Rising some years ago and quite enjoyed it! I am excited to continue Golden Son. -I have Malice checked out from the library. Seriously need to read that and start that series! It’s ridiculous that I have yet to read it! -It brought a big smile to my face to see Project Hail Mary on this list! I was so fortunate to go into this book totally blind, and it was an amazing experience for me. The ending was just perfect. -Blake Crouch is another author I really need to read. His books sound so intriguing! -Hyperion is on my shelf and at the top of my TBR. I confess to becoming interested in it because of that cover. -I STILL need to read Empire of the Vampire. Sounds amazing! The language is unlikely to bother me since I grew up in a swearing family 🤣 __STILL need to start the Realm of the Elderlings. So many books, so little time! Thanks for sharing this!

[@waltwestbrook6651]

I loved Revival. I identified with parts of several of the main characters (rock guitar, Methodist pastor). I thought I was the only one who ever read it. Thanks for your work!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Such a great read.

[@emosongsandreadalongs]

I'm halfway through Red Rising. Pretty fun so far

[@karenryan490]

Keep going! Tawny Man is my favorite!

[@jthutt5042]

Been watching you for a while. This video made me finally read Dark Matter. Fantastic. Flew through it. Immediately read Recursion. Equally as fantastic. Highly recommended if you haven’t read. Love your channel.

[@nickfoster9350]

I felt the same way about "Empire of the Vampire." Initially wrote it off for the same reasons you stated, but when I finally took the plunge, I was captivated. Such a surprise hit, and I am equally excited for part two. "The Warlord Chronicle" is the best trilogy I've ever read, and I don't think it would be possible for me to pick a favourite book in the series. Absolutely riveting. Since 2019, if I had to pick fifteen of my favourites lets see: The Pillars of the Earth The Winter King Enemy of God Excalibur Misery (re-read) The Name of the Wind Necroscope American Gods The Black Tongue Thief Pet Semetary Ready Player One Shadow of What Was Lost Echo of Things to Come The Light of All That Falls Lonesome Dove

[@karenthomas1456]

Dresden Files is absolutely my favourite fantasy series, I’m looking forward to the next book after the sucker punch of Battle Ground. But while I wait, I’ll check out some of the books listed here. x

[@MrTabu89]

Hey Mike... I really like your shirt....."HellFire Club"👹...........also kool video....continue doing your thing....Just wondering if you going to do a follow up on your DUNE Review Frank Herbert......best sci-fi book on the market......

[@jaffsxtc]

Fevre dream by George R R Martin is such an amazing vampire story.

[@Lasombra08]

Yes!

[@FrancT-]

Have you ever read Shogun by James Clavell? I enjoyed The Pillars of the Earth a lot, and was looking for something similiar. I'm about 10% in and it's a pretty good book. I think you'd enjoy it as well.

[@pamelalagree-kanotz6845]

Shogun is amazing! Can't go wrong with Colleen McCullough RIP.

[@pamelalagree-kanotz6845]

Can't go wrong with Colleen McCullough! Try Morgan's Run.

[@shawngaetz8161]

Because of this channel I buy every stephen king book I see lol. I'm about ready to start his early works as soon as I come across salems lot I'm gonna binge the first 3 in a row.

[@damonke79]

Early Stephen King is as good as it gets. Hope you like them as much as I did.

[@Kaustic714]

Love that Hyperion, Best Served Cold and Ruin made the list. Would LOOOVE to see you review Endymion and the Rise of Endymion, VERY IMPACTFUL and I think you'd like it more than Fall of Hyperion since I know you said that one left a bad taste. But in any case, awesome job with the channel Mike and keep up the good work!!

[@zacturf-n-sports6203]

The Faithful and the Fallen was my first fantasy series I listened too. Read a lot, but first one I listened to and still one of my favorites

[@clairemeehan7250]

Great list. I'm going to have to check out that Arthur C. Clarke book....sounds interesting!

[@Bemolas2]

Some of my favorite reads from the last couple of years: Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio, Wrath by John Gwynne, Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie, The Terminal List by Jack Carr, The Justice of Kings by Richard Swann, and Napoleon A Life by Andrew Roberts

[@irishknight6893]

Awesome list Mike!! I’m surprised no Sanderson books ended up in this list especially Words of Radiance?!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Read that before I started the channel.

[@irishknight6893]

@@mikesbookreviews oh wow thought you read everything fresh in your 2020 year of Sanderson? Guess I was mistaken