The Best & Worst Of 2024...So Far | Midyear Check-In

Mike talks about the best and the worst of what he's read so far in 2024 as well as channel growth, most popular content, and goals for the rest of the year.
ℙ𝕦𝕣𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠:
The Vanished Birds amzn.to/3QhrgKa
Wool amzn.to/450A0Lb
The Demon Awakens amzn.to/451Bftr
Shogun amzn.to/40AWDU0
Blackwater Saga amzn.to/44WH9KN
Son of the Black Sword amzn.to/3tXpqqh
Priest of Bones amzn.to/3U91R8s
Streets of Laredo amzn.to/3TPghdl
The Color of Magic amzn.to/3UeY0Fa
The Toll amzn.to/3XQHwGD
ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕝𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕖𝕡𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕕𝕖:
‪@jonathankoan‬
𝕎𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕄𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘? 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕕𝕠 𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝕒𝕕𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤:
Mike K.
15201 Mason Rd
Suite 169
Cypress, TX 77433
Support Mike on Patreon: / mikesbookreviews
Join Mike's server on Discord / discord
Visit Mike's Amazon Wishlist: amzn.to/2zpHooW
Follow Mike on Goodreads: / mikesbookreviews
Follow Mike on Twitter: / zepp1978
Like Mike's Book Reviews on Facebook / mikesbookreviews
Follow Mike on Instagram / zepp1978
Microphone used in these videos: amzn.to/3IpFSAX
Camera used in these videos: amzn.to/3IqqdBv
0:00 Introduction
0:40 What I've Read
1:24 Most Read Authors
2:23 Top 5 Books So Far
11:44 5 Most Disappointing So Far
17:57 Channel Growth
19:14 Most Popular Content
21:19 Goals For Second Half of 2023
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Theme music provided by Infraction
/ @infraction
Music used: Epic (No Copyright Music)
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Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0(CC BY 3.0)
creativecommon...
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#MikesBookReviews #WrapUp #Vlog

[@kaiju_k5042]

Yeah the algorithm is wild, Johanna's channel disappeared out of my feed until I watched a few of her videos in a row, now it's back in the feed. Don't give up Mike, being consistent (which you rock at) and just being you is the best thing you can do :)

[@simonedwards9450]

You’re still my favourite KZbin channel. I’d tune even if it was you reading the yellow pages Favourite reads this year: The pillars of the earth The Silmarillion Ship of magic Salems lot Gardens of the moon

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I find it somewhat encouraging that the random review still can get some traction around here. I won't even pretend to understand the algorithm, so my philosophy is to keep doing what I love. My favorite read of the year so far might still be Assassin's Fate, but I have to say that the latest arcs of One Piece from the Water 7 Saga have me thinking One Piece could steal the crown. Let's see. My best wishes to you for the second half of 2024, Mike!

[@noahjon-darius1509]

I got back into reading because of your Lonesome Dove top choice last year, and I currently have 40 pages left in Dead Man’s Walk. I already bought Comanche Moon yesterday because I know I won’t want to go a moment without continuing this beautiful series… My reading speed as tripled thanks to Larry McMurtry and thanks to you. I’m so excited for you to continue the series because I know that you can already tell, he just. Does. Not. Miss… reading Dead Man’s Walk and following Gus and Call as ignorant young bucks has been the most heartwarming and goofy experiences. I have laughed more in this book than any of the others. Can’t wait to read about them in their prime as Rangers once I get into Comanche Moon, and can’t wait to hear about your reviews on the books!!!!

[@MrPleers]

Recently I discovered Stephen King. I never did read any of his books. Now I'm hooked. I did read The green mile and Misery. And now reading Christine.

[@mackenzieoliver4016]

Try pet sematary it’s the most horrifying masterpiece I’ve ever read

[@MrPleers]

@@mackenzieoliver4016 That one is on my list to read. But I think Salem's lot is next. 🙂

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

Green Mile wrecked me at the end.

[@civoreb]

Have fun with King but try not to rush because if you get through them too fast, unfortunately, there is no one like him and you will have King withdrawals and reading other authors might be hard to get into to get the same fix. My advice is pace yourself.

[@hharrybboy]

My favourite so far is the Fellowship of The Ring. First time reading LOTR

[@abbyb8265]

Same, I'm starting The Two Towers soon and I'm so excited! You should check out the audiobooks by Andy Serkis if you haven't already, they are incredibly well done.

[@MrBoJangles]

Man, I loved Color of Magic so much. The Light Fantastic is basically part 2 of the Rincewind and Two-Flower story.

[@procurement3681]

I started with the Guards, Guards audiobooks, listened to those from beginning to end and they were really great. Definitely a future relisten for me. Went to start from Color of Magic and I have all the same complaints Mike has, didn't really work for me.

[@jellevanbreugel325]

@@procurement3681 familiar complaint, nobody will disagree there. Discworld starts coming into its own from book 3 onwards

[@johnbiesiadecki8980]

​@@procurement3681sourcery was my first. Loved it!

[@TheBeardedBookBeast]

Freaking algorithm! You are still the man, Mike. If it doesn't turn around I will storm Algorithm's castle with you and get some answers! Great video as always, hope the rest of 2024 is 5 stars!

[@blackroomred]

i'm sorry to hear the algorithm has been mistreating you but i believe you have a good outlook on things and consistency and variety will help you gain back even more in time!

[@ChaplainMalachai]

Having a good reading year so far. Top 5, as of June: Fall of Hyperion - Dan Simmons, Shogun - James Clavell, Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman, The Forever War - Joe Haldeman, The Giver - Lois Lowry Bottom 2: The Cabin at the End of the World - Paul Tremblay, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon Keep up the great work Mike!!

[@JamesMcCormickIV]

The original "Wool" book was what is basically the first episode of Silo. The success of that short story is why he extended it into a full length novel. But it necessitated the character shifts. But I had similar problems as well. I just don't care about the new characters. What's most interesting to me is how they took these disjointed stories and made a single coherent narrative out of them for the Silo TV series. Quite successfully, I thought.

[@natneedsbooks]

Love your channel, Mike. You're always transparent, honest, and full of great recommendations. I almost always find something new to add to my tbr (as if it NEEDS anything else added to it 😵‍💫) after watching your videos and love your non-book content just as much. I'm habitually at least a few weeks behind with a seemingly endless backlog, but I'm watching. :) Hoping your views/time watched picks back up soon. You're one of my favorites to sit down and relax to, and I know I'm not the only one who feels that way.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks a ton!

[@twiceborn_by_grace]

Reels and shorts made me remember how much a liked long form videos.

[@Tim_with_Tomes_and_Tales]

The way you talk about Lonesome Dove is exactly how I felt about Shogun when I first read it.

[@scottferris2686]

Halfway through the year, I read 66 books. Top books so far are Magician (Feist) and Taken (Alex Verus series book three) and Pines (wayward pines book one) while at the bottom are Bourne identity and the vampires of el Norte - good video!

[@stevenstewart782]

I just finished Pines. Is a pretty good Read as long as you're able to SuspendDisbelief when you get to the reveal

[@shakodeycarson9253]

I love to see the mix up in the genres. I’m honestly burned out on just reading the same stuff. One thing I can’t find any videos on is “feel good books” I want to read some stuff that won’t bog me down in life! Also, love revenge books 😅

[@rster15]

Really enjoy Larry Correia’s Monster Hunter International series. Never see anyone talk about that one.

[@arekkrolak6320]

I think most people read Shogun long time ago, it is a book form 1960s. If you like Larry McMurtry you may also like John Steinbeck, they cover very similar topics and have similar styles, of course taking into account time difference.

[@elm__street2924]

Good Morning Mike, I just found your channel and I’m so glad I did. No one in my life is a reader, unfortunately. They are more in to TV, Movies, and TikTok. I am working my way through your older videos making a list of “to be read”. Just wanted to say thanks and keep up the great work!

[@flemingstephen16]

I just picked up Lonesome Dove from the library, yesterday, because of your praise of it. Excited to see that you loved the sequel quite a lot also. Diving in today! Also itching to check out Larry Correia now.

[@edwardtaylor5207]

My favourite reads of the year so far are Titus Groan and Gormengast by Mervyn Peake. Amazing books incredible writing style. Having a break before reading the last book in the trilogy.

[@SuperPuddingcat]

I’ve been reading the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold, which has shot up to the top of my favorites. If you are looking for character driven storytelling in science fiction, this is it. A series of novels and novellas from the 90’s that chronicle the lives and adventures of the Vorkosigan family, primarily focusing on the protagonist Miles Vorkosigan, who has become one of my favourite characters of all time. The Vorkosigan Saga has won multiple awards, including several Hugo and Nebula Awards. It’s one of those where you wonder what all the fuss is about after reading book one but just gets better and better as it goes along.

[@triciahon8043]

Audiobooks are really good too.

[@tomjoyce7037]

Keep doing what you're doing. We love it. Top books of the year: Of Blood and Fire / The Fall - Ryan Cahill Lost War & Bitter Crown - Justin Lee Anderson Black Stone Heart - Michael R Fletcher The Great Change - Joe Abercrombie

[@IanTerronesReads]

Shogun has been on my TBR for a while! I hope to get to that massive book soon!

[@leahandchad9882]

‘Salem’s Lot is in the lead for me so far this year but I’m reading Dragonbone Chair right now and really loving it. The Color of Magic made me smile but yes you definitely realize with that book that he is just getting started. Thanks for another great video! C

[@andreamiller3578]

I like seeing the mix of genres. I always bounce between mysteries, nonfiction, fantasy and sci-fi. And there's so much variety within those ge eral categories. I always find something to enjoy.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Great plan.

[@Zechree]

I hope the algorithm boosts your channel up. I really enjoy your content. Keep doing fun stuff and take care!

[@Joe42094]

Love the reviews, I hope the algorithm treats you better. One of my favorite book tubers.

[@21greg7]

Engagement comment. I've been rereading my Bujold & Modesitt collections.

[@michaelkibble740]

Book 3 of The Dark Tower is so good. It's my favorite non horror book by Stephen King.

[@steelepartridge6954]

Thank you so much for recommending Blackwater. Easily my favorite read of the year.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm so glad!

[@maxsinclair787]

i watch all the videos you put out that youtube recommends to me, but i just saw that you put out more then i was recommended to watch. yt in its infinite wisdom only recommended three of your videos this last month. don't worry i'll be watching the ones i missed over the next few days :) keep up the good work. (not the best written thing I've ever done but you get the idea)

[@phatmattcowboys]

I did Shogun this year in 6 weeks. Marathon of a book!

[@stevewalter4552]

I'm still new to Pratchett myself, but Guards Guards was really fun to read. Imagine Monty Python wrote a book in a fantasy city, but even funnier. After the first few pages I knew it was my sort of humor.

[@paytonhartness]

Man, that new intro goes HARD!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you like it!

[@gunneratijuf8915]

Absolutely should read shogun before watching the show. Really filled in some gaps and explained certain things that I saw show only people were confused about.

[@flamingmonkee]

Hey Mike, love your reviews, even though I don't always agree with your takes, I value your critiques and perspective. Hope your channel grows back better than ever!

[@Arizonafrog97]

Love your content, Mike! Something I look forward to every week... my best books so far are: Boys Life by Robert McCammon, Swang Song by Robert McCammon, and the Age of Madness trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. Honorable mention to Neverwhere and American Gods by Neil Gaiman

[@SciFiScavenger]

Yay to more sci fi on this channel!

[@christianjackson4101]

If you're looking for some different types of content, i havent been able to find a good youtuber that does book vs movie adaptation videos and the few ive seen have been really enjoyable. I think a series about book adaptations would be awesome.

[@esmayrosalyne]

Glad that you have found some great new reads already, I hope the second half of the year treats you even better! Also, F the algorithm, just keep doing what you love, we will be here to support you 🤩

[@impoopnrightnow906]

Comment for engagement. I barely even read but I really like your channel.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I appreciate that!

[@TheHermos66]

Mike I love your videos and have been a long time watcher. I think that your views may be dropping due to a little bit of content repetition perhaps. A perfect example is when you spent 3 months reading Shogun. You'd talk about it each week and monthly wrap up. Essentially that's 12 times you've said close to the same thing with a slightly different spin about 1 book. Then we get a book review about it, then a series/book thoughts and then videos such as this. At this stage I can almost recite what you are going to say about these books because you've already spent your weekly and monthly wraps ups talking about them pretty thoroughly tbh. Maybe on your weekly wraps up just do a quick rapid fire as to what you are reading and where you may be up to and leave the rest for the monthly/review videos. Anyway, food for thought. Still enjoy your content mate and I hope you can figure out how to get back to your post hack numbers. You are a bright spot in the book tube community mate.

[@kevincraig4415]

Best I can think is you haven’t really had those booktube staples this year to talk about. A lot of the books you are reading this year are new to me which is cool but don’t get my toes tingling. When I first found you it was King, Abercrombie, Red Rising, Realm of the Elderings, Sanderson…. Just bangers week after week. Kept me engaged.

[@jonathankoan]

Thanks for the shout out… I think.😂 I am willing to try other king books in the future. But I read pillars of the Earth on your recommendation and loved it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha I wasn't mad...just emotionally devastated.

[@asfaloth12]

Blackwater is definitely on my TBR after hearing you talk about it. I checked out another one of his books (The Elementals) from the library and am hoping I like it. Son of the Black Sword has been on my TBR (and my physical shelf) for eons. I need to start this series! My top 3 books so far: 1) Recursion by Blake Crouch 2) Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune 3) Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan Least favorite: Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey Thanks for sharing. Hope you find even more new favorites in the coming months!

[@pattypage6723]

Loved Blackeater! Shogun too but it’s been years since I read it. Lonesome Dove rocked. Have another series of his to read this summer. Great pics and thanks for new ones to checkout.

[@alynam82]

I just read Dead Man's Walk soon after reading Streets of Laredo, and wow... having a hard time deciding which one is more BRUTAL

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yikes haha

[@Uppernorwood976]

I’ve just started Dean Man’s Walk, it doesn’t mess about!

[@chrisp14]

Darn good book.

[@krystnpotts2359]

The two prequels are almost as good as Lonesome Dove.

[@alynam82]

Yea, I'm really looking forward to Comanche Moon 🌚 I'm hoping to get to that later this month

[@williamgwynne]

I cannot believe I still have not read Shogun! I adored You Like it Darker 🤩. Happy reading for the next 6 months!

[@aliubed3162]

All books read so far with my lack of discipline despite my extreme love for reading: Needful things - Loved it “why you never rate a book before it’s 100% actually finished” 8/10 Boy’s life - Great read 7/10 Maltese falcon - good read 7/10 Neal Asher: first 2 books from agent Cormac series - damn great sci-fi action adrenaline read 8/10 Childhood’s end / it was a good read but I think it’s been somewhat overhyped 6/10 Vernor Vinge : Finally got around to reading book 2 a deepness in the sky. My verdict is both books 1 and 2 are damn unbelievable reads albeit unbeknownst to me both are separate completely different stories that haven’t anything to do with eachother 8/10 Dan Simmons / Song of kali: a good read 6/10

[@09RetsamEdalb]

Wool and the Silo series sounds good. Blackwater and Queen of Bedlam are the two best books I've read this year.

[@pattic6077]

I can’t wait to read you like it darker! Such a beautiful book, too!

[@brentandrews6960]

I had trouble with Wool as well. Just gets worse as series goes on

[@BreakinDaHabit]

oh my god man , the color of magic book...exactly how i felt about it

[@TheBookThing]

As a card carrying Discworld fan, even I am not a big fan of Colour of Magic. Wool’s on my TBR so I’m a bit less enthusiastic about it now.

[@k33gan92]

In my opinion as a longer term subscriber I really tuned in for your structured book reviews. IE into the multiverse. I have noticed a little bit less of that content and more vlogging or update content. I'm not sure just one person's opinion. As a fan trying to help. Keep your head up!

[@mikesbookreviews]

My structured book reviews get less than 1% of my audience watching. That's why I only do 2-3 per month anymore.

[@k33gan92]

@@mikesbookreviews That's a shame. You do excellent work none the less!

[@SillyGoose-ism]

Hell yeah, brother. My favorite book I've read this year is gonna have to be Wizard and Glass. Thankee, sai

[@kflott]

Blackwater was so good! A slow burn that kept pulling me in deeper. Streets of Laredo was excellent and unexpectedly DARK.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, the ol' West was GRIM.

[@kyguy3242]

I finally finished my first Dark Tower read through a few weeks ago. Dark Tower 7 was probably my most disappointing read this year. Some things I liked, some things I really didn't. I'd love to see your review of the last two books, even though I know you're dreading covering it, if only just to see which parts you vent your frustrations over. 😅

[@mikesbookreviews]

Oh, I'm familiar.

[@neilpoole3755]

Keep on keepin' on Mike. Best book I've read this year is The Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie. Most disappointing has been Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman.

[@TheInvisibleMan229]

My favorites this year: Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons Dead Beat by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files, #7) The only disappointment (which I forced myself to finish): Splinter of the Mind's Eye by Alan Dean Foster. (I know, I should have started with the Thrawn trilogy... I have it on my shelf).

[@nick_a_93]

Haven't read a ton of books this year but i started Wheel of time, only finished the first 4 so far. I'd say my favorite reads so far have been The Shadow Rising, the great hunt, and the return of the king.

[@armblaster]

Thank you for the video. The algorithm seems to not understand quality booktubing if it hit it on the head! Never heard of the Blackwater series, and thanks to you I put it on my reading list because I like slice-of-life fiction. I was on the fence about Lonesome Dove, but you've convinced me to move it up the reading pile.

[@FrankieB217]

I've had a pretty good first half of the year in terms of reading and most of my favorite reads come from your recommendations. Some of my favorites this year so far are Dune (first time reading it finally), Iron Gold (continuing the RR series after a few months pause) and the Wayward Pines trilogy. And my biggest disappointment was a nonfiction book - Surviving to Drive

[@tcrabbe1583]

'Blackwater', really is an excellent read. I'd highly recommend reading 'Cold Moon Over Babylon', by Michael McDowell, if you're interested in some more Southern Gothic family drama featuring a haunting Alabama river!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I think Elementals was the one most recommend.

[@tcrabbe1583]

@@mikesbookreviews That's on the TBR pile! I'll have to check it out.

[@jakobwetzel7065]

Elementals was very good. I just got a special edition of Cold Moon. Beautiful copy.

[@kencloherty33]

My favourite is empire of the vampires, the one I dnf'd was the complete tales and poems of Edgar Allen Poe

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

My top 5, not in order are The Exile (Cahill), You Like It Darker (King), The Lonesome Crown (Durfee), Empire of the Damned (Kristoff), and The Silverblood Promise (Logan). My two most disappointing, both books 3's in a trilogy, are The Madness of Gods by R.S. Moule, and The Trials of Empire (Richard Swan).

[@dubhmoore575]

Hay Mike, loving your mix of genres! Stay awesome sir 💫

[@Hotmenudo]

I wouldn't stress the view count's too much right now. It's summer, people are probably taking some time off from work = not doing their audiobooking on daily commutes. When I'm not listening/reading anything I tend to watch your content a little less and spend more time watching video game content creators like Happy Console Gamer.

[@mikouf9691]

Your thoughts on Arc of a Scythe are similar to mine. I loved the first, liked the 2nd. The only difference is I DNFd the 3rd one. For me, it's worse when it's a series that started off good. With a standalone, I can just never read it. When a sequel disappoints me, it taints the experience of the preceding books because I will never have a satisfying ending.

[@anonvegeta]

You’re really setting yourself to not love discworld Mike! Even Terry himself doesn’t recommend starting with colour or magic. I started with small gods and I loved it.

[@FreeLatveria]

What is funny is I started Discworld with Guards, Guards and was let down by it. I think it was just overhyped and I expected too much from it. So then later I regrouped and started with The Colour of Magic and really liked it, for the same reasons. It was talked down so hard I had low expectations and end up finding it really fun.

[@wolervine]

That's the trouble, people talk it down so much but it's fine! I'm a big fan of publication order for the evolution of the writing and world building.

[@procurement3681]

@@wolervine Ha, I started with Guards, Guards and loved them but didn't like Color of Magic.

[@wolervine]

@@procurement3681 that's fine,and it's probably my amongst my least favourite as well but I'm glad I read it first, I wouldn't want to go back to read a less regarded book, much better to get it out of the way but also appreciate it in the context of a career, though having said that I read all of the non-Discworld books after I'd binged the series to where it was in real-time.

[@nickgladmon7941]

My year has been awesome mainly because I started the red rising series this year. Golden son is hands down my favorite book

[@kingzzz6509]

My favorite book so far has either been my re-read of The Fellowship of the Ring, or possibly Dune Messiah.

[@GordonMcLachlan]

Looking forward to reading You Like It Darker! Love a good bit of Stephen King.

[@Bella-von-Bellesh]

Words of radiance is my fave so far! I’m having a break until book 3! These books are so long! 😂😂

[@robmccoy5207]

What happened to the Loser's Club coffee mug? I saw a copy of The Body published by itself outside of Different Seasons at Walmart a few days ago. I think there are 5 books in the Lonesome Dove series. All worth a read. McMurtry did another historical fiction piece called Pretty Boy Floyd.

[@ryanbadgett7419]

My favorite book I've read this year is 11/22/63 by stephen king. Great book by the King

[@aliubed3162]

Someone who didn’t like S.K IT I’m guessing probably didn’t read it or didn’t understand anything he read. IT’s probably the biggest Magnus Opus of King in the exception of the Stand, I’m not counting gunslinger series as it’s not a single book albeit the last three books in and of themselves could stand on par “maybe” with IT but this damn book gave me nightmares 😂 Thankyou Mr King

[@jaycianfrini77]

Although you got hacked I’m still a loyal fan since day one. Been reading a bit less this year than past years because work is nuts. My favourite so far this year is The Will of the Many. Really enjoyed it looking forward to the next in the series. Least favourite is Dungeon Crawler Carl. Thought it would be a good palette cleanser but it was like reading a shitty video game. Wanted to like it but wasn’t for me. Cheers. Good luck during the storm. Hope it passes you by.

[@Zechree]

I read like 600 700 pages a month, trying to get those numbers up but as long as I am enjoying myself that’s the goal

[@Zechree]

That being said all I did was read fire and blood over the course of June and I loved it quite a bit

[@calebmauer1751]

My best is probably Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson, because Final Fantasy X is my favorite of the series and this book is essentially a near-perfect inversion of the story of FFX.

[@kaiju_k5042]

Love the new special effects in your videos Mike, well done! Favorite book so far was You Like It Darker by Stephen King ( did the audiobook, was terrific) and worst was Graveyard Shifts by Jesse Mindiola.

[@heidi6281]

My favorite so far for 2024; Trouble with Peace, Ship of Magic, Deathstalker , The Exile ( novella) & We are the Dead. I usually DNF pretty earlier to save myself from a bad book but Sea of Tranquility was terrible. I kept at it thinking it was bound to get better. I also suffered through a few chapters from ACOTAR.

[@arselanehadjslimane2582]

Sad to hear the algorithme hasnt been nice to the channel, but i guess all channels go through periodes of growth stagnation ? In any case, whenever i finnish a book or want to start one your reviews and "why you should read" are an automatic watch for me.

[@benja6902]

I enjoyed all the different visual effects.

[@robmccoy5207]

I started A Game of Thrones in 2011. Could not get through it. I decided that this year I was going to finish all 5 of them. I got to the end and was really disappointed. I feel like he's in need of Stephen King's editor at the time of The Stand, to tell him to take half of it out.

[@calebmauer1751]

I kind of felt like that before but now I'm just glad for anything we got in the world. But maybe if an editor had been tougher on books 4 and 5, he wouldn't have his extreme writers block now.

[@momrobare]

I read the first Discworld book and couldn't get past the first chapter. However, while waiting at the doctor's office, I was bored and picked up Wyrd Sisters and started reading it. I LOVED it and subsequently read the other 6 and when he came out with the Tiffany Aching books (also a witch book) I loved them too. The ones that focus on the characters Death and the Hogfather are also interesting. But some of them I still cannot get past the first chapter even 50 years later. R. A. Salvator reminds me of Anne Rice in that he is hit and miss regarding his books. One book is good, the next one sucks, the next one is good, and the next one sucks.

[@TBaggins96]

Some of the best books I've read this year: The Crippled God Dust of Dreams The Silmarillion Dune The Darkness that Comes Before

[@scottferris2686]

With how much you liked Shogun and Lonesome Dove (neither of which is even remotely speculative fiction) - does it make you want to read more fiction that is not speculative in nature? (Sci fi, fantasy, horror)

[@holdenpop12]

Easily my best book this year was The Way of Kings. I am absolutely hooked on the Stormlight Archive now. Dalinar is the best!

[@jennifersanders6558]

Best: Death's End by Liu Cixin. So amazingly imaginative. Worst: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. It wasn't horrible and gave me several things to think about, but it was depressing and just made the world feel dirtier.

[@blacknbluecollarreader]

Swan Song and Boy's Life are competing at this time for book of the year. The 3 book in the Justice of Kings trilogy is currently the most disappointing book of the year. I'm guilty of not engaging lately so I wanted to comment. Awesome video man. Cheers.

[@dpeady78]

I need to get to Blackwater, I also heard on a podcast that Flanagan is a big fan and would be interested in tackling it YES PLEASE Also I read Lonesome Dove finally in Jan of this year Easy book of the year

[@aaronmeyer6025]

My favorites this year so far: North Woods Rules of Civility Lonesome Dove My least favorites: The Bear and the Nightingale The Quarry Girls

[@09RetsamEdalb]

North Woods by Douglas Hoover?

[@aaronmeyer6025]

@@09RetsamEdalb Daniel Mason

[@09RetsamEdalb]

@@aaronmeyer6025 ahh damn! I was surprised at first cause someone at work just told me about that book. But it's not the same one lol

[@aaronmeyer6025]

@@09RetsamEdalb I just looked up the one that you mentioned. I had never heard of it, and it seems not too well known. Only 586 ratings on Goodreads!

[@Erny_Epley]

Best book of 2024 so far for me…and it’s not close- Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff. I am a slow reader but burned through that book in a few days. So good!

[@goewey27]

You ever read Christian Galacar (Horror)? He doesn't have many books but they are all really good. I couldn't put them down - read them all in like 2 months at the most. Can't wait for him to put out more stuff.

[@Alex-jo6rb]

The grace of kings is probably my number one so far, also loved Blackwater, dark age, Kane and Abel, and the murder of Roger ackroyd.

[@untidaledwildman5143]

The lighting is looking awesome, Mike!

[@jameswitts3793]

I'd back into your channel a lot more if you continued with your Malazan reviews as thats the reason i started watching your channel

[@calebmauer1751]

I wish. Might be a tough ask though since book 9 and half of book 10 are filled with military groups traveling miserably, which is the main thing he didn't like about the series up to where he stopped reading.