Top 15 Books I Read in 2023 | READ THESE

Use my code CAPTUREDINWORDS to get $5 off your delicious, high protein Magic Spoon cereal by clicking this link: sponsr.is/magicspoon_captured...
Today I'll be going over my favorite books that I read in 2023! This is mostly a mix of fantasy and scifi reads, all of which you should definitely read for yourself!
Want to support the channel?
Consider joining my Patreon: / capturedinwords
Consider donating on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/capturedinwords
Join the Discord server!: / discord
Join the subreddit!: / capturedinwords
Using my affiliate links helps out the channel!
0:00 - INTRO
0:52 - MagicSpoon
2:33 - The Shining: geni.us/TheShining
4:39 - Forgotten Beasts of Eld: geni.us/ForgottenBeastsofEld
7:40 - Red Rising: geni.us/RedRising
8:55 - Ninth Rain: geni.us/NinthRain
10:33 - Sword of Kaigen: geni.us/SwordofKaigen
12:06 - Malazan: geni.us/MalazanBook1
13:49 - Poppy War: geni.us/PoppyWar
15:18 - Piranesi: geni.us/-Piranesi
17:23 - Night Angel: geni.us/WayofShadows
20:47 - Tress of the Emerald Sea: geni.us/Tress
21:53 - Nightmare Painter: geni.us/Yumi
23:04 - Sunlit Man: geni.us/Sunlit-Man
23:34 - Dungeon Crawler Carl: geni.us/DungeonCrawlerCarl
25:34 - Small Gods: geni.us/SmallGods
27:14 - One Piece: geni.us/OnePiece1
SUBSCRIBE TO THE 2ND CHANNEL | The Sunshine Seekers: / @thesunshineseekers
Where to find me:
Twitch: / capturedinpixels
Instagram: captured.in...
Twitter: / captured_words
TikTok: / capturedinwords
Want to send me something? Here's my PO Box address:
Jay Kennedy
PO Box 21163
Kelowna RPO Orchard Park, BC, V1Y 9N8
Canada

[@CapturedInWords]

Use my code CAPTUREDINWORDS to get $5 off your delicious, high protein Magic Spoon cereal by clicking this link: sponsr.is/magicspoon_capturedinwords_0124 Using my affiliate links helps out the channel! 0:00 - INTRO 0:52 - MagicSpoon 2:33 - The Shining: geni.us/TheShining 4:39 - Forgotten Beasts of Eld: geni.us/ForgottenBeastsofEld 7:40 - Red Rising: geni.us/RedRising 8:55 - Ninth Rain: geni.us/NinthRain 10:33 - Sword of Kaigen: geni.us/SwordofKaigen 12:06 - Malazan: geni.us/MalazanBook1 13:49 - Poppy War: geni.us/PoppyWar 15:18 - Piranesi: geni.us/-Piranesi 17:23 - Night Angel: geni.us/WayofShadows 20:47 - Tress of the Emerald Sea: geni.us/Tress 21:53 - Nightmare Painter: geni.us/Yumi 23:04 - Sunlit Man: geni.us/Sunlit-Man 23:34 - Dungeon Crawler Carl: geni.us/DungeonCrawlerCarl 25:34 - Small Gods: geni.us/SmallGods 27:14 - One Piece: geni.us/OnePiece1

[@oliveraslin4318]

Agreed on Piranesi, that was my favorite of the year. Totally singular in tone and atmosphere

[@1220donmarko]

Love love love Red Rising!

[@samtheactualkenku6205]

Actually Malazan as a world has two authors; Steven Erickson who wrote Malazan Book of the Fallen/Book of the Witness and Ian C. Esselmont who has the Malazan Empire and the Path of Ascendancy series. For Esselmont's part, Malazan Empire was used predominantly explain how the world works through intriguing stories and Path of Ascendancy is a prequel story for two core characters from Malazan Book of the Fallen

[@MarcS24-058]

I think you would really like The Bound and the Broken series by Ryan Cahill. It is as addicting as the Red Rising series. It has great characters and a really detailed world with lots of history reminding me of A Song of Ice and Fire. This series basically is a lot of fantasy series like Wheel Of Time, Lord of the Rings, Stormlight Archive, and A Song Of Ice and Fire combined. It also has dragons. I read this series in about 1 month and I am not a really fast reader but this was super addictive and just wanted to read more.

[@patrickvose2536]

Just started reading it and am already completely hooked. Sooo good

[@laszlohujber3571]

I read Of War And Ruin, the 3rd book, in 5 days. It is a must read in my opinion.

[@irishknight6893]

Not sure if he reads man Self Published authors unfortunately, but I wholeheartedly agree ! Red Rising is my 2nd fav series of all time so I’m glad Jay is finally giving the series some love..and I am also reading The bound and the broken by Ryan Cahill and it is SO ADDICTING ! I’m by no means a fast reader and have almost read Of Blood and Fire in under 3 days.. read The Fall in a few hours and now I have to wait 10 days till Amazon ships book 1 Of Darkness And Light…

[@CapturedInWords]

I do plan on reading more self pub stuff this year, and The Bound and The Broken keeps getting recommended to me, so I definitely plan on reading it at some point!

[@irishknight6893]

@@CapturedInWords that is so awesome!! We know everyone loves Sanderson and Rothfuss but when self published authors get reviews from book tubers it really really helps compared to those authors guaranteed millions no matter what and I say that as a fan of those authors! For instance book tube really has been giving Sun Eater by Christopher Ruocchio huge boost !

[@jordendarrett1725]

So glad to see you bring up Sword of Kaigen and The Poppy War, two of my favorite reads of all time! Also I must say I’m sold on The Forgotten Beasts of Eld

[@mariareadsssf]

So happy to see two of my favorite books of all times geting some more love: "Piranesi" and "The Sword of Kaigen". I re-read them both, "Piranesi" at least 5 times. It was the first time I saw myself in a character and I always return to "Piranesi" when I need the words to express the truth within my soul. "Piranesi" is my therapy book and the reason I got into Fantasy.

[@fixxl2687]

A very nice series to read is "The secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel" by Michael Scott. It contais 6 books (7 if you want to include some short stories) and it is about the twins Josh and Sophie. the story starts during their mini job in the summer holidays. While Josh helps in a book store a mysterious man called John Dee atacks his boss, steals an important book and kidnaps his wife. His boss is revealed as Nicholas Flamel, his wife is Perenelle. Using the stolen book they were able to live more than 600 years. Flamel has to get it back before Dee can give it to his masters. And just like this Josh and Sophie are drawn into a world full of mystery . Michael Scott really knows how to include as many types of mythology as possible like Roman, Greek, northen, irish, southern american, etc. he also includes historical interesting people like John Dee and many other (I don't want to spoil too much). This series is not only the fight good vs evil. While reading you will get to know and to understand the motivation of some bad guys while you start to question the good guys morality. Furthermore it is filled with small details you will notice if you are a fan of mythology. The series has a quick pace and would perfectly fit into your video with books you can't put down due to the pacing. I read these books in my mid/end-teens and I had to wait on a yearly base for them to be released. This might be another reason why they got stuck in my head for this long. I hope you take the time and read the first book. It is quite short (about 400 pages in german) and they don't get much longer over time. By the way: I read Tress of the Emerald sea and I loved it. I really hope that there will be a second part that explains why these moons create the spores.

[@frostygamingclips5143]

That was my first series I ever read all the way through. Still 10/10

[@KnifeOfK]

Love to hear that you’ve started reading Stephen King! Would highly recommend checking out Pet Sematary and 11.22.63, those are some of my favorite of his. Also, if you do try out a few more King books and find yourself enjoying them, give The Dark Tower a go. It’s not for everybody, but personally it’s one of my all-time favorite series. It’s basically Kings version of Lotr, and it’s amazing imo!

[@JJsims5504]

So cool to see that you also read Ninth Rain this year! The worldbuilding in that one is so wonderfully unique! Literally have never read anything like it. It took me a while to get through it, so I haven't picked up the next two yet, but I will eventually and look forward to finally understanding some of what the heck was going on!!

[@arekschneyer3802]

Yeah, Piranesi was REALLY GOOD. I first read it two years ago, and it blew me away.

[@jaredmacintyre6970]

Great videos with some impressive editing. Definitely subscribing - especially after watching the cosmere reading order video. Thanks!

[@vivic.k.c.4244]

Love the list! I’m planning to read Small Gods and Piranesi this year, after finishing The Witcher series. And as my TBR always gets longer after watching your videos, now I will add The Forgotten Beasts of Eld too! Hope you and Katie are doing well! Miss seeing you guys in the Sunshine Seekers channel!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

So glad you loved Piranesi as much as I did!! I also had a great time with the 3 Cosmere secret projects, and I actually just finished listening to all 6 Carl books and was so happy to see them on here too. I love the mix of humor that lands with me with what’s a truly gritty and dark story that. I think you’re going to enjoy the next 3 books even more than the first 3!

[@spacehaus]

So many books here that are on my list to read this year, so I am happy to see you enjoyed them so much. Also ditto on red rising and having to put it down. I had to do that with Dark Age at times.

[@sergiovzv]

The Piranesi audiobook was so good! My favorite fantasy in 2023 was Sword of Kaigen, by far. Your videos fill up my tbr every time. Love you man!

[@CurieBohr]

So close to 100k. 🎉

[@Gundam00257]

Idk how this dude doesn't have 300K yet

[@carlosroo5460]

Thanks for the recommendations.

[@nicholasjohnson5944]

This is such a fun list- Piranesi is in my Audible library!!! I am thrilled you enjoyed The Shining by Stephen King- the movie is very different from the novel, but equally excellent!!! I highly suggest 'Salem's Lot, as it is my favorite Stephen King novel, and also Night Shift, a collection of short stories!!! I have also added The Forgotten Beasts of Eld to my wishlist!!! As always, thank you so much for your delightful content- keep healthy, enjoy your week, take care and until next time!!!!! 😀 🎉

[@dinocollins720]

Another fantastic video! Thank you

[@CapturedInWords]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@ainedunne412]

Tress of the Emerald Sea got me to pick up Stormlight Archives and start reading it again. It’s taken months to read through half of Oathbringer. Finding stuff is going on but it’s still dragged and there’s no tension or excitement… naturally reading other books inbetween. Loved Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief. Enjoying Queen of Storms right now.

[@nymeria941]

Piranesi was my favorite read of 2023! I also love The Forgotten Beasts of Eld. Read it years ago, and I’m due for a reread.

[@sheilakae_]

I’m all about my backlog as well…… it’s a pretty great way to grab finished series, because I don’t enjoy waiting for books!!

[@SuperDoctor9]

Going to have to add the Forgotten Beasts of Eld to my TBR! The best book I read last year has to be Blood of Bright Haven the latest from M L Wang, its an excellent read that had me gripped throughout. Some others I enjoyed were Murderbot Diaries, In the Lives of Puppets, Small Miracles, and Spinning Silver.

[@psinaomi]

As someone who read a lot of King, November 63 and It are by far my favorites

[@shotime3241]

You gotta read The Will of the Many!

[@CapturedInWords]

Reading it right now, on chapter 7 and really enjoying it!

[@bandanashukla2361]

​@@CapturedInWords so happy yoh are reading it. My favourite book of last year . I still wonder about it. Pls make a video if you have time .

[@LukeAdler]

You read a lot of great book! A few of these I still need to check out. I highly recommend you read Jade City, The Will of the Many, and The Wandering Inn

[@CapturedInWords]

Luke! Always glad to see you comment! I'm reading Will of the Many right now and loving it! The other ones are on the list to get to this year 😁

[@Annamarieisreading]

Can't wait to hear what you think of the rest of Malazan! It's such an epic journey

[@MCguy52]

Man those Sanderson covers are so beautiful.

[@kufujitsu]

I read "Forgotten Beasts of Eld" back in the 80s, have gone back to it several times since - it takes you to another place, & the prose is lean & readable - it was written in an era when most fantasy books were somewhat shorter than today's massive tomes, (I think the book barely reaches 150 pages) but it doesn't detract from it's quality - if anything, it adds to it. If you liked Ursula K. Le Guin's writing style in her "Earthsea Trilogy", then you'll probably get the same sort of nourishment out of Mckillip's writing - McKillip's book in somewhat darker in tone though, especially over the 2nd half of the book. She (Patricia A. McKillip) also wrote "The Riddlemaster Trilogy", which was very good as well. Each volume of the trilogy only goes for around 200 pages, which in convenient in this era, where every high fantasy book seems to go for well over 500 pages.....

[@Paul_McSeol]

I’ve been rereading a bunch of old D&D novels from when I was a teen. Specifically Dark Sun and Forgotten Realms. I’d forgotten how much j enjoyed these back in the 90s. Great list! Thanks so much .

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

Happy to see The Shining and Forgotten Beasts on here. Fantasy and horror from the 1900’s is very underrated outside of Lord of the Rings, Narnia and Wheel of Time.

[@rukbat3]

Small Gods is in my personal top 2 of Discworld novels! Personally, I am really hoping you get to some Bujold this year, specifically The Curse of Chalion. I also recommend Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh if you are looking for more sci-fi to read.

[@YaFeya13]

Since you are such Red rising fan, I have to subscribe ☺️

[@CapturedInWords]

Welcome to the channel! 😊 I plan on making a lot of Red Rising videos this year

[@caewing85]

I have The Forgotten Beasts of Eld and another by the author but I haven’t read them yet. After the review, I want to read it. Maybe after I finish Farseer book 2(I can’t remember the name of the book, I know 🥴) Hi Katie! I miss seeing the Sunshine Seekers!

[@officialmickeymiller]

Nice review. Thanks. How many of those books were written in past vs. present tense?

[@FilmyDost007]

Even though I found only 1 new recommendation, the video was fun like everytime...happy reading 2024

[@louisity]

I like how Brandon Sanderson's secret projects have hardcovers that do not have dust jackets.

[@joshuagomez961]

I think you’d like the Dark Tower series, Stephen King. It’s his take on a epic fantasy but is very character driven like his other books. The magic system and lore is also incredible

[@KamilMnk]

We seem to have similar taste. You realy should read Sun Eater saga if you haven't already.

[@CapturedInWords]

I've been meaning to get to Suneater for a while! Hoping to finally start it soon once I finish some other series I'm reading

[@SonnySketch]

Night Angel Triology! I got the first book YEARS ago when it first came out and I couldnt get through it, then I picked it up again a few years ago and went through the entire series, the prequel about durzo AND recently Nemesis. I was super surprised but also a guilty pleasure

[@MagusMarquillin]

I loved the Shining so much in 2022, I read it again in 2023 (or audiobooked it rather, Campbell Scott reads it really well) before I read the 2013 sequel Doctor Sleep. A very different kind of book, but it totally feels like the same world and characters right from the bat, King's no less poignant 40 years later. Though not as widely embraced, It was very satisfying IMO and might be a logical choice for your next King. Loved Piranesi last year also!

[@MacScarfield]

My Top Favorite Read of 2023, is a tie between «Under Heaven» by Guy Gavriel Kay & «The Veiled Throne» («Dandelion Dynasty #3) by Ken Liu: «Under Heaven» should be teached next to «War & Peace» and «Le Miserables» for GGK’s prose and Ken Liu’s Character Work has few if any rivals! A character that has only one scene in «TVT» (though a series veteran in «The Dandelion Dynasty»), earned with that scene alone my favorite character of 2023: Cogo Yelu! Next is another tie between «The Retreat to Avalon» by Sean Poage & «The Winter King» by Bernard Cornwell: Poage has written my favorite take on «A Historical King Arthur» and the Seige of Yves Trebon/St. Michel in «TWK» shows why Cornwell might be the best at writing battles! The next are unsorted: «The Winter Road» by Adrian Selby «The Way of Edan» by Philip Chase (You might have heard about him! 😄) «Bold Ascension» by Vaughn Roycroft «Salammbo» by Gustave Flaubert «The Farthest Shore» by Ursula K. Le Guin «The Name of the Wind» by Patrick Rothfuss «Brigantia» by Adrian Goldsworthy «Tortilla Flat» by John Steinbeck «The Little Emperors» by Alfred Duggan My Honorable Mentions «Tehanu» by Ursula K. Le Guin «Speaking Bones» by Ken Liu «River of Stars» by Guy Gavriel Kay «The Conscience of the King» by Alfred Duggan «The Black Gods Kiss» (Jirel of Joiry) by CL Moore «In the Grip of the Minotaur» by Farnham Bishop & Arthur G. Brodeur Cheers and all the best in 2024!

[@adamcrawford6421]

GGK is my favourite! Under Heaven is indeed a masterpiece

[@caitlinl2750]

I’ve read all but the forgotten beasts!!

[@SennyGamingHQ]

Love Malazan, such an experience that i will forever cherish. Night Angel trilogy i was okay with, but book 2 was my least favorite, especially the first half.

[@xenolith5032]

I highly recommend a Dark Fantasy manga series called "Pandora Hearts." The main plot is about a boy named "Oz Vessalius" being dropped into another dimension called "The Abyss" at his coming of age ceremony, and the story follows him and the strange events that have overtaken his life. This is one of my favorite manga series of all time, it has alot of twists and turns which makes it very compelling, and embraces themes of sorrow, despair, time, identity, and hope very well. I will say, it can be confusing at times, but it all lines up in the end

[@patiokid27]

If you like the weird you should try Vita Nostra. Never read anything quite like it. I still haven't decided exactly how I feel about it, but it's been over a year and I still think about it 😅

[@dinocollins720]

Red Rising and Sword of Kaigen some of my favorites!!!

[@CapturedInWords]

Such good books!

[@cloudbloom]

You got any new Sunshine Seekers videos on the way? It's nice seeing a happy couple these days🤣

[@CapturedInWords]

Yes! We actually have a big stock pile of videos we've been filming, and we plan on returning to Sunshine Seekers in Feb! :D

[@cloudbloom]

@@CapturedInWords nice!

[@LukeAdler]

Can't wait!

[@PageTurnersbooktube523]

It was mine too and I re read it for the first again this year and number two is really the best one, it is just non stop and like RR martine, anyone can die. Best love triangle ever written. I am now reading Nemisis.

[@thebookgeek87]

Can I read the Brandon Sanderson books you mentioned without being familiar with any of his other work?

[@ArtbyMSB]

Thove this video gonna have to check these books out. It will make me a better writer. My books are ok.

[@dmbfreak123]

I read Gardens of the Moon in 2023 and it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m currently halfway through Deadhouse Gates and it’s even better.

[@rosssims7224]

How do you find so much art for each book?! Do you commission some? Always looks great!

[@CapturedInWords]

I just search really hard for artwork haha, I have seperate folders for each book I talk about and in my spare time I try to look for art on sites like ArtStation or DeviantArt. Haven't had to commission any art yet but I might to do that in the future for some video thumbnails

[@mdc3227]

Malazan is THE greatest fantasy series I have ever read. Keep at it. It's a brick wall at the start but so worth the investment.

[@seanguyle2809]

Also you might like Bastard of the Apocalypse, I don't remember the name of the author though, but that had me lmao as well.

[@cloudbloom]

Are you ever going to read Berserk? I think you would love it, but as you probably know it is VERY graphic at times. It's my favorite story of all time and it saved my life in certain ways. Can't recommend it enough, I even got my mom to read it lol

[@serenity8910]

My favorite fantasy books in 2023 were Godkiller, The Final Empire and Tyranny of Faith! A lot of standouts last year.

[@mikeprince6685]

I can not believe you haven’t read Stephen King! Bro you are so lucky lol keep going

[@CapturedInWords]

I know! I'm looking forward to reading more King now, if you have any recs for what I should read next let me know

[@mikeprince6685]

@@CapturedInWords oh man there’s so many! IT, The Stand, Salems Lot, 11/22/63, Pet Sematary, the list keeps going but if you liked The Shining I’m sure you’ll like any of those recommendations!

[@maggihaines3951]

If you want to try another Stephan King book ,you should try Fairy tail. It has some fantasy aspects that are pretty great.

[@CapturedInWords]

Will definitely give Fairy Tale a read soon! I read the synopsis and it sounds very interesting

[@seanguyle2809]

If you liked the humor in Dungeon Crawler Carl than if you have not read Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames than you should I listened to the audiobook and it had me lmao. Also I would reiterate that you might like L.E. Modessett jr's. Imiger series.

[@lamagamer7518]

Should also watch sorcery of thorn

[@diamondj4484]

13:26 Why do I only see Kratos on a Utahraptor? Edit: Where do you get the art you put up?

[@YahbiiCot]

If you like Stephen King give The Dark Tower a try. The first book is a bit rocky but overall, it's a great series. It has scifi, horror, and urban/epic fantasy elements.

[@Abken.]

Sword of Kaigen and Blood over Bright Haven are so good...

[@turbokid8719]

Almost done with the first law trilogy & going to finish Mistborn era 1 good books

[@CapturedInWords]

Both really great series! Enjoy!

[@DustinHarrisWHBC]

Read The Green Mile by King next!

[@emilyjewett2660]

My favorite King book is Firestarter.

[@CapturedInWords]

Definitely need to get to that one at some point!

[@natasagajic1061]

My favorite read of 2023 is easily A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher 💖 On the other hand, I quite disliked Piranesi when I read it in 2022 😂

[@PhoenixBooks27]

Curious what e-reader are you using?

[@CapturedInWords]

I'm using the Kobo libra 2 :) Highly recommend!

[@DB-pw9md]

I will try red rising i think

[@CapturedInWords]

Good choice! Hope you enjoy it :)

[@badyoutuber1986]

Does anyone know of an audiobook high fantasy about a third son princi who had a twin is discribed to have silver hair and has mystical connection's to a silver fox also the book commences with the coronation of there father..... please help me out i think his name was prince Adrian and last i stopped he got invited to the emperor's capitol by a women he met at the wedding feast he has an older brother that had been to war and a dead twin as an infant if.i consumed it as an 1 hour plus KZbin video if anyone finds it please help me out

[@pippaschroeder4388]

" Dirzo Blint, the renowned wet boy," Absolutely killed me 😂

[@angelaholmes8888]

If you are interested in more king books you might want to check out Dolores Claiborne insomnia The dead zone

[@thekwjiboo]

I just signed up for magic spoon. 4 box variety pack. Fruity, cocoa, blueberry, and peanut butter. Can't wait!

[@CapturedInWords]

Awesome, hope you like it! I find it better than making a protein powder shake like I use to

[@captainsirk1173]

I just finished the last available Dungeon Crawler Carl book and holy crap is this the most tragic comedy I've ever read.

[@luisfilipecaldeira]

You should try misery by Stephen King

[@eldenking9285]

Hated poppy war, also all the artwork with the bow… pretty sure Rin doesn’t even touch a bow lol

[@lucadeam4523]

Give us more rothfuss

[@somecrazyyrunner]

You're about to get to where One Piece starts really picking up. Alabasta and beyond go hard

[@1220donmarko]

Did you read all 6 Red Rising books in 2023?

[@grayweaseltink]

The Poppy War is definitely underrated and overwhelmingly misunderstood by a lot of readers. I'm glad you love it.

[@odiums_taint]

Underrated? it was the most hyped book on booktube for a year.

[@YouGetSoAlone]

Am I the only person on the planet who couldn’t get into book one because the body mods needed were just too absurd to believe? It felt to me like they had to make a fish into a bird, so they just do it. Yeah it’s hard and hurt, but seriously? So I read the rest of the book, but from then on, I never really embraced the story.

[@DragonRebornn]

What ereader do you have?

[@CapturedInWords]

I have the Kobo Libra 2 and love it!

[@anandkumar-lx8qc]

First

[@rapha_spi]

.

[@PrinceMeNb1]

I'm sure it's not like that but it sounds a bit off to me that the whole life of the strong three-dimensional female lead gets put upside down as a man shows up and she suddenly has a baby

[@pennygirl015]

It's one of the worst tropes out there.

[@hamdinger7145]

You refuse to read Doors of Stone

[@CapturedInWords]

I'd read it right now

[@antejelic5992]

I have to stop watching your videos. My TBR is only growing and you are to blame😅

[@NOYFB982]

Your video is corrupted. Please reupload.

[@CapturedInWords]

Wait, how it corrupted? Seems to be playing fine on my end 🤔

[@hermeseisele]

Please read One Piece

[@alan120691]

Love The Shining! I got to stay in the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park last year, and staying in the place that was King’s inspiration for the novel was so cool to me. Anyway, one of my favorite King novels!

[@totesmagotes213]

The Stanley hotel also has a world class whiskey bar inside!

[@LukeAdler]

Wow that's cool!