Yearly Wrap Up: Closing Down 2023

Mike closes down 2023 by looking at his books of the month, most popular content, most surprising things, and more.
ℙ𝕦𝕣𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠:
One Piece amzn.to/3uuqSjz
Speaks the Nightbird amzn.to/46VvtJj
Lonesome Dove amzn.to/48jgbyY
Of War & Ruin amzn.to/3RD53GC
Flowers for Algernon amzn.to/4aPSErJ
Fool's Errand amzn.to/3NNz5Gn
Lightbringer amzn.to/41G5ODf
A Fool's Hope amzn.to/41G8YXI
My Best Friend's Exorcism amzn.to/3RBksHn
Nemesis Games amzn.to/3tIL0hM
Empire of the Damned amzn.to/40mUXNV
ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕝𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕖𝕡𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕕𝕖:
‪@merphynapier42‬
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
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Microphone used in these videos: amzn.to/3IpFSAX
Camera used in these videos: amzn.to/3IqqdBv
0:00 Introduction
0:42 What I Read
2:35 Most Read Authors
3.55 Most Surprising
4:40 Most Shocking
5:38 Channel Growth
7:00 Most Popular Content
9:53 Books of the Month
15:25 Goals For 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)
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#MikesBookReviews #WrapUp #yearend2023

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

That's an excellent tip, Mike: put the phone in another room while reading, and your reading time will be more productive and likely more fun. You had a magnificent year in 2023, and I wish you an even better year in 2024!

[@mordaeu1411]

I've been trying to do this myself, but I also use audiobooks. Been looking into getting an MP3 player or a separate device for audiobooks so no longer get distracted by doomscrolling 💀

[@JesseRad]

My favorite book I read in 2023 was Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits but Jason Pargin. I can't wait to read more in the Zoey Ashe series. It's such a fun sci-fi world filled with bonkers characters, a young woman just dealing with the cards she's dealt, and her very smelly cat.

[@helenasf1782]

Congrats on meeting your 100K subs and 50m view goals this year Mike! 🥳🎉🥳🎉 Both very well deserved!

[@EricBrown2112]

Hey Mike, it's been so good seeing the channel grow. You have opened my eyes to some new books and authors that made an impact on me in 2023. Of the 55 books I read, 3 stand out for me. The three that come to mind have had a lasting impact because of the story, characters, and writing styles. The three books I will list as 2023 top faves are: The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, and Until The Last by Mike Shackle. And, all these authors I heard about from you. Thanks for keeping it creative and fun. All the best in 2024!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for watching! That's some great reads right there.

[@ChrisJohnson-pr9jq]

Thank you for 2023 Mike. Loved every second 🤘

[@heidi6281]

My favorite Mike video is any time you have Ryan Cahill and 2nd would be Pierce Brown. Safe to say I love your author interviews!! 2023 is the year I discovered fantasy with satire, Joe Abercrombie, Terry Prachett, Christopher Buehlman & Simon R Green! Even the small amount of Don Quixote that I read was full of dark humor!!

[@mmurphy3608]

Loved the books of the month recap. And always look forward to your videos. You put out just the right amount of content and your videos are the perfect length.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you like them!

[@ghastlymagician3336]

Another great video my man!! You had a heck of a year, and like i have said other places, you, and merph, are two gigantic reasons why i got back into reading about 2 years back after a very long separation period, and im happy to say between physical and audiobooks i had read 125 books, and over 60,000 pages in total. As far as my top 5 i think its goes a little something like this, which will be named by series. because i completed all of these this year. 1. Bound and the Broken by Ryan Cahill- dont need to explain to much on this one as better people then me have, if you haven't read the books yet, what are you waiting for, 2. Red Rising series by Pierce Brown, I think this series is phenomenal and sets a new standard of excellence in Hard Sci Fi and Space Opera, 3: The First Law Universe by Joe Abercrombie, This man writes on another level, he manages to make the most interesting characters weather you love them or hate them and put them through an absolute meat grinder, while also making you laugh at the same time, might have been higher if the final book didnt end the way it did, but that still doesn't take away how awesome of ride this was, 4- The Winnowing Flame Trilogy by Jenn Williams- More people need to be talking about these books, they all have sub 10,000 ratings on good reads, and not to many book tubers i know of bring them up, this series is an absolute treat that blends elements of sci fi with hi fantasy, and it is definitely being slept on, 5- Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Mass- alright alright i know, some book circles her name is considered a naughty word, and i do believe she gets thrown in with fantasy and high fantasy way too often when she is firmly in the romantasy genre, subgenres do matter for this reason, with that being said and not catering to anyone or anything, when Mrs Mass is on the ball she does some of the best lore and world building in that genre, this series is held back because the main characters for most of the series with extremely cringe worthy and unlikeable, but that is made up by some of the other characters around it, that point being made with the second to last book in the series "Tower of Dawn", that was a 5 star read all day, and i enjoyed every minute of it, more then making up for some of the short comings elsewhere in the series.

[@theedgeofbreakup5192]

Hey Mike, you are the reason I'm starting to read again. Got off the phone addiction at bedtime and took to a good book! Starting with the GoT and will be looking to read some Stephan King. BTW, your lighting in this video is top notch.

[@jrnyman0812]

Mike just to say, I was a new subscriber to the channel this year, there's a lot of rubbish on the Internet, but your channel for someone who loves reading it's a joy. "Thanks Mike all best you and the family...... PS Mike your comment on Stop at The "Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice at the trilogy did make me smile , guess what because it's true....Cheers 🥃

[@mikesbookreviews]

Awesome, thank you!

[@arabellawillow9248]

I first found one of your videos about Malazan when I was about 3/4 of the way through Gardens of the Moon this year. I subscribed to the channel as soon as i heard your intro lol it was dope 🤙🏼

[@RedFuryBooks]

A great year, Mike! On to 2024!

[@timchampion5851]

I just started reading the red rising series a few days ago im half way through the first book and im hooked! Hoping to get the rest of the series as soon as i can!

[@Talking_Story]

Thanks for all this year!

[@tjo25]

Big year! And hey, as Meatloaf absolutely had it right.

[@asdfasdf5695]

Love your channel, Mike! I've been subscribed for almost two years now and I always look forward to your content. You've turned me onto a bunch of series I wouldn't have heard of otherwise like Malazan (even though I haven't started it just yet), The Bound and The Broken (I'm reading OWAR right now; starting the new year strong), and The Faithful and The Fallen (which I really enjoyed, though I think it's a tad overhyped). Can't wait to see what's coming this year.

[@volsere]

KZbins algorithm makes it so you don't even need to subscribe anymore, if you watch one or two videos from a channel, they will always appear on your home page regardless of subscribing or not

[@dinocollins720]

Another fantastic video! Thank you Mike!

[@nickkeegan3513]

Great job this year Mike! Love watching this channel grow like it has. I remember when the sub count was around ~20k! Crazy its almost doubled now! Keep it up dude!

[@WondorBooks]

Really enjoyed all your content in 2023. Thank you for everything you do, Mike! Here's to a great 2024!

[@dinocollins720]

Another great year of watching your content Mike! Thanks for all you do for booktube!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

A great year for the channel and for reading! I’m the same way with Lawrence, just don’t click with his writing for some reason and DNFed Red Sister. So happy you loved the Expanse, and Nemesis Games really is the perfect middle book to shake everything up and give new life to the series. You have me so excited to try the Bound and the Broken this year!

[@demiurgicgeek]

Of War and Ruin is hands down my favorite book of the year! Congrats on everything Mike. Looking forward to more videos from you this 2024!

[@nodrarb140]

Congrats Mike 🎊🎊🎊 Happy new year 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Looking forward to continue reading with you in the new year. I plan to continue reading more fantasy books. 2023 was an awesome fantasy year for me.

[@BrianBell7]

Lighting looks super dialed in. Looks excellent! Looking forward to more great things in 2024 on my favorite channel!

[@dubbs648]

Thank you for another great year! Let’s go 2024!

[@iBe-RuNnErZ]

Love your content mike 👍

[@SciFiScavenger]

I started my own channel in 2023, in large part because of folks like you. It's focused on SF, which has been lots of fun. I read a bunch of books, got (slightly) better at videos, and accumulated a couple of thousand subs. Excited to see what 2024 brings! Well done on a great 2023 Mike. 👍🚀

[@nick_a_93]

I felt that when you said your friends call these books "fairy magic books" lol keep up the great work, this channel is awesome. I read the Red Rising sequels because of you and I'm so glad I did. Also the bound and the broken. I think Of War and Ruin and Lightbringer are my 2 favorite books of 2023

[@kingzzz6509]

Thanks to you Mike I discovered Red Rising and The Faithful and the Fallen this year, two of the best series I have ever read and I know that they will be all-timers for me. Can’t wait to see what 2024 holds.

[@RLX5201]

Had to double check this wasn't me haha, I'm in the exact same spot. Faithful and the Fallen is my all time favourite with Red Rising a super close second

[@esmayrosalyne]

It's been a joy to follow you along on another year of bookish rambles and literary adventures! Thanks so much for everything you have done and continue to do, I hope your 2024 will be even more fun and exciting. Cheers 🥰

[@Speed202]

Good job, Mike 😊

[@jsboisvert1981]

Nice year Mike.. me 2023 it's the year I read more.. lot of good reviews about diferent booktuber like your self i learn so many good books. Keep doing what you are doing. Good place to talk and learn of different books. Happy new year!

[@michaelkibble740]

I loved your christmas read of A Christmas Carol it was the only christmas thing I watched or listen to.

[@hailsneazer6484]

I’m reading nemesis games right now, super stoked

[@davidgould3297]

My book of the year was The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep. Looking forward to another year of great videos about books.

[@GholaMuadDib]

Happy new year Mike. It was a fun wear for reading. I enjoyed watching your videos along with other book tubers. This is such a fun place to nerd out about the books we read. I love it. Last year was a big year for me book wise. In March, I finished the final book in the Dune saga, and became obsessed with this universe. I bought a Kindle and never looked back. It’s my favorite format to read. The big reason is blowing up the text for my aging eyes. I only get physical books of my favorite authors. Mostly as collectibles. Got some cool editions of Howard, Tolkien, Lovecraft, and Frank Herbert last year. Topping it off this month with a first edition of Dune I found for $57. I started writing last year, to see what I could come up with. So I plan on continuing with that. Here’s wishing you all the best with a new reading year.

[@dubhmoore575]

I enjoy all of your videos Mike, it's cause your easy to be around! I discovered Kate Elliot this year thanks to BL Durfee and really enjoying 1st book! There are some similarities to Robin Hobb there...

[@formulaeternal]

Good year

[@SpencerDrummer]

I’ve been watching your channel a lot and I’ve been on a 15 book Stephen king bender! I purely just kept forgetting to hit subscribe. But I hit it now! Love your opinions and most coincide with my own. Stephen king has something for everyone! Cheers!

[@dpeady78]

Discovering Ryan Cahills work would be a highlight for me and also branching out and reading more horror and crime has lead me to some great books (particularly in the horror genre)

[@theartistformerlyknownasje6358]

Great video and GO TEXANS 💯🔥

[@cipriansirbu3699]

I'm hearing universal praises about The Book that wouldn't Burn. When this trilogy is completed,maybe,you can give a last try to Mark Lawrence 🙂.

[@ScottPhebusRealEstate]

Trying to read more books and a little faster....any suggestions?

[@TheBookishMom]

I dont think Mark Lawrence is for me much either, but I did surprisingly enjoy the Book That Wouldn't Brun but it isn't anything like his other ones, not grimdark at all and more magical library. Not a new favorite but decent.

[@wheelz1325]

How many thousand plus page books did you read this year?

[@kflott]

Sorry The Passage ended up not working for you. I liked it and the sequels, maybe read a spoiler summary on a rainy day to see where things end up going

[@noname3609]

First 😊

[@Levi19878]

If you asked me back in 2022 December 31 that I would be reading the lotus sutra most days I probably would of sed I have 4 translations I pobily would not not have just sed OK but bat you away