EVERYTHING I Read in May 2024 + Book of the Month!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2024
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@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy
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CHECK THE BOOKS OUT HERE:
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TO RIDE HELL'S CHASM by Janny Wurts: amzn.to/3RcogiX
THE FALL by Ryan Cahill: amzn.to/3yQnXnx
OF BLOOD AND FIRE by Ryan Cahill: amzn.to/4c0VxFW
ARK OF ASCENSION by Michael R. Schultheiss: amzn.to/3Rfq3DQ
TRESS OF THE EMERALD SEA by Brandon Sanderson: amzn.to/3XhMKv7
TEMPUS by Thomas Botea: amzn.to/3Vy2g4J
THE SILVERBLOOD PROMISE by James Logan: amzn.to/4ca1lNi
THE WORLD WE MAKE by N.K. Jemisin: amzn.to/4bLce8r
CITY OF THIEVES by David Benioff: amzn.to/3x2usDl
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Because of this review I decided to read To Ride Hell's Chasm and I just finished it. HOLY CRAP this is good!! Easily my favourite of this year and in my top all time favourites.
Thank you!!
This makes me so happy. I feel Janny needs to be way wider read. Her stuff is great. I am so excited to get into her series in January.
I'll be releasing our group discussion on The Fall and Of Blood and Fire this coming Saturday. The suspense and absolute agony of you choosing book of the month nearly broke me! Congratulations on a great month, John, and my best wishes to you for an amazing June.
Thanks so much for hosting again. I still am second guessing my decision on book of the month.
@@Talking_Story 🤣🤣🤣
I’m so excited for it! I will be there day one especially since the two of you are my favorite TH-camrs period. Love all the ways you analyze literature- believe I am trying to keep up with your awesome series with AP Canavan. Love TBATB and am extremely excited to hear your thoughts on it.
@@CombativeRoboGuy it was such a blast of discussion so much fun to hang with all those amazing people.
"Everyone should read every book I've read" is why my total TBR is 500 books. And I do not regret a single add!
If this channel was nothing but banter between you to, I would be here for it.
You are awesome!
Between this video and the Janny Wurts interview, she really is climbing up my TBR exponentially
Wonderful to hear.
I'm really enjoying the energy between you two. John's Tiger to Jakob's Owl (I can't compare Jakob to Eeyore, he's in no way such a downer), it's such a clever way to stand apart from other channels.
I'm glad you had a great May.
Have you read the Belgariad before? It can definitely be put aside for 'new and exciting' but it's truly brilliant for what it is, and what it is, is fantasy tropes 101. With the Belgariad under your belt, you understand ALL the tropes in future reads, when they're being subverted, argued against, turned on their heads, or, being done outstandingly. A solid basis to work from.
I am 2 books into the Belgariad. Will be getting back to it very shortly but buddy reads and such have shifted the schedule around. Thanks so much for the kind words Derri I think Owl is the perfect comparison 😂
I’m going to read To Ride Hell’s Chasm in the summer and I can’t wait it sounds awesome, Thanks or the recommendation and that Janny Wurts interview has me inspired to start my own Artist’s Journey hopefully I write something half decent!
That is awesome! Let me know how it goes please.
Not gonna lie, this thumbnail is a piece of art 🤣 Don't know what it says about me, but I am revelling in the agony and emotional turmoil in this video lol.
Glad you had such an amazing month! Can't wait for the Bound and the Broken discussion to go up, that series is just pure comfort to me! And thanks for choosing the RIGHT reading order, The Fall first, always!
Hope June treats you well! ☺
Hope you have an amazing June as well!
Hello John.
I have checked out several of your videos and I appreciate the enthusiasm in your book reviews.
You have a new subscriber.
I read Tress of the Emerald Sea last month and really enjoyed it. I’m not a huge Sanderson fan but he’s a natural storyteller and I got lost in the world he created for that story. That’s one of my main criteria as a reader.
While I don’t have plans to read more of his work. Nothing personal…I just have a lot of other books to read. But I would highly recommend Tress to non-fantasy readers who want to get lost in a story.
Enjoying your channel and happy reading!
Thanks so much and welcome to the channel! Gotta agree with you Tresa is a great 1 to get lost in. Has a real fairy tale quality to it I feel.
Hi John,
Something that I like in your reviews about your "disappointments" is that you're never disrespectful. You explain why you didn't like it in a respectful way.
I've seen reviews in another channel in which the guy bashes the books he didn't like. I think it's very disrespectful to the author or those who may like the book.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much. I do want to make it clear that if something didn’t work for me it may be others absolute favorite read. We all bring who we are to the interpretation of the art and who we are is singular, magical and important. How a read hits us all different should be celebrated. Thanks so much for this comment means so much to me.
Good list! Janny Wurts is the queen, Ryan Cahill brings the tropes and epic world/complex character, and Jacob brings the logic! Haha!
Jakob is always down for bringing the logic!
Jakob brings the logic and the b*mb threats. 😂
@@angelamccollister yeah where did that come from?!
@@angelamccollister haha yes!! 🙌
Your joy and book love is so infectious, John!
so awesome to hear man thanks for this!
I’m doing my own cosmere catch up and my book of the month is Yumi and the Nightmare painter. I think you’ll love it, John!
I’ve only got a couple novels to go and I’m all caught up but it’s been a good 2/3 years for me. You’re blazing through them!
Probably gonna be a year and a half for me. Getting closer every month!
the thumbnail is just heart-wrenching.
😂right?!!
Sometimes it is really hard beeing a reader, I totally understand your trouble choosing between two great books.
So I finished Empire of the Damned... phew... let's just say I need book 3 ASAP and I do not want to wait two years or so! :D
Yes! I am afraid we are in for a bit of a wait though.
So glad you enjoyed Tress. I also loved having Hoid as a narrator.
Yes!
Cannot wait to read some Wurts! The Fall is great. The Silverblood Promise is very high on my TBR!
Will Silverblood is a great debut and I know you will love Janny’s stuff!
Another great monthly wrap up. I'm definitely interested in Ryan Cahill's books. I do love me some classic fantasy.
The books I read this month are:
1. Dead of Night - 4.2 *
2. The Knight of the Swords - 3.9 *
3. The Eye of the World - 3.7 *
4. The Queen of the Swords - 3.5 *
5. The Servant of the Empire - 3.1 *
6. The Flesh in The Furnace - 2.6 *
Wow what month. That is a lot of pages!
Thanks for convincing me to pull the trigger on Silverblood Promise and To Ride Hell's Chasm. I look forward to reading them!
Can’t wait to hear all your thoughts!
Awesome wrap up. Sorry it took me all day to finally get to it! The quote of the week... "I don't think people really care if you're happy." - Jakob Minton.
It’s quote of the week because it is true 😂.
Hey John - I don’t read fantasy much at all but love watching your videos. I watched this one and picked up City of Thieves. I just finished it today. It has rocketed up to be one of my favorite books. I went from sympathy to laughing to anger. Such a great book in such a short amount of pages! Thanks for the recommendation!
That book packs it all in there right?! That is going to make it on my best of list this year for sure I am thinking. Thanks so much for the kind words and for giving it a try.
Just watched The Bound and The Broken discussion... was sharing Mike's Cheshire Grin 😸 as you all predicted and theorized what may come! I'm so looking forward to future discussions as you all continue the series. Happy reading!!
📖🥰📚🐲
Having such blast. I get to host the next talk.
@@Talking_Story so I heard! 😎 very cool! I will be watching!
Trying to get a serial killer to work for the good of people to save the multiverse? Interesting concept! I've added Tempus to my wishlist.
Sure Thomas would like to hear your thoughts if you get to it.
@@Talking_Story I'll try to hit him up directly as well then. I always leave a full comment on a review for an indie book that I like.
@@christhewritingjester3164 awesome!
You very much deserve a bigger audience, the quality of your video's are very good. I always enjoy watching your video's and find interesting books to read.
Thank you so much. You are so kind. Made my day.
I'm very excited to continue with the Bound & the Broken, especially you all. Great start to a new series, and thrilled it's by an indie author I'll be reading To Ride Hell's Chasm here either this or next month. as I hope to also fit in the Cycle of Fire before starting The War of Light and Shadow in January. Happy Birthday month, Jakob - Cheers 🍻
It is just the most fun reading and getting together with you all for the chats after.
Great video. City of thieves will definitely go on my tbr. Last month I read The Way of Edan. I thought it was an excellent debut novel. I really loved the religious themes throughout the book.
I loved the spiritual journey of Dayraven. I will pick up the last book in the trilogy in a couple days.
Great video John! I’ve also been hearing a lot of good things about Silverblood Promise.
You should add it to your list.
Jemisin also delivered one of my biggest disappointments last year with Broken Earth bk 2 after I really liked bk 1. Maybe she should try doing more standalones!
You have me so pumped to read City of Thieves, and To Ride Hell’s Chasm!!
Ben these both are gonna make your favs list! I just know it my brother.
@@Talking_Story amen!
John you’re killing me TBR here! May have to add your top 2 books for the month on my list as they both sound very intriguing. Loving the videos!
Thanks so much. Let me
Know if you pick any up!
Hey guys, I loved the wrap up! Nine books (even with the novellas) is really good! My book of the month for May was Tress of the Emerald Sea. 🌊
Tress love. I am so here for it!!
Shiver me timbers, I have been cruising around on several different ships throughout the Cursed Shores in the month of May. I finished Mad Ship, book 2 of Liveship Traders this afternoon. Arrgh! 60 hours of audio so far and 30 more to go me heartie! 🏴☠️🐉
Wow you are all in! 😂
@@Talking_Story
Wait until you get there, you definitely have to travel through the Six Duchies with Fitz first, but Liveship & Bingtown is the destination!
@@heidi6281 I am looking forward to it!
Tress is such a delight. It is one of my favorites just because of how different and fun it was. I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on Yumi because I, personally, loved it just as much as Tress. I cannot wait to read City of Thieves because you described my favorite type of story- one which shows the depravity and beauty of humankind while still maintaining hope. Another thing I can’t wait to read because of you is To Ride Hell’s Chasm because I believe it will be fantastic because Curse of the Mistwraith is brilliant. Also, Ryan Cahill has you in his grasp now, he has full control of your soul just because you seemed to really like book one which I simply enjoyed- I LOVE book three. And I am very excited to read Silverblood promise too, particularly because of Jeff Brown’s art on the cover and in the Broken Binding Edition (seriously go check that out- he is a phenomenal artist).
I read Of Darkness and Light, which took the level of POVs to another level and his character work got better as he begins to advance all these plot threads and really starts to drive home what the stakes are. I liked it more than book one but I read book three in the first few days of this month (yes, I loved it that much) and book three just took everything Cahill has learned and brought it up to ten. I would absolutely love it if you could do an artist journey with him- he is admittedly my favorite author to watch interviews for other than Erikson and Wurts. I also read the Threadlight trilogy which I do have my problems with how many characters felt like they had no arc, but the themes it tackled regarding grief and acceptance were genuinely well done. I also read the Golden Fool and Fool’s Fate which were- HOLY SHIT AMAZING! I cried in Fool’s Fate and as I read these books I continued to have a better understanding of the beautiful themes of fatherhood, grief, and our connection to the world around us with our families. Oh and I read Curse of the Mistwraith which was just so thematically rich alongside its characters and the world. It was truly special but it was a very slow book for me but I think the next book will probably be five stars easily. I have faith in Wurts.
My book of the month was easily Fool’s Fate. I was kind of mixed when I finished it, but Hobb has this beauty to her books where the more time I get away from them- the better I think of them.
Wow what a month. I think you will really enjoy the first discussion of Cahills work when Dr Chase posts it and I think the plan is to see if Ryan will join us when we have caught up with the whole series. You are gonna love City of Thieves. I just know it.
I ordered City of Thieves a few days ago! 🎉
Oh I can’t wait to hear how it hits for you.
Love seeing everyone enjoy all these books that are sitting on my shelves that I haven't read yet.
Oh I am in such the same boat!! Arrrrghhhh! I need more time!
@@Talking_Story Yeah my 11 year old daughter says I don't need anymore books. But I tell her John at Talking Story says I do!!
@@bigork2099 oh I bet she takes that really well 😂
Todd here. Great video John! I normally don't like videos that go over 30 minutes, but your videos keep me entertained all the way through. I'm still on book 2 in Durfee's trilogy, not as much of a page turner as the first one. I recenlty found out Kevin Costner Came out with a new western saga called Horizon I might give it a shot.
I saw it got huge ovation at Cannes. Let me know what you think of it if you give it a viewing. Thanks so much for the kind words.
Great video John! Impressive amount of books you read What a choice to make! Of course TO RIDE HELL'S CHASM is my fav of all time, so awesome to see the Janny Wurts love! Have not read CITY OF THIEVES, but sounds great! But can't go wrong, I think, with Ryan Cahill either! Interesting thoughts on CITY WE BECAME! I too enjoyed the first book...have not gotten to the second...so happy to see you had an awesome reading month! Hope June reading for you is even better than May!
Oh PL if you grab book 2 you gotta let me know how it hits with you.
@@Talking_Story I will for sure!
Glad to see Wurts and Cahill were hits with you. I'm on book two of Wars of Light & Shadow and I'm very impressed with Wurts' skills as an author.
May was a weird one for me. It was a month of indecisiveness, randomly picking up books and DNFed/NFNed on a whim very quickly. But what I did finish I really enjoyed.
*Epic Fantasy*
Wars of Light & Shadow 1: Curse of the Mistwraith
- I liked it a lot, Lysaer and Arithon are great characters. I did struggle at times, especially in the 2nd half, with the high magic elements, its not a hard magic system but there's a lot at play. The prose is very rich and elaborate but not overly so. I think I'm gonna treat this series like I did Malazan, and read it over the course of a couple of years. Carried over from April.
*Mystery*
Shutter Island / Dennis Lehane
- I'll certainly be reading more Lehane, this was fantastic! Book of the Month!!!
*Sci-Fi*
Warhammer 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts: A Ghost Return (re-read)
- Short story prelude to a much longer series. I'm already a fan of Abentt through his comics, especially Sinister Dexter.
*Steampunk*
Books of Babel 1: Senlin Ascends (re-read)
- Carry over from April.
I had gotten 40% into a re-read of The Blade Itself via audiobook and just wasn't feeling it, I NFNed Robert McCammon's Swan Song and M.L.N Hanover (Daniel Abraham)'s Unclean Spirits for now. And I re-read Part 1 and the first set of Interludes for the Way of Kings.
Wow that’s a lot of territory to cover. Book of the month sounds great and Mistwraith sounds like a great beginning. Smart on your part to take your time with it.
What a month of reading John! I think I’ll pick up To Ride Hells Chasm soon as there are so few great fantasy standalones.
I’m currently reading Jonothan Strange and Mr Norrell and I am loving it, the omniscient writing style is a nice change and adds to the air of fairytale, also the dry humour throughout is brilliant. Have you ever picked up any Susanna Clarke?
Love Strange and Norrell as well as Piranesi. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Hells Chasm! Clarke is such an amazing writer.
@@Talking_Story she certainly is and brings so much originality to the fantasy genre, even with only two books (one of which I haven’t finished) she’d easily make my top 10 authors.
I will let you know, I’m planning to start a major fantasy series fairly soon so it could also put The Wars of Light and Shadow on the TBR if it’s as good as you say.
@@stephen7489 I will be starting that series in January. If you don't get to it before join on in.
@@Talking_Story sounds like a plan!
The greater good you say, John? (The greater good...)
Great wrap up for this month John, you blew my month out of the water and then some. I am very glad that you enjoyed City of Thieves, I read it for Christmas (even though it wasn't a Christmas book per se) and I loved it. Benioff knows how to write when he gives himself the time.
I did start Power of The Dog from Don Winslow, and I'm really digging it so far. It seems to be the type of crime novel that I really like, I would say it's like a more grounded version of something James Ellroy would write. Reading has been slow due to a number of factors, but I'm hoping to get back on track this month. Good luck with your reading as well.
Great video uncle!
Thanks nephew and I hope you have some much deserved free time this Summer.
@@Talking_Story So what is that face you're making on the thumbnail John? Do I even want to know?
@@someokiedude9549 why me! Why do I have to choose!
Hope to get to “City of Thieves” later this year/Winter!
As previously mentioned I have this month finished “A Wise Man’s Fear” (Kingkiller Chronicle #2) by Patrick Rothfuss, the final two novels in Jack Vance’s “Lyonesse” Trilogy (Arthurian Fantasy), “Ash: A Secret History” by Mary Gentle (Alt-History/Fantasy inspired by the Mercenary Wars of Late Medieval & Renaissance Europe) and the “Sun Eater” Novellas & Short Stories by Christopher Ruocchio up to “Demon In White”!
I will be taking a breather the coming days before starting on the “Memory, Sorrow & Thorn” Trilogy by Tad Williams over the Summer, with Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “A Princess of Mars”: I received a library copy from 1920, the British 4th Edition, 104 years old!
I hope to restart Memory Sorrow & Thorn very soon. I really enjoyed Dragonbone Chair
104 years old that is awesome!!
@@thatsci-firogue gotta get to this series as well.
@@Talking_Story Yup!
Just back from the final concert of Bergen International Festival, Gustav Mahler’s 8th Symphony with the Philharmonic: 420 musicians, soloists & multiple choirs= 1 & 1/2 hours of euphoria inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Salvation of Faust, the Beauty of Nature, Mother Mary & Existentialism! 🤯
@@MacScarfield sounds like a wonderful and soul nourishing event!
Man, everytime I watch your videos my tbr just gets longer and my wallet is starting sweat profusely 😅 But I'll much rather have that then not knowing what to read and being very picky instead!
My month has been mid I would say. Only one real disappointment and the rest good (nothing mindblowing but still fun). I think Neon Ghost has to be my pick of the may reads. So overall a decent time.
Oh but June started of real fun with the release of a new anthology I'm in. Just got my copies today! Fun! That'll be a fun read (except my short story ofc... that one everyone can skip 😆 Just kidding!)
What anthology is this?! How do I get a copy?
@@Talking_Story It is a vvery local swedish antholohy. It's in Swedish unfortunately but I could look into sending a copy overseas perhaps.
@@emzstern oh please let me know if it is ever translated.
@@Talking_Story Thanks, I would LOVE to be able to do that! That would be soo cool! Although the Anthology isn't fancy or anything I love the purpose behind it. To inspire more people to write and to make them DARE to create.
@@emzstern oh I love that. What a world we would have if more would dare!
Hi John. I bought this book a few weeks ago after your recommendation. It's one of my favourite books ever. Funny, sad, horrific, shocking in equal measures. Thank you 😊
It is a such a ride right?! So glad it hit for you my friend.
I agree with your book of the month because it's one of the few books I was able to read. Adulting sucks sometimes. On a positive note I am on my way to go look at a literal truck load of books. My sisters friend got them from somewhere and said I could come by and pick whatever I wanted. Hoping for some gems.
Oh man. Let me know what you find!
@Talking_Story ok so I got a Durfee size box of Louis Lamour so I'm good if I'm ever in the mood for westerns. There was a bunch of old Robin Hobb paperbacks with the original art so I grabbed those. Then from hearing you and Britton talk I got the complete works of William Shakespeare, Frankenstein, Interview With a Vampire, Don Quijote, On a Pale Horse, The Great Gatsby and a nice collection of Ray Bradbury with an original paperback of Something Wicked This Way Comes.
@@MichaelWayne13 oh man those are some awesome finds. What an awesome day and you just grabbed all that for free?
@Talking_Story yah, she said I was the last one who wanted to go through the boxes so she said grab what I wanted and the rest were being donated. It was pretty cool but the book lover in me is still wondering what was there before I arrived 😆
@@MichaelWayne13 Who knows. But you got some treasures! Bradbury, Hobb and the others. So cool!
I went from a 6 book April to a hot zero completions in May 😂 just could not get into a rhythm reintegrating back into civilian life but luckily I’m finding that now… adding berserk to the gang.. my first manga ever
Nice let me know how that manga goes. I hear really good things.
I LIVED for the agony you had to go through with choosing, i really really did. I was calling you out when you were going through the outro. I read books 3 and 4 of the expanse, so my favorite was the expanse. That's literally the only time you can cheat is if you're in the same series. Helps when you only read 1-2 books a month, picking is rather easy. And I have to kindof tune you out a bit because you're going to be the death of my measly bank account because you sell all the books, authors should be sponsoring you.
Oh you are very kind. Sounds like you were right there with Jakob busting me for stalling 😂.
@@Talking_Storyit was the most dramatic stall I've witnessed. And I didn't have kids, so I'm still in 'bust the parents as often as possible' mode. My mom's sarcastic, I perfected it. It's funny, when I go to the movies, I'm quiet, but home alone watching stuff and I'm talking back to the screen thinking the people on my screen can hear me. I've become way more vocal with horror, full on commentary with eye rolling at stupid decisions.
@@jenn9027 and there are always sooooo many stupid decisions!
@@Talking_Storyyes, I've devolved to yelling at the characters...or telling them they deserve it for not knowing the rules. What I like about horror movies is the music, I don't get scared reading books, but give me creepy music and it helps. Sinister had creepy af music, but one the reveal happened, the thrill went downhill, I'm very much a don't show the monster for a long time kind of girl. It's the psychological waiting that's scary. And endings rarely hit.
@@jenn9027 haven’t seen a really great scary flick in a while. It’s all jump scares and sound cues. I’m with you. Show me the prolonged tension.
You should give it 12 months from City of Thieves but you should try The Siege by Helen Dunmore. Gave me more nightmares than any horror book
I will add that to my list. Thanks!
Hey guys! Wonderful video! I think choosing City of Thieves was best, considering how long your wife has been trying to get you to read it. Not to mention, you do have to sleep beside her every night 😂! You may have saved yourself a lot of trouble choosing her suggested read. Just saying 😝!
Another good reason! 😂
I'm also a Spurs fan, hope we can sign Eze this summer. COYS!
Gonna be a big offseason!
300 pages into of war and ruin book 3 of the bound and broken best book in the series yet
So many people have told me it only gets better as it goes along. Can’t wait!
Yeah, I think after I'm done with Stormlight 5, I'll rank everything too...I mean, how could you not?
You gotta. What a journey it has been!
The year is technically half over in July. How do I know this? My wife routinely reminds me her birthday (July 2) is the exact half of the year on non-leap years!
What a great way to never forget that day 😂
Nice choice although I would have picked Janny I’m just saying! 🤣
I know I know!!!
@@Talking_StoryI’m only joking John I think on a personal level for you, you made the right choice. I will now be needing to get both those books though.
City of thieves sounds amazing, and can I say…
51 pages in and Speaks the Nightbird is pretty awesome 🙌 you did it again!
Third Cahil book is ok however I think he has too many characters to keep track of.
Kind of drags abit.
I look forward to getting there.
I need to meet this Pooh
He has appeared in a couple videos. Check the weekly reader where we spin the wheel for the Patreon read winner.
Tier list? NERF GUN!
So glad he did not think of that😂
Thumbnail is a lie :)
We like to keep you guessing 😀