For Westerns, I would highly recommend _Lonesome Dove_. It is a chonker, but such an easy read. The dialog is so, well, epically Western. The narration is beautiful. It is a literary book that doesn't feel like it.
Alana, what a list! This was fun. Stoner is one of my absolute favorites. I love John Williams. I wonder if the book is too brutal for me. That’s why I’ve hesitated. Alright, you’ve reminded me about Kawakami, Breast & Eggs. I think I may have given it a shot. Some of my faves this yr were War & Peace, Melissa Broder’s Death Valley and Rosamund Lehman’s Dusty Answer.
Thank you for watching! :) Hmmmm, Butcher's Crossing is a little brutal at times, but not too bad, I think. I hope you love Breast and Eggs. And War & Peace is fantastic :)
I read 1Q84 quite a few years ago and I loved it. I’m due for a reread, though. My top book of 2023 was Ohio by Stephen Markley. I just absolutely loved it. Right behind was Talon Sister by Jen Williams… just an incredible fantasy story.
I love both Heaven and All the lovers in the night 🥹 sad reads though. Looking forward to getting to Breasts and Eggs this year. (And My Brilliant Friend ✨
Someone else who loves 1Q84! I feel like one of the few people who enjoyed this book's discussions of agency and free will. One of Murakami's best, and (imo) so much better than Norwegian Wood. Cannot wait to see what 2024 has in store for our reading!
not sure if it was this year or last but Count of Monte Cristo was very good. There were other good things from great authors but nothing except the Comte comes to mind right away. Also, I find that there are an increasing number of re-reads every year. Typically, a re-read for me is something I liked very much the previous time but maybe next year I'll try one I didn't like all that much. Anyway, have a happy new year! and thank you for the video reviews, which I've enjoyed.
I am trying something new as well. I plan on more re-reads, especially ones from high school or college, but also want to try to re-read a DNF (or more accurately, complete a read of a DNF).
@@kurtfox4944 Yes, I have since leaving school found the time to read assigned books and now have some regrets about not doing it sooner. Also, there are a couple that I quasi-promised to read on a friend's or relative's recommendation. At times I've taken those promises too lightly, and I'm sorry for that. Well, I've enjoyed chatting with you here this past year and hope to see more of you in the coming year - have a happy!
1Q84 along with The Pillars of The Earth were my 2 epic books of the year, all thanks to your video on 1Q84, I finally mustered up the courage to read the book that sat in my trunk all through college lol... happy new year!... I look forward to more videos.
I've had Butcher's crossing on my list. You need to read Lonesome Dove (and the follow up Streets of Laredo). My first and fav westerns. I'll definitely get to Butchers Crossing. How you described it sounds like how Cormac McCarthy wrote the Border Trilogy.
Now I wanna read all of them. I am definitely in the hate Murakami clan. I never heard the word clinical referred to a description of sex being used as a compliment! Haha
I need to read more Murakami. I have no idea what I’ll be getting myself into with the rest of his stuff LOL. HAHAHA! I have no other word but clinical 🤣🤣
I hope to fit in 1Q84 next month. Butcher's Crossing floored me, and i need to continue with Game of Thrones. I think my favorites this year were: Foreign Affairs by Alison Lurie An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter by César Aira The Priory by Dorothy Whipple Hild by Nicola Griffith Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez Jawbone by Mónica Oneda
Your number is in my ballpark and I don’t have a job - so you’re doing fantastic. I don’t give star ratings, but I’m sorry you had fewer fives than anticipated. “Scaling it back a lot”? 😮 (I know, the plans video is coming - do whatever makes it work for you, I’ve enjoyed watching this year.)
Thank you!! I don't mind having fewer 5 stars - still a great reading year! :) oooh yes, you'll see in the video. I'm going with flow but I'll still have regular/weekly reviews on the channel!
I had to read My Brilliant Friend in high school and I remember thinking the writing was really bad. Then again, it is a translation. That's why I refuse to read translations. It was very vibey though.
For Westerns, I would highly recommend _Lonesome Dove_. It is a chonker, but such an easy read. The dialog is so, well, epically Western. The narration is beautiful. It is a literary book that doesn't feel like it.
LONESOME DOVE IS HAPPENING IN 2024!!!!!
I was going to say that. His shorter books likeSin Killer are fun reads, too.
I love that your top 3 are all translated. 1Q84 is my white whale book; I plan to tackle it this year finally.
Didn’t realize it until you pointed it out! Pretty neat! I hope you enjoy it - it’s a wild ride!
Alana, what a list! This was fun. Stoner is one of my absolute favorites. I love John Williams. I wonder if the book is too brutal for me. That’s why I’ve hesitated. Alright, you’ve reminded me about Kawakami, Breast & Eggs. I think I may have given it a shot. Some of my faves this yr were War & Peace, Melissa Broder’s Death Valley and Rosamund Lehman’s Dusty Answer.
Thank you for watching! :) Hmmmm, Butcher's Crossing is a little brutal at times, but not too bad, I think. I hope you love Breast and Eggs. And War & Peace is fantastic :)
"it was a ghetto year" 😭
Tell me I’m wrong 🤣🤌🏼
Stoner is also in my top ten. Butcher's Crossing is on my list. Subscribed- happy to have found your channel.
Ah! Thank you Maggie! :)
I just finished Augustus by Williams and Loved it!
Impeccable ❣️
Can't wait to read that one!
I read 1Q84 quite a few years ago and I loved it. I’m due for a reread, though.
My top book of 2023 was Ohio by Stephen Markley. I just absolutely loved it. Right behind was Talon Sister by Jen Williams… just an incredible fantasy story.
I haven't heard of these!
I love both Heaven and All the lovers in the night 🥹 sad reads though. Looking forward to getting to Breasts and Eggs this year. (And My Brilliant Friend ✨
I love a sad read hahah. Hope you enjoy both Breast and Eggs and My Brilliant Friend!
I'm so happy to see My Brillant Friend, and your thoughts on the story are spot on. Kudos!
It’s a fantastic novel! Can wait to read the second installment! 🙌🏼
2023 was beyond awful for me. Fortunately, we have literature to get us through. Thank you for your wonderful videos.
I’m sorry it was an awfully year for you. Agreed and thank you so much for watching! ❤️
Happy New Year! Great video! The first two Neapolitan novels were two of my many top reads last year! Looking forward to your 2024 content!
Happy New Year and thank you!❤️
Someone else who loves 1Q84! I feel like one of the few people who enjoyed this book's discussions of agency and free will. One of Murakami's best, and (imo) so much better than Norwegian Wood. Cannot wait to see what 2024 has in store for our reading!
I haven't read Norwegian Wood yet! I think my next Murakami will be Wind up Bird Chronicle!
not sure if it was this year or last but Count of Monte Cristo was very good. There were other good things from great authors but nothing except the Comte comes to mind right away. Also, I find that there are an increasing number of re-reads every year. Typically, a re-read for me is something I liked very much the previous time but maybe next year I'll try one I didn't like all that much. Anyway, have a happy new year! and thank you for the video reviews, which I've enjoyed.
I am trying something new as well. I plan on more re-reads, especially ones from high school or college, but also want to try to re-read a DNF (or more accurately, complete a read of a DNF).
@@kurtfox4944 Yes, I have since leaving school found the time to read assigned books and now have some regrets about not doing it sooner. Also, there are a couple that I quasi-promised to read on a friend's or relative's recommendation. At times I've taken those promises too lightly, and I'm sorry for that. Well, I've enjoyed chatting with you here this past year and hope to see more of you in the coming year - have a happy!
I read Monte Cristo last year! Happy New Year James and thank you so much! :)
YES!!!!! Year in review!!!!! Yes, time flies, right? Crazy!!!
Whoooo! Whew this what was a whirlwind 🤣😮💨
Butcher's Crossing; nice! 😉👌 And you've got me intrigued to read 1Q84 now. 🤔
1Q84 is WILD 🤣
1Q84 along with The Pillars of The Earth were my 2 epic books of the year, all thanks to your video on 1Q84, I finally mustered up the courage to read the book that sat in my trunk all through college lol... happy new year!... I look forward to more videos.
Thanks so much for watching and i'm so happy to hear that! Happy New Year! :)
Was waiting for this !!!! Yay !!
Thanks for watching! 🙌🏼
I can recommend "Hadji Murat"by Leo Tolstoy and "Death and the Dervish" by Mese Selimovic.
I've had Butcher's crossing on my list. You need to read Lonesome Dove (and the follow up Streets of Laredo). My first and fav westerns. I'll definitely get to Butchers Crossing. How you described it sounds like how Cormac McCarthy wrote the Border Trilogy.
LONESOME DOVE IS ON THE WAAAY! I'm so hype to read it!!! Hope you enjoy Butcher's Crossing!
🙌🙌
Will you be doing an updated 2024 top 10 favorites video?
Yep!!
Now I wanna read all of them. I am definitely in the hate Murakami clan. I never heard the word clinical referred to a description of sex being used as a compliment! Haha
I need to read more Murakami. I have no idea what I’ll be getting myself into with the rest of his stuff LOL. HAHAHA! I have no other word but clinical 🤣🤣
@@alanaestelle2076 Oh me too, I have heard he’s one of those authors that have both very good and very bad books so I might try that one anyways!
I hope to fit in 1Q84 next month. Butcher's Crossing floored me, and i need to continue with Game of Thrones.
I think my favorites this year were: Foreign Affairs by Alison Lurie
An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter by César Aira
The Priory by Dorothy Whipple
Hild by Nicola Griffith
Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez
Jawbone by Mónica Oneda
Neeeeed to knw your thoughts on 1Q84 haha. I need to Continue GoT also.
Also looking forward to your thoughts on The Priory.
Your number is in my ballpark and I don’t have a job - so you’re doing fantastic. I don’t give star ratings, but I’m sorry you had fewer fives than anticipated.
“Scaling it back a lot”? 😮
(I know, the plans video is coming - do whatever makes it work for you, I’ve enjoyed watching this year.)
Thank you!! I don't mind having fewer 5 stars - still a great reading year! :)
oooh yes, you'll see in the video. I'm going with flow but I'll still have regular/weekly reviews on the channel!
HAHAHA I agree 2023 was a ghetto year! Cheers to a better year!
haha yes!!
I really enjoyed Heaven until closer to the end. I look forward to reading Kawasaki’s other books next year.
Oooh was the end dodgy?👀
@@alanaestelle2076 it just got less about the characters and more philosophical.
Thank you!
Thanks for watching, as always!
Looking forward on reading GOT; best book I read is GWTW
OOOO GWTW Is one I REALLY need to get to!
Do you start with Murakami with 1Q84 or
a earlier book? Wind up… kafka?
This was my first Murakami.
Adding 1Q84 to my reading list right meowwwwwww!!
TINA! PLEASE KEEP ME UPDATED!
I actually love your person. Just wanna leave dat here.
Thanks lol
Hey have you ever read dune
Nope! Should I?
@@alanaestelle2076YES!!!!
I had to read My Brilliant Friend in high school and I remember thinking the writing was really bad. Then again, it is a translation. That's why I refuse to read translations. It was very vibey though.
I love that you called it vibey, because that's spot on! LOL