Hey Bookworms! I am trying out some new lighting in this video. It's not the final form but it is getting closer. Please give me some feedback on how you feel about it, if you can, as I take all the feedback into account. Thanks!
I just watched your old video review of Leviathan Wakes so know when I say video quality looks top notch! lol And , don’t feel bad about the Stephen King stuff. I found and have been hooked on your page because of Stephen King, because I was reading through his whole collection, but I am so happy on all the new paths you have sent me down. Will get back to King eventually.
The lighting really looks good. You maybe could add a splash of light on the left side of your face (well I guess it would actually be your right side). If you're going for a more hip vibe you could get a hue light bulb and change the color for each video. Or leave it, since it looks pretty good as is.
The lighting suits the mood of this video, it feels darker and there's a blueish hue on the right side of your face. But I don't know how it'll work for normal videos. But I think most people like it so...
Far from being a loser, you have accomplished great things on this platform and have given so much to our community. Also, your new lighting looks great! Thank you, Mike!
Mike, thanks for all you’ve done this year. Your content is always a good pick me up in tough weeks. I never find your content pretentious or entitled because I feel like that’s not your personality. Thanks for what you do, and thanks for being you!
You are honestly one of my favorite TH-camrs and definitely my favorite booktuber. Single handedly got me back into reading and finished the wheel of time and really expanded my horizons in fantasy. It honestly means a lot to me. Appreciate all you do!!
You are too hard on yourself. You got to 100,000 subs for a reason. You helped keep me sane during the pandemic with your videos as I basically joined about the same time you became a content creator. Your influence is all over my library since 2020 and you even convinced/inspired me to jump into the Stephen King multiverse. The only thing I would say/"critique" is that I miss those intros you used to create for your book reviews🤓 Keep up the great work and remember that you are a part of many peoples' lives in this community for the better.😎
Lighting is such a struggle for me too! 😫 But I like your lighting in this video! Anything that didn’t happen this year allowed you space to do many great things. From a viewer standpoint, you’ve achieved plenty this year, and that’s worth celebrating!
Stephen King was my favorite author in high school. I had sort of fallen out of reading in adulthood, and when I found your channel, you inspired me to pick his books back up and read through everything he's written. While I was loving your into the multiverse videos (and I definitely hope you're able to continue them at some point), you've also inspired me to start reading series I otherwise never would have picked up. I am planning to read through Red Rising and Wheel of Time for the first time next year, and I hope to read Bound and the Broken sometime soon. Thanks for all that you do!!
IDK if other booktubers do this kind of videos, but I found this one very positive. Looking back and finding things that can be improved is the only way for personal and professional growth. That said, I wouldt dare say you failed, you just havent succeeded yet.
I hear what you’re getting at here. Nothing wrong with shooting high, but don’t forget to look at the ground you covered and the growth that took place. You got me back into reading, and it’s been exciting to get that fire back again, and with that this is by far my favorite booktube channel. So thanks!
You're a class act, Mike. Your booktube channel is the only one I've been consistently subscribed to. You're no loser in my book and I look forward to your 2024 content!
Out of all the book TH-camrs on this platform you are by far the best one. You have a variety of tastes from Sci fi and fantasy, to horror and thrillers. You also cover classics and modern stuff in a balanced way. I find most book TH-camrs are either too snobby about the classics, or are so focused on only new books that 80% of the time end up being YA romances. I have never really had many people to look towards for advice on what to read and I can truly say you have helped in that regard. Without your recommendations I would still not know about Enders game which has become one of my favourite books ever, and would have never picked up Dune and built a love for that world as well. I’m excited to see where your channel goes so keep up the good work!
you constantly fail to disappoint. even as somebody that thinks you’ll enjoy TtH, i know you’ll get to it when the time is right. you’ve given us yet another year of great content, thanks Mike!
I think it's awesome that you're putting family over content, as well as quality over quanity. Love your channel, and thank you for all your hard work!
Your first point hit close to home, I feel so bad when I don't feel like I'm in the right 'headspace' to continue a specific book (the last one was book 2 of the Southern Reach Trilogy) and start a new one instead (I eventually finish the book I had to pause on). It is good to hear that it is a relatively common thing.
I usually set my reading goal to 36-40 a year, and while I read 46 books... only 2 of them were books on my 'Read in 2023' list! So I, too, feel a bit like a failure - but I also hit my goal? It's a strange feeling, haha! Congratulations on another successful year, Mike! Thanks for making my reading more full and exciting, and enjoy your holidays!
Found your channel this year and you've become by far my favorite Booktuber! Your videos have been like comfort food, especially during a year that's been tough in many ways, and you've inspired me to read over 30 books this year (more than double my average from the past 5 years). Keep up the great work!
It's actually really appreciated to hear about some disappointments and goals you didn't reach. For us smaller channels, we see 100K subs as end game. I appreciate you still come across as humble and human. Wish you the best in 2024!
Mike, love that you took the time to make an appraisal of your year, i think it's healthy to reflect. As a relative newbie to this content creation malarkey it's good to hear you're still learning. Merry Christmas!
I actually DID start reading again, after listening to you talk about Lonesome Dove.I have been hooked ever since and you are personally responsible for rekindling that love.
Well, I am one of those people you got into or back into reading a year ago from today. I purchased the Faithful and the Fallen and fell in love with reading. Since I have finished the Faithful and the Fallen, Of Blood and Bone, 2 Witcher books, the Licanius Trilogy, and a Christmas Carol, as well as finishing my 3rd degree. Before this the most books I ever read in a single year was 2.5. So, thank you. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Hi Mike I just wanted to thank you for cultivating such a great and friendly community! I joined your discord a little over a year ago as I had just started reading fantasy a little before that and it has made the experience SO much better. Now I can’t imagine what it would be like reading especially the wheel of time without it. Cheers to the new year and hope you have a great holiday.
Here for the book talk...I don't care which book - just enjoy listening to you discuss books. I don't know anybody that reads, so you fill that spot for me. I've enjoyed the rereads this year. Guess what I'm trying to say is I enjoy your channel ❤. Your too hard on yourself. The lighting? I didn't even notice!!
For the past couple months I’ve been rewatching all your long form discussions and Saturday Night Knights over and over again. I’ve probably watched each episode between 5-10 times by now. Tbf, I’m not one to watch TBRs and hauls like most, I’m more interested in conversation. I see how the logistics are extremely difficult, but if there’s anything I could so graciously ask is that you give it another shot in 2024! All the best, Mike.
I decided earlier this year to pick up a book and start reading again. After re-discovering the hobby I found your channel and it has continually been my top reminder to keep reading! Too many of your books have ended up on my TBR because of your reactions to them. 😅 I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
I’ve never not been entertained by your videos, Mike. Push on. Drive through your adversity. Regrets make the accomplishments amazing and I bet you’re a silver linings kind of guy. And never forget you’re Mount Rushmore!
Greetings from Brazil, Mike! I started reading so much more since I found your channel. Love your recommendations. You got me into Wheel of Time, Stephen King and Red Rising (along others). I really like watching your book reviews and daily videos. Thank you for all the great content you've given us this year 🙏
I like the lighting. When I saw the snapshots earlier today I guessed you might think the shadow side was too dark, and I thought you could introduce a reflector to lighten it a wee bit. Now I see it in a video, I wouldn't touch it. It's bang on.
most of my book recommendations come from you, Merphy and Elliot Brooks, I feel like between the three of you every thing coming up or from an authors back catalog that I might not be aware of but would like to read is pretty well covered, if the size of my tbr is anything to go by the three of you are killing it, look forward to adding more books to my tbr next year :)
Hey Mike, maybe this will help you feel a little better about Malazan. I jumped on with your read-along back in the day, hoping that I could get support to make it through what I fully expected to be a tough series. Like you, while I enjoyed aspects of the series, there were times when I really struggled, but that enthusiastic Warband got me through it. Even though some of the die-hard fans would castigate me whenever I voiced my frustration on the Discord channel, by and large most of the group were compassionate and helpful. When you dropped out during TtH, yeah I was disappointed, like many others, BUT, while my goal was to finish the series with a reasonable level of comprehension and enjoyment, you had assumed the added burden of maintaining enthusiasm for the whole group and preparing and delivering sensible and insightful video content for each instalment… as a first-time reader! Honestly that is one fuck-ton of pressure you put yourself under. We read this stuff to unwind and have fun, don’t we? So I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate you setting up the read-along and hanging in as long as you did. While some fell along the way, the remaining Warband carried on like faithful Bridge Burners. That’s a real good thing you did for us and its success is totes magotes on you, friend.
You've had a great year, would love to have some more Panel of the Elderings-content, even if it happens a bit later after all of you have finished the series
Keep up the great work, Mike. Don't give up on the book reviews. I love evergreen content. I'm never going to be one to jump on the ADD-nation, TikTok train. I can't imagine anyone who regularly sits down and reads massive books for 3 hours at a time would not have the attention span to watch 20-minute videos. Also, I love the lighting. Bravo!
I have never noticed anything bad with your sound or video quality. Please keep up the good work. Also, from what I've seen of Sanderson appearing on other channels, they always seem to go to him... like Merphy and Daniel both went to different events in Utah and made videos with him while they were there.
Don't be so hard on yourself Mike. It must be incredibly difficult trying to run a channel as well as being a dedicated family man. I understand that you want to try and please as many of your viewers as you can but you can only achieve so much. Many people love your channel for many different reasons. I watch primarily for your Stephen King and horror content and although you don't cover horror as often as I would like, I still really enjoy your channel and watch regularly. Keep up the excellent work mate.
Ur the GOAT,this is my first year consistently reading and I found u from ur Stephen king stuff and now u got me into other authors and back into fantasy and sci fi and my whole tbr is endless stuff I found from this channel lol ❤
those reading quotes always got me hyped to read the book you were reviewing at the time. its also why I subscribed and I stayed subscribed because I have enjoyed all your content.
I don’t watch many videos but that’s me in general. But your channel is one of those videos I love to watch. I’m always recommending your channel. I think what you are doing is perfect 👌 and it has worked but it is very sensitive that you are open to changes based on your audience preferences. I wish you the best in this new year 2024 for you, your family and your channel. Don’t pay attention to those haters. I think you are si professional and respectful person in your channel 🎄💚❤️💚🤗
I haven't watched the video yet (I plan to!), but I wanted to say based on the first few comments, I absolutely love this channel and legitimately try to watch as many of your videos as I can. You provide such great commentary on books, and I love that you push for open conversation and that you emphasize it's okay we will not be on the same page. Your work is inspiring, and I look forward to more!
No disappointment here Mike. I'm a truck driver, and I go through audiobooks like crazy. I watch pretty much all your videos to get ideas on what to listen to. Thanks for what you do. On a side note, I'm not sure if you're a Godfather fan, but I'm currently listening to Mario Puzo's The Godfather. I highly recommend. Even if you've watched the movie a million times.
Mike, suggestion on the book reviews. I find that I do prefer the reviews with spoilers so I can get your opinion on specific plot points, but understand that that some people want to watch to get an understanding on if they should read it. My suggestion would be that you could do a spoiler free 5-10 minute section at the beginning of the review, then have a spoiler warning and dive into the specifics sometime halfway through the video. Just a thought. I enjoy the vids, don't feel disappointment. Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much, Mike, for your amazing videos! Your channel was my introduction to booktube (I found it while looking for kindle oasis review videos) and it changed my life! And I like the lighting, it feels cozier 😊
I'm here for the book reviews and general book talk, and i always enjoy your content. You've introduced me to so many writers,, like Steven Erickson. I love the reviews whether ive read the book or not. Spoilers or not. I don't mind you changing your reading schedule. Life happens. And kudos for making family a priority. You will never regret it. Looking forward to all you have in store for us next year! Hope you have a merry Christmas!
damnit. I wrote a whole long comment and it vanished.. TLDR: lighting looks way better, trends will always change but if the content is good, you'll be in position when booktok people revert to long-form viewers. I've spent 20+ years professionally listening to audio and your audio has been rock-solid for a long time. You are rock-solid yourself Mike. There is a giant arm of booktube that would not exist were it not for you.
I was someone that complained about the Tress thing, I just want to clarify that my problem was not with you. I think it's awesome you were able to get that. I just felt like Sanderson made a lot of promises he didn't really keep. 1) he said that would be the only time you could get those editions. I know I personally did not have the money for the kickstarter, but was desperately trying to finish Mistborn to see if I liked him because I didn't want to miss out if he ended up being an author I loved. Thankfully, that ended up not being the case for me, but I feel bad for the people that went in on it thinking that would be their only chance to get those editions. 2) he either heavily implied, or outright said, people who didn't fund the kickstarter would have to wait 6 months to a year for "normal" editions. Maybe it's not his fault that wasn't kept to, but that was a promise that was made. 3) he tried to play up the secrecy of the titles and covers. Sure, it's unrealistic to reasonablly expect him to be able to fulfill that, but that was part of the allure for a lot of people.
I feel you on Toll the Hounds. I finished the series in 2022, but the first 400 pages of Toll were a struggle for me as well. It does pick up somewhere between there and page 500 and after that I couldn't put it down. I won't comment on my feelings about Dust and Crippled God yet.
Wow, I can't believe Mike finished all of Malazan, Wheel of Time, 1000 chapters of One Piece, and the entire History of Middle-earth, in 2023! 😂 Don't beat yourself up too hard about not finishing things. It happens to all of us.
I love your book reviews - spoiler for books I've read, not spoiler to help me decide if I want to read them. I really appreciate them. Greetings from France !
And I'll tell you even more. You're right, most people probably listen to you. I do it myself, because, like everyone else, I have my own life and a multitude of tasks to accomplish every day. So, I save the pleasure of catching up on your videos for the weekend, when I'm busy with family obligations or other necessary tasks, however pleasant (like watering the plants in my greenhouse). But as soon as it comes to a book review, I stop everything because I know there will be a visual and a reading of some passage. And that - that transports me in another world, it's like a reward for a week's work, it's my candy... You have something very rare - your voice, the intonations - you should do audio books. @@mikesbookreviews
I'm about where you are in Toll the Hounds. I started Malazan this year and I'll finish the main ten in either January or February. I guess it hits me just right as I'm burning through it. I'm hoping you'll press on to finish so we can hear your thoughts on the whole series one day.
Makes me sad less people watch full (spoiler free or not) book reviews they're my favorite videos and it's what has got me into your channel and petrik's. I kinda watch these book videos like other people watch the food channel and they help keep my sanity so much in a restless life.
Hey man, am not even that much into fantasy and i watch almost every one of your videos so you must be doing something right. Love when you go out of fantasy for a while. You inspired me to read Lonesome Dove which i had a copy for 10 years and never read, and it became one of my all time favorites. Also will be rereading Shogun around the same time you do so i can enjoy more your reviews. Keep up the good work and take care!
I’ve been watching you for about 3 years. Do I watch every video? No. But I’d say I watch 60-70%. I love your style, have very similar reading tastes to yours and love your humor. Of course this is the time of year we look back and assess how we’ve done and I understand why you do this video, but I think most viewers are just happy you are still taking the time to do this. Reflect, maybe regret a little then move on. I’ve been thinking a lot about my reading this year, plans for next year and farther. I guess since several famous people around my age have died lately I’ve thought of how many books I might be able to get to. I’m on track to read about 100 this year. It’s an enormous number for most people, but all I can think of is how impossible it is to read everything I currently want to read and then the new stuff to come. I have a shirt with an octopus reading several books. Oh how I wish I could do that! I did finally finish The Wheel of Time in October after over 25 years of of and on read and reread. So now no fear of never finishing. But then the next day I started Realm of the Elderlings! I’m not religious but I sure hope there is an Eternal Library wherever we go after this.
If you will keep doing book reviews, I promise to watch them. Please include a plot synopsis. Part of the reason for watching a review is to find out what the book is about, so I can decide whether it interests me or not.
What's hard for me on book reviews is that I've gathered quite a stack of books I'm struggling to find time to read, so I'm trying to avoid finding more things to add to the list. And since i'm mostly reading from the backlog, they aren't current books and aren't what people are really talking about. I'd be fun to keep up or participate in a read-along, but life makes commitments like that hard.
Hay Mike, please keep doing what your doing, you are just fun to listen to cause u talk about what your reading and what u liked or didn't like, that's why I listen to you every week. Ps I listen when I have time so I recon your fluctuations maybe to do with listeners schedules rather than u doing anything wrong!!! No one could complain about u, ur far to nice 😂
Look forward to every you put out, Mike. Your channel has changed my life and set me on many new and wonderful journeys. Always looking for your next great recommendation. You should be very proud of all your accomplishments. Well deserved. Also, the video quality has always been great.
It's great to go back and do a debrief of the year. I try to do that myself. I definitely don't think you "failed" by any means though :) These kinds of exercises are always great for re-directing yourself though.
You're the one that reminded me Red Rising existed I've since read all but a couple hundred pages of Dark Age and will be getting Lightbringer soon. I don't think anyone is a failure if they inspire others to read or broaden their horizons.
Firstly two quick things: the lighting looks nice and I personally have been watching this channel for over 1.5 years to listen to you discuss books, the specifics of the schedule haven't really been a concern ever. Now for a slightly detailed comment: I am a general reader and I generally don't have TBRs, I read what I want outside of buddy reads and readalongs which I mostly spontaneously join in on. My friend is the exact opposite, she plans her TBR fully with perhaps few spaces for spontaneous reads. For you, there is an additional factor of managing viewer expectations as a Booktuber. However, I think generally, people are here to watch you discuss books and if things get moved around or fall away, they hopefully do understand. Don't feel too bad about it imo. Do what you think is best, experiment when you need to, most of us will probably be here for it. I like reviews but I also don't mind spoilers so yeah, not of much help there. Maybe you can do WYSR videos, panel discussions and then move the panel discussions to a separate channel or podcast? But Book 1 reviews generally are really helpful I think e.g. the one for The Forgetting Moon last year or The Bound and Broken this year? But again I am just a regular viewer, no idea how the numbers actually work out. This one I will say with a bit more emphasis: if you don't love something and drop it, it's really fine. I am a huge Kingkiller fan and your NOTW video was interesting to watch for me, I even agree with your points, the difference is I liked those things and interpreted this differently. This goes for Malazan too. If you are not feeling it, the reading experience gets affected. When you feel that interest, you can always get back to it. I wonder if not committing to such long series for a year or two might be worth a think? ROTE is okay because it is modularised or Discworld which works as connected standalones but things like WoT, Malazan, WoLaS can really be a huge commitment. I personally try to limit to trilogies/ quartets unless there is something very interesting about the writing e.g. Sun Eater or ASOIAF which I am both following. Those were some ramblings. Thanks for the content and wish you a happy 2024 content creation wise!
You should do tier lists. I went through the entire Dresden Files series and would like to know where they fall, from best to meh. This could be a monthly series.
Hey Bookworms! I am trying out some new lighting in this video. It's not the final form but it is getting closer. Please give me some feedback on how you feel about it, if you can, as I take all the feedback into account. Thanks!
Really like the new lighting!
I just watched your old video review of Leviathan Wakes so know when I say video quality looks top notch! lol
And , don’t feel bad about the Stephen King stuff. I found and have been hooked on your page because of Stephen King, because I was reading through his whole collection, but I am so happy on all the new paths you have sent me down. Will get back to King eventually.
can we one more book shelf tour? I think its been some time since the last one :)
The lighting really looks good. You maybe could add a splash of light on the left side of your face (well I guess it would actually be your right side). If you're going for a more hip vibe you could get a hue light bulb and change the color for each video. Or leave it, since it looks pretty good as is.
The lighting suits the mood of this video, it feels darker and there's a blueish hue on the right side of your face. But I don't know how it'll work for normal videos. But I think most people like it so...
Far from being a loser, you have accomplished great things on this platform and have given so much to our community. Also, your new lighting looks great! Thank you, Mike!
I appreciate that!
Agreed.
Mike, thanks for all you’ve done this year. Your content is always a good pick me up in tough weeks. I never find your content pretentious or entitled because I feel like that’s not your personality. Thanks for what you do, and thanks for being you!
I appreciate that!
You are honestly one of my favorite TH-camrs and definitely my favorite booktuber. Single handedly got me back into reading and finished the wheel of time and really expanded my horizons in fantasy. It honestly means a lot to me. Appreciate all you do!!
Love the lighting! It definitely gives the video appearance more depth.
Yay, thank you! I wasn’t sure how folks would feel about it.
Agreed!
You are too hard on yourself. You got to 100,000 subs for a reason. You helped keep me sane during the pandemic with your videos as I basically joined about the same time you became a content creator. Your influence is all over my library since 2020 and you even convinced/inspired me to jump into the Stephen King multiverse. The only thing I would say/"critique" is that I miss those intros you used to create for your book reviews🤓 Keep up the great work and remember that you are a part of many peoples' lives in this community for the better.😎
Lighting is such a struggle for me too! 😫 But I like your lighting in this video! Anything that didn’t happen this year allowed you space to do many great things. From a viewer standpoint, you’ve achieved plenty this year, and that’s worth celebrating!
❤️ you
Stephen King was my favorite author in high school. I had sort of fallen out of reading in adulthood, and when I found your channel, you inspired me to pick his books back up and read through everything he's written. While I was loving your into the multiverse videos (and I definitely hope you're able to continue them at some point), you've also inspired me to start reading series I otherwise never would have picked up. I am planning to read through Red Rising and Wheel of Time for the first time next year, and I hope to read Bound and the Broken sometime soon. Thanks for all that you do!!
Awesome to hear!
IDK if other booktubers do this kind of videos, but I found this one very positive. Looking back and finding things that can be improved is the only way for personal and professional growth. That said, I wouldt dare say you failed, you just havent succeeded yet.
We can only get better if we acknowledge what we’d do differently.
Love the channel Mike, never miss an episode. It’s my therapy for this F’d up world. Thank You👍🏼
Happy to help!
I hear what you’re getting at here. Nothing wrong with shooting high, but don’t forget to look at the ground you covered and the growth that took place. You got me back into reading, and it’s been exciting to get that fire back again, and with that this is by far my favorite booktube channel. So thanks!
You're a class act, Mike. Your booktube channel is the only one I've been consistently subscribed to. You're no loser in my book and I look forward to your 2024 content!
The lighting looks great and the quality is always top notch in my opinion! It was a great pleasure to talk with you last week. Cheers!
Out of all the book TH-camrs on this platform you are by far the best one. You have a variety of tastes from Sci fi and fantasy, to horror and thrillers. You also cover classics and modern stuff in a balanced way. I find most book TH-camrs are either too snobby about the classics, or are so focused on only new books that 80% of the time end up being YA romances. I have never really had many people to look towards for advice on what to read and I can truly say you have helped in that regard. Without your recommendations I would still not know about Enders game which has become one of my favourite books ever, and would have never picked up Dune and built a love for that world as well. I’m excited to see where your channel goes so keep up the good work!
you constantly fail to disappoint.
even as somebody that thinks you’ll enjoy TtH, i know you’ll get to it when the time is right.
you’ve given us yet another year of great content, thanks Mike!
Lighting really took a step in the right direction, so much more depth! Despite some things you mentioned in this video, it's been a great year!
I think it's awesome that you're putting family over content, as well as quality over quanity. Love your channel, and thank you for all your hard work!
Your first point hit close to home, I feel so bad when I don't feel like I'm in the right 'headspace' to continue a specific book (the last one was book 2 of the Southern Reach Trilogy) and start a new one instead (I eventually finish the book I had to pause on). It is good to hear that it is a relatively common thing.
I usually set my reading goal to 36-40 a year, and while I read 46 books... only 2 of them were books on my 'Read in 2023' list! So I, too, feel a bit like a failure - but I also hit my goal? It's a strange feeling, haha! Congratulations on another successful year, Mike! Thanks for making my reading more full and exciting, and enjoy your holidays!
Found your channel this year and you've become by far my favorite Booktuber! Your videos have been like comfort food, especially during a year that's been tough in many ways, and you've inspired me to read over 30 books this year (more than double my average from the past 5 years). Keep up the great work!
Wow, thank you! Always happy to help.
I like the lighting!!
Thanks!
It's actually really appreciated to hear about some disappointments and goals you didn't reach. For us smaller channels, we see 100K subs as end game. I appreciate you still come across as humble and human. Wish you the best in 2024!
I appreciate that! I feel like I'm still the same guy I was at 50 subs and I hope that still comes through.
Mike, love that you took the time to make an appraisal of your year, i think it's healthy to reflect. As a relative newbie to this content creation malarkey it's good to hear you're still learning. Merry Christmas!
Always learning.
The lighting looks great! I noticed it on the Christmas reading idea video.
IMO it was a great year!!! Loved everything on the channel! Another fantastic video! Thank you
I actually DID start reading again, after listening to you talk about Lonesome Dove.I have been hooked ever since and you are personally responsible for rekindling that love.
I never thought your lighting looked bad. Maybe in your very earliest videos it wasn’t great but your later stuff all looks really good!
Well, I am one of those people you got into or back into reading a year ago from today. I purchased the Faithful and the Fallen and fell in love with reading. Since I have finished the Faithful and the Fallen, Of Blood and Bone, 2 Witcher books, the Licanius Trilogy, and a Christmas Carol, as well as finishing my 3rd degree. Before this the most books I ever read in a single year was 2.5. So, thank you. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Gotta say, choosing time to be with your family ALWAYS cancels out any failures of not doing other things.
Hi Mike I just wanted to thank you for cultivating such a great and friendly community! I joined your discord a little over a year ago as I had just started reading fantasy a little before that and it has made the experience SO much better. Now I can’t imagine what it would be like reading especially the wheel of time without it. Cheers to the new year and hope you have a great holiday.
Keep it up mate, I have discovered many great books and sagas thanks to this channel!
Here for the book talk...I don't care which book - just enjoy listening to you discuss books. I don't know anybody that reads, so you fill that spot for me. I've enjoyed the rereads this year. Guess what I'm trying to say is I enjoy your channel ❤. Your too hard on yourself. The lighting? I didn't even notice!!
You're my go to book tuber. I just finished the dark tower series, initially hated the ending buts it's growing on me
For the past couple months I’ve been rewatching all your long form discussions and Saturday Night Knights over and over again. I’ve probably watched each episode between 5-10 times by now. Tbf, I’m not one to watch TBRs and hauls like most, I’m more interested in conversation. I see how the logistics are extremely difficult, but if there’s anything I could so graciously ask is that you give it another shot in 2024! All the best, Mike.
I do prefer conversations the most since I came up on podcasting.
I decided earlier this year to pick up a book and start reading again. After re-discovering the hobby I found your channel and it has continually been my top reminder to keep reading! Too many of your books have ended up on my TBR because of your reactions to them. 😅 I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
I’ve never not been entertained by your videos, Mike. Push on. Drive through your adversity. Regrets make the accomplishments amazing and I bet you’re a silver linings kind of guy. And never forget you’re Mount Rushmore!
Greetings from Brazil, Mike!
I started reading so much more since I found your channel. Love your recommendations. You got me into Wheel of Time, Stephen King and Red Rising (along others). I really like watching your book reviews and daily videos. Thank you for all the great content you've given us this year 🙏
I like the lighting. When I saw the snapshots earlier today I guessed you might think the shadow side was too dark, and I thought you could introduce a reflector to lighten it a wee bit. Now I see it in a video, I wouldn't touch it. It's bang on.
Hey the lighting looks good…especially with that bluish light in the background. 🍻
most of my book recommendations come from you, Merphy and Elliot Brooks, I feel like between the three of you every thing coming up or from an authors back catalog that I might not be aware of but would like to read is pretty well covered, if the size of my tbr is anything to go by the three of you are killing it, look forward to adding more books to my tbr next year :)
Great company to be in! Thank you.
Great lighting !!
Hey Mike, maybe this will help you feel a little better about Malazan. I jumped on with your read-along back in the day, hoping that I could get support to make it through what I fully expected to be a tough series. Like you, while I enjoyed aspects of the series, there were times when I really struggled, but that enthusiastic Warband got me through it. Even though some of the die-hard fans would castigate me whenever I voiced my frustration on the Discord channel, by and large most of the group were compassionate and helpful.
When you dropped out during TtH, yeah I was disappointed, like many others, BUT, while my goal was to finish the series with a reasonable level of comprehension and enjoyment, you had assumed the added burden of maintaining enthusiasm for the whole group and preparing and delivering sensible and insightful video content for each instalment… as a first-time reader! Honestly that is one fuck-ton of pressure you put yourself under. We read this stuff to unwind and have fun, don’t we?
So I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate you setting up the read-along and hanging in as long as you did. While some fell along the way, the remaining Warband carried on like faithful Bridge Burners. That’s a real good thing you did for us and its success is totes magotes on you, friend.
A lot of Book Tube channels out there…I watch one consistently…yours Mike, I really enjoy your channel !!! Looking forward to ‘24. 🎉
Been thru lot of book-tuber’s and thoroughly enjoy your channel. I’ve read so many books because of you!
You've had a great year, would love to have some more Panel of the Elderings-content, even if it happens a bit later after all of you have finished the series
Keep up the great work, Mike. Don't give up on the book reviews. I love evergreen content. I'm never going to be one to jump on the ADD-nation, TikTok train. I can't imagine anyone who regularly sits down and reads massive books for 3 hours at a time would not have the attention span to watch 20-minute videos. Also, I love the lighting. Bravo!
I love your book reviews. You’re one of the few channels whose new videos I look forward to weekly. Keep up the awesome work!
Everybody had a good year..Everybody let their hair down…Everybody pulled their socks up..yeah..Everybody put their foot down…Oh yeah
I just said “Whoaaa yeah!” out loud.
I go into the office every morning, chuck my AirPods in, and pray to the Allfather that Mike has uploaded a new video. Thank you.
that intro… tell me you cant see through my phone Mike
Life comes at you fast
I have never noticed anything bad with your sound or video quality. Please keep up the good work. Also, from what I've seen of Sanderson appearing on other channels, they always seem to go to him... like Merphy and Daniel both went to different events in Utah and made videos with him while they were there.
Yeah, I don't have that kinda cred yet.
I'm someone who doesn't like change so I preferred the old lighting, but you do you! Always love watching your videos Mike.
Got it.
Heck I'll stay up until 2am to be on Saturday Night Knights - a great year on the channel for you Mike. Have been really enjoying your stuff.
Don't be so hard on yourself Mike. It must be incredibly difficult trying to run a channel as well as being a dedicated family man. I understand that you want to try and please as many of your viewers as you can but you can only achieve so much.
Many people love your channel for many different reasons. I watch primarily for your Stephen King and horror content and although you don't cover horror as often as I would like, I still really enjoy your channel and watch regularly. Keep up the excellent work mate.
For the record, I love book reviews, keep ‘em coming!
Ur the GOAT,this is my first year consistently reading and I found u from ur Stephen king stuff and now u got me into other authors and back into fantasy and sci fi and my whole tbr is endless stuff I found from this channel lol ❤
I appreciate that
those reading quotes always got me hyped to read the book you were reviewing at the time. its also why I subscribed and I stayed subscribed because I have enjoyed all your content.
Happy to hear it!
New lighting looks great
Gracias!
I don’t watch many videos but that’s me in general. But your channel is one of those videos I love to watch. I’m always recommending your channel. I think what you are doing is perfect 👌 and it has worked but it is very sensitive that you are open to changes based on your audience preferences. I wish you the best in this new year 2024 for you, your family and your channel. Don’t pay attention to those haters. I think you are si professional and respectful person in your channel
🎄💚❤️💚🤗
You’re easily my favorite channel on TH-cam! I’ve gotten so many great fantasy book recommendations from your channel. Keep up the great work!!
Into the multiverse is your best content and my personal favorite. I hope to see you return to the series soon.
I'll definitely have some coming in January.
2023 hasn’t been that great a year, tbh.
Sorry to hear that.
I haven't watched the video yet (I plan to!), but I wanted to say based on the first few comments, I absolutely love this channel and legitimately try to watch as many of your videos as I can. You provide such great commentary on books, and I love that you push for open conversation and that you emphasize it's okay we will not be on the same page. Your work is inspiring, and I look forward to more!
Wow, thank you!
No disappointment here Mike. I'm a truck driver, and I go through audiobooks like crazy. I watch pretty much all your videos to get ideas on what to listen to. Thanks for what you do. On a side note, I'm not sure if you're a Godfather fan, but I'm currently listening to Mario Puzo's The Godfather. I highly recommend. Even if you've watched the movie a million times.
New lighting has a Meet The Beatles album cover feel to it. I like it!
Kind of surprised The Lonesome Crown wasn't on here.
That was last year 😬
I just finished it, wish there were more reviews!
@@mikesbookreviews I know but I thought it might be listed there with Malazan as things you didn't get to. No worries. Lighting and setup look good.
Hey, Mike! The channel has succeded on being awesome and helping me enjoy reading more
Mike, suggestion on the book reviews. I find that I do prefer the reviews with spoilers so I can get your opinion on specific plot points, but understand that that some people want to watch to get an understanding on if they should read it. My suggestion would be that you could do a spoiler free 5-10 minute section at the beginning of the review, then have a spoiler warning and dive into the specifics sometime halfway through the video. Just a thought. I enjoy the vids, don't feel disappointment. Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much, Mike, for your amazing videos! Your channel was my introduction to booktube (I found it while looking for kindle oasis review videos) and it changed my life! And I like the lighting, it feels cozier 😊
Love the channel! One of the few where I will watch nearly every video! Just wanted to say keep up the great work :)
Thank you!
I'm here for the book reviews and general book talk, and i always enjoy your content. You've introduced me to so many writers,, like Steven Erickson.
I love the reviews whether ive read the book or not. Spoilers or not. I don't mind you changing your reading schedule. Life happens.
And kudos for making family a priority. You will never regret it.
Looking forward to all you have in store for us next year!
Hope you have a merry Christmas!
Wow, thank you! Merry Christmas.
You are doing a great job 👏🏼 keep at it with ur videos 🎥
Thank you so much 😁
You're awesome, Mike. Keep on killing it
damnit. I wrote a whole long comment and it vanished.. TLDR: lighting looks way better, trends will always change but if the content is good, you'll be in position when booktok people revert to long-form viewers. I've spent 20+ years professionally listening to audio and your audio has been rock-solid for a long time. You are rock-solid yourself Mike. There is a giant arm of booktube that would not exist were it not for you.
I was someone that complained about the Tress thing, I just want to clarify that my problem was not with you. I think it's awesome you were able to get that. I just felt like Sanderson made a lot of promises he didn't really keep.
1) he said that would be the only time you could get those editions. I know I personally did not have the money for the kickstarter, but was desperately trying to finish Mistborn to see if I liked him because I didn't want to miss out if he ended up being an author I loved. Thankfully, that ended up not being the case for me, but I feel bad for the people that went in on it thinking that would be their only chance to get those editions.
2) he either heavily implied, or outright said, people who didn't fund the kickstarter would have to wait 6 months to a year for "normal" editions. Maybe it's not his fault that wasn't kept to, but that was a promise that was made.
3) he tried to play up the secrecy of the titles and covers. Sure, it's unrealistic to reasonablly expect him to be able to fulfill that, but that was part of the allure for a lot of people.
I feel you on Toll the Hounds. I finished the series in 2022, but the first 400 pages of Toll were a struggle for me as well. It does pick up somewhere between there and page 500 and after that I couldn't put it down. I won't comment on my feelings about Dust and Crippled God yet.
Wow, I can't believe Mike finished all of Malazan, Wheel of Time, 1000 chapters of One Piece, and the entire History of Middle-earth, in 2023! 😂
Don't beat yourself up too hard about not finishing things. It happens to all of us.
Nah, I'm good. I'm never going to beat myself up over prioritizing family and career over a reading plan.
@@mikesbookreviews 🫡
Keep doing the book reviews Mike ! Some of us still like them !!!! 👍🏻💪🏻💪🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
I love your book reviews - spoiler for books I've read, not spoiler to help me decide if I want to read them.
I really appreciate them.
Greetings from France !
Cheers!
And I'll tell you even more.
You're right, most people probably listen to you. I do it myself, because, like everyone else, I have my own life and a multitude of tasks to accomplish every day.
So, I save the pleasure of catching up on your videos for the weekend, when I'm busy with family obligations or other necessary tasks, however pleasant (like watering the plants in my greenhouse).
But as soon as it comes to a book review, I stop everything because I know there will be a visual and a reading of some passage. And that - that transports me in another world, it's like a reward for a week's work, it's my candy...
You have something very rare - your voice, the intonations - you should do audio books.
@@mikesbookreviews
I'm about where you are in Toll the Hounds. I started Malazan this year and I'll finish the main ten in either January or February. I guess it hits me just right as I'm burning through it. I'm hoping you'll press on to finish so we can hear your thoughts on the whole series one day.
Makes me sad less people watch full (spoiler free or not) book reviews they're my favorite videos and it's what has got me into your channel and petrik's. I kinda watch these book videos like other people watch the food channel and they help keep my sanity so much in a restless life.
It's ok man. I haven't even read 30 books this year. Love your videos Mike.
Hey man, am not even that much into fantasy and i watch almost every one of your videos so you must be doing something right. Love when you go out of fantasy for a while. You inspired me to read Lonesome Dove which i had a copy for 10 years and never read, and it became one of my all time favorites. Also will be rereading Shogun around the same time you do so i can enjoy more your reviews. Keep up the good work and take care!
Lonesome Dove & Shogun were my two bucket list books I thought I'd never read because of the length. Should be fun!
Mike always great content, so many of us have been there with you from the beginning and enjoy it. Keep on doing it.
Gracias!
Lighting is fantastic!
Gracias!
I’ve been watching you for about 3 years. Do I watch every video? No. But I’d say I watch 60-70%. I love your style, have very similar reading tastes to yours and love your humor. Of course this is the time of year we look back and assess how we’ve done and I understand why you do this video, but I think most viewers are just happy you are still taking the time to do this. Reflect, maybe regret a little then move on. I’ve been thinking a lot about my reading this year, plans for next year and farther. I guess since several famous people around my age have died lately I’ve thought of how many books I might be able to get to. I’m on track to read about 100 this year. It’s an enormous number for most people, but all I can think of is how impossible it is to read everything I currently want to read and then the new stuff to come. I have a shirt with an octopus reading several books. Oh how I wish I could do that! I did finally finish The Wheel of Time in October after over 25 years of of and on read and reread. So now no fear of never finishing. But then the next day I started Realm of the Elderlings! I’m not religious but I sure hope there is an Eternal Library wherever we go after this.
I'm always going to be open and transparent here. Thank so much for being a part of it.
If you will keep doing book reviews, I promise to watch them. Please include a plot synopsis. Part of the reason for watching a review is to find out what the book is about, so I can decide whether it interests me or not.
Much better lightning!
What's hard for me on book reviews is that I've gathered quite a stack of books I'm struggling to find time to read, so I'm trying to avoid finding more things to add to the list. And since i'm mostly reading from the backlog, they aren't current books and aren't what people are really talking about. I'd be fun to keep up or participate in a read-along, but life makes commitments like that hard.
Ha ha I get that
Strong reference in the beginning!
Also… I like the new lighting! Never thought the other lighting was bad, but this looks really good.
Hay Mike, please keep doing what your doing, you are just fun to listen to cause u talk about what your reading and what u liked or didn't like, that's why I listen to you every week. Ps I listen when I have time so I recon your fluctuations maybe to do with listeners schedules rather than u doing anything wrong!!! No one could complain about u, ur far to nice 😂
Bless you.
Look forward to every you put out, Mike. Your channel has changed my life and set me on many new and wonderful journeys. Always looking for your next great recommendation. You should be very proud of all your accomplishments. Well deserved. Also, the video quality has always been great.
Wow, I appreciate that!
I personally watch all of your videos! I don’t even think about the topic, it’s just automatic
Also, you never have to apologize for choosing family over youtube. Family first. Always.
It's great to go back and do a debrief of the year. I try to do that myself. I definitely don't think you "failed" by any means though :) These kinds of exercises are always great for re-directing yourself though.
Always be getting better, is how I look at it.
You're the one that reminded me Red Rising existed I've since read all but a couple hundred pages of Dark Age and will be getting Lightbringer soon.
I don't think anyone is a failure if they inspire others to read or broaden their horizons.
I learned that I'm going to only plan a month in advance now. I had the entire year planned and it ended up feeling like work and very restrictive!
At first I was resistant to monthly TBR vids but it saved me a lot of reshuffling, so I agree
Firstly two quick things: the lighting looks nice and I personally have been watching this channel for over 1.5 years to listen to you discuss books, the specifics of the schedule haven't really been a concern ever.
Now for a slightly detailed comment: I am a general reader and I generally don't have TBRs, I read what I want outside of buddy reads and readalongs which I mostly spontaneously join in on. My friend is the exact opposite, she plans her TBR fully with perhaps few spaces for spontaneous reads. For you, there is an additional factor of managing viewer expectations as a Booktuber. However, I think generally, people are here to watch you discuss books and if things get moved around or fall away, they hopefully do understand. Don't feel too bad about it imo. Do what you think is best, experiment when you need to, most of us will probably be here for it.
I like reviews but I also don't mind spoilers so yeah, not of much help there. Maybe you can do WYSR videos, panel discussions and then move the panel discussions to a separate channel or podcast? But Book 1 reviews generally are really helpful I think e.g. the one for The Forgetting Moon last year or The Bound and Broken this year? But again I am just a regular viewer, no idea how the numbers actually work out.
This one I will say with a bit more emphasis: if you don't love something and drop it, it's really fine. I am a huge Kingkiller fan and your NOTW video was interesting to watch for me, I even agree with your points, the difference is I liked those things and interpreted this differently. This goes for Malazan too. If you are not feeling it, the reading experience gets affected. When you feel that interest, you can always get back to it. I wonder if not committing to such long series for a year or two might be worth a think? ROTE is okay because it is modularised or Discworld which works as connected standalones but things like WoT, Malazan, WoLaS can really be a huge commitment. I personally try to limit to trilogies/ quartets unless there is something very interesting about the writing e.g. Sun Eater or ASOIAF which I am both following.
Those were some ramblings. Thanks for the content and wish you a happy 2024 content creation wise!
The whole reason I haven't forced Malazan is because I want to enjoy it. I've come too fat just to "plow through" it.
You should do tier lists. I went through the entire Dresden Files series and would like to know where they fall, from best to meh. This could be a monthly series.
Book reviews are always appreciated Mike keep up the great work!