No need to dial back the excitement. We love to be excited about reading lol

@charliecundiff

4 ай бұрын

That's really what we're here for

Now those are some COOL looking pins (not biased at all)

You can always make a top 15 or 20 if 10 is too hard. I watch it any time❤

I planned on playing this video in the background while i stayed productive. BUT I swear to god your enthusiasm for these books is so contagious that I had to just leave it all to just sit here planning my tbr. Thanks for allways making your videos feel like a cozy warm reading corner!

It is insane how much YOU have defined my reading tastes! 1. The Dandelion Dynasty- picked it up last December. An absolute masterpiece of a series. The THEMES, oh, the THEMES. Jia is a masterclass in character writing that would put Walter White to shame in an adaptation. Words cannot sum up how much I love this series. 2. Realm Of The Elderlings- this is where our tastes diverge. Let's just say you're WRONG about Fitz🙈😂 3. Beartown- Benjamin Ovich, that's it, that's the review. 4. One Piece- need I say more? It's One Piece! 5. The Stormlight Archive- bumped down a few spots since 2020 but maybe Wind And Truth will have it go up. Perhaps our reading tastes are similar enough to warrant me to pick up Gentleman Bastards? Who knows lol

@merphynapierreviews

4 ай бұрын

I love this!

@godminnette2

4 ай бұрын

I think I need to pick up the Dandelion Dynasty - I've been wanting more East Asian inspired fantasy, and was a little disappointed by Jade City (though I'm reading Jade War now).

@Kevin-en5lm

4 ай бұрын

I definitely recommend gentleman bastards. The dandelion dynasty is the next merphy recommendation I plan to check out

@BibiixMusic

4 ай бұрын

"Benjamin Ovich - thats the review" so true 😂

@alb0zfinest

3 ай бұрын

@@merphynapierreviewsYou know what you'll also love? Game of Thrones.

My top 10 "stories" (difficult to fix a medium haha, so I'll cheat) ATM: 1. Malazan Book of the Fallen 2. Berserk 3. One Piece 4. Hunter x Hunter 5. Kharkanas (yes yes, I know. It is also Malazan and also Steven Erikson. I cheat. However, it is VERY different in style, approach and what it tries to achieve. This one has the potention to be number 1 upon the release of the third book) 6. The Lord of the Rings (I've come to prefer the novel to the movies, but I will love the movies until the day I die) 7. The Wheel of Time 8. Kingkiller Chronicle 9. Monster 10. Jojo As you can see I really love manga and anime, which is why there aren't many books in the top 10. But here is a book series top 10 (all fantasy atm, because I just love the genre so much. But I hope it changes): 1. Malazan 2. Kharkanas 3. LotR 4. WoT 5. Kingkiller 6. First Law 7. The Black Company 8. Stormlight 9. His Dark Materials 10. Earthsea

@ianosburn9562

4 ай бұрын

For me my top 2 favorites are berserk and lord of the rings

@DemonGodYangKai

2 ай бұрын

We have very similar tastes I used to think wot was best series ever, til I found Salazar. OP best story ever told.

The whole reason I read the Gentleman Bastards is because of Merphy's recommendation and now it's been in my Top 10 for years. I convinced my boyfriend to read it too and he loved it so much bought copies of it as Christmas gifts for the friends in his Magic group. What I'm saying is that was one of the most solid book recs I've ever seen, Merphy is a Scott Lynch billboard that I wanna throw my money at

@natefoldan

4 ай бұрын

Gentleman Bastards is definitely top!

@TheButterflyChaos

4 ай бұрын

Same!

Yesssssss awesome vid! I also read Liveship this year and loved it to pieces, along with Red Sead Under Red Skies and I can’t wait to try bk 3. You have me so psyched to try the Dandelion Dynasty!

My personal fave currently and have been for many years : 1) the Hunger Games series (by Suzanne Collins) 2) Bobby Pendragon series (by DJ MacHale) 3) Harry Potter series (J.K Rowling) Top 3 for now ;) Because you have been talking so highly about it, I have been planning to read the Lord of the rings series for. awhile and never got around to do it, I need to read it this year !

I was introduced to the Gentleman Bastards because of you and it has definitely become one of my all-time favorite series! I have read, re-read, and listened to the narration of those books and I can't wait for the next book!

So excited to find your channel! I've been looking for more booktubers that dive deep into SciFi and Fantasy. Looking forward to diving into the backlog.

Have you read The Expanse? Maybe not your style, but I could imagine it really surprising you with how enjoyable it is.

Gentlemen Bastards Age of Madness (Abercrombie) Dandelion Dynasty Lord of the Rings Hitchhiker's Guide series Three Body Problem books Cosmere (Mistborn, Stormlight, Skyward) The Beartown Trilogy (literary) Liveship Traders Mazalan

I just started following you a few days ago and have already added so many books to my tbr list. 💚 I also adore Snoopy, a collector since I was young.

Great vid. I have read some of the series listed and look forward to checking out the ones I haven't read such as Gentleman Bastard. I will also order your pin, awesome design.

I picked up the lies of locked lamora because of you and had put off picking it up because I was scared I wouldn't like it but I finally did this year and it became a new favourite!! I'm so excited to continue the series soon!!

I will just say I started watching your videos during covid when I wanted to read again. Many recommendations came from you, and to this day "the lies of locke lamora" is my go to recommendation book to anyone. I LOVE this book soooo much! Ps : your pin is better than Dan's 👀

I’m finishing Ember Blade today because of one of your lists!! I LOVE your fave lists!

I really enjoyed this video. I like your descriptions.

I actually started reading Gentlemen Bastards last month solely because of your recommendation - and now “The Lies of Locke Lamora” is one of my favorite books ❤️

Awesome list, Merphy! You have great taste. I'm predicting that Dresden will be on this list next time once you're caught up. Really looking forward to your journey through the rest of the series. Books 12 - 17 can't be overhyped.

Murphy, I just want to say, I read The Gentleman Bastards Sequence last year because of you, and it almost immediately shot to my all time favourite series. I love those books so deeply, and I'm so grateful I started watching you because it brought this series into my life ❤

I love that you’re so excited! No need to apologize! Thanks for sharing your top list with such passion.

Great choices, I love that Hitchhiker’s Guide made your list. I hope Discworld makes the list in the future, I’m sure you’ll continue to love it!

I love the pins, yours is my fave 😊

Your excitement is so infectious, definitely don’t dial it down. I started Malazan last year because of how you talk about it, and this year I have bought The Grace of Kings to try. I am pretty sure you were also the reason I picked up The Final Empire and really fell in love with Fantasy in a big way.

The first book I read this year was the lies of Locke Lamora and this book was fantastic. Thank you Merphy for being so adamant about how great it is. The book got me out of a 4 month reading slump and I’m going to start book two on Wednesday

I'd love a 'My Top 11 - 20 Favourite Series' video next :)

Nautical theme: Jim Butcher is two books in on his Cinder Spires series. No oceans, the ships sail the skies.

I also read the Liveship Traders in 2023, and I loved it, especially the way each character felt unique with their own voice and values and way of seeing the world. Even as frustrating as that is at times! Other books I've read since then with weak character writing have paled in comparison. Your enthusiasm for all these series is certainly infectious! I had to pause the video to put Lies of Locke Lamora on hold at my library. :D Also thank you for being upfront about the content of Beartown. I know it won't be for me and it's helpful to know that before trying to wade into a book.

Started watching Merphy’s videos for book reviews. Stayed fit the mutual love of the Gentleman Bastards. I hope we get more because I need more Locke, Jean,and Sabetha!

Long time lurker to your bookish videos! So glad you have found some joy in Robin Hobb's writing this year - I know you didn't get on with the first assassin's trilogy. Having now gone through all the books in her world including the final trilogy which wraps everything up, that it has jumped to the absolute top of my all time favourites! Others on my list also include cosmere, beartown trilogy and lord of the wrings so we have a reasonable amount of crossover (with plenty of others in your top 10 in my TBR!). Thanks for always producing top tier book content

Glad I picked up the Dandelion Dynasty this year, thanks for the recommendation! The span of time this series is encapsulating while also creating great characters we care about is epic! Underrated, and it’ll probably take another decade, story that would make a great TV adaptation

I love your excitement! Gonna go read more right now!!!

I read the Age of Madness before The First Law, and now going back to reread it it again (after finishing the standalones). I'm endlessly grateful for recommending A Little Hatred and starting me on this journey.

Amazing picks

I just found this channel, after recently getting into reading. All I have to say is that listening to you review these books, makes me beyond excited to read them for myself eventually. Thank you!

great list

I was definitely one of those people that picked up the gentleman bastards because of you and I absolutely loved the first book. I love the characters especially Locke and the shenanigans they got up to. I can’t wait to start book two!!

I am one of those that started reading the Gentleman Bastards series because of you. It was, at first, a tough read. BUT you recently actually mentioned in a video that the reason why it may be tough for some is the flashbacks, which usually appear after cliff-hangers. I know that should have been obvious but, for me, it wasn't. With that in mind and because of your very contagious enthusiasm for the series I decided to give it another shot and I cannot put them down now. I am on Read Seas and loving it :)

Im new to booktube and reading fantasy fiction in general as an adult! Thank you for these recs!

Rereading Beartown (and then the sequels for the first time) is HIGH on my list this year. Also, I really really want to love Hitchhikers Guide so so much, but I totally lost steam. I will try again!

Good recommendations! I just finished the first law books a few months ago. I loved them. I'm reading the liveship Traders now, and its really good. The lies of locke lamora is on my list to read, I've heard only good things.

Thank you for this. Gonna check out The Dandelion Dynasty now. 😁

I re-read my favorite series of all time again this year, which is the NightAngel trilogy by Brent Weeks being that it was the first fantasy series I ever read. I was pretty bored with the lies of locke lamora and chose not to continue the series, but maybe you can talk me into it, who knows

I'm so happy that I found this vid! It's not just a list of the same YA fantasy or romcom books 😊

Fantastic top 10... I agree with you

I read Lies of Locke Lamora almost exactly a year ago because of your raving and it is now my all time favourite fantasy book. I really enjoy Red Seas Under Red Skies but not as much it's probably somewhere in the mid 20s of my all time fantasy and I'm yet to read Republic of Thieves but I will get around to it at some point

You are one book ahead of me on the Malazan journey. I agree! Challenging but so good!

I might read Scott Lynch too, heard good things about his stories

Good stuff

I stumbled upon booktube last year, and I love listening to audiobooks in the woodshop, so I really appreciate your channel and recommendations. I'm half librarian on my mother's side.

@aintnoisepollution99

2 ай бұрын

Lol

I’m also currently up to Reapers Gale. So challenging yet so rewarding. Witness!

I just started Locke Lamora last night. I read that part you were talking about while being sold the the chains guy. 😂

I just started Republic of Thieves in my first reread of Gentlemen Bastards. I too love this series so much!

Out of these series, I've read only LOTR, Beartown trilogy and the first book of Hitchhiker's ... and am currently reading The Hero of Ages of the Mistborn trilogy, but I'm planning to read all the other series that you've mentioned in this video. Just don't know when 🙃My complete Malazan series is waiting on my shelf far too long, so I need to dig in soon.

I need to try the Dandelion Dynasty again. I could not make it through the dry writing style of the first book.

I got into the gentleman bastards series because of you, and I love it. I'm halfway through the Republic of Thieves at the moment.

Gonna have to do 20 next year! I'm so intrigued by Bear Town. It doesn't sound like a series, it sounds like the kind of thing that would be a standalone. I love hockey, and hate SA of course, and sweden is cool, so I may have to check it out. I'll check out that novella of his first.

Reading through Malazan at the moment and have added a few more to my tbr list but all the Midkemia+ books by Raymond E. Feist is still my number 1 series, going to take something special to beat it.

@slidenaway

4 ай бұрын

Shout out Riftwar Cycle!! Doesn’t get enough love 😍

@ReallyGoodandKind

4 ай бұрын

Malazan is fantastic

Thank you for your suggestions. I watched your video trying to find a book for my 14 yr old son who hates reading. He loves the gentleman bastards books now. I’m aware these books aren’t super appropriate for a kid, but I read the first one and decided the trade off was worth it for a book he has actually been enjoying. Thank you very much for making a suggestion video that actually gave helpful information, good suggestions, and did so without annoying the hell out of me like most do!

Such a wonderful list. Those pins are amazing. I got them all. But yours is my favorite. Just don't tell anyone.😂 except tell the Goblin.

MAN CARRYING THINGS BROUGHT ME HERE!!!!!! hugs

I’m currently reading Ship of Magic and I’m loving it

So happy to see Remembrance of Earth's Past in the top 10. I love those books so much. Its been five years since I read them and still think about them all the time.

Those pins do look EPIC!!!

Dandelion dynasty so high, you love to see it! My ranking for the series is the same as yours.

One of my favourite videos every year!

Hi Merphy (and all!) Love your list, agree with much, and will try the one or two series I haven't already read. My only real disagree is Gentlemen Bastards. I tried it after hearing both you and Daniel Green praising it so. BUT. Such uncomfortable characters!, and I don't like heists-books. Had to put it down after listening to half of the first book in the series. 😂 so interesting how books can hit so differently with different people! ... anyways. Happy New Reading Year, and keep posting! Luv, Maria from south Sweden

I'm glad you liked the HHGTTG books. My personal favourite version of that story is the original radio series, which came first. Well worth checking out if you love Douglas Adams. It might have the effect of making the books seem a bit stodgy and slow. His two Dirk Gently books are also worth a read.

0:55 Awesome! I just pledged, gonna get yours and put it on my hat :)

❤📚📚❤️ I love all the book excitement!

Nice list, I will try to read some of them this year. What about stand alone 10 favorite list? Ever done one? That might be interesting.

I really cant afford for the pins but they look so cool! And its so interesting how I know which one is from who just by looking at them😄

Love the channel. Have you considered adding timestamps or whatever they’re called? I assume it’s a bit more work, but deff adds to the user experience :). Thanks for considering!!!

Hey Merphy, just found your channel and am loving your recommendations! Glad to hear you’re interested in nautical things, me too! I’m about to start reading “The Terror” by Dan Simmons. Have you read it? I hear he goes pretty deep into the nautical aspects! Cheers!

I recently read the lies of locke lamora and I loved it so much. Can't wait to read red seas under red skies

Looking forward to this list after 2024 and you have caught up on Dresden. While Dead Beat is definitely a top book in the series, you still have the best to come with more and better story lines, character moments, and world building. Dead Beat starts the true meat of the series, and every book moving forward is either very good or simply amazing.

@totesmagotes213

4 ай бұрын

I agree, with the exception of White Knight. I found that one of the weaker books in the series. Peace Talks was also a little bit of a letdown, but Battle Ground was so awesome I can forgive that one. Besides those two, every book from Dead Beat onwards is absolutely phenomenal.

You didn’t mention it in your list of Abercrombie reads, have you read Sharp Ends yet? Short story collection from first law trilogy, it’s ah mazing! 😁

This past year I read and finished The Faithful and The Fallen. Loved if and it was my first fantasy series I’ve ever read and finished. I’m in the process of reading the complete Dune series, The Wheel of Time, Mistborn and A Song of Ice and Fire.

The Dandelion Dynasty catapulted to my favorite series last year. Great list.

I would be really curious what you think of the Break. It is an incredible series, which deals with a similar issue as Bear town and one of my favourite books.

You're convincing me to try The Gentleman Bastards series and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy :) Some of my favorite series are Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Young Underground, and The Zion Covenant

just 3 things from me: 1 - another great video, but more importantly 2- never ever tone it down! we are here for all the excitement about books that you have and 3 - your pin design would make for a sick tattoo

Those pins look incredible

I don't read much. I recently picked up my first book in 12 ish years three days ago called "The Three Body Problem". I have not been able to put it down. That book brought me here to your channel and I have watched several of your videos now. I am considering picking up "The Age of Madness" per your recommendation. Who knows, perhaps I am reaching the age where I now enjoy reading? I like your enthusiasm, it is pleasant.

@KrXYT

4 ай бұрын

That book is peak for sure. gets kinda confusing at the end but Lock in and you got it.

Have you read Suneater? I just finished Empire of Silence and it was amazing. And everything I've seen says it only gets better from here. I am just waiting for Howling Dark to arrive from Amazon.

One of my absolute favorite series is Honorverse and I see so little about it around, even though it totally deserves more attention, especially from younger booktubers 😢

Please read Abercrombie's short story collection 'Sharp Ends' and get it its name out there, for First Law fans it is SUCH a treat.

I think this is the year I'll finish Elderlings, I've been slowly reading it over the past three years but it always makes me cry so I have to take my time with it.

Malazan is that series I've heard lots about but I have no idea what it's about 🥲I'm late to the party but I always enjoy seeing your faves Merphy 🥰

I am hoping that once you finish "The Crippled God", Malazan: Book of the Fallen will be moved up from the bottom of the list. If you like Nautical Fantasy Books or books with that twist, you might like Ian Esslemont's Malazan Empire... Your close personal friend Phillip Chase liked it. Thank you for posting.

you should read A Year and a Day in Old Theradane by Scott Lynch!

Manga and graphic novels are more of my taste but you got me into the gentleman bastard series. I just have the republic of thieves left and it will be one of the few series I’ve finished.

Merphy! These series are on my list (but most to readin the future), as well. I just finished LOTR. I am currently collecting (I collect them and then read them) the Dandelion Dynasty and the books by Cixin Liu are on my list to collect. I have had a hardback (Science Fiction Book Club - SFBC) copy for years that I will be reading this year. I have Most born Era 1 and going to collect Book 1 of the Stormlight Archive. I plan to start collecting the Gentleman's Bastards trilogy soon, too. Robin Hobb, Joe Abercrombie, and Steven Erikson are both on the list to collect and read (eventually)!

Merphy is an amazing KZreadr

@billyalarie929

4 ай бұрын

One of my favorites, no question.

@Madmax0581

4 ай бұрын

@@billyalarie929 totally agree... I love her take on OP (truly amazing)

I DNFed locke lamora after drowning under descriptions but I regularly think about that stealing line used to describe Locke. It’s amazing.

I’ve read more than 6 of Malazan and its side parts and yeah, it’s a tough one. There are definitely some parts that I got caught on.

Since you love all things nautical, have you read the Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian? This is the series that the movie Master and Commander with Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany is based on. Otherwise, there are a few other such as the Hornblower series by C. S. Forester, Ramage, and Bolitho. All of these are historical fiction but I'm curious if they appeal to you.

Age of madness immediately heads to the top of my read list! I LOVED first law.