Hi. I'm Adam, and I'm a dude who reads... just about anything. Fiction to non-fiction. Fantasy to philosophy. Classics to comics. Poetry to parenting books. And everything in between. I started this channel as a way to connect with other readers, and to share my passion for reading widely. So, whether you're a reader or just someone who wants to read more, check out some of the videos, and drop me a line. I'd love to chat and to discuss.
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Completely agree about War and Peace. I read it during a winter of unemployment 50 years ago. It would be inaccurate to say it “changed” my life. W.&P shaped my public life. My political and professional life. Often when I had to make a strategic decision, I thought, “what would General Kutuzov do?” He believed in letting matters work themselves out, as opposed to Napoleon’s inclination to intervene to shape events. Tolstoy deeply believed in Kutuzov’s philosophy. I do too.
I love this comment for so many reasons. Oftentimes, when people read great literature, they focus on the beauty and the art (which is great), but rarely do they talk about the very real, practical lessons there are to be gleaned from these masterpieces. Thanks for sharing!
Have you read "Shantaram"? A book worthwile
I have not. I will look into it! Thanks for watching.
Thanks for not mentioning Pride & Prejudice.
I’ve heard good things about “Pride and Prejudice with Zombies”
I have read and loved the Stoner, Ana Karenina, The Hobbit, The Brother's Karamazov. Years ago, I read over half of Proust's first volume and I remember loving the writing, but parts of it were too difficult for me at the time. I'd like to restart it and see what I think now. Also, I think (I could be wrong on this) that in reading Proust the reader should not be expecting a normal plot structure. When I was reading that first volume, I thought I was reading see musings, reflections of a life, but not a novel with a plot, a problem, and a resolution type of thing. I had read Lolita too long ago also and I remember it as disturbing, but I don't remember it fully, so I'd want to reread it. I read The Count of Monte Christo (and The Iron Mask) by Dumas when I was in Jr. High School, but in my native language, Greek. I remember loving the books, but I don't know if I would feel the same now. I love The Brothers Karamazov, but I love everything I've read so far by Dostoyevsky. I also love Tolstoy's work. I agree with you as I think that Tosltoy and Dostoyevski are not comparable. I think they are different writers and both are masters in their own style and themes. I lean towards Dostoyevsky more, but I also have read more of him than of Tolstoy. Dostoyevsky's novella, The Double is also fantastic and I think is underrated. If you haven't read Nikolai Gogol, his short stories are excellent, and his novel Dead Souls is also great.
Thanks so much for the detailed comment and sharing your experiences. I haven’t read any Gogol, but I will look into him!
The Old Man and the Sea The Big Nowhere Asterios Polyp The Hobbitt Kitchen Confidential On The Road Kafka on the Shore War and Peace Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Barney's Version
Missed one.
Best wishes with what you choose to read and to your channel. Happy reading.
Thank you so much! All the best!
Dostoyevsky is my favorite Russian author and he is better than Tolstoy in my opinion.
Fair enough. Thanks for watching!
You need to do the opposite now: books least enjoyed by readers and see how it compares to either your preferences or your viewers.
Hah. Not a bad idea. Wanna start us off?
Great idea! 😊
@@ADudeWhoReads Anything Stephen King. I do not read horror but tried a few of his non-horror books and they are too slow paced, too detailed and just go on and on. I have him on permanent DNF. I do like him as a person and love watching him on interviews; his prose is just not for me.
My sympathies.
Thank you.
The Lord of the Rings was my first introduction to real fantasy when I was 11, and I have absolutely loved it ever since. That being said, I completely understand why some people just can't get into it. It can be quite...wordy, at times. Not sure how else to put that.
If you haven't already read them, and if you like historical fiction, particularly WWII fiction, Herman Wouk's, The Winds of War, and the sequel, War and Remembrance, are wonderful! I'm generally not one for family dramas. I always say, I have enough drama in my real life. I don't need it in my books. But these two books don't feel like a soap opera. You're thrown into this time period of sweeping world events and you feel like you're right there. It's like a move in your head. Just thinking about it makes me want to read them again.
Thanks for the tip. you’re not the first to mention these to me, so I’ll need to seriously look into them!!
I am struggling my way through Brothers K. right now. I'M TRYING, PEOPLE! I'm not that far in. But I can barely keep track of what's happening. I'm starting to dread it every time I pick it up. But I don't want to give up. Sigh. Why is life so hard? ;)
Hah. I know you’re joking, but I will say a couple of things: first, there’s actually a pretty suspenseful plot that develop so that should help! Second, there is a lot going on in that novel, that frankly, I wouldn’t expect anyone to catch on the first read through, so I wouldn’t even try!! there are certain characters and subplots that appear early in the novel that you expect might reappear later. but they just don’t, and if you stop to ask yourself why each time, you’ll never make it to the end! In other words, I think the right way to read Bros K as a first read is for pure entertainment and not to try and analyze it too much (plenty of time for that later). lastly, and you don’t need me to tell you this, but if you’re really struggling… don’t finish it :). I’m sure there are 100 other great novels out there that you could spent that time reading AND enjoying more. Thanks for the comment and sorry for the wordy reply!
I remember liking some of The Pillars of the Earth. But there were some really gross sexual parts that caught me off guard. I can't even remember if I ended up finishing it.
Ah…. I did not know that. thanks for the warning!
I need to read Catch 22 again. In my younger years, maybe late teens/early 20s, it was one of my favorite books. But I can't remember a darned thing about it now.
That is so true about so many of the books I read during that time of my life!
you lost me at graphic novel
The filter works!
I finished watching a few minutes ago. Thought you might like a recommendation of a book you might love based on your own top 10. I'm not a bot so I'm using my own non artificial intelligence to make this guess. It's probably in my own top 10. It's Don Quixote by Cervantes. There is a smile to be had on each page and often a belly laugh throughout. If you haven't read it then do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy.
Thanks for the recommendation! I have a copy, just haven’t yet gotten around to reading it… but I will!
ten great ones for me no particular order: 1) Orwell, "1984"; 2) Twain, "Huckleberry Finn"; 3) Cain, "Double Indemnity"; 4) McCullers, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter"; 5) Stevenson, "Treasure Island"; 6) Defoe, "Robinson Crusoe"; 7) Montgomery, "Anne of Green Gables"; 8) Wolfe, "The Bonfire of the Vanities"; 9) Burnett, "the Secret Garden"; 10) Rawls, "Where the Red Fern Grows"
LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing :)
Please do make a list of funny books.
And everyone loves the monte cristo.
Alrighty. Will do :)
I feel like I’ve seen this video before ha
maybe...
One thing I didn't get it : what was the criteria? This top is wrong conceptual - it's just a random list of 10 books which could be in any order,it doesn't make any difference ; the only reason they are in this list is (as you put it ) because it's your top . "All time " of what? Sellings ? Readings? Most appreciated ?
I read Project Hail Mary first - which is as good as everyone is saying - then I read Artemis which was a huge step down and to be avoided at all costs. I was going to read The Martian next - but after the comments here, I think I'll start either The Dresden Files or Discworld.
All very different reads, but I highly recommend both the Dresden Files (although it takes a while to get going) and Discworld (which takes a while to go nowhere... but that's kind of the point).
Please show the book for more than a second or two. After you talk about the book for a minute, I've forgotten the title and author. The fleeting display is prevalent on YT. I don't have the patience to rewind the video to see the name of the item. Too many of the book channels do this. Thanks for the list that I didn't see to the end.
Thanks. You're not the first to give that feedback. In my newer videos, I include a picture in the book in frame. I appreciate you watching nonetheless!
I recommend "The Khazarian Dictionary, that's the name of the book, , this one will blow your mind. The author is Milorad Pavic.
Never heard of it, but I will look into it. Thanks for the recommendation!
Fiction: House of Leaves; Demon Copperhead; The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. Nonfiction: Into Thin Air.
Nice. A couple I've never heard of before! Thanks for the tip!
Wow, I just mentioned Into Thin Air today in casual conversation when a child in my family was drawing a mountain! Sheesh, that book wore me out! I really did feel physically exhausted.
@@Yesica1993 Jon Krakauer is a good writer and journalist, and the fact that he was THERE during the Everest disaster he's writing about takes the book to another level.
As we say here in Russia: it s a crime not to read Dostoyevsky, it s a punishment to read him 😂. I adore Dostoyevsky, and very proud of his global appreciation.
Hah! I like it. Thanks for watching :)
As a russian myself I've never heard this saying. Can only agree with the first part though.
Ha ha! I am struggling through Brothers K. right now. Pray for me!
How interesting that you will more than likely read _The Count of Monte Cristo_ in its original, French! I finally read it a couple of years ago and I'm already wanting to give it a re-read. 🤓
That's a great endorsement! I'm super curious what makes everyone love this book so much. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I don't have a book to add but I really admire the fact that you wish to read French literature in French even if this ask of you an additional effort. I know that reading in the original language adds to the reading experience but i'm too scared to do that. I fear that it will be too hard for me and maybe that will keep me from enjoying the book or even finishing it.
Thanks! In fairness, I learned to read French before English, so I don't think it's that admirable. Now, if I decide to read Don Quixote in Spanish, then I will EXPECT your admiration :)
I had a great time with Pillars of the Earth, which was my intro to historical fiction about 6 or 7 years ago. I've since read all of Follett's Kingsbridge books but Pillars feels like his best (the second, World Without End being a close runner up).
Thanks for the confirmation and for watching! I will most definitely give Pillars of the Earth a read, and based on how much I like it, I'll see about continuing with the other four books.
I think the TV Series and books go hand in hand quite nicely. I began watching the TV series when they were in between season 1 and 2, and I rapidly became an UBER fan. I was delighted to find there was a book series and read as much as was available before season two came out! Love your channel, I came across it while hunting for various booktuber's favorite books of all time. When I saw your Expanse review I had to watch it as well! "There was a button, I pushed it" - The most character revealing quote...
I agree with you completely. It's an excellent series, that I think probably doesn't get enough credit. Thanks so much for watching and commenting, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the stuff on the channel!
I really like it and it makes me happy that a person like you values The Hobbit as much as I do. Disguised as a children's story, in reality a very serious novel, a map of internal paths, a route of mythical wisdom, a rounded and perfect narrative.
Couldn't agree more. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I'm not a book reader but I always try to be. I get bored half way through a book usually or don't have time to read. But I finally finiahed a book: To Kill a Mockingbird. And now reading Moby Dick. So this list helped me add to a list of books I would like to read, thank you
I'm happy that you're making progress towards your reading goals! That said, maybe tackling Moby Dick as your SECOND full book is a bit ambitious? Moby Dick has defeated many a seasoned reader. Don't feel like you need to tackle such huge challenges. I'd suggest having fun with your reading, and building your habit through books you really enjoy, regardless of whether anyone else considers them "great" books or not. That said, if Moby Dick is that book for you, go nuts! :) Thanks for watching and dropping a comment.
@ADudeWhoReads You think I should put it down? I found it a little harder than Crime and Punishment (a book I got to around half of and stopped reading). It's pretty cool so far but both of them have this issue where it feels like the narrator is intentionally detailing every single thing to get more pages in, like they have an essay they have to fill out with fancy words to seem smarter than they really are. I liked how you explained War and Peace and how you should approach long books. You don't have to read it quickly just to finish it. You can enjoy it slowly, I'll keep your words in mind with these. Then again I might stop reading half way if it gets too boring😂😂
If you're enjoying it, by all means continue! I have no intention of dissuading you from reading one of the all-time classics. The only reason I suggested something a little more "accessible" is that generally when you're trying to build a habit, you want to focus on small wins. Those small wins eventually snowball and you can move onto more challenging stuff. It's like if you wanted to be a great basketball player, you wouldn't start by taking shots form half court, you'd start closer to the basket, and then work your way out. Same with reading. If you want to build a reading habit, generally you want to start with easier books, or shorter books. Moby Dick is both relatively difficult AND long. :) BUT, none of that matters if you're enjoying it! Good luck, and let me know what you thought when you get to the end!
@ADudeWhoReads your analogy is really well-put!! I won't force myself to read it if I don't enjoy it anymore. I'll try to remember to tell you when or if I finish it, I'm an extremely slower reader than the average "100 books a year" people. A reading test said I was 310wpm. But with an actual book it's 150wpm 😂😂. Whats yours?
@@Horzinicla I'm not a very fast reader, either. I'm probably between 150-200 wpm.
Strange or surprising choice, Bourdain. But you explained it well. I noticed it touched you while talking about it.
Thank you for that. Indeed. It's always fascinating to me to see the books that touch others that never would have occurred to me. Thanks again for watching and commenting!
Interesting list, eclectic as it should be. While only perhaps two or three of these would be in my top 10, all would certainly be in top 100 (except, perhaps, for that graphic novel - I haven't read it.) E.g. I prefer Dostoevsky to Tolstoy, but they are both great, of course. Thanks.
Completely agree on Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. Both are great, but I think which you prefer ultimately comes down to the reader's personal preferences. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Nice list. After you went for The Hobbit instead of LOTR I was already expecting to see Hitchhiker's Guide
That's some Sherlock-level powers of deduction :) Thanks for watching and commenting!
My 10 favorite books would be, in no particular order: Absalom, Absalom by William Faulkner Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith Moby Dick by Herman Melville The Outsider and Others (Arkham House edition) by H.P. Lovecraft The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice Dune by Frank Herbert The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse
Nice list, and special hat tip for having Wodehouse in there!
Similar to you, I read Project Hail Mary first and loved it. Then I excitedly decided to read The Martian soon after. I found it hard to get through and I very much agree with your points about lack of tension and simply not caring about the main character. I also thought it was a little too much with the technical problem solving without enough other story aspects to keep things interesting. I'm sure the grounded problem solving was pretty novel at the time of release, but I think PHM had a better balance.
A kindred spirit! Thanks for confirming that I'm not crazy :)
You are great reader . Napoleon biography Memory at st. Helena is good if you lie war and peace . .. for me I like Guy de moupassance Frence writer he is Hemingway favorite writter and Out of Africa is good...there many great books indeed
Thank you for watching and for the recommendations! I didn't realize that Guy de Maupassant was Hemingway's favourite writer. That's a good bit of trivia!
Hemingway says in speech too that Isak Dinesen shall be Attainable Nobel prize more than himself
Came to learn about the top 10 books of ALL TIME... got the Hobbit... stopped the video and moved on
Thanks
Except for "War and Peace", it's a very strange list.
Hah! Well, I appreciate you being polite about it :)
"Anna Karenina" is one of the best books I've ever read. What a page-turner! I recently bought "War and Peace"...can't wait to read it!
I hope you enjoy it just as much as Anna Karenina!
I liked Project Hail Mary better than The Martian, but I didn’t sense such a huge gulf between them when it comes to writing quality. Although I do agree that Ryland Grace is a deeper character, and Andy Weir has also said this in interviews about PHM, that wasn’t what I noticed most while listening to the audiobook for the first time. What made me happier about PHM to begin with was the amnesia situation. In fact, I remember thinking “This is just like the Martian, but with amnesia!” And I loved that. Then of course Rocky showed up and my mind was blown. I loved that reveal so much, and was not expecting it after the Martian, which is so grounded in reality all the way through. The improved character development was the icing on the cake. I loved it, but it took me a while to notice it, partly because Ryland doesn’t even know much about himself to start out with so some of his character traits are a surprise.
I think the improved character development (plus the addition of Rocky) also adds a layer of emotion to PHM that is absent from the Martian. Thanks so much for your comment!
It's always fun to hear someone discussing books they enjoyed. I have read almost all the books you mentioned and was particularly pleased you mentioned Anthony Bourdain. I really enjoyed his book and him as a chef. Glad you threw in some foreign authors. As a child of the 50s you are quite right about those decades, the 50s,60s and 70s ', an awesome time to have lived through .
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I miss Bourdain. No one's been able to replace him, and those who've tried don't even come close in my mind (thinking of people like David Chang).
How come dune is not there¿
Not going to lie... I *liked* Dune, but I didn't *love* Dune. Maybe if I'd read it earlier instead of reading so much of the stuff that it has influenced first it would have hit different... Thanks for commenting!
Hello! Great list! Thank you for putting this video together. I am able to relate your experience with reading very much! I have a question and I won't spoil it with my favorite book. Have you ever read Dostoevsky? If not, I cannot recommend his books enough! Happy reading, Paul
As I type this, I'm on page 681 of The Brothers Karamazov :)
Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series is the most overlooked series in Fantasy. Wrap LOTR plot in Star-Wars / Wizard if Oz-esque characters and place the whole thing in a future dystopian western setting
I've just started it, finished Book 1 and was sufficiently intrigued/confused to carry on :)
Second time I watched this video, I just want to give kudos for including a graphic novel.
Hah. Thank you! The medium doesn't get enough respect.
One can smell the Cuban salt sea with Hem's novella. Peace on earth.
Yes!
Just found your channel. good to get more male book readers here.
We exist! I swear... thanks for watching :)
I would suggest you read The Picture of Dorian Gray and 1984.
Both excellent books. Thanks for watching and commenting!
The Hobbit, yes the best of Tolkien. Anna Karenina was great. Not sure I can attempt War and Peace, especially the section that is like a bunch of essays. But if you want a favorite of mine that is long: Sagas Of the Icelanders. Parnassus on Wheels and The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley. These are all books I've reread. Well, maybe not the Sagas (entirely). Need to think about this some more...
War and Peace isn't THAT much longer than Anna Karenina (and the section with the essays is a small portion, and by the time you get there, you're so invested in the book, that it flows well). I've read selections from the Sagas, and they are indeed pretty awesome. I've also read tons of history from that time that references the Sagas, which in and of itself makes them that much cooler! Haven't read Morley, but I'll add him to my list. Thanks so much for the recommendations and for watching!
@@ADudeWhoReads ok you've almost convinced me to read War and Peace. Maybe!
@@jackiewheaton4199 Hahaha. Fair enough, fair enough.