Easy Update Book Review Roundup First Ever Episode!

Yay books! Sorry for the super late comment. I'd highly recommend the Broken Earth trilogy by N. K. Jemisin. Each of those books has won the Hugo Award in the last 3 years. It's seriously good, and I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't say anything more.

This made me so happy, especially hearing how much you liked Sanderson. I used to love books as a kid but that hobby kind of fizzled away as I grew older. Mistborn got me back into reading and I haven't looked back since! I've read at least 10 of his books (though weirdly I can't really get into Stormlight no matter how many times I try it). Either way, thanks for all of the great recommendations. I've got enough reading material to last me a long time now!

Nimbus

Great episode. I now have a list of new things to check out. I'm disappointed to hear you didn't enjoy the Rothfuss. I'm currently on my 9th re-read. You're the first person I know that didn't like the framed narrative, but I can understand why it's a turn off. I'm drawn to his writing due to his meticulous wordcraft. He's very picky about using the exact correct word for everything, which is something my music ed teachers instilled in me when working on my degrees. There's also an extra depth to his writing where I find some new little hints of things to come, or scenarios he set up long ago without you realizing it during the first read. Since you made it through most of the second book, I would recommend trying his novella "The Slow Regard of Silent Things". It dispatches with the framed narrative and follows the character of Auri for a little while. It is easily one of the most beautiful things I've read in the past few years. I think it fall into a range similar to Neil Gaiman's "Ocean at the End of the Lane" and "Stardust", both of which I highly recommend as well. Rothfuss has also written two not-for-children storybooks which are a bit dark and really fun. If you look up some videos of the cons he has spoken at in the past, he leads off with them and talks about them a little, so you can check them out and get a feel for them. I've heard mixed reviews on 1Q84, so I've been hesitant to pick it up. A friend recommended "Hard Boiled Wonderland and The End of the World" and I enjoyed it, so I'll have to pick up some more of his books. Lastly, I would also recommend Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files" series. It's another work in progress with 15 main books so far, and a slew of short stories (though they have been compiled into 2 collections for easier perusal), so it is a bit of an undertaking. I enjoy how Butcher continues to develop and nurture his characters. After fifteen books we still learn new things about the protagonists and they continue in their personal and emotional growth. Thanks again for the episode and your hard work! L&R

Yay book talk with Ian! I really enjoyed this episode as an avid reader myself. I'm pouring recommendations all over the place but if you're a fan of hard SF/space operas and want to also see diversity in your books (non-binary etc), Yoon Ha Lee's The Machineries of Empire trilogy (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/160439-the-machineries-of-empire)" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/series/160439-the-machineries-of-empire)</a> and Ann Leckie's Imperial Radch (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/113751-imperial-radch)" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/series/113751-imperial-radch)</a> are two of my more recent favourites. They're really *really* good. Yoon Ha Lee in particular has become one of my favourite writers.

Liana

Loved the episode, Ian! If you haven't before, I'd recommend reading some Peter F Hamilton. He does some great Sci-Fi epics. Start with Pandora's Star which kicks off his Commonwealth universe that spans several different series of books. I totally see where you're coming with Wise Man's Fear. I finished it, but we're talking about a huge tome that barely moved the story forward, but manged to fit in like 5 chapters of the hero learning to be the best sexer in the whole world.

Brad Grenz

For those of you who don't have/don't want to use Audible, but still enjoy ebooks &amp; audiobooks, I highly recommend checking with your local library to see if they have this kind of online service available (ex. Overdrive/Libby). I'm from the States, but currently live in a non-English-speaking country where English books are scarce and expensive, so this has been a gamechanger for me.

MizRacy

Such a great idea, thanks Ian! Been trying really hard to get back into reading more and this is a great way for me to get started!

Shauna Bowman

1Q84! Yes!

Hey Ian, great video. Of the books you discuss, I've only read Cormac McCarthy and Maggie Nelson - lots of great recommendations outside of my usual tastes, so very grateful. I have a novel being published in the UK next September - would love to send you a copy on release. Not sure if my publisher is doing an audiobook version at launch...

Love books! Physical and Kindle form! I have over 90 Star Wars books. Yes Disney, to me they all still count!

Project D.A.D.

Books!

Mark van Dijken

Is it weird that Ian loves Myst, Bloodborne, as well as something called "Mistborn"? Yes, yes it is weird.

Robert A Iglehart

Yeah ! Books!