Thanks!! I'm stunned you ranked Forgetting Moon higher than Tad Williams & Bernard Cornwell two of my writing heroes!!

Great list Mike! My top 10: 1. Empire of the Vampire 2. The Blackest Heart 3. Hunger of the Gods 4. Kings of the Wyld 5. The Rage of Dragons 6. Excalibur 7. Legend 8. Homeland 9. The Dragonbone Chair 10. Traitor’s Blade

I love the diversity of classic and modern fantasy, plus other genres that you read! Wonderful list, Mike!

I read Swan Sing back in the 1980’s when it first came out. I remember loving it like the Stand. I think I might have to schedule a reread in 2023! Thanks Mike!

I have Jade City, the Tad Williams and Durfee books on the shelf ready to roll this year! And you're right: Cornwell is the gold standard for battle scenes. On to 2022!

I only read 14 books this year and the following are my top books of the year: 1) Hyperion - Dan Simmons 2) It - Stephen King 3) Animal Farm - George Orwell 4) Dolores Claiborne - Stephen King 5) How Do You Live - Genzaburo Yoshino

I'm here for that sick Slayer shirt! Love me some old school thrash! Thanks for your content man, you are the one that introduced me to the Stormlight Archive, my favorite series ever! I grew up reading Dragonlance and Drizzt books, Streams of Silver is so good!

The Troop was an amazing horror book. Definatley had me squirming. I'm about to finish The First Law series which is awesome, thanks for that. I'm gonna pick up a few off this list for my next reads. You are becoming my go to book critic. The only thing your missing for me is sci-fi, but thats ok. 70 books in a year is crazy.

I forgot Swan Song even existed. I read it what feels like a million years ago, probably not long after it came out, and I can barely remember anything about it except that I absolutely loved it. I think it set me on a path of reading Robert McCammon and nothing ever quite lived up to it. I will need to pick it up again and give it a reread.

Amazing list Mike! I read all of the Warlord Chronicles this year and it knocked my socks off. Hands down one of the best trilogies I have ever read. You are right, his combat and battle scenes are some of the best. Enemy of God was #2 on my list for top books in 2022!

I’m so glad you finally read Swan Song. Feels like I’ve been putting that in your comments for years. I first read it 92 and have read it 4 times since. An underrated masterpiece. My favourite of 2022 was the Green Bone Saga for sure! Fonda Lee killed it with those. Happy new year and look forward to the great content youve always posted!! 🤘🤘🤘

I got really into Stephen King this year, and he did not disappoint. Salem’s Lot is most definitely one of my favorite books of all time. The horror elements, though not extremely scary, we’re executed perfectly and the coming of age of Mark Petrie had me on the edge of my seat for the whole 700 pages.

My top 10: 1. Empire of the Vampire 2. Let the Right One In 3. The High Crusade (Poul Anderson) 4. Beowulf 5. Project Hail Mary 6-9. Forgotten Realms: Return of the Archwizard 10. Deadhouse Gates

I read 34 books this year (one below my goal unless I can finish another one this week). I finished WoT this year so A Memory of Light is in my top 5, along with Sand by High Howey, Elantris, the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, and In Deep, a short story collection by Damon Knight.

Recently found a hardcover early edition of 'Boy's Life' at an antique mall for $6, and remembered you raving about it, so I picked it up. Will get to it later this year. Fantastic list Mike!! May your reading be just as great in 2023!

6 minutes of honourable mentions? This is where the fun begins!

You and Brian have added the most books to my TBR by far! (It's a love/hate relationship right now guys) I have no idea how I missed The Justice of Kings, because that sounds like a book I'm going to love, and I just read The Stand so Swan Song is also calling to me! So now I'm off to spend some Xmas money on books! Great video Mike, can't wait for the Red read coming up in the new year because I'm going to join you!

Justice of Kings ended up my top book of 2022! I'm a paralegal, so the Law & Justice aspect was just right up my alley! The Forgetting Moon was just delivered yesterday, so I'm excited to get to it this year!

Great list. Just started listening to The Troop. I’m glad it I will be good. I just downloaded Swan Song on the Kindle thanks to your recommendation.

This is great thanks! Happy New Year, Mike!💕 (I love your beautiful green coffee mug.)

My top 10 this year are: 1. The Hunger of the Gods 2. Gardens of the Moon 3. Project Hail Mary 4. The Gathering Storm 5. A Memory of Light 6. The Shadow of the Gods 7. Memories of Ice 8. The Forgetting Moon 9. Warbreaker 10. A Time of Dread I thought this list would be easier, but it was way harder than I thought.

Also, while I'm here, I think you should read The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I make the rec because you've mentioned an interest in father-son storylines.

I read Swan Song in the 80's and it has stuck with me since. After watching your current top 10, I may need to read it again.

My Top 10 1 - Wizard and Glass 2 - Boy’s Life 3 - The Waste Lands 4 - The Warlord Chronicles ( sorry, gotta count it as one book) 5 - Ender’s Game 6 - IT 7 - The Pillars of the Earth 8 - The Wolves of the Calla 9 - The Silent Patient 10 - The Drawing of the Three

Fantastic list! I cannot wait to read The Forgetting Moon, The Godfather and Ship of Magic! Love to see Enemy of God and Hunger of the Gods on here🐺. Will

Bleak and hopeless - I'm in! I'm looking forward to picking up Swan Song, Justice of Kings and Warlord Chronicles in 2023.

Hey Mike! Talking about non-fantasy books there is a biography called Team of Rivals that talks about Lincoln's cabinet during the Civil War. It is incredible and you might like it. Cool video man!

You absolutely hit the nail on the head with Bernard Cornwell’s action scene writing.

Great list Mike! Pumped to see Liveship and Greenbone on your list! My top books were any of the Greenbone Saga books, aby of the Tawny Man books, Empire of the Vampire, but also How to Kill a Mockingbird, Toll the Hounds, the Long Ships (Röde Orm) or Wrath

I read The Stand this year and absolutely loved it so I’m definitely going to have to read Swan Song ASAP! Thanks for the recommendation!

Sweet Slayer shirt! And, of course, great book choices. Excellent video!!!

10. Batman a Court Of Owls 9. Swan Song 8. A Court of Wings and Ruin 7. The Hellbound Heart 6. Wolves of the Calla 5. Hellmouth 4. Duna Key 3. Elric of Melnibone 2. Imaginary Friend 1. The Folding Knife

And yeah man, five warrior angels is the most underrated and under appreciated series around. I'm taking my tiiiiiime with lonesome crown because with Brian's eyesight we may never get more from that. Its just spectacular what he's done thus far, and I'm loving book 3 a lot so far

nice touch isolating the effects window mike. thanks for the list!

It took me 20 minutes for your shirt to make sense to me. Once it made sense it was amazing.

Sick shirt btw… huge fan of both slayer and Buffy lol

I am surprised how many non fantasy that were on your list (but not complaining). Obviously love the horror picks and I think I have to check out the Forgetting Moon

I enjoy the list. Always cool to see older books listed with some newer ones too. 😊

Great video - fun to see what other people pick as it is so subjective (what was read, what the rules are, personal taste). I don't have a top ten, or even a top 5, mostly because I've had a hellish year that meant rereads and light books until November. But I did just read a book that easily rockets to number one with 5 stars: The Mountain in the Sea. A great Sci-Fi book that is cleverly written and does a great job of blurring the line between science fiction and science fact.

Here's my top ten 1. Dolores Claiborne by Stephen king 2. The great peace by mena suvari her memoir 3. Billy summers by Stephen king 4. Not my father son by Alan Cumming his memoir 5. The cactus by Sarah Haywood 6. They never learn by Layne Fargo 7. The heart principle by helen Huang 8. The charm offensive by allison Cochrane 9. A king of battle and blood by scarlett st claire 10. Iron widow

You have an excellent list and your number one is from one of my favorite authors, but this is one of his books that I haven't read yet. Boy's life is my all-time favorite McCammon book, so I will have to queue up Swan Song to read this year. If you haven't read The Listener by Robert McCammon I highly recommend that one as well, I also heard the Matthew Corbett novels are fantastic, they are on my list as well. Speaks the Nightbird is the first in the series.

Interesting List Mike, you have a few on there that I'm hoping to get around to this year or the next. I got through 37 novels, 2 novellas & 20 comic volumes. my top ten: 10 - The Sum of All Men - David Farland 9 - Cage of Souls - Adrian Tchaikovsky 8 - Juniper Wiles - Charles De Lint 7 - Practical Magic - Alice Hoffman 6 - Ghost Troubles - Richard Parks 5 - Starship Troopers - Robert A Heinlein 4 - Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir 3 - Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card 2 - A Brightness Long Ago - Guy Gavriel Kay 1 - Children of Earth and Sky - Guy Gavriel Kay

Just wanna say , Happy Hollidays!! You and channels like Criminolly got me back at reading . Very inspiring content , so thx for that .

Glad you finally read " Swan Song ". And gave it the praise it deserves. Recommended it several times and I know I'm not the only one. Glad you listened.

Great list, Mike! Basically all my reads in 2022 were from your channel. Swan Song was amazing, reading Enemy of God now and love it! Exorcist was crazy lol… Happy New Year 🎉

My favourite books of the year in no particular order are the following: The Count of Monte Cristo (this is actually the undisputed #1) (Alexandre Dumas) The last three Wheel of Time books (Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson) The Wisdom of Crowds (Joe Abercrombie) Words of Radiance (Brandon Sanderson) The Dragonbone Chair (Tad Williams) The Three Musketeers (Alexandre Dumas) The Lincoln Highway (Amor Towles) Boy's Life (Robert Mccamon Message (book of poems by Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa)

I'm starting to read Ruocchio's the Sun Eater collection...someone told me that I should read this because I really loved Yoon Ha Lee's Machineries of Empire series, which btw I would recommend you read

Hooked me in with the Buffy T, stayed for the great list.

I took on some behemoths this year, so I didn't read as many books as usual. Interestingly, I also worked in some nonfiction and several of those would make my top ten list. I guess I chose well. My favorite series from the year is Oddjobs. It's Lovecraft horror meets Douglas Adams humor, and I loved all 5 books. I feel like it flies under the radar and more people should give it a try, especially as a palate cleanser between more intense tomes. I also tackled the first 3 Malazan books, so I needed the break.

Mike Did you read Drizzt chronologically? As in his ‘origins’ story novels first? I would have started with the Crystal Shard /Streams of Silver / Halflings Gem first, as they were published first Anyway, these are classics. I’ve read most of them but haven’t in about 10 years, so I know I’m behind. Great channel by the way

WOO! ❤Hobb ❤ right up there! Can't wait for the spoiler talks!

Great video as always Mike. I actually just finished swan song last week! The journey those characters went through was just amazing. Didn't feel like a 900 page book at all with how fast you can just fly through it.

I haven’t read as many as you Mike) but my favourite books of the year are 1.Gardens of the Moon-Steven Erikson🌑 2. The richest man in Babylon - George Clason 💰 Have a Great Holidays Mike and I wish you and your family a Happy New year!

I've never been disappointed by your recommendations....just bought Swan Song!

I love Backlist books so please continue to do more of those. I see the same books over and over again In booktube.

I haven’t fully done my list yet. I lean a bit more toward sci-fi than you in my reading preferences, but we still end up with many different books by the same authors. - I was late to the party, so it’s Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff that would take the spot. - in the same way, it’s Malice by Gwynne that’s on my list (as a bonus, discovering that two of his sons are very enjoyable reviewers) - Green Bone saga. (I don’t know how you did it, but I can’t pick one) - Death of Kings by Bernard Cornwell. It will still be the Last Kingdom for me in 2023. Warlord Chronicles in 2024. - I read quite a few McCammon but not Swan Song yet, so it’s Speaks the Nightbird that blew me away (one of my top three spots) Then I would have Eversion by Alastair Reynolds, The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North, I would agonize over picking just one of the five excellent Adrian Tchaikovsky works I’ve read in 2022 but may play it safe and go with Children of Time (Tchaikovsky wins the palm for my favourite “new” author of the year. I’ll read all his works). I’d give a spot to the near future sci-fi thriller The Sleepless by Victor Manibo. I would also give a top five spot to the amazing debut Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless, the start of a planned six book saga of Irish historical fiction where mythology adds a Fantasy layer (comparisons to Cornwell and Gwynne come to mind, I’m sure it’s on your own TBR already). I might also give a spot to Stephen King, though it’s a hard choice as many of my favourites were rereads, like Needful Things. The one I had overlooked back in the day and that blew me away in 2022 would be Insomnia.

My top 10 in no particular order: 1 - Assassin's Apprentice: I finally read Robin Hobb and I'm in love 2 - Joe Hill's The Fireman: I put this off for so long because people were so divided. But I thought it was such a clever story. Loved the characters in this one 3 - Empire of Silence: just like with Hobb, it was time to see the magic of the Sun Eater universe 4 - Peter Straub's Ghost Story 5 - Sharon Kay Penman's The Land Beyond the Sea: picture the Orlando Bloom movie Kingdom of Heaven as a fleshed out book. And it's got a leper king! 6 - Ronald Malfi's Ghostwritten: you all need to try some Malfi 7 - Robert McCammon's King of Shadows: Book 8 in Matthew Corbett series, and was probably his darkest book yet 8 - James Michener's Chesapeake 9 - Night Film by Marisha Pessl: I WISH I had someone to talk about this book with. 10 - Empire of the Vampire: My first Kristoff, and certainly not the last

You are my closest match among youtubers for book preference. I just finished Ship of Magic. It's a lot of extended character deep delving a la Tolstoy, but done better because modern authors don't head jump.

So happy to hear about Call of The Wild! No worries - its really a hit in the feels book 100%

I got 6 books for Christmas and two were Swan Song and Boy's Life. I'm extremely excited for them, because I loved They Thirst, and they both sound really incredible.

My «Personal Enjoyment Reads» for 2022: 12-«By Force Alone» by Lavie Tidhar (Loved the Grimdark Prologue with Uther and Merlin, but it would have been better either longer or with a sequel delving into “Guy Ritchie Gangster” Arthur’s Camelot, also Lancelot’s main plot is straight out of Mel Brooks: Very funny, but a bit off from the Grimdark opening. Predator-reference had me ROFL) 11-«The Hood» by Lavie Tidhar (Much more evenly balanced: «Breaking Bad» Rebecca of York/Robin Hood meets «Heart of Darkness»/«Apocalypse Now») 10-«The Broken Sword» by Poul Anderson (A S&S Classic: Anderson effortlessly changes between huge laughs, epic fight and deep tragedy. Vikings meets Myth(s)) 9-«Beowulf» (JRR Tolkien’s interpretation: A Literary Classic for a reason + excellent commentary from the Professor Himself!) 8-«Storm of Swords» by Matthew Harffy (The «Bernicia Chronicles» is my «palett cleanser» book series: While this is essentially Anglo-Saxon «Taken», the characters have grown on me and loved the «Ship Wrecker»-«sidequest») 7-«Snakewood» by Adrian Selby (While the structure of the story is not the most welcoming, there is great action, diplomacy and heartfelt laughs and tragedy) 6-«Legend» by David Gemmell (While a bit generic in World Building, I definitely got great action and a incredible positive surprise in the immense humanity in Gemmell’s writing, even to what could easily have been stock side characters and antagonists!) 5-«Hunger of the Gods» by John Gwynne (Good expansion of the World presented in the first book and Guthvar is a delightful pov-antagonist you love to hate!) 4-«Banner Saga: Gift of Hadrborg»/«Tales from the Caravan» (especially the short stories «Haugr’s Grin» & «Too Much Rope») (GoH: Vikings+Gang Wars+A dash of Indiana Jones: Neat!/TotC: Great action, great tragedy!) 3-«The Severing Son» by Vaughn Roycroft (Great Culture Building, Loved the characters, especially the leaders: The dynamic between adopted brothers Captain Urias and Lord Thadmeir of great trust even in (often) disagreement, the dastardly Desdrusan and cunning Keisella!) 2-«Finn and Hengist» (JRR Tolkien’s interpretation) (While incredibly short, it contains rivalries, dilemmas and tragedies worthy of a full Greek Drama or Norse Saga! Great scholarly work by the Professor, on a part of history/myth unfairly often overlooked!)! 1-Sarantine Mosaic: Sailing to Sarantium by Gay Gavriel Kay (The Prose, The Characters, The Setting, The World Building: GGK is one of the best writers of today! The Prologue and the Epilogue is both top notch!)

I love that shirt ❤

Been debating on Justice Of Kings. I feel like I was tipping towards ordering it and after watching your video it is a done deal.

SLAYER SLAYER SLAYER WELCOME BACK

Love the shirt as i love slayer , whats your fav ablum, shoud read canticle of cleric quintet.

Great list! I've made it 50 percent through Swan Song and it is outstanding. I've had to take a break from it because I'm so emotionally invested and the intensity was getting to me if that makes sense. I fully intend to return to it soon. though!

I read Swan Song years ago and loved it. But in my old age, I have but a basic outline of the story left in my addled brain. So, your love of the book just may have inspired me to add it to my reread list (behind Joe Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy, of course).

I’m gonna have to start some of these soon, 3-4 I’ve had for a while or been on my list.

I remember when The Exorcist was in theaters and everybody was flipping out over it but I have never seen the movie. Read the book years ago.

I agree with Swan Song, that book was amazing

Yeah baby! Swan Song, probably my favourite book. Either that or Lonesome Dove and I know you've got that to look forward to.

the green bone saga was definitely my favorite series that i read in 2022, and that's saying a lot considering i also read mistborn and first law!

Excellent list, and several are now on my list lol. I went looking for The Godfather after you mentioned it, and I found it at Goodwill for $2.99!! I also found The Dark Half and A Man Called Ove there for $1.99, and now I'm hoping to find Swan Song! 🤞🤞

Swan song is my all time favorite. My mom and dad read it when I was in high school and recommended it to me. I read it junior year and am on my second read through right now 15 years later. I wish they would adapt it to film.

Glad that jade city is on your list it's a great read 🎉🎊

Been looking for some new stuff, thanks for the recommendations. Have re-read "Godfather" at least 3 times, but just couldn't get into "Jade City".

10. Truman by David McCullough 9. Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson 8. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson 7. Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill 6. Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King 5. Auschwitz by Laurence Reece 4. Animal Farm by George Orwell 3. Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie 2. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 1. The Martian by Andy Weir

My top 5 list: 1. The Winter King 2. Lonesome Dove 3. Assassin’s Apprentice 4. Dragonbone Chair 5. Gates of Fire Honourable mention: Ruin

Great list Mike! This year I read all of The First Law series, love all of it, all 5 stars for me, but my favorite is Before Thenly Are Hanged. I also read a lot of John Wyndham as pallette cleanser between the first law books and my favorite are The Day of the Triffids and The Kraken Wakes. Another favorite is Boy's Life which I read due to your review, thank you you for it. The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu blew me away as well. So those are my favorite books of the year. Next year I am going to read John Gwynne and Brien Lee Durfee's series. Keep up the good work and looking forward to more videos from you in the new year

Great top ten can’t say I’ve read that many books this year not even half but I’m enjoying your video and through your videos I found a new love of reading and trying to get my kids reading as well keep it up man

Dude!!! How could you do this to me??? I just closed the book,THE book, the Swan Song….. I have a lot to think about now. Wow.

I've got 34 books read this year(About to finish Lonesome Dove for 35)...my favorites in no particular order... War for the Rose Throne - Peter McLean(read the first 3) The Riyria Revelations - Michael J Sullivan (read all 3) The Sun Eater - Christopher Ruocchio (read the first 2) 11/22/63 - Stephen King Dark Matter - Blake Crouch Oath of Loyalty - Vince Flynn/Kyle Mills Some disappointments... Red Sister - Mark Lawrence Fight Club - Chuck Palahniuk The Gunslinger - Stephen King

My top 10: 10. Watchers 9. Death masks 8. Fight club 7. Do Android dream of electric sheep 6. Cage of souls 5. 2001 4. Different seasons 3. 1984 2. Crime and punishment 1. Dune

A couple of questions for regular Mike channel viewers. I read Boys Life and Swan Song in 2023….Do you think Women readers would enjoy a book like Boys Life and do you think Mike’s channel is geared more for male readers. I don’t know if Mike reads these comments so I’m asking his followers. I have an adult daughter who likes to read and I’m wondering if I should recommend some of these to her.

Wow seems there are a lot of books titled Swan Song lol. Found the right one though. Adding to my TBR

I don't do rereads, but Swan Song, The Stand, Sophie's Choice and 1 series.

One thing to remember Icewind dale trilogy was first in publishing order so if you read that way(my recommendation) you would of first met Drizzt and the other Companions and then went back and read his origin . My top 3 novels read this year: Empire of the Vampire, The Forgetting Moon, and Best Served Cold not in any order. Reading Beyond Redemption by Michael R Fletcher and if had I read it fully in 2022 based on what I have read in it so far it may of squeezed one of those out of my top 3.

Great list and great video. Happy New Year in advance!

My top 10: 1 - Nevernight (Jay Kristoff) 2 - Saint’s Blood (Sebastian de Castell) 3 - Fairy Tale (Stephen King) 4 - Fire & Blood (George R R Martin) 5 - Last Argument of Kings (Joe Abercrombie) 6 - Jade Legacy (Fonda Lee) 7 - Priest of Crowns (Peter McLean) 8 - The Shadow of the Gods (John Gwynne) 9 - Pennyblade (J L Worrad) 10 - The Justice of Kings (Richard Swan) My 2 runners-up are The Ember Blade (Chris Wooding) and The Hellborn King (Christopher G Brenning). Swan Song is my #1 of my rereads. And this is the second year in a row that a Jay Kristoff book occupies the #1 spot in my top 10.

Great List! You’ve convinced me to read Jade City and start Assassin’s Apprentice in 2023. My top 10 that were all first reads for me: 1. The Shadow of the Wind - by Carlos Ruiz Zafon 2. The Way of Kings - by Brandon Sanderson 3. The Storyteller - by David Grohl 4. The Well of Ascension - by Brandon Sanderson 5. The Chosen and the Beautiful - by Nghi Vo 6. Crying in H Mart - by Michelle Zauner 7. The Goldfinch - by Donna Tartt 8. The Atlas Six - by Olivie Blake 9. The Enchanted Sonata - by Heather Dixon Wallwork 10. People We Meet on Vacation - by Emily Henry

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler was my book of the year. I'd be interested to see what you think of her work if you ever pick it up. Definitely recommend Parable of the Sower. It's brutal and compelling and, well, excellent.

I just bought Swan Song based on your reviews but I really struggled to find it here in the UK. I had to spend a huge chunk of change and buy a US import. Apparently there is a new version on the market early next year

I think I need to reread Swan Song. I read it as a teenager and loved it! It's been to long.

My favorites- Dungeon crawler Carl is amazing and so entertaining. War for the rose throne is great especially if you like Peaky Blinders.

My list is here 1.Farseer trilogy by Hobb 2.Locke Lamora /Lynch 3. The thin red line /Jones 4. No country for old men /McCarthy 5. 1984 /Orwell 6. The lord of the rings /JRRT 7. Winter of Frankie Machine /Winslow 8. Mistborn /Sanderson 9. Running man /King 10. Man Plus /Pohl

I love your shirt!

My fantasy 5 star books for 2022: The Forgetting Moon and The Blackest Heart (book 3 got 4 stars); The Blade Itself and Before They Were Hanged (book 3 got 4 stars); Swan Song; and The Justice of Kings. ( I read other than fantasy too.)

Wow, I’ve really got to get to the Forgetting Moon.

Love the vid. I just downloaded Swan Song - thanks :)

Cleric quintet was rrally good espesially the first book ... so good. Salvatore etites great fight scens too , ive resd alot of drizzt books