2024 Reading and Channel Plans | Rome, Re-reads, and Unfinished Series 

I read the entire Greenbone Saga in April. I think the trilogy really finds unstoppable momentum in Jade War and you'll hate that you're finishing up and seeing a new generation come up in Jade Legacy. Love these books.

I’d love to hear you talk more about the Sharpe books and the First Law books! I hope to read some of De Castell’s books this year too. I like reading fantasy books that aren’t the size of a small elephant and his definitely fit the bill.

I am excited for you to return to some favourite authors and do some comfort rereads! Also think you should prioritise Riyria, that is just such a swashbuckling good time! Happy reading and all the best to you, Allen 🤩

Yeah, «I, Claudius» and «Boudica»! My January TBR: «Imperium» by Robert Harris (Historical Fiction about the Roman Politician Cicero) «Stonehenge» by Bernard Cornwell (Historical Fiction about the Creation of Stonehenge during the Late Neolithic Period) «The Buried Giant» by Kazuo Ishigaro (Fantasy inspired by Arthurian Legend) «After Rome» by Morgan Llywelyn (Historical Fiction set in Post-Roman Britain) «The Dragon Lord» by David Drake (Arthurian Sword & Sorcery) My February TBR: «Når landet mørknar» (Approximately «When The Land Darkens») by Tore Kvæven (Historical Fiction set during the 13th Century Norse Settlement of Greenland, winner of the Norwegian Brage Prize for Best Norwegian Novel in 2018) «The Last Light of the Sun» by Guy Gavriel Kay (Fantasy inspired by the Viking Great Heathen Army and King Alfred the Good) «Egil Skallagrimsson» by Halvor Tjønn (Historical Fiction about the (in-)famous 10th Century Icelandic Viking Skald who became a Bloodsworn Enemy of the Norwegian Viking King Eirik Bloodaxe) «Alv Erlingsson» by Tore Skeie (Historical Fiction about a Real Life Norwegian 13th Century Jarl who became a Privateer and Rebel) I have not planned March too much, but on my Spring TBR I have: «Judas Blossom» by Stephen Aryan (Fantasy inspired by the Mongol Conquest of Persia) The «City of Victory» Trilogy by Adrian Goldsworthy (Historical Military Fiction set during Emperor Trajan’s Campaigns, sequel series to his «Vindolandia»-Trilogy) «Ash: A Secret History» by Mary Gentle (Alt-Historical Military Fiction inspired by the Mercenary Wars of the Renaissance) «The Wise Man’s Fear» by Patrick Rothfuss (Fantasy, sequel to «Name of the Wind») The «Lyonesse» Trilogy by Jack Vance ((Pre-)Arthurian Fantasy)

You should continue first law just because I think you will love the standalone The Heroes in that universe

I’m excited for whatever you bring to your channel, you are one of my favs! Your sprints are the best so I can’t wait to have more of those, I watch all the replays mostly. 😂

I vote for Under the Northern Sky. Also, with a baby, a kindle is a life saver cause you need to be able to turn the pages with only one hand.

Cheers!! Here's to 2024 and more reading!!

I'm currently obsessed with RotE, so that and Dandelion Dynasty will definitely get finished this year. Try to prioritise reading more female authors and that's about it really.

Yeah the Deathgate cycle! I want to re-read that one too. But i am trying to get them in English. Because Dutch translation aren't always good :(. But i was 13, had no money, and the Dutch ones were on sale. So choices were made 😂😂😂

In the past I have not been a big historical fiction fan but every time I hear you talk about them it makes me want to read more of them.

Yesss more Black Company reviews and Stonewielder too! I'm at Bleak Seasons now and BC has become one of all time favorites already. Heck, I like it more than Stormlight now. Cannot wait to get to the last two books that everyone says are the pinnacle and when Cook really reaches that GOAT status. I also want to really get into ICE this year, and I read Night of Knives and liked it. Read half of RotCG before, but bounced off because of life getting in the way of reading. So now I said heck, gonna do my frist reread of MBotF and do the mega-read of the two main series together. Am almost done eith Gardens already (which is SOO good on a reread, god damn), but I have a LONG way to go before I start RotCG haha.

The Blade itself is Abercrombie's weakest First Law book so I encourage you to continue. Last Argument of Kings is so good ❤

I’ll for sure join in this year on some of these books. I’m in the Anitha / Pete category of knowledge in the genre. But I love to learn. So glad to see a video up today!!

I just started reading Before They're Hanged and Stonewielder is planned for april (a lot can happen though in that time). Being at Changes in the Dresden Files, I'd definitely recommend continuing it. Especially if you're overwhelmed with work, pregnant women or subsequent baby noises, I think Dresden is fun, interesting, well-plotted, decent character work, but most importantly in these circumstances an easy read.

Ooooooh can’t wait for more Jeopardy!! I might try to join your for the KJ Parker standalones, they’ve been right at the top of my tbr for a couple years waiting patiently on the shelf for their turn. Same goes for the Greatcoats!

Yes!!! Jeopardy!!!! 🎉 Great list. ❤

Can’t believe the Cicero trilogy was a year ago - so good!

Was wondering if you had any great mystery novel suggestions

New to book tube and use finding my way around. Best wishes with your reading choices this year. I hope you get some good reads. Palette cleanser is a good idea. I've started reading the classic Russian books and have been reading Louis L'Amour cowboy books in between.

I vote for Riyra solely because I've read the first book and liked it and want a reason to read the second one.

Thanks for mentioning Sebastian de castells new books. The greatcoats is my favorite series.

I just started Traitor's Blade earlier this month, it was on my radar but I couldn't remember why, and my libby hold finally came through. It wasn't until I read the words 'greatcoats' that the light bulb went off --- ah ha this is the series Allan and a few others have gone on and on about! I really really like what I have read so far! I think re-reads will be your friend when baby comes, something easy and comforting that you don't have to think too hard about.

Memoirs of Hadrian!!! Yes Allen it's so good

Yay, more jeopardy! I need to continue Death Gate as well, just read the first book but I have them all

Sounds like some exciting reading plans. I would also like to read Boudica. I’m currently reading Shogun and loving it!

I have the same problem where the list of books I want to read keeps growing and then I want to do re reads as well. I read all of Riyria in publication order and it is one of my favorite series. I would recommend just reading them in chunks though e.g. read theft of swords, rise or empire, and heir of novron all together and then move on to something else. The same thing with the first law trilogy. I think you would enjoy the series more that way. Also, I recommend listening to the audiobooks for first law. I think the narration adds more to the story. Also, don't forget about the new red rising book you have to read as well. Unless you wait for the next red rising book to come out and then you could read them both together.

Some day I will get around to reading Boudica

Rootin for Mike on Book Jeopardy!! :D Great sounding list titles to pick from. I kept dropping the ball on reading plans until I gave myself a concrete list of options.

Hiiii Allennnnnn. Nice to see your face. Still mad about KJ Parker’s fake name because I constantly confuse him with RJ barker for no reason. Oh also I reread Wee Free Men recently and was reminded of the time they put it on that best of fantasy list and then got mad about it all over again 😂

From the series I’ve read, I think you should finish First Law. And for those I’ve not read, I think Riyria because I also really want to read that one and it would be fun to hear what you think about it. Good luck with your reading year! 🎉

Salve! At the moment, I am reading Goldsworthy’s Augustus biography which has proved a very pleasant experience. It is full of commentary on the minimal accomplishments we can accredit to Marc Anthony, Hercules reborn. I am additionally listening to A Beautiful Mind. I have seen the adaptation but have not yet read the original biography. It’s quite compelling so far. As an autistic person, I can sympathize with his experiences as a youth, except John Nash was extraordinarily smarter than me. Following this I will likely tackle Starry Messenger by Galileo, a personal hero of mine. I’d love to join in on the read a long for Manda Scott’s series I was gifted the first volume for Christmas. Thank you so much for all you do Allen. You have introduced me to some of the best books I have read in the last few years, particularly LPQ, Cicero, and Shogun. Hoping you and Christina and Mr. Walker the Younger have an excellent day! Kenna

Def read Riyria, and then the rest of this books in Elan (im counting it as one series :P) im hopping on the first law train this year when my hold comes available at the library. Also, sounds like you are feeling a little better, hope you were able to find someone to talk to! sending hugs!

Stonewielder was really good! Just finished my re-read of Orb Sceptre Throne and that was excellent as well. ICE got better and better as he went along.

Really hope you finish the Hyperion Cantos, I remember really enjoying those books when I read them years ago. Also again gently recommending Golden Kamuy, which is an incredible historical fiction manga/anime set in the aftermath of the Russo-Japanese War.

Good luck with your 2024 reading plans.

Yay i cant wait for jeopardy to come back! Ive been slacking on the spin off series of Spellslinger by De Castell so hoping to remedy that this year. Hope everything goes well with little one!

While I'd really love to hear your thoughts on First Law, I didn't realize Riyria and the Founders Trilogy were on your radar, and both of those I'd be interested in hearing about as well!! Also all 3 ARCs you have, so whichever you get to would be awesome. (I have my heart set a bit on Trials of Empire, mostly because I love the idea of you and Richard Swan being able to sit down again and talk about the trilogy as a whole). I'll be picking Greatcoats up at some point this year, so looking forward to discussion on that as well! Always the struggle of a reader... Having too many good options. XD

Allen you forgot to mention Crowfall (last book in the Raven's Mark trilogy) by Ed Mc Donald. You keep adding it to tbr's and never getting to it 🤣 Just think how satisfied you will feel, you only have to read the one book and boom, you've completed a series! I'm only thinking of your happiness, and not that I want to see how you feel about the trilogy as a whole once you finish 😌

The Spider Key and Blue Flames (Riverfall Chronicles) are excellent!

Have you ever read the Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCullough?

Booooo! Rome! (Ok yes it is fun to read about) Great video as always Allen, hope you're well! I don't trust Iggulden's choices but he can write, Brutus as a gladiator upset me. Hope you love Dreaming The Eagle! Ed

Did I hear Book Jeopardy?! 🤯🔥 Oh my gosh, I've watched every single episodes (I was late to the party though haha) and I had so much fun! Perhaps is my favorite category even if I sucked at it. I felt like I was dissecting your brain. 😂 I'm hoping to finally buy Abraham's LPQ this year and binge-read them like they deserve to be (I read and loved A Shadow In Summer 👏) and I've read Memoirs of Hadrian in 2020 in the original French (it was very well written and seemingly well researched, but I didn't connect much with the narrator - Hadrian himself - personally). Will there be a discussion channel in the discord for Pompeii? I would love to read other books by Harris set in Ancient Rome! As for Sharpe, I've read and enjoyed Sharpe's Tiger on your recommendation but never continued on. I'm guessing they'll start there. I'm looking forward to that discussion! 🔥 And, finally, for all your ongoing series, I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the First Law trilogy. I wonder if you'll appreciate what Abercrombie was trying to discuss, which became clear only after I read book #3. I thought it was brilliant.

Read the ICE Malazan books. I will read Ryiria Revelations with you if you want. And/or Deathgate, too.

The Hyperion Cantos is my favorite Sci Fi Series and would definitely recommend!

You should read House of Open Wounds sooner rather than later since there *may* be a third book in that series being published at the end of this year.

The historical fiction read alongs might just make 2024 the most elite of all years 😂 Im thinking of mixing in some more history for this year definitely going to read Thucydides, Herodotus, and Polybius. If i get through those im hoping to read Plutarch parrrell lives too.

PLAY OF SHADOWWWWWWS!!!!! i will! read! the long price quartet! this year!!!!!!

My vote absolutely goes to Riyeria!!!! I haven't even finished the video and I know my vote is going there

I love the idea of reading fiction sequentially based on real life rulers

Are you also going to read Vindolanda by Adrian Goldsworthy? It's not really about Nerva, but it's set in 98, which is also the year in which Nerva dies. I don't think Nerva is actually in it, and i assume most (if not all) of the series will be during Trajanus's reign, but at least there is some link with Nerva i guess

Rage of Dragon 3 is not out yet

I'm hoping you'll finish The Empire of the Wolf series by Richard Swan. I can't wait to see how it ends!

Riyria and or Boudica

Definitely finish Dresden!!

Dresden, most definitely Dresden....and then the Cinder Spires series 😉😼

I recommend continuing with Novels of the malazan empire, riyria and first law

The Scarab Path calls your name

Sanderson delendus est? Those are strong words 😲

lol I just purchased the Greatcoats in physical today

Any plans on reading Jay Kristoff?

Do a try a chapter with the patrons

Dresden audiobooks 🙂

+Fencer trilogy

Wait isn’t Long Price Quartet that legendary series about, *gasp* THE COTTON TRADE??????? 🙀🙀🙀🙀

Googling it, there IS a historical fiction about Nerva. Somehow. I'm not just counting the Historia Augusta here. There's a book about OTHO of all Emperors?!

Darn, First Law gets better as it goes 🙈

Sanderson No Delendus Est

new music? villain arc Allen music?

Well, since you are likely expecting everyone to say you should read the rest of the First Law trilogy, let me be the one to say no. My recommendation is to pick something else. ANYTHING else. (I despise that series. 😆)

The people want you to read Jon Fosse’s Septology

:D

RE Sanderson, So when does this booktube civil war start?

Aggression turned to 11 if Google translate got that Latin phrase correct!

So much historical fiction. I heard no Iliad on this list. You should read First Law and the Iliad.

Hercule Poirot

First Law is great, The Blade Itself is one of the weaker books in my opinion.