EVERYTHING I Read in July + Book of the Month!! 

Im calling it right now: Greatest book reviewer on the net. It’s incredible how you can describe what’s going on in the most beautiful way. Also, HOW ARE YOU READING SO MUCH?!

The fact that you are still this energetic and authentic on a second take is honestly pure magic to me lol. You went wild this month, glad you had so many great reads! I have yet to read Age of Madness, but I think BSC is my favourite Abercrombie as well so far. As for Tchaikovsky, I'd highly recommend doing Guns of the Dawn... think Austen-esque female main character but put her in a war. It was my first and still my fave! Though if you want something shorter, try out either Elder Race or Ogres, those novellas are fantastic! My favourite reads of July were The Sundering Hours by Jacquelyn Hagen (she just never disappoints!!), The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy by Megan Bannen, and Thirsty by Jas Hammonds. It was a very mixed bag month for me, but at least I got those standouts! Happy reading John 🤩

If you want more Tchaikovsky but don't want to invest in a series just yet, I highly recommend Elder Race. It's a stand alone and a very short one at that, but it packs quite a nice punch.

Your son is pretty cool on camera. I like it. I wish you all the success you deserve with your channel, John.

Your content is really interesting and fun to watch! Also, the way you talk about the books you read is just so enthusiastic that is makes me want to read them all! Keep the good work and I hope to keep watching your channel!

I read Demon in White and The Drawing of the Three this month. Both were absolute bangers.

For Tchaikovsky my favourite standalone is Guns of the Dawn which is a fantasy, and for scifi it’s Cage of Souls. I have also just finished The Doors of Eden which was also an incredible and mind bending read.

For your next Adrian Tchaikovsky stand alone I'd recommend Cage Of Souls, its his take on a dying earth novel and like his other stuff it is a brilliantly imaginative, fun read.

Sorry Jakob, I definitely got a tingle when I subscribed a few months ago. My book of the month was without a doubt Station Eleven! Love all the positivity here and everything you guys do

My favorite read of July was actually a Cosmere Book, The Emperor's Souls. Such a good novella, very concise yet so fun to read story, you get to know a type of magic that will briefly appear in the last book of Mistborn Second Era, the main character will stick with you after the book is finished. I really recommend it. Also, this year I read The First Law trilogy, from Abercrombie, and, boy oh boy, this author is perfect for my taste and I'm very delighted to find out his other books are equaly good, or even better!

Excellent video! I'll add Service Model to TBR Mountain. Totally right.. Sandman Slim opens up like Dresden. Glad you had fun with it! That's exactly why I read them. Thoughts and prayers to Jakob for having to do a 47 min video twice. Been there, done it, got the pint glass. "I was just yawning." - Jakob Minton.

Great wrap up as usual, John! I have The Book of Elsewhere to read soon - do I have to read the BRZRKR comic first..?

I wasn't all that interested before, but hearing the way you described Chesapeake Bay Monsters this time really made me want to pick it up! Plus I agree with you that it's really fun to watch an author grow.

Joe’s character’s are amazing! It’s been years since I read Best Served, the poisoner……..amazing

Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky is a great little standalone book by him! Love the atmosphere he builds in it

We got some rough news for my family today (we’re a-okay) and this video was the perfect pick me up! Thanks for always being a blast to “hang out” with. Maybe even got a tingle even though I’ve been subscribed forever 😜

Great wrapup! Read Book of Elsewhere and Brzrkr this week and loved it all! I agree on Service Model, it was excellent!

Glad you like Sandman Slim. Book 2 (Kill the Dead) is my favorite in the series, although I’ve given quite a few 5 stars. Hope you get to it soon.

Starting to regret not picking up the Service Model special edition from TBB. Might... have to get it next month if they still have it in stock. Love how you hype up every book. I've only been watching this channel for a few weeks but its quickly becoming one of my favorites.

Bound and the broken is simply EPIC, war an ruin gets so much better on an already Epic book 2!!

I almost done with Lions of Al-Rassan so it is my favorite of the month. I absolutely fell in love with this book very early on. A nice comparison is discovering a new musician like Billy Strings and listening to several albums and then finally coming across one where every song is great. Now I will have to go back and restart Song for Arbonne again. They have the same audiobook narrator so that fact will make the read difference for me. The audiobook narrator of a 5⭐️ read kind of becomes that warm blanket when you hear the voice again.

Just finished Service Model myself and really enjoyed it too! I thought it was hilarious and smart, and I think Alien Clay is a great bet for you next since it had a similar satirical bent to it. Head to Children of Time for a mind-blowing sci-fi epic, Dogs of War for a near future Earth-set sci-fi thriller, Elder Race for a beautifully written and deep character study, Ogres for a one-sitting banger of a novella, or Shadows of the Apt when you want to start an incredible big steam-punk/insect-punk fantasy series. I’ve read a lot of Tchaikovsky and still have so much to go!! I still need to read his fantasy standalones and trilogy and the older sci-fi standalones and lots of the novellas.

Tchaikovsky - Stand alone novels - Guns of the Dawn & Cage of Souls Novellas - Ogres & Dogs of War!!

Great to hear you loved BSC, though I think he still draws quite heavily on inspirations for each of the standalones, particularly those of film. Believe JA said Point Blank was a big inspiration. Just finished the Greenbone Saga this month, with Jade Legacy being my favourite of the three. Was also pleasantly surprised by Fevre Dream by G.R.R. Martin, a unique take on vampires combined with some interesting themes. (And you can also see some ASOIAF ideas in beginning to form which is cool).

Man I have also just read „best served cold“ and the two other stand-alones and all of them abolutely slapped. „The Heroes“ was my favourite of the bunch though

So happy to see someone who loves Joe as I do. He just gets better and better. Talking about Joe’s the ledger reminds me of John Corey by Nelson de Mille. They’re all so snarky and sarcastic. ❤. Love your tube and you both. Ps have a word with Amazon them Joe Ledger books are. So expensive in England.

Hi 👋 Ryan Cahill books series are so good!!! 😊 interesting video 🎥🎥🎥

There was definitely a tingle😂

I can't wait to read Service Model but I have too much Cosmere and Osten Ard to read right now. I have read his two previous books that came out earlier this year and loved them.

Sandman and Ledger are not dissimilar as characters 🙌🏻🤪

The whole video? You missed recording for the whole thing? Man... I accidentally read Best Served Cold first. I didn't feel lost at all. It's a great story that is all it's own. Can't wait to dig into that world properly. I was reading War and Peace last month, did not finish it. I was able to just wrap up The Forsaken Planet though. It was a fun read and I'm interested in seeing what the rest of the series holds.

I’ve only read two Tchaikovsky and both were five star reads. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for service model.

Great video! If you want a standalone from Adrian Tchaikovsky I highly recommend Elder Race. It's my favorite novella.

First of all, I’m so grateful you mentioned me. Being thrown in as Jakob’s name at the end-that is an all time honor. The love is reciprocated. Spoilers for BOTM: Secondly, so happy best served cold won BOTM. What a fantastic way to describe Joe Abercrombie. He is a special author and you Mr. John, are a one of a kind orator.

My fav was definitely The Unholy Consult (book 7) by R. Scott Bakker. It was nearly tied with The Great Ordeal (book 6). Im starting Blood Meriden by Cormac McCarthy for August. Then ill follow it with As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner and Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. If i have time, I'll squeeze in Emperor of Thornes by Mark Lawrence. Happy reading.

Great video John! I started of Blood and Fire by Cahill and I was enjoying it!

Glad you loved Best Served Cold! I need to get back to Tchaikovsky, been too long. I mostly stuck to reading comics in July, just needed a change of pace and I just missed reading comics, especially Image Comics. I read: *Comics* Invincible Volume 1 Written by Robert Kirkman | Art by Cory Walker - I used to be a HUGE Walking Dead fan but as a kid and teenager I always preferred what I had read of Invincible. Jupiter's Legacy Volumes 1 & 2 Written by Mark Millar | Art by Wilfredo Torres - A lot of modern Millar reads like a film pitch but not this. It's mature but not as edgy as a lot of his creator-owned superhero stuff tends to be. Kick-Ass Volume 1 (re-read) Written by Mark Millar | Art by John Romita JR - A bit of a miss for me on re-read. JRJR's art is already an acquired taste but just doesn't do it for me anymore. Nailbiter Volume 1 (re-read) Written by Joshua Williamson | Art by Mike Henderson - I dunno what I was doing when I originally read this because I will definitely be trying to get to the next volume sooner than later. Saga Volume 1 (re-read) Written by Brian K Vaughan | Art by Fiona Staples - My favourite ongoing comic and I am YEARS behind 😅 Scott Pilgrim Volumes 1 - 2 (re-read) Written & Drawn By Bryan Lee O'Malley Sin City 1: The Hard Goodbye (re-read) Written & Drawn By Frank Miller - Visually speaking, Sin City is a treat. The use of negative space, shadows and caricature is breathtaking, I'm surprised how well this translated to film. The depictions of women is questionable tho. The Boys Volume 1 (re-read) Written by Garth Ennis | Art by Darick Robertson *Historical-Fantasy* The Last Light of the Sun / Guy Gavriel Kay - Underrated. Carried over from June. *Thriller* Winter of Frankie Machine / Don Winslow - Looking forward to reading more Winslow! Carried over from June As for what I'm currently reading: *Grimdark Fantasy* Aspect-Emperor 2: White-luck Warrior (re-read) - As mind blowing as Bakker was on first read, the re-reads (so far) have been twice as impactful. The Blood Meridian inspiration is very prominent, and I like what Bakker does with it infinity better NGL. My priority read atm. *Sci-Fi* Cloud Atlas / David Mitchell - I'm not wild about the short story approach in SFF so I've been taking my time with it but so far it's gotten much better. Just started the 1st Timothy Cavendish story. *Western* Streets of Laredo / Larry McMurtry - It's great to be back with some of the Lonesome Dove crew.

Now that is a busy month of reading. I love the way Best Served Cold really starts to open up the world. I'm tempted to pick up Service Model from what you've said, will have to see when I next order books.

Last one, I promise :D My read of the month was Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee. Very reminiscent of The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter.

So nice, we did it twice :D

Excellent July! 🍦So well said about how each First Law book constructs one large story about the world! I highly recommend checking out the short story, A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor. It's brilliant (Philip said he teaches it every year), and it made me appreciate On Slide Inn Road all the more!

Book of the month for me is an easy choice because I only managed to read one! The Vanished Birds! However, I did actually really enjoy the book (and the discussion). I think the ending is going to stay with me for a while. Thank you for suggesting that as the Quilluminati book - would never have been on my radar otherwise. Looking forward to the next Quilluminati read.

Your explanation of brsrkr was absolutely fantastic. Like the story is super neat but it’s not going to blow you away, but the story is interesting and makes you want to continue wanting more and learn more. Plus if you like the comic you will enjoy the book of elsewhere!!

Found your channel from the empire of the damned review. I like your take on things and the channel seems like a breath of fresh air! Keep it up!

Currently reading Dark Age. I just finished Iron Gold and want to get caught up on the red rising series. This book is DARK, BRUTAL, INTROSPECTIVE and I LOVE IT!

My favourite book this past month was a buddy read with one of my daughters; Kristan Hannah’s The Nightingale. It’s about two sisters’ heroic lives in second world war France.

I was a film minor in college and got flashbacks to all the times I didn’t check batteries or SD cards before shooting something😅 John your enthusiasm is admirable, Jakob, I’m you lol. I read Empire of Silence this month and am all in on Suneater! I’m going to see Christopher Rocchio in September so howling dark is on my TBR between now and then. Ryan Cahill will be there too so I’m starting with The Fall (shoutout to Ryan making it free on his website) and will hopefully get through the first full book in his series as well. Also one more thing- as a creative person myself I really resonated with your bit on the artist’s journey, John. I think it’s so cool that you have that perspective and are giving a platform to books that are a representation of the beginning of someone’s journey. You’re making me want to write!

Can’t wait to see your thoughts on the heroes and some more Shivers!

Sounds like Jakob needs to start asking YOU if you're recording now 😂 BOTM was the only possible choice. Can't wait for you to get to The Heroes!

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Of War and Ruin (it’s 1,000 pages in hardcover)! What do you think of Farda? Oh Dawnshard is so good, it just feels like Sanderson dropped a giant boulder into the pure lake and will eventually have major tidal waves. I think I like Secret History a little more but I seem to have an unpopular opinion of loving Rysn.

Ogres is a standalone novella that Tchaikovsky wrote just a few years ago and its my favourite novella he's written.

Pretty positive month in July 😁 On July 1st I finished Say nothing by Patrick Keefe (the author of Empire of Pain). This is a nonfiction book about the IRA from the 70s through the end of the Troubles and the Good Friday Agreement. The events and people it discusses tie back into the notorious murder of a “disappeared” mother of ten named Jean Mcconville. The Price sisters, who helped organize the London car bombings, and Gerry Adams are also heavily featured. This book was fascinating and I would read it again.sine other nonfiction I read was Nothing to Envy and a book on Sekigahara with lots of big pictures. I also finished demon slayer! Whoooo Hoooo! One of my favorite fantasy series. Still have to finish the anime I usually like to see the fight scenes in the anime because I’m not familiar enough with manga to always be able to decipher them in black and white on the page. The Pleasure District Arc was my favorite and gave me a much needed laugh. If you are looking to get into manga this might be a good place to start. Three shorter novels I finished were Legends of the Galactic Heroes bk 4, The Samurai by Endo, and rereading In Cold Blood. LOGH bk 4 was ok. It wasn’t my favorite in the series. I kept hearing the Pitch Meeting Guy say “super easy, barely and inconvenience….oh really?” In my head. Ah well. On to the next installment. In Cold Blood remains fantastic. Read it. The samurai was really interesting because it is based on the mission of an actual samurai who travelled all across the world with a Catholic priest to help promote trade relations with the West. This author also wrote the book Silence which was adapted into the movie with Andrew Garfield. Both of these books deal with Japan’s relationship with Christianity during the Tokugawa Shogunate in the 1600s. I liked it a lot, but if religion doesn’t interest you, I don’t know if I would recommend. Or maybe I will recommend anyway. And I have two book of the year candidates FINALLY. These would be Fire and Blood and Lord of Emperors. These were fantastic. I haven’t yet finished the main series of ASOIAF. It’s weird I have picked up Storm of Swords a few times but just end of flicking through it without feeling attached to the characters. I still don’t know why. It troubles me. I found myself so invested in the people covered it this book. Maybe because I read mostly history so I’m used to it. The Aegon I chapters were my favorites I think. Lord of Enperors is my second favorite GGK novel so far. Under Heaven is still my favorite but sometimes your first is your sweetest. But what a duology. 🤗 I’m glad you guys had a great reading month. I’m going to read Tchaikovsky soon. Happy Reading!

Haven't read Service Model yet, but I'm a huge Tchaikovsky fan, so glad you enjoyed it! I just read Alien Clay and did enjoy it, though personally my favourites of his I've read are Children of Time, Cage of Souls (standalone), and Elder Race (a standalone novella).

Yesss all the Abercrombie love! Excited for you to read The Heroes!

Yes, «First Law»! In July I plan to read: «The Stone of Farewell» (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, #2) by Tad Williams (Epic Fantasy, a key influence for George R. R. Martin's « A Song of Ice and Fire») «Tiamat's Wrath» (The Expanse, #8) by James S.A. Corey (Space opera) «The Warrior Prophet» (The Prince of Nothing #2) by R. Scott Bakker (Grimdark/Dark Epic Fantasy inspired by the Crusades, Silmarillion & Dune) I really have a hard time picking my book of the month between «The Stone of Farewell» & «The Warrior Prophet»! 😅

Favorite this month 🤔 Ysabel Most fun 🎉 Neon Ghosts Series continuation 🤓 Binti (I pray for more 🥺) Series finish 🙌🏻 Dead Stars II (Emaneska)

Read through five books this July: A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin Eye of The Needle by Ken Follett A Cavern of Black Ice by J.V. Jones The Jade Setter of Janloon by Fonda Lee Jade City by Fonda Lee All 5/5 stars!

Don't go into the light Johnny-Anne!!

Hey John, a comic you might like if you haven't read it - East of West by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta - It's a scifi/western about the 4 horseman of the apocalypse..def check it out, seems like your vibe

The 2nd book of The Southern Reach is amazing. It’s minuscule goodreads rating makes me sad 😢

My book of the month for July is Wool by Hugh Howey

Also really wanna grab a Mathew Corbett book based on your reviews. Sounds cool!

Berserker isn't just a comic, it's an autobiography. I mean, my God, has Keanu aged in the last 20 years? Not a lot. I also had a very productive reading month, I completed Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell finally, which was great. I also read The Strange, which was also really good and one I think you'd like (which is why I added it to the September Patreon List.) The Prophet of Edan, which was also really good and made me really excited for the third and final book. I finally got around to reading Lonesome Dove, which was one of those books that is as good as people say. I don't want to say too much since I'll be going on MattOnBooks' channel to talk about it. Also, Jakob! Let your dad speak about the tingle! Great video guys.

this channel should have 700k subs. My only question is how do you read all those books in one month?

My best read of July definitely was The Wisdom of Crowds by Abercrombie. That whole trilogy is 6 out of 5 stars for me!

The first thing I heard about a Best Served Cold adaptation, it was a report that Rebecca Ferguson had said yes, in principle, to star in it. Now you say that Abercrombie's also made it into a screenplay? My hopes are rising. Also: product placement, courtesy of Cheerwine? =D

If you really liked Annihilation and want that kind of mystery from Tchaikovsky I can't recommend Cage of Souls enough (it's a standalone)

Everytime I watch your videos I have my Goodreads open and add to my "Want to read". From already being quite thick it's now getting obese.

Yeah, it's my third comment :D I should have waited until it was done :D I think you need to check out Dead Man's Hand by James J Butcher.

'Chapeau!' for keeping up the energy all the way through take two. I would probably have come close to deleting the channel at this point *lol*. Or at least throw the camera out the window.

I want his opinion on the movie of I am not a serial killer.

After hearing all the booktubers praise Joe Abercrombie’s The First Law, I took the plunge and read the Blade Itself. Boy, was I disappointed! The protagonist are caricatures at best, the pacing is excruciating slow (I enjoyed the first 200 pages, it was different but then it became repetitive and boring) and the writing is just ok. I liked the world building and the humor so it was not a total loss. I liked the concept of having gray characters that you should not like but end up rooting for anyway, it just didn’t happen for me. Unless the second installment is vastly improved, I won’t be picking it up.

Whoopsie…the video that was made twice 🤪 That’s an awful feeling when you realize nothing you’ve just done matters lol

Danny Coughlan's Bad Dream was a banger, wasn't it?

Finishing Best Served Cold now. It’s good. Annihilation was awesome and the rest of the trilogy. Such weird vibes. That is a perfect example as to why Hollywood should not make movies from books. That movie barely resembles the book and is an abomination. But is an adaptat…… NO! Whoever made it ruined everything about it. Just follow the freaking plot as laid out in the book. How hard is that? It’s already there. There’s nothing to do but film it. I read his Bourne, it was weird, but just not as well done as the Southern Reach. It seemed more cartoonish instead of otherworldly and cosmic horror.

Also, congrats... I butcher China's last name every time I try to say it :D

Of Darkness and Light my biggest disappointment of 2023. The book I wanted to throw out the window because it got me into a slump