I’ve been following Smitty on booktok for months. great guy, great content, similar taste in books as me. now I see this vid on booktube and open it, excited for longer content, even if I already know what books will be on this list. at no point did I think “oh, he’s black”. like it didn’t even register he’s supposed to be “different” than other booktokers I follow. genuine question… why do americans have this hyper-fixation on color?
@@sanyag5838 haha it’s nothing to necessarily do with JUST color. To try and make it easy for you as someone who seems to not be from America or related to blacc culture, it’s more about a representation because in our community we don’t have visible faces and voices that promote reading. There’s a lot that goes into this but this isn’t really the place to hold such a conversation. So don’t wanna taint his wonderful page with a lesson on why it’s extremely important to see it the way I view it.
@@anjubala560 wtf you are on? I didnt like him because he is handsome since he is just a man to me and this is just a random book video, I watch book videos regularly and watch men’s videos as well not looking their looks but opinions of the books. You do not have to think its all about looking 🤠 and yes I would say that in real life too because my mind does not work like yours, its only about reading
I don't know if you did it intentionally but sitting down on the floor really added to the cozy feeling for me! It gave me a vibe of being at a friends place as kids sitting on the floor talking about our favorite things.
I’ve never had a TikTok, probably never will! So I’m glad you’re here, or I never would have found you. I’m halfway through my first read of Words of Radiance now! See you in the next video, I’m looking forward to it
Engaging with books has significantly elevated my perspective on investing. True wealth isn't built through mere savings; financial freedom stems from strategic investments. I've learned that accumulating wealth hinges on making prudent investment decisions
Books have also changed my perspective on investing. Understanding that real wealth is built through strategic investments rather than mere savings is crucial. Working with an adviser has pointed me in the right direction..
This intrigues me. I've looked up financial advisors online, but finding one to connect with is a bit difficult. Do you mind if I ask for your recommendation?
Words of Radiance really is one of the GOATs, i read it during Covid and just balled my eyes out during the arena scene lol. Not even emotional, just pure appreciation for how much i loved it
I totally understand that feeling of nostalgia that keeps Prisoner of Azkaban in your second spot. I’m like that with Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. I first read it when I was 10, and although I’ve read some amazing fantasy novels since then Inkheart still holds a special place in my heart. It’s where it all started!
So glad you are posting. I was telling my best friend that I wanted to start posting booktube videos to be a part of the community but am nervous about. This inspires me. Keep it up young man.
Nice to see another brotha join Booktube! Welcome! You’ll love this community. Harry Potter also started my love of fantasy as a kid. Even though Goblet of Fire is my fav, I totally relate to your feelings about Prisoner of Azkaban. Brando Sando is definitely killing the fantasy genre right now. Enjoyed everything I’ve read by him. Great list and can’t wait to see more content from you!
Ayyyy so excited to have you on BookTube!! You nailed the debut video by being you. 100% genuine and real. Looking forward to more - can’t wait for you to find Malazan
I am overjoyed. Seeing more guys, more POC on BookTube!!! This made my week. Also, thank you for the amazing video and the content I look forward to. Really wishing you all the best on your journey and thanks for inspiring me. Much love from South Africa 🇿🇦
I have never seen a booktuber whose tastes were as close to mine as yours. I subscribed so fast when you mentioned Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Hey man, came here from tiktok, just wanted to support you because you make amazing content. You are by far my favourite book content creator! Your authenticity and excitement is unmatched, don't change anything, you're incredible! My TBR is just your recommendations. All love, keep it up
Im so happy I found you on TikTok because I read the same sort of fantasy books and you and I loooove your tips!! Mistborn is one of my all time favourite series and I can’t wait for the last book of stormlight to come out this year 😭
Happy to stumble across this video! Your enthusiasm is so grand. 4 out the 5 are on my tbr! I’m about to start Mistborn soon and now I’m stoked! Sword of Kaigan just got bumped up!
Came from tik tok to show some support saw your vids a while back and you’re really what got me into reading and I’ve been loving it. So nice to see another guy too just because it seems so few guys read.
I’m choosing Rage of Dragons to read with my bookclub. They usually choose psychological thrillers, so it’s going to be interesting to see how they like it. Wishing you much success on your channel! Welcome to RU-vid 🎉
Fantastic list! Sanderson has become one of my all time favorite authors, too. If you're wanting fantasy from a different slant, Gunmetal Gods by Zamil Akhtar is a newer one that's recently cracked my Top 5-10 and I'd definitely recommend it.
I never hear any reviews on Rage of Dragons being about revenge. Moving this one up on the TBR list :) You're doing great ^_^ love the sincere adoration of these books and the casual atmosphere
I didn't know i enjoyed books until I read The Way of Kings and The Stormlight Archive. Brandon's books and worldbuilding just took me to highs I did not know were possible. Glad to see Words of Radiance and The Hero of Ages on your list!
Love the Mistborn trilogy, its the series that got me started in reading fantasy. Mostly though I'm so happy to see you put "The Rage of Dragons" on this list. When I first read this book it was new and didn't have many reviews. I figured i'd give it a try and if it sucks i'll shelve it and read something else. Nope, it was awesome! I had so much fun reading it that when i finished it all I could think was I wanted to contact this new author and make sure he keeps writing!
Nice to see someone make the jump from Booktok to Booktube! Your top four are also four of my favorite books of all time! Words of Radiance is my #2 after Storm of Swords, and the other three are very high as well! Haven't read Rage of Dragons yet, waiting for an announcement of book three. Sword of Kaigen is absolutely a masterpiece, always love to see it getting recognition.
Nice list man! I'm a very recent Sanderfan, so far I've only readl the mistborn novels, Elantris and some of his Novella's but I'm pretty hooked. I'll be hitting Stormlight real soon I'm pretty hyped for it, they seem to be some of his most popular books. Also, it was nice to see a Harry potter book included, it was a huge part of my childhood and I still have tons of fun going back to Hogwarts now and again.
Great list! Not sure if you’ve covered them in previous shorts, but I’d recommend The Cradle series by Will Wight. Excellent magic system, unforgettable characters, and multilayered plots. Great reads, but even better rereads
Glad you started a booktube channel! Seem like a cool guy. You should show your bookshelves/collection, even if it’s not huge. You can start collecting and show the growth over time.
I’ve seen you on TikTok and now found you here (yay!). You’ve convinced me to try out Sanderson’s books! I’m starting Mistborn tonight. I like some romance in my fantasy so I’m hoping there’s a twinge of it in his books.
Making the crossover from your booktok to here! Extra content 🎉 Welcome Smitty! I have been following you on booktok for a while and honestly what a delight you are to the community! Your eloquence, your calm aura and personality, the love you have for the fantasy genre and the way you talk about books makes you and your content truly engaging and compelling to watch! I have read Rage of Dragons because of you, currently reading Fire of Vengeance and what a banger and I guess this is what have a platform is all about - giving underrated books a platform ❤ This is only the beginning! Wishing you much success, happiness and many good reads on your journey 📚 Also I need to had Hero of Ages is one of the best reading experiences I have ever had, I can’t remember crying that much with a book. Mistborn trilogy is a journey, a thing hard to accomplish and to feel with books these days 🥺
I’m sorry if this is super mainstream basic of me, but you gotta check out the Adventures of Dunk and Egg novellas by George RR Martin. Its perhaps the author’s best work in fantasy. Quick and satisfying reads.
Bro because of you i decided to get back in to reading and i just finished mistborn and ........ WOWWWW. The amount of emotions i was feeling reading the epilogue was overwhelming but thats what I love. So imma definetlely subscribe for more books to read.
My top 5 (personally) Fantasy books: 5: The Hobbit 4. The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian 3. Ill Met in Lankhmar 2. Elric of Melniboné 1. The Broken Sword
Huge Tolkien and Robert e Howard fan . I finished the Broken sword recently,one of my favorite books ever . And I have Elric and I’ll met in Lankhmar . Will be reading them soon . Great list good sir .
Not a booktokker, but it's good to see a new face on booktube, so hey dude, good to have you here. Favourite fantasy story, though it is a horror story too, is Cabal by Clive Barker. The movie adaptation, Nightbreed, leans way more into the dark fantasy side of things which creates a kind of tonal dissonance between the two works (especially with the kind of goofy, early 90's movie feel that it has,) but both are incredible in their own right. My favourite fantasy book, in terms of how it's written, is The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie. I love an anti-war war novel and that book, with the characters, and the sequence where the character perspective changes every times someone kills someone else, is genuinely stunning.
I was debating whether to start with Mistborn, or move right into The Stormlight Archive. You sold me on The Hero of Ages, so that made up my mind. Thanks! 😅
I just finished the first Mistborn trilogy and loved it! The way he ended the trilogy (no spoilers) made me a true fan, and I will definitely read the rest of his books. I really enjoyed your video and just bought Rhe Sword of Kaigen on your recommendation.
Hey bro! Glad I came across your channel. Aside from one of my bffs growing up, ( may he rest in peace) not in my adolescence or adult life have I personally known any other brothers that enjoyed reading fantasy and sci-fi. I haven't heard of any of the books on your top 5 so I may have to check em out. My fav fantasy and sci-fi books are: - Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon - Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein - Interview With The Vampire by Ann Rice - The Vampire Lestat - Elf Quest by Richard and Wendy Pini (technically graphic novels)
I love your tiktok vids and loved this first RU-vid video. As a recommendation maybe you can try to center the video a bit more horizontally and vertically. Also, maybe you can try videos standing up! This was a great first video!!
If you love fantasy, be sure not to burn yourself out on the epic stuff (I know I did). There's some shorter, pulpier fantasy that's just as good that also make great "in-between" reads. The Elric Saga, the Fafhrd and Gray Mouser series, and Chronicles of Prydain are all quick and crazy good.
Thank you for the video! I love reading fantasy but really don't have friends that share my interests. It's nice to see male readers as well as brothers that like to read! Because of you, my amazon cart is full again😊
Hell yeah! Gods we need more men of color in the booktube space. Booktube is mostly dominated by women, which is fine. The ladies reviewing our books are lovely. But I’m a young Indian dude and it’s nice to see another man of color in the literature space. Really looking forward to seeing your channels growth bro.
I never subscribed so fast ❤️ reading words of radiance right now. I have not read mistborn trilogy yet but mistborn got my husband out of a reading slump of 5+ years so I believe you. And oh man and the prisoner of Azkaban 100%, i felt everything you said.
I could listen to you talk about anything, but I'm especially happy that it's about books! As a kid, HP & TPoA is also what captured my imagination and turned me into the person I am today. Welcome to RU-vid and I can't wait to see more!
Good job on the first vid and welcome to RU-vid! I never really jived with TikTok preferring long form so good to see creators coming over. This was a solid list. I like that you tied personal attachments to most of the books because they are your favorite, not necessarily the best or most accessible. Keep the personal touch going. I also liked the shade in the middle about authors not finishing their trilogies; i think we've all felt that at some point. Since you asked for constructive criticism as well, some more detail or examples when you are breaking stuff down would be good so we have a more solid understanding of your take, but I think that will come naturally as you get more comfortable. Overall, good job man. Looking forward to what you create. You have earned my sub.
Helloooo I'm so happy I found you here! I uninstalled tiktok months ago and missed watching your videos :) I have several things I want to say: First thing is you asked for any advice and as a filmmaker it would be working on the framing, lighting and background. A colorful background with contrasting colors would be cool, then making sure you're centered and maybe trying natural light. There are a bunch of videos on here to show you all of this in more detail. They're really simple and quick changes that can make videos look amazing. Second is thank you for recommending Sword of Kaigen because I dnf'd after picking it up randomly and now I'm sold. I'll be giving it another go soon. :) And last but not least: it's so nice to see the impact all of these stories have on you and how passionate you are, how well you describe them. I'm the same and I ended up being a writer. I can totally see you being a fantasy writer and if you haven't tried before I really hope you do. I'm sure it would be dope. So please try writing lol, storytellers can spot other storytellers Thanks for sharing!
Words of Radiance is my number one as well. My sister recommended Way of Kings to me but she didn’t like Mistborn so I was going to stay away from it. I’ll give it a try now, thanks! I can’t wait for book 5 though.
