In addition to The Pillars of the Earth (I know you couldn’t get through it) and Shogun, I recommend The Winds of War and War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk. Also, North and South by John Jakes. Looking forward to what you think about Never.
I read the Carpetbaggers when I was in high school, I was shocked to find it in a box of books that my Grandma always kept. She was a reader and back then banks and gas stations gave you gifts, the latest record or book was one of them. You tickled that nerve, I might see if I can find a good second hand copy.
I just finished Fairy Tale by Stephen King and I did like it, but I felt like something was missing for me. I didn't quite connect with the characters and story on a level like I have with many of his past books. Although I do enjoy the concept of the existence of a world within a world, I had a hard time picturing descriptions of some of the different parts of it, if that makes sense. Anyway looking forward to your take on it and happy reading!
I loved Fairytale. Quite different but intriguing and so compelling. A change from what Uncle Stevie usually puts out but a winner in my mind. Hope you enjoy.
Lovely stack of chonkers you've got there, mate! I NEED to get my hands on a copy of 'Weasels Ripped My Flesh!' - if ever there were a book that truly belonged on my shelves, it's that one 😂
Great Video. I love Big Al, definitely deserves more support. I have enjoyed many Ken Follet books, including The Eye of The Needle. There is another series The Century Trilogy- I am hoping to get to soon. I loved Fairy Tale, interested to hear your thoughts. Fun tag!
I loved "Centennial." At one point I had the paperback version with the mini-series tie-in cover. I've also read a number of the Continental Op stories and I'm a fan of "Red Harvest." This is a great list.
I'd strongly recommend Little Star by John Advije Lindquist too. It's his only book I've read so far but immediately became one of my favourites. I just found it so eerie and creepy.
I’m an just finishing Empire of the Vampire and Empire of the Damned. The longest books I’ve read in a long time but I’m really enjoying them. I hope you enjoy your books as well!
I read Centennial back in college as part of a geography course. I remember liking that one. I’ve been thinking about giving it another read after finding a hardcover in the Little Free Library near my apartment.
“Centennial” is a Michener I haven’t gotten to yet, so thanks for bringing it up. Back in the ‘80s, most adults who considered themselves readers had a few Micheners on their shelves. I tried to find his relatively short Pulitzer Prize winning “Tales of the South Pacific” at the library (in suburban Chicago) last year and found almost none of his books were available, including that one. :( Fairy Tale is one of Stephen King’s better books in the last two years, IMO, although none can top 11/22/63. I had a few bones to pick with FT, but overall had a good time reading it.
I bow to you, sir! I thought I was tough because I read Moby Dick and Stephen King's IT! But War and Peace and Middlemarch are still looming at me from the shelf ...
War and Peace is great. It is really a soap opera and easy to read. There's about 200 pages of boring toward the middle (Pierre' hanging out with the Masons) but it picks up again. Middlemarch is a beautiful book. A little dull by modern standards, but like War and Peace, I was a little sad when the story ended.
I read my first Michener last year - and I ended up reading three in all! I've got two more on my shelf, and a couple more I'm interested in. As a writer, he's not very good. But I find it fascinating how he brings history to life. He does very thorough research, and his books really are like history in fictional format. Centennial is, I believe about the state of Colorado. I read The Source (about Israel), Hawaii, and Mexico. I've got Caribbean and The Covenant (South Africa) on my shelf. I've got some other monsters on the shelf as well, including some Dickens and Don Quixote. Doubt I'll read them all this year, but you never know! I also want to reread Les Miserables.
Ive read the following - Fairy Tale The Best American Noir of the Century The Big Book of the Continental Op Weasels Ripped my Flesh I'm reading the whole Bernard Samson series by Len Deighton. Ive read the first two trilogies. Doing a reread and will finally tackle the final three books. Berlin Game, Mexico Set, London Match Hook, Line, Spy Sinker Faith, Hope Charity
The only one of those I've read is The Continental Op, which I really enjoyed. I've read quite a lot of Follett, but not the historical fiction. My favorite long cook has to be Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephensen. I've read it twice and it might be time to read it again. Good luck on your stack.
Be interested to hear your thoughts on Fairy Tale. I thought it started fine but in the end its the only King book I've really disliked. Long books I'm hoping to read this year are Swan Song by Robert R McCammon, Darkmans by Nicola Barker & The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
I just finished Pillars of the Earth. It was very good and an enjoyable read. I also read 2666 last year. It was good but so long. It seemed the farther I read in it, the ending seemed to move farther away. I was so glad when I finished it, lol. I very much enjoyed Fairy Tale by Stephen King. I thought it was great.
I saw the tv mini series Centential years ago and normally books are better so that should be a good one. I have a copy of Jerusalem that's been looking at me from my TBR, the look has become less threatening of late so I will be taking that on hopefully in Feb
Have you read Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany or The Deluge by Stephen Markley? Usually not a fan of books over 400 pages, but couldn’t put either down. Boys Life by Robert R. McCammon as well, even though on paper I had zero connection to the story itself.
‘Beefcake Challenge’ is such a brilliant name lol P.S. All the best 🎉 P.P.S. My recommendation is: ‘A History of the Russian Revolution’ by Leon Trotsky.
Right now I’m trying to read The Deluge by Stephen Markley. 880 pages total. I am so used to books 300 pages or fewer so it is definitely a challenge. I hit the 80 page mark yesterday but I’m hoping it takes me no longer than a month.
Harold Robbins. I enjoyed A Stone for Danny Fisher when I read it years ago. Centennial is a great book. I think my favorite long book is The Count of Monte Cristo, which would be in my top five favorite books. I read Fairy Tale and thought it was ok.
A couple long books I want to read this year are IT, The Dark Tower (got 7 left a couple of them are pretty long), Insomnia (as patt of The Dark Tower extended world), Under The Dome (a lot King I know) Shogun and maybe 1Q84
I'm normally not a long book guy. My somewhat flippant moto is "if you can't say it in 250 pages, you're probably saying it wrong, and if you can't say it in 500 pages, you're definitely saying it wrong." However, I do occasionally read longer books. I think my favorite novel is probably Dune, which is around the 500 page mark, depending on the edition. Fantasy isn't really my genre, but I liked The Name of the Wind by Rothfuss which was almost 700 pages. I don't really count omnibus editions that collects a bunch of novels, but if I did, things like the Poul Anderson Technic Civilization (aka Libertarian P0rn) books or Michael Moorcock Eternal Champion books might make the list. I think they are mostly in the 500 to 700 page range. By the same token, I'm a big fan of the "tight 90" when it comes to movies, but Lawrence of Arabia is one of my all time favorites, and I really enjoyed the recent film, The Brutalist. Still, you'll often find me watching movies like The Batman or most MCU films and lamenting the lack of firm-handed editors. (Seriously, The Batman is just Se7en, but with worse lighting and an hour longer for no good reason. If it was going to be such a direct rehash, it could have at least had the good grace to be short).
Don Quixote would be in my beefcake challenge. I’m reading a beefcake now - H Arendt and I’ve got another book on politics to start when I’ve finished that.
YES! The Carpetbaggers! Delicious and sleeeeeeazy trash! (I actually think the movie is better: more streamlined and one of the characters isn't treated as nicely in the movie--a flaw with Harold Robbins is that he falls in love with one of his characters and wants to give her a "happy" ending--but you decided). But I'm jealous of your "first time"! (BTW, bought my copy from a homeless man on the street....)
Shouldn't this be called the Fruitcake challenge? 🤭 I've got Centennial but haven't read it. I've only read one Michener (Space) and I thought it was average. I'm curious to read The Carpetbaggers.
Hi Olly. Sorry to be pedantic, but you start off this video by talking about 10 big books you're planning to read in 2024. Originally, therefore, I thought you'd made this video last year and had to double-check.
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Not read any Harold Robbins in years. Loved Carpetbaggers then. Dashielle Hammett's Maltese Falcon is brilliant. Best wishes.
In addition to The Pillars of the Earth (I know you couldn’t get through it) and Shogun, I recommend The Winds of War and War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk. Also, North and South by John Jakes. Looking forward to what you think about Never.
I do want to try some Wouk!
I read "Centennial" years and years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.🇺🇸☕❄❄
I really enjoyed Centennial. I also enjoyed Chesapeake that I also read "years ago"
I read the Carpetbaggers when I was in high school, I was shocked to find it in a box of books that my Grandma always kept. She was a reader and back then banks and gas stations gave you gifts, the latest record or book was one of them. You tickled that nerve, I might see if I can find a good second hand copy.
I just finished Fairy Tale by Stephen King and I did like it, but I felt like something was missing for me. I didn't quite connect with the characters and story on a level like I have with many of his past books. Although I do enjoy the concept of the existence of a world within a world, I had a hard time picturing descriptions of some of the different parts of it, if that makes sense. Anyway looking forward to your take on it and happy reading!
I loved Fairytale. Quite different but intriguing and so compelling. A change from what Uncle Stevie usually puts out but a winner in my mind. Hope you enjoy.
I recommend Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry and the Wolf Hall trilogy by Hilary Mantel. They are both long and thoroughly enjoyable.
The handy thing about those anthologies is that you'll be able to spread them out across the year while reading those other beefcakes.
Big chonks. Should also decide what 10 beefcakes I want to read this year. Its nice that you read such vast variety.
Lovely stack of chonkers you've got there, mate! I NEED to get my hands on a copy of 'Weasels Ripped My Flesh!' - if ever there were a book that truly belonged on my shelves, it's that one 😂
Everytime I hear the title 'Weasels Ripped my Flesh' it makes me giggle.
If Chins Could Kill (Bruce Campbells memoir/auto biog) does it for me every time! 😊
Great Video. I love Big Al, definitely deserves more support. I have enjoyed many Ken Follet books, including The Eye of The Needle. There is another series The Century Trilogy- I am hoping to get to soon. I loved Fairy Tale, interested to hear your thoughts. Fun tag!
I loved "Centennial." At one point I had the paperback version with the mini-series tie-in cover. I've also read a number of the Continental Op stories and I'm a fan of "Red Harvest." This is a great list.
I read it decades ago and remember liking it.
Thanks for doing the Tag Olly 🙏
I’m not sure if I’m more jealous of the Dashiell Hammett book or your chunky Stanley tape measure 😍
It is a good tape measure!
I'd strongly recommend Little Star by John Advije Lindquist too. It's his only book I've read so far but immediately became one of my favourites. I just found it so eerie and creepy.
I’m an just finishing Empire of the Vampire and Empire of the Damned. The longest books I’ve read in a long time but I’m really enjoying them. I hope you enjoy your books as well!
Keep giving people this work.
I read Centennial back in college as part of a geography course. I remember liking that one. I’ve been thinking about giving it another read after finding a hardcover in the Little Free Library near my apartment.
“Centennial” is a Michener I haven’t gotten to yet, so thanks for bringing it up. Back in the ‘80s, most adults who considered themselves readers had a few Micheners on their shelves. I tried to find his relatively short Pulitzer Prize winning “Tales of the South Pacific” at the library (in suburban Chicago) last year and found almost none of his books were available, including that one. :(
Fairy Tale is one of Stephen King’s better books in the last two years, IMO, although none can top 11/22/63. I had a few bones to pick with FT, but overall had a good time reading it.
Oh my goodness Centennial! I read it decades ago when I was 13, got it because I loved the TV series.
i also read Riders last year, need to find a copy of Rivals, fear i may not be able to put it down and as a slower reader a problem.
Just finished tad williams' otherland book 3(900, 800, and 900 pages respectivily) saving book 4 for summer so far one of the best things ever read.
Good luck. I read quite a bit in the fantasy genre. Long books are a staple.
I bow to you, sir! I thought I was tough because I read Moby Dick and Stephen King's IT! But War and Peace and Middlemarch are still looming at me from the shelf ...
War and Peace is great. It is really a soap opera and easy to read. There's about 200 pages of boring toward the middle (Pierre' hanging out with the Masons) but it picks up again. Middlemarch is a beautiful book. A little dull by modern standards, but like War and Peace, I was a little sad when the story ended.
I read my first Michener last year - and I ended up reading three in all! I've got two more on my shelf, and a couple more I'm interested in. As a writer, he's not very good. But I find it fascinating how he brings history to life. He does very thorough research, and his books really are like history in fictional format. Centennial is, I believe about the state of Colorado. I read The Source (about Israel), Hawaii, and Mexico. I've got Caribbean and The Covenant (South Africa) on my shelf. I've got some other monsters on the shelf as well, including some Dickens and Don Quixote. Doubt I'll read them all this year, but you never know! I also want to reread Les Miserables.
Love that Stephen king cover
You are a reading beast!
I loved Fairy Tale!
Ive read the following -
Fairy Tale
The Best American Noir of the Century
The Big Book of the Continental Op
Weasels Ripped my Flesh
I'm reading the whole Bernard Samson series by Len Deighton. Ive read the first two trilogies. Doing a reread and will finally tackle the final three books.
Berlin Game, Mexico Set, London Match
Hook, Line, Spy Sinker
Faith, Hope Charity
The only one of those I've read is The Continental Op, which I really enjoyed. I've read quite a lot of Follett, but not the historical fiction. My favorite long cook has to be Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephensen. I've read it twice and it might be time to read it again. Good luck on your stack.
I do have that one somewhere
Good luck. I don't have any doubt you'll finish in the year. I'm not sure who screamed louder when you mentioned them -- MJ or Kelsi.
I read 'Invasion' by Eric L. Harry.
Be interested to hear your thoughts on Fairy Tale. I thought it started fine but in the end its the only King book I've really disliked. Long books I'm hoping to read this year are Swan Song by Robert R McCammon, Darkmans by Nicola Barker & The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
I just finished Pillars of the Earth. It was very good and an enjoyable read. I also read 2666 last year. It was good but so long. It seemed the farther I read in it, the ending seemed to move farther away. I was so glad when I finished it, lol. I very much enjoyed Fairy Tale by Stephen King. I thought it was great.
I saw the tv mini series Centential years ago and normally books are better so that should be a good one. I have a copy of Jerusalem that's been looking at me from my TBR, the look has become less threatening of late so I will be taking that on hopefully in Feb
Have you read Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany or The Deluge by Stephen Markley? Usually not a fan of books over 400 pages, but couldn’t put either down.
Boys Life by Robert R. McCammon as well, even though on paper I had zero connection to the story itself.
‘Beefcake Challenge’ is such a brilliant name lol
P.S. All the best 🎉
P.P.S. My recommendation is: ‘A History of the Russian Revolution’ by Leon Trotsky.
Jilly Cooper WTF! LOL! 🤣
Right now I’m trying to read The Deluge by Stephen Markley. 880 pages total. I am so used to books 300 pages or fewer so it is definitely a challenge. I hit the 80 page mark yesterday but I’m hoping it takes me no longer than a month.
Harold Robbins. I enjoyed A Stone for Danny Fisher when I read it years ago. Centennial is a great book. I think my favorite long book is The Count of Monte Cristo, which would be in my top five favorite books. I read Fairy Tale and thought it was ok.
I really enjoyed Fairy Tale by Stephen King.
A couple long books I want to read this year are IT, The Dark Tower (got 7 left a couple of them are pretty long), Insomnia (as patt of The Dark Tower extended world), Under The Dome (a lot King I know) Shogun and maybe 1Q84
I've read Dark Tower over last summer. Under The Dome has been sitting on my kindle
Read Summer of Night by Dan Simmons this month. Just 600 pages.
That’s a good one!
All fantasy fans are beefcakes 🤣 We laugh at books less than 600 pages.
I think I’m just not strong enough to read fantasy
Beefcake Challenge. 😄
Fairy Tale is far from perfect but I think there is a lot to love in that book. The audiobook is apparently amazing.
If you limit your reading to perfect books, you won't get much reading done, will you?🇺🇸
@@christopherharnett5694 I liked Fairy Tale. I did enjoy the first half (or so) more. A decent read!
I thoroughly enjoyed Fairy Tale.
Poor Michael K Vaughan , getting tagged... with his 500 book challenge 🤣
I'm normally not a long book guy. My somewhat flippant moto is "if you can't say it in 250 pages, you're probably saying it wrong, and if you can't say it in 500 pages, you're definitely saying it wrong." However, I do occasionally read longer books. I think my favorite novel is probably Dune, which is around the 500 page mark, depending on the edition. Fantasy isn't really my genre, but I liked The Name of the Wind by Rothfuss which was almost 700 pages. I don't really count omnibus editions that collects a bunch of novels, but if I did, things like the Poul Anderson Technic Civilization (aka Libertarian P0rn) books or Michael Moorcock Eternal Champion books might make the list. I think they are mostly in the 500 to 700 page range.
By the same token, I'm a big fan of the "tight 90" when it comes to movies, but Lawrence of Arabia is one of my all time favorites, and I really enjoyed the recent film, The Brutalist. Still, you'll often find me watching movies like The Batman or most MCU films and lamenting the lack of firm-handed editors. (Seriously, The Batman is just Se7en, but with worse lighting and an hour longer for no good reason. If it was going to be such a direct rehash, it could have at least had the good grace to be short).
Ollie is low-key a beefcake to me. I’m not sure about his muscles but he’s handsome! I think I have a tiny crush…
I’m definitely not a beefcake 😂
@@CriminOllyBlog well forget the beefcake. You’re a snack 😆
Centennial is great. Michener was a master. His book "The Source" is even better.
Don Quixote would be in my beefcake challenge. I’m reading a beefcake now - H Arendt and I’ve got another book on politics to start when I’ve finished that.
YES! The Carpetbaggers! Delicious and sleeeeeeazy trash! (I actually think the movie is better: more streamlined and one of the characters isn't treated as nicely in the movie--a flaw with Harold Robbins is that he falls in love with one of his characters and wants to give her a "happy" ending--but you decided). But I'm jealous of your "first time"! (BTW, bought my copy from a homeless man on the street....)
Got Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy, about five hundred pages each, so got a lot of reading ahead of me in 2025!
Only read the first of those, but that was fantastic
Fairytale by Stephen King is wonderful, such a fantastic read, I hope you find it to be equally great. David from Staffordshire
Shouldn't this be called the Fruitcake challenge? 🤭 I've got Centennial but haven't read it. I've only read one Michener (Space) and I thought it was average. I'm curious to read The Carpetbaggers.
Hi Olly. Sorry to be pedantic, but you start off this video by talking about 10 big books you're planning to read in 2024. Originally, therefore, I thought you'd made this video last year and had to double-check.
The only tomes I intend to read this year are IQ84 and The Lord of the Rings. They've simply sat on the shelf unread for far too long.
Ooooo oooo do a little life!!!!
I loved how this opened saying “2024”, that’s been me all through this January 🥲 Great picks Olly
😂😂 at least we don’t have to sign cheques any more!