Thank you Simon - Loved Hamnet and A Thousand Ships and Bass Rock, been a good year despite its sting. I want to add most of those to my already MASSIVE TBR. Happy New Year!
Well SImon, you have done it again. My TBR is now bulging with new additions! I loved, loved, loved the "Vanishing Half" and so excited to read "Hamnet" after that heartfelt review. Thanks!
Great recommendations. I’ve added a few to my list. I can’t stop admiring your wall color and those bookshelves. I want to transform my living room like yours lol. Keep up the amazing videos.
I too, loved Hamnet. It is truly a masterpiece. I was so sad when it ended. BTW- I love you too, Simon and have been watching you for several years. I didn't know about becoming a subscriber until today and I will definitely sign up.
Ooh! Such an exciting list! I stopped midway to put Claudine Rankine’s Citizen audiobook into my list on Scribd. Might listen to that this afternoon! So excited to see my top 3 (1. Hamnet, 2. Red at the Bone, 3. The Bass Rock) on your list too, although it was hardly a surprise. I really hope Hamnet wins the Women’s Prize. I’ve got quite a few others from your list either on the go or just waiting to be read!
What a list!! I've read none of them, but have 2 on my tbr, and added 3 more to my wishlist. Some of the others were already on my wishlist. Can't wait to get to them!! Xx
Firstly, that is an absolutely fantastic jumper and I was envious for the entirety of this video. Now, the books: I'm thrilled to see that Rainbow Milk has made it into your Best Books so far. The Weekend sounds like one I need in my life so thanks for bringing it to our attention. I will get to Graceland one day - I've been avoiding it simply because my father was such a fan of Elvis that I was raised on his music (my mother did the same with ABBA - it's the reason my musical knowledge is so poor) and feel somewhat overwhelmed by the idea of more Presley. I didn't know what Attica Locke wrote about until you began discussing them, so thank thee for that as well. (also must read The Bass Rock + Hamnet) You've made me want to read all the books I haven't done already, so I think that's a good sign. I hope the latter half of the year brings you a ton of other great books.
Loved, loved, loved Love After Love and I think that is only just behind Hamnet of my favourite books of this year. Loved The Bass Rock and read Girl, Woman, Other for your book club and so glad I did as it introduced me to Mr Loverman. Looking forward to reading The Vanishing Half later this month. 2020 really has been a fantastic year for books so far 😊
Mr Loverman is AMAZING so pleased GWO sent you to that. It’s one of my favourite books of all time. Hope you enjoy The Vanishing Half and thank you for being part of our book club.
I found the two Attica Locke's hard to separate too. In that the second book follows so directly off of the first and they feel much more closely linked than many detective series. Loved them both so so much.
I picked up How Much of These Hills is Gold after the first time I heard you talk about it but haven't read it yet. Now that I see it is on this list, I want to get to it even sooner!
I’m So glad to see How we fight for our lives on this list. It was so honest and vulnerable and I just wanted to hug him. Also I just got Hamnet!!! Eeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
Hi! 👋🏻 I’m a new subscriber. Glad to have found your channel. Love to be inspired by people who also love books! I put a few of the books you mentioned here on my tbr. Thanks! Elin 🇸🇪
I've been interested in reading Claudia Rankine but didn't know she'd written plays, thanks for sharing! I'll be looking into those. Graceland also sounds really good!
I just realized that YT unsubscribed me from your channel. What the hell?? The audacity! Anyway, re-subbed, bell and like button clicked. Keep it up, simon. Found many a great read through you!!
Yay for Hamnet! It’s down to you that I discovered that gem of a book so thank you! I’m behind with the times but my top five of the year so far are Hamnet, Girl, Woman, Other, A Little Life, Graceland and The Black Flamingo. The Proof of Love is incredible so far so I have a feeling once I finish that this weekend it’ll join the top five and knock off one of the other books! I always look forward to your videos as it inspires another book order haha.
Oh The Proof of Love. I funking loved that book so much. That is also a corking top five. I am on team LOVES A Little Life. And as you know I loved the other four, GWO was a reread this year and that and Black Flamingo made my highly recommended list.
SavidgeReads From chatting with some friends who have read it A Little Life is such a marmite book but I just adored it! Most complaints I’ve heard come from the length but that kind of made it for me! Sometimes things are best left unedited! Look forward to see how/if your list changes by the end of the year! 😀
Just discovered you via SkyArts book club and now have a long list of books that I want to read. My favourite reads so far this year have been Drive your plow over the bones of the dead by Olga Tokarczuk, Lost children Archive by Valeria Luiselli and How to be both by Ali Smith.
I’ve read 7 on your list. I just finished The Weekend on audio today. I binged on Attica Locke in June. I read Pleasantville and The Cutting Season after watching your great interview with her. Red At The Bone was just ok. I read it as I’m reading along with the booktube prize. Love After Love was my #caribbean & LGBTQI read. Loved The Bass Rock & Hamnet. 👋☘️📚📖
I have Hamnet to read so excited to get to it. I read When The Only Light Is Fire by Saaed Jones recently and it blew me away ,his memoir is amazing too obv . Loved hearing all your top picks , thank you for sharing with us xx
Thanks so much, Simon! Your passion thrills me. I think you are a kindred spirit. I just ordered everything on this list that I could from my public library. So excited to read these! Also I loved the IG talk with Attica Locke. Please keep on doing what you’re doing. It’s keeping me sane amidst the miasma of the Trump sh@t show. Greetings from Michigan, USA!
I am about to finish a thousand ships, and it is so brilliant! I have read quite a few greek retelling this past years, but this is the best by far I would say! I was also so sad that red at the bone was not in the shortlist...
Just to let you know, I live in a cultural wilderness when it comes to reading books. It's thanks to you and other bloggers who are hauling me up by my bootstraps into this world of literature delights. Thanks to you, I picked up a book - East Lynne -Mrs Henry Wood. Initially, I was put off by its size but to be honest, I can't put the book down. I have never heard of the author before nor the book but the story is so well written and paints a beautiful picture of the time. A true page turner and I must thank you for that. The next two books will be the Attica Locke double header. I'm certainly looking forward to reading both books.
Awwww Mrs Henry Wood, who has a special place in my heart and I would point out to tourists when I was a guide at Highgate Cemetery. What an amazing book. So glad you liked it.
Fantastic selection Simon! I am currently reading Graceland and also listening to it on Audiobook. I have several on your list that I need to get round to reading! And I will be putting some on my wish list too. Lots of great books ahead. What will the next half of the year bring? Best Wishes 💕
Overall some great picks. Of the books Simon mentions that I've read very much agree on Hamnet, The Bass Rock and Red at the Bone (thought they were all great). My experience of A Thousand Ships (was OK) and was rather underwhlemed by Charlotte Wood's The Weekend. I'm looking forward to getting to Rainbow Milk, the Vanishing and How Much of these Hills is Gold (just picked this one up from my local library yesterday). Hamnet, just such a special read.
I'm new to your channel.. I like your reviews. But I only read Fantasy.... I'm gonna trust you and get A Thousand Ships... It sounds intriguing.. thanks.. 👍💕
As if my TBR is not long enough! I'm excited to read Hamnet, Love after love, and How Much of these Hills is Gold in your list. My favorite and only 5 star read so far this year is A Burning by Megha Majumdar.
Isn't Hamnet just sumptuously written? I loved hearing your list. Best book of the year so far for me has to be Your House Will Pay by Steph Cha. It really speaks to the moment we're in but at the same time is completely non virus-related which is refreshing 😂
I've read these 4 great books from your list, hard to pick one above the other. The Weekend by Charlotte Wood A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson How Much of these Hills is Gold by C Pam Zhang Can't wait to read these two that I'll pick up from the library today. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld Have put this one on my TBR, loved, loved, loved West- The Mission House by Carys Davies
My favorite books so far this year are Krik? Krak! By Edwidge Danticat, These Women by Ivy Pochoda, and The Last Thing You Surrender by Edward Pitts, Jr.
If you'd waited a week, I'm pretty sure The Pull of the Stars would've topped this list. I read that and then Hamnet back to back. The Pull of the Stars was better.
I am so in love with the editing of your videos lately. You're giving me a right giggle!
I decided to accentuate my daftness. Ha.
just added like over half of these to my wishlist before this video even ended. your enthusiasm is contagious.
Thank you Simon - Loved Hamnet and A Thousand Ships and Bass Rock, been a good year despite its sting. I want to add most of those to my already MASSIVE TBR. Happy New Year!
Well SImon, you have done it again. My TBR is now bulging with new additions! I loved, loved, loved the "Vanishing Half" and so excited to read "Hamnet" after that heartfelt review. Thanks!
Great recommendations. I’ve added a few to my list. I can’t stop admiring your wall color and those bookshelves. I want to transform my living room like yours lol. Keep up the amazing videos.
Love your couch. It looks like such a comfy place for reading. Have to keep pausing to add to my TBR list.
I too, loved Hamnet. It is truly a masterpiece. I was so sad when it ended. BTW- I love you too, Simon and have been watching you for several years. I didn't know about becoming a subscriber until today and I will definitely sign up.
Ooh! Such an exciting list! I stopped midway to put Claudine Rankine’s Citizen audiobook into my list on Scribd. Might listen to that this afternoon! So excited to see my top 3 (1. Hamnet, 2. Red at the Bone, 3. The Bass Rock) on your list too, although it was hardly a surprise. I really hope Hamnet wins the Women’s Prize. I’ve got quite a few others from your list either on the go or just waiting to be read!
Oooh does she read it? If she does I bet it’s quadruply amazing.
SavidgeReads Unfortunately not. The narrator is ok but nothing special.
What a list!! I've read none of them, but have 2 on my tbr, and added 3 more to my wishlist. Some of the others were already on my wishlist. Can't wait to get to them!! Xx
Firstly, that is an absolutely fantastic jumper and I was envious for the entirety of this video.
Now, the books: I'm thrilled to see that Rainbow Milk has made it into your Best Books so far. The Weekend sounds like one I need in my life so thanks for bringing it to our attention. I will get to Graceland one day - I've been avoiding it simply because my father was such a fan of Elvis that I was raised on his music (my mother did the same with ABBA - it's the reason my musical knowledge is so poor) and feel somewhat overwhelmed by the idea of more Presley. I didn't know what Attica Locke wrote about until you began discussing them, so thank thee for that as well. (also must read The Bass Rock + Hamnet)
You've made me want to read all the books I haven't done already, so I think that's a good sign. I hope the latter half of the year brings you a ton of other great books.
Loved, loved, loved Love After Love and I think that is only just behind Hamnet of my favourite books of this year. Loved The Bass Rock and read Girl, Woman, Other for your book club and so glad I did as it introduced me to Mr Loverman. Looking forward to reading The Vanishing Half later this month. 2020 really has been a fantastic year for books so far 😊
Mr Loverman is AMAZING so pleased GWO sent you to that. It’s one of my favourite books of all time. Hope you enjoy The Vanishing Half and thank you for being part of our book club.
I found the two Attica Locke's hard to separate too. In that the second book follows so directly off of the first and they feel much more closely linked than many detective series. Loved them both so so much.
I picked up How Much of These Hills is Gold after the first time I heard you talk about it but haven't read it yet. Now that I see it is on this list, I want to get to it even sooner!
I’m So glad to see How we fight for our lives on this list. It was so honest and vulnerable and I just wanted to hug him. Also I just got Hamnet!!! Eeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
Hope you enjoy Hamnet. I’m always slightly nervous now when people start it. Ha. Saeed Jones telling me his story in my own ears was just amazing.
Hi! 👋🏻 I’m a new subscriber. Glad to have found your channel. Love to be inspired by people who also love books! I put a few of the books you mentioned here on my tbr. Thanks! Elin 🇸🇪
I've been interested in reading Claudia Rankine but didn't know she'd written plays, thanks for sharing! I'll be looking into those. Graceland also sounds really good!
Even hearing you talk about Hamnet made me cry and it's my favorite book of the year so far as well!
I just realized that YT unsubscribed me from your channel. What the hell?? The audacity! Anyway, re-subbed, bell and like button clicked. Keep it up, simon. Found many a great read through you!!
just found your channel. Excited to check out some of the books you really loved. Thanks for sharing. I subbed
I so enjoy your reviews! Thank you for the mid year!
Yay for Hamnet! It’s down to you that I discovered that gem of a book so thank you! I’m behind with the times but my top five of the year so far are Hamnet, Girl, Woman, Other, A Little Life, Graceland and The Black Flamingo. The Proof of Love is incredible so far so I have a feeling once I finish that this weekend it’ll join the top five and knock off one of the other books! I always look forward to your videos as it inspires another book order haha.
Oh The Proof of Love. I funking loved that book so much. That is also a corking top five. I am on team LOVES A Little Life. And as you know I loved the other four, GWO was a reread this year and that and Black Flamingo made my highly recommended list.
SavidgeReads From chatting with some friends who have read it A Little Life is such a marmite book but I just adored it! Most complaints I’ve heard come from the length but that kind of made it for me! Sometimes things are best left unedited! Look forward to see how/if your list changes by the end of the year! 😀
Wonderful video, so refreshing to see someone read stuff other then to usual YA si fi fantasy! Just subed
Just discovered you via SkyArts book club and now have a long list of books that I want to read. My favourite reads so far this year have been Drive your plow over the bones of the dead by Olga Tokarczuk, Lost children Archive by Valeria Luiselli and How to be both by Ali Smith.
I’ve read 7 on your list. I just finished The Weekend on audio today.
I binged on Attica Locke in June. I read
Pleasantville and The Cutting Season after watching your great interview with her.
Red At The Bone was just ok. I read it as I’m reading along with the booktube prize.
Love After Love was my #caribbean & LGBTQI read.
Loved The Bass Rock & Hamnet.
👋☘️📚📖
Glad that my chat with Attica sent you in a binge and you discovered her work.
I have Hamnet to read so excited to get to it. I read When The Only Light Is Fire by Saaed Jones recently and it blew me away ,his memoir is amazing too obv . Loved hearing all your top picks , thank you for sharing with us xx
Thanks so much, Simon! Your passion thrills me. I think you are a kindred spirit. I just ordered everything on this list that I could from my public library. So excited to read these! Also I loved the IG talk with Attica Locke. Please keep on doing what you’re doing. It’s keeping me sane amidst the miasma of the Trump sh@t show. Greetings from Michigan, USA!
I am about to finish a thousand ships, and it is so brilliant! I have read quite a few greek retelling this past years, but this is the best by far I would say! I was also so sad that red at the bone was not in the shortlist...
Just to let you know, I live in a cultural wilderness when it comes to reading books. It's thanks to you and other bloggers who are hauling me up by my bootstraps into this world of literature delights. Thanks to you, I picked up a book - East Lynne -Mrs Henry Wood. Initially, I was put off by its size but to be honest, I can't put the book down. I have never heard of the author before nor the book but the story is so well written and paints a beautiful picture of the time. A true page turner and I must thank you for that. The next two books will be the Attica Locke double header. I'm certainly looking forward to reading both books.
Awwww Mrs Henry Wood, who has a special place in my heart and I would point out to tourists when I was a guide at Highgate Cemetery. What an amazing book. So glad you liked it.
Fantastic selection Simon! I am currently reading Graceland and also listening to it on Audiobook. I have several on your list that I need to get round to reading! And I will be putting some on my wish list too. Lots of great books ahead. What will the next half of the year bring? Best Wishes 💕
Who knows. Possibly some changes with work in the next six months, hopefully more wonderful books and travel... I am so desperate to travel again.
This editing is 🔥
Thanking you 😂 I’ve decided to accentuate my daft moments and errors. Not forced, just as they happen.
Yesss! How We Fight For Our Lives was at the top of my list last year. Saeed is brilliant.
Just phenomenal. And the audiobook was so moving.
Overall some great picks. Of the books Simon mentions that I've read very much agree on Hamnet, The Bass Rock and Red at the Bone (thought they were all great). My experience of A Thousand Ships (was OK) and was rather underwhlemed by Charlotte Wood's The Weekend. I'm looking forward to getting to Rainbow Milk, the Vanishing and How Much of these Hills is Gold (just picked this one up from my local library yesterday). Hamnet, just such a special read.
Just read Bluebird, Bluebird and the vanishing half. Absolutely loved both. Can’t wait to read heaven my home!
I'm new to your channel.. I like your reviews. But I only read Fantasy.... I'm gonna trust you and get A Thousand Ships... It sounds intriguing.. thanks.. 👍💕
I'm very excited to read Rainbow Milk, Hamnet, and The Bass Rock.
Looking forward to reading my first Attica Locke next week. Favourites were all of N.K.Jemisin's books.
I have some of N.K. Jemisin’s short stories to read. Looking forward to those. I hope you enjoy Attica.
As if my TBR is not long enough! I'm excited to read Hamnet, Love after love, and How Much of these Hills is Gold in your list. My favorite and only 5 star read so far this year is A Burning by Megha Majumdar.
A Burning comes out here next January. I can’t wait!
I so need to read Hamnet. Haven't heard a bad thing about it!
My top three so far this year are Hamnet, Utopia Avenue and The Bass Rock in that order.
I struggle with Mitchell sadly, I want to get him and I just don’t. Fab to see the other two.
@@SavidgeReads I think you might like this one. It's unlike all the others.
Isn't Hamnet just sumptuously written? I loved hearing your list. Best book of the year so far for me has to be Your House Will Pay by Steph Cha. It really speaks to the moment we're in but at the same time is completely non virus-related which is refreshing 😂
Ooooh I have Your House Will Pay on my shelves I shall have to get to it Laura!
I really like your jumper Simon.
Thank you. I was saving it for my BookTube Birthday but that was last month and I’m not going to film that video anytime soon. Lol
I've read these 4 great books from your list, hard to pick one above the other.
The Weekend by Charlotte Wood
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
How Much of these Hills is Gold by C Pam Zhang
Can't wait to read these two that I'll pick up from the library today.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld
Have put this one on my TBR, loved, loved, loved West- The Mission House by Carys Davies
I was devastated to learn C Pam Zhang, How Much of these Hills is Gold, didn't make the Booker shortlist. What is that?
Loved How Much of these Hills is Gold by C Pam Zhang. Sorry it didn't make the Booker short list. Hope you readers will enjoy reading it anyway!
Hamnet also in my top 10 so far this year. And Shuggie Bain.
Gonna have to get my hands on Rainbow Milk 😭
You should. Think you’d like it.
My favorite books so far this year are Krik? Krak! By Edwidge Danticat, These Women by Ivy Pochoda, and The Last Thing You Surrender by Edward Pitts, Jr.
I’ve not heard of any of those, I am going to look them ALL up. Thanks Jennifer.
You need to read The Winter House by Nicci French, an excellent book with the same sort of premise as The Weekend.
Oooooooh ok. I shall look that one up as I’ve meant to read them for ages.
By Nicci French or Nicci Gerard?
su j Nicci Gerrard....oops!
All the Nicci French and Nicci Gerrard books are fab!
Hahahaha. Ok I’ll look them both up ;)
"aaaaallllovvvvthemmmm" 😄😄
Here's my mid year top books : ruclips.net/video/BFtD_XVjuVI/видео.html (with the added bonus of my cat Pumpkin making an appearance)
lol love your reviews 😊❤️
Awwww thank you Elaine.
If you'd waited a week, I'm pretty sure The Pull of the Stars would've topped this list. I read that and then Hamnet back to back. The Pull of the Stars was better.
I thought you were Tom harlock for a second
Enjoyed this! One little thing, please speak a little bit slower. Thanks