Bryce I waited so long for this top 10!!! I'm finally able to watch it and I'm so hyped! haha 😂
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
We did it!!
@Timoburnhamm
9 ай бұрын
Having now written my own books and knowing how hard it is, the storm light archive is even more impressive. It really is Brandon's masterpiece.
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Right! It's absolutely stunning what he's done and we haven't even reached all the culminations of his foreshadowing and worldbuilding yet.
@dinocollins720
9 ай бұрын
Def some bangers on here!!! Sadly though there are a lot on here I need to read still! LOTR and Stormlight are in my top 5 too!
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
So good, I love LOTR and Stormlight so much and I feel like I'll keep moving Stormlight up the list as I get further in.
@dinocollins720
9 ай бұрын
I knew your top 2 since the beginning of this series haha
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Haha, yeah, those did not change, I didn't really doubt it, but to be honest I want them to change. Imagine finding something that would change those for me? I would love it!
@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy
9 ай бұрын
I just finished The Green Bone Saga and totally get the love now. You can never have too many First Law books on your top ten list, and you will no doubt love Age of Madness. I love to see the weirdness that is The Dark Tower series on a list like this. Beautifully said about WOLAS, Bryce! Lastly, I know you're a man of excellent taste because we share our favorite numbers 2 and 1. I am jealous, though, of that sub press edition. All the best, buddy!
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
I'm so excited for the remaining (current) Abercrombie First Law books and I just love the Dark Tower with all its warts, it's such a great ka-tet I still feel a part of. And yes, I believe we do have great taste, those are two bangers of a 1 and 2!!
@jcmberne
9 ай бұрын
Definitely agree with your #1! Overall, great list, and nice accomplishment getting all 100 out there in videos!
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Thank you and yes, Malazan, I just can't get enough of it.
@tylerblack301
9 ай бұрын
You did it! 🎉 what a great top 100 list! It’s crazy how many different books and series you’ve read.
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
I kind of did a read more authors approach which had me more surface level for book series, but broad as far as authors read. Now I have so many series to finish!!! Thanks a ton!
@MrOpotamus
9 ай бұрын
Lev Grossman's Magicians Trilogy is my favorite fantasy series of all time, and I've never seen it on a top ten list before. So glad to find someone else who absolutely loves the series!
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Yes! There are dozens of us!!! Dozens!
@esmayrosalyne
9 ай бұрын
Talk about a list legendary list!! Thanks for taking us along on this epic journey, I absolutely loved seeing all your picks. My TBR might be crying but my heart is happy. Also, I never thought of Greenbone as 'if HP were honest', but you're honestly spot on hahahah. And I can't wait to reread LotR (with Andy Serkis' narration) sometime soon, it's been too long!
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Haha it's been a really fun list to get out there in the world, sparked lots of good discussion, but it was not easy to put together! I'm listening to LotR with Andy Serkis right now and he's soooooo good!
@QuestBoundReader
9 ай бұрын
Man what a good top 10! I cant wait to start reading the Stormlight Archives and Malazan!!
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
This was a fun list to do!!
@CainOnGames
9 ай бұрын
Thank you for making this list! It is well-thought out, and it's made me excited to dive into some of the more-recent fantasy series that have come out. Great channel too. I've subscribed.
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Wow thank you so much for your kind words! It did take me ages to put together and then actually film so I really appreciate that so much!
@SargSoeren
9 ай бұрын
Congrats...binge-watched your lists, very nice, a lot to discover. I was surprised you didn't include "Gormenghast" by Mervin Pike. If you didn't read it I highly recommend the series.
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
What's funny is if you look closely at the thumbnails, on the right side, you'll see my copy of the omnibus of Gormenghast...that I've never read, but is definitely a priority to read some day. Thanks a ton!!
@safinan8008
9 ай бұрын
Like ur bookshelf!! And background!! I hope u had a nice Christmas with ur family?? Happy reading to you!! 🎉
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Thank you so much and hope you did too. I love my home bookshelves, I just do most of my videos at work cause that's the only uninterrupted time I have! Happy reading back to you as well!
@burnsteinz6
9 ай бұрын
I'm starting the Malazan books in 2024! It's about 3 books away for me on my TBR, excited for it b/c everyone ranks it so high.
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Yessssss!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to hear your thoughts!
@BooksWithBenghisKahn
9 ай бұрын
Yasssssssssssssssssssssssssss. YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Epic end to an epic list! So great to see someone raving about the Magicians Trilogy, a now underappreciated gem. Totally agree on everything you said about it. Also love seeing some of my other favs on here in Green Bone, First Law, Stormlight, and Malazan. Love getting hyped for Jonathan Strange and for Janny Wurts as well!!
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
YESSSSSSSS!!!!! Love it! Magicians is such a good trilogy and no one talks about it ever! It got it's own series on the same network as the Expanse even. Thank you so much!
@BooksWithBenghisKahn
9 ай бұрын
@@ShelfCentered I gotta check that tv show out eventually cuz it feels like it’d be so hard to adapt well, and I’m curious
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
I didn't make it too far in the show, but I have a difficult time with tv. With kids, my wife and I barely ever finish a complete anything and the only tv time I really have is with her and she's not a huge fantasy/scifi person. Then my own personal tv time conflicts with my reading so I just don't watch a whole ton!@@BooksWithBenghisKahn
@RedFuryBooks
9 ай бұрын
Solid list! I also never know where to put A Song of Ice and Fire!
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Thank you! It's always hard to figure out, I always hesitate putting unfinished series too high up on my lists anyway
@BrianBell7
9 ай бұрын
we made it to the top 10! very cool! oh boy do we need to talk about a book you have on this list....(it's my all time worst fantasy book I've ever read, we'll talk!) The video itself looks really good too Bryce!
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
I'm dying to know which one that is ... Magicians? JSaMN? Thanks so much! I actually had different lighting ... i.e. filmed during the day for once!
@AuthorJohnADouglas
9 ай бұрын
Great list. I’m sure some will disagree, but it’s your list. I have to admit your number 1 was a surprise
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Thanks friend! Yeah, I'm in the business of disagreement so I'm always prepared. Malazan all the way!!!
@HeyYallListenUp
9 ай бұрын
This series of videos was a lot of fun to watch, even though I haven't read a lot of the books. Lord of the Rings wouldn't be this high on my list, but it's good to see it on yours. (Maybe I need to reread it.)
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Thanks so much! Lord of the Rings was really hard to unseat as my top read of all time to be honest, but it's really what got me reading what I do, I've always tried to follow that initial worldbuilding high so to say. :D
@chibipoe
9 ай бұрын
I predict that Wars of Light and Shadow will move up to #1 once you read the finale. :) Can't wait to see your other video you mentioned! (Also, I see Battle by Michelle West but I can't recall if I saw the Essayelien series mentioned in your list?)
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
I need to stop getting distracted and focus so I can catch up for that last WoLaS release, I can't wait! Yeah, I need to read West already. I own so many of her books and I just know I'll love them, but I need to actually read them!!
@chibipoe
9 ай бұрын
@@ShelfCentered Over on Pagechewing, I am wanting to set up a read-along of the series. It's a huge undertaking because there's a lot of books, but you should join and participate!
@bardsandbooks
9 ай бұрын
I’m on book 3 of Malazan and it really is something special! Great list! These are all on my radar too and I want to get to them soon except The Magicians. Maybe I should add it to the list
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
That's awesome, I love Malazan as you can tell and that's pretty good to have that many on the the list. I look forward to your thoughts. I may be in the minority on Magicians, but I love it!
@TomOrange
9 ай бұрын
Great top 10! Still a few series that I need to read in it. I still believe we get winds of winter lol
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Haha me too!!! ... I just have no "dream" of spring...
@personmcpersonperson2893
9 ай бұрын
Amazing video, been excited to see it 👍🏻
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Thanks! 😀
@Kris_Terry
9 ай бұрын
Wow I havent seen anyone give love to The Magicians. Glad to see someone rep!
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Magicians fans unite! There are dozens of us! Dozens!
@Kris_Terry
9 ай бұрын
@ShelfCentered haha we gotta band together! I haven't watched many of your videos but have your read The Never Hero trilogy or the Castes and the OutCastes series? Those are the other 2 I never see any love for
@nikosbookreviews
9 ай бұрын
We definitely have soem big differences with some of these, but I'm so happy to see WoLaS on there! My all time favorite at this point! Do love Greenbone and Stormlight as well!
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
I just got word from the author herself that she's sending me the final book right now, I'm so so so excited for WoLaS! That's why I love these lists cause then I can find new stuff to add to my list!
@nikosbookreviews
9 ай бұрын
@@ShelfCentered That's awesome! I'm expecting an ARC copy at some point too and will absolutely be dropping everything the moment I get it!
@larryhodge3107
9 ай бұрын
Wow! I just watched through all of these top 100 book videos you did. I think you have just passed Brian Lee Durfee for the most well read fantasy booktuber. At least you and him talk about so many more than just the top 10 or 12 authors anyway, lol. I've got a feeling your going to make my TBR list grow by at least 3 or 4 years, lol. My poor wallet, lol. I haven't ranked everything I've read yet though I have been thinking about trying it. There are just so many that I read back in the 80's & 90's that I know I loved but I don't remember well enough to accurately rank. But here is my top 10 (all series): 1. Wheel of Time. This has been my #1 since 1997. I almost got fired from my job at the time over this series. Laid out of work to read, lol. Like you said; these characters feel so real they became my friends. Mat Cauthon is still my all time favorite character. At the time I liked these characters more than I liked most people. Not going to lie; I still kinda do, lol. 2. Stormlight Archive. This is one of the two series that MIGHT top WoT for #1 if the rest of the series (#5 & the 2nd half) are as good as what we have had so far. But that's years away. The characters are a lot different than WoT's are still some of the best in fantasy. 3. First Law universe. I've read all 10 books (including the short story book) and this one is neck and neck with SA for the #2 spot. It really depends on my mood which is ahead. Again there is a running theme here: The Characters Are Great, lol. 4. Drenai Saga. Druss is my #2 all time favorite character behind Mat. Best heroic fantasy I've read. 5. Malazan Book of the Fallen. Rant INC., lol. This series has the best world building in fantasy. Period!!! I will listen to no arguments saying someone else is better, lol. Erikson took what Tolkien started and Jordan improved upon. And he PERFECTED IT!! I would have never believed any author could do a better job creating a world that felt so REAL than what Jordan or Tolkien did. Sanderson does a good job in that regard too but none of them can touch Erikson. Master class in world building in this series. The only problem and the reason it's this low is it took FOREVER for me to give a crap about any of the characters. It was book 3 before I even liked anyone at all. I started liking Quick Ben during this book. And then he isn't even in book 4. In book 4 I started liking Karsa and Fid & his marines. And then in book 5 none of them were in it. The one character that was familiar felt so different from the last book he was like a new character. One that I didn't like anywhere nearly as much. And the tone changed dramatically as well; a commercial and political backdrop was added out of the blue that slowed the paced down to a crawl. People talk about the slog in WoT but this was so much worse. In WoT the characters I loved were all still there. Their stories kept me invested in the slog books even though the plot was barely moving forward. Here I didn't like anyone so there was nothing for me to hold onto. I absolutely hated book 5. I would rank it as one of the worst books I've ever read in fact. I know I'm in the extreme minority on that take but the change of location and tone was just too much for me. I pushed through tho and I loved book 6. The Bonehunters is my favorite of the series and one of my all time top 10 individual books. And the reason is the characters. Chapter 7 is my all time favorite chapter from any book ever; topping several nominees from WoT. The way Erikson weaves through each POV during the battle and the escape underground is just breathtaking. He had already shown he could do great character work with the Karsa opening from book 4. But here he takes it to another level. One none of my other favorite character authors never even managed to reach. If it wasn't for book 5 this would probably be my #2 favorite series. If Erikson had told the story more chronologically instead of jumping around so much from location to location it would have probably even taken the top spot from WoT. But the way he told the story hurt it overall in my opinion. I completely understand why someone would rank it #1. But for me I feel kind of disappointed with it. It was great as is but it had the chance to be the best EVER. I know a lot of you think it already is but it could have and should have been even better. End rant, lol. 6. Kingkiller Chronicles. This is another one that MIGHT top WoT if the last book ever comes out and is as good as the first. But I'm not going to hold my breath. Like you said I will probably start dropping it down my list the longer it goes without being finished. I'm not to that point yet as I only read them 2 years ago. 7. Belgariad universe. Includes the Malloreon and the stand alones. Was my favorite series until I discovered WoT. Dropped a bit since but still an all time fav. 8. Powder Mage universe. New to the list this year. I have a feeling this will be like Mistborn was a few years ago. Initially I put it in my top 10 but it ended up falling out. I think this one may as well but for now it's here. Even if it does it's still a solid series and Ben Styke (a character in the 2nd trilogy) is now one of my top 10 all time favorite characters. 9. The Band. Another new entry this year. But I think this one will actually move up. The 3rd book is due this year and if it's as good as Kings of the Wyld and Bloody Rose then it will probably shoot to #6 at least if not #5. 10. Deed of Paksenarrion. Haven't read the expanded universe books yet but the original series has been in my top 10 for about 25 years now. This is the only one of my top 10 you didn't mention. If you haven't read it you should definitely check it out. Kind of a mix of heroic and military fantasy. Anyway. Great job on these videos. I'll definitely be checking some of these out. Especially that John Marco dude; you got me intrigued about him.
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Wow, love this list!! I need to read more Druss as I've only read Legend (but I own like 8 books in the series cause I loved Legend that much!). Your thoughts on Malazan are extremely valid, I can completely understand that. I loved book 5, but I can see anyone being so frustrated with a complete change from everything they've known ... 5 BOOKS INTO A SERIES!!! That's absolutely nuts and I get it ... though I absolutely loved it. Tehol and Bugg were a big part of that, but same with Brys (not just cause of the name!). I also consider Bonehunters my favorite (unless I've just recently read books 2 or 3 or 5, which I also consider favorites right after reading). And great points about it having it's own slog-type section. I loved the Belgariad/Mallorean but have definitely seen those go down the list as I continued. I've owned Deed of Paksenarrion for AGES and haven't gotten around to it. I only hear great things but not many people talk about it. I can't thank you enough for your kind words and to be compared to Brian Lee Durfee is awesome. Dude is a legend! I started out just trying to get involved in conversations about fantasy books on forums so I ended up reading all kinds of authors to try to at least talk about them ... but then that spread me thin and now I've read a ton of books by different authors but don't have a ton of depth at all of them (plenty sure, but not all). Thanks again!
@larryhodge3107
9 ай бұрын
@@ShelfCentered if you want to read more about Druss go to First Chronicles of Druss the Legend next and then on to Legend of Deathwalker. Then read White Wolf and Swords of Night & Day; technically those two are about a character by the name of Skilgannon but Druss plays a pretty large part in them. Three of the others center on an assassin character named Waylander. Those are Waylander, In the Realm of the Wolf and Hero in the Shadows. He is a great character too but a lot different from Druss. The other 3 books are considered "stand alone" books set in the Drenai world though they have events that affect the other books or vice versa. The preferred way to read them and the one I recommend is in publication order but they can be read by character perspective as well. As far as Paksenarrion goes that series has my favorite female lead in all of fantasy. Just a great story of a small town girl going from a zero to a hero, lol. I didn't like Tehol in MT; I liked him better in RG but he got on my nerves in MT. I liked Bugg well enough and the end reveal for him was amazing; I did not see that coming at all , I thought something was up but not that, lol. The last 300 pages of MT were actually pretty good. But those first 700 pages were torture to me, lol.
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Awesome, thanks for the advice on Druss. I was going to go publication order, but then I also get sidetracked wanting to read Gemmell's Troy trilogy. Have you read those? @@larryhodge3107
@larryhodge3107
9 ай бұрын
@@ShelfCentered I have not yet no. Those came out during the years I wasn't reading much and I haven't gotten too them yet. I have two of them collected and hope to get to them next year. I've read just about everything else Gemmell though. The Rignante Saga is really good. The Jon Shannow books are probably his weakest but even they are pretty solid.
@ryanbartlett672
9 ай бұрын
Thanks. Got some new ideas. Tried Jonathan Strange 3 times and could not finish. But it is intriguing that some love it. I have to start Malazan because it sounds so good, and will take me a decade :-)
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Thank you! Yeah, Jonathan Strange can be rough, I totally get that. Malazan is so good and I'm always happy to talk Malazan so let me know if you ever do start it and let's chat!
@trinforeman54
9 ай бұрын
Yay! Top ten!! What a push to get here! Ohh, Malazan... the bane of my existence 😂 Jk... Maybe... one day.
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Haha, I totally understand, it's not for everyone! I love it, but I don't judge.
@noname3609
9 ай бұрын
Have you read Sharp Ends? Logen aka The Bloody Nine is my fave character aswel
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
I was putting it off for a rainy day, but I have it ready to go when I need a blast of the Nine!
@noname3609
9 ай бұрын
@@ShelfCentered Awesome.Definetly a must read before Age of Madness. 😊 Other than that awesome top 10 🙏
@bigaldoesbooktube1097
4 ай бұрын
Thanks for this video 🙏 I’d like to ask at what point in the series did you feel Malazan had a shot at being high up on this list?
@ShelfCentered
4 ай бұрын
Thank you! Good question, about book 3 was when Malazan was definitely entering top 10 territory, but it was upon reread that I decided it actually made it ahead of Lord of the Rings, which I didn't think would ever be possible.
@bigaldoesbooktube1097
4 ай бұрын
@@ShelfCentered that’s fair, Memories of Ice is a good book.
@theimaginarium
5 ай бұрын
Excellent list--great video!
@ShelfCentered
5 ай бұрын
Thanks a ton, I had fun making this whole list though it took quite a bit!
@The-Biblio-Nerd
6 ай бұрын
Stormlight Archive is THE BEST! My favorite series of all time. I love anything Sanderson.
@ShelfCentered
6 ай бұрын
It's so good!
@burnsteinz6
9 ай бұрын
Should I read the Magicians? I loved the first couple of seasons of the show, but after a certain character left (don't want to spoil it), the show was kind of ruined for me. So 1) Will the show have spioled the books a lot for me? and 2) is it still worth reading or does that same certain character leave :)
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
I only watched a little of the show, I think I discontinued the service or something like that, but I don't think it will hurt the book experience much, at least I hope not! I loved the books so much I can't imagine the show doing better. And if it's the same character, I think they do leave for a bit, but don't want to spoil too much. You may have to tell me (It's been a while too so I may be rusty).
@burnsteinz6
9 ай бұрын
@@ShelfCentered I have the first book, but the show spoiled the world for me, at least the decisions they made later on in the show. But I may add it to my TBR in 2024 since you rank it so high. I did love the first few seasons, so I can imagine I would feel the same with the first books
@dlasis
9 ай бұрын
Of course, it's Malazan. I didn't even guess. Great list, Bryce.
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
hahaha right! I didn't think it would change, but it's always good to reassess.
@J.R.Carrel
9 ай бұрын
Definitely some great series on the list I don't think the Dark Tower ever come out of my top five. About to finish the Green Bone Saga definitely an excellent series.
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Love me some Dark Tower and Green Bone just shook me, it's so good.
@dragonrambles
9 ай бұрын
Glad to see WOLAS on someone’s top 10. Well deserving. It’s been in my number 1 spot since I started reading it in 1993 - a true masterpiece
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
It really is. I was telling people on twitter that it belongs in every list that mentions the greats, it's so epic and beautiful.
@Talking_Story
9 ай бұрын
Dude after putting out my list out I am learning quick that I have to pick up Malazan.
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
Yes! Do it Do it Do it!!!! Great list by the way, loved it.
@Talking_Story
9 ай бұрын
Thanks brother@@ShelfCentered
@RodgersReads
9 ай бұрын
Shocking no one Malazan is your goat 😜 look at you go finishing this series
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
It was a marathon! Yeah, I'd love to replace it, that would be amazing, but I'm not counting on it soon!
@ithrahmunchswallow468
9 ай бұрын
Oh sure pick a top 5 that isn't on audio 😭😉
@ShelfCentered
9 ай бұрын
I know! If the publisher isn't going to do anything about it, then I wish they would just return the rights to the author.
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