My Top Reads of 2022

My favorite reads for the channel in 2022 (excluding rereads)! Without spoilers, I briefly describe each of the books that left the greatest impact on me in 2022 in the order I read them (unranked).

[marklawrence]

Great to see Holy Sister in the stack - so glad you enjoyed it.

[merphynapier]

Yay for Vinland Saga!!! Here’s hoping we’ll both have Vagnond on our lists next year as well 🎉

[vaughnroycroft]

Well, you've done it again. I am floored... Again. To have The Severing Son listed among several of my own favorites, and stories by literary heroes of mine, makes this another stellar memory in a very memorable year. A memorable year in which you have played a vital role, Philip. I'm feeling humbled and honored and thrilled.

I'm super excited to add several of these to my '23 TBR, including Wurts and getting back to Lawrence. And then there's this other author--one I sense will become a favorite; perhaps even an insta-classic--out there, about to publish a debut. Cannot wait to read this Chase fellow. Here's to storytelling in 2023, my friend. Thanks so much for being a part of my journey. Happy New Year!

[goanceoe]

Bro you got the cleanest beard on YouTube hands down.
Hiding the list before you show up is part of the fun for me.
I just started getting into books thanks for going in depth about what you liked about each book!

[Tubejitsu]

I think you do an incredible job of describing these books without spoiling anything. You have an aptitude for describing books and telling us why they might be of interest.

[BookishChas]

You had a really amazing year Philip. I enjoyed hearing about it. I’ll be getting to Prince of Nothing hopefully this year. At least book one.

[DoUnicornsRead]

Love your list, Philip! And love your approach! Let's make the non tier, not ranked list that contains any number of books a trend. Apart from showing me that you had a marvelous reading year, your video confirmed again why I love your channel as almost two thirds of your list are favourite and valued authors of mine as well. And some of them like Gwynne or Esslemont I found through you and your channel.Therefore a big thank you for all those wonderful videos in 2022! And an equally big thank you for all the support you have given to Do Unicorns Read?. It's deeply appreciated!
See you next year, Philip, for what most likely will be a total Book of the Ancestor gush fest!

[thebrothersgwynne]

We really need to check out Long Price Quartet. Same in regards to the works of Janny Wurts as well. After our chat I'm really looking forward to returning to Dark Tower. So glad that you loved Holy Sister and the Book of the Ancestor as a whole!
Will & Ed

[larrybdarts]

Nice wrap up, Philip! I read all of Dark Tower in 2022, including all of the suggested reading order tie-ins, and I am excited to finish off the last book in 2023. Glad you enjoyed it!

[RedViper]

Great list. I am happy you picked Bakker for your list. Finally some recognition for this weird Canadian genius 😁
Dark Tower is also a favourite of mine but I think Wizard and Glass was the one I loved most.
This was the year I discovered Curse of the Mistwraith and Vinland Saga and loved them both.
Very good taste Phillip. Have a great New Year

[esmayrosalyne]

What an absolute banger of a list!! Just hearing you talk about LPQ already makes me want to reread it again! And you have totally sold me on The Severing Son, I can't wait to check that one out!
My top five this year is Legacy of the Brightwash by Krystle Matar, Dream of Death City by P.J. Nwosu, A Touch of Light by Thiago Abdalla, The Risen Kingdoms series by Curtis Craddock and The Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu!
Thanks for sharing your list!!

[Johanna_reads]

I loved these beautiful reflections on your top reads of 2022! Your thoughts on Roycroft, Esslemont, and Abraham excite me for what's ahead in 2023! I went back and forth about what to choose from Bakker and Wurts (and I'll Hobb to my list). So many great books from great authors! I don't think I've heard anyone describe the Dark Tower journey more profoundly than you did in this video. Happy New Year, Philip!

[RodgersReads]

Great list! I will finally be starting my journey into Malazan this year and I hope it clicks for me because it seems like there is so much to unpack there.

[Mako]

You give off a very calm and positive energy, love your videos but rarely comment. Here's to a happy 2023 and more good books to enjoy!

[velcrocee]

You have a way to constantly expand my TBR. Which is frustrating given my slow reading speed. Thanks for the video.

[Christopher_Navo]

Great List Philip. Nice to see Janny Wurts's works back in the spotlight. While I've only read one, years ago when it first came out, It is on my reread for 2023 and as much of the series as I can fit in for the upcoming year. The Book of the Ancestor series is also on my 2023 TBR. Vinland Saga is also my introduction to Manga. I was hoping to keep up with you and Merphy but life outside got in my way. Ha!

[Paromita_M]

Great list and very much appreciate the way you discussed the books.
This year I completed both a LOTR reread and a slow readalong of The Silmarillion - this catapulted the Legendarium to my #1 favourite fantasy world. Next year, I hope to read Unfinished Tales. For me, Tolkien is simply unparalleled in his writing and worldbuilding.
I also rediscovered Ursula K Le Guin - by reading both the Earthsea and the Hainish Cycle courtesy a Booktube friend of mine and came to love her writing style.
I wish Malazan had clicked with me but it just didn't. I did read the first three books of WoLaS and To Ride Hell's Chasm - Wurts' writing style is still very dense for me but I hope to reread the first three books again in 2023 as part of a readalong and get more out of them by listening to discussions and reading more slowly.

Happy New Year and thank you for being such a kind, knowledgeable and gracious presence on Booktube. 🙏🏽🌷

[TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Philip out here eschewing Top 10 Lists as well! What will he come for next, ladies and gentlemen???

So happy to see some LPQ on here!!!! Great list!

[andrewhanson]

Great list!

The final three books you talked about are definitely favorites of mine. I hope to do a reread of the Dark Tower in 2023 because I want to get another read in before the tv show comes out and starts changing the way I imagine the characters. I love Book of the Ancestor for everything you said about it. Lawrence seems to be able to stuff as many ideas and themes into 350-400pg book that takes other authors 800-1000pgs to pull off. The Warrior Prophet is my favorite out of PoN too. I'm glad you are eventually going to continue on with the series because like Jimmy I feel that Aspect-Emperor is superior to PoN and even more ripe for interesting discussions.

Ian C. Esslemont's Malazan books and Janny Wurts' Wars of Light and Shadow are two works I'm hoping to get to by the end of 2023. They seem like works I would enjoy quite a bit.

I only read a couple of self-published novels a year and the way you talked about The Severing Son makes me think that one will be filling up the spot in 2023. Thanks for putting it on my radar.

Great video! Have a good New Year. I look forward to watching what you have coming in 2023.

[simonsuarez]

Hi Philip, I hope your doing great. Thank you for sharing with us your favorite reads of 2022, and even more your heartfelt and meaningful reflections on them!
I would like to read Vinland saga and the Long Price Quartet this year, at least start them.
I wish you and the channel an awesome year!