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The Most Boring Book Ever
In this humorous epic adventure, a boy is, on the one hand, having an ordinary day. He does his math homework and his chores and takes a nap...all while a surprising adventure unfolds around him involving pirates, dragons, and other unexpected perils. With clever interplay between text and art and an expansive, imaginative arc, this modern classic is a landmark fantasy picture book.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published September 24, 2024
16 people are currently reading
32731 people want to read
About the author
Brandon Sanderson
467 books279k followersI’m Brandon Sanderson, and I write stories of the fantastic: fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers.
The release of Wind and Truth in December 2024—the fifth and final book in the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive series—marks a significant milestone for me. This series is my love letter to the epic fantasy genre, and it’s the type of story I always dreamed epic fantasy could be. Now is a great time to get into the Stormlight Archive since the first arc, which begins with Way of Kings, is complete.
During our crowdfunding campaign for the leatherbound edition of Words of Radiance, I announced a fifth Secret Project called Isles of the Emberdark, which came out in the summer of 2025. Coming December 2025 is Tailored Realities, my non-Cosmere short story collection featuring the new novella Moment Zero.
Defiant, the fourth and final volume of the series that started with Skyward in 2018, came out in November 2023, capping an already book-filled year that saw the releases of all four Secret Projects: Tress of the Emerald Sea, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and The Sunlit Man. These four books were all initially offered to backers of the #1 Kickstarter campaign of all time.
November 2022 saw the release of The Lost Metal, the seventh volume in the Mistborn saga, and the final volume of the Mistborn Era Two featuring Wax & Wayne. Now that the first arc of the Stormlight Archive is wrapped up, I’ve started writing the third era of Mistborn in 2025.
Most readers have noticed that my adult fantasy novels are in a connected universe called the Cosmere. This includes The Stormlight Archive, both Mistborn series, Elantris, Warbreaker, four of the five Secret Projects, and various novellas, including The Emperor’s Soul, which won a Hugo Award in 2013. In November 2016 all of the existing Cosmere short fiction was released in one volume called Arcanum Unbounded. If you’ve read all of my adult fantasy novels and want to see some behind-the-scenes information, that collection is a must-read.
I also have three YA series: The Rithmatist (currently at one book), The Reckoners (a trilogy beginning with Steelheart), and Skyward. For young readers I also have my humorous series Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, which had its final book, Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians, released in 2022. Many of my adult readers enjoy all of those books as well, and many of my YA readers enjoy my adult books, usually starting with Mistborn.
Additionally, I have a few other novellas that are more on the thriller/sci-fi side. These include the three stories in Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds, as well as Perfect State and Snapshot. These two novellas are also featured in 2025’s Tailored Realities. There’s a lot of material to go around!
Good starting places are Mistborn (a.k.a. The Final Empire), Skyward, Steelheart, The Emperor’s Soul, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. If you’re already a fan of big fat fantasies, you can jump right into The Way of Kings.
I was also honored to be able to complete the final three volumes of The Wheel of Time, beginning with The Gathering Storm, using Robert Jordan’s notes.
Sample chapters from all of my books are available at brandonsanderson.com—and check out the rest of my site for chapter-by-chapter annotations, deleted scenes, and more.
The release of Wind and Truth in December 2024—the fifth and final book in the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive series—marks a significant milestone for me. This series is my love letter to the epic fantasy genre, and it’s the type of story I always dreamed epic fantasy could be. Now is a great time to get into the Stormlight Archive since the first arc, which begins with Way of Kings, is complete.
During our crowdfunding campaign for the leatherbound edition of Words of Radiance, I announced a fifth Secret Project called Isles of the Emberdark, which came out in the summer of 2025. Coming December 2025 is Tailored Realities, my non-Cosmere short story collection featuring the new novella Moment Zero.
Defiant, the fourth and final volume of the series that started with Skyward in 2018, came out in November 2023, capping an already book-filled year that saw the releases of all four Secret Projects: Tress of the Emerald Sea, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and The Sunlit Man. These four books were all initially offered to backers of the #1 Kickstarter campaign of all time.
November 2022 saw the release of The Lost Metal, the seventh volume in the Mistborn saga, and the final volume of the Mistborn Era Two featuring Wax & Wayne. Now that the first arc of the Stormlight Archive is wrapped up, I’ve started writing the third era of Mistborn in 2025.
Most readers have noticed that my adult fantasy novels are in a connected universe called the Cosmere. This includes The Stormlight Archive, both Mistborn series, Elantris, Warbreaker, four of the five Secret Projects, and various novellas, including The Emperor’s Soul, which won a Hugo Award in 2013. In November 2016 all of the existing Cosmere short fiction was released in one volume called Arcanum Unbounded. If you’ve read all of my adult fantasy novels and want to see some behind-the-scenes information, that collection is a must-read.
I also have three YA series: The Rithmatist (currently at one book), The Reckoners (a trilogy beginning with Steelheart), and Skyward. For young readers I also have my humorous series Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, which had its final book, Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians, released in 2022. Many of my adult readers enjoy all of those books as well, and many of my YA readers enjoy my adult books, usually starting with Mistborn.
Additionally, I have a few other novellas that are more on the thriller/sci-fi side. These include the three stories in Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds, as well as Perfect State and Snapshot. These two novellas are also featured in 2025’s Tailored Realities. There’s a lot of material to go around!
Good starting places are Mistborn (a.k.a. The Final Empire), Skyward, Steelheart, The Emperor’s Soul, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. If you’re already a fan of big fat fantasies, you can jump right into The Way of Kings.
I was also honored to be able to complete the final three volumes of The Wheel of Time, beginning with The Gathering Storm, using Robert Jordan’s notes.
Sample chapters from all of my books are available at brandonsanderson.com—and check out the rest of my site for chapter-by-chapter annotations, deleted scenes, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 725 reviews
September 23, 2024
The title didn’t lie.
July 25, 2024
Yawn. I guess this book was alright. A little boring, but the illustrations were really lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed the details on that chair. That was a good chair for sitting.
. . . .
Just kidding. This book was amazing! I love good dry, literal humor. The illustrations were bright, beautiful and exciting. This would be a fun book to read together during a story time. I can see kids having fun pointing out the exciting things happening in the background to the adults who are reading the text!
Thanks to Macmillan Kids for the DRC!!
. . . .
Just kidding. This book was amazing! I love good dry, literal humor. The illustrations were bright, beautiful and exciting. This would be a fun book to read together during a story time. I can see kids having fun pointing out the exciting things happening in the background to the adults who are reading the text!
Thanks to Macmillan Kids for the DRC!!
November 20, 2024
Listened to this on audiobook and man, the title is NOT kidding! Literally nothing happens. Like, a boy sits in a chair, looks at clouds, and does some math homework. That's all! Geez Louise.
The narrator was great, though. I wonder how much they were paid for all of the 24 seconds it took them to record this.
The narrator was great, though. I wonder how much they were paid for all of the 24 seconds it took them to record this.
October 28, 2024
This gave me a good laugh. 🤣 Technically boring writing, yes. Brilliant illustrations. And a hilarious disjoint between the two!
July 26, 2024
A testament to the power of boredom, math, and sitting around in chairs...and engineering.
It was spectacular to see how Kibuishi interpreted the minimal text from Sanderson. Fans of Kibuishi will pour over the characteristic art. Fans of Sanderson will pour over the well chosen text. A definite contender for honors. Perk up award committees!
It was spectacular to see how Kibuishi interpreted the minimal text from Sanderson. Fans of Kibuishi will pour over the characteristic art. Fans of Sanderson will pour over the well chosen text. A definite contender for honors. Perk up award committees!
September 25, 2024
I mean it's a children's book, so there's not too much to say here other than the art is absolutely gorgeous but you could have gotten rid of the words entirely and it might have even been a better book for it. But since I'm not an objective reviewer I'll say that bringing my daughter to a book release event for my favorite author was a 5 star experience that I'll never forget
October 9, 2024
It was funny to be reading this book about sitting in a chair WHILE sitting in a chair! 😆
Nevertheless it was absurd, as in, no connection between the text and the graphic. Different kind of graphic novel.
Nevertheless it was absurd, as in, no connection between the text and the graphic. Different kind of graphic novel.
October 15, 2024
Kindle book (48 pages) Illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi
This book is absolutely beautiful.
Sanderson taps into our imaginations with simplistic, well placed, meaningful words on a beautiful backdrop.
I won't share the bestest illustrations, but I will share a couple that showcase the skills at play.
This book is more viewing and imagining than reading. Yes, it's a kids book, however, if you are one who loves illustration and are able to see beyond the page in your imaginative mind, this is going to be a fun read.
I picked up the kindle version from my library through Libby, but would 100% purchase the hardcover as a gift for all ages really. A young child would enjoy it being read to them and looking at the pictures over and over, and it would make a great addition for those who like to keep out coffee table books with illustrations for guests to browse through.
10/10
This book is absolutely beautiful.
Sanderson taps into our imaginations with simplistic, well placed, meaningful words on a beautiful backdrop.
I won't share the bestest illustrations, but I will share a couple that showcase the skills at play.
This book is more viewing and imagining than reading. Yes, it's a kids book, however, if you are one who loves illustration and are able to see beyond the page in your imaginative mind, this is going to be a fun read.
I picked up the kindle version from my library through Libby, but would 100% purchase the hardcover as a gift for all ages really. A young child would enjoy it being read to them and looking at the pictures over and over, and it would make a great addition for those who like to keep out coffee table books with illustrations for guests to browse through.
10/10
October 1, 2024
Illustrations are 5-star. Words are 1 star. Averages to 3 star. Glad I got it from library. Was nice to see but took 10 min to look at it and go through it twice
November 13, 2024
What did I just read? I can't believe i wasted money on this. The next time a book has the word "boring" in it, I'm gonna listen.
3 stars only coz
1. It's Brandson Sanderson
2. The illustrations were good
3. It takes guts to write something random like this and publish it as a book.
3 stars only coz
1. It's Brandson Sanderson
2. The illustrations were good
3. It takes guts to write something random like this and publish it as a book.
November 28, 2024
Y’all this book was indeed incredibly boring
January 1, 2025
'The Most Boring Book Ever' (2024) - is the best seller written by fantasy and graphic novel writers/illustrators Brandon Sanderson and Kazu Kibuishi who have teamed up to produce a compelling picture book.
'Most Boring Book' - an inspired book title if ever there was one, determines the premise of the book. It's the story of an ordinary boy having an ordinary 'boring' day... except it's not.
It's a simple, straightforward and great premise, with great illustrations - all about fantasy and the imagination, effectively executed and delivered. Well worth taking the 'boring' time to read.
'Most Boring Book' - an inspired book title if ever there was one, determines the premise of the book. It's the story of an ordinary boy having an ordinary 'boring' day... except it's not.
It's a simple, straightforward and great premise, with great illustrations - all about fantasy and the imagination, effectively executed and delivered. Well worth taking the 'boring' time to read.
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September 25, 2024
A perfect melding of Sanderson's stripped-down prose and Kibuishi's lushly-detailed art.
Also, our 4 year-old thought it was hilarious and had us read this to her 3 times within the first 20 minutes after obtaining it -- so it's child-approved!
Also, our 4 year-old thought it was hilarious and had us read this to her 3 times within the first 20 minutes after obtaining it -- so it's child-approved!
September 19, 2024
I read this to my Maine Coon. This really is the most boring book ever. I had to explain to him what was happening in the pictures. As we got to the end, I was getting annoyed. He was getting annoyed.
We turned the last page, and all I could think was, "I'm glad that's over with." Matthew ran off like I just tortured him by making him sit through this horrible story.
The illustrations were beautiful. It's a story in itself. But the words? Half assed. And from Brandon Sanderson. Kibuishi was the only one saving this book.
We turned the last page, and all I could think was, "I'm glad that's over with." Matthew ran off like I just tortured him by making him sit through this horrible story.
The illustrations were beautiful. It's a story in itself. But the words? Half assed. And from Brandon Sanderson. Kibuishi was the only one saving this book.
May 21, 2025
*sigh*
It was charming but kinda stupid.
I have nothing against the book, but I find that a three star rating is always untrustworthy, and you will not take this review seriously because of my rating.
43 pages of talking about how boring a kids life is has it’s appeal but the art in the book really sold it decent enough book.
It was charming but kinda stupid.
I have nothing against the book, but I find that a three star rating is always untrustworthy, and you will not take this review seriously because of my rating.
43 pages of talking about how boring a kids life is has it’s appeal but the art in the book really sold it decent enough book.
September 30, 2024
It is what the title says lol, beautiful artwork and yeah ig that's it
October 15, 2024
THE MOST BORING BOOK EVER!!!!
The title says it all.
To be honest, this is a children's picture book, and since I'm not the target audience, I won't be overly critical of it. It is a smart concept... but I'm not sure what to make of Brandon Sanderson's contribution to this story (unless the entire idea was of his making). Even if Brandon's sparse text was removed, nothing much would have changed for the overall enjoyment of the book. Kazu Kibuishi's gorgeous illustrations are what make this book truly great and worth collecting.
Coming back to the concept, I thought it was a smart move of the text being simply boring, while the illustrations portrayed a fantastical journey. It made me ponder whether this actually happened with the protagonist or whether it was the product of his imagination while sitting idle on the chair.
It is hard for me to rate this book. Kazu Kibuishi's art deserves a perfect rating of 5 stars, but the text and lack of a plot just make me take down a couple of stars. The concept is bloody brilliant, though, and it is a fairly short read, so I'll end up rounding the rating to a decent 3 stars out of 5.
The title says it all.
To be honest, this is a children's picture book, and since I'm not the target audience, I won't be overly critical of it. It is a smart concept... but I'm not sure what to make of Brandon Sanderson's contribution to this story (unless the entire idea was of his making). Even if Brandon's sparse text was removed, nothing much would have changed for the overall enjoyment of the book. Kazu Kibuishi's gorgeous illustrations are what make this book truly great and worth collecting.
Coming back to the concept, I thought it was a smart move of the text being simply boring, while the illustrations portrayed a fantastical journey. It made me ponder whether this actually happened with the protagonist or whether it was the product of his imagination while sitting idle on the chair.
It is hard for me to rate this book. Kazu Kibuishi's art deserves a perfect rating of 5 stars, but the text and lack of a plot just make me take down a couple of stars. The concept is bloody brilliant, though, and it is a fairly short read, so I'll end up rounding the rating to a decent 3 stars out of 5.
November 19, 2024
3.5 stars
surprisingly meaningful
surprisingly meaningful
September 27, 2024
Sanderson either writes 1200 page novels or 15 page picture books and I love it. I think he took the critiques that said "to shorten his books a little" a little too seriously lol
October 1, 2024
Yeah it is boring and not at all a good laugh and a hearty adventure with excitement and glorious illustrations. Totally a snooze.
October 14, 2024
The art is vivid, bright, and colorful. However, there really wasn’t any story at all—not just that the text was boring. The illustrations don’t tell a complete story either. I know I’m not the target audience so maybe that’s just it, but I was honestly expecting more. This is a 1-minute read, and there’s not much to it. I liked the concept, but I just don’t think it worked with this non-story.
October 28, 2024
Only Brandon Sanderson can put out a book like this and then make millions of dollars off of it
October 16, 2024
Loved the illustrations!
November 23, 2024
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful.
February 20, 2025
I love how vibrant the colors are in this
November 21, 2025
Buenísimo, gran historia y desarrollo de personaje. Me falta un poco para el 10 porque las páginas no están numeradas y así no puedo saber por donde me quedé
September 25, 2024
I didn’t really get this. That being said, I am not its intended audience. It kind of made me sad because I realized that I lost a lot of the whimsy I once had if I don’t even really get the concept. More of a “me” problem than a book problem.
October 4, 2024
Este es el libro más aburrido de todos, ya lo dice el título.
Las ilustraciones son GENIALES❤️🔥
Las ilustraciones son GENIALES❤️🔥
October 5, 2025
was cute
September 17, 2024
They really be letting anyone write a children’s book huh
Displaying 1 - 30 of 725 reviews