The Art of Re-reading: A Procrastinator's Guide to Rediscovering Beloved Books

As I sit here recording this video, I'm reminded that I have a final exam looming over me at 7:00 PM tonight. While I'm trying to avoid studying, I've found myself using this opportunity to discuss the books I've been wanting to re-read. With summer approaching and a plethora of free time unfolding before me, I feel like now is the perfect moment to dive back into the stories that have captivated me in the past.

My first stop on this literary journey is a book that holds a special place in my heart – The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. This was, in fact, one of my earliest BookTube reviews, and it's interesting to note that it no longer exists on its original channel. I've often been asked about this series, and I'm excited to share my love for it once again. Reading this book was a pivotal moment for me, as it introduced me to Patrick Ness' unique writing style and world-building. The story follows Todd, a young protagonist who lives in a society where men can hear each other's thoughts. When Todd discovers the impossibility of silence, he embarks on a journey that feels like a mix of Huck Finn and other classic tales with its own distinct twist. This book has left an indelible mark on me, and I'm eager to revisit it.

My next destination is a contemporary novel that has remained close to my heart since college – The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer. I've reviewed this book before on another channel, but I'd like to share its story with you again. This book tells the tale of a young protagonist struggling with schizophrenia, whose life is intertwined with the changing font styles depending on his mental state. What drew me to this novel was its thought-provoking exploration of complex themes and its poignant portrayal of mental health. The writing is beautiful, and I find myself revisiting this story whenever I need a reminder that words have the power to heal and break down barriers.

As I prepare to re-enter these worlds, I'm reminded of the transformative power of reading. Whether it's a classic like Patrick Ness' Knife of Never Letting Go or a contemporary novel like The Shock of the Fall, each book has the ability to evoke emotions, spark conversations, and challenge our perspectives. As we navigate the ups and downs of life, it's essential to revisit these stories that have shaped us over time. And so, I'll be embarking on this literary journey, re-exploring my favorite books, and perhaps discovering new ones along the way.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enHey guys, it's Regan and today I am here to do a video that I am excited about.I am also using this to procrastinate from studying.I have a final today at 7:00 at night and I'm filming a video.But that's not here nor there. Today I want to talk about the books I really want to rereadthis year or just in general soon. With the prospect of summer coming upon me,I'm seeing all of this free time unravel before me and I feel like nowis the time to get to the books I've loved in the past and I have been meaning to pick up for so long again.So without further a-do, let's just jump in with the first book!The first book I really want to get to is quite the throwbackThis was the book that was probably my first book review on BookTubeIt doesn't exist anymore because it was technically on a different channel.Let me know if you remember that.But the book is The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.this was one of my all-time favorite series. I felt like I talked about this so muchduring the first few years of BookTube. Loved it to death. I actually read this right when I graduated high schooland I am now about to graduate college.And I just really feel like I want to re-enter this world.This book was my introduction to Patrick Ness.And this is a fantastic YA science fiction novel following our main characterTodd, and his dog Manchee. And Todd lives in a world where there are only men andeverybody can hear everybody else's thoughts until one day he stumbles upon the impossiblesilence. It's so good. It kind of reminds me ofHuckleberry Finn mixed with a few other really amazing books with itsentirely own spin. I just think this book is so good and I really want to pick it up again.It gave me so many feels and I want to feel those feels again.Next up is a contemporary novel. I actually do have a review up on this channel which I'll linkdown below. I read this book, I think, freshman year of college. This book is so danggood and I don't read a lot of contemporary but this book has really stuck with methroughout the years and that is The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer.This is a contemporary novel following our main character, who's struggling withschizophrenia and the story follows him at various points in his lifeand the writing changes based on the font, depending on where he is. But the hook of this book is\"I'll tell you what happened because it will be a good way to introduce my brother. His name is Simon. I thinkyou're going to like him, I really do. But in a couple of pages, he'll be dead and he was never the same after that.\"This book deals with mental illness. It deals with familial dramaIt deals with grief and moving on. It's such a good story. I really really really loved it.I'll leave my review linked down below if you want more in-depth information about it.Next is a book that kind of falls into... I started this series so long agoI really liked it but I can't continue on because I don't remember what happened in the first book.And that is A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray.I really really enjoy Libba Bray's writing. I think she is a really great author.this is a dark, paranormal, historical fiction, YA book that I read again like fouryears ago. It's set in a boarding school. It has to do with dark powers. I liked it when I read it.I have the next ones in the series. Can't read those until I reread this though because I don'teven remember the first name of this character but I do remember that I liked it.Next up is a childhood favorite. I haven't read this book in years but completely read ita trillion times when I was a child. And that is the Phantom Tollbooth.This book was just so whimsical and so funIt made me think in ways I never did as a child and I just really really like it.It's also just hands down a classic. It's been around forever.I'm sure a lot of you have read it as well. I really want to read this again because I just think it willreally be a blast from the pastNext up is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte which I tapped as my favorite book of all time.And I've read it a few times and it's only been a least four years since I read it since.I feel like this book will really speak to me again at this point in my life. Like the first time I read itI was about to graduate high school and now I'm about to graduate college.It's all about finding yourself, following what you believe in, staying true to who you areamongst many other themes. It was just a really impactful book then and I feel like it's gonnahave a similar message to me now, just as a different perspective as I've gotten a little olderas well. I just really love this story and I really want to reread it.The back says it all: I'd always rather be happy than dignified.It's just so good.Next up is The Book Thief by Mark Zusak. This is one of my all time favorite books.I have not picked this up in, I want to say like six years, which I just feel like is absurd.I've seen the movie like five times but I haven't actually picked up the physical book inso so so long. I have two editions of it now. I just feel like Iwould really love to revisit this story in book form again. It's one of my favorites.World War Two, historical fiction following a young girl who lives in a German townand she steals books and it follows her, her family, and a myriad of other characters.And it's so dang good. I love it.I just want Markus Zusak to write more books, please. Thank you.And the last book also falls under the category 'I read it so long ago, want to reread itso I can continue on.' And that is the first one to this. this is A Gathering of Shadows but I want to readA Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab. I read it like two and a half years agoI really want to give it a reread though because I would enjoy it one, more nowand two, I don't really remember a lot of what happened and I have the next couple of books in the seriesand I feel like I will really really enjoy it now so I really want to get to it so I can continue onwith this series this summerAlrighty guys! Those are the books I really want to get to rereading soon!Let me know down below some books you really want to reread in the near futureas I would love to know. And I will see you soon with another video soon.Goodbye!\n"