Books I’m Reading in 2025 📚 *BANGERS ONLY*

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses a variety of book series they are considering reading, highlighting the appeal of epic fantasies and sci-fi. They mention *The Fifth Season* by N.K. Jemisin, a world torn by environmental catastrophes and energy-controlling women, and *Scythe* by Neal Shusterman, where death is no longer natural, and 'scythes' decide who dies. The speaker enjoys multiple perspectives in stories and values spontaneous book discoveries. They seek recommendations for standalone books but are also open to series, emphasizing their love for gripping, thought-provoking narratives.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is considering starting a new book series and is weighing several options.
• 😀 They express excitement about books with fantasy and epic themes, especially those with complex worlds and character dynamics.
• 😀 They highlight a strong interest in books with strong narrative arcs involving multiple characters with shared powers, as seen in 'The Fifth Season' by N.K. Jemisin.
• 😀 The speaker has a preference for standalone books but is open to starting series, especially if the concept is compelling.
• 😀 'The Fifth Season' is described as a post-apocalyptic novel where extreme environmental disasters disrupt life, and three women wield the power to control energy.
• 😀 'Scythe' by Neal Shusterman is discussed as a unique sci-fi book about a world where death has been conquered, and 'scythes' decide who dies.
• 😀 The speaker has a strong interest in science fiction, indicated by their fondness for 'Scythe' and their statement, 'call me SCI because I love sci-fi'.
• 😀 They prefer recommendations that come from spontaneous bookstore visits, BookTok, or BookTube, and enjoy discovering books in an organic way.
• 😀 The speaker is seeking help to decide which book series to start, expressing the decision as a difficult one.
• 😀 They request book recommendations from their audience, particularly standalone novels but are also open to series, showcasing their love for both.

Q & A

What type of books does the speaker prefer?

The speaker enjoys books with complex plots and character-driven stories, particularly in genres like fantasy, sci-fi, and epic narratives. They are especially fond of books with multiple perspectives and power dynamics, similar to *The Godfather*.

What themes are explored in *The Fifth Season* by N.K. Jemisin?

In *The Fifth Season*, themes of environmental disaster, power, and societal collapse are explored. The story is set in a world plagued by catastrophic events such as earthquakes and volcanoes, and it follows three women with the ability to control energy.

Why is *Scythe* by Neal Shusterman appealing to the speaker?

The speaker is drawn to *Scythe* due to its unique premise of a society where death has been conquered, and 'scythes' are tasked with deciding who dies. They also appreciate the sci-fi elements and the moral dilemmas surrounding life and death.

What is the speaker's attitude toward book recommendations?

The speaker is open to book recommendations and enjoys discovering new reads, particularly through bookstores, BookTok, and BookTube. They are looking for both standalone books and series, with a slight preference for standalone ones.

What kind of book recommendations does the speaker seek?

The speaker is interested in book recommendations that are preferably standalone novels but is also open to series. They enjoy epic fantasy, sci-fi, and books with intriguing premises and deep character exploration.

What other books or series does the speaker seem to be considering?

The speaker mentions considering *The Fifth Season* by N.K. Jemisin, *Scythe* by Neal Shusterman, and a few other books they’ve seen recommended, including those with a Godfather-like or epic fantasy vibe.

Why does the speaker relate to the environmental disaster aspect in *The Fifth Season*?

The speaker relates to the environmental disaster aspect of *The Fifth Season* because they live in New England, where winters are harsh, and the book's catastrophic events feel even more extreme compared to their own experience with New England winters.

How does the speaker feel about reading books in series versus standalone books?

While the speaker prefers standalone books, they express an appreciation for series as well, acknowledging their love for stories with long, interconnected arcs and character development over time.

What type of character dynamics does the speaker appreciate in a book?

The speaker enjoys books that feature multiple perspectives and dynamic character relationships, especially when characters from different walks of life share common goals or powers, as seen in *The Fifth Season*.

How does the speaker engage with the book community?

The speaker engages with the book community by exploring bookstores, and following book recommendations on platforms like BookTok and BookTube. They also encourage viewers to share their own book recommendations in the comments of their posts.