Every Book I've Read So Far In 2025 (And Why You Should Read Them)

Summary

In this video, the speaker reflects on a recent reading slump and how *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes* by Suzanne Collins helped reignite their passion for reading. They discuss the book's compelling early sections, its philosophical themes about human nature, and the origin story of Coriolanus Snow. While the book has its slow moments, it brings back nostalgia from the *Hunger Games* movies. The speaker expresses excitement for upcoming videos, thanks the audience for their support, and shares a sponsorship with Squarespace, promising more content to come.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker experienced a reading slump that affected their motivation to create content and finish books they started.
• 📚 Despite the slump, the speaker found a book that helped them overcome the rut: *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes* by Suzanne Collins.
• 🎥 The speaker is working on a *Hunger Games* video, and the *Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes* is a part of that.
• 📝 The speaker acknowledges that they are not reading in the publication order of the *Hunger Games* series, starting with a prequel.
• 🤔 Some readers consider *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes* their least favorite book in the series, but the speaker is enjoying it despite some criticisms.
• ⏳ While the first two acts of the book were engaging, the speaker found the third act unnecessarily long and slow-paced.
• 💥 The story of the book explores the rise of Coriolanus Snow as a villain, shedding light on his ambitions and actions.
• 💡 The book raises thought-provoking philosophical questions about human nature, violence, and morality.
• 📖 The speaker believes that *The Hunger Games* series, including its prequel, should be considered contemporary adult fiction due to its mature themes.
• ✨ The speaker expresses excitement about moving out of their reading slump and the upcoming videos they are working on for their channel.
• 🎉 The speaker thanks their audience for supporting the channel and teases an uplift in content, emphasizing the importance of their viewers.

Q & A

What caused the speaker to experience a reading slump?

The speaker mentions several factors contributing to their reading slump, including a move and a lack of passion for the books they had started, leading to a decrease in motivation to finish projects.

How did *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes* help the speaker break out of their slump?

The book brought a sense of nostalgia and reconnected the speaker to the world of *The Hunger Games*, which reignited their interest in reading. The first two acts of the book were particularly engaging.

What is the speaker's opinion of *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes*?

The speaker finds the book 'all right' but admits that some parts, particularly the third act, lagged and felt unnecessarily long. However, they appreciated the story's exploration of human nature and philosophical questions.

What themes does *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes* explore, according to the speaker?

The speaker highlights that the book explores themes of power, humanity, and the moral complexities of its characters, particularly the rise of Coriolanus Snow as a villain.

What is the speaker’s take on the *Hunger Games* series in general?

The speaker believes that *The Hunger Games* series should not be dismissed as mere young adult fiction. They argue that it is contemporary adult fiction because of its violence, brutality, and profound philosophical themes.

How does the speaker view the writing style and philosophical depth of Suzanne Collins?

The speaker praises Suzanne Collins for her ability to weave thought-provoking questions into the narrative. They believe the quotes at the beginning of the book demonstrate that the author was aiming for more than just a typical young adult story.

What does the speaker appreciate about the characters in *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes*?

The speaker appreciates the complex relationships between the characters, particularly the dynamics between Coriolanus Snow and Lucy Gray, and the moral struggles that define their actions.

What kind of impact did *The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes* have on the speaker's channel?

The speaker mentions that reading the book has inspired them to get back into making content for their channel. They are excited about future video projects and feel revitalized after overcoming their reading slump.

What does the speaker say about their plans for the future of their channel?

The speaker expresses excitement for the future of their channel, mentioning that they have many videos in the works and plans to bring their audience along for the journey. They are grateful to their audience for their continued support.

What role does the sponsor, Squarespace, play in the video?

The sponsor, Squarespace, is mentioned at the end of the video. The speaker promotes their website-building platform, encouraging viewers to start a free trial or purchase a website/domain with a discount code.