books i want to re-read (again and again and again)

[@jenn9049]

jack being a fantasy writer when he was a kid and writing about demons and villains and superheroes is a little bit funny because it’s his least read genre 😂

[@hay_bail1]

Knows what he likes lol

[@Arashi_Man]

​@hay_bail1 he himself once said that he hates the the fantasy book's world building and all

[@jenn9049]

@@Arashi_Man yah ik

[@Corinnnnnnn]

Maybe it's because he knows he (at like 5) could do better

[@Essiggurke-r2h]

@Corinnnnnnn unlikely... you get better with practice so most adult fantasy writers will be better than a child obviously.

[@carolinestreithorst4729]

Happy Hour - Marlowe Granados Open Water - Caleb Azumah Nelson Hamnet - Maggie O'Farrell I'm A Fan - Sheena Patel Our Wives Under The Sea - Julia Armfield Boulder - Eva Baltasar Sula - Toni Morrison Panenka - Ronan Hession Normal People - Sally Rooney Young Mungo - Douglas Stuart Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver

[@LUVBUG24K]

I hope you find $100 tomorrow❤

[@chiejavier5468]

i’ve said it before, but “sula” fundamentally changed something in me. i think about “whatever’s burning in me is mine! // and i’ll split this town in two and everything in it before i’ll let you put it out!” several times a day. it hasn’t been long since i first read it, so i’m going to wait a bit before i give it a re-read, but it’s definitely a top 3 book for me. i have a tradition of re-reading “on earth we’re briefly gorgeous” at the start of every year; this time i’m annotating my copy and nearly every page is highlighted 😭😭

[@kojagoribhattacharya7720]

Every time I sit down to write, I read one page of ocean vuong before i start. Manifesting, in a way

[@dariofkxv6829]

I read sula because it's referenced in oewbg!!

[@eadaoincorrigan2227]

Can't wait to read it!!

[@gkf3232]

Sula is the best book I’ve ever read!!

[@judyquinn8151]

“It’s like reading sheet music” - Jack has obviously never sight read any sheet music 😂 But I agree, Caleb Azumah Nelson’s work is so beautiful - so lyrical and poetic.

[@sineciomorales9737]

was literally gonna make the same comment 😭 the sentiment is great but the analogy is not what it seems

[@eadaoincorrigan2227]

Jack, please stop releasing such amazing recommendations! I spend more time curating my TBR list (which now resembles some sort of abstract novel in itself), than I do actually reading books! You are the only person I can watch recommending books. Keep doing what you're doing, I love it!

[@annette1770]

my favourite book of all time is “veronika decides to die” i think i’ve read it multiple times and each time i’ve managed to find and think of something new and it’s just so nice i don’t even know somehow there’s comfort

[@jeanreads]

Ahhhhhh I love that book as well

[@itsmeeee404]

That book was good

[@bop78]

I agree!

[@kerisoliankina6208]

i was in a quite severe reading slump and rereading my favorites helped me a lot. last year i reread all of jane austen's novels in english for the first time (english is not my first language so it was a JOURNEY), also at rhe beginning of the year i reread the goldfinch and it was another great experience of rediscovering this amazing text. i think rereading books helped me a lot with understanding how I changed as a person, how my reading taste changed and define my reading taste NOW and what i actually want to read in terms of themes and genres

[@hotgurl46863]

oh my gosh my first language is english and i struggle so much with jane austen (still love her sm though) you are a soldier!

[@kerisoliankina6208]

@@hotgurl46863 thank you 😄 it did feel like getting an express english degree or smth 😅

[@lyrasinghh]

its a good day when jack posts

[@arrengaharasgamanadaraja]

agreed

[@Z_pixel]

Bad diaspora poem randomly popping up was such a mood

[@kittomic23]

I'm so glad you added this video, Jack. I used to avoid re-reading as my TBR list has always been so long. As I've got older though, I have returned to books and discovered a whole new experience - even those I originally hadn't enjoyed. I think the experience reflects the time in your life, personal events, your mood, and the writing that "speaks" to you at that time. It is well worth returning to a book!

[@spum-pum]

this video just made me soso happy- seeing someone who loves books so much talking about books is always an amazing time. Jacks eyes really shined in this video and it showed how much you really love books.

[@johannalehto9154]

I love re-reading books! I usually do that every 3 to 5 years depending on the books 😊

[@vincent_2232]

I’m excited for this! Rereading is so hard for me because there are some that just hit the same like Frankenstein and others I reread and am just like…wow I liked this? Insane.

[@asee7657]

This! And then there are so many other books I want to read...

[@DrawtheCurtains]

This is why I'm curious to reread "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" after a couple of years. I had never read anything like it when I picked it up and ended up giving it five stars, and now that I've discovered how much I dislike novels similar to/recommended for fans of it I'm wondering how I'm going to feel about it this time.

[@urfriendhannah]

Open Water is one of my favorite books of all time and I found out about it originally on your channel! I have also been thinking of rereading it since it is a short yet complex and beautiful story.

[@kenyagousse8364]

the outros make my day 10x better ❤

[@ellarose8696]

I love these videos and hearing about people’s life-changing books because everyone’s are so unique!

[@onefocus5882]

Yes for Open Water! Living in the US, maybe it’s more popular in the UK, but I literally never hear anyone talk about that book and it’s one of my favorites of all time.

[@joangavrilik3009]

You are so thoughtful about what you do - I love following your journey!

[@ninja_boy]

I'd always considered The Secret History, Kafka on the Shore, and The Magus by John Fowles to be three of my favorite books, and I was delighted to find that when I read them all for the second time, I enjoyed them even more. That told me I was absolutely right to rank them among my favorites. It's unfortunate when a book doesn't hold up, but sometimes you were on to something with that initial “wow” factor...

[@strawberryorange3755]

The secret history is also one of my favourite books, I just reread it and still love it. My favourite murakami is a wild sheep chase, was a little disturbed with Kafka on the shore.

[@oliverharris60]

I was also a bit disturbed by Kafka… I did enjoy reading it but the disturbing element seemed completely unnecessary!

[@mayswords]

as a theatre student who moved across the country because of if we were villains by m.l.rio, i'm currently reading and annoting that book for the 5th time and it's so fun reading my annotations from a few years ago :)

[@mishripettinger6242]

omg i love that book sm, love that it had such a big impact on you!

[@sainz5581]

That book has my heart soul everything.

[@christyforest141]

This is hands down my favorite video from you, Jack. Thank you so much for all the fabulous book recomomendations! Cannot wait to dive right into these books :) Have a great day!

[@patrycjakarnik3324]

I absolutely love this! I love the idea of allowing yourself to go back to your favourite book and read it again in order to rediscover it, find something new. I think now there’s this pressure to read EVERYTHING just to be in the conversation, like “YA is not my thing but I will read it anyway just because I want to know what everyone on tiktok is talking about”. There’s this horrible FOMO we are all experiencing which is taking the fun out of reading tbh. I think we should make rereading your favourite book until the spine breaks popular again ❤

[@Kristinaxprr]

That's what I was thinking. What if I re-read my fav book (alone with you in the ether) and I don't love it as much as I did when reading it for the first time. Because obviously the circumstances, feelings etc I had back then when I read the book aren't present anymore. Maybe it's better if I don't re-read it and keep the memories & feelings I have in the past. Because looking back and thinking about it gives me a feeling I don't want to lose when re-reading. Hope this makes sense! 🥺

[@taylornpickle]

i would looove to hear your thoughts after your rereads, compared to how you felt about them the first time!

[@dace8828]

Wilhelm Hauff's "The Cold Heart and Other Fairy-Tales" (1958 Latvian edition) has been one of my all time books since i was a child. It is in my parents' library and i sometimes pick it up and re-read even though i am an adult. To me, it is absolutely magical

[@Lillyjoy]

I can’t wait to read your book if you’re able to incorporate all of those things that inspire you! I love lyrical and descriptive writing so much and it’s kind of hard to find. I also can’t wait to see your wrap up for these books

[@sclements1193]

i love rereading books! i always try to reread at least 5 every year just to check how i feel about it- this year i’ve reread beautiful world where are you, which i previously did not like, and ended up loving it second time round! can’t wait to see more reread content :)

[@emilieboivinguay]

I love your reading vlogs, it would be a joy to follow you revisiting your old favorites!! ❤

[@insaynejayne]

as soon as jack's book is out that will be in my hands immediately

[@cccastaneda5081]

YOUNG MUNGO, I am so happy to see this title. This novel stayed with me for so long, so painfully beautiful. I am waiting to read Shuggy Bain but I think i need to be in the right mindset for it.

[@kittynekocat]

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the books after youve re-read them! I read Hamnet for the first time this year and it stuck with me more than anything else I've read so far this year The audio is super clear with your mic, but just letting you know the volume fluctuates a bit. Especially at the end it was suddenly quite loud. But otherwise, great video! Thank you as always!

[@AtticAdventurer]

If you are a rereader you need to read Unfinished Business by Vivian Gornick. It's a memoir following her as she unpacks the books she read when she was young and what it means to reread and re-fall in love with books and return to the art that shaped us.

[@sanchari.c]

So so many best wishes for you and all the books you're going to write! I loved what you said about writing fictionalized retelling of your family's weekend trips. Here's hoping you reread your favourites and write what you want to write! ❤

[@dorie_dodo]

I also am in my 'big re-read'. I have been rereading my books since 2020. I found some old favourites again

[@joan98610]

So happy to see Boulder here, a book originally written in my mother tongue, a minorized language ❤️

[@carmensancha2720]

omg the audio is so much better

[@Youreprobablywrongx2]

Honestly if your book was ever anything close to Hamnet I would DEVOUR it. Can’t wait to see what you come out with!!

[@ashpitash2360]

I just picked up Boulder and am very excited to read my first Jack Edwards recommendation! I set a personal goal to revisit all of my childhood books (and some I always wanted to read) now that I'm an adult. It's been the best time, showing me a little of my past self as well as celebrating the pure, doing-this-for-me-only part of reading. Highly recommend!

[@arbnor6494]

jack posting is a great day

[@arlyponcedeleon6049]

I would love to see your analysis and annotations for every book you mentioned because it seems unfair to the other books to get a essay on normal people and not the rest, but I understand if the annotations spoil the book you are working on ❤ so just sending the message and good vibes ❤

[@daydreamingcase]

I'm so excited for this re-reading era

[@lucy_chege]

I read "I who have never known men".Changed my life,left me staring at a wall.Highly reccommend

[@laurenschenck5355]

Always a good idea to re read your favorite books again 👏🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻😊😊

[@Scott-md9nx]

I do find it really funny that as Jack lists his favorite parts of Sula (the human interaction, understanding, and recollection of character's pasts to make them who they are) are spot on for what makes it great, buutttt I think her book Beloved does all those parts too, just better and on a much higher level as a writer

[@eggzacly]

Authors have such cool names ; my name could never fit😭

[@melanygomez613]

14:10 I love that cover

[@esi7360]

What I love about Jack is the fact that if I ever would get the possibility to meet him, I know it would feel like meeting an old friend that you‘ve missed and not a stranger. It’s not just because of the videos , it’s because of his choice of words, his little funny jokes and his views on life :) I will be buying and inhaling a book that is written by him when it finally gets published ☺️💗

[@kiras.2715]

I love this. Excited to follow along on this re reading series ❤

[@divyanshuo]

Wife under the sea is an actual gem. As someone fascinated by underwater exploration and the mysteries of the deep, "Wives Under the Sea" had me hooked from the very first page. The author's vivid descriptions and attention to detail really transported me to the depths of the ocean alongside the brave protagonists. Plus, the intertwining of historical events with a touch of romance added an extra layer of intrigue.

[@karaburacar2941]

its kinda crazy how no one talks about borlest and ebook called - The Hidden Truths Of Wealth

[@matthewthompson0]

yeah bro, that ebook changed my life.

[@bat_bat]

listening to this while getting rid of the mold that has built up on my window makes me feel like you're facetiming me and keeping me entertained so thanks ig 😭

[@thattinyfox]

When I heard the intro I immediately thought of Demon Copperhead. Such a great book, the character of Demon is so well done, i'm glad it made the list!

[@BrunaAraujo-st2is]

I love your videos so much!!! You are the best. Now i want to read all those books 😅

[@rosa-xl9in]

Hi Jack! If you enjoyed Eva Baltasar you would enjoy Irene Solar. She is from Catalonia, the same region as Eva. Irene is translated also in English, and I think you will enjoy how she speaks about folklore and nature. ❤

[@Maria-xh6cn]

Yes! Agree!! I think you should give it a go!

[@melanygomez613]

12:16 What was that? OK, James-

[@sarahhansen8004]

Hamnet is probably my best book of all time. I’m seeing it pop up on more YT videos lately, with new readers.

[@sara.livrosas23h]

Re-reading books we loved when we were younger and has nostalgia associated to isn't like watching things like macgyver now and be disapointed with? I don't know if I had the courage to read the most nostalgic ones...😅

[@Sacrificallamba]

God I had a shit day and this feels like a hug. Also the Normal People cover reminds me of Amul chocolate and now I need chocolate

[@PokhrajRoy.]

AMUL CHOCOLATE OP

[@mishripettinger6242]

sorry to hear you had such a bad day, sending virtual hugs 🤍

[@Skyyy1436]

Exactly amul chocolate😂😂

[@wonderwoman5528]

Things will turn around x

[@Kamila_Koziol]

Isn't reading amazing and such a shared yet personal experience. I also have my "to re-read" list and even though I spend a lot of time thinking about books I have a totally different experience compared to another reader, in this case - you. I haven't read most of the books you were talking about (except Toni Morrison and Demon Copperhead - both exceptional) and we have a totally different reading paths. yet I understand completely the way you feel about these books.

[@britneypennington8502]

I would love to watch videos where you outline and analyze the special writing techniques used in these books that captured your heart. (i.e. put the magic behind these books into words so that an aspiring author could use these techniques to attempt their own magic on a page)

[@jeanaspevig]

I am a total believer in re-reading books. Always get something new or notice a different perspective. When I already know the plot, it’s easier for me to focus on character development, foreshadowing and all the little things that make a book great.

[@ieatpaintchips72]

About dialogue, Jamie Scott Bell has this book called The Art Of War For Writers. And he describes dialogue as compressed action. I found that super helpful. Also....isn't it demented how much we like to make readers cry?

[@agwacero]

Would you ever consider posting your thoughts on the rereads as video essays? I would looove to watch those

[@Eva-dp4im]

doing my thesis on sula right now, suchhhh a gorgeous novel!

[@isydoyle]

I recommend ‘A dowry of blood’ by ST Gibson. I see we have a lot of favorites in common, and I just adored this one!

[@Sisa095]

my favorite book is a little life and i've been wanting to re-read it for a while but i'm not sure if i'm reading for the emotional damage lol

[@willywonka6384]

I read The Razors Edge in 2018 and I remember thinking that it was a Top 3 book, however I cannot recall the plot at all so I stopped saying it was one of my favorites haha The Picture of Dorian Gray was also one of my favorites but I havent reread it in 7 years or so. I also haven't reread Animal Farm (one I used to say that was my favorite book ever) in a long long time, so I feel like I need to reread these three and perhaps update my Top 3. I can say that Persuasion by Jane Austen is probably one of my favorite books ever as well as A Doll's House by Ibsen, Anne of Green Gables and a Christmas Carol. The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Song of Achilles are two of my contemporary favorites too. I think I'm not in my reread era yet just because I really want to tackle my TBR this year haha

[@monkeygod1981]

Again your taste is tremendous. Sula is beautiful

[@veronicasmemories]

I truly love your videos (:

[@monkeygod1981]

I remember you recommended open water just after you read it and I went out, bought it and read it that day. Such power and vulnerability in his words

[@hopeonmars9047]

CRANES MENTIONED RAHHHHH 🦅🦅🦅 But yes, glad to find a fellow bookworm that is for some reason obsessed with cranes 😭😭

[@AurYouReading]

🏗️ 🏗️🏗️

[@StdoZero]

all the positive energy of the world to you :)

[@matheamarkofski3937]

Jack: praises a book Me: write that down! write that down! ✍️✍️✍️

[@aylendalke]

Have you ever considered running a podcast? I find your voice very calming and easy to listen to, plus your thoughts on literature are very engaging. I can't wait to read your book one day (:

[@nusratsheikh2105]

no but you're so real because im in my final semester of my final year and my love for lit id dying. it's not the workload as much as the lack of motivation. i just got my grade back for an essay i've been stressed for, 65. disappointing given that we did not have a proper academic, instead given a phd teacher who did not even help nor support. i'm so disheartened,

[@MRJarwson]

I recently bought our wives under the sea, can’t wait to read it 🙏🏼 and with Jack mentioning it here it’s going up on my tbr

[@TheRainbowCoach]

Did you get around to reading 'Julia' yet? Really eager to learn what you think, as you said it is you're most antcipated read for this year. 🙃

[@sofiableschool]

i would LOOOVE to read your essaysss

[@ghp6531]

This year I decided to rate all the books I read (on StoryGraph), and one of the problems I’ve come across is “but I rated that other book 5 stars, so do I have to lower that rating since I find this new book better?” I tend to be in specific moods when reading and I’m convinced I tend to like/dislike books depending on that mood. I therefore also like to reread books, just in case my mood has changed and if I receive the book differently. That said, I also reread a lot because I like to know what’s going to happen, so that I can enjoy the book (and movies and series as well) instead of worrying about what’s going to happen.

[@nita182]

I would be very interested to see how you re-read these books. How do you analyse the sentences with its metaphors and character building and descriptive parts. What goes through your head? What do you anotate. I would find it very interesting and entertaining.

[@catalinamunoz]

I would love to know more about your writing! (coming from someone who also writes)

[@aboudkalish]

LOVE YOU JACK❤

[@ohladysamantha]

I think about Sula so often. brilliant book about friendship.

[@Magus9]

Loved this and love you my wonderful friend ❤️

[@lesolmos3513]

I was going to say something about Young Mungo if you didn’t address it in this video! 15:37 I go back to read the sections that are not caked with violence though they are written for a reason and are a large part of the story but sometimes I want to experience rereading Mungo’s budding romance and only that 😂

[@tikaishuman]

Ok i am so happy to see you've got a mic!!!!! Cus ngl it was getting a bit hard to watch ur videos with the echo 😅

[@taycrooks9803]

Lately I too have been in the mood to reread my favourite book, Valley of The Dolls. I recommend it to whoever will listen

[@BookishAdventuresInWellbeing]

How you described demon copperhead is exactly how I felt about a little life.

[@Panagiotireads]

I just finished this phenomenal new book of fairy tales entitled Sillies, Fancies, and Trifles - it was phenomenal and I think you'd love it. It would go with the lovely recommendations here. Keep up the beautiful videos :)

[@PokhrajRoy.]

So, these are the books he’s going to Re-Read tomorrow, tomorrow and tomorrow?

[@maureene7138]

im reading open water now :)

[@cloudsinmykoffie]

Jack and his silly little mic in his silly little library

[@almaglav]

Shoutout to the random pic of bad diaspora poems

[@morgianasartre6709]

Mmmm yeah now I feel like re-reading The picture of Dorian Grey and The Tea girl of hummingbird lane.

[@strawberryorange3755]

I’m also going to reread the picture of Dorian gray.

[@steffikreis2030]

Little jack sounds adorable. Not cranes…that’s so specific.😂😂

[@sofiableschool]

book analyissss would be cool!!

[@adithisandesh2082]

Can you tell one book you wished u had read when you were 16? Btw this is one of the best videos of yours...Every critique of yours was so passionate and oozing with love for the books you never want to stop reading...

[@TheEmeraldSword86]

Books I want to read over and over again are: Carrie Misery Christine Rage And others.

[@dotdotdot8376]

I don't know how this would happen, but I need to see Brittany broski and jack on a podcast together

[@maheswarijeyabalan8784]

I reread some of my books every year.