You know those readers with fantastic memories who can recall any detail from any series they've read in the past ten years?

Us, either. Because they don't exist. (If you meet one - run. You've read enough paranormal books to know where that is going. And hint: it ends with blood-sucking.)

The readers you think you know who can memorize an astonishing amount of details mostly just... re-read. Some do it in increments, some re-read books from cover-to-cover. After an exhausting day or when they're feeling emotional, they don't reach for chocolate or yell at innocent bystanders: they reach for a well-known comfort (re)read.

In short: re-reading is healthy and good for your memory. (Insofar as you appear to have a better one.) And because we like both books, health and memory - and we frequently find one or more of the three sorely lacking - this week we're picking the ten books we plan on re-reading this year, and then pretending we just paid really good attention to them the first time. Our brains are just that powerful. We remember everything.



1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Picked by: Natalie & Lexie

 Format: Audiobook

 Why: With A Court of Mist and Fury, the second book in the trilogy, just around the corner (really, though, it's two weeks away, it's high time everyone got a refresher on this first tiny creature.

What's that you say? You don't think 400 pages constitutes a tiny book? Let's just say that the impending second book makes 400 pages seem minuscule. So we can absolutely get through the first one again in the following two weeks. Right? Right? Right?









2. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

Picked by: Lexie

 Format: Paperback(s)

 Why: Shock of all shocks, Lexie is going to re-read The Raven Cycle! (Just kidding. You aren't shocked. You knew this was coming. Even if you think you didn't, deep down... you still did. It's an apriori truth that requires no foreknowledge.) The official reason to read The Raven Cycle this year - for myself and many people - is that the final and long (long, loooong, LONG) anticipated book in the series is coming out... well, right now. Why haven't you started yet? April 26th. Save the date. (And the next three dates, because you'll be sobbing into your pillow.) The unofficial reason, of course, is... it's The Raven Cycle. It needs to be re-read forever and ever. Aren't I ever so unbiased?
3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K Rowling
Picked by: Natalie

 Format: Illustrated Edition

 Why: I never need a reason why I'm re-reading this book. I simply adore it! There is an additional reason, though, and that's the fact that I own the Illustrated Edition. I didn't buy it just because, I want to experience it with the stunning artwork!
I also think it likely that I'll re-listen to The Deathly Hallows audiobook in the car, but I thought I'd keep Harry Potter in one section. It's the best book ever, so why not?






4. Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

 Picked by: Lexie

 Format: Hardcover

 Why: But Lexie... you only read Illuminae for the first time on January 1st. How could you have forgotten it already?


The answer: I didn't. I just loved it that freaking much. (This book, I am aware, needs no additional hype, but hypehypehypehypehyyyyyype.) (I'm done now.) With Gemina, the next installment in the series due in November, the fall season will be the perfect time to once again grab a humongous hardcover in public, turn it upside-down, and read it. (All the while fending off questions about your intelligence. It's MEANT to be read this way, you naysayers! Back off!)
5. You Had Me At Hello by Mhairi McFarlane
Picked by: Natalie

 Format: Paperback

 Why: I let my friend borrow this - that friend who only reads chick lit, that is. As we still worked together at the time I did, she mentioned a read-a-long. I'm already halfway through a re-read, but I do love a good read-a-long with someone. So another re-read may follow.

I adore this book, and as my friend is also enjoying it, it'll be nice to chat with someone about it. It's fluffy, romantic and rather funny at times. Sometimes you just need something light-hearted, and this one is needed!






6. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Picked by: Lexie

 Format: Ebook

 Why: Most days, my adulation of The Schwab is second only to my adulation of The Stiefvater. So I'm appropriately ashamed of not having read A Gathering of Shadows, the sequel to the Shades of London series. (And believe me, Tumblr has driven that shame home; repeatedly.) The excuse? I genuinely don't remember parts of the first book - much as I loved it. DON'T STONE ME, HUMANS! I had an ARC of ADSOM a looooooooooong time before it was ever released and it's probably been two solid years since I first read it. And if that doesn't sound like much, think of it this way: it was 300 books ago. If that still doesn't sound like much - you're a cyborg and I fear you. (Hi, Cait!)




7. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Picked by: Natalie

 Format: Paperback

 Why: I really need to read this in 2016. I've yet to read the last book in the series, The Retribution of Mara Dyer, so a recap is essential. WHAT HAPPENS TO NOAH. WHAT HAPPENS TO EVERYONE. I've no idea why it's taken me so long to read the last book. I bought it as a pre-order and yet....I failed to read it. Shame on me!

Such a mysterious yet intriguing story with many interesting and sometimes strange characters! I love it.









8. I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
Picked by: Lexie

 Format: Ebook

 Why: Siblings! Artist! Adorable-yet-dysfunctional families! Magical realism! (Sorta.) Sass! LGBT themes! 

It's a comfort read, okay? I'll need it at some point. We all have those days.








9. The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings
Picked by: Natalie

 Format: Hardcover

 Why: Another book series I've neglected. *hangs head in shame* I know, I know. I've been meaning to read the Death Code, book two in this series, for so long. And still I've yet to get around to it. But now it's been way too long since The Murder Complex, and I need a refresher. A lot of it I do remember, but there's still minor details that may have been forgotten along the way.  Plus, the ending is always important to recap if you're reading the sequel.

If you've not read this book yet, I do recommend it! There's a lot of blood and death, but don't let that put you off. If you're a wimp like me, it's still enjoyable. If I can read it, you can!



10. Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

 Picked by: Lexie

 Format: Ebook

 Why: Putting this at #10 in hopes no one really notices and scrolls past it. Because that's just how I roll. And also because here's a shameful, shocking confession: I have yet to read Ruin and Rising, the final book in the trilogy. After proudly proclaiming my Grisha hipsterdom and after discussing the entire trilogy with about six hundred people, it's finally time to confess that, yeah, I haven't actually read the finale. Oops. (Not that I haven't been informed of exactly what happens.) During one memorable occasion, Julie Kagawa and I cried about the resolution to Leigh Bardugo so much, she actually begged us to stop. So it might help if I actually read the resolution. But oh, how I don't want what I know to be true. (And if this sounds ominous to someone who hasn't picked the series up - don't worry. YOU will likely be happy. I just tend to love the characters normal people hate, and vice versa.)






Talk to us, lovelies! What are the books you intend to go back to this year, either because a sequel is impending or because they're such a comfort read? (Bonus points if said COMFORT read is actually filled to the brim with violence and debauchery.) Leave us a comment below and let us know. We might just be industrious and make our way through our lists faster than intended. So our potential future in which we suddenly become proactive depends on your recommendations!