I once had a teacher in high school who said, "There are too many books to read to reread ones you have already read." I beg to differ - when I finish a book, I want the relationship to continue. Since I've started blogging, I've found it harder to find time to reread books, mainly because now there are so many that I hear about that are new to me. However, there are definitely several that I want to go through again.
1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Okay, actually, I'm cheating a little bit, because I'm rereading it right now. I read through it so quickly the first time that I want to read it once again before I go see the movie (I'm a dollar theater kind of girl).
2. The Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling. Watching the movies illustrated to me just how much I've forgotten, so I'm looking forward to reading all the books in order to get the entire story at once. (I'm planning on doing this in May of next year).
3. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. I read this right after graduating high school. I remember getting quite a bit out of it at that time, but I think I would have an even better experience now, so I am eager to revisit it.
4. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. This monster took me a very long time to read, and I was a sophomore in high school when I read it. Now I have the new Julie Rose translation and all I'm waiting for is the courage to make the big push and read it again! (Yes, it's still intimidating the second time around).
5. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Burrows - This book just made me warm and snuggly all over when I read it. I am hoping to read it again soon when I am in the mood for a little something romantic but sweet.
6. My Antonia by Willa Cather. I read this in the eighth grade when my teacher recommended it to me, telling me it was her favorite book. I think I had hints of understanding when I read it, but most of it was below the surface, and I just remember thinking it was strange. I want to experience it again and see what I think now that I am a bit more grown up.
7. His Dark Materials Trilogy by Phillip Pullman - I've reread this numerous times, and every time I notice something new about it.
8. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. I loved this book the first time around, and I want to visit it again.
9. In the City by the Sea by Kamila Shamsie. Kamila Shamsie is the author of my favorite book, and I've loved everything she's written... except this book. It is her first, and it was very, very different from the other books I've read by her. I want to read it one more time now that I am not surprised at how different it is, and see if I get something out of it.
10. Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier - I am planning to reread this for the R.I.P. challenge. I read this in the same English class that My Antonia was recommended to me in, because we got to have "book clubs" and choose from lists of five books every few weeks to read together in small groups. I think that was one of the coolest English classes I had.
11. East of Eden by John Steinbeck. This is another monster, so I haven't really been able to justify taking the time to read it again. It's so good though, that I am going to need to reread it soon.
I could probably list dozens more but I suppose going one over is enough. What books do you want to reread, or reread on a regular basis?
PS: Graciously hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
That English class in 8th grade does sound fantastic - getting to read Rebecca and My Antonia is fantastic! I just read Rebecca a couple of weeks ago and can't believe I waited this long.
ReplyDeleteYes, His Dark Materials. I haven't reread it yet. In fact, my very real and irrational fear of ending series that I love (which I am working through, slowly) has kept me from reading the third book in this series. But I do know that I already want to reread the first two, so I will no doubt want to reread the third one as well. These are my favorite books, I think, because...well, I don't think there is enough time and space here for me to list the reasons.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I finished The Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness--literally the very second--I wanted to start them over again. I am going to reread them again sometime around Christmastime. I am still not over the emotions of the first time around. I'm still riding the beauty and pain of those books, and I love it so, so much. I know I have probably made everyone tired of hearing about them, but they are just the best books out there. Maybe I should amend my previous statement to say that the Chaos Walking books are my favorite books. Hmmm...that's some food for thought...
(unrelated sidenote: it is with the Chaos Walking books that I think I may have tackled my fear of ending a series--which is why it may have taken me about a month to read that final book, when i should have breezed through it in about a day or two)
Also, I just checked out the Night Circus from the library. I'm excited to start it soon. :)
~Asheley
I'm actually about one-quarter of the way through my first rereading of Hugo's Les Miserables, using the relatively new Julie Rose translation. It is simply marvelous! While it has been 25+ years since I read the Fahnestock/MacAfee translation (1987), I really think that Julie Rose has done a sterling job with her new translation. I think you'll enjoy it too! Cheers! Chris
ReplyDeleteI feel like Rebecca is one of those books I'd like to read again for the first time, just because it's so atmospheric.
ReplyDeleteGreat list!! :-)
Harry Potter made my list. And, I love His Dark Materials. I should've put those on my list too, but I didn't. I read East of Eden for the first time this year and it's a fantastic book.
ReplyDeleteWe read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society at our very first book club meeting in 2010. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI have never read Rebecca, but it's been on my TBR list for ages!
Good list. I LOVE Rebecca. I've been thinking I need to read it again, and fall is the perfect time to do so. Also, what do you think of Jhumpa Lahiri in general? I've only read some of her short stories and I can't decide.
ReplyDeleteI tweaked my list slightly.
http://amittonmonologue.blogspot.com/
Oh my gosh! I'm so glad you liked The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society! It's totally one of my top comfort reads. And I really want to re-read I Capture the Castle--I haven't read that one since high school but I remember really liking it.
ReplyDeleteI've seen I Capture the Castle on a few different lists today, and it's officially on my reread list now too! I just read A Brief History of Montmaray which had a lot of the same feel as I Capture so I was already considering it, but you guys all convinced me to reread it RIGHT NOW. Or as soon as I find my copy. Moving is no fun.
ReplyDeleteI've always meant to rearead His Dark Materials too - I reread most books I love, but I've never gotten back around to them. one day!
My Top Ten list is over here if you'd like to stop by!
I've read Rebecca numerous times and watched the movie even more. My book club is reading I Capture the Castle this year and I'm very excited, I hear good things.
ReplyDeleteI would like to read My Antonia again. I didn't like it much the first time, although I loved A Lost Lady. So, I want to give it another shot. I also want to read The Namesake, for the first time.
ReplyDeleteCome visit my list at The Scarlet Letter.
I am big on rereading too. I reread because the first time I read a book is for the story, but rereads are those who allow me to savour the language, the characters, the little things. I want to reread His Dark Materials, too, and the rest of the books you mention is on my to-read list.
ReplyDeleteI love your list! I haven't read all of them but you amaze me with how much new material you read and now you are re-reading! I would definitely re-read Rebecca and East of Eden. I also want to re-read A Fine Balance and the Poisonwood Bible. I read those when I finally returned to reading for pleasure after a long period of college burnout and I loved those books then, so we'll see now. I am re-reading Harry Potter at a ridiculously slow pace as I read them outloud to Will (we are on the 5th book) :)
ReplyDelete@Natalie - Rebecca is great, isn't it? I am looking forward to reading it again. And yes, that was a great English class. It still stands out in my mind.
ReplyDelete@Asheley - I hope you liked The Night Circus. It is now my third favorite book, officially. And I can understand that lack of desire to finish something - I stretched out The Night Circus as long as possible. I want to read that Patrick Ness series soon!
@Christopher - Good to hear! I love just looking at my Julie Rose translation - it is so beautiful and I know the language inside will be just as beautiful.
@April - Yes, Rebecca is the perfect autumn book I think. Thanks!
@Jenni Elyse - I think we all want to read Harry Potter again, now that it is finally sinking in that the series is over. *sniffle*
@Annie - I hope you get to Rebecca soon! It is a great book for autumn.
@Allison - I really enjoy Jhumpa Lahiri, although sometimes her stories are a bit dark. I always wonder if she grew up in a really unstable home because she tends to write about marriages deteriorating.
@Karen - That is such a perfect way to describe it - it is such a cozy to read. All you need is a snuggie and a cup of hot chocolate. :)
@Emily - I've never heard of A Brief History of Montmoray - I'll have to look into it! Thanks for the suggestion!
@Jenny - There's a movie!? Say what!?!? *Goes to library webpage and searches for copy*
@LBC - Oh, I haven't read A Lost Lady. I'll have to look into that one.
@Pepca - Exactly, you've nailed it on the head. You can savor and absorb better with repeat readings.
@Kass - I've never read A Fine Balance! Good to know that one is good. It would be fun to read the Harry Potters out loud. Scott hasn't read them (how can he even be my husband, haha) and I think that would be something fun to do. Miss ya!