The Artsy Reader Girl is the new host of the weekly meme Top Ten Tuesday.
Each week she nominates a topic to encourage those of us who love a good list to get all listy.
This week it's all about Books I Could Re-Read Forever.
My Top Ten Re-Reads:
Re-reading is something I've done ALL my life.
If I'd made this list when I was a teen, there would have been a lot more Enid Blyton, Anne of Green Gables and Trixie Belden going on, but times move on.
I love revisiting favourites for many reasons:
- to reconnect to much loved characters
- to experience once again the feelings that the book evokes in me
- to discover the many layers that can only be revealed through rereading a well-known text
- to see how a book (or my reaction to it) changes as I mature
I reread for comfort, connection, insight and growth.
Some books are like old friends.
In much the same way you would never be satisfied with just one visit with a good friend, I would never be satisfied with just one dip into a good book.
Some books are like memories.
Fleeting glimpses, half-remembered, dependent on context, timing and mood.
Re-reading these books is like discovering a new book all over again.
10.
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Thisis was my least reread Austen.
My first read back in my teens left me cold.
I had no desire to go there again....
until an Austen in August readalong a few years ago.
Even though I've only reread this book once, my second reading revealed so much depth and extraordinary detail that I know I will be going there many times again in future years. In fact, I've recently acquired an Annotated Mansfield Park to make the next reread even more detailed and thoughtful.
9.
The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings trilogy by J R R Tolkien
I re-read these books only last year. Slowly.
It not only reignited my interest in fantasy but it has started a love affair with #slowreading.
The entire experience was delightful and rewarding.
8.
Little Women by L M Alcott
I've been reading this classic since I was about 10.
It's pure comfort (despite the sadness).
Although maybe it's the sadness that makes it such a comfort.
Sadness is a part of life, the Little Women show how to handle such times with grace, kindness and tenderness.
Re-reading LW makes me feel like a better person - EVERY SINGLE TIME - why wouldn't I want more of that?
7.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Austen is one of those authors I enjoy re-reading because of all the extra layers and details that are only revealed with said re-read. It is a pure pleasure seeing just how clever Austen is as a writer - how carefully and elegantly she builds her story and crafts her characters.
I enjoy re-reading Sense and Sensibility because of my affinity with Elanor.
6.
The Blue Castle by L M Montgomery
One of the few books where my re-reading journey has been documented on this blog, along with the book below.
I've now read both these books twice in the past few years.
My experience with both can be found by clinking on the link attached to the title.
5.
The Ladies of Missalonghi by Colleen McCullough
See above.
4.
Jane Eyre by Bronte
My last re-read of Jane Eyre occurred the year prior to starting my blog, so I'm overdue for my next re-read!
This is one of those books that has changed/evolved with the age I was when I read it (or re-read it).
At 13 I thought it was a misery boarding school story with a mean, nasty aunt.
At 19 I was shocked to discover it was a love story, although the age difference between Jane and Rochester was a bit icky.
At 39 I was fine with the romance, but found myself responding strongly to Jane's independence and quiet strength of character.
I wonder what 50 year old Bron will discover?
3.
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland
Pure comfort read.
Although what it says about me that a post-apocalyptic story about two teens marooned in the forest to fend for themselves is one of my comfort reads?
I leave for you to ponder!
2.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Although this is my favourite Austen, it doesn't have the honour of being my most re-read Austen.
That honour goes to...
1.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
I've probably read Pride and Prejudice between 25 -30 times....so far.
Really.
I love that each time I read it, different sections make me laugh or I notice things in a different way.
It's a pleasure from start to finish - EVERY SINGLE TIME!
What has been the book you've re-read the most?
Can you beat my 25-30 record?
#TopTenTuesday
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
This
My first read back in my teens left me cold.
I had no desire to go there again....
until an Austen in August readalong a few years ago.
Even though I've only reread this book once, my second reading revealed so much depth and extraordinary detail that I know I will be going there many times again in future years. In fact, I've recently acquired an Annotated Mansfield Park to make the next reread even more detailed and thoughtful.
9.
The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings trilogy by J R R Tolkien
I re-read these books only last year. Slowly.
It not only reignited my interest in fantasy but it has started a love affair with #slowreading.
The entire experience was delightful and rewarding.
8.
Little Women by L M Alcott
I've been reading this classic since I was about 10.
It's pure comfort (despite the sadness).
Although maybe it's the sadness that makes it such a comfort.
Sadness is a part of life, the Little Women show how to handle such times with grace, kindness and tenderness.
Re-reading LW makes me feel like a better person - EVERY SINGLE TIME - why wouldn't I want more of that?
7.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Austen is one of those authors I enjoy re-reading because of all the extra layers and details that are only revealed with said re-read. It is a pure pleasure seeing just how clever Austen is as a writer - how carefully and elegantly she builds her story and crafts her characters.
I enjoy re-reading Sense and Sensibility because of my affinity with Elanor.
6.
The Blue Castle by L M Montgomery
One of the few books where my re-reading journey has been documented on this blog, along with the book below.
My experience with both can be found by clinking on the link attached to the title.
5.
The Ladies of Missalonghi by Colleen McCullough
See above.
4.
Jane Eyre by Bronte
My last re-read of Jane Eyre occurred the year prior to starting my blog, so I'm overdue for my next re-read!
This is one of those books that has changed/evolved with the age I was when I read it (or re-read it).
At 13 I thought it was a misery boarding school story with a mean, nasty aunt.
At 19 I was shocked to discover it was a love story, although the age difference between Jane and Rochester was a bit icky.
At 39 I was fine with the romance, but found myself responding strongly to Jane's independence and quiet strength of character.
I wonder what 50 year old Bron will discover?
3.
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland
Pure comfort read.
Although what it says about me that a post-apocalyptic story about two teens marooned in the forest to fend for themselves is one of my comfort reads?
I leave for you to ponder!
2.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Although this is my favourite Austen, it doesn't have the honour of being my most re-read Austen.
That honour goes to...
1.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
I've probably read Pride and Prejudice between 25 -30 times....so far.
Really.
I love that each time I read it, different sections make me laugh or I notice things in a different way.
It's a pleasure from start to finish - EVERY SINGLE TIME!
What has been the book you've re-read the most?
Can you beat my 25-30 record?
#TopTenTuesday
You are going to like my list, lots of similar books and few Australian selections! Books I Re-Read
ReplyDelete30 re-reads of P&P ? You're mad Bron!!!
ReplyDeleteBut that's what we love about you.
I haven't reread a book in years and years and years...
I can not re-read books but I love to re-read my favorite scenes.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT.
I'm going to shamefully retreat into a corner because I haven't read any of these. *hides* But re-reading is the best.
ReplyDeleteBee @ Quite The Novel Idea
I’m planning to read most of the non-P&P Austens in the next five years. Interesting that these are your favorites.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, I’ve beaten your record. Easily. Green Eggs and Ham comes in at 448 rereads for me.
readerbuzz.blogspot.com
Ahhhhh!!!
DeleteIf I counted picture books from my teaching days, I'd go close to 448 with ones like Harry the Dirty Dog and Meg & Mog and Whre is the Green Sheep and The Berenstain Bear's Spooky Old Tree and....but not quite. That's VERY impressive Deb :-)
I love your list! So many great books on here. I love Jane Austen's work as well. It has been a while since I read The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, but they are wonderful. Here is our Top Ten Tuesday
ReplyDeleteThough I did not add these to my top ten reread list, if I could have added more, Jane Eyre, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, and Little Women would have definitely been on there. And I feel the same way about LW -- makes me (want to be) a better person. I do need to reread it very soon.
ReplyDeleteI love that you have so many classic on this list. Great choices!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I'd like to re- read The Lord of the Rings at some point, I've done it a few times but not lately. and I'm overdue for the Hobbit too...
ReplyDeleteI should really read some Austen...
I just recently re-read Anne of Green Gables, loved it even more than on other readings. I don't think I can count how many times I've read Little Women, and every single time I think Beth will live. I re-read Miss Read's books the most of any adult author.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! So many known classics but sadly I haven't read any of these but sure I want to. P&P is sitting on my shelf for too long now. I guess this is the year where I pick it up :D
ReplyDeleteI can't re-read books.. like ever. Simply because my unread TBR is higher than the books that I have actually read! Yes, no time to re-read :D
My TTT: http://flippingthruthepages.com/2018/02/10-tv-series-worth-binge-watch/
Jane Eyre is the only book I've read from your TTT post this week. It's time for a reread though!
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to my TTT post this week:
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2018/02/top-ten-tuesday-top-20-books-i-want-to.html?showComment=1519763870518#c5107883999471523910
That's a lot of Austen rereads! Nowadays I tend to re-read her on audio, great comfort stuff for driving or walking the dog. I have a hard time re-reading since I have so many unread books on the shelves silently judging me. But Persuasion and P&P are my favorites also, the other four are basically tied for second place.
ReplyDeleteMy most-read books are typically childhood or teenage favorites. I don't know how many times I've read the Narnia books or Harriet the Spy, or the Little House series. When I was a teenager I read Rebecca over and over, and I've read Gone with the Wind several times. I'm a little afraid to read it again in case it doesn't hold up.