When my aunt turned 97 she said one of the great things about losing her short-term memory was she could re-read her favorite books and they were all new to her.
The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings have been regular re-reads for 40 years. That may be all from my childhood. The Iliad and the Odyssey get read about once every few years. Several years ago I did a complete read of all Elmore Leonard novels and stories. I revisit them from time to time. Probably the most revisited is Road Dogs. It is one of the most Elmore Leonard novels if you know what I mean. Sherlock Holmes was a favorite in my teens and I revisit that on occasion. Usually on audiobook. I have the complete works read by Simon Vance and another ready by Stephen Fry. I visit my buddy Shakespeare every year, though I tend to watch or listen and not read. About every five years or so I take to the high seas with Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin in Patrick ao’Brian’s works.
My problem is that there are too many unread books. I’m also a lifelong student of history so there is a lot a new stuff to read every year.
For many years I rarely ever reread books as I wanted to get through as many as possible. My philosophy has changed somewhat and in the past few years I have enjoyed rereading some old favorites including Jane Eyre, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Lord of the Rings. This year I am rereading War and Peace with the slow read group at Footnotes and Tangents. I will also reread a couple of Steinbeck books as part of my project to read all his works in chronological order of publishing date.
Given my long reading list at the start of this year, the thought of re-reading seems like a luxury. However, the Count of Monte Cristo is one of the few longer books I have revisited (there is also a superb audiobook version), and I never tire of Dickens' world, especially David Copperfield, Bleak House, and of course A Christmas Carol (the easiest for a yearly re-read). Peco and I have read Father Elijah by Michael O. Brien twice together and its themes seem more relevant now than ever.
haha Same here. A good part of my adult life thus far has been spent reading things I really should have by now, and somehow didn't all the way through college!
Yes to both of these! Tale of Two Cities is an all time favorite. I reread Count of Monte Cristo last year and am already looking forward to doing so again. :)
Austen is always a pleasure for me to reread and discover nuances that I missed---or just get a pleasurable kick out of the witty familiar. The Keeper of the Bees (Gene Stratton-Porter) is a good reread, too. There is so much to goad you into thinking while you spend time in the beautiful garden made solely for the bees, but that offers such respite and delight for the humans.
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention Wodehouse. His smart language is a delight and the light as air plots can be a balm to tired and overworked minds. Even after reading a second or third time some of his turns of phrases just make laughter erupt and I keep thinking, "I wish I'd said that!"
I love rereading books. Rereading all of Toni Morrison’s novels right now (some I’ve read 3x). The Color Purple and Their Eyes Were Watching God 3x. I just bought some copies of Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew books I read as a kid in the 80s (but they were written way before that). I reread nonfiction and write in the books with a different color pen each time.
I’m reading The Color Purple next month for my classic novel goal and read Their Eyes Were Watching God last year; I can definitely see re-reading it! I also like the pen idea for marginalia.
Eliot's MiddleMarch, Dicken's David Copperfield and Capote's A Christmas Memory are all books I go back to and reread again and again. I've read each throughout different periods in my life and find that I'm continually gleaning new insights. It's a joy to have specific books that follow you throughout your life.
I've often considered spending a whole year simply re-reading books I already have right here on my shelves. What would I learn about myself? But then I wonder... but... what will I show for progress? Just tapping that out makes me think I've lost my marbles. What if I didn't buy a book all year, read the ones I have to read, along with re-reads of my most favorite classics?! Hmm... food for thought!
My favorite re-read in 2023 was listening to The Trumpet of the Swan narrated by E.B. White himself. We did this as a family and worked a jigsaw puzzle as we listened.
I'm currently re-reading and delighting in Pride and Prejudice. I only read it once back in high school, and although the movie versions have entered my imagination, it's like reading A Christmas Carol and keeping the many cinematic versions at bay while keeping close to the author's words, FWIW, my favorite P&P version is the BBC miniseries with Colin Firth.
I reread constantly. In addition to the 'serious reading' of classics, non-fiction, etc., I always have some lighter reading. My preferred light reading are British mysteries, and my favorite to reread is Ellis Peters (Edith Pargeter). She is best known for her Brother Cadfael books, which are excellent, but also had a mid-20th century series, Inspector Felse, which are as good, and a handful of standalone books. I am rereading one of the latter now, 'Never Pick Up Hitchhikers', a comedic farce of the murder mystery/heist/gangster/chase genres rolled into one.
I'm with you on the balance, Holly. PG Wodehouse has always been that perfect "reset" for me, after something more substantial. Now, though it has been thirty years since I read the Cadfael books, I may have to pick up some cheap copies at the used bookstore.
I'm rereading To Kill a Mockingbird this year with the Close Reads Podcast. It's a favorite from childhood and I've reread it a few times as an adult. This month I have decided to reread a book I read in highschool, A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. When I met my husband we bonded over having read that book and both liking it. I've never reread it and have been wanting to see how it holds up over the last 18ish years.
Also want to add, if I reread a book a lot of times I do it as audio since I already know the story and don't have to focus as hard on it when listening.
I do this too — but it’s also great when you want to reset your imagination for something. For example: if you grew up watching the Colin Firth Pride & Prejudice, it’s really hard to imagine anyone other than him as Darcy. But (great as that production is) there is so much more humor and depth in the novel. Listening to a good audiobook production helped me read that book fully as the great novel it is!
Sometimes a reread is just a guilty pleasure. Most every January, I find myself rereading John McNab (J. Buchan). It is a manly sort of adventure book. Three British aristocrats decide they are at loose ends and decide to upend their cushy lives by poaching deer and salmon in the Scottish Highlands. There are no great insights, just fine story telling. Best enjoyed, along with a glass of whisky, on a cold night.
I also reread A River Runs Through It (N. Maclean) each year. Beautiful writing and keen observations on the relationship between brothers that most men can recognize in their own lives.
A River Runs Through It is exactly the memoir I forgot to suggest when you were polishing up your list for 2024. If you do get around to it someday, two things to remember. One, it is short. And, two, you will not regret it.
I’m a serious rereader--to the point that I view my first time through a book as a mere introduction, assuming the book is worth a reread. Last year I reread “unbearable lightness of being” and “possession” after their respective authors died, both books beloved in college, and found I’d changed a lot and while both still stand as excellent novels, they didn’t speak to me now as they did then.
I may try Hemingway's Nick Adams stories. I was IN LOVE with them in high school. But I'll confess that it's usually my childhood and middle school reading that I go back to with the most pleasure. I also take a little time each year to reread my own novels which REALLY feels like visiting old and much-loved friends. I don't care if it's self-indulgent. LOL
When my aunt turned 97 she said one of the great things about losing her short-term memory was she could re-read her favorite books and they were all new to her.
Larry, there’s always an upside if we’re looking for it :)
The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings have been regular re-reads for 40 years. That may be all from my childhood. The Iliad and the Odyssey get read about once every few years. Several years ago I did a complete read of all Elmore Leonard novels and stories. I revisit them from time to time. Probably the most revisited is Road Dogs. It is one of the most Elmore Leonard novels if you know what I mean. Sherlock Holmes was a favorite in my teens and I revisit that on occasion. Usually on audiobook. I have the complete works read by Simon Vance and another ready by Stephen Fry. I visit my buddy Shakespeare every year, though I tend to watch or listen and not read. About every five years or so I take to the high seas with Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin in Patrick ao’Brian’s works.
My problem is that there are too many unread books. I’m also a lifelong student of history so there is a lot a new stuff to read every year.
This is a great list of rereads! Alas, your comment on the unread books is all too true. There are more new books than waves on the sea.
For many years I rarely ever reread books as I wanted to get through as many as possible. My philosophy has changed somewhat and in the past few years I have enjoyed rereading some old favorites including Jane Eyre, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Lord of the Rings. This year I am rereading War and Peace with the slow read group at Footnotes and Tangents. I will also reread a couple of Steinbeck books as part of my project to read all his works in chronological order of publishing date.
Those are classics. I love the idea of your Steinbeck project.
I am reading War and Peace with Simon Haisell too! A chapter a day is so manageable, especially for my first attempt.
A chapter a day is a great method for any big reading project!
Given my long reading list at the start of this year, the thought of re-reading seems like a luxury. However, the Count of Monte Cristo is one of the few longer books I have revisited (there is also a superb audiobook version), and I never tire of Dickens' world, especially David Copperfield, Bleak House, and of course A Christmas Carol (the easiest for a yearly re-read). Peco and I have read Father Elijah by Michael O. Brien twice together and its themes seem more relevant now than ever.
I’ve read only bits and pieces of Dickens. Huge gap in my education.
Joel, I'm shocked! :) This could be your year to remedy this gaping hole....
Ruth, my education has more holes than Swiss Cheese!
haha Same here. A good part of my adult life thus far has been spent reading things I really should have by now, and somehow didn't all the way through college!
A lot of that for me, I can tell you. That’s part of what motivated this whole classic novel goal business!
Ha - well the holes are referred to as "eyes" and Swiss cheese without holes is termed "blind"; so there is an upside :)
I need all the eyes I can get!
Probably about time for a reread of Bleak House for me too!
If you don't have time for a re-read, there is a 15-part BBC mini series (2005) which is quite good (although not nearly as good as the book:).
Ditto to Count of Monte Cristo & Dickens (Tale of Two Cities for me)!
Yes to both of these! Tale of Two Cities is an all time favorite. I reread Count of Monte Cristo last year and am already looking forward to doing so again. :)
Tale of Two Cities is one I haven't read since high school. It would be really interesting to read it now, with more history at my disposal.
Austen is always a pleasure for me to reread and discover nuances that I missed---or just get a pleasurable kick out of the witty familiar. The Keeper of the Bees (Gene Stratton-Porter) is a good reread, too. There is so much to goad you into thinking while you spend time in the beautiful garden made solely for the bees, but that offers such respite and delight for the humans.
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention Wodehouse. His smart language is a delight and the light as air plots can be a balm to tired and overworked minds. Even after reading a second or third time some of his turns of phrases just make laughter erupt and I keep thinking, "I wish I'd said that!"
I’ve only read Pride and Prejudice once, but I can imagine the humor would come out even more strongly on a second read.
I love rereading books. Rereading all of Toni Morrison’s novels right now (some I’ve read 3x). The Color Purple and Their Eyes Were Watching God 3x. I just bought some copies of Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew books I read as a kid in the 80s (but they were written way before that). I reread nonfiction and write in the books with a different color pen each time.
I’m reading The Color Purple next month for my classic novel goal and read Their Eyes Were Watching God last year; I can definitely see re-reading it! I also like the pen idea for marginalia.
Eliot's MiddleMarch, Dicken's David Copperfield and Capote's A Christmas Memory are all books I go back to and reread again and again. I've read each throughout different periods in my life and find that I'm continually gleaning new insights. It's a joy to have specific books that follow you throughout your life.
Books that follow you through life are a joy. Great way to say it.
I’m reading Middlemarch this year for my classic novel goal!
I'm rereading Hilary Mantel's Cromwell trilogy and War and Peace, both year long projects of Simon Haisell of Footnotes and Tangents.
I may reread Swann's Way. Other than that, no rereads currently on the docket.
That’s a pretty hefty load! Sounds great, though!
I've often considered spending a whole year simply re-reading books I already have right here on my shelves. What would I learn about myself? But then I wonder... but... what will I show for progress? Just tapping that out makes me think I've lost my marbles. What if I didn't buy a book all year, read the ones I have to read, along with re-reads of my most favorite classics?! Hmm... food for thought!
LOL. I can almost imagine not buying any books and just reading my TBR and rereading old favorites—but then I wake up! Not possible!
Same. Two books were purchased between the consideration of the idea and now. LOL
My favorite re-read in 2023 was listening to The Trumpet of the Swan narrated by E.B. White himself. We did this as a family and worked a jigsaw puzzle as we listened.
I'm currently re-reading and delighting in Pride and Prejudice. I only read it once back in high school, and although the movie versions have entered my imagination, it's like reading A Christmas Carol and keeping the many cinematic versions at bay while keeping close to the author's words, FWIW, my favorite P&P version is the BBC miniseries with Colin Firth.
There’s a wonderful recording of him reading Charlotte’s Web, too! Highly recommend!
Listening to EB White narrate an audiobook would be fantastic. I loved P&P last year. I can definitely see rereading that.
I love his reading of Charlotte's Web too. Genius.
This year, I’ll be finishing off my rereading of the Narnia collection... two down...
Also on my list is Anam Cara. Aside from these, I don’t think I’m planning any others... too many on my tbr list and too many out during the year!
Narnia is always a good choice. I’ve read The Horse and His Boy probably four times. I love that book.
I reread constantly. In addition to the 'serious reading' of classics, non-fiction, etc., I always have some lighter reading. My preferred light reading are British mysteries, and my favorite to reread is Ellis Peters (Edith Pargeter). She is best known for her Brother Cadfael books, which are excellent, but also had a mid-20th century series, Inspector Felse, which are as good, and a handful of standalone books. I am rereading one of the latter now, 'Never Pick Up Hitchhikers', a comedic farce of the murder mystery/heist/gangster/chase genres rolled into one.
I'm with you on the balance, Holly. PG Wodehouse has always been that perfect "reset" for me, after something more substantial. Now, though it has been thirty years since I read the Cadfael books, I may have to pick up some cheap copies at the used bookstore.
That sounds like fun. I enjoy re-reading PJ O’Rourke essays for that reason.
I'm rereading To Kill a Mockingbird this year with the Close Reads Podcast. It's a favorite from childhood and I've reread it a few times as an adult. This month I have decided to reread a book I read in highschool, A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. When I met my husband we bonded over having read that book and both liking it. I've never reread it and have been wanting to see how it holds up over the last 18ish years.
Also want to add, if I reread a book a lot of times I do it as audio since I already know the story and don't have to focus as hard on it when listening.
I do this too — but it’s also great when you want to reset your imagination for something. For example: if you grew up watching the Colin Firth Pride & Prejudice, it’s really hard to imagine anyone other than him as Darcy. But (great as that production is) there is so much more humor and depth in the novel. Listening to a good audiobook production helped me read that book fully as the great novel it is!
That’s a good hack.
I’m looking forward to rereading To Kill a Mockingbird this year. I’ve read it twice.
I love hearing about rereading a book that brought you and your husband together. That’s awesome.
Sometimes a reread is just a guilty pleasure. Most every January, I find myself rereading John McNab (J. Buchan). It is a manly sort of adventure book. Three British aristocrats decide they are at loose ends and decide to upend their cushy lives by poaching deer and salmon in the Scottish Highlands. There are no great insights, just fine story telling. Best enjoyed, along with a glass of whisky, on a cold night.
I also reread A River Runs Through It (N. Maclean) each year. Beautiful writing and keen observations on the relationship between brothers that most men can recognize in their own lives.
I’ve only ever read Buchan’s 39 Steps; that was a lot of fun.
I’ve always heard great things a bout A River Runs Through It.
A River Runs Through It is exactly the memoir I forgot to suggest when you were polishing up your list for 2024. If you do get around to it someday, two things to remember. One, it is short. And, two, you will not regret it.
I love John Buchan!
John McNab is great entertainment!
A McNab Society of two!
BTW Just for brags, I have a copy of the book signed by John Buchan's son.
That’s cool!
I’m a serious rereader--to the point that I view my first time through a book as a mere introduction, assuming the book is worth a reread. Last year I reread “unbearable lightness of being” and “possession” after their respective authors died, both books beloved in college, and found I’d changed a lot and while both still stand as excellent novels, they didn’t speak to me now as they did then.
It’s interesting to have those different experiences, right? Same words, different impact.
I may try Hemingway's Nick Adams stories. I was IN LOVE with them in high school. But I'll confess that it's usually my childhood and middle school reading that I go back to with the most pleasure. I also take a little time each year to reread my own novels which REALLY feels like visiting old and much-loved friends. I don't care if it's self-indulgent. LOL
So many of those early books are formative in the same way music can be. They shape our attitudes and outlooks. They’re ingrained in our psychology.