Weekend Reading
Are you a re-reader?
Every so often, despite the presence of new books just begging to be read, I go on re-reading kicks. Sometimes, these are seasonal, even if the books themselves have nothing to do with a particular season (Barbara Michaels’ Ammie Come Home and Here I Stay are autumn books for me, while Angela Thirkell’s August Folly, Wild Strawberries and The Brandons are early summer), other times they have to do with a fleeting mood or impression. Some of these links are really rather bizarre. A few weeks ago, a chance comment about apple cores made me think of the street urchin, Sim, in Judith Merkle Riley’s A Vision of Light, who betrays his former poverty by always eating his apples core and all– so naturally, I had to go and re-read that whole series, right then.
Right now, despite a whole pile of new books given to me just yesterday by my brilliant college roommate (the same brilliant college roommate who first introduced me to the works of Eva Ibbotsen, Loretta Chase, Lois McMaster Bujold and Charlaine Harris), I’m on one of my re-reading kicks. This time, it’s Elizabeth George’s Inspector Lynley series, which I’m shamelessly re-reading entirely out of order. I started Thursday with Payment in Blood, followed it up with A Great Deliverance, and right now I’m In the Presence of the Enemy.
Given the length of the series, I have a feeling I’ll be occupied for most of the holiday weekend– unless something else catches my attention and launches me on a different re-reading kick. Like all eight books in the Anne of Green Gables series…. It has distinct possibilities.
How are you planning to entertain yourself this weekend?
Happy Memorial Day!
I have been in love with all things L.M. Montgomery since I was a girl. As such, I am in the middle of probably my 50th re-read of ‘Anne of the Island’–there is something so delicious about this particular book; whether it’s Gilbert’s smoldering love for Anne, the naive and flawed view of love Anne has or it could just be the whole kit and caboodle!! I love it. Simply, wholly, love it. (and not just b/c I’m a redhead whose family thinks she inherited a bit of ‘Anne’, either. hee.)
I’m also re-reading Pink I and devoured Pink IV in one day after scouring my local libraries for a copy that wasn’t checked out! I was out for blood, apparently. And wow, this is the world’s longest comment ever, so I will shut my mouth. 🙂
Blessings,
Erin
“Anne of the Island” was my favorite for years, too! I love the camaraderie between her and the girls at Patty’s Place — and throwing the whole Roy complication in was just sheer brilliance.
I re-read almost all my favorites. I’ve read all of the Pink books twice except Crimson Rose. And I’ve read all the books in the Twilight series twice. I’m also a huge fan of the Tortall series by Tamora Pierce.
Right now, I’m not actually reading anything, but I was think of starting “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime”.
wow, long comment….happy reading, all!
Like Erin and Lauren, my “Anne” books are all battered to bits – but especially “Anne of the Island”. I’ve just finished writing a fanfiction from Gilbert’s point of view (can be found at my website link), because I’ve always cherished a burning curiosity about why Gilbert is love with Anne, why he clings tenaciously to that love, etc. Now I’m starting the second story, which is, really, the Redmond years and Gilbert having Anne problems. I’ve never liked Roy Gardner. OR Chrisitne Stuart. -shudders-
I’m not much of a re-reader although I’m going to have to re-read the Amelia Peabody series before I dive into another book in the series — how did Ramses and Nefret get involved and when did they grow up?!
This weekend I will finish the Crimson Rose then — I have no idea what to read next although there is a “pile” of books patiently waiting.
Some of the other books I read this year included “Portrait of a Lady” (because I loved the movie), “Snowflower and the Secret Fan: a Novel”, “Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation”, and “Maurice, or the Fisher’s Cot” a short story by Mary Shelley.
In any case, right now I’ve got to get back to Mary who has just ____ Vaughn and then, the Black Tulip — well, you know. If you don’t, what are you waiting for?
Enjoy the early summer sunshine, keep hot foods hot-cold foods cold and buckle up if you are traveling on the roads as the nation honors those who have served their country.
I reread books all the time. I’m like Lauren, any small thing can make me want to read something again. I’ve read the pink books at least 3 times, and the Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers 4 times at least. I read those for the first time about 10 years ago, so I’ve had a lot of time 🙂 Harry Potter is another series that I repeat often, and Susan Carroll’s Dark Queen series. Of course there is also Jane Eyre that I read at least once a year (same with Persuasion). The weekend I’m reading a silly book called Unpredictable, and working on revising my novel.
Well, first before I forget this weekend I’m reading Michele Ann Young’s No Regrets and then Karen Kendall’s Take Me if You Can. 🙂
Okie dokie, back to the topic at hand. 🙂 Heck yeah, I reread all the time. A few years ago, when I really started reading romances, I tried not to because of all the new books around me that I still could read. But I snapped out of that, saying to myself no book is going anywhere, so if I want to reread something, I’m going to reread it. 🙂
Also too, if I feel like I’m in a slump, if I just didn’t enjoy what I’ve been reading or wasn’t thrilled with what I’ve been reading, I’ll go to a tried and true book. Plus, in a series, I’ll reread the ones I got before. . . like, just pulling an example out of the blue, the Pink Carnation books. 🙂 I’ll reread the previous ones before reading the newest. I tend to forget books I’ve read, no matter how much I have loved them, so even though I really don’t read any authors or books that it’s necessary to read in any particular order, I simply am quite anal that way. 😉
Lois
I am definitely a huge re-reader…I will pretty much re-read every book I enjoy at LEAST once, and if it is a beloved favorite, then I have probably graced its pages multiple times. There are always so many new nuances to pick up on in a good book the second (or third or fourth….) time around, that one almost has to re-read to catch everything of value.
I am definitely a L.M.Montgomery re-reader as well…her books are packed with timeless re-reading value…even after you know it by heart, the same old phrases and situations will do something sweet for you 🙂
I re-read a LOT of my books. As far as the Pinks go, Pink I accompanied me to France in 2006 for a month and was one of two books I had with me, so it got several reads just then (I had finished it before I’d actually left the country, due to my flight schedule). I have re-read the others several times, too.
I have re-read a lot of Anne Rivers Siddons’ books, Lilian Braun Jackson’s The Cat Who… series, Eugenia Price’s books, and many, many more.
I only own one L.M. Montgomery book, Emily of New Moon, and I’ve read it a lot, as well.
I could go on and on!!!! Suffice it to say…I am a devoted re-reader.
Crimson Rose is on my re-read list, along with A Walk to Remember, Guardian and The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks.
Long-time lurker here…Sorry to comment on an older post, but the topic caught my eye. Good lord, AM I a re-reader!
I probably re-read more than I read new books, due to a limited book budget (I did go out a limb and finally buy Emerald Ring this weekend) and a pitiful local library. I don’t always re-read the whole book, often just my favorite parts–I have some books that I haven’t read all the way through in AGES, though I read parts on a practically weekly basis.
I actually sleep with a pile of current re-reads in my BED, most of the time, with your books frequently among them. Anne of the Island is among my favorites too, as are all of Robin McKinley’s books, Juliet Marillier’s Sevenwaters trilogy, Jane Austen, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and ALWAYS Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series.