Top Ten Tuesday is a fun weekly event that is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is 'Books I Could Re-read Forever', which I have, as usual, adjusted a bit to 'kay's favorite books to read again and again...otherwise known as 'my comfort reads'.
I actually wrote a blog discussion post about this a few years ago here. I'm not going to repeat everything I said in it, but I will start with the same three quotes. After that will come 10 books that I've read again and again.
I also will say that I know that not everyone likes to re-visit books favorites. My top reason is probably to derive comfort when life gives me lemons - which it certainly has from time to time. And I agree with the 3rd quote: reading is indeed my refuge.
"Tell me what you read and I'll tell you who you are" is true enough, but I'd know you better if you told me what you reread. ~~Francois Mauriac~~
When you reread a classic, you do not see more in the book than you did before; you see more in you than was there before. ~~Clifton Fadiman~~
To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life. ~~W. Somerset Maugham~~
These 10 (OK, more than 10) books are in no particular order and I almost certainly enjoy and reread other books by the same authors, especially series books.
1. The Secret - Julie Garwood - historical romance - Scottish Highlands - a reluctant midwife and a Scottish laird
2. Die For Love - Elizabeth Peters - mystery set at a romance writers convention - funny - big floppy hats, lots of hearts and valentines - and a body
3. The Crying Child - Barbara Michaels - spooky old house in Maine - what's in the attic?
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and the rest of the story - J.K. Rowling - it's Harry Potter - enough said
5. A Murder is Announced - Agatha Christie - Miss Marple - a murder invite in the paper and you can come - Or if your tastes run to Hercule Poirot, Cards on the Table - 4 sleuths and 4 possible murderers
6. Dance Upon the Air, Heaven and Earth, Face the Fire - Nora Roberts - the Three Sisters Island trilogy - romance and witches - what more do you want?
7. The Shop on Blossom Street - Debbie Macomber - knitting and female friendship - plus a little romance - also the other books in the Blossom Street series
8. Virgin River - Robyn Carr - a community in the Northern California hills - this whole series is delightful - romance and a great cast of characters
9. Bootlegger's Daughter - Margaret Maron - the whole Judge Deborah Knott mystery series - set in North Carolina and including the very large Knott family - love these on audio
10. A Share in Death - Deborah Crombie - the whole Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James mystery series - the way the relationships develop and all the interesting things you learn about London and other English locations - and the maps!
This has been a fun exercise. I could have listed so many more, but I won't. So, do you reread books? Why or why not? Suggestions for me?
Agatha Christie mysteries sound like they'd be great comfort reads. I really need to read some of her books.
ReplyDeleteYou should try at least one of them. LOL
DeleteI used to reread a few of my favourite books in the past (that's before blogging), but now with so many shiny new books and bloggers' recommendations I don't have that 'luxury' time of rereading books anymore, which is kind of sad to me.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read NR's Three Sisters Island trilogy and it always intrigue me and have me wonder if they're good. I'm glad to hear you liked them enough for rereads.
The Three Sisters Island trilogy is very good. I love the characters - female and male.
DeleteI can not re-read books but I love to re-read my favorite scenes.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT.
That sounds like a good plan!
DeleteI've never been a re-reader and *finally* realizing this is what spurred me to give so many of my books away to those who would read them. Diving into a new book has always been my comfort. I will admit that you've got some good ones on your list!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think if you're not going to read them again - let someone else have them to try.
DeleteAfter all, books are meant to be read, not hoarded and never touched again.
DeleteSome interesting new series to check out -- and indeed, enough said with respect to Harry Potter!
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing a lot of HP love out there today. LOL
DeleteInteresting that you read contemporary fiction. I rarely reread, but when I do it is usually a book that is an older book.
ReplyDeleteThese are magnificent quotes.
https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/02/books-ive-readand-re-readand-re-read.html
I do read older books again, but I was going more for the books that make me feel good. Well, all my rereads make me feel good or I wouldn't read them again. LOL
DeleteIt's been a long time since I've reread a book but I do want to tackle the Harry Potter series again.
ReplyDeleteYou should do them on audio, Kathy. Then it won't take up your print reading time.
DeleteWhat a feel good post, Kay! I love those quotes, and I've read books in three of the series you've mentioned (Harry Potter, Gemma James, and Blossom Street--must get back and finish each of these!).
ReplyDeleteThose quotes are great aren't they? Glad to know that 3 of mine are favorites of yours.
DeleteI don't reread often, but when I do it is always interesting to see which books have held up over the years. Mostly the ones I choose to reread do hold up, but not all. Sometimes it is interesting to reread a classic that I didn't like and see how I feel on a second reading.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I've ever reread a book I didn't like the first time around. ;-)
DeleteI don't re-read books just because I have so many books on my TBR list. However, come to think of it, I did re-read Jane Eyre twice and I re-read some books I read as a teen that left an impression on me such as Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume.
ReplyDeleteSee, everyone rereads sometimes. LOL
DeleteI love to reread, although I don't do it as much anymore. But definitely I would consider rereads as "comfort reads"! I had Harry Potter on my list, as well.
ReplyDeleteI think HP and Hogwarts was popular today.
DeleteHarry Potter is getting a lot of love today, it seems. Great series though.
ReplyDeleteHere is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thanks!
Yes, it is a great series. I could have listed a couple more YA series too - Rick Riordan's or Tamora Pierce's.
DeleteI love to re-read books. My favorite books to re-read are: the Little House books, the Anne of Green Gables books, anything by Jane Austen, Little Women, several Lavyrle Spencer books (Years is my favorite, but Separate Beds is good too), Cheaper by the Dozen, and Auntie Mame!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time since I read a Lavyrle Spencer book, but I had several that I like a lot.
DeleteI love to re-read books. I finally started doing more of that in the last year.
ReplyDeleteI have to give the Deborah Knott mystery series another chance. I did not like it when I tried it years ago. Tastes change. And the two Christie books that you mentioned are my next reads in the Marple and Poirot series.
Good to know about the Christie books. And I'll watch to see if you try Margaret Maron's books again.
DeleteI used to re-read all the time pre-blog, but rarely find the time to do it now. But I have been "re-reading" lots of the Agatha Christie books on audio and loving seeing how the various narrators perform them...
ReplyDeleteAnd that is a perfect way to reread Christie. All the narrators - most I love - and remembering again what makes those books such fun!
DeleteI don't re-read many books these days but I'm really enjoying revisiting the Agatha Christie books - I do agree with your second quote which is why I have a couple of re-reads on my Classic Club list.
ReplyDeleteYes, I thought those quotes were very apt. Hope you enjoy the Christies you've put on your list.
DeleteThe only book I've heard of on your list is Harry Potter. I'm sadly unaware of the others. I'll have to check these others out. :) Thanks for stopping by my blog!
ReplyDeleteYou should check them out. There are some great books here. :-)
DeleteI am not a re-reader, which may explain how I accidentally did the wrong topic *face palm*, but I have seen HP all over today, and I totally get finding comfort in something familiar. That's why I love HEA romances.
ReplyDeleteI think since you don't like rereading, the topic you actually did worked very well. LOL
DeleteMy goal is to reread all the Deborah Crombie series. I love them! The Crying Child is one of my favorites. It was my 2nd choice for my list. It's the book that made me want a Maine Coon Cat!
ReplyDeleteYes, the Maine Coon Cat! Think that was the first time I came across that breed.
DeleteEveryone seems to be pretty unanimous on Harry Potter this week!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/02/27/top-ten-tuesday-148/
It's Harry Potter, right? LOL
DeleteI forgot about Virgin River. I love that series, especially because the setting comes so alive for me. I adore HP, too, of course. I've read the first Deborah Knott book and I liked it, but I never continued with the series for some reason. The rest of these, I've never read, but if you like them enough to re-read them then I'm definitely going to give thenm a go!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, you and I have talked about the Virgin River series before. This has made me want to go back read it again. LOL
DeleteHarry Potter made my list, too! I expect it’ll be on a lot of lists today.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I think it was on a lot of lists. Not surprising.
DeleteGreat list! Loooove Harry Potter <3
ReplyDeleteYes, I think Harry was on a lot of lists.
DeleteHi, Kay! Love the Deborah Crombie books so much, and I could read those over and over! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Monica! Glad you stopped by. The Crombie books are great, aren't they?
DeleteNice list! I guess Harry Potter is going to be on everyone's list today :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/
All of our TBR lists are a bit out of control, right?
DeleteI haven't read any of the books in your TTT post this week. Lots of books for me to explore. Happy reading!!
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
Well, if you decide to try any of them, I hope they become rereads for you too!
DeleteThe fact that Harry Potter appears on so many lists this week shows us just how good the books were!
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteOh a Julie Garwood title! I remember reading that one. She has some really enjoyable books doesn't she. Loved reading your list!
ReplyDeleteJulie Garwood was such a favorite of mine back in the late '80's and early '90's. I've read and liked many of her books.
DeleteWonderful quotes, Kay! I rarely re-read books, but I have an entire bookcase full of my favorites. I hope to read all of them again - someday! Last fall I did re-read several nonfiction favorites. Funny, though. A few wound up not being as good as I remember, so I got rid of them. Now I have a little more space for future favorites. My favorite book to read over and over again is 84, Charing Crossroad by Helene Hanff.
ReplyDeleteI have read that one and liked it very much.
Delete