Ever go back and read books that you read

14 years ago

years ago? I just re-read "Ice" by Ed McBain. Published in the 80s. An excellent read. After so many years go by, you forget what happened. Y'all read any oldies but goodies lately?

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dotmom
14 years ago
Usually not on purpose. But I have gotten books from the library, and realize it is some what familiar an have read it before, but it has been long enough so I don't remember how it ends. I do plan on getting The Help from the library and re-read it so when I get to see the movie, I can compare.
Jodi_SoCal
14 years ago
No, there are far too many good book left in my "to be read" pile. But if I were to go back and reread an old book, it would be Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.

Jodi-
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kayjones
14 years ago
Absolutely! I try to only buy books that I find interesting enough to read again and again.
heather_on
14 years ago
Yes, I am one that likes to reread books. A few books, I have read so many times I could almost quote them. Two of my favourite books are Karen and With Love from Karen by her mother Marie Killilea. They are probably about half a century old by now.
forhgtv
14 years ago
Absolutely! It's fun to revisit an old friend. One of my favorites is Replay by Ken Grimwood. Last year, I re-read all of the Travis McGee books. Sometimes I won't re-read the whole book, but just my favorite passages.
maryanntx
14 years ago
I agree with Jodi. There are too many good books out there just waiting to be read. I haven't read Rebecca, but it's in my TBR pile.
Georgysmom
14 years ago
Ditto dotmom. In fact, I think I could buy six books and by the time I finish #6, I could go back and read #1, because by that time I've forgotten what it was about. I belong to a book exchange. There's 12 of us and each one buys a hard cover book that's been recently on the best seller list. We have a rotation we follow...I read my book and pass on to Suzi, Suzi reads it and passes on to Jane, etc. At the end of the year, you get your own book back. Often someone will ask me about one of the books and they have to go into great detail about the subject matter in order to refresh my memory. Of course, if it's an outstanding book, you tend to remember. Don't know if I would reread a book on purpose.
phyllis__mn
14 years ago
Just too many books now that I have to read for the first time. I used to re-read....I read Gone With the Wind 12 times in my youth!! Just a few weeks ago I thought I would read Stone Diaries again. Well......it seems that I had never read it. How come I thought it was one of my favorite books???? Must have been another, as I would not have forgotten SD if I had read it.
sarahlee123
14 years ago
Replay- I'm reading that now, and it is fascinating! I know it's one I'll want to re-read. :-)

And I enjoy re-reading Janet Evanovich's books- they make me laugh out loud.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
very rarely, usually only if by accident. I do have one series that I really liked that took forever for each book to come out so it would be nice to re-read it in order with out the long waits between each book. I have thought of doing that but I have so many books to read now I may never get them all read.
My husband has on several occasions bought a book by one of his fave authors thinking he has not read it only to come home and find the same book in his bookcase. He said getting old means you have an endless library, you read them then forget them and it is brand new all over again the next time you pick it up LOL
angelaid
14 years ago
I read Illusions by Richard Bach every few years. A small set of poetry books by Javan every once in awhile. And a book my mom gave me on my 18th birthday about a woman's journey through many lifetimes over history.
minnie_tx
14 years ago
I try to read Alas Babylon at lest once a year.
I also have all the Little House books and reread them occasionally
azzalea
14 years ago
I'm another who loves to reread a good book. Right now, I'm rereading the entire Harry Potter series (I'm up to book 3). I've reread the books everytime a new book or new movie comes out (didn't have time to do it this summer before the release of the movie), so I've read some of them many, many, many times.

Everytime I reread a book, I discover more and more delights and nuances.

Granted, not all books are worth a second read, but the really good ones withstand a second, third, fourth.....
kayjones
14 years ago
Minnie, I read the Little House series over and over, too - it takes me back to a simpler time and relaxes me.
lynn_d
14 years ago
I do Vannie....and sometimes it isn't on purpose!! LOL!!!! I get nearly thru it and a light bulb goes on!
Marilyn Sue
14 years ago
Yes, I do and have re read books and I have lots of books on hand to read. Wonder when I will find time to read?

Sue
dotmom
14 years ago
Oh, I forgot about The Little House series, I've re-read them many times.
I've been known to forget I've bought a book as a gift for Christmas, and give the very same book to the same person the next year. LOL
rosebudms
14 years ago
I do re-read books that I like. I used to re-read "Gone With the Wind" every summer. Love the descriptions of the land in spring. Also re-read my stash of "Mrs. Pollifax" books. And "Watership Down" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" among other favorites. It is a comfort to know that I have so many hours of reading pleasure tucked away on my bookshelves.

Rose
Jasdip
14 years ago
My favourite mystery author is Sidney Sheldon. For years he was the only author of books I would buy; all hardcovers.
Then I bought some Robert B Parker, both hard and softcover.

I fully intend to go back and re-read Sidney but I haven't yet. I still like the way he wrote; he kept me interested from first to last page.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
14 years ago
As much as I enjoyed all of the old Nancy Drew books so many years ago, I have thought about reading one again, and seeing if it kept me as captivated as it did when I was a child. I remember they were all so suspenseful that I always hated getting to the end and the mystery being solved.

I'll have to check and see if my local library still has them in the children's section.

Sue
azzalea
14 years ago
Chemocurl--I have a collection of old children's books. Some Nancy Drew's are among them. About a year ago, I reread all I had--yes, they were just as wonderful as I remembered. And just about a month ago, my sis was over, saw some of my children's books, and I thought I was going to lose some of those Nancy Drews! She was pretty interested.

Do pick some up--either at the library or at yard sales, and enjoy!
Jasdip
14 years ago
That reminds me Sue, I have all the Hardy Boys. I had written in them when I got them....1968. I loved those guys! They are well-read but very well taken care of.
I should read one now, to see if I still have the same enchantment.
sue_va
14 years ago
The Diary of a Young Girl, (Anne Frank) To Kill a Mockingbird and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

Tree in Brooklyn is my very most favorite book. Although I've never lived in Brooklyn, and the time frame is a few years earlier than mine, I identified with Francie in so many ways.

There are probably others that I can't recall right now.

"Old Friends are the Best friends."

Sue
User
14 years ago
All the time..especially the authors Francine Rivers and Beverly Lewis..I have every book these two authors have written and you will have to pry their books from my cold dead hands.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
14 years ago
About a year ago, I reread all I had--yes, they were just as wonderful as I remembered.
Now I know I'm going to have to get my hand on a few of them, and hopefully can find them at a library.

That reminds me Sue, I have all the Hardy Boys.
I liked them also, but Nancy Drew was my favorite.
blubird
14 years ago
Funny that "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" was mentioned. It was required reading when I was in the 8/9th grade and I did live in Brooklyn in the 1950s and 60s. I remember my teacher saying, after we had discussed the book, that we should never attempt to reread it because it would spoil the magic feel of the book for us. I did attempt to reread it, oh, probably about 20 years ago....and the teacher was right, I never was able to get back into that book again the same way as it did when I was much younger. There are other books which I've reread without any feeling of disappointment, but I guess "A Tree..." was special for me.

Helene

P.s. The tree was an ailanthus.
vannie
Original Author
14 years ago
Oh, my gosh!! Another Travis McGee fan!! I've always been in love w/ him!!
redcurls
14 years ago
I've read Hawaii by James Michener at least ten times. Have read his Alaska two or three times. I discover something new with each reading.
susanjf_gw
14 years ago
i do it all the time...got in the habit when we didn't have a library handy and couldn't afford to buy new books...

when i was a kid i read and reread anne of green gables series...and there's nothing more romantic than jane eyre...
socks
14 years ago
No, I have only done that once that I remember. I read The Far Pavilions (M.M. Kaye) back in the 70's and re-read it again a couple years ago.
michelle_phxaz
14 years ago
To Kill A Mockingbird. I love to read it and leave a copy on a plane for the next flier to enjoy.
joann23456
14 years ago
Oh, yes, I re-read all the time. The ones I re-read the most are Jane Austen's novels, the "Outlander" series by Diana Gabaldon, "Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy (one of my favorite books ever), and "Far From the Madding Crowd" by Thomas Hardy. I've re-read "To Kill a Mockingbird," too, but only 3-4 times.:)
rule34
14 years ago
I have approximately 2,500 books and have read some of them as much as 100 times. My cue to re-read a particular book occurs when some passage from it jumps into my mind, word for word. Reading has always been the most important thing in my life.
jennmonkey
14 years ago
I forgot about A Tree Grows In Brooklyn! I absolutely loved that book when I was a kid.

I will re-read some of my favorites: The Secret Garden, A Prayer for Owen Meany, A Confederacy of Dunces. Usually I wait many years between reading them again though.
vannie
Original Author
14 years ago
Jenn, you're the one that told me about "A Confederacy of Dunces" and I loved it. I recommended it to my book group, and it's the book for Oct. I've read the other 2 you mentioned, but really loved "Confederacy". It was like I knew all those characters. LOL Great read.
Jodi_SoCal
14 years ago
A Confederacy of Dunces is another book I wouldn't mind re-reading. I found it fascinating. The only downside is that I've been craving hotdogs ever since I read it. :-)

Jodi-

Ever go back and read books that you read

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