I am a huge fan of re-reading books. Granted - I read faster than most and average about 6-10 books a month. So... I can afford to slip in a re-read here and there. I love being able to revisit favorite characters and stories. Many times I end up noticing things I didn't before and appreciate the work and detail the author puts into the book.
Here's some of my favorites to read over and over again!
The Night Circus* by Erin Morgenstern
This is one of my all time favorite books. After Harry Potter, it's The Night Circus. Which means, this book and I are in a very committed long-term relationship. Ever since I first read it, I've re-read it at least once a year. There are so many nuances and details that you end up missing the first time around, and I've had friends who when they read it the first time they liked it. But then when they read it a second time they loved it even more because they were able to see more threads and how the magic and the competition worked. So, I always encourage people that if they are able, give it a re-read.
Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda* by Becky Albertalli
Again - another all time favorite book. I could read it a million times and never grow tired. The reason I'm adding to the list though is not just because of my personal preference. I loved it the first time around, following Simon's journey to figuring out who Blue was. Then, maybe a few hours after I finished, I started to read it a second time. It was SO FUN to go back and see all of the clues as to who Blue was!
Any Favorite Series
I'm not giving a specific book series for this because everyone has their own favorite! Lately, I've been re-reading the Throne of Glass* series by Sarah J Maas leading up to the release of the final book in October. It's been so awesome to go back to the start and I am picking up on SO MANY little details and clues I missed before. Hints at characters to come, plot lines, world building elements, etc. This has happened for me with many book series and I think if you find one you really love, it's 100% worth going back and reading them again because you can see everything from a big picture point of view and see all of the threads and elements which were being built up from page one book one that you may have missed the first time around.
Pick a Different Format
Again, this isn't a specific book. But, I've found that sometimes I like to re-read a book, but choose a new format. If I read the physical book the first time, maybe the second time I'll listen via audio. Or vise versa. When I first tried the Kate Daniels* series by Illona Andrews I listened to the first book via audio. I was not a big fan. It was okay... but not great. But, friends kept on saying how awesome the series was! So, I tried it again, but this time as a physical book. It was so much better!
Or, other times I loved the book the first time around, but want to experience it in a new way. A classic example would be Harry Potter*. I've read all seven via the physical book, but the audio is fantastic and fun to listen to as well! I also have read the book Illuminae* by Jay Kristoff and Amy Kaufman via the hardcover physical book, but the audio has a full cast and some other elements which the physical book does not have. (And vise versa.) So, I know at some point I'm going to read it again, but this time via audio.
My Lady's Choosing* by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris
This book is a new discovery for me and it is SO MUCH FUN! If you like romance - you need this book in your life!
It's a pick your own adventure romance novel. Yeah. Just like when you were a kid - only with smut. So... not just like when you were a kid... please don't let your kids read this book.
First, it's hilarious. It takes all of the romance tropes we're overly familiar with but pokes fun at them. (So, even if you aren't a fan of smut, you still might like it because it makes fun of all of that!) I was laughing out loud as I read!
When I sat down to read this book I chose one path and followed it, with the intention of going back later to pick another path and see where it went when I was done. I figured each story line had maybe 2 or 3 different endings. WRONG. Each story line had AT LEAST 3 different directions they could go - and went in VASTLY different ways. (And yes, there are options for a female/female relationship too!) I thought I could breeze through it in one evening. Nope.
This is a book where you want to read it over and over again - because it will take you a long time to find each scenario and path. I can see this as a book I keep and when I need a palette cleanser or something fun to read really quick, and picking it up and choosing a new direction each time. Trust me, it'll last you awhile!
Holiday or Seasonal Books
Like many people, I have my favorite movies I watch every holiday season. But, I also have started a small collection of books I'll read each year too! Particularly if they are on the shorter side of things. Some of my favorites are A Christmas Carol* by Charles Dickens, My True Love Gave to Me* edited by Stephanie Perkins, and Dash and Lily's Book of Dares* by Rachel Cohen and David Levithan.
But it doesn't have to be just December or winter holidays! Maybe there's a book that always puts you in the mood for summer, or you have favorite spooky reads for when Halloween comes around.
What are some of your favorite books that you could read over and over again?
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