27 September 2011

TTT: Books to Reread


I have a lot of things going on in my head that I'd like to get recorded on this blog, because I know how much you all love to know what I'm thinking. (Especially right now since so much of my thinking consists of things like, "Is this the right CMYK combination to make burnt orange?" "Should this header be right or left justified?" "I can't track this line any tighter or it won't be legible." Even during church on Sunday [shameful, I know] I was mentally adjusting columns, rules, and folios on a spread. Magazine design rocks.)

Anyway. The Broke and the Bookish's Top Ten this week is books I want to reread. I'm adapting, and for this reason: I reread books all the time. I know people who think it's crazy. I also know people who think I'm crazy for hauling 150+ lbs of books with me every time I move, do I even read them all?? To them and you I say, first, it's not just about reading. It's about the atmosphere. But also, yes, there are books I regularly reread. And I'm listing them here.

1. Anne of the Island. Third in L. M. Montgomery's series about the Anne-girl, it is my favorite of them all. College, romance, lovely housemates. I think I related to this one more than any of the others, plus the Gilbert storyline is just so wonderful. And her friend Phil is a doll.

2. The Luckiest Girl by Beverly Cleary. Adorable little book. And my copy is ragged and dogeared from all the rereadings throughout my life.

3. The Work and the Glory by Gerald Lund. This is a tad embarrassing, but I've read the entire series countless times. I'd read them growing up, and sometimes when I go home on breaks I'll pick one up at random and fly through the entire series again.

4. Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer. Speedy fast read, and funny. Plus she falls in love with a totally gorgeous guy. And there's political intrigue. So fun.

5. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. I'm sensing a theme here; I reread books I loved in my childhood. Because when you read a book as a child it becomes part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your life does. (Name that movie, anyone?)

6. Sisters of the Quantock Hills by Ruth Elwin Harris. These are four books about sisters who live in rural England during WWI, Frances, Julia, Gwen, and Sarah. Beautiful books that make me want to become a painter and live in the country.

7. My Name Is Asher Lev. I will never get tired of Chaim Potok, and I will never get tired of this book. I know he's more well-known for The Chosen, but something about Asher Lev touches my soul.

8. The Killer Angels by Michael Sharra. I love this book. My Civil War love was a long time coming when I got to it, but it's just so powerfully written and it makes the people so real. I have such huge respect for so many people from that war. And good heavens, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Amazing man. When I got to visit Gettysburg several years ago I had this book with me and nearly cried.

9. Another Civil War favorite, Maragaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind. Because it is my favorite book of all time. And how could it not be, with compliments like this one:
Your eyes are like twin goldfish bowls filled to the brim with the clearest green water, and when the fish are swimming to the top, as they are doing now, you are devilishly charming.

10. Harry Potter 1–7. Obviously. 

7 comments:

  1. I just finished watching the Anne movies!

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  2. I think I have only read the first Anne book. But you have inspired me...that will now go on my reading list. Have you ever read Mrs. Mike? If not, I suggest you do. One of my childhood favorites. Although not very politically correct these days (it was written many years ago).

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  3. Okay, every single book I was like, "gaaah! I love that one!" Sisters of the Quantock Hills, yes please. I am sad because I lent the first one to my friend in high school and when I asked it for her later she said that I'd never lent it to her. Also, Hope Was Here makes me cry. I gave a copy to my best friend when she moved in 10th grade to Wisconsin. I haven't read it since then and I need to. And Killer Angels is one of Scott's favorites, so I definitely need to read that too. Aaaah! Too many books in the world!!

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  4. 5. Love it. I listen to it when I'm not listening to Harry Potter.

    7. I know I've seconded your endorsement of Asher Lev before, and I will do it again. Yes this book does touch the soul. My dad gave me his first edition copy for Christmas, and I cried. (I can't remember if I've told you that or not--I've been known to repeat stories and anecdotes to friends without realizing it until they awkwardly tell me they've heard that story 400 times already.)

    9. Sigh. Such a dreamy novel.

    10. Obviously.

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  5. Another rereader! I want to hug you (only that'd probably be creepy since I don't know you) because we rereaders seem to be so few on the ground in the book bloggers community. But yes, you're absolutely right. It's the atmosphere of the book and the idea of revisiting old friends and the peacefulness that comes from reading something for the millionth time because it's just so beautiful/good/touching/sweet.

    Anne of the Island is absolutely my favourite Anne book too though it's closely followed by Rilla of Ingleside. But I'm a sucker for WWI books - which means I really want to check out Sisters of the Quantock Hills!

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  6. only because no one has yet claimed to know that movie, although most everyone probably does, I will do it. You've Got Mail!

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  7. I had never heard of Chaim Potok before I started blogging, but now I keep hearing good things. I loved Beverly Cleary as a kid.

    Come visit my list at The Scarlet Letter.

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