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What books have you read twice?

(266 Posts)
whenim64 Mon 13-May-13 10:06:53

I occasionally read books that I have enjoyed, again - years later. When I go back to them, I find that I have missed lots of enjoyable passages and interesting use of language in the pursuit of frantic page-turning to see what happens next.

I'm enjoying To Kill A Mocking Bird at the moment. I remember reading the story in the 80s, and have seen the film, with Gregory Peck as Atticus. This time, the book is coming alive in a deeper, richer way than when I first read it.

Any books that you would recommend from reading twice?

Tegan Mon 11-Nov-13 22:33:18

Oh darn it; I'll let you know how good it was!! Or, if I was any good at recording things I could record it for you [except I'm a complete technophobe sad]. Mind you, it's on so late
I'm likely to nod off part way through. We once went to see a man that was supposed to be a great orator; took some friends with us. Were horrified when this extremely old man was wheeled into the room. But, when he started speaking a hush descended over the room and we were mesmerised.

Tegan Mon 11-Nov-13 22:46:25

It's called 'Speeches that Shook the World' by Simon Armitage. It's a documentary so there may be a link to it somewhere.

Daisyanswerdo Mon 11-Nov-13 23:27:31

Cold Comfort Farm, National Velvet, The Constant Nymph, the Mapp and Lucia books, Just William, Jeeves and Wooster.

Daisyanswerdo Mon 11-Nov-13 23:34:55

Sorry, said before, forgot!

broomsticks Thu 14-Nov-13 15:41:05

Cold Comfort Farm is brilliant isn't it?
Does anyone (except me) read detective novels several times and not remember who done it or suddenly remember in the middle?

sara4 Thu 21-Nov-13 15:10:09

Mine are, all the Poldarks Winston Graham, Bernard Cornwell's Alfred the Great novels, Katherine A Seaton, just reread some Dick Francis too. John Grisham writes thrilling books on American legal system ( glad I don't live there) and Stella Rimmington's 'spy' books. Always finding something I've missed or forgotten. Oh and 'the Just so stories.' Couldn't joint a book club unless they let me choose all the books, which would be rather selfish. Forgot Terry Pratchett! I don't like TV adaptations of novels, they put bits in or leave them out and the characters don't look like I imagine they do.

Maggiemaybe Thu 21-Nov-13 16:03:17

I loved the Poldarks, sara4, and they were probably what nudged me towards the name Ross for my DS! I've never even seen the TV serial - I was living abroad when it was on. Not even the old VHS recorders were available then!

yorke Thu 21-Nov-13 22:36:44

All the Harry Potter books & Jane Eyre.

Neeny Thu 21-Nov-13 22:42:55

Maya Angelou and I've just started on Patricia Cornwell from the very beginning for the second time.

lamb Sun 24-Nov-13 12:13:27

Wow. all my favourites, Cold Comfort Farm and Constant Nymph, Just William. Also usual classics plus Vanity Fair. Tolstoy W&P and Short stories. Wodehouse,Waugh,Mitfords.Rosamund Lehmann.Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Pym.Buchan. Cant read Hardy now.Good Behaviour and all her novels,Agatha Christie..very undervalued as fiction. Dick Francis, Andy McNab,Wallender, John Le Carre.Kite Runner. All read many times, I never need to buy a book again as I love the old ones best.I took Wild Swans to Western China with me and devoured it. I left it with our guide. I did not realise at the time that I could have been imprisoned for having it. Some of you may know that I am reading The Cazalets for the second time.

Wheniwasyourage Sun 24-Nov-13 19:29:57

This is a great thread! I reread many books and particularly Mary Stewart, Michael Gilbert, Terry Pratchett and Dick Francis, more so when I need "comfort reading". I have just finished "Sense and Sensibility", which I read many years ago but didn't enjoy nearly as much as "Pride and Prejudice". This time I loved it - the story maybe isn't as good as P&P but it is so funny, in an understated and polite way! Is it aging maturity that changes one's view of books? In any case, I think perhaps I shall now try some others which I haven't enjoyed in the past.

annodomini Sun 24-Nov-13 20:08:32

Having studied and taught Eng Lit, I don't think I could count the books I have re-read and re-read again! And there are so many I haven't read yet...

Purpledaffodil Sun 24-Nov-13 20:48:29

Anything by Jane Austen or E. Nesbit. Cranford by Mrs Gaskell. A Spanish Lover by Joanna Trollope (just love the Christmas preparations bit at the beginning) also anything by Fannie Flagg. An eclectic mix like most here. Interesting how it is the "good" children's fiction we reread with pleasure. Does anyone else remember Regents Classics? Sold I think by Woolworths in the 50s. My mother used to buy me the books she loved as a child in the 20s and 30s in that series for Christmas and I loved them too. Recently reread Heidi in the unabridged edition and was amazed to find how much longer it was and how full of pious rhetoric.

lamb Tue 26-Nov-13 18:50:13

Annodomini. which book have you NOT read and feel guilty about the omission??

Bez1989 Sun 05-Jan-14 14:07:30

I enjoy re-reading Joanna Trollop's books.
I usually learn something very profound and personal from her books.
Stops me in my tracks ! Almost like speaking to me about something
personal to me.
Does anyone else ever experience this from books ?

Apart from The Bible she's the only author that reaches me in this way.
I find it quite fascinating and am grateful for the truths I've learned from her.

smile

annodomini Sun 05-Jan-14 14:16:30

Sorry,*lamb*, I missed your question in November. I feel slightly guilty about not reading Ulysses which I downloaded to my Kindle when I first had it 18 months ago.

JS1 Fri 10-Jan-14 13:39:11

I'm not much of a re-reader but one author who has made me go back is Anne Rice. The three books were.

The Witching Hour
Memnoch the Devil
A Cry to Heaven

Three stunning books that once read will never be forgotten.

Wurzelernie Fri 10-Jan-14 15:40:33

I like to have about three books on the go at the same time. At the moment I'm reading 'Speaking for themselves' - the letters of Winston and Clementine Churchill to each other, fascinating and theirs was a life long love story.
Can always re-read Daphne du Maurier and my favourite is still 'Frenchmans Creek,' love all John Buchans books and some of the lovely old Victorian fiction, dated perhaps but still so readable, especially 'The Channings.'
Best latest reads? ''Black Roses'' by Jane Thynne and ''The Perfume Garden'' by Kate Lord Brown. Loved them both.

DerekY Fri 10-Jan-14 18:14:07

J M Bauer - As far as my feet will carry me.
20 years apart the second time after I saw the film thinking the book couldn't have been as bad as the film..Result poor film.

cactus60 Fri 10-Jan-14 19:08:06

I have read all the Miss Read Fairacre series and many others by her.
All of Caro frazers books including all the caper court series and many classics such as Rebecca, The Bell by Iris Murdoch. I like to read books a second time or third as I know I will like them

Judthepud2 Fri 10-Jan-14 22:10:12

Glad to see this thread revived and be reminded of the books other people reread. I really MUST revisit the Georgette Heyer books. Loved them in my teens.

Middlemarch always bears rereading. There is so much in it to think about.

I'm getting a little bit tired of Cat in the Hat!

cazthebookworm Fri 10-Jan-14 22:51:26

I can always re-read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, I would love to visit Bronte country one day, and Cider With Rosie by Laurie Lee is another favourite.

Rosiebee Sat 11-Jan-14 09:04:49

When I've been stressed, usually when working, I've always gone back to 'Cold Comfort Farm' and read how Flora Post calmly sorts out the chaotic Starkadder family. Bliss. Many years ago in the years of black and white, the BBC did a brilliant serial on it, knocking all spots of the more recent damp squib of a serial.
Other all time favourite re-read is 'Hotel Du Lac' by Anita Brookner. I think I must go for books that untangle problems in a satisfactory way.
At storytime, when I was teaching, we always had requests to read stories from 'A Necklace of Raindrops' by Joan Aiken. I have met children now grown up, who still remember it with great fondness. smile

annodomini Sat 11-Jan-14 09:52:50

When I've been especially stressed, I've always gone back to Jane Austen, especially Persuasion, my favourite.

broomsticks Mon 13-Jan-14 22:08:59

I always re-read book in bed at night. If I read something new I get carried away and forget to go to sleep.
I re-read Miss Read too and loved Georgette Heyer as a teenager. Amazingly they are still good to re-read now. Most things I read then seem terrible now.
Cold Comfort Farm is brilliant isn't it. The tv version was excellent too. I watched that at a slightly difficult time (with parents in their last years) and couldn't stop laughing. Hysterics nearly but I remember it fondly.