On Re-Reading: A List

I feel like I've shared this story here before, but I can't remember in what post, so just bear with me while I share it again.

My 9th Grade Honors World Geography teacher was a brilliant man, a great teacher, and generally some one I really looked up to, but I'll never forget the day in class when we somehow got on the topic of reading. I think one of the students in class mentioned how many times they'd re-read a certain book they loved, and my teacher looked genuinely surprised. He asked the class at large, "How many of you re-read books?" and I'll never forget the look of shock on his face when the majority of students in the class raised their hands (including yours truly). He said that he was not in the habit of re-reading books, and it was pretty clear from his tone that he sort of thought re-reading books was a waste of time. We were a bright class (it was an honors course after all), and he admitted he was very surprised that we, as smart students, would choose to waste our time reading books we'd already read when there were so many left to be explored.

With all due respect to my former geography teacher, I disagreed with his opinion then, and I still adamantly disagree.

It's not that I don't understand the sentiment. I mean, really, there are so many books in the world, and only one life to get through them all. My TBR list has always been longer than my read list, and continues to grow at a much faster rate (it's much easier to add book titles to a list than to actually read all those books). I could spend the rest of my life just reading all the books published up to this point, but every year thousands and thousands of new books are written and published and my TBR list will continually be growing until the end of time. With so many new shiny books, who's got time to re-read old ones?

But here's the thing. There's a difference between reading a book the first time, and reading it the twenty-seventh time. Some books are meant to be consumed once, the story keeping you guessing and thrilling until the last page when all is revealed and the suspense is over. You wouldn't gain much from re-reading those stories because, well, the point in reading it in the first place was to find out how it ended. Now that you know, there's no reason to re-read it. But other books beg to be re-read. Yes, those books have endings too, but knowing the ending of them doesn't mean you know everything about the book. With some books, there is so much in the middle, so much in the layers, so much to forget and be reminded of, so much hidden, that you could re-read those books for a thousand years, memorize every word of them, and still find something new every time you read it.

Those are the books I love the most.

I found myself doing quite a bit of re-reading last year, and it got me thinking, is this the best use of my reading time? Shouldn't I spend more time reading all the hundreds of other books I haven't read yet? Why am I circling back to these old tried and true favorites?

And, well, the answer is different for each one, but often it's because there's something about the book that stays fresh. Every time I read it, I find something new, or feel something different, or (almost even more rare), feel the exact same emotion just as powerfully as the first time through. It amazes me how every time I read Pride and Prejudice I can alternately despise Lizzy for her blindness or find her the most delightful heroine ever written. Every reading of Harry Potter seems to bring that same sense of magic, of getting to know that world a little deeper, of finding new details I somehow missed before.

I read a quote somewhere recently (maybe on Instagram, maybe somewhere else) that said a classic is just a book that hasn't finished telling it's story yet. To me, that means a classic is a book you can read over and over and over again.

So I've decided, no more apologizing for re-reading. No more guilt. So what if my to-read list is arcing to the moon and back, sometimes what I really want is to know I'm going to love the book I'm reading, not just hope I will based on reviews or plot summary or guesses. And if I've already read it, I already know I'll love it.

Below is a list of my top five infinitely re-readable books. At least, these are books that I have actually re-read because I love them so much.

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Well, to be fair, I think everyone of her books is infinitely re-readable. For the past two autumns I've revisited most of her major works, and I've found that to be a delightful tradition that I think I will carry on annually.

2. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. Again, I think many of Montgomery's books are infinitely re-readable (I can't wait to revisit the Emily of New Moon series) but if I had to pick one...

3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. You know, this is one that is epic the first time you read it (especially if the story hasn't been ruined for you beforehand), but somehow manages to be fantastic on every re-read. Even when you already know how things are going to turn out!

4. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. All of them. How do you pick just one?

5. Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner. This one is due for another re-read really soon (if only I could get the audio version of it through my library!). It's just beautiful.

I feel like this list really pegs me as kind of a stereotypical reader. Jane Austen? Charlotte Bronte? Could I be more cliche? Oh well, I like what I like.

Now, this isn't necessarily the definitive list of my favorite books (I've never re-read some of my favorite books, and I've re-read a lot of books I would not consider favorites). And actually, there are other books that I might consider to be "infinitely re-readable" but I haven't happened to re-read them yet (but when I do, I will add them to the list). Also, this list doesn't include any nonfiction, because I re-read nonfiction books for different reasons (that may be a list for another post). But if I ever happen to be stranded on a desert isle and can only bring a handful of books with me, the above list would not be a bad lot to get stuck with.

What's on your list of really good re-readable books?

Books I Read in November

Well, hi there! The semester has ended (kind of, I still have some grading to finish up this week), and life has finally opened up some space, and all I can say is yay for winter break! I understand we're nearly halfway through December, but indulge me a moment and let me regale you with all the books I read in November. Seriously, considering what a busy month it was, I'm shocked at how these numbers keep adding up. My commute time is just golden, sanity-saver, most wonderful me-time ever! Audio books are the best!

So, you'll notice a theme in my November reading. I got on a classics kick. Specifically, a Jane Austen kick, and I went ahead and reread almost her entire oeuvre (except for Northanger Abbey, which, weirdly enough, was the only one I had to put on hold and wait for, I'm listening to it now). I started with Sense and Sensibility in October, so check that month's round-up for my thoughts there.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Every time I re-read this, I seem to alternate between loving it or being super annoyed by it. This was a loving it re-read. I mean, Lizzy really is just super delightful. I've also decided that I need to rewatch all the versions of this movie that I own this break. Who's up for joining me?

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Oh, I have such a special place in my heart for this one. I loved Anne Elliot so much the first time I read this (in high school, I think) because I related to her so much. I just knew I was going to be the 27 year-old single old maid like her (seriously surprised everyone, myself included, when I ended up getting married at 21). Also, I just love this story of faithful love, even through time and distance and hurt and disappointment. It's just so sweet. Although admittedly, the rest of the characters in this book can be downright annoying.

Emma by Jane Austen

Confession: I've never really liked Emma. I know a lot of people who consider this one their favorite Austen novel, but seriously? Emma is a spoiled, silly, self-centered, classist heiress who screws up Harriet's life in nearly unforgivable ways. Admittedly, she grows up and learns her lessons and is no doubt far from the worst human being ever, but I just don't love her much. I do love Mr. Knightly. Quite a bit. But I also must confess that this time around, their age difference bothered me a whole lot more than it has in the past. My husband has this formula (I'm sure someone else made it up first) about age difference in relationships that goes like this: Half the age of the guy plus seven. That's as young as he can go without being creepy. So, the formula for a twenty-four year old guy is 24/2 = 12 + 7 = 19. A 24 year-old guy can date a 19 year-old girl, but no younger. Mr. Knightly is 37. His formula is 37/2 = 18.5 + 7 =  25.5. Emma is 21. That's just not close enough to be kosher, in my opinion. And yeah, yeah, I know times have changed and whatever, but it's that line at the end, when he talks about how he's loved her since she was 13 (and he was 29) that just totally creeps me out. Ew. Anyway, I need to go watch the movie again as a palate cleanser, because at least the actors don't look that different in age, which makes me feel better about the whole thing.

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

This is no one's favorite Austen, and it's easy to see why. Fanny is a bit sickly, a bit (actually, a lot) timid, a bit goody-two-shoes, and just nowhere near as lovable as Lizzy. Also, the romance in this book is just so... unsatisfying. First off, he's her first cousin (once again, times have changed, but still just a little creepy for modern tastes). Second, (*spoiler alert*) he spends 98% of the book seriously in love with someone else, and only comes to admire our heroine in the last 2 to 3 pages. Like I said, unsatisfying. At one point, I found myself wishing that they'd just both end up with the other two love interests because both those romances were at least interesting and full of charming moments (even if they both had undeserving, immoral characters). However, knowing all that and going in with low expectations, I was actually able to enjoy this one quite a bit more as a re-read. I especially found the chapters on the play quite fascinating, as I've spent so much of this semester thinking/researching/writing about audience reception and cultural acceptance of drama in my Shakespeare class.

The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny

After being disappointed with A Fatal Grace in October, I decided to plunge on this third book in the series just to give it one more chance. And this book really redeemed things for me! It was a much better mystery for me, I was kept guessing right up until the end, and was very surprised by who ended up being the killer. I also appreciated how some of the larger narrative arc resolved itself here. While this book redeemed the series for me, and I am interested in going on, I do need to take a break from murder mysteries for a while (I can only handle so much "cozy murder"). But as a note, this would be a fantastic October read. It takes place over Easter, but it contains all sorts of good Halloweeny things: haunted houses, seances and ghosts, the victim being scared to death, etc.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

I used to be a huge Dickens fan back in middle/high school. I read quite a fair number of his books, but I never got around to Oliver Twist. I think this was mostly based on the fact that it sounded depressing (orphans, ugh), and also because I felt like I just knew the story already (I think I'd seen the musical). Anyway, after my Austen kick, I was in the mood to continue in the classic lit vein (I've just really been in the mood for good, beautiful writing, which you just can't guarantee with more modern stuff), and I decided it's been too long since I've indulged in the convoluted sentence structure of the Victorian master, so I decided to find a good Dickens novel to sink into. This was the one available from my library at the time, so I decided to give it a go. And I was quite bored for the first few chapters because, yes, it was terribly depressing, and yes, I knew most of the story. But then! Then plot twists! And new characters I'd not heard of before! Turns out there's a lot more to this story that gets left out of all the retellings (makes sense, you've got to cut something), and I found myself suitably intrigued and rather enjoying the story. I still don't think it's Dickens best (I'm still baffled about why this one seems to be so popular compared to some of his others), but I did like it.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

My one foray into contemporary lit! This one is so hot right now. I read Ng's Everything I Never Told You a while back, and liked it well enough, so I decided this one was probably worth a look into. And I liked it, but I can't say I loved it. There were some really fun characters (and some really, really unlikable characters), and there were some really interesting/thought-provoking/heart-wrenching situations around the theme of motherhood. And it was decently well-written. But the themes felt a little too-heavy handed, and the plot was just a little too contrived. Or maybe it was just the fact that I don't buy that every person who lives the "American suburban dream" is all miserable and unhappy and repressing their true heart's desires. Anyway, still good, and still a general recommend if you like contemporary literary fiction that leans to the depressing.

Wow, seven books! What a fabulous month of reading for me. If only I could type blog posts on my commute too...

P.S. Did you enjoy my husband's guest post? Isn't he just a fabulous writer? I really ought to have him on here more often. Although I don't quite share his enthusiasm for board games, I'm learning to love them more (for the sake of our marriage), and I love that he has something he is so passionate about. Nerdy people are the most interesting people, in my opinion. And seriously, some of those games he mentioned are so fun (Camel Up is my personal favorite), so check them out!

Books I Read in October

My commute has quickly become my favorite part of the day, for two reasons. One is the scenery. You guys, I know Kansas gets all sorts of flak for being a fly-over state, and flatter than a pancake, and I've never heard anyone rave about natural beauty around here, but I'm totally falling in love! So, there aren't my beloved mountains, but our side of Kansas is actually not particularly flat (so surprised by the hills I have to climb every day on campus!). And it's no New England, but there are actually trees that change color here! A real fall! My drive through thirty miles of sparsely populated country and farmland surprises me every day with just being spectacularly beautiful. I've loved watching the scenery change through this month of October, as various trees and plants have flared in beautiful brilliant colors. It just fills my soul to be surrounded by such natural beauty. And every day I promise myself that I'm going to pull over to the side of the highway and take pictures, just to show everyone how beautiful Kansas is (but of course I never do, because I'm always in such a rush to get home or get to school).

The second reason I look forward to my commute is obviously, the audio books. Long stretches of beautiful scenery, easy driving, and wonderful books? When things are particularly rough, I'll find myself thinking "Well, in a couple hours I'll be driving home, with nothing to do but listen to my book!" It is the me-time that is getting me through this crazy stage in our lives right now.

I was able to finish five books in October, which brings my total to the year to 54. So, I've already reached my original goal of reading 52 books (a book a week), with two months to go! And I read some really good ones this month, so let's chat about them!

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne DuMaurier

Okay, when it comes to the month of October, I'm always on the lookout for good, creepy, suspenseful, thematic reading (that's not horror). I loved Rebecca, so this year I planned to try another DuMaurier in the hopes it would be another haunting, suspenseful, beautiful read. And, I will say this was beautifully written. DuMaurier has impeccable command of the language, I just enjoyed listening to these sentences being read aloud. It was gorgeous. But, both the plot and characters are extremely stupid. Everything about the characters is Freudian and frustrating and supposed to be mysterious but is mostly just ridiculous. I cannot recommend it for the plot or for any likable characters, but if you appreciate beautiful writing (and have already read Rebecca), then you might find some value in this one.

 A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

I read Rules of Civility  a few years ago, and while I recognized at the time Towles could turn a lovely phrase, I just couldn't bring myself to appreciate the characters in that book. So many stupid choices! However, I'd heard such high praise for this one that I was more than willing to give it a shot (this one wasn't getting compared to The Great Gatsby, so it had that in its favor). And you guys! This one is in strong, strong contention for my favorite book of the year! It was just... amazing. I don't really know how to describe it, because it's not plot heavy at all (although there is a meandering kind of plot), and its place is slow and philosophical. But I LOVED every single character in this book so much, and the writing was incredibly gorgeous. I couldn't stop listening to it, but didn't want it to end. I was so sad when it was over, and definitely plan on rereading it again. It felt like a funny, mostly happy homage to Russian literature (which is usually neither funny nor very happy), and it made me want to go back and read Tolstoy and Dostoevsky and all those other classic greats (really, Russian literature is soooo goooood!). I just can't praise this one highly enough, except to say that I wouldn't mind owning this one (which is high praise coming from me).

A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny

This was my second attempt at a thematic October read. Nothing like a good murder-mystery to set the tone, right? I read Still Life last year, and it was quite enjoyable. Also, it took place in October, so it just felt wonderfully suited. This one, however, takes place over Christmas time, so it felt less appropriate for October (although, I'm not sure a murder-mystery is appropriate Christmas reading either). And while I still quite enjoyed it, it wasn't quite as good as Still Life. For one thing, I guessed who the murderer was from almost the beginning. I know some people would consider this a triumph, but I'm terrible at guessing this kind of thing, so if even I could spot the murderer, I think it means this one just wasn't clever enough. It surprisingly lessened my enjoyment to guess correctly so early on. Also, Inspector Gamache made some comments at the end about not liking the name Suzanne, so obviously there was some love loss there ;). All in all, I think I liked it well enough to try the third in this series, but it better live up to the first one or I might give up.

Mr. Rochester by Sarah Shoemaker

This was my third attempt at an October themed read, as what could be better than a retelling of a favorite, creepy gothic novel? And here's what I'll say: it was fine and enjoyable enough. There were some clever things Shoemaker did to flesh out Mr. Rochester's backstory. But in the end, it just couldn't live up to the excellence that is Jane Eyre, so immediately after I finished reading this one, I tried to go read that one. Alas, it's not available as an audio book through my library (why?!?).

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

To make up for not being able to listen to Jane Eyre, I settled on the next closest thing: Jane Austen. In retrospect, I probably should've picked Northanger Abbey instead of Sense and Sensibility, as that one is at least a parody of the Gothic genre, but instead I finished up this very un-creepy, very delightful novel on Halloween morning. It's been a long, long time since I've read Sense and Sensibility, but it was so wonderful to bask in Austen's beautiful language again. Apparently it inspired me to go an Austen kick, because I've already finished Pride and Prejudice and started on Persuasion (but you'll hear about those in my November wrap-up), and might see what other Austen novels I find available this month.

Anyway, so I really love my October theme reading, but clearly I start it too early in the month, and never have enough material to last until Halloween. Oh well, it's still super fun. And, in case you don't follow me on Instagram and missed this gem of a picture, here you go:

The literary family themed costume lives for another year! I just couldn't resist resurrecting this family costume, considering we now live in Kansas. Luckily the boys were on board with this, especially after we watched The Wizard of Oz for Friday night movie night (they loved it!). Our little scarecrow talked excitedly for weeks about being a scarecrow, but was less enthusiastic about actually wearing his costume (he cried for 10 minutes after I wrestled the shirt onto him, and point blank refused to wear the straw hat). It was classic, all around. (Check out last year's post to see the history of our literary family themed costumes.) Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

And what did you read this month?

On Re-Reading Anne of Green Gables as an Adult

I first met, and fell in love, with Anne of Green Gables when I was twelve. My sister received the whole series of eight books a few years earlier as a birthday present or something, so after devouring the first book I was able to race through the rest of the series in one go.

They made a huge impact on me. I loved, loved, loved those books. I related to Anne like no other. I used the term "kindred spirit" in an essay I wrote about friendship for my English class. I tried to sunburn my face to get freckles like Anne (not joking). I even considered dying my hair red. But, I'm not a huge re-reader, so while I watched the classic TV series a few times over the years, I never re-read the books.

Until now.