the ask@AAR: How do you like to re-read?
I’ve always been a re-reader: whole books, favorite scenes, even a line or two I’ve suddenly thought of and want to experience again. In 2020, I’ve been re-reading more than ever, especially at night, when my brain is too busy and, often, too anxious to wind down. Re-reading is, for me, a comfort and a balm.
How about you? Are you a re-reader–it seems as though many of you are. And, if so, what do you re-read the most? And is it usually whole books or do you hunt down scenes you’ve loved?
I love rereading especially when I’m having difficulty finding a good book (historical romance ) to read i.e. a reading slump. Favorite rereads Jo Goodman-One Forbidden
and the Compass Series
Meredith Duran – At Your Pleasure love this book
Lisa Kleypas – Again the Magic&Mine Til Midnight
Laura Kinsale – For My Lady’s Heart
Loretta Chase – Captive of the Night
Patricia Gaffney-Wickerley trilogy
Robin Schone- Scandalous Lovers
and my guilty pleasure
Virginia Henley -Enslaved
Thanks, fellow readers, for your comments about my rereadable books. A few years ago, a Jewish friend of mine moved to Israel. She sent me an email to say that although her luggage was limited, she took along all my books, because, as she said, my books were rereadable. I hadn’t ever considered that before, but I have books I like to reread, too. They mostly run to non-fiction, but isn’t it fun to revisit old friends?
Thank you for the many, many hours of reading pleasure.
I’ve found your books are just as enjoyable the second time, or even the tenth time you read them.
This blog has been great and has brought back a lot of great reading memories. I do like to re-read books and generally do it by listening to the book if possible. Some of my favorite re-read/re-listens are the In Death books by JD Robb, Susan Elizabeth Phillips Football series read by the late Anna Fields (these are always good for a laugh), Lisa Kleypas (anything), Finding Laura by Kay Hooper, Linnea Sinclair (excellent romantic fantasies/ science fiction), Judith McNaught – Paradise, Julia Quinn ( the Viscount who Loved Me),Georgette Heyer (The Grand Sophy, Venetia) and Joanna Bourne (anything).
Thanks to all of you, I, now, have numerous new reads as well. :)
I don’t re-read books very often. I am a slow reader and there are so many interesting books out there and I’m usually just too greedy for the next new story to read anything familiar. Also, I have problems with concentration and have noticed that if a story seems so familiar that I feel like I don’t have to read it very carefully just to keep track of the plot, I have even more trouble than usually forcing myself to concentrate. Because of that, I prefer to have at least a year between re-reads so that I’ve had time to forget enough about the story.
Ever since I first heard about it, I’ve very much liked the idea of comfort reads. To my great disappointment I’ve had to accept that it’s not something that works for me in practise. I am in a lot of pain and how good or bad my day is depends a lot on the intensity of it. I tried re-reading my favorite books on my worst days, but it quickly started to seem like a terrible waste because all I still could feel was excruciating pain. I might as well have been reading a phonebook or an instruction manual for all the enjoyment and comfort it brought me. So instead I’m now doing my rare re-reads on special occasions like if it’s a good day somewhere around Christmas or my birthday and the New Year’s or Midsummer Day etc.
Individual lines, paragraphs and favorite scenes are a whole nother thing – those I re-read much more frequently.
Sorry to hear you’ve been in pain, whether physical, emotional, or both.
Do you find re-watching films comforting? I don’t re-read books often either but I find myself re-watching some of my favorite movies when I need to feel cozy.
That was such a kind thing to say – thank you, I really appreciate it!
It was very considerate of you not to assume anything considering the quality of my pain. I don’t know why it didn’t register with me when I was writing my original comment that besides physical pain there’s obviously also emotional pain. I guess I just hadn’t thought of it that way before and now that I have it makes so much sense that I’m just sort of sitting here, scratching my head wondering how did I miss that.
Anyway, I meant physical pain although being in severe pain for years is certainly emotionally draining. But besides that I don’t consider myself to be in emotional pain. I’ve been sick with a muscle disease that’s taken most of my mobility for nine years seven of which in serious pain and while I’ve struggled with accepting the situation (especially during the first few years) I’ve had time to make my peace with it.
I love re-watching movies! And tv series too. I do that a lot. While reading will always be special to me in a way that no other format ever will, reading will always also be challenging, and watching movies and series is easy in the best possible way. Once I watched the same movie every day for two months in a row just to get over a rough patch. So yes, I do find re-watching movies comforting and I’m happy to hear I’m not the only one! :)
Annik, I’m so, so sorry to hear about your pain. I have a friend in a similar situation and they have turned to audio books and love them (as many do here). I don’t know if that is a possibility for you either through audible or some other service. I don’t know what is available in your country or what restrictions Amazon or other places may have.
If you are interested in watching a wonderful English adaption of a great classic novel (with romance and a happy ending) I would recommend the 2004 mini series North And South from the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell. I recommend it because it contains so much of the original language and story it’s very like reading it for a day when you are not up to reading.
Thank you for your kindness and compassion – they mean a lot!
I have tried audio books both in English and Finnish several times – I think my most recent attempt was when I couldn’t hold books in my hands anymore – but I am not able to follow a story that way. It’s really frustrating because I totally get your friend and your suggestion is good – it would be such a relief to be able to just press play and let the story carry me away when just existing causes awful pain. It would also make my life easier in many practical ways. But no can do. I’ll just have to keep on reading the old school way as much as I can manage with the help of my portable book stand (which I can’t move myself, but anyway). Sadly, the book stand is too cumbersome to take with me anywhere, but otherwise it’s great. I’m grateful to be able to do this much. I know it could be so much worse.
North And South really is wonderful and as far as I’m concerned, it’s a perfect recommendation for a comfort watch. Even though I don’t re-read books that often, I very much enjoy re-watching movies and series, and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of spending time with North And South. While it is not a light-hearted story, watching it always does my heart good. I’m so happy you thought I might like it. :)
I’m happy to hear you are keeping your spirits up and that books and movies are bringing you joy. I know I always seek solace and comfort in my reading and viewing. That kind of mental escape is invaluable.
It’s hard to stream these days which is a bummer.
To me, rereading is like hot chocolate and a warm blanket on a snow day. Love it. My number one reread is Joanna Bourne’s A Spymaster’s Lady, then Lord of Scoundrels. My contemporary go-to read is True North by Liora Blake. All her books are so so good. She writes books with conflicts that are not caused by childhood trauma, but by situations and events that are regular occurrences in people’s lives. But she makes the story unforgettable. I feel like she is the most underrated contemporary romance novelist out there.
Forgot Loretta Chase in my reread list!
& there is a Liora Blake book on KU.
thx!
I don’t re-read, mostly because I have so, so, so many books I haven’t read that it would be against all logic to re-read a book. I only re-read if my book group chooses a book I’ve already read, if a book I’ve read a while ago is developed for film/TV or if a book I’ve loved has a sequel and I absolutely cannot remember any of the details. Other than that, no way.
I love rereads. They are the warm blanket, fuzzy socks of escapism for me. Dorothy Dunnett’s. Lymond books are always worth reading again. I’ve probably read Lord of Scoundrels 20 times, and frankly most of Loretta Chase’s books at least twice. I just finished my third re-read of Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game. I really enjoy going back to Jo Goodman’s British (English? I’m sorry!) historicals, too – they are emotionally meaty enough to withstand repetition. I almost always head back to familiar turf if I have a string of duds bumming me out.
Whoops, forgot to add Meredith Duran’s “Duke of Shadows”
I love to re-read, too!
I don’t usually read a one-off novel though, or just parts. I recently re-read Kristen Callihan’s Game On series because I wanted to read my favorite in the series, The Game Plan, again. But I could never just read that title! It’s number 3! I started at the beginning of the series and had it to look forward to. So maybe it’s better for me to say I re-read series. Some of my favorites are the Him/Us duology, the Fitzhugh’s, and older series from Chase and Kleypas.
I don’t re-read suspense though. Once I know the bad guy, I’m out. I won’t rule out a re-read of any Gregory Ashe book (because every book he writes is excellent), but since he’s so prolific, I usually have something new of his to look forward to!
That’s true too for me about suspense and mysteries.
Kristen Callihan is great. My favorite of the Game On series is the first one (The Hook Up) but I admit I love her VIP series more (I can’t decide if Managed or Fall is my favorite of those). And Sarina Bowen! She’s pretty prolific so I have a lot of her books on my TBR but I have re-read Him/Us many times and also Brooklynaire from her Brooklyn Bruisers series.
I agree with you about mystery/suspense re-reading…until so many years have passed that I cannot remember the details of the book anymore. For example, when I was in my teens, I read all the Agatha Christie books I could get my hands on. I know she has always had a certain level of popularity over the decades but I think she is having a resurgence recently due to Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express movie and homages to her style such as Knives Out. If I went back to read one of her books now, I don’t think I would remember whodunit!
Oh, good one! I think I may have to revisit the VIP series! Also excellent! And I keep meaning to re-read her Darkest London steampunk – but it’s a big time commitment. I’ve already re-read Bec McMaster & Meljean Brooks & I love steampunk…so maybe that’s a holiday re-read binge.
I forgot to mention one of my favorite series to re-read – Enlightenment, by Joanna Chambers. Love her books and this series is outstanding. She has a new one set in the same world, Restored, that Caz and I both just read. It’s very good; wish I re-read the trilogy first though. :)
So many books, so little time!
Darkest London is so good too! My favorite is Evernight. I also like steampunk romance. Bec McMaster is on my TBR. I know I am going to love her books based on all the positive reviews here but I am intimidated by the number of books she has written!
I just looked up Enlightenment – man, that looks good!
IT’S AWESOME.
The audio is also excellent!
I do reread suspense and mysteries at times, mainly when the story is so good that the journey is the best part. I’ve reread (listened to) Envy by Sandra Brown several times. I love the book-within-a-book story. I’ve also reread several of Dorothy L Sayer’s Peter Whimsey books, especially the Harriet Vane books, Strong Poison, Have His Carcass, and Gaudy Night. Gaudy Night is a masterpiece.
I also enjoy occasionally relistening to some of my favorite “lighter” RS, such as Linda Howard. For many of these books knowing the ending isn’t that different than knowing the ending of a romance novel going into it. It’s the journey. So a well-written story is fun to revisit even if the ending is known.
I absolutely adore Gaudy Night, I agree it is a masterpiece. I could not have believed that a two word proposal in Latin could be one of the most romantic ones I have ever read. I still get angry when I think of someone messing with Harriet’s lovely ivory chessmen!
I love Busman’s honeymoon just because we finally get to revel in their wedding and honeymoon (not because the mystery is anything great).
Sigh, now I have to go reread these books as well. This thread is dangerous!
I loved Busman’s Honeymoon, as well. And yes, I was just thinking it was time for a reread of those four books,at least. I also have a book of short stories that includes stories with Harriet and their children.
For me it is many of the above plus Rachel Gibson, Meg Cabot or the Amelia Peabodys by Elizabeth Peters.
I reread Gibson’s Chinooks a lot. They’re funny, sexy, and the heroines always have agency.
My now very old and tattered set of the complete works of Georgette Heyer have been on my bookshelves in 4 countries so far in my life. I have been reading her for over 50 years and some I have not read for a long time so picking them up again makes them seem like new. Frederica, The Grand Sophy, Venetia, The Black Sheep, The Nonesuch, The Unknown Ajax – where do I start? They are the perfect companions for me at any time, any place. Most frequently re-read authors otherwise are probably Mary Balogh (The Secret Pearl a number of times), Parson Harding’s Daughter (Caroline Harvey – aka Joanna Trollope), Carla Kelly, Edith Layton, Barbara Metzger or any of my old Signet Regency Christmas anthologies once the days start drawing in and the holidays are coming. And I would also mention Eva Ibbotson as a comfort read for any occasion: how can you not love A Countess Below Stairs?
Right now I am assuaging my personal Droughtlander during Covid-19 lockdowns by re-watching Series 1-5 and am now just starting Series 5. I am a very early (retired) riser so it’s great to have an hour with Claire and Jamie at 5.30AM before my DH thinks about getting up.
just as an aside== if you’re on twitter, we’re doing a #georgetteheyerreadalong every sunday. It started cos of the lockdown, we’re on The Nonesuch at the moment. Do join in if you’re on twitter. It’s UK time 7pm every sunday
Not on twitter but thanks for the recommendation, Fida!
I saw on Twitter a thread attached to our DIK review of The Grand Sophy about how anti-Semitic Heyer was. Do you guys discuss that sort of thing in your thread? Just curious!
we mainly read the books together and discuss the characters/fancasting/musings on the costumes etc. We have discussed the colonial aspects of Miles Calverleigh a little, and how uncomfortable it is that he made his money from being a Coloniser in India, and there has been acknowledgment of Heyer’s anti-semitism, but we haven’t done a read-along of the Grand Sophy so it hasn’t really come up in detail. I’m not sure what book the leader of the readalong has planned after the Nonesuch
I am so definitely a re-reader
It’s something to do with knowing EXACTLY the emotional hit you’re going to get, together with the joy of finding little nuances that feel different every time you read
I reread everything and in every way- single lines, pages, whole chapters and often whole series from beginning to end.
I can’t understand why people *don’t* reread!! I know you know what’s going to happen! that’s the best bit. It’s like rewatching a movie and knowing exactly when to find a cushion to hide behind, or exactly when to pull out the tissues because you’re going to weep
There’s such joy and comfort in rereading, which is so needed especially in these times
Sometimes I will reread the same chapter or scene over and over, over a few days- just to get the hit, or to fully understand every single emotional aspect of it.
Sometimes it’s to savour the use of language, how an author has crafted a story, a plot- it’s often richer when you can go back and find all of Chekov’s guns
Rereading is the best part of reading. I feel for those who don’t reread- they miss out on so much joy!
In the past I shied away from re-reading books, always wanting something new. However, in the last few years I have begun returning to old favorites as they are a sure thing, and there is the fun of anticipating those favorite lines or scenes or characters which comforts and reassures me. Recent re-reads are Jane Austen’s Persuasion, Mary Balogh’s Survivor’s Club series, and the entire Harry Potter series in audiobook format. For something new, I am listening to Dune, and I am wondering why I never got around to it before, as I am enthralled. I am sure it will be a re-read one day.
If you like Dune and are a fan of happy endings, don’t read the sequels! I was very disappointed by the sequels to Dune.
Thanks for the tip!
Honestly, I reread Dune every few years but just pretend that the sequels don’t exist. It works for me!
I haven’t been satisfied by the first two attempts to film Dune. I was hoping that the third attempt would be better but (like the other movies I wanted to see this year) it has been delayed…
I’ve always reread. In fact, I first started my reading log in 1975 in an effort to stop rereading so much! For many years about a third of my reading was rereading, but lack of time and increasing pressure of tbr lists have reduced that in recent years. I almost always reread whole books, sometimes whole series, though sometimes I will just read a few favorite scenes. Scenes I can recall reading are the first two conversations between Miles & Abby in Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer, the meeting scene in Pepper’s Way by Kay Hooper, and a cross-conversation during a ride in the park in A Rake’s Reform by Cindy Holbrook. Since I try to schedule first reads so that I can finish them the day I start them, rereading gets the shorter bits of available time on work-day nights. I just did a fresh sort & extract from my reading log to get this list of books read 10 or more times: 28 A Rake’s Reform (r) Holbrook, Cindy (1995-2019) ***** 25 Ravished (r) Quick, Amanda (1995-2016) ***** 24 Agent of Change (s) Lee, Sharon & Miller, Steve (1988-2009) 24 Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen (s) Piper, H. Beam (1977-2015) 23 Black Sheep (r) Heyer, Georgette (1993-2018) **** 23 Carpe Diem (s) Lee, Sharon & Miller, Steve (1989-2009) 22 The Secret (r) Garwood, Julie (1995-2015) **** 22 The Mad Miss Mathley (r) Martin, Michelle (1995-2019) ***** 22 Conflict of Honors (s) Lee, Sharon & Miller, Steve (1988-2009) 21 The Lion’s Lady (r) Garwood, Julie (1995-2020) ***** 21 Masters of Space (s) Smith, Edward E. & Evans, E. E. (1978-2020) 19 Lord Sayer’s Ghost (r) Holbrook, Cindy (1996-2019) ***** 19 Subspace Explorers (s) Smith, Edward E. (1978-2020) 19 Path of the Fury (s) Weber, David (1993-2017) 18 Christmas Wishes (r) Metzger, Barbara (1993-2019) **** 18 Dangerous (r) Quick, Amanda (1995-2016) *** 18 Restoree (s) McCaffrey, Anne (1976-2014) 17 These Old Shades (r) Heyer, Georgette (1993-2011) **** 17 The I Inside (s) Foster, Alan Dean (1984-2016) 17 A Planet for Texans (s) Piper, H. Beam & McGuire, John J. (1976-2017) 17 Subspace Encounter (s) Smith, Edward E. (1983-2020) 16 The Bride (r) Garwood, Julie (1995-2006) **** 16 Devil’s Cub (r) Heyer, Georgette (1993-2011) **** 16 “Autumn Glory” (sr) Metzger, Barbara (1994-2004) 15 Elyza (r) Darcy, Clare (1993-2017) **** 15 The Actress & the Marquis (r) Holbrook, Cindy (1997-2019) ***** 15 Mistress (r) Quick, Amanda (1995-2016) *** 15 Scandal (r) Quick, Amanda (1995-2008) *** 15 The Stone That Never Came Down (s) Brunner, John (1975-2018) 15 The Apocalypse Troll (s) Weber, David (2000-2017) 15 Healer (s) Wilson, F. Paul (1977-2017) 14 Frederica (r) Heyer, Georgette (1993-2020) **** 14 The Corinthian (r) Heyer, Georgette (1993-2015) **** 14 The Duke’s Downfall (r) Lynson, Jane (1996-2020) ***** 14 Deception (r) Quick, Amanda (1995-2014) **** 14 The Shockwave Rider (s) Brunner, John (1976-2014) 13 Laugh With Me, Love With Me (r) Damon, Lee (1997-2017) **** 13 Honor’s Splendour (r) Garwood, Julie (1995-2005) *** 13 The Unknown Ajax (r) Heyer, Georgette (1993-2020) **** 13 Venetia (r) Heyer, Georgette (1993-2014) *** 13 The Cruachan and the Killane (s) Cristabel (1976-2003) 13 Skylark Duquesne (s) Smith, Edward E. (1977-2020) 13 Skylark of Valeron (s) Smith, Edward E. (1977-2020) 12 A Suspicious Affair (r) Metzger, Barbara (1994-2019) **** 12 Cupboard Kisses (r) Metzger, Barbara (1993-2019) **** 12 The Tenacious Miss Tamerlane (r) Michaels, Kasey (1994-2014) ***** 12 Rendezvous (r) Quick, Amanda (1995-2017) *** 12 The Cross-Time Engineer (s) Frankowski, Leo (1986-2020) 12 Reality Forbidden (s) High, Philip E. (1979-2013) 12 The Prodigal Sun (s) High, Philip E. (1978-2017) 12 The Cosmic Computer (s) Piper, H. Beam (1976-2014) 12 Skylark Three (s) Smith, Edward E. (1979-2020) 12 The Skylark of Space (s) Smith, Edward E. (1979-2020) 12 Heirs of Empire (s) Weber, David (1996-2015) 12 Mutineers’ Moon (s) Weber, David (1991-2015) 12 “The Present” (sr) Holbrook, Cindy (1996-2005) 11 Prince Charming (r) Garwood, Julie (1995-2018) *** 11 Saving Grace (r) Garwood, Julie (1995-2004) *** 11 Lady of Quality (r) Heyer, Georgette (1993-2000) *** 11 The Black Moth (r) Heyer, Georgette (1993-2011) *** 11 Pepper’s Way (r) Hooper, Kay (1997-2016) **** 11 A Woman’s Touch (r) Krentz, Jayne Ann (1996-2013) **** 11 Day of the Giants (s) del Rey, Lester (1977-2017) 11 Tactics of Mistake (s) Dickson, Gordon R. (1975-2020) 11 The Flying Warlord (s) Frankowski, Leo (1989-2020) 11 The High-Tech Knight (s) Frankowski, Leo (1989-2020) 11 The Radiant Warrior (s) Frankowski, Leo (1989-2020) 11 Invader On My Back (s) High, Philip… Read more »
Wow! Just wow!
I’m in awe…..total admiration
I re-read books from my keeper shelf. I’ll usually grab one of those books if I finished reading something that disappointed me. I also have a tendency to read the entire book. Once I start reading a favorite romance novel or an author I enjoy, I get swept into the story very quickly.
I’ve been a re-reader since childhood. I used to regularly re-read:
Little House on the Prairie – Little Town on the Prairie was my favorite for the scenes of teen Laura finally having fun with her friends
The Oz series (the first 14 written by L. Frank Baum) – Ozma of Oz was my favorite
The Chronicles of Narnia
Anne of Green Gables series – my favorites were Anne of the Island and Anne of Windy Poplars
Louisa May Alcott books – my favorite was An Old Fashioned Girl
The Chronicles of Prydain
Constance by Patricia Clapp
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
I think a general theme was that my childhood favorites had some romance in them! My family couldn’t afford to buy a lot of books so I would check these out from the library. I remember having to get special permission from the librarian to check out the Oz series as 14 books was over the limit.
As an adult, I re-read all the time. Usually this is part of the book and often the most romantic or emotional scenes (so a lot of book endings) but sometimes the funny scenes too. Since COVID, I have been watching less TV and spending more evenings after dinner reading. I like to read a whole book in one sitting and I like to read just before going to sleep. If I have watched TV or had to work and there wasn’t time to read a whole book, I will re-read sections of a favorite book before bedtime. It de-stresses me and makes me feel happy, which is a good way to end the day! Recent books that I have been re-reading at night are those by Sally Malcolm, Lily Morton, and Kristin Callihan (I especially love Managed from her VIP series). Authors that I have re-read in the past include Judith McNaught, Lisa Kleypas (Devil in Winter for sure but I love Married by Morning even more), Julia Quinn, Sarah Maclean, Penny Reid (love Beird Science) and so many others!
I forgot to add that when the Harry Potter books were coming out, I used to re-read the entire series before the new book. As the books got longer and longer, this became a serious undertaking but like others have said, if I am re-reading then I don’t feel compelled to read the book in one sitting and can break it up over several days more easily.
We have so many books in common! I also used to re-read the Harry Potter books all the time (before I got the audiobooks) and I adore the Anne of Green Gables series. I also love an underrated book by LM Montgomery, ‘The Blue Castle’ – such a beautiful book full of heart and growth. I also recently re-read Lily Morton’s ‘Rule Breaker’ and frequently revisit books by Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn.
I was getting my books from the library back then and I’m not sure if they had The Blue Castle. I did read the Emily of New Moon trilogy but didn’t love it like I loved Anne. What I did really enjoy were L.M. Montgomery’s short stories collections such as Chronicles of Avonlea. Some of her full length novels were too heavy on description for my taste but her short stories were lean yet well developed and often about romantic relationships.
I actually didn’t enjoy the Emily of New Moon trilogy either, in fact I couldn’t get past the first book. The Blue Castle is somewhat different from any of her other books, probably because the heroine is older and (initially) at least, very different from the vibrant Anne. She is someone who is constantly mocked and belittled by her snotty family, and then one day, she receives a life-changing diagnosis from her doctor. She decides to stand up for herself and to live life on her own terms. The romance is also wonderful!
Although I own a set of the Anne of Green Gables series in paperback (an older set with romantic covers), a while ago I bought an omnibus published by Delphi Classics on Kindle. It was only $2.99 and had all of the Anne books as well as the Emily series, The Story Girl duology, Kilmeny of the Orchard and the short story collections. The Blue Castle sounds so good from your description that I just bought it on Kindle and it was only 99 cents! I read that it and The Tangled Web were her only books intended for an adult audience. Thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks for the tip re the omnibus, I also own a set of the Anne series in paperback but it’s in my childhood home. I would love having the series on my Kindle! You’re very welcome, I really hope you enjoy it:)
I almost mentioned Patricia Clapp! She was one of my favorite authors growing up. I must have read Constance a Story of Early Plymouth a thousand times. I’ve often thought it was kind of a gateway into “real” romance stories.
‘Jane-Emily was another huge favorite of mine. I absolutely loved that there was a real dangerous ghost, and that it was the ghost of an angry child. It was genuinely scary and I loved it.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond was another book I read countless times. I think that and Constance cemented my love of 17th century historical books and the Colonial period.
Nicholas Snow and Nat Eaton were fantastic romantic heroes and Constance and Kit were such strong interesting heroines.
OMG ‘Jane-Emily.’ I remembered the reflecting ball but couldn’t remember the title or author, so thanks! That will be my Halloween read. :-)
You’re welcome! I loved that book so much. After years of reading Nancy Drew books where the ghosts were all hoaxes like on Scooby Doo, Jane Emily satisfied my ghoulish little girl heart. And of course I adored the love story.
Loved Jane-Emily too but it was so scary! It was a once-in-a-while re-read whereas Constance was a true comfort re-read :)
It was scary but that was what I liked about it. I never felt Patricia Clapp talked down to her young readers which I really loved. And she put in a nice juicy love story. For years I wanted a white dress with a blue sash like the heroine has in the story.
Oh I love Ozma of Oz. The heads!
Ozma has a lot of girl power. In addition to Ozma, you have Dorothy and even Billina the chicken is very clever. I think that’s why I liked it so much! Also, on a tangent, I do love The Wizard of Oz movie with Judy Garland but HATED that they made Oz not real.
“HATED that they made OZ not real.”
It never really bothered me that much, maybe because I also saw staged versions where it was treated as real. Or in my childlike mind, I thought, “Yeah, it happened. She just got zapped into bed afterwards like it never happened, but it did. Silly grownups for not believing her…”
There is one movie however, that really ruins its ending by pulling the “it was all a dream cliché” which is…
I don’t agree that it wasn’t real. It was, for me, another world–parallel universe sort of thing. Interesting–I haven’t thought about that issue in years!
That’s so interesting that we had different interpretations! I used to watch the movie yearly when I was young and it came on TV. I haven’t seen it in a long time but my recollection is that in the end, Dorothy wakes up/comes to and sees all the farmhands around her who have the same faces as Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion so I thought the move implied that she had incorporated her real life into her dream. Maybe I need to go back and watch the movie again!
It’s probably my own bias though. I loved reading books about magic when I was young and disliked any book where the magic wasn’t real. You would think this would lead to me reading fantasy romance as an adult but I don’t feel drawn to it, although I do read some paranormal. Maybe I have just become old and pragmatic?!
The Witch of Blackbird Pond was one of my favorite books growing up. I have the kindle version of Witch, as well as Calico Captive, which is also by Speare. I have reread Witch several times as an adult and it holds up very well. I haven’t reread Calico Captive since the early 1970s, but I remember the story well. Maybe it’s time to reread both.
I remember I wanted the girl in Calico Captive to end up with the French guy, Pierre LaRoche? I haven’t read that one in decades but I have Witch Of Blackbird Pond on my kindle too. The Elizabeth George Speare gals never go for the rich guy I guess.
Wow, definitely in the minority here: I’m not a re-reader.
I think this probably has something to do with how long I’ve been into romance. I’ve only been consistently reading the genre since 2017 and while I’ve read a ton of romances since then, I still feel like it’s a scramble to keep up with new releases or debut authors and discover classics I haven’t gotten to yet (haven’t read Nora Roberts, Marsha Canham, Alyssa Cole, Anne Calhoun, Olivia Dade, Jeannie Lin, Kate Bateman, etc.).
That said, I make a few exceptions…I’m a completist so if I’ve read a book in a series and like it enough to go back and read the others, usually I’ll end up re-reading the novel I enjoyed, but this time, in the series order (Definitely did this with To Have and To Hold and Patricia Gaffney’s “Wyckerley” trilogy).
I also happened to have re-read Meredith Duran’s The Duke of Shadows because I randomly picked it up one day, even though I had already read it, and couldn’t put it down again — it’s so good!
Love The Duke of Shadows. I re-read it regularly!
Like many have already said, I have found myself doing a lot of re-reading this year. It is about comfort and knowing you will enjoy the experience and the outcome. Whilst I have started reading a lot more contemporaries over the last 12 months, my favourite re-reads are pretty old school HRs and seem to appeal to others too – those by Joanna Bourne, Stella Riley, Loretta Chase etc. My all time favourite re-read (at least once a year) is Venetia.
LOVE Venetia.
I just found Stella Riley this year, but you can bet I’ll be relistening to them in the future! She is one of my major happy finds this year.
And I just recently relistened to Venetia (again!), which is such a wonderful story. It tugs at your heart in the best way.
Oh boy do I re-read. There are certain mystery authors I’m picking up as the e-books go on sale, which I read multiple times in hardcover (some of which I actually still own in hardcover!). I do the same thing with romance authors. Once I find a new author I like, I glom through the entire backlist. If it’s a writer I really love, and a book that really speaks to me, I might re-read it again within a couple of months (or weeks, or days).
If a new title launches in a series I’m following, I’ll often re-read the rest of the titles in that series before reading the new one. So e.g. when KJ Charles’ new Will Darling book comes out I’ll be re-reading Proper English, Think of England, Slippery Creatures, and Sugared Game. I’ve recently re-read Joanna Chambers’ Enlightenment series to get ready for her new title launching next week. :-)
I’ve found I really need to revisit books in a series if it’s been a while since the last one was published. Especially if they have a large cast or intricate plots. I like to have the information fresh in my mind when the new one is published so I don’t miss any beats.
I’ve been a re reader since childhood, even though it drives my husband crazy. I often re read books after I’ve just finished a book I really liked; I guess it gives me a chance to get ready for a new thrill. When my brain can’t concentrate, rereads are soothing and let me wind down. I have too many favorites in romances to single out one author, but I always know which books to pull for what I need.
I reread for comfort, but rarely reread a book from start to finish. I love angsty stuff, so I tend to reread the moments of greatest pain, sorrow, and emotional devastation—and then read the passages where the world is set aright once more. Some of my favorites: Anne Calhoun’s LIBERATING LACEY; Kati Wilde’s GOING NOWHERE FAST (absolutely gutting breakup scene and aftermath); A. Zavarelli’s TAP LEFT, especially the scene where the heroine goes to meet the man she’s been talking to via a dating app and discovers…well, it’s very painful and isn’t even the bleakest moment in the book; Molly O’Keefe’s ONE LAST CHANCE, where the hero has a long, dark night of the soul where he recognizes the role he has played in the destruction of his marriage (there’s a corresponding epic reconciliation scene); Julie Kriss’s TAKE ME DOWN, where much of the turmoil comes from outside the relationship; Jackie Ashenden’s TAKING HIM, BILLIONAIRE BEAST, and BIG BAD BILLIONAIRE—all of which have incredibly tortured heroes. But it’s not all angstiness, sometimes I reread portions of stories that are just great love stories: Kate Canterbary’s FAR CRY; Rachel Reid’s HEATED RIVALRY; Cara McKenna’s AFTER HOURS; Jill Sorenson’s SET THE DARK ON FIRE; Sierra Simone’s PRIEST. I know I’m forgetting a bunch, but I know what I want to reread when the mood strikes me.
I love angsty reads and do the same thing when I don’t have time to read the whole book again. I will reread the moments of greatest pain (the best books are capable of making me feel a visceral twinge in my heart) and then read the moment of reconciliation.
I’m a re-reader as well. I’ve always re-read favorite books but in the last decade or so particularly, I’ve found myself listening when I’m in the mood to re-read. Listening to audio books started years ago when I was still commuting to work; and I quickly discovered that I “didn’t have to stop” reading while doing other relatively mindless activities. With audiobooks, I was able to significantly increase the number of hours a day I could spend reading. Of course, listening to something brand new takes more concentration and focus than a re-read. With a re-read, it’s easy to mentally tune in to my favorite parts, and if I get distracted or tune out for a few minutes, it’s ok – I haven’t “missed” anything important and I’m right back to being in the story.
I’ll re-read almost anything I’ve really enjoyed.
I’m an outlier here in that I rarely re-read. Not because I don’t like to, but because I don’t have the time! I’ve been keeping track of my reading this year using a spreadsheet that I’ve set up so that I can see at a glance how many ARCs I’m reading and how many non-ARCs, and I’m sure it will come as no great surprise to anyone around here when I say that my reading this – and most – years is made up almost entirely of ARCs.
I do, however, re-LISTEN to books, and know I’ve done more re-listens this year than I’ve done re-reads (not hard – my re-reads this year = 0). I listen to as many books as I read these days, and given that I can listen while doing things around the house, it’s a lot easier to find the time to listen than to read. In general, I re-listen to the whole thing, because it’s pretty much a given that I’ve chosen that particular audiobook because I like the narrator, so why wouldn’t I want to listen from start to finish? You can bookmark your favourite bits when listening in the Audible app, but dipping in and out of an audiobook isn’t generally what I like to do.
I lumped relistening in with rereading. Almost all my “rereads” are actually relistens for the same reasons you stated. I can listen to audiobooks just about anywhere, even grocery shopping! But there are a few authors I don’t have on audio, like Carla Kelly and Linnea Sinclair, so those I actually reread.
I’m not at all surprised you don’t have much time to revisit books with your busy reviewing schedule!
Re-listening definitely counts as a re-read as far as I am concerned.
I consider my re-reading as part and parcel of my bad habit of procrastinating. Why should I do the hard work of finding a new favorite when I can be mentally lazy and re-read something I know I will like. I think that’s why so many of my re-reads are comfort ones when I’m in need of soothing or relaxing I turn to a known entity rather than something that might be disappointing or have an unwanted surprise.
I admire the amount of new reading you do and appreciate the work you put into generating the reviews for us!
Well said on the appreciation!!! But I do love finding new favorites….which is why I pound through the AAR reviews.
Exactly! It saves me so much time and angst. Between the reviews and the board rec’s I’ve found some absolute treasures.
Caz, A hypothetical. IF you were on that Desert Island and had nothing there but your DIK’s what would you gladly re-read first? A list gladly accepted :-)
Inquiring minds want to know!!!
Me thinks Gregory Ashe will be high on that list!
I’d love this list, too, Caz.
For the most part, I’m not a re-reader. If I’ve read something once, that’s usually enough for me. There are exceptions to this, mostly shorter-form pieces like funny or insightful articles. And yes, I have the bad, egotistical habit of re-reading my own work- often under the guise of “checking for continuity errors” in future installments of a series.
But I am definitely more of a movie re-watcher. (Although lately, a lot of films leave me with the impression of, “Eh, glad I saw it once. It was good, but I don’t need to see it again.”) Why that doesn’t cross over into the written word, I’m not sure.
I love that you re-read your own work and admit it. Why shouldn’t you? I think we all like to look back on a job well done whether it’s art or a hobby/craft piece we completed or work. Plus I appreciate that you are checking details for sequels. It irks me when authors forget details about their characters. Write notes if you can’t remember if the siblings are older or younger or what color eyes people have. Make a chart.
One of my pet peeves is the actors who are interviewed and swear they never look at their movies, haven’t seen their work, just hate being looked at etc. etc. Then why become an actor? Shouldn’t you review old work and use it to hone your craft, look for overdone gestures etc? If you are that adverse to yourself on film why become an actor?
“I love that you re-read your own work and admit it.” Aw, thanks. I felt a bit self-conscious sharing that here, like I was a vain little peacock for doing so.
“Plus I appreciate that you are checking details for sequels.” Heh heh. Even so, I’m sure I miss things here or there or accidentally create some continuity blunders. When that happens, I try to figure out a way to repair it- hopefully before publication! I remember once I re-read a scene during editing where the characters were playing a sexy game of truth or dare with a point system. (I.e. Whichever one of us completes 10 truths and 10 dares first gets to pick the next sexy activity- and a 2 point deduction for passing). Obviously, there was some math involved here. Unfortunately, I realized one of the characters took two turns in a row, but I couldn’t just switch the characters because of how the scene was written. Correcting the mathematical error would have meant re-writing the entire second half of the book, so I fudged a bit by slipping in some internal monologuing where one character gives the other an advantage on purpose because of something that happened earlier in the game. Outside of erotica though, I probably would have had to gut the scene. But the characters were getting hot, heavy, and sloppy anyhow, so it worked out (I hope!)
“One of my pet peeves is the actors who are interviewed and swear they never look at their movies, haven’t seen their work, just hate being looked at etc. etc. Then why become an actor? Shouldn’t you review old work and use it to hone your craft, look for overdone gestures etc? If you are that adverse to yourself on film why become an actor?”
That’s interesting, although I never interpreted it as hypocritical. For one thing, before the invention of cinema, all actors performed for a live audience. Watching oneself would have been impossible. So, that sort of reflection through viewing previous work was never part of the profession until fairly recently in history. Also, many actors are actually introverted. For them, acting is a performance for an audience rather than their own viewing pleasure.
Plus, some actors strongly prefer the stage to the screen because they can tweak the performance every night as opposed to having one interpretation immortalized for all time. A lot of actors find the sort of permanence that comes from being filmed really stressful. Maggie Smith and Al Pacino, for example, have both expressed a strong preference to acting on stage for this reason. Conversely, there are actors who prefer to act in movies because you have more opportunities to screw up (they just edit the bloopers out) and get to live forever and ever on the silver screen.
Finally, I think there are probably actors who say, “Oh, I never watch myself” to avoid looking egotistical, even if they’re enthralled by watching their own work.
To me a film actor that says they don’t look at their work would be like an author saying “Oh I never go back and re-read or edit a book once I finish writing it”. And I agree that a lot of actors pretend they don’t watch their own work to seem humble, lol.
If I were an author I definitely would go back and re-read my work. I do it with my regular work either as chacha1 one says for a sense of accomplishment or just to make sure even if it’s for the hundredth time, that I didn’t miss anything.
I re-read my stuff often. :-) Mostly it’s because I’ve been writing a lot, and I’m constantly trying to improve, so something typically gets read through 8-10 times before I publish it. Then if it’s a novel there’s the proof copy to read (a super-clean proof feels like a victory).
As I’m writing a new thing, I pick up the things that weave into the same part of the timeline (there’s a big chart, which needs updating). Also sometimes I miss my characters, or I’m feeling stressed out and need to not challenge myself with new composition. Or I’m feeling low and want to remind myself I accomplished something.
Oh, I’m so glad another author has admitted to sharing my vice. :) Like you, I definitely re-read things to see how I’ve improved or what I can improve. Or for just plain entertainment.
8-10 re-reads seems pretty standard for authors editing, from what I’ve heard. Erotica shorts are a bit different. We’re talking one or two full edits before hitting the publish button- and maybe correcting an embarrassing mistake later (although hopefully not!)
“Also sometimes I miss my characters, or I’m feeling stressed out and need to not challenge myself with new composition. Or I’m feeling low and want to remind myself I accomplished something.”
Yes to all of this!!! Sometimes missing my characters is the reason why I give them a sequel or cameo appearance. It’s like a nice get-together. For some characters, one story is enough. Not because they were bad characters, but they and I are ready to move on. But other characters keep dropping by for a visit or just decide to couch surf in my brain.
My other confession, that seems to drive some people crazy, is that I like reading but love writing. I think it’s because writing is a far more creative process than reading. Sure, when reading someone else’s book, you get to play the costume designer, set designer, director, casting director, and everything else that watching a movie won’t let you do (although I do love movies!). But as a writer, you get to play God with the possibility of someone actually plunking down money for your daydreams. Plus, there are plenty of people out there who love reading but aren’t too crazy about writing. So I’m not sure why there’s hostility when it goes the other direction.
I love writing, too. :-) It’s my way of making things come out right for people. Was in a bit of a lull recently – two whole weeks without feeling very inspired! – but am now gestating a new character. The very most fun part.
I’ve been a rereader ever since I was a child and tend to reread whole series of my favourite books, immersing myself in that familiar ‘world’.
If I have particularly enjoyed a new book, I’ll often reread it immediately after I’ve finished reading it for the first time or listen to its audiobook.
Over the past year, since I’ve moved away from HR, I haven’t been able to fit in as much rereading as I would like – too many back catalogues of new-to-me authors!
Your last paragraph is pretty much me as well, Wendy.
Well, a lot of what I’ve read recently is from your recommendation………………
I’m a re-reader and I lean towards books where the heroine is particularly strong and often I just jump to those scenes where she’s triumphing in some way, can be action-oriented (mystery or SF) or where she’s winning her love. Favs include Ilona Andrews, J.D. Robb (not Nora Roberts books as often, weirdly), K. B. Wagers, Grace Burrowes.
I will say that if I finish a new book before bed, I then dip into a familiar favorite before I can sleep. Not because of bad dreams or anything, but those familiar comfort reads relax my brain. Not the greatest habit if you finish that new book at 2 am. ;-)
My sister, who lost her husband a couple of years ago, reads and re-reads every one of J. D. Robb’s books (including all the novellas) from first to last and then starts all over again as her form of comfort. She used to be a voracious reader of new books by favoritismse authors but now she’ll very occasionally read something new. Otherwise, 9 times out of 10 when I ask her what she’s reading it’s an “Eve/Roarke and the gang” book.
I get on kicks where I just want to read a particular series or glom a particular author so I can relate. It is uniquely comforting.
I remember reading a book about taking young children to theme parks for the first time and it said that they often want to ride the same ride a few times in a row right away after conquering it the first time to give them a sense of “mastery” which is comforting to them if it’s something new or in any way challenging. I think certain series can be that way especially if you want to feel you really know it and all the details. It sounds like it gives her a sense of control. I hope Nora keeps writing them for many years to come!
i enjoy rereading books, especially when I am in a book slump where nothing I’m trying to read catches my interest. Books I’ve reread multiple times include all of Jane Austen’s canon, although I’ve reread Mansfield Park and Northanger Abby only a few times. They re my least favorite. I’ve also reread most of Georgetter Heyer’s books, especially on audio. Several, including The Talisman Ring, Venetia, and A Civil Contract, I’ve read many times. Carla Kelly books have all been reread several times, as well.
I started this pandemic by rereading Jennifer Crusie books,like Bet Me and The Cinderella Deal. Other books I’ve read several times include Envy by Sandra Brown and narrated by Victor Slezak, After the Night by Linda Howard, as well as her books Open Season,Dying to Please, and Mr. Perfect.
I’ve also read though all of Linnea Sinclair’s books again this year (for probably the 3rd or 4th time). Finder’s Keepers and Games of Command are perhaps my favorites.
Several Nora Robert’s books fit the bill: The Witness, Carnal Innocence, and The Search are recent rereads.
I read the entire book.
Today’s Blast From the Past review of The Veiled Web by Catherine Asaro just reminded me that I’ve also reread Asaro’s Primary Inversion this year. Greatbook.
Open Season by Linda Howard is one of my absolute favorites and a long time re-read of mine. In fact it’s about time to pull it out again…
I listened to the audiobook this past spring and it was just what I needed!
I have never read it. #addstotbr
The heroine is so much fun and the hero is a real “guy’s guy” but I think he’s funny and the interactions between him and “Daisy” the heroine are pretty cute.
The suspense plot is quite heavy and serious so there is a huge dichotomy between their pretty charming romance and Daisy revamping herself and what happens to the victims of the bad people. Just to give you a heads up.
It’s probably my all time favorite Linda Howard novel.
I have always been a re-reader. As a child my copy of ‘These Happy Golden Years” had the cover falling off from being re-read over and over.
Sometimes I will just read a favorite part or section again but most of the time I will read the entire book again so I don’t “wear out” a favorite part.
I have several comfort reads with “My Lord and Spymaster” and “The Forbidden Rose” by Joanna Bourne at the top of my list.
Carla Kelly is another comfort author for me and I will turn to her books “Marrying The Captain”, “The Surgeon’s Lady”, ‘With This Ring” and “The Lady’s Companion” over and over. The Surgeon’s Lady just got another read a week or two ago.
For a long time Nora Roberts’ book ‘Dance Upon The Air” with its sweet depiction of magical Island life, a gentle romance and the heroine coming into her powers was my soothing night time re-read along with Amanda Quick’s ‘Ravished”.
I must have read Bec McMasters Bluebood series many times with “Kiss Of Steel” seeing the most repeat reads.
Lately I have been devouring all of Ruby Dixon’s IPB and Icehome books then going back and immediately re-reading my favorites. She has a wonderful gift for sarcastic and funny heroines that make me laugh which has been a godsend during these past few months.
Dance Upon the Air has come up a lot lately here and other places. I definitely need to give that one a try.
To be honest it was probably me here bringing up Dance Upon the Air as I love it and as it deals with witches (the good, nature loving kind) it’s very seasonal.
The premise is very Sleeping With The Enemy but the island and the people are so charming and lovely it’s a total comfort read. The hero is just a wonderful, handsome, honorable guy-you-wish-lived-next-door type. And it’s a woman completely makes over her life in a new place story- which is also my catnip.
Nora Roberts is great at writing those cozy magical made up places that you just want to move to.
“mutters”
I really need to read a Nora Roberts book.
Have you read JD Robb?
Nope. Tried the first In Death book and just couldn’t get into it.
Agree on “Kiss of Steel” My all time childhood fave was “Eight Cousins”….Tracked down my original copy (with those 7 truly cute guys on the frontispiece) re-read it twice this past year tho it hasn’t exactly held up. Also Daddy Longlegs!! Re-reading it now. 108 years old and it’s still engaging. Big comfort read.
Daddy Longlegs… I feel like now I’d be skived out by the age difference but it’s possible I remember it as larger than it is. What is it?
I loved Daddy LongLegs, I’ve read it a couple of times. I think the age difference is 14 years.
I think because it’s Fred Astaire in the movie with a very, very young Leslie Caron that automatically makes the gap seem huge to a lot of people. It would be decades of years difference for them not the 14 years it is in the book.
I agree with Chrisreader. The movie freaked me out. The book seems to work even with the age difference. (Thanks, AlwaysReading, for the number.) It’s probably because of her “sass” and maturity. Also shared values. A Friends-to-Lovers trope spread over 4 years that works.
I never watched the movie, so perhaps that’s why the age difference did not really creep me out too much. Also in the book, Jervie seemed very young in spirit and as Trish points out, they shared similar values. The power dynamic is a little more problematic in my mind, because there was an occasion where he used his authority to prevent her from going to a friend’s house, just because he was jealous of a potential suitor. Still it was written about 100 years ago, and Judy definitely held her own with him.
Wow Eight Cousins! Haven’t read that since I was a kid.
I feel the same way about The Five Little Peppers (and How The Grew). I reread it a few years ago and while parts were still fun it was so unbelievably saccharine.
I think I loved the Little House Books for the same reason people love Jo March, Laura is a bit of a tomboy and finds it hard to be docile and “good” like she is supposed to be and has a temper.
I love the Little House books. I realize they’re problematic but they are still in my heart.
They were such a part of my experience growing up I couldn’t divorce myself from them if I tried.
I do understand that they are problematic but I personally think it’s an amazing opportunity to create a teaching moment for readers. You are never too young to realize that people are imperfect and that values have changed. It could be put right into the text of the book. I think things like that have even more impact than a school lesson etc.
It’s also the view of America’s past that, really, most Americans still have. And parts of it–the vastness of the nation, the hardships of pioneer life–are fabulously rendered.
I don’t think anything really hammered home to me the perils of being a farmer and a homesteader out in the wilderness like these books did. The number of times they were on the verge of disaster and could have starved, frozen, gotten lost, attacked by animals, swept away in a river or died of illness is really amazing.
As an adult there’s a part of me that thinks maybe Pa never should have gotten married and had a family as he might have been better off as a bachelor. His need to constantly drag his wife and daughters every couple of years to new unsettled places with instability always seeming to hang over their heads seems quite selfish in retrospect. Ma must have had the patience of a saint.
Totally agree about Pa not really being cut out for stable family life. My modern mind can’t help wondering if he had some sort of anxiety disorder that made it difficult for him to stay in one place or interact with large groups of people (he always seemed to be ready to move on as soon as the town around them started bustling). I also think that one of the reasons Laura got married to Almanzo at such a young age because she never wanted to be a teacher—that was always Ma’s dream for Mary that Laura had to assume because of Mary’s blindness—so marrying a local farmer and leaving her teaching job probably seemed like a good decision. But those are things that struck me reading the books as an adult when my kids were young—as a child, they would have gone right over my head.
Yes and as an adult looking at it, someone like Almanzo must have seemed like a much more stable factor in Laura’s life than Pa. Even as a child I was struck by how Pa and others had to go to Almanzo during the long winter to get grain to feed their families. Almanzo and Royal had planned ahead and were eating flapjacks and poor Pa had to come to the door with a bucket to buy some of Almanzo’s seed wheat.
Carla Kelly books are always good for a reread. There is something very hopeful about her stories, even the ones that deal with dark subjects. I have not done much rereading this year, too many books on my TBR pile, but I do have my comfort reads that I go back to again and again. I have a pile of some old Signet Regencies that I delve into when I need to recharge: Edith Layton, Anita Mills, Mary Balogh, and Carla Kelly. I also keep some books by Jo Beverly, Joanna Bourne, and a few others close by.
Yes, Carla Kelly somehow always manages to leave me feeling good about the world and the people even though they deal with war, neglect and other sad things. They are the perfect comfort reads.
I really need to try both Edith Layton and Anita Mills, I’m embarrassed to say I have never read either of them despite people’s many recommendations.
I wasn’t wowed by the couple of Anita Mills books I listened to a while back. I’ve had more success with Layton. I’ve got a Christmas anthology of her stuff on my TBR
I hope “The Duke’s Progress” is in there.
Edith Layton has some wonderful stories. I love her well-grounded heroes. Nothing flash. Utterly calm, confident, and considerate.
That sounds like what I admire in a lot of Carla Kelly’s heroes as well.
Oh yes, Bec McMaster is a great reread choice!
I re-read a lot, especially this year for comfort, which I see is a common theme in the other comments. I’ve started to reread some older books on my shelves to see if I really want to keep them (I’ve run out of shelf space). I still love Mary Stewart (always have – always will), but I’ve found so far that my early Jayne Ann Krentz books are probably gonna be donated.
Hooray, another bedside books re-reader. Those are ones that I dip into for favorite chunks of the story. Or favorite stand-alone scenes. Since I prefer “light & happy” before bedtime, Loretta Chase is good for those. The antique shop in “Lord of Scoundrels“ or the walk with Dain after Jessica has left brother Bertie passed out. Dain’s “Steeds of Death” carriage ride and the engagement ring is always a smile. Lisa Kleypas’s holloway walk to the beach and the beach scene in “Devil in Spring” is always lovely. As is the arrival of the Revenel family. You brought up Julia Quinn’s “Splendid” a few chats ago and it has bunches of great stand alone scenes. Her “Viscount Who Loved Me” is also full of episodes. The Mallet of Death!! Books that I have to re-read in their entirety are generally not bedsides. They seem to have a major build of emotion or a layered plot. Those would be Ann Mallory’s “Seven Secrets of Seduction” and “One Night is Never Enough” Also Shelly Long’s “What I Did for a Duke.” (That tension!) And I can’t just dip into Stella Riley – she’s a total re-read as are Anne Stuart, Joanna Bourne, and Sherry Thomas (“His at Night”). Oddly, since “Devil In Spring” has great ‘’bits,” “Devil in Winter” is a must read in its entirety. Go figure. Love this topic!
I love Devil In Winter as well (completely forgot to put Kleypas down on my re-reads list!) I also tend to re-read that entire book because I really enjoy all of it, from their frantic dash to the border to their finding their way at the casino and as husband and wife.
My two go to series for Kleypas re-reads are The Wallflowers and The Hathaways.
I’m re-reading the Ravenels..And taking a look at your next post, have you tried Carla Kelly’s “Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand”? Awkward title but a really lovely story. And I’m going to pick up your suggestions.
Yes I love Mrs. Drew. I think I would re-read it more often if the villain got more of a comeuppance than he does. It’s not only because I want him punished I just don’t trust him around the heroine and her kids!
I also love “Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand” and I agree that the n=villain needs a lot more by way of a comeuppance than he gets. It may be a moral failing on my part, but I want villains to be punished, not forgiven!
I clearly have the same moral failing then, lol. I mean the poor hero lost a toe or two! That alone is worth some punishment for the villain.
Me, too!
Have tried since the post to edit out the clanger on Julie Anne Long’s name. Didn’t work.
So many great choices! Completely agree re: Stella Riley, I have to dive all the way in and every time is just as delightful.
Especially this year, I’ve been doing a lot of rereading at bedtime too. I always read for a while before going to sleep, and I want to make sure it’s something that will give me pleasant dreams, not nightmares. My favorite authors in the past few months have been Loretta Chase, Amanda Quick, and Madeline Hunter. I generally read the whole book, a little bit at a time, so it can last me a week or more. (With rereading, there’s no longer the suspense keeping me awake and reading to reach the end.)
I’ve re-read a lot during the pandemic just for comfort. My favorites are Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy Series, Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series plus her two fairy tale books.
I am definitely a re-reader, particularly when I’m busy and want to read something that brings me comfort. If it is a book that I’ve not read for years, I will usually re-read the whole book. However, if it is a book that I’ve read many times, I will often skip to my favourite passages. I tend to read re-read romances a lot. My favourite books to revisit are Sherry Thomas, ‘Ravishing the Heiress’ (actually I re-read all of her books annually), Julie Anne Long, ‘What I did for the Duke’, Mary Balogh, ‘Slightly Dangerous’ , ‘Something Wonderful’, Judith McNaught and ‘Once and Always’, Judith McNaught. I always feel guilty re-reading the last two books, because the heroes are misogynistic jerks and I tend to skip over the most egregious scenes of abuse. However, the emotional weight of McNaught’s writing and nostalgia over my teenage reading choices, keeps pulling me in;)
Same as you:
– longer time – whole book, shorter time – only bits and pieces.
Also a lot of comfort re-reading this year.
My favorite re-reads, some “guilty” for same reasons – not ok today, but I love the memories!
Mostly, I reread for a a quick fix of feeling the way a certain author makes me feel, and may glom an author till that craving is over, reading a few fully, then re-reading scenes. I mix it with new books, having a re-read session, sometimes one books, sometimes a glom of a few days, then going back to new stuff. Or to non fiction, or whatever.
Carla Kelly, Miss Milton speaks her Mind most reread, but any book of hers set in Regency,
Georgette Heyer (uneven, some are not good enough for reread to me)
Jayne Ann Krentz’ Family Man, and some super old series of hers,
Amanda Quick’s Surrender, Scandal, Rendez Vous,
Mary Balogh, mostly her very old series Regencies
Mary Jo Putney’s Fallen Angel series
Edith Layton series Regencies, and Love trilogy
Roberta Gellis Fires of Winter, Rope Dancer and Masques of Gold, her Magdalene series,
Kelly Hunter whole books, nearly any one of hers
Sarah Mayberry any
Suzanne Brockmann – only the old Loveswepts
Justine Dare – also only old series
Michelle Reid – any book – she only writes HP – who stopped writing I think
Val Roberts
non romance:
Lois Mc Master Bujold
Sharon Shinn
Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
Jacqueline Carey Kushiel books
Sherwood Smith (selected books, she is uneven)
Carol Berg
Guy Gavriel Kay
Dorothy Sayers/ Jill Paton Walsh