Our Tuesday Fox asked, “What is the one book that you feel you could read over and over without it ever feeling old?”
I’m afraid this will be an extremely short post, because I DON’T read things over and over. I LOVE to read, but I rarely read things twice. When I discussed this problem with my writer friends, some suggested that I write about movies I could watch over and over, but I rarely watch movies at all, and I definitely don’t watch anything more than once. If I’m watching TV at home and an episode of a series comes on that I’ve already seen, I’ll change the channel or turn the TV off. As you can imagine, when reruns start, the television is rarely on. I guess I’m too eager to go on to the next thing.
I used to hoard print books, but when I downsized I had to part with a lot of things, including books. A lot went to my local library. Several more that were in great shape went to a fundraiser for my writers group. I kept only the books that fell into three categories: books I wrote (I keep print copies in stock to sell at events), signed books written by close friends, and reference books. Of the three categories, I have of course read my own books (several times during the course of editing) but to refer back to the original question, I definitely got tired of each and every one by the time they were published. I’ve read parts of the reference books, but I’ve regrettably read about only about half of the signed books. My Bible has been read through a few times, but there are so many stories within that the book itself doesn’t get old.
So… you might justifiably believe my life is devoid of repetition. However, there is ONE area in which I have favorites which I happily repeat. As a musician, I’ve performed many pieces over and over in the fifty-plus years since I first learned to play an instrument. I’ve got several sections of Peter and the Wolf and The Nutcracker Suite memorized, as they’re perennial favorites. Still, I’m not sure I’d enjoy playing both of these pieces over and over EVERY year. But like my Bible, the selection of pieces in classical music literature is quite wide, so I don’t mind occasional repetition. My Wednesday evening orchestra is performing Sibelius’ Finlandia in March, and I’m quite sure I’ve played it at least a half dozen times, and that’s okay. It’s still a beautiful piece, and I’ll happily play my part.
Do you read your favorite books again, and again?
Angela Schroeder
Patricia Kiyono
Elaine Cantrell
Jeff Salter
Joselyn
Tonette Joyce
Four Foxes, One Hound 
This is so interesting. I read the same favorite books over and over, and I am much happier watching a series I’ve already seen over again than I am starting a new one (I don’t care for movies much). In some aspects of life I am a novelty seeker and an outside the box thinker, and I will jump into an adventure with both feet, but when confronted with the choice of what to read or watch or listen to, I’ll almost always choose a tried and true classic over something new. Same with fast food. I have a default order everywhere. I always tell myself I’ll order the new fun menu item, but when I get to the register . . . my brain defaults to the old standard. Even when I love a band, it takes me a very long time to listen to their new album, and even longer to adapt to their new songs. If they change their sound too much, that’s the end of the road for me. I’m not settling, though. And it’s not really fear. I love the things I love so much that I’m perfectly to revisit them again and again. And eventually I do read and eat and do new things and they become favorites in my rotation. 🙂
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There is comfort in sticking with the tried and true. I have my favorites at some restaurants, but I’m always game to try the new dishes. I still haven’t convinced myself to try okra or grits, but those aren’t usually on the menu in this part of the country. Thanks so much for weighing in!
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I generally also don’t like to reread books although there are a couple of movies that I enjoy watching again as they are an immersive experience for me especially if I love the movie theme and music. Such movies are the Harry Potter movies, The Holiday, The Lake House, Notting Hill and several others.
The only books I like to reread are children’s classics that I read as a kid and some nonfiction books that really spoke to me.
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I can think of a few children’s books I wouldn’t mind revisiting one more time. The Boxcar Children, as I’ve mentioned before, is one. Thanks so much for visiting, Kathy!
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There is one special book amongst the thousands in my house: The Collected Ghost Stories of E F Benson. It has taken on a magical significance, the way that a book of spells becomes magical in its own right.
When I write and my inspiration has left me, I open the book at random and within a few words, I am inspired. I don’t even have to read a whole sentence. This week, my story had stalled. I had written and erased and rewritten and re-erased until I had reduced 4000 meaningless words to twelve. I opened Benson; the first word I saw was ‘chimney’. Suddenly, I saw my entire story take shape and I spent the whole day writing.
For me, that is the magic of books, the spark they create in our minds.
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Sounds like a very special book! You’re very fortunate to have a reliable muse like this. Thanks so much for weighing in!
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I suppose I’ll think up something by Hound Day, but for now, I have to say that I’m rather surprised you were “able” to divest yourself of many titles in your printed books collection. Myself — I have way too many, including some I’d quickly donate / sell [if it weren’t such a bother]. But so many of my print titles seem like old friends — we don’t chat every day, but I have fond memories and love knowing that I can pick things back up when the feeling hits me.
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I did have some “old friends” in the books I purged. But I consoled myself with the thought that someone else could now enjoy them, and they wouldn’t be gathering dust in my house.
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Like you, before I moved I donated my print books. I hated giving away books from my fav authors. I’m a re-reader, re-movie watcher. Such comfort in reliable things. Sometimes, I’m not in the mood to try a new author or a new TV show or movie. But I’ve watched some movies many, many times. Dirty, Rotten Scoundrels comes to mind. Star Wars (of course), Star Trek, Harry Potter–I could go on and on. LOL
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There is something to be said for sticking with what’s familiar, although with me that applies more for the way I do things rather than the things I do. I still fold my towels and clothes the way I was taught, still cook some foods the same way… but I wear totally different clothes and eat lots of different foods. Thanks so much for stopping in, Diane!
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I would LOVE to hear you play! I have to admit that I SHOULDN’T ever read a book more than once with all there is to read out there.
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Yes, there is SO MUCH out there I could read 24/7 and not get through everything I want to read!
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I’ve found that favorite music is something I like to revisit. Some books too.
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I suppose time is a factor, at least for me. It takes far less time to listen to (or play) a symphony than it does to read a book!
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I am very much the opposite. I love to read books over and over again especially if they are well written.
I would love to hear you play sometime.
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When I was young, I read the Lord of the Rings, Gone with the Wind, and a few other books more than once. I’ve tried to reread some of those favorite books from that time in my life (pre-children) and I just can’t seem to get beyond a few chapters. I’ve read the bible more than once, but I tend not to read that book like a novel. It’s different. When I used to sing in choirs, I enjoyed seeing my favorites back in rotation for the season.
I’m getting up there in age. I can only read so many books a year, even if I had nothing to do except read books. I’m more picky in the books I do read.
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