August 24, 2021
Do you love making lists?
Top Ten Tuesday:
10 Books I Wish I Could Read Again For the First Time
I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books I Wish I Could Read Again For the First Time and the 2021 Discussion Challenge hosted by Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction and Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight.
This is a difficult topic for me because I believe that first reads are best! I’m a “one and done” reader and I’m not a rereader (well…rarely a rereader). However, there are a few books I’d like to read again for the first time (if I had a time machine) simply to recapture the “book hangover,” the pleasure, or the memorable reading experience.
I’d love to hear from YOU!
If you had a time machine, what is the number one book you’d like to read again for the first time? Do we share any titles?
*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
(in no particular order)
Project Hail Mary by Any Weir (on audio!)
If you’ve experienced Project Hail Mary you know! If you’ve read the print version, you might want to consider a reread via the audio format! Even though there’s a lot of science and math that I was tempted to skim, I was pleasantly surprised by the alien and the powerful friendship theme in this sci-fi page-turner. Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!
A Place For Us by Farheen Fatima Mirza
I will never forget the emotional reading experience that this story provided. I loved the way this book ended with a passage from the father’s point of view! (One of my favorite endings ever.) I wasn’t expecting to hear from the father after a story focused on the women of the family, and it was a poignant and heartfelt reflection that had me in tears (IYKYK). I would adore the chance to read this favorite story (a lifetime favorite) again for the first time. (I wish the author had written a sequel!)
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Yes, I adore quirky characters striving to live their best lives…..but this is not what this story is about, and the twist at the
Castle of Water by Duane Hucklebridge
This is a well-written, fun, escapist read so I might want to read this page-turner again for the first time. Castaway meets Survivors.
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
Guernsey is a delightful and charming read and one of the few books that I’ve actually reread. It checks all my boxes for a feel-good story. I enjoyed it the second time. However, I know I enjoyed my first read best and I’d rather have read it again for the first time than for a reread. (Not reviewed because I read it before I started blogging.) The film adaptation is excellent (and I’ve watched that twice, too!).
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Fredrik Backman is my favorite author and I’d like to read some of his books again for the first time. His creativity amazes me. The drama in this story slowly builds (gotta trust Backman!) as multiple characters are introduced and the stage is set for a dramatic, compelling, and poignant ending.
Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall
This book gave me a “book hangover,” and I loved the poignant story and its thoughtful themes of faith, friendship, marriage, partnership, and asking difficult questions. I’d love to read it again for the first time.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
I’d love to read this again for the first time because of the unique narrator, the poignant friendship, and the survival themes. No review available because I read it before I started blogging, but I need to mention that the film adaptation is well done.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Wouldn’t you love to read this children’s classic again for the very first time and recapture the magic of childhood reading? Which one of your favorite childhood stories would you like to read again for the first time?
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
I’m listing this for my younger self! I’d love to recapture the thrill I felt reading my first “adult” historical fiction book when I was a young high school student…the book that started my lifelong love affair with histfic! After a steady diet of Nancy Drew, I remember being engaged for days (and nights!) in what I considered a compelling and unputdownable story with unforgettable characters and a southern setting! It was different from anything I had ever read. I’m afraid to reread it and discover that it doesn’t give me the same “book hangover” as that first time!
QOTD:
Which book would you like to read again for the first time?
Happy Reading Book Buddies!
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text
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Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.
Book Cover and author photo are credited to Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website.
I just read Project Hail Mary and loved it. Now I’ll never be able to read it again for the first time. Sigh. My list of books I wish I could read again for the first time
Right? I loved the moment he first saw Rocky! I’m hopping over to read your post.
Wonderful list, Carol. I have only read 4 of these books, several are on my TBR, but I don’t have copies, and am adding the others. 😊❤📚
Thanks Sandy! 🙌😍
Fab list Carol!
Thanks Nicki! It as so hard for some reason! Probably over thinking it!
I love your list and the Back to the Future gif! Brilliant!
Guernsey made it to my shortlist, but not the final list. I love that book and will read it again and again without stop loving it.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your week!
Elza Reads
Thanks Mareli! Guernsey seems to make all my lists! I just love it! Have you seen the Netflix movie? Hopping over to read your post!
I did this topic a while ago so had to do a twist though I absolutely love reminiscing about the books I’d love to re-read. I have read #s 5, 8, 9, 10 from your list and wouldn’t mind re-reading any of them. My favourite of all is probably the Guernsey book though I must admit that I’ve re-read “Gone With the Wind” a couple of times and probably watched it 100 times in the cinema and on TV.
My TTT.
I’m happy to hear we share some rereads! It seems like Guernsey makes all my lists! Such a delightful story! I’m afraid to do a reread of Gone With the Wind! I treasure my first memory! I’m hopping over to read your post!
I think the Guernsey book would fit a lot of my lists, too, it is just a great book.
I read “Gone with the Wind” in German first and also watched it in German, nothing else was available to me at the time. So, I definitely had to read it in English one day.
Hail Mary was on my list, too! I can’t wait for the film version of it.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-wish-i-could-read-again-for-the-first-time/
I loved The Martian, so I’m sure I’ll love PHM movie, too! My fav part is when he first sees Rocky! I’m hopping over now to read your post.
I’ve heard wonderful things about the latest Charlotte’s Web audio (Merle Streep!) so that’s definitely one I’d like to read or hear again.
Oh, I’d love to listen to that! Thanks for the rec!
I loved GotW even though I thought it was historically accurate when I was younger, I’m not mad😂
It was a wonderful reading experience!
Yes, I would love to be able to capture the feelings I got reading both The Book Thief and Charlotte’s Web for the first time.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/08/24/top-ten-tuesday-330/
First reads are special and can’t be recaptured! I’m hopping over now to read your post.
Definitely!
Great list! I have Eleanor Oliphant on my TBR; it keeps popping up on social media as a book to read. So I guess I need to just read it already.
When you get the chance, I hope you stop over at my blog and take a read: https://readbakecreate.com/10-books-i-would-love-to-see-as-a-movie/
❤️ brave Eleanor ❤️ at first you might think it’s a quirky character story, but it’s really a story of trauma and tragedy. Worthy of your TBR. Unforgettable and memorable. I’m hopping over now to read your post.
I’ve read the majority of these and I reread Castle of Water! Although it wasn’t for the first time, it was a very satisfying read. Love this list!
Thanks so much Sharon! Castle of Water is beautifully written! I’m happy to hear we both love it!
I’m not much of a re-reader either, although there are a couple of exceptions. I’ve only read a few of the books on your list, so I still get to experience most of these for the first time. Lucky me!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Yes I envy you reading them for the first time! I’m hopping over now to read your post.
This is a difficult question for me so I took the cowardly approach and skipped the topic this week ! My challenge is that there are some books I didn’t like on first reading but which grew on me (Portrait of a Lady by Henry James as an example). So to say I’d like to repeat the experience of first reading seems odd.
Interesting! I don’t think I’ve ever had a book grow on me in that way…..other than at book club when others talk about their experience with a book I didn’t enjoy, I can gain a new appreciation of it through their eyes.
Project Hail Mary is on my list too. My husband recently listened to the audiobook, and I heard snippets of it when he listened to it around me. I’m definitely listening to the audiobook for my first re-read (of many, I’m sure), and it’ll probably happen soon. I also loved the Guernsey… book, but I’m afraid to watch the movie.
My TTT
PHM on audio is brilliant! The Guernsey movie was good….the ending plays out a bit differently but the cast is great. I think you might enjoy it!
Charlotte’s Web and Gone with the Wind, YES!!! I did not go back that far in my list, but I agree! My link is here: https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2021/08/top-ten-tuesday-reread-for-first-time.html
There are certain books that would be lovely on experience again for the first time! I’m hopping over now to read your post.
Oh I like this idea! I’ll have to think about my 10!
It was fun to consider!
I loved Gone with the Wind.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
I can’t remember which I loved more, the content or the reading experience! It was my first book hangover! I’m hopping over now to read your post.
I love that we’ve got several in common! I actually didn’t listen to the audiobook for Project Hail Mary. I’m gonna have to add that to my list. As I was reading, I was super curious how the audiobook handled some of it, especially in regard to Rocky, so I was thinking about picking it up anyway, but you’ve definitely convinced me that I need to. 😀
Oh yes! The addition of the musical notes really enhanced the story and I can’t imagine not having that!
I’m not sure how I’d answer this question Carol but you’ve certainly listed some great books, many of which I’ve read and enjoyed! Great prompt and it made me think.
It was actually a difficult list to make! 😩
Have read all of these (some thanks to you!!) except Castle of Water. I have reread Charlotte’s Web many times to classes when I taught 3rd grade. The book I am currently rereading is Being Mortal. And incredibly helpful book on making the most of life as you get older and things narrow down. Great stories and medical info. I’m taking notes this time– with 2 parents aged 90 & 94 (and our own old age around the corner!!) it is so relevant.
When I taught 5th I read Sign of the Beaver with the class 15 years in a row!
Being mortal sounds good. I haven’t heard of it so thanks for the rec! My mom turns 95 in September!
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I don’t reread very often but Harry Potter is one that I reread every year. I would love to experience it for the first time again.
Great choice! Where’s the time machine?!