Any books you love to read over and over again?

[sidthekid27]

The idea of rereading books used to mystify me, and I think it says something about Stephen King (and his talent) that I can sit down with literally anything he's written and enjoy it over and over. Just finished a reread of Misery- the first SK book I ever read- and love it more every time. Rereading has become a tradition for me. What books do you read over and over again and never get tired of, though not necessarily King?

A couple more personal examples:


The Harry Potter series
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote (every Christmas Eve; it's a short story but I think it still counts)
Already mentioned- anything by SK
To Kill a Mockingbird and The Catcher in the Rye- read both multiple times because they were favorites of mine growing up.

[Moderator]

I thought there was a thread about this previously but it's not showing up in the Similar Threads so am putting this through.

[rose key]

Besides all the SK books? The only thing I can think of right now is Lord of the Rings.

[wally wonder]

other than sk, harry crews's stories. they're a real hoot. i've enjoyed some of koontz's stuff, as well, but on the last read of fear nothing i had to struggle through to the end. maybe i've read it too much? catch-22 by heller. and yeah, all of sk's stuff.

[tess4da]

I've read them all, many times. Based on what is going on in my life at the time, they strike different resonant chords. It's sort of like watching 'It's a Wonderful Life' every Christmas Eve, for me, anyway. Every year I see it differently, but it's an old friend, well-loved and cherished. :)

[BlackThorn]

I've read 'The Princess Bride' a few times. Usually the second time though, I skim through some parts to speed up sections. Only with that book though 'cause there are some parts that are tedous intentionally as part of it's dry humor. Or mayyyyybe if I was rereading the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I might skim through the endless songs a bit too. Those parts always bored me, but I would read it all every time anyway to be fair, kinda hammering through like I was climbing a hill in my head as fast as I could to get it over with.

Most King is highly rereadable. Ooo, firefox says I just invented a word. =oD I remember the first time I read 'Desperation', I wanted to continue reading it so much I brought the book into the bathtub with me. I found it was possible, but tricky, and I couldn't get as comfy as I wanted always keeping one hand dry and away from water, so it was back to audiobooks when I'm in the tub instead. But Desperation is a great re-read. I had to read it a few times once when I was makin' it into mp3 format from an old recycled library edition. (the tape that had been overplayed or melted so bad you can hear a crazy backwards echo of Kings voice on the raw copy, was only helped so much by the filters;)) But I didn't mind listening to it over and over to fix it. That whole book is covered in amazing scenes, and extremely powerful happenings. It was a quick read too, for King book, which also helps for reread ability.

Anything on The Dark Tower can be read and reread too, and both of the audio book readers were incredible with that series as well. Frank Muller set the rhythm for the characters perfectly, and when George Guidall began narrative work on the expanded 'The Gunslinger' and on book V, he stayed right in line with that pattern Muller had set everything into play with. The Muller version of 'Little Sisters of Eluria' is good for a reread too. More fun than reading it yourself. XoD

If you really enjoyed Insomina, that's a good one to do again someday too.

[tess4da]

Shoot, sorry! The previous message sounded so PC. I've read, re-read, and re-read, and loved, all of the Harry Potter books, and Mr. King has been a friend since 1980. The first book, for me, was 'The Stand'. I also like David Baldacci, and the backs of cereal boxes. I read everything and anything, always have. Not sure if it's a blessing or a curse.

[LittleRedKing]

I find myself going back to books like Watershop Down, The Book of the Dun Cow, Lord of the Rings and just about every SK book I own. The Long Walk has gotten a heck of a lot of mileage from me for some reason. As well as It, The Stand and the entire Dark Tower series.

As far as SK books that I don't have a desire to read again, that is a pretty short list. I can pick up just about any of his and get right back into it again.

[sidthekid27]

Thanks for putting it through, Ms. Mod. I checked for any similar threads and was really surprised not to find any, so here it is. :smile2:

I agree that everything Stephen writes is worthy of being reread and IMO this is because he layers all of his stories with such meaning. What you see is not necessarily what you get. His characters are fascinating, too. There are some writers that manage to make my skin crawl with the things their characters do or say, not because they're particularly horrific but because the characters (based on my perception of them) would never do/say what the writer wants them to. That has never happened with Stephen. He's got such a great sense of reality which make his books so much more meaningful for me. I don't know- love Stephen's work more than any others on my shelf and reread them all the time.

Another reread that I forgot about- sorry Alice Walker- is The Colour Purple. I'm kinda like Tess, I think. I could read the phone book, depending on my mood. I'm just a reader, I guess. LOL

[racheypen80]

I've reread Harry Potter more times than I care to confess:-) I reread Word Processor of the Gods every once in a while.

Books I reread every year:
To Kill A Mockingbird
Franny & Zooey (makes me reread The Last Rung On The Ladder)
The Great Divorce

[paul yates]

apart from all SK. Lord of the rings and harry potter have the most rereads in my house

[tigerlilly2k]

Ive read all the SK's at least twice and some several times. I read THE STAND one a year! DESPERATION, DOLORES C., and of course the DT.
Other books I read over and over are THE HISTORY OF THE MAYFAIRE WITCHES by Anne Rice, everything by JD Salinger and when I was a kid, THE JUNGLE BOOK. It just about killed me when they made a CARTOON with songs, no less...out of that great book. Kipling would roll over in his grave. My biggest concern is that some kid will see the stupid cartoon and think he/she actually "knows" THE JUNGLE BOOK. Good grief. Not JUST that one, either...I wish Disney would leave the Classics alone. OR at least NOT turn them into cutesy-wootsie crapola. I mean, puhleeez! The Hunchback of Notre Dame breaking into a song and dance number??? The great Teacher of the Jungle Law, Baloo the Bea,r shaking his big booty and singing "Bear Necessities"? That's just...an insult to the work and the author. Sorry. Dont get me started! Im sure glad Im not opinionated or anything!

[phidgt]

I tend to reread epic stories; Shogun, The Far Pavilions, Lord of the Rings, The Stand, The Dark Tower series are a few off the top of my head.

[LadyHitchhiker]

(In no particular order)
The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Stand
My Star Trek books
The Dark Tower Series
The Neverending Series
Momo

[Gillie]

Blackthorn, I used to get some of my best reading done in the tub l0l

Of Course SK
Christopher Moore's books
A dirty Job
Lamb
Coyote Blue
Anne Rice's Vampires
Harry Potter
The Grapes Of Wrath
Lord of The Rings
John Irving
Anne Tyler
Pat Conroy
Dean Koontz
Jean Auel
etcetra, etcetra, etcetra.......:wink2:

[crazycrashink]

I can always re-read Insomnia or A Tale of Two Cities. I would love to reread others, but I am too busy trying to read new stuff! There isn't enough time!! GRRRRRR:glare:

[aspergillus]

I reread SK constantly as we all do, only other book I can think of is To Kill A Mockingbird.
Think I have read Rebecca twice.

[finalfantasyVII]

:blush:For me I could reread the 'Talisman' over and over and also 'Storm of the Century' over and over..let's see there's also 'Hearts in Atlantis', 'Bag of Bones', the 'Langoliers'..did I spell that right? 'Blackhouse' also for sure 'The Green Mile', and also but not last I'm sure is 'The Shawshank Redemption' ! Never mind the movies sometimes-as good as a few mentioned are, but reading gives you more descriptions and more depth than a movie can..more insight I guess U call it..Thanks Mark FFVII:biggrin2:

[marew1]

:smile2: I only read a book once. I rarely reread. Unlike movies which I'll watch over and over again.

[blunthead]

I've read the following books more than once...

The Great Divorce, CSLewis (5 times, at least)
The Catcher in the Rye, JDSalinger (5 times, at least)
Sphere, Michael Crichton (2 times)
Phantastes, George Macdonald (2 times)
Lilith, George Macdonald (2 times)
The Princess Bride, William Goldman (2 times)
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, CSLewis (2 times)
That Hideous Strength, CSLewis (2 times)

I'm still working on reading all of sK, and so haven't felt inclined to revisit any of his, yet. But, when I do...

Desperation
Misery
Umney's Last Case
Everything's Eventual
The End of the Whole Mess
Quitters, Inc.
Lunch at the Gotham Cafe
1408
The Jaunt
The Reach
Sorry, Right Number
Survivor Type
Mrs Todd's Shortcut
The Mist
The Long Walk
Bag of Bones

[Jax]

I read The Stand, The Dark Tower series, Lisey's Story, and Insomnia every so often.
I've read Interview with the Vampire several times.
However after playing SKT I realized that I need a re-read of most of Sai King's work. There's been times when I've read some posts about a book of SK's that I've read and I think to myself "Wow, I have no recollection of that happening in the book." So I need to reacquaint myself with many, many books. At least it will be enjoyable.:)

[Jack Torrance]

I never read a book more than once. However, it's probably been at least 15 years since I have read It, Pet Sematary, and some others that I just might. I may read a passage from the book every now and then but not the entire book. Although I have not done that for probably 6 years. Which coincidently was about the time I started dating my wife and getting a family going. No more spare time. LOL!

[Speedygi81]

Let me see here:

Cujo
Firestarter
The Green Mile
Duma Key
On Writing
Faithful
Cell

[CorbinKale]

I never get rid of books. I hang onto them with the notion that I will read them again. I like to wait many years between readings. I find it is a real kick in the pants to compare my memory of the first reading with the current image I am getting from the text. Years of additional life experience shapes, colors and broadens the perception of the story.

This can be good or bad. With SK books, it is wonderful! Your imagination is fully engaged.

However, lesser quality material is merely outgrown, and seen as ridiculous or dull.

[SebastiaanZ]

I haven't read a lot of books twice. Not even SK's, except for "Hearts in Atlantis" and "The Long Walk". I also read "Lord of the Flies", "Gödel, Escher, Bach (non-fiction)" and "The Lord of the Rings" twice. But that's about it.

[finalfantasyVII]

Oh yes another I've read over and over is 'The Hobbit':blush:

[LF-Me]

Two books come to mind for me - The Chronicles of Tao & The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. I know there's more. I read a lot of eastern philosophy and sometimes tend to just read chapters. Ah, there is one more .... my dictionary! I read that constantly.
I too never throw away a book, like CorbinKale. That in itself can pose one hell of a space problem!

[Mjenn]

I call Elizabeth Hand's Waking the Moon my 'mac and cheese' book, not because of it's substance, but because it is my comfort book. I look forward every year to curling up with it in the dark of winter and 'going home' to see all of her incredible characters.

Right now I'm also rereading Stephen King, hence why I'm on this board, but I read a huge chunk of his work in my teens, so it's been a few years.

[O'Hara]

I haven't read enough SK books to bother reareading yet, though I plan to read The Stand again in the near future. I've read Harry Potter too many times to remember, and also Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Quartet (what there is anyway). Also reread Watership Down as someone mentioned. Most of the books on my shelf I've read many times, and they're well worn now. When I was a kid I always had to reread books because the libraries kept running out of stuff to give me xD

[Autumnlyn]

Has to be Watership Down. Loved it at a pre-teen. Try to only read it once a year, but, :dunno: sometimes I read it more.

[DelvianBlue]

I reread books all the time. Usually though I have so many books I don't have time to read them all as many times as I'd like. Some of my favorite rereads:
The Dark Tower series
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Anything by James White - his Sector General series is great!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
A lot of classics by authors I like
Jane Austen
Dosdoyefsky (not sure on the spelling)
Joseph Conrad

[dejolane]

I am waiting on a book called Run for your Life by James Patterson to come in from the library. :smile2:

[LadyLyn]

I'd have to say The Stand is one of my favs to read over and over again. Never ever get tired of that one. I could actually read any of Uncle Steve-O's books more than once gladly.
I'd like to have the time to reread the DT series again, but haven't gotten the chance yet. I too like to see how I view books that I read when I was younger as opposed to now. It can prove a lot of fun and very interesting to see how differently my views on some things might have changed or vice versa, see how many things remain the same.

[LOTUS]

What a great thread!Thank you for the lidea!
I love it because I love to reread!:biggrin2:When I really like a book I do need to reread it,because the first time I am usually in a hurry to understand what happens in the end and just run through the pages.:biggrin2:When I pick up the book again I really take my time to enjoy it and pay attention to the details.
I can reread most of SK's books /and I've done so:smile2:/ many many times.And each time is better.
The book I have reread the most is Gone with the Wind /at least 20 times:blush:/ - my all time favourite /obviously!/.Also:

The Lord of The Rings
almost all of Agatha Christie's book /as well as her autobiography/
The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov
Wish you Well by Baldacci
Pride and Prejudice - by Jane Austen
Nobody's Boy by Hector Malo
The Secret Garden - by Frances Burnett
The Thorn Birds - by Colleen McCullough
The Little Prince

And meny more :smile2:

[crestfallen49]

The book I've read the most often, and I also consider it my favorite book of all-time is King's The Eyes of the Dragon. I'm new to this message board, and I'm amazed that more people don't talk about it. I absolutely love it. I've read it four or five times and it's still as great as it ever was. One of the books that you don't want to end when it's over.

[Susanne]

I´ve read Pet Sematary several times. It´s my first King book and I bought it when I was 11 years old, so you can imagine how it looks like now.
Other books I´ve reread are A Painted House by John Grisham, Hearts in Atlantis, The Body, Salem´s Lot...

[Matthew.Degnan]

On Writing.

[LadyLyn]

Almost forgot about that one somehow.:oops: My copy of On Writing has definately been well read many times and it shows.

[Susanne]

On Writing.

oh, that´s also a great book.

[thymeoperator]

i've read 'crime and punishment' by dostoevsky 3 times actually and keep meaning to go for it a 4th time. 'house of leaves' and 'the time traveler's wife' and also 'the handmaid's tale' by margaret atwood, those three i've read twice each and would love to go for a 3rd time...in fact actually i can think of a long list of books now that i've read twice that would be good for another spin...also, i really want to reread 'christine' and figure some day i'm going to reread 'it'.

[nomadnyc]

Hi everyone,

I am new on the boards! Hope to have many great chats with all of you.

As for SK's works one of my favorites that I have reread several times is Salem's Lot. Just love that book.

As for other works that I have reread:

Lord of the Rings
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (Stephen R. Donaldson)
The Hour of the Dragon (and to be honest most of Robert E. Howard's Conan stories)
Hyperion Cantos (Dan Simmons)
Of Mice and Men
To Kill a Mockingbird
Animal Farm
Neverwhere (Neil Gaiman)
Candide (Voltaire)

[TheHardcase]

The idea of rereading books used to mystify me, and I think it says something about Stephen King (and his talent) that I can sit down with literally anything he's written and enjoy it over and over.

I'm right there with you. There's so much depth to SK's works that a return visit often reveals themes and sub-themes that I missed the first time around. A few of my return visits . . .


The Stand -- Five times and counting. In fact, I'm ramping up for a sixth time through in short order.
Wizard and Glass -- It revealed so much about Roland's early years and how his obsession with the Tower was born
'Salem's Lot -- A vampire story with a lot of post-Vietnam small-town angst thrown in to boot.
Bag of Bones -- There's so much going on in this story, it was impossible for me to digest it all in one reading.
IT -- See comment above. The fact that SK can cram so much into this magnum opus speaks volumes about his God-given talent.


And that's just the short list. Time permitting, I'll be able to get to many of his other works one of these days.

[Richard_B]

Glad it's not just me... my wife thinks I'm mad that I'm reading IT for the 4th time when there's a bookcase of other novels still to be read... but there are times when all you want is to know you're going to get a good read.. and Sai King delivers! SK-wise I love re-reading the Colarado Kid and some of the novellas like The Body and The Long Walk.

Apart from SK - I tend to re-read Robert Westall (criminally lesser-known UK author who wrote most teen fiction, but including "Futuretrack 5 which is brilliant) and Clive Barker (Books of Blood and early stuff...)

[Tooley]

I've reread Salem's Lot twice, that book is just awesome. I've also read And Then There Were None (a mystery!) many times, Harry Potter (the first) twice and The Giver twice.

[youngfibre]

I have done Insomnia a few times and Anne Rice' The Vampire Lestat also i think i read Esan Case' Wing Men every few months.

[Tamou]

I could read 'IT' over and over.
I can open it up at any page, read a few sentences and I'm already hooked, same goes for 'The Stand'. :love: