Such a lovely read, Elizabeth! I am always transported into a world of beauty when I read your posts! Sometimes I am so busy doing that I forget about just being and enjoying. That said, I’ve been in a book club now for 20 years and we’ve read a lot but never re-read a book together. I might suggest we do that at some point for all the reasons that you mentioned here. And I agree with Rebecca: so many books and so little time. Also, I can relate to Liza, as I will rewatch a favorite film but I haven’t reread favorite books. Now I must!
So many books, so little time. I cannot stop myself from buying new ones, even though I already have stacks I haven’t read. We are who we are. Unlike my husband and daughters, I don’t reread many books or rewatch many movies. But, I’ve read The Book of Love and Rules of Civility many times. And if either of them were in front of me right now, I’d read them again.
So many books, so little time. Looking at your piles, I see favorites and few must reads that are sitting in my bedside piles. I just reread a fluffy romance that I took out of the library because I didn't remember it until I was halfway through. I read over 200 books a year now that I have retired.
I do adore Geraldine Brooks as a gifted writer. You've given me something to think about as I rarely revisit a book. But you're right! the books live on in their many interpretations as we read and reread at different stages of life.
This sounds absolutely delicious, Elizabeth, and I’ll definitely be repeating at home. Very much with you on that tussle between the Day Job Words and the Words We Actually Want to Spend Time With!
There are very few books I reread, because I have a humongous to be read pile which keeps growing…I do re-watch movies though. I find it calming/reassuring.
Oooh In the Mood for Love is one of mine too! It is such a beautiful film to take in visually, and the slow paced story is so moving.
And of course Julie & Julia, although I admit to sometimes racing through the Julie bits to get to those wonderful Meryl Streep/Stanley Tucci performances 🧐💕
Love this piece and your thinking. Also, the Francois Mauriac quote and your re-interpretation are both great.
What Susan Sontag said about travel: “I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list” can easily be applied to books. For reading-lovers it's the act of reading that matters. Old, new, first time, third time, it's all on the list.
I also love that Susan Sontag quote (and I know she holds a special place in your heart). I am sure she would heartily approve of your creative license 💕
Ah, yes. I share the angst of not having time to read everything I want. I used to re-read any Jane Austen I felt like in the summer. I may have to do it again this year. Her words carry me out of this crazy time, yet her characters are timeless. I can get lost in them, and that's what I want to do in the summer!
I used to reread my favorite books, just as I used to re-watch my favorite movies but there is too much new content and too little time so it’s all new to me now—I don’t want to miss anything!
This is the most beautiful piece of writing on reading and rereading Elizabeth. And I loved being nosey and reading all the well creased and well read book spines in your photographs.
I am so happy you found agretti in Rome! Definitely going to try your pasta recipe - though I may need to wait as local asparagus has just finished its season here in SE England.
I have finished packing all my books for our move to Ireland. There were very few that I could bring myself to give away and I am so so looking forward to taking them out of the boxes, placing them on their new bookshelves and when fully unpacked, sitting down in front of the fire this autumn and having the time, the luxury to read decadently in peace. I have missed this luxury for most of this year due to selling and packing.
That kind of reading really is the best kind of luxury. And putting the books up on the shelves, opening the spines, seeing random words and passages, a delightful enterprise. Enjoy every minute!
The struggle is real, I feel it too Elizabeth. Your piece is beautifully written, I'd read it again.
To re-reading, I'm not generally doing that, although I have presently returned to Arandhatti Roy's first book, "The God of Small Things" after finishing her latest book. Her voice and her words are always welcome guests in my mind. She sharpens my compassion and intellect in ways I find compelling. Like wise the voice and words of Geraldine Brooks, I've recently read her latest on her process of grieving the sudden death of her husband Tony Horwitz. It's a compelling journal of grief, which sounds awful, but it's hopeful.
Geraldine Brooks is a treasure. I first discovered her writing when she was a journalist for the Wall Street Journal. Her first book, Nine Parts of Desire, about her experiences with Muslim women in the Middle East, is fantastic. I was travelling to the region quite a bit in those days, so it deeply resonated.
I will seek out her book about her husband’s death. Reading about the grief journey is something I have learned through experience is a very meaningful way to weave its gifts into our lives.
Oh I loved Nine parts of desire too. I think of the women she wrote about often. I’ve been very interested in her thoughts on the Israel and Gaza, Lebanon, Iran war.
The only book of her’s I haven’t read is Horse. It’s on my list too, she speaks of it in her grief book. She was contracted to deliver the manuscript, so had to write through the grief.
I don’t normally re-read books but I do hold onto a handful of my absolute favorites like old friends, refusing to let them go. I love the idea of revisiting them—not only to remind me what I loved so much about them in the first place, but more importantly (to your point) to find new meaning in them or maybe pick up on something I previously missed. Thanks for the inspiration (and a great list of books I mostly haven’t read!).
Being a very slow reader, rereading books just wasn't in the forecast - too many books, too little time. But recently, I did go back to one of my all time favourite book - The English Parient. And what a joy it was. It was just as good, if not better, the second time. I was surprised at how much I remembered - the brain did not disappoint. I will definitely, although judiciously, go back to other favourites of mine.
So resonated! Since I first had a library card, I had this dilemma. Those have a time limit for how long you could borrow, and heaven forbid be that person that would be a late returner. Eventually, when I began making peanuts working ungodly hours, it became impossible to go to the library, so I began buying books I ‘swear I will read, since they’re mine’ … Then it would collect dust. Then finally when the timing was right, the book gets read- and it’s either “-why didn’t I start reading this earlier? It’s so good-“, or “meh”. Re-reading brings discoveries that were not present before too. Eitherway, written stories are far more entertaining and insightful than any TV/movies.
Fantastic late spring/early summer recipes too. Thank you for sharing, Elizabeth-!
Thank you Aki! It’s a conundrum because i really want to support authors by buying their books but the library is such a fantastic resource too!
I don’t know how the library system words in the US but now with online access it’s sooo much better. If it’s not a super popular title you can extend your loan, put holds on books, get audio versions etc. Check it out!
Such a lovely read, Elizabeth! I am always transported into a world of beauty when I read your posts! Sometimes I am so busy doing that I forget about just being and enjoying. That said, I’ve been in a book club now for 20 years and we’ve read a lot but never re-read a book together. I might suggest we do that at some point for all the reasons that you mentioned here. And I agree with Rebecca: so many books and so little time. Also, I can relate to Liza, as I will rewatch a favorite film but I haven’t reread favorite books. Now I must!
So many books, so little time. I cannot stop myself from buying new ones, even though I already have stacks I haven’t read. We are who we are. Unlike my husband and daughters, I don’t reread many books or rewatch many movies. But, I’ve read The Book of Love and Rules of Civility many times. And if either of them were in front of me right now, I’d read them again.
So many books, so little time. Looking at your piles, I see favorites and few must reads that are sitting in my bedside piles. I just reread a fluffy romance that I took out of the library because I didn't remember it until I was halfway through. I read over 200 books a year now that I have retired.
I do adore Geraldine Brooks as a gifted writer. You've given me something to think about as I rarely revisit a book. But you're right! the books live on in their many interpretations as we read and reread at different stages of life.
What would you pick first?
The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani
One I’ve not heard of and will look up!
This sounds absolutely delicious, Elizabeth, and I’ll definitely be repeating at home. Very much with you on that tussle between the Day Job Words and the Words We Actually Want to Spend Time With!
🤓
Let me know if you try the pasta—it’s really fresh and lovely!
Mauriac asks, Tell me what you reread, and I'll tell you who you are.
Perhaps the question becomes: Tell me what you discover when you reread, and I'll tell you who you've become.
That's brilliant!
I do re-read. Which cuts down on my first-read time. And yet when I re-read certain books there's comfort and re-discovery which I truly enjoy.
I think comfort is the key word. And also discovery—what we see that is different.
There are very few books I reread, because I have a humongous to be read pile which keeps growing…I do re-watch movies though. I find it calming/reassuring.
There is something about knowing what comes next that is soothing, isn’t there? What are some of your favourites to rewatch, Lisa?
Yes. No nasty surprises. Julie & Julia, 400 blows, Eat, drink, man, woman; In the mood for love — just a few that come to mind
Oooh In the Mood for Love is one of mine too! It is such a beautiful film to take in visually, and the slow paced story is so moving.
And of course Julie & Julia, although I admit to sometimes racing through the Julie bits to get to those wonderful Meryl Streep/Stanley Tucci performances 🧐💕
Love this piece and your thinking. Also, the Francois Mauriac quote and your re-interpretation are both great.
What Susan Sontag said about travel: “I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list” can easily be applied to books. For reading-lovers it's the act of reading that matters. Old, new, first time, third time, it's all on the list.
Another quote to add to our collections!
I also love that Susan Sontag quote (and I know she holds a special place in your heart). I am sure she would heartily approve of your creative license 💕
Ah, yes. I share the angst of not having time to read everything I want. I used to re-read any Jane Austen I felt like in the summer. I may have to do it again this year. Her words carry me out of this crazy time, yet her characters are timeless. I can get lost in them, and that's what I want to do in the summer!
I used to reread my favorite books, just as I used to re-watch my favorite movies but there is too much new content and too little time so it’s all new to me now—I don’t want to miss anything!
It’s a conundrum! I am continually torn…
This is the most beautiful piece of writing on reading and rereading Elizabeth. And I loved being nosey and reading all the well creased and well read book spines in your photographs.
I am so happy you found agretti in Rome! Definitely going to try your pasta recipe - though I may need to wait as local asparagus has just finished its season here in SE England.
I have finished packing all my books for our move to Ireland. There were very few that I could bring myself to give away and I am so so looking forward to taking them out of the boxes, placing them on their new bookshelves and when fully unpacked, sitting down in front of the fire this autumn and having the time, the luxury to read decadently in peace. I have missed this luxury for most of this year due to selling and packing.
Thank you Caroline, for your kind words 💕
That kind of reading really is the best kind of luxury. And putting the books up on the shelves, opening the spines, seeing random words and passages, a delightful enterprise. Enjoy every minute!
The struggle is real, I feel it too Elizabeth. Your piece is beautifully written, I'd read it again.
To re-reading, I'm not generally doing that, although I have presently returned to Arandhatti Roy's first book, "The God of Small Things" after finishing her latest book. Her voice and her words are always welcome guests in my mind. She sharpens my compassion and intellect in ways I find compelling. Like wise the voice and words of Geraldine Brooks, I've recently read her latest on her process of grieving the sudden death of her husband Tony Horwitz. It's a compelling journal of grief, which sounds awful, but it's hopeful.
Geraldine Brooks is a treasure. I first discovered her writing when she was a journalist for the Wall Street Journal. Her first book, Nine Parts of Desire, about her experiences with Muslim women in the Middle East, is fantastic. I was travelling to the region quite a bit in those days, so it deeply resonated.
I will seek out her book about her husband’s death. Reading about the grief journey is something I have learned through experience is a very meaningful way to weave its gifts into our lives.
Thank you for being at my table here, Lisa 💕
Oh I loved Nine parts of desire too. I think of the women she wrote about often. I’ve been very interested in her thoughts on the Israel and Gaza, Lebanon, Iran war.
The only book of her’s I haven’t read is Horse. It’s on my list too, she speaks of it in her grief book. She was contracted to deliver the manuscript, so had to write through the grief.
I don’t normally re-read books but I do hold onto a handful of my absolute favorites like old friends, refusing to let them go. I love the idea of revisiting them—not only to remind me what I loved so much about them in the first place, but more importantly (to your point) to find new meaning in them or maybe pick up on something I previously missed. Thanks for the inspiration (and a great list of books I mostly haven’t read!).
So much to read, so little time! I’d love to know what some of your favourites are.
A Little Life (which I still think about!), Time Traveler’s Wife, Educated, Gentleman in Moscow, 1984, to name a few. :)
Great eclectic list and some of my favs too!
Peas and lemon, always a favourite.
Being a very slow reader, rereading books just wasn't in the forecast - too many books, too little time. But recently, I did go back to one of my all time favourite book - The English Parient. And what a joy it was. It was just as good, if not better, the second time. I was surprised at how much I remembered - the brain did not disappoint. I will definitely, although judiciously, go back to other favourites of mine.
I suggest The Cider House Rules! 💕
Definitely my favorite of his.
So resonated! Since I first had a library card, I had this dilemma. Those have a time limit for how long you could borrow, and heaven forbid be that person that would be a late returner. Eventually, when I began making peanuts working ungodly hours, it became impossible to go to the library, so I began buying books I ‘swear I will read, since they’re mine’ … Then it would collect dust. Then finally when the timing was right, the book gets read- and it’s either “-why didn’t I start reading this earlier? It’s so good-“, or “meh”. Re-reading brings discoveries that were not present before too. Eitherway, written stories are far more entertaining and insightful than any TV/movies.
Fantastic late spring/early summer recipes too. Thank you for sharing, Elizabeth-!
Thank you Aki! It’s a conundrum because i really want to support authors by buying their books but the library is such a fantastic resource too!
I don’t know how the library system words in the US but now with online access it’s sooo much better. If it’s not a super popular title you can extend your loan, put holds on books, get audio versions etc. Check it out!