A few weeks ago, I listened to an NPR show about the 100th Anniversary of Anne of Green Gables. It had been quite a while since I'd given Anne Shirley any thought. The other day while visiting my local bookstore I came across a shelf of Aladdin Classics and picked up Anne of Green Gables and Little Women.
I'm reading AOGG right now and cannot believe how wonderful it is. It's even better than I remembered it! It's so good, I'm looking beyond the abundance of adverbial dialogue tags a la "Marilla ejaculated" and "Anne said comfortably."
So what books have you re-read lately that you love? Were there any that you felt weren't as satisfying as it was the first time you read it?
9 comments:
I seem to re-read the same books all the time. It's as if the story disappears from my head as soon as I close the book. I've had to read His Dark Materials Twice, and I think I'll read it a third time. Lord of the Rings, of course, I've read multiple times, but not since the films came out. Two of my favorite authors: James Salter and Martin Amis, I have read numerous times.
I'd really like to go back and read some early Ray Bradbury. His stories had such an impact on me as a kid. The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man, etc. I'd also like to revisit James Fenimore Cooper's books. I remember reading the Deerslayer as a kid in school and being amazed at the power of fiction. I think that's what made something inside of me click and realize I wanted to be a writer.
But, uh, to answer your question, I can't think of any books I've re-read that I feel differently about than the first time.
The only thing I can add is that, as I have become a more mature reader and writer, I have notice some of Tolkien's purply prose that escaped me as a child.
Did it really have that as a tag? Too funny!
I haven't re-read anything in a while but want to revisit a Trixie Beldon or two :)
Prince B, I have yet to read His Dark Materials, but it is on my TBR list (which is VERY long!). I have also been kicking around a copy of The Last of Mohicans for ages, meaning to read it. I am frightened though, since I LOVE the movie version :)
PJ, yes, that is in there more than once! It is so startling. I mean, didn't ejaculate have the same meaning in 1908 as it does today? :-)
Ooo, I love to hear what others are reading, too!
I revisited Narnia not too long ago. I loved it as a kid, but it didn't do much for me on the re-read.
I've been re-reading picture books that I loved as a kid - I read them to my kids. And I love them as much now as I did then. But I think it has to do with the fact that I can share them with my kids. :)
I just recently finished The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. Wow - not for the faint of heart. And I just started Sweethearts by Sara Zarr last night. Interesting so far.
There are some books of poetry that I open randomly and re-read.
Yes I find different meanings after time and distance.
I love reading old letters (even old e-mails)
I once found a 'school days diary' written by a HS senior in the 1890s. I love to re-read her words!
Loved AOGG. Just re-read Jane Eyre. Thanks for visiting my blog!
Tabitha, I have not read anything by Sara Zarr yet. Perhaps I should add yet another name and book to my TBR list!
Angela, the 1890s diary sounds fascinating! I love reading things like that. Someone's personal words from so long ago. Very interesting.
anti-wife, Jane Eyre is on my reading table! I have never read it, and am a quarter way through it right now. It's not the easiest piece of literature, but I know it's a worthy one. Gotta get back to it!
I have reread many of Anne Tyler's books more than once--I just love them! Ladder of Years is one of my favorites.
I LOVE AoGG. It is one of my all time favorites. I used to pretend to be her.
It's funny you should mention about the adverbial tags. I just posted about writing no-no's and how confusing it can be... no passive voice, only say 'said,' no adverbs, no ing endings... And yet the classic writers never gave it a thought. They understood grammar and just wrote.
I think it is harder on us writers of today - not only with all the rules, but there are so many fantastic children's writers now to compete with.
I heard an editor say at a conference... it used to be in the beginning of my career we signed three great writers our of 30 OK MS. Now we still sign 3 great writers, but out of 30 extraordinary MSs... Times have changed.
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