Sometimes it's hard for me to justify rereading books because there are so many books that I haven't gotten to yet. But, if I really loved a book, sometimes I just really want to read it again. There are, of course, those disappointing times when it doesn't quite live up to the initial reading. (I usually find this to be true when a book had a profound impact on me during a very specific time in my life, but it's just not as relevant to where I am in life during the second reading.) But, for the most part, if I really loved a book, I will continue to love it and revisit it.
I have read Geek Love multiple times, and I always fall in love with it all over again. It never fails to simultaneously fascinate and repulse me, and it also never fails to break my heart. I would, without a doubt, count this as one of my favorite books of all time.
I initially read The Bell Jar at a time in my life when it really spoke to what I was currently experiencing. For that reason, I was hesitant to pick it up again years later -- I worried it wouldn't have the same impact. Although this has been true with some books, The Bell Jar didn't disappoint. It simply brought me back to that time, while opening my eyes to how far I have come.
I have only read The Contortionist's Handbook twice, but I would definitely read it again (and again and again). I think it's important to allow plenty of time between readings of this book, though -- otherwise, it may lose some of its appeal. It's a quick read that remains strong from start to finish, and it's one of the most interesting books I've ever read.
I actually struggled with adding this book to the list not only because I haven't actually reread it yet, but also because it's such a difficult book to read. The subject matter of The End of Alice would be enough to turn many people away, but the writing itself makes it that much more uncomfortable. I say this, yet I also think it's worthy of multiple reads (if you can stomach it, of course). When I finished this book, I was horrified and disgusted -- yet I was also impressed with Homes's writing and the fact that she was able to make me feel so many emotions so deeply. This book has stuck with me for many years (I first read it at least 10 years ago ... Maybe longer), and I think it may be time to revisit it soon.
As with the previous book, The Little Friend really stuck with me. I've only read it twice, but certain scenes from this book have wormed their way into my brain and remained there. I still regularly think about it, and, for me, that's an indication of an amazing book.
I can get really emotional over books (and songs and movies and TV shows). I got really emotional over Broken, sobbing so hard that I woke Eric up when I finished it in bed one night several years ago. (He thought something was actually wrong. When I told him I was crying over my book, he said, "Oh, okay," and gave me a weird look before going back to sleep.) I haven't reread this one yet, but I plan to soon. I have, however, watched the movie, and that sort of counts as revisiting the story ... Right? The movie is very good, but the book is great.
As with The Bell Jar, I first read Invisible Monsters at a time in my life when I really needed it. I can't say that I was experiencing the exact same things as the characters in this book (that would be insane!), but I did feel that need to reinvent myself and I felt the absolute truth of the quote "The one you love and the one who loves you are never, ever the same person." When I reread it last year, it didn't have quite the same impact because so much has changed for me -- but I still enjoyed the wild ride, and I'm sure I'll want to revisit it again in the future.
This is another book that I haven't reread yet, but I have revisited via the film version. (If you're curious, I watched the 1997 version with Jeremy Irons and Dominique Swain.) Lolita made me feel so many conflicting emotions, and it made me feel them deeply. And, while I don't think my heart could handle reading this book on a regular basis, it's a book I feel is worthy of reading multiple times. (And I plan to do that.)
Oryx and Crake is, without a doubt, my favorite Margaret Atwood novel. Although I haven't gotten around to rereading it yet (or reading the final book in the trilogy, MaddAddam, for that matter!), parts of it have stuck with me since I first read it several years ago. It's a book I think about often, and despite the fact that I normally wouldn't enjoy a book that relies so heavily on science fiction and fantasy elements, it's one of my favorite books of all time. I'll definitely read this one again.
I think both the book and movie versions of High Fidelity are excellent, and since I've seen the movie several times, I feel like I've read the book more times than I actually have. In reality, I think I've only read the book once (so far), but it's a story that I'll be revisiting in the future. (I would also like to note that the main character, Rob, is, in a lot of ways, my male equivalent -- particularly when it comes to an obsession with musc, list making, and getting inside my head too much for my own good.)
Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday!
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