Adult books: I just reread The Passion for the third or fourth time. Have also reread Tinker, Tailer, Soldier, Spy, Beloved, and West With the Night. And return to Diana Vreeland's memoir DV when I need a quick pick-me-up.
I too have read many “mid” books lately:( However, I finished both Dream Count and Show Don’t Tell within the past month and adored both.
Like you, I cannot get enough of Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life and A God in Ruins. I’ve read both twice. Julia Alvarez’s, In the Time of the Butterflies is my other book true love. The writing is gorgeous, the history is fascinating and the characters have such depth. I’ve read it four times!
Thank you for this highly anticipated and much loved newsletter:) It always makes my day!
I read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn so many times as a child that I lost count. It was my comfort book. As an adult, I go back to books to reread certain passages, bit rarely the entire novel.
In the late eighties/early 90s, I read and re-read a British novel by Rosamunde Pilcher called The Shell Seekers. It's the kind of mass market paperback I probably would never pick up now, but I loved that book and read it at least ten times. It went back and forth between present day (80s) London and WWII and was such a good, substantial story. When we downsized in 2021 I ran across my old copy and cringed a little at the tawdry looking cover, but oh how I enjoyed that novel back in the day.
I really liked Life After Life too. I think I read it on your recommendation several years ago. Might have to put that on my to-be-re-read list....
Have you read The Magician by Colm Tóibín? It's a fictionalized account of the life of Thomas Mann. It's the only book of his I've read, and you reminded me that I meant to explore his other books too.
Rosamunde Pilcher may be one of Germany's most beloved authors (ZDF has made more than 150 movies inspired by her books), but I've never read any of her books! Haven't read The Magician yet, but it's on my list! First Nora Webster...
I discovered The Shell Seekers recently. It’s great! Sometimes books are popular for good reason. I’ve been recommending it to everybody. It kind of missed my generation.
Truthfully, I'd love to hear about the books you found mid. Almost everything I've read recently also falls into that category even if it's been a "best-seller". I'm not sure if it's where I am in life and I cannot relate or if they're truly just not very good. 🤷♀️
‘Plainsong’, and the follow up novel, ‘Eventide’ by Kent Hardy are two books I have loved and read multiple times. Every time I see a copy of either in a thrift store, I purchase it so that I can give it away to someone. I’ve also loved ‘Stones for Ibarra’ and ‘Consider This, Senora’ by Harriet Doerr. I’m committed to not purchasing anything new this year and live on a small island so I’m limited to books I find in our lovely library, books already on my shelf, books from a Little Free Library or books at the thrift store on my infrequent trips to the mainland. I’m surviving!
I love that you buy the books you love to give away. And I admire your restraint. Every year, I tell myself to not buy any more books until I've read every single unread one on my shelves and then...
I’m committed to not buying ANYTHING new (but food, lol). I’m not a huge purchaser-of-things in general, but it has saved me so much time as well - looking for a deal, putting things in a cart that I never buy, just wanting more and more and more. My kids are grown, so it helps that I’m not having to get anything for them.
I have reread Little Women and the sequels and several of Louisa May Alcott's books more than once, or twice! I reread Mandy and The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles (Julie Andrews Edwards) often when our kids were of the age to read them aloud, but then also just for the pleasure of them. I will return to a book for comfort when I am not finding anything interesting to finish. I agree with the observation of so many books these days, but I keep reading to find the next book to captivate my attention. Thank you for your recommendations!
I read books for comfort also. Two that I keep returning to time and time again are non fiction written by Katrina Kenison. Her writing always calms and soothes me.
I am a HUGE rereader. It's my favourite kind of reading. You mentioned Josephine Tey, and I have read her Miss Pym Disposes at least 7 times. And Brat Farrar, also by Tey, 3 or 4 times. Those are my favourite books by Tey.
Thank you for your newsletter. I think I need to read Kate Atkinson's Life After Life based on your comments and others here.
As I continue to shed my Obedient Oldest Daughter conditioning, walking away from disappointing books has been so freeing. I highly recommend. When there’s so much out there to explore, we shouldn’t feel guilty for putting down the books that aren’t grabbing us!
I do this too, but sometimes I will just read the last chapter to “see what happened” and then I get curios and start reading backwards to figure out why it ended that way and THAT, my friends, is a ridiculous way to read a book. But often it’s more interesting than reading it forwards if it’s poorly written. Do not recommend this strategy… hahahaha.
Somewhere in the middle of reading Liane Moriarty’s latest, Here One Moment, I was so worried about several of the characters—they were that real to me. So I skipped ahead to see what happened to them! Then I went back and read from the middle on. Such a fun reading experience, to be that hooked on the outcomes of totally imaginary people…
Oh, I often give up books if they don't capture me, but a lot of the ones recently were reviewed so rapturously that I couldn't quite believe that I wouldn't like them eventually?
Wild, right? In a way, it makes me glad that some publishers are ending the blurb practice, because I think blurbs are actually the most misleading—and are much more about a writer's network than they are about the actual book. But mass public opinion can really mess with your own opinion, which is just bizarre..."This book isn't any good, but because a million other people said it is, I must be wrong?" Why do we do that?!
Yes! Finally someone is talking about Long Island. I couldn't shut up about that book. I listened to it on audiobook and is hands down best audiobook I've ever listened to. The story is wonderful and the narration took it over the top. 10/10.
I have comfort rereads that I go to in times of stress or illness - Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister, Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley and the Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher (mainly for the descriptions of England and teas, dinners, gardens, etc that belongs to my mum and aunts' time) - and those author's whole catalogs to a lesser extent - some books lots, some only once or twice. As I get older I reread more - sometimes as I get part way through a book before realizing I've read it before. And I have a lower tolerance level so if a book doesn't grab me by page 50 I don't finish. Also Bratt Farrar and Daughter of Time, Agatha Christie's, Isabel Wolff to name a few.
I’m enjoying Show Don’t Tell so much! I will get to the Tóibín this summer. Speaking of revisiting characters over two, hopefully three books: I enjoyed Sittenfield’s debut, Prep, but I much prefer her stories to her novels. Revisiting Lee 30 years later in the last story of the collection is soooo satisfying! Except for all the Laurie Colwin books which I return to again and again, I don’t usually reread except childhood faves to my child (A Little Princess and some of the Little House books, the phantom tollbooth all held up…and now at 13.75 he’s long past that but I loved it!)
The adoration I have for A Little Princess is so profound that I am actually frightened to read it again because I wouldn't be able to stand it if the spell would be broken...
I was scared too. Sounds ridiculous but that’s how much that book means to me. Also, what if my son didn’t like it? We read it during lockdown when he was eight, and both loved it. The problematic colonialism made for rich discussions (of the child in Boston public school variety…his third grade class had already learned about the power of boycotts!). I think it’s truly magic from the very first sentence to the last 💖
One of my biggest parenting fails/disappointments was that my kids did not love the Little House books. My absolute faves as a kid. But they loved almost everything else I introduced.
I too have been disappointed in books lately. Thanks for the idea about Time After Time. It has been one of my all time favorites and it led me to read almost all of Kate Atkinson’s work. I love her writing, but I should reread Time After Time and see if it holds the same enchantment for me that it did years ago. Carol in Texas
Adult books: I just reread The Passion for the third or fourth time. Have also reread Tinker, Tailer, Soldier, Spy, Beloved, and West With the Night. And return to Diana Vreeland's memoir DV when I need a quick pick-me-up.
Oohhh!! These are good ones. Putting The Passion and DV on my to-read list RIGHT NOW.
I too have read many “mid” books lately:( However, I finished both Dream Count and Show Don’t Tell within the past month and adored both.
Like you, I cannot get enough of Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life and A God in Ruins. I’ve read both twice. Julia Alvarez’s, In the Time of the Butterflies is my other book true love. The writing is gorgeous, the history is fascinating and the characters have such depth. I’ve read it four times!
Thank you for this highly anticipated and much loved newsletter:) It always makes my day!
xx
That makes MY day! :)
I read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn so many times as a child that I lost count. It was my comfort book. As an adult, I go back to books to reread certain passages, bit rarely the entire novel.
Loved it so much. I have never forgotten her carbolic acid burn (am I remembering that correctly?!)
In the late eighties/early 90s, I read and re-read a British novel by Rosamunde Pilcher called The Shell Seekers. It's the kind of mass market paperback I probably would never pick up now, but I loved that book and read it at least ten times. It went back and forth between present day (80s) London and WWII and was such a good, substantial story. When we downsized in 2021 I ran across my old copy and cringed a little at the tawdry looking cover, but oh how I enjoyed that novel back in the day.
I really liked Life After Life too. I think I read it on your recommendation several years ago. Might have to put that on my to-be-re-read list....
Have you read The Magician by Colm Tóibín? It's a fictionalized account of the life of Thomas Mann. It's the only book of his I've read, and you reminded me that I meant to explore his other books too.
Rosamunde Pilcher may be one of Germany's most beloved authors (ZDF has made more than 150 movies inspired by her books), but I've never read any of her books! Haven't read The Magician yet, but it's on my list! First Nora Webster...
I discovered The Shell Seekers recently. It’s great! Sometimes books are popular for good reason. I’ve been recommending it to everybody. It kind of missed my generation.
Truthfully, I'd love to hear about the books you found mid. Almost everything I've read recently also falls into that category even if it's been a "best-seller". I'm not sure if it's where I am in life and I cannot relate or if they're truly just not very good. 🤷♀️
‘Plainsong’, and the follow up novel, ‘Eventide’ by Kent Hardy are two books I have loved and read multiple times. Every time I see a copy of either in a thrift store, I purchase it so that I can give it away to someone. I’ve also loved ‘Stones for Ibarra’ and ‘Consider This, Senora’ by Harriet Doerr. I’m committed to not purchasing anything new this year and live on a small island so I’m limited to books I find in our lovely library, books already on my shelf, books from a Little Free Library or books at the thrift store on my infrequent trips to the mainland. I’m surviving!
I love that you buy the books you love to give away. And I admire your restraint. Every year, I tell myself to not buy any more books until I've read every single unread one on my shelves and then...
I’m committed to not buying ANYTHING new (but food, lol). I’m not a huge purchaser-of-things in general, but it has saved me so much time as well - looking for a deal, putting things in a cart that I never buy, just wanting more and more and more. My kids are grown, so it helps that I’m not having to get anything for them.
I have reread Little Women and the sequels and several of Louisa May Alcott's books more than once, or twice! I reread Mandy and The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles (Julie Andrews Edwards) often when our kids were of the age to read them aloud, but then also just for the pleasure of them. I will return to a book for comfort when I am not finding anything interesting to finish. I agree with the observation of so many books these days, but I keep reading to find the next book to captivate my attention. Thank you for your recommendations!
I read books for comfort also. Two that I keep returning to time and time again are non fiction written by Katrina Kenison. Her writing always calms and soothes me.
I reread the adult novels of Madeleine L'Engle often- The Small Rain and A Severed Wasp are wonderful
I am a HUGE rereader. It's my favourite kind of reading. You mentioned Josephine Tey, and I have read her Miss Pym Disposes at least 7 times. And Brat Farrar, also by Tey, 3 or 4 times. Those are my favourite books by Tey.
Thank you for your newsletter. I think I need to read Kate Atkinson's Life After Life based on your comments and others here.
As I continue to shed my Obedient Oldest Daughter conditioning, walking away from disappointing books has been so freeing. I highly recommend. When there’s so much out there to explore, we shouldn’t feel guilty for putting down the books that aren’t grabbing us!
I do this too, but sometimes I will just read the last chapter to “see what happened” and then I get curios and start reading backwards to figure out why it ended that way and THAT, my friends, is a ridiculous way to read a book. But often it’s more interesting than reading it forwards if it’s poorly written. Do not recommend this strategy… hahahaha.
ha!
I have done this also
Somewhere in the middle of reading Liane Moriarty’s latest, Here One Moment, I was so worried about several of the characters—they were that real to me. So I skipped ahead to see what happened to them! Then I went back and read from the middle on. Such a fun reading experience, to be that hooked on the outcomes of totally imaginary people…
Oh, I often give up books if they don't capture me, but a lot of the ones recently were reviewed so rapturously that I couldn't quite believe that I wouldn't like them eventually?
Totally. I need someone to explain to me in writing why God of the Woods blew everyone’s minds last year.
Wild, right? In a way, it makes me glad that some publishers are ending the blurb practice, because I think blurbs are actually the most misleading—and are much more about a writer's network than they are about the actual book. But mass public opinion can really mess with your own opinion, which is just bizarre..."This book isn't any good, but because a million other people said it is, I must be wrong?" Why do we do that?!
For me it's about trusting my own judgement about what is right for me instead of going along with the crowd.
I was bored out of my mind years ago by The Goldfinch. Very unpopular opinion! One of the first books I allowed myself to stop in the middle.
Ha, me too! It was a turning point for me, giving up on that. Felt very empowering!
I'm right there with you. Was reading that book with a puzzled look on my face the entire time.
So much this - it is almost getting to the point of avoiding highly recommended books 😳
Another eldest daughter here. It’s almost impossible for me to not finish a book even if I can’t stand it!
Yes! Finally someone is talking about Long Island. I couldn't shut up about that book. I listened to it on audiobook and is hands down best audiobook I've ever listened to. The story is wonderful and the narration took it over the top. 10/10.
I have comfort rereads that I go to in times of stress or illness - Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister, Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley and the Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher (mainly for the descriptions of England and teas, dinners, gardens, etc that belongs to my mum and aunts' time) - and those author's whole catalogs to a lesser extent - some books lots, some only once or twice. As I get older I reread more - sometimes as I get part way through a book before realizing I've read it before. And I have a lower tolerance level so if a book doesn't grab me by page 50 I don't finish. Also Bratt Farrar and Daughter of Time, Agatha Christie's, Isabel Wolff to name a few.
I loved Erica Bauermeister books The School of Essential Ingredients and The Art of Mixing.
A fellow Shell Seekers lover! Reading about Penelope's cottage and garden and about Cornwall was just the most cozy and comforting re-read ever.
Susanna Kearsley is so good. I did a full re-read of her catalog during 2020/2021 and it was exactly what I needed.
I just re-read The Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard and it was even more incredible the second time around. A masterpiece
I think Hazzard's books are all excellent contenders to be read more than once - you need time to let the brilliance seep in and settle!
100% agree!
Every decade I re-read the Perfume by Suesskind. I first read it as teenager and go back to it every time.
I've been meaning to read Long Island, but I haven't read Brooklyn yet (just seen the movie).
I am literally JEALOUS of people who haven't read Brooklyn yet! Go go, then read LI - you'll not regret it. :)
I’m enjoying Show Don’t Tell so much! I will get to the Tóibín this summer. Speaking of revisiting characters over two, hopefully three books: I enjoyed Sittenfield’s debut, Prep, but I much prefer her stories to her novels. Revisiting Lee 30 years later in the last story of the collection is soooo satisfying! Except for all the Laurie Colwin books which I return to again and again, I don’t usually reread except childhood faves to my child (A Little Princess and some of the Little House books, the phantom tollbooth all held up…and now at 13.75 he’s long past that but I loved it!)
The adoration I have for A Little Princess is so profound that I am actually frightened to read it again because I wouldn't be able to stand it if the spell would be broken...
I was scared too. Sounds ridiculous but that’s how much that book means to me. Also, what if my son didn’t like it? We read it during lockdown when he was eight, and both loved it. The problematic colonialism made for rich discussions (of the child in Boston public school variety…his third grade class had already learned about the power of boycotts!). I think it’s truly magic from the very first sentence to the last 💖
One of my biggest parenting fails/disappointments was that my kids did not love the Little House books. My absolute faves as a kid. But they loved almost everything else I introduced.
My son didn’t as much as I did for sure. A Little Princess and Danny, the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl were the standouts for him from my faves
I too have been disappointed in books lately. Thanks for the idea about Time After Time. It has been one of my all time favorites and it led me to read almost all of Kate Atkinson’s work. I love her writing, but I should reread Time After Time and see if it holds the same enchantment for me that it did years ago. Carol in Texas
Have you read A God In Ruins yet? It's the follow-up to Life After Life and while it is a completely different book, I loved it so much too...
Oh and I’m 577 for Dream Count in the library queue but if I give in and buy it I’ll use your affiliate page at lovely bookshop.org!
Aww, thanks. I think you won't regret it - it's a book you'd be happy to own (in my opinion).