Which Book Have You Read/Re-Read All Your Life? - Page 11

DMcCunney · 10-30-2009, 02:32 PM

Re-read all my life?

The most re-read would be Tolkien, whose work I have re-read about once a year since being introduced to The Lord of the Rings a long time ago.
(Tolkien was still alive when I first read LoTR...)

Other things are harder to nail down. An old friend had what he called a "comfortable old shoe" mood, where he would want to re-read stuff he considered classic. In my case, for SF I've re-read fair amounts of H. Beam Piper and Robert A. Heinlein, and am re-reading E. E. Smith's "Lensman" series now.

But the question has made me think about just why we re-read, and what we get from it. For me with Tolkien, I tend to discover a new subtlety each time, as I encounter something that has always been there but I just missed in passing. Other works may not have that, which makes me say "Why am I reading this again, since it's completely familiar and nearly memorized?" I don't know the answer to that question.
______
Dennis

poohbear_nc · 10-30-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Re-read all my life?

The most re-read would be Tolkien, whose work I have re-read about once a year since being introduced to The Lord of the Rings a long time ago.
(Tolkien was still alive when I first read LoTR...)

Other things are harder to nail down. An old friend had what he called a "comfortable old shoe" mood, where he would want to re-read stuff he considered classic. In my case, for SF I've re-read fair amounts of H. Beam Piper and Robert A. Heinlein, and am re-reading E. E. Smith's "Lensman" series now.

But the question has made me think about just why we re-read, and what we get from it. For me with Tolkien, I tend to discover a new subtlety each time, as I encounter something that has always been there but I just missed in passing. Other works may not have that, which makes me say "Why am I reading this again, since it's completely familiar and nearly memorized?" I don't know the answer to that question.
______
Dennis

I know exactly what you mean! I re-read All Creatures Great & Small - and large swaths of the dialogue play in my head as I read the words - I have inadvertantly memorized sections by continual re-reading. Maybe it is the "old shoe" mode for comfort, or familiarity - curling up with old friends!

columbus · 10-31-2009, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

I know exactly what you mean! I re-read All Creatures Great & Small - and large swaths of the dialogue play in my head as I read the words - I have inadvertantly memorized sections by continual re-reading. Maybe it is the "old shoe" mode for comfort, or familiarity - curling up with old friends!

I agree 100% there! I have read & re read all the James Herriot books many times. Definitely the old shoe syndrome. Brings back lots of childhood memories.

Heather Parker · 10-31-2009, 04:17 PM

I love the James Herriot books too. Going back to my childhood, I also loved to read and reread the Paul Gallico books such as The Snow Goose, Jennie, Thomasina and others. Not sure if these are still popular now though?

roger the rabbit · 11-04-2009, 03:14 PM

I'm also a James Herriot fan, he may have been a vet primarily but he was also a great author.

alecE · 11-08-2009, 02:13 PM

Until I got my beeyootiful sony 505, my regular re-reading list was:
LOTR - I read it most years, usually following one set of characters through to the end and then returning to the point where the Fellowship breaks;
Complete Sherlock Holmes;
All the Hornblower novels, in chronological order;
Wyndham, especially 'Trouble with lichen' and 'The Kraken wakes'
Row Lewis, 'The Evolution Man';
The moon is a harsh mistress;
Cold comfort farm;
Arthur Upfield - the 'Bony' books;

Now of course I've got this teensy weensy problem or two:
- I keep finding wonderful new titles to put on my reader and read;
- I keep discovering great recommendations here on MR;
- I can't afford to give up work yet to make more time for reading.

Oh, and Larry Niven's Known Space titles, and did I mention 'The Lure of the Limerick'?
(The limerick is furtive and mean,
You must keep her in close quarantine.
Else she sneaks to the slums
And promptly becomes
Disorderly, drunk and obscene.)

DMcCunney · 11-08-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alecE

and did I mention 'The Lure of the Limerick'?
(The limerick is furtive and mean,
You must keep her in close quarantine.
Else she sneaks to the slums
And promptly becomes
Disorderly, drunk and obscene.)

The limerick packs laughs anatomical
into space that is quite economical.
But the good ones I've seen
so seldom are clean,
and the clean ones are so seldom comical!
______
Dennis

AlbertaCowboy · 11-09-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

I'm curious to see if anyone else has that one specific special book that they keep going back to re-read -- and never tire of or replace.

I'll share mine: The Annotated Sherlock Holmes set edited by W. S. Baring-Gould - a monstrous 2 volume set in a green slip-case.

As soon as I read this posting, my mind's eye jumped to the very same big green volumes on my downstairs bookshelf!
Of all of the various Holmes editions I have seen, these are far and away the crown jewels!

As far as the books that I will never ever ever tire of, (besides Holmes), I usually reread the Lord Of The Rings once or twice a year, as well as all of David Edding's works, The Sackett series by Louis L'Amour & The Eyes Of The Dragon by Stephen King.

DojoPat · 11-09-2009, 01:40 PM

"Burger's Daughter" by Nadine Gordimer, written during the days for apartheid.

Her observations of people are so perceptive and acute, I read many passages over and over again. I was thrilled when she got the Nobel.

pikelet · 11-12-2009, 08:08 AM

Probably the book that I have read most often is Fox in Socks by Dr Seuss - I have read it hundreds of times (and at one point I could recite it entirely from memory) but I never tire of it

WT Sharpe · 11-13-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikelet

Probably the book that I have read most often is Fox in Socks by Dr Seuss - I have read it hundreds of times (and at one point I could recite it entirely from memory) but I never tire of it

Best reading of Green Eggs and Ham I ever heard was performed by Jesse Jackson on SNL. Priceless!

kennyc · 11-13-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Best reading of Green Eggs and Ham I ever heard was performed by Jesse Jackson on SNL. Priceless!

OMG, I love it!!!

poohbear_nc · 11-13-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

OMG, I love it!!!

Who's going to wipe up the coffee that just squirted out of my nose onto the keyboard - after seeing this clip? Anyone??

BearMountainBooks · 11-16-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

I know exactly what you mean! I re-read All Creatures Great & Small - and large swaths of the dialogue play in my head as I read the words - I have inadvertantly memorized sections by continual re-reading. Maybe it is the "old shoe" mode for comfort, or familiarity - curling up with old friends!

I haven't re-read it, but I LOVED this book. Thanks for the reminder.

GhostHawk · 11-17-2009, 08:20 AM

I have read & read and reread the LOTR series every 5 years or so starting back in the early 70's. Each time I take away new hidden depths and meanings that I had missed before.

Other favorite reread authors are David Drake, Frank Herbert's Dune series, Anne MaCaffrey, Andre Norton, and Dennis McKiernan.

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10-30-2009, 02:32 PM	#151
DMcCunney New York Editor Posts: 6,384 Karma: 16540415 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: PalmTX, Pocket eDGe, Alcatel Fierce 4, RCA Viking Pro 10, Nexus 7	Re-read all my life? The most re-read would be Tolkien, whose work I have re-read about once a year since being introduced to The Lord of the Rings a long time ago. (Tolkien was still alive when I first read LoTR...) Other things are harder to nail down. An old friend had what he called a "comfortable old shoe" mood, where he would want to re-read stuff he considered classic. In my case, for SF I've re-read fair amounts of H. Beam Piper and Robert A. Heinlein, and am re-reading E. E. Smith's "Lensman" series now. But the question has made me think about just why we re-read, and what we get from it. For me with Tolkien, I tend to discover a new subtlety each time, as I encounter something that has always been there but I just missed in passing. Other works may not have that, which makes me say "Why am I reading this again, since it's completely familiar and nearly memorized?" I don't know the answer to that question. ______ Dennis

10-31-2009, 04:17 PM	#154
Heather Parker Nameless Being	I love the James Herriot books too. Going back to my childhood, I also loved to read and reread the Paul Gallico books such as The Snow Goose, Jennie, Thomasina and others. Not sure if these are still popular now though?

11-04-2009, 03:14 PM	#155
roger the rabbit Addict Posts: 316 Karma: 10215 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wherever I lay my hat! Device: Sony PRS-T3, 650 Black, 505, Kobo Glo HD Aura ONE	I'm also a James Herriot fan, he may have been a vet primarily but he was also a great author.

11-08-2009, 02:13 PM	#156
alecE Evangelist Posts: 412 Karma: 546196 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK canal boat Device: sony prs505, prs650, kobo Glo HD liseuses	Until I got my beeyootiful sony 505, my regular re-reading list was: LOTR - I read it most years, usually following one set of characters through to the end and then returning to the point where the Fellowship breaks; Complete Sherlock Holmes; All the Hornblower novels, in chronological order; Wyndham, especially 'Trouble with lichen' and 'The Kraken wakes' Row Lewis, 'The Evolution Man'; The moon is a harsh mistress; Cold comfort farm; Arthur Upfield - the 'Bony' books; Now of course I've got this teensy weensy problem or two: - I keep finding wonderful new titles to put on my reader and read; - I keep discovering great recommendations here on MR; - I can't afford to give up work yet to make more time for reading. Oh, and Larry Niven's Known Space titles, and did I mention 'The Lure of the Limerick'? (The limerick is furtive and mean, You must keep her in close quarantine. Else she sneaks to the slums And promptly becomes Disorderly, drunk and obscene.)

11-09-2009, 01:40 PM	#159
DojoPat literature lover Posts: 62 Karma: 82 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New York Device: Sony Ereader PRS-505 & PRS-300	"Burger's Daughter" by Nadine Gordimer, written during the days for apartheid. Her observations of people are so perceptive and acute, I read many passages over and over again. I was thrilled when she got the Nobel.

11-12-2009, 08:08 AM	#160
pikelet girl from oz Posts: 67 Karma: 834 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Device: iPad, Sony PRS-650, Sony PRS-300, Cybook Gen3	Probably the book that I have read most often is Fox in Socks by Dr Seuss - I have read it hundreds of times (and at one point I could recite it entirely from memory) but I never tire of it

11-17-2009, 08:20 AM	#165
GhostHawk Data Privateer! Posts: 586 Karma: 62887 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fargo ND Device: Ectaco Jetbook& Jetbook Lite	I have read & read and reread the LOTR series every 5 years or so starting back in the early 70's. Each time I take away new hidden depths and meanings that I had missed before. Other favorite reread authors are David Drake, Frank Herbert's Dune series, Anne MaCaffrey, Andre Norton, and Dennis McKiernan.