Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week’s theme is:
April 3: Books I loved but haven’t re-read
OK so, *buzzfeed voice* some of the answers here may surprise you, but there’s an explanation, I promise.
*Throws hands up in defence* Before you jump in like ‘KATE WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU’VE NOT RE-READ ADSOM, IT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SERIES’, hear me out.
A couple of these books, including the ADSOM trilogy, I only read in the last year or two, so I haven’t had time for a re-read yet and they’re still fresh in my mind. But with most, there’s a simple explanation for why I haven’t picked them up again.
I’m scared. I’m scared that I’ll start reading them and won’t feel the same magic and thrill that I felt the first time. I’m scared that the writing won’t seem as good, or the plot as entrancing. I’m scared that I’ll not fall in love with the characters and the world all over again. Basically, I’m scared they’ll no longer be my favourites if I re-read them.
I know this is a little irrational and I should trust that if I adored them the first time, it’s highly likely I’ll adore them the second time too. But reading tastes change as we grow and expand our knowledge, so every possibility I might not like some of these as much several years on. Which is why I’ve avoided re-reading a few of them – Harry Potter, The Book Thief, and Graceling, I’m looking at you – for 5+ years because I don’t want to lose their magic and spark.
But I’m always on board with conquering fears, and I like a challenge. So, although my TBR is sky-high with new releases, perhaps it’s time to revisit some of these old favourites.
Are there any books you love but are too scared to re-read? Have you ever re-read a book and not liked it as much second time round? Or did the opposite happen and you liked it even more?
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It’s honestly been ages since I reread all the Harry Potter-books but I’m doing so this year! I’m kind of scared, to be honest. That childhood magic can’t.. really stick around for over ten years? Right? I hope it does though, haha.
I guess there’s always the fear that you won’t love your favourite books as much if you revisit them – and of course they’ll no longer be surprising, plus, you’ve moved on yourself and changed slightly. I think I’d like to revisit some of my old favourites but always tell myself I don’t have time – realistically, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head, I’m scared to. It’s really that simple. I know that they’re my favourites and I’m clinging onto them.
Lynn 😀
I really loved the Boof Theif as well. Rereading my favorite books might not be surprising, but I’ll usually notice small things I failed to see the first time around. I too tell myself I don’t have time… what if I don’t they’re my favorites anymore. My husband reads the dragon riders of pern series once a year and it’s still his favorite
I know what you mean! There are books I’ve gone back to and just not understood *why* I liked them in the first place! And some books I know I enjoyed at a certain time in my life but wouldn’t now. But if you absolutely adored something as recent as a couple of years ago, I think it might be safe to reread them! And also reread things with the knowledge that the experience might not be identical! 😉
I’m glad you get what I was trying (in a long-winded way) to say! Aww that’s such a shame, but sometimes it’s just the way of life. There might be books that you don’t enjoy as much now, but I bet there will also be books that you wouldn’t have liked when you were younger, but end up adoring now. 🙂 And yes, I think it’ll be safe to re-read some of these because I didn’t read them too long ago and my love for them is STRONG.
Oh definitely! As you said, tastes change and evolve so it’s natural 😜
Your feelings are not irrational at all – I really want to re-read some books sometimes, but I am terrified not to like them as much the second time around, so… I like to keep the magic and my love intact, in a way haha. I hope you’ll re read ASDOM someday though, I love this book so much 😀 x
Aww thank you Marie, I’m glad you understand! I definitely think I’m going to try and re-read ADSOM this year because, although I only read AGOS and ACOL last year, it’s been about a year an a half or even two years since I read ADSOM so it’s definitely time for a re-visit. 🙂
I so get that feeling. I’m a huge advocate for re-reading, but even when I go to re-read I always have that nagging fear that makes me question whether or not it’s a wise move to actually re-read it. I did re-read ADSoM and it was just as magical the second time, but I can’t find it in me to re-read The Book Theif. I can’t go through that emotional turmoil again.m
Thank youuuuu for understanding ❤ It's so tricky to balance re-reading with reading new books, and I always lean towards the latter so I don't re-read many novels, which, I think, makes it even more scary! It reassures me that you found ADSOM just as good second time round, and I definitely think I'm going to go for the re-read this year, but I'm not sure about The Book Thief, Song of Achilles, and Graceling either. Can my heart take it? Who knows. 😛
I get what you mean because some of these I haven’t had the time to re-read either. A Darker Shade of Magic would have made my list as well, but now the trilogy is finished I will be re-reading it before 2018 is over, same goes for The Book Thief actually.
The Song of Achilles is a book I haven’t re-read and doubt I will anytime soon, I’m not willing to let that book tear my heart to pieces for the second time!
Great picks for this week, and great post as well. 🙂 ❤
Yes Beth, I’m so glad you understand! 😀 I only read A Gathering of Shadows and ACOL last year but I’m honestly ready to read them again. I think the ADSOM series is the one that I’m least scared to re-read because I KNOW I’ll love it just as much the second time around. I feel the same way about Six of Crows, but it didn’t make this list because I’m actually not scared about re-reading it (for some reason)! Ahahaha I’m totally with you on The Song of Achilles – I think I’ll hold off on re-reading it for now because I know how painful it will be. Thanks so much for stopping by Beth ❤
I actually reread nemesis a while ago, because it’s sequel was just released. The first time I read it I enjoyed it so incredibly much, but the second time I did not like it as much. I still enjoyed it, but it just felt different. 🙈
Aww no, that’s a shame but at least you didn’t go from liking it to disliking it! I think with most of the books on my list I’d still love them, but I wonder if they’d still be 5 star ratings? Guess I won’t know until I re-read them!
Yeah, I am glad I didn’t start disliking it. The only way to find out is indeed to reread them!
I first read The Book Thief in 2014 and it immediately became my favourite book and then I read it again last year and somehow I loved it even more and rereading helped me pick up on some amazing stuff I didn’t find the first time! 🙂
Aww that’s brilliant to hear! I hope that happens to me too 🙂
I totally get the fear of rereading all-time favorites, because what if you don’t love the book as much as before??? 😱
I recently reread one of my absolute favorite books from right before I started blogging and the fear was huge. Luckily I still adored the book as much as I did before 💗 I really hope the same for you!
Exactly! I’m glad to hear you still enjoyed one of your favourites though, that’s always reassuring. I’m hoping it’ll be the same for me 😉
I’m definitely keeping my fingers crossed for you! 💕