This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic is the Books I Loved But Will Never Re-Read (submitted by Brandyn @ Goingforgoldilocks). I have a rule about not keeping read books around the house that I do not intend to re-read one day. However, my problem is so many end up on my "maybe re-read" list. Which is why my bookshelves are overflowing still. The truth is though that I am not much of a re-reader when all is said and done. No matter what I tell myself. Other than picture books, I can count on one hand the number of books I have actually re-read in my life time.
After much thought and consideration, I came up with the following five books that I seriously doubt I will ever re-read again, but which I loved for one reason or another.
After much thought and consideration, I came up with the following five books that I seriously doubt I will ever re-read again, but which I loved for one reason or another.
1.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov ~ The beauty of this book is in the writing which is just gorgeous. But the subject matter makes me physically ill. I doubt I would ever be able to sit through this one again.
2.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn ~ Even with all the flack this novel receives and my guessing most of the twists ahead of time, it was a fun read, and I really enjoyed it. I doubt I could read it again though as it is one of those books that seems to go over better when you don't know for sure what to expect.
Still Alice by Lisa Genova ~ This was a well-written and poignant book that hit close to home. Too close to home. Once was enough. I cannot even bring myself to watch the movie.
4.
Push by Sapphire ~ Do you remember when this first came out? The movie brought the book out of obscurity. My heart ached for Precious, and I wanted so much to scoop her up and give her a hug and make her life so much better than it was and make her believe she was worth it. This was a gut-wrenching story. I made everyone around me read it the year I read it. I don't think I could re-read it though.
5.
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley ~ This book spoke to my very core, and it will hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. It is a case of my not being able to separate the artist from the art, however. I do not think I will ever be able to re-read this book. It certainly won't hold the same magic for me. It will always be tainted with the author's actions during her lifetime. Child sexual abuse is never okay.
What books have you loved that you will never read again?
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I still want to read Gone Girl. It does seem like a book that would be special the first time, after that knowing the twists would make it less effective? And I'm conflicted on the Mists of Avalon, I always wanted to read it but with what I know about MZB, I don't think so...
ReplyDeleteGreg - I hope you do get a chance to read Gone Girl. I think you are right about the twists being less effective upon re-reading. I think a lot of books might fall into that category. With some books, there's enough to still make it fresh each time, but unfortunately that can't be said for all books.
DeleteI am so conflicted about Mists of Avalon knowing what I know now. I could never read another of her books after learning about her history.
I agree with you about Gone Girl, I don't think it would be the same the second time around.
ReplyDeleteChrissi - I am sure there are other books we could name that fall in a similar category as Gone Girl.
DeleteI used to reread book a lot as a child and a teen, but now it's very rare. I think Rebecca is the only one for years that's got two reads and that's my favourite book!
ReplyDeleteStephanie - I still have yet to read Rebecca. One of these days! It was not until I started blogging that I'd even heard of Daphne du Maurier, can you believe it? It seems a crime!
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ReplyDeleteI don't blame you for your feelings abut Lolita at all. I've never been able to finish that book.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
Astilbe - I ended up listening to the audio, which was so well done. A very difficult novel though to get through.
DeleteAs you know, I do reread books and always have. That being said, I completely understand your reasons for not reading these again. Gone Girl - nope, I wouldn't either - didn't like it very much the first time. I had always intended to read Mists of Avalon, but that's a 'no' now. Same reason. Never wanted to read Push or Lolita. Still Alice - I have read it twice and would consider it again. I understand your reasons - again, as you know, I've have experience with the topic. And I think I am drawn to these stories as a shared thing. Just an opposite reaction. Good job with this topic, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteKay - I love that we can have such different reactions to the same books, even ones we really liked (Still Alice, for example). Some books I read and love and can see revisiting again and again because of the shared experience, but others, not so much.
DeleteI am just so sad about Mists of Avalon. It really meant a lot to me, but it's hard not to think of the author's actions now whenever I think of the book.
I don't think I'd read Gone Girl again, but I am almost tempted to, to see if I can pick up any clues as to the twist!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/10/top-ten-tuesday-154/
Jo - I can see how tempting that would be. :-) Sometimes it is fun to go back and see if all the pieces really do fall into place.
DeleteI've read Lolita at least three times and each time I pick up on something new. But I've reread iconic reads like The Fountainhead only to be disappointed. Sometimes WHEN you read a book is just as important as what you read.
ReplyDeleteTi - I imagine I could too, if I could stomach another reading of it. :-) It's such a beautifully written book. I agree that timing can be everything in what book speaks to us when.
DeleteI considered Lolita, too. I am not sad that i read it, but once is enough. My TTT
ReplyDeleteAnne - Once was definitely enough with Lolita. Like you, I am glad I read it though.
DeleteI might be one of those few people who won't reread a book. With a TBR pile of about 40 (and growing all the time), I can't justify it!
ReplyDeleteBook Sage - I rarely re-read books. My TBR is quite large and I find myself gravitating more towards those books too. So I can relate!
DeleteIt's very rare for me to re-read books but of these I would say I could see myself re-reading Still Alice. Such a fabulous book. Fun post!
ReplyDeleteIliana - Still Alice is a great book. I can see why you and others, like Kay, would want to re-visit it.
DeleteI totally agree with you about Mists of Avalon. I read it as a fairly young woman, and it spoke to the very heart of me. But after learning about MZB's abuse of her children, I know it is forever spoilt. Her universe is wonderful, but it's tainted now.
ReplyDeleteLaurie - Yes! That's exactly the same for me.
DeleteI rarely re-read books so I could list a ton!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I rarely re-read books either. But I always think I want to! LOL
DeleteGone Girl is definitely one I wouldn't want to read again. I did enjoy the read but I don't think I want to spend anymore time in those peoples heads! I never read Lolita but I did read Crime and Punishment and while I'm glad I read it I wouldn't want to reread it.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I so agree! One read through of Gone Girl was enough experience with those two characters I need to have! Although I did see the movie . . . Sometimes I think I might like to re-read Crime and Punishment, but I worry I won't like it as much as the first time around.
DeleteStill Alice is on my my list this week as well. It was a good book but god was it hard to get through at times.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT https://wp.me/p3ftwe-UZ
Jazminjade - Yes! Still Alice was so well done--but definitely a difficult read.
DeleteI don't think I've read any of these books. I think I picked up Lolita once but it creeped me out...
ReplyDeleteEustacia - It is a pretty creepy book.
DeleteHaven't read any of these, though THE MISTS OF AVALON had always been on my TBR list. Didn't know about Marion though. It's fact, huh?
ReplyDeleteDonna Marie - Mists of Avalon made quite an impression on me when I read it. I suppose one could argue that Marion Zimmer Bradley's sexual abuse of her children is a case of they said/she said, but I tend to believe her children. Especially given her statements at the trial of her husband who was convicted of child molestation. Her complicity toward his behavior alone would have been enough for me to never read another of her books.
DeleteWow, I had no idea. Awful :(
DeleteWith so many new books and on top of it my TBR pile, I hardly have the time to re-read books anymore but I suppose there are still a few which I'd like to read given the mood. :)
ReplyDeleteMelody - That's why I so rarely end up re-reading books. :-)
DeleteI do the same thing with only keeping books I might reread (although very few actually make the grade) but then never rereading them. I'm always afraid that the books won't live up to my memory of them. The other thought it that I can then hand them to others to read with my highest recommendation. But then I never actually let people have those books because what if they never gave them back?! One of those "book people are weird" things!
ReplyDeleteLisa - But someday I WILL re-read them. Haha. Or so I convince myself. :-) I worry about the book not living up to my memory of it either. And I'm with you about loaning favorites out--I find it hard to do for that very reason. I may never see it again! You are definitely not alone.
DeleteSame with me with the Mists of Avalon. It was strange because I was thinking about a re-read because I found my old paperback and a couple of days later someone mentioned the child abuse case on their blog. At first I put the book on my library sale donate pile, but then I decided to just chuck it in the garbage.
ReplyDeleteLa La - I still have my copy, but I keep wondering if I should just throw it out.
DeleteI'd toss it. :P
DeleteThere are tons of them. I'm probably a blasphemer for saying this but a few off the top of my head are Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Salinger's Catcher in the Rye and Hesse's Beneath the Wheel.
ReplyDeleteDuke - It's not at all blasphemous, I think. There are so many great classics, but sometimes just one reading is enough.
DeleteI can't see myself reading Still Alice again either. Genova's books are too heart wrenching for me to visit more than once.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - Yes, that's it exactly. They tear out your heart--and once is enough.
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