As a child and teenager, I reread books all the time. For a few years, I didn’t own a book I hadn’t read twice, as I quite speedily read and reread any new books my parents bought me. Books are, obviously, easier to come by these days. I actually have unread books left from every single month of last year, which demonstrates how drastic the problem is, and I don’t really anticipate receiving fewer books at this point. But I still want to reread books I haven’t read in years. So, I have three big rereads I’ve decided to publicly commit myself to this year.
1. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. I read this first in high school and Ihave always wanted to read it again. I’m reading along with Nicole and Jen on What’s Old is New for the year, and so far have been doing really well. Reading each section only takes about half an hour, and while I know this means I’ll be reading this book for a very long time, that may be the only way I finish it again. Saying that, I’m enjoying it so far and found it difficult to step away after finishing the last section, so clearly my choice to reread this was a good one.
2. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery – and the rest of the series. When I realized I could have all of these on my Kindle, I knew it was high time to reread these childhood favorites. I have never read all of them before, and some of the later ones I only read once, so I’m really looking forward to rediscovering them again. Anne of Green Gables has always been one of my favorite books. I’m planning on reading one book out of the series each month starting in February.
3. The Wheel of Time. This is my biggest challenge for the year. This series was my very first foray into epic fantasy way back when. While it had its ups and downs, I have been waiting for it to be finished since I was in high school. Not as long as some people who started reading when the first book is published, but quite a while to wait for a series to end. Now, the last book, A Memory of Light, is the only one left to be published, but that leaves me with no less than 13 doorstopper volumes to read before publication date – the last three of which are completely new to me. I want to be ready to read 14 on that pub date, which is currently projected to be March 2012, leaving me with about enough time if I read one book per month, starting in February. This should also means I can remember what happened, because I’ll be reminding myself each and every month. (WoT fans will realize that I’m skipping the prequel book, but I actually remember that one fairly well since I accidentally read it twice and last, so I chose to leave that one out.)
Those are my rereading plans for the year. If they succeed, I have quite a few other series I’ll tackle in 2012, but I’ll go with these in the meantime.
Do you have any books you’re planning on rereading in 2011?
I’m giving Tristram Shandy by Lawrence Sterne another go. It’s a doorstopper from the 18th century. There are ten sections, so I’m doing it in stages like you are with Tale of Two Cities. I think this is the perfect way to read books like these two, since it’s how they were published in the first place.
I’m also going to try to read all ten of the Martin Beck mystery novels this year, in order.
Have fun!!! Last year I devoted a lot of audio time (as in 200+ hr) to rereads. This year I want to avoid rereading. LOL.
Beth F´s last post …Weekend Cooking- Review- The Crabby Cook Cookbook by Jessica Harper
Nope. No rereading plans. I’ve got enough to read the first time.
I don’t know if you or if I can believe this, but I’ve never read A Tale of Two Cities. Something must be wrong with me.
unfinishedperson´s last post …Wrapping up January in reading and looking ahead to playing it by ear in February TSS
Two points:
1) Yay for Anne of Green Gables! You’ll also have to come visit PEI I think to see the musical and visit the Anne of Green Gables house. You can also visit me while you’re here
2) While you are in PEI we can also discuss the WoT books and where we are in our rereads. I started last year and am on book 6 now, and like you I haven’t read the 3 newest ones at all yet!
Amy´s last post …Review- Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston
I haven’t read any of the books you plan to reread, not even once! I hope you enjoy re-visiting the characters again. I’ve o t I plan to reread it–it isn’t usually something I’ll do in the foreseeable future. I do like the idea of listening to audio books of books I’ve already read and so I may give that a try.
I hope you have a great week, Meghan!
LiteraryFeline´s last post …Sunday Salon- Book Recommendations & Other Bookish Talk
I haven’t read any of those books, though they make to my reading lists every year. But I just love rereading – there’s something about the predictability of good stories that make you want to keep reading them.
I read Anne when I was quite young and loved it then. Somehow, when I reread it a couple of years back, it did not have the same magic. Too jaded, I suppose
Are you planning to/ do you review your rereads?
I’m hoping at some point to reread both Jane Eyre and Huck Finn, two books I love but haven’t read for years.
Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last post …Amys List of Awesome 1
I love the Anne of Green Gables series books and read them all many times in my teens. I know what you mean about finding time for rereading though. I’ve been listening to the Outlander books and Harry Potter books on audio as a way to indulge in rereads.
Alyce´s last post …The Sunday Salon – January 30
If you can’t get through your new books, I don’t think there’s much hope for the rest of us.
I would love to reread some books in 2011!
That sounds like a great plan! It’s funny I never use to re-read books and then all of a sudden last year I re-read two! So who knows, maybe I’ll re-read some this year as well
Amused´s last post …Behind the Wheel
I love the Anne of Green Gables books too. I’m thinking about re-reading the Narnia books this year. I meant to do it last year and never got to it so I’m hoping to tackle them some time this year.
Amy´s last post …The Sunday Salon – Non-Fiction
I hope to re-read Jane Eyre this year.
Chris@bookarama´s last post …Lazy Sunday Thoughts- The Cranky Post
My kids are big re-readers, but I have to admit that I haven’t done a re-read in a very long time. I am excited that you are reading A Tale of Two Cities, because that is my classic read for February. It will also actually be a re-read for me as well, as I read it last in high-school.
zibilee´s last post …The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde — 178 pgs
I can never seem to bring myself to re-read favourite books, because there are so many new exciting favourites yet to be read. However, one book I’d love to re-read would be ‘The Confederacy of Dunces’, by John Kennedy Toole. I loved the dialogue in the book, and would definitely enjoy re-visiting that one.
Good luck for your reading schedule for 2011!
Tracey´s last post …The Distant Hours – Kate Morton
I read Anne of Green Gables for the first time last year and plan to read all the books in the series.
WoT – I’ve reread many times over… and I know what a big undertaking that is. I would love to reread the series (I’m all caught up so far) but I don’t think I have the time to reread it and read anything new! Enjoy!
stargazerpuj´s last post …Book Review- Life- Liberty and the Pursuit of Sausages by Tom Holt
Good luck! I started rereading the Anne books during the last read-a-thon, and have had very good luck with them. I’m up to ANNE OF INGLESIDE, which I hope I’ll be able to read in February.
I also want to reread a ton of others this year: the complete works of Guy Gavriel Kay; some Mercedes Lackey; Jeff Smith’s Bone series; Jonathan Stroud’s Bartimaeus books; maybe Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries series; Sarah Monette’s Doctrine of Labyrinths series; a few by Neil Gaiman; perhaps a little R.A. Salvatore; some Isbel Allende… the list goes on and on. I’ve already begun rereading Naomi Novik’s Temeraire books, too. I should finish those in February.
Great picks! I intend to read A Tale of Two Cities and Anne of Green Gables this year, and your post reassured me that I’m going to enjoy them. I’m looking forward to A Tale of Two Cities in Particular.
Darlyn´s last post …Thoughts- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Part 2
I very rarely reread. Last year was the year I have reread most and I think I reread three books. I might reread the second books in two series this year but that will be about it.
Marg´s last post …Mailbox Monday- January acquisitions
GREAT choices for re-reads.
I am currently re-reading Little Women – a classic that I have not picked up since I was about ten years old.
I re-read Tale of Two Cities each year with my Brit Lit class, and with each reading I come to love Carlton more and more.
Anne of Green Gables was my FAVORITE book as a young girl (I much preferred Anne to the March girls) and I hope to re-read the series myself some day (year) soon.
One of my students this year is an AVID Wheel of Time fan. I have promised him that I will try to read the first book in the series sometime in 2011. I hope you post your reviews of these re-reads as I would be very interested in reading your opinion.
Molly´s last post …Wordless Wednesday- Blizzard 2011