14 Book Questions

I just found this … a Friday Fourteen: “There are several books on my shelves that I adored so much that I have really been itching to read them again. So, here, without further ado, books I want to reread.”

I re-read books I love all the time … so for the fun of it – here goes.

Books I either WANT to re-read – or books I HAVE re-read (I’ll stick to fiction):

1. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay – by Michael Chabon – I have only read this one once – but it was one of the best novels I’ve read in, oh, the last 20 years. Every word of it. The topic, the era, the specificity, the characters … it is SO good. I’ve been eyeing it longingly recently – wanting to pick it up again … so I probably will cave soon.

2. <Sportsman’s Paradise – by Nancy Lemann. Oh, how I love this dear, funny, touching book. I’ve only read it once – but I often pick it up and leaf through the pages, reacquainting myself with it. I’ll re-read it someday.

3. A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man – by Jimmy J. I’ve already read it probably 5 times completely? So I’ll never be done with it, I don’t think. I always pick up something new each time I read it, too. It’s one of those books that changes with you, the reader, as you go through your life.

4. Lady Oracle – by Margaret Atwood – I have had a hankering to re-read this one again. I’ve only read it once – years and years ago – and I remember actually laughing out loud a couple of times – which, you know, is rare for Atwood. I remember laughing out loud during the whole section describing the pretentious ridiculous Weather UNderground type group she gets involved with … but I can’t remember why it’s so funny. On the list for re-reading.

5. Two Girls Fat and Thin – by Mary Gaitskill – I talked about that a bit here. I wasn’t too wacky about the book – I found it disturbing and upsetting … but I think it might just have been me. Regardless, I need to go back and investigate. See what I think.

6. Winner of the National Book Award: A Novel of Fame, Honor, and Really Bad Weather – by Jincy Willett This is the kind of book that I HAVE to recommend to friends I know will love it. Mitchell?? You would LOVE this book. RTG already read it. I begged her to. But it’s just SUCH a delightfully weird funny dark little book. Laugh out loud funny at times … and man, do I value an author who can do that! Also, it takes place in Rhode Island, and she just GETS it. She gets the Rhode Island thing perfectly. I enjoyed it so much I need to read it again.

7. Crime and Punishment – by Fyodor Dostoevsky. One of the best books ever. I’ve only read it once. This is a definite must-read-again book.

8. Jane Eyre – by Charlotte Bronte. You know. I just keep reading that book, and I’ll never stop prob’ly.

9. Breaking and Entering – by Joy Williams. I was obsessed with this book when I first read it. I even had to read some of it outloud to myself. I loved the characters. It’s been years since I’ve read it.

10. A Prayer for Owen Meany: A Novel – by John Irving You know I’ve only read this book once – and it was YEARS ago – I was just out of college, or maybe still in college … and I remember certain scenes almost word for word. The Christmas pageant lives on in my mind as one of the funniest things I have ever read in my life. I remember my boyfriend and I were reading it at the same time – racing through the book at almost the same speed – and we were at the beach, and he had surged ahead of me in the book and started in reading the whole pageant scene – and he was seriously SNORTING with laughter. I was dying because I hadn’t gotten to it yet … but then 2 pages later … I start to SNORT with laughter too – and we both just read, and guffawed … at the same time. Great book – need to read it again.

11. The Time Traveler’s Wife – by Audrey Niffenegger I just really liked this book. I thought it was quite good, and I’d like to read it again.

12. Moby Dick – by Herman Melville. If I re-read it – that will make it the third time. And it’s daunting – I need to gear up for it … but I am certainly not DONE with that book. I will re-read it again someday.

13. A Wrinkle in Time – by Madeleine L’Engle. Always. I’ve read it a bazillion times. I’ll read it a bazillion more.

14. Possession – by AS Byatt … I’ve already read it probably 3 times completely? I am sure I will be drawn to read it again. It’s just one of those books for me. I never get sick of it.