“If you would tell me the heart of a man, tell me not what he reads, but what he re-reads.” – Francois Mauriac
I used to reread books, but lately have way too many books on my shelves to take the time to read old favorites. The problem is that if I don’t reread them then the effect of them is lost and that is sad. Recently I came across some notes I’d made when I was reading Emerson years ago and was reminded of feelings long forgotten. So, in the next few weeks I think I’ll take a look at a few Emerson essays.
So, what about you? Do you have favorites that you read over and over again or do you always find yourself rereading something new?
Stacy's Books 
There are several books that I’ve read ova and over…
Color Purple by Alice Walker
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
and my all time favorite: Mama Day by Gloria Naylor…I HEART THIS BOOK
I loved Their Eyes Were Watching God and had completely forgotten about it til you listed it. I read I Know Why the Caged Bird sings years ago, but I’ve never heard of Mama Day.
I do read Little Women and To Kill a Mockingbird, but other than that, I usually don’t re-read books. I’m like you, I have too many that I’ve never read to spend time on those that I already have. Now, if I could hire a maid and a cook that would give me more time!
I think these are wonderful books to reread. I think it must mean that you are a very nice person 🙂
Don’t reread that much. Only LeGuin’s The Dispossessed and Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita… And Eco’s Foucault’s Pendulum and Carlos Castaneda’s The Teachings of Don Juan… And the short stories of Dostoevsky too.
I’ve not read any of these. I recently discovered a book LeGuin wrote on writing and it has made me curious about her work. Maybe this would be one I’d enjoy.
I like to read A Prayer for Owen Meany (by John Irving) every couple of years. I have also reread the Odd Thomas series and Chris Snow trilogy (by Dean Koontz). I also reread some of C.S. Lewis’ books.
I have been meaning to read A Prayer For Owen Meany for years. I’ve heard nothing but good things about it.