As if my TBR pile couldn’t hate me anymore…this month has been for rereads!
I know! I know! I have so many books to read for the first time still. But as much as I feel guilty for neglecting the TBR…I freaking love rereading. It’s like revisting an old friend and it’s downright comforting if you’re feeling like a refried mop. (Accurate description of me tbh.)
October has had me rereading so much, so you know what?! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I’m just going to go with this nEED FOR THE REREAD. I thought it’d be fun to compare some old vs new thoughts — in mini review style!
Also PS. I’ve been having issues with WordPress no longer sending my post emails. I’m using Mailchimp to tie us over till it gets fixed?! So can you let me know if you get emailed this!! THANK YOU.
THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE BY MACKENZIE LEE
HOW MANY TIMES READ? 3
FIRST OPINION? Loved it! Wholly! I first read it via eARC in 2017 and then promptly read it again that same year! See how much I loved it?! It’s a 1700s adventures gone wrong with Henry “Move I’m Gay” Montague and his contrary feminist little sister, Felicity, and unrequited love-of-his-life, Percy Newton. It’s SO HILARIOUS. I crack up every time and the character arcs are A+ perfection.
WHY THE NEED FOR REREAD? Because Felicity’s book was coming out! And I 100% needed to revisit Monty before starting hers. (Which was also good…but not as fun as Monty’s??)
ANY OPINION CHANGES? Actually, none! I enjoyed it just as much! (THE AUDIOBOOK IS WORTH GOLD, BTW.)
SHIVER (WOLVES OF MERCY FALLS #1) BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER
HOW MANY TIMES READ? 3
FIRST OPINION? Duuude, I don’t even know. It was before 2014 and my opinion was as trustworthy as a stale crumpet back then. My second read was 2014 and I called it my “guilty pleasure read” which…um, pfft @ 2014-Cait?!? There is no shame in loving a paranormal romance.
WHY THE NEED FOR REREAD? Because I am OBSESSED with Maggie Stiefvater books! I reread The Raven Cycle every year but somehow neglect The Wolves of Mercy Falls!??? The dishonour. These books are also my favourites. I love Sam more than bread and that’s saying something because I freaking love bread. Also Finn and I were holding a Stiefvater bookstagram challenge and I needed to think up prompts so I accidentally reread the whole book. Wow wHOopS.
ANY OPINION CHANGES? Um just that I love it more. Sam is so soft and sweet and kind and why aren’t boys in books like that more?! Plus I have full respect for the scene where they melted mean-girl-Isabel’s heart by insisting she cook omelettes with them before talking about murderous shapeshifting werewolves. As you do.
VICIOUS (VILLAINS #1) BY VE SCHWAB
HOW MANY TIMES READ? 2
FIRST OPINION? It was my first ever Schwab read back in 2015!!! Shout out to Vicious for finding me a new favourite author (although somehow I’ve loved her 2018 releases less? Which is a shame. But anyway). I totally loved it back then and gushed 1000%.
WHY THE NEED FOR REREAD? Because Vengeful was coming out and how much did I remember of Vicious? AH HAHAH. None.
ANY OPINION CHANGES? I actually was a bit surprised with how slow it was. I didn’t remember that? It’s all villains and sociopaths and I love that and my star-rating didn’t drop at all, but I was a bit more critical of it this time. I still totally see Victor and Eli as Magento and Professor Charles Xavier from X-men and AHHHHHHH the stab levels are so fine. Such fine stab levels.
PS. I was actually so disappointed with Vengeful?! Tell me if I should give it a full review!
LAMENT (#1) BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER
HOW MANY TIMES READ? 2
FIRST OPINION? I read this in 2012 and I WAS SCATHING. It’s actually hilarious and I’m so dead omg. 2012-Cait wasn’t allowed to enjoy things apparently. Anyway I apparently “wasn’t a fan” of “dead kings” or “faeries” and I can’t even with me. Those are my favourite things?! I also said I wasn’t really attached to Dee and Luke’s relationship.
WHY THE NEED FOR REREAD? Because IT HAD BEEN SO LONG!! And I’ve been saying “yeah I’ll reread this” for ages so, dammit, I’m doing it.
ANY OPINION CHANGES? So firstly (1) I loved it more because it was just so Stiefvater. Magic and music and murderous faeries. These things speak so so much to me ahhhh. But (2) Luke was still frikkin’ creepy and not in an attractive way. I hate how he shut Dee down all the time by calling her “pretty thing” (it was so condescending) but at the same time he was a SOULLESS FAERIE ASSASSIN and I am a fan of that concept. So I love it! Maybe more because I know these are my thiiiiings. But at the same time I’m not ignoring the grossness of Luke’s macho attitude.
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NGIHTTIME BY MARK HADDON
HOW MANY TIMES READ? 2
FIRST OPINION? I read it first in 2013 and adored it! It was one of my first reads of an autistic character (I hadn’t been diagnosed then) and I was like ?!?! wow relatable content. Although my original review is like 100% glowing and my reread has me lowering it a star oops.
WHY THE NEED FOR REREAD? Because I heard several people calling it problematic! And I mean, we’ve established younger-me was a terrible reviewer. I wouldn’t have known problematic autism rep if it had hit me in the eye with a spoon since I knew so little about autism…aka not even enough to know I was on the spectrum. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I very much wanted to reread critically!
ANY OPINION CHANGES? I was a little less enchanted with all of Christopher’s mathematical detours (there was a whole chapter describing his opinions ON A SIGN!?!?) and I dropped a star for that. But problematic autism rep? It wasn’t to me tbh. I do think Christopher had OCD as well (which shouldn’t been noted) and he was a stereotype (straight / white / male / maths savant)…which makes me sigh. But (in my opinion) he was well written and realistic! I think it’s fair to remember (and I have to pull myself up with this too) that problematic ≠ experience that isn’t identical to ours. Like Christopher’s ASD wasn’t mine but it still felt authentic. And BEST THING = he didn’t end the book having to change! I love it when autistics are accepted for being autistic. (It was his parents bad treatment of him that had to change instead!)
* NOTE – obviously this is my opinion and if another autistic finds the portrayal problematic then they’re welcome to that view too! I don’t know everything lmao.
I want to reread SO MANY books! We, bookworms, should stop feeling guilty. We don’t feel guilty when we watched movies again or do rerun of series, so why should we feel guilty to reread books?
Also, rereading asks for less brain let’s say it. 🧠
I want to reread so many books (Harry Potter, A darker shade of magic (even if I still have to finish the series lol)) but I don’t have the time 😂 also I’m so scared of not liking them anymore!
I think the only book I’ve re-read is the first Harry Potter book and, oh my God, the plot is so tight. I mean, everything that happens happens for a reason. There are no useless scenes.
I really want to reread wolves of mercy falls someday, I remember really loving it but I read the 4th book recently and absolutely hate it. Or maybe I’m just too disconnected with the series already… And please do a review for Vengeful! I’ve heard so many meh reviews and would like to know more before deciding whether to read it or not.
I LOVEEEE re-reading. Growing up as an anxious autistic child, I ONLY EVER read books I’d read before, which meant I cycled through Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Twilight and The Host like nobody’s business. I still love re-reading, but I do read plenty of new books now too!
I’m in the middle of re-reading Harry Potter again (old habits die hard I guess!), but I’m actually listening to the audiobooks of that and reading new releases. I usually hate to read more than one book at once, even if one of those books is one I’ve read a million times, but there is enough distance between a book and an audiobook that I don’t mind it.
Firstly, no, I didn’t get an email? 🙁 🙁
And secondly, yes! I love rereading books. I do it all the time! While I groan about how big that pile of secondhand books I got from the book fair is and how big that pile of library books are….etc. Yet, I still have those comfort reads which I go back to time and time again and I’ve read more times than is probably healthy.
I love the idea of doing mini reread-reviews. I may have to do that sometime . . . can I potentially steal the idea?
(Also, I definitely haven’t read any of these . . . oops.)
I do love rereading things, even though I don’t do it nearly as much as I want. Last week, though, I managed to reread Weave a Circle Round by Kari Maaren, and it was MAGNIFICENT. I think I liked it even more the second time around because I knew what I was looking for and I could pick up clues and stuff. (On a side note: I’m 99% certain you’d enjoy Weave a Circle Round. It’s low on stabby, admittedly, but, like, all the characters are salty, snarky, and done with everything. Plus it’s got an incarnation of chaos, and what else do you need in life?) And right now, I still have some off time between newspaper book reviews, so I’m debating whether to reread Raven Boys or first-time-read Six of Crows. (I should probably actually read Order of Phoenix, but I don’t want to deal with it right now. :P)
I do like to reread, but I’ve only reread 1 book this year. That was Vicious because I got the sequel and remembered nothing about the first book. My opinions rarely change when I reread. I liked Vicious the first time and the second time.
Great, now my tbr’s angry, I’ve already practically given up on trying to read new releases on time (or at least before New Year’s) but maybe I’ll just descend into a dark hole and reread all my favorites.
The last book I reread was Warcross because the sequel was coming out and I didn’t remember nearly enough to read the sequel and I finished it the night before release. Yay! Procrastination! I also recently reread the entire Percy Jackson series which was a very nostalgic experience
There’s actually a few books I want to reread soon, like The Heroes of Olympus because now Percy Jackson is somewhat fresh in my mind and even though the first time I read them each book only took about three days the size still scares. I also want to reread The Cruel Prince before The Wicked King comes out, the Legend Trilogy because I love it so much I feel guilty for not having reread it yet and I think I’ll like the last two books better now, and I want to reread Six of Crows because . . . Six of Crows
Also yes I’m getting the emails now, and I’m reading Vengeful right now and although I’m enjoying it I don’t think it’s as good as Vicious, it’s just, not as iconic. Like Vicious is something I’ll remember for years but I can barely remember everyone’s names in Vengeful
I usually dont reread, but what i read at least three times was the Hunger Games Trilogy! What can I say, I love Peeta!
I got the email! I’m actually terrible at rereading, mostly because I forget everything I ever read and then don’t remember to reread it. Plus I’m so behind on so many other books. But maybe I should look through my Goodreads and see if I can find anything I’d like to read again.
I want to reread sooooo many great books right now – I’m definitely in the mood to reread The Book Thief at the moment as well as The Fault In Our Stars, but I’m definitely getting the feeling my TBR pile is so much taller than me at this point (whoops) so I might have to hold off until it shrinks a little bit!! Gorgeous post as always Hun, I always love reading your posts 🙂
Grace Louise || http://www.gracelouiseofficial.blogspot.co.uk/
I just started the Gentlemen’s Guide to Vice and Virtue last night! 🙂 And I’m enjoying it so much so far!
I don’t re-read too often, just because of time and never having any!
But I did re-read Tithe by Holly Black, just to see what I thought of it now, because when I first read it (those first few times) I totally adored it and it really sparked me into writing novels, so I have a lot to thank it for. I still really loved it, but think Holly Black’s writing is a lot better and more mature in her newer work, however, I still think its a wonderful book, and really like the dynamic between the love interests, it’s a bit twisted and romantic and a lot of fun!
I am now re-reading the Tomorrow Series by John Marsdon. So far the romantic stuff is just okay, but the action stuff is freaking AMAZING! So tense and exciting! 🙂
I reread all the time! I’m currently rereading The Raven Boys so I can read the rest of the series for the first time… I’m super surprised I haven’t been spoiled yet, but I’m afraid that that will happen soon with the Dreamer trilogy and all… I’m also participating in her Scorpio Races readalong soon (also a first time read… YES I’M LATE TO THE GAME THE ONLY STIEFVATER BOOK I’VE READ IS RAVEN BOYS OKAY)
I just reread Gentleman’s Guide too, and ahhhhh I love it so much! I really didn’t NEED to reread it, but I couldn’t HELP myself, because I missed Monty and Percy and Felicity!
And ahahaha I’m dying! 2012 Cait wasn’t a fan of dead kings and faeries??? I actually thought I’d misread when I saw that!
Also no, I didn’t get emailed this… 🙁 (Good luck sorting that out!)
Only *one* Stiefvater book, Cait? I’m impressed.
Am I the only person who hasn’t read Vicious yet? I SO WANT TO I’VE JUST NEVER GOTTEN AROUND TO IT.
I basically never reread books because there are always so many NEW books to read!! But I have read The Lord of the Rings . . . at least four times. I think I’ve read the first book six times since it’s my favorite. I’ve also reread a little Shakespeare (Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and King Lear, I think) because that’s the kind of story I can always go back and get something completely new and surprising from.
Eleanor | On the Other Side of Reality
I do reread, but I’ve got a huge TBR pile. too… I’ve started rereading when I have less time to sit down with a book, because I like to get properly into a story the first time I do it, and that’s not likely if I start a new one on Sunday night, since my reading time in the week is non-existant. I also reread if I feel myself in a bit of a reading slump!
The last book I reread was The Hate U Give, in preparation for the movie!
I JUST FOUND A COPY OF SHIVER AT MY LIBRARY BOOK SALE. NEW. IT STILL HAS THE BOOKSTORE GIFT RECEIPT IN IT (and the birthday card, lmao). I haven’t read it, but I’m sooo excited to!!! And I love love love the cover! It’s simple but yet beautiful! <3
AAAANYWAYS. I happen to love rereading books. Like, sometimes I don't like the book as much the first time … which is super sad (that was me with the Diabolic and Here Lies Daniel Tate), but I still love to. Like Harry Potter! I'm rereading those right now! To All the Boys I've Loved before is a favorite to reread! And I loved the Splintered trilogy even better the second time!!!
I loooove The Wolves of Mercy Falls so much. I need to finish the raven cycle, but I should re-read Shiver someday too 🙂
I feel a wee bit vindicated that you noticed the slowness of Vicious this time around 😂 Like it wasn’t long, but it felt longer than it was? Anyway, I didn’t hate it or anything! I just worried that I didn’t love it as much as everyone else! I’m cackling over Tiny Cait not liking a Maggie book! I didn’t even know that was possible!
I don’t reread often, and when I do, it’s always The Hunger Games. It’s partly because of time, but also because I am SO afraid that I will not like the thing as much any more. And since I have reread THG like 12 or 13 times or something ridiculous, I know I will still love them, so the fear is out of the equation!
I LOOVE RE-READING. It’s my way of removing all the anxiety from my body. I re-read HP and PJO every year and I just looove them more every single time. I’m mad at myself for not re-reading Heroes of Olympus yet but my TBR pile is screaming at me and I just don’t have time to re-read.
I need to read The Cruel prince again because Wicked King will come out on January and my memory is still rusty. I’m sad because I know my TWK pre-order will come really late but I need to be patient.
I also want to re-read SoC because I already miss the Dregs even though I just read the duology months ago. THIS IS HOW OBSESSED I AM WITH THE GRISHAVERSE. And yes King of Scars will come out on January too and I’m preparing myself because MY BELOVED NIKOLAI IS GOING TO SUFFER A LOT AGAIN. My heart is not ready for this torture.