Tag: Read Again for the first time

It’s been nearly two months since I shared a Top Ten Tuesday post! It’s not content I share all the time because I like to pick and choose the topics I enjoy writing about. That can be said of today’s post. This week, the theme for Top Ten Tuesdays across the blogosphere is “Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time”. There is value in re-reading books over your lifetime; sometimes there is no replacing that first time. The shocking revelation or profound discovery doesn’t quite have the same wow factor once you know what to expect. 

In today’s admittedly belated Top Ten Tuesday, I share my top ten books I wish I could read again for the first time, and why. Get comfortable and then we’ll get stuck in! 

 

Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time

 

Fool’s Errand 

The first book I want to feature in today’s Top Ten Tuesday is a reasonably recent, hard-hitting read. The ending of Fool’s Errand is hardly a surprise, but it is a book I would give my soul to go back and read again for the first time, even if the ending had me in floods of tears! 

So well was the book written that even when the inevitable happened, I was so touched by both the story and the relationship. It’ll obviously never hit so hard again, but well done Robin Hobb. You got me right in the feels with this one! 

 

Empire of the Vampire 

I love the way this first book of the series started. It’s a dark, gothic epic fantasy with a non-altruistic character. It’s rare I start a series and find myself so enthusiastic about the next book. I’ve kept up to date with the series, and the good news is that the next book is out in just a few weeks! 

The bad news… it’s the last book 😭

 

My Sister’s Keeper 

I wasn’t sure what I would make of My Sister’s Keeper. I’m not a big contemporary fiction reader. However, I was blown away by this one! The story wasn’t entirely what I expected, but I enjoyed the story and moral dilemma as it played out throughout the narrative. 

It’s not very often I start a book I expect to be a 3* read and end up so positively surprised! 

 

The Lost Metal 

Finishing The Lost Metal felt like the end of an era. 

I started the early Mistborn books when I was a teenager. I loved them then, and the second half of a series only got better. There was a risk it would flop, given the significant changes in narrative, characters, and timeline compared to those early books. However, they were amazing! 

I’ll never get back to not knowing how it all ends, but that’s okay. My plan is to reminisce by going back to the beginning! 

 

Ordinary Heroes 

Reading, or in my case, listening to Ordinary Heroes is an experience. You’re never quite the same after listening to such a detailed and intimate account of such a horrific event. The bravery and sacrifices people made that day are amazing! 

If you take away any advice from this Top Ten Tuesday – let it be this; if you read just one book about 9/11, please make it this one! 

 

Me Before You 

Again with contemporary books, I thought Me Before You would be an okay read and was so overwhelmed and emotional by the end. 

I wanted to read the book to read about Will and his circumstances. However, I didn’t expect to invest so heavily in the characters and the relationship they have with each other. I don’t do romance. Nevertheless, this book found a place in my heart. 

I read book 2 and it didn’t quite have the same magic. This book had me in tears, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. 

 

Nevernight

The Nevernight Chronicles was the trilogy that got me into Jay Kristoff’s writing in the first place. I loved the dark humour that came through in these books, but weirdly, also the footnotes. It’s not very often you read a book with footnotes, especially fantasy. However, his witty charm and sarcastic humour really play out and make these enjoyable to read. It was a unique experience. 

Whilst I can’t get the original back, I do intend to reread these books as physical reads as opposed to audiobooks as I did the first time. 

 

Code Name Verity 

‘You can only appreciate how clever the writing of Code Name Verity is until you get to the end. I suspected nothing in this first read-through of the book. Alas, the twist has been unveiled. However, this was a fantastic read. 

Although I can never read it again for the first time, I don’t regret picking it up and ‘spoiling’ myself. This was another easy pick for today’s Top Ten Tuesday.

 

The Green Mile

The Green Mile is an incredibly emotional and poignant story. For me, it’s the book I want to go back and read again, several times in my lifetime. Whilst subsequent rereads may never have the same impact as the first, it’s an important tale to revisit to avoid making the same mistakes in our past.

 

The Housemaid

I really enjoyed reading The Housemaid with book club earlier this year. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story. Whilst I was sure something was amiss, I didn’t expect the story to take the turn it did! 

Fantastic read! The Housemaid holds its own on this Top Ten Tuesday post, but thankfully I have more in the series to read. Will I feel the same about them? Only time will tell! 

 

Summary 

This was a fun list to write. It’s a shame it was a day late. However, I didn’t want to rush it out and not do the books on this Top Ten Tuesday justice. 

Are there any books you wish you could read again for the first time? 

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