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32 / 165 books. 19% done!
Tuesday, September 08, 2020

Top Ten Tuesday: Rereads for 2020


I've been drawing a blank on a lot of the recent Top Ten Tuesday topics and today's is no different.  It's Top Ten Books For My Younger Self.  If the subject sounds familiar, it's because we did the same one back in April (which our host, Jana, just realized - ha ha).  If you're interested in my list of Top Ten Books I Loved Waaayyyy Back in the Day, you can check it out here.  

So, this week, I had a shocking revelation—it's September!  Even though 2020 seems like it's lasted for five years, it's actually almost over, which is crazy.  There are only 115 days left in the year (if Google did its math correctly), so I've been thinking about what I want to read before 2020 vanishes forever (thank goodness).  My goal of reading 200 books in 2020 isn't looking super doable at this point, but I'm still going to give it my best shot.  I'm set to finish The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman today (an excellent MG historical, by the by), which will be my 107th read of the year.  I'd love to get at least 62 more in so I can beat the number of books I read last year (168).  We'll see how it goes.

Since I'm a super book nerd (as opposed to just an ordinary one), I sat down the other day and typed up a list of 70 books I'd like to read before January 1, 2021.  Some of them are simply titles I've been meaning to read but haven't gotten to yet.  Others are books that fill prompts for reading challenges I haven't yet completed.  About ten of them are actually re-reads, which is funny because I rarely re-read.  Since ten is our golden number today, I decided to share them with you:  

Top Ten Books I Want to Re-read Before 2020 Disappears for Good


1.  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith—I loved this novel when I read it for a literature course in college, so I'm excited to revisit it.  It fits several prompts for the PopSugar Reading Challenge:  a Bildungsroman, a Book Over 500 Pages, or a Book Published in the 20th Century.


2.  The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin—This mystery is one I enjoyed as a kid.  Prompt(s):  Wisconsin Setting (Literary Escapes Reading Challenge) and Reread a Childhood Favorite or A Mystery or Under 200 Pages (Booklist Queen Reading Challenge)


3.  A Separate Peace by John Knowles—This classic was also part of the curriculum for a literature class either in high school or college.  Prompt(s):  New Hampshire Setting (Literary Escapes Reading Challenge)


4.  The Eagle Catcher by Margaret Coel—I read several books in Coel's mystery series set on an Indian reservation before I started blogging.  I never finished the series for some reason, so I'm going to start over with the first installment.  Prompt(s):  Wyoming Setting (Literary Escapes Reading Challenge) 


5.  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee—There are very few books that I've read multiple times, but this is one of them.  Since it's my favorite novel of all time and one that is frequently banned, it's perfect for the Read a Banned Book During Banned Book Week prompt (PopSugar Reading Challenge).  It also fits the prompt for Reread a Favorite Book (Booklist Queen Reading Challenge) and Book Published in the 20th Century (PopSugar Reading Challenge).


6.  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens—I reread this holiday classic every year to get me feeling all Christmas-y.  Prompt(s):  Reread a Favorite Book (Booklist Queen Reading Challenge) 


7.  Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier—This may be a cheat since I can't remember if I've read this book or not.  Regardless, it should be a great Halloween read.  Prompt(s):  Book Published in the 20th Century (PopSugar Reading Challenge)


8.  The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate—I'm not usually one for books about animals (especially if they talk), but this is a lovely children's book.  In preparation for reading its sequel, The One and Only Bob, which just came out, I'm going to reread this powerful novel.  Prompt(s):  Reread a Favorite Book (Booklist Queen Reading Challenge), Book Made into a Movie in 2020 (The Nerd Daily Reading Challenge and Booklist Queen Reading Challenge), Middle Grade Reading Challenge


9.  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley—I read this one as a teenager.  It will make a great reread for Halloween.  Prompt(s):  a Book Published in the 20th Century or a Book Written By Someone in Their 20's (PopSugar Reading Challenge)  


10.  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling—Okay, this is cheating a little bit since technically, I'm not the one rereading it.  I am, however, listening while my husband reads it aloud to our 11-year-old daughter, neither of whom has read it before.  Even though I'm usually reading my own book at the same time, I'm enjoying hearing the story for the third time.  It never gets old!  

Do you re-read books?  Why or why not?  What do you think of my rereads?  Have you read or re-read any of them?  I'd truly love to know.  Leave a comment on this post and I will return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!  

55 comments:

  1. A Separate Peace is a favorite as is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Rebecca. I do recall reading The One and Only Ivan as well.

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    1. I read and loved both of these in college. It's been so long now, though, that I can barely remember what they were about! THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN is a great one.

      Thanks for coming by, Diane!

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  2. I love this list! Re-reading is awesome, and a few of those are on my to be read (or re-read) list as well. Great post!

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    1. Like I mentioned, I'm really not a re-reader. Still, there are some books that are worth revisiting!

      Thanks for stopping by, Hayden!

      Delete
  3. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn gets better every time I reread it. Enjoy!

    My post .

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    1. Good to know! I'm excited to re-read it.

      Thanks for coming by, Lydia!

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  4. I hope you get to reread all of these. I still need to read that Ivan book. I need to borrow it from my daughter. She loved it.

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    1. It's a good one! I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but I heard so many good things that I couldn't not try it. I loved it and have loved everything I've read by Applegate since. She's a great author.

      Thanks for stopping by, Deanna!

      Delete
  5. I reread a few this year, since it was 2020 and I couldn't get to the library for a while. Now I'm happy to be reading new books again!

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    1. I should have done the same thing while I didn't have access to the library. Now, I've got shiny, new library books to read PLUS the ones I want to re-read. So many books, so little time!

      Thanks for coming by, T!

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  6. I am a huge re-reader. I love doing it. And if there weren't so many new books to read, I'd only reread books I love. They give me comfort. As to your list, I've read most of them, some multiple times (can you say Harry Potter?). Enjoy!

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    1. I don't know why I'm so averse to re-reading. I guess there are just so many new books to read that I don't want to "waste" time re-reading those I've already read. Some books, however, deserve to be revisited - at least once every decade or so!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Kay!

      Delete
  7. I don't re-read, but To Kill a Mocking Bird and A Separate Peace were two required reading books I actually liked (read them in the 80s)

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    1. Same. I've re-read TKAM several times, but I've yet to revisit A SEPARATE PEACE. I'm excited.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

      Delete
  8. I enjoy rereading books. I have read the American Girls series twice and I am going to read them again. I also want to reread "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn". I have read "A Christmas Carol" numerous times.
    Marilyn

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    Replies
    1. You know what? I somehow TOTALLY missed out on the American Girl movement. I wasn't aware that the dolls or the books existed until my MIL bought them for my girls. I loved historical fiction as a kid, so I'm really amazed that I totally missed out on these.

      Thanks for coming by, Marilyn!

      Delete
  9. Susan, if you had read REBECCA you would remember! That book stays with you forever! It's one of my all-time favorites. Superbly written and evocative with twists you will not soon forget!

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    1. Yeah, I think REBECCA is one of those books that I really SHOULD have read a long time ago and just somehow haven't. Time to remedy that!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Kimberley!

      Delete
  10. I absolutely love HP! That was there throughout my entire preteen/teenage years. Great list! Hope you get around to them all.

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    1. Lucky you! Having HP around when I was a kid would have been such a joy and comfort. I'm glad I found the series as an adult, but I would have so, SO loved it as a kid!

      Thanks for stopping by, Nicole!

      Delete
  11. Great list! I can't wait to read Rebecca (especially after seeing the Netflix trailer this evening). I've never read it before, but it's always been on my TBR list.

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    1. I just saw the trailer, too. It will be interesting to read the book, then compare it to the Netflix show, even though I don't usually love t.v./movie adaptations. We'll see how this one goes!

      Thanks for coming by, Leigha!

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    2. Do NOT watch the movie before you read the book! I've seen all the REBECCA movies, too, over the last few years, and NO comparison at all! Can you tell I'm passionate about this book?! :-) I first read it in my 20's and reread it every few years. All of Daphne du Maurier's books are stupendous, but REBECCA is her crowning glory, although she wrote it early in her career. It's written in a very timeless manner, too. Never feels dated.

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    3. Ha ha. Yes, I can tell you're a *bit* passionate about this book! Rest assured, I never watch t.v./movie adaptations of books I haven't read. You'll be happy to know I started REBECCA last night. I'm only a few chapters in, but I'm enjoying it so far!

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    4. Super - enjoy! I watched the trailer for that upcoming Netflix one but already I can see that Maxim and Mrs. Danvers aren't that well cast (The actor who p lays Maxim is way too young!) Laurence Olivier was in the first movie in 1940 but I didn't think it was that great and it's a Hitchcock, too! My favorite adaptation is this one from 1997, a Masterpiece BBC production. It follows the book the best and the actors are better suited to the characters. https://www.amazon.com/Part-I/dp/B01N35X60L But none of the movies do the book the justice it deserves. The book is so rich in setting and mood and nuance.

      Delete
    5. I'll definitely check out the BBC version after I finish the book!

      Delete
  12. I don't re-read very often, but I do love to re-read To Kill a Mockingbird every couple of years and Harry Potter. I have actually never read Rebecca and that's on my list to try to get to sometime soon.

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    1. I've actually had REBECCA on my Kindle for a few years now! I just haven't gotten to it. I don't know why except that sometimes when I buy a book on Kindle I forget about it because there's no urgency to read it, you know? I hope we both love REBECCA when we read it.

      THanks for stopping by, Suzanne!

      Delete
  13. That's a really good list of re-reads (something I don't do either). A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Harry Potter, To Kill a Mockingbird, and A Separate Peace are all so good.

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    1. Agreed. They're some of my favorite novels, although I haven't read A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN or A SEPARATE PEACE since college. I'm getting the latter from the library today, so hopefully I'll get to it soon.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Helen!

      Delete
  14. You have shared very interesting books which definitely sound worthy of a re-read. I've read To Kill a Mockingbird and I totally like it.

    I do re-read books. Particularly, I read my favorite book - Tuesday with Morrie every five years. I started when I was 20, then when I was 25, and will do once I hit the 3rd decade. It is nice to revisit books, you discover new lessons and twists about the book and yourself, too.

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    1. I read TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE when it first came out and enjoyed it. I love that you re-read it every few years and it totally makes sense that the things you learn from it change over time as you do.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  15. You have me so curious about the Westinghouse! I don’t know most of your list, but that one intrigues me the most,

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    1. I read it when I was a kid and I remember nothing at all about it! I'll be curious to see if the story comes back to me as I re-read or not. The good thing about having an aging memory is that books you've already read seem new again!

      THanks for coming by, Verushka!

      Delete
  16. What a great idea to choose books that you want to read again. Mind you, I don't think I have the time to re-read anything this year since my TBR pile is growing and growing. LOL

    Thanks for visiting my TTT earlier.

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    1. That's how I feel every year! To me, re-reading feels like wasting time, but I do like to re-read my favorite books on occasion.

      Thanks for stopping by, Marianne!

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    2. You're welcome. And you're right, it is so great to re-read a favourite.

      Delete
  17. Oh I love Frankenstein and A Christmas Carol, I hope you get to rearead them soon! I don't reread books often, but I do reread Pride and Prejudice once a year.

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    1. I can't remember when I read FRANKENSTEIN. I'm thinking high school, so it's been a long, LONG time :)

      Thanks for coming by, Nefeli!

      Delete
  18. I feel like this is the first year where I've actually reread books! I usually don't because I feel like there's so many books that I need to get through, and there just isn't enough time anymore, but I love going back to certain ones and reliving that story!

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    1. Exactly! I generally re-read one book (A CHRISTMAS CAROL) every year and that's it. This is the first year I'm planning to re-read more than a couple. We'll see if I actually get to them all!

      Thanks for stopping by, Leelyn!

      Delete
  19. Some really good re reads here. Enjoy them all.

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    1. Thank you! I hope I get to re-read all of these soon.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting!

      Delete
  20. I used to re-read books all the time growing up. I wonder if it was because I loved the books or because we made infrequent trips to the library. :)

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    1. Maybe both? I don't think I re-read as a kid either, but I may have. It was soooo long ago that I can't remember :)

      Thanks for stopping by, Debra!

      Delete
  21. Your list includes some great classics for a second or third look. Just looking at the covers makes me want to pick up a couple of them again myself. Good luck on beating 168 for the year. The most I remember ever reading in one year is 156, and I never came close to that number again.

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    1. I think the closest to 200 I've ever come is 186. I've been working on other labor-intensive projects this year, so I'm not surprised I've read less in 2020. I would like to beat last year's numbers, though. We'll see.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

      Delete
  22. That looks like a fun list! I do love rereading books: it's so safe and familiar, but you can also discover surprising things you didn't notice before.

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    1. True! That's happening for me as I listen to my husband read HP. Some of it I remember so vividly - other details I totally forgot.

      Thanks for stopping by, Nicky!

      Delete
  23. I really hope that you get to re-read all of these before the end of the year. Tell me about it, I can't believe we are close to the end but it feels like we've been in 2020 for yearrrsss. lol! I haven't read The Westing Game but I've seen it popping around (I think there's a movie/tv being made baout it?) I totally didn't even think to double/triple up popsugar challenge prompts! I did one for each book. AHHH.. I think I've only got like 8 left for the year...which I think I can do!

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    1. Is there a movie coming out? It's a perfect time to re-read it then.

      Yeah, I always double up on challenge prompts. It's the only way I can come even close to finishing challenges.

      Thanks for coming by, Leslie!

      Delete
  24. After I read a great book, I keep it so I can re-read and enjoy it again. With so many new books coming out I don't get much time to re-read sadly! I do make an effort for things like Harry Potter though! I read Mockingbird and Christmas Carol many years ago but I'm not really into classics.

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  25. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one I've been meaning to read for AGES -- as in, first saw it on my mom's shelf when I was 10 years old and thought it sounded cool, until she told me it would probably be too boring for me at that age (i now wonder if that was code for inappropriate), and by the time I was ready to go for it, she'd gotten rid of it. Now I keep forgetting about it. Wish I could have studied it for a literature course in college; that seems like a fantastic way to go about it -- not to mention more interesting than most of the titles I did get assigned.

    The Westing Game is one I should probably reread before the newly-announced TV series (!) comes out. I read it about 10 years and it blew me away, but I can't remember anything specific that happens in it anymore, so I bet it's like reading it almost for the first time.

    A Harry Potter reread (or listen!) sounds great too. Hearing it in the voice of your loved one is something extra-special.

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  26. Great list, good luck making it before 2021! I can't believe it's already September.

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  27. I'm not a huge rereader myself, but I'm always curious to see what books were so good that someone wants to read them again. I can definitely see rereading The One and Only Ivan, though! I still need to read its sequel, but I haven't gotten around to it myself yet, either. :3

    ReplyDelete

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