Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly topic hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week she provides a topic, and you are free to use that topic and/or variations of that topic to make your top ten list. A full list of the weekly themes can be found here.
This week’s theme is a list of books that I’m afraid to re-read because I won’t love them as much as I did the first time. One of the main reasons I’ll keep a book in my library is if it’s something I want to re-read again, not that I’ll necessarily re-read it but the intention is there. Anyways, these are some books that I probably will never re-read for whatever reason.
With all the controversy surrounding the book in recent months, I’m definitely sure that it’ll feel different than the first time I read it. I don’t know the right response to the book/author, but I do believe in listening to Indigenous peoples and their concerns. I’m curious and a bit afraid about what the sequel will be about.
I definitely know my feelings about this book have changed (along with all of SJM’s books). I just can’t not see the problematic issues in the book. It wouldn’t bother me so much if they weren’t first marketed towards young adult (13-20 yo) and promoted as healthy romantic relationships (which they are not).
This was the book that sparked the first thought for my thesis. I don’t think I could ever pick up The Secret Scriptures, The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty, or On Canaan’s Side after working with these novels so much for my thesis.
One of my favorite quotes is from this book “I didn’t fall in love with you. I walked into love with you, with my eyes wide open, choosing to take every step along the way…” But since this is a young adult romance, and I’m more into adult romances, I’m afraid I’m too old for this.
This was one of my favorite novels in high school, college years, and I don’t want my brain to ruin it.
The Kite Runner is one of those books that packs a punch, but I definitely don’t need to re-read it.
I will never not talk about the first line in this book, “they shot the white girl first.” This book was such a tour de force, as are most of Toni Morrison’s novels, but this one was such a heartrending and turbulent journey.
The twist at the end was such a shock when I first read it that I don’t think it’ll read the same or have the same feeling if I read it again.
I can identify with your reasons. I don’t think I could ever imagine a situation where I reread – willingly – books I studied at university!
Out of all the books on your list, I’ve only read The House in the Cerulean Sea, and the writing style of it just wasn’t for me. I hadn’t heard about the controversy surrounding it, though!
Also, I LOVE the cover of The Chaos of Stars!
This is the second list I’ve seen with FANGIRL on it. I loved it when I read it, but I don’t know how I would feel about it now. Since I really don’t re-read books, I don’t need to worry about it! LOL
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I feel the same way about The Kite Runner.
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday.
I loved House In the Cerulean Sea and Court of Mist and Fury (my favourite in the ACOTAR series). I am going to look up the TJ Klune controversy now!
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2024/03/12/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-want-to-read-again/
I’m happy you enjoyed those two books!!
😊 I’m looking forward to the rest of the series for both of them!
I’m tempted by a few Rainbow Rowell rereads as well, but also very worried it just won’t be as fun a second time around… But it’s so tempting I think I will. XD
My TTT.
The quote from The Chaos of Stars is beautiful, but I can understand your desire not to reread it. I remember when I was reading The Kite Runner, I was so tempted to DNF it. It was an audiobook I was listening to on my commute to work (over an hour each way), and I didn’t want to do the radio shuffle on my commute. So I stuck with it, and agree with you. It packs a punch but not rereading material for me.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-cs-have-it-ten-titles-starting-with-c/
I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea and I didn’t know about the controversy either. I’m going to have to google it in a bit. It’s disappointing when a book you loved is marred by an author who turns out to be not so great as a person.
Haze @ The Book Haze
https://thebookhaze.com/
Having just done a quick google, I want to amend my comment to say that I don’t think Klune is a bad person in this case. He might have made a mistake, which I’m still on the fence about as I’m still reading about it, but I just wanted to correct myself in saying that he’s “an author who turns out to be not so great as a person” because I don’t think that’s true in this case.