I love re-reading books. I’m a big re-reader and some of my favourites have been read more than three times. For anyone who’s as big of a reader and book lover as I am, you’ll understand the feelings and emotions that certain books can bring up for you and the comfort they can bring in hard times.

Books I'd Love To Read Again For the First Time

I got the inspiration for this post from Kerry-Ann at A Bookish Redhead, who also wrote a post on the books she would like to read for the first time, and it instantly got me thinking about the books that would land on my list.

I could think of a few standouts from the top of my head but it took me going through my “read” list on Goodreads to get an idea of which books I’d like to read again for the first time, compared to those I’m satisfied with already knowing how it ends.

There’s no rhyme or reason to this list of books, really. Some of them are favourites of mine which I’d love the chance to experience again for the first time. There’s nothing quite like discovering a favourite book.

Some were just so powerful that I’d love to re-visit those feelings they elicited in me when I read them for the first time. Others were just random choices that I thought would be quite cool to read again for the first time.

So, let’s take a look at the 10 books I’d love to read again for the first time:

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson-Walker

The Age of Miracles is my favourite book of all time. I must have read this over 6 times and I’m quite ready to pick it up again. I remember when I read it for the very first time, I finished it cover to cover in a day and I never do that because I’m typically quite a slow reader. This book is a wonderful story of how humans carry on in the face of a catastrophe. Something we’re all familiar with.

Last Seen Alive by Claire Douglas

The reason I’d love to read this book again for the first time is because Claire Douglas is the master of the Thriller twist and Last Seen Alive had the most KILLER twist I’ve probably ever read in a Thriller novel. Most twists don’t surprise or shock me anymore but this one made me gasp.

The Prestige by Christopher Priest

I’d seen the movie of The Prestige many times before I read the book. It’s one of my boyfriend and I’s favourite films, so when I saw the book in a second-hand shop, I grabbed it but didn’t think much about it. Although the movie is very true to the book, there are some stark differences which make the book 10x creepier and more eerie and boy it was a ride!

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

I’m embarrassed to say that I only read Anne Frank’s diary for the first time this year (2022); I think part of me always thought that it was going to be an intimidating read and quite right, it was. It was harrowing, as you would expect if you’ve not read it. And heart-breaking and eye-opening and an absolute privilege to read.

The Quiet at the End of the World by Lauren James

I absolutely adored The Quit At the End of the World. It was one of those books where I didn’t go in with any expectations or pre-conceived notions of what might happen. I got entirely swept away by the storyline, the twists, the turns, the world-building. Oh I would just love to read this again for the first time because it was a joy to read.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

When I first started reading Where the Crawdads Sing, I wasn’t sure if it was going to be “for me”. But it was one of those books that the more you read, the more you got sucked into the world building and the scenery that Owens has so exquisitely captured before you. I think I’d appreciate this book even more now, if I could read it again for the first time.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

The second of the two non-fiction books I have featured on this list and whilst vastly different from the experience of reading Anne Frank’s diary, Michelle Obama packs her own punches and Becoming was an outstanding read from a remarkable woman. Becoming is inspirational and motivational and wise beyond measure.

The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg

I rave about The Kingdom to WHOEVER will listen to me. This is one of the best Young Adult sci-fi novels I’ve ever read and I would love to be able to read this again for the first time, or at the very least, see someone else’s reaction to reading it for the first time. This book covers the delicate question of what it means to be human. And it’s FANTASTIC.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

Verity is the most recent read on this list, at the time of writing, having only just finished it a week ago. At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to be all into this book but as it edged along with its manipulation and deception, I was utterly hooked. This was my first foray into Colleen Hoover and certainly won’t be my last.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

This was an exquisite novel of race, class, family and forgiveness, written in-verse it delicately captures the intrinsic moments that shape our lives. Clap When You Land was a beautiful read and a book written so unlike any other that there’s no way to really describe the experience of reading it, an experience I don’t think I’d get again, unless I read this again for the first time.

Oh I loved thinking about all these books and thinking about my reasons for wanting to read them again for the first time. When you read the right book, it really is an experience, not just an activity. And you can get so much from reading different types of books which really can impact your life.

I’d love to hear what books you’d like to read again for the first time! Let me know in the comments!

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46 Comments

  1. Ooh I’ve read quite a few on this list! I read Verity for the first time this year aswell – and was my first Colleen Hoover read too! It was AMAZING and I definitely want to have that first experience again! 😆 Becoming was also super impactful – I read it when I was a bit younger so I didn’t fully understand everything (and it took me a long time as I read very slow 😆) so I’d love to go back and read it again from a new perspective! Great post Jenny!

  2. The only one on your list I’ve read is Where The Crawdads Sing, which I loved, and now need to read again! Other books I’ve adored and would love to read again for the first time: Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, Antony Doerr’s All The Light We Cannot See, Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea, Harry Thompson’s This Thing of Darkness. There are lots more too, but then this comment would be ENDLESS!! x

  3. I’m not that big into sci-fi novels but Lauren James writes them in such a unique way that is accessible and fun, and I found myself absolutely captivated by The Loneliest Girl in the Universe. I can remember reading it in bed thinking I’ll just read a couple more pages and suddenly the plot turned, the pacing went from 0-100 in a few lines and I flew through the rest of it. When I’m in a sci-fi mood again, I will probably end up re-reading it because I am a serial re-reader. I love reading books again, even when I know the story.

  4. Great Post! It gave me some book recommendations. I think, I am going to read Michelle Obama’s book. Anne Frank book is so nice to read. I read it years ago and I always wanted to go visit her house in Amsterdam, but it is always booked for months ahead.

  5. I love to read too but I actually haven’t re-read one before. Although I would love to read Where the Crawdads Sing and Verity again! Those were two good ones for sure!

  6. I never thought to re read books but it sounds like a great idea. I enjoyed reading Vex King’s Good Vibes Good Life book – it filled with positivity so I think I would like to experience that again. Thanks for sharing. Jade MumLifeAndMe

    1. I haven’t re-read any of these books, these are the books I’d like to scrap from my memory and experience again for the first time. But I do love re reading my favourites, I find it very comforting.

  7. Nothing beats the feeling of reading an amazing book for the first time. The only one from your list that I have read is Where The Crawdads Sings but quite a few of these sounds really good. One books I would love to read again for the first time is Green Rider, and it’s sequels for that matter, it’s such an amazing book.

  8. For me it would have to be Wuthering heights , gift from the sea and to kill a mockingbird. I’m really strict with myself now and usually know instantly if I will re read and only keep them . Like others have said you can see a book completely differently dependent on age and your circumstances at the time x

  9. I’ve only read The Diary of a Young Girl, but all of these books look amazing. I’m about to read a Claire Douglas book for the first time, too, so I’m excited for that.

  10. What an interesting post! I am not a re-reader simply because there are just too many and too little time. If I could go back and read a book for the first time I’d likely read books like Memoirs of a Geisha, Cutting for Stone and The Dream Daughter.

  11. I love the idea of reading beloved books again for the first time. There are a quite a few I feel that way about in my own collection too! I haven’t read ‘Becoming’ by Michelle Obama yet but I have it so this has reminded me to make a start!

  12. For me it’s ‘Eleanor Ophiliant…’ and ‘The Perks of Being A Wallflower.’ Both of these tugged at my heart strings and I wish I could read them all over again, all the while knowing I’ll love them (which would push me on).

  13. Rereading books develops a new perspective for the same story. I have read Amitav Gosh’s The Shadow Lines and To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee many times. Both novels are from completely different era. And yet these books are unputdownable. Surprisingly, when I started rereading Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice again last month, I felt totally disconnected with her world.

  14. Some good suggestions here. I wish I had the time to reread my favourites but I fear this won’t leave me time to read any new ones haha. Last seen alive sounds right up my street so will definitely look it up but how funny that you can reread a thriller where you already know the plot and ending! Do you find some missing clues that you missed the first time around?

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