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.
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!
Want some more bookish content from me? Check out these posts: