Like you, I've gone back to Alice Munro, dipping in and out of various collections. This month's revelations expand the stories in troubling but interesting ways. And with abuse on my mind, I'm rereading Bad Little Hannah, written in the 1890s and a favorite of mine as a child who identified with the feisty heroine. The abuse Hannah suffers is emotional, inflicted by a mother who hates her. The book hurts to read at times but pulses with life and authenticity.
I love reread books because I find something new in them with each reading. I am presently rereading C Wright Mills Power Elite and Gibbon's condensed Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire-- nothing as exciting as Nancy Friday who would be drawn and quartered today!
I am mainly interested on Gibbon's take on Mohammed and Islam and Mills on celebrity culture. When you reread you get to pick and chose. Like Orwell, Mills was so far ahead of his time. He died young and did not get the recognition he deserves. I've been ghostwriting and turning Hollywood tricks lately so I need some intellectual exercise in between the performative Zoom calls I am forced to "hop on."
I am very old, and reading your blog, Leah, is a window onto, if not your generation, then an individual of your generation who is never less than candid and often humorous. And writes well.
One particularly honest column a while ago, about your current nightmare, single parenthood, lawsuits, was hard to read. You were was so vulnerable but without self pity, I just wished I could help.
Diana Leblanc
BTW I saw you once in Toronto and you are so much lovelier than the woman in the photo you think you resemble so closely.
I ended up rereading a lot of Graham Greene's books during the pandemic when I unexpectedly had a lot of free time on my hands and appreciated him far more than I had when I was in twenties. Back then I'd quite liked The Third Man and Brighton Rock, but The Heart of the Matter, Our Man in Havana and The End of the Affair left me cold with their conflicted, morally compromised, middle-aged protagonists who still try, in their bumbling way, to do the right thing. But this is precisely why I am able to better appreciate these books a couple of decades later.
Really interesting to hear what you say about the teen brain reading voraciously but not really taking in the nuances. I regret not having read more when I was that age, but I found it so difficult to concentrate because of various stuff going round my head, and it's reassuring to think that even if I could and did read more I might not have really benefitted much from it. I do think reading comes to us when we are ready to be fully absorbed.
I haven't reread anything recently as I always seem to be playing catch up with the books I should read for work, or ones I get sent to blurb. But I love the idea of doing more of this. Actually, I lie. I did recently reread Deborah Levy The Cost of Living, which I loved the first time, but saw soooo much more in the second time. Much more of her metaphor and skill as a writer. I also recently reread Cusk's Aftermath and felt the same way. What a good thing to do!
I have been rereading Dickens. Have read all,his books many times, but discover something new each time I read them. Also enjoying free audio Dickens read by Mil Nicholson, who brings all the characters to life in a wonderful way!
Sometimes, books seem to be cursed. I first read Joe Boyd's first-hand retelling of the music scene of the '60 — White Bicycles — when it came out. Funny, prescient, immensely readable. I found my old copy and started to reread it. Then, three or four chapters in, I lost it somewhere or other (don't ask me where — if I knew that I'd go back and find it). A dear friend kindly gave me her copy (signed by Joe, too), and two-thirds the way through I left it on the subway. Should I go to Abe Books and try to find another copy? Or should I just give up, and keep going with the other stuff on my bedside table?
you could use a reading coach. just kidding! just kidding! but you're right about re-reading. in fact, it could be called real reading, because the really good stuff is always worth a re-read, will always reveal more second time round. my friend the lit prof (ret) told me she happened to pick up Anna karenina a short while ago and was amazed at how much more it gave on re-reading. I read three new books in January, all promising, all eventually disappointing. then I pulled down a old fave from my shelf and was immediately transported to the realms of reading bliss. in fact, when you read the really good stuff, you shouldn't be able to totally appreciate it first time out. it contains to much, plus you're overwhelmed by the visceral pleasure of the experience. sexual metaphors will readily come to mind. first time great, but lots more to be found out. I still read new stuff — got three newbs beside me at the moment — but I always have an old reliable nearby in case I need a shot of the classic vintage.
Loved this, thank you! I've been focusing on re-reading books more this year too. Recent re-reads: The Memory Keeper's Daughter, Crying in H-Mart, & The Color Purple. Possible upcoming re-reads: Less, Homegoing, Jhumpa Lahiri short stories, MFK Fisher works.
I re-read a lot of childhood favourites. The Magic Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton (yes I know she was problematic as a person, but I love those stories as a young girl, they are the first books I can remember reading.) AA Milne's The House at Pooh Corner, When We Were Very, Very Young and Now We Are Six. I've also recently re-read One Day by David Nicholls and I know his most recent release is going to be revisited too.
I'd love to know what your new release pile looks like!
I absolutely LOVE re-reading books. I've re-read Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter at least three times, same with The Colour by Rose Tremain, and many others. Each time i learn something new about writing and human nature.
My mom used to reread Gone with the Wind once a year, but I never developed that practise (films however, I rewatch often). I like your thoughts here: "which makes me wonder if human brains also have metabolic rates?" I've been rereading collections of my own writing and can relate to how you wondered about your past life. Words continue to have power over us don't they Leah, even as we think ourselves as ever changing.
I recently reread Moon Tiger. It was just as glorious second time around and I think I appreciated her technical agility more this time.
putting it on my first time list!
Like you, I've gone back to Alice Munro, dipping in and out of various collections. This month's revelations expand the stories in troubling but interesting ways. And with abuse on my mind, I'm rereading Bad Little Hannah, written in the 1890s and a favorite of mine as a child who identified with the feisty heroine. The abuse Hannah suffers is emotional, inflicted by a mother who hates her. The book hurts to read at times but pulses with life and authenticity.
Fascinating! And a healthy antidote to all those dreadful pics posted to Twitter of Munro's books being heaved into bins.
I love reread books because I find something new in them with each reading. I am presently rereading C Wright Mills Power Elite and Gibbon's condensed Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire-- nothing as exciting as Nancy Friday who would be drawn and quartered today!
That's some HEFTY re-reading Peter, I'm impressed!
I am mainly interested on Gibbon's take on Mohammed and Islam and Mills on celebrity culture. When you reread you get to pick and chose. Like Orwell, Mills was so far ahead of his time. He died young and did not get the recognition he deserves. I've been ghostwriting and turning Hollywood tricks lately so I need some intellectual exercise in between the performative Zoom calls I am forced to "hop on."
Omg, yes, all the hopping and ducking out of zoom calls makes a writer hungry for big ideas!
Share your new titles reading list too!
I shall! Thanks lovely. x
I going to give Secret History another read and have two I dumped on my bedside table earlier this evening after turfing two tiresome ones.
The one I shall read again is Margaret Drabble’s The Dark Flood Rises and a new to me is Lucky Break by Esther Freud.
Bedtime reading is an addiction for me. There has to be a small pile of possibles at all times.
I am very old, and reading your blog, Leah, is a window onto, if not your generation, then an individual of your generation who is never less than candid and often humorous. And writes well.
One particularly honest column a while ago, about your current nightmare, single parenthood, lawsuits, was hard to read. You were was so vulnerable but without self pity, I just wished I could help.
Diana Leblanc
BTW I saw you once in Toronto and you are so much lovelier than the woman in the photo you think you resemble so closely.
I ended up rereading a lot of Graham Greene's books during the pandemic when I unexpectedly had a lot of free time on my hands and appreciated him far more than I had when I was in twenties. Back then I'd quite liked The Third Man and Brighton Rock, but The Heart of the Matter, Our Man in Havana and The End of the Affair left me cold with their conflicted, morally compromised, middle-aged protagonists who still try, in their bumbling way, to do the right thing. But this is precisely why I am able to better appreciate these books a couple of decades later.
Really interesting to hear what you say about the teen brain reading voraciously but not really taking in the nuances. I regret not having read more when I was that age, but I found it so difficult to concentrate because of various stuff going round my head, and it's reassuring to think that even if I could and did read more I might not have really benefitted much from it. I do think reading comes to us when we are ready to be fully absorbed.
I haven't reread anything recently as I always seem to be playing catch up with the books I should read for work, or ones I get sent to blurb. But I love the idea of doing more of this. Actually, I lie. I did recently reread Deborah Levy The Cost of Living, which I loved the first time, but saw soooo much more in the second time. Much more of her metaphor and skill as a writer. I also recently reread Cusk's Aftermath and felt the same way. What a good thing to do!
I have been rereading Dickens. Have read all,his books many times, but discover something new each time I read them. Also enjoying free audio Dickens read by Mil Nicholson, who brings all the characters to life in a wonderful way!
Sometimes, books seem to be cursed. I first read Joe Boyd's first-hand retelling of the music scene of the '60 — White Bicycles — when it came out. Funny, prescient, immensely readable. I found my old copy and started to reread it. Then, three or four chapters in, I lost it somewhere or other (don't ask me where — if I knew that I'd go back and find it). A dear friend kindly gave me her copy (signed by Joe, too), and two-thirds the way through I left it on the subway. Should I go to Abe Books and try to find another copy? Or should I just give up, and keep going with the other stuff on my bedside table?
you could use a reading coach. just kidding! just kidding! but you're right about re-reading. in fact, it could be called real reading, because the really good stuff is always worth a re-read, will always reveal more second time round. my friend the lit prof (ret) told me she happened to pick up Anna karenina a short while ago and was amazed at how much more it gave on re-reading. I read three new books in January, all promising, all eventually disappointing. then I pulled down a old fave from my shelf and was immediately transported to the realms of reading bliss. in fact, when you read the really good stuff, you shouldn't be able to totally appreciate it first time out. it contains to much, plus you're overwhelmed by the visceral pleasure of the experience. sexual metaphors will readily come to mind. first time great, but lots more to be found out. I still read new stuff — got three newbs beside me at the moment — but I always have an old reliable nearby in case I need a shot of the classic vintage.
Loved this, thank you! I've been focusing on re-reading books more this year too. Recent re-reads: The Memory Keeper's Daughter, Crying in H-Mart, & The Color Purple. Possible upcoming re-reads: Less, Homegoing, Jhumpa Lahiri short stories, MFK Fisher works.
I re-read a lot of childhood favourites. The Magic Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton (yes I know she was problematic as a person, but I love those stories as a young girl, they are the first books I can remember reading.) AA Milne's The House at Pooh Corner, When We Were Very, Very Young and Now We Are Six. I've also recently re-read One Day by David Nicholls and I know his most recent release is going to be revisited too.
I'd love to know what your new release pile looks like!
I absolutely LOVE re-reading books. I've re-read Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter at least three times, same with The Colour by Rose Tremain, and many others. Each time i learn something new about writing and human nature.
My mom used to reread Gone with the Wind once a year, but I never developed that practise (films however, I rewatch often). I like your thoughts here: "which makes me wonder if human brains also have metabolic rates?" I've been rereading collections of my own writing and can relate to how you wondered about your past life. Words continue to have power over us don't they Leah, even as we think ourselves as ever changing.
For your amusement- https://catchmydrift.blog/2024/03/24/re-book/
Love this, Leah. Sometimes we are a little too fixated on the next new exciting thing... this is the perfect antidote, so thank you.