Author Sandra Danby has a blog series she refers to as Porridge and Cream, in which she asks other authors to share books that fit her definition:
“…the book you turn to when you need a familiar read, when you are tired, ill, or out-of-sorts, where you know the story and love it. Where reading it is like slipping on your oldest, scruffiest slippers after walking for miles.”
I was delighted to be given the opportunity to share the book I have returned to more often than any other. Normally I read a book once. Only a handful of books have drawn me back twice or more. As a child, I read Alan Garner’s The Owl Service probably three times. As an adult, I have read The Hound of the Baskervilles twice, Trevanian’s Shibumi three times, and Dracula four times. The only other book I can think of that I’ve read repeatedly – and it has been at least six times now, is the one I shared with Sandra.
Unlike Dracula, I won’t claim it’s a classic. I can’t even say it’s brilliantly plotted or it’s timeless (some of the language is so ’70s!). But, somehow, it catches the emotions, and if a book can do that…
If you want to know what the book is, and learn some more about it, click here.
I don’t know how long ago I read the last book twice. But I did when I was younger. And yes, it felt like meeting old friends again.
Time is increasingly precious, isn’t it, Erika? So I’m much less inclined to go back over old ground. There’s just something about this book… Hope all is well with you
Then it is a true treasure for you!!
This is a fabulous idea! I also loved The Owl Service by Alan Garner so imagine my surprise that he actually lives down the road from me in the most amazing house. I used to deliver parcels to him in my courier days!
The book I always go back to for a comforting read is a book called Kingdom of Shadows by Barbara Erskine and I never tire of it. I reread it most years but haven’t for a couple of years now so I think this has inspired me to curl up with it next weekend. ?
I seem to remember watching The Owl Service as a children’s TV series first, then reading the book. But I’m going back a very long time. Can’t remember exactly what it was about -just remember it being creepy in places (and you know I like creepy).
Never read anything by Barbara Erskine, but I have heard good things. Enjoy your re-read. And, if you haven’t already read it, do try Eagle in the Sky. I challenge you to not cry as you read the final pages…
Yes I remember the children’s tv series too. It scared me! I don’t do creepy as well as you do ??
It’s a gift…
I went through a phase of re-reading many of the Thomas Hardy classics, which I loved. But that was a few years ago. Nowadays if I think of re-reading a book I tend to think of all the unread books out there, and start a new one.
I’m with you on that, Denzil. There are so many books on my TBR pile I don’t tend to think about re-reading stuff. But just occasionally…
Thanks for commenting
has to be Lord of the Rings which I’ve read three times though I doubt I’ll do it again…
I’d forgotten about Lord of the Rings – and The Hobbit. Read them both twice. It just seems like such a long time ago.