Escape the Ordinary - Week 6

[New Providence]

Hey all,

I am writing this from under a cooling fan on a cloudy but still free Independence Day. Hope you're all enjoying yourselves.

Yesterday, I was listening to re-runs of the American Masters series on Studio 360 and Kurt Andersen was talking about The Great Gatsby. One of the people he interviewed mentioned that he re-reads it every year because there is always something that he's missed.

I don't generally re-read books because there are so many that I haven't read and I am a rather slow reader. Other than re-reading things in anticipation of book groups, there is really nothing that I can thing of that I've re-read. And even when I do, I just find myself skimming to the parts I remember and then reading backwards to see how things got there so I don't even read in sequence. Usually, that's how I remember that I've forgot significant parts and then just keep reading backwards until things sound familiar. Not what the guy on the radio was talking about at all!

What about you? Do you re-read books or just certain books and do you do it regularly, when you get into a certain mood or not at all?

[Eileen]

I heard part of the Great Gatsby discussion yeterday. It was cool that they discussed the simplicity of the book. I just re-read it for our book club and tried to go slowly and thoughtfully looking for more complication...which I didn't find :).

I do re-read books, but only cassionally. Usually happens if it is a book club selection that I previously read. Sometimes, I opt for listening to it the second time. I also re-read my favorites when I'm in the mood. Have read To Kill a Mocking Bird many times, East of Eden, and others. Have read the Harry Potter books more than once- will pick one up when I want a quick, absorbing, guaranteed to be entertaining book.

I'm listening to Grisham's Sycamore Row right now- which I'm loving. It's a new story about the characters that are in A Time to Kill. I am tempted to re-read A Time to Kill.

BUT there are SO many books and not enough time, so I don't make a regular practice of re-reading. (another anecdote from me as a teacher: i tell the kids, when we re-read a book, it's like revisiting an old friend).

[Judy]

I'm not a re-reader; "so many books, so little time." to quote the famous t-shirt!

[Marie]

Hi! I can honestly say I have never re-read a book until I started Night Circus last night. I could not believe how much I missed and forgot about. So, I am honestly liking this the second time around because I know the general concept, I just forgot how complicated the process was to get to the end. I also am picturing the night circus so much better, that I am loving the images much better.
Eileen, I thought Grishams audio of Sycamore Row was really well done and I had read Time to Kill so it made the audio so much more for me.
Lisa, I thought before the end of the summer, we can have a discussion on audio books. Like many people I have asked if the use them, they are often absolutely stubborn in their refusal to consider them. I was the same way until I had hip surgery in 2003 and it was hard to hold a book lying flat on my back. I am now addicted. One question I would like to ask the group here is what makes a reader hit the book out of the park, or makes it a dud. I think anyone that has NOT listened to a book on audio, should try it once, with a recommended "performer" and see what they are missing. IMHO LOL

[Helene]

The only time I tend to reread a book, or parts of it is if I am looking for an easy read, for times when I cannot concentrate but need something to read to pass the time.

[Marilyn]

I feel the same way about some of the previous posters - I rarely re-read a book. When I do, it's usually because I want to refresh my memory before a book group discussion. One time I thought I'd skim "The Book Thief", just reading all the pages that I had put post-it flags on. :-) Well, I ended up re-reading the entire book, word for word, and enjoying it the second time around. Same thing happened with "The Night Circus' which I read and then re-read for two different book groups. Jane Eyre is the only other book I read a second time, about 40 years apart! And, it still remains a favorite of mine along with the two other books I've mentioned.

As far as audio books - Marie - I have been a fan of audio books for many years. A friend encouraged me to try one and at first it was horrible - until I realized that I was listening to an abridged cassette! I then found the section with Unabridged and...I was hooked! I now 'read' at least two books this way each month, depending on the length of the book. I used to get through more when I had a short commute to work but don't get to listen as much when I'm home more. However, it's still good to listen to while doing mindless chores like ironing and cleaning out a cabinet etc., as well as when I cannot sleep but my eyes don't want to focus on print.

IMHO the narrator makes a huge difference. I've actually given up on the audio version on a few because the narrator read in a monotone and/or so slowly. Some of my favs are/were Davina Porter and George Guidall. CJ Critt too.

In general, about the re-reading of books, I totally agree with the saying, "So many books, so little time!"

[Rosanne]

I am another one that very rarely re-reads a book, though if I do its usually something I read as a kid and don't remember as clearly as I'd like. I also re-read The Great Gatsby before the movie came out. When the kids lived at home I would sometimes re-read a book that they were reading so I could discuss it with them.

I am also a big fan of audio books. Originally I only took them out for a trip, but now I am hooked. I tried to read The Amazing Adventures of Kavaleir and Clay (sp?) years ago and couldn't get into it. Just listened to the audio version and loved it. The reader makes a huge difference, they have to have a pleasing voice and be a good actor.

[Marilyn]

Rosanne - you reminded me that I also re-read "The Great Gatsby" as an adult and liked it much better than I did many years ago.

[New Providence]

Eileen, I respectfully disagree about the old friend thing. That's more like the joy of getting in sync during the first sentence and re-experiencing why you were friends to begin with. Whereas re-reading for me is more like realizing the things that I didn't remember. Guess I'm just not doing it right...;-)

[Marilyn]

IMHO one of the great things about reading is that a particular book can be a different experience for the reader than it might be for another person. This is why I also believe that just because a book, author, genre is not for me, it doesn't mean it's not for someone else. I like a variety of books but some more than others. Yet, I'm willing to try something out of my normal comfort range, in case it offers something to me that I've not experienced before. I'm not good at 'seeing' deeply into characters' motives etc., or realizing 'who dunnit' like some people can, but that doesn't mean I don't 'get' some things from a book or enjoy it.

Just sayin'.....

[Eileen]

New Providence wrote: "Eileen, I respectfully disagree about the old friend thing. That's more like the joy of getting in sync during the first sentence and re-experiencing why you were friends to begin with. Whereas r..."

Love it:)

[Karen]

I enjoy rereading books, but I don't do it as much as I used to. I've read Peyton Place several times, and I think there's part of me (naively, I admit) that can suspend belief and wonder if things are still going to turn out for the characters like before. I think I also find a sense of comfort in picking up a book I've read before, almost like coming home.

I've never warmed to audio books. But I'm willing to try!

[New Providence]

You are so right. I experienced this recently while discussing the movie Birdman with one of my colleagues. She just thought the Michael Keaton character was mentally disturbed and jumped out of the window at the end. Whereas I had this whole scenario of transformation going. Apparent that we each came at the story through our own filters and experiences. And why it is so great to be part of a book group.

[Phyllis Conrad]

I don't re-read books only because I don't have time, too many new reads. I would love to re-read Harry Potter! If you haven't listened to Jim Dale read Harry Potter you're missing some great audiobooks. Jim does a different voice for each character and just pulls you into the scenes. We own all of the books on CD here in the children's room, I highly recommend them. I don't listen to a lot of audiobooks, but I was having trouble reading The Help because of all the southern language and a patron recommended I listen to it. It was fantastic! So, I guess I'm saying I don't re-read and I enjoy an occasional audiobook.

[Marilyn]

Phyllis - I agree - Jim Dale does a great job. I read all of the HP books but was part of a group that was reading the 1st in the series and took the opportunity to try this book on audio and really enjoyed it.

[Becky]

As a kid, I re read a lot. I can only think of one book I have re read in the last 10 years or so--Possession by A.S. Byatt. Loved it each time.

[Becky]

As a kid, I re read a lot. I can only think of one book I have re read in the last 10 years or so--Possession by A.S. Byatt. Loved it each time.

[New Providence]

I love it, Becky...re-posting about re-reading...;-)

[Sangeeta]

:-)

except for skimming for a book club, there are "too many books and too little time" to re-read

i will watch movies and tv shows over again. not sure why i treat books and video so differently (as i mentioned before, i'll watch mystery and sci-fi, but am not at all interested in reading it.)

[Sangeeta]

hmmm, Marilyn, i may read The Book Thief again. that's one of my all time favorites . actually i listened to the audio, so reading it will be a different experience !

[Dawn]

I usually don't reread either except for a few old favorites like Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (one of my favorites) and Wuthering Heights. I loved Thomas Hardy when I was in high school and was going to try and reread him to see if his novels still appeal to me many years later. I'm currently reading Euphoria by Lily King and am thinking I now want to know how close the novel is to Margaret Mead's real life.

[Sangeeta]

Dawn, you've reminded me, in the last several years i've LISTENED on audio-book, to some classics we (had to) read in high school/college (The Great Gatsby, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, The Crucible, The Old Man and the Sea, The Pearl, Animal Farm, and others.) Naturally, our viewpoint and understanding so many years later is a completely different (and better) experience, as we view the world and understand it so differently now.

[Dawn]

Same here. I never read To Kill A Mockingbird but then realized I had listened to the audiobook several years ago while on a long car trip. So I'm assuming that counts as having read it? I'm planning to reread it in book form again this summer because I want to read the new Harper Lee coming out tomorrow.

[Marilyn]

I've never listened to To Kill a Mockingbird but over the years have read it at least twice. I've got it on my TBR shelf right now to read for discussion group next month at the BH library.
I saw the play last year or the year before at the NJ Shakespeare Theater in Madison and it was very well done. So, maybe I should listen to the book this time? Saw the movie many years ago too. Print, audio, visual... it doesn't get "old", does it?

[New Providence]

Too bad it's the BH AM book group or I'd attend. I don't know what the book is about, it seems very simple but I can't put it down. My view is colored by watching that PBS special the other night, tho b/c I got some insight into who Harper Lee thought she was portraying in those characters.

[Sangeeta]

wait a minute...Lisa, you've never read To Kill a Mockingbird ? i'm not reading that correctly, am i ? ;-)

[Karen]

I've never read To Kill a Mockingbird either, but I'm going to! My stepfather grew up in a town not far from Harper Lee.

I'm reading The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I can't seem to get into it. Does it pick up? I'm about 130 pages in. It seems to crawl for me.

[Sangeeta]

i read The Nightingale a few months ago, and really liked it. (i can't remember if i thought it was slow to get started.)

[New Providence]

Yes, Sangeeta. You read me correctly. I guess it just wasn't required in HS at the time and I never got around to it. So, better late than never. Well, you only just read it a few months ago yourself.

Thanks for chiming in, Karen and making me feel less under-read. After all, you are 2 of the best-read people I know! So, at least I'm in good company...;-)

[Sangeeta]

Oops. I misspoke about not re-reading. I've read to kill a mockingbird at least 3 times. in school and a few times in adulthood. I guess I assumed it was required reading for everyone in school. Lisa, tell us what you think when you're done. also catcher in the rye, night by Elie weisel and the bluest eye by Toni Morrison more than once

[Sangeeta]

lisa. please share some of your most interesting non fiction. you seem to read a wide range of topics

[Karen]

I have read The Catcher in the Rye! Loved it. I would also recommend Franny and Zooey. I also need to read Night.

[Marilyn]

I'm currently listening to "To Kill a Mockingbird" and I believe the narrator is Sissy Spacek who, IMHO, is doing a great job. I'm enjoying it in this different, for me, version. Listening is reminding me of the talent of Harper Lee. I'm on waiting list for the new book about Atticus and really hope I'm not disappointed.

[Marie]

I am on my last select any 10 audios I would probably have never read and so far, 8 have been a disappointment. And I will stand by my never re-read policy, I did not enjoy Night Circus as much as the first time.

[New Providence]

Interesting point about listening to TKaM, Marilyn. I've never really seen the movie, either but we all know that Gregory Peck intoned Atticus Finch so I must admit that I am picturing him speaking the lines as I read the book. That's a reverse of the usual where we read the book, develop a strong impression of the characters and then don't want to see the movie b/c the actor does not fit our picture.

[New Providence]

OK, let me think about it and I'll post. It would be good if I kept a list but I don't.

[Marilyn]

Last season we saw TKaM in Madison at the NJ Shakespeare Theater and the actor who played Atticus reminded me of Gregory Peck! He is in the current play, "The Guardsman" (which is very good!) and I kept 'seeing' Atticus!