Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
No, that isn’t me in the photo, but it does evoke all sorts of beautiful memories of reading outside on warm summer days.
This is one of those topics I could talk about all day. My list is a wonderful mishmash of genres and eras. I couldn’t be confined to just one small slice of the bookish world today.
Some stories are so amazing that I wish I could experience them again for the first time.
There’s nothing like the thrill of getting to know a well-rounded, beloved character or being delightfully surprised by a plot twist.
Rereading is lovely, but it’s never quite the same as experiencing those moments the first time.
1. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Why: The ending was spectacular. I spent years pondering it before the sequel was released and the television show explored what happened to Offred after that pivotal moment.
2. Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
Why: There are so many parallels between this futuristic version of Earth that was written in the 1990s and what we’re actually experiencing with climate change and political unrest today. It would have been fascinating to experience it for the first time as versions of so many of her predictions came true.
3. Calculating God by Robert J. Sawyer
Why: The author’s depictions of aliens was astounding. They were nothing at all like any sentient creature found on Earth. That’s difficult for any writer to do, and I adored “meeting” characters who felt so otherworldly.
4. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Why: It’s my favourite classic novel. It’s filled with the sort of sturdy hope that can withstand the hardest times. I’ve returned to it through some of the most difficult portions of my own life, and it’s given me the courage to keep going when I need emotional support and encouragement.
5. The Deep by Rivers Solomon (My review)
Why: This is one of my favourite books of the twenty-first century so far. I know I discuss it regularly here, but it’s one of those stories that only becomes more meaningful over time. I keep going back to beautiful little details from the storyline that tied all of the plot twists together in ways I didn’t necessarily think twice about at the time.
6. The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence
Why: Hagar was a fiercely unlikeable protagonist. If I were to meet her in real life, I’d be unflappably kind and polite to her while also feeling utter relief when she was no longer in my presence. With that being said, her character development was so excellent that she felt like a real person to me. There were good reasons for her cruel, vindictive, and emotionally abusive behaviour that I’ll leave for other readers to discover for themselves. That isn’t to excuse any form of abuse for any reason, only to say that sometimes people take their pain and fear out on others. I think it’s a sign of amazing writing when one genuinely wants to learn more about someone as awful as this character.
7. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
Why: While the last few books in this series weren’t really my cup of tea, the first instalment had fabulous character and plot development. I’ve literally had dreams about living 30,000 years ago and doing all of the hunting, gathering, and other tasks necessary for survival that were explained in such exquisite detail here.
8. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (My review)
Why: The ending couldn’t have been better or more satisfying. I pictured every incredible moment of it in my mind as I was reading. It would be delightful to experience it again while we wait for the film version that is currently in the works.
9. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
Why: It was written for an adult audience who sympathized with Valancy as she endured emotional abuse and mistreatment with little hope for rescue when we first meet her. As much as I loved Montgomery’s lighter works that were written for children like Anne of Green Gables, her stories for adults were where she truly shined. She didn’t sugarcoat Valancy’s predicament in the least, and yet she still found a multitude of ways to show her audience how to survive when it seems like one’s difficult circumstances have no hope of improvement.
10. Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor (My review)
Why: The ending was incredible. It left me yearning for more, and I still wonder what might have happened to the main character as she became an adult. I will continue hoping for a sequel that explores her world in greater depth.
I believe Jane Eyre is one of those classics one can read over and over and there will be elements in there that you read for the first time. I’ve never read The Clan of the Cave Bear, but I have a friend who swears it’s the best book ever.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Thank you! Clan of the Cave Bear was a great read for sure.
This is a terrific list, with lots I’ve read—Handmaid’s Tale, Jane Eyre, Calculating God, Blue Castle—and lots I haven’t but want to read—Parable of the Sower, Hail Mary.
Aww, thank you! I’ll come over and say hello now.
What an amazing list! Adding some of these titles to my tbr!
Clan of the Cave Bear kinda calls to me too, I don’t know why, but it just seems so evocative. Exploring a prehistoric world like that…
Jane Eyre was such a powerful story. I’ve only read it once, though it would be wonderful to reread.
It’s even better as a reread!
Great list! The only one I’ve read on here is The Handmaid’s Tale and if I had stuck to the prompt today, that one definitely would’ve made my list! I can’t wait to read Project Hail Mary and The Deep, so it’s great to see them on this list 🙂
I hope you love both of those books! They were amazing.
Great list! I didn’t know the movie for Project Hail Mary is already in the works, I definitely hope to read that one soon!
Thank you. I hope you like Project Hail Mary. They just started working on the earlier stages of making a film this summer, so you still have lots of time I’m sure.
Dang, there’s some really good choices here, of course I reread Bronte and Atwood regularly, and I love that you’ve read The Clan of the Cave Bear. That series was amazing too!
Yay! Thank you. 🙂
I have the audiobook of Jane Eyre, but never get around to listening to it!
Oh, that’s neat! I’ve never listened to the audio version of that book. Hope you like it if or when you listen to it.
Great list! I’m looking forward to reading Project Hail Mary. I’ve heard such great things about it.
With Remote Control, it’s possible that you’ll get your wish. I read (maybe in Locus magazine?) that Okorafor said all of her stories were set in the same alternate universe, so it’s possible that we’ll revisit the characters or plot elements from Remote Control.
Project Hail Mary was so much fun. I look forward to reading your review of it if you decide to write one.
And that’s awesome! Thanks for letting me know.
I love Jane Eyre as well.
Cool!
I have re-read Jane Eyre though I don’t seem to like as much as the first time. You’re right, rereading is never quite the same experience so I often don’t reread books I know I won’t like again.
I love the Blue Castle and I have reread it a few times. I did sort of wish Montgomery had written more books for adults like this one.
The others I haven’t read but it really is a diverse list of books.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Have a lovely day.
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by!
And, yeah, Montgomery should have written more books for adults for sure.
There are so many books that I wish I could read for the first time again. I usually wait long enough to forget most of the story and then do a reread. Haha
Ha! That’s actually a very smart idea. 🙂
So many wonderful choices. I agree whole-heartedly with Project Hail Mary and The Handmaid’s Tale. The Blue Castle has been on my to-read list for years, and I’m glad to see your reminder that I need to read it! I’ve been wanting to read Remote Control as well, and after seeing your comments on it, I really can’t wait. Great list!
Aww, thank you!
I hope you adore Remote Control and The Blue Castle. They were both excellent for totally different reasons.
I have Project Hail Mary on my TBR – I’m glad to hear its made your list, I’m looking forward to reading it for the first time!
Happy reading! It was such a good story.
I agree with Jane Eyre…I didn’t go back that far in my reading, but the classics need to be reread so I can appreciate them more than I did in high school. My link this week: https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2021/08/top-ten-tuesday-reread-for-first-time.html
Thank you!
I had a chance to see Project Hail Mary through the eyes of someone else reading it new, which gave me the chance to be excited about it all over again with him. I felt almost as much of a book hangover after he was done as I did after I was done, knowing the excitement was over again.
Oh, that’s so cool!
Love PHM and the friendship/sacrifice themes and I’m so eager for the movie! I also love Blue Castle! You’re absolutely right, the first read is the best!
Thank you! So glad you agreed with those two.
Great choices! I didn’t think of the Handmaid’s Tale. I need to read that one again.
It’s even better as a reread!
Jane Eyre is a great choice!
Thank you. 🙂
I’ve seen Jane Eyre on so many posts this week. It’s really deserving.
For sure. 🙂
Several titles here I haven’t read that look very intriguing. I almost chose either the Martian or project Hail Mary. Both were such amazing first reads!
Thank you! I’m glad you liked Weir’s books there.
Great list! The only book on your list I’ve read is Jane Eyre. Sadly, I was assigned to read in school, so I didn’t enjoy it that much. I have tried rereading it since then, but I couldn’t get past my first impression.
When you get the chance, I hope you stop over at my blog and take a read: https://readbakecreate.com/10-books-i-would-love-to-see-as-a-movie/
Sorry you didn’t like Jane Eyre! First impressions are so important with books.
I haven’t read any of these, but some of them sound interesting, like Parable of the Sower!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
Thank you!
Funnily enough, Clan of the Cave Bear is the only one of that series I have not read! I remember people talking about them in high school (they were surprisingly in my school library, but only books 2, 3 and 4). And I read the available ones but never went back and read the first, I should definitely do that one day.
Oh, funny!
Clan of the Cave Bear was the best book in that series. I hope you love it if or when you ever read it!
Books 5 and 6 weren’t worth it IMO. So it’s good you stopped with #4.
I’d love to reread Project Hail Mary on audiobook. I bet that’s fantastic. 🙂
Check out my TTT
🙂
The only one I’ve read of these is Jane Eyre, and…I didn’t like it that much. :/ But it’s cool that you got so much out of it! 🙂
Thank you. Not every book can appeal to every reader, of course. 🙂
I definitely felt the same about Project Hail Mary! I haven’t read Remote Control yet, but now I’m even more excited to get to it!
Yay! I hope you like Remote Control.
I haven’t read any of these, but I’m interested in The Deep!
I hope you like The Deep!
I loved The Deep, and Clan of the Cave bear was definitely one that I wouldn’t mind being able to read for the first time again!
Cool!
Reading Jane Eyre for the first time again would be amazing!! And The Blue Castle is on my TBR. I haven’t ventured outside Anne of Green Gables but I hear great things about so many of Montgomery’s other novels. Thanks for stopping by my TTT 🙂
You’re welcome. Have fun with The Blue Castle!
I want to read Jane Eyre someday soon! lovely list.
Thank you!
Jane Eyre is the perfect autumn and winter read in my opinion because so many scenes take place during those seasons.
So true about Jane Eyre! I’ve read it so many times but it’s still No.1. 🙂 But thanks for talking about Calculating God, The Deep and Cave Bear — they all sound excellent works.
You’re welcome. I hope you like them if you decide to read them.
I have read only two of your books, The Handmaid’s Tale and Jane Eyre, but reread both of them. Good choices.
Thanks for visiting my TTT earlier.
You’re welcome! I’m glad you liked those books, too.
JANE EYRE is one of my all-time favorites and the only one I’ve read from your list. I actually didn’t read it until I was an adult. Although I’m not much of a re-reader, I’ve been thinking lately that I need to read it again.
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Happy TTT to you as well!
I haven’t reread Jane Eyre in years. It’s something I like to reread in the autumn and winter, though, because so many scenes in it take place during those seasons. 🙂
I haven’t read Clan of the Cave Bear, but I love that it was vivid enough to make you dream about it! It does sound like an extremely cool setting, one not a lot of authors (as far as I know) venture into — though I was rather fond of Sue Harrison’s trilogy from a similar era, starting with Mother Earth Father Sky.
Thank you!
I read Mother Earth, Father Sky ages ago. It was a good read!
All the little questions and mysteries made reading The Handmaid’s Tale a really special experience. I liked the first series but it wasn’t quite the same.
🙂
I feel the same about Jane Eyre! It’s such a rewarding reread, though, so at least we have that comfort <3
Absolutely!
The Handmaid’s Tale is a great pick for this topic!
Thank you!
I read the Parable of the Sower for the first time this year, I’m not sure I’d got with fascinating as much as demoralizing how much stuff she predicted well.
True, there was that element to it as well.
Great list, I’ve heard so many great things about The Handmaid’s Tale and Remote Control!
Thank you. They’re both great.
Jane Eyre is my favorite classic, too!
That’s awesome!
Intriguing list! I have been meaning to read more of Octavia Butler’s work – I really should get on that.
She wrote some wonderful books for sure.
Great list. I’d definitely love to experience Project Hail Mary, Jane Eyre, and The Handmaid’s Tale again for the first time. Such special books.
Thank you! They’re quite special for sure. 🙂
I’ve only heard amazing things about The Deep. I really need to read that one!
I hope you like it!