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I am a creature of habit. This is especially true when it comes to what I reread and when I return to those old, friendly stories. Often my urge to reread things are tied to the seasons of the year and specific holidays.
Since we’re currently in the middle of winter, I tweaked this week’s topic a bit so I could talk about the books I’m most likely to reread at this time of the year.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
I first read this book one winter when I was in high school. Cold, dark weather makes me feel sad and glum at times. There was something oddly comforting about reading about a character whose troubles were much bigger than my own.
The happy ending she eventually received is a nice mood lifter as well.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1) by C.S. Lewis
There comes a time every March when I feel like winter will linger on until the end of time itself.
This is when I like to pull out the first Chronicles of Narnia book and read about an enchanted winter that lasted there for a century and never included a single Christmas to look forward to. Imagine how tired of the cold and snow the Narnians must have been by that final year! And yet spring did arrive for them eventually, so I can have hope that the same thing will happen for our completely non-magical winters, too.
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
As much as I dislike winters in southern Ontario, there are places that are much colder, snowier, and darker than Toronto. The Snow Child is set in Alaska about a hundred years ago. Back then the people who lived there were basically snowed into their homes for months on end, especially if you lived out in the country away from any towns.
The main characters were a couple who had longed for a child for many years. When a little girl showed up in the middle of a fierce blizzard, they took her in while trying to figure out where on Earth she must have come from.
Figuring out what was happening with her and with the kind couple who looked after her is so engrossing. I could reread this book a dozen times and still want more.
I do NOT like winters or snow (so why do I live in New England???). I remember thinking how awful perpetual winter would be when I first read “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”.
Good, wintery choices!
Thank you! And it sounds like we’re in the same boat re: the awfulness of winter whether it lasts several months or a century. LOL!
We read the Lion, Witch and Wardrobe when I was a kid and back then, I thought the eternal winter might be cool. (Okay, I was a kid and wanting snow days) Now, I don’t think I like it. Three straight days of snow drove me batty. 🙂
Good list!
Thank you! I hope the rest of the winter goes well for you.
Good choices. I made sure my children read all the Narnia books while in middle school. They ate them up.
Cool! And thanks.
Good choices.. I love the Narnia books. I need to add them to my reread list. And… I’m not a fan of cold weather either. That’s why I live in south Georgia.. lol Thanks for stopping by earlier.
Thank you.
I’m a little jealous of where you live at the moment.
Big sigh…love Jane Eyre. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome. 🙂
I’ve only read the first two Narnia books. Had a tough time getting into them when I was younger. Might need to try them again sometime.
Great list!
My post
Thanks! There are some grand adventures in the later Narnia books.
Ooh, I just realised I could find time to reread the Narnia books by reading them to my grandson. That would be a worthwhile reason to reread I think 🙂
I hope he loves them.
I saw the SNOW CHILD at the library and didn’t get it.
I think I’ll check it out next time.
I hope you do! It’s a wonderful story (and retelling of a classic fairy tale, too!)
Oooh I miss Narnia. now I wanna reread it too. 🙂
I hope you will!
Oooh, ta for The Snow Child recommendation. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve eyed that off. Must add it to my pile.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is fab. But the whole series is!
I hope you like it! And agreed.
I did love Jane Eyre, although I have to admit Charlotte is my least favourite Bronte.
Cool. 🙂
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is such a great choice! I never really thought of seasonal reading until you mentioned it. What an awesome thing! I love that!
Thank you.