This week I’ve decided to take part in ‘Top Ten Tuesday’ again hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic is ‘Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time’. I found this kinda difficult, and also found myself talking about the books I usually mention on these TTT lists!
Twilight
God, I wish I could be eleven again and my biggest concern was whether or not Bella would make the (obviously) right decision in picking Edward over Jacob. I lived for this series in my tween years and the loves of that time of your life are unique, you never quite feel that kind of fascination and obsession, and I kinda wish I could feel that again. Plus, this was a book series my mum and I loved together, and so it was always hold a special place in my heart.
The Binding
This book may be a little bit cheesy, and a bit romantic, but something about this story and the love told in it pulled at my heartstrings in ways I can’t explain. It’s a stunning book – both inside and out – and I wish I could read it again for the first time because this was impossible to put down – I lost a lot sleep as I desperately tried to reach the end of this (was definitely worth it though).
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
I literally finished this a few weeks ago but the shock of everything this book is means I wish I could experience that pleasant surprise again. The title leads you to think this will be a certain kind of book, and with the hype surrounding it, I wouldn’t blame anyone (including past me) for being wary of it, but it was so much more than I was expecting I almost want to apologise for being so dismissive of it.
Good Omens
This is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, but boy is it mine(!), and I know it’s one I will repeatedly return to throughout the years. I just wish I could read about this story, these characters and the jokes for the first time again because it was glorious, and I can’t believe it took me years to get there, and everytime I reread it I know I’ll just be chasing that wonderment from the first time.
Girl, Woman, Other
I don’t wish for it be 2020 again, as we barely survived that year, but I wish I could read this book for the first time again like I did last year. When people say it’s brilliant and a masterpiece, they are not exaggerating – this is just some of the best work I’ve ever read, and I want to experience the elation I felt as I turned each page for the first once more.
The Mask Falling
Honestly I wish I could just read every book of this series again for the first time, because so far it’s been a masterclass in plot twists and reveals. I’ve loved theorising after finishing every book, and this one left so many questions unanswered theories and thoughts have plagued me for weeks afterwards.
When You Were Everything
Gosh, I love this book, I love reading it and I love how it captured the sweet and bitter angst of a friendship breakup so perfectly. This is the kind of book I wish I had read for the first time as a teenager – and I’m so glad teenagers now have it – but I’d still love to read it for the first time even now as it made me feel so much better about almost everything.
The Starless Sea
This was one of my favourite reads of 2020 and I devoured it rapidly, it was one of those books that really helped to get me through lockdown, and whilst I don’t want to experience lockdown again, I would like to experience the wonder of this storytelling again please.
Alone in Berlin
I think this is on a lot of my TTT posts, but for some reason the experience of reading this novel won’t leave me. To be truthful, I believe the reason it’s stuck with me over the year is because it’s based on a true story and historical events that really did take place, and it’s truthfully heartbreaking. It’s left such a mark on me I’d love to experience reading this again for the first time, just so I could soak up every word of it.
A Heart in a Body in the World
I will loudly praise this book for years to come as not only is it from such an underrated author and I rarely hear anything about it, but it’s also happens to be excellent. The first read was engrossing in a way you wish all first reads were, and if hadn’t been such an emotional read I would have picked it up again straight away. This resonated with me so deeply as I think I was working through some of my own trauma at the time I will be forever grateful for that first read which really spoke to me.
Moonlit Books 
If I had stuck to the prompt today, Evelyn Hugo would’ve most definitely made my list. That book… Is just… Ugh, everything! I adore it and I’d love to read it for the first time again 💚 Great pick!
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Good Omens was such a good read!
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-wish-i-could-read-again-for-the-first-time/
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I almost put Twilight on my list, I completely agree with it. I devoured that series and I had resisted it so long!! My link for this week if you would like to pop over: https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2021/08/top-ten-tuesday-reread-for-first-time.html
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Evelyn also made my list this week! Not knowing what it’s about before you read it is one of the best things, because it’s such a great surprise. (Also, ditto everything you said about Twilight.) Great list!
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I read TWILIGHT as an adult and I was still riveted by it! It was a unique read for me. I was definitely not a Twilight Mom, though, and I never even finished the series. Still, I couldn’t put TWILIGHT down.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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