2012 "12 Re-reads" Challenge

[Scheherazade]

I often find myself trying to remember the details of certain books I read some years ago. So, in 2012, I will try to read at least 12 of those again as well as trying to keep up with other challenges going on at the Forum and keep a track of my reading in this thread.

[Zemouli Chahra]

You mean re-reading 12 book you've read... Is it a challenge you put for yourself.. or that you feel it necessary to do so!

Good challenge you put for yourself...
This gave me the idea that each member put a big challenge in 2012... and then we would know who was determined enough to realise those challenges.. What do you think?

[mal4mac]

If you only want details why not just read a plot summary? I think you should only re-read a novel if feel you might enjoy re-reading it.

[Scheherazade]

If you only want details why not just read a plot summary? I think you should only re-read a novel if feel you might enjoy re-reading it.Thanks for the heads-up.

You might have just saved me from the agony of enduring again the 12 books I hated.

[cafolini]

If you only want details why not just read a plot summary? I think you should only re-read a novel if feel you might enjoy re-reading it.

It could be a good project depending on how you see it. You might want to feel how you react to a book you read during youth but now wish to consider it during middle age.

[Whifflingpin]

Be careful what you say! Scheherezade is eternally youthful.

[ChicagoReader]

I like this idea, there are many books which I've always wanted to re-read so maybe I'll take on this challenge!

[sadparadise]

I hope this doesn't take the wind out of anyone's sails but sounds like a practice Harold Bloom might take on. Alas, this sounds like something I would like to try but, where to find the time?

[iamnobody]

I think it's a great idea. I read Great Expectations in school and I remember thinking it was just awful. I read it again this year and I loved it. I'm so glad I gave it another go!

[PabloQ]

This is a great goal. This past year I reread Moby Dick and two Anthony Trollope novels. I also reread Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen. A span of years can help to give you a more mature insight into the work. Enjoy!!

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

It was difficult enough getting through eleven new authors last year, so I will have to bow out of this challenge, except for one re read. I plan to give Toilers of the Sea another go, otherwise, I will keep moving forward covering new ground.

.

[Scheherazade]

Starting working on my first re-read:

The Collector by Fowles. Read this one at university and fell in love with it... So much so that I have considered it one of my favorite books since then (and Fowles is one of my favorite authors). Cannot wait to see what kind of effect it will have on me this time round.

[Paulclem]

Starting working on my first re-read:

The Collector by Fowles. Read this one at university and fell in love with it... So much so that I have considered it one of my favorite books since then (and Fowles is one of my favorite authors). Cannot wait to see what kind of effect it will have on me this time round.

It had a strong effect on me. I seem to remember us discussing it ages ago.

[Scheherazade]

1. The Collector by Fowles - 10/10 A breath-taking book, a page-turner, thought-provoking. I am very happy to see that, after 25 years, the book still affects me in the same manner; even more so because I feel I have been able to appreciate some aspects of the book more this time round. And my belief that Fowles is one of the best writers of the 20th century has been confirmed once again.

[TheFifthElement]

I agree Scher, The Collector is an excellent novel and Fowles a fantastic writer. Great choice for a re-read.

[Scheherazade]

1. The Collector by Fowles - 10/10 A breath-taking book, a page-turner, thought-provoking. I am very happy to see that, after 25 years, the book still affects me in the same manner; even more so because I feel I have been able to appreciate some aspects of the book more this time round. And my belief that Fowles is one of the best writers of the 20th century has been confirmed once again.

2. Tender is the Night by Fitzgerald - 10/10 Even though Gatsby is considered, Fitzgerald's masterpiece, I find Night much more touching and tighter as a story. Once again, I was unable to put the book down. Want to read more of his books now.

3. Stardust by Gaiman - 9/10 He is a wonderful story-teller and this one, the first one of his books that I had read, is still one of the best in my opinion because of the way he takes a known storyline and makes it his own.

4. Look Back in Anger by Osborne 9/10 The anger and frustration in this play always gets to me and even though I feel like shaking the characters at times in my own frustration as a reader, it is still one of the best plays I have read.

[coluta]

I think it's a great idea. I read Great Expectations in school and I remember thinking it was just awful. I read it again this year and I loved it. I'm so glad I gave it another go!


1. The Collector by Fowles - 10/10 A breath-taking book, a page-turner, thought-provoking. I am very happy to see that, after 25 years, the book still affects me in the same manner; even more so because I feel I have been able to appreciate some aspects of the book more this time round. And my belief that Fowles is one of the best writers of the 20th century has been confirmed once again.

2. Tender is the Night by Fitzgerald - 10/10 Even though Gatsby is considered, Fitzgerald's masterpiece, I find Night much more touching and tighter as a story. Once again, I was unable to put the book down. Want to read more of his books now.


I am going to re-read these also, thanks for reminding me of them.
However, I think I will replace Tender is the Night with The Great Gatsby.

[Scheherazade]

1. The Collector by Fowles - 10/10 A breath-taking book, a page-turner, thought-provoking. I am very happy to see that, after 25 years, the book still affects me in the same manner; even more so because I feel I have been able to appreciate some aspects of the book more this time round. And my belief that Fowles is one of the best writers of the 20th century has been confirmed once again.

2. Tender is the Night by Fitzgerald - 10/10 Even though Gatsby is considered, Fitzgerald's masterpiece, I find Night much more touching and tighter as a story. Once again, I was unable to put the book down. Want to read more of his books now.

3. Stardust by Gaiman - 9/10 He is a wonderful story-teller and this one, the first one of his books that I had read, is still one of the best in my opinion because of the way he takes a known storyline and makes it his own.

4. Look Back in Anger by Osborne 9/10 The anger and frustration in this play always gets to me and even though I feel like shaking the characters at times in my own frustration as a reader, it is still one of the best plays I have read.

5. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez 10/10 Marquez's style is perfect. My only problem with this book is not being able to read it in its original.

6. Daisy Miller by Henry James 8/10 It is a short book but I find this story very touching and James' style makes me want to read more of his book, which I have neglected so far.

7. The Importance of Being Earnest by Wilde 10/10 Quirky, witty and cynical.

[dfloyd]

were made into very good movies. I think The Collector starred Terrence Stamp. I know Look Back in Anger was the first movie in which I saw Richard Burton. You would probably enjoy the movies now you have re-read the books.

Tender is the Night was made into a black & white movie in the 60s with Jason Robards Jr as Dick Diver. I forget who played Nicole. I would like to see it again, but I have never been able to find it on DVD.

Scott Fitzgerald didn't write that many novels other than Gatsby and Tender. Only 2-1/2 more: The Beautiful and the Damned and This Side of Paradise ( a kind of college memoir) plus his unfinished novel The Last Tycoon. He is better noted for his short stories which fill about 3 or 4 volumes. In fact, his short stories may be his best work. I am of the opinion that he would have been the fifth American to win the Nobel prize if he hadn't died so young (44 I believe).

The movie about his affair with the British Hollywood writer (Sheila Graham) is worth seeing, but although I like Gregory Peck, he just was not Scott Fitzgerald. Deborah Kerr though was well cast as Sheilah Graham. the movie was taken from Graham's book Beloved Infidel.

[Clopin]

Thanks for the heads-up.

You might have just saved me from the agony of enduring again the 12 books I hated.

ahahahahahaha

[bookclover]

Re-reading is a must in my life but I too forget details - and names. They are so hard to remember!

What's the book you have re-read the most? I think mine are 'Little women' by Alcott and 'Pride and prejudice' by Austen. Just love them!

[Motherof8]

I get more out of a book when I read a second or third time.

[Scheherazade]

were made into very good movies. I think The Collector starred Terrence Stamp. I know Look Back in Anger was the first movie in which I saw Richard Burton. You would probably enjoy the movies now you have re-read the books.

Tender is the Night was made into a black & white movie in the 60s with Jason Robards Jr as Dick Diver. I forget who played Nicole. I would like to see it again, but I have never been able to find it on DVD.

Scott Fitzgerald didn't write that many novels other than Gatsby and Tender. Only 2-1/2 more: The Beautiful and the Damned and This Side of Paradise ( a kind of college memoir) plus his unfinished novel The Last Tycoon. He is better noted for his short stories which fill about 3 or 4 volumes. In fact, his short stories may be his best work. I am of the opinion that he would have been the fifth American to win the Nobel prize if he hadn't died so young (44 I believe).

The movie about his affair with the British Hollywood writer (Sheila Graham) is worth seeing, but although I like Gregory Peck, he just was not Scott Fitzgerald. Deborah Kerr though was well cast as Sheilah Graham. the movie was taken from Graham's book Beloved Infidel.I watched "Look Back in Anger" after re-reading the play (it is available on youtube, by the way, if anyone is interested) and I simply hated it. The storyline and characters are changed so much and the acting leaves much to be desired.

I haven't seen the other movies you mentioned; I will see if I can find them.

As a sidenote, recently watched "Midnight in Paris" and Scott and Zelda make an appearance along with many personalities from the world of art who used to spend their time in Paris in those days.

[LadyLuck]

Schere, you have my respect *bows*. I rarely can make it through Fitzgerald once, let alone choose to re-read him. I'm also feeling like I need to get on reading for the Seven Deadly Sins challenge. I've been slacking ;)

[Buh4Bee]

Lady, I can see why some people may not like him. I believe he is a very distinct flavor. One that I really enjoy. Tender is the Night is an excellent book. I would give it an 8/10.

[mal4mac]

It could be a good project depending on how you see it. You might want to feel how you react to a book you read during youth but now wish to consider it during middle age.

Tread carefully!

Arthur C Clarke's "The City and the Stars" was a bright glow in memory from my early teens, but I reduced that image to ashes when I tried to re-read it.

I now avoid reading books that are fond memories from childhood but suspect will not be such a good read through adult eyes.

Things might work "the other way around". If you found a classic too "heavy" as a kid, try it now. This worked with Don Quixote, for me.

[Scheherazade]

1. The Collector by Fowles - 10/10 A breath-taking book, a page-turner, thought-provoking. I am very happy to see that, after 25 years, the book still affects me in the same manner; even more so because I feel I have been able to appreciate some aspects of the book more this time round. And my belief that Fowles is one of the best writers of the 20th century has been confirmed once again.

2. Tender is the Night by Fitzgerald - 10/10 Even though Gatsby is considered, Fitzgerald's masterpiece, I find Night much more touching and tighter as a story. Once again, I was unable to put the book down. Want to read more of his books now.

3. Stardust by Gaiman - 9/10 He is a wonderful story-teller and this one, the first one of his books that I had read, is still one of the best in my opinion because of the way he takes a known storyline and makes it his own.

4. Look Back in Anger by Osborne 9/10 The anger and frustration in this play always gets to me and even though I feel like shaking the characters at times in my own frustration as a reader, it is still one of the best plays I have read.

5. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez 10/10 Marquez's style is perfect. My only problem with this book is not being able to read it in its original.

6. Daisy Miller by Henry James 8/10 It is a short book but I find this story very touching and James' style makes me want to read more of his book, which I have neglected so far.

7. The Importance of Being Earnest by Wilde 10/10 Quirky, witty and cynical.

8. Howards End by EM Forster - 8/10 Read it again after a while and have to admit it felt even better this time round.

9. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton - 6/10 Not sure why I don't like this book but the whole "aww, poor things" does not do it for me. Considering how much I enjoy Wharton's style, it is a surprise.


Running out of time!

[Joreads]

Scher this is a great idea but I am going to put a little twist on it I have decided to re read some books I didn't finish the first time around. Now I need to decide which book!!

[xtianfriborg13]

Will there be another thing like this this coming 2013? I'm up for the challege!

[Scheherazade]

Will there be another thing like this this coming 2013? I'm up for the challege!Here are some of the challenges that are active at the moment:

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?66570-Literature-Network-Reading-Challenges

Some are on-going but I am sure there will be new ones in 2013 as well.

Hope you can join us :)


Scher this is a great idea but I am going to put a little twist on it I have decided to re read some books I didn't finish the first time around. Now I need to decide which book!!That is a great idea :)

Maybe you can post that as a challenge for 2013!

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?66570-Literature-Network-Reading-Challenges

[PeterL]

If it's worth reading once, then it is worth rereading. Alas, too many books aren't worth opening at all.

I just finished rereading The Name of the Rose, and it became clearer why I hadn't especially liked it the first time; there's too much extraneous deatil.

[Scheherazade]

1. The Collector by Fowles - 10/10 A breath-taking book, a page-turner, thought-provoking. I am very happy to see that, after 25 years, the book still affects me in the same manner; even more so because I feel I have been able to appreciate some aspects of the book more this time round. And my belief that Fowles is one of the best writers of the 20th century has been confirmed once again.

2. Tender is the Night by Fitzgerald - 10/10 Even though Gatsby is considered, Fitzgerald's masterpiece, I find Night much more touching and tighter as a story. Once again, I was unable to put the book down. Want to read more of his books now.

3. Stardust by Gaiman - 9/10 He is a wonderful story-teller and this one, the first one of his books that I had read, is still one of the best in my opinion because of the way he takes a known storyline and makes it his own.

4. Look Back in Anger by Osborne 9/10 The anger and frustration in this play always gets to me and even though I feel like shaking the characters at times in my own frustration as a reader, it is still one of the best plays I have read.

5. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez 10/10 Marquez's style is perfect. My only problem with this book is not being able to read it in its original.

6. Daisy Miller by Henry James 8/10 It is a short book but I find this story very touching and James' style makes me want to read more of his book, which I have neglected so far.

7. The Importance of Being Earnest by Wilde 10/10 Quirky, witty and cynical.

8. Howards End by EM Forster - 8/10 Read it again after a while and have to admit it felt even better this time round.

9. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton - 6/10 Not sure why I don't like this book but the whole "aww, poor things" does not do it for me. Considering how much I enjoy Wharton's style, it is a surprise.

10. Decameron by Boccaccio - 8/10

11. Cannery Row by Steinbeck 10/10

I still need to read another one!