Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time.
My top 10 are:
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: Of course! While I’ve read it many times since, there’s nothing quite like the first time reading about Jamie and Claire.
- Fingersmith by Sarah Waters: I know that I gasped out loud several times over the twists and turns of this amazing book. I’d love to read it again someday to delve back into the story, but there’s nothing to compare to the shocks of reading it for the first time.
- Replay by Ken Grimwood: I read this many years ago, but I was so captivated by this book! Just when I thought I’d seen it all when it comes to time travel, Replay fell into my lap with a whole new approach.
- Eagle in the Sky by Wilbur Smith: I read this in my youth and was swept away by the romanticism of the entire plot and the characters. I think a lot of my reaction had to do with where I was in my life at that time… so even though I could read it again, I don’t think it would be the same reading experience.
- The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison: My first time was just last year, and I’ve re-read it since, and will probably re-read it again — but the first time was such an immersive experience that was truly unique and memorable.
- Knight’s Castle by Edward Eager: I read this book as a child, and spent years as an adult trying to figure out what that amazing book with all the knights was called! I finally found it again — but I think nothing can compare to reading this as a child and feeling so full of wonder and possibility.
- Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling: Along those lines, even though I was an adult when I read Harry Potter, my first time reading the books was alongside my daughter, and experiencing it fresh and new together was amazing.
- The Android’s Dream by John Scalzi: This audiobook made me laugh so hard. I wonder if I’d find it as funny if I weren’t constantly being surprised by all the weirdness?
- The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal: I’ve read this book more than once, but the first time was a remarkable experience, where I was absolutely on the edge of my seat for so much of the story.
- Soulless by Gail Carriger: This introduction to the world of the Parasol Protectorate drew me right in to its world of supernatural beings in Victorian England. Reading it for the first time was so special!
What books do you wish you could read again for the first time? Please share your links!
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I’ve heard great things about The Goblin Emperor.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-wish-i-could-read-again-for-the-first-time/
It’s wonderful! I rave about it a lot. 🙂
I’ve been meaning to read Replay for a long time!
My list: https://fiftytwo.blog/2021/08/24/ttt-ten-books-everyone-should-read/
It’s so worth checking out! I’ve been wanting to reread it, now that several years have gone by since my first read.
Harry Potter for sure!!
It’s never a bad time to read (or re-read) Harry Potter!
This is true!!!
I think pretty much any that are on my re-read list I’d love to experience again because they clearly touched me when I first read them. Whether that was just a case of being in the right frame of mind, I don’t know. Then again, re-reads give you the nostalgia, so maybe it’s not that easy… Hmm.
Very true, any book I want to re-read has definitely made a big impression!
I’ve always been curious about Fingersmith. I’d love to read it sometime, especially knowing about the twists!
Have you read any of her other books? I’ve read a few, and she’s a great writer — but Fingersmith is just outstanding!
Oh, I feel the same way about Outlander!
I’ve never gotten tired of rereading it, but that first time was so special!
Outlander and Knight’s Castle — I remember getting my grubby hands on those books, and life really did change after that, didn’t it? Thanks for bringing back the old times! 🙂
Knight’s Castle haunted me for years (in a very good way). I must have taken it out of the library as a child, and spent a long time as an adult wondering what that book was! It was only when someone recommended another of the author’s books (Half Magic) and I looked it up at the library that the pieces finally came together for me. 🙂
Ooooh, I haven’t read some of these! Looks like I have some new TBR’s!
These Tuesday lists are dangerous — I’m always finding more books to add to my TBR!
I can’t get enough of Jamie and Claire! I can’t wait for the new book! x
Me too! Rereading #8 to get ready…