Retro Rereads discussion

How did it go? Was it as good as you remembered? Better? Worse?

If it was a really different experience, what do you think changed about you?

I re-read A Wrinkle in Time & Where the Red Fern Grows. I read both of these in grade school. Both had me falling in love with books again. These were 2 of my favorites and I can say that still got to me after all these years. Next up will be a book I intensely disliked to see if I still can't stand it or if I can at least tolerate. Really enjoying this challenge

I re read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

It's been years (maybe 20) since I've read this book. I did read Go Set a Watchman when it came out and many of the things that people were outraged with, didn't shock me. Now, re-reading Mockingbird, I still stand by my assertion that Atticus, despite being gentlemanly and courteous, is a product of his generation. Also, Scout completely grew into her Jean Louise persona in Watchman as well. Even at a young age, she was judgmental and thoughtless with her words and characterizations. Jem and Dill are the ones who I wished were in Watchman. They both understood the wrongs against the black people even if they didn't know how to deal with those issues.

But, the writing does flow and Scout's voice does change as she ages.

I read The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stoval. This is at least my fourth reading. I always love it. It reminds me of the important things in lif.

Thanks for reminding me about Walk Two Moons, Kayla. I taught it about 30 years ago and loved it. I'm going to read it again now.

I reread Atonement by Ian McEwan. Loved it as much the second time around. So heartbreaking and beautiful.

I reread Relic and it was just as fun as the first time I read it. It made me wish I had put the sequel on my reread list as well.

I reread Murder on the Orient Express. Agatha Christie was the beginning of my love of mysteries. I still enjoy this story.

I love this one. I remember reading it for the first time. I got to the end when Poirot was going to explain what happened.

I said to my mother in frustration that they all did it. I would love to give myself credit for solving it, but I didn't believe what I said.

The Handmaid's Tale was amazing as ever. Current affairs certainly added depth and cont

The Handmaid's Tale was even better than I remembered! I enjoyed it as a teenager but revisiting it as an adult was really worthwhile! Current world events made it super relevant too...

I finished Where the Red Fern Grows and... I cannot for the life of me figure out how THIS is the book that I was addicted to for years to the extent that I read it more than 20 times and cried buckets each time. It's an unlikely pick, but I have to admit that there is something so personal and charming about Wilson Rawls and the voice he uses. I think the fact that it was so different from my experience is probably what hooked me. But I think it holds up in that it's just as dated as it was when I was a kid.

In January I've re-read The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stoval and Summerland

In January I re-read The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall and Summerland by Michael Chabon.

I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I found it as adorable as the first time but now I knew what to expect. I want to move to Guernsey and have all those delightful characters as neighbors.
Looking forward to my February retro reread: the Family Moskat

I read The Poisonwood Bible. I originally read this book about 10 years ago and it's still one of my absolute favorites.

Florencia wrote: "I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I found it as adorable as the first time but now I knew what to expect. I want to move to Guernsey and have all those delightful characters..."

I love this book!!! <3