Top Ten Tuesday – Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Top Ten Tuesday has been one of my favorite memes ever since I started blogging, so huge thanks to Jana for taking over the hosting duties!
This week’s TTT topic is Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time. This is a more challenging topic than I thought it would be. Mostly what comes to mind are either fantasy books that completely blew me away in terms of their worldbuilding and unforgettable characters or books from my childhood that truly captivated me and gave me my love of reading. Needless to say, my list is going to be a bit of a hodge podge. 🙂
Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time
1. THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE by C.S. Lewis – My favorite book in the very first fantasy series I ever read. This series was for me what the Harry Potter series has been for readers younger than me. I’d love to go back and discover my love of rich fantasy worlds all over again.
2. THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA by T.J. Klune – This is a recent read that was just so adorable, whimsical, and feel-good that I’d love to read it for the first time over and over and over again. Like Groundhog Day but with an amazing book, haha!
3. THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morganstern – I actually have a sad reason for wanting to read this one for the first time again. I recently tried to re-read it and even though I deem it as a favorite, it just wasn’t the same as experiencing it for the first time. I got bored and gave up on it so yeah, would definitely love to turn back time and experience it with fresh eyes.
4. THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE by Katherine Arden – I loved the intricate worldbuilding in this series, especially all of the Russian folklore. I read this 5 years ago and it still stands out as one of the most unique fantasies I’ve ever read. Since so many of them seem like carbon copies of each other, I’d love to go back and experience the refreshing feeling of reading this original tale.
5. A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE by George R.R. Martin – This series has some of the most incredible world building I’ve ever read, not to mention some of the most unforgettable characters. I’d love to rewind and experience Westeros for the first time again and of course meet the Starks, the Lannisters, the White Walkers, etc.
6. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee – I read this for the first time in 8th grade Honors English. It was my first “grown up” book and I remember feeling very mature and empowered to suddenly have the freedom to read books that explored topics like racism and abuse. It felt like a whole new world had been opened up to me and I’d love to feel that way again.
7. THE LUNAR CHRONICLES BY MARISSA MEYER – This was the book that hooked me on fairytale retellings so I’d love to revisit that heart-eyes moment when I fell in love with the idea of putting new spins on classic tales.
8. CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY by Roald Dahl – My first experience with reading this book was in elementary school when the librarian read it aloud to our class. She sang the Oompa Loompa songs and everything. It was pure magic and I’d love to go back to that day and hear it all over again for the first time.
9. CHARLOTTE’S WEB by E.B. White – This was the first book that made me cry my eyes out. I think it gave me my life for books that rip your heart out, lol. Probably sounds crazy but I’d love to go back in time and experience that loving of a character so fiercely that it breaks you when they die.
10. THE RULES OF MAGIC by Alice Hoffman – I picked this book but honestly any of Hoffman’s books fall into this category. Every story she writes is pure magic for me. If I was a writer, she’s the person I’d most wish I could write like. So yeah, I’d love to discover her gorgeous prose again for the first time.
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Question: If you could read any book again for the first time, what would it be?
Review: THE LAST CHANCE LIBRARY by Freya Sampson
The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson 
Published by Berkley Books on August 31, 2021
Pages: 336
Source: Netgalley
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FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson is an absolute gem of a book. I’m a sucker for a book about books anyway, but throw in a charming smalltown setting, a group of feisty senior citizens determined to do whatever it takes to save their local library, and an introverted library assistant who really wants to find her voice and this book was just an all around wonderful experience for me.
The story follows June Jones, a timid but lovable library assistant who works at Chalcot Library. The library holds a special place in June’s heart, not just because she loves assisting fellow book lovers but also because for years, her mother also worked there. Since June’s mother passed away, working at the library has been a way for June to still feel close to her.
I loved watching June interact with the patrons, especially the children, who she did everything she could to help foster their love of reading, and the elderly, who she not only helped with book recommendations but also with any technology/internet needs they have. When the local council starts talking of closing the library as a way to save money and it appears that the head librarian, Marjorie, may be in on it and tells June she is forbidden from speaking out against the possible closure, June is determined to do whatever she has to do to save the library, in spite of Marjorie’s warning, thus sealing her place in my heart as the beloved underdog.
I also had tremendous sympathy for June because in some ways, it seems that she is so busy trying to preserve her mother’s memory that she has stopped living her own life. She still lives in her childhood home, hasn’t packed up any of her mother’s old belongings even though she died 10 years ago, and June has indefinitely put on hold her dreams of going to university to study writing. Helping to save the library really seems to be the spark she needs to finally move forward and start living again.
It’s not just June fighting to save the library though. The library’s elderly patrons spring into action, forming a Friends of the Library group to protest the closing. I adored the members of this group so much. They’re so much fun to read about – all scrappy, full of wit, and just so incredibly devoted to the library. Through their actions, it becomes clear that the library is so much more than just a building full of books. It’s a safe haven for the homeless, a place where teenagers who live in crowded homes can have a quiet place to study, a place where unlikely friendships are forged between a cranky old woman and an immigrant who is new to the area. In short, the library is the very heart of the community.
I don’t want to say anything else that may spoil the plot, but this really is such a special story. If you enjoy books about friendship, finding your voice and standing up for what you believe in, and of course books about books, be sure to check out The Last Chance Library!
About Freya Sampson
Freya Sampson works in TV and was the executive producer of Channel 4’s Four in a Bed and Gogglesprogs. She studied History at Cambridge University and is a graduate of the Faber Academy. She lives in London with her husband, two young children and an antisocial cat. The Last Library (called The Last Chance Library on the U.S. version) is her debut novel.
Thriller Thursday Review: Billy Summers
Hi Everyone! It’s Sharon, back with another edition of Thriller Thursday. This week I am sharing my thoughts on Stephen King’s new book, Billy Summers. I know I normally have two reviews to share, but I loved this book so much and I had so much to say about it, that I didn’t think it would be fair to another author to only give a short blurb for their book. But don’t worry, next Thriller Thursday I will be back to two reviews. I even know which books they will be and I am almost finished with the first one. 🙂
Billy Summers Goodreads Author: Stephen King
Publication Date: August 3, 2021
Publisher: Scribner
Stephen King’s latest book Billy Summers is now in my top ten favorite King books. This was not a scary read. It’s more of a crime/suspenseful mystery. As always with Stephen King’s books, I was fully invested in the characters and cared about them so much. I had butterflies in my stomach almost the entire time I was reading because I had no idea where this book was going and was afraid for their safety with every turn of the page.
The book centers around Billy Summers, who is an Iraq war vet whose specialty is being one of the best snipers in the world. When Billy leaves the Marines, he puts that specialty to use and becomes a killer for hire. But Billy will only kill men who he deems are bad. So yeah, he is a killer with scruples. Billy is ready to retire but has decided to do one last job, for two million dollars. He does this job and he is set for life. What could possibly go wrong? Everything, that’s what.
I fell in love with Billy from the very beginning. Yes, he is a killer, but beneath all that there is a very nice and caring man. And we get to see this man while Billy is waiting for his mark to arrive. The man Billy has been hired to kill is currently in L.A. fighting extradition to be returned to a southern town called Riverdale to face murder charges. While waiting, Billy has been set up with a false identity and cover story. He is a writer that is working on a novel. He is living in a house in a family neighborhood and it is here that we get to see the man Billy really is as he gets to know and become friends with his neighbors. I really enjoyed watching him interact with his neighbors. They would go to each other’s house for dinners, and he would play with their children. He was just an all-around great guy (I know, I know he is a killer for hire lol). When it got closer to the time the kill would take place, Billy started to feel bad at how upset his neighbors, especially the children, would be when they learned who he really was.
I don’t want to say what went wrong with the hit, but I will say that all does not go as planned and Billy has to go into hiding. It is while he is in hiding that we meet another great character, Alice. Alice was the victim of a rape and she was left on the side of the road across the street from the apartment that Billy was hiding out in. When Billy saw a van drive down the street and dump her out, he assumed she was dead but when he went out to check and found that she was alive he brought her back to the apartment. See he is really a nice guy. I really liked Alice, she was one tough and smart cookie. She joins Billy on his trip across the country to right the wrongs that were done against him. I loved watching the relationship between Billy and Alice grow. It wasn’t instant trust between the two of them, which made it feel all the more realistic. Billy and Alice brought out the best in each other.
While Billy was waiting for the hit to occur, he actually did do some writing and then continued with the writing after, and it is through his writing that we learn more about him. When Billy was 11 years old his stepfather killed his little sister and then came after Billy, but Billy shot and killed him. After spending a few years in a foster home Billy joined the Marines. We get a good look as to what it was like to be on the ground in Iraq through Billy’s writings. The writing of being in Iraq was so authentic that I could visualize everything. I really liked having the chapters of the actual story broken up with pages from Billy’s writing. As much as I loved Billy from the beginning of the book, reading the words he wrote about his life made him all the more loveable and also sympathetic.
This book was a slow but steady build up to a tension filled ending that had me in tears. If you are a fan of Stephen King I think you will enjoy Billy Summers. If you have been looking for a Stephen King book to read, but don’t want the pants scared off you (lol), I recommend Billy Summers. 4 ½ stars