Open Thread Update: The Best Book(s) You Ever Read?
Looks like there are many Senior Planet members who, like me, are hooked on the pleasures of re-reading favorite books.
Since age 9, i’ve loved and at least 7 times have reread Jane Eyre
-C
These are the books we go to time after time, to re-experience the pleasure of a finely-turned phrase, or gain new insight into a character, situation, or author, or simply to savor the familiarity of a moving or funny or compelling tale.
Pride and Prejudice for style of writing and a snicker on the side.
-Anita
Sometimes we read to change our emotional state, too.
Unbroken. So inspirational!
-Elaine
Some members liked the classics, and others more modern works by Ray Bradbury or Alice Walker; two members said The Shack topped their lists. For me, I’d take to a desert island four books: The Periodic Table by Primo Levi, The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder, Tepper Isn’t Going Out by Calvin Trillin and the Bible.
If you love re-reading as much as reading, check out this essay on re-reading, here, and then take a spin through the comments. You might get some ideas for the next books you could read, and reread, throughout the rest of the year and into 2021.
We’ll leave this comments open for a while so you can share your favorites, too. Who knows, you might introduce a new fan to your fave read. Let us know in the comments.
Photo by GRÆS Magazine on Unsplash

Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send your suggestions for Open Threads to her at editor@seniorplanet.org.
Interested in personalized content? Sign up for free
Create an account and join our vibrant community to get reminders on classes and unlock a more personalized experience.
Comments
wow!nice to get this info
my favorite reread-anything DR SEUSS!!
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. I learned not to fear death; I felt such peace at the end of the book. The read to the end is jarring but I was drawn to reading the book more than once.
A Fierce Radiance by Lauren Belfer
Historical medical novel. A who done it. Re-read it because the characters seem real.
Have 30 Ann Rule books. Say enough?
I enjoyed “Roughing It” by Mark Twain.