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.
COMMENTS
29 responses to “Open Thread Update: The Best Book(s) You Ever Read?”
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.
John Steinbeck’s ‘East of Eden’ had a huge impact on me as a young adult
I read Dracula every year around Halloween. It’s a very fun read .
“1984”
The country where a charlatan is worshipped as “Angel, Saint, Messiah, God,” where the elections are stolen at the historical center of national democracy, where war is peace, Hollywood pre-school dropouts are gurus, and the possibly most corrupt media in the world are celebrated as “journalism,” the ladies read of course about other oh, ah ladies. As ordered. Why would anyone read history when the concept itself is prohibited and thus unknown?
In a way, I’d like to live long enough to see the ladies in the real 1984 which is, of course, coming.
dr anna
I love the intricacy of the plot, and excellent writing in The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexander Dumas.
I read Dumas when I was around 12 and I was derailed for a long period of time. It took decades for me to recover from the idiocy of francophilia and oh, ah culture and become wise.
“Raising world-changers in a changing world: How one family discovered the beauty of sacrifice and the joy of giving” by Kristin Welch
Unbroken. So inspirational!
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
His prose is lovely, and the events are heartwarming, in this coming of age story for all ages.
I first read it in the early 1970’s, and every few years I re-read Doris Lessing’s Four-Gated City to see how much I and the world have changed. She is my favorite author because her range of subject and style is endless.
I have read Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell several times.
The Shack – William P Young
The Shack was also one of my favorites. I would read it again.
Me, too. Loved the Shack. Used it in my grief classes.
I have enjoyed reading The Color Purple by Alice Walker. It’s timeless to me and so well written. The movie is also a keeper.
Hi just wondering if you attended P.S. 221. If yes, it’s Yvette Norde’ . If it’s you or not please let me know. My married name is Edwards.
Pride and Prejudice for style of writing and a snicker on the side.
Every year I read The Bridges of Madison County and its epilogue A Thousand Country Roads by the late Robert James Waller. Probably because I’m a hopeless romantic!
I love the movie and I have never read the book. I know plan to buy both books. Thank you for your comment. My favorite book is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
The Help is my favorite book because I invited a group of women together to have a discussion about it. In the group of women, there was an author and a woman, Margaret, who was raised during the reign of Chairman Mao in China. The result of the discussion and the connection between the two women resulted in a book called Really Enough, which is the story of Margaret’s life in China during that very difficult time in history. I highly recommend Really Enough, an award-winning book. http://reallyenough.com/
C: Since age 9, i’ve loved and at least 7 times have reread “Jane Eyre”.
I read _The Great Book of Amber_ by Roger Zelazny every year.
Harvey
My husband introduced me to the 9 Princes of Amber. I had never read anything like it before! My husband is gone but I still have the book, 2 copies, actually…his and mine!
I would read again and again Powernomics by Claude Anderson, Ed.D
The Cromwell Trilogy by Hillart Mantel,
Handmaids Tale with The Testaments
Sign Up for Newsletters
There’s always a lot going on in the Senior Planet universe. Get our newsletters to make sure you never miss a thing!
Sign Up Now
Join Senior Planet Community
Senior Planet Community is our social media platform designed specifically for older adult users. Engage in thought-provoking discussions, make new friends, and share resources all on a safe and ad-free platform.
Join the Conversation Today
Upcoming Online Classes
Calendar of Events
S Sun
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
Discover Live: Galway, Ireland
Discover Live: Galway, Ireland
Join Senior Planet and our tour guides from Discover Live for a virtual visit to Galway, Ireland!
Songwriting Night
Songwriting Night
Join Senior Planet and singer/songwriter Maggie Rothwell to discuss the art of songwriting.
0 events,
5
0 events,
6
0 events,
7
0 events,
8
12 events,
9
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Affordable Home Internet
Affordable Home Internet
This lecture goes over basic information you need to know when signing up for home internet service.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
15 events,
10
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
#AgeFriendly
#AgeFriendly
In this lecture, you’ll learn about the World Health Organization's eight elements of an age-friendly city and what makes a business age friendly.
11 events,
11
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Introduction to Social Media
Introduction to Social Media
Learn about some of the more popular social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
防毒和惡意軟體移除程式概覽
防毒和惡意軟體移除程式概覽
擔心病毒和惡意軟體嗎?參加這門講座,了解如何保護您的裝置安全!
15 events,
12
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Understanding Bluetooth
Understanding Bluetooth
We’ll explain Bluetooth technology, how it works, and the way it impacts everyday life.
7 events,
13
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Introduction to TikTok
Introduction to TikTok
This presentation will introduce you to TikTok, its rise to global popularity, and most common features, including privacy settings.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class
0 events,
14
0 events,
15
12 events,
16
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Virtual Activism Against Racism and Police Brutality
Virtual Activism Against Racism and Police Brutality
Learn about tools to help you be a part of the movement and support racial justice!
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
15 events,
17
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Introduction to Sleep Technologies
Introduction to Sleep Technologies
Learn about devices and apps that can help you get more Zzz's
11 events,
18
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Money Matters
Money Matters
This lecture introduces online banking and goes over how to keep your financial information safe.
物聯網:智慧城市
物聯網:智慧城市
快來了解物聯網 (IoT) 技術如何被整合到全球城市的最基本功能中。
14 events,
19
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Using Google Docs Templates for Resumes
Using Google Docs Templates for Resumes
Don't worry about formatting your resume. Let the templates do the work for you!
9 events,
20
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Online Travel Sites
Online Travel Sites
Learn the basics of using online travel sites to find the best fares and rates for just about any destination.
Mobile Health Apps
Mobile Health Apps
*REGISTRATION REQUIRED*
This lecture introduces common health apps, like the iPhone's built-in app and the Google Fit app.
0 events,
21
0 events,
22
13 events,
23
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Intro to Translation Tools
Intro to Translation Tools
This lecture will introduce digital translation tools and apps, such as Google Translate.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
16 events,
24
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Protecting Your Personal Info Online
Protecting Your Personal Info Online
This presentation will cover the ins and outs of how to protect your personal information online.
12 events,
25
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Startup!
Startup!
This lecture gives an overview of some important digital tools to help you get your online business up and running.
線上購物
線上購物
本講座將提供有關使用流行網站 Amazon.com 在線購買從洗碗精到日用雜貨等所有商品的一般介紹。
15 events,
26
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Introduction to Nextdoor
Introduction to Nextdoor
This presentation will introduce you to the most common uses for the Nextdoor app and its main features, along with some best practices for using it safely.
8 events,
27
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
eBay & PayPal
eBay & PayPal
This lecture provides an overview of the popular auction website eBay and the pioneer online payment service PayPal.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class.
0 events,
28
0 events,
29
13 events,
30
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Mobile Health Apps
Mobile Health Apps
This lecture introduces common health apps, like the iPhone's built-in app and the Google Fit app.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
13 events,
31
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Smartphones at a Glance
Smartphones at a Glance
In this lecture you’ll learn about popular smartphones on the market and some of their pros and cons.
11 events,
1
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
語音助理
語音助理
快來了解 Alexa、Siri 和其他語音助理可以為您做什麼!
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
15 events,
2
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Mindfulness Apps
Mindfulness Apps
This lecture introduces mindfulness and its physical and mental benefits, such as reducing anxiety, improving memory, and lowering blood pressure.
7 events,
3
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Online Tools for Contacting Your Lawmakers
Online Tools for Contacting Your Lawmakers
Learn how online tools can help you stay informed and get your voice heard.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class.
0 events,
4
Discover Live: Galway, Ireland
Songwriting Night
Morning Stretch
Discover Live: Galway, Ireland
Songwriting Night
Morning Stretch
Affordable Home Internet
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
#AgeFriendly
Morning Stretch
Introduction to Social Media
防毒和惡意軟體移除程式概覽
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Understanding Bluetooth
Morning Stretch
Introduction to TikTok
Tai Chi
Morning Stretch
Virtual Activism Against Racism and Police Brutality
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Introduction to Sleep Technologies
Morning Stretch
Money Matters
物聯網:智慧城市
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Using Google Docs Templates for Resumes
Morning Stretch
Online Travel Sites
Mobile Health Apps
Morning Stretch
Intro to Translation Tools
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Protecting Your Personal Info Online
Morning Stretch
Startup!
線上購物
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Introduction to Nextdoor
Morning Stretch
eBay & PayPal
Tai Chi
Morning Stretch
Mobile Health Apps
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Smartphones at a Glance
Morning Stretch
語音助理
Fit Fusion Workout
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Mindfulness Apps
Morning Stretch
Online Tools for Contacting Your Lawmakers
Tai Chi
Recent Articles
Recent Comments