I Just Can’t Get Enough – The Top 5 Books I Want To Read Again

So many books, so little time. The motto of all bookworms. So why would any of us waste our time reading books we’ve already read? Well, first of all, time spent having fun is never wasted! #wordstoliveby

Depending on when you read the book, you might not remember all the details, and it’s nice to pick something up you know for sure you’re going to love. It’s comforting.

You may have been at a completely different stage in your life the first time you came across a book, and now you will see the story differently. I remember reading a story at age 13, and some details just literally flew by me. It’s like when you are watching children’s cartoons as an adult, that you truly get those side comments and snarky remarks that kids are just oblivious to.

I’m a big fan of thrillers, and consider myself a total crime junkie, and yet the books I tend to revisit are a bit different. So don’t be too surprised when you see my 5 books I want to read again.

Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Shanah @Bionic Bookworm. The topic of for this week is Top 5 Books I Want To Reread.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 (Adrian Mole #1) by Sue Townsend

I’ve read this book and the whole series actually over ten times already. This was also the first book I read in English when I was still just learning the language, but already decided I will live here one day. My cunning plan obviously worked, because I made it here, and after invading Britain eleven years ago, I spent most of my time trying to assimilate like the borg.

Other than being an absolutely hilarious story of a neurotic teenager (and later adult) who considers himself an intellectual and frequently writes letters to the BBC, including his poems and short stories, it also gave me quite a good insight into British culture. I mean who the fuck knew that people on this island not only drink their tea, but also eat it. My first week as a nanny would have been a hell of a lot more confusing had I not know this.

But what if you are already British and you know it all? Well, then chances are that you’d already read it, but if not, pick it up anyway, and see just how much of an Adrian Mole you are!

---

Spud (Spud #1) by John van de Ruit

Another teenage boy, another diary. John “Spud” Milton is basically the South African Adrian Mole if you will.

While there are similarities between Spud and Adrian, the two boys couldn’t be more different; our little wiseass even makes fun of his British predecessor, calling him a pill-popping pimply pom.

Spud is an outgoing 14 year old boy, who stays in an all boys boarding school where he and his friends Mad Dog, Gecko, Rambo, Simon, Rain Man, Fatty and Boggo (a.k.a. The Crazy Eight) get into trouble after trouble. Their days are filled with school, cricket, bizarre adventures, farting, and coming up with elaborate ways of getting to know girls. Spud falls hard for The Mermaid, but of course at that age nothing’s as easy as it seems.

Spud’s home life is equally chaotic with his nutty parents and his senile grandma, a.k.a. Wombat.

I highly recommend this series for a light summer fun!

---

The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King

I keep saying all the time that I’m not a big fan of fantasy. But with the added western vibes, horror elements, and the fact that it was written by Stephen King this series is an obvious exception. Yes, it’s long, and yes the last book made even me raise an eyebrow, but it’s still one of my all time favourite series ever. I even have the graphic novels, and some illustrated editions.

“The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.”

This is how it all starts. It’s not only one of the coolest opening lines ever, but also the theme for the seven books, and it’s fucking epic.

Haven’t read it yet? Well, do yourself a favour and pick it up. We’ll talk after.

---

The Ring by Daniel Keys Moran

This book might have just been the first actual adult sci-fi book I’ve ever read. I found it on my grandpa’s shelf when I was 15 (yes, the buff dude might have been the first thing that caught my eye), and started reading it right there and then. I was totally hooked. Like mum yelling that lunch is ready and I show up at the table with book in hand hooked.

The savages on Goodreads didn’t put any description, so here you go.

The epic subject here is a revolution that turns into a war on many fronts. A millennium after a nuclear holocaust, the protagonist Cain is born into a peaceful if depopulated Earth whose Rulers enjoy wealth and immortality thanks to the technology they deny their subjects. Surviving an intended death sentence of exile to a radioactive desert, Cain returns to raise armies and to steal the awesome weapon called the Ring. The Rulers’ move to a new planet still leaves him with other foes, including the genetically altered Giants. Moran’s usual flat characterization is matched this time by his drawn-out, derivative plot.

I love how this little snippet from Publisher’s Weekly from 1988 points a finger at the author for his flat characterization. I personally did not give a shit. Loved this book, and now I have a copy in English so it’s time to read it again.

---

Dune Chronicles by Frank Herbert

I read the first two books in high school. I had them from the second hand bookshop, and they were falling apart big time. Actually looked more like lettuce than books. I don’t remember if the other books were simply not published in Hungarian at the time or I just couldn’t find a copy of them, but that’s pretty much where my Dune adventures stopped.

I bought an English copy though that includes all the books, so once I have a lot of time to get into this epic series (i.e. most likely when I’m over 65 and retired), I will make my move on them.

Until then, we shall admire some beautiful cover art.

---

Yes, I realise I listed more than five book. But I also realised something else: I don’t care. I actually consider these series as a whole unit when it comes to reading them again, so I guess we are good here.

Have you read any of these? What are your favourite books you are planning to read again, or have read multiple times?