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In the obdurate month of February, I asked, in thinly-veiled exasperation: “What is your favorite part of winter?”
It turns out that there is a lot to love about it. The sparse, cleansing beauty. Soft cotton base layers against skin. The awareness that things must end to begin again.
And your contributions:
“The specific beauty of a low winter sun.” // “Every winter we cover out outdoor couch in faux fur blankets and set out a tray of candles, my husband calls it the “Nutcracker Lounge.” // “Citrus!” // “I’ve been collecting fragrances since I was a teenager–my favorites are best in cooler weather.” // “Cold, winter walks. Fires and baking and sledding parties with friends. A sneaky flask of Jameson. All this and no weeding!” // “The reset that winter offers.” // “Flushed rosy cheeks and the rest of my face so, so cold and just feeling naturally lovely with very little effort.”
In addition, one common response I received: “Re-reading my favorite winter novels.”
Wow! I’d never have thought to do this, as I rarely re-read a book, but the concept has been on my mind since February.
Are you a book repeater? Which ones do you re-read, and how often? Is it seasonal? How does a book cross over into the “repeater” category for you? Is it nostalgia? A specific feeling — romance, homesickness, reassurance — you’re after? A character you straight up love?
Tell me everything.
Just this week, I made an off-handed comment on Instagram that this dress (see me moving in it here — ultra-flattering and romantic and also available in the white for family photos or this great fall print if you’re shopping ahead) felt like something Elizabeth Bennet would wear if she were real and around right now. I then added that I actually relate more to Anne Eliot from Persuasion than I do Elizabeth from P&P — I found the way Anne carried out her sisterhood and her role as a daughter resonated with me when I was a teen, and again when I re-read it in my late 20s. I’d be curious to know how I feel now, at just-40, and whether my connection to Anne was more a life-stage thing? I’m inclined to reread it to find out as a part of my inaugural voyage into book repeater-ship. Do you think this is a good first nominee?
Please share your thoughts, suggestions, perspectives —
Post-Scripts.
+I polled Magpies on Instagram to find out what books they’re reading and loving right now. Top, most-repeated recs: The God of the Woods (thriller); Covenant of Water and Demon Copperhead (literary — see my effusive review of Copperhead here); Swan Song (beach read).
+I shared a bunch of my top recs for summer beach reads here — I’ve read 2/3 of these, and my favorite was Carley Fortune’s This Summer Will Be Different. The plot is overwrought and drags on BUT the PEI setting and overall summer atmosphere are delicious — it’s like biting into a ripe, juicy peach. Also, and let me know if you disagree, the vignette of Felix shucking oysters was one of the spiciest “meet the love interest” scenes I’ve read in a long while.
+Currently reading Swan Song (delightful in its predictability) and Margaret Renkl’s The Comfort of Crows (profound, beautiful musings on the natural world — as Ann Patchett put it: “a howling love letter to the world”; and you know how I feel about Ann Patchett. If something earns her imprimatur, sign me up.). Next up: Percival Everett’s James, which I’ve been putting off in favor of lighter poolside reading this summer, and Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend, which the NYT ranked the top book of the 21st century. Major resume gap for me. So many of you love this book and nearly all of you quickly add: “It starts slow. Stick with it!”
+I am currently bowled over (!) by the response to this Instagram post I shared last week — an adaption of my “10 I Love Yous” musing. Almost 25,000 likes in a few days! It is deeply gratifying to feel my writing resonate with readers, even if, as a I writer, I don’t believe it’s any of my business (!). My only job is to put something shapely out into the world. Still, I stand here flattered and humbled.
+Image at the top is from one of the relaxation lounges at Keswick Spa in Charlottesville, VA! I share some other thoughts on Keswick, and Charlottesville in general, in this Magpie Diary. I’ve visited Keswick twice this year and have to say I think it’s the best getaway within two hours of D.C. Runner up: Inn at Perry Cabin at St. Michael’s.
Shopping Break.
+Another really good Old Navy dress, especially in that smart stripe. Wear now with sandals and later with loafers or ballet flats.
+Currently in peak mosquito season in humid DC. We swear by the Thermacell — you turn it on 10 minutes before you’re going to eat / hang outside and it really repels them within a radius of maybe 15 feet? We love this so much, we bought it for both of our sets of parents. But I’ve also been hunting for a less toxic (?) alternative to Cutter wipes when out and about. Just came across these (clean!) wipes from Kinfolk. Has anyone tried? I’m intrigued. As a related aside: we swear by this ice roller for toning down itchy mosquito bites. It sort of numbs the area briefly and then you forget about it. My kids use this all the time when they’re bitten!
+Alice Walk just released the dreamiest cashmere cardigan. I want it so badly in that ivory color! I’m also obsessed — I mean obsessed — with these gauze pants. Any time we come back from a day in the sun, pool, etc, I shower and put these on with a tank top, as seen here. It’s just perfect for that tired, slightly sun-dazed wedge of time when you feel like pouring a glass of rose and hanging on the couch.
+Another very chic denim dress to put on your radar. Great to wear now and transition to fall wardrobe later. I rounded up all my favorite denim dresses here, with this Tuckernuck leading the pack (I know many of you also own it).
+I’m still laughing about a rogue comment I made on Instagram — I said that I’d come across a post from a plastic surgeon who said: “the cheapest, fastest way to look younger is to throw away your no-show socks,” and that, as an elder millennial, it took me months to complete the acclimation process, but I’m finally wearing mid-calf / quarter-calf socks. The response was hilarious! So many of you wrote “HAHA — ugh – send me a link.” These socks are a great starter option; you can see me in them here. I’ve also heard good things about these Bombas.
+A very chic pair of under $50 sandals.
+I have gotten a lot of wear out of my Cesta Collective Lunchpail bag — an investment, but it always feels just right for dinners out. More interesting than a flat clutch, but a great petite size that doesn’t feel too “daytime.” I also found a great look-for-less option here.
+Another great look-for-less bag option: do you remember when I was drooling all over the Bottega sardine bags I saw in Aspen? This Elleme bag feels very similar.
+OK, after actual years of talking about wanting to try the Dyson AirWrap, then deciding against, I’m finally going for it. It’s going to be my August treat to myself. It is so expensive (!) but so many of you have raved about it, including several of my girlfriends who came to Tulum with me earlier this year, one of whom said she values her AirWrap so highly, she packs it in her carry-on bag vs checking it because she can’t bear to part ways with it. If you’ve never shopped at BlueMercury before, you can get 10% off by signing up for emails and then order it. Stay tuned for thoughts!
+A propos: my Everything Shower favorites.
+Drop waists are trending this summer — here’s a chic and versatile pick for under $200.
+All my Shopbop hearts (just updated!)
One thing I’ve done the last few years is re-read favorite childhood books — a standout for me was rereading the Little House series, after reading the originals with my mom and sister every night before bed growing up. I then capped it off by reading Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser. Definitely recommend the experience!
I also think it will be a lovely lifelong experience to pick up Anne of Green Gables in different seasons. I read it for the first time in winter, and want to try rereading it in each season. LM Montgomery’s descriptions of PEI and the change in seasons are so vivid!
I love this! Such a beautiful way to visit with earlier versions of yourself! xx
Hi there! I am absolutely a fan of read-and-repeat (but I don’t repeat for a good while). I have read Leon Uris’s “Mila 18” nearly every year since the mid 90s. My most recent spin with it was in the car -rider line at my daughter’s middle school, and because there were no distractions for that hour during the week, I read it almost anew! The story continues to grip me year after year. I’ve been re-reading Frances Mayes’s “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Bella Tuscany” for many years as well. A few other tried-and-true books include “A Farewell to Arms”, “All Over But the Shoutin’”, “Dispatches From Pluto”, and, just for fun, Beverly Cleary’s darling “The Luckiest Girl”. And lastly, “The Last Train to London” was a recent first-time read that I look forward to enjoying again. Cheers!
Oh I love these! And love the idea of reconnecting with old books in new mediums (audiobook!)
xx
Haha, no-show socks 4 liiiiiiiiiffffe!
Generally I don’t read books more than once (so many books, so little time!) but I am currently re-reading The Shell Seekers…but wondering if I just *thought* I read it a long time ago, because NONE of it is familiar!! Regardless, I’m enjoying it. I’ve also re-read her Winter Solstice around Christmas at least once. I’ve re-read or listened to all the Thursday Murder Club books. And The Great Train Robbery. I’m excited to be reading some of my old favorites with my daughters – Little House books, B is for Betsy, Ramona, Chronicles of Narnia, My Side of the Mountain, Anne of Green Gables, 101 Dalmatians, Encyclopedia Brown, etc. So fun!!
Love this – so special to revisit old characters from your youth with your children! I have been so nostalgic over the Baby Sitter’s Club books. Like, rediscovering these characters I loved so much as a girl…! Would love to get her hooked on Little House, Anne of Green Gables, etc but we’re not there yet…
xx
Jen, I have so many thoughts!! I’m a big big repeater. In fact, for me there’s a difference than a “frequent repeat” (like all the Terry Pratchett books, forever) and the ones I revisit after a decade or more (Usually weightier stuff like Barbara Kingsolver). I’m an incredibly fast reader so I’ve done this since I was a child. It’s about mood and vibe and wanting to enter a world again. I’m also a BIG crier even if I’ve read stuff before. Some of the books I’ve reread a few times already came out in the last year!! And the only stuff I own on audiobook is stuff I repeat a lot, and I take advantage of the fact you can sync Audible with Kindle
My frequent repeats (more than three times, some dozens) by genre:
Kids: Miss Piggle-Wiggle (and Missy Piggle-Wiggle), lots of the animorphs books or Babysitters Club
Fantasy: Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series (in its entirety every 2 years since I was about 12; there’s over forty of them), T. Kingfisher’s Saints of Steel series and Clockwork Boys duology, The Young Wizards series by Diane Duane, The Silver in the Woods duology by Emily Tesh, Emily Wilde’s Faerie ones by Heather Fawcett, Scales and Sensibility and Claws and Contrivances by Stephanie Burgis, Freya Marske’s The Last Binding series, ,
Romance, modern: All the Olivia Dade Marysburg and Spoiler Alert books, Alexis Hall’s Winner Bakes All series, Talia Hibbert’s Brown Sisters series, Lucky Bounce by Cait Nary, The Prospects by KT Hoffman, TJ Alexander’s books, Anything Cathy Yardley writes but especially Role Playing (older protags, dealing with an aging parent), Rafe: A Buff Male Nanny by Rebekah Weatherspoon, When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein, Funny Guy by Emma Barry, Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake, The Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole, Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall, Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
Romance, historical: Courtney Milan’s Wedgeford Trials books (a new one just came out today and I devoured it), KJ Charles (The Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune series, the Doomsday books series, the Sins of the Cities series, The Will Darling adventures), any book by Cat Sebastian, Budding Romance and Trouble & Strife by Lara Kinsey, A Good Rogue is Hard to Find by Kelly Bowen, Olivia Waite’s Feminine Pursuits series,
Romance, magical: Every Celia Lake book, Proper Scoundrels by Allie Therin, Olivia Atwater’s Regency Faerie Tales series
Sci Fi: Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (I used to listen to the radio show recordings too)
Christmas: The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn
Short story: Story of an Hour and A Pair of Silk Stockings by Kate Chopin
Poetry: Dog Songs by Mary Oliver (only read if you’re ready to cry a lot especially post-Tilly, <3)
I reread nonfiction too but don't feel as passionately about it.
Shoutout to my library and everyone who gets me Kindle giftcards for Christmas!
Love all of these – wow! So impressed with all your re-reads! This is terra nova for me!
xx
I have a different re-read list (fewer romance novels, though I’ve added crazy rich Asians to it for the sheer indulgent fun), but I would agree with so many – anything from Little Women and Anne of Green Gables, to Good Omens and The Foundation and LoTR and the classics.
Oh yes, definitely. Almost all my re-reads are David Mitchell: I revisit Slade House at the beginning of fall (a spooky novella that hits all the right early-fall notes) and often pick up The Bone Clocks throughout the winter. Each section is from the POV of a different character, so it’s easy to revisit individual sections. And then when it’s warm, I often go back to Utopia Avenue. Something about the 1960s young musician vibes just feels like spring/summer to me.
!! These are so specific and thoughtfully curated – thanks for sharing!
xx
I re-read regularly – a book is a keeper on my shelves if it’s a re-read. But I devour books (depending on work/life levels) anywhere from 2-10 a week and without the library/Libby and re-reading, I’d be broke without it! It’s been a lifelong sensibility, in large part due to my parents’ understanding that if they bought books to match my reading consumption, it’d be ridiculous. I find it comforting to re-read a beloved book – like putting on a cozy sweatshirt or talking to an old friend, and on some, you find new meaning or phrases that you missed the previous times.
Best of luck with your re-reading endeavours!
My library is wonderful, but also the Queens public library allows nonresidents all over the world to get an eCard for $50 a year! That covers my audiobooks on hoopla and a good number of kindle books on Libby (though their wait times are longer than my local library they have a bigger selection).
What a great tip! xx
I completely understand! I have three Libby accounts running right now – my local library, my former local library (in the much larger city we used to live in aka more access) and my parents’ local (also a big city) ☺️. Never too many libraries!
Wow!! I’m so impressed with your reading speed – incredible. Love the way you phrased this: “like putting on a cozy sweatshirt or talking to an old friend.” So sweet.
xx
My favorite book is KRISTIN LAVRANSDATTER by Sigrid Undset. She received the Nobel Prize for it in 1928. I reread it every few years. It is a powerful story of one woman’s life from childhood until death, set in Norway in the Middle Ages.
I know you love this one! I’ll get to it eventually, I promise!
My favorite book is KRISTIN LAVRANSDATTER by Sigrid Undset. She received the Nobel Prize for it in 1928. I reread it every few years. It is a powerful story of one woman’s life from childhood until death, set in Norway in the Middle Ages.
I am so excited for your review of My Brilliant Friend, and ironically, it may motivate me to read it again, as it’s been exactly ten years this month (!) since my first reading! It is indeed the most incredible book and I was thinking I might experience it differently as a mother of daughters? Would love to re-experience it through that new lens.
Your question really made me reflect. I can only think of two books I’ve ever read twice, and one of them was The Babysitter’s Club Super Special #1, “Babysitters on Board.” Oh how disappointed 8 year old Me would be to know that Adult Me has never been on a cruise, because I was OBSESSED with this book! But why have I never re-read some of my favorite novels? I believe it’s mostly because I always have a big TBR stack, but I’m also a person that just loves the new-new and I can own it. I do the same thing with Peloton classes; I’ll bookmark a great one because I enjoyed it so much, but yet when I go to find a class, I’ll sort by “not taken” because I’m hesitant to repeat moves I didn’t like or re-hear instructor banter or stories that might distract me, etc. I just enjoy it more when I’m experiencing it fresh!
AND YET– to your point about Swan Song, for the same reason I could re-watch Sex & the City re-runs all day long, that book was like a warm hug in its predictability and tied-up-in-a-neat-bow storylines. I can actually see this one being a repeater in the future for exactly that reason…
Can’t wait to talk Ferrante with you! Stay tuned…
I also re-read multiple of the BSC super specials — something about the different POVs was gripping to me. I loved their handwriting at the top of each chapter? I think it made me feel and reflect on my own individuality at a time where I was desperate to mark myself as different, or at least “somebody.” You know? That time in your life where you just want to grow up already? And the way that book shows that we all have these different views, styles, handwritings, etc! So powerful. I’ve been thinking about that a lot as my daughter loves the BSC Little Sister series and in fact listens to the audiobooks nightly when she’s going to bed. I relate to her obsession — a lot of the books are showing how complex and nuanced and independent kids and their relationships can be, even without adult supervision! Empowering!
I think video is so different from text, don’t you? Because I also re-watch movies and shows constantly with no hold up. But I rarely repeat a book.
xx
Yes! Definitely a book repeater! I love rereading Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Remains of the Day, and Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.
Ooo – amazing! I’ve read Remains but never even heard of Pilgrim! Thanks for sharing this! xx
I am re-reading Mrs. Dalloway for the fifth or sixth + time. This time is taking longer than others. I did reread Gone With the Wind last month, mostly because I wanted to understand why as a teen I thought Scarlett was my favourite female literary character in addition to Clarrisa Dalloway of course. And I’ve reread One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest a handful of times and should reread now as a 30-something to still see if what I thought at those pre-teen years still rings true. I did read it in my 20s ans agreed with my younger self. Scarlett O’Hara and Clarrisa Dalloway still remain favourites.
A few summers ago when Mrs. Everything came out I reread most of my favorite Jennifer Weiner books..mgood in bed, Little earthquake s, someone like you…
I have read Brave New World multiple times throughout my schooling, in high school, college and graduate school- required. This became favourite of mine and i loved reading
text at each stage of schooling. And The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in high-school which was also required.
I would reread Harry Potter before each film and I do intend to reread The Chrronicles of Narnia at some point.
As a kid each Dec I would read the Worst Christmas Pagent Ever (I think the movie comes out this year).
Have you watched Lady Jane or The Decamarcon? I am looking forward to another season of only murders which I think comes out next month. Something to watch post-Olympics
Wow! I’m so inspired by your book repeats and love the way you are using them to think about how and why you connected to characters at different phases of your life. Encouraged to do the same!
I haven’t seen those shows – let me know what you think!
xx
Michelle, the Lady Jane book is an absolute riot! So ahistorical and silly and compelling. I’ve read a couple other books in the same series (Calamity Jane with werewolves, Mary Shelley with magic, etc) and I have to say the authors managed to make something really engaging (though I don’t think re-readable for me)