Even though I live in Pennsylvania where we consider Groundhog Day to be a real holiday complete with loud celebrations, drinking and furry mascots, as this day approaches I find myself thinking more about the theme of that movie with the same name. I have come to see Groundhog Day as a time to reflect and look back on people, places, and even books that I’d like to revisit. Here’s my book re-visitation list for this year:
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt – I love the descriptions, of the quirky people, of the stately houses, and of the town. This book made me want to live in Savannah. Yes, I know it is also a true crime novel, and that shouldn’t make me want to move there. But honestly, there’s crime everywhere and this one was more interesting than your run-of-the-mill murder-for-drugs sort . . .
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie – If you’ve never read Agatha Christie, here is where you should begin. This is the quintessential whodunit. You will be amazed and enthralled. You will probably not figure out the ending. This is one of the books that even convinced the mystery hating librarian, Will Manley, that not all mysteries are bad.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving – To this day, I still have no idea why this book moved me so much. But it did. And I’m not alone. Everyone I know who has read it has immediately fallen under its spell. First you read it, then you love it, and then you have to talk to others about it. It’s almost addictive and that’s how reading a good book should be.
The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne – I love the Pooh books. I didn’t love them as a child. But as a college student I used to read them aloud to the guy I was dating at the time, whose name happened to be Christopher. I still remember laughing out loud with him while reading the last chapter, when Eeyore and the rest of the gang play poohsticks. Ah, college life . . .
Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer – I should use this book more than I do when referencing a recipe to cook. Maybe it’s because I have one of the newer editions and I really prefer my mother’s older version from the ’60s. I used to read and re-read the opening chapter on entertaining like it was a novel. Hmmm. Maybe I should see if she’s willing to make a trade . . .
And a movie or two . . .
The Princess Bride – ”Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” “Aaaaaaaaas Youuuuuuuuu Wiiiiiiiiiiiiish!” “Inconceivable!” “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” “Love IS pain, Highness!” “I’m not a witch, I’m your wife.” “Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday.” Do I need to go on? I didn’t think so.
My Fair Lady – This is one of the most visually stunning movies I have ever seen. I love the uncovering of the flowers in the opening scene. The sets are very detailed. All of Eliza Doolittle’s outfits are fabulous! (And everyone else’s too.) I think I’m going to have to watch it on the BIG television this time. Warning: I will sing along!
What books and movies are on your revisitation list?
–Melissa M.
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Years ago, I saw Berendt read as part of his book tour for Midnight in the Garden. He is a true class act and charming in person, but his voice in person is so true to his written voice. Have you read Caleb Carr’s “The Alienist”? It’s a historical mystery, and fiction, but my mind ties the two books together for some reason. The Alienist is always on my annual re-read list. :)
I want to reread Myles Horton books: The Long Haul and We Make the Road By Walking, because they inspire me to keep moving.
I try to watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit? at least once a year. A shave and a haircut, no toon can resist….
I revisit my “comfort books” on a regular basis. I love the Dick Francis mysteries because his main characters are people I’d like to meet – they’re all so decent. I reread the Bujold novels, especially Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls because the characters are great and the world mythos is so interesting. I also rewatch The Rock and Blood of Heroes because sometimes it’s just fun to mindlessly watch people fight and things blow up.
I know just what you mean! I will never forget when I first read A Prayer for Owen Meany. It was for a book club so I figured it would be very depressing (since too many book club choices are). I wasn’t too hopeful well into chapter one when bam! An event occurred that carried me through the rest of the book and had me furiously turning the pages to find out what would happen. A truly uplifting and inspirational novel.
I love revisiting books for the specific reason of seeing how much I’ve changed since the last time I read them. Examples include the childhood American Girl books (Addy, Kirsten, etc). My Side of the Mountain (the series) comes to mind as well- a lot of these books take me back to a time when I saw words for what they literally were and less their symbols/interpretations (see what an MA in English does!).
There’s also the “comfort” books as Colleen stated earlier. Graphic novels and Mercedes Lackey alike come to mind.
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I love a Prayer for Owen Meany as well. It is a book that tugs at your heartstrings, and I still think it is one of Irving’s strongest works. Other rereads for me would be A Thousand Summers by Garson Kanin and the Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (a great mystery). Movies… The Music Man To Kill a Mockingbird and Dead Poets Society.
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