Some of the books that I can read over and over again

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I recently I had a big sort out of my bookcase. I used to have a smaller fiction bookcase but I donated it to Harry, as his book collection continues to expand. So I needed to reorganise my bookcase to fit everything in, and I took the opportunity for a sort out. You can see how I got on in my speed decluttering video below!

I'm quite good at passing on books once I've read them, especially fiction books as I only rarely re-read them. But there are certain books that I've read over and over again and that I know I'll definitely go back to, and so I thought I'd share some of them. Most of my copies are quite old and almost falling apart, and in editions that are now out of print.

So in no particular order, here are a few of my favourites:

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - I love the descriptive language that makes me want to savour every word, and the story which is full of twists and turns.

The Loving Spirit by Daphne du Maurier - Perhaps one of her lesser known books, it tells the story of a Cornish family and the village that they live in over several generations.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - The story of a missionary family living in Africa beginning in the 1950s and told from the perspective of five different women.

A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth - The story of an Indian woman and her mother's efforts to find her a husband, with a full cast of characters.

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell -  A true classic, set during the American civil war with a story that never fails to grip me.

On The Beach by Nevil Shute - Although I've enjoyed many books by Nevil Shute this is my favourite. It is set in Australia and follows the remaining survivors of a nuclear war that has destroyed the rest of the world as they wait for the inevitable deadly radiation to reach them.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro - The story of a group of young people in an alternative present where people are cloned to serve as organ donors. I do like books that make you think, and this one definitely does.

Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain - I first read this at secondary school when we were reading books about World War 1 and I've returned to it many times since. It's the biography of Vera Brittain who was born in 1893 and it shows the devastating impact of the war on both her life and that of her family and friends.

Life Of Pi by Yann Martel - The adventures of Pi, a teenage boy, the solitary human survivor of the sinking of the cargo ship which was carrying a selection of zoo animals. His thoughts and ponderings gave me a lot to think about, and I love the fact that you are never quite sure what is real.

 A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett - I read this as a child and I've read it many times. It's a children's book but deals with adult themes and it's a story I could lose myself in again and again.

I was trying to work out what it is about all these books that particularly appeals to me, as it's quite an eclectic list. They are all set in different historical periods, in various locations around the world. One thing they have in common is that none are set in modern times, and most of them span a long time period, sometimes many generations.

I do like a family saga with lots of different characters to follow, and many of these books feature female characters - girls, young women and mothers. Another similarity is that as I've re-read them different characters and predicaments have spoken to me - for example my perspective on things has definitely changed since becoming a mother.

I'd love to know if I've mentioned any of your favourite books, and if there are any other books that you think would appeal to me based on my list!

Photo credit - Annie Spratt via Unsplash

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