12.17.2017

A [Book]case of the Re-reads 

The Book List
It never gets shorter.
It only grows with each conversation I have, no matter the topic of the conversation.

The topics: the religion of the Founding Fathers, indie novels by other bloggers I follow, Russian literature, theological books from various centuries, and, yes, John Green's entire bibliography.
I enjoy the eclectic aspect of life.

We live in a world where all of these are free at the library, or, at the least convenient, 2-day free shipping away.
So why does the list ever grow, taking only one off for every five I add to its length?

I have a case of the rereads, a whole shelf, actually.  A seemingly unorganized collection of bent-cornered paperbacks with unfortunate dog ears, not from intentional abuse, but from bumping around in my backpack on a trip or sliding into dangerous car seat pockets.

The worst offenders on my shelf of rereads:
- The Iliad and The Odyssey
- Little House on the Prairie
- Anna Karenina

It is a simple joy to reread books many years after you've read them for the first time.  You are able to compare yourself at a younger age to yourself now, the development in the time between, in relation to a book which hasn't changed.  You may even find yourself relating to different characters.

There is also odd comfort found in the worn pages of a softcover book which is too far past keeping "nice" that is it is now best used to riding around in a purse or backpack.  It's a companion edition not meant for shelves, the misfit of the bookcase.

Will I have cross every book off my list when my life is over?  I don't know.
I will add new stories to the list, and I will reread my favorites because both are enjoyable to me.
These things I know.

Comment below: do you reread your favorite books?

- Grace

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