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Thread: Authors you read repeatedly

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    Default Authors you read repeatedly

    The "last book you read" topic got me to thinking about authors (or books) you read again. Now I'm not talking about the latest installment by a favorite, but those you have read and go back to. I usually read 3 or 4 books at a time - some variation of a new book (fiction and/or non), an old fiction revisited, and one or two compendiums of a "classic".

    A few come to mind.

    J.R.R. Tolkien and Robert E. Howard - Favorites since childhood. Tolkien's absurd level of detail and connections, and the stories themselves stand alone in the field; and I go through the books again every couple of years. The Silmarillion is my "go-to" usually. Howard, one of the earliest "pulp-fiction" writers always amazes me at how a young man in rural Texas could learn about other parts of the world and write so vividly you would think he had been there. The adventures of his El-Borak character in British-controlled Afghanistan proved to be an incredibly accurate depiction of the region and peoples.

    Mark Twain - I'm a fan of his wit and curmudgeonly insight, and work through The Complete Mark Twain repeatedly. I have come to enjoy the short stories and speeches in particular, and am reminded of About Barbers once a month... as will any man who experiences the peculiar environment of the old-school barber shop.

    Emerson - Another "complete" anthology of his essays, letters and other writings; my wife and I read his essays aloud to each other. Although criticized by his unorthodox style, there is a cadence - or "melody" - to his prose that is soothing once you find it. The words can wash over you like song lyrics you didn't quite catch, or are unsure of. You find new meaning, or things that you didn't pick up on each time. I've been reading him for over 30 years.

    Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet, Marcus Aurelius' Meditations and Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes - Short and profound thoughts to start your morning (although Watterson more often simply prompts a smile).

    So, what authors do you find worth of a re-read; and why?
    "A truth does not mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged."

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    I've read Tolkien's Hobbit and Lord of the Rings twice already but I do re-read novels by authors that I have liked in the past. I don't read really deep stuff but prefer to have novels of a certain type that I can read through in a few nights before I go to sleep. One example that comes to mind is that I am currently re-reading all of Michael Connelly's books from the beginning of his series in order lists. I think his earlier Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller novels are better than some of his current stuff and am probably on my third re-read from the beginning. Another easy reading novel author I have re-read is Lee Child.
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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    There are very few works that I will revisit; notably, GK Chesterton's essays and books.

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    I’ve always been familiar with Chesterton, and kept a quote or two of his on my desk; but I only recently started reading his essays.
    "A truth does not mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged."

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    Patrick O'Brian's nautical tales. So well researched and engaging. The many-volume Aubrey/Maturin series especially is well worth a repeat read

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    Aubrey-Maturin saga: used to be an every-summer read through.
    Michael Connelly's Bosch series: encouraged by the TV series.
    Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther series.
    The noir classics: Hammett, Chandler
    Just restarted the Henry Sienkiewicz Trilogy
    Hilary Mantel: the Thomas Cromwell Trilogy


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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    All of that, above. Then add C. J. Cherryh, Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun, Hemingway, Dickens, Parade's End by Ford Maddox Ford.

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    Moses

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    Quote Originally Posted by Bold2013 View Post
    Moses
    Good choice!

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    Dorothy Sayers. (Wimsey series, and Creed or Chaos)
    Tolkien. I avoided him for decades, and finally read LOTR when our neighbor gave me his (literally) dog chewed copy - the boxed red cover edition. A friend rebound it for me in a classic style. I read it every couple of years.
    CS Lewis
    Agatha Christie - Come Tell Me How You Live especially.
    Sherlock Holmes series. I read it in 8th grade, and found the same book - all in one volume 20 years later in a book store. RIP Jeremy Brett, who played the role to perfection.

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Z View Post
    Dorothy Sayers. (Wimsey series, and Creed or Chaos)
    Tolkien. I avoided him for decades, and finally read LOTR when our neighbor gave me his (literally) dog chewed copy - the boxed red cover edition. A friend rebound it for me in a classic style. I read it every couple of years.
    CS Lewis
    Agatha Christie - Come Tell Me How You Live especially.
    Sherlock Holmes series. I read it in 8th grade, and found the same book - all in one volume 20 years later in a book store. RIP Jeremy Brett, who played the role to perfection.
    Kind of similar: Tolkien, Christie, Doyle, Chandler. Also Mary Stewart, and a few classic children's authors.
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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    Ann Cleeves, who wrote the Vera and Shetland series of Mystery novels. Liked them so much that I subscribed to Britbox so I could watch both television series from the very beginning.

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    Quote Originally Posted by junglejim View Post
    Ann Cleeves, who wrote the Vera and Shetland series of Mystery novels. Liked them so much that I subscribed to Britbox so I could watch both television series from the very beginning.
    We've never missed a Vera but on the other hand have never watched any of the Shetland series.
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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by junglejim View Post
    Ann Cleeves, who wrote the Vera and Shetland series of Mystery novels. Liked them so much that I subscribed to Britbox so I could watch both television series from the very beginning.
    We've never missed a Vera but on the other hand have never watched any of the Shetland series.
    My wife is a britbox addict, and has watched all the Vera and Shetland episodes. She’s now working through Midsomer Murders.
    "A truth does not mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged."

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    Looking the OP. I forgot about Mark Twain. I really like Life on the Mississippi. I hadn't considered Calvin and Hobbes. I re-read the ones I have. But I really like to dive back into Bloom County. Maybe some people won't get the references today, but he skewered both sides pretty evenly. I'm afraid that some of Opus is reflected in my sense of humor. ISIRTA too.

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    Too many to sensibly list. I'll re-read anything that I find stimulating. Often I find on subsequent readings that they don't spark the intensity of the original discovery. On the other hand, some re-readings lead to deeper appreciation. Each reading acts to a certain extent as a filter.

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    Quote Originally Posted by dneal View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by junglejim View Post
    Ann Cleeves, who wrote the Vera and Shetland series of Mystery novels. Liked them so much that I subscribed to Britbox so I could watch both television series from the very beginning.
    We've never missed a Vera but on the other hand have never watched any of the Shetland series.
    My wife is a britbox addict, and has watched all the Vera and Shetland episodes. She’s now working through Midsomer Murders.
    We've also watched all Midsomer Murders.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    None, except poets. My job is to reread and teach books dozens of times, so in my personal reading I never do that. Except with poets (too numerous to mention). I read poetry every day for just me, usually a poem I already know.

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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    I read "Musashi" 2 times cover to cover (in two different translations). And more times in parts.
    So I guess Eiji Yoshikawa qualifies in this thread.

    Also J.R.R Tolkien and his friend C.S. Lewis.
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    Default Re: Authors you read repeatedly

    Quote Originally Posted by Empty_of_Clouds View Post
    Too many to sensibly list. I'll re-read anything that I find stimulating. Often I find on subsequent readings that they don't spark the intensity of the original discovery. On the other hand, some re-readings lead to deeper appreciation. Each reading acts to a certain extent as a filter.
    Exactly

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