I’m a chronic proofreader, but I haven’t always been. In fact, it wasn’t until college that I got bored of reading that my love for proofreading began.
Like many students, I had grown to hate reading because the only reading I had set aside time for was reading for school. Some of what I read was excellent, but much of it was stuff I would never choose on my own and had no interest in reading again. The thing was, I didn’t want to lose my love of reading. I just needed to find a way to make me fall in love with reading again.
Enter replay.
I decided to reread each year a series that I loved in college / high school. It was a manageable goal since I was only trying to fit five YA books into my reading schedule. Even after the first year, I knew I had made a great decision.
While I had passed some of them, most of the books reminded me of why I loved to read. They also helped me remember why I wanted to be a writer. That was all I needed in my life, and the habit stuck.
I always pick a YA series to reread every year, but I’ve expanded beyond that and started reading all kinds of stuff again. Sometimes, as soon as I finish a book, I start it again right away.
Below is a list of books I’ve re-read over the past few years, and I think you should too! I will say that this list has a lot of high fantasy/sci-fi and classics in it, because those are the types of books that I think have the most to say on a second read.
The purple color by Alice Walker
Like many American students, I was given this book in high school. I remember I liked it, but it was a book that I read quickly so I could weed it out. Recently I re-read this book and was absolutely bowled over by the fact that I loved it. I think this book does a disservice by being attributed to high school students. Its language is so rich and the story so compelling that it cannot be rushed. I’m so glad I had the chance to fall in love with this text properly this time.
Eragon by Christophe Paolini
This book was one of the first I read when I decided to try to read it again. I re-read the whole series and liked it a lot more. There was a lot of subtlety that I missed when I read it as a teenager. Reading it as an adult, I understood so many little things that I had forgotten or ignored. My replay also allowed me to see the characters in a new light as I am now older than Eragon. This kid has been through so much! I never really thought about it until my proofreading.
The fifth season by NK Jemisin
I think maybe I should re-watch this series at least every two years for the rest of my life, and that’s no exaggeration. NK Jemisin is a masterclass from a writer who makes even the most innocuous details vibrate with importance. Each re-reading brings new understanding and details that I had never noticed before. Truly one of the greatest additions to the sci-fi canon.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
An absolute classic. I keep finding new jokes that I missed when I was younger, and I appreciate more and more all that this work has done for satire and science fiction. It’s witty and reflects how we still function in our world today, despite its age. This is a book I will be forever in love with and even though I read it literally a month ago, I am already looking forward to my next read.
Born of legend by Tracy Deonn
I read this book once and immediately started reading it again. And with the sequel coming out soon, I think maybe I should read it a third time. It’s important to remember that when it comes to proofreading a book, there doesn’t have to be years and years between readings! You can read right away. This is the newest book on this list; I think proofreading shouldn’t just be about the classics.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
I still remember reading this book for the first time. And even though I’ve memorized the first page, I know I’m not the only one with that feeling of excitement opening this book for a re-read. Plus, with a brand new TV show on the horizon, now is the perfect time to dive in and re-watch this series.
The night circus by Erin Morganstern
This book is one of the most visually stunning books. Reading it for the first time is a transcendent experience, but reading it again is unlike anything else. Because this book has so many descriptions, rereading helps you further conceptualize what is going on. There are so many details that you probably won’t be able to take it all in on your first read.
parable of the sower by Octavia E. Butler
This is a masterclass in speculative dystopian writing. It’s so thrilling and heartbreaking. parable of the sower is often taught in schools, so it’s easy to speed up without taking the time to really assimilate it. If you received this book in school and felt neutral towards it, I highly recommend that you try it again. Moreover, the sequel is also delicious, so after a re-read, you have the privilege of experiencing the sequel for the first time.
Breakup by Ling Ma
It’s a delightful book that packs a punch, especially as we’re still living through a pandemic. One amazing thing about re-reading this book is that you can find out all the little clues Ling Ma left us about where the story was going to go. I particularly recommend this book for re-reading if you are reading it for the first time before, or around the start of the pandemic. It’s really illuminating.
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Slaughterhouse-Five is one of the greatest books of all time, and consistently awarded to students. I’d go so far as to say that if you were assigned this book at school and haven’t read it again since, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Reading this as an adult is much more impactful than reading it as a student. I highly recommend this book. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve already read it!
Their eyes looked at God by Zora Neale Hurston
Another victim of the “I had to read it for school” collection, Their eyes looked at God is a fantastic work of feminist literature. Rereading this book has been one of my favorite rereads, even though it’s also one of the saddest books of all time. If you’re looking for a book that will capture your imagination and bring you to tears, look no further than Their eyes looked at God.
The way of kings by Brandon Sanderson
Look, I understand this is one giant fantasy job. Yes, it’s a huge time commitment, but it’s also so full of detail that it almost demands proofreading. Part of the downfall of a long book is that there are more plotlines to remember and details to follow, which also means that some are likely to fall through the cracks. I also recommend re-reading this book in a different format the second time around. If you read the physical copy, try the audiobooks, and vice versa!
The Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
This book has been taught to so many students because of its classic status. However, it’s a book with no real redeeming characters, so it can be difficult to skim through, especially if it’s one of the six books you have to read this semester. Reading it again and taking your time opens up this book so much. Wuthering Heights is considered a classic for a reason, just give it the time it deserves. It really is a great book. To promise!
Now, if you haven’t read any of these books before, it’s not too late. There always has to be a first reading before there can be a second!
