Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
We have returned to Tuesday. See how quickly that happened. This week's topic is especially fun. We are talking about books we wish we could read again for the first time. This will likely be hard to narrow down to ten, but I am sticking with that magical number.
Top Ten Books I Wish I Could
Read Again for the First Time
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery - I didn't appreciate this book when I first read it, which was years before Sullivan Entertainment brought it to the small screen with Megan Follows. After watching Sullivan's production, I went back to the books and fell in love, reading all eight books in a row.
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder - Here is another book I didn't appreciate in my younger years. Though the Little House on the Prairie show definitely sparked my interest in Wilder's books, the internet and online forums led me to learn more about Wilder's real life, which renewed my interest in the book series.
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough - I wish I had read the book before watching the mini-series. Now, it's likely I never would have read the book without falling in love with the mini-series, but I could never get over how different Father Ralph looked from Richard Chamberlain or how the timeline of Ralph's death was altered when the book made it to the small screen.
Beyond the Code of Conduct by K. M. Daughters - This book has such a spectacular ending that I read it three times. I would love to go back and experience it all over again.
Under the Liberty Oak by Paige M. Cummings - This is another book with such a phenomenal ending that I want to experience it all for the first time. I read this book so early in my reviewing career that it doesn't even appear on this blog.
Abby Finds Her Calling by Charlotte Hubbard/Naomi King - This was the first book of Hubbard's that I had read. At the time, I don't think I knew that King and Hubbard were the same person. This led me to reading all the books in this series and in Hubbard's next two series. I still miss her work.
The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson by Jerome Charyn - This amazing novel was my introduction to Charyn's work. Inspired by Dickinson's letters and poetry, Charyn blended fact and fiction so masterfully that you believe every word is the truth. I loved the passion and wit of Dickinson in this portrayal.
Noble Cause by Jessica James - One of my favorite Civil War novels. This story touched the heart in so many ways. I cried buckets. Not every book can move me this way. It perfectly captured the emotional and physical conflict of this time in American history.
The Lost Hours by Karen White - This novel was the first standalone of White's that I read after finishing The House on Tradd Street. She has a distinct voice and style, so I felt in familiar territory. This novel is engrossing, powerful, and mysterious. I still recall bits of it, but I would love to erase it from my mind so I could go back and experience it all again for the first time.
My Son, John by Kathi Macias - This is another emotional book that made Macias one of my favorite all-time authors. Up until I read this novel, I had only read her nonfiction. This story is an emotional ride that tugs every heartstring. I wish I could read it again for the first time.
Have you read any of these? What are your thoughts?
Tell Me Something Tuesday (TMST) is hosted by Jen Twimom at That's What I'm Talking About. TMST is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Participation is optional, and you leave your comments in the weekly post if you are participating. Check it out if you would like to join.
What a creative question for Tell Me Something Tuesday. Reading the Anne of Green Gables and Little House series led me to research more about the authors' lives, which, in the case of Wilder, led to one of my largest book collections. Reading books from other children's authors inspired me to keep working at finding my place in the publishing world. Reading poorly edited books led me to become a copy and developmental editor. Amazingly, I am the worst self-editor on this coast. :)
Has reading a book ignited a hobby or passion in you?
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16 comments:
The Thorn Birds was so popular back in the 1980(?) and then the mini series came out and it doubled the popularity. I remember the book was so long so I don't think I'd want to reread it. But it is a very memorable experience.
Oh I loved The Thorn Birds, both the book and TV adaptation!
Here's mine for this week: https://portobellobookblog.com/2025/10/14/top-ten-tuesday-14th-october-2025-ten-film-quotations-toptentuesday-amreading-bookrecommendations-tuesdaybookblog-booksky-%f0%9f%92%99%f0%9f%93%9a/
I feel like Little House in the Big Woods was on every little girl's book shelf in the late 70s/early 80s. I know my sister had a few of the books, though I don't remember if I ever read them.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/birthday-book-tag-happy-50th-to-me/
I read the Thorn Birds a few years ago having seen the TV series. I would happily re-read it again.
Here's a link to my TTT post
https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/%f0%9f%93%9atoptentuesday-10-books-i-wish-i-could-read-again-for-the-first-time-tuesdaybookblog-booktwitter-bookx/
A great list. I tend to avoid books that make me cry. If I cry at a book I often then get a headache so it's just best to avoid where possible 🤣
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-wish-i-could-read-again-for-the-first-time/
Nice picks! Here is my TTT.https://dmhoisington.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/top-ten-tuesday-5/
This is a lovely list, and I completely understand wanting to re-read books like *Anne of Green Gables* and the *Little House* series with a fresh perspective! Here's my list for this week https://mybookishworld.weebly.com/blog/top-ten-tuesday-10-books-i-wish-i-could-read-again-for-the-first-time
One of these days I should read The Thorn Birds.
I have seen Anne of Green Gables on several lists. I keep saying I need to reread it again, but haven't, my copy is packed up...somewhere, LOL~
Yes, it was, Anne. The mini-series came out Easter weekend in 1983. I used to read The Thorn Birds once a year, but skipped all the descriptions after that first read. Thanks for visiting today.
It's a wonderful book and mini-series. Thanks for visiting, Joanne.
You're probably right, Pam. I ended up with my sister's 1971 edition. Then the show came out, making it even more popular. Thanks for visiting.
Family sagas make such great reading material, Rosie. I would love to have time to read this one again. Thanks for visiting.
Headaches are no fun, so no crying for you. :) Thanks for visiting today, Emily.
Thanks, Danyelle. Nice to see you here!
Thanks, Teresa. They definitely feel different as adults. Thanks for visiting.
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