On of the great things about reading books is re-reading books. Not every book is worth reading more than once of course.[1. There are many that aren’t even worth the first read, sadly.] But there are a lot that are worth reading over and over again. Here are five that I have read multiple times with joy:
The Hobbit + The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. I’m already cheating because this is a set of four books. But at the same time, they’re really one story (especially if you factor in The Silmarillion). Not everyone loves these books, of course, but what I love about them is the fact that they’re a cohesive history of this fictional world. What Tolkien did as a world-builder is nothing short of amazing.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. I’ve read this book many times since it was first released back in 2000. Aside from the actual story itself, I love the way Chabon tells a story. There’s something really beautiful about the way he writes that I enjoy and that keeps drawing me back.
Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton. This is actually one of the only theological books I’ve felt like I needed to read more than once. This is a book that demands a lot of its readers, and is worth the investment.
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. Again, Gaiman is someone I read more for the way he tells stories than the stories themselves (though they are often excellent). Neverwhere was the first novel of his I read (and his first published following The Sandman), and its premise is fascinating: a journey through an underground world where everything that falls through the cracks in the real world goes (including people). For fiction lovers, it’s well worth your time.
Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson. I’m just going to let this speak for itself:
So those are a few of the books I’ve read and will continue to re-read. There are others that I didn’t include, but if you’re looking for a good book, these will serve you well.
