What books do you re-read regularly?

[Snorerephron]

I've got some book vouchers that have been lurking in my wallet since Christmas, and I would like to use them to purchase a few books.

I mainly buy books second hand and pass them on, or get library books, as I have far too many books already. So if I am buying books I want to know they will be ones I am likely to read over and over again

So my question is what are your favourite books to re-read regularly?

(I like classics, literary novels, funny novels, good contemporary fiction)

I'd ideally like to get a few books but really beautiful editions of them -decent hardbacks

This has been brought home to me recently while I've been having my cataracts done. For the first time in my life (in my 70s now) I have had to choose some audiobooks. Obviously I turned to Audible for convenience, listening to a sample of These Old Shades. The first paragraph describes the Duke of Avon sauntering down the street carrying a " berry boned cane"

On that basis, Audible can whistle for my money. I have bought some second hand audio books from eBay with competent narrators.

Agree with others on Georgette Heyer, Dorothy L Sayers as top comfort reads. I will add Lois McMaster Bujold as well...I have read her books many times. (She is a big Georgette Heyer fan!)

The first paragraph describes the Duke of Avon sauntering down the street carrying a " berry boned cane"

It took me a while to work out what it should have been! Georgette would be spinning, she was so meticulous.

She only once sold the film rights to a book, and she and her family were very disappointed in the results.

I think some of her books are well suited to dramatisation, and visually could be wonderful. But I wouldn't trust any writer or director to do it in the true spirit of the books, with the proper lightness of touch.

I haven't read These Old Shades and was stumped trying to work our what a 'berry boned cane' could possibly be. I had to download a sample of the opening paragraph. You were absolutely right to ditch Audible on the basis of this mispronunciation, @TeaAndStrumpets . There's no excuse.

To save time for others in the same boat, the Duke's cane was beribboned.

Ha yes they've got a nerve. I did wonder if it was AI but I think it's just a young person. As far as I can tell most of the years' old versions have been ditched by Audible and replaced with their own actors. The older ones have some very fine performances. I listened to Sylvester, read by Judy Franklin, and it was wonderful. Some nice ones by Phyllida Law too. I would much rather read but it's nice to find a few alternatives.

Mine are a varied bunch. I adore War and Peace and try and re-read it every couple of years. The Shell Seekers gets read every year. At Christmas I always read The Long Winter by Laura Ingall Wilder and three from Miss Read, Village Christmas, A Christmas mouse and No Holly for Miss Quinn. I also try and read The Magic Apple Tree by Susan Hill every year. I often return to my favourite HE Bates, A Moment in Time and Fair Stood the Wind for France. I see all these books as old friends and as someone suggested earlier, it really is like wrapping yourself up in a warm, soft duvet.

@IlovetoKnitandRead I also think of some books like you do - as old friends. Nevil Shute's books make me feel like that.

I love A Town Like Alice.
I discovered when reading his autobiography that Nevil Shute and my (long dead) Grandfather were boyhood friends- it made me very happy.

How lovely for you to discover that @Serenissimissima. Reading Nevil Shute's books evokes childhood memories of my grandfather, also dead some years now, and of the happiness and simplicity of my early childhood. I'm not sure why.

Terry Pratchett, especially the Witches and Vimes.

Kate Atkinson, pretty much all of them especially the Jackson Brodie ones.

Hamnet, I will re-read in a while.

All the Wolf Hall books - I think I’m three times through so far.

Stephen King - but only the old ones, the newer ones are one-hit-wonders.

I am currently re-reading Patrick Fermor’s A Time of Gifts. The first half of that book is heaven.

I also re-read Wilde’s Picture of Dorian Gray every year, and Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway.

I think you might be me, with the exception of Kate Atkinson and Hamnet which I haven’t read. I’ll search those out as you clearly have exquisite taste!

Rebecca
The Paying Guests
The Silver Chair
The ABC Murders
A Christmas Carol
Mrs Weber’s Diary by Posy Simmonds

I am currently re-reading Patrick Fermor’s A Time of Gifts.

I keep meaning to read this, I see it recommended so often. Must try to do it when I've finished my current books.

Me too @HelenaWilson. The trouble is that my TBR list is so long now! Thanks @Dappy777 for the reminder about Patrick Leigh Fermor.