Books I Need to Reread

As you may or may not know, I'm big into rereading books. Even if I already know what's happened, there's still the delight of rediscovering the story, of finding the hints I missed before, and of reconnecting with the characters. At one point, when I had a more limited to-be-read list, I'd make sure to read my favorite series at least once a year. As the number of new books I had to read increased, however, my time for rereading decreased, so at this point, some of the stories that I loved, I haven't touched in quite a while. I've been trying to remedy this, but there are still several books and series I haven't gotten to. And today, I thought I'd share some of my top need-to-reread series with you.

1. The Lord of the Rings and The Silimarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
As I mentioned, there was a time when I read The Lord of the Rings at least once a year (rarely more, though- even for the most enthusiastic reader, they're kind of long), but considering how much I love the trilogy, it's been an awfully long time since I've read it. I really do need to fix that soon- particularly now that I have a pretty new matching set. As for The Silimarillion, I've read it exactly once all the way through, and I skimmed a great deal of it. Now that I'm older- and, I hope, have more patience- I want to give it another try.
(Note: The above picture is not my "pretty matched set." My copies are decidedly less fancy, rare, and expensive. Though that doesn't stop them from having super pretty covers and being a very comfortable size for reading. The above image is the product of asking Google Images for a picture of LOTR and The Silimarillion together.)

2. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I used to like this book very much indeed, but after a well-meaning parent used it to turn a book club into a lesson in story structure, I didn't touch it again for, well, longer than I should've. I wish I'd let go of that memory sooner, but better late than never. Admittedly, I did listen to the Focus on the Family radio drama in the car last weekend, but it was so abridged that I felt like all my favorite parts had been cut short, or else left out entirely. All the more reason to reread the book sometime soon!

3. The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker
I read this series for the first time about five years ago and obsessed over it for several months- during which I also explored several of Ted Dekker's other books, none of which I liked quite as much and some of which freaked me out a lot. I've read the trilogy once or twice since then, but not recently. I'd like to reread it sometime soon, now that I'm older and have a different, hopefully more mature, perspective on it.

4. Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand
Cyrano is my favorite book (well, play) that I've had to read for literature, and it's also one of my favorite classics. I haven't gotten around to reading it since the year I had it in school, since my copy is in the back of that year's literature book. However, my sister is going to be reading it for her literature this year . . . which means I'd better reread it so I can join in her discussions! (I'll join in the discussion whether or not I've read the book, probably, if I get a chance- but at least that way I'll remember better what I'm talking about.)

5. The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rodgers
This is a short little trio of books, a fantasy version of the Biblical story of David. I read them perhaps four years ago, but haven't reread them more than once or twice since then. I'd love to rediscover them, though; they were some of the more unique books I've read. Unfortunately, my new library only has the first one . . . I am very much not happy. Hopefully, my old library has an online version I can borrow . . .

6. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.
I have a confession to make: I haven't read The Chronicles of Narnia all the way through in quite a long time, despite how much I love the series. I've read single books now and then, and listened to some of the audio dramas either on trips or while knitting, but not the whole series. Obviously, that needs to change.

7. The Echoes From the Edge trilogy by Bryan Davis.
At one point, this was my favorite Bryan Davis series- it even beat out Dragons in Our Midst, which was an impressive feat. Is it still my favorite? I'm not sure- which is one reason I need to reread it, so I can find out. Also, it's a pretty awesome trilogy (I'm certain of that), and I haven't read it in a few years.

8. The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis.
I read these books the summer after I read The Silimarillion, I think- it's been a while. I'm sorry to say I really didn't appreciate them at the time. Out of the Silent Planet I liked well enough, true, but Perelandra seemed a bit odd, and by the time I got midway through That Hideous Strength, I was struggling. I'm fairly certain the main reason I finished was I thought "It's C.S. Lewis, and therefore I ought to like this." Recently, however, I've met enough people who really like the Space Trilogy that I feel I ought to reread it.

9. The Princess and the Goblin and The Princess and Curdie by George Macdonald.I loved these two books when I was younger, but sadly, they were some of the first to get lost in my new-book flood. Recently, however, I've been seized with occasional urges to reread them . . . which I've utterly failed to act upon. I do want to fix that, though, because they, like Narnia, are the sort of books that are always worth rereading.

Do you like rereading books? If you do, are there any books you need to reread? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!
-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)

The Charlatan's Boy Review

Author: Jonathan Rodgers

Characters: Excellent! If there’s one thing I’ve come to expect from the books by Jonathan Rodgers, it’s that the characters will be colorful and full of flavor, and the cast of this book fully meets that expectation.

5/5

Location: Good. The setting was easy to visualize, and I didn’t get confused about where the characters were. The one thing I didn’t like was that it took me half the book to figure out whether the story takes place before or after The Wilderking Trilogy.

3/5

Plot: Very good. The storyline is interesting, with plenty of humorous and exciting sections. The only thing I disliked was the way the story ended. It seemed to be over a little too quickly in my opinion.

4/5

Other: This is an excellent book. I very much enjoyed it, and I can hardly wait until Fall 2011 when the next book in the series comes out!

Overall Rating: 4/5

The Way of the Wilderking Review

Author: Jonathan Rodgers

When civlizer Aidan returns home to Corenwald after three years in Feechiefen Swamp, he is shocked to discover a newly formed party known as the Aidanites. They believe that the revered "Wilderking Chant" makes reference to Aidan, and that he is destined to overthrow the tyrant King Darrow.

But wait. Aidan has no intention of leading any such rebellion. However, as Corenwalk weakens and enemy Pyrthens threaten to invade, it's clear that the Aidanites are the only army his people have left. What soon transpires among civilizers, feechiefolk, Corenwalders, and Pyrthens alike, no one could've imagined.
-Summary from the back of The Way of the Wilderking

Characters: Very good! Although there is a notable lack of the feechies that I grew used to, there are plenty of old friends including the Greasy Cave miners from book one, the Last Campers from book two, and Dobro Turtlebane, who mostly makes up for the rest of the feechies being out of the action.

5/5

Location: Pretty good. It was fairly clear and well managed, but not particularly remarkable.

3/5

Plot: Very good! The plot is exciting with plenty of humor. The strange findings in the Sinking Caves add just the right element of mystery, and the ending is highly satisfactory.

5/5

Other: This trilogy is excellent, and I would recommend it to just about anyone.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Series Rating: 4/5

The Secret of the Swamp King Review

Author: Jonathan Rodgers

It looks like a fool's errand. A jealous and vindictive King Darrow sends Aidan Errolson into the depths of the Feechiefen Swamp. Darrow thinks he's sending Corenwald's young deliverer to certain death. No one, after all, comes back from the Feechiefen. He doesn't know that Aidan has allies among the feechiefolk, who know him as the hero Pantherbane.

But even the feechiefolk may be unable to deliver Aidan from the enemy who waits in the swamp's deepest recesses-an enemy who threatens not just Aidan but all of Corenwald.
-Summary from the back of The Secret of the Swamp King 

Characters: Excellent! Aidan returns, and many new and interesting characters are discovered, each lovable in his own way. Among these are many feechies, which add an extra level of fun.

4/5

Location: Pretty good. It was fairly clear, though I did get a little confused at Bearhouse Island. The frog orchid pond, however, is very well done.

3.5/5

Plot: Excellent! This tale has plenty of excitement and humor, along with a good sized helping of battles and fighting. The strange “Wilderking” adds just enough mystery to make the plot really interesting.

5/5

Other: This tale was, if possible, funnier than the last. I especially liked Chapter Seventeen, which was extra-funny. Also, I appreciated the fact that there were many more of the feechiefolk.

Overall Rating: 4/5

The Bark of the Bog Owl Review

Author: Jonathan Rodgers

Twelve-year-old Aidan Errolson comes from a long line of adventurers. His grandparents were among the first settlers of Corenwald's eastern frontier. His father had been one of the kingdom's greatest warriors. Aidan, on the other hand, lives the quiet, comfortable life of a nobleman's son. He has never had any real adventures, and that, he believes, is the one great injustice of his otherwise happy life.

All that will change the day he first hears the bark of the bog owl and meets Dobro Turtlebane. Dobro is one of the feechiefolk- a tribe of half-civilized swamp dwellers who fight too much, laugh too loud, cry too easily, and smell just terrible.

But another meeting on that remarkable day may change Aidan's life even more profoundly. Bayard the Truthspeaker arrives with a startling pronouncement: Aidan Errolson will grow to be the Wilderking- the long-prophesied wild man who will come out of Corenwald's forests and swamps to lead the kingdom back to its former glory.

There's only one question: Is Bayard the Truthspeaker a prophet or a madman?

-Summary from the back of The Bark of the Bog Owl 

Characters: Very good. There’s a nice amount of variety, and Aidan seems nicely familiar. Also, the feechiefolk are hilarious!

4/5

Location: Pretty good. There were a few places where I got a little confused, but these could’ve been prevented if I took the time to look at the map in the front. Over all it was well done and very clear.

4/5

Plot: Very good. The plot, which is based on the story of David, is interesting and exciting, with plenty of humor. Although there isn’t very much subplot at all, it works well, and the Wilderking prophecy adds just the right amount of mystery.

5/5

 

Other: I very much enjoyed this book. It is simple and clear, a nice change from the complicated novels I often read. I also enjoyed the fact that the people and setting seemed like a pleasant cross between my favorite medieval fantasy world and early America, something I’ve never found in any other book.

Overall Rating: 4/5