For me, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a book that I hold dear as a one-time read.
The beautiful and heart-wrenching narrative captured my emotions so intensely that I’m hesitant to revisit it.
The unique perspective and profound storytelling make it a cherished memory for me.
Now, I’m curious to hear from you about your own one-time read book. Thanks
by RequirementMore3250
25 Comments
The Book Thief is also my one-time read. It wrecked me (I was crying so hard my then boyfriend ran in asking if I was okay). I was reading it for my PhD prelims, so I hesitate to re-read because it is so associated with that particular moment in my life.
I mostly don’t reread any novels I’ve completed, but I became aware at some point that I am probably never going to reread what I consider to be my favorite book – The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
I read it in high school, during a Summer break, and I feel like I was at that time very receptive to classic literature (mandatory reading in school included books such as Madame Bovary, Crime and Punishment, etc.; I feel like my attention span is worse now as an adult), and I also believe I used to be more impressionable in general, and suffered more when confronted with fictional tragedy. My heart was absolutely breaking for the main characters of the book, whereas now I would probably approach it with a bit more jadedness and cynicism. That’s why I just decided to cherish the memories of the emotional wreckage and the pleasure of getting to know Quasimodo and Esmeralda’s story, and not reread the book any time soon.
Where the red fern grows. Great book, cried myself sick at the ending. Not eager to reread it again despite how much I like it.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able revisit the awestruck magnificence I felt after I finished *The Shadow of the Wind* by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. That was an **experience** and I think frequent revisiting will diminish how majestic it was versus amplifying it.
The Book Thief was one of those books for me too. My best friend recommended to me and when I finished reading it we spent ages talking about the book.
About 6 years later, my friend passed away suddenly. Even before her passing, I wanted to re-read the book but just never got around to it. Now, I’ve accepted that it’ll be just a one-time read, because I want to only remember my experience of reading the book as the one that ends with me discussing it with her.
Atlas Shrugged- really enjoyed it, underlined and copied down quotes that resonated with me, got my husband to read if after me and we had great discussions about it. Really happy memories.
Never read any commentary about it or learned about Ayn Rand’s intentions or views or anything before or during reading it. Just enjoyed it as, what seemed to me, an essay-in-fiction-form celebrating excellence and being anti-exploitation of excellence. I wanted John Galt to come take me away.
Only later did I read about the author’s views and how others interpret and use the book. Never want to go back and re-read it now, I fear it would be tainted knowing all that. I do still like the quotes I wrote down and continue to only think of them in the context of what they mean to me.
Edit: fixed a sentence
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. I grabbed it at the library not knowing anything about it. It is beautiful and heartbreaking, and as much as I love it, I don’t want to read it again. It wouldn’t be the same.
Dinner at a Homesick restaurant. I read it in high-schools (semi-required reading). And for some reason it really struck home. I remember one part where the main character is digging outside and thinking about how content she is and just completely happy in that small moment in time, and then later she looks back at her diaries and finds that memory and it gives her the strength to die after a long illness. . . I’ve looked at book synopsis a few times since then and it really doesn’t seem like something I would be interested in. I just can’t imagine it would have the same emotional impact now.
Les Mis. Because it’s like 1600+ pages long lol. But I loved it at the time.
It was this Rangers Apprentice book that I dont think anyone really has heard of, it was the newest one at the time, amazing. I literally stopped readong the series cause somone important gave me the last book, and it brought up too many hollow feelings
Charolette’s Web with my mom when I was young kid. Before my bedtime, we would curl up under blankets and take turns reading the chapters. I cherish the memory when our relationship was pure and innocent.
The Kite Runner is one of my favorite books. I even have a tattoo inspired by it. I’ve only read it once, and I don’t know if I could read it again for the reasons you stated for yourself. I love all of Khaled Hosseini’s work though!
The Count of Monte Cristo. For one, it was long AF. I also had such a magical week reading it for the first time in the park while laid off cause of Covid. I’d like to keep that memory.
A gentleman in Moscow. I do like to reread books, but I don’t think I ever will read that one again. I loved the book and when I was nearing the end I set up a beautiful little picnic outside with a bottle of wine, played classical Russian music, and read in the sun with tears falling down my face. I think because I created a special moment for myself to finish it, I don’t want to spoil it by giving it another go.
I think it might be the dark materials series. I felt it so intense. I’ve read it by gaps, almost in the span of two years but during those times I was living really big moments in my life, like my first job, my gap year and getting a big internship. I felt it so close to me, I don’t know if I could read it again
2001 series. It felt so ethereal and perfect as I read it. I am afraid to read any of the books again because I don’t want to lose that feeling.
Most books I loved as a child and through my early 20s. I was an easier sell and I would hate to return to something I remember as fabulous only to see flaws in it that I didn’t before.
I read For Whom the Bell Tolls and the day I finished it I ate a bunch of shrooms right after. I then proceeded to cry for hours over fictional characters who died for a cause and loved each other in the time they had.
This is mine too !
We Were Liars.
I cannot reread it as I know I won’t ever get the same flabbergasted reaction from the first time I’ve read it.
The Descent by Jeff Long.
I read it when I was younger, and I’m sure it wouldn’t be as good if I reread it now. Rather just leave the feeling I have for it remain.
A classic Tamil series called Ponniyin Selvan .I have read that both in Tamil as well as in English (Translation by Pavithra Srinivasan).There are some negatives but best 2500 pages ever.
John Greens’ the Fault in Our Stars. It came at the right time in my life when I was young, struggling with a family member’s illness, and trying to make sense of it all. I have since seen various criticisms against it, especially regarding character voices and its handling of the delicate subject matter of terminal illness, and looking back some of these criticisms feel valid — but it still holds a special place in my heart that I don’t want to ruin it. I acknowledge the problems it has, but at the same time don’t want to ruin the magic by rereading.
The Secret Garden.
I’m afraid it might be a product of its time.
The Stand – one of those books with characters so well realised i felt like i knew them personally. I wish there was more of that book. But its so big i dont think ill ever revisit it