Read it again, Sam!

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” 

― Dr. Seuss

I might add, then read it again! 

I have books on my shelf that I've read so many times the covers are soft from handling.  Books I open when I'm exhausted, as I'm able to fall easily into a familiar world with familiar friends.  Books I love and respect.  Books I relish.  Books by Dorothy Sayers, Zenna Henderson, David Brin, Nathan Lowell, Larry Niven, Lois McMaster Bujold, Tolkein, Lewis, Julian May, Anne McCaffrey, Mary Stewart, and so many more.

Yes, I adore discovering new authors, especially those writing series.  I'm especially pleased when I'm able to place those new discoveries on my "Read it again"  bookshelf.  Do you have favorites you re-read?  I'll find room on that shelf!

Such is the Power of Books

I adore this quote from Connis Willis, and I equally adore Dorothy Sayers' Peter Wimsey series.  

“I was on a walking tour of Oxford colleges once with a group of bored and unimpressable tourists. They yawned at Balliol's quad, T.E. Lawrence's and Churchill's portraits, and the blackboard Einstein wrote his E=mc2 on. Then the tour guide said, 'And this is the Bridge of Sighs, where Lord Peter proposed (in Latin) to Harriet,' and everyone suddenly came to life and began snapping pictures. Such is the power of books.”  ― Connie Willis, winner of both the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award for best SF novel.

Character development is critical for me as a reader.  If I don't like your character in the first chapter, I'm going to stop reading!  Make me care!

"Placetne, magistra?" 
"Placet."