Ten Books That Mean Something To Me - Debbie
- Debbie
- Feb 26
- 5 min read
My topic this month was supposed to be ten books that mean something to me, but since it’s my sister’s birthday this week, I asked her for 5 books. Her list comes after mine.
Book 1. The Green Mile, Stephen King
If you follow my reviews, you will know I do NOT reread. I can count on one hand the number of books I’ve read more than once. I can only name ONE book that I’ve read more than twice.
In the spring of 1999, my friend and I went on holiday. I took 4 books (this is pre-Kindle days) and read them all in the first 5 days, and we were on holiday for 2 weeks.
My friend bought with her the instalments of The Green Mile, by Stephen King. She refused to let me have more than one instalment in a single day, and I nagged and nagged, but she would not.
I got through that second week, waiting for the next instalment. And I loved it so much, when we got home, I went and bought the instalments myself to read again. I then, at a later date, bought them all in a single book.
When the film came out, I was very reluctant to go see it. I did, but it took some soul searching to make the decision!
I did not regret going, not once, and I have since read that book 5 times, and every time it gets me. The film, too, but in a different way. Powerful book, this book. And a quick search shows there is an audio version too, so maybe I will get that too.
Book 2. Disjointed Lives, Morgan Sheppard
In October of 2017, I met with a friend and her family on a trip over from Germany.
We talked a lot that day, about a lot of things, but mostly about her previous relationship and the abuse she suffered.
In March 2018, she released a book, Disjointed Lives, based on that afternoon, and I have never been more proud to call Morgan Sheppard my very good friend! It humbled me. It really did.
Book 3. The Current Between Us, Kindle Alexander (old version)
I began reviewing sometime in 2012. At that point, I was strictly an MF reader.
I read The Current Between Us, by Kindle Alexander, in July 2013, and it was my first introduction to MM romance. I never looked back!
Now, this book has since had a massive rewrite/edit, and I have not had the opportunity to read the new version (it wasn’t a simple edit, and the update your copy option never became available), but I probably WON’T read it. I’m picky like that!
So Kindle Alexander introduced me to a world I never knew existed, and I never looked back.
Book 4. Wake Me Up Inside, Cardeno C, read by Charlie David
As well as reading, I listen. And this next book was the first audiobook I listened to. It was also my introduction into the mind of Cardeno C.
Wake Me Up Inside, read by Charlie David, is a wonderful tale of listening to your heart when your family tells you otherwise. I loved this book; it paved the way for many a Cardeno C read, as well as a lot of new-to-me authors I found via Audible.
I have discovered that while I don’t like to REREAD, I will listen to a book I’ve already read. I find I get a different experience when listening than I do when reading, and a huge amount of that is the narrator. There would be no audiobooks without narrators, and it annoys me, GREATLY, when authors promote their audiobooks with no mention of the narrators!
Book 5. The Mistake, Mandy Swiftson
This is my sister’s book. It tells of her life at the hands of a nasty piece of work.
I cried a lot reading this book, and I learned some things. It opened up a whole world of hurt for everyone involved, but it gave her a sense of closure, I think.
She called it The Mistake. It’s not an easy read, nor is it a romance, but when she said she was writing it, I knew I had to read it.
Love ya, sis!!
Now, that’s my 5 books. When I asked my sister, the following is what she sent me. I have not edited it, nor censored her reply. I didn’t specifically ask her for books she reread, but still.
This subject is a very personal one.
Some people like me will re-read books over and again.
Some people, like my sister, will not.
To me, there are several reasons why I would re-read something.
Familiarity. When I'm either fed up or in a book funk, re-reading brings me comfort and helps me get out of the funk I'm in.
New book in a series. I will often re-read the last 3 or so when a new book comes out in a series. This allows me to get right back into whatever cliffhanger was left and keep going.
Enjoyment. I genuinely enjoy re-reading books. I always feel like I get something new every time I re-read a book. It might be extra insight into a character or something different from the storyline.
Emotional support. Sometimes, if I need to laugh or even cry, I will re-read certain books because I know without a shadow of a doubt the emotion that book will invoke in me.
As for my favourite books to re-read, this is a tough one. But there is one series that I have re-read several times, and from that series, one book I have re-read over the rest.
Alluring Indulgence by Nicole Edwards is the series.
The 7 Walker brothers all have their own book and their own story.
And whilst I love every single one and have re-read them countless and I do mean countless times, one of the brothers' stories breaks my heart and me every single time I re-read it. But I still do. I have read this one more than any of the others, knowing full well the emotional reaction I will have.
Ethan. Ethan is an MM story. Ethan is the third eldest in the bunch; he is the quieter one, but by no means weak. But his story, even writing this, gets me emotional. I love me a Walker Brother, but by god I really love Ethan.
Another series I have read over and again and will continue to do so is Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs.
This series has everything: drama, romance. Witches. Werewolves. Ghosts. Vampires. Fae.
The characters in this series are so big and full of life, I love them. They just bring so much fun to the stories; how can I not re-read them over and over again?
Admittedly, the more that come out in this series, this is one where I would usually read the last few when a new one comes out.
However, I have and no doubt will again re-read the whole series over.
Another series I have re-read several times is Off The Books by Nicole Edwards.
The main character in this series is the cousin of Ethan and his brothers. And sometimes the cousins pop up. Brantley runs a task force with his partner/husband (later books).
These are just so damn hot. Steamy hot. But also have fantastic stories to go with them.
The next couple I haven't re-read yet, but they are defo on my list to read again.
The only reason I haven't re-read them yet is that they are recent reads/discoveries.
They are not specific series but more authors that I know I will read again.
Annabella Stone/Bella Stone
Susan Stoker
So, there you go. Ten books (or series) that mean things to my sister and me.
Until next time,
Happy reading, or listening
Debbie x
@debbiereadsbooks
@debbiereadsbook
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