So sorry I’m late with the blog. I knew about it, should have done it earlier, but we had a pet crises at the house. Two cats went missing yesterday.
My roommate and I live in a big old house in the middle of nowhere. Gorgeous place (see picture of the view from the front yard) and plenty of room for all our rescue pets to play. These two cats had never wandered, but I suppose the lure of spring was too much for them.
There’s a ton of brush, a river, trees still in sleep mode, as far as the eye can see. If I were a cat, I’d wander, too. Only, we have a couple of fenced acres for them to play in. Anyway, they took off, and we commenced The Great Cat Hunt. No dice. It was horrible and achy, and it was a dark and stormy night (for real!).
It was the thunder, I think, that brought them back. Late last night, when I called for them for the hundredth time, they ran in and immediately insisted on food and a place by the fire.
I was amazingly relieved. This morning, having found where the breach in the fence was, I fixed that by schlepping huge rocks, and hung around until they approached the breach, looked at me accusingly, then went on their way.
They might find another breach. It’s possible, and I need to be prepared for that. But I can’t deny them the opportunity to play in the yard. They love it so, so much.
In other news, I’m reading JD Robb’s In Death series for the first time. Now I see what all the fuss is about. I’m loving the books, think Nora is a master at this writing stuff, and I’m learning a lot as I read. I’m not sure I’ll read all thirty immediately, but I like the idea of having them to look forward to.
I’m also listening to the entire Hornblower series on CD. This has been one of my favorite series since I was a girl.
The other series I seem to need to read every year or so is Harry Potter.
I know these books really, really well. Yet I cry each time, or tense up at certain battles, and smile in anticipation of a favorite scene. These are my comfort reads, and nothing, not food, not a location, not anything in the world comforts quite as much as returning to these books.
I know some people never re-read. What about you? What are your comfort reads? Are they series? Stand-alone books? Or do you shake your head at those crazy people who read a book when they already know what happens?
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I’m so glad your cats came back! Our dog loves to prowl along the riverbank at low tide, and sometimes his nose gets the best of him and he wanders incredibly far. My husband will usually go hunting for him in the boat, and has found him miles downriver, still happily sniffing his way along.
I’ve read Stephen King’s THE STAND at least a dozen times, and I still love it. It’s one of my favorites.
Hi Karen,
It’s wonderful that the pets have free roaming ability, but also scary. I love that your puppy has a boat limo.
Also, THE STAND is one of my favorites, too!
I’ve re-read most of the In Death series several times. The last few I’ve only read once, but only because my TBR pile is completely out of control. I also love to re-read Harry Potter and try to re-read To Kill a Mockingbird every year or so. Glad your cats came home.
Oh, Liza, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD!!!! I do re-read that, a lot. Also, EAST OF EDEN. And SHOGUN. ::sigh:: so many books, too much damn writing to do to read them all.
Thanks about the kitties. They’re all parked in front of the fire today. Nobody is wandering.
I’m reading In Death for the first time, too! I’m on book 12, I think. One of the things I love about the books is how she weaves social commentary into the stories, but doesn’t make it obvious. I blame a friend who is holding an In Death reading challenge on her blog for my new obsession.
I do re-read, and often. I’ve found my comfort reads are often part of a series, but the book that I liked best out of it. And I find it interesting that almost all of my comfort reads are historicals, although I read an equal amount of contemporaries. Although, funny you mention it… one of your books is on my keeper shelf and gets reread at least once a year – A Dash of Temptation. Loved that original Men to Do series!
Hi Lori,
I’m amazed, as always, that Nora can be so consistently terrific. Man, what a talent. I’m reading Holiday in Death now. I had no idea I would be caught in the spell.
That’s interesting about your favorites being historicals. The more I think about the re-reading I do, the more I see how broad my tastes are. I even have a bunch of non fiction I re-read, like Carl Sagan’s Dragons of Eden, or books by Anne Lemott.
You make me blush, and very pleased. I love that you love Dash.
Thanks.
I re-read tons. I agree with Karen, regarding The Stand – my fave King book of all.
Anne of Green Gables and Little Women, too. They seem to make me flat out bawl in all of the same places every time, even though I know what’s coming.
And, Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series.
All of my re-reads are stuff I read when I was young. I think it’s a comfort thing
Hi Christina,
Oh, yes, Anne of Green Gables! Little Women! Love them both, but haven’t read them in too long. Thanks for the reminder.
Haven’t read Anne McCaffrey yet, but she’s on my list. Too many people I admire love her stuff.
When I want to read a well-written book and delve into emotion and danger and excellent characterization, I re read your books. I also love for pure comfort, any of the older Elizabeth Lowell or Jayne Ann Krentz books. Also love Mary Jo Putney’s Historicals and of course, any of the Kinsale’s.
Hi Jillian,
I also read Mary Jo Putney’s historicals. So rich and lovely. Haven’t read many of Lowell or Krentz, but I probably should. And yes, Kinsale. Me, too!
Jo Leigh, I am so glad your cats came home unharmed. Who could resist exploring in that beautiful country!
Yes, I re-read. Some of Nora’s books I have read numerous times. I usually go back to her early book series. My all time very favorite is the Donovan family. There are a ton of books that I kept because they are ones I want to read again and that includes some of yours.
Re-reading a book is like visiting an old friend that you need to spend time with. 
I enjoyed Sexy Ms. Takes, a fun concept for books.
Thanks, Donna. It is too beautiful to keep the cats indoors. There’s so much to explore. I want a retractable leash, though, so I could make sure they come home safely.
Ah, that’s so nice that you include some of my books among your “old friends.”
And I’m so glad you liked Sexy Ms. Takes!
Hi Jo, I am glad you guys were able to find your kitties.
I am a re-reader. My fave book to re-read is Jane Eyre. Good old Jane and Rochester! My love of re-reading is what caused me to have so many bookshelves. I re-read Nora on a regular basis too…and Jo, Eve and Roarke are all that and more than a bag of chips. Love me some Roarke.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Hey, Paula,
Man, I love Jane Eyre. Another one that I keep, but haven’t read in too long. It moves up the ladder!
Thanks about the kitties. They didn’t leave my sight last night.
Hey, Paula,
Man, I love Jane Eyre. Another one that I keep, but haven’t read in too long. It moves up the ladder!
Thanks about the kitties. They didn’t leave my sight last night.
LOL! about Eve and Roarke! I agree!
I’ve never read an In Death yet though I love a lot of Nora’s work. Her Ardmore Irish trilogy is part of my keeper collection. Maybe someday I’ll give them a shot and see what the big deal is.
I don’t usually re-read much. I have shelves and shelves of books I haven’t gotten to yet, and re-reading seems to be ignoring those books. But I have just recently re-read a couple older reads — including Closer and Relentless. If I do reread, it’s often because I’m stuck on some point in my writing and I need to read something that does what I’m struggling with well, or hits the same theme or something like at.
Comfort reads sound likea wonderful thing. I may have to try revisiting favorites more often. Something like re-reading Outlander, I’m sure I’d pick up on things I didn’t see the first time through. For me, comfort is usually found in tv shows (bless the person who first put tv series on dvd) or music more than books.
Hi, Laure,
I’m glad I picked up In Death. It’s been an education as well as a pleasure.
Hey, thanks for the re-reads! Wow, that’s very cool, especially from someone who doesn’t do it often. I appreciate that.
I also have comfort TV shows and music. Lots of music. Lots of TV shows. It’s amazing I do anything new!