50/50 Friday is a meme hosted by Carrie @The Butterfly Reads and I and focuses on the opposite sides of books (best/worst, differing opinions, etc). Every week will have a new topic and several advance topics will be listed in the tab labeled 50/50 Friday!
Today's Topic: Book You Can/Can't Bring Yourself to Reread
Can:
I reread SO many books (if you couldn't tell from my monthly wrap-ups) so I decided just to mention a couple that I don't think I've mentioned before that I reread all the time.
His Fair Assassin #1
Released: 2012
Rating: 5 stars
Blurb:
"Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?"
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?"
I love, love, LOVE rereading this! This is my favorite of the whole series (black sheep, I know) and I'll frequently reread this one without rereading the rest of the series.
Graceling Realm #2
Released: 2009
Rating: 5 stars
Blurb:
"It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. The young King Nash clings to his throne while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves and lawless men.
This is where Fire lives. With a wild, irresistible appearance and hair the color of flame, Fire is the last remaining human monster. Equally hated and adored, she had the unique ability to control minds, but she guards her power, unwilling to steal the secrets of innocent people. Especially when she has so many of her own.
Then Prince Brigan comes to bring her to King City, The royal family needs her help to uncover the plot against the king. Far away from home, Fire begins to realize there's more to her power than she ever dreamed. Her power could save the kingdom.
If only she weren't afraid of becoming the monster her father was."
This is one of my all-time favorite books to reread! I love this series in general but this book is by far my favorite. It's just so beautiful and heartbreaking and real and lovely.
Can't:
There are two different reasons why I wouldn't want to reread a book. Sometimes, the books I read are one-and-dones (I liked them but I never want to revisit it) and sometimes it would just be too painful to relive the story even though it's amazing. I included one of each!
Standalone to date
Released: 2005
Rating: 4.5 stars
Blurb:
"Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel--a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors."
This is an amazing book but I don't think I'm going to be able to reread it anytime soon because of how heartbreaking it is. Or rewatch the movie for that matter. There are some deaths and it's just awful. I LOVE the unique narration, though, which makes me think I'll eventually cave and reread it in maybe five years.
Uglies #1
Released: 2005
Rating: 4 stars
Blurb:
"Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. In just a few weeks she'll have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunning pretty. And as a pretty, she'll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun.
But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world-- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally's choice will change her world forever... "
But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world-- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally's choice will change her world forever... "
While I did enjoy this book, I don't think I'll ever reread it. It's just one of those one-and-dones that you read it, and now it's time to move on. There's nothing inherently wrong with it (in fact, I really liked the premise) but it's just 'one of those books', you know?
Have you read any of these? What did you think of them? What are the reasons you reread or don't reread books? What books do you reread or not reread? Make a post and link up down below!
Next Week's Topic: Book You Wish Was Recommended to You More/Less
I know exactly what you mean with The Book Thief... and I just recently watched the movie for the first time too.
ReplyDeleteRight??? It's just so heartbreaking! Amazing, but heartbreaking. Thanks for stopping by, Lauren!
DeleteI’ve read all of these but Grave Mercy and it sounds like I’m missing out. I promise I’ll get to it one day. The Book Thief is a hard one and it’s a little slower too. My reread of it went better than I thought it would though.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good! It's one of those early Fantasy YA's that will never go out of style :) I hope you enjoy it when you get around to it.
DeleteI'm glad to hear it! It can be a really difficult book to get through (my first go at it I actually didn't get past the 50th page). Thanks for stopping by, Jenny!
This topic was pretty easy for me as, in general, I don't reread (gasp!)
ReplyDeletehttp://stephjb.blogspot.co.uk/2018/05/5050-friday-book-you-cancant-bring.html
HOW DO YOU LIVE???? Haha just kidding :) It must be kind of nice, though, because you have more time for reading more books. Thanks for stopping by, Stephanie!
DeleteGrave Mercy sounds good! I need to read it!
ReplyDeleteYou must!!! It's so lovely!! When people ask me for Fantasy YA recs, that's one of the ones I always recommend. It's actually on the list I did for RogueCart :) Thanks for stopping by, Carrie!
DeleteThis reminds me I really, really need to read The Book Thief soon!
ReplyDeleteIt's so lovely! I would reread it soon but I don't know if my heart can take that ending yet... it's just so devastating; I cry every time! Thanks for stopping by, Ruz!
DeleteI've been meaning to reread Grave Mercy for a while now! And Fire was amazing on reread from what I remember.
ReplyDeleteOh man, The Book Thief I haven't been able to bring myself to reread yet. It's a beautiful book, but so painful
You must read it! It's so fabulous. It is, isn't it?
DeleteRight?? It's amazing but so, so hard to revisit. Thanks for stopping by, Bec!
I quite agree about Uglies... it was a read and done for me too! I haven't read Graceling but your love shone through and now I think I need it on my TBR list... This is the second time I've heard so much love for Red in the last two days! ❤️
ReplyDeleteYeah, some books are just like that. I wish I could reread it and have the same level of enjoyment because I do want to revisit it, but it wouldn't be the same. Haha I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it! Thanks for stopping by, Dani!
DeleteI like that you put one on the can't list because it was too emotional! I know a lot of people felt that way about the Book Thief. I loved it, but it usually takes a lot more for me to get emotional with books so I think I could reread it. I agree about Uglies though. Definitely a one-and-done book.
ReplyDeleteThat's the main reason I can't reread books! I just can't stand putting myself through it again even though it's amazing and wonderful. For sure :) I don't know what makes books one-and-dones but sometimes they're just not good rereads. Thanks for stopping by, Olivia!
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