Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Wednesday, which can only mean it’s time for my next post in the Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge hosted by Long and Short Reviews. If you’d like to participate in the challenge, you can check out the list of topics for 2026 here. If you’d like to read what others have written on today’s topic, here.
Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time
Practical Magic
I love this book. It tells the story of the Owens family (a family of witches) and the curse that ensures the women (and in later books, men) of the family never find a happily ever after with their true love. It’s a lovely story, and it’s one I’ve re-read a few times. It never gets old, but I’d love to “feel” it for the first time again.
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale is such an important book. Not only is it an exceptional work of fiction, but it’s also an incredible cautionary tale. Unfortunately, it seems the world is becoming increasingly like Gilead as time passes. Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration… but not by much. I was riveted to my chair when I first read this.
The Song of Achilles
This one tells the story of Patroclus and Achilles (of ancient Greek mythology) and their journey of life and love. It’s incredibly compelling and unlike anything I’d ever read before. I’d love to go back and re-experience this one for the first time.
Reasons to Stay Alive
Matt Haig is a brilliant writer. His books have entertained and made me think for years. This particular book is about his own personal struggle with poor mental health and tells the story of his own recovery after an attempted suicide. It’s such an impactful read, and I related to it so much when I first read it.
The Happiness Trap
This book gave me such an “aha!” moment. We’re taught from an early age that the goal in life is to be “happy”, and so we all strive to find happiness—to achieve a “happy life.” Of course, we fail and become miserable because happiness doesn’t seem to last. The truth is, though, that happiness isn’t supposed to be a permanent state. It’s lots of little, temporary happy moments that make a happy life. A constant state of happiness is not achievable. I love this book.
I wonder which books you’d all like to read again for the first time?
Thank you, as ever, for spending your time here with me today!
Until next time,
George
© 2026 GLT
Categories: life, Reading, Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge
GEORGE L THOMAS 
The magus by John Fowles
Voyage au bout de la nuit by Louis Ferdinand Céline
La vie devant soi by Romain Gary and
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes.
These are the ones that came to mind first and the books I know I will want to read again and again. They are all stories that touch something inside you.
LikeLiked by 1 person