Have you ever finished a book and immediately started reading it over? But the second time around, there was something missing from the reading experience. Reading a book for the first time is magical, breathtaking, and encompassing. There is only one first time to all the books you read. You will never get that feeling of not knowing, unexpected surprise, or unadulterated wonder of that first time reading. The second time will be different, since you know what is going to happen, you’ve read it before.

It’s quite sad, really. There are many books I wish I could open and read for the first time again. So, today, I’m wiping my memory. I don’t remember reading these books, do you? Here’s a list of 8 magnificent books that I would read again for the first time:

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling: The most obvious choice. I read Harry Potter for the first time a few months before the seventh book released. At first, I read them out of order since my library only had a copy of the sixth on hand. I started with the sixth then went back to the first, second, third and so on to the seventh. If my memory was wiped, I would most definitely start at the first one. Starting at the sixth, I have always liked that one more than all the others. However, starting from the beginning, I feel that my perspective may change. Also, having first read the books in middle school, I would be reading these books now as a twenty-something which would probably change some of my original thoughts. I’ve been following EmmaReadsTooMuch who was rereading the Harry Potter series and she has brought on several points that I don’t believe middle-school-me caught on to while reading so I definitely think Harry Potter would be first on my list to read again for the first time.


Going Bovine by Libba Bray: This list consists of some of my favorites that I would love to read it for the first time again. Going Bovine is one my all-time favorite books. Whenever I reread it, I try to mentally prepare for the cry-fest that I know is going to happen. Since I know it will happen by the end of the book, it takes away that initial surprise.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: This book is so gorgeous. Green is a fantastic writer and every time I reread this, I do notice new sentences I may have glanced over or had not paid enough attention too. However, just like with Going Bovine, knowing how the book ends really takes away something from the reading experience.


And I Darken by Kiersten White: I, recently, read And I Darken and I gave it two stars. I thought it a bit too-detailed and drowning in politics but I really wanted to enjoy it. If I wiped my memory and read this book again, I would try to be more open and take my time with it instead of pushing through it like I did. In the past, I enjoyed White’s other books so giving And I Darken another first read through may change my perspective on it.

Ophelia by Lisa Klein: Did you hear about the movie that is in the works? When I first read this, I loved every minute. Ophelia is the first book that sparked my love for Shakespeare. Ophelia is a retelling of Hamlet that gives readers a unique look of the play from Ophelia’s viewpoint. The wonderment of reading Ophelia for the first time is no longer there so if my memory is being wiped, I would be sure to pick this one up again.


Isolde, the Queen of the Western Isle by Rosalind Miles: Isolde, the Queen of the Western Isle is the book that made me a reader. It’s a story that I don’t think I’ve shared yet but of course, this book would be on my list. This book made me want to continue reading. It was the start of my book adventures. To return to my beginning as a reader would be incredible, if my memory was wiped clean, I wonder how I would feel about this book now?

Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth: Unfortunately, I haven’t finished this trilogy yet. I still have Allegiant waiting for me on my shelf. Why? One word: spoilers. Why did people need to tell me how the series ends? I would have found out eventually. If I wiped my memory, the spoilers wouldn’t be a problem and I would probably finish the trilogy.


Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: It is difficult not to get caught up in Sasha Alsberg’s love for Outlander when you watch her videos.  After a few months of putting off reading them since the books are huge, I started watching the show with my cousin. Outlander, the show and the book, are addictive and amazing just like Sasha predicted. After finishing the first season, I knew I needed to read the book. I adored the book and was astounded at how close the book and show were. However, if my memory was wiped, I would hope to read the book before watching the show just so I could visualize the characters myself and experience what happens in the book without the scenes of the show interrupting me.