Do you ever reread books? Although it’s not something I do often, I had two rereads this past month—with each novel offering a very different experience the second time around. I’ve shared those reflections below, along with a few other books I’ve read recently.
I’ve also recorded my rereads on Goodreads. Logging a second rating and review on Goodreads was a bit tricky for me at first. If you’re interested in doing the same, here’s a method that worked for me:
- On Goodreads, find the book you’re reviewing for a second (or third, or fourth!) time.
- Choose a different edition than the one you previously reviewed.
- Scroll down to Ratings & Reviews—you’ll see your original edition listed there.
- Click the right arrow button. It will display a section labelled ‘Review This Edition.’ Click the ‘Write a Review‘ button.
- You’ll be taken to the review page for the new edition.
- Under Bookshelves/tags, you can shelve the new edition however you like.
- Ta-da! Same book, new review, fresh rating.
Book Club Pick, Reread, 3 Stars bumped up to 4
I listened to Small Things Like These last month during a phase of devouring shorter reads and audiobooks. Having loved Keegan’s Foster (a full five stars) and given the acclaim surrounding this novella, I expected to feel the same. Sadly, I didn’t. While I appreciated the story at the end, I felt like I had missed something along the way.
I would have left it there, but when my local book club chose it for discussion, I gave it another go—this time in paperback. And something shifted. What felt spare and elusive in audio took on quiet power in print. My original three stars became a solid four.
The story is rooted in the harrowing history of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries. On my first listen, I think my emotional defences muted its impact. But on the second read, Keegan’s restraint—her silences, her precision—let the deeper truth seep in.
Still, the ending left me unsettled both times. I understood Bill’s decision and the courage behind it, but the ambiguity gnawed at me. I couldn’t stop thinking about the cost—for Sarah, for Bill’s daughters, for so many innocent people. Keegan offers no comfort, only the burden of a moral choice—and the haunting question of what comes after.
Book Club Pick, Reread, 3.5 Stars elevated to 4
I read The Wind in the Willows last month for my May’s Classic Book Club. While I liked it, I didn’t love it as much as I expected to. I kept looking for a more discernible plot. Plus, Toad’s endless whining, boasting, and impulsiveness started to grate on me (humour bypass, I know!). But after a recent reread—and watching the charming 1970 Anglia Colour production on YouTube—I appreciated the story more. It’s still not a 5-star read for me, but a solid 4.
The second time around, having already fallen down all those rabbit holes, I knew that Toad was inspired by Grahame’s young son, Alastair. Alastair had many health complications and was impulsive and boastful as a child. This helped to soften my view and drew me deeper into the adventures. Our book club podcast discussion of this novel was published today. You can have a listen here.
Book Club Pick, 4 Stars,
This is the next read for our Classic Book Club podcast (June) and will definitely be a reread for me. This title was recommended by Penguin’s Must Read Classics —and what a perfect recommendation it was. I laughed out loud throughout.
It’s hard to believe this classic was written long before anyone in our book club was born. The wit, humour, and style are absolutely timeless. If you haven’t read Wodehouse, this is a fabulous place to start—it definitely was for me. And if you would like to join us in this read, you can share your thoughts and comments on the podcast link above. Jo, Sue, Debbie and I would love to hear from you.
Big Library Reads, 4 Stars Hodges combines classical music and quantum physics to explore how we can change our relationship with the past, all wrapped in a candid, heartfelt memoir. That sounds like a lot for one short book, but it works well. This was Libby’s Big Reads pick for April/May 2025. However, you can still explore some of the posts and discussions here.
4 Stars
Sometimes, quite unexpectedly, the right book comes to you at precisely the right time. For me, this is that book. I had just been thinking about shared economies – what makes them work and what causes them to go off track – when I picked up this book, not knowing its contents. The Serviceberry explores my question brilliantly. It also provides much food for thought about our over-reliance on consumerism, over-abundance, and competitive markets, offering simple suggestions on how we can begin to bring back a more balanced, community-based approach. This is a small book with a great deal to say.
OMG. This. Book.
4.5 stars
Over to You!
Cohosts: Sue, Jo, Debbie and me.
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