One of my best memories from summers when I was a child was of those days when I didn’t have to do anything. Work had not yet reared its head, chores were finished, and the weather was just right. It wasn’t too hot, and the humidity was low. The sky was filled with imagination-inducing legions of clouds. On such days, I remember sitting under a tree, leaning back against it and reading a book—all day, with the exception of going in for lunch and supper. They were perfect days.
Now, imagine something like that. For one day, you have no responsibilities, the weather is nice—75 degrees, almost no humidity, and a sky of bright blue and cumulus clouds like scattered cotton candy—and you have the time to indulge in reading a book. At your side is a container of coffee, iced tea, or whatever you like. You also have snacks with you. Remember, for this day, you are free to relax and read, as if you were a child again.
If I were to do this right now, I think I would begin to reread The Lord of the Rings.
My question is—what book would you read?
I have used this post before, but I love hearing the answers from other readers.
Gallows Hill can be found here in ebook.
Gallows Hill in paperback can be found here.
An interview about Gallows Hill can be found here.
Please follow the following links to find my novel:
Thank you!
The book trailer:
Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I
My radio interview:
I write because it’s the form of therapy in which I can be the most vulnerable and honest.
LikeLiked by 4 people
And that is a very honest response.
LikeLike
I had that edition of Lord of the Rings…my first copy of the book. which I read and re-read over the years until the paperback fell apart…and then I read it again. I still re-read old friends, including this one, though in hardback and three volumes. I think I would probably still down with Lewis Carol and Alice though… children’s stories that intrigue an adult mind.
LikeLiked by 5 people
I have some books that I use in my classes that I have kept together with duct tape! And ye,s children’s stories can have much to offer.
LikeLike
A lot of mine are taped togther too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a mark of value!
LikeLike
Lavengro by George Borrow.
LikeLiked by 3 people
thank you!
LikeLike
I had summers like this! I would “hide out” (as my mother called it) in my room or secret places and devour a book a day. Such wonderful memories compare to nothing else!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, they are among my favorite memories!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“imagination-inducing legions of clouds” Oh, yes, I’ve seen them too!
LikeLiked by 3 people
And they are wonderful!
LikeLike
For me it would be A Wizard of Earthsea – the book that introduced me to fantasy. Having said for years that I really must re-read it, the sad death of the author Ursula K LeGuin has spurred me on, so it now awaits me on my Kindle for when I’ve finished the ones I’ve promised to review.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Is it not a wonderful dilemma to have many books to read? It is for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is, I just wish I had more time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great question! When I was a child the Lord of the Rings series, or perhaps even The Silmarillion, were my go-to books for lazy summer days. Right now though, I’d say I’d choose The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence. It’s such a well-written book that I feel like reading it improves my own writing. In fact, I’m sure it does.
LikeLiked by 3 people
They are all excellent choices!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on K. D. Dowdall and commented:
Charles, I really liked this post from two years ago and it is certainly with repeating!
https://charlesfrenchonwordsreadingandwriting.wordpress.com/2018/04/15/what-book-would-you-read-revisited/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLike
Charles….What book would I read….? The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I have already begun reading it and it is beautiful writing and a joy to read. Thank you for reposting! Karen 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are very welcome!
LikeLike
I am currently reading The Deerslayer. One of the five novels in The Leatherstocking Tales by Cooper. It is bitter sweet as this very book was to be a Christmas present to a dear friend. Although a German living in Munich he was intrigued with the tales of the American wilderness. Sadly he passed away unexpectedly before I could get the book to him. It is slow reading so far but I do want to finish this and the Pathfinder, also included in the saga.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I am sorry for your loss, and it is an excellent way to keep him in your heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s raining cats and dogs outside at the moment…I would love to find myself re-reading Mary Stewart’s Arthurian books underneath a shady tree…I just finished the BBC series, “Merlin” and I think I left part of my heart in their world!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Wonderful choices! The world of Arthur is always in my heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post. I miss those lazy days when I had hours of spare time to read as well. For me it would be either The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe or Foundation. Early favorites that I need to reread someday.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, and they are wonderful choices!
LikeLike
You memories remind me about getting lost reading “Gone With the Wind.” Summer, time to read, few responsibilities. The other book at the same time was “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Both strike me as wonderful reads at that time. Thanks for the memories. If I could do that today, I would read “Old Man and the Sea”. Thank you, Charles.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Jennie, You are very welcome. It would be wonderful if we could do this again, as when we were children.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, it would. Very much so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An interesting idea, Charles. I would re-read The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is an excellent choice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mmmmm The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett. I think I may be repeating myself! Another big favourite of mine was Michael Ende’s The Night of Wishes… what a wonderful story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful!
LikeLike
The Alexandria Quartet – right through, all four of them. It is forty years at least since I last read them and I remember much of the story vividly. Not many books burn themselves into your brain like that – LOTR is another one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is an excellent choice!
LikeLike
Think I would re-read A House for Mr. Biswas by VS Naipaul first read in my early teens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful choice!
LikeLike
I think I would reread the Crystal Cave or the Sword of Shannara. Both were great ‘carry you away’ fantasies during my childhood summers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent choices
LikeLike
I loved days like that. I would start in the morning and read well into the night once the world had gone away…because I blissfully had nowhere to be the next day 😊. I cannot decide! Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Anne of Green Gables. Pride and Prejudice. Or, Harry Potter I’ll think of a dozen others after I send this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All are wonderful choices!
LikeLiked by 1 person