Twice Read

Hello Reader, and welcome to my blog Twice Read.

Allow me to introduce myself; I’m Charlotte and I like stories. Yes, I know that seems like an obvious place to start for an introduction to a book blog, but I wanted to be clear that, whilst yes, I love books, it’s the stories within those pages that has me reaching for them again and again. I also like well told stories in other formats; movies, tv series, video games, plays, ballet, wrestling (huge fan of pro wrestling), any place where you can see, hear, experience a carefully crafted narrative and complex characters coming to life. Books are just my favourite format in which to enjoy stories. It has been this way ever since I could read (which was very young). The books I have treasured the most are often ones, which stay with me long after the last page had been read and the book has been closed. The ones that make you feel while reading them and follow you into your dreams. The books that have been read so many times the spines have cracked, and new ones are required. Books I have multiple editions of, and I’m compelled to read over and over; these will be the stories I dedicate this blog too.

Stories have always been an escape for me. Travelling to new worlds, having adventures in land I would never be able to visit, has always help quieten and calm my mind. Sleeping has always been difficult, even as a child, reading before bed has always been a way to help with sleep. Of course, this was, and still is, a double edge sword; reading in the hopes of relaxing and falling asleep without being so engaging that you are awake until 3am because you need to finish the story.

Over time, the genres I prefer has evolved and expanded a I have experienced more of life as has the volume and frequency of reading. The roller coaster of time and life has mean that sometimes I would only read 2 or 3 books a month, other activities (video games, Netflix, cinema, travelling), work or studying has taken time or given time to reading but it has never removed the love of stories completely.

The Covid-19 pandemic really lit a fire under my current reading schedule (which I have to admit is probably at it’s highest level since I was a teenager), which is 2 to 3 books per week (over 100 books already this year!). I purchased a kindle, which has also increased the number of books read without increasing the number of book actually in our house (I personally think we need a bigger house just for our hobbies) and I have the opinion that not all stories are equal, some will be enjoyed time and time again but others you will enjoy the once and never feel like revisiting. This is also a personal preference as some people will enjoy stories more than others.

Those stories I obsessively read over and over and can not leave behind are the ones I dedicate this blog to. The comfort reads, the seasonal reads, the reads that have impacted my life. I will share my love of books I never got over, stories of how they came into my life and why they continue to be the most frustrating and enjoyable part of life. Each week I will review a book or series which has shaped my life and expand on some topics of the book reader’s work. I encourage you to comment below with stories and books that will always be your go to comfort read, one you read over and over, whether it I one from your childhood or one from recent read.

We begin with a British classic (Yes, I am British and have a very boring BBC English accent) and for most a childhood favourite; Harry Potter – My America Dream. Yeah, makes no sense, right? Intrigued right? Join us next week to discovery my magical world.

In the meantime, please share which stories you enjoy over and over.

Keep reading,

Charlotte