Amanda Kay Oaks

You Can Never Read The Same Book Twice

Woman reading on the bed in jeans and a blazer.

The practice of re-reading is usually talked about as a form of nostalgia, or comfort. That’s certainly a huge piece of why I re-read certain books, particularly those I will put on audio as I fall asleep, do laundry, or bake. And yet, I can’t help but notice that re-reading books has offered me something else, too.

‘The Two Lives of Lydia Bird’ Puts a Brilliant Spin on Grief

Book cover of The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver. Cover is red with white writing, on a cream background with orange dots.

‘The Two Lives of Lydia Bird’ sets a unique plot device that allows Josie Silver to examine how we move forward after the loss of someone dear.

‘The Lost Apothecary’ Re-lit The Spark In My Reading Life

Book cover of The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

Getting out of my comfort zone and reading a book I’d normally skip made me overcome a reading slump and find a 2021 favourite in ‘The Lost Apothecary’.

‘Vesper Flights’ by Helen Macdonald Shows Nature’s Magic Lies in It Not Being Human

Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald and an open H is for Hawk and signed by the author

Cautiously approaching Helen Macdonald’s latest after the deeply personal experience of reading (and re-reading) ‘H is for Hawk’