When you re-read a classic, you do not see more in the book than you did before; you see more in yourself than there was before. –Clifton Fadiman, editor and critic (1904-1999)
Each summer, I re-read one of my favorite books. Recent years, I have revisited The Secret Garden and Pride and Prejudice ( I tried P & P with zombies but I found it too silly). I just re-started The Mysterious Affair At Styles. I haven’t read the first Poirot in years but it all suddenly flooded back to me and I was enmeshed completely in the post World War II English countryside. As a writer I tend to focus on dialogue and internal monologues. I forget to give my readers a sense place, the smell the feel of a definite place in a definite time. Christie also reminded me to fully describe my characters and not just through their words and actions. I need fully waxed curled mustaches!
I know there are a million books and magazines and blogs waiting for your attention, but I encourage everyone to dig out an well-loved favorite and give it a spin. It is like running into an dear old school friend except you don’t have to worry if you look fat.
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