Revisiting the Past

Revisiting the Past

• Apr 16, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Every week they post a new topic/Top Ten list and invite everyone to share their own answers. I'm so obsessed with lists!

This week's topic is "Rewind," which means that bloggers get to choose any past Top Ten Tuesday topic. I decided that I really wanted to do the "Top Ten Books I Want to Reread" list, but I wanted to alter it because that's what I do. So, without further ado:

Top Five Childhood Series I Want to Reread

1. The Betsy-Tacy Series by Maud Hart Lovelace (10 books)

This series was written by Maud Hart Lovelace between 1940 and 1955. The series follows Betsy Ray and her friends from the time she's five through her early twenties. Set in Minnesota in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these are characters that you'll absolutely love.

There is a nostalgic quality to the books because of the time period in which they are written and set, and that's one thing I remember loving when I first read them. I also remember that Betsy wanted to be a writer, and it's something that her family, friends and love interest encouraged and supported. That was something that made the book still feel so modern! Betsy deals with things that are familiar - friends moving away, finding love, seeing more of the world, etc.

I remember loving these books when I first read them, but then I gave them away in high school because I thought I'd never read these "kids books" again. Well, I'd be mad at myself for getting rid of them, but I can't be too mad because I just got to buy these pretty reissued sets. Now, I'm just itching to reread them!

2. The Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder (9 books)

This series was published by Laura Ingalls Wilder between 1933 and 1943, with two published posthumously in 1962 and 1971. The series is based on Laura's memories of her childhood in the Midwest during the late 19th century. Laura's daughter, Rose, assisted her mother in the editing and publishing of this series.

I can't imagine that there are very many people who haven't read at least one Little House books! Seriously, these are like American childhood classics. Was there anyone who didn't read these books and imagine living Laura's life? Who didn't dress up like Laura? Didn't live in fear of a deadly snowstorm (even if they live in the South where it almost never snows)?

I guess what I'm saying is that these books are ones that children, especially little girls, have grown up with over the years. Like the Betsy-Tacy series, I let my mom give these away at some point in the past. I don't even know why, except I think I was in middle school and thought I'd never read these again. Seriously, middle school me DID NOT appreciate my childhood favorites enough. And didn't think about the fact that one day I'd still wish I owned all of these. The only thing that's worked in my favor, like with the Betsy-Tacy series, is that I got to buy these really lovely full-color editions with thick, glossy pages. I just ordered these the other day, and I can't wait for them to arrive. Then it will definitely be time for a reread!

3. The Anne of Green Gables Series by L.M. Montgomery (8 books)

This series was written by Lucy Maud Montgomery between 1908 and 1939. The series follows Anne Shirley, an orphan, from childhood to having children of her own. Set on Prince Edward Island, I cannot even begin to count the ways this series has impacted me as a reader.

Millions of readers worldwide have fallen in love with this feisty redhead with a romantic heart and proclivity for adventure. She has become a classic literary heroine, and she's been featured on many of Top Ten Tuesday lists (as has her true love, Gilbert Blythe). She's loves to dream, talk, write, imagine... This is a girl that readers will identify with, no matter what their age.

I had planned to reread the entire series last summer, calling it the Summer of Lucy Maud, but I only ended up rereading the first three books in the series. I'm excited to revisit that plan this summer, and I hope to spend several warm weeks under the sun reveling in the story of this beloved character.

4. The Emily of New Moon Series by L.M. Montgomery (3 books)

This series was written by Lucy Maud Montgomery between 1923 and 1927. The series follows Emily Starr, also an orphan, from childhood to adulthood. Montgomery returns to the familiar and much-loved Prince Edward Island with this lesser known, but still thoroughly enjoyable, series.

Although there are a number of things about this series that make it similar to the Anne books, I do remember them having a slightly more serious (perhaps even darker) tone. A huge part of these books is Emily's desire to be an author.

I wish I could say even more about these books, but I honestly can't remember that much of what happens! Why? Take a look at the picture above. I'm reading Emily of New Moon on the beach, and I'm pretty sure I was maybe in fifth or sixth grade here (yes, I was always the tallest one in my class). Anyway, that was the first and last time I read this series... so my memory is a little foggy on what actually happened in these books. I'm excited to hopefully experience them again soon!

5. The Chronicles of Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis (7 books)

This series was written by C.S. Lewis between 1949 and 1954. It's set in the fictional world of Narnia, where magic and mythical beasts are quite common. The series focuses on the children who play key roles in the history of this world.

I remember loving The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe as a child, but I honestly can't remember if I've even read the rest of the series! I think that I've read a few of them, but I don't have clear memories of what happens in the whole series, and that makes me really sad. These are classics in children's literature, and they've had an impact on the fantasy genre as a whole.

I purchased the Barnes and Noble Leatherbound Classic version of this series recently, which compiles all seven books into one larger tome. The book itself is lovely, and it makes me that much more excited to go back to Narnia and find new adventures that I've never encountered before.