“If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.”-Oscar Wilde

How do you feel about re-reading books? I firmly agree with Mr. Wilde. I’ve read most of the volumes in my large collection at least twice. There are a handful that are on a more-or-less yearly rotation.

Here are three that I cannot get enough of, no matter how much time I spend with them.

THE RAZOR’S EDGE BY W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM (1944)

My favourite Maugham book, and definitely the novel that I’ve read more than any other. It’s a part of my literary psyche.

“The fact that a great many people believe something it no guarantee of its truth.”-The Razor’s Edge

W. Somerset Maugham. Bain Collection.

Read it if: You’re always chasing after the meaning of life. You won’t find it here, of course, but you’ll likely feel less alone on your Herculean quest.

A GLASTONBURY ROMANCE BY JOHN COWPER POWYS (1932)

A brilliant, magical masterwork that always has more to give to the dedicated reader.

“It is strange how few people make more than a casual cult of enjoying Nature. And yet the earth is actually and literally the mother of us all. One needs no strange spiritual faith to worship the earth.”-A Glastonbury Romance

John Cowper Powys, circa 1930.

Read it if: You like looong books about the nature of the world and our place in it; mysticism; politics; and human relationships.

The Outermost House by Henry Beston (1928)

Anyone who reads this blog knows how I feel about The Outermost House. If you’re new, just type the title into the search bar. You’ll figure it out soon enough.

No other book is closer to my heart.

“Nature is a part of our humanity, and without some awareness and experience of that divine mystery man ceases to be man.”-The Outermost House

My copy of The Outermost House

Read it if: You are enamored with the small mysteries of nature, and of humankind’s wee place in the universe.

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Now it’s your turn! Please head to the comments to share your top books to re-read!