Do you read books twice?

Right now I'm reading Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd, who also wrote The Secret Life of Bees. In the former book she talks about her experience leading up to writing her best-selling novel about young Lily Melissa Owens.

It made me remember how much I loved that story when I read it several ago, and I thought, why not read it again? It's been so long since I've picked it up that it would feel almost new once more. And I'd probably view it differently at a new stage of my life. Then I started thinking--have I ever read a book multiple times? For as much as I love stories, I couldn't recall a time that I had. 

So, do you read books twice? Three times? More?

Here's my list of stories to re-read some day soon:

The Secret Life of Bees
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 
The Hours
Pride and Prejudice
Wuthering Heights
The Great Gatsby
Their Eyes Were Watching God 
The Kin of Ata are Waiting for You (college requirement shout out. If you've never heard of this book, go check it out!)

Ode to cats

There's something wonderful about a cat that can make you feel warm and fuzzy and relaxed (just like they are), smiling and rolling your eyes at their sense of entitlement and invasion of your personal space, wondering what they're chasing, chewing, staring at on the wall or out the window like they've just seen a ghost. If curiosity killed the cat, it surely created the cat as well. Yup, there's something wonderful about a cat. As Charles Dickens once said, "what greater gift than the love of a cat?"

Thanks for keeping me company on this rainy winter night, little Solly. :)

Vintage opera posters

Aren't these old opera posters pretty? They would make some great wall art for a kitchen or bedroom. 

Did you know that the word "opera" means "work" in Italian?

That is all. Happy New Year!