I have a number of books that I love(d) and have to have in my library but that I can no longer read for one reason or another. Maybe the magic just is no longer there, maybe I know the ending will make me cry, maybe I have grown and the book no longer means the same for me as it once did. I don't know.

I'll list a few of my own:

LoTR; I have a red leather bound copy that I treasure for multiple reasons and a three volume paper bound copy. I've probably read Lord of the Rings at least 12 times, if not more. At one time when I read LoTR I would be transported to Middle Earth, it no longer does that for me and that kind of saddens me. I will always have a copy of the work in my library because I can't bare to not.

The Drifters by James A. Michener; The first time I read this book I was 14, I think. It is a story about a group of misfits from different parts of the world traveling around southern Europe and parts of Africa together in the late 60's, early 70's. I'm not sure exactly why this book means so much to me but it does. (Actually I think I do know but I'm not sure I'm ready to tell.)

The Plague Dogs by Richard Adams; This book does have a happy ending but for some reason it is just to hard for me to read a second time.


Red Branch by Morgan Llywelyn; I am a big fan of northern European mythology, especially Celtic and Scandinavian mythology. I have read Thomas Kinsellas translation of the Ulster Cycle, as well as the Fenian Cycle, the Mabinogion and other mythologies. Red Branch, Morgan Llywelyns version of the Ulster Cycle is an easier, more modern read and more fleshed out than TKs and stays true to the bigger events. Even though I knew what happens at the end I read it through to the end once but couldn't finish it to the end a second time. It sits on a shelf in my book case. The weird thing is I can read TKs translation.

So tell me what are some books that have moved you that you can no longer read.