Burn, Re-Write, Reread Book Tag

The Rules

• Randomly choose 3 books (Tip: Use the “Sort > Random” option on your Goodreads’ Read shelf.).
• For each group, decide which book to burn, which one to rewrite, and which to reread (a lot like Kiss, Marry, Kill).
• Repeat until you completed six rounds (or three if that’s too many).

ROUND 1

Burn: Red Rising by Pierce Brown – This was so tough because I wanted to put Red Rising and Hotel Valhalla under re-write. I chose to donate Red Rising because the things I would prefer to alter/change in the novel might fundamentally change the overall feeling and then it wouldn’t be the same book. You can read my review here.

Rewrite: For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds by Rick Riordan – This was a funny read but it was definitely too short. You can read my review here. The book was a typical RR take on mythology and was enjoyable but no where near as expansive as his Greek mythology counterparts. I’d want the Norse mythology to be delved into more deeply in a re-write.

Reread: Nothing but Shadows by Cassandra Clare – I’ve wanted to re-read this for a while since they’re all out, Lord of Shadows is coming out next month and I only read them once when they came out. I’m sure I missed a ton and a re-read is required to get everything out of these amazing novellas.

ROUND 2

Burn: The Graces by Laure Eve – I just didn’t love this book, it sounded interesting but never really lived up to my expectations.  You can read my review here.

Rewrite: Insurgent by Veronica Roth – I loved a lot of this book, but it wasn’t quite as good (to me) as the first and I think it would be better served by a re-write. (Let’s not even talk about the re-write potential of Allegiant…)

Reread: Divergent by Veronica Roth – This was definitely my favourite book in the series and I would love to re-read it.

ROUND 3

Burn: Untamed by P.C Cast – This is tough. I remember loving the series in high school, but I honestly couldn’t tell you one thing that happened in this book versus any of the others that I read in the series.

Rewrite: I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore – I loved this book but having read some of the later books in this series more recently, I definitely think that it would be well served by a re-write. The premise is fascinating, but the writing isn’t the best.

Reread: The Selection by Kiera Cass – This was a cute read and I would definitely be okay with reading it again. Plus, we basically have the same name so I have to give it to her, right?

ROUND 4

Burn: You Know You Love Me by Cecily Von Ziegesar – This is a Gossip Girl novel, so it’s sort of that fluffy, guilty pleasure read. I enjoyed it, but it is not anywhere near my favourites so sorry… it’s being donated.

Rewrite: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead – This is another book series that I remember loving, but could probably do with a re-write. Not much, but it could be better.

Reread: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas – This is one of my favourite books so of course it will be my reread! I’m actually planning to re-read the series before A Court of Wings and Ruins comes out next month. I am so excited, I can’t.

ROUND 5

Burn: The Awakening/The Struggle by L.J. Smith – I rated this a 3-star book, so that is why it loses this battle. I enjoyed the series when I read it, but I know the writing is not great. The dialogue is clunky and the television series is so much better overall. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever said that about a book and it’s movie or tv adaptation.

Rewrite: The Progeny by Tosca Lee – This book was enjoyable, but it had slow or confusing moments that could be re-written. You can check out my review here.

Reread: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling – I’m always re-reading Harry Potter so obviously that is where this one would land.

ROUND 6

Burn: Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine – I originally really enjoyed this series, but as time went on I found myself feeling obligated to continue reading just to finally find out what happens… rather than for the enjoyment of the books themselves.

Rewrite: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins – I recently re-read this and didn’t like it as much as I think I did originally. This is probably my least favourite book in the series and could definitely use some edits.

Reread: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor – This series has such beautiful writing and I would love to read it again. It was a little slow to get into a first, but then I fell in love.

I loved how spread out in my reading life these books were because it made things tougher. What if I loved it when I was in middle school or high school but if I were to re-read it now I hated it? I’m sure my reading has changed over the years and I know I’m less forgiving of writing that is not quite up to par. I just worry about re-reading books that I used to love. Have you guys ever re-read a book or series that you used to love and discovered it wasn’t as good as you remembered it was?

Would you have sorted these books the same way? Are you mad at me for burning (*cough* donating) or re-writing a favourite of yours? Let me know in the comments!