What book could you read over and over again?
Some books, not all, but some novels, beg a second glance. Nowadays, I don’t reread many stories, although I should. However, in the past, when I was still a learning and developing young child, I read a particular book many times over.
The book was titled The Secret of Terror Castle. The author, and I’m assuming it was a pen name, was Robert Arthur. The story, unbeknownst to me at that time, was influenced by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Hound of the Baskerville’s.
It was a fun ghost story, one with a Scooby-Doo type ending. Perhaps, being that this book was written before Scooby-Doo first aired, this book gave birth to, or at least planted the seed for, that popular cartoon.
The Secret of Terror Castle is the first of a long series of books. Unfortunately, these children’s novels are no longer in print. Although, for twenty-seven dollars, while perusing Amazon, I found a first edition paper back of my beloved novel. And yes, once in a while, even if the writing is horribly dated, I’ll still read through it.
I actually think it’s fun to reminisce while reading it. I still remember what my young mind pictured, and the parts that left me trembling in fear. I have to laugh at myself, because, in all honesty, those ‘scary’ moments are quite tame.
There are other books I could reread. I’d read many Dan Brown novels over again. I think A Christmas Carol or The Tale of Sleepy Hollow are both books, although rather short, that I have reread. But, the Secret of Terror Castle will always be my sentimental favorite.
Chris Writing Anything 
4 responses to “Reminiscing About ‘The Secret of Terror Castle’”
The Three Investigators were the BEST! I tried collecting them a few years back, but they are pretty hard to come by.
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I don’t reread books, but I should. Someone once said that you find something different each time you reread a good book. Maybe that is because a reader “reads” a little of themselves into a book. And when a book is reread a few years later, we have lived and changed. So, we are “reading” with a new or changed perspective. I’m glad you have a favorite book from your childhood.
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Thanks for the comment Diana. I’ve learned, while trying to improve my writing, that there are two separate, how would I say, let’s just say that there are two different reading ‘states’. (I don’t know if that’s a great way to put it) Anyway, regardless, there’s a passive reading state and an active reading state. Passive reading, which one almost inherently does, means your enjoying your first time through the book. Active reading, which occurs during repetitive reading, and allows you to apply a critical eye, helps you understand why the writing was effective. So, I know, especially when I absolutely love a piece of literature, that I should revisit that work. Because it would make me a better writer…or so they say.
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And yes, you are right, reading a book in multiple stages of your life does provide new perspectives.
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