I first came across 'I Capture The Castle' (Dodie Smith) when I was 8. Myself, my mum, my aunt and my older cousin went away for a few days, and each night we watched a different film- this is one of them. At the time, I really didn't get it, and I can't remember much of it. However, it did intrigue me, and I was desperate to read the book. My mum had a copy, but it took her ages to find it; it wasn't until a year later that I read it, when we were on holiday on a houseboat! Again, I was too young- I kind of got what was implied at some points, but I didn't get the significance of a lot of it and parts just completely went over my head. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it, and I started reading it again literally as soon as I'd finished it for the first time!
I've read the book many times since then, and each time I get something new out of it- I remember reading it once and suddenly really understanding something Cassandra said. I've had some huge moments of empathy with that book, and as I grow older- and wiser?!- those moments only increase, making it a great book to re-read. Also- I am quite totally in love with Cassandra, and always have been.
Definitely a book that I think of when I think of my favourite books, one that helped to form me I guess, and one I think that'll stick with me for life! Love it, love it, love it.