Read bios and fiction, mostly, but also return to favorite writers from Colette to Joyce Carol Oates. Nothing beats curling up on the couch on a rainy afternoon with a cup of coffee and a great read! I liked the book and may later reread it..
It looked too thick and boring. I like to think of books I reread as old friends. There are some authors who require several readings to really understand the book, or whose writing is so complex that you can enjoy it on different levels. Fascinating to hold the pros and cons of rereading next to each other. The pros far outweigh the cons. If one of the few cons is seeing change within oneself, is that even really all that bad? I am always concerned that my immediate or involved joy in reading a book will be lost if I explore it again.
I unfortunately was kind of devastated to found out that my love for the series has dulled over time, but this is something that comes with the act of reading. I believe that we find joys in the moments of reading and sometimes we should leave those books closed, but that is just me. I do also believe that it is different for different genres or forms of literature. I always reread poetry or short fiction to push more and more out of the smaller texts, which is something I think that comes for those art forms.
I read so many big science fiction books at a young age. When reading books for research in the field of dance, I read first with an open mind and then again with a specific question in mind.
The questions become organic because my first impression of the text is helping to guide my quest. Very insightful. I have always usually read a book once and never thought about rereading it again. This is a very informational piece. When I first learned to read, I read as many new books as I could. Especially when I started to read longer and more complex texts, as the characters and the story world seemed so alive; however, I noticed that when I reached high school, my desire to discover new stories ebbed, and I more frequently reread the books that made me feel complex emotions in my youth.
For me, when I read the last page of a novel or a series, its tragic because I know that the characters will never change. They immediately become lifeless. I would reread to try and bring life back to the story, but it never really worked. Very interesting read. In my experience, there are always moments in books that are newly discovered when re-reading. In many cases, reading a book for the first time — especially if it is a highly anticipated one — can be a rushed thing; excitement on behalf of the reader clouding the smaller, more nuanced parts of the story.
I find that once the text has been concluded, and the anxiousness of finding out the ending has dissolved, it allows for a more leisurely read-through, and so many small things that one might have skipped over in the first read can be brought to light!
I always love rereading books, and return to my favorites as a sort of comfort every now and again. Wonderful article! Interesting article. I find myself being selective in my re-reading of books depending on how much I enjoyed it the first time and how interested I am in the topic. More often than not, the books I do re-read are novels I read when I was younger.
After reading this I feel that I should re-read more. I believe that a well written book requires you to read it again. I have found that rereading a novel or book I first had to read for a class or school requirement can often bring new perspectives. The insights from the old class discussion are often revisited although with new personal experience, they bring added or challenging perspectives.
It can make for a fun and interesting experience. There are several books in my personal library that I have read multiple times. They are books that I connected with on a deep level, and I re-read them to capture that feeling again.
Recently, however, I read a book that I had been claiming was my all-time favorite for about 20 years. It had also been about 20 years since I read it. So when I realized half way through the book that the heroine was whiney and self-indulgent, I suddenly realized that I had probably been whiney and self-indulgent when I was reading the book as a young woman.
My life experiences had altered my idea of how a romantic heroine should behave. The book is still beloved to me, my dog is named after one of the main characters after all, but I recognize the limitations of the book. Meanwhile, as a grad student, I find that the first read through is never enough. I find myself vaguely aware of what is happening after the first read through and intimately connected to the book after re-reading passages during a critical analysis of the work.
So maybe read once for pleasure but prepare to need to read and read passages of a book for academic study or literary criticism. I frequently reread books, particularly the classics. I find that I take away something new from a book every time I read it. When I stop learning something new from a book, is when I will stop reading it.
At least for a little while…. Rereading as a way to re-examine the self appears to be one of the most valuable things when taking a an old book from the shelf. The comforting feeling while revisiting places that were stored away in memory seems to be of great value when rereading books from ones childhood. The inevitable changes that one undergoes from first opening a book to returning to the story not only produces an affirmation, but also enables a reflection on the characters, the choice of words, the style of writing, and an overall evolution in the understanding of a book.
I have an entire shelf of favorite books I reread semi-frequently. While there are no surprises—after all, I know the story—it is comforting to reread my favorites. I also enjoy rereading because I already know each author of a favorite book has put effort into crafting the story. This could easily be applied to real life. This makes sense to me, as each book contains its own complexities that you have to re-read to understand.
However, for me it takes a truly phenomenal read to bring me back for a second read through. Rereading certainly does have both benefits and draw-backs, but I think it really depends on the book and why the reader is choosing to go back. Obviously, for academic purposes rereading text is essential but if you are not rereading for academic purposes I believe it completely depends on the reader.
I too have an extremely large TBR pile, but there are certain books that I read once a year, no matter how large that pile. These are books that have touched me in my life and draw me back in time and time again.
There are also books that I personally have returned to that are not annual reads for me, but stories that I need at different points in life. Rereading a beloved novel is like having dinner with a dear friends, always in good taste. Sometimes I play up the scenes too much the first time, but after the second read, the suspense falls flat and my opinion lessens.
However, rereading can also allow me to recognize more foreshadowing, symbolism my favorite , or other devices the author adds in. Another con for me is that I could be using the time rereading a book to read a new book!
This was a really interesting article! As someone who has reread the Harry Potter series numerous times, I think that rereading is a wonderful experience. In books such as HP, it can be so interesting to discover new layers or phrases or nuances that you just missed the first time or two around. Additionally, I think that rereading is a crucial part to understanding a text.
In the case of writers, the best way to go is to read something once for the experience and then read again for the details — go back and read like a writer. Personally, I think that rereading is crucial to an in-depth understanding of plot, symbolism, and authorial decisions at work.
I am a chronic re-reader of books that I love, but low-quality books I often read once and then never again—or I get halfway through, am dismayed that I have wasted my life in such a manner, and switch to something else.
The Lord of the Rings, for example, I had to reread a few times just to get through it—I was bogged down halfway through the first book, then again halfway through the second, then finally managed to tough it out through book three. High-level writing is like that—the reread becomes more about you than about the book, about the different places that you the reader are coming from. You catch things that you missed the first time around and realize how much you have learned in the intervening time.
For me, this is one of the most important purposes of rereading: how have I grown such that my experience of this book is different than the first time? I find myself rereading classic literature often. When a book is well-written, it is often worth rereading again, as the author may have included details that may have been missed the first time. For example, when I reread the Harry Potter series, I picked up on details that were important later in the book.
It is was very insightful to observe how Rowling managed to keep all of the elements in her book straight. During moments of creative blocks its a great way to refresh my head. There are a few books that I attempted to reread. They are my spiritual or self-help books. I feel so full because of the aha! Over the years, I began highlighting sections of the book if the idea or topic resonated with me. Now, I start at the beginning of those highlighted books and just skim through and read all of what I highlighted.
No matter how many new releases we add to our TBR piles, though, there will always be plenty of reasons people like to reread books instead of trying something different.
Stability feels good, intimacy comforting, and familiarity soothing. If you're constantly reaching for your favorite Harry Potter installment or your copy of Pride and Prejudice is falling apart from over use, then you understand these 10 reasons people like to reread books.
Some stories never get old. Rereading something familiar, revisiting settings you know, stories you enjoy, and characters you love, is like returning home after a long trip. It fills you with a safe and comforting feeling , a sense of familiarity and ease.
There's nothing quite like rereading your favorite childhood book to help you relax and reconnect. When you crack open a new book, a million thoughts race through your mind. Is this book going to be good? Will it live up to the hype? Even though reading new books is fun and exciting, it can also cause some anxiety and stress, like all new experiences can. Which is basically me, every single time a series comes out. So like???? I mean, obviously if you have the funds!
Not everyone does. And books are our best teachers. Rereading obviously takes away from reading new books and how. WOW my tastes have changed. So do you risk a reread??? Or keep your fond memories??? Everyone who loves it:. At all. Crisis intensifies???? Leave me alone with my raisin toast and my nightmares???
But I love it. But you try talking sense into it. Our relationship is on the rocks. Your email address will not be published. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. I love re-reading when my TBR allows it! My most re-read book is Simon VS ahaha no surprise here.
Aside from HP of course but that one is obvious. I especially like it when you can see new depths in a book and get more out of it each time round, all of the books I reread are hopefully like that, and if they stop being that way I stop rereading them. I also reread The History and liked it more then reread it again and liked it less. Also I have totally misleltp intentional my own name lol it happens to the best of us. Okay yes I am also good. We can continue!!
Although I always hated 13 Reasons Why, but the author is so disgusting. Eh do we even need to know how to spell our own names? One of my reading goals this year is to let myself reread! But yes, my tbr screams at me every time!! I totally understand the mixed feelings for rereading! I feel guilty but then like…why!? I want to do it every November for aesthetic. I totally agree with all the points in this post. Cait you are a genius. Then I calm down and read it again if I have time.
Yes I have misspelled my middle name a lot of times, so I know the struggle. Great post. I always read too fast the first time and miss details hehe. And agh, who needs a memory when rereading feels like reading. Aaah Yess accurate post! It totally depends on my mood I guess. Only twice. Idk why. Great post! Ohh I totally understand rereading out of order!
I love All The Bright Places so much. Also I need to reread HP. Omg I want to reread Carry On now, why did you say that. Haha sorry? I am re-reading Carry On right now. And it has all those like little floaty bits of orange peel in it and grosssss. Like who thought that was a good idea. I reread a lot.
I think that the first time that I read a book is for plot. I am so consumed with what is going to happen that I miss out on really appreciating the details of the writing and characterization which are my favorite parts of reading.
When I am in a slump I almost always reread. There have been books that are just not for me anymore. I also reread book series before every release. It is quite an effort if the series has like, ten or more books to get through. So much work! Good thing I read fast. I always find myself reading so faaast just to find out, and then in the second time round you can actually appreciate the writing. Life is cruel. Honestly you just need to pause time, like every weekend??
Like do you learn how to stop time??? Burn down a world??? Take a nap??? The weekends are insane. I re-read the prequel and book 1 in , and then I took a break; last month I read book 2. So, maybe in March. Excellent lists by the way, I fully agree with them! I usually wait a least a year, although last year I read one book I loved twice…probably like 6months later. So I kind of feel it depends on the book almost?! Certain authorial voices calm me down, like a child listening to its parent.
Whenever I read Jane Austen or Edith Wharton, something about their syntax soothes me in the same way the measured, marching tone of a cantata by Bach does.
Second, the seasons. I read To Kill a Mockingbird every summer, when many of its key events take place. The wonderful, transgressive, and optimistic years when neighborhood friendships turned on a chain-link boundary and a hole in the fence. I miss them—miss their superegos, their relatable pride, their all-too-human folly. I especially miss the characters that, despite it all, win : they get the guy, they get the gold, they get the keys to the city.
And I even miss the near-disasters: every time Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice starts his first proposal scene, I alternate between horror and wanting to shake him silly to make him stop.
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