Are you a Re-reader?
I’m in charge of my bookclub’s discussion tomorrow night, and the book we chose to read was Stephen King’s 11/22/63. (That’s a slightly dated pic of my club on the left). I love King’s non-horror books and stories (The Stand is a favorite and his short story Shawshank Redemption inspired the fantabulous movie of the same name). 11/22/63 is about a regular guy who learns he can time travel and decides to try to prevent the assassination of President John Kennedy. I read the book about a year ago and since I have zero retention, I had to reread it. All 800+ pages of it, although since I read on my iPad, I didn’t actually realize how long it was. It’s a super fast read despite the length, especially if you stay up till 2 am every night because you can’t put it down. I loved it just as much the second time as I did the first and I’m glad my memory is terrible, because I could enjoy the unfolding of surprises all over again.
So, are you a re-reader? I hear from some of my readers that they read my books two or three times, and a couple re-read them every year! While I’m hugely flattered, I can’t imagine doing this when there are so many new things to read in the world. I’d love to know your ‘reading behavior’.
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Sandra, I absolutely love the image of you reading in bed to your husband while he paints! that delights me.
Yes, with over 70 books on my "to read" list, it's a very rare occurrence indeed for me to re-read. However, I admit to having re-read once, a long time ago; A Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher. A delightful, simple and engaging tale, enjoyed just as much the second time around. In fact, as I think about the warm and fuzzy feelings it gave me way back then, it might be time for a third read!
P.S. That title is Winter Solstice! Without the A
I keep books by my favorite authors with the intention of re-reading though I have yet to actually do it. With that being said, the one book I have read and re-read is "Gone With The Wind"!
I don't typically re-read any books. Like others who have posted, mostly because there are so many good books yet to read. I buy way too many books, and then they sit on my shelves. So with such a big "to do" list, I can't spend time re-reading. But I do keep the REALLY good ones with the intention. Maybe somebody, when I am caught up.....(yea right!)
I'm not a re-reader at all. The only time I do is when I have to for bookclub.
I have only re read classics, like Gone with the Wind, and only after many years have elapsed.
very rarely with fiction but yes with poetry and nonfiction .
I am a HUGE re-reader! For me, it's like spending lovely time with dear, cherished friends. Usually my mood determines my choice...do I need a good laugh? Do I need to be reminded to be gentle with my kids? Do I need some escapist mind candy? That being said, I agree with the folks here that there are WAAAAYYYYY too many great books out there that I still have to read (500+ on my "To Read" list!!). But I still re-read too.
I love this comment, MaryNell!
I'm terrible about retaining books too. I remember whether or not I enjoyed them, but usually if I were to reread I would be surprised by the ending :)One book I've read and enjoyed multiple times is East of Eden.
I would love to re-read more often than I'm able to. I used to have so much more free time to do this, but I have so many books waiting to be read that I barely have time to get to.I'm like you and very forgetful, so when a new book in a series comes out, I often DO have to re-read. I just finished re-reading a book by Rae Carson this past month in order to read its brand-new sequel, for example.
Standalones, even though I often don't have time to re-read, I sometimes do if I'm in the mood for that one book!
Great topic :)
One book that I have re-read recently was 'Water for Elephants'. I read the book earlier in the year, and after having finished it I realised that my husband would probably enjoy it too (he loves books about animals and real life), so we read it together. He is an artist, so we often sit in bed, with me reading a book to him, while he paints. It was great to read it again, and experience it in a different way.
I will also probably re-read some of my favourites of your books, such as 'The Midwife's Confession', 'The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes' and 'The Lies We Told' once they're not quite so fresh in my mind.