The Great Gatsby question

I am also a re-reader, I have one or two books i read at least twice a year usually old classics. I have admit that Gatsby is the only book i can read 4 or 5 times a year (usally in one sitting) and also listern on audiobook a number of times. I know this book by heart.

Forty years on, I am re-reading the books that I read as an adolescent and that had a profound effect on my life and I'm amazed that they still have that ability, but in a totally different way. A prime example is Hermann Hesse - read all of his books as a teenager and have re-read them all now as an 'old dear'. The power of words and how we relate to them varies according to our life experiences. So definitely worth re-reading after time even if it is to see how much you have grown/changed.

However, I must say that I don't often read books that 'once you know the end there is no point'. Example: the Millenium trilogy - I loved these three books, cried when I finished the last one because there would be no more, but would never consider re-reading them.

I re-tried some books that I struggled with in my youth and you know what, they still bore me.

My husband says Im obsessed. I read 1st time quickly, 2nd time take my time analyze, think about plot etc. Then I usually purchase audio book. Not to mention whenever I feel like I am forgetting the plot Ill reread it to keep it fresh. EVERY time I reread a book I find something new I missed.

Even though I have wanted to re-read books I don't think I have ever re-read a book. I can't think of a time I have read a book more than once. Oh well...


You're not alone.

If you find it hard to reread books, I would think it's simply because you haven't found the books that speak to you yet. Sometimes this doesn't happen until you're out of school. (Not sure how young you are...) One thing you might find is a book you hated when you were young, if you try it again 10 years on, is suddenly amazing. Reading is a relationship between the words and the reader. If you're not ready for the relationship, it won't be a good one. If the relationship proves really good, you're going to want to read it again.

I very rarely re-read novels. Some notable exceptions include Watership Down, The Call of the Wild, White Fang, The Three Musketeers, and Lost Moon (which is non-fiction). All of these are personal favorites. I don't think I've read them more than two or three times at the most, and it was at least five to ten years between reads for me.

The only books I do re-read with any frequency are my comic strip collections (Calvin & Hobbes, etc.), and I don't read those nearly as often as I used to, probably because I've got them all but memorized by now.

I will admit that checking out the various discussions on this site has made me realize how much I've forgotten about many of the classics I read back in school (Gatsby included) and I have thought about going back and reading these books again, if only to re-familiarize myself with the story. I'd be interested to see if I come away with a different point of view today than I did back in school. I'm not sure whether or not I will re-read any, especially since many of these books are not on my shelf at home.

But to answer your question, I don't feel the need to re-read a book as long as I remember the story and the point the author was trying to make. If I remember the majority of a book, I'll only re-read that book if I really enjoyed it and haven't read it in years.

I love to reread books - everytime I find something new, or something I forgot about, or am reminded how much I loved the book I and why...I love it.

I'm a complete re-reader!! Scanning my library, I can't find a single book that I haven't re-read at least once ... I can't imagine actually owning a book that I didn't want to re-read.

I don't re-read as often as I used to. For years I ritually re-read a few favorite books and always found something new that caught my attention. There were also a few I re-read because I disliked them, usually books assigned in college lit classes. I wanted to see if reading them by choice made a difference in my opinion or perception of them. Not so much. These days I don't take the time to read something again because there are so many books on my TBR shelf that I want to enjoy.

I have to admit, I am a big-time re-reader. All my favorite books have been read over & over again. I have read this book probably 30 times. There are certain books I read at particular times of the year. Pretty soon I will start reading all my favorite scary books because that is what I do in the fall.

Quite honestly, I don't think that knowing how the book ends spoils the reading, I pick up on things I might have missed the first (or eleventh) time I read something.

I love rereading and do it a lot.I find something new each time I read.Same with movies and t.v.shows

I don't like rereading a book because I already know what happened. I mean occasionally I'd skim through if I like want to remember a quote or something but other than that I think it's a waste of time. I can rewatch movies though... n_n but not like over and over again. That just annoys me, because again you already know what happened and it isn't surprising and takes the fun out of watching it the first time. Occasionally though I like rewatch...especially if it Balto, 101 Dalmations, A Walk To Remember, or The Lion King! XDDDD

I love to reread books. I will reread entire books, only certain parts of books, whatever I'm in the mood for. If I'm tired and/or seeking comfort, I will go back to a book I've already read, rather than read a new book.

i NEVER ever re-read books haha

Even with a huge to-read pile, I visit certain books again and again.

They're like comfort foods, favorite songs, dear but rarely seen friends---how could I not love spending time with them when I'm in the mood?

I can understand the views of both camps on this subject, but I am a re-reader. I'm fascinated by the fact that some books hold up to a return visit and others don't. Who does that say more about: the reader or the book?

The White Hotel by D.M. Thomas is a novel I've read three times and it held up each time, but for different reasons.

I usually have way too many books to read to re-read things. That said, I do have favorites that I read over and over. These are books that have a the special quality of taking me to a world that I love. I love the characters and want to "see" them again. I never get tired of them. I don't re-read them often, usually once every year or two. Sometimes every five years or so. It's usually when I get tired of my current rut (like vampire romances) and want a change of scene.

Favorite re-reads:
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
The Blue Sword, Robin McKinley
Prodigal Summer, Barbara Kingsolver
Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver
Random Harvest, John Hilton (just finished for the 5th or 6th time)
Lost Horizon, John Hilton
The Way of a Pilgrim, anonymous
The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials) Philip Pullman
Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffennegger
Joan of Arc, Mark Twain
Persian Pickle Club, Sandra Dallas
Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austin
Kafka on the Shore, Haruki Murakami
1Q84, Haruki Murakami is a new favorite that I'm itching to re-read

I often re-read spiritual classics or parts of the bible, because I always find new gold buried there.

I don't ever re-read books - There are just too many that I want to read!

I, too, am a re-reader. In fact, I re-read so much, I find I am constantly replacing worn out copies of books. Some I read once and then give away, but the majority of my library are books I haven't read only once.

I can read something 20 times and still find interesting things about it to enjoy. (I'm the same way with movies!)

I have only ever reread one book. This is mainly because there is so much to read, and so little time, that I dont want to be missing out.

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if I start rereading in the future as I am finding that I am hazy on some of my favourite books, and may need a refresh

I re-read books that I've loved, but luckily they are few and far between. Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin novels have this honour...

Gatsby I've read only once.

I am a re-reader if a book fascinates me. AS I LAY DYING, THE TRIAL, and many others.

I am a re-reader. I find that each time I read a particular book I get something new and different from it- an insight or greater understanding of something that I may have overlooked or just plain missed out on the first time around. If I don't like the book I don't re-read it. But I have always found that the best books are worth reading over and over again.

correct me if I don't get it right, are you trying to say you cannot read a book more than once? If so, I (somewhat relieved) say that I'm in the same situation. It's not that I don't want to, but there are so many other books waiting on the shelf and I am such a slow reader, that rereading a book does not fit in the schedule :(

True reading is re-reading. Also, songs are 3-4 minutes long usually, which makes them an easy option for repeat listens.

True reading is re-reading.