To Reread or not to Reread?

[Mark]

I am asking this question because I have just moved house within the the last week. I have had to pack then unpack a few thousand books and place them back on my book cases.

I came across a few old favourites from years ago as I was placing them on the shelves, and there I am remembering the plots and my enjoyment of reading them years ago.

In fact I still have books from nearly 40 years ago, and at the age of 49 that’s a long time.


I use to reread a lot of my books as there wasn’t a lot fantasy available as there is now a days. I am finding that I am only reading newly published books and nearly of those on my kindle as it’s easier for me to read when I am travelling on public transport.

So do I make time to read books I have read before(years ago) or just read new books.

I may not actually like, what I am rereading as much I did the first time.

So fellow readers what’s everyone’s thoughts about this.

[Tyler]

I find it’s hard to keep up with all the new releases and new stories that are catching my eye. So I usually go long periods when I don’t re-read any of my favourite books and stick to newly published books (or books that have been out a long time and are just catching my interest).

I usually re-read a favourite when I’m feeling kinda stuck, and like I’m picking up books are their not catching my interest or their all starting to blend together. That’s when I return to a favourite that I can fly through and get back into the groove of reading. I also find myself picking up a favourite again when I’m feeling kinda down, or like the world is collapsing around me. Then I can sink into this world of characters that is so familiar and gets lost in their lives for a change instead of mine

I also find it easier to re read a stand alone as opposed to a series because I feel less guilty stealing the time from new releases. And very rarely if it’s been a very long time since I’ve read a book and the sequel comes out again I’ll reread the first book to refresh my memory of what happened.

[Kevin]

Read whatever you think you will enjoy at the moment... Don't worry about reading every new book out there

[Noor]

Sometimes you just need to read something that you KNOW is good or you would like to revisit a certain world or whatever. Nothing wrong with re-reading. I have a few that I re-read on a regular basis.

[Jacqueline]

I used to reread a lot. I reread Agatha Christie now and then (with a lot of them I’ve forgotten whodunnit anyway lol) as well as Harry Potter, Hitchhikers Guide and Pride and Prejudice. As a kid I’d read whatever I had over and over. I had my own little library and I’d get library books but I would come back to favourites again and again. I haven’t for about 18 months since I joined GR though except for Murder on the Orient Express last year for a prompt for Popsugar. So many new books to fit in.

I do rewatch movies and TV shows I’ve seen before a lot. I was reading a study somewhere that said that rereading and rewatching is our way of being able to control the situation when we are feeling otherwise. We read or watch a familiar thing and we know everything that’s going to happen and it’s calming.

[Jessica]

I personally love rereading, but when the mood stikes me. For me rereading is like a craving. for instance, if I'm in the mood for a strong female character with some romance but nothing strikes my fancy I tend to pick up my favs like Tamora Pierce books and The Fairy Godmother by Lackey.

[Kat]

As I get older, I find there are so many more books I want to read and I have less free time than ever. I've decided to stop rereading because I feel like it takes away from the time that I have to experience all the new.

[Kevin]

Kat wrote: "As I get older, I find there are so many more books I want to read and I have less free time than ever. I've decided to stop rereading because I feel like it takes away from the time that I have to..."

STILL... life is about being happy so if you really want to reread something do it... besides as I get older I can't always remember what happens just that I liked an old book

[Beverly]

Kevin wrote: "Kat wrote: "As I get older, I find there are so many more books I want to read and I have less free time than ever. I've decided to stop rereading because I feel like it takes away from the time th..."

I'm in the boat of older readers trying to read as much as possible, being aware that there might come a time when my brain fails me and I can't comprehend what I read. But, re-reading favorites makes me happy, like slipping on a pair of comfy slippers or partaking of a favorite, decadent food, so I don't worry about time spent on a special favorite rather than on discovering a new one. When I am gone, I doubt that I will have regrets over it.

However, if we remember our lives in the afterlife, I know I will be very upset not to have been able to finish whatever series are still being written when I pass. (There is one author I threatened to haunt if I kicked the bucket before he finished his series. He's safe.)

[Shawn]

I really don't want to re-read for the same reasons others have stated above. BUT, I had to proof the limited edition of Lord Foul's Bane by Stephen R. Donaldson earlier this month -- a book I haven't read since I was 20 or so -- and it was an absolute delight returning to it. Think I'll re-read the others too in that series.