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Do You Re-Read?
When I was young, up until perhaps my late teens, I re-read just about everything because my reading capacity was greater than the numbers of new books I had access to. If I wanted to read, I had to re-read.In my early 20’s, I discovered the joys of the public library and the freedom of living alone and being able to go wherever I wanted whenever I pleased. I don’t remember re-reading anything from that point forward because there were so many new things to read. And then of course, not long after that, the responsibilities of adulthood started eating into my reading time. Now, the number of books I want to read is far greater than my reading capacity. Re-reading would hinder me from the opportunity to read and discover new things. There are some things I would like to re-read, but not at the expense of not being able to read new things.
I do plan to re-read the three Robin Hobb trilogies I’ve read, along with some of her other books set in the same world that I haven’t yet read such as the Rain Wild Chronicles. But not until she’s finished with her newest trilogy. Her books rank as my all-time favorites. It’s been difficult, but I’ve refrained getting her newest book because I would rather read the new trilogy all at once.
Someday, if Raymond E Feist’s earliest books are ever published in an e-book format in the U.S., I might re-read those also. They were my first introduction to fantasy as an adult, perhaps 15 years ago. I understand the over-all series is complete now and there are several newer books I’ve never read.
I think that’s the main thing that would make me consider re-reading something today – a combination of something that I loved previously, along with new related material. I would then want to re-experience the original material and have it fresh in my mind so that I can regain the emotional momentum from the story and remember all of the nuances. That way I can better appreciate (hopefully) the new material.
I often enjoy rereading books, but I do that only for particular favorites. Sometimes I am just refreshing my memory when a new book in a series has come out and there has been a long gap since I've read earlier books in a series. Other times, I am breaking a reading slump. I find that reading a book I know that I love can solve the problem. Either way, it tends to feel like I am visiting old friends.
I re-read also. With certain books you find new things every time you read them, and with others you can relive the scenes that made the book come alive, and experience the same emotions even though you know how it will end. It takes a special book, though, and there are a lot of them out there.
What Anne said ;)I reread far less often now but there are certain books that I know I'll reread often. The books I reread do tend to be classics. Rereading is often a totally different experience for me because I take the time to really sink into the book rather than just trying to get to the end so I know what's going on. For example, when I reread East of Eden by John Steinbeck, I feel like I'm rocking in a boat on a lake on a lazy, sunny afternoon. It just lulls me into this peaceful rhythm.
Like Ken, sometimes I just want to experience the same emotions. Usually on a reread I experience them at a great depth.
The Hobbit is definitely not one I'm willing to endure again.
I reread all the time. I find that if a book is really good, it's better the second (third, fourth) time, because I'm not distracted by worrying what's going to happen next and can pay more attention to the book's other beauties.
I rarely reread, and then only books that I either found outstanding/very entertaining, or to find back some information nugget (typically in history-related books.
YouKneeK wrote: "When I was young, up until perhaps my late teens, I re-read just about everything because my reading capacity was greater than the numbers of new books I had access to. If I wanted to read, I had ..."I am also plaaning on re-reading Robin Hobb, especially the Farseer trilogy and holding off on her new series for awhile, at least until second book is out.
Margaret wrote: "I reread all the time. I find that if a book is really good, it's better the second (third, fourth) time, because I'm not distracted by worrying what's going to happen next ."That's often true for me. My first time through is often for plot, subsequent times for character/writing style /language. I used to re-read a lot more before I found GR (and my TBR list grew).
I never re-read (except my own books). I tried to re-read once (Death Gate by Heiss and Hickman) but the books didn't seem as good as the first time. And since there are so many new books to read anyway it's not like I'm going to lack choices. Maybe it's because I'm not a speed reader. I 'savor' every word I read. If I ever skim pages, it's because I don't like the book but I'm curious to see if it gets better.
Marilyn wrote: "I am also plaaning on re-reading Robin Hobb, especially the Farseer trilogy and holding off on her new series for awhile, at least until second book is out."Marilyn, I’m happy to see I’m not the only one!
G.G. wrote: "Maybe it's because I'm not a speed reader. I 'savor' every word I read. If I ever skim pages, it's because I don't like the book but I'm curious to see if it gets better. "
G.G., I’m the same way about skimming. I don’t skim, and I’ll even go back and re-read a passage if I feel like I didn’t absorb it properly. Maybe that plays some role in how much people like to re-read books. People who skim, or jump past details during a tense section in order to get to the resolution, will miss a lot of the nuances the first time around so they’ll gain more from the re-reading experience.
I almost never re-read. The Lighthouse duology by Carol Berg is one of the few books on my read-again list, along with Riddle-Master: The Complete Trilogy by Patricia McKillip. But mostly there are too many new books on my to-read list that I'm just not going to get around to re-reading a lot of books.
I've also been wondering about how much retention plays a part. The books I read in the past, that I actually did spend more time on, tend to be the ones I'll reread. But I read a couple hundred books per year now and last year was the first time I've come up with must rereads in a long time. I'm wondering if it's because I used to read deeper and get more attached to the characters and story.
I would like to but it somehow seems a waste of time when there are so many new books to read. However I have read LOTR three times in my life, starting each time with the Hobbit and I love them all every time.
LOTR are the only books I've ever re-read. It was mainly because of those long boring summers and being dragged to the beach by my mother. I wanted to be reading a book that I knew I liked to compensate for being somewhere that I didn't want to be. I'm still not a beach fan.I haven't re-read anything since then. There's too much to read.
a few come to mind: LOTR'S, Lonesome Dove, The Sackett's series, Lonesome God's, The Stand.
I re read a lot: I started a collection of books over 45 yrs ago. I would always read first from the library and if the first few were good I would buy the series.I find that if it is a good book I skim, I cant wait to finish it. When I re read a number of years later I find new details and enjoy the language of the book.
Every now and then I work through my collection of 500 books. This doesn’t count those in the library maybe pile. If I can’t re read it, I give the book away but find many old ones really enjoyable.
Last week I re read John Wyndham’s the crucible. I try and keep up to date with new books published from fav authors. But get a new book of a series means I have to re read, even skim the whole series first.
I love re-reading. I often find that I see more things on the second read through. (Listening to an audiobook does the same thing for me.)Re-reading an old favourite for the umpteenth time is like putting on your comfy PJs, grabbing a cup of tea and relaxing on the couch.
There are only 5 books I have ever successfully re-read, and they were all when I was much younger.The first was the Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton. I must have been about ten or eleven. The old lady over the road gave it to me. Her daughters had all grown up and moved out so it was passed to me. I was skilled at reading and walking at the same time, and I guess she had spotted me on my way home from school with my head in a book! Any way, it was actually the only book I owned at the time. I lost count of how many times I read it. My mum got so fed up with me always reading it, I think she threw it out in the end. (My family are not readers! I was 12 when I went and got myself a library card. Re-reading was not an option then. So much choice and return deadlines!)
In my late teens or early 20's I read James Herbert's Rats trilogy (the biologist in me was fascinated by the idea of mutant rodents!) and Puzo's The Godfather (great sub-plots not in the movie) a few times each. Again, I think I owned copies.
Then there was about a decade of little or no reading. Now I'm back into reading, there are too many books and not enough time! I find I don't have the patience to re-read. I have tried a couple of times when a book I have already read has been picked for the real world book club I'm in. It's just not the same the second time. I think impatience hinders my ability to wallow in the story again. Maybe when I've retired!
I re-read a lot. Partly because I can never find enough books to read (I have particular tastes) and second because over the years I've read so many books that I can't remember what happened in them. On the other hand, some are favourites and I re-read them simply because I enjoy spending time with the characters again.
I sometimes re-read after a few years if the story or novel left a lasting impression. Often the re-read enables me to puck up on bits of story line that didn't impinge on a first read through. Of late I've sometimes re-read listening to the audio book at the same time. It forces me to read at a much slower pace.
I re-read the previous book(s) of a series just before the latest book comes out, so I have everything fresh in my mind. I tend to find things I missed (or forgot) the first time around. I also re-read books I enjoyed, but read a long time ago.
I get so sick of rereading the prior books in a series every time a new one comes out! I've gotten to where I just wait for the whole series to be released before I try book one. It drives me crazy.
Sarah wrote: "I get so sick of rereading the prior books in a series every time a new one comes out! I've gotten to where I just wait for the whole series to be released before I try book one. It drives me crazy."I just Wikipedia for a recap now.
There are only a few books I'll reread. Like someone else said it's like visiting an old friend. For me I think it's a comfort thing. To curl up with a favorite book that has special meaning to me is like coming home. For me books were my refuge and my sanctuary and so I go back to those books that saved me.
Kim, that's brilliant! Thanks! I suddenly feel much better about series.
There are only a few books that I re-read, but I come back to them time and again. These are books that have a special meaning for me, and I come back to them when I need reminding of what they mean to me. These include Lord of the Rings, the George Smiley novels by John Le Carre, and - more than any other - the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
I very rarely re-read. Most of my re-reads have been nostalgic or read so long ago that I can't remember why I was so fond of it. A rather recent development for me has been to come across a book that I know I will re-read down the road. In 2013 I read two books like that: Stories of Your Life and Others and Their Eyes Were Watching God. In 2014, I didn't get that definite feeling at all, though The Sheep Look Up and The Martian are possibilities. The Martian (which I loved) felt like lightning in a time sensitive bottle. I doubt it will hold the magic to become a classic. The Sheep is just not a book that becomes beloved (but it is thought provoking).
I remember the first time I read Lonesome Dove. There were two sections that once I read them I rewound and read again. the hanging of Jake Spoon and Gus's ride into blue duck's camp...
I will reread favorites, or a book that was particularly deep, where i know i can stil get more out of it.
Mostly for nostalgia. Like with Harry Potter, I've reread those books more than I care to admit because it always reminds of a certain point in my life. The most recent reread was with my lady who had never finished the series so that was fun. Someone's "comfy PJ's" metaphor above was perfect!I've also reread series because it's been a long time since the last book was out or I took a long break from it like Thomas Covenant. I read the first 6 years and years ago, and then when the final book came out I read the whole series over to remind myself.
The last reread I did was for Michael Sullivan's Riyria Revelations. That was simply a spur of the moment decision after reading the second Chronicles book. I needed more Royce and Hadrian! Also really glad I did because I found a lot of stuff I totally missed on the first read.
Other series I know I'll reread at some point are Kingkiller, Gentleman Bastards, Mistborn and Stormlight.
I generally do not re-read books. Although I do have a couple of exceptions. As already mentioned by others, I too will reread a book whenever it's a series and a new book comes out, but it's been a while since I read the one preceding this new book; mainly just to refresh my memory. My second exception are 2 series (Harry Potter series and my all time favourite Belgarion series). These two I reread every year - it's like meeting old friends again. Other than that, I really don't reread, as I have way too many books still waiting for me to be read and I think it just wouldn't give me the same thrill as when I read them for the first time.
I reread occasionally - the best books require it: As Margaret and others have said, the first time is mostly for plot, maybe character development. But the best books have *so* much more going on, that even those of us who read carefully and immersively can't get everything in one go.
And I definitely read differently, from a different perspective, now, than I did 4 decades and 10K+ books ago, so a reread of canon is important to me.
And I admit to a few old favorites, too, that I try to squeeze in once in a while, just cuz. The Phantom Tollbooth and The Princess Bride come to mind.
I forget who said it, but there's a saying that goes something like, "A book's meaning changes when we re-read it, not because the story has changed but because we have."I've found that to be true.
When I first read Chuck Yeager's autobiography, I was simply enthralled by his adventures. When I revisited it a few years later, I saw what a selfish asshole he was most of the time. He could break the rules but no one else was allowed to. That was the kind of perspective that only comes once the razzle-dazzle has worn off.
I used to re-read SF&F more often when I was younger, simply because there wasn't that much to be had in the genre until the boom of the 1980s. I revisited McCaffrey's The White Dragon numerous times because I loved the adventure of it, but also because it was unique in literature then. If I could have turned to books which were similar -- "If you liked that then you'll like this!" -- I probably wouldn't have gone back to it so often.
When I was young I re-read many times my favourite books, now this happens very rarely, probably because I'm more aware that a whole life isn't enough to read everything I want.
Cheryl wrote: "And I definitely read differently, from a different perspective, now, than I did 4 decades and 10K+ books ago, so a reread of canon is important to me.And I admit to a few old favorites, too, that I try to squeeze in once in a while, just cuz. The Phantom Tollbooth and The Princess Bride come to mind. "
Yep. A corollary to the "favorite song" button getting pushed, I also find that sometimes I'm just not in the frame of mind or have the necessary experience to "get it" the first time.
V.W. wrote: "I re-read a lot. Partly because I can never find enough books to read (I have particular tastes) and second because over the years I've read so many books that I can't remember what happened in the..."i fully agree such a good way to explain why i re read
As a rule, I do not reread, but I have reread a book or two. I tend not to forget what I read and it drives me nuts when I read a passage and know what is going to happen. It ruins any suspense for me.
I almost never re-read. Exception: The Hobbit and LotR.When I need a heroic fantasy fix I usually just re-read these, because every other heroic fantasy is just a retelling of these masterpieces (IMO anyway). =)
I reread Terry Pratchett's Discworld books regularly. I often find them even more enjoyable the second time. The engaging characters and witty wordplay are a treat even knowing how the story ends. I've read some of them ten or more times. I reread other books by other authors, but not as frequently. I am still more likely to reread a book than to rewatch a movie.
YouKneeK wrote: "When I was young, up until perhaps my late teens, I re-read just about everything because my reading capacity was greater than the numbers of new books I had access to. If I wanted to read, I had ..."This is a great observation. I remember reading and rereading both Eddings (The Belgariad and The Mallorean) and Weiss / Hickman (DragonLance) when I was kid, primarily because books were expensive and I had lots and lots of time. And the thing is, I absolutely loved it. It kind of makes me sad that now that I am an adult and have more resources / less time, I never reread anything, as it's always onto the next book.
The book or books have to have a very special place in my heart for me to re-read, but I don't make a habit of it very often (once a decade). Too many other books out there to be read to keep reading the same ones over.
I re-read. A lot. I just read too quickly and too much not to. 0:)Indeed, I generally don't review a work without having read it twice. That means I don't miss subtleties on account of being distracted by the question of "What happens next?" (The only exceptions tend to be non-fiction subject on painful topics. Like the Great Leap Forward.)
Ken wrote: "With certain books you find new things every time you read them..."Me too. Though I have experienced the devastating tragedy of realizing a book had nothing more to offer me after I'd read it countless times. That hurts like growing apart from a close friend.
Sometimes I re-read books in book clubs I choose to participate in so that things will be fresh in my mind for the discussion.
I know that this may not count for a few of you, but on my most favorite books, I love, love, love, to try them out in audiobook format, even if I've read them in text form a million times. I did that with LOTR and was blown away at how many details I had managed to miss, despite almost yearly re-reading it through my late 20's - early 30's.
It occurs to me that an argument can be made, (has been made by Henry David Thoreau) that there is no such thing as "new stories". Especially in genre fiction, most of the new stuff seems like variations on a theme. So unlike many of the people who can't get enough of the new stuff, I like to hear that what is new is also exceptional in some way before I get excited by it.
I found re reading LOTR after I read about the authors life made me understand a lot of the ideas, then again it did take away some of the mystery.I was thrilled to know how much he has influence authors since.
Before I got back into reading I re-read the books I had instead of getting new ones to read.I actually don't re-read very often. I did re-read Frankenstein last year for a group read thing. Then there's a book I'm currently re-reading because I love the book series.
D.L. wrote: "I reread Terry Pratchett's Discworld books regularly. I often find them even more enjoyable the second time. The engaging characters and witty wordplay are a treat even knowing how the story ends. ..."I had forgottenTerry Pratchett. I reread his books too. In particular Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
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And what it makes me wonder is why? I have re-read books before, but they have to either amazing or have some other special factor (generally nostalgia), and I don't make a habit of it. I find if I try and re-read most books I give up pretty quickly as I already know what is going to happen. Also I have so many new books waiting to be read I feel like it's not worth the time.
Do you reread? If so (or not), why?