Do You Re-Read?

[Aaron]

I rarely reread a whole book, but if there was a great scene I will reread just that part sometimes. I also reference my books a lot if say a friend is reading it and is asking questions...assuming it's not my copy that they are borrowing.

[D.L.]

Phrynne wrote: "I had forgottenTerry Pratchett. I reread his books too. In particular Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch "
I've reread all of them at least three times. Some more. Last year I was having a hard time finding much new that I liked, so I reread about 30 Pratchett books. Good Omens was one of them.

[Margaret]

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.


Sounds like you've been visited by the Suck Fairy: http://www.tor.com/blogs/2010/09/the-...

[John]

I sometimes re-read books I really enjoyed, usually after some time has passed. Over the years, I've re-read Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (subject of the recent group read) at least five times. I've been through most of David Weber's Honor Harrington series at least twice, and probably re-read my favorite in that series, The Honor of the Queen three or four times.

Occasionally, when a favored author has been a bit too long getting out the latest book in a series, I may go back and re-read the previous book, but that's just a "refresh" (skimming over the parts I remember well).

[Phrynne]

Margaret wrote: "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.


Sounds lik..."

Excellent Margaret! That explains everything. Especially the bits about rereading your childhood favourites. That Suck Fairy gets everywhere:)

[S. K.]

Margaret wrote: "Sounds like you've been visited by the Suck Fairy: http://www.tor.com/blogs/2010/09/the-..."

What an in depth discussion that I wholeheartedly agree with. But my tragedy was definitely growing apart from a treasured book. No fairy dust required.

I had a leather-bound copy of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe (I couldn't find a link.) I re-read that thing so often in my late teens - early 20's that once I got grounded when my parents got the phone bill from me calling all of the numbers that Douglas Adams had listed in the foreword on how to get off the planet. (I think it was Kennedy Space Center, White House, Vatican City, and the Kremlin. All the numbers worked except for the Kremlin, but it was a couple of years after perestroika.)

Anyway, every time I opened that book something new jumped out at me, or a treasured bit was even better than I remembered. Then I read it again in my 30's and it really was like being the wallflower at a class reunion. I couldn't wait to get out of it.

But I still highly recommend Adams to anyone who hasn't read him before. Even the parts about being British that seemed exaggerated for effect, I have since discovered were spot on after getting to know a woman from North Umbria.

[D.L.]

S. K. wrote: "I had a leather-bound copy of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe (I couldn't find a link.) I re-read that thing so often in my late teens - early 20's..."

I had a similar experience with the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. When I first read it, I was floored by how clever and different it was. It broadened my ideas of what sci-fi could be. I have a gold edged (but not leather) hardback edition of the Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide, which I reread occasionally, but much of the original magic is gone for me now. I've already seen the trick, so it no longer seems so miraculous. But for those few sci-fi readers who may not have yet read this, you must!

[Kevin]

I reread all the time in order to get a different and deeper perspective on books. Every time I reread a good book to learn more about it.

[Kateb]

Of course it depends on how much time is between the reads. Since I have a large collection, I can give it a number of years before re reading a book. By then I have also read so many other books that I have forgotten some of the story, I might remember the over all outcomes but not the details

[Pat]

I used to re-read stuff quite a lot during my teens and 20s - I've lost track of how many times I've read LOTR. I tend not to re-read nowadays though - a few exceptions; I occasionally reach for the Pratchett if I need something light & easy after something particularly demanding & there are some books that I plan to read again mainly because I've forgotten them but its a case of too many books, too little time.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Yes.

I don't really have a lot of rentention for details - never have - so there are times I find myself in the position of remembering I liked a book, but only remembering the bare bones of the actual story, so sometimes I like to go back and reread those.

I've also found rereads of books you liked is a good way to get out of a reading slump, which I seem to find myself in at least two or three times a year. (I'm very picky, and sometimes I get long stretches of 2-star books, and I just want something fun that I know I'll like.)

There's only one series that I reread on a regular basis, and that's Harry Potter, because I love reimmersing myself in that world. Otherwise, I tend to read more new books than rereads, but I seem to always have at least a few rereads per year.

[Kateb]

I think time is a big factor whether I re read or not. At 8yrs old I persuaded my parents to buy me the Asimov foundations series. Whenever I could I bought another Asimov book. His books and Star Trek (and of course doctor who) influenced me to get a science degree.

A career, children etc meant I didn’t read more than a book a week and had to rely on presents to buy books. Thus I would read something from the library , re read it in a years time and if it was still good I would slowly buy the series (or put a list on the fridge towards the next present, It was easy to buy me a present).

As this collection grew I would make a point of re reading, starting from the “a’s” and work my way through it, once a month I would do a book from my “old” collection. Since I have always had a database (paper at first , then computer) I knew which books I had re read. Once marked ??? this meant that next time I re read it (which could be 5 or 6 years time) and I still didn’t love it that book would be out.

Now many yrs later my collection is about 700 books, I have about that number of ebooks, although if I like an ebook I will buy the paper version. Now that I am retired I still re read through my collection, some authors I feel “how on earth could I have liked this ?” Others I am still thrilled with. Eg Mordant’s need.

I don’t like just the story outline, although that helps but often how the author puts it together. If you read a lot of books, the details blend, and it is a pleasure to read a good storyline which you forgot exactly how did they get there. I have always read quickly but now retired ( I still go out most days) I get a 400page book read in about three days.

[Michael]

I reread books that I especially loved or that I felt were espesially good. I'd say The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings are probably at the top of my rereading list, I honestly don't know how many times I've reread them. I've even got multiple copies of each of them (I think 4 versions of the Hobbit and 3 of LOTR).

Some of Heinlein's books get regular rereads, as well as Herbert's Dune, Niven's Known Universe books, or a few others.

Other books I reread include some series that I am especially fond of, like David Weber's Honor Harrington, Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, or Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock. I often do this when a new volume of the series come out to refresh myself on the backstory, and reimmerse myself in the world.

[Samuel]

Asimov's Foundation Trilogy - 3 times! It's as if every ten years or so I just have to go back to that world.

[Chris]

I reread the The Wheel of Time series from the beginning every time a new book was released. Not only because they were awesome, but the length of time in-between novels seemed like forever and I wanted to make sure I was completely up to speed before starting the newest. I also have a few titles which I feel I have to go back through every so often. There is always something new to read, but it's like watching a classic movie, sometimes you just have to re-enjoy them.

[Edwin]

No. There are just too many good books out there to be back-tracking. The only book I ever found worthy of a reread is Dune.

[David]

I reread whenever I've encountered too much crap and need to cleanse the palate. I also reread some of my old college books (I'm rereading Light in August, now) which are much more enjoyable without the deadlines, or being crammed in by the gross.

[Stanislav]

I re-read the series "Fondation" by Isaac Asimov because is a brilliant of science fiction. But usually I don't re-read books because so many books I want to read.

[Sandi]

For awhile during my teaching stint, I only had the time and energy to re-read favorites that could reliably take me away and that I could safely fall asleep/put down at need. Now that I have a little more time, my re-reads are more controlled. Authors I regularly re-visit include Pratchett and Tolkien along with Heinlein, Asimov, Herbert, Sagara, LeGuin, Christie, etc. I have duplicate copies of most of the Discworld novels along with LOTR/Hobbit for convenient situational reading and (less convenient) lending. With the many new authors and series with whom I have become acquainted in the last year, I can see a long future of many new re-reads to enjoy, like Bujold, Butcher, Cherryh, Fforde, and others (I know I am forgetting many worthy authors, but it is late and I want to get back to my book:)

[Dionne]

I always reread a book I liked after the first read through. It's like it gets better and better and I know what happens and still like to go over the adventure or whatever again.

[Jordan]

I typically read a book once, unless I really enjoy it. When that is the case, I wont re-read it right away and might wait for months or even years to reread it. By the time I get back to it, its almost like its new again and I can kind of recapture what made it amazing in the first place, but from a familiar perspective.

[Kateb]

Jordan Kirby wrote: "I typically read a book once, unless I really enjoy it. When that is the case, I wont re-read it right away and might wait for months or even years to reread it. By the time I get back to it, its a..."
I fully agree with this, also a good reason to buy a book you enjoy so you can re read in the future.

[Fabi NEEDS Email Notifications]

ditto Jordan

[Trike]

I was thinking too narrowly when I first answered this. I certainly re-read graphic novels more than once.

I've gone through the entirety of Ultimate Spider-man and Powers a couple times recently, as well as some classic comics.

I have also gone back to re-read short stories more than once.

[Dana]

The only paper books I have anymore are ones that I feel I might reread.
These represent a small fraction anymore. I don't do a lot of rereading because there is just too much new to read the first time.
If the book is a series finish, I might reread just to refresh my memories of what went before (Paolini's Eragon for example), but I would really need to have enjoyed those books to do that.
As others have said I have lost track of how many times I have reread LOTR, and Dune.

[Lana]

I re-read constantly. I love series fantasy books and will quite frequently read a series again before I purchase latest title. I always seem to pick up new details or insight with each read as well.

[Lana]

I re-read constantly. I love series fantasy books and will quite frequently read a series again before I purchase latest title. I always seem to pick up new details or insight with each read as well.

[Charles]

It really depends on the book. There are some books that I only read once, and maybe again years down the road. There are others though that I know I will read again, and maybe multiple times. The Harry Potter series, The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit (already have read it three times), Neverwhere or pretty much anything by Neil Gaiman. The Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) may also make the list.

[Chris]

I do re-read. Often due to lack of a new book in reach, but also to revisit novels and stories.

[Maggie]

I used to re-read constantly, but since getting on GoodReads here, I have WAY too many books I have picked up but haven't had a chance to read yet. Maybe I will stop buying and start re-reading soon!

[Dale]

I will re-read. Having nearly 3000 books in my current library and having read almost another 5500 in my years. There are still some that a read again, but usually with a gap approaching 10 years. I have been known to re-read a complete series because I just acquired a new book in it and want to reaquaint myself with the whole thing as well. I do find that a re-read goes MUCH faster since I will find myself skimming/skipping since memory is filling in a chunk.

[Jim]

I also had somewhere over 3000 books , moved them between several houses . Got fed up with "stuff" after we had to downsize , sold many of the 1st ed's on ebay , donated the rest . I re-read a few select authors quite a bit , Jack MDevitt and Scalzi in particular .

[Kateb]

Dale wrote: "I will re-read. Having nearly 3000 books in my current library and having read almost another 5500 in my years. There are still some that a read again, but usually with a gap approaching 10 yea..."

Yes I can relate to this. Although having downsized our house a few years ago, re reading was essential to work out which series/ book to keep. After a while I had to accept the fact that I still liked most of my books. But I have gone from a few thousand to 700.
Now I have joined goodreads and it looks like I will be buying more, sighhhhhhhh, where to put them. And yes I do ebook, but only until I accept that I really like the book, then I have to have a paper copy. I have this paranoia that ebooks may not be readable in 10 years.

[Kristin]

If I re-read something, it's usually because it's been forever since I read it and I can't really remember the story anymore. Some books I will pick up again to re-read my favorite parts, but not the whole book.

[Kevin]

Reread helps people get back into reading when they are in a reading slump.

[Saeed]

I've read books from my childhood and young-adulthood many times.

Books like Gulliver's Travels, The Complete Tales of Edgar Allan Poe and The Catcher in the Rye never die.
I keep reading them once every few years because of the sentimental value

[Jeffrey]

I used to re-read all the time. Certain favorite books that I come across, if I peruse my book shelves, but I think after a while you get to the point where you do not want to miss new stuff by re-reading old stuff.

That being said, the exception is series books. For some series with an infinite number of characters, I did find myself wanting to read the prior books so I knew what was going on with the current books - this is especially helpful if the books come out years before. I admire people who can wait for a series to be finished -- I am more likely to give up on a series if the author takes too long to come out with the next book.

[Tessa]

Re-reading is a comfort thing for me. When I feel energetic and enthused, I'm ready to try the new things. When I need comfort, I re-read my favorites. Not often, but it happens. Just finished re-reading Jim Butcher and Patricia Briggs. Yes, I'm stressed.

[Kay]

If I really like the book then yes. But I have to be unable to put it down the first time around.

[Editusrex]

I re-read less often these days . . . I've used the excuse, to myself mostly, lately that because I read so much for work, I need what little time I have for new and fresh books. There are several I want to re-read now, though. Specifically, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? / Philip K. Dick because my kiddos saw Blade Runner for the first time recently and were wowed that it was from a book!

[Caleb]

I re read books but it is extremely rare. And usually years have to pass for me to re read it. The reason I don't is because I have a freaking list of books to read that is longer than the Nile river. And while I think you get new stuff out a book when you re read it; I read for the entertainment. I'm not trying to do an exegetical study on those books. Which is why I don't re read most of the time

[Byl]

I would like to re-read more than I actually do. Like a lot of people I have a very long list of things to read and a shorter list that's marked as 'To Read Again' someday. The first list grows ever longer, the second not-so-much. I've re-read Dune a few times, Hobbit/LOTR several times and James Blish's Cities in Flight books twice. Other than that re-reads are more of an idea than an actual reality. A good idea though. At the top of that list right now is the Martin Song of Ice and Fire. That's fighting against my usual practice of not reading series until they're done. But with the TV show diverging greatly from the books it might be time to go through them again in preparation for the eventual release of a new one.

[Silicon]

I used to re-read more than I would read new books ... I can't count how many times I read Pellinor in middle school, and I've gone through Dune, Kushiel, Vlad Taltos, and LoTR a good few times. Something about the familiarity, the timeless way that certain books still grab you even though you know exactly what is going to happen, keeps me going back. Now I don't so much. Books are my entertainment, stress relief, and relaxation. Having a familiar book at hand where there will be no surprises and you know it will be good is a great comfort sometimes.

Recently, though, I've been doing rereads just to remember what happened in a looong series before I read a highly anticipated sequel. WoT and GoT are high on this list. I just cannot remember most of the characters, let alone plot points! But I want to do justice to Memory of Light and Dance With Dragons, so off to reread I go. I feel that summaries don't have the same impact on me as actual full rereads so I'm not going that route right now, but maybe once I get into the parts that drag more I might end up doing that.

[Maarit]

I don't do much of a re-reading anymore, mostly because I want to discover new books and I don't usually feel the need to re-read things. The only exceptions are Harry Potter books 1-5, which I've read through several times over the years. I usually get stuck at the sixth book of the series and tend to stop it around the halfway, don't know why, though. Seventh book (Deathly Hollows) I've read only 1½ times and that was ½ time (translation gone bad, unfortunately) too many, because I felt the whole book just one big rush of things with a boring ending, and I actually prefer the movie version of it. I also re-read some good graphic novels from time to time, but still rarely.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Kim wrote: "Some of the conversation in the Hobbit thread made me start thinking. Lots of people are re-reading it and some said they have read it (and LotR) countless times. I know someone who re-reads [book:..."

Yes, I'm a big re-reader. If I really enjoyed a book the first time around, I'll enjoy it again later. I especially do this with series - love revisiting the world and characters again. Once I fall in love with it all, it stays with me and is fun to go back to.

In some cases it's been so long since I read a book I want to re-read it and review it properly - like this year I'm re-reading Jaws (just did) and Exorcist next because it's been over 10 years, I didn't review it then, and I forgot it. Have a terrible memory.

[Carole-Ann]

I used to re-read all the time (when I apparently had MORE time). Things like Isaac Asimov's Foundation trilogy (before it got expanded!); Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber; nearly every one of Anne McCaffrey's Pern series; Michael Moorcock's Elric series (guess I'll be re-reading that lot soon when they re-publish!); and lots more.

Done LotR and HP a number of times too; and more recently have re-read Brent Weeks's Night Angel trilogy; Joe Abercrombie's Blade trilogy; and Mark Lawrence's Broken Empire trilogy.

Most of the recent ones have been a catch-up/reminder of what went before, when a new book is released. Grief, I scare myself sometimes :)

[Al "Tank"]

I have a rather large library of books I consider worth re-reading. I also have a Kindle full of new stuff.

I solve the problem by alternating between the two. I'll read a new book, then re-read an old book, then another new story, etc.

Busy reading/editing a new one by an author I've worked with before.

[Jagoda]

When it comes to me, I only re read when I am super boredbut not in mood to start a new book. I've only re read Harry Potter in my life, just because I had nothing better to do. I just feel like exploring other books, other worlds.. I don't want to read something I know already very well, I prefer to read something new. On the other hand, I sometimes pick a book from my shelf and read some fragments that I really, really enjoyed. But I wouldn't say it counts as Re reading...

[Colleen]

I have a very small condo, so my bookshelf space is precious. All of the books that are my very favorite live there, and I do pull them down from time-to-time to reread. The books I do tend to reread have not just a good plot but amazing language as well. I think it's the author's skill with the actual writing that pulls me back in when I already "know what happens."

[Felicia]

I do some re-reading - for a lot of the same reasons as the rest of you, it seems. Mostly to remember them when I start to forget or because I really liked the story and just want to experience it all over again. Even if it's not the same as reading it the first time, I find that I always like the books just as much the second, third, fourth time I read them.