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Do You Re-Read?
I re-read some books, but I don't make it a regular thing. Usually when I re-read something it's because I loved it the first time. However, I often re-read books after it's been quite a while, so I may remember the main plot points, but have probably forgotten smaller details. It's the same with movies and TV shows. I'll re-watch them a number of times and find that, more often then not, I realize things in them I hadn't noticed before. This is true for books I re-read as well.
But I do know a number of people (my mum included) who Never re-read books. To me I don't understand why they wouldn't. If you enjoyed it why would you want to relive it? You may not get the same "new" excitement that you did the first time you read it, but surly it hasn't lost all it's appeal, to the point of not wanting to read it again?
I already have plans to re-read a number of books as it is, and will when I feel ready to. Right now however I am currently reading things that I wish to finish first. Then I'll move on to those I've read before.
I also find it easier to read multiple books at once if one or more of them I have read before. So that often helps me to keep my "books read" goals up without feeling overwhelmed.
Do I re-read? Oh god yes. I even have a shelf called "Regular re-reads" :)
I re-read a lot, both fairly recent reads, when I can get more out of the writing than just rushing through for the plot, and re-reading books I read when I was a lot younger than I am now, but which I've only just re-discovered. I like listening to old favourites as audio-books - it doesn't matter so much if my mind wanders, since I can fill in the gaps.
I don't usually re-read - too many new books demanding my attention! - but I will go back to certain favourites. Often I find I enjoy things more the second time around - I guess I'm not worrying about following the plot, so I can just luxuriate in the language and the characters.Just finished re-reading my favourite book I read in 2016 - Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. It's a hot-chocolate-and-hot-bath of a book.
having read through a lot of comments I wonder how many people that say they re read have more time, or are older and therefore have a longer time span of books to re read. it makes sense that if you are working full time, in your 20's or so, then you have so many new books to read and not that much time to do so.
then again maybe speed reading is a trigger, often I read a book so fast because it is so interesting that I have to re read it not much time later to get the details.
then if you are reading a series often this can span over many years, you just have to re read the original books of the series to remember all before reading the new book. One series I have followed has been going for nearly 20 years
I re-read even as a child, so age has nothing to do with it for me.For Sci-Fi/Fantasy continuation of the story type series, I do tend to re-read the earlier ones before starting a new book in the series.
Game of Thrones = yes, re-read
Jim Butcher's Dresden Files and Patricia Briggs' mercy Thompson series = no, no need as most books are self-contained
Kateb wrote: "having read through a lot of comments I wonder how many people that say they re read have more time, or are older and therefore have a longer time span of books to re read. it makes sense that if..."
Although I'm now in my fifties, I've been a re-reader since my tweens :)
Kateb wrote: "having read through a lot of comments I wonder how many people that say they re read have more time, or are older and therefore have a longer time span of books to re read. it makes sense that if..."
I've been a big re-reader since I was a child. I still re-read a LOT of books - I've re-read one book this year at least 4 times (stopped counting on GR) - and my Mt. TBR has thousands of books on it. I officially reached SABLE years ago but I still add to the pile.
To me, most of the time, re-reading is like spending time with people you KNOW you already like.
so glad to hear others re read, I too have always re read, but was trying to find a reason to explain this behaviour to all of those "I don't re read " people.Now I have the courage to just say I love re reading. I do like mrsJoseph's comment that it is like spending time with people you know you will like.
Kateb wrote: "so glad to hear others re read, I too have always re read, but was trying to find a reason to explain this behaviour to all of those "I don't re read " people.Now I have the courage to just say I..."
I do not reread. It does not mean I do not ever reread, because I have on very rare occasion. To answer your question about those of us that do not, it is all about been there done that for me. There is no build up any more and there is no surprise. I already know what will happen and that is a spoiler for me. It has always been like this for me. I am amazed at those that reread multiple time and still enjoy the fiction.
There are very few books that I would reread. Moby-Dick or, The Whale and anything by Ray Bradbury. They both chase the metaphor and rereading some of these over the years bring out different thoughts based on my age because my view has changed over time.
Papaphilly wrote: "bring out different thoughts based on my age because my view has changed over time. "I find this happens with all books. We change, the book does not.
Reading The Little Prince as an adult was a vastly different experience for me than as a child. I did not catch the intricacies of story as I had no life experience - and certainly no experience with death and grief.
I feel the same way about Narnia. I learn something different about it and about myself as I age. But the text itself is still the same.
Kateb wrote: "so glad to hear others re read, I too have always re read, but was trying to find a reason to explain this behaviour to all of those "I don't re read " people.Now I have the courage to just say I..."
:-D
I’m going to stop rereading. I’m also going to stop reading. I’m just going to put the book under my pillow and absorb it telemathikettlely.
Trike wrote: "I’m going to stop rereading. I’m also going to stop reading. I’m just going to put the book under my pillow and absorb it telemathikettlely."Let me know how that works out for you.
Trike wrote: "I’m going to stop rereading. I’m also going to stop reading. I’m just going to put the book under my pillow and absorb it telemathikettlely."lol If that works, I'm going to stack up everything on my to-read list and unroll a sleeping bag on them XD
Trike wrote: "I’m going to stop rereading. I’m also going to stop reading. I’m just going to put the book under my pillow and absorb it telemathikettlely."If college taught me anything, you're going to be disappointed.
Peggy wrote: "If college taught me anything, you're go..."*snort*
Mod
Michele wrote: "lol If that works, I'm going to stack up everything on my to-read list and unroll a sleeping bag on them XD"If I stacked up everything on my to-read list, I'd die of oxygen deprivation well before I got any sleep.
Michele wrote: "Trike wrote: "I’m going to stop rereading. I’m also going to stop reading. I’m just going to put the book under my pillow and absorb it telemathikettlely."lol If that works, I'm going to stack up everything on my to-read list and unroll a sleeping bag on them XD "
Not at the same time! That will lead to confusion!
“I just read this great book about Bilbo Baggins and Sam Spade leaving Oklahoma by hitching a ride on the Joad’s boat taking Harry Potter’s wand to Mt. Ararat in California where he has to give it to a sparkly vampire named Dracula who is in love with Sookie Stackhouse who just so happens to be an alien hiding in Elliot’s closet on the run from the Men in Black.”
Trike wrote: "Michele wrote: "Trike wrote: "I’m going to stop rereading. I’m also going to stop reading. I’m just going to put the book under my pillow and absorb it telemathikettlely."lol If that works, I'm g..."
Great plot outline, you should submit that to National Lampoon.
Trike wrote: "Michele wrote: "Trike wrote: "I’m going to stop rereading. I’m also going to stop reading. I’m just going to put the book under my pillow and absorb it telemathikettlely."lol If that works, I'm g..."
lolol
Dj wrote: "Trike wrote: "Michele wrote: "Trike wrote: "I’m going to stop rereading. I’m also going to stop reading. I’m just going to put the book under my pillow and absorb it telemathikettlely."lol If tha..."
DJ you are showing your age, that magazine is long gone.....
Trike wrote: "“I just read this great book about Bilbo Baggins and Sam Spade leaving Oklahoma by hitching a ride on the Joad’s boat ..."LOL! Brilliant XD
Michele wrote: "Trike wrote: "“I just read this great book about Bilbo Baggins and Sam Spade leaving Oklahoma by hitching a ride on the Joad’s boat ..."LOL! Brilliant XD"
SHHH... you will only encourage him.... 8^)
Papaphilly wrote: "Dj wrote: "Trike wrote: "Michele wrote: "Trike wrote: "I’m going to stop rereading. I’m also going to stop reading. I’m just going to put the book under my pillow and absorb it telemathikettlely."..."
Well maybe...But I am a double nickel so I can afford to...I think.
I have a few books that I re-read pretty much yearly, but for the most part it would have to be a few years before I would re-read anything else. The ones that I do are A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich and Starship Troopers. I also fall back on either the Dresden novels by Jim Butcher or some of China Mieville's books if I can think of something to read. Short stories by Lovecraft are also a good pick
Yep- I most definitely re-read. I have read some "comfort" books many multiples of times. Or I might re-read books prior to the latest coming out, as a sort of refresher.
I read again immediately, if it is a book I love--especially a book with depth. That immediate re-read, is a blissful aesthetic experience--all of the authorial artistry comes shining through.Sometimes I reread because the book is a perfect paradigm of a personal existential paradox. I used to read Middlemarch once a year. Then at some point I became aware that I was no longer picking that book off the shelf. That's when I saw the connection, or in this case disconnect. The particular existential paradox that pulled me back again and again to Middlemarch had been resolved.
Isabella, that's really interesting. Makes me want to go re-examine books that I've re-read many times!
For me, a reread has to be something really special. Well, now anyway. When I was a kid, I read and reread quite a limited number of series for quite a long time. Meg Cabot and Tamora Pierce, to name a few. I couldn't tell you how many times I have read the Tortall or Circle series. Seriously. No clue. It was that many times.
I rarely re read books when I was working fulltime, but since I have been retired I find that I like to back read a series when the new book comes out. Then there are the series I know I enjoyed years ago. Sometimes I know I read a book too quickly as it is so interesting so that requires a re read .
What I have found amusing in this thread has been the fact that some people make derogatory comments about people who re read as if there is something wrong with this habit. Yet not a bad comment from the re readers to people who don't do it.
mmmmm
re-read, for pleasure it's rare, for information Very common. when studying seriously I read thing a minimum of 3 times. once fast, second time to augment notes, third time to strengthen comprehension.
I reread The Wind in the Willows every few years. I love the descriptions of nature. There are a few favorites that I have reread a couple of times. I recently reread Traitor's Purse by Margery Allingham, which is one of my favorite mysteries.
I also enjoy rereading books that have a major twist at the end, such as Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. The second time through it seems like a whole new book, because you understand everything from a new perspective.
I've just started The Annotated Alice: The Definitive Edition. It's great so far. And I'm planning to reread The Iliad this year.
Re-reading... Sometimes I do, absolutely. I suppose in fantasy Robert Jordan really works for me. Though the series certainly has flat spots, at its very best the 'Wheel of Time' has something like great chords of music resounding through it - and to me that's high praise indeed...
When I was young I re-read a lot. I only had a few books and I wore them out. There are so many books to read for the first time, I don't usually re-read now. What was interesting to me was re-reading The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick. I re-read it along with seeing the Amazon TV series. I also re-read George R.R. Martin short fiction following along with the video re-read commentary athttps://thewertzone.blogspot.co.uk/
Gary age is relative!!!! I didn't re read at 30,40, or 50 , but now more so.Time is also a deciding factor.
Then again there are some people who just can't re read as their memory is so good that they literally remember each line.
My memory is never that good. I read so many books ( a few a week) and so quickly, that a re read is often necessary
THE MISTS OF AVALON is without a doubt the book I've reread the most often--at least 15 times. I get lost in the Bradley's feminist Arthurian fantasy, and find it, in some way, comforting--I remember reading it at my comatose father's bedside in the hospital. And each time I pick up something to new to ponder.STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND is another book I've read at least a dozen times, especially in my teens and twenties. Although it can be said to be extremely sexist in these modern times, I think what appealed to me was the acceptance of each person's "possibilities." And also, I'm STILL trying to figure who was the first to "deflower" Michael...though I've always heavily leaned towards Anne. (Any opinions, agreements, naysayers, welcome to reply!)
Those are the two off the top of my head.
Mindy wrote: "THE MISTS OF AVALON is without a doubt the book I've reread the most often--at least 15 times. I get lost in the Bradley's feminist Arthurian fantasy, and find it, in some way, comforting--I rememb..."I can't read Bradley any more - see this thread for reasons why:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I’m with you, CBRetriever re: Zimmerman Bradley. I admit I really enjoyed Mists and many of her SF series. But I won’t reread or read any more.
Let's continue any MZB related discussions in the thread CBR linked!
Oops. Sorry! You can delete that if you like. I don’t mind.
No it's fine! Just that if there's more discussion about it, it should be in the other thread :)
If I feel particularly bad I reread Moomins, Late in November specifically. It bring me comfort in a way i can't explain.If I feel especially masochistic, I'd re-read all things about Fitz and Fool (aside from the latest trilogy because it's asinine) by Robin Hobb.
Also I'd often re-read books I liked at some point, especially if I don't have anything new to read at the moment.
To update my post from a couple of years ago...
I’ve now reread nearly all of my Zelazny novels, still brilliant. How he has dropped out of favour whilst the tiresome PKD maintains cult status is beyond me.
I’ve now reread nearly all of my Zelazny novels, still brilliant. How he has dropped out of favour whilst the tiresome PKD maintains cult status is beyond me.
loved mist of Avalon, and stranger in a strange land, must re read. and no I don't care why she did what, I just read the books.I am re reading John Conroe at the moment, brilliant author.
just finished Kreley COle immortal after dark series, for the 3rd time
I reread VERY infrequently. Usually I find a classic doesn’t Age well. However for faves like the first 6 DUNE books by Frank Herbert it’s all good (read the entire series at least 2 or 3 times but not in the last 20 years or so). I also re-read the Hyperion Cantos about 5 years ago and it was fantastic. But then I tried to reread some Leguin (both LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS and THE DISPOSSESSED) and couldn’t get past the first tenth of either. I was devastated.I reread Peter Hamilton’s THE NAKED GOD trilogy once and enjoyed it but don’t think I need to do it again.
There’s so much I haven’t read it feels like a lack of imagination or laziness to re-read. I thank Goodreads for letting me access a community of similar-minded readers to provide suggestions of new books!
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I also reread some of the profound good non-fiction works (Goldsworthy, Dalrimple)
But of course i do like to keep enough time for new material