Do you re-read your books?

[Adrian]

Yes, yes i do. It may be years before i re-read a book or a book series, often having storeed it away. But when i do re-read, it is like discovering an old friend again, and so often one finds somthing new and previously unnoticed.

As others have said here, to me its the journey of reading a book i enjoy, and i am not fussed too much about have prior knowledge of the plot or ending. I enjoy the act of (re)living the story in my imagination for myself.

Micah mentioned The Belgariad above ... darn, now i have to go dig that series out of the loft ... been about 5 years since i read them, and a desire to re-visit that world has been growing in the back of my mind :-)

And i also have a large to-be-read pile to contend with as well, but i have no problem taking a break from the new to re-visit old friends if the desire so takes me!

[Meripen]

I've re-read a number of series over the years. Not as much any more because it's easier now to find really good authors and great books. The main reason I have to go back to the old stuff is when it's been a while since I read the last book and the new one came out or is coming out. Mostly to refresh my mind and prepare it for the plunge. Reading fiction is a bit like diving I suppose. When you are prepared for the transition between the environments it makes it less of a shock.

[Jonathan]

I re-read books all the time, I'm the same way with movies and tv shows as well. I think it's because even though I know what's going to happen I sometimes forget the little details and it's worth the reminder.

[Ainsley]

Phil wrote: "I think re-reading books is like eating comfort food sometimes. You just know that this or that book is going to give you exactly the feeling that you want at that moment."

I agree, Phil. Sometimes, you just want that familiarity and comfort. A good book to me is like a favorite t-shirt.

[Martin]

As an infrequent re-reader I have to ask; what do you get out of a re-read?
Do you get anything new out of a book by re-reading it or is it much as craving a favorite dish/dessert that you just have to have another bite of?

[Micah]

Martin wrote: "As an infrequent re-reader I have to ask; what do you get out of a re-read?
Do you get anything new out of a book by re-reading it or is it much as craving a favorite dish/dessert that you just ha..."

see the last 3 pages of discussion?

[Jacob]

I used to not at all. Once I started listening to audiobooks at my work I have definitely started relistening to some of the ones I really enjoyed.

[Matthew]

I have never read a book twice in my life. I am considering re-reading the Hobbit and LOTR since I read those about 17 years ago.

[Dharmakirti]

Matthew wrote: "I have never read a book twice in my life. I am considering re-reading the Hobbit and LOTR since I read those about 17 years ago."

I highly suggest re-reading LOTR, you will get so much more out of it.

[Random]

Martin wrote: "As an infrequent re-reader I have to ask; what do you get out of a re-read?
Do you get anything new out of a book by re-reading it or is it much as craving a favorite dish/dessert that you just ha..."

A mix of both for myself.

For example: The last month or so at work has been rather insane. I've been fighting to get into some books for group discussions, but its been so hard to calm my whirling mind so I can focus. So, I started an audio of one of the Discworld books. Light and humorous, but since I know it so well that if my mind wanders it isn't a big deal.

[Dharmakirti]

I re-read books all the time. I've read the David and Leigh Eddings catalog many many times. FOr a long time, the only books I owned were David & Leigh Eddings' the Belgariad, the Mallorean, the Elenium and the Tamuli series. I would read through all of them and then just start at the beginning once I was finished.