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Re-reading-to do it, or not to do it

SFG75

SFG75

Well-Known Member
Another book forum that I'm on has decided to make their BOTM a book that I've already read here. Yes, we are that awesome that we select the better ones first, but I digress.;) I then see Sevenwritez's reply in a King thread that got me thinking as I mentioned an older, more often read book of King's.

. . .against my strong convictions of anti-re-reading (what's the good if the path has already been walked once, right?).
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Ya know, I agree!. I haven't re-read one book as there are plenty that I am eyeing and there's just something about re-reading. I don't know, but I completely understand the "been there, done that" thinking. I do enjoy the book chosen and have thought of re-reading more than a few, but when it comes down to it, ehhhhhhhhhh, just want to move on.

Any thoughts?
 
Not to sound like a spokewoman for adult incontinence products, but it Depends! Some books warrant a re-read more than others. Which books fit that profile Depends on the book and my reason to re-read. If a book group is reading a book I've already read, I might decide to re-read just to refresh my memory for the discussion, or I might skip it if I wasn't very impressed with the book in the first pass. On the other hand, I might choose to re-read a book I didn't "get" just to give it another chance..reading with a group is a nice opportunity for that.
 
I tend to re-read if there aren't any books on my shelves that I haven't read it. I love revisiting worlds and characters and reading them over and over again. Except for Harry Potter books, I haven't re-read a book in quite some time. I feel guilty doing that when there are other books on my shelves that I haven't read yet.
 
I re-read all the time, usually at night when I can't get to sleep. It helps to read something I'm familiar with so that it doesn't keep me awake but still distracts me enough from not sleeping.

I too feel guilty for re-reading when I have a TBR pile, but I don't want to half concentrate on a new book when I'm feeling tired.
 
I wouldn't re-read for a BOTM, but there are a few books in my collection that I've read more than once due to them being favourites.
 
Ninjalore said:
I wouldn't re-read for a BOTM, but there are a few books in my collection that I've read more than once due to them being favourites.
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I've been known to go back and re-read just the 'best' parts of a favorite book..don't we all do that now and then?
 
I used to re-read books all the time, especially if I wasn't able to buy any new books. Recently I've rarely felt the urge to read books more than once, except for when the newest installment of a series I like is released (then I go back and re-read the other volumes).
 
I re-read books all the time...books that I really enjoy I always re-read. I love going back again to a favorite book...I mean whats the point in just reading a book once? NO FUN. At least to me anyways...
 
Of course I re-read books! I always notice something new, and I love the familiar feelings my favorite books give me. Books and pizza...the most comforting things in the world to me!:p
 
I'm not deadset against re-reading (though my mother is), but I tend not re-read books as a general rule, just because I've had so little time to read the last few years and I want to make the most of it. On the other hand, there are several books that I regularly re-read because I like the way I feel when I read them.

Though after re-reading Fahrenheit 451 last year and getting a completely different meaning out of it than I did when I read it before, I think there are some books that deserve to be re-read. But the time between re-reads in this case was several years, so there was some distance and some life experience in there than contributed to how I felt about the re-read.

So for me, it depends on the book and how much time it's been since I last read it, I guess.
 
I think re-reading brings a new perspective to a book. I see it from more angles when I know how it ends. I can watch how the writer unravels the story and take more notice of aspects such as the relationship between environment and action.

I recommend reading good novels, as opposed to pulp, several times. It's better to understand a good book well, than to have skimmed through lots of trash.

Having said that, the last piece of writing I read several times was 'The Yellow Wallpaper', a short piece which I still don't understand. Prior to that I re-read 'Interview with the Vampire' because it suited my mood. The second reading gave me more insight into the characters but a poorer opinion of Anne Rice.

I have masses of BTR. I can't stay away from book sales. Car boot sales are my form of heaven (garage sales to US readers!).
 
I agree with BookCat. To read once more gives an opportunity to explore those things that you overlook the first time round. And like Fae mentioned, the familiar feeling that accompanies rereading gives such pleasure you would want to snuggle and wander away with those characters.

I do reread novels that deserves them, especially the ones that I love. And I usually tend to do it not long after my first time reading it. I have to reread them before the moment of love passes. And when that phase is gone, I'll get acquainted with other books. :)

However, I don't reread thrillers. Thrillers are meant to do just that, to thrill. So when I'm finished with it knowing the twists, turns, ending, that doesn't quite give the premise to enjoy it the second time round, does it? No thrill. So once it's done, it's done.

I've not tried it with non-fiction though. Me, non-fiction, reread? I'm not sure whether it would work out.
 
Ooo, good point about the non-fiction, Maizara.

I have re-read Bryson's Short History.. a few times. I remember new information each time, and the topic matter fascinates me. It is packed with information though, so in order to absorb it all, I think a couple of reads are necessary.

I've also re-scanned previous textbooks to salvage references for reports. But that's a little off-topic.
 
I often read non-fiction over and over again. I've read Antonia Fraser's The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England about four times. I also want to re-read Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States, which was my 11th grade history textbook, over again. I can't imagine reading something like this so carefully that I remember everything. There's always things I miss, and I honestly just enjoy learning about history.

With fiction, I agree with what other people have said. Great books deserve to be given another read. Just to consider the story, the characters, the events over again. But I'll even read mysteries, thrillers, and other books that might not be a fun re-read to other people. I don't mind knowing the outcome...in fact, I like knowing and being able to pick out the little clues that I missed the first time around. Also, for me, that feeling of suspense never goes away even if I know what's going to happen.
 
I also want to re-read Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States, which was my 11th grade history textbook, over again.
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Allow me to say that your teacher had exquisite choice in choosing such an outstanding text.:D I stated earlier that I don't re-read, I have come to realize that I'm in error as I have re-read the Zinn book numerous times, though more in spots than from a methodical march from beginning to end.

With fiction, I agree with what other people have said. Great books deserve to be given another read.
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I haven't considered that before, kudos to Bookcat and others for bringing out such an illuminating view. I plan on sitting down tonight to participate in the *new* BOTM I mentioned earlier.:cool:
 
SFG75 said:
Allow me to say that your teacher had exquisite choice in choosing such an outstanding text.:D
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Yes, she was an extremely enlightened teacher, and she taught the only history class I've come away from feeling like I really learned something. My boyfriend is beginning his junior year as a history major this fall, and I want to get it for him as a gift. I don't think enough people consider the authors (or the corporations) who write their textbooks and what effect that has on our attitudes and ideas. That's another reason why re-reading is such a good idea! If you take a little time away from a book, whether it's fiction or non-fiction, you may be surprised by what you notice the second (or third, fourth...) time around.
 
If I somehow was magically able to finish all the books I want to read, then maybe I would re-read my favorites, but I don't think that is possible:) .
 
It really depends on the book, as re-reading a book allows one to find things that they didn't notice the first time around. Also you remember how much you enjoyed the story in the first place or can make you realize how good the book is, if the first time you read the book really wasn't that great.

Personally, I don't usually re-read a book, unless its a part of a series or is just a piece of really good lit.

On that note, I am going to go to bed, as I have to get up early to do some more packing....
 
I am currently rereading A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole and I am doing so because (1) it is a very good book and (2) I feel for folks who choose suicide as an option to end the suffering of their deep depresion. So I read the book twice. There is nothing wrong with that.
 
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