I almost never reread books.
I know that seems harsh, but it’s not that I don’t love the book. I just don’t want to relive it so many times that it becomes a mundane fixture in my every day life. It’s no longer new and I know what happens next. I choose to keep the good stories in my mind and move on to the next new adventure.
But, very rarely, I do reread books.
I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately. Partially because I’d been up to my neck in work for weeks, but also partially because now that I have more breathing room, I can’t concentrate on reading. That and I have this knack for picking up books that bore my brains out lately.
To fix this terrible ailment, I decided to break my rule and reread This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales. This really made me think. Why do I reread certain books? The majority of the books on my shelf are ones that I’ll probably never touch again. I’m pretty sure I’ve reread The Lightning Thief and I could see myself rereading The Fault in Our Stars, but why?
It held happy memories
I still remember the day I started The Lightening Thief. I remember how I got through the first page or two when my siblings drug me outside. I remember being a bit annoyed because they weren’t letting me start what I knew was going to be the best book I’d read in a long time. I remember how I flew through the series. I remember how excited I was to watch the movie of The Lightning Thief a month later for my birthday. I remember how I finished The Last Olympian before I saw the movie and how I was content I could now see the movie with nothing being spoiled.
They make us laugh, they make us cry
So maybe this is cliche. But tell me it’s not true. I don’t usually cry over books. When I do, it’s either because I love the absolute genius of the writer and love the book to the Earth’s core or I am silently swearing to never touch the book again (e.g. The Yearling. . .). I don’t usually laugh in books either. The Lightning Thief is another example of this and so is The Fault in Our Stars. I can’t for sure tell you what really makes me laugh because most middle grade fiction humor just seems kind of ridiculous to me and most of the time, a book full of metaphors and depressing subject matters wouldn’t make me laugh.
Dude, the protagonist is me
Or maybe the protagonist’s buddy. Or the antagonist.
Basically, books where you relate to the character. Honestly, this is why I like This Song Will Save Your Life. Elise reminds me of myself. Sure, I’ve never DJed or even been to a nightclub, but some of her mannerisms and the things she said reminded me of myself. Then again, what teenager hasn’t felt like they missed out on the manual to life?
The book changed (your) reading history
From this point on, everything is different. Whether it’s the book that interested you in some topic or a new genre, it changed your reading history somehow. For example, last year I got into reading contemporary fiction after I read Golden by Jessi Kirby. I never thought I would like contemporary fiction, so I didn’t read it. However, Bobbie tricked me into reading Golden by telling me that the protagonist reminded her of me. As evil as that was, I’m much obliged because contemporary fiction is a lot more than what I thought it would be and I’ve read some good books because of it.
You may as well have written it
Am I the only one who sits there mentally yelling at books because I feel like I was the writer, think I should have written it first, or beat my head against an imaginary wall because I didn’t write whatever amazingness I’m reading? Hopefully I’m not, or this last part here is just going to be awkward.
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I am an almost constant re-reader, sometimes obsessively so. That being said I think it’s an personal habit that sort of mimics the way I relate to books in general. I re-read because I don’t want to let go and I like it when a book is so familiar that it weaves itself into my own story. (Which is probably a wee bit odd)
The reasons you list here for revisiting a book are excellent (and very true) this is definitely a topic I’d love to see discussed more regularly because it gives such fascinating insight into book lovers relationships with our beloved books! 🙂
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It’s hard to let go of some books. I don’t reread half as much as I would like to, but sometimes you just have to. It becomes something really dear and special to you.
I’d love to read more on the topic, as well. I had a hard time getting around to posting this because, in a weird way, it makes me feel a little vulnerable to say what books I reread and my reasons behind why I do. Especially if it’s because of a character I relate to. It almost feels like someone could take that to mean whatever they would like.
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I am an almost constant re-reader, sometimes obsessively so. That being said I think it’s an personal habit that sort of mimics the way I relate to books in general. I re-read because I don’t want to let go and I like it when a book is so familiar that it weaves itself into my own story. (Which is probably a wee bit odd)
The reasons you list here for revisiting a book are excellent (and very true) this is definitely a topic I’d love to see discussed more regularly because it gives such fascinating insight into book lovers relationships with our beloved books! 🙂
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It’s hard to let go of some books. I don’t reread half as much as I would like to, but sometimes you just have to. It becomes something really dear and special to you.
I’d love to read more on the topic, as well. I had a hard time getting around to posting this because, in a weird way, it makes me feel a little vulnerable to say what books I reread and my reasons behind why I do. Especially if it’s because of a character I relate to. It almost feels like someone could take that to mean whatever they would like.
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Really interest post! I have to agree that I’m not one to reread books very often, only a few that really touched my heart. There are some books that are absolutely amazing the first time but because suspense was the main thing that kept me reading, there’s no way I could ever reread it which is the only reason why I could absolutely NEVER reread a mystery or crime fiction novel. But with some novels you actually love living in the moment, if that makes sense, you enjoy the character interactions and the language and generally the whole way its written, the emotions are so wonderful that you’d want to feel them again. For me there are only a small number of those, like Harry Potter or The Fault in Our Stars like you mentioned!
Great post and its great to see you back on the blog again! 🙂
Safah,
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I get exactly what you mean. It’s like, no matter how many times you reread it, you can live it all over again. Most books don’t work that way, but some stay with you in just the right way.
I’m very happy to be back!
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Really interest post! I have to agree that I’m not one to reread books very often, only a few that really touched my heart. There are some books that are absolutely amazing the first time but because suspense was the main thing that kept me reading, there’s no way I could ever reread it which is the only reason why I could absolutely NEVER reread a mystery or crime fiction novel. But with some novels you actually love living in the moment, if that makes sense, you enjoy the character interactions and the language and generally the whole way its written, the emotions are so wonderful that you’d want to feel them again. For me there are only a small number of those, like Harry Potter or The Fault in Our Stars like you mentioned!
Great post and its great to see you back on the blog again! 🙂
Safah,
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I get exactly what you mean. It’s like, no matter how many times you reread it, you can live it all over again. Most books don’t work that way, but some stay with you in just the right way.
I’m very happy to be back!
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I used to reread a lot more when I was younger, probably because I couldn’t afford new books so reread my favourite stories! But now I’m a little spoiled for choice…and since I’ve started blogging a whole new world of must-reads have opened up to me and I find it hard to justify a reread, but I still do from time-to-time. At the minute I’m rereading the entire TMI series before starting book 6 (wish me luck) which is taking a huge chunk of my reading time when I could be reading my huge TBR pile. I only keep books that I think I’ll reread, or if there is sentimental value attached to them. I think I’ll ALWAYS want to reread Harry Potter, even if I somehow never find the time to. Rereading definitely wasn’t as much of an issue for me before blogging, but I’m sure I’ll get around to it someday… (every book lover’s famous last words…)
R x
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I’ve always struggled with rereading, but blogging definitely limited the option even more, I agree. I only do it once in a blue moon, but sometimes it’s really nice.
Good luck with rereading TMI! That’s a lotttt of reading!
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I used to reread a lot more when I was younger, probably because I couldn’t afford new books so reread my favourite stories! But now I’m a little spoiled for choice…and since I’ve started blogging a whole new world of must-reads have opened up to me and I find it hard to justify a reread, but I still do from time-to-time. At the minute I’m rereading the entire TMI series before starting book 6 (wish me luck) which is taking a huge chunk of my reading time when I could be reading my huge TBR pile. I only keep books that I think I’ll reread, or if there is sentimental value attached to them. I think I’ll ALWAYS want to reread Harry Potter, even if I somehow never find the time to. Rereading definitely wasn’t as much of an issue for me before blogging, but I’m sure I’ll get around to it someday… (every book lover’s famous last words…)
R x
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I’ve always struggled with rereading, but blogging definitely limited the option even more, I agree. I only do it once in a blue moon, but sometimes it’s really nice.
Good luck with rereading TMI! That’s a lotttt of reading!
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Oh my gosh, I LOVE your point about everything being different after that. You’re so right – reading something that just “gets” you raises the bar for every book of that genre, author, and group ever after. It’s like “this book was good but it was no *The Lightning Thief or whatever you love* and that’s kind of a good/sad feeling. It makes me read new books with a more critical harsh eye, because another book has my REAL love.
Maybe I’m odd though!
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Oh my gosh, I LOVE your point about everything being different after that. You’re so right – reading something that just “gets” you raises the bar for every book of that genre, author, and group ever after. It’s like “this book was good but it was no *The Lightning Thief or whatever you love* and that’s kind of a good/sad feeling. It makes me read new books with a more critical harsh eye, because another book has my REAL love.
Maybe I’m odd though!
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It’s not often I feel the need to reread a book. I know how it ends. That story is complete for me. Or perhaps, I hadn’t found a story that really stuck to my bones, until recently. I mostly read by ebook. So when I find a story that really makes an impression on me, I purchase a physical copy. I have 2 books that I plan to reread this summer. The only other book I’ve revisited is Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. That will always be a tale worth repeating.
I plan to reread the Harry Potter series again, too, at some point. I just finished it or the first time this year. I want to see if I get a different experience from them now that I’ve read.
Other than that, my TBR pile is much too high to spend time repeating every book I come across.
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It’s not often I feel the need to reread a book. I know how it ends. That story is complete for me. Or perhaps, I hadn’t found a story that really stuck to my bones, until recently. I mostly read by ebook. So when I find a story that really makes an impression on me, I purchase a physical copy. I have 2 books that I plan to reread this summer. The only other book I’ve revisited is Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. That will always be a tale worth repeating.
I plan to reread the Harry Potter series again, too, at some point. I just finished it or the first time this year. I want to see if I get a different experience from them now that I’ve read.
Other than that, my TBR pile is much too high to spend time repeating every book I come across.
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I feel bad because I buy a lot of books but I rarely REREAD unless it was an absolute favorite or, in the case of TFIOS, there’s a movie coming out soon. I can’t wait for it! Great post
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I feel bad because I buy a lot of books but I rarely REREAD unless it was an absolute favorite or, in the case of TFIOS, there’s a movie coming out soon. I can’t wait for it! Great post
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I used to never reread books. I was afraid that I wouldn’t enjoy them as much the second time around, either because I’ve grown and changed or because there just isn’t as much mystery/suspense when you already know what’s going to happen. Granted, I reread the Harry Potter series every time a new book/movie came out to refresh my memory, but those books were my childhood so I can’t ever see myself not enjoying them.
After I started blogging, my to-read list grew to the point where I didn’t feel like I should reread a book – after all, the time spent reading a book for a second time could be spent reading a new release. Right now, though, I’m breaking that rule and rereading Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, since Anna’s situation is almost the exact same one I’m in (aside from the Paris part) and knowing that there’s a happy resolution (even if it is fictional) is really reassuring.
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I used to never reread books. I was afraid that I wouldn’t enjoy them as much the second time around, either because I’ve grown and changed or because there just isn’t as much mystery/suspense when you already know what’s going to happen. Granted, I reread the Harry Potter series every time a new book/movie came out to refresh my memory, but those books were my childhood so I can’t ever see myself not enjoying them.
After I started blogging, my to-read list grew to the point where I didn’t feel like I should reread a book – after all, the time spent reading a book for a second time could be spent reading a new release. Right now, though, I’m breaking that rule and rereading Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, since Anna’s situation is almost the exact same one I’m in (aside from the Paris part) and knowing that there’s a happy resolution (even if it is fictional) is really reassuring.
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Welcome back!
I rarely reread books, but I always THINK about rereading them and have some that I truly believe I will reread. That’s why I felt like I reread more than I actually do haha. I definitely always intend to reread those books that changed my reading history, as you said. Lord of the Rings, House of Leaves, the big books that really made me go wow.
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Welcome back!
I rarely reread books, but I always THINK about rereading them and have some that I truly believe I will reread. That’s why I felt like I reread more than I actually do haha. I definitely always intend to reread those books that changed my reading history, as you said. Lord of the Rings, House of Leaves, the big books that really made me go wow.
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