Do you re-read books? - Page 7

alecE · 07-17-2009, 06:29 PM

I can't imagine not re-reading my books - it's a continuing conversation with old friends - Tolkein, Sayers, Wyndham, Asimov, le Carre, Doyle... the list goes ever on and on.
BTW my all-time re-read fave: Roy Lewis - The Evolution Man ("...who gave evolution the kind of sudden push from which it has never regained its balance...")

Deb · 12-08-2009, 01:38 AM

If you don't re-read, why bother buying the book? It may be a few (many, lots) of years between re-readings, but I definitely have my 'keepers'. Romance, Fantasy, SF, it's all good...

Sweetpea · 12-08-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deb

If you don't re-read, why bother buying the book? It may be a few (many, lots) of years between re-readings, but I definitely have my 'keepers'. Romance, Fantasy, SF, it's all good...

There are books that I've bought I doubt I'll re-read. I sometimes get "urges" to read a certain book. The more often I get those urges, the better the book, I think... (The Count of Monte Cristo must be my all-time favourite then... I generally read it once a year). But some books will have to wait for years for a re-read.

kjk · 12-08-2009, 03:53 PM

The main reason I am so invested in eBooks is because I re-read books. I prefer reading new books in book form, and re-reading them in eBook form.

WT Sharpe · 12-08-2009, 05:12 PM

Until this year, I never kept track of books I had read. Once I started, I was surprised to discover just how many books I have re-read. Almost all in this category are non-fiction. As for using books previously read for reference, that's a habit I've had all my adult life.

lene1949 · 12-10-2009, 03:23 AM

I read some books a few times, and I always find that I get a better understanding the second time... If it's a really good book, the first time is a race to the finish line, whereas the second time, I can take my time and actually understand different nuances of the book... (I looked that up..

)

HarryT · 12-10-2009, 05:22 AM

I can't understand not re-reading a book that you enjoy. Would you listen to a piece of music, enjoy it, but say "I'm never going to listen to it again"?

Ea · 12-10-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Until this year, I never kept track of books I had read. Once I started, I was surprised to discover just how many books I have re-read. Almost all in this category are non-fiction. As for using books previously read for reference, that's a habit I've had all my adult life.

I tried creating a 'read-at-least-twice' bookshelf at my Goodreads account - it's roughly 45% of the books I've registered (which I estimate to be about 75-80% of the fiction I've read as an adult).

I agree with Harry, a good experience bears repeating. Sometimes for comfort, sometimes because it's so good!

Sweetpea · 12-10-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ea

I agree with Harry, a good experience bears repeating. Sometimes for comfort, sometimes because it's so good!

I feel like visiting an old friend when I re-read a book I love.

tompe · 12-10-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I can't understand not re-reading a book that you enjoy. Would you listen to a piece of music, enjoy it, but say "I'm never going to listen to it again"?

Well if you only enjoy it maybe it is better reading other books since you will enjoy them also and you increase the chance of finding a really good book.

I re-read books I enjoy but I can understand people that only re-read very good books and they re-read them to get a different experience which you get when you re-read a very good book.

Sydney's Mom · 12-10-2009, 08:23 PM

So msny books, so little time ....

lene1949 · 12-11-2009, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I feel like visiting an old friend when I re-read a book I love.

Yes! That's how I feel... If I'm really anxious, I like to read a book I know inside/out... It really calms me down...

HarryT · 12-11-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I feel like visiting an old friend when I re-read a book I love.

Totally agree. It's very much a "comfort" thing. I can read one of my all-time favourites, such as LOTR or "Great Expectations" time and time again, and enjoy it just as much every time.

Heather Parker · 12-19-2009, 04:07 PM

I agree - a much loved book is like a comfort blanket. I feel the same with a film or television series such as Mash. It doesn't mean I don't enjoy discovering lots of new authors - I do. There are just some stories that seem to stay with you for life.

Fiona · 12-23-2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lene1949

Yes! That's how I feel... If I'm really anxious, I like to read a book I know inside/out... It really calms me down...

Yes!! The first time my heart was broken, when I would wake up howling at two in the morning, I would get up, wash my face, and pick up a Discworld book and read it until I was calm enough to go back to sleep. I went from The Colour Of Magic through to Soul Music (it was 1994, so that was the most recent at the time), AND back to the start. By the time I'd read them all twice, I could sleep all night without waking up

And now I just re-read them for the pure pleasure of it.

View Poll Results: Do you re-read books? (Select all that apply)
Never	23	5.71%
Sometimes I look something up for reference later	46	11.41%
I often look something up in a book I've previously read	48	11.91%
I re-read a few favorites multiple times, cover to cover	194	48.14%
I re-read many books (2 or more times), cover to cover	157	38.96%
If I'm away from my library for very long, I go into withdrawal symptoms!	57	14.14%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 403. You may not vote on this poll

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07-17-2009, 06:29 PM	#91
alecE Evangelist Posts: 412 Karma: 546196 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK canal boat Device: sony prs505, prs650, kobo Glo HD liseuses	I can't imagine not re-reading my books - it's a continuing conversation with old friends - Tolkein, Sayers, Wyndham, Asimov, le Carre, Doyle... the list goes ever on and on. BTW my all-time re-read fave: Roy Lewis - The Evolution Man ("...who gave evolution the kind of sudden push from which it has never regained its balance...")

12-08-2009, 01:38 AM	#92
Deb Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 260 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sacramento Device: Sony PRS-700	If you don't re-read, why bother buying the book? It may be a few (many, lots) of years between re-readings, but I definitely have my 'keepers'. Romance, Fantasy, SF, it's all good...

12-08-2009, 03:53 PM	#94
kjk . Posts: 3,408 Karma: 5647231 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: never enough	The main reason I am so invested in eBooks is because I re-read books. I prefer reading new books in book form, and re-reading them in eBook form.

12-08-2009, 05:12 PM	#95
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,072 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	Until this year, I never kept track of books I had read. Once I started, I was surprised to discover just how many books I have re-read. Almost all in this category are non-fiction. As for using books previously read for reference, that's a habit I've had all my adult life.

12-10-2009, 03:23 AM	#96
lene1949 Wizard Posts: 1,952 Karma: 213930 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Middelfart, Denmark Device: Kindle paper white	I read some books a few times, and I always find that I get a better understanding the second time... If it's a really good book, the first time is a race to the finish line, whereas the second time, I can take my time and actually understand different nuances of the book... (I looked that up.. )

12-10-2009, 05:22 AM	#97
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I can't understand not re-reading a book that you enjoy. Would you listen to a piece of music, enjoy it, but say "I'm never going to listen to it again"?

12-10-2009, 08:23 PM	#101
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,899 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	So msny books, so little time ....

12-19-2009, 04:07 PM	#104
Heather Parker Nameless Being	I agree - a much loved book is like a comfort blanket. I feel the same with a film or television series such as Mash. It doesn't mean I don't enjoy discovering lots of new authors - I do. There are just some stories that seem to stay with you for life.