Read the Same Book Multiple Times?

[calvin-c]

IMO if a book is worth reading then it's worth re-reading although usually not immediately. You never know, of course, until after you've read a book the first time whether or not it's really worth reading-so I read a lot of books that, by my definition, aren't worth reading. And I read some that, after I finish them, I think "Well that was a real waste of my time".

[Little.Egret]

I recall a Open University lecture on the radio which contained the suggestion "what was the author trying to distract your attention from?"

You could reread any non-fiction with that in mind or indeed after reading some reviews.

For example in Lois McMaster Bujold's Miles Vorkosigan books there are all sorts of references and foreshadowing that you might only spot on a re-read.

They can be enjoyed even without noticing and enjoyed again later.

visit http://dendarii.com/accc.html for A Reader's Companion to A Civil Campaign (PDF or ePub)

[Danger]

Originally Posted by jgaiser

I reread books. It's like visiting old friends.

Yup. Although generally my re-reads can be anywhere from a year to 5 or 6 between re-reads. Depends on how much I enjoyed the book the first time and what I am currently interested in as well as how many to be read books I still have

[pidgeon92]

I have a poor memory. A few days after I finish a book, I can't remember the outcome, or even a lot of the plot. I wish it weren't so, but re-reading can be a pleasure.

[rollei]

I've read certain books multiple times over a long period. Those books are beautifully written and I enjoyed them.

[piper28]

I'll re-read books a number of times, although there's generally some time period between times when I read them. But I often find on a second or third read I'm still noticing details that I might have missed the first time. (Or, for a series, I'll notice where things were foreshadowed in an early book in a series.)

Of course, there's also books that after I've read once, I know I'll never read them again.

[FizzyWater]

One of my reasons for re-reading is also the "comfort read". I'm tired, grumpy, and I know I'm not going to absorb as much as I normally would read...so I grab an old favorite that I've already re-read numerous times. I can enjoy the "warm and fuzzies" from the book without having to feel like I'm losing important-to-the-plot details.

[speakingtohe]

Sometimes I will start rereading a book accidentally. Then I remember more and more as I read on. Unfortunately the more I remember, the less I enjoy rereading. Same with TV and movies.

I do like series books because of the familiarity with the characters so I get a similar pleasure perhaps from that.

Luckily for me there are a lot of books but perhaps it will be a benefit of advancing senility that I can reread all of the Nero Wolf books again and many others

Helen

[Yapyap]

Originally Posted by piper28

I'll re-read books a number of times, although there's generally some time period between times when I read them. But I often find on a second or third read I'm still noticing details that I might have missed the first time. (Or, for a series, I'll notice where things were foreshadowed in an early book in a series.)

Of course, there's also books that after I've read once, I know I'll never read them again.

This, exactly.

I re-read relatively few books compared to all the books I read, but they all fall into two categories: re-reads of old favourite books I haven't touched for several years (and thus don't remember well enough to recall details), and favourite series books where re-reading earlier books after newer ones have been released & read can show a number of things in a completely different light.

Throwaway lines I never paid attention to at first read, minor characters mentioned but seeming insignificant at the time, subtle foreshadowing of future twists... I love seeing how things were built up, how the author added up the necessary details in early books, even if I missed their significance at the time.

[rdfry]

No rereading for me, too many new books to read and life is getting short.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Different strokes for different folks. I re-read a lot of books, but then again, I watch favored movies multiple time and listen to music that I like multiple times. Every time I re-visit a favored work, I find I bring a new perspective to it.

And it's like revisiting old friends who you haven't seen for a while too.

[latepaul]

If the only (or major) pleasure in reading was "wondering what will happen next" then I could see why re-reading would be a waste of time. For me at least it's not even close to the top reason why I read.

I have favourite books that are like comfort food. I'll re-read them when I feel in need of a pick-up because I know I'll enjoy spending time with those characters in that world. Far from knowing what happens being a problem I'll start to feel a glow of pleasure when I'm coming to a good passage.

It's also why I'm less bothered by spoilers than some. A surprise twist done well is a real treat but if that's all you've got then it alone can't make a great book or movie. In fact for me a measure of a good twist is how well it works on re-reading/watching. Chances are if there's no sense of enjoying seeing the clues, looking at the story from a different pov then the "twist" wasn't truly earned.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Majorix

I see people everywhere reading some books numerous times. I can't understand how they can do it. I mean, no matter how much I like the book, I can't read the same book even twice. Knowing the plot twists etc, and reading the same things I already know about just doesn't give me the pleasure I had had reading the book for the first time. I like the feeling of being curious when reading a book, and that is pretty much what keeps me reading it - you can't "wonder" when you know what will happen next and next and next.

What about you?

I find that slightly curious. Do you only listen to a piece of music once for the same reason?

Re-reading good books for me is like visiting old friends. I have certain books that I re-read every few years, and get equal pleasure from every time I do so.

[Freeshadow]

Posts 14,15, 26, 28
Just that.

[GeoffR]

I usually read good books at least twice, the first and second readings are very different experiences, but can be equally enjoyable. I hate spoilers because they ruin the first reading, but they don't affect subsequent readings, so I can often still read and enjoy a spoiled book.