Have you ever had a point where you were drawn to reread?

[LadyKate]

I have a huge "to read" list yet I find myself drawn to reread some old favorite series / authors (Weber, Lackey, Harrision, Ashley etc)

I just can't seem to get into new reads right now, drawn back to old favorites. Some of the series that have been completed are drawing me in for a complete nonstop reread.

With all the books I want to read, it somehow doesn't make sense that I am drawn into a rereading session. No real understanding why...

So I ask you. Am I alone in this occasional obsession to reread?

[charlyee]

You are definitely not alone, I re read my old favorites all the time.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by LadyKate

So I ask you. Am I alone in this occasional obsession to reread?

Happens all the time.

[Dazrin]

Yup, all the time. I have to force myself to try something new each time because I know there are all these really good books I have already read and would really enjoy reading again.

Heck, before my kindle I probably re-read 80% of the time. Now I am down to about 20%.

[Cinisajoy]

Yes, I re-read.

[GeoffR]

Originally Posted by LadyKate

I have a huge "to read" list yet I find myself drawn to reread some old favorite series / authors (Weber, Lackey, Harrision, Ashley etc)

I just can't seem to get into new reads right now, drawn back to old favorites. Some of the series that have been completed are drawing me in for a complete nonstop reread.

With all the books I want to read, it somehow doesn't make sense that I am drawn into a rereading session. No real understanding why...

So I ask you. Am I alone in this occasional obsession to reread?

You're not alone. Although I read a lot of new books, I often search for ones that appear to be similar to ones that I have enjoyed before -- by the same author, similar subject matter, etc. but somehow that can make me want to re-read those books that originally inspired the search even more.

For example, I got into reading Nordic Crime recently after reading Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö's Martin Beck series, and even though a lot of other books in the genre have been influenced by that series, and I have found many that I enjoyed, very few of them manage to capture everything I liked about it. So it seems the more I read in the genre, the more I come to appreciate how good the Martin Beck series really was, and the more I want to re-read it.

Along the way I come across other books that incorporate something different that I want to read more about. For example I found Leif G. W. Persson's books have some of the things I enjoyed about Sjöwall & Wahlöö's books, but also something else that is interesting in itself, and so I expand my search to include books similar to those ones, and so now I want to re-read Persson's books too, and the process continues.

[Catlady]

I read for pleasure. If I want to reread a book that gave me pleasure, why should I deprive myself?

[LadyKate]

I don't know... I have been browsing through my Calibre library and can't seem to stop from doing a reread instead of a new read the last couple of weeks. Good to know I'm not going crazy. Just a tad batty maybe.

Perhaps it's just the time of year to revisit old friends. Some authors I tend to reread a couple of their books every year...

[library addict]

I am a big rereader.

I reread if I am in the mood for a certain type of book or author's voice. Or just to "revisit" favorite characters.

I also think rereading is the only way to get over a reading slump. Or that's what's always helped me to do so.

[pjmpjm]

Sure do. I'm nearly 67 and sometimes I find new things in my favourite books that I missed the first (or even the second or third) time!

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by library addict

I am a big rereader.

I reread if I am in the mood for a certain type of book or author's voice. Or just to "revisit" favorite characters.

I also think rereading is the only way to get over a reading slump. Or that's what's always helped me to do so.

Pretty much what she said.

[soulfuldog]

I don't reread very often, but I do sometimes get that feeling of not wanting to read something new but instead go back and read an old favourite or two. As Catlady says, reading is a pleasure, and if you've really enjoyed a book, why not read it again and relive the pleasure.

[Apache]

I reread as many books as I read new books.
Apache

[fjtorres]

If you're in the mood to re-read, re-read.
It'll pass. Eventually. Sooner or later you'll be itching for something new or you'll hear about a hot new title...

Re-reading is like comfort food: great to have when you need it and impossible to overdo.
No need to worry.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by LadyKate

I have a huge "to read" list yet I find myself drawn to reread some old favorite series / authors...

If I'm not careful, I'll be re-re-re-reading The Silmarillion, Lord of the Rings, and the History of Middle Earth the rest of my life. For some reason, I never get tired of Middle Earth. Same is true for Shogun; I can read that book and watch the 10 hour series forever. The Lion King (1) is another movie I can keep watching over and over and over... and have been doing so for about 20 years now.