Man, I’ve been struggling with re-reading books lately. About half of them I re-read and am equally (if not more) obsessed, but then the other half I find myself bored by their predictability. So now I’m curious what you all think about re-reading books.
Pros of re-reading books:
1. Re-living your favorite characters/settings/dialogue/etc.
2. Finding little hints at the upcoming plot.
I recently re-read Ready Player One and LOVED it. I also re-read A Discovery of WItches and adored reading about Matthew and Diana’s relationship blossoming all over again.
Cons:
1. You know what’s going to happen, so it can get a little boring at times.
2. You could be discovering other wonderful books!
I tried to read the second novel in the All Souls Trilogy (the sequel to A Discovery of Wtiches), which is actually my favorite of the three, but I got bored!! *gasp* I actually had to DNF it. I became uninterested, because I know what was going to happen. Another time I tried to re-read the Harry Potter series, but I stopped after the fourth book, because I knew everything was going to get soooo dark and I just didn’t want to read that sad stuff again!
How do you feel about re-reading books? Love it or hate it?
A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.
Milana
I rarely re read books. There’s just so many others to discover but I always re read The Hobbit every year because it’s so precious. The Bone Season is another one I’ve re read and liked.
As an aside I couldn’t get through the 2nd discovery of witches the first time around… Oops
KB @ This Side of Storyland
Good post! I don’t generally reread books unless I absolutely love them–some books I’ve reread and still loved are The Princess Bride, Ella Enchanted, and Jane of Lantern Hill. I also have a horrible memory for details, so that probably helps me not be bored.
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Aj @ Read All The Things!
I love rereading books, even though I haven’t done it at all this year. My TBR is too out-of-control right now. I mostly like to reread mysteries or books with twists at the end. I like to pick out all of the foreshadowing and hints that I missed the first time I read it. I want to figure out how the author was able to surprise me.
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Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!
I feel the same way when it comes to rereading books! Normally I only reread favorites if I have forgotten some key points, or if I basically need comfort food in the form of a book. There’s something so soothing in reading an old favorite. If I’m being honest though, I almost never reread fantasy or sci fi. I’d rather watch my OTP fall in love again in a contemporary book than read a sci-fi/fantasy where the romance is a bit more drawn out and the battles, politics, etc. are the main focus. Reading can be quite fickle, haha!
Jade @ Reading With Jade
I love rereading, however, I have definitely had instances where you get a little bored part way through. More recently, I find myself returning to books more for the characters, or a feeling of nostalgia, rather than the actual plot – so very character driven novels. Great post; always interesting to hear the thoughts others have re: rereading.
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[…] Re-Reading Books: Worth It? @ The Bandar Blog – Ali, like myself, is a perpetual re-reader, and lately she’s be struggling with some of her re-reads. In this quick posts, she talks about some of the pros & cons, and invites discussion of your experiences! […]
Melissa's Midnight Musings
I re-read very rarely these days. I have so many books that I’ve bought that are unread that I feel guilty re-reading.
Ali
Right?! I have the same problem!
Cora @ Tea Party Princess
I love rereading, it feels as though it’s all I’ve done for a while haha.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Cora @ Tea Party Princess just posted Five Books I Reread In Autumn
Ali
Haha, that’s fun!! At least you know what you’re getting into for each book.
Kat @ Novels & Waffles
Rereading books is an absolute must for me for two reasons. 1) I love revisiting the story and getting to know my favorite characters all over again (book in question: Harry Potter) and 2) because I have a horrible memory and forget so much of what happens in a book. Especially if I’m reading a series and it’s been a while since I read the last book, I need to read it again to reacquaint myself with what was happening.
However, sometimes when I reread a book , I end up not loving it as much as I did the first time, which is a bummer. Thanks for a great post 😀
Ali
Yes, re-reading is almost 100% essential with some series that I read! I love revisiting great stories, too!
Kyra Morris
I never used to reread books, but the past year I’ve found myself rereading a book immediately after finishing it. If I love a book a lot, I enjoy reading it a second-time to notice foreshadowing/quotes I may have skipped over etc. I really enjoy analysing books, so I love the more in-depth reading experience I get the second-time around!
Ali
That’s awesome!! There are very few books that I want to re-read as soon as I finish them, but those that I do were super amazing!