Yes, there ARE books I would like to re-read. Will I though? Probably not. There are just SO many wonderful titles out there; I have SO many review commitments; there are SO many series I want to start; there are SO many series I want to finish; I’m not getting any younger, etc.
I promised myself over a year ago that I would re-read a favorite title from my twenties (just to see if, and how much, my reading tastes have changed over the years), and I still haven’t gotten around to re-reading it. Some other book keeps pushing it further down the queue.
Are you a re-reader? Why? Why not?
The Top TEN novels I would RE-READ – if I was to RE-READ
- “A man called Ove” by Fredrik Backman (an all-time favourite)
- “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë (my favourite classic novel)
- “The shell seekers” by Rosamund Pilcher (an old, feel-good, favourite)
- “The tree of hands” by Ruth Rendell (a favourite by one of my favourite authors)
- “Caedmon’s song” by Peter Robinson (a stand-alone favourite)
- “A Prologue to love” by Taylor Caldwell (read over 30 years ago)
- “The mirror” by Marlys J. Millhiser (read over 30 years ago)
- “Garnethill” by Denise Mina (the title that got me obsessed with thrillers)
- “The auctioneer” by Joan Samson (read over 30 years ago – chilling read)
- “The forgotten garden” by Kate Morton (read 8 years ago)
Fictionophile 
I re-read a few favourite series to better explore a character arc after a new book is added (example: Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache novels)
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Good point! Oh.. if only there was time to re-read some of my favourite series…
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I do re-read, but only rarely, and so far only a select handful of books. Some I’ve read in different periods of my life and found that my feelings have changed along with my life experience. I notice things I didn’t notice when I was younger. Some I re-read over and over because they feel like a part of me, like going home. And I have several I hope to get back to some day. But like you said, there are so many new reading experiences to be had, and so little time…
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Thanks for understanding my plight Myndi.
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Oh, I am *definitely* a re-reader by nature. That’s how the whole Keeping Up With The Penguins project came about: I realised I spent so much of my reading life re-reading old favourites that I really hadn’t read all that broadly, or even all that much. The project has really changed things for me. I’m committed to not a single re-read or off-List read until I’ve made my way through, and it’s been truly eye opening. I’m learning so much about my own tastes and about literature, I never would have had the chance if I’d just kept re-reading from the same stable.
I wouldn’t say I’m cured of re-reading (already, I have a shortlist of books from my List that I want to go back and re-read again), but I’m out of the regular habit at least. I just find something really comforting in re-reading a book, being familiar with the characters, knowing the punchlines to the joke, picking up on things you’d missed the first (dozen) times around… The best books, IMHO, are the ones that can be read over and over again. Great topic, thanks for posting! I hope you get around to re-reading a couple of your favourites (Jane Eyre especially, it’s on my re-read list too!) soon ❤️
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Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on rereading Sheree. 😍💕📖📚
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There’s only one book I’ve re-read, and that’s Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. But there are some I would like to re-read… Maybe one day I will…
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Davida ‘one day’ and ‘someday’ can be illusive concepts. Thanks for your comment. 😊
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I’m 100% a re-reader. It is how I get over book slumps, I choose a book I know I love to read and it helps get me back in the groove!
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Also… I have an obsessive personality and tend to watch the same movies, listen to the same songs, and read the same books infinite amounts of times, 😛 #NoShameInMyGame
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Yet another good reason to re-read Bree. Thanks.
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The only one of these I’ve read is Jane Eyre and I totally agree! But it would be a long time before I reread it since it’s only been a few years since I read it for the first time. I am with you all the way with this post. I very rarely reread books because there are just so many out there! The only ones I’ve ever reread (purposefully) are Ella Enchanted, To Kill a Mockingbird, and the Harry Potter series.
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No, and just no. I just have so many books to read and many don’t achieve any kind of list. But even those that do–your cartoon says it exactly. No fun if you know what’s coming.
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There’s no time like the first time. 😉
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I don’t re-read as, like you, I have too many books on my list that I haven’t read once yet! The only book I’ve ever read twice is Jane Eyre.
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That is a great title to re-read. “Jane Eyre” is one I’ve re-read at least three times. All re-reads took place BEFORE I started my blog. Since blogging my review commitments take precedence. Also, as I age, I’m afraid I won’t have time to read the thousands of titles I want to read.
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Same here. I need to live until I’m 4580! Lol!
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I occasionally re-read a book, especially if the author is a huge favorite of mine and is deceased (or not writing any more).
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Both are good reasons for re-reading. Thanks.
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I’m a big re-reader! I love reading old favorites again, and I feel like I get something new out of them with each time I read them. Even though there are so many other books I want to read, I just can’t seem to help myself!
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Whatever makes your reading experience richer is a good thing Nicole. I’m so pleased that you find rereading rewarding.
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I used to re-read as a youngster but then stopped as there were too many new books! Then I recently re-discovered re-reading and I absolutely love it. I normally read three books at a time – a main one, a non fiction book and an old favourite and I’m finding I’m getting so much from reading books I know again! 😁
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Beth I’m so pleased that you are finding rereading so rewarding. 💕📚
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I am!!! Ironically, I have posted about this twice recently (well sort of haha, once about it and once another topic that led to discussing it). So I was thrilled to see this pop up! I have several favorites that I read annually. Lately, I am doing this crazy thing where I tackle a few books I read that missed the mark previously but now with changing tastes, I feel I might like. It has been a rewarding experience ❤
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Danielle I am heartened to hear that you have had success with giving certain less loved titles a second chance. A reader’s mood and other external factors play such a profound role in the enjoyment or the lack of enjoyment when reading.
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There just isn’t enough time on our days! I wish there were, there are so many titles I would re-read. I do agree with the sequel approach. I will be exercising this approach for my latest book, Fortitude Rising by AM Bochnak. Her main character Ebony was literally magical. The book was so well written I will happily review it again once the next book in the series is released! You can find more info here! http://www.ambochnak.com
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I am not a re-reader unless there is a sequel and I have forgotten a lot of the previous book which others have mentioned above. There are too many books I want to read. I love the cartoon.
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Thanks so much for weighing in Carla. I agree. As I age I realize that my memory is not quite as sharp as it once was.
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So true. Sometimes I get halfway through a book before I realize I already read it a few years ago. 🤔🤔
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I’ve been meaning to reread so many books, but the only motivation I seem to have is when a I the sequel comes out many months later and I’ve forgotten the events of the first book. Thus the reread. Man Called Ove, but I’m sure it’ll be heartbreaking (which may be why I’m putting it off!). How did you find it?
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Sequels are a motivation for rereading a book. “A man called Ove” is a true favorite of mine. It was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. My review: fictionophile.wordpress.com/2014/08/26/a-man-called-ove-by-fredrik-backman/
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I reread a few times every year, usually a number of years after I have last read the book, and they have to have been a favourite. I find that I learn something new every time – either about myself or from the book itself.
For example; the first time I read a certain classic (not naming so no spoilers) I totally shipped the main romance. Ok, so the guy was a bit creepily intense and determined to win over the lady he liked and there was that awkward misunderstanding. Ok, more than one. But hey, at least he’s better than her first romance! Second time reading it last year after about 10 years – felt completely different and absolutely loathed the guys self-righteous, selfish, disloyal, violent, lying, entitled ass that I badly wanted the story to end differently. It didn’t. And I’ll probably reread it again in another 10 years or so just to enjoy the authors talent and read even more between the lines at what she was saying.
I’ve also read books again and loved them even more. I’m planning to read Game of Thrones for a third time when the next book comes out. Rereads are like catching up with old friends or revisiting places from your youth. Maybe I’m just old now – but I love a good reread when I’m in the right mood and it’s never a waste.
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Thanks for sharing your many valid points. If only a person could live long enough to read everything they want to AND have time to re-read old favourites. 💕
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AND have time to live a full life outside of those lived in books lol. I have already accepted that reading everything I ever want to read is impossible, so I’m just gonna keep on reading what I love with whatever time I have 🙂 ❤
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Me too. But every now and then, if nothing new looks good to me, then I’ll reread an old fav.
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Fortunately (or unfortunately ) for me I’ve never had a time when there wasn’t a new book to capture my attention. LOL
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I’m not a re-reader. There are just too many other books I want to get to. I did reread The Shining before I read its sequel, Doctor Sleep, though. I had read The Shining as a teenager, so I wanted it fresh in my mind before the sequel.
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Valid point Carrie. It is very tempting to read the first books in a series again if there has been a long gap before subsequent books.
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I’m not a rereader. I’m too distracted by all the shiny new books. I’m also afraid that I might find I no longer like a book and my fond memories of it will be destroyed.
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Ahhh. Good point. What mood you are in / what headspace – plays such an important role in your enjoyment of the book.
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I reread several books, including the Narnia series, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Shack! I wish I could reread all of my favorites, but I would never read another new book 🙂 I am going to have to pick up book three in the Cormoran Strike series again (JK Rowling / Robert Galbraith) before book 4, Lethal White, comes out. I cannot wait!
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💕📚💕 Angela your inner bookworm is showing! 😍
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Most days it is LOLOL 😀
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I do enjoy re-reading old favorites! Jane Eyre, Anne of Green Gables, and Ravenwood by Nathan Lowell are some of my re-read favorites. To me it’s like visiting an old friend.
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Comfort reading is a good thing. 😍 I too have read “Jane Eyre” several times. But that was before I started my blog. Now re-reading is a luxury that I feel I don’t have time for…
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I am a re-reader! I enjoying re-reading and savoring every moment. I can also relate to the graphic. I’ve re-read Jane Eyre, Rebecca, Narnia, Agatha Christie and the Mitford books, just to name a few.
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I’m sure these titles have pride of placement on your bookshelves. 💕
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I will reread every once in a while but not as much as I would like too.
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Time… precious time. 💕⏰⏳
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💕
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This is an interesting topic. When I was younger (= in my teens resp. twenties), I used to re-read books that I liked. For instance, I’ve read Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” about five times – this would be amongst the books I’d re-read again. There are a couple of books I’ve read a second or even third time, most of them by Guy Gavriel Kay whom I adore, and some by Stephen King. Nowadays, I basically have the same problem you do: too many books on my shelves, too many books out there in the stores yet to be discovered, too many recommendations by friends who have a similar taste in books. Also, I’m not getting younger, either – the only advantage I can see in living forever is that you have all the time in the world to read every single book out there 🙂
To break it down: I cannot afford re-reading books I love any longer simply because I did the maths. My shelves house unread books that could keep me occupied for about 18 years, give or take. That’s daunting. But it doesn’t keep me from buying new books or getting new ones from the library 🙂
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My own thoughts were eloquently voiced in your comment. 😍
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Thank you 😀
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Wow–in the same boat for sure. Even if I read 100 books a year (and DON’T buy more), I’ve got a decade-worth of reading to do…and I can’t stop buying books it seems.
I’ve got a few I’ve re-read because I love them and plan to do book reviews of them (I figured why not review ’em if I’m going to have ’em on my shelf–some I bought because they were on sale or the bookstore was closing and I just went nuts, and some for researching topics I never got to finish).
I’m going to try and get rid of some… if only to make more room for books I keep buying. But I promised to read them first and donate or sell ’em.
It’s hard to re-read when you’ve got so much left to read in the first place. A conundrum and a half.
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It would seem we are related. Are you my book twin? 📚🐛💕
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could well be. I feel like one of my shelves is going to be sagging so badly soon that if I put a couple post-it notes on the shelf the whole thing will crash down. Hope not, though–can’t afford another set of shelves right now (hee hee)
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Ah I know that problem! I also rarely re-read. I find it helps to listen to the audiobook when I want to re-read while cleaning or biking or so. In that way it feels less like it’s impacting time to read new books
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Yes, time is a very precious commodity. This holds especially true the older you get. Thanks for your understanding comment. 😍
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I can relate to that graphic. The first time enjoyment is the only time. I don’t know if re-read can give the same feel. But still I would like to re-read the book after a year or to two to refresh the memory of book. Only problem with it is so many good books are releasing that I don’t have time to re-read books I really want to.
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The graphic is very accurate 🙂 There’s no time like the first time you read a new book. Re-reads rarely have the same feel to it – sometimes they offer new perspectives, though. I re-read most of Guy Gavriel Kay’s books, and especially “The Lions of Al-Rassan”. Even though I know how it’s ending, I cry my way through the last 20 pages. Every single time. With “A Song for Arbonne”, the re-read made me fall in love with the book. Upon my first read, I was like “This is nice but not entirely my cup of tea”. When I re-read it, I realised what a great book it is 🙂
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It is true that re-reading can give you added insight and appreciation for the book. Thanks for reminding me. 💕
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⏰ precious ⏳ If only there were more hours in a day. 💕
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I used to reread books but haven’t done so for quite a few years now apart from those I have forgotten! I do want to reread the one I’m reviewing today though..,
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(Clapping hands with glee) I can’t wait to read your review today then. 💕😍📚
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I am not a rereader or a re-watcher… why? They’re just seems to be so many books to read that it just never occurs to me to read something again, even if it was fabulous, maybe I just want to not ever find fault with the book? Not sure… good question!
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Holding precious reading memories intact is important. I’m pleased that readers have expressed both the pros and cons of this topic. Thanks. 😊
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I enjoy rereading old favourites-I know there are always a ton of new titles waiting to be read also, but each time I reread an old favourite, there are are so many little details one has forgotten, so many ‘new’ things one notices that its worth it much of the time. Jane Eyre is one I’ve read quite a few times. Old Enid Blytons, Agatha Christies, also some other titles which I don’t plan to as such but which come up in group reads on goodreads.
Your list also reminds me I need to get to the Shell Seekers soon. Haven’t actually ever read that one but have it waiting on my TBR
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How lucky for you that you have the pleasure of reading “The shell seekers” for the first time! Thanks for commenting. 💕
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If I were on a desert island with a finite, probably low, number of books, I would reread. Otherwise, I don’t see it happening. #toomanybookssolittletime
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I agree completely Sasha.
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🙂
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