#Microblog Monday 321: What Do You Reread?
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I know the answer will be “nothing” for some people. They don’t reread books at all. Life is short, books are plentiful. Why reread a book instead of moving to a new one?
But as a rereader—Handmaid’s Tale, the Magicians trilogy, anything Tolkein, all of the Narnia books, the Phantom Tollbooth—I really liked this take on it: “Would you not go back to a place you loved because you’d been there once or never visit a friend because you thought you knew them? My most beloved places and people are those most familiar to me. Why would it be different with books? So, at this moment in a strange, devastating year, one that calls for the comfort of escape, I’ve compiled a list of my top rereads.”
Yes. Because it’s comforting. Because it feels good to revisit a story, just it feels good to return to a place or visit an old friend.
Which books do you reread? And if none, are you moved to reopen one after reading that quote?
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12 comments
I used to reread all my books as a child and teenager, when I ran out of library books and couldn’t get back to the library to get new books. And I of course had much loved favourites. I reread much less now, but there are always books that are comfort reading, that are like a warm hug, or a tasty (or addictive) snack in between more serious fare. I just can’t think of them now! Oh, wait, Cross Stitch (Outlander) is one, for example.
I love rereading. I read and reread and one of my favorite is Letter from Peking. It’s a Pearl Buck’s book and the way it is written (longing for love) makes me cry everytime I read but I still re-read. So yes – things that bring most joy is revisiting what I love.
Hope you are well, Mel!
I sometimes reread humor books. Never reread mystery or other fiction. I used to keep books from several mystery series and then my shelves were full and I realized I was never going to reread anything. Interestingly, my 9 y.o. Who has plenty of other books, has reread the Harry Potter books over and over this year.
Like Mali, I used to re-read books a lot more when I was growing up — perhaps because there were fewer books around to read, both at home and at the library. (We didn’t live near any bookstores, and even in the city, they weren’t as plentiful as they are now!) I haven’t done much re-reading in recent years, simply because there are so many great new & unread books (certainly on my shelves…!) and so little time (even in retirement!)…!
But I have been doing more re-reading again lately, although mostly in connection with various book clubs I belong to, if I feel like my memory needs refreshing — my L.M. Montgomery Facebook group being a prime example. I haven’t (re)read some of these books in many years, and it’s been a joy to rediscover them again.
I will also sometimes re-read a book when it’s been adapted into a movie or TV series. I went through the first several Poldark novels again (after not having read them in at least 25 years) when the BBC/PBS series was on. It was a relief that the TV show was pretty faithful to the books, at least up until the final season, which was entirely concocted by the scriptwriter from her imagination (& thus not nearly as good, IMHO).
I don’t really reread books on my own, but I love rereading my favorites with my daughters as they get old enough to experience them.
I used to reread as a growing reader also but much less so now. One I always reread is Harry Potter, I try to read them each summer!
Also I can’t remember but have you watched the Magicians on Netflix? I loved the books, loved loved. But this show, it is incredible. Different, but the ideas are the same and Fillory and oh I am obsessed with the show.
I actually enjoy a re-read in seasons of life when I don’t have the emotional or mental bandwidth to process something new. Over the years, I have re-read a few Dean Koontz books (Lightning and Watchers immediately spring to mind), several different Victoria Holt novels (two long-time favorites: The Time of the Hunter’s Moon and My Enemy the Queen), Shining Through by Susan Isaacs (which is SO much better than the movie from the 1980s that’s based on it), and the first two Hunger Games books.
I am a chronic re-reader. Anything I liked well enough to read once, I’ll keep reading. My set of Tad Williams’ Otherland tetraology got so worn that I bought an electronic set, too. I also love Charles DeLint, for his blending of the real world with Fae magic. His short stories are a go-to for me when I’m a bit down and in need of a read. As you said, it’s like checking back in with old friends!
I was a big re-reader of favorites in jr high, high school, college, and young adulthood. But then my responsibilities grew at the same time the Internet brought me overwhelming amounts of content, and re-reading is an indulgence I haven’t take part in in such a long time.
I don’t really re-read any more. I keep wanting to re-read all my Douglas Adams, but I have too many books on my to-read list, so I keep not getting around to it. I might get to the Dirk Gently books, since I watched the series. They’re pretty short and very entertaining.
Most stories I don’t re-read because I feel like I’ve already gone through the ups and downs and don’t want to relive it. 2 exceptions– Classics because often I find something I missed the first time and Agatha Christie books. Not only do I usually again find something I’d missed, but I find comfort in her characters and style and both the classics and Agatha Christie remind me of what great writing looks like. I have had the worst time finding contemporary murder mystery writers that I think are great.
I haven’t re-read a book in a LONG time, but as a kid i used to love reading Island of the Blue Dolphins for some reason. sometimes I’ll read a book in Spanish and reread it in English.