Responses to last week’s question were very interesting. Some of you love reading reviews, while others tend to steer clear. See — this is why I enjoy these questions. I learn about different readers and their different habits!
Here’s this week’s question:
How often do you re-read books? What does it take to make you re-read?
I wouldn’t classify myself as a huge re-reader. After all, there are always more books to read, new books to explore. I will never get to all the books I still want to read, so it’s hard for me to set aside time to re-read books I’ve already read.
But…
There are some books that I’ve read more than once. Here’s what makes the cut:
- The Bible. The Bible is the most important book in my life. I need to read it regularly to continue learning about God and growing closer to Him, to reap the encouragement and comfort it offers, and to learn to live in greater obedience to God. It’s always on my reading stack.
- Incredible Fiction. There are some books and series that continue to call my name, long after I’ve turned the final page. The Chronicles of Narnia (Lewis), the Time Quartet/Quintet (L’Engle), and The Lord of the Rings (Tolkien), to name a few. And though I haven’t re-read them yet, I can see myself re-visiting the Harry Potter series and the Hunger Games series in the future.
- Random Cozy Mysteries. I have the “ability” to read a mystery and, within a couple years, completely forget “whodunit.” And since I often turn to cozies when I’m looking for a light, mostly-mindless read, I’ve been known to visit the same cozy mystery more than once.
- Very Helpful Nonfiction. My bookshelves are witness to the fact that I keep quite a bit of nonfiction on hand “for reference.” And I do revisit books that have proven very helpful, instructive, inspirational, insightful, or otherwise handy. I’ve reread nonfiction in the areas of parenting, marriage, organization, and Christian living, primarily.
That pretty much sums it up, I think. There are probably a few other categories I could come up with, but those four cover the vast majority of my re-reading.
What about you? How often do you read a book more than once, and what makes you do it?
Since becoming a book blogger 5 years ago, due to me constantly getting new books and finding out about other new books plus backlists of authors I have discovered, I rarely reread books anymore. However, I do take the time to listen/read the Harry Potter series every year. Lately it’s become more listening to the audiobooks in the car, but it’s always a magical (har har) experience every time and I always discover something new.
Deborah´s last post ..Book Review: "Hello Hollywood!" by Janice Thompson
Yep I am with you! There are very few that I will re-read! Books that I have re-read: The Bible, Harry Potter, and Chronicles of Narnia. Ones that I could see myself re-reading in the future: LOTR, Hunger Games, Pillars of the Earth, World Without End and a few other Ken Follett books
Weren’t the Hunger Games good?! I am waiting for the last one in the series to be available at the library.
I don’t reread much but there are a few I go back to time and time again.
1. In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden
2. The Book of Hours by T.Davis Bunn
3. Watchers by Dean Koontz
4. Anna’s Book by Barbara Vine
I’ve also read the Chronicles of Narnia several times and the first 3 Harry Potter books.
Rereading is like getting to the opportunity to visit with old friends who have strongly influenced my life. Sometimes I’m not sure why a particular book stays with me. I just know I need to “be” with those people again.
Ah, yes, I love that thought of “being with” those old friends again! That’s exactly how I feel! And some of them are probably weird ones–like Jondalar and Ayla (Clan of the Cave Bear–gasp) and Hadassah, Marcus, Atretes (Mark of the Lion triology), Angel (Redeeming Love), and even the Sacketts created by Louis L’Amour. (I could go on, but I’ll spare you a listing of all my “friends”, lol)
I’d say my re-read list looks a lot like yours
I’m pretty much like you. I re-read my Bible, select fiction that I absolutely loved the first time around, and helpful non-fiction (but usually only specific sections, not the whole book again).
Great question. I re-read my Bible too; hope to never stop.
Fiction? Rarely a re-read.
Non-fiction: I re-read probably 2 books a year–if they’re particularly insightful and if they grow with me as I grow in life’s experiences. Re-reading “The Practice of the Presence of God” this month.
Some books I return to when I’m having particular problems because I know they’re helpful for that problem, such as Larry Crabb’s “Men and Women: Enjoying the Difference” (because I don’t always enjoy the difference. ha).
Some books I know I just didn’t “get” the first go-round, but I know they’re good, so I re-read them later. Re-reading “Future Grace” right now.
Lisa notes…´s last post ..What if you’re still hungry?
I don’t reread a lot of books while there are a few mostly I just read a book once
Peace Love and Rainbows´s last post ..Mud Tacos anyone?
Another great question!
My short answer is not very often – too many good books out there to read. You can find my full answer here.
You’ve just reminded me of some books that I was wanting to re-read. :v)
My answer is up at my site here:
http://susannesspace.blogspot.com/2011/10/fir-011-question-2.html
Another great question! This week I’m remembering to post a link to my response though
My answer is here: http://project-tbr.blogspot.com/2011/10/fall-into-reading-question-2.html
This has been A Topic On My MInd and I’m creating a post for next week which I’ll have to remember to come and link back or something. I don’t re-read as often as I should. I did put a re-read on my FIR list though to make (more) certain I get to it. But I’m going to try to do a better job in this department.
As a child and teenager I was constantly re-reading books, but not so much anymore. Like you, I am always reading the Bible and I keep non-fiction to go to for reference even after I’ve already read it.
When it comes to fiction there are a few I re-read. I call them my “pudding” books, because they are like comfort food. One is my very favorite book in all the world, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Also anything by Anne Tyler. I will occasionally dip back into my childhood books like A Little Princess, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Beverly Cleary etc.
I’m not a big re-reader. Some fantasy type books I do enjoy re-reading, especially ones I read in high school like Terry Brooks Magic Kingdom for Sale series & Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series. I’m sure I will re-read the Harry Potter Books & then His Dark Material series eventually as well. I also re-read scrapbooking books & some non-fiction books.
I’d also like to re-read The Phantom Tollbooth at some point.
I’m about the same way. There are books I love to reread — classics (Jane Eyre, LOTR, Narnia, Little Women, etc.), some biographies (Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur, Hudson Taylor: The Growth of a Soul, By Searching (reading it now!) and In the Arena by Isobel Kuhn, Climbing by Rosalind Goforth), Christian non-fiction (Changed Into His Image by Jim Berg, How to Say No to a Stubborn Habit by Erwin Lutzer, Beyond Suffering by Layton Talbert. When God Weeps by Jonie Earackson Tada) and some just plain good modern stories (Jan Karon’s Mitford series among others). But there are so many new good books out there, it is hard to go back and reread some times. That’s one thing this challenge is good for — working those types of books in rather than just reading what’s at hand. Carrie at Reading to Know has sponsored challenges for L. M. Montgomery’s books and the Narnia books, and that’s been a fun way to get back into those along with others. I’ve been thinking about following suit with a Laura Ingalls Wilder challenge some time.
Barbara H.´s last post ..Every day is a gift
I haven’t blogged much, so decided to blog your question http://scrappyd.blogspot.com/2011/10/re-reading-books-do-you.html
Ginny´s last post ..Re-reading books, do you?
Great question!
I don’t tend to re-read whole books, but I often find myself reviewing whole chapters, or highlighted passages, etc.
Pretty much never, especially lately. I don’t have enough time to read all of the books that are out there one time, let alone re-read. However, I have tried to re-read some of the classics, especially ones that I might have skimped on when I first read them…The Great Gatsby and As I Lay Dying come to mind right away…and I’m not including re-reads of books like Harry Potter or the Chronicles of Narnia when I read them to the kids, after reading them to myself.
I almost never re-read books. I just feel like there are so many books in the world to read, WHY would I re-read. There are a couple exceptions though. I have read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers twice, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen three times and of course my Bible. There are a few others I’m looking forward to reading again with my kids when they get older like the Little House on the Prairie Series and others like that. =)
Elsie´s last post ..Two-Year-Old Drama
I’m not a very big re-reader these days though I used to re-read books often when I was younger. I wrote more about this at my blog.
Jen E @ mommablogsalot´s last post ..FIR ’11 Question: Do you re-read books?
The only books I re-read are children’s books that my kids want me to read over and over again! I don’t re-read anything myself. I have a few books I’ve held onto, mostly nonfiction, that I’ve often thought I would take another look at. But I never do.
Julie @ MyBookRetreat´s last post ..Book Review: What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
I enjoy rereading. I probably read LOTR once or twice a year, and I rotate some other great fiction (especially fantasy) sequences and classics for rereading every few years. For nonfiction, I reread, but probably not as often.
I find it interesting that I own significantly more nonfiction books than fiction ones, but, in theory, I only keep books that I intend to read again.
As a child I re-read and re-read and re-read just about everything! But I’m not as prone to do that anymore. Other than the Bible – which is living and therefore always has something for me…I’d say I only re-read things I really, really enjoyed. Genre doesn’t really matter – what does matter is my level of enjoyment. Now, sometimes I’ll re-read something just because I have.to.read.something.now.before.I.go.crazy! In that case, I’ll pick anything off the shelf that I found even remotely appealing.
I don’t re-read hardly at all now, because I have too many books that I “have to” read. However, I used to, and it’s fiction that I love that draws me back. I’ve reread the books in the Mitford series a few times.
And I saw Watchers on someone’s list above. It’s one that I’ve been wanting to re-read for years.
I don’t think I have ever re-read a book (of course with exception to the Bible which is a daily thing). So why do I hang on to all these books if I’m never going to re-read them?
Ooooooh, I get it–we can write a blog post in response to the question! chuckle and head smack
If I don’t get around to writing a post, yes, I am a re-reader. Big time–and I have been since my childhood. In addition to multiple readings of the Bible, I have read most of Francine Rivers’ books at least twice, Redeeming Love and The Last Sin Eater three times, and the Mark of the Lion trilogy five times. I am re-reading many classics that I first read about 20 years ago and getting sooooo much more out of them this time! I’m embarrassed to admit how many times I’ve read The Clan of the Cave Bear series, and after reading the first three HP books, I started back at the beginning each time a new book came out so I could read the “new” one “fresh.” I have read most of Louis L’Amour’s books at least twice, many parenting, homeschooling, and “spiritual development” *at least* twice, and great “christian classics” like In His Steps, Chronicles of Narnia, Hinds Feet, Pilgrim’s Progress and Hiding Place 2-3 times each.
The best example of my re-reading tendencies involves that extremely well-written book, The Kite Runner. IMMEDIATELY upon turning that last page, I returned to the front of the book and started reading it again. Yes, it was THAT good.
What a fun question! Thanks for asking.
What a very fun post to write, I’m so glad you asked the question! I talk about “Chewing My Cud” in my post today. http://learninghowmuchidontknow.blogspot.com/2011/10/chewing-my-cud.html
I don’t usually re-read. Too many books on my shelves that I still haven’t read
Good question…and good timing! Last week’s Top Ten list topic was Books I Want to Reread. So, there are some I reread but not very often – too many books and too little time!! I posted the question and my answer on my blog. This is fun!
Sue
Drat, I missed last week!
My answer is on my blog: http://katenread.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/book-16-ish/
Happy reading (and re-reading) everyone!
I do not ever reread fiction… What would be the point? I already know what is going to happen. I do, however, re-listen to fiction from time to time, but only when I have listened to all of my podcasts and I still have hours of driving left before I get home.
Here’s my answer to this week’s question.
http://markcarstairs.blogspot.com/2011/10/fall-into-reading-questions-week-2.html
I like to reread my favorites, but I find myself rereading less and less because there are too many books I’ve never read waiting for me to read them!
Here’s my blog post with my full answer!
Great question, Katrina. Since my TBR pile is quite large, I don’t re-read too many books. I can actually only think of three books that I’ve re-read (as an adult)…two were fiction and I was judging a contest and got a couple of books I had already read but felt I’d judge better if I re-read them: The Debt by Angela Hunt (one of my all time favorite books) and Ruth by Lori Copeland. The only non-fiction book I’ve ever re-read is The Midas Touch by Kenneth E Hagin…a book that brings a pretty balanced view on tithing & giving. Great book…well worth the re-read!
I seldomly re-read books. The ones that have risen to this level are the Hobbit Trilogy and Jane Eyre. There are so many good books out there that I hate to take the time to re-read one.
Nana
I agree there are so many great books out there to read, who has time to re-read? However, as a child checked out and read from my school library Charlotte’s Web at least once a month. I will still re-read anything by Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Bible, Quest for the Nail Prints. I’ve re-read the Hunger Games. I will re-read if it is a part of a series and there has been a long lapse between books. I just enjoy reading and if I have nothing on hand I have no problem re-reading.
I have re-read:
Redeeming Love
The Lion , the Witch, and the Wardrobe
A Horse and His Boy
Jane Eyre
Love Comes Softly
I would like to re-read:
Radical
Lord of the Rings
OneThousand Gifts
A Proper Pursuit
The Hunger Games Trilogy (before the movie comes out)
I don’t reread a lot of books, unless its something that I think is worth rereading or is something that I want to reread.
I reread books that I absolutely loved: Redeeming Love, Cold Sassy Tree, Pride & Predice, Outlander series, To Kill A Mockingbird.
I have only just started rereading and the books I am rereading are definitely not worth the read but I just find them so relaxing but the only book I have loved so much that i ache to reread is war and peace
I am a rare re-reader. Really rare! Yes, I do reread the Bible, praying I always will. I also reread portions of non-fiction – things pertaining to health issues especially if they fit a need right now. I also reread spiritual non-fiction, especially ones that were a bit too deep when I originally read it, but as my faith grows and deepens, I find that I want to read some again. God will gives me new understanding as I obey Him. I don’t read too much fiction to begin with so rereading is almost a big zero percent! One book on my shelf that I will probably reread is “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”. It was a great book and reminds me of my mother as she grew up in Chicago instead of Brooklyn, but it was about the same time and she was a reader!
Reading is such a blessing to me and glad I am able.
That is truly the question I have to ask when deciding whether or not to keep a book after reading it: Will I ever read it again?
There are many books I enjoy so much I know at some future point I’ll reread them. But as I have had to purge books through the past 2 yrs in anticipation of 2 moves, I have let a lot of books go.
If it’s part of a series and the rest of the series isn’t published yet, I do keep them (and sometimes after the whole series is complete, I give the whole series away).
If it’s a book I think would make a good book club book, I keep it.
If it’s a classic that I enjoyed, I keep it. Or one that I may teach from someday.
If it’s one that I love, I will keep it.
I rarely reread books, although I will sometimes pick up books that are in part rehashes. For example – The Mitford Bedside Companion which quoted a lot of things from Jan Karon’s Mitford Series of books. I also enjoyed The Life and Times of Miss Jane Marple which alluded to many of Agatha Christie’s stories of the fictional detective. So I like to revisit books just by hitting the highlights.
There are very few books I reread although I do keep several I’ve read. Keepers are chosen either because I would like to reread if I ever have the time, I would recommend them to others and want a copy or two handy to lend out, or they are that rare bird a personally autographed copy from the author which of course will never leave my sight.
As for actually rereading, I am in the same boat as other book bloggers/reviewers with too many new books to read or wanting to read that I don’t have time to go back to the “old” favorites no matter how loudly they may cry from the shelves. I think my TBR is nearly an entire bookcase – granted it is over half books I’ve bought in the last two to three years and not had time to read because I’ve been reviewing and not reading the books I’ve bought.
Melissa (ForstRose)´s last post ..Kiss of Night by Debbie Viguie Blog Tour Intro & Giveaway
Another good question! Everyone’s responses are so interesting! Here’s my link
http://themancrew.blogspot.com/2011/10/fall-into-reading-question-2.html