I don't practice re-reading. Its not because I feel its a waste of time, but because I feel that I could be experiencing a new book.
Do you return to books you've read before?
[question posted by zenmachado]
responses and comments:
Yes I re-read books if I want to sink in what I have read. This is true when the book is excellent and educational! [danzer]
I usually read through books so quickly that I miss something. Not anything really big but something that had I caught it the first time the book would have been more enjoyable. So I only reread when someone asks me about a part in a book I've read and I can't answer them about it. But most of the time I am like you. I gained what I could from a book the first time through so there is something new to be gained in the pages of a new one. [cynicalandoutspoken]
I also re read books, but only if I cannot remember what happened the first time around. I cant re read a book if I remember what happens in it. Sometimes though if a book is really good when I read it the first time, I skip a lot because I just cant wait to see what happens, and then a few months later I will go back and re read it properly. [gemini_rose]
It mostly depends on the book. Most, I can't really read again, because the joy was in the surprises. But my favorites, I can read again and again without any problem. I have a pretty bad memory, so if I wait a year or so in between readings, it's almost like reading a new book. That, and sometimes, I like to refresh the images in my head. Sometimes, I even catch things the second or third time that I didn't even notice the first time. [VampAmber]
If I'm bored enough and I've read every single book I have then yes I go back n Re-read the ones I like the most...It doesn't happen very often but I do it out of boredom... [Blondie2222]
sometimes if it's a really good book I wil keep it and go back later and read it again. Sometimes it seems like there are some thngs I missed the first time. [sunshinegirl1]
I wouldn't re-read fiction, but if it were something inspirational or educational that I own, I probably would at some point. It would definitely depend on the subject matter. [Ldyjarhead]
I don't re-read most books, but I have a few that are like "comfort blankets", that I've re-read countless times and still enjoy. [Ishtara]
No. Like you I never read a book twice. I think there are so many books out there waiting for me to read that I know I will never get them all read in my lifetime. So do what you can, right? I especially enjoy reading books written by authors I haven't read before. I do get stuck in a rut reading the same authors over and over again but find that when I do step outside that box I am pleasantly suprised, which gives me all the more reason to read more books and not re-read any. I have 200 books in my house alone that I have not read yet. I do feel it is a waste of time (because I have very little as it is) re-reading a book when there are millions of books out there to read and experience. [patgalca]
Yes, I do re-read books. Those books that are important to me. Those that inspires me and gives me a lot of lessons. I am a book lover. And I really like reading and re-reading good books. [izathewzia]
I rarely re-read books unless these are books that I need for some of my lectures. From time to time I check on some books that I have already read at least to check if I have the right understanding of what I already have read in the past. Another instance when I re-read books is when would like to recall some beautiful lines that I have read somewhere in one book. Of course, I don't have to re-read from cover to cover. [dolce_vita78]
I love chicken soup books. Yes I have read them over again. I always like to keep in my mind fresh what others have gone through. Other books no I don't read over them. [giftsandbagscom]
nope I don't usually re-read books too, always reading new books. But sometimes I forget what the book is about and I do feel like reading it all over again but never really got around doing it hehe. [kevsgirlalways]
Sure do....Once I've bought a book that I want to keep,I'm going to want to read it again...Also, because I don't always have a new book on hand,I'll dip into one I've enjoyed before. Don't You keep any books at home? [ShepherdSpy]
Nope I reread every book I own because I like them that much LOL I usually can go through over a book a day. [bellaofchaos]
I do, for some really nice books. It is not really a waste of time since when you read, you read for enjoyment. If the book brings you enjoyment each reading, who cares if you read it once a day, everyday? :P [lordwarwizard]
I do quite often, mostly because I go though some stories so fast I love to re-read them again. Also with series, if they are good or I haven't read them in a while, I tend to re-read when the new ones come out. [jsmith12]
Yes, I do re-read those whose stroty is very interesting and thrilled me out of the next page but I only re-read if it is a year after to refreshed the story. [cherylal]
Yes, I usually do re-read the book because there just might be something that I missed. Who knows? Re-reading can sure come in handy sometimes :-) [cafe_writer]
most of my books I do re-read. some books I have, I've read so many times that I've ended up buying another copy when it falls apart in my hands. the books I tend to re-read most are the "His Dark Materials" trilogy, especially "Northern Lights", as it's just such a beautiful, magical and special world, and reading it just pulls you right in, holds you close, and makes you a part of that. and also "The Book of Lost Things" which is just stunning. some books are better the second time you read them, as, knowing what's going to happen, you can see the threads of the story being pulled together. to me, a good book is like a good friend. you want to visit them often. [Galena]
I see some of my books as friends. And I like to re-visit my friends from time to time. I really enjoy the characters in certain novels and like to visit them from time to time. Some books I have read five or more times. [Aurone]
Yes, I do re-read books, but only certain ones that I may have found interesting. It's really not all that different then watching a movie more than once, which I have done as well. Sometimes I miss something in the story and when I go through it again it helps me to understand it. Or sometimes I just want to read again because I enjoyed it very much.:) [sacmom]
I re-read a lot but after a long time has passed, as I remember most details about what I have read, which is why I have a large collection of books. I don't re-read because I think I have missed anything but because I enjoy the entertainment value of the book. If I didn't enjoy it the first time around then I would have sold it or donated it to charity. [mrtimharry]
Yes. But only if I don't have anything to read anymore or if that book is really interesting. But sometimes when I re-read books I don't finished them because it gets really boring because you know already whats going to happen next [Rueca08]
Yes, I enjoy re-reading books I have enjoyed the first time round. Re-reading them allows me to look more closely at the writing technique itself for example. [the_lioness]
Sometimes it is a good thing to re-read a book. If you loved the story once, why wouldn't you love it for the second time ? :) Of course it's better to re-read after a few years, when you remember only the main story line, and enjoy the forgotten parts. [Esplosivo]
Heck yeah! If it is a book that I enjoyed on a large scale, I will reread it several times. I do the same in regards to watching a movie. It would be sad if you couldn't experience things all over again.... [SassyKittyKat]
I love reading so much there is almost nothing better. Anyway I dont think I have ever re-read a book. I used to keep all the books I read in case I ever wanted to read them again even if they were boring. Then I got rid of the boring ones and just kept all my favorites. I have soooo many books that I have yet to read and I'd rather have more space to add more books to my collection of ones to read then to have more books sitting around that I already read realizing now that I will not ever bother to reread them. If I did want to there is always the library. [shaggin]
Every so often I will be looking through my books for something in particular and a book I have not read in a while will strike my interest and I will re-read it. If it has been long enough, I will have forgotten the story and it is like reading a new book again. This is what happens when you read two or three books a week your entire life and if you collect them as well. Sometimes something old seems like new again. [sageivyberyl]
Whether I re-read a book depends on the circumstances I guess. I'm at the library at least once a week and have so many books on hand to read, I don't get around to re-reading anything. In fact, lately I've had a book I'm reading and after the first few pages, I realized I read it before and that was it - done. That's happened about three times lately..irritating. Now, if for some reason I don't have a new book, I might go back and read one I have on hand again for a couple of reasons - I loved it and haven't read it in a long time, or two if it's an inspirational or information "al" book. whit [whittby]
I don't get new books often. So, when I'm in the mood to read, I'll hit half.com for used books. While I'm waiting for them to come in the mail, I will sometimes re-read my favorites, or books I've saved and haven't read in years. By that time, they are almost like new books to me, since I've forgotten most everything I read before. [estherlou]
I re read those books which have inspired me so much. Some books which give you entertainment are much more great to re-read. [Swaana]
I often re-read books, because I find that when I read them at different stages of my life, they may have different things to say to me. Things I read as a young, single, childless woman may be understood differently, or more completely now that I have a bit more life experience under my belt, and the experience of being a mother. I'm sure they will have something different for me to discover when I'm in my 40's, 50's, etc. [DJules]
I dont reread books I dont see the reason too unless its a really good book that i love and could stand to read again. Its like why reread it if you already know whats going to happen same with movies unless there good which its eaiser to rewatch a movie than it is it reread a book. there are two books that I have read that I would consider rereading one was just a really good book and the other was the LORD of The Rings which is very long and a very good book I know there are points I missed in that book. other than that I just like to tell other people to read it b/c its so good but i dont know any other readers so most of the time I have to keep the good books to myself I want to join a book club but dont have a ride to the meetings. OH well. [libertarianfreedom21]
Not usually, but the exceptions are exceptional books. I want to learn it like the back of my hand - to become the story. Like most children where I was raised, I read the Bible, and continue to strive to remember the exact wording of a scripture with its context. The first book that I would re-read was Gone with the Wind. I even attempted with another pre-teen friend of mine who was equally enthralled to write a sequel. I can't say as I identified with any of the characters - it would have been outside my mindset at the time to be Scarlett - but was a champion of lost causes from there on. In my young adult life I kept copies of Tom Peter's Excellence series, Og Mandino's the World's Greatest Salesman, and everything M. Scott Peck wrote beginning with The Road Less Traveled. As Mr. Peck began with "Life is difficult" paraphrasing Siddhartha's "Life is suffering", I was naturally prepared for a study of Eastern philosophy - and so began The Vagghagita, Masters of the Far East, The Dancing Wu Li Masters (I literally wore it out), and Beginner's Mind. As my life has turned more to one of application instead of knowledge, I, like you, do not read anything that I have read before, but, unlike you, consider it a waste of time. Right now, I'm preparing for wartime even though I desire peace and will have peace in my life. But I got too far out for most people in my Eastern studies - for now, the need for structure outweighs further growth. When that changes, I may become a re-reader again. [keymandan]
There are many classics that I read before I had enough life experience to fully understand and appreciate them. For instance I read Dante's Inferno when I was 10 years old (to the horror of the local librarian) and then as a required text in college, but then I read parts of it again in my 40's just to enjoy the literature. I read Don Quixote as a child, too, but again in the original language after I learned a littlel Spanish. I read El Cid in English translation, then in a modern Spanish translation, then in Corneille's French version and finally in the original. I guess I could have just said YES! [drannhh]
Sometimes a book is so good it is really disappointing when you finish it. You want it to go on and on. These books I will revist every 6 to 12 months if I have nothing else to read. Nicholas Nickleby and A Christams Carol are examples of great stories that I love to read time and again. Inspector Rebus books by Ian Rankin are also great to re-read. [roscolamco]
I don't re read books but my mom would read her favorite books over and over again. [sarahruthbeth22]
I don't re read books but my mom would read her favorite books over and over again. [sarahruthbeth22]
I do re-read books especially when I love the story. I wanna make sure I've read every detail and never missed any event. In the case of required readings in schools, I take down notes so as not to re-read the entire chapter unless I find the book or the article easy to comprehend and well-written. [chrysz]
If i'm bored and there is nothing else for me to do. Then I'll re-read my favorite books. Sometime I catch things I didn't notice before reading the book a second time. [mishastar]
I re-read the books if I want and everytime I would find the differences from last,and also to get the more deeper understanding about the books ,the characters and so on. But,everytime when I re-read the books ,I read more quickly than before. [candytang]
I only re-read wxceptional books. Usually just classics such as "Madame Bovary", "Vanity Fair" etc. Like you, I'd mostly rather just move on to another new book. (I also don't watch many movies twice. Just exceptional ones etc.) [irisheyes]
Of course I reread them if theyre books I have a die hard passion for like the classic "The Notebook". Some stories just give you such a livid feel you want to relive it all over again. I think this question to myself a lot when I think about the whole process of buying books and all the books that are among my bookshelves. I always seem to be asking myself,"Is it really worth putting so much money into books Im only going to read once"??? A majority of them I dont cuz I have soo many. But some of the educational ones where I learn things I need to know in everyday life I do look over them so I can remember and use the information. [care80]
yes,such as jane eyre,i read it twice. [xialinye]
i read books again to refresh my mind and to keep my self learned about my course [asawanialvin0611]
I did this when I was teenager, LOL. There were several books that I would read and re-read. But I haven't done it as an adult. [kimbers867]
The days have gone when the people used to read the books and they used to consider the books as their good, better or best friends. People of today's busy world could not spare themselves to read the books. Book reading habit is dying due to revolution in audio and visual resources of entertainment, information and learning. People like to watch the TV channels, DVD, Internet, CDs, etc to get the reading and learning material. I am also one of the people of present age. I have not time to read a book. Therefore question of re-reading of a book does not arise [sheenshaukat]
No I don't reread a book unless it is about 10 years later. I remember the books story line so it is too boring reading something when I know what is going to happen. It's like watching a movie on TV again when you know what is going to happen, boring. But if I haven't read the book for about 10 or 15 years then I may read it again, because I may not remember what the story line is or what happens. I am sure I may have read some books that way, where I may have read them years ago. [chrislotz]
i always re-read my books . i re-read my books because i find them interesting , and because i love them . like for me i have read j.k. rowlings books a million times ! and im talking about the harry potter series . i would read these books over and over and over again and i wouldnt get tired from reading them ! these books have a lot of adventure , and imagination . if your re-reading your book so many times its because you enjoy them . id consider re-reading your books ! [Pequenitah]