Are there any books you have read over and over, or more than once?
I find when I have read the same book at different times of my life I have reacted differently. I have re-read most of Jane Austin and Thomas Hardy, the Brontes and other classic authors. I have found new meaning and understood more with each reading. Of course if you are studying literature you do need to read a book several times, but how many times do you re-read a book just for pleasure?
I have also re-read books I enjoyed a long time ago, so I had forgotten much of what they contain, and reading them for a second time was also enjoyable.
[question posted by paid2write]
responses and comments:
Im afraid to say I only do `easy` reading now!!.. A book which I have read twicew was by Lena Kennedy...it was called Lily my lovely.. it was such a lovely story....romantic...pure escapism.. [ruby222]
I have re-read Patriot Games from Tom Clancy about a dozen times - never get tired of it [mrtimharry]
Wow I have never read anything that many times! [paid2write]
i have read more than 1 book more than once i do this when i have nothing new to read and i find everytime i read the same book i get more out of it and enjoy it more and more each timei read it .. [mrpippo]
There are several books that I have read so many times that I have worn them out and had to buy a new copy! When I was younger I didn't have the money to buy new books--I had a $5 allowance. So I had to re-read my books since the library didn't carry the genre I liked (fantasy). I have re-read previous books in a series before reading the new installment (so I have read some of the books in the series 4 to 5 times). I also have my favorites over and over again because to me the characters feel like old friends I wouldn't be surprised if I have read some 10 times or more. Among these would be Flowers in the Attic (V.C. Andrews) and the Magic's Pawn trilogy (Mercedes Lackey). I keep all the books I like so I may read them again if I feel like it. Meaning I have quite a big library as I am an avid reader. [Aurone]
I keep the books I like too. [paid2write]
I always enjoy re-reading a good book, especially if its been a few years since I last read it - I've never been one of those types who can remember book passages or even movie scenes...we watched police acadamy the other day again for the first time, lol. I have a book I'm going to pick up from the library today called "Seven Spiritual Laws of Success" by Deepak Chopra...it was a very good book I remembered reading and now I want to read it again & share with my hubby. Another book i read until it was terrible dog-eared was "They Cage the Animals at Night." It is a sad and touching story about a kid going from one foster home to another & abuse and his only salvation is a stuffed dog. I don't know why I kept reading it so much! [vera5d]
I have not heard of it - seems like a sad story but a moving one. [paid2write]
For now I haven't read the same book more than two times. I usually don't have much time and I enjoy reading new things more than re-reading something I have already read. :) [yuki87]
I don't read the same book more than 2 times [rrahul]
I read through the Taggerung by Brian Jacques many a time when i was younger. great book. i also re-read alot of his other books. i usually wont re-read a book unless a sequel comes out and i want the story to be fresh in my head when i start the second half. [torkyn]
It depnds of how I liked the book and what it talks about... I use to like every book I read it, always is new infomration (independent if is truly or fiction) depends only of how much, so I can't tell that depends if I like or not the book. Once I read it the book I will only read it when I have free time when the book tells only a history like fiction or biography, instead the books about bussiness, computing (important for my studies and working), behave and things like this once I read it I will only read if I am interested in remember some point that I know that I will find on it... is a little bit (or really confuse xD) but is something like this for me See ya around [doijunior]
I do understand your meaning [paid2write]
I have certain series of books that I have re-read. I love the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. No matter how many times I re-read those, they are just as entertaining as the first time. Also, I enjoy re-reading Harry Potter books as well. There is always something that I have missed within the book until I read it again. Other books I would probably read again if it had been a really long time since I last read them and I couldn't really remember what they were about. [michelyn]
I have read Even If It Kills me about thirteen times. If the book is really god I will read it over and over. I also like to re read books because I always pick up on details that I never noticed the first or second time through. [vulgarlittleprincess]
I will be completely honest. I have NEVER read a book more than once. It's not that I haven't enjoyed a book enough to read it again, I just haven't. I guess since I am constantly adding books to my to-be-read pile, that I figure I have to read those books before I should re-read any old books. I always buy new books, whether it be from online, thrift stores, used book stores, yard sales, you name it, I get new books every week. I just don't think I have the time to re-read a book, when I have so many other's that I still want to read. Maybe one day, but I doubt it, since there are new books being published every day. [jenni7202]
I do know how it is to buy books faster than you can read. I also buy used books whenever I see one that interests me. [paid2write]
Yes, there are. "The Hours" by Michael Cunningham (quite depressing but I like the characters too much, I can relate to them at some point.) "The Harry Potter Series" - everytime I'm feeling particularly stressed and wish to escape into the world of Wizards. "Stardust" & "Neverwhere" by Neil Gaiman "Hannibal" & "Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris (I can't count the number of times I've re-read this one. "Speak" by L. Halse Anderson (it's technically for young adults but it has a certain significance to me.) [hitomikanzaki]
What about Red Dragon the first Thomas Harris book featuring Hannibal Lecter. I used to have a copy and I read it more than once. [paid2write]
As for me,though I like reading ,but actually I read little books these years,because my lazy ,also my busy study and work. Recently I like read some books about management or ability improving. which kind of book I may be read for one more time. [cassie_502]
I don't try to keep a book unless I like it well enough to reread. I have an extensive collection of mystery books by Christie, Francis, Braun and others and I reread them often. I am now reading through the Christies again. I have other books like "Thin Air" and "Too Many Ghosts" and a couple of Star Trek novels that I dig out once in awhile to go over again. It doesn't matter that I know the whole thing by heart, I still enjoy spending the time rereading them. Call me crazy, I guess. [Raysrunt]
I would not call you crazy. If you get enjoyment out of a book why not renew the pleasure of reading it! [paid2write]
I will make the mark in the books I read if I think the sentences are very good or beautiful,so when I read the same book the second time,I will only pay attention the marked sentence. [summta]
There are few books which i would like to re-read again and again. 10 years before i read an novel(fiction) which has six parts and have too much thickness. I found the story so much that till today i read about 5 times. Means 5 times a series of 6 books. Even today also i want to read it but not found the collection. I am trying to buy it . Hopefully i will again start reading the same book. [hotranger41]
There was a series of books by a fantasy writer David Eddings which I could go through them over and over again. The language is quite simple, the plots not very complicated, but the writer could express the story he was telling in a quite hilarious manner. I loved reading his books. If I'm not mistaken, the first in series he released was called the Belgariad series. [azahari33]
Indeed! Yes, Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austin was an old time favourite since i was 12. It still is, i tune in to Oprah's book club. But Tuesdays With Morrie is a book which i read over and over again. [amla_tijani]
I have re-read HP books many times. Its just them which gives me a lot pleasure to be re-reading them! Its good that there are people who don't just read books, but they re-read too! lol. Yeah, HP books are such that you would just remember the plot and the main things,but when you re-read them, you happen to know so many things, again. At the first time - you read to know the plot of the fiction. When you read the second time, your primary attention is on the details of the plot...not just to know the plot. THis is the reason why we enjoy re-reading books! IMO. [Amagnimo]
I have not read any Harry Potter books but I do know what you mean. When you read a book the first time you read it quickly to find out what happens then you can enjoy reading it again, knowing the outcome. [paid2write]
i re read all the books i find vaguely interesting, only when i dont have any other books with me during any free time i get... [rohit0471]
i have never read the same book for more than once,because i don't like to read the book which i read before,though i couldn't remember the content of it. [loveyouandme]
I have never read a book till date more than once. That could be due to the fact that I read little. I read very few fiction books and have started reading recently. I still need to read a lot of good books and good authors. May be once I have completed reading a large number of books, I may end up reading the once which I really like again. [sohelkm]
I used to read books many times in my childhood, since I didn't have so many books in that time. I read Dr. Zhivago (Boris Pasternak) twice. I really like this book. Actually I want to read it again, but it takes so much energy to read such a thick book, lol.... [sutanhartanto]
I have been reading some books morethan thousand times even more than thousand times ... Its all because of the inspiration that I get by reading the book... even I have read thousand times every time when I read the book looks so new and I read like as though am reading it for the first time.... [maathav]
Only the authors of my favourite books I will read twice. Books from John Grisham, JRR Tolkien and JK Rowling. Thoses are my alltime favourites, and I will read them the third time if I feel like it. [x7heavens]
I´ve a Swedish writer,and he is absolute my favorite one. He has been written a book serie with 5 books about Stockholm,from 1860 until 1960.I have been read this books many times.And everything I find some new in them [Zoegas]
I suppose it depends on how interesting the book is. There are some that I've felt the urge to read through again, but it has to be something I thought really good for that to happen. [FatalEdge]
I re-read many books quite frequently. Like you, I have found that in different times of my life, I get new perspective on them. I have two books I have had most of my life that I read about every 5 years or so. Little Women and Up the Road Slowly. Each time I read them I see them in a different way. But I have others that I have read over and over again for well over 20 years. Usually classics (not because I have to but because I really enjoy the books) but also murder mysteries, sci-fi etc. Each time, depending on what is going on in my life, I notice things I didn't notice before. [sageivyberyl]
I think 5 years between reading the same book is a good length of time so it is partly a fresh reading, as you will have forgotten much about it in that time. [paid2write]
i have only read books once. even if i love the book. :) i just find it not enjoyable anymore if i read it over again. :) [chiyosan]
I've read and currently rereading Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird for the 15th time. [magnate101]
I have also read that more than once. [paid2write]
I have read Dracula by Bram Stoker over twenty times. Classical Literature doesn't get any better than this. Told in journal entries, we take an impossible journey through history from England to the superstitious dark land of Transylvania. This novel is beautifully written and even if you are not into vampire books, you should still read this one because its much more than just a vampire story. It is a story of love lost, and then found again. It is a story of betrayal and ultimately redemption. I have read this book many times over and over and highly recommend it. This is the seed of every vampire book since its creation. [shopgirl]
I have read that too - but not as many times as you. [paid2write]
there are few books i have read say 30-4 times. some of them are sherlock holmes books. they are my favourite. I like to read those books again and again. not all but few stories. [subha12]
Hi there... Yes I have read 2 different books twice and 1 other book 3 times, and each time Ive repeated my reads with these books, like you, I have taken in something new or reacted differently then I did the first time reading it, and all these reads have been for pleasure, I thoroughly enjoyed them every time... Have a great day... [Nardz13]
Ohh, I don't read so many books now as I used to. I don't think I read a book twice. A magazine, maybe, but not a book. As long as I remember the message and the good points, I don't take to read it again. Maybe, it's getting used to online reading that makes my free time occupied nowadays. rolleyes [jeanniemay]
I'm currently rereading the Neanderthal Parallax by Robert J. Sawyer. I'm on the final book, Hybrids. This is only my second read of the book, but its as good as I remember it - it has been 5 years since I read it. I've read Anne MacCaffrey's early dragon books many times and even some of her later books a few times. [ElicBxn]
I try never to read a book more than once. I don't like knowing what going to happen next. [dreamcatcher937]
I don't normally re-read but I do. Sometimes when I come across a book again, I might just pick it up and re-read part of it. I will re-read the whole book even if I feel like it - though my usual preference is to read new, unread ones if they are available. w00t [lordwarwizard]
I read Lord Of The Rings almost eight times as I was trying to make out how a single person can write abook so vast and with so much of imagination. The writer has a map, an elvish language created and infact created a completely different world.That is a fantastic book and it still amazes me that how can only one person imagine so much. [mansha]
I know it is one of the most popular books ever written in the English language. [paid2write]
I have very seldom re-read the same book. Once I start reading a book and realize that I have read it already, I don't want to read it again, even if it is one that I particularly liked the first time. Besides, I have SOOOOOOO many that I want to read, that I don't have time to reread any!! I can't think of any that I have read over even at different times in my life, which is surprising since I have always been a reader. [idowrite72]
I know there are always so many new books to read, finding the time is not so easy. [paid2write]
A really good book gets better every time you read it - no matter how many times.. rolleyes I have read some parts of the Bible several times and some classic books - especially one with a lot of humor, Seven Brothers by the Finnish author Aleksis Kivi. Finnish was sort of new language for authors that time, and he had to invent some words so it is interesting also from that point of view. The book is probably translated to many languages...happy [buenavida]
The Finnish book seems interesting. I like it when an author can invent new words. I know it has been done by German writers and it's good to know it was also done in Finnish. [paid2write]
The only books or series of books that I've re-read would be the Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and the Harry Potter series. They are my favorite and i find them interesting to read when I'm bored. [mishastar]
you know i love the stories.. from the Left Behind Series.. its sort of a fiction, but religious.. i guess a religious fiction book.. there is a name for it but can't remember it.. But those books are good.. I have read the 1st one bout 3 times.. once i read it all the way through in one day.. and its no short book.. [annieroos]
When I was little, I read "There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom" so many times the binding fell off. It was always my favorite! Since them, I've read very few books twice simply because there are others that I can't wait to get my hands on. [wrld_n_harmony]
i never read a book all over again.. i feel bored and i dont feel excited i already know what's next so i feel im just wasting my time rereading a book [mhayelynna]
I read almost all of my books more than one time! Harry Potter books i have read them 5 or 6 times!! Every time i read a book i understand different things and meanings that the first time i have not notice them! [knithomaria]
Book reading habit has been gone. People are not fond of reading books. There are many less and rare people who like to read book. We have television screen and its channel, we have computer to enjoy and pass our time. The time has gone when the books were considered as good friends. People use to read the books and they had no commitment othe than book reading. Person of present age can not spare the time to read the books again and again. They are great and strange people, who read a book more than one time. I used to read in my past. Now I use to write. I am an author of a nember of books. But I can spare myself to read them again and again. [sheenshaukat]
gosh I could re-read a novel 20 or 30 times and still love it each time. Each time I re-read a novel I always pick up on something different. [rmuxagirl]
about 3 times....the Diana Princess of Wales life story book....she was amazing.... [tattylashes]
yes there is one novel which i have read for over 10 times. jsut as you said,i find something new every time i read it.it's rather an affecting love novel not a world-famous one. [sophialin]
Yes it does not have to be a well known book for it to mean so much to you personally that you love to read it again. [paid2write]
I like reading books, but I never plan to read one book twice. So I borrow books rather than buy them. I agree with you that re-reading a book will give you a different feeling depends on your mood and experience. Think throughly, I have not re-read a book. I have only re-read stories. [xplp211]
I really don't having that much patience that i can read the same book again and again but still once i have read the harry potter for the four times in a row as that was very much interesting i can say. otherwise i don't really read the books either. [amitpuri]
Harry Potter books seem to be popular for reading more than once. I have not read any of them even once but it's nice to know people enjoy them so much. [paid2write]