I used to be the queen of re-reading books. The queen. It’s why all of the books I got between 2010 and 2013 are practically falling to pieces. (That, and the fact that I also *used* to be a ruthless spine-bender. Don’t hate me!) I would throw my hands in the air in frustration because I could not find a book at the school library either a) worth reading or b) that I hadn’t read. So I’d reach back onto my beautiful, beautiful book shelf (I love it so much, it’s by far my favorite part of my bedroom) and turn the pages of a well-loved, familiar place.
*Happy sigh* Sometimes it’s even better than reading a book for the first time.
But I haven’t re-read a book in a very, very long time. Unless you count last April, in which I re-read the entire Selection series by Kiera Cass, as the fourth book was coming out and I wanted to be refreshed.
But I don’t count that; because it wasn’t a time where I thought “I don’t have anything else to read, and this one’s calling my name, I think I’ll read that” and re-read the book for pure pleasure.
I haven’t done any of that since… well, since I started book blogging.
I have SO many books on my plate. sooooo. many. Every time I say this, I get lots of comments saying what a wonderful problem this is to have, and YES, yes it is, I love having a towering TBR that I’m dying to get my hands on… but… I am a procrastinator, first of all; it takes me forever to get to a book mostly because I don’t really want to read it right then so I put it off. And yet I don’t let myself read a book I do want to read right then because I feel like I have a duty to uphold to that book, and the person who sent/suggested it to me.
And second of all, I am a person who gets stressed out very easily. I am not a “go-with-the-flow” person. I like to think I’m not a bossy or controlling person, but it’s true that I like to be in control. I like to have things done and out of the way – and I know what you’re thinking (“But you just said you procrastinate”), so you see my problem now. I get stressed a lot because I procrastinate and yet I like to have things out of the way. So the problem with having this problem is that I’m always stressed about reading the next up-and-coming book, whether it’s a popular book EVERYONE in the blogging community is reading or a book several of you want me to read.
And I never have time to re-read.
This is a TREMENDOUS problem, dear blog reader. I firmly believe that if a book is great, then it is worth re-reading. If a book is not-so-great, it’s not worth re-reading. My mom always used to ask me why I re-read books so much (she hasn’t asked in a while because I’VE NOT RE-READ ANYTHING IN AGES)… and I always replied “We re-watch movies, don’t we? What’s the difference?” It’s familiar, yet still enjoyable, and sometimes you need a cozy favorite to brighten your day.
As a bookworm, re-reading books is a high priority. Particularly in fall and winter – as Annie put it on her blog, “Something about the Fall season always makes my bones tingle with the longing to read, read, read — more so than usual, even.” And for me, curling up with a welcoming friend you love over and over again is even more enjoyable in Autumn.
As a result, I’m going to make it my goal in the months of October and November – and perhaps in winter, as well – to re-read at least three books. I may end up re-reading more than that, and if I do I’ll lengthen my goal in the winter months as well. I’ll be counting my re-reads towards the books I read in 2015, since they will be books I’ve read in 2015, be it for the first or umpteenth time. If you’re curious, these are the books I plan on re-visiting:
- Better to Wish by Ann M. Martin
- Interrupted: A Life Beyond Words by Rachel Coker
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
- Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick
I’m not sure if I’ll re-read these books, specifically – the point of this for me, after all, is to get myself to read something I’m in the mood for and let go of my mental list of books to “check off.” So we’ll see!
what are your thoughts on re-reading? do you have a preference in when you like to re-read books? will you be re-visiting any this autumn and winter?
P.S. Short update: Maisy is HOME!!! For those of you who don’t know – my cat, Maisy, went missing when we were on vacation and we just got back Saturday. Last night my dad found her in our driveway and we are all (including Maisy!) so happy she is safe. 🙂
Yay! I’m glad you cat is home!! 😀
I like to reread books. But mainly because I don’t have anything to read. Earlier this month, I bought the complete lunar chronicles and Absolutely Truly. I’ve only read Cinder so far and I keep seeing myself reaching for the next books, but like you I procrastinate and wait or just the right moment to read my book.
But when I don’t have anything to read I reread. Sometimes I’ll read a book start to finish and sometimes I’ll reread my favorite parts! 😉 How about you?
BTW I love the “I pledge to read the written word” widget!! It’s so cute!!
Me toooo! Haha, thank you!
Yeah. I definitely know what that’s like. I used to just use my school library, and it wasn’t so big. So I mainly just bought books and most of the time re-read books because I was out of reading material. 😛
Ooh, I can’t wait for you to read Absolutely Truly!! It’s perfect to be read in fall and winter. 🙂 And of course, I’m the same about the Lunar Chronicles. Been putting that one off for quite a while!
Ooh, YES! I do that, too – should have mentioned that. Especially endings… and epilogues. They’re usually my favorite scenes. or if it’s a romance I flip to cute scenes with the couple. *Swoon*
Thanks! I saw it on another blog when I was binge-blog-searching (don’t even remember whose blog it was, I think they didn’t really read books that I read so I clicked away…) Lol! I like it too. 😀
It’s true that ever since I’ve started my book blog, I haven’t really done much of re-reading. Lately though, I allowed myself to delay some new reads and review reads in favor of childhood favorites that I was simply dying to read again. And it was great! It kind of reminded me why I love reading so much in the first place. There was a time where I used to re-read all the time and while I’ll never be like that again, now and then I will try to read a favorite book again. Really interesting post 🙂
I completely know where you’re coming from. It does remind me why I truly love reading; sometimes I get so overwhelmed by the books I need to read for the blog I forget the enjoyment of reading! Same. Thanks for your sweet comment. That’s exactly what I mean! 🙂
Great post! Yes! I have noticed lately it gets harder to reread books; however I still reread a heathly amount about of books. Like I used to( not since I’ve gone to my grandpas) reread MDBC every night( I wanted to read at night but if I read a book I Hadn’t read yet I get to involved and want to keep reading.). I’ve read the whole series about 5 times. And I’ll read my favorite sections out of books I like. Like HP, The Selection, the Inheritance series, ect. I hope you meet your goal of rereading!
Yay! Maisys home!
Wow that’s so sweet! I should really do that! Haha, same. I have a strict rule of no starting books before bed, lol! I think I’ve randomly picked out the book I was in the mood for… since I’ve been reading since 4th grade, since 6th (when the girls start out in the books) I make sure to re-read the book where they’re my age. It’s neat to literally grow with them every year. 🙂
Yes same!! Thanks.
YES SHE IS. She’s currently curled up at the end of my bed while I reply to this. She says hello! 😉
I sometimes get bored rereading…..but sometimes I don’t (depends on the book) When I was younger I read and reread Riding Freedom by Pam Muñoz Ryan over and over and over…..I don’t even remember if it was THAT good…I just know I LOVED it 😀 I’m actually rereading a book right now! I read it like a year ago…..Great post! And glad Maisy is back! 🙂 <3
I know what you mean. I typically only re-read books I know I will enjoy at the time.
Ooh. What’s that about? Oh, LOL. Hey, no judgement here. I cringe at old book reviews where I’m just like “Really? Do you have to go on and on about it? It wasn’t that good!” Ha.
Which one??
Thanks and thanks! ME TOO! 🙂
Before I discovered book blogging (and books on the internet in general!) I re-read and re-read the same loved books. Now there are so many being released all the time that look amazing, it’s hard for me to decide when I want to re-read something even though I know I’ll love it just as much <3 I'm not sure what it is about the fall/winter season but like you mentioned, I also hope to go back and re-read some books including the Harry Potter series because it has been too long!!
Thanks for putting exactly I mean into even better words! I don’t know, something about curling up in a blanket during the cold months also has me reaching for a good book; because if I’m cooped up inside for fall and winter then you know I’ll be reading! 😉 Sounds like a great plan.
Hey, Emily! Great post, as always. I think re-reading really depends on the book you’re wanting to re-read. If you enjoyed the book and it’s only been a month since you finished it, I don’t deem it appropriate as a re-read 😛 Normally I don’t like re-reading period, unless I’m forced to either for school or because my bookcase has offered me nothing else (which is bad since I haven’t read 45% of the books in there and my bookcase should be 100% read :P)
However, I’ve found re-reading to be a blessing in disguise, depending on the book of course! This past January or so, I looked at my Chronicles of Narnia collection and said “I’m going to try re-reading books 1-3 and see if I can make it to the end,” after having tried for YEARS to get into the series. After re-reading 1-3, I found myself on a high to finally read 4-7, a miracle (and I finished them all too!) xD And now I’m absolutely obsessed with anything Narnia related, criticizing the poor movie adaptations and correcting misinformed Narnians, as I am so fresh with knowledge known as Narnianism (yes I made that up).
My point is, if it’s a series you struggled with, a book you wrestled with, try it again (letting time lapse so it doesn’t seem so de ja vu). That’s how my MDBC obsession was born as well (I used to find MDBC #1 boring *shocker!* But now HVF is my favorite author). You may be surprised with how your viewpoint changes, and things you didn’t pick up before become clear and something in the story now makes more sense.
Or you can re-read for nostalgia feels.
But thanks for bringing the importance of re-reading to light! I have mixed views on it but in the end, it really is important for us bookworms.
God bless!
Grace~
Oh, no, I probably wouldn’t read a book I’d read so recently. Although I’ll never say never because I may come across one I love, and who knows? But usually what I really love about re-reading books is the nostalgia. I’m not sure if that makes sense or not, but I love it.
Haha I GET YOU! Lots of the time I feel like I have absolutely nothing to read when in fact I have piles and piles of books. Lol!
Hmm… I’ve never thought of it that way before. That’s really great advice!!
Yes it is! And thank you, Grace. 🙂