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1) Pure Entertainment Value - There's always something new to discover in a re-read:
It's not that I don't pay close attention the first time through, it's just that I'm more focused on the big picture. The tension is usually killing me and I'm worried about my favorite characters so I tend to miss the more subtle elements which can really come through in a re-read. If I LOVED a novel, then I'll want to re-read it to catch all the things I might have missed in the initial read.
2) Learning to be a Better Writer:
During the first read-through, if the story is really great, I find myself completely wrapped up in it and unable to focus on the craft. At the end of the read, I'll have an impression of what the author did right - great pacing, high tension, relatable characters - but I won't know specifically how this was achieved. In a read through, I can focus on the craft to really dissect the how and then apply it to my own writing.
3) Getting a new Perspective:
There are books that I've re-read in different stages of life. Maybe there were 2 years between reads, maybe 10, but either way, I understood the story in a whole new way based on the changes that had occurred in my personal life (new experiences, personal growth, etc.). And this, to me, is amazing. I mean, I can't think of any other situation which gives me the opportunity to really see how I've changed or grown over time based on my perspective and understanding of the emotions and actions involved in a story.
4) Language Skills:
I like to re-read books I've read in English in German. Not only does this help me to improve my German and expand my vocabulary, but it also sometimes reveals new insight into the story. Word choice can be so influential in terms of how a scene is understood and a translation choice may add or detract from the story. I find it fascinating to see how my interpretation of a story changes based on the language I read it in.
So, with all these great benefits of re-reading, why wouldn't I re-read? Well, my (virtual) TBR pile is ginormous, and one of the books in there could be the start of something - the one the sparks a great idea, leads me to a new friend, changes my perspective, or teaches me something new about writing! It's the great unknown, and one of those books could end up being a huge waste of time (making me wish I'd gone with a safe re-read), but it could also be something I couldn't imagine living without (after the fact). So, I've got some decisions to make.
What about you? How do you decide what to read next? Do you ever re-read?
3) Getting a new Perspective:
There are books that I've re-read in different stages of life. Maybe there were 2 years between reads, maybe 10, but either way, I understood the story in a whole new way based on the changes that had occurred in my personal life (new experiences, personal growth, etc.). And this, to me, is amazing. I mean, I can't think of any other situation which gives me the opportunity to really see how I've changed or grown over time based on my perspective and understanding of the emotions and actions involved in a story.
4) Language Skills:
I like to re-read books I've read in English in German. Not only does this help me to improve my German and expand my vocabulary, but it also sometimes reveals new insight into the story. Word choice can be so influential in terms of how a scene is understood and a translation choice may add or detract from the story. I find it fascinating to see how my interpretation of a story changes based on the language I read it in.
So, with all these great benefits of re-reading, why wouldn't I re-read? Well, my (virtual) TBR pile is ginormous, and one of the books in there could be the start of something - the one the sparks a great idea, leads me to a new friend, changes my perspective, or teaches me something new about writing! It's the great unknown, and one of those books could end up being a huge waste of time (making me wish I'd gone with a safe re-read), but it could also be something I couldn't imagine living without (after the fact). So, I've got some decisions to make.
What about you? How do you decide what to read next? Do you ever re-read?
If a book isn't worth re-reading, I don't keep it. Part of it is just for the sake of entertainment - like rewatching a film I love. But some books give you something new every time, and that's why re-reading is so brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you there - and now with e-books it's so much easier to ditch a book I didn't enjoy since I don't have to physically go anywhere to do it. Before, I ended up lending out all my favorite books and sitting on a bookshelf full of the ones I'd never (in good conscience) recommend to anyone, haha.
DeleteI love re-reading books. :) I usually just go with what I'm in the mood for. (Or what I have in the house.) ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's how I used to be, before my reading time got so cramped, haha. :)
DeleteThe time issue is usually the main factor in whether I re-read books. I should probably make a point to, though, for many of the reasons you cite. Perhaps I should take the books I gave 5-star reviews to and plan to re-read them as part of the following year's reading schedule. Food for thought. Thanks, A.K.!
ReplyDeleteYeah, time is such a killer - why can't there be extra hours in the day, just for reading?! Glad to have given you a new perspective on the benefits of re-reading though :D
DeleteIf you enjoy re-reading, do it. Personally, I'm not much of a re-reader, but it's mostly a time issue. :/
ReplyDeleteThis post was nice to come across because I'm doing a read-through of a manuscript that I've revised quite a few times, and I think I could get in a much better mindset if I approched it as a "re-reading" instead of "drudging through this one more time". :)
Oh yay :) Glad the post was timely. I'm actually doing a re-read of a CP's MS right now, too - but I love it! It's so much fun to see how the MS has changed and to be able to pick out all the things done right when I notice a better flow and pace. I know it's always different when re-reading your own work, but I can get that fun re-reading feeling when reading my own stuff if I'm in the right mood :D
DeleteBest of luck with the re-reads!
I was planning to reread the whole Hyperion Cantos by my favorite SF writer, Dan Simmons, right after I finish my draft -- to bridge that gap before editing in a way that's both enjoyable and instructional, so your post (and your arguments in favor of re-reading) are speaking from my mind as well. Thanks, A.K.! :)
ReplyDeleteNice! That's a great idea, too. I always need a break in between the finished draft and edits and re-reading there is the perfect way to transition into the editing mindset :)
DeleteI rarely re-read. But, lately, I've been itching to read Twilight again. ;) I'm a slow reader, so once is enough, normally. It already takes me forever to finish a book, and I try to read the latest YA novels to continue to build my skills. :)
ReplyDeleteOh yeah - I've re-read Twilight a few times, haha - It's a total comfort read for me.
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