Pam's Thoughts:
I used to reread books. A lot. When I was younger, I would read my favorite books over and over again. Part of the reason is because there really weren't that many books to read. At least young adult books. What's funny is that I still remember those books so much because I read them so many times. Now, I feel like there are so many books that I usually don't reread books unless I have to because they are part of a series. I usually try and reread earlier books in series when the new ones come out because otherwise I just won't remember what's going on and then I won't enjoy the new book as much. There is a website that some of you may know about, Recaptains, which summarizes all of the major plot points of books that are part of a series so you don't have to reread them. Definitely check it out.
I have two books that are the second in the series right now and I've put off reading them because I really don't want to reread the first books. I'll do it at some point but I'll really skim them (Recaptains doesn't have summaries of those two books).
There are a few books I've reread just because I'm in a certain mood and I know exactly what to expect from the book. Like Pride and Prejudice. I read that about once a year. Oh, Mr. Darcy! And Time Traveler's Wife, I've read that one a few times. I always know I'm going to cry and sometimes you just need that. And I've come across a few contemporary YA books that have just made me smile and I know that if I'm feeling down and I just want to read a book with a HEA that I can pick one of those up. But other than that, not a big rereader these days.
Sheri's Thoughts:
Other than my favorite classics, I don't reread. This does create problems for me when I start a series that isn't complete. In fact I am currently trying NOT to do this. I have so many completed series that I want to read that I am trying to read those before starting any new ones.
Even though I don't reread books I do listen to books I have previously read. I really enjoy listening to books and sometimes I am doing this while also having to "think". For example, editing digital photos of my kids younger years. When I want to be able to listen, but not have to completely focus, I will listen to the same books again and again particularly when there is a good narrator. For example, Jim Dale, who narrated the Harry Potter series is one of my all time favorites.
Do you reread books? If so, why?
ooo I have a serious problem when it comes to re-reading. I have read Pride & Prejudice at least 12 or 13 times, probably read Emma and Persuasion 5 or 6 times too. Same with Jane Eyre. And Harry Potter; I've read most of those books at least 3-4 times. The only YA book I've recently felt compelled to re-read is the Vampire Academy books, lol. I LOVE those books! But lately I've been too busy trying to catch up on all the great new YA stuff being published that I haven't had a chance to re-read anything. I find that I usually re-read books when I don't have anything new that I feel like reading. Good discussion question!
ReplyDeleteI used to reread much more before I started blogging and also reading other people's blogs and hearing about so many great books. My TBR list is just so long these days it feels strange to reread a book.
DeleteYay Pride and Prejudice! That will be one I will always reread. And Emma is one of my favorites as well (and Sense and Sensibility). I used to read Gone With the Wind quite often, but I haven't read it in a long time.
I did read VA more than once just for fun, that series is one of my favorites. Oh, and the Lux and Covenant series. I didn't need to read them again because I didn't remember (before the new one came out) but I just did anyway. ~Pam
I used to reread books all the time. Mostly because I didn't have money to buy new books. Then I rediscovered the library, then I discovered Goodreads, and then I started blogging. Now I just don't have time to reread. There are so many good books out there! I want to experience all the new things. But if I give a book 5 stars, I will purchase it to add to my collection in the hopes that eventually I will reread it. And I do reread series when the next book is coming out. I just reread Divergent and am going to be rereading Insurgent this weekend. But even that annoys me that I have to do that. I don't have time for that. I'm never going to finish my TBR list if I have to keep pausing to reread books! So I've decided that I'm only going to reread books in a series if there isn't a summary on Recaptains or if I really really love the series. Great discussion question!
ReplyDeleteI really wish authors would have, either in the front of the new book or on their website, a summary of the previous books to get you back up to speed. How hard would that be? There are some books that I enjoyed and I do want to read the next one, but I didn't love so I am also annoyed that I have to reread it.
DeleteYes, I need to reread Insurgent by Tuesday because I will not be able to wait to read Allegiant once it's released on Tuesday. ~Pam
Before I started blogging I reread books A LOT! But since I've started blogging I don't have as much time to reread my favorite books. However, I recently reread Divergent and Insurgent since the last book is coming out in a few days and I couldn't remember what happened.
ReplyDeleteI also have a few books that I haven't read because I can't remember what happened in the first books, so my plan is to reread the first before I start on the second.
Same with me. There's so many great books out there I feel like I have to read ones I haven't read before I think about rereading. And I have to reread Insurgent soon, I really don't remember what happened (I reread Divergent for a book club pretty recently). I do find myself skimming now if I'm rereading because I need to read it to remember what happened, which almost makes it feel like a chore. But if I don't, I know I won't enjoy the new one as much. I didn't reread Crewel when I read Altered, and I really regret it because I just didn't connect as much with the characters and I think it's because I didn't totally remember what was going on. ~Pam
DeleteIf I loved a book and want to reread it, I do. There's a reason I loved it, and often I love it even more the second time. Even though I have a huge pile of great books I'm yet to read, I have always been a fan of the reread.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you reread, I need to reread books I love more often. ~Pam
DeleteWhen I was younger I used to reread my favorite books over and over again, too. Like you, I can still remember a few of them so clearly simply because I read them so much! I don't reread as much these days either. My TBR pile is simply too big and I'm SO (so, so) far behind on my ARCS that I can feel guilty picking up books I've already read, but I do still do it sometimes. I definitely sometimes NEED to reread the first book in a series just to remember what is going on and sometimes I just want to read a beloved book. I'm actually rereading Bridget Jones right now (even though I've read it several times and certainly don't have to) in celebration of the new one that was just released.
ReplyDeleteLike Sheri, I've listened to the HP series 3 times through. Jim Dale is amazing and the audio is my favorite way to revisit those books. I've also recently listened to a old favorite which is a way to "get around" rereading it. Great post!
I saw an interview with the author of Bridget Jone's diary and I can't believe what she did to a certain character...shocking!
DeleteI just reread Insurgent in preparation for Allegiant's release, and I enjoyed it. I really didn't remember that much, how sad is that? ~Pam
I've never been a rereader, even of my favorite books. When I was younger I would try to reread the Harry Potter books before the new one came out and even though I love those books immensely I never got through the whole thing. And now that I have so many books I want to read, I'd much rather pick up a new one that I haven't read yet.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that it is hard to remember all of the details of a book at the time the sequel comes out, especially given the volume of books most of us read in any given year, but if I find that I am really struggling, the most my lazy self will do is read Recaptains (great site btw). I just don't have the time, patience, or desire to reread books. =/
Yeah, I'm a bit annoyed right now because I have two books that are the second in the series and I liked the first books but I'm not in the mood to reread them, but I barely remember what happened so I'm not sure what to do (and they're not on Recaptains). I should really stop reading series until they're complete, but then I feel like I'd be missing out! No good solution. ~Pam
DeleteI always say that I'm going to reread a series right before the last book comes out but unfortunately time just doesn't allow me. Especially since I started blogging. However, one of my goals or challenge for next year is to make time to reread some of my favorites. I read through some books so fast that I miss out on some details.
ReplyDeleteJenn @ Books and Swoons
I read fast too and I think that hurts me when it comes to remembering what happened. It is hard to go back and reread all the previous books in a series when a new one comes out especially when it seems like every book is part of a series these days. ~Pam
DeleteI love to re-read. There are some series that just give me the warm fuzzies every time I read them, and it's a really great thing to do when you're feeling down =)
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, I've actually been thinking about doing a re-read month in January!
I agree. Sometimes you just know you're in the mood for a certain book and it's great to reread it, knowing it will put a smile on your face. A reread month sounds interesting...rereading your favorites? ~Pam
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