*A month ago it was February and I started writing this post. I'm not sure how an entire month escaped, but here is the post now*
No, you haven't?
Then, you need to get busy because some books just need to be reread!
Just kidding, you don't HAVE to reread, but it might be a good idea, especially since one of my favorite authors once said, "I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once". That would be C.S. Lewis of course!
Benefits and Reasons to Reread:
When you were younger, I'm sure you had a favorite picture book that someone always read to you. I sure had plenty of those! As you grew up and learned to read chapter books, the stage of rereading faded and now your to be read list keeps growing, right? That's what happened to me, but you can still make time to reread.
- Find details you missed: Details, details, details. Surely, you won't remember every detail of a book, even if it's your favorite. J.R.R. Tolkien was a master at putting details into his novels, but there's no way I can remember every detail. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes I just need to remember a certain detail, so a reread will fix that.
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| A J.R.R. Tolkien display at a museum (including a copy of the original Hobbit book!) |
- Travel to another time period or season: Books let you travel without leaving your house. Some have wonderful descriptions and make you think that you've actually been there, such as the world of Narnia or Middle Earth. Similarly, historical fiction can bring you back in time to your favorite time period.
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| When summer comes and the snow leaves, it will be time to reread "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" so I can imagine living in this winter wonderland (credit) |
- Visit with your fictional friends: Cuddling up with your favorite book a second time (or more) allows you to visit with your fictional friends, and pick up scenes that you missed on the first read. It can remind you of your favorite friends and why it's your favorite book.
- Become a better writer: Have you ever considered the writing techniques that your favorite author uses? On a reread, you might catch some of the techniques that makes you enjoy the book, and use them in your next piece of writing.
Are you a fan of rereading? What is the biggest number of rereads you've given a book?
Love this post! I've always been a fan of rereading - I usually catch things I missed on the first read, especially since I tend to skim. XD
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nicole! I usually catch things on the second read too. Finding new details makes the book so much better. :)
DeleteI love rereading! In fact, I wrote an "In Defense of Rereading" post pretty soon after starting my own blog! All the reasons you give are excellent ones, plus, there's nothing like rereading for comfort when you're feeling down/sick/whatever.
ReplyDeleteI had several books that I reread CONSTANTLY when I was little, so I think the highest number of rereads I've given a book ever has to be at least in the teens, if not the twenties. XD
I used to reread a lot more than I do now, but I'm still a fan of it. :) I don't think I ever reread a book more than five times, though, so you've beat me there.
DeleteOh, I love this. All your points are good, but ESPECIALLY the second one. A lot of my very favorite books hold that place because of how amazing it was to be immersed in their world - and returning there for a visit is never going to get old!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah! Yes, the second one is my all time favorite reason to reread too. When I was younger, I had a Little House on the Prairie obsession. Those books made me want to live in 1800s, and then one day I finally got to visit the Ingalls' Homestead in De Smet, South Dakota. It was a dream come true, so now rereading those books will always be a special visit for me.
DeleteLove this Miss K! I am definitely a big fan of rereading (...probably do it too much, heh) and that C. S. Lewis quotes is one of my favorites by him!!
ReplyDeleteThe DETAILS, yes. There are certain books in particular where you have to revisit all the details to pick up on all the masterful foreshadowing. ...I really need to reread Moon Over Manifest, by Clare Vanderpool, for that reason. Eek.
Another fan of rereading... yay! I'm trying to revisit some of my favorites this year by rereading more. The details are what make some books great and are sometimes forgotten, so that's a reason why rereading is worth it.
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