I love re-reading books. I've reread many modern books many times, as well as everything Austen, Dickens, and George Eliot. Recently I read The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce and almost immediately (like a week later) I read it again. My though in starting the first few pages was "How did she do that?" and then I got caught up all over again! Brilliant.
I used to reread my favorite books and now never reread anything at all because of that damn TBR calculator, which scared the bejusus out of me when I first found it (and still does). I just always think, I don’t have time to read all the books I want to read before I die! And that pretty much stops my rereading in its tracks.
I almost never reread, because like you said there are so many books out there that I'll never get to them all so I can't get stuck rereading. But I'm also reconsidering this position. A bit. I'd love to reread some of my favorites from before I started this newsletter, like 'The Left Hand of Darkness' or 'Ubik' or 'The Count of Monte Cristo.' It would be interesting to come back to something after a long time to see if it still resonates. Thank you for inspiring this thought!
I love what you've said about seeing things differently when you read a book again. It reminds me of what Jodie of Hey, YA said recently about how we have all been young and have those young inner parts inside of ourselves so sometimes reading YA can heal those parts. (I'm paraphrasing.)
Every year I reach for books I've already read. They make up about a quarter at least if not more of the books I read each year and I'm not necessarily counting the ones I have on hand, by my desk all marked up with notes on structure, lines I loved and other things that help me with whatever I'm writing.
I dip in and out of some -- read a section at a time or a chapter but often, if I do that, I end up rereading the whole thing. I find something new each time which is kind of a thrill.
I'm very happy for you . It is wonderful to know you are writing the book you want to write. I wish you all good things in the months ahead!
When I was younger I was a re-reader but then dedicating my education to English Lit meant that I just had to read a lot and so re-reading (or reading anything that wasn't related to my course) felt pointless and like I was wasting time. And I felt that way up until some point last year when The Secret History started whispering to me that it wanted to be read again and then when that one started whispering, others books that I loved joined in and V.E Schwab announced she was returning to The Darker Shades of Magic world which meant that my attitude to re-reading started to shift and I am slowly returning to books that I loved. In fact this week I am starting my re-read of the original Darker Shades of Magic trilogy in prep for the first book of the new series being published next week and now that autumn has arrived The Secret History is going to get another run out. As well as Fourth Wing the moment I get that dispatch email about Iron Flame!
Congrats, Ashley! Can't wait to read your memoir! Did you know Laurie Stone of @Everything Is Personal is doing a Zoom on Saturday about writing memoir? Check out her 'stack and send her an email that you're interested (if you are). It should be fun. Laurie is a hoot and a half. And I've given up on my TBR. It takes me forever to get through a book theses days. Some writer I am. LOL. xo
I LOVE to reread but do feel like I've gotten away from it recently -- because there are just SO many new books coming out, it's hard to keep up. But like I recently reread Dicey's Song for the thousandth time and it was just so good, and comforting, and really felt like home to me. I want to do more of it. Here for your memoir btw!
I was a re-reader as a teenager and haven't done it since then — largely because there are sooo many new books I want to read — but recently, I've been playing around with the idea of re-reading the same book every year for exactly the reasons you mentioned: benchmarking, using it as a tool to better understand myself, and of course, enjoying the comfort of familiar characters and plot.
I love re-reading books. I've reread many modern books many times, as well as everything Austen, Dickens, and George Eliot. Recently I read The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce and almost immediately (like a week later) I read it again. My though in starting the first few pages was "How did she do that?" and then I got caught up all over again! Brilliant.
Congratulations on starting your word vomit draft 🎉🎉
I remember reading Deanie as a teenager. It was serialised in a weekly magazine that I read.
I tend to reread my favorite scenes or chapters when I want a pick me up, or to feel the way I felt when I read it the first time.
I used to reread my favorite books and now never reread anything at all because of that damn TBR calculator, which scared the bejusus out of me when I first found it (and still does). I just always think, I don’t have time to read all the books I want to read before I die! And that pretty much stops my rereading in its tracks.
I almost never reread, because like you said there are so many books out there that I'll never get to them all so I can't get stuck rereading. But I'm also reconsidering this position. A bit. I'd love to reread some of my favorites from before I started this newsletter, like 'The Left Hand of Darkness' or 'Ubik' or 'The Count of Monte Cristo.' It would be interesting to come back to something after a long time to see if it still resonates. Thank you for inspiring this thought!
Re-reader here 🙋♀️
I have had so many great conversations here with people about re-reading including some that led to a really interesting look at whether re-readers also order the same thing off of menus: https://createmefree.substack.com/p/if-you-re-read-books-do-you-also
I love what you've said about seeing things differently when you read a book again. It reminds me of what Jodie of Hey, YA said recently about how we have all been young and have those young inner parts inside of ourselves so sometimes reading YA can heal those parts. (I'm paraphrasing.)
So many great books to get to, so tragically little time. When I re-read, I feel guilty about the books that have been on my TBR shelf for years now.
Every year I reach for books I've already read. They make up about a quarter at least if not more of the books I read each year and I'm not necessarily counting the ones I have on hand, by my desk all marked up with notes on structure, lines I loved and other things that help me with whatever I'm writing.
I dip in and out of some -- read a section at a time or a chapter but often, if I do that, I end up rereading the whole thing. I find something new each time which is kind of a thrill.
I'm very happy for you . It is wonderful to know you are writing the book you want to write. I wish you all good things in the months ahead!
When I was younger I was a re-reader but then dedicating my education to English Lit meant that I just had to read a lot and so re-reading (or reading anything that wasn't related to my course) felt pointless and like I was wasting time. And I felt that way up until some point last year when The Secret History started whispering to me that it wanted to be read again and then when that one started whispering, others books that I loved joined in and V.E Schwab announced she was returning to The Darker Shades of Magic world which meant that my attitude to re-reading started to shift and I am slowly returning to books that I loved. In fact this week I am starting my re-read of the original Darker Shades of Magic trilogy in prep for the first book of the new series being published next week and now that autumn has arrived The Secret History is going to get another run out. As well as Fourth Wing the moment I get that dispatch email about Iron Flame!
Congratulations on starting the book-writing process! How thrilling. I’m rooting for you as you embark on this extremely meaningful project! 🥳
ASHLEY!!! V. excited about your book!!!
Congrats, Ashley! Can't wait to read your memoir! Did you know Laurie Stone of @Everything Is Personal is doing a Zoom on Saturday about writing memoir? Check out her 'stack and send her an email that you're interested (if you are). It should be fun. Laurie is a hoot and a half. And I've given up on my TBR. It takes me forever to get through a book theses days. Some writer I am. LOL. xo
I LOVE to reread but do feel like I've gotten away from it recently -- because there are just SO many new books coming out, it's hard to keep up. But like I recently reread Dicey's Song for the thousandth time and it was just so good, and comforting, and really felt like home to me. I want to do more of it. Here for your memoir btw!
Belated congratulations on starting your memoir!!!
I was a re-reader as a teenager and haven't done it since then — largely because there are sooo many new books I want to read — but recently, I've been playing around with the idea of re-reading the same book every year for exactly the reasons you mentioned: benchmarking, using it as a tool to better understand myself, and of course, enjoying the comfort of familiar characters and plot.