Lois’s answer to “Lately, I find myself rereading old favorites like all your books versus making it through anything…” > Likes and Comments
36 likes · Like
There's also the world in which the story is set, which may have an attraction in its own right.
I am a re-reader, one of my sayings is that if a book isn't worth reading (at least) twice, then it probably isn't worth reading once. Several things I can think of that drive this. One is that on first reading a book/story I tend to rush to find out what happens, so on the second reading I can concentrate on details of how the story is constructed, and more. Also, excellent use of language is another reason to re-read. In mysteries (which can include at least some of Penric's adventures) on re-reads I like to look for clues that had been carefully planted by the author that I missed when I didn't know the ending.
Then there is listening to a good audiobook version, which can add a whole different view of a story.
Oooooh! More Penric! <3 I have 8 of the individual hardcovers, so far! Such pretty covers!!!!
From discussions with friends and family seems like one either is a rereader or one isn’t and neither type understands the other!! I agree with Lois that, for the most part, it is the characters that make me want to reread a book.
As for the second part, oooh, a Christmas present!!
Oh, hooray! What good news!
I tend to go through seasons where I reread one or two series over and over. I think it's whatever gives me the emotions I'm looking for at the time, maybe? In high school it was Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time, and the Belgariad. This decade it's Bujold (both Vorkosiverse and World of the Five Gods), Murderbot, and maybe some urban fantasy. Of course reading to my kids means I still reread all the old favorites every few years.
I reread Lois' works more than any others. It is her characters! I wish they were MY friends, and I want to visit them over and over!
What great comments! They really resonated with my thoughts on the topic and gave me some new things to think about.
I'm on board with both the fact that many people are re-readers and many simply are not. I'm also on with the idea that it's characters and character driven plot that bring me back. I've re-read Lois' books many times (currently using Komarr/ACC as a salve after a rough few weeks) and find that I also have gravitated here over time. Ironically, I find going back to my "old favorites" from youth, my 20's, 30's, etc. has left me very appreciative of the amazing writing in Lois' works rather than lessening it. The Vorkosiverse and WoFG have come to be a balm to my life after the last couple of years of trials and tribulations. I literally can't overstate that. Thank you so much!
Adding to prior comments, I just like hanging out with my friends, no pressure because I already know how the plot turns out. So rereading is virus-free socialization, a comfort always, but especially lately, with all the looming societal conflicts, I indulge myself with fictional solutions, and hope for future real ones.
Characters, yes, but also scenes. Think about the many video clips of favourite scenes that you can find on Youtube. People like to rewatch favourite scenes; and I like to reread favourite scenes. Although, if I dip into a book to reread a favourite scene, I often end up rereading the whole book—sometimes in the wrong order.
I remember my mother telling me that her parents would walk into a cinema in the middle of a film, watch it to the end, watch it start again, then walk out when it came to the point at which they walked in. I sometimes do the same kind of thing when rereading books.
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
There's also the world in which the story is set, which may have an attraction in its own right.
I am a re-reader, one of my sayings is that if a book isn't worth reading (at least) twice, then it probably isn't worth reading once. Several things I can think of that drive this. One is that on first reading a book/story I tend to rush to find out what happens, so on the second reading I can concentrate on details of how the story is constructed, and more. Also, excellent use of language is another reason to re-read. In mysteries (which can include at least some of Penric's adventures) on re-reads I like to look for clues that had been carefully planted by the author that I missed when I didn't know the ending.Then there is listening to a good audiobook version, which can add a whole different view of a story.
Oooooh! More Penric! <3 I have 8 of the individual hardcovers, so far! Such pretty covers!!!!
From discussions with friends and family seems like one either is a rereader or one isn’t and neither type understands the other!! I agree with Lois that, for the most part, it is the characters that make me want to reread a book. As for the second part, oooh, a Christmas present!!
Oh, hooray! What good news! I tend to go through seasons where I reread one or two series over and over. I think it's whatever gives me the emotions I'm looking for at the time, maybe? In high school it was Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time, and the Belgariad. This decade it's Bujold (both Vorkosiverse and World of the Five Gods), Murderbot, and maybe some urban fantasy. Of course reading to my kids means I still reread all the old favorites every few years.
I reread Lois' works more than any others. It is her characters! I wish they were MY friends, and I want to visit them over and over!
What great comments! They really resonated with my thoughts on the topic and gave me some new things to think about.
I'm on board with both the fact that many people are re-readers and many simply are not. I'm also on with the idea that it's characters and character driven plot that bring me back. I've re-read Lois' books many times (currently using Komarr/ACC as a salve after a rough few weeks) and find that I also have gravitated here over time. Ironically, I find going back to my "old favorites" from youth, my 20's, 30's, etc. has left me very appreciative of the amazing writing in Lois' works rather than lessening it. The Vorkosiverse and WoFG have come to be a balm to my life after the last couple of years of trials and tribulations. I literally can't overstate that. Thank you so much!
Adding to prior comments, I just like hanging out with my friends, no pressure because I already know how the plot turns out. So rereading is virus-free socialization, a comfort always, but especially lately, with all the looming societal conflicts, I indulge myself with fictional solutions, and hope for future real ones.
Characters, yes, but also scenes. Think about the many video clips of favourite scenes that you can find on Youtube. People like to rewatch favourite scenes; and I like to reread favourite scenes. Although, if I dip into a book to reread a favourite scene, I often end up rereading the whole book—sometimes in the wrong order.I remember my mother telling me that her parents would walk into a cinema in the middle of a film, watch it to the end, watch it start again, then walk out when it came to the point at which they walked in. I sometimes do the same kind of thing when rereading books.
If I like a novel/novella/whatever, I reread it. If I don't reread it, it probably wasn't worth buying. What specifically impels me to reread a book is probably the memory of one or more scenes that I want to experience again. Good characters, writing style, and plot are all attractive, but when I think of a book I tend to think of funny, striking, or emotional scenes. In the case of a film, you can usually find such scenes as short videos on Youtube, because people are fond of them.