Lois’s answer to “Hi, Lois! I just wanted to reach out to thank you so much for your amazing books. I read Curse of C…” > Likes and Comments
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The books sure do stand up to rereading. Mind you, I habitually reread books that I like, and it's rare in my experience for a book not to "stand up to rereading". If I originally liked it enough to want to reread it, but then find myself disappointed by it, I suppose that means that my taste in fiction has changed significantly—which says more about me than it does about the book.
I don't tend to reread books unless I need something familiar and comforting, like books I loved in childhood. The Penric novels are some of the few books I've found in adulthood that hit that spot.
I re-read my favourite books fairly regularly. Some are comfort reads, but some give different gifts when I am at different parts of my life - I'll resonate with a different character, see a new connection, or come to a different idea or interpretation, etc. I've only known the Vorkosigan books for about 9 months, but there is just so much in them. I'm certain I'll be re-reading for years! I haven't started with the 5 Gods or Sharing Knife series, or with The Spirit Ring. It's exciting to have undiscovered territory ahead.
The first time you read a story, the characters are strangers, and you get to know them only gradually. When you reread the story, the characters are people you already know, so you can understand them better, and you can see the story in a different light. Any major surprises in the story aren't surprises any more, but as a frequent rereader I don't particularly value surprise.
Johnathan, what a great way to explain it! There's an excitement of meeting new characters and getting to know them, but to me it's even more rewarding to spend more time with them, to learn more about their philosophies and motivations, etc. That is, for the kind of books that are rich enough to re-read regularly.
I frequently re-read a book, sometimes right after I have finished it. If it was a book I was waiting for (like all of Lois's) I gobble it up quickly. Because I race through it, I miss a lot. Re-reading allows me to absorb the subtle stuff and get the full flavor. Some books I re-read dozens of times - Like Paladin of Souls.
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Jonathan
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May 07, 2022 02:00AM
The books sure do stand up to rereading. Mind you, I habitually reread books that I like, and it's rare in my experience for a book not to "stand up to rereading". If I originally liked it enough to want to reread it, but then find myself disappointed by it, I suppose that means that my taste in fiction has changed significantly—which says more about me than it does about the book.
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I don't tend to reread books unless I need something familiar and comforting, like books I loved in childhood. The Penric novels are some of the few books I've found in adulthood that hit that spot.
I re-read my favourite books fairly regularly. Some are comfort reads, but some give different gifts when I am at different parts of my life - I'll resonate with a different character, see a new connection, or come to a different idea or interpretation, etc. I've only known the Vorkosigan books for about 9 months, but there is just so much in them. I'm certain I'll be re-reading for years! I haven't started with the 5 Gods or Sharing Knife series, or with The Spirit Ring. It's exciting to have undiscovered territory ahead.
The first time you read a story, the characters are strangers, and you get to know them only gradually. When you reread the story, the characters are people you already know, so you can understand them better, and you can see the story in a different light. Any major surprises in the story aren't surprises any more, but as a frequent rereader I don't particularly value surprise.
Johnathan, what a great way to explain it! There's an excitement of meeting new characters and getting to know them, but to me it's even more rewarding to spend more time with them, to learn more about their philosophies and motivations, etc. That is, for the kind of books that are rich enough to re-read regularly.
I frequently re-read a book, sometimes right after I have finished it. If it was a book I was waiting for (like all of Lois's) I gobble it up quickly. Because I race through it, I miss a lot. Re-reading allows me to absorb the subtle stuff and get the full flavor. Some books I re-read dozens of times - Like Paladin of Souls.
