Reading & Rambling discussion

Do you enjoy rereading books, or do you prefer to always pick something new? If you do reread, what makes a book worthy of returning to? And if you don't, what keeps you from revisiting a book you really liked.

I often pick up a new book, but enjoy rereading books every now and again. There's quite a few reasons for this. Usually if it's a book that's a part of a series, I'll reread it to have a fresh memory of everything that happened before moving on to the next. If it's an educational book, I'll reread it to reteach myself. I read a lot of religious books so sometimes I'll go back and reread some because I don't always understand it the first time, and at different times of my life it's what I need. Sometimes, I'll reread a book because it brings nostalgia or holds a special place in my heart. Other times, I'll reread it just because I loved it.

I'm not a re-reader; there's just too many new books I wanna read to convince myself to go back to one I've already finished. However, there is one book I've re-read a number of times, and that's Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. I've re-read it after I had been in a reading slump and needed something to jumpstart my reading habits back into motion. It's a quick, high-action read written in Palahniuk's sickly sardonic style. Since I've re-read it so many times, I can knock it out in an afternoon then move on to something new.

But recently, I have wanted to re-read some of the novels that greatly influenced me growing up. I want to see if they hold up and what adult me can glean from them that kid me was too inexperienced to pick up on. Additionally, I do want to read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn again, then read James immediately afterwards. James is a rewrite of Huckleberry Finn from James' perspective. I've heard it's stellar. And though I'm sure many who had to read Huck Finn in high school disagree, it's one of my favorite required reading books of all time.

There are about five books calling my name right now, begging for me to reread them, which should tell you my answer to this. I always reread books. Whenever a book completely draws me in and makes me forget that I'm actually reading words on paper, I always find myself going back to them time and time again. My TBR list is long, and there are so many books I want to read, but I can't stop myself from revisiting my favorite ones. I actually just finished rereading one a week ago even though I read it in January 😅.

James is amazing! One of the best books I've read this year and that's coming from someone who was not a fan of Huckleberry Finn. It's actually one I've been wanting to reread. Just so much to it. One of those books where you could read it several times and still pick out new bits and pieces to admire. I had a book club discussion about it with some friends and it was one of the most passionate, fulfilling conversations I've had about a book in my life.

Circe is another I've been wanting to reread. Just so many good books and so little time!

Stephen wrote: "James is amazing! One of the best books I've read this year and that's coming from someone who was not a fan of Huckleberry Finn. It's actually one I've been wanting to reread. Just so much to it. ..."

I am so ready to have the religious experience of breaking my being on James, and recreating myself in the wake of its emotional devastation. I've also had my eye on Circe, so might as well add that to the ever-growing-never-shrinking TBR list.