1. As much as I love reading new books and new-to-me books, I LOVE rereading books! I do. It is comforting, yes. And satisfying. You might think a book--even a GREAT book--wouldn't be as engaging the second (third, fourth, or even fifth) time around, but I haven't found that to be the case. I think I got more out of North and South the second time around because the characters were already my friends. Because I connected sooner, I was able to notice all the little things that made the story work well.
2. Rereading books is a great way to assess myself as a reader. Is the book that I loved, loved, loved three years ago really that great? Or did I forget about it three months later? There's no way for me to know if it was infatuation or true love if I never revisit the book. A great book only benefits from a rereading.
3. One bad book can change (forever) how you feel about a series.
4. I never read just one book at a time. I am almost always reading three to five books.
5. I could never commit to reading just one genre.
7. I visit my library regularly.
8. I love reading classics. I especially love bearded Victorians!
9. I never listen to an audio book unless I've read the book. Richard Armitage reading Georgette Heyer makes me giddy!
10. I would rather love a book or hate a book than be left feeling completely indifferent. Because how can you review a book when you feel absolutely nothing?!
© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
Rereading, yes. There's several that I've read over and over, the winner being Lord of the Rings. Now starting it again is like falling back against a feather pillow. You got me at "When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy first..." - that's what I'd say to JRR Tolkien.
ReplyDeleteI'm always sad to hear my elementary students say they can't read a book again because they already did. Many times it's the parents who tell them that at home. Re-reading builds fluency and reinforces the pleasure of reading; they should be lining up to reread books. And, like you said, you get different things at different times of your life. Read Winnie-the-Pooh again; it's a totally different story from what you remember from being read to you as a child.
The one and only book I haven't found to get better with rereading is Emma. She is such a snob I just feel like slapping her and the impulse gets stronger and stronger each time. I guess that makes it better in a backhanded way, that Jane Austen wrote a character that inspires feelings that intensify with each rereading.
I only reread books if I loved them. Or I'm being forced to read them for class or something. I mean, I only have the urge to reread something if it left a mark on me, which in my mind is what makes a good book. And you do get alot out of a reread, especially craft wise. I can actually pay attention to the structure, since I already know the characters.
ReplyDeleteHmm, don't know about one bad book forever changing my opinion about a series. A bad song by an artist doesn't make me not like them, just not that song. I find it's very similar for books too.
Bad book covers...that's a great one! They can be so fun to look at. Especially when they come with a cheesy title as well.
ReplyDeleteI like to re-read. My collection of Tintin and Asterix have been re-read hundreds of times, I think!
ReplyDeleteHere is my Sunday Salon/Weekly Geeks post!
Definite yes to re-reading. (Gautami- yes and yes for Asterix and Tintin!)
ReplyDeleteOne bad book in a series: can definitely taint the series for me, 'though I tend to just skip that one in re-reading favorites.
Oh, Becky...Richard Armitage and Georgette Heyer?!! SWOON! I think I have some purchasing to do.
I always read 3 to 5 books at once too. I think I would get bored with just one. I agree about wanting to either love or hate a book. The ones that are average never stick with me.
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