Re-reading?

Which book?
How many times have you reread it?
How come you reread it?
How has it changed each additional rereading?
And any other thoughts on rereading books?

 

Generally, I don't like to re-read books as I sometimes find them a letdown, or that they have less impact the second time round. There are some exceptions and almost always tend to be books that have made me think.

I think one of the books that I have re-read the most is Steppenwolf by Hesse. I love it and I definitely didn't get it all on the first time round, or even the second. In fact, I found it quite difficult to read the first time round. I would read a couple of pages and then have to put it down so I could mull it over and digest it. I geerally read quite quickly but I needed and wanted to tale my time with this. I love to let myself fantasise about my own magic theatre.

Another book that I have re-read is Catch-22. Anybody who has read it will probably know why. The twisted logic and unbelievable attention to detail of the author are really worth savouring.

 

Poetry books.

Hundreds of times.

 

I am big re-reader, I often find something different with each reading...as my experiences filter my perceptions, the stories change too. Sometimes I re-read just a part hoping another part may be different (like Roots, I LOVE the first part where he is growing up at home in Africa, but after Kunta is captured I don't finish it every time because it makes me so sad) Other times, characters that have done something that pissed me off on the first read, later readings make their actions make more sense.

 

A couple of Kerouacs, a Nabokov or two, some Steinbeck, and "Crime and Punishment" in a couple of languages.

 

I've read Black Beauty at least three times, probably more. When I was a kid it was my all time favorite book, but I hadn't read it again for a good ten years until last week. Enjoyed it just as much as I ever did.
Also, Dance with the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon is the shit. I've read it 2 or 3 times. And all the other books in the Dark-hunter series I've read twice, and intend to read again.

 

laurell k hamiltons anita blake series... msutve read the first 7 books over a dozen times by now. i often reread the whole series when a new one comes out, or at hte least revisit the last 2-6 novels. i like her writing though, for all that its, um, well it went through a slump lets just say

 

I have read Black Beauty, Gone With the Wind, Borchardt's Wolf King series, and many, many more that are just too numerous to list. I like to re-read because I have a tendency to read the first time through quickly and can miss little details that I will pick up on later re-reads.

 

I constantly reread books. I read White Oleander, Stick Figure, Go Ask Alice, Heroine A-Z, Million Little Pieces..

I could go on to tell you every book in my collection. I love to reread things after I've read them. It makes me pick up on subtlties that I may have missed the first time around. Or, I just really enjoy the story.

 

I've never read a book twice. I do want to read On The Road again soon, though.

 

I definately have a tendency to reread Kerouac. Usually "Dharma Bums", "Big Sur", and "Mexico City Blues". Also some Ed Abbey, Usually "A Fools Progress"

 

I've reread each Harry Potter book multiple times.
When new ones came out I had to "refresh."

I am such a nerd.

 

I've reread The Picture of Dorian Gray many times ... too many to remember.
I never find myself disappointed or less affected at the end; it's my favorite book in the world.

 

I've been rereading a lot of books lately. The Picture of Dorian Gray and Slaughterhouse 5 right now, just finished reading a serial killer book and On The Road.

 

I've read "She's come undone" by wally lamb, close to 7 times I think, I have re-read "the lovely bones" a couple times, and I think I mite just re-read "gone with the wind" this summer.

 

By Jean Auel: Clan of the Cave Bear (probably 3 times its my least favorite in the series) Valley of Horses, Mammoth Hunters, Plains of Passage, Shelters of Stone 4+ times each

Jacqueline Carey: Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen, Kushiel's Avatar, Kushiel's Scion Ive all read 5+ times.

Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series I've read through twice.

and the Harry Potter books 2+ times.

I read and retain books like movies, so its fun to reread just like watching a favorite movie. Books are awesome! when i failed classes in school, my mom took away the traditional things, phone, computer, tv; and when that didn't work she forbid me from reading. took EVERY book away and wouldn't let me read the books I had been waiting for to come out. my grades shot right up!

 

LOTR Silmarilion, etc. many many times.
History of the English Speaking Peoples 2-3 times
Massie's Adams and Truman biographies
other history or popular science books (e.g. Lucy, Gould's collected essays, History of the Universe) a few times.
Shirer's history of WWII

Each time I read them I get a bit more and begin to see the connections between the facts. (Burke's Connections is another re-reader)

I'll re-read lighter books (Heinlein, Auel, Asimov) for fun. "I'm bored, I'll re-read that Callahan book, those were fun stories"

 

I have read,"The lord of the rings", many times. It was long ago. I hav'nt re-read anything lately. I figure there is so much out there to read that I want to vary as much as I can what I read.

 

I always re read books. I love that everytime I read it I pick up more things about it. But I usually wait 2 years until I re read it.
I just finished reading Christine by Stephen King for the 3rd time, it's pretty much my favourite book.
And Andy Warhols autobiography (The Philosophy of Andy Warhol) so many times. But I didn't wait 2 years before re-reading that one :S

Most of my favourite books I've read heaps of times

peace
Jane

 

I am an almost Never re-reader.
Rare exceptions are Dean Koonz, Stephen King - and I'll re-read his wife, Tabitha King's "Candles Burning".
Koonz makes me feel uplifted - as does some of/most of King's work.
Books involving animals - Koonz - "Watchers" for ex. is probably my fav.
The Bible I re-read parts, refer to Often.
Any other reread is a book given to me by someone special - and usually humorous or semtimental.:cheers2: and tears. (good tears)
I have a feeling I'll re-read Anne Rice's Mayfair witch/Taltos series - which is absolutely Wonderful and transporting - if that makes sense.

I plan to start a new Koonz book - "The Darkest Evening of the Year" - and had been thinking about others of his. Inspired words, I'd say....and came upon this thread as I surfed this site. Couldn't resist responding.