This week, I’m once again joining in with Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer‘s book blogger hop, where they post a question which you and other bloggers answer, hopping from blog to blog to see people’s answers. This week, the question is…
How many books have you re-read? If you have re-read books, please tell us the book’s title and why you re-read it.
Because I am not the best at tracking books I read (my Goodreads is soooo far behind I don’t know why I bother sometimes), I couldn’t honestly answer this question. I have no idea how many books I’ve re-read over the years. However, I would say that – once I was into the realm of “grown-up” books – very few.
As a child I re-read books a lot (the Famous Five I knew by heart – all 21 of them). As an adult, I think my thought process has been so many books, so little time – time better spent reading something new rather than reading something I already know the ending of.
Saying that, I do occasionally revisit a book, maybe because it’s an old favourite or because an anniversary has left me wondering if it has stood the test of time. Other reasons might be someone mentioning it and me realising I don’t remember a thing about it or that I’m reading a prequel, sequel, or another book in the series and need to remember what else has happened.
Since starting my blog (almost three years ago I realise), I have re-read six books, all of which I’ve reviewed here and all of which, I am pleased to say have stood the test of time and were just as enjoyable the second time around. If you are interested in what they were and what they thought you can read more here:
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell
The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingslover
What about you? Do you re-read books – a lot, a little, or not at all?
Emma
One Readers Thoughts 
I used to re-read a lot when I was a kid….Little Women being one of those I revisited a few times. Even Gone with the Wind, as hefty as it was, I read at least twice more.
Since blogging, I’ve re-read some for challenges, like the Louisa May Alcott books; Alice in Wonderland; and The Handmaid’s Tale.
I hang onto some of my favorites just in case I’ll get a chance to re-read them. I have re-read Beth Gutcheon’s Domestic Pleasures and Still Missing.
Thanks for a great post!
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I have a couple of favourites I didn’t think of till just reading your comment that I have re-read a lot (like Dracula) and did re-read much more as a kid, books I feel I lived in.
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I reread a lot more in pre-blogging days and my rereading is typically for revisiting characters though I have done a reread to see how books stand the test of time. I need to reread A is for Alibli. It’s probably been 20 years since I read it and I’ve been wanting to revisit the series!
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Blogging does change the way you read doesn’t it, even if you try not to. Though I don’t think I would re-read more or less, there are some books I may not have finished before.
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I actually re-read a lot, but I understand what you mean about having so many books you want to read.
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Maybe when I manage to live the dream of not working I will reread more 😀
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Ahh I wish I can re-read my favorite books but sadly I can’t now, because I want to read my books that I have on my long tbr pile which is still growing everyday first, including the books I have to read for blog tours. Have a great weekend and happy blog hopping
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There is a bit of a them with comments here about blogging and TBR piles already toppling over. It’s no wonder we don’t have time to re-read favourites.
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I have tried to read Margaret SO MANY times! I’m getting frustrated with myself because I think it is me! I did not know the woman in black was a book! I’ll check it out!
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I think she is an author you either love or don’t (I won’t say hate because it isn’t that). I personally can’t ever get enough. If you like spooky, old-fashioned ghost stories you should check out The Woman in Black. It is spine tingling,
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Since I started blogging I’ve re-read very little but I used to have favourites that I’d revisit including Ruth Rendell, Margaret Forster and Kate Morton.
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I think that’s a downside of blogging – looking for new content and reviews…plus those blasted ARCs!
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Wonderful reasoning for re-reading.
I definitely know I re-read books when I was younger. I don’t re-read now as an adult.
Have a great weekend, and Happy Hopping!!
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Blog Hop Answer
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Thank you, I wonder if we are missing our inner child by not re-reading more?
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LOL…perhaps. 🙂
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I don’t reread very often as I have to many books I haven’t read. Out of yours I have read A is for Alibi, I really need to read B and continue the series. 🙂
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I know the feeling. Every now and then though it’s nice to do. I will go back to B at some point as I did enjoy re-reading A. It was like meeting and old friend again.
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I reread a lot as a kid, but it’s harder these days. I think it’s because I have so much more access to books than I did before. Great post!
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Me too. I think as a kid, you fall into the worlds you find in books a bit more maybe?
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Very true! Rereading favourite books was like going to spend time with your best friends.
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I like to reread prior books in a series if I can’t remember what the series was about or if I just need a refresher. I used to love rereading . . . visit my “old friends.” I don’t have as much time to reread now. So many books to read.
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I can see doing that. I did that with the Maddaddam series as I just couldn’t remember the first book.
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I wish I could reread more than I do, but new books always seem to keep me busy!
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I don’t know if I would re-read more…maybe those I remember fondly but you are right, too many new books, and those I haven’t read but need to.
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The cover for The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is brilliant! I think my main reason for re-reading is comfort because favorite books are familiar and comfortable.
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Isn’t it. There is something comfortable about re-reading books. Interestingly I didn’t include .Dracula in here, which I read every year…I didn’t think of it as a re-read as its part of my make up.
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It’s always nice when you re-read a book and like it just as much the first time, isn’t it? I don’t re-read many books, but have been considering re-visiting a number of childhood favorites with my daughter. Will I like them just the same? Will I hate them? Of those I have re-read, I have enjoyed the experience. Someday I would like to spend more time re-reading old favorites. But now I feel like there are too many books I haven’t yet read. I want to experience those first. I kind of have that “I want to read all the books” mentality, which, of course, is impossible. LOL
I hope you have a great week!
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I have started reading those childhood books with my daughter. We just finished Charlie and The Chocolate factory – still great – but not so sure about The Famous Five…she’s loving them though. I have your mentality too – too many books, too little time.
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