When I started reading again for fun, I didn’t think about including books I read before would be as fulfilling. Boy was I wrong. Adding books that I’ve read before helped me complete numerous reading challenges in 2020. I ended up re-reading seven books in 2020, and in 2021 I’m planning to re-read several books I’ve read before. Here are some of the benefits of re-reading books you’ve enjoyed reading previously.
Interpretation of books change over time
One of my favorite books I re-read from 2020 was My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix. The book had a greater impact on me the second time I read it, maybe because I wasn’t caught as off-guard by some of the graphic details as to when I read it the first time. It was still enjoyable to re-read it, and it made me think about the book differently than when I read it the first time. As you grow older, your opinions change, and naturally, it makes sense for your opinions and interpretations of a book to change after you’ve already read it.
Comfort in reading something over again
One of my favorite books to re-read is the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling*. When I recently re-read the series, I decided to switch the format of how I read them in two ways: 1) listen to the audiobook versions of the books and 2) pause and listen to the relevant episodes from the podcast Potterless to go through the series with the host, Mike Schubes. Just like watching your favorite tv show, there’s a special comfort in re-reading something you enjoy. If you can re-watch a movie or a tv show, it makes sense to re-read a book, so don’t be afraid to re-read a book!
Catch details you might have missed the first time
I re-read “Sounds Like Me” by Sara Bareilles for the second time last year. Even though I read the book before, I was starting to remember details about the book that I forgot about, like how she attended UCLA and majored in Communications, like I did when I was an undergrad student. In addition, I remembered other information that I missed out on from last time that I’m glad I noticed this time reading it.
As mentioned before, there’s a certain comfort in reading something you’ve read before. While I’m glad I’m reading more books and expanding my reading choices, I’m also glad I can still read some of the same books I love. Check out what books I’m planning to re-read in 2021:
Holes by Louis Sacher
The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jacke Thorne
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
No Exit by Taylor Adams
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
G’Morning G’Night: Little Pep Talks for You and Me by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Johnny Sun
Driving Miss Norma by Tim Bauerschmidt
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia
Are you planning to re-read any books in 2021? Let me know below!
*I do not support the transphobic statements made by the author of the Harry Potter series.
Harry Potter will forever be a fav! I rewatch the series almost every year and I listened to the audiobooks not too long ago too. You’re totally right, our perception of books changes over time. Great post!
I loved the entire Harry Potter series: so many intricate details along the way! I love your idea of rereading them now and listening to the podcasts for extra insight.
That is a fantastic list. My 9-year-old finally agreed to start reading Harry Potter with me, so we are currently on The Sorcerer’s Stone. I reread Holes with him recently. And audio books are a great way to reread a book.
Really enjoyed this post! You’ve inspired me to re-read books x
I’ve definitely had the experience of having a completely different perspective the second time around on a book and gleaning new info I didn’t think about before.
I love the idea of re-reading books for comfort! I never really considered it before. I have listened to the first few episodes of Potterless but I love the idea of reading and then listening to deeper analyse the book – will definitely be doing 🙂 xx