It’s common practice among readers to reread books, every now and then. Some people even make it a tradition to revisit their favorite books every year. I love that idea, so much and yet. To be completely transparent, I haven’t reread a book in YEARS…. since before I started blogging, I think. Or maybe a little after.
Today, I wanted to talk with you all about rereading books. Why I haven’t done it in so long, why I probably should and so on. Let’s get started for this first discussion post of 2023, shall we? 🤗
Why I haven’t re-read books in YEARS (aerm)
Re-reading scares me
I’ll admit it: I’m really scared of rereading a book I fell in love with, for many reasons.
First of all: I’m scared for the magic to be gone. You know, that moment when you’re mesmerised by the words, gasping at the plot twists, slowly falling head over heels for these characters. I’m afraid I won’t find these feelings, anymore…. that would make me so, so sad.
Fine: I know I won’t. I know things will be different, obviously. Even if it’s been years since I first read a book, I’ll most likely remember that big plot twist that had me shouting at the sky. Isn’t part of the reason why it was so good in the first place, the element of surprise?
Second of all: I believe that, sometimes, a book finds us exactly at the right time. Revisiting it later might not have the same kind of impact.
I started book blogging
Book blogging is extraordinary, really.
The book community is so kind and wonderful and, the best thing of it all is obviously the endless book recommendations I’m getting. I’m literally drowning in books, my virtual TBR has never been so big, I’m anticipating SO many new releases, as well.
I’m not the kind of person that can read over 100 books a year, so I have to pick my battles. Since I started book blogging, I found out about SO many books to read. They all sound AMAZING and they’re all new discoveries. New books to fall for, for the very first time.
So… these past few years, I turned to books I’ve never read before, over books I already know.
Why I want to reread books more
I have such fond memories of some books
There’s a reason they’re on my favorites’ list.
These stories fascinated me, these characters broke my heart, these twists made my mind explode into thousand little pieces. These are the books that made me chat with some people for the first time, these are stories we bonded over.
There are books I have read YEARS ago and still can’t get out of my head. I still feel emotional over them. So, yeah. I’m scared to reread them and not feel emotional (that’d be very sad, indeed), but I also am curious to revisit them, someday. As a different person.
Hopefully, I’ll fall for them, all over again.
I want to see if I’d be surprised, or not
Knowing the plot twist might make the read a little less fun, but it also makes you see things in a completely different way. Like: will I see all the foreshadowing the author artfully packed into the previous chapters, or not? Will I be able to still be surprised, will I see the little details of it all clearer?
Rereading books might make the experience even richer, allowing me to focus even more on the details I missed, before.
I want to find my love of reading, again
I haven’t lost my love of reading. That being said, sometimes I feel like my passion isn’t as alive as it used to be. Like I’m reading by habit, not because I have this compulsive need to get back to this story and these characters.
I still enjoy reading, very much, but some particular books gave me this AMAZED feeling. This feeling that reading is such an extraodinary adventure. Fine, you’re staring at words on a page and wildly hallucinating, but isn’t that hallucination THE BEST?!
I want this feeling, the one that feels like falling in love again.
Books I want to reread someday
YA Contemporary 🌷
GIRL OUT OF WATER, Laura Silverman ☂️ This book was one of my favorite reads… a couple of years ago. I just loved the characters, the themes, it’s one of the first stories I feel for thanks to blogging. I’d love to see how I love it now.
My review 💧 Find on Goodreads 💧 Buy on Blackwell’s
OUR YEAR OF MAYBE, Rachel Lynn Solomon ☂️ This story broke me and it’s just, a book I wish I could have written. It has everything I adore, complex relationships, so many emotions and ugh. I don’t know if I’d ever be ready to relive these emotions!
My review 💧 Find on Goodreads 💧 Buy on Blackwell’s
NOTHING LEFT TO BURN, Heather Ezell ☂️ An absolutely excellent and cruelly underrated YA contemporary read set over the course of 24 hours. I remember it being so thrilling, unforgettable and excellently dealing with toxic relationships.
My review 💧 Find on Goodreads 💧 Buy on Blackwell’s
YA Fantasy/Sci-fi/Dystopia 💫
CRIER’S WAR, Nina Varela ☂️ It took me a long, long time to read this hyped book. I regret not reading it sooner because I was OBSESSED. I wonder if I’d still be as obsessed with it years later!
My review 💧 Find on Goodreads 💧 Buy on Blackwell’s
THE ONES WE’RE MEANT TO FIND, Joan He ☂️ This book, oh, the twists, the turns, the emotions, the tears. One of my favorite reads of all times I really want to reread someday.
My review 💧 Find on Goodreads 💧 Buy on Blackwell’s
DELIRIUM, Lauren Oliver ☂️ This was one of my favorite reads when I was younger and I actually reread it a long time ago. I’d LOVE to reread it again.
Find on Goodreads 💧 Buy on Blackwell’s
Adult 🌺
THE ROUGHEST DRAFT, Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka ☂️ I’m a huge Wibbroka fan and their adult debut had my heart.
My review 💧 Find on Goodreads 💧 Buy on Blackwell’s
THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO, Taylor Jenkins Reid ☂️ THE hyped book in the bookish community. I caved, read it, cried, adored it. I definitely want to revisit it, but am terrified of my own expectations.
My review 💧 Find on Goodreads 💧 Buy on Blackwell’s
YOU AND ME ON VACATION, Emily Henry ☂️ So, I read this one in late 2022 and already know I’d like to reread it someday. It’s friends to lovers excellence okay.
My review 💧 Find on Goodreads 💧 Buy on Blackwell’s
For more book discussions, check out these blog posts:
- Why I don’t Do the Goodreads Challenge
- How I Find Good Book Recommendations (And What Really Influences Me)
- 5 Ways Book Blogging Has Affected My Reading (And Is It For The Best?)
📌 Pin Rereading books: yes or no? on Pinterest!
Do you reread books often? Why, or why not?
Do you have a book you often reread, or would like to revisit again sometime? I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts in comments!!
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I used to reread books all the time, but like you, since starting up blogging I just don’t have the time anymore! There’s just too many new books out there for me! There are favorites, though, that I definitely want to pick up again soon. There’s just something so comfortable about getting back into a familiar book.
Ah I’m so glad I’m not alone! There are just way too many books on my TBR, now, so many new ones to discover. Yet, I hope I can pick up some of my old favorite books again. Let’s hope we both do that!
Thank you so much for stopping by! 🥺
Your first comment is a major reason I don’t reread. I don’t want to mess with the way I remember something (when remembered fondly). I rewatched this movie that I thought was so scary when I was a kid, and it was a disappointment the second time around. The years and life experience will alter how things are received. I also don’t reread because I there are too many books I want to read out there.
I completely get that! It’s the main reason I’m afraid of rereading. I just don’t want to lose my love for a story, this way!
I like to re-listen instead of re-read. It gives the book an entirely different feel and makes things seem almost new again. I don’t do it with every book or author though. Only specific ones.
Ooooh that’s so interesting! I may have to try that. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Up until this year, I would always check out books from the library first and then if I thought I would want to reread it, then I would buy a copy of it. However lately I’ve been buying books hoping that I’ll enjoy them. Not every book of course but a decent amount I’m confident about! That being said, I used to reread books a lot but lately the last couple of years I haven’t because like you said, there is so many books out there I haven’t read yet!! It’s such a struggle!
Ah it’s so great that you have a great library like that, a great way to find new favorite reads without spending all the money for sure! I get that, though. There are just SO many books I want to read, I find it hard to know whether to prioritize the new, shiny books or the books I already loved. Maybe we’ll find the right balance someday! <3
There are few books I want or like to reread (alonement, all the Stephanie Plum…) Usually I think I don’t have time to reread, I want to give all the books a chance!!
Yees I get that and agree! I want to give so many books a chance, there are so many new stories to discover! 🥺
This was so fun to read! Because I feel exactly the same about rereading books and I rarely see people agree with me. I always say I don’t want to taint my first reading experience so I really rarely reread. The only books I reread are ones that just hold a lot of nostalgia like the Harry Potter books. But you make an interesting point of having a new perspective when rereading books, like noticing foreshadowing and falling for characters all over again. Great post! 😊
Oh thank you, so happy you enjoyed this! 🙂 I’m so glad you could relate to this, as well. I’m really curious to re-read books and see how I feel about them, if I can guess certain things, or not, but then again… I hope it won’t ruin the experience for me. Let’s hope not! 🙂
I completely get you on rereading! I wish I had more time to spend time rereading while also reading other books, you know? I recently started rereading books on audio and it’s been fun and definitely a new way to experience a favourite! Good luck to rereading! 😊💜
Yeees exactly! I’d love to be able to reread AND read new books, as well, but.. so little time! I should try listening to my favorite books, it sounds like such a fun way to experience it again, you’re right. Thanks for the lovely idea!! 🥰
I hope you enjoy listening to audiobooks and that it works for you! 😊
I hope so too!! 🙂
I would love to reread Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice someday. I have once reread a book. The reason was because my kindle completely died right in a middle of a book. When I got a new kindle, I couldn’t remember where I left off and so I had to reread most of the book. I might be rereading another book soon because I don’t remember reading it.
Oh NO! That must have been awful, your kindle dying like that in the middle of the book – hopefully that won’t happen again! I hope you’ll get to reread all the books you want to! 🙂
I personally love to reread books although I have to be careful not to do it too soon after the initial read or I WILL remember the plot twists. But they’re like a comfortable pair of jeans, I know what I’m gonna get. Especially if I’ve been in a reading slump or hit too many meh books in a row. So they’re a tool I definitely fall back on, just not too frequently.
Ahhh yes I get that! It feels nice to get back into a comfortable, perfect pair of jeans after all 🙂 I definitely want to try and reread more, this year. Thank you so much for your comment!! <3
Ooh this is a really interesting take on rereading! For some reason, I can rewatch certain shows over and over again (Gilmore Girls I’m looking at you) but I rarely reread books. I totally agree that it feels like the magic from the first read is lost when you read it again—some things are better left in memories. Occasionally, I’ll reread one of the Anne of Green Gables books for comfort. I think it would be interesting to reread more, but as you said, there are so many books sitting on my TBR already 🙈
Okay but we’re TWINS, I’m the same way, I ALWAYS rewatch tv shows (and YES Gilmore Girls, always 😍), but for some reason, I can’t do that with books. Maybe I just have more new books on my TBR than new shows on my to-watch list? I don’t really know the real reason ahah, but I’m SO happy I’m not the only one! 🥰
I am definitely a rereader! I reread books dry often and I love doing it, for me I guess it is finding that one world or some characters who end up holding a really special place in my heart and being able to return to those places and/or people becomes a source of constant comfort for me personally.
I completely understand the fear of missing out on reading new books because of rereads but what I have found is that (again for me personally) is that going back to old favourites is like spending time with old friends who you have not met in a while but are the type of friends who you can spend hours with and not realise the passage of time and they have been there for you so it feels completely safe, maybe not the same as before but comforting and safe nonetheless…sorry I kinda rambled on 😅
My personal favs to reread are Red, White and Royal Blue, Love Simon, The Dresden Files and my fav manga series Ouran High School Host Club, I tend to reread these books nearly ever year.
Ahh that’s so great! I always think back fondly on some books and I feel like rereading them would give me all the comfy, happy feels. You didn’t ramble at all! On the contrary, you just convinced me that I NEED to reread my favorite books now ahah, so THANK YOU! <3 <3 <3
That’s awesome 🤩 hopefully you’ll have a great experience with it 😊
Thank you, I hope so! 🙂
Big yes from me! My thinking is that if I’m not going to reread a book, there’s no reason to own it. If I reread a book and find that the magic is gone, I have to admit that it wasn’t true love in the first place — but honestly and truly, that’s such a rare experience. By far the more common experience is that the book is even better than I remembered. And by the time you get to third and fourth rereads, there’s something really comforting about sinking back into this familiar world. Very highly recommended.
That’s such a good thing to hear, thank you, Jenny! I’m even more excited to get back to my favorite books, now 😍😍
I re-read books when I’m in a reading slump or I’m feeling overwhelmed and I want something familiar. I don’t re-read often, but when I do it’s often a series or a well-loved favourite of mine. I enjoy re-reading books because sometimes I find something new in the material that I missed the first time around, or sometimes new life experiences make me see the book differently and I’ll find a new connection with it. As for the concern about not loving it as much the second time you read it, I find that nostalgia sneaks in, so even if it’s not so great re-reading it, you still retain those happy feelings you associated with the book the first time!
Ah that’s so good to hear! It’s so great that you always find something new and a new connection to it, as you read. That makes me eager to reread my favorites books, now. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! <3
I’ve re-read The Lord of the Rings (and most of the Tolkien legendarium) quite a few times, but other than skimming some history/philosophy books as a refresher I really don’t re-read books. There’s too many books that need to be read and never enough time!
Agree! There are just so many books to read and so little time ahah!
Thank you so much for your comment 🙂
Such a good post for thought. I used to reread a lot but I don’t ask much anymore. There are a few books that I’d like to reread but I’m also nervous the magic will be gone if I read it 😂
Thank you, Jenna! So many books to read, and well… what if we end up hating the books we loved? I’m terrified of that 😂
I don’t reread as much as I would like but I do reread books every now and then. There are some that I reread every year. There are so many books and not enough time to read them all that I tend to focus on the newer books but because I read so many I feel like I can afford to throw some rereads in here and there.
It’s so great that you have some you always end up rereading. I’d love to find that again! These past years, I haven’t been able to read as much as I used to, so squeezing in re-reads feels a bit… strange? Like I can’t afford it, with so many other new books, ahah. Yet, I want to get back to some favorites. Hopefully I’ll make it! 🙂
Thank you soo much for your comment! <3
It’s wild to me that you haven’t reread a book in years! I reread pretty often, generally when I’m in a low mood and want comfort. Lately, I’ve taken to rereading my favourite parts of books instead of the entire book. It’s faster and gives me comfort too haha.
It feels wild to me, too, ahah, I used to reread a little more when I was younger! So many books, so little time. Rereading your favorite parts is such a fantastic idea, I’ll HAVE to do that! 😍
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! <3
Since I’m someone who couldn’t live without rereading, I found it fascinating to hear a non-rereader’s perspective on this! I definitely get your fear of maybe not liking the books as much anymore later – although that has rarely happened to me because I revisit my favorites so often that I don’t really have time to forget details. If I truly loved a book, chances are that I’ll just get more and more attached with each reread, to the point where I’ll turn a blind eye even when I know a book objectively has flaws. It’s actually books I liked but didn’t love that end up surprising me on rereads because I don’t pick them up often enough to remember everything about them. Which I think makes rereading a lot less anxiety inducing for me because if something ends up being worse than I remember, it usually isn’t one of my absolute favorites!
But anyway – best of luck with your rereading journey! I hope these books impact you just as much as they did the first time! 💙
Thank you so much for reading and for sharing your thoughts! 🥺 I love your perspective on this and how you just end up loving the book more and more after a reread. That’s exactly what I want to happen, ahah. Fingers crossed that it will! And thank you 🥺
I think I’m in pretty much the same position. Partly I don’t want to re-read my childhood favourites for the fear of falling out of love with them or noticing their issues *cough* enid blyton books *cough* but also because there’s no time! I don’t re-read that frequently because I’m too focused on reducing my TBR.. I literally bought this one book I read in highschool that had a huge impact on me and I keep meaning to re-read it like every month :/
Yeees exactly! I’m scared that I’ll fall out of love with them, when all I want is to fall even more IN love with them. And there are so many books on our TBR already… but, still. I just loved some books so much, I’d love to revisit them. I hope we both can do that a little bit, at least for one book, this year. We should check in with each other, to make sure we do it ahah 🥰
Omg yes we should definitely check in with each other!
Yes let’s do it!! <3
I love rereading books. I used to have this book, that I would reread and bring with me every time I traveled. I’m actually currently rereading the cruel prince series. I hope to reread the whole game of thrones series sometime this year! I think there’s something so comforting about rewatching/rereaching something where you know exactly what’s going to happen. What a great topic to discuss! xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Ohh that’s wonderful! I agree, I want to find some comfort again with my rereads. Let’s hope I can do that this year 🥰 thank you, Melina xx
I’m definitely curious to know what your first reread will be!
i love this discussion so much! like a lot of people said in the comments, rereading is definitely wonderful for when you’re in need of comfort. i love to reread my old favorites, but i don’t do it as often as i wish i did. i think there are always new things to discover in each read of a book, so something will definitely surprise you! and i think i love the feeling of being so emotionally affected by something that i’ve already read before and shouldn’t be shocked by—it just makes you appreciate the power of stories even more. whatever you reread this year, i hope you enjoy!
Oh thank you so much! I really hope I can re-read some books soon (just need to get them back from across country ahah), I just would love to see how re-reading affects me. Especially with the stories I love so much!
Thank you!! <3 <3
I don’t reread books very often but when I do it’s either the All for the Game series, The Bone Season or Shadow and Bone. I haven’r reread anything else in the last few years. But I feel at home in those books, they make me all warm and fuzzy despite all the ugly things happening in them. It’s a coping mechanism to reread these books whenever I’m in a mentally bad place and I’m so glad they’re always on my shelves to comfort me 🙂 But other than those, I don’t really have a desire to reread books, even though I previously loved them. There are, as you said, too many other books I want to read as well!
Oh that’s so, so wonderful. It’s so great to have books you feel at home with, so much! I really want to find that feeling again with some rereads. But then again, there are sooo many new books to read. And so little time to do it all ahah!
Ah I love this post so much! Not gonna like I actually have to resist rereading books sometimes because there’s something so soothing about it. I already know roughly what happens, who makes it, who doesn’t and whilst in some cases (like my reread of the iron fey after 8 years) I remember very little but vague parts of the plot. I always view rereading books as coming back home, or revisiting my past self in a way too. When I was younger I used to reread books often, even just random snippets to help me process my emotions when I was feeling overwhelmed. The characters and books which were familiar to me, were able to help me calm back down and basically ground myself. Now, I don’t reread a ton of books but I’ve been in the mood to reread some of my favourites more recently. It feels like a big hug to me being able to reread a story which changed me, moved me and find characters who make my heart light up. I hope you’re able to find the time to reread some of your favs Marie! 💜
Ahh thank you so much! <3 <3 I can understand this "big hug" feeling so badly and that's exactly what I've been looking for, lately. I just need to be able to get my favorite books back, currently across the country from me ahah.
Thank you!! <3 <3
Oh yes I totally get what you mean about being scared to reread a favourite in case the magic is gone! And book blogging made me so excited to read new things. However, I have found in the last year I’ve got back into rereading in a big way. it’s just so comforting and does help remind me why I love reading. Great post!
I’m so, so happy to hear this. I’m looking forward to rereading some books I loved now! 😀