Howdy, All.
Here is out first guest Reader Blog by Kathy Andrico… Lover of romances, terrific photographer, world traveler and all-around great gal!
Thanks, Kathy!
I’ve always been one to reread a story and re-watch a movie. My childhood books were reread often. I remember replaying my Star Wars record (of the storybook) and reading the accompanying book over, and over again. I also saw the original Star Wars in the theater five times (Original Release).
As a teen, I bought The Changeover, by Margaret Mahy. I loved this story, and I can remember rereading it five times in a row.
There was another book that was very popular with my high school friends. It was called Term Paper, by Ann Rinaldi. This is a phenomenal book about a teenage girl, and her relationships with her much older brothers and father. It was out of print when I tried to buy it, and I was thrilled when I found a copy as an adult. To this day, whenever I come across my copy, I will sit and reread sections of the book.
When I met Romance Author Leigh Greenwood, I showed him the spine of my copy of Violet. I told him that the crease on the spine was one of the highest compliments I could give him. There is one other book that has met a similar fate – Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair. I LOVE the hero!
When I am organizing my books, I enjoy looking at the books and remembering the stories. It takes me a long time to finish, because I will just sit for awhile revisiting certain scenes.
Some people don’t understand rereading a book, but it really is no different than re-watching a movie. Think about how many movie quotes are used in everyday language. Say “May the Force Be With You” and very few will be uncertain as to its origins.
If I say “As You Wish”, a fan of another one of my favorite movies will immediately know what I am talking about. We are the true fans, not a person who saw the movie once, thought it was good, and didn’t bother watching it again because they knew the story. We are the ones who wish to visit with familiar characters, laugh, cry, and sigh at the end.
The same goes for rereading books.
So, I’ll pose this question to any reading the blog.
Do you re-read…or not?
Kathy Andrico
Vamps and Scamps 
I’m finding I have less time to reread with all the new books and authors out there, but there are still books on my keeper shelf so who knows?
Now, watching movies is another thing, LOL I watch the same movies more than once–more like several times or more. Maybe because there aren’t as many fav movies for me as there are books.
Karen
I do reread books. Usually I reread a book after some time has past and I see it when I’m picking throught my book box. I like your “Princess Bride” reference.
I love rereading books, it’s like visiting old friends and I never tire of them no matter how often I do it 😀
However there are only a few movies I can stand rewatching time and time again (Star Wars is one of them :D) I prefer reading books most times anyway so why bother rewatching a movie.
I re-read sooo much – it may very well be the bulk of my reading at times. And yes, a phrase or something that happens in real life can trigger a memory of something similar in a book I love and I’ll be off to find the book and re-read it! When I hear how readers have a huge TBR pile, I’m guessing it’s of new/not-yet-read books. I don’t really have a TBR pile – I’m (too) choosy about the new book(s) I buy and when I buy it I read it right away! Otherwise, I’ll just satisfy my craving for a good read with a favorite re-read! Same with movies…. “don’t cry shopgirl, don’t cry” – anyone recognize that line?
I have limited time for reading, so I do not usually re-read but sometimes I need a comfort read and will re-read an old favorite.
Hey, Kathy! I’m a big fan of re-reading. I love to visit old friends:)
Plus, I know the book will be good!
Jules:)
If the story is really good, than yes I will reread
it. Sometimes I find myself reading a book I already
read, so I just finish it.
I love the fact that you said “Some people don’t understand rereading a book, but it really is no different than re-watching a movie”. I say the same thing all the time when someone asks me why would I reread a book. I love to go back and reread all of my favorites. I don’t as much as I used to because I have discovered so many new authors and feel like I need to catch up to everyone else (I just started to read romance about four years a go).
Hi Kathy!
Yep, I’m a big-time rereader! I’ll sometimes pull out a small stack of “have reads” and put them on the nightstand next to my “to be read” stack and alternate. Sometimes I just skip to and read my favorite passages of the rereads.
Thanks to everyone for the comments. I love knowing that I’m not alone in all the re-reading!
Jane – Glad you caught “The Princess Bride” quote. Was hoping someone would!
Allison – I believe that would be Tom Hanks in “You’ve Got Mail”.
I don’t re-read books (except my daughter’s books!) mainly because I have such a TBR mountain range. If I had a few more hours in the day, I would consider doing a re-read of some of my favorite books.
I love rereading books! A great escape when I’m tired and don’t want to get buried in something new. And…I know the old book is good. 🙂
I’ve read One For The Money so many times it’s falling apart. Love Stephanie Plum.
I re-read books more especially when a sequel to another has arrived and there’s been a long span of time gone by between it and the other(s). But I, like you, love to revisit old characters from books I loved at the time I first read them and imagine how, if it were possible, they’d have either been depicted or changed in any way had their story been written today. haha
I have some books that I reread at least once a year. They are all feel good books.
I’m like Joni. When I am reading a favorite series, I will go back and reread the previous book to get caught up and set the scene for me. I also reread a lot of books from my favorite’s shelf.
Yes I have reread some books. There are lots of books I keep and treasure but haven’t reread all of them yet.
It depends on the book. I have re-read a few, and some special one’s I keep to re-read in the future, but mostly I read a book once and pass it on to family so they can enjoy it too!
I try and limit my Keeper Shelf. But the books I do keep I do reread. I’ll just grab one and flip it open and dive in. A mini vacation, esp this time of year.