Oh, summertime, here you are!
I’m not sure why summertime makes me think of reading, but for some reason, I think of books I’ve already read once and would like to read again.
I am never one to pass by the paperback used book stand at the library to see if there is some new find I’ll come across.
But summertime? I think of old reads on lazy summer days. Instead of the “to be read” pile, I’m inclined to circle back around to some old favorites.
Which brings me to a big question: What makes a book re-readable?
For me, usually there is a plot twist or something unexpected that caught my attention the first time around. I’ll make sure enough time has gone by before I read a book again, though.
Otherwise if the element of surprise isn’t there, I’ll be inclined to put it down and not finish the re-read.
There must be characters who feel like friends to me after the story has been told.
Even though their journey in pages is complete, it’s fun to pick up the book and start the journey again.
A big requirement for me is the feeling of satisfaction I get when I reach “The End” and put down the book.
The words still resonate inside my head, the scenes replay themselves and I feel like I do after getting off a roller coaster—my body “remembers” the plunging turns, the exciting heights, the sudden drops that leave me breathless until I arrive on the car, chugging back to the platform. It’s the same with a book.
Was I moved emotionally? Did I laugh, cry, gasp, wonder how it would all turn out? Did the book remove me from this world and insert me somewhere else, and leaving it feels like a horrible interruption?
What about you?
Are you content to read a book once and that’s it?
Or are you a fan of re-reads?
If you do re-read certain titles, what are some of your favorites?
How do you decide a book is worth reading one more time?
Note: My book, The Sweetheart of Starlight, is included in the collection Table for Two: A Yummy Collection of Restaurant Themed Romances. It is FREE on Wednesday, June 15, so make a note and download it HERE.
About The Sweetheart of Starlight –
Tamarind Brown knows Texas barbecue… She also knows how to run a restaurant, even if The Pit is a bit shabby around the edges and needs renovation. Her place is a local favorite in Starlight, Texas. So why is she losing money? Rick Mantovani knows pasta. He has a string of successful Italian restaurants on the East Coast, but he wants to conquer barbecue. And the place to prove himself is the heart of Texas. The fact that Starlight is also the home of a beautiful, green-eyed barbecue champion doesn’t hurt. As their friendship grows, Rick visits Tamarind’s church to do a little business networking. He’s never had time for God or religion, and when tragedy strikes Starlight, Rick finds himself at a crossroads of faith.
Lynette Sowell is the award-winning author of over 15 titles for Barbour Publishing, Harlequin, and Abingdon Press. Lynette was born in Western Massachusetts in the shadow of the Berkshire Mountains, raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but makes her home on the doorstep of the Texas hill country. She loves reading, cooking, watching movies, and is always up for a Texas road trip. When she's not writing fiction, she works as a reporter for her city newspaper and has a weekly column called My Front Porch.
I’ve read a few of the classics once or twice, but these days, with so many books stacked on my shelves and loaded on my Kindle, there’s just no time. Reduced pricing on books hasn’t helped my hoarding tendencies either, but I’m not complaining!
Good evening. I am a HUGE fan of my kindle and associated ebooks. Previously, my bookcases were triple lined with books- enter 2 kids and their growing book collections into the mix, bring on ebooks! I definitely re-read books, my criteria for re-reading is the same as yours- the story has to intrigue and feel fresh. As to which books get re-read- I choose a book that fits my mood and go from there:) Reading is a way to unwind from a stressful day, and escape into a world where I don’t need to do anything but sit back and ‘watch’ the story unfold. That is why I appreciate authors who write inspirational, uplifting fiction that makes me think and question, and reminds me of the big picture- while telling a great story!!
I always re-read great books, which by my definition are those that changed me in some way, either by moving me emotionally or making me think about my own life. So of course relatable characters (that in the end usually I want to be friends with) are a must.
Both in my paper and my digital collections I organize my books by how much I like then. Looking back I’ve noticed that most books are okay books a few are good and even fewer are actually great. Great books get a special shelf and digital ones get their own “collection.”
I used to re-read favorite books, but then, the local library was limited and so were my home bookshelves and wallet, and I read A LOT. Now that I can find any book online and my time is the part that’s limited because of my writing addiction, I haven’t re-read much of anything. I think long series can do something similar though, in which we return to a favorite place and time and pick up with the characters where they left off.
I generally only read a book once. However, I have read Lori Wick’s The Princess multiple times.
There are some stories that I have read more than once. :-) I love being caught up in the story line, even if I know what is going to happen.
My reading time is limited because of writing, as other have said. I don’t reread books unless it’s a book my granddaughters want me to read to them again and again and again.
If I am captured by a story I will definitely read it again, but usually not for quite awhile. Sometimes those books I love most are like old friends and I have to visit them now and again.
I do re-read a lot of my favorites. The thing that usually draws me back to a book again and again is the romance and how it’s written. There are certain books and certain writers whose books I re-read often because they’ve just written the romance in such a way that pretty much melts my heart and I love seeing the characters fall in love. Sometimes, if it’s a book that made me laugh, I will go back a re-read those, too. I have so many books I’ve re-read, but some that pop into my mind are the books from Janette Oke’s Love Come Softly series. I’m not even sure how many times I’ve re-read them all anymore. And Jane Austen’s novels. :)
Good point about series, Val. I agree. Instead of rereading a book, readers today really embrace a series set in the same town, with the same group of friends, etc. because it’s a “fresh” story yet has the appeal of what’s comfortable and familiar at the same time. :)
In my teens and college years, just like Valerie Comer I reread books because of availability and money. Now I reread books as Merrillee Whren with my granddaughter. Dr. Seuss Foot Book is her favorite just like it was her Uncle’s favorite.
As an English teacher (now retired) I reread the classics that I taught every year. I also listened to Audi books and was often surprised what I had missed by silent reading.
Now I want to read different authors, different genre – so much to explore and read, so little time. My eyes become tired mad blurry quicker. When I was younger I could read day and night.
Oh, I love re-reads!! :) To name a few: my favorite is Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” (I think I’ve read that book about 6-7 times now), and I’ve also enjoyed several re-reads of Lynn Austin’s “Refiner’s Fire” series (actually planning to re-read the second book with a friend of mine later this month). :)
I generally stick to one time reading but I’m not totally opposed to rereads. I started a book the other day and by the time I was convinced I’d already read it before, I was enjoying the story too much to put it down! (I read it before I had Goodreads, lol! Love that site!)
I think I’ve re-read all my Elizabeth Goudge novels 2-3 times over the years – they are real keepers! I do need several years in between readings so that I’ve forgotten a few of the plot twists. Recently the books I’ve re-read have been ones that are in a series and it’s been so long since the first book came out, I needed to re-read #1 before #2 so I’d remember who was who and what had happened so far.