I talked about how I have re-ignited my joy of reading in an earlier post. Today, I want to talk about the value in revisiting favourite authors.
I know there are different camps when it comes to the topic of rereading books. Some people don’t like to read a book more than once and others go back to the same material over and over again (for the record, I am one of the latter although I do read new books almost as much).
Benefits I receive from rereading a book
Reason 1: The big one
Part of the reason I like rereading cherished books is I can reconnect with places and people I truly like/enjoy. I think we all have characters that we really love. I could probably name a dozen without trying too hard: Harry Potter (JK Rowling – loved watching him and his friends grow up), Menolly (Anne McCaffrey’s DragonSinger trilogy), Paksenarrion (Elizabeth Moon – The Deed of Paksennarion), Sir Samuel Vimes (Terry Pratchett – Discworld series), Granny Weatherwax (also Terry Pratchett – probably a dozen characters in the Discworld I love), and many more (stopping so I don’t bore you too much but you get the idea).
Reasons Other (Also big ones)
There are several other benefits to revisiting favourite authors, too. The first, which I only just discovered this month, is that while rereading the books I check to see if there are any new ones. Since I don’t go into the bookstore like I once did this is a great way to reconnect with favourite authors (very partial list above).
The next is around the craft of writing. The more I write, the more aware of technique I become. Rereading books allows me to dissect some of the scenes that have really worked for me. I learn from authors I love how to make my own books better.
The final one I’m going to talk about today: rereading favourite books is a form of therapy. If I’m down and need to experience a character going through their own trials it really helps. A great example of that is Douglas Adams’ Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Growing up, I probably read it at least once a year, every year from the time I was eleven until I was twenty. (I think it is high time I read it again, come to think of it – Sometimes you just need to read the phrase, “Useful as a sack of fetid dingo kidneys” to put life into perspective)
How do you feel about rereading books?
What about you? How do you feel about rereading books? Are there any special ones you want to share that have helped (and perhaps continue to) you? Perhaps they are one of my books. 😉
I would love to hear your thoughts.
