Three Cs

I have enjoyed reading for as long as I can remember, so naturally, in elementary school, one of my favorite annual events was the Scholastic book fair. Every year, my parents gave me money, and I scoured the temporary shelves they’d set up in the library until I found books that looked promising. Then, I went home, excited to read my new books as soon as I could. My only concern was which one I should read first.

As an adult, my feelings have changed quite a bit. I still enjoy going to book stores, the adult equivalent of book fairs, but I’m a lot more selective about what I buy. A book has to look pretty amazing for me to take a chance on it these days, unless its written by an author I already like or is recommended by a friend. And when I do come home with a new book, it sometimes sits on my shelf for weeks, maybe even months, before I read it.

Don’t get me wrong. I still enjoy reading new books. There is nothing like reading a book for the first time and feeling the tension that comes with not knowing what will happen. However, I have to be in the right mood for that. While diving into a new book is exciting, it also carries the risk of disappointment. Maybe I won’t like the characters, the plot, or the writing style. Or maybe I’ll love them. With new books by unknown authors, you just never know.

Sometimes, like when I’m stressed or tired, I’d rather read a book I know I’ll enjoy. The best way to do that is to reread a book that I liked when I read it the first time. Just this week, I reread Wild Space, one of my favorite Star Wars novels, and enjoyed it thoroughly, partially because I didn’t have to worry about it ending poorly.

Rereading also allows me to see details I missed or didn’t realize were important the first time I read a book. In the Harry Potter series, for example, reading the name Sirius Black in the first chapter of The Sorcerer’s Stone is a lot more significant now that I’ve read Prisoner of Azkaban. And the locket that I didn’t remember being mentioned in Order of the Phoenix after I read it the first time now stands out because of its importance in The Deathly Hallows.

Rereading books in a series allows me to appreciate some characters more, especially in earlier books. The Harry Potter series offers a prime example of this as well. In the seventh book, we learn a lot about Snape and Dumbledore’s pasts. When I reread the earlier books with that in mind, it changes my perspective of them, giving me a clearer picture of who they are and what is motivating their actions.

One huge benefit of reading a book I’ve already read is that I am able to put it down and do other things much more easily. When I’m reading a good book for the first time, it is very hard to tear myself away from it for any reason. If I am looking forward to reading a new book, I usually wait until I have a free weekend to read it. When I’m rereading, though, I already know what is going to happen in the story, so if I need to read it in small increments, I can. That’s quite helpful during the week and on weekends when I have other things I need to do.

Sometimes, I reread a book or a series for a reason other than just enjoyment. When I want to feel inspired to work hard and persevere, I often pick up The Protector of the Small quartet by Tamora Pierce. The series’ protagonist, Kel, works hard to fulfill her dream of becoming a knight. Reading her story helps me feel motivated to put more effort into chasing my own dreams.

One of the biggest reasons I reread books I enjoy is because I get very attached to characters and want to see them again. As a character-driven reader, I often identify with or admire the characters I read about in books. They become sort of like friends. When I finish the book or series, I am okay with not seeing them again for a while, but I eventually want to see them again. That’s just how I am.

So, if you’ve never tried rereading a book, I encourage you to give it a shot. You might be glad you did. If you’re already an avid re-reader, let me know your favorite books to reread in the comments.

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