Why We Should Re-Read More

One of the debates I see in the book world is whether people enjoy re-reading favourite books or not. I absolutely adore re-reading my favourites and revisiting worlds that I love. The problem is that I’m overwhelmed by the size of my TBR and I feel guilty whenever I am re-reading.

2020: The Year of Re-Reads

2020 has become the year of re-reads for me. Yes, my TBR is still growing completely out of control but during lockdown I have found my love of re-reading. I would say that about a third of my reads this year have been re-reads. So I decided to do a post about why we should re-read more. Reading is my number one love. It’s something that I enjoy but I put this insane pressure on myself. Pressure to only read new books, to read faster… to be a better reader and blogger. This year I asked myself why? Why do I need to read fast? Why avoid re-reading favourites if I’m going to enjoy re-visiting them? So here you are. Here are the reasons I think we should all re-read more.

Pro’s of Re-Reading

To get excited about upcoming books. One of the main reasons that I re-read is to prepare for a new book in a series releasing. I personally have a terrible memory and there will always be so much that I have forgotten. Re-reading the previous books in a series reminds me of my love for the world, the events of what happened and usually it makes me even more excited for the next book in the series.

I recently re-read The Dark Elements series and Storm and Fury by Jennifer L Armentrout in preparation for the next book. I had forgotten how much I loved these books. These are favourites of mine and I had such a nostalgic feeling revisiting them. Especially when I was reading White Hot Kiss which I hadn’t read since 2016.

I always pick up on things that I never noticed first time around. Whenever I’m reading a book for the first time, I’m often blown away by the excitement of the new world, the characters, the plot… and miss out on other bits. For example, I often don’t realise little bits of foreshadowing that link into something important later. On a re-read I always pick up on these bits and it often makes me love the book and author even more than I already did.

If you’ve been in a bit of a reading slump, re-reading a favourite book can help. I have some books on my bookcase that I’ve read about 10 times because when I’m in a slump I know they will always help me. One of those books for me is Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout. I first read it in 2011 and it is definitely the most read book on my bookcase. It’s my go-to book.

Re-reading books can also give you a whole new perspective. There’s so many books that I have re-read and had a totally different take on characters after I know what’s going to happen. Take Sarah J Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series for example. While re-reading, my whole view of Tamlin had drastically changed. I was interpreting his actions in a very different way than I did the first time around.

Con’s of Re-Reading

As you can see, I have found an utter love for revisiting older books and re-reading them. However, in my re-reads this year I have found one con. Sometimes, you don’t enjoy the book as much as you remember. I have recently re-read a book which I absolutely adored first time around, but on the re-read I was a little bored. Knowing what happens had a detrimental effect for this particular book as the excitement of not knowing was gone and that affected my enjoyment of it a little bit. That book was Vicious by VE Schwab. I was so devastated as I loved that book so much. It was my first VE Schwab book and started an obsession with her books for me a few years ago. To re-read it and then be disappointed was heartbreaking for me.

To Re-Read Or Not To Re-Read?

I love books, and I adore re-reading. This year I have decided when I get the urge to re-read, to just go ahead and re-read. I love revisiting these books and although it’s taking time away from my TBR… it’ll still be there waiting for me. My next re-read is going to be From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout… can you sense a theme here? I’m very lucky to be a part of Jennifer’s ARC team and so I am looking forward to re-reading this in preparation for the next book.

What are your thoughts on re-reads? Do you love them or hate them? Let me know in the comments.

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