Re-reading

[SM]

On every literature forum I look at I always see people saying how they've re-read a book or series of books lots of times, in some cases starting again as soon as they finish. I can think of two books I've read twice, in both cases because many years had passed since the first reading and I couldn't remember anything about the plot.

Now, the thought has crossed my mind on many occasions that I could re-read some of the better books I've read in the last few years, but then there's always new stuff on my list and I think if I revisit old books then I'll have wasted valuable time that could have been spent reading something new.

Do you repeat readers ever have the same thought?

[Phil Keeton]

Re-reading is sometimes just what I need when I've finished one excellent book and I am still digesting it. Sometimes going back and re-reading the series key books is important, as I have mentioned in another thread, particularly with the Dune books and the new additions.

I have lots of books to read, and lots on my to purchase / borrow list too, often I have to be in the right mood though for a type of book........I always take a Dan Simmons book on holiday with me because they are well researched and truly meaty books, but I also grab some pulp to read afterwards, or an old favourite.

It is rare that I re-read pulp though. I find the Harry Potter books great to dip in and out of.

[drosdelnoch]

Theres no such thing as wasting time if a books given you pleasure. For example I still reread all my DG books once a year at least, likewise if theres a new book in a series out I'll reread the whole series up to the point it appears and then read it and finish the series off. I get a lot of pleasure from it and I'll undergo a Harry Dresden reread shortly for the new book next month.

However one of the reasons I can do rereads is the fact that I do read a lot in a month. When you sleep a lot less than most people (about an hour a night) you have to find something to fill your time.

[Captain Dangle]

My thoughts on this are written eloquently enough by drosdelnoch above.

I can hammer through a re-read in half the time of a first time read, so when anything comes out as an addition to a series you have to start again, with a decent author I always find somthing new second/third time around.

All my DG books are well thumbed, although the book that started it for me was Magician by Raymond E Fiest, it gets re-read every year around my birthday, this year I think it will be its 21st for me.

[Arthur Knight]

I re-read some books by accident. The publishers re-issue them with different covers and blurbs and I just see a favourite author and I'm halfway through the book when I suddenly remember the ending. Another $30 wasted.

[Captain Dangle]

Now that made me laugh alot.

It happed to me with a DG book, cant remember which one off hand, a freind got me an American edition with a different name. (possibly waylander 2)

Still as the book was in good condition it made a good present for someone else.

[Andrew Guile]

I am fortunate enough to have read David Gemmell's books (most of them anyway) as they came out. Most I have not re-read but those that I have (Legend, TKBTG, QFLR) were like reading them again for the first time! Some are 20 years old now.

And me only 21!!!

PS. I lied about my age.

[drosdelnoch]

What a Solicitor lie? Never heard of such a thing. LOL

[Ward Booth]

I'm going over Legend again, this time I'm studying it more than reading it for pleasure. It draws many similarities to the Seven Samurai (or The Magnificent Seven).

[Matthew Staker]

I do the same as Dros as well, read my DG books every year. I also like to reread my Dick francis and Louis Lamour novels (Louis mainly because i heard that David was a huge fan of him, owned all his books too and his writing was amazing, The Man was right:)).
There are many good reasons for rereading, finding new ways to look at something, even finding out that a book you didn't think much of first off really is great. Or if you are a writer, reading from a purely editorial view, to learn etc is great too, hard to enjoy that if you do it the first time. I myself dont see any mistakes unless im looking for them, spelling, grammar and the like.

[JOE CRAWFORD]

So many titles- sooo little time!

[Deborah J Miller - Award Administrator]

I must be unusual in that I rarely re-read a book - I am not sure why, because I have such a poor short-term memory that it would almost certainly seem as if I was reading it for the first time!!!

As an author, whilst I am writing a novel, (most of the time) I try and steer clear of writers whose narrative voice is similar to my own (IMO!) - Iain Banks for one - mainly because he's Scottish like me - his 'mainstream' stuff is a very 'comfortable' read to me & that sets alarm bells ringing. I did once write a couple of pages of my own work whilst in the middle of reading 'The Crow Road' & when my hubbie read them he remarked "Now go and write them as Debbie!" It's just like picking up an accent...!

Oh dear, I've gone off at a tangent... anyway I have re-read some of David's books & at the moment, am planning to re-read Legend and 'Echoes f the Great Song' - one of my faves!

[JOE CRAWFORD]

I am ashamed to say my books mainly gather dust until they are dusted off. I reread only DG and GRRM novels when I have a few hours unoccupied. I just cant force myself to part with any of them either! I guess my daughter will have to deal with them when the time comes.
joe