So far in 2018, I have reread 15 books (out of 65 to give you scale). 7 of these I reread basically every year since their publication (have fun solving this VERY hard mystery of which 7 book series a GIANT fantasy nerd who was born in the 90′s rereads, take your time) and I have reread These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner twice this year. Rereading is a totally different experience to reading a book the first time. I am not going to place a value judgment on rereading vs first time, because they are vastly different experiences in my opinion.
The first time you read a book there is endless potential upon opening the book. This book might just be your new favorite book. This book might never leave your imagination and cause you to want to dive into this world and shut out the one that surrounds you. This book might suck. It might be fine, you could see it on a shelf in four years and think “I probably read that? I feel like it has a character named Henry.” and that is totally fine.
Upon rereading a book that potential of discovery is diminished severely. You can still rediscover things you have forgotten (this is more likely the longer between rereads you wait) or find a clue given early to something big that happens at the end or in another book in the series. I particularly enjoy connecting the dots to something that hasn’t happened yet.
I also enjoy seeing the way character arcs began. This is obviously much more interesting when a character arc is done well and there is significant growth. I love seeing the most intense of lovers go back to being strangers, the best of friends thinking the other is dull, people with untarnished uncomplicated relationships before all the secrets begin to seep out. Character work is fascinating to go back to the beginning on.
I personally find it much easier to really dig into a book when I have experienced it more than once. I am more able to pull back and go “wow that author was so clever, they were totally telegraphing that twist 100 pages before” it is fun to have that little bit of detachment to see more of the mechanics of the writing.
That is not to say that rereading is devoid of emotion. I typically cry less at rereading (this rule is 100% of the time broken by Harry Potter) but I find rereading still works for me on an emotional level anyway. Emotions build differently when you know what is going to happen. Sometimes something is heartbreaking or hilarious or swoon-worthy only because you have already read the book once (or twice) before.
In short, go pick up a book you have already read and dive back in. See what is new in a world you already walked completely. How does something hit you differently after a few years? You might have even more fun than you had the first time.
