how can people read a book over and over?

Question

I love to read but I only read a book once. Why do some people read books more than once? This is a legit question...not being rude. I feel the same about movies.

Answer 1

The good books can be read over and over. You just want to relive the experience, see things you didn't see before, or get deeper insight.

I've read Lord of the Rings many times over the years. Sometimes I read every word, exploring the detail. Other times I skim through, or do a "dramatic" reading where I read the dialogue aloud (used to do that a lot with my younger sister).

I think of movies like Schindler's List as being the kind I'd only watch once - I'm glad I saw it, but would not want to relive it over and over. I was touched by the end of the book "A Tale of Two Cities", but could never bring myself to read the whole thing again.

Answer 2

I have read Lord of the Rings about 8 or 9 times over the last 30 years.
Every time I do, I find somehting new.

Of course I know how it ends. but a well written story has layers that are only revealed after more than one reading.
The first time, the storyline is so engrossing you have to read as fast as you can to get there, it is only after more readings taht the details you missed the first time are revealed.
Not many books are worth reading more than once, but once in awhile, you just have to pick up one you have read.

Answer 3

Books -- at least the good ones -- are very nuanced. There are always certain elements that you don't pick up the first, second, or even third time around. Even when you know the story by heart, you'll always come across a different aspect of it that you hadn't thought about before, and that keeps it new even after repeated readings.

Answer 4

Some books make an special impact. I read "The Shell Seekers" (Rosamunde Pilcher) & "Shining Through" (Susan Isaacs) at least once year. I have also read Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series at least twice just for fun. I just re-read James Swain's Tony Valentine series, also for fun. Some books are just worth it, most are not. I am a first class book junkie (I buy & read at least 6 books a month-no Sci-Fi or horror)

Answer 5

It depends on the book, but a good one will have new depth every time I read it; things I didn't notice before. And if you read certain books, say, 5 or 10 years later, you've changed, so you'll notice new things, view them differently. Also, you can read books from the point of view of various characters.

Answer 6

I have read all my novels twice or thrice because I love the storyline and the characters, particularly The Outsiders. Sometimes, I forget what happened in the story so I go back and read it again. I always picture the scenes in my head as I go along. I love reading.

Answer 7

Most books I can't read more than once except my favorite, Wuthering Heights. I just love the way it's written, even though I know how the plot goes!

Answer 8

I'm reading "The Stand" by Stephen King for about the fifth time, it's just a good story. I don't how to explain it other than that. It's a good story that I never get tired of, I can see it in my mind.

Answer 9

With a really good book, there are so many complexities and subtle nuances it is easy to miss them the first time around ... you need to read them again and again to get them all.

With a rubbishy novel, there is no need to do this.

Answer 10

cause sometimes you forget what happens... and sometimes you read it over and it helps you understand something you missed the first time around... i read my favorite book about 10 times... the same with movies...