# How many times will you reread a book? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 19, 2007, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546 "2007-06-19T02:30:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nikki\_Tikki\_Tavi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3da27b/32.png) [@Nikki\_Tikki\_Tavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nikki_Tikki_Tavi)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/1 "2007-06-19T02:30:26Z")
I go through Stephen King phases every year or so where I read 4 or 5 of his books in a row, which means I’ve read Needful Things _way_ too many times. I seem to read She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb at least once a year, and I know I’ve been through the Harry Potter series at least 3 times. I have books on my shelf that I’ve only read once, of course, but many more that I read over and over. How about you? Do you read a book once? Twice? Three times a lady? ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/2 "2007-06-19T02:33:36Z")
I’ve never met a book that I actually re-read. I don’t even watch most movies twice, aside from a few favorites which I’ve watched a gazillion times. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/3 "2007-06-19T02:34:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. - Sir Francis Bacon ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/4 "2007-06-19T02:36:28Z")
[QUOTE=Rigamarole] I’ve never met a book that I actually re-read. I don’t even watch most movies twice, aside from a few favorites which I’ve watched a gazillion times. [/QUOTE] Agreed. I’ve rewatched movies, though. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/5 "2007-06-19T02:38:56Z")
I probably read _Lest Darkness Fall_ about once a year. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/6 "2007-06-19T02:40:26Z")
I agree with Francis Bacon. I’m generally reading something new, and re-reading two or more other books at the same time. There are several books I’ve read more than a hundred times, and quite a few I’ve read more than fifty. ---
**Author:** ![MadPansy64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MadPansy64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPansy64)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/7 "2007-06-19T02:45:56Z")
I’m a devout rereader. There are quite a few books I’ve almost memorized and still thoroughly enjoying losing myself in again over and over and over, and damn few I’ve read only once. When someone makes a comment about “how can you read that same thing again, you know how it ends?” I honestly wonder “If you feel that way how can you eat more than one hamburger in your life, since you know how it tastes?” I don’t understand someone who doesn’t reread. Part of the joy of enjoying a good book is knowing I’ll be able to enjoy it again. Part of the sorrow of a bad book is not enjoying it this time, either. I rarely give one more than 2 chances, so it’s not like I’m fanatical about it or anything. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/8 "2007-06-19T02:47:00Z")
Pride and Prejudice - at least fifteen times (most of the rest of Austen more than once as well). To Kill a Mockingbird, less - probably ten or twelve times at least. Those two are fairly yearly books (or more often) for me. Possession, four times. A Handmaids Tale, at least five times. Lord of the Rings, four times (it gets worse on each reading, I won’t read it a fifth time unless I have to). Some “trash” - I’ve read the first Belgariad trilogy at least three times, I’ve reread Carl Haiasen’s Skinney Dip a few times (and some of his other books more than once). Lolita, Of Mice and Men, Great Gatsby, - all at least twice. Kids books - many times - but I have kids. We read Goodnight Moon every night for two years - but I don’t think you are getting at that. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/9 "2007-06-19T02:51:27Z")
_How can you read that book / watch that movie again and again?! It never changes!_ Yes, but I’ve changed. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/10 "2007-06-19T03:00:18Z")
There are books that I’ve read so often they fell apart - I’m on my third copy of some of my favorites. I’ve been known to read a series of 6 books, then start over immediately after finishing This reminds me, I’ve not read the Adept books in a couple years. I wonder what I did with them… ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/11 "2007-06-19T03:03:08Z")
I don’t revisit old favorites. I realize I’m missing out, that you can’t fully appreciate a good book with just one reading. There are too many good books that I haven’t read yet. I’ve re-read a few favorite authors – Harriett Arnow, Ray Bradbury, Tom Reamy (slim pickings there, just one novel and a short story collection), and I reread short stories, but that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/12 "2007-06-19T03:07:19Z")
I’m a voracious reader, and my desire to read outstrips my budget for buying new books. I have some books that I have honestly re-read over 20 times. Most of them are nonfiction, and hopefully it helps me to retain the ideas expressed within. ---
**Author:** ![Khadro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Khadro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadro)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/13 "2007-06-19T03:34:30Z")
If it’s a long series, with a large gap between releases, I will often go back and read the entire series in time for the new one to come out… So from that perspective I’ve read dozens of books multiple times, one in particular coming up on 11 times now 😛 I used to read the Belgariad once a year, then I was able to grow a beard, and realized what trash it was. I’ve not even thought about buying his new stuff… I still have a soft spot for the first three series, but I probably won’t go back to them again. I also figured I knew them a little too well when I blew through his first 16 books in a week. I tend to re-read something when I’ve accidentally run out of new things to read as well. I normally pick something small, like a Star Wars novel, or a Nero Wolfe story to tide me over until I can make it to a bookstore. Rarely will I start a new series when I am just attempting to kill time though. I don’t necessarily like to re-read my books. But I like to know I have the option at least. My wife, on the other hand, only really has a roster of fewer than 10 books that have lasted her 10 years now… some get re-read two or three times a year. Having said that, for every book she re-reads in a year, she finds a book she can’t even get through, so I guess it evens out. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/14 "2007-06-19T03:36:00Z")
I’ll read a book as often as I get the urge to. I’ve got some that are falling apart and might need replacing (but I _really_ don’t want to buy a replacement copy of Anne of Green Gables… the one I have actually _came_ from PEI!) others I get out multiple times from the library (those I usually end up buying if I can find them). I read lots though, like Cuckoorex my reading outstrips my budget, even with the library and constantly hitting the secondhand bookstores. I don’t quite get the not rereading, but if you don’t want to, well that’s up to you. If I’m sick or need some time for myself, I’ll just happily curl up with an old friend. ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/15 "2007-06-19T04:34:09Z")
I keep re-reading the Vorkosigan books (sometimes with only a year or so in between). I always seem to start at the end and go backwards. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/16 "2007-06-19T05:50:47Z")
It’s very rare for me to re-read a book except for a very few that are my favorites. Those I only read because I need to either remember them or get something new. There’s just too many books, otherwise, to go back to something I’ve read before. Even if it is a new experience, it’s still not as new as the new book experience. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/17 "2007-06-19T05:54:27Z")
I’ve reread plenty of books that I liked. Just like I’ve watched good movies multiple times and listened to good songs multiple times. I don’t see the difference. Yeah, it takes longer, but so what? ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/18 "2007-06-19T08:24:22Z")
Hm. I re-read the Anne of Green Gables series at least twice a year. I love re-reading books. It’s very comforting, and like others have already said, you experience them differently upon every re-reading. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/19 "2007-06-19T08:47:32Z")
If I like a book enough to finish it, then in all likelihood I will read it again. If I didn’t like it, I probably won’t finish reading it in the first place. I usually reread a book after a year or so; then again at intervals of about two years. With series, I usually reread them all before a new volume comes out. I don’t understand people who say they don’t reread books because they already know the ending. If all you care about is the ending, why waste time reading the book? Buy the Cliff Notes and find out right away. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546/20 "2007-06-19T09:10:09Z")
I reread some books once or twice, others several times, and others several times a year indefinately. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-will-you-reread-a-book/408546.md?page=2)