# What books have you re-read the most? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 2, 2017, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946 "2017-06-02T17:38:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/21 "2017-06-02T22:05:39Z")
I tend to be like your friend, **Cardigan**. And I was an English literature major, of all things. I rarely re-read a book. Even my favorite books, _Lolita_ and _Master and Margarita_, I think I’ve only read twice. I don’t think I’ve read any books more than that. That said, I tend to be the same way with other aspects of culture: I rarely re-watch movies; I almost never replay video games. I do listen to music over and over, though. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/22 "2017-06-02T22:25:32Z")
I have read the Tolkien books cover to cover so many times over the years I’ve lost count. That includes _The Hobbit_, _The Lord of the Rings_, and _The Silmarillion_. A somewhat distant second would be the Heinlein juveniles, especially _Starship Troopers_; I read them a LOT when I was young, and even up to my early 40s. Also a favorite from that genre was _Tunnel In the Sky_. Of the books I’ve read since adulthood, the most re-read ones are by Cherryh and Weber. Oh, I do have to admit that, as a father, I’ve probably read _Fox In Sox_ and _Green Eggs and Ham_ more times than I’d care to admit. Mostly, of course, aloud. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/23 "2017-06-02T22:37:37Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > What books have you re-read cover to cover the most times? I estimate I’ve read Tolkien’s Ring trilogy maybe 30-35 times in my life. > > I recently told a friend this and she argued _why read a book yet again you’ve already read multiple times before when there are so many thousands of books out there you haven’t read yet?_ > Fair question. My response was - _for the same reason I grill burgers repeatedly in the back yard without ever having so much as sampled Mung Bean Kale Stew once_; the outcome is already known in advance, it will be pleasurable. It’s a ceaseless onslaught… [http://wondermark.com/c/2013-07-09-948media.gif](http://wondermark.com/c/2013-07-09-948media.gif) I usually opt for something new even though I have reread LOTR about half a dozen times. Lonesome Dove perhaps three times. And I just recently reread the Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson. I’ve read some Alistair MacLean’s multiple times but those are incredibly fast reads. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/24 "2017-06-02T22:43:35Z")
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. I love that one. I advise everyone else to check it out, too, if you haven’t. If you read it and don’t like it, well, that can’t be my fault! ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/25 "2017-06-03T00:49:37Z")
Jack Vance’s “The Demon Princes” series, five sci-fi/space opera adventures. Brilliant, some of his very, very best work. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/26 "2017-06-03T00:55:44Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I’ve read Dune ~25 times. I’ve read the other books, Frank’s not the recent stuff, at least a dozen times each. I’ve only read the first three. How are God Emperor and the rest? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/27 "2017-06-03T01:00:38Z")
Nearly all of Dick Francis novels. I keep them in a box. Pull them out every few years and reread every book. I’d estimate every book has been read 6 or more times. The one exception is The Edge. I’ve reread it almost every year since it was published. At least 18 times. He’s the best mystery writer that ever lived. His books are a fast read. I get through one in a afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/28 "2017-06-03T01:02:00Z")
Shogun Armor The Coldfire Trilogy It Salem’s Lot The Dark is Rising books by Susan Cooper Dracula The good stuff is really worth reading again and again. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/29 "2017-06-03T12:13:46Z")
The complete works of Elmore Leonard. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/30 "2017-06-03T12:15:11Z")
The Chronicles of Narnia (minus The Last Battle), which I reread yearly for almost a decade. And had a second reread in some of those years. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/31 "2017-06-03T13:05:21Z")
Good night moon, and the very hungry caterpillar. But for myself? The Lord of the Rings. I read that every year from second grade through high school, and a few times since. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/32 "2017-06-03T13:21:02Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I’ve only read the first three. How are God Emperor and the rest? Opinions vary greatly but I really like GEoD, however many people hate it. HoD and CH:D work together and I like them as well. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/33 "2017-06-03T13:24:36Z")
I don’t reread much, but I used to read the Foundation trilogy every year or so. Not for a couple decades now. I have read LOTR many times, Hobbit only a twice. I read the Harry Potter series a few times, although the last time, stopped after about #4. I recently discovered Sharon Shinn and read her “Blessings” series twice in rapid succession, enjoying it more the second time through since I understand the back story better. I may reread the “12 Kingdoms” series, although it is less compelling. Then there is Dr. Seuss. I have read most of them countless times, first to my children, then to my grandchildren. No great grandchildren in the offing, but who knows? To a lesser extent, Pooh too. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/34 "2017-06-03T13:25:20Z")
> [@Kamino\_Neko](#): > > The Chronicles of Narnia (minus The Last Battle), which I reread yearly for almost a decade. And had a second reread in some of those years. This… although I sometimes do read _The Last Battle_ because of the part with the soldier who devoted his life to Tash (a different and kind of mean god compared to Aslan) but still made it through the door. Any vestiges of Christianity left in me I owe to C.S Lewis now that I’m about 99% agnostic (kind of hard to shake that evangelical upbringing completely). I just re-read (or rather listened to) _Jane Eyre_- a great narration by Thandie Newton and having it read to me was just an outstanding experience. I always come to that novel and see it in a new way and I think now I am finally old enough with enough life experience to fully appreciate it even though I’ve read it at least 10 times previously. Lastly- _Lonesome Dove_- an adventure that never loses it’s appeal. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/35 "2017-06-03T13:33:00Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > My Discworld collection. Same here. Pterry’s (sadly) complete works in digital form go with me everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/36 "2017-06-03T13:36:15Z")
> [@divemaster](#): > > **The Stand**. 11-12 times. That was my first one. I re-read it about every four to five years. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/37 "2017-06-03T14:01:19Z")
Sense & Sensibility. Ten million times. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/38 "2017-06-03T14:13:01Z")
**Lord of the Rings** & **The Hobbit** by Professor Tolkien. **Moon is a Harsh Mistress** ,\*\* Starship Troopers\*\* by Heinlein. Then probably the Heinlein juveniles. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/39 "2017-06-03T14:20:43Z")
I rarely reread a book, as there are just too many unread books out there, and too little time. A couple that do come to mind are **The White Nile** , by Alan Moorehead, a riveting history of exploration on that river; and **The Milagro Beanfield War** , by John Nichols, possibly the funniest book I’ve ever read. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946/40 "2017-06-03T14:22:20Z")
The Hitchhikers Guide the the Galaxy followed closely by Life the Universe and Everything and then The Restaurant at the End of the Universe and So Long and Thanks for All the Fish. There was a period of time between 7th grade and some time in my early college career where I would read them or listen to an audio book, or the BBC radio plays, every single day. I have likely read the first book well over 100 times. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-have-you-re-read-the-most/787946.md?page=3)