Wed Re-reading Meme?

[shadowkat]

Are there any books that you have re-read numerous times? Or maybe just twice? That even though you have the story memorized, well more or less, you just feel the need every once and a while to revisit them? Either because they fit a craving, nothing else does? Or a kink? Or a certain character trope that you can't find elsewhere?

Sort of like re-watching a television show.

OR a movie.

For me? It's rarely literary books that I feel this need to re-read, it's usually pulpy genre books that fit the itch. I don't know why. Maybe they are more guttural? Less mind, more heart, less about the lingo and more about a feeling or need? I don't know.

Anyhow, I've been re-reading an urban fantasy series that I've read twice now, actually I think I may have read it three times. I can't remember. Doesn't appear to have a fandom, or much of one.
And no one else on lj or rather my lj correspondence list, seems to like it. Which is actually not a problem, like you'd think, in a way it's sort of freeing -- because no bickering over which characters work and which don't. Etc. Fandoms...can be emotionally exhausting things.

Trying to think if I've ever re-read a literary book? Ah, James Joyce's Ulyssess, but that was for a thesis and a degree. Which isn't exactly the same thing. Also, it sort of requires multiple readings due to how it is writing. Also, quite a few Shakespearean plays for more or less the same reasons.
I read Dorothy Dunnett's Checkmate twice - or rather sections of it. But I'm not sure I'd categorize Dunnett as literary. Also read some of the PD Wodehouse novels more than once, which could be considered literary works.

As much as I adored Jane Austen, I think I only re-read sections of Pride and Prejudice and Sandition (multiple times) and it wasn't even really written by Austen. Actually, it is sort of telling that my favorite Jane Austen novel was in reality written by Jane Austen (the first five chapters) and another lady (the last 30 chapters).

Literary works require more careful reading -- so by the time I finish they are usually embedded on my brain, and the subject matter, in most cases, is emotionally exhausting or dreadfully depressing, and doesn't bode a repeat. Be a bit like re-watch the Dark Knight film, or Schindler's List or
The Conversation...all brilliant films, but I can't re-watch them. Same with Breaking Bad - brilliant series, no desire to rewatch.

I re-read the Elizabeth Peters Vickie Bliss series, or rather, just two books in the series, four times. (Trojan Gold and Night Train to Memphis - because I found them to be funny and romantically charming.) GRR Martin's books? Eh. Let's say I was happy that I finished the books at all, don't much fancy a re-read. Grim is an understatement. Feel much the same about the series.

Harry Potter? I think I've re-read sections here and there, mainly for the humor. I enjoy JK Rowling's dry wit.

Some books don't live up to a second read. You read them a second time and think: "OMG, What was I thinking??? How could I possibly have made it through this!" This happens with movies and television shows as well, or so I've discovered. It can also have the opposite effect: "OMG, this is so good! Why didn't I love this?" Goes to sure you, our opinions can change. They aren't stagent. Or still like a pond. More flowing like a river or an ocean.

I'm currently re-reading for the third or fourth time (really, whose counting? I'm certainly not), Illona Andrews Magic Series. I don't really know why I crave it. The writing from a purely objective stance isn't that great. She's repetitive in places. (For example? The characters say : "Aha" a lot.
Also the main character is constantly saying: "Why me?" To the point in which I feel like answering back: "Why not you?") But, outside of that? I find it to a be charming horror procedural with a kickass female character that I can relate to and a kickass male hero that I want to well, shag or bone? It hits my kinks, offers a pleasant distraction and makes me happy on my hour subway commute to and from the City each day. I only read it on the subway or the commute. Which to be honest is really all that matters, isn't it?

One of the nice things about not having to read fiction for a living or for coursework or a book club any longer -- is you don't have to answer to anyone or impress anyone with what you are reading. It's freeing in a way.

Comments

[cactuswatcher.livejournal.com]

I don't know how many times I've read War and Peace. I've read it at least six times in Russian. I tried concentrating on different major characters over several readings. It holds up very well. Some people, like me, love War and Peace. Some people love Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. I read that one several times because I had to, not because it ever struck me as particularly good or insightful. Tastes vary.

I couldn't read Joyce's Ulysses once, though it must not be because it seems like nothing happens. I have read a Russian novel called Oblomov about three times without any sort of coercion. In Oblomov, it takes about one third of the book for the title character to decide to get out of bed one day.

Somethings just don't stand up to picky careful rereading. I read Pride and Prejudice fairly quickly the first time and thought it was a pretty good light novel. I later tried reading it with a critical eye and never got beyond the third or fourth chapter, because the English isn't great and the air-headed society which is depicted just gets too silly. Otherwise I can't say I've disliked many books on second rereading that I like on first reading. Sometimes the impression on second reading can be very different. Age, more education, even just a different state of mind can all make a book seem very different in later readings.

J K Rowling has her faults but she does tell a good story, worth rereading despite any warts.

I've reread several of the Brother Cadfael mysteries. The interplay of characters at least in the earliest books is very much worth studying, and Ellis Peters was a master at setting a scene both efficiently and beautifully.

One of the nice things about not having to read fiction for a living or for coursework or a book club any longer -- is you don't have to answer to anyone or impress anyone with what you are reading. It's freeing in a way.

I'll agree with that!

[scarred-loretta.livejournal.com]

I re-read Douglas Coupland books, like, a lot. It's just something about the way he writes, and the characters he creates. It's addictive stuff. Girlfriend in a Coma is easily the most withered and worn out book on my bookshelf.

I recently bought a whole bunch of Point Horror books - the series for young adults. I guess I was feeling nostalgic after finding a few old copies of random Point Horrors at mum's house from when I was young. They still hold up quite well! (Depending on the author). I want to collect them all again! (God knows where the rest of my original collection disappeared to).

[sophist.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever re-read any non-fiction books, even the ones which most moved me, but I've re-read lots of fiction: LOTR, Sherlock Holmes, Hunger Games, Harry Potter, and others. And, of course, I've re-watched Buffy many times.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to remember if I've ever re-read non-fiction? Not unless it was required for a class. I often skim non-fiction, and I read a lot of it for work.

Fiction, weirdly, I skim less, and re-read more. It's very strange.

[ponygirl2000.livejournal.com]

I read Maggie Stiefvater's Raven Cycle series this summer and immediately started rereading them! I like rereading, both because I can pick up on things that I hadn't noticed before, and also because it's like a greatest hits version of the books. I can skip over stuff that bugged me and savour the parts I liked best.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

I like rereading, both because I can pick up on things that I hadn't noticed before, and also because it's like a greatest hits version of the books. I can skip over stuff that bugged me and savour the parts I liked best.

That's the best part of re-reading, I think. I can skim over the boring sections or sections that didn't work for me. And focus on the great bits. For example? I love Illona Andrews dialogue and mythology, but her descriptions and fight sequences often bore me.

Maggie Stiefvater's Raven Cycle series

I've been flirting with that series. How is it? Is it terribly angsty - teen romance triangle? Or more Harry Potter/Hunger Gamish?

[ponygirl2000.livejournal.com]

The series is angsty but more in a coming of age way than romantic. The reason it worked better for me on the re-read was that I could go back knowing that she doesn't care about telling us how magic works or having an airtight plot. The books are about dream logic, atmosphere and super-intense friendships, and on that level they're very good.

You'd also probably get a kick out of all the Welsh mythology that gets referenced.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

I may try a sample from Amazon and see if the writing style and story grab me. I've started doing that instead of reading reviews. I can't tell any longer whether I'll like something from reviews.