Thread: The Re-Readables

There are some stories, and prose, which, after reading them, we have no desire to read a second time.

And then there are The Re-Readables; the works we find ourselves returning to again and again, eager to immerse ourselves in the author's capable hands.

What is it about these pieces we find so compelling? Why do we marvel at words already seen, re-introduce ourselves to a character already met, twist through a plot already known?

And most importantly, what can we do, as writers, do to create such Re-Readable works?

Wow. This is a question.

You will laugh. But the only novels I have read multiple times were novelisations of the TV series V, and the film Alien. However, I regularly re read non fiction.

I think the enjoyment of the particular escapism those books offered made me read again (I was a teenager). And I may sound even more odd here, but the only fiction I have like to re-read, as an adult, is my own.

But having said all that, I read Wuthering Heights last year and have vowed to read it again one day. I think because I thought it was cleverly written with regard to viewpoint, and also I think I may have missed something about the characters and events. But it made an impression, particularly because of the implicit nature of the love affair going on, as a reader you are free to form your own idea of this, now famous, relationship between Cathey and Heathcliff. And the book ended leaving the reader with a very powerful sense that this relationship was important in an eternal way.

So maybe admiration for the way the books are written brings the reader back. As for what we can do? I know I am going to imply most of my relationships in my work. Nothing is going to be open and explicit. But also respect the reader and draw them in early on by hooking them to the characters. If you can make them care for the character in the first chapter, then they will read on, and as long as you keep their arousal stoked at regular intervals, they will keep reading. Then leave them wanting more. Imply the ending if possible. BTW - This is what I think, don't know if I am right.

For me, it's almost always the characters. I mean, once you've read a mystery or crime novel, for example, the 'punchline' is gone - but I still re-read if I'm intrigued by the characters. Sometimes I'll just jump to a particular chapter or scene that really hit home; other times I just have to read the whole darn thing again. But, yeah, if I'm not that interested in the characters, I may pick it up again out of boredom, but I won't go looking for it.

I don't re-read stories at all. I've read some great books, that's for sure, but the mystery of what will happen is gone, so I will never go back. I just read another story.

You've just defined what is generally held to be a classic, really, confirmed by the 'great books' compilation:

• The book has contemporary significance; that is, it has relevance to the problems and issues of our times;
• The book is inexhaustible; it can be read again and again with benefit; "This is an exacting criterion, an ideal that is fully attained by only a small number of the 511 works that we selected. It is approximated in varying degrees by the rest."
• The book is relevant to a large number of the great ideas and great issues that have occupied the minds of thinking individuals for the last 25 centuries

When I think back to works that I've read multiple times, nothing more needs to be said, aside from that aforementioned. On the topic of literature, anyway. Film is an altogether different topic.

I often reread books, generally I forget a large part of the plot in the mean time so I might remember vague bits here and there I will not remeber it all. I have a much better auditory memory, I remember a lot of information when I hear it. I find that sometimes if the book is really good I end up skipping or skimming lines rather than going slowly because I want to know what happens.

The other side of that is it depends on how I feel at the time. Rereading a book is kinda like a warm bath, comforting, soothing. I know the characters and places to some extent and know what to expect from the book as I read it. I read it to enjoy the story, I can read it to enjoy the story rather than a desire to know what comes next.

Other books reveal new information once the ending is read, for example, the Murder of Roger Ackroyd, a book that presents new information when rereading, or at least, the reader is more aware of certain things making the information stand out more.

There are many people who do not reread books and I find that weird, they, in turn, find it weird that I reread books, not just ones considered classics, but just books I've enjoyed. I've reread many books from steven king to margaret atwood.

Some books I reread them because I love them, the idea, the story, the character, one example of this is The Book of Lost Things. I love that book and I have read it numerous times, it's well crafted and entertaining. I view it as rewatching TV shows or movies. Many people wouldn't hesitate to rewatch things without them being amazing or great, just something to pass the time, an enjoyable experience that is relaxing.

Re-reading books is kind of like saying hello to some old friends. It doesn't matter that you know what they're going to go through; you just enjoy their company.

Plus, I find that I don't always catch everything on the first read, especially in longer series. Typically when a new book comes out, I read it voraciously, just to find out what's going to happen. It's only on the second read that I savor it. And then there's the thrill of knowing--I tend to catch more of the foreshadowing and irony when I already know the outcome.

I would say favorite books are comparable to favorite anythings. Sweet potatoes, for example, are one of my favorite foods. I know what they taste like, what kind of texture they have, what to expect, but I still enjoy revisiting them. Frequently.

Originally Posted by Tiamat10

Re-reading books is kind of like saying hello to some old friends.

Agree. Sometimes I reread a book for the language -- the pleasure of reading something well written. Angels (Denis Johnson) was something I reread for that reason.

i think for something to be worth reading again it definitely has to be because of the characters and/or the language. and generally both.

often when i'm writing, if there's a scene or action i'm having difficulty conveying i'll try to think of a similar scene or action in a book i've read. of particular interest is the choice of language and the pace of the narrative.