Book Talk: On Rereading Old Favorites

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How often do you reread books? As a bibliophile, I’ve gradually amassed a small library of favorite titles over my lifetime. These favorites are always changing: space is limited, shelf-weeding happens, and new books move in as older ones move out. When I love a book, I want to have it on my shelf, not only because I want my shelves to reflect my current reading tastes, but because seeing it brings back my incredible reading experience and, at some point, I’ll likely want to revisit it. As I think about it, though, it’s pretty rare that I find time for rereads. My TBR is forever out of control, and I often feel an underlying sense of tension if I’m not moving forward and experiencing new works. We only have so much time to read, and we can only get to so many titles, so is rereading really practical or beneficial? I vote a hearty yes.

There’s something infinitely calming, special, and satisfying about sinking back into the pages of a favorite book. It’s like revisiting an old friend, and I’m always shocked at how much I forget: plot, characters, themes, settings, you name it, I’ve likely forgotten it all aside from a few impactful scenes and how the book made me feel. I'm also amazed at how resonant books can be as I read them at different points throughout my life, which are truly transcendent experiences.

Lately, I’ve been doing research for a personal project, and I’ve been in rereading mode for quite a while. I’ve absolutely loved revisiting some of my old favorites—which get better every time—but now that I’ve come to a stopping point, it’s a relief to be able to dig into my TBR and experience new titles again. I’m a mood reader, so that always dictates what I’m able to read at any given time, whether reread, backlist, or new release.

Below are five, 5-star titles (two novels and three graphic novels) I’ve read three times or more, and that I consider true favorites:

• The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner
• The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
• Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
• Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
• Fangs by Sarah Andersen

And here are five titles I think about often that will likely be near-future rereads:

• The Ghost Writer by John Harwood
• When the Night Bells Ring by Jo Kaplan
• The Unsuitable by Molly Pohlig
• Gallant by Victoria E. Schwab
• The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

How about you? Do you enjoy rereading books, and, if so, what are some of your most-read titles?

🖤Amanda

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