As a teacher, I often re-read books to teach or in consideration of teaching. I get so much more out of them that way! Suddenly I pay attention to interesting language shifts or details I had not encountered. Or sometimes it's not that at all but just re-experiencing the beauty of the prose or story itself. Milan Kundera's Unbearable Lightness of Being was one such work; so sad to see his passing today. But many other books as well -- and even those classics like Hamlet I truly enjoy rereading for purpose of teaching or writing about the texts. I've done this with film as well and find that on every viewing I am more intrigued rather than a bit bored.
I never thought of re-reading from the perspective of teaching. That must be so interesting, to come at a text from a different angle. I must admit to enjoying rewatching films as well!
I do this with teaching too - it's such a different experience to re-reading for pleasure but I love how closely it make me look at things and consider how to make them accesible and engaging for the students.
It’s been such an interesting thing to explore. As a general rule I am not a re-reader and I try to order new things off of menus but there seems to be a correlation to the exceptions to that for me.
I don't re-read and don't know why! But this post has me wondering. On another note, thanks to your recommendation, I watched 84 Charing Cross Rd last night. Was in the mood for a story to be told to me without putting in too much effort. Thank you! Having been an avid penpal writer and bookaphile for most of my teen and adult life, this story was a warm hug and a familiar friend. So many books, so many feelings. (So much smoking in the 80s!). Unlike Helene, I did meet my main teenage penpal and continue to stay in touch with him after 30 plus years. But I know so well the joy of believing there is someone in the world who really gets me (even if at the time I was mostly projecting myself onto my penpal and in reality thru those letters just coming to better understand myself). I also know the sadness of a sort of unrequited love with that projection. My penpal became my long distance friend, brother, and ultimately lover in my imagination at a critical time of development in between child and adult. When I met him finally in my early 20s, ultimately the veil of those feelings were pierced. He's a great guy, but my imagination was way better! We wish the most of what we want (or what we hate) onto those we don't actually know. Enough musing... I could go on and likely shall with pen and paper. But wanted to thank you again for the recommendation. If you have an itch for a penpal, I highly recommend it. Or try Post crossing! A no commitment worldwide postcard exchange. Cheers!
Thank you for your comment! How amazing that you are still in touch with your penpal, although I agree with you that some things are best left to the imagination :) I'm so glad you loved the film!
Loved reading this, Kate, and learning about your favourite re-reads! The book I've read the most often is Pride and Prejudice. Anytime I'm feeling low, ill, or unispired and don't know what to choose I know I can crawl inside that book and it'll lift me up. The writing is sublime and Austen's characters always make me smile. I read it more than once a year, I think, it's like a comfort blanket at this point and I have favourite passages I know off by heart!
Hi Kate, great post! I don't re-read much but when things get rough, I turn to Iris Murdoch, John Steinbeck, or Jack Kerouac for comfort. And poetry, of course.
I have Charring Cross -- my mom just bought it for me. Can't wait to read it. Also, I adore Olive, Again, too, and Elizabeth Strout. I'll admit that I was wildly disappointed with Lucy By the Sea though. It felt like a snapshot in time, less of a novel. Did you like that one as much as the other Strout novels? Just curious! xo
Ooh, hope you enjoy it! I found it so heartwarming :) As for Lucy by the Sea, I did really enjoy it, though can see what you mean. Both the Olive books have more going on. Lucy felt more like Strout processing the experience of living in 2020 in a way. I do love the character of Lucy Barton though.
As a teacher, I often re-read books to teach or in consideration of teaching. I get so much more out of them that way! Suddenly I pay attention to interesting language shifts or details I had not encountered. Or sometimes it's not that at all but just re-experiencing the beauty of the prose or story itself. Milan Kundera's Unbearable Lightness of Being was one such work; so sad to see his passing today. But many other books as well -- and even those classics like Hamlet I truly enjoy rereading for purpose of teaching or writing about the texts. I've done this with film as well and find that on every viewing I am more intrigued rather than a bit bored.
Really lovely reflection! Thank you for this.
I never thought of re-reading from the perspective of teaching. That must be so interesting, to come at a text from a different angle. I must admit to enjoying rewatching films as well!
I do this with teaching too - it's such a different experience to re-reading for pleasure but I love how closely it make me look at things and consider how to make them accesible and engaging for the students.
Great post, nothing as comforting as a re-read. For me it’s always the Sherlock Holmes collection where I can lose myself in Victorian Britain.
That's great! Something you can lose yourself in is the best re-read :)
This same topic led me to a super interesting conversation here on Substack a little bit ago:
https://open.substack.com/pub/createmefree/p/if-you-re-read-books-do-you-also
Ah! Thanks, Kathryn :)
I loved the idea of literary comfort food and was so intrigued by the question of whether re-readers also order the same thing from menus
That would definitely be me!!
It’s been such an interesting thing to explore. As a general rule I am not a re-reader and I try to order new things off of menus but there seems to be a correlation to the exceptions to that for me.
I don't re-read and don't know why! But this post has me wondering. On another note, thanks to your recommendation, I watched 84 Charing Cross Rd last night. Was in the mood for a story to be told to me without putting in too much effort. Thank you! Having been an avid penpal writer and bookaphile for most of my teen and adult life, this story was a warm hug and a familiar friend. So many books, so many feelings. (So much smoking in the 80s!). Unlike Helene, I did meet my main teenage penpal and continue to stay in touch with him after 30 plus years. But I know so well the joy of believing there is someone in the world who really gets me (even if at the time I was mostly projecting myself onto my penpal and in reality thru those letters just coming to better understand myself). I also know the sadness of a sort of unrequited love with that projection. My penpal became my long distance friend, brother, and ultimately lover in my imagination at a critical time of development in between child and adult. When I met him finally in my early 20s, ultimately the veil of those feelings were pierced. He's a great guy, but my imagination was way better! We wish the most of what we want (or what we hate) onto those we don't actually know. Enough musing... I could go on and likely shall with pen and paper. But wanted to thank you again for the recommendation. If you have an itch for a penpal, I highly recommend it. Or try Post crossing! A no commitment worldwide postcard exchange. Cheers!
Thank you for your comment! How amazing that you are still in touch with your penpal, although I agree with you that some things are best left to the imagination :) I'm so glad you loved the film!
Loved reading this, Kate, and learning about your favourite re-reads! The book I've read the most often is Pride and Prejudice. Anytime I'm feeling low, ill, or unispired and don't know what to choose I know I can crawl inside that book and it'll lift me up. The writing is sublime and Austen's characters always make me smile. I read it more than once a year, I think, it's like a comfort blanket at this point and I have favourite passages I know off by heart!
Ah, thank you, Charlene! Pride and Prejudice is a great choice and I love the idea of a book as a comfort blanket :)
Hi Kate, great post! I don't re-read much but when things get rough, I turn to Iris Murdoch, John Steinbeck, or Jack Kerouac for comfort. And poetry, of course.
Thanks for your comment, Katerina. I think it's great when you have a few go-to comfort reads you can draw on!
I have Charring Cross -- my mom just bought it for me. Can't wait to read it. Also, I adore Olive, Again, too, and Elizabeth Strout. I'll admit that I was wildly disappointed with Lucy By the Sea though. It felt like a snapshot in time, less of a novel. Did you like that one as much as the other Strout novels? Just curious! xo
Ooh, hope you enjoy it! I found it so heartwarming :) As for Lucy by the Sea, I did really enjoy it, though can see what you mean. Both the Olive books have more going on. Lucy felt more like Strout processing the experience of living in 2020 in a way. I do love the character of Lucy Barton though.
I've read all of Hanff's books, and bought the books she wrote about.
How great! I absolutely love the turns of phrase she uses.