4 Reasons Why You Should Re-Read Books

Reading is sowing. Rereading is the harvest. ― Johnny Uzan

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Re-reading the same book produces new insights because the reader is a different person. Indeed, a good book is very much like a mirror: The glass is the same year after year, but the reflection in it changes over time.

― Christopher Nelson

Recently, I have had this urge to re-read my old favourites. And that made me question why re-reading books is a good idea.

Here are the answers I found for myself -

You remind yourself of the old lessons.

Well, that is obvious.

When you re-read a book, you get to re-live those paragraphs. Not only you'll get reminded of the old lessons, but you might also see them in a new light, with more examples to add from your experience.

You learn something new every time.

I have noticed this with watching movies.

Every time I re-watch my favourite movie, I'd catch a different scene taking my attention. Or there would be a dialogue that I have heard a million times, but the meaning of which struck me at the million and one times.

The same goes for books.

I read a book for the first time, and I catch some lessons. I re-read it a few years later, adding more lessons to my list. Every time I re-read a book, I squeeze out all the lessons I could learn from it.

You get a chance to go deeper into the words and thoughts of the writer.

During the first read, you don't know what's coming and what you'll gather. Pausing to reflect on what the writer just said can hinder reading enjoyment.

During the second read, you know what's there. Now you get a chance to pause and reflect on those words.

You get to think about what you agree with and what you don't agree with and if there's something that you would like to add to what the writer said.

You catch the pattern.

This is great if you are learning to write a book.

The first read happens to understand the content of the book.

The second read can be done to understand how the writer structured the book.

If it's a detective novel, the second read will help you see how the author planted the clues and red herrings that eventually led you to the epic conclusion.

If it's a non-fiction book, the second read will help you see how you could structure your book, flowing from one topic to another, for easy comprehension by the readers.

Now, not only you are having a great time as a reader, but you're also improving your craft as a writer.

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