To re-read or to read

Many people have differing opinions on if books should be re-read or not. Some think that is a waste of time because you already know what happens and there are so many more books to be read. Others find comfort in re-reading books.

Personally, I love the idea of re-reading. I'm the girl that will sit down and watch a movie I've already seen to the point that I can speak the lines before the actors. I have seen Friends, the Big Bang Theory, and Gilmore Girls more times than I can count. About a minute into the first scene, I already know what episode is playing. I love re-visiting things I've already seen or read.

Beautiful Creatures is my favorite book of all time. Obsessed isn't a strong enough word to describe how I feel about Beautiful Creatures. I have read this book at least ten times and will read it at least a dozen more in the coming years of my life. I already know what will happen, but I still am drawn to the story and the characters and everything about the book.

I think part of why people choose to re-read is for comfort. To me, reading is finding new friends and adventures and when I finish the book, something is missing from my life. When I go back and re-read or re-watch something, I get thrown back into that world. It's like catching up with old friends. There is no worry about what will happen. You already know and you can just enjoy it. I find peace in re-visiting the old friends I made in books I've already read.

C.S. Lewis says, "To me, re-reading my favorite books is like spending time with my best friends. I'd never be satisfied to limit myself to just one experience each with my favorite people."

This perfectly sums up what I was saying. Re-reading brings you close to the people who are lost from your life.

Besides the fact that every time you read a book over again, you will find something you never did before. Re-read a few years later when you are in a different place and see that you will always gain something new from it.

So what do you think? Is re-reading fun or a waste of time? Leave a comment below!

-Cath