Sunday
Jan242010
To re-read or not to re-read. . .
Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 08:26PM . . .that is the questionl
My husband (who knows that I collect quotes and that I re-read books over and over) just sent me this quote:
"If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all."
Oscar Wilde (Irish Poet, Novelist, Dramatist and Critic, 1854-1900)
And of course, it got me thinking (good quotes always do!) Do I really agree with Mr. Wilde? I have my own opinion but I'm wondering. . .do YOU agree with Mr. Wilde? Why or why not?
Reader Comments (10)
Because I'm an avid re-reader and have a real appreciation for Oscar Wilde- I have to agree.
Have I enjoyed the 20th reading of Lord of the Rings more than the first? Absolutely- I belong in Middle Earth, I've been there so often. And, although I do read the throw'away novels when I just want a piece of mind candy, they are not normal fare.
Let's face it - there are only so many GREAT books out there- and if we couldn't re-read, life would be so very sad.
I have always been a re-reader. As I get older, though, I do it less often. There are so many books I want to read, and I don't think I'm going to live long enough to get them all done!
I always end up being the voice of dissent!! I cannot read the same book more than twice, with rare exceptions! I remember what happened, and at that point, I get bored and toss the book aside. I read almost all of the Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour books when I was in my teens - that was about 30 years ago, and I still can't pick one up without going, "oh yeah - I remember this one...."
There are some that I keep for reference and I will re-read those once I can forget about the details, and there are other classics that I keep and read about once every 10 years or so, but mostly, I read and pass along.
Maybe what Mr. Wilde is pointing out, though, is that the books themselves, if they are to be considered "good" books, must be capable of surviving the first read and going back for a second (or third or more)? Maybe that was his point: that there is too much disposable literature.....
I, too, am a re-reader. I also mark pages in the front blank page or top of page that has quotes, info I want to have handy or just sections I love to re-read over and over ... but I ask this ... how much does the cover of the book influence whether to read a book choice? For me Covers draw me in as much as reviews and reading the flaps does .... I love to look at old books and the typefaces of the titles ... in our home my husband has a color and I have a color that we use to underline information in non-fiction books ... we could never lend them out because people would go nuts trying to read them ... as of late we have even gone to buying two books so we each have our own ...LOL! Then there are those books that you don't DARE write in ... like "The Institutes" but there is post-it notes galore!!!! LOL!!! Dog ear ... sorry to say YES I DO .... how about you?
But if you didn't "read it at all" how would you know if it's worth re-reading? I'd like to ask Mr. Wilde that question.
Yes, I am a re-reader; and use post it notes to mark favorite passages or quotable lines.
Definitely a re-reader here, especially with fiction. It's interesting to go back and read some of the novels I read in university. I have a much better appreciation for some of them now that I am more mature.
I always re-read and re-re-read. New intricacies of the story/ writer's technique are revealed each time, even if its a story you know by heart.
Just like I listen to songs over and over countless times in a lifetime, a good book, story or article should be read and re-read.
I agree with Mr. Wilde, too. I really need to read a book at least twice before I get much benefit from it. Three times is better.
I agree and disagree both! Some books I love reading and reading and reading again (from Harry Potter to John Piper to Jane Austen). Some books I read only once yet am still glad for the journey even though I'm quite certain I won't take it again! So, I guess it depends on the book! How's that for diplomacy?
How typically ironic of Oscar Wilde: one can't tell before reading a book whether she'll ever desire to read it over and over again. Generally speaking.
Just like watching the pivotal scenes in favorite movies, I'll re-read chunks of favorite books just for the art of it.