Do you ever re-read a book?

Having taught English Literature for 30 odd years I often re read the most wonderful books. Every time was a first for the class I was reading with and every time was a joy. Knowing what was coming helped me read meaningfully and watching the children’s reactions to a really good piece of writing was a never ending delight. Reading with regional accents and different voices for different characters was something I just loved. My own children loved it too and I am thrilled that DS has inherited the mimicry thing and uses it when he reads to my DGD.

A town like Alice, I think I have read it five times and Requem for a WREN about four times - but strangely enough only really Nevil Shute - well Richmal Crompton when I was a kid - but he just somehow tunes precisely on my wavelength

Is that Leon Uris BBbevan? I genuinely thought The Source was one of Michener’s brilliant history/travel books, others include Hawaii, Caravans and South Pacific, but I completely agree - the Source about a Tell in Israel was superb. Have you read Edward Rutherford’s Sarem?

I'm with you Fennel. I re-read Three Men In A Boat every year. I absolutely love it. Likewise Diary Of a Nobody.

I'm a voracious reader and love many genres of literature but - Guilty pleasure disclosure! - I love rereading the early Jilly Coopers Prudence/Emily/Bella etc (NOT the Riders stuff which I'm sure I'm on my own in saying they're a bit rubbishy) I'm also in the process of re reading Henry James to see if I can get a handle on him this time around

Re-read Jane Austen novels many times. To kill a mockingbird. James Herriot books. Ruth Rendall. Could go on...many books.

Jane Austen's novels, Jane Eyre, Little Women, Northern Lights trilogy and many more, especially with children both at home and in class.
Hadn't read Wuthering Heights for years and when I did reread as an adult, I realised how much I' d missed as a youngster!

Yes you are right Nielspurgeon0. Sorry

Oh dear, I wrote a lengthy response to this on another thread - Books You Hated. If you're interested, look there.

SueDonim - I read the Loving Spirit about every 2 years and there are still bits that make me cry. It was the first “ grown up”book I read aged 13 or 14. The language is very flowery and it’s all a bit cheesy but it was Daphne du Maurier ‘s first book so she can be forgiven. It’s long been out of print but I managed to pick up a copy in a charity shop some years ago.

Yes, now and again I do re-read a book, or seek out a book I read, say, twenty or thirty years ago.Not often though, as there are so many good books out there to read.
Mainly humerous books such as ( already mentioned) Three Men In A Boat, or Three Men On The Bummel, Diary Of A Nobody, Vice Versa , McCarthy’s Bar, The Riad To McCarthy, Round Ireland With A Fridge,and some Bill Bryson books.

Lindylo
My mum had that book but I never knew what it was about. Possibly a small child whose guardian was a tall man? I might have my books mixed up...

I've read all my books by Anne Tyler , Margaret Drabble and Margaret Forster twice and some by David lodge 3 times..
In a really good novel there's always some new aspect which you missed the first time round.
I read Gone with the Wind every 10 years and each time I find something different or have matured a bit and see another side of the historial events.
Jane Austen because of the language and Anna Karenina because there is too much in it to take it all in first time round.

Mrswoo I'm fairly sure I still have a hardback version of The Loving Spirit somewhere in the house. I think I may have bought it secondhand, many years ago! It has a torn dust cover, I can see it in my mind's eye to this day.

My all time favourite is The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullock. So much better than the film which misses about the first 14 yrs! I must be due for a re-read it's at least ten yrs since my last time.

I hate rarely re-read books but recently joined Audible and am listening to biographies I have previously read . Currently listening to Let It Go , the memoirs of the amazing woman Dame Stephanie Shirley which I thoroughly recommend in any format .

Gabriella you're right about Daddy Longlegs. It's about a young girl and her journey into adulthood with who she thought was her guardian but she ends up marrying. It's very sweet and honest.

Another Secret History fan here. Also her other two, The Little Friend and The Goldfinch. I give all my books away once read, but not Donna Tartt.
I do rebuy/reread favourite books but don't have the space to keep them.

I've kept The Goldfinch because I really loved the first part of the book (but found the later part disappointing).

As I am a very fast reader re reading is no problem for me. I have read ‘Lord of the Rings’ ( all three) three times since my teenage years and the ‘Dance to the Music of Time’ sequence (ten or twelve novels) three times also. I must have read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ about ten times given I taught it to many classes. Like the original poster I loved ‘The Secret History’ and not only have reread it but really enjoyed the Radio Four reading. You do get something new for every rereading. Some phrases and sentences send tingles down your spine.

I reread most books. I have 4 bookcases full of books i cant part with. Ive reread jane eire and withering heights also many rosamund pilcher sagas . Louise cooper Crown of horn many times . Countless others

Afraid I'm 'guilty' of re-reading books over and over again - although usually a fair amount of time between reads. I usually enjoy them just as much 2nd or 3rd time around (perhaps even more)!
I would recommend my favourites to anyone:-
The Belle Fields and its sequel Ashes of Roses by Lora Adams - a lovely story set around the very early 1900's which follows the life and times of a village girl who lands a job in the local 'big house'. the ups and downs of her life and the happy times and heart-ache are beautifully told - a real page-turner for me!
You might try Brother to the Ox by Fred Kitchen - the author telling the story of his life as an agricultural labourer in the very early 20th century. Lovely descriptive writing - how those folks worked for a pittance - the changes in his lifetime beggar belief.
Anyone in to poetry might try Say Kangaroo by Five Sisters. A really well put together compilation of poems written by 5 sisters about their memories of growing up in the 50s and 60s. Took me back to my childhood especially holidays, school days and Christmases etc etc.
Anyone trying any of them - hope you enjoy!

I don't usually re-read books, but there are exceptions. I've certainly read everything by Daphne Du Maurier more than once, and these days it's Bill Bryson. I actually buy his books, not just borrow them from the library, I love them so much.

I've reread very few books but have picked up both A Tale of Two Cities and Life of Pi again. Still enjoyable reads a second time around.
I think you could possibly reread any Dickens book as there is so much depth in them and you can get so much out of them.

I re-read most of my books, otherwise why keep them? Reading Austen again for study purposes, and appreciating every clever phrase; also reread 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel etc' preparatory to the film and was astonished by at how much I had forgotten, although it made a big impression at the time.