affiliate links // I love re-reading books. I know some people read a book once and don’t want to waste time reading it again if they already know what’s happened but I am literally the complete opposite. I adore dipping back in to some of my old favourites.
And actually, they don’t even have to be a complete favourite for me to want to re-read them.
I found myself having a re-read month in April. I don’t know what made me do it but I picked up a book I’d re-read in the past and enjoyed reading it again so much that I decided to dedicated the entire month to re-reading some stand out books.
But first, why do I love re-reading books so much?
- It’s comforting: I find real comfort in re-reading my favourite books. Despite already knowing what’s going to happen, I feel like going back in to an old favourite is a really safe space.
- It’s nice to meet the characters again: I’m certainly not the only person who can feel connected to certain characters. Some book characters can come to feel like friends or family. And it’s nice to go back and re-visit them.
- It’s a different experience: Re-reading books IS a difference experience every time. You’re at a different point in YOUR life when you re-read these books so you’re going to take very different things from them each time!
I’m a serial re-reader; having read my FAVOURITE book more than 5 times. So today I wanted to share with you some of the books I’ve re-read more than once and hopefully give you some book recommendations too!
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
THIS is the book that I’ve read 6 times – no word of a lie. There’s something about this book that just… ugh, I don’t even know. It’s my absolutely favourite book of all time and although it’s a scary concept, I find it such a comfort to read. I really do feel part of the story, in some weird way. And reading this after a global pandemic where so many things have changed hit differently.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
I kicked off my re-read month in April with this and honestly, I loved it 10x more the second time around. I don’t know what made me pick this up again but whatever did knew that this was exactly what I needed and wanted. Cheryl is such an inspiring woman and Wild is both breath-taking and heartbreaking in equal measures.
Not That Kind of Love by Claire and Greg Wise
I read this years ago when I was sent it to review (you can read my review of Not That Kind of Love here!) and I hadn’t thought about it much since. Until my boyfriend and I were watching the Hornblower movies and Greg Wise popped up. I instantly thought about this book and knew I had to pick it up again. Despite it’s tragic end and heart-breaking story, it’s incredibly funny, witty and moving.
The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
This book was kinda my first foray into this sort of contemporary YA genre and I absolutely loved it. I’ve re-read this book around 4 times since my first read, wayyy back in like 2013. I love the movie as well and just feel like this sort of book and story can offer up a whole lot of nostalgia. Which is why I like a re-read of this every now and again!
Paper Towns, Looking For Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
There’s no point me talking about each one of these individually because I’ll have probably said the same thing but John Green books demand to be re-read. He’s one of my favourite authors and although I’ve grown up a bit since I first discovered his books, there’s still magic to be found by re-reading his work.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Granted, I’ve only re-read this twice because it makes me cry so much that I don’t reaaally want to put myself through it too often. But it’s still a book I will keep on my bookshelf forever and continue to re-read. I’ll never get bored of this boring story and I swear the writing gets more stunning every time you read it.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
This is the story that I’m probably the most familiar with out of the lot. Only because the film is my favourite film of all time and I must have seen it over 100 times. I find the film really comforting, which is weird, considering what it’s about haha! But I’ve read the book a couple of times as well – just because.
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
Back to Markus Zusak and his beautiful writing for my final book of this list. I Am the Messenger isn’t sad like The Book Thief but its still beautiful and profound and draws you in completely. I’d probably be more inclined to re-read this than The Book Thief on any given day because I just love this storyline so much!
Do you like re-reading books? I’d love to hear about the books you have read more than once! Have you re-read any of these? Let me know and let’s chat in the comments!
Like this post? You might also enjoy: