A new novel has the thrill of discovering new characters and the fun of anticipating and being surprised by plot twists. Re-reading a favourite book has a different kind of joy. It can feel like sitting down with old friends, catching up with the characters again and sinking back into a familiar and comfortable place. During stressful times in my life, I find myself more likely to return to a previously loved book rather than tackling something new. Perhaps it is because there is comfort in this; no surprises as I know the outcome. It is a steading force in a time of turmoil. Perhaps also the reading will help trigger remembering a good time in my life. Nostalgia has been shown to enhance mental wellbeing and improve feeling socially connected so re-reading could have the same effect. Or maybe even just the re-reading a good book is like enjoying the same delicious meal again: it was so good the first time, why not repeat it?
I was surprised to learn that re-reading can improve and actually increase the reader’s mental imagery of a story. When we read, the words inspire our unique mental imagery of what the writer is creating. Since the reader already knows the plot twists and characters, the mental imagery that the words create in the readers’ mind will change and deepen with re-reading. So it is a difference experience than the first time. I also learned that research has shown that the more vivid the reader’s mental imagery of the story, the more likely they are to incorporate information in the book into the reader’s own personal beliefs in the real world. It doesn’t matter if the story is labelled as fact or fiction. Whoa, that’s powerful.
See this article for more information: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/psychology-tomorrow/202212/why-do-we-reread-novels
For writers, are there other benefits to re-reading books? I think of the Suzuki Method which places emphasis on daily listening of excellent performances as part of the music training. It is not enough to practice an instrument but it is important to spend time listening and re-listening to masterpieces. The same psychology should be true to re-reading good novels. I suggest to re-read books in your genre. Don’t feel that you should limit your re-reading to the classics but also to modern best sellers and books you love. What about the book made it so compelling? I spent one evening, just re-reading the first chapters of five fantasy books I loved, jotting down notes afterwards about what made them work for me. It was a great exercise in helping me focus on what made these novels special and finding the commonalities. And I got to spend an evening for five old “book friends”–bonus!
When making your summer reading list, why not include a few past favourites?
Great idea. I may take you up on this. I’m currently reading a book – the second is a series, so does that count as a re-reading, as the second book for this author/topic? – and I keep thinking about when I will get time to dive back in and pondering ‘why’ I am excited to try to apply it to my own writing. Thanks for sharing!