Rereading Favorites and Noticing More

Discover why rereading a beloved book can be just as rewarding as reading a new one.

Rereading a favorite isn't wasting time; it's a different kind of reading. The first time through, you're busy finding out what happens. The second time, you already know, so you can notice how the author built the story: the foreshadowing you missed, the small details about characters, the jokes that land differently, the way an early scene echoes the ending. You've also changed since the first reading.

A book you loved at nine may reveal new meanings at thirteen, perhaps a parent's sacrifice you didn't notice before or a friendship that now seems more complicated. Example: on a reread of an original mystery, a student notices that the 'helpful' neighbor appears in every scene where a clue goes missing, a hint she sped past the first time. To make rereading active, keep a few sticky notes handy for things you notice now that you didn't before.

Rereading also brings comfort, and enjoying a familiar story is a perfectly good reason to read.

• 1Rereading reveals craft you missed the first time
• 2You change, so the book can mean something new
• 3Note new discoveries; comfort is a fine reason too