I think it started the first time I ever set foot in a library. That feeling that there were so many books in the world. I couldn't imagine why I'd want to re-read a book once I finished. That's not to say I haven't gone back to savor passages or language or tried to analyze how a writer achieved that perfect scene. But to re-read just for pleasure? Not for me. I've wrung all the pleasure out of it first time around. I like the surprise and wonder. Besides, the TBR pile threatens to bury me nightly.
The older I get, the more I re-read non-fiction. That's because my brain has slowed down - or maybe like that library - it just has too much stuff in it. I need to re-read books several times, to get the information into my head. I did that with David Kessler's The End of Overeating, and Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food. I'm doing that right now with a wonderful book called Mindsight by Daniel H. Seigel. It takes more than one pass for me to understand how the brain makes permanent changes despite Seigel's easy writing and great examples.
My writing books I read and re-read. Donald Maass's How to Write the Breakout Novel is well-thumbed as is his newer book, The Fire in Fiction. It took several read throughs for me to truly understand Les Edgerton's Hooked. First Draft in 30 Days by Karen Wiesner has been a great source for me and I re-read it every time I start a new book.
Ah, my quilting books. Those I've been through time and time again, always finding something new. New inspiration, new technique, or just a new fresh look at a quilt. One of the first quilting books I poured over was Quilts, Quilts and Quilts. I couldn't get enough of that book and thought back then (20 odd years ago) that it would be the only quilt book I ever needed. Well, the bookshelves are groaning with plenty more.
Good thing, too. I'll always have something to read.
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13 comments:
You haven't read Agatha Christie's At Bertram's Hotel 20 times?! Or The Beekeeper's Apprentice and Breakout at least a half dozen?! Oh, dear.
Oops--Breakup, not Breakout. Obviously, time for a reread.
Well said, Terri!
I have a nonfiction discussion group at my house once/month to help me "get" the message -- current debate is over the transfer of skills, whether computer game skills transfer to anything but more computer game skills. Fascinating stuff that's coming off the presses every day.
Nope, Becky, I confess. Once is enough for me.
I like the idea of the nonfiction discussion group, Camille. Maybe you mention some titles your group has enjoyed lately?
"Everything Bad is Good For You" which is NOT about food, but about movies, TV, and video games -- about transferring skills and how the brain responds; and, with the opposite point of view, "The Invisible Gorilla".
We've read Michael Pollan, too, and often do economics (I'm at a loss here) and political books
Thanks Camille. I may just have to start one of these group.
Terri, I know what you mean about knowledge taking longer to get into and remain in your head than it used to. I have to read a non-fiction book at least three times before its contents stick.
I am a re-reader! I was blessed with the ability to read quickly and retain what I read, so I can read and read and read. I love series mystery and often make myself re-read the previous book before the new one, so that I remember the smaller details.
I am a re-reader! I was blessed with the ability to read quickly and retain what I read, so I can read and read and read. I love series mystery and often make myself re-read the previous book before the new one, so that I remember the smaller details.
That's just because we've got so much other info in our brains, right, Monica? Right?
You're right, Terri! We're so full of facts already that to shove in a new one causes an old one to fall out. That's why I sometimes can't remember where I put my keys. Or what nine times seven is. Or what we were talking about just a minute ago.
Miss Merry, re-reading the last in the series is a great idea. I tried it with Harry Potter, but the books got so long, I gave up.
Writing a first draft in 30 days. Sounds good to me. I'm going to check Amazon for it.
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