When you close the cover of your most recent read, do you instinctively long for the familiarity of an old favorite or grab something new waiting patiently on your shelf or e-reader?

For me, it isn’t much of a dilemma. True confession…I rarely reread a book. In fact, of the thousands of books I’ve read in my lifetime, I’ve only bestowed this honor on five novels—Redeeming Love, A Passion Most Pure, A Short Straw Bride, Love Comes Softly, and One Thousand White Women (not CF).

I’ll pause for a moment to allow the collective gasp to pass.

How can I be an avid reader if I’m much more likely to rewatch a movie ten times (Knotting Hill and You’ve Got Mail) than revisit my favorite books twice? Before you tell the Three Musketeers not to have me back on the BRRC blog, let’s look at the pros and cons of rereading.

Most readers proudly confess to rereading their favorite books. One of the strongest arguments for rereading is that books change as we change. A novel read at twenty will not feel the same at forty. Life experience sharpens our understanding of characters, motives, and themes. A line that once seemed simple may now land with emotional weight.

There’s also comfort in the familiar. During stressful or uncertain seasons, many readers reach for books they already love. Familiar stories provide a sense of stability and safety. You know the ending will be okay. You know which characters to trust. In this way, rereading can function like visiting an old friend—reassuring rather than demanding.

But for me, revisiting one of my beloved books, the one that introduced me to Christian fiction, Love Comes Softly, didn’t live up to my nostalgic expectations. While I still loved the characters, I found the pacing too slow and the writing stilted. In other words, it would have been better to let Clark and Marty’s journey live on in my memory the way I engaged with them the first time rather than leave me disappointed after revisiting their story.

I’ve also discovered other valid reasons not to reread. For many readers like me, reading time is limited. As it is, I primarily listen to audiobooks so I can multi-task and enjoy books while cleaning, walking the dog, or driving in the car. How would I ever keep up with all the new releases from my favorite authors, let alone give new-to-me authors a chance, if I’m rereading old favorites?

Picking up a new book challenges me in ways familiar ones cannot. They allow me to explore new voices, genres, or perspectives. While it’s true that I may notice some new detail, hidden symbolism, or overlooked breadcrumbs during a reread, those details rarely replace the thrill of encountering a new character, story world, or romance thread for the first time. For me, first reads stretch my thinking, invite empathy for unfamiliar experiences, and encourage me to apply my faith to unique situations—benefits I believe diminish when I revisit a novel.

So how do you decide?

For me, it was the realization that rereading doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing habit. Although I’m usually eager to satisfy my desire for a new romance by tackling my ever-expanding TBR pile, I know there will be a few books that I will revisit. To make my coveted reread list, a book must have stayed with me long after I finished it (Redeeming Love or One Thousand White Women), if I want to study the writing more closely (Short Straw Bride), or when I need the comfort of a known story (A Passion Most Pure).

Whether you reread or not, the goal is the same—connection, insight, and joy. If a book still has something to offer you, turning its pages again may be time well spent.

What about you? Do you tend to reach for the comfort of an old favorite or are you more likely to grab a new title? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

 

 

Kelly J. Goshorn weaves her affinity for history and her passion for God into inspiring stories of love, faith, and family set in America’s vibrant past.

Find out more at Kelly’s BRRC Author profile page