What makes you read a book multiple times?

[ThrillhoBaggins]

Because usually with writing you are able to get multiple things out of it each time you look at through a different framework.

 

[Gurkhal]

If a book leaves a very strong positive impression on me I can read it again. But that don't happen often as there are so many books I want to read and I am a slow reader.

 

[ThrillhoBaggins]

I also read a book again if I’m discussing it with someone. That’s why I’m always looking for people to talk to because they might force me to go back to the back and pick up on something I somehow missed the first time.

 

[Demesnedenoir]

I'm not a good person to ask, I've only ever reread Lord of the Rings and The Name of the Rose. And my own books, but that's different. I really don't read other people's fiction anymore unless it's a writer I know because I'm working on my stuff. I have dabbled in other rereads but they don't hold my attention, and sometimes completely ruin my youthful love of the book, LMAO.

When I've had readers talk about being on their 3rd-5th read of my series I've asked a few them what made them do it. Three answers I've heard:

1: I dunno. I just like it.
2: Getting the story fresh for the next book
3: Basically reading it like they're working on their master's thesis because there's just so much going on and they want to pick out details. Hey, that's my favorite answer.

 

[Lizzie Brookes]

In my case it is usually a combination of caring about the characters and finding the plot interesting. Sometimes I read a book beginning to end and then reread my favourite chapters such as Mr Darcy's letter or Mr Darcy's first proposal to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. Sometimes if a book has a distinctive opening e.g. Emma Woodhouse, handsome clever and rich...(Jane Austen Emma) or Last night I dreamt I went to Manderlay again....(Daphne Du Maurier Rebecca) I pay particular attention. I do love literature but tend to focus on 19th century/William Shakespeare etc. As for fantasy, I favour Lord of the Rings, Dark Materials Trilogy (Philip Pullman) and of course all 7 Harry Potter books. The Magician's Nephew and perhaps The Silver Chair are the only Narnia books I like to reread. I still reread Enid Blyton from time to time though that is nostalgia and caring about the characters/plot. Strangely enough I only read the first Secret Seven book as a child and then switched to Famous Five because I preferred it. As an adult I read the other Secret Seven adventures for the first time and really liked them. David Copperfield (Charles Dickens) used to be my favourite but when I read Bleak House and Our Mutual Friend I found I preferred them over David Copperfield. My Dad was irritated that I continued to read Heidi at the age of 12 but I love the sleepwalking chapter.