Recently, I’ve found myself rereading a significant amount. Whether it’s a beloved romance, middle grade series or epic fantasy, I seem to be craving it all. So I thought I’d talk about the perks of going back and revisiting.

To begin, it’s thrilling to go back and notice a bit of foreshadowing you missed the first time around, now that you know the complete outcome of the narrative. This creates a deeper understanding of the plot, character dynamics and build up to the climax of the story. I would bet there’s a significant chance that rereading will either significantly elevate or decrease your opinion of the book, such as fostering a higher or lower appreciation for the work.

Better understanding the story structure is great, but the most important part of rereading is the comfort in it. It feels like greeting old friends, returning to beloved settings (like Hogwarts) or rediscovering the awe in worldbuilding or magic systems. If it’s a book you haven’t read in a while, you can rediscover the story. For you TV addicts, it reminds me of rewatching a beloved show, like “Gilmore Girls.”

The sheer, familiar comfort of it is what draws me back to these stories. Rereading is a great way to introduce yourself back into reading and pull yourself out of a slump. Specifically, if you’re going through a rough time, it can be relieving to immerse yourself in a dear narrative compared to a book that has an emotional journey you’re unfamiliar with. For example, I took great reassurance in the Harry Potter series and found a distraction in “Throne of Glass” during a health scare.

So, go ahead, pick up a book you haven’t read in a while, or one you’ve read a thousand times. And if you’re not convinced, test me and try it out. You may be surprised.