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I've been re-reading some old favorite books lately - both in and out of genre.  I've got enormous stacks of new books to read on my desk but I keep reaching for those books that I know will deliver.  It's a comfort thing I suppose.  Life has been kicking me in the kintamas lately and I just want something trusted to lean back on and what's a better distraction than a good book?  I've got plenty of frustrations right now and I just don't want to risk another one with an unknown book.

Of course these re-reads means I'm way behind on my reading challenges.  Which is what I expected from the beginning really because most of my reading time is spent working on WWEnd but I never thought it would get this bad.  So it got me thinking.  What if I made a new challenge that focuses on re-reads that I might actually complete?  I could use a win, even if I have to generate one artificially.

I was all set to make it a private challenge but as I was filling out the form it occurred to me that other folks might like a reason to re-visit some old favorites too.  It's often hard to justify a re-read when those new books are staring at you from the stacks.  Perhaps this challenge can be the excuse they need to indulge in some nostalgic comfort reading?  So I went ahead and made it public and I'm interested to see how many people will join in.

I'm also interested to hear what you all think about re-reading.  Do you ever re-read?  Does it make you feel guilty or like you're wasting time?  Or do you dive into your old faves from time to time just for the pleasure of it?

I picked the Casablanca theme because that's a movie I've watched many many times and will probably watch again this weekend.  Do you see any difference in re-watching a movie and re-reading a book other than the time commitment?

(And yes, I know Rick never actually says "Play it again, Sam." but that's the way it's remembered and quoted and it sounds better.)

When I was much younger I used to do re-reads frequently, for instance, much of Heinlein's work, the PERN novels, the Chronicles of Amber, the Vorkosigan saga, the Company series, etc. But these days, I've realized that there is a LOT of good fiction coming out constantly, and if I do a lot of re-reading, I'm going to miss a lot of new authors and books that I would really enjoy. (It's the same for me with movies; but there are a lot fewer movies than books which I feel compelled to do more than once.)

I will still sometimes do a complete re-read when a new book in a series comes out much later than its predecessors, for example, I did that for the latest Game of Thrones book. But after reading years ago books 1-11 of the Wheel of Time, I waited until the 14th and final book was out to do a complete re-read. Any future GoT books will probably not invoke a re-read; they're good, but they're not good enough to justify a 3rd go-round at the expense of other books. But there will still be an occasional time when I'll do a re-read of a book or series I really loved.

My biggest regret is that there are so many books I loved which I will never be able to read again for the first time -- which is when a book is most magic. 

Ultimately, you are the only person to whom you have to answer. If a re-read is what makes you happy at a given moment, then you should go for it, and not feel guilty about it.

Hey!  Would you look at that?  I actually finished a reading challenge.  I just wrapped up Foundation as my last read it again.

Now, I know that's not a big deal to most of you folks who plow through a stack of books like I plow through a plate of tacos but this is the first one I've ever completed and I'm mildly impressed with myself.  I must say, finishing a challenge is a good feeling - even if it's a small one.  Just let me have my moment.

This is the payoff for getting the reading levels worked out.  At this rate I might just manage to finish up the Space Opera challenge too... 

Well done, Sir!  I am jealous of the full green Hugo bar in your reading stats.  I'm sure the winner column on the Hugo Award page looks mighty fine all green too.

Congrats!  There is always that danger with the things we loved from our younger days.  I can't tell you how I regret watching the 20th anniversary edition of Escape from New York.  Loved it when it came out but 20 years later it's nearly unwatchable. I still love it but mostly for nostalgic value now.