I don’t re-read books very often, especially books that are not childhood favorites or comfort reads. There are so many books out there I haven’t read even once I have a hard time justifying reading anything twice, even if I loved it. But last week I did re-read a book that I originally read not two years ago: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner.

And I loved it. I’m really glad I re-read it, because the experience the second time around was truly different than the first. I’m trying to refrain from spoilers, sp without going into details, I will say that this book really made me consider something I hadn’t thought about as a writer. That is, what makes a book remain engaging (or even become more interesting and rewarding) on a re-read? It’s not something I ever really considered when writing my own stories, although now that I consider them from that light, I like to think there are aspects of all three that would reward a re-read. But what an interesting challenge, as a writer, to think about what one can do to make a story appealing not just the first time around, but the second and third and twelfth.

What do you guys think? What books do you re-read, and why? What do you hope to get out of a book when you re-read it? Are you looking for a reiteration of the original experience, or are you hoping to discover further details you missed and additional layers of meaning?

For me it can be both — with comfort reads it’s mostly about reliving the same beloved tale over again, but I do love it when I find new reasons to love a book, as I did with The Thief.

And on a completely unrelated note: I have all the entries in now for my holiday book giveaway, and I’ll be drawing the two winners later today and posting the results tomorrow if all goes to plan. Thank you everyone who entered!