Oscar Wilde once said, “If you can’t enjoy reading a book over and over again, there’s no use reading it.” I am sure most readers would agree with Mr. Wilde. Unfortunately, in recent times, books belonging to this special class have lost steam. Here are the top 5 reasons people keep reading certain books again.

1. One of the most common reasons many readers offer for their affinity with rereading is a powerful story. It not only invites them to take another chance at work, but instantly draws them into the pages and transforms them into participants. It is this virtue that coerces the reader over and over again. This type of literature usually finds its way into the collection of bibliophiles.

2. Before, especially in the 1970s and early 1980s, few books were printed and there were fewer authors. It was also difficult to buy books due to their unfriendly price. To overcome this obstacle, most of the readers built a mini-library that worked in an innovative way. The owners of these personal libraries exchanged literary works with friends and relatives or reread interesting works. These private libraries flourished in every neighborhood. Interestingly, some of them became commercial entities, especially those that had a large collection of books.

3. Then there are the readers who swear to God that every time they reread one of their cherished books they get a newer insight into the author’s writing style, story, and characterization. Of course, most of them believe that it is something related to age. For example, some of the classic literature that is part of the school/university curriculum is beyond the comprehension of young minds. A decade later, however, the same books tell a different story. As one reader pointed out, this was a mature mindset that develops with age.

4. Empathetic and compelling characters, especially those we can easily relate to and connect with is another common reason to reread. It is this connection that draws readers to the book again and again, sometimes to seek inspiration and other times to compliment the author on his outstanding characterization.

5. Books with dog ears are like muses. They seduce readers and then allow them to return to some of the chapters, scenes or passages of a novel. When a reader bookmarks the page during the first reading, it simply means that this person will return one day. It is a sign that the particular part of the story has somehow reached the heart of the reader. By the way, in these contemporary times most book lovers use markers that somehow dilute the intensity, the passion with which the page was marked.

So why do you reread if you do? And do you think it’s an unfair practice because these books are “literary gods” and many new authors lose a sale because of them?

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