One thing I love about re-reading is just diving in anywhere in the book. Not necessarily reading cover to cover, though that's fun too in certain instances. But rediscovering the surprise of certain phrases, ideas, characters, and plot turns. I don't reread Moby Dick cover to cover, but I love a random idiom or chapter, a quick drink with Stubb or a pipe with Queequeg, a detailed description of the oil cask in a whale's skull.
Certain books have to be read more than once. Think about children and books. How many times did I read Goodnight Moon to my daughters? How many Christmas Days heard me read A Child's Christmas in Wales to all assembled?
I also like re-seeing certain films. Is that a waste of time?
I think in terms of excellence not quantity. I fear stinting on excellence.
Oh, I’ve never thought about taking that approach George! I tend to be a cover to cover re-reader, I may have to try your strategy. that could be really interesting.
Totally agree, that some books require rereading. Something in them demands to become a sacred ritual. Something observed with reverence time and time again.
I love rewatching films. Honestly, given the choice I'd rather rewatch a film than watch a new one, haha!
I used to be unable to understand why someone would want to read a book or poem again. Now I wonder if it’s inexperience that makes you rush to the conclusion that it’s a waste of time. Reading books over again helps you discover new things and go into the deeper layers of a story. It’s a sign of progress which helps you see how far you’ve come.
Heraclitus said that "A man cannot step into the same river twice, because it is not the same river, and he is not same man." I think that’s true of books as well, the book has changed because so have you, but a book is a kind of river that still gives you access to the person you were when you first stepped into it. It gives you the chance to witness the change.
Reading your words is like sitting down with a friend who isn’t afraid to get real about how messy and gorgeous being human actually is. The way you let yourself be vulnerable on the page makes it impossible not to feel something. You write with an open heart, and that openness is contagious.
What really hit me was your honesty about love. How we stumble, how we try, how we never really know if we’re getting it right. It’s comforting to hear someone say out loud that we’re all just figuring it out as we go. And your take on rereading, the returning to something familiar when everything else feels strange, this feels like a gentle reminder that it’s okay to need comfort, to circle back, to begin again.
Thank you for sharing a piece of yourself with this essay. It’s a gift, and I’m grateful for it. Keep writing like this - fearlessly, and with all your everything. The world needs it.
Wow!! This reply! Thank you for this! It hits in all the right places. The points in my life where I have felt the most seen, when I have felt the most found are the points when I felt like a writer or an artist, or a poet or musician, were speaking directly to me. Any time I write or make anything it’s always in the hope that I can give someone that same feeling that has always saved me. The fact that you said and pointed it out so perfectly just means the world to me! It’s not that ourselves and our lives are gorgeous in-spite of the messiness but because of it. It’s in all our fractures that we find a way to refract light so exquisitely.
Thanks again for such a moving reply! I really do appreciate it!
You’re not kidding, it’s one of the toughest things a person can do. A lesson I’m constantly relearning.
This is my third reading of Tiny Beautiful Things and it has lost none of it’s impact and potency. Highly recommend! Do it Jill! You’ll be glad you did!
Love your post today!!! Thank you!!! I'm a rereader too. I even keep a shelf of titles that I reread often called "books to cheer up by" because they're reliable mood lifters.
Oh, I love this idea so much!! I’ve never thought about giving them their own shelf space! That’s marvelous! I think mine would be “in case of emergency reminders” haha!
The comfort of a well-loved book is completely underrated. I have about ten favorites that I’ve read too many times to count. It feels like coming home.
Yes! Yes! It’s always a homecoming! Always a place of warmth and welcome. A refuge in the world. The surest source of where care and courage can be found again.
Damnit. I had a screen grab of an actual googled definition of the word and the substack police wouldn’t let it go through. That’s what would make that reply make sense
What?? It’s nowhere for me. That’s almost as strange as my own photo on my own note being hidden from me as ‘explicit content’ when I was using it to make a point how Substack is so lax on patrolling inappropriate conduct compared to Instagram who banned me from the site because of it.
One thing I love about re-reading is just diving in anywhere in the book. Not necessarily reading cover to cover, though that's fun too in certain instances. But rediscovering the surprise of certain phrases, ideas, characters, and plot turns. I don't reread Moby Dick cover to cover, but I love a random idiom or chapter, a quick drink with Stubb or a pipe with Queequeg, a detailed description of the oil cask in a whale's skull.
Certain books have to be read more than once. Think about children and books. How many times did I read Goodnight Moon to my daughters? How many Christmas Days heard me read A Child's Christmas in Wales to all assembled?
I also like re-seeing certain films. Is that a waste of time?
I think in terms of excellence not quantity. I fear stinting on excellence.
Oh, I’ve never thought about taking that approach George! I tend to be a cover to cover re-reader, I may have to try your strategy. that could be really interesting.
Totally agree, that some books require rereading. Something in them demands to become a sacred ritual. Something observed with reverence time and time again.
I love rewatching films. Honestly, given the choice I'd rather rewatch a film than watch a new one, haha!
Yes!
FOMO has made us shallow. Let's go back to stillness and depth.
Stillness and depth! Yes! This!
I used to be unable to understand why someone would want to read a book or poem again. Now I wonder if it’s inexperience that makes you rush to the conclusion that it’s a waste of time. Reading books over again helps you discover new things and go into the deeper layers of a story. It’s a sign of progress which helps you see how far you’ve come.
Heraclitus said that "A man cannot step into the same river twice, because it is not the same river, and he is not same man." I think that’s true of books as well, the book has changed because so have you, but a book is a kind of river that still gives you access to the person you were when you first stepped into it. It gives you the chance to witness the change.
Can't reread a book if you don't read books in the first place. CHECKMATE! 😜
You did it, you beat the system. Congratulations? Haha!
Love is a book you read by braille.
This beautiful line!
Oh my goodness, Duane. Wonderful post!
Thank you so much Rea! I love that you loved that line, it’s the one that meant the most to me.
Loved it
Much appreciated
Reading your words is like sitting down with a friend who isn’t afraid to get real about how messy and gorgeous being human actually is. The way you let yourself be vulnerable on the page makes it impossible not to feel something. You write with an open heart, and that openness is contagious.
What really hit me was your honesty about love. How we stumble, how we try, how we never really know if we’re getting it right. It’s comforting to hear someone say out loud that we’re all just figuring it out as we go. And your take on rereading, the returning to something familiar when everything else feels strange, this feels like a gentle reminder that it’s okay to need comfort, to circle back, to begin again.
Thank you for sharing a piece of yourself with this essay. It’s a gift, and I’m grateful for it. Keep writing like this - fearlessly, and with all your everything. The world needs it.
Wow!! This reply! Thank you for this! It hits in all the right places. The points in my life where I have felt the most seen, when I have felt the most found are the points when I felt like a writer or an artist, or a poet or musician, were speaking directly to me. Any time I write or make anything it’s always in the hope that I can give someone that same feeling that has always saved me. The fact that you said and pointed it out so perfectly just means the world to me! It’s not that ourselves and our lives are gorgeous in-spite of the messiness but because of it. It’s in all our fractures that we find a way to refract light so exquisitely.
Thanks again for such a moving reply! I really do appreciate it!
I love your writing as much as I love your collages Duane!!
Oh, thank you so much Sandy!! I take that as a really high compliment! I appreciate it!
"To speak the truth of our deepest and our most muster-able truths no matter what happens or how someone might receive it." Wow.
It's a tall order...and also one that I strive to get a little closer to every day. I know it's so cliche but the truth really does set us free.
It's been awhile since I've read Cheryl Strayed but it may be time again.
Thanks as always for sharing!
You’re not kidding, it’s one of the toughest things a person can do. A lesson I’m constantly relearning.
This is my third reading of Tiny Beautiful Things and it has lost none of it’s impact and potency. Highly recommend! Do it Jill! You’ll be glad you did!
Thanks so much!!
Love your post today!!! Thank you!!! I'm a rereader too. I even keep a shelf of titles that I reread often called "books to cheer up by" because they're reliable mood lifters.
Oh, I love this idea so much!! I’ve never thought about giving them their own shelf space! That’s marvelous! I think mine would be “in case of emergency reminders” haha!
The comfort of a well-loved book is completely underrated. I have about ten favorites that I’ve read too many times to count. It feels like coming home.
Yes! Yes! It’s always a homecoming! Always a place of warmth and welcome. A refuge in the world. The surest source of where care and courage can be found again.
muster-able
unashamedly stolen haha
Damnit. I had a screen grab of an actual googled definition of the word and the substack police wouldn’t let it go through. That’s what would make that reply make sense
I think you’re safe from plagiarism.
So weird I can see the photo in my notifications but not in the actual comments. What a strange place Substack is.
What?? It’s nowhere for me. That’s almost as strange as my own photo on my own note being hidden from me as ‘explicit content’ when I was using it to make a point how Substack is so lax on patrolling inappropriate conduct compared to Instagram who banned me from the site because of it.
It's like someone was challenged to turn irony into social media and made Substack next, haha.