I’ve heard it both ways – familiarity breeds contempt, and familiarity breeds love, but in my experience it’s the latter.
Yep, looks the same as always…and I love it!
Let me give you all an example. Recently I became addicted to a Korean drama, and while I was loving the story, the music in it drove me slightly crazy, mostly because it sounded like the same three songs repeated endlessly through every episode. It got so I was hearing that music playing in my head all…the…time. When I was running dogs, reading, trying to sleep. I’d wake up with the songs in my head and go to bed with them in my head and then something strange happened – I started to like them. You’d think it would be the opposite, but no, it was almost soothing. I ended up buying the album on iTunes and I’m listening to them even now…
I’ve had the same thing happen with books, too. Harry Potter, for instance. I’ve reread those books…actually, I’m embarrassed to admit how many times, so I’ll just say I’ve read them a lot. And listened to them a few times on audio (Jim Dale = one of the greatest narrators ever). I really liked them the first time around, but now that they’re so familiar, I like them even more. Like an old friend, I feel comfortable every time I crack open one of Harry’s adventures, and I often have to resist my urge to reread them just one more time.
I don’t know if this happens to anyone else? Have you ever disliked something, but been forced to spend enough time with it that you grew to appreciate it? And do you love to reread old books, or just move on to new ones?
While I can’t speak for Korean dramas, or Harry Potter (just not my thing), I can say that I have, and will, re-read awesome books. I’ve read THE DESCENT seven times, BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON three times, DARKFALL four times, and so on. While I love discovering new authors and books, I still love what I love. I do the same with movies. I’ve watched Serenity at least twelve times and it never gets old. I’ll be watching it until my eyes don’t work. We simply connect with certain things more than others. And why we love those certain things comes back as we re-read. You’ll read a part and get excited for the next, because it pops to the front of your mind. It’s like your brain needed a reminder. Sometimes we just need to forget real life for a moment and be swept away…even if it’s for the hundreth time.
When my eyes don’t work you’ll wave your wand and yell, “Reparo!”, for me, right? 😉
Definitely. 😉 Just to warn you, my spell-casting can use a little work…
I think that’s definitely part of the appeal of re-reading – the anticipation of getting to a remembered “good part” of the book. Glad I’m not the only one who does this. 🙂
Interesting question and one I’ve never thought about. I have never re-read a book, at least not intentionally. 🙂 I’ve gotten half way through a book and thought how familiar it sounds, then I check my book journal and discover I read it a few years back. 🙂 I’ll re-watch some of my favorites movies, but I never thought about re-reading a book. Perhaps it’s because my TBR pile is so huge.
I have a huge TBR pile, too, so I always feel guilty when I reread something, but it still doesn’t stop me. Then again, I’m the kind of person who always orders the same food when I go to a restaurant every single time. Some might call this boring, but I say, hey, if you know what you like… 😉
Is it funny that as I was reading your post a certain Korean drama song immediately popped into my head? (This one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqCGSMIc1kQ) I think the one that drove me nuts the most though was “Almost Paradise.” But like you, I gained an affinity for it.
As for Harry Potter. Anyone who hasn’t heard Jim Dale read them is living a low-quality life. He’s like the grandfather you never had. He’s a big part of the reason I liked Pushing Daisies so much. Even hearing Jim Dale’s name makes me want to listen to Harry Potter again. I have a friend I feel described it perfectly. When you’ve read Harry Potter so much, it’s like Harry, Ron, and Hermione have become your close personal friends. Reading the books again is like paying them a visit. I only hope I can create characters so memorable. Great post!
So true – half the reason I reread those books is to spend time with Harry, Ron, and Hermione again. The other half is because it’s Hogwarts – where else would I want to be? 😉
Yes, the “Almost Paradise” one was the worst…but it’s also one of the first ones I bought. Funny, huh? Proves you can learn to love anything. Almost.
Now I need to go read Harry Potter again.
*eyeballs TBR pile*
Dangit!!!
Heh heh. Glad I could help… 😉
I have great and unfettered joy in reading books I’ve read before, watching movies I’ve seen before, listening to a piece of music over and over – sometimes I just want the message to sink in deeper. And the interesting thing is that each time I end up with a slightly different interpretation or insight. Variety may be the spice of life, but repetition has an attraction.
I definitely agree. Some things just need repeat viewings/readings to fully enjoy all aspects. One of my favorite movies is “Sunshine of the Eternal Spotless Mind,” which is a great movie to rewatch – every time I’ve noticed something new about it.
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