In Defense of the Reread

Published on March 24, 2026

By Abby B. 

If you are a reader, chances are you have felt it: that small twinge of guilt when you reach for a book you have already read instead of one from your ever-growing to-be-read pile. With new releases popping up all the time and reading challenges pushing us to always move forward, rereading can feel like the less responsible choice. After all, there are so many unread books waiting.  

Here is the good news: rereading is not a bad reading habit. It is just a different one. 

We reread books for the same reasons we rewatch favorite movies or listen to the same songs on repeat. Familiar stories can be comforting. They can feel safe. They can also surprise us. A book read years ago might land differently now or reveal details you completely missed the first time. The story has not changed, but you probably have. 

Rereading also comes with far less pressure. There is no concern about whether a book will live up to the hype, and no need to rush through pages. In a world full of reading goals, tracking apps, and to-be-read shelves that seem to reproduce overnight, rereading quietly reminds us that reading does not need to be efficient to be worthwhile. 

Libraries are wonderful places to discover something new, but they are also places to return to old favorites. Some books are meant to be visited more than once. They offer comfort when we need it, insight when we are ready for it, or simply the pleasure of spending time with a story that feels familiar. 

Below are a few books that I find myself happily rereading and why. 

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien  

I have returned to this book many times. It comforts me in every season of life and reminds me that small, ordinary people can still have meaningful adventures. Its cozy familiarity makes each reread a pleasure, and I always notice a little more of Tolkien’s humor and warmth. 

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood  

As a devoted romance reader, I can’t wait to revisit The Love Hypothesis. On a reread, I can relax into the banter, appreciate the characters more deeply, and enjoy Hazelwood’s humor without feeling the need to race to the finish. 

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen 

I take a moment to reread this picture book every time I come across it, whether on my own or aloud to an audience. Jon Klassen’s dry humor and understated illustrations never fail to brighten my day and serve as a gentle reminder not to take things too seriously. 

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel  

My first experience with this book was during the depths of the pandemic, when I immediately fell in love with Emily St. John Mandel’s writing. Revisiting it later revealed new layers shaped by what we’ve all experienced, making it a book I recommend just as much for rereading as for reading for the first time.  

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris  

This collection of essays are ones I return to when I need a laugh. Sedaris’s sharp observations and self-deprecating humor hold up beautifully on reread, and his writing always reminds me to notice the humor in everyday interactions, especially the ones that feel small or awkward at the time.