Re-reading
by Stacey
I read to the girls all the time as they grew. I always had great new titles scattered all around the house. I did what I could to turn my girls in to readers. Now that Caroline is nearly nine and a voracious reader, I try to give her lots of independence and let her choose what she wants to read.
As a result, I am learning that Caroline is indeed, her own person, in book choice as in life. I rarely, if ever re-read. There are just so many great books out there and so little time. I just can’t bear to read something I have already read at the expense of a book I have not yet discovered.
But Caroline has read very few new books over the past few months. She is re-reading and re-reading and re-reading. It’s as if she can’t get her fill of comfort reading. The literacy consultant in me says, “She’s reading. That’s what important.” The mom in me says, “She’s happy. That’s what matters.”
But the fellow reader in me says, “Look at everything you are missing!! Get to something new!!!”
I suppose patience is required here but I am getting antsy. Any fellow readers out there who want to share their thoughts on re-reading? I’d love to hear from re-readers and non-re-readers alike…
I think the last time I re-read anything was when Jake was about 8 or 9 and I tried to get him interested in Charlotte’s Web. I failed miserably, but succumbed once again to the magic of one of my favorite books of all time. Otherwise I’m very much like you: too many books, too little time for re-reads!
I’m so pleased to read that you’re not much of a re-reader. I barely re-read at all – and I’ve always felt bad for that, like I was a bit of a fraudulent book lover. Like you time is short, and there are too many great books to read. But M (7) is a great re-reader. I suppose it gives her great confidence – she can feel herself becoming more fluent.
I seldom re-read books and would be tempted ( too strongly I am sure) to encourage Caroline to read something new. This post got me thinking. Many moons ago, I loved Jane Eyre and re-read it at least once. The other re-read for me is Charlotte’s Web. Otherwise, too many new books piling up to read.