ELIZABETH ASKS: TO READ OR RE-READ?

As you read this, I am probably enjoying a great dinner after a strenuous day of fishing (no joke—the waves are big and so are the fish we play with!) in the offshore waters of Sitka, Alaska.

And yes, it’s my second trip this year to fish.

Would I do it every week?

Nope.

Do I enjoy it every year and occasionally more often?

Oh, YEAH.

I can hear you saying, “Okay, goody for you and all that. What does fishing in Alaska have to do with books?”

The fact that we’re going to Sitka twice this year got me to thinking about favorite books. Re-reading, in a word. Visiting a place I’ll know I enjoy, relaxing with the atmosphere, enjoying familiar characters, anticipating favorite scenes. Like well-worn shoes, nothing pinches, nothing demands, nothing requires adjusting my gait or longing for bandages or kicking it all off in frustration and going barefoot.

For me, that’s the lure of re-reading a favorite book, a favorite author. I flat KNOW I’ll enjoy the experience.

Not everyone feels this way. Jayne rarely if ever re-reads. I’m sure she thinks I’m nucking futz for spending my precious spare time with a book I’ve already read. (She’s too polite to say it of course. Or too busy downing green ghost booze. ) *fanning eyelashes innocently*

So where do you stand on the subject of re-reading? After a long day, do you pull out a favorite book rather than attack the TBR pile of authors you don’t really know/trust? Or do you roll up your sleeves and grab a new book for relaxation?

Inquiring minds are…inquiring. :-)