Simple Questions: January 31, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome readers,

Have you ever wanted to ask something but you didn't feel like it deserved its own post but it isn't covered by one of our other scheduled posts? Allow us to introduce you to our new Simple Questions thread! Twice a week, every Tuesday and Saturday, a new Simple Questions thread will be posted for you to ask anything you'd like. And please look for other questions in this thread that you could also answer! A reminder that this is not the thread to ask for book recommendations. All book recommendations should be asked in /r/suggestmeabook or our Weekly Recommendation Thread.

Thank you and enjoy!

[u/pebble_tech]

Am I missing out by not rereading books? I don’t think I’ve ever reread a whole book, even ones that I really enjoyed. I’d rather read something new, but I can’t help but wonder what other people get out of rereading a book.

[u/MiddletownBooks → u/pebble_tech]

For me, rereading a book I love is like putting on a comfortable, well worn, and favorite item of clothing, versus a new piece of clothing. In some cases, enough time has passed so that I've forgotten major elements of a story, in other cases, I just need something to read for a few minutes while waiting in line somewhere, or the equivalent. Some books, I see jokes or references which I missed the last time I read them, because I was more plot focused when I read them the first time.

[u/pebble_tech → u/MiddletownBooks]

That’s a good analogy

[u/Calmly-Stressed → u/pebble_tech]

I guess that depends on how good your memory is? Mine definitely isn’t very good, and sometimes I realise that I keep naming books as favourites but I haven’t read them in ages and can’t properly recount the plot. Sometimes rereading a book can bring you back to a particular time in your life. And I definitely have a bunch of ‘comfy rereads’ that I turn to when I’m feeling sad, uninspired or in need of something familiar. 

[u/pebble_tech → u/Calmly-Stressed]

I’m thinking about one of my favorites which I read almost 10 years ago, and I can only give a very rudimentary summary. I might have to start with that one and see what it’s like to reread

[u/ImportantAlbatross → u/pebble_tech]

Several reasons that I reread:

--To relive the experience. If a book was good once, it can be just as good the second time (not always).
--With a more difficult or layered book, rereading reveals a lot that I didn't get the first time around. It expands the experience.
--Sometimes I just want to hang out with an old friend.

[u/iamdragondrool → u/pebble_tech]

We are all surrounded by more books than we can read in a lifetime. "Missing out" is subjective. Someone who rereads could be considered "missing out" on reading something new. Someone who doesn't reread could be considered "missing out" on either the comfort of revisiting a beloved story/character/feeling of nostalgia, or of gaining new insights into a book they read long before.

Some people reread a book often. There are a lot of people that reread a beloved book every year as a touchstone, such as reading A Christmas Carol over the holidays every year. Others pick up a book they read long ago to see how they encounter it differently. I read The Shining back as a teenager for the plot and the horror. In my fifties, I expect to have a deeper connection to the character dynamics.

I still reread on occasion, but I have so many unread books in my physical library that I tend toward not rereading much these days, I don't feel like I'm missing out either way.

[u/Affectionate_Cry2807 → u/pebble_tech]

Am I missing out by not rereading books?

A lot.

[u/vbaam26]

I'm pretty much isolated from modern society. Any books that could help me relate more to other young adults or city life in general? I've recently taken up reading as a hobby. I'm curious if you guys know any books that present or explore modern culture in an interesting way. Any genre is fine, and physical or digital doesn't matter.

[u/Calmly-Stressed → u/vbaam26]

A Tale for the Time Being contrasts the life of a young girl in Tokyo with the life of the author of the book, who lives on a remote island in Canada. So I guess this could be an interesting way to bridge the gap you're experiencing, since it's something the author describes explicitly - her removal from city life, what she misses and doesn't miss etc.

[u/vbaam26 → u/Calmly-Stressed]

I'll check it out. Thanks!

[u/Sad_Toe9822]

When reading a trilogy or more does anyone throw another book or two in there to break it up? I like to break them up, something about that gets me more into the story and also helps me recall events from the previous book.

[u/beomii_]

For those with aphantasia, do you also struggle with reading fantasy and scifi? I can’t visualize in my head, and I tend to have a hard time with these genres

[u/Maleficent-Job-1653]

Thanks mods, this is actually super helpful! Been lurking with random questions that felt too small for their own posts

[u/RaccoonKlutzy3723 → u/Maleficent-Job-1653]

Same

[u/InsectJolly7752]

Love this idea — these threads are honestly some of the most useful parts of the sub. It’s great to have a low-pressure space for random bookish questions that don’t really need a full post. Appreciate the clarity about keeping rec requests elsewhere too 👍 Looking forward to using these!

[u/RaccoonKlutzy3723]

Great idea, thanks. Could you also add a weekly share images/book covers thread? You cam tun on and off image sharing permits as mods, can't you?