Precisely the opposite approach as the other recent submission "Read to Forget": https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45239601
Rereading books
31–40 of 56 posts
Re: Rereading books
#32I don't re-read that much "fun" material. But I totally get it, some stuff is so good it will seem like a better option to re-read it compared to trying something new. That is an elite level of book though. I just started re-reading LOTR for maybe the 4th time in 30 years and probably first time in 10 years. Probably more for the 2nd two reasons in this authors list. Part of my motivation was I was looking at books i…
Ten years is about right in my opinion-one thing I like to do is do my best to write down “what is going to happen” and then refer to that list as I read; see what I forgot.
Re: Rereading books
#33One of my favourite things a book (or video games, paintings - every single type of art) can do is: On first read - hint that there are stories hidden under the surface, available only to those who have already experienced the art's end point. I think this is an act of a generosity. It shows that an artist is not only competent enough to execute something that complex, but also thinking deeply of their audience's tim…
> I think this is an act of a generosity. It shows that an artist is not only competent enough to execute something that complex, but also thinking deeply of their audience's time and money.
If the artist is thinking deeply of her audience's time then she should not make the book (or art) worth rereading. Putting things at the beginning that only make sense at the second reading is rude and inconsiderate to the audience.
Well, this is my view of the books or shows that have rewatchability anyway. Fuck them, I won't. Also screw the artist for messing with my time.
Re: Rereading books
#34One of my favourite things a book (or video games, paintings - every single type of art) can do is: On first read - hint that there are stories hidden under the surface, available only to those who have already experienced the art's end point. I think this is an act of a generosity. It shows that an artist is not only competent enough to execute something that complex, but also thinking deeply of their audience's tim…
> The best art should reveal itself to you over years, as you change as a human, and your sense of yourself - and the world you live in - changes.
Or: a single book that you enjoy different parts of it depending on your life situation is not better at all than if it were several different books instead, one for each life situation. A book for all ages is no better than a kid + an adult book. Maybe in a practical standpoint.
Re: Rereading books
#35I've reread Neuromancer three or four times and each time I understand a little more of it. I always leave that book not sure if I like it or not.
Re: Rereading books
#36Whenever I have time, I could always re-read a favorite book.
Who doesn't love re-reading Snow Crash
Will you ever forget the way you felt the first time you read this?
"As part of Mr. Lee's good neighbor policy, all Rat Things are programmed never to break the sound barrier in a populated area. But Fido's in too much of a hurry to worry about the good neighbor policy.
Jack the sound barrier.
Bring the noise."
Re: Rereading books
#37One of my favourite things a book (or video games, paintings - every single type of art) can do is: On first read - hint that there are stories hidden under the surface, available only to those who have already experienced the art's end point. I think this is an act of a generosity. It shows that an artist is not only competent enough to execute something that complex, but also thinking deeply of their audience's tim…
> I think this is an act of a generosity. It shows that an artist is not only competent enough to execute something that complex, but also thinking deeply of their audience's time and money. If the artist is thinking deeply of her audience's time then she should not make the book (or art) worth rereading. Putting things at the beginning that only make sense at the second reading is rude and inconsiderate to the audie…
This is sort of a strange reply. You don’t have to spend any time on art at all really. For many people, the more they can spend time enjoying the art they like, the better. If you don’t like the art, that’s one thing, but if you do like it, why must it be shorter?
The video game community is often pretty explicit about this. They want their favorite games to be longer, not shorter, because they want to spend more time enjoying it. I don’t think it’s so strange that people may apply the same mentality, to books, movies, etc as well.
Re: Rereading books
#38With some authors, like Gene Wolfe, rereading is not optional. I really like the books designed to be reread, each time you read them you discover something new.
From his Wikipedia page:
Wolfe wrote in a letter, "My definition of a great story has nothing to do with 'a varied and interesting background.' It is: One that can be read with pleasure by a cultivated reader and reread with increasing pleasure."
Re: Rereading books
#39I've reread Neuromancer three or four times and each time I understand a little more of it. I always leave that book not sure if I like it or not.
What did you think of the sequels? Personally, I like Count Zero more than Neuromancer.
Re: Rereading books
#40Whenever I have time, I could always re-read a favorite book. Who doesn't love re-reading Snow Crash Will you ever forget the way you felt the first time you read this? "As part of Mr. Lee's good neighbor policy, all Rat Things are programmed never to break the sound barrier in a populated area. But Fido's in too much of a hurry to worry about the good neighbor policy. Jack the sound barrier. Bring the noise."
Exactly the book that came to my mind when I saw this headline.