Buzz
Until recently, I hadn’t completed a book since January’s end. In that regard, I’m not alone—a 2018 Pew Research Group study found that 24% of Americans hadn't read an entire book or even part of one in the past year. But this is unusual for me, someone who proudly boasts nine years of completed reading challenges on Goodreads with an average annual goal of 75 books. The reasons people don’t read are diverse, complex, and sometimes concerning—like the rise of digital distractions or the link between poverty and literacy. As for me, my reasons for abandoning my most recent book at page 140 are clear and mostly stem from the “coronavirus pandemic”: I no longer have a commute, and it turns out I do my best reading while on the subway. Lunch breaks are now family time, and evenings have turned into doom-scrolling sessions. Even though book sales are thriving and focused readers are making progress on their reading lists, I can’t concentrate on anything longer than an article in *The Atlantic*.
That is, until recently. I’ve missed reading—one of my go-to methods for unwinding and staying connected with the reading community I used to interact with online. But finally, I’ve discovered a way to ease back into it. As with so many things since March, my children are to blame.
When I say I hadn’t finished a book in months, it's not entirely true. I’ve finished several books read aloud to my 8-year-old daughter. We’ve been reading together for about 15 to 20 minutes each night, and have made our way through a number of books since the lockdown began. As we read, I noticed that familiar urge to keep turning the page creeping back—but it was never stronger than when I shared books I adored as a child: *The Borrowers* by Mary Norton, *Matilda* by Roald Dahl, *Bunnicula* by James and Deborah Howe. So I said goodbye to the hefty fantasy novel I had been reading and picked up an old favorite: *Howl’s Moving Castle* by Diana Wynne Jones, a childhood treasure. Immediately, I was free to enjoy reading again without the pressure of following unfamiliar characters or plots. I breezed through the book in just a few days. It went so well that I moved on to another beloved Diana Wynne Jones book, *Charmed Life*. Maybe the secret is “read Diana Wynne Jones,” but I think it’s broader than that: revisiting a childhood favorite makes the reading experience comforting, full of nostalgia, and effortlessly enjoyable. I already know I love the story—studies have shown that people actually enjoy a narrative more when they know exactly what’s going to happen—and the benefits go beyond comprehension too.
In her book *On Rereading*, Patricia Meyer Spacks highlights that, "The stability of reread books helps to create a solid sense of self… it records both the development and the continuity of the self." In other words, the book remains unchanged, but you, the reader, evolve. I noticed this when I read Beverly Cleary’s *Ramona* series aloud to my daughter: As author and writer Stephanie Lucianovic pointed out in her own experience of rereading, the books carry an undercurrent of financial insecurity as Ramona’s father grapples with job struggles and new career attempts. I certainly didn’t catch that layer when I devoured the books as a child. In *The Atlantic*, Emma Court also discusses the surprising benefits of revisiting familiar favorites.
...rereading childhood favorites as an adult can offer comfort, relaxation, and the joy of rediscovery. Not only do readers rediscover the plot, but they may also find a new understanding of themselves.
Rereading 'reminds us that we can experience something intensely and not see everything at once. When we revisit, we notice things we missed,' says Jill Campbell, an English professor at Yale. 'It’s a way of reflecting more deeply on a book that has impacted you, but also a way to reflect on your own life, memories, and experiences. The continuities and the differences.'
Especially in times of distress, these differences can be enlightening and comforting. Turning to the familiar and safe may be just what you need when picking up a book right now. So, if you’re struggling to finish a 'serious' adult book—or even a light one—*give yourself permission to read below your usual level*. Life’s too short to read bad books, or worse, to not read at all. *This post was updated after publication to include more details, including a quote from The Atlantic.*
