TAKE YOUR READING TO A NEW LEVEL AND REREAD A BOOK THIS YEAR
On the first fathers day after my son was born, my wife gifted me a new Kindle. For years I had wanted to become a reader and this gift catapulted me into reading more than 100 books in each of the subsequent years.
This year I am taking a different tact when it comes to selecting books. I am planning to reread several books that I’ve read in the recent past.
Rereading books is a good idea for a few reasons.
You are not the same person
I first read Atomic Habits three years ago, my philosophy around habits and how I manage my tasks has completely changed for the better since first reading that book. I am different person, and will likely pick up new things that I missed or was not ready for at the time.
Reread is the new Rewatch
The Great Gatsby and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time are possibly the only two books I remember reading and enjoying in High School. Rereading them brings back those memories and that joy.
For me it is the same as curling up on the couch to rewatch a Fast and the Furious movie or The West Wing for the one hundredth time.
A new way of reading
For the most part I can remember — or lookup — how I previously consumed a book. Did I read it on my kindle? Did I have physical copy? Did I listen to it?
Each of these ways of reading provide a different way of understanding.
Often times when I listen to an audio book I may miss something while listening and driving. If I read it on my kindle, maybe I read something quickly as the Kindle slapped me in the face while I fell asleep.
As I try to reread a few books this year, I am opting to consume each book differently. Yes an added cost, but I think it is an added opportunity to see or hear things differently.
The Books I am Re-Reading This Year
- Deep Work — Cal Newport (Physical)
- An Astronauts Guide to Life on Earth — Chris Hadfield ( Digital)
- Discipline is Destiny — Ryan Holiday (Listen)
- Atomic Habits — James Clear (Listen)
- Make Your Bed — Admiral William H. McRaven (Listen)
- So Good they Can’t Ignore You — Cal Newport (Physical)
- Show Your Work — Austin Kleon (Physical)
Learn more about rereading from Ryan Holiday here.
This article was originally written on Medium.