In My Rereading Era

Until a few years ago, I hardly ever reread a book. I’d plan to—I’d hold onto a book I loved and stare at it on my shelves, thinking wistfully of a day in the future when I’d explore that world again. But rarely did I take that return trip.

Over the past few years, however, I’ve slipped into My Rereading Era. Maybe it started with my annual comfort rewatch of Gilmore Girls: the idea that I could revisit something not just because it was a great show or book, but because it feels like a cozy blanket and a cup of tea on a chilly fall day. A few months ago, when work was stressful and I needed a mental escape, I turned to a favorite romantasy series (ACOTAR: IYKYK, and if you don't then check it out) and reread it. In its entirety. In less than a month. Returning to it all—those characters I liked, that world I had come to know and understand, and those plot points I now know well—was just what I needed. It was like a literary reset button, and once I was done I was ready to move on and discover new books again.

The final book in Chloe Liese’s Bergman Brothers series was just released, and I was feeling a little sad to know that it was coming to an end. But then I remembered: I can reread it any time I want. The books are sitting in a row on my bookshelves, just waiting for me to revisit the Bergman world, whether because I need something reliably safe when my own world is full of chaos, or for no other reason than wanting a guaranteed good read.

And this morning, with Jen DeLuca’s new book due soon, I was thinking about her Well Met series—the sweet, small town setting; the predictability of the Ren Faire happening every summer; and the familiarity of the recurring characters. It just might be my next reread…