Five Reasons To Read A Book More Than Once

Bonisiwe Shabane
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five reasons to read a book more than once

book-blog, book-review, books, education, fiction, humor, literature, Reading, reviews, writing When I was a kid, reading a book was the only form of entertainment you could do twice. You could go to see a movie once in the theater, and the next weekend it would be gone forever, replaced by another movie. If you missed a television show, you waited six months for a rerun, and then that show was most likely gone forever. There was no cable, no internet, and no smart phones. But books?

If you liked a book, you could read it as many times as you wanted. Sometimes we read a book more than once simply because we could. Or because it was raining outside and the electricity went out, and there was nothing else to do. But in these modern times, there are other reasons to read a book more than once. Even with so many other forms of entertainment, even when there are so many books out there that it’s impossible to read them all (and I’ve just added to the glut, putting my ONE... FIVE REASONS TO READ A BOOK MORE THAN ONCE

I have always been an avid reader, but over the last few years, I've become much more intentional and ambitious in my reading. In 2015, I set my first challenging reading goal: to read fifty-two books in one year. By the time the year was done, the total was seventy-six. I still read at least one book every week. Many people ask me, “Why read so many books?” My answer: It's a key part of my leadership strategy. As Charlie “Tremendous” Jones said, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today, except for the people you meet and the books you read.”

My ambition is to be a better person five years from now. As a leader, I believe it is my responsibility to follow a path of personal growth. Reading is integral to that process. Here are five reasons why I read at least one book every week: One of my favorite aphorisms is, “Don't believe everything you think.” We have a tendency to read books that reinforce ideas we already agree with. We're looking for someone to confirm what we believe to be true.

There is value in that. However, there is also a danger of becoming narrow-minded. Several years back I attended a discussion group that hosted a philosophy professor sharing his thoughts on intellectual engagement. How do we cultivate the life of the mind? At this remove the only part of his answer I recall is the bit that stuck in my craw. This was a very serious and thoughtful man with a considered opinion, and I don’t want to come off as dismissive.

But my response at the time was as immediate and irrepressible as a gag reflex: Rubbish. In the years since, my mind hasn’t changed a skosh on that point. People are free to do whatever they want, and everyone has different needs and preferences, but I’d recommend reading several books at once—at least two or three. The professor’s argument for reading one book at a time involved focus and immersion. Bouncing back and forth between many books, he said, would fracture our attention to the degree we couldn’t amply concentrate on the narrative or argument. Real understanding required recruiting all our mental faculties with immersive, dedicated focus.

Maybe. I’ve certainly benefited from sustained attention on a single book, reading for long stretches straight through. But more often I’ve benefited from moving between many books as mood and need dictate. Baylor professor Alan Jacobs suggests reading by whim. That goes for more than what books we read; it also applies to what bits we read of what and when. Several years ago I was enrolled in a neurolinguistic programming course.

The creator of the course said something that has had a profound impact on how I consume information. Most people think they’re going to listen to something one time and change. But the problem is that the subconscious mind doesn’t work that way. There are so many things competing for the attention of your subconscious mind. It’s only when you listen to something over and over that it manages to cut through the noise and your subconscious realizes “this is important.” In my mind, this applies to books, courses, seminars and just about anything else you consume in an effort to change your behavior.

So let’s look at some of the hidden benefits. While the best possible way to remember what you read is to write about it, revisiting it is another powerful way to remember it. The goal, of course, isn’t to mindlessly read something over and over. Use a system like Ryan Holiday’s notecard system or the index system that Cal Newport talks about in this blog post. Reading a book again may seem like retracing old steps, but it can be a rewarding way to deepen your understanding and enjoy richer experiences. Whether you’re revisiting a favorite novel, sharing stories with your child, or tackling a complex text for study, rereading has unique benefits you won’t get from a single pass.

Why bother returning to a book you already know? Each time you read, your mind brings new knowledge, fresh questions, and different life experiences. You notice details you missed before. You catch subtle themes. You see how the author chose words and images. Over time, you build stronger connections with the text.

You learn more deeply. You feel more engaged. In this article, I’ll explain how rereading helps you: I’ll also offer simple methods you can use—whether you read alone, in a group, or with your child. And I’ll share examples of classics and modern favorites that reward a second or third look. Use this guide to turn your next rereading into a richer, more purposeful experience.

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all... The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months. What's your sign?

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It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe. Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post! Have you ever found yourself stuck with a book that just doesn’t seem to be going anywhere? You pick it up, hoping to power through, but instead, it feels like you’re wading through molasses.

We’ve all been there, and it can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you have a pile of unread books waiting for you. But what if I told you that there’s a way to keep your reading momentum going without abandoning books altogether? That’s where the idea of interleaving books comes in. It’s a concept that suggests reading multiple books at the same time—say, three to five—and switching between them regularly to keep things fresh and exciting. This isn’t about multitasking; it’s about maximizing engagement and motivation. So, let’s explore how this works and why it might be just what you need to reignite your love for reading.

For more, continue scrolling or click the ‘play’ button below. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Let’s first acknowledge why we sometimes hit a wall with our reading. There are several reasons. Some books are dense, requiring more cognitive effort to understand, while others might be a bit dry or less engaging than we hoped. These hurdles can make reading feel like a chore rather than a joy.

And when we encounter these challenges, our motivation can take a hit. Let’s skip all the formalities and jump straight into why reading is actually amazing for you, backed by solid science. Turns out, getting lost in a good book does more than pass the time—it can work wonders for your brain, boost your mood, and even improve your social skills. Here’s a breakdown of five big reasons you should grab that book. Reading fires up your brain like nothing else. When you read, your brain’s two hemispheres work together, improving connectivity and enhancing skills like memory and problem-solving.

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