University of Kwazulu-Natal

Why You Should Read Books More Than Once Medium

Bonisiwe Shabane
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why you should read books more than once medium

Every year I re-read Catch-22. First of all because it’s hysterical. And second of all because every year I learn something new. Every year I read a bunch of new books, talk to a bunch of cool people, and have a bunch of new life experiences. And from all that I learn a bunch of new lessons. Then I re-read Catch-22 and all those lessons pop out at me.

And I’m like “why didn’t I notice them before?” When you read a book, you only learn about 10% of the lessons inside. Then you forget a HUGE chunk of that 10%. What’s going on? Your brain is selectively paying attention to the stuff that’s relevant to you. While focusing on a single book at a time, we sometimes get stuck and have to rely on our willpower to continue reading up until the end.

But sometimes we give up. This happens for a variety of reasons, good and bad. Some books are dense, hard to read, complex, or simply boring at times (whether you consider fiction or non-fiction ones). When we slow down to a crawl and stop making progress, we get demotivated. When that happens, giving up the book might be the right decision. But we might also be missing out, and it’s not always obvious right away… Worse still, sometimes the motivation hit is so bad that we even stop reading for a while, which is kind...

To avoid that, you may want to try interleaving books. Interleaving books is the idea of reading multiple books at a time (e.g., 3–5) and switching regularly between them in order to remain interested and motivated. 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 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. 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. I don’t call something good or bad until I’ve tried it, after this experience. Let’s go back a year. I would call it a ridiculous claim if you say to me reading multiple books at once is a great way to read.

I was one of the biggest cheerleaders on the topic of reading multiple books at once. But, All that was based on assumptions. I would assume, how you can read multiple books at once when you can’t finish one, or how you can focus on different books without forgetting or losing your focus. Who said you have to finish every book you start in the first place!!! I started reading multiple books at once this year, and “Wlah” changed everything. Today I will present to you four benefits I got from reading multiple books at once, and you can start it too.

You cannot call yourself a book lover if you can’t cover all the great books you would love to read, because you are focusing on one book all month which is time-consuming. (Just joking, it can take you a couple of days to read a book and you can be a big book enthusiast). After finishing this piece, you should have a good reason to start reading multiple books at once, so you don’t feel you are missing out on reading great books. 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.

“Books are the training weights of the mind.” Have you ever found yourself eyeing a new book before finishing the one in your hands? Maybe you’re in the middle of a gripping thriller, but that charming rom-com on your shelf is calling your name. For many readers, the temptation of juggling multiple books at once is all too familiar. Some swear by it, enjoying the variety and flexibility, whereas others worry it dilutes the reading experience. Today at What We Reading, we’ll explore the pros and cons of reading multiple books at once.

From the joys of matching your reads to your moods to the potential for overwhelm, we’ll unlock what makes this habit work – or not – for different readers. Plus, we’ll be sharing with you our practical tips to help you balance your literary multitasking like a pro! Reading multiple books at once allows you to explore different genres and topics simultaneously, keeping your reading experience fresh and engaging. You could be unravelling a mystery in one book while immersing yourself in the poetic beauty of a memoir in another. This approach widens your perspective, exposes you to more ideas, and helps stop the monotony that can sometimes come with sticking to just one story. We don’t always feel the same way every day, and reading multiple books at the same time gives you the flexibility to pick a story that goes with your current mood.

Perhaps you’re craving the comfort of a cosy romance after a stressful day, or perhaps an action-packed fantasy feels more appealing. With a variety of books on hand, you can avoid forcing yourself through a book that doesn’t suit your mood at that moment. Reader’s block often strikes when a book feels slow or uninspiring. Having more than one book on the go allows you to shift gears instead of abandoning reading altogether. If one story isn’t captivating you, you can switch to another that reignites your enthusiasm. This can help maintain your reading momentum and ensure you never feel in a rut.

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