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I rarely reread books, but there is one book I keep coming back to and that's A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. I first read it as a child and every time I reread it, I relate to a different character or take away something different from it. I not only learn something new about my current self, but gain a deeper understanding of my past self, who I was when I read this book the last time, and how much I've grown since then. It's not even about the book so much as it is connecting through time with my younger self.

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Oh, I love this perspective on rereading so much, and you express the experience so eloquently. I think that's part of what makes rereading certain books over and over again so powerful for me, too. I feel that way about my biannual LoTR rereads. It's comforting, but it's also a window into who I was and who I'm becoming.

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Nov 30, 2022·edited Nov 30, 2022Liked by Laura Sackton

Yes, exactly! I read it about every 6 years (not intentionally it just works out that way haha). First when I was 11, then again at 18, then again at around 24. I'm turning 30 next month so I'm probably due to read it again! 😉

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I completely agree that December is for comfort reading. Even though I nearly always read whatever I want, I lean into this even harder in December, when, I think, I let my standards drop a little and indulge myself (what does that even mean? I don't know). In the past few years, I've hoarded my paid time off so that I can be done with work for the year mid-December -- for at least a week, my children are still in school, so I have entire blank days to myself, which I use to devour books, usually at least one a day. It's the ultimate luxury to me!

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Yes! There's something about resisting the end-of-year frenzy, and making space in December for rest and joy, that really vibes with rereading and comfort reading. I also set up my schedule so that I can take off time in December (to bake, though!) and I always take off the last two weeks of the year from any and all obligations. I hope you have a wonderful reading season ahead!

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You too!

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Dec 1, 2022Liked by Laura Sackton

Yes Laura that answer to my question is exactly what I was hoping for! I love the idea of comfort reading in December -- I'm hoping as I build up my "I read that" catalogue I will find books to come back to, possibly in December. I really want to reread The Arsonists City and America is Not The Heart on audio, maybe next year...or maybe this summer since that is now my off season! But either way, I'm feeling open to the reread.

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Yay! I wish you a joyous rereading journey! It's really helpful (for me at least) to declare a "rereading season" or create some other ritual around it—whether that's December or the summer! And I'm sure I've told you this before but the audio of both of those books are SO GOOD on audio.

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