I love rereading, the comfortable security in revisiting a book I know is good and the excitement of finding new details or perspectives in a favourite book, always mingled with the fear that what once was brilliant might magically have turned unreadable. In Rereadings 17 writers reread books they have read in childhood or youth and write personal essays around them. It is not reviews but rather personal reflections on the role a beloved book have had in their lives and how their relation to it have changed over time. The result are essays full of the love of books and reading and as a book-lover I found it a fascinating read. I especially enjoyed Barbara Sjoholm’s chapter on The Snow Queen and the one by Diana Kappel Smith on A Field Guide to Wildflowers of Northeastern and North-Central North America.
The essays, which were originally published in The American Scholar, have been selected by Anne Fadiman who is also author of my favourite book about books, Ex Libris. Recommended!
On a different topic I am happy to find that I finally feel inspired to step outside of my reading comfort zone again, after months of primarily reading British Library Crime Classics and similar. I am currently reading Khirbet Khizah by S. Yizhar (so far I find it well-written, interesting, and deeply disturbing) and have three books in the Penguin European Writers series heading my way.
I read that in a book 
Sometimes I think we just need comfort reading. But I *do* like a challenge too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My ideal is a combination. I do need comfort reads to recharge between more challenging books, but it is frustrating when it is all I manage to read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m really pleased you’re back and looking forward to your reviews!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve always enjoyed rereading too. Yes, there’s nothing like the thrill of a new book BUT there’s also nothing like returning to a favorite book too. The comfort, the joy, and – as you said – always finding new layers to it. There are some books I can never tire of reading and a few I try to revisit at least every few years. It’s like catching up with an old friend who’s always there for you :).
LikeLiked by 1 person