I’ve started re-reading “Eclipse.” Not because it is the best book known to man or because I loved it so much the first time that I must return to its pages again. It’s simply because I injected the entire “Twilight” series like a heroin addict, so now I can’t remember what happens and this vexes me, especially with the movie coming out so soon.
As I was thumbing through the first few chapters, it occurred to me that I very rarely go back and re-read my books.
In fact I can only remember three books I’ve read more than once. Two of them are Jack Kerouac novels: “Big Sur” and “On the Road.” The third one is a 1970s paperback that belonged to my mom called “Confessions of a Hitch-hiker.” I think I’ve read “Confessions” at least five times.
The common thread in these three books is escape via travel, which is why I keep coming back, I think. In a way they are 
familiar unfamiliar road trips that I can immerse myself in, knowing fully well what happens at the end but knowing that I’ll always enjoy the journey along the way.
Other books I hesitate to return to. I worry they will not be as good as I remember. I think some are too much work, too little fun. Whatever the reason, something keeps me from returning to them.
What about you? Do you re-read your favorite books, and if so which ones and why? Do you think there are some books that need more than one read to be fully appreciated? Which ones?
