To wonder why you'd read or watch anything more than once?

[ArriettyMatilda]

I only ever watch films or read books once. When you know how the story will end I can't see the point in reading or watching again. If a tv programme comes on that I've seen before then I'd rather turn the TV off than watch it again. What is the point in watching twice? I feel like I'd be wasting time because I could be watching something new. I won't even have time in my life to read all the books I'd like to so why would I spend time rereading something that I would know how it ends. I use the library a lot so at least it doesn't cost anything for me to read new books!

I rewatch loads of stuff. Films, because I am a little bit thick about understanding plots and can take me 2-3 times to get it properly. Sometimes there is a massive twist in the tale and then it's great to rewatch with a little foreknowledge ( e.g. I watched Crimimal Activities last night and would rewatch that )

Sometimes it is a very funny film and I want to have a belly laugh e.g. The Change-Up. Others I love because they are feel good rom-coms and will rewatch those ad infinitum.

Books - rarely reread but some Bill Bryson ( see earlier about belly laughs ), and definitely Stephen King ( like a pp does).

BeyondThePage if it was a disappointment wouldn't the memory of it being good have been better?

No, definitely not - I was glad that it reminded me of my past self - the new-to-it-all-socialist, the pseudo-intellectual that I thought I was, and now I've grown and can see things in a new light, it was a disappointment because I had thought the BOOK was good, when really the IDEA was good, but written in such cliched rubbishy prose.

It is good to look back on our earlier life - I remember when I read certain books, just like remembering when I saw certain films and heard certain music. They form the backdrop of our lives and it is good to revisit and see if views have changed.

Sonetimes i cant be bothered giving my full attention but am bored or panicky and need background noise and something i know is 'safe' and comforting rather than the unknown.

*Have you ever watched Frasier?

I can't see how you cannot watch that more than once*

Agreed - I would also add the West Wing and How I Met Your Mother to that.

I kind of feel like this about books-but only because you spend longer reading a book so reading it more than once is a greater commitment on your time. But if you really love a book, why not? But films I can happily watch more than once of i like them. In fact there are some films I think would improve with a second watch (I'm dying to watch Shutter Island again for instance!)

I also like specific types of programes, like criminal minds, wire in the blood, silent witness, waking the dead, CSI etc. There are only so many shows like that, and they tend to be seasonal and some dont run for very many series. if i cant get in to the first episode of a new show i write it off, run out of new shows (cant afford sky/fancy entertainment package on virgin etc) so its whats available on tbe chanels i do have on basic subscription, or is available freely on youtube. You end up re watching stuff because you genuinely enjoyed it abd have nothing new to watch that fits your interests.

Falconhoof1- Do it. Shutter Island is a bloody fantastic film, even better second time around when you know what to look out for along the way.

After I've finished my current book I'm going to have to have another go at rereading something from my book shelf. I read a lot but I can't in all honesty say I can remember what books I read ten or even five years ago, unless I've still got a copy of the book. So perhaps nothing I've read has been decent enough to make the kind of impact that requires a reread?

I've seen a few Frasier episodes and I really enjoyed himym but I've never gone back to watching them. I just feel bored watching something where I know what will happen, even films I've really enjoyed the first time I get distracted if I rewatch.

I wish I could be a bit more like you tbh op, I must have seen the entire Gavin and Stacey and Royle Family series at least 10 times over... I must be missing so much new stuff but I never ever get bored, am in awe at the writing and in stitches with laughter every time. And have read Anne of Green Gables countless times...

Oh I reread, watch and listen to stuff lots of times.

I have many books that I enjoy reading, like the story, like the characters etc so why not read them again?

Sometimes you 'get' new bits. Sometimes you might remember the general story but not exactly what happened.

I listen to audio books more than once. Evacuee the second or third time is very good for helping me get to sleep - I'm not stressed about missing a good bit ;-)

For the truly brilliant books that I've thoroughly enjoyed, the plot is ingrained forever from the first read

You have a better memory than me then!

And some books like the Chronicles of Narnia are like an old reliable friend who has always been there since childhood. I've no idea how many times I've read them since the age of 7, but I've had to replace my original set at the bindings were suffering with age and use.

Yes this exactly!

I have fairly particular tastes so sometimes run out of things that I reckon I'll enjoy. Obviously I'll read/ watch stuff out of my comfort zone, but sometimes I simply don't want to.

Also, I like to reread books I've initially read in my native language so now I'm looking forward to picking up The Illustrated Man from the library.

I reread books for all the reasons mentioned here, but I also reread and watch movies again as I really forget them. I often get one third of the way through a movie and suddenly realise I've seen this film before. But don't know the ending. I also forget the endings to books unless I've reread them at least twice, even if they are epic and supposedly memorable. I've read and watched a lot, there just isn't room in there for all those plots!

I'm finding this thread fascinating because like the op I have very little interest in seeing the same movie/TV show or reading the same book again (unless there has been a very long gap and I've forgotten it), no matter how much i enjoyed it the first time, if I can remember each scene as it comes up I just get bored.

But I'm the complete opposite when it comes to food. I will occasionally try new things, but most of the time I eat the same favourite foods over and over. The two things don't seem at all comparable to me.

I re-read a book recently that I first read as an 18 year old. It awoke in me a lust to travel across America experiencing the whole country.

This year, to celebrate my 40th birthday I took a small condensed version of that trip, and then, as I say, reread the inspiration behind it. I've read that book to shreds. Literally. I must have reread it every couple of years. I've read everything written by the author, mostly several times. He's taught me science, history, geography, language and fun trivia.
I cannot imagine those books not being part of my life. To me, they are old friends. I love discovering new books, and new authors but I do love to revisit old familiar ones as well.
You know how you can listen to a song and remember a time where that song was really significant and it's like you get transported back to that time for a short while? Books are a bit like that for me. I think back to the first time I read Harper Lee and I can picture myself in my childhood bedroom, curled up against the bedroom wall and probably eating chocolate chip cookies. I remember discovering Terry Pratchett and not really appreciating the humour until I read a few more books then I had to go back and rediscover the first ones all over again.

I may be a little bit wierd but books have always been my security blanket and the famailarity is what makes them so secure.

For the pure pleasure something gave you?
Because you enjoyed it - plot, characters, scenery, music?
Because you often miss thngs first time (or second tme) around and you get more pleasure out of watching it again seeing/hearing something new in the film?
Because it means something to you - person you saw it with, the topic it relates to, the place it is set in?
YOur experience of something has change and maybe your outlook on something?
Just because your favourite actor is in it?
Because the book is a comfortable read, you lose yourself in it?
Because you like the style the books written?
Because you have been to the place a book is set in and it reminds you of it and you can see the place in your minds eye?

Dont you ever listen to a song more than once?
Visit the same town, city, area more than once?
Look at a picture more than once?

New stuff is great but there is nothing like returning to something you love its like having an old friend round.

I often forget the storyline altogether. I watched a film the other day and only realised I'd seen it a few years ago when I got to the closing scene.

The only books I've read again are the really good ones. Same with films. Maybe you've just not read anything decent

I re-read Atonement a few weeks ago. It was a totally different experience the second time around - I felt differently about the characters and saw the events in a much more social context. I hadn't got that it says quite a lot about class the first time.

I also found myself in awe at McEwan's precision and economy of language - not a superfluous word or even comma. The first time round, I was too invested in the plot and characters to do that.

When you know the ending, it changes how you view characters and events. Your sympathies and interest changes especially with Atonement.

I have read my favourite book at least yearly since I was 9.

I am now 37

I still find nuances I haven't noticed before

I reread books years later as I have forgotten what happened. I've also re-read the Poldark series of books while it's been on the BBC.

I re-read Jess Ennis-Hill's autobiography recently - this was because she was upgraded to a gold medal from the 2011 athletics championships and I wanted to re-read what she said about those championships at the time. So you can want to re-read something because of a change of perspective since you first read it.