In my experience, there are two kinds of book people: those who reread, and those who don’t. You might read those last words on that final page and never touch a book again unless compelled to for work, school, etc. Us rereaders have a set of favorites, a list of greatest hits that we turn to when we just need to feel a little something.
It turns out there’s a name for that deliberate dip into familiar territory: volitional reconsumption.
Coined in 2012 by researchers Cristel Russell and Sidney Levy, the term refers to the practice of intentionally reliving an experience you’ve already had. It doesn’t just apply to books: you might revisit a city you’ve been to before, watch a beloved show or movie for the umpteenth time, or order the same dish every time you eat at a restaurant.
Why exactly do we dabble in the déjà fait? Here’s what the research says:
- For emotional efficiency: we know exactly what emotion we’re craving and the experience that will deliver it.
- For certainty: it’s not just the story we glean comfort from, but the safety of knowing exactly what happens
- For companionship: what scientists call the social surrogacy hypothesis suggests that in some cases, a beloved piece of media can serve as a partial proxy for human company.
- That explains why Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia are my best friends in my head.
Those findings all likely ring true for rereaders, but for me, the practice goes beyond finding safety in the familiar. Yes, we reach for stories we know the ending to when we need a balm for anxiety, or know what to pick up when we need a cathartic cry. And sometimes, we want to learn more.
A classic might hit different now than it did in high school. Our lived experience might reshape our understanding. Reading with fresh eyes might add new richness and meaning to an otherwise familiar tale. Rereads can be about comfort, or they can be a tool for deeper leaning. If asked to choose between the two, I ask: porque no los dos? —VD
