January is for Rereading Old Favorites

Like many of us, I set a reading goal each year. I typically read between 50 to 55 books, which is a comfortable amount for my lifestyle. I read 53 books in 2025, and I’m feeling great about that number. But, as I scrolled through my Goodreads account to see my progress for the year, I felt a little disappointed that I didn’t spend much time rereading.

In fact, I had only reread one novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Which I only reread because I wanted to finally get around to James by Percival Everett, and wanted the cultural context of the original text fresh in my mind.

As I was making my way through the classic, I discovered a lot of nuance and forgotten moments in the story, which endeared my memories of reading Mark Twain in high school. I was glad I reread The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as an adult who can fully appreciate and understand how far (and how little) we’ve come as a diverse society. The animalistic mistreatment of Jim and the passive ‘niceties’ of the ‘good’ white folks gave me a clearer understanding of my country’s history and how we’ve arrived at our current, openly bigoted administration. All of this, I would have never gotten to experience, if I hadn’t revisited the text.

Regardless of how many books you want to read in 2026, I’d like to encourage you to focus on quality over quantity. I’d also like to make a case for the importance of rereading your old favorites.

There are many benefits to revisiting a book you hardly remember but know you once loved. Diving back into a novel after a few years can give you some clarity on the author’s intention, or put the book into a new perspective now that you’ve grown. Some books may remain only a good memory, losing their luster to your maturity, but many others will blossom and become an even richer part of you.

There are even some studies that indicate revisiting stories can help soothe anxiety, bring comfort, and improve your reading comprehension skills. As a teacher, I know this is true for children who reread picture books and Early-Readers. So, of course, this benefit must also extend to adults!

I’d like to share some of the books I’ve frequently reread. These books have improved my life and given me a lot to think about over the years. Each book on this list I’ve read at least three times and would highly recommend to you, even if it’s your first time picking them up.

Fiction

Erasure by Percival Everit is one of my favorite novels. With each reread, the more I gain from its poignant discussion on race and class in America. A black author, who wants to write mathematical nonfiction, is forced into crafting a novel about what it means to ‘be black’. Knowing his white agent and the all-white committee is looking for a story about a stereotypical ‘thug’ character, he gives them what they want. This story haunted me when I first read it in college. Over the years, it’s given me, as a white reader, a lot to think about with each reread.

Life of Pi was, at one point, the novel I claimed was my favorite when anyone asked. My husband gifted me a pocket-sized copy for my birthday one year, and I found this amazing, illustrated version in a used bookstore a few years later. The story of Pi, and his hunger for survival is both inspirational and depressing. I adore Pi as a character, and Yann Martel as an author. I have read many of his other works and would also recommend Beatrice and Virgil if you’ve never read it.

Carol by Patricia Highsmith. A master at prose, Highsmith makes her melancholy novel feel like a much-needed hug in winter. It’s one of those books where once you finish, you sit with the book on your lap and stare into your living room. The forbidden, queer romance keeps you at the edge of your seat, while the stunning language has you sitting back down again.

Nonfiction

The Diary of Frida Kahlo is just that, a collection of her private thoughts and works in progress. Kahlo is one of my favorite artists, and getting to revisit her so intimately each year is a great comfort. She always finds a way to make me chuckle from her sarcasm or deeply reflect with her Works in Progress and the inspiration she finds in creation.

The Lonely City by Olivia Lang has given me so much comfort, especially during big life transitions. I am from a very rural area in Western New York, and moving to a city felt so daunting. This book gave me a lot of clarity on the science behind loneliness, and helped me feel braver setting off on my own. It is also an intimate look into the lives of some of my favorite New York City artists, who make me very proud of my home state.

Poetry

The Father by Sharon Olds is an upclose and personal reflection on the author’s journey through losing her father to cancer. Their complex and often toxic relationship, mixed with Old’s command of language, made the tragedy even more cruel and breathtaking. This poetry collection was a huge eye-opener to me in terms of what poetry can do for storytelling. If you consider yourself a poet, it is a must-read.

Felon: Poems by Reginald Dwayne Betts has got to be my all-time favorite poetry collection. The poems are both a reflection of the author’s time in prison, while also exploring the aftereffects of his mental health and life as a free man. The first time I listened to this on audio, I went to my nearest bookstore and bought a physical copy, just so I could read it again with my own eyes. The audiobook, which is narrated by the author, could have gone on for years, and I would have clung to each word. The language Dwayne Betts’ uses is so masterful and brutal. It moves me with each reread and reminds me of how complex our humanity is and how equally corrupt our government systems are.

Children’s Books

If you haven’t read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery or The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, it’s high time you did. These books are classics for a reason. They provide so much wisdom and joy, and they can brighten your day after just a few pages. I chose to reread them in my second language, Korean, which made for an interesting rereading experience as I was already familiar with the stories, but in Korean, there is a new level of cultural context in the translation choices to enjoy.

In 2026, there are a few more books I’d like to revisit.

I want to reread Jonathan Bafran Foer’s nonfiction book Eating Animals. I read it during Covid, and it helped me stop eating so much meat. But I have forgotten most of the information, and I’ve slipped back into bad habits of ordering takeout. I think this book will help me get back on track, as it did five years earlier!

I also want to revisit a Manhwa, comic series, titled: 옥탑빵 Rooftop Bread by Bodam. Now that my Korean is far better than it was a few years ago, I hope to gain more from this series. It’s rather cozy, and I know I will have my heart warmed by this story of found family and following your small dreams, over conforming to societal expectations.

If you plan on rereading anything, which I deeply hope you do, please let me know! I am always interested in getting book recommendations.

Happy New Year and happy reading!