Re-reading, again and again
Leo first read Harry Potter, books one through three, when he was in kindergarten. It was love at first sight and he mourned each book’s ending. That summer, he read them again, adding book four to the mix. Throughout the school year, he’d read one here or there, but this summer? This summer is a Harry Potter Summer.
It has felt like Harry himself has become a part of our family in the last several months.
“Don’t forget Harry!”
“Harry can’t go in the pool!”
“Did you find Harry?”
“Don’t step on Harry!”
The Harry books are like an extension of Leo. He is rarely seen without one nearby, often tucked under his arm. The books are worn and tattered, well-loved.
It all started Memorial Day weekend. I was away with the kids and Leo decided to pack Harry for the long drive. The books consumed him, as if he was reading them for the very first time. By early June, he had finished the entire series for the very first time.
Food shopping with Harry.
And then he jumped right back in. No sooner had he closed book seven’s cover than he picked up book one again.
Warming up with Harry.
And so, Leo re-read the entire Harry Potter series for a second time.
Patriotic pool-side brothers.
And then, once finished, he started the series for the third consecutive time.
Lost, in love.
One might ask if Leo has read anything other than Harry this summer and the answer is of course! This IS Leo, after all. He’s never been able to resist a novel book. That said, nothing has held a candle to Harry.
Sneaking in a few sentences before tennis.
One can see from our photos how we’ve spent our summer days: poolside. This summer has been unscheduled, with plenty of space between. Leo has been spending his space between with Harry. When he’s not running wild with his friends or swimming, you can find him on the pool deck with Harry.
I’ve spent some of my space between thinking about this Harry obsession.
Is it normal to read the same books over and over and over again?
Is it odd to dive right back in, moments after completing a series?
Should I suggest other books?
When will it stop?
Should I be concerned?
And then I remembered my summers with Anne. I think Harry is to Leo what Anne was to me as a child. I can remember summers spent reading Anne at the beach, in a fort, in a tree. I remember feeling lost when separated from the book, or when interrupted in the midst of a chapter.
Is there anything better than losing yourself in a book? Isn’t it wonderful to immerse yourself so completely in its story line, befriending characters as if they were real?
Childhood is the only time you can lose yourself in a book so thoroughly, as you are completely free from to do lists and responsibilities.
Thinking of this, I erase all concerns and questions from my mind, and I smile. Reflecting upon Anne Summers of old, I actually feel a wee bit jealous of his Harry Potter Summer. Jealous and happy for him- that’s he’s blessed with ample space to get lost in something he loves so much.
Now, it’s your turn. Do your children read the same books over and over again? What series did you lose yourself in as a child? Share here!
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If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there’s no use in reading it at all.
~Oscar Wilde
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Yes! My daughter has read Percy Jackson series over and over again, especially her favorite parts. Same thing with Harry Potter, but she still prefers Percy Jackson, because she is crazy about mythology.
We are deep into Percy again over here! It’s like I wrote the post and jinxed the HP 🙂 Has your daughter seen the Percy Jackson Ultimate Guide? My son just discovered that one!
DD7 also reads the Mysterious Benedict Society several times over. Has Leo read those? DD read HP several times but only up to book 5. I am afraid to let her read the next two as she is very sensitive – less so to books (she won’t verbalize but will often have night terrors), and we can’t take her to the movies anymore after she watched Inside Out. How was Leo with the last few books? She would be over the moon if she could continue the series!
Hi, Sara.
Honestly? I was afraid, too, believe me. He’s SUPER sensitive. This is a child who hasn’t been to a movie theater yet 🙂 That said, for some reason, with books it’s [mostly] fine. He has a harder time if a book has a scary illustration. He can somehow edit it in his mind. Each child is so different, but he was okay with the last books. Good luck with whatever you choose!