Mariella Hunt

Why have I decided to reread old favorites in 2026? I believe it will satisfy an emotional need.

Venturing back to The Secret Garden will make me reminisce about childhood. A trip to Hogwarts will remind me of my teenage years, when the Harry Potter books made everything around me vivid.

Too often, a brand-new book does not offer the same sort of comfort. Could it be that the types of books marketed to me have changed? Or is it that I now need different things from the pages I lose myself in?

This year, I’m not looking for anything new or exciting. I’m looking for something cozy—a warm cup of tea, a flavor that I already know is my favorite.

We learn certain things when we reread old favorites:

1. Life might change, but the books that formed us remain unaltered. And while it’s true that a book hits differently on a second read, that’s because we have become different people.
2. You develop new opinions about characters as you mature. A protagonist that you thought heroic as a teen might get on your nerves now with their choices, because you know better. You might also find yourself relating to the person you once believed a villain, because you understand their scars.
3. Nostalgia changes how we react to a story. You might not be revisiting that old book for the plot or characters. Instead, you’re drawn to it because it stirs a positive emotion. This might be a picture book a grandparent read to you, bringing to mind sensations of safety. It could be a novel that calls to mind good times with a friend.

When we reread books, we know that there is more going on than the story described on its pages. This book is comfort. This book is growth. It can be the cup of tea you need—or the long-awaited hug.

Tell me about a book that you’ve reread recently. Did it hit different? Did you learn new things from it?