Reading a book really is better the second time round - and can even offer mental health benefits

• Second read-through is 'more emotional'
• Can offer mental health benefits, say researchers
• Same effect applies to watching films or holidaying in familiar places

By Rob Waugh -= Daily Mail - 15th February 2012

Harry Potter fan: Scientists say that people who reread books over and over again could reap emotional benefits

Reading a favourite book for a second time often feels like a different experience - now scientists say that it actually IS different.
The habit of watching films or reading books multiple times encourages people to engage with them emotionally.
The first time people read - or watch - through, they are focused on events and stories.
The second time through, the repeated experience reignites the emotions caused by the book or film, and allows people to savour those emotions at leisure.
The 'second run' can offer profound emotional benefits, says a new study, based on interviews with readers in the U.S. and New Zealand.
By enjoying the emotional effects of the book more deeply, people become more in touch with themselves.
'By doing it again, people get more out of it,' says author Cristel Antonia Russell of American University.
'Even though people are already familiar with the stories or the places, re-consuming brings new or renewed appreciation of both the object of consumption and their self.'

The same effect can even work on familiar holiday destinations, according to the paper in the Journal of Consumer Research, 'reigniting' emotions from previous visits. 

'Given the immense benefits for growth and self-reflexivity, re-consuming actually appears to offer many mental health benefits,' Thomas writes.
'People should not hesitate to go back and re-read or re-view what they have already done. A once in a lifetime experience can easily appeal to people again.