I know what you mean by reading books over and over again. I just can't understand people who buy a book, read it once, and sell/trade it. When I buy a book, it's for keeps (well, until it falls apart, that is)!
Having now read all the Poldark books twice, I'm sure the hardest thing of all for any successful author MUST be having to keep re-reading it all over and over again without losing its freshness, sense and meaning. I wish I knew how Winston managed it.