I think the main difference between us then, is that I don't have a great interest in reading lots and lots of books. I generally don't have the patience to finish a book once, unless it's a book that I'd read several times. I wind up reading far fewer books than yourself.
So for me, the comments I made apply to novels as well as reference material. Second reads give me another chance to observe things like structure, or enjoy knowing what's going to happen.
Actually though, the biggest factor for me was recognition of my own mortality. When I was a kid, I'd keep books and reread them 5 times. When I was a teenager, I'd reread them twice, and keep them expecting to read them more. Now, I realize there's a limit to how much reading I'll be able to fit into the rest of my life.
So for me, the comments I made apply to novels as well as reference material. Second reads give me another chance to observe things like structure, or enjoy knowing what's going to happen.
Actually though, the biggest factor for me was recognition of my own mortality. When I was a kid, I'd keep books and reread them 5 times. When I was a teenager, I'd reread them twice, and keep them expecting to read them more. Now, I realize there's a limit to how much reading I'll be able to fit into the rest of my life.