I was having a conversation with my sister (who doesn't read) the other day, and she was shocked at how quickly I read, and how many books I read.
Just thought it would be a really interesting topic, to see how fast people on here read, and when they read. (Mind you I'm a bit boring at the moment, so maybe it's not as interesting as I thought ;) )
I know I don't normally watch much TV, so I normally read in the evenings. I also read over breakfast occasionally - depending on how much time I have, and I definately read in bed - it helps my brain to stop thinking about work!
Thought it might be good for those of us doing the book challenge as well, especially those who read about 100 books a year!
The pace of my reading depends on how interesting the book is to me. The more engaging it is the quicker I get through it. I usually like to read in the night too, because I prefer to get my reading done in one sitting (or sometimes during free periods in school) but mostly in the night :).
Dreamweavers' Guildmistress
13 years ago
Dreamweavers' Guildmistress
Dreamscape Artist
I normally read pretty quickly, unless it's some boring novel I have to read for English. Lately however, reading as a pastime I wish I could partake in: the HSC is consuming my spare time, but I'm looking forward to three weeks time, after my half yearlys, because I have two weeks holidays- two weeks of good, quick reading again :)
For the most part I love to read in bed, but during the day I love curling up on the lounge with a hot drink and my book. I used to dedicate every spare minute to reading :)
The pace of my reading does depend on the book itself and how emotionally/intellectually engaged I am...
Generally, I like to read at least 50 pages in a single sitting, and this is something I could do within an hour, and how many hours I devote to a book depends on what else is going on in my life, and again, how engaging the book itself is... I don't really have a set reading schedule as such, but I do read a lot.... I like to take time letting the words sink in and I NEVER skim read books, even ones I don't like...
I listen to audiobooks a lot as well. Usually when I'm travelling or going on walks, and sometimes playing in the background while I do things on the computer. Right now, I am listening to Simon Vance narrating Stieg Larsson's "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest", whilst I am typing this post.
I used to read heaps back in high school. But through uni and now with full time work - it's pretty bad. I find it hard to find time to read and get books to read. I have so many books (that I keep adding to) on my to-read pile, it's not funny anymore. I've taken to borrowing books which has seen me reading more books than usually.
When it's holidays I love how I can stay up all night getting through an awesome book, or spend all day in bed just reading. It's awesome.
It sucks when reality and real life comes knocking.
Wanderer Guilden
13 years ago
Wanderer Guilden
Mage
i remember your pain well, Arwen. good luck with your HSC! i'm sure you'll do brilliantly! :D
my reading pace varies, too. if it's a boring novel, i tend to slow down and then, eventually, put it down as a lost cause. if it's a really, really good book then i can normally read it all in one sitting (i read the Deathly Hallows in 7-ish hours, for example)
if it's a book that i've read before then i'm even faster, because i already know what's going on, so i don't really need to read everything as closely.
generally, i don't really notice how fast i read... or how long i read for that matter lol. last night i looked up, saw it was 8.30 then, when i next looked up, it was 10 past 12 hehehe ^_^;;
I read at about an average pace. If I've read the book before it would take a day or less. If I'm hooked on a new book then anywhere from 2 to 6 days depending on how thick it is or how busy I am.
I like to read in bed, especially with the sun coming through the window in the late afternoon or on teh couch with a blanket. If I'm on a bus/train/transport of any sort where I can read, I do. I'm lucky enough not to feel queasy or sick.
I do most of my reading on the train during semester, but unfortunately novels have had to be thrown out in favour of uni readings :(
I read really quickly, but I don't have as much time to read anymore! I don't do much reading in the weeks anymore, if I can't do it on the train then I usually won't read at home unless I'm really into a book. I tend to do homework, go out or watch TV instead :(
During holidays I do a lot more reading, just sitting on the couch and reading. Facebook has ruined some of my reading, I used to sit and read a lot more, now I tend to spend a lot of that time on the internet particularly facebook. Bad facebook! I really should endeavour to do more reading, less clicking refresh!
Of course, first I have to endeavour to do more uni work...
I don't feel like myself unless i've got a book within reach..If its a bit boring i'll flick to the end and read the last few pages then decide if its worth staying with the story. The only time when i don't do that is when a writer has got me hooked in the first few chapters, then i don't want to spoil the journey. I have a preference for Aussie writers too lately...8)
I read in bed mostly. I read at all times of the day or night, whenever i can get time but tend to lie in bed to do it, because sitting up reading for too long causes problems with my neck. I'll often take a novel on the bus too, but lately I've been reading a lot of e books on my laptop.
Part of the reason ive been reading e books is because I have about a thousand free ones given to me by a friend and I read so fast it seems ridiculous spending all of my few spare dollars on books.
As an example- the last book i bought was Tangled Webs by Anne Bishop and i finsihed it the same day i bought it.
It took me in total perhaps three or four hours to read?
Back in school the librarians would get annoyed with me borrowing books and returning them the next day- they thought I was just trying to make myself look good or something by having a huge number of books borrowed. It wasnt until i had a talk with one of them about the book i had just brought back that they realized i was just reading them that fast.
Wanderer Ward
13 years ago
Wanderer Ward
Mage
Now that I've finished uni, It's only my job that eats into my reading time too much - I tend to read in the mornings (while I'm on the exercise bike, during breakfast, if I have a few moments before I leave for work). I read during my lunch break most days, and then I will read in the evening, if I'm not watching tv/a dvd.
I think I read relatively quickly, but it does really depend on what I'm reading - something I know well/have read many times will take less time to read than something I've never read before. The style of writing can also play a role - if the narrative flows well, I read faster.
I used to read on the train/train/bus on my way to uni, but it was most often uni stuff I was reading.
Sometimes I read just before bed. The only downside to this is I can get caught up in the book,and before I know it, I've only a few hours before I have to get up! :p
I have 10 minutes on the train every morning and evening, so i read a chapter of Dickens in those trips.
I have a bad habit of buying at least 3 books a week - and reading at least one.
It takes me ages to get ready in the morning because I pause to read a bit.
Basically - I don't read books - I inhale them.
Wanderer Ward
13 years ago
Wanderer Ward
Dreamscape Artist
During the holidays I usually read one book a day, but during semester my pace significantly slows down. In the six weeks I've been back at uni so far this year, I've only managed to finish one book! I'll finish another this weekend, but this is a particularly bad reading drought for me. In the holidays I'll read in every spare moment I have, spending hours lying on my bed reading during the day whilst my dad repeatedly tells me to go outside and absorb some vitamin D. During semester, I usually (not this semester though) read one chapter or so every night before bed and a little on the weekend if I'm up to date with all my uni readings and assignments.
Everyone is shocked by how much I read.
I read quite quickly. I find all books that I have read interesting, even school books. Actually, I first read Obernewtyn as a novel for English. Then I asked my mum to get me the rest in the series. Then I read non-stop for a few days. Then I gave them to my mum to read, and she loved them too. I am such a bookworm.I used to walk around while shopping with a book open in my hand(of course I don't trip). I don't really have too many books to read, but I want to buy a heap of books when I have the money. Even though I don't have many books I need to read so I reread all my books multiple times(no one understands how I can do that so much).
I prefer to read in bed at night, though I can read anytime, anywhere. If I'm not in bed or on a comfy chair then I like to sit on some grass outside my house. I really like reading inside when it is raining, because then I get the effect of darkness and I like reading with the gentle sound of rain in the background.
Ashlings' guildleader
13 years ago
Ashlings' guildleader
Dreamscape Artist
I used to read quickly, but as I've gotten older I've found that I enjoy it more if I read more slowly, so now I'm a slow reader because I have so little time to read that if I'm going to do it, I better enjoy it :p
Now that I'm at uni I tend to read large quantities of books over the holidays and hardly anything at all during the term. My reading tally for last year looked like an imperfectly and strangely oscillating system. During semester my reading tends to consist of a chapter or so picked somewhat randomly out of well loved favorites and I really don't end up finishing many books at all.
I always read at breakfast - National Geographic while I'm eating my cereal. :3
I also read in bed, just before I go to sleep. I usually read, like, 10 books/manga at a time.... xD I could finish a book in a day or in a week, or even longer, it really varies depending on how enthralled I am with the book and how much time I have.
I used to love reading on public transport (except for the (more than a) few times that I missed my stop)
These days its mostly at night time, curled up in bed... can usually get through a book a night... (sometimes its two nights - cause I choose sleep over finishing - sleeping at work is frowned upon ;))
When I read it needs to be at home, in my room, by myself with no noise or distractions whatsoever. Even if i can hear the tv from the living room I'll start focusing on that and not actually understand what I'm reading. And it really frustrates me when I have to read the same sentence/paragraph over and over again so I can comprehend what's actually happening.
I read when I eat my breakfast, when I eat my lunch at work, on the train when I go places, and in bed before I go to sleep at night. Every day. I love it. XD
