I was wondering how everyone reads? Do you read one chapter at a time, do you try to go through as many chapters in one setting, do you read quickly, or do you really savor the words? I will read one chapter at a time, and when I am busy, I will maybe not read the book for a week or so, and then take up the book again. I tend to read slowly and try to absorb as much of the book as possible and see how the author writes. Sometimes I find it hard, when there is so much repetition and description especially when the book was written in the nineteenth century.
[question posted by suspenseful]
responses and comments:
I tend to speed-read. In essence i skip the small words such as 'and' 'but' 'if' 'to' 'with'... etc etc. Then as you read the sentence still makes sense to me but by cutting out the words its easier to read quick. Sometimes in short articles i skim the paper. I look over paragraph by paragraph so that i get the gist of the article. Most of the time the title helps get the main message through while skimming is only tidbits of supporting information. [bballchamp1]
I usually read one page at a time when it is not that important and I just need to get the gist of things, but when reading novels and stuff I have to recall, I go over it more slowly. [suspenseful]
Depends on what I'm reading. Speed reading for school required books, not for books I want to read that are good. When I come to a good book, I normally just can't put it down until I absolutely have to. I'm apparently a slow reader when I read books I enjoy, according to others. [TheProphet]
I have one book that I started about a month ago and I am still on it. It has so much detail that it is hard to rush through it. [suspenseful]
I read in spurts..I will go a long time and will not read then i will find a book that i like and i will read it. I will not stop reading until i have finshed that book but not all at once though, it might take me two weeks but i will always finish the book because i get involved in it...I usually will read at night before going to sleep, but i will read it in bed, and when i get through a chapter i end up going to sleep..I will do that every night until i finish the book..Some people start a book and get half way through and just stop, but i always try and finish.I am not a steady reader, like i always have some type of book i am reading on..I will read in spurts, like right now i have not started a book now since maybe 6 months ago..No one likes for me to read because i always get so involved... [slickcut]
I have to make time to read and I read when we are watching Tv when the commercials are on, but my husband is near sighted and he needs less light while I need more and I hate putting on my glasses all the time. [suspenseful]
I used to red a book cover to cover in one or two sittings - staying up way too late at night because I was impatient if it was a good book... now that I have children I find I do not read very much. I get interupted way too often to enjoy it anymore. [Modestah]
I have too much going on in my life to read a book from cover to cover in one or two days. I used to do it when I was single, but since then, even with our sons grown up, there is too much to do during the day to sit down for that long. [suspenseful]
I am a voracious fast reader and seldom do I not finish a book at one sitting. The more exciting the story, the faster I go, and when I read I tend to see, smell, feel, taste, hear and otherwise experience the story as if I were a real life part of it. [drannhh]
I have a vivid imagination and it seems as if I am reading the book like it were a movie. I do take my time because I want to get all the details right. [suspenseful]
I read more than one chapter at a time. I find it difficult to put down a book till I finish it. Sometimes, I need to read a book slowly to really understand what it is about...but most of the times, I read quickly and am able to understand the concept. [SViswan]
That is how I learned much of my vocabulary by reading those old books. With some of the books nowadays, unless they are non-fiction, you could have easily quit school in the fifth grade and still be able to read them. I find that it nos very encouraging. [suspenseful]
I love to read, and I'm a picky reader, so when I find a book that I like I have to say right now that I tend to not put the book down until I finish it, or I fall asleep reading it. Most of the time I have to say I finish a book within 48 hours of getting it, the once exception that I did not do that was a book called A Fatal Passion, which was about the rise and fall of the Roman Empire family it was a very thick book, and more difficult read, but it was excellent writing and one of the best books I ever read on Russian History Mooch [oneandonemakesix]
That sounds like a book I would like to read. I do like very hard to read books that go into lots of details and take forever to read. [suspenseful]
It really depends on how "in" to the book i am reading, if i am into the subject matter, i usually read untill i get tired lol, as much as i can. [Dblabcker2200]
I want to remember what I read, so I tend to do it slowly, but if it is light, then I go through it very quickly. [suspenseful]
I am a slow reader, and sometimes when I come to an exiting bit I will read it twice, I usually like to finish on a chapter, so it wraps it nicely, as I don't always pick up the book often, I hate leaving the story in the middle of a chapter. If it's a really good book and I am in the mood I will read on and on, but it's very rare, and I guess the internet has taken over my quality reading time, I used to get through loads of books, now I am lucky if I pick up a book once a month! [wolfie34]
I used to read fast, but it did no good when people wanted to know what happened in chapter five, so I kind of slowed down a bit. [suspenseful]
Usually read what I can at one setting altho that is hard with a 3 year old running around. I have set and read a whole book before putting it down that is if it really gets my attention. BUt then again like you I might have to set it aside to pick up later. [Lakota12]
I tend to go for these difficult to read books, so I usually read a chapter at a time and then go back to it later, but not the same day. [suspenseful]
Hello suspenseful I do not read at all anymore, as far as books go...no time and no peace to do it. When I did read however, I was fortunately able to read very quickly, sort of skimming and absorbing at the same time. My Dear Father, r.i.p., made me go to speed reading classes when I was very young to help me with my tons of homework I had and it has stood good to me ever since. I am a good reader when I am able to, not always able to sadly. I used to love books. There's nothing like a quiet evening, a cup of hot chokkie, a nice fire, and a good book! Ah, the peace of it..those were the days. Love Your Friend RozAnn TheHairDresser [TheHairDresser]
I am too busy writing and doing other stuff to actually have the time to sit down and read. Blame myLot for much of that. Then there is the housework, etc. so if I do read it is usually only a chapter a day. [suspenseful]
Firstly read the first chapter and then quickly read the last chapter,and then begin from the second chapter.That's my read habit.Maybe my habit is a little bit weird but I'm eager to know the final chapter. [shinjiao]
Usually I am wrong. Then I go back and reread the chapters trying to find out how they knew that that nice person is the killer. I do know in mysteries the killer is someone they introduced in the first chapter, so that narrows the field a bit. But now could a nice guy turn a murderer? [suspenseful]
I read now mainly for relaxation and entertainment, so I read easy to read fiction. I'm not into classics that take a lot of concentration. I enjoy reading and read most days for up to an hour a day. However, this can depend on the novel I'm reading. There are some I find difficult to put down. [mipen2006]
I like doing things the hard way. I get bored if something is way too easy. [suspenseful]
When I get a chance to read, I like to read one chapter at a time. I tend to read on a average speed, sometimes though I may have to reread a paragraph several times, if my mind side tracks while I am reading or if I am tired while I am reading so that I can understand what I just read!!!! Thus I don't read as much as I would like too! [terri0824]
I like to read so I can get the whole story, so I tend to read slowly. If it is not important and I do not have to remember the outline of the palace, I will skim through it, but usually when novelist include long details, something is going to happen later on in the chapter and one might as well be prepared. [suspenseful]
If it's a good book I will read it all at one time. If it's 'dragging' along I will take longer to read that book. So all in all I am a pretty fast reader..Lori [dumblnddzzy]
I like reading slowly, because I want to get into the book. Now I am a fast reader, but I am also better at visualization then text, so when I read I am imagining the place, the costumes, and the scenery. And if the book is boring, and I do not like it though, I want to get done with it as quick as possible because frankly I cannot stand it. The good books I need to take time. [suspenseful]
I read a book at one sitting most of the time. I am a slow typist but a fast reader. I took a speed reading course a few years ago and the more I read the faster I get. I thought at first that it would impair my comprehension but it too seems to be better. When I'm really busy and can't read I listen to audio books. I have listened to "The Secret" many times. I have it on my computer. If you would like to download it let me know and I will send you the link so you can listen to it too while you are on-line. Happy New Year [Kowgirl]
I am a fast typist, and also a fast reader, but I do worry about concentration. I try to put myself into the book and imagine I am there with the characters so I really want to get into it. I listen to audio books unvoluntarily since my husband downloads audio onto his computer and I have to listen to them. Some of the books I like, but others I wish he would use the head phones. I more into fiction than non-fiction for audio. [suspenseful]
I can read very fast - I can finish a 160 page book in less than an hour in most cases. I wonder if sometimes I miss something or enjoy it less that way, but if I didn't read as fast I don't think I would have time to read at all ever. [vera5d]
It depends on what i read. If it is a good fiction, then I will take a long time to read it. I used to read it in one shot, but then as I accumulated more books, I could not go back to them. I found it was easier than skimming through them and reading it later was to really read each chapter every two days, or one day, so I could get an idea about the characters. Non=fiction I will read a section, but fiction a chapter at a time. [suspenseful]
i read left to right and top to bottom...slowly. [oakoner]
I can see the paragraph in a glance, but I go over it as I want to get into the story. I do not read top to bottom, it is more paragraph to paragraph or in some case, experiments to experiments. I want to really get into the book even though I am a fast reader, I want to as it were get into the book as if I were transported to the movie or the Tv scene or into the actual place where the story took place even if that place is only in the author's mind. [suspenseful]
I read quickly, for the most part. I never worry about stopping at chapters. Somestimes I even stop in the middle of a page. I generally don't retain much of what I read for fun, so I'll often reread books. If I'm reading something for college, I'll read more slowly and try to absorb more. [Myrilia]
That is why I read slowly. I have not time to reread the book again. I have so many. Mind you if I really cannot stand the book, then I will rush right through it. But if the book is interesting, and I am talking about fiction, then I really want to imagine the characters, as they speak, the settings they are in, and what they got themselves into. Most of the time I am busy writing to find much time to read. [suspenseful]
I like to savor the words in a book. I like to read a book one chapter at a time until it gets really, really good and I can't put it down, unless it's a study book, then I really need to continue reading just one chapter at a time. [writersedge]
You probably are more visual than I am. Using your imaginations sounds good. [writersedge]
With me it depends on how intersting the book is. Right now I am reading a book by Iris Johnsen. it is really intesting. I read almost 3 chapters before bed last night and a chapter today when I went to my doctors office. I enjoy reading books by hear it is a suspense book. She has more books from this same series. [Shaun72]
Well, when I read a book it usually means that it's my relaxation time and I read at a slower pace. I mean fast enough for me to understand but slow enough for me to really imagine and picture what the author is writing about. I guess it's just really up to you at what speed you are comfortable with. Just take it easy, sit and relax. [praykin]
I do not have that much time for reading. I am more into writing. I do really think I should read more as there are somethings that I am poor at, for example when one man is talking to someone in the book I am writing, and he is doing something, has himself a drink, goes to the window, and he is still talking to the other one. It is easy when you are talking and the other person answers, but usually you are doing something as you cannot stop and put the iron down. I also have to know what the character is like in his situation. I love to relax when I read, and the best place is in my dining room, after the dishes are in the dishwasher or while I am eating breakfast. [suspenseful]
I read the same way you do. Sometimes I find myself having to stop in the middle of a chapter if the chapters are just too darn long. There are some books that are like that. Sometimes, like now, I want a quick read. I picked up an old Lawrence Sanders book ("Stolen Blessings"). It is only 185 pages long and each "chapter" is only 2-4 pages in length so I can sit down and read a bunch at a time. But I am busy so reading is limited. I do like to sit and read while spinning the wheel on netwinner. That's killing two birds with one stone and not too distracting. It really does bother me when the chapters are so lengthy because I like to be able to sit and read in the waiting room at the doctor's office (for example) and that doesn't usually allow me to read too many pages. [patgalca]
I like to read when I am having breakfast, as that is the only time I have free. Most of the time I am doing housework, exercises, practicing singing, cooking, writing my novel, television or other stuff. When i am in a waiting room at a doctor's office, usually I read the magazines. I do not like reading books out of the house, as I have my favorite place in the house. [suspenseful]
I read very quickly - I read the last Harry Potter book in one night. I try to read as many chapters as I can in one sittting if the book is interesting enough. [kellys3ps]
I cannot read quickly. I used to but then i just got the highlights. I did not get the whole idea of what the characters were going through. Mind you is not Harry Potter books for school aged children? Then adults can get through it very clearly, but a book written for adults, or grown ups would take time to go through. After all the books I read hide clues as to the character that I would have missed if I just rushed through it. [suspenseful]
Hello, this is a nice post. I have taught in colleges for more than 35 years , so reading is a must for me. I am proud to say that I used to prepare well for my classes and for this I read books and the notes prepared by me. Besides this I read tons of book on Astrology, Numerology, Magnetotherapy etc. I had my own way of reading and remembering things. DR.B.SARAF Ph.D. [bhubaneshwar]
I read mostly fiction, but I like fiction that has depth. I find easy books rather boring. I want to imagine what the characters are going through and also the scenery and the story line. With non fiction, I read the chapter where it has the information I want and also the references all through the book. Right now I am looking for a book on music theory as I do a lot of singing and want to sing a solo every Easter and Christmas. [suspenseful]
I would consider myself a fast reader. I only get a chance to read in bed at night, and would get through a book in about a week. There are a lot of nights though that the book would be so good that I wouldnt be able to put it down!! :-) [elemental69]
I fall asleep over books, so I have to read them when I am fully awake The best time for me is in the morning, like at breakfast, and I read a chapter at a time, unless of course, MyLot gets in the way. I also read a little slower, but not because I am rather dull, but because I want to get a visual picture of the characters, their situations, and the lovely scenery. [suspenseful]
We have voluminous textbook so we have not much time.What we do is skim each page [asawanialvin0611]
I am retired, well sort of, so I read mostly fiction and I read them a chapter at a time. I used to go through textbooks and I found that they were so boring and I could not read a chapter at a time, I had to go all over the place. [suspenseful]
I don't read chapter by chapter, I just read till I am done and then I start off where ever I left off. I pretty much only read when I am laying in bed trying to fall asleep. It helps me to doze off. I had a bubble bath this morning so I read then. I read slowly so I catch exactly what the author is telling me. I try to visulize what the author is describing. Right now I am reading a book by Ann Rule called Heart Full of Lies. It is a really good book. [chrislotz]
I do not read in bed, as I have to have complete light - slightly far sighted, and I seem to think of bed as sleeping. I read in the morning mostly at breakfast, or anywhere where I can sit down. I really get into a book, and if the chapter is too long, I will read some another time, or if a chapter is short, I may read two chapters. It depends, but on an average I will read a chapter a day. I have not read any Ann Rule's books yet. I am more into mystery and suspense types as well as science fiction and fantasy, but nothing too far fetched. Most of the stuff I see at Coles's is on witchcraft although there are some I would like to read, more like ancient cultures, etc. Although there are some that I thought were historical but were really fantasy. [suspenseful]
It depends what kind of a book it is. I prefer to read crime books and true stories. I´ve some favourite writers,their book are often too exciting,so i usualy read the book until it ends. Some books are good,but they are a bit heavy to read.Of course these books take some longer time to read [WinnieThePoe]
I read mystery, suspense, fantasy, and science fiction as well as historical fiction. At least it was not when the author wrote it, but it is now historical. I take a long time to read those books. I guess it is because I love all the old movies on TCM. And if the book is boring and I do not like it, I just skimmed through it, so if I take a while to read a book you know that I love it. [suspenseful]
I read mostly in bed just before going to sleep. I don't have any set pattern that I have to make it to the end of a chapter or anything. I just read until my eyelids start closing, stick the bookmark in the page and set it down until the next night. [Ldyjarhead]