reading in quantity vs reading in quality

[Tobeornotobe]

I have tried different routines of reading and come up with two distinctive ones; close reading and speed reading. When I read closely, my speed of reading slowed down, though I thought I understood the book a bit deeper. With speed reading, I finished books like John Grisham's quite quickly. However, I almost glossed over many books.

In which way do you guys prefer to read?

[Der Wegwerfer]

I prefer to read slowly to absorb the prose style, if it's fiction typically.

Non-fiction can be read quicker as it may simply be history or an autobiography.

I read for pleasure so I don't get into the "I'm going to read 50 books this year" or whatever. I read too many short stories to worry about numbers or books or pages in a given year.

I find due to the internet that I sometimes have to actually deliberately slow down when I read fiction as internet reading makes my attention less, I'm simply to used to whizzing around for lots of facts in a quick time.

[NekoCase]

I agree with the previous poster, in so far as I like to read slow to study the author's prose in fiction; however, I actually take a lot longer to read non-fiction as I try to retain what I read to increase my general knowledge. I have a scholary article I got from ebscohost that discusses the differences between reading for speed and reading closely. I can try to upload it if you like.

[cafolini]

I took a speed-reading course and finished War and Peace in 20 minutes. It was about Russia. ~ Woody Allen

[Indomitable]

It depends on what type of book it is. Some books require little contemplation. These books contain an overabundance of plot without much character development or thematic exploration; as such, they can be read quite quickly. Everything else requires a careful reading.

[ZTay]

I read towards comprehension. So definitely on the quality side. I can't imagine a more bootless use of time than tearing through a book just to finish it. Sorta like cooking a meal to throw it on the lawn.

[Eiseabhal]

I read how I can which, now that I am plunging past middle age, is slowly. I fairly often take a book of songs in the tractor with me. I find I read the Bible more often - Protestant mother's influence perhaps. I retain less than I used to but I retain what I enjoy and makes me think.