How do you read? - and a whole bunch of questions related

How do you read? Various books simultaneously? One at the time? Do you read at intervals? Or do you read compulsively? I read several at intervals. Is there a better way to read than the other? I don't know. Do you?

If you read it all at once, do you really savour it? Do the best moments stick in your memory? Because I always read the books intermitently, I think I savour it and remember it well, but I'm always afraid of missing out the momentum of the plot, of not feeling the book properly.

Is it bad if you are almost always content when you finish your book? Because I am: while there rarely are books that displease me, I have never read one and said to myself, 'this is it; this is the one'.

Enough about me. How do you read? At once? At intervals? Why do you do it so? And do you feel strongly about what you read?

This post has an annoying tone to it, with all the question marks, doesn't it? I'm sorry, but I had to ask these things.

I read copious amounts of books at once, very fast and I don't pay close attention. If one grabs me the first time through I read it again by itself, and probably again until I know every detail. It's a good way to sift through a lot of titles without wasting too much time.

I read one book until I finish it, I read it quite quickly, but very often I stop and then think about something I have just read, and I remember it quite well. There is not so many books I've read more then once, only if it's really really great.

depends if i am reading for university or for my own pleasure.

For university i usually have to read two books simultaneously, one for monday's seminar and one for tuesday's. As we are doing three large novels for monday's i tend to read 200 pages a week of the book, occasionally stopping and starting to write essays etc. i usually read the 200 pages as a break from writing or before i sleep. The shorter book i will read continually until i finish after i have finished my 200pg quota for the other text.

For pleasure, usually only done when university is finished for summer, i find i will read a book until it is finished and then move onto another. When i have free time to read my own choice of text i tend to want to devour lots until it is time to begin university again.

I read numerous books at once.

It depends if I'm reading for university or only for my pleasure.

For example, in second year, I had to read 25 books for children, 25 books for English literaure and 25 books for Slovak literature. I got lists on October and my exams were in January, so that's approx. 1.3 days on one book (that includes poetry, prose - mostly novels, and drama). And I am supposed to pay close attention, as I should be able to talk about the book on my exam for 20 minutes... Well, I had to cheat (hurray for Grade Saver! :)) but there aren't any cheats for Slovak literature.

But, weeks after these "reading marathons" I'm usually unable to read anything more demanding than comics. And usually I only remember few books that I really liked and all others are lost in thick fog. So when I read for pleasure, I carefully choose what will I read, and read it slowly, enjoying every sentence, underlining favourite parts and writing little comments or drawing smilies on the margins expessing my feelings about it. Sometimes its fun when I read it again afer few years. :p

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Originally Posted by kandaurov

Is it bad if you are almost always content when you finish your book? Because I am: while there rarely are books that displease me, I have never read one and said to myself, 'this is it; this is the one'.

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I can say that I'm certainly not that way. There have been books that I've read that I was extremely disappointed with after finishing. I've read books where, upon completion I thought "that's the worst book I've ever read in my life". But I've been on the flip side, too. I remember, being in the middle of reading Catch 22 thinking that it was the best book I ever read, and I still feel that way to this day.

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Originally Posted by Aiculík

But, weeks after these "reading marathons" I'm usually unable to read anything more demanding than comics.

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:lol:

That was funny :D

I read a lot books at the same time. I have quite large collection of e-books and I read them, while I am reading other books (I mean an ordinary book) and in addition I reading something through DailyLit, so I am reading at least three books at the same time. I am usually reading as much as I can for the moment, so I could say I usually swallow the books I am reading. I think everybody have had moments when he/she was reading till 6 a.m. :p When I can read, I do it (I usually read even in the bus :) ).


By the way the topic is really interesting. Sometimes I wonder how other people read too. :)

[QUOTE=Alexei;351120](I usually read even in the bus :) ).[QUOTE]

i used to read so much during my hour long bus journey to college every morning. i walk to university everyday now and i sometimes miss travelling as a chance to read :(

I usually have 3 or 4 books on the go at anyone time.
Historical research (Bio of Elizabeth Woodville) in the lounge, library book in the boudoir (Massie; Nicholas and Alexandra ) but NEVER a library book in the bathroom....they have disconcerting habit of falling in the bath/down the loo:lol: So its usually a tatty old paperback for the smallest room! (Kate Mosse Labyrinth)

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Various books simultaneously? One at the time?

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Various books simultaneously.

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Do you read at intervals? Or do you read compulsively?

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Compulsively, though there are times when I have felt book-burn.

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I read several at intervals. Is there a better way to read than the other? I don't know. Do you?

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There isn't a single right for this question, it depends completely on the person involved.

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If you read it all at once, do you really savour it?

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If I like it, I savour it.

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Do the best moments stick in your memory?

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For some books they do, others just fade out of memory, either way I am not too chuffed since I don't read for recall but instant gratification.

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Because I always read the books intermitently, I think I savour it and remember it well, but I'm always afraid of missing out the momentum of the plot, of not feeling the book properly.

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I think the best thing to do is not be too concious about this, just go with the flow, let your instincts do the judging. If you are reading and it feels right to continue a book then, circumstances permitting, continue with the reading. if not, just pick them up later.

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Is it bad if you are almost always content when you finish your book? Because I am: while there rarely are books that displease me, I have never read one and said to myself, 'this is it; this is the one'.

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I don't really understand this question. Are you actively looking for books that would displease you?

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And do you feel strongly about what you read?

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Oh definitely. I also have no qualms about abandoning a book in the middle if it isn't jiving with me.

From left to right, top to bottom... usually!

Post-secondary education has really increased my ability to read a lot of books simultaneously. I'm currently in the middle of something in the neighborhood of six, as well as random volumes of poetry I pick up from time to time and read sporadically from. If the book is in the range of 200-350 pages, I'll read the whole thing in one or two goes, otherwise I read in intervals. Sometimes I fall out of reading a book for several months because I'm busy with school and have other stuff to read, but I've never had a problem picking up the thread of the plot again. I read so quickly that I sometimes have to re-read a paragraph two or three times, but I always remember the good bits, and I can quote pretty accurately at length from a few books, even if I haven't read them in years.

Fun question.

When I start a book, I throw myself into it. I will only really enjoy one book at a time. From page one I have difficult time breaking away and will find excuses to stay up late, skip meals, and otherwise dodge responsibilities until I have finished the book.

When there is a book with which I am just unable to fall into step, I'll put it aside for a month or two.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! :)

Perhaps I did not make myself very clear in the following statement:

Is it bad if you are almost always content when you finish your book? Because I am: while there rarely are books that displease me, I have never read one and said to myself, 'this is it; this is the one'.

I do not seek books that displease me; I'm just stating that seldom do I come across one, which may have to do with me not taking much chances: I go for the classics. And the last part refers to my incapability of looking back and choosing a favourite book. I just can't.


Again, thank you for sharing your reading methods ;)

The book has to grab me by the first chapter. I started reading an Umberto Eco novel and found it to be ridiculous drabble. I dropped it by page 5. Then, if it grabs me, I read it through ASAP. As I don't have a lot of time to read, I've trained myself into speed reading, so, if I really like it, I can re-read it at leisure. I've re-read stuff over and over and over again, but it's nice because there's something new every time.:)

I am content but slighly annoyed when I finish a book I particularly liked. I have multitudes of favorites but after awhile I realized that I did have a top favorite. And I think it'll stick!:D

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Originally Posted by liesl

i used to read so much during my hour long bus journey to college every morning. i walk to university everyday now and i sometimes miss travelling as a chance to read :(

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Yes, probably I would miss it too, if i stop doing it. My friends say they can't read while they are traveling, but I find it very convenient. :)

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Originally Posted by Alexei

Yes, probably I would miss it too, if i stop doing it. My friends say they can't read while they are traveling, but I find it very convenient. :)

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I can't as well, but that is just because buses in Portugal are so... bad :p You live in decently industrialized countries, I take it that your buses are almost as steady as trains. I know that if I had to travel more by train, I would read much more than I do :)

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Originally Posted by kandaurov

I can't as well, but that is just because buses in Portugal are so... bad :p You live in decently industrialized countries, I take it that your buses are almost as steady as trains. I know that if I had to travel more by train, I would read much more than I do :)

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Bulgaria - decently industrialized country?!?!? :p That's funny. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Well, you just used to, at least I used to this. It's not so bad.

I generally read multiple books at once, but when I find one I really enjoy, I'll read it straight through without putting it down.