How do you Read

@suspenseful (40192)
Canada
December 30, 2007 11:07pm CST
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.
6 people like this
25 responses
@shinjiao (1457)
• China
31 Dec 07
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.
3 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
31 Dec 07
I do not do that, unless it is mystery when I want to know if I guessed the killer right.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
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?
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Jan 08
Interesting comments, but that's something I couldn't do. If you know the ending you take away the author's build up andpense. Knowing the end spoils the novel IMO.
1 person likes this
@Kowgirl (3490)
• United States
31 Dec 07
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
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
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.
1 person likes this
@SViswan (12051)
• India
31 Dec 07
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.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
31 Dec 07
The newer books I can get through rather quickly, but it is the older ones the 19th century ones and it is some authors that really go into great descriptive phrases so I have to know where in the garden that tree was planted, how many leaves they had on it, and where the branches were and you have to remember all that because Lady Willoby lost her brooch there and her upstairs maid was accused of stealing it, etc.
@SViswan (12051)
• India
2 Jan 08
I have a problem with the older books when the language used was different. But usually I get in details as soon as I read them. But I understand what you mean.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
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.
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
1 Jan 08
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 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
29 Jun 08
Well her books are not boring at all. I have read quite a few of her books. They are very interesting
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
30 Jun 08
I will have to go and look up some of them. I just love suspense.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
I have not read any book by Iris Johnsen, but I do love mystery, suspense, and horrible murders! Most of my books are quite hard with a lot of detail, and some of the chapters are extra long so I do take a while to read them. If the book is easy or if I really do not care about it even if it is long, I will skim through it, but a good book I will take my time and imagine I am there with the characters.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
31 Dec 07
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.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
31 Dec 07
I usually read books that are hard to read and if it is too easy, I tend to ignore it as I am trying to get into the depth of the book. So that is why I am only able to read a chapter day, if I am not myLotting.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
I like doing things the hard way. I get bored if something is way too easy.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Jan 08
I guess we're at opposite ends of the reading spectrim. Good to know everyone is different. Good reading in 2008.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
1 Jan 08
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.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
I have to really get into the book, to imagine that I am in the setting, and associating with the characters. You know it really is a great help if someone asks if I wish I lived then and if the book is about ancient times or the middle ages, or on a distance planet to read slowly. For instance, in a science fiction I can imagine that the people are in great danger, that they do not live long, and they are constantly threatened by the army of giant ants and I say no thank. If I am studying, I will go over the chapter that I have to learn and I am not exactly following the book chronologically. I am going all over the place.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
30 Jun 08
You probably are more visual than I am. Using your imaginations sounds good.
@patgalca (18390)
• Orangeville, Ontario
1 Jan 08
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.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
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.
@Myrilia (209)
• United States
31 Dec 07
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.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
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.
@kellys3ps (3723)
• United States
1 Jan 08
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.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
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.
@elemental69 (1561)
• Ireland
1 Jan 08
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!! :-)
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
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.
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
9 Jan 08
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.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
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.
• Philippines
2 Jan 08
We have voluminous textbook so we have not much time.What we do is skim each page
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
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.
@praykin (350)
• United States
1 Jan 08
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.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
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.
• United States
31 Dec 07
i read left to right and top to bottom...slowly.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
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.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
31 Dec 07
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!
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
31 Dec 07
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.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
31 Dec 07
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.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
31 Dec 07
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.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
31 Dec 07
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.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
31 Dec 07
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.
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
31 Dec 07
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!
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
31 Dec 07
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.
@vera5d (4005)
• United States
31 Dec 07
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.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
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.
• United States
31 Dec 07
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.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
31 Dec 07
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.