What's your reading style?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
January 19, 2013 7:39am CST
I went to the library the other day and took out a few books. I was reading one last night when my husband got home. I'd been reading it most of the night and was 2/3 of the way through it. It was hard for me to put it down when he got home, and all I could think of was going back and finishing it. I asked him, how do people just read a few pages before bed then put it down? I can't do that. Once I get into a good book, there is no putting it down until it's done! Most of the books I've read have been finished in a single day.. even the big ones like the Twilight or Harry Potter books. Once I start them I can't stop.
My co-workers all bring books to read on their lunch break. That again I couldn't do. I can flip through a magazine or something, but there's no way I could start to read something and have to stop half an hour later, I'd just want to keep reading!
What about you? Do you read little bits here and there as you have time, like just before bed until you're sleepy? Or do you read until it's done like me, even if that means ignoring other things sometimes?
4 people like this
27 responses
@echoforever (5180)
• United States
23 Jan 13
I have never tried to alternately read books. I don't think I would like to either.
I love the feeling of getting caught up in the story of a book, having two going at once I think would take away from that feeling.1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
19 Jan 13
I can honestly say there's only been a few books that I've every been glued to. One series I don't think I'd touch with a ten foot pole now as the reason I gave up reading them the stories were all similar and it got old. There was one I read cover to cover in a day or two that was a good 400 pages but my library no longer has it. I've tried to search for what I thought was the title to see if I could find the name of the author and the authors other books but no luck. And frankly hadn't thought about it in a long time either. Just haven't found anything I could sink my teeth into.
Harry potter is ok but I've seen the most of the movies already so the book is like blah cause I know what's happening next.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
20 Jan 13
Oh.. don't say that, you're talking to an avid Harry Potter fan. We just had a Harry Potter movie marathon last week and it made me want to re-read the books because there's so much more detail to them which the movies leave out.
Biggest book I ever read was the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
21 Jan 13
I read a large assortments of books. And this which ever book I chose just so happens to be my interest. I Really enjoyed this series by Karen Moning. And then fictional books involving life situations with women of my age. I also like reading true stories as self help books, like informative but in story form of mental illness. There are times that All I do is read read read. I can barely stop reading the books. I will read constantly and then go right to the library to get another part to it.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92711)
• United States
23 Jan 13
I never start a new book at night, that is one thing. Growing up I was notorious for reading books incredibly fast. You think I'm kidding. But they made a special award for me at church camp. Most books read by a camper who still managed to participate in everything else. Yes, I was so proud. At school, I'd hide my books in the texts. Sometimes at church I'd do that until an adult would catch my eye and give me a dirty look. Now, it's rare I find a book I can't put down. It happens occasionally. But I don't have a husband and kids who need my attention, so you have a harder time finishing those things than I would.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
21 Jan 13
It depends on the book. Some books are so interesting that I can't put them down and I read them in one day. Sometimes I read most of the night if I find a really interesting book. When I wake up tired the next morning I regret that 
but I find it hard to resist a really interesting book and I just want to finish it. If the book isn't extremely interesting I don't find it hard to read a few chapters before I sleep and continue the next day, and sometimes I read little bits of the books during the day when I have some free time. I carry my book in my bag and I read during the day for instance while I commute.
but I find it hard to resist a really interesting book and I just want to finish it. If the book isn't extremely interesting I don't find it hard to read a few chapters before I sleep and continue the next day, and sometimes I read little bits of the books during the day when I have some free time. I carry my book in my bag and I read during the day for instance while I commute.1 person likes this
@echoforever (5180)
• United States
23 Jan 13
I am similar to you in most cases. The times I am not busy and I am reading a good book I will read a lot of it at a time. Any time I am away and not able to finish it, I want to be reading it too. 
Though for example if my mind is consumed too much with other activities this won't be the case. Also if my busy life is in the way, I revert to the other reading habit of a chapter or two at a time. 
Though for example if my mind is consumed too much with other activities this won't be the case. Also if my busy life is in the way, I revert to the other reading habit of a chapter or two at a time. 1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
24 Jan 13
My reading style is to get into a book, and stick with it until I am done. Usually I am so engrossed in the story that I can't stop reading. I will often stay up all night reading. LOL Sometimes the sun will have completely risen by the time I close, or finish the book. LOL
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
19 Jan 13
I'm exactly like you... and that's actually the reason why I don't read much anymore, except at my desk. Most of my family and extended family are voracious readers. A good many of them are at the library on a regular basis. I have always had a library card but I never go. I can't read a little bit of anything. I have to read start to finish. If I can't read a book in one sitting, I get frustrated LOL However, I also tend to obsess over all the other things I "need to be doing" so they take precedence over reading now. Hopefully, someday soon, I learn to set aside time (or days!) for books again 
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
19 Jan 13
Reading really is one of the best uses of free time, in my opinion. I got hooked into reading the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy (a friend linked me to a site where I downloaded them for free to my desktop). I wasn't very impressed with the writing style so I did muddle my way through them... but not in my usual "one sitting" style. I've actually been looking into a site my daughter sent me the other day where I could do some courses for free online. I'd heard about such things but never found out much about them. I know I wouldn't get official or college credits for them but you do still get completion certificates and they are taught by university professors... so I'm thinking I might set aside a little time to accomplish something like that, if they have some appealing subject matter!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
19 Jan 13
I hadn't read much in awhile, but I've been feeling bored lately. I'm not getting many hours at work, school is done, and I don't have much else to do to fill my time. So I decided to go to the library for some books to fill that time.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
20 Jan 13
I heard a lot about that Fifty Shades of Grey so placed a hold on it at my library to give it a try. I hear it's raunchy though.. but I can handle that. I've read some romance novels in the past. But I find if it's too easy to put down, I don't normally go back to it later.
Though there was one book I'd tried a couple different times. At first I couldn't get into it.. but after awhile I tried again and read the whole thing through and actually liked it. I think it just took a bit too long to work into the good stuff.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
19 Jan 13
I am one of those that brings a book to work and reads on break. A chapter here and there until I get to the end. I usually have a book going for bedtime too...a chapter helps me sleep better. But when I get close to the end I might finish two books in one day.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
19 Jan 13
So you'll read two at a time? I think I'd get confused.
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
19 Jan 13
I can only read non-stop like that if the book is exceptionally compelling AND I have the option to set everything else aside. That doesn't happen very often anymore. I read my books in bits and pieces throughout the day. I can finish one generally within 4 to 5 days depending on the length of the book. Sometimes I even have 3 or 4 books going at once (a different book in different rooms and maybe one at work)
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
20 Jan 13
I guess I am not very adventurous when it comes to books. I will read mostly those that I already know will be good. I tend to stick with Agatha Christie novels and lately I've been getting into reading the old Murder She Wrote stories which are fun and addicting. I've never really read anything I'm not familiar with. I've read the Harry Potter stories, but only after seeing the first film. Same with Twilight and Hunger Games.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
19 Jan 13
There's been a few books that I've read which I couldn't really put down. But since I really don't have the time to read that much, when I go reading there'd be voices in my head saying ...I have to go to sleep now, I have to go to work now, I have to feed the kids now, etc.
So, there were times when I'd bring the book to work, and I'd read a few pages at coffee and lunch breaks.
So, there were times when I'd bring the book to work, and I'd read a few pages at coffee and lunch breaks.@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
20 Jan 13
It's too tempting for me to ignore the voices in my head when I've found a good book I don't want to put down.
@namiya (1718)
• Philippines
19 Jan 13
I'm almost like you. I find it hard to put down a book when I find it very interesting even to the cost of skipping a meal. However, continuous reading (just like computer exposure) causes headaches due to my poor eyesight hence, I am constrained to stop when I start feeling it.
@Shavkat (139933)
• Philippines
19 Jan 13
It is really a mind-bloggling if you read and the you are in the climax of the story. It would be difficult to stop. The life of being eager to finish the story is self-fulfillment.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
19 Jan 13
My eyes can start to hurt after awhile too.. and my neck and back from stooping my head to read. I find it hard to get comfortable while reading.. but I do love to read.
@Pegasus72 (1898)
•
21 Jan 13
I either read very quickly or take my time really depends on how good the book is and how much free time I have. We have 6 kids so I do what I can.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
21 Jan 13
Right, but some of yours are older, right? I've got 5, all still home.. oldest is 15.
@Pegasus72 (1898)
•
23 Jan 13
I have 5 at home including my grand daughter. 18, 15, 10, 5, and 20 months. Soon I will have my son home again which will make two 15 years olds.
@whitneysquirrel (224)
• Philippines
13 Mar 13
I am usually reading 3 books at once. Sometimes I get confused but I think have a system going. I have books on my mobile that I read while waiting in line or eating out (alone of course, unless my companion is also reading) or on the bus, so I finish them after a long time. Then I have bedside books that I cannot wait to finish. Then I have the long term books that I really cannot get through in one sitting. For example travel books, I read them one place at a time. Or cookbooks, I look through each section once in a while. Weirdly, after I finish a book, I immediately have to read the first chapter of the next book, otherwise I feel bereft and useless.
@sylvia13 (1850)
• Nelson Bay, Australia
20 Jan 13
My reading style is pretty much like yours. The problem is one can't really finish reading a good book when one has one's husband in bed next to me he and would rather sleep!
@lkbooi (16070)
• Malaysia
21 Jan 13
Hi katsmeow1213, I had the similar reading habit like you when I was young. I could finish a book as thick as Harry Potter. It's boring to read off and on. Therefore I liked to read at night time. I really enjoyed reading in the tranquil night without any disturbance as I could concentrate completely in reading solely Time had simply flown by when I had finished the whole book. It's wee hours and I didn't mind only three hours or so left for me to have a proper rest before going to school or work. At present I'm no longer as crazy as those younger days. I do my reading in a relaxed way. I usually would take a little time to read a few pages before going to bed 
Happy posting
Time had simply flown by when I had finished the whole book. It's wee hours and I didn't mind only three hours or so left for me to have a proper rest before going to school or work. At present I'm no longer as crazy as those younger days. I do my reading in a relaxed way. I usually would take a little time to read a few pages before going to bed
Happy posting @sizzle3000 (3036)
• United States
19 Jan 13
I can read here and there. I normally read when I'm in the bathroom but that's because I'm so busy with everything else mainly farmville. I got addicted to that game by accident.
My daughter on the other hand is a terror. She can read bits and pieces but sometimes she refuses to and that means her other work doesn't get done. I don't mind it but other things need to be done too. She is currently into the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. She's on book three the City of Glass.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
20 Jan 13
I'm a little of both I guess. With some books I can read for a short time and stop if needed. A lot of times I don't have much time to read so I have to do it in little time periods. With the twilight books I had a hard time putting them down. I felt like i was missing something when I'd stop reading to go make supper or something lol.
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
20 Jan 13
I read and read until I finish the book. I will go through several books in English in one week. Now if it's a book in Hebrew, I read it slowly, very slowly. That is because I need to think about the words and look many up in a dictionary. It is a slow process that isn't easy. But I am happy when I finish. I did something hard.
@Mavic123456 (21893)
• Thailand
20 Jan 13
This was the reason why I stopped reading Sydney Sheldon's pocket book.. instead of this making me sleep i just couldn't. so NO MORE pocket book for me, for it stopped my real world, and I am warp in the fantasy world.
