Constant Reader discussion

Hahahaha! If it is a book I am totally immersed in, I finish it quickly. I used speed reading techniques in school, now I skim if the book has extranneous details that are better left out and have no value to the story. Another words poor editing. I don't really read every if, and, but , words such as that. If the book is not holding my interest, chuck it.

As someone currently reading 'Under the Dome' (1072 pages), I have to say that (and this is true of any book I read) I make sure to read every word of every sentence, every time. Never did the speed reading thing, have known too many people in the past who do - and then don't retain much of the book they've just read AT ALL; to me, then, it's like what was the point of reading it? For me, books are like fine wine; to be savored and enjoyed, faults and all. Just one opinion from a new kid on the block here.

Having done a speed reading course LONG ago -- I must defend it just a bit -- the teacher emphasised that building speed should never be such as to go beyond the point where comprehension could be retained as the POINT was to be able to read fast but with understanding. And that there are types of reading which we all must do at times -- searching for specific information for example -- when it is counterproductive to read many often long, dry etc books in their word for word entirety when speed reading will gather the info in less time and with as much understanding as needed. I use a skim/scan method I learned in that class to this day when trying to relocate a line or paragraph which I wish to share/quote in discussions here.

The muscles attaching my eyes don't work right, so I have never been able to read one word at a time. Of course I never knew the difference—only that I read faster than others—until It was diagnosed by an eye doctor. I do read and comprehend everything on the page; I just read in clumps. The only drawback comes in proofreading. I proof all words that are present, but I have to be careful to check for missing words.

Speed reading with complete comprehension sound nice but at this point a book or two a week depending on the size feels fine.

I read fast, but I'm not a speed reader.

hmmmm, on the contrary, if you had to read slowly every word in a book, then how long would it take you to finish a book of more than a thousand pages? ..imagine you were a student and you ought to read different books for the different courses, then how would you cope? ...speed reading is essential in many situations but not all situations. ..but if you got all the time in the world, please by all means go ahead and read word for word. ..there are good readers who could still read very fast and capture all the essential details in the book. I think all it takes is the state of your mind when reading. Personally, I think I can grab more from a book if read in the very early hours of the day, no matter the speed, when I'm still fresh, than in the busy hours of the day with so much noises and distractions.

Good point, Osamuyi. I'm by no means a slow reader, but I don't fit the category of speed reading either. I always thought that was a rare talent among people.

State of mind would be a factor for sure. I'm a morning reader, too, and enjoy reading that time of the day without distractions.

Osamuyi wrote: "hmmmm, on the contrary, if you had to read slowly every word in a book, then how long would it take you to finish a book of more than a thousand pages? ..imagine you were a student and you ought t..."

My sister is a very fast reader, can even read in a crowded room full of noise or in front of a TV others are watching. I agree with your post, though it does come off a bit patronizing, and certainly agree that everyone has a different reading style; I just remember knowing someone named Ramona, years ago, who I was so envious of because she could finish a 400-page book in an hour and a half, speed reading. But then, ten minutes after she finished it, I found that if I asked her a question about even a fairly major plot point, she wouldn't know what I was talking about. Her retention was minor, which seemed to make the point of reading the book moot in the first place.

I don't have to "imagine" being a student - I have been, and had to read books for classes; you're talking apples and oranges when you're talking reading for pleasure or "reading" enough of the book to be able to write a paper on it. For the latter, skimming or speed reading is often a given. But please, the condescending tone of your post wasn't necessary.

Osamuyi wrote: "hmmmm, on the contrary, if you had to read slowly every word in a book, then how long would it take you to finish a book of more than a thousand pages? ..imagine you were a student and you ought t..."

Hmm. I think rather there are very few 1000 page books which will repay reading with this intensity. I have been a speed reader in the past -- I can't do it any more -- and I question the notion of complete comprehension of any really nuanced text. I have tried to translate only French, but I can say that the secondary meanings and connotations of some of the writing I have worked on would be impossible to extract at any speed. If I hadn't been able to read fast I would never have gotten through school, sometimes two novels in a night, but fortunately no one asked me anything really difficult about them.

I am dyslexic and find the only way I can comprehend text is by speed reading otherwise I get bogged down. I envy those of you that savor every word there is nothing worse than finishing a good book.
Speed reading really has its pros and cons. I can read a prodigious amount and get the storyling but I do miss obscure references and subltlty.

I read crazy fast, but don't consider it an advantage, because I'm sure I miss things. It's not uncommon for me to go back and reread something I really liked, just to make sure I got it all.

Peggy wrote: "I read crazy fast, but don't consider it an advantage, because I'm sure I miss things. It's not uncommon for me to go back and reread something I really liked, just to make sure I got it all."

Me too, Peggy. I know I miss stuff.

I'm the same way, Peggy & Sara. I've always read quickly, and it's been a gift - I can go back and reread and re-savor, but I often do silly things like forget names. I can remember plot and odd little details for years, but going back is like revisiting an old friend that I haven't spoken to in a long time.

I think speed-reading can be useful if you aren't too bothered about absorbing everything that's written down. So for instance, as mentioned above, it can be useful when trying to read just enough of something to write a paper on it.

But in terms of reading something for enjoyment, I generally don't really see the point to be honest. If I don't like what I'm reading, I'll just stop and move on to something else. I've actually done this before and looked on Wikipedia to find out how it ended - I cared enough to know what happened, but not enough to actually have to plough through it...!

Also, as an author, I know how painstaking the process of writing can be, so the thought that people are skimming through huge chunks is actually pretty depressing!

"Buy the Ticket,Take the Ride" Hunter S. Thompson I wish I could stop a bad read but once I am committed I am committed. But reading as fast as I can, past the hated book helps put it behind me. =P

I used to do that too actually, but I got to a point where I just thought 'life's too short', so became much more mercenary!

Plus, I've got so many new books that I want to read, that I just feel like I could be reading something better instead.

I view the technique of speed-reading as something distinct from having a very fast natural rate of reading. I would say that my normal reading pace on the fast side of moderate - not overly fast but a bit faster than the average person.

I use speed-reading and skimming at work to get through a large volume of information and retain the general concepts. It's not my preferred way of reading, but rather is a tool. I also take note where things are so that I can come back to them if/when I need to.

But when I'm reading a book for pleasure, I'm with Angelo (above) - why speed through it? I just finished Mrs. Dalloway and the language is so lovely that I just wanted to savor it. Yes, there are a lot of books I'd like to read, but I also don't want to miss out on what makes books wonderful and unique by looking for what's next.

Of course, I also recently flew through Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, so I don't always take my time - but I didn't skim or speed-read! The only book I have skimmed recently is One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, but that is because I read the first 1/3 and didn't really like the book. I skimmed to see if I might get re-engaged - I didn't!

But, that's just me. I also like to read one book (maybe two) at a time and focus on it. I love hearing how different people read and the priorities that we select for ourselves!