SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

How many hours a day do you read? Does it depend on the day? And where do you like to read? Anywhere? Or a great chair, in bed, outside?

I think this is the 5th thread over the years you've started on this topic. This must really interest you.

I read constantly, probably a full 75% of my waking hours.

Some of that even includes books.

I usually read during my work to home commute, so about 45 minutes per day.

If listening to audiobooks counts, then I get in a good 30 minutes 4 days a week. I also manage to read 15-30 minutes before bed. Those are the consistent times.

Inconsistently...depends on how good the book is and how close I am to finishing it. I'll walk around with the book in my face pretending to do house work.

As far as reading for entertainment, I read more on a typical weekend than on a typical weekday. On weekdays, I usually find some time to read in the evenings after work, depending on whether or not I have to work late, and whether or not I get distracted by other interests. Every night, I try to make time to read before bedtime. I aim for an hour, but it's often less, especially if I'm tired.

I couldn’t say how many hours that amounts to, especially since I’m easily distracted even while reading by e-mails, by the cat, by my own thoughts, etc. I average one or two books a week. According to the # of pages Goodreads thinks I read in 2016, I averaged 96 pages per day. So far this year I have an average of 102, so maybe I’m more consistent than I think I am. It would be more interesting to me if that could be calculated in words since page count is so variable. The page count depends on the font size, the margins and spacing, the number of chapter breaks, the amount of dialogue, etc.

As for where I like to read, it depends. Once the temperatures are consistently reaching the 70’s or higher (21+ Celsius), which happily includes this month, I like to spend at least a little time reading on my deck every day. When I read right before bedtime, then I read in the bed. Otherwise, most of my reading is done in a reclining loveseat, usually with a cat on my lap.

I read on my commute which should mean 30-40mins each way a day. But sometimes I am exhausted and doze off, some days it is too crowded to even hold a book in front of me and some days I have to do errands.
Weekends I try to read but it is family time: if I am not socialising with them I am cooking for them or doing their laundry.

I read for pleasure about an hour before bedtime, but I also listen to audiobooks at various times during the day, depending on what I'm doing.

Oh, Esther, I hope you're not being a martyr against your will! If your children are school-age, they should have chores that contribute to the success of the family!

When I worked full time I would have to read at least half an hour at night before going to bed, even if it meant holding my eyelids up.
I read a lot of work related books as well

Today I am retired, I read the paper in the morning ( from cover to cover) , I read while doing my 40 mins on the exercise bike, I read my emails and facebook ( in which really I have mostly news feeds). I then "do something for a few hours" .

Then I read while having lunch, and after a few more hours of doing something I shout to whoever might want to hear (usually my husband) , its 3 pm time to finish for the day, and I sit and read until 5.

Since I am a speed reader I find I am getting through a few books a week, along with a few science magazines/ computer magazines .

Other than the fact I think Ed is really interested in finding out times I am also skiting a bit. After working full time for 43 years after studying at Uni , I like to brag

Cheryl wrote: "Oh, Esther, I hope you're not being a martyr against your will! If your children are school-age, they should have chores that contribute to the success of the family!"
Oh. I was a stay-at-home Mum when they were young and did a lot of the chores but made strict rules when I returned to full-time work.
Now one is at Uni and the other in the army and they return home exhausted but still help with clearing up after family meals.
When they were here permanantly they had more chores while DH washes the floor and is responsible for the car.
I like cooking and doing the laundry and I think together with general management of the household that is plenty for me to do :0)

Outside of work and internet surfing for news/entertainment, and daily communications ... I probably average reading about two hours a day. I generally dine alone and read while eating. I don't like reading in bed. Bed is for sleep and **ahem**.

Esther, tx for explaining. My kids are the same age, so I can relate. I've gotten a little bit lazier on the housekeeping standards (not quite white glove ready most of the time!) and am prioritizing reading.

I read about 2h during my commute on a weekday. If I'm not too tired or the book is a real page-turner, I do some more reading in the evening, between 30 minutes and 2 hours. On the weekend I average between maybe 6h and 10h. Overall, I'd say I read somewhere between 15h and 20h every week.

Adeline wrote: "I read about 2h during my commute on a weekday."

I think this it the only thing I miss after changing my commute from bus to car.

I really miss reading on the train. And also how I didn't have to drive when I was in a train. Man, those were good times.

Lol! Poor Allison.

I average about 10,000 pages per month. I have no idea how much time that works out to. My guess would be 5-6 hours of reading and 3 hours of audio per day. I'm not quite as nuts this year compared to last year so that's probably lower now.

Sarah Anne wrote: "I average about 10,000 pages per month. I have no idea how much time that works out to. My guess would be 5-6 hours of reading and 3 hours of audio per day. I'm not quite as nuts this year compared..."

Wow I am jealous I don't think I even have 5-6 hours of free time a day, unless you count sleeping as 'free time'.

The amount of time I spend reading on a daily basis varies wildly and seasonally. I live in the frozen north and my way of dealing with winter is hibernating........not leaving the house until I have to......just staying warm inside. I might read for four hours a day in winter. During the fabulous parts of the year I spend a lot of time outside and only have about an hour a day of reading time.

For me it depends on what else is going on. If I'm having a standard or busy day, then I'll try and read for an hour or so before bed. Otherwise, I usually read books in one or two sittings, so it comes out to 3-5 hours a day when I have the time.

Right now I usually read in bed, mostly for lack of having other options. As long as I'm comfortable and have some options for changing my reading position, I'm all set.
I like reading outside, but I sometimes end up with weird sunburns from losing track of time.

I envy those of you who can read on buses or trains; I start to feel sick if I try. Luckily I can still read on airplanes :)

Of course it varies, but on the whole as much as I possibly can.

While the tv is on, while the tv is off, while cooking, while eating, even on the buss or in a car (at least until I start to feel it). On trains, train stations, bus stops. It's the first thing I do when I wake and the last thing I do before I sleep. And sometimes (but not always) while going for a walk.

As I write this I'm realizing it sounds a bit obsessive. Even so.

Alia wrote: "Of course it varies, but on the whole as much as I possibly can.

While the tv is on, while the tv is off, while cooking, while eating, even on the buss or in a car (at least until I start to feel ..."

I can't do anything when I read which kind of restricts the amount of time I can read in one go: no walking, no eating, no drinking.
Also I can only read on trains and planes - any other moving vehicle and I suffer from extreme motion-sickness.

When I got stuck into reading the Harry Potter series would be unable to walk afterwards because my muscles became so stiff and my DH would check that I was drinking so I didn't become dehydrated.
I don't often get that involved in a book and need to take breaks for refreshment.

A piffling, tiny amount.

Thing have been a bit hectic lately, and I've been lucky to read 10 pages. When things calm down a bit, I'd guess 50 would be more usual (obviously varies according to how enthralled or bored I am).

Audiobooks 1 hour gym or jog + 30 min commute both ways = about 2 hours per day (less on weekends)

Actual reading is about 30 somewhat unproductive minutes right before bed unless I get hooked on the book, then I can ignore my family for hours at a time....

I probably read between 30-90 minutes most days, depending on how busy I am and how much I'm enjoying the book. Usually before bed, and in the bath. I occasionally read while riding an exercise bike, but only if the book doesn't require too much concentration.

I'm going to start getting into audio books Real Soon Now.

I used to read a lot more than I do now. On average I'd read 2 books a week, mostly science fiction with a fair amount of fantasy and horror mixed in. I also read a lot of RPG books because I used to work in a game/comicbook store and also, I was a co-director of a tabletop gaming convention for 3 years. Due to a couple of unrelated reasons, one being an excessive work schedule and two being the death of Terry Pratchett hit me really hard, I stopped reading for a couple of years.

Starting late in the year last year (2016) I managed to pull myself out of my "readers block" and now I'm back to reading 2-4 books a week again. I've all but stopped reading my Gaming books since I no longer have time to play, working both night-shift and Saturdays most weeks and some Sundays. Fortunately (for my readings sake at least) I can read at night at work since it's slow and I'm mostly here as a just in case I'm needed fashion.

As far as actual times go, I guess averaged out I read 2-5 hours a day (night). It takes me maybe 10 hours to read a 500 page book, I could read it faster but distractions usually keep me on a slower pace and I have to go back over bits sometimes when I find I don't remember actively reading them LOL.

I read a lot on my Kindle and I like the convenience of being able to access it on my PC at work and my phone. My actual kindle I read on the couch and in bed. I read on the phone anytime I can get a minute to do so. I only buy hard copies of series that I'm already invested in these days but I find a lot of great new stuff to read for my Kindle that I'd never have known about otherwise.

I commute to work 3 hours every day by car, where I listen to audiobooks.

Running or walking the dog I revisit old favourites books as audiobooks probably in average 1 hour a day.

Finally I read e-Boks on my kindle relaxing in the garden and at night before going to sleep, maybe another half hour.

So amazingly I'm able to squeeze in 4.5 hours of reading/listening a day typically on 3 different books at a time.

It depends on how many classes I'm teaching and what point of the semester it is. During a busy semester I get very little personal reading time. During breaks I read like mad.

I read erratic amounts of time. Quite a bit, though

recently I had a person say they didn't have time to read. mmmm am I the only one that carries a kindle and takes it out to read while waiting in line, while sitting in a café with a coffee.

I find so many times I have 5 mins free, yep get out the kindle.

I was told that it wasn't enough time to read, mmm sorry any free moment is time to read. my husband is driving and in a zone, great I can have a read.

anyone else out there have a light book to read in the "quick" moments??????

I either read ABSOLUTELY NOTHING (the days I'm working go roughly write-eat-work-sleep) or I finish two novels in one sitting. There's really no in-between.

Kateb wrote: "recently I had a person say they didn't have time to read. mmmm am I the only one that carries a kindle and takes it out to read while waiting in line, while sitting in a café with a coffee.

I fin..."

I do this, and also whip out my phone to read with the Kindle app when I don't have my Kindle on me, and lately have been listening to Audible during all my mindless chores (cleaning, mowing the lawn, etc) and while driving.

Amazon should probably be paying me to say that :)

I probably get about an hour a day in that way, on top of my dedicated reading time.

Kateb wrote: "recently I had a person say they didn't have time to read. mmmm am I the only one that carries a kindle and takes it out to read while waiting in line, while sitting in a café with a coffee.
."

Yeah I do exactly that. I have an easy read book on my phone App just for those times.

I read about 1,5 hours while commuting, 30 minutes during my break and another 30-60 minute in the evening.

And yes, I do squeeze out every little opportunity.
I can read just about anywhere, too, I just block out everything else (conductors usually just give up on me after trying to get my attention a few times and tend to ignore me after :p).

On a typical working day, I'll read (rather: listen) about 2 hours while commuting to and from work. I listen to audiobooks in my car. When at home, I'll read in the evening, about 1 hour each day.

During the weekend or a day off, I'll listen to audiobooks while doing chores or DYI activities or read intensively after the kids have gone to bed.

In this way, I manage to read about 80 books per year.

my sister now has two kindles : one for home one in her bag. Other than that she has a paper book to use when eating breaky.

I don't think I could have 3 books going at once, two yes but 3 !!!!!

Kateb wrote: "I don't think I could have 3 books going at once, two yes but 3 !!!!!"

She could be reading the same book on both Kindles if she uses the syncing functionality. Or even if she doesn’t, I guess, but the syncing makes it more seamless.

I read primarily on my Kindle Oasis, but I also read on my tablet and my phone under certain circumstances. I’m a one-book-at-a-time person, so I read the same book on all three devices and just let it keep me synced to my most recently-read page.

no she is reading 3 books. one light , two a bit heavier

Ed wrote: "How many hours a day do you read?

I probable put in two hours every day reading. Half an hour in the morning with my first cup of coffee, and a hour or so before I go to bed. I used to read a lot more, but have regulated myself to writing during the day and only reading before and after the day is done.

Does it depend on the day?

Yes, I get more reading done during the week as household honeydo lists take up a lot of the weekends. (Still get some in though)

And where do you like to read? Anywhere? Or a great chair, in bed, outside?"

Prefer comfy chair with coffee and snacks at hand.

Hello everyone. I read about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 (well alright maybe 30 min.) on most days when I'm studying. Time contrainsts are a pain. During the breaks though, I could do 3 hours and stll be going on if the book is great. XD