All About Books discussion

binsie,
Interesting article . I agree with you that the serious reader will make time . Of course before I retired , I had less time to devote to reading . I read far more now that I am retired and it is still a struggle to find the time to read everything that I want but I manage to read quite a bit .

I read long novels as well as some that are considered difficult and the lighter ones too . I probably would read more if I wasn't always checking my mail as well as spending time on Goodreads but it's a technological world we live in . I never thought much about how it has affected my reading habits .
Thanks for posting .

Interesting indeed.
In few words, I have to say that I tend to "shut out" the world when I read. And having not too much time left after work and family matters, after reading I almost don't have time to see anything else: I never know whcih films are coming out, what's happening in the world if it is not a catastrophe, etc ..

I read to escape the boredom of a long commute to and from work, so it is not a struggle for me to read challenging books, I am more or less a captive audience for whatever book I have on the bus with me.

The challenge is to not spend so much time on Goodreads that I don't have time to read!

Terry ,
I agree ! Here I am checking it again .

Hmm, I don't really find reading a struggle in everyday life, but perhaps if I had other interests it would take away my time from books. I don't watch television, or often go out, so most of my time is spent at home with kids and cats and a good book. I might alter what type of book I'm reading depending on what else is going on around me though.

With goodreads and the many book-tubing videos on the internet, it has definitely become a bit of a struggle.

Reading has never been a struggle for me, but I couldn't read as much when I was working and raising a family. I liked that life too. I am happy with both. What I read changes from year to year and changing interests.

Finding time to read has never been a struggle for me. But there's a 'slow reading book club' in my city. It's not your average book club. People don't go there to discuss a book they're reading but just to sit and silent read. Basically at 5pm every Sunday people go to a quiet bar in town, find a spot and sit down for a uninterrupted hour of silent reading. I guess it's for those people that will never find the time to read unless it's scheduled into their busy diaries.

More info here: http://slowreadingco.com/

I thought it was a really interesting idea.

I like that idea of a quiet communal read Erica. That sounds wonderful!

I love to read. It helps me to unwind and relax. That is a great idea Erica sounds quite enjoyable.

I think it's true that the way internet reading tends to be (short articles, lots of hyperlinks, lots of bullet points, constand notifications, etc.) encourages a completely different sort of reading which is about hopping around here, there and everywhere, rather than the sustained reading that a novel requires. I've heard of the Slow Reading movement, which seems to be more about sustained reading than speed - the Guardian had an interesting article about it a while back: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2010...

I sometimes have days where I decide not to use the internet at all, because I do find it can be really distracting and absorbing. I also find it helpful to regularly go to a coffee shop and sit and read while drinking cappuccino, so it becomes a kind of routine.

MAYBE the short articles on internet will push readers the other way - getting them to search for longer, more complex and involved stories? Just a thought. Readers may rebel! I personally am fed up with switching time frames and short little snippets.

I wouldn't be without it, but the Internet has certainly changed my reading habits and my concentration levels. It's just too easy to get distracted.

When I'm on holiday, where I have to make an effort to get to a wi-if cafe or something similar, I find I quickly revert to the old days - head in a book and a virtual 'do not disturb' sign painted across my forehead!

I may try your system, Gail - Internet-free days - see if I can retrieve the old mojo.

I think modern technology and the internet can be a huge distraction to reading. I suppose before television it would have been one of very few leisure pastimes, so more people would have done it.

The internet can introduce reading in a different format though. For instance my daughter reads a huge amount of fan fiction online, as well as reading physical books and I think there are lots of teenagers whose only reading is done online. My son never reads books, or anything remotely like a story, but he does read personal interest articles online, which he probably wouldn't do at all without the internet. Plus he's always 'reading' and writing with social media - Facebook, twitter, texting, snapchat, which at least engages his brain to read and write outside of a classroom setting. Though I still sometimes wish that we didn't have all this technology!

Chrissie wrote: "Readers may rebel! I personally am fed up with switching time frames and short little snippets..."

Yes, me too!

Although Pink makes a good point, that some people who wouldn't read at all before now do read & write online.

Gail, I am doing something similar -- but it is hard to keep up with an active group like this if you don't check in every day!

Ah, there are far too many threads in this group for me to keep up with it anyway, Leslie! So I just keep up with the threads where I am reading a book that others are reading, and pop into a few others now and then.

I find internet-free days really refreshing, but it's quite hard to be disciplined to have them regularly, because I also find it very tempting to just quickly peek online to see what's going on! And once I peek, then I tend to click on things and it easily lasts an hour or more.

I've recently downloaded a reading app called ReadMore where you enter the books you are reading, what page you are on, how many pages there are in the book, etc, and then set a timer for whenever you start reading - it helps you track your reading habits, and predicts when you'll finish the book. I find it helps me focus, because whenever I think of taking a quick look online, I realise I'll have to stop the timer, and so I don't bother, because I'd rather read for a significant chunk of time.

Many authors are already breaking their work into snippets (they call them "chapters"). However, there's rarely a reason or the break: no scene change, no change in character POV.

I've begun avoiding those authors. WHEN I can see the book before I buy it.... I know of two now... Hundreds of "chapters" in a 200 pg book. Yup, some chapters consist of a few sentences. I know they're called writers, because they write and publish books, but REALLY? I don't have ADHD and don't want it. Reading those kinds of snippeted books will cause me to get antsy about books written properly. :/

Meran, which authors are doing that? I would like to avoid them too.

Terry wrote: "The challenge is to not spend so much time on Goodreads that I don't have time to read!"

That's the problem!!!!

I can't say I call that reading, I call it glancing. Short chapters like that are frustrating and it makes me sad that this is what has come of People's ability to concentrate. So even if we are on the internet and on this site we are still reading or listening to actual books and talking about them, sharing them with friends. So being on this site is actually a service to reading and not a waste of time. How is that for self justification?

Interesting. I find I read books with short chapters far faster! Because I think "oh, just one more" and then before I know it I've read 50 pages. I read a book recently with lots of short chapters but to be far each chapter meant a change in pov so they were completely justified.

Styles are constantly changing, just as the language is; it doesn't mean that all books are going to become written in this style, just as the supposed lack of concentration of the modern generation hasn't led to the extinction of the long book. A certain style may become fashionable and poorer writers who lack the conviction in their own writing style might jump on the bandwagon but it will change with the next 'media sensation' and we'll have people complaining that books are then being written with no chapters or breaks at all. ;-)

Paul - the voice of reason with just a touch of cynicism ... LOL!

Pink - I like the point you made about the generation coming up very much.

Meran - "Many authors are already breaking their work into snippets (they call them "chapters")." Love it!

I once saw a letter to the editor bemoaning the lack of concentration and serious pursuits of the present generation; it was all about how people need everything dumbed down and made short so that they can snatch it on the run, how everything is shallow and quick... You know, the usual deal.

It was written in the 1870s.

Tempora mutantis, but unrealistic nostalgia remains forever the same.

Chrissie, Maberry (Joe Ledger series, and lots of fairly good zombie series, all interlinked), I'll have to look up the others. If you look thru my reviews, I mention them, since I find it annoying. You can get to my reviews, can't you? :)

Yes, there are also authors whose paragraphs (even sentences) go on for PAGES... However, most of those know what chapters are for. It takes quite a bit of skill to do something like that!

Very true Genia :)

Yep, I know how to get to your reviews. Thanks.

Interesting article, as a former english literature student I would consider myself a serious reader and I love it. I don't consider it a struggle, I would read whenever I can, I am always bringing my kindle into work and would read loads of different things. I love to talk to people about books. Lately a lot of my coworkers would ask if I would turn my nose up at the them for reading the likes of 50 shades but I wouldn't, if that's what they like to read then it's up to them, their choice.

Meran wrote: "Many authors are already breaking their work into snippets (they call them "chapters"). ... Hundreds of "chapters" in a 200 pg book."

I felt this way about The Book Thief although those generally did have some change in POV or scene.

Genia wrote: "I once saw a letter to the editor bemoaning the lack of concentration and serious pursuits of the present generation; it was all about how people need everything dumbed down and made short so that ..."

LOL! Thanks for the reality check Genia! :D
The book I am currently reading (first published in 1942) is talking about the rise of superstition (belief in the supernatural etc) -- I keep thinking about the 1-900 phone numbers for psychics! Interesting how these complaints are recurrent.

Between pleasure and pain is how I read books to the finish.

Chrissie wrote: "Meran, which authors are doing that? I would like to avoid them too."

LOL! I had exactly the same response when I read Meran's comment!

Deliberately
numb - I could die
neither happy nor sad.
Open a book and you wish
to finish it or end it.

Um, aren't we supposed to refrain from naming authors like that? It's a fine line ;)

He writes a zombie series.. there's also an author who writes another YA series. Some of those chapters are less than one page!! and no change of place, POV, etc…

I hate to tell an author how to write, I do. But are the YA authors now writing for those who can't sit still for long? (I'm not joking here, I'm genuinely concerned!)

I do love reading… have for almost 60 yrs. It's only been recently that I get bored with some books, and reluctantly put them down. Hopefully I'll pick them up later. :D

I very much understand, Aaron!

I'm not really in a slump, and do occasionally enjoy the very cliched ;) Even so, I like my spelling correct, and plot to be present LOL

I go threw slumps too. I have so many books to read but not enough quiet time.

Today, I'm sitting here, with the tv on, while adding books read last year (and previous years), and right across from where I'm sitting, is one of my To Read bookshelves. I estimate there are 225 books on that shelf. There's another one in one of the spare bedrooms, with probably 100 books on it. Downstairs there's a set of books I bought 20 yrs ago… the original Arabian Nights by Sir Richard Burton, a set of 17 books I have determined WILL be read this year. :D

I will probably not read along with any of my groups, since I seem to have my own challenge this year: large sets/series and/or books of 1000 or more.

Whoo hoo! I hope I can do it!

I listen to Patterson, but don't like reading him, strangely enough. I like my books on tape/disc to be light, so I can work in my art studio… without having to be fully engaged. :D

I think it is a struggle and it is supposed to be.
We have audio and movies adaptations for the ones that cannot be patient enough.

What used to bother me, was that every book came with a different font type and size, paper color and the weight.
But I got a Kindle and now I read more.

Paola wrote: "I think it is a struggle and it is supposed to be..."

I agree with you on that point. I can no longer read books on public transport (too much distracting noise from other people's headphones), and some of my books became damaged from lugging them around with me.

Now I only Read (with a capital R) in one spot, in one room, and while wearing special clothes. In other words, I settle down for an hour or two and give my book my full attention, rather than distractedly trying to grab a few minutes here and there.

I listen to lighter books as audiobooks, while doing housework, or on the bus, so I don't feel as though I'm wasting time — but then I don't feel I'm reading them either, just experiencing them, which isn't quite the same thing.

It is like having a 10 days trip to Europe and visit 8 countries.
I prefer to go to one place and go deep in its culture.

I want real experience, not token pictures of many monuments.

Paola wrote: "It is like having a 10 days trip to Europe and visit 8 countries.
I prefer to go to one place and go deep in its culture.

I want real experience, not token pictures of many monuments."

Exactly!

Aaron(Reblast) wrote: "I prefer Patterson's earlier works, when he didn't write with a co-author.

Love his twist endings and fast pacing. You're an artist, Meran? With your own studio? That is impressive. What type of..."

Aaron, thanks for your question and interest!

I'm all over the board, honestly, but I like to do animals, scenes, architecture, instead of people.. I work small, usually inchies, or playing card size, am looking to do some larger ones this year. I work in acrylic, and oils, but prefer oil pastels and colored pencil most.

I also work in glass. The Pacific Northwest thinks stained glass is old fashioned and people won't buy it. If I lived back east… I'd be so busy I wouldn't have time to sleep!

But I've moved into fused glass, doing things most fusers don't. I did a chicken recently, with details made of candle worked stringers (technical, I know ;) ) and the piece looks painted (but it isn't, though I do that too) I'm currently working on a commission for cactus flowers and lizards, which is stretching my artist muscles (I love that.)

If you're really interested in just seeing the works, without clogging up this thread, message me here and I'll send you urls to show some of what I've done. I'm hoping to do more this year! (which is one reason I'll have to slow down my reading habit. lol)

Interesting views on audiobooks. To me, an audiobook is far more of a struggle and requires a lot more patience than a printed book. I guess it depends whether you process better through reading or listening.

I like real books too. I have some books downloaded onto my iPad, but they are there just because I could have the work no other way.

and honestly, I've read very few of them. The spelling is usually atrocious, it's hard to sort the things (my cookbooks are mixed up with the fantasy.. I can sort only by author (who remembers those names often?) or title (ditto)).

Audiobooks tend to keep me tacked into place in my studio. I rarely remember the books afterwards, so I can keep playing them over and over. Sometimes though, they're books I'm very familiar with and so it's just a revisit (The Hobbit, LOTR). I also used to listen to them while driving, when I worked. All my jobs took at least an hour each way. Kept me from falling asleep anyway! :D

I have a 2 year old and very soon will have a newborn and work full time. I do find reading a struggle at the moment, it's the tiredness mainly. I used to read a book a week, now it takes me a good month (or 2) to finish a book.

Your boy is going to grow so fast Gemma, trust me!!!
I passed in the low reading period with two little kids; now I read again a lot - but my "little baby" is one metre eighty (about six feet) for almost 80 kg, with a growing beard - he feels so grown up!!! And my face is all wrinkled!!!

I don't find reading a struggle at all, and while I do have other interests -fishing, knitting, now learning to sew, taking up cooking/baking- I will always find time during the day to read.
The only time I found reading to be a struggle was when I was in high school, and we HAD to read a particular book for class. Then, it became a chore. This is why I don't join any of the monthly or buddy reads.

Gemma wrote: "I have a 2 year old and very soon will have a newborn and work full time. I do find reading a struggle at the moment, it's the tiredness mainly. I used to read a book a week, now it takes me a good..."

I can remember those days, I don't think I read anything at all for a few years! I just didn't have the time or the energy. So I can understand you taking a month or so to read a book! Now mine are grown up and I can read like a teenager again...when I'm not working, ha ha!

I'm addicted. I can't NOT read. Heck, I'm supposed to be going to sleep right now and will be picking up my book as soon as I catch up here. Lol

(Yes, that means I'd rather read than sleep, or eat, or pretty much anything else. Even tired. My husband has pulled the book out of my hands when I swore I was reading. He said I'd been asleep for over a half hour and had been lightly snoring. I know I've woken myself up when I dropped the book on the floor. Since we changed our carpet to wood, it makes a noise. )