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The What, Where, When, How and other Reading questions?

What does your reading look like?
Where do you read?
When do you read? Do you have favorite times to read?
How do you read? Do you read fast, slow? Do you skim? Do you look things up? Do you make notes?

I imagine my reading looks "focused" and "intent".
I read either in my reading chair (in my home office) or in bed.
I read at night on weekdays and in the afternoons on the weekends (whenever I can).
I just read, not really fast but if I hit a rhythm, I can devour a book. I don't skim or looks things up (while I'm reading). I will underline or highlight anything that strikes me which I will then circle back to after I finish the book before I write my review.

I am retired after 47 years of work. I never had time to read a lot and promised myself that when I retired, I would read, read, read. And I do. Like Charlie, I read in my comfortable easy chair or in bed. I don't think I could go to sleep if I had not read a little. I pay attention to reviews - when someone I respect says this is a great book, I decide to read it. My librarian (also my friend) told me that she was anxious for the third book in a series to appear. I told he that I did not have it but I put the first book in the series on my wait list. I also put the third book on my wait list (it is due to be published in September) and if I am high on the list, I will give her the book to read during my two weeks. It will not be able to be renewed because there will be so many others on the wait list. I will get around to it sometime. In turn, I told her about Razorblade Tears and suggested it for a book box for book groups. It is nominated for an Edgar. She sat there at her computer and put a hold on it for herself. Library employees are not allowed to put holds on books when they are first coming out but there is no rule against friends putting holds. Since I use to volunteer back in the area where books are processed in, if one of the librarians back there sees my name of the list, she will get it to me (if I am early on the list). It pays to have friends in high places (like Tech Services!). So it is reviews I read, books that friends tell me about and books by authors I love. peace, janz

Booknblues wrote: "The What, Where, When, How and other Reading questions?

What does your reading look like?
Where do you read?
When do you read? Do you have favorite times to read?
How do you read? Do you read fast..."

Every one of the above is sometimes true for me! Sometimes I am focused, sometimes I also have on TV or am playing Scrabble with my husband, etc. I usually read on the couch or in bed but it could be anywhere (in the bathroom while brushing my teeth, why waste those minutes?) Of course, audiobooks can truly be anywhere in the house with me. Any time of day works, though it is less likely first thing in the morning when I am checking my email, GR groups, newspaper sites, etc. I am a pretty fast reader but it really depends on the material.

I don't usually skim but I do if I am getting tired of the book but need to finish it for a group discussion. Or in nonfiction, it is often easy to skim by checking out the titles and summaries of chapters or sections.

I rarely stop to make notes or look things up. I may look things up after reading, such as historical or geographical references. Even when I read in French, where I don't know every word, as long as I get the gist, I rarely go to a dictionary.

I read in the morning and at night, when I wake up and go to bed. But I carry the book I am reading everywhere. Sometimes I stop for a cup of coffee or a Starbucks or something. Sometimes I have an hour between patients. I read at the pool for sure. While I am waiting for someone at a restaurant or eating alone. Occasionally, sitting outside, or living room couch. For the spurts where I need to finish. I read on planes, or long trips where my husband is driving. But mostly my days are really busy and it has to be at the edges. Plus, I have to fit in my excessive love of TV!

Here in the Midwest, it is very cold now. I read on a comfortable couch in the living room, in a down vest wrapped in a soft fleece blanket. The room has a lot of natural light streaming in. When I pause from reading, I look outside the window in front of me at an evergreen tree. Currently, its branches are bowed under the weight of fresh, white snow.

As a retiree, I find myself spending a lot of time reading. I'm a slow reader. There is no need to hurry. I do take breaks from the book I'm reading. If I find a part of it boring, I may look at other people's reviews to find what they thought of the book. Or I might look up something connected with what I'm reading. For example, I've listened to music that fits in with the story (ie, ukelele music re: a book set in Hawaii.) And I like to listen to an author explain her book, either during or after I read it.

Do any of you track your progress in the book through the Goodreads app? At times, I will type in a quote from the book that reflects either a character's thoughts or the author's writing style. That then gets saved and is part of the review I write when I finish the book.

As a life-long reader, I never recorded reviews until I joined Goodreads three years ago. Now I write a small review on each book I read, which adds to a sort of reading journal.

My afternoon reading pose is very much like Hollys, curled on the couch, in front of a huge picture window-which by the way also looks out on huge evergreens. A cup of tea, maybe a granola biscuit or two. Also have the warm blanket and sometimes a heating pad for my back, and Miss Lola either curled at my feet, or sprawled across the top of the couch. Evening reading is done in bed, the room dark except for my little reading light over my head. Most likely have the heating pad and a snack handy.

I can be a fast reader, it all depends on the book. I ususaly have 6-8 books going at once. To me they are the replacement of TV-when I have had enough of one world, or character-I move onto to something else for awhile. History books, I tend to take slowly, pausing to google things, most times ending up down a black hole-but information is key for me, especially with history and historical fiction. I don't skim too often. If I find myself skimming things, I wonder why I am bothering reading the book, and I end the relationship. I use sticky notes for future reviews and discussions.

During the work week, I read at night before falling asleep or listen to audio books on my commute on days I'm scheduled in the office (1.5 hours each way, so plenty of listening time).
On weekends I read more - sometimes a good part of the day. I have a daybed in my library nook that is partially hidden from the rest of the house by my bookshelves; the library nook looks out on our wooded back yard and is fairly quiet - it's a cozy place to read. In the warmer seasons, I read at the beach.
I do prefer quiet when I read - I wouldn't want to read with TV or music on, but outside or ambient noise is okay. I think my favorite time to read is late at night, when everyone else who lives in my house is asleep.
I am not a fast reader and I don't skim. I read and absorb every word. I finish a book of regular length in a week or two. I don't generally looks things up while reading but do sometimes take notes, apply post-it notes to certain pages to mark passages for more attention later, or write in the margins, depending on circumstances.

I read in bed in the early morning and late evening, while waiting for appointments, on airplanes and public transportation. I listen to audiobooks on driving trips, while painting, and doing chores.

I read fast. I taught myself speed-reading when I was young, but if it is complicated material, I will slow down. I rarely skim - only if I come to a section that I know I won't be able to handle (like torture scenes).

After finishing a non-fiction or historical fiction, I will research the content and look at scientific or history sites to learn more about the subjects.

When reading electronically, I look things up and highlight a lot - this is so easy to do with e-books. If I am reading a physical book, I sometimes make notes on my laptop but much less often.

Since retiring, I read at almost any point of the day except after dinner when hubby and I have our tv time. Sometimes if I have insomnia, I will read at night.

I am a couch potato and frequently have one or both of my reading buddies lying on me. Roxie and Rosie, my cats insist on a favorite and sacred blanket even in the heat of the summer. Rosie commands my feet and Roxie, my chest and midsection.

I used to read much faster and do more skimming but over the years I have slowed down somewhat. I read on my kindle for the most part and look up unfamiliar words, learn about locations and people. I do quite a bit of highlighting. If I am reading a dtb, I will wait until I can look something up on the computer. I always want to know about the people and places I am reading about.

Booknblues wrote: "Since retiring, I read at almost any point of the day except after dinner when hubby and I have our tv time. ..."

Oh, I can't wait to retire! I hope to add it more of both reading time and tv time. I don't watch much tv anymore, so that I can read more, but I would like to watch more tv, again, as well.

I read any time any where. I always have a book with me, and since the advent of ebooks, I don't even have to be carrying a physical book. If I have to wait for a teller at the bank, I pull out my phone and read on one of my ebook apps. I read commuting, while waiting for the bus, while waiting for a friend to join me for lunch or dinner, waiting for the movie to start or the show to begin, while eating, while wating for something to heat in the microwavem, even while sitting on hold on the phone. On the farm growing up, one of my chores was going to the back 40 to herd the cows down the road to the barn for milking - this was the early 70s so no audiobooks. I read as I walked and herded. I also would prop up the book in front of my when I did another chore - washing the dishes from family meals.

I even read while getting manicures. When I don't do much reading is first thing in the morning I'm slow to wake and get moving - sooooo not a morning person! I need to get up and be moving around for a bit before taking on any reading. During the week I generally am already immersed in work by the time I'd be awake enough to read.

The big blocks of reading time though are spent on my couch or in bed before going to sleep at night. I don't believe I can go to sleep without reading a bit (which sometimes goes on for hours). I can read with background noise, and occasionally deliberately put music on while reading, but mostly I like quiet or at least not hearing voices talking. I don't try to read while doing other things that need attention -- like watching tv - because when I read I'm intent on the page and in that world.

I rarely listen to audiobooks except when traveling or driving long distances and then those are re-reads usually.

I'm a pretty fast reader -- reading about 900 to 1000 pages a week or 160 to 180 books a year. I only skim when there are sections of a book where my eyes start glazing over (info dumps that go on too long or are over my head) or the scene just drags (romance writers whose intimate scenes are formulaic and just too long or graphic) or I just have to find out what happens to one of the characters NOW (that happened the first time I read A Song Of Ice & Fire).

Very few books end up true DNF for me. I tend to read one book at a time but have been known to stop a book for a bit, read something different for a while, then go back -- sometimes a book is just a tough or demanding read and I need some distance or relief --- Proust of course was one of those, A Brief History of Seven Killings was another, and even Lab Girl had me taking a short break after one particularly painful chapter. Plus sometimes I just need to escape into romance, cozy mystery, historical romance or mystery for a weekend after a long hard work week. That just happened with the Ilona Andrews urban fantasy series Hidden Legacy.

I absolutely look stuff up all the time, and love how easy that is with ebooks! I still read a lot of physical print books -- and have my tablet nearby to look up vocabulary I can't quite figure out from context. Besides vocabulary, I look at maps, images (what did that car or tree look like?), historical tidbits, info about the author or the book itself, books referenced in the book I'm reading, etc. I like the highlight feature in ebooks which allows easy use of quotes or tracking in a book. If however I'm doing a 'big read' and planning on discussing with others - like Proust, A Suitable Boy, our A Song of Ice and Fire read-along -- I buy a used paperback and mark it up -- with pen notes in margins and post-it tabs -- as well as jot down notes either in a nearby small notebook or on my tablet.

I belong to one IRL bookclub - Feminerdy - which reads fantasy and SciFi and discusses them in depth from a feminist and gender perspective. Those I tend to read in ebook and use the highlight and note function or just create a document on the tablet to jot down thoughts and discussion points.

I read a bit every single day but sometimes my work weeks are so intense and long that I am just too tired to do more than a couple of pages, or I can't handle anything serious or requiring attention to detail. That's when TV rules my life.

I read while getting pedicures and through half of the manicure.

Like many other PBTers, I ALWAYS have a book handy. I download audios to my MP3 player to use when I'm working a jigsaw puzzle, or ironing, or cooking, or taking a walk, or doing other chores. I read the book I carry in my purse when I'm waiting - at the deli counter, at the doctor's office, for my friend to arrive, before the movie starts. I always have an audiobook on CD in the car, and will sometimes sit in the parking lot at the grocery - or take the "long way" home - to "just finish this chapter." I read in bed every night, no matter how exhausted I may be, no matter if I only get two paragraphs read before sleep comes. I like a good recliner, but really prefer to sit up straight, so at home I use pillows behind my back. There's a lovely inn we frequent up in Door County that has big, comfy stuffed wing-back chairs with ottomans near the fireplace. While Hubby is back in the room watching TV, I'm sitting by the fire reading.

One time I do NOT read ... while getting a mani/pedi. I'm too busy talking to my manicurist! But I always sit and read for 30 minutes after to make sure my nails are fully dry before I leave.

Holly R W asked about tracking progress in a book in GR. I never do this because it changes so quickly. Also, when I get bogged down in a book, I feel like GR is nagging me to finish it. I also hate that Audible reports how many hours i have listened. I almost never listen in the app, I download to my computer and put on a tiny iPod for a more portable player, and none of that time is ever known by Audible.

I'm impressed by people who write detailed notes about books they read, have a spreadsheet, etc. I just write in a small notebook the name & title & a letter to indicate genre (such as R for romance, M for mystery). I never wrote any reviews until I was on GR and now I only do them in groups like PBT. I feel like there are plenty of reviews on GR already. Mostly, it feels like clerical work to do a lot of documentation when I could be reading - or checking my GR groups! I guess I am more interested in sharing my opinions with people I "know" in groups than posting for the world.

Robin P wrote: "Holly R W asked about tracking progress in a book in GR. I never do this because it changes so quickly. Also, when I get bogged down in a book, I feel like GR is nagging me to finish it. I also hat..."
I never wrote reviews before either, but I find I remember more about a book if I have written a thorough review (I'm not posting for the world, lol).

I love that you read while herding cows, Theresa!

I read anywhere, anytime I have a few minutes to spare. I tend to read e-books on my phone which is on my person or in my hand more often than it should be, lol. But I also have physical books on the table by my armchair, by my bed, on the kitchen workbench… Early morning and late night are particular joys, when it is quiet.

I’m a fast reader and I like to lose myself in a story. But the real downside of reading on my phone is that it’s so easy to get distracted and look things up. Particularly with non-fiction. I just read Kingsolver’s “Animal Vegetable Miracle” so had several long side-tracks, including internet searches on ‘asparagus crown suppliers near you’ and tips and tricks from local garden centres, and delving through my lovely “Edible Backyard” book (dtb) that my son gave me for Christmas. Asparagus led to tomatoes, which led to companion flowers which led to … You get the picture.

It happens with fiction as well. For instance the Dan Brown book set in Barcelona led to all sorts of internet rabbit holes about architecture and art. I learn a lot. But it can take ages to finish the darned book.

I’m working on limiting the distractions though - my attention span is shorter than it used to be (I blame the pandemic and being overstretched for too long), so I need to train those attention muscles again. Reading is a great way to do that.

I don’t make notes though, unless I’m actively studying.

Joy D wrote: "I love that you read while herding cows, Theresa!.."

Not many can say they have done that....🐄🐄🐄🐄🧮🚶‍♂️

I'm also the only one in the family who ever had that chore who read at the same time! But I always was the one with her 'nose in a book'.

I was "that book person" in my family, too. Alas, we had no cows. :-)

Joy D wrote: "I was "that book person" in my family, too. Alas, we had no cows. :-)"

I am so sorry you were deprived of that experience of multitask8ng in the fresh air.