Bodice Ripper Readers Anonymous discussion

I'm a member of some other groups that have monthly challenges and you pick a list of books to read and report back on your progress. I've seen people read two full length novels a day on some of these challenges. It will be 10 days into the month and they have already read 8 or sometimes all 10 of the books they picked! It makes me wonder are they truly reading the book or just skimming it. Do you read every word in the book or do you just skim it?

I'm a read every word kind of girl. I just can't help it. I must read every word. Sometimes when I'm ready to put the book down at night, I will skim ahead just to see what will happen next. The next day when I pick the book up, I pick up where I left off and read the skimmed part again because I might have missed something.

I'm a skimmer for the most part. Like a speed reader, I'll skim through paragraphs picking up on the main idea and go on to the next. However, if the book is really good and I need to catch more info I force myself to slow down. I rarely can do 2 books in one day though, unless they are harlequin/sillouettes.

I tend to start skimming if the book is bad, like Pamela says just picking up main plot points. If the story and writing is good I want to savor every word.

i skim first if the book seems good i will reread word for word

If an author gets wordy and there's lots of slow-moving crap around a minimal story (like what happened in a couple recent books I read), then I'll skim. But I don't like to. I'd rather toss a book and move onto something good than waste time skimming a bad one.

I prefer to read each word and it's usually easier if I have a chunk of time to read, instead of fits and starts. Choppy reading time makes for a more unsatisfactory read. :(

People skim read???? What? It never even occurred to me to do that! I used to do the speed reading thing in school for assigned reading but never ever in my pleasure reading! I am with Karla, I would rather toss a book for a good one that skim a bad one. I do occasionally skim ahead to see whats going on like you Tonya, but I pick right back up where I left off and read it word for word. I have been known to skim read the last chapter of a book before I get there if I am starting to doubt that the characters are heading towards an HEA. Sometimes I need a little assurance that everything is going to be ok :)

I only skim read if I'm not really enjoying the book, other wise I read word for word. I don't want to miss anything =)

I'll skim parts of a book if I feel that I'm reading unnecessary verbiage. ex. The leaves on the trees were green and flowers were.... *Gigi skims until she gets to* and they kissed. The house was a blue Tudor .....*gigi skims*. I'm impatient. LOL If theres a supporting character I dont care about I tend to skim or speed read that part. I read every word mostly, skim occasionally. If in skimming, I see that its leading up to something important- I'll go back and read word for word.

I do kind of a combination of what Gigi and Pamela(AllHoney) do - combination of skimming and speed reading until you get to something good or until the story/writing grab you and make you slow down to pay attention.

For me it depends on a whole lot of other things as well - is it a re-read or a new book? What else am I trying to do at the same time (ie cook supper, talk to my spouse, etc.), how tired I am, how bad my book ADD is, LOL!

I don't often get quiet, uninterrupted read time so I squeeze it in wherever I can.

I'm a read every word girl. I read at a pretty even pace no matter what is going on in the story and I never skip ahead. I don't have a lot of time for quiet uninterupted reading but I find I don't want to read any other way, so sometimes it might take me a while to finish a book. Like the book I'm reading now I started about a week and a half ago, but in that time I've probably only spent 3 or 4 hours reading (Had a TON of other stuff going on!) I just can't bring myself to rush or skim through things!

And I just had a thought...if someone skims just for the good stuff, doesn't that sort of give a slant to any rating/review? *iz confuzzled*

I guess I'm OCD enough that I want to read every word, and sometimes I love a phrase or minor scene so much in itself that if I'd skimmed, I'd have missed it. :)

Its really interesting how everyone approaches reading differently. I think you can totally absorb a book by skimming sections or by reading every word. Skimming doesn't mean you skip a section altogether. For me, skimming means you give more focus to some words than others. And I'll match anyones OCD with my Adult ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder- keep me interested and I wont skim). LOL

Karla wrote: "And I just had a thought...if someone skims just for the good stuff, doesn't that sort of give a slant to any rating/review? *iz confuzzled*

I guess I'm OCD enough that I want to read every word, ..."

If I'm reading a really good book that truly holds my attention then I don't do much skimming if any at all. My skimming is not keeping me from reading the story and knowing the plot. It just keeps me from getting a few useless details or getting too hot and bothered during some of the graphic sex scenes. Any time I feel like I missed something I will go back and reread certain scenes more carefully. Sometimes the amount of skimming I do will affect the rating because I did little of it (higher rating) or a lot of it (lower rating).

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "Sometimes the amount of skimming I do will affect the rating because I did little of it (higher rating) or a lot of it (lower rating)."

That's what I was wondering about. Thanks for answering!

Karla wrote: "And I just had a thought...if someone skims just for the good stuff, doesn't that sort of give a slant to any rating/review? *iz confuzzled*."

For me, skimming has no significance in how I rate the book. If, for example, I'm reading the Conqueror and I'm reading a scene about Ceidre climbing the tree. It isn't really significant to the story IMO that I know what color the grass is- its just part of a set up to the scene.

Gigi wrote: "If, for example, I'm reading the Conqueror and I'm reading a scene about Ceidre climbing the tree. It isn't really significant to the story IMO that I know what color the grass is- its just part of a set up to the scene ..."

I can see that. I'm sure you do still get the whole story and are able to form an opinion on the book if you skim a little. I've never thought to do that and I'm not sure if it would work out right for me. It is interesting how different people have different aproaches to reading. I think different people are able to absord books in different ways

Gigi wrote: "Its really interesting how everyone approaches reading differently. I think you can totally absorb a book by skimming sections or by reading every word. Skimming doesn't mean you skip a section a..."

Amen, Gigi!

The other benefit to reading this way is that you can pick the book up a year or so later and find new things in it. It's a different read every time, for me.

I read mostly every word. But I've skimmed a couple sentences at a time when I knew what was coming but no more than that.

Gigi wrote: "It isn't really significant to the story IMO that I know what color the grass is- its just part of a set up to the scene."

Except, of course, if there's something slipped in about someone arriving on the scene and then all of a sudden I wonder how on earth they got there. That usually happens when I'm tired and reading, but not processing, and I wonder just how a scene got established. In the long run, it's easier for me to just read the whole thing rather than race through. Sort of like gunning it on the highway to gain, oooooh, a whole car-length. :P

Amanda wrote: "Gigi wrote: "I can see that. I'm sure you do still get the whole story and are able to form an opinion on the book if you skim a little...."

Exactly Amanda!!!

Karla wrote: "Gigi wrote: "Except, of course, if there's something slipped in about someone arriving on the scene and then all of a sudden I wonder how on earth they got there..."

Cant say that I've ever had that problem. : ) Again, skimming isn't about skipping whole sentences or paragraphs. LOL Everyone processes things differently. The way I look at it is that there isn't any right way or wrong way to read anything. I simply do what works for me which may not work for someone else.

Yeah, because if I just let my eyes fly over paragraphs, grabbing words here and there, I end up with total word salad that doesn't make sense. :P

LOL! It comes with years of practice. As for how many, mums the word! lol ; P

If I start skimming a book, then it's over. I read every word, but sometimes, my brain skips ahead. So I go back to reread the part I accidentally skipped.

Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "If I start skimming a book, then it's over."

That's sort of the switch that gets flipped with me, too. If a book isn't interesting enough to make me want to read it all, then my brain checks out and I just want it over with.

This has been a very enlightening post for me! LOL I get the concept, like I said I learned how to speed read in school for assigned reading, I know you can get all the information that way and you will not miss anything..... but, but, but.... why not savor every word for pleasure reading? I am not trying to get information here, I am reading a story for fun! I guess I can see it, I just can not imagine ever chosing to do that myself!

I can't imagine it either. I want to know the grass is green and the sky is blue. I want the book to take me away to another world. Pull me in and show me everything. I want to feel like I am actually there observing it all. I read to get away from my boring or hectic (depending on the day) life. It is an escape for me. I think if I started skimming it just wouldn't be the same. It would feel like a homework assignment. Just not anywhere close to being enjoyable.

Jennefer wrote: "This has been a very enlightening post for me! LOL I get the concept, like I said I learned how to speed read in school for assigned reading, I know you can get all the information that way and ..."

I hear you, but I don't personally find reading less enjoyable because I'm not interested in the smaller details. I'm just anxious to get to the root of the story. I'm still enjoying the novel whether I skim or not.

I'm curious - do all of you re-read favourite books or is once the only time?

I skim/speed read a lot of the time, and for me the first time I read a book is when I make a conscious effort to slow down and pay attention to the little details as much as my book ADD allows.

I've always wondered about "read every word" types - do you ever re-read, or did you read it so thoroughly the first time you have no desire to do it again?

Skim/speed readers, how about you?

I will reread my favorite scenes in a favorite book. I don't have much time for rereading nowadays.

Tammy wrote: "I've always wondered about "read every word" types - do you ever re-read, or did you read it so thoroughly the first time you have no desire to do it again?"

The only books I've ever been inclined to re-read are thick chunksters like John Jakes' North & South trilogy and Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series. Mainly because they're so full of history, details and characters that a re-read will reveal more that I missed the first time, even though I read every word. Plus the "little details" about most of those characters make me love them so much that I WANT to re-visit them (i.e., Cato in The October Horse).

For the usual 400-500 page romance, usually once is enough. And for stuff that's even shorter, once is definitely enough. If there's something that blows me away, I'm open to keeping it for a re-read. :)

Its funny how different things work for different people because I can't imagine reading every word- the, if, and, or, but, because...

I do re-read, but usually only because I loved the book and its the equivalent for me of seeing a movie I liked more than once.

Gigi wrote: "Its funny how different things work for different people because I can't imagine reading every word- the, if, and, or, but, because"

And I can't imagine that skipping the, if, and, or, but, because saves that much time. :P

Jennefer summed up my feeling best: "I am not trying to get information here, I am reading a story for fun!"

But there are some readers who just want the highlights (or "need to know" stuff) of the story, and others who like the journey there. And I'm of the latter group.

Thats awesome Karla! I'm glad that works for you.

I have alot of books on my keeper shelves and I do reread them alot. Sometimes I pass one of my diplay cases that have my favorite hc's and some of the characters will seem to call out to me and I will have to reread them.

Tammy wrote: "I'm curious - do all of you re-read favourite books or is once the only time? ..."


I always think I will re-read more than I actually do. I have re-read books like Anne of Green Gables and Kilmany of the Orchard that I read when I was a kid.... I dont think I have ever re-read anything I originaly read as an adult (but I always seem to hang onto them thinking one day I will LOL)

I always think I will re-read a book, but when it comes right down to it I usually pick a new book over an already read one. I think it's that whole "so many books so little time" thing. I only have a little bit of time for reading, I want to maxamize it! I've already read that one, I should try something new.... And there are SO MANY that I WANT to read! :) There are some that I've been recently thinking about re-reading though because it's been so long I can't remember the details (even though I read every word and know I loved it) I might pick those up (or I might not) and I might find myself skimming (or I might read every word)... not sure, because I've never re-read before! Lol. It would be a reading experiment to try

Same here. I say I'm going to re-read, but I usually end up picking a new book. My "keeper" shelf has about 11 books on it because I know my re-read rate is going to forever be low.

I tossed a bunch of books I was keeping for re-reads and it felt good. :D

I have re-read some of my old "keepers" so many times I can remember dialogue or narration word for word. (No small feat for a skimmer!) I find that I read 2 or 3 books new to me, then go back and re-read 1 or 2 of my favourites.

I reread many of my fave authors (Linda Howard, K.E. Woodiwiss, Johanna Lindsey, Julie Garwood, Lisa Kleypas, etc...) but some that I think I might are still sitting in my keeper shelf waiting.

I sometimes feel as though the old, comfortably familiar book I've read, is more enjoyable than a boringly slow, new book. :D It's that *good book* predictability that keeps me hanging on for a dry spell. >:D

I pretty much read every word. I have to. *sigh*
Except for long, purpley prose, gratuitous sex scenes that add absolutely nothing to the plot.

If I read a book a second time, then I do skim to the good parts. lol

I give it 100 pages(maybe a little more) If it's not working for me,I move on..life's too short and too many books on the TBR pile.

Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* wrote: "I give it 100 pages(maybe a little more) If it's not working for me,I move on..life's too short and too many books on the TBR pile."

Yeah, same with me.

100 pages is my rule too!

I usually give it to the half way point. I like to give the book a good chance if I can. So its usually between 100-150 pages, after that I just give it up, since there are so many books and little time to read them.

I'm a read every word type. With the first time ever in my life exception of the sex scenes in the last two Cynster books I read. And I re-read a lot, not so much romances, but my other favorites quite frequently :)

Ugh, I am indecisive about those books that are derpy approximately 50% through, then lil' nuggets of WTF to hold you over--or you're just dying for the characters to Stfu already, and want to close the book on their faces. lolXD

I read every word for the most part. I find that if I feel the need to skim a lot then the book isn't worth reading.

But sometimes with series books that I've been reading close together I will skim if the author does a long recap of previous books.

But really, if I'm skimming than I'm not enjoying it enough and will drop it for another.

Totally skim, otherwise couldn't get through my enormous and ever growing TBR pile. Don't get me wrong, I do read in detail when things are interesting, but if its just info dumps, etc., I'll skim. Glad to see other people do too!