Book Buying Addicts Anonymous discussion

For me, it depends on the book. If I really like the book, on a good day, I could probably read for 2 hours, even though lately, my reading stamina has decreased (I don't know why this has happened, because I read more frequently now). For the past few weeks, I find that I have to fight sleep after reading for 1 hour or so. Any suggestions on how to increase my reading stamina are also welcome!

Depends on the book.

I have the opposite problem. If I read something other than short stories, or a book I'm almost finished with, before bed I will read until I'm finished even if that means 8 o'clock the next morning. As for increasing your reading stamina maybe try reading in different locations, something small like a change in the lighting or a breeze from an open window could help. Another idea would be to treat chapter breaks like intermissions, stretch, stand up, focus on something else to give your eyes a break.

Jessa,

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely take a break after a chapter or two and walk around a bit. Before, my break would consist of closing my eyes for a "second." No wonder why I would wake up a half hour later.

I can read for hours and hours. I think I read 6 hours yesterday as the book was so good I wanted to get to the end.

I used to read for hours also but my glasses need adjusting.

As I've gotten older, I fall asleep faster while reading. One strategy that's worked for me is to go ahead and go to bed early and then get up earlier the next morning and read before work.

Depends on how tired I am. On my last flight I read for about 8 hours straight. But if I'm really tired I sleep really quickly. Usually I never sleep in bed, that's like a free ticket to dreamland.

It depends generally on two things. Number one: If I am well rested and have no other commitments or distractions. Number two: If the book I’m reading catches and holds my attention. If these two requirements are favorably met I can read pretty much the clock round. Normal circumstances are often very different and my reading has to contend with many outside influences. I average, on a daily bases, from five to seven hours; depending on the season.

When I was in my teens, I could read for 24 hours or more (with potty and snack breaks). I have only done it a few times; but it was necessary since Stephen King had come out with a new book.

Nowadays; i can read for about 4-5 hours without a break, if the book has my attention.

For some reason I tend to fall asleep really easily while reading. It's almost as if the rhythm of moving my eyes for side to side for a long time sends me to sleep. Lately I've gotten a little better at reading and not fallen asleep. I've certainly helped myself by not reading on my bed!

Totally depends on the book. I can read for hours if it is good and I don't have anything else pressing to do. I must say this doesn't happen often. I read the last Harry Potter book pretty much straight thru, only stopping to make meals for my children. I agree that it is harder if I am lying in bed and the book isn't the best.

If I read at night and I've had a tough day I might barely manage a page, but other nights I might read for an hour or so and still be wide awake - though throughout my life I've tended to read a little at night to help me get to sleep. During the day it doesn't tend to send me to sleep but it does tend to be a calming activity (depending on the nature of the book, of course!).

Laying down, or worse laying down on my side, really increases the chances of me falling asleep while reading, or while watching television!

Depending on the book, I can read through it in one sitting. Sometimes staying up all night to complete a book I really like. And those that I read in one sitting, I usually enjoy even more the second time because I find I read them too quickly to just to see what happens.
If it's a book I'm taking notes in/on, I usually can only last for less than an hour.

Completely depends on the book and how relaxed or tired I am. Sometimes, if I'm really tired, I can only read for half an hour or so, even if I'm just sitting on the couch. Other times, I'll wake in the middle of the night and grab a book to try and help put me back to sleep, but I'll find that I'll be reading for two or three hours and not get any sleepier.

Depends on the book. I started Safe Haven on a Sunday and stayed up until 430am to finish it. I have a lot of books that if I am really enjoying them I have a hard time putting them away, even when I try to sleep I find myself still thinking of the characters in the book and what is going to happen next.

If it's a boring book probably one hour. But with most books, my limit is 3 AM :P.

Lori wrote: "Depends on the book. I started Safe Haven on a Sunday and stayed up until 430am to finish it. I have a lot of books that if I am really enjoying them I have a hard time putting them away, even whe..."

I have that exact same problem. One book that I read - I read most of the day and stayed up until about 6 AM to finish. Luckily it was a Saturday into a Sunday.

Once I started a book @ 6:00 pm on a Thursday between dinner, a movie with my husband and a late night snack; I read it until 5:30 am the next morning. Only got 4.5 hrs. of sleep that night. So that would make it 11.5 hrs. without sleep. The book was "First Drop of Crimson" by Jeaniene Frost.

I will fall asleep if I read in bed about 60% the time. If the book is boring (ie: school mandated), make that 100%.

I read at my computer chair these days (with the computer off or asleep, of course) and I have a better chance of staying awake when I do so. If I'm not tired I can read for hours on end. But I like to take breaks sometimes.

Sonya wrote: "I used to read for hours also but my glasses need adjusting."

getting my new glasses mon.

I like to read before sleep, but since my days begin at 3:30 a.m., I tend to get in about 15-20 minutes. I do take my Kindle to the gym and read while on the treadmill, so there's about 45 minutes more.

depends on the book, sometimes I get to into a book and I cant sleep if I dont finish it, with Feed I tried to go to sleep but woke up an hour later and just read through till I finished.

I usually always read before bed, so if I get caught up in a book, well lets say Im not very mentally present at work the next day haha

If I haven't slept for 24 hours and am exhausted, then I can't really read. But usually if the book is good enough hours at a time till it's done sometimes.

Gosh, this really depends. Obviously, I can read longer if I am not tired. However, a really good book is the best way to ward off the Sandman! I have never really timed myself...but I have gotten up in the morning and started reading only to look up and realize that I not only skipped breakfast, but lunch as well. When the 6th Harry Potter book came out I got home from work in the evening and read the entire book straight through...the sun was getting ready to rise when I finished. The book makes a difference!

I never fall asleep while reading. If I feel tiredness setting in, I finish my chapter and safely set my book aside. I always worry that I'll bend my pages or break the spine if I leave it open!

thirty-six and a half hours; if the coffee flows freely, the food keeps coming and the story is engaging.

Thom wrote: "thirty-six and a half hours; if the coffee flows freely, the food keeps coming and the story is engaging."

Wow, just wow! That is amazing and makes me very jealous.