Thread: A thinker’s question. How do you read?

Combination of ingredients. It depends a lot on the quality of the writing in the book. (If it is historical (fiction or non-fiction) the historical references had better be spot on or I will literally throw the book in a corner.) If the writing is engrossing and well-constructed, I have been known to sit up all night reading until I finish. And yet, there have been times when I might be reading two or three books at once and read this one while I'm downstairs in the tv room, that one in bed, and another one may be laying in wait beside the sofa in the living room. But, again, if it's not well written or does not have an engrossing plot or good writing (yes, that is a purely subjective thing) or something to engage my imagination, I won't finish reading it.

An odd quirk of mine. I hate buying books (particularly hard backs) if I don't know I will enjoy them so I usually will get them at the library and, if I really enjoy the read, I will buy a copy for my personal library.

garza: As regards Bolero, I suggest you go with Dave Clark and 'Take Five'.

When it comes to that, garza, I think I'll stick with Dave Brubeck.

I try to read pretty fast because I have a lot to read, but I will try and pay attention to the book as I read in order to enjoy it thoroughly. I read several books at once, but I do not have a problem going between them. If a plot pulls me in, then I will focus on only that book until it is done, then move on to the others. I am listening to a lecture series on the Art of Reading and it has some interesting points about the authors themselves and the narration used. I look forward to applying it as I read novels and certain nonfiction.

Great question!

Li Li

I read pretty fast, both because I am a fast reader, and because I like to know what happens. I've never found this inhibits my enjoyment of a book. I tend not to read things twice nowadays, since I have so much to do, but when I did, there was only a very tiny percentage that I missed the first time.

A readers question. How do you think?

I read much like Mike. Very rarely am I just reading one book. Currently, I have a four or five books in the works . . . one that I started four years ago. A page here, a page there. I tend to write the same way though. I'll start a number of stories and may not finish them for a while, though usually not four years. Well, there is the one that I just can't seem to figure out how to finish. . .

I read cover to cover, going back only if I didn't catch something the first time or if a passage is particularly note-worthy.
Reasons I might go back: prose was confusing. I forgot who a particular named character is (I have a problem with names). I suspect I've found an inconsistency. I want to see how the writer set-up/foreshadowed something. Etc.

As a former psych-major: have you identified any links between reading style and writing "skill"?

(also, you might want to change "writing skill" to "writing style" to avoid sounding pejorative. just a thought.)

I have some reading issues, and although I've mostly overcome them, it's slow going. I have to backtrack and reread fairly often. Plus, I'm easily distracted. If it's late and the kids are in bed, the wife is otherwise occupied, the phone has stopped ringing and the emails aren't coming, I can get in a few chapters. If there's a gap between reading sessions, I have to backtrack and refresh my memory. All that considered, it takes me forever to read a novel. Sometimes weeks.

Originally Posted by garza

Ox - As regards Bolero, I suggest you go with Dave Clark and 'Take Five'.

That's Dave Brubeck. That's an easy mistake to make by word association, though. There's a band called The Dave Clark Five, a "British Invasion" group.

Originally Posted by LadyT

As a former psych-major: have you identified any links between reading style and writing "skill"?

(also, you might want to change "writing skill" to "writing style" to avoid sounding pejorative. just a thought.)

If you're addressing me, that isn't the precise wording of my post. You've twisted the meaning.

I read fast but carefully. I don't miss anything. I'll underline parts I love just so I can find them again or share them with someone. A really absorbing book I can read in a few days. I take three on holiday, at least.

The precise wording was: "The reason for my question is a further question, about what ‘that type of reading’ might signify, in terms of one’s writing skills."

To question someone's "writing skills" suggested you are questioning their skill. To question their "writing style" is something completely different.

I'm not trying to argue with you, I'm just pointing out that it can be construed in a way other than you may have intended it.

Would it be easier to understand what I meant if I said the post was inward- rather than outward-looking?

Not necessarily - I have a general idea of what you're getting at. But perhaps if you expound on what you mean by skill - i.e. "I'm wondering if people who read cover-to-cover write in x fashion whereas those who read and re-read write in y fashion..." Otherwise if you leave it at "skill" it MIGHT be construed as if you are wondering if people who read in one fashion are less skilled as writers than those who read in a different fashion.

At any rate, I am genuinely interested in your hypothesis, and your results!

The "otherwise", as it refers to this little black duck, is exactly what I meant.

If the book has a lot of dialog along with a good amount of action, I might have to go back and reread a paragraph or two. I wouldn't say that I do it all the time, mostly I read straight through. However, that might be why I have to go back and reread something I missed, realizing it later I'll say, "Okay, why did this happen".

I read quickly, but I also think and speak quickly. I don't think before I speak, I literally just speak. When someone says something to me, I can immediately form a response, and I think that has a lot to do with how I read. It depends on your imagination, and the writer. For example, I cannot read a Terry Pratchett book quickly. I'm always going back, sometimes hundreds of pages and re-reading lines. In general I read quickly, but some authors break that.

Sometimes when I'm reading, something that happens in the book can trigger off a memory and cause me to stop reading altogether. So say a new character is introduced and their name is the same as my best friend, I'll suddenly start thinking about them and have to re-read the whole page after my little thought has ceased. Sometimes I read, and nothing is sinking in. I don't realize it, but it can last for two pages and really ruin the mood.

Outside noise has no effect on my reading, but smell does. If there is a word I don't know, I may look in the dictionary before continuing but that is simply lack of experience. I'm keen to see if it has an effect on writing.

Good luck, hope you plan on exploring it further.