Comments on: Confession of a slow reader

By: NJ

NJ — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 21:54:39 +0000

Bwah! I feel your pain!

I’m a medical student, and a VERY SLOW READER. So everyday I go home and look at the mountain of reading I have to do, and go, “Shit. This is never going to happen.”

And, of course, there is the inevitable falling behind in reading, which makes a person even less motivated when looking at the giant stack of notes.

I always tell myself that the speed at which I read has nothing to do with my comprehension. In fact, because I subvocalize, I think I have better retention that a great many of my colleagues. I remember books almost as conversations, which are a hell of a lot harder to forget than blips on a page.

Anyway, thanks for posting. It was nice to know I’m not the only person with this issue.

By: Charlie Hills

Charlie Hills — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:08:30 +0000

Speaking of books, I just happened to run across a review of mine. And guess what: your book got a free ride at the end of the review!

Hopefully this pastes:

http://www.examiner.com/x-562-Book-Examiner~y2008m11d7-Review-of-Why-Your-Last-Diet-Failed-You-And-How-This-Book-Wont-Help-You-On-Your-Next-One

I’m a slow reader too. On the one hand, there’s the small time I get to devote to it. But I’m almost always reading several books at once, which tends to slow things down too.

Charlie

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:10:47 +0000

I’m sure enjoying this discussion. I think I’m a slow reader, also, but am finding encouragement here to read for pleasure! I’ve also been thinking lately that I eat too quickly, and don’t enjoy the food as much as I could. These are kind of parallels, no?

I find I don’t care for very long, dense books, because I’m not sure I want to make the time investment (but I have read the entire HP series…they’re not too difficult). Besides quicker, “lighter” books, my solution is short stories. I usually buy the “Best American Short Stories (year)” (some of those still take two nights bedtime reading), and even subscribe to a short story magazine.

Still, I dream of a “reading weekend” with no distractions…including this computer!

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:10:21 +0000

lol, why on earth would you want to read an entire book in one night? That doesn’t sound very enjoyable. While I’ve done it on a few occasions, it wasn’t done over the course of a few hours, but involved staying up into the wee hours of the morning because I couldn’t sleep until I knew how it ended.

I prefer taking my time with a novel, each new book a relationship that develops over time. I might read 100 or so pages a day, depending on the size of the font and page.

It took me 3 days to devour your lovely book.

Enjoy reading! It’s not a race. :)

By: Liz

Liz — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:35:09 +0000

Wow PQ – you introduced me to a new term: subvocalize. It has never ocurred to me that there is any way to read in my head that didn’t include mentally hearing each word pronounced. I’ve tried reading faster, and I can actually read faster, but inevitably I lose some of the words and meanings because I don’t have time to mentally annunciate each word.

I’ve never minded or anything – I am just thankful that I enjoy reading so much. Knowing how to read well, and enjoying it opens up worlds of information and I enjoy that.

And, I love Harry Potter. I have all 7 and have read them all cover to cover. :)

By: susan

susan — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:29:02 +0000

I don’t think that seems too slow. Have you ever tried books on tape? You can download them right to your Ipod and listen at the gym. I get sucked in and actually want to stay on the treadmill until the chapter is finished. Don’t be so hard on yourself. If you want a quick read, seriously, read “The Paper Bag Christmas.” It’s very short and heartfelt.

By: Eliz

Eliz — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:22:53 +0000

Wow! I’m stunned because it seems as though you lifted that post directly from my head. I completely relate.

By: PastaQueen

PastaQueen — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:16:02 +0000

@Bella – And that you finish it. There were, um, some books I never finished reading in college honors class. A lot of books. Faked my way through it anyway though.

By: Bella

Bella — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:07:55 +0000

As a high school English teacher, I can tell you that it makes no difference how fast or slowly you read. All that matters is that you understand what you’re reading.

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:54:19 +0000

I feel your pain. The only time I have to pick up a book is right before bed. I usually pass out about 5 pages in. I think *your* book was the quickest one I’ve read lately, and it still took me a couple of weeks. I used to be voracious when I was younger.