Do you speed read?

I don't speed read, but I speed listen a book a week. I think you can train yourself. I can listen up to x2 speed with no issues whatsoever. Have you tried Audible/scribd?

It's a habit that's been developed over time and I also wondered the same as you in the past as I LOVED the idea of reading lots but just wasn't managing it. I remember finding out people read a couple of books a week and was like how is that even possible?

If you look at my goodreads reading challenges over the year you'll see it was a habit I developed over time. 5 years ago me reaching 15 books was a massive achievement. The next year I read 25 or so and each year it's increased, including some pretty hefty books.

I just did a masters degree over two years that involved a LOT of research papers. The reading was more than I ever expected but I just had to get on and suddenly last year whilst finishing my masters I also read 63 books alongside all the academic reading ... I am certain this constant effort of daily reading has increased my speed. I fly through pages now without thought. I've finished 3 books in Jan and have 3 on the go now.

Basically build up a daily habit. The more you read the easier you'll find reading.

I read really fast. Have a massively hard time remaining patient when others are still reading text that I’ve finished in a fraction of the time and I’m itching to discuss it.

@forcedfun
@CrumblyCrimble

I remember my parents threatening to confiscate books. It was actually like a compulsion a bit. I used to hide them under my mattress and then desperately try to read in the dark.

I had lots of books I read many times.

It was really hard not to read a book hidden in my lap or to stealthily read ahead in a textbook at school when I was bored.

I could lose myself in a book and go into sort of a trance. Luckily I turned out OK (I think).

Posted too soon. I don’t have an inner voice either, so I neither picture things as I’m going along, nor need to audibly hear the words in my head.

I’m curious as to whether this is also true with other speed readers?

I read quickly, although not as quick as some here. I also have aphantasia.

@LoveFall DS and I have to read all the time too. We once nipped out for a quick drs appointment and he took about 3 books with him and I had two in my handbag

I'm just a fast reader.
I do sometimes speed read things for work and I know what you mean - quickly scanning rather than digesting every word.

But no, I can read very quick and enjoy and absorb all the language and meaning. I was a fast reader anyway but it is also a vital skill for my job

I visualise while I read- I have hyperphantasia and a very visual way of thinking about things so I can remember details about a book once I've read it.

I dont skim or miss anything out.

But I don't have to sound out each word. I usually dislike audio books because the information comes at me too slowly.

I've read 4 books so far this year and remember everything about the fiction ones and most bits that were in the academic ones.

I read about 50 books a year, less than I used to as I get tired quicker reading a kindle with the lights out.

I know someone who works full time but often reads a book a day. You should see the speed she turns the pages, you can question her about it too but she obviously reads and takes it in as she can answer correctly. It's unreal.

• few and far between

I’ma slow reader too op. It’s seems we’re free and far better on mn, which makes me wonder whether those who think they are fast readers are just average speed readers.

I have just tried to read the posts on this thread fast as a test to myself. I could do it, but I felt my breathing going fast too! Like I was being rushed. I didn’t like it! So I’ll stick to slow reading 😀

Everyone is "how did you learn to read so fast and so early" and my dad is like "er. Dunno?"
They read to me a lot as a baby and I had flash cards up in my room but I could read by 3-4, Enid blyton type stuff. I do feel I missed out on some stuff though like the childrens books that I never read

I think reading speed just naturally varies from one person to another. I don’t read much nowadays but I have always been a very quick reader. My ex would often not believe that I had read things properly and would then feel the need to ‘test’ me but it never worked. I would easily be able to read most books within a few hours eg an evening curled up in bed, if the book gripped me. Never seen the need to speed read
I was an early reader too and wonder if this makes a difference. My mum taught me to read simple books before I went to school and my reading was always very advanced for my age. The top levels were always too easy so I would be given other books instead.

@MaybeHeIsMyCat

Should add I usually read around a book a day I can't stand being read to, or audio books it's infuriating when I can read it in half the time. I also have to have subtitles on the TV

My mum used to not believe that I read every word as I used to get through books so quickly as a child/teen but I do, and I read left to right too (ie I don't take it in as chunks, I literally read every word). It freaks my DH out to watch me read as my eyes move so quickly.

I don't get as much time to read these days but I've just read a new book today on my phone in between kids' activities so I haven't lost the ability to read quickly!

Oh and I speed up audio books to between x1.4 and x1.8, as I find most of the narrators really slow. So I "listen" fast too!

@Pedalpushers what you describe is exactly like me and DH. I can't believe how long it takes him and he can't believe how quickly I read.

I read 61 books last year, most years it's more like 40-50. I just read really fast, but I don't skim or miss bits, I read every word. I can't imagine only reading a couple of books a year.

I read fast (realised this at work, was a total bookworm until age 12+) & nowadays I skim read -- I skip sex scenes, long descriptions, emotional angsting, details of battles* or physical attacks, etc. It's common I read first 3 chapters, then skip to the end & then if I'm interested in the 'how' I'll skip backwards and around to pick up key plot twist moments. There are so many books where I truly miss nothing with skim reading

*LOTR is especially dull

Thursday night I skim read The Sanatorium in about 2 hrs, coz honestly, It didn't deserve more of my time

Last night I started & this afternoon finished Ariadne -- mostly didn't skim read. Can recommend, esp. if you're not too familar with Greek myths

Today got half thru NomadLand - skimming maybe 10%

That's the most binge reading I've done in about 5 years!

It's a very rare book I read 'every word'

I'm sure my bathrooms need scrubbing...