How often do you read books?

[pentangles]

I love books, and tend to think that the typical human lifespan would never allow me enough time to read all of the books I'd like to.

That said, I have slipped out of the habit, thanks to the internet, and do most of my reading on there. But it isn't the same at all. I challenged myself to read a book of Virginia Woolf's short stories recently and wow did it feel different! It affected my mind, attention and thought processes in a completely different way to online reading. All positive! I ought to have known better, as a life long lover of books, but it seems the internet has taken me over a good bit.

I so want to get back into the habit, yet I still have a pile waiting, and can't quite get my head around why I don't delve in. WTF?? This used to be my most cherished pastime. I feel a sort of resentment that something scuppered it. Anyone relate?

I am completely the same. I used to read all the time but do it so much less now and when I do, my concentration is not nearly as good. I’m spending too much time scrolling through my phone and realise I need to drastically cut this down (but look, I’m still here). I’m joining a book club in the hope this motivates me.

I had exactly this experience. I used to have several books on the go, but it all got wiped out for a phone. So I signed up to Goodreads in January, with my stepmum and friend who are also avid readers. Challenged ourselves to 50 books this year (including audiobooks, but no more than 50%), and it's worked a treat. I'm powering through books, and have the community around me to recommend books that I had at university.

My tactics are as follows. Resist buying too many books, as it'll overwhelm me. Condition for buying a new book is finishing the last. The odd exceptions are okay, it's guidelines that I mostly stick to. I pace myself too, comitting to little and regular around life, but sometimes really caught up & feel the urge to commit more time & finish quicker.

Between IT books and leisure I'm probably averaging 1 to 2 books a month but that's not a target. It's a kind of finger in the air estimate.

I'm a nerd of sorts I like tactics to establish or maintain hsbbits that are difficult for me to establish or maintain

I am ashamed, used to get through so many per month, and not because I felt I ought to, but because it made me so happy. it is a feeling unlike any other. I love reading online, but it is simply.....different.
Glad I'm not alone though.

It is definitely a mind quirk, or, if we are honest, the internet is something of an addiction. Who can blame us? It's wonderful! It has also affected DP, he loves video's and we can sink so far into stuff it is embarrassing. On MN I often find we are usually of a similar generation, and I wonder how we can recapture that 'thing'?

How can I love something so much and ignore it????

I read books every day. I have a wishlist for both kindle & Kobo & buy books as soon as they come out. I have nearly 500 books on my Kobo, 200 on my Kindle & use Kindle unlimited every month. I spend around £50 a month on books.

Come and join us on the 50 book thread OP. It's a great incentive to read more!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/what_were_reading/5081797-50-books-challenge-2024-part-five?page=1

I was a big reader as a teenager but hadn't read regularly for years and years. It was my new years resolution this year to read more..so far I'm on book 40! The 50 books thread is great for inspiration and accountability, I love having a book always on the go.

I read everyday, physical books, or my Kindle. I am totally lost if I have nothing to read.

Really wish I could comprehend whether, when you say reading online you mean books or just internet scrolling and MN, @pentangles?

As a formerly voracious reader I definitely resent the time wasted over the past twenty years as I’ve become increasingly addicted to the phone glued to my palm - but I try to lean into it by at least starting books on my phone kindle. Sometimes I go on to order the physical book, sometimes I read the whole thing online. The latter is maybe less satisfying, but it’s better than nothing.

And all too often, no matter how much I think I want to read something, if I order it cold, so to speak, without having begun online, the book sits ignored for months or years once it arrives. So I just have to accept that internet dependency has changed my brain - though I think not fundamentally. If I found myself on a desert island with no Internet but a limitless library I don’t think it would take very long for me to plunge wholeheartedly back into paper and ink.

I set myself a challenge every year on goodreads to read a certain amount books like 2 a month. I always stick to it & reach the goal but find myself having to force myself to read like it's a chore. Maybe it's the type of books I'm reading that are not keeping me engaged.

I read daily
Kindle and real live books too

I think I'm you op and sad about that.
I need pockets of space to relearn the habit but I don't have any, hopefully this will change when life calms down (currently very overloaded)

I read every day. I don't really have any other hobbies as I suffer from bad mobility so reading is really one of my only joys!

I have kindle unlimited too so I have loads of choice when I'm finished. I do have lots of actual books as well. But I struggle unless sat downstairs holding them for a long time.

We should start a book club!

I'm probably the opposite. At the start of last year I made a promise to myself to read more. I didn't read books at all, spent my time on my phone, if I did read it would be on my phone. So I felt this wasn't good for me or a good example to set to DD.

I started a reading challenge and now I read every day. I have my book with me wherever I go. It's my new passion! I love secondhand bookshops. I love that my friends and I now exchange books. It's great!

I read around 2 to 3 books a week via kindle. I hammer my unlimited account and it's saved me loads. I've always been a voracious reader.

I read almost every day, but exclusively on my Kindle or kindle app on the phone. I sometimes miss physical books but the kindle is so much easier and I'm used to it now. Some days it's only 5 minutes before bed but I try not to miss too many days as I really feel it when I do. I love how it syncs across both devices so I always have a book to hand when I want one.

Why on earth do you feel 'ashamed' Op?? Nobody cares enough about books to judge you! It's just books 🤷‍♀️

I relate completely. Just a few more minutes on Mumsnet and then, honestly, I'll read a proper book while I eat my toast.
I like listening to an audiobook but it isn't the same as holding a book in your hands and taking in every word.

I read almost daily. Average of a book or sometimes two a week. I read on the Tube, before bed, sometimes even when cooking. My DC are grown though.

Have you tried audio books?

I read a lot. I am in a bookclub but also read a lot of other stuff. I also listen to audiobooks too.

Same.

They’re mostly on my Kindle nowadays, and I use a lot of the 99p offers (only well known authors) from Amazon - I read far too much and too quickly to pay full price. I do also buy from charity shops though, with just the odd new buy.

I would go mad if I had nothing to read (as in a book, I mean).

I used to always read books in the evening, I'm a single mum of 4 and I usually do when they are all in bed. But these days I'm soo tired I go to bed when they are all finally asleep 🤣😩

Come and join us on the 50 Book Challenge for book chat @pentangles 50 not compulsory

Ah! I see Tara beat me to it ! We are a welcoming bunch