To ask how do couples read a book together

[chocowoko]

Is it to read one book together or to read together but different books?

Sorry for being a bit clueless but therapist asked us to read a book together as a couple exercise. Anyone ever did that or know how two people can read one book together? Or any tips for this exercise?

Thanks

We read aloud to each other. Just finished 'a year in provence' which is laugh out loud funny. It's a nice slow alternative to Netflix and one of us often falls asleep while the other reads!

Ps we both have nice reading voices! And I don't think it's a weird thing at all.

In circumstances where it seems odd to read aloud eg train journeys we sometime just read the same book over each other's shoulders and check with the other person if they are ready for a page turn.

We also enjoy audio books on long journeys. Hope that helps!

Ignore the joshing - each to their own.

We listen to audiobooks together when we are driving in to work (separate cars) xx

@LonginesPrime, I am not sure why you are talking on behalf of others that - what they can see that you clearly can't. I think it's a bit arrogant to think that your opinion is a fact. Trust me you don't know what my problems.

Also, what you say apply to you too. Your post is revealing about yourself too. It's very angry. Please read back. I really don't understand why you got so offended over a thread which is not even related to you that you felt the need to tell me to chill the fuck out. Going by what you said, then nobody should come and post online to clarify anything after a therapy session.
You don't know the reason why therapist asked us to do this exercise, this was not about how to chill out. It was for bonding after a lot of resentment because of dh's easily irritable mood and angry outbursts. We ran out of time as he mentioned this exercise.

I asked in AIBU because there are plenty of threads on AIBU discussing serious issues and my question was simple if anyone reads a book with partner, if so how. It could have been even answered by someone never visited relationship board. This does not show I am controlling.

I am happy hearing that it may not be enjoyed by some couples. My complain was to extreme replies like - shudder, it would lead to divorce, facepalm.

I am going to get this thread deleted as there was a reason I came here to post this question, this thread is no longer serving that purpose.

But you asked AIBU? If I asked Do you like shepherd's pie? and half the people said no, I wouldn't get mad because I didn't want to know whether people liked shepherd's pie or not, but instead wanted to get tips on the recipe...

Thanks a lot @FriedasCarLoad, @bellinisurge, @Angliski for your replies.

I understand reading aloud may or may not work. We enjoy watching TV / movies together. There is no tv in the resort as it is eco-resort :)
'a year in provence' sounds like a lovely book. We like reading travel related stuff. I will get that even if we don't finish it as long as it helps us spend time bonding, it's worth it. I like the idea of board game as well. We do have a few at home and used to have fun playing them.

Thanks all to your messages.

@IrmaFayLear, you should read back thread and my response. I did not get upset over people having a different opinion.

OP, when I said chill the fuck out, I meant it as in 'come the fuck on, Bridget', not as in angrily jumping up and down shouting at you.

I just wouldn't post on AIBU if I were already feeling a bit vulnerable, that's all.

My dp doesn't read books, he's only interested in politics and sport. I am interested in the former but not to the extent he is. The latter I have zero interest in and forget anything he says after about three seconds.

I think it would be lovely to both read the same book and talk about it. I was talking to him last week about a bit in a book I was reading as it mentioned someone he knows.

He did pick up a book of mine to read recently but only got halfway through it, but we did talk about the bit he had read.

I think it would be a good binding exercise.

I'd say if you wanted to read our lots go for a book of short stories and do a whole one in one go as it gives you the full story to discuss and less pressure to carry on the next day.

*bonding

Never ceases to surprise me what people are surprised by. OP, I do this with DP a lot. We each have a copy and read at our own pace but have agreed milestones (eg end of chapter 5 by tomorrow...). We tend to take it in turn to suggest books and are willing to step outside our comfort zone a little with it. Then we watch the movie (if there is one), read a review of the book etc, and discuss it. It is no different to a book club, which seems to be accepted as a normal part of normal life.

My DH reads aloud to me, mostly at bedtime. I love it, and he enjoys it too.

@AudacityOfHope As for if marriage could withstand it: he read his way through the entire Chalet School series, over about three years; we're still together! He said he enjoyed it, but it was quite repetitive, and that so many characters in it were annoyingly perfect.

Snuggled up in his arms as he reads to you?

That's romantic, right?

I wish my husband read. He's not read a single book other than Biff, Chip and Kipper with the kids since we met 16 years ago.

What about a book like 'Desert Island Discs'? (Each of the 'castaways' tells you which 8 records, 1 book and a luxury item they would want to have with them if they were cast away on a desert island).

You each take a chapter (so read about a particular person's choices and why they made them) and then you can discuss the merits, or otherwise, of their choices.

Isn't it just a way of getting you to communicate better and, in discussing what you have read, express your views better and listen to the other partner's? It's a good exercise to see if you listen properly to each other, discuss without talking over each other or dominating the conversation or argue because you think you're always right.

@LonginesPrime

"OP, when I said chill the fuck out, I meant it as in 'come the fuck on, Bridget', not as in angrily jumping up and down shouting at you."
'Chill the fuck out' doesn't come across like that when written down. No-one can ascertain your tone, humour etc. I think most people would take it that you were being rude.

We sometimes read plays out loud. More often with 1, 2 or 3 of our kids too, but I can imagine doing that together with the right husband (not sure mine would want to). Otherwise, what about reading short stories, short essays, or a book of collected journalism out loud? What about Bill Bryson's "Notes from a Large Country" (funny short pieces of writing poking friendly fun at the US) or Orwell's collected essays and journalism? Or a collection of US and UK short stories written by different authors?

Reading out loud can be great if at least one person has a good reading voice. What about while the other person is driving or doing a craft project?

If you read a play with just 2 people, I would probably keep switching characters, unless you want to find a play or scenes with just 2 characters.

I sometimes read out bits of the paper in funny voices, does that count?

When my DH was confined to bed after a hip op for a while I read to him . He was getting bored with his tablet and the radio. My choice of book too - a Scandi noir thriller . He really enjoyed it. Unfortunately he wasn’t keen to return the favorites when I had an eye op and couldn’t see at all for 24 hours . I was lucky not to starve !

Thanks everyone. I already ordered 2 books on amazon this evening. Dh picked from my shortlisted list I made through your helpful ideas.

A Year in Provence

Travel Escapades: Adventures and upsets around the World

I like the idea of shirt stories and Scandi Thriller but dh and I both really liked these 2 travel memoirs. Thanks again. I have saved books suggested here in my excel file, might order them in future :)

*short stories

I would say you read some and then he reads some, out loud to each other. Sounds rather good to me, make sure it's a book with lots of atmosphere and finely drawn characters. I'd love to do that! Generally we adults don't except with children.

@TatianaLarina, I like your idea. Sometimes I read out loud sections of news to dh. He finds it cute.

@Rachelover60 thank you. Agreed. The books I bought seem to have a lots of atmosphere. We will take turns in reading. Sounds like a fun exercise

We are leaving in a day, so lots of packing now.

Thanks all.

This is a kind of travel book about a guy who moved to Spain. I enjoyed it:

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/173275/driving-over-lemons-by-chris-stewart/

If you like travel, have either of you read any Bill Bryson books? They're really interesting and laugh out loud funny in some places - his one about travelling around the UK is excellent, as is "A walk in the Woods".