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Original poster

For those who read a lot of books, how?

60 replies

bootygirl · 03/01/2017 09:41

I realised lately that I could read more if I stopped wasting hours on Facebook & boards!
Is that how people read so many books? I am also slow at reading too. Just curious how some people get through so many books.?

OP posts:
DodoRevival · 03/01/2017 12:52

Yes they are a thing - you can set a number of books to read in the year on Goodreads.

I do agree that some seem to view it as a task rather than pleasure (which is why I set mine low - or adjust it through the year!!).

I'm too easily distracted FatGreen to read vivaciously like you!! I'd love to be able to though

RebelRogue · 03/01/2017 12:57

I read fast. I also read on my kindle app so i take it with me in the bath,before bed,while i'm cooking etc. It also helps if it's a book that is really good so I'm completely lost in it and don't need any other distractions. I have been known to finish more than one book in a day .

Tarahumara · 03/01/2017 12:58

FatGreen it's not like that at all! Come on over to the 50 book challenge thread, it's filled with genuine book lovers sharing their enjoyment, and is a great source of recommendations.

SatsukiKusakabe · 03/01/2017 13:26

I'm on the 50 books threads for the recommendations and discussion - it is not a counting exercise at all, and it doesn't really matter how many anyone reads and everyone reviews each read, they are not just totted up.

If people read more than me I assume they have found more time, and more things they fancy reading, not that they are trying to read as many as possible for the sake of it!

I read more than a book a week most weeks last year and could tell you what I thought of all of them - I don't agree that reading quickly means reading without comprehension, any more than processing the words slowly equals a difficulty in understanding.my husband reads around half the amount I do, despite more regular reading time, because he is just slower. There are a couple of regulars on the books threads who read well over 100 and write very good reviews and recommendations based on each.

thebakerwithboobs · 03/01/2017 14:01

booty Audible is £7.99 per month although you can buy additional credits cheaper. However, you can have multiple users for the account-my son and sister use my account and you can listen at the same time. My sister just gives me half the money and we conflab on books to share. It will also sync with a Kindle so if you're reading it on your Kindle then go to listen to it it will jump to the right place and vice versa.

Chewbecca · 03/01/2017 14:12

Commuting to work by train & lots of holidays!

I don't actually read in the house much at all.

drspouse · 03/01/2017 14:14

I don't read a LOT, but I read in the bath, in bed (just briefly), and if DH has some boring sport on the telly I keep him company but read a book. Also, if I have a meeting that involves train travel I will sometimes deliberately travel early, read on the train, then work in a cafe, as I can't use screens on fast trains as it makes me sick.

fatowl · 03/01/2017 14:31

I have managed to increase my reading by actively scheduling myself reading time - that might be a bit OTT for some people, but my diary gets very full and I protect that time quite fiercely!
Also I carry my Kindle everywhere, so 10 mins in a waiting room etc - it all adds up.
Also listen to Audible while exercising and when driving

Original poster
bootygirl · 03/01/2017 14:41

Thanks guys.
dodo. I am on good reads. I set my challenge to 50 books I read approx 30 last year. But TBH I think I ll reduce it to 30 again.

I agree that it depends on the books you read how fast you are likely to get through them.

I do carry book with me & will read a few pages before I sleep at night.

I think I will be more disciplined with screen time too as I get more from reading.
Audible sounds good but I am taking part in the no book buying challenge at the moment. 🤔

OP posts:
RemusLupinsChristmasMovie · 03/01/2017 19:33

I read an awful lot of books each year as I'm naturally a very quick reader. I always have at least two books on the go, usually one fiction and one non-fiction and always at least one 'real' book and one on Kindle. I read for about 20 mins each way on the bus every day, and have a bath with a book, without fail, every night. I also read for twenty minutes or more in bed every night.

I rarely watch television, and I think that helps too.

Having said all that, I'd read a lot more if I didn't waste so much time on the internet!

Wex · 04/01/2017 16:35

I read very fast but I'd be terrible at proof reading as I whiz down the page I also waste too much time faffing online. I agree it depends what you read. I don't go for classics / literary works but equally I don't read children's books. When I look on some of the reading challenges it's surprising how many adults are reading books intended for children or young adults.

southeastdweller · 04/01/2017 22:46

Yes, some of us who read a lot do read kids books or YA but the main issue that seems to be common on this thread is simply making a lot of time to read. I have either my Kindle or a book with me virtually all the time and often put my phone on airplane mode so I'm not distracted by the net, most apps, and people trying to get in touch. It also saves on battery power and means I can still use it to check the time and read books on the Kindle app.

Cedar03 · 05/01/2017 09:59

I have a 2 hour commute on the train and read a lot then. I also read in the evenings and I don't spend much time on Facebook, etc.

I think that the reading challenge on here is more about getting ideas of books to read, finding out what other people are enjoying (or hating). I've picked up books that I wouldn't have read thanks to the threads over the last couple of years. You're only challenging yourself so it doesn't matter if you think you'll read 10 books in the year or 100 or more.

Abecedario · 05/01/2017 10:09

I counted the books I could remember reading last year (easier as most were kindle) and it was 28. Most of those on holidays. In years gone by it would have been treble that at least.

I love reading and books, I'm a very fast reader (though not particularly retentive which means I can enjoy rereading things because I've mostly forgotten them). However I'm terrible for faffing online or on my phone or playing the daft games on my phone and that has definitely stopped me reading as well as playing havoc with my concentration span. So I've joined the MN 50 book challenge not because reading is a chore or something I have to 'tick off' but because it's something I love that I've been neglecting and want to get back to.

wishing4sun · 05/01/2017 10:15

My New Years resolution was to watch less and read more, went to library yesterday and got a card and browsed for ages chose 2 books and aim to have read them in time for the take back date.
Any book recommendations gladly received.

Original poster
bootygirl · 05/01/2017 10:48

wishingforsun. Well done on joining your library! Our local libraries are under huge pressures to close. I ve been part of the public protests to keep them open. But they are on reduced open hours 😔

Yes as other posters have said I am definitively guilty of browsing MN, internet & face book. 😔
I have start reading at bed time even though it's just a few pages.

OP posts:
hefzi · 05/01/2017 13:06

I don't have a television, DC or a partner. I very rarely go out socially. I read very fast and love it beyond all good reason. But it's about the enjoyment you get from reading - don't be sucked in to targets and compulsory reading sessions: that's what primary school was for! Read as much as you are comfortable with, and you can take - and just enough that leads you wishing you could read more, not feeling all booked out Smile

FaFoutis · 05/01/2017 13:07

Insomnia

ListenIda · 05/01/2017 15:27

I must admit to not being one of life's natural sleepers, even when tired - I hate the bit after you turn out the light and are still awake - and it's not entirely unheard of for me to pick up a novel when I get into bed, and to just keep reading it until 3 or 4 am, or I finish it, whichever happens first. Despite knowing DS will be up at 6.30 like a chatty lark and that I have a day's work ahead of me...

bigkidsdidit · 05/01/2017 15:35

I get the bus to work so read 30 mins each way. Also at least an hour every evening - DC in bed by 7.30 and DH works very long hours so I'm alone.

sianihedgehog · 05/01/2017 15:36

I read ebooks on my phone. I'm also a fast reader. I've read three or four this week just by reading in bed, at lunch, etc.

aquariana · 06/01/2017 09:39

For me it is the same.. I used to read a lot but recently I don't find the energy and I spend too much time online. However during the holidays I started reading a book by Marion Zimmer Bradley again and I got so caught up that I cannot stop. I guess you just have to start again and then it won't let you go :)

Original poster
bootygirl · 06/01/2017 20:28

Well I finished the first book of the year. I am half way through another by reading it before bed. In small chunks. Half way through a re read. Both of these books are short.

For those who read on their phones do you have a larger screen (mine is an iphone with small memory & screen). Does audible take up a lot of storage?

OP posts:
Caprianna · 06/01/2017 20:30

I read on my commute on the tube and I travel on business a lot and spend time on flights/airports and alone in hotel rooms. I don't watch much TV but read instead.

thebakerwithboobs · 06/01/2017 20:33

With Audible, you can download what you're reading and then when you've read it, delete it from your device. If you want to read it again, just download it again (free, obviously) So I don't think the impact on storage is huge, or at least I haven't noticed it is.