Has anyone else lost their attention span?

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I used to love to read. I would have 3 or more books on the go sometimes. I would reread books again and again. Anytime I had money to spare it would go straight to the bookshop. I also read on kindle so it wasn't just a corporeal book thing. However nowadays I just can't settle to it electronically or physically. Has anyone else had this and if so how did you get your reading mojo back?

The problem is that I’m interested in everything! If I hear something, I’ll just want to google it and find more info about it.
It can be anything - best recipe for a stew, ethics discussions on self driving cars, royal family scandal, a book challenge for reading around the world, seriously, anything.
I started reading last night then I found myself distracted by something that happened in the book and I reached for my phone to find out a bit more about the main characters culture.
It’s a bit ridiculous that I just can’t focus anymore.
I read for about 15 minutes last night and will aim for 30 minutes tonight.

Totally grasshopper curiosity! The other day I was revisiting Hornblower, an old favourite, and I ended up on Google Maps trying to find Marmorice Bay and work out the route Atropos took to escape with the bullion. I never did get back to the book.

Same here. I used to love reading. So many books that were on my read list.
I havent read an entire book in years.
My problem is gaming though

I'd like to bring the love back really. DC1 is the same, now just games instead of reading.
Luckily other DC still enjoy it alot.

I'm exactly the same! I always used to have my head in a book and felt bereft when I had finished a good one. Now I simply cannot get gripped! I'm sure smartphones are to blame...instant access to information and mindless browsing. It is easy to see how are children are no longer readers. In a minute I'm going to stop mumsnetting and find the book I'm supposed to be reading......

I've tried the making myself read thing though. Unfortunately, it resulted in me pushing myself to finish books that I really didn't enjoy. Which had been in response to me being a butterfly, downloading free samples and then giving up and moving to something else. Can't seem to get it right! I miss being totally lost & involved & transported by a book.

I'm the same. For me it's since having DC, for the first year or so I didn't have a smartphone so I'm not sure that's the reason. Now I can only concentrate long enough to read children's books or very easy reading I also seem to have lost my entire memory. I was doing a PhD whilst pregnant. I couldn't even explain the basics of my subject area to you now.

I've just seen there is a typo in my title I will report it.

This happened to me over the course of a year or so. Then I discovered I need reading glasses! Now that I’ve got those I’m back to reading as much as ever. (When I can find them ) So worth having your eyes checked if you haven’t already.

And me. I read a grand total of 2 books in 2019. I used to be such a bookworm.

I don't know whether it's me getting older or just the effects of too much social media.

I've set myself a goal to do 20 in 2020 and I've got 2 I'm really keen to read lined up so hopefully once I get into the habit of it I'll do it more. Also want to try and use my local library too. My friend works there and they are at risk of closure.

Same. A few years ago I read on the train and got through about 20 books that year (a lot for me). And, then one day, I looked at my phone on the train instead of a book and it all just declined. I blame the madness of the news - can't switch it off. But, I don't want to be someone who doesn't know what's going on.

With me I hit peri menopause and that was it. Zero attention span. Went from 3 books on the go finishing one in a week to 3 books a year.

As I’m coming through it concentration getting better.

My eyesight is dreadful I am getting tested on wednesday so will see if having glasses makes a difference.

I am still plugging away with my book I just have to remind myself to go to it rather than my phone.
I think I read one book last year the testaments.

I have 4 dc 3 of whom were massive readers who were fluent early on and read for fun. However the youngest dc whilst not struggling hasn't picked it up as fast as the others and I think that is because they dont see it as often as the others did. If that makes sense

I suspect you’ll find a massive difference with glasses. My prescription is only mild but it’s made me enjoy reading again - and also not dread driving longer distances, which had started to give me headaches.

And yes, kids who see parents read for pleasure are much more likely to become bookworms.

A pacey and exciting thriller might help some of you to get back into the rhythm of reading - I can recommend Gone Girl, Apple Tree Yard, I Let You Go, Girl on the Train, and Notes on a Scandal. A few people on the 50 Books thread have enjoyed The Hunting Party and Lie With Me.

Thanks @southeastdweller. I’ve read most of those. You’re right that I did manage to get back into reading with those but as soon as I try something else, it becomes a struggle again.
I’ll try The Hunting Party.

I have read TWO BOOKS IN THREE DAYS

It can be done. You just have to set the time aside and turn off the phone.

update : I've started leaving my phone downstairs to charge. Bought a cheap alarm clock to use by my bed. So now I go upstairs, my phone isn't with me and I read for 30 mins before bed. It has really worked so I recommend the tactic to anyone else who struggles to ditch the phone and pick up the book!

I have had the same experience as most of you. I cannot believe what having a smartphone has done for my concentration. I no longer feel absorbed in a book, or a film or tv programmes for that matter. I flit constantly and struggle with concentration.

I am working really hard to get back into reading. I am going to bed earlier and using the time for books. No phone allowed in bed. It has made a big difference and I am definitely getting back to being lost in the story sometimes.

You definitely need a really gripping read to get back in to it, plus some rules to make you have a good go. I have abandoned several books that I just couldn't get in to in favour of page turners to helps me stay focussed.

'This is Going to Hurt' by Adam Kay and Louis Theroux's autobiography kept me interested, as did Dolly Alderton's. Non - fiction is a bit easier to dip into in short bursts I find.

I've recently enjoyed books by Lisa Jewell, Liane Moriarty and Jane Fallon - all had good believable characters that helped me stick with it.

I feel like I'm on the road to recovery!

One thing it has made me really wary of is allowing my dc access to phones. Mine are too young at present but seeing what has happened to my formed brain with smartphones, it is terrifying to think what could happen to a young brain's attention span!

I've ordered the book 'How to break up with your phone'.

Yes, i have been really struggling to get into books this last while,

Definitely me, I was an avid reader. I would read anything,books,magazines, newspapers. I ask for a book every Christmas, the buggers are all stacked up waiting to be read!Now I can't be arsed to read anything. No concentration at all. I blame the menopause. Saying that I can spend hours on social media. Go figure eh?

I love reading but haven't done much recently.
I like to binge - read a book in a day or two but will only enjoy it in one of two places - in the garden or lying on the conservatory sofa.
It is too cold/windy/wet to read for long outside and my conservatory has become furniture makeover central.
Roll on warm spring!

I got an app called Bookly to help with this. It times Reading Sessions and gives prompts.

I paid for the Pro version but notice no real added advantages from the free one other than listing as many books as you want.

I’m 47 and can definitely relate to this & I hate it... so why don’t I change it?
I blame menopause (a little) & internet (a lot).

I can still read on holiday with no WiFi, I read & really enjoyed 2.5 books on a 9 day (sunny) break over Christmas... haven’t touched the other 1/2 since I got back though. I moved my kindle to the sofa arm the other day but still haven’t touched it.

With me I think it's phone distraction too. I used to read loads. I had a recent work trip with no internet and got through 6 or 7 books in two weeks. Will try kindkylie's no phone in bed rule i think. Like her it makes me wary of dc and tech. I should really lead by example and make sure they see me reading.