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Original poster

Do you speed read?

87 replies

CrumblyCrimble · 08/01/2022 18:42

I'm a very slow reader. It can take me 3 to 6 months to finish a normal length novel. I honestly only manage about two books a year.
Granted I don't make a lot of time for leisure reading.
I'm intrigued by people who get through 50 books a year, and stay on top of the latest biographies and diversity reading. I'm slightly envious. I'm wondering whether people are just speed reading everything? I savour the language in books, reread enjoyable passages and take my time.
If you are one of the people who gets through many books, do you really read every single word or do you sometimes skip over bits to focus on taking in the key messages and narrative?

OP posts:
Original poster
CrumblyCrimble · 08/01/2022 23:33

@LoveFall

I feel like I was born reading fast. I devoured books as a child. I would read basically all the time if I could. Even cereal boxes.

My parents had an awful time getting me ready for things as I would read while dressing, brushing my teeth etc.

I means I read quickly but I do sometimes miss things. It makes proofreading difficult actually.

My DD is like this. It's infuriating. Brilliant, but completely infuriating. I have to confiscate her books as punishment sometimes ( but there are always more squirrelled away under every piece of furniture and in every conceivable corner)
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forcedfun · 08/01/2022 23:34

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

forcedfun · 08/01/2022 23:35

@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 Grin

Original poster
CrumblyCrimble · 08/01/2022 23:37

@1990s

From talking to people about this there are two types of readers:

People who read each word “out loud” individually in their heads

People who look at a page, or a paragraph and the words just kind of go in, rather than reading each one.

I think it’s just what you’re born with to an extent, although it probably can be learned.

I think I do it "out loud" in my head for leisure reading. And then at work I'm definitely doing it in chunks. Can glance at a page and immediately hone in on the important bits. I'm a lawyer, so every word matters, but somehow the bits i need kind of jump out at me
OP posts:
Original poster
CrumblyCrimble · 08/01/2022 23:41

@lljkk the long descriptions, emotional angsting, details of battles are the BEST BITS!!

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Dogshark · 08/01/2022 23:47

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

Dogshark · 08/01/2022 23:48

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?

housemaus · 08/01/2022 23:49

@Pedalpushers

I've read 10 books so far this year. I do sometimes glaze over bits where I'm bored but I'm an exceptionally quick reader, my DH suggests my brain takes in whole sentences at a time as opposed to words. Whenever we are reading something at the same time he seems excruciatingly slow. Say there is a meme which is two lines of text and a picture, he will have to read it whereas I take it all in at once and know instantly what it says, if that makes sense? Whereas if he shows me something on his phone and doesn't keep his hand still, I can't comprehend a single word.
This has put into words exactly how I am! DH hates reading anything at the same time as me - a letter from the bank but mostly memes - because of it. It's part of the reason I can't get on with audiobooks - it feels so bloody slow compared to my usual pace of taking stories in.
LoveFall · 08/01/2022 23:51

@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).

ChocAuVin · 08/01/2022 23:55

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.

sociallydistained · 09/01/2022 00:03

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.

Franticbutterfly · 09/01/2022 00:36

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?

evilharpy · 09/01/2022 01:00

I wonder whether there's any correlation between fast reading and fast typing. I type at around 100wpm, used to be a bit quicker when I did audio typing in my job. I know touch typing is a skill that has to be learned/developed but does it come easier to people who are fast readers as they don't have to "think out" each individual letter?

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 09/01/2022 01:24

I type really fast. I did try and teach myself to touch type when I was young and had run out of computer games to try, but I'm not sure if I mostly picked it up over time.

I don't have to think much about which letters go in the word - it just sort of happens.

guardiansofthegalaxychocs · 09/01/2022 01:29

I read very quickly. From talking to others who read normally the main difference seems to be that they read the words individually in their head. Whereas I look at the page and then it instantly becomes the place, people, characters etc. I’m not saying the words in my head.
I can also read out loud whilst thinking about something totally unrelated and having had no idea what I just said! I only learnt I had this dubious skill when I had children and started doing longer bedtime chapter books.

WildImaginings · 09/01/2022 01:46

I read very quickly. The year before last I did keep a list to get an idea of how much I actually read and it was over 100 books.

It's bloody annoying sometimes and can be very expensive. I really struggle to slow my reading down- if I do try in an effort to savour the book I just get the feeling that I'm reading each line on repeat! Thank god for for kindles as books used to take up a LOT of room in my suitcase!
I reread books in the way I would rewatch films. Currently rereading Harry Potter as they're all on kindle unlimited.

Xmasgetaway · 09/01/2022 01:50

I’m a fast reader - can read a book in a day on holiday. I average a book every 3 days in normal life.
When I read a book I’m engaged in, I can see it, hear it, smell it, so I’m not skimming it. I’m just totally engrossed and waiting to discover what comes next, hence the fast reading.

We had almost no tv as a child, have gone years without one as an adult and read so much more before I discovered smart phones!

BluebellsareBlue · 09/01/2022 02:56

I am the same as @WhatDidISayAlan I am so desperate to know what happens that I speed read but even so, if you ask me what the last chapter is about I could probably tell you almost word for word. When we could (!) we holiday in Orlando every year for two weeks, it's a busy, busy holiday but I will still read a minimum of two books in that time. I LOVE reading! DP bought me the new John Grisham in hardback for Xmas,!it was finished by the day after Boxing Day! I love to be lost in the imagination of others and I picture every single written word

whywouldntyou · 09/01/2022 03:15

@QueenMabby

I’m a fast reader but do read every word. Over 100 books a year usually. Mostly from the library obviously! The one thing I would say though is that I don’t retain memory about a book unless I’ve read it multiple times. I can re-read murder mysteries a couple of times for example as I can never remember whodunnit! DH reads much slower than me but retains detailed knowledge about each book.
This is exactly the same as me! I buy books from charity shops and do own a few 'sets' of specific authors which I can re read after a couple of years and not remember the story.
WhistlersandJugglers · 09/01/2022 10:02

When I'm reading I visualise and I have a good memory for what I've read because of that. I remember books in the same sort of way that I remember films. I also have a good memory for facts and lists.
I don't have a good memory for thing I just hear though. If the kids told to to buy something on the way home from work I'd be likely to forget. But if I make a shopping list I don't need to take the actual list with me-I'd just be able to see the list in my mind's eye.

Roominmyhouse · 09/01/2022 10:04

@WhatDidISayAlan

I do speed read - I unconsciously developed the skill when I was little (my mum taught me to read early) and I wanted to find out what happened at the end of a story because I was impatient.

It’s a pain in the bum. I have to really concentrate to read at a normal pace to savour the choice of words otherwise I’d just zip through to the end. I’d know the story, and what happened at the conclusion, but I’d miss out on all the little nuances.

This is me exactly. I’m a very fast reader but I’d like not to be! I have to try and slow myself down but it’s hard. I do feel like I miss out a bit because of it.
Hawkins001 · 09/01/2022 10:05

I usually slow read but when needed I try skimming, it varies on the purpose of the text

DwangelaForever · 09/01/2022 10:06

I read 52 books a year and don't speed read I just set aside time every day to read, usually before bed!

Hawkins001 · 09/01/2022 10:06

Evelyn Nielsen Wood (January 8, 1909 – August 26, 1995) was an American educator and businessperson, widely known for popularizing speed reading,

May help as she created a speed reading course

StCharlotte · 09/01/2022 10:11

@WhatDidISayAlan

I do speed read - I unconsciously developed the skill when I was little (my mum taught me to read early) and I wanted to find out what happened at the end of a story because I was impatient.

It’s a pain in the bum. I have to really concentrate to read at a normal pace to savour the choice of words otherwise I’d just zip through to the end. I’d know the story, and what happened at the conclusion, but I’d miss out on all the little nuances.

Then again, it means I can re-read books I've enjoyed because I've genuinely forgotten what happens Smile