I kind of do both. There are some books I race through and others I savor slowly. With the kids we usually read a chapter at a time and books can stretch over months. I never used to read that way before I started homeschool and it's become my favorite way to enjoy nonfiction and classic novels. But I've usually got a more contemporary novel going as well for fun and when I get caught up in the action I have a hard time being moderate. If it's a good enough book I might go back and re-read more slowly, but the first time through I'm racing to find out what happens next. Slow reading is definitely the way to absorb more from a book.
It's fascinating to hear things like this from fast readers such as yourself.
My whole life (well, since learning to read) I've been an excruciatingly slow reader. I remember crying in frustration about it as a girl, the fact that I loved reading but found it impossible to read faster than I did—and still do.
So I suppose in my case, audiobooks have helped me get through more books in more creative ways, while reading other physical books with my eyeballs at a slow pace.
That's so interesting, Haley. I don't usually listen to audiobooks because it's rarely quiet enough for me to do so, but lately I've been trying to have one audiobook ongoing as well as the physical books I'm reading. Currently, that audiobook is "Winters in the World: A Journey Through the Anglo-Saxon Year," which has led to me reading Aelfric's sermons online and trying to mine them for reprints for Hearth & Field! Funny how these things work.
thank you for this, Dixie. I read significantly fewer books this year than I did last year and I felt like a failure for a while. But a lot of the books I did read have very special experiential memories associated with them– reading Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell while newly postpartum – and I treasure those so much!
Great article. I’ve had one eyeball full of oil for the past month, so reading has been difficult. I really miss being able to enjoy a book.
I thought I'd never read again. Turns out it was a pause to create greater joy in reading. You'll get back to it!
I'm glad to hear the sugar turned out!
I also loved Grace Hamman's new book and it was a pleasure to sit with it instead of rushing through in one sitting.
It really was!
I absorb so much more with a slow reading approach. Otherwise I end a book and in a few months time forget half of it. Thanks for this!
It's a very different reading experience, isn't it?
I kind of do both. There are some books I race through and others I savor slowly. With the kids we usually read a chapter at a time and books can stretch over months. I never used to read that way before I started homeschool and it's become my favorite way to enjoy nonfiction and classic novels. But I've usually got a more contemporary novel going as well for fun and when I get caught up in the action I have a hard time being moderate. If it's a good enough book I might go back and re-read more slowly, but the first time through I'm racing to find out what happens next. Slow reading is definitely the way to absorb more from a book.
Sounds like two great ways to read!
I love this.
It's fascinating to hear things like this from fast readers such as yourself.
My whole life (well, since learning to read) I've been an excruciatingly slow reader. I remember crying in frustration about it as a girl, the fact that I loved reading but found it impossible to read faster than I did—and still do.
So I suppose in my case, audiobooks have helped me get through more books in more creative ways, while reading other physical books with my eyeballs at a slow pace.
That's so interesting, Haley. I don't usually listen to audiobooks because it's rarely quiet enough for me to do so, but lately I've been trying to have one audiobook ongoing as well as the physical books I'm reading. Currently, that audiobook is "Winters in the World: A Journey Through the Anglo-Saxon Year," which has led to me reading Aelfric's sermons online and trying to mine them for reprints for Hearth & Field! Funny how these things work.
thank you for this, Dixie. I read significantly fewer books this year than I did last year and I felt like a failure for a while. But a lot of the books I did read have very special experiential memories associated with them– reading Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell while newly postpartum – and I treasure those so much!
I haven't read that book! I've only ever watched TV adaptations of Gaskell's work. Is she an engaging writer?
And you are so not. a. failure! Perish the thought! Banish it from your mind!
I have loved her writing since I was a teenager! I would highly recommend her books as mother-daughter reads too.