Let’s talk about anything bookish!
Today, I wanted to talk about this issue that I have. Ehemmm. Contrary to what many believe, I AM A SLOW READER! Gasp!
As of the time I am writing this, I have read 43 books this year. 43 books is a lot, right? But NO, some readers actually have read more than half the books I have read and it’s barely the half of the year! And it makes me soooo envious of it! SOOOO ENVIOUS!
Hence, this topic. I am a mood reader and more often than not, I do not follow a set TBR pile. For some, that is daunting, but for me, it works. Since I get some of my books from the library, I usually have to wait my turn. For Audible, that means I would have to wait an entire month before I can request another audio. This doesn’t mean that I don’t have any other books lined up. I actually have more than I can handle but because I am a mood reader, sometimes the mood isn’t right.
For example, last week, I wanted to read Heartless and Queen of Hearts, both Alice in Wonderland retellings since I had just seen Alice Through the Looking Glass. But of course, my mood just isn’t doing me any favors. And sure enough, I haven’t even finished reading Heartless, much less START Queen of Hearts!
At this point, I am re-evaluating myself. Am I truly a reader?! Have I been lying to myself the whole time? This might not be an issue for some but to me, it really is. I’m getting anxious just thinking about it.
There are only so many hours in the day.
Let’s face it. there are only 24 hours in a day and I just couldn’t possibly spend all of that time reader. Because LIFE and because I still have to sleep, work, eat, and watch TV. Maybe talk to my husband, too. PRIORITIES!
Slow books result in an uninterested me.
I also have a thing about books that have a slow start. I admit to being easily distracted and if the first few pages do not catch my attention, I tend to lose focus and start opening my game apps, or check social media. I want the book I am currently reading to ensnare me at least during the first chapter. If it fails to do that, then I almost always fall asleep or pick another book on the list resulting in me not finishing a book.
I just read really slow.
I have to confess that the only reason I am at 43 reads is that I listen to audiobooks. Without it, I probably would only read HALF of this number. Maybe.
So yeah. Reading slow. I think even when I was younger, I still couldn’t finish a book a day. I still read a good amount of books, though. Only, I don’t remember reading upwards of 100 books a year!
If you really think about it, I counted those that I DNF’d as read. That doesn’t mean I technically read the whole book right?
I know there are apps that teach you to read faster but, I’m too lazy to do that!
As much as I want to train myself to read faster, I just CAN’T spare the time to train myself. So I guess I am stuck with reading at a really slow pace.
I hardly skim or skip parts.
For some reason, I want to read every part of the book for fear of missing something. Yup. I hardly skim or skip sections, pages, or chapters! I feel that my mind can’t process if I skim. Sure, I have skimmed and skipped a few times but only because the book was just not as interesting to me.
I mostly read ebooks…and it makes me sleepy.
I think one of the things that make my eyes tired is reading via my iPad. I remember when I used to read a lot more physical books, I wouldn’t fall asleep after a few pages. When I started reading mostly digitally, I fall asleep just like that! You can’t count how many times my face got smacked by my heavy iPad! Ouch!
So now, this is where I am going to talk about why being a slow reader is A-OK!
Reading slowly helps retain those pesky, but important book details
I feel that taking your time to read a book really helps you retain more details about the book. I remember years ago when I wasn’t reading as much, I tend to remember those books better. I mean, sure I have gotten older now (no kidding!), but that doesn’t mean I should forget the details of the book I’m reading, right?
Reading should be fun
Just because everyone is really like 500 books a year doesn’t mean you HAVE to read that much. Sure, it’s pretty awesome that people read that much, but anxiously thinking about how much you have read compared to them is NOT fun. I mean, for me, it isn’t. I read for fun and adding anxiety to that mix is not fun in my book.
Reading is not a contest
Reading is not a race. It isn’t about who can read the most. So just relax. There is still time to read these books (ahhh did I just say that?).
How fast do you read?
What do you think about other readers who read really, really fast?
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