# How many books do you read per year?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-books-do-you-read-per-year/413489>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [July 28, 2007, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-books-do-you-read-per-year/413489 "2007-07-28T14:12:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-books-do-you-read-per-year/413489/61 "2007-09-03T09:12:04Z")

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I used to be a great reader, a book a day–sometimes more. I would go to the library, check out 10 books, read them, take them back…knew all the librarians, etc.

Then I finally became a fiction writer. This cut into my reading like you wouldn’t believe. First of all the way I looked at books while reading changed, and not for the better. It is much, much harder for me to lose myself in a work of fiction these days. Second, while I’m writing, I can’t read anything that’s like what I’m writing (mysteries) which is also what I’m most avid about reading (mysteries).

So I’m down to about 50 books a year. A lot more nonfiction than I used to read, and a lot less fiction.

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**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-books-do-you-read-per-year/413489/62 "2007-09-03T11:00:17Z")

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I’m probably good for 30-40. I read more now than I have in years because I travel a lot more and airport terminal and air flight time is my great joy- uninterrupted reading time.

Cartooniverse

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**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-books-do-you-read-per-year/413489/63 "2007-09-03T15:30:07Z")

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[QUOTE=Cartooniverse]  
I’m probably good for 30-40. I read more now than I have in years because I travel a lot more and airport terminal and air flight time is my great joy- uninterrupted reading time.  
[/QUOTE]

\<plops down in empty seat next to **Cartooniverse** \>

Whatcha readin’? Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla …  
😃

Dontcha hate that?

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**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-books-do-you-read-per-year/413489/64 "2007-09-03T16:17:16Z")

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Yes I do !!!

I’m frequently reminded of the opening scene of both the novel and movie, “The Accidental Tourist”. OTOH I am sometimes moved to ask someone about a book they’re reading. If I do so, I do it when they have put it down to manage the book, snack and drink on the tray. Or put it away totally. You know…manners?

😃

The single worst thing to do of course is sit there reading and have someone say, " Oh god I LOVED the ending !!!" And proceed to try to tell you what it was. :dubious:

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**Author:** ![Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-books-do-you-read-per-year/413489/65 "2007-09-03T21:12:46Z")

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I would never pester anyone, but whenever I see someone reading in public I have a nearly overwhelming urge to see what it is they’re reading.

I read two or three books a week, but some of it is frivolous stuff, and nothing to brag about.

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