I used to read a lot more - in Junior High and High School I could read two novels a day (read during class and then one at home). The internet has cut down on that a lot.
I tend to enjoy short stories a lot more than novels these days. I also read comics (web and print, well, scans), blogs, forums (duh), and a couple of magazines. I tend to gravitate towards science fiction and fantasy. Growing up reading the stuff I did was a major influence on how I view people and the world (polyamory? A-ok. What do you do with aliens? Treat them nicely. Science? Is awesome. Thanks Heinlein.)
I have a hard time reading lately, because almost all my books are in storage. But I keep buying more. It’s scary.
I read every night for an hour before I go to sleep, though it seems I may have to cut this out. I actually cried when I started thinking that I might have to give up reading before bed.
Other then that I read all day long, but it’s for work, not for pleasure.
I probably read 4 or 5 novels a month, anything from Sophie Kinsella to Margaret Mitchel.
I manage about a book a week, always a mix of mysteries and non-fiction.
I read two newspapers online every day.
Both give me things to talk about with family, and make me smarter in general conversations.
I’m stuck, because I love reading, but I also love getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night. I’m busy enough that my bedtime has been pushed almost an hour later then usual, so it’s either less reading or less sleep.
I usually read 2 or 3 books a week, about 120 books a year. Mostly novels. If I didn’t have a job and a husband and kids, I’d read more.
I think my obsession with reading has made me rather reclusive. Sometimes I have to force myself to go out and do something else. We’re going out to the lake on Saturday with some friends, and right now it sounds like a great idea, but I guarantee you that when I walk out the door on Saturday, it won’t be without a wistful glance at my half-finished book.
Yeah, you’ve seen the thread with everyone saying they wouldn’t date a hardcore gamer? Well, I do feel that if I read as much as I wanted to, my husband would be upset, and rightly so. As it is, he’s nearly always doing something productive, and I can’t comfortably sit on my duff and read when I know he’s in the next room unloading the dishwasher.
I don’t read in the bathroom, or while sitting at stoplights, or just before bed, because I will not stop. When reading, I go on until forcibly interrupted.
I average about two books a week. I’d read more if I had more time. I crave reading, sometimes.
I use the library almost exclusively. I generally read fiction. I used to be a huge fan of fantasy/sci fi but I’m not sure if the books have changed or I have changed, I just can’t get in to them like I used to. I like non fiction too, particularly books about survival or healthy eating.
Me, although I haven’t read much for sevaral years until recently. I’ve read more books in the last 6 months than I have in the last 4 years or so. But when I was growing up, I read all the time, constantly. I was picked on for reading alot in my sixth grade class by my fellow classmates, and it was an advanced placement type class, not one where you would think it would be weird to be a nerdy reader type.
I’m enjoying thinking about this, and a little saddened to think I don’t read as much as I’d like to. I haven’t missed an episode of Hell’s Kitchen this season, and don’t feel remotley enriched by it, so shoudlnt’ I be reading then, instead.
A reason I can’t give a number of books per week or month is that (and this is only recent) I don’t necessarily finish every book I start. At the ripe old age of 40ish I am finally able to simply stop reading a book that doesn’t grab me in the first 3 or 4 chapters.
At the beginning of the summer I figured out how to take advantage of free audio books from my local library and listen at work. I typically listen to books I’ve already read though. I can listen but can’t always concentrate on the book. If I listen to something unfamiliar, when my brain reengages I find myself wondering “Wait, who’s speaking now? Are they still at the restaurant?”
I read the Bible most mornings - I try for 20 - 30 minutes. In the evenings I have been reading about 30 minutes. When I didn’t have TV in the house it was 2.5 hours or more a night. I don’t think my husband or son will want to give that a try.
I read daily and have three categories going at all times. Sometimes more than one book in a category too.
[ol]
[li]For fun: Usually a fantasy, spy or murder mystery[/li][li]“Deeper” reading: This is a very nebulously defined. It can be a self-help book, a new age/new age-ish book, a book on religion or on furthering my career.[/li][li]Tech. I write software for a living and almost always have something from the software/tech world going at all times.[/li][/ol]
I read almost a book a week between all 3 of those things. Sometimes I read much more, sometimes I won’t read for days.
Only a couple of times, really. Nowadays I don’t hang out much with dumb people, but in the past I’ve been known to be thrown in somewhere with them, like at lower-end jobs. At times, being smart makes you an outcast, you know.
Looks like I’ve read 103 books so far this year. That’s a little misleading, since probably a half a dozen of those were unfinished when I gave up on them.
In 2007 I read 115 books, and in 2008 117, so I’m way ahead of my average. I guess that’s what happens when a reader doesn’t have anyone around to talk to anymore.
I read at mealtimes and bedtime, occasionally at work.
I read voraciously. I usually have 3-5 books going at a time: bedside table, next to the computer, in my briefcase, etc. I’m working on building my 4th library; I am NOT going to lose this one like I have the others, and I’m probably up to close to 1000 books in it already.
Well, some of the smartest people I know work low-end jobs. As a matter of fact, the smartest man I ever met in my life has no job at all, unless you count sketching portraits on the street for a few bucks a pop.
But, that opinion comes from a middle-school drop out, so; grain of salt. I really am posting to say, if someone ever put anyone down, in my earshot, for reading a book, that would be the sole time I would allow myself to call someone a fucking idiot, right to their face.
**…how much do you read and what do you read? **
I read daily…I have to maintain my RN and my job requires a lot of reading to keep current with vaccination updates and such. I also research diseases and birth defects my clients suffer from and I read to escape on my lunch----sci-fi, romance, mysteries. I keep paperbacks in my car. I sometimes read the paper at home and whatever bestseller is lying around.
One of the better things about earning my RN and getting a good job is being able to go to Borders whenever I want and buy books.
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Also how much do you think it adds to your personality?
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I know a LOT of trivia!
Not quite that - but I get busted on by my family regularly for reading while I watch TV with them: “Dad - come on! Watch with us” “I am watching <shares latest plot point>” “But, but - THAT DOESN’T COUNT - you’re reading!”
I am a senior executive at my company - with all that implies requiring investment of time and energy. I cook dinner for my family most nights. I am mildly interested in music and guitars (for those of you who know me: ;)).
I still read whenever possible. 3 mags a week (New Yorker, Entertainment Weekly and NYTimes Weekly), a couple of monthlies, the weekend NY Times papers. In terms of books - well, I used to read a couple of novels a week, but I am finding novels harder these days - so many aren’t worth the investment of my scarce time (sorry, but that’s what it comes down to, practically). I don’t find formulaic novels satisfying and many “lit” books are more about flash and technique than substance. But I probably read 2 books a week - philosophy, science for the masses, music memoirs, etc…and novels when the right one grabs me.
Just finished a bio of Jeff Beck (guitar player) last night and picked up Your Inner Fish (tracing how humans retain evolutionary characteristics all the way back - by Shubin, I believe)…
