[biodroid]

Hi,
I don't know if this has been asked before but here goes anyway? I have been reading through the forum and picked up on people that read 2 or 3 books a week, they aren't your average 300 to 400 pagers either. I mean some of the books are 800+ pages. I can barely read 400+ pages in a month nevermind a week. Maybe I can if I sit for 8 hours a day but I work and only read about an hour a day. I have a long list of books to get through.

I tried to do some speed reading techniques by getting some instruction books but I did not see much of an improvement on my reading speed.

My friend can speed read a 400 page book in a day or 2 and I am very envious of him.

Does anyone know of any techniques. What is your technique/secret to getting through your reading pile?

[ArthurFrayn]

This was just discussed, the thread is still on this page, and there was some concensus that speed reading is not good for entertainment reading.

http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16765


What's the point to speed reading novels? Just read them when you can.
The reason why the people here read so many books is they make the time for them, not because they speed read.The people here who read two 800 page books a month, are reading that way because reading is their principle hobby.


If you don't believe me, look at these threads. You'll see that most people here who read a lot of books don't speed read, but there are a few people who speed read in the fantasy thread:

http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11763&highlight=pages

http://sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9907&highlight=fast+read



Patience and the ability to focus are the important things to develop with regard to reading. Not speed.IMO.


An hour is about all I get to read as well.

[biodroid]

OK, thanks. Was just wondering if there was any secret but i guess most of us read at the same speeds. Thanks for the reply.

[Michael B]

i guess most of us read at the same speeds. .
I read novels a lot faster than my mother and I take the details in. The latter is more important than the former.

[Thalador]

After the formative year, the only thing that will help you get through books faster is the amount of time you spend reading. If you disregard reading difficulty levels and interest, that is.

[Ineluki]

I read novels a lot faster than my mother and I take the details in. The latter is more important than the former.

Me too. I can get through several books in a day- but I don't "skim". Reading speeds vary widely, and while some techniques can be learned, some of us are always going to be quicker than others.

In some ways it's a curse- for many people, LOTR is a month's entertainment- for me it's a day or two.

I run my own business, have a partner and a child, and I still read a book a day. It's an addiction, I tell you: forget AA, we need SFRA. :)

[Arash]

I would like to be able to read faster when dealing with books and authors who aren't particularly interesting but are still worth a read.

But when it comes to a really good book, I have at times deliberately slowed down my reading speed so I could enjoy it for as long as possible. :D

[Arash]

Here is a little tip.

Reading speed is often slowed down due to the fact that we vocalise the text in our head.

A good way to practice eliminating this habit it to count from one to five over and over in your head while trying to read a book.

With enough practice you can just read it using thought stream alone and not vocalise the sounds in your head. This will greatly increase your reading speed.

[bluetyson]

Yes, practice can definitely help.

When you have got that far, then you try and read more at a time, take in more than one word, then several words, then a whole line, or a couple of lines, etc.

It does take practice.

As ineluki says, reading is like other human skills, some people are better/faster/have more endurance than others.

[cougs]

I was taught to speed read in middle school, I've sense broken the habit and while not getting through books quite as fast, the enjoyment factor shot right up.

What is your technique/secret to getting through your reading pile?

If your work situation permits you could try reading during your lunch break, its surprising how much reading i get done in those extra 5 hours a week.

A good way to practice eliminating this habit it to count from one to five over and over in your head while trying to read a book.

That sounds really interesting, going to give that a try.