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My son has a friend who reads fiction incredibly fast. I couldn't believe he was getting everything from his reading I was getting, so I tested him. I gave him a 700-page novel, which he read in one evening, then I quizzed him. I asked questions about content--e.g. "Who was the character that X?" or "Why did so-and-so do such-and-such?" I also asked him which characters he most sympathized with, which were most complex, etc. I asked questions meant to see if he was engaging in the thinking I thought the author intended. I was impressed that this young man (17 years old) got at least as much out of his reading as I had.
Me, I "speed read" textbooks and required reading, but I "savor" my pleasure reading. If a book is an enjoyable read, why not experience that pleasure for 8 hours instead of 6? On the other hand, a good author has me always wanting to know what happens next, next, next.
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