Some personal observations on reading speed, number of books read, and time spent on a particular book:
This is a great discussion page on reading speed. Over 98 readers have contributed their views.
Here is an interesting recent discussion (abridged quotes to save space):
Kevindorsey: As long as you enjoy reading the book, it doesn't matter how long it takes to finish it.
Astra: Yes and No.There are so many books you can enjoy...the slower you read the smaller number of books you will be able to read in your lifetime, the smaller number of incredible worlds you will be able to visit and meet new great characters...
Stevejay: True, but some books are better suited to linger a while on.
Jellby: (and) the longer you'll be enjoying each of them.
Without making any attempt to generalize, let me record my personal observations:
1.I was a ‘voracious’ reader at 13, and could finish a book in 2-3 days.
2.Over the years my 'speed' has come down and I average 30-35 novels per year at the rate of about 10 days per book.
3.I never read more than one book at a time.
4.I am highly receptive to fiction and literature and tend to appreciate over 90% of the books I read. If I get stuck in a book(which is rare), I usually get through it s..l..o..w..l..y, and usually find much more to appreciate. However, I have abandoned 5 books because I didn’t like them, and 5 classic books because I couldn’t follow them.
5.In my experience, any book that is honestly written, invariably draws you into its characters, so that one becomes emotionally attached to some of them. When, in addition, one appreciates the quality of the language, as also the values and messages communicated by the author, there is very little point in rushing through a book, unless the book itself hooks you and compels you to rush through. Sometimes a sentence takes my breath away, or brings me to the brink of tears : I have to stop there for a while, and no wonder I am slow!
6.Astra has a valid point that one must keep a brisk pace in order to ‘visit more incredible worlds and meet new great characters’; but more often than not, the individual book dictates the pace; and every good book has to be savored at its own pace. To conclude, I must echo Jellby and Stevejay --- there are some books you don’t want to rush through, and some people and places that you don’t want to leave!
(NOTE: Administrators and readers please be kind enough to excuse any errors in posting protocol; I am inexperienced at posting in forums and unintentional mistakes may have occurred.)
