Atmosphere in books

[jhempel24]

I was just wondering if you think that playing some sort of music on your device while reading helps the mood of the story. Like something dark and brooding for horror, or renaissance music for fantasy novels. Etc.

[Sparrow]

Personally I don't find music helpful when reading. I think the book and the tune each have their own rhythms, and they tend to conflict with each other.

In films, the music can be closely synched to the action; but book readers go at their own pace, so you can't make music match the text.

[HarryT]

I agree with Sparrow. Music detracts from the reading experience for me too.

[dhbailey]

When I was younger I used to listen while reading but as I've grown older I find I more thoroughly enjoy the reading experience (paper or electronic) without music in the background.

But then I'm a professional musician and music teacher, so music is capturing a whole lot more of my attention, whether I want it to or not, than when I was younger and it was still a developing hobby.

[jhempel24]

Thanks for the input, I haven't gotten my PRS-505 yet, it should be here by Wednesday, but I was just wondering what everyone thought. I seem to have my own "soundtrack" if you will in my head while reading anyway, and I wasn't sure how a real soundtrack would work.

[nathantw]

Originally Posted by jhempel24

I was just wondering if you think that playing some sort of music on your device while reading helps the mood of the story. Like something dark and brooding for horror, or renaissance music for fantasy novels. Etc.

Truthfully, what I do is put my headphones in my ears and start reading. Notice I didn't say I turn on any music? I basically use the headphones as ear plugs or a sign to people saying "don't bother me." Unfortunately that never works and people still bother me.

[vivaldirules]

I have some background music mp3s on my Sony which I will occasionally listen to while reading. If the music is at all intense or interesting, it detracts from reading. Most of the time, I read as the others do: in silence.

[Tanzaku]

Part of the reason I purchased my Sony Reader was for the marvelous experience of listening to an audio book performance while simultaneously reading it. I've done this for years with an MP3 player and a pbook, but I am finding the Sony experience simply marvelous. Somehow simultaneously combining the aural experience with reading is a multi-input experience that really involves me in the book and brings it to life. (I do prefer "professional" readers who perform a reading rather just mouthing it. I'm currently listening to Simon Vance reads the Dickens novels. Wow.)

And as to music, nope. I, too, find it distracting.

Now, I just wish Sony would improve the navigation from audio to book and back, as well as add bookmark capabilities for the MP3 files -- it would make the audio book experience so much easier and less clunky. We can hope!

[AnemicOak]

No music here. I don't think I'll ever use the MP3 capabilities on my device.

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by nathantw

I basically use the headphones as ear plugs or a sign to people saying "don't bother me." Unfortunately that never works and people still bother me.

I learned a trick for that from a behavioral study I read an article on about ... 20 years ago, you're going to laugh, but it works.

What you do is let your tongue stick out of your mouth very slightly, so that it's visible between your lips (so it looks kind of like you have three lips), but not hanging way out. I don't know why, but folks tend to leave you alone a lot more when you do this.

Try it while walking through a store where you know that lots of sales people will come and ask if they can help you (stores that pay on commission are prime candidates for the experiment), you'll notice that most of them leave you alone. (This is the main way I use this little trick, by the way)

[vivaldirules]

Originally Posted by NatCh

I learned a trick for that from a behavioral study I read an article on about ... 20 years ago, you're going to laugh, but it works.

What you do is let your tongue stick out of your mouth very slightly, so that it's visible between your lips (so it looks kind of like you have three lips), but not hanging way out. I don't know why, but folks tend to leave you alone a lot more when you do this.

Try it while walking through a store where you know that lots of sales people will come and ask if they can help you (stores that pay on commission are prime candidates for the experiment), you'll notice that most of them leave you alone. (This is the main way I use this little trick, by the way)

I should try that at work! Then again, maybe I do and don't know it. It would explain a lot.

[kilohertz53]

I actually read a hardcover novel by John Connolly ("The Black Angel") that came with a music CD of tracks mentioned or quoted in the book. I found it very distracting to listen to it while trying to read the story, but maybe it's just me.

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by NatCh

What you do is let your tongue stick out of your mouth very slightly, so that it's visible between your lips, but not hanging way out. I don't know why, but folks tend to leave you alone a lot more when you do this.

Doesn't it work if you have your tongue 'hanging way out'?

I'd run a mile

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by NatCh

I learned a trick for that from a behavioral study I read an article on about ... 20 years ago, you're going to laugh, but it works.

What you do is let your tongue stick out of your mouth very slightly, so that it's visible between your lips (so it looks kind of like you have three lips), but not hanging way out. I don't know why, but folks tend to leave you alone a lot more when you do this.

I thought the internationally-accepted standard for signalling "I'm an idiot - don't talk to me" was to wear a baseball cap back to front .

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

I've always been satisfied to see the music or selections quoted in the text, allowing your mind to add the soundtrack--assuming there is one. I don't read everything and imagine a soundtrack in it, unless the text specifies music playing in the background, or possibly makes a mention of a moment "seeming like a scene out of movieX," where you can recall the soundtrack from that movie and insert it yourself.

Example: "Blake strutted on the parapet, reminding Sarah of that moment in Lawrence of Arabia when Lawrence strode above the crowd, accepting the cheers from below..."