Reading: How to read more?

[HarryT]

Perhaps the answer is to sit on a hard, uncomfortable chair, so you can't fall asleep?

[Vmurph]

Well, I did some research on ASMR, and it doesn't seem to fit my situation after all. ASMR is actually considered a sexual response and almost always triggered through auditory stimuli, never visual.

And it's usually accompanied by a tingling sensation, or, at the very least, a strong feeling of relaxation, neither of which I experience. I just get extremely tired and pass out.

However, after more googling, I did find something that fits my situation exactly. My problem can be best described as "reading induced narcolepsy". Earlier I stated that it would happen after 15 or 20 minutes of reading. But more often than not, it would happen after just one or two pages, and occasionally after only a couple of chapters.

Although I found many people with the same affliction (referring to it as 'reading induced narcolepsy'), I was unable to find any info whatsoever, of it actually being a recognized condition. So I guess I'm back to square one again.

At least I know I'm not the only one, now. Hopefully I'll find someone with the same problem who has managed to find a way to train or condition themselves to get past it.

In the meantime, I'm still going to take BookCat's advice and try some counter conditioning, like loud music or maybe even irritating music.

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EDIT: btw, my sister actually HAS real narcolepsy (on meds and everything). So it might not be such a far stretch that I could have something similar, that's triggered by reading. Who knows?
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[dandelioncottage]

Or read while standing up--we're always being told how bad it is for us to sit and that we should stand more.

Originally Posted by HarryT

Perhaps the answer is to sit on a hard, uncomfortable chair, so you can't fall asleep?

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by Vmurph

Well, I did some research on ASMR, and it doesn't seem to fit my situation after all. ASMR is actually considered a sexual response and almost always triggered through auditory stimuli, never visual.

And it's usually accompanied by a tingling sensation, or, at the very least, a strong feeling of relaxation, neither of which I experience. I just get extremely tired and pass out.

However, after more googling, I did find something that fits my situation exactly. My problem can be best described as "reading induced narcolepsy". Earlier I stated that it would happen after 15 or 20 minutes of reading. But more often than not, it would happen after just one or two pages, and occasionally after only a couple of chapters.

Although I found many people with the same affliction (referring to it as 'reading induced narcolepsy'), I was unable to find any info whatsoever, of it actually being a recognized condition. So I guess I'm back to square one again.

At least I know I'm not the only one, now. Hopefully I'll find someone with the same problem who has managed to find a way to train or condition themselves to get past it.

In the meantime, I'm still going to take BookCat's advice and try some counter conditioning, like loud music or maybe even irritating music.

--------
EDIT: btw, my sister actually HAS real narcolepsy (on meds and everything). So it might not be such a far stretch that I could have something similar, that's triggered by reading. Who knows?
--------

Maybe try something like this.http://www.online-stopwatch.com/loop-countdown/

Set it for 10 minutes and then rotate your neck or get up and touch your toes It is mildly irritating but not constantly irritating

[Vmurph]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

Maybe try something like this.http://www.online-stopwatch.com/loop-countdown/

Set it for 10 minutes and then rotate your neck or get up and touch your toes It is mildly irritating but not constantly irritating

Actually, I do something similar to this already; I have no choice really. Only I don't use a stopwatch because the time it takes to get sleepy is unpredictable and never the same.

I usually just read until I start feeling weird, and then I get up and stretch or whatever. Sometimes just moving or stretching is enough to snap me out of it, but other times I have to get up and do something constructive, like let the dogs out, wash out a couple of dishes, or jog in place for a minute.

It's a bit of a nuisance, having to bounce up and down every few pages, but what can ya do, right? It's the only way I can get through a book, so...

.

[BookCat]

I'm glad that the google journey helped you to identify your problem, though many asmr video makers would argue with the notion that it's a sexual response or only caused by auditory stimuli. Watching someone having their hair combed and played with can cause asmr. I've made videos in which I softly read, a kind of "let me read you to sleep" style of vid, which viewers have said stimulate asmr.

Considering your family history, narcolepsy seems more likely. Get out some loud rock CD's and the most uncomfortable chair you can find and you'll soon be finishing books.

[Dngrsone]

I wonder if you could read whilst walking on a treadmill...

If you try, you might put a camera on yourself for a golden you-tube moment if it doesn't work.

[Bittybye]

Originally Posted by EbookNovice

Non-fiction only. Right now I've just been reading history books or biographies people have written.

Not that I don't like non fiction but you're right they are boring. Fiction, especially one done by a good author is alway more entertaining.

Look at the kind of movies/tv shows you like and go from there. No matter the genre you like there are books out there for you. Heck, try something new.

[Xanthe]

Originally Posted by EbookNovice

Non-fiction only. Right now I've just been reading history books or biographies people have written.

What period of history and what kind of biographies?

There's a lot of good historical fiction that could be recommended that might jive with your interests. Historical fiction can really flesh out the information you already know about a time period, if it's done well.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Bittybye

Not that I don't like non fiction but you're right they are boring. Fiction, especially one done by a good author is alway more entertaining.

You really need to find some better-written non-fiction if you think that "fiction is always more entertaining".

[Vmurph]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You really need to find some better-written non-fiction if you think that "fiction is always more entertaining".

DITTO. I often find non-fiction to be far more interesting than fiction. But then I have an insatiable appetite for knowledge, so that might have something to do with it.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Vmurph

DITTO. I often find non-fiction to be far more interesting than fiction. But then I have an insatiable appetite for knowledge, so that might have something to do with it.

I didn't mean that non-fiction is always better, either, but rather that a good author has the skill to make any book interesting, fiction or non-fiction. I read both fiction and non-fiction.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by EbookNovice

However, I'm finding it difficult to read for long periods of time as quite frankly, it's boring compared to watching TV.

It says it all. You're not "into the book". This can have a lot of causes, and some good tips were already given. My thoughts:

1. You're reading the wrong books (wrong genre). Find books in the same genre you like for movies.
2. Try some fast-paced books, the ones that are mentioned as having no real stopping point.
3. Set a certain place aside for reading, and make sure it's quiet and you're not disturbed. You can put up some background music, but choose something such as New Age, Ambient, Classic or Instrumentals: no singing. It distracts.
4. Make sure you have no pressing matters to attend to.
5. Make sure you don't have any immediate problems that need solving.
6. Make sure you're comfortable.
7. Make reading an activity. Set aside a certain time, such as 1-2 hours before bed. (Which actually is a very good time to read and unwind.) It would be best to stop at the ending of a chapter, somewhere around the time you normally go to bed. Then go to bed *EVEN* if you are at the point where you want to know what comes next. It's another incentive to pick up the book next time.

3 through 6 are all about removing all distractions so you can actually get into the book.

My main reading time is while commuting. I have to travel to work, and I'm in public transport. I leave so early that I'm always one of the first to get into the bus or train, so I find a nice place (a single chair, if there's one, so nobody will sit beside me), put up some music using my ultra-noiseblocking Shure earphones (music on = no outside noise), and then I can read until I arrive at my destination. This is the reason why I don't mind travelling times. 30 minutes, 4 hours, it's the same to me.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

My main reading time is while commuting.

Me too! I started a new job some months ago which involves buses and a train. If I read for the whole journey, that's 3 hours reading a day...


I do agree that if you're finding the book you're reading boring, you are probably reading the wrong kind of book for you.

[faithbw]

You two are fortunate. I have to drive for my commute now. It's faster, especially considering mass transit here is inadequate. Still, I miss having that commute time to read.