Savoring a Slow Read

[taosaur]

Often I feel like I don't read enough and feel bad if it takes me too long to finish a book. Sometimes though, a book you read once in a while over an extended period of time becomes a part of your life for those weeks or months (in rare cases, years). I'm nearing the end of a book like that, The Sisters Brothers, which is not a particularly long book but I've been reading it for months.

And I love it. It's not taking me so long because it's boring me. Every time I crack it open for just a few pages, I'm instantly immersed in Eli Sisters' point of view and the peculiar redemption he continually draws out of bleak circumstances, and more often than not I'll laugh out loud at least once.

It's not like a beloved series where, I at least, tend to snap up each morsel as it drops. It's more singular (yeah, obviously). It's precious in its singularity.

[rkomar]

I do the same thing myself when I want to savour a book, but it has backfired occasionally when I jump to another book which also turns out to be good, and then lose interest in the first. I've had to go back and start over at the beginning again on the second try.

I really liked The Sisters Brothers, as well. It felt special to me, too, although I can't identify exactly why.

[Quexos]

I know exactly what you mean. I always take at least a few weeks to read a book (sometimes more) granted I often end up reading thick books (+500 pages stuff) But there is so much out there to read that I feel I miss out. Lately I have been reading two books at a time, one at work, the other at home during the weekend. Not sure it helps in speeding up a bit the reading though.

Originally Posted by taosaur

Often I feel like I don't read enough and feel bad if it takes me too long to finish a book. Sometimes though, a book you read once in a while over an extended period of time becomes a part of your life for those weeks or months (in rare cases, years).

[Geralt]

I think you'll find that huge number of people here read over 100 books a year. Savoring a book is something they probably do in different way to you.

Personally, I read around 30 books a year, and if I really like the story, I want to find out what happens in the end fast. The longest I "drag it out" is 2 weeks because of other more pressing matters then book reading is. After that I kind of lose interest and go to the next thing.

[4691mls]

Originally Posted by Geralt

I think you'll find that huge number of people here read over 100 books a year. Savoring a book is something they probably do in different way to you.

Personally, I read around 30 books a year, and if I really like the story, I want to find out what happens in the end fast. The longest I "drag it out" is 2 weeks because of other more pressing matters then book reading is. After that I kind of lose interest and go to the next thing.

I am like you - once I get into a book I like to immerse myself in it and read to the end. I could never stretch out a book over months.

[sharphamster]

Some books, some authors, absolutely yes to this. Sometimes it's the craft of the prose, other times it's a world I don't want to leave.

A recent read was Robin Sloan's Mr. Permumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore. Pretty short in length, but I took about four times longer to finish because I just didn't want it to be over.

[Catlady]

The more I'm enjoying a book, the more I am compelled to keep reading. Any savoring comes when I'm done.

However, sometimes when I discover new-to-me author and start working my way through his or her backlist, I'll postpone reading the last couple of titles.

[Katsunami]

With normal current-day books that I can read off the bat without any problems, I don't really do that. I just read them from beginning to end as fast as possible, as time permits.

However, when I read something such as the Ancient Classics, or medieval literature, I read slower. My knowledge of history and languages is extensive enough that I can understand that kind of literature without having to look up every other word or location, but sometimes I do have to think about what a sentence means, or where a city was exactly located, for example. If I really don't know or can't remember, I look it up.

I've finally discovered a purpose for the Kindle Browser

I wish I had a 10.1 inch 16:10 e-ink tablet, so I could read two pages side by side, but also have more space to navigate websites such as wikipedia.

Strangely enough, reading modern-day books feels like "consuming" a story, while reading the (ancient) classics actually feels much more like reading. Maybe it's because it's a bit more difficult or something, or because it's language from another time; I don't know.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by Catlady

The more I'm enjoying a book, the more I am compelled to keep reading. Any savoring comes when I'm done.

However, sometimes when I discover new-to-me author and start working my way through his or her backlist, I'll postpone reading the last couple of titles.

Me too! The only thing I'll add is that I sometimes stretch out collections of short stories. Read a few here and there.

[Namekuseijin]

count me in as another gourmet rather than a barbarian mcbook addict

[LadyKate]

One thing that changed when I started reading ebooks. As I was never without a book, a large (ie long) book would get chosen over a small (short) book. That is how I first started reading Stephen King. Salem's Lot was large. lol.

Now it is interesting authors and series I gravitate towards. I don't have to carry three or four books like I did in the 90's and before.

[arturg]

My wife consumes books like mushrooms consume waters. I am anticipating a huge invoice coming from the book store within few days.

Some months ago I started a topic "How to read faster", but now it takes me about a week to complete a book and I'm fine with it. I enjoy the story and if it takes longer then I'm all fine with it. No rush.

[Apache]

I do make any effort to read fast or slow. I just read. Actually, I do not see words or books. I see the action inside my head. For me it is better than the movies. However long it takes me to finish the book is not important. What is important is that I am enjoying the book.
Apache

[Anabana]

I do make any effort to read fast or slow. I just read. Actually, I do not see words or books. I see the action inside my head. For me it is better than the movies. However long it takes me to finish the book is not important. What is important is that I am enjoying the book.
Apache

THIS! I never think about the speed, I just get lost in the book and if I finish 'sooner', that's because I'll probably read until I just can't hold my eyes open!
Also, I've always been a re-reader of any book that truly affected me - positively or negatively. So, I don't even think about slowing down to savor... I just Read It Again, Sam..

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Apache

I do make any effort to read fast or slow. I just read. Actually, I do not see words or books. I see the action inside my head. For me it is better than the movies. However long it takes me to finish the book is not important. What is important is that I am enjoying the book.
Apache

I see words, never action or visuals.