How quickly do you read?

matt314159 · 08-07-2010, 01:58 AM

I was in a discussion on this subject on another forum I attend. There are people over there who read 2-3 books a week (as I'm sure there are here, to be sure). I, on the other hand, go through maybe 2-3 a month, reading between 1-2 hrs a night, most nights (I'd say at least five nights a week)

Rather than time myself reading the page of a book, then doing all the math, I googled around and found a quick little test online. I am in no way endorsing the product or promoting the software they're trying to sell, I just wanted to see how fast other people around here read.

http://www.readingsoft.com/

I got 265wpm @ 64% comprehension, which, I suppose, puts me solidly in the "average" category.

As a corollary, do you subvocalize when reading? By that I mean, do you "hear" the words in your head as you read? I've tried various methods but have never been able to wean myself off it. Finally I decided I don't really *want* to get over it, as I feel it helps me appreciate the richness of the written word. Maybe I'm just deluding myself so I don't feel bad for being a slow reader. It's funny, 6 years of university, a Bachelor's and a master's degree---heck, I've been a bookworm since I was around 5 years old, I really thought I'd read faster than that.

Anyway, take the test, and post the scores, if you feel like it.

*edit*>...since I'm weird like this, is the grammar in the thread title correct? Should I have used "quickly," or "fast"? Fast sounds right when I say it, but then at the last moment I changed my mind. Then, looking back at it, it looks wrong, and I'm leaning back toward "fast"

pdurrant · 08-07-2010, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt314159

I was in a discussion on this subject on another forum I attend. There are people over there who read 2-3 books a week (as I'm sure there are here, to be sure). I, on the other hand, go through maybe 2-3 a month, reading between 1-2 hrs a night, most nights (I'd say at least five nights a week)

Rather than time myself reading the page of a book, then doing all the math, I googled around and found a quick little test online. I am in no way endorsing the product or promoting the software they're trying to sell, I just wanted to see how fast other people around here read.

http://www.readingsoft.com/

I got 265wpm @ 64% comprehension, which, I suppose, puts me solidly in the "average" category.

As a corollary, do you subvocalize when reading? By that I mean, do you "hear" the words in your head as you read? I've tried various methods but have never been able to wean myself off it. Finally I decided I don't really *want* to get over it, as I feel it helps me appreciate the richness of the written word. Maybe I'm just deluding myself so I don't feel bad for being a slow reader. It's funny, 6 years of university, a Bachelor's and a master's degree---heck, I've been a bookworm since I was around 5 years old, I really thought I'd read faster than that.

Anyway, take the test, and post the scores, if you feel like it.

*edit*>...since I'm weird like this, is the grammar in the thread title correct? Should I have used "quickly," or "fast"? Fast sounds right when I say it, but then at the last moment I changed my mind. Then, looking back at it, it looks wrong, and I'm leaning back toward "fast"

350wpm, 91% comprehension. I usually score a little higher (400-450wpm), but it's early!

You might be interested in this recent thread

matt314159 · 08-07-2010, 02:36 AM

oh good grief, some people here really average a book a day? I probably read 30 in a year. And nice test results!

Lady Fitzgerald · 08-07-2010, 03:29 AM

I'm not going to bother with the test since the results would probably be skewed. When I normally read, unless the book is a real cliff hanger, I get distracted easily and/or my mind wanders (I have ADD) so I may read fairly quickly in spurts but lose ground between those spurts while my mind checks out for a bit. My best time and setting for reading is before I go to sleep got the night. I have a book on a 32" TV screen located where I can comfortably see it from my bed (with the pillow folded to prop up my head and shoulders) and the room lights turned off so I'm not as likely to be distracted. My mind will still wander a bit but not as bad when there are distractions to trigger a mental side trip. Playing quiet music while reading in bed also helps to avoid distractions.

jashsu · 08-07-2010, 03:46 AM

421 wpm, 55% comprehension. I would seriously contest whether the term "comprehension" is really apt in this scenario. While I can comprehend 100% of what was written in the sample text, half of it apparently was not worth remembering.

I think the numbers are kind of meaningless though, as I (and i'm sure most other readers) read different texts at different speeds and levels of comprehension depending on the cadence and style of the author. And surely everyone has read novels in which the author began to indulge him or herself and thus sped up or slowed down their reading speed accordingly.

matt314159 · 08-07-2010, 05:01 AM

very true, I just thought it was a little fun thing to talk about. As a rule, I'm pretty slow all around, because i take time to try to pull in relevant details...however, apparently I don't do a very good job of it, judging from my "comprehension" score. Though, maybe a better term for that would be 'retention.' I, too, "comprehend" (understand) what I'm reading, but, like you, didn't retain it very long

I've searched around and come to the conclusion that "fast" would have been just fine in an adverbial usage in the thread title. In fact, i think it sounds better. I don't know why I got hung up on that, really.

Donnageddon · 08-07-2010, 05:11 AM

I read as quickly, or as slowly, as I need to in order to enjoy what I am reading. I have never considered it a contest.

GraceKrispy · 08-07-2010, 05:21 AM

I had 375wpm and 82% comprehension. I was also watching (and paying attention) to a DVD of the first season of True Blood at the same time. And I had very little interest in the topic about which I read. I didn't retain very much of it as a result.

I am one who can read a book every day or two, depending on how much time I have (full time job, 3 kids in various activities, too much time on the internet.... all those things really cut down on my reading time!). I go through books like water sometimes...and then sometisem I take a break for a while and do logic puzzles or number puzzles instead

shanghaichica · 08-07-2010, 05:42 AM

It depends on how much I'm drawn into the book. Some books I can read in a day or two. Others I read in a week. It also depends on how busy I am and what other things I want to do I.e watch TV, surf the net etc. But if I am really enjoying a book a tend to read in longer stretches and finish it quicker. Another factor is how quickly I read my previous book. If I read the last one quickly, I'm more likely to go slower on the next one. Last month I read 8 books, the month before I read 3 books. So far I've read 2 books this month. I'm very variable. But I don't like speed reading because I like to think about and reflect on what I'm reading, whilst I'm reading. I often re-read paragraphs if I think I haven't fully digested it.

Maggie Leung · 08-07-2010, 07:12 AM

I took a test in high school to get into a program and learned I was a speed reader. Shrug. I figure if you're reading well enough to enjoy it, you're good.

Fast or quickly woulda been fine in your subject header. Both are adverbs.

bjones6416 · 08-07-2010, 09:41 AM

371, 64%. And that was paying attention to what I thought were the important points in the paragraph, so apparently I'm not a very good judge of what's important!

I too read a book every day or two when I'm in "reading mode." I go through spells, though, where I'm in "knitting mode," or "surf the internet mode," and then I might only read for a few minutes each day.

I live in hope that "cleaning mode" might kick in one day, but it hasn't happened yet.

MartinParish · 08-07-2010, 10:52 AM

Arrrgh, a test!

No, no tests for me, thank you.

I'd have to say, though, that (admittedly without taking The Test) as a reader I'm a little more like a ruminant. I read very quickly and only partially digest what I read, then re-digest the remainder later.

nookkatz · 08-07-2010, 11:39 AM

Interesting thread.

I took the test and got 419 wpm and 82% comprehension.

I find that I read different types of things at different speeds. I skimmed the material in the test. If I'm reading for enjoyment, I slow down and savor the words and the author's style.

I'm glad you asked about subvocalizing, because I have always "heard" the words in my mind as I read. It's good to know that someone else does that!

mikij · 08-07-2010, 06:05 PM

462/89% Not bad, as I detest reading on screen. Normally, when I read a book, I do it with a pointer (pencil). Not this time. In my eReader, no use to do it because the screen is small enough. All my life, I was fast reader.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nookkatz

Interesting thread.
I'm glad you asked about subvocalizing, because I have always "heard" the words in my mind as I read.

Avoid this and you'll speed a lot your reading. Look at Buzan's book "Speed Reading Book" to learn the technique.

tompe · 08-07-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikij

Avoid this and you'll speed a lot your reading. Look at Buzan's book "Speed Reading Book" to learn the technique.

Or not. See

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subvocalization

which for example says:

Quote:

There is no evidence that normal non-observable subvocalizing will negatively affect any reading process [1] At the more powerful rates (memorizing, learning, and reading for comprehension), subvocalizing is very detectable by the reader. At the less powerful, faster rates of reading, (skimming, and scanning) subvocalization is less detectable. For competent readers, subvocalizing to some extent even at scanning rates is normal.

08-07-2010, 01:58 AM	#1
matt314159 Groupie Posts: 198 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: High Desert, SoCal Device: KSO, NookColor (CM7.1), Samsung Mesmerize	How quickly do you read? I was in a discussion on this subject on another forum I attend. There are people over there who read 2-3 books a week (as I'm sure there are here, to be sure). I, on the other hand, go through maybe 2-3 a month, reading between 1-2 hrs a night, most nights (I'd say at least five nights a week) Rather than time myself reading the page of a book, then doing all the math, I googled around and found a quick little test online. I am in no way endorsing the product or promoting the software they're trying to sell, I just wanted to see how fast other people around here read. http://www.readingsoft.com/ I got 265wpm @ 64% comprehension, which, I suppose, puts me solidly in the "average" category. As a corollary, do you subvocalize when reading? By that I mean, do you "hear" the words in your head as you read? I've tried various methods but have never been able to wean myself off it. Finally I decided I don't really want to get over it, as I feel it helps me appreciate the richness of the written word. Maybe I'm just deluding myself so I don't feel bad for being a slow reader. It's funny, 6 years of university, a Bachelor's and a master's degree---heck, I've been a bookworm since I was around 5 years old, I really thought I'd read faster than that. Anyway, take the test, and post the scores, if you feel like it. edit>...since I'm weird like this, is the grammar in the thread title correct? Should I have used "quickly," or "fast"? Fast sounds right when I say it, but then at the last moment I changed my mind. Then, looking back at it, it looks wrong, and I'm leaning back toward "fast" Last edited by matt314159; 08-07-2010 at 02:04 AM.

08-07-2010, 05:01 AM	#6
matt314159 Groupie Posts: 198 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: High Desert, SoCal Device: KSO, NookColor (CM7.1), Samsung Mesmerize	very true, I just thought it was a little fun thing to talk about. As a rule, I'm pretty slow all around, because i take time to try to pull in relevant details...however, apparently I don't do a very good job of it, judging from my "comprehension" score. Though, maybe a better term for that would be 'retention.' I, too, "comprehend" (understand) what I'm reading, but, like you, didn't retain it very long I've searched around and come to the conclusion that "fast" would have been just fine in an adverbial usage in the thread title. In fact, i think it sounds better. I don't know why I got hung up on that, really. Last edited by matt314159; 08-07-2010 at 05:04 AM.

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08-07-2010, 02:36 AM	#3
matt314159 Groupie Posts: 198 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: High Desert, SoCal Device: KSO, NookColor (CM7.1), Samsung Mesmerize	oh good grief, some people here really average a book a day? I probably read 30 in a year. And nice test results!

08-07-2010, 03:29 AM	#4
Lady Fitzgerald Wizard Posts: 2,013 Karma: 251649 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth Device: JetBook Lite (away from home) + 1 spare, 32" TV (at home)	I'm not going to bother with the test since the results would probably be skewed. When I normally read, unless the book is a real cliff hanger, I get distracted easily and/or my mind wanders (I have ADD) so I may read fairly quickly in spurts but lose ground between those spurts while my mind checks out for a bit. My best time and setting for reading is before I go to sleep got the night. I have a book on a 32" TV screen located where I can comfortably see it from my bed (with the pillow folded to prop up my head and shoulders) and the room lights turned off so I'm not as likely to be distracted. My mind will still wander a bit but not as bad when there are distractions to trigger a mental side trip. Playing quiet music while reading in bed also helps to avoid distractions.

08-07-2010, 03:46 AM	#5
jashsu Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 154 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: PRS-500, PRS-600, PRS-650, Oasis 2	421 wpm, 55% comprehension. I would seriously contest whether the term "comprehension" is really apt in this scenario. While I can comprehend 100% of what was written in the sample text, half of it apparently was not worth remembering. I think the numbers are kind of meaningless though, as I (and i'm sure most other readers) read different texts at different speeds and levels of comprehension depending on the cadence and style of the author. And surely everyone has read novels in which the author began to indulge him or herself and thus sped up or slowed down their reading speed accordingly.

08-07-2010, 05:11 AM	#7
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	I read as quickly, or as slowly, as I need to in order to enjoy what I am reading. I have never considered it a contest.

08-07-2010, 05:21 AM	#8
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	I had 375wpm and 82% comprehension. I was also watching (and paying attention) to a DVD of the first season of True Blood at the same time. And I had very little interest in the topic about which I read. I didn't retain very much of it as a result. I am one who can read a book every day or two, depending on how much time I have (full time job, 3 kids in various activities, too much time on the internet.... all those things really cut down on my reading time!). I go through books like water sometimes...and then sometisem I take a break for a while and do logic puzzles or number puzzles instead

08-07-2010, 05:42 AM	#9
shanghaichica Guru Posts: 987 Karma: 5782970 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Scribe,Kindle Oasis 3, iPad Pro 11, iPhone 13 Pro Max,iPad mini 6, PW5	It depends on how much I'm drawn into the book. Some books I can read in a day or two. Others I read in a week. It also depends on how busy I am and what other things I want to do I.e watch TV, surf the net etc. But if I am really enjoying a book a tend to read in longer stretches and finish it quicker. Another factor is how quickly I read my previous book. If I read the last one quickly, I'm more likely to go slower on the next one. Last month I read 8 books, the month before I read 3 books. So far I've read 2 books this month. I'm very variable. But I don't like speed reading because I like to think about and reflect on what I'm reading, whilst I'm reading. I often re-read paragraphs if I think I haven't fully digested it.

08-07-2010, 07:12 AM	#10
Maggie Leung Wizard Posts: 1,449 Karma: 58383 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Kindle, iPad	I took a test in high school to get into a program and learned I was a speed reader. Shrug. I figure if you're reading well enough to enjoy it, you're good. Fast or quickly woulda been fine in your subject header. Both are adverbs.

08-07-2010, 09:41 AM	#11
bjones6416 ↓↓ Skirt!! Earrings!! Posts: 3,394 Karma: 17432172 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Georgia, USA Device: Acer netbook, JetBook Lite, Sony PRS-300, Kindle 2, Kindle Fire	371, 64%. And that was paying attention to what I thought were the important points in the paragraph, so apparently I'm not a very good judge of what's important! I too read a book every day or two when I'm in "reading mode." I go through spells, though, where I'm in "knitting mode," or "surf the internet mode," and then I might only read for a few minutes each day. I live in hope that "cleaning mode" might kick in one day, but it hasn't happened yet.

08-07-2010, 10:52 AM	#12
MartinParish Author of 2184 Posts: 61 Karma: 810 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Kindle	Arrrgh, a test! No, no tests for me, thank you. I'd have to say, though, that (admittedly without taking The Test) as a reader I'm a little more like a ruminant. I read very quickly and only partially digest what I read, then re-digest the remainder later.

08-07-2010, 11:39 AM	#13
nookkatz Tuxedo Cats! Posts: 210 Karma: 1033575 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Nooks and iThings	Interesting thread. I took the test and got 419 wpm and 82% comprehension. I find that I read different types of things at different speeds. I skimmed the material in the test. If I'm reading for enjoyment, I slow down and savor the words and the author's style. I'm glad you asked about subvocalizing, because I have always "heard" the words in my mind as I read. It's good to know that someone else does that!

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