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I have really struggled with this, especially since having kids. The problem for me is that I have very little time to read, so I either have to read fast or re
by sanderjd 5y ago
I have really struggled with this, especially since having kids. The problem for me is that I have very little time to read, so I either have to read fast or read very little, reading fast doesn't really work as the article describes, so the choice is to read very little, but then that makes choosing what to read a big commitment, and that leads to analysis paralysis, and then I end up reading nothing because it's too stressful to commit to something. For an example, I spent the first 18 months or so after my first child was born reading Les Miserables. Granted, that's a long book, but lots of good books are long. If my pace for reading is something under a hundred pages a month, that means I have capacity for two or three normal length books a year, and less than one long one, and that makes each choice feel extremely precious.
- zerop 5y agoFor me reading fast (and loud) also works, I have realised sometimes it's even better.. when I read slowly there js chance of concentration disruption, speedy and loud reading is good sometimes.. but I avoid doing it when reading something very important to me.
- sanderjd 5y agoWhat do you mean by "loud"? Do you mean reading out loud?
- jmd509 5y agoHere's something I've experimented with that I don't see recommended often - In similar circumstances, I'll leverage both the book and audiobook. This way when I'm on the move, I can pick up the audio version where I left off and keep the momentum going. Downside is you invest a small amount of time syncing between the two sources, and there might be additional cost associated. Upside is you gain more cumulative reading time, and it keeps things interesting by adding variability and a new dimension to the experience.
- sanderjd 5y agoYes! Audiobooks have been a godsend for me. I "read" a few of those a year, but I read essentially no books anymore. Unfortunately, I find that the type of book that works via audio is more limited than the full range of books. For instance I really can't read technical books that way. I also find I don't enjoy more literary books that way, for some reason. But I listen to quite a lot of sci-fi and non-technical non-fiction, like history and biographies and ... whatever you call mass market sociology / economics / self help type books (like Thinking Fast and Slow - pop-sci I guess?).
- technothrasher 5y agoI have a very hard time absorbing audiobooks. When I read, I often stop and follow the train of thought that a particular passage has begun in my brain before then proceeding on with the reading. I automatically do the same thing with an audiobook, but by doing that I miss content because the audio continues while I'm thinking and I don't pay attention to it. Sure, I could stop and start the audio, but I typically don't realize I'm even doing it until I realize I've missed a portion of the audio.
- jmd509 5y agoI have to admit, I agree. I have friends that plow through audiobooks, but I don't absorb them well either. I like them for fiction, which I personally read for pleasure and don't analyze as closely as nonfiction, and to act as a bridge between print reading sessions. I've also found listening to podcasts sort of 'trains' your mind to attend more closely to long-form audio.
- watwut 5y agoIf you are reading physical book, give a chance to epub version on phone. It is much easier and faster to pop it out of pocket when you suddenly have a chance. It made big difference for me in exactly that situation.
- yokoprime 5y agoI can vouch for this. I've started reading on my phone and im tearing through books like never before. it's much better than mindlessly scrolling twitter
- CuriousSkeptic 5y agoMy solution to this was to simply read books (and other works) I wanted to read for my kid. (Luckily there is some overlap in interest) Was pleasantly surprised to discover the depths of some children’s books though. Can heartily recommend anything by Tove Jansson f.ex
- sanderjd 5y agoThanks! I'm in the phase where my eldest is old enough to have opinions about which books to read, but too young to have those be interesting ones (though some are fun to read, like Fox in Socks).
- machinehermiter 5y agoI think this is exactly the spot audio books come in. When I am driving in the car, cutting the lawn, walking for exercise..I am "reading". I make time to walk 50 min a day without exception and you just rip through books if reading 50 min everyday.