How long does it take you to read a book

AbbysMom · Jun 19, 2007

It depends on the book. Some I can easily finish in less than a day. I had a hard time sleeping last night and started a 375 page book by Lisa Gardner. I just finished it a little while ago, and I didn't read it that much today, mostly last night.

Then there are books that I have a harder time to get into that could take me a week or more. Some of them I never go back to.

Our library around here is very good. You can put your name on a waiting list for any book and they transfer them between libraries. All of the donated books are sold for 10 cents, so I have a lot of them also. I've been trying to get out of the habit of buying so many because the cost can add up pretty fast.

anakat · Jun 19, 2007

I do like to read, I read the last Harry Potter in 6 hours, but I do a lot of Xstich or crochet so I listen to Audio books.

alleygirl · Jun 19, 2007

If its a small paperback, then a couple hours. A large thick paperback a couple days if I'm into it.

I read much faster than I can afford!

jcat · Jun 19, 2007

Great question! I generally manage about 200 pages an hour, depending on the book (light reading, or non-fiction; I prefer the latter). I read English much faster than German. I'm through an "average" English book of 400 to 500 pages in about two to two and a half hours, whereas it sometimes takes me almost an hour longer to get through a German book of the same length.

My high school had speed reading courses, and I was exempt after the first lesson (reading and comprehension test), because I read faster than the teacher.

My siblings were also "excused". I'm from a family of bookworms, and we were only allowed half an hour of television a day as children, and an hour as teenagers. We read.

I should mention that I majored in German and minored in Spanish/Latin American Lit., and became quite accustomed to having to read three or four foreign-language novels a week just to keep up with my classes. That was habit-forming.

I love marathon reading sessions! Since the new Harry Potter book is coming out next month, I decided to reread the last four books this past weekend, and actually managed it (yes, I did cook, clean, do laundry, and visit TCS), but rereading a book is much faster than reading it for the first time. If I'm on vacation, I average about seven to ten books a week.

lookingglass · Jun 19, 2007

It depends on how intresting the book is to me. The better I think it is the faster I go.

jujubee · Jun 19, 2007

I like the 2-3 inch thick books, so it usually takes me a couple weeks to finish one. I particularly like historical fiction, the further back in history the better, or to the other extreme, science fiction.
I am a before bedtime reader. Unless of course it is a hard to put down book, then it is whenever I can squeeze in a few pages.

strange_wings · Jun 19, 2007

Originally Posted by jcat

Great question! I generally manage about 200 pages an hour, depending on the book (light reading, or non-fiction; I prefer the latter).

You have me beat.

It depends, smaller text, whether I'm reading through a headache, eyestrain, etc.

Generally I can average in 100 pages or so per hour, or at least I could several years ago, I'm not sure what my current reading speed is.
I actually kept track of how many books I read last year, between heavy reading weeks and non reading weeks it averaged out to 3 books per week.

I'm not really sure what speed reading is and whether I'm speed reading or not.

As for LOTR series being difficult, aside from his somewhat dragging writing(I couldn't read it now), it's a quick read. I remember reading that back in 5th grade over 5-6 days. I was one of those kids that always got in trouble for reading under the covers at night with a flashlight.

persi & alley · Jun 19, 2007

Originally Posted by jcat

Great question! I generally manage about 200 pages an hour, depending on the book (light reading, or non-fiction; I prefer the latter). I read English much faster than German. I'm through an "average" English book of 400 to 500 pages in about two to two and a half hours, whereas it sometimes takes me almost an hour longer to get through a German book of the same length.

My high school had speed reading courses, and I was exempt after the first lesson (reading and comprehension test), because I read faster than the teacher.

My siblings were also "excused". I'm from a family of bookworms, and we were only allowed half an hour of television a day as children, and an hour as teenagers. We read.

I should mention that I majored in German and minored in Spanish/Latin American Lit., and became quite accustomed to having to read three or four foreign-language novels a week just to keep up with my classes. That was habit-forming.

I love marathon reading sessions! Since the new Harry Potter book is coming out next month, I decided to reread the last four books this past weekend, and actually managed it (yes, I did cook, clean, do laundry, and visit TCS), but rereading a book is much faster than reading it for the first time. If I'm on vacation, I average about seven to ten books a week.

OMG! You guys are all embarrassing me to death. I think I need to go back and delete my post before anybody else sees how slow I read.

cata_mint · Jun 19, 2007

speed reading is (i think) when you're reading so fast you're skimming the page essentially, and are meant to only read the beginning and end of words.

Great question btw

I read sleeping with the fishes (mary janice davison) this evening, and the new Bill Bryson last night, maybe 3hours each? LOTR takes me about 2weeks, with maybe 4 other books on the go at the same time.
The longest book I've ever read was A Suitable Boy, it took me 2 months, and by the end i was so drained from reading it that i found the ending a huge let down.

Can you tell i'm an avid reader?

I learned when i was 2/3 and its stayed ever since.

(mild hijack) To everyone below

when you read can you sort of see the action unfolding in your minds eye, like a mini-film?

tortiebaby · Jun 19, 2007

Well, most of the books I read are about 500 pages(on average) and I usually finish those in about 1-3 days(depending on how much time I put into them).

My favorite books are from the Dragonlance series. I especially love the ones with Raistlin in them!

When I was a kid I was a real book-a-holic. I would read a book a day. I would get home from school and strat reading a book and would stay up at night til I finished it or until I fell asleep, usually around 2-3am. When I wasn't reading I was crocheting, swimming, fishing, or trying to find and catch wild iguanas(I lived in Florida).

strange_wings · Jun 19, 2007

Originally Posted by cata_mint

speed reading is (i think) when you're reading so fast you're skimming the page essentially, and are meant to only read the beginning and end of words.

Oh, ok! Then I'm just reading quickly, not speed reading.

Originally Posted by cata_mint

(mild hijack) To everyone below

when you read can you sort of see the action unfolding in your minds eye, like a mini-film?

Usually, yes.

tortiebaby · Jun 19, 2007

Originally Posted by cata_mint

(mild hijack) To everyone below

when you read can you sort of see the action unfolding in your minds eye, like a mini-film?

YES! That's me too! I have a picture in my mind of exactly what every character looks like and I will actually "watch" the book in my mind. I love it! It's so much better than a movie!

neetanddave · Jun 19, 2007

I read mostly paperbacks (easier on the hands) and mostly military/aviation thrillers and sci/fi about 400 pages, that's about 3 days worth of casual reading (while in the tub, waiting on dinner, before sleep kicks in. I'm a technical librarian by trade, so I read alot. Technical manuals at work, so I only read for fun at home.

I read every magazine and newspaper I can get a grab at, and love reading online as well.

epona · Jun 19, 2007

It depends on whether I am going through a manic reading spree or not! I can read a 500 page novel in around 2 hours if I'm in the mood. I tend to buy books cheap second-hand at charity shops, 8 or so novels will last about a week if I read them on the way to and from work.

trouts mom · Jun 19, 2007

I read before bed, and it takes about a month to read a book..I only read a chapter or two at a time

natalie_ca · Jun 19, 2007

It largely depends on the book and how interesting it is. Right now I am reading a book that is only 271 pages long but I've been reading it for about a week. I just can't stay interested in it. I put aside last night with something like a total of 5 pages left to still read.

Typically I read in bed before I sleep, be it at night or when I lay down for a nap during the day. I have noticed that since I got my CPAP machine for my sleep apnea that I tend to fall asleep faster so I don't stay up as long reading.

When I was reading "Dan Brown" and "Vince Flynn" novels I tended to lazy in bed throughout the day to read. I find reading while I'm in bed more relaxing than sitting at a table or in a chair.

jean-ji · Jun 19, 2007

Originally Posted by Anakat

I do like to read, I read the last Harry Potter in 6 hours, but I do a lot of Xstich or crochet so I listen to Audio books.

My DH listens to a lot of audio books on his commutes. He loves the unabridged versions, which most of them are now. It is just very strange to have a conversation start with "I listened to the best book today."

muttigreemom · Jun 19, 2007

Originally Posted by Mirinae

I wish I could read in transit, but I get motion sickness when I try to read or focus on something while the vehicle is moving. *le sigh* It would've made the loooong drive to Florida pass a bit more quickly!

That used to drive me mad on the commuter trains into manhattan. Was on that thing for over an hour each way every day, so it would have been plenty of time to get some reading in.... but no... 5 minutes into reading on the train and I feel sick. Blah..

gailc · Jun 19, 2007

I read alot so that is why I go to Goodwill and buy lots of books. My sis and I mail boxes back and forth too. Our Public Radio Station has Chapter a Day from 12:30-1:00pm sometimes I will listen to that. Lots of time I have a book open while I am on the computer as with dial up some things can take a while to load!!

lisalee · Jun 19, 2007

It takes me a while, on average about a month and sometimes longer depending on how long it is. My mind drifts off way too much to concentrate long enough, so it takes me a while. I usually only read late at night in bed or perhaps I could finish one sooner. I just only really like to read when I'm all relaxed in bed at night, unless it's something I'm extremely interested in then I'll find other times to read it. I do love to read though, I just wish more books got my interest.

How long does it take you to read a book

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