Do you skim? Or are you faithful to read every word?
Well, I tend to be a very thorough reader. I guess it's that streak of perfectionism I keep trying to get rid of but never do! I generally read every word. The only times I can think when I may have skimmed something would be either re-reading a book (like before a book group discussion of something I read a while back) or perhaps skimming a nonfiction book that I only need certain information from. Even when I read magazines, I read them from front to back thoroughly! I know, it's a sickness.
I try to choose my books carefully, so I rarely dislike one so much that I can't finish. I have - rarely - read a book for one of my book groups that was so bad I couldn't finish it, but usually I give it a try.
How about you? Do you skim or read every word?
Ooh such an interesting challenge - I think I might join since I'm working on finishing my Fall book list now. For the question - I definitely skim books I'm really not into. I hate not finishing a book, but there are times when I really should just put it down and leave it alone - Kraken (china Mieville) and Wolf Hall (Hilary Mandel) and 2 that I remember having a really difficult time with.
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear more about how you choose the books you read.
Hi, Tanya -
ReplyDeleteI guess I choose books mostly based on recommendations and reviews from people whose tastes and views are similar to mine. Besides close friends and my mom, I have gotten to know quite a few book bloggers online and have an idea of who seems to like the same books that I do.
I also read books chosen by my 2 book groups (and sometimes a third one at the library!) - we vote on what to read next, so those are usually (bit not always!) good choices.
As for kids and teen books, I choose those out of the catalogs for review, based on what I think my kids and I will enjoy.
Sue
I am so definitely a skimmer Sue. I mean, I read it all but sometimes I am so impatient to get back to the character development that I just can't concentrate on the description of the old house/stormy night etc! I am lucky enough to be a fast reader (and H has inherited this although not so much anymore) and I remember as a child that one book was never enough as it was over so quickly...the joy was always in discovering a new SERIES! These days I don't have so much time I guess and a well-written, thoughtful one-off novel is a great find. And I try to discipline myself NOT to skim over the descriptions and to drink each word...but sometimes the need to know how it all pans out (before I really must turn the light out) is just too much!
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