[Robert]

Just curious how many books people read at one time and how well you manage your reading time.

Also, other information that would be interesting:

1. How do you manage your reading time. Do you have specific times or places for reading specific books?
2. Do you write notes or reminders in your books? Why not.
3. Do you ever re-read a book. If so, do you immediately re-read the book or wait for a few months or years.
4. Do you read all of the same type of book or are your interests varied.
5. Do you prefer shorter books that get to the point, or really long books that provide a lot of detail.
6. Do you complete the books you read?
7. Where do you find time to read?
8. How long do you read at a time?

--Robert

[TinyTree]

How do you manage your reading time. Do you have specific times or pleases for reading specific books?

I normally read before going to sleep, and if I wake up early I read.

Do you write notes or reminders in your books? Why not.

No, I normally read library books, and I don't think they would appreciate me writing in them. I sometimes take notes, but frequently only do if I plan on writing an article on the book (or a review). I always write a page in my book journal (every book gets 1 page, with a rating from 1 to 10) and a short synopsis of my interpretation of the book.

Do you ever re-read a book. If so, do you immediately re-read the book or wait for a few months or years.

I only have reread a few books- "Dune" is one I have read around 4 times. Very few other books do I like to reread, although I have accidently reread some (if I read it 20 years ago and forgot, I might not realize until about 100 pages in)

Do you read all of the same type of book or are your interests varied.

I read a variety- although it centers on history (both fiction and nonfiction), science fiction and fantasy, science, and humorous nonfiction. Where is the question about our favorite books? I guess you'll just have to guess. But some of them are:

Candyfreak- Steve Almond most recently read book that is EXCELLENT

Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupery - real life adventure, the only book I have rated a 10/10

Collapse by Jared Diamond- a great book on societal evolution! Excellent book I highly recommend.

Gordianus the Finder series by Steven Saylor- best series of historical fiction I have read

Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield- the best single book of historical fiction I have read (lots of battle scenes and violent, stay away if you can't stomach that)

Do you prefer shorter books that get to the point, or really long books that provide a lot of detail.

I prefer it to be a good book, and read books of all lengths. Although to be honest I am trying to read around a book a week (for 52 books in the year) and it is easier to reach this with a few shorter books (and juvenile fiction) thrown in. However I just read two 700+ page books back to b

Do you complete the books you read?

If it is terrible (about 1 in 30 books) i'll give up, but always give a book about 150 pages before giving up on it as terrible.

Where do you find time to read?

After the kids have gone to bed, sometimes on the weekend but rarely. I don't watch television.

How long do you read at a time?

Normally from around 9:30 to 11:30 at night, so in two hour chunks. If I am really enjoying a book I'll squeeze in more time.

[Guille]

Originally Posted by Robert Just curious how many books people read at one time and how well you manage your reading time.

I'm currently reading 7 books. But I must admit this is not ussual at all. What happens is hat I'm doing my personal project for school and I need a lot of research. But in a normal time I read 2 or 3 books.

Originally Posted by Robert How do you manage your reading time. Do you have specific times or pleases for reading specific books?

I'm terrible. One day I can start reading, and don't stop until 3 o click in the night, having forgotten of eatintg or doing my homework. Other days, I could burn a book if I saw it in front of me.

For me, the best time to read a book is in the morning, because it is when one i smost awake. And it has been demostrated that the human brain cannot create when it is in alpha state or early beta state, so in the morning we shouldn't try to develop anything, just learn and memorize. The afternoon exists to consider your own point of view on the information taken. Anwya, I read ant any time any place, if I am motivated.

Originally Posted by Robert Do you write notes or reminders in your books? Why not.

When I read literature I don't, because I find it absurd, uneccesary, it's art, that's all. But when I read science, philsophy or maths I fill in my books with notes all around and comments, and developments....But I dont' liek to make them a mess, so ussually I use blank papers and keep them.

Originally Posted by Robert Do you ever re-read a book. If so, do you immediately re-read the book or wait for a few months or years.

Not ussually. Not at all if it's literature. You see, it really matter s allot if it's literature of factual. Nearly all the factual book si read I also re-read, or atleast re-rea dsome parts. If I do it jsut to check some knowledges, it's months or years later. If I re-read it because I feel the first time I didn't really get it, or just I liked it a lot and wanted to make sure on more things, then I re-read it inmediatelly after.

Originally Posted by Robert Do you read all of the same type of book or are your interests varied.

My interests are varied, but of course, I have preferences. In literature, I don't care nearlly at all what the book is about or in what area of type of novels it enters, as much as it is good, I will like it. If it's factual, I only read themes which I like, and this don't change that much: they change, but inside the same mayor topic. So I read physics, philosohpy and maths, but depending on the time, and what I'm doing, what area of these I will read.

Originally Posted by Robert Do you prefer shorter books that get to the point, or really long books that provide a lot of detail.

For factual books, I prefer shorter books that get to the point, but explain it in extend. For literature, I always like long going books with all kind of descriptions, characters, stages, stories....I prefer reading a book 800 pages than 80.

Although if I have to decide between Russell's autobiography (~800p) and Wittgenstein's Tractatus (~80p) I would go and read both.

Originally Posted by Robert Do you complete the books you read?

Nearly always. The only ones I don't conclude are those which are literature and ussually have not enough attention drawing.

Originally Posted by Robert Where do you find time to read?

Where is time hidden? Sorry, but time doesn't have a location in space...lol

Now, really, I ussually read before going to school. If not, I sometimes take hours of sleep out.

Originally Posted by Robert How long do you read at a time?

It varies, as I said. But an avarage day would be between 30min and 2hours.

[Robert]

My problem with books is that I purchase too many and then try to read them at the same time. Sometimes I put off reading a book too long, then I will restart from the beginning of the book when I pick it up again. Lately I've been putting a lot of time in on the website so don't have a lot of time to read.

One thing that helps is to get in the habit of bringing a book with you everywhere you go. You never know when an opportunity will present itself. Doctors office, waiting for a train to pass, your wife suddenly wants to go shopping, etc.

I read mostly non-fiction books - technical, science, philosophy, psychology. I do like sci-fi and will read those on vacations. I've started reading sci-fi in the mens room lately. Rarely do people disturb me there.

I like the really long books, especially if its sci-fi. "Atlas Shrugged" was a great book; all 1075 pages. GEB was another one at 777 pages. "The Road to Reality" is a good one at 1136 pages. Unfortunately, I stopped around page 200 so will need to start over again.

In science books I like to mark all over them (if I own the book) especially if something I read triggers an idea. Being actively involved with reading like this may help you retain the information. I like to read the more philosophical books multiple times cause I often pick up new things on the second or third reading. As you build a base of understanding you can understand more.

[Mr. Nobody]

I am reading the road to reality right now, and the math is breaking my balls. I wish I' had paid more attention in school......

[Guille]

I have been thinking for around 3 months about it: reading or not reading "The Road to Reality". Of course, now I can't, I'm already reading too many books, and too hard each of them. But, when I finish, around chrsitmass time, probably, I would like to buy the book and read it. But before deciding this, I want to know. I've read the reviews of the book in Robert's link, but, I want more direct reliability.

How do you find the book? Is it too technical? Does it really drive you in? Do you think I will like it/should read it?

As this book is a so long, I don't want to waste the lung of earth (trees) by buying one and not reading it. I only read books from whcih I can produce an equivalent or bigger good than is lsot by the trees.

[pagan3142]

Originally Posted by TinyTree I normally read before going to sleep, and if I wake up early I read. No, I normally read library books, and I don't think they would appreciate me writing in them. I sometimes take notes, but frequently only do if I plan on writing an article on the book (or a review). I always write a page in my book journal (every book gets 1 page, with a rating from 1 to 10) and a short synopsis of my interpretation of the book. I only have reread a few books- "Dune" is one I have read around 4 times. Very few other books do I like to reread, although I have accidently reread some (if I read it 20 years ago and forgot, I might not realize until about 100 pages in) I read a variety- although it centers on history (both fiction and nonfiction), science fiction and fantasy, science, and humorous nonfiction. Where is the question about our favorite books? I guess you'll just have to guess. But some of them are: Candyfreak- Steve Almond most recently read book that is EXCELLENT Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupery - real life adventure, the only book I have rated a 10/10 Collapse by Jared Diamond- a great book on societal evolution! Excellent book I highly recommend. Gordianus the Finder series by Steven Saylor- best series of historical fiction I have read Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield- the best single book of historical fiction I have read (lots of battle scenes and violent, stay away if you can't stomach that) I prefer it to be a good book, and read books of all lengths. Although to be honest I am trying to read around a book a week (for 52 books in the year) and it is easier to reach this with a few shorter books (and juvenile fiction) thrown in. However I just read two 700+ page books back to b If it is terrible (about 1 in 30 books) i'll give up, but always give a book about 150 pages before giving up on it as terrible. After the kids have gone to bed, sometimes on the weekend but rarely. I don't watch television. Normally from around 9:30 to 11:30 at night, so in two hour chunks. If I am really enjoying a book I'll squeeze in more time.

when i go to bed i pick up the first one i see, thus i am srprised each time as it is a different story.

[Rufus]

and what constitutes a book? does my coming to Toequest and plowing through massive amounts of digi-blog give me the right to say I'm reading one book or five? Does my going to the Canadian and American Debt Clock sites and reading article after news article of mismanaged funds .....aww forget it. I don't read books anymore, the library wants 30 bucks a year and I have a 'puter.

Rufus the evil Goddess

[harmonygirl]

oh Rufus, your Goddess is evil? Too bad.
I generally can manage 3 at one time. 1 fiction (usually for my book club), 1 political theory or math or philosophy and 1 work-related. Lately, I have been writing, so the work-related has been replaced. No specific times, but places, depending on the type of book. (Cafe for political, etc), fiction in the park or at home. If it is non-fiction book (and my own) I will make notes in the margin. I do this sometimes for books for my book club as well. I have a stack of books that I re-read. I suffer from insomnia, so when I wake up, I like to have a book I have already read to lull me back to sleep. Some books are continuous rereads, others I will reread after a year or so. I consider my taste in books eclectic. I like philosophy, some current fiction, poetry, physics/math/science, political theory, literature...depends on my mood, I think. I went through a Dostoyevski phase, so I like some long, detailed stories, but I also like short, again, depends on the theme of the book. I usually finish, although I have some books where the bookmark has been in place for years! (GEB was one!). I find time to read by working it into whatever I plan to do that day. It depends how long, usually at least 1 hour. I also have several list serves that recommend reading, have reports and I visit some websites daily that have their own literature. Good poll Robert!

[michellemfry]

Originally Posted by Rufus and what constitutes a book? does my coming to Toequest and plowing through massive amounts of digi-blog give me the right to say I'm reading one book or five? Does my going to the Canadian and American Debt Clock sites and reading article after news article of mismanaged funds .....aww forget it. I don't read books anymore, the library wants 30 bucks a year and I have a 'puter. Rufus the evil Goddess

Oh Rufus, anytime you want to get something off your chest, and the guys do love those things, please feel free to let Robert know how you feel. His complaint box is lonely and forgotten.