I need tips on how to increase my reading speed. I see some people reading 1-2 books a week. It takes me 2-3 weeks to read A book.
I need tips on how to increase my reading speed. I see some people reading 1-2 books a week. It takes me 2-3 weeks to read A book.
Try audio books
@Yael I listen to audiobooks on my drive to and from work. But I still can’t get pass the one book.
@Carolina , which audiobooks do you listen to? My last audiobook was The English Girl. I liked it.
What does it matter to show off a huge pile of books, or post how many books one can read in a short time! Do you enjoy reading? That’s all that matters!
Agree!
Exactly. It’s not how fast you read and it’s not a race. I have all the time in the world since I’m retired and I’m still reading a book between 3-7 days and not any faster.
Reading just to see how many books you can finish takes away the enjoyment. Reading should be relaxing not a race. Take your time and enjoy the story.❤️
Well said.
This is the first question I have read as a new member. I have so much l want to read! And that doesn’t even include the classics. My mom read a book in a day or two but often had no idea what it was about a month later. It was of no interest to her. I do remember them but would love to pickup the pace. Was not a reader as a child. Having always been slow at many things we want to pickup our speed.
I don’t think speed is as important as retaining the words and enjoying it, but I notice I read at a more consistent pace when I have classical music in the background. Brahms is probably my favorite for reading, with Chopin as a close second.
I need complete silence for total concentration.
Renee Howard Cassese Yes! For as much as I read, I consider myself a slow reader. I want to reflect on the word choice and feel what the author felt when choosing those specific words.
@Jane Some people are definitely that way. I can’t read with music that contains words, because I get distracted and jumble the words I’m hearing with what I’m reading. Classical music just seems to add to the reading experience for me, but I completely understand not everyone is built that way.
Everyone is different and I commend you for doing this since I can’t. 🙂
Read at your own speed. I could care less how fast or slow anyone else reads. Remember it’s an individual pursuit that can be shared. A wonderful concept.
Just reading at all is amazing! I’m a substitute teacher, and my twins were home last week with the flu. So that means I didn’t get to work. That means I got to read more. And this week, they’re out of school for Mardi Gras, so I’ll be able to read more. But on a normal busy week, I only read 1 or 2. It’s definitely not a race! Just enjoy your books❤️
I am a slow reader also. The more you worry about your reading speed the slower you will go. So just enjoy what you are reading. I also find I read faster on my Kindle because I have less eye strain.
I wish I knew. My daughter is a very fast reader, she’s 13 and always amazes her teachers with her speed. She can read a whole book in a a few hours. She comprehends it all, so now worries there. I guess some people just process reading differently. 🙂
Unbelievable that you’re daughter can do that and still comprehend. I wish I was like that. I think as I get older, my mind doesn’t concentration as much. 😉
I can’t do it either. There are time I reread a whole paragraph because my mind wanders or doesn’t concentrate. She’s just always loved reading and started to read way before most kids. She was 2 1/2 and could read proficiently!
It takes me months to read a book, it shouldn’t be a race it should be a pleasure to read so I take my time
I have to read fast because my books are coming from libraries in the states onto my Kindle. Many of them have been on my holds list for months. If I don’t get them read I won’t have a chance to for a long itme.
Same here. ?
I just had to take pictures of the last 20 pages I was reading last night because the time of the loan was expiring – lol!
I used to be able to take my Kindle off of wifi and read past the due date but they changed it and now the load disappears regardless.
I’m dyslexic, I think it contributed to my being a very slow reader. One of the things I did to get better at reading was reading out loud. It made me even slower for a while but then as my aloud reading improved so did my speed. I’m still not a fast reader but I’m average now.
Enjoy every word – read at your speed – it is about reading – not speeding.
Its not really a fair comparison. People reading that much might have more free time than you.
It is not a contest….don’t worry about it~
ENJOY your reading time~ <3
Some people count audio books. .
As they should… I mean, people read in many different ways for many reasons, right?
It’s not a contest. Some people read fast, some have more time to read, some people make more time to read. It doesn’t matter how many books you’re reading or how fast/slow you’re reading them. You enjoy your books and your time reading and we’ll all enjoy ours. ?
My mom gave me the love of reading…but while it takes me weeks to read 1 book…she’s already on her 4th or 5th lol it used to make me so sad, but either way we are both reading awesome books and doing what we love. I’ll forever be a slow reader and she will do laps around me haha. Just enjoy the read ❤️
Thanks guys! I was also asking because I get a 3 week checkout time at the library. And most time I have to return a highly coveted book without finishing it. So that requires another waiting time.
@Carolina some libraries will let you extend your checkout time.
@Carolina then just check out one at a time. Most libraries will let you extend the time, I’ve done that many times.
I normally check out one book at a time but when there is a waiting list they don’t allow you to renew your checkout. So i have to go back on the waiting list ?
@Carolina ????
If it’s a regular book, just finish reading it and pay the late fees, which isn’t much. I couldn’t be reading a book and not finish it!
@Joanie LOL so many late fees LOL that’s why I haven’t been in a while, I don’t want to kno how much they are! I just paid $10 in late fees a couple months ago??
Like @Mollie said, they have more free time. I read 3-4 books a week usually but I’m retired and live alone so I have no distractions. Also, I read a lot of mysteries, which are generally faster reads. Enjoying books is the important thing, not how many you read.
Read at your own speed and enjoy the time. Some books take me weeks to finish other a few days. Plus you are busy with other things in your life. That’s great also.
I’ve realized that when I rush to compete with others’ I don’t enjoy the book and after I finish it I don’t remember much so what’s the point of reading if not going to enjoy it. Don’t worry about other’s. Let me explain why, people have different techniques of reading, example of one is my mother in law. She was visiting and I had gotten few books from the library when day 2 she said she read one of the books I had gotten, I was wondering how she was able to do it in one day when a few days later I saw her pick up another book, she opened the page to the middle and started reading. So I got my answer as to how she was able to finish a thick book in one day when she was doing other things too.
Just enjoy the book! Read at your own speed! Not a contest?
It takes me awhile too. But, I rarely just sit and read, I have too many other things to do too. So my reading is little times during the day and every night before bed.
Enjoy your book, ☺️ don’t worry about how fast you read.
Don’t worry about how fast you are reading but that you are reading. My husband is a very fast reader and I am a former reading teacher so… Just enjoy the books.
Read for pleasure.
I say reading is not a competition! Reading should be for your enjoyment and relaxation, not stressful. Reading, no matter what the speed, is all that matters! Enjoy!
No rush! It’s only fun if you enjoy it
agree
It takes me a while too. I think it just depends on the person. I work full time, I have a husband that requires my time and attention, and I exercise for an hour or more daily. I still read everynight, but I don’t have hours upon hours to devote to it everyday. I also don’t count audiobooks as “read” books. Still, I fully enjoy listening to audio books on my way to work as my commute is an hour each way. And I fully enjoy my time with my print books, even if I can only devote 30 mins. Don’t Compare yourself to others.
@Samantha I disagree with you I count audio books as reading just because if you were talking to someone and you both said you had read Harry Potter but one of you only listen to the audio book while the other one read it you both listened/slash read the same story doesn’t make it any different. I say whatever way you can fit stories in your life that counts.
It’s fine to disagree. I just have major OCD and listening and reading are defined differently. They also have different effects on brain activity. It’s a personal thing I realize, but I in no way told anyone else they had to think of it that way. ? I was just trying to point out to the OP that we all do things differently and in our own time. Happy reading ???
Some people have very busy lives so they have less time to read. Others of us are retired or don’t work, don’t have children or elderly parents to care for so we can read as much as we want. Just enjoy what you read – that’s what is important.
What’s the hurry, enjoy the read!
Takes me a bit of time too. I fit in an audiobook during my commute.
Yeah, read to ENJOY not for speed
Its not a race…..I read between 4-7 books a week, I read fast, its not a good thing….im poor, and buy books constantly! 🙂
There is no rush to reading books, enjoy them.
Enjoy the books, speed comes with more reading. Also, what are they reading and what are you reading? The exact same book at the same time, probably not so it is too hard to judge the speed.
Depends how much free time you have or whether you will strictly only read or listen to audiobook. I listen to audiobook while I’m at work and I have to work 8 hours a day every day a week so I can listen to two to three books a week but I very rarely have time to sit down and actually read a paperback
read what you can when you can-this isnt a race
To all of you saying that speed doesn’t count, if you could read faster without losing anything ie comprehension, enjoyment, etc. are you telling me you wouldn’t want it? To answer the question the best way I have found is to use a bookmark underneath each line ad you go. I read a study that when people read they read for about 70% of the time and get distracted the other 30%, you hear a noise you look up say. So instead of having to search out where you were your eyes just go to the bookmark. I wouldn’t say it made me a speed reader but it’s helped.
It also depends on how many hours a day you have time to read. I used to read more books but my job is more demanding so I have less down time and read less books.
Reading is for pleasure it’s not a sport.
As long as you’re reading and enjoying it, it doesn’t matter how long it takes you.
I’m not a fast reader but get really engaged in the books I read. Read at your own pace and enjoy!
Do not worry about your speed. When you read to fast you lose part of the book. Reat at the speed you are most comfortable.
I find that I retain more if I go at my own speed. My speed is quite slow sometimes.
Do they read tiny books or full-length books? I find that some books are more difficult to read, not that I am a fast reader,if I so, then I am usually missing something.
sorry “if I am, then I usually miss something.”
Take your time and enjoy your books-this isn’t a competition.
I read for enjoyment at my own pace and sped. Usually one book a week
I agree read at your own speed and enjoy!
Don’t rush, read and enjoy the book. Some have more reading time than others too.
Why would you want to?
It is not about speed. it is about enjoyment.:)
Relax and enjoy!
i get why you’d want to do that because i feel it too – it feels like you’e standing at the foot of a really tall mountain and there’s so much to read. But still, take your time. An author didn’t spend all that time on a book for you to wish you could read it faster. Let everything soak in.
I’m the same way, a very slow reader! And it sucks! The only way that I could concentrate on my reading is to have the tv turned off around 9:00-12:00 that way you can concentrate better!
Why do you feel it’s a race? Maybe they don’t work or have more free time. Enjoy the books- it’s your journey!
The best advice is what has already been said – enjoy the journey however long it takes.
Also depends on time factor. I agree read at your own pace and enjoy ❤️
Don’t worry about other people. Just enjoy your book
It doesn’t matter how long or how many or even what you read! Just that you read. ?
Me to
A lot of you are saying that it is not a competition but
so many people get on here and( in what seems like bragging to me )say they read 7-10 books this week. So if its not a competition what is the big deal about posting the # of books you read this week. It certainly seems like bragging in such a way that would seem to say I can read 10 books in a week and there is something wrong with you if you don’t do it too. It is almost as if a challenge has been there subliminally posted. I know I have examined myself and thought well there must be something wrong with me. I don’t know if anyone else has ever felt that way too ? I had been satisfied before competing with myself.
Thank-you…Could not have said it any better.
Karen Jones. I agree ? percent. Well said. I have been in a depression fog and just can not focus and concentrate to read for more than a few pages. Takes me a month,sometimes. I spend too much time on the phone FB and playing games. Must change my habit.
No competition, read at your own speed and enjoy it. we’re not in a race.?
I scan versus read every word. I mostly read for entertainment, so while you read more slowly, you probably get more from your reading. Don’t worry about it!
I think as long as we are enjoying the books we are reading that’s all that matters. We all have different reading speeds & different ways of reading. Some people have more time to read than others. Sometimes I read one book a month & sometimes I read 3. Depends on how much time I have & what type of book it is. I agree with the others who are saying enjoy the books you are reading. Happy Reading! 🙂
I used to read fast but with less enjoyment and contemplation. Now I read more slowly, purposefully. My choice!
@Barbara I agree what is the point of rushing though a wonderful book that’s not what the author intended I’m sure . It’s like watching a Emmy award winning movie on fast forward or eating at a 5 star restaurant and gobbling down your food. I like to take my time and savor Books ,Movies and good food !
DO NOT feel like it’s s competition, it’s NOT! However and how long it takes for you to ENJOY YOUR book is all that matters.
I read about 1 chapter a day from 2-3 books.
It takes me 2 weeks to read a book too. Even more if I have a busy week at work. I like to take my time and savor the book. Then toward the end of the book i draw it out because i feel sad about completing it, esp. if it is a stand alone book and not a series because I feel like I’m losing friends.
Me too !
IE DOESN’T MATTER HOW FAST YOU READ IT’S THE ENJOYMENT OF WHAT YOU HAVE READ, I GOT TO THE 7TH GRADE AND THEY FOUND OUT READING AT THIRD GRADE LEVEL NOW READ 1-2 A DAY , BUT I HAVE NO LITTLE ONES AND AM A INSOMINAC
The speed doesn’t matter. The joy and feelings do!
Enjoy your reading at your pace
Me too.
Me too!
Just read at your own pace 🙂 i used to read 2 books a week but life is hectic lately and i just read when i can now. As long as you enjoy it it doesnt matter how long it takes
You might be like me, my sister can read a book in a day or two but she doesn’t retain them. Like mixing up the Harry Potter books or characters. I take my time while reading and remember the stories for a life time. Which is why I cannot read them again and be surprised.
The important thing is to enjoy a book at your own pace. Reading isn’t a contest. Some books take me weeks to finish and some books take me a day or two. But neither amount of time is wrong. The important thing is that you read and you love it.
I wouldn’t worry about keeping up with everyone else read your books enjoy them and get on to the next one when you can…. You don’t know who’s retired who’s on vacation who doesn’t work etc….
I feel you ?
Read at your speed. It’s ok.
I’m retired and unable to get around as much as I have in the past. So I read a lot. It’s not a competition, people.
Why increase your speed? Ignore those people and read for your own pleasure, and at your own pace. It’s not a competition xx
I’m slow, too, but I read every word and couldn’t skim through! I take my time and have no problems being a slow reader!
Reading is a pleasure to be enjoyed at your own speed. Why hurry,just enjoy the relaxation.
Some, probably the majority, of those people are counting listening to audio books, dont try to compare.
Sorry, can’t help. 2-3 weeks is my usual time for just one book.???
I listen to audiobooks and read whenever I can
Read at your own pace. It’s not a competition. It also depends on how much time you have to spend reading.
Book should be enjoyed like a fine wine. Take your time, it’s not a speed contest.
Why hurry? Enjoy your book at your speed ?
Go at your owm pace.its a journey mainly
My daughter is the same. She just keeps reading…
reading is a journey, not a race, enjoy your books at your own pace!
I’m not a fast reader. I like it that way I enjoy the book that way and I seem to want to read all day since I don’t work
Read at your leisure. Enjoy the book. Why the try and read and faster?!
it takes me 2-3 weeks to read a book. I’m afraid if I try to go faster, I will miss something. I want to enjoy the books I read.
Take your time. It is not a race. Enjoy the journey.
I usually read several books at once…..
@Caitylynn how? Don’t you get confused?
No not really because the books are usually so different. I’m usually reading one nonfiction book then several fiction books that are so different that they are not easily confused
We have the same:)
I have a same question cuz I feel jealous cuz they read really fast but they said just enjoy the book it’s not a competition
I think it’s best to take your time and enjoy the book.
If you read faster your might lose some enjoyment.
I took two months to read one and then read another in two days. However you do it is right for you.
Don’t worry about speed. Be more concerned with retention and enjoyment.
Its about availability of time. Uf someone takes care of my child and chores i can finish a book a day. It also depends on genre some books like thrillers would anyway take your sleep away while a philosophy book might take longer
At your own pace
That is still 17 to 26 books a year.
In am with you Rebecca…I take In every word of a book..never hurry when I am enjoying them!!
It doesn’t really matter how fast you read. Just enjoy the book.
Plus it probably depends on your interest in the book. If I love the book I go fast threw it. If I am looking up a four words a page, I will be slower. (I read some book set back in the day, lots of words my kindle couldn’t even give me a definition for).
For me the slowest book I read was “where the crawfish sing” I struggled with getting into it. It was good but not an easy read for me
I’m a “slow” reader too. Theres so many books I want to read but I simply can not read fast enough.
If it’s a good book I might get through it in a week but usually 2-3 weeks. Working full time, plus running a household keeps me too busy, I try audio books and do o.k. if im driving, otherwise my mind wanders!
1, 2 books per week? They sure have time.
It’s not a competition. If you compete with reading … where is the joy … competing or reading?
Ps. A lot of people listen to audio books. This increases books ‘read’ numbers too.
I switched to audio books. I can listen while driving, shopping or doing housework.
It is different for each. It may take me that long or longer. I get busy
For more reading is usefull to drop books if they are not very interesting. no need to finish every book.
Same boat, following
Carolina, I think I know what you mean. It’s not about keeping up. There are just so many books to enjoy and/or learn from/experience.
I became a faster reader when I was studying for the architect licensing exams- there are 7. I had a lot of materials to cover in 8 weeks for each exam, 5 hours M-F, and 10 hours on Saturday and Sunday. After I recieved my license I picked up a book for fun, and it blew my mind that I read it in 2 days! With the way I was studying, I can now read around 80-100 pages in an hour.
Most important is enjoyment… Time available.. number of books read should be way down the list of priorities. ?
I so agree. This is not a contest
We don’t have cable TV in our home, so when many people watch tv from 6pm to 10pm my husband and I are reading books or listening to podcasts. 4 hours a night of TV equals 28 hours of reading. We don’t speed read, we simply choose books over news and television.
Same here. I almost alway choose reading over television!
It can take me up to 2 weeks or more. We all read at different paces. Just enjoy.
I like to savor good books, it’s not necessary to rush, to me it’s a joy?
If the purpose is enjoyment and not academic or professional where deadlines are attached why care how your speed compares.
@Stephanie, I agree. Reading needs to be savored.
I agree you should switch to audio books. I don’t think I can give you tips. I can read a book a day usually if it is fiction and less than 250 pages. Just me. I still enjoy them and I am lucky my retention is great. No one is the same. This was developed in grade school. Out of HS 50 years in 2021. That was what they did back then. No cell phones, computers, TV was new and got 3 to 5 channels, a different life back then…??????
The important thing is to enjoy reading. I’m not a fast reader either. I like to take my time and get into the story.
You shouldn’t increase your reading speed. In order to truly enjoy a good book you must take your time to savor every sentence. Try reading a Toni Morrison or Paulo Coelho book fast and you will find out it just can’t be done? You don’t drink fine wine fast. You simply just sip!
@Adeline I agree with this so much.
I read fast, but I wouldn’t say I speed read… I learned to read fast not on purpose, that’s just my reading speed, so I don’t have much advice. I don’t watch TV, don’t have kids or a spouse, so I have a lot more spare time to read. I listen to audio books when I commute and exercise. Enjoy your journey.
I listen to a book when cleaning and driving. When I get the time I read. Reading is my sanctuary and sanity! I know I read a lot but I have been reading like this since I was 5! I don’t do so to compete with anyone. I just choose books over games and TV!
Don’t fret….just enjoy the time you have to read.
JUST GO AT YOUR OWN PASS. READING IS FOR RELAXING AND ENJOYING NOT RUSHING OR BEATING SOMEONE ELSE’S TIME, I DO NOT READ FAST AND I AM OK WITH THAT.
Its all about enjoyment.
I usually just read at night…and sometimes during the day if I can, so it takes me 2 to 3 weeks to read a book. I just recently finished a book that I was struggling with and it took me longer. Of course, it also depends on how many pages to the book.
Speed isn’t important. Pleasure is.