It’s time for another “Wednesday Wonderings” question!
With all the book reviews and North & South discussion posts going on lately, I think it’s time for a small “break” with this meme. My question today is about books, though (can you believe it?).
THE question: How long does it take you to read a book?
I think there are two types of people in the world: those that read crazy fast (1+ books in 1 day) and those that read at a normal (several days to finish) pace. I’ve often wondered how people can finish a book in a day – did they take a speed reading class? Do they skip portions of the book? If you’re a crazy fast reader, I’d love to hear your skill secrets!
I’d like to think that I’m one of the “normal” people. For myself, it varies. Typically it takes me a few days, but sometimes, I can be slow. Like, 1 book in 15-20 days. It really depends on my schedule and interest in the book. Sometimes my good intentions get lost in the possibility of some extra sleep. I CAN read an average book in 4 days, under ideal conditions 🙂
What I really want to know is, how fast do YOU read? Are you one of the crazy fast, or the so-called “normal” readers?
The Green Mockingbird 
What a fun discussion! I always think it’s interesting hearing about people’s reading habits. I tend to be a fast reader. If it’s an average length fiction (like historical, contemporary, suspense, etc) and I’m really into it, I can usually finish it in 5ish hours. If I don’t like the book, but need to finish it for review purposes or something like that, it takes me a lot longer and I’ll usually break it up with reading something else halfway through :). If it’s something like a classic or non-fiction, it takes me a bit longer since the style and info is different. I’ve always been a fast reader though, so not sure how to explain it! haha! Fun post!
5 HOURS?! Whoa.
I’ve lost many hours of sleep though! 🙂
5 hours is fast! Though I’m not sure I’ve ever timed myself, I don’t seem to have a block of time like that to devote. I’m with you for classics or nonfiction. Those can take more “concentration” and a little more time. Thanks so much for sharing, Jamie!
I’m not reading as much as used to, but my average is similar to yours, Courtney, three days. I can finish a book under 24 hours if it’s REALLY good and yes, I’ve also found myself reading a book for about a month, however, now I think I’ve made the decision to give up on such books. I used to want to be able to finish them, but reading that slow is usually, to me, an indication that I’m not into it. There are too many books out there and not enough time already.
Fun question!
It’s good to know I’m not alone 😉 Yes, sometimes you just have to give up on a book. I’m learning that I should do that a little more often. But when my schedule is just causing me to be slow, I don’t mind it. Thanks for dropping by and adding your thoughts, Ganise!
I am an extremely fast reader, when I actually sit down to read. If its a book that I have lost complete interest in, but HAVE to finish it….then it will take me about a week. But if I am in love with the book, I will definitely finish it before the day is over (if I’m not interrupted by multiple family members……) 🙂
Haha, those interruptions can get in the way of a good story! That’s really fast. Sometimes I wish I could read a book a day – my TBR list would thank me! Thanks for commenting!
I’m a mix of both. Yesterday I read The Winner’s Crime (400 pages) in couple sittings. If I’m really into a book, I’ll devour it in 1 or 2 days. Other books I like to savor and take my time. They will last 3-5 days. Other books just take longer to read. It depends on how much time I have to read and how interested I am.
Well, I’d say you read pretty fast! Sometimes less sleep is totally worth it. And sometimes classics (like N&S) take a month to read, right? 😉 Thanks for visiting and sharing, Kami!
…I read at the pace of a turtle. If I read more than just my “morning block of time,” I can get in some great progress. But if I only read in the morning (and I used to read at night, but I’ve been binge-watching TV shows, then – Ooops!), so it’s slow going. Times vary depending on my week. Sometimes I can be down in 3 days, other times it takes a full week. Just depends.
I’d say, your reading habits are similar to mine as well – sometimes it can take me way too long, too. 🙂
I’m relatively a pretty fast reader. Like Jamie, I can read a book in 5 or 6 hours if I’m loving it and can’t put it down! that seems to be what I’ve been doing a lot of lately actually. 🙂 But other times I can take 2 or 3 days, depending on whatever else is going on in my life. I do my reading at night, so I tend to stay up waaayyyy too late to finish a book. It also depends on the length of the story! A novella, for example, I will always read in one sitting. A book that’s 200-300 pages can easily be read in 3-5 hours. 400 pages and beyond? Well, that depends on my level of interest. As for non-fiction, I definitely take several days to read though. Because I like to read a chapter or two and then have a break to think on what I’ve been reading. Plus I’ll usually break it up with a fictional book as well. 🙂