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How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.16 (17:44)
by TribulatioN
This just occurred to me how one of my friends skims through books, while another takes every bit of detail out of it, and how I visualise myself almost being there.

And I just thought it'd be cool to see how others read.

When I read, the imagery is really the most important to me, especially with the moods and atmosphere of the book. I don't think I've ever gone into detail about the characters faces, bodies, or anything, just the personality. When I do try to imagine the face, it almost ruins the book, as I'm always drawn back to revising the face in my head again and again, but I never succeed at one I like. I don't skim books, I normally prefer to read every single bit, and soaking in the details and such, like I would go as far as imagining the vivid colours of a sunset, but not the little flock of birds flying in the distance.

To me, that's the best way to read a book, as I definitely get every bit I want out of it.
What about you?

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.16 (21:52)
by Eiturlyf
I think about the imagery.
Especially the erotic type ^.^

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.16 (22:31)
by Condog
I read every it very thoroughly, frequently going back to sections i've previously read to re-check something, either because it might have been a subtle story hint, or because I missed somthing important.

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.16 (22:38)
by NicNac14
when i read... (i dothatalot..:P) i imagine everything from the faces to their personalities... building up my knowledge..
A bookwith picture ruins it for me... :P unless its an erotic book... :P

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.16 (22:40)
by TribulatioN
Condog wrote:I read every it very thoroughly, frequently going back to sections i've previously read to re-check something, either because it might have been a subtle story hint, or because I missed somthing important.
Oh yeah, I do that too, especially when you're reading, and your mind is somewhere else. It's weird, cause you never notcie when your mind drifts away, yet you still continue to read the words aimlessly, and think about something else. Or at least I do..

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.17 (04:09)
by Twistkill
How do I read my books? With my eyes, of course.

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.17 (04:15)
by Condog
Twistkill wrote:How do I read my books? With my eyes, of course.
"From the front to the back" and "Better than you" would also have been acceptable smart ass comments. ;P

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.17 (07:14)
by SkyPanda
I tend to read bad books quickly, and good books slowly.

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.17 (07:31)
by jackass
I read books alot and i tend to read every speck of detail of a book ... i sit there for atleast 5 hours just reading because i cant pull my self away ... i try to imagin and remember all the scenes and people in my head ... but yer if its a book i dont like i tend to read it quickly

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.17 (08:36)
by Rikaninja
I really try to visualise what is happening in the book and read it thouroghly and carefully. Though i have rushed through many books which I am forced to read and don't like.

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.17 (10:35)
by George
Hmmm...it's been so long since I've read a book aside from school texts.

It was along the lines of 'read quite quickly', and then slowly go through the book in more detail again. In terms of visualising, my mind usually produces horridly different images compared to friends. I have a vivid imagination when I read.

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.18 (00:16)
by TribulatioN
George wrote:Hmmm...it's been so long since I've read a book aside from school texts.
You should get reading my friend. There's been an unimaginable amount of new books where my friends who despise reading, have read and enjoyed thoroughly.

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.18 (01:23)
by toasters
I usually put myself in the scene somehow, either just as like a ghost or sometimes if my thoughts get away with me I start actually interacting with characters. Also I always read fairly quickly, so a lot of times I'll miss a small phrase or line, and then I'll just stare at the next bit that doesn't make sense without the part I missed for a while until I finally realize I skipped a part.

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.19 (00:46)
by unoriginal name
It all depends on the book. I read Little Brother in one night, but I spent ages reading through House of Leaves to make sure I didn't miss anything important.

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.19 (01:06)
by Deathconciousness
i read my books from left to right, page by page, whenever i feel like reading.

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.19 (01:09)
by TribulatioN
Deathconciousness wrote:i read my books from left to right, page by page, whenever i feel like reading.
Hey! I read smart-ass comments from left to right, page by page, whenever I feel like reading. =)

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.19 (03:03)
by BNW
I almost become part of the story when I read. I imagine the narrator (if it is omniscient) to be directly speaking to me. While I sit somewhere nearby seeing everything unfold. It is truly remarkable what the human mind can conjure.

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.19 (04:30)
by otters
If it's any help, I read Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix in one day.

If it's not, I spend all my time reading my book, then reread it avidly over the next two weeks in various positions.

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.19 (20:44)
by lookatthisisgoodatn
I read Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing with Fire in one day. I think.
I often read the dialogue, skipping long lumps of descriptive text, and then I end up missing some important info. And it's all done quickly.
I try to imagine a movie or game version of the book in my mind as I read.

Re: How do you read your books?

Posted: 2008.11.22 (02:28)
by Yoshimo
About thee only books I read are from warriors, so I imagine that I'm looking 3-rd person at the scene. It's so cool, cause I can half-skim and still be able to turn it into a moving scene! I can compute infomation that fast, but only if I want to, or else I get caught and can't get past a page or two without getting very bored.