How Much Time Do You Spend Reading for Pleasure

[Tarin]

Anybody catch the article in The Writer about how "reading for pleasure" time is on the decrease in America? It said the average person spends less than ten minutes per day reading for pleasure. :eek: As someone who zealously and even fanatically guards her hour and a half of reading time every evening, I cannot fathom that.

How much time per day do you estimate you spend reading for pleasure?

[lynnmosher]

Because of the influence of the video games, the internet, and others, as we all know, people are not reading much any more, and this extends to children. Book sales are down but internet addiction is up. I think this is a very sad situation.

As other things of life have sidetracked me right now, I haven't read much of anything. And I don't like this. I don't think I could put a time frame on my reading. I think I go more in spurts, depending on what new book I have.

[Tommie Lyn]

Like Lynn, my pleasure reading tends to come in spurts. A lot of the time I used to spend reading I now spend writing (or doing research reading). But, there comes a time when I can't forego the pleasure reading, and I go on a reading bender, satisfy my urge, then force myself to walk away again. For a time.

[Cymrugirl]

Ditto Lynn and Tommie Lyn. With a four year old daughter in the house, I read when I get the chance. Before I was a mommy, I would come home from work, slip into pajamas, and spend a whole evening reading from time to time. An entire hour and a half of time to do anything with focus is a total luxury to me. I have to read/write when the moment is available.

I'm totally like Tommie in that there are times when I read books in droves - putting aside my writing - and just filling up on things I've been trying to get to. Seems to happen most often at the beginning of the year and then again as the fall weather turns cold.

[Preacher]

How much time per day do you estimate you spend reading for pleasure?

What constitutes "pleasure reading?" I just read several articles in a sports magazine as I ate lunch. Is that reading for pleasure? Or do you only mean novels? If that's the criterion, then not much.

When I read a novel, I tend to devote a LOT of time to it each day (assuming it's a good one) so I will read it full-throttle (neglecting work and sleep) and then not touch another book for weeks. But I do TONS of reading each day, from magazines to the Internet to theological works. And it's all for "pleasure."

(An hour-and-a-half each evening? Wow! You're either an incredibly organized and extremely well-accomplished person or you have no children! ;) )

I AM glad to say that my 10-year-old daughter reads constantly and her school gives out awards for prolific reading. My 5-year-old is chomping at the bit to learn to read and the 3-year-old regularly pages through her books each night. The 8-month-old just chews on his books, but we're hoping it will lead to greater things!

[Mouse5]

I had to back off on how much I read because I used it as a hiding place from my problems. I found that I spent way to much time reading and not enough time facing day to day life. When I do sit down to read I try to spend only a couple of hours out of day and only two to three days out of the week.

[Cymrugirl]

The 8-month-old just chews on his books, but we're hoping it will lead to greater things!


Well, that's one way to develop a child's taste for literature. ;)

[Rhadaghast]

I used to read the political commentary out of the news paper and the National Review to my 8 month olds. I did include the suesian voices in a sing song way. Can you imagine the stuff I read on national political topics in 1997? They loved it!

Pleasure reading at least one hour a day.

[pprmint777]

I read. A lot. Right now, I'm reading Elvis Takes a Back Seat and thoroughly enjoying it.

I'm lucky, too. Everyone I know reads. My sister-in-law carries a suitcase, she lovingly calls her purse, everywhere she goes. She has at least three novels in it at any point in time. When real life isn't interfering, she can whip through a book a day. But with work and the ridiculous need for sleep, she's restricted to a book every other day. She raised her kids the same way, God bless her heart and soul!

Ya gotta love her!

[Tarin]

What constitutes "pleasure reading?" I just read several articles in a sports magazine as I ate lunch. Is that reading for pleasure? Or do you only mean novels? If that's the criterion, then not much.

I'd qualify "pleasure reading" as anything you don't have to read (i.e. for work, school, etc.).

(An hour-and-a-half each evening? Wow! You're either an incredibly organized and extremely well-accomplished person or you have no children! ;))

I'd like to think I'm the former, but I have a sneaking suspicion my ability to read so much is more likely due to the latter. :p

[Ransom v. Unman]

It said the average person spends less than ten minutes per day reading for pleasure. :eek:
It's even that high? Most people I know (present company excluded) spend no minutes reading a day if they can help it...

Me? I usually spend about an hour a day, at least. It all depends on how good the book is. If it really snares me, I'll spend five-six hours a day reading. :D

[Tarin]

Me? I usually spend about an hour a day, at least. It all depends on how good the book is. If it really snares me, I'll spend five-six hours a day reading. :D

You must have a very understanding wife... :rolleyes:

[Ransom v. Unman]

You must have a very understanding wife... :rolleyes:

Sometimes I don't. That's when it gets difficult... :o

Fortunately, her hobbies are often just as time consuming. I take advantage of her distraction often.

[Timber Wolf]

Anybody catch the article in The Writer about how "reading for pleasure" time is on the decrease in America? It said the average person spends less than ten minutes per day reading for pleasure. :eek: As someone who zealously and even fanatically guards her hour and a half of reading time every evening, I cannot fathom that.

How much time per day do you estimate you spend reading for pleasure?

I saw a similar article elsewhere (web, maybe?). It said only 45% of the pop (or some such) actually read for pleasure. Sad, truly sad.

For me, it depends. It flucuates depending on a number of things. When I was in college, after homework was done I would usually try to read a novel or such for an hour before going to bed. I've been known to walk around w/ nose stuck in a book, walking the halls at college.

Currently I read a bit before going to bed. Being stressed out hasn't helped my reading these days. I usually am watching a vid on the internet, rather than reading.

When I was taking the bus to and from work, I'd take a Tom Clancy book w/ me, and then come Sat, sit and read all day to finish it off. Started Clive Cusseler's Raise the Titanic one Fri morning when I wasn't working. Bed time came and I was like "just one more chptr, just one more chptr." Morning came and my kid brother was getting up to turn on the TV to watch Sat morning cartoons and I was finally done w/ the book and going to bed. Did the same thing w/ Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew when younger - would start reading when was bed time (summer, no school, tooo young to need a summer job yet), and then be finishing it in the morning when my grandpa was getting up to go to work.

Am I a reader? Yes!

[righter1]

On average, I probably get a half hour a day. But, it's never an average day. Right now, with hubby not in the house, I'm reading a bit more, but because of projects I've got (rewrites, sewing, cleaning) I'm not spending all my free time reading. Right now, I'm reading Casino Royale and am about half through it. Good read, short though. The chapters are short and easy to read one or two right before bed, or while I'm at lunch.

Some days, I don't read at all for pleasure--too busy. Sometimes, if you didn't count the reading I do for work and playing around here on CW, I wouldn't read at all! :eek: I do keep magazines -- mostly The Writer and Writer's Digest--and one or two books (fiction only) in the 'reading room'. And, I always have at least 2 novels and one non-fiction book in my GOP bag that goes most everywhere with me, except to the grocery store. :rolleyes:

However, I can count on one hand how many minutes my hubby has spent pleasure reading in the 5 1/2 years we've been married--0! So, I can very well believe that statistic. His mother is the same way, though his step-dad is as prolific a reader as I am--if not moreso.

[melw]

i read on the weekends more than during the week. While on the train i will at times read. But sometimes i decided to write. It depends on how busy i am as to how much i read. So it is hard to put a definative answer to the question.

But i will say because i know am a writer i don't read as much, other than my own, as i used to.

MEL

[michaelsnyder]

Not sure I can guesstimate the time...not sure I want to cuz it might depress me though (I subscribe to the "read twice as much as you write" school, although it rarely works out that way in reality). I obviously read as much as I possibly can every day. And thankfully, I seldom have to differentiate between reading for pleasure or reading for anything else.

And this is cool too...my 'research' of late is reading books about stand-up comedy. Hard to call that work, you know?

[Timber Wolf]

"READERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!"

I agree w/ you Michael, it's hard to differentiate between reading for pleasure or reading for anything else. How could reading be anything but enjoyable? On one of my jobs I was constantly searching for stuff on the internet to learn more, not b/c my job required it - I just wanted to know more.

[jacks girl]

The thread is about pleasure reading. The only time I enjoy reading in the last 8 years or so is when I'm re-reading my own works. I used to read when I was younger but I've always loved to write. So now every time I try to pick up something and read it i can't get interested it seems as a waste of MY time, why read when Ican be writing.

I read CW and some of the threads, but I've lost my love for reading if I ever had one. My cousin used to read romance a lot but since the baby she's not reading. My mom reads everything she can but not books, health magazines, the local newspaper and now she's reading things she finds on the net. Dad like me doesn't read. Hubby reads but he's a information reader. he finds something that he's interested in mp3 players, ham radios, a week ago he read a lot about striking and the history of people that were on strike.

Wonder what makes people love to read or dislike reading. I guess that is a question for another thread.

Jacks

[Timber Wolf]

Somebody's brainwashed you Jacks. :-)

[jacks girl]

LOL oh well it happened about 8 years ago.


Is it so strange to rather read your own work than others. I guess it is.

[Tiata]

Way too much lately!! LOL

I should be writing more, instead I'm reading and reading. Of course I am learning from all the varied styles and voices.. ummm...yeah... that's my story and I'm sticking with it. LOL

In Him,
(who gives mercy, new, each day)
~T~

[Tarin]

I should be writing more, instead I'm reading and reading. Of course I am learning from all the varied styles and voices..

Procrastination aside, that's really not such a bad plan. ;) I think it was Michael Snyder who mentioned something below about reading twice as much as you write. Although not always feasible, it's a great plan. The more we study great writers, the more we learn what works and what doesn't.

[michaelsnyder]

Okay, that's funny. I was about to quote Tarin's: "Procrastination aside, that's really not such a bad plan." But then she quoted me. So now this is starting to feel like looking into a mirror with a mirror...

I do agree however, that if you're not writing, the next best thing you can do is read.

[Tarin]

LOL Great minds think alike, wot? ;)

[Gina123]

Generally have two books going, one fiction and one non. I get spells of reading quite a lot but work and chores keep me from reading non-stop like I otherwise would. Of course I'm trying to stay focused on getting my book (fiction) written. Then I am about half way through with ripping out the carpet in my living room and hall (going to lay down laminate flooring) plus we have 15 horses at our place right now. Hubby often takes care of them but plowing/planting season is on us so I have to take over feeding chores. I have an hour commute on each end of my 8 hour work day. Did I mention house work and laundry?? Ha! Like most everyone else there is not enough hours in the day.

[ProfessorAlan]

I read about 10 books per month, so ...... I don't know what it works out to per week.

[Merry]

I read fiction in a weird fashion. If a book isn't compelling enough to make putting it down a real effort, I probably won't finish it, or I'll skip to the end, or find a character I like...because of course, everybody changes viewpoints these days...(Harump harumph!)..and I'll just read that character.

[Tamera]

I read fiction in a weird fashion. If a book isn't compelling enough to make putting it down a real effort, I probably won't finish it, or I'll skip to the end, or find a character I like...because of course, everybody changes viewpoints these days...(Harump harumph!)..and I'll just read that character.


I pretty much read the same way. My reading is sparadic because, when I read, I become lost in the story. So I'm not reading all the time.

[tlm]

It depends on what season it is and how much work I have to take home. When I have spare time, I read more. Right now, I am probably with that group that reads about 10-15 minutes before bed.

I was in the middle of a book a couple of weeks ago--spring break--and I had time to do a lot of reading. I accidentally left my book in the library. They swear they don't have it. Since it was a pulp suspense/romance I bought at Krogers, I can't find another copy anywhere. I am dying to know who the killer was.

[journalwriter]

I enjoy pleasure reading when I'm having lunch and after dinner which is my time to relax. I'm currently reading a series of books by Cynthia Voigt which is an award-winning series about the Tillerman family. So I read 1-2 hours per night along with devotional material. I pace myself based on when the book is due! (Although I'm able to renew it 3 times if needed.) Last night I read until my eyes burned since I was 3 pages from finishing. I'll start the next one today. I've read many times that it's important to read best sellers and award winners to get a taste for what's out there. Of course, I've run into unpleasant language which I've had to put down too many times. But the YA books aren't usually quite as riddled with it. My current novel is YA, so that's what I often focus on when I read for pleasure. (and it's educational at the same time.)

[Timber Wolf]

JW it looks like you are new enough that your posts are being moderated before being posted. So you may see your posts skipped b/c they are not showing up, and then appear later.

It depends on what season it is and how much work I have to take home. When I have spare time, I read more. Right now, I am probably with that group that reads about 10-15 minutes before bed.

I was in the middle of a book a couple of weeks ago--spring break--and I had time to do a lot of reading. I accidentally left my book in the library. They swear they don't have it. Since it was a pulp suspense/romance I bought at Krogers, I can't find another copy anywhere. I am dying to know who the killer was.

it was the butler. :-)

[Knight of Christ]

I did most of my pleasure reading right be for work or at lunch times, That is when I could finely get a hold of one the caught my intrest. Sence I have not been working though I find my self caught up with house work most of the time. (man i have almost forgotten what it is like to just sit all day with a book and lose myself in a good story.)

With three kids reading at all can be hard to do.

[wgjones3]

By the definition of reading something you don't have to being pleasure reading, I'd say most people read a lot more than that study assumes. How many people have their nose stuck in a computer reading stuff online that they don't technically have to. It maybe mostly celebrity gossip or sports scores or something else that's the literary equivalent of pop rocks but still...

The last novel I read was Snyder's RUSSELL FINK, which I got the weekend it came out. Before that I'm pretty sure it was Russo's STRAIGHT MAN, which I think I read back in September or October. Funny thing, when I was in undergrad many years ago, I use to make it a habit to read one book from cover to cover every weekend. That's when I read THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE and THE SCARLET LETTER and THE END OF THE AFFAIR--I read a lot of other books too, mostly Christian fiction I'm sure, but those three stick out. Two of them are in my top 5 favorites list...

When I came to grad school, I brought a box of books with me thinking I'd do the same thing again. WRONG. All I do when I'm home is sit and veg on the computer when I'm not doing homework or watching a race. Thing is, I bet I've read as much if not more than I did in undergrad, it's just been in web page bites... and not nearly as meaty.

Speaking of reading stuff that's not quite for pleasure, I'm working through a surprisingly good book about modern M&A activity by David Bruner. It's an '04 edition, apparently hasn't been updated since, but it's quite decent as far as textbooks go.

[Cymrugirl]

Since having my daughter, I've had to be more planned with my reading than spontaneous - which kills me because there are few things I like more than spontaneously sniffing out a book on my bookshelf and cracking it open.

Anyway, the best time for me to read has turned into lunches and any appointment I go to where I know I'm going to have to wait for someone. I just take my book with me - sometimes my writing ;) - and get some uninterrupted reading. Today, it's the doctor's office. Last time I visited one of those, I got 8 chapters in before my name was called. :D

I'm also thinking about audio books for the time I spend driving around for my job.

[michaelsnyder]

Okay, William G. has just bulletted his way back to the top of my "Favorite People of All Time...(at least for a few hours anyhow)" list by mentioning my book and Russo's Straight Man in the same paragraph!!!!

PS-I just went back and looked at said paragraph and realized Russo & me are only one sentence removed! William the award is yours for the day.

PSS-I know the name of the award is a bit cumbersome. But at least I didn't say: "FPoAT (alfafha) List", then try and make you figure it out!

[tlm]

it was the butler. :-)

Very funny!