I've noticed several blogs that I read on a regular basis sharing this little 'reading habits survey'. I didn't note down all of them, but I did see Kim's on Sophisticated Dorkiness and Florinda's on The 3R's Blog. Enjoyed both and thought I would join in. So, here we go:
1. Do you have a certain place at home for reading?
Yes, I have an office/library that is my very own. It has my desk and computer and my bookshelves. It also have my reading chair and lamp and little table for coffee or other beverage of choice. I also read in bed before going to sleep. I read at the breakfast table while eating. I read standing up in the kitchen or sometimes in the family room while hubby is watching a TV show. I read on the back porch occasionally, but not as much as I thought I would. Summer is hot out there. Winter is cold and breezy. And then there are the bugs. Our porch is not screened, sadly.
2. Do you use a bookmark or a random piece of paper?
I always use bookmarks if I'm reading a regular book. I have a lot of them - bookmarks - well, I have a lot of books too, but I have a bedside drawer that has lots and lots of bookmarks. These days, I read from my Kindle mostly. I have more books there than in paper.
3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter or a certain amount of pages?
It depends. I guess I prefer to stop at the end of a chapter, but sometimes, especially when reading in bed, I stop...right...there. And sometimes, most notably when I'm reading a book that I'm not particularly excited about but must read for some reason, I read a certain number of pages. Actually, these days there are very few 'must read' books in my life. That whole '50-page-rule'.
4. Do you eat or drink while reading?
I do, yes. However, I've discovered that a lot of mindless eating was while I was reading. In trying to lose weight and not eat without noticing, I've begun a campaign to only drink while reading. I get caught up in the story and my hand will be putting things in my mouth and I don't even remember. I drink coffee in the mornings and other things in the afternoons. Trying to limit snacking to a few nuts or fresh fruit.
5. Do you watch TV or listen to music while reading?
No. I can listen to TV or music, but it wouldn't be my preference. I'm home alone during the daytime and my house is quiet. However, my husband is one of those people who almost automatically turns on the TV. So, if he's home, it's a good bet that there is some noise. I do have my reading room though and often retreat there if he's watching TV and I'm not.
6. Do you read one book at a time or several at once?
I usually have one book that I'm reading in either print or e-book form and one book that I'm listening to. I've never been one who could read 4 or 5 at a time.
7. Do you prefer to read at home or anywhere?
I can read anywhere - truly. However, I mostly read at home because that's pretty much the extent of my hobbies - reading. If I'm waiting somewhere outside our house, I'm always reading. Now that audiobooks are a big part of my life, I can be 'reading' at any time, no matter what my hands are doing.
8. Do you read out loud or silently?
I don't read out loud to myself. I do listen to audiobooks and I used to read a lot to our daughter. Even when she was old enough to read her own books. She always loved to have me read to her. OK, does anyone read out loud just to themselves?
9. Do you read ahead or skip pages?
I don't skip pages or skim books. I either read them in their entirety or I don't. Again, '50-page-rule'. That being said, I do occasionally peek at the end. I know, I know - sacrilege - or so my husband thinks. Sometimes I just can't wait and sometimes I want to check and see if I guessed the killer or the twist. I'm trying to not do this though. But I could. And I have. LOL
10. Do you break the spine or keep it like new?
I'm a little picky about that. Well, more than a little picky. In my mind, the book should look like you haven't read it when you finish reading it. Understand? It's the former library worker in me and the incredibly picky person in me. I even try to get unbroken spines when I buy used books.
11. Do you write in your books?
Hardly ever. In college, I used to highlight, but I rarely read anything that would need me to write in the book. I have occasionally put my name in a book. And did you know they have these cool little post-its, tiny ones, that you can mark books? Just saying...
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Well, that seems to be it. If you'd like to take the survey and share with people, feel free. I think it's been fun hearing about 'how we read'.
I enjoyed reading your answers, Kay! My reading is mostly in the living room and occasionally on my bed if I'm too tired or just want to get comfy. And I always use bookmarks, otherwise any papers would be fine as long as I don't fold the pages. This survey sounds fun! I may want to do it at some point. :)
ReplyDeleteI pass my books on to my mother and she has asked me if I read the book because it looks like brand new.
ReplyDeleteI love reading getting to know my fellow bloggers better through these little surveys. :-) I actually went to the drawer where I keep my bookmarks and pulled one out to stick in the paper book I want to read--two rarities at once: I'm reading a paper book and I'll be using an actual bookmark! LOL I have a ton of bookmarks too, but I often grab whatever is handiest. Often than means a receipt or post it note or something of that nature. Nowadays though, I'm usually reading a e-book.
ReplyDeleteI prefer reading in the quiet too. When I'm alone, I like to do that. Usually if the family is home and watching the television, I have little probably blocking that out--unlelss it is something I want to watch too.
I read all around the house, but my living room couch is usually my default location. Sometimes I'll listen to instrumental music (adagios are a favorite choice), but only if I'm trying to drown out background noise from another room or from outside. I've got lots of nice bookmarks (I purchase when I visit a new city or country), but will grab whatever is around (and it's usually not one of my nice bookmarks)...
ReplyDeleteThis was so much fun to read. I'm with you on just about every one except that I read only magazines when I eat.
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot in common reading habit wise! I'm planning on turning my daughter's bedroom into a reading room once she's really moved out and not just college moved out. I also try not to eat when I'm reading otherwise I'll consume huge amounts without even realizing it. I do tend to have a cup of tea or something else to drink.
ReplyDeleteWe are very similar in our reading habits! Except I just cannot read whilst travelling in a car (as a passenger of course) and only spasmodically in a train.
ReplyDeleteWe're very alike in our reading habits. Good point about reading and mindless eating. That's very true for me. But, seriously, I don't think I can eat alone (which I do most days for breakfast and lunch) without reading. I'd be SO bored!
ReplyDeleteLoved the survey!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on #5 - I've just had to learn to read with the tv blathering on in the background. Although I finally do have a couple of places that I can curl up with a book that are far enough away that I do get quiet. I do read a lot on the patio in the spring, summer, and fall but I do have to work around the heat, cold, and bugs, too!
ReplyDeleteIt is too easy to snack when reading isn't? I try to just have drinks too. Love your reading spot, I'm more of an anywhere reader, but so much of my reading these days is audio that I can be anywhere but inaccessible :)
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