Do You Read Regularly? Or Do You Read Only When You're in the Mood to?

Hong Kong
September 25, 2007 7:20am CST
Which type do you belong to? I definitely belong to the latter type! I only read when I am in the mood to (shame on me, as I often find myself not being in the right mood). Sometimes I try to force myself to read and it would turn out really bad, I would end up a whole month reading nothing because even if I successfully force myself to read, I wouldn't know what I am reading, I would lose interest. I admire people who read regularly, because they do finish the books faster than me. What about you?
5 people like this
21 responses
@Buggheart (445)
• United States
25 Sep 07
I read a lot, almost every day. Sometimes I don't feel like it so I don't but when I feel that way it's usually because I'm not crazy about the book I'm reading. For example, in the last month I've read 3 books that are over 500 pages each. But they were really, really good so I wanted to read them whenever I could to see how the story turned out. The book I'm reading now was recommended by a friend and it's good but it's really long. Too long. It's Stephen King so if you've ever read his books you know what I mean about too long. I wish I could cut some of the words out that I feel are unnecessary so that I can just get to the storyline to see what happens. The story has the potential to be really good but I'm having trouble seeing the story cuz there's too many words in the way and I'm getting bored with it, thus I don't find myself desperately wanting to read it. So in cases like that I have to push myself to read. I should probably just give up on that book and try something else.
1 person likes this
• Hong Kong
26 Sep 07
Yes, I definitely know what you mean by "too many words" with Stephen King! *laughs*
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• United States
26 Sep 07
It's The Stand. It's quite good but some of the backstories of people are just way long. I was reading it last night and was able to skip over a little bit of the wordiness and get to the good part again and it totally sucked me in. I'm on about page 300 and it's really super good right now but when I put the book down to go to sleep I thought to myself "good gawd, what more could be in the next 1000 pages of this book?" It's so long! Have you read "The Stand"? My friend recommended it and said I should get the long version that is uncut. I'm starting to think I should have gotten the shorter one. LOL.
• United States
26 Sep 07
Which Stephen King book is it? I love King books, there are a couple that I was uninterested in, but for the most part, the longer the better.
@sylvia13 (1850)
• Nelson Bay, Australia
25 Sep 07
I would like to read regularly, even though I must admit that I dont anymore. It has to do not only with being on the mood, but I also like to read in silence, so any noise or even music distracts me. The book I am trying to read must be interesting too and that is a major requirement! Sometimes I read in Spanish, other times in English and there seems to be a time for each of those. What I seem to be doing lately too is reading different books at once! The important thing is to read, I guess, so does quantity really matter? I dont believe so!
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@sylvia13 (1850)
• Nelson Bay, Australia
26 Sep 07
Thanks for your response! I agree with you, but I also think that maybe one should try to read while having some sort of soft or classical music in the background, as that would relax one further and maybe increase the reading joy!
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• Hong Kong
26 Sep 07
Definitely, I can't read when I am in noisy environment too!
• United States
26 Sep 07
Oh I read all the time! :) Hehe. A lot. I'm always i nthe mood to read! :) And I get A LOT of my reading done at my work. I work from 10pm-6am. And I'm usually done with all the work betwen midnight and one. So I have a lot of extra time to read! lol. =P And I love it!
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• Hong Kong
26 Sep 07
Oh you are so lucky! You are lucky to have time and read at work!
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
26 Sep 07
It is very difficult for me to start a book without finishing it. If the plot is good, I will be thinking about it all through whatever activities there are until I get back to the book and finish it. I read with all senses, so leaving a book in the middle would be sort of like having to walk out in the middle of a good movie at the theater. I have always marveled that some people read a novel on the bus on the way to and from their work. When I was a teacher, I sometimes graded papers on the train, but if I tried to read a good novel while riding, I would probably miss my stop. Can you believe I have seen people reading books while driving their cars in traffic?! Well, I would never go that far, but it is somewhat dangerous for me to start a book on impulse, because then someone might not get his dinner unless he got it himself. So while I love books and read regularly, mood usually has nothing to do with it. A fairly large block of time has to be blocked out in advance and all crises must be put on hold. Otherwise, I might not get started on a book for quite some time. Have you heard of the GoodReads website? It shows what books your friends and other people have read, are currently reading, or plan to read: Http://www.goodreads.com
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• Hong Kong
26 Sep 07
Wow scary! Reading books when driving in traffic? That's really good for you! If the book is good, then I would be like you, reading non-stop. But I guess I am kind of picky and I don't usually find good books like that. I have to check the goodreads.com out, maybe it would give me some idea of what to get for my next read!
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
27 Sep 07
Hello wondericequeen, Before I get to know My Lot, I was an avid reader. I spent more time reading compare to now. Sometimes, I will sacrifice my lunch time just to finish my reading instead of going out to have my lunch. Once I start to read, I just can't stop until I finish the book. But now, you can tell me from afar that I am not reading any kind of books that much *laughs*
1 person likes this
• Hong Kong
29 Sep 07
Me too! I seldom read after I am on mylot. But I think I will pick up the habit again!
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
27 Sep 07
I was reading regulary, but the Harry Potter series, I just finished. The Magic series by Patricia Rice I just finished. So I'm reading stuff when I'm intersted. I hope to find another magical serives again.
• Hong Kong
29 Sep 07
I love those Magic stuff too! Oh I will check out the Patricia Rice stuff then! I am not so much into the latter HP books, I think JK Rowling is a little clumsy, but for the first 4 ones, I finish within a month because I love them so much and I need to finish them before doing other stuff!
@ash6666 (819)
• India
26 Sep 07
pic - pchhh
i do read regulary.If i start to read a book i wont stope untill it gets completed.I f i postphone it i cant have interest in reading it.Even if its the case of studies also i should be updatd regularly according to classes.
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@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
25 Sep 07
Yes, I also read if I'm in the mood or if ever I wanted to sleep. I would like to understand the story of what I'm reading, because I don't want to miss important chapters or events on the books I read. Most of the boks I read are about conspiracies and Covert OPS, these are what makes my imagination work and provide me creative thinking.
• Hong Kong
26 Sep 07
Great, I love detective stories, I love the excitement!
@meemingNEW (2226)
• Philippines
25 Sep 07
I belong to the latter type too. :) Just like you, I just read if I am in the mood to. The only thing that can force me to read is when we are required to read some book/novel for our class. Especially in making a book review, it feels like forever when I have to read a book just to pass some papers to the teacher. But I have to in order for me to get some grades for our English class. It happened recently. :) Now that it's over, I don't intend to read any book at all. If I'm in the mood, then I'll reconsider.. :)
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• Hong Kong
26 Sep 07
Right I was forced to do that too when I was in school. Now that school is so over with me, I can't be forced to do anything, I will lose my interest.
@dinxcarin (595)
• Singapore
26 Sep 07
When time permist me..I read all kinds of books. Fiction or Non-fiction, self-help, techie and gadgets, tutorials..etc. But I prefer more on books that satisfies my soul and spirit, like The Bible. I know it's hard to understand it but it's worth a try. It keeps me energetic and be in the mood. I don't rely on my mood too much. I have moodswings and it's so unpredictable. if I rely on it, I will never get anywhere.
@lightningMD (5931)
• United States
25 Sep 07
I read just about every day. I usually read about 2 books a week. I go to the library every week to get my books. I love mysteries and thrillers the most.
1 person likes this
• Hong Kong
26 Sep 07
Wow 2 books in a week? I could never do that because I am so distracted with other stuff *laughs*.
• China
27 Sep 07
I belong to the latter type.I only read when I'm in the mood plus there is available books I like. I loved reading novels when I was in elementary school.And now my interest switch to philosophy and religion which help me find meaning in life.when something bad happens,books do comfort me a lot.nothing's gonna change my love for books:) I wish I could read regularly,but I can't.I really need time and right mood to concentrate so that I'm sure for what I'm reading.When we are reading,we do not only read what it's about,but also can't ignore the person who wrote it. whenever I come to a book which I think is amazing,I want to know more about the author.
@casablynn (150)
• United States
26 Sep 07
I read almost every day, but I also ride the train an hour to work and an hour back and most of my reading is done during that time. I usually finish 2-3 books a month, sometimes more depending on the length of the book and my overall interest in the story.
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26 Sep 07
I read everyday pretty much. I like to read before I go to sleep because it relaxes me.
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@Sm00tH (2037)
• Belgium
25 Sep 07
I am the type that never reads, i only read when I had to from school but I don't have to do that anymore now so I don't read =D
@Bunsdk (242)
• Denmark
25 Sep 07
I read every single day. I love reading, but dont have to be in the mood for it. I read to change my moods often. It clears my mind and always leaves me in a better mood. I only move around with bus or public transportation, thats always a good time to read as well. When I go to bed I read again, as I like to ease myself into sleep :D
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• China
26 Sep 07
When I was a student in senior high school,I read book every night after finishing my work.It was usually two or three hours,thus I could finish a book in one or two week.That time was a happy time in my life because I enjoyed fun of reading. However,nowadays I read book less and less.I always think that I don't have so much time and I need to do other things.If I force myself to read book,I will feel unhappy and may only read three of four pages in a hour.
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@maybebaby (1230)
• Canada
25 Sep 07
I read on a pretty regular basis. I try and read for at least an hour every night. I do have a harder time if the book I'm reading isn't very motivating though. It's just harder to get through. I read for enjoyment not just for the sake of reading so the book has to be motivating too.
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• United States
25 Sep 07
I read a lot, generally articles,news,and interesting stuff online due to time constraints. Also of course I do a lot of reading for my classes but when time permits I like to read books by the likes of Stephen King.
@meikaidi (24)
• United States
26 Sep 07
I read regularly but as far as how much I read regularly it is not too many pages. I ALWAYS read on my lunch breaks everyday and right before I go to sleep. It gets my mind off of work and it gets me tired when i am ready to go to bed... not because the books bore me though! :)
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