Does the wonderful world of reading capture your free time

@rx4life (1930)
United States
June 7, 2008 10:04pm CST
or are you a television/movie person? I am a lover of thrilling books..but also like to see a good movie..Since I'm an avid walker and have a treadmill in my house, I tend to watch my movies during my exercise time...it makes the time fly by..but reading is my favorite getaway..Are you in the depths of a good book these days? Do you like thrillers, mysteries, romantic novel? I find that I can actually judge the quality of my life by whether or not I am reading voraciously!!! If I am not reading much it usually speaks volumes about my state of mind!!! It seems that if stress is overloading my life, I haven't enough focus to enjoy my reading...If life is going well, there is usually a stack of books in my room that I am tearing through!!! How about you? Does reading play a role in your life? Do you read more or less when you are stressed or sad? Do you use it for an escape during the "down times" or are you like me and lack the focus to enjoy it then?
2 people like this
12 responses
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
8 Jun 08
I don't watch TV. I like movies and I love books. I can read any book over night. My mother used to be very upset about, specially when I was reading under my cover with flash light. I am still reading at night when is very quiet. I like good novels, fiction and self help books. Reading is very rewarding. If I don't have much time, I am listening to audio books in my car.
1 person likes this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
8 Jun 08
Aren't audio books great? Even my grandchildren love to listen to them...
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@polachicago (18716)
• United States
8 Jun 08
I love audio books, because I can listen to when driving, doing dishes and much more.... HUGS
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@Juduka (118)
• Finland
25 Jun 08
I can remember the beginning of my reading hobby. I had learned to read in school and Donald Duck had been coming to us for years already so I started reading them on my own. I went on hour after hour and as I've always been a night person I anxiesly waited for my parents to fall asleep so I could turn on the lights and keep reading, the Golden days. Those days comics could be found everywhere around the house including the toilet. In the years to come I diversified my taste to practically everything. I love stories of all kind. I watch TVseries on the web, I enjoy going to movies, I own lots of audiobooks and am constantly growing my personal library.
@Juduka (118)
• Finland
25 Jun 08
I'm a book person! I devour books by truckloads. I read on the average seven books a week. I used to be a huge fan of fiction and I learned what I learned from newspapers, but now that I've found my own trade and passion and started a business around it I read lots of books that somehow relate to it. I love reading informational books that the person has written from his own experiences. I learn best when the writer writes in I from. I use books to revitalize me. I always have some audiobook playing in my car-radio. Down-times of life don't affect my reading habits so it doesn't work as a good barometer for my emotional life.
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@rx4life (1930)
• United States
25 Jun 08
Wow!! 7 books a week..that is amazing...good for you...It's great that you can relate your reading to your work also...My profession is pharmacy...so the books about my job seem more "study guides" at times...but the some are very interesting about the inner workings of pharmacy and the tips and plans for running a successful business.
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@Juduka (118)
• Finland
25 Jun 08
Well my work is definitely my passion! And running a professional business is a large part of. I really don't mind drooling over recipes of gourmer dinners and especially not testing out new drinks. I've never been into study guide type of books. No matter what the subject is I like stories, anecdotes, how-tos to make the text more alive. There are few exceptions to that, but they are very few...
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
9 Jun 08
I am pretty much like you. I am not the biggest fan of tv, but I enjoy a good movie or an interesting series. However it's books that tend to take me away. I'm in my own world when I'm reading - or the author's :) = and I will hear no one, and noticing little while I'm reading. I think I will read anything that has words but I kind of prefer adventure, detective novels, science fiction, mystery and when I don't have much time even comics:) The pattern for me is I'll read when my life is great and I have plenty of time, I'll read less if I'm going trough a medium stress phase and I will read much more again if I"m really down. Reading when things are fine and I have time, makes sense. Medium stress keeps me thinking about what's going on and how to solve it, so I don't read much. But when I'm really, really down and the only thing I crave is some escape, I'm back reading a lot. I know it wont' solve a thing but at times when things are really bad I"m sometimes past wanting to solve anything :)
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
9 Jun 08
It is amazing how much reading can "save" us from our lives during the bad times isn't it? As long as I can focus I am so into that author's story that little makes me happier!!! Hopefully we'll all be reading because life is so good!!! Good to hear from you!!
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@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
9 Jun 08
I'm so glad to be back. I didn't realize how badly I will miss this place and all my friends here :) But.. yeah, reading has saved my sanity quite a few times and it helped me to go trough some hard times. It might be a bit hard to focus at first, but if I persist that book will take me away from the worries and bad times.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jun 08
Reading is my second name, I love reading as i believe that the secret to a good night's sleep is reading. But my reading patterns are different. As i dont like to read the whole book the whole night. I stop reading when i sense that there is going to be a twist or action so that i good keep thinking the next day what would happen in the boook and this makes the reading experience better. Try it. my reading pattern stays the same if i am stressed or not. If i am stressed then i close my door take a bath and then start reading.I also like tv to the political discussions to the sports. Movies are also my hobbies i like to watch the block buster one though.
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@rx4life (1930)
• United States
9 Jun 08
It's such a great hobby...reading...I am just in the middle of an exciting book and I can hardly wait until the end of the day when I'll be able to read again!! I took the book to the doctor's office with me today and then on to work so I might get a break to read!!! I love to watch sports also...and a good movie is a favorite..
@jer31558 (3683)
• United States
9 Jun 08
Much more in times past than at this time. Now I spend quite a bit of time on mylot and a few other sites and it seems I don't have the time I used to.
1 person likes this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I went through that period..and many others..LOL..but in my own life I've found that reading is very important..and it's such a barometer of how well things are going that I just can't too much take it's place..don't get me wrong..I love myLot and other sites, but I have to have balance and too much internet time is really draining..I recharge with reading/exercise...thanks for responding..
@selece (2357)
• Philippines
23 Jun 08
Before, reading books was one of my hobbies. I like inspirational books and romantic novels. I also like books by Mitch Albom and Paulo Coelho. And yes, reading played a good role in myLot, I've learned a lot from the books I read. Recently though, I prefer watching movies since seeing things happen real-time satisfies me. But if I need to stimulate my critical thinking and imagination, I'd go for books.
1 person likes this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
25 Jun 08
Movies are great and I enjoy them alot...with books I find,like you, that it stimulates my imagination and I can envision my own characters and such...
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
8 Jun 08
Yes reading does play a big Part in my Life and has done since I was a Child and Able to read I love reading and always have I loose myself in my Books they take me to another World and let me forget about mine at times
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@rx4life (1930)
• United States
8 Jun 08
I agree..the GREAT ESCAPE from our sometimes not so great reality~~~:)
@Jemina (5770)
9 Jun 08
Yes, it does. I love reading and writing too. When I'm in the gym I always read the newspaper while on the cycling exercise. Sometimes I also read in the toilet. I have always been fascinated by reading ever since I was in elementary. I even remember reading a college literature book when was in Grade 4. That book was so heavy and it was hardbound. I couldn't understand all the words but I just enjoyed reading it though.
@Jemina (5770)
9 Jun 08
It's good you find time to read to your grandchildren. I'm sure they will grow up wise and knowledgeable just like you. I'm with you. As your pace goes faster it becomes impossible to read while in the treadmill. I find myself slowing down when I get engrossed with my reading.
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I used to read while walking on the treadmill but that was years ago when I was more of a "stroller"...now I walk much faster and couldn't do it...I read whenever I can...I love to read to my grandchildren..one of them can read now and he is like me..reading into the night...I think children that are read to develope a love of books..they also love the audio books for the ones that can't read yet!
1 person likes this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
8 Jun 08
I am not much of a reader at all. I never have been. I have a hard time remembering what i have read. I have to read things several times to comprehend the whole meaning of it. I also have to have complete silence when reading also. I don't have the time to read now though. I work seven days per week online for many hours.
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@rx4life (1930)
• United States
8 Jun 08
Wow..7 days a week is lot of work!! Not comprehending what I read is what I mean about not reading when things are stressful or too busy in my life!!! My focus is fractured when life is too busy..that is then my sign to slow it up a bit..and soon I'm better and back to reading and loving it!! I hope someday you can enjoy a good book..it's so rewarding!!!
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
8 Jun 08
How are you doing my friend? During the "down times" I also lack the focus and desire to enjoy a good book. It affects my concentration otherwise I enjoy romantic novels, true crimes and auto biographies.
1 person likes this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
8 Jun 08
I am good and so happy to hear from you!!! Yes the concentration level is really affected by my state of mind!! But right now things must be really good because I am really into a book!!! Be well and take care!
@Essie119 (673)
• Canada
9 Jun 08
I like to do both at the same time. Since most TV is a waste of time, but it's usually on in our house, I read while I'm watching. Right now I'm doing mylot while watching Million Dollar Password. Beside me is the book I'll be reading when I'm done with the computer. With me, it is the type of book I'm reading that could tell someone my state of mind. If I can't concentrate I'll reread a romance book. If things are normal I'll be racing through a suspence novel.
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@rx4life (1930)
• United States
9 Jun 08
Suspense novels are my favs.... I can't read when the television is on..but am watching the same show as you while i am walking 7 miles on my treadmill...then I'll go to vbed and read...just came upstairs for a water break and saw your response!! Happy reading!!
• Indonesia
8 Jun 08
My reading habit does not change with stress or fluctuating emotion. Only the books change. I tend to read comedy, fairy-tales, or japanese mangas when I need to cool down. I don't read romance as a rule. But mystery or fantasy stories are good on most days.
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@rx4life (1930)
• United States
8 Jun 08
Maybe I should try that..changing the book subjects instead of avoiding the reading...( love your avatar!!)