skimming or careful reading

Egypt
April 1, 2013 7:34am CST
some people while reading skip descriptions and unneeded details and only read the main events or the main idea of the book this process is called skimming others think that while reading a book you must enjoy every single word and read it carefully which type are you ? for me it depends on the book if the subject is interesting I read it very carefully if I felt bored I skip a lot of stuff and only get out with the main idea of the book
1 person likes this
7 responses
• Philippines
1 Apr 13
I am similar to you. I have a goal every year to read a certain number of books. And I realized that when I am near to accomplishing this, I cannot remember some of the books I read because I just skim them. When I really take the time to read a book, either because I really like it or it's interesting, then I don't forget it because I read more slowly. I think it's because I am a hearing reader and not a sight one. I hear a voice in my head while reading and it has a certain tempo for each book. If it's too fast, it's almost feels like I am not reading at all.
• Egypt
2 Apr 13
a hearing reader ? there are types of readers too ...... interesting
• Philippines
6 Apr 13
Yeah, I think I read it on a book about how to read faster. The author posits that there are different ways to read a book. There are those who need to read it aloud. There are those who need to hear the words. Then there are those who read by sight. Supposedly, this determines how fast you read, aloud is slowest, by sight is fastest. I figured I am the medium type.
• Singapore
2 Apr 13
I only read stuff that I enjoy, hence if it turns out that the book does not interest me then I give it up altogether rather than try to finish it by skimming.
• Egypt
2 Apr 13
I see I usually hate giving up on a book so I always try to read even if I had to skip some of it`s pages
@Frederick42 (2024)
• Canada
28 Apr 13
I do not skip any details. While reading, I read each and every word. Not only this, I imagine all the people and the places in my mind. Thus,while I read a book, I am not just reading a book but am also watching a movie in the form of the book. Skipping details will certainly make us to read faster, but it will also reduce our interest in the book. Some people skip the geographical descriptions and the lines describing the dress and features of people. But I prefer not to skip.
@franne32 (694)
• Philippines
1 Apr 13
If it's quite a boring book, I'll probably skim a few sentences here and there. I mean, it also depends on the book because sometimes I have to read it from cover to cover. There are minute details inside a book that needs to be read even if I don't want to and this is time consuming. Nevertheless, if it's connected with work, I will read it through to the end and not one word to spare.
• Egypt
2 Apr 13
yeah anything related to school or work must be read fully even if I hated the book
@kenshin2143 (1880)
• Philippines
1 Apr 13
We have the same views and ways on reading a book. I do read repeatedly the words whenever I find a certain book interesting. As for those books I am not quite acquainted to, I just look for some keywords and that will be it.
• Egypt
2 Apr 13
guess I`m not the only one then what subjects do you like to read about ?
@honor00 (185)
1 Apr 13
I do both. I skim academic papers to see if they need careful reading, I read books of my choice - my leisure reading slowly and thoroughly.
• Egypt
2 Apr 13
I guess especially for academic papers i read them fully as long as they are on the subject I need
@Pegasus72 (1898)
7 Apr 13
When I read a book for myself I read the whole thing. If it is for school I speed read.