Do you prefer past tense or present tense when you read?

Definitely past tense. Reading present tense is like reading in second person: weird. I reckon it stems from considering the book to be a story told by someone. If it's in the present tense, they couldn't be telling it since you'd be there with them: in the past tense it's like someone sitting down and telling you what happened.

I read a whole lot, and I typically don't come across books written in the present tense. When I do, I think it's really strange and it needs some getting used to. I think that's the way I felt about the first chapter of the Hunger Games. I don't know if I noticed for the rest of the book. I think present tense isn't used nearly as much as past tense. I mean... I don't really think it matters but I don't see many novels using present tense.

Honestly, I don't know if I really have a preference. I enjoy reading books that are written in both tenses. I can understand why some might have a preference, but I can't really say that I personally do.

Past tense seems to be the most common and I do think it sounds better, but maybe it is because I am more used to seeing it that way. It seems to make more sense to me though. The way I see it, it is a story and if we are being told a story, then it must have already happened. I guess it doesn't really make or break a book. If the writing is well-put and the storyline is good, then it is a good book.

I much prefer reading in the past tense, because it is as though the story has ended and somebody is just telling you about the story; rather than feeling as though you're actually reading at the same time of the story. That being said, if I find that something is being written in the present tense, I won't stop reading it, but it does sometimes take a little more time for me to get into it than it would if it were being written in the past tense. I am writing a novel at the moment, and that is in the past tense as I feel that it is a lot easier for a writer to be in that tense.

I'd prefer to read in present tense. This is because it gives me a feeling that something that is happening is going on now and has not happened before. Its fate has not been decided yet. Its the same passion when you watch a live sport being telecasted instead of an old one!

awinds hi for me I am more comfortable reading in the past tense as I want to know the whole story and how it ends. I believe the majority of fiction readers want it to be in the past tense as they are used to that in fiction. Non fiction is better in present tense as I for one want to know the latest inventions, innovations, and technological information. past stuff does not help us live our lives today in this complex society. Now history is great for the past as we want to know what went on before us. Who else made the same blunders or new blunders and how did 'they resolve their problems

I prefer the past tense personally, though I can't really explain why. I think probably just because most of my favourite books are written that way - The Harry potter series, David Eddings' novels... I also find it much much easier to write in the past tense. More important to me than past or present tense though is the point of view - I'd much rather read something in third person (He, she, they) than in first (I). I don't know why, but first person generally bugs me, it feels less...I guess serious, but that's not really the word because I'd rather read funny books in third person too I guess what I mean is, tt feels like less of a real novel to me, in first person. I just sort of associate it with books aimed at teenagers, written in diary-esque format. Anyways, sorry to totally change topic do you prefer past or present tense?

Definitely past tense, even if it's just because I'm more used to reading that way. Books written in the present tense just bug me.