Okay, so the other day, a friend was commenting on my monthly reading list and asked when I found the time to read. In the ensuing discussion, she described herself as a “goldilocks” when it comes to reading–-she needs to have everything juuuuuust right to be able to focus. This caught my attention because, first, I thought that was a charming way of describing the condition, but, two, while we’ve talked about our reading habits, this is an interesting wrinkle. I’d never really thought about it that way.
So, this is my question to you–are you a Goldilocks kind of reader?
Do you need the light just right, the background noise just so loud but not too loud, the chair just right, the distractions at a minimum?
Or can you open a book at any time and dip right in, whether it’s for twenty seconds, while waiting for the kettle to boil, or indefinitely, like while waiting interminably at the hospital–as long as the book is open in front of your nose, you’re happy to read?
Holly:
I can and do read whenever, wherever. Amusement park while waiting in line for a ride? Yep. In the car? Yep. While MM is watching t.v.? Yep. I don’t have a problem reading no matter where it is. I have this amazing ability to block out my surroundings and just dive into a book, whether it’s for 5 minutes or 5 hours.
Honestly, I think that’s one of the reasons I read so fast. It’s not that I’m a speed reader, it’s just that I focus completely on whatever I’m reading. I don’t get distracted by screaming kids or music or background noise. So while the speed I read at may not be as high as other peoples, my attention is more focused. Does that make sense?
Izzy:
So, this is my question to you–are you a Goldilocks kind of reader?
Do you need the light just right, the background noise just so loud but not too loud, the chair just right, the distractions at a minimum?
Or can you open a book at any time and dip right in, whether it’s for twenty seconds, while waiting for the kettle to boil, or indefinitely, like while waiting interminably at the hospital–as long as the book is open in front of your nose, you’re happy to read?
For the most part, I can open a book at anytime and start reading. The only place I found that I can’t read is while I’m exercising. I tried reading while working out on the elliptical and that wasn’t happening. I just made myself dizzy and had to stop. However if I’m out walking, I can do that.
I used to look forward to car trips because I would pack a few books and read with no problem. I noticed on the last few car trips, I’ve gotten a little car sick while reading. Which sucks.
Wena:
I can read through a tornado, that’s how much attention I pay to anything else when I’m reading….LOL. When I’m reading, if the book is good, it’ll grab me and I wont’ be able to concentrate on anything BUT reading and finding out what’s going to happen next. Life isn’t a distraction to me when I’m reading, it’s more like my reading is a distraction from my life…and I wanna keep it that way. =) I can read for a quick second or a few hours, it doesn’t matter, the only way someone can ply me away from a book is by getting hurt or crying because they’re hungry, anything else, good luck trying….haha.
What about the rest of you?
Oh, I’m solidly in the “pick up a book, drop reality” category right along with the three of you. Anywhere, anytime. In fact, I can’t seem to watch TV unless I’m reading a book at the same time- that way I can read through the commercials.
ME TOO! Ha, I thought I was the only freak that did that.
Glad I’m not alone. lol
Oh yeah, me too. Wherever, whenever. I even read those few precious seconds while I wait for web sites to load, LOL. (so those of you who have those annoyingly slow sites, I’m kosher with it – when I’m at home). These days I get so little reading time, I’ll take what I can get.
This is a good question.
I can read anywhere. I tend to block out anything going on around me, and then I just read read read.
I even read during childbirth! Between contractions. lol
Lori, I do the same thing.
Chantal,
Are you kidding me? Childbirth? Uh, no. LOL I draw the line there…
I so serious. I even have some picture and video of it. I’ll upload them and send you an email. LOL
This is a great question and I think it’s only as I get older that I have more distractions.
I used to read practically upside with my arm over my head while laying in bed 15 years ago. Now my arm will fall asleep or I’ll get a crick.
I also used to just dive into a book and not worry about anything else. 8 straight hours of reading with just bathroom breaks and food breaks.
Now, I have an anxious brain that needs things to be just right. Not about where I am for reading but about where my brain is. I can’t have loads of laundry needing my attention or a kitchen that’s a mess. Heck, I even have to know I vacuumed! Once I’m able to get those kind of things out of my head, I can sit anywhere and read for hours.
It’s actually a great thing if I’m out of the house or waiting in Home Depot with a book because there is nothing I can ‘fret’ over and it’s just pure reading.
So to answer (no really, I’m getting there) I need to know I have the time to read the entire book in a two day span before starting or my brain just won’t settle down.
Maybe I should just get a maid 😉
CindyS
Cindy, unless you are older than I am (50) I can tell you it is NOT an age thing. You sound like one of those *shudder* NEAT People! *gasp* Let it go, Cindy, just let it go. Don’t you know that all housework goes away while reading a book? No really, it’s a proven fact that clothes remain clean and carpets stay vacuumed as long as you are reading. It’s only when you put the book down that reality rears it’s ugly head.
Chantal, you had an epidural during labor didn’t you?! I always took books with me, but since they wouldn’t give me the good stuff, reading just soooo wasn’t happening!
qb – I am so far from neat that I now have a crush on you for even suggesting it 😉
So if I read, the house will be clean. I like it!
CindyS
Chantal, you had an epidural during labor didn’t you?!
Hell no! I’m a home birther.
*reads Chantal’s post and faints*
CindyS (reaching for smelling salts)