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Welcome

I started this blog in 2013 to share my reflections on reading, writing and psychology, along with my journey to become a published novelist.​  I soon graduated to about twenty book reviews a month and a weekly 99-word story. Ten years later, I've transferred my writing / publication updates to my new website but will continue here with occasional reviews and flash fiction pieces, and maybe the odd personal post.

ANNE GOODWIN'S WRITING NEWS

Do you have a preferred reading pace? #amreading

30/5/2019

8 Comments

 
Because I get through so many books – 147 last year – people often assume I’m a fast reader. But I don’t think that’s the case – although admittedly I’ve never measured it – more a matter of devoting a lot of time to reading (and for some of that time I’m asleep). On the odd occasion I’ve read the same book as Mr A, he seems to finish sooner. But neither of us read as some people do, scanning the page as a whole rather than consuming it bit by bit, sentence by sentence.
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I must confess I occasionally cheat, however. If a book is dull and I don’t want to give up on it, I might grant it only a few words per paragraph. A faster pace gets a mediocre book off my shelf and frees me up for the next one, but I don’t enjoy it. Devices and screens might have rendered skim reading the new normal in general, but it’s not mine. I read because I like reading: it shouldn’t be a race to the end.
 
Although averse to rushing a book, I’m not one to dawdle. I’m sure the reason I’ve never got into poetry is that I can’t stop myself approaching it like fiction. I enjoy author readings but, when it’s just me and a poem, the voice in my head won’t linger over the words.
 
Pace could also account for my reluctance to read non-fiction. Or is that a poor excuse for my lazy brain? I need to slow down if I’m to comprehend new and potentially complex concepts. At my normal speed I can get to the end of a chapter and nothing’s gone in.
 
I could say the same for intensely-plotted and many, although not all, epic novels. If there’s too much detail, an excessively twisty-turny plot or a surfeit of characters, I might not take it in. And thereby miss out on the story. Likewise books with Russian characters where you have to pause and pronounce every syllable in order to remember who’s who.
 
I wonder if most of us have a reading pace that feels most comfortable. It certainly applies to other areas of my life. Generally a faster-than-average walker, while I can slow down to accommodate other people, I tire faster when proceeding as a tortoise rather than a hare. So how about you, do you have a preferred reading pace? Are you able to be flexible and alter your speed according to the type of text?
 
At my normal pace, and a soupcon of skimming, I’ve read and reviewed twelve novels this month. After expressing concerns last year about not reading enough books by women, I’m pleased to report it was almost an all-female set. But The Wall was such a fine fit for the last flash fiction challenge, I had to allow a token male. However, it was a woman author I added to my favourites list: In the Full Light of the Sun by Clare Clark, based on real events concerning the possible forgery of van Gogh paintings, is a beautifully written and poignant tale of self-delusion within the art world set in Berlin, with fascism on the rise.

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Click on the image above to see all this month’s reviews. You’ll find my other posts on reading here.
Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
8 Comments
Norah Colvin link
2/6/2019 12:36:30 pm

Interesting reflections and questions, Anne. Although I read a lot, that lot is blog posts and articles mainly. I don't real read enough, or not as much as I'd like. I will read (when I can) fiction, non-fiction and (to a lesser extent) poetry. My pace does vary with the material in that I do slow down for anything that is conceptually dense be it fiction, non-fiction or poetry. I do sometimes skim over anything I find boring or even stop reading if it's not fulfilling a need. I am not as set in my reading ways as I know some others are. I'll take print, electronic or audiobook whenever or however I can.
I think I've missed a few of these posts. I'll do my best to catch up - but not tonight! I've almost finished listening to Eyrie by Tim Winton so will need a new audiobook soon. I think I've already earmarked one of your recommendations to be next. I'll have to check back to see.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
3/6/2019 10:35:25 am

Thanks, Norah. You might not read as many books, but you're much more versatile than I am! Hope you enjoyed Eyrie.

Reply
Norah Colvin link
3/6/2019 12:51:27 pm

Ha! I had read all your May posts. Now that's a surprise. I finished reading Eyrie this morning and have just purchased The Fourth Shore on your recommendation to begin tomorrow. Did you read and review Eyrie? I'd be interested to know what you thought if you did.

Anne Goodwin
3/6/2019 05:38:08 pm

Congratulations on getting through them all, Norah. I still have some catching up to do.
Yes, I reviewed Eyrie – and you commented on my review!
https://annegoodwin.weebly.com/annecdotal/-when-good-neighbours-become-good-friends-eyrie-by-tim-winton
Now I’m wondering whether you agreed with my assessment.

Norah Colvin link
4/6/2019 12:38:22 pm

Thanks for linking to your review, Anne. I have left a comment over there. I thought you had reviewed it. Why did it take me so long to get to it!?

Anne Goodwin
4/6/2019 03:59:15 pm

Better late than never, Norah, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for following the link to my review. Apologies that my blog doesn’t do live links – copy and paste is a little bit extra work. Sorry I can’t help with the ending of Eyrie – too many sleeps since I read it!

Kate Vane link
18/6/2019 05:03:19 pm

I don't really buy the argument in the Guardian that skim-reading is linked to the rise of screens. When I was at school I was part of a research project which taught us how to do it. It was seen as a useful skill to have, vital for study and for many jobs.

I still find it useful for research and non-fiction to sift for what's interesting or relevant. Like you, I tend to only skim fiction if I'm not enjoying the book which begs the question of why I'm reading it at all!

Reply
Anne Goodwin
19/6/2019 11:12:07 am

A good point, Kate. I never develop the skill but I do recall when it was considered a virtue.

Reply



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