Submitted by FrostyGenie t3_z4fzci in books
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FrostyGenie OP t1_ixqvb4c wrote
That's good advice, thank you!
I also keep a book by my bedside that I'm reading for fun. I also try to read it to wind down at the end of the day, but sometimes I find that I'm just too tired to focus on it. On the days that I am not, though, that is how I do most of the reading that's just for myself.
I've listened to audiobooks before, which has helped get through certain books, and even made some more enjoyable than their text versions. Listening to one throughout the day when you have a moment to spare sounds like a good idea, thank you. I usually stick to text versions but I will try to experiment with audiobooks more.
minimalist_coach t1_ixqn5je wrote
I'm not a student, but I was reading a lot of nonfiction for work. I rarely read for pleasure. I just chalked it up to a season of my life where reading for fun was way down the list of things I had time for. There were times of the year when I was less busy, that is when I would put aside my work reading and read for pleasure.
FrostyGenie OP t1_ixqo4pv wrote
I suppose that's just how things have to be sometimes.
MorriganJade t1_ixqoe1p wrote
First of all by having already read a lot of the books, and secondly by sometimes Wikipediaing some of them. it gets to the point where they assign you so many books it's ridiculous. I love reading but I suck at reading on command. if I end up really needing to have read it I can always read it last minute
FrostyGenie OP t1_ixquh5i wrote
Yeah I feel much the same way. Being told to read something makes me less inclined to do it. Or enjoy it for that matter. If I get swamped in books I sometimes end up just looking at the sparknotes and call it a day.
MorriganJade t1_ixqzndt wrote
definitely, it's like saying I have to read it guarantees I can't sometimes XD
homecountygent t1_ixqqh3y wrote
Do people find this with other forms of media? Like film studies students not being able to enjoy films
zedatkinszed t1_ixr3g5k wrote
Speaking as someone who teaches literature and media students and who taught drama at university for years.
You'd be depressed by how many don't read/watch films/go to plays. It's a really weird phenomenon
homecountygent t1_ixr5o2y wrote
In some ways, I suppose, it works out better to be an autodidact. Not likely to be burnt out, perhaps
zedatkinszed t1_ixr61ql wrote
I mightn't have been clear in my post. It's not that they don't read or watch for pleasure it's that they don't at all.
I once had a woman of 20 come up to me in 2nd year of a media course, in a module about films, telling me she has never watched a film!
Justmelanie2014 t1_ixqx8l4 wrote
Lawyer here. I also read all day at work and have a hard time reading for fun. I find Audible books help get my fun reading done. I can listen when I exercise or sew. Not far from retirement and I can’t WAIT to read an actual book for fun for hours.
vanastalem t1_ixqzebw wrote
I read 100+ books a year bit I'm 33 with no assigned reading. I didn't read novels for fun nearly as much when I was in school, my reading really picked up in the last 6 years or so.
JustAnotherOctopus t1_ixr3yes wrote
When I was in university I lived off campus. I couldn't really do any meaningful studying on the subway so I used my commute time (about an hour a day) as personal reading time.
Wadsworth_McStumpy t1_ixr4d0s wrote
The last time I was forced to read particular books (in high school), I would read chapter one, the first paragraph of all the other chapters, and the last chapter. That seemed to be enough to pass the tests (usually with an A), so I'd read my own books instead after that. In one case (The House of the Seven Gables) I didn't even read the book at all, and just learned enough from class discussions to pass the test (got a B on that one.)
In college, when one professor wanted us to read a particular book, a group of us got together and asked for permission to read a different one instead, which he allowed. That was pretty cool. (We picked one by an author we knew he liked.)
MoabFlapjack t1_ixr67bx wrote
In undergrad I did zero reading for fun. I studied philosophy at a liberal arts school. My reading lists and class schedule didn’t allow for unassigned books.
In grad school I only had maybe 9-hours of in-person, seminar time each week which gave a lot more time for outside work. And our only exams were big papers due at the end of each semester, but with 2-3 weeks free of classes to work on them. I was able to structure my academic work to a pretty basic 9-5 schedule and I held myself to it. I did fun reading in the evenings. It was the best.
lilythefrogphd t1_ixr9bbv wrote
Either reading books that my friends are really into or that have an online community often gives me the energy and drive to finish something. Otherwise, not beating myself up when it's been a while since I've finished something. Some months I'll blow through a dozen, other times, I will struggle to get through one. If you're stressed out over whether or not you're meeting your made-up quota, you're not going to enjoy it. Idk just my experience
Ineffable7980x t1_ixrd904 wrote
When I was a student and a teacher, I didn't have a lot of time to read what I wanted to read. So when I finally left teaching, I was delighted how much I could read for pleasure. Now, reading for pleasure is all I do. My current job requires me to read while I'm at work, but not outside work hours
CrazyCatLady108 t1_ixrdt41 wrote
Hi there. This subject has been very popular in the past. Please use reddit search and/or check the /r/books/wiki/faq.
Top-Abrocoma-3729 t1_ixqqnf7 wrote
Im speaking as a university literature professor. All of us in this field, to different degrees, have this issue during the academic year. I always reread books I’m teaching (even if Ive read them many times before). I read new books in three ways: 1) I always have an audio book that I listen to during the drive to and from work. I also listen to it in my office during lunch/office hours. This gives me about 2 hours a day for something new. Next, I have a physical book by my bedside that I read for 30mins-1 hr before bed. Just to wind down. I’m also a slow reader but I’m typically able to read 2-3 new books a month (between audio and physical books) using this approach. Lastly, holiday break is your friend! Make a list in advance and read all you can! I tend to read my “fun”’books in totally different genres. So next week I’m teaching Ellison’s Invisible Man, but I’m reading the new Brandon Sanderson book for fun.