Anyone else have problems reading?

[Just Jeans]

I posted the below in the Harry Potter thread, but I thought I'd start a proper thread about it, too.

I have trouble reading. I didn't used to, not when I was younger, but these days...well, I do tend to struggle.

When I read, I really read -- I absorb every word, I hear them inside my head like I'm speaking them, and if I come across words I'm not sure my head-voice is pronouncing correctly (whether they be fictional or real) I get hung on them. I'll stop and keep rereading them, trying to work out how to pronounce them. I do this to the point of obsession.

I'm reading a Doctor Who novel right now that's set in medieval France. I've been reading it for two weeks and I'm only 50 pages in. My pronunciation of medieval French names and French terminology is absolutely shockingly awful. It's making me feel rather dumb, and it's taking me far longer to read this book than it should. Thank Christ I know how to pronounce a lot of names/terms in Harry Potter.

The fact that I've been in need of glasses since 2000, and that not having them has made my eyes so bad I can't get my license renewed because I can't pass the eye exam (I can't read line five... or four... I can hardly read line 3)... well, it makes reading a chore rather than a joy. :misery:

I also have trouble focusing on what I'm reading these days. My mind drifts. I'll keep reading, but I'll start thinking about something else and I'll end up having to backtrack and re-read what I've just been reading. I can't help it. I just can't focus like I once could.

I love to read, I love the English language, but as time passes it becomes more of a chore. Does anyone else have problems reading?

[Darth Sinister]

Well, that's a lot of things.

I do tend to have my mind drift these days as opposed to ten years ago. But then I have so much more on my mind, that it's no surprise. As to terminology, the only difficulty I've had is generally with Star Wars. But I do the best I can until I find a translation. The really hard part there is imagining what something looks like that doesn't have a picture.

[Gringo Loco]

When I was growing up I used to be able to read long Stephen King novels, like 800 page books. But now I can't focus enough to sit still and read. I had to force myself to read Joe Hill's book and even then I would find myself wanting to just put the book down and check on the internets or see what's on TV. So yeah I have problems reading.

[girlychaos]

I've read only college stuff for so long now that it's really tough for me to read other things...and it sure is a lot harder to focus these days....too much going on....makes everything much more difficult. Yep...I'm getting old! :(

[Shoesalesman]

For me it depends on the writer.

I love Peter Straub, but to read his novel 'Under Venus' nearly killed me. It was a short book that took nearly four months to read. He used long, difficult words and awkward prose, and his approach was one of classic literature storytelling. If I want to read classic stuff, I'll find a classic author.

Stephen King's books, for me, are fast & easy reads, mostly due to his common folk approach to the language. Timothy Zahn and Dean Koontz also fall under this category.

Jeans, I sooo know what you mean when the mind drifts. My problem is I read right before bed, which means I get four pages into the story before BANG! I wake up with the spine of the book smacking my nose and I realize I've dosed off. My wife laughs at me every time that happens. :meh:

[sCabbOy]

I have problems retaining what I read. It gets frustrating because I catch myself re-reading a lot because one paragraph/page/sentence makes no sense.

[Spade]

When I read, I really read -- I absorb every word, I hear them inside my head like I'm speaking them, and if I come across words I'm not sure my head-voice is pronouncing correctly (whether they be fictional or real) I get hung on them. I'll stop and keep rereading them, trying to work out how to pronounce them. I do this to the point of obsession.


I have the exact same problem. It gets really annoying when your into a good book and you get stuck on a word.

Take care and God bless.

Spade

[BlakeTyner]

I have problems retaining what I read. It gets frustrating because I catch myself re-reading a lot because one paragraph/page/sentence makes no sense.

Scab, I don't know if this will help you or not, but have you ever heard of "active reading"? Basically, it means that you approach reading like it's a conversation. When you read something, you sort of ask the book a question, and it should answer what it lead you to ask, and so on.

I've never had a problem with reading (I'm an English guy, so my problems are in math) but in my current class the instructor told us about "active reading" and I thought it might help you out. There's probably some information out there in the Google-verse, if you're interested.

~Blake

[Jason's Storm]

I've never really had a problem reading books, its just that they don't interest me. Magazines, are more my interest.

~JS

[D-Lo]

I have a hard time with reading comprehension, but then again I have a hard time with listening and absorbing information. Usually after 3 times of re-reading something I'll have 90-100% comprehension on the subject matter. It seems to me most people get around 70-85% on their first read-thru, whereas I hit like 40-50%.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

I can read magazines fine. But when I read books, I can't seem to absorb the information. I always find myself re-reading alot of parts just to get what i'm reading. :( I also tend to get a headache sometimes if i'm reading a book for a while.