I read when I have time and when I feel like it, these days it takes a while.

For me getting an alarm clock made a difference. Because that nullified my brains weak excuse that I needed my phone by my bed “for an alarm”. No I didn’t. People have woken up perfectly reliably for years before smartphones. So I got an alarm clock. And that made it easier to turn going to bed into calm reading time instead of doom scrolling (by leaving my phone charging in other room). And that’s made a big difference, not only to quality of reading but also general mood.

1. My reading habits are like everyone of my hobbies, I obsessed for a week then move on to a new pursuit then come back to reading several months later.
2. I read text books about Aztec history.
3. I’m a year away from 40 and I’m coming to terms with being alone for the rest of my life (which is exactly the same leading up to this point).
4. I bought a book stand I can adjust and wheel around.
5. Stop caring what other people think and just read when you feel like it. You’re overthinking this.

“How do you actually read?”

I use my eyes.

If you read, even if its 1 page a day, you are a reader! Please do not discount yourself!!

I read books for personal enjoyment, basically never for learning or self-improvement or anything like that. I only ever read one book at a time and mostly in the evening before going to sleep.

I’m in my early thirties. My reading speed varies quite a lot based on the book and my mood, but I’ve definitely noticed that I’ve become “worse” at reading in recent years. Too many digital distractions I guess. That said, if I do manage to read for 2 hours before going to sleep, I sleep so much better than if I watch a movie or doomscroll on Lemmy or whatever.

I mostly read sci-fi and fantasy, sometimes historical novels. I think this year I’ve finished 4 books so far, and dropped one quarter-way through. There were definitely years where I’ve managed way more.

I read a shitload of manga so I try to balance it with a book every once and a while

Early 40s here. I read a lot, but never books.

I read online. I get information, jokes, funny stories and random bullshit.

I can’t imagine myself sitting down and reading a book in the near future. I don’t have the time, and if I did, there’s so many other things I could be doing for much more personal benefit.

Mostly audiobooks, 2x speed, a lot of hours a day. I do use an ereader sometimes. I’ve started collecting (just regular hardcover, mostly) physical copies of some of my favorites, but I don’t really read them like that. When possible I read entire series from beginning to end consecutively. Audiobooks and visual reading are generally different books.

Mostly mystery, in a wide variety of settings, tones, levels of intensity, but some pure fantasy. Nonfiction is mostly psychology, but some science, other stuff as well. (180 new books this year), but I re-read as much as I read new. I don’t set goals or anything, just use the “goal” to see the number each year out of curiosity.

Mid-30s, IDK. I read a bunch as a kid, then stopped the habit through high school and college and took a while to get back into heavy reading.

I really love reading. When little, my mom said I read my way through the kids section in the library in like a year then moved on to the grownup side.

But then I had kids, and read magazines, short stories, and comics because I didn’t have uninterrupted time.

Now, when I do have a book I read it while husband is watching TV, we both have entertainment time that way. If we go to the beach I bring the e-reader, and read on days off - still a lot of comics as I’m still busy, and I love them, but more library books than when the kids were kids.

You don’t have to read books if you don’t enjoy them! Everyone is different. I read really fast and effortlessly (learned to at the same time I was learning to speak, it’s a language not a skill for me) so it’s a better pace for me personally than other forms of entertainment.

But of my kids, fewer than half read for pleasure. There are so many other ways to use your time that are just as good for you or better.

Audiobooks, baby. 1.75x speed (1.25x speed if there’s a heavy accent involved or it’s information dense).

I try to never do chores without an earbud in and a book or podcast going. (Makes dishes so much more enjoyable.)

Edit: spy books by John Le Carre really revived my love for books in older age.

I used to be an avid reader but as I got older and busier I just couldn’t find the time.

Then when I did have time there was always distractions, or other things I could be doing.

So now I read primarily via audiobooks through Libby and my library.

I read 130 books or so last year that way.

Mowing the yard? Audiobook.

Long drive? Audiobook.

Waiting at the doctors? Audiobook.

Dishes? Audiobook.

And then when I’m really invested I’ll relax by playing some mindless game while I listen. Think match 3 or bejeweled.

Just engaging enough to keep me from getting bored while listening but not so much that I can’t do both.

Balatro, BABA is you? Bad candidates for playing and listening.

The last couple of years I burned through the wheel of time series, all of Brandon Sanderson’s books (except skyward which I haven’t gotten to), a lot of Adrian Tchaikovsky, and others.

I wish there were better book trailers. Part of it is we get more picky about our time and know what we do and don’t like. But sometimes this leads to a certain prejudice that doesn’t let us explore something we otherwise would’ve stumbled onto.

For me with young kids, work, and generally limited time audiobook are a compromise that allows me to combine with another activity, like cleaning or running.

Funny I’m seeing this post, though, as I placed aside 2 books that were gifted to me aside in hopes to read a physical book (but how.)

I will be 40 in February. I read daily. But what I read daily is this shit. Posts and comments. Memes and news articles. Maybe someone’s fanfic on Tumblr.

Been getting into furry focused visual novels after getting bored and checking out Adastra since I had heard of it years ago and never actually played it, and I just haven’t been able to get enough of Howlie’s work since (finish The Smoke Room so you can get back on Khemia, please! 😩)

I like sci-fi and romance. Adastra was both and has been the best fucking thing I’ve ever read.

I haven’t read an honest to God book since Ready Player One initially came out.

I read my first book in 11 years, I finished it 2 weeks ago. It’s The Expanse. I loved the series and someone gifted me the book.

My trick? I commute by train and have my book with me everywhere I go. If there’s waiting to be done, there’s reading time.