Discussion - Reading Quirks

This Week's Topic

Reading Quirks

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I have been more cognizant as I read since I am trying to figure out what is slowing me down, and as a result, I noticed I have some reading quirks. 

In order to read faster, I try not to voice the words in my head. I have no problem doing this with narrative parts or inner monologue, but I MUST say the dialog in my head. Not only do I voice the dialog, I also make each character sound different in my head. 

But I am not just saying words in my head, sometimes I cannot help but say them out loud. I love language. I studied three languages in school and always enjoyed the origins and nuance of the words. When an author uses an interesting word, I will stop and say that word out loud. I don't care where I am, I want to hear it and feel it in my mouth. 

Then there are words I struggle with. These are usually names, and no shade, the characters tend to be Irish or Scottish. Seriously, I just don't get their phonetics. When I read books where the characters have those great Irish or Scottish names, I first find audio of the pronunciation and listen a few times. I practice, and I really try to say it right, but sometimes the spelling and pronunciation just clashes, and then I rename the character. 

I read Some Like It Scot in which the aunt's name was Mhairi. I have seen this name before (the author), but I never had to read it before. I found an audio and could not believe that MH was an F sound. Didn't seem too complicated, but my mind did not want to translate MH as F. I kept stumbling over the name as I read and got so frustrated, I just called her "Mary" in my head. I used to change the names of characters when I read fantasy as well. 

I am a very animated reader. You can liken me to people who yell at the TV or movie screens, and again, I care not where I am. I have no shame because I love really getting into a story. It can be laughing, crying, fists in the air, outbursts of frustration - you name it, and I have done it as I read. I am even worse when I listen to an audio book. 

So, those are a few of my reading quirks. Do you have any? 

Now it's your turn!

Do you have any reading quirks?
Let us know in the comments!