This Week's Topic
Reading Quirks
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!
Let us know in the comments!
I don't know if it's a quirk, but keeping reading spreadsheets has taught me that books aren't great at hooking me. It might take me 4 days to read the first 100 pages. Then I finish the rest of the book in 1 day.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that you track that. I also find my reading rate can be affected by how "into" the story I am, though I am a notorious DNFer.
DeleteLOL sometimes when I am out on a walk listening to an audiobook, I'll scoff or roll my eyes at something a character says or does and if there is someone walking nearby, I'm always wondering what they think is going on with me! As for other reading quirks, I generally will check how many pages are in a chapter before I start reading it!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it fantastic that these stories can get us that fired up??? I love it! I can understand checking page count. I hate to have to stop in the middle of a chapter. I read on my Kindle, so it tells me the time which makes it easy for me to know if I can start the chapter or not.
DeleteFor someone who reads as much as I do, I find I'm very inconsistent. Some days my reading feels so quick and effortless and others I struggle to make it through a single chapter.
ReplyDeleteI find my mood and the type of book affect my reading rate. My mood is probably the biggest obstacle though.
DeleteThat's funny. I don't think I have any reading quirks.
ReplyDeletedon't worry, I have enough quirks for the both of us. LOL!
DeleteWeird names I have no idea how to pronounce always mess with me, too! The pace goes off as I stumble over it every time it comes up. I would've just said "Mary" in my head, too! I will shake my head, roll my eyes and cry when I'm reading, as well. Great discussion post, Sam!
ReplyDeleteYou just need to rename the characters. I remember with the Throne of Glass books, Chaol became "Coal". Gotta do what you gotta do. So happy to see some emotional and passionate readers out there!
DeleteWith all the commuting you do, you must have entertained lots of fellow passengers with your reading-out-loud or gesturing 😂 😉. Also, the "Mary" thing is so funny. ("Coal" too 😂).
ReplyDelete"I studied three languages in school and always enjoyed the origins and nuance of the words."
Which languages? And same about origins and nuances!
I...don't have any reading quirks? If you don't count looking for the meaning of acronyms I don't know AND writing them in pencil at the bottom of the page for future rereads, because I forget them...
I do get some looks when I read, but there is so much crazy on mass transit in these parts, that people are really good at ignoring oddness. I studied German, Spanish, and Latin in high school, and took more German and Latin classes in college. I also went to German school when I was younger. Acronyms make me batty. We are always trying to figure them out at work, and so many have multiple meanings.
DeleteI don't know if it's a quirck but I am so immersed in my reads that I will laugh out loud, snikker or sniffle while in public!
ReplyDeleteI love that we don't care where we are when we are wrapped up in our books.
DeleteThese are great! I also rename people- or even worse, I realize long after I finish that I legit read the name wrong the whole time! I think my quirk is that I ALWAYS want to be very quickly done with the book, even if I absolutely adore it- something about moving onto the next one is satisfying!
ReplyDeleteI can understand wanting to be done quickly, as there are sooo many books I want to read. I think one slows down more as they age, and you want to sometimes savor things.
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