“You think your pains and your heartbreaks are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who have ever been alive.” – James Baldwin
I think I’ve been ruminating for the past week or so about the idea of reading ever since I saw Davy D’s post What Kind of Reader Are You? Because when I woke up yesterday morning with no idea what I’d write about for my Wise & Shine post today, it popped in my head that what we all have in common on this platform is that we are readers.
Given the descriptions Davy provides, I relate to being a Skim Reader. When I was talking about this with my dear friend, she told me her husband who reads so thoroughly that the Kindle estimates about how much time is left to read a book actually go UP the longer he reads. They joke that the author must still be writing when her husband reads.
But whatever kind of reader we are, we create a space that we inhabit, even if briefly, with the author. My post today for Wise & Shine reflects on what a gift that is: The Ultimate Reader.
Surprised By Joy 
LOL! Different reading styles can create real issues! I had a supervisor years ago who was a very rapid skim reader who would get upset over my slow reading style where I’d read a bit and then need to digest it before reading more. This wasn’t business reading material, but spiritual books that she wanted to discuss. Our styles were just so different!
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Does skim reading mean you are using low-fat milk while you read?
Probably not. I’ll come up with a better answer next time, Wynne.
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Ha, ha, ha!! It’s always a good answer when you comment, Dr. Stein!
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Sometimes I skim, sometimes I read every word, twice. Depends on if the words grab me. Hugs, C
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Right – sometimes the words grab us and hold us hostage until we fully feel them, right? I get that!
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I get being a skim reader. I skim because if left to my own devices I become like your friend’s husband and can be an annoyingly slow reader. No matter what, I love how you draw the connection between the reader and the author. Beautiful.
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Oh, thank you, Brian! That’s funny that we all have different styles of reading. I think I can vary based on time of day as Ab suggests below. Just grateful to have so much good stuff to read!
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I think my reading style depends on both the purpose and my energy level. For leisure news reading, I tend be a slim reader – because it’s something I usually do at the end of the day and when I’m tired.
If it’s for work related, definitely much more of a detailed reader, as the details really matter.
I think online and social media has fundamentally also changed reading habits. I’d say it’s created a lot of skim reading habits as we’re just bombarded with so much media.
I do miss having more time to sit down and immerse deeply with a good book too! I’m glad your writing coach caught those observations for you!
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So many great points in this comment, Ab! I so appreciate how thoughtfully you read and comment! Yes – time of day, type of content, and social media has definitely bombarded us. I really think you nailed it with those observations. Also, with young kids, I just can’t get immersed for too long without someone calling for my attention. I hope to go back to those days of laying on the couch with a book sometime… 🙂
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How I read depends on the time I have and the interest in whatever I’m reading. I always read you with great interest. No skimming here!
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Oh, Julia, that’s the same way I read your content, comments and notes – with great interest because you always speak to my heart. And sometimes my ego… 🙂 Thank you, my friend!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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🥰😍💕
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I have to agree with Ab on this, Wynne. When I was at the peak of my social media use I found I was skimming most of what I was reading. This had an impact on reading for research as I struggled to get through longer pieces of written work. Since coming back to blogging, fortunately, that trend has reversed. The type of writing I encounter, in this blogging community, allows me to take time to read through the writing and engage with the writer in a meaningful way. Thanks again, Wynne, for the link to the post, and for keeping this conversation going.
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I love the trajectory that you and Ab describe – different categories, awareness and intentionality. It does take time to engage with our fellow writers in a meaningful way – and I’m so grateful that you do that for me. Sending my best, Davy!
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Isn’t it amazing how thought-provoking topics to write about suddenly appear in our minds?! Like many others my reading style depends on my interest level of what I am reading.
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Yes – an amazing thing, our minds and what they are working on!! Thanks for reading and chiming in, Mary!
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I agree with cheryloreglia; the type of reader I am depends on the material I am reading, not to mention my attention span at that particular moment. I also agree with Dr. Stein because I was going to leave a similar comment!
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Ha, ha – and since you saw both comments, I’d add you are a thorough reader as well! 🙂
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Didn’t know kindle would change the time for reading, but makes since. Some books I like to skim, others I slow down and take forever to read. Reading 2 right now that are the same length. One is nearly done. The other has a long way to go.
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How interesting about your different styles. It makes sense depending on how deeply we want to dig into the content! Thanks for reading and commenting!
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