Queereaders discussion

Some quirky things about readers, things that differ between us I think...

Do you find yourself with more than one book in progress at the same time, even when you're not in school? At any given time I'm in the middle of three or four.

This said, I rarely have more than one FICTION book going at once. If I actually start reading a juggernaut like War and Peace, that may change!

Are you able to give up on a book at any stage in the reading? My attrition rate with books is pretty high. I've even quit when I'm around 80% done. Now that I've joined challenges on goodreads, I find that my determination to finish a book has increased, but I'm still willing to quit. I finally made a "didn't finish" shelf on goodreads and it has grown quickly.

Do you read while you eat? (Do you even find it possible, tolerable, to eat while doing nothing else?) I'm a terrible binge eater, so this may be an odd one for me. Even at a restaurant though, if I'm there alone, I want a book to read. I'm working on this.

Can you read with music on? Does it have to be certain kinds of music? I can only read "easy" stuff with music on. I'm easily distracted.

Are you a library user? I get a ton from the library. I think I have 12 books out currently. I always have out more than I can read by due date.

Are you an e-book reader? How could I resist that? I have TONS. I'm in the middle of Gaysia on my Kindle. I love this because I can read it anywhere, including breaks at work.

When reading a physical book, are you spine-conscious? I used to be so bad that I read while holding the spine tight. My fingers don't really appreciate that anymore, but I still find myself doing it.

I guess that's it for now. I'm nerdy and find this stuff interesting!

Andrew wrote: "Some quirky things about readers, things that differ between us I think...

Do you find yourself with more than one book in progress at the same time, even when you're not in school? At any given t..."

Lots of great questions Andrew! Too much for me to answer properly at the moment .. I'll come back and answer this weekend when I have a bit more time. :)

Wow, excellent questions!!


Do you find yourself with more than one book in progress at the same time?
Rarely. Once I start a book I do not want to be sidetracked. Normally the only thing that stops me until I finish is work and sleep. Depending on the book I've been know to give up the sleep.

Are you able to give up on a book at any stage in the reading?
I rarely give up on a book. Until a year or so ago there were only three books I gave up on. The Catcher in the Rye back in the 90's. All I remember is that whiny little ass got on my nerves. Wraeththu because it wasn't a collection back then. I read the first two and the third was out of print. By the time it was available I didn't have the strength to re-read books one and two again. Wow, I can't think of the third one! It must have been really bad!

Do you read while you eat?
Oh heck yeah. When I was younger I had to read something even if it was the back of the cereal box in the morning.

Can you read with music on?
I prefer silence. I can read easier with music on than TV. The deal I have made with my partner is the TV can be no louder than nine if he want's me in the same room!!

Are you a library user?
I have borrowed eBooks from the library but I'm a "collector". If I like the book I want it in my collection even if I'll never read it again. Probably some kind of disorder there but oh well! I'm kind of the same way with movies. I like to own the DVD since I'll toss on an odd movie at odd moments that hit me. There are still times that I think "Oooh, I'd like to watch..." and then realize that I had it on VHS and gave it away. Damn it. Now I have a list on my phone of VHS movies to replace with DVD's.

Are you an e-book reader?
Oh yeah. What's not to love about having your entire library in the palm of your hand. And the convenience of syncing the book accross platforms??? I can read my Kindle. Leave the house and pick right up where I left off on my phone and when I get back the Kindle picks right up again. I picked up an oversize paperback a month ago because the eBook was out of "print" and the author had passed away. I remember lugging the thing around. Having to use two hands and thinking "what a pain!"

When reading a physical book, are you spine-conscious?
Oh yeah. My partner laid a book open and face down early in our relationship (1980's). We're still together so I didn't go off too bad but yeah. Treat a book with respect.

I started reading from a very young age. The first book I ever owned (Tom Swift and His Megascope Space Prober) was a present from my Aunt when I was in elementary school. That flipped the switch and I spent all my time at the library or the Bookmobile. I carried a briefcase to the Bookmobile. Once I could afford to start buying book I couldn't stop. I still have over 3K books packed up from the last move. I atually stopped reading around 1995. I was relocated for work and things just got in the way. I picked back up in 2012 and then discovered Goodreads and M/M fiction and I'm right back up to where I was in my teens.

Do you find yourself with more than one book in progress at the same time?
Always. I have over 50 books by my bed and I carry around at least three books with me, not to mention the countless books I downloaded on my phone

Are you able to give up on a book at any stage in the reading?
Yes. Life is too short to suffer through an insufferable book. And I can always go back to the book later.


Do you read while you eat?
Not always. It depends on what I am eating. If I am eating popcorn or crackers, I can read something. Something messy like pasta, forget it!

Can you read with music on?
That doesn't bother me. I usually read on the bus which can get pretty noisy.

Are you a library user?
Yes. Most of the books that I read are from the library.


Are you an e-book reader?
Yes. Perfect for my insomniac nights.

When reading a physical book, are you spine-conscious?
Some books are hard to hold and I find myself bending the spine. I know that is the worst thing to do to a book. Oh well.

I often read more than one book at a time. Usually non-fiction, though.

I usually finish a book; there aren't that many I'll truly quit reading.

Sometimes I read when I'm eating, especially when I'm eating alone.

I can read with music on, but I rarely do that, as I'm pretty absorbed in my reading.

I do use the library, but only for classics or older books. It's not easy trying to find the book I want to read there, as I live in Hong Kong and they're more focused on British books than American SF/F, which is what I usually read. I end up buying the ebook, most of the time.

I got a kindle for free, and I read a couple books through it, but I'm sticking to my iPad mini mostly.

The books I read usually have decent binding, so I don't need to take care of the spine.

Andrew wrote: "Some quirky things about readers, things that differ between us I think..."


Hi Andrew. I hope you don't mind but I really like your questions so I stole them and posted them in my group LGBT Fantasy Fiction. I did give you credit!!

So many great answers...I love reading these comments. Something it tells me is that, around books and reading, we somehow wrap our psychologies around the practice, consciously or unconsciously. I'm neurotic and unpredictable, and that comes through in random purges (and purchases!)

And Michael, I'm flattered that you would share the questions!

I read from 10PM till I fall asleep usu between 1 and 2AM. I only read one book at a time and typically only fiction in this time period. I totally immerse myself in the world of the novel and cannot be distracted by other worlds.

I rarely give up on a book, but when thinking about it I've made a promise to read at least 50 pages before deciding. Sometimes I put a book aside if I feel like a different genre, eg. I would never give up after 80%, but would force myself to finish.

I eat while I read often. I can listen to music but it has to be wordless and not too upbeat. I generally listen to Classical music when reading. Some pieces I associate with a particular novel. I cant go to the john without something to read, even if its the back of an air spray can ;-)

Being in a rural area I don't use libraries. I did when I was a city dweller.

I'll read e-books if a work is only available as an e-book. I much prefer real books, generally hardcovers, generally used. I intensely dislike mass market paperbacks, but will tolerate one if it's the only choice and I have to read the book. Sometimes i'll get both the ebook and physical book for really complex series or novels. That way I can read the physical book and use the ebook to search for something I want to go over again.

I'm very spine conscious and remove dust jackets while reading. I also put special books in mylar. I don't dog-ear, but use stick-it notes. I've even de-acidified old books.

If a book is part of a finished series, I will read the entire series before moving to something else. I also like to pick an author and read all the works in order of publication.

I don't like reading short stories or poetry.

Alex wrote: "I...I live in Hong Kong and they're more focused on British books than American SF/F..."

Hah, I'm an American, but generally prefer British lit. I even try to get British editions of books if I can.

Kernos wrote: "Hah, I'm an American, but generally prefer British lit. I even try to get British editions of ..."

I had to do that with the Harry Potter books. Was living in the States at the time and wanted the British version to keep. Had to ask my dad who was going to London to bring me back a copy.

Kernos wrote: "I cant go to the john without something to read, even if its the back of an air spray can ;-) "

Kernos Wow, I thought it was just me. When I was a kid I think I could recite the ingredients in hair spray, toothpaste, shaving cream and most common medications!!

Yeah, the reading on the toilet thing...is this a nervous disorder of some kind? Because I have it too!

@Alex Often the only differences are word spellings, but on occasion I've seen cultural references change, like 'biro' to 'ballpoint', boot to truck, £ to $, etc. I do not like such 'translation'. I love finding a briticism or brwiticism I don't understand and can research.

I came close to migrating to the UK in the early 90's. A group of us was trying to garner funds to buy an ancient Welsh great house, Derwydd House near Caer Myrddin (Carmarthen). But we couldn't find enough funds for restoration. I often wonder what I'd be doing today, if we had. I'd probably be at the Celtic exhibition wondering over the Gundetrup Cauldron and other great artifacts at the BM or when it moves to Edinburgh ;-)

Michael wrote: ...When I was a kid I think I could recite the ingredients in hair spray, toothpaste, shaving cream and most common medications!! ..."

Indeed. We are a pair! I wonder how common it is?

Diggin' the word "brwitticism" now.

Oh, cool discussion! I need to find more ways to incorporate brwitticism into everyday conversations now, lol.

I rarely leave a book unfinished-- I might abandon a book for years at a time, but outright abandon it? Nah. There's only one book off the top of my head that I've stopped reading within the last year, and it was a textbook.

I like to read two or three books at once, if only because I have a terrible attention span and can't read one book continuously for very long. That said, I prefer to have different mediums/genres for books that I simultaneously read. F'ex, an e-book and a printed book, a non-fiction book and a fiction book, that sort of thing.

This was fun. Thanks for all the questions!

Do you find yourself with more than one book in progress at the same time, even when you're not in school? Not really, unless you count fanfiction. :P

Are you able to give up on a book at any stage in the reading? Not once I get past the first couple paragraphs. Once I start something, whether it be a book or a movie, I have to see it through or it haunts me forever.

Do you read while you eat? Nope. I usually read while watching my dog. She's pretty lazy.

Can you read with music on? No, too distracting. Oddly, when I'm writing I NEED music or else I get bored very quickly.

Are you a library user? Used to be. Once in a blue moon I'll borrow something for research purposes.

Are you an e-book reader? I have a Kindle app on my computer, but that's mainly to check my own books when I self-publish to make sure the links work and the font hasn't gone wonky. I've been known to read a lot of comic books online though, if that counts, but I prefer physical copies.

When reading a physical book, are you spine-conscious? Not especially. I wouldn't ever write in a book though. Borrowing a library book and seeing scribbles in the margins drives me bonkers.

Lysistrata wrote: "I like to read two or three books at once, if only because I have a terrible attention span and can't read one book continuously for very long. That said, I prefer to have different mediums/genres for books that I simultaneously read. F'ex, an e-book and a printed book, a non-fiction book and a fiction book, that sort of thing. "

This is how I am too. Often I have a physical fiction book, a physical non-fiction book, a graphic novel, an e-book, and audiobook all in progress at once. Or a combination. Rarely two of the same type at the same time.

Eileen wrote: "I've been known to read a lot of comic books online though, if that counts, but I prefer physical copies."

I do this too with comics, though I am also a comic collector. Or, hoarder, if you listen to my mother...

I collect (aka, hoarding) comics too, especially the ones I read as a kid, though they are usually too expensive. I just got Tales of Suspense #77, Vol 1, VF-VF+ Condition — The 1st appearance of Agent Carter

I imagine that one IS expensive!

Not too bad. This was a rather good deal for it's grade, but has yellowed pages.

As an aside, I always think Iron Man looks kind of comical in these older comics. He's in a superhero situation but with that robot face.

Do you find yourself with more than one book in progress at the same time, even when you're not in school?

According to GR, I'm usually reading three books, but two of them I have abandoned for now, or never really started. If I'm listening to an audio book then I'm listening to that in addition to what I'm reading. I read one book at a time, usually.


Are you able to give up on a book at any stage in the reading? If I don't like a book I try to read about 50 pages of it before I give up on it. I think I've given up on 5 books this year out of ~160 I've read.

Do you read while you eat? Yes, read, eat, snack, drink. I also read while watching tv, during the commercials that I mute.

Can you read with music on? Yes, but I prefer it off.

Are you a library user? I live in a rural area and get a lot of the books I read from the library system. The closest new bookstores are over an hour away.

Are you an e-book reader? Not much. My husband and I share a Kindle, and he reads it a lot. I tend to forget about it, as an option.

When reading a physical book, are you spine-conscious? Yes.

Interesting that the opposite is often true...many rural readers say they don't have easy access to a library! But this makes sense as well.

Andrew wrote: "Interesting that the opposite is often true...many rural readers say they don't have easy access to a library! But this makes sense as well."

True. I usually get used books online. It's cheaper for me than driving to the library or the closest B&N.

Do you find yourself with more than one book in progress at the same time, even when you're not in school? Yes. I read lots of books at the same time. I read very different things and so I read what I'm in the mood for. I grew up reading comic books so juggling multiple stories in my head is fairly easy. I do only read one book an author at any given time.

Are you able to give up on a book at any stage in the reading? Because I read so many books at a time, I don't feel like I can say I've ever completely given up on a book. I've got a couple that I still want to get back to that have been stuck on the bottom of the pile for over a decade. The Silmarillion was one of those, but I finally finished it.

Do you read while you eat? (Do you even find it possible, tolerable, to eat while doing nothing else?) At home I'll eat while watching TV or a movie, but not while reading.

Can you read with music on? Does it have to be certain kinds of music? Yes, preferably without lyrics. I really like film scores. So I have thematic soundtracks for genres. This has caused some issues. When I hear the score from Star Trek: the Motion Picture (1979) I actually see Anne McCaffrey's Dragons of Pern and not the Enterprise. There are some others like that as well. ;)

Are you a library user? I used to be. Not so much after I worked as a bookstore manager for 9 years. Just got out of the habit.

Are you an e-book reader? Yes. But I still prefer hardcovers.

When reading a physical book, are you spine-conscious? Yes. I'm obsessed at my books.

Rick wrote: "...When I hear the score from Star Trek: the Motion Picture (1979) I actually see Anne McCaffrey's Dragons of Pern and not the Enterprise. There are some others like that as well. ;)..."

I know what you mean. When my parents let me join the Sci-Fi Book Club in the late '50s, I did so while listening to a few of the records they had without lyrics. One was "Music From The Films" by Mantovani released in 1958, perfect for listening.

When I listen to this now, I get a total body response taking me back to 13 yrs old, and Voyage of the Space Beagle, The World of Null A and Slan my 1st 3 selections from SFBC. It's weird by enjoyable. I can even taste what I snacked on.

The score thing is great...it's how the brain works though. Smells really do that for a lot of people. I'm extremely music-oriented myself, so I get it! I get a little teary-eyed when I hear a snipped of the Titanic soundtrack...

I've wanted to explore musical memory. It seems so different from factual memory. We can hear something not heard in decades, and still hum along, those any lyrics may escape me.

Here's a few more that are so evocative of the books I've read they have almost replaced the music being associated with the film for me:

Raiders of the Lost Ark makes me think of the Doc Savage Books

Alien by Jerry Goldsmith makes me think of Stephen King's The Shining, The Stand, It, etc.

The "Spaghetti" western music by Ennio Morricone & the more recent Cowboys & Aliens makes me think of King's Dark Towers Boxed Set

Batman Begins & The Dark Knight scores make me think of the Avenger novels by Paul Ernst writing as Kenneth Robeson

Kernos wrote: "I collect (aka, hoarding) comics too, especially the ones I read as a kid, though they are usually too expensive. I just got Tales of Suspense #77, Vol 1, VF-VF+ Condition — The 1st appearance of A..."

Ahh, lucky you! Iron Man's a favorite of mine. I think I own more physical copies of Iron Man comics (mostly from the eighties) than of any other series.

Eileen wrote: "Ahh, lucky you! Iron Man's a favorite of mine. I think I own more physical copies of Iron Man comics (mostly from the eighties) than of any other series."

For me it's Fantastic Four and longest consecutive run of issues as well. ;)

If I had to pick just one comic series it would be Superboy gold/silver age. Next probably Spiderman and Captain Marvel Jr. But I'm eclectic and like 1st appearances and origin stories, great covers etc.

Do you find yourself with more than one book in progress at the same time, even when you're not in school? Yes.
Are you able to give up on a book at any stage in the reading? Yeah, my abandoned shelf is full of books I abandoned.
Do you read while you eat? No, it's too hard to concentrate.
Can you read with music on? Does it have to be certain kinds of music? I can only read "easy" stuff with music on. I'm easily distracted.
Are you a library user? Not anymore. It's too hard to remember the due dates anymore.
Are you an e-book reader? A resounding no. You're not really reading if you're using e-books.
When reading a physical book, are you spine-conscious? No

Great topic! Thanks for opening up these lines of thought.

Almost always have multiple books going simultaneously. Usually a minimum of two books--one more serious/heavy, one lighter. Often a mix of fiction and non-fiction as well. Occasionally the book that lingers that I just can't finish for one reason or another.

I don't usually read while I eat, though I used to. Now if I am eating alone I am generally scrolling through emails.

I seldom read with music on. If I do, it has to be instrumental (classical or jazz typically) at a background volume level.

Not much of a library user, mostly because I don't make the effort to get there during library hours. I can buy books online or download them 24/7 and I am a sucker for that convenience.

I still like physical books over e-books. I'll read the occasional lighter work on my laptop, but generally I find I don't give an e-book the same level of attention I do a book on paper.

Generally not "spine conscious" unless it is a hardback, coffee-table type book.

Used to be someone who HAD to finish a book I started no matter what. As I've gotten older, I am more and more willing to abandon a book I think is not worth my time.

Oddly, right now I'm in the middle of three non-fiction books. Though going between them is very easy. One's audio, one's Kindle, one's a hardback from the library.

Wow, I've lost track of you guys! :)

David wrote: "Great topic! Thanks for opening up these lines of thought.

Almost always have multiple books going simultaneously..."

How do you and others read more than one book at a time? Do you alternate days or time of days...

I only read one at a time because I can only read from about 10 pm until I fall asleep usu about 1 am. And, I'm usually so involved in a story that I need to get back to it tomorrow, All the rest of my time is devoted to supporting my reading addiction.

Of course this does not include work-related, events, social media etc reading. ;-)

Kernos wrote: "How do you and others read more than one book at a time? Do you..."

Well, I don't know about the how in terms of mental stuff, but I do literally read a chapter of one, and sometimes put it down and pick up the other one! Book number three right now happens to be an audiobook that I only listen to on my commute, so that probably doesn't count.

Kernos wrote: "David wrote: "Great topic! Thanks for opening up these lines of thought.

Almost always have multiple books going simultaneously..."

How do you and others read more than one book at a time? Do you..."

I almost never read more than one book in a session. I'll pick up the book that best suits my mood at the time and read that one. Yes, sometimes I will lose the thread of what I have already read. Usually if I skim a couple of pages just prior to where I left off, it will come back to me.

Kernos wrote: "How do you and others read more than one book at a time? Do you..."

It's all about my mood and what I feel like reading.

Do you find yourself with more than one book in progress at the same time, even when you're not in school?
Not usually. But currently I'm reading three books, one of which is a Lonely Planet guide to New York City.

Are you able to give up on a book at any stage in the reading?
I think I've only given up on ONE book ever. I noticed that I was walking home slowly every evening, and finally realised it was because I dreaded having to read the book.

Do you read while you eat?
Never.

Can you read with music on?
I'd rather not.

Are you a library user?
Rarely.

Are you an e-book reader?
Mainly.

When reading a physical book, are you spine-conscious?
Not at all.

Natasha (Diarist) wrote: "I think I've only given up on ONE book ever. I noticed that I was walking home slowly every evening, and finally realised it was because I dreaded having to read the book."

This strikes me as a very very good reason to give up on a book!

Do you find yourself with more than one book in progress at the same time, even when you're not in school?
Usually, no. But lately I haven't been able to focus on one book and feel a need to stray.

Are you able to give up on a book at any stage in the reading?There was a time that I prided myself on not giving up a book. Now that I'm middle-aged and have a huge collection of print and e-books that I probably won't finish in this lifetime, I no longer feel guilty about abandoning a book at any stage.

Do you read while you eat?
Never. If I get too engrossed in a book, I'm liable to eat too much. The only exception to this is while I'm dining alone in a restaurant.

Can you read with music on?
Only classical at a low volume.

Are you a library user?
Yes. I frequently use two libraries. One in the town I live in and one in the city I work in. Since the library is about a 20-minute walk from where I work, I try to restrict myself to no more than 3 books at a time.

Are you an e-book reader?
Yes, now to the point where I rarely buy print books.

When reading a physical book, are you spine-conscious?
Less so with books I'm not planning to keep.

Do you find yourself with more than one book in progress at the same time, even when you're not in school? Usually a fiction physical book, a non-fiction book (e-book or physical) at least one fiction e-book, and an audio book, at a time.

Are you able to give up on a book at any stage in the reading? I usually give a book til 25% or 2 hrs

Do you read while you eat? (Do you even find it possible, tolerable, to eat while doing nothing else?) Yes, if I only ate while doing nothing else I'd die of starvation!

Can you read with music on? Does it have to be certain kinds of music? Only music without lyrics

Are you a library user? Yes, most of the librarians at the branch nearest me, know who I am, I stop in at least once a week to pick up reserved books. I also use OverDrive all the time

Are you an e-book reader? YES!!! Nook and Kindle

When reading a physical book, are you spine-conscious? Yes, always

Natasha (Diarist) wrote: "Do you find yourself with more than one book in progress at the same time, even when you're not in school?
Not usually. But currently I'm reading three books, one of which is a Lonely Planet guide ..."

Natasha, AvidReader, and Nancy, I wish I could get used to eBooks like all of you. Books take up such a huge amount of space in the apartment, but somehow I still enjoy reading physical books more.

Maybe I should buy a newer Kindle and force myself to read only eBooks for a month. Maybe thatcwould get me over it.

The problem is that my eBooks on my old Kindle just languish because I always prefer to read the physical books more (and I keep getting more of them).

One of the books I'm currently reading, Bhagavad Gita: The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Guide, is one that I'm reading slowly. Two things make having it on Kindle advantageous:

1. Because I'm taking my time with it, I like to read it in small pieces, which makes it very nice to have such a portable copy with me wherever I go.

2. For some odd reason this book was only released electronically!

The problem: because it is a translation and commentary, it's the kind of book I like to flip back and forward within, and that's not very easy in an electronic copy.

Kindles are great for fiction books and memoirs. Kind of a pain if the book is like this one. You're on page 33 and the author refers back to chapter 2, verse 3 or something, so you have to scroll back to refer to it, then back to the commentary part, and, yeah.

Greg wrote: "I wish I could get used to eBooks like all of you."

One of my problems with print books, Greg, is that I keep leaving it in the wrong place! Between my home, my girlfriend's flat, my friend's house, work, and my car ... I rarely get my hands on the print book I'm trying to read. ...

Andrew wrote: " Kind of a pain if the book is like this one. You're on page 33 and the author refers back to chapter 2, verse 3 or something, so you have to scroll back to refer to it, then back to the commentary part, and, yeah.
..."

That's the exact problem I have Andrew - I often want to flip back to look at something again and it feels cumbersome to navigate.

But I totally get the advantages! I know what you mean Natasha about always having the book you want with you! And if you finish one, it's easy to plow into another.

I just need to get myself used to the format I think ... plus my Kindle is so old. Probably the newer ones are easier to navigate.

Greg wrote: "...Natasha, AvidReader, and Nancy, I wish I could get used to eBooks like all of you. Books take up such a huge amount of space in the apartment, but somehow I still enjoy reading physical books more...."

I'm with you, Greg. I find reading eBooks troublesome except when the electricity has gone off...