The Reading Challenge Group discussion

Do you have a good technique to aid reading for long periods of time? Know how to maximise your reading speed? Here's where to post them!

Note: Don't forget to sign up at the group event!

I do! I do! I give myself mini-challenges while I'm reading. My average reading speed for the average book is 8-10 minutes for 5 pages, so after every 5 pages I'll look up at the clock and see how long it's been since I last looked up, and resolve to get to the next 5-page mark faster. Maybe I have a weird brain that I can remember the number each time, I don't know, but it keeps me from getting bored and keeps me reading at my top speed for prolonged periods of time.

Also, it helps relax my eyes to look up and focus them on something across the room just for a second. Staring at something close-up for a long time tends to hurt my eyes.

If I know I want/need to get a book finished, I move myself away from every living person (usually shut up in my bedroom), and remove all electronic devices from my reach. That way I don't get distracted and can fully immerse myself, and then the reading seems to fly by.

I completely agree with the page targets, Faye! I find I try to do a certain number in an hour. I'll definitely try the 5 pages one, and see how it goes. My poor eyes are bad enough as they are (seriously, I have awful eyesight), I doubt looking away is going to save them from more fuzziness! Nevertheless, I will give it a go!

Holly wrote: "My poor eyes are bad enough as they are (seriously, I have awful eyesight), I doubt looking away is going to save them from more fuzziness!"

Acutally, it's amazing what it can do! All I see without my glasses is coloured blobs, and I was constantly needing a stronger prescription, but then I read a few years ago about the reasons why bookworms tend to need glasses, and that it's all related to how long they spend staring at something close to their faces without resting their eyes by looking at something farther away. The article suggested this trick, so I decided to try it out, and now I've been 10 years without new glasses! Of course, now I need new ones simply because of scratches and fading on these lenses, but my vision, as far as I can tell, is still more or less the same! I highly recommend this trick to any heavy-duty reader. :)

This is a great thread! I've never done a read-athon before, and my big plan was to just bash at it and see how far I got. Obviously, I need all the help I can get!

I have done only one read-a-thon,in another group but that was for 5 days. This will be my first two day thing as well. So great idea to get some tips :)

@Faye - Thank you so much for that tip. Will definitely try it. I also have a number that is ever increasing and this will surely help me. Also the timing factor, have never tried it.. Am sure it will help me in this read-a-thon and in the future :)

I would say if you're counting how many books you read, I would choose shorter books. Also, if a book doesn't hold your attention, put it aside and take another one.

I really don't have a plan ever. I just read. The beauty of ebooks is I can decide what I read next on whatever I think at the moment. I would suggest not planning on reading something you are struggling with or you might not want to read. If I am not feeling a book I don't think twice about starting something else.

Definitely pick your favorite genre, favorite author, and short books if your going by the book!

Set a timer for 2 -3 hours and then take a 15 minute break to get some fresh air. This also gives the eyes a break.

Or take a break every two hours and see *what's up* on Goodreads and our read-a-thon friends!

My first readathon. I'm looking for tricks to read faster. thing about vision. I need reading glasses but am not able to get them till dec of this year. ct state pays for glasses every other yr unless you have glaucoma or cataracts. Dumb!

I did a practice readathon, which drives the wife nuts...it got me to finish divergent. Great read, btw...

Getting up and making a cuppa at regular intervals works well for me. Time does tend to warp when I'm in a book so my 'must have tea' clock helps me to take a break from reading. I'm not a fast reader but I think I've set myself a good goal of reading so many pages. I wonder if anyone is doing the same challenge but with audio books?

I try to read 54 pages a day, whatever book i'm in

I hadn't thought if that Topazriver! Logging hours listened instead if pages read. Hmm.

I can't participate, but I have some tips to share:
I find that I read faster if I'm doing reading sprints.
If you're going for all 24 hours, drink lots of tea - it'll make you go to the toilet a lot and this way you won't be able to fall asleep
I find that it takes me some time to get into a new book, so for me books with 300+ pages works the best
Be sure to have a lot if light during the dark hours, and if you can read while the radio is on, be sure to have it on all night
Go for a walk or take a shower if you're feeling tired
Eat healthy snacks - I know this one's boring, and I really love crisps and sweets, but that'll make your sugar level rise and fall really fast, whereas healthy things, like fruit, will let the energy stay in your body for a longer time
If possible, read with a friend - I have a close friend, and we sat together for yen hours once, and it worked really well! I know this will differ from each person though.

I guess that was it... :-)

nice i will use this technique

I love the idea of a readathon but I can't do it this weekend! I am however off work next week so I'm going to do it then. My plan is to read as much as possible before lunch, then do some stuff round the house for a break, some baking etc, then get back on to my reading in the afternoon. I may factor in a nap as well!

Laura, that sounds like the perfect way to spend a week off!

Laura wrote: "I love the idea of a readathon but I can't do it this weekend! I am however off work next week so I'm going to do it then. My plan is to read as much as possible before lunch, then do some stuff ro..."

That's what I call an ideal vacation!

Irene wrote: "I can't participate, but I have some tips to share:
I find that I read faster if I'm doing reading sprints.
If you're going for all 24 hours, drink lots of tea - it'll make you go to the toilet a..."

Irene,

This was all fascinating actually.
I've never tried the 24 hour thing. The closest I got was a four hour straight readathon.

I probably should try a straight read-a-thon sometime but it's hard to find the time without any distractions at all - so I'd have to do a half-attempted one :)

Oh, and no way without sleep so I'd have to make it a 16 hr one at most.

But the tricks help, wonder if I should try it sometime.

Laura wrote: "I love the idea of a readathon but I can't do it this weekend! I am however off work next week so I'm going to do it then. My plan is to read as much as possible before lunch, then do some stuff ro..."

Sounds fun and a good plan.

Getting exercise in during other things helps the brain focus and is healthier anyway. And of course naps. Glad you're getting time off.

For me I'm reading as much as I can but I have to work all week and we are in the middle, still, of some home remodeling. So I won't be able to spend as much time as I'd like on the books, but a decent amount of time.

Amazing tips!

I have never tried to check my reading speed in any terms, apart from keeping a list of what I read by year.. Usually, if a book grabs me, I'll keep reading, and I can finish an average length one (250-300 pages) in a day (as in still doing other things so really a few hours). If the book is outstanding, I will read It every single second I can find, and often stay up too late, and even a few times, read throughout the night. I did that for The Black Magician Trilogy reading all 3 thick books in less than 4 days, having 2 white nights and still going to work and all - I was dead tired by the end but happy.

Thanks for calling attention to this thread, Veronique. We haven't had a readathon in a while so it's a good time to refresh memories.

Veronique wrote: "I did that for The Black Magician Trilogy reading all 3 thick books in less than 4 days..."

I did that for The Black Magician Trilogy too! It's still one of my all time favorite series. I love it when something grabs you like that instead of being work.

Allison wrote: "Veronique wrote: "I did that for The Black Magician Trilogy too! It's still one of my all time favorite ..."

Just saw your reply. It is great when you get 'grabbed' by a book but also quite difficult to 'recover' sometimes. Have you ever had that? It's like you're still under the book's spell and nothing else quite makes sense...

Book hangover! Also when you find it hard to start a new book because you don't want to leave the old one behind yet.

Allison wrote: "Book hangover! Also when you find it hard to start a new book because you don't want to leave the old one behind yet."

Ooohhhh! There's a term for it !!!!! How have I never heard of it?!?! Exactly as you say. Right, well, I've been going through a mega Book Hangover for the last week :0)

Ooooh. My sympathies! I usually end up reading something I know will be kind of blah for those cases, just so I don't ruin something good and to try to begin moving on. Or if that doesn't work, I take drastic measures and re-read the book.

Good tips. I did end up re-reading bits for a couple of days (Uprooted) and it's getting better. Emma is helping and I've just downloaded Fire and Thorns

I'm listening to Uprooted right now and it's terrific! I was going to save it for the readathon but I just can't seem to want to stop. :)

You're just getting a head start on the rest of us! Glad you're liking it.

Uprooted sounds good... Must resist temptation to get more books...

I don't want to feed your book-buying habit, but it really is good! :)

For me I find it best to set lots of little goals. Knowing I won't meet all of them, but it gives me variety and still allows me to stay on track and feel like I accomplished something. I read multiple books at once, so I tend to bounce around. It look at what I might like to accomplish in that perfect world in plan something according to the particular read-a-thons length.

Goals would look something like this:

Black Earth: The Holocaust as History and Warning by Timothy Snyder
     •Prologue & Introduction: Loc 79 – 294
     •Chapters 1 – 2: Loc 295 – 1024
     •Chapters 3 – 4: Loc 1025 – 1973

A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains by Isabella L. Bird
     •Intro xiii – xxi
     •Letter I – III: Pages 3 – 35
     •Letter IV – V: Pages 36 – 63
     •Letter VI – VII: Pages 64 – 101

The Young Elites by Marie Lu
     •15% of book
     •30% of book

A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L’Engle
     •Chapters 1 -2: Pages 1 – 58
     •Chapters 3 – 4: Pages 59 – 105

That's an interesting approach. I skip around between books often too, but I've never been purposeful about it. I like your style!

I just pick up the book and read. I normally read at around 70-100 pages an hour. I read exactly the same during a readathon as I do every day - weekends, a lot more reading happens, of course. I recommend my approach as it simply results in reading happiness!