Retro Reads discussion

Do you listen to music while you read or do you need silence?

Sometimes I like soft music, sometimes I go for Youtubes of brain music, but mostly I like complete silence. Usually at night when all is still. I used to be able to read with the TV on when I was much younger but no way now!

I listen to music a lot while I still can as I am very deaf, so while I can still hear I want beautiful music.

Generally I don't have music on while I read though - especially if it's a thriller or murder mystery that needs my full concentration. Yet I have music when I'm on the computer, even when doing librarian work (for Goodreads) or other things that need my full concentration.

I can listen to orchestral music while I read (I am a classical music lover), but no vocals--too distracting!
I used to be able to read with all kinds of noise going on but not anymore.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "I can listen to orchestral music while I read (I am a classical music lover), but no vocals--too distracting!
I used to be able to read with all kinds of noise going on but not anymore."

I don't watch much TV now, but when I do I mute the ads - & read!

I prefer to read in silence, but live in a apartment with thin walls and if my neighbors are making enough noise to be distracting me, I will play something for white noise, often a youtube video with bird songs or the sounds of surf.

Oddly, I find neighbors talking the most distracting, much more so than if they are playing a TV or music. I keep listening to what they are saying when I don't want to know!

Jackie wrote: "I prefer to read in silence, but live in a apartment with thin walls and if my neighbors are making enough noise to be distracting me, I will play something for white noise, often a youtube video w..."

lol!

I prefer instrumental music in the background, classical or smooth jazz. I mute commercials too - that’s valuable reading time!

Carol She's So Novel ꧁꧂ wrote: "I listen to music a lot while I still can as I am very deaf, so while I can still hear I want beautiful music.

Generally I don't have music on while I read though - especially if it's a thriller o..."

My theory is when you are at the computer, even though you require concentration to the the job, you are adding data. Whereas when you are reading a book you are absorbing information so ambient noise becomes a distraction.

When I was working I was in an open office where you had not just people talking among themselves, holding mini meetings at their desks, but also endless phone conversations with students. That was really distracting if I was trying to read data that I had to absorb, compiling summaries of books for the catalogue record/s, evaluating content to assign appropriate subject headings, and so forth. However, if I was just making entries for title, author, scope, pagination, publisher info etc., information that was already there, the conversations and general noise didn't impede my work the same.
Now, having said all that I have to say I started work each day two hours before anyone else was there and in that time I would get the same amount of work done as I would in the rest of the day - six hours! So, if I was asked, I would very definitely disagree with open plan offices when looking at productivity.

Now to the question - I prefer to read in silence but enjoy the company of music when doing almost anything else. Just got to be careful when outside that I don't burst into song as I don't have a good singing voice.

Oh, putting my soapbox away again for now :)

Lesley wrote: " I would very definitely disagree with open plan offices when looking at productivity...."

I have never worked in an office on a computer, but what you describe would annoy me, too! Do office workers get to wear noise-canceling headphones at work? Or at least earbuds for music?

If I ever fly again, I will definitely need those headphones if I want to read or sleep!

I can read basically anywhere if the book is good enough, but if I'm listening to music I know well I tend to get distracted by the lyrics. One of my favorite stations to play for background music is Radio Dismuke which plays 20s and 30s pop songs.

Lesley wrote: "My theory is when you are at the computer, even though you require concentration to the the job, you are adding data. Whereas when you are reading a book you are absorbing information so ambient noise becomes a distraction."

This is probably true. I have music on right now, even though I find adding books to the Book Pool list takes a bit of concentration.

Samantha wrote: "I can read basically anywhere if the book is good enough, but if I'm listening to music I know well I tend to get distracted by the lyrics. One of my favorite stations to play for background music ..."

That wouldn't be an internet station would it? Although I have tried time period appropriate music while reading before & it hasn't really worked for me.

Yes, it is an internet station: https://radiodismuke.com/

Samantha wrote: "Yes, it is an internet station: https://radiodismuke.com/"

Thank you! I'll check out later. :)

Samantha wrote: "Yes, it is an internet station: https://radiodismuke.com/"
This channel is just perfect for Wodehouse!

Thanks Samantha!

What a cool station - thanks for sharing!