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Since I am only on book #11 for the year and most readers here are so very far ahead of me, I was wondering if reading every word is slowing me down too much. That is how I have always read though, and it is hard to stop. I did take speedreading in high school, but the machine they used gave me headaches and didn't change my reading habits any.

I do a little of both

It's hard to say "read every word" because I'm sure I skim over words in that 'speedread-y' fashion all of the time when running through paragraphs of very descriptive prose. However, I don't like to skim if your definition of skimming is skipping lines and picking through chunks of text.

I used to think that if I learned to 'speedread' I would be a more effective reader (and human being!) - but frankly, unless you're trying to synthesize the arguments of a very long paper on a very dry subject or trying to survive through the most classic of classics, it just doesn't seem 'right.' I don't think I'd ever want to apply speedreading techniques to fiction that I'm reading for pleasure.

With that being said, I think the speed of your reading, fully absorbed, can be increased with practice - aka more reading! - and pushing yourself through rough patches or dry passages rather than giving in to distraction. Distraction is what slowed me down the most when I really got back into reading this year, and I forced myself to work through those bits and just keep going most of the time, and It helped me get through many books.

As a final consideration, it's interesting to look at the types of books that many other "readers here," as you mention, are reading. While some seasoned readers are ripping through Dostoevsky in a day, it seems that many people are reading quickly because the books they're picking are lighter (if we're considering 'literary' as heavier) or literally shorter. I always find it's easier to whip through something by Philippa Gregory, or those silly-but-fun Hunger Games, than it is to push through many other novels.

Final word: How long did it take you to read my ramblings, huh? :) Good luck!

I tend to read pretty much every word, or at least, I don't consciously skip. I've been known to skim through long/boring/pointless passages on occasion. I read about 85 pages/hour of easy books with large-ish print and simple language, about 50 pages an hour of harder books, small print, or late at night.

I know I am not a slow reader by any means, I think most of my problem may be distraction. Noisy sons, loud television (dh is laid off it is on all day), and that little voice in the back of my mind saying I have a ton of things to do (we are remodeling). I just need to turn all that stuff off lol!

It depends - I've recently read a couple of books by Sarah Waters and I'm happy to say that I would have felt that I had missed out on so much if I'd skipped even a sentence. However, when reading chick-lit or fluff books if they have lots of descriptive paragraphs, I don't mind skipping a few lines. Earlier this year when I read The Gargoyle I skipped large chunks (like 20 pages at a time?) because it was just too stupid and predictable.

Depends on what I'm reading and if it is a re-read. If it's fluffy chick lit then skipping a few sentences is not going to effect the story but usually if I find myself starting to skim then I take it as a sign to put that book aside for a while and read something else. If I don't then I know I'm going to miss something important in the story and I'll just have to go back and read the parts I skimmed.

For me, it depends on the book. If I really like the book, I read every word. However, if it's a book say for my book club that I didn't pick and I'm having difficulty liking/getting into it, then I just skim. Sometimes, even in a book that I like, if I get to a part where they are reiterating or just going on too long with some description I skim until I get to a part where it's new/relevant. I tend to have to do this with series books (ie. the Sookie Stackhouse books) where the author will continually reiterate things from previous books that I've already read.

Great book, every word. Not so great book, I try to hit the subject sentence and move on. Some writers are surprisingly redundant and others have never met an adjective they won't use. Lisa Valdez I mean you. I'm no prude, but I actually skipped the sex in her books. Some REALLY unfortunate adjectives...

I try not to skip words... but if it gets too boring (descriptions that have no bearing on the plot) then I do. The latest book I've done it with is The Electric Church. The words 'SSF', 'System Pig' a certain 'F' word was used far too much in my opinion.

I don't think I could ever speed-read. It would defeat the purpose of enjoying the story. And some stories need to be digested slowly for the real effect to take place.

I read every darn word, but do get going pretty fast if I'm engrossed.

I read every word as well. I read too many books where something may appear insignificant at one point but turns out to be very important later on.

I often run across people in book discussions who get lost and ding the book because they skimmed the "unimportant" bits.

If I read a book that is number 2 or something in a series, sometimes I skip the parts where bits from earlier books are explained. But mostly I read every word.

I am only on Book 7. I read every word, and am prone to distraction. I also push through books I'm not terribly thrilled with, and tend to take forever doing so. Maybe not a great idea if I'm to get through 50 books this year.

I think you have to ask yourself "how good is this author?" when you find yourself skimming. I believe Great authors make you want to read every single word. I especially feel that way about Alexander McCall Smith. His writing is so atmospheric and humorous, I am afraid to miss anything. But, in today's world, there are so many authors who are writing at a fast clip to meet a demand, that I believe they are not edited appropriately. In this case, I skim. I feel no guilt in skimming if the writing is not grabbing me and keeping my attention. I also feel no guilt in abandoning a book. Life is too short and there are too many wonderful books to force myself to finish a mediocre one. The exception is when it is for a book club and I feel an obligation to the group to finish. Maybe I am wrong, but I think too many books are read because everyone is reading them, and people feel guilty about reading only to their own taste. We need to be true to ourselves. Also, we need to realize that even our favorite authors put out a stinker every once in a while! ;-)

Oh, and I don't think of myself as a prude either, but I believe I must skim through swearing and sex scenes. I think this because I have listened to books by authors and been shocked at some of the language, whereas, it didn't seem to bother me when I read the same author.

I'm also some of both. If it's a fluff book I tend to skim. If it's something more substantial I read every word. My problem is that while I may read every word, I don't always absorb it. In some books I find myself having to go back to remember characters or details.

I read a lot, though, usually 100+ pages a day. Don't feel badly that you don't read as fast as some; what's important is that you're enjoying it!

I usually do a little of both, if its a description that desnt really seem important then I usually just kinda blank out and skim. But I try my best not to do that :P

I read every word. I don't usually read it, unless I'm distracted. I like to read every word, because it gives me a clearer picture of what the book is about and what's happening in the book.

I am a believer in "slow reading" and actually if you want to learn more about it check out the book by John Miedema.

I love the idea of "rediscovering the pleasure of reading for its own sake". But its even more than that. When I compare my notes on a book with a friend often I'll mention a part of the book and they'll have no idea what I'm talking about, even though it was a pretty main event in the plot. Skimming causes you to lose a lot of the story and actually miss parts - if you're not going to read the whole storey than you're not going to get the whole storey and really whats the point?

Well it depends on how patient I am. Some books are just so long and the imagery is so drawn out that I end up just skimming over it. I know this isn't a good habit but I'm very impatient.

I mostly read every word, but there are times where the book is so dull that I skim through it or I just skip to the last chapter and read that. But if I skim through it I don't consider that I read the book, if that makes any sense.

I tend to read every word but I have found it depends on the book as some books i just skim read if I want to get to the end.

I am an excellent skimmer! Sometimes too good, and I have to back up because I missed something important ;)

It would depend on the book. If I find it boring, I skim read it, and skip the description part and just read the conversation part. But if i like the book, then I will read every word.

I read every word, even when I dislike a book. (However, I usually don't give authors a second chance to please me.) When it's lighter fare, of course, the reading speeds along.

Rose

I do both. If the book is really interesting to me, I tend to read just about every word. If the book, or part of the book is dull or boring, I do a lot of skimming.

It's interesting to see that people do a little of both. In addition to being a novelist, I'm also an editor, so I've trained my brain to read every word carefully. It's hard to let go of that even when I'm reading for pleasure.
L.J.
The Sex Club
Secrets to Die For
Thrilled to Death

Caitlin wrote: "I tend to read pretty much every word, or at least, I don't consciously skip. I've been known to skim through long/boring/pointless passages on occasion."

Same here, but if I catch myself getting bored or skimming too much, I either put the book aside or I don't include it in my official yearly read count. For example I'm on my 32nd book of the year, but this number would be a bit higher because I have completed other books; however, I gave in and skipped passages or skimmed a lot in those. I choose not to count those books because it feels like I cheated or something. LOL. So for me I only count the books which I know I read without any conscious skimming.

The only time I speedread or skim is when the author goes into a little too much detail about the landscape (which unfortunately, was like, 50% of the Two Towers in LOTR...but the other half was awesome, so I toughed it out, haha). However, in most cases, I am absolutely obsessive-compulsive about reading every word. Even when I'm excited about the plot, I'll skim ahead paragraphs or even skip pages, but then I will always go back and read in between. I'm the worst about not peeking ahead, but darn it, if I don't go back and pay the price. I guess I just want to make sure that my efforts aren't going to be wasted. ;) But overall, I feel like if you skip even tiny words, you might miss really subtle, beautiful sentences, and I don't mind being a slower reader if it means I have a deeper appreciation for the art.