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Being a relatively quick reader is one of the things which pushes me away from audiobooks and podcasts. Podcasts in particular, as I prefer someone take the time to organize and edit their thoughts before sending them out into the wild.

☺️🐢

another side effect is that of the avid readers I know, some have huge vocabularies but mispronounce the words for having only learned them off the page. I tell them not to be embarrassed!

I imagine not, but I appreciate everyone in education who tries. We need you now more than ever and you deserve better treatment than you get

I love when authors do that. And especially when they include pronunciation guides. Helps my enjoyment not having to try and remember how I had a word sound in my head 3 chapters back

Back in the dark ages — 4th grade — I was tagged as being able to read at only half the speed required for success in college. Somehow, I managed to end up with 3 degrees after my name and, according to GoodReads, have read 67 books so far this year. Just chugging along actually works!

👍

Also, no shame in audiobooks!

I read quickly, but can't admire it because my retention has never been great.

definitely not a contest!

Comprehending what you read is of the utmost important.

same

Same here, but I don't believe my reading speed has changed all that much, it just has become a problem to simply stay in bed and read all day. My boss for example want's me to do boring stuff instead!

100% agree! I love to read but I think everyone should find some quiet time to pick up a book. If you only read one book a year that is great! That's better than not reading any books!

My first read of LOTR took so long, the school librarian told me to just keep the book, rather than keep checking it out every two weeks.

with a book being gripping. 'I read it all in a day' doesn't make you better than someone who took a week, but does tell the author that their book was gripping and unputdownable... and that they had a day free...

You're welcome, and thank you for being one of those who create more things to read!

As long as we read faster than you can write and publish new material, right?

The only time reading speed matters is when you're trying to outrun a EULA. And even then, you've already lost.

I hate how fast I read. I do not get to enjoy a book over a period of time, I have no ability to savor and build anticipation in the same way I did as a kid. I loved being halfway thru a book, anticipating getting back to reading it soon and the joy of finally picking it up to start…

Having a theater background I read slowly because I’m always imagining speaking the lines and seeing the action in my head. I feel like I enjoy what I read more than people who read fast.

As a fast reader who reads just about anything, I'm happy you are reading!

Reading slowly has a significant advantage, it is a lot cheaper.

Global warming denial is winning Few Study the math www.democracynow.org/2026/8/6/spo...

Seconding this. Looking back down my life I think the school emphasis on reading speed more than reading to satisfy curiosity or reading to enjoy a good story...was not a great idea.

You can also read multiple books at a time! Same as you can watch multiple shows through the week. My reading Three Body Problem and Cosmos on alternating weekends has been amazing.

As long as they're reading,doesn't(shouldn't)matter what,how long the book/ comic ,speed as long as its something

I read very fast and I miss half the content. Reading slowly is a good thing!

When I was a kid (early 60s) my teachers put me in a special speed reading class and to this day I don’t understand what the point of that was.

It’s damn inconvenient though.

Actually, this is a thing I've worried about for a bit. My BFF is dyslexic and has aphantasia, so has never gotten much out of reading. They stick to movies/tv/video games. But I'm an avid reader, and there are so many great stories I know they would love if they could. Any recommendations?

My reading pace has slowed WAY down as I've aged. I'm still in there fighting, though. The important word in "slow reading" is "reading."

I love that I read fast, because it means I get to read more things, and it also means that when I'm unable to make time to read, I still get to in bursts. It doesn't make me better, but I am grateful for the knack.

I used to read fast. I'd go through books like water. Then I realized I was missing some things while reading. Not major things but little descriptive things that made the writing more personal or more real. Now I resist the urge to speed through a book and take my time. Much better that way!

I read a lot (on my computer) for my research so don't often read for pleasure because my eyes are tired. But this summer I got glasses for reading up close (not computer screens) and could actually read for pleasure. It took me a month but I really enjoyed, Lock In! Starter Villain is next!

That's another thing I love about settling into a good fiction story, it allows me to slow down. So much of the time, reading all the other stuff everywhere, I speed read. Wild West. Conspicuous consumption. But a good book demands to be savored slowly. It's also OK to listen to books. That counts.

The only person whose reading speed I compete against is myself

If I could read quickly (and had more time to do it), I wouldn’t have to renew 21 day loans from the library

I read at a pretty good pace. But, as I get older, I have the tendency to fall asleep more quickly. I used to stay up for hours reading. Now, after about 10 minutes, I’m asleep.

I got some prescription readers and while I still don't read as fast as when I was a kid, I can read for a longer time again.

I was in 3rd grade. Two of us took the machine to its max - 510 words/minute (with 70% comprehension). But it must not have had the desired effect because they only did it for a short time. I've been a fast reader ever since.

Oh, my… I didn’t know slow reading was “a thing”, I just always thought I was “damaged”. When I was a kid and learned to read, I would read to my mother at bedtime and not the other way around. Not sure it’s related, but to this day, many decades later, I still read like I’m reading aloud.

The more I enjoy something the slower I read because I want to savor every moment.

Slow reader for life here. The problem for me is sometimes by brain just wanders off to a tangent in the middle of a page. I'm reading the words but none of it's sticking, so I have to backtrack and read it over. Makes it so I read every book three times the first time through.

Not only am I a really slow reader, I usually fall asleep about halfway into the first page that I attempt to read. It takes me a long time to read a book!

I think there is a subconscious peer pressure to be cultured, well-read, and to keep up. That steals the joy of reading altogether. I wish we could marinate in some worlds a bit longer. It took me a month to finish The Dispossessed. I still miss Anarres.

This is also how I feel about audiobooks

yeah and reading is a high brain power consuming devotion. so if you do it all day, eventually you're gonna read slow. feel reaaaaal stupid. that's when you're done.

We had “reading bees” in grade school. I, one of seven kids, was always very competitive. Now I must force myself to slow down while reading

“I took a speed-reading course and read War and Peace in twenty minutes. It involves Russia.” Woody Allen

I appreciate this sentiment. I read The Shattering Peace on and off again over the span of a few weeks and it felt weird, given your previously stated delivery timelines, that it likely took me longer to read a book than it did for the author to write it.

I read slowly and often.

i’m a natural speed reader (started reading rly young and skipped the “read out loud in your head” step) and ngl I’ve always been jealous of ppl who can read more slowly and deliberately, sometimes plowing through novels in a day or two rly takes the magic out of it

Writing book reviews ruined me. I hate trying to read fast. Now my old brain just wants to take its time with everything.

And think of all the money you'll save on books by reading them slowly *Quietly hides my 'to be read' pile behind my other 'to be read' pile*

Always just be yourself

Still wanna listen to Christopher Lee’s telling of the Sons of Hurin, though.

Some of us read slowly because dyslexia makes us. But have to reread every sentence three times to get it right does lead to great comprehension and retention

I read slowly because, like savouring every mouthful of your favourite food, I like to absorb every sentence and loose myself in the story.

just read and read what you want to read. It isn’t a competition.

Anyone who reads in any capacity these days is a revolutionary.

People still read., cbwrong.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-...

😊

So, so true for me. But a friend gave me Redshirts for my birthday, and that sir was not read slowly 😎

Love this!

Also, a lot of things can change your reading speed, so it's okay to read slowly, even if you usually read faster.

If I connect with a book, I'm likely to read it slowly because it keeps sparking thoughts. My favorite books have a richness of ideas and implications, so I'm not likely to speed through them.

Same advice I gave my father when he kept saying he couldn’t read novels. After getting him to read To Kill A Mockingbird I don’t know how many books he went through.

I love to read books slowly, especially when I'm totally immersed in the story. The best entertainment is a good book. That's why I read yours. 😁

Reading is not a competition. A book that stays with someone matters more than the number of pages they finish in an hour. We should make reading enjoyable, not turn it into another target.

From what I have seen, the slower you read, the better the experience. When I was young, books became a whole world. Now I can bang them out in one day, but do not remember much a month later.

I couldn't live without reading something every day. 📚📚📚

I was chosen in high school to join some other students in a speed reading program. Years later, I purposefully worked on slowing down so I could savor the reading experience more, and enjoy the writing. I personally don't care how fast or slow you read, as long as you read.

Will do. Thanks!

Exactly! In addition, it’s ok to read graphic novels as well as Shakespeare. Just read something! I used to share this quote with my students. Signed, Former Reading Teacher

Since I’m forced to read ebooks by my libraries I’ve found I consume books slower. I don’t have the attention span for words on a screen. Paper is more… compelling?

It's not about speed It's about awareness, comprehension and retention

I also think it's more important to continue to be curious about authors/subjects/styles with which you're unfamiliar AND to be OK with starting a book or other reading materials and saying, Nope, I am not enjoying this, and putting it aside. Life's very short.

Some books 📚 one wishes would never end...

Reading fast is like eating fast. Sometimes you're in a hurry and/or really hungry, but it's generally not good for your digestion...

Subtitles suck eggs

but i want the books in my brain now

Yes, this. And reading speed is neither an indicator of intelligence nor comprehension, so no need to race if it keeps you from immersing yourself in the story.

My town’s summer reading program at the library gives points for the minutes read, not the number of books read. That really helped get my kid motivated because even though she started reading slowly, just putting in 15-30 minutes gets rewarded!

Hill: I understand everything I’ve read slowly better than anyone who’s read it faster than me.

3/3 at questions at the end of the chapter (or sections), if they're there. Really does help. Sadly, this course taught me nothing about writing succinctly.

There’s reading for work and there’s reading for pleasure.

Most of the “speed” readers I know either miss key points entirely or at least miss out on ruminating over the implications of what they just read. Either way, they clearly don’t get the same depth of experience my slow ass gets.

If I’m reading fiction, I can ready pretty fast. If I’m reading about science, my brain needs to hear the words. Pretty wild huh?

I read at the same speed as if I was reading aloud to someone, so it takes me forever to get through a book...but I still do it.

As a dyslexic I appreciate that, but reading is second to a root canal.

Same 😂

That's literally not ok btw, they rate your reading level by school grade for a reason

Ppl need to understand: fast reading = shallow reading. Bragging about reading “body count” isn’t the flex you think it is. For writers, it’s no bueno. I’m a retired dev ed. I don’t read fast by design: editing requires deep, slow reading. I’m fucking proud to make all the catches nobody else can.

There’s an obnoxious arrogance to bragging on social media about how many books you’ve read this week. If your post has discouraged even one slow reader from picking up a book, shame on you.

Dude, you’re reminding me why I love you

Slow just means I’m savoring it. A well written book deserves a good slow read.

I typically read at a moderate pace but taught myself to speed read. My trouble is mild dyslexia, so speed can vary depending on how much my eyes mangle the text. Some fonts & sizes are easier; times new Roman and it’s kin are my defaults.

About to finish reading my 3rd book this year. I used to read so much more, but life changes. My collection qualifies as a library but I havent read as many as I’d like to. Keep trying.

...especially when reading in a language not your own! ;-)

I've gotten halfway through this post, will finish the rest tomorrow. But I like where it's going.

i think we're losing something that used to get taught in advanced language arts classes--different kinds of reading. like: skimming, speed reading, reading for pleasure, annotated reading, etc... cause, yeah, i rarely read at my top speed and almost never at my top speed for pleasure.

Yells amen in former library director! Audiobooks are reading too!

Were I to read more slowly, I might attain full(er) comprehension in one go, and I might not run out of things to read. Of course, for that second part I also def need to roll the dice on more unknowns...

I'm a decently fast reader, but my eyes are usually trained on video games and movies when I'm not at work. This is why I generally prefer audio books.

Yes exactly! In my case I just run through the museum multiple times.

🎯🌟💗

I remember the musician I played a few times with. He was super proud of how fast he could play. I would then counter, Yes, but how slow can you play the blues, Shawn?

since it's widely accepted usage to refer to the consumption of books in audio format as reading maybe they should.

As an author, who does not listen to audio books himself, it is OK if you read audiobooks for any damn reason under the sun! It is good. Buy my book! Having the story read to you is as old as writing.

Audiobooks are great on car trips! I have my libro.fm playable on my system, and constantly listen to audiobooks. I also have bookshop.org for ebooks, and a wall of physical books. My only complaint is that it's hard to get a signed copy of an audiobook or ebook.😁