Concentrating whilst reading a book

[Chrissy Boy]

I know this sounds daft but I have real trouble concentrating whilst reading. As a kid I never read but found that I enjoy reading but never ever 'get into a book' to the point where I can't put it down. I start reading and within the first couple of lines my mind has wandered off and then I have a few restarts and then stop all together. It takes months to read a book due to the fact that I read when I go to bed as I find it impossible to concentrate on it at any other time. I also note how much of the book I have read, getting through the book appears to be more important than the story. I tend to read crime novels but have tried other books but to no difference. Can anyone suggest anything that might help as it is most annoying and I bet I'm not the only one. Thanks.

[*ALFIE*]

I have a similar problem. Thing is, we're not used to reading. Just keep trying and conenrate on what you reading - its will soon fall into practice. When i was younger, I only used to read magazines.

[KittyGlitter]

Try reading books of short stories. That helps with my patience of reading.

[maggie01]

I can only read if I am in a quiet room. No distractions from tv. people or pets.

[WendyS]

When you read what's on the page, do you scan it through your brain or do you actually read each word individually as if you were reading it out loud (but not actually saying it out loud)? Does that make sense?

If you can imagine that you are reading out loud to somebody else it may help to focus your concentration on each word. If you didn't read much as a child, it has probably been quite difficult for you to feel comfortable with a large amount of written material in concentrated doses and perhaps trying this difference technique may help you. I'm sure that in time it will get easier as you and your brain become more familiar with the shape and pattern of each word. A lot of words are used regularly and keep re-appearing, so as time goes by your brain will start to register them more quickly and your reading will become more fluent It's rather like learning to play the piano, or learn the layout of a computer keyboard. The more you practice, the more familiar the process becomes and you speed up. Keep at it and don't get dispirited. Once you really start to feel more comfortable coping with written words, the more pleasure you will get from them. From the way you describe your reading pattern, i.e. worrying about how much of the book you still have to get through, it sounds as if you may be regarding it more as a "homework chore" than a pleasurable hobby". My problem is the opposite the further along I get into a book (if I'm enjoying it) the more sad I become knowing I know I'll soon be reaching the end.

[Aschenbach]

• Stay away from James Joyce's Ulysses.


• I have read quite a few books (3/4 of the BBC's top 100) and like you still count the pages and note when I'm halfway through a book or chapter.


• If you become frustrated because you've not followed the plot of what you've read then use www.sparknotes.com to clarify what's happened in a particular chapter. This may avoid your 'restarts'.


• I also write down words I don't know into an exercise book with their meaning rather than ignore them.


• With Microsoft Reader you can have a book 'read' to you by the computer. The words are highlighted as you follow them on the page.

[Hamish]

Read something linked to you other interests. It's not an exersise, try to imagine what it is like for the main charaters. Dont count the pages, if you set a high std you are likely to put yourself off!

Why is it annoying though? that puzzels me, its as if you feel you have to be an avid reader .... read for enjoyment, they you might become one!

I'm interested in writing so I have quite a wide taste in reading material, although even some of the BBCs top 100 have been a bit dissapointing. I read for the story and for the style. I also read to escape as I find it draws my attention, although I often find it hard if I have something important on my mind. When I have a book, and time, I have been known to read over 600pgs in 3 days (and see the family etc!). it can depend a lot on the book and the time and the state of mind.

To end, I was in the slow readers class at school because I'm dyslexic and it has taken several years to get up the the speed of reading that I now have. I have met many who can read faster, but the other thing to consider is retention .... what do they remember.