Sarah Weinman read 462 books last year and talks about it with the LA Times. She said most of those books were “mediocre or forgettable, and if I hadn’t been on a subway or captive on a plane or a train, I might not have finished them.”
I can’t read anywhere near this fast. I’m pretty slow at it, which is why I’ve begun to claim that I don’t read books at all, I only read about books.
I think my sister knows a woman who can read like Sarah. She said watching her read is like watching someone turn the pages. How she can take in a whole page at once must have something to do with ancient secrets or Aztec technology. Maybe she’s immortal. Wait, we’re all immortal, so maybe she’s … something else …
Bridget, a commenter on the LA Times blog, says, “When I was a kid the librarian wouldn’t let me check out enough books to keep me occupied for the week, I finally convinced her after going to the library mid-week and reporting on each of the books I had checked out. I could have the adult amount then. I once tried to describe the way I read as vacuuming the page with my eyes.” Heh, heh.
I’m convinced that these people aren’t reading books. They are skimming books. It’s not really reading.
I read that fast, or very close to it. If I didn’t have four little boys six and under, I could easily read that many books in a year. Of course, I don’t watch tv. It’s too slow.
I remember Mom timing me when I was a kid, in the Nancy Drew phase. Those took half an hour. I remember getting the third degree about an Asimov novel in eighth grade or thereabouts because she couldn’t believe I was reading that fast.
My library checkouts have always been limited by weight.
This is also why I come pester authors whose writing I like about sequals and stuff.
Well, it’s an impressive skill. I wish I could it or maybe half of it. I remember a professor at a seminary reading and editing at what my friend called a “scary” speed.
My sister-in-law reads that fast. When her first child was born she had to be coached on reading slower so she could read out loud to her baby.
I read that fast when I was younger, and still can read pretty quickly, but don’t have the time for it I used to have. During vacations I average a book and a half a day; but when work and life is on me for real, I’m lucky to get 3 or 4 a week under my belt.
Yes! Melissa does read that fast, or almost. I’ll have to ask her how many books she read last year… She used to read whole novels on her hour-long lunch break.
My problem is that I skip ahead or lose my place and I keep going back to re-read. I get on much better if I just keep going and not worry about it. I picked up an old school speed reading book recently; I wonder if it works. I know it at least teaches you to use your fingers as a guide while you’re reading so you don’t skip around.