How I Read Books Tag

It’s FRIDAY!!! So I’m doing a book tag. 😀

I was tagged by the wonderful Alex at Whimsy Pages to do this tag. (Thanks Alex!!) Unfortunately, I do not know who created it, but if you do, please let me know.

Do you have a certain place at home for reading?

Nope, I do not. I read every and anywhere, but I mostly read in bed during the day. I tried reading in bed at night, but I always fall asleep. I do love reading in the living room on the sofa because that area gets A LOT of natural light, but my family is noisy sometimes and my dad hogs the TV and loves to play it LOUD, so in my room on my bed is where I read.

Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter/ a certain amount of pages?

I can stop anywhere and pick up at whatever point I stopped. If it’s a story that I’m REALLY hooked on, then it’s harder to stop because I want to know what happens next immediately. In that case, I don’t stop and end up doing everything one-handed with half my attention on it.

Bookmark or random piece of paper?

A bookmark… although I sometimes use a random piece of paper or other things (string, coin, paper money, plane ticket, pencil, pen, feather, leaf, comb).

Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?

I prefer neither, but I can bear through TV if needed. Music is harder. It easily distracts me. Chances are I won’t retain much if music is on.

Do you eat or drink while reading?

I don’t unless I happen to be reading at mealtimes. I hardly snack while reading.

Reading at home or everywhere?

I prefer to read everywhere else than at home. I don’t know why, but I realize that I get through a book faster if most of the reading is done outside my home. And I really love to read while in a moving vehicle. I think it makes me read faster. I used to get through books much quicker when I had to take the train to work everyday. These days I drive 😦 It’s no fun. I just get to work faster (before corona), which to me is not an improvement.

One book at a time or several at once?

Always several at once. I can’t even remember the last time I read one book at a time. I start a book and then I get interested in another one and start reading it too and then another and another until it becomes too much and I focus on only two or three of them at a time. Currently, I’m reading The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton, Shaman’s Crossing by Robin Hobb, The Lost Book of Adana Moreau by Michael Zapata, and will start Feed by Mira Grant soon.

Reading out loud or silently in your head?

Silently in my head unless I come across a sentence or passage that forces me to read out loud either to hear the rhythm of it or because it’ll sound funny.

Do you read ahead or even skip pages?

Depends on what I’m reading. If I’m reading a mystery or thriller or get too anxious and impatient about what’s going to happen next to wait until it happens, I’ll jump ahead (most likely to the end) and read it first then go back to my reading location. Basically, I get so impatient that I spoil myself. Sometimes I prevent myself from doing so, but if it’s a mystery, I’ll most likely spoil myself.

I try not to skip pages but if the story is REALLY boring or the character is REALLY stupid or I just can’t bother, then I’ll skim and maybe skip a few pages if I realize the boringness/stupidity continues for several pages. That’s an indication that I’ve given up on the book and most likely it will get a low rating or I might not finish it.

Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?

I like my books to look pristine for as long as I can. I don’t like to break the spine, and I don’t want any smudges or tears or bent pages, which is why I don’t lend them out.

Do you write in your books?

No. No. No. I’ve probably written in only one of my books and I regretted it. I don’t like writing in books and I don’t like getting books that have been written in. I just think the person’s words, even if it’s my own, interfere with the reading experience of the moment. I can’t see extra writing on the page and not read it. I’m way too nosy, lol.

I do highlight a lot, though. I think doing so is less intrusive than writing in the book.

Who do you tag?

Whoever sees this and would like to do this tag too. 🙂