Post: #1

I originally directed this question at Roosh in another thread, but it seemed pretty off-topic, and I wouldn't mind hearing from others as well, so I made another thread.

The question was - how much time do you spend reading?

I like to read a lot and try to read everyday, but the list of books I "plan" to dig into is constantly growing and seems insurmountable. I've gotten nowhere near tackling all the challenging books I've seen you talk about, but I certainly want to - it's clearly done a lot for your thought processes.

Do you log a certain amount of hours everyday reading? Do you actively have to cut time out of your social life and time spent gaming women to make sure you get this done, or are you just naturally reclusive at times and read whenever the opportunity arises?

Do you mind describing how you fit your studies into your lifestyle?

Again, everyone else feel free to chime in here too.

Post: #2

I'm a bit of a loser. I only care about my books. Nothing is as enjoyable (and relaxing) to me as reading. I will dead in the next few decades and I want to learn as much about the world as I can before I go. The world is interesting, surprising and entertaining on so many different levels.

So - really - I always have a book to hand. If I am not doing something that needs to be done that second. Or am hanging out with someone. I am reading. Sometimes it is a book, a magazine - or an article online.

The only thing that stops me reading more books is the amount of time I spend reading stuff online.

To be honest - I don't think it is possible to be a serious reader, and also be in a serious relationship.

When you think about having a full-time job, daily chores and a serious relationship - there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day.

Most serious readers - who are in a serous relationship - make it work because they are writers, or academics, who can make reading part of their full-time job.

Also - reading alot doesn't make you smart. So I don't think it is anything to boast about. Since you only tend to absorb what you read - when you re-read something (which is something I very rarely do - except with magic books and the occasional philosophy book).

I am a compulsive reader. And I only read non-fiction. In a way that makes the habit more compulsive - since everything you read is related in some way to everything else you read. So you are continually uncovering new areas of interest.

Finally - I find not having a TV helps as well. TV is a giant time-sink. And I wish I stopped watching it when I was 10 instead of when I was 20.

Post: #3

My reading comes and goes. I set a goal in 2009 to read 100 books a year. I think 59 is the closest I have come to that goal so far, and I track every book I read in Evernote. I try to get at least 15 minutes a day of reading in. Some days I can do several hours depending on what's going on. I bought a Kindle Fire with the text to speech which has upped my reading somewhat, since I don't have to always feel like reading the words on the page.

Post: #4

None. And I can't even read long posts here either. I want to get wasted and have sex.

Post: #5

When I wasn't working I was reading a book a day, now that I'm working I try to read maybe 30 minutes. I've been getting into the habit of having a big glass of water, a snack and my book when I get home. Helps you get out of work-mode.

Post: #6

(09-06-2013 06:34 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  None. And I can't even read long posts here either. I want to get wasted and have sex.

TL;DR

Post: #7

I spent almost 2 hours for reading before to sleep. I usually use novels and religious books for reading. I think these are good for learning.

Post: #8

I read generally 3 hours a day. I read 150-200 books every year. This includes work-related reading, which amounts to about half of that each day. The other half is split is between fiction, non-fiction, and comic books. Currently reading Epictetus' Discourses, I Hunt Killers (Barry Lyga), and the Avengers/New Avengers graphic novels (Hickman).

Post: #9

Not enough. Usually for work and rarely if ever for pleasure.

Post: #10

I tend to read in fits and starts. Sometimes two or three books a week, and sometimes nothing for a few weeks. I have very varied interests (renaissance man is my ideal), so focus can be an issue. Currently going through Penguins top 20 classics of the twentieth century, but with some of them it seems like a bit of a chore since just because a book is a classic doesn't mean it's my cup of tea.

Post: #11

To answer my own question, I'm currently reading 2 - 3 hours a day, though sometimes I pick up a book before bed on sober nights and end up reading late into the night if it grabs my attention (I'd like to cut back on this because I think I need more regular sleep in my life). I want to maintain a steady 3 hours reading a day while still getting in 3 or 4 hours of work and some writing done, which is proving to be a challenge. I know that's a lot of time to spend reading and working at my computer, but I really feel like building my knowledge and making money are the two most important things I should be focusing on at the moment, and I'm prepared to dig my heels in for a while and make them priorities for a while.

On another note, there's a lot of talk these days about how bad sitting in front of a computer all day can be on your body. Do you read a certain way to prevent problems? Like, do you lounge in a comfortable chair or on your bed, or do you try to read sitting with good posture at your desk? Do you take frequent breaks?

Post: #12

At the local university here in Santo Domingo, they sell meals for 12 cents. There is a long queue of hundreds of students waiting to go buy and eat those meals. You will literally stay 1.5 hours on that queue and you have a bunch of chicks to game while you are queuing up. Usually when i want to save money,I just go to the local university, take my kindle with me, stand on the queue and start reading the books I have. Its probably one of my best strategies to finish reading my books. I usually don't have time to read at home unless its right before i go to sleep. I probably spend 30 to 60 minutes reading per day. I go to eat those meals once every two weeks, i probably need to do it more often to finish reading my books faster.

Post: #13

(09-10-2013 09:38 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  ...

On another note, there's a lot of talk these days about how bad sitting in front of a computer all day can be on your body. Do you read a certain way to prevent problems? Like, do you lounge in a comfortable chair or on your bed, or do you try to read sitting with good posture at your desk? Do you take frequent breaks?

Most books I read are still old school (often from the library - I'm cheap), so not the same strain as with a computer screen or kindle.

I have a standing desk I use sometimes. Not for hours on end, but I like the variation between standing and sitting.

Don't do it myself, but a very smart guy I know used to swear by walking and studying at the same time. Would pace up and down with a textbook memorising the contents.

Post: #14

My job gives me a fair amount of official breaks during the day. During my breaks I'll sit in my car and read for 30-40 minutes at a time, for a few times throughout the day.

Then will usually read for another 30-60 minutes before bed. So around 2 hours a day I guess. Reading time varies from 30 days (Game of Thrones books or long classic Russian novels) to a few days (contemporary social science shit like Men on Strike). Average about 2 books per month.

I try to get as much productive shit done on "company time" as possible. I feel bad for guys who are on the clock every minute of their work day, save for a lunch hour if they're lucky.

Post: #15

Internet has degraded my book reading. Too much time here and flitting around news, finance and blogs.

Post: #16

I spend 2-3 hours reading material for my classes daily and less than 30 minutes, if at all, on books that actually enhance my mind. Thanks for starting this thread, it made me realize I need to read more.

Post: #17

Between half an hour to four hours a day reading. I've really been slipping on reading for school the past two months, I've just been doing my own non-fiction reading. Gotta get back in the habit before the semester ends or I'm gonna regret it.

Post: #18

Books? Sometimes a few minutes per day, an hour or so other days.

I hardly ever read fiction anymore, but when I do, I tend to stay engrossed and finish the book quickly.

I like to only read a chapter or sub-chapter per day of non-fiction. I want my brain to absorb and remember the information.

Post: #19

I skip in between books. And then when I get to the last 50 pages or so of a book - I make a point of focusing on it so that I can get it finished.

Me reading a book is a lot like that weird cycling race they have at the Olympics:

Post: #20

I read at standing position. Same with my netbook. As I am a dirty old man now I don´t have the feeling I am going to miss to much so I have the patience to read for example the russsian classics.

Post: #21

(04-20-2014 11:13 AM)Bill Wrote:  I read at standing position.

I was doing this for a while. Sometimes I'd pace in my room while reading. It was calming, actually, and I figure better than sitting or laying around all the time. Need to start doing it again.

If I ever settle down long enough, I'd like to set up a standing desk for my writing.

Post: #22

I used to be a 2-hour a day book reader,but it's slacked off. The weather warming up has an effect too. But my big problem lately is that I just can't find anything good to read.

Post: #23

not enough!

To much time on the bloody internet!

Post: #24

"If you don't feel that you haven't read enough, you haven't read enough." - Nassim Taleb

Post: #25

I've read 2-3 hours per day habitually my entire adult life, often more, occasionally less.