How Do You Read?

I’m always curious about what others read, but I’m also intrigued by how they read. It seems to me that most readers fall into one of three groups: Those who read as readers. Those who read as writers. And those who read as participants.

The first category includes those who read for sheer pleasure. Lovers of a good story, who spend a lot of time with books and/or magazines, and simply enjoy the process of passing leisure time with a new or old favorite book. 

Those who read like writers usually are writers, and by the admission of many, often find it more and more difficult to "lose themselves" in a story without noting what's good or excellent writing vs what lies near or at the opposite end of the spectrum. Poor writing can shake a writer out of a story in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, so can especially good writing. We find it next to impossible not to take notice of both.

It borders on reading like an editor might read. I suppose I fall into this category most often, as well as the next group (more on that below). I've discovered that after years of avid reading as a reader, it's become more difficult to find stories that draw me in and hold my interest so completely I'll actually finish a book. Consequently, it's become more and more of a challenge to find books I'm willing to commit to. But they're still out there. I look for writers with whom I'm already familiar and fairly certain they're going to provide me with a riveting, enjoyable experience. I still read new writers, but not as often as I used to--mostly when a friend or colleague is exceedingly enthusiastic about a book and highly recommends it ... and if the time frame and setting sound intriguing and are ones I'm drawn to. I find myself frequently reading old favorites because I know the quality of the writing and the appeal of the story. A couple of examples: I couldn't count the times I've reread To Kill a Mockingbird or some of Ray Bradbury's short stories.

The third group--those who read as participants--also fits me. Although the more one reads the more difficult it can be to find stories in which you can lose yourself, in which you fall into the writer's created world and live the story with the characters, it still happens. That's one reason I sometimes return to my old favorites, but I'm also always on the lookout for a new book that can become an "old favorite." 

I'd be curious to learn which group you think fits you well--and learn the titles of some of the books you've discovered in your category.  

BJ