Poll

If I'm rereading a book I can listen to music if it's a new book I have to have quiet.

Absolutely no classical music while reading! But I do usually have my radio or ipod on.

I tried reading with instrumental or classical pieces, but this is not for me. I am a music junkie so I am easily distracted, stops and listens to the music. But then the words I read are easily forgotten...

I listen to Il Divo when I'm reading, and since I read way too much than what is good for me, I'm obsessed with them (especially Urs)

I listened to the Moulin Rouge soundtrack while reading One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and it's created some interesting mental linkages between those two things. Typically, I try not to be listening to other stuff while reading.

I think it honestly depends on the type of music & the person reading the book (& the type of book).

For me, personally, Classical Music, Traditional Chinese Music, & Gregorian chants always keep me calm & focused.

Then, other times, I'm fine with listening to Techno, a bit of Rock/Metal, or perhaps some pop.

The only thing that I never listen to when reading is Rap (which I rarely listen to to begin with). It distracts me too much.

....And yet, ironically, at times I find myself trying to read something while listening to Screamo & the like. :P

Nonlyrical or I will always start singing along!

I can't listen to music while reading, it's so distracting. I can listen to a track of 'white noise' though, which helps, as it blocks out all other noisy distractions so that I can focus on my reading a lot more.

i would stop reading and listen to the music instead if i listen to music while reading SO DISTRACTED

I can listen to instrumental only music while reading, but I tend to prefer silence or white noise (like a fan).

It's got to be classical or big band instrumental.

usually i can listen to music while im reading and i do it very often(especially classical) but if its a talk show or music i dislike i cant concentrate.

Most of the time I enjoy having music in the background, but if it is something I particularly like, I'll have to pause and rock out for awhile, so sometimes the distraction, it comes...

If I like the music I will listen to it and lose track of what I'm reading. If I don't like it I'll be too annoyed to read. One way or the other I can't do it.

I read somewhere that,for some people, listening to music while reading helps to increase their concentration. Apparently, I'm one of those. However, generally for reading, I do better with jazz or classical rather than music with lyrics which can often be distracting (especially if I am familiar with the songs). BTW, I find nice positive in the fact that, if a piece or section of music breaks into my conciousness while reading, it is often a strong indicator that this is music I will really like when I turn my full attention to it at a later time.

It increases my level of concentration at all time

I love listening to piano music, it's so soothing while reading (:

I would just be too distracted by the music to get lost in the book. Its like reading with the T.V on in the background.

Amie wrote: "I would just be too distracted by the music to get lost in the book. Its like reading with the T.V on in the background."

Ah, I used to always read with the TV on. Maybe it's an acquired skill?

Katy wrote: "Amie wrote: "I would just be too distracted by the music to get lost in the book. Its like reading with the T.V on in the background."

Ah, I used to always read with the TV on. Maybe it's an acqui..."

Haha, I think so. I could never do that! I would probably end up watching the t.v

I concentrate better with music. It helps me ignore background noise that I do find distracting, such as people talking.

Style doesn't seem to make a difference, as long as I'm the one who picked it.

I can ignore any noise around me while reading, including music. I go to my own little world! :)

If I listen to music while reading, it has to be the same song repeating over and over.

If the music has something to do with what I'm reading, then no, it's not distracting.

im easy to get distracted so no music, no TV and no people around when im reading :)

Sometimes I could even forget that I was listening to music while I'm reading. I just focus on the book

If it has lyrics in a language i understand then yes, it is very distracting. Even if i'm reading the best book ever for the 5th time.

Sometimes I purposely turn on the music! :)

If there is talking going on around me while I'm trying to read, I can't focus. So I will put in my earbuds and put on some mellow jazz or classical which helps. Music while I read is nice so long as there are no lyrics. Songza's "Jazz for Reading" playlist is a personal favorite.

I voted for "it depends on the type of music", but more often than not I find myself having to stop the music because I can't concentrate on my book.

i can read to any instrumental music, but i always got distracted when there's any kind of singing.

Yes, indeed. Sometimes I like to listen to soundtracks while reading. I tried that with lotr's soundtrack, while reading the first book, it was really nice.

I think it depends on the music, and also on the book. As far as the music goes, I found a fascinating tool recently, it's called Focus at Will. The founders have done scientific research on what helps people focus, and found that specific types of music help most people (I think they say 2 out of 3) focus on a task. If you find this as interesting as I did, take a look at https://www.focusatwill.com/
I'm not affiliated, just a fan; been using this at work regularly.

I haven't listened to music much while i'm reading a book but i have done it with some books (graceling, fire, bitterblue and the final empire). And i found out that whenever i hear that same song it reminds me of the books i read and what moment it was that i heard the song. But it also depends on what music you're listening to.

I always listen to music while I read and then I start associating certain music with different books. For example, a couple of years ago when I was reading the The Lovely Bones I was also obsessed with the song set fire to the rain. So, whenever I hear that song now I think of that book. It has never distracted me in fact it helps me not get headaches in the car while reading. Maybe I'm just weird...

I do mostly listen to music when I read. Sometimes you get in this moment where the music just fits perfect with the book that you're reading (:

Depends on the kind of book.

i can hear any kind of music but while i read i cant hear people talking! is so distractive

I can only listen to music whilst reading if it has no lyrics, or is in a language that i don't recognize any words at all to. I find it helps block out other people talking or background noise like tv's or radio that other family members may be listening to.

Think you have to be a auditive learner somewhat to enjoy reading while listening to music. Might put you in the right spirit and enhance the experience.

I'm fairly visual myself so i don't want any distractions.
But I've been wanting to try out, anyone got any good songs/playlists? Pink floyd maybe?

I always read with instrumental music on. Most of the instrumental music I have are movie scores so sometimes I get hit with "feels" because I would remember a part from another book where I read with this score lol...but I love reading with music. They really help the mood.

Music can be a great back drop to a theme, especially while reading. Instrumental is great!

I'm fine with any kind of music on, but once My Chemical Romance or Fall Out Boy comes on, I have to stop reading to sing :) or dance... :P

It depends on what music you listen to. I normally listen to Khachaturian, Lalo, Sibelius, Suk, and the like, but they tend to be too distracting. I generally listen to some calm Debussy or Bach partitas and sonatas

Any book, any music...put together. That works fine for me!

Contessa wrote: "Nonlyrical or I will always start singing along!"

Same for me.

Instrumentals are usually better but I can deal with vocals if I'm in the mood for music

Yes! only nature sounds are soothing because I enjoy reading outdoors

It depends on the type of music AND the type of book.

Listening to the instrumental version of Grieg's in the Hall of the Mountain King while reading a horror story is one thing. Listening to Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant while reading a Poirot mystery is a whole 'nother matter.

If the music is instrumental then I think it adds to what your reading. As long as it provides the right mood. However most music with words would prove very distracting.