Reading with a Soundtrack

[Benjamin]

What, if anything, do you listen to when you're reading?

I enjoy cinematic scores, instrumentals and often pieces which were written for the movie counterpart to the book I am reading. Other than that, I tend towards atmospheric, subtle sounds with little or no lyrics.

Would love to hear what you guys are listening to.

[Paulfozz]

I tend to listen in silence as music really distracts me; I used to have music playing softly when I went through a period of reading in the bath but realised that I had no recollection of anything I'd read that way, I was just skimming the words and concentrating on the music.

[Em]

I'm pretty good at tuning out background noise when I'm reading but for some reason music filters through, especially the lyrics. I like ambient or classical music in the background, maybe even lounge jazz. Just no words!

Film scores sounds good, I think I could go for that...

[Samantha]

I can't read if I can hear voices around me as I mostly read on the train I have taken to listening to white noise or nature soundtracks. You can buy iTunes downloads of rivers flowing and waterfalls etc which I find relaxing and drowns out conversation around me. I envy people who can tune out background noise that would be great.

[Jane]

I can tune out anything if I'm reading (or writing, or sleeping). I am told that I once totally ignored a fire at the end of the street. Was reading a JD Robb!

So no point in a soundtrack as I wouldn't hear it anyway.

[Sophie]

I quite like audiobooks that have a bit of music in them. It helps set the scene. I dont generally listen to music and read though.

[Tim]

I can read with ambient noise going on - I have no problem reading in trains, cafes etc. but I can't read with the radio or TV on, or music playing.

Same goes for writing.

[Jodie]

I like listening to more 'chilled' music with little or no words. I browse spotify playlists until I find something I fancy - at the moment I'm listening to a 'Majestic Casual' playlist.

[Sharonb]

I don't tend to listen to music whilst reading but I have just read The Gadfly by Ethel Voynich and listened to Shostakovich's Gadfly Suite which was composed as soundtrack to the film. the book itself is amazing but the reading experience was intensified by the beautiful music.