What do you hear when you read a book?

[Traci]

I'm not sure about "hearing" but I do agree with you that my favorite books and the authors that just click with me all have a rhythm, not exactly a musical rhythm maybe. But something that speaks to me. Like the author speaks the same "language" I do. My least favorite books and authors are usually difficult for me to read. I don't mean they're hard books or anything. I mean the words like stutter in my mind. There's no flow while I'm reading. Just sentences and paragraphs.

[Sophie]

I get the rhythm idea, but I've always just described it as the flow of a story, or cadence. Like Traci said, the lack of that kind of "rhythm" makes reading difficult. Good Omens was a book that lacked any kind of flow for me, even though I loved the story. I had to work really hard to read through the first time.

Sometimes though, you find a book that just has such gorgeous use of words and ideas. These are the kind of books that I have to read aloud to myself, because the language is so amazing that I like to experience it in as many ways as I can. One of my all time favorite books, Firethorn, is like that. Little wonder, as the author married a poet. =]

[S.J.]

I don't 'hear' anything very often myself. It takes some truly remarkable prose to evoke that feeling in me. On the other hand, whenever I come across anything particularly awkward, clumsy, or inept, I'm always reminded of the ring of a cracked bell.

[Matthew]

If I listen to music when reading a book for the first time, the two become inextricably linked in my mind, and reading the book brings to mind the music, or vice versa.

Music and taste are synesthesia-linked for me.

But I think the OP also raises the question of rereaders vs. non-rereaders and their mutual incomprehension. I'm a rereader. I think the two are linked to goal-seeking vs. enjoying the journey; I'm a journey kind of person.

[Sophie]

Matthew wrote: "I'm a rereader. I think the two are linked to goal-seeking vs. enjoying the journey; I'm a journey kind of person. ."

Same here. If I had the choice of re-reading a favorite or reading something new, I'd pick the re-read. I always find something new in a story, a nuance or subtext I might have missed previously. But then I'm also the kind of person who can watch the same movie and listen to the same song over and over and never get tired of it. That's usually part of my response when I get into the "re-reading" discussion with people; you can watch a movie more than once. Re-reading a book is no different.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

I don't "hear" anything but I "see" stuff. Gawd that sounds weird, lol. But when I read an especially good book [for me}...its like there's a movie playing in my head. It's like I'm not really reading but watching actions take place.

That's probably one of the reasons I'm not a big movie or tv person. I have my own and it's always much better. ;-D

I also think its why I've had a problem getting through some books lately. A lot of them have turned into "just words on a page" and that can be boring.

[Dawn]

I hear everything as I read it.. I can read much quicker without sub-vocalizing, but I prefer to hear the words. Everything plays out like a movie in my head.. I don't just hear the words as I read them, I insert dramatic pauses and significant looks too.. Lol. It makes for me being a slow reader when it comes to fiction (I don't sub-vocalize with books I don't read for enjoyment), but I get the most enjoyment that way. That's all that matters.

[Sophie]

sub-vocalizing...that's when someone reads long under their breath? I've never heard the term.

[Dawn]

Not under your breath.. Just in your head. You don't say the words, but you think them.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

I also hear the words in my head, and tend to read dialogue in 'character voices'. Not, like, putting on high pitched or low voices or anything, but more the tone and texture of the voice, as it were. As Dawn said - putting in pauses and whatnot.

And I also see the action of things going on in my head.

I've noticed, though, that I tend to do this more when I'm really into a book and what's going on. The less interested I am in what I'm reading, the less focus/dramatization it gets.

[Dawn]

± Colleen (of the Crawling Chaos) ± wrote: "I've noticed, though, that I tend to do this more when I'm really into a book and what's going on. The less interested I am in what I'm reading, the less focus/dramatization it gets..."

Yep, me too. If I'm not really into a book I read without the sub-vocalization and read about 4 times as fast.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

Yeah, I'm the same way. I guess I do sub-vocalize with the movie cause I do the dramatic pauses and the looks, lol. It makes hubby crazy cause I want to read stuff to him aloud and he has no clue what's going on.

[Dave]

Yeah I do the sub-vocalizeing thing as well, for me particularly the 'different' voices in my head for characters. I get the rythym of words thing, different authors tend to follow at different paces for me.

My big peeve with movies is they tend to 'overwrite' my images of the characters - I can't read Harry Potter now without seeing Daniel Radcliffe et all in my minds eye.

[Dawn]

Random aside: I keep seeing this thread title and thinking it says "what do you wear when you read a book?" O_o

[Dave]

Dawn wrote: "Random aside: I keep seeing this thread title and thinking it says "what do you wear when you read a book?" O_o"

Why does Goodreads not come with a like button for these sort of comments??

[Dave]

Nicki wrote: "Dave wrote: "My big peeve with movies is they tend to 'overwrite' my images of the characters - I can't read Harry Potter now without seeing Daniel Radcliffe et all in my minds eye."

Fortunately t..."

Nicki - agree totally about Jon serious case of miscasting.

Pedantic mode - Neverwhere was a TV series before it was a book (Gaiman's first TV work) the book was a novelization. End pedantic mode.

You are of course permitted to view the characters anyway you like - as long as Paterson Joseph remains as the Marquis :-)

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

I despised the Narnia remake and refuse to watch the rest, lol. I'd shit myself if they actually tried to make Kushiel's Dart. There's no WAY they could make that work.


I have my own cast in my head, too. Ahhh, Belgarion!

[Traci]

I hate the casting of Jon. Also have a problem with Dany. They both always just look lost and confused to me.

[Robert]

Dave wrote: "Nicki wrote: "You are of course permitted to view the characters anyway you like - as long as Paterson Joseph remains as the Marquis :-) ..."

Utterly loved Paterson Joseph as well as Laura Fraser as Door.

If the BBC ever decides to court controversy with non-trad casting for Dr. Who, I think Joseph would make an excellent Doctor.

[Kit★]

I re-read favorite books all the time. I don't really hear music or anything (although some scenes can make me imagine dramatic music or whatever with 'em) but I hear the characters, I guess it's my voice in my head, but they seem to have their own 'voices' really. Mostly when I re-read it's to go on that journey with my beloved friends again, hang out with them for a little bit. I can sorta see 'em like a movie in my head, but it's kinda hazy, like watching through a window screen, if I try to focus on the 'picture' for too long, it like, dissipates, I couldn't really describe it too well say, on paper, or in conversation. :)

[Dave]

Robert wrote: "Dave wrote: "Nicki wrote: "You are of course permitted to view the characters anyway you like - as long as Paterson Joseph remains as the Marquis :-) ..."

Utterly loved Paterson Joseph as well as ..."

Funny enough prior to the announcement of Matt Smith, Paterson Jospeh was the big rumour. I think he'd be brilliant personally.