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[Sorcerer]

I wish I could finish a book in one sitting. Even ~300 page books take me over a week to finish because not only do I not read long enough, but when I am reading I don't think I am reading fast enough. I understand that people read at a different pace, but I can't help but get caught up on words that I do not know, which slows me down, rereading a sentence to understand the context of the word to try and derive its meaning.

Any tips on how to read faster while retaining information? Rereading sentences kills me.

I think much has to do with how interested you are in the subject. I love biographies more than fiction and I can swallow those books up in hours. On the other hand if a book is heavy on backstory and lore, I slow down tremendously.
Right now I am reading Jane Austen and I am a turtle because the language throws me. When group conversations start I am somewhat thrown because its hard to keep track of who is speaking.

 

[JCX]

My little brother ruined "snape kills

Spoiler

dumbledore

" for me, so I binged on the final book and didn't use any media until I finished it that night.

 

[SeriuzBiznus]

As a kid, I pretty much tore through the Harry Potter books as soon as they were released.

More recently, I picked up Flowers for Algernon on a whim before my vacation. I read the whole thing in about 3-4 sittings. Granted it's pretty short - but I've had a lot of problems with concentration since having chemotherapy, so the fact that I was able to finish the book so quickly speaks volumes about how good that book is.

 

[neorej]

While I have no doubt you binged these books, but I think it would be crazy to binge It or The Stand in one day. Something has to get lost binging books that large in a day.

I was a fast reader back in the 90s. Teenager with nothing to do except read books because all my friends were away on vacation and the weather was shite anyway.

 

[Spanx McFranks]

Last time I did this was with Ocean at the End of the Lane. I bought the book, went home sat by the pool and consumed it. I didn't even realize I was finishing it.

 

[Norwegian Rudo]

My favourite Miss Marple book. Did you ever watch the 80's BBC Joan Hickson adaptation? It was incredible, and actually scared me as a kid.

Since there is a bit of Christie talk in this thread; this was announced today

http://variety.com/2016/tv/global/bbc-seven-new-agatha-christie-adaptations-1201843668/

 

[dinoroar]

House of Leaves is my ultimate binge-book. I took in down over the course of two days without many breaks, apart from the ones where I'd look over my shoulder/make sure no one else was in my house..


Edit:

House of leaves. When I finished it, it was four a.m. and I was supposed to get to work at seven.

Awesome.

 

[SomTervo]

Uh, yes? And as an adult it still happens every few years. Just takes the right book.

Most recent was the WOOL series. Like Lost but actually delivers on all the mysteries it promises.

Fucking amazing and so, so gripping.

 

[SpaceHorror]

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

1984

I read The Hunger Games in like two sittings, as well.

 

[SomTervo]

I read the Old Testament in one sitting.

... jk?

 

[RPG_Fanatic]

Haven't done it in a while, but yes. The harry Potter Books come to mind for me. I am sure there are some others, but that series that I remember off the top of my head.

 

[dragonflys545]

I haven't read a book ever since I finished school.

 

[Pantaghana]

All the Harry Potter and Narnia books. Admittedly, each book in the Narnia series is very short, read all seven of them over the course of two days.

Metro 2033 - the book the game is based on, surprisingly good.

The Master and Margarita, twice. My favorite book of all time.

 

[InfiniteBento]

All the time.

If I'm really hooked on a book, I won't put it down unless its to shower/eat/touch butts

 

[Dynasty]

Does where's wally count?