5 Tips For Slow Readers. (Not Speed Reading!)

[@Anthony-cj2ju]

I honestly don’t know how fast I read books but honestly I don’t care. I love them. I’m someone who gets completely emerged in a story to the point I loose all sense of time, noise, or distraction around me. I encourage everyone (as you stated) to read tops or genres you love and not what’s popular. Reading is for you and if you can loose yourself in a book, your reading exactly the way you’re meant to.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Exactly mate! Good for you. I find it interested to know, for example, how many books I expect to read per year, but not for the purposes of "winning at reading" but so that I can plan and look forward to future reads. Cool comment mate. I appreciate it.

[@cliffammons6043]

Yes! I agree.

[@VugarAmiraslanov-r6t]

i have to be at 130 wpm to really understand what am i reading. I am really interested in how people can read 200 words and deeply understand books.

[@ericmason8087]

The last tip is so important! I overheard two you men the other day talk about reading. The one guy said “ I never have really enjoyed reading.” and his friend quickly said, “If you don’t enjoy reading, then you aren’t reading the right books.” This stuck with me so much, and to hear it come from a 16 or 17 year old who could be doing so many other things at that age made it even better. Don’t be afraid to put a book down and find the book you enjoy!

[@rodgilley-writer]

FACT: Your videos are NEVER boring! I always enjoy them! I think your 5 tips are spot on!!!!! Feels odd to say a gift card? Call it poetry!!! I really enjoyed this video. Keep up the great work!!!!!!

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Oh wow thank you so much mate. What a nice comment. I appreciate it.

[@ActualMichael]

I listen to audiobooks, especially when I am driving, and I have nothing against listening to audiobooks, but you should be aware that it exercises a different part of the mind and less of the mind than the physical process of sitting down and reading a printed book. Reading a printed book sharpens and activates the mind in a way that listening simply can’t do. So I do think it is vitally important to regularly read physical books also. While I personally have a rapid reading level due to a lifetime of reading books and therefore passively exercising the mind for all that time, focus on speed should never be a thing. Reading at whatever your natural level is allows for a much deeper and more enriching experience than trying to speed read your way through something and not giving your mind the space and freedom to to fully experience the richness of the text. Don’t be afraid to take the time.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

You've made some insightful points! While audiobooks offer a unique and convenient experience, there's undoubtedly something special about the tactile and focused act of reading a physical book for me. I think the thing that I always try to bare in mind is that everyone takes in information in different ways. Many people for example CANNOT focus on an audiobook, no matter how hard they try. Other's are the same when it comes to a physical book. Some of it is down to practice but there's so many factors at play. Dyslexia, vision impairment, ADHD, and a myriad of other factors. For example, I love physical books but I ALWAYS opt for the audiobook when it comes to autobiographies because it feels more authentic to hear it in the authors own words. My issue is when people enjoy audiobooks and others judge them for it, like they're "cheating" at reading. Thanks for the comment mate.

[@Mark-nh2hs]

I've tried e readers but just end up with a headache or falling asleep lol. I'm more a book reader turning the pages, the smell of new or old books lol. Audio books I listen from time to time esp in the evening or night time - when your eyes are tired and you just sit back and let someone else do the reading for you lol..... Memories of my Nan when I was 6 years old and her reading me stories doing all the different voices for each character .... Loved it.

[@TheSuperrespect13]

Knowing when the quite books really has been one of those things I had to learn the hard way. I am a stubborn one,...I used to at least finish the book or even the series in some cases but I'd hate the entire time while I was doing it,...quitting this habit has been a blessing because while I'm not that old I just find more joy into reading,...If I don't vibe with a book, then its cool just move on to the next!! Hope this way of thinking can help someone out!!

[@PaperbackJourneys]

I completely understand where you're coming from! Life's too short to spend time on books that don't resonate with us. It's great that you've found a reading rhythm that brings you joy. Thanks for sharing your perspective; I'm sure it'll inspire others to prioritize their reading happiness too.

[@skunke2290]

Great tips and great video as usual! I can say that I really began reading a lot more when I got into high school since then I sat on the bus with nothing to do. And lemme tell ya, those 40-50 minutes a day really makes a difference. I personally however can’t do audiobooks. It just doesn’t work with me and then. I see why people like them, but it’s not for me lol

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Yeah absolutely! I've heard from other people that that struggle to focus on an audiobook and can get distracted and the words feels like they're just running like background noise. I've also heard the same about physical books where people struggle to focus on words on a page and need an audiobook to take in the information, either listening and reading simultaneously or listening while they do something with their hands. We're all different in the ways we take in information which is pretty cool.

[@AlexKemp-u5f]

I naturally tend to switch from reading fiction to non - fiction. Some months, I will read fiction and other months I enjoy non-fiction. Some months I enjoy philosophy and biographies other months sci fi and fantasy. Yes! I enjoy reading philosophy but I do enjoy fiction. Tip 1 really helped me realize this. Read what excites you. that is my new mantra. Thank you

[@tossi160]

Such a wonderful and needed video :) You have such an engaging attitude! You had me hooked for a whole 15 minutes

[@PaperbackJourneys]

That's lovely to hear. Thank you so much. I'm glad you got something out of it.

[@Johann-4354]

Slow reader as well. But, I learned to read by passionately reading the unabridged 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, when I wes 11 y.O..I'm still slow but I force myself away from distractions like T.V. and KZbin to make time. Also, I don't game. Reading is much more enjoyable.

[@Mark-nh2hs]

I'm a slow reader too. I for years read mainly Horror and some crime with the odd classics - HG Wells War of the World's being my most read book. However, my brother read every type of book but loved some of the great classics writers like William Burroughs and Kerouac. He one day said I need to expand as I'm missing out on some great classic books. So he advised me to find several authors who interested me and grab their short stories collections as this will give me a taste of their writing style.... And I did and he was right by taking his advice I got into Charles Bukowski, James Baldwin and my Brother most disliked author Hemingway lol. - a younger me would say "boring" to these authors.

[@ArtsReallyCool123]

VERY useful video. Saved this one in my watch later playlist.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you found it useful. If you have any questions or topics you'd like covered in the future, feel free to let me know. Appreciate the support! 😊

[@ArtsReallyCool123]

@@PaperbackJourneys Will do! 😎

[@michaelshemesh8153]

I love you so much! Thanks for the support of audio books. I finished this way 50 + Stephen King books. Nowdays having a hard time rereading just The Dark Tower in the original language.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Yeah audiobooks count. Also I think a lot of The Dark Tower books are read by Frank Muller who is a great and atmospheric narrator. Thanks for commenting Michael.

[@michaelshemesh8153]

To be honest I mostly read at russian (it's very easy there are lots of torrents and really cool works by voice artists)@@PaperbackJourneys I started to read at the school walks instead of listening for music, now reading at the bus to work each day consistancy helps.

[@susanburgess820]

Thank you so so much hon. Blessings from chicago. Happy i found you❤🎉❤🎉

[@MarkN-g9z]

I found your channel through searching for a spoiler review for the stand specifically. I think you did a great job of doing that story justice. I wish more writers didn't mind their work being represented like that, and the emphasis on avoiding spoilers kind of faded out of reading culture. Nonetheless I love your channel so far.

[@KelliJ_]

I have been bingeing your videos after finding your “books I’m afraid of” video because I can definitely relate. And this is so inspiring! I definitely consider myself a slow reader too. Thank you for this light hearted and encouraging video! 😊😊

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Hey Kelli! Thanks for the lovely comment. I'm glad you're liking the videos. 😃

[@backyardbrewingcookingando3847]

I agree with you 100% about the subject audio books. Being dyslexic there are times I have problem reading. I also like your view on those people that feel it necessary to gate keep reading. THank you for doing this video.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Hey! You're welcome. I always find it funny when people say "you didn't actually read the book" when you listened to the audio version. It's like "okay so... how do I know what happens in the book then?" It always comes back to them wanting reading to be more exclusive.

[@backyardbrewingcookingando3847]

@@PaperbackJourneys For me it is about the transfer of information. The delivery method is not as important as long of the information is taken in. One of the very first books I read as a child was Fahrenheit 451 and the idea of human books has always been close to my heart.

[@thomashager1424]

Tip #6 (which you likely covered in another video): read multiple books simultaneously. Alternate between fiction and non-fiction. Mix up genres. Read a few pages of one book one day, then a few pages of another the next. Pick up a third or a fourth, or go back to the first.

[@toddbonin6926]

Ha! I have cried on the treadmill while listening to a good audiobook book. I thought I was the only one.

[@eduardaaraujo9039]

omg love the tips. thank u!! also i love the way you speak, it's so comforting in a way :)

[@mmmoynihan]

Ha ha, waiting the whole way through for the ultimate tip of not being afraid to quit. A lesson I learned the hard way by slogging through way too many books, until once when I was describing a book that I wasn’t enjoying, my dad, a voracious reader, told me “life’s too short for bad books”. One final thought though, don’t be afraid to go back to a book you quit. A lot of things influence how you feel about a book, your age, your taste, your frame of mind. All of these change over time. I’ve had books that just didn’t grab me first time around that I revisited and loved. Great tip on 100 minus age. I’m totally using that from now on.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

That's exactly right. Good point. Just because a book didn't work for you the first time, doesn't mean it never will. Thanks for the insight mate.

[@AmyLou79]

❤ this video! Great tips!!!

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Thanks Amy Lou, I'm glad you found it useful 😃.

[@sharks2409]

Love your videos man keep it up! What do you think about reading and listening to the audiobook at the same time?

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Yeah I like to do that sometimes and I actually feel like it can speed up my reading and comprehension speed.

[@cristy-annhoughton755]

I love audiobooks I suffer from chronic migraines so I can't always take a book or eReader and read it because of pain and visual disturbances.

[@Aigra]

In my experience, people usually just object to the use of the verb "reading" when it comes to audiobooks ... but it tends to lead to these defensive reactions of people who think they are attacked for listening to audiobooks. When in reality, all that was said is, that reading and listening are two different activities. not that one is superior to the other.

[@rlrihards948]

IN 6 HOURS????? I have vision focus problems, but damn, double it for me on a good day goddamnit.

[@ridwanslife]

I like it when KZbin Overloads recommend me a good Booktube channel.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Haha! Thanks algorithm!

[@anyonymswede]

I made a test, I read 310 words a minute. About 50 pages an hour.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Oh great!! You're a faster reader than me for sure. 👍

[@cfdavisbell]

Plus, leather kills cows! Audiobooks for the win.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Right! Another bonus for digital copies. I do love paperbacks though. It's an addiction 😂.

[@A4RanchCams]

Ive learned just because everyone love it on tiktok doesnt mean its a great book. Red Rising was the first book I DNF this year it was so boring and the writing style was trash. This not my idea of scifi. When I think of Scifi I think of Old Man's War and Starship Troopers. I think since i started reading a lot more for these past few months Ive improved my sleep by reading at night. I wish i could get into audio books to me it takes away the ability to Imagine the world of that book and when I read the words its like a movie or a long show in my head.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

It's so true that popular opinion isn't always a perfect guide for finding books that resonate with us personally. It's interesting to hear your thoughts on 'Red Rising' It's also a downer because I recently bought the whole series so far and haven't started reading them yet hahaha.

[@Theggman83]

😬 i timed myself at 150 words in a minute.. and i was really trying. 🤦 Alright, you've got me. Ill read some more. But not fiction. Im going with nonfiction. Im gonna start with Herodotus's The Histories... i dunno, I've always wanted to read the primary historical sources and just never have...

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Well 150 / minute isn't so uncommon. Even if you move slow like us, you're still running laps around people who are standing still lol. With that said, we both know it's not a competition anyway. I just get so greedy for all the great books out there that I want to read haha. That sounds like you've got some epic reading ahead of you mate.

[@madamhelenart]

I'm curious about that painting behind you. Who is the artist? It looks a bit like Francis Bacon. And thank you for the tips.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Oh thank you for the comment and thanks for noticing the art work in the wall. You're right! It does look like Francis Bacon. It's actually by an artist called Aaron Allen and it's called Ubuntu (I Am Because We Are.) and you can buy them on here. www.icanvas.com/canvas-art-prints/artist/aaron-allen?product=canvas&sort=popular

[@ExponentialAnger]

Have to say I laughed way too hard at your “leather” rant. Curious if you’ve seen the show “Black Books” betting you have but there is a joke about leather bound books in that and this reminded me of how class that show was.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

HAHA! Yes I've seen Black Books and actually saw Dylan Moran do some stand up live in Scotland. I can't remember the leather bound books scene in that show but I'll definitely try and look it up. Maybe I saw it a decade ago and it just stuck in my head until this day and informed my little rant lol.

[@bibsann861]

Who cares how long it takes.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Honestly? People who want to read more books with the time that they have without sacrificing immersion.