Are you a reader? how many books you try to finish in a month?

Question

Do you have a certain goal? which book has surprised you the most?

Answer 1

I LOVE to read. :p I don't like television at all. Reading books, poetry, short stories and history is sooo much more stimulating and gratifying. In February, I'm going to try to read 15 books. I haven't been reading entire books for quite some time, and I just finished reading one in only two sittings. A good book is so invigorating.

I'm researching novel writing, so that's why I'm trying to read much more. I can't think of a surprising book at the moment, though... maybe "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley because there's so much accuracy in it, yet it's so disturbing.

Answer 2

I used to have a lot more time for reading, but since I started teaching, not so much (other than papers and textbooks, that is). I try to read at least 1-2 books a month. Also, I find that the older I get, the slower I read. I used to be able to read a book in a day, but not any more. But to me it's all about quality over quantity. I'd rather spend a couple of weeks reading a book that challenges me than breeze through something that after I read the last line I think, "Oh--that was a good book," and never think of it again. This is probably why I read a lot more nonfiction nowadays too.

The book that has surprised me the most is "Running in the Family," a memoir written by Michael Ondaatje, the author of "The English Patient." Its language is lush and full of life, just like the Sri Lankan landscape and vivacious family history he writes about. It's also one of the few books I re-read guilt free, because I take something away from it every time. Another recent read was Alan Alda's memoir "Never Have Your Dog Stuffed," which was a delight--definitely your atypical Hollywood memoir. Very refreshing! :)

Answer 3

Anywhere from 20 to 50 books a month. I don't have a certain goal per month--though I do have a book review blog where I post new reviews daily--I just love to read in general. Some months I read more than others, it really depends on my access to books. During the summer and fall months, I typically have access to a large collection of books--including ARCs--but the rest of the time I rely on the library.

There are many different ways to be surprised by a book. You can read a book you thought you'd hate and be surprised that you love it. You can read a book by a 'favorite' author that you were looking forward to and be surprised that it disappointed you. You can be surprised at unpredictable endings. Or surprised that a book with such acclaim, praise, award-winning status can turn out to be such a boring waste of time.

I expected to dislike The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane because of what I'd read about it, because of friends' reactions to it, because I thought it wasn't quite my style...but I ended up having a completely different reaction to it.

Answer 4

Yes, I am a reader. However, like another answer, I find that the older I get, the less books I can read. When I was young, I could read 2 or 3 in a day. I spent most of my spare time at the library. Now I read mainly before I get up in the morning (I am retired) and before I go to sleep in the evening. The trouble is, I find that my eyesight is not what it was (too much reading!?) and my eyes do tire quickly. Also I find I fall asleep whilst reading. How many I can read in a month, depends entirely on the sort of book. A cheap novel I can read quickly. A non fiction, scholarly, work of history (which I read a lot of) takes much more time.

Answer 5

I don't have any set goal, but on average, since I am an avid reader, I finish between 12 to 15 full length novels in any given month. The book that took me most by surprise as to how good it truly it was is GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens. I was 9 the first time I read it and it's still one of my all time favorites.

Answer 6

(sigh) Not enough time to read any more. Maybe 4-5 books in a typical month, although I always have an audio book playing when I commute (1 hour each day) so I also finish a couple of those each month.

rdenig - too bad about the vision. Have you tried audio books? Many libraries have a decent selection. I find them nearly as enjoying as reading.

Answer 7

Don't read much anymore,always working.Usually at night before I go to bed.No set goal,I just pick up what's interesting..The best book that surprised me the most was Outbreak by Micheal Creighton?...It was awesome and brutal and I finished it in about three days...Have a good night and day...Tom Science 4

Answer 8

I read several books at one time, complete about four a week. I re-read many immediately, though. I am most surprised by collections of ancient historical writings and how much objective knowledge people have had in the past and have lost.

Answer 9

I don't ahave a goal but i try to read as much as possible. I think it depends on the plot of the story for me as to when I finish the book. One book I read in a week, (reading on the way to and from work) whereas other books take me longer.

Answer 10

if i have no job and a student bum, then i will probably read one and half books a day so if particulary lazy for a whole month somewhere in the region of 30 books, but generally but 4/5 books a week, so 20 a month