This makes me a little sad. I don't think less of you for your reading speed - it's just a difference in constitution. When I talk about my own experience, it's not intended as censure or gloating or anything, and it seems a shame that you might feel ashamed, or angry, or deny yourself whatever joy you find in a good story just because you'll take your time about extracting it. (Frustrated I can understand, but your comment seems a little beyond that.*)
The reason for my 'still got it' (since that paragraph also handily functions as an "I'm not gloating" disclaimer >_>) is that I have a bit of a running bet with myself regarding the Harry Potter books. I finished each of the first four in the course of a single day; mid-the advent of the fifth, I slept, but I still managed within 24 hours. Thus, you see, the particular shape of this entry. ^^;
I enjoyed this book a lot. I will very carefully avoid spoiling you and will enjoy discussing it with you when you're done.
-Garran
* I changed my mind about this aspect of your tone and then deleted the comment and tried to revise it and then decided just to post it again with this footnote. Oh well.
No, you're absolutely right about my tone. I can't really describe it.. I don't have the right words for it, but here goes..
I become upset to the point of hot, angry tears when the subject of reading speed comes up. I'm fine with my reading speed, or I am until it's time to compare it to other people's for whatever reason. Maybe we're all in a conversation about it, or maybe a book that everyone's reading just got released. Invariably, I am always the slowest reader in the group.
This might be one of the reasons I don't read anymore, because I get tired of always lagging behind, though it's more likely that I just don't have time for it amongst my other hobbies. You'll notice that it took me two solid, 12 hour blocks (Saturday and Sunday) and then another 5 hour block today of doing nothing but reading to finish Harry Potter 6 in anywhere close to the time anyone else did. If I want to finish a book in any "reasonable" amount of time, I have to devote every bit of my time to it, making time for nothing else, putting everything else off until I'm done. I'm not really fond of doing that, so book reading, however much I may enjoy it, has fallen to the very back of my list of activities.
I'm sorry if I made you feel like I was accusing you of anything, though. I know that, in no way, were you gloating. I know that this was a personal entry for a personal acheivement. I meant to convey my understanding when I said, "I think 'still got it' for me would have to be...." I meant to convey that I knew your standard was being set for yourself and no one else. I guess I did a poor job of that. I'm sorry.
I started reading Ray Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine" in February, and am still at it. The poor library. I've not been reading constantly (once a week, perhaps, if that), but still, it's not a long book.
I also took a speed-reading class in 12th grade, and about as fast as I ever was, when I was concentrating really hard and as in practice as I ever got, was 600 words per minute.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: *assumes she knows what you're talking about*
Date: 2005-07-18 07:35 am (UTC)The reason for my 'still got it' (since that paragraph also handily functions as an "I'm not gloating" disclaimer >_>) is that I have a bit of a running bet with myself regarding the Harry Potter books. I finished each of the first four in the course of a single day; mid-the advent of the fifth, I slept, but I still managed within 24 hours. Thus, you see, the particular shape of this entry. ^^;
I enjoyed this book a lot. I will very carefully avoid spoiling you and will enjoy discussing it with you when you're done.
-Garran
* I changed my mind about this aspect of your tone and then deleted the comment and tried to revise it and then decided just to post it again with this footnote. Oh well.
Re: *assumes she knows what you're talking about*
Date: 2005-07-19 02:47 am (UTC)I become upset to the point of hot, angry tears when the subject of reading speed comes up. I'm fine with my reading speed, or I am until it's time to compare it to other people's for whatever reason. Maybe we're all in a conversation about it, or maybe a book that everyone's reading just got released. Invariably, I am always the slowest reader in the group.
This might be one of the reasons I don't read anymore, because I get tired of always lagging behind, though it's more likely that I just don't have time for it amongst my other hobbies. You'll notice that it took me two solid, 12 hour blocks (Saturday and Sunday) and then another 5 hour block today of doing nothing but reading to finish Harry Potter 6 in anywhere close to the time anyone else did. If I want to finish a book in any "reasonable" amount of time, I have to devote every bit of my time to it, making time for nothing else, putting everything else off until I'm done. I'm not really fond of doing that, so book reading, however much I may enjoy it, has fallen to the very back of my list of activities.
I'm sorry if I made you feel like I was accusing you of anything, though. I know that, in no way, were you gloating. I know that this was a personal entry for a personal acheivement. I meant to convey my understanding when I said, "I think 'still got it' for me would have to be...." I meant to convey that I knew your standard was being set for yourself and no one else. I guess I did a poor job of that. I'm sorry.
Re: *assumes she knows what you're talking about*
Date: 2005-07-19 06:27 am (UTC)I also took a speed-reading class in 12th grade, and about as fast as I ever was, when I was concentrating really hard and as in practice as I ever got, was 600 words per minute.
So at the very least, you're not alone. ;;;^>