Addicted to Reading?

[DangerMouse]

I've always been a ravenous reader ever since I was little but find myself choosing to spend more and more time alone reading recently.

For example, this week I have been invited out every night and cancelled - except for Tuesday - in favour of curling up with a book.

I'm going out tonight - well it is a champagne reception, say no more - but have not made any plans for the weekend so I can just read.

I guess I'm worried that it's not really very healthy to want to keep spending so much time alone. Or escaping into my own imagination constantly. Enjoying your own company and loving reading aren't bad things, but am I basically 'running away' by criving so much time to do that

Hmmmmmm - interesting.

Thoughts?

 

[Deks]

Not healthy spending a lot of time alone?
Says who exactly?
The people who like to generalize in saying that Humans are social creatures by default?
Give me a break.
Each person is different.
Do what you feel is right for you.

As for being addicted to reading ... well technically speaking, I read 24/7 because I'm constantly on the internet for example.
I usually read up about relevant articles in science and technology for the most part, books a bit less by comparison ... but hey, reading is a broad term, so I'd say we are additcts to reading one way or the other since there's going to be something we will read throughout the day.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

There's never too much reading.

 

[Lookingglassman]

I am. I always gotta be reading something. If I dont have a book, I try to read an article or something on the internet. I have a well supplied stock of books so I always got one waiting in the wings.

 

[Lindley]

For example, this week I have been invited out every night and cancelled - except for Tuesday - in favour of curling up with a book.

I'd consider that odd. Then again, I hardly ever get invited anywhere; usually I have to do the inviting. Even so, getting out of the apartment to hang out with people isn't as frequent as I'd like it to be, so each occasion is special.

I do read a lot though.

 

[John Clark]

Addicted to reading? No, I don't see a problem with that

I always have a book on the go and nearly always have one with me

 

[The Grim Ghost]

Unless you are selling your body on the streets for pennies to buy a copy of Locus or something, then you may need a 12 step program.

I go through 3 or 4 books a week on average and I actually feel kind of upset when I don't have something new to read. And going to sleep without reading for about an hour first? Forget it.

 

[May 20]

DM, I'm going to tell you this, and you just take it as seriously or as lightly as you wish.

My mom was an avid reader. Whenever we moved, the public library was the second place she found (a church was first), even before finding a grocery store, and we went to the library almost every Saturday. But she would sometimes fall into deep depressions, and our only clue was her ramped-up reading. When she was fine, she'd put the book down and interact with us. When she wasn't, she'd have her nose in a book while doing things like cooking and vacuuming (that one baffles me). She didn't hear us when she was that deeply gone, and we learned to not even bother until she came out of it.

So, I guess the point is this -- are you reading because your books are better companions than people or are you reading to hide from something you aren't ready to face?

And this comes from a hardcore bookworm.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Another hardcore bookworm and homebody here. I like to spend as much time as possible reading (or writing). Socializing? Eh, I did that when I was young.

You're okay, DM. More people should be like you.

 

[DangerMouse]

Thanks everyone for your responses... interesting stuff you've all said - cheers.

However, I have every excuse in the world to read right now as I'm at home with suspected swine flu!

 

[May 20]

Oh, dear! I hope you're feeling better soon, DM! Until then, take care of yourself and enjoy your books.

 

[Rii]

DM, I'm going to tell you this, and you just take it as seriously or as lightly as you wish.

My mom was an avid reader. Whenever we moved, the public library was the second place she found (a church was first), even before finding a grocery store, and we went to the library almost every Saturday. But she would sometimes fall into deep depressions, and our only clue was her ramped-up reading. When she was fine, she'd put the book down and interact with us. When she wasn't, she'd have her nose in a book while doing things like cooking and vacuuming (that one baffles me). She didn't hear us when she was that deeply gone, and we learned to not even bother until she came out of it.

So, I guess the point is this -- are you reading because your books are better companions than people or are you reading to hide from something you aren't ready to face?

And this comes from a hardcore bookworm.

Yeah, since childhood I've relied on reading both to distract myself from reality and to discourage social interaction and attention from others. I still do it to a certain extent. It's worth considering.

 

[RJDiogenes]

However, I have every excuse in the world to read right now as I'm at home with suspected swine flu!

Yikes! I thought DangerMouse was immune to stuff like that. Take care of yourself. I'm sure plenty of reading will boost your immune system.

 

[Michael Chris]

I like to read, but I get really tired when I read novels of any sort. Earlier today, I was actually trying to find out if reading too fast might cause it. The only thing that I can think of that changes from when I'm reading textbooks or nonfictions to novels is the reading speed. I read about 300wpm for textbooks and 700 for novels.

 

[ancientone51]

I really feel something is wrong if I don't have a book going. I usually lug it with me anywhere incase there is a lull.

 

[DangerMouse]

I like to read, but I get really tired when I read novels of any sort. Earlier today, I was actually trying to find out if reading too fast might cause it. The only thing that I can think of that changes from when I'm reading textbooks or nonfictions to novels is the reading speed. I read about 300wpm for textbooks and 700 for novels.

When you read textbooks do you read in better light?

People tend to get more cozy for fiction and forget about proper lighting. Could lead to strain and tiredness.

 

[Michael Chris]

Hmm, good thought. I'm not sure. I'll have to think about that!

 

[DangerMouse]

I'm a stickler for good lighting when I read cause I get a headache otherwise.

My eyes hurt with this damn flu too much to read right now so I'm watching Star Trek Voyager instead.

Even looking at this computer is making my head spin.

Ha. I'm such a whinger

 

[Michael Chris]

Just breathing is making my head hurt. I should be asleep!

 

[May 20]

I like to read, but I get really tired when I read novels of any sort. Earlier today, I was actually trying to find out if reading too fast might cause it. The only thing that I can think of that changes from when I'm reading textbooks or nonfictions to novels is the reading speed. I read about 300wpm for textbooks and 700 for novels.

When you read textbooks do you read in better light?

People tend to get more cozy for fiction and forget about proper lighting. Could lead to strain and tiredness.

I was thinking along the same lines. When I read for pleasure, I tend to bring the book to my eyes, holding it in my hands, and with some mass-market books that can give my hands a work-out. When I'm reading for the sake of learning, I go to the dining table, lay the book on the table and take notes or annotate my text. My hands aren't wrapped around a book for long periods of time. Maybe you do something similar.