Improving attention span when reading books
April 27, 2018 9:04 AM Subscribe
I am trying to read more but struggle with paying attention to the books I read. Looking for tips on improving my reading comprehension.
My attention span has been destroyed by smartphone use. One of the ways I am trying to remedy this is by reading more books. I often find, though, that I get lost and realise that I don't know who a particular character is, and have to flick back through to the part where they are introduced. It's like I just gloss over pages when reading and don't really absorb certain bits. I also tend to get characters names mixed up and not really figure out who is who.
Does anyone have any tips on improving reading comprehension?
My attention span has been destroyed by smartphone use. One of the ways I am trying to remedy this is by reading more books. I often find, though, that I get lost and realise that I don't know who a particular character is, and have to flick back through to the part where they are introduced. It's like I just gloss over pages when reading and don't really absorb certain bits. I also tend to get characters names mixed up and not really figure out who is who.
Does anyone have any tips on improving reading comprehension?
When I have this trouble, I find it helps to sit in a more alert position to read -- if you usually read lying down, sit up. If you usually read sitting on the couch, sit at a table. If you usually read sitting at a table, stand up or stand at your kitchen counter. When you get yourself trained a bit, you can be more comfortable, but sometimes my brain needs a physical reminder from my body that it's time to pay attention.
posted by OrangeDisk at 9:20 AM on April 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by OrangeDisk at 9:20 AM on April 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: 1. Timebox your reading. If you need to, use an app like Forest to block your phone while you read for a small amount of time. Start with ten minutes, then go up from there if you find ten minutes to be too easy.
2. After you finish a reading session or a major chunk of a book, such as a chapter, pull out a paper and pencil and write down your takeaways. It could just be a sentence or two. If it's a fiction book, it might be some straightforward plot points such as "Katniss volunteers to replace her sister as tribute in the Hunger Games. She has to deal with Gale's reaction." If it's a non-fiction book, it could be a fact that surprised you or a summary like "this chapter discussed the science behind delayed onset muscle soreness." This is like when you write down your dreams in the morning and somehow you end up dreaming more as a result. Writing down a bit will encourage your brain to remember more.
3. Before you start your next reading session, the next day, week, month, whenever, read the last few sentences that you jotted down. Think of it as the equivalent of tv's "Last week, on Lost..."
4. Talk to someone about what you read. If you have no one to chat with, post about it on Twitter or Mastodon or Goodreads.
5. Another possibility is listening to an audiobook while performing a boring physical task, like walking or scrubbing a bathtub.
posted by tofu_crouton at 9:22 AM on April 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
2. After you finish a reading session or a major chunk of a book, such as a chapter, pull out a paper and pencil and write down your takeaways. It could just be a sentence or two. If it's a fiction book, it might be some straightforward plot points such as "Katniss volunteers to replace her sister as tribute in the Hunger Games. She has to deal with Gale's reaction." If it's a non-fiction book, it could be a fact that surprised you or a summary like "this chapter discussed the science behind delayed onset muscle soreness." This is like when you write down your dreams in the morning and somehow you end up dreaming more as a result. Writing down a bit will encourage your brain to remember more.
3. Before you start your next reading session, the next day, week, month, whenever, read the last few sentences that you jotted down. Think of it as the equivalent of tv's "Last week, on Lost..."
4. Talk to someone about what you read. If you have no one to chat with, post about it on Twitter or Mastodon or Goodreads.
5. Another possibility is listening to an audiobook while performing a boring physical task, like walking or scrubbing a bathtub.
posted by tofu_crouton at 9:22 AM on April 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
when I'm reading challenging texts I need to take notes, generally in a timeline format (if the material is a narrative.) But if you're encountering this problem reading fiction it sounds like you're just trying to read books that don't really interest you.
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:24 AM on April 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:24 AM on April 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
Another possibility is listening to an audiobook while performing a boring physical task, like walking or scrubbing a bathtub.
This is what I do now. When I started driving to work instead of taking public transit, I also started falling asleep reading books. I *love* audio books now, especially books that are well voiced. They really hold my attention, and I absorb what happens much better than just reading. I also remember the book better months later.
I listen to audio books for free by borrowing through my library using Overdrive.
posted by gladly at 9:45 AM on April 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
This is what I do now. When I started driving to work instead of taking public transit, I also started falling asleep reading books. I *love* audio books now, especially books that are well voiced. They really hold my attention, and I absorb what happens much better than just reading. I also remember the book better months later.
I listen to audio books for free by borrowing through my library using Overdrive.
posted by gladly at 9:45 AM on April 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
It will come back as you read more. Read books that are page-turners as you get back into reading. Book group can help you feel some pressure to pay attention. Take notes or blog. I have a limited data plan for my phone, so reading while commuting (not driving, obvs.) works because it doesn't use data, and can be done in poor light. I read MeFi and news online and have had to re-learn my reading skills.
posted by theora55 at 9:49 AM on April 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 9:49 AM on April 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
Reading Dickens totally reset my brain as far as reading fiction went—he's such a maximalist, introducing characters whenever he wants and trying to make every sentence as funny or heartrending or whatever as he's intending, and his books are so long, that it completely fought off the siren-song of the notification.
One other, possibly counterintuitive thing that helped for me: iBooks for the iPhone has a setting that allows you to scroll through a book's text like it's a website. Somehow this tricks me into reading way more than I would otherwise, and my comprehension has been good, too.
posted by Polycarp at 10:26 AM on April 27, 2018
One other, possibly counterintuitive thing that helped for me: iBooks for the iPhone has a setting that allows you to scroll through a book's text like it's a website. Somehow this tricks me into reading way more than I would otherwise, and my comprehension has been good, too.
posted by Polycarp at 10:26 AM on April 27, 2018
It may well be your smartphone--however--age and mild/moderate anxiety and or depression also affect reading comprehension. In fact--the ability to retain information while reading can be a useful benchmark in monitoring recovery from anxiety/depression. If you have a level of confidence that these are not issues you have been offered many helpful suggestions Good luck--read and retain
posted by rmhsinc at 10:39 AM on April 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by rmhsinc at 10:39 AM on April 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
Read books that are page-turners as you get back into reading.
This is a great tip. I recommend Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels or Hard Case Crime books (especially the ones that are more obviously hard-boiled violence-fests than twisty mysteries).
Also, I get the same problem sometimes, and I find that setting a bookmark helps -- when I start reading, I say, "Okay, two chapters," and flip through to find where that ends, and put my bookmark there. When I get there and I still want to read some more, I move the bookmark to the next chapter, and so on.
posted by Etrigan at 10:50 AM on April 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
This is a great tip. I recommend Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels or Hard Case Crime books (especially the ones that are more obviously hard-boiled violence-fests than twisty mysteries).
Also, I get the same problem sometimes, and I find that setting a bookmark helps -- when I start reading, I say, "Okay, two chapters," and flip through to find where that ends, and put my bookmark there. When I get there and I still want to read some more, I move the bookmark to the next chapter, and so on.
posted by Etrigan at 10:50 AM on April 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
My new year's resolution was to read more/Internet less, and I've found the best way to avoid drifting back online while trying to read is to go to a cafe or restaurant (one without a TV on the wall) and not bring my phone or laptop so I cannot be tempted. Ideally a place far away from my home. Also good: bubble baths. If you don't mind your pages getting a bit wrinkled.
Casting about for new sites/articles/comments is so ingrained in my hands that for months while I was reading I would, probably every 15-30 seconds, literally stop reading and feel a powerful urge to... do something else. It faded as I spent more time reading, and I can now, as I could in my youth, effortlessly disappear into a book for an hour or more.
My only real rule bookwise was... you must finish the book you are reading now before picking up another one. Turns out the content or difficulty level of the book didn't really have much impact. The habit is what I had to break. The urge to check and see. Only way I could succeed was to remove myself physically from the devices that tempted me. It was shocking to discover just how physical my need to mess around online is, and how devastating it is to my attention span or ability to retain information.
posted by lefty lucky cat at 11:02 AM on April 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
Casting about for new sites/articles/comments is so ingrained in my hands that for months while I was reading I would, probably every 15-30 seconds, literally stop reading and feel a powerful urge to... do something else. It faded as I spent more time reading, and I can now, as I could in my youth, effortlessly disappear into a book for an hour or more.
My only real rule bookwise was... you must finish the book you are reading now before picking up another one. Turns out the content or difficulty level of the book didn't really have much impact. The habit is what I had to break. The urge to check and see. Only way I could succeed was to remove myself physically from the devices that tempted me. It was shocking to discover just how physical my need to mess around online is, and how devastating it is to my attention span or ability to retain information.
posted by lefty lucky cat at 11:02 AM on April 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
I've been struggling with this same problem. Thanks for great tips, everyone!
posted by twilightlost at 11:03 AM on April 27, 2018
posted by twilightlost at 11:03 AM on April 27, 2018
Depression once robbed me of my attention span and the joy I used to get out of reading— your note about glossing over pages is very familiar to me.
What brought me back (other than treating my underlying problems, but that’s not your issue so moving right along) was my long commute on mass transit. Internet is pretty spotty on the subway so playing on my phone is not an appealing alternative. So for an hour each way every weekday, reading is the most entertaining option. Plus it takes me away from the stress of my job and daily life.
If you aren’t a transit commuter, perhaps you could fake this by making a rule that the phone goes off for 45 mins at whatever time of day works for you. Maybe go to a special cafe, park, or the library, where reading is all you do.
I also choose page turners—Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad series is my number one rec because as soon as I finish one I want the next one—but not stupid page-turners (otherwise I’d skip over chunks because if something is formulaic I don’t feel the need to bother.)
What I can’t do anymore is read in bed at night, or it’s read the same sentence halfway eighteen times then zzzzzz.
posted by kapers at 11:26 AM on April 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
What brought me back (other than treating my underlying problems, but that’s not your issue so moving right along) was my long commute on mass transit. Internet is pretty spotty on the subway so playing on my phone is not an appealing alternative. So for an hour each way every weekday, reading is the most entertaining option. Plus it takes me away from the stress of my job and daily life.
If you aren’t a transit commuter, perhaps you could fake this by making a rule that the phone goes off for 45 mins at whatever time of day works for you. Maybe go to a special cafe, park, or the library, where reading is all you do.
I also choose page turners—Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad series is my number one rec because as soon as I finish one I want the next one—but not stupid page-turners (otherwise I’d skip over chunks because if something is formulaic I don’t feel the need to bother.)
What I can’t do anymore is read in bed at night, or it’s read the same sentence halfway eighteen times then zzzzzz.
posted by kapers at 11:26 AM on April 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
You may also want to try collections of short stories. They have a different pace than novels and that can help hold your attention better. Find an author or theme that you like and explore from there. I've recently started reading short stories again and I am blown away by some of the current authors out there right now.
posted by August Fury at 12:52 PM on April 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by August Fury at 12:52 PM on April 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
> have to flick back through to the part where they are introduced
Kindle's X-Ray is for exactly that problem and it's glorious. I also find reading on a dedicated e-reader is best for my concentration, even better than a paper book.
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:52 PM on April 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
Kindle's X-Ray is for exactly that problem and it's glorious. I also find reading on a dedicated e-reader is best for my concentration, even better than a paper book.
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:52 PM on April 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
I have a lifelong difficulty with keeping more than a few characters straight, but it took me until around age 40 to start dealing with this by taking notes. I put a sticky note in the book, or if it's a book with too many for that, I tuck a piece of paper in the flyleaf. Sometimes I make family trees because I'm not great at remembering that stuff either. There's no shame in taking notes. I enjoy books a lot more when they make more sense because I know who's who.
posted by jocelmeow at 1:28 PM on April 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by jocelmeow at 1:28 PM on April 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
I decided to read more books this year, and one of the things that helped was specifically looking for shorter books - say, under 350 pages. Young adult books are often great for quicker reads, since they’re shorter and often less dense but still very good (as a bonus, they’re less likely to be male-gazey or pretentiously ‘literary’).
Short story collections can be good for quicker reads that don’t require you to remember all the characters, but they sort of backfired for me because I’d pay attention to the plot and characters and then they were over and I had a new set of characters to learn about.
If you remember any chapter books from your youth that you loved, reread them! They’ll be quick and they might not always be as good as you remember, but they work for reading practice.
I’ve also given myself permission to abandon books if they don’t hold my interest, and to let reading slumps happen. Fighting your way through a book you don’t particularly enjoy won’t motivate you to read more. But racing through a simpler one will!
posted by Metroid Baby at 1:54 PM on April 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
Short story collections can be good for quicker reads that don’t require you to remember all the characters, but they sort of backfired for me because I’d pay attention to the plot and characters and then they were over and I had a new set of characters to learn about.
If you remember any chapter books from your youth that you loved, reread them! They’ll be quick and they might not always be as good as you remember, but they work for reading practice.
I’ve also given myself permission to abandon books if they don’t hold my interest, and to let reading slumps happen. Fighting your way through a book you don’t particularly enjoy won’t motivate you to read more. But racing through a simpler one will!
posted by Metroid Baby at 1:54 PM on April 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
I can relate. As a kid my parents had to limit my reading time, and yet by college I couldn't (and...didn't) finish a single book. Post-school, it didn't get much better.
I've found that reading easier page-turner types (like contemporary suspense/mystery novels) has been a good way to get back in the habit - the first book I actually got through was the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. With the habit somewhat reestablished, I'm able to move on to slightly slower-paced fiction and nonfiction with much more readily.
Also I love kindle X-Ray for recalling names, etc. Or I reread liberally. No need to beat oneself up about it (especially considering that, for me, taking the kind of notes that turn pleasure reading into a homework assignment would be a total no-go.)
posted by mosst at 2:21 PM on April 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
I've found that reading easier page-turner types (like contemporary suspense/mystery novels) has been a good way to get back in the habit - the first book I actually got through was the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. With the habit somewhat reestablished, I'm able to move on to slightly slower-paced fiction and nonfiction with much more readily.
Also I love kindle X-Ray for recalling names, etc. Or I reread liberally. No need to beat oneself up about it (especially considering that, for me, taking the kind of notes that turn pleasure reading into a homework assignment would be a total no-go.)
posted by mosst at 2:21 PM on April 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
For remembering proper names, I say them out loud / move my lips like I'm saying them / think about how they would be pronounced depending on how much privacy I have. It helps.
posted by momus_window at 3:26 PM on April 27, 2018
posted by momus_window at 3:26 PM on April 27, 2018
I agree with the recommendations for audiobooks. My (adult) students who have difficulty with reading for various reasons, including attention span, have found it helpful to read and listen at the same time. There's some research to indicate it is effective in increasing reading comprehension and fluency.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:03 PM on April 27, 2018
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:03 PM on April 27, 2018
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Also, put your smartphone away, like far away, when you're reading. The temptation to flick from one thing to the next, check your notifications, etc. is very strong. Read on an e-reader or a paper book rather than phone or tablet, and put your phone in another room.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 9:14 AM on April 27, 2018 [11 favorites]