We all know the story of the The Tortoise and the Hare. They race, and the tortoise wins because he keeps going, slow and steady.
But let’s be honest. Often, it’s not the tortoises in life that we value.
In a culture that celebrates productivity and quantity and speed, I find it easy to envy the hares.
In the reading world, these are the people who manage to read hundreds of books in a year. They post monthly reading wrap-ups that… well, some of them get disturbingly close to featuring the same number of books I might read in, say, six or eight months.
Think of how well-read I could be if I read that quickly! It would serve me well as a writer to have that much exposure to trends and styles. And I’d never run out of books to discuss with people at parties (because full disclosure, that’s one of my main points of conversation).
Recently, I’ve been feeling a little insecure about my pace when it comes to bookish endeavors.
Thankfully, God brought me the voices of a couple of other writers and a sermon on the Parable of the Talents to issue an important reminder that I wanted to pass on to you, whether you are a tortoise or a hare:
Our personalities are gifts to be celebrated, honored, and used for God’s glory. This includes the aspect of our personalities that dictate how quickly we digest ideas, read books, and write stories.
You see, our speed at things like reading might involve choices, but there are other factors at play too.
For example, I cannot remember a time when my actions prompted a single soul to compliment me saying, “What great quick thinking!”
In fact, my spur-of-the-moment choices have garnered the exact opposite result of what I wanted. Unfortunately, the example I’m thinking of involves curry-induced nausea that didn’t end well, so I’ll spare you the details.
The point is, my best thinking is deep, not fast.
This means I take longer to digest stories and ideas. It’s my process. The one that helps solidify my thoughts.
And—get this!—being a tortoise comes with benefits:
- As a slow reader, I remember specifics about books for years after I finish reading, so I can give thoughtful recommendations when people ask.
- I also have a little more time while I’m reading a book to connect with its author through social media and/or their newsletters.
- Oh, and when I’m pacing my reading, I do better at keeping up with my other gifts (aka – my responsibilities to my husband, pets, and household).
While our culture values quantity and speed, there is beauty in taking time. And sometimes, the slow route is the one that crosses the finish line first, as we’ve learned from the tortoise and the hare.
Then again, books also give fast readers a chance to let their gifts shine:
- Those who read quickly might have a better gasp on current trends in fiction.
- They are more likely to have read that shiny new release and can give advice on if it’s worth your time.
- They may have read multiple authors’ back lists and be able to make recommendations on an entire body of work.
- And they can keep up with their other gifts/responsibilities while doing it!
One set of strengths isn’t better than the other. God made both the tortoise and the hare, the slow-processor and the quick thinker, the speed reader and the slow and steady book lover.
To paraphrase 1 Corinthians 10:31, however you read, do it for the glory of God!
Would you describe yourself as a fast or a slower reader? What are some of the benefits of that?
I would say I am a slow reader. the current book its been about 3 weeks but then I am moving and so exhausted I fall asleep watching tv. But even in normal times most LI size books will take me 3+ days to read.
Recently I was reading some shorter books and told they shouldn’t take more than an hour to read. Took me closer to 2+ to read them. I know people who will read a LI size book in an afternoon. Sometimes I envy this but then I think you have it right I often remember books for longer and just a quick glance at the blurb reminds me of the book. the church library I can often tell people what the books will be like even if I read them years ago.
Oh, that’s totally happened to me — someone saying, “It shouldn’t take you long to read this!” And it takes me waaaay longer than they estimate. We have a lot in common! And, by the way, moving is a huge undertaking. You definitely need to take time to rest too!
I am a fast reader, about a book a day, but I know that I don’t absorb much about what I read. When the book is closed I may not even remember the heroines name, even though I may have enjoyed the book and been challenged in some way by it, but that’s fine with me.
I love to re-read books, which is why I like to buy books [not KU]. If a new book in series comes out, I re-read the entire series so that everything is in context. At the same time, I
don’t feel that I have wasted time over a book that doesn’t warrant it.
I’m the same way about not remembering names in the books I’m reading. 🤣 Although admittedly, I sometimes forget people’s names who I know in real life since my crash, so there is that. 😬 I also reread my favorites but mostly through KU.
Okay, so I’m a slow reader and once in a while, the name thing happens to me too – but usually if it’s a lighter read and the character has a name I’m not as sure how to pronounce. And I’m not great about real people’s names, either, but I’m working on it. Sorry you’re experiencing that after a crash! I hit my head in an accident and I think it effected me for a while too. I don’t know how recent yours was, but praying for you.
Yes! I have a fast-reading friend who also rereads previous books in a series to prepare for a new release. She picks up more about the story each time, and it totally works for her! That and not wasting so much time on books that aren’t as much up your alley are two great benefits of being able to read fast.
I’m somewhere in between, I think. However, I do read a lot, but some of that is “work” as I’m an editor/proofreader. I didn’t use to keep up with how many books I read a month or a year, then a lot of my friends on FaceBook started asking, and I decided in 2020 I would start keeping a record. Each year, I’ve read more than the previous year. The number of books per month still varies, but it’s usually around 20. The number I read depends on how many pages each of the books has. The majority of what I read are the size of a Harlequin Love Inspired, but some are about half that, and others are about twice the size or more.
20 is quite a few! But I suppose having it as your job would help increase that number, as does reading shorter books. I do tend to gravitate toward longer ones (probably 80,000-100,000 words), so that impacts my number too. So wonderful that you have made books such a big part of your life!
Hi Emily! This retiree is a fast reader. Ever since my teens, I like to finish reading books in a day. I usually read about 3 books a week or about 150 books a year. I read Books for overall effect – different theme, setting, motif in multi author series. Different writing styles. I try to support Indy Authors by purchasing their eBooks and writing lots of reviews. As a mom and teacher – I usually only had time to read 10 books each summer. So read more slowly. But in today’s world, so much more available. Enjoy your summer.
I love that you use your ability to read quickly to go out of your way for indie authors! What a blessing! And you also have a good point – someone who might have to go slow in one season of life might find things change in another.
I don’t think I’m a super quick reader, but probably more quick than slow. It does let me read lots of books I enjoy, but as others have said, I don’t always remember the details of what I’ve read, I do like to read things again though.
Being able to reread more quickly is another great benefit of being a fast reader! As is being able to cover lots of interesting stories!
I’m a slow reader. That’s the way I am able to comprehend and remember it.
I am a slower reader and also need more time to think things through and process. I do find that I often remember the important plot points, especially from previous books in a series, even if it’s been a while since I read the book. However, character’s names seldom stick with me.
I would say that I am a moderate reader. I read between 3-5 books a month depending on their pages and life responsibilites. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.