Do You Read a Book or Watch TV More?
Okay, I took a Goodreads poll asking me how often I read. So, I voted whenever I get a free moment. Then I read through the other voters' comments, and one theme emerging was their time spent reading a book versus watching a TV show.
Many times I read with the TV running although I notice my attention is sometimes divided between the two. Usually the TV is on the news or a sports game. So, it's difficult to gauge which activity I'm actually doing. So, I'll say it's reading time that engages more of my time than watching TV does.
By Ed Lynskey
Twitter: @edlynskey
Author of Lake Charles
"Nice addition to anyone’s summer beach reading schedule."
Florida Times-Union
Many times I read with the TV running although I notice my attention is sometimes divided between the two. Usually the TV is on the news or a sports game. So, it's difficult to gauge which activity I'm actually doing. So, I'll say it's reading time that engages more of my time than watching TV does.
By Ed Lynskey
Twitter: @edlynskey
Author of Lake Charles
"Nice addition to anyone’s summer beach reading schedule."
Florida Times-Union
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Randy
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Aug 22, 2011 06:03AM
I read a great deal, but also watch more TV than I should(though not as much as I did in my youth). The TV is often on when I read, usually on a music channel. Most of the time it's blues or smooth jazz(no snide remarks please). I mostly like no lyrics as that distracts me sometimes from the book.
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Randy wrote: "I read a great deal, but also watch more TV than I should(though not as much as I did in my youth). The TV is often on when I read, usually on a music channel. Most of the time it's blues or smooth..."I prefer the instrumental jazz but more of Bird, Coltrane, Brubek. I'm not an expert, just a fan. Thanks for the comment.
I've got the TV on while reading as well, but usually a baseball game because the commentators drive me nuts and I'd rather read than listen to them. But I don't read to music any longer. Now, I like to listen to the music with undivided attention. (Usually dinosaur rock but I'm a cross-genre listener as well as a cross-genre reader.)
I read much more than I watch tv. We were only allowed to watch one hour of tv a day when I was growing up, and so I've never gotten into the habit of having the tv on all the time. In fact I find it very annoying to be a in place where a tv is on constantly, and I have a hard time concentrating on anything other than tv when the tv is on.
Lynne wrote: "I've got the TV on while reading as well, but usually a baseball game because the commentators drive me nuts and I'd rather read than listen to them. But I don't read to music any longer. Now, I li..."Don't know about your baseball announcers but ours like talk more about themselves than the players and the game at hand. Thank you for sharing.
Karen wrote: "I read much more than I watch tv. We were only allowed to watch one hour of tv a day when I was growing up, and so I've never gotten into the habit of having the tv on all the time. In fact I find..."One hour is about how long it takes the local and national news to air. Sounds efficient. Thank you for commenting on my blog today.
I have the TV on 98% of the time when I'm home, mostly for company. I think I read way more than I watch TV. The commercials are for reading, right? Like others said above, I'll have sports game on, or weather. But I have to have a book nearby when I'm watching TV, both for the commercials or if I get bored.
Patti wrote: "I have the TV on 98% of the time when I'm home, mostly for company. I think I read way more than I watch TV. The commercials are for reading, right? Like others said above, I'll have sports game on..."I do that, too, read during the commercials or when the programming slacks off. Thank you for dropping in with comments.
I had been watching T.V. daily, but when I set my Goodreads goal at 100 books this year, I found I watched less and less over time. I am down to about 2 hours of television during the week (until the regular NFL season kicks off) and am reading about 4 hours a day/night.
Gregg wrote: "I had been watching T.V. daily, but when I set my Goodreads goal at 100 books this year, I found I watched less and less over time. I am down to about 2 hours of television during the week (until ..."I set my goal at 100 books, too. And NFL season will up my TV watching time. Some things you can't do without, it seems. Thanks for the remarks.
Even if the TV is on when I'm reading I can't hear it. Reading the words on a page blocks out all other sounds for me.
Sibhs wrote: "Even if the TV is on when I'm reading I can't hear it. Reading the words on a page blocks out all other sounds for me."For me, I guess it would depend on how interesting the book is versus the TV show running. But reading usually wins out since the TV programming is so dismal. Thanks for your comment.
I usually do both. I have a book in my lap, my laptop sitting beside me on the couch, my husband on the other side with the tv remote and when he sees something he thinks I should see--he plays it back for me with his magic remote control. I stick a mark in my book, watch the clip, read an email or something on Facebook, then open back up my book and continue reading. BUT sometimes the book has total control and everything else waits or gets forgotten.
Having bi-polar I have not always had the ability to concentrate and process well enough to read. On new medication I have found my way back to books. Where once I was a couch potato now I am on the floor with my dog reading 5-6 hours a day.
Pamela wrote: "BUT sometimes the book has total control and everything else waits or gets forgotten."Now that's my kind of book!
Jane wrote: "Having bi-polar I have not always had the ability to concentrate and process well enough to read. On new medication I have found my way back to books. Where once I was a couch potato now I am on ..."My cat likes to claim my lap when I'm trying to read.
I start a new book and forget there was something I wanted to watch on tv. thank goodness for "on demand". But, hands down, I read far more than I watch tv although "social media" has cut into the reading time.
Reading definitely beats TV for me. And, if it is on, you can bet I'll be reading through the commercials.
Michele wrote: "I start a new book and forget there was something I wanted to watch on tv. thank goodness for "on demand". But, hands down, I read far more than I watch tv although "social media" has cut into the ..."Right, I think twitter has taken up some of my reading time, as well. Thanks.
J.R. wrote: "Reading definitely beats TV for me. And, if it is on, you can bet I'll be reading through the commercials."The Geico cavemen commercials are funny the first time. After tha, not so much. And the Budweiser frogs awhile back were funny.
The TV is on all the time but I rarely watch it. The wife and kids like it though. I do read a lot but not only books but magazines and newspapers also. I try and get the kids to read more, as an alternative to TV and video games, but sometimes its like pulling teeth.
Last night I was so involved in a book, my husband told me not to walk into a wall as I was walking back to the bedroom. He had to start turning off the television and lights before I even stood up to go to bed. I got to the end of the chapter so I was able to lay the book down. It's about the sinking of the US Indianapolis.
Pamela wrote: "Last night I was so involved in a book, my husband told me not to walk into a wall as I was walking back to the bedroom. He had to start turning off the television and lights before I even stood up..."Ah, is that the U.S. war ship with the poor sailors left in the shark-infested waters? Intense stuff, surely.
Bryan wrote: "The TV is on all the time but I rarely watch it. The wife and kids like it though. I do read a lot but not only books but magazines and newspapers also. I try and get the kids to read more, a..."Sometimes TV is just a way to veg out. We got hooked on The Office. No idea why. But it's the only sitcom I watch besides the Seinfeld reruns.
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