Can you read with background noise (tv or people talking for example)?

[Dabrowski]

I always read in silence in my bedroom and recently I was at a friends and tried to read with the tv on and I found it impossible, does anyone else feel the same???

[Inver]

I have to say I do concentrate more on a book when it is quiet, like in bed at night. Occasionally I read with other distractions, but it has to be a book that I am engrossed in. Hubby can read with the telly on etc  but I just get annoyed. Maybe quiet music in the background would be the only background noise.

[chesilbeach]

If I needed complete silence to read it, I'd never read again! I live on a busy road and near a motorway, so there is always traffic noise, and our house if fairly open plan, so while I'm sat in the living room now, I can hear the sound of OH cooking in the kitchen, as well as the occasional barking of the dogs next door, and later this evening, I will probably hear my next door neighbours television. I also often read at work during my lunch break and in coffee shops and cafes, so I've learned to read with background noise. That said, if it's too distracting, I will put my earphones in and listen to music - usually classical or jazz, something instrumental as someone singing would definitely be too much of a distraction - but I can read while OH is watching the television, as long as it's not too loud (and at the moment, it's usually cricket, so it's fairly gentle as a background noise).

[bobblybear]

It depends how interesting the background noise is. If it's a TV show or music that I'm not interested in then I can easily tune it out. However, if it's something that keeps catching my attention, then I really need to focus on one or the other.

[Sakura]

I can read through everything. I read on the train, bus, while playing a PC game on the side, while people are talking, hearing music etc. I block out everything else if a book is any good.

[Kreader]

I can read through everything. I read on the train, bus, while playing a PC game on the side, while people are talking, hearing music etc. I block out everything else if a book is any good.

Same here.  I grew up as one of four children and we were each a year apart in age.  There was no such thing as a quiet place.  The family would even joke about how I became deaf and blind to everything else but the book when I read.  I do recall eventually looking up to find someone had been talking to me, sometimes shouting and I hadn't noticed  

[bookmonkey]

I can't read with the TV on, it's too distracting.  Other background noise is OK.  I often take my book to my son's wheelchair rugby practice and that gets quite noisy.

[Dabrowski]

It seems to be the tv that causes me the problem its too loud and distracting, I like to be able to concentrate.

[Librarylizzi]

I can read in any situation. I like that I can take myself away from wherever and whatever is going on lol

[Talisman]

I find it very difficult, although it depends on the book. One of the things though that I was very glad about when I started the job I am in now was the fact there is no TV in the staff room - bliss !   

[Brian.]

For me it all depends on the book I am reading at the time. I find that some books require quiet, Crime & Punishment for example, and others I could read anywhere.

[pipread]

I used to be able to tune out any background noise and be completely absorbed in my reading, but I have found that since getting a bit older I need  peace and quiet so I can concentrate.        

[dex]

For me It either has to be dead quiet or listening to music. Talking just interferes as for me it operates on the same level as reading.

[poppyshake]

I can block out most noise but not the TV if it's too loud and not music if there's singing involved. I do prefer to read in peace and quiet though.

[Athena]

I prefer it if it's as silent as possible. I can't read with too much stuff going on in the background. I often use noise cancelling headphones or my Ipod if necessary otherwise I wouldn't get anything done and would just be very tired. The reason for this is that I have a disability, I can't tune out anything and hear it all (see my Members' Thread for more information). It's extremely tiring. 

[Many8]

I prefer silent, but i can read in every background. But also depends on the book that I read

[UnderTheDome40]

Oh my Goodness, i can't believe i found this thread! Ha ha ha this is SO my life, right here. Lets just say, when it comes to reading, my little brother is the black plague. I love him to death but he is SO disturbing. No, i hate reading if it's not decently quiet but I think i'm gonna start going to libraries just to read because this problem of mine has been happening way to often lately.

Edited September 1, 2013 by UnderTheDome40

[86WM]

Complete silence whilst reading is heavenly. With a 6-month-old daughter I find that hard to come by these days, unless I stay awake late into the night. I have had no choice but to try to adapt to the noise around me. I find it harder to process what I'm reading when there's background noise, and if there's someone within earshot talking then I cannot concentrate at all!

[Eleonora]

I can read only if there's a lot of noise, I know it's strange but it's been like this since my childhood: when I was 7 or so we moved in a very noisy flat with a lot of wonderful very noisy neighbours. Our home was a sort of open space where everyone could come and go whenever they wanted. I loved that!! I loved the chats, the laughs, the fact that my kitchen was a meeting point for so many different people with many different stories to tell. But I had to study and do my homeworks in any case. So I learnt how to concentrate in the noise. And I still do it. When I'm in my room I have my mp3 player in my ears if I can't have any other kind of voice or loud sound in the background. But I love reading in the market square on saturday morning when hundreds of people walk by with their shopping and their businnes.

[Devi]

Depends, I find I am easily distracted by my surroundings when I am tired.

[Sabry]

I prefer the silent but I can read on the bus and with the TV if it's not too loud but when I can I read in silent in my bedroom.

[Pangolin]

I can read anywhere and noise doesn't bother me at all.  I like reading on trains and in parks and other places that are always busy.  If the TV is on I will often watch a programme and read during the breaks.  I'm not a fan of silence. 

[gardengirl]

NO, I can't concentrate at all if there is any noise , even in a cafe or park the conversations of others filters in to me! I like a really quiet room, the study or conservatory, and to be on my own, but if OH is reading book or newspaper or doing crossword then that's ok.

[ian]

I find that I can't read in a room with the TV on. It's just too distracting and so find myself watching that instead of reading - no matter how irritating the programme! The radio is fine, and otherwise noisy envionments don't usually bother me. It always amazes me though, how many people will try to strike up a conversation with me when I'm reading! My wife is particularily guilty of this, so I save a special withering look over the top of my book/kindle especially for her. Makes no difference though!

[bookaholic65]

I sometimes can. It depends on what the backround noise is. If I am alone and it is just the TV then that's okay. Otherwise I prefer to read where it is relatively quiet. Also, as long as no one bothers  me . I really hate it when someone is talking to me and asking questions etc. It gets really frustrating that they don't get the hint that I am trying to concentrate on my book and talking is very distracting!!!