Dabrowski Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 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??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 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). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sakura Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kreader Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookmonkey Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dabrowski Posted August 25, 2013 Author Share Posted August 25, 2013 It seems to be the tv that causes me the problem its too loud and distracting, I like to be able to concentrate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Librarylizzi Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 I can read in any situation. I like that I can take myself away from wherever and whatever is going on lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisman Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 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 ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian. Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipread Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Many8 Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 I prefer silent, but i can read in every background. But also depends on the book that I read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnderTheDome40 Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86WM Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleonora Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devi Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Depends, I find I am easily distracted by my surroundings when I am tired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabry Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pangolin Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardengirl Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookaholic65 Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 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!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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