One of the things I like about this particular meme is that it gives us a chance to share our habits and learn a little more about what makes us tick. In an online world where it would be so easy to define a person based on what they read and their reviews, Musing Mondays forces us to dig a little deeper and actually think about our reasons for certain behaviors. Not every person will have the same answer, which is refreshing. As always, Rebecca gives us another question worthy of some thought.
Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about multitasking.
Do you – or are you even able – to do other things while you read? Do you knit, hold a conversation, keep an eye on the TV? Anything?
I normally do not hide myself away to read. I prefer to sit in my living room, surrounded by the dogs, my husband, and my kids. In so doing, my goal is to spend time doing two things I love the most – be with my family and read. Unfortunately, this does not work so well. Either I am so absorbed in my book that I do not hear anyone talking to me, or I am so caught up in the TV or what the kids are doing that I read the same page over and over again. I want to multi-task but cannot do it very well.
However, I usually can have music going in the background. I have found that classical music works best to allow me to remain focused without distracting me completely. I enjoy music too much for me to be able to drown it out entirely, so I need something quiet. Complete silence when I read tends to cause problems because it makes me more conscious of passing time. (This will be of vital importance during the read-a-thon. In the wee hours of the morning, I will have to either have the TV on low or the radio on to help get me through the night.)
I have no idea how one knits and reads at the same time. When I cross-stitch, I can barely watch TV so that I do not miscount or drop a stitch somewhere. Reading seems like it would be even more distracting, even via audiobook. Like any good bibliophile, I have been known to cook and read, or fold laundry and read. It is not the most efficient method of completing chores, and it can even lead to some horrific meals, but it does make chores more pleasurable.
So, I am living proof that you can multi-task while reading. Just do not ask me to be an expert at anything while reading!
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My husband does that to me when we are reading in bed. It drives me nuts too! I'll be deep into my book and then have to focus on what he's trying to say. Argh!
Thanks for the feedback! The header was created by a friend of mine, who started her own design business for both the web and business-related needs. Didn't she do a fabulous job?
I cannot multitask while reading. In fact, it tends to drive me nuts when my husband and I are sitting and reading together, because he keeps interrupting to tell me something about HIS book, and I want to focus on mine! 🙂 And how would one knit and read simultaneously? Good question.
I love your new blog header, Michelle! Did you do it yourself?
My recent post Snippets for Your Amusement
That's impressive. It really does depend on the music and my surroundings. I am hyper aware of everything at work, so I find it difficult to really read while there. And it does depend on the book. I am most efficient with either classical music or no music, even though I like to say that I can multi-task!
Thank you, Vishy! I am hoping this is the last time I make a change for a very long time.
I hope to have my review of "The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott" done either this weekend or early next week. I finished the book much faster than I anticipated. It was worth it though.
I think, for me, what I have on in the background is contingent upon the book I am reading. If the book is so absorbing that I can tune out the world, I can sit and read in front of the TV or with the family. Certain books require absolute silence. I do find I read faster in silence though!
Gautami – It is a struggle, and I find some books are easier to multi-task than others. And sometimes, you just want to sink into the book uninterrupted.
sometimes I like the white noise of music of the TV in the background while I read. but I don't really pay attention to it and don't consider it multi-tasking.
I can only concentrate on one thing at a time..sometimes I have enough trouble with that!
My recent post Musing Monday… It's the Book or my Nose
I can tune out background noise while I read.
I can't do anything wjile reading!
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Lisa – I understand. Sometimes, you just cannot block out the noise of the family or the TV (or the dogs playing). If I want to be left alone, I go hide upstairs too. Even then, if the kids are awake, my chances of uninterrupted reading time are slim!