View Full Version : Why can't I read?
Of course I can read, but I HATE it. I've often wondered if it boils down to an eye-tracking problem. It is sooooo uncomfortable for me to read. I can read lots of very short paragraphs, but when something is long, I just soon quit. I have a room full of books that I've always wanted to read, but just "can't".
Recently I was tested by a neuropsychologist, because of what I perceived as a memory loss problem.
I spent about 5 hours being tested. He said I had absolutely no signs of any organic problem that might lead to a memory loss (i.e. alzheimers), and that I was brighter than alot of people my own age who were tested. :0!
While we were talking after the testing, he sort of implied that maybe I just don't want to read.
I also wonder if I'm just very impatient. I would rather be doing things, than sitting there reading. But.........I really enjoy the visual image of TV/movies.
When my kids were little and my mother would occasionally babysit my kids, she was amazed at how much they liked to read. (probably because we constantly read to them). Then she said "I can't remember ever reading to you." So I wonder if I was raised to not find it enjoyable??? (Even though my mother loved to read herself).
But I've always had a reading/comprehension problem.........even in grade school. I can't seem to control my eyes as they go across the page, and also the words don't seem to make it to my brain.
I feel sooooo left out. So many people talk about the neat books they've read, and I just can't be part of it.
I feel like I could be so much smarter, if I could read.
I have 2 degrees, so of course, I can read if I HAVE to, but I've never read a book for pleasure...........ever. I have tons of reference books, and read paragraphs here and there, but nothing more.
I just find this very strange. I'm not sure I would agree with the psychologist that maybe I just don't want to read. I do have an impatience problem, but I don't see how that could keep me from reading.
I really feel like I have some problem in my brain, but I doubt it will ever be diagnosed. Isn't it really strange that I can't read? .........or won't read?
Any insights?
And I did get an audio book on CD once, and lost interest really quickly......
Sad Eyed Lady
5-29-14, 9:21am
I also wonder if I'm just very impatient. I would rather be doing things, than sitting there reading. But.........I really enjoy the visual image of TV/movies.
I have a couple of thoughts on this. First from your quote above; THIS is EXACTLY how I feel about watching TV or especially movie. I can hardly sit still to watch it, but I can sit for hours with a good book! I've always kind of wondered about why I am like that, but haven't come up with a reason.
Secondly, I used to work with a woman who complained about her husband reading so much. She hated reading and didn't understand how it could be so enjoyable. So one day I asked her if she could visualize what was happening in the book. She said NO! So, that gave me some insight. I can picture what is going on when I read: how the characters look, how they sound, where they are, their expressions etc. But after she told me she couldn't do this, then I thought that if it was just words on a page, if that was all you got out of it, that might be why it was not a good experience for her. Just a couple of thoughts here from someone who can't imagine not reading.
I have a couple of thoughts on this. First from your quote above; THIS is EXACTLY how I feel about watching TV or especially movie. I can hardly sit still to watch it, but I can sit for hours with a good book! I've always kind of wondered about why I am like that, but haven't come up with a reason.
Secondly, I used to work with a woman who complained about her husband reading so much. She hated reading and didn't understand how it could be so enjoyable. So one day I asked her if she could visualize what was happening in the book. She said NO! So, that gave me some insight. I can picture what is going on when I read: how the characters look, how they sound, where they are, their expressions etc. But after she told me she couldn't do this, then I thought that if it was just words on a page, if that was all you got out of it, that might be why it was not a good experience for her. Just a couple of thoughts here from someone who can't imagine not reading.
Good insights. I'm a reader, and always have been. But my kids don't seem to be, except for one son. I remember my daughter (who totally has a decent intellect) had to do a report on Marie Antoinette in high school. I remembered that in my teens I had read a book called The Queen's Confession, which was a biography of Marie Antoinette written as if it had been a memoir, and it was totally compelling. I was so excited to get it on Amazon--I knew it would be perfect resource material for her project.
I'll never forget the look on her face when I gave it to her.. It was as if I had asked her to climb Mt Everest. And she said, "You want me to read THAT?" just based on the length and density of it. I never realized the gap between my experience as a reader and hers.
CathyA, all I can say is, life is bound to get easier for you in the world we are in, because the majority of people have less and less tolerance for the written word. Even my market research reports have gone from being regular Word documents to being picture-books of Powerpoint presentations. My clients want infographics. They don't want to read.
SadEyed, I'm with you. I get totally immersed in my own world between the pages. I've had experiences reading where the imaginary has blurred with reality--such as when I was reading a part of a book in which there was a big blizzard and I got up from up from my chair to look outside to see if it was still snowing. I think perhaps you are right--some people can visualize and others may not be able to... and patience and tolerance probably does have a lot to do with it. My oldest son can only "read" books on tape. He's an auditory learner.
I used to be a big reader - I could get lost in books for days. Dh is not a big reader, and he would say things like, "I can write my own book, if I want to read - why waste my time on what others have to say?" I didn't get it at all. It turns out that during high school he made himself read a ton of books to help his language proficiency, and then during college he had to read a lot of texts for his field.
Now that I just finished my second degree, I can tell you that I no longer want to read for pleasure at all! All the reading for college has worn me out! >:( I have zero desire to read for pleasure. I find myself scanning a lot, when I didn't before, and I know that's from school.
Who knows, maybe that will change in time. But I can totally see the wisdom of wanting to be living life rather than reading about it. Maybe what you need is a change of perspective. You can read, you just would rather be doing something else. Why is that something to feel bad about? When people talk about their neat books, you can talk about your neat photographs! They'll be jealous :).
I use to love to read. Now I enjoy it.
I do not like to read fiction - too much of it seems the same, I know where it's going so why bother?
It is hard for me to read fiction anymore unless the story is very compelling - maybe the fact that we have so much stimulus coming at us from all directions that it is hard to concentrate on it. I think the same thing may have something to do with why I no longer do art. I am reading a fiction book right now that was recommended here - Light Between Two Oceans? It has held my attention thus far but not easily. These days, I much prefer to speed read non-fiction books and articles. I get bored very quickly with television and even movies, ie stories, and it is frustrating.
This is such an interesting topic. I've gone through peaks and valleys in my reading. Some periods I'll read one book after another, then I might go a year without reading a book.
In my case I think it depends on what else is going on in my life and whether I can relax enough (sans distractions) to immerse myself in a good book.
I devour books. Cathy, I wonder if using an e reader, instead of hard copy book, might help you, as you can change text size and such.
I used to be an avid reader, but as I get older (I'm 70) I do find reading more "difficult". I wear glasses, and they seem good enough, but are not Good Enough. I've had cataract surgery. When I have my next appointment I'll discuss this ... because it's annoying ...
Cathy - you also mention that you really enjoy the visual aspect of tv/movies. Maybe you're just a visual person. It could be that your main processing is in your visual field, and that's why you have difficulty slowing down enough for the reading. I would say, go for what you enjoy! There are some wonderful educational programs out now - Netflix has lots of nature stuff. There's no need to feel that you are "less smart" than people who read. In fact, some of the people I most admire for their wisdom and zest for life are non-readers. There's lots of different types of knowledge and intelligence. I would not put a judgment on the fact that you don't enjoy reading. Before reading, we were an oral culture... for a long time :).
There's no need to feel that you are "less smart" than people who read. In fact, some of the people I most admire for their wisdom and zest for life are non-readers. There's lots of different types of knowledge and intelligence. I would not put a judgment on the fact that you don't enjoy reading. Before reading, we were an oral culture... for a long time :).
+1 That's the point I was trying to make about my son, who is auditory, and my daughter, who is visual. I just happen to love the written word. The way some talented writers are able to use words is pure artistry. Poetry used to be much more widely appreciated--we've become so prosaic in our tastes as we've come to rely on our intellect so much.
And to your point, watergoddess, before the written word, we were able to memorize and carry in our heads all the stories that were passed down to us. I think this ability stuck with us for a long time, and is at an all-time low now, because we rely on the written word so much.
ApatheticNoMore
5-29-14, 3:56pm
I've read an ok amount at one time or other but I'm pretty lazy these days (yea lazy, that's right, I have no excuses in my case but my laziness :) ) and it all often seems like too much effort. Ugh more work after a day's work, reading an actual book.
Of course I guess I do a great deal of reading online, reading posts here, reading news and commentary. Even then though laziness sneaks in. At a certain point of overwhelm, it's: "no I can't possibly keep up with everything that's going on in the world. And stupid world please stop throwing information at me already! No I dont' want to read another dumb commentary, unless it's really good and special". And then at a certain point it seems the more I read of that stuff the dumber I get until I don't know anything anymore :laff:. Some of this is definitely the intertubes and the information overload it promotes. I really can't blame it on reading.
I do have a few books that when desperately needing hope I can pick out passages from at random, those I'm keeping :)
Miss Cellane
5-29-14, 4:46pm
But I've always had a reading/comprehension problem.........even in grade school. I can't seem to control my eyes as they go across the page, and also the words don't seem to make it to my brain.
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This sounds like it might be a learning disability. Was the person you saw trained to diagnose those? If you really want to find out what's going on, that's where I'd start.
I was diagnosed with dyslexic dysgraphia when I was in grad school-- and it explained so much! Why I had such a difficult time learning to write cursive and why my handwriting was so poor and why I can't spell to save my life. Keyboarding and spell check are my favorite modern bits of technology.
I read a lot. And I like to watch dramas on tv or in the movies. What I can't stand is watching short informational videos on the computer, like clips from news shows, or tv news programs. I can read so much faster, and the videos take so long to get to the point and are usually edited for catchy sound bites, while a news story in text takes the time to give more of the background and I can usually read it faster than a news anchor can say it. I get all twitchy when I click on a link and it's a video. Frequently I just don't watch it.
It's possible you are just a visual learner. Many people are.
I can read so much faster, and the videos take so long to get to the point and are usually edited for catchy sound bites, while a news story in text takes the time to give more of the background and I can usually read it faster than a news anchor can say it. I get all twitchy when I click on a link and it's a video. Frequently I just don't watch it.
I agree. If I don't see that there's a transcript provided under a video, I don't bother. It's great that there's something for everyone these days.
Catherine - your daughter's response to the book made me think of this hilarious piece I found when I was deciding whether to teach:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/sandraeallen/what-its-like-being-a-new-ta
Catherine - your daughter's response to the book made me think of this hilarious piece I found when I was deciding whether to teach:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/sandraeallen/what-its-like-being-a-new-ta
I'm sorry, watergoddess, I should know this, but are you a teacher? This is priceless, and I'm sending it to my son, who believed it was his calling in life to teach community college students who are always in the balance between "having" to go to school and "wanting" to go to school. (He's a history adjunct professor and definitely finds that his ideals clash with reality)
He has described experiences very much like the scenarios in that post!!!
ApatheticNoMore
5-29-14, 5:20pm
I agree. If I don't see that there's a transcript provided under a video, I don't bother. It's great that there's something for everyone these days.
Yea. Not only is it faster to read the transcript in my impatience, but I ALSO have cheap slow internet that's really slow for videos. Yea, yea, well it's fast enough to do everything I actually need to do (including work) and most of what I want to do except videos (I do do music). And come to think of it I have been watching some videos recently but they're not very resource intense.
I'm sorry, watergoddess, I should know this, but are you a teacher? This is priceless, and I'm sending it to my son, who believed it was his calling in life to teach community college students who are always in the balance between "having" to go to school and "wanting" to go to school. (He's a history adjunct professor and definitely finds that his ideals clash with reality)
He has described experiences very much like the scenarios in that post!!!
What???!!! You have not memorized every word I've ever posted? :0!:)
I don't teach, but I've been offered a TA position and told by some of my professors that I would be a good teacher. Alas, I fear that the reality of teaching would quickly slap me around. I think you can take the slapping when you're young - like your son - but at my age I don't have the energy for it. I've decided not to pursue it for now.
I think good teachers can make a huge difference at the comm college level though. They can focus on students rather than trying to fit in the teaching between research. But sometimes, as a student, you don't realize how good a comm college professor is, until you transfer out and realize how much effort they put into their teaching. I now realize what a great deal comm classes are, but truthfully, I didn't realize it then. I hope your son enjoys the post -and his teaching!
I don't teach, but I've been offered a TA position and told by some of my professors that I would be a good teacher.
I have often gone between feeling I missed out on an opportunity to be a teacher and being glad I dodged the bullet. I'm so glad I get to pass that conundrum on to my son, who is a great guy, and I'm sure an excellent teacher, notwithstanding the vagaries of his audience.
I often feel I want to shake people into seeing things that I see, and then I realize that that attitude would make me a terrible teacher. Good thing I worked for money instead.
I think the biggest impact is how passionate a person is about teaching their subject. The best teachers I've had have all been people who really enjoy their subject and enjoy sharing it with others. When those things are there, the teaching method almost seems incidental.
And it's never too late to try teaching. You might consider doing a class when you are done with your money career. When I've lectured or debated in class, I've had a blast! The energy rush from it is fantastic. And I love taking a subject matter and explaining it in a way that is relevant and interesting to an audience. It's so much fun. Maybe someday...
ApatheticNoMore
5-29-14, 6:03pm
I often think I'd be a natural teacher. But to teach college even community college, mostly requires a PhD (ok sometimes someone squeeks in with a masters - but that becomes less common every year, it's crazy competitive). And then after being in school forever a non-tenured college teaching is scarcely a living wage job (as mentioned) and your usually doing several gigs (teaching at several colleges) to make a very meager income. K-12 teaching is a lot more realistic if you want to support yourself, it's a viable path to that. But my experiences of K-12 when I had to go there myself were bad enough.
If you want to teach start a blog :). Can definitely convey a lot of info that way. For little renumeration of course, but I think it's obviously not something one does for money.
Gardenarian
5-31-14, 2:41pm
I think reading is like a muscle, and if you don't use it or find it less than fun, it will atrophy. I like reading but I think there is a flip side where it can be come kind of addictive, just pure escapism - at least for me.
I have taught college English and quite enjoyed it, but those were other times, when not everyone went to college because you had to. The first two years of college now are more or less what high school used to be. I don't blame the students; the job market is horrible and it pays society to keep young people out of the work force as long as possible. (College, then grad school, then a non-paying internship...before finally getting some part-time work vaguely related to your field of study...)
Lots of "reading problems" are actually vision problems, i.e. a difficulty with visual focusing or tracking. It seems that the harder the eyes have to work, the sooner the brain says "too much work, we're out of here." (Lots of kids get penalized for "laziness" and not doing their schoolwork, when they really have a vision issue.) My suggestion for the OP is to consult with a developmental optometrist; they are specifically trained and experienced in these issues.
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