Does anyone else love reading, but struggle to complete a book?

[Tater]

I love to read, and before becoming an adult I read all the time, day and night, sometimes two books in a day. Now I find it hard to not only find time to read but stay focused on what I'm reading. I've got at least a dozen books on the shelf that are untouched or partially read. I've tried a different variety and setting specific times for reading but it's difficult for me still.

Has anyone had luck with audio books? I love listening to suspense story podcasts, but they are 30 minutes or less and different stories, I normally listen to them on my way home from work. I worry about me zoning out but that still an hour round trip to work I could be 'reading'.

Anyway, I'm sorry I'm so long winded!!

[Dasvidaniya]

This is a constant struggle for me xD Sometimes I like a book and want to read it, but for some reason just can't focus when I actually have the time to sit down and read!

I pretty much have switched from reading physical books to audiobooks in the past couple years! It's a much more digestible way to get through books, if you have trouble focusing. I listen mostly when I'm doing something that I have to be awake for, but don't have to focus on, like driving, showering, cooking, etc. My best sources for free books are Libby and Hoopla, which are apps that give you free access to books through your library card! On Libby, you can borrow them for X amount of time (I think it's determined by your library, mine does 14 days per borrow cycle) and it automatically gets returned at the end of the period, or you can renew your hold if noone else is waiting for it.

[kittyray]

I've had a lot of luck with listening to an audiobook while I read along with a physical book. I think having the two points of contact really helps for my sustained attention because I do also have an issue of tuning out audiobooks, which is why I tend to use them for books I've read before. That said, we're all different and have different things that make your brains tick. If you can listen to podcasts, which is another thing I struggle with tuning out of, then audiobooks seem like a good bet!

[Tater]

I may just have to give audio books a try. I still have my kindle unlimited that hardly gets used except for research lol. I like the idea of it being returned automatically at this end since I'm always forgetting to return mine on the kindle, whoops.

I've tried reading and listening before when I was younger and it didn't work, butttt I haven't really tried that method in a long while. I may have to look up an audio book for a book I already own and see if it helps me actually finish one.

[Excalibur]

i hate reading lol. i think ive finished 10 books my entire life. i although like reading magazines... so does that count?

[Dasvidaniya]

I may just have to give audio books a try. I still have my kindle unlimited that hardly gets used except for research lol. I like the idea of it being returned automatically at this end since I'm always forgetting to return mine on the kindle, whoops..

I'm also super forgetful, so I feel that xD I'm glad Libby & Hoopla return it automatically or I'd be in trouble lol. I actually have a Kindle Paperwhite that I got yearrsss ago but hardly use now because of audiobooks, buuuut the nice thing is that you can have Libby send the books you borrow to either the Libby app on your phone/tablet OR your Kindle, if you prefer to physically read it! Because Libby has both audiobooks & ebooks, just depending on what's available in your library's digital collection. Sometimes I can't find a book in audiobook format (it doesn't exist or they don't have it for some reason) and will just have it transferred to my kindle to read c:

[redfields]

I go through phases where I'll read books like I'm running out of time which are followed by months of not reading- I tend to want to "all or nothing" books and if I anticipate that I won't be able to finish it in a few days because of plans or scheduling, I usually won't start. I have two vacations that I plan every year and on both of those I'll shred through books!

I've been trying to get myself to book club things, but alone, if that makes sense? I'll give myself a specific chunk (chapter/s, pages) to read at once and then wait. That's been a little helpful, at least!

[I_royalty_I]

I read on my phone before I fall asleep every night. I read a lot of fiction, sci-fi, litRPG, adventure kind of stuff. My main issue is finding a series that will keep me engaged and is long enough that I won’t read through it in a week or two haha
I don’t usually read physical books anymore, but because it’s so much easier carrying my books in my pocket on my phone. I find it easier to read before bed because I can turn the brightness down and the night time mode and read until I feel my eyes skipping over things. It helps me fall asleep and is definitely part of my routine now.

i have a kindle, but it’s not the same. I use that mostly at the beach! Audiobooks aren’t my thing. If I’m listening to something, it’s either music, or maybe a podcast on something I’m interested in.

[Menine]

Nowadays, it's hard for me to focus too!
But I noticed that it's related to my anxiety. I always feel like I should be reading something work/studies related instead of having fun, so I have to force myself A LOT to finish the book. I can start it and read lots of chapters, but there's a moment that anxiety voice whispers in my ears that I need to priorize something else.
One thing that really helped me was putting bookmarks in the end/beggining of each chapter. Everytime I finish a chapter, I remove a bookmark. It feels like the book is smaller and I have less pages to finish, which motivates me to keep reading the following chapters. (:

[KJiU]

Bought a harry potter book back then "a long long time ago" managed to only read 2 pages and then the book was never been found afterwards.
Then one day i finally realize the only "books" i am capable of completing are webtoons , manga, manhua scans ;)

[ButterBird]

haven't fully read a book in ages but im doing my best to slowly chip through watership down finally. I think what helps is having a reading thread somewhere where you kind of just livepost what you read- it helps keep you engaged with the book by making you parrot back what you just read (and what your thoughts on these things are) PLUS giving you an easy way to quickly look back on what happened in the book if you take a break.

Audiobooks just don't do it for me- its very hard for me to focus on audio without a visual attached to it and just doing something while listening doesn't cut it.

In all honesty it might also just help seeing if you can find some reading buddies to get invested with, or to look at your shelf and see if you *really* still want to read those books. I did a huge shelf cleanup recently where I got rid of 80% of my books that I wasn't gonna read even though i was interested in them when getting them. Life aint the same as when I was a teenager where using a book was the best way to not be bored in class.

[Tater]

Update I guess, lol. I still have not looked into audiobooks, still plan to. We have a long drive coming up for a trip so maybe I can start one. I did start another book and it's been put in my unfinished pile with the other 4, whoops.

ButterBird I need to do a huge cleanout, like yesterday. I'm realizing my taste in books has change in some ways but not in others.I'll bet at least half of my books need to find new homes because I will never read them.

[Synth Salazzle]

If I don't do audio and visual at the same time I can't comprehend what's happening. Maybe I should look into audiobook and real book at the same time.

[Tater]

I remember in grade school a teacher would record herself reading the class book if you missed a day and she would have you listen while you read along. As a kid I liked it, I've tried it as an adult and can't stick with it. I've realized I read faster than most audiobooks and I end up rushing or getting bored.

[nestlepak]

i wouldn't read at all if it wasn't for audiobooks. makes me long commute and some of my mindless work at work so much better. i find for me the key is the mindset of not worrying if i miss stuff. audiobooks are more expensive than eye books so rereading them is a great way to get more bang for your book. when its a good series, rereading is a must for me! and that way, if i missed some scenes in the first read through, it'll be like bonus content in the reread lol