Reading: Quantity vs. Quality?

[Fran]

I do both. Sometimes you just want a quick superficial read, maybe a detective story or a funny little book to pass the time. Other times you want to be taken over by the book & as DATo says mine it for every possible hidden reference or meaning.
I can't say I remember ever line of every book I ever read but in most cases once I get the first thread of what the book was about it all comes flying back from whatever archive my little brain uses for storage.
It's got nothing to do with being smarter or better read just the mood at the time

[Heather]

As much as I like to see the number of books I've read grow and grow, I would rather the number be lower, but the quality great, than read a bunch of books that are of poor quality. I tend to read my favorites over and over, even though I could spend that time reading something new and increasing my tally.

[saturday+deviant]

I read a lot of books a year and I can't say that because I read a large quantity I do not remember what I read. Usually all it takes is a visual of the cover and sometimes the synopsis and I can recall what the book was about. Granted, I won't remember the exact details of the plot and characters but I'm not complaining.

I would rather have a large body of books that I have read and can discuss with others than a few that may not have come under other people's radar.

[thankyou]

I like to read quality books, the number doesn't matter.

[Misaela]

Some books I like to read at first superficially, then re-read in depth. I find that you notice new details you overlooked that first time, and you enjoy it in another way.

[suzy1124]

Quality over quantity always.....not just confined to reading but EVERY aspect of my life..." less is more "

[Sine_Ni_Ceallach]

Both! I read as many good books as I can in a year. Writing a review right after reading can help you remember it better later on. I don't know how people read 100+ books annually though...

[jsinard42]

I don't think books should be read just to reach a goal. Although that seems to he the goal of most reading programs. I think its possible to read a large quantity of books and still retain most of the details.

[Fran]

You do need to read a quantity and variety of books if you want to be able to identify quality books.
Unless, of course, you are happy to accept someone elses definition of quality.

[sybil1reader]

When it comes to reading books, I think that as long as you enjoy and understand what you read then that is what really matters. I read about 75 books a year and I thoroughly enjoy each and every one of them. Of course time is a factor (I have plenty of that) and some people can read faster than others. If I read one book per year because of time restraints and wanting to take my time a feast on it, I wouldn't let quantity bother me.

[justaddcoffee]

It depends. A good beach read deserves a quick blow through. But something meatier deserves my full attention.

-- 09 Oct 2013, 01:48 --

It depends. A good beach read deserves a quick blow through. But something meatier deserves my full attention.

[talia_in]

Quality!!!!! Of course this will give you a better understanding on the book. Of course a lot of books are good to have. However, it will never bet quality.

[jmalone1994]

I would rather take my time and enjoy the book than speed through it so I could go on to another book

[gali]

I do both. Sometimes you just want a quick superficial read, maybe a detective story or a funny little book to pass the time. Other times you want to be taken over by the book & as DATo says mine it for every possible hidden reference or meaning.
I can't say I remember ever line of every book I ever read but in most cases once I get the first thread of what the book was about it all comes flying back from whatever archive my little brain uses for storage.
It's got nothing to do with being smarter or better read just the mood at the time

Likewise!

I do both as well. I am a fast reader, so I manage to read quite a lot of books.

[TrishaAnn92]

I didn't vote because I felt the poll didn't fit me. I will take my time reading and take as much as I can but I am one that almost as soon as I finish a book, with a short break, I will pick up another one. I also like to write things down that I find interesting so it helps. So I guess I do both.