Am I reading too much?

As someone who has been an avid reader ever since I could read, I've got to say a resounding NO!

why shouldn't you read when you want to, you're retired you can do whatever you fancy, I don't read as much now but used to spend hours, depending on the book..enjoy your time

My best friend spent lots of time reading. She had 5 children in 8 years and although they didn't have a tv she spent so much time reading to the children.
When they went to school she would leave the dishes piled up in the sink, not worry about the housework and just sit and read all day!
10 years ago she was diagnosed with dementia, sadly last year she died at the age of 60.
So my advice is to read, read and then read some more

Reading not productive?? Wash your mouth out.

Absolutely not!

You can never read too much - I used to even read the newspaper that our fish n chips came in 😂 - and I used to devour books.
These days, I just have no patience to sit down to read…..no patience at all. However, I do like a good Biography.
My 3 AC have always got their heads in a book.

God no. Read as much as you like. I love reading and will never ration myself, life’s too short.
Enjoy.

You can never read too much!

I think you can read too much if it becomes your only activity.
Let's face it it is just as much a couch potato pastime as watching TV or going on GN.

OP clearly does other more active things and it is probably a welcome form of relaxation. It also keeps your brain active.

You would only be reading too much if you felt you were neglecting a creative gift you had or the books you were reading were depressing you.

I’m a bookworm and have been since childhood, although strangely I was slow to read. Books have meant more to me than people and have seen me through an unhappy childhood and worrying times. I have a number of books on the go and cannot travel without one.

I spend too much time on my IPad these days and should be painting and writing, my other passions. The fact you have raised this question makes me think you could cut back a little and as you say “do something a bit more productive”.

I read at least three books a week plus a couple of newspapers. I love books but do feel I need to make the effort to try to explore new hobbies or revisit old one after a longish period of doing very little. I am amazed when someone tells me they don't read - my life would be very empty without books.

Well, I need to get over myself 😊
I suppose it’s because reading is a solitary activity but I never feel alone with a book. I’m an introvert too and we all know how society views introversion! But maybe I should get over that too…

One can never read too much.

I wish I had time to read more!

You have a fairly varied life, so just crack on with your books.

Grandmabatty

You can never read too much!

Absolutely! Many years ago, when I was teaching '5th year non certificates', i.e. children who had to stay at school ( after ROSLA to 16) when they had no opportunity of achieving any exam accreditation, I came across a short story called, I think, Maggie's First Reader, probably written in the 60s?
Maggie was a wife and mother who came late to reading through no fault of her own. Once she had mastered the basic skills, she devoured all reading materials, from the (limited) contents of the local library to the cereal packets in her kitchen cupboards, to the extent that her meticulous home and well kempt children became somewhat neglected. Eventually, a family compromise was agreed upon whereby Maggie had one whole day every week to read from morning till night, and resumed her previous housewife/ mother routine for the rest of the week.
The students enjoyed this story and it sparked interesting discussions about the joy, and importance, of reading. Some of these big kids admitted how proud they were of wee brothers and sisters who were just learning to read in early primary.
I've never managed to find that story online.

A late friend of mine, a keen reader and crafter like me, used to say she felt guilty if she read, knitted, crocheted or sewed during the daytime. I’ll do any of those things at any time of day. In fact, I think I prefer doing them in the daytime in natural light, especially as I age and my eyes tire more easily.

I also work some evenings (and go out quite a lot in the evenings anyway) so daytime is when I have time for those pursuits.

When the garden starts to wake up in spring, I probably do a little less daytime crafting or just shift to evenings with an easy project to work on while watching a film - but I always find time to read. I usually have at least one novel and a non-fiction paper book on the go as well as an audiobook which, of course, I can listen to while I do other things.

Reading is productive. It stimulates the mind, improves vocabulary, enhances creativity and imagination, widens one’s knowledge of the world, improves concentration and focus. reduces stress and is good for overall mental health.

Introversion is good too. You might like to watch this TED talk from Susan Cain author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4

I read a lot when I have time. All kinds of books fiction and not fiction and I have a weekly and monthly magazine I enjoy. I also like puzzle books to do.

I work still 3 mornings a week and do some volunteering so I feel I do varied things. As far as I’m concerned you can never read too much just enjoy it and don’t feel guilty

Was it this story, Grannmarie ? www.coursehero.com/file/207050085/maggies-first-reader-summarypdf/

crazyH

You can never read too much - I used to even read the newspaper that our fish n chips came in 😂 - and I used to devour books.
These days, I just have no patience to sit down to read…..no patience at all. However, I do like a good Biography.
My 3 AC have always got their heads in a book.

I was the child who read out all the notices on the buses, in the doctors' surgery, in the clinic etc. "Why would people spit on the bus, Mum?"

No, you can't read too much. Although I woke myself up last night as my Kindle crashed to the floor at about 1am!

I wish children read more now, rather than having their eyes glued to their phones.

Hmm, I’m a reader, but think if other parts of your life are neglected then yes, you can read too much.

But if your other ‘chores’ are done, then feel no guilt at all!

she devoured all reading materials, from the (limited) contents of the local library to the cereal packets in her kitchen
Grannmarie the sauce bottles were always interesting!
'Cette sauce d'haute quality est une mélange de fruits orientaux, de vinaigre ..."
That's as much as I can remember.

My first encounter with French.

You are probably making up for all the years when you were too busy to read much. I know I am.

I wish I could be an avid reader. I start books but seem to find my thoughts wandering, and so miss a chunk here and there. I enjoy poetry a lot.
If reading is your lifestyle, and your pleasure, then I think you should continue to spend hours doing this.

You can use reading as an escape from reality. I know I do.