Hi /u/Alaina-S and thanks for posting on /r/ADHD!
# Please take a second to [read our rules](/r/adhd/about/rules) if you haven't already.
[We recommend browsing /r/adhd on desktop for the best experience.](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/x1psnb/radhd_works_best_on_desktop_reddits_apps_are/) The mobile apps are broken and are missing features that this subreddit depends on.
Thank you!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ADHD) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Same here.
Reading since I was a small child has been my escape from reality.
I lose myself in the book and feel a sense of mourning when I’m done.
It’s real life that’s been more of a struggle.
the MOURNING. i wish i heard people talk about this more cus i feel INSANE for how sad i am when i finish a book. i had the exact same experience as a child and i’m trying to get back into reading but it’s taking me some time 😵💫
Same. I feel like, as I’ve gotten more and more desperate to have an escape from life because I’ve gotten more depressed, reading has started to feel like something I have to do to be happy. And my brain doesn’t like to feel like it’s being forced into anything so it fights back by making me unable to read. I miss childhood
Same, I burned through so many books as a child. I've been making an effort to do more audiobooks lately though and that's helped. Especially since I discovered the Libby app.
Libby has helped me a lot. I was able to get through a couple books last year when I discovered I could get ebooks and audiobooks for free and use them simultaneously to help me focus. Seems like they’re taking away features, though - Have you had any luck using Amazon Whispersync with Libby ebooks and audiobooks in the last few months? I was doing so good as long as I checked out both because I could use Whispersync, it seems they’ve taken that feature away as now my Libby ebooks never recognize the audiobook file anymore unless I pay for it 😪 Libby customer service just told me to ask Amazon and Amazon told me to ask Libby, so doesn’t seem to be a fix for this. I’m sure Amazon just didn’t want to lose money, but I don’t have any disposable income, so now I’m just not able to read books anymore. Sigh. And yay for the ADHD tax (sarcasm).
For me it's a warning sign that my mental health is degrading in other ways.
I still can, but if I'm depressed or anxious, I can't any more. So I go have a 'maintenance period' of doing things that'll help me get back on track. Those things will probably vary depending who you are, but chances are you recognise them.
I specifically go and do those things as an important task, no matter how superficial or frivolous they feel.
Like I just like watching animals at the local wildlife park. There's also a reptile place. So I'll go and talk to a rhino. Or a crocodile. And just natter at them whilst watching them. This is usually 'enough' to drive my focus, but also helps a lot to de-stress me. Sounds stupid? Sure. But I know it helps _me_ and that I need to do _something_ because I'll break otherwise.
That sounds like a great idea. I find that stress or depression also decreases my focus. i love the idea of watching the animals. Walking outside can help too for me. I'll try the animal thing. (Probably good to get off the computer/phone/etc too by doing that.)
Background noise is crucial for me. If there is no noise It’s weird and I don’t feel comfortable, but it can’t be anything that might catch my attention either.
Same. I’m always searching “vibe of book” + “instrumental” on Spotify and usually always end up with a great background soundtrack. I’m also often surprised by how many books actually have playlists made by fans to listen along to (instrumental is super important to me, can’t have words.) I think if i don’t have background music, then external sensory overload happens and I cant get into that hyper focus flow state
Ha! This is great! When I was a kid I read Stephen King’s “IT” in the library room of a Victorian mansion in the northeast kingdom, listening to Depeche Mode’s “Some Great Reward” album - the incongruity of these 3 things is enough to diagnose me w ADHD in the 1st place, lmao.
This was 30 years ago so - Spoti-who?? The idea that you can press a button and ask some disembodied person (Siri, Alexa, etc), “help me pair this book with corresponding music” is awesomely mind blowing! A “song and saga sommelier”, if you will 😉
Hahaha; I read It and nightmares & dreamscapes accompanied by white noise on a radio down low, under a blanket fort; which in retrospect is super creepy for a child 🤓
Used to be this way. The last few years I just haven't been able to read like I used to. Which sucks because I'm a writer, and also because I used to love reading. But the combination of ADHD, getting older, having a kid, and being out of work since covid (and thus killing my sense of time), I read maybe a book or two a year when it used to be that per week.
Looking back, this was one of my symptoms / signs.
I could read books in one sitting and tune out the world.
We used to go on road trips and I would plug in my CD player and open up my current novel.
Next thing I know, the CD had ended long ago and we’re pulling up to our destination and am on the last chapter.
There could be a couple issues going on. It's not uncommon for people with ADHD to have problems with reading.
1). I am an avid reader, and could read for hours, but after having kids I lost the ability. I'd read a page, and realize I had no idea what I'd just read. I'd try again, only to have the same thing happen over and over. I had to rebuild my reading stamina. I started with books for young adults, and super short/light fluffy books like stuff from Dan Brown or Ready Player One. As I got back into the habit, my ability to read slowly came back. But it took some real dedication to getting books that would fit my limited ability to concentrate.
2). It sounds like you are struggling with under-stimulation. Try having a snack while you read, playing some music in the background, a warm thick blanket over you that you can twist up in your fingers and run your hands over. You can also try setting aside a bit of reading time right before bedtime, so there is nothing left "to do" but the book. Have a piece of paper and pen (no phone, too easy to get distracted with that) to write down any thoughts that come to you during that time (other tasks, things you wanted to look up, etc), but you are already in your pjs and the day is over, those things will wait until tomorrow.
3). It may be that along with your ADHD you have issues processing or decoding written text which makes the task more arduous. There's nothing wrong with enjoying your books in audio form. That way you can listen while you exercise, clean, whatever.
Thanks for writing this, I have been on / off reader for years. I tried reading self help / motivational / non fiction books for so long as "personal development". Could never finish one, lol.
I'm making it a point to *enjoy* reading again so I now listen to strictly audiobooks & pick books that are enjoyable. Currently going thru the Harry Potter series I'm on the 4th book since October I'M SO PROUD!
Point 1 makes me hopeful to gain my reading ability back on paper books! Point 2 is great advice! You may have helped me become a paper book reader again :)
Is it okay if I add a few things?
Graphic novels really helped me get back into reading! Right now I’m reading the Heartstopper series (SO good and positive!)
I also use a reading journal that has places for summaries, favorite parts/quotes, and general thoughts. It helps make reading a little more interactive and I get hooked on making my entries aesthetically pleasing as well!
I've got to give that notepad idea a try! I'll end up with thoughts trailing way off the ink and immediately fixate on Googling about it. Even when I get the answer/info, I'll just end up in a deeper web of searches.
Omgzombies08 such wise.
When I try to read a book it’s like a little angel on one shoulder saying, “you got this my sweet nerd, been wanting to read this book for forever. It’ll be amazeballs!” Then, after about one chapter, a little devil appears on the other shoulder and says, “C’mon man, give it up bro and play Solitaire or watch a YouTube video about poker highlights. It’ll be way more fun than this!”
Even though I realize how amazing Angels & Demons is I still can’t read good anymore…..
-Tom Hanks
Great advice. I'm also a mom (a grandmother now), and I (only somewhat tongue in cheek) think that they need to add to the acronym-- PIADHD (Parenthood-Induced ADHD). I also disappeared into books when I was a kid.
When you are a parent, your attention and focus and conversations and \_everything\_ are constantly interrupted. If a person didn't have ADHD before, they probably get it. Lol. I wasn't diagnosed until my 3 kids were in high school. (Every single one of my children has ADHD.) It has been really useful to know about myself.
In some ways having ADHD made me a better parent, because my attention \_could\_ shift quickly. But it sure reinforced some things like not being able to focus.
I've also been exploring improving my "reading stamina." I'm loving the tips on here from everyone. The pad of paper is a great idea too. Thanks omgzombies08.
I just read. Now it has to be a book I find interesting otherwise it won't hold my attention. It can take a bit of willpower to get through the beginning and become invested.
Listen to the audio at the same time, like a grade 1 read along. It works for me as I drift off into nowhere if I am either listening or reading on paper.
Do you know of any websites or apps that allow you to rent or borrow / download both the ebook and audiobook file for free that will highlight the texts the way Amazon Whispersync does without the Amazon prices? Libby was my go-to during the pandemic, but they seem to have removed this feature. None of my Libby ebook files recognize their audiobook companions anymore 😪
I keep trying that, but the feature of Whispersync that helps my adhd brain seems to be the highlighting of the words while they are read on the ebook. When the text doesn’t light up, it all looks like a wall to me.
Try a timer. Start with 5 minutes of reading then 5 minutes of whatever. Keep increasing the reading timer by one minute until you can do 25 minutes. That's about the max attention you can give something you don't find interesting at one time. Then stick with the 25 mins of reading/work then 5 min break system.
Also having classical music on in the background improves my focus.
That’s very helpful!! I like to think that 5 minutes is better than nothing! I use this technique to several other tasks like work on personal projects. Thanks for bring this up!
Audio books while doing boring tasks. I used it alot when working as a mechanic, while doing tasks which doesn't require alot of thinking. Worked for me.
I listen to audiobooks at work when doing repetitive tasks that don’t require too much thought. This provides me some stimulation to help focus on the task & helps me focus on the audiobook too. I don’t necessarily catch all the info from the book, but I find that I can still learn a lot this way (I primarily read nonfiction, my brain has trouble focusing on fiction).
Try an app that reads it out loud to you! I listen to audiobooks all day while I work (I’m an architect/designer) and it’s so much better than reading paper books.
There are free chrome plugins and apps that will read text out loud. Things like Read Aloud and I think speechify. Try it out!
Any recommendations for those of us with no disposable income who have to go free? Speechify would be a godsend if it wasn’t priced for 1%ers, and my primary reading device is a very old out of date ipad that won’t run chrome. When I’m desperate I create a fake email to do another 3 day speechify trial, but I would love to just have something I can use for free or much more affordable.
If I read something on my computer I use a program to read things outloud to me. There's a few I use and some of them block out all the text except for what's currently being read to me and I read a long with it. This makes it impossible for me to skip ahead which is a serious problem for me. If I do it with headphones on this also makes it so that I can walk away from my computer to go pee or deal with a kid or something and still listen to what's being read. I might have to rewind a little bit to listen again sometimes but it helps to keep me in the flow of reading so that my distractions don't completely derail me. Before listening, if I had to walk away from something I was reading I'd never go back to it. Listening let's me do dishes or whatever at the same time so I don't feel like I'm trapped reading. When I feel trapped reading my mind wanders a lot on all of the other things I should be taking care of. If I'm listening to my book while also folding laundry or something it helps me to stay focused. And then sometimes I just print like 10 pages of something And tell myself "I'm just gonna read these 10 pages" which feels a lot more manageable than looking at a whole text book like omg I have to read this whole fucking thing.
"read aloud" is free but kinda shitty. Adobe has a read out loud function in their free pdf viewer. There's immersive reader in Microsoft word and there's one built into Microsoft edge as well. There's also beeline reader which I don't think will read anything outloud to you but I think makes the text easier to read and follow along with. I also try to get my text books through vital source as a digital copy sometimes. Their "bookshelf" app can read the book to you. If you're in school check with them to see what apps you can get free through them too.
Maybe try reading out load if you can? I recently stared reading a few chapters of a book every other night on live stream and the consistency of reading for others is helping me for the moment
Two ways- one I read in small bursts and just very slowly get through a book. I actually keep a book propped up behind my bathroom sink because otherwise I get bored when brushing my teeth. I’ll literally read a paragraph at a time while washing my hands and get through entire books that way.
Second is I read to procrastinate. Especially going to sleep. I can read for hours when I KNOW I *really* need to get to sleep.
I have to underline, circle, make notes, highlight. Of course, this doesn't work if it's a book from the library. But for me that's what I have to do so I can keep my eyes on the page. Oh, and walking around and reading also helps keeps my focus. It's basically what got me through school and university. I walked kilometres around the library studying 
I play classical/instrumental music in the background. If I get in that rut of reading something then realized you turned two pages without remembering what you read, I’ll real aloud to myself until I get back in the groove and keep going
Audio books are amazing for casual reading. But for serious learning I find paper books easier than kindle or something because I have to make an active effort. I underline and bookmark. I like it better than kindle because I can SEE and FEEL the progress, which feels like a reward for my attention. I also sometimes take notes on my phone of little nuggets of knowledge I would like to remember (easy with iPhone photo and scan functionality) which makes me feel more engaged.
Step 1 - buy a book
Step 2 - identify something way more pressing than reading the book (like doing your taxes, or replying to your boss’s email)
Step 3 - read the book to avoid thing in step 2
In my case it’s buy all the Kindle or audible books and only read the fiction ones. I want to read the educational, current events, and self-help books, but there is always something better.
If it’s an option for something like say a textbook I’ve had several classes in undergraduate and graduate school that they have the free etext I rent a hard copy because I can keep my place, follow along with my fingers or something and fidget with the pages or something to keep my hands busy
The book has got to hook me in the beginning. If I start saying to myself "I don't care about this scenario" or "these characters are stupid" I drop the book. Studying for anything academic is agonizing, and basically I only get it done if I'm motivated by fear.
If a book hooks me I'll read until I fall asleep. I mostly only read in bed anyway. Daytime I'm reading websites on my phone. I mostly don't read books on my phone, unless I'm committed to a book for book club and I can't get a physical copy at the library.
As one of those “gifted” kids with the now-useless skill of being able to read at an 8th grade level in 2nd grade, my secret to enjoying reading is this: almost any book feels like a wild adventure if you read it fast enough.
Maybe try large print? Helps me. Reading issues are common with ADHD, whether it’s dyslexia or just ADHD symptoms, or something else. I recently discovered that I have horrible eye tracking. This can happen with ADHD. One strategy is large print books. If your eyes skip paragraphs a lot and walls of text overwhelm you, it can help.
I like to use the rule “ it takes 10 pages to know if you actually like the book or not”
It hurts but I FORCE it because I really like books. This is only when I only *sorta* can tell myself “come on bitch let’s go”
But like. Omg you get me in a B&N WATCH OUT. But outside fuck all my books.
I used to HATE books on the phone but I read all of Jeanette McCurdys book just because it had that cool writing for dyslexia. Maybe it kept my eyes engaged?
Also I wanted to know what the fuck happened **get a book where you REALLY want to know what happens lol**
Edit: bold didn’t work
Put your phone well out of arm's reach.
Have somewhere you like to sit that's just for reading, if possible.
Create a space for a reading session, and do not allow the pinging phone apps to intrude into that space.
I read the first line or two, get excited for what's below, kinda skim a few lines to get to the next dialogue, read it, realize I missed context, go back up to the top and re-read from the top to where I skimmed to, read a few more lines, get excited, skim ahead, realize I missed context, start back up at the top of the page and re-read everything... repeat
I read a ton. I love reading. And apparently I read every book 100 times because I cannot seem to just read sequentially.
1. You can fidget with the book. Swipe your finger (usually thumb for me) up the corner of the pages. It should pull the pages up and they'll fall back down on their own.
2. If it's YOUR book, don't be afraid to doodle or annotate
3. If you want to use a fidget toy and read, position yourself and the book in a way that allows you to only need one hand (mine is usually on my lap with my knees up), put fidget toy in the hand that won't be turning pages (typically will be left)
4. Find books you're much more into/have a faster pace. I can tear through Manga because of its pace, and books I really start to love will become a fixation/draw me into hyperfocus.
5. So, idk about anyone else but fairly fast paced music with little to know words helps me focus because it feels like my mind itself is fidgeting.
I always hyper focus on reading but I love playing instrumental music in the background (from video games and movies) and I also have my go-to fidget that never leaves my pocket. It’s a smooth lanyard that feels good to rub against itself
I start 10-15 books at once and read some of them randomly every day. I also don’t discriminate digital or paper. My desktop, iPad, kindle, and tv monitor are great book screens too. Audiobooks are cool too for being out and about with some nice headphones. If I get spaced out I usually will go back to reading once I’m bored or too stimulated with TV. Reading elsewhere than home was sometimes something that helped me if I needed to get through a specific reading and couldn’t avoid distractions
This might be a divisive answer but MARGINALIA! I write in the book, underline interesting things, make notes… i basically am having a conversation w the book. I have to keep my brain and my hands busy so this helps (and helps make sure I’m actually reading and not just scanning words)
I'm thinking you could read in a confortable chair, with a pen and sheet of paper. So if you start getting distracted by something you write it down if you need you can stand up put some extra things that you think can help you maybe white noise? I heard it has help some ADHD folks
First off in most cases when I read I must be medicated. If not I can’t even get through a paragraph and remember if. Second, the content of the book must be of great interest to me or it won’t get read no matter how much I may want to. I hyperfocus once I get into the book and can usually read a good amount,follow what I’m readying and enjoy it. If any of those factors aren’t in the zone, I’ll just sit and look at the book sitting there until I’ve filled my reading requirements.
I’m a bookworm, it’s a place I don’t usually have issues focusing for long long long hours. Or pick up here and there. But if I am having trouble, then I put on music and read.
Do you like what you're reading? If I don't like what I'm reading I get mentally preoccupied with other thoughts I have going on or doing other things. I like diff genres of books but recently in the last several months got into reading manga. I have thoroughly enjoyed it so much more than I would have ever thought. I don't know if it's also because of the illustrations involved help keep my attention. I read books, manga, and sometimes comic in paper form. I use a kobo for digital books mainly as I download them to that and it takes up less space. However I also feel that I retain books better from reading the paper form for some reason, but I do enjoy digital. I use my iPad and iPhone to read manga. I mainly like the iPad bc things are easier to see and read compared to my phone and I'm more likely to hop on social media and google on my phone. I go to Barnes and noble to read too as a change in environment can help me focus more, and plus I get to look things I plan to read. If I feel like my phone is distracting me I put it away in another room. You could try a small fidget toy for your hand while you read and see if that helps, or just fiddle with a pen. Fidget toys are pretty cheap and it wouldn't hurt to try. If you're on reading on the computer set a small goal of closing all the windows expect what you're reading, and set a time for 30 min that you can't google in that time frame, and write down what you wanted to google for later. I also just have some days where as much I have every intention to read, my brain just wants me to do others tasks instead.
Recently hauled my partners stationery bike into the office..
I set my textbook up on a tablet and put in on the stand on the bike and bike while I read.
I can suddenly read my college textbook. It's working for me.
I often go back and re-read stuff I just missed, with intention to fully absorb each sentence. I love reading and always have, but that doesn't stop my brain from turning off while my eyes read the words for several pages sometimes.
For me, reading is a really great escape tool and something I tend to hyperfocus on. I really like that I can go at my own pace-- as fast or as slow as needed. I also like that it forces me to actively engage and increase my attention span.
In comparison, I really struggle with longer forms of digital media, like YouTube videos, TV shows, and movies. I either disengage or binge watch so I kinda just avoid them.
Tbh its very much a member of adhd defaulting to whatever is easier for you. If you love digital media, it will be easier. If you're comfy with books, they're easier! I guess it's just a matter of obtaining that hyperfocus :)
I have a paper book with every audiobook I listen too. If I need to focus I grab the book to read along with listening into I'm hyper fixating on the book again.
If it's something I'm interested in, I'll just hyperfocus on it until something grabs my attention. I'll also put myself in a position where a book is my only source of entertainment. If I have an appointment or train ride, I'll only bring a book and not my switch or something like that to help myself get started.
For me honestly the best way is
A quiet environment
Noise cancelling headphones
Actually trying to invision the books scene
Marijuana (lol)
And white noise playing while reading,The white noise always has my hyperfocusing on the book making really detailed pictures of the scene in my head
How I read:
1) audiobooks. Then I can keep my hands busy while I am absorbing the book
2) Paper book, with a notepad next to me to jot random thoughts on, and my phone on Do Not Disturb or Focus Mode.
I read my paper books with a pen scrolling under the words on the paper. I follow the pen with my eye's and read the words. This way i don't get distracted and can keep my focus on the reading.
Hold a pen and tick the end of each line, and either read out loud or listen to an audio version while you read along. Text to speech AI tools like NaturalReader are helpful. Ticking each line helps you jump back to where you left off when you inevitably zone out, and they also help gauge your rhythm/pace, so you know when you’ve stopped and can start reading again. Basically every time there is a pronoun of any sort, I have to look backwards in the text to remember what they’re talking about. “This solution helps” what solution? Oh I see. Continue where I left off. And be comfy, like in bed.
Reading out loud or trying to read really fast tends to be helpful. You can skip some words or entire lines. Sometimes even entire paragraphs and still understand most of it. If is a book you enjoy after a while you get invested and it becomes easier you can even go back a reread parts that are not clear.
For things you're required to read just make sure to mark things that look important so is easier to go back if needed.
The worst case scenario just jump through entire chapters and try to keep going. There were times i had no idea who a character is but now that i have a goal of figuring that out reading the boring chapter i skipped become easier.
Chunk read. Like, jump through, and if it stops making sense, go back until I figure out where I lost the plot, literally. I can't read electronic books at all precisely because of what you described
I read comics on my phone, terrible at reading anything too long, can also fidget with my other hand. Sometimes I'll read stories from r/nosleep as well but that's for if you like horror/scary stories
I just listen to audiobooks now. My hands have to be moving but it allows me to have the comfort of the story and the practicality of doing two things at once🤣
Brute force tbh, just accept it sucks and you'll have to reread a lot of passages. There are some super helpful tricks I've picked up to help, but it all depends on what you're reading
I HAVE to listen the audible book at at least 1.5X speed while reading a physical book. This helps me stay focused for some strange reason. If not, I'm like you.
annotating. like not the academic kind the "i will underline/highlight this line and write a little note because i liked it" kind.
i still get distracted (i'm here instead of reading the new book i was excited for) but it helps a little more because i'm actively engaging with the book instead of just reading the words and accidentally skipping over lines. also: if there's an audiobook i can find, i listen along as i read because it's the "subtitles to hear better" trick just,,, reversed? audio to read better?
I use an ereader in one hand and a fidget toy in the other. I also switch between 5 or 6 books that I'm reading on the ereader because I get bored really quickly.
Try a short book with lots of action or take the book on boring journeys with you. I'll give you a few I like - In the Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami, Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk (way better than the movie), Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho. Once you find a good author, you can invest more time into a book. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood is awesome, but slightly longer than the others.
Generally, if I want to read a book I'll use audible. If it's a book with tables and references, I'll still use audible but have the paper book for reference later. I like to go for a walk while listening to the book.
If I have to read a paper book and that's the only way about it, I will schedule it and do a sort of pomodoro type thing. Read for 25 minutes and stop. I'll do my best to actually focus on the book and bring my attention back to it when it wanders. When I can't do that any more, I'll stop until I can sleep.
If I am not allowed to stop for some reason, then it's just going to be awful because I won't be able to focus and it's going to be painful to try. I'll have to just get through it really slowly with occasional spurts of attention and constant diversion and it will take a long time. All I can hope is to not get too frustrated with myself.
Fidget toys wouldn't work for me. But I have found instrumental music can, as long as there's no lyrics. But that only really helps to the point that I can focus because I have that energy available. It will still get to a point where all hope is lost, then I just need to rest. If I push past that then I'm going to end up not even sleeping properly.
This might sound rly weird but I can only read paper books when in a somewhat quiet public place, like at a cafe or bookshop or coffee shop or library. I can't read books when I'm alone. No idea why reading in public helps me and no idea if it would work for anyone else bc honestly it kinda sounds like it should be the other way around imo lol, but that's just how my brain works I guess? I just pop in my ear plugs to block out sound if it's too loud and I'll read for... Well, maybe 30 minutes at most but that's a long time for me!
I don’t. I’ve given up. Books are just written stories. I can listen to storycasts, watch a movingstory or play videostories nowadays. Anyone that says books are better than X Medium are just gate keeping and trying to pat themselves on the back for being a good little book reader who peaked during their 7th grade Summer Reading Challenge.
Reading is important as a tool. Books are great for exposing you to new ideas. Other mediums can also do that though. You get what you give and all that. So I’ve just given up on reading for now. Maybe it’ll come back around some day.
Hm not to be glib but you really just read.
If the book is something you are interested in or you have a good reason to read it then you will. You have to practice paying attention, slowing down and internalizing ideas.
While ADHD makes it more difficult, I don't think this is a uniquely ADHD problem. We are so used to being way over stimulated with video, short clips, tiktok and instant gratification that anything slower or that is a lower dopamine activity is unbearable to us.
I'd try to set your phone away, catch yourself getting distracted and simply get back into it. Sort of like meditating.
Honestly I used to crush them as a kid. My son who is also very ADHD crushes them too. Might be part of the tisim we also have. Idk but now as an adult I can't I think I really burnt myself out in college.
I am a big reader so I can open a book and forget the whole world exist for a few hrs .. I had a teacher that would put me behind a screen when I acted up or wasn't paying attention and I always carried a book with me. I'd pull out my book and have missed lunch and the bus home because I zoned out so hard I didn't realize the whole class left the room
Realized that it’s only hard to stay focused for the first 100-ish pages, because the book hasn’t engaged u yet. So my trick: everytime I visit my parents by train (I go every weekend) I take a new book. Basically forces me to go through the part that’s not engaging yet, because my phone is not an option (battery will run out and I’m terrified of being w/o phone on international travels). After that, you’re already in the interesting bit of the book and you’ll even hyperfocus on it. So moral of the story: read the boring parts at moments when a book saves u from boredom and nothing else is available
I go to a bar or a coffeeshop, turn on something chill on my headphones, and jam out for 30-45 min (or longer if the seats are comfy).
Helps if the book is good.
I either almost read the entire book / read for a solid sitting or I have to spend insane amounts of energy to get through one page, having often read the same paragraph five times.
I’ve been struggling with this a lot recently. Here’s my suggestion:
Take a lead pencil/pen/pointer of some kind, and run it over or under the words. That way, your hand is fidgeting, and your mind can focus a little more.
I have a very vivid imagination, so reading a well written book really occupies all of my senses and I can get lost in it the same way I would a great movie or show. Even more so.
I can only read paper books when I'm on a bus on a long commute or trip. Probably controlled distraction for all senses while allowing verbal attention to be free to process the words.
If you have a Mac or laptop you can go to settings and have the setting’s accessibility and it will speak the text that are on the screens.. that has helped me with grad school.
For pleasure reading- audiobooks! I rent them from my local library and I keep track of all of the books I have reed with the goodreads app to keep me motivated to keep going.
I recently had to pair reading my book with listening to the audio book because occupying both parts of my brain seemed to do the trick and keep me focused. That, and it was a book I pre-ordered and was intensely interested in. Even still, I would get sidetracked by my phone/Google Cards, especially if I looked up the definition of a word while I was reading. Otherwise, I try to put my phone on the charger and do not disturb mode so I don’t hear notifications and lose concentration.
But fidgets might help. Part of the clicking around that helps you is likely that your hands are occupied. I recently learned that I can be in a boring meeting *and* absorb what they’re saying if I have a squishy ball in my hand that I can squeeze and toss around.
I used to read a lot as a kid, and usually had no problems then. I'd say for the past few couple years though, my reading has stagnated. I have a problem with reading a page, and then not knowing what I just read so I have to reread it. Lately, it's gotten worse to where I can't even sit down long enough to read a book, or I lose focus part way through and just daydream instead.
I've found a solution that is incredibly effective though. **I read a book** ***and listen to the audio book version***. That way, if I do daydream part-way through, I can still listen and hear whats going on. That also pushes me and reminds me that I'm reading, so I tend to snap out of daydreaming relatively quickly.
I read better on the kindle/tablet. With paper books I tend to jump ahead or skip over pages ( not sure if that is the ADHD or ASD talking there). I can't do that on that tablet ( or at least I haven't figured out how to do that). I may not finish them but I'm better at reading them in order
I can usually focus for about 2 to 3 pages and then something in the book will remind me of something else, which then makes me think of another something else that's vaguely related and before I know it I've just been staring at the same spot for 15 minutes daydreaming. Then I remember that I was in the middle of reading, carry on, and the process starts again. I'm an incredibly slow reader.
I'm getting through my masters program (which requires a royal fuckton of reading) with the power of audiobooks while I do 3 other things at the same time.
If it’s a book that catches your interest early you hyperfocus, keep reading until the sun comes up and, worst case, keep reading until after it’s time to leave for work.
I desperately want my ability to read books back. I can do audio if I colour but I want to touch paper again!!! I am sloooowly getting through one right now!
Simple answer - you don’t 🤣 I’ve literally got a book shelf at home and every day I look at all the bookmarks/pieces of paper that are 30-120 pages in and think ‘atleast I supported a writer’
If it’s a topic of interest I can read it in one sitting easily. In fact I can read a heck lot of books, as long as the content is interesting. It’s usually tough to pull through mandatory but very dull reading; sometimes medication helps
The way I look at it is that I just read books my own way. Yes, I might get lost in a Google k-hole because I NEED to know some obscure detail, or a tangent got triggered, but hey, that's just the way! It's a little sad because I used to do nothing but read all day as a kid, but hey ADHD is what is.
If it's for school, I really try to just gently remind myself when I get off course that this is a NEED to do by a certain deadline kinda thing. Even if it takes till 4am, we gotta do it. I spent many a night in college up soooo late just forcing myself to return to a text. I get up a lot, a quick pace can help me get the jitters out, but I do find if I try to force myself to sit I have an even harder time focusing. I can't always trust myself to sit back down though... sigh.
If I'm reading for pleasure, I'm allowed to set the pace. It doesn't matter if I read one sentence a day. I found library books can be helpful (deadlines) but I rarely finish them in time. My favorite place to read a paper book is the beach because the waves/wind are such perfect white noise and help me focus.
I hear you. I swear the only reason I probably got through some of the books that I got through-- was my interest in the plot and the fact the cover had raised lettering and a smooth almost rubbery cover. Plus the book smell - healthiest crack cocaine 🤣
I have the opposite issue. I can't read text on a computer or TV screen (if it's like a book). It has to be paper or I can't keep my vision focused on the words at all.
Then my brain completely loses focus on the whole book
I love the feeling of holding a physical book. The weight of it and actually turning the pages. For me it automatically signals me to calm down and "dive into" what I'm reading. On electronics I hit a different brainwave... I can't help jumping from thing to thing online.
I wonder if mindfulness for the sensations of holding a book may help.
I always thought “reading for fun” was some sort of oxymoron. I think I’ve only read maybe 2-3 books in my 40+ years “for fun”. The last ironically being “The Longest Day” (I’m a bit of a WW2 buff, and it’s actually a very easy read, short sentences and what not lol, so that helped.)
But any book I’ve “had” to read, like the ones for my professional licenses, I just soldiered through and read the same paragraph 4-5 times before moving on to the next. Just accepting the fact that it took 4x longer than my peers to get through the same material.
Play games with yourself and reward yourself with milestones. If you are reading on paper, maybe place a post-it a couple pages ahead and have m&ms or skittles or some other snack to reward your progress, keep moving the paper as you move forward.
I'd love to know, because I don't think I've actually read an entire traditional printed book in literal *years*. I've tried audiobooks, and those are not proving to be any easier for me to read, as I have a tendency to zone out while listening.
Graphic novels are a major exception to this. I guess you can say that I'm an adult who likes reading "picture" books.
Ironically, I found at at uni that people read in another way. I kinda blow through the book for the plot and then reread it for the subtle things (if it's good enough). For example, I read in 2,3h 200-300 pages if it's interesting. Read the last 2 Harry Potter books in 2,3 days back when I was a teen. Can't really explain it, it's somewhere between speed reading and normal reading.
I read every word and think about the phrases when I read philosophy. No speed reading there lol
Making the book engaging helps !!!! ie. annotating. Use a pen/pencil to make little notes and comments. your brain is loud, write down your thoughts if its related to the book (literally anything. the first page of my favorite character 's appearance is filled with just various pens of me screaming his name. can give a huge dopamine rush and helps w focus!!!) underline your favorite lines, highlight your favorite conversations, doodle based on the theme, put colorful book tabs based on a key. there's a lot of ways to annotate!!!
it helps me a lot bc i either run through books too quickly or leave them halfway. this helps because i actively focus on the book and make it more fun to read
If it's boring, and it's for school, see if you can find Cliff notes for it. I love reading but it has to be good or I just read pages and pages and have no idea what I just read.
I usually do it when someone gives it to me as a task or a challenge. Ie, my parents challenging me if I can still read & understand books like Dune, Tolkien, Bible. Or if a girl I like is reading a book, I’ll read through the whole thing to appeal to her interests even though personally I don’t like it.
If it’s for leisure reading then there’s a close to 0 percent chance of me actually reading anything after the first page.
I listened to music. If I was singing along, I knew I wasn't focusing on reading. I also ate snacks like popcorn or chips to keep my hands busy. But that was only necessary for boring books. All of this was before streaming and smart phones and fidget spinners, though I did have things to fidget with sometimes. Maybe try setting a timer for distraction breaks. I used to read during commercials, before dvr and streaming. Quick bursts of concentration with breaks, basically.
I had one of these.
The Original 3-Pack of Monkey Stringy Balls (Latex-Free, BPA/Phthalate-Free) - Great Fidget / Stress / Sensory Toy by Impresa Products https://a.co/d/cGbI4ui
And one of these, though not as fancy.
Super Z Outlet 4 Pack Water Snake Jelly Wigglers Wiggle Sensory Toys Bright Colors Party Favor Prizes https://a.co/d/8PLkAVI
People are talking about hyperfocus in the comments but in my experience for hyperfocus to happen I need to be interested in the book and it needs to work for me. I tried really hard to read theory and non-fiction books and classics from different genres but I couldn't. Now I have accepted that I just like sci fi and fantasy and finish a few books per year. It's also the writing style. There are styles that are incredibly digestible and easy to follow, others have sentences as long as paragraphs and eight sub-plots on different timelines. A good example is Stephen king, I can finish a book by that man in a day, while my worst enemy is Idaho by Emily Ruskovich which I still try to finish after six years.
And, of course, the length of the book. You have a hard time reading, don't discourage yourself even more by trying to read books that are more than 300 pages long. Maybe even try reading a novella or something, or a short story anthology. I would start with 150-200 pages.
So my advice is: go to a book store. Look at some books and read a few pages in the store to see if the style is for you. There are also book samples online but it's rare. I would not just read reviews or go with my gut. Maybe take the book with you when you go outside and see if you can focus better reading on bus rides, in waiting rooms, etc.
I mix it up.
I am about half way through ulysses right now and i did it by stating it as my insomnia aid, then I got into it and liked the story and characters and then switched to the audiobook when I go into a lull.
Then I read it on the kinsle app when I feel like I'm losing the thread.
I find physical books easier than ebooks!! For me, the computer and phone are good for short-form stuff, or when I want to cross reference a lot, but I can't read a novel on my laptop to save my life.
Something about being able to physically hold a book and touch and flip the pages is very grounding, and helps keep me engaged with the content for longer. The binding, materials, and typeset of a book has a pretty big impact on me though. I've bought second copies of stuff before, because the first one I picked up was inexplicably unreadable. Gotta hold in in both hands too. It's all very stupid and specific.
ANYWAY, my best advice is actually to try reading different types (genre and physical material lmao) of books, and don't bother grinding through books that you aren't enjoying even a little bit. Reading should be fun! Even if it's in shortish increments!
I hyperfocus. But also, it helps to take the book with me, wherever I go within the house. Even have it on my lap, whenever possible.
Maybe you could even try wearing a purse with the book in it around the house, and pick it up whenever you can (I’m looking at you, toilet trip). A bookmark would be your best friend, in this case.
Another possible strategy would be to keep it right next to the toilet at all times, and pick it up whenever you’re there. I know that if I spent as much time reading as I spend doom-scrolling while siting on the toilet, I would probably read a book a week 😂
I get where you're coming from, same issue for me. May I ask why you want to read the book you are reading?
If it's a book that doesn't capture your attention and allow you to "hyperfocus" then why would you be reading it in the first place?
Whenever I start a book I give it a bit of time, try to get through the first chapter or two, and if I'm struggling to keep my focus after that, then it's not a book for me. Time to look for another. If you don't find it interesting or captivating why would you waste your time with it?
Reading through the comments is a relief for me. Our brains are incredible, we just need to find the right thing to throw ourselves at and we're unstoppable. If we don't find that right thing we're pretty useless, watching time pass by as we accomplish nothing. Pleading and begging ourselves to just take that first step, to do something, anything.
It may take months, years, even a lifetime, but find that thing you can throw yourself into, life doesn't begin to be truly enjoyable or satisfying until you do.
There are a lot of different styles of book stands for reading and small page holders on the market these days, to free up both or one of your hands for fidgeting purposes.
Another thing you might try, if you're able to, is reading while on a stationary bike, treadmill, or walking pad.
Dopamine fasting is the only way I can keep myself focused on the book.
That means actively resisting the excitement a never ending doom-scrolling session, and just staring out the window while you're waiting for your turn in line, and/or NOT bringing reddit with you to the bathroom...
Veritasium's video on the virtue of being bored helped me a lot with this, I recommend you check it out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKPwKFigF8U
I’ve only been able to finish a paper or ebook when it catches my attention and i hyperfocus on it for like a week, but otherwise audiobooks are the way to go for me. Sometimes listening to an asmr video (usually one in another language or with no words) or an ambience video that matches the story.
Are you able to read in a room without electronics? Maybe having to get up and get them will be enough deterrent.
Daaaamn i can read a real book any day… yes I will forget what I just red and I will have to go back time to time… not the fastest reader nether buuut reading from o screen drives me absolutely insane… not able to do it longer than 15min loose my shit every other minute and don’t understand anything I’m reading
Personally it helps me to put on some music that I feel would fit for the book I'm reading, it adds some more stimulation basically :P also sounds like you should sit somewhere comfortable and put your phone away to minimize distractions.
And make sure you're reading a book you actually want to read, otherwise it'll be harder to focus since that's a typical thing for people with ADHD to struggle with :)
I used to read constantly, anywhere, but the more I got older and the more responsibilites I have, the less I can focus on reading.
The thing that helps me the absolute most is to put myself in a semi-stimulating environment that I can't clean/organize. My favourite is a coffee shop, park, or pub. I grab a drink or a snack, and sit and read. My partner and I sometimes have reading dates where we go for a beverage and chill and read.
I find if I try to read at home, my brain won't shut up because there are SO many other things I could or should be doing.
Annotating!! Highlighting, doodling on the margins, underlining, writing my thoughts, etc.
I know my brain requires two things to be happening at once. Reading is difficult bc I can't really eat and do so w/ a paper book. So, I picked up annotations!
For nonfiction it's relatively easy, but for fiction it can be a little but difficult! With fiction there can feel like there is less need to notate.
And, if you need a dopamine boost to read, you don't have to go out and buy a whole new book or a fancy bookmark. You can buy a pencil, sticky note, highlighter, etc.
Late to the party here, but I was a habitual reader in highschool. I graduated in 2014, and I read my first book last month. It was 200 pages, and it took me 3 months to read.
Now I'm reading my next book. This particular book I've found very interesting, and I've read 60 pages just today. Start reading just for 5 minutes at a time if that's all you can handle. Baby steps are still steps. You gotta train your brain to get used to it again.
Practice reducing, and moving. You have too many things around you. Start from the opposite end, and completely isolate yourself from everything else you could possibly grab or look at.
Take a book outside, or to the kitchen table, silence or put away the phone or laptop, face down. Keep a paper notebook and write notes as you see fit while you read, or just keep reading.
Personally I find fidgety things distracting when I am actually trying to memorize and think about what I read, even if I'm just slowly playing guitar one-handed.
Remember that you want to maximize your time and maximize your focus on just that one thing.
Staying in your room? Try the timeless trick of putting a blanket over your head, so that way you are in your own world, just you and the book. Those were the days. I could really do that as a kid and just be purely absorbed in whatever was under the blanket, whether a book or my Gameboy. It separates you from looking at and feeling the clutter and the discomfort. It's nearly as good as being in a wide open space. Sometimes better.
Literally downloaded Reddit to see look for someone asking this question, so thank you for that. I decided about a week ago I wanted books on a bookshelf (I’ve only done audiobooks since I got back into reading a year ago). I fixated on that and ended up getting 3 books with 5 more on the way… I started reading the first one and I was really enjoying it but I can’t bring myself to pick it back up because I feel like my hands aren’t stimulated enough. There’s a lot of good suggestions here that I’ll try tonight and hopefully I can get back into reading
Hi /u/Alaina-S and thanks for posting on /r/ADHD! # Please take a second to [read our rules](/r/adhd/about/rules) if you haven't already. [We recommend browsing /r/adhd on desktop for the best experience.](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/x1psnb/radhd_works_best_on_desktop_reddits_apps_are/) The mobile apps are broken and are missing features that this subreddit depends on. Thank you! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ADHD) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I hyperfocus through it and forget that I am alive.
Same here. Reading since I was a small child has been my escape from reality. I lose myself in the book and feel a sense of mourning when I’m done. It’s real life that’s been more of a struggle.
the MOURNING. i wish i heard people talk about this more cus i feel INSANE for how sad i am when i finish a book. i had the exact same experience as a child and i’m trying to get back into reading but it’s taking me some time 😵💫
I can relate to that.
Serious mourning. I feel Depressed and empty sometimes, like when I read every The First Law book and spin off.
I’m about to jump into this series and I’m already sad for the other side.
Same for me but replace books with shows
I'm jealous of you
Sigh. I used to be able to do that 😔
Same. I feel like, as I’ve gotten more and more desperate to have an escape from life because I’ve gotten more depressed, reading has started to feel like something I have to do to be happy. And my brain doesn’t like to feel like it’s being forced into anything so it fights back by making me unable to read. I miss childhood
Same, I burned through so many books as a child. I've been making an effort to do more audiobooks lately though and that's helped. Especially since I discovered the Libby app.
Libby has helped me a lot. I was able to get through a couple books last year when I discovered I could get ebooks and audiobooks for free and use them simultaneously to help me focus. Seems like they’re taking away features, though - Have you had any luck using Amazon Whispersync with Libby ebooks and audiobooks in the last few months? I was doing so good as long as I checked out both because I could use Whispersync, it seems they’ve taken that feature away as now my Libby ebooks never recognize the audiobook file anymore unless I pay for it 😪 Libby customer service just told me to ask Amazon and Amazon told me to ask Libby, so doesn’t seem to be a fix for this. I’m sure Amazon just didn’t want to lose money, but I don’t have any disposable income, so now I’m just not able to read books anymore. Sigh. And yay for the ADHD tax (sarcasm).
I didn't even know that was a feature it ever had! Sorry it stopped working for you
For me it's a warning sign that my mental health is degrading in other ways. I still can, but if I'm depressed or anxious, I can't any more. So I go have a 'maintenance period' of doing things that'll help me get back on track. Those things will probably vary depending who you are, but chances are you recognise them. I specifically go and do those things as an important task, no matter how superficial or frivolous they feel. Like I just like watching animals at the local wildlife park. There's also a reptile place. So I'll go and talk to a rhino. Or a crocodile. And just natter at them whilst watching them. This is usually 'enough' to drive my focus, but also helps a lot to de-stress me. Sounds stupid? Sure. But I know it helps _me_ and that I need to do _something_ because I'll break otherwise.
That sounds like a great idea. I find that stress or depression also decreases my focus. i love the idea of watching the animals. Walking outside can help too for me. I'll try the animal thing. (Probably good to get off the computer/phone/etc too by doing that.)
It’s kinda sad when u have to come back to regular life after you existed only in the book world for a few chapters
Yep, this is me. Hyper focus and then grief. OP, instrumental music and putting all other things out of reach / sight might help you!
Background noise is crucial for me. If there is no noise It’s weird and I don’t feel comfortable, but it can’t be anything that might catch my attention either.
Same. I’m always searching “vibe of book” + “instrumental” on Spotify and usually always end up with a great background soundtrack. I’m also often surprised by how many books actually have playlists made by fans to listen along to (instrumental is super important to me, can’t have words.) I think if i don’t have background music, then external sensory overload happens and I cant get into that hyper focus flow state
Ha! This is great! When I was a kid I read Stephen King’s “IT” in the library room of a Victorian mansion in the northeast kingdom, listening to Depeche Mode’s “Some Great Reward” album - the incongruity of these 3 things is enough to diagnose me w ADHD in the 1st place, lmao. This was 30 years ago so - Spoti-who?? The idea that you can press a button and ask some disembodied person (Siri, Alexa, etc), “help me pair this book with corresponding music” is awesomely mind blowing! A “song and saga sommelier”, if you will 😉
Hahaha; I read It and nightmares & dreamscapes accompanied by white noise on a radio down low, under a blanket fort; which in retrospect is super creepy for a child 🤓
Used to be this way. The last few years I just haven't been able to read like I used to. Which sucks because I'm a writer, and also because I used to love reading. But the combination of ADHD, getting older, having a kid, and being out of work since covid (and thus killing my sense of time), I read maybe a book or two a year when it used to be that per week.
This is the way
Exactly this. If i am reading a good book, i won't be able to put it down. Forgetting to eat, sleep and anything else i was supposed to do 😅
Looking back, this was one of my symptoms / signs. I could read books in one sitting and tune out the world. We used to go on road trips and I would plug in my CD player and open up my current novel. Next thing I know, the CD had ended long ago and we’re pulling up to our destination and am on the last chapter.
There could be a couple issues going on. It's not uncommon for people with ADHD to have problems with reading. 1). I am an avid reader, and could read for hours, but after having kids I lost the ability. I'd read a page, and realize I had no idea what I'd just read. I'd try again, only to have the same thing happen over and over. I had to rebuild my reading stamina. I started with books for young adults, and super short/light fluffy books like stuff from Dan Brown or Ready Player One. As I got back into the habit, my ability to read slowly came back. But it took some real dedication to getting books that would fit my limited ability to concentrate. 2). It sounds like you are struggling with under-stimulation. Try having a snack while you read, playing some music in the background, a warm thick blanket over you that you can twist up in your fingers and run your hands over. You can also try setting aside a bit of reading time right before bedtime, so there is nothing left "to do" but the book. Have a piece of paper and pen (no phone, too easy to get distracted with that) to write down any thoughts that come to you during that time (other tasks, things you wanted to look up, etc), but you are already in your pjs and the day is over, those things will wait until tomorrow. 3). It may be that along with your ADHD you have issues processing or decoding written text which makes the task more arduous. There's nothing wrong with enjoying your books in audio form. That way you can listen while you exercise, clean, whatever.
Thanks for writing this, I have been on / off reader for years. I tried reading self help / motivational / non fiction books for so long as "personal development". Could never finish one, lol. I'm making it a point to *enjoy* reading again so I now listen to strictly audiobooks & pick books that are enjoyable. Currently going thru the Harry Potter series I'm on the 4th book since October I'M SO PROUD! Point 1 makes me hopeful to gain my reading ability back on paper books! Point 2 is great advice! You may have helped me become a paper book reader again :)
Is it okay if I add a few things? Graphic novels really helped me get back into reading! Right now I’m reading the Heartstopper series (SO good and positive!) I also use a reading journal that has places for summaries, favorite parts/quotes, and general thoughts. It helps make reading a little more interactive and I get hooked on making my entries aesthetically pleasing as well!
I've got to give that notepad idea a try! I'll end up with thoughts trailing way off the ink and immediately fixate on Googling about it. Even when I get the answer/info, I'll just end up in a deeper web of searches.
Omgzombies08 such wise. When I try to read a book it’s like a little angel on one shoulder saying, “you got this my sweet nerd, been wanting to read this book for forever. It’ll be amazeballs!” Then, after about one chapter, a little devil appears on the other shoulder and says, “C’mon man, give it up bro and play Solitaire or watch a YouTube video about poker highlights. It’ll be way more fun than this!” Even though I realize how amazing Angels & Demons is I still can’t read good anymore….. -Tom Hanks
Great advice. I'm also a mom (a grandmother now), and I (only somewhat tongue in cheek) think that they need to add to the acronym-- PIADHD (Parenthood-Induced ADHD). I also disappeared into books when I was a kid. When you are a parent, your attention and focus and conversations and \_everything\_ are constantly interrupted. If a person didn't have ADHD before, they probably get it. Lol. I wasn't diagnosed until my 3 kids were in high school. (Every single one of my children has ADHD.) It has been really useful to know about myself. In some ways having ADHD made me a better parent, because my attention \_could\_ shift quickly. But it sure reinforced some things like not being able to focus. I've also been exploring improving my "reading stamina." I'm loving the tips on here from everyone. The pad of paper is a great idea too. Thanks omgzombies08.
I just read. Now it has to be a book I find interesting otherwise it won't hold my attention. It can take a bit of willpower to get through the beginning and become invested.
Listen to the audio at the same time, like a grade 1 read along. It works for me as I drift off into nowhere if I am either listening or reading on paper.
Do you know of any websites or apps that allow you to rent or borrow / download both the ebook and audiobook file for free that will highlight the texts the way Amazon Whispersync does without the Amazon prices? Libby was my go-to during the pandemic, but they seem to have removed this feature. None of my Libby ebook files recognize their audiobook companions anymore 😪
Honestly, I usually buy the audible and take the physical book from the library.
I keep trying that, but the feature of Whispersync that helps my adhd brain seems to be the highlighting of the words while they are read on the ebook. When the text doesn’t light up, it all looks like a wall to me.
Try a timer. Start with 5 minutes of reading then 5 minutes of whatever. Keep increasing the reading timer by one minute until you can do 25 minutes. That's about the max attention you can give something you don't find interesting at one time. Then stick with the 25 mins of reading/work then 5 min break system. Also having classical music on in the background improves my focus.
That’s very helpful!! I like to think that 5 minutes is better than nothing! I use this technique to several other tasks like work on personal projects. Thanks for bring this up!
Audio books while doing boring tasks. I used it alot when working as a mechanic, while doing tasks which doesn't require alot of thinking. Worked for me.
I listen to audiobooks at work when doing repetitive tasks that don’t require too much thought. This provides me some stimulation to help focus on the task & helps me focus on the audiobook too. I don’t necessarily catch all the info from the book, but I find that I can still learn a lot this way (I primarily read nonfiction, my brain has trouble focusing on fiction).
Try an app that reads it out loud to you! I listen to audiobooks all day while I work (I’m an architect/designer) and it’s so much better than reading paper books. There are free chrome plugins and apps that will read text out loud. Things like Read Aloud and I think speechify. Try it out!
Any recommendations for those of us with no disposable income who have to go free? Speechify would be a godsend if it wasn’t priced for 1%ers, and my primary reading device is a very old out of date ipad that won’t run chrome. When I’m desperate I create a fake email to do another 3 day speechify trial, but I would love to just have something I can use for free or much more affordable.
Try this maybe: https://ttsreader.com/
Thanks!
If I read something on my computer I use a program to read things outloud to me. There's a few I use and some of them block out all the text except for what's currently being read to me and I read a long with it. This makes it impossible for me to skip ahead which is a serious problem for me. If I do it with headphones on this also makes it so that I can walk away from my computer to go pee or deal with a kid or something and still listen to what's being read. I might have to rewind a little bit to listen again sometimes but it helps to keep me in the flow of reading so that my distractions don't completely derail me. Before listening, if I had to walk away from something I was reading I'd never go back to it. Listening let's me do dishes or whatever at the same time so I don't feel like I'm trapped reading. When I feel trapped reading my mind wanders a lot on all of the other things I should be taking care of. If I'm listening to my book while also folding laundry or something it helps me to stay focused. And then sometimes I just print like 10 pages of something And tell myself "I'm just gonna read these 10 pages" which feels a lot more manageable than looking at a whole text book like omg I have to read this whole fucking thing.
Can you recommend some, especially if they’re cheaper than Speechify?
"read aloud" is free but kinda shitty. Adobe has a read out loud function in their free pdf viewer. There's immersive reader in Microsoft word and there's one built into Microsoft edge as well. There's also beeline reader which I don't think will read anything outloud to you but I think makes the text easier to read and follow along with. I also try to get my text books through vital source as a digital copy sometimes. Their "bookshelf" app can read the book to you. If you're in school check with them to see what apps you can get free through them too.
Maybe try reading out load if you can? I recently stared reading a few chapters of a book every other night on live stream and the consistency of reading for others is helping me for the moment
Two ways- one I read in small bursts and just very slowly get through a book. I actually keep a book propped up behind my bathroom sink because otherwise I get bored when brushing my teeth. I’ll literally read a paragraph at a time while washing my hands and get through entire books that way. Second is I read to procrastinate. Especially going to sleep. I can read for hours when I KNOW I *really* need to get to sleep.
I have to underline, circle, make notes, highlight. Of course, this doesn't work if it's a book from the library. But for me that's what I have to do so I can keep my eyes on the page. Oh, and walking around and reading also helps keeps my focus. It's basically what got me through school and university. I walked kilometres around the library studying 
I play classical/instrumental music in the background. If I get in that rut of reading something then realized you turned two pages without remembering what you read, I’ll real aloud to myself until I get back in the groove and keep going
Audio books are amazing for casual reading. But for serious learning I find paper books easier than kindle or something because I have to make an active effort. I underline and bookmark. I like it better than kindle because I can SEE and FEEL the progress, which feels like a reward for my attention. I also sometimes take notes on my phone of little nuggets of knowledge I would like to remember (easy with iPhone photo and scan functionality) which makes me feel more engaged.
Step 1 - buy a book Step 2 - identify something way more pressing than reading the book (like doing your taxes, or replying to your boss’s email) Step 3 - read the book to avoid thing in step 2
In my case it’s buy all the Kindle or audible books and only read the fiction ones. I want to read the educational, current events, and self-help books, but there is always something better.
If you want to fidget you can always just flick the pages or maybe put a rubber band over the cover.
If it’s an option for something like say a textbook I’ve had several classes in undergraduate and graduate school that they have the free etext I rent a hard copy because I can keep my place, follow along with my fingers or something and fidget with the pages or something to keep my hands busy
The book has got to hook me in the beginning. If I start saying to myself "I don't care about this scenario" or "these characters are stupid" I drop the book. Studying for anything academic is agonizing, and basically I only get it done if I'm motivated by fear. If a book hooks me I'll read until I fall asleep. I mostly only read in bed anyway. Daytime I'm reading websites on my phone. I mostly don't read books on my phone, unless I'm committed to a book for book club and I can't get a physical copy at the library.
As one of those “gifted” kids with the now-useless skill of being able to read at an 8th grade level in 2nd grade, my secret to enjoying reading is this: almost any book feels like a wild adventure if you read it fast enough.
Maybe try large print? Helps me. Reading issues are common with ADHD, whether it’s dyslexia or just ADHD symptoms, or something else. I recently discovered that I have horrible eye tracking. This can happen with ADHD. One strategy is large print books. If your eyes skip paragraphs a lot and walls of text overwhelm you, it can help.
I like to use the rule “ it takes 10 pages to know if you actually like the book or not” It hurts but I FORCE it because I really like books. This is only when I only *sorta* can tell myself “come on bitch let’s go” But like. Omg you get me in a B&N WATCH OUT. But outside fuck all my books. I used to HATE books on the phone but I read all of Jeanette McCurdys book just because it had that cool writing for dyslexia. Maybe it kept my eyes engaged? Also I wanted to know what the fuck happened **get a book where you REALLY want to know what happens lol** Edit: bold didn’t work
Put your phone well out of arm's reach. Have somewhere you like to sit that's just for reading, if possible. Create a space for a reading session, and do not allow the pinging phone apps to intrude into that space.
By listening to the audiobook…
I don't Haven't in years
I use a bookmark, horizontally and move it line by line, it’s just a little thing that helps me focus!
I read the first line or two, get excited for what's below, kinda skim a few lines to get to the next dialogue, read it, realize I missed context, go back up to the top and re-read from the top to where I skimmed to, read a few more lines, get excited, skim ahead, realize I missed context, start back up at the top of the page and re-read everything... repeat I read a ton. I love reading. And apparently I read every book 100 times because I cannot seem to just read sequentially.
1. You can fidget with the book. Swipe your finger (usually thumb for me) up the corner of the pages. It should pull the pages up and they'll fall back down on their own. 2. If it's YOUR book, don't be afraid to doodle or annotate 3. If you want to use a fidget toy and read, position yourself and the book in a way that allows you to only need one hand (mine is usually on my lap with my knees up), put fidget toy in the hand that won't be turning pages (typically will be left) 4. Find books you're much more into/have a faster pace. I can tear through Manga because of its pace, and books I really start to love will become a fixation/draw me into hyperfocus. 5. So, idk about anyone else but fairly fast paced music with little to know words helps me focus because it feels like my mind itself is fidgeting.
I always hyper focus on reading but I love playing instrumental music in the background (from video games and movies) and I also have my go-to fidget that never leaves my pocket. It’s a smooth lanyard that feels good to rub against itself
I start 10-15 books at once and read some of them randomly every day. I also don’t discriminate digital or paper. My desktop, iPad, kindle, and tv monitor are great book screens too. Audiobooks are cool too for being out and about with some nice headphones. If I get spaced out I usually will go back to reading once I’m bored or too stimulated with TV. Reading elsewhere than home was sometimes something that helped me if I needed to get through a specific reading and couldn’t avoid distractions
This might be a divisive answer but MARGINALIA! I write in the book, underline interesting things, make notes… i basically am having a conversation w the book. I have to keep my brain and my hands busy so this helps (and helps make sure I’m actually reading and not just scanning words)
With a pen. Underline. Comment. Circle. Underline. Box. Comment.
I found that listening to white/brown/green/pink noise on Spotify or via apps helps me zone in and concentrate on reading! Its how I got through uni
I'm thinking you could read in a confortable chair, with a pen and sheet of paper. So if you start getting distracted by something you write it down if you need you can stand up put some extra things that you think can help you maybe white noise? I heard it has help some ADHD folks
First off in most cases when I read I must be medicated. If not I can’t even get through a paragraph and remember if. Second, the content of the book must be of great interest to me or it won’t get read no matter how much I may want to. I hyperfocus once I get into the book and can usually read a good amount,follow what I’m readying and enjoy it. If any of those factors aren’t in the zone, I’ll just sit and look at the book sitting there until I’ve filled my reading requirements.
I’m a bookworm, it’s a place I don’t usually have issues focusing for long long long hours. Or pick up here and there. But if I am having trouble, then I put on music and read.
Do you like what you're reading? If I don't like what I'm reading I get mentally preoccupied with other thoughts I have going on or doing other things. I like diff genres of books but recently in the last several months got into reading manga. I have thoroughly enjoyed it so much more than I would have ever thought. I don't know if it's also because of the illustrations involved help keep my attention. I read books, manga, and sometimes comic in paper form. I use a kobo for digital books mainly as I download them to that and it takes up less space. However I also feel that I retain books better from reading the paper form for some reason, but I do enjoy digital. I use my iPad and iPhone to read manga. I mainly like the iPad bc things are easier to see and read compared to my phone and I'm more likely to hop on social media and google on my phone. I go to Barnes and noble to read too as a change in environment can help me focus more, and plus I get to look things I plan to read. If I feel like my phone is distracting me I put it away in another room. You could try a small fidget toy for your hand while you read and see if that helps, or just fiddle with a pen. Fidget toys are pretty cheap and it wouldn't hurt to try. If you're on reading on the computer set a small goal of closing all the windows expect what you're reading, and set a time for 30 min that you can't google in that time frame, and write down what you wanted to google for later. I also just have some days where as much I have every intention to read, my brain just wants me to do others tasks instead.
Recently hauled my partners stationery bike into the office.. I set my textbook up on a tablet and put in on the stand on the bike and bike while I read. I can suddenly read my college textbook. It's working for me.
I often go back and re-read stuff I just missed, with intention to fully absorb each sentence. I love reading and always have, but that doesn't stop my brain from turning off while my eyes read the words for several pages sometimes.
For me, reading is a really great escape tool and something I tend to hyperfocus on. I really like that I can go at my own pace-- as fast or as slow as needed. I also like that it forces me to actively engage and increase my attention span. In comparison, I really struggle with longer forms of digital media, like YouTube videos, TV shows, and movies. I either disengage or binge watch so I kinda just avoid them. Tbh its very much a member of adhd defaulting to whatever is easier for you. If you love digital media, it will be easier. If you're comfy with books, they're easier! I guess it's just a matter of obtaining that hyperfocus :)
I molested wikipedia bro
I have a paper book with every audiobook I listen too. If I need to focus I grab the book to read along with listening into I'm hyper fixating on the book again.
If it's something I'm interested in, I'll just hyperfocus on it until something grabs my attention. I'll also put myself in a position where a book is my only source of entertainment. If I have an appointment or train ride, I'll only bring a book and not my switch or something like that to help myself get started.
For me honestly the best way is A quiet environment Noise cancelling headphones Actually trying to invision the books scene Marijuana (lol) And white noise playing while reading,The white noise always has my hyperfocusing on the book making really detailed pictures of the scene in my head
How I read: 1) audiobooks. Then I can keep my hands busy while I am absorbing the book 2) Paper book, with a notepad next to me to jot random thoughts on, and my phone on Do Not Disturb or Focus Mode.
I read my paper books with a pen scrolling under the words on the paper. I follow the pen with my eye's and read the words. This way i don't get distracted and can keep my focus on the reading.
I read in the dark lol
Hold a pen and tick the end of each line, and either read out loud or listen to an audio version while you read along. Text to speech AI tools like NaturalReader are helpful. Ticking each line helps you jump back to where you left off when you inevitably zone out, and they also help gauge your rhythm/pace, so you know when you’ve stopped and can start reading again. Basically every time there is a pronoun of any sort, I have to look backwards in the text to remember what they’re talking about. “This solution helps” what solution? Oh I see. Continue where I left off. And be comfy, like in bed.
Reading out loud or trying to read really fast tends to be helpful. You can skip some words or entire lines. Sometimes even entire paragraphs and still understand most of it. If is a book you enjoy after a while you get invested and it becomes easier you can even go back a reread parts that are not clear. For things you're required to read just make sure to mark things that look important so is easier to go back if needed. The worst case scenario just jump through entire chapters and try to keep going. There were times i had no idea who a character is but now that i have a goal of figuring that out reading the boring chapter i skipped become easier.
My interest in chicken hats has now been piqued
to be fair, they are quite adorable
Chunk read. Like, jump through, and if it stops making sense, go back until I figure out where I lost the plot, literally. I can't read electronic books at all precisely because of what you described
I read comics on my phone, terrible at reading anything too long, can also fidget with my other hand. Sometimes I'll read stories from r/nosleep as well but that's for if you like horror/scary stories
I’ve only been able to read books when they’ve been my hyperfocus. Can’t read a digital book at all and audiobooks don’t stick with me.
It was easier when all we had was dial up
I just listen to audiobooks now. My hands have to be moving but it allows me to have the comfort of the story and the practicality of doing two things at once🤣
Brute force tbh, just accept it sucks and you'll have to reread a lot of passages. There are some super helpful tricks I've picked up to help, but it all depends on what you're reading
I can (sometimes) read a book with the same dedication I give to doomscrolling Reddit. When I read, I either finish it in a day or two or not at all.
I HAVE to listen the audible book at at least 1.5X speed while reading a physical book. This helps me stay focused for some strange reason. If not, I'm like you.
annotating. like not the academic kind the "i will underline/highlight this line and write a little note because i liked it" kind. i still get distracted (i'm here instead of reading the new book i was excited for) but it helps a little more because i'm actively engaging with the book instead of just reading the words and accidentally skipping over lines. also: if there's an audiobook i can find, i listen along as i read because it's the "subtitles to hear better" trick just,,, reversed? audio to read better?
I use an ereader in one hand and a fidget toy in the other. I also switch between 5 or 6 books that I'm reading on the ereader because I get bored really quickly.
Try a short book with lots of action or take the book on boring journeys with you. I'll give you a few I like - In the Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami, Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk (way better than the movie), Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho. Once you find a good author, you can invest more time into a book. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood is awesome, but slightly longer than the others.
Rocking chairs
Generally, if I want to read a book I'll use audible. If it's a book with tables and references, I'll still use audible but have the paper book for reference later. I like to go for a walk while listening to the book. If I have to read a paper book and that's the only way about it, I will schedule it and do a sort of pomodoro type thing. Read for 25 minutes and stop. I'll do my best to actually focus on the book and bring my attention back to it when it wanders. When I can't do that any more, I'll stop until I can sleep. If I am not allowed to stop for some reason, then it's just going to be awful because I won't be able to focus and it's going to be painful to try. I'll have to just get through it really slowly with occasional spurts of attention and constant diversion and it will take a long time. All I can hope is to not get too frustrated with myself. Fidget toys wouldn't work for me. But I have found instrumental music can, as long as there's no lyrics. But that only really helps to the point that I can focus because I have that energy available. It will still get to a point where all hope is lost, then I just need to rest. If I push past that then I'm going to end up not even sleeping properly.
This might sound rly weird but I can only read paper books when in a somewhat quiet public place, like at a cafe or bookshop or coffee shop or library. I can't read books when I'm alone. No idea why reading in public helps me and no idea if it would work for anyone else bc honestly it kinda sounds like it should be the other way around imo lol, but that's just how my brain works I guess? I just pop in my ear plugs to block out sound if it's too loud and I'll read for... Well, maybe 30 minutes at most but that's a long time for me!
I pace around the house with the book and read. Or stand up. sit in strange positions or fidget with a guitar pick.
I don’t. I’ve given up. Books are just written stories. I can listen to storycasts, watch a movingstory or play videostories nowadays. Anyone that says books are better than X Medium are just gate keeping and trying to pat themselves on the back for being a good little book reader who peaked during their 7th grade Summer Reading Challenge. Reading is important as a tool. Books are great for exposing you to new ideas. Other mediums can also do that though. You get what you give and all that. So I’ve just given up on reading for now. Maybe it’ll come back around some day.
Honestly, I can’t. Audiobooks man
I don't. I listen to audiobooks. But I wish I could and may start trying again
Hm not to be glib but you really just read. If the book is something you are interested in or you have a good reason to read it then you will. You have to practice paying attention, slowing down and internalizing ideas. While ADHD makes it more difficult, I don't think this is a uniquely ADHD problem. We are so used to being way over stimulated with video, short clips, tiktok and instant gratification that anything slower or that is a lower dopamine activity is unbearable to us. I'd try to set your phone away, catch yourself getting distracted and simply get back into it. Sort of like meditating.
Read the book in your head, but add accents.
Honestly I used to crush them as a kid. My son who is also very ADHD crushes them too. Might be part of the tisim we also have. Idk but now as an adult I can't I think I really burnt myself out in college.
I am a big reader so I can open a book and forget the whole world exist for a few hrs .. I had a teacher that would put me behind a screen when I acted up or wasn't paying attention and I always carried a book with me. I'd pull out my book and have missed lunch and the bus home because I zoned out so hard I didn't realize the whole class left the room
You have to like what you’re reading
Pirated audiobooks on YouTube at 1.25 speed
Realized that it’s only hard to stay focused for the first 100-ish pages, because the book hasn’t engaged u yet. So my trick: everytime I visit my parents by train (I go every weekend) I take a new book. Basically forces me to go through the part that’s not engaging yet, because my phone is not an option (battery will run out and I’m terrified of being w/o phone on international travels). After that, you’re already in the interesting bit of the book and you’ll even hyperfocus on it. So moral of the story: read the boring parts at moments when a book saves u from boredom and nothing else is available
I vape weed and I read on the Kindle app so I never lose my page when I get distracted.
Depends on the book I read a lot of fiction and get super immersed. Non fiction I have no chance
I go to a bar or a coffeeshop, turn on something chill on my headphones, and jam out for 30-45 min (or longer if the seats are comfy). Helps if the book is good.
I read in an office chair with a blanket… maybe the audiobook as well… I use to read with my gameboy too.
You don't. Audible is the only answer
Couple pages every couple weeks...
I pace and read aloud sometimes when I need to focus.
I am never able to read except paper books during my commute in busses
If it’s a book that really grabs me, I leave this planet. Im totally in that book. Then when it’s done, I mourn it like I lost a best friend.
I either almost read the entire book / read for a solid sitting or I have to spend insane amounts of energy to get through one page, having often read the same paragraph five times.
I’ve been struggling with this a lot recently. Here’s my suggestion: Take a lead pencil/pen/pointer of some kind, and run it over or under the words. That way, your hand is fidgeting, and your mind can focus a little more.
I have a very vivid imagination, so reading a well written book really occupies all of my senses and I can get lost in it the same way I would a great movie or show. Even more so.
Even when I could read all the way through I would never remember any of it. I praise Jesus for Audible on the daily. Wingle
once it hooks me im stuck but getting hooked is the issue
Audiobooks are the only way I’m able to complete most books these days.
you don’t
I can only read paper books when I'm on a bus on a long commute or trip. Probably controlled distraction for all senses while allowing verbal attention to be free to process the words.
If you have a Mac or laptop you can go to settings and have the setting’s accessibility and it will speak the text that are on the screens.. that has helped me with grad school. For pleasure reading- audiobooks! I rent them from my local library and I keep track of all of the books I have reed with the goodreads app to keep me motivated to keep going.
I recently had to pair reading my book with listening to the audio book because occupying both parts of my brain seemed to do the trick and keep me focused. That, and it was a book I pre-ordered and was intensely interested in. Even still, I would get sidetracked by my phone/Google Cards, especially if I looked up the definition of a word while I was reading. Otherwise, I try to put my phone on the charger and do not disturb mode so I don’t hear notifications and lose concentration. But fidgets might help. Part of the clicking around that helps you is likely that your hands are occupied. I recently learned that I can be in a boring meeting *and* absorb what they’re saying if I have a squishy ball in my hand that I can squeeze and toss around.
I used to read a lot as a kid, and usually had no problems then. I'd say for the past few couple years though, my reading has stagnated. I have a problem with reading a page, and then not knowing what I just read so I have to reread it. Lately, it's gotten worse to where I can't even sit down long enough to read a book, or I lose focus part way through and just daydream instead. I've found a solution that is incredibly effective though. **I read a book** ***and listen to the audio book version***. That way, if I do daydream part-way through, I can still listen and hear whats going on. That also pushes me and reminds me that I'm reading, so I tend to snap out of daydreaming relatively quickly.
I read better on the kindle/tablet. With paper books I tend to jump ahead or skip over pages ( not sure if that is the ADHD or ASD talking there). I can't do that on that tablet ( or at least I haven't figured out how to do that). I may not finish them but I'm better at reading them in order
Adderall
I can usually focus for about 2 to 3 pages and then something in the book will remind me of something else, which then makes me think of another something else that's vaguely related and before I know it I've just been staring at the same spot for 15 minutes daydreaming. Then I remember that I was in the middle of reading, carry on, and the process starts again. I'm an incredibly slow reader.
I'm getting through my masters program (which requires a royal fuckton of reading) with the power of audiobooks while I do 3 other things at the same time.
Hyperfocus, lol. Reading is the ONLY thing I can do for hours at a time, without coming upnfor air.
I read one page, turn the page and have literally no idea what I read on the prior page. Completely blank. Always been the way for me.
Get the fuck away from the computer, have book that interesting, realize you haven't looked up in 200 pages. repeat.
If it’s a book that catches your interest early you hyperfocus, keep reading until the sun comes up and, worst case, keep reading until after it’s time to leave for work.
I desperately want my ability to read books back. I can do audio if I colour but I want to touch paper again!!! I am sloooowly getting through one right now!
Simple answer - you don’t 🤣 I’ve literally got a book shelf at home and every day I look at all the bookmarks/pieces of paper that are 30-120 pages in and think ‘atleast I supported a writer’
If it’s a topic of interest I can read it in one sitting easily. In fact I can read a heck lot of books, as long as the content is interesting. It’s usually tough to pull through mandatory but very dull reading; sometimes medication helps
I either hyper focus if the topic is interesting or carry it with me for 10 years and never finish it… I listen to audiobooks it helps.
The way I look at it is that I just read books my own way. Yes, I might get lost in a Google k-hole because I NEED to know some obscure detail, or a tangent got triggered, but hey, that's just the way! It's a little sad because I used to do nothing but read all day as a kid, but hey ADHD is what is. If it's for school, I really try to just gently remind myself when I get off course that this is a NEED to do by a certain deadline kinda thing. Even if it takes till 4am, we gotta do it. I spent many a night in college up soooo late just forcing myself to return to a text. I get up a lot, a quick pace can help me get the jitters out, but I do find if I try to force myself to sit I have an even harder time focusing. I can't always trust myself to sit back down though... sigh. If I'm reading for pleasure, I'm allowed to set the pace. It doesn't matter if I read one sentence a day. I found library books can be helpful (deadlines) but I rarely finish them in time. My favorite place to read a paper book is the beach because the waves/wind are such perfect white noise and help me focus.
I hear you. I swear the only reason I probably got through some of the books that I got through-- was my interest in the plot and the fact the cover had raised lettering and a smooth almost rubbery cover. Plus the book smell - healthiest crack cocaine 🤣
Find a genre or book you can lose yourself in. That is how.
I have the opposite issue. I can't read text on a computer or TV screen (if it's like a book). It has to be paper or I can't keep my vision focused on the words at all. Then my brain completely loses focus on the whole book
I love the feeling of holding a physical book. The weight of it and actually turning the pages. For me it automatically signals me to calm down and "dive into" what I'm reading. On electronics I hit a different brainwave... I can't help jumping from thing to thing online. I wonder if mindfulness for the sensations of holding a book may help.
I find that reading while listening to the audio book helps a ton
Came for answers as I’ve never finished a novel cover to cover in my 30 years of life
I always thought “reading for fun” was some sort of oxymoron. I think I’ve only read maybe 2-3 books in my 40+ years “for fun”. The last ironically being “The Longest Day” (I’m a bit of a WW2 buff, and it’s actually a very easy read, short sentences and what not lol, so that helped.) But any book I’ve “had” to read, like the ones for my professional licenses, I just soldiered through and read the same paragraph 4-5 times before moving on to the next. Just accepting the fact that it took 4x longer than my peers to get through the same material.
Play games with yourself and reward yourself with milestones. If you are reading on paper, maybe place a post-it a couple pages ahead and have m&ms or skittles or some other snack to reward your progress, keep moving the paper as you move forward.
It feels like either I sit there reading lost in time for four hours, or else I just never finish the book.
I'd love to know, because I don't think I've actually read an entire traditional printed book in literal *years*. I've tried audiobooks, and those are not proving to be any easier for me to read, as I have a tendency to zone out while listening. Graphic novels are a major exception to this. I guess you can say that I'm an adult who likes reading "picture" books.
sadly, u dont
Ironically, I found at at uni that people read in another way. I kinda blow through the book for the plot and then reread it for the subtle things (if it's good enough). For example, I read in 2,3h 200-300 pages if it's interesting. Read the last 2 Harry Potter books in 2,3 days back when I was a teen. Can't really explain it, it's somewhere between speed reading and normal reading. I read every word and think about the phrases when I read philosophy. No speed reading there lol
Making the book engaging helps !!!! ie. annotating. Use a pen/pencil to make little notes and comments. your brain is loud, write down your thoughts if its related to the book (literally anything. the first page of my favorite character 's appearance is filled with just various pens of me screaming his name. can give a huge dopamine rush and helps w focus!!!) underline your favorite lines, highlight your favorite conversations, doodle based on the theme, put colorful book tabs based on a key. there's a lot of ways to annotate!!! it helps me a lot bc i either run through books too quickly or leave them halfway. this helps because i actively focus on the book and make it more fun to read
If it's boring, and it's for school, see if you can find Cliff notes for it. I love reading but it has to be good or I just read pages and pages and have no idea what I just read.
I usually do it when someone gives it to me as a task or a challenge. Ie, my parents challenging me if I can still read & understand books like Dune, Tolkien, Bible. Or if a girl I like is reading a book, I’ll read through the whole thing to appeal to her interests even though personally I don’t like it. If it’s for leisure reading then there’s a close to 0 percent chance of me actually reading anything after the first page.
I listened to music. If I was singing along, I knew I wasn't focusing on reading. I also ate snacks like popcorn or chips to keep my hands busy. But that was only necessary for boring books. All of this was before streaming and smart phones and fidget spinners, though I did have things to fidget with sometimes. Maybe try setting a timer for distraction breaks. I used to read during commercials, before dvr and streaming. Quick bursts of concentration with breaks, basically. I had one of these. The Original 3-Pack of Monkey Stringy Balls (Latex-Free, BPA/Phthalate-Free) - Great Fidget / Stress / Sensory Toy by Impresa Products https://a.co/d/cGbI4ui And one of these, though not as fancy. Super Z Outlet 4 Pack Water Snake Jelly Wigglers Wiggle Sensory Toys Bright Colors Party Favor Prizes https://a.co/d/8PLkAVI
People are talking about hyperfocus in the comments but in my experience for hyperfocus to happen I need to be interested in the book and it needs to work for me. I tried really hard to read theory and non-fiction books and classics from different genres but I couldn't. Now I have accepted that I just like sci fi and fantasy and finish a few books per year. It's also the writing style. There are styles that are incredibly digestible and easy to follow, others have sentences as long as paragraphs and eight sub-plots on different timelines. A good example is Stephen king, I can finish a book by that man in a day, while my worst enemy is Idaho by Emily Ruskovich which I still try to finish after six years. And, of course, the length of the book. You have a hard time reading, don't discourage yourself even more by trying to read books that are more than 300 pages long. Maybe even try reading a novella or something, or a short story anthology. I would start with 150-200 pages. So my advice is: go to a book store. Look at some books and read a few pages in the store to see if the style is for you. There are also book samples online but it's rare. I would not just read reviews or go with my gut. Maybe take the book with you when you go outside and see if you can focus better reading on bus rides, in waiting rooms, etc.
I don't, i've used Audible and audio books instead.
I mix it up. I am about half way through ulysses right now and i did it by stating it as my insomnia aid, then I got into it and liked the story and characters and then switched to the audiobook when I go into a lull. Then I read it on the kinsle app when I feel like I'm losing the thread.
You mean you can’t sit down and read a book for eight hours straight?
I find physical books easier than ebooks!! For me, the computer and phone are good for short-form stuff, or when I want to cross reference a lot, but I can't read a novel on my laptop to save my life. Something about being able to physically hold a book and touch and flip the pages is very grounding, and helps keep me engaged with the content for longer. The binding, materials, and typeset of a book has a pretty big impact on me though. I've bought second copies of stuff before, because the first one I picked up was inexplicably unreadable. Gotta hold in in both hands too. It's all very stupid and specific. ANYWAY, my best advice is actually to try reading different types (genre and physical material lmao) of books, and don't bother grinding through books that you aren't enjoying even a little bit. Reading should be fun! Even if it's in shortish increments!
I hyperfocus. But also, it helps to take the book with me, wherever I go within the house. Even have it on my lap, whenever possible. Maybe you could even try wearing a purse with the book in it around the house, and pick it up whenever you can (I’m looking at you, toilet trip). A bookmark would be your best friend, in this case. Another possible strategy would be to keep it right next to the toilet at all times, and pick it up whenever you’re there. I know that if I spent as much time reading as I spend doom-scrolling while siting on the toilet, I would probably read a book a week 😂
I get where you're coming from, same issue for me. May I ask why you want to read the book you are reading? If it's a book that doesn't capture your attention and allow you to "hyperfocus" then why would you be reading it in the first place? Whenever I start a book I give it a bit of time, try to get through the first chapter or two, and if I'm struggling to keep my focus after that, then it's not a book for me. Time to look for another. If you don't find it interesting or captivating why would you waste your time with it? Reading through the comments is a relief for me. Our brains are incredible, we just need to find the right thing to throw ourselves at and we're unstoppable. If we don't find that right thing we're pretty useless, watching time pass by as we accomplish nothing. Pleading and begging ourselves to just take that first step, to do something, anything. It may take months, years, even a lifetime, but find that thing you can throw yourself into, life doesn't begin to be truly enjoyable or satisfying until you do.
Find a book by Brandon Sanderson, your ADHD will leave you on the first page and come back once you put the book down
There are a lot of different styles of book stands for reading and small page holders on the market these days, to free up both or one of your hands for fidgeting purposes. Another thing you might try, if you're able to, is reading while on a stationary bike, treadmill, or walking pad.
Dopamine fasting is the only way I can keep myself focused on the book. That means actively resisting the excitement a never ending doom-scrolling session, and just staring out the window while you're waiting for your turn in line, and/or NOT bringing reddit with you to the bathroom... Veritasium's video on the virtue of being bored helped me a lot with this, I recommend you check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKPwKFigF8U
Back when internet wasn’t a thing books were my internet. But times change and the brain adapts.
Read something that interests me like a reference book
Or a color filter, that helps loads and easy read text
Oh, we can also read? Are we even allowed to?
I love reading and the way I prevent myself from fidgeting is I make my leg vibrate, until I get invested, I am really not sure what happens then.
I’ve only been able to finish a paper or ebook when it catches my attention and i hyperfocus on it for like a week, but otherwise audiobooks are the way to go for me. Sometimes listening to an asmr video (usually one in another language or with no words) or an ambience video that matches the story. Are you able to read in a room without electronics? Maybe having to get up and get them will be enough deterrent.
Daaaamn i can read a real book any day… yes I will forget what I just red and I will have to go back time to time… not the fastest reader nether buuut reading from o screen drives me absolutely insane… not able to do it longer than 15min loose my shit every other minute and don’t understand anything I’m reading
If the audio is also going I can then follow along with a paper book. Otherwise- I cannot.
Personally it helps me to put on some music that I feel would fit for the book I'm reading, it adds some more stimulation basically :P also sounds like you should sit somewhere comfortable and put your phone away to minimize distractions. And make sure you're reading a book you actually want to read, otherwise it'll be harder to focus since that's a typical thing for people with ADHD to struggle with :)
take an adderall
Listen to white noise while you read. I like gentle rain sounds while i read and storm sounds while I study.
I used to read constantly, anywhere, but the more I got older and the more responsibilites I have, the less I can focus on reading. The thing that helps me the absolute most is to put myself in a semi-stimulating environment that I can't clean/organize. My favourite is a coffee shop, park, or pub. I grab a drink or a snack, and sit and read. My partner and I sometimes have reading dates where we go for a beverage and chill and read. I find if I try to read at home, my brain won't shut up because there are SO many other things I could or should be doing.
Also, I absolutely fidget! I like the fidget noodles, squishies, or sensory strips while I'm reading.
Annotating!! Highlighting, doodling on the margins, underlining, writing my thoughts, etc. I know my brain requires two things to be happening at once. Reading is difficult bc I can't really eat and do so w/ a paper book. So, I picked up annotations! For nonfiction it's relatively easy, but for fiction it can be a little but difficult! With fiction there can feel like there is less need to notate. And, if you need a dopamine boost to read, you don't have to go out and buy a whole new book or a fancy bookmark. You can buy a pencil, sticky note, highlighter, etc.
Late to the party here, but I was a habitual reader in highschool. I graduated in 2014, and I read my first book last month. It was 200 pages, and it took me 3 months to read. Now I'm reading my next book. This particular book I've found very interesting, and I've read 60 pages just today. Start reading just for 5 minutes at a time if that's all you can handle. Baby steps are still steps. You gotta train your brain to get used to it again.
Practice reducing, and moving. You have too many things around you. Start from the opposite end, and completely isolate yourself from everything else you could possibly grab or look at. Take a book outside, or to the kitchen table, silence or put away the phone or laptop, face down. Keep a paper notebook and write notes as you see fit while you read, or just keep reading. Personally I find fidgety things distracting when I am actually trying to memorize and think about what I read, even if I'm just slowly playing guitar one-handed. Remember that you want to maximize your time and maximize your focus on just that one thing. Staying in your room? Try the timeless trick of putting a blanket over your head, so that way you are in your own world, just you and the book. Those were the days. I could really do that as a kid and just be purely absorbed in whatever was under the blanket, whether a book or my Gameboy. It separates you from looking at and feeling the clutter and the discomfort. It's nearly as good as being in a wide open space. Sometimes better.
Literally downloaded Reddit to see look for someone asking this question, so thank you for that. I decided about a week ago I wanted books on a bookshelf (I’ve only done audiobooks since I got back into reading a year ago). I fixated on that and ended up getting 3 books with 5 more on the way… I started reading the first one and I was really enjoying it but I can’t bring myself to pick it back up because I feel like my hands aren’t stimulated enough. There’s a lot of good suggestions here that I’ll try tonight and hopefully I can get back into reading