Distractions while reading

[charlatti]

Are you good at tuning out distractions while reading?

My daughter is watching Dinosaur Train and I was trying to get in a few minutes of reading, but I couldn't concentrate. I used to be able to completely zone out from the world around me. My parents and siblings would jokingly talk about me while I was sitting there reading and I wouldn't hear a word. Now I can read in coffee shops or other places with low background noise, but having the TV on bothers me.

[2curlydogs]

I grew up in a large family so I can tune out anything short of someone screaming for me or grabbing at me.

Most nights after the baby is asleep feature me sitting on the couch reading, oblivious to everything else, while H watches tv and pokes about on the computer.

[bluelikejazz]

I'm terrible with distractions. I can only read when it's quiet. I could to schoolwork and stuff at starbucks during college, but never reading. At night I have to turn the tv on mute during commercials if I want to get any reading in and DH wants to watch tv.

Example: I tried reading this week's bit of WH for the discussion today with minimal distractions, and I couldn't tell you what happened. I'm going to have to cheat and go look up the plot online

[PinkSquirrel]

I think it depends on how into the book I'm in. If the book is only ok, I'm far more likely to get distracted. If a book is a page turner, then I can usually zone out tv, music, someone trying to have a conversation with me etc

[duckduck]

For me it varies. I actually have a harder time tuning out the TV than I do other people around me, which is probably weird.

I used to be really good at tuning out distractions while reading, but I've definitely gotten worse.

[Lissa]

I can read while DH is watching tv, looking up if I something catches my attention. I absolutely cannot read while music is on though. Even in HS, I could do my homework with the tv on, but not the radio.

[briedrew]

Jun 13, 2012 9:02:52 GMT -5 PinkSquirrel said:

I think it depends on how into the book I'm in. If the book is only ok, I'm far more likely to get distracted. If a book is a page turner, then I can usually zone out tv, music, someone trying to have a conversation with me etc

This is me too. If I'm really into the story I can tune out everything around me. Lately though that's been harder to do. I'm really easily distracted!

[pooh8402]

I tune everything out pretty well. being mostly deaf helps with that. however... if I purposely leave the book to look something up (I might look up a definition or try to find some background info on wikipedia or something) then I run the risk of being distracted by the internet. that's a major reason why I DON'T read on a tablet, just an e-reader with only wi-fi... I have to actually turn on the internet connection.

how interested I am is another factor.

[imoan]

I'm actually usually pretty good about this... if I'm enjoying the book. If I'm enjoying a book, I can have the tv on full blast, people talking, etc... nothing bothers me. However, while I was reading Don Quixote, EVERYTHING distracted me. I kept making the mistake of taking my iPhone outside with me while I was reading... and I swear every 10 seconds I'd be like "time to see what's going on on Facebook!!!" I eventually had to leave it in the house on purpose so I wouldn't be so tempted.

[apelila]

This is why I can't buckle down and get through Chesapeake! Every little thing distracts me and the few times I'm totally in a mood to read it, I'm usually somewhere I simply CAN'T read, like work. Blah.

[mayflowers22]

I can tune out pretty well if it's a good book. If it's not, I stand no chance.

[whitepicketfence]

I've gotten really good at tuning out distractions while reading. The TV is the most difficult for me though.