I used to be a visualizer. At around the age of 8-12 I could imagine a movie in my mind as I read. Once I read an entire 500 page book, one which was relatively high level for and 8 year old, in a single day. Unfortunantly, I don’t to do that anymore despite being an older, more experienced reader. I slowly push the pages and subvocalize. it takes me a few weeks to read 500 pages. I don’t know what changed my mindset. It’s a lot less satisfying to read this way. Does anyone have tips about how to active a mental movie while reading?

  • rage_bitch@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I’ve had this same issue. Usually it happens after I’ve gotten out of the habit of reading regularly for a while.

    I’m a part time student with a full time job so I don’t always have the time and when summer comes around, sometimes it’s like I have to retrain myself on how to read. But at forst I find myself reading and then realize I need to go back because I don’t remember anything I read.

    Here are a couple suggestions I have that have worked for me.

    • Pick a couple easy reading books in a genre you know you really enjoy. (Easy as in lots of action and less descriptive and wordy.) These stories can be a bit easier to lose yourself in and will help Kickstart your “mental movies” again.
    • Find a comfortable and quiet space to read. Have a drink and snacks at the ready so if you get hungry or thirsty you don’t have to interrupt your reading to go get something.
    • Read slowly through the first chapter or 2 and intentionally work on visualizing what you’re reading. Once you’ve done this intentionally for a little while, it will get easier to start doing it automatically again.

    Sometimes it’s just about retraining your brain!

    • rage_bitch@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Ooh! Another thing I would recommend, which might seem strange, but try reading a couple young adult books in a genre you enjoy! I had a children’s lit class recently where I had to read quite a few young adult novels. The writing in these books and the storytelling has improved greatly since I was of that age group. The stories are engaging but usually less verbose than adult fiction which makes it much easier to form that mental picture. It’s a good way to get those juices flowing again before you move on to other books!

      • DMforOpinions@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        So weird you not getting any upvotes or replies this was so useful. Thanks so much! I just loaded nytimes bestsellers and spiegel (german) bestsellers into my reader and have a lot of other months too i been just collecting not reading, any tip for a good current book to start with?