Fiction, non-fiction, what do you read?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by shalym

Interesting...I'm just the opposite. I learn much better by reading, and always have. Videos are helpful with some things, but for the most part, I retain it better if I read it. Podcasts for learning don't work for me at all. It's very hard for me to focus on just sound. My eyes are looking for something to do, and then my brain gets distracted by what I'm looking at, then I have to go back 5 or 10 minutes because I have no idea what's going on in the podcast. This is the same thing that happens when I try to listen to an audiobook.

Shari

It's exactly the same for me.

[Aleron Ives]

I always watch, rather than purely listen, to podcasts for that very reason.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

I always watch, rather than purely listen, to podcasts for that very reason.

That's even worse. I don't have the patience to watch people talking. I'd rather read what they talked about; much faster for me.

[Aleron Ives]

In the case of podcasts, reading is not an option, unless a transcript is available. The auto-generated ones are always terrible, so listening is usually the only way to get the content.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

In the case of podcasts, reading is not an option, unless a transcript is available. The auto-generated ones are always terrible, so listening is usually the only way to get the content.

Yes, of course. But I listen to them only when I absolutely need to know the content, which is very rare. Most of the times I don't bother, as I dislike the format.

[kandwo]

There are some podcasts with great transcripts. Just send them to pocket and read on a Kobo - it cuts the time by at least half.

I've noticed that podcasts can be a great introduction to a topic, but generally I'd have to read about it to really learn anything.

On the other hand, most non-fictions book don't teach that much either. They seem to be little more than glorified blog posts geared towards the male market, while women seem to prefer fiction.

After 20 years of exclusively fiction I started reading some non-fiction to see what I'd missed. I thought the books would be like school books - just packed with facts about a certain topic. But turns out many of them are more like fiction "based on a true story". It reminds me of my mum who almost exclusively watches films based on true events, so that she can feel she's not wasting her time with made up stuff. Of course, the end product is as much fiction as Narnia is.

[gmw]

Regarding the OP: My habits vary considerably over time. I doubt if I ever quite make 10 (100% fiction) but regularly make it to 9+ for long periods. I think my long term average is probably 8+, but there are times I get to 1 (100% non-fiction) for a month or more at a time.

Originally Posted by Sirtel

That's even worse. I don't have the patience to watch people talking. I'd rather read what they talked about; much faster for me.

I have people that regularly send me YouTube and similar links to impart some great wisdom. This is despite know by preferences for text, and the long standing issues I have with reception here that make long videos especially difficult. I've seen so much crap with people trying to sell me on one thing or another that I simply don't trust video. It's the ideal medium for misleading the audience, which is one reason why it is such a great way to present fiction. These days, for me, video = fiction.

And audio-only ... I've never really given it much of a chance. I tend to categorise it as much the same as video in terms of reliability. What little I've tried, I have trouble stopping myself from getting distracted by other things. And since I am NOT good at multi-tasking, that generally means I have no idea what was said on the audio.

[neil_swann80]

I'll read either fiction or non-fiction. But it tends to be the total escapism of visiting new worlds, new dimensions even, that science-fiction provides that appeals to me the most.

It's the only way currently that I can grab a much needed vacation from this planet!

[John F]

Originally Posted by John F

Just curious as to how much fiction vs non-fiction people read. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being all non-fiction and 10 being all fiction, which do read for personal (non-work) reading?

Originally Posted by neil_swann80

I'll read either fiction or non-fiction. But it tends to be the total escapism of visiting new worlds, new dimensions even, that science-fiction provides that appeals to me the most.

It's the only way currently that I can grab a much needed vacation from this planet!

So what is your number?

[neil_swann80]

Originally Posted by John F

So what is your number?

Likely a 9.5 in favour of fiction.

[John F]

Originally Posted by neil_swann80

Likely a 9.5 in favour of fiction.

Sort of like saying the C.I.A. agency.

[neil_swann80]

Originally Posted by John F

Sort of like saying the C.I.A. agency.

* winks at the operative now reading this thread *

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by John F

Sort of like saying the C.I.A. agency.

Supposedly acceptable:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums//s...6&postcount=83

[Fiat_Lux]

Originally Posted by John F

Just curious as to how much fiction vs non-fiction people read. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being all non-fiction and 10 being all fiction, which do read for personal (non-work) reading?

25% fiction masquarading as non-fiction.
30% pure mind candy fiction.
25% non-fiction
15% Purports to be non-fiction, but I have my doubts.
5% fiction that isn't mind candy

[4691mls]

I read mostly fiction.
Lately I've been thinking i should read some history since I didn't pay as much attention as I probably should have when I was in school. Haven't gotten around to actually doing it though....