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Comment by redmorphium | Hacker News Reader

I haven't read a single book in 2022. Somehow, over the years, I've lost the habit of reading.

I brought back my habit of reading this year. New rule, no internet and youtube right before sleep, read instead. I fall asleep sooner and much better.

And I finally read Dune, probably the best book of this year, surprisingly good, I like the writing style.

I've been reading the dune series too and while the first book was amazing and the second was good, they get worse fast after that in my opinion

Almost at the end of the 4th in the series. While I'm in complete agreement that none of them (so far) can hold a candle to the first - the 2nd was the worst for me. The series does seem to be getting stranger and stranger too.

I sometimes regret my habit of reading before bed. I think I’ve conditioned myself so anytime I start reading I start feeling sleepy.

had same, avoid reading in bed if you can

I’m trying hard to establish this habit as well. I got an e reader so I can read in the dark (lights bother my SO when she’s falling asleep). I confirm that reading technical books before bed puts me straight to sleep. And most e readers can sync with a smart phone so you can continue reading instead of browsing HN during a lunch break :)

So what’s the point of a “reading habit” in the abstract- what are you hoping to gain?

No shame in that, I say.

I've completely lost any interest in reading fiction, because it's almost always a letdown. Good ideas with poor writing. Good writing with poor endings. The disappointments go on and on, and that's hours wasted. I've tried my friends' suggestions, best-of lists... the stories are consistently lame, except for the handful of masterpieces like Dune.

On the other hand, I'll gladly curl up with a nice comp sci or math book, and that'll be enriching, challenging, and time well spent.

I get what you’re saying. But I still read because it’s such a habit and part of my identity or something lol. There were some years I was hitting 50-75 books (and not small ones! GoT and godel Escher Bach etc) but now I’m down to a more sustainable pace of around 20 a year, and I’m pretty liberal about quitting books. If I’m getting a sense that it’s a 3/5 book then I just quit and move on. But even then I feel like I’m having an unquenched thirst for an absolute banger like Dune and Enders game. I’ve been thinking about doing a full year of just rereading books I loved like that from decades ago.

Maybe too much technical analysis of the book? When I read fiction, I use the words of the author of as a means to evoke visually the scene in my imagination. Sometimes, I think I patch the story as I go on, as I rely solely on what I visualize to recall past events. Writing doesn't matter as much, and even characterizations do not. I only enjoy the ideas and the sequences of events. Every so often, I read similar novels just to see how much the author can differ from the previous.

My feeling on that is that unless you're a prolific reader, the annual best-of lists are a waste of time. If you want to read the best when you do, and that isn't much, then most years there isn't a single book published that you should ever read.

There are plenty of classics that people still recommend; I find they're generally a better read than anything current, and they have utility in exposing you to the context/background/meaning for things people reference from them.

I go through phases where I won't read. Right now I'm in a phase of reading but I no longer feel like I have to read X amount of books. If it takes me 2 weeks or 2 months to finish a book so be it. This has helped me a lot in sticking with reading.

I've also found reading just before bed helps me tremendously. If I read until the words are a blur I usually have a very good night of sleep.

Do you feel like you’re missing out?

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