r/ADHD • u/Gustavowavy • 1d ago
Questions/Advice How do people read books ?
I genuinely can never read a book unless it’s because I have to write a report on the book and even at that I have to look up online for summaries lmao. Like everytime I read a book I feel like I just reading the words but don’t really read what’s going on. I always get distracted by something else or have a random thought and end up forgetting to read the book. Even let’s say I take 20mg of my prescribed vyvanse sure I’ll read the book but the silence in my head is to akward.
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u/drunkalcoholic 23h ago
I’ve found that listening to audiobooks works better for me than reading silently in my own head—it’s similar to how I can focus on podcasts more easily. Bonus I can multitask menial tasks. Good for falling asleep too as long as it’s not too stimulating.
If you’re the same way, you might try listening to the audiobook while following along with the text. That combo helps keep me engaged and less likely to zone out. It could be a form a body doubling which may explain why it works for me.
You can get audiobooks for free through your local library using the Libby app. Just download it, add your library card, and you’re good to go. Heads up—there can be wait times if the library’s underfunded or if a title is really popular.
Hope that helps!
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u/nijennn 23h ago
This is a great tip! The audiobook plus reading along suggestion is great for keeping a wandering ADHD mind engaged with the words, as sometimes just audio or just text alone isn’t enough stimulation for our brains.
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u/drunkalcoholic 23h ago edited 19h ago
I’m okay with audio only usually. However, I believe the science behind active learning over passive for long term memory consolidation.
I try to challenge myself by taking outline notes of what I’m listening to since I mostly listen to non-fiction. Bonus if I have text in front, audio, and taking notes.
It’s difficult when I have speed at 1.2x and my working memory sucks but it’s more helpful for me learning wise if I can take notes. But it’s usually for leisure and self-growth or to solve a specific problem I have.
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u/oldart1127 15h ago
100% and I just read that teachers are using audio/read-a-long to improve speed and comprehension
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u/SgtScrewball1 23h ago
Listening to said audiobook while doing something I can zone out of also helps, like cleaning the house and doing laundry. Or even going on long drives
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u/swetretpet002 23h ago
Yeah I have the same feeling, I've been quite a reader in my childhood be it academic books or comics magazine whatever. But I can't read anything now books or long threads in reddit, online news articles
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u/HeroicConspiracy 23h ago
You have to find something you're really into. Took my sibling a bit but he reads just as much as me. I love fantasy novels and have even reread stuff I enjoyed as a kid. Kindle ftw. I read over 60 books last year I think
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u/HeroicConspiracy 23h ago
I get the exact same feeling reading as when I binge watch a show/anime. "This is intense and I have to see where it goes I can't stop reading!!" is how I feel honestly. And maybe you'd prefer comics/visual novels, manga or audio books.
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u/CraziZoom ADHD with non-ADHD partner 23h ago
OMG!!!! That’s incredible!! I have decided that I need to read actual paper books before bed instead of on a digital device so I won’t get distracted and either doomscroll or spend 3 hours on Reddit.
So then I go to Goodreads to look for a title, and… I get paralyzed by all the choices!
Saw part of a show last night about Agatha Christie; decided I need to read all the Poirot books. I’ve seen all or most of the episodes with Sir David Suchet as Poirot, but I think it’ll be good to read an actual book on actual paper.
I haven’t read a book for pleasure since COVID lockdown (≈50 yo then), and before that, it had been ten years! I got so bogged down with work that I wasn’t taking any time for myself in a restorative way.
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u/HeroicConspiracy 22h ago
kindle is nice since I read very fast and I can even put library books on it. I also share the library with my family so it's nice when we can have a little book club lol. I have the scribe so it's just for books/notes, I just forget about my phone or doomscrolling when something has me hooked.
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u/oldart1127 23h ago
I’m 75. And was always considered a poor reader. Then I started reading while I rode a stationary bike. Now I’m an avid reader
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u/nijennn 23h ago
During the many years that my ADHD was undiagnosed/untreated, it was impossible for me to focus on reading. I would get distracted every two sentences and I was constantly having to re-read the same paragraphs.
Now I’m at ~3 years of steady medication, plus a couple of years of therapy to help mental health and learn ADHD coping strategies, and just last month I got my first library card! I started with short story collections on topics I’m really interested in, and slowly improved my abilities, and it’s now become a routine hobby of mine that I really enjoy.
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u/Lego_Technik 23h ago
Same. I just accepted that I'm not a reader. I managed to finish university somehow, so that's enough for my lifetime.
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u/Gustavowavy 23h ago
It’s sad because some people buy me book for my birthdays and I’m like 😂😂 thanks I guess I’ll use this to look smart or something.
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u/Lego_Technik 23h ago
I got diagnosed last year and got 3 books about adhd. Just like new to this day.
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u/VenusBattrap 23h ago
I find it difficult to read as well, my thoughts always prevail over the contents of the books.
I've tried studying music remixes online - the sounds distract me, some people find them helpful.
Sometimes I can focus on audiobooks, but it's rare.
What has helped me the most is searching for fireplace or storm sounds on youtube and putting on earphones.Black metal is also suitable in my case, because it's monotone enough and I can't hear the lyrics 😂.
The sounds help me to mute my thoughts.
Last time I did that I managed to read for 2 hours straight. I read on my kindle, because reading on my phone is impossible for me.
What I am also thinking about doing, because I'm very forgetful in general, is after reading each chapter I will try to write a little summary. The next time I sit to read the book, I can remind myself what happened, because I usually forget in about a day or two. I've started so many books and find it difficult to finish, because I have forgotten the previous chapters. Books with many characters and names and nicknames are a different hell.
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u/notrolls01 19h ago
I read fiction for fun. And am amused while reading said fiction. I can tell you about the book, but some details will not present in my memory. The good thing about this is that I can reread books and love them all over again. For non-fiction, it seems to seep in better.
I was in special classes for learning to read when I was in elementary school. They taught me to read out loud, so maybe it’s my brain sounding out the words that allows me to remember what I do.
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u/VenusBattrap 18h ago
Me and my grandma used to read to each for hours. It's one of the things I miss about her every day. Thinking about it, the fact that it's more interactive helped me remember more. When it was her turn to read out loud, I loved doodling and drawing, that seemed to help as well.
Nowadays I only have time to read when everyone's asleep, so reading out loud would be kinda hard.
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u/notrolls01 18h ago
Oh most definitely. I wasn’t clear. Now my internal narrator sounds out the words. I for the most part read silently now.
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u/VenusBattrap 18h ago
Ooh, I reread your comment and I got it. English isn't my first language and I miss details sometimes 😊.
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u/notrolls01 18h ago
No worries. I had no idea, so I defaulted to my coping technique and clarified my thought -> I can confuse the sharpest of people.
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u/Virtual_Smell_0 23h ago
Grew up without a TV and all I did was read books. Now I get focused on doom scrolling but I've recently downloaded an app called Libby (UK only) and will read until I'm bored and leave the app
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u/Sea-Network-8640 8h ago
Libby and Borrowbox, two main library apps (I think) are both internal.
I have heard that Borrowbox is better for audiobooks, and Libby for ebooks, but I find what I need most times between the two equally.
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u/Boring_Pace5158 23h ago
Something is better than nothing. Read as much as you can, it doesn't matter if you read 2 pages or 200 pages. All that matters is that you read everyday. It sounds like you need some background noise to get reading done. Have you tried reading in a coffee shop? Or try listening to brown noise?
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u/anonymouscatperson 23h ago
I think it all depends on interest. I struggle with assigned reading, but if it’s out of interest, I could read a 500 page book nonstop.
Much like other hyperfocuses we have, if reading is something we REALLY LIKE, we can sit down and do it. If it isn’t an interest, it’s going to be hard.
At least that’s how I see it. I have inattentive ADHD (originally ADD before more appropriate terms came to be) and will game, write, draw, and read for hours on end and forget to eat and stuff. But once it comes to cleaning and things, I cannot focus. So it’s definitely a personality bit that plays to our adhd I think.
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u/notrolls01 19h ago
Thank you for writing this. This describes me as well! Less so these days on the forgetting to eat. But I can hyperfocus for hours on something I like to do.
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u/Thepuppeteer777777 23h ago
I read every day before I sleep. No distractions just silence and me reading. Also it has to be something I am in to otherwise I will just drop it
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u/pinkflamingo49 23h ago
I am an avid reader. I read everyday. I used to be able to read 1 book a day. But this only works for books I am interested in.
If it was for school, exams, or subjects I don’t care about then it is a struggle to read just 1 page or reading everything out loud and still not retaining any information.
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u/Impossible_Humor4393 23h ago
I usually listen to music while reading a book..😭
For me, it works really well because there is some “sound” in my head but not enough to distract me and there is no awkward silence while reading. Allows me to focus better on what I want to read. I do use my AirPods, just turning on music in the room doesn’t work for me.
Also not all kinds of music work for me but everyone has their own preferences of course
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u/Confused_Mayan 23h ago
I’m on 100 book reading challenge with adhd. I use the pamadoro technique, and read multiple books so I don’t get bored of the same one.
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u/nebulancearts 23h ago
Audiobooks while driving!
I have a 45min commute when I need to go to class and/or work on my research. Because of audiobooks, I was able to "read" for the first time since I was a teen.
Audiobooks let me finish the Children of Time series, Three Body Problem series, and now I'm on Dungeon Crawler Carl (just started book 6! I only started this series in the fall)
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u/TadiDevine 22h ago
I struggle if I’m not interested in the story or subject matter- depending on if it’s fiction or nonfiction. But I can read for hours if I’m into the story
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u/Smooth-Garbage-940 22h ago
I have no idea. I legit can't do it. Either can my husband! And my son who was just diagnosed never liked books he's 6 now but was never interested in them sadly.
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u/marinhaig-kupelian 22h ago
I throughouly learned how my adhd, places difficulty on comprehension, attention and focus. Beginning at thirteen years old, I discovered I frequently had visions and other thoughts going around while trying to focus on reading .
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u/ThornySunny ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 22h ago
It is very difficult, it felt impossible before I was medicated. But I have found it a great challenge to work on keeping your mind on track, like keeping a monkey on a path, but it's been really rewarding! It feels different to read vs listening to an audio book for me (more intimate maybe?), a deeper understanding of what I'm reading I guess, plus I'm not splitting my attention against what I'm doing (driving, working, running, ect) and paying attention to an audio book. Both have their place for me but I believe now reading is the best way to fully enjoy a story.
I really helps to find something interesting which can be difficult too, but there is knowledge you can green from all sorts of places. I've read 50 shades of Grey, the communist manifesto, the biography of chris Kyle/simo hayha, deep, and many other stories which the intention was learning, which always helps me.
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u/UnicornBaconFarts 22h ago
Audiobooks, then I buy the physical copy like I hunted it and keep it as a trophy.
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u/SuchWowDude 21h ago
For me reading is like running, anybody can run, but it takes some practice to actually run effectively and for an extended period. The more you read, the easier it gets. You’ll really have to force yourself at first and stick to it.
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u/enragedstatistician ADHD-C (Combined type) 21h ago
i read really good books-the classics-which are easy to hyperfixate on. i often walk around my room while reading them.
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u/XILEF310 21h ago
Because I was reading a lot when I was younger I think it’s technology , phones etc.
Why read when there is so much faster and more interesting content. I think if those would drop away. Reading would be more appealing to me again.
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u/Ashy_Lon 21h ago
For me it helps using an e-reading app. Contious scrolling helps me with focusing. Don't really know why though.
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u/Anxietoro 19h ago
There is only one way I can read a book. I leave all distracting things inside and get in a hammock with my book. It's semi difficult to get out of but so comfortable. That said, I am still very picky about books. If it doesn't grab me in the first chapter, I'm out.
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u/notrolls01 19h ago
Taking notes or using a highlighter. Looking for meaning in the work or be entertained works for me. Do I remember everything in a book? Nope, do I get the important parts? Yep.
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u/iNanieke 19h ago
I don't. I can't. I've read like 5 books in my whole life.
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u/iNanieke 19h ago
Just realized I didn't even finish reading your post before answering.. Sorry 😅❤️
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u/biscuit1970 18h ago
I always have a book that I'm reading and get slightly panicky if I've not got the next one lined up. They become a hyper focus and I think about the book I'm reading a lot. I'm also prone on info dumping my recent favourites on people. Er can you guess I'm also autistic. But audiobooks, no way, I can't stay focused just listening. Same with podcasts.
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u/Positive-Ad239 17h ago
I have phases where I can’t stop reading books when I found a series I enjoy and then phases where I don’t read for weeks. When I am into a book though and reading I always constantly switch positions (found myself siting on a chair the wrong way around, legs in the air, head on the floor), that rlly makes me able to read (and breaks after each 4-10 pages)
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u/Ishtaryan 17h ago
I only really picked up reading in the last few years. I always felt like I just couldn't find books that kept me interested. I do mixed media; audiobooks, e-books and physical copies. I find that when I can switch between modes I am more inclined to finish a book. I also purposefully try to look for themes and genres that interest me. I tried reading a couple "tiktok hits" and hated pretty much all of them (except maybe one or two).
And most importantly - i give myself time. Did I not read anything this week? That's okay! I can continue next week! or maybe this is a time for me to use the audiobook. Do I not feel like that either? That's fine too.
I never really could finish books for school reports etc because they never felt fun or engaging, it was another terrible task to get through. But when I can choose to read on my own terms, and at my own pace, I find it enjoyable.
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u/malloryknox86 16h ago
I love reading, only read books I’m interested in, if I’m really into it I can finish it in one day, if is boring, it will take me hours to read a few pages until I eventually give up
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u/howeversmall 15h ago
I’m a voracious reader, but that may be the autistic part of me. I also edit everything I read, including books (and obviously Reddit posts). I don’t correct people’s grammar but I notice it. It becomes 1000% worse if I’m doing the writing. I get hyperfocused to a ridiculous level.
20mg of vyvanse is a super low dose. Are you newly taking it?
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u/TwistTim 13h ago
As a 44M who doesn't read for school but pleasure(including texts on our condition and other non-fiction work): I either don't or I hyper focus and lose the world around me as i get obsessed on what I'm reading... and I will have weeks of either one.
But I can throw an audiobook on almost any time and get into that for at least 20 minutes, sometimes a few hours can go by, depending on the world around me. same as I do with podcasts.
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u/AGx-07 10h ago
Like most things that aren't requirements, I have to do them when the mood hits. I want to read a book and so I keep one near my bed and when I think about it, I read. It's very sporadic but I have to take advantage of the moods when they come and for however long it lasts and not feel guilty about it.
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u/Sea-Network-8640 7h ago
Ambient noise might help.
There are a million background noise videos on YouTube from cafes, spaceships, to magical cottages with a wood fire and woodland birds. Pick a track that suits the book.
Also, I think it makes a difference to me if it's through headphones or just playing out loud.
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u/onceuponaNod 4h ago
audiobooks and exploring different genres
reading my accounting textbook makes me feel like there’s buzzing in my head and i don’t understand the english language anymore meanwhile i don’t have that problem while reading a fantasy or sci-fi book. different people like different genres.
it sometimes depends on the medium too. i mostly listen to audiobook due to time constraints right now but it’s my preferred medium for poetry and memoirs but i prefer to read complex fantasy due to processing issues. when i read e-books on my phone, i appreciate when they have a scroll setting instead of page turning
audiobooks can also be set to different speeds. faster is sometimes easier for ppl with adhd to pay attention to
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