Reading train - Improve your reading skills

I lose concentration and or forget what I just read when reading books?

Ok so there's been tons of books I've read about thirty five pages of, then put it down and never get back to it. The problem is, when I read books, I can't get into them. I find a lot of the time, I'll read a few pages and then stop and realize I didn't take in what I just read. I'll also realize I don't remember what I just read. Or I'll lose concentration and I just cant read it and I put it down. I can read, I'm not illiterate I was taught to read at a young age and I did so so it's not that. Why can't I get into books like I used to be able to? Is it distractions? I don't know because I don't know of anything distracting me. Is it I can't find a comfortable reading position? Is it some mental thing? I'd like to get this fixed so I can get back to enjoying a good book... I have so many I've picked up, walked into, and put down... I have glasses but I rarely use them, and I haven't tried using them when reading. Perhaps I should try that and see what happens. By the way good responses so far, thanks everyone! I thought maybe it would help if I listed some of the recent books I've tried to read, they all have things in them or themes I am interested in of course, and this is why I chose to read them but maybe there is something about the author's style or something that makes them harder to read? Here they are: - The Science Fiction Hall of Fame (a collection of vintage science fiction short stories) - Break Contact, Continue Mission by Raymond Harris (a Vietnam War story) - It Gave Everybody Something to Do by Louise Thoresen and E.M Nathanson (a true story about a woman's experiences with an out of control husband who went on a crime spree)

Public Comments

1. I'm sorry but I don't have an answer to this, because I go through the same thing. We have to read a LOT out of our textbook for history and I love history, but when I read, I'll noticed that I've gone through like a page and I didn't know what I read. Like I'll be thinking of something else, while I'm reading. It's really weird, I don't know if its just a lot on my mind because I used to be able to read things just fine. I'll be watching this question. =] EDIT- It may be like "WakingGirl" said, because I do need to get glasses because I don't have the best vision, but my prescription isn't very strong. So I might want to hurry up and get those. But I realize that it will take a lot of self-disipline to read long stories that you can't get into.
2. I had that problem too exactly how you describe. Not so much more now that I have glasses and my eye doctor explained to me how my eyes weren't allowing me to file information efficiently. Very interesting I know. So now that I am training my self to learn in a new and improved way, I don't day dream as much while I'm reading and if I start to think about other things like I'm used to, I discipline my self to stay focused and start over if I don't remember what I read. I'm improving and a 4.0 student now!
3. You can't get into books lately because you've had bad luck in choosing books. If a book is worth reading you will read it, if its pretentious crap or simply boring why should you read it. The problem is with the books not you. BTW I have noticed over the years that almost no review in The New York Times Book Review has any preferences past the first 25 pages, so it seems that your not he only person who gets board after the first part of the book. Oh try re-reading something you loved in the past just to get out of your rut.
4. I can concentrate a lot better if I read first thing in the morning. I try to do my studying then, as I have to read some EXTREMELY dull books.
5. Reading nots for everyone.... my dad is the same way! its nothing to worry about. Trust me, one of these days youl find a good book. Recomendations: The Uglies Magyk The Spiderwick chronicles These are all easier levles of reading. My bff hates to read and she loved all of these. good luck!
6. maybe u r just not reading ur type of book... try fiction and non-fiction adn sci-fi, and any other type of genra u can find just keep trying untill u find something that grabs u and pulls you into the story
7. I know this sounds like it won't work, but try these active reading strategies: Ask yourself questions about things that confuse you. See if what your reading reminds your of something in real life. Stop and guess what might happen next. Make judgments about what you read. Visualize something in the book. I do all of these sometimes when I read, and I find myself getting more and more into the book. Good luck! TWITCHY~chan♥
8. yea yea i have the same thing, u just gotta find a way to get interested in the book, i find if i no what the ending is then i wanna read the whole book to find how the ending happens ha ha or i find out about the book before i read it so i no if I'm going to actually be interested in it or not.