I used to always think that I didn't like reading, but I've now learned that I don't like reading Fiction, but really like reading Non-Fiction. I think because when you are at school, most of the prescribed reading is Fiction, I assumed I hated reading in general.

Now I'll read a handful of books a year, mostly in a row, then take a break for a bit until something piques my interest.

[–] eagleeyedtiger 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Now you’ve got an ereader I recommend dabbling in a bit of fiction! I also thought I didn’t like fiction until I found the things I actually enjoy reading. I particularly enjoy speculative/science fiction myself. Sometimes you find a book that you end up reading in a day or two because the story keeps you wanting to find out more. I liken it to watching TV or movies, but in my head.

School reading is always literary fiction, which is great but doesn’t really do it for me. I can see why it turns people off reading. I didn’t start reading regularly until after 30.

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

True. Come to think of it - I actually did do a bit of a fiction reading a few years ago, and that was the Dan Brown Series. Really enjoyed the fast pace of those.

I have a hard time looking at a fiction book, and making the decision whether I would enjoy it or not - seems more hit and miss than non-fiction for some reason to me.

[–] Dave 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I read a good mix of both fiction and nonfiction, but there was a moment of realisation where I understood why I don't get as immersed in fiction as others.

There's a wide range of ability to visualise things in your head. Some people I know can invent fantasy worlds and walk through them in their minds.

I'm far at the other end of the spectrum, with virtually no ability to "see" things in my mind, sometimes called aphantasia.

Others I've spoken to have been in disbelief. I've been asked how I get any joy from reading if I can't visualise the fantasy world. I think I enjoy reading fiction for other reasons, but I don't enjoy re-reading anything I've read before, and I enjoy nonfiction just as much as fiction.

[–] eagleeyedtiger 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Is there some kind of test to see if you have aphantasia?

I admit I sometimes have trouble and need to reread descriptive segments as I can’t picture it.

I think there are other reasons to enjoy fiction too, the plot lines or characters, sometimes just even the dialogue.

[–] absGeekNZ 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

I have aphantasia this is a good test.

My aphantasia is total, no visual/audio/taste/emotional sensation in my memory.

As for re-reading books, there are a few, Discworld being #1.

[–] luthis 2 points 1 year ago

I got...

Hyperphantasia A unique thinking style characterized by an extraordinary ability to visualize, enabling a vivid and immersive inner world.

I can pretty clearly create images in my mind, but I just learned I really suck at doing people. Lake with mountains and trees? Well, what kind of trees? Little ripples in the wind or small waves? Snowy or rocky mountains? Easy as. My sister's face whom I just saw? ... uh... kinda?

[–] Dave 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My issue with tests like this is I'm asked to describe the image, but I do not know which of the options is correct. I can't say I can see a dim and flat image. I don't really "see" anything, but I kind of "know" the image. How does this compare to the normal experience? I have no way of knowing, so I have trouble putting myself on that scale.

I know it says that you only "know" you are thinking of the object, but it also says no image. I kind of "know" the image, in colour, but can't actually see it. It's so incredibly hard to describe!

When it starts asking about walking around and stuff, no, not even close to that.

[–] absGeekNZ 2 points 1 year ago

My way of explaining this is; I know what an apple looks like but can't see it. I can rotate a block in my head but without an image. It is like there is an image but with a big black sheet in front, if the sheet were moved I'd see the image.

[–] Dave 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The word "aphantasia" is very recent, and I believe it's not a well studied area. I remember reading on the wikipedia page (though it's no longer there) that for one study they asked participants to visualise something specific and rate out of 10 how vividly they saw it in their mind - 2 or less was considered aphantasia.

On looking around at other sources, it seems some definitions require zero visualisation - if you can sort of vaguely see something then you don't have it. This is me, for the right thing and if I concentrate I can kinda see something.

I don't think there's any test. It's not well studied and doesn't seem to even be well defined.

I think there are other reasons to enjoy fiction too, the plot lines or characters, sometimes just even the dialogue.

Yes, I enjoy the plot and plot twists, empathising with characters, and yes clever dialog is always a bonus. But unlike others I know, I can't read a book twice. As soon as I recognise the plot it's just kinda boring to me, I guess because I'm not immersed in the world.

[–] eagleeyedtiger 2 points 1 year ago

Ah that’s interesting.

I’m with you there, I haven’t re-read a book in years. There are just so many books out there to read, I’d rather look for something new.

[–] liv 2 points 1 year ago

Ah that's interesting. I have a family member with complete aphantasia but they read almost entirely fiction for their personal reading. I think they are quite plot-focused as they can't picture characters or scenes.

I'm the other way, I get annoyed if someone in a book or a movie walks somewhere that doesn't correspond with the 3d map my brain has made of the space they are in based on previous information and/or laws of physics.