Do you listen to music while you read?

No, I cannot do both things at once -would not be able to concentrate properly if there was music as my mind would be trying to sing to myself with the music.

by Finy

Personally I find it much too distracting. I can write while listening to music as long as it doesn't have lyrics, so I suppose I could read too, but it would bother me if the mood of the music didn't match the mood of the story. I'd rather just concentrate on the book.

by Jennifer Muirhead

Although I don't have it on all the time, I do play background music a lot when I'm reading; I find it helps me concentrate better, and keeps the words flowing it is the equivalent to a score in a film; it fils the oh so noticeable silent void.

by Bryony Harrison

You mean it is possible?
No I don't think I am in the running to even try.

by jonaja

No, I prefer peace and quiet while I read.

by kljen

No, I find it far too distracting. If the mood being portrayed in the song that comes on doesn't match the mood being portrayed in where I'm at in the book, I find the disconnect really difficult.

by Kerri

I tend to listen to music while I'm reading, mainly because a lot of my reading time happens on the train, and the music helps block out the background noise.

Sometimes, you get a weird serendipity with music and reading. I still remember how I felt when I was finishing 'An Instance of the Fingerpost' and U2's 'With or Without You' came on the radio. It's a good book anyway, but the music helped lift the ending up into something astonishing.

by Paul Douglas

Sometimes yes. There are also days when calm music disturbs me but Iron Maiden can put me to sleep!

by Manny

I like to have soft music playing in the background while I write. If the music is too loud I can't concentrate on my novel.

by cassa

Yes, but just relaxation music and the volume is very low.

by HappyMan

I'll occasionally play something very soft and without English lyrics so as not to distract: usually Hildegard von Bingen. It's a mental cue to settle down and relax.

by parso

Ah Parso, haven't heard a von Bingen CD for ages! Used to have a few of hers' but then gave them to a religious friend, who'd make more use of them!

No. When I am reading, I don't want any distractions at all. I want to lose myself completely in the book. I need to be completely focused on the written word so that I give my imagination the best possible chance to wander along the pages and chapters of the book and nothing else. There is nothing worse than being distracted and drawn away from the page, thinking that you're reading only to find you've reached the end of the page or chapter and have no clue as to what you've just read.

by shaunasheep

No I cannot concentrate on my reading if there are distractions such as music. I would like to enjoy both, reading and listening to music, each on its own.

by Happy Mom

No, I used to be able to do that, but now it's just distracting.

by Vee

No, I would find it too difficult to concentrate on my book.

by Maria

No.
I have to be able to focus, or I will miss something.
Never could listen to music while doing things, unless I am sewing.

by jonaja

oops? sorry.2 answers.... :(

No. Can't concentrate on the reading matter!
Much prefer the 'sound of silence' when reading

If wanting to listen to music will do that in totality. And if at nighttime, a good drop of wine, as well! Very relaxing!

by donjo

I prefer not to have the distractions of music on in the background while reading. I can tune out people, voices and household sounds but music is a different story- I usually end up singing or humming along rather than concentrating on what I am reading...

by Catherine Van Bergen