I like to read aloud, alone.
I have ADHD and I think it started because it helped me. Because sometimes when I read in my head I’ll think about something totally unrelated and then I have to reread the pages I read. However I asked some friends if they read aloud and they seemed to think that was insane. Now I’m also thinking this is likely insane. But I really enjoy it. Sometimes I even choose to read at home over a coffee shop so that I can read aloud.
Am I the only person who likes to read aloud by themselves?
I re read a sentence i like outloud back to myself, but that’s it.
It’s not insane!
I don’t read aloud to myself, but I don’t consider anyone who does insane. It sounds kind of fun to be honest.
When I have a difficult time concentrating I read out loud to myself, sometimes having to repeat lines slowly
Have you tried with audio books?
I used to read my textbooks aloud when I was studying for tests and had a hard time focusing and understanding the material, so I totally get it. I don’t usually do it with fiction because it takes me much longer, but sometimes when I come across a part I particularly like, I read it aloud to savor it, so to speak.
It’s not insane, I read aloud to myself a lot too. Especially when a writer has a good rhythm and is aware of the music of their words, much can be gained from reading aloud. Poetry I almost always read aloud. I think the flak you get can be chalked up to it being long associated with the lower classes and people with little education. Same goes for reading with your finger underlining each sentence. Just old fashioned prejudice, nothing more.
It’s something I used to do, though I’m not sure when I started to do it or why. Interestingly, I broke the habit because I felt that doing so was reducing how much I actually retained by comparison to when I would read in silence.
Granted, I suppose it depends on your definition of “read aloud.” As I was sharing a space with people at the time, I’d have to whisper the words to myself than fully speak them out. But I don’t think there’s anything “insane” about it, either way. It’s good practice for when you find yourself actually having to read aloud.
I only do this when authors write in dialect / accent, to sound the words out to myself. Like just recently I read Marabou Stork Nightmares, and when I come across a line like (graphic example) >!“you keep yir fuckin hoor ay a daughter away fi ma fuckin laddies or ah’ll git ma fuckin shotgun n fuckin well blaw yis aw away”!<, I have to read it out loud to work out the cadence and rhythm and stuff, to make it sound right in my head. Although I imagine if a Scottish person heard me, they’d be absolutely mortified.