How many books have you read?

[jacob]

I read a lot and I honestly have no idea. I can finish 3--4 books in a week, but a more realistic number is probably 2--3. I have been doing this, roughly, since I was 10. Of course, the content of the books have changed. These days, I read almost exclusively nonfiction eliciting comments from DW to the point of "I rarely see you with a novel" when I finally pick one up.
So roughly 3000--4000 books for me. It sounds crazy high, but it's hard to get another number.

[Kevin M]

Maybe 150? I was definitely not a reader for most of my life, but have seen the light. I still struggle to read a book before it is due back at the library (2 weeks). Mostly this is from lack of time, not reading speed. My goal this year was 12 books in 12 months and I'm right on schedule.
Do audiobooks count? I've been listening to those while commuting to/from work the last few months.

[Sven]

3 or 4 books in a week? Nice! I usually read 5 books a month and this since.. as long as i remember! Before i was mostly reading fiction, but at a certain point i came to the conclusion that with the same time and effort i can read non-fiction and actually get to know something..

[jacob]

On the table in front of me I count a stack 15 books high
Some of the librarians recognize me by name on sight. It's a little bit embarrassing

[Maus]

Aside from work-related reading, which is predominately cases, statutes and legal articles, for the past twenyt years I have read approximately 250 books a year, around half fiction (mysteries, historical novels, and a smidge of sci-fi) and half non-fiction (mostly history, biography and popular takes on hard science). Thank God for public libraries. When I visit mine, I resent taxation just a little less.

[George the original one]

I have no idea. We've got a couple thousand books in the house...
I'm reading books less often as I age and trying to force myself to go outdoors more often. What I do read is more often from the Internet these days - research reports on whatever takes my fancy, usually having to do with local history, geography, or wildlife.

[HSpencer]

If magazines and technical manuals count, I would have no way to estimate my readings. I have a rather large library at home, which is silly, because of the space requirements. I have some collector magazines, ie: every issue of Route 66 Magazine, every issue of Popular Mechanics since 1966, and almost every issue of Sport Truck Magazine. Uhh, Guns and Ammo is another one. I usually get 8 - 10 magazines in the mail a week. Right now I might have about 1000 books (both hardcover and soft cover) in my library. I get subject crazy--like WWII books. I get them in droves when I get subject crazy. If I get interested in something, I get crazy.

[Concojones]

One non-fiction book every month or two. I do most of my reading on the internet, nowadays. It's usually a more to the point format than books.
Between ages 9-14, I read thousands of youth novels (at least 1 per week).
Does anyone use a version of speed reading here? I mean, not occasionally to prove to yourself that you can do it, but all the time? I've tried it, but it seems so stressful to apply it all the time. Or does that go away with practice?

[AlexOliver]

@Jacob: The librarians recognize me as well. In the past two years I've kept a log, and so far I'm on track to read double the amount of books I read in 2009 (200 vs 100).

[Q]

I was trying to read a book every two weeks. I read reports daily...
Read a newspaper twice weekly and magazines several times a month.
I've read a lot, put nothing I could put in numbers because I just don't know.

[JohnnyH]

Wish I had a library... Since I got my 505 ereader I've reader roughly 2.5 books a week... But if I judge the book to be crap I'll just quickly skim it. Almost all related to the procurement of retirement.
I used to devour fiction, but now feel guilty when I do it... Some part of me is always nagging that I can't relax yet and to keep working... I'm trying to give myself "leisure" days where I am not allowed to even think about working.
The voice is starting to piss me off; it ruins fun, and it makes my own personal work seem like work, when it used to, and should, feel like play... Damn the voice! >:(

[Q]

Currently reading "The Joy of not working", which was suggested at the 1st meet-up and then again on the forums.
Teaches you to enjoy that leisure time, although if you saw how I am, I am pretty leisurely already.
I like to imagine myself as a monogamous Charlie Harper from Two and a half men...and not rich either.

[futuredoctor]

I used to read a fair amount when I was younger. I'd go through a whole adventure/fantasy series of 6 or 7 books in a few days and then take a break for a few months until I found another good series. I've read roughly 300 books (for leisure) so far. I'm reading YMOYL right now... first book in quite a while. I sure miss reading!

[Bytta]

@Concojones: I bought the speed reading tutorial software 3 years ago and have just gone through the first lesson so far. I know, pathetic. Thanks for reminding me, a good kick in the bum .
My book love affair has been up and down but lately it has been reignited. Based on my library log, I've read about 22 books in the past 4 months.
When I was a teenager, I read hundreds of novel and comic about action heroes and (of course) teenage love. I even went further by writing my own novel version of a female heroine (with a bit of romance) and another novel about life as a teenage girl (with romance as well... naturally). It went on for about 6 years. When I read them again last year(around half a dozen different titles), I realised how lame it is . The stories are plot-less and never-ending, just like your average soap operas. But I loved writing it, and my girlfriends loved reading it. Sometimes they waited around my desk in a class waiting for me to finish the chapter . Ah, life was simple then.

[S]

I used to read a ton of fiction when I was a kid, but I got out of the habit as I got older. Most of my potential book reading time is used as internet reading time. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. Quality is hit or miss, but it's much more accessible than visiting a library or bookstore. I've been listening to audiobooks some while traveling (currently working on Walden).

[Checking Carly]

I'm definitely on Jacob's side of the spectrum. I don't think I could estimate a really good number, but I'd definitely say a couple hundred. I don't have as much time to read as I used to, but I can definitely pack away two book in a week easily. I read a lot of stuff online too, but that probably doesn't count.

My number also probably drops a little because I've read a lot of books more than once, because I liked them so much. I'm also definitely on the fiction/fantasy/sci-fi side of the spectrum. I'd say my favorite non-fiction writer is Malcolm Gladwell though.

[Pip]

Books books books... love it.
I read all the time, if i have chance I can read a 450+ page book a day but that only seems to happen once/twice a month now. I would say I've read on average at least 3 books a week since i was 9 (i learn't to read before i started school at 5 and have hardly stopped to look up since)
Must say the majority is fiction (sci-fi, horror, crime girly rubbish etc)Although i would say that i still find them to be of factual interest.
Having recently read the duchess (a fictional work based around a historical figure) I did manage to answer a dang hard question on university challenge that really impressed my BF. :0)
What are everyone's thoughts on the pro's/con's of the kindle v's the paperback?

[Robert Muir]

Books:
Can be frequently found free at the library.

Can be purchased used at substantial discount.

Can be conveniently read without battery and without fear of losing +$140 if it's lost or stolen.

Can be given or loaned to a friend.
Digital book readers:
Conveniently have hundreds of books at hand.

Easiest/cheapest way to read public domain books.

Can't sell a book after you've finished reading it.

Purchased books are usually proprietary, so if the platform disappears, you could lose all the book you've purchased.

Instant gratification is available.
I have an iPad, which is the most universal e-reader, but it's too heavy, IMO, to conveniently read books. When the price of a PDF capable Kindle gets low enough, I'll probably pick up one of those. The Kindle is less likely to disappear.

[AlexOliver]

I've been reading free ebooks on my ipod touch for the past couple days, it works well enough. As I don't hold books as much as set them on my lap or desk, I don't think weight would be a large detractor against the ipad for me.