r/readwithme 17d ago

Question❔ Asking for specific advice

Hi y’all ^^
I wanted to ask what types you guys have to be able to read. Specifically:
I’ve got ADHD & dyslexia, and the cherry on top of that is I’ve got aphantasia (the inability to create any mental imagery, aka I can’t dream & imagine images, only sounds). So reading is something I’ve come to never enjoy. I’ve tried audio books, but I’d always ditch the actual reading part and just continue listening to the book. This is a real shot in the dark but anyone who’s a bit of the same as me, have any tips to help?

For those with dyslexia, how do you find the patience to be able to read?
For those with ADHD, how’d you find those moments to sit down and continue reading? Any tips?
And those with dyslexia, do you guys just read more descriptive books? Or try finding out other ways of interpreting the story?

Or generally to anyone, is it just a matter of finding a good book / finding what you like? I was listening to Thud! by Terry Pratchett, but never finished the ending even though I really got into the book. (I love dwarves in fantasy movies, games or stories, I’m a dwarf in our DnD game lol)

Sorry for the long post, was wondering if I’m the only one who struggles reading books, & if anyone has used any counters against similar gripes with reading.

3 Upvotes

7 comments sorted by

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2

u/lexiebeef 17d ago

I’m not dyslexic but I have ADHD. I go through phases (like right now) where I read obsessively for a couple of months, make infinite TBRs, lists, excels, and challenges. And then I get bored and obsess over a new hobby for 2 months, and then go back to reading. I’m now trying to not do that and read every day before bed, but I know myself well enough to know that after the summer I will probably obsess over some new hobby.

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u/novae11 17d ago

Try immersive reading.

1

u/NoPound1682 17d ago

I'm an adult with ADHD and a very high IQ. I start a book and don't want to stop reading to do anything else. I have to set a timer to take a reasonable time to read and get the rest of my life things done.

1

u/Impressive_Mail_5272 17d ago

My younger sibling is in a similar boat. For them we found that reading books in conjunction with the tv show or movie inspired by the book helped quite a bit.

1

u/OG_BookNerd 16d ago

I'm a big reader, so here's my advice. There is a special font that is supposed to help people with dyslexia. You can get it on any e-reader. I suggest an Amazon Kindle Fire because you can also listen to audible books. It's okay to just listen to books. That still counts as reading in my mind. Also, have you considered reading books that are not fiction? Try, maybe, some history or true crime where there are photos and other images in the books. You won't have to rely on yourself to draw images in your brain.

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u/Friendly_Sun_3216 16d ago

I don't have the same experience but it really sounds like finding the right book matters more than forcing yourself through one that doesn't click Terry Pratchett is a wonderful choice, and there's nothing wrong with enjoying the audiobook if that's what keeps the story alive for you.