I blame phones. It’s so easy to get the quick distraction of chat, games, videos, etc., while reading takes a different level of focus. I am a lifelong passionate reader but even so I sometimes battle distraction. If that’s the case the things that work best for me are putting the phone in another room, turned off, and finding a book—on whatever topic—that I’m really passionate about, as opposed to one I just feel i should read.

Ideally, I want silence, but I can tolerate soft music.

I am fine reading while my wife is around. Sometimes, after I read a passage that struck me as noteworthy for whatever reason, I will tell her about it. Likewise, if she occasionally interupts me to tell or ask me something, that is ok too.

I often read in a coffee house. As long as the background noise is a moderate and steady buzz, I'm ok with that. But loud music or loud conversation ruin it for me.

And I have pleasant conversations with others in coffee houses who are actually reading print books. Our tribe seek each other out!

As for your wondering what has changed, I do find that I cannot read for as long a period of time as I used to. It gets fatiguing.

As much as I enjoy touching the pages of a book, I had to switch into Kindle to make it easier to take my books with me anywhere. I find that accessibility is one way for me to carve out time to read.

I’m currently reading : 1 fiction, 1 non fiction and one textbook.

I love reading and went through a patch where i hardly read. This has picked up this year.

I read on my kindle mostly, as it was a strain for my eyes. It also means that i can take my book with me everywhere i go. I now reach less for my phone and more for my kindle.

I also do not mind what is going on around me, but especially like to read before bed.

What are you reading now?

I can relate. Hope you get your reading groove back.

I have a number of books that I intend to read but just haven't gotten around to it. Most of my reading these days consists of looking at articles on the Internet that I find interesting. Doesn't leave a lot of time for books.

I need to be alone when I read. It has to be fairly quiet, but soft music in the background is generally okay.

Omg, same. I used to read a book or two per week.

But as you asked, reading for me was solo time. And quiet time. God help the person who interrupted me too.

But now, quite honestly, my life is too busy for pleasure reading (or writing) and that bothers me. I keep telling myself that "someday" I'll get back into it.

I am in the same boat, It is so easy to let reading slip quietly away when other things are happening in life. admittedly it has been longer than a year me. I have been forcing myself to read this year though. It has been hit and miss.

I have taken to carrying my ebook reader with me everywhere I go so its not out of sight out of mind.

I dont need to be alone when I read, I always used to read on the bus going to and from work. I do like some nice ambient music playing in the background though.

I find my iPad a lot more convenient. I don't have to do a mental check list to figure out which book to pick up.

I can read anywhere I get a few minutes, including the line at the Shawarma truck. 🤣

I spend far to much time on my phone, I find now when I go out to eat alone I take my book and leave my phone face down or in my pocket and engage with my book only.

Not saying that's perfect, developing a specific routine for yourself where electronics are ignored and books are engaged is what helps me

Personally, I read without music. These days i read more mysteries and thrillers and SF; stuff that keeps me turning the pages.

One thing that's really changed my reading habits is getting a Kindle and connecting up with Libby. Libby is an app that allows you to check e-books out of your public library from the convenience of your own home (libraries pay more to lend e-books but still lend for free). Also, most libraries are now members of lending consortia, so you're borrowing from a much larger set of lenders than just your local branch.

I can not read books with few exceptions.

I can read with others in the room, music on etc. I can get engaged in the story generally

I need a little noise - not music though. When I was younger I listened with headphones and read, I don't think I can do that anymore. I have taken to audible books. I've found it very helpful on some dryer non-fiction books.

Also, maybe try something lighter, just to get the wheels turning again...

I have about ten books partly read.
When I pick up one of them, I sometimes have to re-read the previous chapter before I get into it again.

My example is not good for most I believe, it's an all at the same time approach,it is based on the fact that I've claimed ownership of thousands, and have only completed just barely hundreds. So I choose to devote the rest of my life at least getting a taste of the majority, but the particulars of this approach I am inching towards the definitive way to do it, which I think for me is being done in real time with my vocaroos. An audiobook focus I am making as of just recently, so as to teach me by way of immersion into knowing how to use my own voice to read the much larger kindle ebook library, where most of the unrecorded reading is from.

That's just me, but for you, and most other readers and desirous of being readers I say:

Do not as I do, but select a string of a top 10 that are relatively short, and 10 that are relatively long, arrange them back and forth a short then a long, after 20 thou shalt be on a roll and can read anything!!

My world makes my head too busy to concentrate. I have 6 books Im reading atm. Some fiction, some non fiction, some reference. I do feel bad but also dont because I read 2 to 3 books a week from 11-25. I should read more, but my brain cant take in.

I can read no matter what's going on! I grew up in a hectic household so I got used to it.

I found a playlist called library music. It doesn't interfere when I read with it on in my earbuds.
I prefer to be alone reading but when I can't be alone which is basically everyday because I share my bedroom with other people. I just put on the music and get into my own head and read.

Another trick I am currently using I'm listening to a book in audio while reading it. It's a cool way to stay focused. The audio version came with it's own music so it's a mix of everything.

I read PDFs only on my phone since I can't hold a real book in my hands. I also read in bed so I'm fully relaxed also because it's easier and I do it with my bipap on my face. It's sort of a ritual.

I'm on my 6th book since May this last summer.

I play instrumental music, nothing with lyrics or I start focusing on the song. Quite is a must without music.

I do need silence, although there can be some muffled sounds in the background. And I have become more fastidious about the font size. Reading literature is essential to me, I had stopped for some years as I was so busy but re-establishing that habit has made me feel whole again.

I'm alone most of the time, so I tend to be undistracted. What matters to me most, is that the subject or novel I'm reading about really immerses me. That's not difficult for me to do. I wonder if you've lost interest in things other than reading?