Music While Reading?

[kc]

Ever listen to music while you read?

I used to, but then I began associating songs with certain parts of books. Which wouldn't be so bad, except about 12 years ago I was reading a Holocaust historical fiction novel and listening to music, and now every time I hear Fat Boy by Maximillion, I'm vividly reminded of a young girl, kneeling in a line on the ground, being butted in the face with a rifle while her little sister has her back broken over the knee of a Gestapo.

It makes for a very disjointed memory.

I was just wondering if other people had this sort of experience.

[The_Fog_Is_Rising]

I listen to music sometimes but I never associate the songs with the books I read.
In fact that never crossed my mind until it was pointed out by you.

[kc]

Hahaha, sorry. I hope it doesn't happen now that you are aware of it...

[Nicole]

Yes, Pride and Prejudice, chapter 10, will forever be "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice in my mind. Also with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and the song "1000 Miles" by Vanessa Carlton.

[Natasha]

earlier today i was watching a random movie, and i started to read GIRL OVERBOARD. and it made the book even more the better.. it was cool

[Allison Cox]

Usually, yes. but it has to be very very quiet or i start to sing along and get distracted.

[Mush]

I usually listen to music while reading, mostly because I'm in public transport and other people like to distract me. I've had what you had a couple of times. Not really with reading, but while doing other activities. It's not that bad for me, but I can see how that would be a very weird memory for you

[Ado]

I have been reading in silence recently but I have strongly considered playing music. Not strongly enough to put the book down, get up, switch on the computer/put a disk in the stereo, wait for computer to boot up (all my good music is mp3).

[Gamgey.]

i sometimes do, but it often distracts me from the book. especially if a song i like is on haha.

[Sarah Bonilla]

I listen to broken social scene when I read (and write) as well as YannTiersen compositions because they're instrumental, but really interesting and stimulating. Not all of Broken Social Scene's songs are instumental, though. They're a great band.

[Leanne]

I have music on whenever I do anything. Otherwise, the back of my mind starts dancing, then it takes over the front of my mind, and before I know it I'm in the kitchen eating a s'more while texting a friend and the book is abandoned on my couch without the slightest scrap of a bookmark. Even worse is when I inadvertantly sing to the displeasure of all those within a 20 meter radius. I've tried consciously focusing on the task at hand but that just gets me thinking about focusing and not actually thinking about what I'm doing. I've tried exercising while reading but it takes too much time to set up. I've tried keeping infomercials on, but I start watching. Music is the only thing that will fill the back of my mind in and stay there.