(My apologies for this post being so late- the question went up while I was out and about with the family, including the dog, all day!)
What do you think of speed-reading? Is it a good way to get through a lot of books, or does the speed-reader miss depth and nuance? Do you speed-read? Is some material better suited to speed-reading than others?
I think it’s a bad idea to speed read everything. I read fairly quickly, but I do try to savor the good books. You miss all the hard and fine work that an author has put into a book. I’m a little frightened to reread Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as I finished it in eight hours–I’m sure there’s plenty I’ve missed. Still, completely eschewing speed reading is hardly fair. Light reading should be done at a fairly steady clip, and I will admit to finishing off Gossip Girl and Jodi Picoult novels off in one day when I was in high school. It’s not about how fast you read, but how much you manage to take in.
The Literary Omnivore 
I like your last sentence especially: if one can take in the story quickly, that’s great. I’m not a fast reader, though, and I still miss things.
Some books require a second read to fully understand them. Those are usually the best crafted ones.
I agree. It takes away from the book and I feel I miss too much.
Go back and re-read HP. I did the same thing when I first got the book. When I re-read it, I caught a lot I missed the first time and found I like it even better.
I am going to reread the entire series in the near future, but my Lord of the Rings challenge will prevent me until at least next summer!
I agree completely! I also read quickly, but I slow myself down, especially on books I know need that kind of attention.
I’ve had to talk myself into slowing down. Of course, ever since I read Absalom, Absalom, which is written in the most infuriating stream of consciousness, I’ve never had to read so slowly again.