I usually have 2 or 3 going.

One I carry around with me (almost always fiction and paperback) to read while waiting at tae kwon do for kids, or guitar, or at school...currently this book is Away. I like it and find myself reading it at home too. Next up for this book will be The Enthusiast A Novel.

I also have a nonfiction going usually--I just started The Omnivore's Dilemma (finally!).

I am also currently reading Cutting for Stone, which is huge. It's long and I have a hardcover from the library. I wish I could carry it around because it's good, I waited months to get it off the queue, and there is no way I will finish before I need to return it. But it is just too huge to drag around. If I put it in my bag I'll end up with a stiff neck!!!

Usually I read 3 to 4 at a time. I've cut back due to a challenge from DH, but typically I read a book I'm really interested in, one recommended by a friend, perhaps one for school/work, and one "I got bored with the others." Usually it's interest, obligations, and boredom.

Going back to school in a month, with American Lit and Shakespeare, so my reading multiple books at a time is going to return.

Summers here and I am all over the place!
Reading at the same time:

Infinite Jest - David Foster Wallace
Playing with Fire - Gordon Ramsay
Springsteen: Point Blank - Christopher Sandford
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls - Peter Biskind

Got books spread all over the house.

I usually read only one book at a time; however, ocassionally I do read an extra.

I am reading 3 books at the moment which is highly unusual for me. I just got too excited to wait!

With all of the groups I have joined on this site, I am usually reading two or three books at a time. I usually leave on in my car to read when waiting, one next to the bed, then others as I see fit.

I usually read two at a time. One physical book I can take everywhere with me and one audio book since my daily commute is long enough to get through them.

I usually only read 2 or 3 at a time, but right now I have four on the go. Generally it's one fiction, a non-fiction, plus a YA or graphic novel (just finished the first two volumes of Y: The Last Man. Fascinatingly awesome!) But I just started a book club at work and now end up reading that book as well, and I can tell goodreads isn't going to help to cut on the multiples, I get disctracted easily when I hear of something new and awesome...

Julie wrote: "Usually i read one book at a time, lately its been two, at the moment i'm in the middle of TEN series/ books with sequels/trilogys, which really is'nt that bad. saying ten seems worse then actaully..."
HP is a definite exception indeed!

My husband and I have revived the practice of reading novels aloud, so we have one book that we read together. I also read books online while at work in my spare moments and I generally always have one book on my nightstand, and one book in my gym bag. So total 4 at once, topics are usually quite varied but it doesn't bother me at all. I think of it rather like going to a friends house for a visit; they each have differing personalities and voices and I enjoy spending time with them all.

Usually i read one book at a time, lately its been two, at the moment i'm in the middle of TEN series/ books with sequels/trilogys, which really is'nt that bad. saying ten seems worse then actaully reading them. I usually don't read them in a row if there out or not, reading series to much in a row can get boring after you get to the nth book. unless its HP

I have about 4 series on the go. I dont like reading series books back to back either. I have only read the first Gossip Girl book but i intend to read the others in the future

I read multiple series at a time, and I won't necessarily read them all in a row even if they're all out. Do other people do that? I know for Gossip Girl my reason is that I'm afraid my brain will become iron filings if I read too many in a row.

Rita wrote: "How many books do you read at one time? I'm curious. I often read more than one at a time thinking, I can follow several TV series at once so why wouldn't I be able to follow more than one book at ..."


I tend to read about 6 books at a time. Like you I consider it similar to watching more than one TV series at a time.
I pick books about different topics or time periods and such so that to me they are very different. For Example just recently finished reading

Pride and Prejudice
The Gilded Chamber A Novel of Queen Esther
Innocent Traitor A Novel of Lady Jane Grey
When We Were Gods A Novel of Cleopatra
A Father's Place
A Rose for the Crown A Novel

All good but all pretty different

I usually read 5 things at once.

1 Comic/Graphic Novel
2 Occult/Religious books of differing topics
2 Fiction books of opposite genres so I have something for any given mood.

I usually have 2 or 3 going at once -- I need variety -- unless one of them is a pageturner, and then I completely lay the others aside! The older I get, though, the more I find that when I read multiple books at once, months later I have trouble remembering whether I've read the books or not. However I think that's also a result of being limited to reading a few pages a day at bedtime (when I'm tired!), and sometimes reading some pretty uninspired stuff.

I used to read 4 or 5 at a time in high school and college (had to if I wanted to keep up with my reading for classes and also read for fun!). But ever since college graduation, I have really really enjoyed reading just one book at a time. I find that I get more out of it when I focus my full attention on one book at a time. Plus, it's much more relaxing!

I usually have two books, sometimes three, going at the same time: one (or two) fiction and one non-fiction. That is notwithstanding the fair amount of magazines and newspapers. I carry a book and a magazine with me everywhere I go, so that whenever I have some quiet time for myself, I can read a little.

I usually have a couple going at a time. I have one that I keep with my outdoors stuff so I can just grab it and head outside. Then I have one in my car, and one by my bed.

I usually have at least three books going at the same time, sometimes four. I also add some nursing journals/ magazines in the mix too. My husband and family think I'm crazy so it's quite refreshing to hear that there are other people out there that also juggle multiple books at one time! There are just so many books out there that I want to read and then add the book clubs and suggestions from the boards...

Rebecca wrote: "Just as I say I only read one book at a time I have to go and contradict myself. I've been reading Catch-22, and I just decided that I can't finish the book without taking a break to..."

LOL Rebecca! I contradict myself all the time.

Just as I say I only read one book at a time I have to go and contradict myself. I've been reading Catch-22, and I just decided that I can't finish the book without taking a break to read something else... so I started reading Free For All Oddballs, Geeks, and Gangstas in the Public Library. I never understood why people would willingly read more than one book at a time, but now I understand.

Im the same if i try and read more than one book at a time i dont absorb as much and get into the book as much because my mind is on another story at the same time

I can only focus on one at a time. If I try to read more than that one always ends up neglected.

I do think I will be trying an audiobook on a road trip I'm taking which will be the #2.

I think I'm usually reading 4-5 books at a time. I don't really like the habit because it means I take a longer time finishing anything, but I can't seem to stop myself. Right now, I'm reading The Beauty Myth How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women, Empress, John Adams, To Say Nothing of the Dog, Catalyst, Fathers and Sons, War and Peace, and Slaughterhouse-Five. That makes...8, which is a lot even for me. Partially, it's because I just went to the library yesterday and couldn't resist starting all three books I'd gotten out. Slaughterhouse-Five hasn't been touched in more than a year because I was trying to read it as an ebook and discovered I don't really like the format. I'm taking my time with The Beauty Myth because it's one that I just don't want to force myself through. And I kind of hate Empress, but I'm determined to finish it, partially because I bought it and partially because it fulfills a 30 point task for the Summer Challenge. Hehe, perhaps I need to start exercising some self-control in the near future. :)

That all depends on whether or not I'm in classes. Right now I'm only reading 1 at a time, but once school starts I'll be in 4 English classes, so I'll be reading 4-5 at a time. I like reading just 1 though. I really like making my TBR list shrink and the best way to do that is to read one at a time.

I can't read a bunch at once, but I do borrow 6-12 from the library and read them in one or two days. ^^
It's so much fun! I can't pace myself.

I'm usually a one book at a time kind of gal. I think trying to read more than one would stress me out because I just get too interested in the story. That's just me though :)

I try to read one book at a time, because I like to finish my books in as few sittings as possible. However, if another book catches my eye and I can't wait to read it, or if I have to read two or three other books for school, I can easily handle four books at once. Right now, since it's summer, I only have one at a time going, and am quite content. :)

Oh, I'm in the middle of so many books it would be ridiculous to count them. But I'm not always exactly reading them, you know? Sometimes I will go months without touching a book I'm halfway through reading. So I guess on average I actively read 8 or so books at a time. That includes at least one audiobook, as I do some boring computer work which allows me to multi-task.
I think I used to read just one or two books at a time, a long, long time ago, maybe...

I usually only read one at a time, but since I got an iPod touch and installed the Kindle app I've been reading one "real" book and one e-book. I don't really like reading two books at once, but it feels different when one of them is electronic.

Since joining goodreads, I've been reading two at a time. One YA and then another one.

Here lately it has been two books for me, though I have been up to three before. Two seems to work for me though. I work at a library, so I can read one of my books there on my down time (when the boss isn't around!) and I read the other book before bed. It takes longer to finish books that way, but I like to take my time. :) The two I am reading now are "Sparkling Cyanide" by Agatha Christie and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J. K. Rowling.

I will often have two books going at a time -- a fiction and a nonfiction. I read the fiction during my commute and at night and the nonfiction on the weekends. However, depending upon what I have going on, it is always the book I carry around with me (usually fiction) that gets the most attention.

I usually read around 3 at a time - 1 fiction, 1 non-fiction, and then 1 audiobook in the car. Haven't yet branched out to audiobooks on the ipod while cleaning, etc. but after reading everyone's posts, I'm thinking I could try squeezing in a fourth?

Mary wrote: "I usually only read one at a time, occassionally two. Sometimes I will "take a break" from a book to read something else, then go back to it. I am also one of those superficial types who doesn't ca..."

Mary, I'm that way as well. I read Steve Harvey's "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" and I wouldn't take it out of the house to read it.

I usually read a novel and/or a non-fiction/collection of short stories or poetry. I think right now I've actually got one novel, two short story collections and a book of novellas by Stephen King on the go. That's a lot for me...

I usually only read one at a time, occassionally two. Sometimes I will "take a break" from a book to read something else, then go back to it. I am also one of those superficial types who doesn't care to be seen reading *certain* books in "public" (no, I'm not talking about porn, lol) so I sometimes have a "public" book and a "private" book going at the same time.

I can read two at once and listen to another. But for some reason I can't hold up reading three books at once. One always ends up on the back burner. I can also read pretty quickly, so sometimes I can read a few books a week if I've got the time.

I tend to read at least two at a time, but sometimes up to four. A lot depends on what I'm doing around the house, since I tend to leave a book everywhere ... one in the kitchen to read while cooking, one near the washing machine, one on the nightstand ...

I usually only read one at a time. Unless i'm having a hard time getting into a book. Then i'll try and keep up with a couple at a time.

Right now, i'm reading....

Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
A Girl's Guide To Vampires by Katie MacAlister

I read only one at a time. I have no idea how you can read more than one at a time! I think my mind could not handle it...lol.

I usually read just one at a time but this time I'm reading 3...

I've got five right now. That's one more than I really like. If I have only two, I panic that I might finish them both before finding a new one.

Im a one-book kinda gal. I've tryed reading two at a time, but it just doesnt work. One always takes the front seat, and then I end up having to reread the other to remember what I initally read :)

can't stand to read more than 1 book at a time. I will listen to a book at the same time that I read one since I only listen to a book when I am doing something such as cleaning where
I would not be reading

Usually I have one or two going but recently, because of the Challenge, I've had as many as four (one at work for lunch reading, one at the bedside, one or two in the living room).

Usually two physical books (one fiction/one non-fiction) and one audio. Right now I have four going at once.

Probably about 20. Unless a book really grips me it can take me ages to read as I get distracted by a new one.

I can only handle one at a time!!!
My concentration ability is so intense that all the other duties, obligations, commands, demands, etc. drain my energy... so whatever is left, is put into my reading.
I already struggle with trying not to fall asleep when I read!!!