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Monogamous vs. Polygamous Reading: Which 'Type' Do You Prefer?
There's no wrong way to read. Some bibliophiles devour multiple books at once while others savor a single book at a time. We asked our followers on Twitter and Facebook which strategy they prefer and put together a list of some of the most popular comments. Which ones do you relate to?
1."One book at a time. I love experiencing every emotion in each plot while leafing through a copy," says Carol.
2. "Multiple books: that way my mind can travel to many places at the same time," says Marina.
3."I will have a regular book and an audiobook going at the same time. That way I can 'read' when it’s not feasible for me to visually read," says Valerie.
4."I used to read strictly one at a time. Then I realized that if I have two to three books going at once, I read so, so, so much more," says Beth.
5. "I alternate between both, depending on how I'm feeling and how much time I have. Sometimes, I'm so drawn into a book that I forget about the other one," says Gabriela.
6. "I can only read more than one book at a time if they are dramatically different, otherwise I start getting confused," says Dawn.
7. "I read multiple books at a time, especially if one is longer than the others," says Miriam.
8. "I only read one book at a time. I become very engrossed in what I read, so switching back and forth between books would be too distracting and would take away some of the pleasure of what I am reading," says Alexandra.
9. "Multiple books—usually of different genres as I am a mood reader," says Fiona.
10. "I always read at least two books at once—usually something on my Kindle for my bus rides to and from work, then a paperback or hardcover book before going to bed," says Michael.
11. "I do multiple books in multiple formats: ebook, audiobook and paper. I find that if I hit a slow spot in a book I can switch books," says Warren.
12."I always have two or three going at a time. I switch between them depending on my mood, my energy level, and whatever I'm interested in at the time," says Karen.
13. "One at a time. I've tried reading multiple books at once, but I found myself reading more of one and ignoring the other. I find it more efficient to just read one at a time," says Christina.
2. "Multiple books: that way my mind can travel to many places at the same time," says Marina.
3."I will have a regular book and an audiobook going at the same time. That way I can 'read' when it’s not feasible for me to visually read," says Valerie.
4."I used to read strictly one at a time. Then I realized that if I have two to three books going at once, I read so, so, so much more," says Beth.
5. "I alternate between both, depending on how I'm feeling and how much time I have. Sometimes, I'm so drawn into a book that I forget about the other one," says Gabriela.
6. "I can only read more than one book at a time if they are dramatically different, otherwise I start getting confused," says Dawn.
7. "I read multiple books at a time, especially if one is longer than the others," says Miriam.
8. "I only read one book at a time. I become very engrossed in what I read, so switching back and forth between books would be too distracting and would take away some of the pleasure of what I am reading," says Alexandra.
9. "Multiple books—usually of different genres as I am a mood reader," says Fiona.
10. "I always read at least two books at once—usually something on my Kindle for my bus rides to and from work, then a paperback or hardcover book before going to bed," says Michael.
11. "I do multiple books in multiple formats: ebook, audiobook and paper. I find that if I hit a slow spot in a book I can switch books," says Warren.
12."I always have two or three going at a time. I switch between them depending on my mood, my energy level, and whatever I'm interested in at the time," says Karen.
13. "One at a time. I've tried reading multiple books at once, but I found myself reading more of one and ignoring the other. I find it more efficient to just read one at a time," says Christina.
Do you prefer to read one book at time or multiple books at once? Share your two cents in the comments!
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To Quit Or Not Quit a Book? Our Readers Weigh In...
Check out more recent blogs:
Loved 'Ready Player One'? Check out these 8 Books
The Contenders for the Best Audiobooks of the Year
To Quit Or Not Quit a Book? Our Readers Weigh In...
Comments Showing 51-100 of 376 (376 new)
message 51:
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Makesh
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Mar 29, 2018 04:31AM
I try to read 3 to 4 books of different genre or language at a time. At some point in a book I decide to finish that before shifting.
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Multiple, have four going now. Depending on my mood, or time of day, I switch between complicated mystery-crime type stories, or easygoing light reading (usually for night.) Like some have said in the thread, if you can keep track of 4-5-6 or more TV shows and keep it all straight, the same goes for a book or books.
Always one book at a time. Otherwise, I would lose sight of what may be hidden behind each word in the book—as there often is. I would also feel overwhelmed with multiple books, you know.
Mono for a LONG time. Poly for the past few years. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep the stories straight, but it was not an issue for me. And it helps me keep reading if one of the books enters a boring section.
I always read multiple books at once. There is the bedroom book, the smartphone book, the tablet book, the gym book (between runs of exercises I must relax muscles, so I read a page at a time), and sometimes an odd book which I just must read at once.
Super poly. Average three/4 at once, non fiction, one or two audiobooks and a fiction book. Depends on what's up on my list but I have ADD and rotating means I don't loose my focus and give up.
I read 3 books at a time in different formats: audiobook, ebook, and paper book. This lets me have a book that is convenient no matter what I am doing. I try to mix fiction and nonfiction, and keep everything different enough so I don't get confused. It works well for me.
Definitely one book at a time for me. I've tried reading a few at a time but it doesn't work out for me. I personally have to fully concentrate on one book or none at all.
I read multiple books at a time. Sometimes it happens that I stick to one book, but mostly I have a couple of books I read at the same time. I enjoy being able to switch between books, especially reading a non-fiction book and a fiction book next to it.
I used to be such a polygamist reader as a kid! I was good at it too. Now I have so much trouble focusing and finishing books I've started. Usually, I can do up to two at a time (one for fun, one for class), but that's about my limit. Otherwise, I get distracted, forget which details are from what book, and get so lost and confused! Hahaha
Usually 2, sometimes 3. I generally have a book I'm reading with my children (we're reading The Emperor's Code right now). Then a library book & a Kindle book. Once I get a library book, I usually read that one straight through so that I can return it & give someone else a chance. I also put everything else on hold if I get a really amazing book... I just finished A Gentleman in Moscow for example, & I was completely engrossed in that one.
Andrei wrote: "Aubrey wrote: "I have a system: four going at once, at least one by a woman of color, at least one by a man of color, and at least two by women. It keeps me balanced."How is this balanced? If you..."
is this for real or a joke?
I've read many books that I didn't know who the author was, sometimes I didn't even know if it was a man or woman just by looking at the name, not to mention ethnicity
5. "I alternate between both, depending on how I'm feeling and how much time I have. Sometimes, I'm so drawn into a book that I forget about the other one," says Gabriela.I relate to this one. Also, every once in awhile, I have too many at once and things get out of control. Then some just atrophy, to be returned to or not at some later time. Some may wander on for months without losing vitality and lots of overlap in picking up again, like Virginia Woolf or Henry James.
Sincere question: How do people get books confused? Isn't it pretty easy to remember, say, whether it was Harry Potter or Holden Caulfield who needs to stop Lord Voldemort?
Jaclyn wrote: "I watch more than one television series at the same time, so why not books? I usually have two that I shift between (one nonfiction, one story), but right now I have five. Oops?"yah, I usually switch between one fiction and one nonfiction, and sometimes an audiobook as well :)
I'm a polymorph. I've got a variety of books, and ebooks on my computer at all times and some I nip in and read from the shops hoping no one purchases them before I'm finished.
I prefer reading one book at a time usually, however since it's impossible to listen to audiobooks at work, I usually keep my kindle close by so that I can read during break or lunch hours. As a result, I usually read two books at the same time
I usually read 2,3 books at a time and alternate between them on how much interesting they are. Also I don't know why but I like to read horror and romance together 😁
I read two at a time of different genres and themes. Depending on my time and mood, I pick the book I want to read in the moment.
Most of the time just one book. But sometimes 2 at a time, eg when I am reading a non-fiction or listening to an audiobook. Depends on my mood.
multiple books reader. I'm not in the same state of mind in the morning, during the day or in the evening/night. so the books that make me company are not the same either. I'm usually reading from 5 to 9 books at the same time.
I’m like Warren, 3 at a time, paper, kindle and audio ❤️
At least three at a time: book, audiobook and ebook, and if the audiobook is getting boring i'll alternate it with another ab :)
Usually around four, one of which is an audiobook. Then I can pick up whichever of the three other appeal to me when time to read... this is esp. important to me as sometimes I get to a part of darker books where need a break to something lighter for a while.
♥ Multiple books on multiple platforms ♥. I like to have something available to read at every moment.
Study books I prefer on Kindle, to take and save my notes and progress. I'll take a fiction paperback when I'm travelling to work. And I love to read bios, memoirs and classics at home where I feel the most comfortable.
Study books I prefer on Kindle, to take and save my notes and progress. I'll take a fiction paperback when I'm travelling to work. And I love to read bios, memoirs and classics at home where I feel the most comfortable.
I read one book at a time, except for when I read a non fiction book. Then I can read the non fiction book at the same time as I'm reading fiction.
My goal is to have a Non-fiction and a Fiction going at once for both my personal reading and what I'm reading to my daughter. On occasion, I'm also working through some kind of spiritual devotional book, so I can be reading as many as five at a time. Sometimes one takes over, but I always get back to the others.
I read multiple books at a time because I feel life is too short to read all good books. Also, reading more than one book at a time allows me to read much much more.
I have at least 2 books ongoing at the same time, one is always an audio book and the other may be an ebook or a hard copy. I try to make sure they are completely different kinds of stories otherwise I do get mixed up.When I was a child I had at least 3 or 4 books at the same time and I would have them in a pile at my sind and read one chapter of one and then move on to the next in the pile. My brain must have been able to cope with keeping the stories apart, I couldn't do that now.
I always have one audiobook and one Kindle book on the go at the same time.
Usually, I'm reading just one, but right now I'm reading three. I actually prefer to be "monogamous" but I have a couple of books that are on the holds list at the library and I want to finish them.
I like to read one book at a time. I like to get fully absorbed in the narrative. Swapping between books, or even taking breaks between chapters, sort of removes me from the story, and it takes a few pages of reading before I can sink back into 'the zone'.
More than one always. I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy which always come in series so my book anxiety makes me want to devour these quickly. Usually always reading a science fiction novel, a fantasy novel, and a stand-alone novel of one of those genres. Sometimes just a classic piece of literature helps me validate my reading obsession too!
I'm currently reading 5 books. YES 5!Here's my reasoning for it.
One book I bring everywhere with me. This is the book I am usually reading more frequently so it's usually longer books. The second book is my bathroom book. I like to read while doing certain things in the bathroom instead of being on my phone so this book is usually a non-fiction book. The third book is an audio book. I listen to these while I'm at work, as it helps keep me focused ( I tried podcasts and music but it's not the same). The fourth book is an e-book that I read on my phone. Later at night while I'm getting ready for bed, I don't like having to get a reading light so I use my phone as I figure it's better to read on my phone than be on time wasting sites. The fifth and final book is my bored/weekend book. This book I'll read whenever I'm at home feeling bored or trying to pass time on the weekend.
This may seem weird to most people, but I like following the different narratives and am usually in the mood for each of these different books when doing those specific activities. I don't want to make it seem like I'm looking down, or am better than anyone that reads a single book, it's just my preference.
Side note, it also helps that I work at a Barnes & Noble so I have wide access to many different books.
2 for me. One "book" and one audible. Need to be different genres and make sure the characters names are not the same :-).
I used to be a committed monogamous reader, and then I majored in English literature in college and I tell people that it "ruined me." I'm back into reading again after a few years of being completely unable to read for pleasure, but I definitely read a few books at a time now - normally something that's more in the non-fiction/learning/self-help vein and then usually a more challenging read and a fluffy read.
I thought I was abnormal until I bumped into this article because i read more than 4 different books in a day. i don't want to dwell at one thing and forget my existence. I prefer to be living in the present world, holding my own character and reading multiple books in a day help me achieve this. and why not when you can read more than a book and enjoy all of it's kinds. It's an amazing feel :)
Polygamous, in my fiction reading. Monogamous in my non-fiction reading. I normally read novels that are in series, so it's easy to keep up with.
I prefer to be monobiblotic, but find myself polybiblotic much more often.
I go through periods when I read one book at a time -- probably when my brain is in a more patient, ordered state. Then there may be a period of couple of months when I can't concentrate on one book at a time -- my patience is low and I read what appeals to me. And then, sometimes, a book comes out and I just can't wait to read it. It's like having a pizza delivered when you've been cooking all day.
I like those words, Iset. Makes more sense to me, though...oddly....I've never seen or heard them before. I did think that using " 'gamous" sounded odd to me. Have a great day....guess I'd better get my dictionary out, again.
One book for workOne book for home
One book for weekends
(Plus, I never leave home without a book. Period.)
I like to have two on the go at once. I have a classic which I read a chapter of a day, and then my current novel which fills the rest of my spare time. I try to read a different classic every month.
I read a hardback at home and a kindle book on the bus and listen to it at work... I read very large books and I am simply too lazy to carry it around.
I used to be only one at a time when I was in a massive reading slump. Sometimes it wasn't any books at all and I'd go for months without reading until something caught my interest. I'm up to two now, one that I take to work with me: I'm a substitute teacher so I have long periods when the students aren't in the classroom that I can sit and read. I also have one I keep by my bed to read a chapter or so of before I go to sleep. It's a system that has been working very well for me and I've been able to get 9 books ahead of my reading challenge schedule.
I've tried reading more than one book at once but it just never works for me! I get too distracted by one and forget pieces of the other, or the worlds mesh into each other too much, enough to make it confusing. I read fiction (fantasy, recently) and maybe that's why I can't do more than one at a time? When I'm reading non-fiction, though, it's a lot easier to juggle.
Have to read multiple books, I'm like a kid in a candy store just want to gobble up and read whatever strikes my fancy.
I try to read a small amount of books at one time, but I always have multiple. With school I have two books for classes like my women's and lit and Ap lit class, and im reading 1 on my own. But usually I have 3 on my own when I have no work to fall back on.
I read several books at once of 5 (typical for me) different subjects. I see it as no different than being at school studying different subjects, & I usually choose 3-4 books at a time: a modern contemporary, a classic, a historical, a self help, or religious, but never two of the same genre - that would totally confuse me. I read based on my mood, so keeping the genres open for me is what works. Polygamous reading is what I choose to do.
I often read several books at once, usually when I can't decide which one I really want to read. I have, in the past, sat down with two or three books and alternated reading ten pages from each. (This method never lasted all the way to the end of the books. By the time I hit page 50 or so in each of the books, I would realize which of them I wanted to read the most and finish that one before finishing the others.)
