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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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Check out more recent blogs:
Loved 'Ready Player One'? Check out these 8 Books
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To Quit Or Not Quit a Book? Our Readers Weigh In...
Comments Showing 101-150 of 376 (376 new)
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Mar 29, 2018 07:27AM
polygamous with 3-4 books at a time, though there are some that will go on the backburner for awhile and then months later I will return to it.
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I need to read 2 or 3 or 5 books at a time to keep my focus. I try to read all different genres though, so I don't get the plots confused. I will occasionally forsake all the other books I'm reading if I'm really into the plot of one really good book.
I used to be v mono but year ago I have noticed having multiple titles on my plate. This happened spontaneously as in the morning I generally love to read non-f, before going to bed I always read a poem and somewhere in between I would find myself with a fiction book. It 's almost as having 3 (or more!) different shower gels - on certain days one feels better than other - so why not? Cheerio.
One book in English, one in Spanish and either a poetry or inspirational book before going to bed. It is the perfect combination for me!
The only time I find myself reading a single book is if it is very, very long and the library loan time is very short. It's more normal for me to have 3-6 books in progress. Usually, it's a fiction, a non-fiction, a collection of essays or short stories, a cookbook, and then what I call the "waiting in line" read.
I usually have three on the go at a time. One is at home, one is my commute audiobook, and one for during lunch at work. I'd be monogamous, but the audiobook lets me read while I drive and I find bringing a physical book back and forth to work every day can be a little rough on a physical book.
Polygamous.I ususally read 3 books at a time. One fiction, one non fiction and other audiobook (which is mostly fiction)...
I'm reading between almost 50 --mostly fiction-- but in the course of a day, I usually read between 2-4.
I usually have a couple or three on the go at any time, often of different genres. I don't like to find myself unexpectedly without a book to hand, so there's generally an easy to carry paperback in my everyday bag, a book in the staffroom for lunchtimes, and one by my bedside for nighttime...
Multiple books at a time. I usually have one audio, one fiction, one non-fiction (sometimes more of non).
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."Racist against white people much!?
I am a monogamous reader. I love to savor a single book at a time. Right now, I am trying my hand at reading 2 books at a time. Not a comfortable feel.
I generally have at least two books going at once; a work/truck book and an at-home book. That way I don't always have to remember to grab my book and carry it in and out, and I have something to read at home and at work.
I usually read at least three at a time, but I cannot read an audiobook and a hardback at the same time.
Oh I am definitely a polygamous reader! I tend to read multiple books at one time, around 4-5, but of different genres since I like to shift between books depending on my mood.
Tried reading multiple books at once but sadly, it's not for me. My memory is so shitty I can't keep up with more than one story at a time. But I can do like one book and maybe a graphic novel or just self-help books on the side. Just anything without a complicated plot or else I'll be lost and won't be able to remember much about the book I'm reading.
Not more than two at a time, at least for deep reading. Otherwise, it's easy for my to lose track of where I read what.:-(
I've tried reading multiple books at one time but what happens is that I get so engrossed in the "other book" that I end up finishing it off so I really am not a multiple book reader even though I stqrt off with the best of intentions. I'm currently in the middle of The Expanse and I cannot imagine starting something else. The worlds created by Corey are complex enough and even if I were to consider a second book it would be hard. I would want to read something completely different though. Do you all read multiple books of the same genre or do you dip into history while reading something else like fantasy? My habit is to "finish' with something and then want something in history. I can read books upon books about archeology or history but then I want science fiction.
it really depends for me. Most of the time its two books at a time. one audiobook and one paperback. unless i get a cd format audiobook than its 3 since i can only listen to that in my car. My currently reading shelf has 18 currently but its only because thats how many i have checked out either through Overdrive or library. I really only ready 2-3 at a time.
For a long time I have been a monogamous reader, and wasn't easy to get used to reading at least two at a time. Currently, I always try to read one in Portuguese (usually paper book) and another in English by kindle or audiobook.
In the past when I've tried to read multiple books at the same time, I've not been good at it at all. However, in the last couple of months, I've done this a few times and it hasn't been terrible.Overall, I think I prefer to focus on one book at one time though.
Until a few years ago I would read one book at a time, but I found that way I would tend to abandon books when another topic piqued my interest, and I wouldn't return to the first one. Now, by letting myself read multiple books at a time, I always finish them (with rare exceptions). Nowadays I generally have 1 or 2 mysteries, a non-fiction, and a Tolkien book (or two) going, in addition to my daily devotional and Bible readings, and an audiobook. There are 17 books in my currently reading queue, and I have read 20 this year so far....
Polygamous to the extreme. I can read a dozen of books at the same time based on my mood. Never had a problem with confusing the stories.
Upstairs, downstairs, bathroom, bedroom; for work, research, fun, escape, interest, book club... But definitely no rules!
It's more of a Hunger Games system -- start with so many and watch as some win out over the others until there's only one.
It depends on my mood. If I know what I want to read, then I stick to that one book until I’m finished. If I’m not feeling focused and/or none of my to-read books are particularly calling to me, I’ll pick three or four from different genres and alternate between them a chapter at a time until one separates itself enough for me to stay with it.When I’m reading non-fiction, though, I always have a fluffy fiction book for bedtime because non-fiction requires too much attention for something that’s just going to knock me out after a page or two.
I agree with no.3. I always have an audiobook to listen to while driving or doing housework, and at least one physical or e-book for relaxing and reading on my lunchbreak.Sometimes I have two non-audiobooks on the go at once, usually one fiction for fun and one non-fic for learning, and I switch between them depending on my mood.
I'm always reading three books at once- a hardcopy, digital copy, and an audiobook. It probably has something to do with my short attention span.
I can switch between either, depending on my mood and the books involved.
I have multiple books going at any time. That way I always have one handy where ever I am.
Polyreader here. Typically 3-5. Usually a non-fiction, a book being edited, plus some novel on ebook and another on audiobook.I disagree with one poster. Most people read one book at a time. They don't consider reading a gardening or hobby book reading since unlike a novel, you don't usually read them straight through.
Very much monogamous, unless I'm tackling a difficult, long read, then I'll throw in a short story every now and then.
Definitely polygamous. Usually 1-2 books/ebooks + 1 audiobook.
Usually monogamous. I prefer to finish one book at a time and then move to the rest, works faster for me.
Katsuro wrote: "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?"I suppose if the books they were reading were really similar (like two mystery novels by the same author), they could get them confused.
Yeah so I read 4 books at a time : one on Kindle, one on wattpad, one audio book and one physical book
One at a time. Finish one - same day - start another. I can't see how anyone could retain so much to read multiple books concurrently. Could be I'm just not that smart.
Many. I often feel like I don't want to read any of the books I've started, but I do want to read. So, I start a new one. I go back to it when I'm in the mood. Sometimes months later (or more, if they are textbooks on a specific subject). I read big portions of them in one sitting, though.
monogamous reading. The only exception is when I'm reading for a class and I 'm also happen to be reading something else for pleasure and it's too good to stop. It's hard balancing the two, so I like sticking with one.
Katsuro wrote: "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?"Most of the time I don’t confuse my books, but every once in a while they blur together for me. I read Brave New Workd and Stranger in a Strange Land one right after the other, and though I know that one is about a guy from Mars who visits Earth, and the other is about clones, I cannot for the life of me separate the individual events in the books. I need to re-read them but this time create some distance by reading other things in between.
But yeah, most of the time I can read a few at a time without mixing them up.
Multiple at once. It's rare for me to have just one book going. Three is typical (if you count audio books). I don't like taking library books out of the house in case they get damaged, but I always have a book with me, so I'll pack up one of my books for travel. For the commute, for cleaning and cooking, I listen to an audiobook. Every once in a while, a book will demand my full attention (The Stand was the first one that did that).
I don't trust anyone who only reads one book at a time. They're too comfortable.
I don't usually read multiple books at once except when I have a book that I have to read for school, although currently I am reading 5 books: one for English class, one for Spanish, two audiobooks (one that I have already read to listen while working) and one fun. I've mostly just been reading the fun book and the audiobook that I have already read.Additionally, I am constantly in the middle of 20+ series; waiting for books to come out or to be in stock at the library causes me to start multiple series at once, and then I switch between them but also start new series simply because I find a book I can't refuse while browsing.
Oops - just checked. I actually have 51 books in my "continuation of series" bookshelf, although a few of them I'm not actually planning on reading... Eventually I'll get around to removing them from the list.
I read over 100 books a year...1 at a time. I read series books, so it's usually prudent to read them in order. :)
One at a time, but I´m burning faster through them than I can count.
I've usually got more than one book going at a time. This way, if I forget one at home/work/in my car/wherever, I always have something to read. I believe that when it comes to books, it's always good to have a back-up plan.
Audiobooks, too. I use them as "helpers" only, never by themselves. A print book and its audio version simultaneously.
I'm a polygamous reader. I am usually reading a hardcover/paperback book, a book on my Kindle, an audiobook (that I listen to during my commute), and a book that I read along with my daughter.
I usually read multiple; one fiction, one non-fiction, and maybe a text book or a “how to” type of book. In choosing my fiction books, I tend to accidentally follow a theme. I don’t know how or why but it just happens.
