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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
The Contenders for the Best Audiobooks of the Year
To Quit Or Not Quit a Book? Our Readers Weigh In...
Comments Showing 151-200 of 376 (376 new)
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Nicoletta
(last edited Mar 29, 2018 09:39AM)
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Mar 29, 2018 09:26AM
I used to be "monogamous" but lately I discover audio-books and short stories books so I usually read one book when I get stuck with it I read a short story and then I go back to the first book. Finally when I am working at the computer I listen to the audio-book.
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When I was younger I used to read multiple books at a time and found it difficult to really keep everything separate. Then I moved to reading one book at a time when I started getting busier.Now, thanks to a recent (about two years ago) realization that audio books are amazing driving companions and perfect to listen to while doing chores, I am back to reading up to three at a time!
I don't feel as if I have to fly through them either just to keep my GoodReads goal up to date!
I usually read multiple books at a time (usually 2 to 4, fiction and non-ficition). I save the best one for the night just before going to bed. However, a masterpiece, such as The Brothers Karamazov, can make me put everyting else aside including magazines, newspapers, articles, and even social media.
Never thought about it, but I could be a mood reader, as well. Anyway, I love variety in my reading. Love creative writing, as well.
Aneesha wrote: "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 t..."I agree! It's great being able to read several at a time.
@Doug: Admirable efforts, Doug :)@Tesalonica: The only joke is your defensiveness.
@JR: White people invented race. What goes around comes around.
My goal is not to consume as many books as possible. It is to get into a book and really enjoy it. I am definitely monogamous!
I can only read two books at a time if one of them is a graphic novel. I submerse myself so much into novels that I become obsessed with the world and have to finish it before moving on to something new. Reading graphic novels occupies more of my visual brain, so that I can manage enjoying one in-between chapters of whatever novel I am reading.
Joe wrote: "I can only read one at a time, have never figured out how to get one eye to read one book and the other eye to read another:). Actually, I read about 7 or 8 books at a time in several different are..."That was funny! :)
I always have an audiobook and a eBook or physical book going on at once. Like many others, I don't find it practical to read while on the move so I like having something to listen to at the gym, on my commute and while doing chores. Right now, I'm listening to The Return of the King and I'm reading the third book in the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix, Abhorsen. Enjoying both immensely.
One book at a time. I don't have thaaat much time to read so if i start reading more than one book at the time it will take me ages to finish them.
I'm usually reading a print book, a Kindle book, and a cookbook at the same time.
One book at a time. I like to invest in the story, to know the characters better and to finish it more quickly. I have tried reading more than one,but I got distracted and can't follow the story. If you have enough time, you can finish a lot of books in a month or a week (even for a night). :)
If I'm not reading at least 4 books at a time, life is not worth living...
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? I get not avoiding books such as those you describe, but to only read books that fit those particular criteria rules out so, so many books that are great. You can't read John Steinbeck or James Clavell, for example. I don't get at all why you would want to narrow down what you read.
One of the fun parts about reading is to experience new and exciting settings, types of characters etc. It broadens your mind. By narrowing down what books you read you are somewhat counteracting that, to a certain degree. Men can, and do, have noteworthy stories to tell, too. Books with white main characters can also be worth reading. I don't at all get this exclusionary reading you have decided on. I would have the exact same opinion even if you were doing the reverse; excluding female writers or or not wanting to read books that feature people of color as the main characters, as well.
I read several books at a time. Some times I set a number of pages or amount of time per book to manage them and focus my attention. Right now I am reading at least 8. If I get a book that hits the sweet spot, I finish it in one sitting (usually overnight).
One at a time with fiction. I have done one fiction and one non-fiction but not offen. I like to "immerse" myself in the one book! Can't always do that with more than one at a time!
Mono, all the way. But it happens that I’d be reading several books at work (specific subject), but at home, its always 1 untill its done.
I have done both, and I prefer reading one at a time. That way I can fully delve into the story and world without mixing it up with another. I'll always want to read one more than the other, so I'll save the other for when I finish the one. However, I don't mind reading a fiction and non-fiction at the same time.
One book at time of course! I need to stay focused ;)
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?"That is the same reasoning that convinced me to try multiple books at once, and I love it! I read much more when I have more than one going at the same time.
I usually have 3 or 4 books going on in the same time, and from different genres. I get bored with just one. I don't have trouble remembering where I left off, I can switch between them like TV series. Most times I have a fantasy novel and a nonfiction book (or audiobook), maybe a non-fantasy fiction novel as well. It really depends on my mood. Fantasy is omnipresent but I don't always feel like reading it. Nonfiction is sometimes too real and I want to escape. I often pick up popular books, and more often than not I forget my book and have some time to kill somewhere, and circumstances demand that I buy and read whatever comes in handy.
#13 is pretty much me, I've tried in the past to read more than one at a time, but I do end up just reading the one that interests me more and putting the 2nd book on hold, so I don't do it anymore.
I read many books at a time. I've always got a non-fiction going because I usually can't read those straight through. I enjoy reading more than one fiction at a time as well. When I get bored of reading one book but still want to read, I can move to another and keep reading. I find I read a lot more that way.
I prefer reading one book at a time. I usually get more invested into a book if I focus only on one.
I usually have two that I shift between, sometimes 3.
@Christian: If you want to go swimming in the same 10-15% of the world's population like the rest of the status quo, that's your prerogative. The fact that you're uncomfortable enough with my personal reading habits to type out paragraph after paragraph says more about you than it does me.
I usually have several different types of books going at one time, for my different moods. The one thing I do try to do is stick to one series at a time, if I can. I prefer to wait till they are complete, then read them back to back.
I always have one audio book and one physical book going at one time. I recently started getting into Kindle books so now I tend to have at least 3 going at once depending on if I am sitting at my kids practice, at work/commuting or sitting on the couch. They are usually all very different types of books so it's not hard to keep up.
I used to be a monogamous reader because if I were to put down the book I was currently reading to start a second, the first book would most likely be totally abandoned and forgotten about. Now I use overdrive, which is a library-based audiobook/e-book site that lets you put holds on books, so I start reading/listening to the books based on when they become available to me. Sometimes I just read one book, and sometimes (like right now), I read five.
It really depends on the books. I try to do one at a time to savor them in entirety but find myself doing multiples on different yantras repeatedly usually because of different devices. be it real book on laptop etc. .
I can read more than one book at a time, it's more entertaining and it lets me switch between worlds
Easy, I'm a monogamous reader. I get so engrossed in a story and series that if I was to add another book to my plate I would be cheating on the current read. I'm LOYAL that way ;-) !.... But hey I never tried reading more than one leisure book at once. Who knows maybe I will give poly a try.
I read several books at once.. I have a bad habit of wanting to read every book as soon as I get it.. I jump between books based on how I'm feeling... Or what adventure I want to experience
Sabrina wrote: "Reading all the comments above, I'm feeling terribly inadequate.I can read only a book at time."
You are the only commenter I didn't feel was compulsive. Perhaps you have a life. Perhaps reading is just part of your life. You are not inadequate!
4 books at one time, but I don't think that's a good idea...
I'm currently reading 17 books so I'm a serious poly-reader :)
Not compulsive about reading. I read one at a time but feel little need to read the whole book. Compulsive about writing, I've been writing about four books at once to keep inspired.
Aubrey wrote: "@Christian: If you want to go swimming in the same 10-15% of the world's population like the rest of the status quo, that's your prerogative. The fact that you're uncomfortable enough with my perso..."How is reading everything and anything, regardless of gender of the author, or color of the main characters' skins, the same as "swimming in the same 10-15% of the world's population like the rest of the status quo"? You're the one narrowing down your reading alternatives. Not me. I'd happily read a book no matter if it's written by a woman or a man. Or read a book regardless of the skin color of the main characters. I don't at all feel "uncomfortable" with your choice, as you put it, but you're being a bigot. Doubly annoying since you probably see yourself quite the opposite, because you want to read specifically female authors, and specifically about characters who aren't white. The same behavior but with other genders and skin colors and you'd probably be mad at the person doing it.
I may have up to 4 books on the go: 1) fiction
2) self-improvement
3) work related
4) investing related
That way the "plots" don't get crossed. The topics are distinct from each other.
When I read a novel I am totally invested in the characters and the plot. For that reason I only ever read one book at a time.
Definitely polygamous! I always have at least two books going (work lunch break book and bedtime book) but lately I've really enjoyed listening to audio books so now I'm up to three. Once the weather warms up and I start sitting outside at night to read, it will go up to four when I add in my Kindle. However, the books need to be different enough so that I don't get them mixed up. Usually a historical fiction (WWII is a current obsession), a family drama and a mystery suspense are different enough for me. Also, the Kindle always travels with me for those unexpected reading opportunities.
I usually have one fiction and one non-fiction going to mix things up and keep them separate. I like learning new things with the non-fiction and having something entertaining helps unwind at the end of my day.
Ooooh. This is such a debated question! As a child, I was such a polygamous reader. I would keep a stack of as many as seven books in progress. These days I find it hard to focus on more than one book at a time, so I'm a bit more monogamous. But when I have another book I'm itching to read, it's more incentive to devour my current book to move on!
Christian 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? I get not avoiding books such as those you describe, but to only read books that fit those particular criteria rules out so, so many books that are great. You can't read John Steinbeck or James Clavell, for example. I don't get at all why you would want to narrow down what you read."
Hi Christian. I think Aubrey's system to read 4 books at once isn't as restrictive as you think:
1. One by a "woman of colour", eg Toni Morrison
2. One by a "man of colour" eg James Baldwin
3. At least two by women. A "woman of colour" is already one woman so one more meets this criterion, eg Tove Jansson
4. Any other book, which could easily be by a white man, eg John Steinbeck
Polygamous reader here. I've always read multiple books at once but it's gotten "worse" since the introduction of ebooks and audiobooks. Now I have at least one physical book going and at least one audiobook. As for ebooks I have way too many going at once. Usually a mix of science, history, biography, sci-fi/fantasy.
Most of the time, I read one book at a time. But lately, I've been reading more than one book.
With wide ranging interests, I often have multiple books in progress with one or more professional interest so to speak and at least one just for fun. Sometimes my situation influennces what book I'm reading. For example, I like to take a paperback that fits easily in my pocket for days when I'll be out and about. Some books, I've borrowed from the public library so they will get priority over books from my own shelves.
Usually, I read not more than two books at a time..
