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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 201-250 of 376 (376 new)
In general I have two books at the same time: a french book (my mother tongue) and an english book (as I am a frenchie learning english at university). I always try to have one book which is thin and small to bring it everywhere to read in the bus or the train, and the other one stays at home and I read a little of it before going to bed!
@Doug: There's nothing restrictive about not reading books by white men, especially these days. All you have to do is not follow along with everyone else.
Am completely polygamous in my reading. I usually am reading 3 at a time. One novel, one graphic novel, & one audio-book. none of them having nothing in common with the others so no worries of confusing characters or plots.
I have 3 going currently. One audiobook for when I can't sit and read, one ebook, and one physical book with my daughter that we read together. I usually have at least 2 going at the same time.
I'm mostly a monogamous reader, but if I do feel like reading more than one book at once I try to do no more than two at a time, otherwise it gets too difficult for me to keep track of. I'll usually read a standard fiction or non-fiction novel and also something shorter such as a graphic novel, play, or poetry book.
I am most definitely a polygamous reader. At any one time, I usually have four fiction books and a non-fiction on the go. I have done this for so long now that I could never imagine just limiting myself to reading one at a time!
I relate to Beth and Karen. But I never do more than four at the most
I usually have three to four books going at once: 1) Physical book in my living room
2) A physical book in my room for when before going to sleep (sometimes 1 & 2 are the same book)
3) Audiobook from the drive to and from work every day
4) Kindle for when I'm at work and have down time to read (saves space in my backpack).
3 at time is my usual number. I usually have one book I'm reading for work, one book for reading AT work (for fun) and a book to relax at home with. The home book is sometimes a graphic novel or some such as well - something light and easy to devour in the moments I'm not spending with my partner.
I read so fast that I am a monogamous reader usually. I will read two, at most, if I have a non-fiction or self help book I am reading over a lenght of time.
It depends on how good the book is. If it's an amazing book I dont want to do anything else but read it. If its not that great then it might take me months to get through if I decide to finish it, so I might have a bunch of books half read.
I usually read 2 at a time, one paperback/hardback and one kindle. Most of my physical books are in spanish and my kindle books in english so I guess I could also say I'm always reading one in english and one in spanish.Right now I'm only reading one (paperback in spanish) and I wanna read it alone until I get to half of it and then I'll pick the other (kindle in english) :)
Sabrina wrote: "Reading all the comments above, I'm feeling terribly inadequate.I can read only a book at time."
Why would that be inadequate? We all read differently.
Is saying both an option? I'm usually reading multiple books at a time, but usually only 1 is the active one. I would usually read only 1 book on a single day.
I usually have an audio book that i listen to in the car when going back and forth to work and out running errands.if it is so good i hate to stop listening I bring it in with me. I generally have a book I'm reading also. recently discovered i can borrow audio book from my library by using the app RB Digital and have that audio book on my mobile phone to listen to where and when ever.
I started polyreading when I got my Kindle I think. Then I just found it handy to keep a book in the car, an other in the other car, then I put aside a third one for going out on long walks. I keep a poem collection next to the sofa, a short story collection and a non fiction in the coffee table, a non fiction and 1-3 fictions by the bed, and I read one on the Kindle... I like it that I just pick whatever I like best at any given minute.
Definitely multiples. I am currently reading five books on Kindle and re-reading one ink-and-paper volume.
One book at a time!! Definitely only ONE!! I give it my all when I am reading and become involved in the characters and their lives, adventures, challenges etc. I believe that reading more than one at the same time would be unfair to the book and it’s author.
I agree with number 7... If I’m reading a really long book like a thousand pager, then I’ll read comic books or really small books inbetween the chapters or parts or whatever.
I am currently reading a novel and graphic novel and listening to an audiobook. It’s nice they are all different
Multiple/poly - and I include mag books/news mags in that as well as whatever I'm reading for spiritual growth, curiosity or relaxation. So in any one week I've got The Economist, a novel, my Bible & something non-fiction. Plus maybe a manga if I'm feeling the need for something arty!
I like reading one book at a time. I get attached to the story and its characters and have digest the book right. Like I'll have mixed and unpleasant feelings about the book if I don't get all the time I need to think about and reread the book. If I don't I won't like the book a lot due to my mixed feelings, even if its a good book.
I'm a polygamous reader, although it's usually a new book with a reread or two. When I'm tired or stressed, it's better to curl up with a well-loved story rather than having to pay attention to something new.
I read more then one book at a time, but usually no more then three or four at once. : )
I am a total Monogamous Reader.. So hard to read more than one book at a time, not even Auidobooks.
I always read more than one book at a time, because I can never contain myself when I‘ve bought a new book. Usually I‘m so excited that I just start it right away.
I'm polygamous, but I can be monogamous if a book or series is REALLY holding my attention.
I'm definitely a monogamous reader because I prefer to focus my attention like a laser beam on one book at a time. I find that I read one book faster than I would if I were reading several books at a time.
Usually, I am going through 1 fictional audiobook, 1 Kindle book, 1 nighttime physical book, 1 book I practice with my speed reading app, and a couple of books I am doing studies through.
It depends...If it's an amazing book, I'll be monogamous until I complete it and it will be fast. If its a book that is good but it's not that amazing (aka does not make me "obsessed") I'll go polygamous and read two or three at the same time and I'll take a long time to complete them...
Sabrina wrote: "Reading all the comments above, I'm feeling terribly inadequate.I can read only a book at time."
Don't feel inadequate, you have a friend in arms.
I'm trying to read more than one book. Even if I find it distasteful, I tend to plow through a book in a single go. I'd like to be more picky and drop books before I spend 3 hours hate-reading it. Switching between books gives me a moment where I can evaluate how much I'm enjoying a book and go on accordingly.
I typically have 5 or 6 going at the same time - I never know what I might be in the mood to read or what I might have access to when I have time. I think my max at one point was 9, but that was before I created a few more shelves to keep it all organized. I love shelves. :) I try to read books of different formats (ebooks, paper books, audiobooks) and different lengths and genres (sci fi, fantasy, comics, classics, mystery, non-fiction, romance, short story collections) over a period of time. Short story collections take me forever to get through, so those can be on the list for months! One or two books will sometimes get most of the attention until they're done.
When I get tired of something on my currently reading shelf or find that I never seem to get around to reading it, I decide whether it goes to my "on hiatus" shelf to try again later or if it goes to my "never gonna finish" shelf.
For example, I got the audio book of Stephen Fry reading the entire corpus of Sherlock Holmes. I listened to the first novel, and then put it on hiatus until I was ready to listen to the next novel and a couple of short stories. Right now I don't have another audio book, so it's staying on my currently reading, but it will likely go back on hiatus soon.
I am definitely polygamous. I'll have 1 book @ work to read during lunch , 1 @ home, 1 ebook to read @ night so I don't need a light on when husband is asleep and an audiobook in the car.
Only one book at a time for me. I read a lot of non-fiction, and prefer to focus on a single biographical, historical, or scientific narrative at a time. Not only do I learn more that way, but there's no risk of getting events or timelines confused.
Strictly one book at a time for me...I find myself mixing up the stories if I read more than one at a time
Actually I take that back...one English book and one French book, that’s all
When I was younger, I always had at least three books going at one time. When I hit my mid-30s, I suddenly found it distracting and switched to focusing on just one book at a time. I can't say why the switch, it just suddenly happened. I will, on occasion, read a fiction AND a non-fiction book at the same time, but rarely.
I usually read 2 books at a time. One book at school and one book at home from the library, both physical. Sometimes I'll start a book I own when I have no library books, but it's usually something I feel like I'm forcing myself to read and I stop when I go to the library.
For some reason, when I get Kindle books they get put to the end of my list, even after books I own, so I'd start those and them not read them for months at a time. I haven't gotten any kindle books in a while though.
I've recently started reading lots of comics/graphic novels/whatever you want to call it, and I'll start reading that on the way home from the library, and finish it when I'll get home. I used to start reading normal books on the ride home from the library, and I wouldn't know what to read when I got home. Comics/graphic novels/whatever you want to call its are such quick reads that it's not a problem anymore.
One at a time. Definitely! I like to be totally engrossed in what I read. However, about two months ago my daughter persuaded me to listen to an audio book on my daily walks and I find I'm enjoying it. It'll take me ten times as long to get to the end of the audio book but hey, I'm in no rush!
I read only one fiction book at a time but will read two books or more if the other(s) are non-fiction.
Polygamous for me always! I am reading one book on my Kindle Fire and listening to two audio books now.
Multiple books ... lol I always end up feeling like reading something and I start it straightaway when I haven't finished the other books I am currently reading. Such a bad habit. I always listen to one audiobook and one physical book at the minimum.
Poly but I usually limit it to one fiction and one non-fiction at a time.
Aubrey wrote: "@Doug: There's nothing restrictive about not reading books by white men, especially these days. All you have to do is not follow along with everyone else."Hello Aubrey. I didn't actually say that it was restrictive. Christian said that your system was restrictive on the basis that it wholly excluded books by white men. I pointed out that your system doesn't exclude books by white men. That's all.
I can't read only one book at a time. Sometimes a book is slow, heavy, or too emotionally crushing. To help take the pressure off, I usually read multiple books at once of different genres. Unless I'm totally obsessed, then I'll put other books into que until I am caught up in a series.
It's usually one book for me but I also tuck into two or three at a time when the mood strikes; when I read more than one at a time they're different genres though.
I moderate a couple of groups on GR & some times I put books aside (especially if I'm not really enjoying them) to lead a group read.
& I'm not much of a nonfiction reader, so I do usually have a fiction book on the go as well.