QQ: How many books do you read at the same time?

[Deborah]

How many books do you read at one time?

For me, this varies. I read several books for book clubs, and then usually have another book I read in the evening for fun. I stick typically to the same format - an actual book. The most I can read without getting confused is four. The hardest thing is reading closely for book club and stopping each week. For me, this some times diminishes the enjoyment.

[Everyman]

In a way, it depends on how you define "read." I usually have at least five books going that I'm reading in full -- two or three Goodreads books, one recreational downstairs, and one recreational bedtime (I can't read serious books in bed because I can't make notes, and because my reading time is limited because my wife can't get to sleep while my light is on). And sometimes, especially when several books on hold or on ILL have come in together) I'll be reading more than that. (Right now I have six regular books going.)

But I usually have several supplemental books going, depending on what I'm reading. For example, I'm reading Herodotus's Histories for a Goodreads group, but I'm also reading appropriate bits from several other books, such as Roberts's introduction to Herodotus, Starr's History of the Ancient World, and the New Penguin Atlas of Ancient History. And because his chapter on Egypt was so interesting I got Secrets of the Great Pyramid on Interlibrary loan. So during the course of the week I'll be reading in and out of about ten books.

[Caroline]

Right now, four technically!

[Diane]

One e-audible for walking, a light, fun one on cd for the car, and one physical book for the rest of the time.

[Lily]

Deborah wrote: "The hardest thing is reading closely for book club and stopping each week. For me, this some times diminishes the enjoyment. ..."

Why do so, then? Other than perhaps to avoid entering spoilers into a discussion? Or to have a sense of camaraderie with other readers? Or...?

I find there are some books that I can read "in pieces" with a group and, in fact, on-line book groups perhaps more than any other source in my life have helped me learn to read pleasurably in successive pieces. For pleasure, since very young, I have tended to like reading fiction in big gulps -- get immersed in a story and just keep going. I highlight a lot and use marginalia, but don't generally keep notes as I go. I know books on reading that recommend stopping at the end of a chapter. I seldom do so -- I'll start into the next chapter even if some chore is demanding that I put a book aside for a time. The habit, as I guess it is, tends to take the reading with me and heighten my desire to return. But it probably weakens my ability to recognize the structure the author has brought to the story.

I surround myself with books so much that I have difficulty at times figuring out what I am reading versus what I am not. Books like Jane Smiley's 13 Ways of Looking at the Novel or Eco's History of Beauty or a Met Guide I like having within reach to savor a single article or section when taking a break from some household activity. Unfortunately, online discussions probably have increased the number of books I have started, then abandoned for lack of time or interest. But, the up side of that has been increasing my exposure to authors and a range of ideas and approaches. (I have an old guideline that if a book has contributed one useful idea to my life, it has been a worthwhile read. I am not certain it is a totally valid guideline, but it contributes greatly to my willingness to abandon a book that doesn't seem productive, at least at that particular point in my life.)

As I have been doing more creative writing, I am fascinated by how my reading habits and sensitivities have been changing. (Perhaps another trivia question someday might be: "How would you describe your reading habits as having changed or having stayed the same across your life as lived to date?)

I have three f2f book discussions happening today (unusual circumstance, thank goodness, but had another just last Saturday), so need to go finish/review a few things!

[Deborah]

Lily wrote: "Deborah wrote: "The hardest thing is reading closely for book club and stopping each week. For me, this some times diminishes the enjoyment. ..."

Why do so, then? Other than perhaps to avoid enter..."

To answer your question Lily, I read for book club closely taking notes along the way. If I lead the discussion, I need to be very attuned to the piece of the book under discussion

[Kerstin, Moderator]

I think I am at 12 parallel right now...

3 for various GR groups
1 for fun/entertainment
1 non-fiction

The rest are "side servings," such as a collection of The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales, a poem collection, cookbooks, travel books, etc., etc.

[Kerstin, Moderator]

Everyman wrote: "But I usually have several supplemental books going, depending on what I'm reading."

Isn't it amazing how that happens? You're interest gets pricked in one way or another and before you know it there are seven books all across the coffee table to satisfy your intellectual curiosity.

[Everyman]

Lily wrote: a Met Guide ..."

What is a Met guide?

[Lily]

Everyman wrote: "Lily wrote: a Met Guide ..."

What is a Met guide?"

A guide to an art collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

These are ones I currently browse (I probably have a couple of previous editions re. the general collection still on my shelves. This new one has a slightly larger format.):



I find them enjoyable, whether planning a visit or just doing an arm chair tour.

[Lily]

Deborah wrote: "To answer your question Lily, I read for book club closely taking notes along the way. If I lead the discussion, I need to be very attuned to the piece [place? pace?] of the book under discussion..."

But that per se doesn't require "stopping," unless the issue becomes time limitations -- as it easily can. I have a friend who makes extensive notes as she reads and it does impact her speed, but not particularly whether she starts and stops when a story asks for its own momentum. It does give her what she needs for book groups that move slowly through a book. (She much more meticulous than I about picking up the details of a story that is being read unit by unit for discussion.)

[Deborah]

Lily wrote: "Deborah wrote: "To answer your question Lily, I read for book club closely taking notes along the way. If I lead the discussion, I need to be very attuned to the piece [place? pace?] of the book un..."

It does require my stopping to stay with the current discussion for me