Do you read multiple books at a time?

[Karin]

Generally, I will have 2 books on the go. One on my e-reader (for work, travels etc) and then a hardcover/paperback for at home. Doesn't confuse me, I'm used to it :)

[Lynn Renee]

I used to only read one book at a time. Now I usually have a book on my Kindle and an audio book on my phone. I will read the audio book while walking the dog, running errands, cooking, etc.

On the subject of regular hard copy books, yes I love the texture, smell, etc. Life unfortunately makes reading an actual physical book difficult. I need a larger print which makes them cost prohibitive. Libraries large print book selections are limited. The weight of a physical book is difficult for me to hold and for turning pages I need to use a rubbery tip on my finger to get a grip on the page. My Kindle allows the font to be increased for ease of reading and the weight of the Kindle is negligible compared to a hard back book. The cost of an ebook is less, libraries have a large selection to borrow from, along with many many free books available.

Being a person who reads 200+ books a year I would say that as a Kindle and audio book user I am a conscientious consumer whose purchases fit my needs. To purchase 200+ hard copy books is cost prohibitive on my fixed income and not conducive to my physical limitations.

We need to be open to others views, choices, and situations without judgement caused by a simple post whether on Goodreads or any forum. Many of us have our causes which is great. One of mine happens to disability rights. The choice of what form a book we read takes is a personal choice which may not be just as simple as you think it may be.

[Carol]

Lynn wrote: "I used to only read one book at a time. Now I usually have a book on my Kindle and an audio book on my phone. I will read the audio book while walking the dog, running errands, cooking, etc.

On t..."

Well said.

[Carolyn]

I read paperbacks at home and my kindle while commuting so always have at least two books on the go at once.

[Lynn Renee]

Carolyn wrote: "I read paperbacks at home and my kindle while commuting so always have at least two books on the go at once."

I have to use an audio book while commuting. Unfortunately, I have always been prone to motion sickness when reading a book. As a kid I would be sitting in the back seat reading but always had to stop because I would start to feel sick. This only happens when I'm reading. It amazes me how people at the gym are on a stair machine or a treadmill and reading a book. Thank goodness for audio books. :)

[Terri]

I usually have two books going, but one is usually a "fluff" book that doesn't require thinking and I only read a few pages each day from it. My main read is usually a more complicated book that requires more attention to detail.
On the subject of e-readers, I own one, but don't use it much. I just prefer the feel of a hardback or paperback book in my hands. I have never listened to an audiobook. I don't think I could, especially, in my car as I would be concentrating on the book too much and not my driving! LOL!
Besides, I prefer to listen to music and sing along (badly) in my car.

[Terri]

sorry but this is bugging me. Amber just wondering where u stand on Audio Books, as u are so against ebooks. its just that i noticed that in previous comments one member asked if audio books counted and u replied with "Does to me". I understand everyone has a view/opinion and i respect that but i kind of feel that this is a bit of a contradiction.

[Kirsten]

I think if the audiobook is unabridged it counts as book. I'm personally against abridging.

BTW, Terri, don't ask for Amber's opinion unless you really, really, really want to hear the answer. Unopinionated, Amber is not. ;)

[Kimberly]

I will read several at a time. Normally, though, they aren't too similar.

[Lauren]

Lynn wrote: We need to be open to others views, choices, and situations without judgement caused by a simple post whether on Goodreads or any forum."

Very well said!

[Lauren]

Kirsten *Make Margaret Atwood Fiction Again!" wrote: "I think if the audiobook is unabridged it counts as book. I'm personally against abridging.."

Agreed. For me, any format is valid (hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook) as long as it is the complete text. Abridged books are problematic as one can never know what has been removed Unless one read the full version as well) and it is not the original work published by the author.

[Zannie]

Thank you so much for all the great comments and discussion... I can't find the original commenter, but someone above said that they can read multiple non-fiction books at once but like to savor their fiction books - that is exactly how I am! :-)

As far as the book vs. ebook discussion... while it may not be considered a "tangible book" - I still feel that as long as you are reading the full work by the author, it is considered having "read the book".

I much prefer the feel and smell and texture and experience of a real tangible book.

HOWEVER... ebooks are more suitable to my lifestyle. They are more affordable... I can read them at ANY time b/c I always have a computer, tablet or phone with me and I don't have to "remember" to bring my book... I can pick up where I left off on any of the devices, I can search, and I can read with the lights off.

[Amber]

I feel the same way, Lauren. I don't like abridgments. I wouldn't even like abridgments for e-books if I read e-books.

Hi, Zannie. How can they be MORE affordable than a tangible book, considering that a 2nd hand paperback (in decent condition) can go for a LITTLE as fifty cents, while an e-reader can cost anywhere between $100 and more than $300? I call that more expensive than tangible books as it's damn near the $496 I have to spend on my RENT!

[Zannie]

I already have a phone and an ipad that I use for other reasons, I use the kindle app, I don't have an ereader otherwise. Most of my ebooks I get for under a dollar (or free). We don't have any second hand bookstores around here.

[Kirsten]

Zannie wrote: "I already have a phone and an ipad that I use for other reasons, I use the kindle app, I don't have an ereader otherwise. Most of my ebooks I get for under a dollar (or free). We don't have any sec..."

No secondhand bookstores??? How sad! I hope you have at least got a library!

[Zannie]

Yes, several.

[Lynn Renee]

I get a lot of ebooks free. In fact out of 3,000+ books on my Kindle I would guess that 2,500 were free if not more. Also the books I do purchase are normally under $1. Netgalley is a great source for new books, just give an honest review. I will purchase the occasional full priced book but that is rare. My Kindle was purchased with payments made each month so that it fit into my budget. I wish I was able to utilize hard cover books, my mother and some of my friends often take advantage of sales the libraries have at times. You can get an entire bag full of books for a couple dollars.

[Lorrea - WhatChaReadin'?]

You can also now borrow ebooks from the library as well in several different formats!!

[Amber]

Zannie wrote: "I already have a phone and an ipad that I use for other reasons, I use the kindle app, I don't have an ereader otherwise. Most of my ebooks I get for under a dollar (or free). We don't have any sec..."

My phone doesn't HAVE Internet. For what I use my phone for, the Internet is as useless to me as teats on a boar hog. It would be just as ACCURATE, though far more polite, for me to have said that it's as useless to me as "a screen door on a submarine."

Lynn: You get what you pay for, re free e-books. My library has quarterly sales and I don't buy until the last day of the sale when an entire plastic grocery bag goes for a $1 and I get to actually PICK the books I want.

[T.W.]

It depends, if I start a book and it's just ok, then I see another book that looks good I get it and have a couple going but usually one takes a back seat to the other.

[Shannon]

Since i read books in print either paperback or hardback i read more them one book at a time

[Amber]

Of course I do, why do you think I'm 8 books BEHIND schedule?

[Crime Addict]

At times

[Kim. E.]

I'm currently reading 4 books. One is a large book that requires much concentration and will take me time, so I read 20-30 pages at a time. The second book I have tried to start reading 3 times and still can't get off first few pages b/c of style. I'm going to try 1 more time or bank it. The other two are easier (1 children's, and the other a JD Robb) and will go faster.

I usually hit a spot in a book and just keep reading it until the end.

[Amber]

I've currently got 9 in progress: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[W]

I buy lots of books.Some remain unread for years.Several are by authors I haven't read before.I start quite a few at a time,looking for the one that grabs my attention first and come back to the others a few pages at a time.

[Tonya]

I tend to read multiple books at a time, but I keep the genres different to avoid confusion. When I'm at work, I listen to an audiobook, one on my Kindle because it's easier to carry around, and then a "real" book or two. One fiction, one non-fiction.

[[deleted user]]

I read several books at once. I usually start around 6 to 8 until one really catches me and I finish that one. I like to do different genres so I can always pick up something that matches my reading mood.

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔]

I have tried to read several, but its not for me, my mind won't take it, I'm getting old.

Sometimes I will read a paperback in the day and ebook on my kindle at night, simply because my kindle has a back light and I don't disturb hubby

[Amber]

Once again, 9 in progress: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[L.A.]

I very occasionally read two! Same modus operandi as Sue. Couldn't possibly cope with 9!!

[Mary X]

I usually have a couple going. Typically and audiobook, an ebook and a print book. I keep them different genres, styles, settings or something to not confuse the plot lines.

Right now I have a historical mystery set in 1870's London and a modern romantic suspense set in Montana going.

[Annie]

I'm currently have 4 on the go, 2 print and 2 kindle. The kindle books I tend to read on journeys or in bed. Tend to have different genres on the go.

Don't think I could ever cope with 9!

[Veronica]

I typically have 2- 3 going. I listen to audiobooks in the car and in my work space, and try to either have an e-book or paperback going. I am always so busy with projects that I can get through audiobooks much faster than sitting and reading.

[Melanie]

Usually a fiction and a non-fiction and generally one on Kindle and one hardback. Although I'm currently reading two non-fiction - paperback and hardback (World Wars 1 and 2).

I notice some people on GR have many on the go. Like you, Sue1958, I'd find that too challenging!

[Amber]

2 left out of a group of 6.

[Graeme]

My max is about two books, and even then I'll favor one over the other. I like to immerse myself in the story and concentrate on one thing at a time.

[Amber]

Everyone's different.

[Terri]

Always. I have a hard copy going in the living room, an audio cd in my car, an audio e-book on my kindle, hard copy on my exercise bike, and hard copy in the downstairs bathroom.

[Rowena]

Great question!
I normally have one fiction and one non-fiction on the go. Might throw a graphic novel in there as well - this is so I can match what I'm reading to the situation. If I have a couple of hours to read then I'll immerse myself in a novel.
But if I know I've only got 10mins to grab a coffee then I'll choose something which works in bite-size pieces. Or short stories.

[Amber]

Whatever works.

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔]

Yes
Treebook in daylight hours
Kindle book at night

[Mackey]

One paper, one e-book at least, sometimes more.

[Sandy]

One e-book, two to three hardcover/paperbacks and two audiobooks - one for the car and one for at night. usually all of different genres so I don't get them confused. Sorry forgot the nonfiction for work - usually doing one of those too.

[Bookworm]

Usually 1 hardcover, 2 ebooks and an audio. If I'm reading one that's hard to put down I will usually focus on that one until finished.

[Susan]

I have tons going at once. I have an audio book for the car, I have one in the bathroom lol, I have four or five started on my kindle, I have one in my purse, one on my night stand if I don't wanna read my kindle, one for book club for the library, and the list goes on. I love to have more than one book going especially when I want to change it up.

[Amber]

Almost always and they're REAL books, not electrons on a screen.

[Michael]

I am almost always reading at least two books at a time, usually not the same genre.

[Dorie - Cats&Books :)]

I am always listening to a book on audio at the same time as I'm reading a book on my Kindle. I try to make them different genres to mix it up a little and also choose lighter books for my audio listening :)

[Susan]

Dorie wrote: "I am always listening to a book on audio at the same time as I'm reading a book on my Kindle. I try to make them different genres to mix it up a little and also choose lighter books for my audio li..."

That's a good idea Dori. I have a book club book on cd in my car and than a True Blood book on cd in my car and several different books on my kindle I'm reading at once and a few hard copies.