Multiple Reading

[Shawna]

I'm currently reading 3 - but one is an audiobook. I love it!

[Hectaizani]

I usually do three. One that I want to read, one that I have to read, and one audiobook for my commute.

When I say have to read, I’m a newish teacher so I’m trying to self study more about education and educational methods. But I’d usually rather be reading something else so I force myself to do at least a few pages a day.

[Audrė]

I am so impressed by everyone who can read more than 1 book at a time. I am not like that. I always start and finish one book and only then I take a new one.

Of course, sometimes I get completely stuck with a book and stop reading at all, so I pick another one, finish it and come back to the one that I was stuck with.

[Brady]

I am the exact same as Audrė. I can only actually do one at a time but I still always try to do more.

[SimitudeSims]

I have a hard back that I read at pleasure at home. A Kindle book to read when I'm out. An audio book for all the times I can't hold my book.

[Allison]

I'm consistently reading at least 2 books. I'm in school full time, so there's always a reading assignment (or two, or three...), and I usually have my own book open as well. I've noticed that it helps me to finish chapters. I can't stop in the middle of one, or I'll get mixed up and forget what I had previously read.

[Delaney]

I read the Harry Potter series twice back to back. I've also read The Witch of Blackbird Pond, I read it once in 4th grade and then again in 8th.

[Sha]

I got down to two books at a time a couple of days ago. now i'm back to a more plausible six.

Yeah, I;m really not good at this focus on one thing at a time thing.

[Sally]

Katelin wrote: "So, does anyone else besides me read multiple books at a time?"
My husband doesn't understand why I do this LOL. I have one book on audible (right now To Kill a Mockingbird) one on my phone (Travels with Charley in search of America) one BIG BOOK.. (It) one short stories or a short book (The life and adventures of Santa Claus) a book club book (The Changeling and What Lies between us)
I use the page counting thing for my Big Book every month, I try to read at LEAST 40 pages a day (but try to stop at a chapter end)

[Lauri]

I read between 5 - 12 books at a time usually. Sometimes even more. I really don't know why. I skip around at will. I can sometimes leave one lay for months at a time. Then I pick it right up again like I never stopped. Most people consider this really weird. My books are all library books, I don't do ereaders at all. Right now I'm mostly reading Christmas stories, but I do have a prehistoric story, chick lit book, vampire YA & a bunch of cookbooks that have stories in them. Go figure....

[Angie Leonie]

I find reading more than one book, better than one at a time. I'm able to compare genres,and get really excited about scene development and motivation to not skip parts because a book is dragging. Multiple books really help the book fatigue,and get me through the disappointment when I'm chapters in and want to throw a book in the rubbish bin. Changing between audio/paperback and ebook is the best. I actually listened to a book while reading another this year,what a trip that was.

[Renee]

I also do multiple books. I am a mood reader. I start something and often my mood changes. I now have only three books in progress. This is a very low number for me,

[Shelley]

I have very little time to actually read, so I listen to audiobooks while I commute to and from work and while I do housework. I often have at least 3 books in progress at any one time: 1 to listen to in the car, 1 to listen to while cleaning, and 1 to read if I actually throw in the towel on housework before I'm too tired to keep my eyes open. This works best if the books are different genres and/or have very different story lines.

[Sonia]

I read multiple books when reading info-heavy non-fiction history books. At the moment, I am reading a ~750-page historical book about the Russian royal family and I usually balance this with an easier book to ease the feeling of info overload. Does anyone else do the same?

Overall, I kind of like sticking with one book (since joining Goodreads, I like marking a book as finished and then moving onto the next book). But if the plot does become slow I usually will pick up another book.

[Renee]

Sonia wrote: "I read multiple books when reading info-heavy non-fiction history books. At the moment, I am reading a ~750-page historical book about the Russian royal family and I usually balance this with an ea..."

I love to read about the royal families. I have a hard time finding anything here in Chicago about the Russian families. I can find things about Nicolas and Alexander but not much else.

Oh I can find occasional books on Catherine the Great.

I envy you Sonia you 750 page book

[Arik]

You know, I can play a million video games all at the same time, but I've never really tried reading more than one book at the same time. I think it's a bit more daunting of an idea for me, especially since I'm not exactly a quick reader, it's going to take me long enough to get through the one book I'm reading.

[Sonia]

Renee wrote: "Sonia wrote: "I read multiple books when reading info-heavy non-fiction history books. At the moment, I am reading a ~750-page historical book about the Russian royal family and I usually balance t..."

Hi Renee, the book I am currently reading is called "The Romanovs: 1613 - 1918 by Simon Sebag Montefiore", do check it out! It is beautifully written and well researched. I hope you can find it in Chicago!

[Renee]

Thank you I will look for it. I may have to get it from one of the universitys.

[Isabel]

I'm currently reading two books. One is an audio (Fahrenheit 451) that I listen to in my morning commute to work. The other is my hard book (Handmaid's Tale) that I read mostly in the evening for 15 min. I've never read more than two books at a time, and one is always an audio. I do read several articles a day on 'bookish' things.

[Kaseadillla]

Isabel wrote: "I'm currently reading two books. One is an audio (Fahrenheit 451) that I listen to in my morning commute to work. The other is my hard book (Handmaid's Tale) that I read mostly in the evening for 1..."

Isabel - love it, both are book club books!!

[Sarah]

I have a problem with this. I work in a library, so I'm constantly finding new things to read. Currently I'm reading four books and listening to an audio book. Help!

[Barbara]

almost always. 1 audio, 1 kindle, 1 other ebook, and 2 or 3 hard copy. it's not usually a problem. Except for the time I was trying to read 2 books from the same series simultaneously. I was trying to re read a prior book to verify some details.

[Sarah]

I am currently reading 3 books. Sometimes I’m in the mood to get lost in one story, and sometimes I just have so many books I want to read that I alternate reading chapters from each book. I’m currently in a “gotta read ‘em all” mood!

[Marcos]

I do the very same, Sarah.

[Cheryl]

Barbara, that's funny. At least in hindsight, maybe less so at the time if you got the two 'episodes' mixed up.

[Catherine]

I'm reading three books right now: Wives and Daughters audio in the car; The Evangelicals: The Struggle to Shape America on Kindle; and Treachery in Bordeaux on Kindle. I try to keep it to three, but I get "shiny new object" syndrome and keep reading the first little bits of new books that catch my attention! It is hard to limit myself but it becomes too difficult to keep track if i'm reading more than 3 at a time.

[martin eden]

I read 3 to 5 books at the same time, and books from different genres. I keep one for the day, one for the evening / night. And I generally have one long read (more than 500pages). And along these reads, I usually read with my duaghters.

[Greer]

Sarah wrote: "I have a problem with this. I work in a library, so I'm constantly finding new things to read. Currently I'm reading four books and listening to an audio book. Help!"

I have that exact same problem...I work at a library too so many books. I just can't seem to keep up, they keep getting new ones.

[martin eden]

I don't work in a library but I read books to feed the English reading corner at my school library. I must read them to check if my students could read them. They are French and learning English.

[Markie]

I usually listen to one & read one at the same time. Occasionally I'll read 2, but I never take one more than 3 lol

[Grace]

Currently reading 18 books. It's a habit of mine where I'll read x amount of pages in a book, put it down, and never pick it back up again. If that doesn't necessarily count as "currently reading" then I'm currently reading like 4-5. However, I wanna cut back on that this year. Don't ask how I remember things lol but if you wanna see the 18 books they're the featured shelf on my profile :)))

[Karen]

I typically have 4 books going at one time.
1. Whatever book I am reading aloud to my students
2. An audiobook for my daily commute
3. A different audiobook for weekends or road trips with the hubby
4. A real, honest, turn-the-pages book for curling up with

[Cheryl]

Karen wrote: "... 4. A real, honest, turn-the-pages book for curling up with ..."

Nice. I too say "real" books....

[A.Roma 🇵🇸]

Katelin wrote: "So, does anyone else besides me read multiple books at a time?"

Lol yes, i am currently reading 5 different books at the same time, my sister's wondering how i can remember all the characters names and which book they're from :) i told her it's a reader thing, she wont understand.

[NancyJ]

Yes, I do this all the time. I have a book on CD in the car, a non-fiction book for work on the dining room table, and a book club selection in the bedroom. When I can't keep my eyes open, I'll listen to a book on my phone (usually an Outlander book). The phone is nice because I can set a sleep timer. I often wake up with a headphone still stuck in one ear. It's easier to keep track of characters if at least one of the books is from a series that you know really well.

[NancyJ]

Caitie wrote: "I'm normally a strict 1-book-at-a-time person, but at the moment I've got 3 on the go.

Caitie, I had the same problem with In Cold Blood. It's my mother's favorite book but I didn't really enjoy it. I regained my interest in it though after seeing the movies 'Infamous' and 'Capote', about Capote's life while researching and writing the book, with the help of Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird).

It took me many years to get over the idea that I had to finish a book. My new philosophy: THERE ARE TOO MANY GREAT BOOKS IN THE WORLD TO WASTE TIME ON THOSE YOU DON'T ENJOY.

[Risa]

I used to only read one book at a time, but my reading habits have changed a bit nowadays. If the plot is moving slow, or the book is too depressing, or I'm just a bit tired with the genre, then I will pick up another book for a change of pace.

[Mo]

I don't think I've only read one book at a time since I was a child! I think it started when I started reading longer books. I was in the middle of 3 books at a time last year! I'm still trudging through Bulfinch's Mythology right now. It's hard to stay in one book that's that long for me, I need breaks!

[Taz]

Yep. I normally read two or three at a time: Two shorter books and one thick one or three short ones. I need to mix it up a bit. For example, I find if I try to read a whole series at once or read works by the same author in sequence, things get stale and I like to have options! I find it helps me to have a few books that are dissimilar from each other. Lately, I've been sticking to one book at a time though which is probably due to the boyfriend's excessive gaming. He games while i read. Works out well.

I just started reading Tiger's Quest (sucker for the preview at the end of Tiger's Curse) and I'll be starting Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen tomorrow. Then, it is the Night Circus. I'm also craving some Sherlock Holmes so maybe I'll start reading that as well. I've heard they are short.

[Katie.dorny]

I normally read one medium/thick book and either a comic/poetry/short book alongside it. I find I get through my tbr a lot quicker that way :)

[Margot]

I usually am reading at least two books at a time, a small one that I can take to college without it weighing too much in my backpack and a bigger one at home. If the book I'm currently reading is of medium length (about 400 pages) I'll take it to school and then read poetry or history books before going to bed.
I find I don't have too much difficulty switching from one book to the other mainly because i'm ALWAYS reading and I'm used to changing books every week.

[Taz]

NancyJ wrote: "Yes, I do this all the time. I have a book on CD in the car, a non-fiction book for work on the dining room table, and a book club selection in the bedroom. When I can't keep my eyes open, I'll lis..."

Nancy, I might have to give audiobooks a try since I don't always have time to sit down and read. I am a bit afraid I'll zone out and lose track of the story though. Does anyone know of any (preferably free) audio book sources other than LibreVox and the libraries/Overdrive?

Marysha wrote: "I don't think I've only read one book at a time since I was a child! I think it started when I started reading longer books. I was in the middle of 3 books at a time last year! I'm still trudging t..."

Yep. When you are trudging through a slower-paced read, it definitely helps to have a couple back-ups to keep you from getting bored (if you honestly wish to read the larger book) and dropping a book. I made the mistake of dropping my back-up reads when reading War and Peace during the summer (it is engrossing) and ended up becoming overwhelmed with the sheer size of the book and dropping it for a bit--here's hoping I remember as much of the plot as I think.

Bullfinch's Mythology is on my TBR. I look forward to your review.

Margot wrote: "I usually am reading at least two books at a time, a small one that I can take to college without it weighing too much in my backpack and a bigger one at home. If the book I'm currently reading is ..."

Margot, I definitely understand. When I was in school, I couldn't fit large books in my 20lb book-bag (which is a little ironic) because all the space was taken up my textbooks and I often found it difficult to carry my larger reads with me. Thank goodness for the invention of Ereaders and tablets!

[Margot]

Taz said : "Thank goodness for the invention of Ereaders and tablets!"
I have actually never used one of those, although I guess it could really help me, I think I just like the feel of a real book too much.

[Taz]

Margot wrote: "Taz said : "Thank goodness for the invention of Ereaders and tablets!"
I have actually never used one of those, although I guess it could really help me, I think I just like the feel of a real book..."

Margot, I completely understand. I was the same way. I love the smell and feel of a good book and I really like being able to see my progress. I actually have Goodreads to thank for my EReader. The freebies got me. There are a ton of free classic books available and since I'm trying to read all the classics...Also, I like being able to read at night in a dark room when someone else is sleeping nearby.

[Mo]

Taz wrote: "Yep. When you are trudging through a slower-paced read, it definitely helps to have a couple back-ups to keep you from getting bored (if you honestly wish to read the larger book) and dropping a book. I made..."

My goal is to finish Bullfinch's this week! I believe I originally purchased it (something like 10 years ago...) because I was really into Greek and Roman mythology. I didn't realize that this book also had stories like the Mabinogeon and the Legends of Charlemagne also in it. These have been harder for me to get through with the speech.

How did you like War and Peace?

Margot wrote: "I have actually never used one of those, although I guess it could really help me, I think I just like the feel of a real book too much. ..."

I like the e-readers that look more like paper, I find that they aren't that bad to travel with if you want books but don't have the room; but I do prefer physical books over the e-reader though!

[Taz]

Marysha wrote: "Taz wrote: "Yep. When you are trudging through a slower-paced read, it definitely helps to have a couple back-ups to keep you from getting bored (if you honestly wish to read the larger book) and d..."

Marysha, It was a two month read-a-thon on Goodreads (which now seems to have vanished). I started the book in July 2016 and I am still half-way through. Depending on the translation, I am told it can get a bit confusing and I have gotten confused a couple times. SO MANY CHARACTERS! I slowed down in August and got hooked by the Wizard of Oz series in September. It is a fantastic book though. You get to see the perspectives of several different characters and contrasts life on the battlefield with everyday life. Sometimes it feels like reading multiple stories. I plan to pick it up again next month.

[[deleted user]]

Yes. However, I am currently trying to wheedle down the number of concurrent books for the sake of improved continuity.

[Mo]

Taz wrote: "Marysha, It was a two month read-a-thon on Goodreads (which now seems to have vanished). I started the book in July 2016 and I am still half-way through. Depending on the..."

Oh geeze! Guess I'll have to make sure I have the time to start that one then if I'm struggling to get through the ~800 pages of Bullfinch's... Good to know! Thank you!

[Alyssa]

I tend to start multiple books around the same time, and so have 3-4 going at once. I give little regard to the genre, although I try not to have the stories be too similar. I’ve given audio a try, but never managed to actually finish a book that way, and I don’t read non-fiction all that often. That leaves a lot of physical and digital fiction, mostly sci-fi and fantasy with the occasional mystery or historical fiction thrown in. I usually am reading one or two e-books, which I save for nighttime reading (I suffer from occasional bouts of insomnia, so I read to fall back to sleep, but change my settings on my tablet so as not to keep myself up more or wake my husband). My physical books are, therefore, what I read at other times of the day. I eventually will want to be finished with my current reading, so I will finish them one-by-one until they are all done. Then, I will start over.

[Shelley]

I'm finding that reading multiple books at a time helps me get through books I do not enjoy, but want to read just so I can say, "Yes. I've read that." I just finished 1984, which was awful. (Clearly my opinion, not everyone's. That is the thing about books. Some people may love a book, while others do not like it at all. And that is okay.) At the same time, I have been halfheartedly trying to read the Bell Jar. (If this was not a book club read, I would have taken it back o the library unread by now. But, as I want to finish it, it is still on my coffee table.) In the meantime, I have listened to at least three other lighthearted and/or positive books. It's a great reminder for me that books can be fun and reading does not have to be drudgery.

We picked some real downers for book reads this month. But, some of us like those types of books. Even I do, on occasion. Last fall I listened to In the Heart of the Sea. It was well written, and I am very glad I "read" it. It was very good, but SO very tragic. Immediately after, I listened to the Life of Pi. I had not seen the movie and did not realize that it had such a horrific (though fitting) ending. The day I finished it, I walked into the library where I work and said, "Help! I need something stupid/funny to read!" (During this period I had also listened to some good, lighthearted books. But those two, back-to-back, were almost enough to make me give up on reading for a while.) I ended up with Furiously Happy. Ironically, this is a book about living with depression. Fortunately, I LOVE Jenny Lawson's sense of humor.