Reading more than one book at a time.

[Sylvia]

I see some of you do this. I’ve always made myself finish a book before starting a new one. What’s your thoughts and pros and cons.

[Brooke]

Sylvia wrote: "I see some of you do this. I’ve always made myself finish a book before starting a new one. What’s your thoughts and pros and cons."

I always have 3 books in progress at the same time: one audiobook, one hard copy and one on my Kindle. It is all about my mood and reading conditions. I listen to audio while in the car, getting ready in the morning, taking a walk, etc. I usually read on my Kindle before bed and if I am waiting for an appointment or at a restaurant solo. The hard copy is for when I have a free evening and want to chill on the sofa.

The only con is that if I am ever reading the same genre of book across all mediums, I might mix up a couple of characters or a plot point. Usually that only happens if they are all thrillers, which doesn't happen often.

[Tara]

I tend to stick to one, maybe a second one on my phone for emergencies. But lately I’ve been reading 5-6 at a time because my multiple group reads, library books and book clubs has me stressed that I won’t finish. When I do that though I usual set up a schedule so I know what to read and how much each day. I’ll let myself continue with one that I’m really into, so I’m not “punishing” myself and making it feel like homework.
This isn’t my favourite way to read but I do like how ill finish so many books around the same time and get a huge sense of accomplishment lol

[Johanne]

I have a lot of books going on at the same time. I have always liked to have poems or non-fiction, that has a different, and slower, reading mode, alongside my normal fiction reads, so I can swap around after my mood. But at the moment it´s gotten a bit out of hand: I´m listening to Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore while riding my bike to work, reading Valget for one of two book clubs for teens and kids that I run at my work, Beartown is on a short pause while I finish Valget, Carrying Albert Home: The Somewhat True Story of A Man, His Wife, and Her Alligator and The Blade Itself are on a longer pause, and so is White Girl 2, a collection of poems and Tusind og én nat a complete translation of the original 1001 nights adventures. I´m also reading some picture books and a short children´s novel for reviews. And some graphic novels for a booktalk for a school class on wednesday. I therefore chose to read a romance novel last night, since it requires very few braincells and I hate to feel forced to read... Pros are that I like to read after my mood, and I like many different genres and formats. I sometimes get a bit overwhelmed, though, which is the case at the moment. Also I´m sometimes forced to switch around if there are holds on the library loans. I don´t really have a problem keeping them apart, as long as the storylines are not too close, but I do sometimes get stuck in books and forget some things if there´s too long a break.

[Cendaquenta]

I'm only just starting to try reading multiple books at once, having been a firm one-at-a-time reader since my tween years. It's fun so far!
I'm using it as a way to avoid reading burnout/fatigue, reading a "difficult" book, such as a long classic or nonfiction, alongside one or two shorter and lighter books.

[Taylor]

Sylvia wrote: "I see some of you do this. I’ve always made myself finish a book before starting a new one. What’s your thoughts and pros and cons."

I used to be the same way! I thought it was so weird that people could read multiple books and I never understood why they kept them all straight! Now I usually have 2+ books in progress at a time. I find it easiest to read multiple books in different forms (audio, ebook, paper, etc) but also in different places. I have a book at home, a book at work, a book in my car, a book on my phone, etc. I like it because even though sometimes it takes me longer to get through a book I find that I end up reading more books because my interest is peaked for longer.

However, it is totally up to the individual whether or not this will work for you. It is definitely not for everyone but might be worth giving it a try!

[SadieReadsAgain]

I've gone through periods where I had a few on the go at once, and it's nice if you have a lot of reading time to be able to pick one that suits your mood better or whatever. But on the whole, I prefer to read one at a time. Especially these days where my reading time is fairly limited.

[Tara]

I also find it works best when I’m in a slump! If I’m not feeling any specific book then rotating keeps me making progress without me slogging through something.

[Sarah]

I tend to read multiple books at the same time. Like someone above me said: they usually come in different formats. One audio for work, one e-book for on the go, and one hard copy for home. It helps me maximize my reading time and it does help avoid reading fatigue.

I don't have an issue keeping them straight. The characters and settings are kind of my pivot points. It also helps that even if they are in the same genre, they tend to be very different in everything else. For example right now I'm reading: The Ruins a horror novel set in the Mexican jungle, Sky in the Deep a YA fantasy set in a place similar to Iceland, Patient Zero an urban zombie horror (/sci-fi?) novel set in Maryland, and The Philosopher Kings a fantasy novel set on an island in the Aegean sea.

Sometimes I do get sucked into one and just run with it. The biggest problem I have is if it takes me a while to get back to one. Then I might have forgotten some things.

[Raquel (Silver Valkyrie Reads)]

Ever since my prolific reading days as a child I'd been in the habit of reading lots of books at the same time, switching books completely just on mood. Just in the last couple of years I realized how many books fall by the wayside and sit on my 'currently reading' list for forever when I do that, so I'm trying to curb that habit.

I do still have different books going in different formats at the same time though:

*I usually have an audiobook going that I only listen to while I'm doing chores or getting ready for the day, when I can't actually read a book.

*I have a book on my phone for if I can't sleep after my husband turns out the light when he's ready to sleep.

*I often have a print book going as well, either as my main book because I prefer the format, or because I need a book to take in the tub with me, and I have a strict no phone/kindle in the tub rule. :-)

*And sometimes, if neither of my non-audio books is nonfiction I have an extra nonfiction book going as well. I enjoy reading nonfiction, but I always have to have a fiction book going to take a break from the nonfiction, so the nonfiction ends up being a side book that I read from a chapter or so at a time (unless it's a particularly interesting narrative nonfiction).

There are also occasionally extras, like a cookbook I'm reading through in addition to my main non-fiction, or a graphic novel I know I can finish in an hour or two, or like right now, when I'm taking a break from my main fiction book because I came down with a bad cold and needed something faster paced to really hold my interest.

So, basically I still stink at only reading one book at a time, but at least now I have a system and some awareness of my reading problem so I don't accidentally drown in books I'm currently reading. :-)

[Mirel]

Up until last year, when I did my first reading challenge, I always read only one book at a time, unless I was reading a nonfiction book portioned by chapter, in which case that would be alongside fiction books (read one at a time). Since starting doing reading challenges, I find myself reading several books at the same time, usually in the format of one audio, one kindle, one hardcover. This is also because I'm a Sabbath observer and can only read physical books over the Sabbath (no audio, no kindle...). So, I generally read physical books over the Sabbath. If I have a number of actual books in the house that I haven't read, I'll continue it during the week, till it's done, with maybe an audio book for while I'm driving. If I don't have another book in the house to read for the next Sabbath, then I'll leave the unfinished book for the next Sabbath, and alternate between audio (for driving and to keep me company while cooking/cleaning) and kindle during the week.

It took me a while to get used to audio, but now I manage to finish more books while doing the dishes, driving, cleaning, cooking, etc. :-)

[Kim]

I've always got an audio book on Overdrive to read with my husband, while he watches golf or tennis on mute, and I knit or crochet. And I have one I'm reading without him so I can keep reading when he goes to bed.

Then, I have to have one ebook on the computer, and an easy knit project, one that I can work on without looking. I like how the screen is propped up on my knees and I just hit the keypad to turn the page.

And I have to have one paperback in the works, so I can carry it with me in my purse.

Often, I have several Overdrive books going, so I can keep up with a couple of "group reads" on Goodreads or my Ravelry reading groups (Ravelry is a social site for knitters). Or, several books on hold will come in at once.

I don't have too much trouble keeping them separate in my head, especially the audiobooks, because the readers are so individual. And the topics can be wildly different, too!

[Lauren]

Brooke wrote: "Sylvia wrote: "I see some of you do this. I’ve always made myself finish a book before starting a new one. What’s your thoughts and pros and cons."

I always have 3 books in progress at the same ti..."

Lol - Brooke and I lead similar lives. My answer is exactly the same, except I also read the book on my kindle during breaks at work, and I do my hard copy book in bed so I'm not getting the blue light from the kindle. I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees most parts of the day as reading opportunities. ;)

I also share Tara's pain of juggling 5-6 sometimes because I'm in so many book clubs. I usually do the harder/longer book club reads on audio so I don't get stuck. I can't stand showing up without having finished the book in time... haha.

[Emanuel]

Olá, when is a series I never start a new book before finishing all series.Cause I normally read one book of a portuguese author after a non portuguese author, sometimes I start the next one I want before the end of one book, but only in this case of alternation!

[Sarah]

I am old school and read mostly physical books so I only really read two books if one is too hefty to carry around. I have a "portable" one and "home" one.

[Christine]

I'm a total, unapologetic bookslut.*

This week I've finished 4 books, one of which took 3 days to read, another 2.5 years.

Like others, I have at least one hard copy, one Kindle (need to be able to read at 3am when menopause-brain wakes me up for 2-3 hours, without waking my sweetie), and one audio for chores, driving, (or when I obsessively need to finish a book and I buy it in 3 different formats).

I also put stuff on hold at the library and will drop other things to read something that came in from my hold list or interlibrary loan.

I also just get fickle and need something that appeals to my mood at any given time. I also "allow" myself to be taken with friends to the book shop or library, where I inevitably buy something shiny and have to crack it open immediately!


*I use the term in the most positive way - I think "slut" in its usual sense shouldn't be pejorative either! Go with your promiscuous self, whether that's with books, people, fabric craft projects, etc.!

[Elizabeth]

I used to be a strictly one-book-at-a-time kinda girl, but since discovering audio books about a year ago, I now have two going at all times. Audio is strictly for the car, walking my dog, and doing chores around the house when everyone else is sleeping/gone/busy. My other is a either a real deal book OR digital, but I don't usually have one of each going simultaneously.

Every once in awhile I'll forget a book on the go and start a third, but I will try to finish one of the real books ASAP to get back to my norm of one-and-one! I have been going through books WAY quicker since getting into audio books, so I like being a two-at-once kinda girl now. Isn't reading (and being read to) grand?

[Heather]

I usually read 1-3 books at a time. One novel (print or ebook), one audiobook, and one nonfiction book. The nonfiction book is sometimes work related, so I read it at work as professional development. If not, I'll read one chapter at a time at home. I'm trying to read more nonfiction and this system helps me.

I've read as many as 6 at a time (got bored, put the book down, started another one). That's not fun for me. I didn't enjoy being in the middle of that many stories so now I keep the limit to 3 books at a time. I only struggle to remember the plot if I haven't listened to the audiobook in awhile.

[Leanne]

I usually read one book at a time but I also like to have a book with me at all times so if my current book is too big to carry around or its one I don't want to risk damaging I'll have a second book on the go for while I'm out

[Brooke]

Lauren wrote: "I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees most parts of the day as reading opportunities. ;)..."

I went on vacation with a friend last summer, and she thought I was crazy for reading on my Kindle while drying my hair. It is such a boring and tedious task that I am able to read while doing it. :-)

[Anne]

I have a weird habit that whenever I'm in a reading slump, I read the first couple of pages from books that I own (and most of the time haven't read yet). I move on from book to book, so when I don't know what to read anymore I look for the book that I read the most pages from during my reading slump! It's kind of annoying because I will have to the pages again but it sure works when I don't know what to read next:)

[Lisa]

I've been reading multiple books since I was a kid (I am 47). I always had one I was reading at school, one on the bus, and one at home. Now - like others have mentioned - I have them in multiple formats - one on audio, one on my iPad, one on my phone, and sometimes one in hardcover or paperback.

[T.]

I used to be strictly one book at a time too. Now, like a lot of others here, I have at least one in each format (physical book, ebook, audio). I may also have a collection of stories, a non-fiction book, or a slower fiction book that I don't read as fast, or that I have to put aside now and again as it gets to be too much of a slog. Plus I'm usually reading a chapter book with my kiddos.

It can definitely be challenging at times to keep up with multiple books, but the big trade off for me is that I'm able to finish so many more books than I ever could before.

[Ellie]

I only regularly started reading two books at once when I started commuting by train. Like many others, I tend to read on Kindle whilst out and about and save the paper books for home. I don't tend to read multiple books if I'm just at home or on holiday though. If I am hooked by a book I will chuck my rules out the window course!

I wouldn't read two similar books at once either. I usually pick two different genres so I can keep the stories separate in my head. I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy so it's easy for the world-building to merge together.

[Jen]

Like others I tend to have different formats for different places. Except my formats are hardback vs paperback not audio vs eBook. I don't like reading on screen as it is just not relaxing for me. I certainly wouldn't do audio books because I use my cleaning/driving time to get my head straight with what else needs to get done and make my plans (or sometimes play duster wrestle with the dog if she has the energy). I do remember listening to the Jungle Book on audio as a kid before bed but I think that is the only one ever.
My paperbacks are generally fiction or pop-science and the hardbacks are generally travel books or textbooks linked to work. I tend to have at least one of each on the go and often a 3rd if the fiction one is not that amazing. I used to do one at a time but as others have said it ended up that I didn't enjoy my reading as much because if a book was dull I would be stuck on it for ages. Now I just do a few pages when I have a few minutes and gradually get there.

[Anne]

I have always read more than one book at a time. The only time I ever had a problem keeping them straight was in high school where in one I was reading Winston was the name of the best friend and in the other Winston was the name of the dog. That was a little confusing when I switched from book to book.

I never listen to audio though, and you all have convinced me to give it a try. I would love to be reading while doing dishes and folding laundry- not to mention when I am taxi-ing (is that a word? Probably not) my kiddos to their different activities. That would throw another book into the mix, but I feel I am up to the challenge.

[Nikky]

I’ve always had more than one book on the go, I keep telling myself to stop having so many on the go but I am always reading at least one book to fit my mood, I average at about 5 at once but goes up and down depending where I am in books. I gave audiobooks a try again recently but they just aren’t for me, I’d rather be reading the words myself else it’s not as much fun for me

[Laura]

Ever since I was a kid, I've always had multiple books going at the same time. Technology has made this far easier than it used to be! Now I typically have my "bedside read" that's a hard copy of a book. I'll also take that book along if I know I'm going to be waiting somewhere or traveling (but I NEVER travel with library books - too much of a liability). I have a pretty long commute to work, so I have an audiobook either on Overdrive or CD for the car. When I have an Overdrive book it's convenient to listen on public transportation, as well, but I leave myself the option of the hard copy. A lot of what I read at a given time is based on what came up on my wait list at the library, but I do make an effort to read very different things together so that I don't get confused about what's happening in each book. For example, I just read The Final Empire (high fantasy) at the same time as Sing, Unburied, Sing (modern fiction), and there was no way I was going to get those two mixed up! Reading more than one book at a time is the only way I've managed to complete the challenge in a timely manner - I don't always get through my hard copy reads at a quick enough pace.

[Madeleine]

Brooke wrote: "Sylvia wrote: "I see some of you do this. I’ve always made myself finish a book before starting a new one. What’s your thoughts and pros and cons."

I always have 3 books in progress at the same ti..."

I do exactly the same thing!

[Teri]

I'm like most of you. I have 2-3 books going at all times. I never would have believed that since most of my life I was a 1-book-at-a-time reader. But technology has changed everything, and now I always have an audiobook in my car and a physical book or two at home (usually 1 fiction and 1 non-fiction). I rarely read digital books as I typically read the news and play games on my phone if I need an instant distraction.

It hasn't been difficult at all keeping track of the plots, something I wasn't sure my 55+ brain could handle at first. I typically read more books per year now that I'm reading multiple books at a time.

[Rachel]

I have never been able to do this! I just can't focus properly on more than one book at a time, and if I try, I end up essentially leaving them all aside and prioritizing just one anyway. It also bothers me when it takes "too long" to finish a book, and I feel like constantly alternating between books would feel like I'm reading them too slowly for my own tastes.

[Tricia]

I normally have 4-5 books on the go BUT they have to be different genres otherwise I get confused.

I read lighter books before bed and save horror/ thrillers for morning or work commute.

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

I always have 5 or 6 on the go in hard copy, 4 or 5 on computer, 3 audiobooks, and also books that I read in depth, for work or review, and these I take my time with, putting them aside often, and can be 'reading' for months. I always have about a dozen of these. Then, if I get a new book out of the blue as a gift or something, that one jumps to the head of the line! OH SHINY NEW BOOK! PReeeciouusssssssss....---Jen from Quebec :0)

[Shannon]

I read multiple books and yes, from different genres. One is an ebook, one an audio book, and one a print book. Just want to make sure I always have something with me! ;)

[Rachel]

Up until recently I’ve always read just one book at a time (this year has been predominantly paperback format) but also read the odd kindle book. To keep up with book club and also to change up the genre if I’m finding a book particularly heavy going or too slow a pace/ lacking momentum. I find reading a second book helps me maintain a good reading pace.