The Perks Of Being A Book Addict discussion

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Debates & Discussions > How many books can you read at one time?

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message 1: by Melissa (new)

Melissa (melissa12345678) | 189 comments Hello, I am new to bookreads and have, ahem....signed up for 3 book club discussions with 3 different books. Yeah, I got a little excited lol. Normally I read one book at a time. Does anyone else read multiple books at once? Can you retain the story line that way?


message 2: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new)

Kristie | 5927 comments I always have multiple books going at once, typically 2 or 3. As long as the stories aren't too similar I have no issues with it. If you are able to read different genres that helps. Basically, the more different they are the better.

I think I've only struggled with keeping the stories separate twice when the books had very similar storylines and characters. Then, I just switched one book out and came back to it later. That solved the problem.


message 3: by Melissa (new)

Melissa (melissa12345678) | 189 comments okay good to know. thanks! I am reading the henna artist, all the light we cannot see, and Anna Karenina. hopefully I will be all right :)


message 4: by Luke (new)

Luke Hudson (ldvreads) | 9 comments I usually try to focus on only one book at a time, unless I really really like something to the point where finishing it would be heartbreaking. In that scenario I'll totally stop a few chapters from the end and pick something else up to put off the inevitable.


message 5: by Camilla (new)

Camilla | 1251 comments I usually read several books at the same time: listen to an e-audiobook on my phone, listen to a CD audiobook in my car, read at least one kindle e-book, read an Overdrive e-book on my iPad, and 2-4 paper books. I don't have any problems keeping the stories separate.


message 6: by Kristie, Moderator (Retired) (new)

Kristie | 5927 comments Melissa wrote: "okay good to know. thanks! I am reading the henna artist, all the light we cannot see, and Anna Karenina. hopefully I will be all right :)"

I find that it does take me longer to finish books this way because I am dividing up my time and if I really like one book more than another the other may get pushed aside. I hope it works out for you!


message 7: by Apurva (new)

Apurva Nair | 10 comments I used to prefer reading one book at a time before, however, now I can read 2-3 books at a time.

1st - a short story or an already read book,
2nd - a non - fiction book,
3rd - any genre book.

What I believe is that re-reading the books already read is really important as one can relive the characters once admired/ didn't understand for the first time and book finishing time is quick as compared to new books to be read. With this, I am never in doubt of my reading habit.

Happy Reading!


message 8: by Tahera (new)

Tahera | 14 comments Multiple... anywhere around 6-7 at one time.


message 9: by Lydia (new)

Lydia Liuba | 1 comments I used to be super monogamous but after damaging some physical copies by carrying them around with me, I decided it’s ok to have an on-the-go book on my kindle and a physical book to read at home.
Recently added audio books to the mix for when I’m doing chores around the house or taking a walk.

And then there’s usually at least one book club book where I read 1-2 chapters a day.

(Will also often read manga/graphic novels while already having 3+ books on my currently reading)


message 10: by Leo (new)

Leo I usually listen to one or two audiobooks and read one. but sometimes I got more books on the go. for example when I read non fiction, I have a fiction book on the side and jump between them


message 11: by Mary X (last edited Sep 02, 2020 05:40AM) (new)

Mary X (marymaryalwayscontrary) | 570 comments I usually only have 2 going at once, an Ebook and an audio. Sometimes if I have a really long book or one that I could only get on CD or in print, I might have three going.


message 12: by Tammy (new)

Tammy | 31 comments I usually read one book at a time unless I am having a hard time getting into one then I will add another.


message 13: by Sara (new)

Sara (sarasstacksofbooks) | 12 comments For a long time, I would only read one book at a time and I was devoted to only reading print books because I love the experience of reading a print book. Last year I had my son and things changed.

I started reading three books at a time because my TBR is way too long.

-One is always an audiobook to listen to when doing chores around the house.
-One is a print book (I try to read at night).
-One is an ebook that is easy to read when on the go or to grab first thing in the morning before everyone is up.

I will say all of them have to be different stories or genres. Right now I am reading Fly Away by Kristin Hannah, Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey, and Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson.


message 14: by Sha (last edited Sep 05, 2020 07:18AM) (new)

Sha | 324 comments I may have gone up to twelve books at a time at some point but it's usually about 4-7. The perils of mood reading.


message 15: by sonya (new)

sonya marie madden  | 259 comments I’ve read up to five at once.


message 16: by Ananya (new)

Ananya Maximum 2 books at a time


message 17: by Bru ✨ (new)

Bru ✨ | 9 comments I normally don't like to read only one book at a time! Is always minimum 3 and up to 5!
For me, I'm not always in the same mood, so I like to have options. Normally choose different genres, for more diversity :)


message 18: by Mary (new)

Mary (marushka80) | 40 comments I am currently reading 12 books. Normally I vary between 7 or 8 but found a couple more I couldn't wait to start.


message 19: by Melissa (new)

Melissa (melissa12345678) | 189 comments @Mary and you can keep them all straight in your head? wow. remarkable :) so my 3 shouldn't be a problem lol


message 20: by May (new)

May | 37 comments I think the most I have ever done is like 5.


message 21: by Mary (new)

Mary (marushka80) | 40 comments @Melissa, yes I can keep them all straight in my head, but if I let a day go between reading one I confess I might have to do a quick review of what was read and then continue. I am a speed reader so I can gulp down a book in several hours so it isn't as much of a problem as one might think! I find that I get bored if I don't have multiple books going at once! ;)


message 22: by [deleted user] (new)

Usually I have one book going at home, and I read another one at work during my breaks.

Sometimes I add a third book to read at home. When that occurs, I alternate reading the two books. Also, both home reading books would be different genres, easier to keep track that way.


message 23: by Malèna (new)

Malèna Many! - I try to limit myself to 3-4 at a time. Each in different places od the house, and usually different times of a day. If the book is really good it gets my full attention though. ;)


message 24: by Angela (new)

Angela Natalia (angelanataliaab) | 1 comments I usually read 2-3 books from different genres because, in that way, it's easier for me to keep track of the stories. Also, I try to organize myself to read the books, for example, I read book 1 in the morning, book 2 in the afternoon, and book 3 in the night.


message 25: by Sagnik (new)

Sagnik Bose (rickbose) | 8 comments At max two perhaps.


message 26: by mohini☆ (new)

mohini☆ (mohiniw) | 2 comments Right now, I'm reading a Chinese novel, a poetry book, and a fanfic!


message 27: by Tala Gilbert (new)

Tala Gilbert | 5 comments One book at a time for me, max two. I immerse myself in a book and bond with the characters. My attention span is too short to handle more than one at a time, haha!


message 28: by Hannah (last edited Sep 11, 2020 08:29AM) (new)

Hannah Erzberger (hanestherr) | 78 comments I've gotten up to like 6 before... but that was a little crazy. I prefer to keep it to 2 or 3. Usually one on audio, one ebook, and one physical. That way I just read whatever format works best in the moment. 3 different formats also helps to differentiate the stories easier.


message 29: by Heather (new)

Heather | 2 comments when I was finishing up my undergrad degree in history, I was reading at least 2 different books at a time per class. granted, some were just chapters or passages, not the whole book. plus reading research for the various papers that were expected. when I read for my personal enjoyment I only read one at a time.


message 30: by Laura (new)

Laura | 7 comments Right now I'm working on 6


message 31: by Zara (new)

Zara   | 75 comments Well I normally read only one book at a time so i can focus on it. Reading more than one book at a time could get a little out of hand for me.


message 32: by R (new)

R (rxwhxb) I enjoy reading one book at a time, but when I'm in the mood for something extra, I can read upto four books max.


message 33: by Cendaquenta (new)

Cendaquenta 2's about my limit.


Greta Loves Books | 18 comments I wish I could read one boo, at a time, always change mood so I always want to pick up something different.


message 35: by Dorottya (new)

Dorottya (dorottya_b) | 66 comments It depends on the genre of the book and how complex the plot is. It is hard for me to juggle more than one book if there are any novels in the mix that are either more writing style / characterdriven or that, on the contrary, have really complex plots. It is also easier for me to read multiple books if they are from different genres.


message 36: by Crystal (new)

Crystal | 72 comments I almost always have 2 at once. At 4 (usually due to a library loan or 2 being ready) I start to feel like that's too much. I must clarify that always reading 2 books is because I read a lot of non-fiction. One history book and one novel. One science book and one historical fiction.


message 37: by Jonas (new)

Jonas I´m mostly read 2 books at the time


message 38: by Andrew (new)

Andrew Batchelor | 1 comments I usually have one physical book and one audio going at the same time. Sometimes I'll read two AND audio. Lol


message 39: by Leena (new)

Leena Aluru (mgleena) | 580 comments max 3 at a time. beyond that its a little difficult keeping up with the story lines.


message 40: by Kesa (new)

Kesa (mastoureh) | 5 comments Mostly just one book but sometimes I read an e-book and a physical book at the same time.


message 41: by Leena (new)

Leena Aluru (mgleena) | 580 comments ive actually stopped reading physical books. I just love the convenience of increasing font size in an ebook


message 42: by Mariia (new)

Mariia Manko (mariiamanko) | 18 comments one book of fiction and one book nonfiction . I don't want to mix the taste of books, I want to feel it fully !


message 43: by Mariia (new)

Mariia Manko (mariiamanko) | 18 comments Laura wrote: "Right now I'm working on 6"

wow ! how do you manage it?


message 44: by Laura (last edited Apr 10, 2021 11:50PM) (new)

Laura Melchor | 5 comments I used to be able to read several print books at a time, but now I can read one print book and one audiobook at a time, and that's it!


message 45: by PamG (new)

PamG (lynguy1) | 1024 comments I'm currently reading 4, but they are all very different. One is a historical fiction/alternative history, one is a historical romantic suspense with a paranormal aspect to it, one is a cozy mystery, and one is a book of poetry.


message 46: by May (new)

May | 37 comments I am currently reading 5 different books. That is a lot for me. I got so many books at once and could not decide which one to start first. Oops! Normally I like to read one book at a time, though I could read more. I think I like to read one book at a time because that way I can remember everything in the story and I won't get caught on something else I am reading. I like to finish books so I can review them honestly. That is hard if you don't have the motivation to continue reading. Does anyone else have that problem?


message 47: by Papaphilly (new)

Papaphilly | 134 comments I tend to read only one book at a time. I find it too difficult to try and follow more than one story at a time.


message 48: by sonya (new)

sonya marie madden  | 259 comments I read 4-5 at once.


message 49: by Oud (new)

Oud | 1 comments I read one book at a time. i cannot do more than one book


jace (taylor's version) (jacespages) | 16 comments I can read any, honestly, at one point in quarantine, I was reading 10 at one time!


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