How many books do you read at once?

[A book away from an episode of hoarders]

Even though my 'currently reading' shelf will show many (I think its around 10 now), I am usually only actively reading two. One audiobook in the car and one physical book.

Sometimes, when I finish my book when I'm out, I might start one on an e-reader app on my phone but I always pick up a new book to read.

[Felina]

I don't remember how the book progess thing used to work. I like this new way though.

I am usually reading between 6 and 10 books at a time which I am trying desperately to stop doing. Usually an audiobook in the house, another for the commute and another (always a re-read) for work. Then I have a King, a fantasy or horror, a historical fiction and a Young Adult book.

So for me its:
Audio House: Pretty in Plaid
Audio Car: Jarhead
Audio Work: Duma Key
King: Four Past Midnight
Fantasy/Horror: The Passage
Historical Fiction: I, Claudius
Young Adult: Little Brother

But I am almost done with 4 of those and I'm not going to fill their slots. I'm going to stop cheating on my books and be a one at a time woman. And that only applies to the actual books not the audiobooks. I have to be listening to something in the car or I get road rage. And I can't mix my work and house audiobooks cause I don't want to have to sync my phone every night. To bothersome.

[Kathy]

Wow! Felina, I thought I read alot!

Currently I'm working on:
Four Past Midnight by Stephen King
The Passage by Justin Cronin
Le Miserables by Victor Hugo (Currently on vacation from this but plan to pick it back up soon.)

[Jennifer]

I have a hard time reading more then one book at a time. I am a fast reader and sometimes skip over names and places when reading (because I am always looking forward to the ending of the book, hehe), so I often get stories mixed up when reading more then one. :) If I do an audio book, it is usually on road trips and I will listen to that in addition to whatever I am reading at the time. Someone suggested housework and an audio book which sounds like a great idea to me! Might make the housework a little more inviting. :)

[Rachel]

I'll do the 1 novel/ 1 short story collection sometimes. My old job left me with lots more time to read so now I'm back on the 1 book plan but I like to keep whatever I pick up and read a few pages of on my "currently-reading" list on GR for a while. If the time stretches out to long with no real progress the book gets marked read and put on "unfinished business" list. I hate seeing how much progress I'm NOT making every time I go to my home page, esp. with the new percent thing.

[Felina]

Felina wrote: But I am almost done with 4 of those and I'm not going to fill their slots. I'm going to stop cheating on my books and be a one at a time woman.

Yeah I totally filled their spots. Lame. I guess I'm bound to be reading 10 books at once for the rest of my life.

[Kathy]

Nothing wrong with that, Felina!

[Atman]

I generally only read one book at a time. I don't like switching stories. I prefer to savor each book by itself.

[Miriam]

Me, too. I like to savor one book at a time and become engrossed in the story.

[Jennifer]

Jennifer wrote: "I have a hard time reading more then one book at a time. I am a fast reader and sometimes skip over names and places when reading (because I am always looking forward to the ending of the book, he..."

Haha! Since reading this thread, I started listening to an audio book while walking and cleaning house! So, now I read two books at a time. I am excited to get twice as many books read from my list! :)

[Ann]

That is why I read more than one book at a time, Jennifer! (Audio books)!

[Becky]

I usually read only one at a time, although I have been known to squeeze in a short story between books, or listen to an audiobook in the car while reading a "primary" book.

I've been "reading" Star Wars: Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina for AGES... I haven't actually touched it in like MONTHS. I need to finish it. It's making me a little neurotic seeing it on my currently reading shelf... taunting me...

Although, when it's gone, that spot will look so empty... *sigh* I can't win.

[Rachel]

Becky wrote: "I usually read only one at a time, although I have been known to squeeze in a short story between books, or listen to an audiobook in the car while reading a "primary" book.

I've been "reading" [..."


I feel the same way about The Wolfman which is why I moved it to my unfinished business shelf. I've been "reading" it since February.

[Felina]

Unfinished business shelf. Thats a really good idea.

[Jc11king]

Only one at a time.

Except for school.

[Kit★]

When I was younger I'd read 2 or 3 at a time, like I'd keep one at school, one at home, and the best one carried with me. Now I find I prefer to sink into one at a time, to better absorb the story and keep the particular plot and characters on my mind when I'm not reading.

[Erica]

I am currently reading three at this time. Two are for book groups I am a part of, and one for the heck of it.

[Dustin]

I usually stick with one at a time, but I have been known to take on two..

[Amanda]

I usually try to stick to one or two at a time due to the fact that I am a college student and am required to read a lot for classes. However, on occasion I will have 3 or 4 books going, especially if they are simple or short.

[Martha]

Usually one, but, sometimes, four or five :S

[Chris]

I tend to stick with at the most 3. I always have an actual book that I read, one audio I listen to while at work, and a book on Kindle that I use my iPhone app to read while at work or away from my actual book as a back up. I do feel better knowing so many people read multiples as well.

[Lori]

2 sometimes 3.

[Lindsay]

Ususally just one, unless I'm working on my own book (rereading/editing). Right now I'm plugging away at three books right now, two being on the computer. Oy vey!~

[Crystalmarie]

Hmm. I can't read more then one book at once. But I always end up reading another one before i am finished with the one i am currently reading. I dont understand why i do that. It's not like the books i read lack anything. But at the same time i start looking for another book before i am finished with what i am reading, which in the long run keeps me reading. haha. i am all confused now.