Two or more books at once?

[Caro]

I'm always reading 2-4 books at the same time, there's usually one for every mood.

[Nute]

Until recently I never attempted to read more than one book at a time with the exception of required reading for school. I wasn't confident of the skill or talent needed to keep the characters in their rightful places or the plotlines credited to the correct author. It's amazing how quickly a story can go in and out of your head. Sometimes, I can't even remember if I actually read a book or just heard a lot about it. So to keep myself squared away in the memory department, I am faithful to one story at a time.

But, like I said, that was until recently. What happened? Embarrassment at my book club meetings! Wondering why all my sister-girls can do it and I am the only one who can't was an intriguing distraction. Every meeting each of them would arrive with stack loads of books, showing and telling, "I'm reading this, this, and this right now."
there I sit with my one selection. What is up with that?!

So I decided to give it a try, after all, I'm a more experienced reader than I use to be.
The verdict:
I am completely miserable in this effort.
One book, I can't even remember where I placed it.
Another book, the story is so complex and has so many characters that I have to review at least 25 pages at each reading just to recall who's who and what's what.
And the books that are kind of slow, well now I have the most wonderful excuse to put them aside until the next time.

I haven't truly finished a book under this new development so in order to remain a reader and continue in the company of all you good folks, its best for me to return to book monogamy.

But I gave it my best shot:)

[Tammy]

I totally agree Nute, I don't know how people can keep two or more plot lines, characters, etc. going at once. However, like Toni, I can do it with non-fiction. I can have as many non-fiction going at a time as I want, but forget about it with fiction.

[JULIE]

Nute, you're in good company! I can only do one fiction book at a time, altho I can do multiple books if they're in other genres. For example, right now I'm reading a detective novel, history (Barbara Tuchman's The Proud Tower), a book on playing Mah Jongg, and -- although I don't usually have more than 3 going at once -- a book of short stories, which I pick up when I'm between novels.

I'm guessing you're a person who likes to focus. Nuttin' wrong with that!

[Elena]

One at a time. I can't imagine reading two at the same time, my brain couldn't handle it.

[Nancy]

I enjoy reading multiple books...I have one for work, one before bed, and another just for fun. I read different genres, or all the same. No matter. Super complex books are another matter. I have been known to put a book away for a while (sometimes years) because my brain can't seem to adjust to the multiitude of plots/characters/subplots. I'm sure someone out there can relate.

[Melissa Wiebe]

Depends on the mood. I usually start a bunch and leave them for a bit to finish something that I need to finish. Right now I am feeling I need a lighter book, after the heaviness of The Lovely Bones. It probably is also the function that I am tired at the moment and that it is Friday and I really don't want to be updating a library catalogue at the moment.

[[deleted user]]

I usually have 4:

a classic
an entertainment
an audiobook
a nonfiction

plus comics
and The New Yorker

[[deleted user]]

I usually have 3-4 books I read at a time. I don't really have any criteria for determining what I read at any given time except that I usually try to read one mass market paperback at all times since it can fit easily in the back pocket of my jeans and I can then take it with me to ride on the bus to work.

[Mona]

Hello Jeff! I'm somewhat new to this group too. I used to read a few books at a time, usually different genres. But now, I can handle only one. I have soo much to read(newspapers,magazine subscriptions...)and I usually pick up whatever I'm in the mood for.

I used to take the bus when I was working and going to school. I used to get a lot of reading done during my commutes and I really miss that.

[John]

I am always reading multiple books at once. I find I need variety in style, usually I am reading what I think of as a literary novel(John Irving, Michael Chabon et. al.) a page turner, something on history and a business book. I started this practice about 10 years ago. Til then I was a straightforward one at a time guy.

[Karen]

Michael wrote: "Over at the blog, I just wrote about how I've been reading multiple books at once, something I never used to do. What about you? Do you "read around?" If so, do you need to read things that are com..."

I never used to do this. But now that I have a long commute, I will be reading one hardcopy book and listening to one audiobook at the same time! I'm still getting used to this.

Karen

[John]

I tend to be in the middle of several books at any given time. I am usually reading one paper book and one ebook on my kindle, with the occasional audiobook thrown in as well.

[Callie]

Now on average I read about 3- a hardcopy, an audiobook for the car and while I'm in the lab, and the daily dose of literature I get through DailyLit (an awesome resource I found through BotN!)- I'm currently getting The Picture of Dorian Grey this way, and it's something nice to do while I'm eating my lunch.

[Kat]

One of these going most of the time:

one or two "literary" fiction
a mystery
a biography
the emergency book I carry everywhere in case I get stuck having to wait

[Cindy]

Yes, definitely. Almost always more than two. Something light; something heavy; a non-fiction; something educational; a good mystery; a bad mystery; and something very current. Plus an audio book in the car. Plus my Kindle in my purse in case I get stuck with nothing to read!

[Tracey]

I am most definitely a one book at a time person. I can't keep track of more than one book at a time. Maybe because everything else in my life is chaotic, I don't want my reading to be. :)

[Kat]

Heh, my notion of hell is being confined to a single book ... in a pinch, I expect I can repair to the larder where I can read labels.

[Gavin]

Definitely two or three at a time. I had a problem getting into audio books but a friend suggested The Help and I'm loving it!

[Readnponder]

I usually have 7-9 books going at a time. But like John, they have to be different genres. There's typically a classical book, a C.S. Lewis book, a non-fiction, a WWII novel, a theology book, a biography/memoir, a mystery, and an easy-to-read novel for when I'm too tired to concentrate on the heavier stuff.

[Karen]

Gavin wrote: "Definitely two or three at a time. I had a problem getting into audio books but a friend suggested The Help and I'm loving it!"

Gavin, The Help was GREAT on audio!

[Anne]

I usually have two books going at once: an audiobook to listen to while commuting, exercising or doing housework and a "real" book to read at night.

[Lisa R.]

I usually have 4 books going at the same time. One on my ipod, one in the car, one on my nook and one softcover. Fortunately, they are different types of books ;)