The Sword and Laser discussion
Reading more than one book...
I usually read two books at the same time (well, not at the SAME time, you know what I mean) and I never feel like I "lose reading quality". What I try to do is read each book at the same moment every day, that way I associate the moment of the day with the book and I don't mix them. I normally read one while I travel and the other one in bed.I guess if you're too busy or if you are reading very dense or attention demanding books it can get messy, but as a voracious reader I often feel like one book is not enough.
I don't listen to audiobooks so I can't answer to the other part of your question.
PS: Your English is fine.
If I start reading a second book in the same format (ie audio or written), it's usually because I've lost interest in the first one. Otherwise I will plough through that one story to the end, and then start something else.I usually have one audio and one written book going together (I don't discriminate between ebook and dead tree from that standpoint). Currently I'm reading the Magicians in Kindle format, and GoT in audio.
Other than that I have Total Film and Mad Magazines going in app format.
Interesting points, thank you for your input. I just realized that I also associate the audiobook exclusively with my walks and the other one usually after lunch, so that might be a common solution to "trick" the brain?
And I agree it also depends in how demanding the book is, cause I mix in my comics and magazines with no problem at all.
Seems like 2 books, is the magic number for everyone. I wonder if there are any adventurers that go beyond that? eheh
André
I tend to read only one book at a time. If I try reading more than one, I feel like there is always a little "adjustment" period whenever I switch between books, where I have to remember what went on up to that point and generally just settle in to the vibe or tone of the story. This can be especially distracting if the two books are very different in their scope. I could probably do one fiction and one nonfiction book simultaneously, but I would still prefer to just finish one to completion.
If a book isn't holding my interest, then I usually just give it up and move on to the next one.
I read 2-4 books at a time. There's always an audiobook, for one. Then I have my book in my purse. Then there's the book I have in the bathroom for when I'm taking a bath. I started doing that because I'd either forget to bring a book with me, or I'd bring it, then forget to put it back in my purse, then I'd go somewhere where I had to wait and I'd be without a book and that would be tragic.
I try to not read more than 2 books at a time when it comes to novels. But I can easily add in graphic novels to the pile while reading the other two books.Then during the time I'm reading these I'll also add in my comics that I'm currently reading which is about 5 or 6 monthly comics.
Overall it works out well but I know if I start more than 2 novels I start to feel overwhelmed..Which is why 2 of my books I have marked as 'currently reading' aren't actually being read- One due to it's length and the other has terrible page layout when it went to the kindle which has since been fixed.
I read different books in different situations. One is for at home on the weekend, one is for train trips, and the other is for unexpected waiting around. I never feel like I miss anything or take away enjoyment based on that.
There's another thread on this very topic here, with an almost identical topic line. I think you'll find most S&L people read a few at once.For myself, I usually have two going at once. I could probably do 3, but I really don't have enough time. For me, one is audio and one is some form of print (usually ebook but sometimes dead tree edition). I've found that it's hard for me to read 2 books of the same genre simultaneously...so I can't read two epic fantasy novels, for example. Right now, I'm reading two: listening to Earthseed and reading The Magicians on my Kindle/Kindle apps. If I had a third going, it would be a nonfiction book. Alas, right now, with work going 16 hours a day and a DVR backlog that is out of control... :)
I apologize if I'm repeating a topic - I guess i searched the wrong keywords :|I see that the new formats really help when reading more than 1 book and that people have no problem mixing in "lighter" reads, although most prefer not to mix genres.
Also clear that many, associate reading a specific book with a daily moment or task.
Thanks for sharing!
André
Procrastinador wrote: "I apologize if I'm repeating a topic - I guess i searched the wrong keywords :|"Frankly, I've never been able to get the search function to work in groups.
I usually have 2-4 books going at once. There's always a current audiobook, something on my Nook, and something in paper. When it comes to books in text, I usually have one that I read at work during lunch and one I read at home. Every once in a while, I book will drag me in enough that I set aside my other books to finish it.
I'm currently reading 3 books at the moment and it's not uncommon of me to be reading up to 5 or 6. It depends on what sort of books they are. It's rare that I'll read multiple of the same genre concurrently. It's also rare that I'll only be reading 1 book. I will switch between them all the time. Generally have a couple I'm reading on my Kindle and a copy hardcopy books as well.
Depends on the time of year. I have been known to read 5-6 books at a time but right now its levelled at three. I prefer to read everything in hardcover but that is impractical now as i do a lot of travelling for work. I mainly read 5-6 because something new and shiney grabs my attention but i always end up finishing my books.
(all of this has lead to my one book per Chapters visit. even if the "buy 3 books, get the fourth free" deal is on i must abstain or never get anything read).
Alex's TV series comparison is very apt for me. I can watch all kinds of different series concurrently with no trouble; likewise I have no problem reading many books concurrently. Right now I'm reading 7-8 or so with no impact on my understanding or enjoyment, and this is a fairly typical number for me, not a high water mark.
The only times I ever really tried to read more than one at a time was when I had to read something specific for school, they rarely captivated me so I'd have to start up a secondary one to keep my interest peaked.I seem to be in the minority in this group in that I've never had much luck with audio books. I always wind up losing the storyline somewhere and having to backtrack. It's better for me to just skip the hassle.
I can't do audiobooks at all. I don't like being read to.
I only read one book at the time. Some times I thought in starting a second one, but I never actually did it, I'm sure some day I'll do it...
Multiple books is why I love my e-reader! Though I've noticed that when I do have multiple books going, they tend to fall into very different categories: usually it's one fiction, a history book, a science or current events book. (Oddly, "military history" and "history" seem to fall into two separate categories in this scheme.)I find that I don't often have two fiction books at the same time -- I commit wholly to those stories. With history and science I feel like I'm learning something, but need the occasional break into fiction.
I am usually reading one book on my Kindle and listening to another via audiobook when I am not reading on my Kindle
I used to have just one at a time, now with my iphone I have one on the go on there for times when I don't have my dead tree book with me, but then one physical book that tends to stay at homeBefore ereaders I would only ever have one on the go at once.
The logic for me is: if I like the book I'm reading, why would I want to start another rather than finding out what happens - unless I'm really not into the story, and in that case why am I reading it in the first place?
The same with video games - I tend to play one until I'm finished rather than chop and change between different games.
Guess its a bad personality trait - either I'm really into something in which case I want to do/read it all the time or not in which case I won't bother at all - there isn't much of a middle ground.....
I also haven't really got into audio books, more because the pace is 10x slower than reading myself, and I don't have enough time in the car/walking the dog etc that would leave me enough dead time to be doing something so relatively inefficient
I usually don't read more than two at once. I sometimes like to have a change in pace though. I usually won't read two similar books at the same time. They are usually two different genres, and a lot of the time, one will be fiction, one non-fiction.
Alex wrote: "I would love to do this, but I have enough to listen to with all my podcasts each week. If I had a longer commute, I think an Audible subscription is the first thing I'd get. "I ended up cutting back on my podcast subscriptions to accommodate listening to more books. My commute is 5 miles each way (so about 10-15 minutes, depending on how I hit the traffic lights), so I don't listen to audiobooks while driving to/from work. I listen to podcasts during that time, and listen to podcasts as "talk radio" while I'm doing easier tasks at work, tasks that don't require my full attention so I can divert some attention to the 'casts. :)
But if I'm driving long distances (>30 minutes), when I'm at the gym, taking walks, traveling (plane/train), that's when I have audiobooks on. I also listen while doing household chores and SOMETIMES, if I'm really into a book, I'll listen while just sitting around (especially if there are sports on TV, when I can mute the commentators).
In regards to my reading I like to read one book at a time. Just something about reading that makes me want to focus all my attention on one book.
I generally only read one at at time. However, I'll occasionally read two at the same time if they're two different genres like murder/mystery & epic fantasy. I also have a hard time with same genres/simliar plotlines back to back since my memory of them blurs a bit.
I often read 2 to 3 at a time, but never more than one that is a new story to me. The others are old favorites, especially if I'm lulling myself to sleep with a book, I just pick up one that I've read enough that the story keeps going in my head even when my eyes close.
I see the multiple books readers showed up eheh Thank you.I can relate with many things that were said, specially about wanting to focus my attention on one book and if they're too similar my memory might start acting up - I'm currently listening to my first audiobook along with my regular book and so far my brain is ok with it.
Now that I think about it, I guess I would also have no problem reading a book in english, along with other in my native language.
Being a fan of tv shows and cinema, I understand the point made about watching multiple series but I feel that it's a different kind of experience, watching tv and reading a book, since the first one is easier to take in, due to the visual factor.
André
I feel that it's a different kind of experience, watching tv and reading a book, since the first one is easier to take in, due to the visual factor.Really? I've always found it much easier to get into a book than movies or TV shows. Books nearly always hold my interest, whereas my attention will often wander during a movie or a show (unless I'm really involved in the plot).
Regarding the original question, I don't see any noticeable difference when I'm reading just one book or five at the same time. I usually read at least two books and I have no problems either in following the plot or feeling for the characters (if the books are good, natch).
I don't have any problem having more than one book going at a time, as long as they are different enough. Sometimes one will catch my interest enough that I can't stop reading, and the next thing I know, I'm done, but more often I'll read a few chapters, then something else (like work!) will intervene, and I may pick up another book afterword. I don't think I lose anything this way
It's an issue of memory, and I have (relatively) good memory, so I'm fine juggling a few books (just not something like ten).But it's also a test regarding the writer's work, if you remember it or not. Maybe it's really dull, which is why you don't remember reading it, or caused you to try out another book instead.
I usually have 4-5 on the go at once. There is always 1-2 audiobooks and then I have one in my rucksack for commuting/lunch at work and a couple on the go at home. I am about to switch to an ereader in the next month or so - It will be interesting to see how it changes when I don't need to think about how much space/weight a book is going to take up in my bag or whether I can stomach being seen on the bus/at work with certain covers (Vaginal Fantasy picks for example).
I don't have problems keeping track to be honest but I can see that it might come down to how good the author's writing is just as Charles said. They also tend to be quite different from each other - one of the reasons I have so many on the go is so that there is something to suit my mood :)
Kim wrote: "I can't do audiobooks at all. I don't like being read to."I agree. I listen to podcasts all the time so one would think audioboooks are similar. They aren't. Maybe I just have selective hearing but audiobooks require at MINIMUM double the attention as reading words off of a screen or printed page. I love podcasts, S&L, giantbombcast, even skeptics guide to the universe but audiobooks are nonsense. I can't get on board that train quite yet.
but typically I read 1 book at a time, I can on occasion read a novel and a short stories collection as long as both can hold my attention.
I read multiple books at a time, but usually different genres. Sometimes I want a break from a particular book, but I still want to read. Audiobooks put me to sleep. =/
I have an ereader that I use for on the go, it rides in my backpack. I may also have a book in the bathroom at home and a book at work.
Larry wrote: "Multiple books is why I love my e-reader! I agree. I never used to read more than one at a time, but my Kindle fire just makes it to easy.
That said, if a book is a "can't-put-down" type, it will get all my focus.
Re: Audiobooks - great for car trips or walking the dog.
Maybe it's my memory problem, but I seldom read more than a book at once. I'm afraid that I'll forget important details or what not.
I like how some of you, have books scattered around the house to read in different divisions :D True bookaholics!So, some say that sometimes they start reading another book and find it more interesting, pausing the first one. Thinking about that, I wonder if you can still consider you're reading a book, when you have it bookmarked but haven't actually read it for one month or so?
Do you think it's all a question of memory? If you still remember where you stopped in all 3 books you have bookmarked in your shelf, after 1 year, are you still reading them?
André
Procrastinador, I find when that happens that I move that book off my currently reading list here on Goodreads and Library Thing.
I read multiple books all the time. I think it depends on how good I find a book to be really. If it is really good I will generally go through that book in one go. If it is an ok book I will pause somewhere in it and switch to another ok book and then do the same to about three to five books.
If it is a book I am not interested in but want to get through it anyway I pause often to go watch or listen or do something else.
If it is a horrible book I will skip to the end chapter read that so I know what is the conclusion and move on. I will give horrible books another chance after a year or more to see if it was just a bad time for me to start reading it or if it was really a horrible book.
I usually have one book in print or ebook and the other in audio format. That way I can fill all the niches. I can read while I have free time and listen while I'm doing some mindless task or during my commute, reading while in the bus just makes me sick so audio book is the only answer then.
I regularly read multiple books. Usually there's an audiobook alongside at least one print book (usually two or three). Sometimes, I'll set aside a book for a while -- I don't often fully Lem -- only to return to it weeks or months later, usually because something important came along (hello Wheel of Time).Someone mentioned memory as a problem, but I've never found that to be the case; as soon as I start reading again, the part of my head that holds my.... call it "session state" gets loaded into my head. If it's a book I've to the side for a while, well, I can always review the previous pages. A quick skim is aways enough.
I read pretty fast, so most books don't last two days for me, even less if I am doing a reread. Ebooks are great for that, since I also find that I tend to highlight and take notes in books I expect to discuss.I listen to audiobooks after I read a book usually, though I don't listen to many books. I like to listen to podcasts while I work and music while I read, and that doesn't leave a lot of time for audiobook listening.
Oh crumbs. I can have as many as eight on the go and that's not counting the chapter book I read with my daughter at bedtime, which is not always something I've read before. I find I tend to have more non-fiction "open" - I'm not sure why, perhaps because chapters tend to be more discrete, self-contained areas, so it's easier to pause, although that's less and less the case with the Kindle. As Louis describes, I guess I have good "session state" because I can pick up a non-fiction several weeks apart and know where I'm up to, a bit like watching a documentary series, I suppose. Which is a good job as 90% of my reading is ebooks so hard-copies only get a look-in if I have time for a bath!Fiction is quite different and I prefer to stay with a story - I read extremely quickly so it's more like the attention required for a film. If I'm excited about something then everything falls away for a few days til the next thrill comes along!
I tend to read multiple books, but from completely different genres. At any given time, I usually have at least two going: something deep and theological, and something fictional, whether deep or light and fluffy. The theological works, I tend to read myself early on in the morning, to jump start my day, whereas the fiction pieces, I tend to read aloud with my wife at night with a draught of some sort just before hitting the hay.
I tend to only read one book at a time, but I read relatively fast and it is not unusual for me to go through 4 or 5 books in a week. I prefer to do this with series though. So I stay in the same world for that time.
For college grads, I wonder if one's major has anything to do with how many books one can read at once. I majored in English lit and often had to keep up with reading five different things for five different classes. I think that's why I always have so many books going at once.
Sandi wrote: "For college grads, I wonder if one's major has anything to do with how many books one can read at once. I majored in English lit and often had to keep up with reading five different things for fiv..."Biochem/Neuroscience/German postgrad here. Lots of different subject within that. My first year alone was multiple topics in Biochem plus two types of Chemistry plus Maths plus German. I don't think it's that in my case, though - I've always been able to have multiple books going on since I was a child, and my 6yo daughter is the same.
I was thinking about this recently as well. I generally only read one book for recreational reading. I find that as a worker in the tech industry there is such a flood of documents, presentations, training modules, reference books, news sites, blogs, etc, to try and keep up with. By necessity much of it is skimmed, and it's a constant attention span challenge. That's part of what differentiates recreational reading for me. For whatever time I have available, I can sit down and focus on the one book, one world, one set of characters, and come back next time and continue. The persistence and continuity is a refreshing change for me.
When I was growing up I used to read three or four books at a time quite happily.There's a scene in the first season of The Gilmore Girls in which Rory is packing her bag for school and on top of all of her school books she has three or four books for personal reading. I related to that scene so well because I used to be the same way - I'd pack my bag and I'd then cram in whatever books I'd be reading at the time. At one point, on top of all of my school books I had Lord of the Rings (one of those collected editions that has all three books in one), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and a huge hardback copy of Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. (On a sad note, the bag got stolen from me before I could finish Jurassic Park)
That all changed when I started doing the IB (International Baccalaureate, for those who have never suffered the horrors) and I ended up having to read 8 books at once for my english class. This was mostly due to staffing shortages (We had to cram 2 years worth of reading into two thirds of the second year) and that really took the enjoyment out of reading for me for a long time.
Now, I generally have a "to do" list of books and I will plan ahead which books I'm going to read and what order I'm going to read them in but I'll generally only pick up and read one at a time.
I used to enjoy reading a bunch of different books at once purely because I would have something on the go that would fit pretty much whatever mood I was in or just was in whatever particular style I felt like reading and I could just slip into and out of these worlds as and when I felt like it and I didn't feel any rush to finish a book or that I had to finish a book before I started on the next.
I think I'm with both of you guys on this.So much of our reading in life is 'driven', by which I mean that we have a great torrent of stuff to look at and absorb that I find I become adept at skimming and rather bad reading properly, to fully absorb character and plot. So for this reason I tend to stick to one book.Incidentally, this torrent of information, and the consequential pace of life also means that authors need to unlearn a lot of the habits they pick up banging out hasty emails and relearn the art of good writing.
A
I, on occasion, split my attention between two books, usually between fiction and non-fiction, to avoid narrative confusion.
The Sword and Laser
Books mentioned in this topic
A Game of Thrones (other topics)The Unbearable Lightness of Being (other topics)
Hundre år (other topics)
Earthseed (other topics)
The Magicians (other topics)
I see that lots of people read more than one book at the same time and I'm curious to know, if you feel you're able to fully enjoy the stories and all the details?
Don't you feel a certain rush, knowing you have other books to read, that might make you not pay as much attention as if you were reading a single book, specially if you don't have enough free time to read?
I mean, I can read a book and listen to another in audiobook format but that's about it, otherwise I think I wouldn't be able to enjoy them as much.
I guess what I'm asking is if you feel that as you increase the quantity of books, helped by the different formats, you lose reading quality?
André
P.S. - Hope this makes sense, in my "Engrish" ;)