I'm off my game at the moment, but ideally I read three or four books at a time. A history or biography, a memoir or travel, a literary fiction and a lighter fiction. Not only do I switch among them as I get tired of the work in play, more importantly, it lets me cater to my level of energy and ability to engage. During the workweek or while on the fly, I often can't manage more than a light memoir or novel. In theory, I always choose the most difficult of my current reads that I can manage, given my level of attention and tiredness and sobriety.
