A question for those who own more than one device..

[Catlady]

Serious question: WHY are so many of you reading more than one book at a time? It baffles me why anyone would deliberately choose to do this, other than in a few specific circumstances (e.g., reading one book and listening to another audio book; picking up a fluff book while in the midst of reading a lengthy, extremely difficult book). But why do it routinely?

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Serious question: WHY are so many of you reading more than one book at a time? It baffles me why anyone would deliberately choose to do this, other than in a few specific circumstances (e.g., reading one book and listening to another audio book; picking up a fluff book while in the midst of reading a lengthy, extremely difficult book). But why do it routinely?

I've always done that. But my various readers make it a bit more easy to do. Why? I've no idea, I just can't do one thing at the time, I always do multiple things... And not only with reading. I also do it at work. The more things I must work on, the better I'll work. When I only have one thing to do, I'll grow bored...

[theducks]

Moods . Some times I like a frivolous, light romp .

The book is not good enough to keep me reading continuously and not bad enough to make dump it So it gets set aside for other titles.

The formatting is and I need to fix it later

[sakura-panda]

My ebook readers are in different places and I use them for different things, so I have different books on them all.

* I use one mainly for when I'm eating my myself -- that one usually has some sort of cozy mystery. (Sony PRS-505; this is the one I take on vacations.)
* I have one for when I'm relaxing at home. (Kindle 3rd Gen)
* I have one for work (iPod Touch) while I'm waiting on my computer -- that one is usually something I can easily break from when my computer has finished the thing I'm waiting on.
* I also have a fourth reader (iPad) for when I'm at my kids's swim classes. I only have 15 minutes where they are all in the pool at the same time; the rest of the time, whoever is waiting for their turn or for the other classes to end plays games on it.

I don't sync any of my books since half the time, I can't, and the other half I forget it's an option. Also, I don't read more than one book at a time on any given reader, even if it's a device with multiple reader apps, for no reason. When I had one reader, I only read one ebook at at time. (And didn't read as often or in as many places as I do now.)

Since all of the books are different types, styles, and genres, I don't have any trouble keeping the storylines straight.

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Serious question: WHY are so many of you reading more than one book at a time? It baffles me why anyone would deliberately choose to do this, other than in a few specific circumstances (e.g., reading one book and listening to another audio book; picking up a fluff book while in the midst of reading a lengthy, extremely difficult book). But why do it routinely?

Moods and genres. Sometimes I want a little scifi-horror in the evening, some classic reading mid-day, and something a little fluffy-magic-bunny in the morning.

I also read multiple books because I'm a hobbyist reviewer and some books take FOREVER to finish. If I can have smaller books going on the side, it helps me keep my pace.

And since I have a "gym reader" (PB360) and a "serious reader" (Sony 950), I do read different books on the devices -- the gym reader doesn't really handle note-taking, so I don't read anything intensive on that one.

[afa]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Serious question: WHY are so many of you reading more than one book at a time? It baffles me why anyone would deliberately choose to do this, other than in a few specific circumstances (e.g., reading one book and listening to another audio book; picking up a fluff book while in the midst of reading a lengthy, extremely difficult book). But why do it routinely?

Because they're crazy.

By the way, statistics show that people who read more than two books at a time are 11 times more likely to be struck by lightning.

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by afa

Because they're crazy.

By the way, statistics show that people who read more than two books at a time are 11 times more likely to be struck by lightning.

Especially if I keep using my eReader in the rain while swimming.

[anamardoll]

Adding seriously: Funny enough, I used to not be able to read more than one book at a time. I thought that was very odd. I also couldn't NOT finish a book.

Rather recently, as in the past year or two, I've changed on both those counts. About the same time I started (a) eReading and (b) receiving dozens of review copies every month. I don't know if there's a correlation there or not.

Has anyone else seen their reading habits change with the advent of eReaders and the cheap indie/freebies influx?

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by afa

Because they're crazy.

By the way, statistics show that people who read more than two books at a time are 11 times more likely to be struck by lightning.

[HomeInMyShoes]

I've usually got three books on the go. A paper one at home. Some fiction on the Kindle and then usually a non-fiction title as well. As long as the topics are varied I don't find it odd or difficult to switch between them.

[Catlady]

It's not a matter of being able to keep storylines straight, or to focus on several books at one time--I can do that, and have done it, because I read for work. But that is different from choosing to do it for pleasure reading, and that's what I don't understand.

If I'm reading something boring that I am forcing myself to get through for whatever reason, the only way I will get through it is to stay with it, not pick up another book. (If I do pick up another book, chances are I'll never get back to that first boring one.) On the other hand, if I'm reading an interesting book, I don't want to put it down to read something else; I want to immerse myself in it.

[HomeInMyShoes]

^But I read interesting things on different topics. Say a book related to my field like Ambient Findability then something just for fun like War of the Worlds and then something about parenting. Totally different things and totally different desires in reading. I guess only one really fits into true pleasure reading at a time. Although Ambient was one of my favourite books I read this year.

[feenix1363]

Catlady, my reading habits are subject to circumstances, mood and availability of spare time.

For instance, I have a 'worthless' (Russel Brand) autobiography currently loaded on my phone so that I can quickly dip in whilst waiting for clients in reception areas without looking as if I'm just reading a book. I also have an audiobook on my phone, 'just in case'.

In my car I have two audio books queued up, one for the 30 minute daily commute, the second unabridged reading of a second book that I can immerse myself in on the longer longer drives I undertake each week.

My main reader, again can have up to three books in use, one technical manual (we won't call that reading though, its more of a reference) and one book that I can sit back and relax with. Another book will be there for when I can 'kick back' and relax at my leisure, hopefully free of all interruptions.

[Quake1028]

When I had the K3 and the nook at the same time, I would read one or the other. I wouldn't have a book going on each. Now I am down to one device (iPad 2) so it's not even an issue anymore.

[afa]

Originally Posted by anamardoll

Adding seriously: Funny enough, I used to not be able to read more than one book at a time. I thought that was very odd. I also couldn't NOT finish a book.

Rather recently, as in the past year or two, I've changed on both those counts. About the same time I started (a) eReading and (b) receiving dozens of review copies every month. I don't know if there's a correlation there or not.

Has anyone else seen their reading habits change with the advent of eReaders and the cheap indie/freebies influx?

On both counts, Ana, I am exactly the same as you. Great minds think alike.