Reading multiple books?

[LovesMacs]

I normally read several books at the same time. I'm currently reading three, which is around my norm. Occasionally I become so engrossed in a book that I will read it exclusively.

[mr_nihilism]

The only time I'll read multiple books are when they are of the short story anthology type. And when doing so I'll read one story at a time. Anything novel/novella length I read read through on it's own.

[BelleZora]

Originally Posted by Tizzalicious

I usually only read one at a time, unless I am reading one that is very hard/heavy, or non-fiction, then I usually read something else at night before bed.

Same here. I read one novel at a time and often I'm reading a difficult book or nonfiction an hour or so daily. Right now it will probably take me a month to read Ovid's Metamorphosis, but I'll most likely read a dozen other books in that time, one at a time, just for pleasure. Sometimes I'll add an hour or so a day listening to an audiobook.

[Rumpelteazer]

Sometimes, but not very often.

When I read multiple books it's either to take a break from a long/slow reading book, then I usually read something quick and easy. Or when I notice I'm getting bored with a series/genre, then that book might be on hold for a while. Or when a book I really want to read comes out. In all these cases I put the book I'm reading on hold to read another book.

A while back I tried to read two books at the same time, which was okay, I might do it again if I want to read a very long book (or two) but it's not something I'd do with book under 800 pages long.

[gabby98]

Most of the time...as long as listening is included. i usually have at least 3 books going at once: 1 ebook, 2 audio. I listen to the audios in the car (and at work) so those depend on my mood at the time. I have occasionally gone up to 4 but anymore than that and I may be forcing ADD -like attributes on myself. I have a hard enough time focusing so to pile that many books on is just asking for it.

[Love.Forever.]

Everyone is different, but personally, I just read one book at a time just to make sure that I fully understood what's going on. I feel like if I do decide to read two books at the same time it will be a little difficult to digest.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I've been known to read up to 7 at one time. I am a mood reader so I just read whatever theme I am in the mood for.

Me too. Sometimes I want to read fiction and sometimes non-fiction and often switch genre or author based on my mood.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

I don't. I practice book monogamy. I am the same way with games. Some people play multiple simultaneous characters in Skyrim whereas I can only play one at a time. Not surprisingly, it turns out that many of those people are also multi-readers.

It's odd - I can easily keep track of 10 different TV show storylines, but I can't do it with books and games. Hmmm...

I'm one of those that have multiple characters in RPG games, but I do play them one at a time. But that's because the game won't allow me to play them together... I will switch between characters in one game play session

I also read multiple books at the same time. At least one book per device (use 3, not counting my audiobook), and sometimes multiple books per device.

[applesauce]

I am a one book woman. I can not start another book before finishing the first. Very frustrating at times

applesauce

[Waylander]

I usually read one book at a time, as I like to give one book undivided attention, and also means I don't have to remember different story lines.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I'm one of those that have multiple characters in RPG games, but I do play them one at a time. But that's because the game won't allow me to play them together... I will switch between characters in one game play session

I tried doing that once and ended up suffering from some sort of multiple alternate personality crisis. I lost any ability to figure out which character was doing what. The quest journal didn't help much, because I tend to just let those pile up - my RP determines which ones a character will do. Looking at the completed quests what sort of helpful but not enough to sort it out. "Was the Nord going to join the Companions, or was she going to Ft. Dawnguard? Why is my Imperial in the Rift - where was she going? And when did she pick up that follower?"

I've never been so confused in my life. I sort of wish I could do that because I think some of my characters could last longer if I could take a short break from them and switch to another, but I can't. When I reload them, I don't know who they are anymore.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

I tried doing that once and ended up suffering from some sort of multiple alternate personality crisis. I lost any ability to figure out which character was doing what. The quest journal didn't help much, because I tend to just let those pile up - my RP determines which ones a character will do. Looking at the completed quests what sort of helpful but not enough to sort it out. "Was the Nord going to join the Companions, or was she going to Ft. Dawnguard? Why is my Imperial in the Rift - where was she going? And when did she pick up that follower?"

I've never been so confused in my life. I sort of wish I could do that because I think some of my characters could last longer if I could take a short break from them and switch to another, but I can't. When I reload them, I don't know who they are anymore.

Well, my characters all have a back story... And even if I do know exactly where I want to go, I often don't end up there... Too many things distracting me (events, nodes to gather, foes to kill...)

It's a bit the same with books, to be honest. I know I want to finish the series I am reading now, but I heard a phrase during lunch (Chateau d'If) and I very badly want to pick up the Count of Monte Christo again, and I've been thinking about starting the Outlander series by Gabaldon too, and then there's the Wizard of Oz I've never read and want to read... So, I think I'll close down this PC and grab my book and start reading the Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart (just found out they're available as Kindle edition) or People of the Wolf by the Gears (also available as Kindle edition, without DRM even!) Or I could finish the Black Stallion.

See, so much to read, so I just have to read it all together!

[speakingtohe]

Too many books, too little time
I have three readers I use regularly. My bed reader, my balcony reader and my out and about reader.

Currently they all have a different book open. I was the same with paper books, having my bedtime book, my balcony book, my backpack books for reading while out an about. With paper books I could be reading 10 concurrently. Obviously I need more ereaders

I have a poor memory for many things, but for books I can pretty well pick off where I left off even after a year or so. Probably because I am used to it.

Helen

[Grace Elliot]

Perhaps the more pertinent question is WHY do people have more than one book on the go at a time?
I usually read one novel at a time, but whilst reading 2 or 3 non-fiction books. I like to immerse myself in the story of a novel, but I don't always want to commit my emotions, or I want to savour the writing, in which case I'll pick up a non-fiction book.

[Tarana]

Yes, and it was a terrible habit that I learned from high school and college.

I normally have two ebooks and two audiobooks going at once. One is for out and about (kindle I carry in my purse at all times), one is for reading in my chair, one is for listening when I am cleaning/washing dishes, and the other is for listening when I am knitting/quilting/crocheting. Just no way around that. Some books are simply too complicated to listen/read unless you are in a quiet place. Believe me though, if the story is very compelling, it pretty much takes over all other reading/listening until it is done.

This weekend, I'm going to attempt to get that whispersync thing to work.