So, it’s my first book/reading related Wednesday post 😀
Photo by the very talented Twisted Pixel on Flicker
When I read, I normally only read one book at a time. This is mainly because I like to immerse myself in one world and one set of characters at a time, and concentrate solely on that.
But, recently I attempted to read two at a time.
Attempted.
It didn’t go very well 😀
I tried to read a few chapters of each on alternating days, but I found it confusing having to get myself back into which book I was reading every other day. I was hoping that reading two at a time might help me get through my to-read list quicker, as I have so many I am excited to read!
In the end, I gave up and ended up focusing on one and will now continue on with the other as I have finished Sins of the Father by Melissa Barker-Simpson (who has recently released her new book, Hands of Evil).
Sierra over at Permashift had a great idea of reading different books on different devices such as one in paperback, one on kindle and one on nook. I might be tempted to give that a go at some point in the future, but for now, I’m afraid it’s going to be one at a time 😀
Though I have to admit, it is nice to focus solely on one book. I enjoy getting lost completely in that one story and not having to switch to different characters or worlds in different books. It seems to keep me excited about the books I read!
Do you read more than one book at a time? Or do you prefer to read one book? What are you currently reading?
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Progress Report:
Status of fifth manuscript: Still waiting to start first draft.
Books read: 1/4
Mid-August book review: Written and ready.
A Writer's Life For Me. 
I’m a slow reader, so I go one at a time. Like you, I get confused if I try for more than that. Besides, a book should be able to grip a reader and not let them go until the end. At some point, you’d have to choose which one to finish while the other waits its turn.
Very good point. It is nice when a story grips you and you have to keep on reading that one book.
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I’m a one book kind of reader as well. Monogamous reading is being true to the author.
You’re completely right. It does feel better to be able to give myself to one book and appreciate the effort the author put into it.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂
I also prefer reading only one book at a time. Sometimes I have a novel ongoing, and I take a break into reading it because I read a personal/spiritual development one in between on my computer as Kindle content. 🙂
That might be a good idea, reading a novel and maybe reading a completely different type of book. I have a few writing development books on my to-read list, so reading one of those in between might not be so confusing 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I alwasy read one book at a time. If I’m not that into a book that I can read another novel then the book hasn’t gripped me enough and I give up on it. I have read writing books at the same time but that isn’t competing with the novel, it helps with my own writing. I am currently reading Recalled (Death Escort #1) by Cambria Herbert. It is interesting and different, which I like.
I think I might do what you suggested and read a writing development book whilst reading a novel. They are, after all, completely different 😀
Thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂
Only one book at a time for me. Although, I haven’t tried to read more than one at a time; I just don’t think that style suits me.
Currently reading: In The Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides (non-fiction).
Doesn’t suit me much either 😀 I need to be able to focus on one at a time and give it the full attention it deserves.
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I’m a one book reader as well. Occasionally I attempt two but like you, I usually migrate back to one 🙂
I think it is much easier to keep up with one, plus I usually get so engrossed in a book I can’t stop reading it until I’ve finished! 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I don’t mind reading a few books at once. Usually, it happens because I misplace one so start another. Or, am reading one on my iPad and another physically. Since so much of what I read is thrillers (my writing genre), it can get confusing. There better be a strong main character to keep ideas differentiated for me.
I find it hard to keep up with so many books, so admire your ability to do it! 😀
Thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂
Thanks for the mention, and for the wonderful review you left for me.
In terms of reading, and the comments so far, I have to be the odd one out! For me it depends on what time I’ve set aside. If I’ve given myself time to read a book, then I read just one book and give myself to it completely. But if I’m squeezing a little reading in here and there, I choose a favourite – one I’ve read before (but not for a while), and I usually have two ‘familiar’ books on the go. Ones I can slip in and out of because I feel like I know the stories and the people 🙂
I admire your ability to read like that! I have so many new book son my to-read list along with a bunch I’d like to re-read 😀
Think I’m going to have to start learning to read quicker.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂
I’m all about reading one book at a time. I like to form relationships with all the characters, even the villains. Definitely makes for a richer reading experience in my opinion!
I agree, for me at least, it lets me throw myself into a book much deeper than if I read a few at a time 😀
Thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂
I’m a slow reader and easily distracted. I do much better if I stick with one book at a time.
Me too 😀 I’m a pretty slow reader so having one book helps me keep on track.
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
When I have the time to myself, I prefer to read one book at a time. However, when I’m in school, I have no choice but to read multiple books at a time because of all the different classes requiring books that I’m taking. It’s the blessing and curse of being an English major, haha.
I am currently reading The Tao of Writing by Ralph L. Wahlstrom. It’s a book on how to encourage creativity and lack of frustration in writing while using the principles of Taoism. It’s very intriguing thus far 🙂
Yeah, I can imagine taking English would require a lot of reading 😀
The book you’re currently reading sounds very interesting, something I should probably read!
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
Glad to have you back properly Mishka! I have to say I usually read one book at a time. I tend to take on average 2 – 3 weeks to read a book and I think more than one at a time would be too much.
Occasionally I dabble with reading another book to the main one I’m reading on the side, so to speak, but this means I end up focusing on the main book I’m reading and not the other one anyway!
Oh and BTW I’m currently reading ‘African Me & Satellite TV’ by Jo Robinson which is different and I’m enjoying it! 🙂
It does take me quite some time to read a book, though I am trying to up the amount I read. I think reading one at a time will actually speed me up instead of more than one 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I agree with you on that one. Like you I’m torn – I’d love to be reading about half a dozen books at once. That way I’d be able to keep up with all the books I’m constantly downloading lol.
Better still I’d like to be able to read a lot faster. I don’t have any problem with reading – I just don’t have the energy to read for longer than about 45 mins at a time. And physically reading faster, taking in what I’m reading. That’d be great! 🙂
I’m currently reading three. It’s a bad habit … I will report when I finish LOL.
Three? Now that is impressive! 😀
It’s impressive only if I actually finish them LOL. I’m notorious for not finishing too. But now that I’ve said it in a public space, I feel compelled to finish those three. 😛
Like you and most of the people who commented, I can only read one novel at a time (I mix up the plot and characters too, haha!) but I read a lot of nonfiction for work and can read those at the same time as I read my novel (thank goodness).
I think reading non-fiction on my to-read at the same time as fiction will be a good idea!
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I can read more than one book at a time but normally one is fiction and the other non-fiction. I read fiction a lot faster than non-fiction and I find that it doesn’t cause me to get confused. One has a story and the other is about learning. Right now I’m reading Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde and Write. Publish.Repeat. By Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant.
I read fiction a lot quicker too, I guess because it is more fun in general 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I am currently reading two at a time. I’m reading one on my Kindle that I can’t remember the exact title and author of (I’ll get back to you on that) as well as a paperback copy of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith. I prefer reading non-fiction on my kindle and fiction in paperback. I’m not certain why. When I figure that out, I’ll let you know as well. 😀
“250 Things You Should Know About Writing” by Chuck Wendig. That’s the other one. Yay interwebz!
Those sound like some good books, going to have to check out the writing one! 😀 You can never read too many of those, right?
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
It’s interesting that you bring this up because I recently ran across a Goodreads thread where someone was asking if she’s crazy for reading so many books at one time. I personally can’t read more than one book at once, but that’s just because I have a hard time reading one book because my characters are always in action in my head.
I am always in awe of those that can read more than one book at a time, or even write more than one story at a time! 😀
I have to stick to one, it’s the only way I can really enjoy the book to its full.
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
It varies for me. Sometimes I can read two books at once.
Many books have a point where I get discouraged or angry about the direction the MC is taking me. That’s when I like to take a step back. Sometimes for a day and sometimes for up to a week. So I take another book off my stack of TBR.
Maybe this doesn’t count as reading two books at once. Maybe it counts as using one book as a buffer for another. HA!
I say it counts as reading two 😀 Though that’s a good idea using one as a buffer!
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I’ve never been able to read more than one book at a time. 😛 I’ve attempted it on multiple occasions, but unfortunately it’s never worked…
I know, I really struggled and then gave up when I tried two 😀 I enjoyed them much more when I read them separately.
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I can’t remember if I tried to read 2 books at a time, but if I did, I would probably find it difficult to focus on the 2 stories as well! But I guess I will not know unless I try 🙂
It definitely didn’t work for me, but I know people who read 3 or 4 books at a time! 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I’ve only ever tried to read one book at a time…but when I read, I usually read for hours at a time and finish the book in 2 to 3 days. 🙂
I do tend to just read and do nothing else as well when I find a really good book 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
🙂
I prefer to read a handful at once. My preferences can change pretty wildly based on my mood, so being able to switch between a couple stories ensures that I’m always able to find something I’m enjoying, no matter how I’m feeling.
That’s an impressive skill 😀 I always have to make sure and choose a book I will be in the mood for and stick with it!