Lately, I’ve tried something new with my reading that I’ve really never tried before…
I’m attempting to read more than one book at a time.
I know, I know…it doesn’t sound impressive, but I’m usually a one book at a time type of girl.
Let’s just say this accidental experiment isn’t going too well…instead of being a more productive reader and getting way more reading done, I’m stuck in various middles of three different books.
See, the thing is, I didn’t mean to be reading three books at one time. I was reading The Happiness Project, but it was a bit slow-going and then God Never Blinks came in at the library and I was so excited I wanted to start it right away. So I did. And this one sucked me right in, but it’s SO good and full of such wisdom and little life nuggets, that I’ve been taking my time to go through each chapter and really think it through. In the meantime, Kate Brian’s two latest books came in to my library as well and I HAD to know what happens next, so I am currently in the midst of three books.
As I peruse through some blogger friends It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? posts, I’m always amazed when I see people like Sheila and Kristen who get through SO many books in a week; I always think, “they MUST be reading two or three books at a time (or they are very fast readers).” It’s extremely impressive.
For me, it’s just not working. I’m not fully immersed in each of the stories. I jump back and forth from book to book never getting close to an ending, or getting sucked in enough to keep on reading without making the switch. I know that when I finish each one, I may not take the time to think about it and let the story sink in like I usually do because I’ll most likely be in the midst of three endings at the same time.
I know it’s technically possible to read more than one book at a time and kudos to those who can do it, but I’ve realized this past week, it certainly isn’t for everyone. And definitely not for me. Once I get through these three, I’ll be sure to hold myself back from starting a new and shiny book before finishing the one I’m currently reading.
What about you? Do you prefer to read one book at a time or can you juggle multiple titles at once?
Until I started blogging, I was always a one-book-at-a-time girl. But now I feel such pressure to read quickly and always have a new book in hand that I have two (or three) going at once. I try to read two different types of books at once — like one young adult, one chick lit — so I don’t get confused!
And I know what you mean about getting “stuck” in the middle of too many… and not being able to finish anything. That’s usually when I force myself to read one book and one book only until I’m done! (And that’s what I’m doing right now with Isabelle Lafleche’s J’adore New York. Not stopping ’til I’m finished!)
Good for you for being able to do that Meg, because your reviews are still awesome and it always seems like you give your full attention to the book you’re reading! I never knew you read a few at a time. I definitely like the idea of separating by genres though; probably makes it easier to manage!
Sigh. I looove reading one book at one time.
That was how we used to do it, but it seems so 1998 now, doesn’t it?
I host 4 book clubs – http://www.booksabroad.com/Appetite/tabid/172/Default.aspx – though luckily this season we’re all reading the same one. I host a radio show about memoirs – http://www.stephaniedickison.com/on-the-radio-ckln/, so each month I have to read a biography or memoir to interview the author. And then there are the books I have to read to review for magazines and websites.
That’s all before getting to my own pile of books, which you can see on my Goodreads page – http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2688564?shelf=currently-reading.
I love being about to delve into a singular book and devour it. I spent decades doing that. And maybe I will be able to again someday. But for now, it’s all a big wobbly pile that’s about to fall over at any time.
I find comfort in that too now. I guess I’ve changed along with the times.
Many thanks and warmest wishes,
Stephanie
Craziness Stephanie! You are doing SO much! I’ll definitely be checking out those links later today. Good luck with that wobbly pile 🙂 Seems like you’re managing it well!
Typically I’m a one book and one audiobook sort of girl, although when I’m reading a really long or really slow book I’ll sometimes go back and forth to something else. I do also occasionally have a book going in little chunks for a readalong as well. So although it is usually two (one print, one audio), it could conceivably be as many as four.
One print, one audio definitely makes sense. I can see how you even separate the two in your mind. I would love to try out an audio book; I’ve never even tried one. My commute is VERY short, but it might be cool to give it a try.
@Jessica Lawlor, I recommend starting with a reread of a book you already know well when you try your first audio, because listening well is something you really have to learn. I think most people figure if they can read a book, they can listen to an audiobook, but print literacy doesn’t directly translate.
Hey Jess, I’m SO with you. In fact, I’ve just made a personal resolution to stop trying to read more than one at a time – it doesn’t work for me at all! I kept stopping and starting with Bleak House because I thought it would keep me motivated through 1000 + pages….but it just meant that I kept forgetting what was going on, AND it took twice as long to finish!
I’d go for enjoyment over speed every time 🙂
Lyndsey
Agreed! The reason I ultimately switched to a second book was that the first book I was reading was a bit long and was starting to get slow. Then I added another one on, and then another. I should have just powered on through the first one (STILL NOT DONE THAT ONE!) Goodness.
I always have more than one on the go. I have my main read, then there is always one in the bathroom for those hard-to-go moments, plus I always have tabletop books and cookbooks I’m reading as well.
That totally makes sense; especially if they aren’t all full out novels that require your full attention. I could probably juggle a fiction and non-fiction book at the same time since they are so different. Thanks for chiming in!
I used to read 2-3 books at once all the time but ever since I began blogging…. well, I just can’t do that anymore. I feel like if I’m dividing my attention between two books, I won’t be able to write proper reviews for either of them; now I just take my time reading books one by one and I have to say, I prefer it this way: I get to fully absorb one story and admire how the author crafted their story (with the characters, world-building, etc.). It’s like trying to date two people–you get emotionally invested with both and you feel all entangled because you have all these feelings for both of them and you can’t sort them out. (Or am I the only one that feels like that? Maybe the dating example was a bad example… I guess I just like to part with one book when I’m completely done with it and start fresh with a new one. GAH, that still sounds like a dating example….)
No, Sandy! I completely agree with you. I’ve learned through this experience that I’m a one book (and a one man!) type of girl. I like to give my undivided attention to whatever I’m focusing on.
As for writing reviews, again you are totally spot on. It’s difficult for me to remember the small things I liked about each book as I’m trying to juggle three.
the only way i can read two books at the same time is if one of them is a history book. i love to read and i read quite fast but sometimes the heaviness of the history is a bit slow, so i break it up with something fun and chick-lity.
That totally makes sense then. I was saying a few comments up that I think I could manage reading a fiction book and a non-fiction book at the same time. Completely different worlds!
I can only read one at a time. Or at least that’s all I ever do. I hate starting a book and not finishing, and know that if I tried to read more than one at a time that would freak me out. So one at a time it is!
Yep, I 100 percent agree with you! I had some serious trouble and it took me almost three weeks to finish a book! Not good.