Reading multiple books at the same time

cynic

Picking a light topic for discussion this time

Do you read one book at a time? Or there are multiple books you are currently reading?

I belong to the latter group. At any point to time, I have at least one non-fiction (heavy duty stuff for commuting and flights) and a light read. And then there are books which catch my fancy that I can't wait to read.

What kind of reader are you?

cynic

Indured 20-5-2018 07:47 AM
Earlier I used to read one book at a time. Found it difficult when I got stuck with some book. After ...

This is exactly the reason why I switched to reading multiple books too. I would get stuck with a book, and would have a "readers block" of sort.

jhsurti

Speed-reading has never worked for me. Tried to develop but I had to re-read at times. So I decided it was not for me. At read at my own leisurely pace. No deadlines to worry about!

Mousetrap

Aaaah... Is this a coincidence or what?
I usually read only one book a time, but for the past year or so, I've been doing multiple books at the same time. Usually I keep one for my free hours in the day, a light one to read while I eat and another one to read in the Kindle before I sleep.

I thought it'd disrupt my reading habit, but surprisingly, I seem to have picked up speed and also reading a variety of stuff has just made the whole exercise all the more enjoyable! And yes, I've taken up non-fiction a little reluctantly. It's a little difficult for me to make smooth progress with non-fiction, but I'm not going to give up. I'm doing them slow and steady.

Currently, I have 4 books running - The girl with all the gifts, Makers of Modern India, Artemis Fowl and The island of Dr. Libris. Good going here - all the books are engrossing!

jhsurti

I belonged to the first group. One book at a time. But ever since my interest in non-fiction picked up, I find myself reading two books at a time. Whenever I need a break for a while from the heavier stuff, I switch to a fiction, and then alternate. Can't stick to the heavy non-fiction stuff for too long. Like I am reading Enlightenment Now and in between I finished Three and A Half Murders. Will pick up the Murder She Wrote for the next fiction. I also have Homo Deus partly read. So yes, getting into the grind with you guys!

surekh

I'm reading "The subtle art of not giving a f*ck"; the Jack Reacher thriller "Midnight Line" and the Malayalam novel A Goat's Life all on alternate days. If I find something else as interesting, I'll pick that one as well..

Meself

One book at a time. Tried sailing all boats at once and found it not so good for my mental sanity. Thing is I have a hyperactive imagination. I need to soak in the book and it's characters. With multiple books at once, its not possible.

cynic

Good to know there are others on the same boat.

It is often said reading multiple books at a time reduces retention. Do you agree? I would disagree since I am able to retain what I have read. What about you?

cynic

Sensible_1 29-4-2018 12:59 PM
One Book at a time. But Speed reading allows me to read lot of books in a time frame.

What method do you use for speed reading? I have fairly good reading speed built up over decades, but somehow speed reading does not work for me.

bookbandit

I tried reading several books this one time last year, after I saw all these guys on my list do it on goodreads. But it didn't work for me. Can't cheat myself just to impress others. I like to take my time with a book. It has to get under your skin like that, otherwise, what's the point, innit?

cynic

bookbandit 30-4-2018 06:09 PM
I tried reading several books this one time last year, after I saw all these guys on my list do it o ...

I agree with the cheating ourselves bit. We all have our reading style. I read a lot of non-fictions. And there are days when I just want to read something light. I don't have the patience to finish the current book to do that .