Do you read multiple books at once?

[Anonymous]

I'm curious how many stick to one book at a time vs. two or more. I generally have a fiction alongside one or two nonfiction books on the go. For instance right now I'm reading War and Peace (for the second time) and The Power Broker, by Robert Caro.

[Anonymous]

I have one audio book and one paper book going at any time. I have it hard to have more than one paper book going at once.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes. But it isn't very comfortable. And I can really only do it with a fiction and a nonfiction.

[Anonymous]

At least two - a fiction and a nonfiction. Audiobooks are bonus to me - the very different medium makes them feel separate and I don't confuse them with print/ebooks.

I sometimes add a third print book if I'm doing a long classics. Like the year I read Proust I read it in addition to a fiction and nonfiction book.

When I started reading multiple books is when I really started reading a lot more. I think you're more likely to pick a book up if you have a couple styles to choose from and can read what suits your mood of the moment.

[Anonymous]

I usually have 3 books going. One on audio and a couple on my Kindle (or a physical copy).

[Anonymous]

Of course. I stop and start lots of books until one takes off in pace.

I always have an audio, hard copy, and kindle book going, so I have options based on my surroundings. Usually I have three hard copies stashed in different areas of the house. One on night stand, one in the living room, one that travels in my purse. So that's six. But again, one or two are always at the front of the pack.

[Anonymous]

I don’t find it difficult, no more than keeping track of plots and characters in multiple tv shows. Sometimes one is interesting enough to keep all my attention and the others fall off for a while; sometimes I never go back to one and realize it was dull.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I read 4-6 books at once. Some books I really enjoy and like to stretch out the experience. Some books like self help books I like to take breaks from & absorb the material. Sometimes I get a new book and want to start it before my others are done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have one audio book and one paper book going at any time. I have it hard to have more than one paper book going at once.

Me too.

[Anonymous]

I did this when I was younger (and had way more time) but now I only focus on one book at a time.

[Anonymous]

Sure, depending on mood. It's like watching TV series without binging.

[Anonymous]

Definitely. I keep one going on my kindle for bedtime, one in my tote bag for unexpected waits, and another “main” book that I drag around the house or wherever I know I’ll have planned downtime. I like having another book going at all times in case the current mood is a bad fit for my main book.

I’ll admit that I do sometimes have to give myself a page or two to remember where I am and what’s going on, especially on my kindle.

[Anonymous]

Almost always. Currently I have one non fiction ebook, one non fiction audio book, and one fiction audio book on Libby and one paper book.

[Anonymous]

I've always read a lot of books, but I have never tried to read two at the same time.
My brain can't handle two plots!

[Anonymous]

Yes, especially across formats. My library has Hoopla and Libby/OverDrive—so I’m usually able to get an ebook on one, and the audio version on the other. It helps with momentum as I can switch depending on where I am.

Then I also tend to have 1-2 additional paperback/hard cover books going. If I get to a slow part and it’s something I’ve committed to finish (e.g., book club), I’ll set myself a daily reading goal of 20 pp or so.