There are two types of readers and two types of readers only.
One type has several different books going. They might have one on their nightstand and one in their backpack, another stashed at work for lunchtime reading and who knows where else. I don’t understand these people. They have a wild book love life.
Others, like me, cannot cheat on our current books. We are book monogamists, faithful to the book that currently has our attention even when we’re apart and there are tempting new books in front of us.
Which type are you? Do you like having several books going or do you read one at a time?
Art: Interesting Story by Laura Muntz Lyall
Someone once asked how I can re-read a book — "You already know how it's going to turn out!" So I asked him if he had any music CDs, MP3s, etc. "Yeah." I asked if he ever listened to any of them more than once. "Sure." I said, "Why? You already know how the music turns out!" Then I explained that I read for the same reason he listens to music: To discover something new or to rediscover an old friend. To bring my mood up when I'm down or calm me down when I'm up. To create a mood for what I'm writing at the time myself, or to get me out of my own head. Therefore, to answer your question, I used to read one book at a time, when I read merely for entertainment. Now I generally have several going at once!
I'm a book cheater. To be fair, I mostly read manga, but I throw in a novel or two here or there. For instance, at one time I was reading about 5 manga titles, plus The Great Gatsby and one of the Cat Who books, and I thumbed through a few of Poe's poems, too. But if something really hooks my attention, I tend to stick with that one until I finish it because I can't put it down. Sometimes it depends on the book and sometimes it depends on what I'm doing while reading it (think going to bed vs waiting for the doctor).
I have at least two books on the go at a time: a DTB on my bedside table for home reading; something on my kindle for my commute; and sometimes a non-fiction book as well.
I'm a little ashamed to admit that I too am guilty of polygamy. I start one book after another, and am notorious for never finishing half of them. I'm a sad piece of work.
I'm reading three at the moment.
I'm a student, so I'm always reading several textbooks at once.
When it comes to leisure reading though, I would have ONE novel at a time, particularly if it's so good I can't stop. I might have another one or two nonfiction on the side, depending on how much free time I have.
I'm moody and precious. I'm into the whole book polyandry thing.
Sometimes I'll get one Really Good Book that I must absolutely drink down in one sitting (if possible). But most of the time, I've got my TBR loaded on my Kobo, and I'll read whatever depending on my mood.
I read several at once. One I keep in my car for errands/appts. One at home by my chair. I also read a craft book or three. Short stories in magazines as well. It's easy how I keep them all straight/separated from one another.
I just posted my own confession about book juggling. I can't help it, I read many books at the same time. Well, not many as in 984, but yeah, more than one =).
I am a book Polygamist. I have read like this my entire life. At this time, I read 3 books at a time for pleasure (Not counting multiple Graphic novels/Manga). The types of books vary as they are selected at random from my sizable personal library. This includes Fantasy,Science Fiction,Horror,Mystery,Thriller,Western, History,Science, Philosophy and whatever else catches my eye. Currently,I am working on 2 fantasies and a Non- Fiction about the Triassic Age. I read a chapter then go to the next book with a quota on how much I want to read out of each for the day. All books are not created equal and this helps get some of the more difficult reads (either actually more difficult or just not as interesting). It helps maintain focus. Your not as likely run out of reading material when out (Sorry but I'm old fashion and do not do kindle).