Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion

When I see other people's currently reading lists, most of the time there are several books listed. Am I the only person who does not like to read more than one book at a time? I devote my time and thoughts on one book, how do you juggle more than one??

(Just thinking out loud, er, via typing...) :)

Any thoughts?

I usually stick to one at a time. But if a book is 'heavy', then I may have a break and go for something lighter. Right now I have A Clash Of Kings, for the nights I want to read but know if I start something else I'll be up until I'm finished!

Alison wrote: "When I see other people's currently reading lists, most of the time there are several books listed. Am I the only person who does not like to read more than one book at a time? I devote my time and..."

No you're not the only one. I always stick to one at a time.

I read 2 or 3 books at a time usually different genres. I'll read a fiction, history, or biography according to my mood. During the week, I get most of reading done around bedtime and I like to have some variety especially if my day has been crazy.

I'm reading like 4 books right now. :)

Joanne wrote: "I usually stick to one at a time. But if a book is 'heavy', then I may have a break and go for something lighter. Right now I have A Clash Of Kings, for the nights I want to read but know if I star..."

I know what you mean about light vs. dark. I never really looked at it that way. :)

I haven't tried reading more than one at a time, but I just cant imagine it. Keeping track of one story can be hard enough if reading time is hard to come by.

I generally stick to one book at a time. Usually if I try to read multiple books, I end up gravitating towards one and letting the other slide until I finish the one that has caught my attention. Right now I am reading two books, but I have one by my bed and one I keep in my purse, so I only have one available at a time.

Oh - My profile says I'm reading three, but one of them I had to put aside and I'm going to pick it up again when I finish one of the first two. So profiles may not always be completely accurate. ;)

Kristie wrote: "Oh - My profile says I'm reading three, but one of them I had to put aside and I'm going to pick it up again when I finish one of the first two. So profiles may not always be completely accurate. ;)"

Yes thats true ;)

Maybe its mostly just my memory - it isn't up to the task of multiple books lol

I'm a one book person too. If I do have more than one book it's because one of them is an audio book for when I can't physically read.

Lynn wrote: "I'm a one book person too. If I do have more than one book it's because one of them is an audio book for when I can't physically read."

I really need to get into audio books, I've never tried them but there are plenty of times where I wish I could be reading while I'm working on something else.

Kristie wrote: "I generally stick to one book at a time. Usually if I try to read multiple books, I end up gravitating towards one and letting the other slide until I finish the one that has caught my attention. R..."


This strategy sounds really great. I'll try it with the books I'm reading, because usually I have the same experience of putting one book aside until I finish the other.

What's more, I have three books on my profile now, but actually I've picked something else, thus the profile is out-of-date-one, I should definitely update it soon.

I love reading about 7 books at a time because I never know what mood I'll be in so if I'm reading a bunch of books at a time I can select what book I'd like to read, instead of having only the one option I would have with reading only one book at a time.

I do what Lynn does. The most I will have is 3. One is an audiobook - during driving or just moving around. One for sitting & relaxing time. The only reason I would have a third is if im reading a manual book from home. I enjoy reading ebooks since I can take my library anywhere I go.

I used to read only one (or maybe two) at a time. I found however that it works better for me to have different books going at different locations. For example, I have one in my bedside nightstand (usually short stories) for those times that I go to bed earlier than the wife and want to read for a few minutes. I keep one in the living room for those times that she goes to bed ahead of me and I want to avoid disturbing her. I have one that I keep at work to read over lunchtime so that I'm not damaging a book by dragging it back and forth every day. And I usually have a textbook for class and some sort of kindle book going also for those times when I'm working on the computer and just want to take a few minutes break.

I tried reading several books at the same time but I generally end up reading my favorite then finishing the second and then the third. When I read several books at the same time, it's generally because there is one for work/education purposes and the other is for pleasure. If I have a third it's because I don't really like one of the books I'm reading! ;)

I generally read 2 books a time - one as ebook on my iPad and another as paperback, while travelling or so. That's how I manage to read atleast 2 books, though my profile says currently-reading 4. Rest 2 are just there on shelf to remind me that I have to get back to them one day! lol

I usually read more than one because I do not get into books quickly. I am usually bored by second chapters, so I usually start something new. Once I have read over 25% of most of the books I can usually continue them to the end. I do not stick to one book also because i am always curious about another one and do not like waiting to start. If i wanna start a book , I start it :D

Now that's tricky . As I am now making it a challenge to finish about 5 books I am part way through. Ones I just couldn't quite get into. I think that is the only reason why , I would have more than one book on the go at one time ... and I hate to not finish a book:(

I also only read one book at a time. No way can I start a new book without finishing the last. I really get into my stories and sometimes I have to wait a few days before starting my next book because I'm still in a daze about that story world I just read (aka "book hangover").

Kathleen wrote: "I also only read one book at a time. No way can I start a new book without finishing the last. I really get into my stories and sometimes I have to wait a few days before starting my next book beca..."

Exactly the same way I am! :)

Alison wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "I also only read one book at a time. No way can I start a new book without finishing the last. I really get into my stories and sometimes I have to wait a few days before starting ..."

Awesome! :D

I am usually reading more than one, but that's only because it takes time for me to get into one. Once I get really into a book I read it pretty exclusively.

I will usually be reading one on my kindle and one physical copy. I find the different format makes it easier to differentiate between the two, for some reason. There are also times when I am reading a book collaboratively with my teenage daughters, where we read it out loud to each other so it means I have three going at once. I agree that mixing genres helps too.

Aw I love that idea of reading to each other with your daughters :)

1 book at a time and it take me 3 - 5 days to read another book because I always experience having a book hangover especially when the story is well written. :D

Ok I think I will try to read several books at once next month, we'll see how it goes! :)

I'm so guilty of reading simultaneous books.

Usually about three books at a time, but I prefer different genres. One is often a Whodunnit, one is non-fiction, and one is "light reading" which I read on the subway or at the Gym.

I'm usually a 2-3 book reader. I rotate them so that my brain can go on different adventures every few days.

I always read 2 or 3 books at a time. Usually one lighter book and one more difficult to read.

Vanessa wrote: "Ok I think I will try to read several books at once next month, we'll see how it goes! :)"

Do let me know please! :)

Alison wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Ok I think I will try to read several books at once next month, we'll see how it goes! :)"

Do let me know please! :)"

I will!!!

I frequently have a book that I'm reading plus an audiobook that I'm listening to. I'll start reading an additional book, if the first book is boring.

I usually have 2 or 3 books going along with whatever my son and I are reading at bedtime. And right now we have 3 books started too!

I usually have one book or e-book and one audio book at the same time. That way, I can listen to a book while walking. But usually 2 is my limit at one time.

I have books loaded in the kindle. I have about 8 books in my stack at home from library and others have picked up at sales or stores...always a nonfiction cookbook -- something with history and genealogy as I do research - then have a cozy read - now reading Emily March series for going to drs and to the gym -- some new mystery or a book for a book club and switch between them -- have friends that say they don't know how I do it!!!

Chris wrote: "I have books loaded in the kindle. I have about 8 books in my stack at home from library and others have picked up at sales or stores...always a nonfiction cookbook -- something with history and ge..."

I don't know how you do it either! Wow! Lol.

I don't think it's possible for me to read just one book at a time. I usually have 3-4 going at once. Like others have mentioned, I listen to an audiobook during my commute. It's usually YA or something I don't need to think a lot about. I also listen to an audiobook while trying to fall asleep. I have trouble with insomnia so it helps keep my mind focused on one thing. I try not to listen to anything too exciting, or I won't sleep at all. In addition to the audio, I'll read 1-2 other books, either Kindle or physical book.

I absolutely hate reading more than one book at once, but for school I did the stupid thing of being in multiple literature classes at once last semester and was forced into it. I tend to get books mixed up together and stuff, this semester I am trying to only read one book at a time but then I am reading The Arabian Nights at the same time as the books because it is filled with just short stories...But yeah reading multiple books is awful for me.....

I read just one book

I cannot wait, when I retire, to go back to reading:
1 Fiction
1 Non-fiction
1 Self Help
1 Christian Non-fiction
1 Magazine

Right now, with a full-time job and a 45 minute commute one-way, all I seem to be able to do is listen to CDs on my commute (thank goodness for this medium) and pick up one of the others listed above before lights out ... ;o)

I have the same tale as many here - usually, I have a fiction book, a non-fiction book (general, history, biography or science), and a book on language or teaching English as a foreign language.....different food for different hungers....Though, when I am on holiday, i usually plow through one book at a time....

I'm in the same boat as many of you. I listen to audiobooks during daily activities (gym, grocery shopping, drives, etc.) but I find it harder to physically read more than one book at a time. Sometimes if it's a collection of short stories it is a lot easier. If I do read multiple books they most certainly have to be from completely different genres so I don't get them confused.

To be honest I read more than one book at a time.
It's pretty much that I have a book in every bag for every location I have to go to.
For example right now Im reading Oliver Twist at work during my break. And when Im in the car going on visits or smth I have another book depending on my mood.
I don't have a problem reading many at a time. It's rather relaxing to change btw genres. But ofcs that is my opinion and personal experience xD

I'm definitely a multiple-book reader, but i like to read only one fiction book and the others are some textbooks about language teaching and learning since I'm a language teacher.

I definitely read more than a book at a time, mainly various fiction. Takes me longer to complete but I feel better knowing I'm at least getting through my collection.

I usually have 3 books on the go at any given time. I'm a serial library borrower so I always have a stack of books to work through. When I bring them home, I arrange them by number of pages. The smallest one becomes my commuting book, which always stays in my bag so that I have something to read on the underground. (Otherwise I might forget to put one in my bag and how devastating would that be to get on the train and NOT have a book??? Pretty horrendous, I can tell you.) The largest book is the one I read at night before bed or any time I fancy reading while I'm around the flat.

The third book is one that my husband and I read together when we get a chance. We've been reading Harry Potter together and we've been stuck on page 31 for ages since we both have other books to read on our own. We'll get through it eventually though.

That's my system. It works pretty well for me. I read across many genres and it doesn't interrupt the flow of the stories at all. I think that it's up to personal preference.

I usually stick to one at a time, but right now, I am reading an 800 page book. So contemplating starting another to read in between...sort of as a break from my current book.

Alison wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Ok I think I will try to read several books at once next month, we'll see how it goes! :)"

Do let me know please! :)"

@Alison: So what I thought would happen, happened!!! I started reading several books at once and ended reading only one. It's not my fault, I needed to know who the killer was! ;)