THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

i'm guilty of being a serial booker too! the nile? my TBR is like Hugh Heffner's little black book! It's usually something fiction, something non-fiction like a memoire, self help, inspirational etc., something that is harder to read, and something I can pick up at will and read in random increments (I like to keep little books of short stories, poetry, quotes and or just easy reads w/short chapters in the bathroom or on a table in the living room. Sometimes I'll even keep a certain book at work so there is always something to read (of course I work in a library so there really is always something to read, so I guess this is a way to make sure I don't pick up yet another book!) Lately, I have also made sure that I always have a book and a notebook in my bag--never know when you'll get stuck in line or get the urge to write!

Elena wrote: "i'm guilty of being a serial booker too! the nile? my TBR is like Hugh Heffner's little black book! It's usually something fiction, something non-fiction like a memoire, self help, inspirational ..."

very similar to me, Elena
always a current thriller, a literary novel and a fantasy/sci fi - plus I have been reading HL Mencken lately as well- I dont think there was a living soul on Eath that Mencken didnt have a negative thought about (except himself!) but he is such a great essayist!

i always have a book in my purse. always. and now that i have a kindle, i have dozens of books in my purse (which is sooo cool.) i am always reading more than one book at a time. usually i'll have a larger or hardcover book at home because i don't want to haul it around with me, but if it turns out to be *really* good, i'll carry it around anyway. and it used to be that i was always reading a buddhist book, but that's not the case anymore since i seem to have drifted from buddhism. i'm always reading one bio/historical book and at least one novel.

Naomi wrote: "i always have a book in my purse. always. and now that i have a kindle, i have dozens of books in my purse (which is sooo cool.) i am always reading more than one book at a time. usually i'll h..."

I have about 1000 books on my Kindle- though the vast majority are freedownloads of old forgotten books
I also love the $4.95 packages of complete works of Dickens, Collins, The Brontes ect.
I recommend the Alice in Wonderlandfor its wonderful digital illustrations

I've got audiobooks on the iPod, several books I'm alternating through on the nightstand (As in No, they're not that memorable... but I do want to finish them)... my mandatory reading list (pre-pub ARC's I have to read and comment on by end of month)... and a pile of trade publications to wade through.

....and then there's my own writing.

Too many books, too little time.

I usually read 3-4 books at one time. I don't understand why many others question how I do this. It's like keeping up with more than one tv series, isn't it? I am always reading a history book, some literature, and a novel.

I can only really focus on one book at a time. Sometimes, I will start a second if one is getting slow, or there is a new release that I am really desperate to read. I have a hard time getting into more than one book. I like to really connect with the characters and plot, and for me, that's more difficult when I am reading multiple books.

3 print books is my limit if I want to remember what's happening.

Whenever I'm asked how I can read more than one, I point out the TV show thing like Rick. I can follow several TV shows at a time even when they take several weeks off at a time.

now that I am in our Group Book Read- The Poe Shadow- I find it harder to read multiple books- but I plan on contining to read book club book, current thriller and fantasy-sci fi book!
I just wish The Poe Shadow (Which is excellant) has larger writing per page!!!

I say NO, but have three books going, go figure.

The Pursuit Of Loveby Nancy Mitford - I'm on a Mitford binge. I read the second book Love in a Cold Climate first (but they stand on their own). I have another novel and memoir of the author on their way bu post.

The Blue Angel by Heinrich Mann - interesting, but I may skip ahead to the Dietrich film.

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell - which I saw on BBC and am now reads in fits and starts. Quite funny and yet, because it's a series of vignettes, I find it rather too easy to set aside. However, I'm determined to just keep plugging along until the end.

Most of the time, yes, I am because I enjoy to be focused on one book only. Sometimes I read 2 at the same time, though, but never more than that.

I think there are "multiple ways" to be a "multiple book" reader. I tend to have an audio I listen to in the day as I do "things around the house" that one is usually a light book i don't have to concentrate to much on. i may have a different audio I put on at night and listen to just before I sleep. Then I may have a nonfiction that does require a lot of thought and also a fiction I read to relax. At some point I my zero in on one of the books and finish it ahead and then move back to one of the others. Those of us who may have a few books started at once may divide them up evenly...or start a few and then finish them one at a time. Or do something completely different. There are probably many different ways to go about being a "multiple book reader".

Because I am a moderator for two Yahoo! book groups (Antony Trollope and Honore de Balzac), I'm usually reading several books at a time. Currently, I'm reading five, one of which I dip into very occasionally (The Memoirs of the Duc de Saint-Simon) because it easily lends itself to that sort of reading.

Jim wrote: "Because I am a moderator for two Yahoo! book groups (Antony Trollope and Honore de Balzac), I'm usually reading several books at a time. Currently, I'm reading five, one of which I dip into very oc..."

hi Jim
both favorites of mine!!
loved The Palliser Novers by Trollope

I used to be a one book at a time person until my friend Mary told me she always has 3 going at a time so I started trying it too. Sometimes it does work out OK.

I usually read at least 2 at a time but I always find that one ends up consuming more of my time than the other so it ends up being that I'm reading only one at a time.

I usually stick to one at a time. I occasionally read 2, but only if one is fiction and the other non-fiction.

I consider myself a one book at a time reader because i usually focus only on one book at a time. In reality though I am always reading multiple books but the other ones are usually reference books or dry educational material that I don't really count as reading it's more like studying.

I recently discovered this year I'm a one-book-at-a-time type. I've been going for five at a time, but that's been too much. The most I can handle are two at a time but one has to be fiction and the other non-fiction.

I often have a fiction and a non-fiction going at the same time, and I almost always have a short-story collection by the bed (usually mysteries).

I have that habit I dont read the books on time so I try to read two book at the same time it is nice you should try it you want to finish both of them while you start reading one of them ,you are thinking about the other story

:))If I buy a book in my language ,I finish it in one day but if I read a book in english ,I finish it in 3 or 4 day I read same sentences 3 times in order to understand

I am finding it increasingly difficult to read 3 books at a time! The Lat Surgeon by Michael Palmer is a quick read, The Poe Shadow is excellant but much more of a slower read, and I havent picked up my fantasy book in about 2 weeks!

Rick it is confusing I used to do that before exams we had many classes and we were suppossed to read a book from each class every weak after a while all characters are messed up

I generally don't have problems with characters in books I'm reading crossing...especially if I'm reading different genres. But if I'm writing heavily I find I can't read a book of a different genre than I'm writing.

well I remember that I was confused the events and the characters in an exam with the other characters of the other class

I used to read only one book at a time. Now it is usually somewhere between 3-5 at a time.

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Multiple books at a time, so I can keep my reading momentum if one of them gets slow."

good idea

Occasionally, when I'm on vacation, I stick with a single book and don't put it down until it's done. But usually I read a couple at a time, and re-read sections of books I've read before.... I like returning to books years later and seeing how my impressions differ from how they first struck me.... I guess it's a way of gaging how I'm changing over time....

Leslie
www.the-reading-list.com

I usually read a bunch of books at once. This is because what I want to read depends on my mood. Generally found in my reading list is a non-fiction, a classic, an easy read and then any school books that I have to read.
Currently this means that I'm reading a self-help book as non-fiction, The Bell Jar as the classic, Tales of Greek Heroes as my easy read and a text on classical mythology for school.

Lisa wrote: "I usually read a bunch of books at once. This is because what I want to read depends on my mood. Generally found in my reading list is a non-fiction, a classic, an easy read and then any school boo..."

I've read The Bell Jarseveral times Lisa; it presents a riveting picture of mental illness. Is this your first time reading it?

I always have 2-3 going at once; as Lisa said, that way I have a few to choose from depending on my mood, frame of mind or atmosphere at the time I want to read. I read in the car, in the doctor's office, during commercials, while eating, etc.

I usually have a minimum of four books going: one mystery, one science fiction/fantasy, one classic, and one non-fiction. If I get a new book that I want to read, I'll start it. If I can't get into a book I'll start a new one in that category. So, I'm currently up to 7 books, maybe 8. I read about 700-900 books a year, so it's not actually that hard to keep four books going.

Shay wrote: "I usually have a minimum of four books going: one mystery, one science fiction/fantasy, one classic, and one non-fiction. If I get a new book that I want to read, I'll start it. If I can't get into..."

wow!! thats great Shay!!! I am also balancing several books right now!!!

I'm reading two mysteries, Bone Appetit (light reading) and The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag. My classic is Pride and Prejudice, which I've somehow never read. My two non-fictions are Super Crunchers and Democracy in America. (Plus a few other books scattered through the house.)

I usually read two books at a time, but rarely more than that. One is usually some kind of history/biography/true crime type book and one is a non-fiction of some sort.

I do tend to feel disloyal to a book if I drop it to read something else. This has made college semesters excruciating. Resolving to read only one book until I've finished it has had two different effects; I'll be either motivated to stick to reading a book, making more time for it, feeling motivated also by the possibility of other books to read, and otherwise I end up resenting a book a little for its lulls or when the "seams" start to show and I can imagine the author writing the book (I hate that, it makes fiction feel pretentious, in a bad way). Still, I stick to one book at a time; it's more personal a read for me.

I generally have several books going. so i can put one if it's bored :P

I generally have about ten books on the go...I don't consider it a talent...it's more about a love of diversity, and convenience...no matter which room I'm in there's something on hand. Also it's good to have a lighter book to read for those times when the brain is getting a little tired. The other reason is that I seem to keep buying new books, then of course I can't wait to get home and dip into them. This is a bad habit so my mid year's resolution is less shopping, more reading!

I've tried to read more than one book at a time, but only gave myself a splitting headache!

Jan, I don't know how many books I've started because I'm downstairs and can't or don't want to go upstairs to get the book I was reading.

I generally only read one book at a time, but I am currently reading three.

I may read 2 or 3 books at the same time. One that I promised a review to a member of one of my writing groups (I try to do that one ASAP because I understand the tension a writer feels when expecting a review). A lighthearted fiction and a brand book. I digest each sentence of a brand book, it's usually by a known author. I get behind on all because I'm also doing rewrites of my books.Tonight is not a good night to read--I've too many things going on in my head about my pending novels.

Evelina, you'll notice I said 10 books on the go...of course you'll get a headache if you try to read more than one in any one moment, but very funny. Have you tried reading upside down...the book, I mean...it allows the eyes to move in the opposite direction.
I don't have any stairs, Shay, but I think your approach is entirely logical. When I need some exercise I go for a walk to my local library...very motivational with all those books waiting there...but since I can't be bothered carrying a book home with me, I simply place the dustcover in the page that I'm up to, ready to resume next time.
My favourite comment here is by Hillamonster..I think about message 154...I so identify with that!
No matter how much you love a particular food, you wouldn't eat the same meal every time, so why would you read the same book at every meal?

I have to agree with Evelina. One book is the limit for me, so I can focus on one story to enjoy right up to the end

Jan, I can see where the eyes moving in the opposite direction might help not to trigger my migraines, but reading upside down somehow doesn't appeal. :) But thanks for trying to help! *sigh*

I have started to become a more- one or two book at a time reader- I love reading multiple books- but time has become a great factor- might change- but I am at the 2 books at a time now- key word- NOW!!

I absolutely love reading one book at a time. Sometimes, I will read a sentence twice. I am currently reading 5 books. Two for review. How did that happen? I must learn to control this addiction and just say no! Happy day everyone in goodreadsville...

For me it depends on the type of book. If I reading something more academic or for health/fitness, travel or cooking then I can read several at a time. BUT if its one of my fictions I tend to do only one. Since I sometimes read things that are sequels or along the same genre I don't want to run the risk of confusing which storyline is which.

I do however have run into that problem of the Nile River of TBR piles! I tend to get most of my books either at the local library or at used bookstores. So I have created 2 other categories on my reading list...To Locate & ... Owned But Not Read. It gives the appearance of my TBR pile to shrink. Every couple of months I check the library and occasionally they have since bought the book so hard to find! But now I am working on shrinking on those as well!

I usually read 5 at a time - at least one mystery to hold, an audiobook (either mystery or nonfiction) to listen to as I drive back & forth to work, an ebook for quick reads on short breaks, a devotional book & usually another mystery or other fiction. And yes, I'm ADD. Like some others have said, I will focus on one if I get close to the end of it or it really grabs my interest.