Do you read one book at a time or several?

[SpelunkingTheMind]

Something I'm curious about:

How many of you all read only one book at a time? As in, not start a new book until you've finished the one you're reading, as opposed to being in the middle of multiple books at once?

Does anyone else feel strangely... guilty starting a new book when you haven't finished the one you're already reading? For years, I could never even think of starting to read a new book if I hadn't finished my current one. To do so felt like it would be betraying.. the book, myself, or both? I'm not sure. That sounds crazy writing it out but I don't know how else to express it? It always felt like it would mean giving up on a book, and I hated doing that - even when I wasn't really enjoying a book a whole lot, I'd be very hesitant to just give up on it. Just felt wrong.

A year ago, I was watching a CSPAN Book TV in-home tour with Nicholas Basbanes (I'm a TERRIBLY exciting guy I know), who is a huge book aficionado, and I was really liking/admiring him. When he got to his 'reading chair' he had like 10 books piled around and mentioned how he always had to be reading a bunch of different things at once and I found the idea strangely wild/liberating. I know that sounds ridiculous. I've been trying out the habit of reading multiple things at once since then, and I'm not yet sure how I feel about it. Still seems like I'm never as deeply involved in one book if I'm reading three others.

Sort of like women? Hrm.

Anyway, what do you all do?

 

[lostpunk5545]

As a child I used to always be reading about 5 novels at once. I don't know how, or why I did it. Occasionally if I'm reading something hefty and find another really short novel I've been wanting to read for a while I'll read the shorter novel in the middle. Usually though I just read one book. Oh and by one book, I mean I always have a second book (generally a classic book) as an eBook on my phone that I read on public transport so I don't have to carry a book around. I don't use Public Transport often though so it may take months to read.

 

[Pillthrill]

One at a time. With novels anyway. I get wrapped up in the story and keep wanting to read more. I don't read much anymore now that I'm in school now. I should start up again.

 

[thelung]

I have never ever no matter how many times I've tried been able to read more than one book at a time. I totally wish I was one of those people, alas I am not!!! Only 1 at a time for me...

 

[BearLeeLive]

i cant read multipal books at a time. confution and i geusse no that u mention it, a bit of guilt. luckaly i can read a book in about a week, and afew months latter read it again to catch what i missed. some times i read a book 6 times, not because i think imissed something, but enevidably, i do.

 

[Bardeaux]

I only read one or two at a time. Usually one novel and one non-fiction.

 

[bluntd at b1rth]

I'm always reading at least 3 books at once, at the moment I'm reading The Selfish gene, Reservation Blues, Origin of Species and Six Not So Easy Pieces

 

[skoat]

Usually just one.

When I'm taking classes I'll end up reading multiple at a time usually.

Reading Pygmy By Chuck P. atm

 

[swilow]

I tend to read several at a time; usually one for each eyeball But really, usually I'm reading some sort of non-fiction book on magick or mystical traditions, a fiction book (usually of the fantasy/sci-fi genre) and a "sacred text".

ATM I be reading: Wizards First Rule by Terry Goodkind (fiction fantasy), Life Is Real Only Then, When 'I Am' by George Gurdjieff (laborsome to be honest, but his system of enlightenment is very intriguing) and the I Ching....Good to have a nice mix of stuff to puruse...