Hello, and welcome back to another Bookish Sunday Discussion. Today’s topic was suggested by Cheila @ Pink for Days, and it is how many books you read at once. I loved the idea of this topic, because people typically have strongly held opinions about it that are commonly based on their abilities.
Some people like to read only one book at a time. The benefits of this are easy to see—we can focus our attention on the one story without distraction or getting mixed up, and I often find myself reading faster when I’m only reading a single book. However, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when I have a stack of books towering over me that need to be reviewed, and I’m only getting through one at a time.
Others like to read multiple books at once. This allows us to read faster, and challenges us by preventing boredom. It also works especially well for mood readers, since sometimes I start a book and am enjoying it, but just don’t feel like reading that story or genre at the moment, and prefer to read one genre at night and a different one during the day. I actually fall into this camp, but I have to read books in different genres to prevent myself from getting mixed up. Also, I tend to always have an audiobook, an ebook, and a print book going, so I have something to read if I’m taking a ride somewhere, or if I’m waiting at a doctor’s appointment, or if I’m home and sitting around. However, I try to limit myself to a maximum of four books, because anything more gets a bit overwhelming at once.
Are you a one-book reader or do you like to have multiple books going at a time?
Categories: Sunday Bookish Discussion
Leah's Books 
I prefer reading just one at a time, but I usually end up reading multiple – an audio, a graphic novel, and then an e-book or physical! And like you they are most likely different genres. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for popping by and sharing your opinion! I seem to find that most people are similar, although I’ll never not be amazed at people who can read more than one book in the same genre at the same time and keep the stories straight in their head.
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I used to have a “breakfast book” to read at breakfast and a “bedtime book” to read in the evening. These days I’ll have just one novel on the go, but all sorts of other stuff to read alongside it, like poetry, fanfic, or a short story collection.
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I love the idea of a breakfast book and a bedtime book!
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My maximum is 2 books (usually one physical and one ebook). The two need to be different enough to not get them mixed up
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Yes! I’m forever in awe of people who can read more than one book in the same genre at the same time without getting them confused.
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For the most part, usually read one at a time
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Sometimes when I’m reading a really good book, I’ll just read the one and savor it.
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I like to have one book I’m reading and one book I’m listening to. The only time I have two books I’m reading with my eyes is when one is an intense thriller and I need something lighter to read before bed.
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I totally get that – sometimes I’ll read a deep or heavy nonfiction, or a scary thriller, and I can’t read it before bed or need a break, and I read what I call a fluffy bunny book: one that’s just sweet and low-stakes.
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Heavy on the mood reading — I’m usually reading 4-6 at a time LOL. Usually at least one audiobook, one digital read, and one physical; but then I end up piling on an ARC if I’m close to a deadline, or a sequel I’m itching to read, or fanfiction…I have to really stop myself at 6 haha
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Yes – I tend to add on an ARC here and there and it always gets hectic and I get so overwhelmed that one or two books gets overlooked lol
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I’m mostly one book at a time person but if I’m buddy reading and we are going to take our own time to finish the book, I read two books simultaneously but never multiple books.
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That makes sense too. Some people like to savor their books and focus on one book at a time. I’ll always add an extra book in the mix if there’s a buddy read.
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