Many years ago, I used to read at least two books at once, but I never finished all the ones I started. Eventually, I gave up, and for years, I read only one book at a time. But I really want to tackle my physical TBR this year, and also keep up using the library. I feel like I could read so much more if I tried to read multiple books at once. I was wondering if anyone on here, who reads multiple books at once without issue, has any tips for me to get started?
by Bookish_Butterfly
42 Comments
Why would you be able to read more by reading more than at once? Will you have more time suddenly to read twice as much?
I have ADHD lol
Mix up genres. Its hard to confuse the plot of a sci-fi novel with the plot of a Victorian era murder mystery.
I read a fiction and a nonfiction at the same time. I designate 30 minutes to the nonfiction everyday and read the fiction at my whimsy.
Physical books for daytime reading / ebooks for in bed before sleep. Usually have 1 of each going at the same time. Ebooks are usually from Libby/library
I have read some books enough that I have entire sections nearly memorized.
For a long time I thought it was because I’m extremely selective of what I like, but the more I think about it, it’s because I just like reliving the magic even if wears off with every read.
Sort of like drug addiction.
I listen to one audiobook and read one physical book. Or I join a book club and read another I chose alongside
I usually read 3-4 books at the same time. Usually they’re all different, sometimes I don’t feel like reading the same thing every day and that’s why I switch, but if you’re ok reading the same book every day you don’t have to read more
I try to have them be different types of books.
One fiction, one nonfiction and maybe one poetry or short story collection.
And different mediums too, one audiobook one regular and also a physical book if I can
Only way I can make it work is if one of the books is fiction and one is non-fiction. I can’t read two fiction books at once or the plots, characters, etc get all mushed up in my brain. Lol. It even happens with shows I’m watching. One show at a time unless they’re very different genres.
I cant stay focused on one thing for too long. So I typically have two or three physical books I switch between. Typically includes
1. A new to me horror author
2. Stephen King for my comfort read
3. Random other genre book for when I need a change of pace.
Plus I currently have 3 audio books going. One is reread I fall asleep to, one is my driving book, and one is my cleaning/walking book.
My wife reads like 4 books at a time and swaps between them as her mood demands.
I usually read 3 or 4 physical books at a time. Sometimes they are different genres and other times itll be the same. I really dont know how it works, i just never get the books mixed up.
Not well that’s for sure.
I have location books. I have a living room couch book, a travelling book, and a work book. So, that helps me keep them separate.
Short attention span
1. Physical book
2. Audiobook
3. Ebook (which I mostly read if I’m not at home)
I very rarely add in a 4th book, but if I do…
4. Bookclub read, which I’m only reading at a predetermined pace
My boss does this. One audio, one paper, one electronic.
I often have fixed times for reading each book. Like, I have one to read on my lunch break at work, one nonfiction I read 1-2 chapters of after dinner, and one other book I read any other time. Sometimes only two if I don’t have a special lunch break book. They’re also usually pretty different books so I don’t get details confused.
I read something “lighter” when my mind feels all over the place or before bed and something more challenging when I can concentrate.
Also, sometimes I read one book and listen to a different one when I’m out walking or doing chores.
So usually how it works is that I start reading one book, then, before I’m finished with that one, I’ll start another.
You won’t read more by reading multiple books. You will read the same amount, but just change when you finish the books.
You just need to increase the amount of time you dedicate to reading to read more books.
This includes listening to audiobooks on a commute or by doing dishes. It’s cutting out scroll time to read. Things like that.
I also basically like to concentrate on one book, esp if it’s fiction. Maybe this doesn’t help as far as a TBR list goes, but it eg helps to read very different genres, eg now I’m reading a karate manual at a very slow pace, Project Hail Mary (needs less attention, eg when hung over) and a history book Hitler in Munich.
By being kind of pathological, I guess 😋 (got 30+ going at any time)
But all jokes aside, your question seems to be not so much about reading multiple books at the same time, but about reading more overall so you can get to more books. Whether you do that one by one or in parallel, it comes down to just increasing your daily reading time so you complete more books on average per week/month/year.
Do you watch more than one tv show at a time? Same concept
I’m reading the heaven and earth grocery store AND Enders game right now
0 overlap.
I read a chapter or two from each book, they are usually different genres.
i’m a big mood reader, which means that the book i was loving yesterday might not be doing it for me today and i’ll start a new one, then come back to the other when i’m feeling more like it. i found that by doing this i read a lot more because i’m not pushing myself to read something that i’m not in the mood for, which makes reading feel more like a chore than something i enjoy. i often have a lighter/fast paced book as a “break” from books that are longer/with a heavier theme/that just take a lot of effort to get through. i also always have an audiobook ready for cooking and doing chores, so that’s an extra one too. i get pretty invested in books, so i know i’ll finish reading them eventually since i wanna know what happens. i also read a lot with r/bookclub, where each book gets spread in about a month, so reading only one book wouldn’t work for me.
my tip is, if you think reading more than one book will make it more fun and pleasant, go for it. if you struggle to follow the two stories and get them mixed up, pick up two very different books (say, a romance and a horror book–definitely won’t get the plot mixed up!).
ADHD combined with different genres/storylines. I’ll read a book and close it halfway through a chapter and start reading a different book and that’s how I’m in the middle of about 7 books at any given time.
Reading more books at once does not increase the speed of going through books. If anything, it decreases the speed as it may require me to re-read sections.
I get distracted easily. And if I misplaced a book, I may pick up something new because I just want to read something. I am currently in the middle of at least 3 books. I was reading book A and then misplaced it but wanted to read something so I picked up book B. Half way through book B, I was staring at another book thinking “man, I am feeling that vibe instead.” So now I’m reading book C. But book B is sitting at work in case I forget book C at home. Once I finish book C, I’ll go back to A or B, and it’ll take me a moment to sink back into it, probably requiring some skimming of previous chapters.
That’s not counting the audiobooks because that is done supplementally when doing other tasks.
Also – all books have to be significantly different in setting to keep from getting jumbled.
I read 3 books at a time. I have a morning book that is usually philosophy, stoicism, or self help related. My day book is nonfiction. And my evening book is fiction.
Generally, 1 on kindle/physical, 1 on Audible. And occassionally 1 work-related whenever I can be bothered to read it.
One book i take to work one book i leave by my bed
I read multiple books at the same time, but I don’t think it translates to reading more books total. If I read every book straight through, I’d still read the same amount of books.
For me, I like having a different book tied to specific time of day or location or activity. I read a particular book in the morning and a different book while doing particular chores. I also have several books going because the bookclub I participate in has several books going at once. I mix it up and this works for me.
It’s not something one must aspire to though. I don’t see the benefit, except if you’re a major mood reader and want multiple options all the time.
Don’t force yourself to do something that’s against your nature. Just read what you want when you want and that is good enough!
I read like eight books at a time, it has nothing to do with reading skill and everything to do with attention span.
They have to be completely different genres. Also if one book has a lot of characters, I’ll usually choose a compliment that isn’t as complex. I do it because I enjoy reading a lot of darker themed literature like war and history but often need something a little lighter to offset the heavy.
Treat the books like TV shows. Treat each chapter or chapters like episodes. I read about one or two chapters a day in each book I am currently reading. If I’m really invested in book, I’ll just spend more time reading it than other books.
I have absolutely amazing memory when it comes to reading, I will not remember your name after you introduce yourself to me yesterday, but I remember the plot of the book I read 15 years ago
i have a “bed time” book and an “in public” book, mostly because i don’t want to bring a book i’ve been reading on the subway into my bedroom lol
It’s also kind of the same as actively watching more than one TV show. So the more you read the easier you’ll find it to switch between books
I typically read 2-3 books at a time. An audio book (almost always non fiction), a contemporary romance, and then some kind of other genre (fantasy, horror, lit fic, etc).
That way it’s all different enough that I don’t get confused.
However, sometimes I get a little crazy and throw in a fourth book (usually a manga).
I listen to an auido book while getting ready in the morning, driving to work and working out.
I also have a work book that I read on my lunch break and down time.
And I have an evening book I read before bed.
All those books are different genres.
I’m usually working through four at a time. An audiobook (usually a mystery) that I listen to on daily walks. A digital book that is usually Speculative Fiction which I read in bed. And then non-fiction history and a wild card fiction(both physical books) I split time during a dedicated reading hour in the evening. After writing that down I can see the nuttiness, but it works for me. It’s now the journey rather than rushing to finish books.