September 2025
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    Basically the same question I asked in the title, and what I mean by “at a time” for those of you whom might get confused, I don’t mean reading them simultaneously (obviously) at the same time but like reading one book and while you’re still in between the plot of that book you go ahead and read another book, then read the book you were reading originally.

    This dilemma in me is rising because I’m currently in between the lord of the rings series and want to read some of the books I acquired in a book fair organized in my city. I’m hoping there are some of you who have gone through this dilemma already and are willing to help me out through your experience. Thanks in advance!

    by _nemesis_rebirth_

    39 Comments

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    2. I’ve decided that life is far too short to keep my nose in just one book. I think it’s a good idea to read more than one as long as you’re reading consistently.

    3. icecreamterror on

      Dont think its a question of ethics.

      But 100% fine with it, I have about 4 books on the go depending on what I’m in the blood with. Same with any media. It’s akin to asking if I should only listen to an album in full rather then have a playlist or use shuffle.

    4. Algernon_Asimov on

      What *ethics* are involved in reading two books at the same time? Who am I harming by doing this, and how?

    5. It’s really nobody else’s business if you feel like you need to have a monogamous relationship with the book you’re reading, but I gotta tell you that the question sounds a bit demented.

    6. read as many books as you want, whenever you want, however you want to do it. there are no ethical considerations to even consider here. it’s not like you’re cheating on one book with another book. they’re books! read away my friend.

    7. Stunning-Animal2492 on

      I’m listening to two audiobooks on my phone and reading another on the same app; I’m reading two other library books, and I have four books on my nightstand that I read for a few minutes before bed. I don’t know what my limit is for how many books I can read at once, but if I find it, I’ll let yall know jaja

    8. lol there are no rules or ethics to reading! just read!

      i always have a couple of books on the go. at least 2, sometimes as many as 4. it helps me. sometimes i’m not in the mood to read one, so i’ll read the other. or read a chapter of one, then the other. back and forth, like.

      before just wouldn’t spend that time reading at all.

    9. This doesn’t seem like an ethical question, so I’m guessing that you mean something else, but I’m not sure what. Can you explain a little more what the dilemma is?

      (As a complete side note: “who” would be the right word there, as it’s the subject of the clause “who might get confused.”)

    10. To me, this is like expecting people to only watch one TV show per season or something. The entire industry would collapse.

      Read whatever you’re in the mood for, and if your mood changes, read something else. Have ten on the go, if that works for you. If you get confused or lost, reread a little or set a couple aside to focus on later.

    11. _nemesis_rebirth_ on

      Sorry guys I used the wrong word, my bad. I meant to ask is it generally accepted to read more than one book at a time ?

    12. Justitia_Justitia on

      Unless you’re stealing the books, there is no ethical question.

      If you’re borrowing the books from the library, please return them on time, but feel free to read multiple books concurrently.

      If you mean is it a good idea, the answer depends on you. I usually am reading at least one non-fiction book, a light mystery or fantasy book, and another fiction book concurrently. But that’s because that works for me. It might not work for you.

    13. sprinkles-n-jimmies on

      I always read more than one book at a time. But they’re not usually similar enough for me to get confused about the plot… Or my morals

    14. Ethic, noun. A system of accepted beliefs that control behaviour, especially such a system based on morals:

      – The ethics of journalism are much debated.

      -He said he was bound by a scientist’s code of ethics.

      The study of what is morally right and what is not:

      – He took a broad range of courses in sociology, religion, ethics, political thought and more.

    15. I don’t think this is a problem. I always read at least 3 books at the same time for practical reasons.

      I read one book in the evening. I listen to another book while commuting and I also read a book for my daughter.

      Sometimes I also get the same drift as you that I need to take a break from a book or from a book series, and then I pick up another one.

    16. The real question is: do you enjoy reading more than one book at a time? Yes? Then go for it.

    17. Just FYI – I usually have one book in progress beside my reading chair in the living room, a different one at the dining room table, another (or a stack of magazines) beside the toilet, and yet another book on the bedside table. It’s very simple to switch characters and story from one to another, and it keeps things interesting. Also, I don’t have to lug books around the house to try and maintain some sort of unnecessary continuity. Oh yeah, forgot about the two or three that I always have with me in my shoulder bag when I leave the house. There are no ethical questions involved.

    18. Highly unethical, stop now.

      Just joking … I don’t think ethics bothers its head with this level of dilemmas.

      Go ahead and read to your heart’s content.

    19. I have the ability to put down a book for months and continu from the page I left it, without losing track of the story. I have read up to 5 books simultaneously. Nowadays I have scaled that down to 1 or 2, max 3 at the same time. Nothing to do with ethics.

    20. ConstantReader666 on

      Do you watch multiple television series in the evenings? What’s the difference?

      I always have several books in progress at a time.

    21. backwardsguitar on

      Currently reading four. They’re all a little different (and one is a short story anthology), so it’s pretty easy to keep them separate

    22. I often read two books at a time. One physical book and one ebook for times when lugging a big book around isn’t practical. When I first started doing this is worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up with two plots, but it’s fine.

      Think of it like TV. You wouldn’t think twice about watching two, three or more different TV series at a time. Your brain will work it out just fine.

    23. Well i hope its not unethical if so i have been a very bad boy. Most of the time i am reading multiple books i basically always have a fiction and nonfiction book i am working through. I do not see how ethics comes into play at alk.

    24. Confusing? Possibly, if they’re very similar, though I’ve never had that problem.

      Unethical? Only if you’re reading books on how to start your own NFT business and cheat at cards with your local orphanage.

      I’ve paused one book to read another on multiple occasions. There’s no rule to say you can’t. Even the Bible, which lists such bizarre and inane rules as not wearing mixed fabrics and not wearing glasses in church, doesn’t have any issue with reading more than one book at a time.

    25. I have a book for when I go places and a book for when I’m at home. Sometimes two at home. Usually a hardback or large paper back for home and a smaller book that’s more portable when out and about.

    26. Electronic_World_359 on

      Why would it be unethical?

      It’s about what works for you.

      In the past I couldn’t read more than one book at a time, but after a bad reading year last year, I’m now reading 3 books at the same time- 2 on my kindle and one audiobook. It’s actually better for me, when I need a break from one book I jump to the other and I’m able to read more that way.

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