As someone with thirteen books on my “currently reading” bookshelf, I’m definitely someone who reads many books “at one time”.
Although this may seem confusing to some, it makes perfect sense when you break it down.
The “Many Books at One Time” Reasoning:
- If I start one book and get bored, it’s much easier to start another book than to just give up and mark the book “did not finish”. If I start another book, typically I come back to the first at some point, and enjoy it much more when I’m in the mood.
- Reading more books at once helps me keep reading, instead of not reading for awhile because I’m not interested in the book I’m currently on (but don’t want to give up on).
- If I get a book I can’t wait to start, I don’t have to finish the current book – I can jump right to the new one.
Isn’t it Confusing?
Not really, because once I start reading in a story I had already put down, it’s fairly easy to get back into the groove of remembering where I was and how the story was progressing.
Even as someone who struggles with memory, the character names and stories are different enough (even though they may be similar or even the same genres) that it’s easy to pick up where I was without going back and re-reading the entire prior section.
Do I Recommend This Method?
Yes and no. While it works well for me, some people struggle with keeping the stories of similar genres straight. You could try it with two completely different genres, and see how it goes for you.
If it isn’t for you, no worries, at least you gave it a try!
Interested in some of the books I’ve read? Check out the Best and Worst Books that I read last year!
Do you read many books at one time? How does it work for you?
Christian, wife, “hybrid” mama, I run the site All Behind A Smile to help others like me.
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