Goodmorning Reader 🙂 I have a (hopeful) dream that one day I’ll be able to read and focus one book at a time, but until then, several books it is! If you follow me on Instagram and/or Twitter you are already aware that I tend to read multiple books at the same time, which prompts the one question I get a lot, “how do you do it?”
My Goodreads right now will tell you I am currently reading 12 books. No, I am not reading all of them right now; those are books that I am either reading or want to pick up next or I started reading and abandoned the book midway. (Actively I’m reading 5 books)
Before I tell you how I manage to read multiple books, let me explain why I do it. I am a mood reader which means I get tired and lose focus if I read one book for long. It is very hard for me to stick to a set tbr and more often than not I deviate from it.. I like the freedom of picking up whatever book I want, whenever the mood strikes. No limitations. I also hate book monotony and I get bored easily. Reading different books gives me the option to enjoy different stories as it ‘spices’ it up. It is truly amazing.
So how do I do it without getting confused?
- Mixing It Up: Both the genre and the author
I tend to make sure the books I am actively are from different genres and by different authors. This helps in avoiding mix up of the plot or language. For example, most classics use the same language style and will have you confused which book you are reading from. In turn, if you are reading two thrillers chances of you mixing up the plots are high. No one wants that, so, mix up your genres.
The same goes for authors. More often than not an author’s writing is similar in their works. Reader, I guarantee you chances of being confused are higher if you take up two works by the same author.
- Brain Dump
Whenever I am reading, I tend to have a notebook, a piece of paper or a sticky note to write down thoughts or anecdotes as I read along to ‘clear’ my brain before I go ahead to the next book. I usually have one or the other for each book I am actively reading.
- Reading At Different Times
I am one of those people who have a reading routine so I am aware when I will be reading. For each of those times I read different books. For example, the book I’ll read before I go to bed isn’t the same I’ll read in the morning.
- Reading Different Book Formats
Basically, I have a book in physical copy, one as an ebook and another as an audiobook and all of them are different.
Disclaimer
I am not always frantic with my reading and I do finish books. Some in one sitting, sometimes a book will be so good and interesting and disregard the others until I am done. I just prefer reading more than one book.
Do you read one book or you are a multi-reader like me?
07/05/2020 at 9:34 am
I’m a mood reader too… But I can read one book to the end most times.
But there are times I read two or three books at the same time.
07/05/2020 at 12:51 pm
I definitely get that!
07/05/2020 at 3:15 pm
Wow, 12 books at a time sounds like a great achievement! I mostly limit myself to 3 books at a time, mostly for convenience related to the book format. I’ll read my heavier paperbacks/hardbacks strictly for at home, while I would read my e-books and audiobooks during my commute to work.
10/05/2020 at 9:07 pm
12 is what was showing on goodreads but I was reading less than that.
That’s a great format, it is possible to read multiple books as long as one plans themselves well.
10/05/2020 at 7:26 pm
Now that you’ve reminded me, I do have two ebooks in need to finish. I actually do and can read multiple books at the same time so long as the themes and or genre doesn’t overlap.
10/05/2020 at 9:06 pm
That’s what I mean… Thank you for reading. ❤️
08/06/2020 at 12:46 pm
Loved this post! I do the exact same thing, sometimes I can finish a book in one go, other times I need to jump between 10 books to be able to finish any! I think it stops me getting into reading slumps a lot!
20/06/2020 at 4:43 pm
Thank you! Same here, I found its the perfect way to avoid reading slumps.
08/06/2020 at 2:27 pm
I am always always struggling with this, but these tips seem extremely helpful!! I am definitely going to check them out, thank you so much!
20/06/2020 at 4:43 pm
Thank you for reading! I truly hope they work out for you.
08/06/2020 at 3:28 pm
Okay, that sounds easy enough. 😀 Maybe I should try the different genre thing. Although I’m just very much in love with the Middlegrade genre at the moment.
My question is though: Do you leave those other 7 books just on your currently reading or do you put them back at some point?
20/06/2020 at 4:45 pm
I hope it works out! I usually leave them on my currently reading shelf until I complete the book, could be the next day or week or month. It also helps to remind me that I have books that I need to finish reading first.