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book, discussion, habits, meme, reading, reading habits, recommendations
Weigh in Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Lauren at Epilogue, and is a interactive, discussion meme.
When you’re trying to read, but you can’t find a comfortable position. -9GAG
Weigh in Wednesday #10: One book at a Time vs. Reading Multiple Books at a Time
Currently, I am reading two books “at the same time” because my TBR pile is too humongous, and there are so many books I want to devour before my summer break ends. Okay, that’s only part of it…it’s because the review book I have an obligation to read is not as intriguing as the “leisure” book I want to read (aka. I need to escape from being bored out of my mind.) I usually stick a “schedule” where I promise myself to read at least one chapter of the not-so-intriguing-review-book, and then I can have free reign over reading my leisure book, like a reading reward system. It’s my way to assure that I get my review obligations, while not driving myself crazy. And don’t get me wrong, the review book really isn’t that horrible, in fact I’m quite liking it…just that I need a breather in the midst of the angst, and poignant emotions. I try really hard to finish a book, even if I’m not liking it, and reading multiple books helps me still enjoy reading–it’s how I got through reading Hemingway and Faulkner for American Literature. If I dislike both books…well, I guess I will just add in another book. I’ve read that reading multiple books also makes you read faster, but I prefer not to think about my sluggish reading speed. How in the world are some reviewers churning out book reviews like batches of cookies?
However, I usually don’t need multiple books when I am reading a tense, heart-pounding thriller; a light, “fluffy” romance; or a YA novel. Usually, I stick with one book at a time if I can get through the book without an emotional breakdown, or wanting to hurl it out the window; I hate to leave books half read and I will try my best to finish every book I start. I feel proud of myself when I see my stack of “finished” books–and then I donate them because I need to make space for new books.
For me, reading one or reading multiple books mainly depend on my review schedule, the emotional angst in the book I’m reading, and if I’m liking the book.
What are your reading habits? Do you prefer reading one book or multiple books?
a novel toybox 
I prefer reading one book at a time, but I usually have more books started, but I do both 🙂 And I agree, sometimes you just need a break from a book 🙂
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I do prefer one book at a time, especially since I feel like I’m leaving too many unfinished projects if I start too many. It becomes a problem when I get back to a book after a week, only to realize I forgot what I read.
I usually read 2 or 3 books, but I’ve only begun doing that the last few months. I read slower than most people I know because I’m afraid of missing something, and I really like to soak up everything I read thoroughly. I started multiple books because I’d have a book I wanted to read on my own, one I wanted to read along with one of my groups on Goodreads, and one I’m reading to review. I can’t turn out reviews very fast at all. Sometimes I do wish I was a speed reader since my TBR list is out of control. For every one book I read, I add 100 more to the list! :O
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Slow reading is a virtue, and I admire you for it! I find the best books are the ones that make you absorb every word and think about them constantly anyway. However tempting it is for me to speed read, my brain just doesn’t work that fast. And I wonder how much speed readers are absorbing anyway…or do their brains work extremely fast.
I inevitably starting speeding up when I reach the end of a book, dying to get to that last page so I can move on with my TBR pile. And I am just like you with TBR lists! I don’t know how some can read 500books a year…there must be some cyborgs among us.
I usually read one book and listen to an audiobook of one book, so I really have 2 books going at once. But it doesn`t feel like the same thing.
I like your idea of starting a 2nd book if you are struggling with one. Reward systems tend to work with most people, and your is tailored perfectly for readers. I find that I tend to slow right down if I am not enjoying the book, and will often DNF if it gets too painful. Even if it is a review book.
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I tried audiobooks before (with Stephanie Meyer’s Eclipse) and I found myself daydreaming and thinking “oh gosh, I can read faster than this!” I don’t know how people do it. Though I think I would like to try a memoir in audiobook. (It is audiobook month after all)
I am often surprised at my patience with books and I plod along just to finish the book in hopes that it will get better, and so that I can blog about how much I disliked it (because I don’t think it’s fair of me to write a review without finishing the book.) And review books always make me a bit guilty.
It depends usually I read one novel but if it’s not interesting I start reading another one and then get back to the first one after finishing the other one… So my reading style is a little like yours …
I usually read one book at a time, but I guess it really depends on what the book is. Like if I’m reading an especially sad book, I’ll probably have a cheerful book on the side just to bring my mood up a little.