The Reading Challenge Group discussion

I've been wondering how people like to read. Do you read a couple of books simultaneously or do you prefer to wait until you've finished one before you pick up another so you can give it your full attention.

Usually I've always read one at a time but recently have been tempted to read a couple at the same time.

What do you guys do, also just how do you like to read in general?

I read multiple books at the same time. It usually depends on my mood and time of the day. Some of the big ones, I tend to keep for the night as I like to read a few pages each day to get them done.

During the day, I tend to pick up different books, each depending on what I feel like reading at that moment. I often start a lot of books and then juggle them a little till I finish them all. While it suits me most of the time, at times I do get frustrated with myself! Lol

However, when any one book truly catches my fancy and reaches a point where I can't put it down, I tend to finish it before I read something else.

One at a time mostly. I have occasionally thrown short stories in between though, ones where I can start and finish them in a brief reading session.

I like to read more than one at a time. I often have a fiction and a non-fiction on the go at the same time, and sometimes if my main book is really heavy-going I'll start something lighter to read last thing at night.

Also, I tend to go overboard with library books when I still have a stack of books to read that I've bought, so quite often I'll have a library book and a book that I own on the go at the same time, just so I actually read the books that I own!

I don't think I could read one at a time. The ADD won't let me! I've always had a bunch going at the same time. Even when I was a kid. Makes it hard to pack for travel. :P

Until recently, I could ONLY read one at a time. However, I've loosened up a bit. Currently, I have one non-fiction that I read a bit of at a time, a popular fiction that I'm reading on my e-reader mostly before bed time, a book that I'm reading with my students in book club at school, and a book that I'm reading on my own at school when I'm lucky enough to have the time to model reading for the students - it's a tough job, but it's good for them to see adults reading for fun :)

What ages do you teach Cheryl, I always found great delight in discussing reading and different books with my English teachers through high school particularly years 9-11 one even made me a very comprehensive list of recommended reading that in chronological order went right from Chaucer through Shakespeare right up to 20th century work.

One at a time, though I am doing this month's Genre book, The Neverending Story, in audio book form, and then I'm also reading The Detective right now. So technically I'm doing two at once right now, though this is the first time I've ever listened to an audio book/had two books going at once.

Until this year, I could only read one at a time. Now I have an iPad though so I tend to have one book on the go on there as well as a physical book on the go. That way if I need to travel light for any reason, I can just take my iPad and have multiple options.

In the past I only read one at a time; however, over the last couple of years I have multiples going. Currently one NF, one contemporary novel, one audio, and one classical that I read a bit at a time.

Usually reading two to three books from different genres. Then when one gets to that "can not peel my eyes away from area', then that books gets my devoted attention till the end.

Usually have 3 to 4 books going at once - and I try for different genres or at least widely different stories so that I can keep them from getting confused:

One that travels to work with me (I read at lunch) and will read at home in the evening too
One on bedside table (usually something light/inspirational/fun - nothing too disturbing before bed)
One in bathroom (usually something that can be picked up and put down easily like short essays or a humorous book)
Many times I also have an audio book to listen to in car on drive home (this is also usually something non-taxing or easily picked up, sometimes it's a business or self-help kind of book)

And like others have said, I too sometimes get obsessed with one and then I will read it till the end and put the others aside...

Hey, Cindy! We haven't seen you for awhile. How went the election?

Renee wrote: "Hey, Cindy! We haven't seen you for awhile. How went the election?"

Hubby came in 2nd - he lost by about 4000 votes. So now he'll be totally retired as of January. It's nice to have my life back to semi-normal. Still need to get sweet daughter married in January. It's been a BUSY few months. Hope to get back on more now. :)

Well, good for him for entering the fray. I remembered you saying things would be pretty crazy for awhile. I'm sure the wedding will be lovely. :)

It sounds like you have had an exciting few months, Cindy. Glad to have you back with us more regularly. Good luck with the wedding!

I typically read more than one at a time. Usually they are different fomats. Three is normal for me - an audio, a paper and a digital.

Thank you both Renee and Kassandra - it has been exciting.

Currently, I am reading one book (paperback) and one on my Nook. I always have one going in audio version for travel and the gym.

I usually have one fiction book that I'm reading on my own, and one fiction book that my husband and I are reading together, aloud, at bedtime. I might have a third book (non-fiction) going at the same time, but rarely more than that.

I tend to have two on the go.

I'm very strict with myself when it comes to the amount of books I read. I always only read one book. Why? I find if I read more than one, I never finish either of them. I'd love to be one of those people who can have 4 on the go. I actually haven't attempted reading like a fiction and non-fiction book at the same time, which might be easier.

I'm amazed at how many people can read more than one book!

Holly wrote: "I'm very strict with myself when it comes to the amount of books I read. I always only read one book. Why? I find if I read more than one, I never finish either of them. I'd love to be one of those..."

I am too! I do think the fiction/non-fiction combo might work well though, I may have to try this :)

It definitely helps of the two books are different. Fiction / non-fiction is a good combo.

I usually do just one at a time I have done the switching between two and once tried three at a time. For me it takes a little adjustment to make the switch and get into the second story. Sometimes reading two at a time will help when you are stalled on a book.

Fiction/Nonfiction works for me because fiction is usually something I'll want to drink in huge gulps, while non-fiction is more to be nibbled in slow bites and digested.

(*In general. Exceptions abound.)

Shelley wrote: "Fiction/Nonfiction works for me because fiction is usually something I'll want to drink in huge gulps, while non-fiction is more to be nibbled in slow bites and digested.

(*In general. Exceptions..."

I feel the same way about fiction/non-fiction. Love your description.

Shelley wrote: "Fiction/Nonfiction works for me because fiction is usually something I'll want to drink in huge gulps, while non-fiction is more to be nibbled in slow bites and digested.

(*In general. Exceptions..."

I usually experience the same thing with non-fiction, I have to read it in small doses :)

I remember reading one book about the Protestant Reformation that was so dense and yet so fascinating, I spent six months on it. It was a library book, and they bent the rules to let me keep renewing it since no one else had requested it.

I've just started reading a second book and I've found it to be a success. It may be something to do with it the two formats paperback and Ebook

I used to read one book at a time now since I got my kindle I read 2- one ebook and one paperback but I think I go back to reading just one.

I stick to one book, otherwise I confuse plots and characters.

I always get asked how I can keep from getting mixed up and my answer is don't you watch more than one tv series at a time? I don't find it any different than that. I don't like nonfiction but generally when I read multiple books they are different genres

Gareth wrote: "What ages do you teach Cheryl, I always found great delight in discussing reading and different books with my English teachers through high school particularly years 9-11 one even made me a very co..."

Just realized that I never replied...I work in a Middle School Library, ages 11-14. It is a fun and challenging group to work with, because most of them think that they have already decided whether or not they enjoy reading. I tend to take it as a personal challenge to find books that they enjoy reading when they are self-proclaimed book haters.

I mostly read one book at a time. I have occasionally read a manga, audiobook, or another book at the same time.

i read 2 books at a time...one on a daily basis and another for a weekend..

This year I started a habit of starting 2-3 books and just read them as my preference goes. Most of the time I stick to one of them until I finish it and finish the other(s) afterwards. Then pick up 2 new books and do the same thing all over again :)

Definitely one book at a time because I can connect with the characters better and will not get confused.

I try to read only one book at a time but end up starting two more and go back and forth. I don't get confused between the books but it slows the process of finishing it and too much time lapse between the pages.

Srividya wrote: "I read multiple books at the same time. It usually depends on my mood and time of the day. Some of the big ones, I tend to keep for the night as I like to read a few pages each day to get them done..."
I agree, sometimes some books can be so heavy you have read another to balance it out. But, then u reach a crucial point in a book and its so hard to put it down

Many books at once...i get bored easy

I've just started reading more than one at a time but either different formats (Ebook and paperback) or different genre (SciFi and Fantasy)

I've just started reading more than one at a time but either different formats (Ebook and paperback) or different genre (SciFi and Fantasy)

Im going to do a book hoarders challenge until i pare down my shelves a bit

My grandmother once told me to always have a bit of fluff on the side, for when the other gets too deep. So, I always have a romance novel for when the main book I am reading leaves me in tears or with a confusing headache.

My grandmother once told me to always have a bit of fluff on the side, for when the other gets too deep. So, I always have a romance novel for when the main book I am reading leaves me in tears or with a confusing headache.

I read multiple books at once, some from each daily. They span several genres, time periods, length. I read from my Kindle library, my home bookshelves, and the public library. I suspect I'm not the only one with this problem.

I tend to read one at a time. When I do pick up a secon book, I try to make one fiction and the other non fiction. It seems they tend to engage diffrent parts of my brain. I also find I can read fiction with distractions (airport, planes, hubby's sports on TV). With most non fiction I need quiet and focus. Of course there are exceptions...

I can't read fiction with background TV noise

I usually have two books going. Our on my Nook in the bedroom so I can read without turning on the light and another one in the living room. I like having the variety.