I just read a really interesting post over at
Floor to Ceiling Books about people who *gasp* read more than one book at a time.
She posts:
But I have heard *whispers* of people who read more than one book at a time...
My questions are:
- Do you read one or many?
- If many, do you have a particular technique? Locations for certain books? Reading different genres to keep everything fresh?
- How on earth do you keep all the stories straight?
- Why do you read more than once at a time? To get through more? Or to keep your interest?
I plan to post a short comment on her blog, but this posting really gave me some food for thought......
I tend to describe myself as a book addict, but perhaps it would be more accurate to say I am a reading addict.
A glutton. Ever since I was a child, I have read just about anything I can get my hands on. Books. Magazines (even ones I don't really like). The backs of cereal boxes. You get the idea -- I see words and I just can't help myself. As a result, I suppose it was only natural that I became one of these strange creatures who can't help but have more than one book going at a time. You see, I just can't help myself. Despite the fact that this addiction sometimes means that I stay up way too late just because I need to know what's going to happen next, it really doesn't hurt anyone else (and unlike my addiction to certain foods, doesn't cause weight gain or sugar highs).
To put a few answers out there --- I tend to read, on average, two books at the same time (plus the magazines that make their way into the house). I usually have one that I read before bed (usually a lighter read) and another one I read whenever -- morning, afternoon, etc. I facilitate two book groups at my library, so I also have 2 books per month that I read and take notes on (those are separate from my other reading). Genres don't seem to come into play much, although I find if I am reading a lot of nonfiction, I then want some light fiction. Or some fantasy. I read a lot of YA books, so this makes it easy for me to keep things balanced. I don't seem to have a hard time keeping the stories straight because I don't read two similar books at the same time --- if I'm reading a YA book about vampires, I don't simultaneously read something by Laurell K. Hamilton. If I'm reading a steampunk book, I might balance it out with nonfiction. However, I usually don't put that much thought into balancing my reading --- it just seems to work itself out.
And why, why, why???? Really, it's because I simply can't help myself. I have always been a "fast" reader -- able to read and digest in a single evening! As a Librarian who manages several parts of our collection, I am constantly reading reviews, book blogs, etc -- this only feeds my addiction, as I see books that are going to be published that sound good -- and I add them to my list. But then, new books arrive on the shelves, so of course, I have to grab those, too. And, just because I am an addict with a capital
A, I also re-read books (it's like visiting with a friend I haven't seen in ages). Seriously, it's a little out of control. I think the one saving grace is the library: I rarely buy books anymore unless I really WANT them, because I can get things from our library, or interlibrary loan things that we don't have. I like the whole "try before you buy" deal, as this lets me indulge my love for books, and also stay within the limits of my budget (I keep a list of my "want" books and then go on sprees once in a while on used-book sites). I come from a family of readers, and while they used to think I was a little strange, they seem to have accepted that I have this addiction -- we just don't talk about it. The way I see it, as far as addictions go, it's not really so bad; it's not as awful as drugs (or as expensive), and I don't hurt anyone else because of it (getting a little pushy in line to see an author in person doesn't count!).
One person commented on the blog that "I can't stop. I don't know if I want to." Yes. I can't stop either --- and no, I don't want to stop. Reading has taken me to places I couldn't imagine, introduced me to people I never knew could exist, and has enriched my life and fed my dreams.
Anyone have thoughts they'd like to share?
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