Read Two Books at the Same Time?

[Polar Bear]

Well? Do you ever? Or does it reduce your enjoyment of both?

Just wondering, because I’m going to give it a try. Never have before.

Thanks.

[Bjeanj]

I used to, but can’t focus as well as I used to. Before, I had a hardcover I read at home, and an e-book that I’d read at work during lunch.

Good luck.

[Doro22]

Funny ...I’m doing that right now. One a true crime, “Beyond Obsession”. The other book - “Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.” about Audrey Hepburn & making the movie “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”.

[asianthree]

Reading 3 now. One in locker at work, one in car for sitting at appointments, and 3rd at home. No different than multitasking

[Stu from NYC]

I will sometimes do it by reading non fiction along with fiction.

Do not remember reading two fictions at one time, other than stopping one and reading another.

[Peggie]

Well? Do you ever? Or does it reduce your enjoyment of both?

Just wondering, because I’m going to give it a try. Never have before.

Thanks.
I get the characters all confused but that sure adds to the interest.

[ronjon309]

I do it frequently. I try to read different genres so I can keep the stories separate in my mind. At times I might be listening to an audio book, reading a hard back, and reading on my Kindle. As long as stories are different it is easy Peasy!

[vonbork]

Do it all the time. Usually a hard cover at home and another on my Kindle to carry along when going for coffee or sitting out somewhere. Haven't found it an issue.

[Art cov]

I find that one will always overtake the other, “ if a great book.” I get totally engulfed in one, the other lags a bit, and is ignored quite a bit. Then I put the less on the shelf. By the time I am done with the one another will come into the picture, then I never get to the one on the shelf! That poor book gets to feel left-out and unwanted. Kinda like a man with classic cars! Lol the Mormon lifestyle would never be my cup a tea. All my love would be to one and the others would have to go!

[CFrance]

Well? Do you ever? Or does it reduce your enjoyment of both?

Just wondering, because I’m going to give it a try. Never have before.

Thanks.
I listen to one audio book on walks and read a different book on Kindle at home. Seems to work.

[Paula]

So you read two books - one with each eye?? :a040:

[Betty Wagner]

I've been reading two books at the same time for probably 30 years.

I read one one day and the other the next day. Never had a problem keeping the stories straight. Right now reading Nicholas Sparks Every Breath and Diana Gabaldon Drums of Autumn.

[kfembry]

I listen to one while I work around the house and then read another in the evening as for my relaxation time. I try to make sure the subject matter is different or I can get confused. :)

[SusanMYun]

I would never have read two books at once in my earlier years but do it more frequently now. As others have said, due to reading fiction and NF at same time, but more likely because one book doesn't hold me but not ready to give up on it yet.

Not finishing a book is the other thing I do more often now. That is partly because I exclusively borrow on my e-reader. I almost never reread a book and don't see the value in accumulating books.

I highly recommend the Overdrive app. Have been using it for years and it continues to have new features. You do need a library card from your local library to use the app, assuming it is supported, but there are hundreds of libraries so anyone should be able to find one in their area. Happy reading!

[cherylncliff]

I have one book on tape that I listen to while walking and another that I read at home on my nook. I usually split one as fiction and one as non-fiction.

[Ginsanders]

I read at least two, sometimes three at a time. One for devotional and self enlightenment, one non fiction or autobiography, and one for pure pleasure and enjoyment, such as a Nicholas Sparks book.

[NavyVet]

I've done that in the past, but I don't multitask well these days. Been reading a lot lately thanks to Kindle Unlimited. I do like to read multiple book series. I'll try the first one and if I like it, I'll read all the rest of the books in order.

[mkfritts@bellsouth.net]

Well? Do you ever? Or does it reduce your enjoyment of both?

Just wondering, because I’m going to give it a try. Never have before.

Thanks.

I Often read 2 at a time - one on Kindle and the other on Audible. Never get them confused and thoroughly enjoy both!

[Boomer]

I listen to one audio book on walks and read a different book on Kindle at home. Seems to work.


Me, too. But sometimes there are 3. Audible for walking and doing laundry, etc. Kindle for night and for the phone, especially when I have to wait somewhere. But I also have an old-fashioned book for daytime at home, sometimes.

I can tell when I am not walking enough because Audible gets neglected. I have been listening to A Land Remembered for a long time. I think that one is a good listen but if I were reading it, I think I would start to feel like I was actually on one of those never-ending cattle drives. (I also walk (inside) when blabbing on the phone.)

[macawlaw]

Reading several books at once makes sense, as sometimes you're just not in the mood for a certain type of book.

I saw your Polar Bear. My husband teaches at ONU. We are both ONU alumni. Our daughter is a Polar Bear junior, and our son is taking his high school Calculus at ONU. Would love to meet up sometime. We are not here fulltime for two more years, so in and out.

[Baldbaron]

Books/movies like "Airport," and "Hotel" move from intraplot to intraplot, as do soap operas (day and night), so you are already keeping up just fine. And, you get extra fun, extra knowledge, and mental exercise. Enjoy!

[Worldseries27]

reading 3 now. One in locker at work, one in car for sitting at appointments, and 3rd at home. No different than multitasking
fully agree can read and watch several books and films etc. Just like a movie has a great part so do books. I return to certain chapters over and over again. It breaks up the monotony. I speed thru all shows because 70% is superfluous
eg. The hannity show
i speed thru it until his guest answers the question. It is a speed device to get a show over in 10 minutes
same with taped baseball and football games. I've seen thousands of scoreless innings and quarters go by. The trick is ff until you see a td or run score then rewind to the preceding point you wish to restart the action. Baseball and football games are reduced from 3 to 4 hrs to no more than a half hour each. Just saying
session over

[Stu from NYC]

fully agree can read and watch several books and films etc. Just like a movie has a great part so do books. I return to certain chapters over and over again. It breaks up the monotony. I speed thru all shows because 70% is superfluous
eg. The hannity show
i speed thru it until his guest answers the question. It is a speed device to get a show over in 10 minutes
same with taped baseball and football games. I've seen thousands of scoreless innings and quarters go by. The trick is ff until you see a td or run score then rewind to the preceding point you wish to restart the action. Baseball and football games are reduced from 3 to 4 hrs to no more than a half hour each. Just saying
session over

We start baseball or football about an hour after the game starts.

We watch the game just zap thru the commercials so a foot ball game in just over a half hour. Why watch as they huddle up or walk to the line.

Otherwise do not see the point of watching the game just wait for the score.

[Cheiro]

Well? Do you ever? Or does it reduce your enjoyment of both?

Just wondering, because I’m going to give it a try. Never have before.

Thanks.

Hi, Yes, I have read more than one book at a time and have for years. I carry one in my car and read that one while waiting in a Dr.'s office or in the various lines we all have to wait in. Another at home where I sit on my porch and read in the afternoons. And there is a third on my night stand I read before going to sleep at night. I enjoy all of them and do not seem to have any difficulty switching from one to another. Good luck and enjoy your reading.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

I can't even hang with a two-panel comic strip.

[CFrance]

Back in the day when we had a gym at our apartment complex (and before Covid) up north, I kept a book of essays or short stories on the Kindle just to read while on the treadmill or stationary bike.

[Worldseries27]

[QUOTE=Cheiro;1852151]Hi, Yes, I have read more than one book at a time and have for years. I carry one in my car and read that one while waiting in a Dr.'s office or in the various lines we all have to wait in. Another at home where I sit on my porch and read in the afternoons. And there is a third on my night stand I read before going to sleep at night. I enjoy all of them and do not seem to have any difficulty switching from one to another. Good luck and enjoy your reading.[/QUOTE

HAVE YOU OVERLOOKED THE ALL IMPORTANT BOWL BOOK?]

[Polar Bear]

Back in the day when we had a gym at our apartment complex (and before Covid) up north, I kept a book of essays or short stories on the Kindle just to read while on the treadmill or stationary bike.
Didn’t the text jump around too much to read? :D

[Cruisy]

Sometimes 3🙂