Reading two books at once?
By maezee
@maezee (41988)
United States
February 29, 2012 7:40pm CST
Have you ever read two books at once? I just was responding to some other 'reading'-related discussions and thought about this. I was incredibly bored at work today so I grabbed a book from the back of my car (I left the book I am currently reading at home), and started reading it. The one I was originally reading was James Patterson's "The Post Card Killers", which I am about halfway through and it hasn't really AMAZED me. But when I was at work today I started reading Jodi Picoult's "My Sister's Keeper", and so far I am liking that one a lot better.
Just because they are such different books, I don't think I am transposing plots/characters/etc, so it's not too confusing. Plus I haven't read the Patterson one in a few days, whereas the Picoult one is a little more fresh in my mind since I was just reading it this afternoon.
Normally I don't try to read two books at once, as I like to focus on one, but now that I've started, I think I must just finish both of them. I think I would find it more confusing if it were the same genre.
Can you handle reading two books at once?
2 people like this
16 responses
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
28 May 12
I typically read more than one book at a time, usually more than two. I compare this to watching television and switching channels when the show gets boring. I find it easier, at times, to read more than one book at a time. Plus, it prolongs the process of each book, which I like because I sometimes mourn the completion of a really good book.
There are those rare moments, however, when I get so caught up in a very good book, that I will simply complete it before reading another book. I have a few favourite authors whose books I treat this way.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
5 Mar 12
Not since the days of high school, where I had the book that I need to read for class and the book that I chose to read for leisure. That is about the only time that I did something like that, and well, I think that I did rather well with that. Given that the books that assigned were different fair than what I normally read. Not that made it any less interesting but it was easier to keep right in my head that way.
Of course these days, reading two books at once is something that I would never do. Because of my time situation these days, I do say that reading one book is something that is a juggling act to say the very least. But perhaps one day I might step back and take on this rather bold endeavor. But most certainly not something that I would do anytime soon. But you just never know, I might decide to try, even if I may bite off more than I can chew.
@craziestqueenever (1819)
• Philippines
1 Mar 12
Yes, I had read two books at once and it confused me. I just read a part in a book but it doesn't mean I had finished reading it. For me it is much better to read the whole book one at a time so that my imagination won't be distracted.
@girl_thinking (1959)
• Philippines
4 Mar 12
I remember doing this as well. But when I put down one book and move on to the next one, I find it hard to go back to the book I was previously reading. Somehow I would lose interest in it. Anyway, that could be one of the reasons why I would jump to another book in the first place.
These days I haven't been much reading. Aside from the fact that I don't have a time for it, I don't know any new books that are good to read! 
@almightybong (186)
• Philippines
1 Mar 12
Hmmm, the way I see it, it doesn't seem like reading two books at once at all. If you've already stopped on the Patterson book and you are reading Picoult's as of now, then you basically are just reading one. However, if for example you are reading a chapter out from one and another chapter out from the other, then that sounds more like reading them both at once.
But I do get your question. I think it actually depends on the genre of the books you're reading. If you do as I said, reading a chapter here and a chapter there, then it's just like watching two different TV series. More often than not, the audience can follow without a problem, especially if they're from different genre's. My only concern is, with books you do have the control to start and stop as you please. And I bet, if you've read the one that interested you first, then you wouldn't have picked up the Patterson before you finish that one.
@liyuan5665 (89)
• China
2 Mar 12
usually i starter reading from the middle of the book have not tried read two books at once
@dodo19 (47317)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
1 Mar 12
It's something that I do quite often. I wouldn't say that I do it all the time, but I have had the habit of reading more than one book at time for a while. I'm not sure why I do it. I just do. It doesn't really bother me. I can manage to follow the stories and such. I do still try to read one book at a time, but sometimes, I will just read two books.
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
1 Mar 12
I think most people do read two different types of books without realizing it. I mean, I often read books of fiction and trade books at the same time. Fiction books serve as a break from my trade books reading. But I don't think I would read two fiction books even if they have different story plots and characters. It's not actually that I would confuse them. I mean, it's just like watching two different shows on TV. But I guess when it comes to fiction books, I just prefer finishing one before I start on another. Besides, I'm not really a fast reader so if I read two books at the same time, it would take me longer to find out about the ending of both stories :)
@Metatronik (6199)
• Pasay, Philippines
1 Mar 12
Not in my case because I am not a bookworm in the first place. 
usually I am lazy reading books especially if that is just all articles then without visuals. I have to admit that I am not good in comprehension not until there will be visuals.
usually I am lazy reading books especially if that is just all articles then without visuals. I have to admit that I am not good in comprehension not until there will be visuals. 
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
1 Mar 12
No dear i can't read 2 books at the same time, i read books while relaxing on my roof top, and my books are on astrology, gemology, numerology and physics , ultrasonics mainly.
@Kasiviswanathan2k (288)
• India
1 Mar 12
Reading two books in one time it's not possible for me. It's need more eye on the Book. In life doing two things in same time it's more complicated always. This is so complicated to me.
@victorkrish (1614)
• Malaysia
1 Mar 12
I haven't try to read two books at once, really cannot works with me. I cannot focus or cope two books at the same time. It is better to read finish up the first book and seek for another later. Anyway it is really nice and interesting to read an article on internet.
@nonsenseHS (54)
• Singapore
1 Mar 12
is that possible? haha, just wondering.
i would much prefer to enjoy one book at a time so as to get my mind thinking about it and "become one" with the characters.
i dont think i could read two at once, it'll be real tough.
@shadjee1 (602)
• Philippines
1 Mar 12
I have tried reading two books at once. But it is not that often since I like to concentrate on a particular book whenever I read. I only do that if my son has a book report to do and I am already reading one presently. Since he is not much of a reader, I also read his assigned book for the book report then at night I continue reading the book that I like.
@ardoy0731 (7308)
• Philippines
1 Mar 12
I like to read too during my spare time and when I wanted to leave the net for awhile.I do try read two books before but give a bad headache.Stories are messing up with each other that made me confuse on what going on in wht I read.I better read one after one to avoid confusion in the end that may result of reading it again hehe.
.I do try read two books before but give a bad headache.Stories are messing up with each other that made me confuse on what going on in wht I read.I better read one after one to avoid confusion in the end that may result of reading it again hehe.