Are you a monogamous reader?

[Dave Rosenthal]

On Read Street, we've been discussing this topic: Are you monogamous? Not that kind of monogamy — I mean reading habits. Do you read one book at a time? Or do you have two or more going at once — say, a novel, a nonfiction book and a collection of short stories?

Alison Morris, a Publishers Weekly blogger, has identified several species of polygamists. They include: the Whimsical, who dips in and out of multiple books at once; the Placebound, who reads several books simultaneously but each in its own locale -- at home, at work, on the subway; and the Noncompetitive, who reads one fiction book and one non-fiction book at the same time, or some similar combination.

I’m a one-book man. I like to focus, to get comfortable with the author’s pacing and language. And I want to keep track of the subtleties of a character, setting or plot. I may have a magazine article, comic piece or short story handy in case I only have a few minutes to read. But I prefer at least an hour of quiet — and one book.

Nancy, my blogging partner, flits among different books. As she says: "What if I’m not in the mood for the collection of political profiles I picked up a few days ago? Well, I just pick up the graphic novel about zombies. Or the Mexican crime novel. Or re-read Pride and Prejudice. Do I ever get confused or lose my place? Sure! But most of the time, it’s a system that works for me.

What are your reading habits — do you subscribe to Davidite monogamy or Nancyist polygamy? And can you think of any other species to add to Alison's list?

[Deborah]

i read 3 books at a time. i usually read 2-4 chapters of one book, then switch and do the 2nd, then the 3rd and then rotate. usually the books are 1) one to read for review, 2) a library book 3) a book for fun. i don't get confused between plots and i find i usually read faster this way than read just one book straight through

[Bermudaonion]

I usually read one book at a time. I couldn't keep up with that many plots and characters.

[Cheryl]

I am a placebound. I usually read three/four books at a time and they are all from different genres.

[pussreboots]

Polygamy when it comes to books. I currently have four books going.

[Dave Rosenthal]

jshetrone makes a great point. With so many ways to read/listen to/e-read a book these days, there are many more opportunities for polygamists. Driving's not an obstacle -- on Baltimore's highways, I've even seen folks with a magazine resting on the steering wheel as they drive -- which is pretty scary!

[Katie]

I'm a monogamous reader in that I only have one chapter book going at a time... however, I do read picture books throughout the day when I have a few minutes to spare.

[Trish Collins]

I'm a monogamist. I take whatever book I'm reading at the time with me wherever I go. I don't understand people who cheat on their books (polygamists). :-)

[Wayne Hurlbert]

I am always unfaithful to the books I pick up. I cheat on each book by reading several others at the same time.

[Book Calendar]

I switch between reading one book and two books at a time. I have never been able to go beyond two at a time.

[Elizabeth]

I am an occasional noncompetitive polygamist, but my problem is that I generally get so caught up in whatever I'm reading at the time that I don't WANT to put it down for something else!

[Harvee Lau]

I have books in my bedroom upstairs, downstairs by the TV, books in the car, and books in a bookbag in the dining room. I read the books nearest to me whereever I am, but honestly, if I really like a book, I carry it with me from place to place. I am definitely NOT monogamous when it comes to reading books!

[Anastasia]

I always have at least three books going at one time, and at the moment I've got four. So, er, no! I never get confused about plot or characters, though, and I like to think that I can get as much out of my book-reading as someone who reads one book at a time. (I used to be a one-book reader, too!)

Oh, and I'm a Placebound. One book is in my bathroom, one's in my kitchen, one's in my bedroom, and one's on my iPod for when I'm on the bus/at work. Keeping books in their own places helps with the keeping-track-of-plotlines and things.