Gwen Bell used (coined?) this term on Twitter for a person who's reading more than one book at any given time.
Until I was 30 or so, I only ever read one book at a time. I've become a simul-reader in recent years, and I'm not sure why. With the growing popularity of ebooks, there's been a transition period when I'll have an ebook on my reader, and a paper title (not yet available on e) by my bed. Plus, there are more books I want to read than I'll ever be able to (I've actually looked into speed-reading techniques just to solve this problem), so maybe simul-reading is the result of a creeping desperation to catch up to my reading list (hahahahahahaaaa!).
Do you simul-read? If so, do you find it easier if the two books are different genres? And why do you (or don't you) simul-read?
[image by Clear As Crystal, via Dark Roasted Blend (amazing sculptures!)]
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Thursday, July 16, 2009
Are You a Simul-reader?
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7 ate pie:
Simul-reader for life, here. I remember as a pre-teen reading The Baby-sitter's Club series three at a time. Now I read self-help five at a time (to me, it's like reading one big book, there's so much overlap. Let me summarize all of self-help here in two words so you don't have to do what I do: love yourself! But really, I'm not joking.)
I see it as strands of a conversation. We leave conversations mid-way through at cocktail parties and events all the time. For me, it's the same with books. I like opening it up and picking up the conversation where I left off. It lets me savor the book for longer (maybe it takes me six months instead of six weeks. For a book in the Harry Potter series that's months of fun compared to weeks of fun!)
I majored in English in college and simul-reading wasn't just encouraged, it was necessary. You didn't graduated if you couldn't read several books concurrently. Simul-reader for life for me.
As a kid I was a very intent serial mono-reader. Now, I'm a chronic simul-reader. I typically have four or five books on the go (on my nightstand, piled in a sort of First-In, Last-Out queue) that I iterate through.
With my current interests, most are non-fiction business, technology, psychology and sociology books, with an example of unusual fiction thrown in to keep my brain balanced.
I'm not. If I get sucked into a book then I can usually finish it in 1-2 days and move on to the next. If I don't get sucked in, well, then I don't bother finishing it before moving on to the next book.
I'm definitely a simul-reader and always have been, but I read from multiple genres rather than one. I typically have 3-4 books going at once. This is my typical mix: 1 escapist fiction work (murder mystery, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction, etc), 1 business/mgmt type book, 1 math/science/engineering book, and 1 how-to/DIY book. Reading, like music and other types of entertainment, is very mood based for me, so I need a book for every mood :)
Gwen - Thanks for saving me reading self-help! :) Great analogy to conversations. And I know what you mean about using it to savor a book. I did that with Angela's Ashes - didn't want it to end.
Trevor - I would think reading several nonfictions at once would be like reading magazine articles. I'm reading Omnivore's Dilemma right now, and each chapter pretty much stands on its own.
Cole - I'm envious of your reading speed! I've only recently decided to ditch books that don't hook me; for a long time, I'd slog through a book hoping it would get better. Good policy to cut your losses.
Sarah - Mood: yes! My current mix is a middle grade "boy" novel, a pulpy adult historical novel, and a sociology book. The first is action-packed, the next romantic pulp, and the last informational. I find I open them based on my mood, as you do.
I'm SO the same way. In fact, last night I read from these THREE books: "The Anti 9-5 Guide," "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell," and "The Upanishads." Simul-reader FOR SURE. Also, I found you through Gwen Bell - so hello!
Doniree - Intriguing mix. I think there are so many potentially good books available, we have to be simul-readers. Or just super-fast readers. Glad you found the blog!
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