How many books can you read at one time?

[Neha Panikar]

I usually can do two at a time in physical or e-book form, and one on Audible when I'm driving and/or doing menial tasks. How's it for you?

[Gerry Steen]

I usually can do two at a time in physical or e-book form, and one on Audible when I'm driving and/or doing menial tasks. How's it for you?

Hi, Neha, Before I joined the Online Book Club, I used to go to the public library and take out 4 or 5 books to read. Now with the Online Book Club, I read one during the day to review and one at night for pleasure. So, to answer your question I now read two books at a time. Have a good day.

[Ceildric]

I can barely imagine having less than three books going at any one time, and often have more. However, I usually do not allow the books to have the similar or same subject, as I feel this may interfere with clear retention. And I usually do not have more than one truly difficult book (e.g. an academic level book, especially in philosophy or the hard sciences) in progress at any one time.

It's not unusual for me to have in progress one academic (or nearly so) level text, 2-3 popular level non-fiction books, and 1-2 fiction books. Plus something like a collection of letters or daily meditations or otherwise short bites to make slow progress on each day.

[Cara Wilding]

I normally am reading 3-4 books at a time. I always have one on an audiobook for the end of day wind down before going to bed - it essentially acts like an adult bedtime story I read at least one self-development book. Then, I always have a lighter more fun read, or two on hand! When I was in grade school, my mom would take me to the library once a week and the limit was 15 books. There was hardly a week where I couldn't finish all 15! Granted, they were young adult books, so fairly short! Until next time...

[Mari Thompson]

I read one book at a time.

[Kristin Cowan]

I try to only do two at a time or I get stories confused. Usually one ebook and one hardcover

[revathy sw]

I can only read one book at a time. Trying to read two books makes me feel like I'm not giving enough attention to either one. It makes me less able to appreciate the stories and characters if I jump between books. This might be because I am horrible at multitasking.

[Alissa Nesson]

I prefer not to read too many books at once because I get so focused on what I’m reading. I usually read two at once, max.

[George Okello 2]

I only read one book at a time

[Ms Mintz]

I can read two at a time but that's for usually, one book for assignment and one book for my pleasure.

Well, I prefer one book at a time.

[rayreads9]

When I read the question, I thought the answer would be obvious—only one book—but was surprised to see the responses of so many people reading two or even more books at one time.
I can safely say that it is not possible for me to read more than one book at a time, as books are like unique worlds for me, and jumping from one to another would create portals between those worlds without my knowledge, letting characters and stories free to flow!
I just like to give the book I'm reading all my attention and enjoy it before moving on to the next. :)

[Jennifer Lissethe]

My answer would be between two and three. Although I can include four if I am not very busy, pleased with my readings or want to include another format as well, like fanfics, webtoons or visual novels.

[Alex Tuohy]

Usually only 1-2 at a time, rarely a 3rd. Only one of them would be fiction, though. I like switching back and forth between reading fiction for entertainment and non-fiction to learn.

[urrutiap]

I can manage to read at least two books at the same time for awhile during a month. at least one quick sci Fi novel mostly Star Wars and then a big long story fantasy like WHeel of Time or something like Mistborn.

Extra if its just a quick guide read through like the big hard books of Final Fantasy Ultimania Volumes 1 and II

[London Baum]

2 or 3, usually I stick to just 2 though. One as a audiobook for while I’m cleaning the house or doing a chore and then one physical book for when I can sit down and focus.