I have a really bad habit.
I am a self-proclaimed book juggler. A very notorious one, I might add.
I start reading multiple books at once, which is not the greatest idea on the world.
How does it start? Well…
I start a book with every intention of reading it ’til the end. I always tell myself I won’t get distracted, but oh man, my dear friends, I’m so naive to think that (considering my history of being easily distracted. It’s an actual problem). After a couple of chapters into the book I’m reading, I look up, muttering to myself how interesting the book is. Before I can continue, I get distracted by the internet or by my emails or by food. And when I try to return to my book, I get distracted again. Usually because my attention is caught elsewhere, specifically at my bookshelf. I imagine seeing a spotlight shining on the the spine of a book on my TBR bookshelf, and I remember ‘ooohh, I have been meaning to read that book.’ I get up, grab that book, and begin to read it. I keep doing this until I have at least four books I’m juggling, or reading all at once.
I’m on a Merry-Go-Around that I can’t get myself out of. Every time I think the ride has stopped, it continues. I always hear the circus theme going in my head as I switch from book to book, trying to decide which I should commit to. It is not the greatest thing to be doing. I know that.
I don’t do it on purpose. Sometimes I do it because I need breaks, especially when the book is a bit boring or it annoys me or I get overwhelmed. And during those breaks, I realize that there are soo many books that I own and want to read, but I can’t (mainly due to time constraint). I guess starting four books at once is my way of trying to get my reading done? Maybe? It’s a race against time! And then, I feel like my book juggling is my way of testing myself? – “How many books can I read at once? Let’s go for a world record!” (BAD NEWS, EVERYONE. I have to admit, before I fool you all, that I’m a really horrible juggler, both in books and any objects that you can juggle. Everything will fall comically onto the ground and you’d see me attempt a bashful, yet awkward smile as I say, in Steve Urkel’s voice, “did I do that?”)
BUT THE GOOD NEWS, I do finish one of the books I started. I usually return to reading my original book…after I admonish myself…a lot.
Are you a “book juggler” like me? Do you start a book, but stop to start another one just because? Do you ever return to reading the original book you started? How do you get out of it?
I do quite the opposite. I don’t think I’ve ever juggled two books at once, except when necessary for school. I usually stick with one book until the end, but I don’t hesitate to DNF a book.
Food does distract me too, though.
That’s good! Book juggling is the worst idea. I agree, it’s necessary for school, but other than that, not really because it’ll cause you pain. ;D I’m a product of that pain. Lol.
Food is great. You have to eat sometime!
I think I’m in the middle of six right now! (Seven, if you count the book I’m re-reading.) I’ve had a few lately that I’m read straight through, but I tend to need variety in my life. And sometimes it’s helpful for realizing, “Oh, I don’t really want to read this book after all.”
Ha, why am I not surprised? ;D I totally agree! It’s figuring out what you want to read at that moment.
I always have multiple books going at once, but for me it’s usually because I read them in different places (and leave the book there). I have a book in the kitchen that I only read when I’m eating breakfast (I eat breakfast alone but have dinner with my husband, so no dinner reading). I have a book in the living room. I have a book in the bathroom closet that I read in the tub. I have a lot of books on my Kindle but I’m usually only reading one at a time on there. The others are backups in case I finish or don’t like the one I’m reading. I have two audiobooks going: one on my iPod Shuffle and one on my Sansa Clip. The Clip’s clip broke so I can only take it running when I have a pocket. If I don’t have a pocket, I clip on my iPod and listen to that book. It’s weird because I seem to finish 2 or 3 books all within a matter of days, so I guess I get equal reading time in several different places in my house.
That’s interesting! I rarely leave books around the house for fear I will end up forgetting about it or misplacing it. Lol.
From your comment, I think you prioritize your reading time better than me. :D I feel like it takes me a while to finish because I keep switching from book to book (when I’m not fully invested in whatever book I’m reading).
I do that too. I have one physical book going and one on my kindle. It usually works out. I’m just a multitasker by nature….
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Ha, that’s good! I’m the worst at multi-tasking. I want to do so many things, but I don’t end up doing it (usually in favor for reading things off the internet. Lol).
I must say that when I read two books (the maximum number for me – otherwise I get confused, and forget about them, and it just turns into mayhem), I feel like I am accomplishing more, and getting more reading done. Even though I am probably not, since I am taking turns, and in all reality it most likely takes me longer to finish reading those two books together, than reading them separately. Which is why I only read one book (most of the time). It means I can devour it, and still keep tabs on the story, and the characters. :D
I definitely agree with that. Reading a book at a time makes the story more linear and understandable. I just wished my mind wasn’t always so distracted by different things. It would make reading so much easier for me.
To be honest, I don’t juggle books :P I always stick to one book at a time mainly because I tried reading more than one before and I was so confused when I wrote the reviews. Well, unless I am reading a really boring book then I might procrastinate it and go read something else that grabs my attention more. Haha, once I was reading a book it was sooooo boring I could barely understand or keep myself awake so I put it off for a month and actually finished four books!! And then after I finished them, I went back to that boring book and apparently I had forgotten everything. So I ended up DNFing xD
Good for you! I totally understand about confusion.
That has totally happened to me too. I put the boring book aside and read something else. Those aren’t officially DNF because I think I will pick it up. Strangely enough, with some of the books I put “on hiatus,” I haven’t picked up those books back up yet. :P Yeah, I always end up rereading the book again to remember what happened. It takes more time when I could be reading something more interesting.
I’m even worse, not only do I read so many different books at once, I also listen to multiple audiobooks at once. But, I’m usually reviewing the books, so I have notes to keep me oriented. I can only really do three at a time though.
I was going to say “How do you keep track?” But yes, notes are sooo helpful. At least you have a set amount that you can juggle. :D
Book Juggler. I am almost always reading more than one book. It’s hard for me to read one book at a time. I enjoy juggling books:) Great post.
Ha, you’re not a stranger to this term then. ;D You’re actually the first person to say they enjoyed book juggling. That’s good!
OMG I am exactly the same way!!! I only read one book at a time, but I get distracted so easily lol. I feel like the dog from the movie UP. This is me on a daily routine…I’m reading my book having a good time, then BAM my child is hungry. I go feed her and go back to reading, then I hear a beep. Oh I have a message! Spend some time on that. After a while I realize oops I have to read. So I start reading again. A few minutes later I see my bookshelf and think oh I want to read that book, how come I haven’t read it yet? Lol the list goes on and on.
YAYYYY. KINDRED SPIRITS, WE ARE.
It’s a cycle we can never get out of!
I’m a total book juggler.
Within the last 24 hours I’ve read parts of these four books:
Silent Echos 80% finished
The Whisper Jar 20% finished
The Companions 40% finished
The Mad Scientist’s Daughter page 270, it’s my mandatory paperback…for all those times that I can’t use or find my Kindle.
Welcome aboard the book juggler club. ;D
Haha no way! That freaks me out. I can only read one book at a time, out of fear that I’ll lose my mind. I will say that now that I own an e-reader this might change slightly because I can see myself reading a physical book but also reading an ebook based on what I’m doing or where I’m at. But by choice? Heck no! I rather suffer through one and just get it over, than get all split up. It scares me! :P
Haha, I applaud your dedication to one book.
You will become one of us. One of us. One of us. ;D Nothing happens by choice. Muahahahaha.
Juggling sometimes happen to me but that’s very very rare. Although it’s very tempting to juggle between books, I hate doing it because it makes me confused. And there’s a very good tendency that I would interchange the characters. That would be too embarrassing when I’m writing my review. Plus, I am OC when it comes to finishing a book no matter what. Come hell or high water, I am going to finish reading you, boring book. :D
Juggling between books do get confusion. I hate when I can’t remember what happened and have to reread it again. (That sucks when the book is boring or doesn’t capture my interest.)
APPLAUDING YOUR DEDICATION. I wish I was that strong. :D
I do juggle books every once it a while. If I’m really loving a book, its hard for me to put down. But I am always juggle a regular book with an audio book! It works for me!
Lisa
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Definitely. I think the books I’ve been reading haven’t captured my attention fully (to the point where I can’t put it down).
I will sometimes read two or three books at a time and alternate every few chapters between them but I usually end up finishing both the same day-I’m pretty good about finishing books though I wish I was better at DNF-ing them.