The Promiscuous Reader
I have been a voracious reader since I was 4 years old. All my life, catching me *not* in the middle of the book would be akin to hitting the lottery with the numbers from LOST. (4 8 15 16 23 42, in case you don’t remember). But I’ve always been a serial monogamist bookworm. One book at a time, beginning to end. I always finished them, unless they were assigned reading and had five-page sentences (I’m looking at you, Faulkner!). When Number Two was born, I started tossing books aside if they didn’t hold me. That was tough. Wasted money, and all that. But time was short, and life getting shorter.
And then came the Kindle.
And now I’m a total slut.
On any given day, you can peek at my Goodreads currently reading list and see 3 or 4 books. Maybe even 5, in the right circumstances! Here’s how it works:
1. I start a new book on my Kindle Paperwhite (birthday present, 2012). I leave the Paperwhite on my nightstand.
2. Time for lunch on my day “off”! I grab one of the neglected paperbacks from my official TBR bookcase (or the neglected paperback I’ve been leaving all over the house for two weeks, reading snatches here and there).
3. My computer hangs, or I’m uploading files from my Neo to the computer, which renders it unusable. I grab my Kindle Keyboard, 2nd gen, and open one of the older TBR books that I bought pre-Paperwhite.
4. Treadmill! The iPod is so much easier to handle while I’m walking. Right now I’m reading via the Nook app, books I bought with a Christmas B&N gift card. I have a few books I won that are in the iBooks app, and of course I can access my Kindle library via that app.
5. A library book is in! Since these have deadlines, I’ll start reading them as soon as I get them. I don’t use the library that often. Just for some of the hardcovers I’m not dying to read immediately, don’t want to pay for, but also don’t want to wait for a lower-priced format to be released.
It’s gotten so that if I finish a bunch of books in quick succession and have only one going, I go into withdrawal. I’m really surprised I’ve gotten so crazy, but on the other hand, it allows me to indulge whatever mood I’m in at the moment, instead of just when I’m picking the book.
How about you? Serial monogamist, or promiscuous reader?
Feb 27, 2013 @ 00:20:48
you are speaking my language girl. I have been a reader for as long as i can remember (my brother is the same way). My mom used to drop us off at the library while she would go grocery shopping and we always had tons of library books.
I have prob over 700 books in my book shelves (paperback) that i totally plan on reading and then my kindle has several thousand books (mostly ones i got for free) on it from Amazon and the review sites. I have 3 kindles but really only use my fire. I read both from ibooks and kindle on my phone, on my work computer, home cou pmputer and fire for kindle books. I also have a book in the bathroom, one beside the bed and another on my table in the living room. Oh yeah, don’t forget the books that me and Lilly read and review for Gaga’s Corner LOL.
my problem is that i finish several at once but don’t write the reviews and still have to go back over them to write the review.
Heather Brewer recently posted..Scentsual by Victoria Blisse
Feb 27, 2013 @ 13:38:50
YES! My mom dropped me at the library all the time, too, while she did grocery shopping or ran errands. It was truly my second home.
Man, woman, that’s a lot of books! I don’t have that many. I wish I had more time to read, though!
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Comment on Sneak Peek Sunday: Soul of the Dragon Excerpt #2 by NJDamschroder
Feb 27, 2013 @ 05:10:53
Except for library books, I read almost exclusively digital now. This has made it easier to keep my pants zipped…er, focus on one book at a time. In bed its my old kindle (and also in the bathtub–woot to the gallon ziplock Baggie!). Everywhere else, it’s my phone. Book syncs across devices, so I’m less tempted to, um, read around.
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri
Feb 27, 2013 @ 13:40:11
The book syncing across devices is definitely a valued feature. I like being promiscuous, though, so I haven’t used it that much!
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Comment on Sneak Peek Sunday: Soul of the Dragon Excerpt #2 by NJDamschroder
Feb 27, 2013 @ 06:35:10
Oh Natalie, my mother told me about girls like you. She also taught me to go home with the one I came with. One book at a time for me (with the exception of craft books, I CAN do a fiction and craft book at the same time. Don’t ask me why that’s okay, but my mom said so…)
But I’m with you on the not finishing a boring book. Life (especially when you get to me age) is too short, and there are WAY too many good books out there.
Don’t worry, your reputation is safe with us – what happens on ENALR stays here. (Unless it’s REALLY juicy.)
Feb 27, 2013 @ 13:41:22
LOL, Laura! Your mom was pretty conservative, huh?
Fiction and craft books are as unalike as boyfriends and friend-friends, so that’s why it’s okay.
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Comment on Sneak Peek Sunday: Soul of the Dragon Excerpt #2 by NJDamschroder
Feb 27, 2013 @ 07:38:13
Thank God I’m not the only one. We are kindred spirits.
Feb 27, 2013 @ 13:41:50
*fist bumps Margaret*
Feb 27, 2013 @ 09:00:46
I’m with ya, gal! You left out one however…Not only do I have a book going on my Kindle Fire, I have a paperbook in the “library” (what we call the bathroom) since you never know when you’ll have 5 or 10 minutes to kill, and I have an audiobook running in my car, plus I might have a different digital book going on my Droid phone.
Feb 27, 2013 @ 13:43:42
I did neglect the audiobooks! I just finished my annual “listening” to the Harry Potter series. Jim Dale spoiled me for all other narrators, so I don’t do other audiobooks. I heartily recommend them for chores and driving, however! When I’m not doing HP, I listen to football podcasts.
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Comment on Sneak Peek Sunday: Soul of the Dragon Excerpt #2 by NJDamschroder
Feb 27, 2013 @ 09:22:55
I am always reading something too. I read on my iPad (Kindle and Nook apps), on my iPhone, books from the library, and the stack of books I’ve collected from conferences. My Nook has languished since hubby bought me the iPad.
Like you, as an adult I quit slogging through to the end on books that weren’t worth it. Boy was that a freeing decision! I usually stick to one fiction book at a time, but I have one or two craft books, plus a couple research books going, and maybe a nonfic for personal interest. Try to focus on library books first. So glad I’m not alone in juggling multiple reads.
The rest of my household thinks I’m a bit nuts.
Gwen Hernandez recently posted..Story Cartel: Helping authors connect with readers
Feb 27, 2013 @ 13:45:15
Well, once you’re an author, you ARE a bit nuts!
I have to admit, I am HORRIBLE at reading nonfiction or craft books. I don’t really know why. It might be a rebellion thing, because they’re too much like assigned reading at school? I balked hard at that, even though I was a goody-two-shoes in every other way.
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Comment on Sneak Peek Sunday: Soul of the Dragon Excerpt #2 by NJDamschroder
Feb 27, 2013 @ 10:18:29
Oh yes, I’ve definitely been known to read as many as 4 books at once. (And listen to another on CD in the car during errands!) Usually it doesn’t get confusing but I’ve had to back up and figure out what was going on before.
Don’t forget your WIP! That counts as another book and plot you have to keep straight!
Feb 27, 2013 @ 13:47:00
You’re right about WIPs! I just loaded one onto my Kindle to read through while I’m waiting for the editor’s revisions, since it’s been years since I last worked on it. The problem is that it feels like work and I’d really rather be reading the new JD Robb when I have a few seconds to read. LOL
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Comment on Sneak Peek Sunday: Soul of the Dragon Excerpt #2 by NJDamschroder
Feb 27, 2013 @ 12:13:28
Gosh, I never knew. I’m promiscuous, too. Right now I have three going at the same time. And because they’re due, I can’t choose one over the other. Does this mean we have ADD too? Great post, Natalie!
Donnell recently posted..Help! I’ve Lost My Noodle
Feb 27, 2013 @ 13:47:49
It could mean ADD, Donnell, or it could mean that we are very good at multiple focus!
Thanks!
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Comment on Sneak Peek Sunday: Soul of the Dragon Excerpt #2 by NJDamschroder
Feb 27, 2013 @ 13:52:34
I love that quote, Natalie. Well, once you’re an author, you are a bit nuts
Here’s to being promiscuous and our ADD
Donnell recently posted..Help! I’ve Lost My Noodle
Feb 28, 2013 @ 09:19:46
I do this too! I never thought I’d ever read a book on my phone. The screen is so small. But wow, it’s amazing what you’ll do to pass the time in a doctor’s office. LOL I still like to hold and read the paperbacks best though when reading at the house. Kindle, phone, Ipad are for on the go reading.
Melissa Ohnoutka recently posted..Introverts Need Love Too
Feb 28, 2013 @ 09:28:42
I always felt the same way about the phone screen! I read on my iPod as kind of a last resort (or just the treadmill), but yeah, for on-the-go reading, you can’t beat the devices!
My print books usually stay home, too, unless the book is one I can’t put down. That happens so rarely it trumps all other habits. 
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Comment on Sneak Peek Sunday: Soul of the Dragon Excerpt #2 by NJDamschroder