The year 2019 has thus far been the Year of the Slump for me, so I thought it would be ironic and fun to do the Currently Reading Book Tag! The lovely Kelly @ Another Book in the Wall tagged me in this one back in September and now felt like the perfect time to discuss my reading habits & struggles a bit. If you aren’t already following Kelly please be sure to check out her blog and rectify that immediately: she is incredibly kind and her blog is so aesthetically pleasing!
I am not sure who created this tag; please let me know if you do so I can add credit to the post.
How Many Books Do You Usually Read At Once?
At heart I am a book monogamist: I read one book at a time. I’ve always envied my blogging buddies that can shift between different reads, and this year I really started to schedule some buddy reads to help cultivate a book juggling skill. It isn’t working, fam. I wind up with 3-8 books on my Goodreads Currently Reading shelf and not reading anything. I just prefer to dive into one story at a time and having multiple reads stresses me out.
How Do You Decide When To Switch Between Multiple Reads?
…honestly, when I have finished a book. I try to read more than one book at a time but it usually doesn’t work for me. I will switch between formats a bit depending on where I am (physical versus eBook), but unless I am bored I will stick with the book.
Do You Ever Switch Bookmarks Partway Through A Book?
No? I am not a bookmark collector and usually use whatever is lying around to mark my place in the book. Although I do have pre-order campaign bookmarks for some of my faves that stay in the books.
Where Do You Keep the Book(s) You’re Currently Reading?
The physical books that I am currently reading are on the bookshelf next to my bed in a stack, and my Kindle stays there as well.
What Time Of Day Do You Read The Most?
At night before bed! I have a nightly routine to wind down that ends with reading in bed until I fall asleep, and it is usually 1-3 hours a night. Sometimes I also read when I wake up if I have the time, and I will also read on the weekends, but nighttime is my time.
How Long Do You Typically Read In One Session?
Anywhere between 1 and 3 hours, typically. On rare occasions, I will read a book in one sitting, but usually, I have so many other things to do (laundry, shopping, video games).
Do You Read Hardbacks With the Dust Jacket Off?
Uh, duh. If I read with the dust jacket on it would get ruined.
What Position Do You Mainly Use To Read?
I am a side-reader, so curled up on my side and usually with a cat butt in my face.
Do You Take Your Current Read With You Everywhere You Go?
In that I have the Kindle app on my phone, yes. I often will bring a physical book with me to work if the weather’s nice to read outside but I do most of my reading at home.
How often Do You Update Your Goodreads Reading Progress?
It really depends on the book! I usually will update if I remember when I put the book down, but since I often just fall asleep mid-page I often don’t. I sometime will use updates to help with my review in writing un-spoiler thoughts, though.
Tagging
Ruby | Sam | Camilla | Lisa | Michelle | Haley
Let’s go on another adventure together!
Nice to see another book monogamist haha. I think the only time I ever read more than 1 book at a time is if I’m reading different types of books, eg – fiction, non-fiction or fiction and a long graphic novel!
Same! I’m a polyamorous reader, but mainly because I read fiction and non-fiction and across three languages! I also DNF a lot of reads and return to some if the spirit moves me!
I’m such a paperback reader ha! If I HAVE to read a hardcover, the dust jacket only comes off it the hardback has a pretty embossed title, otherwise it stays on and I make sure it does with scotch tape! *watches crowd scatter screaming in the distance*
YAY FOR BOOK MONOGAMY! I do the same, I can’t read two scifi books at the same time, my brain gets confused! But even then I most often will switch to a new book until it’s finished.
This one seems to be a cool tag. Loved your answers. Me too a night owl, the night is peaceful when the world sleeps you read…haha😅😅 And taking your book along with you everywhere you go is the best thing. Books are the best partner, never makes you feel alone🙂🙂
Thank you so much! I love sleep a lot and am more of a morning person, but having a nightly ritual of reading makes me very happy.
That’s really nice, in fact reading regularly is the most important thing for any book blogger…lol 😄
I am exactly the same as you on almost all of your answers!! Yes to 1 book at a time, primarily read at night for a couple of hours before bed, the only thing I don’t do is read on my side – I have to sit up or I will fall asleep righttttt away haha
I am so uncomfortable on my back for some reason! Like I will find it comfy for like 5-10 minutes and then need to roll onto my side… but yea, sometimes I lay down to read and fall asleep within 5 minutes. LOL
Thanks for the tag! Cat butt in your face – I can relate hahaha!
Thanks for the tag, and haha I’m like you, I want to read more than one thing at once but in the end, the others stay stagnant on my GoodReads and the one I stick with at the moment I go full steam with. I actually had to chuckle, I have the exact same feeling about Dust Jackets, why would I ever ruin them when you can take them off and keep them pretty??
I am glad I am not the only one giving the illusion of reading multiple books on GR when in reality you abandoned 3 of them weeks ago but plan on going back eventually. Somehow I don’t think that is what multiple book readers count?
Probably not, but we can dream! X’D I used to do multiple reads but I don’t have time, and I just want to finish whatever I’m on usually lol
I also prefer reading one book at the time! Or actually one physical book and one audiobook! I don’t like to put the book down, to read something else, and forget the details of the first book..?!
Loved reading this tag!
(www.evelynreads.com)
I always read one book at a time!! I would be too indecisive if I was reading more than one book I think and never know which one to read– haha!!
Also I do most of my reading at night time– I love ending the day curled up in bed with a good book!! 🙂
I am already super indecisive, reading more than one book at a time exacerbates it for sure!
Ooh, I might steal this! I’m another book monogamist. My brain is already a cluttered mess; I don’t need to add to it by trying to keep multiple stories straight. I’m jealous of anyone who can do that!.
STEAL AWAY! And yea I can barely remember the details of one book after finishing it for my review, let alone keeping multiple stories straight in my goldfish brain.
Haha, what a cute post!
I used to be a book monogamist too! Recently started reading 2 at a time occasionally. But they need to be different formats. Like one audio and one on kindle.
That reading position thing cracked me up. It’s always interesting to see what people prefer. I don’t think i’ll ever get behind people who read sitting on horrible chairs… i mean, how?? I may need to try your side-reading tactics or something, cuz my back is seriously complaining all the time. Could be my sofa though… it’s not very nice.
Teach me your book polygamist ways! Do you just read from both in a day? Have an audio for the car and kindle for lounging reading? Do you have to split it up by genre? I am literally so interested in this lolol
I love the idea of reading in a comfy chair but it never last long! My back is a mess and I should probably lay on my back to read but I am just restless.
Yes, pretty much 😀
I have an audio for when i’m walking to work, or messing around at home (cooking, cleaning).
Then i pick another genre for kindle and read that in the morning while i’m having brekkie, and sometimes at lunch at work, and then before i fall asleep 🙂
At one point i had a paper book to read at home in the morning (when there’s enough light) as a third option, but that was just too crazy 😀
Awww, Kaleena, thank you for your sweet words! Love you! <3 As much as I'd like to believe that I can juggle multiple books at once … I simply can't. My brain isn't hardwired that way. Haha. At most, I can read three books at once (a physical copy, e-book, and audiobook), but even that doesn't work all the time! I'm also a night reader and get the vast majority of my reading done at night (and sometimes into the wee hours of the morning, but don't tell my professors that.)
I loved all your answers!
The downside of reading at night is definitely getting sucked in and not sleeping… and as a morning person that loves sleep, you KNOW a book is good when I skip out! Love you too, sweets!
I have the exact same bed time routine! Yes, I go to bed sometimes at 6:30pm, but no I’m not falling asleep at that time. I have to read for at least 2 hours before I’m ready to fall asleep.:-)
Heck yes for evening reading routines! *high fives* I legit was in bed last night at 7pm to read, but didn’t sleep until like 10 or so. hehehe
Also a book monogamist!! The thought of juggling more than one book is so frightening.
And… swap a bookmark mid-read? But… why?
Juggling books actually kind of gives me anxiety when I try with buddy reads. It doesn’t really work well, especially when slumping.
I honestly have no clue why someone would swap a bookmark out, unless the first one went missing. Which that happens to me all the time.
Most of my answers to this would probably match yours! Book monogamist (love it hahaha), night reader, lying on the side… We could practically be reading sisters 😛
Oh and the cat butt on the face – yeah, totally relate xD Cats seem to love to bother you when you aren’t paying them any attention, and stay away when you want to cuddle *sigh*
Great tag, Kaleena!
Reading sisters, with a cup of hot chocolate for good measure!!!
Cat butts in the face crack me up but I also kind of love it. Mine likes to curl up by my head when I am reading, and it’s almost soothing?
Hahaha yes! I think it’s the purring, it’s supposed to calm you down and has been linked to lowering blood pressure, etc 🙂 Cats are good nurses xD
I loved your answers Kaleena! 2019 seems to be the slump year for me too!
2019 is the WORST! I hope the slump ends for you soon, Kayla! I’ve had to abandon my ARC list for full on yolo mood reading to try to get rid of mine.
I’ve been doing mood reading here and there and it’s been so good!
I am a complete book monogamist as well! I hate to read more than one book at a time; I get the stories or characters confused. I thought the bookmark question was funny. I know some do enjoy collecting bookmarks, but like you, I just whatever is around. I even occasionally use the receipt for the book! 😂 Great post, Kal!
I also get confused, and I thought that if I multi-read different genres it would alleviate that problem but hahaha nope. Bookmarks are pretty but I don’t really go out of my way for them; but I DO enjoy getting them in pre-order swag and keeping them with the book. Thanks for reading!
Totally agree (on both statements!!) You’re welcome!!
Oh I loved your answers! I’m also a book monogamist, I admire people able to read multiple books at a time so much, but I’d rather focus all of my attention on one book at a time, too 🙂 and I also read with the dust jacket off, I’m too scared of ruining it otherwise and…. well let’s face it, I WOULD ruin it, actually haha. And it’s so much more practical without 🙂
I totally would ruin the dust jacket if I read the book with it on there, and that would make me VERY SAD. I also admire people that can easily juggle multiple books but I have come to terms with the fact that it just isn’t for me.
I keep forgetting to update my reading progress, I don’t know why but it seems like such a hassle? Using updates does sound really smart.. maybe I should implement that (look at that Kal, you’re making me productive!)
I know what you mean, even though opening the GR app or tab on my computer isn’t that much effort it FEELS like it?? I think it’s because I want to say something when I update, and then I stress about what to say, and then just don’t bother. YAY PRODUCTIVITY!
I used to be that kind of person who could only read one book at a time, but that changed all in 2017. How and why I can’t remember, but it happened and I’m glad. Wow, that’s a lot of nighttime reading! I can’t even have one hour when I am lying in bed.
I am glad you were able to change into more of a multi-book reader, that’s awesome! I have insomnia, so sadly the amount of reading at night is a by product of my inability to sleep but I’ve found that going to bed at a specific time each night to read until sleep comes is the best for me. Some days I pass out really fast, others I am reading for hours.
I always forgot to update my reading process on good reads haha
Such a cool tag! I have recently started reading multiple books, it’s sort of daunting but I am now mostly comfortable with shuffling books. And Hey, I am night reader as well… Like I feel that’s the best time to read without the general distraction or chores to worry about.
That is so cool you are able to shuffle between multiple reads, I am jealous! Nighttime before bed is the time I set aside specifically for reading, no guilt allowed! Sometimes I don’t feel like reading, and that’s okay, but it is nice to have time carved out for it. Now if only I were to carve out time for those chores…
I loved this tag! I’m for one book at a time aswell because I’l forget the others exist. I’m crap at updating Goodreads I haven’t touched it in many weeks and I’ve read like ten books . . oops.
This is such a fun tag, and consider yourself tagged if you want to do it! And oops indeed, get updating!
I really love this book tag! I keep meaning to fill it out but I’m still catching up on a couple of things haha. I have the kindle app on my phone too and I have to say it’s been soooooo fantastic! I try to sneak in reading whenever I can. 🙂
The kindle app is a lifesaver! I can’t count the number of times I have been delayed and am waiting for a bus, doctor, friend and just pull out my phone and start reading. It’s lovely. And since I am a mood reader, it is nice to have a huge library at my fingertips without lugging a suitcase around with me everywhere that I go.
Exactly!
I’m a night owl that loves to read before going to bed. How do I explain this, yes I start multiple books, but I read one at a time. It helps me to have something to look forward to. If the book is really good and I can’t put it down, well the others will just have to wait. Great answers Kaleena! ❤️❤️
I feel like I am the same when it comes to multiple reading – I literally started 5 books the other day before settling on one to read and my currently reading shelf is now a mess. I need to wait until I am actually in the book before making GR updates, lol. Thanks so much for reading, Dani!
Oooh I have wanted to collect bookmarks but then I only use like one? So, yeah, it wouldn’t be wise spending hehe I also read before bed! Usually for an hour or two. And then when I wake up in the morning, I read while having my breakfast 🙂
I feel the same way about bookmarks! I love them and there are some amazing ones out there, but 8 times out of 10 I am using a receipt or the same one over and over again. I also enjoy reading in the morning when I wake up if I have time.