Your current reading list...
By Jess
@JJ4Ever (4693)
United States
February 9, 2011 9:24pm CST
I try not to be greedy (lol), but I am usually reading more than one book at a time. My reading list consists of five books on average. The genres of these five books usually include self-help, business, novels (inspirational, mystery, romance), and sometimes audio books.
Currently I am borrowing two books from the library and reading three books of my own. This is usually the case where I will be working on a few books of my own while borrowing one or two from the library. I suppose the main reason for this is that there is so much to read and so little time to do so! I also may get stuck at a part in one book and have to be in just the right “mood” to pick up where I left off. In the mean time, I would work on one of the other books in my current reading list. I squeeze reading in whenever I can. It is one of my favorite things to do when I have extra time in my day and also when I just need to sit down to relax.
Right now I am borrowing two fictional mystery-type novels from the library. They are each 400+ pages so I am going to finish the first book before I start the second. From my own collection, I am reading one business book, an educational/self-help type book, and one inspirational romance novel. The library books always take priority since I usually cannot renew them beyond the initial three-week checkout period. My own books are a fallback after I’ve finished everything from the library. I am always working on reading something! How many books do you read at one time?
I try to visit the library once a month when I’m in the area. As much as I wish the library was just down the block or right next door, that is certainly not the case! My main library is downtown, somewhere between five and ten miles away. (That doesn’t sound like much, but it usually takes at least 20 minutes to get there with all the traffic!) One solution that I’ve been researching is the BookMobile. Have you heard of it? It is basically a small bus that drives around and sits at different locations within the county each day. These are predetermined locations set up by the library so I always know where to find it. I have never been to the BookMobile yet, but I am thinking about doing so. I also heard you can reserve books online and pick which day and location to pick up that book from the BookMobile. It also contains a smaller selection of books from the library on board.
Please share your experiences with your current reading lists, the library, and even the BookMobile if it applies!
2 people like this
8 responses
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
18 Feb 11
I'm not big on reading more than one book at a time. It usually messes up my groove and slows me down. I finish books quicker if I focus on one at a time. Right now though I'm reading two... one non-fiction and one fantasy novel. I've been super slow in finishing both. I'd prefer to read one book at a time and finish 2-3 books a week rather than read 2-3 books at a time and finish one a week. lol
I'm not big on the library because I prefer to buy books (I like feeding and supporting my favorite starving authors!) but of course I can't always afford to do that. I go to the library when I'm out of books and money. It's not that far and they usually have great stuff to tide me over until I get some money.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
28 Feb 11
You're exactly right - there's no such thing called multitasking when it comes to reading books! That truly is the best way to finish books quicker. My methods aren't always the most efficient when it comes to reading books! I need to get organized like you regarding books so I can get through more and faster! I like your technique of buying books new to support your favorite authors. I've honestly never thought about it that way, but I'm loyal to several preferred authors too. So...why not help them out by buying their books here and there? I don't always have money either, but the money is less of a problem than having room to shelve these books. Ideally, when I get my next house, I'd love to have floor-to-ceiling shelves on one wall in an office or library room where all my books can be organized and ready for the reading! However, for now, I'll keep the books I have on one book shelf, get a new one here and there, and the majority from the library until I'm in a better position for space. Thanks for sharing your book-reading methods!
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
10 Aug 11
What a wonderful idea! I never really thought about an author's income before, but it's true. They're just normal people like you and me, and they have to make an income somehow. I would love the life of an author, but without knowing all that goes into it, that's easy to say. I'm sure it's much more work than it seems since we get to be on the receiving end of their wonderful works! I'm going to do better about supporting my favorite authors. When I borrow a book from the library that I really like, I'm at least going to get the electronic copy so I can read it again whenever I want someday down the road on my tablet PC. That way, I'm still enjoying their work and supporting them while still saving space because a computer hard drive doesn't take up any physical space at all! You've given me some great ideas. Thanks for the inspiration!
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
28 Feb 11
Yes, I think reading one book is really best. I'm still reading two books right now... one fantasy novel (different) and one non-fiction (Which is unfortunately still the same. Hence why I don't typically read two books at once. This happens! I wind up reading one book for more than a week which is highly unusual for me.) I really like knowing I've supported my favorite writers. They're actually not that rich, in fact they're likely to be making less than what they need to get by. So I like giving them money so they hopefully will keep writing. Space is and isn't a problem for me. It is because I actually don't have a whole lot of places left to put books and it isn't because... well I don't mind being surrounded by books which aren't in normal book places. lol I hope to have my own library collection one day.
1 person likes this
@Lucyalicia92 (670)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I'm currently reading a Monk book. The TV Series Monk, they made some books and I feel as though it would be good enough to be an actual episode, if not better. They are certainly better and more thought out than the last few seasons of the show, which I can tell was around the time the books were written.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
11 Feb 11
I absolutely loved that show when it was on the air, so naturally, I was bummed when they wrapped it up. However, I've never read the series. Books can always go into more detail that anything they show on TV, but I suppose I just assumed the Monk series was just like the show - shame on me! Now I might just have to borrow those from the library and check them out! I already know what all the characters look like from the show, so it'd be easy to imagine it and fill in the blanks as I read the series. I appreciate your input because that series sound so very interesting!
@Lucyalicia92 (670)
• United States
11 Feb 11
I recommend Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii. I absolutely loved that one.
1 person likes this
@EdnaReyes (2622)
• Philippines
18 Feb 11
Wonderful, you're a true blood reader! I am now reading "THE CAT WHO" series. I'm finishing my last read and will start with my second. I don't go often to a library but every time I am in the mall, my first destination is the bookstore. I enjoy browsing the new releases and will always leave the store with one or more books in my shopping bag!
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
28 Feb 11
I haven't heard of the series you're reading now. How is it? I'm going to have to check that one out! Sounds very intriguing. I like visiting the bookstore often too. My Barnes & Noble in town has a used book section so I can't help but walk out of there with a couple here and there each time I go in. It's like these people buy all new books, read them once, and then sell them used to the bookstore. Most of their used books are like new that you wouldn't even know the difference. They're all between $3 and $12, which is great! I know where my favorite book genres and series are, but I'm like you also - I like to browse through the regular/new books to see what new releases have come out, especially if there are favorite authors of mine and new additions to current series. That's always neat to see new things pop up. I could read and review books for a living if that were possible! That would be the best life ever - LOL!!
@NoWayRo (1061)
• Romania
10 Feb 11
My reading list has a very high priority book on it right now. It's a novel about a cat, which was a gift from a friend... now my friend keeps asking me how I liked the book, and, for some reason, I've been reading it for three weeks, and I'm still not done. This is quite unusual for me and novels, I read fiction very fast, especially something so nice as a book with a cat. But this just didn't agree with me for some reason.
Then I have a couple of history books I plan on reading this month - including one what I've started and misplaced it. I also have three historical mystery novels - my favorite genre for the past year, and a couple of books by Coetzee that have been waiting for quite some time.
The BookMobile sounds like a great idea, I don't think we have anything similar here. The library is just five minutes away from my house, but unfortunately, it has a really poor stock; usually I find only one in ten books I request.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
10 Feb 11
The current novel you're reading sounds lovely! I hope you get through it soon. I know exactly what you mean, though, when a book takes so much longer to read than you originally anticipate. I hate when that happens, but sometimes there are so many other things on your mind that reading has to be pushed aside for a little while. I don't read up on much history, but I love fiction history mystery novels. Please do share which of these you've read lately and enjoyed! Have you read The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane? That has some history in it, and I really enjoyed it. I don't know how accurate it was, but it was definitely a good read. I also just finished The Rule of Four. Parts of it I didn't completely understand, but that is one I'll probably listen to on audio book. That was a suggestion of a coworker of mine. If I don't understand a book, the best way to let it sink in is to good back and listen to it on audio the second time. I'm interested to know what titles you've read lately that you've found interesting because I need to pick out something to read next time I visit the library. Right now I'm reading The Gargoyle. It's very graphic, but good. I'm almost halfway through and still trying to figure out where it's going. I love unpredictable books. Thanks for your response and please take care!
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
11 Feb 11
Excellent! I love reading about these authors in your comment because some of the best books I've ever read were suggested to me by friends and family. I'm so thrilled that you remember The Rule of Four! I love books that I can't predict, so that was at the top of my list. Honestly, I didn't remember everything because it went quite deep at times, but overall the plot was absolutely amazing. The author was really creative. We'll definitely have to discuss that book more! As far as the mysteries you mentioned and the authors responsible for them, I'm really excited to jump into some of them during my next trip to the library! You described them very well, and it still seems as though the list you gave me has a lot of variety even though the main genre is still mystery. It's amazing how much authors differ in writing style, isn't it? I'm so glad that we have so many different authors and styles to choose from! Thanks so much for sharing these books and ideas with me. I could talk about books all day!!
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
28 Feb 11
I just finished reading a book that referenced the Inferno...and now, I'm definitely curious to read that one! Seems like I had to read it for a class a while back, but now I can't remember. That probably means it's time to borrow it for the library to read!
@Svidrigaylov (386)
• Guadeloupe
10 Mar 11
I love having a number of books on the go at any one time. I don't have any problem switching from one to another. They are usually one in French (to keep my French alive) one in the general area of Christian spirituality and some classic like Crime and Punishment as well as others I need for my work. I also like to read the same book in different places as it gives a different feel to the book. I've read Crime and Punishmment in Ireland, France and India and it was a different experience each time.
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
12 Feb 11
I usually have two or three books going at the same time, too. I read them at various times, in various places. I have one on my bed for late night or middle of the night reading, one in the bathroom (!) and a couple in the living room right now. It depends on the mood I'm in as to which one I'll pick up. I haven't been to the library in awhile because I am trying to catch up on books I already own. Some were given to me.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
28 Feb 11
I have a book handy near my bed too! I like it because reading is very comforting right before bed (and before getting up in the morning as I have time, although that doesn't happen often). It's like it puts the mind to sleep gently and then carefully wakes the brain up in the morning. I have a headboard that has shelves in them. If it wasn't for my husband needing some space on there, too, I'd have the whole thing decked out in books...it'd be an extension of my bookshelves - LOL!
@SViswan (12051)
• India
10 Feb 11
Busy with school work, chores and the kids, I hardly got any time to get any reading done. I used to read a lot ...earlier.
I've got back to reading in the last one year. It's mostly fictional mystery novels. A friend suggested Mary Higgins Clarke and I enjoy her books. It's light and easy reading. But after around 6 of these light reading, I want something more solid and I might look at self-help books or some Indian authors who write in English. I usually borrow 2-3 books from the library at a time.I'm a member at an online library and it's easy since they drop the books home and pick them up when I'm done. It is a full fledged library and I can go there whenever I want too.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
11 Feb 11
I can relate to the lack of time for reading. I have to squeeze my reading time in whenever I can! Of course, these evenings spent on myLot take away from that potential book reading time, but I'm happy to be reading (and writing) here as well! I've definitely heard of Mary Higgins Clarke, and now it's making me wonder if I've read any of her works...I'm going to have to find an online list of what she's written because I'm almost positive I have! I'm going to read some excerpts from her works to see which of hers I'd like to borrow from the library next. She sounds intriguing! When you mentioned you needed something "deeper" to read, I could relate because that's my whole reason for having to keep four to five books an hand to read at all times. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a light-hearted book while at other times something more intellectual is perfect. I'm glad you're part of a library where you can always have something available to read and that you've gotten back into reading as you have the time.
