I tend to read, most of the time, two books at a time. One on my iPod, while I do housework, work out, and walk the dog. Another in print. Sometimes I also have one going in the car on CD, and may even have a paperback in my purse while my 'big' book is on the nightstand.

I've always been a 'more than one book at a time' reader, since I learned to read (drove my mom crazy), so I find it's not confusing as I'm so used to it. Sometimes it sets up interesting resonances, though - Agatha Christie and Jane Austen on country house parties, for example. A book written in the 1850s and one written in the 2010s but set in the 1850s. A crime novel from the point of view of the cops, while reading a different crime novel from the point of view of the criminals.

One thing I have noticed is that simultaneous reading shows up a poor writer. I can read good writers with very different styles, at the same time - Thomas Hardy and Harlan Ellison, for example - and they both come out looking good. However, if I'm reading something good I can't at the same time read a pot-boiler that would otherwise strike me as readable if not wonderful. I can reasonably enjoy, oh, Mary Higgins Clark, if that's all there is to read, but not at the same time I'm reading something more artful.

I'm sure I'm not the only simultaneous reader out there - what's your experience?

I read multiple books at once. I'll start one, find another one, put the first one down, then come back to it. Right now I'm in the middle of several novels. I just read whichever one I'm in the mood for when I feel like reading. At the moment, I'm partway through "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett, "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan, "High Five" by Janet Evanovich, and "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo, all at varying stages of completion.

I usually have three or four books going. I'm in several online book groups, so really there's no choice for me, lol. I generally fare pretty well but also had a problem when there were two 19th Century English manor house ones going--and both with widowers with daughters.

I usually only read one at a time, especially if it's not a re-read, but lately I've been reading one on the computer and one on good old paperback.

I usually have two going - one on my Kindle and one in paperback because I don't trust myself with my Kindle in the bath!
I've got "Mystery" by Kellerman going on the Kindle and am still struggling with "Brother Odd" in paperback. Almost done and it's getting almost interesting!

I read two or three at a time: one on cassette tape, one on digital cartridge, and one in Braille. Right now, those three are “Sum of All Fears” by Tom Clancy (cassette), “Daughters-in-law” by Joanna Trollope (cartridge), and “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini. I normally read or listen tone based on what I’m in the mood for.

I'm a one at a time reader. If I try to read two or more, I become disinterested in whatever book interests me the least and read the interesting one to completion. If I find the book dull it usually takes me a lot longer to read it because I slog through it and don't get anxious to read, so it may take up to a month for me to finish it. If it's a great book, I can read it in a couple days.

I've also never tried an audio book. Not sure why...probably from lack of an ipod or portable device in which to listen on.

Next time you go for a long drive, take a book out from the library on CD and listen to it in the car, see if you like it.

A well produced audiobook is a real pleasure. I"m listening to Dickens' "Hard Times" right now - I have hardly any memory of it from when I first read it, all I remember is that it was far from my favourite, but this production is so good I'm enjoying it immensely. The reader has a very expressive voice.

I usually have two if not three books on the go at once. Drives my husband mad, he doesn't know how I keep them all straight in my head. I use audio books when I'm gardening, especially when I'm pricking out seedlings, which is one of those jobs where your hands just automatically do what they have to do, so music or an audio book is an ideal companion when you're working your way through several hundred seedlings.