There seems to be a name for everything. Recently, I read an article that discussed tips for reading more books. The article referenced another article that talked about parallel reading. I had never heard that term before, so I was curious to find out more. The concept, parallel reading, is essentially reading more than one book at the same time. The writer gave examples of why you’d want to read more than one book at the same time.
For example, let’s say, you’re reading a book on a very difficult subject. So, instead of putting it down for a few months to get a break, and not reading anything during that time, you could start reading another book on a lighter topic. I know that I’m nitpicking, but the term parallel reading as defined, makes no sense to me, when I think of the meaning of the word parallel. Why not say it’s reading multiple books at the same time.
Reading Multiple Books at the Same Time to Read More Books
In most articles and books that provide strategies for reading more books, they do recommend that you read several books simultaneously. So the new article wasn't really giving you new information. What was new was the name for the concept. In fact, in March 2015, I bought a program called Read More Books from Brandon Vogt. And reading more than one book at the same time was one of the strategies presented for reading more books.
More recently, while I was reading Turn the Page by Chris Brady, he also offered the same recommendation. I love murder mysteries and thrillers. So, I read them in between reading business books that are often very dry and boring. But my tendency is to finish one book before I start to read another. Do you read one book at a time? Or do you have multiple books on the go?
In Turn the Page, the author says that people who read five or six books at the same time, end up reading more books than someone like myself, who reads one book at a time.
“People who have five or six books to choose from every time they think about reading typically read a lot more than those who have only one.”
When you’re reading multiple books at the same time, it appears that your focus shifts from the content of any one book to the questions and challenges you want to resolve as you read.
“The focus isn’t on the book you’re reading but on the questions and challenges you’re seeking to answer as you read. With this approach, several books are far better than one.”
Brady says that authors are mentors, which means that when you read multiple books, you receive more mentorship. I seldom have multiple books on the go. I will stop reading a book that’s boring and dry, then read another one completely before going back to the original one.
Turn the Page is a must-read because it has so much instructive information on how to get more from your reading time. Because of what I’ve learned from the book so far, I'm willing to try reading multiple books in the last two weeks in October.
Have you read?
How to Cheat at Reading More Books
Avil Beckford’s Test to Read Multiple Books at the Same Time
I'm interested in learning more about leadership and self-leadership. With so many changes taking place globally, how has leadership changed? Which leadership strategies still work and no longer work? What does it take to be an effective leader today? Do business leaders need to change business models because of the rapid changes taking place around us? These are some tough questions that are worth thinking about.
I have a hard time flittering from book to book because I end up not finishing any of them. I’m trying to be optimistic here, but my only reference for reading multiple books at the same time is my inability to complete them. But this is something that I must do since this is a test. With this in mind, I have to approach things differently. I always say that everything starts with a purpose.
Purpose for Reading Multiple Books at the Same Time
I’m reading multiple books at the same time because I want to become a better leader, but I’m throwing other books into the mix to engage in intersection thinking.
Outcome Statement
- Learn strategies to become a better leader.
- Find new leadership models.
- Discover new ideas to use.
Questions I Have
- How do I become a better leader?
- What does it mean to be a leader today?
- What are the traits and characteristics of the best leaders?
- How do you lead in a time of change?
- Which leadership strategies still work and no longer work.
- What does it take to be an effective leader today?
- Do business leaders need to change business models because of the rapid changes taking place around us?
- What do the best leaders read?
Seven Books to Read at the Same Time
To give myself options, below are 12 books, of which I’ll be reading seven of them.
- The Score Takes Care of Itself by Bill Walsh, Steve Jamison, and Craig Walsh
- Self-Leadership by Ryan Reed
- The Leadership Gap by Lolly Daskal
- Love Leadership by John Hope Bryan
- Brave Leadership, Kimberly Davis
- How Women Rise, Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith
- Business Model Shifts by Patrick van der Pijl, Justin Lokitz
- Launching a Leadership Revolution by Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward
- The Invincible Company by Alexander Osterwalder, Yves Pigneur
- Love-Based Business Models by Shawn Driscoll
- Why Leadership Sucks by Miles Anthony Smith, Book 1
- Why Leadership Sucks by Miles Anthony Smith, Book 2
Expectations: Reading Multiple Books at the Same Time
To increase my chances of success reading multiple books at the same time, I’ve added more structure, as you can see. I don’t think it will be an easy feat for me. But I’m more optimistic about things. I’m going to kick off the reading challenge with Self-Leadership, Love Leadership, and the two Why Leadership Sucks books because they are the shortest books on the list. And I’ll make sure that I read some books on business models.
I'll be closely monitoring my experience reading multiple books at the same time and document it in a journal. You’re welcome to accompany me on this journey. If I’m successful, I’ll repeat the process because I want to write a book on intersection thinking. So, in the future, when I’m reading multiple books at the same time, I want to make sure that I’m reading books across multiple disciplines.
As I’m writing this blog post, I find myself getting into the reading challenge. And I’m starting to feel excited.
The most accomplished people use books as problem solving tools. They carve out the time in their schedule to find solutions in the pages of a book. Let me help you to solve your own problems. Additionally, this program helps you to learn valuable career skills. Click the link MoreReads Success Blueprint Accelerator Program to buy.
Book to Buy
Turn the Page by Chris Brady
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