the171 Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Is it a good idea to read multiple books at oone time? Or will the meaning, etc. be forgotten? I'm reading Spirit of the Liturgy, Story of a Soul, Life in a Jewish Family, Essays on the Hidden Life. i'm just worried I'll get lost. I haven't yet. What's your experience with reading multiple at the same time? What books are you reading? This is just a book type thing. Sorry if this already was asked. Pax! (I'M ON PHATMASS AT SCHOOL!!!YEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeresaBenedicta Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 I generally read multiple books at a time... but of different types and intensities. For spiritual reading, I almost always have two books going. One being a saint book (life of a saint, etc) and the other being more on the spiritual life. Then I also have at least one or two more academic or intellectually stimulating books on my plate. And, if I'm in the mood, a nice novel as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaPetiteSoeur Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Well... I used to follow the "one book at a time" rule that I established for myself. That went out the window the minute I started college. Right now, I'm in the middle of four books: The diary of St. Faustina, A Broken and Mended Heart (about St. Francis), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (a fun book), Justice (for my Community and the Individual Honors option class), and Bayou Farewell (which makes me cry). But all of these books are very different from one another. I think as long as you have some variety you'll be fine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aya Sophia Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 In monastic formation (both Benedictine and Carmelite) we were told to read one book at a time (my Benedictine novice mistress quoted John Cassian saying something like "The devil doesn't like a monk of one book," or some such thing). Strictly speaking we would read up to three books at a time but only one of them would be unrelated to Scripture. So, we would read Scripture, a book [u]about[/u] Scripture (if we chose) and then another non-Scriptural or non-Scripturally-related book. Limiting the type and number of books we read at one time can, in itself, be a spiritual exercise, strengthening our will and ability to choose [u]and[/u] digest solid spiritual food. The reverse, picking and choosing among selection of titles according to what is most attractive to us or how we're feeling at the moment, has a tendency to weaken our will and purpose. Does this make sense? Not the best "apology" for being a "monk of one book" perhaps but, from my experience, I highly recommend doing lectio in this "singular" way . . . . P.S. all of the above applies just to spiritual reading - reading for school and "light" reading are different animules altogether . . . ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the171 Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 All my reading is spiritual. For high school reading, Spark & Cliff Notes suffice. So much easier. haha I was actually in my english class when I wrote this. Our teacher can't spell. But that was off-topic. oops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyP89 Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Everyone is different. If you feel you can juggle more than one book at a time, and are absorbing and enjoying it, then why not? Read on, I say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaPetiteSoeur Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 [quote name='the171' timestamp='1318374615' post='2319850'] All my reading is spiritual. For high school reading, Spark & Cliff Notes suffice. So much easier. haha I was actually in my english class when I wrote this. Our teacher can't spell. But that was off-topic. oops [/quote] You should try to read the original of some books. If you have to read any Austen, read the original! It's so good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InPersonaChriste Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 (edited) [quote name='the171' timestamp='1318374615' post='2319850'] All my reading is spiritual. For high school reading, Spark & Cliff Notes suffice. So much easier. haha I was actually in my english class when I wrote this. Our teacher can't spell. But that was off-topic. oops [/quote] My mother told me that Spark & Cliff notes was cheating if I did not read the original texts (well that and it was completely useless if I had to read from text aloud in class). I encourage you to read some of the original texts! I would have missed so much of the stories and importance if I had only read the outlines! As for spiritual books, I am working on a daily meditation book and the bible. I usualy have 2 books going at the same time, but the do not really interfere with eachother. Edited October 14, 2011 by InPersonaChriste Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureSister2009 Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 I try to read multiple books but it doesn't always work out well. I try to keep it to one at a time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaPetiteSoeur Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 [quote name='InPersonaChriste' timestamp='1318599003' post='2321139'] My mother told me that Spark & Cliff notes was cheating if I did not read the original texts (well that and it was completely useless if I had to read from text aloud in class). I encourage you to read some of the original texts! I would have missed so much of the stories and importance if I had only read the outlines! As for spiritual books, I am working on a daily meditation book and the bible. I usualy have 2 books going at the same time, but the do not really interfere with eachother. [/quote] In high school, my friends and I would read the original, but use sparknotes for clarification and to catch all of those hidden meanings we missed! The quizzes there are also good for preparing for tests. But Brave New World and Pride and Prejudice wouldn't have been the same without the original text! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the171 Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 [quote name='LaPetiteSoeur' timestamp='1318696680' post='2321614'] In high school, my friends and I would read the original, but use sparknotes for clarification and to catch all of those hidden meanings we missed! The quizzes there are also good for preparing for tests. But Brave New World and Pride and Prejudice wouldn't have been the same without the original text! [/quote] we read stupid books. our teahcer gives us 8th grade books.... yeah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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