I’ve been keeping track of my reading using an application on Facebook. It has been interesting to watch how many books I’ve read (only 10 so far this year) and how long it has taken me to read them.

I realized I have an strange pattern when it comes to reading. After thinking about it, I realized that I have always read this way, even when I was a kid. Here it is:

Start Book A: This is usually a book that for whatever reason I’m having trouble getting into, but that I really do want to read. I will usually get about two chapters into the book. Then I will:

Start Book B: This is more informational, like a reference book or a famous journal. For instance, two recent Book Bs were a book on four-season gardening and all of John Donne’s poetry. I will read half of the book and then I will:

Start Book C: Book C is a book I am excited about reading. It can be anything from a novel to a biography to a history book. I will start reading Book C, become obsessed and read all of it very quickly. (This also applies for books I have to read, like books I’m reviewing or using as research for an article.) Next, I’ll:

Finish Book C.

Alternate between Book B and Book A.

Finish Book B.

Finish Book A.

Yes, I really do finish Book A. I meant to do it all along, you see. Book B and Book C were distractions from the book I was really reading–which is Book A, of course.

I have no idea why I do this.