Is More Than One Book At A Time Too Many?

People are often baffled by the number of books that I read at one time. Usually I am reading 4-5, plus listening to another one on my school drop offs.

How do you do it?
Don't you get confused?
Don't you forget?

These are some of the questions that I often get from people.

My goal is never read fast, though.
It's always to read deep.

​One of the powers of reading multiple books at a time is the connections that you can make between the different perspectives.

I think too often we read or learn something and think that it is "the truth" so we go on and share it with others, without realizing that other "truths" exist that compliment or even contradict the first one.

For example, right now I am in the midst of Dare to Lead™ training with the team at @DareSwitzerland and yesterday we were talking all about shame and empathy and how when we get into a shame storm, we put on our armor and self-protect. We think only about us, and can engage in behaviors that damage the team.

Last night, I was reading the book Belonging: Remebering Ourselves Home by Toka-Pa Turner and she says:

By themselves organs are useless -- unless they work together in their wholly individualized ways, to serve the greater body.

​Then in the book The Power of Giving Away Power by Matthew Barzun, which I am re-reading, he writes:

 We have not yet learned to live together....How could we create spaces where each person could at once stand out and fit in?

​Three different sources.
Three different perspectives.
Three different ideas around individuality and teamwork.

That is why I read multiple books at a time.

My growth doesn't come from adhering to one point of view.

My growth comes from connecting multiple ideas, seeing how they align with my values, passions, and purpose, and then integrating those that match by taking action.

How many books do you read at one time?

Originally posted on LinkedIn
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Read Deeper Not Faster