Is this normal?

[Enjoyingthejourney]

My 8yr old has a pile of books on his desk. When I asked what the current read was, he pointed to four different books. He is reading them simultaneously. It seemed extremely unorthodox, as I love to immerse myself in one at a time only. He did seem to be able to keep track, however. Is it common to do this? I tried likening it to watching/following several tv series at the same time which I guess would be understandable. Does it work with books for some people?
My 6yr old has three on the go too, apparently as he didn't want to stop in the middle of a Judy Blume series, but Gangster Granny was too tempting, as was the book on pirates. Maybe a family trait that I had not noticed?..
Do anyone else's children do this? Are they still able to absorb the plot at the same time?

[Enjoyingthejourney]

Sorry, moderators. I intended to post this in Everything Else. Is it possible to have it moved, please?

[Sally-Anne]

Moved for you.

And yes, I have done this many times, and known a fair few people (children included) who do. Not sure why - I'll have to think on it!

[Enjoyingthejourney]

Thank you, Sally-Anne.

[Tinkers]

DD does this to some extent too. When she reads in bed she picks up whichever one she feels in the mood for.

[JaneEyre]

My 6yr old has three on the go too, apparently as he didn't want to stop in the middle of a Judy Blume series, but Gangster Granny was too tempting, as was the book on pirates.

I am under the impression you have found the cause of this 'multi-tasking'! It is a wonderful cause when we consider the number of children who do not read regularly!

Wishing both of them many many happy hours 'devouring' books

[booellesmum]

Mine both do this.
DD2 at one point had 5 on the go - the school book, the one she was reading herself, and the ones she was reading with me, dad and her sister. Apparently it is unthinkable to read the same book at bedtime with different people as they wouldn't know what was going on next time! Very kind of her!

[RedVelvet]

My son does this and I often have a couple on the go. So many books so little time...

[marigold]

I always have at least three on the go. A " chic lit" for reading in the bath, a proper book for when someone asks what I am reading at the moment, a murder mystery to read on the sofa whilst accompanying DH watching rugby/swimming/cycling and today I am invigilating one pupil ( so am allowed to read a book ) for a very long exam so I will go and find and old favourite to help pass the time.
Two of my children are exactly the same.

[loobylou]

I cannot do this at all - and my children don't either - but I have several friends who do. They seem quite normal