Parallel Reading as a Strategy Among Avid Adult Readers － Exploring Concepts and Practical Mechanisms

This study investigates the phenomenon of “parallel reading,” where a single reader engages with multiple books in an overlapping, sequential manner. The proliferation of digital platforms that provide book recommendations, reviews, and reading logs has facilitated easier access to information on a wide range of books, influencing shifts in reading behaviors. Furthermore, the availability of both print and digital formats has encouraged readers to begin new books before completing those in progress. This study explores the environmental factors driving the rise of parallel reading and presents a refined conceptual framework for understanding this practice. A survey of avid adult readers assessed their engagement in parallel reading, underlying motivations and criteria for choosing multiple books, and their perspectives on the practice. The results indicate that over half of the respondents engaged in parallel reading, with readers adapting their reading strategies to suit different contexts.