Actually, Try Reading Several Books at Once

Five Reasons to Be a Promiscuous, Polygamous Reader

Several years back I attended a discussion group that hosted a philosophy professor sharing his thoughts on intellectual engagement. How do we cultivate the life of the mind? At this remove the only part of his answer I recall is the bit that stuck in my craw.

“Read one book at a time,” he advised.

This was a very serious and thoughtful man with a consid…