I've added a "now reading" section to the sidebar, just as I said I would.  The intention of this is twofold.

First, and probably most important, is to show you what I'm currently reading.  My hope is that, for those of you who enjoy reading — and even for those of you who don't but indulge from time to time — you will take interest in one or more of the books shown and will read it as well.

Second, and this is most important on a personal level, I want this to push me to read more.  I love to read, but I have been sadly remiss in cosseting this habit.  I am telling myself that publicly displaying the books I'm reading will push me to be diligent so that they're not displayed for too long.  That's terribly silly.  If it works though…

Before you ask, let me say this: yes, I generally read more than one book at a time.  I did not do this when I was young.  On the contrary, I focused solely and entirely on one book at a time.  This is why I was reading 3-5 books per week — I would sit and read and would not raise my head from the time I got home until it was time to go to bed.  I don't know why, but now I prefer to keep myself engaged with two or three books at a time.  This allows me to mix and match what I'm reading from day to day.  I'm not sure why this appeals to me more than focusing on a single text.  Maybe it's a sign of getting older, or — and I hope it's this — maybe it's a sign of my increasing insanity. (I just think that would be more fun.)