Reading three chess books at a time?

Hi. I read somewhere that it's not benficial to read a lot of chess books at one time and that it's better to finish one book before starting another.

I'm in a dilemma however. I'm currently reading Bronstein's tournament book and it's a long book. I'm also juggling an opening book because I need to work on my openings for OTB tournaments. I'm thinking about starting to read an endgame book. For me personally, it's more interesting if I vary my chess studying and read / work on different chess areas instead of just focusing specifically on one area for a long time.

Would that hurt me or help me? Thanks. (If it makes any difference, my OTB rating is 1830ish USCF)

You're stronger than I am, but I see no problem whatsoever in reading / studying the several books you speak of. Indeed, the books represent different phases and different looks at the game of chess. If you've got the time, and balance that with play, go for it.

Speaking strictly as a college student, I think the problem with reading too many books at once (in any discipline) is that some people fail to get the depth out of each book (IE they spread themselves thin). This advice for chess books is not unique to chess. So personally, I think this is all up to your learning style and ability to absorb very dry technical information.

As long as you are not trying to study 50 at once, I am sure that it is doable (hey, if you have made it to 1830, you must be doing something right)

IMHO

You summed it up pretty well yourself. If it's more interesting for you to read three books at once that then that's the most important thing. I think it can only help since it will keep you more motivated.

I also agree with ColdCoffee though, that by reading several books at once it takes me longer to get much value from any one book, but at least I don't get bored. So yea it's definitely possible that it's hurting our rating in the short term, but maybe it's a good thing for the long term. Who knows.