It recently occurred to me that I’ve been way behind on my reading lately. I have a huge stack of books that I’m very much looking forward to delving through, ranging from Robert Van de Castle’s Our Dreaming Mind to Michael Chabon’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. Bunches of others; three by Christopher Moore, some Stephen Fry, some Jared Diamond… all of which I really want to read. But I find myself spending all my free time in front of my computer, even when there’s really nothing to do.
So I examined my life, to try and figure out why I’ve been so remiss on my reading habits, and I came to the realization that I don’t have a comfortable, well-lit place to read.
I used to read in bed, but ever since I fell madly in love and moved in with my boyfriend, our differing schedules prevent me from my usual late-night literary pursuits. The living room is set up for watching movies. I sometimes read on the back porch, but that’s only feasible when I’m reading e-books on my palm pilot; the lighting is terrible. Especially at night.
Now that I’ve made that realization, I’ve also realized that there’s plenty of space in my home office to set up a comfy reading space. I’m thinking a club chair and an ottoman, maybe, or one of those nifty massage chairs, and a floor lamp. Nothing extravagant, just a designated reading space. So, this weekend, I hit the consignment shops.
In anticipation of this great and momentous event, and in celebration of my ability to finally see the stunningly obvious, I thought I’d ask all you Dopers to contribute your tales of reading locales. Do you have a particular place you always read? What’s it like? Was there ever someplace that was just perfect to settle down in with a book and while away the days? What would be your ideal reading nook?
I’m female and I read on the pot. Got into the habit from visiting my father, who has massive amounts of reading material in his bathrooms. I also read at the dinner table when I can. I have a different book in each bathroom and sometimes a third at the table. I devour books wink.
In bed, mostly. For an hour or two every night before I turn in.
Also, on the train—and I spend a lot of time on trains these days. Much of that time spent saying, “will you shut the hell up on that goddam cell phone, I am trying to read!”
I used to read everywhere: in bed, in a comfy chair with ottoman in the living room, at work during lunch. These days, however, I have taken up knitting and so I just read while sitting on the toilet. I can’t really knit there. Sometimes I read ABOUT knitting there. I often will be sitting there for like 10 - 15 minutes at a time, just for pee pee, reading.
I read in a tree. No, seriously…I have an office built in a tree, I built it over the summer. I used Nelson Treehouse plans and the finished prodect looks very similar to this Nelson Treehouse.
I have a busy job, and a busy home, but when I want to get away I go out back and walk up the stairs to my little retreat. It’s fully furnished and has electric and heat. I have a desk up there and a really comfy sitting couch. A port for my laptop dsl and everything. It’s fair to say I spend many hours up there most recently I was grading papers up there last night till the wee hours of the night. And I have slept up there countless times…sometimes my wonderful wife will come up and sleep with me Oh and no phones allowed.
That is where I like to read. I also enjoy walking out into the back field and reading in the wheat grass, and who can resist reading in a nice cozy hammock on a breezy summer day…Come on Spring Hurry up!
I have a comfy chair with an ottoman as well as an end table & lamp close to hand where I do the majority of my reading.
In bed occasionally, usually half-propped up on my side, with a pillow under the book.
I read in the bathroom as well , not only when on the commode, but also while brushing my teeth. (yes - I’m that much of a bibliovore!)
At my family’s cottage on Lake Michigan - I do lots of beach & porch reading, and used to have a favorite tree to climb - I remember reading Auntie Mame and The House of Seven Gables while in that tree. Not much about the books themselves, just where I read them.
I’ve been remiss in my reading lately as well. I think the biggest problem is a quiet place to do it, which simply doesn’t exist in my house. It’s a small place, the TV is usually on, and the only good lighting is in the living room. I used to get up early and read for a half hour or so before work, but now I’m working out at that time, so I can’t do it anymore. I really should bring a book to lunch and read then…
Wow. Those treehouses are beautiful. Wonderful. I have a little tear in my eye, I like them so much. My SO and I are fond of trees, especially conifers. His ideal hangout would be a treehouse in a stand of hemlocks and Douglas firs. Thankyou very, very much for the link.
In the can. In bed. On the couch while watching TV. I usually have some kind of news site open in a browser window so I can flip back-and-forth from reading to working all day long. Pretty much constantly.
In bed, on the toilet, or on the balcony with a cigarette. (I have a third floor apartment with a lake and fountain view and a screened balcony… I love Florida)
I read everywhere–on the couch, at the table when I can get away with it, in the bathroom (while brushing my teeth), in bed. While cooking dinner, sometimes. The couch is the comfiest spot, though.
I used to read out on the balcony when we lived in an apartment, but I don’t really read well outside. I get distracted by all the other good stuff going on, so now I mostly read inside and enjoy outside differently.
If I lived anywhere but the godforsakendesert, I’d be looking into getting a treehouse right now.
So, anyway, I did it. I told my boyfriend about my sudden need for a reading nook, and not only did he understand, he thought it was a great idea. So we went out this evening, and at Sam’s Club, we found this microfiber lounge chair/ottoman combination that’s insanely comfortable. Add in a floor lamp from Walmart, and a little rearranging of my office, and I’ve got a reading nook.
I’m amazed I’m the first so far but the bath is my only place of peace for reading. In fact, the only reason I have a bath normally is so I can go and read!
Yes, I shower normally - in preference to smelling!
Restaurants and the like. I always have a a book ot two with me - in my briefcase, in the car, and if I stop for a meal I like to drag it out. I tell the waiter/waitress that I am in no hurry and order a coffee. Later I order my meal and dawdle over it. Then I order another drink and dawdle over it while reading.
This is Summer activity though. My place is so hot I don’t want to get home before the sun goes down.
Oh and no phones allowed.