# Where Do You Read? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 3, 2001, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111 "2001-10-03T02:47:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/1 "2001-10-03T02:47:35Z")
I would like to give up reading in bed, so I wanted to post this to the **Society** in hopes that y’all might give me some details on _your_ reading environments and times of day, lighting, etc. I have a La-Z-Boy-type recliner, but like I said, I have been reading in bed for so long, I hardly ever spend time in it. I am single, live in an apartment and the only distraction I have is my cat, Susie. I’m not looking to smoke a pipe or put on a smoking jacket, but I sure wouldn’t balk at covering up with a blanket:). So if you would, tell me how and where _you_ read. Thanks Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/2 "2001-10-03T02:52:35Z")
In studyhall,in bed or laying on the couch. I always sit under a light so I have bright light. I can read anytime during the day. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/3 "2001-10-03T02:54:14Z")
Why would you want to give up reading in bed? It’s such a lovely vice. I do most of my work reading at my desk, and I simply must read at least a few pages for pleasure before dropping off at night. Otherwise, the couch is nice, with pillows behind me and a blankie on top, but since my bed is the fold-out futon on the other side of the coffee table, that’s hardly a long trip. ---
**Author:** ![frock75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ad7895/32.png) [@frock75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frock75)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/4 "2001-10-03T02:57:56Z")
At the back table in a local pub. I usualy read until the letters start dancing around, then I mingle. Regulars don’t think it’s odd, but casual bar patrons tend to look at me funny. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/5 "2001-10-03T04:05:54Z")
These days, in bed or on the can. Ebooks on the Palm Pilot are great. I always have reading material on me. And, sad to say, that’s where I get most of my reading done nowadays. In less frantically busy times, I purchased a deck chair specifially so I could go out on the deck and read. Boy that was nice. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/6 "2001-10-03T04:15:09Z")
Everywhere I possibly can. On the subway. On the bus. At work when no one’s looking. In my bed at home. Perched on my windowsill. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/7 "2001-10-03T13:13:51Z")
I usually read on my couch, occasionally on my bed. Back in my stuck-with-an-asshole-roommate days, I sometimes went to a local cemetary to get peace and quiet. It was actually a rather nice place to read–hilly, lots of grass and sunlight, fresh air, and nobody makes much noise. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/8 "2001-10-03T13:30:57Z")
Reading in bed rules. 'nuff said!😉 (BTW: DON’T drop your book on **AG** ’s head… she has no sense of humor when she’s sleeping…) ---
**Author:** ![Xerxes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d2c977/32.png) [@Xerxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xerxes)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/9 "2001-10-03T13:31:14Z")
I’m with Frock; nothing better than a quiet pub/bar, quiet pint and a great book. Walking to work, in bed, on bed, on floor, on couch and last [sub]but definitely not least[/sub] in the bath. We have a huge old-fashioned freestanding bath and there just isn’t anything nicer than a Sunday afternoon soak. Only downside is that you look like a prune for an hour or so, and if you doze off you’re likely to drown the book. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/10 "2001-10-03T13:32:47Z")
Anywhere and everywhere (except when taking a bath). I read in bed. I read on the couch. I have several books and an opera score in the bathroom. I have a couple of magazines in the car for when I am stuck in traffic (not moving, of course). I always have a book for long lines at the DMV or the grocery store. And on my lunch break, I’ll go to the local bookstore, buy a sandwich and read for an hour. Favorite place: on the couch, oversized comforter, large pillow, cup of hot or iced tea (depending on the weather), some cookies, and Mud curled up on my feet. Some quiet and unobtrusive instrumental music on the CD player helps. ---
**Author:** ![Tiburon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e36b37/32.png) [@Tiburon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tiburon)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/11 "2001-10-03T14:08:19Z")
I tend to read a fair amount in bed. This was more of a vice when in school but I don’t consider it as much of one now. I also enjoy reading in the bathtub. Only once have I dropped a book in the tub. Part of my need to read in the tub is that I hate being bored. I want the downtime of being in the tub but I sure as heck can’t just sit in the hot water and pretend my toes are interesting. 🙂 I don’t read well outside (too distracting). I used to read in cafes and such but I get bored doing that, for some reason - and it is never quite as comfortable as bed or bath. Tibs. ---
**Author:** ![Tiburon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e36b37/32.png) [@Tiburon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tiburon)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/12 "2001-10-03T14:14:50Z")
I tend to read a fair amount in bed. This was more of a vice when in school but I don’t consider it as much of one now. I also enjoy reading in the bathtub. Only once have I dropped a book in the tub. Part of my need to read in the tub is that I hate being bored. I want the downtime of being in the tub but I sure as heck can’t just sit in the hot water and pretend my toes are interesting. 🙂 I don’t read well outside (too distracting). I used to read in cafes and such but I get bored doing that, for some reason - and it is never quite as comfortable as bed or bath. Tibs. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Raven\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@The\_Raven\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Raven_1)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/13 "2001-10-03T15:32:55Z")
Howyadoin, Preferred reading spot: the Throne Room. Peace and quiet, and it occupies my mind… Alternate spot: Big-ass LaZBoy recliner with a nice throw over me… Bathtub reading is good, but requires more dexterity than I usually possess. Reading in bed doesn’t work for me. I can’t just put down a book and turn out the light. Just one Doper’s opinion… -Rav ---
**Author:** ![Theobroma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@Theobroma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theobroma)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/14 "2001-10-03T15:50:30Z")
When my mother was a little girl, she used to curl up with a book in the entryway of her house, between the outer door (with the top window slightly open) and the inner door to the house proper. Best during a rainstorm. I have a telling little print in my downstairs potty. It shows a huge library, with books up the walls, and a shaft of light from one high window falling on a toilet in the middle of the room. The title: “Paradise.” My son, when he was four, called in to the bathroom: “Mommy!! Are you STILL pooping, or are you just trying to get rid of me so you can READ?!” My other all-time favorite reading place was in the University of AZ main library. When I was there (early 80’s) they had gigantic beanbags, maybe six feet across, in the window alcoves of the upper floors. Settle in, throw your backpack to one side, and read whatever you want, in perfect lighting, for as long as you like. _sigh_ I like reading in coffeehouses, with a huge latte and something sweet on the table. I have to be sure to wear my wedding ring, though, because such behavior is often interpreted as flirting. (Evidently.) Fast food places are good, too. Background noise becomes a steady hum, people generally leave you alone, and you have a nice table for your book. Plus, if you get a bit peckish, fries are always available. 🙂 If only I could read the SDMB in those places! ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/15 "2001-10-03T19:16:35Z")
I love to read in the bath. The only book I ever dropped was the _Big Book of Amber_, or whatever the omnibus volume is called. That really sucked. ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/16 "2001-10-03T19:37:26Z")
Reading in bed is great, except when you fall asleep with the light on and wake to find a creased book wherever it dropped. Or when the book is so good that you stay up way too late and have to go to work on 90 minutes of REM. I read everywhere. One thing that gets me odd looks is that I often read while walking from place to place, like on my way to lunch. In one place I worked, I often met people who would say, “Hey, you’re that guy who reads while walking! How do you do that?” I don’t recall ever not being able to do it, so I’m not sure what’s so surprising about it. You just have to get in the habit of glancing up from the page a lot so you don’t step in front of a car or walk into a telephone pole. Of course, you read a lot faster if you sit still so the book isn’t jiggling about all the time. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/17 "2001-10-03T19:52:05Z")
I read on the bus, in the bath, in bed, and occasionally while driving – as someone mentioned above, only when traffic is stopped, of course. Sometimes when traffic is truly awful, I can finish an entire magazine during the evening commute. (Incidentally, this is why I now do much of my reading on the bus…) I used to read more, but lately I’ve been doing a lot of cross-stitching, so that takes up my time instead. ---
**Author:** ![snermy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@snermy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snermy)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/18 "2001-10-03T20:34:20Z")
Glad to see I’m not the only one addicted to a niiice relaxing read in the tub. I buy duplicate copies of books I like at thrift store/used book stores for that very purpose. 😃 Read while watching TV a lot. But that’s only when the book’s kinda slow, and the show kinda sucks, but _in combination_ they are sufficiently amusing. I also like to tuck a paperback in my pocket when I go hiking. I don’t usually actually read it, but I do like to read outside. And it gets me to go hiking when I’m feeling like a veg: [sub][evil-n-whiny sner]_But I wanna stay on the couch and read Terry Pratchett whilst eating chocolate graham craaackers.[/sub]_ Crunching noises [sup][good sner]_You look like a mushroom. And it smells like fall and there are crunchy leavses and all the little birdies will be singing…[/sup]_ More crunching noises. [sub][good-n-sneaky sner]_And you can BRING THE BOOK AND FINISH IT THERE [/sub]_ Wanders off to locate sneakers. Okay, so that’s really where I mostly don’t read, but it always sounds like a good idea 😉 Actually, if you have insomnia at all it’s a really good idea to avoid reading in bed, because it gives you a habit of being in bed while awake. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/19 "2001-10-04T03:15:24Z")
The homemade bean-bag chair in the corner of my living room, mostly. I do love reading in bed (and why do you say it’s a vice?), but the only long-term comfortable position seems to be on one’s back, and your arms get tired holding the book above you. One of these times, I plan to build a Plexiglass stand that I can set above me in bed, with the book on top, to read through it. ---
**Author:** ![Eternal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@Eternal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eternal)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111/20 "2001-10-04T05:40:46Z")
Generally I read a chapter of a book each night before I go to bed. The book would have to be damn interesting for me to read any other time. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-read/85111.md?page=2)