Our Deck!
I know it’s been a while since my last post, so hello there! For those of you whom I have not acquainted myself with yet, I’m Todd, Kim’s husband and chronicler of life with someone (cough) who is addicted to reading. Yes, it has its ups and downs, and I aim to tell you all about them (with a healthy side of humor) here. Today my aim is a little more physical, rather than emotional or intellectual: where do you read?
It seems an innocuous enough question on its face. “Well that’s easy,” you might say, “I always read on the couch” or “I always read in bed.” Sure, this is boring and vanilla, and I’m sure it’s perfectly true. But, when you come to think of it, you probably read in many more places than just at home on the couch. Planes, trains, car trips, and white water rafting all see their fair share of reading (okay so perhaps not the last one.) Point being, if reading is a big a part of your life (as it very well is with Kim,) physical location and comfort take a back seat to reading. I’ve seen her read cramped into impossible angles in the car, or with her Nook inches from her face in the darkness of our bedroom. I’ve seen her fall fast asleep with a book tented open on her face, or rolled over a few times myself in bed on a book that’s made its way under the comforter. I’ve even seen her read on the toilet and in the tub!
However, this summer has seen the rise of a new reading location: the deck. You see, we’ve never really had “an outside” as I like to say. Our old apartment in CT did not have a porch or patio, but our new apartment does have a deck. Although it’s only about 5 feet by 10 feet or so, it’s our own slice of the great outdoors. We’ve decked it out (pun definitely intended) with chairs, a small table, and a grill! Now that we have this space, Kim has taken no time in setting up a nice reading spot in a deck chair, complete with a giant umbrella overhead to block out the sun (before the umbrella, there was much sunburn to be had.) I’ve come home from work to find her out on the deck, oblivious to the world driving by below, fully immersed in a book.
So, that brings me back to my original point: where do you read? Is it a special place that you’ve cordoned off in your home, or is it anywhere you happen to have a book? Is it a special part of your daily routine, or do you catch a quick chapter here and there on the train ride home? Whatever the case may be, we can all agree that taking some time out to connect with a good book is invaluable. It’s whether or not you can get over that kink in your neck afterwards that’s the problem. So, let us know below about your favorite reading spot!
Reflections of a Book Addict 
Oh, I read everywhere! I read while folding laundry (I have serious skills) and while cooking, or I’ll just walk back and forth across my porch in the backyard while my dogs play. It’s awesome. But I do love just sitting on the couch under a blanket, or my love sac, or my bed, or next to my husband . . .
I’ll read anywhere that doesn’t make my neck hurt after a few continuous hours. This is usually the couch… (Boo on vanilla!) BUT, I can read anywhere. The best feeling in the world is waking up with a book on my chest and warm sand in my hair.
your deck looks SO similar to decks in an apartment complex near where I live. it is beyond familiar!!
I read in all the places you mentioned and in addition to that i read on my laptop at work (hurray epubs!), very crowded Mumbai local trains with someone’s hair in my face , while cooking in the kitchen i keep my book in a far corner and read with one eye on the food (Yes there have been more than one disasters), post coital reading is my personal favorite 😀
I’ll read anywhere, but the most common spot is my recliner. It’s funny, in most houses the recliner is usually the “man’s” chair, but everyone in my house calls it “Mom’s Chair”. It’s where I write my books too. But I also love the beach and my porch, definitely adore the bath tub and a good book, read in the car every chance I get (if hubby’s driving) and I’ve been caught on the toilet as well! 🙂 Any place is a good place to read.
My favourite place (and time) to read is in bed. Ever since I was a small child I have read before going to sleep. My other half finds it frustrating that I put down the book and I’m fast asleep in seconds whereas not being a reader he tosses and turns for ages first.
I love to read outside, too! I don’t care how hot it is.
It may be interesting to know where one doesn’t read. As for myself: Not particularly keen on coffee shops that plays music – monotonous noise doesn’t distract me at all, but music I’m afraid has deeply etched connections in my head that is now too late to disentangle itself. I can’t read for more than 45 minutes whilst lying down in bed: yawn and sleep eventually takes over (except in rare occasions.)
I read…at the pool, at the table, at the beach, on the couch, in the office (shhh!!), in bed, on the metro, at the gym, at the bookstore, anywhere and everywhere!
I mainly read on the bus ride to work and during my lunch break while eating. Also- bed+tea+lots of pillows+kitteh= perfection.
Yes! Agree with the tea and pillows
I read during nap times and love reading anywhere outside in the sun (deck or hammock!). Your post makes me want to read!! 🙂
I read in quiet places because that helps me get focus and stay that way, I have squizophrenia so temperature, a comfortable chair and maybe a little bit of music helps me a lot too ( :
I read everywhere: at my desk, in line at the grocery store, folded up on the couch, in bed first thing in the morning (my second favorite place to read), in the bathroom, in the kitchen while making dinner…. everywhere. If I have a spare minute, I’ll spend it reading. My favorite place to read is on the patio at my parents’ house.
Absolutely everywhere! I usually prefer to be laying down, whether that’s my bed, the couch or the grass outside.
Throughout the day various spots become sanctuaries to sit and read. Some common ones are the ace train (now that I commute to school), the floor in my room, under the trees at school, and often in my car if I have a few minutes to kill before work
Reblogged this on Sassy Bookworm Blog and commented:
One of the many beauties of books is that you can read them anywhere! Their joy can be transferred to wherever you are, and this post only highlights this!
Everywhere! However, the bath is my favorite place to read.
i catch atleast 2 chapters on the train ,bus and before i get to bed.
Well, living by the sea, you’d think that i’d choose the beach! But, rarely is it warm enough here in the UK! So, i mainly choose a trampoline over any over spot in the house or garden!
Me, oh I read anywhere with sufficient lighting. Lying on my belly on the bed, snuggling in a huge blanket while on my couch and in the free periods on my teacher’s desk are on the top of the list for where I read.
I’m a fanatic reader, like your wife, and find myself reading just about everywhere. I have been found all those strange positions you’ve listed about your wife and more. Recently, I’ve taken up listening to books on CD in my car where ever I drive. I also have another book on CD in my stereo at all times for when I want to clean or cross stitch, or fold laundry, or whatever I have to do which involves both of my hands.
Perhaps my all time favorite place to read, though, is in the bathtub. There’s just something relaxing about soaking in warm water and having a good book to keep you company.
Thank you for this fun post!
I will read just about anywhere, anytime, and on/in anything. My husband teases me because he’s caught me reading while brushing my teeth!
I always read when brushing my teeth!. Brushing my teeth takes a long while, so I use the time to read.
And there is always the temptation of having a free hand to deal with!
Reblogged this on BoxedInWit and commented:
As I was surfing through the blogs I’ve started to follow, I discovered this little gem here that I want to share.
This is such a great question! I never really thought about where I end up reading because it seems to be any where I can bring a book with me. Doctors offices, work (for my breaks), the bathroom, feeding a baby, sitting at the park, babysitting, cooking, you know, everywhere. Here’s my comment on Todd’s post:
“I’m a fanatic reader, like your wife, and find myself reading just about everywhere. I have been found all those strange positions you’ve listed about your wife and more. Recently, I’ve taken up listening to books on CD in my car where ever I drive. I also have another book on CD in my stereo at all times for when I want to clean or cross stitch, or fold laundry, or whatever I have to do which involves both of my hands.
Perhaps my all time favorite place to read, though, is in the bathtub. There’s just something relaxing about soaking in warm water and having a good book to keep you company.”
Now I want to pose the question to you! Where do you read? Where is the strangest place you’ve ever found yourself reading? Don’t be shy, we’ve all done it!
I read practically anywhere. Bed , couch, car, plane, bathroom, anywhere. Anytime I feel that I can spare a hand to hold a paperback in my hand, I take the chance to read a chapter or two. I don’t specify a certain time of the day to reading, but it definitely is on my everyday to-do list.
wherever the afternoon sun is!
http://gettingfitbecominglegit.com/
I read on the tube, it helps me cope with rush hour. It so easy to get lost in a book and forget your surroundings. I do like to read in comfort too 🙂
Reblogged this on Brainfluff and commented:
…anywhere I can manage to read without hurting someone/being rude… Which doesn’t leave as many places to read as I’d like. What about you? Where do YOU read?