Reading Habits

[SFG75]

This is the thread to tell us how you do it!

 

We have a few threads floating about on the forum about bits of our many and varied reading habits and this is the thread to bring them together.

 

Is noise allowed? The TV or the children?

Indoors or out? Morning or Evening?

Do you read on sofa or do you prefer to snuggle in bed with a good read?

Is a cuppa close to hand? Do you feast while you read?

Does everything have to be just so?

 

So what's your reading habit?

 

I read in the evening when I have peace and quiet. In otherwords, the kids are in bed. My wife loves her t.v. shows, but I can't read something "serious" and have her in the same room. If I'm reading something light hearded or a news magazine, then I join her for the sake of company.

 

My idyllic reading experience is up in the rockies in Estes Park, CO. Usually at 8 at night and the temp being around 40 with some hot coffee and smell of wonderful pine trees in the air. The mountains are all around and its a bit foggy, nothing like that experience in the world. I've enjoyed it every time I visited.

[vinay87]

I try not to walk and read at the same time anymore since tripping over the corner of a paving slab a while back Luckily I didn't fall over but I was really embarrassed as there were a fair few spectators :D

 

I used to have that superpower as a kid. I grew out of it. I used to read as I walked and while I was reading I never tripped. Now that I've stopped, I trip all the time when I walk without reading.

[Nicola]

I used to have that superpower as a kid. I grew out of it. I used to read as I walked and while I was reading I never tripped. Now that I've stopped, I trip all the time when I walk without reading.

 

Sounds like you need to take up the art of reading while walking again Vinay! If only to save your poor toes

[I'mRose]

I always bring a book everywhere I go just incase I'd get some time to read. I can read pretty much anywhere, noice dosn't matter. I used to read alot on busses and trains when I was traveling to and from school. Now I normally just read on the coach or in bed.

[BookJumper]

I used to read & walk all the time back at home, even when crossing roads - I'd never dare in London though, that'd just be suicidal!!!

[StephenKingman]

I used to read & walk all the time back at home, even when crossing roads - I'd never dare in London though, that'd just be suicidal!!!

 

Jesus, be careful!!

 

Its suicidal to walk across roads in London even when you are NOT reading so eyes forward

[chrysalis_stage]

I used to read & walk all the time back at home, even when crossing roads - I'd never dare in London though, that'd just be suicidal!!!

 

It would indeed!

 

I used to read and walk when younger but I did walk into a fair few bins on bin day when I forgot they would be out on the pavement.

 

I always take a book with me if I think there will be a chance of reading time. At work I have maybe 15 mins max to read but I rarely do because the rest of the staff speak so loudly it is impossible. I would never take a book to the supermarket, although i'm tempted everytime, just for comfort.

[Steeeeve]

I also try and take a book with me wherever I go. Even to the point of planning what to wear around my book. My winter jacket has a massive pocket that can take even large books.

I'm always annoyed when I can't wear it or can't carry a bag with me. The other night I had to dress kind of smart(ish) so just took a small book of MR James short stories with me in my pocket.

 

I can usually read if the tv is on or if music's playing but it takes me a while to get into it properly and I'm snapped out easily.

Work is the most annoying. I can read with the music on in the staff room but people still chat to me when I'm clearly trying to read. I wish I was less polite so I could tell them to shut their stupid faces but I can't.

I try to give them hints by not really replying or looking up but they don't seem to get it.

[Tristan]

Work is the most annoying. I can read with the music on in the staff room but people still chat to me when I'm clearly trying to read. I wish I was less polite so I could tell them to shut their stupid faces but I can't.

I try to give them hints by not really replying or looking up but they don't seem to get it.

 

 

Social interaction.. it's a world of misinterpretation, isn't it? I've had the same experience countless of times, so I know where you're coming from. Simply too polite to deny someone a conversation.

 

I prefer reading on my own, in a calm, warm (when it's cold out) and sereen environment. A cup of coffee, the sound of classical (or lounge) music coming from across the room.. those are the perfect circumstances as far as I'm concerned.

 

when it's hot out, I like to go reading in a nearby forest. On a bench or under a tree, whatever takes my fancy. I take my bike, some books and off I am. The lonely traveller. Perfect solitude. The way I like it.

[Steeeeve]

 

when it's hot out, I like to go reading in a nearby forest. On a bench or under a tree, whatever takes my fancy. I take my bike, some books and off I am. The lonely traveller. Perfect solitude. The way I like it.

 

I often read in my garden after work in the summer. Since there's nothign else out there it also removes the temptation of wasting time on the internet. As I am now. Oops.

[Tristan]

Since there's nothign else out there it also removes the temptation of wasting time on the internet. As I am now. Oops.

 

 

Oops indeed.

[chrysalis_stage]

I also try and take a book with me wherever I go. Even to the point of planning what to wear around my book. My winter jacket has a massive pocket that can take even large books.

I'm always annoyed when I can't wear it or can't carry a bag with me. The other night I had to dress kind of smart(ish) so just took a small book of MR James short stories with me in my pocket.

 

I can usually read if the tv is on or if music's playing but it takes me a while to get into it properly and I'm snapped out easily.

Work is the most annoying. I can read with the music on in the staff room but people still chat to me when I'm clearly trying to read. I wish I was less polite so I could tell them to shut their stupid faces but I can't.

I try to give them hints by not really replying or looking up but they don't seem to get it.

 

Yes I am similar. I just bought a coat with massive pockets so it's okay for me atm until it gets too hot and I cannot wear it any longer.

 

I know what you mean about work. I wish I could tell people 'I'm trying to enjoy my break time and my idea of enjoying that time is relaxing with my book now will you please shut up' but alas I am polite on the outside like you and nod, smile and reply to whatever they are speaking about.

Although I am impressed by some of the people at work, they have shown an interest and asked what I am reading and had a look at it and then I've had a few good conversations about books during break which is better than just normal gossip and bitching.

 

When it's hot out, I like to go reading in a nearby forest. On a bench or under a tree, whatever takes my fancy. I take my bike, some books and off I am. The lonely traveller. Perfect solitude. The way I like it.

 

That sounds lovely!

I like to do the same but I have found finding a place where no one will come and disturb you is quite hard in my home town.

Cambridge is perfect for reading outdoors in the summer, I love that place for such things and will miss it dearly once the weather gets nicer.

Edited March 1, 2010 by chrysalis_stage

[Nicola]

when it's hot out, I like to go reading in a nearby forest. On a bench or under a tree, whatever takes my fancy. I take my bike, some books and off I am. The lonely traveller. Perfect solitude. The way I like it.

 

That sounds like the perfect way to enjoy a book Tristan

[Tristan]

That sounds like the perfect way to enjoy a book Tristan

 

I know

[Tina]

I can read pretty much everywhere and in any situation. At least novels, non-fiction usually needs a bit calmer environment, at least if I want to really, really focus on the text.

 

One of my favourite places to read is simply on my sofa, either sitting with my legs crossed or comfortably curled up. Some tea and maybe something little to eat... Purrrfect! I otherwise like reading in the bed, too, but I can't do it that often since I have troubles with sleeping anyway and reading a good book doesn't help falling asleep at all.

 

I often read in my garden after work in the summer.

I do that, too. It's my favourite time of the day, relaxing after the day at work, enjoying both the book and the garden and the summer... OH. Reading outdoors on a sunny day in the summer is lovely.

[Steeeeve]

I realised something today which I think I've always known but just been too stupid to take any notice of. I shouldn't try and read while I'm lying down.

I think my body thinks I'm trying to sleep so I just get tired really quickly and can't concentrate.

 

I've also taken to reading in the pub when my mate goes out to smoke his cigarettes. Sometimes I wish he'd take longer

[Cookie]

I've also taken to reading in the pub when my mate goes out to smoke his cigarettes. Sometimes I wish he'd take longer

 

I wish my OH would do this - he might stop whinging at me so much!

[Johnny Carson Whit]

I have just rather patheticaly discovered that one of the main reason that I tend to doze off whilst reading is that I have a tendency to slouch into my living room armchair which seems to make my body think I am trying to sleep.

 

I need a less comfortable chair for reading in

[Alexandra]

Is noise allowed? The TV or the children? I prefer silence, but that doesn't happen often in this house. As long as the noise is tv noise and not people talking, I can read adequately.

 

Indoors or out? Morning or Evening? Always indoors, and I usually only read in the evenings when the children are in bed.

 

Do you read on sofa or do you prefer to snuggle in bed with a good read? Both. I read on the sofa next to my DH while he watches tv and then we both read in bed just before we fall asleep.

 

Is a cuppa close to hand? Do you feast while you read? Sometimes. It depends on whether I'm hungry or if the book contains descriptions about food or tea. Then I often eat or drink too!

 

Does everything have to be just so? Before I had children - yes. Now - no.

[Kylie]

I usually get quite a lot of reading done at work during my morning tea and lunch breaks. I don't like to go out and I'm comfortable enough at my desk.

 

However, I was told yesterday that this could be perceived by people who pass by and see me reading as me being 'under-employed'. In other words, my senior manager thinks it could look as though I'm slacking off and just reading when I'm supposed to be working.

 

How ridiculous is that? Everyone knows that I'm on my break when I'm reading. Why would anyone assume I'm just slacking off? That's just not done around here. I'm so annoyed that I'm being told how I can and cannot spend my breaks. My manager has suggested I leave my desk and sit in the kitchen area to read, but if I do that I will be regularly distracted by people coming and going, and lots of people will want to talk to me.

 

It reminds me of an episode of Gilmore Girls where Rory is more or less told off for reading during her lunch break. She is told she has to socialise more.

 

I was even told by my manager that it is probably just a problem of this particular senior manager, and probably no-one else would care. He also said that if I spent my lunch break looking up nerdy computer programs or something, the senior manager would probably be cool with that because that's the type of thing he likes to do. WTF? So it appears he just doesn't understand people who read.

 

My manager also suggested it's better to clear my head by leaving my desk. It just so happens that the way I clear my head is to escape into another world for 20 minutes. Is that so hard to understand?

 

In my last department I used to take my laptop to work and spend my lunch breaks watching DVDs. Not only was my boss cool with it, but she frequently asked why I didn't watch my DVDs on my work computer so I could watch it on a bigger screen! My response was always that I didn't want other people to see what I was doing (I set up my laptop discreetly).

 

Sorry for the rant. I'm just so annoyed.

[AbielleRose]

:friends0:I'm sorry about your situation with your boss, Kylie. As a fellow banker who reads at her desk on breaks I actually made a little paper sign that I hang on my computer that says "On Break" so that people know that I'm not slacking off. Actually, everyone at work is starting to do it now. Could you do something like that?

[Kylie]

It's probably too late to try anything like that. They would probably think I was trying to stick it to them or something. The best my manager could advise was to move to the other end of my desk to read.

 

I do tend to read right in front of my computer and often leave my spreadsheets etc open so I can kind of see why people might get confused, but still...I'm going to try moving further away from my computer for now and hope that resolves it.

[Denise]

I tend to always read laying back on my lounge with some music playing on the tv in the background.At night its in bed before I go to sleep.Depending also on the weather outside I also love to read my book on my swing seat under my wrought iron gazebo with the sounds of a water fountain trickling behind me.

[Ooshie]

Kylie, when I was working in London I used to read at my desk every day that I had time for a lunch break (we were expected just to work through if we were busy). Once a manager was passing my desk when I was reading and suggested that I needed to donate part of my salary to charity! Just thinking about it now (about 17 years later!) still makes me mad.

 

For some reason, it made me even more mad because I donate to several charities by standing order every month, and his sarky comment meant whenever I thought about those charities I was always reminded of that incident.

[Kylie]

That's terrible Ooshie.

 

I was talking to my old boss yesterday and complained to her about it. She thinks it's ridiculous too and she told me I was welcome to make use of a small area with lounges that they have on their floor. There are maybe a dozen people working on the entire floor so it will be really nice and quiet. It was so nice of her to offer and I think I'll take her up on it.