How do you read?

[Icecream]

So how do you read? One handed or two, and if one which? Left is obvious but are you right handers different, or maybe you find yourself wishing books were written backwards for your convenience?

Anything else reading position wise you'd like to add.. maybe you stand on your head?

You can probably guess with having a baby I read with one hand, and yes my left. I like to read sitting lengthways on the sofa so my short (23 inch) legs can be comfortable and I can rest my back against the side.

[Nici76]

I always hold my book with my left hand but other than that it can vary how I am sitting. In the car I just try to be as comfty as possible, in my armchair my feet are propped up on the coffee table and in bed anyway I feel!

[Fiona]

Um usually two handed or book is on table or rested on lap. I'm fidgety really, so I tend to read it in every way possible. One handed, two hanted, on a flat surface then move it to my lap or lay belly down on the floor and read it like that.

[Janet]

Um usually two handed or book is on table or rested on lap. I'm fidgety really, so I tend to read it in every way possible. One handed, two hanted, on a flat surface then move it to my lap or lay belly down on the floor and read it like that.
:lol: That's pretty much what I do!

Fidgeters of the world, unite! :D

[awriter]

I read one handed (left or right) depending on how I'm sitting or lying, thumb and small finger holding the book open.

[madcow]

Usually left handed, but if it is a huge book it can be two handed or lent on a table. If i am reading in bed it is anyway that is comfy!

[Icecream]

I fidget when reading in bed too. Being able to see, turn the page and be comfortable at the same time is difficult in a bed. It is the same in the car too..

I also it in the armchair if upstairs. I rarely read on the table, but sometimes do. Mostly I sit on the settee.

[Fay]

I have never even thought about it. Had to pick a book up just now so I could see how I read. I do exactly the same as you awriter, but always with my left hand.

[Kell]

It depends - if I'm eating lunch (at work, for example), I eat with my right hand and hold the book with my left, turning the pages with my right between bites.

If I'm in the bath, I hold the book in my right hand, as the shelf where my cuppa is sitting is on the left.

In bed or on the sofa, I hold the book in both hands.

I guess you could say I'm an ambidextrous reader...

[Icecream]

I have recently started to use my right hand if my brew or something has to be on the left, or if I'm feeding bubs on the left side. I can still hold a book on the side I'm feeding her, but she now sometimes gets fidgety when I do.

I have had to master the art of holding the book and turning the pages with my right hand, just like many other things I have had to learn to do right handed.

[Laramie]

It depends - if I'm eating lunch (at work, for example), I eat with my right hand and hold the book with my left, turning the pages with my right between bites.

If I'm in the bath, I hold the book in my right hand, as the shelf where my cuppa is sitting is on the left.

In bed or on the sofa, I hold the book in both hands.

I guess you could say I'm an ambidextrous reader...
I pretty much do the same as you. Except in the bath I have one of those wire shelf things you put across to put your soap in, so I put the towel on it to protect the book and hold it with one or two hands (or sometimes none, actually, they sometimes keep themselves open). It depends on my mood and the book.

[aromaannie]

I love reading in bed and tend to swap hands as I have RSI in my arms and it aggravates it

[kitty_kitty]

i tend to hold the book with both hands and i need a table etc to put my drink on - alot of time i am trying to keep the books out of cats and dogs reach

[Liz]

When it comes to how I hold a book, no matter where I am I always hold the both with both hands.

Usually with my left hand at the top of the left page and my right hand at the bottom of the right page.

[pontalba]

Usually I'm sitting in a chair in my office, so sideways with the book on my lap, legs crossed, left hand holding the book, but the right holding the pages down...
If I put the book flat on the desk, one of the cats will lie on it, so no dice there. :D

[angerball]

I usually prefer to lie on the sofa on my right side, with the book on the sofa. Lying on my left side isn't as comfy. :lol: Or sometimes I'll sit cross-legged on the bed and read.

Another thing which I have to do - and I feel a tad self conscious about it (:giggle:), is that I have to put my bookmark under the line (or a few lines below that) of text I'm reading, and slide it down the page as I go. :blush: If I don't do that, I find I get distracted by the other lines below - my eyes tend to flit down to see what happens next. :blush: I'm really trying to break myself of this habit, but it's very hard to do. Without the bookmark, I can't read it properly. Anyone else do this? :lurker:

[Polka Dot Rock]

I'm so lazy - I hold it in both hands and have to be supported by cushions or a table!! :blush: So lazy... I find it really difficult to just hold it on one hand and keep ith in front of my face.

I also 'slump' over which causes some real neck/shoulder problems... Bad habits from when I was little.

Anyone have any advice? I find it really hard to be comfortable when reading.

[angerball]

... I find it really difficult to just hold it on one hand and keep ith in front of my face.

Me too! How do y'all stop the pages from flipping shut when holding it one hand? Don't you get hand-strain? :thud:

Anyone have any advice? I find it really hard to be comfortable when reading.

Try reading it on your side on the sofa like I do. That's the most comfortable for me, because I'm lying down. :D

[Kylie]

I also hold my book in my left hand with the thumb and pinkie holding it open. Although lately, because I've been reading brand new books and trying not to damage the spine, I've been holding it in two hands. I'm kind of relieved to be reading a second-hand book at the moment so I don't have to worry about the spine! It's not too tiring holding the book open with one hand.

Once I get to bigger, heftier tomes, I'll hold it in two hands and rest it on my lap.

As to reading positions, if I'm reading at work, I like to rest my feet on the edge of my bin (sometimes if I'm not careful my feet'll end up IN it rather than ON it :mrgreen:) In bed, I'll usually lay on my left side to read the right-hand page (while the left side is flat on the bed) and then roll over to read the other side :lol:)

[Janet]

Another thing which I have to do - and I feel a tad self conscious about it, is that I have to put my bookmark under the line (or a few lines below that) of text I'm reading, and slide it down the page as I go. :blush: If I don't do that, I find I get distracted by the other lines below - my eyes tend to flit down to see what happens next. :blush: I'm really trying to break myself of this habit, but it's very hard to do. Without the bookmark, I can't read it properly. Anyone else do this? :lurker:
The only time I've ever done that is if I'm reading a play aloud in class and I don't want to lose my place. I'm sure lots of other people do this though. :)

In bed, I'll usually lay on my left side to read the right-hand page (while the left side is flat on the bed) and then roll over to read the other side :lol:)
I think my husband would divorce me if I kept rolling from side to side whilst reading in bed! :lol: I tend to lie mostly on my right hand side, for quite a long time, and only swap to my left for a short while occasionally just to give me a change of position!

[happyanddandy]

I haven't really thought about it - I will have to check during the day. At night in bed I lay on my right side and read (and fall asleep) but I have no idea which hands I use!!

[Rosie]

I have a favourite chair near a window where there is plenty of light so my eyes don't feel strained- like most people I tend to sit with the book on my left hand and turn the pages with my right hand. I can't sit for too long in one position though as my legs start to ache - especially if I have a cat as well as a book on my lap:) I've noticed that I also sit with my head slightly to one side and when I straighten up my neck it has started to 'clunk' - which is slightly worrying - getting old I guess:lol:

[Fiona]

http://www.style-files.com/images/librarychair500x359.jpg

That is the chair you need by your window. I absolutely want one!

[Janet]

:lol: Where did you find that? It's awesome!

[Kell]

I want that chair! It totally wouldn't go with my decor, but I want it anyway - it's fantastic!

[Oblomov]

I read in various postures depending on the time of the day or where I am.

1. Sitting on a moda (an Indian short wicker stool) in a corner of my home office with the window behind me and to the left is my favourite position
2. Reclining back in my home office chair
3. Propped-up in bed for late night reading.
4. When a book gets particularly interesting, I kneel on the floor next to the bed with the book itself on the mattress.
5. Sitting on the window seat of the bay window in out lounge.

[angerball]

:lol: Love the chair, Fiona! Doesn't look all that comfy, but great storage capacity! :lol:

4. When a book gets particularly interesting, I kneel on the floor next to the bed with the book itself on the mattress.

That's unusual! :giggle: I can't quite picture it!

[Oblomov]

That's unusual! :giggle: I can't quite picture it!

Well, it works for me to build-up adrenaline. You should try it!

[Kell]

I'd love to be able to sit out on our veranda with a good book, but we're having crumby weather and also have pigeons nesting on it at the moment (there are two cute, fluffy chicks there), so I don't want to disturb them even if the weather DOES suddenly get nice!

[Echo]

I have a couch that my boyfriend calls "The Nap Couch", which is where I read (and sometimes will fall asleep). When I'm settling down to read something, I half lie down/sit up with a quilt over my legs, the lamp on behind me, and the book in my lap. I always make sure that I have a drink nearby, and for some reason, I sometimes will turn the TV on. This is where I read everything from my books to my magazines.

[Liz]

That chair is amazing! I love it. :D

Thanks for posting it, Fiona. :)

[Icecream]

Yay! I am so happy! Katie is in her own bedroom now so when OH wants to kick me out of the living room and have ome time to himself I can read in bed again instead of having to forfit my reading time.

[wrathofkublakhan]

I sometimes read at stop lights, often in a restaurant and occasionally in the park.

Mostly I read in my chair with the television on, tuned to a familiar show - a rerun of M*A*S*H, Forrest Gump, Shawshank Redemption: some type of fare that is easily ignored but still has some good parts. That's how I found I liked Hannah Montana because the Disney Channel is only background noise with nary a bit of value; ideal for reading - until she came along. This show is great.

Once upon a time, I'd read with the radio on or a cd playing - but it just accents just how empty this freaking apartment is with just me and an old cat rattling about. Worse is total silence and hearing the clicking of the clock - I swear someday I'll just tear the batteries out of those clocks. My mom gave me a clock within which a different bird chirps on the hour -- it's long gone, let me assure you.

*in pajamas
*left hand holding book
*89% paperbacks
*snacks - cookies, candy, chips (right hand)
*the chair can recline, but it can settle in between also
*I get restless after about an hour and jump online to read the Book Club Forum or check my e-mail, then back into the action.

As you can see, I read with ... style!

[xLorzx]

I tend to read on the couch when my boyfriend is either watching tv or playing on Xbox or entertaining our puppy!! I have grown up in quite a hectic house so I always need the tv on regardless of what I'm doing as background noise! I also read when my boyfriend is driving and also in bed :)

xLorzx :readingtwo:

[Icecream]

I always need the tv on regardless of what I'm doing as background noise!

I can't read with the tv on. It is too distracting, unless it is children's tv (but not baby tv!:lol:).

[FishAndChips]

I also read when my boyfriend is driving

I sometimes get car sick if I read in the car. Especially if i'm sat in the front for some reason, not so bad in the back. Wierd.

[xLorzx]

LoL that's strange!

Actually though saying that sometimes when I have had my head down for too long I do tend to feel sick after a while!!

xLorzx :readingtwo:

[Icecream]

I sometimes get car sick if I read in the car. Especially if i'm sat in the front for some reason, not so bad in the back. Wierd.

Strange! I feel sick in the back, but not in the front.

[carm]

most of the time i'll read on the subway going home... but once it stops raining and the yankees aren't playing i'll start reading on the porch- carm

[maclsj]

I've lived alone these last few years so read all over! The three places I read most are on the sofa in the living room, in bed and in the bath. I also read an awful lot on trains as I don't drive but live a long way from friends and family so often end up needing a good book to read! Earlier this year I was having to travel over 7 hours (each way) to see my boyfriend so that gave me plenty of time to read!

What I do notice every morning on the bus is one or two people reading. It's nice to see that people do read!

[samgrosser]

I usually read while I'm having lunch which is all right if it's a lunch I can eat with one hand (cheese toasties for example) but if it's a messier sandwich, needing two hands to hold it together, then I have to put down the book on the table and flatten it open by balancing something along the top of it - I've found that my pencil case is just about the right length and weight to hold most books open.

Other than that I read just about anywhere, lying down, sitting up, standing up while waiting for the kettle to boil, the washing to finish etc etc, right hand, left hand, both hands together (that's when I remember what my Alexander technique teacher used to tell me!).

I used to read a lot more lying on my tummy but now it hurts my neck if I do it for too long, which is a shame.

[Kylie]

I usually read while I'm having lunch which is all right if it's a lunch I can eat with one hand (cheese toasties for example) but if it's a messier sandwich, needing two hands to hold it together, then I have to put down the book on the table and flatten it open by balancing something along the top of it - I've found that my pencil case is just about the right length and weight to hold most books open.

That sounds exactly like me Sam! I get slightly annoyed when I realise I've brought in lunch that will require two hands! I occasionally use a tape dispenser or a stapler/scissors combo to keep my book open, although it takes longer to read this way because I have to keep stopping and cleaning my hands before I can turn the page. Sometimes I can't be bothered and just close my book until I've eaten.

[Icecream]

I usually read while I'm having lunch which is all right if it's a lunch I can eat with one hand (cheese toasties for example) but if it's a messier sandwich, needing two hands to hold it together, then I have to put down the book on the table and flatten it open by balancing something along the top of it - I've found that my pencil case is just about the right length and weight to hold most books open.

I can sympathise. I have the same problem with sandwich's, but not while reading. I'm usually feeding the baby while I eat. Dinner is messier!

[Hazeltree]

I read anywhere I can! I've not tried while feeding the baby, but I do read while I'm eating if I can get the kids to leave me alone!

I always read in bed before going to sleep. It doesn't matter how tired I am - if I don't read I can't settle. :)

[Janet]

I always read in bed before going to sleep. It doesn't matter how tired I am - if I don't read I can't settle. :)
I'm totally with you on that one!

[samgrosser]

I can sympathise. I have the same problem with sandwich's, but not while reading. I'm usually feeding the baby while I eat. Dinner is messier!

I used to get a lot of reading done while I was breastfeeding - he'd usually fall asleep afterwards too ...

[Echo]

I always have to read while I'm eating, too. I'm the only person at my store who brings a big book with her to work...everyone else just reads the fashion and gossip magazines that are piled around everywhere! :lol:

[Icecream]

I always have to read while I'm eating, too. I'm the only person at my store who brings a big book with her to work...everyone else just reads the fashion and gossip magazines that are piled around everywhere! :lol:

Urggh! I hate those things!

Reading is a great way to stop falling asleep while feeding a bubbly. It also passes the time much quicker (not that I don't love gazing at bubs for ages!)

[KW]

I read just about anywhere but I read slowly...so it takes me 4ever to get thru a book!

[Icecream]

Katie has gone from helping to turn the pages (though she still does sometimes) to trying to eat the books, to just wanting to look at the cover. She will turn the book back to the front cover, the back to the page we are on and continue turning whilst I am trying to turn the pages and read them to her.

She has also started touching pictures and things on the pages though.

[proserpina]

I can only hold a book with my right hand, it feels weird holding it with my left (force of habit, I suppose). I also read while eating, it gives me precious reading time and, when I am alone, I find it rather decadent. Mostly I read sitting upright (none of this lying on stomach or back lark!) with the book relatively high; I get neckache if I look down for too long.

I do have this habit of reading on my side when I'm in bed. It can be a tad awkward but when it's cold and I want to be covered by the duvet or I don't want to waste the energy to sit up, it works a treat.

[Adam]

I normally read in my bed before I go to sleep. I usually just hold the book. I also read in the arm chair I have in the bonus room. I normally just hold the book, unless I am reading a book while I eat, then I place it flat on the table. I read slow so I can take my time with the book and absorb the story.

[Angel]

I usually hols the book in my left hand, so that my right is left free for drinks, nibbles or the computer mouse

Recently if I try to read in bed I end up falling asleep :blush:

[fireball]

Now that's a "reading chair"!, nice one there Fiona. ;)
:
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/3654/librarychair500x359yx3.jpg

I usually use both hands, or sometimes if it's a paperback I use my left hand or right, whichever is comfy. Sometimes when I'm out and about when I'm walking and I'm reading a book, I use both hands, both for hard/paperback; you know since moving here to Victoria (Vancouver Island), I'm not alone in that either, people are walking with their books H/Pbacks heads down and reading,! bloody brill that. It's quite a sight to behold. Altogether now :readingtwo: http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/steelclaw32/BookWorm.gif

One emoticon I really like is THIS one.
:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/steelclaw32/ABookworm.gif

Only I've a bit more hair then that bloke...just! :lol:

[Adam]

LOL, nice chair Fireball :lol:

[chicken]

I read at work holding the book on my knees under the desk so no-one can see it :mrgreen: At home I veg out on the sofa or lie in bed, I have been reading The Fiery Cross layed on my front propped up on my elbows with the book resting on my pillow - its to heavy to hold :roll: and I keep waking up dribbling on the pages :blush: :roll: must be getting old :mrgreen: