This morning I woke to the sound of rain pounding on the roof and that dim light you get when the sun seems too lazy to get up. My first thought was that it was a perfect day for reading. There’s something about being snug and warm in a house, preferably with a fire glowing, when the rain is pouring down, that just makes me want to pick up a book.
I have my favourite spots too. One of the best is in a large wing chair with a huge ottoman so I can put my feet up. It’s in a corner of the lounge with a view out to the eucalypt trees, and you can see the fire at the end of the room. Very cosy. There’s a lamp and a table at just the right spot for a warm drink or a glass of wine. There’s a CD player too if you want background music.
On the other hand, summer has its benefits. I’ve discovered the joys of reading in a hammock late on a hot afternoon, beside a pool. Bliss! A cold drink, a good book and I’m in heaven. I always dream of relaxing on holiday with a stack of books, but somehow it rarely happens.
Recently I found another idyllic reading spot – also outdoors. Visiting a friend I discovered her huge raised patio, looking out across the paddocks to where her llamas (yes, I said llamas) grazed. The sun was warm on the recycled timber deck, the magpies warbled and there was a seat in just the right spot for a bit of reading.
I can’t imagine a home without at least a couple of good reading nooks. I’ve always dreamed of building my own library to house the burgeoning collection. There would be full height bookshelves, comfy chairs and, of course a fire. There’d be space to stretch out and room for even more books than we currently possess. Hey, a girl can dream.
In the meantime I've just received some copies of my own July and August releases for the US. Two sheikh stories. I can't tell you how tempting it is to curl up in a corner and read one of those instead of trying the write the next one. But perhaps you know exactly what I mean.
Do you have favourite reading places or do you just open a book wherever you can? Do you like to be outdoors, in a library, or in your own place? Surrounded by other books or maybe in a cafe, with coffee and cake on tap? I’d love to hear.
Do you have favourite reading places or do you just open a book wherever you can? Do you like to be outdoors, in a library, or in your own place? Surrounded by other books or maybe in a cafe, with coffee and cake on tap? I’d love to hear.
Annie
14 comments:
Hi Annie!
My favorite place to read is on a padded lounge chair, under a huge umbrella on the beach.
The sea breeze is blowing, it is so nice under the umbrella and the sound of the ocean is like a white noise in the background. I love it!
Unfortunately, that only happens once or twice a year. Most of my reading is actually done at night, in bed, right before I go to sleep...generally that last hour before I turn out the light for the night!
So I guess that is my second favorite place.
Angie
I don't think I can read outdoors, guess not really used to it. My two very favorite places would be my room in my bed and the library I could really stay there for hours. It's funny, when you mentioned coffee and tea I just discovered I only have them when I'm working on my computer but when reading it's just a book and me:)
Hi Angie, your post conjured up lovely pictures of seaside holidays in exotic places. I could just about smell the salt tang of the sea. How wonderful! I hope you get another reading stint like that soon.
As for reading at night in bed - that's me too! It's the perfect way to end the day. My only problem is that when I get hooked on a really great story it's so hard to turn the light off and then I feel guilty about keeping my husband awake!
Annie
Hi Mona - another read in bed girl! Interesting comment about reading in the library. I haven't done it for a while now as my library visits are usually sandwiched in between other things. But in the past I spent a lot of time reading there. I love the quiet and all those books! It's a perfect atmosphere. As for drinking tea or coffee as I read - I usually won't bother to tear myself away to make some, but if it's on offer I won't say no (G)!
Do you find when you're at the library that you get distracted into acquiring even more books to read? That's always my problem - I can't resist them.
Annie
I can read anywhere. I've always been known to have a book in the car, my purse, at work, at our cabin......never go anywhere with one. Trust me on this! My husband used to laugh at me until I had one of his favorite authors "tucked" under the seat of our car. We were detained by a train for over 45 minutes, backwards and forward......you know the drill and thanks to me he had his book and I had mine!
Now getting down to the most important subject, Annie's "sheikh" release, can't wait to get my hands on it. Your first book in the genre was fab and I'm sure all of the next ones will be just as wonderful!
Marilyn, I had to laugh at your 'book everywhere' comment. I bet your husband was so grateful for his favourite author that time! I always have a book when I'm taking family members to medical appointments, sport etc. Trouble is they often turn up when I've just got to a good bit!
Thanks too for the kind comment on my sheik story. Actually I'm quite thrilled as a friend has just told me (half an hour ago) that my July and Aug releases (my two sheik books) received 4 and 4 1/2 star reviews from Romantic Times. I've yet to read the text but am grinning broadly.
Annie
Annie
Hey Annie,
Great to know you like reading in libraries too...about getting distracted by other books...Sure it happens all the time.. when I'm in a library or even a bookstore I'm not really looking for an exact title or author I'm drawn to the back cover and when I read something I like I'm on it even if I didn't know the writer before. Another thing we have in common, it's a problem for me too:)
My favorite place to read is at home in my recliner. I will read in the car as well when hubby is driving. I also have read outside but it is not something I prefer since there are too many distractions.
I'm a reader before bed too. . . and I read any chance I get, whether it's a chapter or more, I'll fit something in when I can! :)
And I already read the Sheikh's Ransomed Bride. . . and it was a mighty fine introduction for me to the world of Sheikhs! :) (although when typing the word, I have to think about it. . . that last h gets me. LOL) :)
Lois
At last! I've been trying to pop in and post again for a while, but the system kept booting me off!
Mona - it seems we share another weakness - bookstores! There's a beautiful 3 storey one in Sydney that I love called Dymocks. It has a cafe inside and I could spend the whole day. The things you find when you're looking for something else...(G).
Cherie - reading while your husband drives - that's pretty clever. I think I'd get carsick.
And Lois - thanks for the feedback on 'The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride'. It's wonderful to hear you enjoyed it! You might want to watch out for the linked story: 'For the Sheikh's Pleasure' that comes out in August. Actually, I thought the titles might be published without that h in the title. I thought the US spelling was 'sheik' not 'sheikh' as we spell it here.
I've managed to slip some reading in today between lots of chores - in the car waiting for my daughter to come out from an appointment. Of course her timing was impeccable - she came out just as the book was becoming un-put-downable. (G).
Annie
Oh, I hope I can pick it up! :) And actually, sheikh isn't exactly a word I use much, so, actually, come to think of it, yeah, it looks right without the h. LOL :) It didn't even hit me until now about that. Shows how I'm paying attention, isn't it. . . LOL
Lois
You've got a point Annie, it's true sometimes the best things we ran across when not looking for them:)
Mona, it happened to me just this week. I was at the local library - I'd stopped in quickly to find one book my daughter wanted for a school assignment. I was in the stacks out the back, where they store the old stock. I came out with my arms full of books for me, including a great one by someone who travelled through a remote part of Greece that I'd visited ages ago and want to see again... Fortunately I remembered to get the text for the school task as well!
Lois, it's not the 'h' that gives me pause in sheikh, but I do have to stop a moment to think about the 'ei' (G)!
Annie
I enjoy reading in the living room since we don't have TV there.
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