As someone who spends a lot of her time reading, there are a few things that are indispensable to me when I’m doing so. Yes, I could be a minimalist reader, and as long as I have my reading glasses and a book, I’d be good to go. But, I’ve always liked to have little things around me that make life easier. I wanted to share them.
My favorite place to read is my recliner. It’s contemporary, chocolate brown, and has little velvety dots on it. It has a high comfy back, and is perfect for reading, working on the laptop, and napping. It’s my favorite piece of furniture in the house.- A tasty beverage (usually a Coke Zero, tea, or diet Ginger ale) nearby is essential. I don’t snack much, but I almost always like to have something to sip on while curled up with a book.
The tv remote control. I prefer not to watch tv when I read, though if my guy or the kid are around, it’s probably on. When I’m alone (or when my guy is passed out on the couch and the kid is asleep, like while I’m writing this post) I like to have the tv on a satellite radio station. (Usually, Sirius’ The Loft.) It’s mellow enough to not distract me from my book, but interesting enough not to put me to sleep.- A Book Magic book clip. It holds my books open and allows me to give my hands and wrists a break. I have arthritis, and this little clip helps immensely when my hands or elbows are bothering me. The book can lay flat on my lap or propped against a pillow. It’s “hands-free” reading!
Book marks. I’ve got a few lovely ones that I use. (Thanks Amy and Barbara!) They really dress my books up! However, I tend to save them for reading books that stay at home (like trades and hardcovers), since I don’t want to lose them. I also have origami ones that I make. I found the directions here. They are nice, because I can make a little stack. If they get lost, it’s not a big deal.- Post-it notes for when I’m reading a book I know I’m going to review. I make notes on them and use them to mark passages I want to remember. I keep them everywhere: in my purse, next to my recliner, in my nightstand. Of course, a mechanical pencil is good for writing those notes!
- My laptop. A laptop for reading? Yes, and not just for my ebooks. I also like having my dictionary/thesarus widget accessible, so that when I come across any unfamiliar words, I can look them up quickly. I’m a sick puppy, and can’t leave those pesky unknown words alone. And, of course, the internet for looking things up as well!
Well, that’s about it. From the above picture, it’s obvious, I’m literally surrounded by books. I’ve got my tbr bookcase on one side, and my precariously stacked tv tray with audiobooks, books I’m reading/reviewing, and random crap on the other. At least once a day that stack falls over. My guy says I have a singular talent for acquiring piles around me. Unfortunately, it’s all too true.
Are there things you must have around you while you read? Or, are you a low-maintenance reader?
Filed under: Ramblings, Random book stuff | Tagged: Book Magic clip, origami bookmark
I’m low maintenance all the way. A book and a place to sit or lie down, and I’m happy.
Course, that probably explains why I can never remember what I’ve read, what I wanted to say when I go to review it, why I hardly ever review anything, or what I wanted to buy. But… whatevah!
What a great post, Renee!
When I sit down to read I gather my TV remote, house phone, iphone, sony reader and my book. I don’t care where I am–bed, chair whatever. But I like to have those things with me so that if someone calls I don’t have to get up and look for the phone. I usually read with the TV on but on mute. I think that is from my college days–I like to multi-task.
As for book accessories—my most important one is my lightwedge so that I can read while my hubby is asleep and I like bookmarks called book bracelets. Book bracelets are like a big band decorated with beads. It is elastic so it wraps around my book and will not fall off even if my book is in my purse.
Lori: I strive for low-maintenance, but in the end, I always wind up with all my little doodads around me. My husband says my being high maint is fine, as long as I’m under no illusions about it. lol
Hey! as long as you’re enjoying yourself, right?
Nikki: Yes, the phone extension is on the bookshelf, and my purse (with phone, iPod, etc) is on that little stool behind the tv tray. I’ll have to look up the book bracelets and lightwedge! I like that the bands won’t come off in your purse.
Here is a link to see the book bracelets:http://www.scribewritingessentials.com/brands_antioch02.php
and lightwedge: http://www.lightwedge.com
*thinks* I guess I’m a low maintenance kind of gal. I usually end up reading at the kitchen table, which sounds uncomfortable, but for ages I had no couch so I’ve kind of got used to it. I do like to have a glass of something (non-alcoholic!) next to me and maybe a snack (bad, I know) but otherwise, that’s it.
And I’m now flush in bookmarks because I ordered a few books from The Book Depository and they send a bookmark with every book
I love that little book clip! I’ve never seen one before.
Nikki: That light wedge is so cool! I’ve never seen it before. You know, I think I’ve seen the bands at Borders of B & N, but I didn’t get how they worked. They are so pretty! (Great gift ideas!)
orannia: I only sit at the table to read when I’m eating and reading at the same time. (Another handy use for that book clip! lol)
I love the Book Depository! I think you and Li turned me on to them, and I’ve used them a couple of times for books out of print in the US.
Barbara: Now that I’m used to using it, I go crazy when I don’t have it. (I actually have 2, since I rarely read 1 book at a time.)
I’m generally happy as long as I have my glasses and a book……. sometimes if I’m reading alot in one sitting, the tea/juice option works well for me, I try not to snack while i’m reading doesn’t always work like that…
I generally read on my bed, but when I have the house to myself, I like to read on hte couch or my comfy armchair
Great Post Renee
Oh, I love this post! I think I vary from low to high maintenance. Do you mind if I snag this post idea and do one too? Maybe tomorrow! It’s like a meme. I have two places I read. In my bed and my recliner. But I can’t recline my chair. Not that I can’t but mentally I can’t. I don’t know why but it just doesn’t feel right to sit in the living room half laying down. I don’t know, it’s one of those things. I even give the hubby a look everytime he reclines his chair. Just one of those things.
I want your book clip!!
I must have post it notes to mark pages if I am reviewing the book, a glass of water, and my laptop so I can peek to see if anything interesting is being said on Twitter.
Amanda: My bed would be option 2, but usually only before I’ve started my day, or before I go to sleep.
Thanks!
AmyC: Sure thing! Snag away!
lol. It’s funny, cause my husband’s biggest requirement for the couch was that it be one that was comfortable to nap on. My best friend says our living room is dangerous for napping. I think it’s cause all the furniture is comfy, and when the kid isn’t raising heck, it’s really quiet and mellow.
Mandi: The clips are avail at Amazon, though I found them at an independent bookstore locally.
I am so afraid of Twitter! I already spend so much time on the internet. I’ve been more and more tempted, though!
LOL, sounds so cozy
I’m easy to, I can read anywhere… I don’t use bookmarks, usually able to find where I’m at in a book easily
Though my favorite place to read? In bed
What an interesting post!
My first response would be that I’m a low maintenance reader. But after reading the other comments and looking around me I’d say I might be just a bit high maintenance.
I need to have the book I’m reading, the other book I’m reading and my notebook and pen. Then there’s a glass of soda, water or tea. Occasionally a beer or glass of wine. Snacks – usually saltines. Cell phone and laptop nearby.
The place varies from bed, living room couch, family room loveseat or kitchen table. I even have a special book bag for when I’m mobile so I can just throw everything in there and go. There are times when I’m totally into a book and all I need is that one book. Those are the best reading times for me.
It’s fun to see where you read. That chair looks really comfortable, and I’m very interested in that book clip of yours. I have one that just doesn’t work, so I only use it when I’m flossing while reading (TMI??) I’m a bed or bath reader.
nath: You are low-maintenance! Not even a book mark!
I’m very comfy in my chair, even as I write this!
Leslie: Thanks!
lol. Yep, you do sound like a comfort reader! (Doesn’t that sound better than “high-maintenance”?
It is wonderful when a book is so absorbing you can be anywhere to read it!
CC/CJ: Thanks! At first, I didn’t know if this post was too self-absorbed, but I so love my cozy little spot, that I wanted to share it!
lol. Nah, I got you! My husband is the same, when he’s brushing his teeth. He’s been told he brushes too hard, and I always blame the reading!
The clip is really good, and works on both h/c and pbk. It sure beats using a hair clip! (Yes, I’ve done it.)
Hi, Renee! We all want that book clip! What a great idea…
I can read anywhere, with or without a book marker, I’ll use anything as a book marker… post it pads, receipts, whatever. But, I have this little spot on one of my couches that has my butt imprint on it already, with something to drink nearby, my book and I’m ready to go!
I do use my iPod and have a “Reading Playlist” ready for those times when there are too many people around and I need to shut them out (bus, dental office, park, grand child visiting, husband…. lol). So, it depends on the circumstances.
LOL I need a book, a bookmark, a place to sit and a bottle of water and I’m good to go. I’m easy. Wait, don’t let that info get out.
Hi, Renee! It’s been soooo long since I’ve been online, I have a lot of reading to catch up on.
As for me as a reader – I’m pretty low maintenance. I tend to lie on my couch with my Chihuahua. The only thing I really need is good lighting. 
I love days like today, though, when it’s cool and breezy and I can have all of my windows open. A snoring Chihuahua just adds to the fun. 