Reading Habits

Today I am considering myself tagged for a series of questions about reading habits (thanks Hannah!)  I’d decided I’d like to have at least one of my regular Wednesday posts be related to reading, and this seems a great way to kick that off!

1) Do you have a certain place at home for reading?

I am in the middle of setting up in a brand new space!  So, I am trying to create a special reading space in it. I have this chair that I adore, and it’s nestled in a corner next to my window and a table that will eventually hold my espresso maker. It should make a nice little corner to read in.

2) Bookmark or a random piece of paper?

Either works. I have a bunch of bookmarks that I like, but more often than not I forget them and have to find something that will work even if it isn’t a bookmark (and not just paper either, yarn works too). I do a decent amount of my fiction reading on the kindle now, so no bookmark required!

3) Can you stop reading anytime you want or do you have to stop at a certain page, chapter, part, etc.?

I like to stop at the end of chapters, or at least a pause in the narrative, it makes it easier for me to pick up again when I go back to the book. But often I just have to stop when I have to stop, even if it’s mid-sentence.

4) Do you eat or drink while reading?

Sometimes. I like to have a drink on hand, even if it’s just water. Little snacks are nice too, but I don’t like eating meals while reading, it splits my attention too much.

5) Can you read while listening to music/watching?

Music yes, but I can’t watch anything. The music generally has to be something I’m familiar with, so it can fade into the background.

6) One book at a time, or several at once?

I usually have a bunch of books going at once. I don’t think I actually like doing that, but it is hard for me to find one book that fits every mood and moment. Since so much of my reading is done during little gaps of down time, I want to make sure I’ll have something that fits my mood.

7) Reading at home or everywhere?

Everywhere. My time is limited, so I do a lot of my reading these days on my commute to and from work.  I find that I can’t really read during my lunch-break (which is fine, because I’m trying to use my lunch-breaks for writing!) but am hoping to start incorporating more reading time on my weekends — I need to start setting up a day that’s just for me.

8) Reading out loud or silently in your head?

I love reading out loud to kids, but other than that I just read in my head. (Now I’m imagining the strange looks I’d get.if I read out loud on the bus…).

9) Do you read ahead or skip pages?

I try to read straight through.  On rare occasions I have looked ahead (though I really can’t recall why!) but mostly I like to work my way through the story the way that the author intended (it’s what I’d like my readers to do with my work, so I try to return the favor).

10) Breaking the spine or keeping it new?

I don’t understand breaking the spine… or trying to keep it pristine either.  I want to be able to read the book, comfortably, which sometimes means the spine gets broken… it just happens, but I never do so intentionally.

11) Do you write in books?

Yes, yes I do.  And, honestly, I’ve been trying to do it more.  Marking passages that catch my attention, or something I might want to be able to return to easily.  Most of my writing is just a little check-mark in the margins, or something of that sort.  A few get more notes (certain non-fiction work gets thoroughly marked up…). That said, there are some books that I will not write in, older copies of books that have been in the family, books from my childhood, things like that.

How about you?  What kind of reading habits do you have?  Feel free to answer these questions in your own blog , or in the comments — either way I’d love to know how you read.

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